One Girl Writes

Insights Of A Children's Book Author

One Girl Writes

Let’s talk about screenplays

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So you’re asking, what does a children’s book writer (me) know about screenplays and scripts for television or radio? Until a few months ago, absolutely nothing. Forward a few months, and I find myself representing a screenplay writer, who has also published many books. I know many facets of the publishing, editing, and promoting industry of writing, so how hard could this be?

Well, editing the writer’s 1st screenplay had me baffled as an editor.  Why are so many words in capital letters that aren’t technically capital letter words, and why are so many things in parentheses? According to the author, the capital letters are to emphasize the tone for the actor/narrator to use; the words in parentheses are to inform the technical crew of what needs to be done.

A script (or screenplay) is the written content for a visual story such as a play, television show or movie. While scripts often contain information for performers and crew, such as stage directions and production notes, they primarily focus on the dialogue between characters in the story.

The purpose of writing the script a certain way is to help actors know what to say to portray specific characters correctly—hence the capital letters to portray intensity. The script also includes cues for the stagehands to know when special effects are needed.

What type of media requires a script? Television, films, radio, documentaries, plays, and even video games. All these types of scripts have different word count specifications to fit their needs. So check out specific requirements for each type of screenplay before submitting it to contests, agents, etc.

Here’s some good advice about screenplays and scripts.

Want to know more about the writer I’m representing who has created an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sci-fi script for television entitled Gardens, Grove, and Mechanical Trees.

Original artwork cover copywriter G. Mitchell Baker.

Gardens, Groves, and Mechanical Trees

Screenplay reviews for Gardens, Groves, and Mechanical Trees:

Dog-Eared Reviews May 2023  I loved it and did not want it to end. Brilliant job.

Literary Titan, April 2023  Its engaging format, consisting of dialogue and narration, is both informative and intellectually stimulating.

Book website for G. Mitchell Baker: http://gmitchellbakerauthor.com Facebook G Mitchel Baker: https://www.facebook.com/gmitchell.baker/about_details

I am a children/teen author and love good deals for children. Check out deals for children’s books here.

Little Miss History Travels to Monticello

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Little Miss History Travels to Monticello Home of Thomas Jefferson

Written by Barbara Ann Mojica

Illustrated by  Victor Ramon Mojica 

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ eugenus STUDIOS, LLC (August 17, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 46 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1733067183
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1733067188

 About the Book:   

    Join award-winning children’s book author Barbara Ann Mojica’s Little Miss HISTORY as she reveals the mysteries of Monticello, Home of Thomas Jefferson, her newest release. Discover the hidden treasures of Thomas Jefferson’s home, the author of The Declaration of Independence. An agriculturalist, philosopher, scientist, architect, patriot, and president, Jefferson’s complex role in history teaches today’s Americans why, “If you don’t know your history, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

What I thought:   

     Barbara Ann Mojica’s Little Miss History series is exceptional! I’ve read and reviewed most of her books in this series and I loved them all. This book (as well as all the books in the series) is well written, entertaining, and educational. The illustrations match the writing perfectly, and the overall look of the book is very professional. Adults as well as children will love this book and all the books in the series. I was given a free copy pdf for an honest review.                    

About the Author:      

Barbara Ann Mojica, M.A. S.A.S., S.D.A is a historian and retired educator. Her education career spans more than forty years serving as a teacher, special educator, principal, and school district administrator. Barbara writes monthly historical articles for the Columbia Insider under the banner “Passages.” Using the whimsical Little Miss History character to narrate her book series, Barbara hopes to educate, entertain and inspire children to learn about historical people and places. Little Miss History’s antics make reading nonfiction a fun-filled adventure for all ages. She firmly believes, “If you don’t know your history, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The Little Miss HISTORY book series has garnered more than two dozen awards including B.R.A.G. Medallions, International Book Excellence Awards, International Readers’ Favorite Awards, Eric Hoffer, and Independent Author Network Awards

Fine more of Barbara Ann’s books here.

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Hurly Burly The Squirrel Next Door (Squirrel Facts Edition)-Book Review

By S.S. Bazinet

Illustrated by Laura Christine Tiralla

Publisher: Renata Press (October 26, 2015)

Age Level: 4 – 8 | Grade Level: P – 3

About The Book

Hurly the squirrel is as cute as they come, but would he make a good house guest?
When Hurly invites himself into a boy’s home, the boy quickly learns that squirrels do not have pleasing inside-the-house manners.

“He chatters and scratches, he picks at the latches
of cupboards that hold all my food!
And if they resist, his teeth will persist,
and sly is his favorite mood.”

This hilarious and brightly illustrated tale of how a squirrel can create chaos will delight young and old readers alike.

What I Thought

This is an ingenious picture story book–it’s an adorable, fun story and a fact book all in one! The story of Hurly Burly the squirrel, written in charming rhyme, unfolds as he invites himself to become a house guest of a little boy. Hurly Burly is trouble, for sure, but he’s the most lovable squirrel ever. So what can the boy do to keep Hurly Burly around but cut down on the chaos in the house?

The squirrel facts (included on every page at the bottom of the story) are delightful and will educate children while they are entertained with the humorous story.

Illustrator Laura Christine Tiralla has captured the essence of Hurly Burly with wonderful artwork.

Hurly Burly The Squirrel Next Door (Squirrel Facts Edition): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01786S7PI/

Author S. S. Bazinet

S.S. Bazinet Biography

My fondest wish is that my stories entertain my readers and also provide them with moments of clarity and a deeper connection to themselves. My books include The Vampire Reclamation Project series, the Sentenced to Heaven series, as well as the YA thriller, My Brother’s Keeper, and a dystopian novel, Dying Takes It Out of You.

Where To Find The Author

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/S.-S.-Bazinet/e/B0078KS7BO/
Author’s website: http://www.ssbazinet.com/
Facebook: http:// https://www.facebook.com/SSBazinet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SSBazinet

Selfies in the Wild by C.L. Murphy, Blog Tour, $200 Giveaway

 

The Adventures of Lovable Lobo: Selfies in the WildC.L. Murphy

  • Written and illustrated by C.L. Murphy
  • Publisher: Peanut Butter Prose (August 1, 2016)
  • Publication Date: August 1, 2016
  • ASIN: B01HC76S5O

 

 

About The Book

Lobo and his sidekick raven find a trail camera in their neck of the woods, and it attracts the attention of forest friends. Images captured have never been sillier or more candid. Just as their wild dispositions are exposed, the photo shoot comes to an unexpected end and they’re all left wondering why. The reason may be obvious.

C.L. Murphy4

What I Thought

Selfies in the Wild is a TOTALLY FUN BOOK! Lobo, the wolf pup, and his buddies discover a trail camera, and when they realize that the trail cam captures pictures of them (without actually “capturing” them), they come up with some hilarious star-studded poses that are wonderfully illustrated.  There are some clever words too; in Lobo’s world the characters are glutton-free and have feet that are pawsitively stinky. As the characters in this book state: “Let’s make a good impression”, that is certainly what C.L. Murphy did by writing and illustrating this book.

C.L. Murphy’s book are always fantastic, and Selfies in the Wild is the latest book in the author’s string of well written and delightful illustrated books. The author has an incredible imaginative way with words and art that captures the hearts of children and adults alike. This book had me chuckling throughout.  Lobo and friends always make life an adventure–I love that about these books.

ENTER TO WIN! $200 Amazon Gift Card or $200 PayPal Card ENTER HERE!!

Buy the book on Amazon

Get the Printable activity kit

 

About The Author

C.L. Murphy2C.L. Murphy is a tamer of fictitious wild animals. As the author and illustrator of the children’s picture book series THE ADVENTURES OF LOVABLE LOBO, she spends her days managing her overactive imagination. The main character in the series was inspired by a lovable wolf that she raised for over 14 years. She’s been a member of SCBWI since 2012. She lives amongst the wildlife in a real enchanted forest with her husband. They have two wildly perfect or perfectly wild sons, depending on the day, and a menagerie of other untamed animals. http://lovablelobo.com

Website: http://lovablelobo.com

Blog: http://lovablelobo.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LovableLobo

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovable-Lobo/265661023552725

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+CLMurphyKidLit

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/murphymess/

 

C.L. Murphyblogtour

 

Book Review: Lobo Goes To The Galapagos

Author and Illustrator: C.L. Murphy Lobo Galapogas
Lobo Goes To The Galapagos
The Adventures of Lovable Lobo
Publisher: Peanut Butter Prose (August 22, 2014)
Publication Date: August 22, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00MSUCZR6

Synopsis: Lobo returns in this adventure, sweeter and a bit salty this time. This lil’ wolf pup finds that there’s nothing like a little sea air to bring out the best in him and his unlikely tag-alongs. Take a trip to the Galapagos with Lobo and his right-hand raven, Roxy, as they help an injured, new feathered friend return home. Lobo faces some fears and witnesses the joy that comes from helping others in this “birds of a different feather DO flock together” tale.

What I Thought: I love Lobo, the wolf pup, and his sidekick, Roxy, the raven, in all their adventures. This story a fun adventure as Lobo and Roxy are up for the task of helping out a new-found friend in need, and along the way, finding more new friends. The story is well written with some humor added in for good measure. The illustrations are fantastic. C. L. Murphy has created an excellent series in The Adventures of Lovable Lobo. Highly recommended.

About C.L. Murphy
C.L. Murphy is a tamer of fictitious wild animals. As the author and illustrator of the children’s picture book series THE ADVENTURES OF LOVABLE LOBO, she spends her days managing her overactive imagination. The main character in the series was inspired by a lovable wolf that she raised for over 14 years. She’s been a member of SCBWI since 2012. She lives amongst the wildlife in a real enchanted forest with her husband. They have two wildly perfect or perfectly wild sons, depending on the day, and a menagerie of other untamed animals.

Find the Book on Amazon and Goodreads

Author’s website

Diane Mae Robinson Interview by fellow Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Book Award Recipient

Re-blog from http://leylaatke.com/2015/02/01/interview-with-my-fellow-award-winning-author-diane-mae-robinson/   Leyla Atke, Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Book Award recipient interviews fellow awarded author Diane Mae Robinson

 INTERVIEW WITH MY FELLOW AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DIANE MAE ROBINSON!

I am so honored to interview award-winning author Diane M. Robinson from Canada for my official author website. I met Diane in person in Miami at 2014 Readers Favorite Award Ceremony and we visited Miami Book Fair together.10966908_10152623906815036_1888715462_n

  • Diane, could you please tell about yourself? Where you grew up, the places you lived, your family and your current place of living?

I grew up in Elk Point, Alberta; a small town in central Alberta with a population of 900. Our house was on the edge of town, next to a forest and a babbling brook, and across the forest was my grandma’s house, which I visited every day and where we kept our horses. This forest was my magical wonderland growing up and where my creativity in writing first began. At age 12, our family moved to St. Paul, another small town 22 miles west of Elk Point. Near St. Paul is where I still live.

For the past 13 years, I have lived on an acreage my husband and I designed and built ourselves, a small castle-type house which is surrounded by forest. We have 4 dogs and 5 horses, along with an abundance of elves, faeries, and other magical creatures that dwell in the forest. It really is an awesome, magical place that inspires my fantasy writing. My family and loved ones all live nearby.

  • What kind of person are you?

I am a nature lover and crave being outside. Over the years while on this acreage, I have built massive flower gardens with pathways and benches out of stones; tend a vegetable garden in the summer; have a fair size greenhouse to start my growing season early; and I like to sleep in the tent with my dogs in the summer, where I can daydream far into the night while watching the stars.10953077_10152623906820036_226563993_n

I also love being around animals, hence 5 horses and 4 dogs. Riding a horse through the forest is one of the most mind-calming things I do.

I have a great compassion for the poor and suffering in the world. I have been on 6 volunteer dental mission trips to Central America over the years, and for the past 20 years I have been constantly involved with two groups that do amazing infrastructure work in the poorest regions of Honduras, Guatemala, and Northern India.

I also have an intense need to be creative. I write, I am an artist, I teach private art lessons, and I am a writing instructor.

  • Could you please tell from where comes your inspiration for writing?

Most of my inspiration comes from the forest. I walk through the forest often and will see characters etched in the trees, which inspires me to either write about a new character or write about a scene those images stir up. Forests are very magical and alive to me and I need to be near them.

Other inspirations come from reading well written books, listening to classical music, riding my horse through the forest, painting a picture or making a sculpture.

  • What your award-winning book is about? Why do you write?

My first book, Sir Princess Talent has won 3 international awards, and one prestigious provincial award. The second book, Sir Princess Petra’s Talent won a bronze medal in the 2014 Reader’s Favorite Book Awards. This is a humorous series (The Pen Pieyu Adventures) about a strong-headed princess who becomes a knight, at age 9 years, through her perseverance, friendly nature, believing in herself, her acceptance of others, and her inquisitive nature to find things out for herself. Petra and her dragon, Snarls, have many zany adventures that teach moral values (in a subtle way) to the reader.10956021_10152623906835036_1384694589_n

I write because I don’t seem to have a choice and it is a soul nurturing thing to do.

  • You recently attended the 2014 Readers Favorite Award Ceremony in Miami. Tell about this!

Well, WOWZER, is a good word to describe the event and the days leading up to it. My favorite thing was meeting some very cool authors who are sure to be life-long friends. The ceremony itself and receiving my medal was an affirmation to me that I am on the right track and that all the hard work of my writing means something more than just words.

  • What you are currently working on? Any future plans?

I just finished writing book 3 in my series, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission. It’s at the publisher’s now and will go through editing soon, and will become a book in about 9 months (time period for book birth). I am near completion of my grammar book for elementary children: a humorous grammar book with my characters from The Pen Pieyu Adventures doing their zany stuff while trying to teach grammar.

I also recently committed to co-writing a story picture book series with a friend of mine. He has created a wonderful character and has great ideas and visions for The Berry Bunny series, which he will also do illustrations for.

  • What are your hobbies?

A couple of years ago and for several years previous, I rode my horse with a professional synchronized western riding team that did shows around Alberta. I have since had to give up the circuit due to lack of time. I still enjoy my horses, but mostly just pleasure ride now. I also thoroughly enjoy gardening, chatting with squirrels, artwork, reading, writing, daydreaming, attending live theater, and skating or skiing in the winter.10945489_10152623906825036_902203454_n

You can find out more about Diane Mae Robinson and her dragon books for children at:: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Her blog site: http://www.dianemaerobinson.com

What do Diane Mae Robinson and Jim Carrey have in common?

They are both finalists in the 2014 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Contest– Children’s K – 3rd Grade Category. Winners announced Sept 1st, 2014. https://readersfavorite.com/2014-finalists.htm

Sir Princess Petra's Talent - The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent – The Pen Pieyu Adventures, by Diane Mae Robinson

Jim Carrey2

How Roland Rolls, by Jime Carrey

 

Children – Grade K-3rd
Nicole Weaver
My Brother is my Best Friend
Don M. Winn
Space Cop Zack
Debra Sue Latiolais
Polly and Her Pigtails
Yvonne Arroyo
How The Octopus Got Eight Arms
Miriam Laundry
I CAN Believe in Myself
Dan Cohen
The Adventures of Flapjack
Jimmy Vee
Little Jimmy Says, “Same Is Lame”
Carol McCloud, Caryn Butzke
Bucket Filling from A to Z
Jen Barton
If Chocolate Were Purple
Jim Carrey
How Roland Rolls
Sherrill S. Cannon
My Fingerpaint Masterpiece
Diane Mae Robinson
Sir Princess Petra’s Talent
Alinka Rutkowska
Maya & Filippo Look for Whales
Sheri Fink
The Little Firefly
Mrs. D
The Trees Have Hearts
Jan DiRuzzo
The Lost Mermaid

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent is also a finalist in the Children’s Fantasy category and Children’s 4th – 6th Grade category in the 2014 Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Awards.

In the 2013 Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Awards, Sir Princess Petra (book one) won an Honorable Mention in the K – 3rd Grade category. Henry Winkler’s book, Niagra Falls, or Does It?, was a finalist in the same category.

Henry Winkler

Niagra Falls, or Does It? by Hentry Winkler and Lin Oliver.

Sir Princess Petra - The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Sir Princess Petra – The Pen Pieyu Adventures

 2013 Winners, Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Book Awards http://readersfavorite.com/2013-award-contest-winners.htm 2

Children – Grade K-3rd

Click a book cover for more information

Reviews for Diane’s dragon books for children: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewIndex.html