Nancy Kelly Allen's Blog

 A New Year, A New Opportunity

One thing I appreciate about a new year is theopportunity to focus on what we want to do with our time and energy. Writersneed meaningful goals.

Promoting my latest book, BUGS ON THE JOB, tops mylist. Working with critique partners is another. Meeting readers is a must.Those are lofty, doable, and meaningful.

Then there’s writing, another must. I’m working on amanuscript with a so-so ending, not one I want to use. Last night or maybeearly this morning I woke up, at least semi-awake, and the ending popped intomy brain. Later in the day, I remembered the new ending. It works. That’shappened to me a few other times, but not often. I consider it a gift from my muse,or maybe my brain needed time to process the information. Either way, I’mthankful.

The world of writing is filled with many opportunitiesto make us thankful. A book contract is exciting, but little things weencounter on the up-this-hill-and-down journey sustain us. Kind words from acritique partner or editor, a fan who wants another book, hearing a phrasethat’s inspiring, writing a page or more of a manuscript….

What is on your thankful list?

 

Here's a fun activity for writers of all ages:

Writing activity

New Bug on the Loose

You are a bug detective and havejust discovered a bug no one has ever seen. Your job is to give it a name anddescribe it. Also, draw a picture to show the world your discovery.

Bug Name:

Describe the bug’s appearance.

Where does it live? (Example: inwood, underground, in trees)

What does it eat?

How does it hunt?

Draw a picture of the bug.

 A New Year, A New Opportunity

One thing I appreciate about a new year is the opportunity to focus on what we want to do with our time and energy. Writers need meaningful goals.

Promoting my latest book, BUGS ON THE JOB, tops my list. Working with critique partners is another. Meeting readers is a must. Those are lofty, doable, and meaningful.

Then there’s writing, another must. I’m working on a manuscript with a so-so ending, not one I want to use. Last night or maybe early this morning I woke up, at least semi-awake, and the ending popped into my brain. Later in the day, I remembered the new ending. It works. That’s happened to me a few other times, but not often. I consider it a gift from my muse, or maybe my brain needed time to process the information. Either way, I’m thankful.

The world of writing is filled with many opportunities to make us thankful. A book contract is exciting, but little things we encounter on the up-this-hill-and-down journey sustain us. Kind words from a critique partner or editor, a fan who wants another book, hearing a phrase that’s inspiring, writing a page or more of a manuscript….

What is on your thankful list?

 

Here's a fun activity for writers of all ages:

Writing activity

New Bug on the Loose

You are a bug detective and have just discovered a bug no one has ever seen. Your job is to give it a name and describe it. Also, draw a picture to show the world your discovery.

Bug Name:

Describe the bug’s appearance.

Where does it live? (Example: in wood, underground, in trees)

What does it eat?

How does it hunt?

Draw a picture of the bug.

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

May the sparkle and joy of the season inspire us in positive and creative ventures.

Happy writing!

Here���s a peek at my latest picture book. BUGSON THE JOB is a hive of activity. Fireflies are deLIGHTtful. Beetles break downrotting wood. They���re TREEmendous workers. Dung beetles are super scoopers.They save the earth from piling up with you-know-what. Bees are responsible forone out of every three foods people and animals eat. Honey, that's BEEutiful! 

BUGS ON THE JOB will be available in Januaryand at that time, I���ll have a book signing at the Read Spotted Newt Bookstorein Hazard. The book signing date will be announced soon. If you are local andcan���t attend the book signing, contact Mandi at readspottednewt@gmail.com andshe will reserve a book for you. 

Those who are not local can preorder on thewebsite www.thelittlefig.comon this page https://thelittlefig.com/.../bugs-on-the-job-coming-soon

The book will be available beginning January1st at www.thelittlefig.comand will be available through the distributor APG Sales and Distribution inNashville beginning February 1st. 

Holding a new book is the ultimate thrill for writers.We���ve poured our hearts, along with smidgens of sweat, and trickles of tears,into the work for months and years. From the time a picture book is acceptedfor publication, a two-year stint is in order to revise, tweak, and wait, andwait, and wait. The effort is worth it.

Sweat and tears morph into chills and thrills aswriters meet fans of their literary ���babies.��� The publication date isapproaching quickly, and I���m ready. 

Writing tips:

If you���re writing a picture book or a short story, keepthe number of characters small. BUG ON THE JOB has two characters per page, andoccasionally a third character, a flower, pops up.

Dialog breathes life into the characters. Allow yourwords to show a character's personality.

Add humor. Every reader loves it.

Add conflict. The flower gives power to conflict inthis book.

 

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 51 children���sbooks and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy���s latestpicture book will be available in January 2022.

Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 

 

Here’s a peek at my latest picture book. BUGSON THE JOB is a hive of activity. Fireflies are deLIGHTtful. Beetles break downrotting wood. They’re TREEmendous workers. Dung beetles are super scoopers.They save the earth from piling up with you-know-what. Bees are responsible forone out of every three foods people and animals eat. Honey, that's BEEutiful! 

BUGS ON THE JOB will be available in Januaryand at that time, I’ll have a book signing at the Read Spotted Newt Bookstorein Hazard. The book signing date will be announced soon. If you are local andcan’t attend the book signing, contact Mandi at readspottednewt@gmail.com andshe will reserve a book for you. 

Those who are not local can preorder on thewebsite www.thelittlefig.comon this page https://thelittlefig.com/.../bugs-on-the-job-coming-soon

The book will be available beginning January1st at www.thelittlefig.comand will be available through the distributor APG Sales and Distribution inNashville beginning February 1st. 

Holding a new book is the ultimate thrill for writers.We’ve poured our hearts, along with smidgens of sweat, and trickles of tears,into the work for months and years. From the time a picture book is acceptedfor publication, a two-year stint is in order to revise, tweak, and wait, andwait, and wait. The effort is worth it.

Sweat and tears morph into chills and thrills aswriters meet fans of their literary “babies.” The publication date isapproaching quickly, and I’m ready. 

Writing tips:

If you’re writing a picture book or a short story, keepthe number of characters small. BUG ON THE JOB has two characters per page, andoccasionally a third character, a flower, pops up.

Dialog breathes life into the characters. Allow yourwords to show a character's personality.

Add humor. Every reader loves it.

Add conflict. The flower gives power to conflict inthis book.

 

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 51 children’sbooks and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latestpicture book will be available in January 2022.

Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 

 

Here���s a peek at my latest picture book. BUGS ON THE JOB is a hive of activity. Fireflies are deLIGHTtful. Beetles break down rotting wood. They���re TREEmendous workers. Dung beetles are super scoopers. They save the earth from piling up with you-know-what. Bees are responsible for one out of every three foods people and animals eat. Honey, that's BEEutiful! 

BUGS ON THE JOB will be available in January and at that time, I���ll have a book signing at the Read Spotted Newt Bookstore in Hazard. The book signing date will be announced soon. If you are local and can���t attend the book signing, contact Mandi at readspottednewt@gmail.com and she will reserve a book for you. 

Those who are not local can preorder on the website www.thelittlefig.comon this page https://thelittlefig.com/.../bugs-on-the-job-coming-soon

The book will be available beginning January 1st at www.thelittlefig.comand will be available through the distributor APG Sales and Distribution in Nashville beginning February 1st. 

Holding a new book is the ultimate thrill for writers. We���ve poured our hearts, along with smidgens of sweat, and trickles of tears, into the work for months and years. From the time a picture book is accepted for publication, a two-year stint is in order to revise, tweak, and wait, and wait, and wait. The effort is worth it.

Sweat and tears morph into chills and thrills as writers meet fans of their literary ���babies.��� The publication date is approaching quickly, and I���m ready. 

Writing tips:

If you���re writing a picture book or a short story, keep the number of characters small. BUG ON THE JOB has two characters per page, and occasionally a third character, a flower, pops up.

Dialog breathes life into the characters. Allow your words to show a character's personality.

Add humor. Every reader loves it.

Add conflict. The flower gives power to conflict in this book.

 

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 51 children���s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy���s latest picture book will be available in January 2022.

Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 

 

Here’s a peek at my latest picture book. BUGS ON THE JOB is a hive of activity. Fireflies are deLIGHTtful. Beetles break down rotting wood. They’re TREEmendous workers. Dung beetles are super scoopers. They save the earth from piling up with you-know-what. Bees are responsible for one out of every three foods people and animals eat. Honey, that's BEEutiful! 

BUGS ON THE JOB will be available in January and at that time, I’ll have a book signing at the Read Spotted Newt Bookstore in Hazard. The book signing date will be announced soon. If you are local and can’t attend the book signing, contact Mandi at readspottednewt@gmail.com and she will reserve a book for you. 

Those who are not local can preorder on the website www.thelittlefig.comon this page https://thelittlefig.com/.../bugs-on-the-job-coming-soon

The book will be available beginning January 1st at www.thelittlefig.comand will be available through the distributor APG Sales and Distribution in Nashville beginning February 1st. 

Holding a new book is the ultimate thrill for writers. We’ve poured our hearts, along with smidgens of sweat, and trickles of tears, into the work for months and years. From the time a picture book is accepted for publication, a two-year stint is in order to revise, tweak, and wait, and wait, and wait. The effort is worth it.

Sweat and tears morph into chills and thrills as writers meet fans of their literary “babies.” The publication date is approaching quickly, and I’m ready. 

Writing tips:

If you’re writing a picture book or a short story, keep the number of characters small. BUG ON THE JOB has two characters per page, and occasionally a third character, a flower, pops up.

Dialog breathes life into the characters. Allow your words to show a character's personality.

Add humor. Every reader loves it.

Add conflict. The flower gives power to conflict in this book.

 

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 51 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latest picture book will be available in January 2022.

Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 

 

         Aweek ago, I attended the Kentucky Book Fair. After months of isolation, I was a 

bird finding my wings. This was a day of sharing on so many levels.

          Talking with other authors gave me the chance to learn whatthey’d been writing and discuss my upcoming books. Forging professionalrelationships with authors is instrumental in developing a career. Fun, too. Viewingtheir extensive collection of books juiced up my creative flow. Now I’m readyto tackle my next manuscript with vigor. How’s that for a win-win!

          I met friends I hadn’t seen in a couple of years, longerfor some, and filled the time chatting, laughing, reminiscing. How’s that for atreat!

          Making new friends and meeting fans is another opportunityoffered by a book fair. We instantly connect through a common bond: the love ofbooks. How’s that for a slice of happiness!

          Here’s a win-win writing treat that’ll make your wordshappy.

Each student will write one“What if” question on a strip of paper.

Examples: What if my catcould talk? What if people could read my mind?

Students will fold eachquestion and place it in a bowl.

Each student picks a question out of the hat and writes about thetopic.         

Note: I’m using theword “student” loosely in this context. Students of writing come in all agegroups. This activity works equally well in a writer’s group.

Nancy Kelly Allen haswritten 50 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out herblog at www.nancykellyallen.com

BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latest picture book will be available inJanuary 2022.

         A week ago, I attended the Kentucky Book Fair. After months of isolation, I was a 

bird finding my wings. This was a day of sharing on so many levels.

          Talking with other authors gave me the chance to learn what they’d been writing and discuss my upcoming books. Forging professional relationships with authors is instrumental in developing a career. Fun, too. Viewing their extensive collection of books juiced up my creative flow. Now I’m ready to tackle my next manuscript with vigor. How’s that for a win-win!

          I met friends I hadn’t seen in a couple of years, longer for some, and filled the time chatting, laughing, reminiscing. How’s that for a treat!

          Making new friends and meeting fans is another opportunity offered by a book fair. We instantly connect through a common bond: the love of books. How’s that for a slice of happiness!

          Here’s a win-win writing treat that’ll make your words happy.

Each student will write one “What if” question on a strip of paper.

Examples: What if my cat could talk? What if people could read my mind?

Students will fold each question and place it in a bowl.

Each student picks a question out of the hat and writes about the topic.         

Note: I’m using the word “student” loosely in this context. Students of writing come in all age groups. This activity works equally well in a writer’s group.

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latest picture book will be available in January 2022.

    

         TheKentucky Book Fair is the largest book signing event in Kentucky and will be 

held on November 6th at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. I’ll be signing

copies of five of my books, so if you attend, stop by and we’ll chat.

I’mlooking forward to meeting lots of people who love to read. Another treat ismeeting authors and renewing friendships with authors I’ve met at events overthe years.

Sincethis blog is all about writing tips, here are five I highly recommend:

1.     Readbooks. Readers make good writers.

2.     Writeas often as possible. Your writing “muscle” needs to be exercised on a regularbasis to get and stay in shape.

3.     Letothers read your work and give you feedback on what works and what does not.

4.     Revise.The first draft is never our best work.

5.     Playwith words. Have fun with them. If you don’t enjoy writing them, the readerwon’t enjoy reading them.

A fun exercise for yourwriting “muscle.”

          Write a page or two of a comic book/graphic novel. Draw thepictures first; then add the speech bubbles. On a separate paper, write thedialog that goes in the bubbles. Read it aloud. Think about ways you can reviseit to make it sound better for the reader. After you finish revising, adddialog to the bubbles.

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 50 children’sbooks and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com