Author   Jodi Desautels
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Introducing Bo the Crow and Sharing Some of His Development

2/5/2014

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     Hello everyone!  I think it is interesting to see how things develop.  I thought it would be cool to introduce you to "Bo the Crow" and to tell you his story.  So, everyone, this if Bo the Crow; Bo the Crow, this is everyone!  
     Bo the Crow is a character in my next children's book.  He likes to tell silly rhymes.  I can't wait for you to see the book.  I can't wait to see the book.  But, I am not finished yet.  We will have to wait.  He does have a story though.  
     

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     Bo the Crow didn't even have the same name when he started.  He started off being Joe the Crow, named after my hubby.  But, I decided to name him after my hubby's son's nickname.
     Anyway, when I first sat down to write the very first day, I wasn't even going to write about a crow.  LOL!  I did want to write a rhyming story.  Yet, the idea of a crow had nothing to do with my original thoughts.  
     And, I am not a skilled or experienced  illustrator, so I cannot just whip up a sketch.  (I am working on it and I am learning though!)  I really have to work on it, just to get a decent first draft.  This black and white sketch is not even my first draft.  It was, however, my first draft of the kind of look I was going for.
     As you can see, many changes took place between this draft and the final draft at the top of the page.  It takes time, at least for me, to develop a character.  There were quite a few layers used and some careful nudging and sketching to get the look just right.  I love illustrating on the computer, just for that reason.  It is easier to erase and "undo" on a computer program, than it is with pencil and paper.  
     Now, I am happy with Bo the Crow!  I hope you are as well!  Doesn't he look like he is ready to put on a show?  LOL!  I have to tell you, this children's book is taking persistence to illustrate.  And… I am having a blast!

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Reflections, Ponderings, Giveaways, and Announcements

12/11/2013

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“This above all: to thine own self be true, 
And it must follow, as the night the day, 
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

~William Shakespeare
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     Hi everyone!  I have been doing some reflecting and pondering lately.  Maybe it is because I have been answering interview questions for a few people who will be interviewing me on their blogs.  More than likely, it is just the way I am.  I like to reflect and ponder.
     I have thought about how I have grown as a writer, illustrator, formatter, marketer, and person from when I first started a little over a year ago.  (Well, I started as a person a little longer ago than that.)
     I have met quite a few kind people along the way who have been willing to help me, encourage me, advise me, promote me, etc.  We have shared, chatted, brainstormed, and helped each other.  I have truly built friendships along the way.
     In the beginning I was a beginner in all of it.  Today, I still consider myself a beginner as I am still fairly new to the field.  Yet, I am feeling more confident in the field and more experienced.  Maybe, I could even consider myself in the intermediate level!
    I have made quite a few changes along the way.  Recently, I changed the cover to one of my books, "Clarinda Cloud," to make it more eye catching.  I didn't think of that as much in the beginning.  Yet, the importance of cover designs means more to me now and my illustrating skills have improved.
     In the beginning, I also "liked" pages and shared things by other authors without considering my target audience, the family friendliness of my sites, or the quality of the things I was liking and sharing in hopes that other authors would return the favor.  Yet, I have decided to be more discriminate in what I share or like.  I want to "know" more about the things I like or share, so I can really stand behind them.  I try not to say anything I don't mean or know about a book or author any more.  
     I still hope to be able to share, like, and promote books and authors.  There are many wonderful books and authors out there.  I just want to make sure that I am being honest with my shares, likes, and promotions.  And, just because I don't recommend a book, it may not be that it is a great story.  It may be that it has some errors in it.  Sometimes if there errors were fixed, I would happily give a glowing review!
     I am currently thinking of ways I could help encourage quality work in 2014 and beyond.  I have thought about possibly offering a proofreading service for children's/MG/YA authors.  If I don't do it myself, I have thought about creating a network and offering referrals to other wonderful people who do author friendly services such as editing, proofreading, formatting, PR work, illustrating, cover creations, etc. I have also thought about creating a "write and publish your own children's book" class or mentoring program.  (Yes, I am only at the intermediate level with this, however I am an experienced educator.  And, often times people will choose people just a little ahead of them in the progress to support them, so that they feel the supporter "knows how they feel and what they are going through" because he or she was there not long ago.) 
     Research and considerations are in progress for these things now.  I would like to get your feedback and ideas.  Also, if you would be interested in joining the network, please feel free to contact me.

Notes and Announcements

*Please check out the latest interview of me.  It is by Fiona McVie and she did a wonderful job!  Thank you, Fiona!
*Along with all of this reflecting and pondering, I have been thinking about how I could make my sites better.  I would like your help there as well.  For mainly that reason, I am offering a giveaway contest on my blogs.  For more information and a chance to enter, please follow the links the posts on the following sites.  I am hoping this chance for you to win a copy of "Clarinda Cloud" will be a win/win for both of us.
~DUO Education Learning Blog
~Clarinda Cloud's Feeling Blog
~What is New with Jodi Desautels?
Good luck!
*I am having a giveaway for my ebooks on Kindle on December 17th and 18th.  That means you will be able to get the Kindle edition of "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" will be free on those days. Taking advantage of free giveaways on Kindle is a great way to decide if you want to buy the softcover, give the author a review on the book, or have it for trips and in the car.  (I don't particularly like the idea of ebooks for children, but they do have their uses.)
*Also, I am going to be co-hosting (with Virginia Wright) the "2nd Annual Author Christmas Giveaway" event on Facebook on December 17th.  You are all invited!  It is a great way to "mingle" with authors online, ask questions, get answers, play games, win books, etc.  Many authors are expected to show up.
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Illustrating Practice

8/21/2013

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     Hi.  I hope everyone is well!  I have been trying to practice my illustrating skills.  I have been doing various tasks just to practice; anything from making posters  like the one pictured to drawing objects or creating backgrounds.  
     When I first started writing, years ago, I didn't have a clue as to everything that was involved in writing.  However, in my defense, things have changed quite a bit since then.  
     The up and coming movement in writing seems to be indie authoring.  So, for a children's author, such as myself, it means many more things fall on the author to get accomplished for before publication takes place.  Indie authors make sure that their books are illustrated, their covers are created, and their manuscripts are edited and formatted.
     That is one of the reasons I have been practicing. I want to be able to illustrate more of my stories.  I also hope to use some of my illustrations for some of my educational adventures!  

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A Little About Me and My Progress 8/7/13

8/7/2013

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     Hello!  I hope everyone is well.  This week, I don't have any interviews or book reviews for you.   Well, it isn't that I have any.  It is more that I thought that I would share a little about me and my writing.  I think it is cool to share a little.  I hope that you all take the time to comment.
     First of all, I didn't like to write much as a child.  I don't remember why I didn't.  Maybe it was a low self-esteem and the feeling that I didn't have much to say.    Or, maybe it was that most of the feedback was general and not specific, so I didn't know if it was good writing or not.  
     "Very good" or "Nice work" is not specific.  Sometimes it feels good at the time.  But, it doesn't tell you why it is good or how to continue.
     Now, I enjoy writing and creating!  I find the writing community very supportive.  I also ask for and receive more specific feedback.
     Currently, I am working on two other books about feelings.  They are similar to "Clarinda Cloud."  Who knows?  Maybe I will have an entire line of books about feelings.  I have had a few beta readers read the two first drafts with some positive feedback.

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     The other thing that has been keeping me busy is my educational site, DUO Education.  Education, as well as writing and creating, is one of my passions!  
     Not long ago, I told you that I got myself a Bamboo tablet.  Well, I have been practicing with it.  I have drawn some simple objects.  The more I practice with it, the more comfortable I feel with it.  (Drawing is something I enjoyed as a child.  But, until this year, I hadn't drawn in quite a while.)  I look forward to practicing more with it and improving my illustrating skills.
     I hope you will hop over and explore the site.  I have some educational and strategy games in "the game room," an educational blog, an online tutoring page, and a page for the Storyteller's Tale webinar series.  The latter is a great program for authors and illustrators to have an author visit via the internet.
     

Now I need your help.  I have some questions for you:


1.  Not that I don't have my own ideas, but... what are some subjects about which your children would like to read?


2.  What kinds of books would you like to see more of?


3.  What sort of marketing ideas do you have to share?


4.  What sort of activity books would you like to see?


5.  Do you have an author or illustrator that you would like to see interviewed?  Or, is there an author or illustrator that you would like to see virtually visit your school or library?


I look forward to your answers.  Please feel free to contact me or to leave a comment.  Thank you!
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Introduction to the Blog, Site, and the "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book"

7/4/2013

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     Hi.  My name is Jodi Desautels.  This is my latest blog, where I will tell you some of my latest writing/ illustrating news.  I may also participate in blog hops, post my reviews, and interview other authors.  If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to let me know.
     Since this is my first post at this site, I would like to tell you about my latest release.  It is the "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book."  The activity book is geared for children ages two to four.  It gives children fun activities to practice basic skills such as: coloring, tracing, drawing, counting, finding letters, etc.  Please enjoy it!  
     This site has a page that is a bit different.  I have a page where I have the story behind the story.  On this page, I tell you a little of why I wrote the story.  I hope you enjoy the insight.  
     Another page that is different on this site is a page that has products that have caught my eye.  I don't necessarily know anything about these products, but for one reason or another they have caught my eye.  Yet, feel free to order them from this site.  I do get a small stipend from the sale if you order from here.  If there are any other reader/writer/illustrator products you think I should post, please feel free to let me know.  I will add more from time to time, so please come back and check out the page often.  Thank you.

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    Jodi Desautels

         Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother.  She is a life-long learner who has two rules to live by:  "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love."  She loves family, friends, and nature.  Passions include caring for people, education, writing, illustrating, and photography.

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Jodi Desautels… bringing you books that are inspirational, educational, and relatable!