Day 4 of Spine Poetry Memoir. Nothing to do Easter Sunday but go for a midnight cruise.

​Welcome to day three of spine poetry memoir in celebration of National Poetry Month. I'm feeling a bit sad today. Wherever you are, I hope your day is full of joy! 

If you enjoyed my poem please share, comment or subscribe. Feel free to tag me on Twitter @rentraxel or Instagram @rena_traxel  

Shareable: Family spine poem memoir in celebration of National Poetry Month. https://tinyurl.com/3mjmh5ua​ #poetrymonth #spinepoetry #poetrywit 

​Welcome to day two of National Poetry Month. Today's spine poem memoir is inspired by my work as a writer of YA. Enjoy! 

If you enjoyed my poem please share, comment or subscribe. Feel free to tag me on Twitter @rentraxel or Instagram @rena_traxel 

​Shareable: WIP poem about a work-in-progress. Check out this Spine Poetry Memoir in celebration of National Poetry Month. https://tinyurl.com/33vs5pzm #poetrymonth #spinepoetry #poetrywit  

​Welcome to day one of National Poetry Month. ​Over the weekend I attended the International Association of Women: Inspirational Influencer Summit (which was fantastic), with that I received a free coaching session. I was bit nervous what that was going to be like, but I firmly believe to grow one has to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I tell you I absolutely loved it!

Enjoy today's spine poem inspired by my coaching journey. Join me tomorrow for another poem drawn from by bookshelves and the day-to-day creative life. 

If you enjoyed my poem please share, comment or subscribe. Feel free to tag me on Twitter @rentraxel or Instagram @rena_traxel 

Shareable:  THE COACH - Spine Poetry Memoir in celebration of National Poetry Month #poetrymonth #spinepoetry #poetrywit   https://tinyurl.com/vj76p7n6

THE COACH 
by Rena Traxel ​

The voice in my head
CALAMITY 
fadeaway...
Save the cat! Writes a novel. 

Week 1 of #PBHOT62 is here, so put on your cloud hat and join me for a fun summer reading program with books, games and STEAM science challenge you can do from the comfort of your own home! Needed supplies and a video of my cloud exploring shenanigans are shared below.

​Supplies
Books (Lola Shapes The Sky, Kate Who Tamed The Wind, & Worm Weather)
Picnic Blanket

Wind Game
Straws
Cotton Balls
Start/Finish Line

Rain Cloud
Blue food colouring, or blue paint (I used blue paint)
Dropper
Glass of water
Shaving Cream

Thanks for stopping by. Come back next week to explore tech and low tech books, games and STEAM challenges (don't worry if you don't have any tech on hand as you will still be able to take part). If you like this post please share and subscribe to my YouTube channel

Share My Post
Explore the magic of clouds with writer-librarian, Ms. Rena @http://www.renatraxel.com/blog/explore-the-magic-of-clouds  #STEAM #STEM #KidLit #Library #SummerReading

Summer is here which means #PBHOT62, 2019! Traditionally this challenge has been a summer reading challenge for picture book readers, but I’ve designed this year to be a summer reading club for all ages that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home (created by a librarian).

From July 8th to August 18th, I'll be sharing stories, poems and STEAM activities. Every Monday starting on the 8th, I’ll be posting everything you’ll need for the activity and a short video of me completing the challenge.  Themes and recommended books below. Thanks for stopping by, I hope see you back on the 8th!
 
Week 1: Science
Theme: Weather
Featured Books:

• Lola Shapes the Sky by Wendy Greenly/ Illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi
• Kate, Who Tamed The Wind by Liz Garton Scanlon and Lee White
• Worm Weather by Jean Taft / Illustrated by Matt Hunt

 
Week 2: Technology
Theme: Tech meets Low Tech (Hex Bugs, Stop Motion)
Featured Books:

• Unplugged by Steve Antony
• Doll-E 1.0 by Shanda McCloskey
• No-Bot by Sue Hendra

 
Week 3: Engineering
Theme: Hives and Sandcastles  
Featured Books:

• Beach by Elisha Cooper
• Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
• Being a Bee by Jinny Johnson / Illustrated by Lucy Davey

 
Week 4: Art
Theme: Messy Art
Featured Books:

• Splatter by Diane Alber
• Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown / Illustrated by John Parra
• Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush by Melissa Stoller / Illustrated by Sandie Sonke

 
Week 5: Math
Theme: Life of Math
Featured Books:

• Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman/ Illustrated by Heather Fox
• Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
• Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman / Illustrated by Beth Krommes

 
Week 6: Senses
Theme: Senses Engaged
Featured Books:

• The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria
• This Book is Spineless by Lindsay Leslie / Illustrated by Alice Brereton
• A Walk in the Forest by Maria Dek

 
Please feel free to share my post:

• Writer-librarian, Ms. Rena, is offering 6 weeks of summer reading fun (books, poems, STEAM challenges). Check out the fun at http://www.renatraxel.com/blog/pbhot62-steam-edition
• #PBHOT62, 2019 STEAM edition. Ms. Rena is offering 6 weeks of summer reading fun (books, poems, STEAM challenges) to enjoy from the comfort of your own home! Check out the fun at http://www.renatraxel.com/blog/pbhot62-steam-edition   #steam #summerReading #librarian 

 

 As part of Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas for Writers, I had the opportunity to reflect on my successes in 2018.  As I worked on this exercise it struck me that I had put out into the universe what I wanted—to be a published author and an entrepreneur (with the eventual goal of being my own boss), financial security to write, to inspire kids and youth, to share my knowledge and be mentored—and it answered!
I thought I was failing when in reality I just haven’t been paying attention to my successes:

1. I applied for a literary arts grant for my current work in progress (a contemporary YA novel with a touch of mystery). And although I wasn’t selected, my book was flagged as highly recommended for support (which means I may still get funding down the road but who cares my project was recommended!!!!!).
2. I launched an Inventors Club at my local library and not only was the program successful but I have been hired to run the program by the very people that inspired the club in the first place! In 2019, I’ll be running the club at 4 libraries plus will have an opportunity to run an adult workshop here and there.
3.  Debut Picture Book Study group,  which  I started with my critique partner in March 2014, has grown to over 800 members. Since its inception, we have averaged one study about every 6 weeks followed by a live interview with the author.  I have learned a ton from this group!
4. Small tweaks are everything. I put my stories in a place I could see them every day, which has led to spending more time on my work (advice I learned from one of the live author interviews).
5. I created and taught a multimedia journalism course to a group of grade 8 students in which some of them got published! Plus, I wrote a grant to get the necessary technology for the course. I got to present my findings at an annual tech conference this past October.
6. I continued to offer a lunchtime Write Club for students but renamed it to Storytellers Club in order to allow for all types of story creators.
7. My proposal The Interactive Library was selected for the Library Association of Alberta’s big time conference in Jasper (happening in April 2019).
8. I made a connection with one of my professors. She has been instrumental in reminding me of my potential, but also moving forward is happy to act as a mentor.
9. Ran #PBHOT62 (a summer reading challenge for picture books writers) for a second year. While this challenge hasn’t taken off, it has been so much fun doing it myself plus I made a new writer friend in the process! I have learned a lot of my online friends (even non-writers) have enjoyed my #PBHOT62 posts.
10. Got a Rate Your Story 2019 membership as a birthday present but also as a commitment to my writing.  I promptly sent off my bonus Dec. 2018 submission.
11. I read a lot (picture books, YA and MG, and a handful of memoirs).
12. I became a partial business owner of Big Bend Collectibles, which I helped launch this past May.
13. I submitted the first page of my YA novel to a live action slush panel in which an author I highly admire was on (Arthur Slade), and the panel enjoyed my first page!
14. I submitted a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, as well as, three proposals for paying blog gig with my local city (will hear back in 2019).
15. I submitted a handful of poems to Poetry in Transit. My work wasn’t picked but writing those poems reignited my passion for poetry.
16. I applied to be part of the WriteOnCon 2019  blog team and was accepted. My posts so far have been very well received!
17.  I held my critique partner's debut picture book MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS in my hands and got to read it to my story time kiddos. Margaret did all the hard work but so cool to be part of her journey!
18. I wanted kiddos at my school to have access to creative professionals but had ZERO budget. So through grants and research, I brought in 3 authors, 1 author/illustrator, and 2 poets in the span of one year! The kiddos benefited big time.
    
19. I applied for a writing mentorship through my local writers guild. I didn’t receive a spot so I researched other mentorship opportunities and discovered several options (working on my applications now).
    
20. I MADE A CHANGE AND IT WAS SO HARD BUT I DID IT ANYWAYS!!!!!  I cried for weeks. I felt like a horrible and selfish person for leaving my school library job and accepting a communications position. BUT this job will allow for me grow as a storyteller and learn new skills (such as creating video stories), be mentored, finish my degree by May 2019 (instead of in 2021) while providing financial stability.
    

WOWZA!!!! Thanks Julie for encouraging me to share my SUCCESSES. I would love to hear about your successes in the comments below or leave me a link to your blog.

I'm so excited to have Margaret Greanias helping me usher in another summer of #PBHOT62. I'm a big fan of her fun and unique voice. I met Margaret during 12x12 in its debut year so it seems fitting that by completing this challenge you have a chance win a copy of Margaret’s debut picture book (I've read it and her book is awesome!).

In case you missed my last post detailing 2018 PBHOT62 reading challenge for picture book writers this year's theme is libraries. The challenge is to read 25 picture books,following along with the bingo card below. Before we get to signing up, let's hear from Margaret!


1. What is your go to library? What do you love about it? My go to library is the library that is only a 5-minute drive from my house. I love it because I can get practically any book there. While it's a relatively small neighborhood library, it belongs to a larger network of county libraries from which I can easily search and request books online (they also take purchase requests and have a continously updated new picture books shelf!).

2. With your busy life, how do you fit reading in? As a picture book writer, I read a lot of picture books. Luckily, my kids love it when I read to them--so I get to read morning, noon, and especially night! ​

3. Your debut is coming out Aug 28th. Can you tell us a little bit about it? My debut picture book, MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS, is being published on August 28. Here's a short blurb: Maximillian Villainous doesn't have the heart to be a villain. When he brings home a bunny to be his sidekick, his disapproving mother challenges Max and the bunny to become a devious duo. Otherwise... the bunny hops. Will they give into villainy, or will they find a way to stay good and still win the family's acceptance?

Thank you Margaret.  I encourage all of you to use this challenge to make friends with your librarians this summer (we are really nice people and we love to share books!). ​

Rules

• You have until August 31st to complete this challenge. 
• You must use a different picture book and different place shown on the bingo card below (25 in total to win the blackout prize).
•  If you want to read two or more picture books in one day go ahead but you must do so using a different place from the supplied list.
• Sharing online is optional.  I’ll be sharing on Instagram @Writer_Librarian,  Twitter under #PBHOT62. Feel free to friend me or follow me on Twitter or Instragram.

Prizes

• First one to Bingo black out wins a copy of Margaret's debut MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS (release date August 28, 2018). 
• $10 gift card for most unusual spot (chapters or amazon depending on where you live). 
• 5 critiques (picture book MS or 10 pages of a novel) by me for anyone that feels they did their best to complete the challenge.

​Sign Up

• ​Comment below with your name (first and last).  
• Join me on twitter each week to check in and discuss weekly topics

​
Twitter Party

• Week 1, June 29th-6th: #PBHOT62 intentions?
• Week 2, July 7th-13th: #AmReading what?
• Week 3, July 14th-20th: #AmReading where? Where is your favourite spot?
• Week 4, July 21st-27th : #AmReading at my library? Where? What do you love about it?
• Week 5, 28th-3rd: Are you there? It's me, #PBHOT62. How are you doing?
• Week 6, August 4th- 10th: #AmReading in the most unusual spot? Name it.
• Week 7, August 11th - 17th: #AmWinning. How many books have you read?
• Week 8, August 18th-24th : #AmReading in transit?
• Week 9, August 25-31st:  Are you still with me? What is your favorite moment from #PBHOT62?

Social Media Shareables:

• #PBHOT62, stay tuned to reading all summer long with this picture book reading challenge for picture book writers. www.renatraxel.com/blog
• Ready to work on your picture book writing goals? Check out #PBHOT62 challenge for picture book writers.  www.renatraxel.com/blog 
• Get ready to tune to picture book reading all summer long for a chance to win prizes, flex your creative skills and work on some of your writing goals! #PBHOT62  www.renatraxel.com/blog

#PBHOT62 is back for year two!!! Get ready to tune to reading all summer long for a chance to win prizes, flex your creative skills and work on some of your writing goals!

New this year #PBHOT62 will be moving to a BINGO style challenge. I’ll be sharing my reads on Instagram and Twitter vs blogging. There will also be Twitter Party questions sprinkled throughout. Without further ado here are the details…

This year’s theme is LIBRARIES!!!! That means I’ll be sharing my favourite libraries in addition to reading 62 books and I encourage you to do the same HOWEVER as promised there is an “easier” version. Your tasks are the following:

1. Ready your summer reads (for ideas see summer reading list ).
   
2. Set your intention (goals for the challenge).
   
3. Return on 29th to get your 25-square bingo card (we are playing for blackout).

What do I mean by intention? I believe to get the most out of #PBHOT62, our any challenge, you must first decide what you wish to accomplish. Here are my goals:

1. I have two picture book MS I’m focusing on this summer in which I want to find the emotional core/truth and bring it out. I’ll be paying attention to how each story makes me feel.
2. I wish to continue to grow my network of librarians and writers hence library visits and -connecting with all of your online (maybe even in-person).
3. Stretch my creative skills hence the places I pick will relate to the story in some way and/or the pictures I share will tell a story in itself.
4. Social media with purpose hence the Twitter Party chats.
5. Spread my love of picture books hence this challenge (and it doesn’t hurt to learn a thing or two in the process!).

What are your intentions? Think about them then come back on the 29th to sign up and share what you plan to accomplish by staying tuned to reading all summer long!
 
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask.
 
Stuck on what to read see my list here? Sticking with the library theme I’ve chosen a combination of new books published in the last five years combined with classic little golden books.

Twitter Party:

1. Week 1, June 29th-6th: #PBHOT62 intentions?
2. Week 2, July 7th-13th: #AmReading what?
3. Week 3, July 14th-20th: #AmReading where? Where is your favourite spot?
4. Week 4, July 21st-27th : #AmReading at my library? Where? What do you love about it?
5. Week 5, 28th-3rd: Are you there? It's me, #PBHOT62. How are you doing?
6. Week 6, August 4th- 10th: #AmReading in the most unusual spot? Name it.
7. Week 7, August 11th - 17th: #AmWinning. How many books have you read?
8. Week 8, August 18th-24th : #AmReading in transit?
9. Week 9, August 25-31st:  Are you still with me? What is your favorite moment from #PBHOT62?

 
Social Media Shareables:

• #PBHOT62, stay tuned to reading all summer long with this picture book reading challenge for picture book writers. https://tinyurl.com/yalvkm74
• Ready to work on your picture book writing goals? Check out #PBHOT62 challenge for picture book writers. https://tinyurl.com/yalvkm74
• Get ready to tune to picture book reading all summer long for a chance to win prizes, flex your creative skills and work on some of your writing goals! #PBHOT62  https://tinyurl.com/yalvkm74

I have a rather ambitious summer reading list this year that includes 62 pictures (32 published in the last 5 years and 32 Little Golden Books), 8 novels for YA/MG and a handful of graphic novels and professional development books.  Below is a snapshot of my list, however, there is always room to pick up that one or two or three books that are calling to be read.

What about you? What are you planning to read this summer?