Denise Fleming: Will Write for Cookies PLUS Giveaway

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WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

Plate of Cookies

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

headshot

DENISE FLEMING

I’m often praising the mentors in our kid lit community. They share their expertise graciously. And our Will Write for Cookies guest is one who has led the way. I was already a fan of her award-winning books when I met Denise at a writing retreat two years ago. Her workshop on paper making was filled with passion. And during our one-on-one, she pointed out important problems in the picture book manuscript I was working on at the time.

Denise, I’m thrilled to welcome you to Picture Books Help Kids Soar!

ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

 DENISE:

 My favorite book when I was a child was The Giant Golden Book of Cat Stories. It was full of stories and poems about cats. For my fourth birthday, my grandparents gave me a Siamese kitten. From then on I was drawn to anything written about cats.

kid and cat

 I also read every issue of National Geographic magazine. The photographs and articles about places and animals, so different from my everyday experience, fascinated me.

 ME:

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?

DENISE:

Actually, I can’t think of anything I wish I had known when I first started writing. All the info out there now on the internet, the classes and workshops would have intimidated me when I started. I just burrowed in and started reading as many books as I could and made notes of what I liked, what appealed to me.

ME:

Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?

DENISE:

I write most everywhere – in bed, in the tub, outside, wherever I feel comfortable at the time.

outdoor work space

I worked on my first book in a tent in Canada with a doe keeping an eye on me.

I write on yellow legal pads with soft lead pencils.

ME:

When during the day (or night) are you most productive? Do you set a schedule for working or do you write/draw when the muse speaks?

DENISE:

I am not a morning person. I am an owl. Most productive work starts after 3 in the afternoon.

I do not write or make book art every day. Some days I garden, work in clay, make art dolls , read, or sketch out ideas.

cat on wall

ME:

Why do you write for children?

DENISE:

Children are open to adventure. They jump into new ideas. They enjoy animals and nature. They find butterflies and bugs interesting. They paint with abandon and laugh easily. Children are a great audience. They are my people.

ME: Denise, if you have any special tips or thoughts for writers, teachers, parents…please share.

DENISE:

Read as much poetry as you can. Not just poetry for children, but adult poetry too.

Listen for the rhythm of the language.

Think like a child.

ME: BINGO!!!! THINK. LIKE. A. CHILD.

Denise, this is a mantra I think all of us need to embrace! Thank you so very much for stopping by to chat with us and sharing your insights.

Dear readers, if you’d like to find out more about Denise and her fabulous books:

www.denisefleming.com

And check out her newest book, coming in Spring 2018:

robin nest cover 

And guess what? We are not done yet! I know you are all waiting for a sweet treat.

Denise says:

Now, about that recipe, cooking is not really a part of my life anymore.

I do suggest you take a good-sized spoon, dip it in in the peanut butter, then into the jar of Nutella. Top this spoonful of deliciousness with a honey roasted pecan half. Yum.

May be served in spoon.

HA! I LOVE THAT! NO MUSS! NO FUSS! JUST PURE YUM!

And wait…this post has ONE MORE dollop of awesomeness thanks to our lovely guest. Denise wants to do ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!  Leave a comment on yesterday’s Perfect Picture Book Friday review of 5 Little Ducks and you might be the lucky winner of a copy of Beetle Bop. AND, if you leave a comment on THIS post, you might be the lucky winner of a copy of 5 LITTLE DUCKS.

cover

I told you this kid lit mentor was one of the best! Truly, Denise, your generosity is much appreciated.

And the way WE can show our appreciation is to go to Amazon and/or Goodreads and write a review for 5 Little Ducks

 and Denise’s other fab books.

Thank you all for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend and I wish a most Happy Father’s Day to all those who fill the role of a dad.

23 thoughts on “Denise Fleming: Will Write for Cookies PLUS Giveaway”

  1. I have been a fan of Denise Fleming for a long time. One year (a loooong time ago) I was able to watch her do her paper making magic at the Art Institute of Chicago and listen to her talk about writing picture books at an Illinois reading convention.

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    • You are right, Kathy…she is a paper making magician! Glad you got to hear her speakabout writing picture books! Wish I could go to one of the Highlights Foundation workshops she leads. 🙂

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  2. I love Denise’s colors, compositions and animals. So appealing to kids (and adults.) Looking forward to seeing her new book. Love the robin’s expression! And I agree that thinking like a child is helpful in making picture books, and it is a good way to live our entire lives- with a sense of wonder and appreciation for our natural world.

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  4. Vivian and Denise, you make an awesome pair. Love both of you and your writings. And that recipe, it’s one that my little niece has been trying out a lot lately!!! Thanks for the post.

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  5. Vivian, I think we both met Denise together at WOW. She is a real treasure of the kid lit community and I admire her and her art and words amaze me. I’d love to win DUCKS. thanks for getting the word out about her newest book.

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  7. Vivian, I’ve always loved Denise’s writing and gorgeous, unique illustrations. And, she’s from MY hometown – Toledo, Ohio!! Denise, thank you for sharing a little bit about your writing process and how you got started on your journey of creativity!

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  11. Among the more amazing things about Denise’s books – and there are many – is how she makes her little creatures’ faces so expressive using paper as her medium. The 5 little ducks all have different expressions! And I love the little robin’s eye – she looks a bit surprised, doesn’t she? And did you notice the ladybug crawling up the side of the leaf? I honor this talent in my fellow Buckeye!

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  12. Thanks for sharing Denise’s wisdom – Thinking like a child is harder than it sounds… Always looking for new books by this fun artist/writer.

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  14. I love Denise’s art, and the cover for 5 Little Ducks. But the bird nerd in me cannot wait for her The Nest That Robin Built! I am obsessed with birds, and with nests. My favorite winter hobby is to search treetops for nests!!

    Congrats, Denise on both of these books, and thank you for sharing, Vivian!! 🙂

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  15. I got to see Denise in action at the Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival in NE. The way she builds a story and the art is something to behold, and she is such fun. Congratulations on your new book, Denise, and thank you for being the hostess with the mostest, Vivian!

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    • Hello Lisette…thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll continue to visit…we always have great picture books to review and lots of fun chatting with authors and illustrators. What grade do you teach? If it is K-6,I hope you and your class will participate in the fall when I host #50PreciousWordsforKids!

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