Larissa Elliott Books

Money. It's so hard for me to invest in myself. Do you have the same problem? Or maybe you have to be really careful with your budget. I've already posted about some amazing FREE resources here . But sometimes it's worth saving up to invest in something to improve your writing. Here are a couple of ways you can invest in your writing: 1. Writing communities There are two major writing communties for picture book writers: SCBWI and 12x12. SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) : Chances are you've heard of this one. Any newbie starting out has probably received the enthusiastic recommendation to join SCBWI. SCBWI is an organization of writers and illustrators for all of kidlit from board books and picture books to chapter books, middle grade, and young adult. There are message board where you can find critique partners, get feedback on your work, or ask questions. There are monthly periodicals giving advice and news. There is support specific to

So many people pitch in Twitter pitch events. So few people get agent or editor "likes". It can be disappointing. It can really hit hard for some people. First of all, don't let a lack of likes get you down! Because there are so many pitches, it's possible yours wasn't seen. Or it's possible that agents were just too busy to browse. Pitch events are a nice way to skip the slush pile, but cold queries can achieve the same result. Actually, most people get their agent by querying the old-fashioned way! Anyhoo, pitch events are still great to participate in. Regardless of "likes" for your pitches, you can still learn a lot from the event. Here are just a few ways you can benefit even without any likes! 1. Networking You know all those other pitches that you see out there? Those were written by writers. Writers like you. Wouldn't it be nice to get to know them? If you see pitches that intrigue you, comment to tell the writer what you think! Follow th

I got serious about writing picture books during the summer of 2019. After a few years of struggling to write novels, I was excited to find a genre that felt within my grasp. But it wasn't that easy. I applied for the #PBChat mentorship but wasn't selected. I entered #FallWritingFrenzy and #Halloweensie but didn't win. I sent out queries but received rejections. I was down about my writing. Maybe this kidlit thing wasn't for me.  I heard about  #PBCritiqueFest , a contest hosted by Briah Gehrlein on his blog pbspotlight.com . Finally, a random drawing. Something that I could actually win without having to prove I was good enough. Finally, a contest that could benefit writers who were still early in their writing journey. I went all out with the extra entries. I was determined. And I won! I was matched with Rebecca Gomez for my critique. When I got my story back, there was "red ink" all over it. I have to admit, I was pretty crushed. I cried. I put the story in

I came across a wonderful blog post about rhyming and rhythm with the amazing Carrie Finison, author of "Dozens of Doughnuts". Check it out: http://lauralavoieauthor.com/studying-rhythm-to-master-rhyme-by-carrie-finison/ Catherine Emmett goes over some key tips to writing in rhyme on her blog: https://catherineemmett.co.uk/catherineemmett/rhyming-picture-books/ Important considerations for writing in rhyme using the brilliant mentor text "Frederico and the Wolf" by Rebecca J. Gomez: https://picturebookbuilders.com/2020/07/meet-federico-and-the-wolf-a-master-class-in-metered-rhyme/ This site is great because it gives examples of lots of different poetic elements like different kinds of meters, refrains, story structure: https://word-painting.webs.com Have you come across a great resource about writing in rhyme? Let me know in the comments!

In the spring, I wrote a story for the Spring Fling writing contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal. It featured the maple tree and how it feels left out when all the other trees and flowers show off their colors. When the Fall Frenzy contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis was announced, I looked through inspiration photos , and there was Maple in all its blazing glory, leaving Pine to be ignored. This was the inspiration for my contest entry. Enjoy! Ever Green by Larissa Elliott  65 words     Air turns cooler. The first leaf turns. Pine looks on.   A rainbow of apples. Pumpkins of every color. But Pine is ever green.   Oak glows yellow. Maple blazes in glory. Pine remains unchanged.   Leaves shower down. Piles become a playground. Pine’s boughs sag.   Brown leaves crunch. Maple shivers bare. Pine holds on.   Flakes float from the sky. Squirrel nestles in. Pine stands tall, forever  and ever  green.

Someone in my picture book critique group decided to make an Instagram account, and the rest of us sort of trickled along to join her. I didn't know exactly what to post. I'm not the selfie type. One day I had the idea to draw a little bird, inspired by one of my picture book stories. In the caption I said how one day I  would like to have the time to learn how to be an illustrator. Someone commented, "Why not now?" Hmm... A couple years ago, I told my mom that I had started writing seriously again. She told me that she always thought I'd write and illustrate my own books. I was shocked she had this image of me. To be fair, I did a lot of poetry when I was younger and took a lot of art classes all the way through college. I was really into both. But I hadn't written stories since third grade. We wrote and illustrated a lot of our own stories in that class. I probably still have all of mine in a box in the basement. Anyhoo, long story short, I've st

This is my first time entering the Spring Fling Kidlit contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal. The challenge is to write a story for kids in 150 words or less with a spring gif as inpiration. I hope you enjoy! Gif from Giphy:  https://gph.is/1a9egi0 Maple Waits (43 words) Pear tree pops with white, Cherry boasts pink, But Maple waits. Daffodils smile yellow. Crocuses peek purple. Maple sits brown and bare. Buds form slowly. Seeds burst green.               Just a little longer . . . Wind gusts. Helicopters take flight!         Whirling,                         twirling,                                           tumbling  to  the  ground.

Below is my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Writing Contest , a contest where writers must write a children's story in 214 words or less. This year's theme is "curiosity" so I wrote a mystery!  A Paper Heart Mystery 214 words Cora woke up and discovered a red paper heart by her pillow. “What a special Valentine’s Day surprise!” When she got dressed, she found another heart in the closet. When she brushed her teeth, she found another on the bathmat.  Mama came into the room, little Neo panting at her feet. “Thank you, Cora, for the lovely paper hearts you left me in my room,” she said. “But I thought  you  were the one who put them in  my  room.” “That is very curious,” Mama said. Cora thought for a moment. “Do you think a leprechaun left them?” “Leprechauns are for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Mama. “What about the Easter Bunny?” Cora asked. “Easter is not for weeks.” “Santa?” Mama chuckled. “I don’t kn

Aha! I think this is the site that I came across during my self-education in writing in rhyme...but then didn't bookmark and so couldn't find it when trying to assemble a list of good resources. But now I've found it again! This site lays out very simply all the bits and pieces of writing with good rhythm and rhyme and story! The best part--the gridded examples! http://www.dorichaconas.com/Icing%20the%20Cake%20page.htm

Some authors went to school for writing. Paid tuition and all. But you can be just as successful for basically no cost. You can be a better picture book writer for FREE. Photo by AbsolutVision from Pixabay One caveat--you really need internet access. For most people, that costs money, so I guess it wouldn't be completely free. But there are ways to get internet access without paying if you need it. I assume if you're reading this blog, you have internet access, so let's get on with it. And one more thing--full disclosure: I've spent money on SCBWI membership and 12x12 membership and Rate Your Story membership and they're great for those who can afford them. HOWEVER you don't NEED these organizations to be a better writer. For the first eight months of being a picture book writer, I did NOT use the help of these organizations and I feel confident that I could be successful without these. I'm actually surprised I've invested any sort of money in