Several years ago a stranger approached me (via email). She wanted to meet for coffee. She wanted to talk to me about creativity and writing and the world of children’s literature and…creativity. When you're an author you often get requests like this. And by-and-large my fallback is no. I mean, can you imagine what it’s …
Invitation to a LIVE call. Plus, Scribbles Academy update and inside our latest photoshoot
Super quick post because ALL THE PLATFORMS, right?? I'll be LIVE in the Duck Pond, our private Facebook group, tomorrow. That's: Friday, July 3, 11.15am AEST. The Scribbles Academy opens later this month (July) for its ONLY intake for 2020 and I want to talk about that! I'll also be chatting about my own creative …
End of an Era: Why I’m Closing Q & Q Friday
Since our first video in August 2016, Q and Q Friday has had almost 21,000 views. That’s a lot in a niche industry. A lot in a small country like Australia—with crap SEO. Hear me GOOGLE? Get your bloody SEO sorted! Help the little guys get seen! We’ve produced 107 videos (so far) and covered …
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Creative writers: Two things you must have that I can’t give you
I've been thinking about teaching. I think about it a lot. You see, I've been gathering notes for another tutorial to add to the girl & duck Institute. This one's about voice. Voice is one of my FAVOURITE topics. It should be every author's favourite topic. Well. Top five at least. By the way... Do …
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Book news, cottage news, garden news. All the news.
In the last Q and Q Friday video, we talked about writing picture books via the illustrations. In other words, an alternative way to write a PB is to start with the pictures. Lots of creators, especially illustrators, work this way. Pictures first. Words second. Sweeeeet. So. That's what I'm doing here. I'm pulling some …
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Scribbles Is On Sale. This Week Only!
This ducky is stuffed. She won't create nothin' this winter. But this doesn't have to be you! If you've been thinking of joining Scribbles, now's the time, pop tart! Starting today, Sunday June 10, we're having a super duper, once only, Scribbles Winter Warm-up Sale. Save big bucks, make new friends AND put some sparkle …
What defines a main character?
Sometimes we refer to people as ‘real characters’. How weird. Is this uniquely Australian? Is it an Australianism? ‘Oh, my great aunt was a real character!’ Either way, it’s nearly always a term of endearment. There are loads of characters in my daily circle. The old bloke who wears a duster coat, drives a 1950s …
The Key to Writing Great Stories
People are always asking me, Jen, how do I make my writing shine? Jen, what will make my manuscript pop? Jen, what’s the one, single, best, top of the charts, CRACKERJACK thing that will make my stories sparkle? Weeeeell… Maybe it’s voice. Maybe it’s character. Maybe it’s originality, verve, heart. The list is like …
The 2 problems publishers have with rhyming picture books
Hello, sunshine! Missing Q & Q Friday? Here's a transcript from a  lovely one we recorded last year. Thanks to Suzy from Wagga Wagga in NSW for this awesome Q! You can listen, read or watch. Whatever suits you. or visit the Girl and Duck Podcast on iTunes where you can subscribe and listen on the go. The Q: As an aspiring illustrator who …
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The Q & Q Files. How do I know when my book is ‘finished’?
Yes! (Dainty air punch.) This is the first of many transcripts I'll be sharing with you, dear reader, over the coming months. Q & Q Friday (questions and quacks), straight from Duckie TV to you!I got words. I got videos. I got sound files. I got the lot! It's a veritable picnic of advice, opinions and... …
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