Monday Moment #89: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )


I read it for the articles. And the interviews!

Seriously. It's true. It wasn't always that way, but it is today.

Now get your mind out of the gutters.

I'm talking about the Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market Guide or the CWIM. I love the CWIM and have for 10 years, back when I bought my first copy in 2001 ( I still have all of them). I remember looking for it at a Barnes and Noble and asking a salesperson to help me find it. I specifically remember looking for the name Alice Pope. So funny to think about that now, because, at the time, Alice was this stranger-of-a-person who I thought was probably a blue-haired lady (in a lunch-lady way, not a cute Stephanie Perkins way). Clearly that was before I really got to know the industry. And Alice.

Last week my door bell rang and it was the UPS truck with a package.  For me. And I knew what it was the second I saw it. My CWIM. Not just my latest CWIM, but MY CWIM; the one I have a byline in. Also extra special since it was Alice's last.

So, do you have your 2011 CWIM yet? If you do (and haven't yet read all the articles and interviews), opening up to page 81 right now. If you don't, order it right now.

Whee!!! THAT'S MY INTERVIEW WITH LIBBA BRAY. Yes, that Libba Bray.

Such a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to interview her, and I promise you'll enjoy the read. Not because my interviewing skills are spot on, but because ANY question Libba answers is entertaining, at the very least.

Back in 2001, I never would have guessed/dreamed/thought that I would know Alice personally and be working with her on Team Blog, or that I'd have an interveiw featured in the 2011 CWIM. It's been a pure treat, I must say.

What experience has your character had that they never would have guessed would happen or be possible a short or long time ago?