Writing Children's Books

I recently enrolled in a Samford After Sundown class with my mom. "Writing Children's Books". We have wanted to be a Children's book team for ages... and just when we started getting into the idea again... this class presented itself. Talk about heavenly timing. This class is supposed to help us learn how to develop plots and characters and all that in addition to introducing us to the children's book publishing industry. That's where we really need the help: "How to get it published!".

I have always wanted to be involved with creating/illustrating children's books. In fact, my senior graphic design project at Samford was a children's book that I wrote (only sections for presentation effect), illustrated, & designed. I've been needing to scan a bunch of the original illustrations and post them here for you all to see. I'm still so proud of it. It was a series of books about a traveling corgi named Caleb. Caleb and His Search for a Saint (Pilgrimage to Santiago, Spain) was the first title... The other two books (the titles I came up with have escaped my mind) were about China (The Chinese New Year) and Egypt (The Pyramids...Sphinx...). So, they were supposed to be educational novels... young readers... not "kiddies" children's books... I'm not sure what age group we'll be learning about in this class though... hmmm.

One day I really would like to write my Caleb books... that's why I want to take the class along with my mom, who is already a wonderful writer (and rhymer). We will make such a great team!

Details: the class meets every monday at 7pm until the first of June. So it's not that big of a commitment... except keith has his grad class on mondays, as well, but from 5-7pm. We won't see each other until 9pm every monday. But it won't last forever! Hopefully we'll really benefit from the experience! I'll keep you updated on how it all goes - our first class is tonight!!!
Abigail

I'm sore... & burned... so what's next

I'm sore again! It's not as bad this time though. Keith and I played tennis yesterday and I've started to improve... a little. Hey, for me, a little is a lot! I was extremely stupid yesterday though. We were in a rush to get to the courts at Homewood park (there are only two courts there) and in that rush I forgot to put sunscreen on. So, after about two hours of playing in the early afternoon sun (with overcast patches) we both got burned. My forearms are beet red and the back of Keith's neck is just horrible. I about cried when I saw his neck this morning. I'm the one that is always such a stickler for sunscreen. Not that he isn't (he grew up in Florida for heaven's sake). He knows all about sunscreen. So, from now on, I've got to be more thurough before we play outside :o)

new thought!

Saturday we bought helmets... because... next weekend... dun dun duuuuun... we're buying BIKES!!! I haven't had a bike that was really "mine" since I was a kid... and that one wasn't really mine then... it was a hand-me-down from my sister. Plus, all these new bikes have handle breaks. I've tried riding other peoples bikes with those and I always forget how to stop. I start spinning backwards and freak out. ha! But, I did find one bike at WallyWorld that has back peddle breaks like the way they used to make them! I'm totally stoked about next weekend!

Keith and I have become quite the active couple! We'll see how long it lasts. (hopefully we'll never get tired of it - we need the outdoors action and exercise).

Abigail

I'm so sore!

Every muscle of my body is sore. Keith and I played tennis Saturday and Sunday (yesterday). For normal tennis players this wouldn't be a big deal... however, I haven't played tennis since I was a preteen. And I haven't been very active lately... hence the "Oh-So-Soreness". I just really need to step it up and start exercising every day... but it's hard working from 8am-5pm, then... after getting home at 5:30pm... figuring out how to exercise, cook dinner, clean up the house, prep for the next day, get a little quality time with my husband, and get to bed early all in a few hours. That's why I wish I was an at-home freelancer. Then I could take breaks from designing to throw a load of clothes in the wash or do a 30 minutes workout, and when Keith gets home from teaching, dinner would be ready! It really makes me frustrated everyday when I know I need to do certain things but I just can't fit them in. Normal things, like, vacuuming, or organizing my work bag, cooking... we order out more nights than I like because neither one of us have had time to figure out dinner. And I want to paint our bedroom. The paint is in the can... it's just waiting for me, but every time I figure out a good time to do it, someting else comes up or I'm just too exhausted. Grrrrr. "Ok, Epiphany! I'm waiting for you to help me here!"

abigail

Monticello Road

My Nana and Papa asked me a long time ago to illustrate their house in Irondale (the house my mom grew up in). So, after several year's of procrastination, I did it and gave it to them for Christmas! I think it turned out really well. If only I could just illustrate people's memories for a living. If that dream were to actually come true I think I'd explode out of happiness... In all seriousness, that really is my dream.

your dreaming illustrator,
Abigail

I'm protected. Are you?

Ha haa! Ok, so it's one of my favorite holidays EVER! Saint Patrick's Day!!! I love it! My freshman year at Samford I even got a Shamrock tattoo on my lower back! Talk about a fan of the Irish. I'm part Irish so it's ok... In all honesty, I got the shamrock because it represents the Trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit). It's just awesome that it's Irish!

(Here I am wearing my "Pinch Protection Button" I bought a few days ago at Publix. I bought Keith one too!)
Last year, Keith cooked corned beef and cabbage for me. Bought Guiness and green/irish cupcakes. He was off for Spring Break (as he is now) so he had lots of time on his hands to pamper and surprise me when I came home from work. This year Mom is cooking and we're all going over to eat and hang out. We'll watch "The Biggest Loser" too. Wow, I sound like such a kid. "We're gonna do this! and we're gonna do that! and... and... and...it's awesome!"

Abigail O'Brandenburg!

Big Weekend!

I'm so excited about this weekend. One of my sister's and my best friends is getting married. Christi Perkins! (Left Photo: Christi & Chi (fiance)) (Right Photo: (from left) Christi, Allison, Me, Casey (another BM)) Allison is the Maid of Honor and I am a bridesmaid. Fun fun fun! Today at work I'm taking a half day and will help set up Reid Chapel (Samford University). Then, we have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (Dreamland BBQ at the Mountain Brook Library). Tomorrow evening (most of the day for pictures) is wedding time! Then an amazingly fun reception up at Vulcan! I can't wait to take pictures and post them here.

This is their wedding website!
www.christi-and-chi.com
Here I am (photo) in the bridesmaid dress last November. I'm actually in a black version and holding up the brown fabric that we ordered it in. However, you can't see that since it's a B/W photo... ha.

The only drawback to this busy weekend is that Keith and I have the 8am service at Canterbury and then that evening we have the Evensong. Talk about a packed weekend. I'll need the next weekend just to recover. Let's hope it all goes smoothly! I know it will!

Side note: Christi's fiance, Chi, was also the model with me in the "Irish Pub Nook" photo shoot below! And, he went to high school with Allison. Good ole' friends

muah, muah,

Abigail

Cheers!

Irish Pub Nook @ Lowe's Creative Ideas
My sister, Allison Banks, is a projects editor & photo stylist for Lowe's Creative Ideas @ Southern Progress. She redid the little dining room in our condo! Here is how it turned out!
Click Here to see more pictures on the Lowe's Creative Ideas website!
*Models: Myself & Chi (our friend)