Storyteller's Journey

    A Writer's Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property - (noun)
a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc.
Photo Credit: Public Domain


Recently I visited an attorney, who specializes in intellectual property, regarding our book The Scandinavian Santa. (Thankfully, she had only kind comments for our book, unlike the poor fellow in the graphic!)

We have been presented with an exciting opportunity for the book, but before we proceed with it, I felt it prudent to receive some legal advice. (I'll share more information about this new opportunity if and when it's finalized.) While I'll not share specifics of what I learned, I will say that every published author should have legal counsel available to her - preferably a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property. I received a plethora of information regarding copyrights, contracts, trademarks etc.

While I'm laboring on a new manuscript I'm hoping my story will work out to be something worthy of publication. Rarely, if ever, have I allowed my mind to wander on other possibilities for my creation. However, it is something that every writer should consider - at least as far as rights, residuals, and trademarks go. If nothing else, have an attorney in mind that specializes in intellectual property. (Believe it or not, unless you live in L.A. or NYC, those attorneys are few and far between!) That way, you won't be caught off guard if you have the opportunity to bring your story to life in another form, besides a book.

I wrote this blog post primarily to raise the issue of a writer's need for legal counsel. It is in no way meant to be legal advice, or even a recommendation on when to seek legal counsel. This post is merely me musing after consulting a great attorney specializing in intellectual property. I'm really glad I met with her; I learned a lot!

It's dangerous to make assumptions about your intellectual property!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Sisyphean - (adj.)
(of a task) such that it can never be completed.
Example: Sadly, the woman's goals, like her housekeeping, were somewhat Sisyphean.

Bibliophile's Corner

The War that Saved my Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Amazon Description:
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson's Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.

Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

My Thoughts:
You'll forget you're reading a middle grade novel as The War that Saved my Life wraps you with a rich tapestry set in England during World War II. Its poignant plot, complex settings, and exquisite character development are brought vividly to life by the pen of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. If you're a fan of historical fiction this novel is one not to miss. Shortly after I completed reading this special novel, I learned it had won a Newbery Honor! I highly recommend The War that Saved my Life to readers from the ages of eight to eighty.

Click here to learn more about Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Storyteller's Journey

Why I Love Middle Grade Books

When I noticed this campaign to spread the love for middle grade books, I just had to participate! Then it got me thinking: Why do I love middle grade books so much? First, I should say, that not only do I enjoy writing middle grade, I also enjoy reading middle grade! (I guess I just never grew up!)

One  reason I enjoy writing middle grade stories is that since the readers in that age bracket - eight to twelve (or even up to 14) - are in the process of learning who they are, they're more interested in reading a variety of genres. That gives a writer a better chance to sell whatever genre it is she writes.There is some gratification, as a writer, knowing that the young people who read my books might be positively influenced by something in my stories. I enjoy writing light fantasy books about animals and childhood - with a bit of coming of age thrown in - those elements in a book won't fly with a young adult! These are the main reasons I love writing middle grade books so much.

The reason I enjoy reading middle grade stories is that they're more about a young person spreading her wings - and using her imagination -  as she learns about the world. Whereas young adult and adult novels sometimes rely too much on the romantic element for the characters. Too many times the romance element in a YA story causes the protagonist to draw her strength from that relationship. Since I like being inspired, and strengthened by a book, I find that I usually enjoy middle grade books much more - especially those that include animals. Besides, as I mentioned above, I think I just never really grew up!

This seems like a good time to remind you that my middle grade animal fantasy novel is still being featured on a Book Launch Party hosted by SCBWI. If you'd like a chance to win a signed copy, click here to visit the launch party and then merely sign my guest book on the sidebar. The winners will be announced on Friday, April 1st.

(By the way, if you'd like to participate in the I Love Middle Grade campaign on Twitter, don't forget to use the hashtag: #iLOVEMG.)

Whimsical Word of the Week

Morass - (n.)
1- an area of muddy or boggy ground.
2- a complicated or confused situation.
Example: The child's explanation for his bad behavior was nothing more than a morass of clever excuses.

Bibliophile's Corner

Night On Fire
by Ronald Kidd

Flap Copy Description:
Thirteen-year-old Billie Simms doesn't think her hometown of Anniston, Alabama, should be segregated, but few of the town's residents share her opinion. As equality spreads across the country and the Civil Rights Movement gathers momentum, Billie can't help but feel stuck--and helpless--in a stubborn town too set in its ways to realize that the world is passing it by. So when Billie learns that the Freedom Riders, a group of peace activists riding interstate buses to protest segregation, will be traveling through Anniston on their way to Montgomery, she thinks that maybe change is finally coming and her quiet little town will shed itself of its antiquated views. But what starts as a series of angry grumbles soon turns to brutality as Anniston residents show just how deep their racism runs. The Freedom Riders will resume their ride to Montgomery, and Billie is now faced with a choice: stand idly by in silence or take a stand for what she believes in. Through her own decisions and actions and a few unlikely friendships, Billie is about to come to grips with the deep-seated prejudice of those she once thought she knew, and with her own inherent racism that she didn't even know she had.

My Thoughts:
The award-winning author and playwright, Ronald Kidd, has penned a powerful story that should be read by not only all children, but by all adults, too! Night On Fire is a well-written historical fiction novel set during the turbulent days of the Civil Rights Movement, but it is the thoughts and struggles of the protagonist, Billie, and her new-found friend, Jarmaine, that are so riveting. You'll see the issues of that time in a whole new way, no matter who you are. This novel swallowed me up whole; I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend Night On Fire to readers from the ages of eight to eighty!

Click here to learn more about the author, Ronald Kidd.

                   In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.  ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Storyteller's Journey

While Journey to Snowdonia won't be released until the 2017 holiday season, I still thought I'd give you a sneak peek of the synopsis - as well as a few of the illustrations - for our latest storybook/picture book:


Synopsis:
Henry and Harriet are proper children, who live in a proper house, on a proper street in Victorian London. But when their father, Mr. Charles W. Smithwaite, decides to take the family on a winter holiday in Wales, the siblings go on an outing that is anything but proper. Whilst their father and mother are busy with their society friends, Henry and Harriet venture away from the country inn, deep into the ancient Gwydir Forest, in the legendary land of Snowdonia. Then, when a mishap occurs in the mysterious old woods, they discover the magical powers of the amazing creatures that live amidst the misty mountains of Wales. But most importantly, they learn about courage, and about kindness, and about the necessity to sometimes believe in a thing... even though it makes no sense at all.

Oil paintings by Michael Lindstrom - Copyright 2016

These four oil paintings are a small sampling of the illustrations that will be needed for our picture book/storybook Journey to Snowdonia.

The manuscript for Journey to Snowdonia is complete, but will still require a final edit. However, I'm keeping very busy with a rewrite of my middle grade novel Livvi Biddle - The Secret at Stonehenge.
(Michael asked me where all the British inspiration was coming from and I had to remind him I'm not only Norwegian, I'm also French, Italian, AND Welsh!)

Over the holidays my mom and I perused over old family photos. My mother's maiden name was Tuson; here's a photo of one of my British ancestors (we're trying to confirm he's my great-great grandfather):

Tuson ancestor from Middlesex England

I hope my ancestor was a nicer fellow than Charles W. Smithwaite!