Dance to The Beat of Your Own Drum

By Sharon Giltrow

Writers are often referred to as ‘plotters’ or ‘pantsers’. A ‘plotter’ is someone who plans and outlines their story before they write it. Whereas, a ‘pantser’ is someone who doesn’t plan out anything or very little before they start to write. As a writer I question whether we have to be one or the other. We could be ‘planster’. Someone who has a plan before they start to write but is prepared to follow the story on its journey. Whatever type of writers we are, we all need to embrace our creativity to craft stories. We need to think outside the box, embrace our inner child, see the world in an extraordinary way. Dance to the beat of our own drum. This is exactly what the main character in Dani Vee and Alexandra Colombo’s book MY EXTRAordinary Mum does.

My EXTRAordinary Mum
Written by: Dani Vee        
Illustrated by: Alexandra Colombo
Published by: Larrikin House , 1st August 2022
My mum's a little quirky, free-spirited and bold. She dances to the beat of her own drum.
A fun-filled adventure and celebration of an extraordinary mum and her daughter who find magic in unexpected places.
We are all extraordinary, sometimes we just need reminding.

Let’s take a look at two of Dani’s favourite spreads to see how the main character dances to the beat of her own drum and how Dani followed her story on its journey.

D- This spread encapsulates exactly who this mum really is! Quirky, spiritual and willing to try anything if it brings her and her community joy. I came across a drum circle at a market when I was doing re-writes for 'My EXTRAordinary Mum' and I just knew that this is exactly what my mum in this book would love! I joined the drum circle with my kids and it was a powerful experience, not just the music, but working together and being in the moment to create something cool! I love how she forgets social convention, like bedtimes, because togetherness and fun trumps all!

Sh – Here we can see how Dani took an experience from her real life and used it to enrich her story and her character’s story. I’m sure Dani didn’t plan to have a drum circle in her original outline.

D- The idea of family and community being family is really important in this book. Families can be found everywhere! I was aiming for an inclusive outdoor BBQ scene where it shows how much my mum in the book loves the people around her. I think it captures her vibe and makes her a great role model for her daughter! She is one of kind this mum!

Sh- Here the strength of Dani’s story can be seen in her characters especially the mum and daughter. The reader falls in love with the character, her uniqueness and her openness. The mum is a great role model to the reader too.

In these two spreads you can also see the richness and diversity that Alexandra has brought to the story.

Love your work Dani and Alexandra!
 
Next time you sit down to write your story, evoke the ‘planster’ and dance to the beat of your own drum.
 
See you in September with another great Aussie book.
 
Remember to share a laugh, and connect with someone today.

Sharon Giltrow grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, Western Australia with her husband, two children and a tiny dog. Sharon has taught for all of her career. Previously a teacher of children who are hearing impaired and Deaf-Blind, she now teaches young children with Developmental Language Disorder. Her humorous debut PB, BEDTIME DADDY! released in May 2020 - EK books. Sharon’s humorous follow up PB, GET READY, MAMA! released in April, 2022 - EK Books. Her third and fourth PB, LET’S GO SHOPPING, GRANDMA! And LET’S GO TO THE BEACH, GRANDPA! are due to be released in 2022 and 2023 - Dixi Books. SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILITY BELT, book one in Sharon’s early MG series – THE UTILITY BELT, will be released in 2023 - Clear Fork Publishing.  With book two TOBY KING AND THE UTILITY BELT to follow.

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