OK - so maybe I am pushing it a little. But there have been times, like today, where it feels like there is a touch of spring in the air. The wind still has a nip to it, but the sun feels different and the earth smells fresher.
I visited the Kindergartens today at the Dike Newell School in Bath, Me. It was great fun and they wrote very informative poems about owls. I was impressed. This is the same school where I volunteer in the second grade. Our Community Reads program is moving along nicely and we are all learning quite a lot about the many different careers in our town. We are planning on displaying our poster gallery of community readers at the annual Art Show on April 1st. We are all getting excited!
I have applied to attend a writer's workshop at the Haystack Mountain School of Arts and Craft this summer. The teacher is Naomi Shabib Nye, a fabulous writer of both children's literature and poetry. I am crossing fingers and toes in hopes of being accepted.
Check out the catalogue at Sleeping Bear's web site. Click on catalogue, then go to the last page (273) and check out the last book listed. That's right - Zero, Zilch, Nada:Counting to None! Better last, than not at all:)
I am still awaiting notice that the illustrations are complete and it is going to press. It's best not to think about it too much and just move on to other projects.
I have been working on more concept books, especially using math in the story line. Those second graders are really teaching me new ways to think about math. I am actually beginning to enjoy numbers!
Time to get back to research and writing. Take a break and read a book - the work will wait!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
A New Year?
So we now write 2010 instead of 2009, but does that really make it a new year? I am thinking of having a different date to start my new year, maybe even change it each "year." I felt like last year I lost the first six months and I really don't think they should count, since I can't find them! So that would make July 1st the beginning of my new year this time around. The fiscal year for many organizations doesn't match the calendar year, so why should I?
According to reliable sources, the illustrations for Zero should be arriving any day! I can't wait to see it all together as a book rather than as random drawings and paintings. Perhaps I will be able to share the cover soon!
The second graders have begun their Community Reads program and will have their first community visitor and interview this week. They have worked very hard on how to ask good questions and are practicing doing interviews with their families. They continue to amaze me with their knowledge and insight.
School visit requests are beginning to arrive in my emails and I am scheduling for spring visits. Please let any teachers or librarians know about the blog or share my email with them. I will be traveling to St. Paul, MN. again in May and hope to schedule some appearances there.
Chapter Three of the fantasy is in progress. I now know the dragon speaks in rhymes and the big brother is a problem! We will work through it together and get this story told! Meanwhile, I try not to think about the manuscripts that are out there lying on someone's desk being ignored or worse. Just keep writing and submitting and it will happen again. Just believe!
According to reliable sources, the illustrations for Zero should be arriving any day! I can't wait to see it all together as a book rather than as random drawings and paintings. Perhaps I will be able to share the cover soon!
The second graders have begun their Community Reads program and will have their first community visitor and interview this week. They have worked very hard on how to ask good questions and are practicing doing interviews with their families. They continue to amaze me with their knowledge and insight.
School visit requests are beginning to arrive in my emails and I am scheduling for spring visits. Please let any teachers or librarians know about the blog or share my email with them. I will be traveling to St. Paul, MN. again in May and hope to schedule some appearances there.
Chapter Three of the fantasy is in progress. I now know the dragon speaks in rhymes and the big brother is a problem! We will work through it together and get this story told! Meanwhile, I try not to think about the manuscripts that are out there lying on someone's desk being ignored or worse. Just keep writing and submitting and it will happen again. Just believe!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Late Spring Release
After what seems like months and months of waiting, Zero,Zilch,Nada:Counting to None is scheduled to be released in late April/early May. Hooray! After the excitement settles down from having a timetable, the worry sets in about how it will be received. As long as the kids enjoy it and maybe learn a little math, I will be happy.
Speaking of math - wow, I am learning so much from my time in second grade. I wish I had learned math the way these kids are learning it. I try to apply what I am learning when I go grocery shopping. I can now do all the math in my head and just write down the total so I don't forget it. I used to write every addition down in order to add it. OK , I admit, math and I haven't always been friends , but we are working on it, big time!
The quandry over the agent question continues, however I now have gotten some professional input and have more of a focus on how to proceed. That is, proceed with making the decision if I need/want an agent. My research continues in that area.
The first draft of Chapter Two of my early reader fantasy is saved. I always seem to begin writing in one direction and the characters take me in another. It is amazing how they solve the problems I can't figure out! I actually think it is my dragons that are writing this story:)
Getting ready for nasty weather tomorrow - may be a good day to read, write and sew!
Speaking of math - wow, I am learning so much from my time in second grade. I wish I had learned math the way these kids are learning it. I try to apply what I am learning when I go grocery shopping. I can now do all the math in my head and just write down the total so I don't forget it. I used to write every addition down in order to add it. OK , I admit, math and I haven't always been friends , but we are working on it, big time!
The quandry over the agent question continues, however I now have gotten some professional input and have more of a focus on how to proceed. That is, proceed with making the decision if I need/want an agent. My research continues in that area.
The first draft of Chapter Two of my early reader fantasy is saved. I always seem to begin writing in one direction and the characters take me in another. It is amazing how they solve the problems I can't figure out! I actually think it is my dragons that are writing this story:)
Getting ready for nasty weather tomorrow - may be a good day to read, write and sew!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Too Dark!
It is only 5pm and I am sitting looking out at the lights across the river because it is completely dark outside! I try to cheer up my husband by telling him in a few short weeks the days will begin to get longer. It doesn't work.
On the writing side of things, I now have a bit more time to devote to my many ideas. Last week I submitted a manuscript to a regional publisher, so the waiting begins. Today I have been researching publishers for two other manuscripts and I will probably be sending them off this week. I am also looking forward to a phone call from my editor to catch up on the new book.
On the actual writing side, I have been working on my first fantasy story and am beginning to learn more and more about the main character. He has a lot to learn, but he has a good heart.
I am also working on a story about a boy who doesn't think he needs to know how to read. We all know where that is going to go!
The second grade class is teaching me so much, especially about math. I sure wish I had been taught math the way they do it today - I might actually like it! Every week I find myself using a method or skill the second graders have been working on - whoever heard of "friendly" numbers? Some definite writing ideas coming out of this experience. Thanks, kids!
Enjoy the holiday season and take time for yourself - read and write a bit - slow down and enjoy your loved ones. And don't forget - A Isn't For Fox makes a great holiday gift for a special little one:)
On the writing side of things, I now have a bit more time to devote to my many ideas. Last week I submitted a manuscript to a regional publisher, so the waiting begins. Today I have been researching publishers for two other manuscripts and I will probably be sending them off this week. I am also looking forward to a phone call from my editor to catch up on the new book.
On the actual writing side, I have been working on my first fantasy story and am beginning to learn more and more about the main character. He has a lot to learn, but he has a good heart.
I am also working on a story about a boy who doesn't think he needs to know how to read. We all know where that is going to go!
The second grade class is teaching me so much, especially about math. I sure wish I had been taught math the way they do it today - I might actually like it! Every week I find myself using a method or skill the second graders have been working on - whoever heard of "friendly" numbers? Some definite writing ideas coming out of this experience. Thanks, kids!
Enjoy the holiday season and take time for yourself - read and write a bit - slow down and enjoy your loved ones. And don't forget - A Isn't For Fox makes a great holiday gift for a special little one:)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Falling with the Leaves
I am firmly convinced that the universe had a massive case of indigestion in October and is still hiccupping a bit! At least my universe did. But I am slowly regaining control of my world and am happy to be back writing.
I have received a color copy of the the cover for Zero etc. for the spring catalogue from Sleeping Bear Press. We are moving in the right direction and I am eagerly looking forward to more color spreads as the winter progresses. After a wild ride trying to get the main concept pages correct, we are finally moving forward. I continue to develop my school visit presentations with the new book and now have a flannel board manipulative to use with the kids. A big thank you to my second grade friends who are willing to try things for me:)
I have finished a first draft of my first fantasy - a possible early reader series. And , of course, it includes a dragon! I have actually been writing steadily during the universe's hiccup, but not polishing or submitting. I will be devoting time to these areas over the next few weeks as they are actually quite time consuming. I am constantly flip flopping over trying to get an agent or not. If anyone out there has any opinions on this, please share them.
I will be at the Dike Newell School Book Fair on Thursday, November 19th at 6:30 pm. A friend and local author, Frances Bloxam, and I will be reading from our books and signing them. Our books make great holiday gifts for youngsters, so stop by and get some shopping done and help out a great school.
Turkey Day is almost here - eat more pie!
I have received a color copy of the the cover for Zero etc. for the spring catalogue from Sleeping Bear Press. We are moving in the right direction and I am eagerly looking forward to more color spreads as the winter progresses. After a wild ride trying to get the main concept pages correct, we are finally moving forward. I continue to develop my school visit presentations with the new book and now have a flannel board manipulative to use with the kids. A big thank you to my second grade friends who are willing to try things for me:)
I have finished a first draft of my first fantasy - a possible early reader series. And , of course, it includes a dragon! I have actually been writing steadily during the universe's hiccup, but not polishing or submitting. I will be devoting time to these areas over the next few weeks as they are actually quite time consuming. I am constantly flip flopping over trying to get an agent or not. If anyone out there has any opinions on this, please share them.
I will be at the Dike Newell School Book Fair on Thursday, November 19th at 6:30 pm. A friend and local author, Frances Bloxam, and I will be reading from our books and signing them. Our books make great holiday gifts for youngsters, so stop by and get some shopping done and help out a great school.
Turkey Day is almost here - eat more pie!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Back to School
Last week I began my volunteer work in second grade. I don't remember knowing as much in second grade as these students do! They are also, however, still innocent in many regards and that is refreshing. They love to laugh and are quick to see the humor in everyday life. A valuable trait to retain if you can manage it. We began with a math lesson and it was so interesting because it wasn't the math that gave them trouble, it was the language used to communicate the problem that caused us to stumble. A valuable lesson for an author working on math related stories!
My second day was spent working in the writing center. I was surprised at how young the idea begins that we don't have anything to write about. But by posing questions regarding an experience, they soon were writing away and adding great illustrations to their stories. We think are lives are ordinary and uninteresting, but to others our lives are unique and different. We can all write about something!
Well, I received a final version of Harry - the bunny who is the star of the next book. He is a very friendly and innocent rabbit and I am quite pleased with his final form. The cover sketch is fun and will surely catch the eye with its bright colors. You can start looking for Zero, Zilch, Nada:Counting to None sometime in spring 2010.
I have now added the ability to receive an online brochure of my school visit information. You can email me and I will email back an attachment with the brochure. I will let everyone know when the brochure for the new book is available and when those visits can start.
Enjoy these beautiful fall days!
My second day was spent working in the writing center. I was surprised at how young the idea begins that we don't have anything to write about. But by posing questions regarding an experience, they soon were writing away and adding great illustrations to their stories. We think are lives are ordinary and uninteresting, but to others our lives are unique and different. We can all write about something!
Well, I received a final version of Harry - the bunny who is the star of the next book. He is a very friendly and innocent rabbit and I am quite pleased with his final form. The cover sketch is fun and will surely catch the eye with its bright colors. You can start looking for Zero, Zilch, Nada:Counting to None sometime in spring 2010.
I have now added the ability to receive an online brochure of my school visit information. You can email me and I will email back an attachment with the brochure. I will let everyone know when the brochure for the new book is available and when those visits can start.
Enjoy these beautiful fall days!
Friday, September 25, 2009
A Beautiful Fall
We have been enjoying beautiful weather here in Maine for the past several weeks. After a short taste of the summer that wasn't, the first coastal frost is forcast for tonight. The tomatoes never turned red, so I guess fried green tomatoes are on the menu!
Last weekend I attended a workshop for published authors focused on school visits and marketing. It is amazing just how much time must be devoted to promoting and marketing, as publishers now consider your willingness to do that in deciding whether to accept a manuscript for publication. I know I spend many hours researching publishers, bookstores and book events.
I have received the third set of sketches for the next book and am creating a visual literacy unit to offer to art classes as well as my regular presentations. There is a great progression from one set to another allowing for discussion surrounding why changes are made and how consistency must be maintained. For the younger grades, I am creating math related activities, as well as writing process fun. We hope that the publication process will speed up now that the most technical concept pages have been finalized. It is so hard to wait!!!
"Fox" received a nice blog mention on the blog of Heide Kaisand. Heide is a nationally known quilt personality who gave several presentations at our shop. She has a son and twin girls, so we presented her with a signed copy of "Fox." She posted a nice blog entry and picture about the book. Thanks, Heide! Her blogs about Bath, ME and Mariner's Compass Quilt Shop were quite fun, also.
I begin my second grade volunteering next week and am quite excited to begin. I haven't met any of the kids yet, but hope to write about them as we explore writing and math together this year. They keep me grounded in what it really is like to be growing up today.
I must go out now and bring in the plants - I never know where I am going to put them. Until next time, read, write and enjoy life:)
Last weekend I attended a workshop for published authors focused on school visits and marketing. It is amazing just how much time must be devoted to promoting and marketing, as publishers now consider your willingness to do that in deciding whether to accept a manuscript for publication. I know I spend many hours researching publishers, bookstores and book events.
I have received the third set of sketches for the next book and am creating a visual literacy unit to offer to art classes as well as my regular presentations. There is a great progression from one set to another allowing for discussion surrounding why changes are made and how consistency must be maintained. For the younger grades, I am creating math related activities, as well as writing process fun. We hope that the publication process will speed up now that the most technical concept pages have been finalized. It is so hard to wait!!!
"Fox" received a nice blog mention on the blog of Heide Kaisand. Heide is a nationally known quilt personality who gave several presentations at our shop. She has a son and twin girls, so we presented her with a signed copy of "Fox." She posted a nice blog entry and picture about the book. Thanks, Heide! Her blogs about Bath, ME and Mariner's Compass Quilt Shop were quite fun, also.
I begin my second grade volunteering next week and am quite excited to begin. I haven't met any of the kids yet, but hope to write about them as we explore writing and math together this year. They keep me grounded in what it really is like to be growing up today.
I must go out now and bring in the plants - I never know where I am going to put them. Until next time, read, write and enjoy life:)
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