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!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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:)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
New Book Title and Fox Honor
Well, it has been a while since my last post and I apologize for that. This summer has been quite full of quilt shows and travel. Even the writing took a back seat for the last month or so. But today feels like fall and even though I don't return to school to teach, the same old feelings of "getting back to work" have surged.
The title of the next book has been finalized - yeah! Start looking for Zero, Zilch, Nada : Counting to None in bookstores next spring. The color paintings look great and Harry is a very loveable - though math challenged - bunny. We are hopeful that it will be released in time for some spring time school visits.
A Isn't For Fox has been named to the Delaware Diamonds Booklist for the school year 2009-2010. This is a children's choice award program in the Delaware schools. Last year "Fox" was also named to the Keystones to Reading program in Pennsylvania and was on the short list - but not the final ballot - for the Charlotte Award in New York state. Exciting and humbling, to be sure.
I continue to research early Boston - around the 1770's -for a middle grade historical/fantasy novel set around the Boston Massacre. The more I think about the story, the more I realize how many different details I need to research to make it believable. Ultimately, a trip to Boston to visit the site and the graveyard will be in order. Because of the story line, I am also researching the life of early Irish immigrants in Boston.
Hopefully in the next months there will be good news regarding another picture book which is being considered for publication. Keep your fingers crossed!
This year I will be sending my school visit brochures out to Kindergarten/1st grade teachers in the middle of September. Hopefully by that time they won't get lost in the start of school mail pile. If there is a teacher/librarian you think I should send one to, please email the information to wendyu272@gmail.com. My fee is quite reasonable and there are other sources of funding than the regular school budget. My visits have been funded by parent groups, assembly/enrichment grants and even by anonymous donors. We can be creative, work together and not let the economy rob our kids of new experiences.
Enjoy what is left of summer and start getting ready for a beautiful autumn. Write about it!
The title of the next book has been finalized - yeah! Start looking for Zero, Zilch, Nada : Counting to None in bookstores next spring. The color paintings look great and Harry is a very loveable - though math challenged - bunny. We are hopeful that it will be released in time for some spring time school visits.
A Isn't For Fox has been named to the Delaware Diamonds Booklist for the school year 2009-2010. This is a children's choice award program in the Delaware schools. Last year "Fox" was also named to the Keystones to Reading program in Pennsylvania and was on the short list - but not the final ballot - for the Charlotte Award in New York state. Exciting and humbling, to be sure.
I continue to research early Boston - around the 1770's -for a middle grade historical/fantasy novel set around the Boston Massacre. The more I think about the story, the more I realize how many different details I need to research to make it believable. Ultimately, a trip to Boston to visit the site and the graveyard will be in order. Because of the story line, I am also researching the life of early Irish immigrants in Boston.
Hopefully in the next months there will be good news regarding another picture book which is being considered for publication. Keep your fingers crossed!
This year I will be sending my school visit brochures out to Kindergarten/1st grade teachers in the middle of September. Hopefully by that time they won't get lost in the start of school mail pile. If there is a teacher/librarian you think I should send one to, please email the information to wendyu272@gmail.com. My fee is quite reasonable and there are other sources of funding than the regular school budget. My visits have been funded by parent groups, assembly/enrichment grants and even by anonymous donors. We can be creative, work together and not let the economy rob our kids of new experiences.
Enjoy what is left of summer and start getting ready for a beautiful autumn. Write about it!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Catching Up
The ever present question once again raises it head- where does the time go?
Last weekend I had a signing at the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport, ME. It was the debut appearance of Izzy - an iguana puppet who had a great time interacting with the kids and the parents. It was a very successful signing and I hope to return for a holiday event in December.
We received the first color illustrations for the new book. Laura's sketches always amaze me, but her paintings are just fabulous and so right for the characters and the story. I can't wait to see the next ones.I am most grateful for having a great editor and illustrator.
I will soon begin my mailings to schools for 2009-2010 school visits. Last year I sent the mailings to school librarians, but I believe this time I may send them directly to grade level teachers. If you know of any elementary teachers who may be interested, please ask them to check out the blog and contact information. The spring visits can be focused around either of the books - A Isn't for Fox or Counting to None - or both at different grade levels. Parents and teachers can check out an activity guide for A Isn't for Fox at www.sleepingbearpress.com.
After some major problems with our current email provider, I am considering changing my email. This is something I have avoided as there are many things to change along with the email address. I will post the new address as soon as it is set up.
Until next time - read and write a little each day!
Last weekend I had a signing at the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport, ME. It was the debut appearance of Izzy - an iguana puppet who had a great time interacting with the kids and the parents. It was a very successful signing and I hope to return for a holiday event in December.
We received the first color illustrations for the new book. Laura's sketches always amaze me, but her paintings are just fabulous and so right for the characters and the story. I can't wait to see the next ones.I am most grateful for having a great editor and illustrator.
I will soon begin my mailings to schools for 2009-2010 school visits. Last year I sent the mailings to school librarians, but I believe this time I may send them directly to grade level teachers. If you know of any elementary teachers who may be interested, please ask them to check out the blog and contact information. The spring visits can be focused around either of the books - A Isn't for Fox or Counting to None - or both at different grade levels. Parents and teachers can check out an activity guide for A Isn't for Fox at www.sleepingbearpress.com.
After some major problems with our current email provider, I am considering changing my email. This is something I have avoided as there are many things to change along with the email address. I will post the new address as soon as it is set up.
Until next time - read and write a little each day!
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