snapshots

Moving along

2010-11-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

I have gotten Postcards back from Andrea. Needs revising. Also Mallory at Scholastic has commented and helped me a bit, we'll see where I can take it from here. Still love my Delia character and trying to be true to her. I will spend some more time tomorrow writing. Writing time has become precious time since I've begun teaching.

2010-09-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to do a bit of traveling. I don't really want to. Would much prefer to stay in cave like house and write. Next week I get to drive Dan Yaccarino to and from his engagements as I am his liaison. Very excited about that!

I have finished Postcards and it is with Andrea! Yay!

2010-07-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Just want to say, Texas Teachers Rock Hard! I am taking a certification course and I never knew how difficult teaching was until now. I am so impressed at the level of competency and of course the level of caring in the schools today:) I am also proud to be a Texas Teacher!

Okay, about writing...I have been working on my doll story and it's going very well...so well in fact it's scary... Delia the character has taken on a life of her own and is a fun and witty almost- seven- year old child. It wasn't easy to add so much humor to the book but I am finding ways that are organic and help the pacing of the book, such as postcard writing, short paragraphs and chapters, and of course poetry. I think of all the techniques, poetry is the strongest and I haven't added nearly enough. I'm trying to come up with a fantastic ending. I think the story will need to come full circle though, and in the end, Delia who has been longing for Maddie Doll will finally be happy that her family is all together in one family car. Maybe I can make the car scenes funnier...hmmmm...I wonder what kind of car the parents drive? A jeep...VW bug, nooo been done...what kind of car would a family of four own who live in Dallas on Mockingbird lane? They could be driving the mom's pet grooming van...that might be funny...or something reptiley, There could be a lizard cage in the van. Delia has taken along her pet lizard without permission? I'll think some more on it later.

2010-05-29T19:04:00.000-07:00

I am a pathetic blogger. I just don't have much to say. Today, however, I will attempt something. I am working on the Kringles story. My lovely Kindles are now the Kringles, thanks to Melissa! I love the name change. I am almost finished and then it's on to Andrea. I have been taking an unusually long time to finish my stories. I think it's a good thing. I am examining them closely. I think I was sending them in fast before because of lack of confidence. I didn't have the confidence to think that I could fix whatever was wrong. So, I was hoping no one would notice that there was anything wrong!

2010-02-26T19:30:00.000-08:00

Went to Coffee Haus and worked on Bone Song today. I like the direction it's taking but it is still unwieldy. I need to pare it down and keep it flowing. Possibly I need to try a different structure. Rhythmic free verse maybe? No...but more white space.

I am very pleased with the direction the doll story is taking. Having tons of fun with it.

The Houston Conference was very helpful by way of giving writing direction. Lisa Ann Sandell recommended checking each and every word, every sentence and then each and every chapter to be sure it reads to the best advantage. That may be why I like to write in short snippets. It is easier to be sure the language is working right. It's more difficult to create a scene that works because it is working backwards, from paragraph, to page, and finally to chapter, but I think it is effective for me because everything I have to say can be said in a sentence. Everything of value anyway. The rest is expanding on that one sentence. She also said that if there is more than one logic hole in a manuscript they won't acquire it. I usually have at least three or four logic holes. Something to think about in the future.

All the editors agreed that YA is hot right now! Picture books are in a slump.

Nancy Feresten of National Geographic was so helpful. Enjoyed meeting her and they are looking for work for hire writers.

All in a Days Work

2010-02-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

It's unanimous! Everyone agrees that what my Christmas story needs is depth. I am going tomorrow to add "depth" at the local coffee haus. I think what I'm going to add is "what family means" especially at Christmas. But how will I do that in a 900 word picture book? I'll keep you posted, follower:)

2009-11-09T22:16:00.000-08:00

Worked on "Postcards" today. I like the direction it's taking. I'm not making too many changes, which is good. Found the book, Sister Magic, which should prove helpful. When I write the "raffle" scene I'd like it to be mostly funny. I need to figure out how Delia can express her love for the doll. May need to use her thoughts and dialogue. Yes, I need to get more of her thoughts in there. It's unusual for me not to have internal thoughts in a book. However, most 8 year olds don't have many. But when reading Ramona, Cleary gets lots of Ramona's thoughts in a chapter. Ramona is a thoughtful child. Delia can be thoughtful, also. If I find I have too many and it's too revealing I can take some out. Better to have too many in the beginning. I think once I get started back with "butt in chair" I can finish the book in two weeks. That is my goal. End of December.

2009-11-01T16:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday had signing at the aquarium. Went well, although a little slow. Still, I sold about 38 books. Talked with Dennis and Caroline the entire time. Dennis told me about legacy Books which for sure I will check out soon. The aquarium bookstore is little world in itself. Has a light feel to it. All tiled and lighting everywhere and of course it's open to both sides of the aquarium. Ocean's Child seems a little high, the cost may be prohibitive for some families. I need to figure out how I can make it not seem so prohibitive. Possibly handing out the poster with the book and also mentioning that it is forty pages of full color art. I may want to make up a sign in the way Kathy did for Josh's pumpkin (adding useful info). The aquarium however, was a good fit. I will contact Houston aquarium once more to offer a signing there. I will also try Sea World one more time. Also, the San Diego aquarium for March when I go there. Okay, I'm making myself dizzy with all these plans. Enough!

2009-10-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

Today, I heard from my editor and she would like marketing advice form me! Wow, how things do change...but I am rather proud of myself.

I sent my new picture-book manuscript out to said editor. It took me longer than usual to finish but I had unusual challenges. The plot had to be totally redone. Also, I needed to find my theme! First time that's ever happened. I almost always have the theme and I guess I actually did I just didn't know it until I did a lot of shaving of extra darlings. In other words I had to pare it down considerably.

I am working on my chapter book at present and am happy to report other chapter books out there have nothing on mine! Except the beloved Ramona books. I don't know how Beverly Cleary does it. She makes it look easy which of course we know it isn't but she gets all of her info in the first chapter plus everything else. I am going to deconstruct Ramona the Brave to find out how she does it. I always hate to do that. It takes the magic out of the book for me but it has to be done and I'll only do that one book. I'm also going to take a trip down memory lane and read her Ralph S Mouse books. I used to read those to JP.

Bone Song, my novel, has been put on the shelf, again...although I have a new and much better approach to it. A bit more realistic than nostalgic...different for me. But, I think Ria comes to life. Am excited about it.

Will be at Borders on McKinney in Dallas at 2pm Sat. Oct 10th to do a signing. Really happy aobut this one as I like the store especially well. The children's section has a small town feel and that may be due to Jack, the bookseller up there. So friendly and kind...

2009-08-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have a new story in the making. Am excited. Temporarily titled: Kindles. I will work on it some tonight. I am getting my butt in chair at Panera's and am doing well. Next week Mon-Thurs will work hard to get stuff to Andrea. Must sell something!

2009-06-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today I did a lot of writing on Postcards. I feel good about the book. I will send to Andrea the end of the month. Also, my site is in working order now which is very cool.

2009-04-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

A dream last night, maybe somewhat of a nightmare! Woke up startled and surprised at my own subconscious. I will need to write it out. Already began a poem...You never saw my love for you...
It actually gets better but is for my personal journal only. It ends...I have loved you for so long...

Anyway something to chew on. Today I go to Whit's pick up Jordan and get her to help me clean up backyard. We also must go to the library. Lots to do there. I will need to get MG books and a few YA. I am so confused by the whole thing. What is Bone Song, a YA possibly? I will know after perusing the titles I find today.

2009-04-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday and I think I need to write. I know I must write today.

2009-01-27T11:14:00.000-08:00

Today I went to critique at TCU B&N. The store closed early so had to leave without any help at all. As a result I need to work on my own with Postcards. I don't have much motivation to finish it. I wish I thought it was great but I just don't know how good it is, and that's the reason I needed my writer buddies today!

2009-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

Still watching Jordan and getting very tired! She is a dynamo and I feel old! Today I thought about getting my brochures ready. One brochure for my adult picture book writing class and one for children's programs. I will need pictures of my books for both.

2009-01-24T01:13:00.000-08:00

It's 3:00a.m. and I'm writing here because I did work on Postcards and pretty proud of it! But mostly I went dancing tonight. Party at dance studio. Fun! I did the Tango, not very good, yet, but men were patient with me. I am getting better! Did the meringue which I just love and jitterbug happy dance!

Back to Postcards. Need to edit paragraphs to add a bit more tension. More about the girl's parents. A little more about Daniel and his twitch. what kind of twitch can a kid have anyway? His cousin Doris scares him to death, so I guess he can shrug. Boys do shrug when unhappy. Okay, got it!

I need to work a bit more on ending. I will need to do all of these while Jordan is sleepping. She is a dynamo so no work while she is awake and busy. But two hours afternoons and maybe that's the most I can expect, except on Tuesday when Jason has a free day. Need to contact him about that.

Matt looked good today. I'm very proud of him for making his rank of Sergeant. His B-Day is January 26th. Must not forget. Matt's birthday is Monday! Yikes! What can I possibly get him? Need to ask Miss Whit. Need to take him to dinner maybe if he wants go. Ofcourse I'll have Jordan so it may not work. But maybe breakfast or lunch instead.

Need to sign Jordan up for her dance class. That should be fun.

Well, it's back to bed for me. Too sleepy. Next I will be working on Bone Song. I am catching up!

2009-01-20T06:55:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday, day off day, Jordan was a hoot yesterday. I tell you she is a winner. Absolutely sweet and charming. I could learn from her!

Today I go see Humph. Don't know why still going. Seems like waste of time but he's cute, I guess that's why still going.

Then...it's dance class with Bryan and the jitterbug. Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about. I got my dance shoes yesterday, going to dance till the cows come home!

Then I am going to get the movie Janee recommeneded, He Loves Me, He loves Me Not. Sounds like a thriller, just the kind I like.

Then, I am going to work on students. Ughy! But determined to get done.

Then, I am going to work on Postcards. Postcards is shaping up! Need to get the lantern or shamrock idea in there somewhare and also increase Daniel's part about him liking Alice Ann. And possibly adding Delia's parnts into the mix a bit more. Then revise paragrpahs one at a time and add Doris in a bit more and then ending needs to be fixed and then! I am there, baby!

short note

2009-01-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

I have created blog in order to write ideas, recipes, songs, poems, grocery list or whatever it is I feel like writing.