Books to Snuggle Up With

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It’s a rainy Monday morning in the California desert. A welcome break from our clear cerulean skies. Weather like this takes me back to my childhood in Seattle. I spent many days there snuggled down with a good book. With this on my mind, it occurred to me that I don’t have list of my favorite books on my blog. As my writer friend says, “Bad writer! Bad writer! No writing kibbles for you!” I knew I had to remedy the situation.

I’ve composed three lists of my favorite children’s books (on the right, scroll down). Some are old, some are new, some are borrowed, but none makes me blue.

Enjoy!

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Benefits of Blogging

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Ahh…Saturday morning. A time for leisure and warming into the day. Well, for most people. Two days ago, my husband and I adopted another kitten (CocoaPuff’s brother). Now I have two kittens waking me up at 5:30 AM. So, after this morning’s wake-up call (or should I say purr), I did what any self-respecting writer would do–I got up, threw some kibbles in their food bowl, tossed a toy their way, then booted up my computer so I could work on my novel. It’s all about opportunity, right folks? Grab that writing time when you can (although I admit the wee dark hours of morning are my favorite time to write).

After writing, I treated myself to some “blog time.” I just finished reading a few and was reminded of something Greg Pincus said on the subject. “Blogging is like attending an SCBWI conference from your home.” A wise man, that Gregory K.!

Reading other blogs doesn’t take that much time, but it puts me in touch with other kid-lit folks on many levels– emotional, personal, professional and business. I feel like I’m not alone. I learn how other writers deal with things. I see a more personal side of editors and agents. In essence, it’s another way to connect me to the humanity of writing. Just like attending a conference. Only this happens as often as I choose, and I get to wear my bunny slippers and jammies!

So, the next time you warm into your day, read a blog or two or three! It’s a great way to start your morning.

Valentine’s Day Silly Poems

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In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to post two poems:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
What a cheap way
to break up with you.

Okay, now for real:

Roses are red,
So is my dog,
Enough of this nonsense,
Time to go blog.

I welcome all creative and oh-so-corny poets to join me. And for all poetry lovers, visit Greg Pincus at “Gottabook” every Friday.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Silly Poems

|

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to post two poems:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
What a cheap way
to break up with you.

Okay, now for real:

Roses are red,
So is my dog,
Enough of this nonsense,
Time to go blog.

I welcome all creative and oh-so-corny poets to join me. And for all poetry lovers, visit Greg Pincus at “Gottabook” every Friday.
Happy Valentine’s Day!

2

Cats and Writing

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I recently got a kitten. Her name is CocoaPuff. I observe her a lot and am struck by how much her behavior and “cat-titude” reflects the spirit of a writer.

For instance, when she chases a toy, she commits to it 100%. She doesn’t just run after it, she charges forward until it’s in the grasp of her paws (or her jaws—she fetches), even if she takes a tumble or two along the way. If she’s on the sofa or bed, she doesn’t just hop off, she flies off, paws fully extended like Supercat. This girl knows how to go after her goal. Just the kind of attitude that writers must have to get published. Do we have setbacks? You bet! Do we take a tumble or two along the way? Absolutely! Can we let them stop us in our quest? No way! We indulge in a little chocolate then get back up and move on!

Last week, CocoaPuff fell in the toilet. Did that slow her down? Oh, no! She scrambled out, shook off her hind legs and moved on. Kind of like what writers must do after receiving a manuscript rejection (and yes, sometimes it even feels like climbing out of the toilet).

Occasionally, CocoaPuff climbs into my arms, wraps her paws around my neck, rubs her face against my cheek, and snuggles with me. She needs to feel loved and know that she has a safe place in the world. Just like writers—we need assurance, and our support circles of family and writing friends/colleagues give this to us.

I have a quote on my computer that says, “Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons.” I’m not so sure about the quiet part, but I definitely feel a kinship with cats.

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Ideas and Inspirations…Volcanoes, Starfish and Fish-Scented Ice Cream

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Children and adults ask me, “Where do you get your story ideas?” I simply respond with, “From life.” Yes, it’s a vague answer, especially if someone is expecting a lofty, revolutionary, lights-beaming-down-from-the-heavens kind of answer; but that doesn’t happen to me.

Sometimes I experience something in life that I feel I must write about or I’ll die if I don’t, like when my family hiked six miles across the lava beds in Hawaii to see Kilauea erupting. Sometimes I see something that I’ve seen a million times before differently, like one morning when I noticed that my ceiling fan resembled a starfish. And sometimes I overhear (okay, eavesdrop) on conversations that give me food for thought, like the time an elderly couple walked past me on the street. They were licking ice cream cones when the man said, “Well Honey, this sure smells like fish but it tastes like chocolate!” Okay, I’ll come clean. This is my little writer’s secret—I love to eavesdrop on strangers (shhh…don’t tell anyone). It’s amazing what people say when they think no one is listening (and what a great way to develop an ear for dialogue too).

My point is that story ideas are all around us. I keep a small notepad and pen with me so I can jot down those “light bulb” moments of inspiration and later add them to my “Ideas” folder. During those rare times where I’m stuck in the mud pit of writer’s block, I can go to my folder, pick an idea, and write about it. Maybe it will turn into something—maybe it won’t; but at least I get my mental wheels turning and my hand moving.

What’s your best story inspiration? I welcome you to share with me!

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Tornado in the Blogosphere!

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Welcome to my blog (that word still makes me laugh). This has been a busy past two weeks. I can’t help but think of a greeting card I once saw that had a goofy dog standing on a cinnamon bun. He was yelling compliments to the recipient, and on the inside it said, “Don’t stop me. I’m on a roll!”

That’s how I feel now. Two weeks ago, I attended the Ventura/Santa Barbara SCBWI retreat on cyber-promotion. I came home exhilarated, my head spinning out of control with ideas. Then last week I received “the call.” The call that children’s writers and illustrators all dream of and anticipate. Donna German, editor at Sylvan Dell phoned me with the news that they wanted to buy my picture book manuscript, THE BLACKBERRY BUSH. My head was nearing tornado status!

Yesterday I received my contract in the mail, and to my surprise, a box of books. No, Sylvan Dell aren’t miracle workers; they were my collection of Mother Goose Rhymes from Picture Window Books, which were originally supposed to be out next fall. Now my head was officially in tornado mode! I posted my happy news on my SCBWI listserve because well, that’s what we writers do. We share in each other’s joys (and sorrows). We are uplifted every time “one of our own” makes a score. We are of such a community spirit that one might expect us to be found wearing orange robes and chanting at LAX. Amongst the congratulations, some of my writer friends and colleagues said, “Now this is something to blog about!” Yes, I listened. So, here I go. Like a tornado into the blogosphere!

I hope along the way, in my “not so daily” posts, I’ll have some insightful comments, provoke thought, and heck, if nothing else, give you a laugh or two.