We have a great region and I have had a blast working with Margaret Speaker Yuan as her assistant regional adviser for over 4 years. She is a super hard worker, like I am, and we have got a region of terrific volunteers. When a SCBWI region reaches a certain size (like pretty big in membership) the region may split…
My naturalist class has been pretty amazing. I found out its okay and cool to stop & do journal notes. Usually I am running or hiking with specific objectives. Always goal oriented. Plus the inaturalist.org website engages citizen naturalists and pro's in identifying animals, plants and more. What a great new social media -- engaging in the discovery of nature…
The Conference held in Los Angeles is nearly a week long series of meetings, speeches, networking, workshops, parties, eating and possibly chatting with 1,200 great people. You have to enter this conference with a plan, like I posted earlier. Otherwise you can get caught in conference nervosa: the various stages of exhilaration, depression, exhaustion, frustration and giddiness that can kidnap…
I run and write. I realized that getting a runner injury is like getting a critique slam down on your manuscript. Both are big setbacks. And both require mental strength and the need to call in the support team to lift up your body and brain. I've been fortunate to run marathons and half marathons for the past 7 years…
Marshes Were Smelly Dumps The marsh was the place that people dumped their garbage and construction debri. Just an ugly wasteland along the coast or inland. On a low tide, like the picture on the right, you would have seen garbage, tires and more, exposed. On a high tide, you could look out over a marsh and see all different…
Whenever writers are asked to submit a query or proposal, they are asked for their biography and specific relevant experience. With articles published in the business world and now writing for children's literature, there isn't a direct connection for children's publishers. And usually topic depth and direct experience are very important. Well, after volunteering as a frog docent, cleaning the…
Let's face it. That title does not spark you to jump in. If you are a children's non-fiction writer of educational work, and are used for reference books for subject reports, that's one thing. I find writing about the natural world tricky. Especially when it's a work of fiction and addresses issues and conflicts in the natural world. For instance,…
There are so many good reasons for writers to attend conferences. But go with a plan, though. The national August SCBWI conference in Los Angeles is amazing. Even with an economy that stumbles along, this conference continues to grow. The speakers, peer camaraderie and critiques of your work all can give you a big kick in the rear. But your…
My first magazine article appeared in APPLESEEDS May/June 2012 edition. “One Piece at a Time”, an interview with Gary McIntire, Master Model Designer for LEGOLAND, California. Gary won a LEGO contest - and then was offered a job at LEGOLAND! Now that's the way to build a career.
I love writing and devising creative angles to solve problems. That is the backbone of my work. My background is in marketing, starting in consumer research, then as an executive in corporate marketing management, and now as a consultant for over twenty years working with start-ups as small as 6 people to large corporations and organizations employing thousands. I have…