ABOUT WRITING, RUNNING, AND BEING OUTDOORS
My library, the Mill Valley Library, is one of the most beautiful. It's my friend, my helper, idea source, inspiration, entertainment and so much more. With shelter in place, there's like a hole in my heart without the library. Plus I'm holding over 15 books to return, and it feels like one of the worst things— hanging onto my library's…
On May 23rd, Keating Vogel, Anita Castro Sparks and I ran the virtual Armed Forces Half Marathon in our area. This half marathon is usually held at the Concord Naval Weapons Station, and is one of the most poignant races as we honor our service members. In uniform they will welcome us at the finish with medals and thank us-which…
Masked up and running. I had been so looking forward to the Bend Half Marathon 2020. But when COVID-19 hit, all races were cancelled. My running friends offered to train with me, and run the race with me. On April 19th, we ran 13.1 miles, from Mill Valley to Sausalito.
I believe that every person is overwhelmed in one way or another, worrying and protecting against COVID-19. It is hard to go through the day without grieving for another person, city, county or nation. The drastic changes that many have gone through and are going through have changed their lives in ways we can’t imagine. The deck has reshuffled and…
At the August 2019 Los Angeles SCBWI Conference for children's writers and illustrators, award-winning author Meg Medina shared a terrific writing tip she uses to draw on her history. She takes 6 minutes every morning to write about a specific childhood memory. So I set my timer and wrote. What a great way to uncover and reveal the time, feelings,…
This has to be one of the biggest gatherings of children's writers, authors, illustrators, editors, art directors, interested friends and more. Given it's size, here are a few tips from my frequent attendance: Bring your water and coffee mug - save on trash. Pick your sessions carefully based on topic for your work needs, or who is a likely that…
When examining the needs to improve your craft, the investment in conferences, intensives, retreats, and local workshops become important tools in career development. What stage are you in your work? Beginner (know nothing about the industry) Pre-published (been writing and need to deepen your knowledge of craft in characters, plot, dialogue, querying, submitting, etc.) Advanced Pre-published (had professional critiques, attended…
I started my professional career in market research, consumer research, and statistics. As I moved through executive marketing positions, I've been ever-reliant on my library, new resources and new strategies. So for children's writing, I'm passing along the outstanding Dreyer's English, An Utterly Correct Guide of Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer (I listened on audio and then had to…
Island nations such as the Maldives live with the stark reality that their countries will be under water from climate change. This is not fifty years out. It's now. These island nations have limited choices—relocate or elevate. The Maldives are taking immediate action, and calling on other nations to help. Read more in my FACES magazine article, The Maldives and…
The Huli people have tribal customs from thousands of years. When the Europeans "discovered" them in the 1940's, life changed. And not all for the good, nor that benefited the Huli. "Modernization" has brought broken contracts, theft of land and resources, guns, and violence to protect what is theirs. FACES Magazine, March 2019 issue, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, The…