ABOUT WRITING, RUNNING, AND BEING OUTDOORS
Everyone hits roadblocks in their work and their writing. Sometimes coming up against one roadblock after another, and sometimes big slam-backs, just make you weary. You need something to clear your brain and give yourself a break. For me, it's running. And especially running along rivers, high desert paths (without super hi heat.) and trails that give me God's spectacular…
After a back injury related to running 2 marathons, I am blessed to be able to train with running friends and run one year later in the Alameda Half Marathon on this Sat. June 8th. I've done slow training to get to a few 14 mile runs. I've had to retrain my running style, use the PT exercises and more.…
Had to put my two finished manuscripts aside. Now working on the third about the Marsh World - Della Gets Dirty. Della is a 9 year old who hates dirt. But when two marsh animals make her acquaintance, she is drawn into the marsh world. She is faced with the horrible decision between her Dad filling in Frog Pond on…
On May 18th, we held 2 local region meetings, one for illustrators in Oakland, and the other for writers in Walnut Creek. It was just one of those scheduling things where one speaker could only do that day and we had already scheduled the other event. We weren't sure if there would be torn allegiances -- the desire to attend…
AppleSeeds Magazine's current issue, It's the Greatest, peeks at the greatest things in the world. I pitched a few queries - the sewing machine, The Great Pyramid, and Our National Park System. I was assigned the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a wonder to whittle down to 2- 3 sentences on each Ancient Wonder after lots and lots…
I have completed 2 chapter book manuscripts. I've been submitting both a bit to agents and editors. Then I rewrite, then a new critique, then a new rewrite, then I submit. I've received complimentary rejections (which is way above a postcard, or check- the-box-of-no-suitability) and also postcards or crooked copies of "no thanks" form letters or just no response. So…
Even though I have spoken nationwide and consulted with firms around the world, children's writing is a totally different animal. It has taken me awhile to absorb and take to heart the wonderful advice and experiences from other published writers. It's not that I don't believe them, nor didn't understand how to implement their good advice. I think there was…
I am bringing Ginger Wadsworth, author of First Girl Scout, and Yosemite's Songster, to our SCBWI Marin County April 18th Marin Meeting at the Depot Bookstore & Cafe in Mill Valley. It seemed that if we're having her for an evening meeting, perhaps she could do a book signing earlier. The Depot thought that was a good idea, so now…
Now that I am back from rehabbing, both on my manuscripts and on my lower back for running, I see they both take the same trajectory. For each, I have a support group of 3 people. Three people in my critique group, and three people for early morning runs along the marsh and bay. Both groups are an endless source…
I'm excited about this new assignment - a short article about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. I loved the research. I checked out every book from the children's library section in our county - some were good, some were okay, and some were downright boring. How could this be boring? So here is my short list of top…