FROG

We rarely see this little guy now that he has gone into hibernation. I had to dig him out of his aquarium to get this shot. Yes, Dash (the name the kids gave him), has a new habitat. No more froggy escapes for this guy.

Back in the Saddle Again…

Writing and such
Writing while on vacation, especially when you aren’t at home and there is nowhere to escape to write without hurting the relatives’ feelings, is a surmountable task. I did accomplish something while the kids were on school break. I worked on my super secret, unmentionable short story project, and I revised and polished some existing stories. So, all was not lost.

Now, I’m looking at the three month mark following the Rutger’s One-on-One Plus Conference and thinking “Egads! Where did the time go?” I have a handful of editors I’d like to send either a picture book or one of my novels to, and I’d like to send something to them before the three months is over.


Job Hunt
I did it. I applied for a couple of scientist positions. So far, I’ve only looked at two local companies, but I will expand my search as the year progresses (still planning to stay in Rochester). It has been great staying home with the kids, but they are both in school and money is tight.

I miss having my hands in the science, but I love writing too. At several conferences, I’ve met scientists who write for children while working. And my kids are in bed by 8:30pm, so I do have free time in the evening. It’s all about priorities… do I want to watch an episode of CSI or Everybody Loves Raymond, or do I want to write? The only show I follow regularly is Heroes.

Bring on 2009

On the Road
I love to travel. Growing up, I moved 18 times and lived in seven states before starting college. In a way, I miss seeing all the new and interesting places, but stability is good.

This year we decided to visit my brother in Tennessee during the kids’ school winter break. Even though flying would be much quicker and less tortuous traveling (think little kids in the car fighting) we decided to drive. Fifteen hours is a long time to be in the car with two young boys, but they did pretty well on the way down. Instead of asking “Are we there yet?,” they looked over our shoulders and told us, frequently I might add, how many miles were left according to the GPS device. And occasionally, we were told what the speed limit was and what speed we should be going.

Leaving Rochester, we passed through Ohio and then Kentucky before arriving in Tennessee the next day. I would have loved to stop and sightsee in Kentucky. We passed some interesting places such as Mammoth National Park and a few other places I can’t remember at the moment. We had a nice visit with my brother and his family – the kids had many Nerf battles.


My parents came up from Florida to see everyone too. And the weather was beautiful. I didn’t miss the cold, gray Rochester winter at all.

Next, we headed toward the Catskills to visit my husband’s family. The kids didn't do very well on the way through Tennessee and Virginia, or on the next day through West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. But as we passed NYC and approached the Catskills, the squabbling died down.

We had a nice visit with the relatives, but I'm ready to go home. My youngest has a touch of the stomach bug. The ride home should be interesting.

After we arrive home, the total travel time for our trip will be around 40 to 42 hours.


New Year’s Resolutions

Writing
In 2008, I made writing goals and accomplished most of them. Most, but not all. Sometimes, I wonder if I set myself up for failure by aspiring to do more than I could handle. My goals were certainly more realistic than previous years.

Over the past months, I’ve polished seven picture books and one of my middle grade novels, rewrote one of my YA novels in the first person, and received a personal invitation to submit to an anthology edited by a Canadian author. Sadly, my anthology submission didn’t make the cut, but the anthology’s editor plans to invite me to submit to the next one.

This year, I was accepted to the Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference, and my mentor was Lisa Cheng from McElderry (she has since moved to Atheneum). She gave some great comments on three picture books before my 45minutes were over. The conference was over quickly, and I wish I had mingled more during lunch.

I also secured another writing gig with the unnamable educational company. Hopefully, they’ll send more work.


What are my writing goals for 2009?
Submit, submit, submit… Next week, I hope to prepare a bunch of submission packets to send out to the various editors I’ve met at conferences. I have seven picture books and one novel ready to go out. Over the next month, I hope to polish my other middle grade adventure/fantasy and send it out too. My YA novels will take a little longer to fine-tune.



Organization and Such
Anybody who really knows me would say that I’m the Queen of Clutter. I save everything. In 2009, I hope to change that (or at least make some progress in cleaning up clutter). In the basement, there are boxes that have remained unopened for close to twenty years. I’m going to let go of some things and better store others.


Happy New Year to all! Bring on 2009. I’m ready.

Books, books, books

I volunteered at the Rochester Children's Book Festival. Before my shift, I grabbed way too many books and then sent my family on an author scavenger hunt to get the books signed. Next year, I think I'll just give them a map and tell them what books to pick up. My husband told me it was difficult trying to see the paper name plates for each author through all the throngs of people, and I forgot that my husband and kids wouldn't recognized them from sight. Maybe I should just send them on their scavenger hunt with a bunch of photos.

My kids enjoyed making crafts in the Busy Bookworm place, met the characters dressed up in Star Wars costumes (I went to college with the woman dressed as Princess Leia), and wandered around the festival for four hours before heading home.

I don't think we have ever had that many people attend the festival. The masses did not die down until around 3pm. Then, the festival closed at 4pm.

Before all the books were cleared away, I had a brief opportunity to chat with Cynthia DeFelice, Bruce Coville, and Tamora Pierce.

Cynthia DeFelice, Bruce Coville, Me, Tamora Pierce

All in all, a great day, and I can't wait until the next RCBF in November 2009.

Up to my Ears

Down With Spam!

Out of curiosity, I popped onto my sorely neglected blog since I posted a comment on a literary agent's blog, and I thought maybe someone might visit me. And what do you know? I have my very first, spankin' brand new comment.

And its SPAM!

You can't imagine how horribly disappointed I was. Immediately, I attempted to log in and delete the offensive message, but I had forgotten my password. After searching longer than I'd like, I found it and deleted the message, banning it to wherever deleted cyberspace messages go.

So, I'm back to rambling to myself. Sigh.



Writing Ventures:
I have been busy busy busy. I'm writing children's stories I'm not allowed to discuss for a company I'm not sure I'm allowed to name. My writing friends think this is funny and often ask if I'm writing for a secret faction of the government. I laugh and say, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." (Just joking of course)

This writing venture has been occupying my time for the past two months, and I'm hoping to secure additional work for the near future. So, I haven't been spending as much time on my picture books and novels lately.


Rutger's One-on-One Plus:
I had the fantastic opportunity of attending the Rutger's One-on-One Plus mentorship conference for writers. Of course, non-writer friends have no clue and go, "Uh, yeah. That's great. What is it?"

One of the other mentees (that's what they called us there, though it sounds like a brand of gum) told me the perfect way to describe the opportunity to people who aren't familiar with the conference (i.e. those who didn't toil over a writing sample and chant "please, please, please" while the council members decided who to admit). She said to tell the unwriterly people that getting into Rutgers is much like getting into the first round of American Idol. I think people could relate to that.


Author Visit at School 42:
As part of a literary enrichment program, local children's writers visit city schools on select days during the fall. I've participated in the past and did so again. I read a couple of my stories and spoke about writing and making children's books. The kids were full of questions, and a few of them even drew some pictures for me.




Illustration Ventures:
Sadly, I'm nearing the end of my illustration course. Kevin Serwacki is doing an outstanding job, and I hope to continue with my studies after we are finished. Even though I am working on picture book illustration in the class, I have decided to start with magazines and then chapter books.


Frogs:
The frogs made a run for it. They escaped a couple of weeks ago. I frantically searched the house and even questioned my older son during his lunch (I thought /hoped he smuggled them to school). He didn't. When I returned home, I saw something scrunched down under the steps in the foyer. I scooped up a very cold and stunned frog, untangled the lint wrapped around all of his legs (must have gone under the fridge), and placed him back in the frog habitat.

We turned the house upside-down looking for the second frog. I left little bowls of water around the house (two of which disappeared). My youngest found the missing frog Saturday. Dried and very dead. Under the futon in the family room. The kids don't seem to be bothered by it, but I can't help but feel a little sad about it.


In case you are wondering, this is what the frog looks like. My 8 yr old is holding him.

What Else?
October was an unbelievably busy week for Cub Scouts. Both kids are scouts now, and their activities and my leader responsibilities tend to be a bit wearing.

Illustrator Debut

My close friend, Samantha Bell, has a website up and running it's at samantha bell. Not only does she have her own website, she has her first contracted picture book illustration job! I'll post more details when I get them



Books to Look for:

In March 2009, a book for kids 8-12 years old called Secrets of the Cheese Syndicate by Donna St. Cyr will be released by Cbay Books. This is a great, action-filled novel that will keep kids glued to the pages.

Frogs! Kids!

Frogs!
The tadpoles have sprouted front and back legs. They still have a little tail, but I'm calling them frogs now. Yesterday, they crawled out of the water for the first time. The kids are ecstatic.




Writings and Such:
The educational publisher I wrote for last year sent me new assignments for the fall. So, I've been researching and writing stories. But I'm not allowed to talk about it. It's all hush hush.