Yes, this post is a bit off the topic of writing. But, it’s right on target when talking about living a dream. For anybody who has ever been dismissed, ridiculed, or simply overlooked. For you who have shared your deepest wishes only to have the bubble burst by someone who thinks you’re not _____(fill in… Read more »
(photos- lovely lady in silver/white shawl is Cynthia Leitich Smith. Next to her is Kathi Appelt. I am standing between them like a groupie. The blonde in pink is my buddy, author Carmen Oliver- www.carmenoliver.com) Scheduling a book signing for a holiday weekend is a risky proposition. Unless Cynthia Leitich Smith and Kathi Appelt are… Read more »
My last post hinted at a landscape project my family embarked on last weekend. In the days that have passed, I have admired the fruits of our labor. So have our neighbors. We accomplished our goal with one minor exception. In other words, it remains a work-in-progress. Monday morning, while still aching from the labor,… Read more »
April is National Poetry month which gives all writers and lovers of words a chance to play in this special sandbox. Even writers, like me, who are not necessarily poets. Pop over the www.poetry.org for more information. To enjoy interviews with poets and mini-lessons in poetry writing, jump over to http://teacher.scholastic.com/poetry/index.htm In the meantime, here’s… Read more »
I’ve been remiss in posting the books I’ve read, so I’ll begin to break them down by genre. Today I bring you some picture book biographies I recommend. Sandy’s Circus by Tanya Lee Stone (Viking, 2008) “There once was an artist named Alexander Calder. Only he didn’t call himself Alexander. And he didn’t call the… Read more »
Yesterday was blissful. I look forward to April Fool’s Day all year long. I don’t know when the prankster bug bit me, but bite me it did. Let me just say, however, that my pranks are harmless, silly, and almost always aimed at my kids. Adult friends are often intrigued by my enthusiasm for this… Read more »
Austin’s Book People was honored to welcome multi-award winning author, Laurie Halse Anderson March 28th. Many of us remember Laurie’s inspiring presentation at a local SCBWI conference many years ago. Laurie has been on a whirlwind book tour celebrating the release of her recent novel, WINTERGIRLS. Wrapped ever so lightly in the celebration is the… Read more »
Sorry for the length, but this is definitely worth reading if you are a writer who has wrestled with the inner critic… THE WATCHER AT THE GATEby Gail GodwinJanuary 9, 1977, New York Times I first realized I was not the only writer who had a restraining critic who lived inside me and sapped the… Read more »
I have a confession. I am an over-researcher and an relentless self-critic. My friends call me a perfectionist (but only when it comes to my manuscripts.) That is not a positive trait. When the inner voice begins to nag, the creative juices ooze to the paper with the speed of molasses. The voice whispers in… Read more »
Ya know the old saying that “Everything is bigger in Texas?” Over the unique history of this state, Texans have nurtured a huge sense of humor. There are 254 Texas counties spread across approximately 1,000 cities and towns. The settlers who named these locales are long lost to history. Either they had little imagination or… Read more »
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