THINGS I FORGOT TO REMEMBER

I have a mentor, teacher and dear friend who counsels me on my writing.

As you know I have been having trouble putting together a sentence -- let alone an entire story.

Today on my walk I remembered the sage words of my friend: "Your first draft is your CLAY. Write, make your clay then through editing and revision you craft your story."

This is where I walk. This is where I clear my mind and think. How could I have forgotten the words of my mentor?

Today I am making clay. I may still be making it tomorrow, but eventually I will have something solid to mold.

How cool is that!

WHEN THE WORDS WON'T COME

What do you do when the words won't come?

I read.

I meditate.

I re-read my ideas.

I write -- stupid stuff.

What do you do when the words won't come?

COURAGE TO CHANGE

I'M IN A LULL AND CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE

no longer will i refer to picture books as dreaded

I opened my file and counted.

i have 39 picture book ideas, 6 picture books completed, and 1 published on an e-website

Thirty nine ideas just waiting to be written and I am tired of my novels.

i must change my attitude toward writing picture books and here's how i am going to do it

check it out:

1. I am reading a book entitled, WRITING PICTURE BOOKS, BY ANN WHITFORD PAUL. IT's very GOOD, full of great strategies and INFORMATION. LOTS of practical suggestions.

2. I am going to take one of my books and re-write it as she suggests. Change POV or make a human character an animal...or an animal human, etc.   so many ideas!!!

3. CHANGE MY ATTITUDE AND LOOK AT PICTURE BOOK WRITING AS AN ADVENTURE. WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE LITTLE FACING SOMETHING THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO I TOLD THEM TO THINK OF IT AS AN ADVENTURE. SO I'M TAKING MY OWN ADVICE

4. and i will begin today!!!!!!!!!!!

So as the prayer goes: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Stay tuned. I'll let you know how it goes.

GOOD VIDEO

As well as writing, I am trying to get my school system to realize the importance of play in the lives of our young children. To date, they have not only rejected my suggestions and research, they fail to provide research of their own to justify the lack of play and recess in the elementary schools. The following video is worthwhile watching:  www.allianceforchildhood.org/prescriptionforplay.

Let me know what you think. And, how can I get a bureaucracy to understand...??? Okay, okay, I know...bureaucracy, government...and understand are not in the same arena.

ON THE MOVE

I'm on the move. Snail pace, I must admit, but I have decided to go through all my manuscripts and begin the round of agents and publishing houses again.

For me it's not a daunting task. I have all my queries written, all my cover letters written and all my credentials neatly typed. I research and find the right fit. How cool is that!

I enjoy the hunt. What I don't enjoy is the wait. Never knowing if an agent or editor will respond, shred my manuscript and use it for filler in a neatly packed box, or ignore it completely.

It's a gamble. My theory: If I don't sent out my musing, they are already rejected - BY ME.

Wish me luck.

BROTHERS AND BETS AND PUBLISHING

As most of you know my brother and I are in a race to see who publishes a book first. We've both published in newspapers, magazines and professional journals -- but the coveted book contract eludes both of us thus far.

At the moment everything I have completed is floating somewhere in the abyss of publishing land. I'm patient.

But, my brother -- that's a different story altogether. He sent his manuscript to one agent. Said agent rejected it. My brother's ego couldn't take a rejection. After all he considers his book good enough to win a Newberry. So...guess what...

He has decided to self publish. So much for the Newberry.

Our bet stipulates that the winner must publish a book through a publishing company. Self publishing does not count. Ha...there's still a chance for me because he has written two books...one he must completely rewrite (remember he has no patience, so that will never happen). And his second is self published.

I have written so many I've lost count. I keep thinking that eventually the odds will catch up with me. I just have to be patient.

Snails, turtles, mailmen.

Is there anything slower than a snail? A turtle? A writer waiting to hear from a publisher?

I don't think so.