More Reading than Writing

To be a good writer a person must read. I may be taking this too seriously. I read YA, MG and "How to Write" books constantly. I think this is a form of procrastination.

I discovered that in doing all of this reading that I had not worked on my middle grade novel for over a month.

My New Year's resolution is to write more next year. (Mine and probably a million other's resolution).

Hopefully you are doing better than I am. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Attending a Writing Conference to Get Energized

I have to admit, I've fallen into a slump. I don't have much energy after work to write and the writing I am doing is in spurts on a middle grade novel.

It's time for a shot in the arm, so I'm attending our local SCBWI annual conference this weekend that will hopefully get me back on track.

If you feel the same, find a local meeting or conference to help re-energize.

Raptors Lost an Advocate

I have to sadly report that Bob Anderson, the guy that established the famous Decorah Eagle Cam has passed away. He was an acquaintance of mine for many years and was one of the important people that helped introduced the peregrine falcon back into the wild. He will be sorely missed by both birds and people.

I had written a children's book on the experience I had of helping Bob put bird bands on the legs of baby peregrine falcons. We had to climb a scary power plant smoke stack to get to them. I will never forget this experience. Both of the gentleman that I worked with on this occasion have passed away.

I haven't found a home for this book, but I will continue my pursuit for publication and dedicate the book to them.

Peregrine Falcon

Picture Book Webinar and Missing Spring Warblers

This spring I'm attending a webinar called "Revising and Re-Imagining Your Picture Book" by Harold Underdown and Eileen Robinson. So far it's been enlightening. It runs once a week for six weeks. I would recommend it to anyone that writes for children.

I have missed the spring migration of warblers, the specks of color that flit among the trees during spring and fall.  I hope to glimpse them on their way through in the fall.

Cape May Warbler

Urban Coyotes

My husband was lucky enough to see a coyote in our yard the other day.  He had to call me at work and tell me the exciting news.  Most people don't even know coyotes are sneaking around our urban neighborhood.

Sometimes at night your can hear a pack of them yowling.  It makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.  It's truly wild.

I would love to and have thought about writing a children's book on coyotes, but Cheryl Blackford, whose in my writing group, has beat me to it.  I know that doesn't mean I couldn't, but it just wouldn't feel right.

Instead I will share the information about her beautiful book with you.  It is called Hungry Coyote published by the Minnesota Historical Press and will be out in May.  The text is poetic and the artwork is gorgeous.  It is about a coyote's life throughout the year in an urban area.

         

New Neighbors Where I Grew Up

My folks have noticed frequent hawk action in their neighborhood recently. When I visited I noticed a pair of red-tailed hawks cavorting around. The hawks are hanging out like they may be nesting nearby. This excites me because I never saw red-tails there growing up.

The habitat hasn't really changed to encourage them to move in.  In fact, the huge elms were replaced by younger trees. Red-tails usually prefer larger trees for nesting.

Maybe their population has increased or their habitat is disappearing, so they need to adapt to new places.

Regardless, it is exciting to see this pair has move in for my parents to watch and enjoy.

Writing about Writing and Nest Competition

I have joined a critique group led by Jane Resh Thomas, Kate DiCamillo's, mentor.  I'm hoping maybe a little something will rub off, but it's more likely the great group of writers that have joined me that will help me improve my writing.

I learned today that a pair of bald eagles and great horned owls in Decorah, Iowa are fighting over the nest that was built by the eagles.  This nest happens to have a camera on it and a fight between a great horned owl and an eagle was caught on the camera.  Great horned owls don't build their own nests, so they planned on taking over the eagles nest.  An eagle actually tried to defend the nest in the middle of the night.  Who knew eagles are awake in the middle of the night.  It is like a soap opera.  Check it out at: http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles