Revise, Revise, Revise

I am revising my middle grade novel. It gets tedious sometimes and makes you ask yourself if it is all worth it.

Then I see someone else's success story and get excited again. That makes me want to delve back into the process.

I have to admit between the lulls, I have scribbled down a picture book. This also keeps me from going crazy.

Happy writing!

A Little Celebration

As proven here by the lack of posts, I have been working diligently on my one and only middle grade novel. I am happy to say that after almost two years I have finished the first draft. I am quietly celebrating with my favorite pizza (with the initials PJ) and a cold one.

Now I get to enter into the revision stage. Some people say they like this stage and some say they don’t. I’ve revised many picture books, but this will be a new endeavor. Wish me luck!

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.