Pets, Picture Books and Pals...

Can I hear an "Ohhhhh?"  

Macy has spent her whole life trying to make a special (furry) friend. 

 Now she has one.

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November is a busy month for lots of writers.  Some participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month--50,000 words in one month) and others participate in PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month--30 new picture book ideas in one month).  I've been dabbling a little in both.  I'm thinking I'm going to have to commit to one or the other, as my brain seems to be skipping around.  

Last weekend I went to the SCBWI-MO conference and had the honor of being critiqued by Quinlan Lee from the Adams Literary Agency.  I submitted my picture book manuscript; Operation Pied Piper to her (you can read the blurb for it on my completed manuscripts page).  As always, I like to share a little of what I learned.  

• At 659 words, it is the perfect length for a picture book.  (big smile)
• Has great details and voice.  (huge smile)
• Interesting time in history.  (big smile)
• A historical fiction is a hard sale for a debut author.  (hmmmm)  Try writing something more commercial, quirky, fun first.
• Story leaves you hanging...not enough action.  (yep, I knew that)
• Would the story be better if it was told through a different character's eyes.  (OMGoodness...I was just thinking that!)
• Consider making it into a middle grade novel.  (Yay!  I've already started writing it and am on chapter 7.)

I have to say Quinlan was lovely and very supportive.  Her presentation to the whole group was outstanding. If you have the opportunity to interact with her at a conference, go for it.  She is super friendly and a delightful speaker.  She even took some extra time to visit with my dear friend Susan.

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This is the Pals part of my post...

My wonderful bloggy friend Sheri Larsen has been working furiously on picture books this month!  If you don't know Sheri you should hop over and check her out.  She has a great site full of useful information for writers of all genres, plus she's wicked cool!

If you haven't entered my giveaway for Susan Kaye Quinn's new book OPEN MINDS hop over and leave a comment.  I'll announce who the winner is on my November 17th post.

Everybody's pal (and picture book writer) Robyn Campbell has been sick all week...so if you get a chance to hop over and give her a virtual hug I'm sure she'd appreciate it.  

Are you participating in NaNo or PiBo this year?  

Do you have a pet that you love more than chocolate?

Thanks for stopping in and hugs to all!!!

The Internet Needs More Kittens!!!

Some of you guys have been friends with me for a long time....You might remember May of 2010 when my dear Stripes died.  I was put into a long sad funk.  I met some awesome bloggy friends during my grief.  (*waves*) 

On July 30th of this year, I stopped at our vet's office to drop off Ginger for boarding while we were gone on a trip....

That's when it happened...

I fell in love!

Our dear vet (let's call him John) had a tiny kitten in his office.  Someone found her injured and starving and brought her to him so he could put her to sleep.  He took her back to his office and gave her a little food.  She gobbled it up.  At this point she weighed 8 ounces.  I'm guessing she purred and that was it...he was in kitty love.  He couldn't put her to sleep.  She had a leg injury and wasn't very mobile.  He and his staff nursed her back to health.  They petted her and loved her.  "John" wanted to bring her home to his ever growing pet kingdom.  But he already had quite a few pets.  So he hoped that someone would adopt her.

We thought about her for a week...We named her Peaches (because she looks like peach ice cream).  When I could take it no more, I sent "John" a facebook message.  Katherine and I were desperate for our vacation to end so we could see if Peaches was still there. 

We were not disappointed.  "John" saved her for us.  She weighed about 4 pounds when we got her two weeks ago.  She now weighs about 5 pounds.  Everyone loves her!

She and Ginger are bonding.  Macy adores her.  (Sorry no photo.) Macy gives her kisses and follows her around. 

She's pretty happy, as are the rest of us...

(She probably will always have a limp, but her purrs make up for it.)

Did you have anything happen this summer that has left a lasting smile on your face?

(I'm planning on posting once a week from now on.  Unless I have a burning issue that I feel compelled to post.  This will give me more time to visit everyones' blogs and to continue with the good writing habits I established in August.) 

I hope everyone had a wonderful month!  (((Hugs)))