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 ABC's of A Good Friend... "J"

Every time this photo pops up on my screen saver I feel joyful.  Do you see those little windows?  The WAD met there and critiqued our manuscripts when we were at Chautauqua at the Highlights Summer Workshop in 2008.    It was a special time...You may already know some of the WAD.  Amy Allgeyer Cook, Tess Hilmo and Susan Fields all blog.  Diana Calio, Kim Sebastian, and Rhonda Roberts don't blog, but you might have seen their names in Highlights.  Heidi Schmidt doesn't blog either, she has one picture book and is an AMAZING artist...you can check out her flicker page.

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Today's day 10 of Arlee Bird's A-Z Challenge! Since I write for younger children and we're doing the ABC's, I thought I'd do The ABC's of A Good Friend (and throw in a few random pictures, because I have a bit of a camera habit).

~J~

Friends bring you JOY!  You bring them JOY, too!  Some friends fill your heart with joy...you feel full when you are around them.  I hope you have lots of friends like that.

Do you have a joyful memory that you'd like to share?  Can you think of any other "J" words that describe a characteristic in a friend?

The ABC's of A Good Friend... "H"

(Susan Fields has all the qualities you could want in a friend, plus she's an awesome writer!)

Today is day 8 of Arlee Bird's A-Z Challenge! Since I write for younger children and we're doing the ABC's, I thought I'd do The ABC's of A Good Friend (and throw in a few random pictures, because I have a bit of a camera habit).

~H~

Honesty is so important in a friendship.  If you can't trust a friend, you can' really call them friend.  Once trust is lost due to deception, it is really hard to earn it back.  Having happy friends makes you happier. Everyone gets down and having friends to lift you back up is a blessing.  I've been given that gift many times.  Humility is an important quality too.  Have ever been at a party and there's been someone who thought the party was for them...and it wasn't.  They seemed to need to be the center of attention no matter what the occasion.  They seem to think they are the best at everything.  Yeah, not my kind of friend.  I like my friends to be a bit more humble than that.  Susan has all these qualities and more...I realized I haven't seen her since her birthday last August and it made me a bit sad.  For those of you who don't know, we used to live down the street from each other and walk our dogs together.  I hope you'll hop over and say "hi" to Susan.

Do you have a special friend you want to give a shout out to today?  What "H" qualities do they have?

Birthday Fun and An AWESOME Announcement...

 Everyone knows I'm a bit obsessed with CAKE...But I can't remember the last time I had a birthday CAKE.  It may have been when I was 18!  (YIKES!)  This year I've been a bit focused on CAKE...So I really wanted some for my birthday.  Doesn't it look delicious?

I also wanted fresh baked bread from Great Harvest Bread, but it's two hours away.  Have you had their bread?  It's all natural, no preservatives, and they grind the grain themselves.  My dear hubby drove twenty miles out of his way to make sure I got plenty of their awesome bread for my birthday (and beyond).

Normally, I'm not very good at my birthday, but this year I embraced it.  I celebrated!  Thanks to a lot of people.  I was overwhelmed by the emails and facebook birthday wishes I got on Monday.  I think I got close to 100!  It was something very special to me.  Thank you all soooo much!  It made me feel like you  wrapped a great big snuggly blanket around me right after you had taken it out of the dryer.  (((Hugs for everyone!)))

One of my cps, Lenny Lee was quite sneaky...He read a comment I left on Susan Fields' blog about the book HOOKED by Les Edgerton.  He even managed to get a personal signature to me in the front of the book!

   Isn't this the coolest cake, I mean card you've ever seen! 

This week, Lenny interviewed me about what makes a good cp.  If you have any additions to my responses to Lenny's questions we'd both appreciate your input.  Check out the cool Snoopy cupcake music box that Lenny sent me too...

The YUMMY carrot cake came from Village Inn.  We had never eaten at one before we moved to Iowa.  Do you have them in your state?

Now on to the announcement.............................................................

My daughter, Katherine, found out today that two of her Haikus are going to be published in Berry Blue Haiku Magazine!  This was the first time she EVER submitted anything.  We are so excited!  It should come out in the December issue.  (Thanks to everyone who congratulated her on my FB page today.  I forwarded all your comments to her email account.)

Which do you like best cake or frosting?  Have a great rest of the week!

DON'T BE JEALOUS...

Many of you already know my friend Susan Fields.  We used to be neighbors.  Wednesday was her birthday.  My daughter and I drove down to see her and to celebrate with her and her family.  We had a BLAST!  She let me read KILLING KESSLER...It was Awesome!  (All lurking agents need to take note  and check out Susan's blog!)  If you haven't "met" Susan yet, please hop over and meet her.  She's a brilliant writer and WAY more focused than me.  (wink)

Have you made time this summer for your friends?  If you haven't, you should...It's good for your mental health! 

Have an awesome weekend!

Exceptional Contest, Cool Awards and a Bodybugg...

My dear friend, Susan (pictured here with author Peter Jacobi), and I got to spend some little  quality time together this weekend.   (Me...full of smiles)  We talked about books, agents, submissions and blogs.  We even played games  (Susan and Sharon with big smiles...husbands...not so much).  If you haven't checked Susan out, please do.              

To my surprise, Susan presented me with a Creative Writer Award last month.   I've been directed to tell six untruths and one truth, so here I go...

1. 
   
   I was born in England in 1963.  I lived in a house with no toilet or bathtub.  We only had water in the kitchen sink.
2. 
   
   I moved to America when I was 10.  I moved to North Dakota and was super excited because the toilet was inside the house!
3. 
   
   I married my high school sweetheart.  We dated for two years, got married and had a baby right away.
4. 
   
   I was a disc jockey on a local radio station in college.  I interviewed former President Bill Clinton and Miss USA, Terry Utley.
5. 
   
   I've met Bill Clinton, Dale Bumpers, Sam and Helen Walton and J.B. Hunt.  Helen Walton told me that if your husband didn't see you eat cake, the calories didn't count and J.B. told my husband he married above his head.
6. 
   
   I once ate 3 Mc Rib sandwiches and a large order of fries.  (Ah, to be young again...)
7. 
   
   When I was in Costa Rica (last year) I touched an alligator. 

HMMM....Which one is true?  (The big reveal and pass the award along is  tomorrow.)

The lovely ladies, Bethany and Suzette, at Shoot Star awarded me the Silver Lining award for venturing into the 21st Century.  I did a two part Skype interview with literary agent Mark McVeigh.  Bethany and Suzette are having an AWESOME CONTEST!!!  Suzette's agent is giving away a 40 page critique!!!!  So hop over and fill out their easy form.  Good luck everyone!

How many of you are numbers people...detail orientated...  I bought a Bodybugg today.  I spent a huge chunk of the day on the computer figuring it out (hopefully).   I'm looking forward to checking it at the end of each day to see if I had a calorie deficit.  I can't wait to add another column to my workout spread sheet. Does anyone have a bodybugg?  Have you had any success with it?