Fun Friday

My littlest is a grump in the morning... unless it's Friday. Has all the coloring and counting of kindergarten stressed her out to the point she longs for the weekend? Nope. But her kindergarten teacher calls that day Fun Friday, because they get a little treat if they've behaved all week. Don't we all deserve Fun Fridays?

 I knew you'd agree. So I've decided from now on we should celebrate Fun Friday too.

The Today Show had a host of the show Unpoppables on this morning. He brought beautiful balloon art including balloon chairs you can really sit on without popping. How cool is that?

So today, the girls and I made balloon hats. There were squeals of glee and lots of giggles. I think the girls had fun too.

How about you? Did you do anything fun today? Is there something you wish you had done? Comment and let us know.

Falling In Love with Books

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate this day of love with me by hopping into the Wayback Machine and remembering a book that made you fall in love with reading. Some people find book love at an early age. Others go half their lives without finding one to adore. So when did it happen for you? Was there a picture book you couldn't live without? Did your palms get sweaty when the Scholastic book order form showed a new James Howe book? Can you remember sitting with your chair scooted back in math class because there was a character in a novel you just couldn't keep your eyes off? Do tell!

A Fresh Look At Writers' Resolutions

Keeping a New Year's Resolution is tough, unless you're one of those people who resolves to eat more chocolate or watch more tv. But what if, instead of picking something that is a daily struggle, we could do a one time act that would be good for us? We could do that. Right? We could even handle more than one.

The first thing I've done to help myself as a writer in 2011 is to set up a file box. I've labled folders for my manuscripts and filled them with drafts and critiques. This way, when I'm ready to work on a story, everything is together and organized. The file box also contains the envelopes that I record submissions on and place the responses inside.

What's a one time deed you could do to help your writing in 2011? Leave a comment and let us know.

Coming Up For Air

With the holiday hurry underway, November zipped by without a new blog post from me. Sorry about that. But I promise I didn't spend those silent days popping bonbons in my mouth (They were dark chocolate M&Ms) and neglecting manuscripts. Nope. I've been working.

There's a new manuscript in my life, and we've been spending lots of time together. It's a middle grade and darker than my usual voice. I'd pitch it to you, but I'm afraid to jinx a first draft.

Along with writing, I've been researching agents and hoping to find one that loves PRINCESS OR PIRATE and wants to help me find it a good home. I'll be crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes as I check my inbox and wait for the mail lady in the coming months.

Thanksgiving found me thankful for family, friends, and the ability to do what I love. Now my tree is up, the first snow has fallen, and my heart is happy as I wait for Christmas.

What are you waiting for? An email? A baby? Twooo Love? Gotta love The Princess Bride. Leave a comment to let us know. 

Book Giveaway

I love bookstores, but I love libraries even more. Everyone, regardless of their income, should be able to read great books. In this economy, budgets have been cut and libraries have felt the wrath of it.

From The Mixed Up Files..., a blog for fans of middle grade books, is having a fabulous contest where they will donate STACKS of books to one lucky library. Know a library that could use more children's books? Swing by and leave a comment to nominate them for a chance to win.

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2010/10/the-great-library-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-7499

Keeping to the Code: Do You Follow Submissions Guidelines?

There are nine aisles at the grocery store. One is open. It's the ten items or less aisle. My cart is overflowing.

The lady at the register says, "Come on, Honey. I'll take you on this one."

I unload my cart in record time, help bag my groceries, and apologize in a babbling manner to anyone with less than ten items who ends up behind me.

If there are rules or guidelines, I like to follow them.

In these days where most major publishing houses are closed to unagented submissions, I wonder how many writers play by the rules. Do you send unagented submissions or queries to editors that are closed to them? Or do you consider those publishing houses off limits until you find someone to represent you? Weigh in in the comment section.

Elementary Books by SCBWI Carolinas Writers

Writers attending the SCBWI Carolinas fall conference are asked to bring a book for the book basket. Each year, our chapter showers an elementary school with books. In case you haven't picked one yet, here are some written or illustrated by our fellow members.

TEACHING THE STORY: FICTION WRITING IN GRADES 4-8 written by Carol Baldwin. Published by Maupin House, 2007. (1 copy will be in the basket)

AROUND OUR WAY ON NEIGHBORS' DAY written by Tameka Fryer Brown. Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. (1 copy will be in the basket)

ISLAND STING written by Bonnie J. Doerr. Illustrated by Joanna Britt & Laurie Edwards. Published by Leap Books, 2009.

STATE OF WILDERNESS, STATE OF QUARRIES, and STATE OF RESERVATIONS written by Elysabeth Eldering. Published by 4RV Publishing, 2008, 2009, & 2010. Can be ordered from http://jgdsseries.weebly.com/.

BRAVE DONATELLA AND THE JASMINE THIEF written by Caroline McAlister. Illustrated by Donald Hendricks. Published by Charlesbridge, 2010.

THE PROMISE written by Maureen Crane Wartski. Published by Perfection Learning, 2003.