On May 23rd, Keating Vogel, Anita Castro Sparks and I ran the virtual Armed Forces Half Marathon in our area. This half marathon is usually held at the Concord Naval Weapons Station, and is one of the most poignant races as we honor our service members. In uniform they will welcome us at the finish with medals and thank us-which…
Masked up and running. I had been so looking forward to the Bend Half Marathon 2020. But when COVID-19 hit, all races were cancelled. My running friends offered to train with me, and run the race with me. On April 19th, we ran 13.1 miles, from Mill Valley to Sausalito.
I believe that every person is overwhelmed in one way or another, worrying and protecting against COVID-19. It is hard to go through the day without grieving for another person, city, county or nation. The drastic changes that many have gone through and are going through have changed their lives in ways we can’t imagine. The deck has reshuffled and…
How do web pages from around the world instantly get to your computer? Through skinny cables along the bottom of the ocean. Enjoy Internet Ocean in Deep Dark Ocean, Oct. 2019 issue of Ask Science Magazine This is my first article in Ask magazine and probably one of the hardest articles to write. To me, getting information on our computers…
Saving Mali’s Migrating Desert Elephants Once there were thousands of migrating Gourma Desert Elephants in Mali. Now there are fewer than 400. Around the world people help to save them. Mali’s Desert Elephants are baraka—a blessing to the people and environment. But drought, militant violence, poachers, expanding herds and farms, and encroaching human settlement threaten the elephants’ survival. This article…
At the August 2019 Los Angeles SCBWI Conference for children's writers and illustrators, award-winning author Meg Medina shared a terrific writing tip she uses to draw on her history. She takes 6 minutes every morning to write about a specific childhood memory. So I set my timer and wrote. What a great way to uncover and reveal the time, feelings,…
This has to be one of the biggest gatherings of children's writers, authors, illustrators, editors, art directors, interested friends and more. Given it's size, here are a few tips from my frequent attendance: Bring your water and coffee mug - save on trash. Pick your sessions carefully based on topic for your work needs, or who is a likely that…
I hope to run to 103 years old - this is one amazing woman. https://www.businessinsider.com/julia-hawkins-record-runner-shares-life-tips-2019-6 Her philosophy is equally as beautiful as she is - keep in good shape and enjoy the magic moments in life. She felt fortunate to be married for 70 years to someone she loved and respected. She says just keep active, passionate about learning new…
When examining the needs to improve your craft, the investment in conferences, intensives, retreats, and local workshops become important tools in career development. What stage are you in your work? Beginner (know nothing about the industry) Pre-published (been writing and need to deepen your knowledge of craft in characters, plot, dialogue, querying, submitting, etc.) Advanced Pre-published (had professional critiques, attended…
I started my professional career in market research, consumer research, and statistics. As I moved through executive marketing positions, I've been ever-reliant on my library, new resources and new strategies. So for children's writing, I'm passing along the outstanding Dreyer's English, An Utterly Correct Guide of Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer (I listened on audio and then had to…