ABOUT WRITING, RUNNING, AND BEING OUTDOORS
After writing earlier articles on Cambodia, I learned how the Mekong River is the life and livelihood of millions of Southeast Asians. I received the assignment to write "The Mekong River: Who Owns the Water?" as one of the greatest rivers in the world and examine how the countries along the Mekong all seek to harness its power and resulting…
Morocco is a beautiful, bustling, mystical country. One of the lovely traditions is the making and sharing of sweet Moroccan mint tea. It is a sign of welcome, respect and calm. Read "The Power and Beauty of Moroccan Mint Tea." Moroccan life revolves around their Muslim faith and family. The family includes the extended family and decisions are made as…
Cambodia is a new democracy struggling to make its way in the modern world. After years of brutal wars, its resilient people fight to lift themselves to compete and improve the daily lives of their people. In "Recovering From Wars" I take a close look at how the country is making strides in it efforts to recover from horrific wars…
I have been very honored to have received assignments in several issues of FACES magazine for children in 2016 and 2017. I loved writing each article, but haven't had a chance to post them and hope to soon. Each one brought me into a new journey of learning and talking with new people. Writing is team sport! September 2016 issue…
I am thrilled to receive five more assignments from FACES Magazine. I love writing for the Cricket Media group. I have two articles in the September 2016 issue on Cambodia. These articles were painful and challenging to write. The first Leng Ouch Fights to Save Forests is an uplifting story about the Goldman Environmental Prize winner, Leng Ouch. But his…
I'm a researcher from way back. A colleague and I developed the first playtesting methodology for video games while at Atari (Yes, I love Ready Player One by Eric Cline). (And yes, ET tested as a dog, but the powers to be had a launch date and advertising commitment to keep - a stupid decision that hit the landfill.) I've…
I have been an avid runner for years and am mesmerized by the runners of Kenya. I asked the same questions as many people around the world. Why has this impoverished country had more outstanding runners than any other country in the world? That took me on my research quest to learn about Kenya, the runners, their food, training, desire,…
I'm a big proponent of getting away to write. I think I do some of my best work when I can solely focus on writing and take uninterrupted time to work out snarls and inconsistencies. Perhaps you are the same way. For several years, our SCBWI region has done a creative retreat at the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in…
I was thrilled to get 2 magazine assignments from FACES magazine on Dec. 14th, due on Jan 3rd, 2016. But what a horrific crazy time. The holidays were approaching and I was coordinating 2 - 3 SCBWI events plus we were having 17 people on Christmas Eve, 25 on Christmas Day and flying out to Kauai on Dec. 26 -…
I find the investment in writing is like developing an athlete. You need to find experts, lay out a training plan, run with others, get advice and help from others, and continue to pace and develop your skills. Writing is like running. The SCBWI conferences, intensives, meetings. and critique groups are my writing marathon training plan. There is an event…