ABOUT WRITING, RUNNING, AND BEING OUTDOORS
I've had blistering critiques, start-over critiques, not nice critiques, critiques that called my work "a critique quilt", critiques by "experts" that obviously didn't write or buy my category, and more. And then you have a good critique, or even a "great" critique -- and you wonder, are they sure? did they read it? are they just being nice? Okay, now…
Re-assessing goals is something that I sometimes have a hard time doing. I'm pretty achievement-oriented. But when illness and injury set my 2 running buddies and me behind, we made the big decision - let's just run for fun! Let's stop along the way, see the characters, and enjoy Disneyland! And that's what we did. Then we all went for…
I'm used to running (and writing) setbacks. 2014 seemed to have its share of them. First, plantar fasciitis, right at the beginning of the 2014 year, for the Tinkerbell Half. But I powered through it, then was out for 3 months, wearing a sleep boot. But all is good. Then I had basil cell carcinoma on my left calf (who…
Our SCBWI Region ended the year with a terrific Faire and Holiday Mixer on Dec. 6th! Over 85 members and non-members joined us to learn all about our region and the opportunities, plus we had the greatest food brought by all! The Oakland Library was a wonderful midpoint location for our celebration. Everyone loved the time to ask questions, meet…
I have gone to many trade shows and managed many in my professional career, along with board meetings, seminars, conferences and more. It dawned on me that there is no way for SCBWI members to get answers to their questions about the organization -- so how about a trade show - where there is a person for each topic area…
It's true. This can happen. We ran an exhausting Fall Conference and 3 Intensives in October, followed by preparation for our new year's schedule, training of 2 wonderful new volunteers, looking for a new conference site, preparing for our first ever SCBWI Faire scheduled for Dec. 6th, and preparing for our January and May Intensives. The result, between work and…
We have been bubbling over with new SCBWI events, new speakers and lots of new volunteers helping out. Children's writers and illustrators are the most kind and welcoming crowd. How could we not be? We write for the best audience in the world - CHILDREN. We have some great meetings coming up with top local speakers on craft and taking…
This incredible issue focuses on the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. I have four articles in this issue. I am part of an avid soccer family. They gave me ideas for queries to submit to FACES magazine. FACES accepted all three, and asked that I do one more - Could I find academy players to interview? Of course! I never…
Twinkie has a lot to say! She's the most popular snake at the Reptile Zoo in the Prehistoric Pets Store in Fountain Valley, CA. That's not the only reason she was named the largest albino python by the Guinness World Records 2014. She's got some real personality and everyone loves her. Sometimes all that love can be overwhelming. Read more…