It’s time again for a short story contest with author and blogger, Susanna Leonard Hill. The 7th annual Valentiny Contest is to write a Valentine’s story for children that is 214 words or less. This time the story needs to include someone who is proud. Here is my entry: The Mural 214 words Gwendolyn […]
31 days of Storystorm and I now have 31 new ideas! Everyone who completes the Storystorm challenge is a winner. Time to go turn these ideas into stories!
Storystorm 2022 is underway! The challenge? 30 story ideas in the 31 days of January. I’ve been participating every year since 2013 and it never disappoints. The daily blog posts by authors, illustrators, and others in the book biz will inspire you to write down story ideas you didn’t even know were in that beautiful […]
It’s been a few years since I joined in the fun with children’s author and blogger, Susanna Leonard Hill and her Valentine’s Day story contest. This “Valentiny” story must be for children (hence the tiny part) and super short … only 214 words or less (for February 14th!). This year’s entries must include a character who […]
I’ve known for several months, but didn’t want to make an announcement until I could actually hold the magazine in my hands. Well, guess what arrived in the mail? The February 2021 issue of BABYBUG magazine … with a four page spread of my poem! AND it is illustrated by the talented Jaimie MacGibbon (jaimiemacgibbon.com & […]
31 days, 31 guest posts, 30 story ideas. And, of course, one wacky and wonderful hostess with the mostest, Tara Lazar! Tara is an author and the creator of Storystorm (formerly known as PiBoIdMo – Picture Book Idea Month). She has been running this gig since 2009 and always makes it worthwhile. This is my […]
For NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY last week, I challenged you to write #HomeHaiku poems about your time at home during this quarantine and you did not disappoint! Here are my two favorites made into fun graphics. Enjoy! “Zoom” by Patty S. in MD: “QuaranTine with T’s” by Scott R. in VA
Today is NATIONAL HAIKU DAY! A haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. Haikus do NOT rhyme and are made up of 3 lines with 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables. I’m celebrating NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY with a challenge. This is for kids, parents, teachers, or anyone that wants to try their hand at […]
It’s been weeks (months???) of this quarantine and I’m sure everyone is struggling with their new routines, or lack thereof. I’m finding myself spending lots of time in front of a screen, between my grad school work, my elementary school library stuff, and helping my children with their schoolwork. Starting and ending my day with […]
If you are considering writing books for children, the first piece of advice I would give is to read LOTS and LOTS of books for children. Simple, right? For the past ten years, I have been reading children’s books like a part-time job. Seriously. I almost always have a bag full of library books in […]
I’m a mother and teacher by day and wannabe children’s book author by night. Read more about me