This was my view over the weekend as I walked along the beach with two of my best friends. We’ve been talking about a girls weekend away since our kids were babies. Our oldest are all in middle school, so it was about time! We relaxed, we laughed, we shopped, we read, I wrote. It was […]
One Word Pearl is the story of a girl who LOVES words and collects them in her special word chest. When all but a handful of words are blown away, she decides to use only one word at a time. Soon her chest is empty, making her “No Word Pearl” and she must find a […]
That short story you sent to a children’s magazine? Sorry, it’s not right for our current needs. The writing contest you entered? Thank you for trying, but you were not chosen. The manuscript you’ve sent out over and over and over? Too long, too short, needs more of a story arc, character is not relatable […]
How many times has an idea popped into your head and because you didn’t write it down, it fell into the abyss never to return again? Don’t you hate that? For me, part of fully committing to this journey of being a children’s book writer several years ago, meant believing that any idea could have […]
I always say my best ideas for stories come when I’m driving, trying to fall asleep and in the shower. Now I don’t have to write with my finger on the shower walls when an idea hits (yes, I’ve really done that!). Isn’t this cool? Putting it on my amazon wish list. Here is […]
The weather forecast was frightful, so school was cancelled. Since I’m a teacher, that means I’m home today with the kiddos. They’ve played in the snow for hours and watched two Christmas movies. I’ve been able to work on revising one of my picture book stories that was feeling neglected. It can be difficult to […]
(And other important questions to ask when writing a children’s book) This sign hangs on the wall by my desk. When I’m writing, it encourages me to stretch my imagination to try to turn an ordinary character or story into something special. Ask the questions that haven’t been asked, even if they sound incredibly […]
I have a new friend and his name is Troll. We’re such good friends, in fact, that he decided to hang out in my head until about midnight last night, forcing me to continually roll over and type more and more about him into the notes of my iphone. I finally fell asleep (I assume […]
I’m a mother and teacher by day and wannabe children’s book author by night. Read more about me