Proud to be part of Anita Silvey's Children's Book-a-Day Amanac!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I love kids
From a reader:
I am so over excited to have read your novel. I hope you enjoyed it.
I love kids.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Writing Yoga by Bruce Black
One of my favorite bloggers is writer Bruce Black. His blog, Wordswimmer, has terrific author interviews and insights into the writing process.
AND, he has a new book out: Writing Yoga: A Guide to Keeping a Practice Journal.
After becoming a devotee of Anusara Yoga, Bruce began to use personal journaling as a companion to that practice. The result is this book, that "explores the nexus of yoga, writing, and life."
Even though I don't practice yoga myself, his connections between writing and yoga resonated with me.
A sampling of chapters:
Moving Past Fear
Paying Attention
Trusting the Process
Finding Your Balance
Listening to Your Voice
He includes some of his own journal entries. My favorite is the following:
The writing lets me touch something inside me--reach a place only accessible when a pen and journal are at hand….Without seeing the words on paper, without the physical act of writing, there's something vaguely abstract and elusive about one's thoughts, whereas, with pen and paper, we make those thoughts concrete.
A lovely, insightful book packed with valuable nuggets useful to writers, practitioners of yoga, and anyone who lives life (i.e., everyone).
Monday, March 28, 2011
Book Club
Yesterday I was invited to attend the monthly meeting of a fantastic book club (5th grade girls and one brother). They had read How to Steal a Dog.
So much fun!
They played a trivia game based on the book (and they knew more about it than I did).
They made (and gave me) terrific bookmarks.
They asked great questions.
We had such interesting discussions. (Like, if you were suddenly homeless, what few items would you take from your bedroom to keep in your car?)
Thanks, y'all!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Things I Love Thursday
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A big mess
Monday, March 21, 2011
NESCBWI Event
A great day out at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA.
The event was an NESCBWI panel, organized by the fantastic Melissa Stewart: Overcoming Challenges: A Program for Writers and Illustrators.
(l to r) Jo Knowles, Brian Lies, me, Mary Newell DePalma
Me and Jo Knowles (right)This is the Eric Carle Museum scrapbook that is signed by all the authors and illustrators who visit. I wanted to steal it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Points of View
My work-in-progress has eight points-of-view.
Yes, you heard me correctly.
EIGHT.
A tad challenging to keep track of.
Where did I leave off with that character? What is the setting? What time of day is it? etc etc
Then there was the problem of spacing them out. Were they balanced enough?
Being a visual person, I devised several ways to do that.
Then I have these awesome folders called "Collections." I can see all of the chapters of one point of view consecutively:
Then there's the more archaic devise of a chart showing the point of view of all 56 chapters:
Yes, you heard me correctly.
EIGHT.
A tad challenging to keep track of.
Where did I leave off with that character? What is the setting? What time of day is it? etc etc
Then there was the problem of spacing them out. Were they balanced enough?
Being a visual person, I devised several ways to do that.
First, I have my beautiful color-coded outline in Scrivener:
Then I have my little color-coded index cards:
Then I have these awesome folders called "Collections." I can see all of the chapters of one point of view consecutively:
Then there's the more archaic devise of a chart showing the point of view of all 56 chapters:
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Stop squinting
I used the word "squinted" 39 times in my manuscript.
I wish I were kidding....
....but I'm not.
I wish I were kidding....
....but I'm not.
Eric Carle Museum
I'll be speaking on a panel at a New England SCBWI event at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA this Saturday.
What: Overcoming Challenges: A Program for Writers and Illustrators
When: Saturday, March 19; 10-3:30
Where: Eric Carle Picture Book Museum; Amherst, MA
Who: Mary Newell DePalma; Jo Knowles; Brian Lies; Barbara O'Connor
Download a pdf
What: Overcoming Challenges: A Program for Writers and Illustrators
When: Saturday, March 19; 10-3:30
Where: Eric Carle Picture Book Museum; Amherst, MA
Who: Mary Newell DePalma; Jo Knowles; Brian Lies; Barbara O'Connor
Download a pdf
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Writing Workshop
A writing workshop with 4th graders from Deer Hill School in Cohasset, MA:
Many thanks to teacher extraordinaire, Mike Lewis, for the photos.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Organic chocolate milk boats
I love this review of The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis so much.
You've GOT to check out the boats.
Monday, March 7, 2011
EXPOSED Book Launch Party
Yesterday was the book launch party for Exposed by my dear friend, Kim Marcus
Kim Marcus (left) and meMy writers group celebrating the happy occasion:
(l to r) Carolyn DeCristophano, Delia Weikert, Brian Lies, Kim Marcus, me, Mary Wisbach, Valerie Kerzner, Wiesy MacMillanKim reading from Exposed:
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Shout out to Deer Hill School!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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