Find Class Pics

I changed my blog, Find Class Pics, to allow people to make requests for class pictures they're looking for and to let people know what class pictures they have uploaded to the site. So far, there are class pictures from 32 different states.

If you have class pictures, I'd really appreciate if you would upload them to the blog - I'm sure your classmates who are looking for them will appreciate it too.

Please check out the blog and spread the word to your friends and family. Here's the link: www.findclasspics.blogspot.com

Got My Author's Copies!!

Wahoo! I got my author's copies in the mail from my editor!! I'm so excited! It's hard to believe that one little sentence that popped into my head 20 years ago, "You'll never believe what I saw at the zoo" is now a real, hardcover book from Simon & Schuster! Anyone who has edited a book will understand this - that sentence is no longer in the book - it got cut in the last round of edits. I don't care :-)

The big one is a full-size hardcover that will be in stores July 20, 2010 and the small one is a paperback that will be in Cheerios boxes in March. I can't believe it's almost here - it's been a long year!

Things I Like

Fellow blogger & writer, Kelly Polark, put a list of things she likes and suggested her followers do the same. Anyone who knows me knows how malleable I am so - here's my list (one thing for each year) - in no particular order! Like Kelly, it goes without saying that family and friends are at the top of the list.

1. Good puns
2. Sitting on the patio, listening to the pond & smelling burning leaves
3. Writing in rhyme
4. It's A Wonderful Life
5. Irish and English Accents
6. LONDON
7. Gardening
8. Kung Pao tofu & spinach at Big Bowl
9. Fortune cookies
10. Playing games
11. Winning Games
12. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (with white chocolate since I quit brown chocolate)
13. My mother's Neapolitan Casserole
14. Sentimental songs
15. Whistling
16. Singing (I'm sure I like it more than those listening to me)
17. The Dick Van Dyke Show
18. Ron Howard as a kid
19. Drinking beer by a campfire - then going to sleep in a BED
20. Olive oil & Parmesan cheese with good, crusty bread
21. Having a great memory for faces and names
22. A hot shower on a cold day - until I have to get out
23. The first Day in Spring that I don't need a coat
24. Movies that make me laugh and/or cry
25. Thanksgiving day
26. Cooking for company
27. Jigsaw puzzles
28. Traveling
29. New York City
30. My DVR
31. Crocheting
32. My students
33. Cheesecake
34. Not having to get up in the morning
35. Birds, especially Hawks
36. Bejeweled - unfortunately
37. Lox & bagel
38. Jitterbugging
39. My hair when it's wet
40. Word and number puzzles
41. Going to plays
42. Photographs
43. Popcorn with real butter
44. Spicy food
45. My I-phone
46. My laptop
47. My friend Jean's toffee
48. Playing jacks
49. Floating on a noodle in Table Rock Lake, drinking beer and singing with my friends
50. Sean Connery and Gregory Peck's voices
51. Laughing until I cry
52. Making people laugh until they cry

Find Class Pics

I started a new blog call Find Class Pics because I'm missing most of my class pictures from grade school and would love to replace them. I know there must be thousands of other people who would love to find their missing pics too!

I'm not sure how well it will work but, if problems arise, hopefully I can fix them to keep the site going strong.

So, if you have class pictures you're willing to share or are looking for missing class pics, go to my site and maybe we can make some sad alumni happy!

PiBoIdMo - Picture Book Idea Month

I just found a great challenge - Picture Book Idea Month PiBoIdMo on Tara Lazar's blog Writing For Kids (While raising them) Tara's idea is an offshoot of another writing challenge - National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo - a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in one month and it's offshoot, National Picture Book Writing Month - NaPBWriMo - a challenge to generate 30 picture books in 30 days.

Tara's idea is to write 30 picture book ideas to get the creative juices flowing and to hopefully lead to some completed picture book manuscripts. Since it's already the 18th, I'm trying to do all 18 days in one day! I don't think it's too late to start so, if you haven't already, you can start now too!

So how is this going to work? Here's how Tara explains it on her blog:

Stop here once a day in November for a new inspirational little tale. We’ll have guest bloggers and giveaways. And at the end of the month, if you’ve collected 30 ideas, you’ll get a PiBoIdMo badge for your blog (based on the logo above by Ryan Hipp) and a special super-secret prize. (You’ve guessed it, “super-secret” is code for “I don’t know what it is yet.”)

So what are you waiting for? Get thinking!!

What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday, I attended an IEP meeting in my new role as Lead Teacher for our Hearing Itinerant program. As we were completing the paperwork, people asked questions about what forms to use and what to write. There was one form I'd never used before and they all looked to me, wanting to know what to do. Since I've only been lead teacher for two months, I was able to say - "I don't know, I've never done this form before." without fear of consequences. I figure I've got until after winter break to use the "I'm new at this" excuse.

But then it hit me - so I said it out loud - god forbid I don't blurt out every thought in my head - "They appointed me the lead but I'm just an itinerant teacher - I have no special skills or knowledge to be the Lead!" Which is completely true! Luckily, it was a great group at the meeting and we got the paperwork done and everyone left happy.

I was just thinking about this again and it reminded me of when I won the Cheerios contest and got the book contract. After the news got out, I started being asked for my opinion on all aspects of the writing/publishing process from both writer friends and writer strangers. I was even asked to speak at our local SCBWI group about my experiences with the contest, publishing...

At the meeting, after explaining that I'd only had 1 1/2 beers with dinner (I didn't want to start rumors about being a drunk) I told the group - some of whom were waiting to hear from a knowledgeable, about-to-be-published author - I said, "I'm just a writer like all of you and six months ago I was a writer who'd never gotten a positive response in all the years I'd been submitting my work!"

So, what's my point? My point is, I'm amazed how giving someone a new title - "Lead Teacher" "Contest Winner" "Published Author" - it instantly changes the way people perceive you and the expectations they have of you. It's crazy, isn't it? Has this happened to anyone else?

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Got My F&Gs!

I got my F&Gs (say it slowly) for 1 ZANY ZOO in the mail yesterday! What are F&Gs? They're the actual printing of the book but they're not bound, just Folded and Gathered (thus - F&Gs). But it has the cover and endpapers and the pages printed back to back so it looks just like the real thing!

I think I'm going to tell my students about it next week and read it to them. I hadn't told them anything about it because, without the actual book to look at, it would be hard for them to get really get it. Hopefully, they'll love the book or I'll be crushed!

John Lennon's Birthday

My sister and I went to Strawberry Field in Central Park last night to see if anything was happening in honor of John Lennon's birthday. We found a group of musicians playing Lennon songs, surrounded by people of all ages singing along. It was great! Here's a clip of one of the songs my sister took on her iPhone.

S Is For Story by Esther Hershenhorn & Zachary Pullen

I saw the amazing Esther Hershenhorn at our monthly SCBWI meeting in Vernon Hills. She spoke about her journey from first idea to publication of her new book S Is For Story: A Writer's Alphabet published by Sleeping Bear Press. There are so many levels to this wonderful book and the illustrations by Zachary Pullen are phenomenal!

Check out Esther's website and blog and Zachary's website and blog!

Debut Authors - Get In CWIM

I found this on Alice's CWIM Blog. Hurry - the deadline is October 8th!

Official Call for Debut Authors for the 2011 CWIM...

I'm looking for debut author and illustrators who'd like to be interviewed for my "First Books" feature in 2011 CWIM.

If you are interested in being featured in First Books, here are the rules and guidelines:

1. Email me at alice.pope@fwmedia.com, subject line "First Books."
2. Tell me about your debut book including the title, publisher, genre and approximate publication date.
3. The book must be available in some form by November (so it can be read before you're interviewed).
4. A cover image must be available by January 2010 (because I don't want to feature a book without showing the cover).
5. Please include links to your website or blog if you have one.
6. No self-published books please.
7. Tell me something fun/interesting/exciting/unusual/inspiring about you/your book/your path to publication.
8. E-mails must be received by October 8th.
9. I'll be in touch with those I've chosen by the October 30th; otherwise you likely will not hear from me--I simply don't have time to contact everyone, although I wish I could. (I may acknowledge receipt of emails, however, depending on how busy I am and/or how much I do or do not feel like doing other work.)
10. Debut authors not chosen to be featured in First Books could be chosen as Debut Authors of the Month which will be resurrected on this blog starting January 2010!

57th Street Children's Book Fair

I meant to post this sooner but I've been so busy with my new position as lead teacher (I have a new-found appreciation for our old lead - I had no idea how much she did). Hopefully, some of you in the Chicago area will read this in time to go - if you don't already know about it. I pasted the info below off their website. I'll be manning - or womanning - the table from 3:00-4:00. It'll be great to meet some fellow Chicago-area writers!

"This year, the 57 Street Children's Book Fair is excited to host children's book author Jennifer Holm at our annual event. Jennifer Holm is a two-time Newbery Honor Winner and has garnered respect from teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents across the country. She is revered by children everywhere for her momentous and popular graphic novel series, Babymouse. Holm will sign books and greet fairgoers from 2pm-4pm on the corner of 57th and Kimbark. 57th Street Books will offer a variety of Holm's award-winning and beloved
titles for purchase throughout the day.

In addition to Jennifer Holm, the 57th Street Children's Book Fair will also host national treasures Arthur Yorinks and Richard Eigelski as they present and sign their newest picture book collaboration titled, Homework. Yorinks & Eigelski will present at 2:30pm on the 57th Street Books Stage and sign nearby from 3pm-4pm.

The 57th Street Children's Book Fair is honored to celebrate this event with a talented group of local authors and illustrators. This year's Local Treasures appearing at the fair include:
Ilene Cooper, author of The Golden Rule
Matthew Cordell, author/illustrator of Trouble Gum
Esther Hershenhorn, author of S is for Stories
Jeff Jarka, author/illustrator of Love That Puppy
& The Three Silly Chicks (www.threesillychicks.com), otherwise known as:
Andrea Beaty, author of Iggy Peck, Architect
Carolyn Crimi, author of Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies
Julia Durango, author of Cha-Cha Chimps

With this spectacular line-up of literary talent, children of all ages will have the opportunity to meet an author or illustrator. Some fairgoers will even take home FREE signed copies! Details available at the information table the day of the Fair."

How Well Can You Focus

Here's something fun I saw at a recent school meeting I attended. Click on the video link below. You'll see people dressed in white shirts and black shirts. Your task is to count the number of times the basketball is passed between the people wearing white shirts. Do not watch the video more than once. When you're done, leave a comment with the number of passes you saw. Tomorrow I'll provide the correct answer. Don't cheat - only watch it once!

http://viscog.beckman.illinois.edu/flashmovie/15.php

TMTOMH Disorder - I'm cured

After three long months of suffering from TMTOMH (Too Much Time On My Hands) Disorder, I'm cured! I started back to work a week ago today and you'd think that would have a negative impact on my writing but, as with many things in my life, it has done the opposite of what you'd logically expect. This weekend, I did more productive writing than I have all summer - go figure!! All I know is, I'm going to take advantage of my remission of TMTOMH Disorder and write as much as possible during the next nine months!

Anyone else have this disorder?

Another New School Year

John and I are empty nesters again! I drove Brian to ISU two weeks ago and drove Sean's mattress (on the top of my car) and the other things he couldn't fit in his car to WIU last week. I have to say, John and I did a great job of tying down the mattress but I still drove with one eye in the rear view mirror the whole way and I didn't drive over 60 mph! The only positive about it (other than the mattress not flying off the car and causing a major accident) is that I knew for sure I wouldn't get a speeding ticket!

I finished my first week of the new school year and I'm still standing! I took on the role of lead teacher for our department so I'll be doing that part time and teaching part time. I can already tell it's going to be difficult balancing both but I'm sure I'll get a handle on it before too long. Then I'll have to figure out how to fit in my writing and blogging and socializing and . . .

Wish me luck!

Writer's Wednesday: Blue Rose Girls

I found a great site called Blue Rose Girls. It's hosted by seven children's book professionals who discuss their lives in books. The blue girls are primarily authors and illustrators but they also have a teacher and editors. Check it out!

Youtube Tuesday: Three Funny Videos On Writing

Here are three funny videos on writing. I know Wednesdays' blogs are about writing but Tuesdays' blogs are about youtube so - what the heck.

Me Monday: Goodbye Boys - Hello Facebook

I drove Brian to ISU yesterday and will drive some of Sean's stuff to WIU on Friday. It's going to be awfully quiet around here! I'm going to miss them :(

Also, I went public on Facebook this weekend and I've connected with some old friends - it's fun! I'm giving Twitter another try too :)

Favorite Friday: Comedy Shows

Here's a list of my top 10, all-time favorite comedy shows:

- The Andy Griffith Show
- Arrested Development
- Barney Miller
- The Dick Van Dyke Show
- Freaks and Geeks
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show
- Mash
- Seinfeld
- Sex and the City
- Two and a Half Men

What are yours?

Thoughtful Thursday: One Click Donations

I found three great sites that allow you to "donate" money just by clicking a button. These sites are funded by various companies who sponsor the site for a day. Every sponsor makes a donation for each user who clicks on the site during the day.

I put these sites in my toolbar and have made a habit of going to them the first time I'm on my computer. It takes less than 30 seconds to do all three.

The sites are:
The Hunger Site
The Animal Rescue Site
The Breast Cancer Site

I just got this link from the blueboards: freerice.com It's a vocabulary test and for every answer you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger.

If anyone knows of other sites like this, please share!

Writer's Wednesday: My Book Cover!!

I'm SOOOO excited to be able to share the cover for my first, and hopefully not last, picture book! All of the illustrations are complete and they've been sent, along with the text, to the printer for first proofs!

Isn't Colin Jack fantastic? He has a Dr. Suess-type quality - don't you think?

Youtube Tuesday: Portable Restroom Prank

This is too funny - I don't know who thinks these things up, but I'm glad they do!

Me Monday: Time To Rhyme

It occurred to me that I've only written one rhyme on this blog, which is pretty pathetic considering my blog's title. So, here's a new rhyme I just wrote:

Who am I?

I'm a writer, a rhymer,
An I'm in my primer,

A traveling teacher,
A play at the beacher,

A wife and a mother,
A sis to my brother,

A happy dog owner,
A talk on the phoner,

A tarot card reader,
An I hate to weeder,

A big movie goer,
A vegetable grower,

A spicy food eater,
A fearsome competer,

An avid game player
An I sing all dayer,

Well, that's all I've gotter
Believe it or notter.

SCBWI Conference Envy

I admit it - I'm so envious of the people able to attend the annual SCBWI Conference in LA this weekend! To make matters worse, my agent, Jamie Weiss Chilton, is presenting there and I would have loved to meet her in person and hear her speak!

For those of you who want to live vicariously through these lucky few, here's a link to the SCBWI Conference Blog.
For those of you who did attend, I hope you had a great time and thanks for sharing on the blog!

Favorite Friday: Picture Books

Here's a list of some of my favorite picture books. What are some of yours?
- A Fly Went By
- Are You My Mother
- Five Chinese Brothers
- Go Dogs Go
- Green Eggs And Ham
- Happy Birthday Moon
- Harold And The Purple Crayon
- Hurry Hurry
- Jumanji
- Little Bear Books
- Little Critter Books
- Love You Forever
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Polar Express
- Sylvester And The Magic Pebble
- That Terrible Halloween Night
- The Giving Tree
- The Little House
- The Mitten
- Thomas' Snowsuit
- What Do You Say Dear?

Thoughtful Thursday: Volunteer Match

I found a great website: Volunteermatch.org. Volunteer Match is just what it sounds like - they match up organizations in need of volunteers with people looking for ways to help. According to their site, they currently have 68,837 participating organizations, 59,077 volunteer opportunities, and they've made 4,266,106 referrals since 1998.

Through this site I found an opportunity to volunteer with the American Cancer Society. I went to training yesterday and soon I'll be driving cancer patients to and/or from their doctors' appointments. Before I read about this on the site, I had no idea that there was a need for this. It makes sense, though, since so many people live alone or with people who can't drive them to their appointments. I'll let you know how it goes after I've gotten started. I'm really looking forward to it.

Let me know if you find a volunteer opportunity that works for you.

Writer's Wednesday: Successful Blogging

I just found a great site for those of us trying to get the most out of blogging. It's called copyblogger.com. I've only looked at a few posts but I know it's going to be very helpful. Here's what it says on their "about" page:

What are the missing ingredients that prevents most people from succeeding online?

Copywriting and content marketing skills.

Content drives the Internet, and using the right words in the right way will determine not only how well your site converts visitors into sales, but also how well you rank in search engines and how many links you get.

Now that blogging has become the smartest strategy for growing an authoritative web site, it’s your copywriting and content marketing skills that will set you apart and help you succeed. Copyblogger is all about helping you:

• get traffic
• gain subscribers
• attract links
• sell something!

All you need to do is write in a strategic, persuasive, compelling manner.

Youtube Tuesday: Perpetuum Jazzile

This is an amazing youtube video of Perpetuum Jazzile, Slovenia's only jazz choir. In this video, Perpetuum Jazzile performs the song Africa, written by David Paich & Jeff Porcaro and originally performed by their band, Toto. Here's what David Paich said about this performance on Perpetuum Jazzile's website:

My name is David Paich. When I wrote Africa I never dreamed of hearing such an innovative rendition. All I can say is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am truly honored that you not only would arrange a choir version of the song but the time and effort into creating REAL MAGIC! I have NEVER received so many emails from artists friends and colleagues

Me Monday: The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

My Mother, sons, sister, niece and I went to the The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center yesterday. We were there for 2 1/2 hours and only saw the exhibit on the main level (there are three), which is set up with hallways from one small room to another. The rooms are arranged in chronological order, from German-Jewish life before the start of Nazism, to the rise of the Nazi Party, to the concentration camps, to liberation from the camps, and finally to the survivors' assimilation back into society. Each room has a video, running on a continuous loop, that uses a combination of authentic photographs and film clips to support the stories being told by survivors. There are also artifacts and informative placards along the way.

Though I've heard stories, seen movies and read books about the Holocaust before, I am always saddened, frustrated, and angered by the insane cruelty of it all! Don't get me started!

It was a truly moving experience - I highly recommend it to those of you in the Chicago area!

Daily Themes

After seeing daily themes on a few other blogs, I decided to give it a try myself. I'm a deadline & tight parameters type of person so I think it will help me to blog more regularly. Also, if I make a commitment, I'm more apt to follow through - thanks to Jewish guilt! So, here's my plan - for now:

Me Mondays
Youtube Tuesdays
Writer's Wednesdays
Thoughtful Thursdays
Favorite Fridays
Anything Goes Saturdays & Sundays

So, look for my first themed post on Monday - and it's my favorite topic - ME!

My Dog Pippa

I have to tell you what my dog Pippa did the other day. I started to walk her on our usual route but she kept stepping in front of me to make me stop. Every few steps she did this until finally I said, "What's wrong - do you want to go home?" At that, she ran back toward our house.

When I got inside, she ran to my husband and jumped up on him. She clearly wanted HIM to walk her! That really hurt my feelings! I handed John the leash and said, "Obviously she wants you to walk her - go ahead." Then HE said, "Well, she is a little overly attached to me." Man - kick 'em when they're down!! Granted, he does walk her more than I do but I always thought she loved us equally - apparently I was wrong.

So, I stayed home, sulking, and John and Pippa went for a walk. After a few minutes, I looked out the front window and saw Pippa doing the same thing to John. I heard him say to her, "Do you want your mama?" and Pippa ran toward the house. I couldn't believe it - she wanted both of us to walk her! Needless to say, this made me very happy and I stopped pouting.

I joined them outside and we went on our usual walk, with Pippa turning to look at us every once in a while, just to make sure we were both still there.

Isn't that the cutest, smartest thing you've ever heard? What a great dog!!!

Below are two pictures of Pippa. The first is of Pippa and her sister Bailey (who, sadly, died 1 1/2 years ago from a fungal infection) and the second is at their third birthday party (two months before Bailey died). John is the guy on the left with Pippa (left) and Bailey in front of him.

Amazing Music Video

I found this music video on Greg Pincus' website, The Happy Accident. You have to watch it - it's amazing! Check out Greg's site too - it's all about how to use social media to promote yourself.

ALA in Chicago July 9 - July 15

The annual ALA Conference runs from today through July 15th. I'm going there on Monday with a couple of my writing friends, one of whom, Suzanne Slade, will be signing books at the Sylvan Dell booth on July 12th & 13th. She'll also be signing at the Children's Museum on Navy Pier on the 12th from 11:00 - 12:30. Her new book, WHAT'S NEW AT THE ZOO comes out tomorrow, July 10th! Congrats Suzanne!

TMTOMH Disorder

Once again, I've come down with a case of TMTOMH (Too Much Time On My Hands) Disorder. It happens every summer and I still don't know how to cure it. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and I'm able to get things crossed off my massive to-do list. At other times, however, the symptoms are debilitating and all I can manage to do is watch old movies on TV, surf the web and putter ineffectively around the house. One of the worst side effects of this disorder is a massive case of writer's block. It took everything I have to get this short post written. What's a writer with TMTOMH (with secondary writer's block) to do?

Well, I took advantage of my need to web-surf and I checked the ultimate source - no, not Mayoclinic.com - Verla Kay's Blueboard! In no time at all, I found a thread addressing the writer's block issue and it led me to an excellent site that I think will help me and my fellow sufferers. The site is called DrWicked.com and on the site is an application called Write or Die.

Here's how Dr. Wicked describes the application:


Write or Die is a web application that encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing. Start typing in the box. As long as you keep typing, you're fine, but once you stop typing, you have a grace period of a certain number of seconds and then there are consequences.

The idea is to instill in the would-be writer with a fear of not writing. We do this by employing principles taught in Introduction to Psychology. Anyone remember Operant Conditioning and Negative Reinforcement?Negative Reinforcement "strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavior."

Consequences:

• Gentle Mode: A certain amount of time after you stop writing, a box will pop up, gently reminding you to continue writing.
• Normal Mode: If you persistently avoid writing, you will be played a most unpleasant sound. The sound will stop if and only if you continue to write.
• Kamikaze Mode: Keep Writing or Your Work Will Unwrite Itself

These consequences will persist until your preset conditions have been met (that is, your time is up or you've written your wordcount goal or both).

Sound intriguing? Give Write or Die a try and let me know what you think. Here's the link:

http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html

Pictures From Alaska

Here are some pictures from Alaska. We've seen amazing wildlife, some of which I didn't get great pictures of and have to wait until we get back for my friends to send to me. We're not on a cruise, we flew to Anchorage and have taken driving trips to a lot of different areas.

This is a view from our first hike south of Anchorage.


This is a beautiful bird I discovered called a Stellar Jay.


This a moose that was standing in the pond outside our window at our bed and breakfast this afternoon. Two days ago we had a black bear in the same spot but I didn't get camera out in time.



More pics to come!

Off to Alaska

I'm about to leave for Alaska for two weeks. I hope to post some great pictures! Hopefully not close-ups of bears!

My Critique Group

Things are really happening for members of my critique group - I'm so excited for all of them.

One just signed with a fabulous agent and he's almost ready to start shopping her MG novel around. It shouldn't take long for it to be snatched up!

Another member is in revision talks with an editor from a great publishing house and it looks like it's progressing towards an offer - I hope I didn't just jinx her!!

Another just found out she's one of the winners of the Highlights 2009 Fiction Contest and she's going to the writer's retreat in Chautauqua as her prize!

The other members of the group are fantastic writers and I'm sure this good luck bug is going to keep spreading until we're all published! It's such an amazing group of women and I'm so proud to know them!

AUTHORS NOW!

I just got a Google Alert that I'm listed on the Authors Now website - here's the link www.authorsnow.com. If you search in the drop down box on the left under "author name", my name is on the list and it links to a page about me and my book! Very cool!!

The Boys Are Back

Sean came home yesterday from WIU for Mother's Day and Brian's birthday (the big 2-0)! He has to go back Monday for finals but he'll be back at the end of the week for the summer. I picked up Brian (and all his stuff) at ISU this afternoon. It's going to be a great Mother's Day! Here are some pictures of me and the boys at various ages and places. I didn't do a great job of putting them on - it's my first time :)

Last Night's Presentation

The presentation last night went really well! Kellie had some great questions and hopefully I had some good answers. I had a great time. After the Q&A, two members shared their stories, both of which were very good! It's such a nice group of people - I'm disappointed that they don't have another meeting planned until September. Hopefully, we'll manage a summer party.

Here's something cool - before the meeting, a woman introduced herself (it was her first time) and I recognized the name - she is the woman I bought my house from 23 years ago! Is it a small world or what?!

Guest Speaker at SCBWI Meeting

I'm scheduled to be the guest speaker at our local SCBWI meeting tomorrow night. Our fantastic leaders, Kelly and Suzanne, have prepared a list of questions so I don't need to prepare anything. I'm hoping the questions will be easy to answer and that I can make my answers interesting enough so I don't put everyone to sleep! This is my first time presenting so wish me luck!

Help A Fellow Writer In Need!

Here's a link to a website about a fellow children's author, Bridget Zinn, who is battling stage 4 colon cancer. You can learn about Bridget and what she's been going through and find out about an auction they're having to raise money for her. I'm not going to write any more about it because Shelli did a wonderful job on her site.


Here's the link to Shelli's site -
http://faeriality.blogspot.com/2009/04/fundraiser-for-bloggeraspiring.html

Here's the link to the auction site - http://bridgetzinnauction.wordpress.com/


The auction will last the whole month of May - don't put off checking it out!

Picture book a day

Okay, I'll admit it - I can't write a picture book in a day - at least not while I'm working and have other commitments! I started one on Friday but didn't finish it. I was gone all day Saturday at my niece's college to see her dance so I didn't get a story started or even work on the one I started on Friday. So, I decided to quit. I hope others had more success. I think it's just not my style to write a whole story in a day. Oh well!

Sorry for the last minute notice but I just found out about this. I've signed up - I love the pressure! You should sign up too!

NATIONAL PICTURE BOOK WRITING WEEK ("NaPiBoWriWee")
7 Picture Books in 7 Days!
Sponsored by www.paulayoo.com

In the spirit of National Novel Writing Month ("NaNoWriMo") where
people across the country try to write a complete novel in one month,
the fine folks at www.paulayoo.com have decided to start the first
ever National Picture Book Writing Week, affectionately nicknamed
"NaPiBoWriWee."

The goal? To write 7 picture books in 7 days.

All NaPiBoWriWee participants should register on my website
(http://paulayoo.com/
) and comment on my blogs every day with your own progress.

For those of you who participate in the first annual NaPiBoWriWee, I
will select a winner at random on the 7th day - that winner will
receive an autographed copy of my latest picture book, "SHINING STAR:
THE ANNA MAY WONG STORY" (Lee & Low Books, 2009).

(For more info on the book, go here:
http://www.leeandlow.com/books/368/hc/shining_star_the_anna_may_wong_story)

The basic rules? Just write 7 complete and separate picture books in
one week. Each picture book must have a clear beginning, middle, and
end. There is no required minimum word count because picture book
lengths can vary from 50 words to 2000 words, depending on the genre.

I will be posting a blog every day for seven days with picture book
writing tips and encouragement and updates on my own progress, plus
links to The Three Silly Chicks (http://
threesillychicks.blogspot.com/) who will also be providing similar
helpful blog tips.

For everyone who has a website or blog - you are encouraged to promote
NaPiBoWriWee on your blog/website/myspace/Facebook/Twitter. I only
request that you provide a link to my website - http://paulayoo.com/.

And for those of you attending the national Society for Children's
Book Writers & Illustrators (http://scbwi.org/) conference in August,
let me know and I'll arrange for an informal gathering during the
conference so we can meet in person and celebrate our first
NaPiBoWriWee!

For more info, contact me at paula@paulayoo.com.

To summarize, the basic rules:

1. Midnight May 1st to 11:59 p.m. May 7th: Write 7 separate and
complete picture books.
2. You are NOT allowed to write the same picture book in 7 variations.
Each book must be complete and separate.
3. No minimum word count. Instead, each book must have a clear
beginning, middle and end.
4. You are allowed to brainstorm and research book topics before May
1st.
5. You are NOT allowed to write a single word of your draft until
midnight May 1st.
6. There is NO minimum word count required. The fine folks of
NaPiBoWriWee require nothing but your word of honor. We will embrace
the Honor Code. If you say you have written 7 complete picture book
drafts in 7 days, we will believe you. Besides, why would you lie to
us? You're writing picture books for little children! Picture Book
Authors are nice, honest people who would never lie!
7. Please register on http://paulayoo.com/ in order to write comments
on Paula's blog every day with your progress and questions.
8. If you plan to blog about your NaPiBoWriWee journey, please include
a link to: http://paulayoo.com/
9. A winner will be chosen from random of all the people who comment
from May 1-7 on http://paulayoo.com/. That winner will receive an
autographed copy of Paula Yoo's latest picture book biography,
"SHINING STAR: THE ANNA MAY WONG STORY" (Lee & Low Books 2009) by June
2009 when the book is released.
10. For those of you attending the national Society of Children Book
Writers & Illustrators (http://scbwi.org/) conference in August, let
me know and I'll arrange for an informal gathering during the
conference so we can meet in person and celebrate our first
NaPiBoWriWee!

Good luck and I look forward to writing 7 picture books in 7 days with
everyone!

What Your Blog Says About Your Personality

I found this on the Shrinking Violets' blog and it was fun and interesting so I thought I'd share it. There's a site called Typealyzer.com that tells your personality type (based on your blog) using the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator.

I checked out my blog, Habitual Rhymer, and it said my personality type, based on my blog, is an ESTP - Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving. Here's how they describe ESTP people:

ESTP - The Doers

The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention . They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new thatn following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.


I also took a Meyers Brigg-type assessment at sminds.com. It said I am an ESFP type - Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving. Here's how they describe ESFP people:

ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population.

You should try both of these - they're fun!

WINSTON BREEN'S PUZZLE PARTY CONTEST!

I meant to post this sooner but I forgot - duh! There's a great contest on Winston Breen's website: www.winstonbreen.com/puzzleparty.html

He has a puzzle every day, starting yesterday and going until April 22. Every day, someone with the correct solution to that day's puzzle will be chosen at random and will win a copy of his latest book The Potato Chip Puzzles. At the end of the week, one person with all seven correct solutions, will be chosen at random and will win every single one of G.P. Putnam's Sons Spring 2009 children's and YA books, plus advance reading copies of numerous Fall 2009 books!

So, even if you didn't start yesterday (I missed it too if it makes you feel better) you can still enter for the rest of the daily prizes. Also, the previous puzzles are still available so you can solve them and enter for the grand prize. I just emailed the solution to today's puzzle (I think it's the correct solution) and plan to do the rest of them. I'm also going to buy the book tomorrow - it looks great!

Poems by Arnold Spilka and me

I found a poem by Arnold Spilka that reminded me of a poem I wrote my Freshman year in college. Here's Mr. Spilka's poem:

DON'T TELL ME THAT I TALK TOO MUCH!

Don't tell me that I talk too much!
Don't say it!
Don't you dare!
I only say important things
Like why it's raining where.
Or when or how or why or what
Might happen here or there.
And why a thing is this or that
And who is bound to care.
So don't tell me I talk too much!
Don't say it!
DON'T YOU DARE!


Here's my poem. The assignment was to write a poem about myself as an introduction to the other students in class. All the other poems were really serious - oops!


FRESHMAN'S LAMENT

I think I'm too short.
My friends say "Yes". My mother says "No".
I think I'm too fat.
My friends say "Yes". My mother says "No".
I think I talk too much.
My friends say "Yes". My mother says "No".
I think I'll move back home.
My friends say "YES!", my mother says "NOOOO!".

Jack Prelutsky

Here's one of my favorite Jack Prelutsky poems:

ME I AM

I am the only ME I AM
who qualifies as me;
no ME I AM has been before,
and none will ever be.

No other ME I AM can feel
the feelings I've within
no other ME I AM can fit
precisely in my skin.

There is no other ME I AM
who thinks the thoughts I do;
the world contains one ME I AM,
there is no room for two.

I am the only ME I AM
this earth shall ever see;
that ME I AM I always am
is no one else but me!

Poetry Month - better late than never!

It's poetry month and I'm two weeks behind.
I know that I blew it - I hope you don't mind.
Beginning right now, I'll post one poem each day,
I promise my 'real life' won't get in the way.
So send me your poems that are written in rhyme,
And I'll do my best to make up for lost time!

The Saga Continues

As I mentioned in my last post, I had started reading everything I could on what to do after you get a book deal. One thing I read is that a great time to get an agent is after you've gotten an offer from a publisher. A year earlier, I had started an agent search, with no offers in sight, but there was one agent who had liked the story I sent and asked to read more. She said she didn't like the other stories as well but suggested I write in prose and, if I did, I could contact her again.

Well, I had a new story in prose (I wrote it because of her suggestion) so I decided to contact her again. I told her about the contest and book deal and I sent edited versions of the manuscripts I'd sent before, along with my new story in prose. I'm happy to say, she really liked the stories and offered to represent me! So now, Jamie Weiss Chilton of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is my new agent and I'm sooo thrilled!

Members of my critique group asked exactly how she made the offer - email? Phone call? How long did it take? Here's the timeline of how it happened:

January 14, 2009 - After several emails, I got "the call" from Jamie. I did lots of jumping and screaming (inside my head because I was in Target). I told her I'd call back after I got home and put away my frozen food. When I got home, we had a great phone conversation - I had my pre-typed list of questions (I was so proud of myself for being prepared)! I was too nervous and excited to read the list so I just flipped it over and wrote frantic notes on the back. At the end of the call, Jamie said she'd like to offer representation but had to run it past Andrea Brown first! WOW!

January 15, 2009 - I got a message from Jamie saying she spoke with Andrea and was officially offering representation. Lots of jumping and screaming in my kitchen!

January 16, 2009 - I called Jamie back and accepted her offer. We talked about the AB Lit contract (she emailed a sample) and said she'd send the real one in the mail. More jumping and screaming!

January 20, 2009 - The contract came in the mail. MJAS! I signed them and was at the post office in five minutes.

February 2, 2009 - I got the contract back - signed by Jamie and Andrea Brown. Also a nice note from Andrea welcoming me aboard. No more jumping and screaming - I was jaded by this point - not! Since then, Jamie has handled the contract for 1 ZANY ZOO (yeah!) and has two of my stories out to editors. She's fantastic!!

I'm not sure if anyone's reading this blog but, if you are, do you have any "how I got my agent" stories to share?

My First Post - part 2

When we last met... it was the day before Thanksgiving, I'd won the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories contest, and was sworn to at least a month of silence.

December 8, 2008 - I got a call from "my editor" :) and we talked about my manuscript, the contract terms, and upcoming revisions. She emailed the general terms of the contract and I quickly accepted before she could change her mind.

December 15, 2008 - I got a call from the Cheerios SOS marketing rep about promotion and upcoming interviews with newspapers and possibly radio - gulp! She said that the announcement wouldn't occur until the end of January or beginning of February and again swore me to secrecy! Since the first day, I'd slowly leaked out the news to my closest friends and other family members. Still, no mention of Cheerios or S&S. This was pretty good for me - just ask my sisters!

January, 2009 - I started reading everything I could about what to do in preparation for a book release. One of the things I read, again and again, was to have a "web presence" so I began researching how to create a website and blog.

February - March, 2008 - I signed up with Go Daddy, got a domain name, and began the arduous journey of creating a website! Compared to building a website, making this blog was a breeze! So, here we are. That's the story of how I came to have this blog and my website.

My First Post

I almost posted this yesterday but I knew people would think it was an April Fool's Day joke so I held off until today.

Welcome to my blog. I finally finished my website Loridegman.com, and realized I wanted a blog to share my writing experiences, news about the writing world and, of course, my opinions. So, here it is.

You're probably wondering why I needed a website in the first place. Here's a time line of the events that led to its inception:

May, 2008 - I submitted my manuscript, 1 Zany Zoo, to the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories contest. I figured I probably wouldn't win but you can't win if you don't enter, so...

September, 2008 - The winner was supposed to be notified this month - I never heard from them so I knew it wasn't me. Time to polish up the manuscript and submit it to publishers.

October, 2008 - I sent the manuscript for critique by a speaker at the Prairie Writer's Day Conference (the annual SCBWI - Illinois conference).

November 15, 2008 - When I arrived at the conference, I excitedly read the critique of my story and quickly took an emotional nosedive! The editor had written a couple of positive things and then proceeded to point out problems throughout the entire manuscript. I had thought it was in really good shape when I submitted it and couldn't believe how off my judgment was. But, used to rejection (I've had plenty of practice), I took it in stride and vowed to consider the editor's suggestions and rework the story.

November 26, 2008 - It was the day before Thanksgiving and I was getting ready for dinner at my house when I got a Fed-ex package with a letter stating that I was one of the three winners of the Cheerios contest! I read it ten times to find the "catch" then finally accepted that I actually was in the top three. I naturally assumed I'd won second or third place, which I thought was pretty good! I figured that, even though it wasn't the grand prize winner, it would be something I could mention in future cover letters.

I happily continued my Thanksgiving preparations when I got a phone call from a General Mills representative who said I was the grand prize winner! I screamed so loudly, my husband and kids rushed upstairs to make sure I was okay. I couldn't believe it!! I can't remember anything the representative said, except that I had to keep it a secret until it would be announced in January. Of course, I immediately called my mom, sisters and brother. My kids told all their friends but none of us mentioned Cheerios or Simon & Schuster. It was going to be a long couple of months!

More tomorrow...

(That wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be!)