I feel a little guilty celebrating 12x12 in '12 because I only came away with three completed manuscripts - none of  which are anywhere near ready to send out!  So, instead of focusing on my lack of follow-through, I'll congratulate Julie Hedlund on creating this brilliant event and for bringing together such an amazing group of children's book authors (401 to be exact)!!  I've made a ton of friends these past 12 months and have learned so much about writing for children!

     

I know I'm a little early but, on 12/12/12 I want to say: 

Happy BIRTHDAY

12x12 in '12!!  

               

See you in '13!!

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Birthday Contest for Children's Writers!

Susanna Leonard Hill is having a birthday contest on her blog! The challenge is to write a birthday story in 300 words or less. The story below is my entry. There are thirteen other entries (as of right now) and the competition is stiff! Head over to her site to read them all! If you're a writer, hurry up and join the contest - the deadline is 11:59 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 22 - that's tomorrow!!

Birthday Surprise!

With Henry's birthday coming up, we planned a celebration.
We thought we'd catch him by surprise and cause a huge sensation!


We hung up streamers, big balloons and cooked his favorite treats,
Then shut the lights and held our breath and waited in our seats.


And when, at last, the doorbell rang, we pictured his surprise.
Imagining the look of shock we'd see in Henry's eyes.


We lit the lights and yelled, "SURPRISE!" with hollers and with hoots,
But Henry had his own surprise - he wore his birthday suit!

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The Sun is Shining on my Blog!

A couple of weeks ago, Elizabeth Stevens Omlor awarded me the Sunshine Blog Award!!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth!  I'm glad we got Sundays off from the A to Z Poetry Challenge so I could finally write this post!

According to the Sunshine Blog Award rules, I must:
~ Include the award's logo in a post or on my blog
~ Answer 10 questions about myself
~ Nominate 10-12 other fabulous bloggers
~ Link my nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated
~ Share the love and link the person who nominated me




Here are the ten questions and my answers:
1. Favorite color: Purple is my favorite color - with orange as a close second.
2. Favorite animal: Dogs are my favorite domestic animal and lions are my favorite wild animal.
3. Favorite number: For some reason, 32 is my favorite number - don't ask why because I don't know.
4. Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Are there any?  Seriously, water is my favorite drink.
5. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook, definitely
6. My passion: This is a hard one!  Laughter is just one of my passions!
7. Prefer giving or getting presents: I love when I find something I know someone will love and it's a gift for no reason!  I also love when I receive a gift for no reason that I know someone put thought into picking it out.
8. Favorite pattern:  Wow, I never really thought about a favorite pattern.  I'm really not sure what that means?!  I guess I'd say patterns found in language.
9. Favorite day of the week: My favorite day is Saturday because you don't have to wake up early and you can go to bed late.
10. Favorite flower: I love Hydrangeas - mostly because they're prominent in my favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life.


Here are the people I'm giving the Sunshine Blog Award to:
Jenni Bielicki
Michelle L. Brown
Pamela Courtney
Leigh Covington
DL Hammons
Sarah Hardy
Alison Hertz
Cynthia Iannaccone
Penny Klostermann
Suzanne Payne
Rena Traxel
Natalie (I don't know her last name)

Winners - go forth and spread the sunshine!!






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Poetry Month Mash-Up: Day Seven

The challenge for today - to go along with G is for Glee -  is to write a song for sectionals OR a poem that can be sung.  Since my absolute favorite thing to write - after rhyming picture books - is song parodies, that's what I did!  In honor of Passover, I chose to write a song to the tune of Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof.

Slush Pile, Slush Pile
(sung to the tune of Sunrise, Sunset)


Where is the manuscript I sent you?
Written with blood and sweat and tears.
I don't remember when I subbed it -
feels like years!


When will you finally get to read it?
Will you be offering a deal?
I've heard of stories from the slush pile -
are they real?


Slush pile, slush pile,
growing slush pile,
filled with writer's dreams.
Each one is hoping to be published!
Is it as hopeless as it seems?


Here's how to sign GROWING PILE:

Here's how to sign SONG:

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