Living with Attention

 

StoryStorm takes place each year in January. The goal is to come up with 30 story ideas in the 31 days of January. Each day, a new post arrives with a daily dose of inspiration and motivation. Some are fun, some are serious, and all are very helpful. But, some really hit home. One such post this year did so for me and started me thinking seriously about my writing.

Day 15 featured Marcie Colleen, author of numerous acclaimed books for young readers, discussing the Quiet Work of Noticing. Colleen said, "...noticing is a choice. Attention shapes meaning." 

As writers, we talk about story ideas being everywhere. We just need to pay attention to our surroundings and listen to those around us. However, Colleen's words about this really spoke to me and brought new meaning to the ideas of noticing and attention. 

She said...

"Living with attention means slowing down enough to notice what usually gets brushed past. A feeling that lingers. A moment that makes you pause. A thought that quietly returns when everything else moves on. These are small things. They're easy to miss. And they're exactly where stories begin."

Yes! I really need to work on the slowing down enough to notice all, but I plan to work on it. Thank you for the brilliant advice, Marcie! And thank you, Tara Lazar, for StoryStorm each year. It is truly an inspiration. 

To learn more about StoryStorm, visit Tara Lazar's blog & website. 

To learn more about Marcie Colleen, visit her site at https://www.thisismarciecolleen.com/.

Revision Week

 

Thank you, Lauren, Lynne Marie and Shannon for an inspiring week of revision insight. It was very helpful!

January, here we come!

 

Can't wait! Here we go...

Storystorm 2024 Complete

 

38 new ideas in 31 days, 39 if you count a new twist on an older idea. Thank you, Tara Lazar, for the month of inspiration and motivation!

National Authors Day

 

Today marks a relatively unknown day of recognition for authors. It is National Authors Day today. What a concept...celebrating authors and the art of writing!

I read this day was originally established in 1928 as a way to recognize and celebrate American authors and their literary works. 

I hope this day becomes better known as a means to foster a love of reading and writing in everyone but especially in children as too many today get caught up in technology and don't simply cuddle up and enjoy the worlds within the pages of all the amazing books that exist. I could do so day in and day out!

Who are your favorite authors and/or fav books? 

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today, March 2, kicks off Read Across America week (along with National Reading Month throughout the month of March), beginning on the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

During this week, let us focus on encouraging and promoting the benefits and importance of reading, especially for our children who have at their disposal these days so much technology that, at times, negatively impacts reading a good ol' fashion book.

Today, and throughout the week, I commit to spending time reading. Will you?

What are your favorite go-to books, Dr. Seuss or otherwise? I'd love to hear and compare the favorites amongst all of us.

Children's Book Week Wrap Up

 

So, how did you book this week? 

Did you read picture books? Chapter books? YA?

Did you read "real" books or those on your kindle or nook? Listen to audio books?

Were you reading in bed? Lounging in the sunshine? Laying on the sofa? Swinging in a hammock?

I would love to hear what your Children's Book Week entailed as well as what and who your all time favorite books and/or authors might be.

'Tis Almost the Shopping Season

Holiday shopping season is quickly approaching. If you are looking for new children's picture books, check out ALPHABET ZOO as well as all the other wonderful kid lit on the SCBWI Bookstop site. They make shopping easy!

Here is a link for my book, Bookstop: Alphabet Zoo. Have fun learning about the animals of Alphabet Zoo!

A Day in the Life of a Writer

 

To write or not to write? To edit or not to edit? To blog or not to blog? To read or not to read? To promote or not to promote? And, above all, how to balance the degree of each and the time dedicated to any one thing in any given day?

This writing life is full of these choices in a never-ending cycle, tipping the balance of time one way or another at various points.

I don't know about you, but I tend to struggle with how to best prioritize my time in order to accomplish as much as possible on any given day, particularly when days and writing times are limited for a variety of reasons, work and life related. Sometimes I do the easier things first to check more items off my to-do list more quickly. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed and push papers around my desk and never really accomplish much of anything at all.

It seems, ultimately, the most important thing to do is to write. None of the rest really matters without something to edit, blog about, submit and/or promote. The stories drive it all, so, why then, do I seem to leave that till the end of my TTD list and then run out of time? Sometimes inspiration strikes, and I do nothing but sit and write. Other times, I spin my wheels thinking and thinking and never get anywhere. Reading a picture book I love or scrolling Instagram for inspiration can help, but time is often of the essence which can further serve to shut one's brain down ASAP.

Such is a day in the life of a writer, I guess. I'd love to hear your order for tackling your day or how you deal with being as functional as possible in the time you have. If you are open to leaving a comment, please do.

Coming Soon...

 

The time has FINALLY come! ALPHABET ZOO is coming to life. Thank you to 4RV Publishing and Vivian Zabel for believing my story worthy of publication and to C.E. Dale for so beautifully bringing my words to life. My author copies have been ordered and will arrive soon for any who would like to purchase directly from me and/or have a signed copy. In the meantime, it is also available on the 4RV Publishing website, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

4RV Publishing, Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Mission Complete

 

March was a busy month full of amazing daily posts and so many mentor text suggestions. Thank you to Rate Your Story and all of the wonderful authors who provided daily inspiration and knowledge to aid all children's authors in their writing journeys. I learned so much and will continue to do so as I read through my list of all the mentor texts. 

I highly encourage you to check it out and take the pledge yourself in March 2023. 

Learn more at https://www.rateyourstory.org/

National Read Across America Day

A day to celebrate reading. What more could we want?

This day, National Read Across America Day, is celebrated every year on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. While I will read at least one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books today, I will also be celebrating by reading my own books, BEDTIME KISSES and LITTLE BUG, to a very special group of young kids at John Paul II Elementary, the school in which I serve as Speech/Language Pathologist and the school all of my own kids attended from preschool through 6th grade.

What a privilege! Thank you to Mrs. Morgan for inviting me to visit. I can think of no better way to celebrate the joy of reading than by sharing my own books with children. I love to engage with kids and share my love of reading and books. I strongly believe it is imperative to encourage kids to read and foster a love of books, especially in the face of the technologically driven world in which we live today. It is so important for kids to learn that books are exciting and fun. The stories contained within the pages can transport us to completely different worlds and places as well as allow us to meet new characters and have new life experiences. In addition, reading is relaxing and helps us learn about many things. For, in the words of a very wise Dr. Seuss,

"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

So, today, as Read Across America Day kicks off the National Reading Month of March, pick up your favorite picture book, novel, biography, etc., and lose yourself in the pages of a great story. And, please, help me spread the word to all those young minds eager to learn and explore. Reading is the very best way to do so!

Mission Complete

As January came to a close and February dawned (bringing Spring ever closer, thankfully), I wrapped up my January StoryStorm challenge of 30 ideas in 31 days...I actually jotted 31 ideas in 31 days. Not all are good nor worthy of developing even to the shiXXy rough draft stage, but some I am quite excited about pursuing. 

Thank you, Tara Lazar, for your ongoing inspiration and support of children's authors everywhere.