Mondays

I received the following in an email this morning.  I am unsure who originally said it, and there was not a direct reference to anyone; however, it really hit home.  I had been laying in bed this morning trying to organize my brain and figure out what needed to be accomplished as I have a lot of meetings and things to do today--which I dislike on a Monday as it seems to be a great day to get back into the writing groove after a busy weekend with kids home all day and various sporting events.  So, I was getting a little irritated about my day and then saw this in an email and had to chuckle.  I thought I'd share it in case any of you started your day today in similar fashion.

So far today I’ve done all right.  I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t criticized or moaned.  I haven’t been snappy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over indulgent.  I’m very thankful for that.  But in a few minutes, I’m going to get out of bed.  And from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help! 


It must have been just what I needed as the start of my bad attitude changed immediately.  I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your new week as well.

Happy writing!

Children's Writer Contest

There is a new Children's Writer YA short story contest for teens, ages 13-14.  The deadline is October 31, 2012.  Click on the following link for more information:  http://www.childrenswriter.com/. 

Good luck!

Read Widely

This morning, I was reading PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers.  She was talking about needing to read widely as a writer.  It was like confirmation for me.  I LOVE to read, maybe even more than I love to write.  I'll read almost anything and could lounge for days in my bed with just books for company.  I've often felt badly about always wanting to read rather than do something else, something more productive.  When I read Ms. Sellers' words, it was like an affirmation. 

She says, "You can't get too far off track as a writer if you are reading.  In fact, I don't know any successful writers who don't read.  Writers read.  Reading completes the gesture.  Reading is what we do."

Well, there you go...couldn't have said it better myself.  I'll now feel more productive in my writing life when I am reading.  Thank you, Ms. Sellers!

Book Contract

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I share some recent news with you.  My debut picture book, THE LITTLE BUG, is under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing.  I'm very excited about this next step in my writing career and look forward to sharing with you throughout the development process.

School Starts

Well, the new school year is upon us here in Mitchell, SD.  The kids took off this morning, somewhat excited to see friends and get back to school but a little trepidatious as well, especially my Freshman beginning her first year of high school.  I took some time this morning to reflect on how I was feeling about the new year and all it brings, both personally and in terms of my writing. 

I pulled open my box of Power Thought Cards by Louise L. Hay.  I won them some time back and have thoroughly enjoyed reading and pondering their true meanings.  I found two this morning that spoke to me and seemed to be a fitting start to a new school year (which will, hopefully, afford me more writing time than the summer months).  I thought I'd share with all of you in case you are facing a similar reflective state today.

"It's only a thought, and a thought can be changed.  I am not limited by any past thinking.  I choose my thoughts with care.  I constantly have new insights and new ways of looking at my world.  I am willing to change and grow."

And...

"Divine wisdom guides me.  I am guided throughout this day in making the right choices.  Divine intelligence continuously guides me in the realization of my goals."

I believe these may become a mantra of sorts as I begin each new day.  I am not sure if these cards are still being printed, but they are certainly filled with many nuggests of inspiration if you can find them.

Highlights Hello

There is a new Highlights magazine coming soon called Highlights Hello for ages 0-2.  Here is the link to learn more:  http://www.highlights.com/highlights-hello-magazine-for-kids?productId=hhomag.  The debut issue will be delivered in December 2012.  It looks wonderful!

Simplicity

Firstly, I would like to say thank you for your patience with my very inconsistent blogging this summer.  I've now completed all of the continuing education requirements for work that had been taking up so much of my time and am now trying to get back on track.

As such, I was reading a chapter of PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers this morning.  I started the book some time ago but never finished.  I cracked it open this morning and what I read was like a breath of fresh air.

Sellers was talking about the tools we have to write, not the physical tools so much as the tools within.  She says we should use the topics within us, the things only we know, to create and write and states, "write whatever the heck" you want to write about.  "This is what we want to know.  The tiny things people do.  The little things they say."

She further goes on to discuss all we've heard before...write what you and only you know, write what you want to read and suggests we make it all too hard by over-thinking and analyzing everything which really hit home to me.  I can frequently think so long and hard about the what and the how that I lose sight of (and time for) the actual doing.  Sellers says we have all the tools we need, we just need to sit down and write.

The one thing that really resonated, and I found myself highlighting, is this:

"The single most important tool in your tool kit is to stay simple--truly simple.  Stop making this harder than it is."

So, you know everything you need to know...join me in taking Seller's advice and just sit down and write!