Blog Break

I'll be taking an extended blog break.  For the next few weeks, I need to concentrate on my revisions for the Mentor Program.  I'll miss you guys!

Finally...the Virginia City Post

 Boardwalk in Va. City

Technically, I could call this a Friday Favorite because I loved, loved Va. City, the Nevada SCBWI Conference and especially the incredible group of mentees.  After sitting through the mentee group introductions, I was convinced there was some mistake and I really didn't belong there.  So much talent! 

This is the view from my hotel.  The building on the right, far off in the distance is the St. Mary's Art Center, where we had most of our classes.  There were lots of stairs and a very big hill.

 

The buildings in Va. City are from  the late 1800's.  Most of them are gorgeous and well-preserved.  However, I cringed a little at this one.  And I tried not to walk too close.

This is my mentor, Susan Hart Lindquist.  She gave the most insightful comments on my manuscript.  I came back inspired about the changes and looking forward to getting to work.  She.  Is.  Amazing. 

And since I know you want to see the famous people...from left to right, standing, we have Priscilla Burris (author/illustrator), Verla Kay (yes, that Verla Kay), Terri Farly (of the Phantom Stallion series (I loved her book, Seven Tears Into The Sea)), Terri Sloat (author/illustrator), and of course, Ellen Hopkins (author and fighter of book banning).  I just missed getting Suzy Williams (author of Bull Rider and numerous non-fiction books), Tracey Adams (Adams Literary) and Emma Dryden (Dryden Books).  They're standing next to Ellen.  Pretend they're there.

More famous folks...Susan Hart Lindquist (who is not paying attention to me taking her photo), Cheryl Klein (of Arthur A. Levine Books) and Harold Underdown (his Purple Crayon website is so full of great resources, every writer should know about it).

The schedule was chock full of workshops and discussions, but we managed to carve out one evening to have a drink in the saloon.  Here I am with some of my great new mentee friends, (l to r) Heidi, Sarah (from Slushbusters), Craig, me and Hazel. 

Wednesday Links

The Boy has decided the best place to practice his
trombone is in the backyard.  I'm not sure the neighbors agree.
1. My good friend Lori Calabrese is having a month-long launch party for her super cute chapter book, The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade.  You can get in on the action here.  There will be contests and giveaways but best of all, you'll get to know Lori who is funny, friendly, witty and darling. 
2. My friend and fellow Chautauqua alum Susan Fields has posted her review of The Iron Bodkin.  If you're not a follower of Susan's, definitely check her out.  She's a fantastic writer of science fiction and a wonderfully supportive blogger. 
3. This Saturday, I'll be speaking and signing books at Booktoberfest in Meridian.  You can catch me at 3:50, but I suggest getting there early to hear all the other great speakers, including the amazing Gloria Skurzynski who speaks at 3:30.  I'm ridiculously proud and happy to say she's my friend.

I'm still wading through emails and trying to get caught up on the work I missed last week.  I'm hopeful that I'll have time to post about the Mentorship and Conference this Friday, so check back!

Wow

I'm overwhelmed and exhausted, but the Nevada SCBWI Conference and the kick-off of the mentorship program this weekend was FANTASTIC!!  I met so many talented, funny, friendly writers.  And my mentor Susan Hart Lindquist is just wonderful.  She's a total guru; I expected her to call me grasshopper. 

But now I'm neck deep in unanswered emails, mostly of an architectural nature.  (The PTO emails are coming in a close second, though.)  So, I won't be able to post a full report until later in the week.  I'll do my best to get photos uploaded soon.  I want you to see how gorgeous Virginia City is!

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

Tomorrow morning I fly to Virginia City to kick off my mentorship!  I can't wait to meet my mentor, Susan Hart Lindquist, my roomie Sarah Maguire, her mentor Harold Underdown, plus Suzy Williams, Ellen Hopkins, Emma Dryden, and all the other mentees and mentors.  Did I mention Verla Kay will be speaking? 

I'm gonna try to take my laptop and give updates, but I'm not sure if our hotel has an internet connection.  If not, I'll be absent until Monday.  So have a great weekend!!  I'm looking forward to mine! 

Blog Check

"degroot" by The Boy

Is anyone else having trouble loading my blog?  I've had a couple complaints.  If you could leave me a comment either way, that would be most helpful.  Sadly this does constitute my blog post for the day...crazy week... 

Friday Favorite & Good News Friday!

FRIDAY FAVORITE!

LEGO GAMES

Have you guys seen these yet?  I am so in love with them.  Why? 

1. Kids put the games together.
2. Once together, they still fit in the box they came in. (No loose pieces to step on!)
3. The games are creative and fun.
4. Most games only take 10-15 minutes to play.
5. Prices start at $9.99. 

GOOD  NEWS FRIDAY!

On Wednesday, I received some great news.  The Idaho Commission on the Arts awarded me a grant to cover half of the cost for the mentor program with the Nevada SCBWI.  I'm seriously honored.  And excited.  The mentor program kicks off next Friday!

Three Things on Thursday

1. I teamed up with a friend who is a local jr. high teacher and we're going to facilitate a group for the NaNoWriMo Young Writer's Program!  I just got the email yesterday that said our 'kit' had been shipped.  I can't wait for it to arrive!
2. Yesterday, I learned the word ostensibly is not spelled 'obstensibly'.  I've been saying it wrong all my life.  [shudders]
3. I have a new blogging plan.  I intend to keep all posts short.  You're busy; I'm busy...my son is playing trombone in my ear.  You get the picture.  :)

Hi!

Did you come to visit me?  I'm not here actually.  I'm over here, at Amie Borst's blog, talking about my fav writers, keeping yourself safe when submitting and how I'm just a big, goofy nerball.  Join us!

PS -- KarenG is having a cookie giveaway!  Yes way!  Check it out here and help her reach 500 followers!

Things on Tuesday

(This is the building in Ecuador I wanted to buy.  It looks over the river, has 9,000 square feet and is falling apart.  Screaming deal for $385,000!)
1. It's pouring down rain.  I have to go measure someone's yard today.  It hasn't rained in months.  Why?
2. The Boy tells me it is not hard to get a sound from a trombone.  It's only hard to get the right sound.
3. I got homework from my mentor in preparation for the Nevada Mentorship kickoff.  I'm supposed to break each chapter into scenes and put them onto a chart.  It's so fun to be starting!
4. Tomorrow, please join me at Amie Borst's blog.  I'll be visiting her and talking about writing, publishing and how to keep yourself safe in the world of submissions.

Too Many Hats

This image lives at http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/crazy-clown-hat.jpg

I wear a lot of hats.  I bet we all do.  We're workers, parents, soccer coaches.  Writers, actors, tennis players.  Grass cutters, chauffers, laundry professionals, etc.  In the course of a week, we perform a myriad of tasks, each needing a different hat.  And since it's nearly  impossible to wear two hats at once, each hat needs it's own chunk of time. 

This year, I've bought a lot of new hats. 

I have a salesman hat I put on while I market my book.  I wear the hat to books signings, school workshops and community literary events.  (Psst...did you know you could get The Iron Bodkin on Kindle for only $4.99?  Just click here.)

There's also a mentee hat I'll start wearing in a couple weeks.  The Nevada SCBWI Mentorship Program kicks off Oct. 15th.  Once I meet with my mentor, I'll be wearing that hat for six months as we rip apart and piece back together my last manuscript.

I also agreed to wear the PTO Co-President hat for my son's school.  That hat stays on my head a lot more than I expected it would. 

And of course, I have all my old hats:  architect, mom, wife, soccer player, volleyball captain, cook, critique partner, community choir member, blogger, writer.

Hang on... 

Writer?

Where is that hat?  I haven't seen it for months!  Dang.  I loved that hat. 

What hats do you wear?  And are you better about making time for each one?  Or do some of them get lost?

...

PS-- This Wednesday, I'm going to be interviewed at Amie Borst's blog.  Click over for an interesting Q&A!

AND THE WINNER IS...

#18

REBECCA COLBY!

Congrats to Rebecca!  You'll soon be receiving via email a $20 Amazon Gift Card. 

Thanks to everyone who joined in the conversation on banned books.  It was fun chatting about Pooh's issues and learning more about all of you! 

HAPPY WEEKEND! 

Hope you get to spend it with someone you love.