tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43543951916689350002024-03-12T22:44:19.539-05:00Sara's 2 cents"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
-Christopher Robin to Poohsmeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-9566798254623139802012-01-04T21:18:00.004-06:002012-01-04T23:04:57.503-06:00New Beginnings<div>I have been contemplating my New Year's Resolutions. I have a lot of them. They are mostly about becoming better at this or that. A better mother, a better wife, a better writer, ...christian, friend, blogger, person in general. More of an organizer, less of a procrastinator. Blah, blah, blah. *Insert Charlie Brown's teacher's voice here* And of course the obligatory...get in shape and eat right.<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ss2hULhXf04" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br />Now you might say, why can't you just be happy with yourself? Are any of us? I think most of it is fear of failure or is it fear of success? I can't be sure. So this year, 2012, I am not going to get down on myself because I'm not where 'I think' I should be. I am just going to do the best I can in all of these areas and pray that it makes a difference for myself and the others in my life. Maybe we can learn to trust that we are enough with all our imperfections. May this year bring you all the goodness that you can handle!<br /><br />I read this blog post <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/01/03/25-things-writers-should-stop-doing/">25 things writers should stop doing</a> thanks to <a href="http://newport2newport.livejournal.com/">newport2newport</a> and loved it! I think he hits home with a lot of my doubts and shortcomings in my writing. Happy New Beginnings.</div><a href="http://newport2newport.livejournal.com/"></a>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-31234730227694581662011-05-19T11:48:00.000-05:002011-05-19T11:49:05.540-05:00Oregon CoastI am very excited that I will be going to a Children's Book Workshop in Oregon in July. I will be flying in a little early to do some sightseeing along the coast. Does anyone have any suggestions of what is a must-see? Any tips are appreciated. :)smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-42831351111211374802011-04-27T19:59:00.011-05:002011-04-27T20:48:37.596-05:00Separating Confidence from Self-DoubtI love this <a href="http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/04/separating-confidence-from-self-doubt.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NathanBransford+%28Nathan+Bransford+-+Blog%29">post</a> on author Nathan Bransford's blog. So true! Write on.smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-67614302074798299432010-11-20T17:02:00.003-06:002010-11-20T17:34:20.532-06:00From Books to MoviesWith the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows coming out this weekend, and my family watching Avatar: The Last <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Airbender</span> on DVD last night, I wondered what your favorite movie made from a book was.<br /><br />Here's the ones I can think of in random order.<br /><br />-Harry Potter<br />-The Last <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Airbender</span><br />-Lord of the Rings<br />-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief<br />-Pride and Prejudice<br />-Because of Winn Dixie<br />-The Princess Bride<br />-The Lovely Bones<br />-Memoirs of a Geisha<br />-The Notebook<br />-Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe<br />-The Polar Express<br />-The Jungle Book<br /><br />I'm sure there are many more that I can't remember right now. What ones do you like?smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-13672870591688166282010-11-13T21:56:00.003-06:002010-11-13T22:28:18.096-06:00ThankfulnessWith Thanksgiving right around the corner I have been thinking of all the things I'm thankful for.<br /><br />I'm thankful everyday that I have God in my life.<br />I'm thankful I am healthy when I see many who aren't.<br />I'm thankful that I have a beautiful family that loves me (even when I'm grouchy).<br />I'm thankful for my job which a lot of people don't have.<br />I'm thankful that I can write words on a page and feel a calmness come over me.<br />I'm thankful for wonderful, supportive friends.<br />I'm thankful for great books and good movies.<br />I'm thankful for the soldiers who have and do protect me and my family (especially my dad and brother-in-law).<br />I'm thankful for my hardships because they make me stronger. <br />I'm so thankful for my life...<br />It gets better and better with every passing year. <br /><br />How about you? <br />Happy early Thanksgiving!smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-75108003426981185692010-08-28T20:29:00.005-05:002010-09-30T22:10:33.204-05:00<strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">7 Quirky things about me</span> </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong><br />1. I cannot tell jokes! I screw up the punch line every time.<br /><br />2. When I was in 1st grade, I had to see a counselor because I was sooooo shy I hardly talked. (For those of you who know me, the counseling obviously worked.)<br /><br />3. If I go to bed with my hair wet I will wake up with an afro in the morning.<br /><br />4. I love romantic movies and if I really like it I'll watch the same scenes over and over with obsession.<br /><br /><br />5. I have an extra hole inside my ear from where a cyst burst when I was a baby (yes, I have a hole in my head)<br /><br /><br />6. When I get excited my voice goes up higher and higher in octave.<br /><br /><br />7. Gross scientific stuff like watching brain surgery fascinates me. (I'm in the medical field) It doesn't bother me to talk about it while I'm eating either. :)<br /><br /><br />***If you have any to add, go ahead. Just don't make it too embarrassing. Please?smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-11669614141935135612010-06-05T22:33:00.003-05:002010-06-05T23:31:27.575-05:00Writing what you want to knowI've been neglecting my blog terribly. I have lots of excuses, most of them good, as I'm sure most of us do. So I'll try to do better.<br /><br />The other morning I was thinking in the shower (What? Isn't that where you get your best ideas?) I've been to many, many conferences and the one thing I hear over and over is... write what you know. You hear this from editors. You hear this from agents. You hear this from authors. But what I want to say is--how boring is that? Yes, you do need to add some things in there that you have learned along the way, but wouldn't you like to pursue new things, too? There will always be a bit of yourself in your work. Your morals, emotions, things that have happened to you. It's scary to think about learning something different and beyond your comfort level, but I think it makes your connection even stronger when you've had to do research, interview people, get to know personally what it may have been like for another person even if this certain thing has happened to you.<br /><br />So instead of writing what you know----Write what you've been curious about, write what you want to know about, write what doesn't come naturally but what comes honestly from the heart. You'll be glad you did and so will your readers.smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-29974439875927012402010-03-01T23:05:00.002-06:002010-03-01T23:42:02.760-06:00HopeHope is... never giving up on your dreams even if they are many moons away.<br />Keep stretching and growing and living your life in a way where your children are proud you're their parent. <br /><br /><br />This past week was a difficult one for me and my husband. Our son was in the hospital for 4 days with a severe case of pyelonephritis (kidney infection). He is doing much better now, but we still have check-ups and follow-up tests. But I am thankful! Sometimes you lose sight of what is really important. On the way to the ER he told me that he was going to die. I said, "You are absolutely not going to die. If you died, then I would have to die." He responded, "You can't die, what about S (his sister)." He, of course, was right. But still...<br /><br />Last night, my daughter then told me she felt like we didn't love her anymore (she wasn't in the car when my son and I had the conversation). Which made me feel horrible! I had to reassure her that we loved her with everything we had and that would never, ever change. She was very worried about her brother but tried not to show it.<br /><br />I honestly don't know who I would be without my children. They are the most honest people I know. They teach me humility. They show me bravery. They give me strength when I don't feel it and I thank God for them every day.smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-45204635891514092972009-12-21T21:52:00.012-06:002009-12-28T21:18:52.289-06:00Book ReviewsI'm catching up on my book reviews. These are just a few of the ones I loved.<br /><br /><em>Graceling by Kristin Cashore</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXCBGph-KQ5MZ9FKxUVPtxroP488N2ac06P-roWnxCgnL4bQXvfy9yZNmcJmYvyxBDwelMw_7wABOMRLwp_9HVj03-t3lFgrZD27tDzV1_eFBMnI527aW2elKFmz2SK9_aiItdMs7eTo/s1600-h/37590434%5B1%5D.jpg"><em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417911396292494434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXCBGph-KQ5MZ9FKxUVPtxroP488N2ac06P-roWnxCgnL4bQXvfy9yZNmcJmYvyxBDwelMw_7wABOMRLwp_9HVj03-t3lFgrZD27tDzV1_eFBMnI527aW2elKFmz2SK9_aiItdMs7eTo/s400/37590434%5B1%5D.jpg" /></em></a><em>Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight-- she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug.</em><br /><br /><em>She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace--or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.</em><br /><br />I don't know what I expected from this book but it outweighed my expectations. I'm always a sucker for a good romance and for a strong character who clearly knows who she is and what she wants. Don't get me wrong, she did change throughout and was even stronger at the end. This is a great read. Now, Santa can you bring me her next book...Fire?<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtVl2VOz80UDPnom7XSQ-VPVizsoE66FSYhv1p_mVp0RfI1hgnq8sC890CcLcG8V-9EJits2o0t7t85X3P3eX9TeKUW0SkiISjWVjsvWIc6y2A16xwzLXbYmzMaZJAT1dU5quMgvmEjM/s1600-h/35662310%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417932067795856210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtVl2VOz80UDPnom7XSQ-VPVizsoE66FSYhv1p_mVp0RfI1hgnq8sC890CcLcG8V-9EJits2o0t7t85X3P3eX9TeKUW0SkiISjWVjsvWIc6y2A16xwzLXbYmzMaZJAT1dU5quMgvmEjM/s400/35662310%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> <em>Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink</em><br /><em>Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets. </em><br /><br /><em>Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust. </em><br /><br /><em>They just know they can't trust each other.</em><br /><br />I picked this book up at the library having never heard of it. From the very beginning it intrigued me and pulled me in. It had secrets all throughout that kept me guessing. The ending was quite the cliffhanger which always makes me want to pull my hair out! But in a good way. There are 2 more books forthcoming to make this a trilogy set. I can't wait to read them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPh6sGxwNRq7gBE9omYIR61DnfIFYB4CiB8lrHWd51Z1z2Kif5wejTWOK_OU973-w-FBxgZVh9ZQsa_ApGD8vhenFUApkm52PCg7IrOL2605zMDfSUTOl9W8KMxFNDfkGW-a0v1zk8DM/s1600-h/58343545_a%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486905092254146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPh6sGxwNRq7gBE9omYIR61DnfIFYB4CiB8lrHWd51Z1z2Kif5wejTWOK_OU973-w-FBxgZVh9ZQsa_ApGD8vhenFUApkm52PCg7IrOL2605zMDfSUTOl9W8KMxFNDfkGW-a0v1zk8DM/s400/58343545_a%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> <em>If I Stay by Gayle Forman</em><br /><br /><em>In a single moment everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...</em><br /><em></em><br />This book is written so beautifully. The way Gayle Forman intertwined back story throughout is absolutely amazing. I don't know if it's because I'm in the medical field, but this book made me boo-hoo through most of it and spoke to my heart. The characters were jumping out of the pages. This has been one of my favorite books...okay, yes I'll say it....Ever. Praise to Ms. Forman for writing this book. Loved this book!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyVWTy9R2WOFCduX8Q2Vt44Jpg4yV-fqNngaAFKnP2031aqsCpm__CnsNEDpvmMSDf8vwqbVbEcS77gffg6frDH3d1SwwbTysvtgzvxFHMoeSt5sxGWgQghbKf_w3IekfKtYBTj_D1CM/s1600-h/51nJ3eDhl5L._SL160_AA115_%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486396921877842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyVWTy9R2WOFCduX8Q2Vt44Jpg4yV-fqNngaAFKnP2031aqsCpm__CnsNEDpvmMSDf8vwqbVbEcS77gffg6frDH3d1SwwbTysvtgzvxFHMoeSt5sxGWgQghbKf_w3IekfKtYBTj_D1CM/s400/51nJ3eDhl5L._SL160_AA115_%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><em>Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins</em><br /><br /><em>Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.</em><br /><br /><p>This is the second book in the Hunger Games triology and it did not disappoint. It was a page turner which kept me up all night reading. It made me talk out loud to the book as I read. "Gale. No wait, Peeta. Umm..okay, choose Gale." I was as confused as Katniss on who to love more. Sorry if that was a little spoiler. These books are so different and compelling. Of course I wished I'd thought of something like this. Can't wait for the last book to come out 2010!</p><br /><p></p><br /><p>Happy reading and writing.</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74x9gW_RZNBtDuBnDYnerzCkqN3MR5OMQvSXi8KnvQKqeeUkG30Q7Dc221BqF6dGjaSUj8iQf8vIhjwZ_KNUxrMHX0kZ98IZw2jSUW2JhfTtUpYUNM7zPs6K2GVj1Eps-uYfX1dflJk4/s1600-h/51nJ3eDhl5L._SL160_AA115_%5B1%5D.jpg"></a></p>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-22239793567041648842009-11-28T18:37:00.012-06:002009-11-29T23:47:33.771-06:00A little goes a long way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFmeZ9m6i5wxV_pje-HmBMpUg8JwPr1kAcTsrrOyKdbMMGhUJkYO3XY-S4Y-xWMQakijyxJ6MjM_x1hL0vzWKOk8F3Xb71z6jjl6HL7mJdzmrhnLEO3m4FtTfWCUK1bFjMF61-KD1zN8/s1600/PB290207.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758182711173970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFmeZ9m6i5wxV_pje-HmBMpUg8JwPr1kAcTsrrOyKdbMMGhUJkYO3XY-S4Y-xWMQakijyxJ6MjM_x1hL0vzWKOk8F3Xb71z6jjl6HL7mJdzmrhnLEO3m4FtTfWCUK1bFjMF61-KD1zN8/s400/PB290207.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Last weekend a friend of mine and I went to Quartz Mountain to do some much needed writing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />See all that I got done!!! (Yeah, okay 2 scenes are blank but still... at least it's colorful)<br /><br /><br /><br />We had a wonderful time and did some sightseeing as well. It was nice to get away from the noise of the city (and of my children) ~smile...but mostly just to get better acquainted with my characters and their story.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekeeXWJbAczcJ8q1rg6-8PdUo_I_wARXG_MFxawhGKMi3I9nOf9JA_hv_arH9UiKdVpdPbPN92moy9x3SIOiR3K9CfolDUA38KpQ4jikj1B36u5eeZYeSDoV1i4n69XZ-_lZhTdp15g8/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758199922882290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekeeXWJbAczcJ8q1rg6-8PdUo_I_wARXG_MFxawhGKMi3I9nOf9JA_hv_arH9UiKdVpdPbPN92moy9x3SIOiR3K9CfolDUA38KpQ4jikj1B36u5eeZYeSDoV1i4n69XZ-_lZhTdp15g8/s400/DSC_0433.JPG" /></a> It is quite beautiful there.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3W9IPIYxfng4ZoYGpY3tJlPxlAKMS4T4OvlqL2J8RZg6YzwxCmDTANLCKd56frM7by4W9Sey2ZuIb-oBu3DrCA0M40C1S84CLARIXg7S3JK8deibvfPP_qeopqZN7MW-IJFnzd4WIwU/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758207810400834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3W9IPIYxfng4ZoYGpY3tJlPxlAKMS4T4OvlqL2J8RZg6YzwxCmDTANLCKd56frM7by4W9Sey2ZuIb-oBu3DrCA0M40C1S84CLARIXg7S3JK8deibvfPP_qeopqZN7MW-IJFnzd4WIwU/s400/DSC_0434.JPG" /></a><br />You didn't know we had such diversity of landscape in Oklahoma, did you?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1v-ZixswXz3DfXBs4Hlg_5XHqD-cDFKWmtuyvCg94gnECJonRQDZk6MTGw_P8joplY9VAZJuZtKabI-7DWPZP3oNdsoTpGbvHIY6n9uaBVM1Sz35zGydxPIsWlLMigDoU4PkfYhinEk/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409762873375782818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1v-ZixswXz3DfXBs4Hlg_5XHqD-cDFKWmtuyvCg94gnECJonRQDZk6MTGw_P8joplY9VAZJuZtKabI-7DWPZP3oNdsoTpGbvHIY6n9uaBVM1Sz35zGydxPIsWlLMigDoU4PkfYhinEk/s400/DSC_0403.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpK8HvpsCAfNjmTO_pt4Kq7-fkDwL1UNFL7GPzzyzuMRThq-2ww2GWdUpgI7_-NCXQxg-I2eOejg4lhwf3quqIUlckIlccqDyahtxl8aERFdSkUs-8vedIzP64Arty-Pue8voexuWv40/s1600/DSC_0402.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409762868743004178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpK8HvpsCAfNjmTO_pt4Kq7-fkDwL1UNFL7GPzzyzuMRThq-2ww2GWdUpgI7_-NCXQxg-I2eOejg4lhwf3quqIUlckIlccqDyahtxl8aERFdSkUs-8vedIzP64Arty-Pue8voexuWv40/s400/DSC_0402.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37MKXq1OXloR5DXqlvE-OFA_2ozc__4DOdjIPfT0GV9GDDp16FzRbeY-5KbKIsGY2P0Ajkv-vb3HxIpCsESy5irqj4RldzMMxFjwYFxzqfJZA7GOMAiPmvOw_7u1sSIdTyjvhHQ2GfUg/s1600/DSC_0453.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758885228744226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37MKXq1OXloR5DXqlvE-OFA_2ozc__4DOdjIPfT0GV9GDDp16FzRbeY-5KbKIsGY2P0Ajkv-vb3HxIpCsESy5irqj4RldzMMxFjwYFxzqfJZA7GOMAiPmvOw_7u1sSIdTyjvhHQ2GfUg/s400/DSC_0453.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>This little guy posed and everything.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGNuuIjPiK3IJZelGLPTWp4hVPXwRU-tlAR59tYJNM8grE_9y4jofi5b9yP_FC5tUf-YPIhu8n1EdOJCu-krxPax5Wi1-kPn2psiYEFtrtvpfGlSZ2WtPSsjejX1k1JAzYZ0UIfX4HEY/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409762856788732450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGNuuIjPiK3IJZelGLPTWp4hVPXwRU-tlAR59tYJNM8grE_9y4jofi5b9yP_FC5tUf-YPIhu8n1EdOJCu-krxPax5Wi1-kPn2psiYEFtrtvpfGlSZ2WtPSsjejX1k1JAzYZ0UIfX4HEY/s400/DSC_0444.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div>And she did, too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpaYtadiVHlpacxtCV1xe6iXPqUzcgS1AGvRfrit7JRpuHIWHqGiZc0mbkjHtdJEr4h_2QRkCIxxRgNkgOFOQE_6ixq1mks2lciv8lXB6gtXW3xwZKW_ID6e2tw4EKH0prxIOEuLTcNM/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758893996904850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpaYtadiVHlpacxtCV1xe6iXPqUzcgS1AGvRfrit7JRpuHIWHqGiZc0mbkjHtdJEr4h_2QRkCIxxRgNkgOFOQE_6ixq1mks2lciv8lXB6gtXW3xwZKW_ID6e2tw4EKH0prxIOEuLTcNM/s400/DSC_0481.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0LY6cL5pVcz54TryBoL1fJK3mLn3fNkWikc8-aSl2Dl6FOpZRZw6nGB7GUArSck-AkiPd0GVE4R6FP2OXNbiqLgyb-qCg9s1izcukheDpADHzxc2A_cJSInaXPIRMnNd7UoLbl53r9I/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758891827188834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0LY6cL5pVcz54TryBoL1fJK3mLn3fNkWikc8-aSl2Dl6FOpZRZw6nGB7GUArSck-AkiPd0GVE4R6FP2OXNbiqLgyb-qCg9s1izcukheDpADHzxc2A_cJSInaXPIRMnNd7UoLbl53r9I/s400/DSC_0469.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa7tooyD37LgIRIPSmpk9rewUWZi1c6oqVKHfjH84oBY0c_EWRmMRQ3dqtfKHY8Wtdb8vusrq5ALXDAj5NvjDU2LxpGX4MQAD3Ci8UuhFTT5yAiYEgL28AJ12gu1zUeySMY_i5DuWeEw/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409758187109467490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa7tooyD37LgIRIPSmpk9rewUWZi1c6oqVKHfjH84oBY0c_EWRmMRQ3dqtfKHY8Wtdb8vusrq5ALXDAj5NvjDU2LxpGX4MQAD3Ci8UuhFTT5yAiYEgL28AJ12gu1zUeySMY_i5DuWeEw/s400/DSC_0394.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p>This sunset was absolutely breathtaking. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Now back to writing! Cheers.</p>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-38344107734315607802009-11-10T00:04:00.007-06:002009-11-15T21:58:56.481-06:00Something amazing, I guessI love the movie, The Incredibles. Especially the little neighbor boy who rides his tricycle around blowing bubblegum bubbles.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RGrptUPLkE0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RGrptUPLkE0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />It seems I have been waiting around for something amazing to happen with my writing without putting the effort in. I don't put BIC like I should. I write in spurts and always give myself big goals that are often unrealistic. Then I get downhearted when I can't live up to those goals and want to give up. And I have this little problem of wanting everything to be perfect --well at least in my writing.<br /><br />Yet, with all of that, I do believe in myself--that someday I will be published. And maybe, just maybe, something amazing will happen if I lay out my heart and piece together all the ordinaries and make them extraordinary.<br /><br />So...I have tucked away some time for this passion I have called writing. Booked in a place that will empty the cobwebs and wash away my worries. Yay!<br /><br />And hopefully I'll come home with something amazing (or the start of something amazing after 12 revisions, of course). Or even better, when I get that phone call from an agent they will yell.....<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/acYDNlMYAaI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/acYDNlMYAaI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />What? A girl can dream, can't she? :)smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-31813570756723555082009-10-19T23:30:00.003-05:002009-10-20T00:02:14.449-05:00InterviewsI am preparing to do an interview (as research) for a novel I started forever ago and finally dusted off. It's been one that is near to my heart, and I don't know why I strayed away from it. I'm a little nervous about doing an interview since I have never really done one for my writing life. I talk to people all day at my full-time job, but it's a little different talking about emotions and life-changing experiences with someone you hardly know. <br /><br />So...do any of you have any advice for me on what to do or what not to do? I don't want her to feel like I'm grilling her. How do you do your interviews? How long do they last? Do you do them over the phone or in person? Just asking.smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-89072557529737668172009-10-01T21:42:00.004-05:002009-10-04T20:50:05.626-05:0031 days of HalloweenMy friend and author, Susan Meyers, is blogging about the 31 days of Halloween. She is going to have fun puzzles, spooky haikus and ghostabulous illustrations to get you in the Halloweeny mood. Go check it out here <a href="http://susanameyers.blogspot.com/2009/10/31-days-of-halloween.html">http://susanameyers.blogspot.com/2009/10/31-days-of-halloween.html</a><br /><br />Happy Halloween!!smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-78044765691222403802009-09-07T21:19:00.003-05:002009-09-07T21:29:18.183-05:00ResearchI'm in the middle of digging up research for a YA novel. It just got me wondering how everyone else goes about this process and what resources you use. Any suggestions or recommendations?smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-82372528993749931262009-08-22T22:42:00.001-05:002009-08-22T22:42:21.640-05:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bHQ9MTI1MDk5ODg2NzQzNyZwdD*xMjUwOTk4OTM2MzkwJnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmb2Y9MA==.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.photobucket.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf?rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed797.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy252%2Fsaramc17%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/saramc17/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-77553415055702825832009-08-13T22:28:00.007-05:002009-08-13T23:29:56.655-05:00A Tribute to Niki<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xHwGDcsMBV_z_xxjwbKEmHu8CsHTIHEZCQG0ilGfqFjI_pnKC6xxk6JDocgaXuyVECA5trPag9kOdbiOHxMd_6AaRT1wpEdhn_iUDdaypx9cOqjUwXGcXRi8KroNHzP7muWFvtO9Hjk/s1600-h/P2170124.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369671456138039538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xHwGDcsMBV_z_xxjwbKEmHu8CsHTIHEZCQG0ilGfqFjI_pnKC6xxk6JDocgaXuyVECA5trPag9kOdbiOHxMd_6AaRT1wpEdhn_iUDdaypx9cOqjUwXGcXRi8KroNHzP7muWFvtO9Hjk/s400/P2170124.JPG" /></a> <div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div>My beautiful friend, Niki, passed away this week from a three year battle with hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). She was the most gracious, joyous, loving person I have ever met and she always had a smile on her face, even in the end.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>I feel very blessed to have been able to call her a friend. If I could only have a quarter of her gracefulness and dignity I would be so much closer to what God has intended for us. Niki touched every life she met with her quiet kindness, and I will miss her very much. I love you, Niki. Here's for you as you become a gorgeous butterfly. Enjoy your flight.</div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-euuJ6cHNqzoJ81yapP-ymep39tn0SOgwaQs5i8gMvxvhar6Rl9ltTj-bGOtnqAKQSmXxZaPfD7JOzaCtxBT1BW51IyFj1yalYFlvLDLzoJHOQkeISgwuF-PizwAaliF34IOqc__Pp68/s1600-h/butterflies-7%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369669155181354194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-euuJ6cHNqzoJ81yapP-ymep39tn0SOgwaQs5i8gMvxvhar6Rl9ltTj-bGOtnqAKQSmXxZaPfD7JOzaCtxBT1BW51IyFj1yalYFlvLDLzoJHOQkeISgwuF-PizwAaliF34IOqc__Pp68/s400/butterflies-7%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>(She loved butterflies)<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-91246791083842559542009-07-21T22:55:00.009-05:002009-07-21T23:54:43.000-05:00A few pics from vacationI know it's been too long since I blogged. I promise I'll try to keep up.<br /><br />My family went to the Riviera Maya in Mexico the end of June and had a nice, relaxing (okay, maybe not so relaxing with 2 kids arguing all the time) trip. It was very beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYEMCiP1DBjVZBvjcbVJfHRTmIVeGmpSYZIY0c-OCJuzUTVXxJtgOJjbiN8wtlmF9TqaiVEzs7LeXyLL8C-Ul0HBdfqgFGfVcZxlRrJCSUJdF6xOZ_vBdD53IFvPsCUjv7OB8FVGajCY/s1600-h/P6300333.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361130093628392450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYEMCiP1DBjVZBvjcbVJfHRTmIVeGmpSYZIY0c-OCJuzUTVXxJtgOJjbiN8wtlmF9TqaiVEzs7LeXyLL8C-Ul0HBdfqgFGfVcZxlRrJCSUJdF6xOZ_vBdD53IFvPsCUjv7OB8FVGajCY/s400/P6300333.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMcf7n0bkVanjsfgxLEl0Bs6LIs_x2lLimT8-HSjWU88R3wJotV2yj3vEYutYpklKa7TQ3r2P5LjuBvBp9xcIbh_Ovz7FH20hDeVsb6DdRvcmAkafCcW9Y9y4cCIw2X5Befiy1mhAy2k/s1600-h/DSC_0335.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361130085379212194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMcf7n0bkVanjsfgxLEl0Bs6LIs_x2lLimT8-HSjWU88R3wJotV2yj3vEYutYpklKa7TQ3r2P5LjuBvBp9xcIbh_Ovz7FH20hDeVsb6DdRvcmAkafCcW9Y9y4cCIw2X5Befiy1mhAy2k/s400/DSC_0335.JPG" /></a> It was raining pretty hard this morning so we took the time to go<br />shopping that day.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNUTNG-2fNRj42Yn3VyCEghlXxfYQ6ZQTffkjzq3qsKrysI-c5ZQOMMSFvF5OnYNcbU9QfHyw-RjkIqumyJHk4ZbBuYUMoIem1UgVex4bqOA1c8a8edECWN_FEmuprpLaz-DxCFqzjmY/s1600-h/DSC_0310.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361130080689555538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNUTNG-2fNRj42Yn3VyCEghlXxfYQ6ZQTffkjzq3qsKrysI-c5ZQOMMSFvF5OnYNcbU9QfHyw-RjkIqumyJHk4ZbBuYUMoIem1UgVex4bqOA1c8a8edECWN_FEmuprpLaz-DxCFqzjmY/s400/DSC_0310.JPG" /></a> They are acting like they like me or something??<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpn0vopOBHdQUf1qHsuS9jm14eS20IgZ4IeT8BNGrXCIJNbYEDsCUsQoBEe1rF7z2HERcjkTI0lXQcd2NCxAmfu34MsB-1kwqilUdx0sa_YFMMMA0IkjVN_QUKyXa9Pn5OdGt44xgUn0/s1600-h/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361130074407282594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpn0vopOBHdQUf1qHsuS9jm14eS20IgZ4IeT8BNGrXCIJNbYEDsCUsQoBEe1rF7z2HERcjkTI0lXQcd2NCxAmfu34MsB-1kwqilUdx0sa_YFMMMA0IkjVN_QUKyXa9Pn5OdGt44xgUn0/s400/DSC_0222.JPG" /></a> And here, they are acting like they like each other. Don't<br />be fooled. :)<br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ldDAtWogeXdEYVlGjZ1xGteSDJ6-_xYjgPX8y88A6HjW1WTvp4M2B3ngqtExb0H5ZGp6acTN23Wpj5Dg8aOAc0AmD8mTgxvGFw7swzooPITocgIe0W46D3aedSgx-z0Wek2ixcvRdkw/s1600-h/DSC_0339.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361131262158956114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ldDAtWogeXdEYVlGjZ1xGteSDJ6-_xYjgPX8y88A6HjW1WTvp4M2B3ngqtExb0H5ZGp6acTN23Wpj5Dg8aOAc0AmD8mTgxvGFw7swzooPITocgIe0W46D3aedSgx-z0Wek2ixcvRdkw/s400/DSC_0339.JPG" /></a> My husband and son at one of the many restaurants we went to. </div><br /><div></div><br /><a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361134829971236850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRz9XZUm3ou-HGsLutoy0V2qhq_LZYd29hfVGBKGEz8Q1kqtTG6qLYG3ZS71RfHduWfVmnihdRQhLKYoE_kWxilB5D4BHqYg6KYbkSBQQVufkUVqmujnozfswfVSchSGAdCoOgRfjyes/s400/DSCF0014.JPG" /></a> My kids went snorkeling in the ocean for the first time and loved it.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjw6w18nQdRTrmXu8Ae19qhef1sEOmOIH9Ou_7tLiU0Ci3mVylbsm-8wygJLJqsHg2pMDk7M9NRhyphenhyphen5rpSYWc5fcy7IKPvEg6_4Gd4m4pYJqHFzr_xeWNMpbOeRpRpq_kP3w8oEQAbd4Q/s1600-h/DSCF0194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361138858480911586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjw6w18nQdRTrmXu8Ae19qhef1sEOmOIH9Ou_7tLiU0Ci3mVylbsm-8wygJLJqsHg2pMDk7M9NRhyphenhyphen5rpSYWc5fcy7IKPvEg6_4Gd4m4pYJqHFzr_xeWNMpbOeRpRpq_kP3w8oEQAbd4Q/s400/DSCF0194.JPG" /></a> This was at Xcaret, a zoo/water park. Lots of walking, but tons of things to see.</div><div></div><div>Although it was nice, we were ready to get home. Too much togetherness or something?????<br /><br /><br /><div>We also got a new puppy when we got home, so I'll post a few pics of him next time. </div></div>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-21043541294013806002009-06-04T21:00:00.005-05:002009-06-04T21:36:59.905-05:00So... 10 years ago today I was at the hospital giving birth to my beautiful daughter. I never could have imagined time would fly so fast. I have tried to enjoy every moment- even the arguments- and especially the one on one time I get with her.<br /><br /><br />Pretty soon she won't need me so much and will probably be embarrassed to be seen with me. I have to remember back to that time in my life and think of all the problems that felt catastrophic to my ten-year-old-self.<br /><br /><br />It's hard to watch your children have struggles and not be able to do anything to help. Especially for girls. They have so many worries to contend with.<br /><br />All I know is...she is my heart.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpoZfsHvrNltNCoPD-pqEts9eKwwwdm6fc00woE3mzq_66zJRLrSK0HZDz3zNUhIiLFWq1FdvU4KcXZ4OPUb4_-QgB2XqD_lL7Xz2KxW-UlRvsqWI9cj6uLuHXq7HqqMT9cSwzeCRIs8/s1600-h/P3160142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343666176390903218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpoZfsHvrNltNCoPD-pqEts9eKwwwdm6fc00woE3mzq_66zJRLrSK0HZDz3zNUhIiLFWq1FdvU4KcXZ4OPUb4_-QgB2XqD_lL7Xz2KxW-UlRvsqWI9cj6uLuHXq7HqqMT9cSwzeCRIs8/s400/P3160142.JPG" border="0" /></a>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-36946166754482038492009-05-14T20:02:00.002-05:002009-05-14T20:15:05.316-05:00Books that make you go hmmm...This is a little late, but I blogged at <a href="http://www.kidlitcentralnews.com/">http://www.kidlitcentralnews.com/</a> today about reasons that make me fall in love with a book. Go check it out or see below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Many times I read a book and a week later think-- now what was that one about? Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but the characters just didn’t have that extra oomph that makes them stay with me. Could it be the plot is like every other one or the voice didn’t draw on my emotions? Maybe the setting is not unique or the story didn’t have enough layers? Perhaps the beginning didn’t pull me in or the ending left me unsatisfied? Hmmm…<br />This made me stop and really think about what makes me fall in love with a novel and why. Of course I want all the above in a story--I’m selfish that way-- but truly the characters have it hands down for me. I need to feel torn for them, know them like my best friend, and cheer for their successes. So what makes them memorable? Hmmm…<br />It’s different for everyone, but my thoughts are: they have to be a good person with some rotten luck, something I can empathize with. They have to change throughout the story and learn a bit about themselves. The main character has to believe in herself (who wants to listen to a whiney character). And mostly, they have to have honest relationships with the secondary characters. <br />The ending is the icing on the cake. I always wait for that fantastic ending that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling even after I close the cover. The ones that make me whisper wow. Those characters and their story I know I won’t forget.<br />“With a good beginning, people will read your story. With a good ending, they’ll remember it!”-- Janet Evanovich.<br />Some of my favorites are:<br />To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee<br />The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins<br /> A Great and Terrible Beauty series by Libba Bray<br />The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt<br />Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson<br />The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong<br />Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (Not a YA, but still great)<br />Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (I know, I know)<br />13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher<br />What makes a book stand out for you? I’d love to hear your comments. If you don’t know… maybe you should go grab one and start reading. Like you need a reason!</span>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-65506399393927357552009-05-11T19:20:00.003-05:002009-05-11T19:31:34.499-05:00Book Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14a4eqljaLLcRPsbfArAeNt9hPLgCtJ4LHCxl_cxWfaNoQzvMfOMhgam2HYKFT423stwA8zr3Ki-ZEblObdXAfFIjk0nE-u0p6S8bhan05NFYb-Kw1IrRwipzQ9zgGiaakOGjnwfFGo0/s1600-h/387px-The_wed%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334726073791032594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14a4eqljaLLcRPsbfArAeNt9hPLgCtJ4LHCxl_cxWfaNoQzvMfOMhgam2HYKFT423stwA8zr3Ki-ZEblObdXAfFIjk0nE-u0p6S8bhan05NFYb-Kw1IrRwipzQ9zgGiaakOGjnwfFGo0/s400/387px-The_wed%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.</em></div><div><em></em></div><div> </div><div>I loved this book. It had great voice, characterization and humor with so many layers woven throughout. It had me laughing out loud one moment and crying the next. Definitely one of my top choices from my reading list so far. Happy reading!</div>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-55088264784670242822009-05-04T20:12:00.008-05:002009-05-04T21:30:33.444-05:00A Mom's little poem<div align="left">Here's a poem that was inspired from a sweet calendar that my son made for me at Christmas. I don't know all the rules about poetry, but I loved how this turned out.<br /><br />My life, My son <p align="left">I open the book and see a handprint.<br />Your handprint.<br />All blues and yellows, oranges and greens,<br />smeared across the corners of my heart.<br />Tears flow and break like waves in a mother’s ocean.<br />Overwhelming pride envelops my soul<br />as pictures of flowers and fish, pumpkins and turkeys<br />pass before my eyes.<br />All painted carefully with my child’s love.<br />Your love.<br />No one knows, but I see your blue eyes<br />flash through the kaleidoscope of my memories.<br />Sweet temperament with sun kissed blonde hair.<br />Then…growing and learning fast.<br />Now…knowing more than your parents.<br />Soon…going off on your own.<br />My little boy smiling, and becoming a young man.<br />My life. </p><p></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J5j77o50WXcRbIzgG_r4Rajmofh5sKy_tK-fdc3boRz6E0iDoHlllv1f3RKEK7rWGyRG8_1947toVS9jpihsagWYpH6y0nLplb1zxk4sIBRSB-91tpKlV81E3mI1m64H4I7JfgrD7Pw/s1600-h/P3160126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332158777067362162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J5j77o50WXcRbIzgG_r4Rajmofh5sKy_tK-fdc3boRz6E0iDoHlllv1f3RKEK7rWGyRG8_1947toVS9jpihsagWYpH6y0nLplb1zxk4sIBRSB-91tpKlV81E3mI1m64H4I7JfgrD7Pw/s400/P3160126.JPG" border="0" /></a></p></div><p> </p><p> </p>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-56849080464233587612009-04-25T22:33:00.004-05:002009-04-25T23:00:58.612-05:00The Hunger Games<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF0iTl9STNdm0o-oRhafThDlfKAuZfsyw7d4B1Ummkwy0lrlrVOiIN6tF4kTY-dxzH5yfGgrPh6kMTQodJyBF1OyvfjncUQfdI26x3lzCmRZTyv8HJd4Ohh3_OzhnclJILJ8CPLrLVKw/s1600-h/27357078%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328839549541785954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF0iTl9STNdm0o-oRhafThDlfKAuZfsyw7d4B1Ummkwy0lrlrVOiIN6tF4kTY-dxzH5yfGgrPh6kMTQodJyBF1OyvfjncUQfdI26x3lzCmRZTyv8HJd4Ohh3_OzhnclJILJ8CPLrLVKw/s200/27357078%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#330099;">Twenty- four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.<br />In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.<br />Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#330099;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;">All I have to say is... AMAZING! It was so addicting and drew you in from page one. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and the characters. I really felt for them. Suzanne Collins did an incredible job on this and deserves all the awards she has won for it. I didn't want the book to end. I would have liked to see the ending with her family and Gale but luckily the sequel, Catching Fire, will be out September 2009. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Awesome read!!!</span>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-19391254829894221442009-03-29T21:40:00.028-05:002009-04-05T19:41:40.116-05:00SCBWI- Oklahoma conferenceLast weekend we had an awesome conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. First let me tell you of all the worry everyone had beforehand. A big snow storm was suppose to blow in. And it did! I didn't get pics during the day, but you should have seen how beautiful it was. It snowed and snowed and snowed all day long. When we went to our cars, a foot of snow was piled on our hoods. (seriously)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5_VJ9Jk2Lph10bgE_U2sbOrXzScJVeLiyq1gLCw_s0DkM0Lhyf31pnpXk_ForEtx5MV-CqPuZWhdsR663ZGTYRxQLwgLyTSL0gr8IoBvau_WkHQRlfcT4KrSeufyC2YOpGhgfctXbC8/s1600-h/P3280176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318806235609841570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5_VJ9Jk2Lph10bgE_U2sbOrXzScJVeLiyq1gLCw_s0DkM0Lhyf31pnpXk_ForEtx5MV-CqPuZWhdsR663ZGTYRxQLwgLyTSL0gr8IoBvau_WkHQRlfcT4KrSeufyC2YOpGhgfctXbC8/s200/P3280176.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPfubH3o6IAAwFPSwJFgcwSm0OyXzSQtx3Y9KmYjF_cjc233H-mvYvSI6OxxKMb9DRu1rvNZicpeMAV5W4LHQ09eo0dK6WVf9tvJRWlqzpRQi6oyeSJnDKlh_t0-yheLTTzLtM71G5gY/s1600-h/P3280177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318806244368251538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPfubH3o6IAAwFPSwJFgcwSm0OyXzSQtx3Y9KmYjF_cjc233H-mvYvSI6OxxKMb9DRu1rvNZicpeMAV5W4LHQ09eo0dK6WVf9tvJRWlqzpRQi6oyeSJnDKlh_t0-yheLTTzLtM71G5gY/s200/P3280177.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFq0_JVDtYSmGkAv-nRqz3yJwA3gnQlmVoQ712zDrazKYXBb7OZEGJwGGEjfPQPLD3WXKz3UBLipLX_5m_sB8zLkEOEbE0WoXRqPLDvocz2pTHzv-kNkX4Z-x6PUxWd0cX5R2off6JHo/s1600-h/P3280165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320295313325762674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFq0_JVDtYSmGkAv-nRqz3yJwA3gnQlmVoQ712zDrazKYXBb7OZEGJwGGEjfPQPLD3WXKz3UBLipLX_5m_sB8zLkEOEbE0WoXRqPLDvocz2pTHzv-kNkX4Z-x6PUxWd0cX5R2off6JHo/s200/P3280165.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our first speaker, art director, Laurent Linn with Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers was fantastic. He was very funny and personable. He talked about the Anatomy of a Picture book.<br /><br /><br /><br />-The Physical--hardcover, paperback<br />-The Literary Sense--how it's perceived, the story<br />-What is a picture book ultimately?--it's about connecting with the kids<br /><br />And also...<br />Six PB genres:<br />1. Holiday Books<br />2. Folktale or Fairytale<br />3. A child's discovery of the world<br />4. Nonfiction<br />5. Poetry<br />6. Animals<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PYJ87b-35HHohn-vdfGgDCI_QU2d-P2MkxmSkq9EekvskgYsSdoJmxIil5-NGRtq7c8qbBRelZJ2KqglU8le-lnJlXLf_wdUAXEQYXcgBzLANRiAV7ulnL1TQ9B8Tug_d1dATWSpSMY/s1600-h/P3280169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320296267979269394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PYJ87b-35HHohn-vdfGgDCI_QU2d-P2MkxmSkq9EekvskgYsSdoJmxIil5-NGRtq7c8qbBRelZJ2KqglU8le-lnJlXLf_wdUAXEQYXcgBzLANRiAV7ulnL1TQ9B8Tug_d1dATWSpSMY/s200/P3280169.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Next, the very sweet, Mary Kate Castellani from Walker Books for Young Readers shared the Five Elements that Make or Break a Manuscript.<br /><br /><br /><br />-Plot: has to be unique and intriguing<br />-Characterization: reader has to care about your character, know them like they are real<br />-Voice: essential<br />-Setting: needs to be weaved throughout, it can sometimes be its own character<br />-Details: Show don't tell, can write physical look of character by comparing to someone else- immediate picture<br /><br />She read from several books to demonstrate these elements.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zKs91RgsGOoVAlN0LyL2VqTtQydHWcJYwumV1ozJvTeooCwyXxERx6JUf5Puc-yxlb2MtSVLUEK5oW7yFl_lV8zMttHzl9KrzvFeYWnfOzMOxrxJmc5BUT1V8ff9bBYb2WXw3iG-5Tg/s1600-h/P3280160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321307311947061746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zKs91RgsGOoVAlN0LyL2VqTtQydHWcJYwumV1ozJvTeooCwyXxERx6JUf5Puc-yxlb2MtSVLUEK5oW7yFl_lV8zMttHzl9KrzvFeYWnfOzMOxrxJmc5BUT1V8ff9bBYb2WXw3iG-5Tg/s200/P3280160.JPG" border="0" /></a> After Mary Kate came Kristin Daly with Harper Collins. She was such fun and seemed excited to be there. She spoke about Bridging the Picture Book-Middle Grade Gap: The Role of Easy-to-Reads and Chapter Books<br /><br /><br />Easy to Reads:<br />1. Content-good story or plot<br />2. Character- appealing protagonist<br />3. Format issues-Vocabulary, language<br />4. Rhythm and Repetition<br />5. Sentence structure-avoid dependent clauses<br />6. Illustrations-interaction between pictures and text<br /><br /><br />Chapter Books:<br />*Age group:<br />Early Readers 4-8<br />MG- 8-12<br />CB-8-10, word count- 5,000-6,000 younger; 9,000-10,000 older<br /><br />Most important things of Chapter Books:<br />-Edited with audiences reading level in mind<br />-Black and white illustrations<br />-Plots are straightforward, character based<br />-Most are part of a series<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4px4_1Cusjo3XYkwN1LkPmo-N8pLOdgUcYaloDrU-gg3zDz5OyqUtrD_2u-nI04suYXgjr8hYCPcCMowqqbHmwKctV1UKrLUEDZ4ZqDBLzJeyfzOHKbtOkH-r7uhkcVCb_60ah1i0Qns/s1600-h/P3280162.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321308085206927250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4px4_1Cusjo3XYkwN1LkPmo-N8pLOdgUcYaloDrU-gg3zDz5OyqUtrD_2u-nI04suYXgjr8hYCPcCMowqqbHmwKctV1UKrLUEDZ4ZqDBLzJeyfzOHKbtOkH-r7uhkcVCb_60ah1i0Qns/s200/P3280162.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Then after lunch, we listened to Gail Gross, Royalty consultant. She went over things an author should look for in a contract. (These are pieced together because there was so much info)<br /><br /><br />1. Author or author's representative has right to review books of publisher<br />2. Right to review relevant records maintained by publisher with respect to any royalty statement not locked in.<br />3. Era<br />4. Look back clause-don't reject right to look at royalty statement within certain amount of time.<br /><br />Deciphering Royalty statement (after 1st advance paid and check deposited)<br />1. How many total copies of books were sold in royalty period cumulative sales<br />2. Are royalties properly calculated<br />3. Royalty cover price-number of units and royalty<br />4. Special sales clause-outside of normal channels of distribution(eg. dog book sold at animal stores, vet clinics etc)<br />5. What are the reserve for returns?<br />6. Sub-rights-deals publisher makes with other publishers-reprint rights etc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKrGgRmHhJdo2AuuBzNAoCgFb2ZyCh8YdCA3TbfgE8xdF55wqKtTnr1U3DSgXqff3b4Bhbaae0AbIHoUgIWbfcYtHukhdoNBmylBxiWrNIW-OUMuqW_0eUTqK6SQmx52INie-STKBwlo/s1600-h/P3280171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321305826404883522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKrGgRmHhJdo2AuuBzNAoCgFb2ZyCh8YdCA3TbfgE8xdF55wqKtTnr1U3DSgXqff3b4Bhbaae0AbIHoUgIWbfcYtHukhdoNBmylBxiWrNIW-OUMuqW_0eUTqK6SQmx52INie-STKBwlo/s200/P3280171.JPG" border="0" /></a> Next up was Abigail Samoun, Tricycle Press-Crown Books. She sat at my table at lunch and seemed genuinely interested in what we all had to say. She spoke of Three Wheeling down the Road to Publication.<br /><br /><br />The Editor's Role:<br />-They guide project through development<br />-Champions project<br />-Offers guidance and suggestions<br />-Acts as keeper of story's logic and clarity<br />-Helps to find illustrator<br />-Helps art director<br />-Communicates with production staff<br /><br />Rejection Letters:<br />-Respect their history<br />-Keep a collection and treat yourself after you get so many, shows you are trying<br />-If advice is given, consider it carefully then follow up<br /><br />The PB process:<br />From manuscript to finished book<br />I. Editing your manuscript<br />Pre-offer<br />-Does proposed format fit story? Intended audience? Topic?<br />-Story arc<br />-Point of view<br />-Back and front matter<br />-the development letter<br /><br /><br />Post-offer<br />-Rhyme scheme<br />-Language level<br />-Ending<br /><br /><br />II. Paginations<br />-how the text will fit on every page<br /><br /><br />III. Working with illustrator<br />-finding perfect artist for project<br /><br /><br />IV. Illustrations<br /><br />V.Printing<br />-takes months<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7F9ayVdct4OCKDroBhtjyXqFQ-Xx8fYvEPhlXwofe5onJPm0RVdCsMVDXCiiNauvuGuQxymivE48q2l1HG6lwEvGfY023PiQjaIMwRexr85E2_zxYtpBv2v2OsXjri1OWr7DOzTMZYs/s1600-h/P3280164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321308649173146594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7F9ayVdct4OCKDroBhtjyXqFQ-Xx8fYvEPhlXwofe5onJPm0RVdCsMVDXCiiNauvuGuQxymivE48q2l1HG6lwEvGfY023PiQjaIMwRexr85E2_zxYtpBv2v2OsXjri1OWr7DOzTMZYs/s200/P3280164.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />To end the day we had agent, Elana Roth from the Caren Johnson Literary Agency. She gave us a great metaphor for relationships with agents.<br /><br /><br /><br />Dating:<br />1. Make sure your book is ready<br />2. Know what you're looking for (check out websites. Find one that reps what you write. Do your homework!)<br />3. Put yourself out there- conferences, queries, use words masterfully<br />4. Do's and Don'ts<br />-Do check blogs and websites for submission guidelines<br />-Don't e-mail or call for submission guidelines<br />-Do spell names correctly<br />-Don't say "This can appeal to all readers everywhere," or "My kids love it."<br />-Don't burn bridges<br />-Don't e-mail back and ask why you got rejected<br />-Do be clear in queries about your book<br />-Do be patient when waiting on response<br /><br /><br />The Call: Questions to ask<br />1. Ask about communication style (How quickly do you get back to me? e-mail, phone)<br />2. What is agents vision for your career (What publishers do they work with?)<br />3. What kind of editorial work do you provide?<br />4. Foreign rights? Film rights?<br />5. Go with your gut, level of enthusiasm, intelligence<br /><br />Run away if: (for agents)<br />1. Lack of focus, poor submission history<br />2. Too many manuscripts under the bed<br />3. Crazy- personality just doesn't click<br /><br /><br />Run away if (for writers)<br />1. Shady history-no background, not enough sales<br />2. Money- wants money up front<br />3. High turnover- staff, writers<br /><br /><br />Marriage:<br />1. Sign Contract- responsibilities, clauses<br />2. Balance of Power- partnership BUT author provides product, agent provides guidance<br />3. Communication- Be clear and honest with one another<br />4. Be kept informed and speak up if not happy<br /><br /><br />Divorce:<br />Agent should be passionate about your writing<br />Relationships sometimes change<br /><br />1. Client not producing<br />2. If relationship is not working, do not stick it out<br />3. Terminate your agent before finding a new one<br />4. You deserve any and all rights<br />5. Don't burn bridges; be on best behavior<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqti3BMn-g50fxmPNxvEz4Opr2NkUAuqTXlM67R1NeXAADKYXex4h90H90hfy6DcDbkSN1qQIbO-hpJtN0iDoKxv4lBUiQC7I1TwnMke0-krfzyntkX-Bh1RQe5PNKdgu4kKLrKED1Nc/s1600-h/P3280173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321309367536309714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqti3BMn-g50fxmPNxvEz4Opr2NkUAuqTXlM67R1NeXAADKYXex4h90H90hfy6DcDbkSN1qQIbO-hpJtN0iDoKxv4lBUiQC7I1TwnMke0-krfzyntkX-Bh1RQe5PNKdgu4kKLrKED1Nc/s200/P3280173.JPG" border="0" /></a> All of the speakers were amazing and friendly. Many of us went to dinner afterwards and had a great time getting to know them a little bit better. Kristen Daly sat beside me at dinner and she said our regional advisor, Anna Myers, was a rock star!! Anna really went above and beyond to make the guests feel welcome. Between Anna and our assistant regional advisor, Darlina Eichman, they never disappoint at our conferences. Thank you, Anna and Darlina, for always taking care of your Oklahoma writers.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGEE07RrUn9oGPIjjoYbnjwM4uMEg4pnFKyYQcYUm9hSgAyj604mDLxKQZ4deij3q1-Nb8zGRQZoUK2MStg4zc-ZJkJDKePCKq84Sl5qjWD1eBhrNfaFhN98UgbZYZbE6MaYakK3btKg/s1600-h/P3280172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321315143027020610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGEE07RrUn9oGPIjjoYbnjwM4uMEg4pnFKyYQcYUm9hSgAyj604mDLxKQZ4deij3q1-Nb8zGRQZoUK2MStg4zc-ZJkJDKePCKq84Sl5qjWD1eBhrNfaFhN98UgbZYZbE6MaYakK3btKg/s200/P3280172.JPG" border="0" /></a> May our next conference be as wonderful as this one was. Spring conference 2009.smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-78398995700336570742009-03-20T12:47:00.006-05:002009-03-20T13:28:50.313-05:00Oklahoma writer, Darleen Bailey Beard, author of many children's books-including (PBs)The Pumpkin Man from Piney Creek and Twister;<br />(CBs)The Flimflam man and Annie Glover is NOT a Tree Lover (fall, 2009) and novels, The Babbs Switch Story and Operation Clean Sweep is now offering a Critique Service for writers.<br /><br />You can check out her website at <a href="http://darleenbaileybeard.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">http://darleenbaileybeard.com/</span></a> to find out just how involved she is in the children's book industry and with other writers.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Her Manuscript Critique Fees are:<br /><br />$6.00* per page--includes line-by-line editing of your manuscript PLUS a typed critique that explains in detail the line-by-line editing, offering suggestions and helpful advice. <strong>*4 page minimum</strong></span><br /><strong></strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">$5.00 per page--for manuscripts over 20 pages<br /><br />$4.00 per page--for manuscripts over 50 pages<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">All manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced for easy editing. SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) required.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">If interested please contact Darleen at </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">darleenbaileybeard@sbcglobal.net</span>smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354395191668935000.post-34245770374587830862009-03-03T21:11:00.002-06:002009-03-03T21:31:41.477-06:00So for my birthday my sister sent me a Barnes and Noble giftcard. Yay! But really what I got at the bookstore was the best present I could have ever asked for. <br />My son, C, who's seven went straight to the middle grade section and picked "The Monsters of Morley Manor" by Bruce Coville. This made me proud that he wanted to read up from the chapter books he has been reading. The week before he had read 100 pages from Charlie Bone in 1 day. <br /><br />Then my daughter, S, decided she wanted a diary. I let them go off with Grammy while I perused the YA's. C came back with a cool journal and said he wanted that too. I didn't think much about this until later at home when he was excitedly writing in it. I told him boys called them journals, but he insisted his was a diary. Who cares as long as he's having fun writing in it. Woohoo. <br /><br />I have always worried that he wouldn't like reading and now I'm relieved, for now, that he does.smeadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555347902890935093noreply@blogger.com2