The Wad

How Did You Become You? By Sharon

2009-09-09T21:46:00.003-04:00

Everyone has someone who inspired them, supported them, and helped to make them into who they are today. My Grandad is one of the many people who helped me become me. He lives about 2,000 miles away from me and has for thirty-five years. He is eighty-nine and has always believed in me, no matter what.

Who is that person who helped you become you?

Hidden Talents by Sharon

2009-08-31T19:35:00.005-04:00

This week I was reorganizing my office and discovered an ink drawing I did years ago. I forgot how much I loved to draw. So often we get bogged down with day to day things that we forget to do things we enjoy. Sometimes we even forget that we ever enjoyed doing them. I hope everyone will take a momment and think about what they used to love to do for fun and haven't done in a long time. Myself, I'm going to dig out some paper and drawing pencils.

What have you loved and forgotten? Maybe you can pick it back up.

Toilets Through Time by Sharon

2009-08-03T15:12:00.002-04:00

Have you ever really sat down and thought about toilets? The above photo actually shows a toilet in a castle. Yep, that crevice between the keep and the castle wall is the toilet. While I was in England I photographed several unique toilets. So be prepared for some interesting photos.

Do you have an odd obsession? I'm thinking this might be mine.

Happy writing and reading!

If It's Not One Thing It's Another by Sharon

2009-06-21T22:54:00.002-04:00

Do you ever feel like one crisis leads to another? Last week we were at the cabin and our dishwasher quit (for good). So I headed into town to purchase a new dishwasher. Everyone who knows me, knows everything has to match or I'll obsess until it has been fixed. So I got a new stove and hood too. All went well and everything matches. (Big smile!)

Tuesday night I was helping my hubby get ready for a trip. I was doing washing so he would have his three new shirts for the trip. I thought the dryer had been running a long time, so I went to check it. I opened the door and the dryer kept running. I couldn't turn it off! When I finally got it to stop, it would not start again...So off to another appliance store. Of cource, I had to have a new matching washer. They are better for the environmental and the long-term pocket. (Big smile!)

Smitty's didn't have them in stock and won't until I'm on vacation...(The laundry keeps on piling up and hate to go to the neighbors again.) Than goodness they are bringing a loaner to use until we get back from vacation.

As far as the weather goes, I've decided if the snow isn't mounting up, the skies open up with rain and tornado's. We spent about an hour in the basement bathroom. It missed us. So far the news isn't reporting any injuries or deaths. (Huge relief!)

If it's not one thing it's another...

My appliance breaking down/bad weather month (hopefully) is over? What about you? Do you have something to share or to vent about?

Happy writing and reading.

What is Too Many? by Sharon

2009-06-04T14:54:00.003-04:00

Recently, I heard that the average American woman has 42 pairs of shoes. After an inventory of my shoes I have 41 pairs of shoes, sandals and boots. (I put 4 pair in the charity pile.) Since our move, the closet and shoe storage have been a huge issue for my husband and I. This week (while he was out of town) I fixed the problem. I purchased a 25 pair shoe rack and moved some shelving around to accommodate my boots and few extra pairs of sandals. It appears that I need to go shopping for at least one new pair of shoes, so I'll be average. But who wants to be average...

How many pairs of shoes do you have? Do you need to catch up to become average? Are you above average already?

Susan's Book of the Month for May

2009-06-03T22:20:00.003-04:00

My favorite book(s) this month were the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. The first and second were my favorites, after that they got a bit far-fetched with saving the planet, etc., but I still loved them because by then I loved the characters. My thirteen-year-old daughter and a lot of her friends are devoted Max fans now (okay, I admit it, I am too).

Book of the Month

2009-06-01T17:40:00.002-04:00

What was the best book you read this month?

Sharon-TWISTED by Laurie Halse Anderson-A great male teen protagonist who encounters lots of twists and turns throughout the book. I loved the logic and emotions that Tyler uses.

What Thrills You? by Sharon

2009-05-26T21:14:00.002-04:00

I love adventures, well safe adventures. The most thrilling thing I've ever done was to fly in a helicopter without my husband's hand to hold on to. I thought I was going to be sick when I was waiting alone at the airport. I was pretty sure I was going to be sick as I walked out to the launch pad. I was turning green as I climbed into my seat in the helicopter. Then a kind gentleman sitting beside the pilot turned around. He said, "Don't worry he won't crash with me on board. I'm his Dad." The color began to return to my face as we took off. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done, as we flew over and in the Grand Canyon I was overwhelmed by nature's beauty. It felt like that momment I first saw my daughter.

So, what thrills you?

Interview News

2009-05-06T11:52:00.006-04:00

Just wanted to post the links to my first two interviews! [eek!]

My Q&A with fellow PM Moon author Scott Heydt is here.

And my first-ever radio interview will be Thursday, May 7th (tomorrow night!) at 9:15 eastern time. Marcus Harris with Voices & Vibes will be talking with me about my book, the PM Moon contest and probably the weather, since I'll run out of things to say long before the 45 minutes is up.
You can listen to the interview at Blog Talk Radio.
Hit the "Click to Listen" button.

What Inspires You? by Sharon

2009-04-28T09:15:00.002-04:00

What inspires you? My teenage daughter and I took a road trip last weekend. It was a six cd trip, literally. I let her choose the music. For the most part it was very enjoyable. When her newest acquisition started I was a bit concerned, it was rather risque. By the second song I loved the guy. By the third song, I had her jotting down notes in my "car" idea book. The song that really hit a nerve for me was called Roots. It is something anyone who has had struggles to improve their lives can relate to. The artist is Flo Rida. I hope you get a chance to listen to it. As Randy Jackson would say, "We've got a hot one, tonight!"

You can find inspiration anywhere...in an old picture album...a favorite book...a memory box...or in your teenager's cd collection. What inspires you?

Happy writing!

How Many Have you Read? by Sharon

2009-04-23T21:31:00.003-04:00

I am nine books away from reading 100 books since the WAD was formed in July. I have read 60 picture books, 17 mid-grade/easy reader chapter books, 8 young adults, 2 adult novels and 4 non-fiction books. About two months ago I began taking notes as I read each book. For the picture books, I not only jotted down about the ups and downs of the storyline, but also how many pages there were of actual text. In the books I am using to research the World War II (in England) era, I made notes of language, setting, and behaviors that would be unusual here in the United States. I think by actively taking notes as I'm reading, I am gaining a better understanding of what I want my books to look like. I encourage everyone to study as they read...

How many books have you read since Chautauqua? Are you keeping track of them?

Happy reading and writing.

Memories of Last July

2009-04-22T14:56:00.003-04:00

by Mjr. Moron

So--I was looking up Heidi's address today in my Chautauqua conference book, and I found the little notebook/journal I kept while I was there. OMG. I was such a goofball, I can't believe any of you ever spoke to me, other than poor Robin who was my captive audience all the way from Erie.

Here are a few choice highlights--sadly verbatim (Kimmee, THIS is how you get to be a MAJOR Moron):

7/12/08
Pre-opening dinner thoughts:
-why? why didn't I bring liquid eyeliner?
-why didn't I try on this stupid orange skirt before I left so I could see that it shrank in the dryer?
-why am I so sticky?
-is it time yet?
-why don't I own a watch?
-Ah--humidity. I'd forgotten what that's like.
-why did I agree to a room with no air conditioning?
-OH MY GOD WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY HAIR?
-maybe I can put my sunglasses on my hair and hold it down.
-maybe I could put my belt on my hair to hold it down.
-why didn't I bring a belt?
-i think it's time to go.
-please, whatever gods may exist here, please don't let me be too afraid to talk to anyone.
-especially the famous ones.
-but don't let me say anything stupid.
-guess I better go.
-HEY! Where do I go?

Have you ever wondered about... By Sharon aka Sapphire

2009-04-21T23:18:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered about the history of toilets? I think about it quite often. I was raised in a small rural village in England. The home I remember the most only had tap water in the kitchen. In other words, no toilet, tub or shower! The walk down the path to the loo seemed like it was miles. You had to walk past the swing, the garden, the apple tree, and the shed. My best friend convinced me there was a witch living in the shed. I'm pretty sure she was just messing with me. I remember when her dad bought home a portable toilet that we all shared in a shed next to our row of houses. I wonder who emptied the portable? Where did they empty it? Oh, now I'm really starting to worry...I'll try and refocus. The photograph is of a toilet in a Roman fort on Hadiran's Wall in the north of England. In the center of the photo is a long "bowl" this is where the Romans kept the sponges they used to wipe there you know whats with...They sat along the edge and grabbed a sponge when needed. I guess in retrospect, the walk to the toilet and the portable toilet weren't so bad. At least I didn't have to sit with a bunch of Romans and share sponges. Ick!

I'm A Nut by Sharon aka Sapphire

2009-04-20T16:59:00.003-04:00

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I'm a nut?" Well, I'm pretty sure I'm a nut...I keep writing stories, sending them out to the WAD, printing their reviews, putting them into a pile and starting a new story. How am I ever going to get any rejections or dare I say it...acceptances if I don't get anything polished enough to submit to anyone. I keep in touch with several of the editors from Chautauqua, but what good is that if I never send them anything. You would think with my amazingly hard life..working out, feeding the pets, cleaning house, going shopping, and taking care of my family...I would get the gumption to send something out. I am challenging myself to send out one manuscript buy the end of the month.

I challenge you to do the same! Happy writing, revising and going to the post office!

bah humbug

2009-04-06T18:32:00.003-04:00

I hate technology. At my house, we have two malfunctioning copiers, one broken laptop, one brand new laptop that is doing some seriously messed up things and one PC desktop that is in pieces with the computer technician. That PC is only about 2-1/2 years old, so crashes can happen to anybody. I have no idea if they'll be able to retrieve the data from it...much less salvage the drive itself.

So, I'm telling you right now. BACK-UP YOUR STUFF!!! Not just the stuff you know you need to back-up, like your writing, etc. Back-up all of your documents! If we aren't able to get my data off, I'm going to lose three years worth of photos; all the planning I've done for the school carnival; all my favorite websites; all my billing data (which for some reason I didn't think was important enough to back up).

And since I have a few back-up files that aren't operating correctly...it wouldn't hurt to have a back-up for your back-up...just in case.

Other Fun News

2009-04-02T11:59:00.002-04:00

My short story, Baby Steps, which won first place in my local library writing contest is finally being edited. I was beginning to think they weren't going to publish the compilation book they had planned...but they are. So, it's called Creek Kids and will come out in May (Yes, just a month from now! And no, I have no idea how they will pull everything together that fast!)

Lastly, I am 99% sure I'm going to the Utah SCBWI conference in November...in case anyone has a burning desire to go to Salt Lake City in November. Any takers? They're going to have an agent (my old agent) Kendra Marcus there, along with an illustrator and an editor--I forgot who though. I'll post a link as soon as I get back on my real computer. I'm having trouble finding things on this lap top.

What news from you other Waddettes?

Hit Counter

2009-03-21T13:46:00.002-04:00

Hi All--
I added a hit counter, so we can see how many people are looking at our blog. :) I did it for my book blog, so I thought I'd do it for us too.
xo
-MMo

Random Susan Thoughts

2009-03-21T08:36:00.002-04:00

I once read that the best books come from ideas that have been percolating for a long time, preferably years. I definitely found that to be the case with Mark of Gideon. I started the first chapter, renamed the characters, redid plot outlines over and over again until finally I was ready and it just came out. It was at least five years before I was ready to write it, but by that time it had been brewing so long that it was much better than it would have been had I written it way back when I first tried. So take heart, Tess and Diana! Your efforts are not wasted, they're just necessary steps along the path.

Thanks for keeping us updated on your revision process, Amy! Sounds like a lot of work, but we all know you're up for it!

I'm almost halfway through my "final" (yeah right) revision of Mark of Gideon. Still hoping to be done by the end of April. I'll keep you posted.

If Only....

2009-03-19T15:39:00.003-04:00

Actual conversation w/ friend not seen in a while:

her: so, Tess, how is your book thing coming along?

me: I finished Ollie, if that's what you mean. I'm working on another piece now.

her: And which publisher did you choose for Ollie?

me: It doesn't really work that way...you see, it is actually quite difficult to get a pub..

her - cutting me off mid sentence: Don't you think Ollie is good enough for a publisher?

me: it's not that, it's just...

her: seems to me like you should have more faith in your writing.

me: **silence**

In search of voices

2009-03-18T00:04:00.002-04:00

Well, I did it. I signed up for Kim Griswell's "Finding Your Voice" workshop, and will be packing my bags soon to head to the Pennsylvania hills. Tess, I read your blog and totally connect with what you're saying...about the place where plot and voice meet. I've been working on a novel for 4 years now, and can't get past the prologue. I have tons of notes, detailed character sketches, descriptions of places, and snippets of scenes - and lots and lots of chapter 1 variations (all scrapped). But it hasn't come together...not yet. I decided maybe there's just too much noise here; it's making it hard to hear the whisper that could be the missing puzzle piece. This will be a serious search for voices. I'll be so upset if I come back still mute!
Sure wish there'd be another wadette there too. I miss you guys!
--Diana

The Invisible Sister

2009-03-14T19:17:00.002-04:00

It official. (I've been saying that a lot lately). The new title of my old book is:
The Invisible Sister
Lux St. Clare ~ Book One

The publisher requested I set up a book blog, so I did. In case anyone wants to follow it, here's the link:

http://lux-st-clare.blogspot.com/

I'll be keeping the editing blog on that page now, but will still be checking in here at least as often as Robin.

Ha! That was a funny joke.

Moron Edits: #3

2009-03-12T16:08:00.001-04:00

Editing Day 3 (cont'd)
LATER:

Just got the chapter 1 & 2 markups. Gotta love when the editor starts off by saying:
I did your first chapter to show you what you were doing wrong.
Then goes on to highlight every single place you used was, were or had. It probably didn’t help that I went through yesterday and made a lot of those changes, because now I feel like I’ve already fixed stuff that she’s marked up. Plus, I’m not sold that ‘was, were and had’ are the tools of bad writing. It’s seems kind of knee jerk to rule out words completely. She says those words lead to ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’ and we never want to tell. We were told at Chautauqua that, really, every story needs to do both. Showing is better, but you can’t show everything. And the worst thing is to show and tell the same thing. Do one or the other; just make sure you don’t do both. MS though, is of the belief that any telling is bad.
….
[deep breath]

O-KAY!!

[deeper breath]

I’ll try it.

And I’ll remind myself that I told her to be blunt b/c I was used to critique and didn’t need kid gloves. Still…I have to wonder what the other mss looked like. If mine’s so bad, why was it the winner?

LATER STILL:
Went through and finished the revisions to chapter 1. Still think getting rid of every was/were/had is overkill, but she was right about there being a lot of ‘telling’. Wrote a snotty reply email re was/were/had.

Did not sent the snotty email.

Yet.

sometimes I hear voices...

2009-03-11T12:34:00.008-04:00

So,I have been plotting my new novel idea for way too long (like four or five months) and have been struggling mightily with it. I have had the overall concept (girl, graveyard, ghostly happenings but somehow all realistic and not a typical paranormal read) for about a year. I came up with character names. I came up with great plot turns and ideas; but, it has not felt 'right'. Do you know what I am talking about? When plot meets voice and it is a perfect fit? Well, I haven't had it going on. I haven't actually written one single line of this book. Ugh! It has been frustrating! I have a good idea all plotted, but it doesn't feel organic to me...to my voice...to my desire. I mean, if you are going to spend years with a book you should feel emotionally connected to it, right????

So, I decided to forget it. Let it go. Someone else can write this paranormal book, but it ain't gonna be me, ya know??? Then I went to bed last night. I was tired. It had been a long day at work and home.

That is when I heard voices (ok, not really voices, but a strong impression and set of ideas). Adalee came to me and told me that she is NOT living in that house on the cemetery. Those are NOT her parents. She is just the girl next door. She has a totally different set if issues and that wierd/gifted family next door is where her best friend lives. Ta!da! I woke up with clairity. For the first time in MONTHS! Almost everything I knew about this story is wrong - but the story is there, and I will be the one to write it. Psycho? Maybe, but that's how I work.
---Tess

Moron Edits: #2

2009-03-07T11:33:00.002-05:00

3-1-09
Editing Day 3:

Email from MS (titles and names changed to protect the innocent):
We have a few concerns about the name of the book. I personally didn't know what a XXXXX was and had to look it up. There are a lot of kids who won't know either. Would you be willing to change it to something else like,
Jimmy Little in Search of the Iron XXXXX? Or anything else you might think of.

I sent some suggestions. I wasn’t set on The Iron XXXXX. I like the title, but could live with something else. I really don’t like “Jimmy Little and…” I’d prefer not to have his name in the title. However, maybe having Jimmy’s name as a title creates brand loyalty, in which case I certainly defer to more experienced marketing minds.

My suggestions for other names, however, generated this response:
Mara likes The Legend of the Two. I'm not real crazy about any of them. Which do you like?

I sent some other suggestions. I asked if having an iconic cover, with a big picture of a XXXXX on the front wouldn’t help clear up the ‘what is a XXXXX’ issue. No word back yet--it’s Sunday after all.

I imagine the press release will be held up by the change in title, so it may be a while yet before I can tell anyone. I must be patient, Grasshopper.

BTW--I went through the first chapter and changed most of the ‘was, were & had’s to action verbs. Also--deleted most of the adverbs. I have to say--I don’t miss the passive verbs, and my concern that I’d end up with awkward sentence structures in order to get rid of them…mostly not an issue.

I said ok.
I tried it.
I agree it’s better. Yay me!

LATER:
MS likes the little blurb of history I sent her about the XXXXX:
In the Middle Ages, they tested witches by poking them with a XXXXX to see if they bled. If they bled, they were innocent. If they didn't, they were witches. A guy named Matthew Hopkins, called the "witch-finder general" supposedly had one with a retractable blade...which meant no one bled, and all were declared witches.

She & MCF want a paragraph like this (more age appropriate) to be included in the book. Also, MS likes the title: Jimmy Little and His Invisible Sister.
hmm…
Say ok.
Try it.

(More from this day's edits later. The post was too long.)

Moron Edits: Day 1

2009-03-06T16:23:00.001-05:00

02-27-09
Editing: Day 1

My editor, MS, emailed the first of the editing notes:
This is your first chapter. I highlighted all the was, were, and hads. I may have missed some. I also highlighted the adverbs. I wanted you to see all of them. You will be rewriting to get rid of most of them if not all of them. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

I was surprised! I try to avoid adverbs, but I was shocked to see how many had wiggled their way in. Plus, I counted sixty-one was, were and had’s in this chapter. Wondering if I still made this mistake, I checked my WIP. It wasn’t much better. I guess I’ll have to go through all my MSS with a fine-tooth was-comb. It’s odd, because when I check the reading level, I always have 0% passive sentences.

LATER:
Ok--so I read the first pages of a bunch of famous, award winning kids books (Tiger Rising, The Wizard in the Tree, Harry Potter, etc.) and you know what I found? Lots and lots of was, were and had. There are seven ‘was’ or ‘had’s in the first paragraph of The Giver. Hmmm. If ‘was, were and had’ are good enough for the Newberry Judges, why can’t I use them?

LATER STILL:
Ok--I’ve decided to take to heart what Linda Sue Park said about her experience with revision requests.
Step One: Listen to the critique. Say “Ok”.
Whether you agree or not, just say, “Ok.” Sometimes, you’ll say it through gritted teeth. Sometimes, you’ll say it loud. Sometimes, you might only be able to nod gently, so as not to dislodge the tears from your eyes. However you manage it, just say “Ok.”
Step Two: Try it.
You might be convinced the advice is the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard. You might think it would ruin your book. You might even think, “I can’t wait to do this so I can show this [editor, agent, critique partner] just how stupid a request this is.” Whatever you think of the advice, try it.
Just.
Try.
It.
Linda Sue said of all the revision suggestions and requests she’s had on her books, she could remember only one time a revision didn’t make the book better.

Weekly Update

2009-02-27T15:46:00.002-05:00

By M.Mo-
I haven't made any new submittals in the past two weeks. I also haven't gotten any new rejections. Still waiting on all the same people. I did write about 800 words in my WIP, and decided I needed to insert a couple new chapters between 7 and 8. I'm kinda burned out, though, and don't have the energy to do it today.
I just served chai tea to 230 kids at Xander's school.
I really want a nap.
Yesterday, my Wii fitness age was 32, which is a great improvement over the days before,where it alternated between 45 and 54.
TGIF!!

Post Holiday Slump

2009-02-24T16:26:00.002-05:00

I've hit a bump,
I'm in a slump.
I think I've lost my muse.

The pen I hold dear,
just can't get in gear.
Now I'm about to blow a fuse.

Perhaps if I read,
Ideas will breed
And a story will soon come.

But as for now, sadly I feel like a real bum!

(A lame attempt at poetry by Sharon)

Ah-Ha!

2009-02-16T15:34:00.005-05:00

You are so wrong! Someone is watching our blog.......me (Tess) I am taking inspiration from you, Amy (can't bring myself to call you moron!), and being more agressive in my submittals. The days of sending something out and waiting 18 months(true story..so sad!) before sending it elsewhere are over. O-V-E-R. Like the dramatics? Anyway, I sent out a picture book manuscript (called Balloons Pop) that I wrote last spring (I wrote it almost a year ago...really love it and never sent it anywhere!) to two editors that I had met at previous SCBWI conferences. I also sent a FU to my first agent query and sent out a second agent query (both w/ Ollie.)

AND, I have a new title for Ollie. Or, a first title as I never really titled it Ollie Love, that was just a default. Anyway....I think I'm going with....

drumroll....

With A Name Like Love

Like it? If so, great! If not, too bad...I don't have any other ideas.

So as it stands I have:
With A Name Like Love: 2 agents, Boyds Mills Press, Viking (yawn, as if Tracy will respond....)
Balloons Pop: Beach Lane, Harper Collins

WEEKLY UPDATE 2

2009-02-11T15:52:00.002-05:00

BY MORON

Isn't everyone going to be jealous when they realize I've been posting weekly updates and they haven't even been reading the Blog. (Yeah--I live in a delusional little world of my own.)

I had a request from Dutton for the full ms of Libby Jean. I sent that off Monday.

Still waiting to hear back from Andrea Brown, Peachtree, Capstone, PM Moon Contest, Knopf, Kuna Library, another editor at Dutton, Harcourt, The Sandy Contest, Marshall Cavendish, Handprint, Stonearch, Calvertmorgan and the PARSEC contest.

I wrote about 500 words in the past two days on my WIP which still has no name. I also sent chapters 2 & 3 to the WAD who will be sending me great comments and suggestions any minute now.

Weekly update--by MORON

2009-02-05T18:11:00.004-05:00

I wrote 700 words today!! I took chapters 5 & 6 to my local critique group and they really like it. In fact, somebody said, "This is great. I actually just wrote that on here: This is great. Because...it's just great." Of course, not everyone was that complimentary, but all in all they liked it. And today, I sat down and made some revisions per their comments and then wrote the next chapter.

Other than that, nothing new on the writing front. I did make two new submittals this morning. Haven't had any rejections (or any acceptances) in like a month! Actually--I just realized I should have heard something from an editor at Harcourt by today. I guess I've got some SQing to do. :)

25 Random Things about Not-Robin's-Friend

2009-02-03T19:46:00.003-05:00

I loved reading the random things that were already posted, so those of you who haven't posted yet, hop to it! I'm very intrigued that Tess has two sisters named Deborah Ann. Hmmm.

#1 - A good day for me is when I wake up at 3:30am - more writing time!
#2 - I rarely set an alarm but am almost always up by 4:30am.
#3 - I take a nap everyday if at all possible.
#4 - My degree is in electrical engineering, but I only worked as one for one year.
#5 - That one year was spent at Amoco Oil Co. in Chicago.
#6 - While working for Amoco I visited refineries and had my own hardhat.
#7 - After Amoco I worked for an Israeli company where I was one of only a handful of American employees.
#8 - That company sent me on a trip to Israel, the farthest away from home I've ever been by myself (or otherwise, for that matter).
#9 - I worked as a computer programmer for several years, but quit after I had my first baby.
#10 - That was twelve years ago, and I've been a stay-at-home mom ever since.
#11 - I have attended Bible Study Fellowship for eight years, two of those as a leader.
#12 - I also help teach an after school Bible study at my childrens (public) school - very cool!
#13 - I ran a marathon once, but now I prefer the treadmill and a DVD.
#14 - I learned to ski a few years ago, even though I absolutely hate cold weather!
#15 - My dream is for my husband and I to retire to a home by the ocean where I can write all the time.
#16 - 25 things is an awful lot - I think I'm running out.
#17 - I met my husband when we were both summer interns at McDonnell Douglas. We were randomly assigned two roommates. One of my roommates ended up marrying one of his roommates.
#18 - My husband and I had a long distance relationship for all but the first two months we knew each other, right up until our wedding.
#19 - I make cookies every Monday.
#20 - My dog is quite possibly the naughtiest dog that ever lived.
#21 - My maiden name is Rutowski, my mother's maiden name is Sadowski - we're a very Polish family.
#22 - I drink an entire pot of coffee by myself every morning while I'm writing.
#23 - I'm from Michigan, and in high school we lived next to a state park and were about a ten minute walk from a beautiful Lake Michigan beach.
#24 - My favorite food is shrimp.
#25 - I'm not a big believer in housework.

Things Diana-ish

2009-02-03T17:08:00.002-05:00

Okay, here goes - 25 totally random things:

1. I'm a mother to five. I was petrified at the thought of raising boys, so God gave us two girls first and three boys later. We now are pretty familiar with the emergency room staff.

2. I like places that are quiet and drive with the radio off (my children are perplexed by this)

3. When I was young and I got overwhelmed, I would make my way through the woods, climb over a barbed wire fence and old rock wall, until I finally came to an outcropping of rock that overlooked a sprawling horse farm. No one could see me there. And there I sat and talked my problems out with God. I miss that rock.

4. I was about three when I found my parents' wedding pictures and decided they needed some 'enhancements.' I found a pen and went to work outlining the pictures and filling in the background. For some reason, which I couldn't understand at the time, my mother was quite upset when she discovered what I had done. It didn't seem to deter me, though. There is still a carving in the windowsill (and a dresser drawer, and...) with my name on it. Which leads me to the next point:

5. I was sent to art school and trained as an illustrator.

6. I can ice-skate better backwards than forwards.

7. I am right-handed. But, if I write with my right-hand and left-hand at the same time, my left hand writes a mirror image of whatever my right hand writes. Try it!

8. I miscarried twice - once before Johnny, once after. A strange thing happened the last time. A huge luna moth fixed itself to the siding of the house - right next to the front door. It arrived the day of my miscarriage and stayed there for 3 days.It may sound weird, but its presence gave me a sort of peace...I'm not sure why. Maybe I was struck by its beauty and rarity...they're not often seen in these parts, or I should say, they're not as abundant as say, the monarch butterfly. It was only the second time in my life that I had seen one. The first was probably about a year prior to that, when I saw one on a giant fir tree in front of the church.

9. The luna moth so inspired me, that I started to do research for an article. My Dad had a Nat'l Geographic magazine that highlighted the moths and brought it over for me to review. Actually, he and my mom came over for dinner that night. Niki and Patrick were over, too. It was before they were married. We had a great time together, and Dad was really happy that he found something that helped with my research. It was dark when Mom and Dad got in the car and drove away. I stood on the porch and, as is our family tradition, I waved until I could no longer see the tail lights. But as the car was driving away, my heart started to ache, and somehow I knew that I was waving to my father for the last time. I will never forget that day... It was the last time I saw him. He died days later of a massive heart attack. I miss him tremendously. The week of his funeral, a Christmas catalog from National Geographic arrived. On the cover was a red pointsettia. On the pointsettia was a luna moth...

10. I am sobbing as I write this.

11. I've been married 25 years to my best friend.

12. We spent the day of our 25th anniversary at the Vatican with the Pope...and about a gazillion other people.

13. I'm a "revert" to the Catholic Faith.

14. I have a weakness for museums, illuminated manuscripts, and anything written by J.R.R. Tolkien...and, of course, books in general.

15. My great-grandmother (on my mother's side) escaped Russia before the Revolution. When I was little, I used to pretend that I was asleep in her bed so she wouldn't know I was listening as she whispered her prayers in Russian. I didn't understand the language then, but I loved to listen...Somewhere in those whispers I knew she was praying for me...

16. I went to Russia when it was still under communist rule and had some run-ins with KGB.

17. When I was in 3rd grade, I tried to hide my report card from my parents. The teacher wrote that I was an "asset" to the class. I thought for sure that "asset" was a swear word that meant I was, well,...you know.

18. My great-grandmother (On my father's side) started Harlem. Long story.

19. I witnessed life come into the world when I helped my daughter, Niki, as she gave birth to my beautiful granddaughter, Marie Therese.

20. I witnessed life leave the world...when Lisa lost her battle with leukemia.

21. I yell too much.

22. Get lost too much.

23. Am fiercely loyal...some say stubborn.

24. I once wrecked my father's favorite car. It was winter of my sophomore year of college. I was home on break and making my way back home from a friend's in a late-night snowstorm. It was icy under the snow and the car started to fishtail...and fishtail...and next thing I know, I'm doing 360's downhill...so I did the only sensible thing...I closed my eyes. There was a WHACK and CRUNCH and when I opened my eyes again, I was sitting in the passenger seat covered with glass. My first thought was, "My dad's gonna kill me." Because the car was on its side wedged between a post and steep decline, I had to be pulled out through the passenger door window. When I was out and looked at the car, I realized that that pole saved my life. It was the only thing that stopped the car from flipping down the ravine.

25. While we were building our house, we lived with Bob's parents for awhile. The girls were 4 and 2 then. They slept in a room down the hall from us, but it was a habit that everyone slept with their doors closed. One night I was shaken out of a deep sleep. Something told me that Heather (our 2 year old) was in trouble. I shot straight up and shook Bob. "Heather's choking," I said to him and I ran out of the door and ran to her room. The whole house was silent. There was no sound that indicated someone was in trouble. It wasn't until I got right up next to Heather that I could hear her...she must've thrown up in her sleep and was quietly gagging. I don't remember what I did after that...only that we got her to breathe again. But it made me realize that there really are guardian angels...I know one woke me up that night.

Well, that's it...if there would be a #26, I would add that I often think that what I write or leave on answering machines as a message is stupid and subject to being laughed at...which means that I always have the horrible urge to hit the delete button. If you read this, then you know I resisted. :)
I love you guys! Thanks for being here.
Diana

25 Tess-ish Things

2009-02-03T13:30:00.003-05:00

Amy's entry was pretty amazing and I loved learning about the beauty of her Amy-ness. Here is my lame attempt at confessons:

1. I had eight babies. I lost five (including one and half sets of twins) and kept three. I am eternally grateful for those three.

2. I met my dad when I was sixteen.

3. When I was little and loading the dishwasher, I had to separate the utensils because I was afraid that the knives would hurt the forks and the forks would hurt the spoons. They had to be in their own compartmentss -- for their own saftey.

4. I am a deep believer in a God who is patient, loving, forgiving and joyous.

5. I have two sisters named Debbie (Deborah Ann to be exact).

6. I prefer even numbers...my favorite being 24

7. My first job was at Baskin Robbins. When I applied, I did not know my social security number and listed my mom's work telephone number instead. It got me in IRS trouble.

8. I bought my wedding dress three months before David proposed. We hadn't even talked marraige yet -- but I knew.

9. I got caught stealing a pocket full of Brach's candy from a grocery store when I was 11. After that, I would feign headaches anytime my mom invited me to go to that store with her.

10. I am allergic to mushrooms.

11. I put David through medical school working as a Bodily Injury Specialist Claims Adjuster for Nationwide Insurance. I am CPCU certified.

12. I remember writing my first novel when I was in 5th grade. It was a jailhouse love story.

13. My daughter is a better writer than I am and I absolutely love that.

14. I compose music even though I can't carry a tune.

15. I find great joy in the success of others.

16. I talk too much.

17. My family narrowly escaped a carbon monoxide poisoning disaster when our boiler malfunctioned in Oct 02. Claire was completely unresponsive by the time I got to her and Eli couldn't even stand up. I keep the quarantine sign that they put on our home as a reminder that God has a purpose for my children. He could have taken them that day.

18. I remember loving crab/lobster as a child but hate all seafood now.

19. I put too much stock in what other people think of me.

20. I forgive and forget easily.

21. For a few years when I was young, we practiced Hinduism and regularly attended a church patterned after a yogi named Parmahansa Yogananda. I still remember the meditative chants that we would sing.

22. I grew up camping every summer.

23. My sleep is very important to me and I get really, really cranky when I don't get enough.

24. I used to sneak wine from my mother's wine rack when I was little and walk around the empty house with a half filled wine glass---pretending to be at a fancy party. Then I'd pour the wine down the sink and put a little water in the bottle so she wouldn't notice that I had taken some.

25. I have not worn nylons in over 23 years.

25 Random Things About Moron

2009-02-02T13:23:00.004-05:00

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you
I TAG: TESS, MEADOW, SAPPHIRE, ROBIN, POOL, SUSAN, DIANA.

1. I was born with twelve toes--six on each foot. They cut two off when I was six days old and now I just have ten.

2. I love vegetables and hate fruit.

3. I am the youngest of seven kids. My brothers and sisters are between 10 and 19 years older than me. I became an aunt when I was 5. When I was 7, my dad got tranferred to NC where I suddenly became an only child.

4. My father served in WWII--landed on Normandy the day after D-Day. He never talked about it.

5. I have been camping in the wilderness with a bear biting my tent.

6. I am extremely overprotective of Xander.

7. When I was 6, one of my friends was abducted and murdered. I expect that is why I'm so overprotective.

8. I am a certified meditation teacher.

9. I practice an Earth-based religion, much like the Native Americans.

10. I believe in hunches, listen to my gut and put a lot of faith in signs. 7 is my most lucky number. I also like 2, 3, 12 and 43.

11. I've been an Architect for almost twenty years.

12. I love playing soccer, but have no cartilage in my right knee, so I can't play very much anymore.

13. My mom died 11 years ago. I still haven't come to grips with her death. My dad died last year. 40 is too young to be without parents.

14. I once put my seatbelt on seconds before a car crash.

15. I crave peace and tranquility. I loathe surprises--even nice ones.

16. When I was little, I had an invisible friend named Margaret. I could hear her voice in my head. Later, I learned that my great-grandmothers name was Margaret.

17. People often think I'm aloof when they first meet me. The truth is I'm just socially backward and self-conscious.

18. One summer, I worked at a laundry where I ran the sheet presser. We pressed sheets from the local hospital which often had huge blood stains on them. There was no air-conditioning and the sheets were so hot when they came off the press, they burned my fingerprints off. My partner was an old black woman named Mae. I couldn't understand anything she said, but she was the sweetest woman I ever met.

19. I can be very, very mean.

20. Like my father, I have no patience for stupidity.

21. The year my my mother was sick, I was followed by owls. I saw them everywhere I went, even during the day. They hooted all night at my house. The week before my mom died, I flew up to stay with her and my Dad. The two nights I was there, an owl hooted right outside my window. Dad said he'd never heard an owl at their house before or after that.

22. My parents lived through the Great Depression. I think it made me very frugal, but also terrified by the idea of not having enough money.

23. I love to travel but the night before I leave, I am always terrified.

24. I have very little self-discipline.

25. Every single day, I am blown away by how much I love my son. If I think about it too much, it leaves me breathless.

What I would be doing if I were actually doing anything...

2009-01-28T10:58:00.002-05:00

BY MORON

1. I'm in the middle of chapter six of my new book, which still has no name. That's about 7,000 words, so only 25-30% done with the first draft.

2. I've been revising The Iron Bodkin, mercilessly. I've cut several thousand words already and am about halfway through. Once the cut is done, I'll go through it with an eye to plot and pacing.

3. I'm also working on the art panels for Snickle Pickle, which has been really fun. I wondered about turning the architectural ones into a board-book. An image (like my Eiffel Tower with balloons in front) with a word (for that, I'd write "lacey" in cursive letters). Not sure it will be worth the time, but...maybe.

So, I haven't actually been working on any of this lately, except the art panels. I'm a bit disillusioned by writing and think it's a big waste of time. I think the three weeks of inversion really depressed me. I'll snap out of it soon.

I should update my waiting list at the right here. I'll do that now.

WIP's

2009-01-27T23:43:00.002-05:00

You mean I have to PUBLICLY LIST what little I am (or am not) doing???? Ok, here goes:
- Highlights contest "Old and New"
- goal to send Ollie out more agressively - soon!
- finishing plotting for new wip - a middle grade mystery about a cemetery and a little girl named Adalee. Hope to start writing in the next week or so.
- working on new music compositions for Utah childrens Choir
*done*
--Tess

MIA Bloggers

2009-01-24T21:35:00.003-05:00

It appears we are all to busy to blog. Such a sad thing, writers too busy to write.

I know at least three Wadettes are entering Highlights world cultures fiction contest. The deadline is January 31st.

I'm challenging everyone to post with what projects they are working on for the next thirty day.

Sapphire:
Trapped on Holy Island - short story--1/30/09 completed
Farm School - concept picture book
We-Have-Enough - concept easy reader
Research WWII for picture book

Meme--for heaven's sake! I don't have a clue what that means...

2009-01-01T19:10:00.002-05:00

A Year in Review--Sapphire's Reflection

The Best Occurrences in 2008
1. Attending Chautauqua and becoming a WAD member.
2.Getting a lovely rejection letter with an invitation to submit other material from Highlights.
3.Going to England to see my Dad and Grandparents.
4.Getting my own writing space with a desk, files and lots of book shelves.
5.Walking Macy with Piper and Susan for the first half of the year.

The Worst Occurrences in 2008
1. Moving from Saint Louis.
2. Leaving my friends in Saint Louis. (Yes, there is a trend forming...)
3. Hiring a painter to repaint our new house in Iowa. (OMG, he did an awful job!)
4. Did I mention I had to move?
5. All the new house junk getting in the way of writing.

Proudest Moments of 2008
1. My daughter was placed in two 8th grade classes, and she's a 7th grader.
2. Walt was named as president of a company.
3.I went to Chautauqua and mingled with some amazing people.
4. I discovered I'm pretty good at networking.
5. My Nanny got a walker.

Goals for 2009
1.Be happy.
2.Edit, revise and actually send material out!
3.Be happy.
4.Keep exercising five days a week.
5.Finish decorating our new house, so I can spend more time writing.

2008-12-31T18:35:00.003-05:00

100 Things a la Heidi

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars In a tent only :)
3. Played in a band - Yep... 2 rock bands!
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - I can never afford it, so I guess so!
7. Been to Disneyland - Oh yeah... the original in California!
8. Climbed a mountain - parts of them... never to the top
9. Held a praying mantis - 2 of them, and kept them as pets, too!
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - LOTS
15. Adopted a child - thinking of fostering in the future
16. Had food poisoning - oh probably
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables - of course! Lots!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train - yes, from Italy to Germany with a scary car mate
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked - oops, yes.. twice to school in high school when I missed my bus
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - yes, a few times, most notably in the Mediterranean Sea at night

27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse - yes, as a child
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - don't remember... probably not :)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community - have been to a Hutterite community, which is similar in Alberta, AND bought amazing bread from an Amish man with horse and buggy on my way back from Chautauqua
36. Taught yourself a new language - well, I know some German--does that count?
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. - have never had enough money, but have been satisfied :)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke - of course, I love it!!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted - I had a caricature done... don't suppose that counts?
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain - of course, it's the best :)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie - nope, only theatre
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class - karate and kickboxing
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - can't, since I lived in England during Mad Cow time
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - it was probably only speeding a little
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life - a little kid on a beach when I was 14... he was drowning and I was the only one who noticed
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day. - gosh, I do that all the time!

I am so proud of you guys!!

2008-12-31T11:22:00.003-05:00

Look at all the activity we've got going on! I love reading about everyone's goods and bads, successess and dreams. I feel like I know everyone a little better. Thanks, Susan, for recycling the 100 things Meme. That was a really fun one--hopefully some others will be inspired to fill that out.
Best, Happy, Magical Wishes for a Wonderful New Year. I love you guys!!
-Moron

2008-12-31T10:23:00.003-05:00

Post from Susan
Oops - I'm used to email where everybody knows who sent it. That's my post about 100 things I have (and haven't) done. Sorry about that, guys! Lesson learned. The 100 things is from Amy's blog - very interesting read, by the way!

2008-12-31T10:06:00.002-05:00

Okay, Amy - this is for you. I'm finally blogging, and you can all see how uneventful my life has been!

Things I've done...
...snagged from ColoradoWriter's blog...Things I've done are in red. What about you???
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland -- I'm not sure if it was Disney World or Disneyland - the one in Florida
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day.

2008-12-31T09:44:00.004-05:00

Meme from Susan

(this is only my second post ever, so I hope this works and is readable)

5 Bestest things in 2008:
1. won partial scholarship to Chautuaqua and met the Wad
2. finished my novel Mark of Gideon
3. asked for full manuscript and received detailed critique from Leucrota Press for Mark of Gideon
4. kids all a year older and still healthy and wonderful
5. got a new dog

5 Worst things in 2008:
1. went to funerals for two cousins
2. my good friend Sharon moved away (sniff sniff)
3. nothing published yet
4. backed into my parents car, damaging both our vehicles (and almost gave husband an anger stroke)
5. got a new dog

5 proudest moments of 2008:
(I agree with Tess - this one is hard)
1. finished my novel Mark of Gideon
2. stayed devoted to (obsessed with) writing, despite lack of publication
3. won partial scholarship to Chautauqua
4. tamed the wild beast (somewhat) - our new dog
5. read a whole bunch of books on my reading list from Chautauqua

5 resolutions for 2009:
1. finish Leucrota Press revisions to Mark of Gideon and resubmit
2. finish revising Secrets in the Stable and begin submitting
3. plot out and begin rough draft of newest novel
4. continue to run on treadmill regularly (I would say eat healthier, but that's a lost cause)
5. get my priorites straight, and devote time accordingly

Meme from Tess

2008-12-31T00:34:00.002-05:00

I have a lousy memory so hope I can do this justice.....ok, here goes:

5 bestest things in 2008:
1. I wrote (and finished!) my novel Ollie Love
2. Won free airfare to Chautauqua and met the wad
3. Spent a week on Newport Beach with my family
4. reconnected with lost relatives
5. had lots of fun songwriting and even placed in a contest

5 worst things of 2008
1. My dad died
2. My grandpa died
3. David's grandpa died (his last surviving grandparent)
4. Bloomsbury laid off the editor who had my ms in January and it was subsequently dropped (not Ollie Love - another ms called A Pocket full of Snowflakes.)
5. That's all I can think of, but I think that is enough!

5 Proud moments or things of 2008:
hmmmm.... this is a hard one
1. finished my novel
2. hearing my oldest play at a state wide harp festival. I know it is her talent, but it made me so happy and proud!!!! Plus, I force her to practice so should be able to take a little of the credit!
3. Forced myself to get out of bed on the eleventh day after my dad died and absolutely refused to let the cloud of depression waste any more of my time and energy. Some days I slip, but overall have been really good with this one.
4. Kept my resolution of consistent secret service.

5 resolutions for 2009:
1. Submit more agressivly to editors/agents/whoever will read my work!!!!
2. Start and finish (at least through one or two re writes) another novel
3. keep active
4. keep positive
5. be a better friend to others

2008-12-30T23:55:00.002-05:00

Meadow Blogging-Virgin Pepper here. And not quite sure what the heck I'm doing. But I'm still doing it.

The five best things that happened to me in 2008:
1. Well, what the heck do you think? I met you wonderful guys!!
2. Had a wonderful trip to Chautauqua--one of the best times of my LIFE.
3. I found a new passion in May--art trading--and have been steadily making art and improving ever since.
4. Ten day trip to Calgary to stay with grandma. All the more special because she had been so sick prior...
5. First niece and godchild Addison was born in August.

The five worst things that happened to me in 2008:
1. Depression. Life came to a bit of a standstill.

The five things I did in 2008 that I'm most proud of:
1. *thinking*

Five things that will be at the top of my resolution list for 2009:
1. Be more active each day.
2. Be better at keeping in touch with the people I love!
3. Go have more fun--dancing, games, whatever--and this may include a man if he's special enough and I decide to give him the time of day.
4. Organize the things in my life that need organizing.
5. Immerse myself in writing again, the way I do in art. I will write. I will write. I will write. I will write.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2008-12-30T22:33:00.003-05:00

By Mama Wad:
Whatever you do, don't forget to eat hog jowls and black eyed peas for New Year's! You'll NEVER get published if you don't!

For you Yankees, hog jowl is basically bacon, a bit saltier than regular bacon, but yummy. We buy the sliced, smoked hog jowl, pat a little flour on it and fry it until crispy, just like bacon. You can cut it into pieces and use it to season the black eyed peas.

Or make Hoppin' John - black eyed peas, onion, hog jowl, Rotel, rice. Yum yummy!

God bless you all through the new year. May you be published often. May those who reject your work have itches in places not easily scratched.

2008 Fives-Meme

2008-12-30T14:16:00.002-05:00

WAD CHALLENGE: Answer the questions to the Meme below.

The five best things that happened to me in 2008:

The five worst things that happened to me in 2008:

The five things I did in 2008 that I'm most proud of:

Five things that will be at the top of my resolution list for 2009:

My answers are on my blog: here

Oh for Pete's Sake

2008-12-09T19:47:00.003-05:00

Nobody is posting anything here. Only two of us have posted our submittals (plus one person has a note from their psychic saying they don't want to jinx themselves). AND WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR HALF OF YOU TO POST YOUR WRITING SPACES!

You people are the most bloggingly uninspired group of people I've ever had the misfortune to care deeply about.

SOMEBODY POST SOMETHING!! ROBIN--DON'T YOU HAVE SOME NEWS!!???

Update on Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

2008-11-25T15:33:00.001-05:00

BY MJR. MORON:
I have it on good authority that the boycott on aquisitions by HMH does NOT apply to the children's division and that the boycott on all divisions will most likely be lifted after the first of the year.

Bad Market News...

2008-11-24T18:55:00.002-05:00

BY MJR. MORON:
Just in from Publishers Weekly...Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has stopped acquisitions completely, at least for the time being.

[excerpt]It’s been clear for months that it will be a not-so-merry holiday season for publishers, but at least one house has gone so far as to halt acquisitions. PW has learned that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has asked its editors to stop buying books. Josef Blumenfeld, v-p of communications for HMH, confirmed that the publisher has “temporarily stopped acquiring manuscripts.”

The directive was given verbally to a handful of executives and, according to Blumenfeld, is “not a permanent change.” Blumenfeld, who hedged on when the ban might be lifted, said that the right project could still go in front of the editorial review board. He maintained that the decision is less about taking drastic measures than conducting good business.

If you're submitting to any houses, check to make sure they aren't imprints of HMH. They have a lot of imprints, including Clarion. It looks like you can still submit, and if they really like something, they may take it up the ladder, but they won't be able to negotiate until the acquisitions freeze is lifted.

Merry Christmas.

Hot Market Info

2008-11-13T10:36:00.001-05:00

BY MJR. MORON:
I keep up with this blog by Kristin Nelson, of the Kristin Nelson Literary Association. Yesterday, she posted some great market information -- what editors are looking for now. Check it out here:
http://pubrants.blogspot.com/

2008-11-08T15:08:00.003-05:00

BY MJR. MORON:
My WIP is going really well. I doubt I'll finish it before the end of the month (I'm trying to finish it for NaNoWriMo) but I'm pretty happy with my progress. Here's a clip...

Light spilled out as the door swung open and silhouetted in the brightness stood the only relative I’d ever met: Uncle Titus. He was big. Tall and wide, but not fat. Just muscley, like a man who’d made his living pounding nails or busting concrete. He was also silent. After looking us over for a minute or two, he took Mom’s suitcase, stepped aside and motioned us in.
I don’t know what I expected…maybe a lot of beer cans and newspapers and microwave dinner trays. But the house was … I guess you’d say neat. Neat as a pin. Pillows on the couch, an afghan folded over a rocking chair, a cup of coffee next to a thick book.
“Exactly like I remember it,” Mom said.
Uncle Titus was still holding her suitcase. In the light, I could see he was pretty old, like maybe sixty, and kind of bald on top. I just couldn’t get over how big he was. The suitcase looked like a lunchbox in his hands. I stepped closer to Mom; she seemed awfully small next to the guy and he still hadn’t said anything. Maybe he didn’t know we were coming. Maybe he was mad.
But then he smiled.
I’ve never seen anything like that smile. Big and scary as he was, that smile made you want to go up and give him a hug. It made you want to laugh out loud. It was like everything that had ever made me happy, all rolled together. I couldn’t help but smile back.

Math Adventure Submissions for charlesbridge Publishing

2008-11-05T23:16:00.002-05:00

I got these guidelines from Randi Rivers today. They are not posted on the Charlesbridge Publishing Website. So all you picture book writers...get busy writing picture book with math themes!

Cheers,
Sharon

Charlesbridge Publishing
Math Adventure Guidelines

We are currently looking for stories involving the “big ideas” of math. Stories should be non-rhyming, thirty-two-page picture books, or two thousand to three thousand words for children to read independently at ages 8–12.

The Story
The story should work on its own because of its characters, humor, and/or fascinating story line. It should be as appealing and engaging as any good, non-mathematical story.

Along these lines, the characters must be believable and well-developed. The main character, preferably a kid, should be someone readers can understand and care about.

As in any good story, there should be a central problem or conflict—one that matters to both characters and readers. The strongest problems are those that the main character needs to solve for personal reasons.

The Math Concept
Just because “the math concept” has been given its own section, don’t let that fool you! The math concept must be integrated with the story concept; it needs to be a natural part of the main character’s discovery as he or she tries to achieve the goal or solve the problem at the core of the story. A series of word problems or computation problems is not interesting.

No one should be doing calculations in the story, or giving lectures about math. Solving the problem should require an understanding of a math concept. We want the story to be on a conceptual level.

Some of the concepts that interest us are proportion, size, length, area, probability, sequence and change, logic and proof, tessellations, hierarchical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and dot patterns. In general, we are interested in mathematical thinking.

This mathematical concept needs a human element. Readers understand better when the emphasis is on the discovery of the concept.

Last but not least, the concept ought to be used in an exciting or playful way. Math is fun. Humor helps!

We do not accept electronic submissions. Manuscripts should be sent via standard mail. Include a SASE with sufficient postage if you want your manuscript returned. Submissions should be sent to: Math Adventure Editor, Charlesbridge Publishing, 85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

Recommend Reading From Chautauqua Faculty Members

2008-11-05T12:17:00.004-05:00

Last night, amidst the election excitement, I compiled a list of recommended books from the workshops I attended at Chautauqua. My list includes the title, in some cases the author, who recommended the book, and in some cases why they recommended the book. I don't know about your guys, but I am keeping a running record of all the books I have read since Chautauqua. I am up to 15...Remember I had a brain lapse when I moved. I wonder if our resident techno genius can give us each a spot on our blog to keep track of the number of books we each have read????

Happy Reading Wadettes!

Sharon

Recommended book list from Chautauqua

Bring Back the Deer (Neil)
Officer Buckle and Gloria (Kim—Johnny like story)
Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (Peter Jacobi)
The Flight of the Doves
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Patti)
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Patti Gauch)
Tea Party Today by Eileen Spinelli
Hobbit (Patti Gauch)
The Writer’s Journey by Chris Vogler
The Great King by Susan Cooper (Patti Gauch)
Midwife’s Apprentice
A Letter in the Wind by Neil Waldman
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman (Tracy Gates edited)
The Squiggle by Carole Lexa Schaefer (“ “)
The Name Jar by Yangssook Choi (””)
Llama Llama Red Pajama books by Anna Dedney (“”)
Lissy’s Friends by Grace Lin (“”)
Thank You Bear & Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley (“”)
Only Emma books by Sally Warner (“”)
The winning Season by Rich Wallace (“”)
Mirror, Morro by Harrison (“”)
The Hero by Ron Woods (“”)
Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace (“”)(recommended by Kim Griswell-setting)
James town 1607 by Elisa Carbone (“”)
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson (“”)
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (“”)
(NF) Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney (“”)
Up Close Series by Rachel Carson& Thurgood Marshall (“”)
The Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula Leguin (Patti Gauch—best ever fantasy)
The Ancient One & The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron (Patti Gauch)
Highway Cats by Janet Lisle (Patti Gauch—didactic story)
Ringer by Spinelli (Patti Gauch)
Bread and Roses Too by Patterson (Kim Griswell—homelessness-setting)
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli (Kim Griswell-setting)
A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer (Kim Griswell-setting)
Lionboy by Zizou Corder (Kim Griswell-setting)
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (Kim Griswell-setting)
Shabanu and Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples (Kim Griswell- setting)
There’s and Owl in the Shower by jean Craighead George (Kim Griswell–setting)
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Kim Griswell–setting)
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerly (Kim Griswell-setting)
Now It Is Winter by Eileen Spinelli (Kim Griswell-setting)
Edna by Robert Burleigh (Kim Griswell –setting)
The Crystal heart: A Vietnamese Legend by Aaron Shepard (Kim Griswell-setting)
All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan (Kim Griswell-setting)
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Kim Griswell-setting)
Pokey Puppy (Clay Winters)
Tarzan (Clay Winters)
Tale of Two Cities (Clay Winters-this book caused Clay to love reading,)
The Craft of Interviewing by John Brady (Andy Boyles)
Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic NF by Jon Franklin (Andy Boyles)
On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Andy Boyles)
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen (Andy Boyles)

Susan's Workspace

2008-11-03T21:49:00.004-05:00

I write at the dining room table. I should write in the office, but I don't because the dog barks when I sit in the office because she can't come in that room (she chews my books). The sad thing is, I actually have to move all my books, folders, laptop, etc. back and forth between the dining room and the office, because if I leave them on the dining room table unattended, the dog will chew them. With my first big royalties check, I'm going to put a door on the office so I can sit in there and she can't see me. That's my dream!

Link to Amy's Story

2008-11-01T15:43:00.001-04:00

http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/ComingHome.aspx

This is the link to my story, Coming Home, which is in Stories for Children this month.

Also--Waddettes--please note I've made a list for each of you to the right to post your current submittals. Just click on the tools below your list and you'll be able to edit it as needed.

Amy's Messy Nest

2008-11-01T14:49:00.000-04:00

Here's my desk. I spend most of my day here--designing houses, writing and trying to satisfy my email addiction. My day starts about 8:30, after I get Xander off to school. I check email, visit my favorite writing websites, update Facebook or post something to my personal blog. Then I get started on the architecture work. If I have a light day of work, I might do some writing after lunch or (as I've been doing lately) pull together a submittal for an editor or agent. My day ends at 2:45, when I get ready to pick Xander up from school. After that, it's homework, then dinner. Then, I head back up to check email and visit my favorite writing websites...AGAIN...unless I have a meeting, a soccer game, a volleyball game, a get together or (my favorite evening activity) critique group!

In the file cabinet next to my desk, the top drawer holds all my writing files. I also keep a binder next to my desk that tracks my submittals, rejections, comments and estimated response times. I don't do a lot of plotting or planning for any of my books. I usually brainstorm ideas, characters, settings and events on a blank word document. After I fill about two pages, I'm usually inspired enough to start writing the first few chapters. It's usually around chapter three that I stop and decide that the book is going nowhere and I suck at writing. That's when I reassess, figure out what's working and write a chapter by chapter synopsis of how the remaining chapters will go.

Tess likes to keep words around her; I like to keep images and photos of people and places that evoke strong feelings. Right now, I have a bunch of photos of a 1957 Jewel travel trailer (inside & out) because that's what the main character in my current WIP lives in.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's writing rooms.

From Where I Sit...Tess' work room

2008-11-01T11:41:00.000-04:00

My friends always raise an eyebrow when they come into my office. Words, ideas, phrases and research are all taped up to the wall in a messy hodge podge of paper and painters tape. My husband calls it my war room. It is an idea I got from Graham Salisbury (Scott O Dell award winner for 'Under the Blood Red Sun'). He taught that no one owns a word and you can use cool words to fuel your writing. A few on my wall right now include lanky, hydrangeas, bald faced liar, coil and heaven help them. I use these words to fuel ideas and new phrases in my writing. I also like having my research right up where I can see it without having to look it up in a binder. I wish you could see the bright pink wild rose bushes out of my window - but had the blinds closed in this shot. Oh well. Hey - here is my challenge:

Where do you write from? Post a picture so we can all envision you being a creative genius!

Fiction Wish List -- from Judy via Sharon

2008-10-31T14:38:00.000-04:00

MARKETS FOR CHILDREN’S MAGAZINE
FICTION WRITERS, 2008

Highlights for Children: www.highlights.com. 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. General interest magazine for children up to age 12. Stories for younger readers (ages 3 to 7) should have 500 words or fewer. Stories for older readers (ages 8 to 12) should have 800 words or fewer, and should appeal to younger readers if read aloud. Pays $150 and up, on acceptance. Sample issue with 9x11 SASE with four first-class stamps. Guidelines free with SASE.

BLUFFTON NEWS PUBLISHING AND PRINTING COMPANY

For all Bluffton News Publishing and Printing Company publications (listed below): www.funforkidz.com. Looking for stories that deal with timeless topics, such as pets, nature, hobbies, science, games, sports, careers, simple cooking, etc. Issues revolve around themes; themes available on Web site. Pays 5 cents/word and up, on publication, with additional payment if piece is accompanied with appropriate photos or art. Sample copies for $5. No e-mail or fax submissions. Send double-spaced manuscript with cover letter and SASE. Simultaneous submission OK as long as noted on manuscript. For questions concerning manuscripts, call (419) 358-4610 Ext. 101, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST.

Boys’ Quest: PO Box 227, Bluffton, OH 45817-0227. Bimonthly magazine for boys ages 6 to 13. Prefers pieces from a 10-year-old boy’s point of view, with the boy or boys directly involved in a wholesome, unusual activity. Ideal length for fiction is 500 words. Also publishes puzzles, poems, carpentry projects, jokes, and riddles.

Hopscotch for Girls: PO Box 164, Bluffton, OH 45817-0164. Bimonthly magazine for girls ages 6 to 13. No dating, romance, human sexuality, cosmetics, or fashion. Prefers pieces from a young girl’s point of view, with the girl or girls directly involved in a wholesome, unusual activity. Fiction should not have more than 1,000 words; nonfiction no more than 500. Also publishes cute, clever recipes, well-written and illustrated crafts, riddles, and jokes.

Fun for Kidz: PO Box 227, Bluffton, OH 45817-0227. Bimonthly activity magazine designed to be enjoyed by both boys and girls ages 6 to 13 on the alternate months of Boys’ Quest and Hopscotch for Girls. Looking for lively writing that involves an activity that is both wholesome and unusual. Wants articles around 500 words as well as puzzles, poems, cooking, carpentry projects, jokes, riddles, crafts, and other activities that relate to theme. Pays $10 and up/poem or puzzle. Variable rates for games, etc.

CARUS PUBLISHING/CRICKET MAGAZINE GROUP

For all Cricket Magazine Group publications (listed below): www.cricketmag.com. Order sample copies on Web site. No queries; send complete manuscript with SASE to Submissions Editor, Carus Publishing, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601. Include exact word count.

Babybug: Listening and learning for ages 6 months to 2 years. Stories (4 to 6 short sentences): very simple and concrete. Poems (8 lines, maximum): rhythmic, rhyming. Pays $25 minimum, on publication.

Cicada: Literary magazine for ages 14 and up. Currently reexamining the focus and format of the magazine. No longer accepting submissions. Check Web site for updates and guidelines.

Cricket: Ages 9 to 14. Fiction (200 to 2,000 words): realistic, contemporary, historical, humor, mysteries, fantasy, science fiction, folktales, fairytales, legends, myths. Pays up to 25 cents/word, on publication. Poetry (up to 50 lines): serious, humorous, nonsense rhymes. Pays up to $3.00/line.

Ladybug: Ages 2 to 6. Fiction (up to 800 words): read-aloud stories, picture stories, original retellings of folk and fairytales, multicultural stories. Rebuses (up to 200 words): focus on concrete nouns. Pays 25 cents/word, $25 minimum. Poetry (up to 20 lines): rhythmic, rhyming; serious, humorous, active. Pays up to $3.00/line, $25 minimum. Pays on publication.

Spider: Ages 6 to 9. Fiction (300 to 1,000 words): realistic, easy-to-read, humorous, satire, fantasy, folktales, fairytales, science fiction, fables, myths, and historical fiction. Pays up to 25 cents/word (1,000 word maximum). Poetry (up to 20 lines): serious, humorous, nonsense rhymes. Pays up to $3.00/line. Pays on publication.

COBBLESTONE PUBLISHING (A DIVISION OF CMG)

For all Cobblestone Publishing publications (listed below): www.cricketmag.com. Queries must relate to themes; send queries instead of full manuscripts to Editorial Department, Cobblestone Publishing, 30 Grove Street, Suite C, Peterborough, NH 03458. Themes available on Web site. Order sample copies on Web site.

Calliope: World history magazine for ages 8 to 14. Fiction (up to 800 words): authentic historical and biographical fiction, adventure, retold legends, relating to theme. Pays 20 to 25 cents/word. Poetry (up to 100 lines): clear, objective imagery. Serious and light verse. Must relate to theme. Payment varies. Hard copy queries only, no e-mail. Address queries and articles to:
Rosalie Baker, Editor
Calliope Magazine30 Grove Street, Suite CPeterborough, NH 03458

Cobblestone: American history magazine for ages 8 to 14. Fiction (up to 800 words): authentic historical and biographical fiction, adventure, retold legends, relating to theme. Pays 20 to 25 cents/word. Poetry (up to 100 lines): clear, objective imagery. Serious and light verse. Must relate to theme. Payment varies. Address queries and articles to:
Meg Chorlian, Editor
Cobblestone Magazine30 Grove Street, Suite CPeterborough, NH 03458

Dig: Archaeology magazine for ages 8 to 14. Fiction (up to 800 words): authentic historical and biographical fiction, adventure, retold legends, relating to theme. Pays 20 to 25 cents/word. Hard copy queries only, no e-mail. All articles must be submitted on disk using a word processing program. Address queries and articles to:
Rosalie Baker, Editor
Calliope Magazine and Dig Magazine30 Grove Street, Suite CPeterborough, NH 03458

Faces: World cultures and geography magazine for ages 9 to 14. Fiction (up to 800 words): retold legends, folktales, stories, and original plays from around the world, relating to theme. Pays 20 to 25 cents/word. Email queries to facesmag@yahoo.com or address queries or articles to:
Elizabeth Crooker Carpentiere, Editor
Faces Magazine30 Grove Street, Suite CPeterborough, NH 03458

Muse: Investigation and discovery for ages 9 to 14. Not accepting unsolicited manuscripts or queries at present.

Odyssey: Science magazine for ages 9 to 14. Fiction (up to 1,000 words): science-related stories, poems, science fiction, retold legends, relating to theme. Pays 20 to 25 cents/word. Articles should be submitted via e-mail using a word processing program to blindstrom@caruspub.com. Address queries to:
Elizabeth Lindstrom, Editor
Odyssey Magazine30 Grove Street, Suite CPeterborough, NH 03458

CHILDREN’S BETTER HEALTH INSTITUTE

For all Children’s Better Health Institute publications (listed below): www.cbhi.org. 1100 Waterway Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Sample copies $2.95. Focus is on health (including exercise, sports, safety, nutrition, hygiene, and drug education), but also accepts general material and poetry. Fiction stories with a health message need not have health as the primary subject, but they should include it in some way in the course of events. Characters should adhere to good health practices, unless failure to do so is necessary for plot. No queries. Send double-spaced manuscript with SASE, addressed to a specific magazine. Include name, address, phone number or email address, date of submission, and approximate word count on first page. All submissions are on speculation. No email submissions.

Turtle Magazine: Ages 2 to 5. Up to 350 words. Currently accepting poems (4-8 lines), short rebuses (100-150 words), easy recipes, and simple science experiments. Pays up to 22 cents/word.

Humpty Dumpty’s Magazine: Ages 4 to 6. Up to 350 words. Currently accepting poems (4-12 lines in length). Pays up to 22 cents/word.

Children’s Playmate: Ages 6 to 8. 300 to 700 words. Currently accepting poems (4-12 lines), rebuses (100-200 words), and easy recipes. Pays up to 17 cents/word.

Jack and Jill: Ages 7 to 10. 500 to 800 words. Not accepting manuscripts at this time.

Children’s Digest: Ages 10 to 12. 500 to 1,500 words. Not accepting manuscripts at this time.

GIRLS EVERYWHERE MEETING THE SAVIOR (GEMS)

For all GEMS publications (listed below): http://gemsgc.gospelcom.net/. PO Box 7259, Grand Rapids, MI 49510. Stories that present the Christian life realistically, and that cause young readers to see how Christian beliefs apply to their daily lives. No queries. Send complete manuscript with SASE. Include name and address in upper left corner and approximate word count, topic of article, and rights offered in upper right corner. Beneath title, indicate Fiction or Nonfiction and give desired byline, plus copyright information, as required. Give sources for all statistical information or quoted material. Sample copies for $1.00 plus 9x12 SASE.

Shine Brightly: For girls ages 9 to 14. Published 9 times/year. Fiction (700 to 900 words): adventure, mystery, stories involving animals, situations kids can relate to in their daily lives. Stories should be realistic and need not always have happy-ever-after ending. Avoid religious clichés. List of topics can be found in Annual Update. Pays 3 to 5 cents/word, up to $35.00, on publication. Address submissions to:
Sara Lynne Hilton/Senior Editor
SHINE brightly Magazine PO Box 87334Canton, MI 48187

Sparkle: For girls in first through third grades. Published 3 times/year. Focuses on annual theme. Fiction (100 to 400 words): adventure, mystery, stories about animals, situations readers can relate to in their daily lives. Avoid religious clichés. Pays $20/story, on publication. Address submissions to:
Sara Lynne Hilton/Senior Editor
SHINE brightly Magazine PO Box 87334Canton, MI 48187
INDIVIDUAL MAGAZINES

American Girl: www.americangirl.com. 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-2554. Bimonthly magazine for girls ages 8 and up. Contemporary Fiction (up to 2,300 words): protagonist should be girl between 8 and 12 who captures the hopes, thoughts, and emotions unique to that time of life. Especially interested in humor and seasonal stories. No science fiction, romance, or horror. Sample copies for $5.50. Address queries to Magazine Department Assistant.

Boys’ Life: www.boyslife.org. Boy Scouts of America. 1325 W Walnut Hill Lane, PO Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079. General interest magazine for boys 6 to 18. Fiction (1,000 to 1,500 words): humor, mystery, science fiction, adventure. Stories should feature boy or boys. Pays $750 and up. Send query or manuscript to Senior Editor Paula Murphey.

Girls’ Life: www.girlslife.com. 4529 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. Magazine for girls ages 10 to 15. No poetry. Unsolicited manuscripts are considered on a speculative basis only. Send e-mail query to mandy@girlslife.com or letter query (with SASE) with descriptive story ideas to:
Mandy ForrAssociate EditorGirls' Life magazine4529 Harford RoadBaltimore, MD 21214

High Adventure: http://royalrangers.ag.org/highadventure/. 1445 N Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802. High Adventure is the official quarterly publication of the National Royal Ranger Ministries, for K-12 boys and their leaders. The magazine is meant to encourage development of outdoor skills, promote fitness, health, and teamwork, and foster a relationship with Jesus Christ. Accepts cartoons and puzzles. Submissions may be sent electronically via attachment to rangers@ag.org and must include author’s name, mailing address, and Social Security number.

Horsepower: www.horse-canada.com/horsepower. PO Box 670, Aurora, ONT L4G 4J9 CANADA. Horsepower is meant for horse-crazy kids and contains information on horse training, care, and showing. It also features fictional adventures, games, and puzzles.

Iguana: www.nicagal.com/iguana/eng/. E-mail: revista_infantil@yahoo.com. Bimonthly Spanish-language magazine for ages 7 to 12. All submissions must be originally written in Spanish. Fiction (up to 800 words): realistic, fantasy, humor, legends, mysteries, science fiction, fables, myths, fairytales, folktales. Pays 5 cents/word, on acceptance. Send queries and manuscripts by e-mail.

Nature Friend: http://www.dogwoodridgeoutdoors.com/nature-friend-magazine.php. 4253 Woodrock Lane, Dayton, VA 22821. Nature Friend is a conservative Christian publication that encourages children to recognize and appreciate God’s work in nature. Submissions by freelancers are welcome and can be simple stories or conversational stories.

New Moon: A Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams: www.newmoon.org. 2 W First Street, #101, Duluth, MN 55802. Edited by and for girls ages 8 to 14. All material should be pro-girl and focus on girls, women, or female issues. Submissions from girls and women only. Themes available on Web site. Fiction (900 to 1,600 words): protagonist should be girl age 8 to 12. Stories should include subject matter and plot that empowers girls. Prefers e-mail submissions (girl@newmoon.org). No attachments. Work submitted by regular mail must be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Name and address should appear on each page. Does not return submissions. If work has been previously published, note the date and publication. If simultaneous submission, mention in cover letter.

Pockets: Devotional Magazine for Children: www.upperroom.org/pockets. PO Box 340004, Nashville, TN 37203-0004. Christian magazine for ages 6 to 12. Offers devotional readings that teach about God’s love and presence in life, though submissions need not be overtly religious. Themes available on Web site. Fiction and scripture stories (600 to 1,400 words): stories should help children deal with real-life situations. Scripture stories should remain faithful to source material, but may include fictional characters and some elaboration. Stories should contain action, believable characters and dialogue, and be simply written, with short sentences and paragraphs. No talking-animal or inanimate object stories. Pays 14 cents/word, on acceptance. Poetry should have no more than 24 lines. Pays $25 and up. Submit complete manuscript, with SASE, to Lynn W. Gilliam, Editor.

Ranger Rick: www.nwf.org/rangerrick/. National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190. Not accepting submissions at this time.

Young Rider: www.youngrider.com. PO Box 8237, Lexington, KY 40533. Magazine for children who own or love horses. Publishes short, horse-related, “realistic” stories up to 1,000 words. No “childhood memories” please.
Where to Find Out More on the Web:

These websites have an abundance of good information about writing for children: market news, writing tips, organizations, and newsletters:

Children’s Book Council: www.cbcbooks.org

Children’s Book Insider: www.write4kids.com

Children’s Writer Newsletter: www.childrenswriter.com

The Purple Crayon: www.underdown.org

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: www.scbwi.org

Kid Magazine Writers: www.kidmagwriters.com

Also useful:

Highlights for Children: www.highlights.com

Go to the Parents Corner to access the monthly index to the magazine.

Highlights Foundation: www.highlightsfoundation.org

Provides information on the annual Highlights Writers Workshop at
Chautauqua, NY.

First Blog of the Wad

2008-10-31T14:29:00.001-04:00

I'm wondering if we should call this something other than the Wad Blog. Like maybe a Wablog, or a Blad.
Thoughts?