Skip to content

writing celebration

13 Comments

I believe celebration is the core of a writer. It’s what keeps us going. It’s not just about celebrating big things like products and publication, but about celebrating the ordinary day-in-and-day-out living as a writer. This week I’ve been working on a digital celebration for a kindergarten classroom. The teacher opened her doors to me and let me dabble a little with opinion writing. “Whatever you want to do, go for it,” she said. I accepted the invitation and was amazed at the work our youngest writers did with putting… Read more writing celebration →

water aerobics (soLs)

11 Comments

I {heart} water aerobics. Truly. I took a class in college and then again after Andy & I moved to our town. Then the community pool closed for several years. I missed water aerobics. This year the pool reopened. The best part of this state of the art facility is they offer water aerobics. Of course I signed up. My schema for water aerobics instructors involve old men with beards and receding hairlines. In January my schema changed drastically. The water aerobics instructor is from our local college. He’s not old, instead… Read more water aerobics (soLs) →

teens — a notebook entry (soLs)

10 Comments

Every week there’s a group of high school kids that hang out at our house. I make a dessert and they eat it and talk. It’s the best. One of the reasons I like it is because I get material for YA books. I love to listen to them talk and watch their mannerisms. Mostly, though, I love how they make me laugh. So here’s a quick list of things I noticed that may (or may not) influence my writing. “She’s in hot water because she posted about the play on… Read more teens — a notebook entry (soLs) →

enough (soLs)

20 Comments

I’m a recovering perfectionist. Lately I’ve been feeling vulnerable. I drop the ball, the unexpected happens, I’m too tired to do one more thing, and life just keeps going as is. The old habits begin to creep up. I feel like I can’t do anything well. I feel like I’ll never get things right. I feel like no matter how hard I try, I’m not good enough. It’s a lie that I can believe or ignore. And then I remind myself that I am a recovering perfectionist. That means I’ve accepted I… Read more enough (soLs) →

plans change (soLs)

9 Comments

Things didn’t really go as planned today. Cancellations.Unexpected meetings.Strange conversations.Change of plans. And right now a little girl who is howling in bed because her ear hurts. It came on around 7:12, the same time of night that she always has an ailment. Usually an ice pack makes everything better. Not tonight though. No temperature. A little pain reliever. Warm wash cloth to the ear. Lots and lots and lots of sympathy. And then some more sympathy. Another bellow from above. Anyone know how to make it go away? (I… Read more plans change (soLs) →

bic (soLs)

33 Comments

B.I.C. I believe it is wise advice from Jane Yolen.B.I.C The way to become a writer.B.I.C. The focus of a minilesson in kindergarten last week.B.I.C. Much needed for me today. Bottom.In.Chair. If I don’t put B.I.C. in practice today and tomorrow and every other day in the upcoming week, a very bad thing will happen. I will miss the deadline for Christi’s and my book Celebrating Writers. (I might joke about missing deadlines. But when it comes right down to it, I don’t find it a laughing matter.) The thing… Read more bic (soLs) →

a conversation about reading (soLs)

16 Comments

This conversation unfolded last night, as I read just one more book with Hannah (age 10), Stephanie (age 8), and Sam (age 6), even though it was past bedtime. (Natalee is our babysitter who stays with the kids every morning for the 75 minutes between when I leave and the bus comes.) Sam: You know Natalee hates to read. Me: I’ve heard her say that. (I’m constantly suggesting books she should read, and encouraging her to find enjoyment as a reader. I do this because I want everyone to love… Read more a conversation about reading (soLs) →