Winnie's War, Elvis and Bellybuttons

I first heard about Winnie's War on the Blueboards. I have already read two wonderful young adult novels set in the same period of the flu pandemic: Fever by Laurie Halse Anderson and Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson and it's a fascinating period in history. Winnie's War is geared toward a younger crowd, so I am looking forward to seeing how Jenny Moss deals with it. Plus, it is set in Texas, so I suspect there might be a hurricane involved as well.

And lucky me! I won an Advanced Reader Copy of Winnie's War. Thank you Jenny. It's a lovely birthday present.

That's right, I share a birthday with Elvis! As does Miss Erin. For the longest time, I think until I came to the US at age 14, I thought that Elvis was Indian. Tee hee. That's because my mom told me so. I don't know why she would think that, but it stuck in my head. I even had fantasies about being his daughter, since both my brother and sister told me I was adopted ... from a poor and ugly old woman (I wonder whether this is something that all older siblings say to their younger ones). No matter that I look a lot like them and my parents. So, if I were adopted, who's to say I wasn't Elvis' daughter?

The things kids believe. My mom told me that babies were born from the bellybutton as well.
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Ten Honest Things

"Scrap means left over, fragments, discarded material. Many times truth and honesty are discarded material, considered fragments and left over. People like us need to tell it like it is, and let the scraps fall where they will. There are 2 guidelines for receiving this award. One, you are to list 10 honest things about yourself. Make them interesting, even if you have to dig deep. Two, present the award to 7 other bloggers."




My friend Bish awarded me this a while back and I completely forgot about it. Sorry Bish.

1. I have an excellent memory -- hey, I did finally remember this award.
2. I stutter and there were times in my life when it was all I could do to literally spit out the words. Thank goodness for writing.
3. I enjoy writing letters -- have been doing it since I was a wee little girl, thanks to a fractured family.
4. I am a very good listener -- even strangers tell me their stories without any prompting.
5. I can curl my tongue into three petals.
6. I hate eggs unless I prepare them myself. And liver. Oh, brussel sprouts, too, even though they look like cute little baby cabbages.
7. I love babies -- plants, animals, rocks, you name it -- except perhaps baby cockroaches.
8. I am curiouser than a cat.
9. I have read my school books for fun. Still do. Will read my kids' school books as well.
10. I am still reading picture books.

Many of you have already played, but if you haven't, consider yourself tagged. Let me know so I can read ten honest things about you as well. Thanks, Bish.
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Gifts and Goals

In celebration of Epiphany, we received gifts of gold (well, fool's gold), frankinscence and myrrh from our Catholic church. If you recall the Bible story, these were the gifts mentioned that Magi from the East brought to the infant Jesus.

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It makes me realize (a small epiphany, if you will) that stories are gifts, not just the stories I write exclusively for my family as proper gifts, but the stories I share more widely. I have been given many gifts. I hope to develop these gifts and use them wisely.

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So, to nurture these gifts, I will:

1. Have one-on-one time with each family member every day.
2. Pray every day.
3. Walk every day.
4. Write every day.
5. Be kind every day.

This reminds me very much of Jacqui's list. She said that it looks so dull compared to the big changes many people propose, but she rightly concludes that it would be wonderful to do these things every single day. Of course, I agree.

My hope is that with this dailiness I will:

1. Grow closer to my family.
2. Grow closer to God.
3. Be more fit.
4. Write a novel and a dozen shorts.
5. Be a better person.

by the end of the year.

Please share what you would like to accomplish this year, writing or otherwise.

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Blessings for the New Year

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Numbers 6:24-26
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Snowy Arches

We took a walk through the woods on Christmas Day and encountered many, many snowy arches. At times I felt as though I were walking through a doorway, to a different world, different possibilities ... as I quietly dreamed of the writing possibilities in the year ahead.

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White Christmas

Cue music: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ...

I do so love snow in the winter. I still think it's like magic. And we don't get much of it here in Western Washington so we're eating it all up, literally. That's Pup's first snow and she loves prancing through it, finding a buried branch, tossing it through the air and pouncing upon it again. Such fun to watch her. Pure joy. And a bonus for me is not having to clean up a muddy dog (I did a lot of that in Nov.).

Schools closed three days before official winter break and we've had a lot of fun. We got a foot or more of this fluffy white stuff. It's been perfect for sledding. It's warmed up a bit, so it's perfect for making a snowman. My kitchen smells divine, with soups simmering, cookies baking and Christmas music filling the air.

Here are two BFFs -- best furry friends. They were both watching the birds and squirrels, but turned around politely for a picture. The cat lets the pup know when she's gotten too close.

As this year comes to a close, let me say a heartfelt "Thank You" to all my family and friends, furry or not. You've made our lives richer, sweeter.




Cue music: We wish you a Merry Christmas ... and a Happy New Year!
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Freefall

When I first started writing, I focused on children's magazines, and I'd come across Anna Levine's work in the magazines I enjoyed -- Highlights, Cricket group, etc. So when I came across a book of hers in the library, I immediately checked it out. Running on Eggs was her first book -- a story about the friendship between a Jewish and Arab girl, and the choices they must make.

Fast forward a few years. I was serving as a judge for the SCBWI Magazine Merit Awards and Anna had a touching story about a young girl whose mother battles cancer in "The Wednesday Club" (Cicada, Jan. 2006). She took second place for fiction that year. But she walked away with the grand prize for poetry. "Saxophone Summer" sizzled with the syncopated rhythm of red hot jazz, also published in Cicada (June 2006).

When I contacted her for an article I was writing about judging the awards, I had to know whether she had other books incubating. And she let me know about Freefall. I've been eagerly awaiting it's arrival and what a pleasure it was to stay up late and read it in peace.

As always, you can trust Anna to tell a good story. Here we discover what it's like to serve in the Israeli military. It's not a matter of choice -- it's compulsory. Does Aggie have what it takes to become a combat soldier? Find out in this fast-paced book. A rich cast of characters test their love and loyalty.

Mazel tov, Anna! You've done it again.

If you want to know more about what it's like to be eighteen and serve, check out Anna's blog.

Writing Novels

I haven't been going to our local SCBWI meetings because of all the kiddie sports and activities. Gosh, if there's a night I can hang out at home with my kiddos, that's the thing to do. But not even a headache was going to prevent me this time. Molly drove (thank you). Love my carpool buddies -- Molly, Jeanie and Sue. Always nice to visit and it makes the drive more pleasant.
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What a pleasure it was to meet up with writing friends, celebrate the successes of our local authors and illustrators, especially Kevan and Jolie, eat all those Christmas cookies, and finally, after passing on the SCBWI Co-RA hats to Joni and Laurie, listen to the fabulous, pink-haired Laini Taylor on the strategies she uses to finish books. She is smart, funny and gracious and I urge you all to read Not for Robots. I think there's something there for each and every one of us who is trying to finish a book.
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Thank you Laini, for a wonderful and inspiring talk.
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Guilty

Once someone stole a picture from me. I complained about it here. Upon closer examination, I found myself guilty of doing the same thing -- not checking to make sure that the image was in the public doman. I've removed the two pictures on my blog and will try to get permission or find other pictures.

I urge you all to make sure that the pictures and excerpts you use are in fact allowed. Here's a link to discerning what constitutes fair use. It's not always clear and if in doubt, leave it out.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting ...

It is Advent. The season of waiting. The kiddos can hardly contain themselves with Christmas on the horizon. Both said that Christmas was their favorite holiday, followed by birthdays because of all the presents! Well, who can blame them? They are also excited about celebrating a birth that happened two thousand years ago. I think Jesus is already in their hearts, as He is in mine.

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I'm learning much about patience, as though publishing, with its glacial pace hasn't taught me enough. Hah!

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This is the first (and only) Christmas tree ornament that I ever purchased (the rest are gifts). I bought this when we were living in Belgium. We had gone to the Christmas fair in the little town of Monschau near the Belgian border, and I loved this simple angel, made of a rounded wooden piece, wood shavings and a feather. He reminds me of my guardian angel ...

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I am waiting for the holidays to begin, for my stories to be accepted, for midnight candlelit Mass. Tell me, what are you waiting for?

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