The Silver Lining

Check it out!

2008-03-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

I just got an email from the blog author of Miss Rumphius Effect and Open Wide, Look Inside. She teaches elementary math pedagogy--they are studying how to bring math literature into the classroom and each chose a favorite title and guess what? One of her students chose Multiplying Menace. Here's the podcast if you're interested: Podcast

In Princess news, my illustrator, Tuesday Mourning, was interviewed on a Style show and believe it or not, that is not her real name! HA! Check out the short clip and see if you can find Princess Peepers cover (I haven't revealed it yet--you've only seen the title page.) If you're curious, check it out here (click on "watch video" to the upper right of the screen) : Tuesday Mourning on STYLE

If you haven't seen the title page of Princess Peepers (without the title, but you can imagine where it will go! LOL!), just click below:

http://tmourning.blogspot.com/2007/10/sneak-peep.html

The First Snow: Don Tate

2007-10-21T14:18:00.001-07:00

When the call went out across the kidlit-blogosphere to highlight Robert's Snow for Cancer Cure Snowflakes, I couldn't wait to put my blog into the ring. After all, I'd witnessed the marvelous talent of several years of snowflakes. I knew whomever I'd get to highlight would be brilliant.

I was right.

As promised yesterday, I am very honored to introduce the immensely talented illustrator, Don Tate! (And he's talented in more ways than one--did you know he was an award winning, drug-free BODYBUILDER??? Wow! If you're kind of nosy like me, you can see his award winning, ahem, body here: bodybuilding) I chose him because I'm an avid reader/fan of his blog, Devas T. Rants and Raves ! I'm one of those wish-I-coulda-been-an-illustrator-but-doggone-it-I-got-no-talent types, so I read lots of illustrator blogs who show how they work. And Don's work amazes me!

As an illustrator of over twenty-five trade and educational books, Don's bold style and deft writing has won him many honors, including, most recently, Lee & Low Books New Voices Honor for a picture book biography that will be coming out in the Fall of 2009.

When I asked him why he wanted to participate in this campaign to rid the world of cancer, he said he understood what it feels like to watch a family member go through a harrowing disease. His two nieces were born with sickle cell anemia--a painful inherited blood disorder that affects mainly African Americans. "Two years ago, one of my nieces underwent a bone marrow transplant which eventually cured her of the disease. It was very expensive, but my family — especially my mother — did a lot of fundraising. Between family contributions and fundraising campaigns, enough money was raised for the procedure. My contribution was small, but collectively, the money added up. Great things can happen when individuals ban together and put their talents to work for them. I feel the same way about the Robert's Snow fundraiser."

And so, here is his snowflake entitled, "You'd better duck!"

Remembering the winter fun he'd had as a kid in his Des Moines, Iowa neighborhood, his design choice was simple. "We took our snowball fights seriously. If you didn't duck, you'd get decked."

Now, if you're like me and you want to witness genius in action, go to his blog to see how he made this snowflake masterpiece: Painting the Snowflake

Wondering where Don's amazing talent comes from? He actually inherited it from his aunt, Eleanora E. Tate, who is a writer of young adult novels. She inspired him to illustrate one of her books entitled, RETOLD AFRICAN MYTHS and he fell in love with children's illustration. Don went on to illustrate his first trade picture book, SAY HEY! A SONG OF WILLIE MAYS by Peter Mandel. "I was honored and excited to work with Andrea Pinkney, then a senior editor at Jump At the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. I'd been a huge fan of Andrea and Brian Pinkney's works, so getting a chance to work with her was a dream come true."

Some of his other books include, SURE AS SUNRISE (Houghton Mifflin 2004), BLACK ALL AROUND (Lee & Low, 2002), THE HIDDEN FEAST (August House, 2006), and THE LEGEND OF VALENTINE (Zondervan, 2002), which is a Christian Bookseller Association best seller!

If you'd like to own "You'd Better Duck" by this award winning illustrator, the bidding starts on November 19th: Robert's Snow for Cancer Cure Auction.

Oh, and please visit the other blogs today that are highlighting snowflakes. Here's the schedule:

Rick Chrustowski at laurasalas
Diane DeGroat at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
Ilene Richard at Something Different Every Day
Brie Spangler at Lectitans

Let it SNOW!

My day...

2006-12-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

Meg asked me to come have lunch with her and to see her "in action" and oh, btw, why not read your book to our whole first grade class! HA! We had so much fun and I was sent home with a bundle (80) thank you letters. There's nothing sweeter!

I wanted to share a little of Meg's life with these pics:

Meg and me! (Notice those wonderful winter scenes behind us!!! Meg's so creative with her class!!!)

This is the left hand corner of Meg's first grade classroom. There's the "author" chair where I read the story.

Here's Meg at her desk. Isn't she so organized? You should have seen her students--they were all very respectful and full of joy. They love her! AND she writes thousands of words on her novel a day. She's a superwoman!!!

Thanks, Meg
bluemalibu
for letting me see your kids!!!!

YAY!! Miracles DO happen!

2006-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

I just got an offer for my Princess picture book by Marshall Cavendish. I'm in heaven...

Thank you,
bluemalibu for giving me a recommendation. Many kisses and heartfelt thanks!!!!

Go! Jo! JoNo Mojo!

2006-10-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was wondering, "What's up with this JoNoWrimo stuff?" and then Liz set me straight. I joined! Yay! Thanks, jadedmetaphor !

My goals are: 1. To finish the revision of my current novel.

2. Pray.

3. To start on my brand new novel WIP.

Hmm...do I need better objectives? Okay, to write the synopsis and chapter by chapter outline AND start my new WIP. How's that? I've already done a character chart, but I'll revise that since I've brainstormed more stuff. This will be a girl mg novel--quite a change from my current wip. It was going to be paranormal/portal-ish, but it's turned into an interesting contemporary preteen something-that-I-can't-reveal as yet. I can't wait to get started.

Almost finished the new chapter and another has emerged. HA! I knew that would happen, but more is good for this book. Very happy about today.

Innovative Kids

2006-09-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

I just got a copy of the first mystery of Clue School--the series that I'm writing and I must say that I'm so impressed with the quality of the book. It is an easy reader (for grades 2nd and 3rd) and attached is a 64 piece puzzle. My 10 year old son LOVES it because it is a fun mystery and the puzzle is hard enough to challenge him. He hasn't read my mystery yet (I worked on several versions of two books) so I'm going to surprise him with it.

My five year old daughter said, glumly, "Mom, I want you to buy me the one you wrote for MY AGE!" Tee hee. Um, well, I had to tell her my books aren't for her age. She wasn't happy about that. There are some puzzle easy readers by them for her age so I'm going to get them. They make great presents. And FYI, this is not an ad for my books. It's work-for-hire for me, so I don't make royalties off of them. I'm just thoroughly impressed. :-D

Funny stuff!

2006-08-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

That Heritage thingie is hilarious. Heritage.com
I've put in about three pics of myself and others and the ranges are laughable, but the closest match is always Kim Cattrall for me (although on my best day, I couldn't look like her, but one can dream...)

Now, the funny thing was one pic with me and my daughter came up with me being Beyonce and my little one was Mariah Carrey. HA!

The Big 4-0

2006-08-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a bittersweet day.

I did okay in the triathlon this morning but because I'm now in the master's division...

I WON! (Well, in the master's division that is...heh...)

And my sweet new neighbors gave me a surprise birthday party complete with a HOMEMADE cake with *gasp* 40 candles on it. It took forever to blow the durn things out. AND the doorbell rang, showering me with a dozen roses (from sweet hubby) AND my wonderful kids treated me to breakfast (they had made) when I'd shuffled home from the race. Sigh...it's been a great birthday. Too bad I'M FORTY! Wah...

I don't know if any of you are forty (all of you seem like sweet young 20-somethings) but it's kind of depressing. I don't quite understand it, but everyone's been really great about making me feel special so I won't grumble about it anymore. :-D

Beachalatte

2006-08-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Beachalatte

Fun
Sweet
Talented
Smart
Witty
Crazy
Beautiful
Awesome

Friend

Whew!

2006-08-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

I'm finally done with the first mystery and it has been approved. Editor even said the illustrator has done a mock up of the cover and said this book is gonna be "awesome". Hooray for that!

They're giving me a break for a few months (hooray for that, too), so I don't have to worry about writing more right now. That's great news for me since I REALLY don't have time. I'm still settling in and getting the kids transitioned PLUS I've got that novel revision the agent is waiting on (I'm sure she's totally forgotten, but I haven't. Tee hee!)

In more good news, I'm going to get to meet beachalatte! Wee!

Lovin' California already!

2006-08-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a difference a week makes. The transition/trip to California was hard, toting four kids, a dog and a cat via the floods in El Paso (yes, we just so happened to hit El Paso just as they closed the roads for the worst flood in 50 years) and surviving the WORST pet friendly military assigned "motel" in my experience (in military-ese, we call them a TLF--temporary living facility). Oh, would you like a tour? Come with me to the motel of your dreams...

A used tampon greeted us at the door. :-P

The lovely stuffing of the pristine couch.

The beautiful cabinets complete with pet scratches for added artistic touch!

Tired of straight shelves? Broken ones for your family's pleasure.

Burnt sienna stains for added ambiance.

Who needs working shades anyway?

Bonus carpet stains with a splash of ode de pet urine (instead of splash, make that a tidal wave).

I realize that my base house can't compare, but I'm truly elated to be out of there for some weird reason...

California schools are awesome and I'm settling in quite well. I was going to homeschool my high functioning autistic son, but talking with the school officials, I know he'll get the best services. They have a perfect class for him--it's a combination 4th/5th grade classroom with a teacher that has a special ed. background. Wow.

AND I even have TWO neighbors who run eight miles a day for kicks plus come over to invite me to do jumping jacks, weights, and squats at their house three days a week. I think I like this place. WEE!!!!

Author plogging...

2006-06-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Entering the realm of the author plog--what fun!

Check it out!

LOL!

2006-05-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Found this on Snark today:

Little Rejection Video

Jobs, jobs, jobs!!

2006-05-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Wow.

You know, I've sat here many a month with nothing. No one and nobody emailed or even asked, but here I am with tight deadlines, and I have yet another company asking me to write some fun stuff for them. (This is that comic book company I tried out for last fall.) If I wasn't moving, I'd be kicking up my heels! This is great money, too. URGH!!

I will have to pray about this. Hubby says I can always write and boost my resume, but they need a wife and mommy now--two months before our big move. (Being a mommy IS the best job in the world.)

I guess I'll be sending myself a rejection.

Adventure Race!

2006-05-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some photos of last weekend's adventure race. I had the priveledge of being the captain of Team Perseverance--an all ladies team! We had such a blast and let me say this--we were tough! We beat out about 26 other men's teams (all were in the Air Force, so this was no small feat!) I was so proud of the comaradarie. Second to none--I know. I had been on all guy teams before. :-D

Here, we've just finished. Four members did the last leg of the raft.

Team Perseverance--That's me, sixth from the left (or third from the right). My team!!!

We're running to the finish! Whoopie!

Our shirts had a verse on it that was most fitting:

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Hebrews 12:1

Cute stuff...

2006-05-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

My little daughter helped me with this.

Leaving for TLA tomorrow

2006-04-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited and busy. I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow, driving almost seven hours. On Thursday, I'll be doing my very first large school visit. I'll be speaking to three groups of 150 kids. I've finished my power point presentation, now I just hope it all works and comes together. Not sure if I'll have any pictures to share but my sis-in-law likes taking them, so maybe.

On Friday, I'll be meeting with Randi Rivers and catching up. That will be fun. I haven't seen her since the Chautauqua retreat in 2004. She was a blast to hang around. After that, I'll be signing from 11-12. I really don't know what to expect. It's at the end of the conference so maybe there will only be crickets chirping as I twiddle my thumbs. I asked for this slot since I'd originally thought my family could spend the weekend there with my brother's family but my kids have other plans (the life of teens!) So, this might have been a dumb idea.

Anyone have any experience about these things? I've never been to one. I will try to peruse as many booths as I can. If I learn anything new, I'll certainly post it here. Randi should be telling me more about their new Bridge book line.

My illustrator...

2006-04-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

As I was talking with my editor yesterday, she told me that Wayne Geehan was probably going to illustrate all of my books. They like to "marry" an author with an illustrator if the team works. I was delighted as his illustrations are very funny and he's good at fairytales. All of my books are fractured fairytales.

This morning, I found a Google Alert that showed me he has a website. I love looking at his work. Here it is:

http://www.waynegeehan.com

I finally got to thank him as I've wanted to for the past two years. :-)

A Breakthrough...

2006-04-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

After months and months of writer's block (and brainstorming), I finally started my new mg weird, contemporary fantasy! HOORAY! It's the first novel I've started since I began my second novel over FIVE years ago. I will NOT be doing that this time. It better not take me five years to complete it. Uga.
After I write five chapters, I'll start using the WIP-O-METER. (It's disheartening to see micrometers of progress on that thing right now.)

I feel good. Take THAT rejections!

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

In Isaiah of the Old Testament, he writes 700 years before Jesus' birth:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him,
and by his wonds we are healed...

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:5-6

"After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and
be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous
servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities."

Isaiah 53:11

May all Christians delight in Him who was prophesied about so many years ago.

I leave you with His words of peace:

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

---Jesus

Busy...

2006-04-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

I just found out that I have been picked to write a series of read-aloud stories for an educational company. The assignment is to write 12 to 20 read alouds in 6 weeks.

Yikes!

I can't believe this has happened, really. I've tried out for FIVE of these types of jobs and each time, I wasn't chosen. REJECTION! WAH! But luckily, I didn't give up. If I heard of a job opening, I always sent my resume and tried out. Because of this, I had samples that fit perfectly for this company, so it wasn't a waste of time like I'd thought when reading those horrible rejections in my in-box. Tee hee!

But beware what you wish for! After I received the email from the ed, I panicked. Do I really have time for this? I'm in the middle of an agent search (which takes time), it's almost the end of the 6 weeks and I have HUNDREDS of papers still to grade (these are writing papers and take FOREVER), I teach a Bible study, and I'm helping direct our Vacation Bible School this year, NOT TO MENTION I have four children to mother AND I'm in the middle of brainstorming my WIP.

EEK!

But God is good. The ed emailed me and said the subject that he's thinking about giving me isn't finished and so, I'll get it later. Whew! Hopefully, I'll be caught up by then.

Setting the clock...

2006-04-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Okay...this rarely happens to me because hubby always takes care of this, but he's gone this weekend, SO, I wake up and get a ring from a friend. "Did you set your clock?"

"No."

"Did you know church is starting, like, NOW?"

"Aack!"

Luckily, I wasn't doing children's church. (Praise God!) And thank the Lord for late service. Tee hee! I may sleep in next week. That was nice!

Your catnip or your lives!

2006-04-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Heh...heh...

And the winner is...

2006-03-31T19:18:00.000-08:00

The Castle Cant. Ohhhh, I'm LOVING it! I absolutely think the voice is incredible and the plot captivating. Tee hee! But then, I love mg fiction over YA since that's what I write...you guys might get bored with this stuff. Thanks to Amanda for suggesting it!

Went to the library...

2006-03-29T09:23:00.000-08:00

I'm revving up for my new WIP and I always do that by reading. Here are some books I found. I'm having trouble deciding what I want to read first:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

The Secret of Castle Cant by K.P. Bath

Traitor by Andy Mc Nab and Robert Rigby

I've always wanted to read Funke but her voice is off putting depending on her translator.

Still waiting on the agent front. The crickets are getting louder and louder...sigh...