fiction – Little Seeds Read

An Author Celebration!

The wonderful thing about being part of a critique group is the chance to grow with other writers. I’ve enjoyed working with many critique partners over the years, and though some of us are scattered across the United States and only meet face to face on ZOOM, several have become my very dear friends. EachContinue reading “An Author Celebration!”

Fall Writing Frenzy

Every year, my critique partners and I look forward to participating in the annual Fall Writing Frenzy contest hosted by literary agent Kaitlyn Sanchez and author Lydia Lukidis. This year, the guest judge will be writer-illustrator Aixa Perez-Prado. Between October 1 and 3, writers are to submit a 200-word (or less) Fall-themed story for childrenContinue reading “Fall Writing Frenzy”

Simple Yet Profound

You would think that having 30 or so days each month would make it easy to come up with topics to write about for this blog. But that is often not the case for me. As a friend of mine once said, “Sometimes life gets too Lifey.” In other words, we get so busy inContinue reading “Simple Yet Profound”

Writing Contests: A Rite of Spring for Children’s Authors

So many of my blog posts revolve around the inspiration I get from family, childhood memories, and my time in nature. These are the things that motivate me to write children’s books. But I am also greatly encouraged by all those wonderful people who have been in the same difficult writing trenches and have climbedContinue reading “Writing Contests: A Rite of Spring for Children’s Authors”

Finding Hope in Hard Times

Illness, home repairs, and despair over America’s current political antics descended on me like a heavy grey cloud this month. So, I missed the boat in posting a Valentine’s Day-related essay. Thankfully, I’m back in writing mode now, and the slightly longer days of sunlight and the first spring songs of birds have had aContinue reading “Finding Hope in Hard Times”

My Favorite Time of Year

Autumn has always been my very favorite time of year. The colorful foliage and cooler temperatures energize me and stimulate my creative impulses. Over the last four years, I’ve particularly enjoyed participating in some fall writing contests for children’s picture book authors. One is the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest hosted by author Lydia Lukidis andContinue reading “My Favorite Time of Year”