Tag Archives: Writing

Another Year Under Wraps

This month, I’ve chosen not to write about the common topic of Christmas, giving, and holiday celebration. It’s not that I’m a Scrooge about such things. I’ve always looked forward to every kind of yearly benchmark and holiday observation. But this year, I’ve managed to get the jump on shopping for gifts, mailing packages, andContinue reading “Another Year Under Wraps”

Exploring Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is near, and I am gearing up for the big day. I can hardly wait to see my family, and this year will be extra special because my brother Doug, who has not been home for ages, will be joining us. He will get to meet my two littlest grandchildren for the first time.Continue reading “Exploring Thanksgiving Traditions”

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”

Anticipation

One of the hardest things to manage is anticipation — waiting and waiting for that one special (hopefully) magic moment — counting down the weeks, days, and minutes until a big event. I remember my first childhood bouts with anticipation. Christmas and birthdays, followed by Halloween, then Easter, then Fourth of July.  I loved itContinue reading “Anticipation”

How I Spent My Summer

Well, “Back-to-School” season is here, and I’m reminded of when I was a girl returning to school, being assigned an essay on “How I Spent My Summer.” While some of my childhood summers were action-packed with travels to Yellowstone and Disney World, most were spent at home, playing in the heat with neighborhood friends, andContinue reading “How I Spent My Summer”

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”

Spring Chickens

Now that my husband and I have returned to rural life, my old habits from previous years of country living are returning to me. Ever since I first lived in the country about twenty-five years ago, I have raised chickens and ducks for a short time.  Five years ago, we moved to be closer toContinue reading “Spring Chickens”

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”