The  Society For Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Conference - Carolinas this last weekend in Charlotte was amazing!  It was my first conference and I can't wait for the next.  I feel like I had Master's class in 2.5 days.  I was front and center in the break-out sessions with the huge, ridiculous grin on my face.  What an education!  

I got terrific critiques for Alice In The Palace and The Cloud Kids also.  Alice is getting a tweaking, The Clouds will get an overhaul.  Cynthea Liu critiqued Alice - I was so lucky!  If you don't know her, google her name. 

I also met so many new friends.  I walked in knowing not a soul, and walked out hugging friends.  It was like leaving a sepia toned world and spending the weekend in primary colors.  Love me some primary colors!

Today I went to Barnes & Nobles to research books the speakers at the SCBWI convention have sold.  What fun to sit there surrounded by kids excited about picking out their books while I read great stories.  I came home and ordered a couple of older books off of Amazon.  I wish I had thought of the Prince Charming plots by Christopher Healy.  He wasn't on the list, but I love a good book too much to stick to any list.  I was grazing.

I did put away my notes for Alice In The Palace and The Cloud Kids.  Won't take them out again unless the Cloud Kids gets sold and a sequel.  

Frustration is setting in early for the school year.  It is only the 5th week of school and I'm already so worn out I'm not writing much.  I haven't been able to leave on time.  The ideas keep coming though.  I have 3 new ones to add to the file I already have of things to write about.  The laptop is coming with me to the convention in case I get some time.

This summer I was writing everywhere.  On vacation, in the backyard, in parking lots.  Even at a funeral. (well...while waiting for the service to start)  I want that back!  How many days until June?

I'm so excited!  I completed a children's chapter book this spring & wrote 2 picture books this summer.  Researched a couple of more.  August 15th I sent a few query letters and Wednesday I heard back from an agent.  She asked to see the other two completed books.  I know this is a long way from wanting to represent me, but how very exciting to get such a positive response so quickly!  I was jumping up and down doing the Happy Butt Dance in my classroom!  Good thing the kids were already gone or I'd have become the newest school legend of The Crazy Teacher.  

Yesterday I received in the mail the business cards I ordered for the SCBWI Carolina Convention in a couple of weeks.  They look as marvelous as I hoped they would.  Yes, another version of the Happy Butt Dance.  Ice cream for Everyone!

Hello All!  Welcome to my blog.  Wow.  'Wow' seems to be my big word for the night.  Doesn't sound like much of a writer yet, does it?  If this blog turns out like my emails, I will have plenty to say.  My emails are novellas.  Must be grammatically correct, the right color for the mood, and a complete thought.  Silly me.

I am becoming what I've been working to become since I was ten years old.  My Grandmother Irma told me she had published stories in Boys' Life Magazine.  The fever began.  I wanted to be a published writer.  I actually called her Grandma, but she tried so hard to get us to call her Grandmother.  Went over my head as a kid, but I'll call you Grandmother here.  Are you smiling?

I just bought my first business cards to hand out at my first Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Convention.   I cannot wait.  It will be Most Amazing. 

I have had 15-20 books in my head for the last 25 years.  In my head they remain thus far.  What has come out of the pen are picture books.  Picture books I'd never thought of before are pouring through my eyes.  I am having a blast.  

Completed this spring:  Sushi The Wonder Pug - a chapter book
Completed this summer:  Alice In The Palace and The Cloud Kids - picture books
Half completed:  Yankee Doodle ABC - a Patriotic picture book

HUZZAH!