Monday, December 23, 2013

neat dialogue quiz


After answering a few questions from this New York Times dialogue quiz, I got the following result: I'm from Boston or Providence. That's pretty good. Are they as accurate for you?

Thursday, December 19, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



drumstick (noun) 1. a stick used for playing a drum 2. the lower part of the leg of a cooked fowl

Tuesday, December 3, 2013



I've been reading a ton.  
Some of the books I've recently finished and enjoyed?

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
Eleanor and Park
Bad Marie
An Abundance of Katherines
The Fault in our Stars
Liar and Spy

Next up?

The Fourth Stall Part III

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Friday, November 8, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk 


is...



quagmire (noun) 1. a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot  2. a situation that is hard to deal with or get out of: a situation that is full of problems

Sunday, October 27, 2013

writing award


At the SCBWI Central-Coastal California Writers' Day 2013, 
I was given this award.


Most Promising!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

red sox, game two




I love Big Papi.  I really, really love him.  I love the way he carries himself.  I love the way he celebrates. I love the way he hits when an entire season is at stake.  I love him.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

characters who misbehave



film characters who are great at misbehaving
ferris bueller
dewey finn (school of rock)
junior (problem child)
ricky vaughn (major league)
annie walker (bridesmaids)
john beckwith and jeremy grey (wedding crashers)
axel foley (beverly hills cop)
billy ray valentine (trading places)
tess mcgill (working girl)
phil, stu, and alan (the hangover)
kevin (home alone)

literary characters who are great at misbehaving
ramona quimby
clementine
fudge (tales from a fourth grade nothing)
calvin (calvin and hobbes)
battle bunny
the grinch
antonia mcpherson (notes from a liar and her dog)
mac (the fourth stall)
george (george's marvellous medicine)
clarence (poem by Shel Silverstein)
harry the dirty dog
bad marie
caleb and camille fang (the family fang)
uncle oswald (my uncle oswald)

Anyone you'd like to add?

Friday, September 27, 2013



Like writing, learning to walk is a skill that takes a lot of practice.  
My toddler's shoes know this better than anyone.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013


I just stumbled upon a good quote.

"Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before,
but in saying exactly what you think yourself." -James Stephens

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

word of the week

 Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



subversive
adjective 1.  seeking to subvert an established institution
noun 1. a subversive person (synonyms: troublemaker, agitator, rebel)

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

sorry












I have an apology to make to Jon Lester.  A few days ago I planned to write about what a disappointing pitcher he's been, highlighting all the reasons why the Red Sox should pull him from the starting rotation.

I believe Josh Beckett (his fried chicken and beer guzzling included) was a terrible influence on Jon Lester.  Even after Beckett was traded, Lester never seemed to get back on track.  In addition, I've carried a chip on my shoulder that Terry Francona was fired because of Beckett and Lester's sloppiness.  (I love Terry Francona.)  Needless to say, Lester has been on my Get-Him-Out-of-There List for a while.

And then he played on Monday.  Granted, he pitched against the Giants who are mediocre at best.  But still, they're a major league team and Lester went eight plus innings against quality batters.  I was impressed.

So I offer my sincerest apologies to you, Mr. Lester.  My fingers are crossed that your next start will be as good.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

SCBWI summer conference 2013


Just sinking back into my office after an inspiring SCBWI conference.

To name a highlight from a list of many:

Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler's workshop called Comedy Comes From the Heart. They stressed the importance of figuring out what you find funny. They told us to write for ourselves, not for an audience. Delight yourself. Mine your own life to create comedy. Love your character. Be willing to look like a fool.  In fact, Mr. Winkler even suggested dressing up as your character for inspiration.

What fun! As I type this, I'm wearing a suit, tie, and fedora.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

i write like


Have you heard of a neat website called I Write Like?

After you enter a paragraph or two of your work, the site tells you which writer you write like.

My result: Oscar Wilde.



How about you?

Thursday, June 6, 2013

word of the week

Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...


wean (verb) 1. to accustom (as a young child for animal) to take food other otherwise than by nursing  2. to detach from a source of dependence

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

a good neighbor

Yesterday afternoon, I was walking with The Racecar and we stumbled upon this library in front of a pretty white house.  The box was full with all sorts of books: "Vista Street Library: Take one, Leave one"


We also discovered these poems, and...


a table full of vegetables.


There was a sign on the vegetable table that encouraged people to take a homegrown treat.  The suggested donation was one dollar, which I thought was very reasonable.

How refreshing!  Even though we live in a big city, it felt like The Racecar and I had been magically dropped into a small town.  Hopefully, we'll get the chance to meet our very creative neighbor!

Friday, April 26, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



warble (noun)  1. a melodious succession of low pleasing sounds



Monday, April 15, 2013

spring flowers






In the spirit of spring, I made these notebooks.  Don't the bright, blooming
flowers feel full of inspiration?

Saturday, April 6, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week



that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...


obsession (noun)  1. a persistant disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling



Monday, April 1, 2013

50 word writing contest




The wonderful Blue Rose Girls challenged their readers to a 50 word writing contest.  To vote for a winner, go here!

Friday, March 22, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



manifest (adjective)  1. able to be seen: clearly shown or visible  2. easy to understand or recognize

paper frog




This paper frog was made for me by two of the students in my writing class.  I love how carefully they folded the paper, how beautifully they wrote my name, how thoughtfully they drew the face of a cat.    

Friday, March 8, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...


pesky (adjective)  1. troublesome

Monday, February 25, 2013

Friday, February 1, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



contrite (adjective) 1. feeling or showing regret for bad behavior


Thursday, January 31, 2013

displaying paper


My mom sent me beautiful paper to use creatively.  The paper came in this brown tube.




I wanted to see the paper as a whole, so I ordered this drying rack.  I think all of the colors look pretty and when I see them, I feel inspired.




Stay tuned to see more projects made with paper!

Friday, January 25, 2013

word of the week


Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk



is...


beguile (verb)  1. to draw notice or interest by charm  2. to deceive by cunning means  3. to cause time to pass pleasantly 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

a friend of children and literature




I'm incredibly honored to be a new member of the FOCAL award committee 2013.  FOCAL stands for Friends of Children and Literature and each year an award is given to a children's book with California content.

The 2012 FOCAL award winner is "One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street" by Joanne Rocklin.