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?

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

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

dinovember

This idea is so awesome.
To view more dino-scenes, click here.

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

writing award

At the SCBWI Central-Coastal California Writers' Day 2013, 

I was given this award.

Most Promising!

the goldfinch

This just might be the best book cover ever.

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.

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?

Like writing, learning to walk is a skill that takes a lot of practice.  

My toddler's shoes know this better than anyone.

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

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)

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.

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.

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?

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

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!

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

spring flowers

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

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

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!

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.    

word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I added to the fish bowl on my desk

is...

pesky (adjective)  1. troublesome

desk of a birthday girl

It feels like just yesterday that I had the desk of a new mom.

ps. The Colorscope of a fellow Piscean.

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

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!

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 

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.