SYNOPSIS, QUERIES, AND SUBMISSION.

The process begins. Ahwk. I finished it. I revised. I let it sit. I read it aloud to a willing audience. I edited. I let it sit. I revised again. Synopsis and query written, and rewritten. It is time. 3 queries to begin the hopeful journey. It's been years since I queried and waited. And waited. But there's lots to do in the meantime. A new Lukas to be plotted. Another picture book manuscript to be expanded into a chapter book, and there's always the basement to triage. Here's to hopes and dreams.

Sequel Ideas

Hot off some writing for Discovery Education, the subject of plastic has been on my mind. Plastic in the ocean. A beach day in Israel illustrated the issue is not just in the oceans, but also the Mediterranean. Washed up on the beach was a line of beautiful, tiny little seashells and stones. On closer inspection, I discovered it was a tide-line of teeny pieces of plastic in a rainbow of colors. Red Lukas carries the environmental message of pesticide dangers and a sequel has taken shape in my mind on the subject of ocean plastic. It will be more difficult to have the book end well, but we're relying on the youth to fix that horrible mess that we left them, so introducing them to the problem in middle grade may be our only hope.

Discovery Education

My last post was in 2012 and a lot has happened since then. The publication of Is it Smooth or Rough? resulted in steady part-time writing work. All this is good, although at times I have amazed even myself at how I managed to get it all finished. Writing K-12 curriculum-based science material for Discovery Education has been an exciting part-time job. There's always something new to learn whether it's the science behind the Big Bang Theory or the communication protocols to submit the work. I just finished up a 2 week stint of high school Hands-on Labs and reading passages. And just in time, since report cards are due next week. You do all remember that I teach full-time? However, in between the two paid jobs I have managed to complete Red Lukas--actually complete and revise it. I can't seem to leave it alone yet. I'm reading it aloud slowly now and can always find a sentence here or there to tweak. But I'm starting to think about the next one. I have an idea for a second one with Lukas, but also another 2 or 3 different stories percolating away. I've decided to give Red Lukas one more read-through, and then start the next one. I'll start whichever one decides to spill out first.

A long time passing

I've decided to jump (perhaps tiptoe) back into expressing myself through writing. A return to teaching 3 years ago was exhausting, both physically and mentally, and I had to let certain things in my life go. But I discovered that as rewarding as working with the students is, it was still not fulfilling me creatively.

With the publication of Is it Smooth or Rough? in the What's the Matter series by Crabtree Publishing, I feel ready to get back to the pursuit of my dream-- writing stories.

This time I am wiser and more confident, and I hope, more persistent.

And here is the first real publication:

Is it Smooth or Rough?

RLGL

I'm having a blast with Cynthea Liu's RLGL race. Red Lukas has made it to the 3rd page and I'm eagerly waiting for the next round's results.

Crumpled Paper is well represented and S’s picture book made it to the 4th page before being sent back to the start, while L’s CB has continued on to the 5th page. Wouldn’t it be cool if she won the whole race?

No idea what I’m talkin’ about? Check out
THIS and read up on the many contests and games Cynthea offers to help out new writers.

While you're there stop by and help out a worthy cause-- libraries.

Thanks Cynthea! You're a spot of light in this dark, rejection-riddled world of publishing.

SOLAR GADGETS

First, let me start by expressing my dismay at the endless number of things that require batteries. From clocks, fire alarms and remotes to Nintendos, MP3 players and toys -- they're in everything. The need for electricity to run anything, even a light switch, was making me a little queasy. So I came up with a solution to lessen the damage we do to the planet.

A newly installed 55 w solar panel was my answer. It fills a battery in our laundry room and that battery recharges all of our gadgets. Unbelievably, it was a brainless installation - ready to go once the panel was mounted.

Now it may seem just a tad foolish to try and power up a house with sunshine when it's overcast or raining most days of the year in our locale, but we're giving it a test drive.

So far so good. The solar panel is churning out the free power even on a cloudy day. The rechargeable batteries have all been powered up and I'm feeling a little bit better about my legacy to the world.

It's all working so well it might just be time to invest in a second battery and see what else we can run off the sun.

Today batteries, tomorrow, straight into the grid!

Stories for Children Magazine

I'm in again!

At Stories for Children Magazine you can read my non-fiction piece called Man-Made Stone.

Don't you just want to go and check out some old Roman ruins now?

Critique Groups

I think I may have already mentioned my FABULOUS critique group, Crumpled Paper, but they are certainly worth another blog of praise.

Currently, I'm working on my synopsis for Red Lukas and, like everyone seems to say, it's not as easy as it seems. So, like anything I else I write, I posted it for evaluation by Crumpled Paper.

The crits are starting to roll in and I'm humbled. What a group of talented, devoted writers! I have renewed respect and admiration for them. They've ferreted out weak plot points, slashed the word count and exposed the true synopsis underneath.

And they made it look so easy!

Thanks guys!

Today's the Day

Cynthea' book is coming out today!

The Great Call of China, by Cynthea Liu is out and it calls for a cyber party!

Cynthea helps out all of us struggling writers with her great website and offers tons of freetiques to boot. Everyone raise a glass to Cynthea today and don't forget to pick up a copy of her new book here

Nemo on Ice

Love makes us do unimaginable things. Tomorrow night I will be taking two of my sons to Nemo on Ice. I have not been to an ice show since I was about, uh....let's see, 7. The only exciting thing I remember was the teacher losing one of the kids on the subway.

But for my boys, I will suffer through anything, even skating fish. That's love.

Hope they still want me to go when their taste turns to rock music.

Pirates

A pirate - a person who robs or commits illegal violence at sea or on the shores of the sea.

In my mind, this indicates pirates are thieves. However, in recent media reports not only are pirates interviewed, but reporters seek quotes from their “spokesman” and refer to gang members as “colleagues.” Reading these reports enraged me. How could upstanding media outlets legitimize illegal actions with such word choice?

But before I jumped to any conclusions (I’m not as hip as I once was), maybe I needed to review my definitions of some of the words in question.

Colleague – an associate one works with

Well, I suppose that’s true. If you’re thieving as a group, then the people you consort with would indeed be your colleagues.

Work – an exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil

Yes, I would think that hijacking oil tankers would require effort. I’d even go so far as to say it would require labor. It’s no small feat to round up a crew and imprison them on their own ship.

There was more under work.

Work – employment, as in some form of industry, esp. as a means of earning one’s livelihood

Again, I guess these pirates are supporting their families with the ransoms and profits from their plunder.

I must now admit my error. My anger was misplaced. The media had not made a gargantuan error, altering the entire spin of the story by using the words “colleagues” and “spokesman,” but rather the small mistake of using the archaic word “pirate.”

Better to have begun with “industrialist.”

Industrialist – a person who owns or is involved in the management of an industrial enterprise.

Hmmm. Not quite right. Aha! I’ve got it.

Entrepreneur – a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

We don’t even have to send in the Navy to stop them. I’m sure a competing business will show up soon and keep them in their place, after all, pirating seems to be a profitable business these days.

Books Galore

What a great month! I've started 5 great books with 5 different reading groups. The group reading, Despereaux, is the most excited. Nothing like a movie to stir up a little interest in picking up the book.

Speaking of tie-ins, I'm intrigued with, The 39 Clues, the new concept from Scholastic. It has an on-line videogame and so far, looks interesting. My boys have the first 2 books from the 10 book series and have started in on the videogame portion. Not sure if this will be the answer for the publishing world, but it's the right direction. My own boys are voracious readers and so need no convincing. I'm gonna mention it to some of my less confident ones at school and see how they like the idea.

If nothing else, love the way ancient institutions are thinking out of the box. Or should I say, out of the book.

Upon Reflection

This past Christmas has been picture-perfect! From finding the seasonal tree ...

...being able to get it to the car...

...fit it into the livingroom...

and get it all festive...

to copious amounts of snowfall (for Berlin, of course!).

The thrill of the down!

The work of the up!

The very hard work of the up!

Couldn't have planned a better holiday!!

2009

A new year normally brings fresh expectations. This year I've decided I'm going to take it as it comes - no resolutions, no formal plans, no goals to achieve.
Can't chalk up any failures with that.

Despite best laid plans, 2008 brought unexpected employment, and while one can't really complain about that, it did alter the routine of our household. It meant that some of my plans went unfinished and much of my energy was channeled away from my boys and my writing.

This year I resolve to do my best. No more and no less.

It should be a good year.

Weinachts Season

What a busy time here in Germany. The Christmas markets are open, the Gluehwein is flowing (and flowing), the Sekt is chilled and the parties are nightly.

I have a little something extra to celebrate this year, an early gift from Stories For Children Magazine. A non-fiction story accepted for their March edition. Their site is very professional and I am happy to be a part of their community. Thanks SFCM!

A New Thought

I had been working on a post when the news from another writer interrupted me. Mine was a "complaining" post. Having just spent two days at seminars revolving around communication with the common themes of bitterness, fear and anger, I found myself in a negative mindset.

However, reading about the breakthrough for a fellow writer has uplifted my spirit and re-inspired me.

It’s time to get back to work despite general surrounding chaos. It was a difficult week, a rejection on a PB that left me winded, as if I had been kicked in the gut--I was so sure this time it would be the one. Some difficult news on the teaching front, albeit not unexpected. And a houseful of sick kids.

No more excuses! It’s time to finish the MG and brainstorm some more PBs. It is difficult to embrace persistence when the timeline seems to be eternity, but it is the only way.

I hate regrets.

I Remember

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. No one has forgotten.

Some weeks it's better just to stay in bed. If only.

We got through Halloween with some pretty fancy scheduling and juggling, but it left us weakened for the week after.

What could go wrong, did.
Funny how it all happens at once. Or not.
Almost everything is back on track.

It’s always minor stuff, but man, when it's a bombardment of annoyances hanging on you like a heavy fog, it gets you down.

Always glad to see the back of one of those periods.

Goodbye, last week.

Hello, new week.

Reliquaries - My Secret Collection

A little secret -- I collect relics. It's a little unusual, but even as a kid I collected different things. Everyone else had a stamp collection and I collected and sorted sugar bags. Yes, those little paper envelopes you get in a diner.

Anyway, now I collect relics and the reliquaries they are presented in. Well, I don't actually take them home, they are tad more valuable than the sugar bags, but I do tick them off, categorize them and collect as many photos as possible.

On a recent trip, I was thrilled to add a few more to my collection. In Aix la Chapelle, a golden, jewel-encrusted reliquary held the beheading cloth of St. John the Baptist, the cloak of Mary, the swaddling clothes of baby Jesus and the loincloth of Jesus. These are pretty high up on the hit list. They fill out my collection of relics of Jesus which includes the Crown of Thorns, the crib, a drop of blood and piece of the True Cross.

At Amiens, a breathtaking High Gothic cathedral, I added the Head of St. John the Baptist, on the platter. Unfortunately, he didn't warrant a reliquary, but it meant a good close up of the relic.

IT IS AUTUMN!

I love the fall! It's my favourite time of year. In Canada it's the time for country fairs, crisp breezes and in every direction, vivid bands of red, gold and orange. The endless shades of orange give me the most visual pleasure. I'm also partial to the glowing reds with a vibrance that you just can't find in a set of paints.

In Berlin, fall is often time for heavy rain. Actually, better described as solid rain. I also love the rain so this does not detract from my love of the season. However, this year we have been given an extra gift, the creeping colouring of the leaves.

My husband noticed it first. I convinced him that after 7 years he had forgotten how brilliant the Canadian fall really is. The odd redish tree amongst the sea of yellowish-brown is not unusual here, I said. It happens. Then I went for a drive.

My goodness! The reds, pinks and oranges are brushed down every street, they kiss the sides of apartments and fill the gardens. How unusual to find such a range and quantity of pigment here? It seems to be mainly oaks, which they say have been suffering from a destructive beetle. Perhaps, free of their parasite, they are once again able to shine. Perhaps, it is only serendipitous conditions encouraging the change.

I read once that the average person will consciously experience this natural art only 50 times in a lifetime. Attaching a finite number to the experience was sobering. I now appreciate each fall that passes and always point out the leaves to my children in hopes that they will exceed the magic 50 in their lifetime.

I hope Berliners appreciate this rare treat and add it to their lifetime count.