It's time for the Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest, hosted by the talented and generous Susanna Leonard Hill. This year's challenge is to write a Valentine's story for kids, featuring someone who is confused, in 214 words or less. You can peruse all the contest rules and enter your own story (and read all the other…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: BITTY BOT
Look at this cover! Who knew robots could be so adorable? Title: BITTY BOT Written by: Tim McCanna Illustrated by: Tad Carpenter Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016, Fiction For Ages: 3 and UP Themes/Topics: robots, bedtime, adventure, space travel First page: “In a busy robot town, bots begin to power down—…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: SHY
I first heard about SHY very recently, on day 13 of Tara Lazar’s Storystorm: https://taralazar.com/2017/01/13/storystorm-day-13-colby-sharp/. If you aren’t familiar with Storystorm (formerly PiBoIdMo), please do yourself a favor and check it out. While it’s geared especially to writers and illustrators, anyone who’s interested in the creative process will benefit from this month of idea generation…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: WOLVES
I can’t recall who recommended Emily Gravett’s WOLVES to me. Once I had my hands on it, I devoured it before looking at the copyright date. I was flabbergasted when I discovered that WOLVES came out in 2005. I would’ve guessed it was hot off the presses. What makes this book ahead of its time?…
Storystorm Day 1: “The Calm Before the Storm” by Deb Lund
Take 2017 by storm! If you're in need of inspiration for your writing, check out StoryStorm.
2017 Anti-Resolution Revolution
This is my second year participating in Julie Hedlund's Anti-Resolution Revolution (http://www.juliehedlund.com/2017-anti-resolution-revolution/). Julie’s approach – celebrating successes from the previous year and using them as a base to build upon – feels more hopeful and productive than writing your typical New Year's resolutions (I failed to accomplish X this year, but next year I'll make X happen!).…
Holiday Contest: Heartsick Reindeer
This is my second entry in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Annual Holiday Contest! You can read all the stories here: https://susannahill.com/2016/12/08/ho-ho-ho-the-6th-annual-holiday-contest-is-here/ Heartsick Reindeer’s Twelve Days of Christmas (300 words) On the first day of Christmas, Heartsick Reindeer stared at his hooves, wishing he wasn’t alone. He asked, “How do I find true love?” No one answered.…
Holiday Contest: All Creatures Clinic
It's time once again for Susanna Leonard Hill's Annual Holiday Contest! You can read all the stories -- and enter your own story -- here: https://susannahill.com/2016/12/08/ho-ho-ho-the-6th-annual-holiday-contest-is-here/ This year the challenge is to use the basic format/concept of The 12 Days of Christmas. Fun, but challenging! I fear I stuck a little too close to the original…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: TOKYO DIGS A GARDEN
TOKYO DIGS A GARDEN could be the love child of The Little House and The Curious Garden. Oh, and I think it’s related to Sidewalk Flowers, too. A must-read for kids AND adults who love picture books, this magical and subversive fable about the role of nature is my pick this week for Perfect Picture…
Halloweensie! Zombie Mommy
In the midnight hour, I decided to post a second Halloweensie story! This one comes in at exactly 100 words. Zombie Mommy Every Halloween, Violet’s mom went all-out spooky. “Nice zombie costume, Mom.” “Barg,” said Zombie Mommy, devouring raw hamburger. “I’ll make my own dinner,” said Violet. Under a harvest moon, Zombie Mommy…
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