"Instilling Lifelong Reading Habits in Your Children"

Hope my fellow East Coast peeps are safe and hunkering down during Hurricane Sandy.

Why does naming a hurricane, full of disorder and destruction, Sandy make me laugh? Only two thoughts come to mind: 

1. Sandy has the word 'sand' in it, which gives me a tropical and calm visual.
2. Everyone knows 'Sandy' as the female MC in the hit movie & musical GREASE. Her name is the epitome of sweet.

Any hoot, today I have a guest post by Sara Dawkins, a freelance writer and active nanny. How fun!! She's been patiently waiting for me to release her post. *wink - Thx for being so cool, Sara!* Please give her a warm welcome! 

"Instilling Lifelong Reading Habits in Your Children"

Developing lifelong reading habits in your children may seem like a daunting task. In reality, all it takes is encouragement, leading by example and perks to keep your kids interested and asking for more. Below are 5 ways to get your child's reading habits kick started and reinforced to continue through adulthood.

1. Read to your child - This may be obvious but it is the most important step in establishing strong reading habits. When your children see you read, they want to do it as well. If you read to them from birth, they will grow up with reading as part of their daily routine and are more likely to continue it on their own. Read different types of books in different genres. Early on, focus on books with vivid colors and art to keep your baby or toddler interested.

2. Set a specific time to read - In the shuffle of family life, it's easy for reading time to be pushed aside. Set a specific time each day to focus on reading with your child, whether it is first thing in the morning or at bedtime. When your child is old enough (about 1 year old), allow him or her to choose the book. Be sure to have a wide selection on hand, which leads to the next point.

3. Start creating your home library early on - Start building up a collection of books for your child as early as during pregnancy. Books can be expensive but there are many places to get great deals on children's books and adult reading material as well. Research used book stores in your areas and you can find books as low as $. 25 - $1.00. The library is also a great option and getting books there is free!

4. Set goals - Once your child is old enough to read books on his own, set reading goals that lead to prizes. Prizes can be an outing to a favorite park, a sweet treat or even a new book to continue to perpetuate the reading habit. Once the goal is reached, increase it slightly by adding another book to the list or raising the reading level. Adding a visual goal chart on the wall would be a fun way to begin the challenge.

5. Reduce television and time online - This is probably the most important way to instill lifelong reading habits in your children. Often times, children spend hours watching television, playing games online or playing a handheld gaming device. While everything is okay in moderation, decreasing time with technology will inevitably lead to a stronger passion for reading in the long run.

Reading is one of the most important habits you can instill in your children. It's also one that can be done anywhere, anytime and anyplace. Don't be afraid to take a book with you everywhere you go and always have it on hand to help make reading one of your child's favorite activities!

Author Bio

Sara is an active nanny as well as an active freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor of http://www.nannypro.com/.  

Reflection

Hindsight is a priceless gift. We don't always have it, but when we notice it we need to take advantage of it.

Reflecting on past experiences, whether recent or many years ago, can be an instant growth spurt. We gain insight and wisdom into living.

This year, I chose to semi-theme my participation in the A to Z Challenge. I mainly focused on motherhood, marriage, and how each can intertwine with writing. It was a great time for me to remember events in my 20-year marriage that I'd forgotten about. I also found myself letting go of some mother-stresses to focus on the joy motherhood has brought me.

The opportunity to focus on a topic did not limit me. On the contrary, it guided me--or forced me--to put on a different set of goggles and see things in new and unique ways. I felt engaged to fully examine my experiences in ways I hadn't before. This method is useful to stretch my writing muscles as I edit and/or take on new projects.

I'm sure you, at times, are like me, seeing a project as a never-ending mountain with too many landslides. But if we break each slide down, see each step of the mountain for the step it is then we can conquer one outline, sentence, paragraph, scene, chapter, and eventually the entire storyline and numerous arcs we've created.

Let's take a new look at focusing on our projects, reflecting on each as individual pieces until the work is ready to be seen as a whole. 

Chicago After Dark

Writing is living. Not simply the sole act of writing for us who do. But living life in order to breath reality into our stories.

Well, I lived this past weekend. As most of you know, I'm a former dancer, who...still dances. My daughter dances as well. We were in three shows this past weekend, which gave me a much needed break from the hustle of writing, making my brain concentrate on something else.

I'm going to share a few photos with you. Now, don't laugh.... And no, I didn't include any images of me in a costume. ;D

Photos from L to R: Kate and Miss Heather (dance teacher), Kate, Kate & her assistant, Kate and Mac,
Kate & Me, Kate & a group of friends, Kate, and Kate & Lizzy!! Too cute!

Pretty sweet, huh? I made this over on Photovisi. I'm sure I could do better, but it was my first try. Check out the site. You can do a ton of stuff!!

Have a fabulous weekend. Be sure to come check out what I have to say on Monday about my experience tackling the A to Z Challenge!!

The X-Factor of Motherhood

There's nothing like those first few days after you realize you're in love. Euphoria takes over, and even a bit of foolish stupidity on occasion. But it's all in the name of the human dating-committing-mating process.

A young couple then marries and begins to map out what they see as their future together. For some, this includes children. Ah...procreation. Passing on the genes. Extending the family tree. Fatherhood. And Motherhood, which brings on the X-factor of being a mom.

Here's how to know if you (or your significant other) have the X-Factor of Motherhood.

1. Shower time is cut in half, because you're always in a hurry now. Shaving your legs really isn't that important.
2. No more manicures. Shorter nails are safer to avoid getting poop, finger paints, or creamy foods like peanut butter crammed under your fingernails.
3. Late night begins at 8:30 PM instead of 1:00 AM.
4. Going to the bathroom becomes a family affair. You can't even get 30 seconds free to pee ... ALONE.
5. You trade in your hot-chick muscle car for the dreaded minivan. 
6. Your favorite song to sing with the kids has to do with playgrounds and buses instead of beer, partying ALL NIGHT LONG, and hating your parents.
7. You begin to appreciate your  parents.
8. Your idea of a hot date is flannel PJs, a good book, while your hubby snores next to you.
9. Eating out means fast food, while racing the kids to their activities.
10. My favorite - you learn to be grateful for silence. Ah......

Feel free to add more! Can you relate?

My daughter and I are in a show this weekend, three showings to be exact. Hopefully I can get some photos and video to share with you. I'll probably need Monday to recover, so see you on Tuesday!! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Unicorns - Dream Uniquely

Following my A to Z Challenge theme of childhood, motherhood, and all that eeks in between, I've chosen to highlight a legendary creature today.

When I was a little girl, I had a major obsession with stuffed animals. I was that kid who had to read each of my animals a story, give them a kiss--in order, of course--and then place them ALL in bed with me. This process practically drove my dad nuts.

But there was one stuffed animal that eluded me, one no one ever bought me--the Unicorn.

I wasn't a major horse lover or anything, but there was something about this mystical horse with a sparkly horn that ignited excitement in me. Seeing a unicorn lit my little creative mind. I remember laying in bed, my arms reaching toward my ceiling. I'd trace each shadow made from the glow off my nightlight, and each time, no matter where my make believe story would take me, I'd be riding a unicorn.

Did you know that unicorns originated in Chinese mythology thousands of years ago? Many believed them to be a great omen that came to aid humans with great mission.

I'm thinking I should have one. I'm on a great mission, headed to the grocery store later today. Picture if I walked in with my friend in the picture above. I bet no one would care if I cut line at the check out. Maybe the clerk would even give my unicorn a cookie or some unicorn treat like the tellers do for my little dog at the bank.

CLICK to access the
other A to Z participants.

Many people from numerous cultures around the world believe unicorns existed. It seems the only issue is that no one can agree on their true characteristics. From color to size to purpose, the stories all vary. For instance: the Eastern unicorn is a beast with the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, the hooves of a horse, and of course, a handy-dandy shiny horn. The only unique factor that is agreed upon is a unicorn's horn.

So see, maybe there really is something magical about a unicorn. That was the only factor about the unicorn which fascinated me.

Did you ever want a unicorn, stuffed animal or real?

Territory

Growing up takes guts. There are siblings to deal with, extended family, school, homework, friendships, household chores, and of course, Mom and Dad. All of that without even mentioning the physical aspects of growing pains.

Childhood is territorial by nature. Kids find norms and cling to them--games, friends, family, TV shows, stories, and characters. Even stuffed animals. As humans, we gather, join, plant roots, and stake our claim. Order and structure gives us purpose to grow and improve. It also pushes us to think, compromise, and prioritize.


The notion of territory might conjure a feeling of safety and assurance, which can couple itself with fear of change--keeping the norm as is. But as authors, whether writers of fantasy or contemporary ideas, we must find ways to create new portholes to view our world, relationships, and life through.

We MUST stake claim of our stories, while being territorial, giving the norm a new look.

CLICK to access the
other A to Z participants.

What about you? Do YOU claim your manuscripts in different ways? Do YOU push the territorial envelope? 

If you do, tell us how. What's your secret?

R is for Red Rover

When I first pondered a post to represent the letter R, I fanned through all my motherly-writer ideas to keep with my childhood theme. I came up with games like rugby and rollerblading, even contemplated rafting--whitewater in Maine, that is. Whoot!

But then I went back to my elementary school days and remembered one game we used to play for hours on the playground - Red Rover. Remember that one, where the object was to line up with your team of kids, wait for your name to be called, then run with all your might, and throw your body into the link of waiting arms in hopes of breaking through without ripping another kid's arm off? And if you broke through, you got to steal one of their kids?

Haha...that always felt so naughty, especially because I attended a Catholic elementary school.

I usually ended up face to face with a kid like the one on the far-right of this picture. Seriously. Not sure what my problem was. I guess I liked a challenge...and bruises.

The only elements needed to play the game were a good number of kids--at least 10, and open space, preferably on soft ground like grass. Playing on asphalt usually led to someone bleeding, which sent the nuns at my Catholic elementary school into a tirade and ended recess early.

CLICK to access the
other A to Z participants.

Over the years, Red Rover has fallen to the waste-side, plagued by the rising cost of playground/school insurances and stricter safety regulations. I am all for safety. But sometimes I believe our society places too many restrictions on given rights, the natural order of things--in this case, growing up--which ends up regulating childhood.

What's your take on the subject? Did you play Red Rover as a kid? 

Naptime

Sharing some motherly wisdom using the letter N.

When I (we) brought our first child home from the hospital, it didn't take me long to realize how important nap time was to him. As he grew older, I realized his nap times were even more important to me.

Once a newborn grows from infancy and into toddlerhood--meaning fully mobile without an off button--even catching a break to go to the bathroom is tough to get. So I learned to cherish my son's naps. It gave me the opportunity to catch up on housework, talk on the phone, or actually take a shower.

But once child 2, 3, and then 4 came along, nap time became null-n-void for me. It didn't matter that baby 4 and child 2 were napping. I still had child 1 and 3 to contend with, plus housework, phone calls, and organizing bills. Showers were few and far between for me for a few years. (I think there is a span of about four years where few photos can be found of me. lol) During those years, anyone aiming a camera at me did it at their own risk.

The other thing about nap times with multiple children is that the older children usually have activities that interrupt the younger ones' naps. It could be a sports activity or simply picking up the older child from preschool, which in most places is half-day. Nap time became nothing but a pain for me, totally stressing me  out.

CLICK to access the
other A to Z participants.

Mother-Writer Lesson: don't stress. The baby, as well as the older children, will adjust. Life is life, which must be enjoyed at every moment.


Writer Moms & Dads out there, what has been your experience with naptime?

(Psst...I totally spaced that this week is my kids' spring vacation from school. Sadly, I won't be able to post again until Friday. Have a great week and see you then!)

Let's Have a Cyber Drink!

Today I'm being interviewed over on The story of a girl.... Grace is wonderful, full of that writing and reading bug. She's dedicated to help writes promote themselves and their work. Let's see if we can get her more followers.

If you want to learn the funky way I mold characters, what it's like living with four guys, how death is involved when it comes to the person I'd most like to meet, and share a cyber drink--lemonade, soda, a more active beverage--of you choice, then head over HERE and tell me what we're drinking.

Hope to see you there. Thank you so much!!

Slow and Easy; Fast and Hard

We are individuals. Some of us have light skin, while others have darker skin. We speak different languages, some even using sign language to communicate. There are blue and green eyes, athletics and artists, teachers and students. Each person is made up of personal traits, family histories, environmental influences, likes, dislikes, and preferences that define us.

I'm sure you know someone who follows every traffic law. Just as you know someone who's not as sensitive to following the speed limit. :) Or someone who despises the subject of Math, but loves History.

It took me a while to realize this same mentality and appreciation for life's differences applies to the writing world. For those of you who are just starting out with writing, I'm hoping what comes next will comfort you. And for you vintage writers, I know you'll relate.

When I decided to become a serious writer, I had a set picture in my head of how it was going to work, the elements I'd need to concentrate on, and the time I had to do it. I've always been a go-getter, passionate, and devoted to anything project I decided is for me. So I grabbed the publishing world and writing by the horns and jumped in both feet.

But at times, I felt like this...

...like I needed so much help that I'd never 

accomplish anything.

And man, did I receive fantastic help. There's nothing like the writing community. 

Other times, the publishing world looked

like this to me...

...big, sophisticated, and hungry.

Hungry for what? I wasn't sure that first year. I was nervous about everything from reading others work and giving a critique to putting myself out there, letting others read my work. So I set goals, promising that I'd get this done by this date and that completed by that date and so on.

Yeah, the problem was I'd left LIFE out of the equation.

I ended up seeing my writing like this...

...one measly letter at a time, while it

seemed the rest of the writing world

was on fire with accomplishments.

And if you know anything about me,

it's that I'm not fond of laziness

or underachieving. Major

pet-peeve.

But overall, I've learned to reevaluate my writing on a daily and weekly basis, giving myself permission for LIFE to happen. I have a new awareness about myself, the people around me--including all you fangtastical blogging friends--and the world. I've learned that I can grow at a slow and easy pace that is suitable for me today, but tomorrow might allow me to speed up, forging fast and hard into whatever I'm working on.

Either way, I'll accomplish all I set out to do and so will each of you.

So, what gives? Any of you ever feel like a snail stuck in glue?

Origins to Ignite the Writing Spark

Writing begins with an idea. Playful. Creative. Adventurous. But calling ourselves writers travels beyond the labyrinth of story roads each writer possesses to find that special place inside. It's a place where humble, yet steadfast confidence rests, waiting to grow and spark new inspiration.

I'm proud to be a part of the Origins Blogfest - the brain child of DL Hammons of Cruising Altitude, which is co-sponsored by three of my awesome blogging buds, Alex Cavanaugh, Katie Mills aka Creepy Query Girl, and Matthew MacNish of The QQQE.

My writing origins, or should I say interest in storytelling, began early in my life. As a child, I loved to retell stories that were read to me, old family tales, nursery rhymes, or even the Bible stories told to me at Catholic school. I used to dream in pictures and then wake up, having to act the story out. My best peeps were my stuffed animals, hence one reason I LOVE writing picture books!

Later on, in middle grade and high school, reworking movies I watched was a favorite pastime of mine. I could never resist dissecting a film, scene, or even a character's persona, and try to find my own little movie within that story. I'd ask questions like Why did the writer do that? Would I want that character to act that way? How come that scene came before this one? The questions were basically endless, and I drove my friends crazy with them. I can't tell you how many times I heard Would you just shut-up and watch!

I'd love to tell you that I was an avid reader as a child/tween/teen. Yeah, I wasn't. But I did write. In journals. It was personal therapy for me, a tween/teen growing up in a small mill town filled with way too many French relatives.

For me, that humble yet confident place inside peeked its head above the waves of marriage and motherhood approximately four years ago. My children were still young and needed me, but not as hands-on as in the past. I decided to revive the art of journaling. Then I began to read, everything I could get my hands on. I was addicted.

A year later, I wrote a short story that took 2nd place in a local writing contest. OMGosh....someone liked what I'd written. I had never felt such a surprising jolt of confidence, before. I then wrote my first YA novel--thankfully that work will never see the light of day - met a local writer (Hi Marcy!) who totally inspired me, and then started Writers' Ally. From there, all she wrote!! (And I mean that in the best pun possible.)

My confidence as both a person and writer has taken a personality of its own and I'm proud of that. I'll continue to quietly work on my projects, seeing each to their ends of flourishing.

Just keep swimming....
Just keep swimming....
Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming....

For more origin stories, check out the other participants HERE!! There are at least 188!! Inspiration is all around us, today! And don't forget about Oasis for YA's That's YAmore Blogfest, which began Feb. 11th and runs until tomorrow. You can still join us!! I'll post my ooey-gooey story tomorrow!!

Sinister Surprise Got My Progress

I've been thinking a lot lately, about how crazy life gets sometimes. Just when you think you've got it all covered, a surprise is waiting for you around the next corner. Sinister Surprise is a pesky little bugger, peering at you from the shadows, waiting and anticipating the worse time to strike.

Take this past weekend, for instance.


Friday, the daughter and I did the whole sleuthing for a gown thing, going about our day, never suspecting anything array. We returned home after fourteen hours of being on the road, where we giggled a ton but also expended a ton of energy.

So I'm thinking Saturday would be for resting, catching up on my picture book ideas, and writing the next few chapters of my newest YA novel.

Nope.

Sinister Surprise had other things in mind. FLEAS. 


Our little itty-bitty doggie had fleas!! Now, fleas do not affect me the way Sp_ _ _ _ s do. (Fill in the blanks, please.) But fleas are a totally pain in the butt. 


Have your animals ever been hit by Sinister Surprise??? What did you do? And even better, have you ever used something so pesky to irritate one of your characters?


****SPLAT ALERT****
I do have two cool things to report. 


1.) A few of you already know this, but I haven't mentioned it here yet. One of my short stories is coming out in a book this month!! A REAL BOOK! Too cool. The book is all about love, of all topics, and is being published by Pill Hill Press. As soon as I get the date, cover, and other info, I'll let you know!!


2.) I did find a gown. I didn't purchase it yet because I wanted the hubby to see it first. And for those of you who asked for a picture - do you know that these specialty gown shops/boutiques don't allow picture taking?? I learned something new on Friday.

Lastly, I want to give a HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY 
to my 4th kiddo, CJ, who turns the big 8 years old today! 


Mommy HEARTS you more than words. :)

Shopping For A Pageant Dress Is Like A Writer's Diction

Back by popular demand, I'm bringing you another Edition of Monday Munchies ~ 5 thought provoking tabs you can ponder throughout the week and use to inspire your writing. Or you can use them to just make you laugh.

1) Participating in PiBoIdMo has really fueled my creative juices, only not always in the most appropriate way. Man, has my mind taken left turns and muscled in the backseat all week. Try using an 'inappropriate' idea at the most inopportune time for one of your characters. (Of course, keep it tasteful, please.) This sort of ingredient could also add spice during a scene, which would otherwise have been run-of-the-mill.


2) Yesterday, the hubs and I took the four chicklets to our local park for family pictures. And yes, we took dah' pooch. Tell me what image first came to your mind when I mentioned that we'd brought the dog. Go with it. Add it to one of your scenes. BE DARING.


3) For those of you who are history buffs, said park above is actually a historical park. Yup, can you believe it even in Maine. Fort Halifax Park is a small, quaint grassy area outlining the Kennebec River. It houses the only piece of the original Fort Halifax left for visitors to see. But it has a HUGE history attached to it. Try deepening the backstory of some element in your current story.


4) Friday, my daughter and I ventured through two states on a journey to find me the perfect pageant dress. Well, the pageant dress that was perfect for me. We found two, and came home with none. Search your current story and add a disappointment to a scene or character. See where it takes you.


I could tell you what's going on with the dress, but that's for a progress report day, which I'll be doing tomorrow!! And I'll also explain the connection between 'diction' and shopping. Hope you find these munchies useful. Until tomorrow....

Wading, Waiting, or Wisdom in the Sand

Which is it? 

Here's my answer... 

image credit

I've had a ton going on lately. In my opinion, way too much for one person to manage. But each time I let it all get to me, You're not given more than you can handle, whispers softly in my head and then bleeds to my heart. Yes, for me the phrase comes from my faith, but I know most people have heard it or something similiar.

What do you believe? 

We've all known people or families whose lives seem to be taken over by challenge after challenge, struggle after struggle. We can't help but think Why them? or How do they do it? Do they have some inner strength the Forces that Be feel like testing? Or maybe they have a magnetic imbalance that draws negative energy. Could it be simply bad luck?

For me, our purpose here on Earth is to be, learn, grow, and share from our experiences. Wouldn't it be great if we could be spoon-fed wisdom? How much easier would that be? But it doesn't work that way. There must be a cost if we expect to receive. We must put ...one foot in front of the other... and experience life, in all its wonders, glories, and even gut-wrenching sorrows. And our payment, our reward is the precious gift of wisdom.

The Author & a Pageant

So, I've got some news.

When I made the decision three years ago to write seriously I had no idea where that would lead me. And just like most of you, I learned quickly that writing is a journey of confidence and great joy, but also potholes and blindsiding twists.

To learn the craft, one of my many methods was to surround myself with like-minded folks--people who work hard and give of themselves on a daily basis, and yes, writers: some of the most selfless and supportive individuals I've ever known.

 
Back in May, I was contacted by a consultant for the Mrs. Maine America 2012 Pageant and asked to compete for this year's title. I'll admit, initially I blew the idea off, needing to completely rewrite Marked Beauty and to spend time with my four kids throughout the summer. However, after seeking the advice of others and chatting with Christie--the consultant who's fabulous, BTW--I've recently decided to compete. And I could use your help.

Your support would mean the world to me. Of course, a friendly Go get'em girl will warm my heart. I will so appreciate and need those. But the pageant is also quite costly. As you can see, I've added a widget to my right sidebar. If you'd like to help sponsor me that would be amazing!! Any donation would help.

But that's not all. Recently, a beloved teacher in my area passed away. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer late this summer. I had him as a teacher in school, and he was also the father to one of my friends and classmates. In his honor, our local high school and a group of students have created a scholarship fund to be awarded to a senior, pursuing an education in chemistry or field of science. I've written a newspaper article free of charge in support of this effort, which was release yesterday in one newspaper and will be reprinted in others. I've decided that any monies I raise above and beyond my pageant expenses will be donated to this scholarship fund, helping to support the scholarship and also raise awareness of esophageal cancer.

I've linked the article to my paypal widget as well as above. I hope you'll read it. Not so much for me, but for this amazing teacher the world lost a few weeks ago. He had a 43-year career doing what he loved to do. My hope is that we all can learn to live our lives that way.

Pageants carry a stigma. Don't deny it; you know it's true. By participating in this pageant, I'm hoping to shed new light on pageantry and all the lessons it can teach and opportunities it can lend. (Just as former Miss Maine Ashley Underwood did when she took the challenge of being a cast member of the hit show Survivor last season.) The Mrs. America Organization has been running for 35 years. Over those years, its title holders have done countless works of charity. Their focus is on a woman's accomplishments--what she's done with her life and how she's lived it. I believe that's an important element of life, and in today's society, it's a priceless example.

My other goals are easy:

• to share the experience and wisdom I've gained through my almost 20-year marriage and the joys and angst of raising four children--yeah, kind of like writing, isn't my friends?
• 
  
• to share my passion for writing, and the importance of regular reading and writing for children and young adults. They don't have to aspire to be professional writers when they grow up. But reading and writing can be therapeutic and teach the vital skill of dreaming. Think Big - Be Big. We never know where we can go unless we dream it first. Reading and writing can develop other skills such as confidence and the ability to formulate ideas and answers, not to mention the ability to communicate in an articulate manner.  

The pageant will be held sometimes at the end of January or beginning of February. I plan on writing posts, recording my experiences to share with you. I've already had a few--as you can see from the photo shoot photos I've added to this post--so I'll have to backtrack. I've also started a separate Facebook page. Would you please head over and Like it for me?

Thank you in advance for your support!!

Hearts,
S~ 

Featherbrained Friday: Toilet Paper

Ready for another edition of Featherbrained Friday? Well, I have a humorous story for you, one that is very close to my home.

Jake twirls the football in the air over his head and catches it in his fourteen-year-old hands.

"Pass it here. Pass it here," cries CJ, Jake's little brother.

Jake hauls his arm backward, the ball in his grip, his shoulder tensing. CJ's eyes widen and he crouches. A smile lifts his tiny cheeks.

Thrusting his arm forward, Jake throws the football. CJ raises his lanky arms, fingers long and stretching towards the ceiling. Big sister Kate cups her hands around her mouth, giving the whoosh of their make believe crowd life.

The ball spirals and flies over the coffee table. CJ reaches a bit more. A small moan vibrates up his throat. Tiny lines crease his forehead. Then the ball thuds him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

"Nice one, moron," Kate says to Jake as she ambles over to CJ to give him a comforting hug.

Jake chuckles. "It's not my fault he missed."

"He's seven." Kate beams the ball at Jake's face. He dodges its path and sticks out his tongue.

"Real mature."

CJ pinches his nose between his fingers, as Kate walks out of the living room. "Hey, who cut one?"

"If you smelt it then you dealt it." Jake bends over to pick up the ball.

"I did not," CJ screams. "You're always blaming me for stuff!"

"Augh,"--Jake points at the ball on the carpet--"maybe you didn't do it, little bro."

CJ leans forward. "Ooh, the dog pooped in the house. Mom's goin'a be mad."

"Yeah," Jake answers. "So why don't you make like a good little brother. Get some toilet paper and get rid of it. We can finish playing pass outside." Jake jogs toward the mudroom.

"'K," little CJ says, really excited to play football with his big brother outside.

#

An hour later, Mom and Dad arrive home from an open house at the local high school. Dad shuts the driver's side door to his car, as Mom leans by his side.

"You want to guess who did that?" Mom asks. They both laugh.

"Hey, since when do the trees need toilet paper?" Dad nonchalantly asks.

...toilet paper & doggy @#$% dangling from the hedges in the yard...

NICE. The neighbors just love us. Got to love the care of an older sibling.

Have a fabulous weekend, Alleywalkers!!

My Take on Back-2-School Writing

Where I live, newly-incoming high school freshman and junior high sixth graders, along with the elementary kids officially begin their school year one day before the rest of the students. So that put my family in a funky position--child #2 (an incoming freshman) and my 2nd grader attended school yesterday, leaving my senior and 7th grader starting today. Topping it all off, Hurricane Irene pushed them back an extra day.


Regardless...
...can you hear the quiet at my house? Ahh...

In honor of all this quiet, I put together a silly writers' list of "ables" and "not-so-ables"--how I'll utilize my time.

On the first Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: turn my computer on without hearing "Mom, he hit me! Mom, she ate all the cereal. Mom, Mom, Mom..."

On the second Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: drink my coffee warm without microwaving it 8 million times.

On the third Back To School day, I'll come back to reality: turn the computer off and fill out all the ($%^&@#$%) paper work the school insists on sending home, despite living in the digital age. (Save a tree, already.)

On the fourth Back To School day, I'll have no choice but to: rest my aching hands from filling out those forms on day three.

On the fifth Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: peek at my outline for my YA story, then rush to the athletic meetings for Fall sports--the ones, because I have four kids, I've already attended in the past 10x!

On the sixth Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: W--R--I--I--I--T--E. *pom-pom cheers 4 me*

On the seventh Back To School day, I'll be forced to: trudge through the elementary, junior high, and high school, attending yet my umpteenth OPEN HOUSE!


On the eighth Back To School day, I'll be forced to: pick up kids at three different schools, attend a X-country meet and girls' soccer practice, and explain (again) to my 2nd grader why he can't play Xbox in school.

On the ninth Back To School day, I'll finally break: and decide to write a letter to the editor of our local newspaper stating:  ***There should be a reprieve from paper work and lame meeting attendance for parents with multiple children.***


On the tenth Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: see hope and gain my bearings.

On the eleventh Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: begin to adjust, seeing my writing time renewed. Characters will inspire me, new scenes will flood my brain. I'll crack my knuckles and exhale.

And on the twentieth Back To School day, I'll be able to say: "A new school year for them and a new writing season for me. And this is my year!"


What about you? Can you see the light through all the fallen trees that block your writing road?

Writers' Ally is BACK!! Summer Writing Lessons...

****WAVES frantically****
Did you miss me as much as I missed you??

I really did, you know. We're all aware of..."Absence makes...blah, blah..." Well, my heart is definitely fonder of each of you. And a special spotlight welcome to my New Followers. Please leave comments. I ADORE your thoughts and love chatting with you. Can't wait to get to know you.

I do not say this lightly: you are all important to me. You are my energy in this writing game, and I'm so grateful for you. So....if you stay tuned, you'll find out how grateful I am. Yes, I'm teasing you with a giveaway. I have like 25 Young Adult & Middle Grade books, just weeping for new homes, laying prostrate on my office floor. A giveaway is in the near future. :)

But I wanted to catch up a bit before we move into the Fall season.

I had a quiet yet busy summer. My kids' last day of school was only a week and a half before the Fourth of July. That really shortened our summer. We swam in our pool, chatted, and barbecued a ton. Went to the beach, did the amusement park thing, parades, and camp visits. Of course, being HUGE Red Sox fans, we hit three games!!! One of them was even on that day in Boston when, at game start, it was 108 degrees. Phew....Now that's hot.

On the flip side, we spent half a week in six ice rinks in Massachusetts for a summer hockey tournament, and then fried at our daughter's premier soccer tournie in New Hampshire. Yeah...we're a versatile bunch, aren't we?? More like crazy. I do have one story to share with you about when I accompanied my hubby on a business trip to New York City and than Atlantic City, but that will take too much of your valuable time, right now. Let's just say--ICE CHIPS FROM THE VENT ABOVE MY SEAT FELL ON ME, WHILE WE WERE FLYING IN THE AIRPLANE!! I so wanted off! Other than that, we were kind of lazy, which was fantastic for our busy family of six (Dad, Mom, & the 4 kiddos, for those of you who are new to my crazy life).

Editing, writing, and freelance work took up some of my time. Mostly, I reflected and totally sucked in all I could from observing my kids and their friends. I'm a children's book writer. What better way is there to formulate ideas than by watching kids and teens in action? My brain regressed back to that two-year-old mentality, soaking up their actions, mannerisms, word choices, and attitudes. The list was endless.

The main lesson I learned over my eight week hiatus from blogging is that I can't allow my love for storytelling to get bogged down by the business of life. Each day is a new day, which will bring new challenges. Most of those challenges will have nothing to do with my writing career. Honing in on daily life can fuel our writing, creativity, and our drive.

Take advantage (and notes) of every moment you're given. They ALL really do count!

So happy to be back.

Splat: I've devised a new schedule for the Alleyway: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (occasionally alternating with Friday, just because I love Friday posts!!) Each day will host a regular lineup. But I never decided on exactly what I want to do. I'll need your opinions for that. I'm hoping to list them soon. :)

On the writing front, I'm normally private about my true activity and any leads I might be pursuing. Just keep me in your thoughts. I'd set writing goals for the summer...

What have you learned over the summer that can make you a better writer?

Cause & Effect

At first, a faint pang taps under my ribcage--the place where my heart should be. My pulse picks up speed, but I ignore it, the mumbling over the phone luring more of my attention and my husband's facial expressions drooping. My chest tightens, the pang now twisting, piercing with each shallow breath. I glance out the window, the summer sky hopeful and bright, and in total opposition of the dread infecting my soul.

Fear, doubt, worry consume the air around me. There's no way out--a black hole. I'm sinking, drowning amidst the muffled words I just heard. My husband drops his cell phone. The car suddenly slows, and he heads towards an off-ramp. Despite the cool from the air conditioner brushing against my face, the ends of my long hair frizz from the extra heat I'm suddenly giving off. I fiddle with my fingers. My brain is a machine, calculating all possibilities from the mundane to the horrific.

My husband glances at me, our connective stare blank yet brimming with panic. My brain hurts, my eyes now glassing over. So are his. He grips my hand as the car whizzes on the road. I stutter an inhale, words pouring from my mouth with no direction or sense. We tell each other to relax, stay calm. But the rot in my gut won't stop, the gnawing too strong. I want to curl into a ball and hide, pray, beg "Please, oh good God please..."

There are no words feared more by a parent than "Your child has been in a car accident." The above is an observation of Cause and Effect and how one might use it in writing. Something obviously happened to Cause these reactions and the Effect is surely to be revealed in the text soon.

But this is also a true story. My story. On Sunday--Father's Day. As my husband and I drove our 12-yr-old daughter to her soccer tournament an hour away, we received a phone call that our two sons--Josh (17) & Jake (14)--were in a car accident. It was not Josh's fault. He had his blinker on and the boys were wearing their seat belts. Apparently, a driver two cars behind Josh decided to pass on a straight-away at approximately 50 MPH just as Josh was turning left into the ice rink parking lot for a hockey game. The impact spun the car in the opposite direction and straight back into the rink sign. The straight back part is most befuddling. It makes no sense that the force didn't keep them spinning or toss them into a roll.

Josh's car is a total loss. It's a miracle neither boy was hurt severely or worse....2 more feet to the left or if Josh had turned a moment later, the impact would have been on his driver's side door.

My brain is still that muddled mess I wrote about above, examining the what if's and the how come's of Cause & Effect.


How do you deal with Cause and Effect in your writing? 

Holy HAIL, Batman!

I noticed on Friday that lots of bloggers do a Friday Five kind-of-a-post, exploring themselves, their work, or the blogosphere as a whole. I've decided to do my own version of an itemized list, but today. Monday. Let's call it MONDAY MUNCHIES ~ thought provoking tabs you can ponder throughout the week.


1) What's up with HAIL the size of golf balls on an 85 degree day in Maine? Seriously. The other day they came down so hard windows smashed at a local bank. #somebody'smad Use a weird weather anomaly in your writing this week.

2) We attended grad parties for our 17yr-old's best friends. Have one of your characters see a life-changing-event through the reactions of another.

3) Josh (our 17yr-old) learned he's graduating June 6th next year. Try exploring a character's reluctant inner fears in a new way.

4) One of the girl's on my daughter's soccer team broke her collarbone. OUCH! Have you ever used a physical handicap as a character characteristic? Try it this week.

5) I finally have a winner in Kari Lee Townsend's FULL Chapter Critique ~ Jody Lamb chosen by Random.org. Congrats, Jody!! Try writing into a scene a WIN for one of your secondary characters. See what new material that might bring you.

So, OPINIONS? Did we like my new MONDAY MUNCHIES feature? Want more?? Suggest away, and I'll use them.