Beginning

Welcome to my blog, thank you for stopping by. If this is your first time to my blog, it's nice to meet you. If you've been here before, welcome back.

My writing journey has begun. The road will have some bumps and detours. I only hope that the first hill is not too high, and the journey is long.














Friday, April 24, 2015

I arrived at the Conference:  Think Outside the Crayon Box



My first workshop starts at 2:00 pm - Writing Picture Books and Early Readers Like a Poet: Writing Poetry Techniques to Make Your Picture Books Pop!  Presented by:  Jane Kohuth, author of

 
Published by Random House in September, 2013
 
 
Spring Conference

Today is the start of the NESCBWI Spring Conference.  Bags are packed and I am ready to go.  So excited! 

I will be an attendee at the 2015 New England SCBWI Conference
 
Happy!  Happy!  Happy!
 
 

Sunday, April 19, 2015


I am reviving my Books With Cookies And Milk!  Here is a cute story I just enjoyed reading.  Check it out :)

Books With Cookies And Milk

 The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
 
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

Words and pictures by Mo Willems

This is such a cute story!  It says so much in so few words.  Even the title makes you wonder whether the Duckling gets the cookie or not.  Gentle hint of kindness and good manners is behind the Duckling and the cookie.  It is a great story to read or to be read to!  Nice work Mo Willems!

 Chocolate Chip, Raisin, Nut and Oatmeal Cookies

 Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened or room temperature
6 tablespoons shortening
1 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 cups old-fashioned oats
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¾ cup milk chocolate chips
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup raisins
Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 350ยบ.  Spray baking sheets with nonstick spray.  Using an electric mixer, beat butter, shortening, eggs, sugars, vanilla and cinnamon in large bowl until well mixed.  Sift in flour, baking soda and salt; beat to blend.  Mix in chocolate chips, nuts, oats and raisins.

Drop 1 rounded tablespoonful of dough, for each cookie onto baking sheet, spacing 1” apart.  Keep this shape do not flatten.  Bake cookies until lightly golden and soft to the touch, about 14-15 minutes.  Cool cookies on sheets and move to wire racks.

Pour a glass of milk and Enjoy while reading:

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

 

 

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Trying to remember the stories I liked to read as a child.
 
 
Today, while writing I am recapturing my youth!  Here is a picture of me in the 5th grade! 

Wednesday, April 8, 2015


Trying to succeed as a writer and opening doors
 
I read anything I can find on how to be a writer, seeking that magic phrase to guide me in the right direction.  I realized that inspiration is all around me.  It is in reading books, reading the newspaper or just watching people around me.  Having curiosity is my best inspiration.  Everyone and everything has a background story waiting to come forward. Writing isn’t about waiting for doors to open, it is about wondering what the story is behind the door and creating that story and making others want to open it and see what is happening behind it, too.

I carry a notebook with me wherever I go, jotting descriptions and phrases for later use.  One of my prompts that I use is an image of a closed door, then one slightly ajar and finally a door that is swung wide open.  These “door” prompts are on index cards and I move them along as I write.  It seems to work for me.    

My notebooks are filled with scribbles and sketches, stories complete and incomplete.  I may never get published or never be read by millions, but I feel successful at my attempts because I am doing what I love.  I am writing instead of just hoping to do it one day.  I am always opening my own doors instead of waiting for someone to open them for me.  Careful world, I am opening doors and I don’t always knock first!

Friday, April 3, 2015

Who else is looking forward to attending the Spring Conference?

I will be an attendee at the 2015 New England SCBWI Conference
 
I can't wait!

Thursday, April 2, 2015


Just to let you know why I have been among the missing - 

For the over past year I have been taking care of my Stepmom who passed away peacefully last week.  She was a lovely and kind woman.  We will miss her greatly.  Like me, she liked to write; her passion was poetry.  She also loved quotes.  So, in her honor I am posting some quotes from a post from a couple years ago on my blog. 

 
  "Laughter is one of the best medicines around for relieving stress and for creating a more healthy spirit. And, one of the greatest aspects is that it is totally free and can be done by anyone."

- Byron Pulsifer
 

"Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes up his mind to do. We are capable of greater things than we realize."

- Norman Vincent Peale

 
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."

- John Quincy Adams
 

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

- Albert Schweitzer

 
"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."

- Meister Eckhardt
 

I hope today finds you all happy, healthy and writing!