Today kicks off the birthday season is the Stanford Household. And as such, I thought it was appropro to write a little poem to honor my boys. For without those two little monkeys, I would a sailboat without the wind. They give me direction and purpose, and inspire me to try to be better than I actually am, which is no small feat.


Raising Boys
Sticky fingers
Tiny toes
Muddy hands
Runny nose

Messy rooms
Tender hearts
Noisy burps
Stinky Farts

Empty cupboards
Tousled beds
Whiny cries
Sleepy heads

Booming laughs
Tattered toys
Oh the joys of
Raising boys

To say that I'm a little obsessed with the undead and paranormal books, is probably a bit of an understatement. In a world with harsh realities and paying bills and scrubbing toilets (Did I mention being an adult stinks?), I like to escape from the real world on a semi-daily basis, and live in a fantasy world where kick-butt female protagonists save the day and gorgeous immortal males say and do all the things that us mere mortal women dream of at night. I mean, who wouldn't want snuggle up with a gorgeous paranormal at the end of the day? They never age. They never get that uber gross beer belly and back hair that comes with middle-age and calories. And for some unknown reason, they're almost always super hot. I mean what is up with that, no uggos ever get turned into werewolves or vamps or zombies? Or when they do, their bodies undergo such vast changes to their DNA that they're all of the sudden hot? I digress, let me get back to the point.

The point is that one of my favorite vamp book series', The Chicagoland Vamp Series, by Chloe Neill, is about to release another book, Biting Cold. And if you click on the picture of the book cover, you can preview the first chapter of the book on Neill's website. So check it out! If this first chapter is any indication of how the rest of the book will go, I'd say that loyal readers of the series will be sated.  

Enjoy!  

Looking to find the new, best selling young adult book, before it becomes a bestseller? Look no more. It's Struck, by Jennifer Bosworth. Mark my words. It's going to be RED HOT!

The trailer pretty much says it all, but in case you're looking for more, here's a brief description:
In sunny California, near the Peunte Hills fault line, a storm is brewing, and an epic battle between good and evil will decide the fate of the world.

Who will win? The prophet and the Church of Light, or the seekers?

Which side will Mia, a lightning addict, choose when her family is split down the middle, like a fault line in the City of Angels?

And who will help Mia in this epic showdown? The boy she calls 'Nightmare Boy', a cult led by a man they call 'The Prophet', or a group of renegades that have already been proven to be master manipulators?

Which side will you choose? The battle begins May 8th, at book stores around the world.   

Obsessed with Divergent? Love Number Four? If 35,000 people preorder 'Insurgent', by Veronica Roth, before the release date, she'll release an unpublished scene from 'Insurgent', from Four's perspective. SQUEE!

Come on, people. I need some more Four. LOL:)

And when you're done, check out this really cool post on Pageturners, my new favorite book site, and learn even more about 'Insurgent' and Team Dauntless.

Ok. So this is going to my last post today. Promise. But what kind of book junkie would I be, if I didn't share the links to some 'super sneak peeks' (Insurgent and Deadlocked)?

"Wait.You have sneak peeks of 'Insurgent' by Veronica Roth and 'Deadlocked' by Charlain Harris?" you ask. "No way!"

WAY. Double WAY.

To read them, click on the book covers.

         






Enjoy, bloggers!

Ok. If you're visiting this site and you're like me, you're probably a complete and total book junkie, beyond obsessed with the written word. And as such, you've probably read one of the hottest new books out there, Divergent.



But let's just say, for argument's sake, that you've been in a coma for the last year and that you haven't had a chance to read the book yet-You know, because you've been out there relearning how to walk, eat, and read all over again. Listen carefully, stop reading this post immediately and go buy/check-out/read 'Divergent'. Your quality of life will be better off for it.

NOW. Seriously. Right now.

Then, when you're done reading the book, come back to this post, follow the link to the factions quiz, and write a comment declaring your faction. Because if you're like the rest of the world and obsessed with this book, you're probably going to want to know what your faction is. And, ofcourse, you'd be ever so proud to let the whole world know what your faction.

It's not a tatoo, mind you. But it's the next best thing.

Mine, just in case you were wondering, is Amity. Although,I probably just overode the simulation-you know,like us divergents are know to do-and was able to make myself look like less of a threat to the other factions.

What faction do you belong to, bloggers? Take the following quiz with me and have a little fun. http://www.divergentfans.com/profiles/blogs/divergent-faction-quiz

When I grow up, perhaps I’ll be
the president of our country.
Or maybe, I won’t lead at all.
I’ll be a cashier at the mall.

When I grow up, I’d like to write
about a princess and a knight.
And when the princess goes astray,
My knight will come and save the day.

When I grow up, I think I’ll dance
in theatres all over France.
And when my dancing days are done,
I’ll stroll off towards the setting sun.

When I grow up, I’ll stay in school
for mama didn’t raise no fool.
I’ll be a doctor or a vet,
and help the patients that I’ve met.

When I grow up, I’ll do great things
and relish what the future brings.
Whatever I grow up to be,
I know that I’ll be proud of me.

Happy Hedgehog Day

Earlier today, I did a little blog post about brainstorming. But what I didn't tell you in that post, is that I'm also in the beginning stages of working on a little story that I kind-of love.

It all started a few months ago, when I was reading a very interesting blog post about hedgehogs. Long story short. Apparently, we Americans, have had it all wrong when it comes to weather predicting animals. In ancient Rome, the hedgehog was actually the reigning super weather predictor. And when immigrants settled in the Americas, they replaced these spiney, little meteorologists with the most hedgehog-looking creature that they could find in America, the local groundhog.

So all these years, we've been consulting the wrong animal for weather advice.

Well, to be honest, I thought that this historical fact was hilarious, and too great to pass up. So lately, I've been working on a little story involving the two, groundhogs and hedgehogs. And in the end, a very rough draft of 'Happy Hedgehog Day' was born.

'Happy Hedgehog Day' is a funny picturebook manuscript about a groundhog that's afraid of her own shadow(quite literally), and crotchity old hedgehog who comes to the rescue. So stay tuned for details about that:)

And in the meantime, check out the article for yourself. You may just find the article amusing, too.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/02/groundhog_day_2011_is_punxsuta.html

What's New In Writerland?

I think this song pretty much sums it up. Feel free to imagine me singing this song whilst I brainstorm new picturebook ideas.




But in actuality, I'm probably listening to this song whilst I brainstorm.



I'd like to think of myself as a hip mom and writer. And the fact that I just said 'hip', just goes to show you how unhip I actually am;)

You're probably picturing the lady in mom jeans who still wants to be cool, so she listens to all the latest bands and keeps up on all the trends. And if you are......you'd be right-o.

Waiting and Heartache

This week, I finally did it. I finally sent out my story 'The Barnyard Exercise'.After much debate and advice my from awesome critique group and writers on Writeoncon, I finally deemed it ready for the eyes of literary agents throughout the word-well, mostly New York, anyway.

'And how's that going?' you ask.

Well, not so good.

The day after I submitted my story, I got a bite. Yippee! Hooray! I'm on my way! A literary agent liked my query, so I sent in my 150 word manuscript to the agent with all the hope that a heart could hope.

And.... he didn't like it. Wah! Wah! Wah! Heartache!

He did have some very positive things to say about the manuscript, however. So I'm not going to consider it a complete wash.

So now what?

Well, I wait and hope some more. Maybe others will like my little ms. After all, 'Carrie' received like 30 rejections before someone decided to publish that work of genius. And 'Gone with the Wind', received 38 rejections. And that is a classic, my friends.

Not that I'm saying 'Barnyard Exercise' is the same league as either of those books. That would be laughable.

But am I saying, that one rejection isn't going to cause me to cower beneath the covers, or shake beneath the sheets. I will hold onto hope until the very last rejection comes back. And even then, I will search for even the smallest hint of advice, and use it to make my story better. Because my little story is cute and original, I tell ya. And I believe it could be successful.

So my questions to you guys and gals are these: Have you ever had an experience like this? Did your story get picked up eventually, or did you give up? What advice do you have for other writers ont this particular subject?
=

Kids Say the Darndest Things

So today, I was huddled in my computer room, sending out query-after-query, when my four year old happened into the room.

"Whatcha doing, mommy?" he asks, as he removes his saliva soaked thumb from his mouth.

"Well, buddy," I start to answer, as if he'll know what I'm talking about. "Mommy is sending out her story today. You see, if mommy ever wants to see her story become a book, I have to send it to people who can make that happen."

Suddenly, Josh shrieks. "No, mom, I wanna hear your story every day! If you send it out, I will never get to hear it!"

To which I reply, "It's okay, buddy. I have a copy. And when it gets published, I promise that you'll be the first person to get a signed copy."

Josh looks at me with a raised brow. " What's that?" he asks, innocently.

To which I respond with a hug, "Nevermind, I guess you have to be five to appreciate that!" and chuckle.

Then, of course, I retell my picturebook, from memory.

And Josh, says all the words with me:)

God, I love my kids!

Add A Little Extra

Want to add a little something extra to your blog?

Try adding a custom signature. Follow the link, and give it a try.

http://shabbyblogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/tutorial-how-to-add-custom-signature-to.html

Hotbed Of Out-Of-Control Behavior

Today my household is a hotbed of out-of-control behavior. Little boys are zooming through the house, like tasmian devils on a sugar highs. Little boys are are jumping from couch-to-couch, like mischievous monkeys. And little boys are eating a buffet of semi-sugary treats and drinks that would cause a full-grown adult to go into a sugar coma.

'Why in the world am I allowing this anarchy to continue?' you ask.

Research.

Today is all about perusing the internet for the agents, and finding the perfect super-group of agents to send my story to.

For the past year and half, I have worked on my craft. I have read books, articles, and blogs. I have participated in online critique groups and attended online conferences. I have even submitted one picturebook story to about 3 agents...total.

But today, is all about up-ing my game. I've talked the big talk, and now I'll walk the big walk. And in order to do that, I need to take it to the next level.

So what is the next level?

The next level, is researching pb agents until my eyes bleed, apparently. It's looking at submission guidelines-so long and so hard-that I walk away with away with a small group of feint black dots swirling around in front of my eyes, and a migraine that would bring a horse to his knees.

But, surprisingly, I'm enjoying it. The kids are playing semi-nicely. I haven't had to intercede....yet, anyway. And I'm appreciating the VERY lengthy guidelines and agents descriptions.

Because,hey, I don't want to wast my time and money either.


So, I'll continue researching until my eyes bleed. And I'll allow the anarchy to continue in my household-at least, until it seems like my children have had way too many sugary treats, and I simply must intercede with an apple or some grapes.

And I won't feel the least bit guilty. Because, hey, I am living my dream. And a good mother shows her children balance. And a good mother plays with her children and still shoots for the stars. And a good mother can do it all.

Right?

Ok. So maybe I'm feeling a little bit guilty about trying to do it all. But a good mother always worries, right?

RIGHT?

The Song of the City

Warning: This poem was written for the sheer fun of it. I have not checked it for meter or syllable count. Nor have I have lost any sleep over it-mostly because I wrote it an hour ago.

Sometimes you just have to write what's in your heart, without any intention of it being published traditionally. And on this day, in particular, I was just thinking about the background noise of the world, and how its like lullaby of sorts.

The Song of the City
As I lay in bed, with my eyes shut tight,
The glow of the street lamps light up the night.
With a zip and a zat, they click on like that.
And I hear the song of the city.

As the planes fly by, like a flash in the sky,
The sounds of their engines soar upon high.
With a woosh and a creek, tiny flaps start to squeak.
And I hear the song of the city.

As the cabs speed past, with their fares in tow.
They race through the night in the streets below.
With a honk and a beep, as I try to sleep.
And I hear the song of the city.

As the train chugs on, like a sad soft song,
With a haunting refrain, that I must sing along.
With a choo and a choo, I feel like a snooze,
As I hear the song of the city.

As my eyes flip flap, like the wings of a dove.
And the stars blink high, in the sky above.
With a ZZZZZZ like a roar, I begin to snore.
And I add to the song of the city.

Writing In Rhyme Can Be Such A Rough Climb

Think you have what it takes to write in rhyme, just because you know a few rhyming words and a have a cute idea for a story? Think again!

Writing in rhyme is tough. Not only do you have to tell a story with perfect meter-Huh?-but you also have to progress the story and have a unique twist. Which in case no one told you, isn't easy.

About a year ago and a half ago, I started writing in rhyme. And although I hate to admit it, I thought rhyming would be a breeze. After all, how hard could it be? Dr. Seuss made it look so darned easy, with so few words.

But little did I know, just how hard it would be. And when I submitted my first story to one of my critique groups-fully expecting to get rave reviews-what I found instead, was that I was greeted by a bunch of meter maids, who politely hit me with their buckets, then ran me over with their (figurative) livestock.

OUCH! Painful!

And I don't want that for you guys. I don't want you to be assaulted by a bunch of meter maids (or men). I want you to know what you're doing.

So today, I've posted a lovely little video-courtesy of wikihow-detailing how to write in rhyme, or at least scan your rhymes. And I hope that it will help you, like it helped me.

Good luck, fellow rhymers!

Rhyming Resources
http://www.wikihow.com/Scan-a-Poem
http://www.underdown.org/mf-rhyme-and-meter.htm
http://www.underdown.org/mf-rhyming-picture-books.htm
http://www.rhymezone.com
http://www.smartwriters.com/content/view/351/
http://writeoncon.com/2010/08/meter-meter-sleep-depleter-by-author-tiffany-strelitz/

*This post was inspired by a very clever meter man. And if you're reading this, you now who you are:)


They look so friendly, don't they?

What's New With Me?

This summer was rough. In the late spring, I received a few rejections-worded very nicely, not too tough to swallow-and I was feeling really bummed about writing in general.

And while I know I said that I would let rejections roll off of my back and learn from them in a poem posted on this very blog, I didn't at first. I let them simmer and stew. And soon, my bummed feelings turned into full blown, bury your head in the sand-itis.

Seriously, I was like an ostrich. I burried my head under my pillow and refused to write.Ideas would come to me, and I would ignore them. The imaginary characters that tried to whisper to me, had found that I was holding my ears and yelling 'Lalalalalalalala' at the top of my lungs, like a stubborn kid who doesn't want to listen to his mother.

It was really quite sad. Imagine a 34 year old acting like that.

But then Fall arrived-or at least the beginning of the school year in Florida-and I was feeling hopeful again. I simply couldn't ignore my friends anymore.

After all, they hadn't abandoned me. I had abandoned them.

So slowly, I took my fingers off of my ear lobes and started listening again. And what I heard, was a funny, rhyming picture book story about barnyard animals who like to excercise each morning, before the farmer wakes up.

Picture dogs jogging by with sneakers on. Imagine cows doing yoga by the plow. Visualize ducks playing hockey. If you can do that, you'll have an idea of what 'Barnyard Exercise' is all about.

So that's what I've been up to, bloggers: burying my head in the figurative sand, recovering from rejection, learning from rejection (hopefully), and writing a funny story about barnyard animals.My only prayer is that someone will see the story, and be just as happy with it as I am.

So here I am, crossing my fingers and throwing my intentions into the universe.

I'll let you know if the universe throws anything back:)

Technical Difficulties

Right now, I'm having technical difficulties with the blog. I can see your comments, but I can't comment. So for those of you who are commenting, I am seeing your comments. And when the problem is fixed-hopefully, soon-I will go back and add my comments.

So please keep commenting, friends. I am reading them:)

'The Help' Storybook Contest

Are you an aspiring picture book author? Have you written an original story with a positive message? If you answered yes to both of those questions, be sure to check out the following link for a chance to have your book illustrated and published online.

http://www.takepart.com/thehelp

The Coolest Book Game In All Of Book Game History

Today as I was reading a new book, I stumbled upon one of the funniest sentences that I'd ever read. Not only was it funny because of the words themselves, but knowing the context added to that, at least for me.

And that got me to thinking, wouldn't it be fun to post silly book quotes every week and have people guess the names of the books that they came from?

And then I thought, that would be an awesome game for my blog.

So that's exactly what I'm going to do. And at the end of the month, the person with the most book points will win a 10$ gift card to Barnes and Noble. And in the event of a tie, I will put names in a hat and have one of my children draw one out. (Fancy, I know. We're high tech around here)

So if you're interested in playing, below is the 1st quote.

"Sometimes I think that if I had to choose between an ear of corn or making love to a woman, I'd choose the ear of corn."

The title of the book and next week's quote will be announced on Wenesday.

Cheers and Happy Reading!