You never know-at least I never do!

   I took a walk with coffee cup in hand, to check out the wild blackberries on our property. I knew they must be close to picking, but not this close.

   It's a pretty big patch and easy access, so I finished the coffee and filled the cup with the beautiful black beauties that are just ripening.
 

   and then...
       Right beside the blackberry patch is another wild crop, milkweed.
           ....and on that milkweed was a caterpillar, a black and white and yellow caterpillar.

      ...and beside the caterpillar was a ...

                                                               Monarch!

     So in my backyard I discovered the near beginning of a story and the very end of the same tale, but no middle this time. I promised myself early on that I wouldn't capture the things and watch the middle and end evolve-again! But, I did capture a few of the caterpillars and took then out back to the "boys". (twin nephews). I got report this morning that there's already a J hanging from the netting cover. That means with some luck, the kids will "see" the whole story....a show not tell thing!!!!! ((Couldn't help myself last night, but to go out and gather a few more for the little niece next door.)))
 
    Okay writers, we all know the basics of story writing, but this whole gathering thing is just a reminder for us-
       All stories must have:
           Beginning
           Middle
           Ending (with a surprise twist)
   In this case, the butterfly is surely the suspenseful surprise ending for the kids (big and small)....and then it flies away and a new chapter begins. In the meantime, don't give up!
    Whoops! I almost forgot my own surprise ending in my search for caterpillars...I came upon a scary looking porcupine! Let me tell you, I didn't hang around to see what came next. That was enough of a page turner for me. I spun around and followed the path back to the house as fast as my feet would take me!!!

      It's no wonder that almost everything I write has a little sprinkling of nature thrown in, whether it be fiction or non-fiction story. My days are filled with so many things of nature, even when I go kayaking (yes, that was yesterday) Maybe, especially when I go out in the kayak.

   What lurks amongst the lily pads and pickerel weeds? We heard bull frogs croaking and a great blue flew out, only to change his position so there was no photo shots of him. But this guy let me get close. I paddled around him while he stood on guard but didn't plop into the water.

A turtle standing like this always makes me think of one of those water type hunting dog...feet in position and the hind leg pointed out, ready for action. (I don't really know. Is that kind of how a dog stands waiting?)

So those are my stories for this week. Or maybe the story seeds that are never ending around here.
This all reinforces my idea of what "nature" themed story to submit to one of our NESCBWI conference editors-today.

Just one more thing, and I've posted this place many times. It always amazes me as we kayak under. I wonder how the "old timers" positioned that granite to form the arch and make it stay, and how they even got those chunks up there without all the power equipment of today. I think I must ask my friend "google"

Have a happy week. Look around, what do you see? Dance-tonight's one of my nights. (Zumba of course!)

MIA

   I have been MIA, as has been my writer's muse. Few new words have flowed and not new story ideas until last night in the middle of it. It was an exciting PB idea, even had the main character (animal) going to different places, thus a series of fun stories. Yay! Except I only remember "it" was an animal, and the adventures were exciting!!!!
    I don't believe in writer's block, more like writer's rest, so I think we both may have waken up-finally. So what does this children's writer do when the words won't flow? Well write of course! The old stories come out and get reviewed, the online friends send their words over for critique, and another friend sent a reminder that deadline is looming for submitting to  a few conference editors. Deadline time-so I squeaked in the nick of time to send off a few polished manuscripts.
   The vacation from words is over for me and that muse and I have an idea brewing, as I type, from an interesting story I heard on the news.
   But I'll let you know that the rest of my life is on vacation most of the time. Not the go away kind, but the look around and plunge into what's available kind... Like,  last week my daughter called at 6:00 am and asked if I'd help her give out flowers in our 'ville parade. She was able to come over from work and  participate in the 200 year celebration of her hometown. So after my Sat morning Zumba class, I helped! Lots of roses for lots of lovely people.

   I thought that the whole little 'ville was in the parade so was surprised to see so many spectators along the mile stretch. After the parade, there were games for all the "kids" all day long (including horseshoes and volley ball), a supper and an amazing display of fireworks to end the festivities.

 

Then there was the 4 1/2 hour kayaking paddle around Friendship Long Island with daughter and sister-in-law the other day. It was so beautiful with the droning hum of the lobster boats in the water. The lobstermen had parked their boats for a few days because the price is way down and gas and bait prices aren't costing any less. It was good to see them out and about doing what they love best-their job.

We all shared the sea.

 All of the sternmen aren't men!

Then there was the community walk/dance through Camden to benefit the Community Cares (for kids) program. (I volunteered for the kiddos in the 5 surrounding communities)

Babysitting the niece on the spur of the moment. 

But now, it's off to write that great story!

So, as usual, "there's nothing to do" way out here in the country!!!

I See the Sea!

 ...the title of my new picture book! It's the title of my life!
This has been a week of seaside adventures beginning over the week-end when our son treated us to a night at the Cliff House in Ogunquit, ME. I sat out on my little deck and wrote..the slap of the water on those ledges, the warm sun and no internet! How perfect is this for a mini me writing retreat!?!?!?
Part of this Inn is 150 years old and somehow they managed to get back old postcards that had been sent from there-enlarged and framed one for each room. Ours was from a young girl(I think)Ruth Ann who was complaining and upset about another, Dora Elizabeth who I guessed was her sister. Why she nearly fainted when DE cut off her pigtails! The PS said-send more chocolate. It calms my nerves!

...and we ventured downtown. I loved the fact that the beautiful seaside town caters to tourists, but also shows their respect for their own. The locals who make their living from the sea.

The dinghies and the lobster boats already parked for the day.... a few sailboats share this channel too...my heart sings here. What is it with me? I live here. I can walk a beach or look over a harbor much like this, anytime I want-providing I get in my car and drive about 20 miles! But I always feel the same magic.

On the way home we visited a few lighthouses.....

Now if that wasn't enough sea, Monday took me closer to home. Met up with my friend Cynthia Lord. She did two school presentations so we had plenty of time in between her events to explore. First off, we went to my "sea glass" beach. It was a perfect day and we Touched Blue!

Cindy loves the sea as much as I do. There is a piece or two of blue glass in her hand with the other colored finds. 

Yes, that's another lighthouse in the background-the Breakwater in Rockland. We didn't have time to walk along the mile long granite setting but we did have time to go to Rockport Harbor to touch Andre' the famous harbor seal.

A few of my other writer friends, Jo Knowles and Cindy Faughnan presented a writer's camp at NESCBWI conference this year that got me really appreciating writing prompts. So the sea is my prompt this week-I already told you it's the theme of my new picture book idea. Here are a few prompts and ideas for you. The smell, the feel of the gravely shore on bare feet, the slap of the waves, the seaweed that washed up from the astronomically high tide, the taste, the light breeze,the colorful glass that glistens in the sunlight just for you, the heart shaped sea washed rocks...and as I write of a few of the sea wonders, I've come up with another story idea. I hope you're inspired by these prompts too.  

Dance! Dance! Dancing!

  You know me. I love to sing and dance and cheer for my friends.  So here I go again shaking my glitzy pom poms and sending out rah, rah, rahs to ...
Christine Tricarico,   http://christinetricarico.wordpress.com/  for the release of her new picture book.

   I ordered this several months ago and forgot when it was supposed to come so it was a nice surprise that the mail lady delivered the other day!
  I'll tell you that the fun begins and all Farm breaks loose when Rooster catches a jitterbug! It's a frolicy, rolicky, dancing, prancing, singing, swinging, swaying, playing, rhyming picture book. Fun fun fun! And, again as I look at my friend's book, I'm truly amazed at how an art editor finds the perfect illustrator to add life to the author's story.  Look at this!!!!!!  The vivid colors truly enhance each colorful word that Christine carefully chose to entertain the reader. You'll want your own copy!
     Now, for other things. My calendar is full, as is my life. So full, that I had to choose between my favorite writing schmooze or a family event over the week-end. Family of course prevailed-the whole family pitched in to buy Colby a drum set that he was saving for. It was so exciting for all of us to share his excitement. There will never be another quiet day in that musical household besides the fact that there are 2 teenagers now!!!
      My other choice, the one I didn't do, was to join friends for the business of writing. I love it so much so it was hard to pass up. It's one of the few times each year that I get face to face, in person writing, critiquing, and chatter, and the after work activities, all hosted by our friend Tamra Wight (and her family) at Poland Spring Campground.   http://www.tamrawight.com/writing-notes/busy-busy-days/
I especially missed "the after school" kayaking and getting to see the triplets. Here's Tami's photo of them...Amazing, huh!

        
   There was still lots going on here at home. Between birthday party, zumbaing and helping paint the new "dance studio",  I wrote and critiqued and chatted with writer friends-online! That's all good.
    And, I know that this is way off topic, but do you know anyone that can twist a cherry stem into a knot, inside their mouth, with their tongue?  I know, sometimes I ask the weirdest things, but a few weeks ago, at zumba, no less, one of the girls demonstrated this fete to me, and it amazed me so much, I had to see it again. So this morning I got up to  the announcement of the new Miss USA, and read the news that one of her talents (I guess that's the category) is this:


Pageant officials also noted that Culpo "can tie a cherry stem with her tongue."



We're still in pouring rain mode here in Maine, but enjoy the day anyway. Have fun. Read, even if it's trivia about beauty pageant  winners, write, "call a friend". I think I'll do all of the above and simmer chicken soup on the wood stove besides.

I've Been All Over The Place!

By now, everyone in the world knows that I'm infatuated with the full moon and I run outside winter and summer to get the perfect picture. But this week, the half full (not half empty) moon got my attention. Look at this!                                                                                                                                                                                                  

So perfect! So what? Well, I stepped out of my shallow little box- maybe?!?!? Maybe not. It's been there all the time. Did I ever particularly notice?  It's kind of like my writing. I'd written a pretty perfect picture book story, or so I thought (and so did Barbara Karlin Grant judges) but it took an agent man's suggestions to make me look at it in a different way. I didn't get it at first. I "couldn't" change a word and keep my lyrical tone. But I had to. So, I stepped away and thought and came back and jotted and pondered and jotted and sent it to my critique group. Now, with not so many changes later, I feel a different strength to the main "character". I "see" that character.  The moral of this story is: Use your senses (s) In this case,  Listen! Look!  

The whole week's been a step outside of my norm...lot's of things going on(hospital visit, worked at flower shop), but the biggest was that my wireless modem stopped. I made my first big mistake when I called the company and asked a simple question-"can these things un-configure if the computer lines were on and off for a few day?"  Wrong! Wrong! Wrong thing to do!  The guy in India gave me a sales pitch and before you knew it I was calling the bank to finance our house to pay for his wonderful service of reconfiguring and boosting my power!!!!!(not really but seemed that way after a few hours and 6 different techies) Anyway, in a few days, I got one for Mother's day and came home and got it all up and going with a bit of help from same company's 'other' tech guy.

But....

don't you just love that for a page turn?

But...

I called another one and told him my wireless printer, iPod and Kindle weren't working. He wanted me to refinance again to get this wonderful service added to my other wonderful service. So I huffed and puffed and frumped and grumped and like the little red hen,  said, "I will do it myself."

And I did! 

So now,  I'm catching up on blogging, writing, critiquing and yes, dancing!

My diehard Zumba friends did a 24 hour dance-a-thon to raise money for a new dance floor. I only joined them and brought coffee and doughnuts at 6:30 this morning. Yes, I had to stop, roll down my window and take this beautiful shot...look at the sun rays that said good morning!

They were still moving slowly slowly slowly.... but boy they made it from 8am to 8am! Congratulations for the accomplishment and to all for the pledges and donations.

Hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful and happy day!                                                          

Happy May Day

     Ever you ever "hung" a May Basket, or been the recipient of one (or more!)? My daughter and I hang them on the "kids" every year. This year was no exception.(velvet beret for T and teal bow tie for C-roll of quarters for each) No running match anymore. they catch us quick!
   Last year a few neighbors and I thought it would be  nice to go to a few of the shut-ins neighbors. We almost left to the wayside until this morning, but we couldn't not do it. So between us, we hurried and  cooked brownies, peanut butter cookies, molasses cookies. We tucked in packets of tea, daffodils and a bit of tissue, tied with curl ribbon. The brown paper bags looked pretty good to the ladies around town who remember the tradition. It didn't take a lot of effort, and I feel good!

      If you don't know the tradition, it's fill a basket with candy or flowers,  "hang" it on someone's doorstep, holler "May Basket" and the recipient has to chase the givers, then give a kiss when they catch them. We got "caught" and kissed and sooooo glad we did this last minute thing. You know what, there's still time for you to play on May Day.

      On Friday night, some of the Zumba girls participated in the local "Dancing with the Stars" Of course, you know I did!  On the way there though, I wondered what I was doing!!!!  Here's our "crew" waiting to go on stage...I'm still shaking my head thinking, "what was I thinking!"

     Turn the page on that... and turn another. And speaking of turning the page, I've been so busy tweaking and retweaking a little 500 word PB per suggestions from one of the professional critiquers at our conference. I'm placing words so the reader will want to turn the page and each word, each sentence has meaning. 500 simple words-how can it be so tough!?!?!?! One of the 'rules' is to set your manuscript aside and let it rest, but that's hard when it's all you can think about. I've got to though...let it rest, let it rest, let it rest...(for a minute anyway)

      I've let things rest enough...just wanted to pop in wish everyone a Happy May Day.
       Be Happy and make someone else happy too.

   


   

   
 
     

more of "My Conference"

I'm still floating on that magical cloud that I came home on after the New England conference.  Others have posted keynote speakers, but the photos I'm showing are quite like me, a patchwork kind of quilt. 

The workshops were fantastic. Here are Cindy Faughnan-www.cindyfaughnan.com  and 

Jo Knowles, our writing camp councilors. Believe me, they used their whistles more than once, but in defense of the group, they gave us exercises and we couldn't stop chatting until...well you know, the whistle thing! I didn't think that someone else's writing prompt would help me with my writing, but I was wrong. The prompts were given, few minutes to write the story, and then the readings. I was amazed that with each prompt, each writer came up with totally different ideas. So I'm stuck on prompts and when I'm stuck I'll turn to them. A good place to find prompts is at www.joknowes.com/prompts.html   See what you come up with!

         This is the crowd in the dining hall where we ate surrounded by editors and agents. I had the good fortune to have the seat right beside the lovely Julie Ham, assistant editor from Charlesbridge. And on Sunday, Denise and I had breakfast and conversation with independent editor, Harold Underdown. Nice! Nice! Nice!
           

There were books sold and authors signing. Do you recognize anyone at the tables?

 The next few photos are in a full house Real Revision workshop with Kate Messner. Kate is so smart and nice-oh, did I say nice up above....Yes, everyone there was nice!

Besides the fabulous, fantastic workshops I attended, I had critiques of my manuscripts. One of them was an new (for us) and interesting concept-on the spot critique. "You" take a manuscript to the assigned agent or editor, he/she reads it there and gives a crit on the spot! I was leery of this, but person and I had a chat, I presented one of 2 manuscripts we talked about. Brainstormed it, with pencil notes and suggestions, then he/she asked if I had the other one with me! I did and I received an email yesterday about that one. I was worried about the process, but it was a pretty cool. First read, first impressions count!

This is what I'm reading right now. It's Jennifer Carson's Hapenny Magick. I love the cover and title. Don't you just want to pick it up and read?!?!? I didn't buy this book though. Jennifer gave it to me because she said I'm nice! Thank you so much Jennifer. (I'll try not to say nice again) 

I did buy a few books but will post them when I get them back. I lent them out to a teenager  this morning.

And this-I thought I was keeping secrets from my roommates. I made a plan and removed my birthday from my facebook page but wishes started filtering in. I didn't say anything, thinking it's conference time, not my time, but on Sunday morning they presented me with a card and lovely journal-they knew all the time!

I can't say enough about the conference experience and how I wish everyone could attend one and come home as upbeat and refreshed and motivated as I am. It's spring conference season, so if you get to go to one-

*Take advantage of the offerings. Paid critiques are invaluable. Don't expect editor/agent to gush over  

      your manuscript and want it right there on the spot. You may get a request though/or not, but the 

      critique usually gives you an overview of what that person sees and hears from the pages subbed.

*Be prepared with a few manuscripts. I've never had anyone ask to take a story with them until this   

        year, but I had it with me in a small portfolio.

*Dress comfortably.

*Have business cards.

*Socialize and be friendly.

*Volunteer if you can. 

*Attend your workshops with pencil and notebook or computer in hand.  Some have detailed handouts. *You've heard lots of this stuff before, but keep your mind open. You will learn something, I promise!

*Fill out the evaluation form. It helps with planning the next event.

*Miss Zumba for a few times!!!!

Now that I'm home,  it's time for me to dance! Have a great week.