Judy's Place

2009-10-09T21:56:00.001-05:00

Day 21: Today we traveled through the other half of Kansas. We saw many wind turbines, hay rolls, oil wells, and lots of straight road. Too cold for golf, so we stopped in Hays and visited Historic Fort Hays. We are now seventeen miles short of the Colorado border.

2009-10-08T22:38:00.001-05:00

Day 20: We planned to drive some today and then stop and play golf, but needed to revise those plans this morning when we found all sorts of weather warnings about flooding and tornados, etc. So we went to Branston, MO and spent some time looking around and shopping, then back to Springfield, where we visited the Fantastic Caverns. Enjoyable, dry, and the caves have quite a history, including the housing of a SpeakEasy during prohibition.

Day 19: Passing Through

2009-10-07T21:23:00.003-05:00

Day 19: I have been trying to take photos of each state sign as we cross the border into the state. Have missed some...it is sometimes a challenge to figure out exactly when the state line is coming up, get the camera ready, and snap the picture while traveling at 65 mph. Here is one of five states we were passing through today...Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri.

2009-10-06T21:55:00.002-05:00

Day 18: Today we went sight-seeing to the Little River Canyon in Alabama. The weather was less than ideal, but the views were still good. Here is the Little Canyon Falls...in the fog.

2009-10-06T07:42:00.001-05:00

Day 17: We headed out this morning...the temperature dropped from85 to 60 by the time we arrived here, just south of Atlanta, GA. Seems a cold front moved in. I almost posted a picture of the blinding rain on the windshield, but decided these decorations in front of our hotel were much more colorful. Obviously, we were not able to play golf today.

Day 16:Dinner at Dusk

2009-10-04T19:05:00.001-05:00

In our neighborhood, there are a lot of rabbits. We see them often in the early morning or at dusk, feeding on the lawns. Last year when we were riding our bikes, we counted over 75 rabbits within a half hour. There don't seem to be as many this year.

Grilling Our Supper

2009-10-03T19:46:00.001-05:00

Day 15: We went to son Steve's home for dinner tonight to celebrate the release of my books. He cooks a great hamburger. The sausages were even better! Thanks, Steve and Brandy.

Support Breast Cancer Research

2009-10-02T20:02:00.002-05:00

Day 14: Today I went to the Post Office to mail out a book, and was impressed with the way it was decorated to commemorate National Breast Cancer month. When this man saw me trying to take pictures of some of the great decorations, he insisted that I take his picture holding up the breast cancer stamps. Wish I knew who he is, so I could send him the picture.

Day 13: Yummy!

2009-10-01T19:53:00.003-05:00

Tonight we went to our friends' house for supper. Everything was delicious, and we ended the meal with this scrumptious Turtle Pie. Thanks, guys.

Day 12: Hanging Together

2009-09-30T16:18:00.001-05:00

Day 12: This morning was cooler than it has been recently, so I took my camera and went for a walk. This is one of several photos I took... grapefruit clusterd together on a branch...at a house down the street.

Day 11: Ahhhh!

2009-09-29T21:09:00.002-05:00

Day 11: Once a month I treat myself to the luxury of deep massage therapy. It does wonders for the body and mind...

Day 10: One Word at a Time!

2009-09-28T16:04:00.001-05:00

After taking my grandchildren home today, I went to my friend's house for our tutoring session. This gentleman is taking advantage of the opportunity he has to finally learn to read and write. He is making good progress, one word at a time.

365 Challenge: Watch Out!

2009-09-27T19:32:00.003-05:00

Day 9: More wildlife crossing the fairway on the golf course. I never knew turtles had such long tails! This snapping turtle was headed away from the pond, but he must have known where he was going...maybe to the muddy stream on the other side. Our p...laying partner said it was an 'alligator snapping turtle,' but I have not confirmed that.

Day 8: Got It!

2009-09-26T15:14:00.005-05:00

Today is soccer day and we went to watch the game. Am glad it was the kids playing in the 90-degree heat and not me! They are improving every week. Here, O. steals the ball from his opponent and sneaks it by her.

Day 7: Photo Challenge.

2009-09-25T14:55:00.002-05:00

Soon we will be embarking on a three-week road trip from Florida to Colorado to visit my oldest son and his family, so I have been browsing books to find sight-seeing opportunities along the way and while we are there. Am looking forward to it!

Day 6: 365 Picture a Day Challenge

2009-09-24T18:17:00.002-05:00

Today is Thursday, another golf day, but there are other things going on, too. This year our grandson O, who is in second grade, is attending a school five minutes from my house. I have volunteered to pick him up every day so his parents do not have to pay for thirty minutes of after-school care. I am enjoying it...I get to talk to him on the way home and hear about his day and his thoughts on various subjects. Here I am in the carpool line...

Day 5: A Day in the Life of...

2009-09-23T21:16:00.002-05:00

Today started out rainy, with over an inch of rain within a couple of hours. Before it dried up I went out to tend to my lemon tree and to also take a few photos. For anyone who knows me, I love lemons. At a restaurant, I alway order water with four lemons--often get odd looks, but that is the way I like my water. Because of this, I planted a lemon tree several years back, and September is one of the three months that I need to fertilize it. My picture of the day shows that it is getting close to harvesting time, so I won't have to buy lemons for a couple of months.

365 day photo challenge..."A Day in the Life of..."

2009-09-23T06:09:00.006-05:00

Summer is over and it is time to focus on new projects now. Need to get back to writing, and also to expand into other areas.

I have been invited to participate in a photo challenge, where each person accepting the challenge takes and posts a photo each day, showing a snapshot of his or her life. I have decided to give it a try...not saying I will get EVERY day, but who knows.

I started on Saturday, September 19th, at the Space Coast Writers' Guild, where members displayed and sold their books, crafts, and/or photos for the public to enjoy and/or purchase. It was a fun time talking with people and seeing what others had done. Here is the table I shared with Carol Didier.

On Sunday, one of the things I did was start reading a new book. Here is my 'reading chair.' I also sit in this chair with my pad and a pencil when I am writing.

On Monday, the grandkids came to play for the morning...we had fun. Choosing a picture was difficult...thought I would like to have one of them on their bikes, since 3-year-old B. was so excited that he pedaled around the block for the first time, but the picture did not turn out that great...and I really like this one of C., 19 months.

Tuesdays are always golf days, so I took my camera to the golf course with me. Recently there had been a pair of Spoonbills there, and I wanted a photo of them. Sure enough, they were still there, at the pond between the eleventh and twelfth fairways. This is only one of the good photos I took of nature at the golf course.

Today it is raining at the moment...but I am sure I will be able to get out in my yard later for today's photo. Stay tuned, and join in the challenge if you would like to. Let me know if you do.

Summer Update.

2009-07-30T16:53:00.002-05:00

Seems summer is almost over...school starts here in Florida in less than two weeks. That just does not seem right! Glad I am not still teaching!

Have been busy enough in the last two months. My son and family came home from Germany on their way to Colorado, their new home for the next two years, and we enjoyed visiting with them. WE had my younger grandson for three weeks while parents flew back to Germany to finish up what they had to there, and that was good. We had a good time most of the time, but with the autism, we also had a few challenges we worked through. All in all, I was pleased with M's behavior...he has come a long way. Daily swimming and biking were things we all looked forward to. Also took a couple of trips to the zoo, and numerous library visits, one of M's favorite things to do.

Another thing I worked on this summer was writing an article about grandparenting, to be included in an anthology for new and not-so-new grandparents by Nightengale Press . Just had a note from my publisher saying the book was ready for ordering and should be on Amazon, etc. in the next week or two. Can hardly wait to receive my copies!

Received the cover of my new easy-reader, too...which will be out in September through Jason and Nordic Publishers. RYAN'S VICTORY is the story of Ryan, who has autism, but figures out how to communicate his wishes to his parents in spite of his inability to speak.

Other than that, not a lot has happened---golf two or three times a week (some good, some bad); son's wedding on Saturday, planning a trip to Colorado for September.

Only thing I have not done is to be diligent about sending out the two books I have completed and edited. Guess I will have to put that on my fall 'to do' list.

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School Visit Fun

2009-05-08T19:34:00.006-05:00

backdrop created by third graders at Odyssey Charter School

Librarian Linda Baker and parent/fellow writer June Brown with me

I had a great time visiting Odyssey Charter School in Palm Bay, FL today...did two presentations--one for grades 3 and 4, based on KNOWING JOSEPH, autism, and how to become a good writer, and one for grades K-2 based on IT'S TIME, also talking about writing as well as autism. There was only one little glitch, when the projector closed down because of a power surge, and I was told they probably would not be able to get it back up while I was talking. But then it fixed itself, so all's well that ends well.

The kids were great and had some wonderful questions. I was particularly impressed with the K-2 group, where the kids were sitting on the floor and were packed in to the media center like sardines in a can, but they were still attentive and asked good questions. Most of them thanked me or otherwise complimented me as they filed out...one little girl told me that she liked that I was 'fashionably dressed.' That's really something for me, who is totally unfashionable in just about anything I wear. My thanks to Linda Baker, who coordinated the visit, and especially to June Brown, who set up the visit with the school!

When I got home, I was thinking I was done with the special projects for May, but then remembered that I have a 3000 word 'letter to new grandparents' to write for inclusion in an upcoming book, and a six-hour class to prepare lessons for as an instructor at the Creative Writing Institute here in Melbourne from May 17-22. So off to work I go.

Happy Mothers' Day to all you mothers out there!

2009-05-03T20:26:00.004-05:00

Ever since I moved to Florida, I have been taking the tops off pineapples I get and planting them. NOW I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor...I actually have a plant that is producing a pineapple for me!

April was a busy month--I honored Autism Awareness month with a talk about What Autism Really LOOKS Like, based on my books, and I went to the Autism Awareness Festival to share my books and other reading material, both fiction and non-fiction. I enjoyed both immensely.

May is going to be just about as busy...I have a school visit scheduled for Friday, and then three sessions of teaching at the Florida Institute of Technology's Creative Writing Institute near the end of May. I am definitely seeing more of my grandkids, now, too, especially since son #2 has moved even closer than the half-hour away place where he was leasing.

So writing...NOW I have to come up with an idea for my next book. I continue to send out the two I have ready to go, and May is supposed to be a good month to make progress with such things, so I remain hopeful.

Friday Few

2009-03-06T10:36:00.002-05:00

1. I have been able to spend some extra time with the grandkids in the last couple of weeks, and that is always fun. Last week the six-year-old was here for three days with a fever, but otherwise feeling fine; Sunday I had the one-year-old, and Tuesday the three-year-old. The picture shows the playdough we enjoyed for quite awhile on Tuesday...I was amazed at his attention span for the activities we did...AND that the playdough colors were never mixed, although they were in close proximity.

2. Have been waiting patiently for the results of my MG submissions...had a couple of results this week...one positive. It really made my day! Of course, it was just a partial, but that is the first step, isn't it? It was not a rejection!

3. Have added something new to my schedule--tutoring...a third grade home school student whose mom wants him to learn to write AND enjoy writing, and an adult man with autism who never had the chance to learn to read when he was in school many years ago...both are doing very well and I am enjoying the process.

4. Still have not come up with an idea for my next story...it will come, though, when the time is right. Currently I still have to revise my chapter book mystery, so that will keep me going for awhile.

5. Tomorrow (Saturday) I am participating in the First Annual Brevard Authors' Book Fair. If any of you happen to be anywhere near Cocoa, Florida, tomorrow afternoon, please stop in. There is an impressive list of participating authors.

6. Goal this week has been to get back to more regular attendance at the gym...so I am off to follow through with that. It is my second time this week, so that is one or two days better than I have been doing.

Have a great weekend...hope the weather cooperates where ever you are.

Books, parties and literacy

2009-02-22T15:50:00.000-05:00

Not much going on here...have been thinking about a new topic for my next book, but have not come up with anything yet...I am open to suggestions, because I always have an easier time developing and writing a story if someone gives me the problem to solve. Maybe another mystery Aaron and Zeke could solve, or maybe something more mid-grade...with boy issues. Or maybe an adventure...something altogether different than I have written before.

This week has been fun...took two grandkids to the zoo and playground on Monday...the zoo had just opened a whole new area called Paws On, so we got to pet several animals, and then play in the 'lagoon'. Then yesterday we celebrated two kids' birthdays, which is always fun.

Hubby and I also attended New England Day at our park. There I was talking to the mother of a man who has autism...he does very well...works at a grocery store, etc. and is quite verbal, but never learned to read. I am thinking that was more due to the type of special ed programs they had when he was growing up rather than having to do with his abilities...there are so many new methods of teaching now than there were thirty or thirty-five years ago when he was in school. So he, his mother, and I decided to see what we could do to help him learn to read...should prove interesting. I have not taught adults before, so if anyone has any good suggestions of materials to use, let me know.

Weather is up and down here...today it is up...beautiful, picture-perfect day.

Finished!

2009-02-07T13:36:00.004-05:00

Today I finally finished my early chapterbook mystery! It has been sitting around for a couple of months at least waiting for me to write the last half chapter, so today I finally did it...NOW starts the process of revision.

In other news, I enjoyed a visit to Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, FL,where I did four presentations about 'Writing What You Know--Autism' and ate lunch in less than five hours. I was very impressed with the school and its students. There is real evidence of very caring students in that school.

One thing I learned is that I need to adjust the length of my presentation...I had much more than I needed and never quite made it to the end. Although I had planned it for the right length, it seems that I added quite of bit 'off the cuff' material along the line. All important to the presentations, but next time I will need to take into account that I will probably do that when planning for length...

2009-01-31T14:49:00.001-05:00

Things are beginning to calm down here, after a busy month of conference preparation, etc. The SCBWI-FL conference in Miami two weeks ago was awesome, as was the SCWG conference we put on in Cocoa Beach, where children's author
Cynthia Lord was so well received.

Now I am focusing on getting my manuscripts out and doing some school visits...which is where I am looking for some help. I have read about all the wonderful books by people on various blogs, but being me, cannot remember the names of most of them right now. What I am looking for are books for grades 3-5 where the reader can identify with the main character because that character may be experiencing situations similar to what the reader is going through, whether it be death, adoption, school or family problems of any kind, etc.

If you are the author of such a book, or know some good ones to recommend, please let me know ASAP so I can add them to my list.

Thanks in advance!

Moving Forward

2009-01-02T13:36:00.004-05:00

I have been reading on many other blogs about resolutions, how to start the new year, goals, dreams and lists, and have come up with something that might work for me. Here it is.

Several people have said that what we do on New Year's Day will be what we do all year long, and also what we do to get ready for the new year will carry over. Unintentionally, I would have to say, I have set myself up pretty well, by cleaning, organizing, having good friends over to celebrate, relaxing, reading and listening to good music on New Year's Day and the days leading up to it. IF those things carry over into the new year, I will be happy.

The only thing I didn't do that I would like to do more consistently during the new year is to write.Here are some of my goals:

--Finish and revise my chapter book mystery, and get it out.

--Find an agent and/or publisher for my mid-grade novel.

--Do more school visits.

--Write additional books...after first coming up with topics...the hard part for me.

--Continue to develop and improve my website.

--Learn more about the finer points of my camera and develop my skills in nature photography.

I also have a few dreams, one of which I will share:

I would like to see a marked increase in the presence of my book KNOWING JOSEPH in public libraries and schools, or otherwise in the hands of kids...then it just might help someone in some way.

We'll take it day by day and see what happens.

Year in Review

2009-01-01T16:11:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year...

I have been reflecting over the last year and have come to the conclusion we were blessed.

It started last February on Super Bowl Sunday, when my husband had a near-fatal heart attack, followed by a triple bypass, followed by some hard work, but eventual recovery and back to normal activities.

A week or so later, our latest grandchild was born--healthy, AND the first girl our family has had in a long while (following three sons and three grandsons.)

My youngest son and his wife decided to build a new house, so in September they moved, and my second son and family (father of new granddaughter) moved from Massachusetts to Florida, leasing youngest son's house until they figure out what they want. Now I have three of five grandchildren (counting the really cute step-grandson) within a half-hour's drive.

My oldest son is safely through more than half of his current tour in Iraq, home in Germany for the week with his family. We look forward to having them back in the States in July.

Awhile ago, I went back to review what I wrote last January in this blog, and found that although I did not meet the timetable for my goals, I did accomplish what I had set out to do in the first three months by the end of the year.

--I finished the revisions on my mid-grade novel in August, and sent it out to a few agents.

--I organized my poems and verses, and got them ready to send out, although I have not yet done that.

In addition:

--I wrote and sold an easy reader companion to IT'S TIME, which should be out in the spring...it's called RYAN'S VICTORY.

--I am within a half a chapter of finishing a chapter book mystery, which I will finish within a few days.

--I have done a few school visits, and look forward to doing more in the near future.

--I have remembered to take my camera more places, so have gotten some decent pictures throughout the year.

So I feel blessed and pleased to have done as much as I have this year, while going through the 'bad stuff' successfully...I look forward to an even better year in 2009!

May all of you also have a successful and blessed 2009!

'Tis the Season!

2008-12-05T10:17:00.001-05:00

Hubby has started decorating the house and yard for the Christmas season...and LOOK! My maple tree has chosen NOW to turn red and be part of our Christmas scene!

In other news, I am happy to announce that I have a contract for my easy-reader/picture book, Ryan's Victory, with Jason and Nordic Press. The book is due out in the spring.

This is a busy month as far as my books go. Tomorrow I will be with a group of SCWG authors at the large craft fair in Cocoa Village, next Friday I am doing three sessions at Career Day for a school in Merritt Island, and next Saturday I will be at an SCWG Children's Book Fair at the Merritt Island Library. I don't usually sell a lot of books at these events, but I enjoy meeting all the people and often make some good connections with people who are connected to autism in some way, or to education, and sometimes, it's fun just talking to people who stop to look.

Hope you all have a happy and stress-free pre-holiday season.

Holiday Wishes

2008-11-27T13:52:00.000-05:00

In case you are wondering...

2008-11-15T15:10:00.006-05:00

This is NOT the moon!

This is the shuttle seconds after launch, as viewed from the street in front of my house last evening. It had just come up over the horizon and into our view...we live about fifty miles south of the launch site. It was a clear night and our view was spectacular, considering we were so far away. We followed it for much longer than we can usually follow such launches.To compare, here is a photo of the full moon, off to the right of the shuttle path.

Here are a few more as the shuttle traveled across the sky.

In other news, today I participated in a Family Health Fair, with a table about 'Promoting Understanding of Autism through Literature. I displayed several books I found in our county library system, and had a handout for those interested. I got to talk with several children, as well as making connections with a few adults, and when I pointed out RULES by cynthialord , and told them it was a Sunshine book, most told me it was already in their classroom.

If anyone is interested in seeing that list of books, let me know and I will send it to you.

Autumn in Florida and other stuff

2008-10-16T20:16:00.001-05:00

I have been looking with envy at all the beautiful photos of the fall foliage in the northeast posted recently on various blogs, wishing I were there to take such photos and to enjoy the color, too. But since that is not going to happen, I decided that maybe I could take photos of autumn in Florida..

In Florida, autumn brings the color of oranges and yellows to our fruit trees, as oranges, grapefruit and lemons ripen. Here are some of the lemons on the tree beside my house...will not be long before I can pick and enjoy them.

Here is one of our colorful trees, with these blooms appearing in the fall. The flowers on this one are sparse, compared to some I saw earlier when I did not have my camera...on those, you could barely see the green. Unfortunately, I have not been able to figure out what kind of tree this is yet, so if any of your southerners know, please tell me. Last fall I spent hours trying to figure it out, but never came up with the answer.

In other news, I have about one more chapter to write on my chapterbook before beginning the revision stage. I am also sending my mid-grade off to my editor this week to see if she is interested. Unlike many of you, I don't have a contract for the second book, but there is an option clause in the contract, so here is hoping.

Last weekend hubby and I went to Daytona for a three-day golf outing...and stayed right on the beach. It was great weather, too, so we could actually walk the beach after we finished golf. But alas, again I did not have my camera with me, so there was another photo-op blown!

Monday Morning Musings

2008-10-06T06:15:00.003-05:00

Photo from the Everglades

For some reason I am awake and up early this morning, so I think I will get some extra writing time in. After not writing for over a week, I am back at it, and am very close, within a chapter or two, of finishing it. This chapter book mystery has been relatively easy to write...kind of a fun thing for me after spending so long on my second mid-grade.

So I guess the question is what do I want to do now? I have sent the mid-grade to several agents with no success. I am about to send it off to my editor, who gets to see it first, per my contract for Knowing Joseph. So now I don't know if I want to keep sending the MG to agents, or just let it sit for awhile and see what happens.

My next step, of course, is to finish the mystery and go through the revision process a couple of times. But then what? I really don't like the part of trying to sell them. But if I am not going to do that, I guess the question is why write them?

Enough of the musings...

Today (and every Monday) I get to go do writing with the first and second graders at Indian Harbor Montessori School. When I told my librarian that I needed a good book to encourage kids to write, he gave me MY DUCK by Tanya Linch. It is the story of a young child writing a story at school, but every time she starts, her teacher tells her there is something wrong with it and makes her start over (like 'Ducks don't wear shoes). Each time this happens, the character she has been told not to use shows up in her new story all on its own, until she finally does a story about the zoo that her teacher will accept, and is happy that her teacher doesn't see the duck and the fairy on the path to see the pandas, and asks the reader not to tell. My librarian said that teachers don't like the book because it puts them in somewhat of a bad light, and it does, but I also think it can lead to a discussion of different kinds of writing...and the fact that sometimes we have to write what a teacher wants so we can learn about that kind of writing, but at other times we can just write from our imagination.

The other fun thing I did this weekend was to take care of my seven-month old granddaughter...kind of fun, but am really glad I am past doing that job full time!

Week in Review

2008-09-25T11:36:00.001-05:00

Picture of the week: This snake was curled up beside the dirt road we were traveling on through the Everglades several years back. I probably got a lot closer to it than I should have...but it never moved... I think it might be a brown water snake, although I am not sure.

Check out kmessner 's blog for a contest that ends on Friday. The book, the Silent One, is awesome and a must-have for teachers, especially.

Writing has been on again, off again this week, although I am through chapter 12 and have only three or four more to go...I think. I am one that never knows exactly until I get there. I know where I am going, but sometimes it takes longer to arrive than I had originally thought.

My middle son moved here last Friday from Massachusetts, so now I have two of three sons here, and three grandchildren. One is just over two, and the other seven months...a lot different than the six-year-old already here. Will have to revive all those 'baby care skills all over again...starting with babyproofing my house.

Guess I had better get to it...

Monday Meanderings

2008-09-15T20:40:00.004-05:00

I love looking at the lacy Spanish moss that hangs from the trees around here...it makes me want to DO something with it.

FINALLY--I have come to an agreement with my Jason and Nordic editor regarding the name of my character. The book started out as Russell's Victory, but then dear editor said I needed to change it because of a series of Russell books about a boy with Down Syndrome. So we started the process and it seemed to take forever. Each of us had a reason not to use certain names...I KNEW it had to have at least two syllables. I was looking at how the name 'flowed;' she was looking for non-trendy names that were not part of other titles. After about three weeks of going back and forth, we finally agreed upon Ryan...so my new book is now Ryan's Victory.

Today was the first Monday I have not worked in the Park library, and it was really nice not to have anything in particular scheduled today. On most days I have some sort of commitment for at least half the day. I will have again on Monday in a month or so when I start volunteering at my grandson's school, but for now it is nice to just stay home and enjoy. I actually got a lot done...have the schedule just about set for the SCWG conference coming up in January, and that is good. Just have a few more speaking slots to fill. Also got to go to the gym with my husband today instead of going separately.

Now, of course, it is time to go write...haven't gotten to that yet today, but I still have an hour and a half before bedtime!

Sunday Snippets

2008-09-07T19:29:00.003-05:00

I have been writing about caterpillars and chrysalises and butterflies in my current WIP mystery. Aaron, one of my MC's, is very involved with the process and can tell you anything you want to know about it. In looking for a photo for this post, I found this one, and am wondering what kind of caterpillar was nibbling on THESE leaves.

This weekend, my son and his family moved from one house to another about three miles down the road. That meant we got to have grandson O. for a sleepover. What a voracious reader he is! He read for the whole time we were here, except for about a half hour, when he played computer. He only stopped when we went out to piano lesson and dinner, and then was right back at it again.

On Thursday I went to our local police station to get fingerprinted so I can be a school volunteer at O's school this year. What a lovely experience...had to wait over an hour to get fingerprinted, and then had to PAY for it, all so I can volunteer. It is good that they check people out, but...

Have continued to write regularly on my WIP mystery. The kids ALMOST have the mystery solved now. Sent the first two chapters off to my son to critique, because I want to be sure my MC, who has autism, is authentic and not a stereotype. He gave me several good suggestions, so I have a direction when I get to editing. But that is good...and I will get to it as soon as I finish the story, which should be within a couple of weeks.

After several days of concern over the path of Ike, I think we are out of the woods here in Eastern Florida. We had a little rain from Hannah, so we have been lucky on two counts this week. Thoughts are with any of you who are in Ike's path, and who have had problems from Hannah, too.

Weekend Wrap-up

2008-08-31T20:48:00.010-05:00

This picture was taken from my deck in NH when I lived there...hot air balloons regularly traveled over the lake. In fact, on weekends, they ofter were our alarm clock...we woke up to the swoosh of air being heated or released, and we alway got up and went out to watch them touch down and take off several times as they passed.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend...doing something special, visiting friends or relatives, etc.

1. This week, we have resumed regular activities (meaning golf, mostly) now that it has dried up from Fay. We watched the path of Gustav with interest, and we were very happy that it did not come our way...our thoughts and prayers go out to those in Louisiana and anyone else in its path. Now we are focused on Hanna...she might or might not be coming our way.

2. Writing has been going well...have been going back and forth with my editor at Jason and Nordic regarding my new book, RUSSELL'S VICTORY, which is a companion book to IT'S TIME. I have also made good progress on my WIP mystery, having written a chapter a day. The first draft is over half written, and then the harder work begins. Still waiting on a couple of agents with my MG novel...not ready yet to send out more queries on it just yet.

3. Plans for the SCWG conference the fourth week in January in Cocoa Beach are coming together very nicely. Am really looking forward to meeting Cynthia Lord in person...she will be doing one of our keynotes. Am still looking for children's book editor, so if you are one or you know one who might like a trip to Florida in the middle of winter, let me know.

4. Have also had fun researching butterfly houses, which I learned about on Kate Messner's blog...it is a perfect activity for one of the main characters in my WIP mystery. Also have researched idioms...they are so much fun to write about. The good thing about all my research is that I have all these books at home so I can read them, but then my six-year-old grandson comes over and HE reads them all, too. After his reading yesterday, he said to me, "Nanny, I'm going to tell you a secret, but keep it under your hat." So that is what I am doing!

Onward and upward...have a good week.

Catching Up

2008-08-22T19:36:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since I posted, so I'll catch up on all the things I THOUGHT about posting earlier, but never got to, and a few others...

1. The mushrooms in the photo are ones I found on our golf course...am not sure what kind they are, since I could not find them in my Field Guide to Florida book. However, I like them...makes me think that there is a story in them somewhere.

2. I WON a book! I was so happy to do so...it was a great read, and from a relatively local author here in Florida, too. Danette Haworth ran a contest on her blog to give away Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning. I finished reading it last night, after receiving it in the afternoon mail...great story about change and Violet's coming of age.

3. It always amazes me how easily kids can amuse themselves. I am away from teaching now, so am not seeing kids as much, but the other night, when out walking with my grandson, we stopped at a field and he spent the next half hour throwing a small pebble into the 4-inch tall grass, and then running out to find it. Possibly more kids would do things like this...the types of things WE grew up doing...if we could get them away from the technology more often and not over-schedule their lives as much. I am sure there are a lot of kids out there that DO entertain themselves simply, but of course, they are never the ones we read about...

4. MG novel is completely revised now and has a few queries out to agents...(am starting small). I'm happy to report that I have started on another book--which surprises me, since I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to write next. But with the brainstorming help of several friends and relatives, I am now well on my way to writing a chapter book mystery.

5. Sometimes I wonder if I should have a blog or not, and if anyone actually reads it. I know there are a few that do, but I question if I ever have anything to say that is worth sharing with others...

6. We are blessed to be safe and dry here in Brevard county where Fay came to visit and stayed a few extra days. We never even lost our electricity! My heart goes out to all the others in the city and county who were not as fortunate, and found their houses under water. I do not envy them the major cleanup.

Now, back to writing! It is good to be working on something new...much more motivating than trying to finish something that has taken forever.

2008-08-08T06:33:00.006-05:00

I feel as if I have accomplished a few things this week, and that is a good feeling.

1. Most important, I am getting close to finishing major revisions on my WIP--in fact, I expect I will finish today or tomorrow. FINALLY! I am at about 35,000 words now, which really surprises me, since Knowing Joseph was closer to 20,000 words. That is not saying that the book will end up with that many words, only that to me, it indicates an improvement in my writing...I am learning to develop my stories more.

2. I have started working on setting the program for our Space Coast Writers Guild Conference in January. It looks as if we are going to have some great topics AND great speakers. Cynthia Lord is going to be one of them, and I am really looking forward to that.

3. I have been taking a lot of pictures, and then was invited to join a newly-formed 'digital club' for people who want to share their photography and learn more about their cameras. I went and learned one thing...that I know NOTHING about taking pictures compared to the others there, so I will have to work extra hard to get myself on board. Right now I am of the 'zoom, point, and shoot' type, using the automatic setting, but would really like to know more about adjusting the settings to get the picture I really want.

4. And last, but not least, I am scheduling 'book' things. There is a book fair in September, a couple of school presentations in October, a speaking engagement and book signing at a Family Health Fair in November, and then two more book fair opportunities in December. Things are beginning to happen!

5. Still to do: update my website, to start.

Also had fun with my grandson the other day...he wanted to go 'exploring' in the woods, so we did. Here is what we saw. A squishy log great for jumping on

And lots of trees and branches to climb over, crawl under, etc.

Few for Friday

2008-08-01T09:41:00.001-05:00

1. I have finally returned from an extra (unscheduled) ten days added to my four-day vacation to PA. It took that long to fix my car in VA, but we had a very nice visit with my cousin 250 miles south. My car's engine is fixed.

2. I no longer have that car...we bought a new one as soon as we arrived home. We had planned on trading it in anyway...just did it a little quicker.

3. I have been having fun playing with my camera. The above picture is one of many I took while in NC. I took many nature shots in addition to the great number of wedding pictures.

4. I am finally getting caught up with crits I need to get out, bookkeeping, mail, etc. and plan to get back to writing today. I worked on my WIP some while away, and think I have finally hit upon the order in which I want to put the revisions together.

2008-07-21T10:46:00.004-05:00

Our car is still being held hostage by the garage in Virginia where it is getting the engine fixed, and probably will be until about Thursday, so we are spending some quality time with my cousin Ann, and Bruce, who live 250 miles south of where our car is, in North Carolina. We are glad to be here, since otherwise we would be in a motel for the ten days it is taking and we are also having a nice visit and vacation that we would not otherwise have had. The above picture is of one of the many birds on their back porch this morning...I am thinking a baby cardinal because of its fuzziness.

What about this one? It does not have the tuft of a cardinal...might it be a tananger, or maybe a purple finch, or something else? I could not match it definitively in the bird book that is here, so please help me out.

Have done only a little writing (but in my head, not on paper) since becoming stranded--a poem about a butterfly that I am going to write down today. I also think I will be able to work on my WIP today, too...we are having a quiet stay-at-home day for the first time since we arrived. No golf, no shopping, no going to visit an old classmate. So I am off to work on writing.

What's Been Happening

2008-07-14T07:33:00.003-05:00

I have decided that since I like to take photos as much or more than I like to write, that I would post a favorite here each time I post. This is one of my all-time favorite pictures I have taken.

We (my cousin and I) were driving Loop Road in the Everglades when we saw a man stopped and taking pictures alongside the road. We stopped to see what was so interesting and this is what we found.

A few things for today:

Hubby and I have been traveling since last Wednesday...from Florida to Pennsylvania for a wedding, and we are now on our way back. We travel a few hours, play golf for four hours, and then travel some more, so it takes us an extra day or two to get where we are going. We are currently in Charlottesville, VA, and were supposed to be playing golf ten minutes from now, but that is not happening. Hubby is currently sitting in the repair shop waiting for the mechanics to make a diagnosis on our sick car, which yesterday developed a very loud knocking in the engine...one that is so bad that we are not sure will make it home without blowing up all over the road. So we will stay here until we find out.

I am not doing so well with my WFMAD (write fifteen minutes a day) goal issued over at LiveJournal right now...have only written one of the last four days...a poem, or story in verse, or whatever you want to call it, about Scrambled Eggs. I find it very difficult to sit in the same room with the TV on at night and focus on writing...or even if the TV is not on, my mind it not into it after traveling all day. So I will get back to it when I get home.

I HAVE been taking a lot of photos, however--mostly of family at the wedding activities, but a few on golf courses. The first day we saw a mother raccoon and her two babies, but I had forgotten my camera in the car, so did not get them. On the second day we saw a deer at the edge of the woods, but by the time I picked up my camera and got the lense cap off, it was gone...I think. Will have to wait until I get home to see if I caught part of it as it reentered the woods.

Hope everyone out there is having a great and productive summer, and meeting all YOUR goals.

A Few Things for Friday

2008-07-04T13:51:00.004-05:00

This has been a busy week here in my hometown in Florida.

1. My daughter-in-law and two grandsons came to visit from Germany, by way of Georgia, where they are spending the summer. They and another son's family had fun going to the pool, to the zoo, and to Kennedy Space Center...not bad, considering they were only here for four days.

2. Over at Live Journal, Cindy Lord issued a challenge to post a photo a day of our home towns, so since I like to take photos, I took that on...had fun running around town and my neighborhood, taking photos of all the interesting (or not so interesting) things I could. If you want to see pictures of where I live, check out my LJ blog, which is USUALLY the same as this one. Here is a sample:

Harbor at Crane Creek, Downtown Melbourne
3. Also, Jo Knowles invited all her friends to participate with her in the 15-a-day challenge, where we are to write for fifteen minutes a day for a month, created by halseanderson. I have joined that, and am doing okay, so far.

4. Because of the challenge, I finished the first draft of RUSSELL'S VICTORY, an easy reader companion book to IT'S TIME. I sent it off to my editor, and am now reworking the beginning of it.

5. Also, I have gotten quite a bit done on my MG WIP, so the challenge has done well in motivating me to actually sit down and work.

6. We're heading out next week for a wedding in PA, so still need to do a little shopping to see if I can find a new sundress to wear.

Hope you all have a Happy Independence Day!

Friday Few

2008-06-28T07:49:00.000-05:00

Another week has slipped by...and I have made some progress...

1. Things are beginning to connect with KNOWING JOSEPH. I have had several good reviews in a variety of places, and have learned of two that will be coming out in publications in the fall. Yippee!

2. I have FINALLY figured out how I am going to end my WIP, in the edited version. Also, I have found out the best way to do it. It is getting close to being finished, so I can send it for critique.

3. Grandkids are here for several days, so we are doing 'kid' activities...swimming at the pool today, zoo tomorrow...and maybe the beach and the space center on other days...we'll see how things go.

4. Computer time is limited, since my computer room is also a bedroom...so I am done for the night...have a good week and happy writing!

Five for Friday

2008-06-20T11:39:00.004-05:00

My goal is to post more often, and I thought of posting earlier in the week, but of course, you can see how THAT went...so now that it has been a full week, I'm doing it first thing in the morning to be sure it gets done.

1. I didn't get to play, but I rode around with my husband and six-year old grandson in a Father's Day golf tournament last Saturday. O really enjoyed it and they came in third (out of four). He was the youngest kid there by four years. Now I am waiting for them to have a adult-kid tournament I can play in. O probably won't be as happy with that, though, because I won't get as many pars as his papa and he did.
2. I have decided to try a new way (for me) of revising. I have been having trouble jumping from my first draft and finding what I want, then putting it into my revision draft, so I shrunk the whole story, put it into columns, and now will cut it apart and rearrange it. I have read about this several times, but most recently on Kate Messner's blog.

3. I have been busy with marketing activities this week, too. Had good news from the local paper and a national magazine, who are going to do reviews of KNOWING JOSEPH between now and September. Also I have followed up on a few suggestions that Cynthia Lord has given me about bookstores that deal with only books about special needs, among other things. Thanks, Cindy. In addition, I have connected to Joanna Keating-Velasco and Julie Shore to discuss marketing strategies for books about autism...both of them have excellent books about autism that have come out recently.

4. There are a couple of rhyming poetry contests going on right now...one over at Dori Chaconis's blog about cheese, and another at Kay Pluta's blog about rabbits. Would LOVE the prizes of both, but first I need to write the poems.

5. Just found out that my daughter-in-law and two grandkids will be coming next Thursday for a week. They are here for the summer from Germany, but spending most of their time in Georgia...my son could not make the trip...he is in Iraq.

Hope you all have a good week.

Friday Five

2008-06-13T14:02:00.002-05:00

I haven't tried this before, and am not sure I can come up with five things, but....

1. On Monday, I was interviewed live on radio...mostly about Space Coast Writers' Guild and writing, but got to talk a little about my books, too. Am not sure I did that well, but what is, is. Mark Pence of WMEL, the host, was delightful, and I enjoyed myself in spite of stumbling over my words occasionally. I tried taking his picture but the batteries in my camera died. I DID get one in the waiting room, though...lots of old-time radios on display.

2. KNOWING JOSEPH visited a school in Bennington, Vermont this week. My cousin, Ann Smith, did two presentations there, using a Power Point presentation I had sent her. She said it went well, although each session was very different.

3. We have my grandson for five days, so I am getting to do a lot of 6-year-old things. We swim and golf and ride bikes and go to the library and the park. It's fun. AND I always learn so much... O loves to read non-fiction and is always amazing me with some sort of new facts that I knew nothing about.

4. It seems that Knowing Joseph is back-ordered at Amazon and other places. I guess the best way to get a copy now is directly through Blooming Tree Press

5. I actually played "good golf" yesterday, for me, that is.

Happy fathers' day to all the fathers out there!

Moving forward...

2008-06-07T07:28:00.005-05:00

Summer is definitely here in Florida...in the 90's daily, with little or no rain...and supposedly the 'rainy season' begins in May. Nice to be warm, though...sometimes I have to go outside to warm up, with all the air conditioning down here...don't dare to go into a store or restaurant without a sweater.

Recently I attended the WALK FOR AUTISM in Orlando as a vendor. It was fun. I enjoyed talking to all the people who stopped by, handed out a bunch of promotional materials, and even sold a few books.

I have moved forward with my writing, too...got a couple more chapters revised in my WIP, and hope to have it completed by the end of June. Other than that, and some promoting...have been working with my cousin, who is going to make a presentation on KJ to a school she used to work at as a librarian in Vermont, and doing some emailing, etc...I have been staying busy with day-to-day stuff. Am looking forward to having my grandson for five days next week, and to my other two visiting from Germany later in the summer.

First Official School Visit

2008-05-25T13:27:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I had my first official school visit since KNOWING JOSEPH came out, and it was fun. I made a powerpoint presentation, which I have not done in YEARS (surprised I could still figure it out) and presented to a sixth grade for their career day...on being a writer, of course. They asked some really good questions, more about their writing than the career aspect of it. One boy said that he heard that no one can EVER make their writing perfect, and did I agree with that? And of course I do--I could go back through Joseph now, and make MANY changes that I think would make it better...I have learned so much about writing between the time I finished it four years ago and now.

Thanks, Mrs. Dodd, for inviting me.

I also visited Ms. Troxle's fourth grade class and talked about "Show, don't tell," in writing. We didn't have very much time, so I didn't get to finish the whole presentation, but hopefully they got something out of it. I enjoyed being back in the classroom, anyway.

Then later that afternoon I ran into (literally) another teacher from Palm Bay in a parking lot...a preschool special needs teacher...and we had a very nice conversation about autism and teaching, etc., while waiting for the policeman to arrive to fill out an accident report.So mostly it was a good day...but not completely.

Celebration

2008-05-18T21:19:00.005-05:00

Today was the day scheduled for the celebration of the release of my book, Knowing Joseph. We had it at the library in the park where I live. It was small, but nice.

Of course, we had too much food, but what we had was very good.

Then I talked a little about how I came to write the book, and answered questions, all about autism, what causes it, etc.
Of course I could not answer those, and I am not sure how well I did explaining what autism is to my six-year-old grandson, either. I hope I got it pretty right, though, because another of my guests was a 46 year old man with autism who lives in our park with his parents. Anyway, it was an enjoyable afternoon, which ended with a little excitement, whe we had to call the ambulance for one of my elderly friends (she is okay now, but it did make for an interesting ending to our celebration).

Last Visit

2008-05-09T19:57:00.005-05:00

Each month since January I have been visiting the Rockledge Montessori School and doing a 'writing' lesson with about ten four-and five-year olds. Surprisingly enough, most of them can write a full sentence very legibly, too.First I read a story or poem on the chosen subject of the day, and we discuss it, and our ideas about what we could write on the same subject. Then I hand out three-page 'books' with story paper in them and the kids go to work writing and illustrating their stories for 20-30 minutes. That is followed by making a related craft. Last month I read two of my own unpublished stories...one a story in verse, and the other, a companion non-fiction about Bluegills. Then we made stuffed fish out of brown paper.

Wednesday will be my last visit to this school, because my grandson will be graduating and moving on to first grade in a new school next year. The subject of the day will be cave men or prehistoric man. I have found a book or two that will be suitable, but am having some difficulty coming up with a related craft. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

On another note, I have been working on some marketing strategies--mostly handing out invitations to my book release celebration that I will be having on May 18th...if anyone lives in central Florida and would like to come, contact me and I will give you the details. Have also been working on adding to my website. I wanted to start over, but for now, I have decided just to upgrade the one I have. Check it out at http://www.judithmammay.com I am open to suggestions for improvement

TODAY'S EVENT

2008-05-03T17:00:00.007-05:00

Today I was scheduled to do a Book Talk at the Book Xchg in Cocoa village, sponsored by the Space Coast Writers' Guild. Rich and Angie had a nice area set up for us with a table (and even a podium) and several chairs, and coffee and cookies to feed us.

But no one showed up...no on NOT in our SCWG membership, that is. We did have support from our own members, though, and had a good time. I particularly liked it because it gave me a chance to practice a new presentation, and to talk to a group without notes. It actually went pretty well, I think, so I might try it again. Am not sure I will go without notes if it is any longer than ten minutes, but WILL be able to plan some new presentations. They SAY practice makes perfect!

There were two other presenters, too...Diane Carr, with a book for children, River Dragon, and Andy Byer with an adult book, The IMperfect Spy.

All in all, a fun afternoon, and thanks Rich and Angie, for having us.

I HAVE BOOKS!

2008-04-29T20:29:00.007-05:00

I have BOOKS! KNOWING JOSEPH books! A couple of weeks ago, two boxes arrived at my door from the FedEx guy and when I opened them, there were my beautiful books, just waiting for me to reach in and pick up.

I've been having fun ever since. I went to the Autism Awareness festival where I met lots of great people interested in both autism and my book as well as writing--Space Coast Writers Guild sponsored the table--and it was amazing how many people there were who wanted info on the organization, because THEY were working on a book.

I took my books to my aerobics class, where one lady announced to the whole class that she was going to buy one, read it, and then donate it to her local library up north when she went home, and that everyone else should consider the same thing, because she felt it was an important book to get into the hands of kids.

I took the books to golf, and several people in my league thought their grandchildren should have a copy. And so it goes...THIS is FUN!

It has also served as a motivator for me to get busy and finish the revisions on my WIP, and to write another easy reader that my editor from Jason and Nordic (It's Time) has requested.Am not sure if there is an OFFICIAL release date...Amazon says one thing, and Barnes and Noble says another, but I DO know that my editor at Blooming Tree Press assures me the books are in the warehouse and ready to go. And that is enough for me. The long wait is over, and it was worth it.

Conference Fun!

2008-01-31T15:35:00.000-05:00

I've been busy having fun at a couple of conferences for the last couple of weekends. The first was SCBWI-FL, where I was on the First Books panel with DonnaGephart and Greg Neri, both of whom have great books.The panel went well...we all had some 'words of wisdom' to pass on to still-unpublished writers. I guess I came across okay...but must work on speaking more spontaneously. Of course, I had no books to sell, but did get to show off my ARC. The conference was good...with interesting speakers, great break-out sessions on Sunday, and a fun dance with a nautical theme.

(Adrian and I at the Nautical Dance)

I ended up hanging out with Adrian Fogelin, who has written some incredible character-driven books. She was one of our main speakers on Saturday and also did a workshop on Sunday. Her talk on Saturday was on how to make a living through writing...she does a lot of school workshops all over the country, but of course, does not have kids at home. She showed us her props for her writing workshops, which were amazing in themselves. Makes me wonder how a kid could NOT write after working with her!

This last weekend, the conference I was running went very well also. I think it was the best one we have had so far. Our speakers were all outstanding...don't think there is a one I would not consider inviting back next year. A couple of our speakers--Dean Smith and his wife Kristine Rusch generated a little bit of controversy when they kept saying 'Write and send--don't edit' because when we edit, we tend to edit out our voice. There have been a couple major discussions of this on Patrick the Space Lord and Robin Brande's sites, if you are interested. My publisher and editor were both at that conference, so it was nice seeing them...and Miriam said I should have books very soon...

Now that I have finished with the conferences (the second one in particular), I can get back to finishing up the editing of the last few chapters of my WIP. I've told the folks at Blooming Tree that it is my goal to have it to them for review by the end of February, so will have to buckle down and get busy. Am also in the process of sending out some of my ARCs for review.

ARCs Arrived--Getting Closer!

2008-01-17T07:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday a box of ARCs for KNOWING JOSEPH arrived at my door...and they look great. But even better, my publisher said there will be a different cover on the actual books when they come out, and it is SO much better than the one above, and even better than the one on the ARCs. Here it is.

I have a couple of ARCs to give away to people who are interested in doing a review of it. If there are several, I'll do a drawing. You can read more about the book at my website, www.judithmammay.com .

Other than that, I am busy preparing for two conferences in the next two weekends. The first, SCBWI-FL, is in Miami, and I will be speaking as part of the First Books panel--SOOO glad I have my ARCs so I will have something to show. The following weekend is the Space Coast Writers' Guild conference at Cocoa Beach, of which I am the conference coordinator. Have been really busy pulling together all the last minute details on that. It's fun, though, to be able to talk to so many great authors, editors, and agents in person in the process of setting it up.

New Year, New Goals

2008-01-02T21:05:00.000-05:00

Happy new year to all! May your year be full of accomplished goals, and much happiness, productivity, and all else that is important to you.

I'm not one for 'making resolutions' as such, and year-long goals tend to get put off. Over at the Space Lord's site, I read about the value of setting quarterly goals for people such as me who tend not to deal with long-time goals, so I am taking that suggestion and using it. My goals for the first three months of the year include finishing the editing of my WIP and submitting it, and also pulling together and organizing all my poems and verses and deciding what needs to be done with them. Am thinking they may also need to be submitted, but the question is whether a few should go out separately as picture books, or if they should go as a collection. Will have to research and ponder there.

Other than that, I am sure I will stay busy with my other activities--attending a couple of conferences, running a couple of golf tournaments, spending time at my grandson's preschool doing 'writing' activities with them, etc.

My grandson came for his weekly visit today--he was very excited because there is 'the possibility of snow' tomorrow, and he is so looking forward to going out and having a snowball fight. Now, in case you don't know or remember...I live in Florida...and O. is right about the possibility of flurries. Not a good thing in my mind, but it would be rather interesting seeing snow down here.

Another thing I will be working on in the next three months...consistency with exercising. Have been doing pretty well at going to aerobics twice a week, and since Christmas, have started yoga at home on another two or three days a week. That has made a difference in how I feel already...maybe that will be enough motivation for me to keep it up longer than I usually do.

Another Week

2007-11-26T21:40:00.000-05:00

I seem to have missed the Friday post I promised, but really had nothing to report. We had Thanksgiving yesterday, so Thursday we spent a leisurely day on the golf course, and then cooked steak on the grill for dinner to celebrate our 43rd anniversary that we DIDN'T get to celebrate last Wednesday. I even had one of my better rounds, breaking ninety, which is a very infrequent thing for me.

Am still working on rewrites...got stuck for a day or so this week, because I couldn't make up my mind if I want to stick with the first version, or to go in another direction completely, which will involve writing several new chapters and dumping the many of the old ones. A hard thing to do, especially when some of them are quite good--or maybe I should say I am quite attached to them, but they definitely would not fit into my 'new version.' I think I have decided to go in the new direction...it ties various parts together better, and cuts down on the great number of characters needed to send the MC from one environment to a totally different one. So progress is being made.

On Wednesday I had fun making a 'Thanksgiving craft' with my grandson, which started with going into the woods in search of brown pine cones. We found quite a few old weathered grey ones, but not too many brown ones, so it is a good thing I had some good ones from the craft store to back up our efforts. We made turkeys from pine cones and colored pipe cleaners, although O. insisted I call them by their correct name--chenille (whatever), which he read off the package. We stuck name tags on a post in each one to be used as place markers on Thanksgiving Day at his house. Today he was going to take one for show and tell at school. And now we can start on Christmas craft projects, since he likes to do a project each week.

I have just returned from our monthly Children's Writers' Club, where our presenter talked about the availability of grants for writers, and gave us several good websites for them...if anyone is interested in obtaining such a grant, let me know, and I'll send you the websites she gave us.

Have a good week, and have fun preparing for the holiday season.

This and that...

2007-11-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

Guess I'll stick with the plan and list five for Friday, although not much has been going on.

1.The weather is finally 'cool' in Florida...down in the forties last night, and only into the sixties today. Very nice for outside activities during the day. I know that is nothing like much of the rest of the country has, but for me, who is cold if it goes below 80, it is cold enough.

2. I have scrapped several chapters of my WIP and am rewriting a whole section of the book. I think it is going well, and will test it out on my crit group in a few days.

3. I have been enjoying the Robert's Snow Cure for Cancer artist interviews on several websites. Check out the artists' snowflakes for the upcoming auction.

4. Plans for the Space Coast Writers' Guild annual Pen-to-Print V conference are progressing nicely. This week I have been following up with the agents, editors and authors who will be presenting to take care of any final details. I have enjoyed setting the conference up with so many great presenters.

5. I started my Christmas shopping today by ordering a magazine subscription for my grandson with autism. He really loves non-fiction, so the Kids Discover magazine seemed like the perfect gift for a kid who doesn't really like or use many things. Am hoping I can find a good magazine for my 12-year old grandson, too. Any suggestions?

Updating again

2007-11-10T08:16:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I have been motivated enough to update my blog...just one of those things I never seem to get to. I now have a goal to do it at least once a week...we'll see how it goes.

Maybe if I make lists, it will help me...so here goes.

1. I really enjoyed our recent trip to Germany to visit my son and his family who are stationed there in the Army for the next two or three years. It was great to spend time with my grandsons. One thing I did was to plant tulips with the younger one, M, who has autism. He had to wait patiently for a few weeks until I arrived to plant the bulbs--parents decided it would be a good activity for me to do with him--but he did it and was prepared with a step-by-step approach to how we needed to do it. I would have been nice if we had had some dirt to plant them in, instead of the garden filled mostly with stones and roots, but we managed, with a little help with digging from Dad. I hope they come up for him in the spring. We did a little traveling, too...here is one of my favorite pictues of Lucerne, Switzerland.

2. I am making good progress on editing my WIP, with the help of an excellent online critique group that makes me write better than I thought I ever could. Most of us are from Florida--the group is through SCBWI-FL, but we do have one talented member from 'up north' who has really been an inspiration to us all...Kate Messner has recently had HER book released and is really going to town with it. Congratulations, Kate.

3. I had a note from my son the other day (the one in Germany) about M...we had given him a keyboard several years ago, and it is still in good condition, sitting in his room. Mike said that M was home one day because there was no school, and was banging on the keyboard as he often does, but then it was different. M was playing 'In My Room' by the Beach Boys...a song Mike didn't even know M. had ever heard. When asked, M. said he just knew it and taught it to himself, denying anyone had taught it to him (which is likely true...who would have done it?) The really neat thing was, Mike said, was that M. played it in perfect four-part harmony. They have just signed him up for piano lessons...I hope the teacher is able to teach him in a way that he will learn best so he will thrive and not be turned off to what he appears to enjoy now.

4. Speaking of kids, they can teach us so much...my youngest grandson (5) who lives here taught us all about 'fog bows.' Do you know what a fog bow is? Check it out here. I DO miss being with kids daily like I was when I was teaching, and look forward to doing more school visits once Knowing Joseph is out, though.5. And last for today, KJ is now scheduled to be out around February 4th, just a few months away. Last I heard, the ARC's were at the printers, so they should be back soon and the long process will continue to move forward. Cindy is right...if they are out then, there will be time to reach the various autism groups by Autism Awareness month in April.

5. And last for today, KJ is now scheduled to be out around February 4th, just a few months away. Last I heard, the ARC's were at the printers, so they should be back soon and the long process will continue to move forward. Cindy is right...if they are out then, there will be time to reach the various autism groups by Autism Awareness month in April.

Moving Along

2007-08-25T18:51:00.000-05:00

It is such a relief to have finally completed my WIP...but now the hard work begins... made easier, of course, by my awesome online critique group. One of the reason it took so long to write, is because I was not happy with the ending I had in mind. Finally, I wrote it anyway, and now I can see WHY I don't like it, and where the changes need to be made. It is so much clearer, once the whole story is down on paper.

So now I am in the middle of deleting whole chapters, writing new ones, and moving some chapters or parts of chapters around. I don't remember having to do that as much with my first book, but I guess every book is different, and I really knew what the first one was about from the beginning.

The other thing I have been doing is working with the speakers for our Space Coast Writers' Guild's (SCWG) January conference. It's fun to write back and forth with all our speakers and get things set up...am really looking forward to the conference...AND to the SCBWI-FL conference, also in January, where I will be on the First Books panel.

Last, but not least, hubby and I are going on a trip to Germany for two and a half weeks in September, to visit my son and family who are there courtesy the US ARMY, and to see some of the surrounding countryside. We were there twelve years ago, and I could not get over some of the castles. 'This is a relatively new/young castle,' the guide says...'built in the 1300's.' Our whole COUNTRY isn't that old!

Oh, and I have a new release date for Knowing Joseph...in February.

Good news, bad news

2007-08-09T20:40:00.000-05:00

Aug. 9th, 2007 at 9:17 PM
Finally! I have completed the first draft of my WIP and am ready to begin the editing process. Fortunately, I have had many good critiques on the book, so it should be easier for me the second time through than it was for me to finish it the first draft, even though I already know I'm going to be making some pretty significant changes.

That's the GOOD news.

The BAD news is ...well, I'll tell you later.

On another note, just look at the form on this kid! He might be the next Tiger Woods! We took my five-year-old grandson out on the course for the first time last Friday, and he actually did pretty well...golf---well that was okay, but it was more fun to push the gas pedal on the cart and to dump sand in the divots on the fairway.

My Busy Week

2007-07-26T17:39:00.001-05:00

Last week was busy enough, and am just getting caught up with myself now. Our flying trip to New England was just that...the funeral was nice in that it was like a family reunion; the wedding, I think, probably broke all records for shortest ceremony in history: thirty-seven seconds from beginning to end. And I mean beginning to end. No processional, no kissing the bride. Just

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"Um...yes."
"Say 'I do'."
"Oh, okay....I do."
"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"I now pronounce you man and wife."

And that was it.

The food was good, though.

Then after we got home, my five-year-old grandson came for three nights while Mom and Dad went away to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. THAT was fun. We did all sorts of things...

One thing he really enjoyed and spent hours with are the pipe cleaners...he found the ones I had left over from my kids' activity at the Walk for Autism a few weeks ago, and decided the light in my computer room needed a 'bird cage'--at least that is what it started out to be...but then it turned into an ongoing adventure...I should have written it all down and made it into a story......

We also went 'exploring' in the woods, practiced our golf (he has a GREAT swing--maybe he'll be another Tiger Woods someday), went to the bookstore to find a couple of good chapter books, and the highlight of the day--riding on the golf cart from the ninth hole to the tenth hole when we found Papa at the golf course. Someday soon we plan to take him out for a round.

I've been on a reading kick for the last couple of weeks...a little bit of this, a little of that...but NO Harry Potter. I read the first three books, or maybe four, I think, but then never got to the rest. Maybe someday I'll catch up and find out what happened at the end.

Writing...let's see...mostly doing a little marketing...making connections locally. Had a new member come to our Children's Writers Club the other night, who just happened to be an elementary media specialist in one of our county schools. She loved It's Time...thought it would be perfect for helping kids to understand the kids with autism better...and is going to spread the word among the other county schools for me. I guess that is what you call 'networking,' right?

Weekly (sort of) Update

2007-07-11T20:43:00.000-05:00

Not much happening around here, but DO have some good news. Just got an email from my editor over at Blooming Tree Press, saying the edits on KNOWING JOSEPH are completed and the book will be going to the printer by the end of the week. AND that it is still on schedule for an October release. I am delighted! It's been a long wait, but the end is finally in sight.

The other good thing is that I have almost finished my next mg--finally! Just one more chapter to go before starting the rewrite.

In other news, we are taking a flying trip to New England this weekend--a funeral in Vermont on Saturday, a wedding in Massachusetts on Sunday, and somewhere in between we are going to connect with my son somewhere else in Massachusetts to meet his new girlfriend.

Have been reading Mother Reader's blog about her review of The Secret...wish our library had it available. Might have to get it at the bookstore...good stuff--all that positive thinking...I believe it really does help!

Update

2007-06-30T09:57:00.000-05:00

Guess if I am going to do journaling, I really should update it once in awhile...
Let's see...what is new here...not much. Last Saturday, I went to Walk for Autism and had a booth for my book and all the books from my publisher...only sold five books, but handed out over sixty brochure/flyer packs about the book and the school visit programs I can do, so will be interesting to see if anything comes from that. Anyway, I enjoyed talking to the people who stopped by...several teachers, as well as parents, counselors, etc.

Final copyedit of my JOSEPH book is done. Was reading about Cynthia Lord getting the Schneider Award for her book RULES, which is also about autism, but from a girl's point of view...congratulations, Cindy, and for your other awards, too. Guess I'll have to look into finding out how one gets nominated for the Schneider Award...my books seem to fit the criteria.

Have actually done some writing this week...think I finally have the ending to my book figured out, so now just have to get it onto paper. It helps to know where it's going...makes it easier to sit down and work on it.

Have been enjoying grandson, O., who is five. I pick him up from school now on the days he comes because Mom is in school. O likes to share his knowledge with DO YOU KNOW statements. One of my favorites is 'DO YOU KNOW that maple syrup is made of SAP?' 'Yes, I DO know that,' I answer, 'and what kind of tree does the sap come from?'
He thought for a minute, and then answered...'A palm tree.'
'No, maple syrup comes from a maple tree.'
'OH, and CHOCOLATE syrup comes from a ...'
'Cocoa beans,' I said, before he could answer, because he hates being wrong.

Conference Fun!

2007-06-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to the SCBWI-FL conference in Orlando, and followed the poetry track, where we spent the whole day with Lee Bennett Hopkins, who has done numerous anthologies for children, and Kristin Daly from Harper Collins, who aquires poetry, picture books, and a few other things.

A couple things I learned about writing poetry:
1. Make every word count...there is no room for fillers.NO 'empty calories' allowed. That means do not use the words JUST, BUT, AND, THE, QUITE. Each syllable of a poem must move it to action.

2.Watch out for uneven or forced meter...do not give the editors an excuse for dumping your poem.

3. Don't be afraid to stand out from the pack. Use themes based on basic childhood experiences...with a new twist.

There are three types of poetry books:
1. Original poetry...your own collection
2. General anthology...a conglomeration of poems with little or no connection
3. Specific anthology...theme-based books. These sell the best.

Poetry-friendly magazines:
Babybug, Boy's Quest, Cicada, Cricket, Hopscotch, Iguana (must be originally written in Spanish), Odyssey.

Poetry-friendly publishing houses:
Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin
Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux
Greenwillow Books
Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon and Schuster
Wordsong/Boyds Mills

And, I would say, Harper Collins.

At the end we had 'Poetry Idol.' Our assignment was to write a poem about something that began with the same letter as our last name. I won.It was a great day...and has inspired me to get writing on poetry again...

Writing Verse for Kids--HELP!

2007-06-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

Someone from my school in NH emailed me the other day and wanted me to write a poem for one of the teachers who is retiring, since I often did that when I was still working. No problem...told them to send me ideas of what they would like in the poem...key words, so to speak, and I could do it. Took me about an hour or less.

Last week the moderator of an on-line children's poetry critique group I used to moderate wrote and invited me to return to the group, since they had an opening. I did, but that means I need to start writing in verse again. And I could do that if I had any ideas about what subject to write about. It's so much easier for me if someone gives me a topic...then I can write. It's happened often with my writing...even with KNOWING JOSEPH, where a psychologist who works with families of children with autism suggested I write a story about a sibling who felt he needed to be perfect. No problem...I did it.

So here is what I would like...help me brainstorm ideas or topics for some children's verse...what would you like to see a poem or a rhyming picture book about? Give me some key words to write about..help me get started.

On another note, we are off to Georgia tomorrow for a few days to see the grandkids one more time before they leave for Germany, where my son will be stationed for the next two or three years. At least it will be a nice place to visit in the fall or next spring.

WOW! Lots of things are happening!

2007-06-04T21:47:00.000-05:00

NOW I am getting excited about my book! It's taken awhile, but things are beginning to happen. First, I had been sending emails to Autism Societies to tell them about my book. A few have written back requesting a copy for review, but on Friday, the one in Orlando wrote and asked if I would like a vendor's booth at their Walk for Autism...my publisher was nice enough to pay the fee, so I am going to that...with over a thousand people expected in attendance...all somehow related to or with an interest in autism.

Then today, I received my first book review... at Mayra's Secret Bookcase and she is posting it and/or sending it to a number of other places too.

Thought maybe I would make a list of workshops and school visit programs I can do to take with me to Orlando.

AND today I also got copies of the hard cover edition...I am impressed!

Progress

2007-06-02T06:29:00.000-05:00

Have been working on the marketing over the last few days, sending emails with my press release to a number of Autism Societies across the country, and generating an address labels page for others. It's amazing how many there are; I am up to only page six of more than twenty pages in a google search. I figure if I do ten a day, I might finish in a month or two.

The good thing is that I have had a few responses, too, and have sent out a few books for review.

In addition, I have joined some listserves and introduced myself, which has generated a good deal of traffic on my website.

And from one of the listserves, I received the inspiration to write an article about grandparenting a child with autism, in response to a question asked about how to do that. So I have started working on that.

Then, I was reading my new SCBWI Bulletin yesterday, and found a publisher looking for books with the same criteria as the first one I wrote, which does not yet have a home...so of course, I sat right down and submitted it.

The weather here is warm, windy and wet. Barry is passing through...don't know the name of the first storm...I seemed to have missed that one. But the rain is what we need, so welcome, Barry.

Working on good press

2007-05-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

So for the last few days, I have been looking at newspapers and trying to develop a list of places to send the press release my publisher sent. Problem is, I can find plenty of places, but it takes SOOO long, because I always find something I just HAVE to read on each page... I'm getting there, though. Have sent out a few by email where there was no addresses, and have started a labels sheet for other addresses.

And while I was doing that, I decided to check the contents of my marketing folder and came across Marti Leimbach's website and blog...she wrote Daniel Isn't Talking about her experience of discovering her son had autism and all that went with it. I enjoyed reading her blog, including a post about the difficulty of attending church when one has a child with autism. Sounds familiar...have heard similar stories from my daughter-in-law and son, too. It is a difficult thing to do. In fact, one minister told my son he and his family were an inspiration to other parishioners...because of all they have to go through to attend church with M. (Must say it is not as difficult as it used to be, now that he is getting older.) Anyway, it was interesting reading.

Hope you all had a good holiday!

I Can WRITE!

2007-05-24T18:48:00.000-05:00

I was beginning to wonder if I ever really would write any more, but yesterday I DID. And it wasn't all that hard, after I made myself sit down and do it. Might even try it again today...

I spent the whole day (9 AM to 7:30 PM) at the hospital with a friend who had to go in for a procedure--I figured three or four hours--but the doctor was three hours late, and THEN they told us she had to lay flat without bending her leg for four hours...Anyway, I had gone prepared. Figured there would be no interuptions there, and nothing to distract me, so I packed my pads of paper and a couple of mechanical pencils and set off. Didn't know where I was going with the story, but managed to get six pages written. Now if I will only do that for the next several days, the book will be finished and ready for revisions. And with such a good critique group now, I really need to finish it before I get far along enough to need it to post!

Another Little Grandson day. Today we played all sorts of ball games outside, and played with the playdough, as well as having a puppet show and reading a story and playing a long game of concentration...which he won hands down. Amazing, though, how many rules there are to our ball games, and how quickly they can change. :-)

Fun Day

2007-05-22T20:04:00.000-05:00

Little Grandson (LG)is out of school for a week or so before beginning the free summer school provided by the state for pre-kindergarteners next week, so we had the opportunity to have him for the day while his mom was at class.

This morning I golfed, but he had fun helping Papa wash the car, or more likely spraying him... and after LG helped me make lunch we had a variety of 'projects' to complete. Started by making puppets out of paint stirrers and plastic bags...which of course generated several puppet shows. AND we even wrote a script...he wrote his lines (definitely does not need pre-k, but he likes school) and I wrote mine.(Maybe he'll be a writer someday, too!) Then we put together the kite he got for his fifth birthday a couple of weeks ago, took it to the field down the road and flew it, and then went 'exploring' in the woods at the other side of the field. When we got home, he read me a story and then I read to him...a very good day. We get him again on Thursday, too.

I continue to work on marketing...thanks, Kate, for your suggestions. Also am working on a 'Meet the Author' kit for schools, and on editing the press release my publisher sent me. Found a site yesterday that has all the newspapers in the country listed, so I'll have plenty to choose from when mailing the release out...http://www.50states.com/news/ . Now all I have to do is to sit down and DO all this stuff...

Next Step

2007-05-20T18:40:00.000-05:00

It's been almost a week since my book arrived in my mailbox and I am becoming more excited about it all the time. I think that has something to do with the fact that others seem excited about it. So maybe it is a good thing.

The question now is how do I best market it? I have already donated a copy to my public library, and have contacted many of the people on my email list. I have looked up librarians' names for the local public schools, but still have not decided whether I should email them or send postcards. Partly that is because I don't know if my emails will reach them, with such stringent safeguards on what comes into the schools. I DO know that any email with more than one address on it doesn't make it through, but don't know if it has to have a recognized email address or not.

I've also researched Autism Societies by state and have sent personal letters to a few of them, but again, how do we know that the spam filters have not filtered us out?

I must be doing something right, though, because the hits on my webpage have gone from 0-8 to 25-66 daily over the last week...might not seem a lot to many people, but it is to me...at least people are checking the book out...

More mail...incoming, today!

2007-05-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

Today the mailman brought me six copies of my first book, It's Time. It looks good! It's not going to be officially released until June, but now I can start getting reviews, and work on other marketing strategies.

I really can't describe how I feel. I suppose I should be excited, and maybe I am, but you would not know it to look at me. Yes, I'm pleased, but I guess it's something like...'Okay, that has happened; now what do I do next?' I really don't know. Maybe it hasn't sunk in yet...

It's in the Mail

2007-05-14T21:23:00.000-05:00

Got through most of Knowing Joseph last night, and was amazed at how many more errors I found...including missing quotes and a random word that made NO sense at all (like the word 'the' just before a verb...must have been something I had deleted, but missed part of it.) It only took me three read-throughs to catch it. I guess it's hard to edit our own work...we are so familiar with it, we read it like we KNOW it should be and just skip over those extra words and missing punctuation marks.

It's the same when I edit the final copy of the Literary Liftoff magazine that I work on. Never fails...four or five people do the final edit...we all find different things, and then we have it printed. THEN we find several more things we missed...and they seem so obvious once we see them...we can't imagine HOW we could have missed them during the several times we go through the magazine.

I hope that does not happen with my book.

Anyway, I finished it up this morning, packed it up, and took it to the post office. Of course, today was the day the postage went up...leave it to me to not get it there before that happened!

Quiet day today...it actually was cloudy and rainy all day...not something we have seen enough of down here in Florida lately. I liked it, though...I work in our park library on Monday afternoons, and I had more 'customers' today than I have had for the last two months combined. Makes the time more enjoyable when people come in.

Planning ahead...

2007-05-12T21:22:00.000-05:00

Recently in my BTPP (Blooming Tree Press Promotion) group, which consists of authors whose books have been been or will be published by BTP (probably something you could have figured out yourself), there has been an ongoing discussion about attending the Texas Library Association (TLA) convention in Dallas next April. Seems we are trying to come up with a theme that covers all our books, so we can sign up as presenters on a panel...no easy task.

I've agreed to go...my first official 'author event' at this point. Hope it works out for us!

We have arrived home safely, after going through a long and slow detour because about fifty miles of I-10 was closed due to the very thick smoke drifting down from Georgia and the Florida border. We ended up going over Rt. 90, where things got worse at the intersection of I-75, because they had closed that road down, too, and a lot of people from there were merging into the road we were on. That's when we decided to head south instead of continue east. It was worth the price of the tolls to avoid the long slow detour. Felt bad for the people on I-75 north...there was a seven-mile back-up, a virtual parking lot. One family we met before heading south said it took them two hours to go four miles.

The first thing I did when arriving home was to print out my copy-edit, so I can mark the changes and hopefully get it into the mail by Monday. Didn't get far, though...kept falling asleep.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day. Off to bed tonight.

End of the Week

2007-05-11T22:04:00.000-05:00

Today is our last day of 'babysitting' the grandkids. I've enjoyed it, but at the same time, am glad I am past the 'raising children' stage of my life. That may be a little selfish of me, but at this stage of my life, I enjoy having time to myself.

But I will miss them while they spend the next couple of years in Germany. Good travel opportunity, though. Having a kid in the military gives us an excuse to travel to a lot of different places, since they move every two or three years. Have been to Germany once already, about twelve years ago...now we'll get to go again.

Did a little work on my WIP while here, but had to stop and check out my characters. Guess I probably am not as organized about that as I should be. How many are too many? I don't know if I should limit the experience to just a few people or to actually deal with the four or five primary adults and the eight or ten primary kids that the MC meets all within a day or two when he goes to summer camp. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Are there 'rules of writing' that covers situations like this?

Tomorrow is a travel day...eight hours on the road, with a probable stop to play golf half way home. Then back to the 'old routine.'

More on the copy-edit

2007-05-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

Made it through JOSEPH for the second time today, and have an additional whole page of edits... simple things like a missing word and and extra words, etc. Now I will wait until I get it home, print it out and go through it one more time. Sometimes I think it is easier to read the hard copy than to read things on the computer.

Working on a little marketing, too. I sent a couple of brochures to Matthew's teacher, and she seemed really excited about the books, saying they were really needed to make people more aware of autism. She thinks they need to be in classrooms and libraries...figured she knows the people around here, so sent her a whole bunch of the brochures to share with all those people she thinks need the books. Not all that many, in the overall scheme of things, but if I find enough enthusiastic people to share their thoughts about the books, it can only help get them out to where they will do some good.

Quiet day today, for the most part...took the kids to WalMart after we went out to dinner, to spend some of their own money, and miracle of miracles...WalMart HAD the computer game that Matthew has been obsessing about for the last three days. Jay was happy to find the one he wanted too, so things were REALLY quiet when we returned.

Golf was good today, in that it was good weather (not too hot) and the course was nice. A little different than most courses in Florida...it looked more like a ski field filled with hills and lots of moguls...not very many flat places at all. Scored poorly on the front, but at my handicap on the back

Editing...and editing again

2007-05-07T22:13:00.000-05:00

Moving right along here...grandkids were in school all day, so had time to spend on the computer. I've already gone through my KNOWING JOSEPH MS once and made some corrections...nothing major--mostly commas and such. Then I decided I should go through it again, so that is what I am working on now.

It's amazing on how easy it is to miss something when reading the same thing for the umteenth time. This time I found a missing period at the end of a sentence. I wonder how many times I have proof-read that MS and missed it. Have found many more things the second time, too. Whenever I am reading a book, I tend to find one or two errors in it, and wonder how people can publish books with such obvious errors...now I know.

Of course, there are whole sections of the book I would like to change/improve, but I guess we are beyond that now. I wonder...when we write, are we EVER finished with revisions?

Everything else is going along relatively smoothly...it was an 'at home' day today because we were waiting for the movers to come and get some of the stuff that needs to be shipped to Germany first (my son is in the military), and then shopping for birthday cake and a few other incidentals for Matthew's birthday, then off to Karate for Jay and Speech for Matthew. Only a couple of meltdowns, which we all survived.

Tomorrow is a golf day again...and hopefully the end of the editing for the second time.

Away from Home

2007-05-05T14:19:00.000-05:00

Here we are, somewhere in Florida about eight long hours from home, beginning our week of taking care of the grandkids. This morning Matthew, who has autism, and I decided to go for a bike ride...Jay would not go with us because he was afraid one of his friends would seeing him wearing a bike helmet, which apparently would not be acceptable.

Matthew, on the other hand, has no problem with that...it is part of his routine. We discovered awhile back that he was quite enthusiastic about riding my three-wheeler when he visited...up until that point he had not been able to ride a bike. So now he has his own...something I highly recommend if you happen to have a child with autism who has trouble managing a two wheeler. Anyway, last fall I 'graduated' to a three-wheeler after I injured my knee and had replacement knee surgery, and have stuck with it since then. So when I tried to get on a really modern mountain bike, the kind with the straight across handlebars and hand brakes on TOP of the handle bars, it was somewhat of a challenge...as long as I didn't have to stop suddenly.

So we peddled around the neighborhood, taking our time and checking out a few things on the way...good experience, but it has convinced me to stay with my three-wheeler once we are home again.

GOOD NEWS--things are progressing! Last night I got the first copyedit for KNOWING JOSEPH. I have started going through it, and so far, so good...only a couple of minor changes...except for the parts I REALLY would like to rewrite...but I think we are past that point...amazing how our perspective changes, the more we write...maybe I really am improving my skills.

Onward and upward!

More progress

2007-05-01T20:27:00.000-05:00

For the last few days, I have been researching book reviewers on-line in preparation for my book releases. Figured it would not hurt to get a head start, and I have actually found a few. Now I just need to convince them they want to do my book, right?

But first I have to get the books to send them. Guess I'll have to wait for awhile.

Other news: Today I golfed well enough to make my handicap.

More later...

Block is gone!

2007-04-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited today that I finally was able to sit down and WRITE something on my MG WIP that I decided I should start a blog just to keep me writing. Thanks to Mayra Calvani for her blog on WRITER'S BLOCK and to a couple of 'friends' I've met over on JacketFlap.com, I'm beginning to get back in the groove, I think.

You'd think I would have done this earlier...the MS has been sitting here almost completed for over a year, or maybe two, until November, when I wrote half of the last chapters, just because I was limited by surgery for several weeks and figured I needed something to do. Then I got stuck again. Now that I am unstuck, hopefully I'll have it completed within the month and ready for revision.

As far as my other two books, progress is being made. I have the copyedits for IT'S TIME, but without the illustrations, and a brochure from Jason and Nordic Press with my book on the outside cover...just need to decide where to distribute them now...any suggestions? The book is scheduled to come out in June, I think...or maybe it's July.

Had a note from my editor last week saying that the copyedit for KNOWING JOSEPH would be in the mail by the end of the week, so am anxiously watching my mailbox for that. One step closer...still hard to believe it's actually going to happen after all this time...

Don't know how frequently I'll actually get to write on this blog, but will try to be somewhat regular...have enjoyed reading so many of the other blogs.

2006-12-14T21:44:00.000-05:00

WELCOME

JUDY'S PLACE

My Books

2006-12-14T21:08:00.001-05:00

My book Knowing Joseph has arrived--finally!

People say that writers should write what they know, and that is just what I did. I gained experience and learned much about autism as a special needs teacher for several years, where I had the opportunity to work with several children with autism and their families. Now, I have a grandson with autism. I enjoy him. He makes me laugh.

KNOWING JOSEPH

is the story of a Brian, a boy who struggles with the fact that his younger brother has autism, his own need to be perfect because of it, and the bullies who taunt him because of his brother.

For kids in grades 2-6 and anyone who wants to know more about autism, it is published by

Blooming Tree Press

http://www.bloomingtreepress.com

IT'S TIME

is an early reader/picture book about Tommy, a boy with autism, who learns to control his anxiety and behavior by using his words when unexpected changes occur .

For kids in grades 1-3 and others who want to know more about autism, it is published by

Jason and Nordic Press

http://www.jasonandnordic.com

My works-in-progress include Makin' It, a story for mid-graders about Louie, who has ADHD and a not so good home life, an early reader about a non-verbal boy with autism, and a collection of poems for kids.

Who Am I?

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Who am I?

I am Judy. I am wife, a mother, a grandmother, a teacher,a writer, a photographer, and probably a lot of otherthings, too!

It took a longtime to become me. I probably am not finished with the process yet, either. Before, I felt like a no one.But through several of those "life lessons" we all go through, I have learned, and have emerged into who I am today. I am happy with the results.

Several years ago, while going through a crisis,I learned to express my thoughts and feelings through writing, and started out writing poetry. To see samples of my poetry, click here.

What do I DO?
I teach. I worked with children with special needs in grades K-2 at an inner city school. One of my main focuses, both with the children I worked with and school-wide, was character education and conflict resolution.

Now that I am retired, I write for children. In my children's books I am able to demonstrate conflict resolution and good character traits throughout my stories.

I play. I enjoy golf, nature photography and spending time with my grandchildren, among other things. For more on this, check out 'My Favorite Things."