Post-Christmas/Early New Year's Present

It's been confirmed: I'm going to ALA Midwinter in January!!

For those of you who don't know what that means, it means I'll be signing and giving away a few hundred advanced reading copies of SMUDGE'S MARK at the American Library Association's Midwinter Conference in Boston, MA! I'll be there for two nights and I'll be doing two signings. And this is perfect timing since Smudge's US launch is coming up this spring!

For me, this is a huge event! I don't even know where to begin preparing for it! I'm so excited! My inner giddy little girl is clapping and dancing and skipping all over her grown-woman-defined behavioral boundaries.

One of the best things about going to ALA is that I'll finally be able to meet my awesome editor! It's a strange thing, this publishing biz, that you can work so closely and personally with someone for literal YEARS and never have the chance to meet them. And now I finally will!

I'll also have the chance to meet and hang out with a bunch of authors, editors, agents, librarians, publicists, and other bookish peeps at the "ALA Tweetup" - an informal meeting that's been organized, via Twitter, by Deborah Sloan and Mitali Perkins; a couple of amazing kids' lit women.

I can hardly stand the anticipation!

So here's to you, Smudge! Happy New Year!

Three Ships, Whistling, Singing, and Contentment = A Merry Christmas!

The voice of my family's favorite crooner; Jacob Moon, has been filling our home for the last few days:

He did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas Day, On Christmas Day
He did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

I, for one, can't wait for Christmas Day.

May your Christmas be blessed and bring a song to your heart.

Sparkly Christmas wishes from me to you,
Claudia

Thanks for the Post!

I was intending to write a post about how difficult it is to be a writer, especially when you're a mom and have a full-time job.

Well, that was when I HAD a full-time job. I don't anymore (Not really out of choice, more out of necessity due to employer issues - Long story. I am looking for a new one, though.) I AM still a mom, so half of the motivation for writing said post still applies.

But it isn't just because now only half of the motivation still applies that I've chosen not to write that post. It's because I found another post, just this morning, that totally comes at the issue from a different and very refreshing angle. And I'd rather provide you with the link to that post.

So, if you'll excuse me I'll go re-energize with a dip into my latest manuscript as you follow this link and read Johanna Harness's wise words. And you'll see that this advice doesn't only apply to writers. It applies to anyone who does anything. (And I'm assuming you're a someone who does something.)

Happy Snow Day! Er... I Mean, RAIN Day

Whatever kind of day it's turned out to be, my school's been closed and I'm home writing. But unfortunately I'm not writing what I should be writing. I'd every intention of making a serious dent in my WIP today, but as it's turned out my intentions have panned out about as inaccurately as the weather forecast has.

Oh, I've been writing, alright - just as ... STUFF most definitely has been falling from the sky. But just as the STUFF falling from the sky should be forming snow banks, the words flowing from my brain and out through my fingers should be forming chapters in my WIP. But they're not. Instead, they've been forming emails, tweets and this blog posting. And now, lo and behold, it's lunch time. Sigh.

The problem today has been that it's a blank page day. I've come to the end of a chapter in my book and all that's staring me in the face right now is a blank page. I'm not one who outlines and plans ahead - I've tried and it doesn't work for me. But usually when I get to this blank page stage, I go back a few chapters and revise what I've already written. At least then I feel like I'm accomplishing something. And sometimes it helps propel me forward. Sometimes.

But today I thought I'd try something new and push forward without going back first. I'm always so impressed by people who can write an entire first draft in a continuous forward motion - without looking back. So at 8:30 this morning I told myself: Self, today you are not going to look back. I forbid you to look back. You must push forward. Onwards and upwards! Eyes on the prize! No pain no gain! You gotta climb that mountain! One foot in front of the other! Head up, shoulders back, stomach in. Charge!!

I'm still facing a blank page.

I've always hated cliches!