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There has been the beginnings of an interesting discussion this week on the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's chat board. Apparently the already undersized NF sections in bookstores are shrinking rapidly. Word is, no one is interested in these subjects, least of all those boring ol' historical topics.

I'm convinced we here at I.N.K. have the charm, wit, and good looks to do what has never before been successfully attempted. That's right-- we can recommend the near perfect NF selection for any NF neophyte. Yes, it's the NF blog handsell.

Examples? Yes, of course.

You say you really enjoyed the terrific humor and insights of the recent Newbery honor winner THE WEDNESDAY WARS? Well, let me tell you, if you liked those rats, you'll be blown away by Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People by Al Marrin. It's rats through the ages, reproducing and thriving, even in a court of law.

Are you the more sensitive type who usually enjoys a tender tearjerker like Jenny Downham's BEFORE I DIE about a girl's battle with incurable cancer? We NF people do diseases--and lots of them. Why not give ace NF writer James Cross Giblin's When Plague Strikes. The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS a try? Mr. Giblin does not disappoint in his ability to totally immerse his readers in infection, illness and disease.

Please chime in with your best blog handsell.

OK, one more dash from the Cave of Revision, this time to pick up medicine, dump the tissue-filled trash basket, and proclaim thanks and celebration throughout the Forest because my fundraising goal for the Team in Training Half Marathon has been met. Karen McQuestion, a Wisconsin journalist now working on a novel, put me over the top, and is the happy winner of the audio version of TWISTED. Thank you, Karen! Thank you, everyone who contributed! Because of you, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can save lives.

But....

.... it's not over. You see, it's called the Team in Training. My teammate is my best friend and Beloved Husband, Scot. Since my name is on the books, it's easy for me to beg for donations. Trust me, my friends, if it were not for this guy, the books would not get written. He keeps me going in more ways than I can count.

Scot is 29% of the way to his goal. Please donate to the hottest bald guy in running shorts! He makes the world a better place.

New Topic: Attention teachers of FEVER 1793! There is a terrible outbreak of yellow fever in Paraguay right now.

One more thing: I stayed up last night to watch the eclipse. We had a foot of snow the night before so the the back meadow was hushed and brilliant with a million moon-filled diamonds sparkling. As the dragon ate the moon, the snow dimmed and fell into shadow. Then the stars came out, exuberantly, like a chorus that's been impatiently waiting its cue. BH stood with me as the dragon swallowed the moon and her belly lit up red. A dog down the road couldn't stop howling. We understood what he felt.

I woke up early this morning and watched the moon set, and am now watching a beautiful sunrise. In the middle of all these revisions, with kids home on vacation, plus the hacking, disgusting cough, having these still moments in the real world of moon and stars and sleeping meadows is quite nice.

Back to the Cave. Miles to go before I sleep.

I'm going to be printing this up on my latest batch of promo postcards.

Stylized 3D illustration of an autumn forest, as a background for the children's pages of Wildlife magazine.

More at Sevensheaven.nl

And it shall come to pass
that a gentle voice shall be heard
in the Golden Wood

Telling tales of wonder
and guarded by the Living Forest

“Let’s hear it for the PROFESSOR!”

“Woohoo!”

“It’s Talitha-chan! And she’s got some of the bestest powers of all. Her treasure is the Goldenwood Shield, which is the only treasure that we got that’s actually alive just like a real tree!”

“In Palace in the Sky, Hayashi fought that demon in the Venom Deeps that was casting fire spells at us.”

“But the Warrior of the Forest can call on plants and trees to fight for her and she zapped those baddies for us. Tough fight.”

“I think she’s going to get some new powers in Call of the Huntress too, and one of them is called ‘Autumn Canopy.’”

“Ooh, that’s a pretty name. I wonder what it does?”

“So go check out Forest Girl’s page and get all attuned with flowers and gardens and all that good stuff. Say a few words, Professor.”

“She’s real shy and stuff, but Talitha-chan is our best friend and we’re glad she’s a warrior just like us! Ja ne minna-san!”

It's Cranky Wednesday! Woo hoo! I'm experiencing crankiness and it's Wednesday, so..you get the picture. I'm trying to balance my two biz's and be a Mom. Jess is home from camp before starting school, and Lilibeth is healing from yesterday's accupunture session. The other girls are resting in the other room. I find, many times, it is hard to balance work and home when you work at home. Sometimes, I don't, and I'm just a cranky mom. But, hey, so glad Lilibeth is still here. She's over 100 in dog years. She's feeling better now--she's barking and rude. Above is a relaxing photo for you. Ahhh. It's a natural center nearby that may be one of my hangout places (fairies love trees).

Here's Lilibeth:She has her own blog, which may make her cocky. Check it out here. She makes a great model with that face.

The good news is I saw that the local college community classes is offering an ANGER MANAGEMENT class! How appropriate a find. Most of the time I find my frustration and anger is really pent up creative juice that I'm not expressing. I'm going to go paint one of those trees from the forest... Read the rest of this post