I'm finally getting a chance to read an adult book, The Help. I'm only a few chapters in but I'm really enjoying it.


This is cutting into my writing, reading, and sleeping time:

Not Zach Parise from the NJ Devils specifically, but the Olympics in general. I love watching them and I've been staying up late every night to watch these incredible athletes.

Big snowstorm heading this way that will probably cancel my school visit tomorrow night. Bummer!

Here's the new addition to our family. His name is Brody and he's the smartest dog ever! He knows how to pretend he's peeing so he gets an extra treat. We're not sure how long he's been doing this since it was only evident after snow blanketed the ground. He knows how to make us laugh by throwing his food one piece at a time with his mouth across the kitchen floor. Then he chases each piece before he finally eats it.



He's five months old and he keeps us very busy playing. My husband won the Superbowl 50/50 and Brody won this football!




All of the research I've done for all of my dog books has finally been put to good use. Now when the kids at school visits ask if I have any pets, I can say "yes."

I’m starting the week off by preparing for my school visit to East Amwell Township School on Thursday. I was excited to find out that this school kicks off “Read Across America” the week before with an evening event for both parents and children. I was even more excited that they asked me, a nonfiction author, to be their presenter this year.

While I’ll be talking about being a children’s writer, I’ll also be encouraging students to think about the various tasks that go into making a nonfiction book, including illustration and design. I’ll take them on a photo tour of a real publishing house. Then, using a magnetic board and various text and photos, I’m hoping for some student volunteers to design mock pages for my upcoming book, Fun Food Jokes. This will be the first time I’m using this exercise during a school visit and I can’t wait to see what designs the kids come up with.

I’ll also be stressing the importance of nonfiction writing and its need to be accurate. With all of the information on the Internet, I think students need to understand more than ever before, what reliable sources are and where to find them. I’ll share with students what nonfiction writers do besides write. I’m not talking about going to the movies or eating chocolate. I’m talking about research. Most students are surprised when I tell them I hiked in the woods with a search and rescue dog and I visited an assisted living center with a therapy dog for my upcoming series, Amazing Working Dogs. I want them to know that while research is important and it can also be fun and inspiring.

I always look forward to presenting nonfiction in an entertaining way and I think school visits are a great opportunity to do just that. I hope to inspire the students at East Amwell School to be avid readers and writers and give them a brief look into my world as a nonfiction author. Then I’m going to watch a movie and eat some chocolate.

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1. Hope to do a better job in 2010 with my journaling. But, hey, if writing and revising for 12 books being published in 2010 are not good reasons for not having time to blog, what is?

2. Hating physcial therapy for my arm. I was so anxious to go to make it better and now I dread every stinking minute of it. The improvement is happening ever so slowly and painfully. But, I long for the day when I touch the back of my head again. In the meantime, I apologize to everyone who must look at the back of my hair and wonder what the heck happened.

3. Squeezed in purchasing some great new programs and devices before the end of the year. Finally got a good deal on software for my netbook and like they told me, it eats up a bunch of memory and slows down the internet but I didn't buy it for the internet. I bought it so I would be able write on the go. Another great deal was my new wireless all-in-one printer. Wahoo! Just need to figure out what all the buttons are for. And the back up for my hard drive was on sale too but unfortunately it doesn't work unless you connect it to your computer which I have yet to do. Everything else is wireless. Maybe it is backing everything up remotely. It is sitting in my inbox right next to the computer!

4. I wrote over 25 limericks this week for my latest project. Now I'm researching chocolate. Who ever knew nonfiction could be so much fun!

5. Looking forward to a "stay inside because it's too cold out" weekend. Need to wrap up some projects and investigate some new ideas. One day closer to spring!

I missed the Friday Five and if I wait any longer the Saturday Six will become the Sunday Seven. So here it is:

1. I was excited this week to see my Search and Rescue Dog Heroes dummy. It's the last time I'll get to review the manuscript before the book is printed which should be around the end of this year. Looks great but I'll be combing through it this week to look for any errors or suggest changes.

2. Started working on the 5th manuscript in the six-book series, Imagining the Future. This has been a fun series to work on over the summer. Can't wait to see more of the illustrations.

3. As we talk more and more about e-books, downloading to ipods, cellphones and other various devices it really got me thinking. If kids download books to ipods and listen to them and only listen to books instead of reading them, how will this affect their ability to read. I'm not talking about a book or two here or there to listen to on a long car ride or trip. I'm talking about the kid who only listens to books and decides there's no reason to ever read one again. Should parents or teachers be concerned? Thoughts?

4. Another conversation that recently had me in a tizzy was one about marketing. Marketing one's self and one's books. While I think I do a fair job at marketing, especially since our family's in the marketing business, I wonder if someday I can have someone handle my marketing for me so I'll have more time to write. But right now, that someone is me. What people sometimes forget is that I'm a writer first. I know marketing is important but if I'm not writing chances are I'll have nothing to market.

5. I'm looking forward to more school visits in the 2009-2010 school year. I'm anxious to add my new dog series to my 2010 school visit program and I'm trying to figure how I can go about donating a portion of my fee to several of the organizations that helped me with each of the books. Thank you to the coach that led me in the direction of giving back. I just need to give it more thought.

6. I didn't get quite as much reading done as I planned this summer but I did get a chance to read a few good books and will probably squeeze in a few more before summer's end. I hoped no one would see me make two trips from my car to the book drop at the library this morning but of course someone pulled up right next to me. I knew I should have gone last night in the dark! Word is out...Linda's a BOOK HOG!

So there's a sign taped to my computer that reads "Do not use. Out of order."
I have not one, but two viruses in my computer. My double agent Geek Squad member is coming out tomorrow to hopefully remove the viruses and switch everything over to another computer with more memory that has been sitting in the closet since last summer. One year in the closet? Let's just say, I've been very busy:)

So, before I left for vacation I stopped at the library for a good book. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of the books I was looking for. I was able to put a hold on all the books I wanted and within a few days they began arriving at the library. What was I thinking putting all those books on hold at the same time?
One of the books was this one, A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker



What a gem! No wonder it won the 2009 Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text and was also named the winner of the 2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Awards. I continue to read it over and over and I would imagine if I had a small child they would want to read it over and over too!

I also checked out Sneezy Louise and Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet! thinking they might make good friends for Amy Sue, but not so much, although they are both adorable characters.

This weekend I finished Kristin Chenoweth's "A Little Bit Wicked" which I loved and I also read The Invention of Hugo Cabret which believe it or not I never got a chance to read more than the first 20 pages of previously. I also started Michael J. Fox's book "Always Looking Up: the Adventures of an Incurable Optimist." I loved his book "Lucky Man" which I would love to get autographed one day.






Still sitting on my pile to read is The Graveyard Book and The Book Thief as well as my stack of research books for my Yesterday, Today and Imagine Tomorrow series.

I'm also very excited to finally have purchased a netbook from the most unlikely place...Toys R Us! I saw them advertised in their flyer a few weeks ago and my husband informed me we had LOTS of Geoffrey dollars stashed away. Yay! So, I got a great deal on what I hope will make me more productive in more places. I plan on taking it with me tonight while I wait in line for "All Shook Up" at the outdoor theatre.

Last Sunday I had great time with my author friends at the BookNJ2009 at the Paramus Public Library. Thankfully, the weathered cleared up and the event was a huge success thanks to all the wonderful organizers and volunteers.



Author Panel: Me, Lisa Mullarkey and Irene Kelly

I really enjoyed being on the author panel. The audience asked great questions!

Richard Peck reading from his WIP.




E.B. Lewis presenting.
Both of these men gave amazing talks filled with great information and lots of inspiration just when I needed it most.



Me and my new friend, Richard.

It was a great day and I enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Now I need to take the time to take what I learned and apply it to my WIP.

I'm thankful for:

1. This beautiful weather. Can't wait to get out and work in the yard.

2. Lunch with an author friend this afternoon. Can't wait to catch up.

3. My check that came in the mail. Can't wait to spend some of it.

4. My pool. Can't wait to open it.

5. This long weekend. Can't wait to spend some time relaxing!

Friday was alot of fun at Mauger school. I knew several people who teach at the school since it's in my hometown and Leslie the librarian is just wonderful. I didn't attend this school because I went to the Catholic school up until grade 8. But I'm sure I went to high school with many of these children's parents and I recognized many faces from our church. Being there felt like home.
Here's Leslie helping with the Q & A





It was exciting to be able to show the kids some design samples for my Amazing Dogs series. I presented five sessions in their spacious library. And I hope my mother doesn't mind that I told some of the kids who live in her neighborhood where she lives:)





I also had a pizza lunch with the book club and we discussed what kinds of books we liked to read and why. Adventure books seemed to be the favorite among this group.

It was also the first day of their fundraiser for Locks of Love. They had a HUGE bald head made out of paper mache in the cafeteria and during lunch the kids were able to buy strands of paper hair to place on the head. Each grade had a different color paper.The money used to purchase the hair was being donated to Locks of Love and the class donating the most hair would win a party.

It was a very busy day for everyone but lots of fun.

1. Going to see if I can find an Inspiron Mini at Staples so I can use it over the weekend. Very excited!

2. Hoping to get outside and dig in the dirt during this beautiful weather even if it is only for a short while. I need sun!

3. Starting my nonfiction project with one book due each month for the next six months, I will be busy...Mini will come in handy.

4. We have tickets for the Devils game tonight, game two of the playoffs. GO DEVILS!

5. Today is funny t-shirt day at work (Wearing my Rangers hater shirt-sorry Rangers fans!) - should be fun and even more fun if we hit the lottery tonight with our office pool and no one shows up for work on Monday:)

After skimming through several books on PowerPoint presentations I have to say I have some revisions I need to make. Some suggestions I plan to incorporate are:

Take my smaller, multiple photos on a page and make them each an individual slide with each photo taking up the whole slide.

Limit the wording on each slide to approximately six words.

Make the font for those words 30 pts or more.

Make sure the lights do not get dimmed during the presentation. (My husband thought he was doing me a favor while I was speaking)

Use my first and last slides only to identify myself.

Rethink my color scheme. What colors appeal to children? What colors reflect my personality?

Have the slides reinforce my words, not repeat them.

No dissolves, spins or other transitions.

In a nutshell...keep it simple. They are slides not documents.

Would anyone else care to share any PowerPoint presentation tips?

Not only is it the first day of spring but it is also the 40th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.


Enjoy this great video interview with Eric Carle

From NCSS:
"National Council for the Social Studies established the Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for the most distinguished social science books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to ethnic minorities and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Awards, the National Council for the Social Studies gives wide recognition to and directly stimulates authors and publishers."
For a complete list of winners, please see below. Congratulations everyone!!!


2009
Elementary Winner
Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship by Nikki Giovanni and Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC

Elementary Honor
A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero adapted and illustrated by Gina Capaldi. Published by Carolrhoda Books (A Division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.)

Middle Level Winner
Drama of African-American History: The Rise of Jim Crow by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson with Virginia Schomp. Published by Marshall Cavendish Benchmark.

Middle Honor
Booker T. Washington and Education (Lucent Library of Black History) by John F. Wukovits. Published by Lucent Books.

Secondary Winner
Reaching Out by Francisco Jiménez. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Secondary Honor
When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement by Robert H. Mayer. Published by Enslow Publishers, Inc.

I picked up this book well over a year ago with the intention to give it to my daughter when she graduates college. I never cracked it open until recently when I found it sitting on my bookshelf. It claims to be the "Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)." Now, who can't use that? With the many hats I wear I figure it will apply to at least one or maybe more of them. I've only read Chapter One and I can't wait to read on. Sorry Ashley, this book will be slightly used when you get it!

I often battle with exercise time vs. writing time. I feel I must often sacrifice one for the other making it difficult to choose some days. This week I was able to combine my research/reading with exercise. I figured out a way to prop my book between the handles on the exercise bike so I can read while I pedal. I'm happy to say I read three books this past week. I finished "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher which I'm still thinking about,
ALOT! I also read a cute oldie, "Be A Perfect Person in Just Three Days" by Stephen Manes published in 1982 and it has definitely inspired me to continue working on my "Ants" story. I was also able to start "Oggie Cooder" by Sarah Weeks. Also, I turned in my manuscript for Guide Dogs so it will feel good to return a pile of books to the library today and not have to renew them again for the one zillionth time!
Happy Valentines Day!

I had a wonderful school visit with the second graders at Grandview School on Thursday.

My box of toys arrived today.
These are for softball. The season starts in just 2 months!


Baseball maracas, perfect for our Cinco de Mayo celebration!

And these are dog and cat tattos for my school visit on Thursday:



And this guy is looking forward to meeting all of the second students:

I love receiving the google alert that shows my books unavailable at a library because they're already checked out.

Of course, I love going to the books store, but I really love hearing a mom discuss with her son what book to purchase so she can read a chapter a night to him and that a series would be best so when they're done with each book they can come back and buy the next one. It makes me happy that people are still reading aloud with their children and that they're still buying books.

I bought my last gift today. I baked my last cookies with the help of my daughters. I'm officially ready for Christmas. I've never been ready this early but I've never tried to cut back before. We put less lights outside, less ornaments on the tree, bought less gifts, and spent less money. It has really made things less stressful and more enjoyable. Thanks to the wonderful woman at the cash register, who when I went to return something and I was annoyed because I brought the wrong thing back, she said to me, "If that's the worse thing that happens to you today you're doing pretty good." I agreed with her and thanked her for putting things in perspective for me. She was right and the whole way back to my car I reminded myself how blessed I was.

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful Holiday. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a successful 2009!

So, the NJASL conference was alot of fun. I met many wonderful New Jersey librarians and caught up with many of my writer friends.



The question I was asked the most was if I translated my bilingual books myself. Most were relieved to know that I did not translate them. I don't know a speck of Spanish my friends!

I'll be attending the New Jersey Association of School Librarians Conference on Friday and Saturday, November 14th and 15th. On Friday I will be at the Enslow booth #34-35 from 12-2pm signing free copies of My First Dog Bilingual. Stop by to say hello and pick up a free signed book. On Saturday, I'll be participating in their Author's Alley from 8am - 2pm.

I had a wonderful time this weekend at the Rutgers One On One Conference. A big thanks to my mentor Steven Kroll for his great insights on my manuscripts.






A big thank you to lisamullarkey for hosting a preconference party on Friday night where I met all these wonderful people who traveled from near and far to attend.













Having that_ghost_girl stay at my house made it even more special!

So, motivated, inspired and a bit tired, it's back to the keyboard to revise, revise, revise!