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Look into the writing life of a poet / picture book author through the eyes of her dog, Cupcake.
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/25/2014
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When I first came here, I had to be fixed. I wasn’t broken, but getting fixed was about not getting any more puppies in my belly. That’s fine with me.
My puppies were adopted at the shelter where I “lived” (and by lived, I mean barely existed) before I was rescued. Nowadays, I feel that puppies would take away some of Mom’s attention – which belongs 100% on ME. Plus, I use my belly for other things, named treats.
Mom’s story for the Highlights Annual Fiction Contest wasn’t broken, either.
But, boy oh boy, did it need to be fixed. Mom’s cyberclassmates and her cyberteacher from the Contest Magic class gave suggestion after suggestion and asked important questions that made Mom think of important answers and make important changes. At the end of it all, the story was a LOT better than it started out. Like me!
Before
After
Some things Mom learned were:
1. She is a mental case when it comes to commas. (She, kind, of, already, knew, that,,,)
2. The story problem needs to be close to the beginning of the story.
Help!
3. Readers need to learn about characters by what they say and what they do.
4. A problem can’t solve itself. Characters need to work at it and make the solution happen. And it can’t be too easy.
5. Conflict and tension are important. (Mom stinks at both of them.)
6. Sometimes, even your favorite parts of a story need to be cut. It might be scary and hurt a little, but it has to be done.
It’s like getting my nails trimmed. Like it or not, it has to be done….
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/17/2014
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Today, Mom and I are counting down about rest.
What I Know About Rest
3. I nap in my bed.
2. I nap on the couch.
…a lot.
16. I nap in the street. (But only in the summer.)
1. I nap on Mom’s bed. I am allowed on her bed when she says the word, “OK” and then we sleep there all night long.
Who turned out the lights?
I am not allowed on there when she makes the bed, or when she is sorting out her folders and paperwork for her college job.
Who? Me?
What Mom Knows About Rest
3. Waking up super-early in the morning, lazing in bed, drinking tea is a perfect, restful start to the day.
2. After a story is finished it needs to rest. No working on it, no looking at it, no THINKING about it.
Sometimes, a story needs to rest for a week. Sometimes longer.
1. While a story is asleep, it’s difficult to wait for it to finish resting. It’s good to start mind-writing a new story right away. (And all new stories should be about me!)
26. When stories wake up from resting, they sometimes stink.
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/7/2014
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Sometimes, when I play with my monkey in a barrel, it puts me into a frenzy. There’s just too much going on! Too much to do. Too many possibilities. Bite the barrel? Tear off the lid? Growl at the talking? Rip the monkey’s face off? Chew his arm till he stops laughing? Shake the whole thing till I’m dizzy? I don’t know what to do first.
Since NewYears, Mom has also been in a frenzy. She’s not biting, tearing, growling, ripping, chewing, or shaking, like me. But she does have a lot going on, a lot to do, and a lot of possibilities. She may have bitten off more than she can chew. I’ve done that occasionally, too…. (And by “occasionally” I mean every day.)
Gah! Why is my mouth so tiny?!
Mom has entered a ton of challenges, and made a bunch of goals for herself this year. She will read 200 picture books in the Goodreads Challenge again,
she joined 12×12 for 2014, which means she needs to write a new first draft in the next few weeks,
she’ll get 30 new ideas when PiBoIdMo starts,
and she will write 30 poems this year.
In between all those jobs (and a bunch of others – if you can believe such a thing), Mom decided to enter the Highlights Annual Fiction Contest this month, AND take Susanna Hill’s Making Contest Magic class this week.
So Mom is learning, mind-writing, registering, paypal-ing, reading, commenting, revising, studying, listing, rhyming, critiquing, and ….do you see what’s missing here??
Snow pea?? Blech! I may have bitten off more than I can chew again.
Rocky, over at my friend Bacon’s blog told me that January 6 was National CuddleUp Day. So I made sure Mom took some time out to celebrate. Actually, I will make sure we celebrate that thing EVERY day!!
Today we are counting down about winning. Not the Charlie Sheen kind which was kind of weird, but the writer kind. And the blogging-dog-of-a-writer-kind.
Mom is a Winner
3. Mom’s book won a prize once. It’s called The Moonbeam Award. It shows as a badge on the cover of her book. I think it would look better shaped like a dog bone.
2. In 2013, Mom’s story Show and Tell Surprise was in Humpty Dumpty Magazine. That was a winner. Plus, magazines taste delicious.
1. Mom also had an acceptance from MeeGenius for her first ever ebook, named What If I Don’t. We can’t even wait to see that one in the MeeGenius Bookstore. BIG winner. Plus, inside my head, I often think, “What-if-I-don’t?”. I hope someday to say it out loud.
78. Mom is a winner in the 12×12 Challenge. She wrote 12 storybooks in 12 months. Just barely by the skin of her teeth, but she did it.
I am a Winner, too!
3. Hutch a Good Life awarded me the Sunshine Award. Yay! I love sunshine. Plus I am afraid of the dark.
2. Along with Nikitaland, Hutch also gave me the Blog of the Year Award. I have seen friends that have this award, and I am in good company with it. Plus stars are my favorite shape – except for dog bones.
1. Bacon and AngelsWhisper both awarded me the Friends and Followers Award. I love friends and followers. So, thanks, friends! And thanks, followers!
67. I will give myself the Biggest Rule Breaker Award.
Something smells good in here…..
I always ignore rules, so if you are reading my blog, you deserve an award. Feel free to share my bling, and also take a minute to click my friends’ links and check them out. Then maybe you can be a Rule Breaker, too.
Mom left a cup of coffee for me. Yay!
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 12/26/2013
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Dinner is finished. I can tell by my empty dish.
The Nutcracker Ballet is finished. I can tell by the SugarPlum Fairy dancing…
…and Clara waking up.
You mean we can’t play King of the Hill??
The snow is finished. I can tell by this little pile of black mush which is called Get-Away-From-It-It’s-Filthy.
Mom is finished with her Goodreads Reading Challenge. She read 200 books this year, just like she planned.
She is finished with PiBoIdMo, too. She made a list of 30+ ideas, just like she planned.
Now, 2013 is about finished, but Mom isn’t ready. She has one more thing to finish. It’s her second year of The12x12 Challenge. That means she planned to write 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months. But she’s only got eleven-and-a-half stories finished. She needs to buckle down and get to the end of her 12th story before the end of the year.
Mom says, “It doesn’t count if it’s inside my head.” and “This is a tough time of year to catch up.” and “Dinner is finished. Get over it. You will eat again tomorrow.”
There are lots and lots of breeds of dogs.
Nobody is really sure what combination I am. Part Jack Russell for sure, and maybe some Beagle or Dachshund or Dalmation or ….Monkey or Bobcat.
Whatever the mix, I’ve turned out to be perfectly me. Not perfectly perfect, but with a bunch of good parts put together (and a little naughty streak for good luck).
Is that…? Is he…? Am I…?
I’m an original.
Wait. What?
Mom keeps idea lists in her phone. One of the lists is called PiBoIdMo2012. It has 32 ideas.
One is called PiBoIdMo2013. It has 35 ideas.
And one is called Story Ideas. It has 42 ideas. Some of the ideas are already used up, so Mom marked them with a star. She says, “An author needs lots of ideas.” and “My phone is always nearby, in case I think of anything.” and “Do you have the hiccups?”
Hic….
When Mom starts a new story, she doesn’t always pick one of the ideas from her phone. Sometimes, she picks two ideas or even three and puts them together to make a combination. It’s not perfectly perfect, but it’s perfectly her. Idea mixing makes stories have some surprises and some unexpected events and unique characters in odd places doing unusual things.
And yes, sometimes I have the hiccups.
Sometimes, my food dish gets away from me.
It slides off my placemat and I slurp it across the kitchen.
Then it slips into the living room and tries to escape behind the rocking chair.
I keep my eye on it and chase it and keep eating without missing a beat.
Sometimes, Mom’s story ideas get away from her. She thinks she has an idea, and then she starts writing and suddenly the idea she thought she had escapes behind the rocking chair and a new idea takes over without missing a beat. A story about a funny looking creature sitting next to a regular little girl starts out silly and funny and light and crazy, and then the creature gets bullied! Wait! What?
That’s not silly or funny or light or crazy.
Mom wonders, “Do I keep writing this new story?” and “Do I backtrack and go back to my original idea?” and “Where are you going with that?”
Stories go a long way from start to (hopefully) finish.
Mom’s first book went from this…
to this….
to this…
December 12 is my Gotcha Day. You can read my Gotcha story here . We celebrated with ice cream. Mom made me a doggie yogurt ice cream pop with a cookie handle.
I went from this…
to this…
to this…
Change is good.
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 12/1/2013
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All the effort in the world won’t matter if you’re not inspired.
Chuck Palahniuk
Experiences inspire ideas. Mom has completed her PiBoIdMo challenge with 35 inspired ideas for new stories.
Some of her ideas will become picture book manuscripts. Some will become poems. One of them might become the elusive Book #2 or eBook #2. Some of them stink so bad that they will stay in her phone and rot. But somewhere, somehow, all of them were inspired for a few minutes by an experience during the month of November.
At her author visits, students or teachers often ask Mom if she ever has writer’s block. She says, “Never.” That’s because as long as she has a list of ideas, even if one story gets stuck, there are a bunch of other stories just waiting to get started.
I was inspired last night, so I started playing the piano with my paws…
…and my face.
Mom came in to see what was inspiring me. Was I a genius and she was just finding out? No. Did I suddenly get skills that no dog in the world ever had? No. Would I play at Carnegie Hall and be famous? No. There was a fly in the house. And I wanted a closer look at it.
*Not actual fly
The fly disappeared after my concert, and later he met with an unfortunate end. Rest in peace, little fly. I think you would’ve been delicious.
*Not actual fly tombstone
Last week, Mom did an author visit.
It wasn’t the usual visit with little tiny kids or even one of the visits with medium sized kids. It was a COLLEGE author visit! Mom spoke to a class of future teachers who are learning about literacy. She was a little bit afraid that they’d beat her up and steal her lunch money, but they didn’t. They were so smart and super nice and were an absolutely wonderful audience.
They asked lots of good questions. Actual questions! Nobody asked any of those random non-questions like, “Once my daddy grew a mustache.” or “My neighbor painted her house purple.” or “If my dog eats too fast he burps.” Mom had a ton of fun. Even though she was a little bit afraid, she was glad she said yes and didn’t miss this amazing opportunity.
I went on a visit last week, too. It was therapy pet day at the veteran’s home.
I always feel a little bit afraid when I first get there. Sometimes, my tiny brain forgets what’s going to happen.
But then when I go in, everyone is super nice. They ask lots of good questions, just like the college students did. They say, “Who’s this little fellow?” (even though I’m a girl) and “Aren’t you cute?” and “Do you want to sit on my lap?” They’re a great audience, and nobody beat me up or stole my lunch money.
I did have an issue with a giant chef. Every time I come to the VA, I cuddle with all the patients, but I stay as far away from the giant chef as possible. I’m pretty sure he’s trying to kill me. And cook me. And eat me.
*gulp*
Last week, Mom did an author visit.
It wasn’t the usual visit with little tiny kids or even one of the visits with medium sized kids. It was a COLLEGE author visit! Mom spoke to a class of future teachers who are learning about literacy. She was a little bit afraid that they’d beat her up and steal her lunch money, but they didn’t. They were so smart and super nice and were an absolutely wonderful audience.
They asked lots of good questions. Actual questions! Nobody asked any of those random non-questions like, “Once my daddy grew a mustache.” or “My neighbor painted her house purple.” or “If my dog eats too fast he burps.” Mom had a ton of fun. Even though she was a little bit afraid, she was glad she said yes and didn’t miss this amazing opportunity.
I went on a visit last week, too. It was therapy pet day at the veteran’s home.
I always feel a little bit afraid when I first get there. Sometimes, my tiny brain forgets what’s going to happen.
But then when I go in, everyone is super nice. They ask lots of good questions, just like the college students did. They say, “Who’s this little fellow?” (even though I’m a girl) and “Aren’t you cute?” and “Do you want to sit on my lap?” They’re a great audience, and nobody beat me up or stole my lunch money.
I did have an issue with a giant chef. Every time I come to the VA, I cuddle with all the patients, but I stay as far away from the giant chef as possible. I’m pretty sure he’s trying to kill me. And cook me. And eat me.
*gulp*
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/20/2013
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Today, we’re counting down my latest awards.
My friends at Dog Daz Zoo sent me the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I won it once before right here. Thanks, girls!
Nikitaland sent me the Versa-tail Blogger Award or something like that. Yay! Thanks. I have never had that one before. I think it means my tail is pretty, and not a freaky monkey-tail, like Mom says.
Whether you have a tail or not, feel free to add some bling to your blog and share either one of my awards.
Both awards want me to tell seven things about myself. I’m not much with the math, but I’ll try, and maybe I’ll even let Mom tell one or two things about herself, too.
Seven Things
1. I love sleeping under the covers on Mom’s bed.
2. My birthday was in September. I’m seven.
3. Sometimes, I try to hatch my toys like eggs.
4. When my feet touch sand, I run in circles like I am a deranged lunatic.
5. One day, while Mom was driving to the VA, there was a devil in her rearview mirror.
6. I like lollipops.
7. Mom read a book that had a dog named Cupcake in it. It wasn’t me.
92. Mom is falling behind in her reading challenge. She planned to read 200 picture books this year. She is not on target, but plans to catch up. We’ll see.
46. Speaking of falling behind, she also missed the month of June in the 12×12 challenge, so she’s hoping to do her June manuscript in December. We’ll see.
21. Mom promised to take me to the park today. I’m really tired from working at Read to a Pet Night at the library last night.
Being a good girl, listening to a story…
Plus it’s really cold outside. I’m not sure I want to go to the park. ….We’ll see….
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/20/2013
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Today, we’re counting down my latest awards.
My friends at Dog Daz Zoo sent me the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I won it once before right here. Thanks, girls!
Nikitaland sent me the Versa-tail Blogger Award or something like that. Yay! Thanks. I have never had that one before. I think it means my tail is pretty, and not a freaky monkey-tail, like Mom says.
Whether you have a tail or not, feel free to add some bling to your blog and share either one of my awards.
Both awards want me to tell seven things about myself. I’m not much with the math, but I’ll try, and maybe I’ll even let Mom tell one or two things about herself, too.
Seven Things
1. I love sleeping under the covers on Mom’s bed.
2. My birthday was in September. I’m seven.
3. Sometimes, I try to hatch my toys like eggs.
4. When my feet touch sand, I run in circles like I am a deranged lunatic.
5. One day, while Mom was driving to the VA, there was a devil in her rearview mirror.
6. I like lollipops.
7. Mom read a book that had a dog named Cupcake in it. It wasn’t me.
92. Mom is falling behind in her reading challenge. She planned to read 200 picture books this year. She is not on target, but plans to catch up. We’ll see.
46. Speaking of falling behind, she also missed the month of June in the 12×12 challenge, so she’s hoping to do her June manuscript in December. We’ll see.
21. Mom promised to take me to the park today. I’m really tired from working at Read to a Pet Night at the library last night.
Being a good girl, listening to a story…
Plus it’s really cold outside. I’m not sure I want to go to the park. ….We’ll see….
This is how my toy box has looked for the past couple of months. This morning, Mom decided to switch out these toys for the bag of toys that was hidden in the closet.
She does that every now and then. So half of my toys are always out and ready for me and half are always hidden away. On Switcheroo Day, it feels like Mom went shopping and bought me a big bunch of new toys!
Yay! Hello, peppermint ball. I’ve missed you… Plus I forgot I ever even had you!
Mom plays Switcheroo Day with her stories, too. She is working on two stories and a poem at the same time. She switches back and forth and back and forth between them each day. She says, “This one is flying along.” and “GAH! I only wrote 6 words in a half hour.” and “Who’s going to clean up this mess?”
The stories (if she ever finishes them) will be her November and December 12×12 stories. Neither story is about me. One is about pajamas and one is about a cyclops. Maybe the poem will be about my peppermint ball. In fact, I can write that poem myself….
….I want it to say, “Peppermint ball, peppermint ball,
You make my breath smell sweet.
I’ll toss you, chew you, roll you around,
And hold you with my feet.”
On second thought, I’ll leave the poetry writing to Mom….
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/12/2013
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This is how my toy box has looked for the past couple of months. This morning, Mom decided to switch out these toys for the bag of toys that was hidden in the closet.
She does that every now and then. So half of my toys are always out and ready for me and half are always hidden away. On Switcheroo Day, it feels like Mom went shopping and bought me a big bunch of new toys!
Yay! Hello, peppermint ball. I’ve missed you… Plus I forgot I ever even had you!
Mom plays Switcheroo Day with her stories, too. She is working on two stories and a poem at the same time. She switches back and forth and back and forth between them each day. She says, “This one is flying along.” and “GAH! I only wrote 6 words in a half hour.” and “Who’s going to clean up this mess?”
The stories (if she ever finishes them) will be her November and December 12×12 stories. Neither story is about me. One is about pajamas and one is about a cyclops. Maybe the poem will be about my peppermint ball. In fact, I can write that poem myself….
….I want it to say, “Peppermint ball, peppermint ball,
You make my breath smell sweet.
I’ll toss you, chew you, roll you around,
And hold you with my feet.”
On second thought, I’ll leave the poetry writing to Mom….
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/7/2013
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It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt~
Trying something is important. This Roosevelt guy knows what he’s talking about. What would life be like if we didn’t try? Mom tries all the time. She tries to write awesome stories.
She tries to write funny poems.
She tries to get unusual ideas and to dream up unique characters.
Even though Roosevelt says to – she doesn’t frankly admit failure, but she does keep on trying something.
I try all the time, too. I try to sit on my ParkIt Mat.
This is boring…
I try to reach things on the table.
I try to fetch the ball and to walk past things even if they’re scary.
Like Mom, I never admit failure. I only admit, “Oh well.” and “Maybe next time.” and “Is that pumpkin trying to kill me?”
*gulp*
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/7/2013
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It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt~
Trying something is important. This Roosevelt guy knows what he’s talking about. What would life be like if we didn’t try? Mom tries all the time. She tries to write awesome stories.
She tries to write funny poems.
She tries to get unusual ideas and to dream up unique characters.
Even though Roosevelt says to – she doesn’t frankly admit failure, but she does keep on trying something.
I try all the time, too. I try to sit on my ParkIt Mat.
This is boring…
I try to reach things on the table.
I try to fetch the ball and to walk past things even if they’re scary.
Like Mom, I never admit failure. I only admit, “Oh well.” and “Maybe next time.” and “Is that pumpkin trying to kill me?”
*gulp*
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/3/2013
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Mom and I went geocaching again last week. Geocaching is like treasure hunting. Mom holds the phone that shows the GPS and compass. Then we walk and walk and walk and walk.
Then she decides the phone is upside down, so she turns it around and we start over. We walk and walk and walk and walk some more – the other way.
The phone tells her when we’re getting close, and then we start searching and scanning till we find the treasure.
Sometimes, Mom says, “No acorns.”
and “Don’t eat the pine cone.”
and “Yikes! Hornets!”
Geocaching is fun!
Mom does treasure hunting when she wants to submit a story, too. She has too many stories to count inside her computer and some more inside her head (that’s what’s up in there…). She is sure that one of them is a treasure and will be Book #2. Whenever she reads about a publisher or an agent that seems to be looking for the type of story Mom writes, she starts treasure hunting. She opens up story after story, revises them a little, talks to herself about them, and decides whether she’s headed in the right direction, or needs to turn around and start over.
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/3/2013
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Mom and I went geocaching again last week. Geocaching is like treasure hunting. Mom holds the phone that shows the GPS and compass. Then we walk and walk and walk and walk.
Then she decides the phone is upside down, so she turns it around and we start over. We walk and walk and walk and walk some more – the other way.
The phone tells her when we’re getting close, and then we start searching and scanning till we find the treasure.
Sometimes, Mom says, “No acorns.”
and “Don’t eat the pine cone.”
and “Yikes! Hornets!”
Geocaching is fun!
Mom does treasure hunting when she wants to submit a story, too. She has too many stories to count inside her computer and some more inside her head (that’s what’s up in there…). She is sure that one of them is a treasure and will be Book #2. Whenever she reads about a publisher or an agent that seems to be looking for the type of story Mom writes, she starts treasure hunting. She opens up story after story, revises them a little, talks to herself about them, and decides whether she’s headed in the right direction, or needs to turn around and start over.
Mom says, “No garbage.” a lot. I’m not allowed to lick the floor or eat from the garbage pail (I can barely reach it, anyway).
When we walk around the neighborhood or go to the park, I’m not allowed to eat banana peels or sunflower seed shells or pick up empty pudding cups or coffee lids. I’m not allowed to have candy wrappers or eat goose poop or sniff around by the dumpster.
Apparently, garbage is a bad thing. Sometimes, Mom writes a word or a sentence or a story that’s garbage. She doesn’t mince words about it. She says, “This stinks!” and “What am I talking about?” and “Are you eating a napkin?”
Mom is not worried when she writes garbage. She thinks if she “gets the garbage out” the good stuff will come next.
Let’s get the garbage out!
I know this is true because after Mom and I took the garbage out once, we walked around the back of the dumpster, and I found the good stuff! Macaroni noodles!!
Before Mom could say the word, “Leave it,” I ate one!
Garbage. Mmmmm…
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 10/28/2013
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Mom says, “No garbage.” a lot. I’m not allowed to lick the floor or eat from the garbage pail (I can barely reach it, anyway).
When we walk around the neighborhood or go to the park, I’m not allowed to eat banana peels or sunflower seed shells or pick up empty pudding cups or coffee lids. I’m not allowed to have candy wrappers or eat goose poop or sniff around by the dumpster.
Apparently, garbage is a bad thing. Sometimes, Mom writes a word or a sentence or a story that’s garbage. She doesn’t mince words about it. She says, “This stinks!” and “What am I talking about?” and “Are you eating a napkin?”
Mom is not worried when she writes garbage. She thinks if she “gets the garbage out” the good stuff will come next.
Let’s get the garbage out!
I know this is true because after Mom and I took the garbage out once, we walked around the back of the dumpster, and I found the good stuff! Macaroni noodles!!
Before Mom could say the word, “Leave it,” I ate one!
Garbage. Mmmmm…
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 10/20/2013
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Today’s five words are about autumn.
1. Leaves – Leaves are falling everywhere. Some of them are dull and brown. Some are gorgeous and brightly colored. They remind Mom of ideas. Ideas come in all shades, too. Some are brilliant. Some crumble when you touch them.
2. Cool – Mornings and nights have been cool lately. Sweater weather for sure.
3. Ready – Fall reminds us that winter is coming. We need to be ready. Mom is getting ready for PiBoIdMo. It’s a whole month when she has to write down a new picture book idea every single day. She’ll type them into her phone, and then try to make each one into a story.
4. School – Kids go back to school in the fall. That means I go back to working at Read-To-A-Pet-Night at the library. Sometimes, Mom and I listen to 7 or 8 stories. Some are awesome. Some are …meh.
5. Halloween – Halloween is in the fall. Mom got me 2 costumes. One of them is a turtle costume. We used to have a turtle named Leave-the-Turtle-Alone. I hope Mom doesn’t change my name to Leave-the-Dog-Alone. That would be too lonely!
Does anybody want to play with me?
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 10/20/2013
Blog:
Cupcake Speaks
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Today’s five words are about autumn.
1. Leaves – Leaves are falling everywhere. Some of them are dull and brown. Some are gorgeous and brightly colored. They remind Mom of ideas. Ideas come in all shades, too. Some are brilliant. Some crumble when you touch them.
2. Cool – Mornings and nights have been cool lately. Sweater weather for sure.
3. Ready – Fall reminds us that winter is coming. We need to be ready. Mom is getting ready for PiBoIdMo. It’s a whole month when she has to write down a new picture book idea every single day. She’ll type them into her phone, and then try to make each one into a story.
4. School – Kids go back to school in the fall. That means I go back to working at Read-To-A-Pet-Night at the library. Sometimes, Mom and I listen to 7 or 8 stories. Some are awesome. Some are …meh.
5. Halloween – Halloween is in the fall. Mom got me 2 costumes. One of them is a turtle costume. We used to have a turtle named Leave-the-Turtle-Alone. I hope Mom doesn’t change my name to Leave-the-Dog-Alone. That would be too lonely!
Does anybody want to play with me?
Starting on November 1, Mom will be a part of PiBoIdMo.
Yep. November is Picture Book Idea Month. That means she will have to get a picture book idea in her head every day for 30 days. Last year, she wrote 30 ideas, and 8 of them are now either stories or poems. And one of them will be Mom’s first ever eBook, called What If I Don’t.
Ideas are a way of life when you’re an author. They are also a way of life when you’re a dog. Here are some ideas I have for stories….
Cupcake, the Best Dog in the World.
Cupcake Gets Unlimited Treats
When Cupcake Went for a Ride
Cupcake Looks Pretty
Read to a Pet Night Starring Cupcake
Street Naps for Cupcake
Cupcake Turns Seven Years Old
That’s a week’s worth of ideas, right there! What’s the big deal? I wish November was named DogIdMo. I could totally do this!
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 10/14/2013
Blog:
Cupcake Speaks
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JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
Starting on November 1, Mom will be a part of PiBoIdMo.
Yep. November is Picture Book Idea Month. That means she will have to get a picture book idea in her head every day for 30 days. Last year, she wrote 30 ideas, and 8 of them are now either stories or poems. And one of them will be Mom’s first ever eBook, called What If I Don’t.
Ideas are a way of life when you’re an author. They are also a way of life when you’re a dog. Here are some ideas I have for stories….
Cupcake, the Best Dog in the World.
Cupcake Gets Unlimited Treats
When Cupcake Went for a Ride
Cupcake Looks Pretty
Read to a Pet Night Starring Cupcake
Street Naps for Cupcake
Cupcake Turns Seven Years Old
That’s a week’s worth of ideas, right there! What’s the big deal? I wish November was named DogIdMo. I could totally do this!
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#26-funny but surely frustrating for your Mom. Your nose is adorable.
Pawkisses for a Healthy, Happy New Year. Make it a good one 
) I bet all of your mom’s ideas are great, Cupcake, even when some of them”stink” – that sometimes are the best! If you see a fly in your house in winter, you shold keep it as a pet, the superstition says, that’s the “money-fly” and brings good luck&wonga 
I am glad you got out of that prison Cupcake! Yay for mommy!!
I am glad you had a great story with a problem and a solution that mum helped you work out …and now,,,,,,,,,you can help mum,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and I am sure she will do just fine even if her commas are a pain
Hugs Fozziemum xx
Oh Cupcake, I know you’re ever so happy that your Mom rescued you and made your life a lot more fun and secure AND happy! I’m sure you are quite an inspiration for your Mom – you are for me too!
Hugs, Sammy
I did to it was a rule from the shelter. I am fine in fact mom says it eventually had a calming affect on me something to do with harmones
I don’t like my nails cut either, but it’s true about having to be done.
Good luck to your mummy in the contest!
I’m glad your mom’s story is a lot better now :o) and I’m glad you will use your belly for treats :o) I agree for the nail trimming, it has to be done… but why?
We wish the best for your mom’s new story!
Nail trimming? We collies hate that too….. but we get treats if we cooperate somewhat so its not all bad! 
Biting your nails might be the solution to that story problem.
I read mom’s story – before and after. I liked it at first and then LOVED the end result. So fixed and job well done. *hugs* G
P.S. Glad you got untangled from those Christmas lights. Problem solved! (Although very cute.)
Me, too, J.! The couch is way better than a cement box for napping.
Love and licks,
C
Mom hates the conflict and problems. I am great at both of those things….
Love and licks,
C
You are also a great example of an inspiring story of shelter to spoiled, little buddy. xoxo
Love and licks,
C
I’m glad you were rescued and have a better life now, Cupcake!
I also calmed down after my surgery – well, that and 10 weeks of obedience school.
Love and licks,
C