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1. I am going to Michigan in a week to speak at two schools and a library.  When I was first approached, I was told the weather might be in the 70s.  When I checked a few days ago, the temperature was -4.  Yes, a negative number.  I have never been in weather that was a negative number.

2. Next week, I am going to talk to the creator of Zombies, Run! about the episode(s) I am writing.

3. I have a book due in about two months. I have to write so much in between now and then that I get sort of sick thinking about it.

4. Yesterday I did a Skype visit with a middle school in Omaha.  Earlier I had been given the choice between doing it at 9 or 11 my time. I chose 11, but I guess they thought I chose 11 their time. Carrying a cup of coffee, I wandered into the spare bedroom around 9:10, planning to see if we still had Skype on an old computer. Only when I opened it up, there the kids were, waiting for me.  Luckily, I was at least dressed.  I actually managed to pull it off.  I think.

5. I spent part of today scanning in sections of a 120-year-old family photo. The little girl was my grandmother. The guy with the crazy mustache was my great-grandfather, and he was very protective of his youngest child. Ten years or so after this photo was taken, he would be charged with murder for gunning down grandma's boyfriend. For kissing her.  He only served two years. Presumably because of this traumatic incident, Grandma didn't get married until she was in her 30s.

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Below is a recent spread I did for the June 2012 issue of Clubhouse Jr. magazine. The colors came out so vibrant on the printed page! Everything is digital. I’m always amazed at how “real” it looks in the end.

Below: Some roughs for the layout. The woman went through a lot of tweaking to get her right. Some last minute things were to add squirrels hanging off the lettering. Gotta love that you can do that when you work digitally. : )

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Getting a crush on someone not your own age, when you're as old as I am is a bummer. Let me rephrase that. I have a crush on a young woman and it's a bummer. I know it will pass, because this is one of those crushes that a person gets on a celebrity, or in my case a performer. I don't know her. If I did I wouldn't have a crush because it would be totally inappropriate. Men don't feel this way, apparently. Look at all the May/December relationships. But I am not into that. No way no how. I feel brave owning up to this temporary crush, let alone writing about it in a public blog. The thing is, I feel pretty sure I am not the only woman this happens to. If I am, so be it. I know I'm queer in a lot of ways. This is one of them.
Last night I went to a concert of Edna Vazquez and the Mariachi Band Los Palmeros with whom she's been playing for 12 years. She has the most amazing voice. I first saw her at an event at Latina Gay Pride. A friend of mine invited me to go as she was playing piano that night. I was blown away by Edna's voice, so when I saw her name on the calendar I knew I was going to go see her. But when I saw her last night, I suddenly got a crush. While I was watching her sing, I kept wishing I was 30 or 35 years younger so I could ask her out. I thought about how I was when I was 30 and 35 years younger. I would have asked her out back then. Of course, she probably wasn't born back then. So you see how ridiculous this is. But it is a fantasy.
In real life, I do enjoy her singing so much. I tried to order a CD from her website, but as far as I can tell, it consists of nothing but videos of her singing. (And I'm complaining?) I am going to take my two grandchildren with me to her concert on Sunday. Both are singers and I want them to see and hear her. For one thing I want my grandson to hear a woman who can sing as loud as he can. And for my granddaughter to see a woman sing and play the guitar in person who is not her former teacher, not Taylor Swift, etc.
My crush will go away. Probably by the time I publish this post. If not, it will evaporate in its own time. It's one of those strange things that happens to you as you age that you don't expect to happen -- like pimples. What the hell? You have skin tags AND pimples? How is that fare? I certainly don't expect myself to feel like a schoolgirl about someone who is young enough to be my daughter or maybe even my granddaughter. That feels wrong. Then I remind myself it is just a feeling, nothing I have to act on. And it will dissipate as feelings do. Anger doesn't last. Even grief which is perhaps the longest lasting feeling one can have, doesn't last forever. A crush is nothing compared to grief. In fact, it is rather pleasant.
If you're old enough to be a grandmother, and you have or have had a crush lately, I surely would like to know I have some company if you're brave enough to share. :)

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While great reviews from Publishers Weekly or Kirkus are nice, there’s nothing better than feedback from the source – actual young readers!

A third grade writing class from Newark, New Jersey was assigned to compare/contrast themselves with DeShawn from DeShawn Days by Tony Medina and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. They agreed to share parts of their answers with us!

Rogenia: “DeShawn and I are the same because we both think the news is scary.  We don’t like to hear about people dying from wars.  We also love rapping!  It’s so much fun!  It would be cool if we could rap together.”

Malikah: “DeShawn and I are different. He loves his block because he has friends. I hate living in the hood because there’s too much shooting and too much fighting. DeShawn hates the news because it’s scary.  I love the news because it teaches you about the world.”

Troy: “If DeShawn was real, I think we would be friends.  He seems like he’d be a very nice friend.  We could teach each other things and talk about what we have in common.  Plus it’s always fun to meet new people! I think DeShawn Days is the best book I ever read!”

Kevin: “I have a connection with DeShawn. When my uncle died I cried and cried just like DeShawn did when his grandma passed away. It was heartbreaking to see him in the casket. I will never forget the day my uncle died. I’m sure DeShawn will never forget when his grandma passed either. If we were friends, maybe we could talk about what we felt.”

Keidy: “Me and DeShawn are the same because our mother lives in the same house as us. We are both 10 years old. We both don’t just hear music, we hear sirens in our neighborhoods too. . . . I wouldn’t like to just be his friend, I’d like to be his sister!”

Nasir: “In many ways DeShawn and I are very similar.  For example, we both have a large family (by the way mine is bigger).  If I knew DeShawn in real life we would definitely be friends.”

Quadir: “DeShawn and I. . . . both watch cartoons.  We don’t like the news. My mom lives in the house with me just like his does.  I always invite my friends over.  We are both ten years old. I would absolutely want to be DeShawn’s friend if he was a real person. . . . I wish I could meet someone just like him!”

Tierrah: “DeShawn and I are different because he likes his block and I don’t like mine.  I don’t like it because there’s too much drugs, people getting shot, and crying (just like on the news). A connection I have with DeShawn is that my grandma passed away too.  She passed away this past Saturday morning.  DeShawn was sad for a long time.  I’m sure I will be too.”

Justin: “DeShawn and I are the same because we both watch cartoons.  We love our families.  I have friends at school just like he does.  We hate graffiti because it ruins the walls.  I love rap like he does as well.  I love to hear people rhyme.  I like my block just like he does.  There’s no fighting where I live.”

What character from a book do you wish you could be friends with in real life? Post your responses below! We’d love to hear from you!

Filed under: Musings & Ponderings Tagged: DeShawn Days, friends, grandmother, hood, Display Comments Add a Comment

150 years ago the Civil War began.

On my dad's side of the family, people have had their kids late for various reasons (eighth child, change of life baby, mental illness, or in my grandma's case - recovering from her father's murdering her suitor), so two of my great-grandfathers fought in the Civil War. (I think most adults fit in a couple more generations.)

Of course they were on the losing side.





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Yes sir, this week I signed a new contract with Kane and Miller in CA. Very happy ... can't tell y'all what the book is about yet as it is under big wraps ... and there is a possibility it will be a series. So double Yippee!!

I will be a busy illustrator in the next few months with this and 'Hidden New Jersey' for Charlesbridge.

I love to be busy... the busier I am the more I want to do! It's when it is quiet and slow that I start procrastinating, and cleaning underneath the control switches on the gas stove. There is nothing like a deadline to get the creative juices a flowing.

Also working on some sketches for a book about a rather cheeky Grandmother for Judy Bradley in Savannah, GA ... here is my first thoughts on her ...this will be a fun project!

Last week I met up with my crit group 'Revisionists'. We haven't met for a couple of months with Christmas etc, so it was good to catch up and see what everyone was working on and compare notes.

Here in Maine we are about to have a heatwave. 40F this week they say .. WOWSER! T-shirt weather.

Me and 'im indoors celebrated our 10th year of wedded bliss, so we had a joint celebration last night with Valentine's Day, and ate FAR TOO MUCH at the Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse in Bangor. Which has talking Moose heads. And good steak. From cows, not moose.

Well that's the news from The Wacky Brit, I must away back to work ... the intray is looking somewhat fearsome.

Happy Heart Day to you all!









Hazel
aka The Wacky Brit

Nothing new, alas, this week on the bedside table.

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It's my pleasure to be hosting the talented and versatile writer/author, Dianne Sagan. A business woman, mother of six children and grandmother to three, Dianne is a busy woman.

Dianne Sagan was raised in Texas and is now a full-time ghostwriter and author. Her credits include 35+ editorials for the Amarillo Globe News, a regional newspaper, in addition to short stories and articles published on the internet. Dianne’s works in progress include a flash fiction book with five other women writers, Women’s Bible studies, a series of suspense novels, and Christian fiction. Dianne is working on a line of ebooks. She is active in her church. Her activities there include teaching Women’s Bible studies, teaching Adult Sunday School, and choir. She served as a volunteer for five years with the Sharing Hope Ministry, a prison ministry to incarcerated women. She has also been a Small Group leader. Besides being a full-time writer, Dianne and her husband Greg own a business consulting firm, Sagan & Associates. She is a partner and seminar facilitator. She loves speaking to writer’s groups and women’s groups. Her background includes working in the private sector, small business, academia, non-profits, adult and youth training, and speaking. A member of Panhandle Professional Writers, she can be contacted through her website – Dianne Sagan, Writer – http://dgsagan.tripod.com.
Dianne is currently working on stories for several anthologies and has a story published in the Tainted Mirror anthology (October 2007). The story, Second Chances, is about her son’s head injury and the aftermath.

Purchasing information for "The Tainted Mirror An Anthology:"
ISBN 13:978-0-9786066-1-9
It can be found on amazon.com and barnes&nobel.com

You can reach Dianne at:
My blog: www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
http://www.authorsden.com/diannesagan

Please, don't forget to come back January 4th, for more with Dianne Sagan.

See you in blog world, Karen

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Lillian Cauldwell is an author of many articles, short stories and poems. She has a published novel, Sacred Honor, a science fiction/historical novel, and will soon release The Anna Mae Mysteries, the first in a series of books for young people. She also has POETRY: Urban Voices under consideration with a publisher.

Lillian was formerly an instructor at Long Story Short School of Writing teaching several courses: Interviewing, Pre-Marketing Plan for Books, Internet Talk Radio, and Podcasting as well as a consultant for authors who require help marketing and promoting their book(s) and selves. She mentors teenagers interested in writing their first novels.

After working two years as an Internet talk radio host at two different radio stations, Lillian started her own station, Passionate Internet Voices Talk Radio, Inc.. The company is two and a half years old and is ranked as a mid-list Internet talk radio station.

Lillian is a board member for ICWP and a member of CBWI, The Writer's Union, and Women in Media. She enjoys status of grandmother to identical twin granddaughters. And, her son, a graphic artist was nominated for The Eisner Award two years ago for his original comic book, The Dare Detectives.

Lillian lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she loves to bake, lift wieghts, walk, and do worldwide community work. She is an avid advocate of the US Military and her support has been acknowledged by President George W. Bush.

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My summer is finish, and holiday also, however I will go on my holiday in 3 weeks.

But this is a new image onSale on Dreamstime.


© Photographer: Piedenero | Agency: Dreamstime.com

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I recently fielded a question from a student about sharing poetry with senior citizens. This is an interest area of mine, too, since I have older family members who have found poetry to be meaningful to them. Several years ago, I read about a nursing home project in which people were invited to share memories and stories from their younger years and then guided in writing about them through poetry—almost a “found” poetry approach, placing key words, ideas and phrases in poetic arrangements. One of my favorite resource books that includes activities used with seniors is:

Morice, D. 1996. The Adventures of Dr. Alphabet. New York: Teachers and Writers Collaborative.

Dave Morice provides options for creating poems in unusual formats with people of all ages, but he also specifically shares examples of working with seniors. His ideas are generally quite playful and unorthodox, but can be lots of fun, too. Here is just a sampling of the 104 choices:
*Autumn leaf poems
*Postage stamp poems
*Rolodex poems
*Thumb book poem
*Poetry poker
*Poetry checkers
*Poetry mazes
*Social security poem
*Shakespearean sonnet maker
*And many more

Another resource book that sounds promising is From Deep Within: Poetry Workshops in Nursing Homes (New York, NY. Haworth Press, 1989) by Carol F. Peck.

And if you're looking for a few poetry books for young people that might also be particularly appealing to seniors, you might consider:

Harrison, David L. 2004. Connecting Dots: Poems of My Journey. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong, Boyds Mills Press.
Heard, Georgia. 2002. This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick.
Hoberman, Mary Ann. 1991. Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems. Boston: Joy Street Books.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 1995. Been to Yesterdays: Poems of a Life. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong, Boyds Mills Press.
Lansky, Bruce. 1994. If We'd Wanted Quiet, We Would Have Raised Goldfish. Meadowbrook Press.
Mora, Pat. 2001. Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. New York: Lee & Low Books.
Nye, Naomi Shihab, comp. 1992. This Same Sky: A Collection of Poems from Around the World. New York: Four Winds Press.
Steptoe, Javaka, comp. 1997. In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers. New York: Lee & Low Books.
Willard, Nancy, comp. 1998. Step Lightly: Poems for the Journey. San Diego: Harcourt.
Wong, Janet. 1999. The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children. New York: Margaret K. McElderry.

Here’s one “grandma” poem that really speaks to me—across the generations and across cultures. It’s by a Pakistani poet and comes from Naomi Nye’s amazing collection, This Same Sky: A Collection of Poems from Around the World (Four Winds Press, 1992).

Grandmother
by Sameeneh Shirazie
(Pakistan)

I hadn’t asked her much,
just how she felt,
and she told me all about her day,
and how she’d washed the sheets,
and how she could not understand
why the towel got so heavy
when it was wet.
She’d also sunned the mattresses,
such tired bones and so much to do,
and my eyes filled with tears
when I thought of how I was simply
going to say “Salaam” and walk away
and so many words would have been
trapped inside her.
I would have passed by as if
what lay between those bedclothes
was just old life
and not really my grandmother.

[Note: “Salaam” meaning “peace,” is often used as a greeting.]
From: This Same Sky collected by Naomi Shihab Nye (Four Winds Press, 1992)

For more poetry, join the Poetry Friday crew at my former student's blog (go, Becky!) Becky’s Book Reviews.

Picture credit: www.blushbutter.com

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Author: Alice L. Bartels
Illustrator: Duscan Petricic
Published: 2001 Annick Press
ISBN: 1550376667 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Finally, a little dysfunction!! With all the stomps, sneers and slams you would expect on the third day of influenza-induced confinement, the candor of this warm, magical story is a rare and welcome treat.

Tags:book, children, creativity, doll, frustration, grandmother, imagination, influenza, ingratitude, interaction, literacy, literature, magic, patience, picture book, podcast, relationships, reviewbook, children, creativity, doll, frustration, grandmother, imagination, influenza, ingratitude, interaction, literacy, literature, magic, patience, picture book, podcast, relationships, review

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