Update on projects

I am almost done with the factual text for "Through Desert Eyes." I am going to try to finish it up over next week's break.

I have a renewed fire for my young adult novel. I have re-written chapters one and two, with a lot of confidence. I am thinking of changing the title to "Peridot Cage," since the color of a Peridot stone matches my protagonists' eyes. I am thinking of submitting the first three chapters again to agents, maybe by the end of December. I really want to polish them first and the critique groups I am in give invaluable comments and suggestions.

I am considering writing a middle grade or young reader book on a series of horse stories, based off my own history.

I have picked up some graphic design accounts and will be working on those projects. It's great, but will slow my writing process down a bit.

My guess is that my funny book about missing socks won't get picked up, based on the rejections I've received, but that is okay. It was a great exercise, so I don't feel bad about it.

Special Photo in Africa

My book was among a group of books purchased by someone in Flagstaff, AZ. They were taken to the Arizona School at Kilanya Parish in Tanzania. The library has many books connected to Arizona.

The photo was sent by:
Doug Handlong
Pastor
Trinity Heights UMC
Flagstaff, AZ

See my book at the bottom of the pile? How wonderful!

Events of the weekend

The event at the Roseville Borders was a lot of fun. The staff there was so nice and the people I met were interesting. I love doing these events and meeting people.

One woman stopped me, after buying my book, and told me how moved she was by my words. She told me she didn't know why she felt like crying, but was grateful for the feeling and the connection. She then asked for a hug, as her little boy watched. It was such a sweet moment.

On Sunday, I spent the afternoon at the Discovery Museum at Sacramento. This is my second event with them, and I hope to do many more. I brought paint and cards for kids to do dot paintings. Some kids got started and didn't want to leave after twenty minutes. Their parents shrugged, surprised at their enthusiasm. While the kids were painting, I talked about the endangered animals from the book. It was so fun! Next time I will bring some music though, it makes such a difference in the creative process.

Upcoming events are motivating

My ultimate dream, other than safety for endangered species, is to be able to afford to be home for my kids and write and paint. It appears to be a difficult thing to achieve.

Thus, having events that allow me to talk to kids about animals really pumps me up! This weekend I'll be at a book signing at a Borders in Roseville; and then an art/science event at the Discovery Museum of Sacramento. I really enjoy this part of being an author.

But, the looming deadline of getting a "real" job does seem inevitable. I know I can still create and write, after all I did "Through Endangered Eyes," while working full time and having two babies. Yet it is hard to imagine going back to an office and being away from my kids that much again.

Rejections do this to me. I assess, question and doubt my abilities as an artist. It isn't easy to achieve what J.K. Rowling & Stephanie Meyer have in children's literature. I know they both got rejections too, but it doesn't make me feel better knowing that.

On a happy note, I plan to send out my first draft of "Through Desert Eyes," at the end of this month.

I am submitting a short story to a magazine and contest.

I am submitting the first three chapters of my re-written young adult novel to an editor by Nov. 24th.

And my notebook is being filled with ideas for other story lines!

Just call me roller coaster.