The Heart of a Story

The Heart of a Story

by | May 13, 2021 | Gratitude, Inspiration, On Writing, Publishing

Pictures tell stories. Sometimes, those stories are placed in photo albums. Sometimes, they make their way into family lore. And once in a blue moon, they find their way into a picture book. Funny how the vision of a story begins, then evolves, and finally arrives at...
Puzzles

Puzzles

by | Oct 5, 2020 | On Writing, Publishing, Revision

When I was a kid, my family spent time in the Adirondacks. No TV. Just board games and…puzzles. And I’m talking big puzzles with lots (millions?) of pieces. Everyone seemed to get into it. Everyone, that is, except me. Spatial relationships—ugh, too much like...
Renewed Gratitude

Renewed Gratitude

by | Apr 14, 2020 | Gratitude, Inspiration, On Writing, Publishing

Early in my writing career, a colleague mentioned that the writing is life is not for the thin-skinned. After all, she said, why would you want to be in a business where two of the most frequently-used words are “submission” and “rejection?” At the time, I laughed at...
Libraries

Libraries

by | Feb 25, 2020 | Libraries, Music, On Writing, Reading, Research

I’ve had some very special library experiences over the last few weeks, which inspired me to think about the importance of libraries in my life, overall. As a kid, the library was a haven for me. Our neighborhood branch was less than a mile from our house. On...
Right on Time

Right on Time

by | Jan 6, 2020 | On Writing, Publishing, Research

January 7, 2020, is publication day for my picture book Hosea Plays On (Sterling Children’s Books, illustrated by Shane W. Evans)!  Based on a real street musician and community advocate, Hosea was originally slated for September 2018. I won’t tell you I wasn’t...