Blog: Writerly Ramblings

Book Love

Book Love

You know that saying – you don’t really know what you have until it’s gone? In this case, it’s not really gone – just on hiatus. Hugs. From kids (who are not my own). The first time it happened at a school visit, I was surprised. I figured after an author does a...

The Heart of a Story

The Heart of a Story

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...

Literacy Gets Personal

Literacy Gets Personal

2020 was a year of twists and turns, ups and downs—pick your cliché! Recently, my dad suffered a stroke. He has a road ahead of him and takes it day by day. Some days are and will be better than others. But my family is blessed to still have him. And as I say, he is...

Puzzles

Puzzles

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 math!...

Renewed Gratitude

Renewed Gratitude

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

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...