DON'T FEED THE BOY Summer Giveaway Update! #bloglikecrazy

Today's #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser is "post a Q&A with a woman you admire." Love it! And I have done it lots of times. Today I want to revisit a interview I posted with Laura Shovan about her work as editor at Little Patuxent Review. I believe their submissions period for the "food" issue just closed, but keep an eye out -- they always have interesting themes! 

And now, even though the leaves are finally turning yellow, I want to turn your attention back to summer.

 Remember back in June when I hosted a giveaway of a classroom set (25!) to celebrate the paperback release of DON'T FEED THE BOY? Many of you sent in pics of you at a zoo and/or joined me for Zoo Days during June or July. FUN. Michelle Heidenrich Barnes was the lucky winner, and she donated the books to P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville, Florida. Go Blue Wave!

Here are some pics of Mrs. Haynes 5th Grade Advisory Group including Parris, Taylor, Ayonna, A'shawna, Daniela & Mrs. Haynes:

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! 

And thanks to Michelle and to student photographer Savannah for taking the shots. Nothing pleases a writer's heart more than seeing readers enjoying a book. And if it's one that writer has written? AWESOME.

Finally: Happy Veteran's Day! Thanks to those service men and women AND their families for their gift to all of us.

Manifesto-ing on a Monday #bloglikecrazy

Today's #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser is "Write your manifesto." It's a great prompt, and something I try to do every few years. Here's my most recent, as it appears in my latest book of poems for adults THE SKY BETWEEN US.

Cartographer’s Creed

We don’t believe in perfection.

We thrive on striving,

we give credit where due.

Arrows warn of steep climbing—

or precipitous descent.

Curving contour lines

offer temporary respite.

Every road ends on

or off the map,

merging with others,

with mountains or meadows.

Just because a lake

isn’t sketched and marked

doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Despite what we’ve been taught,

the legend is not

what’s most important.

Explore, meander.

Leave something out;

allow mystery to watercolor

and soften the ink.

Be tender as you unfold.

Treasure the places

tucked into creases.

- Irene Latham

Yes, I Love THE TWILIGHT SAGA, and I'm Not Sorry. #bloglikecrazy

Today's #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser is "write a post about something you do, love, or believe that's unpopular with most folks."

There are more than a few things I could write about, but I've selected my pure, sweet enjoyment and enthusiasm for the Twilight series by Stephenie Myers.

I mean, writers love to hate this series. I don't need to give you a rundown of the complaints and criticisms -- and don't even get me started on the movies! There's the whole Bella-will-do-anything-for-Edward angle... and Holy Creepy, He Watches Her SLEEP!

Well, I for one, get it. I've experienced love like that -- the intoxication, the single-mindedness... I wish everyone in the world that experience. And him watching her sleep? It's sweet. I am Team Edward all the way and until the End of Time. I like the old-fashionedness of it, the devotion. And there's Girl Power, too. Both. That's what I want in my entertainment and real life.

Oh, and the movies! Say what you will, but I love them! Sweet Husband and I have watched the whole series through more than one. (For the record, NEW MOON is my fave book and movie, with the last movie following as second favorite.)

So there. Now you know. Me + Twilight = BFF. Possibly this event in my teenhood might have something to do with it. :) And for those who disagree: we love what we love. Simple as that.

How NOT to Write Poetry #bloglikecrazy

Today's #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser is "Write a How NOT to Post."

If I was feeling clever today, I would totally whip something up for all of you to read. (I think the How NOT to posts are generally supposed to be clever and funny.) But I'm tired today, and all out of clever. The best I can offer is a roundup of links where others speak on the topic of How NOT to Write Poetry. Enjoy!

Poetry Foundation

The Paris Review

Poefrika

The Literature Network Forums

Poems & Quotes

How To Live Your Poem #bloglikecrazy

Hello, and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit the ever-inspiring (and ever-inspired!) Diane at Random Noodling for Roundup!

Since November 1, I have been participating in #bloglikecrazy, following prompts provided by Javacia Bowser. So far I have blogged about:

Why I Blog
Life Goals
Personal Mission Statement.
Open Letter
Letter to a Younger Me
A Case Against Expertise

and today's prompt is "Write a How To Post." As many of you know, I have a page on this blog dedicated to How To Live Your Poem. This prompt reminded me that's it's been a while since I added any  new poems to the list, and when I read through my list, I realized there's not a single children's poem included.We need to change that! If you can think of a children's poem that should be included, please let me know in comments so I can add it! Meanwhile, I offer you the two newest editions to the list:

15. Wait. "Patience" by Marilyn Singer

Patience
by Marilyn Singer

I thought I would be taller
     in the mountains
A queen of green and brown
     my realm laid out below me
          neat as the rug Grandma hooked
     one St. Patrick's Day

I thought I would be braver
     in the  mountains
Following the fierce paths
     of pumas and grizzlies
Ledge leaper
     Crag climber
Taking nothing for granted
     Leaving nothing unexplored

I thought I would be wiser
     in the mountains
Reading the history of the world
     in the weathered rocks
Hearing lectures
     in the wind and water falls
Stretching my mind
     broader than Grandpa's tall stories
          multiplied by ten

I thought I would be tall
                                       braver
                                       wiser
     in the mountains
And I wasn't
But I am more patient
    in the mountains
And I can wait

-from FOOTPRINTS ON THE ROOF: Poems about the Earth by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Meilo So (Knopf, 2002)
--------------------------------------------

16. Take the string you need. "To a Red Kite" by Lilian Moore

To A Red Kite
by Lilian Moore

Fling
yourself
upon the sky.

Take the string
you need.
Ride high

high
above the park.
Tug and buck
and lark
with the wind.

Touch a cloud,
red kite.
Follow the wild geese
in their flight.

from SOMETHING NEW BEGINS: New and Selected Poems by Lilian Moore (Atheneum, 1982)

The Case Against Expertise #bloglikecrazy

Today's #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser is this: “Everyone is an expert in something. Write a post about your area of expertise – why you consider yourself and expert and how you came to be one.”

I'm good at a lot of things: cooking, sewing, crafting, time management, listening, loving others, meeting deadlines, problem solving....

When I asked my husband what I'm an expert at, he said “saying yes to our children.” It's true: YES is my parenting philosophy. I try to say "yes" as much as possible. Now that I've been a parent for over 20 years, I guess maybe I'm good at it. But an expert? Hmmmmm....

And then there's writing. I've written millions of words. I've been fortunate enough to have books published. But. I AM NOT AN EXPERT.

Even with poetry, the genre I have the most experience with, I still feel like a beginner. I have so much more to learn!

I consider myself a student of the world. I am learning every day. I don't know that I'll ever be comfortable using the word “expert” to describe myself.

So maybe... I'm an expert at NOT being an expert. Ha!

Dear Younger-Writer-Me, As You Embark upon the Journey of Publication #bloglikecrazy

Dear Younger-Writer-Me, As You Embark upon the Journey of Publication,

Here you are, finally. I'm thrilled to see you pulling those poems and stories out of drawers, seeing them as a reader might see them. It's an exciting time, and I'm so glad you're here. You've been writing for a long time. You're good at it. You love words.

No matter how it may seem, how you may regret waiting so long to get started, remember you're not too late or too early; you're exactly where you need to be. And it's great that you want to try now to get published. One of the most wonderful parts about being a writer is connecting with others, fulfilling that promise of communication. This is what you've been moving toward ever since 4 year old you began jotting poems and thoughts and lines.

You need to know that it's not going to happen right away. This dream of yours, it's not going to go the way you want it to or the way you think it should. As clever as you are, as much as you crave and think you deserve it, there are no shortcuts. You can't manipulate this. Strap on your hiking boots and pack light. It's going to be a long journey. You'll get lost sometimes. You'll want to turn back. You'll want to crawl back into your comfortable skin.

Don't.

Above all, trust the process. Let go of the outcome. Allow the universe an opportunity to bring this to you instead of you working so hard to make it happen.

Focus on the writing. Like any other skill, it takes practice. You will learn and improve and all those ideas aching to emerge will sing. It takes time. Ten thousand hours. More.

Be brave. Enter contests. Share your work. Ask for help. Listen. Try out other people's suggestions. Sift through the information you're given for the shiny specks. Remember that words are fluid. And there are so many of them! Move them around, discard them, replace them, make up new ones. There is no one right path. You will get there however you get there.

The only way to fail is to stop writing.

Don't stop.

Even on the days when you receive a crushing rejection, remember your words are important. The world needs your stories. You are the only one with your particular truth. You must carry on. You've been given a gift – the love of the written word, the patience and wonder it takes to create poems and stories – share it with the world. Love yourself enough to resist judgment and comparisons and envy and those other wastes. Write like the world is on fire, and it's your job to save it. Write like you're an alien visiting from another planet. Write like your heart will stop beating if you don't.

And someday, when you do get published, pop the cork, dance a jig. Then remind yourself it's not about you. You didn't do this. It's the words. And how they flow through you. Pick up your paddle. Go back to the river. Always go back to the river.

Love,

You, A Little Further Along the Trail

Thank you, Javacia Bowser for the "Write a letter to your younger self" #bloglikecrazy prompt!

Election Day Poem & an Open Letter #bloglikecrazy

Election Day

Sift through promises,

replay interviews;

step inside the booth.

Forget scripted speeches,

and candy-wrapped slogans.

Weigh again each pro

and con. Remember

the teeming world,

its people who dream

of freedom--

so many denied

the right to decide.

Read the names,

imagine a future;

make the best choice.

In the space between breaths

your voice is heard

without a word.

- Irene Latham

...and the #bloglikecrazy prompt today from Javacia Bowser is Write a letter to your younger self. I want to do that. I will do that. Tomorrow. Today, please accept a link to the prompt for tomorrow (see, I'm just switching things up!): Write an open letter to someone you need to thank. One of my favorite posts I've ever written is an open letter: DEAR JULIUS LESTER. Enjoy! Meanwhile, I'm adding the open letter prompt to my priority list for 2015. Perhaps monthly?? Hmmm...

Peter Anderson Art Festival & a Mission Statement #bloglikecrazy

This past weekend Paul and I traveled to Ocean Springs, MS, for the annual Peter Anderson Art Festival. It's kind of a big deal -- more than 150,000 people visit, and there are over 400 artists exhibiting their work!

I learned about Walter Anderson from my friend Hester Bass, who wrote the book THE SECRET WORLD OF WALTER ANDERSON (illustrations by E.B. Lewis). Also, I have a couple of friends who hail from the Ocean Springs area. I've wanted to go explore the area for myself for some time! And this weekend we did!

We started our journey with lunch Derk's Filet & Vine in the Cloverdale area of Montgomery. Best meat-n-3 EVER! Salmon, grilled veggies, squash casserole, turnip greens.... yum!

Here's the view from the living room of our rental home on the Mississippi Sound. Can you say "peaceful"?

For supper we ventured to The Shed for some BBQ (after seeing it featured on D, D & D). It's sweet! We came home with a bottle of the sauce. Then we stopped by Quakes for a "brown noser" -- warm brownie topped with ice cream, nuts and chocolate syrup.

This is a picture of sunrise on Saturday morning -- a cold, clear morning.

Did I mention it was cold? SO COLD. We enjoyed the art, but I didn't want to get my hands out of my pockets to take many pics! So much great work. Really amazing. And a highlight was visiting the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. This is a picture of Walter's "little room," discovered by his wife, after his death. Magical.

By the afternoon, things warmed up a bit! Plus our bellies were full from a fabulous meal at Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant.  We had snapper with lump crab meat. Oh, love me some seafood! We also got a box of Tato-Nut donuts to carry home. (The line to get in the place was INSANE in the morning, but by afternoon, it had dwindled. Yay!) Here are a couple of pics of art we couldn't afford but really really wanted to bring home (and hopefully we will acquire sometime soon!).

art by Melanie Blackerby of Mobile, AL (oh my GOSH,
how I want this cotton field above our bed!)

flounder by Ronnie Cardwell (on Paul's wish list)

And here we are at the end of the day, our arms full, just before boarding the shuttle bus back to the Greyhound stadium where we left our van. :)

We ended a great day with a romantic meal at a window-view table at Anthony's Under the Oaks. We watched the sun set and enjoyed seafood and each other. (If you go, try the Tato-nut bread pudding! Sinful!) Beautiful!

And now for the latest #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser: write a personal mission statement. Here's Javacia's awesome post. 

Now I will take a stab at it. Please know that I am posting my unpolished, gut-reaction response to the post. I may shiny it up later, but here's the bones:

To love the world -- all it's people and places -- by exploring, savoring beauty & being fearless in order to create meaning for myself and others through my stories and poems.

Life Goals #bloglikecrazy

Today's #bloglikecrazy prompt from Javacia Bowser is to explore blogging, writing or business goals.

I call this blog "Live Your Poem" because this blog isn't just about any one thing; it's about a lot of things like poetry and art and family and travel and food and other things that make up my LIFE.

Some things I am working on right now:

Being more present on a moment by moment basis.

Savoring beauty.

Infusing my life with music by learning to play the fiddle.

Writing only things that are meaningful to me (not being sucked into the market black hole).

Exploring the world with people I love (which is why I have a number of trips in the works, both near and far!).

Practicing compassion.

Being grateful and expressing that gratitude as often as possible.

Carefully considering my commitments and choosing only the things that I can embrace with love; things that feed my creative soul; things that move me toward the person I want to be.

Loving myself. (always on the list!)

Why I Blog #bloglikecrazy

So my friend Javacia Bowser of See Jane Write issued a challenge for November: #bloglikecrazy! In other words, write a blog post a day during the month. I thought, well what a great idea for those who have the time. But not me. I'm far too busy during November!

AND THEN Javacia sent along a prompt for each day. 30 fabulous prompts. Prompts I really wanted to discover my own answers to. So. Here I am! Day 1. Why I Blog. Thanks, Javacia. :)

I blog to SHARE and to CONNECT. I've been blogging since November of 2005. NINE YEARS. Wowza!

This space allows me to SHARE things that are important to me - art, family, books, poetry, people, travel, food.... I've often said to others that my blog is for those who want to know more about me. I don't promote my blog or think of it in monetary terms; it's simply there for those who want it. (Perfect for introverted me!)

...and to CONNECT with others who have similar interests. Some of my favorite people in the world are ones I discovered through blogging communities, like Poetry Friday. It's a beautiful thing! I also use this space to publicly acknowledge those wonderful readers/teachers/librarians who have touched my life in small and tremendous ways.

Some  years I blog more than others. Over my lifetime as a blogger, my most regular schedule is 3 times a week. Every two years I use Blog to Print to bind a copy of my posts. It's a wonderful record! Truly a web log, a journal of sorts, a scrapbook of some aspects of my life.

Thank you for reading! :)

Happy Halloweenie Poetry Friday!

Hello, and welcome! My offering for today is a trio of Halloweenie poems for my Poetry Friday friends! I bet there will be lots of sweet and scary poetic surprises around the webs today, so be sure to visit lovely Linda at TeacherDance for Roundup.





Tonight
by Lilian Moore

Strange shadows out
tonight
in the white
light
of the moon

shaggy humps
dark baggy bumps
meeting
darting

bat shapes
pointed heads
parting
greeting.

Strange shadows out
tonight,
all tricking and treating.

------------------------------------
Such sadness: now that the youngest is 6'2"... we have no trick-or-treaters this year! I remember those dressed-up Halloween nights with such fondness -- and not just because I love me some bite-sized candy. Reese's, anyone? Peppermint patty? Mmmm....

Pumpkin
by Valerie Worth

After its lid
Is cut, the slick
Seeds and stuck
Wet strings
Scooped out,
Walls scraped
Dry and white,
Face carved, candle
Fixed and lit,

Light creeps
Into the thick
Rind: giving
That dead orange
Vegetable skull
Warm skin, making
A live head
To hold its
Sharp gold grin.

------------------------------
I also miss carving the Jack-o-lantern. Every few years I'll get out my carving tools and try to create something fun... but mostly I am content to put my uncarved pumpkins on the front stoop. I do LOVE pumpkin seeds, though... it's just easier to snag a bag at Walmart.

Skeletons
by Valerie Worth

Is it the
Curve of their
Breezy ribs, the
Crook of their
Elegant fingers,

Their eyeless
Eyes, so wide
And wise,
Their silent
Ivory laughter,

The frisk and
Prance of their
Skittering dance
With never a
Pause for breath,

That fills us
With such
Delicious delight,
While scaring us
Half to death?

---------------------------------
The one decoration that has survived the 20 years of our parenthood is the life-sized plastic skeleton. We still hang it in the front yard every year -- and every year we recall the times the youngest was scared to go in the basement because the skeleton was there... and the time his older brother pulled a prank on him by leaving the skeleton for him to find IN THE SHOWER. Yep, that did a number on him, much to Oldest Son's delight. Oh, brothers....

However you celebrate the night -- or even if you don't celebrate at all -- here's wishing you "delicious delight" this evening!

Mystery, Revisited. And, the Art of Living WILD.

I just finished a book that really moved me: WILD by Cheryl Strayed.

It was not something I would have picked up on my own -- it was picked for me by our book club. (Among the many arguments FOR being in a book club, this is one of them: the opportunity to read things you might not have chosen!) And I loved it.

Basically, it's about how a woman's journey walking the Pacific Crest Trail heals and changes her. It's beautiful. And hold onto your cracker jacks, she BURNS BOOKS along the way. Read the book to find out why. Or... I just discovered it's also been adapted in a movie starring Reese Witherspoon, releasing in December!

And now, just a short passage from the end of the book that speaks to me of my 2014 One Little Word, which is "mystery," and also points me to what may become my word for 2015. We'll see! Meanwhile, read the book! It just might change you.

"To believe that I didn't need to reach

 with my bare hands anymore. To know

that seeing the fish beneath the surface 

of the water was enough. That it was

everything. It was my life – like all

lives, mysterious and irrevocable and 

sacred. So very close, so very present,

so very belonging to me.

How wild it was, to let it be."

- Cheryl Strayed, WILD

Quilts, Poetry & Freedom Fighters in Greensboro, Alabama

Last week we visited Greensboro, Alabama, as part of Alabama Folklife Association's "Common Threads" programming on the textile arts in our state.

We started out at Magnolia Grove where we saw the oldest quilt in America and some other quilts like this one:

Don't you love those butterflies?! What a great way to border a crazy quilt.

While walking the property after viewing the outdoor kitchen and the slave house, where we found this fragment of a poem written by the once-owner of the home...

...we spied something neither Paul nor I had ever seen before: droppings from an Osage orange tree (thanks to our new friend Liz for enlightening us!).

Next we visited The Safe House Black History Museum ("Safe House" because one night Martin Luther King, Jr., stayed there to avoid confrontation with various Klan groups who were waiting at all the road intersections exiting Greensboro) where we were greeted by this tribute to Rosa Parks and 42,000 other footsoldiers for freedom:

But the highlight (and surprise!) was meeting Theresa Burroughs, who founded the museum and was an activist during the Movement:

Here she is in 1965 after being rounded up by police at a protest:

To find out more about Theresa, check out this short documentary. SO inspiring for anyone who values...

We enjoyed a delicious fried catfish lunch at Mustang Oil, which looks like a sleepy gas station, but inside it buzzed with what seemed like all of Greensboro:

Finally we learned all about National Arts Fellow Nora Ezell and her quilts. I  came home with her book My Quilts and Me, and I have been devouring it! Here's a quilt from the collection of Mary Elizabeth "Sunshine" Johnson, who compiled the book and gave the presentation:

And I'll leave you with a quote from the late great Nora Ezell herself:

"The point is learn to do with what you have and that's what quilts are all about. Taking nothing and making something of it."

Movie Monday: 10 QUESTIONS FOR THE DALAI LAMA

With the Dalai Lama scheduled to arrive in Birmingham this coming weekend -- yes, we have tickets, and yes, Eric will be performing onstage just before the Dalai Lama -- we've been brushing up on our knowledge about Tibet and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. And since all around Birmingham they've been offering free screenings of 10 QUESTIONS FOR THE DALAI LAMA, we thought that film might be a good place to start... only we watched it in our pajamas by streaming on Netflix. :)

We really enjoyed the movie. We learned a lot about the tradition of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese government's brutality, and a lot about the current Dalai Lama -- he's a tinkerer, very well-read, laughs a lot, and doesn't suffer fools for long.

I guess if I had to sum it all up, I would say the Dalai Lama promotes the "religion of kindness." Despite his exile, he's bubbly-happy, and his viewpoint is one of respect for the world and for humans of all kinds. When the filmmaker asked him about traditions, what should be kept, and what should be let go of, the Dalai Lama was quick to say some traditions (like the inferior treatment of women) is outdated and needs to go. He said nonviolence is the key to peace, but, if one is threatened, violence may be called for. He said our wants/desires for more more more is what causes so much unhappiness.

I urge you to check it out for yourself! Meanwhile, here are a few prayer flags I made -- the community has been working to create enough prayer flags to span the perimeter of Hoover Metropolitan Stadium during the event.

"Letter to A Friend" by Lilian Moore

Hello, and happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit the amazing, irrepressible Michelle at Today's Little Ditty for Roundup.

I've got another Lilian Moore poem for you, from SOMETHING NEW BEGINS: New and Selected Poems. I love how Ms. Moore wasn't afraid to engage the darker side in her works for children... I so appreciate honesty and any writer who gives kids credit for the depth of their feelings. Death is a pretty essential part of the life cycle, and this poem makes it beautiful. Plus, I love the urgency. One could read this poem all sorts of ways!

LETTER TO A FRIEND
by Lilian Moore

Come soon.

Everything is lusting
for light,
thrusting
up
up
splitting the earth,
opening flaring fading,
seed
into shoot
bud
into flower,
nothing
beyond its hour.

Come soon.

The apple bloom has melted
like
spring snow.

The lilac
changed the air,
surprising every breath.

Low in the field
wild strawberries
fatten.

Come soon.

It's a matter of
life.

And death.

Scarecrow Show

Each year Inverness Elementary (where our boys went to school!) teachers, students & parents create scarecrows and display them for the community to enjoy during the month of October. This year's crop is as fun and inspiring as ever... but I think my favorite has to be the diva: Mrs. Greene's Fabulous Frogs! Look for her below. :)

Finding Characters at the Thrift Store & Other Joys of Writing

This past weekend was the SCBWI Southern Breeze region's annual WIK (Writing & Illustrating for Kids) conference here in Birmingham.

Two of my writing buddies Pat & Sheila came in on Thursday so we could lunch and antique and thrift before turning our hearts and souls to writing.

But, of course, writing slips in no matter which way we wiggle.

Here's the box of photographs that captivated us:

And here's Sheila & Pat:

On Friday we attended a Writing Intensive with author Candice Ransom. I experienced a number of a-ha moments, one of which was how all my writing seems to revolve around PLACE. Candice's does as well, and she shared many ways this can benefit our writing. The other has to do with mining our own lives for stories. This scares me -- which is a sure sign I need to be doing it!

Friday night we hung out with the Mafia. The MIDDLE GRADE MAFIA. :) Get to know them -- they're great!

Saturday we conferenced ourselves into a hazy state. Great to see old friends and meet new ones... always great to learn new things and to be inspired. Candice Ransom's keynote was all about triumphing over failure, and we were all deeply moved. 

My session was on Smart Marketing for Busy Authors, and there just wasn't enough time! Here's a pic of me and Joan Broerman just before I got started:

Big thanks to authors Kate Messner, Holly Schindler, Lisa Schroeder & Tamera Will Wissinger who each contributed to my presentation. Ladies, your words are helping striving writers in the Deep South and beyond! Mwah!!

WHEELS OF CHANGE by Darlene Beck Jacobson

I'm excited today to welcome Darlene Beck Jacobson to Live Your Poem! Her debut historical middle grade WHEELS OF CHANGE was released last month. Congratulations, Darlene!!! What an exciting time!

Kirkus Reviews notes resemblances to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and what a strong character Emily is in the face of national changes during the last year of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency-- as well as personal changes. You can tell Darlene loved researching this time period -- lots to love here!

I gave Darlene three short prompts. Here's what she had to say:

The Delicious: 

Sending the “baby” out into the world. Editors saying fix this and that. Agent finally saying, “deal first, then repairs.” Signing the 16 page contract tasted better than the sweetest birthday cake.

The Difficult: 

 Changing the manuscript from a Picture Book to Middle Grade. Would there be enough meat on the bone? More than enough meat…so which piece to cut? Which to savor, swallow and slowly digest? Which to smother in gravy? Which to toss out and start over? Everyone’s taste is different. But I am the cook; I control the ingredients. The final meal is satisfying.

The Unexpected: 

 In the story, Emily meets Theodore Roosevelt. My grandmother met him, too. How did I get Kermit Roosevelt – the great-great-grandson of TR - to write a blurb for the book? I asked.

-------------------------

Darlene Beck Jacobson has loved writing since she was a girl. She wrote letters to everyone she knew and made up stories in her head. Although she never wrote to a president, she sent many letters to pop stars of the day asking for photos and autographs. She loves bringing the past to life in stories such as WHEELS OF CHANGE, her debut novel.

Darlene’s stories have appeared in CICADA, CRICKET, and other magazines. When not writing, Darlene enjoys baking, sewing and tea parties. She also likes hanging around forges watching the blacksmith work magic. She’s never ridden in a carriage like the one in the story, but hopes to one day.

Her blog features recipes, activities, crafts and interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators. She still loves writing and getting letters. Check out her website at: www.darlenebeckjacobson.com or on Twitter@dustbunnymaven

And October Creeps In...

My favorite picture from September...
with my favorite (only. best. amazing!)
sister Lynn

October, oh how you've snuck up on me this year! Happy Poetry Friday, everyone... be sure to visit Jama at Jama's Alphabet Soup for some delicious Roundup!

Thank you to those have written or called to check on me this past month. I've been traveling with the release of DEAR WANDERING WILDEBEEST and revising a novel and kind of re-evaluating how I spend my time. My father has been seriously ill, and he lives in far North Dakota, so that has been the focus of much of my energy. It's a powerful reminder of how precious time is, and how easily we let the hours and days slip away from us. So, yeah. Heavy stuff!

Meanwhile, I had intended to share a September poem from Lilian Moore's book SOMETHING NEW BEGINS, which, I ordered after Renee's amazing post about Lilian (with the help of Lee Bennett Hopkins!) at No Water River and after Laura Purdie Salas mentioned this book in particular at Teaching Authors. Thank you, ladies! I have a few more poems dog-eared to share with you in the coming weeks.

It may be October, but I am sharing the "September" poem with you today anyhow. Hey, I live in the Deep South, which means the poem is actually more accurate of October (or even November!) for me, so that's my justification. :)

September
by Lilian Moore

Something is bleeding
into the
pond,
the stains are freshly
red.

Look-
beyond
and overhead.
The maple

is crimson spattered.
Summer is fatally
wounded.
Soon, soon
dead.

--------------------------
Kind of macabre, isn't it? Beautiful, though.

And now for something lighter: our October theme over at Smack Dab in the Middle is "creepy," so I wrote creepy poem for all my writer-friends. Click here to read "Creepy Poem" by Irene Latham. Or... you can just listen. :)