Read on as I ramble or babble (depending on my mood!) about my writing progress and interesting stuff going on in my life.

 May 2007

 Book Birthday! Okay, there weren't any parades or fireworks but on May 10 my book The Impossible Patriotism Project officially was "born." It's now in bookstores and it's gotten 2 good reviews so far. And I've lined up some readings and book signings... more on them when it's closer. So what did I do to celebrate this special occasion? My husband took me out for lunch and friends took me out for dinner! Ah, yes, there was much gobbling of food!

 In a few weeks will be the picture book weekend retreat! I'm really looking forward to that. 3 days spent with writers all working on pb manuscripts -- my idea of a great time.

Writing wise I am working on a chapter book for 2-3 graders. It's a new genre for me but I've been reading a lot of them and decided to give it a try. In theory, it shouldn't take as long to write as a middle grade novel but you never know until you get going on it. I'm also playing around with anothr picture book idea. And my editor has a pb ms of mine -- hopefully she'll get back to me soon.

 Our cabin is open and ready for the summer. It's my favorite place to write -- no distractions! Maybe I'll head up there this Friday with a spiral notebook and pen...

 March 2007

 Good friend and fellow writer Jill Esbaum and I are hosting an intensive weekend workshop focusing on picture book manuscripts. So many writers need that little extra boost and hands-on help to get their manuscripts up to par for a picky editor -- and we plan on giving them that extra boost and attention. For more information click on the Whispering Woods Picture Book Workshop on this website. And come join us -- it will be a fun and productive weekend in a beautiful and relaxing setting!

You can read updates on my endless quest to solve the mysteries of the Universe and find the perfect crunchy, salty snack on my blog: http://l-skeers.livejournal.com/.

Good news!  The Impossible Patriotism Project will be out May 10! Not too far away... I've been asked to be a part of the Freedom Festival held here in Cedar Rapids and I'll be somewhere reading IPP. They details are still being worked out but I'm already looking forward to it. The FF also has a great BBQ Round-Up and I'm looking forward to that as well. 

My next picture book, Tutus Aren't My Style will be illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Her fun and comical illustrations will be a perfect fit for Emma, my unconventional and reluctant ballerina.

I did a presentation to the Young Author's Club I help sponser at an elementary school about the revisions I did for IPP. They are now revising their own stories and were shocked by the amount of changes I made to my story before it was ready to be published. Then I read it to them and a good time was had by all!

I'm still revising my middle grade novel and think I may have found my "voice" for that project again. Hopefully it will continue to go smoothly -- and quickly. Because I have another novel waiting in the wings...

My editor has a picture book manuscript of mine and I'll post news about that when and if something exciting happens! 



July 2006

 I am totally drawn into my new mg novel -- which is a great thing but it makes me seem rather scatter-brained at times. Not that anyone would notice the difference from my "normal" behavior. I tend to see scenes in my mind when I'm doing mundane chores like cooking, cleaning and folding laundry. And I often hear my characters talking to each other... A non-writer friend of mine will often stop in mid-conversation, stare at me and ask "Are you hearing those voices right now?" I always thought everybody had "characters" in their head but I guess not.

I do want to go to Effigy Mounds to do some research for this wip. I used to hike the trail every summer when I was a kid and it's one of my favorite places so this "research trip" is more of a vacation day for me.

I'm also working on the revisions for Tippy-Toes Aren't My Style. As soon as I have an illustrator, I'll post it!

And I continue to work on an author's packet and a school visit presentation. Hey, my pub date for The Impossible Patriotism Project is now officially LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY! June 2007...

In other news, I saw Pirates of the Caribbean:  Dead Man's Chest on Friday and LOVED it! I admit it. I am in love with Captain Jack Sparrow. Sigh. A pirate's life for me -- arrrrrgh! I've been known to search Ebay for a pirate's hat. Not sure where I would wear one though. Might look a tad silly at the grocery store or dentist...

 October 2007

My how time flies when you are having fun! Promoting The Impossible Patriotism Project AND working on other projects AND teaching the Young Authors Club AND teaching ICL has kept me busy! Happy, but busy. 

 The working title for my early mg novel is BRADY AND THE BARE FACTS. I'm excited about this story and having fun writing it! Third grade humor is my comfort zone. And how many people can say their
"job" is to make themselves laugh when they work? Yeah, my sense of humor is the same as a third grader's but I'm not looking into that issue too deeply, if you know what I mean.

I now have a Teacher's Guide to go with IPP and from the response I got last night after a presentation for teachers it will be handy for them to use in the classroom. 

Next weekend will be EXCITING! I'll be meeting my incredible editor Liz at an SCBWI-IOWA conference. We're even doing a presentation together about the author-editor relationship. I love spending the whole weekend with other writers, editors and illustrators because we all have so much in common. Did I mention that Jane Yolen is also a speaker? Wow. In November it's time to get back to writing every day -- and that should be easier because I don't have many events planned until spring. I'm looking forward to diving back into the novel...