The Week after Kindling Words West Writing Retreat

Now that I've finally gone to Kindling Words West and have experienced a week-long writer's retreat, (last week) I'm all enthused about my writing, again.

But Monday I couldn't write, because I was involved as the representative writer in my granddaughter's middle school career day.  (yes, I almost lost my voice, again)
And Tuesday I couldn't write, because that same 13-year-old had several asthma attacks and I had to take her to the Dr., get medicine, get her to take it, etc., etc., etc.

So today is Wednesday, and I'm realizing that I need to send several pieces of writing to Vermont College of Fine Arts for the writing workshop that happens every day there.  (Luckily, I've already chosen to send two half-done picture books, so they're ready -- I just have to reformat them and remember to send them.)

So,
Writing is on my mind and therefore I have a couple of more writer links for you who read my blog.

Firstly -- Do you outline before you write?  Or does the outline simply develop later? Carol Brendler discusses her own version of Outlining on the blog, Emu's Debuts.  She calls it, The Trouble with Outlines.

Secondly -- How about Trilogies?  Do you like them? (as a reader or a writer) How does a trilogy happen?  Janni Simner talks about her new trilogy and how it came to be on the blog, Through the Tollbooth.

Enjoy.

Vermont College -- Notes

Ah, I've discovered that other Vermont College students are posting about the lectures at the Through the Tollbooth blog. Good job folks. (and, it has pictures!)
-wo

Blog -- Through the Tollbooth

If you have a mad desire to get a daily dose of writing craft information, you couldn't choose a better place than the Through the Tollbooth blog.

It's run by graduates of Vermont College of Fine Arts, Writing for Children and Young Adults and features one aspect of craft during a week, discussing it in five tasty chunks. Or it has interviews of children's book authors. Or it features new children's books. Actually, all of the above.

The Booth Crew includes:

Sarah Aronson

Tami Lewis Brown,

Liz Gallagher,

Gretchen Geser,

N. Griffin,

Teresa Harris,

Helen Hemphill,

Sarah Blake Johnson,

Carrie Jones,

Michelle Knudson

Clete Barrett Smith.

Sarah Sullivan,

Zu Vincent

(and in the interest of disclosure, I know several of these writers.)

-wo

Vermont College of Fine Arts

Well,
here I am at Vermont College of Fine Arts -- have been here a WEEK now. And all my good intentions have flown away.
I intended to post every day, offering tidbits and quotes from the amazing lectures about writing children's books.

What have I really done?
Taken a nap every day just to keep up with everything that's been happening. It's amazing how tired you can get just sitting there, taking notes. And walking from building to building in 10 degree weather (sometimes through a snowstorm) to get to the next lecture, meeting, reading, etc.

Meanwhile, there is a group of students and grads who are blogging about this Residency at Vermont College. Go visit the blog, Through the Tollbooth for your taste of all the wonderfullness here. and keep checking back, because there may be more posts about it in the weeks ahead.

On another note, we were thrilled to watch the ALA awards on Monday as a group, in the presence of one of the award winners. Many of us also took time out of our busy schedule to see the Newbery and Caldecott winners appear on the Today Show Tuesday morning-- a tradition going back for decades.

But they weren't there.

The Today Show has dropped that segment.
For many reasons.
(and what a loss to the book reading public it is.)

Click on through to Eric Kimmel's blog to see his view of this astonishing television decision.
-wendieO

What to do in Summer

Summer - time
And the livin' is eeeeeezzzzz.
Fish are jumpin'
and the cotton is high............

Not at our house.

What's a writer to do when the kids are out of school?

The writers over at "Through the Tollbooth" are discussing the problems of being a writer and having a life during the summer. Go check it out. Five different writers give five different views.
Which one do you agree with?
What's your summertime writing plan?
-wendieO

What will you be for Halloween?

Last night, I was kept up late because I discovered a new (to me) blog -- Beyond the Tollbooth.
It's a group blog and all of their October messages focus on Halloween-type stuff.
Costumes!
How to write suspense and horror novels and the difference between them.
TV and movie scary stuff. Vampires. etc.
Go check it out.
Most of the participants have their own blogs too. Here's one by Tami Brown.

It's the day before Halloween and the 8-year old is almost ready for tomorrow. (Grandmom -- I really need red make-up to go with my costume. I want a red face.)

Why? Because, although she has been a princess and Ariel the mermaid and last year was an angel -- this year she'll be a Devil. Oh-Kay. She certainly is more devilish this year.

For years, I've managed to be busy the night of Halloween and my husband has had to escort her and her friends around the neighborhood. This year Halloween comes on a Friday. Libraries are closed Friday nights and I have no excuse not to go.
(Wish me luck.)
-wendieO