Midwife, nurse, grandmother, writer of novels for middle grade children: "Toto's Tale and True Chronicle of Oz", "The Weaver's Daughter", an immigration story, and "The Double Crossing", historical fiction.
I just returned from the Big Sur Writing Workshop, sponsored by the Henry Miller Library and Andrea Brown Literary Agency. I went several years ago – the first children’s writing conference I’d attended, before I even knew about SCBWI, our trade organization. This conference was well worth my time and money. … More Big Sur Writing Workshop
I apologize for neglecting the blog for so long. But, I want everyone to know the Peace Chorale is going to put on a lovely candle lit winter concert/benefit for the Food Bank. Come if you can. Dec.18.flyer-1
Here’s a picture of the group of us at the end of our Sierra Club multi sport adventure outing on Kauai. We are ten participants, two Sierra Club leaders, and two Na Pali Kayak guides, just after we completed the seventeen mile Na Pali coast kayak. Tristan is lying in front, looking very pleased with himself. … More End of Na Pali kayaking
Kauai My sixteen year old grandson, Tristan, and I arrived on Kauai, Hawaii, for a Sierra Club Outing, a Multi Sport Adventure on July 21st. Our group of ten was met by the outings leader, Diana, and cook, Wayne. They drove us in two vans to Hanalei Bay where we camped at the Waipa Foundation campground. … More Hawaii adventure, kayaking, volcanoes
I continue working on my book, Shell; Crossing the Border, a story of a Maya girl from the Yucatan in Mexico who illegally crosses the border into the U.S. to join her father. Sometimes I question my ability to write about a child from another culture. But reading this article http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/opinion/sunday/the-apartheid-of-childrens-literature.html?_r=0 which laments the lack … More Children of color in children’s books
Check out this video of intelligent bird behavior. Crows (and ravens) are really smart. http://www.flixxy.com/this-crow-is-the-smartest-bird-you-have-ever-seen.htm
I hoped to post several more times about Costa Rica, but I’ve been absorbed in revising my book, Shell, Crossing the Border, at the suggestion of an agent who is interested. I’m very excited about this. I did want to post a few more pictures because it was such a beautiful trip. For one thing, … More More about Costa Rica
Everyone we met in Costa Rica, from our guide and trip organizer, Nacho, to people we stayed with, to casual encounters, was friendly and welcoming. This is our group on the first day at a crafts store, after a red eye flight and no sleep. From left to right: Alice, my grand daughter Kendra, Rosemary, … More People we met in Costa Rica
The Santa Cruz Natural History Museum sponsored a trip to Costa Rica over the New Year’s holiday. Scholastic Expeditions put together and led the trip, a first for them with adult travelers. Sadly, only four of us went. Besides me there were my thirteen year old grand daughter Kendra (who took the beautiful photo … More Costa Rica Museum Trip
If any of you reading this are writers for children, one of the best things you can do for your writing career is join SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and attend conferences. The one day conferences around the San Francisco Bay area are affordable and give writers (and illustrators) an opportunity to have … More SCBWI Oakland
Sylvia Patience, Author 