The walk to raise money for the ALS Association that took place today in Monterey was a great success. $36,000 in donations had been counted before checks were turned in today. Thank you so much for your donations, good wishes, and/or positive thoughts. With your support I raised $345, surpassing my goal of $240. It … More ALS walk in Monterey today

I’ve blogged about the Santa Cruz Peace Chorale before of course. During this month of September enrollment is open for the Peace Chorale for our upcoming season, and we are short on members. If you enjoy singing, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve ever sung in a choir before, and if you want to do something … More Peace Chorale

Okay, here is one of my pet peeves: people who walk their dogs on the beach and pick up the poop, then leave it sitting there in a plastic bag. I don’t know if they plan to come back for it, or they think they’ve done their part by containing it. But I hate to … More Dealing with dog poop

My most important tip, and what I keep reminding myself, is to write and write and write. It’s so easy to be distracted. I can think of twenty other things I have to do first, including sending out query letters, researching obscure points for the manuscript, and revising for the hundredth time. All important, maybe, … More Writing tips

I’m feeling rejected. In fact, I’ve been rejected, again and again. So I thought I’d write about it. I’ve been submitting queries for Wandering Time to literary agents (a few times a week) and either getting no response, a form rejection letter, or, most rewarding, a personal, even encouraging rejection letter such as the one … More Rejection

I plan to participate in a fund raising walk for the ALS Association on September 19th. My cousin Michael Fitzgerald, in his early fifties, has been coping with this progressive disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, for over five years. I’ll be joining his team, Fitzy’s Family and Friends. You can learn more on … More ALS walk

I’ve finished another revision of Wandering Time. It’s been a long process of learning and growing as a writer and I think it improves with each revision. So, I’ve started sending out agent queries again. A good way to connect with agents is to attend a writing conference and there’s a one day SCBWI regional … More Querying

Peace Chorale update: Anyone interested in joining the Santa Cruz Peace Chorale, September rehearsals are open enrollment. We especially need sopranos, but everyone is welcome. No auditions required. Everyone can sing with some dedication and commitment, and the quality of performances is amazing! Come to a rehearsal. They are open every Thursday evening in September … More News and events

For anyone interested in joining the Santa Cruz Peace Chorale this coming year, the annual member retreat will be held this Saturday, August 21st, 12:30 to 6:00 p.m. Aileen Vance, our director, writes: Who:prospective members, former members, friends of SCPC, & current members are all welcome to come join us for an afternoon of great … More Peace Chorale Retreat

On July 31st I wrote about the possibility of Vision Recycling losing the contract to recycle Santa Cruz County green waste into garden mulches. I’ve just received the following by email from Vision: This past Friday the 13th John Preisly the head of Public Works in Santa Cruz called Tom Del Conte to re-negotiate Vision’s … More Vision Recycling Update