Tomorrow being election day, I’m putting in my plug to remind you all to vote. I think there are some pretty big issues involved. One is Measure 21, here in California, to fund our state parks for only $18 a year added to motor vehicle registration, and California residents will be able to visit the … More Vote!

On Saturday I attended a regional conference of SCBWI (the Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators) in Oakland. I always enjoy the regional conferences which are a great way to connect with other writers in my area, as well as agents and editors. There were some good tips shared, information and inspiration. I especially … More SCBWI conference in Oakland

For those who live in Santa Cruz County, I’m including the following notice of a compost workshop I’ll be co-leading on November 13 at the Live Oak Grange. Funds for these workshops have been severely cut, so this will be one of the few opportunities during the next year (maybe longer) to attend a workshop … More On the compost front

How important is it to know where you’re going with a story when you start out? What about plotting out the story arc or making an outline before you begin to write? I’ve done that with one book that I haven’t started writing yet. But Ann Patchett, whose writing I greatly admire, has a post … More Plot

I’ve started working on another book, a middle grade story which is told from the point of view of a dog. So my “research” includes reading How to Speak Dog by Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology who has written a lot about dogs. An interesting theory he discusses is that our association with dogs … More Evolution of language

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