Sylvia Patience, Author

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more