hey, where did january go?

seriously, this year is moving too fast!

i spent part of january teaching at vermont college of fine arts. this was my second winter residency and, again, the campus looked absolutely beautiful covered in all that snow... and ice! these residencies are so inspiring; they're just what a writer needs to recharge the creative battery (so to speak!)

after the residency, i had a short trip and some school visits, and now it's february 1st and it's time for me to turn my attention back to my middle-grade-novel-in-progress. because time is flying and my deadline is fast approaching!

which reminds me of my favorite quote from douglas adams:

"i love deadlines. i like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."

:-)

2012

happy new year!!!

making the commitment

my most recent post on the vermont college of fine arts' faculty blog, write at your own risk, is all about making a commitment to writing, if that's what you want to do. it's about claiming the time in your life every single day to do what you know is important.

i compare it to meditation, something i take very seriously. for me, meditation and writing go hand in hand. and the discipline i need for one is what i need for the other.

check out the blog post here!

a quote for monday 11.7.11

"i'm glad i want everything in the world — good and bad — bitter and sweet — i want it all."

— georgia o'keefe

a morning ritual

today, over at my other blog write at your own risk, i discuss my feelings for morning pages. these are three pages you're supposed to write every morning in order to boost creativity. so check out my post — and subscribe to the blog while you're there! :-)

write at your own risk

earlier this month, my colleagues at vermont college of fine arts started a new blog called write at your own risk.  i'm very excited about this blog because the faculty at vcfa is fantastic!  we always have a lot to say about the world of children's books, writing, and just about everything else!  :-) 

so please check out our new blog (www.writeatyourownrisk.com), and leave us a comment when you can!  

i posted my first entry last week.  it's called creative procrastination.  To read it, click here.

a quote for monday 8.1.11

"worry often gives a small thing a big shadow."

—swedish proverb

a quote for monday 7.25.11

"goals are dreams with deadlines."

— diana scharf hunt

a quote for monday 6.27.11

"the cure for boredom is curiosity.  there is no cure for curiosity."

— ellen parr

it gets better

i'm so happy and honored to be part of this video project for the it gets better campaign.  our video, which features authors and illustrators, was organized by author phil bildner!  i'm so glad he thought to do this because it's such an important message for kids and teens!  

:-)