LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS

I am interrupting my growing list of posts (including my first ever school visit! and my SCBWI recap! ...both coming soon) to delight momentarily in SF’s and my new favorite film.

Behold LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS - available for instant download on Netflix.

SF discovered this gem a few days ago and insisted that I view it, which I promptly did, and here is what I learned...

...Love is a process. A choice. And not an event.

And secondly, writing and finishing a book or a screenplay takes courage.

I have been so focused on selling my book for the last year that I have lost sight of the fact that I actually wrote one, dangit!! So today I am changing my tune, Babies! SF and I applaud ourselves (and you) for following our dreams, and trying to succeed at something that we are all passionate about.

And lastly, we discovered that the most fascinating stories are simply the ones that we are all living. And for that, we are thankful.

P.S. we may speak with a slight British accent from now on and use the word, “Babies” a lot -- as in, “You should read our blog, Babies,” or “Check out this movie, Babies." ~Because that's the way the adorable girl in the movie talks :-)

Dream Big

"I wanted so badly to study ballet, but it was really all about wearing the tutu."  Elle Macpherson

When I first started writing for children, it was all about the tutu.  Sure, I did the work and wrote the books.  I even had several people read my work and give me great advice and encouragement. The problem was that everyone was SO encouraging and positive about my impending publication and success, I kind of got caught up in the "tutu"--the Newbury Awards, the Oprah interviews, the adoring fans . . . 

When success didn't happen as quickly or surely as I thought it would, I realized that I had some work to do.  I started going to conferences and started seeking out readers who wouldn't simply cheerlead my work as genius--they would point out flaws and weaknesses (an actual critique).  

So, here I am a few years later.  I do still dream of the tutu--who doesn't?  That's the most fun part, and I think we can all agree that Elle Macpherson's dreams of wearing the tutu came true in a big way.   I love the thought of hanging onto that big ole dream out there in the sky while I do the grunt work that I have to do to prop it up someday.  I think this quote sums it up:

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost;  that is where they should be.  Now put the foundations under them."  Henry David Thoreau

So, enjoy your dreams.  And then--get to work.