It's taken me days to recover, but I'm finally here to tell you I had a great time at NYSCBWI last weekend.Got to hang out with agent Jenn and some of her super cool clients, including Ward Jenkins (seen above), Kristen Kittscher and Mara Rockliff -- kindred spirits,...
ALA Midwinter was in Dallas this past weekend (actually, it's still going on -- they'll announce award winners today). With it being so close I couldn't pass up the opportunity to check things out. Fortunately Random House was willing to get me a badge. (Thanks,...
Maggie Stiefvater recently dissected a chapter of THE SCORPIO RACES on her blog, and it was so detailed and helpful that readers clamored for more. Maggie, being a helpful soul, invited other writers to go through the same process with a chapter of their own, and I...
Had a great time with Tara Hudson, Tessa Gratton and Natalie Parker this weekend. Our events at Full Circle Bookstore and Norman Public Library were intimate and lively.Clever Natalie created a banner from a photo she took at Full Circle Bookstore -- yay! We chatted...
Today I'm visiting Creative Writing students at Edmond Memorial High School, at the invitation of my dear friend and crit partner Kelly Bristow. I'm so excited! This past weekend I was in TN for the Southern Festival of Books. Originally I planned to hit the road...
I first posted this 2+ years ago on Livejournal. I'm revisiting the topic today because I'll be visiting a high school next week and would LOVE to have more examples from writers out there. (And for those of you worried about the delicate sensibilities of teens (heh),...
Last week when I was searching Livejournal for a photo I'd posted long ago, I came across an old "WOE IS ME" post. Reading it again nearly three years later, I had to laugh. I was whining pathetically in this post, but I also was spot on with my predictions:All right,...
1. Apologies to those who already saw it on my Facebook or Twitter feed, but I have to share this review of The Revenant at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy*.(*Best. Blog title. EVER.)I try not to post about reviews too often, but this one made me weepy because she...
We leave in 5 days. I'll be so glad to see my kitty and be reunited with all the conveniences of home, but I'm dreading the heat of Oklahoma. And it's been such a great summer that I'm really going to miss this place.We enjoyed many adventures with our friends this...
This past weekend my critique group enjoyed our annual writing retreat by Lake Tenkiller in Tahlequah.One of our activities was to visit the Cherokee Heritage Center, which now features a wonderful temporary exhibit on the Cherokee Female Seminary. Above you see...
I recently discovered an Oklahoma artist named Heather Sleightholm. I think it was on the Brontë Blog that I first saw her Jane Eyre mug. I HAD TO GET THAT MUG.So I did. It was hand-painted just for me. Isn't it gorgeous?Love the quote on the back. :)I also found...
Last Friday, my crit group threw a little shindig to celebrate the upcoming release of The Revenant.[click photos for a larger view]There was a pretty centerpiece featuring a photo of the Cherokee Female Seminary and other shiny things.Revenant cookies!And here's the...
Saw this at sjaejones' blog. I'm certainly guilty of the exploiting the tea break in my procrastinatory lapses.I must have an especially feeble prefrontal cortex.I've only seen one other Charlie McDonnell video, but I totally have a crush on him now. Even though he...
This weekend is the OWFI conference, and the best thing about this is getting to spend time with my writing buddies!Martha, Dee Dee, me, Brandi and Lisa. Just missing Kelly and Shel here -- I do believe we need a new group photo!I owe a lot to these ladies -- I...
This past weekend, basically one day after returning from Paris, I joined my crit buddies on a road trip to Texas for the DFW Writers' Conference.Our "paparazzi" photo -- Brandi, Lisa and me. There's a hero journey photo on Lisa's camera, but I wasn't patient enough...
