Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Poets & Friends today is the last day to vote for your favorite March poem at http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com Listed is my poem "Life Is."

Sunday, March 28, 2010








APRIL POETRY MONTH: http://www.poets.org/
April: Ozark Writers & Illustrators for Children http://www.owaic.org/
April 4: Easter Blessings (c)Church Steeple photo by Mary Nida Smith

April 7: Ozarks Regional Arts Council, Mountain Home. AR
April 10: Twin Lakes Writers http://www.twinlakeswriters.org/
April 11-17 : National Library Week http://www.ala.org/
April12: Young People's Poetry Week
April 13: David Pryer Baxter County Library http://www.baxlib.org/








Friday, March 26, 2010

The Woodland Garden - I am so excited that we have been promised
sunshine next week. The garden is flooded again this year. The daffodils
shine bright through rain and flog as they invite me to the woods to see
the Redbuds displaying a touch of red covering all the small branches.
I can't wait to spend a few hours turning the brown leaves, pulling
unwanted grass, and weeds. I want to discover who has taken up homes
in all the holes in the ground and old trees. More fun!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Nancy I Sanders March 24th blog http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/ Nancy shares how important blogs,Facebook, and Twitter is to get an agent and how an editor will find you.
Remember, voting starts today. Go to David L Harrison blog to vote for your favorite March poem on the word "Life".

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

What a ride!Today, as far as I know my busy, busy world is slowing down. I will be stopping the merry-go-round for a few days as I prepare to catch-up, so I can enjoy my granddaughter when she arrives next week. I am tired, but I love the projects I am involved in. Life is filled with good and bad surprises. I am not reaching for the stars. I am trying to enjoy the light that reflects from each one.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Sid Fleischman, Newbery Medal-winning children's writer, dies at 90
Fleischman, known for his humor and nose for history, wrote more than 50 children's books, including 'The Whipping Boy' and 'By the Great Horn Spoon!,' as well as biographies for young readers.
OBITUARY
March 21, 2010By Dennis McLellan
Sid Fleischman was a successful suspense novelist and screenwriter whose credits included the screenplay for his novel "Blood Alley" when he decided to write a book that his young children could read so they would understand just what it was he did at home all day.
"I seem to have written a children's book," Fleischman wrote to his agent in New York. "If you're not interested, just drop it in the waste basket."

Saturday, March 20, 2010

HELPFUL TIPS: Below is a hint of helpful information you will find on Nancy Sanders website:http://nancyisanders.com/

Make Your Own Reference Book. It’s also a great idea to make your own notebook of favorite passages in books, favorite Scriptures or quotes, and even favorite words such as buzz, zany, or zingers. It comes in handy when you’re stuck in the land of writer’s block.

Click on Writer Zone: Helpful Tips for Writers - A list of Basic Tools of the Trade. I discovered Nancy on the Writer magazine enewsletter I receive. She writes an online column: Writing for Children.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Important changes and corrections. Thanks to Kathy Temean of Writing and Illustrating blog http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/ for informing me that no one could comment on my blog other then a Google/Blogger account individual. Hopefully, it is corrected. So, if you have a comment please do. Thank you.

The Blood Red Pencil was incorrect. Correction: http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 18, 2010

OZARKS REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL ORAC Monthly Board Meeting The first Wednesday of the month -April 7th.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy Birthday Pasty. Pasty is my beloved sister and friend. We shared the same dreams. She will always be part of my everyday thoughts.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. The wearing of green or be prepared to get pinched.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Information blog on rewriting - show don't tell. At my blog list is my friend Donna's blog -Donna's Book Pub (DBP) She keeps us writers update on new markets, books, contest and so much more. Today, she mention a blog http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ where this novelist shows before and after he changed from tell to show. This follows the information I placed earlier.
Important Rewrite Information: To publish a book or an article read the two articles below. You'll find them on Kathy's blog - Writing and Illustrating http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/
Show Don't Tell: blog 3-16-2010 and Your Editor Wants a Rewrite: blog 9-30-2009

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Writer Beware
Warnings and cautions for writers about literary frauds, scams, deceptions, and pitfalls.www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/ - Cached - Similar
Thumbs down agency list
Literary agents
Print-on-demand self-publishing ...
Alerts for writers
Electronic publishing
Contests and awards
Case studies
About writer beware
More results from sfwa.org »
THUMBS DOWN AGENCY LIST
Jan 28, 2010 ... Below, in alphabetical order, is a list of
the currently active literary agencies about which Writer
Beware has received the largest number
http://www.sfwa.org/for.../writer-beware/thumbs-down-agency/ - Cached - Similar
Writer Beware Blogs!
Writer Beware, a publishing industry watchdog group sponsored by the
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America with additional support
from the Mystery
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/ - Cached - Similar

Writer's Market book - Check out the last pages to find a list
of all the professional organizations for the different genres and
the different industry organizations for writers. There is a lot of helpful
information if you connect with the sources for the different genres you
may be interested in.

Check Missouri Writers website http://www.missouriwritersguild.org for all the different writers groups at Springfield and other areas of the state.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Twin Lakes Writers will meet Saturday, March 13th at 1 pm.
For more information and location click on their
website http://www.twinlakeswrites.org/ I tried to place them
as one of my followers, but they have no "Feed."
So they show up as Page 1 on my blog list. Check us out!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

HARD FAULT MUSIC: The creator of this beautiful enjoyable music is Wes Bensching. Today, is his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WES. You can enjoy his music at: http://www.apple.com/us/artist/hard-fault/id270193781 - Cached
New Winter Moon by Hard Fault - Download New Winter Moon on iTunes
To preview and buy music from New Winter Moon by Hard Fault, download iTunes now. Already have iTunes? Click I Have iTunes to open it now. ...itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-winter-moon/id348531977 and http://www.myspace.com/hardfaultmusic
Johnny Appleseed Day- celebrate by buying an apple tree and planting it. Make sure you don't have any Red Cedar near by that can cause "Apple Rust." Or just enjoy an apple. Jane Yolen, will be visiting with us tomorrow on David L. Harrison's blog - join us. What a bio Jane has. Check it out. David has been wonderful in sharing his friends and knowledge with us.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Membership Join the Ozark Regional Arts Council that will be meeting at ASU-Mountain Home.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

DAN BURR, DAVID L HARRISON, and SO GOES LIFE:
Before I share last week’s, “So goes life,” I must share this
new illustrator. Dan Burr was brought to my attention through
David’s book, PIRATES. I am so glad that our library ordered
three of his books. I have enjoyed reading and learning from them.
Dan Burr is an outstanding illustrator. He paints large double-page
spreads and single pages that appear as if they were 3-D. I almost
felt as if the pirates would capture me with each page I turned. Here
is Dan’s blog http://dburr.blogspot.com. He is from Tetonia, Idaho.
I lived in Idaho coming and going for several years: Cottonwood, Weiser,
Meridian, Boise and Twin Falls.

Last week was a busy turned upside down week. One of our
ten monkey squirrels lost its balance on its regular road home.
Up, up the dogwood tree to the light post to the tip top to start
its journey across the line to the neighbor’s woods and home.

I was watching, when I heard a loud boom and the little body
dropped to the ground. My heart dropped with it. I wondered
if that was Mrs. M who came to my window for her peanuts. Oh,
I hoped not. We were out of electricity until it was repaired about
one hour
later.

The next day the road crew put our water out of commission.
We had no water for about two days and then the boil order
went into effect for a couple more.

Then of all things I decided to change servers to be able
to have more speed and no more dial-up. I thought I had
checked out everything, that maybe, I knew what I was doing.
Well, I found out I didn’t know much. I feel I have lost many
connections I had acquired since I started blogging in the
fall of 1997. I am still waiting for the speed and an email
connection. Life is so unpredictable. I’ll put this to the side
and worry about the possibly of tornado arriving. Well, I
can’t do anything about that either.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Novella: Steven Withrow is writing a young adult novella in blank verse. Interesting. Check it out at http://featherofmemory.blogspot.com/

Check the website of illustrator Rich Davis http://www.pickanddraw.com

Friday, March 05, 2010

Email: My email address is no longer in service. Tuesday or Wednesday I will update everyone with my new address. I have changed servers. What a mess when you don't know what you are doing. So goes life, just a small bump in the road.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

NOTES: Clearing my desk is difficult for I have so many notes, that my notes have notes. How about you? I have uncovered the unexpected lost notes. The sun will shine today.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Leslie J. Wyatt: Saturday, March 6, Exploring the mysterious and nebulous SDT - Show,
Don't Tell. It is Ozark Writer's & Illustrator's for Children's great pleasure to host Leslie J. Wyatt this coming Saturday.

Leslie is a freelance writer from Clinton, MO. A two-time graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature and a member of SCBWI, she has had more than 100 articles and stories accepted for publication in various children's magazines, writing and parenting magazines. In addition to her historical middle grade novel Poor is Just a Starting Place (Holiday House), she has two more books submitted to publishers. Leslie is the 2010 MO SCBWI Mentor and is available for conference speaking, mentoring and editing, school visits, author events, and writing workshops for children or adults.


Come prepared for a 45-60 minute workshop. Brush up on the why, when and where to show or tell and how to do it effectively. Rich in sensory detail and geared to challenge and inspire, Leslie's presentation includes interactive writing exercises that will give you opportunity to apply what you learn. A Q&A session follows, time permitting.
Coffee and light snacks Will be provided.

Join us at the Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expwy, Springfield, MO.
The general meeting 9:00 to 10:30 with a Critique session to follow.
If you would like to RSVP or if you have questions, please let Naomi Shaw know at providencepark@wildblue.net WEBSITE: http://www.owaic.org/
I had the privilege to meet illustrator Mike Wimmer last night at ASU-MH thanks to Jim & Jill Gaston 's Lecture Series. All you illustrators out there you missed a great opportunity to learn from an artist who has done it all.
Lorri Caldwell Casey at Lorricasey@aol.com or http://www.lorricardwell-casey.com/ Lorrie offers a critique service. Check her out.
Deb Peterson, author of the teen novel - Zodiac-The Lost Twins. http://wwwdaebpeterson.com/

Monday, March 01, 2010



The Woodland Garden: Saturday, I took a walk through my garden to see if Spring had started to sing. What a small note I found reaching for the sun. One bright cheerful crocus. That is all. The daffodils' green leaves are up displaying their frost burned tips.

The ladybugs and small wasps are entering my space where I had the unwelcome sign up. They are welcome to stay in the garden, but not in my Garden Studio. The snow birds are leaving and the robins are taking over. Everyday is filled with small surprise. Enjoy the day!
(c)Photo by Mary Nida Smith