Nature Writing: I love nature. I try to surround myself with it in our yard and in my Woodland Garden. I take a lot of photos and do research. Two helpful and interesting places to explore http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/ with Barb-Harmony Art Mom and http://www.wildmanstevebrill,com/

Living in a Little House: Check out my friend Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell's website http://www.livinglargeinourlittlehouse.com

Agents, Editors & Publishers: I search and search. I spend hours looking for an opening to submit. I feel like a farm kid who is searching for her first lost tooth that was dropped in a pile of hay. N0 tooth fairy today. Or a fisherman trying to catch a trophy fish. I have several manuscripts revised and critiqued by published children's authors. The manuscripts are ready to fly, but will they find a safe home? Writers write and keep the faith.

Festival, Books and Limerick: Missouri Literary Festival Oct 2-4 A great place to meet authors and buy books. http://missouriliteraryfestival.org/Check out David Harrison's blog davidharrison.wordpress.com he is promoting several books that will be a great help to writers and teachers. His blog nudged me into creating a limerick. Right or wrong I wrote one.

I once met a squirrel named Ted.
He never slept in a bed.
His eyes were always droopy.
He looked a wee bit sloppy.
His biggest worry was he was underfed.

Speeding down the road of creativity. The sun came out today
to remind me there will be bright days where I create and there
will always be cloudy days to dream.

My fireplace cricket decided to show-up. I wonder if my noisy unwelcome guest in the garage is black or a big fat green one that fishermen love to take fishing with them.

Autumn Love is Hurting my Ears

(C) by Mary Nida Smith

An unknown male cricket is having fun teasing my nerves with his

high pitch sounds. It is hiding in our garage near my studio door.

It is quiet by day and when the light is on at night. But, when the

garage is dark he starts creating his awful ear-piercing sound. Singing,

no, I wouldn't adventure to say that, for the sound is created while

rubbing his legs together. I hope he rubs them raw.

Yes, I know about the lovable Cricket Chester in the children's book,

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden and The Very Quiet

Cricket by Eric Carle, where between one of the pages a cricket sound

appears. I thought it was adorable. But, this cricket I haven't seen. If

I was able to catch him, I would place him outside where I hear the

soft tones of his lover singing.

Oh, the chirping songs of lovers. I made a deal with the garage

spiders.The first one to quiet this cricket's love song or chase it

out into the open I will allow it to live safely in my garage for life.

I do believe they had a short lifespan.

Yes, I know about the old wives-tale that a cricket on the fireplace

hearth brings good luck. I thought it was a cute saying, so I have

a black metal one. No good luck here. The chimney sweep man

reported we need to have a liner put in.

I know all creatures come with the territory when living in the

natural state and having a large woodland garden. I wouldn't

want it any other way for I enjoy taking photos of insects.

I took a photo of my cricket on my fireplace hearth to show you,

but it wouldn't upload. Too big, I guess.

For some beautiful musical sounds click on http://hardfaultmusic.blogspot.com/

Writers Groups, Bookstores, Libraries and POD Press: When I travel if there is a writers group having a meeting I love dropping in; make connections and learn what their members are doing. I dropped in on the Naperville Writers Group (Naperville, Ill). It was interesting.

I checked out the Anderson's Bookshop, a Independent bookstore. It is busy with authors' book signings. I picked up a couple of interesting and helpful books. One of the books I will share in another blog update. When I am in Naperville I try not to miss going to this bookstore. I love it!

I try to go to at least one library in Naperville, buy used books and pick up information on what programs they offer. Purchased about five picture books and a book on porches.

Are E-books the publisher of the future? A lot is being written on this subject. Reports are no more newspapers, magazines or books - everything will be found on the Internet. Scary!

Check out Forrest L. Rawls book, Legacy of the Holy Warrior at http://outshirtpress.com. Another POD or E-publisher I haven't heard about.

Enjoy these rainy days writing and reading.

Writing Children's Books and Magazines: Check out Children's Writer Newsletter of Writing and Publishing Trends. http://www.childrenswriters.com/ Click on Writing Contest - There are several and they must be submitted by October 31th.

This newsletter is great source to keep up with the latest news in children's book publishing and magazines. They provide markets and guidelines and articles. Check it out. Also, don't forget to go to the Children's Book Council for a list of publishers and see who are excepting manuscripts.

You don't know if you don't try. Possibles can be yes, if not, remember that story you sent in may not have been written, if you hadn't tried. Gathering experience is an important part of growth in becoming a professional writer.

Friends of the Library Board of Directors, President JoBelle has asked me to be a board member and I said, "yes." Baxter County Library, Mountain Home is very important to me as a person who loves books and writing. They bring sooo many special programs to meet the needs of everyone. Please, if you live in this area get out and support the best place to visit and gather knowledge in this area of Arkansas.

Vacation and Books: Just returned from traveling for almost three weeks. I attended the World War II USS Submarine National Convention at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Came home with lots of pictures, information and sold books.

After many years I returned to my family roots and where I was born. What a great experience! My friends and relatives have been a great support system when it came to promoting my book and other writings. I have an extra special family.

I purchased and was given a lot of books. Tell you more later. I just wanted everyone checking in to know I am still writing. Several exciting things are happening. I have lots of work to do in the studio the next couple days. Keep in touch.

OWAIC Ozarks Writers and Illustrators for Children http://www.owaic.org/
September meeting is Saturday12th. Program: Turning over a New Leaf, Staying Motivated During Seasons of Change. Other appointments keep me from attending. I hate it, for I can learn sooo much from this group of professional writers. I love Naomi's emails; they inspire me. I wish they would provide a tape of each session. I would buy it.
I do a lot of wishing and dreaming while writing on my blogs. I wish I could bring some or all of OWAIC members to speak at an all day workshop at Bel Arco Resort.
Dreams do come true -believe it, stay focus and stay positive. Write on your computer or the paper of your mind. Never stop writing or drawing.

Writing for Children: I finished my chapter book for ages 7-10. I have a wonderful exciting feeling that children will love it. I am finishing up Bodoom and Scooter and the Wild Tail, a picture book. I sent a follow-up letter to Ladybug magazine and waiting for a reply from a literary agent. I keep writing and hoping that dreaming is worth doing. Maybe, I dream too often and too big. I had more dreams come true than I ever dreamed. So, what do I want? I want to see more of my manuscripts turned into published books to share with kids. I love kids! I love promoting.

College of the Ozarks and Baxter County Library Booksale:

It is an honor to have my book, Submarine Stories of World War II, displayed with other members of The Ozarks Writers League in the Ralph Foster Museum at the College of the Ozarks.

You can find a copy to read at the Baxter County Library, Mountain Home or you can buy a copy by sending $12.95 plus $2.00 postage to Mary Nida Smith, 162 Stamford Dr., Lakeview, AR 72642

Important booksale August 20,21,28 at the Baxter County Library. For hours open check their calendar at http://www.baxtercountylibrary.org/

Springfield Writers' Guild meeting is Saturday, August 22.
Speaker is Ellen Gray Massey, a wonderful person, friend and a writer with many published credits. For more information go http://www.swgsite.org.

Ozarks Writers League meets Saturday, August 15. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. For all the details click on http://www.ozarkswritersleague.org/. Speakers: Cherry Weiner of the Cherry Literary Agency, Jory Sherman, a master of the writing field with over 1.000 articles, 500 short stories and 300 books. Plus, he is an artist. Fred Pfister, editor of The Ozarks Mountaineer magazine and the 5th edition of the Insider's Guide to Branson. The 4th speaker will be Allan Young that has written several books in different genres and many magazine articles. Four speakers with many years of writing and publishing experiences. I am in awe, in the presents of seasoned writers with so much knowledge to share.

White County Creative Writers 14th Annual Writers' Conference Sept 5, 2009. For more information http://www.whitecountycreativewriters.org/

Free photos & clips art site http://www.bing.com/images

Chapter book and The Woodland Garden: I am excited about the chapter book I am rewriting for ages 7-10. It is scary, silly, and funny. I love it when I can escape to the world of make-believe.

For two hours this afternoon I ventured to the wind and rain battered woodland garden. Dead-fall everywhere, beds of poison ivy (I sprayed), leaves covered with mildew, half eaten fungi popping up through the moss, unknown wild animals creating underground tunnels, and feathers of dead Bluebirds and Jays. The birds, squirrels, chipmunks and turtles have not been seen since the large hawk flew through. The owls, hawks and neighbors cats have created a hell hole for my little wild friends. I love cats, hawks and owls, but not in my wildlife sanctuary. I always find interesting things to photograph as I walk through my Woodland Garden.

Donna's Book Pub blog http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com Wednesday August 5, Donna will interview Sue William Silverman author of Fearless Confessions: A Writers Guide to Memoir. Sue will separate truth from fiction.

Also, check Donna's blog for contest and markets.

Workshop photos and new blogs to follow: Check out my photos I took at the Ozark Writers and Illustrators For Children workshop http://www.owaic.org. I have discontinued some of the blogs I have been following. I added two new ones: Nature writers for children's books and Phyllis Harris, illustrator. Changes bring excitement and excitement brings a new spirit to your writing.

Ozark Writers & Illustrators for Children
http://www.owaic.org
Saturday, August 1

The Library Station
2535 N. Kansas Expressway
Springfield, MO
9:00am to 11:00am (critique session to follow from 11:00 to 1:00)