Chillaxing

Today, I’m chillaxing (see Def. #1). I deserve it, I think you’ll agree. I finished the 3rd major revision of my novel yesterday. Wahoo!

Don’t worry, plot will be back on Monday.

My plan for today is to Chillax

So, here are the chillaxy things I plan to do today:

• Behind the scenes Blog Tweaks. Finish tweaking the newly installed Events plugin, which nicely produces an Events Page, listing my speaking engagements. This year, I’ll go to Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, Upstate New York and Alabama. If you’re anywhere close, come! And be sure to introduce yourself!




• Read YOUR blogs-here are some gems I’ve recently bookmarked.
  • Alan Gratz on Reading Aloud to Adolescents. Dirty dog – he’s going to Japan for six weeks, and didn’t invite along his friends. I think I’ll research Samurais for MY next novel.
  • Roz, at Dirty White Candy, is having a dandy time trying to Avoid Exposition and making a mess with divinity.
  • Actually, I’m SO glad that Roz is NOT giving me an honest critique of my newly revised, totally wonderful novel. I don’t like honest critiques.
  • I love Laura Salas’ weekly poetry prompts. Only 15 words, or less, allowed. It really teaches you the value of each word.
  • Sara’s welcome to the new Ambassador of Children’s Literature, Katherine Paterson echoes my own heartfelt wonder at this woman’s work.
  • So, many more great posts – who can list them all? But be assured, I’m reading your posts today!
• Read my daughter’s new blog, Sticks, Rocks and Dirt. She’s a vegan. People often ask her–seriously unable to fathom this dietary lifestyle, “What do you eat?” Her standard answer is “Sticks, rocks and dirt.” Hence, the blog. She’s living now in Denver and loves the whole “eat locally” philosophy.
• Brainstorm. Work on my new Friday Ideas word: clumsy.
• Talk and listen, listen and talk. Meet a friend for coffee.
• Clean my office? Nah, I’ll do that next week.

Shameless Commerce Division – More Blog Tweaks

As the Car Talk guys always say, this is the Shameless Commerce Division. I now have several eBooks available. I’ll be tweaking the lousy thumbnail images, which I never seem to get right:

• Winter Writing with Kids – 5 Lessons. Based on Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer and other winter characters. Price: Free download.
• 
  I Wrote a Book – Now What? Based on a presentation at the 2009 Arkansas Library Association conferece, this ebook gives resources and advice to new writers. Price: Free download.
• 
  How To Write a Children’s Picture Book. Based on a picturebook retreat, this has 36 self-paced lessons to help you write, polish and sell your picture book. Price: $10. Download immediately.
• After the First Draft. 30 one-minute tips to get you through a fast second draft of your novel. Perfect for those who did NaNoWriMo. Price: $5. Download immediately.
• The Wayfinder. Middle grade novel, now available through Kindle or Mobipocket. Price: $6.99 Now on sale for $1.99