"Final" Revisions and A Quick Trip to Quebec

The "final" draft has been submitted and I'm now working on revising the author bio and other fun stuff.  It's all been a great learning experience so far, but the real work will start after Can You See Me Now? is release in May 2014. 

In the meantime, I'm back to revising my other work and squeezing in as much reading time as possible between all the other household tasks. 

Gene and I did manage to get away for a week to meet our German friends in Quebec City and then on to Montreal where we saw a tennis match (Raonic v. Youzny).  Unfortunately, we missed the second match (Del Potro v. Dodig) as it was postponed until the next day due to rain.

We saw a wonderful Chihuly exhibit at the local art museum and another amazing one at the botanical gardens (see attached photos).  Although not the most intricate one, the one of the dog at the train station was my favorite because of the story behind it (A faithful dog who waits at the train station for his master to come home from work.  Unfortunately, the master has died but the town's residents are so moved by the dog's devotion that they erect a memorial to him in some little town in Japan.)

Well, back to work.  Until next time, happy reading and writing.

Creating a Website

I'm working on my new website, learning as I go.  Every step is so exciting and the anticipation of seeing my book in print keeps building.

Also preparing for the second SCBWI-OR great critique coming up on Saturday.  Then back to work on revisions and more revisions. 

Now I need to figure out how to link my blog to my site.  More later.

Freedom Celebration

Two Fourth of July picnics in one day.  That's a lot of celebrating, but it was fun.  I'm so glad to live in this beautiful country where we enjoy such freedom, thanks to the many who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make it possible.  It's easy to take this for granted until we see and hear about what's going in other parts of the world.  I hope your poor pets survived the noise.  They've probably forgotten all about it and are making up for a sleepless night.

I continue to prepare for the upcoming publication of Can You See Me Now?  It's been a learning and very exciting experience: Photos, bios, jacket covers, etc.  May 2014 will be here before we know it and then the real work begins.

Thanks and congratulations to our new SCBWI-OR team who are working so hard to help all our members by arranging schmoozes that allow us to meet and get to know one another better while providing us a time and place for idea sharing.  I also find the critique events very useful  tools in polishing and refining our manuscripts and am looking forward to our next critique on July 20th at Tabor Space.

Happy reading, writing, and/or revising! 

SCBWI-OR Conference

I got back from my latest Texas trip just in time to attend the local writers' conference.  It was a packed house with many regulars plus new writers and illustrators who were attending for the first time. 

What a great opportunity to network and hear the latest happenings from agents, editors, and writers.  It's great to hear what they like to read and why.  I came away with a list of new titles of books that intrigued me.  To start off (because I'm currently working on my own historical fiction novel), I'll be reading I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and Dark Triumph by Robin LeFevers.  I'm also reading The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle because its theme sounds similar to my own Can You See Me Now?  They should keep me busy for the next few weeks (when I'm not writing/revising my own work).

This year's keynote address by Karen Cushman really resonated with me not only because I am a big fan of hers, but because I could relate to her own writing experience.  It was good to hear that I'm not the only one who doesn't always follow the rule of writing for a certain length of time every day even if it's just completing an exercise.  I feel much better about spending my writing time working on my own projects rather than just writing for the sake of writing.  I also believe that reading as much as possible helps improve my own writing and that I shouldn't limit myself to writing only what I know but opening up my horizons by exploring new areas that challenge me to think, see, and write from a different perspective.

Great job Judi Gardiner and Sue Ford.

Hallelujah! Yippy Yay!

First, I apologize for my absence, but I've been a very busy girl these past few months.  I've been busy doing some of the things I love most:  reading, writing, and pursuing two of my consuming passions (education and animal welfare).

I am also thrilled to announce that my first novel, Can You See Me Now? (working title) is being published by the University of Houston's Arte Público Press.  It will be available in May 2014. I will now be more diligent in keeping my blog updated with new details as they develop.

In the meantime, I'll be working on my other works in progress as once the book is out, marketing it will take up a chunk of my time.  So, back to work for now.

Happy reading to all and happy writing to my fellow writers.

Happy 2013!

Time. Where does it go? So quickly. 

New Year. New challenges. New opportunities. 

More reading.  More writing. More travel.

Happy 2013!

Back to work.

Ah, yes!  Wordstock 2012 - my third visit to the event, my second as a volunteer.

As with travel, I find great literary events like Wordstock wonderful motivators.  It's like being a kid set loose in a magical toy store/candy shop.  At first it's a little overwhelming--which workshop, which presentation, which speakers panel should I attend?  As a writer of children's stories, I seem to eventually gravitate to the children's stage.

It's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all, to want to read every single book by every single author represented there.  So, newly-inspired, I go home and read as many of them as I can while still leaving time to write.  Read/Write, read/write until the next conference, the next workshop, the next reading by a favorite author, the next literary event for which Portland is so well known.

Of course, for the wonderful people behind the scenes, it's back to work on planning and preparing for the next Wordstock.  Thanks to all those who make it possible for writers and readers from all over to gather in Portland for such a beautiful event.

Memories and images of my last trip are still swirling around in my head.  Here are a few more photos.

As I've said before, nothing stimulates creativity like traveling to new destinations.  Having just returned from my latest adventure, my mind is still buzzing with ideas and mental images of this magical place called Turkey - a country so rich in history and filled with exciting sights and sounds.  New discoveries awaited us each  day in every region we visited - from the fast-pace and abundant sights in Istanbul to colorful other worldly formations in Cappadocia where it was easy to picture myself standing on some foreign planet and expecting to see toves or other fantastical creatures popping out of the many caves.  Then there was the peaceful beauty of the Mediterranean where, for the first time in my life, I regretted that I don't swim.  I'll keep re-living the trip and remembering the people, the food, the whole experience which was one that will never be forgotten.

Among the highlights of the trip was seeing the amazingly well-preserved ruins in Ephesus.  Of course the trip would not have been complete without a visit to a local Turkish bath where I was scrubbed and rinsed and massaged and pampered like never before. I can still see the minarets and almost hear the call to prayer which woke us up around 5:30 every morning.

I miss it already and can hardly wait to explore more of this wonderful world we're so fortunate to inhabit.  Until then, it's back to writing about it in an effort to preserve as much of it as possible.  Of course, there are also the photographs that will help remind me again and again that there is so much more to explore.

These days, when I'm not keeping my nose to the writing grindstone, I keep it between the pages of some children's book or another.  Every once in a while, I surface for a breath and to catch up on the latest in the writing world.
 
It was sad to hear of the passing of the great Maurice Sendak - a talent that so many of us aspiring writers can learn and take inspiration from.

On a happier note, it's conference time again:  SCBWI-OR this coming weekend, SCBWI in LA August 3/6, and the Willamette Writers Conference (unfortunately on the same weekend in August). 

So now, it's back to work for the time being - So many books to read and stories to write.

Reading, Writing, Revising,Reading,Writing, Revising, Reading...

I'm still working my way through that 100 Best Children's Books list although I'm finding some much better than others.  Of course, between books, I'm trying to create my own magic.  I find inspiration in programs such as American Masters which just featured a great segment on Margaret Mitchell.  It's a testament to her genius that Gone With The Wind was such a best seller in the middle of the Great Depression.  Last night the program was on Harper Lee, another favorite. 

In the meantime, it's back to reading, writing, revising...

Remember to Spring Forward into Daylight Savings Time

I've decided to make my way through the USA Today's list of Greatest Books for Kids.  Out of the 100 titles, I realized I'd only read 20 and seen a movie or two based on others.  Unfortunately (or not), everyone else is trying to read them too, so I've had to place holds on most of them.  Since many of them are picture books, I should be able to get through most of the list before too long.

I've also re-discovered Charles Dickens.  I just finished reading Great Expectations and am ready to start another, not sure yet which one. 

In the meantime, I'm still writing and revising, mostly revising. 

I'll be meeting my old critique group members for a mini reunion/brunch in a couple of hours.  It'll be good to hear what everyone's been up to - it's been a while since we've seen one another. 

Happy reading and writing to all! 

Revisions, Revisions, and More Revisions

Okay, I haven't been as diligent in my blogging as I'd hoped to be this year.  But I have been working - reading, writing, and lots of revising.

I'm attempting to spot and delete the filler that somehow finds itself into my manuscripts.   Then there are those pesky "thats" - most of them unnecessary.

Interestingly, some highly-acclaimed titles I've read recently contain their share of the "don'ts" that we're always cautioned to avoid. But what's wrong with, "I told you that you shouldn't to do that," he said furiously.  Ha-ha!

Have fun reading, writing, and learning.  Try to keep up with the times - if you can.

BTW, Happy Valentine's Day (in case I miss it since time is flying by while I'm busy chasing after this and thats).

Happy 2012!

Another year has snuck up on us.   I plan to continue reading and writing as much as possible in 2012.  Right now, I'm two thirds of the way through The Writer's Portable Mentor by Priscilla Long.  I highly recommend it to you as Susan Hill-Long recommended it to me.  Thanks, Susan.  I am also reading some of the books mentioned in Portable Mentor and enjoying and learning from them as well. 

In 2012 I pledge to be more diligent in publishing new posts on my blog site.  For now I just want to say Happy Reading, Happy Writing, and Best Wishes for a Safe and Healthy 2012!

Critique Group

After our critique group numbers dwindled to three, we began sending out feelers for new members.  Roz and I attended an event at one of the WW Writers' House events and, thanks mainly to Roz's efforts, we have doubled our number once more.  Welcome Susan, Cate, and Louise.  We are now preparing for a combination meeting/holiday celebration, YUM!  I love hearing about what others are working on and listening to them read from their work.  Thanks for hosting, Kim.


I'm also starting to see more of the benefits of being involved in the writing community's events.  After attending Cynthia's pitching class where I practice pitched Born to Sing, I was approached by two other attendees at the WW conference who expressed their support for my writing. They said they really enjoyed my pitch and wanted to read the book.  Hopefully, that will be possible in the very near future.

A few weeks later, I was on my way to see Hugo at the Living Room Theater downtown when I encountered a couple walking there to see the same movie.  The woman said, "You look very familiar but I can't remember where I've seen you before."  I mentioned that I'd recently volunteered at Wordstock, but she said she hadn't made it to Wordstock this year.  I mentioned that I'd recently attended the NW Veg Compassionate Thanksgiving Feast and she said, "No, I wasn't there."  Then, she asked if I attended WW events and Bingo!  I have a feeling she may have been in the same pitching class.  It was a large class and hard to remember all who were there but eventually our paths are bound to cross again.

Speaking of Wordstock, I'm looking forward to their upcoming volunteer party and definitely to next year's event.

In the meantime, I'm headed for the Oregon Coast and looking forward to finding even more inspiration for my writing.

Happy Holidays and Happy Writing.  May 2012 bring us all "glad tidings".

Estela

Expanding Horizons

My latest writing-related adventure was at Wordstock this past weekend.  I started out  by volunteering on the first day of this wonderful event.  Then, I spent most of one day sitting in on readings and author conversations.  Since I write for children, I spent most of that time at the Knowledge Universe Stage listening to presentations by children's book authors and illustrators.  Another big portion of my time I spent listening to fellow-Hispanic authors read from their work.  The rest of the time I walked around the exhibit, talking to vendors, buying books and cards and even a T-Shirt.  I came away from the event truly inspired after having connected with individuals who were there representing the many resouces available in the community.  I look forward to attending future events organized by these various organizations and can hardly wait for next year's Wordstock.

After attending literary events: talks, readings, conferences, workshops, bookfairs, etc. I come back to my desk with renewed energy, new ideas, and a determination to write, write, write (and, of course, take time to read).

Willamette Writers Conference Experience

This past weekend was a great experience at the conference where I saw some familiar faces and lots of new ones.  I got to pitch for the very first time - one group and two one-on-ones.  Now I'm busy preparing my queries and a synopsis for each of my novels as each agent/editor requested the first 50 pages.  Writing will keep me busy for a long while.  Will keep you posted. 

Writing Tips from the SCBWI OR Summer Picnic

I recently attended the SCBWI-OR Summer Picnic.  The guest speaker this year was Dale Basye author of Heck, Where the Bad Kids Go.  His presentation was very informative and entertaining.

As usual, attendees were encouraged to share helpful tips and I would like to pass some of these on:

Alexa.com to check traffic on websites & blogs
EditCentral.com for checking text/reading level
Writing for Children Course through PCC. Teacher:  Marianne Monson  
Writing Picture Books" by Ann Whitford Paul.
The book, "It's a Bunny Eat Bunny World."  (author name not given but I believe it's Olga Litowinsky)

It's going to be a busy summer, but I'm trying to set time aside for writing as I've got three projects going at once.  I am currently preparing to attend the pitching class offered by Cynthia Whitcomb and hope to pitch two of these novels at the upcoming Willamette Writers Conference. Hope to see you there.

Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Travel is a great way to expand one's horizons. My last trip reminded me of this.  I just returned from Costa Rica where exotic sights, sounds, and flavors filled my senses everywhere I turned.  This country, in particular, offers the kind of experience that feeds the imagination and get one's creative juices flowing.  It was great to get away from the cold and rain for a while.  What a great experience!  Here are some images from CR. I'll post more once I figure out how to re-size them.

Now, back to my writing.

New Role - Restaurant Critic

Those of you who know me know that I love to eat, so trying new restaurants is a hobby.  Last night we had dinner at the new Lebanese restaurant, TarBoush, in that gorgeous Victorian on SE 32nd and Hawthorne and I have to give it very high marks.  The food is delicious, the portions very generous, the prices reasonable and, in my book, it earns extra points for using recyclable containers for carry out.  Try it.  You'll like it.