I just went to look for a past event photo on my blog and realized that I haven’t posted in weeks so thought I’d send out a quick update. I have been busy revising my January 2015 novel with Bloomsbury, a magical middle grade story about a girl who finds a magic pencil, and that’s been great fun – but also a terrific challenge. Magic can be tricky sometimes, with all its rules and twists. I’m sure you’ll hear from me more frequently again once it’s all worked out.
I’ve been watching Lake Champlain freeze – and thaw – and freeze again, which has led to some spectacularly chilly views.
If you’d rather be looking at pictures of warmer weather, there’s a new book in the world that you won’t want to miss.
I’ve been enjoying the text for HANDLE WITH CARE: AN UNUSUAL BUTTERFLY JOURNEY & ogling its gorgeous photos for a while because author Loree Griffin Burns is one of my critique partners. But friendship aside, it’s a stunning book. Teacher-friends…if life cycles are part of your curriculum, this is the most unique, gorgeous take on the topic you’ll ever see.
What else have I been up to? Reading and watching movies and playing card games and laughing with family over the kids’ school vacation. I’ve also been catching up on the email and regular mail that piles up when I’m locked in my writing room revising, so if I owe you a note, it’ll be on the way soon. I’m happy to say that all of my reader mail is currently answered – a bigger feat than usual because an enormous pile of mail from my post office box got misplaced last year, leaving me with a newly-found pile the size of Mount Everest on my desk for most of the fall season. Accept my apologies, please, if you were one of the people who waited far too long for a reply.
Letters from kids always contain some gems, and this batch included some great student artwork. Sometimes, when kids write to me, they illustrate scenes from my book or even draw their own author photos, and those letters are always fun to open. This author drawing in a recent letter might be my all-time favorite, though.
Actually, if you look closely, you might see that I am, in fact, a unicorn. I am feeling very special indeed.
It’s a My Little Pony. You’re cutie mark is a book. I know this because my 9yo daughter is obsessed with MLP – she drew her dad as a MLP for his birthday. His cutie mark is a laptop (he’s a web developer).
I don’t always comment, but do love the pictures of your lake-awesome with the lines of ice! And sweet to see as a unicorn-must be great to read those letters! Hope you’re warm and cozy!