Lucy Dog: Whines at door.
Me to Teen #2: It’s your turn to walk the dog.
Teen #2: I’m doing my homework.
Me: You need to help our house community.
Teen #2: But you’re not doing anything.
Me: Take the dog out.
Lucy Dog: Whines
Teen #2: Fine. But if I die of cold, night air, make sure there’s popcorn at my funeral.
I’m at the end of my second month of living in a new space on my own. It’s been quite a downsize. I lost a large office/studio in the process. Still I love it in my new place and have found a little nook to call my own– a cupboard under the stairs. It seems appropriate since I write for children and young adults that my work setting is the same as Harry Potter’s infamous bedroom. I dare say that my space is a lot nicer though. All cobwebs have been cleared and a slow spider or two was invited to take up residence elsewhere. It is quite noisy when my teen boys (man-child 1 and man-child 2) tromp down the stairs but the side walls are a little like blinders so that may help my work production. Speaking of which, I’m trying to finish my revision and deliver to my awesome agent by Monday. They say U.P.O.D. (under promise over deliver). I just hope to be able to deliver on time.
Here are some images of my new space! (And Lucy)
If you are a regular Creative Chaos reader, you know that I write for children and young adults. I also offer Creative Services for other authors and illustrators including Creative Curriculum (reader and teacher guide development), and Creative Freelance (editing and writing services). Today, Lucy and I have news about more chaos coming to Creative Chaos – Creative Bookings.
Creative Bookings is boutique booking agency that I own and operate. I arrange school, library, conference, and event bookings for select children’s authors and illustrators. My award-winning clients offer a variety of presentations appropriate for students, librarians, educators, parents, writers, and illustrators. Together they present a diverse mix of writing and illustrating styles, genres, and specialties to meet the needs of a wide audience. They include: Anne Sibley O’Brien, Brenda Reeves Sturgis, Cathryn Falwell, David Elliott, Hazel Mitchell, and Melanie Crowder.
If you are a teacher, librarian, SCBWI RA, or other kidlit conference/event planner, I hope that you’ll keep me and my clients in mind. My clients are wonderful, and Lucy says that I’m tasty friendly, organized, and flexible too.
(Out takes from the photo shoot welcoming new clients to Creative Bookings.)
My new venture would not be possible without the help of Kirsten Cappy at Curious City Books, and I thank her. Curious City is a children’s book consulting company building creative marketing projects and outreach for authors, illustrators, and publishers focused on engaging readers with story.
Lucy wants a belly rub in the warm May sunshine. Wouldn’t you?
Surely these photos spark the poet in you. Inspired? Leave your poem in the comments!
Sometimes there is the pressure to have something to say when one starts to write a blog entry. I always start thinking I’ve got nothing. Lists help, so here we go…
1. Kids went back to school today. I got almost all my sketches for Fufu printed out on good Arches paper. Two are already painted. Must keep on, keeping on.
2. Lucy puppy is growing fast. With the kids and hubby gone she was visibly confused and decided to sleep for most of the day. I took her out skiing, went for a walk, and practiced frisbee fetch. She gives it back to me if I keep a few bits of hot dog handy. I’m so happy that she is part of our family.
Is she beautiful or what?
3. My VCFA residency starts on Sunday! This is pack week. That means that this is also laundry week. And go to Target for last minute "I needs", I need twin size flannel sheets, a new set of long johns, an electric water kettle, and a back support chair insert if I can find one. After the New Year’s storm I’m expecting deep snow. I got these slope sliders as a gift to bring with me to the residency.
I’m also trying to catch up with my reading, both pre-lecture and pre-workshop readings. I should have done this during the last two weeks but used the reading time to treat myself to grown-up books The Help and Eat Cake.
4. Cross your fingers for me as I have a job interview on Wednesday as the Media Liaison of a private school. I think I’m a great match for the job, we’ll see how the meeting goes.
5. My kiddo got a Sansa mp3 player which I was assured would take files from itunes. (not purchased but the ones that were originally my cd’s) Turns out that all my music was imported in nonmp3 format so I have to convert them all. Ick. Now I know there is a box to check in preferences to fix this problem for future imports.
1. We are hanging the Maine Illustrators’ Collective Classics Reimagined show on Monday, November 2nd. If you’d like to come and/or attend the opening, here is the information:
2. If you won’t be able to make it and would like to see my piece here it is:
From Aesop’s, The Fox and The Crow.
3. If you are wondering why I’m up early it’s because I have so much work to do on my VCFA packet. I always seem to get to this point. I read for too long then I’m crunched for writing time. (I know, Mona. Six am isn’t early but I’ve been up and working since four.) I needed an extension last time and I’m set on not asking for another one. Feeling a little anxious.
4. I just bought a wide format Epson printer with the money I’m earning from my illustration work for hire. Very exciting but it is an investment.
5. Even though I just dealt with a disappointing rejection on the job scene, I’m applying for yet another one. I guess that is just how it goes, but I start to wonder– between writing rejections and job rejections, how much can I take before I want to curl up and hide from the world? Perhaps it is a little like child birth though. Nature allows us to forget the pain so that we will do it all again. At least at the end of child birth you have the beautiful child. I’m ready to see the fruits of my labor on the job market. And in the children’s book industry for that matter.
6. Lucy the yellow lab puppy is coming home to our house on November 15th. She’ll be 9 weeks old and is as cute as cute can be. I’ll post pics when I get some. I only have them on my phone and don’t have a plan that allows me email them to myself. (ACK!)
Creative Chaos 