I've often called it the "cruel mountain." It's got a few stiff inclines and it's fairly depressing to have a 3year old lap you....a couple of times. Also, that asphalt is a lot more slippery than it looks. Still, the scenery is lovely and so it makes for a challenging yet beautiful walk ( Read more... )

At least that's what the game tells me. Which makes me feel pretty good even though most of the time I get told that I could do better, or that I need to redeem myself ( Read more... )

Lady Gaga. Just that name evokes strong reactions of joy and admiration or equal amounts of eye-rolling disgust. You'll get more than the first as a response from me concerning this powerful young woman ( Read more... )

It happens often. We have a 400ft drive, fenced on both sides. When we drive up or down it, some critter will get in front of our car....and.....stay.....there. Sigh ( Read more... )

I'm not an artist nor an illustrator, yes-I know those are synonymous, but I like to think I'm artsy. I enjoy doodling around and digitally scrapbooking and I can craft with the best of them. Toss me some pom poms and tongue depressors, I'll make you a tea cozy.

My aMUSEd Inner Critic site is a template created by an artist. The color palette and ( Read more... )

There's this little rubber zebra striped ducky on Facebook named Sandy. He sits on a writer's desk but he's kinda nasty to her, he says she's not a real writer because she does not write. You would think he would know because he sits on that desk and sees all that happens there. Suspiciously, he looks a lot like the duck that sits on MY desk....but ( Read more... )

cynleitichsmith interviews Allen Zadoff and his editor Elizabeth Law. She is also giving away a manucript consult with Egmont Publisher Elizabeth Law, click here for details.I like Allen's approach to writing. He said a lot of things that I agree with like how he responds to editorial notes and how much he respects his readers ( Read more... )

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I talked to Allen Zadoff about writing fears, finding inspiration, pushing through self-imposed blocks, theater influences and reanimating Shakespeare. He inspires me! Allen is the author of the YA book, FOOD GIRLS AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE and MY LIFE THE THEATER AND OTHER TRAGEDIES. Visit Allen @ allenzadoff.com

I love a good picture book. I don't know many people who don't. Perhaps those who were born without a sense of whimsy who also have no genetic material that carries any gene markers that recognize the words 'ha' and 'ha?'

Are you familiar with Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Adam Rex? In order to ( Read more... )

There's been a bit of a deep freeze down here in the deserts of Arizona. I feel sorry for the lizard-sicles and tarantula-pops. janni AKA Janni Lee Simner, author of Bones Of Faerie and other most excellent books is hosting a contest in preparation for the sequel to Bones Of Faerie tiled Faerie Winter. Go here and answer her character's question.This is ( Read more... )