I could travel to Tibet and back in the time since I wrote on this blog. But that's not where I've been. First, there were the holidays and some wonderful family time. And then a deft segue to the Hamline University Low Residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (January 6-17). It's been a wonderful ten … [Read more...] about Creating Characters in a Cold Month
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Winter Solstice
I love winter. I love the quiet of a steady snow. There is something about the cold and the whiteness of winter that makes it easier to focus on essentials--essentials of our days, essentials of stories. We're not distracted by riotous summer with its blooming buzzing confusion of color and busy life happening all … [Read more...] about Winter Solstice
Celebrating in Monticello — Better Than Fireworks
Though we writers are surrounded by our characters, and life in our heads may be busy and even chatter-y, writing is still really a solitary activity. And we don't know, as we are writing, if the stories we are working on will ever be found by readers. That's why getting out into the world and meeting those who've read … [Read more...] about Celebrating in Monticello — Better Than Fireworks
Bringing Tibet to the Classroom, Bringing the Classroom to Tibet
Good news for The Chiru of High Tibet! The National Science Teachers Association - Children's Book Council's Outstanding Science Committee has named the book to the "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12" List for 2011. I hope that teachers who work with students of all ages will want to use this book. I … [Read more...] about Bringing Tibet to the Classroom, Bringing the Classroom to Tibet
Chiru Videos to Share — And Barley Crackers
My trip back to Maine to see family and talk about the chiru book was a highlight of this season. Thanks to my cousin Pat Dickinson who did so much to get ready for the library visit, my sisters Laura and Audrey Briggs who keep me grounded, and other family and friends who helped make those days so special. While in … [Read more...] about Chiru Videos to Share — And Barley Crackers
Going Home
One party for The Chiru of High Tibet wasn't enough for me. So when the Board of the Turner Public Library in my home town invited me to come and share the story of the book, I immediately said yes. The party was last Sunday at the library and what a party it was! The Board members had done a wonderful job of … [Read more...] about Going Home
