While we lived in England, I subscribed to a really excellent enewsletter by Jan Fields called Children's Writers Enews, but was unable to take advantage of the online Forums or Chats because of the time difference. Now that we're back in the States, I have the chance to take advantage of them and really get plugged in again with writers around the country. No person is an island, and I don't want my ideas to get stale or run dry. I need like-minded people to inspire and encourage me.
One of the essential tools for a children's writer is the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, a who's-who directory with so much information packed inside. Mine is out of date. Since Jan offered to put me in a drawing if I mentioned Kid Magazine Writers, another great source of information, I'm shamelessly promoting it here. It's a win-win situation. Go to www.kidmagwriters.com to see what I mean. There's so much to know about the business of writing for kids, not to mention the craft. Being at the right place at the right time with a well-researched plan for a good manuscript makes all the difference. Otherwise, you never get noticed.
Friday, 14 September 2007
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Getting Better All the Time
While I can't say that Brendan is making any more male friends, except for the fact that he's observing them and bringing home funny stories, the females are starting to notice my handsome son.
Last week when Brendan was waiting (alone) for the first period bell to ring, a group of girls approached (they always seem to travel in packs) and asked him his name. He said, "Brendan." They said, "Cool name," and left.
I just found out that there will be a school dance on October 26, for which they need chaperones. Evidently, the girls are already angling for dates. One girl, sitting next to Brendan after school waiting in the parent pick-up line, casually mentioned that two boys had already asked her to the dance, but they were weird. She wanted someone who wasn't weird to ask her. (Hint, hint!) Today, this girl, who's name has escaped Brendan so far, asked him if he would like to go to the dance with her. He said, "I don't know."
Scintilating conversations, huh? To his credit, he didn't run away scream, "No, way!" like I half-expected he would do. But now I wonder if he's trying to figure out how to back out gracefully because he doesn't want to go to the dance or he doesn't want to go with her.
I would love to be a fly on the wall for this one. Maybe I'll volunteer just in case he decides to go. BTW - should an 11-yearl-old be taking a date to the dance?!
Last week when Brendan was waiting (alone) for the first period bell to ring, a group of girls approached (they always seem to travel in packs) and asked him his name. He said, "Brendan." They said, "Cool name," and left.
I just found out that there will be a school dance on October 26, for which they need chaperones. Evidently, the girls are already angling for dates. One girl, sitting next to Brendan after school waiting in the parent pick-up line, casually mentioned that two boys had already asked her to the dance, but they were weird. She wanted someone who wasn't weird to ask her. (Hint, hint!) Today, this girl, who's name has escaped Brendan so far, asked him if he would like to go to the dance with her. He said, "I don't know."
Scintilating conversations, huh? To his credit, he didn't run away scream, "No, way!" like I half-expected he would do. But now I wonder if he's trying to figure out how to back out gracefully because he doesn't want to go to the dance or he doesn't want to go with her.
I would love to be a fly on the wall for this one. Maybe I'll volunteer just in case he decides to go. BTW - should an 11-yearl-old be taking a date to the dance?!
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Moral Dilemma
Moms, sound off on this one.
Brendan is a very conscientious boy. He's especially sensitive these last few weeks because of the start of school. I could tell something was wrong after school yesterday, but he didn't let it out until this morning. The school run is his favorite time for backseat confessions. I think it's because he doesn't have to look me in the eye.
What was the problem? Brendan had graded his own paper on a History exercise. He realized after he reported his grade and the teacher had entered it into the computer that there were two other questions that should have been counted wrong. This teacher is know for being tough, even mean, and I think Brendan had just recently heard the "If you get caught cheating, you can be expelled from school" speech.
So his dilemma was whether to tell this mean lady who might chew his head off or just drop it.
UGH! What's Mom to do? Grades are a new thing to him. British school doesn't stress grades at all. This was one in-class grade, one amongst many and my first instinct was to forget about it. But he was really worried. What would you do?
Well, I didn't tell him what he should do. I just laid out his options. I told him that the honest thing to do was to tell the teacher that he'd made a mistake and take the punishment, whatever that might be. The other option was to do nothing, let it go. I have a feeling that this teacher is really not as mean as she seems. She's put on her first-week-of-school face to enforce discipline. I think that if he confessed, she'd either say it was okay and not change the grade in the system, or at worst, change the grade. Of course, I don't know the lady. She could take the hard-nose approach and say that this is strike one and if he messes up again, he'll be in trouble.
It will be interesting to see which path he takes. I have a feeling his conscience won't let him forget about it, but if he has to confess to Ms. Meanie, he may just let it be. Stay tuned.
Brendan is a very conscientious boy. He's especially sensitive these last few weeks because of the start of school. I could tell something was wrong after school yesterday, but he didn't let it out until this morning. The school run is his favorite time for backseat confessions. I think it's because he doesn't have to look me in the eye.
What was the problem? Brendan had graded his own paper on a History exercise. He realized after he reported his grade and the teacher had entered it into the computer that there were two other questions that should have been counted wrong. This teacher is know for being tough, even mean, and I think Brendan had just recently heard the "If you get caught cheating, you can be expelled from school" speech.
So his dilemma was whether to tell this mean lady who might chew his head off or just drop it.
UGH! What's Mom to do? Grades are a new thing to him. British school doesn't stress grades at all. This was one in-class grade, one amongst many and my first instinct was to forget about it. But he was really worried. What would you do?
Well, I didn't tell him what he should do. I just laid out his options. I told him that the honest thing to do was to tell the teacher that he'd made a mistake and take the punishment, whatever that might be. The other option was to do nothing, let it go. I have a feeling that this teacher is really not as mean as she seems. She's put on her first-week-of-school face to enforce discipline. I think that if he confessed, she'd either say it was okay and not change the grade in the system, or at worst, change the grade. Of course, I don't know the lady. She could take the hard-nose approach and say that this is strike one and if he messes up again, he'll be in trouble.
It will be interesting to see which path he takes. I have a feeling his conscience won't let him forget about it, but if he has to confess to Ms. Meanie, he may just let it be. Stay tuned.
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