ScholarShare Children's Book Festival

Howdy!

Yes, I know, I'm being a terrible blogger these days. Who knew that Kindergarten could take so much out of you?! And by "you", I mean ME, and by "me", I definitely don't mean my son... the one who is actually in Kindergarten. Whew... I'm zonked!

Anyway, in precisely ONE MONTH, I will be presenting at the ScholarShare Children's Book Festival in Sacramento, CA at a wonderful place called FairyTale Town! I am beyond excited and honored to be part of such a fantastic weekend!

If you have been following my excited rants, you'd know that I will be presenting at 2pm on Sunday, September 30th.

HOWEVER, that time has been changed to accommodate the schedule of one of my greatest Momma/writer friends (and, luckily enough for me, she's one of my fabulous critique partners!). I will now be presenting at 11:30am on the same Sunday.

If any of you live in or will be in the area, I would LOVE to meet with you! This event is completely FREE (I told you... it's a fantastic weekend!), so tell all your friends and family!

Here's to kiddos reading and loving books just a little more each day!

I Ponder... Wednesdays: I Vote For Guts!

There comes a point in a writer's life where they have a baby... And no, I don't mean a human, dog, kitty, or bird baby, I mean an I'm-so-in-love-with-this-manny baby. It's your golden nugget. The piece you are MOST proud of. Do you know what I mean? I'm sure you do... In fact, I bet you're saying the title of your baby right now in your head and you have a smile on your face!

One day, the time comes for you to send your baby off to a friend's house/computer to watch over it while you do something else. Though you love it, you need a break from it. You need someone else to tell you how simply marvelous it is, and how genuinely genius you are for creating such a masterpiece. Yes, you're nervous. It's your baby's first time out in the big world and you want to keep it safe from ALL harm. But deep down, you know the date night with your spouse/partner or that much needed, relaxing bath is far worth letting your baby go for an evening.

Then, something unexpected happens. That sitter you sent your baby off to? She wants you to take it back. She says there are too many problems with your baby, and she needs help understanding what it is saying, where it is going, and why-oh-why it keeps doing that terribly annoying, repetitive rhyme!

Your heart is broken.
Your feelings are blown to smithereens.

What now?

Okay, you pick yourself up, and trust that your friend's eyes are, indeed, fresh. They are seeing your baby from the outside, not from the inside where your heart and mind have made it into this God-like creation. So you read the comments. You listen to advice. You make the suggested changes. The problem?

YOU. HATE. IT.


This has happened to me with a manny of mine. No, it isn't my baby (thankfully), but I was given great advice this morning about it. Elizabeth Stevens Omlor told me this morning, "I think we should all just trust our guts, which is what I am learning to do more and more often."

How right is that??! Okay, yes, there are things that critiques help us with (in my case, MANY-a-things!!). But if you listen to ALL the advice you are given, if you change your manny completely around based on another's suggestions, and it honestly doesn't work for or feel right to you? I vote for your guts.

Here's my question to you:

In this day and age of writing, are we safe to trust our instincts?

I pray that we are. This blog is dedicated to the creative side of writing... Not the business angle. Yes, there are parameters to be met. But if in the end we are so wrapped up in the ways things should be written, there is little room for our hearts and souls to pour through our words. Be reasonable and listen to your critique partners. Listen to your agents, editors, and the trends. But, if it still doesn't sit well, again I say, I vote for your guts.

Free for YOU!

Howdy!

So, I have a gift for you! For the next 24hrs, my book, Waiting for James in a Sea of Pink, is being offered for free, over at MeeGenius!!

That's right... FREE!

If you would like your free copy, please click HERE. And when prompted, enter the code: pink

Thank so much, and please enjoy!

Thank You, ALL!

It's been two whole weeks since I have posted, here. Believe me, it's not like I was on an exotic vacation! As many of you know, via my last post where I discussed all the crazy happenings with my son, Renn, we were enduring (and then recovering from) a week-long Video EEG to determine the cause of the seizures he's having. I thought a few of you might share his story. I thought maybe one or two of you would post his picture on your Facebook walls. Oh no. You see, the writing community just doesn't work like that. There is no "sub-par" attitude, and I do not believe a single member knows how to do anything but pour out an abundance of love... especially when it comes to children.

That post was seen over 2,567 times.
That post was SHARED 776 times.
And Renn's picture? Well, there's no number to be sure. But I do know that over 35 of my own friends changed their profile picture to his sweet face, in order to show their support.

But, see, that's not all that happened. Beth Stilborn was the first to write her own blog post about my sweet boy. She then posted it in every which way it could go, and a couple of her friends contacted me, saying they'd share and were praying.  Carter Higgins was tweeting Renn  Star Wars jokes while he sat there, bored, in his hospital bed! The amazing, ever beautiful (inside and out), most incredible Marcie Colleen dedicated her entire week of blogging as "Renn Week", which even included a contest. And then, there was Julie Rowan-Zoch... She, created this:

Yes. I cried. And cried. And cried.

I know there are more, MANY more out there who went out of their way to share Renn's story (I got a message from someone in the Netherlands! I have NO clue how they heard his story, but it was amazing to see it get that far!). I know that there were so many who prayed, changed their profile pictures, and tried to get #Renn trending on twitter until he came home from the hospital. To say that I am baffled... No. That's not even close to how overcome with love and emotion I was.

This writing community is truly a family. We struggle when one struggles. We celebrate when one has glorious news. We encourage when one of us is down, and we help mold and shape the stories of our peers that we know are going to be giant successes.

Your messages, wall posts, tweets, jokes, pictures, and love, made all the difference. Renn has a very LONG road ahead of him. But with each one of you standing firmly behind him, I'm convinced that he'll make it out of this one day.

So, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making our family and gorgeous Jedi priority numero uno for that week. I have been deeply praying for all of you, that God might bless you for your kindness. Only my father, my grandmother, and the hubby's cousin came to see Renn in the hospital. However, he had 10+ other NON RELATED people come visit him. I thank all of them as well.

Like I said, he has a loooong road ahead of him. UCSF is pretty much a guarantee right now, as he isn't responding super well to the new medication. He went seizure free for 5 whole days but for three of those days, he was, well, stoned. Out of it. Completely unreachable. So, needless to say, we're still working on it.

I'm back to writing, however! This week I will have a new I Ponder post, and I hope to hear the wonderful answers you give me.

Last thing-

While we were in the hospital, Renn asked me to make this sign. This is for you... even if your name isn't written here, it IS written on our hearts.

An Explanation & A Request... For A Sweet Jedi

I know that I have been "missing" somewhat, lately... But I promise that I have an excellent reason!





You see this little man? ---------->

Well, he's my oldest son. His name is Renn, and he's 5 years old. In less than a month, he'll be going to Kindergarten. He loves Star Wars and knows everything about all six movies... Seriously. He's very smart (okay, yes, I'm a teensy bit biased!), and has said some of the most hilarious things I have ever heard in my life.

Back in February of this year, Renn began having seizures. I mean, out of NOWHERE. They are not your stereotypical lying on the floor, twitching, convulsing, and drooling type seizures (those are called Grand Mal seizures). He has what is known as Petite Mal seizures, which are far less scary to watch (unless you're the person's parents!). He'll begin by shuffling his feet, pointing at or asking about a million different random things, and then his body will "spasm" and he'll flail his right arm out, and might run in a circle while clapping or hopping.

We ran him through the gambit of tests. He had a CT Scan, an EEG, and a MRI... I must admit, with each test, my heart sank. It was hard to watch. But him? With each test, he got to be a cooler and more intelligent Jedi. The resilience of this child... I can't even explain. Anyway, the CT scan came back clear. MRI? Perfect. But the EEG? No such luck. The doctor said it was just "ugly". Believe me, I didn't spend years in medical school learning how to read EEGs, and to me, that thing made me cry.

So in March, we got hit in the gut with a load of the heaviest bricks. Our little boy was diagnosed with Complex Partial Epilepsy.

EPILEPSY??!!!

That word just didn't make sense. He was perfectly FINE all this time! Would he be able to live a normal life? Would he be able to drive one day? What did that word mean, exactly? It truly is unbelievable how little we knew about the disease, and what kind of stigma it holds for those who don't know. I've long dealt with people not understanding my disease (I'm a Type 1 Diabetic- have been since I was 10), but now? Was I going to have to go into each teacher at every new school year and whisper quietly all the restrictions he was to have? NO. I just wasn't having it.

Luckily, his Neurologist- thankfully a close family friend of ours- calmed me the heck down. He said Renn would be just fine, and there were no restrictions. He'd be on medication, and once it kicked in and he stopped having seizures, we'd recheck in a year and see if we could start weaning him off the meds. That meant there's a chance he'd outgrow this!

Hope! There was hope!

But, three months, three heavy medications, seven different dosage changes, and many seizures later, that one year goal seems further and further out of reach.

Tomorrow (July 23, 2012) I will be taking Renn to our wonderful Children's Hospital, where we will admit him, and he will be monitored for at least 72hrs on what's called a VEEG (Video EEG). The goal is to find out what, exactly, is going on in that beautiful, innocent brain of his. I am praying for answers. I don't think there is anything worse, short of losing your child, than not knowing what is going on with your baby.

Why am I sharing this? Well, one- I'm a writer. I have to write, and as I've explained before, it's extremely therapeutic for me. But, two- I am sharing this because I know I have a family, here. A family that cares about what is going on. But more than that, we write for kids everyday, so odds are, we kinda like them. :) I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, I can lean on you in this hard time.

So I am making a request... If you wouldn't mind it this week while Renn is in the hospital, could you share this picture and story with everyone you know? I will be making it my profile picture on FB, but you certainly do NOT have to go that far. But maybe ask your friends, families, or followers to pray and/or share?  I want to be able to show Renn, as he sits and sits and sits during the VEEG, that there are people in the world praying for and thinking of him... That he CAN get through this, the only way Jedis can... By using the Force. :)

Please copy and share me!

For now, I am on hiatus from my Pondering posts. I hope that you can understand. My love for writing is only surpassed by the love I have for Jesus, my husband, and kids. But I promise, I will be back!

For now, I'm off to a galaxy far, far away with my handsome Jedi. Thank you, in advance, for all the love you have shown me and my sweet boy. I hope to repay you with the same kindness one day.

I Ponder... Wednesdays: Should Age Really Matter?

As I have been cruising along in this year of writing and meeting writers, I have discovered something that is definitely NOT talked about within the writing community...

Now, of course I realize we discuss age when it comes to who our intended target is for our books. But we never really discuss how old we, the writers, are. Maybe it's not a politically correct question to ask, but I have been noticing a couple issues regarding it, and I feel it's a topic worthy of a blog post.

I was reading an interesting blog (which will remain anonymous), and the author happened to be talking about the writers of a very popular children's television program. She was saying that the direction in which this iconic series was going was awful, and that it was simply not worth her grandchildren's time; It wouldn't teach them the things that it taught her daughter. The conclusion that she came to was that it was the "young writers of today" who simply "didn't possess the knowledge and maturity that the older generations have".  I was SHOCKED to say the least.

Her followers? Yikes. I've never seen sooo many comments on one post, both good and bad.

The arguments that ensued were ones you can clearly think of yourself. There are great points on both sides! But to me, I don't see why it should matter. Aren't we all part of the same goal? Don't we want kids to learn, read, and feel emotions from books that help them develop well over time?

I, personally, do not share my age with other writers. I have been told MANY a time that I am too young for this business... That I have "plenty of time" to get my writer life in order.

Honestly?


Okay, I'll admit, there ARE some younger writers who might be, shall we say, a tad arrogant. They don't represent all younger writers, but they tend to make those who are- ahem- younger than 30 look like they have a chip on their shoulder. Then again, I look at amazing k-i-d, (yes, kid, as in, CHILD!) writers who have huge followings and fabulous supporters. One specific 10 year-old I know, Erik, has a fantastic blog where he reviews books. He also is participating in 12x12 in 2012, which means he is writing. Awesome, right? He's got a great talent, and no one is giving him guff. I love that!

I'm just curious if the bias for writers to be taken seriously lies in the hands of those who have maybe "lived more life" and might be a teensy bit more experienced.  I don't want to feel that way, but it makes me wonder... Am I crazy?

I can guarantee it works the other way around, too. I'm sure that there are a lot of writers who feel that they are "too old" and that they cannot compete, because new/younger writers are popping up all over the place. They bow out far too soon, instead of sharing what needs to be shared. How sad is that? The truth is, it shouldn't matter if you're 100 years old- if you have a story to tell, by all means!! TELL YOUR STORY! No younger writer should ever, and I mean ever, "take your place".

I understand that on both sides of the debate, there is one word that plays the largest role... EXPERIENCE. Younger writers may not have as much of it (life-wise) as older writers, but older writers might not be able to relate to the things that younger writers see and experience now. I believe that both can create (and should create) wonderful tales to tell.

So, here's my question for you to really sit and chew on, for this week:

When it comes to writing for children, should age really matter?

I am wondering if I am the only one who sees the stigma every once in a while... I absolutely do NOT see it daily, or even monthly! But I have been on one end or another of this issue a time or two, and it always throws me for a loop. To me? Age simply doesn't matter. You're writing to enrich the minds of countless children. In my opinion, I don't care if you're 11 or 121... 

KEEP. WRITING.





Happy HALF-AVERSARY!!!!!

Who doesn't love a "Fashionably Late" party guest?!!

(Pssst! Me. I loathe them. I mean, how flippin' rude, right? One doesn't simply put the TIME option on the invitation as a guideline... Sheesh. What nerve!)

Ahem... As I was saying, sometimes the real advantage goes to the F.L. party guest:

• They don't feel uncomfortable by being the first ones there (aka they don't feel obligated to start conversation with every. single. guest. who shows up after them
• They get a room FULL of smiles, hugs, and cheery greetings (and maybe a few sloppy, slurry, "How ares yas?" from those who freqented the bar too much already)
• They get to bring more food (and at that time, since everyone has already eaten, it REALLY won't matter if they made it from scratch or bought it at the store on their way to said party)

Anywho, I have found that I, myself, have become the latest party guest in HISTORY! I'm talkin', the party now consists of deflated baloons, sad looking streamers, and a bunch of half empty red Solo cups EVERYWHERE...

But... But... I brought... THIS-

Yep. And now, it's all for meeeeeeeee!! Spoon, anyone?

So, what party am I late to, that now you're soooo bummed you totally missed?? Why, it's the

12x12 in 2012 Half-Way There celebration!!!!

http://www.juliehedlund.com/2012/06/25/were-halfway-there/

Yep! We made it half-way through the challenge! And, I am proud to say that I have written, and finished SIX mannys! Holy cow!! And I am sooooo lucky to have had my hand held the entire way... In our 12x12 group, we've had more encouragement, success stories, tragedies prayed for, babies born, love spread, stories shared, virtual hugs given, and ideas sparked, than I believe has EVER happened in six months time. I am so PROUD to be a part of this group!

You must see the creative ways that my pals are celebrating! I've seen crosswords, read fantastic parodies of songs, and even listened to a sweet jingle! We've had pictures posted, and glasses clinked... It truly IS a fabulous party!

As for me? I am celebrating by continuing to write... Manny #7 is on its way, and I am THRILLED about it. I won't lie, though, this Bloomin' Onion and deeeelish drink suuuurrree is fabulous on this hot summer evening...



Happy Half-Aversary, my wonderful 12x12ers!!  Keep up the great work! What amazing things we have yet to come up with!! I am honored to be standing on this platform with you! And of course, thanks to Julie Hedlund... The very brains behind this whole thing!!!

Six more, y'all!! Let's do this!!