Minute list

Tell me 5 things about your WIP. Here's mine:
1. YA, The Lion Awakens
2. Involves alternate universe
3. Anonymous gifts reveal secrets
4. MCs are 17-year-olds with powers
5. There's a David and a Goliath
Now, it's your turn.
  

What happens to the bike?

So I was driving to work this morning and I saw a bike in front of a house. A sign on the bike said “Free.” So tell me, in 50 words or less, what happens to the bike? 

Early contest alert

An early heads-up on May's Secret Agent Contest for Chapter, MG, YA. Open for submissions on May 17.  Details here

9 kids + 2 moms = 1 happy family

I have such a talented staff. I'm so incredibly proud of them. From my editors to my copy editors to my reporters, they make coming to work each day a total joy. Here's one story I wanted to share with my blog readers. One of my best friends told me at breakfast one day about these two women at her church. My friend's husband is the minister. Anyway, I thought it would make a terrific Mother's Day story and the women agree. I asked my religion reporter, Melissa Burke, to write the story and she did a great job. Read story here

Happy Mother's Day

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.”
                                                    --Rudyard Kipling

Happy Mother's Day to all of you. I hope you have an awesome day.

Great news

Winners announced in Query Tracker and Chris Richman contest. Awesomeness. I'm a runner-up. Congrats to all of the winners. See post here
Chris also blogged about it on Upstart Crow. Post here

What would your power be?

If you could have any power, what would it be? Ability to read minds? Teleport? Become invisible? Or have extraordinary strength and speed? The possibilities are endless. If you're up for some Friday fun, share what your power would be and why you chose it in comments.
 

Tell me about yourself

OK gang. Here's your chance to tell me something about yourself. Why? Because I'm a journalist and nosy. Seriously, I think it would be fun to know more about my blog readers. So if you want to share, great. If you don't, no pressure. If you want to fill in some of the fields and not others, that's fine, too. Copy and paste the template below into comments and complete.

Name:
Lives in:
Family:
Occupation:
Genres you write:
Completed books:
WIP (one sentence):
Favorite book:
If you could be any character, who would it be and why:
I write because (finish sentence)
Thanks for participating. Have a super day!

I miss you, Wendy

Today is the day I lost my oldest sister, Wendy. She was like a mother to me. Even more so after my parents died. She was only 45. Her husband, Brad, died less than two months before she did. He was 46. They both had cancer.
Brad was like brother to me. He and Wendy had dated forever. We're talking junior high here. I can remember being 6 years old and Brad picking me up to give me a hug. Not a day goes by that I don't miss Wendy and Brad. I'm blessed to have had them in my life.
After Wendy died, I cleaned out her closets and drawers. Most of her clothing didn't fit me, but I found a brown sweater. I call it my Wendy Sweater, and whenever I want to fill her arms around me in a big sisterly hug, I wear that sweater. It's like being wrapped in love and warmth all day.
There are many things I loved about Wendy. But one of the things I loved the most was her passion for life, her ability to go into a room and make everyone smile. She made you feel like you were the most important person there. Besides my mom, who died two years before her at age 61, Wendy wanted to read everything I wrote. The first book I wrote she asked to read. Looking back, it wasn't very good. But she told me how much she liked it and couldn't wait to see it published. She was my biggest cheerleader. I will never forget that.  It's something that's missing in my life. Not that I don't have people who would love to see me succeed, but not anyone like her. She was SURE I would succeed.  
I'm still trying, Wen. And I know you're waiting in Heaven, cheering me on.

What annoys you?

Here's your chance to get sound off. Get it off your chest. Scream. Shout. Whatever! Tell us what annoys you most about the publishing business or writing in general. Sometimes, saying it can help you move past it. And, you never know, someone might have words of wisdom. So bring it on gang. What annoys you? 

A minute list

Let’s play a game of Finish the Sentence. I’ll write the first half of the sentence and you copy it into comments and write the rest of it.
1. I opened the door …
2. The boat was sinking …
3. John reached for Marissa …
4. Tom rolled on the floor …
5. Becca heard a scream …
ie. I opened the door and found a baby wrapped in a blanket inside a cardboard box.

Are you afraid?

"I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged... I had poems which were re-written so many times I suspect it was just a way of avoiding sending them out." --Erica Jong

Are you like this? Do you keep your manuscripts locked in a drawer, afraid to send them because you fear rejection?  Don't be afraid. Remember, in order to finish a race you have to start it. And wouldn't you'd rather try than always wonder.Good luck to each of you.