Toy Story characters come to life

Toy Story 3 opens in theaters June 18. I love the Toy Story franchise. The writers have done an awesome job of creating memorable characters. And the voice cast is incredible (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Michael Keaton, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger).
    How can we forget:
    Woody
    Buzz
    Jessie
    Mr. Potato Head
    Mrs. Potato Head
    Rex
    Slinky Dog
    Barbie
    Bo Peep
    Hamm
    Sarge
    KC
    And so many others who have slipped my mind.     
    Do you have a favorite character from Toy Story? If so, who is it and how do you think the writers and artists have teamed to make him/her unforgettable? What characteristics or mannerisms have they given your fav that brings him/her to life? Whether it’s Rex and his inferiority complex or Slinky Dog and his southern accent.
    And if you aren't familiar with Toy Story, maybe there is another character you could tell us about and how the writer and/or artist have made the character seem real. Can’t wait to read your comments.    
   

Quote of the day

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities." --Dr. Seuss

Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book? Or a favorite Dr. Seuss quote? Here's one of my favs, and timely since it's so fitting for graduation.

Congratulations!

Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Contest under way

Don't miss this great opportunity from my virtual friends Martina and Marissa over at Adventures in Children's Publishing blog. It's a YA/MG line-by-line contest with agent Natalie Fischer judging. Enter here.

Quote of the day

"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats." --B. C. Forbes, 1880-1954, American Publisher

A minute list

Just for fun, write the ending to these sentences. Should take no more than a minute. Write the first thing that pops into your mind. Can't wait to see your lists.
1. I'm good at...
2. I wish I could...
3. My husband/wife/significant other reminds me of ...
4. If I could change any physical feature I would change my...
5. My favorite spice is ...
6. If I don't get enough sleep ...
7. I once...
8. The one sense I could not live without...
9. I like pizza and ...
10. If I could have lunch with any author it would be...

Another new agent alert

Guide To Literary Agents blog reports today that Marcy Posner is a new agent at Folio Literary Management. She is looking for middle grade and young adult fiction, commercial women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, biography, history, health, and lifestyle. See post  here.

Quote of the day

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...” --Francis Bacon, Sr.

So if you want to write, write. Don't let your fears keep you from trying. There is power in doing and hope in trying. Good luck to each of you:)

New agent alert

Amanda Luedeke has joined MacGregor Literary as an agent. Amanda will be working with childrens, YA, speculative, and post-college-aged fiction and nonfiction. Read all about it  here.

A minute list

I hope I always:

• Love without holding back.
• Pursue my dreams despite the obstacles.
• Strive for excellence in everything I do.
• Give to others when I can.
• Experience the joys of this world and overcome its sorrows.
• Remember to laugh every chance I get.
• Heal when I’m broken and help others heal, too.
• Write words that touch people.
• Cherish my family and friends and their unconditional love and support.
• Live life.

Can you write an ending to this sentence? You don’t have to do 10. Do as few or as many as you’d like. Can't wait to read your posts.

Kids got it right

It was a really neat church service today. The children, from preschool through high school, participated. They sang, read the lessons and prayers, helped with Communion -- did everything but the sermon. But Pastor Greg's sermon was just as neat. He talked about children and how we ought to be more like them. One of the things he said was that each of us needs to be alive in the moment. That we shouldn't miss out on life that goes on around us. Too often we hold onto regrets, fret about the past, and worry about the future. Children, on the other hand, don't. He gave the example of children who fight over a toy or a place in line or whatever. One minute it's all-out war and the next minute they're best friends. This made me smile because it's so true. Adults, on the other hand, find it difficult to forgive and forget and move on. Anyway, I just thought it was a really neat reminder to live in the moment. Be like a child. Sometimes, I think we spend so much time planning for the future that we forget about today. I can't believe, for instance, how fast my little boys have become young men. WOW! The little babes I once held in my arms are now young men I need to stand on my tip-toes to hug. So, the message for today is to live in the present like a child and enjoy every minute of it. That doesn't mean we ought not to think about tomorrow or have dreams and goals. It simply means that we don't forget about today because as many of us have come to know, there are no guarantees in life. Tomorrow might be too late.

Quote of the day

"Write what you care about and understand. Writers should never try to outguess the marketplace in search of a salable idea; the simple truth is that all good books will eventually find a publisher if the writer tries hard enough, and a central secret to writing a good book is to write one that people like you will enjoy." --Richard North Patterson

Do you write the type of book you like to read? If so, what do you write/read and why? I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend.

Quote of the day

"The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home." --John W. Campbell

Are there things preventing you from sending out your manuscript? Don't let the fear of rejection stop you. If you try and you fail, you try again. And again. Remember, we are here to support and encourage one another. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Have courage, believe in yourself and your work.