Penny Black Stamp

I really love the Penny Black stamps. They are hard to find around here, so I ordered my first one from a store near London. I just love it and can't wait until I get some more!

Card Sketch #22 Challenge

I'm new to making cards, and I'm really enjoying it. I've been finding all kinds of amazing cards on blogs and I also found this challenge. It is Cardabilities Sketch Challenge. It is my first challenge, and I had a lot of fun making the card.

New Year

With the new year comes new goals. My first was to join SCBWI, and I did - a few weeks ago. I also joined the listserv for the Eastern Canada members of SCBWI. :)

As for my writing goals, I need to finish editing my first mg novel and find an agent. I already have one in mind - but I need to make sure my novel is ready. Then I can continue writing my second mg novel.

I still plan to write and submit short stories, but I have been enjoying writing longer stories.

Long overdue post...

Benches are very uncomfortable. It wouldn't be so bad sitting on the hard benches if the temperature was more reasonable - not a muggy 90+F. The only reasons to keep me from moving to the comfy couch in the air-conditioned lobby are my kids. I enjoy watching them during their swimming lessons. Some parents read, some watch...I sometimes write, though.

Last week, during the swimming lessons, I got a few more characters written - I need to develop 8 characters. I figure the best way to do this is to write an introduction for each one. I can then see how they react to the MC and interact with the other characters. I wrote a couple lines describing them, but that didn't help me understand their personalities. I need to see how they behave and the only way to do this is to start writing a couple pages of the story. Each character meets the MC in the same way - at the MC's front door. So far I have five completely done and I have a better grasp of how each of the children think and behave. I don't know if I'll use any of those pages in the story, but it definitely helps me understand each of these characters.

I have strayed from my goal of submitting this year. Once I have all my characters written, I will have to start submitting again. :)

Great start to the new year!

A few weeks ago, I got my first acceptance of the new year. The story I sent to Stories For Children was accepted. I am very excited and cannot wait for the May issue to come out!

The New Year...

With the new year comes a new goal - a goal to edit and submit the manuscripts that I have been neglecting over most of the past year. I have already submitted one story and have two more that just need to be printed and mailed.
In November I attempted to write a 50000-word novel (Nano) and did not succeed. But I did find that I really wanted to finish a novel that I started writing several years ago. I read through the chapters I already had and the long timeline I wrote (so I wouldn't forget who all my characters were and how they were related to the main character.)
I would also like to continue editing my first complete novel. I did submit it once - but was rejected. Part of the problem was that I did not submit it to the right publisher. Although the guidelines said they accepted humour, I could not find any humourous novels in the books they have already published in that category.
The publisher I think would be perfect for this book is currently not accepting unsolicited manuscripts or queries. So I am watching patiently for an update on their site, while also looking for another publisher for this novel.

Updated my links

I have updated all the links at the side by removing the links that no longer work. I have also edited a few of my past posts, but not all of them.

If you would like to read one of my stories whose link is no longer available, just post a comment and I can post the story.

My story is out in Wee Ones!

This will be my last story published with Wee Ones; they will be closing at the end of the year. My first story was published in Wee Ones in July 2004. I want to thank the editor, Jennifer Reed for giving me the courage I needed to continue submitting my stories. I will miss Wee Ones.

Don't forget to stop by Wee Ones and read my story, Close To My Heart.

Thanks!

In April...

Earlier this month, I was sent an email from V.S. Grenier, editor of Stories For Children online magazine. She informed me that I won a "Granny Award" for my September 2007 story, Wind-Song. I'd like to say thank you to the Editorial Staff. :)

In their April issue, they will be announcing all the winners in the different categories. Congratulations to all the writers and illustrators receiving this award.

Happy New Year

Over the last few months I have had to put my writing on hold. Now that the holidays are over, I plan to get right back into writing. I'm also working on another course through ICL.

Hopefully I will get a chance to update my blog this week. I'll add the links to my stories from September, October and November. :)

As summer holidays come to an end...

I look forward to the month of September. In Stories For Children online magazine, my story Wind-Song will be available to read. It is a touching story about a young girl who remembers the day she had to say goodbye to her grandmother.

I also look forward to their October and November issues that will include my first article A Life Saving Plan and my story Matt's New Bike. This is a wonderful e-zine to share with your family and friends. :)

Wow, I missed almost all of July...

With the kids home for the summer holidays, I have not had much chance to get on the computer.

I know this is quite late, but my story The Mouse Catcher can be found in the July issue of Fandangle Magazine. It will be in the archives after today, so I will change the link at the side in August.

In August, look for my story The Fairy and The Frog to appear in Stories for Children.

A good month...

June is here, and with it comes good news. My story, Wind-song, has been accepted for the September 2007 issue of Stories For Children.

Wind-song was written with a special person in mind. Although it is fiction, the emotions are very real.

Now available online is the June issue of Stories for Children. This issue includes my middle reader short story, Lizzie's Lemonade Pops.

End of May...

Coming up in a few short days, my story, Lizzie's Lemonade Pops, will appear in the online children's magazine, Stories for Children. Please take a look at this great new ezine.

Spring is here?

I was almost fooled by Mother Nature into thinking that is was spring. The snow had melted with the rain's help, and the temperature was above zero degrees Celsius. But, as always, the colder temperatures returned with the company of a chilling wind. Soon more snow was covering the ground. Today, the 11th of April, it is cold and damp. The forecast calls for more snow. Definitely a practical joke by Mother Nature.

I am late in posting my story, Ginger Rose, Please Raise Your Hand in the April issue of Fandangle. This issue is full of great stories and articles for you and your children to sit down together and read.

I have a story, The Fairy and the Frog, that has been accepted for the August 2007 issue of Stories for Children. This is a newer ezine for children. Check out it's first issue!

Acceptances...

I have had a busy month with submitting my short stories. The editor of Fandangle Magazine had accepted my story, "Ginger Rose, Please Raise Your Hand," for her April 2007 issue.

I also received an acceptance from the editor of Wee Ones. She accepted my story, "Close to my Heart" for the Family issue, May/June 2008. It is a long wait, but well worth it. :)

Cecil Child's January Issue Online

My story, "Max and the Cottontails" can now be read at Cecil Child. Unfortunately, there will not be a print issue for this January/February issue. I was hoping for the print issue, but understand how busy things are around the holidays. There are lots of great articles in this issue, so don't forget to drop by and click on the magazine cover.

January 2007 Fandangle is out!

A big thanks to the editor of Fandangle, Nancy Cavanaugh, for a wonderful job on her magazine. Be sure to stop by Fandangle Magazine and read my story, "I Wish I Was a Snowflake" as well as all the other great stories, articles, poems and activities in the magazine.

Happy New Year!

January 2007 will be my first time for a story published in print. I am very excited about my story, "Max and the Cottontails" that is coming out in Cecil Child this month. The editor said she will send me a copy of the entire magazine.

I also have a story coming out this month in Fandangle, "I Wish I Was A Snowflake."

As soon as the new issues are online, I will post a link.

Wee Ones has opened up to submissions for 2008, so I better get busy writing. They now have a theme for each issue. :)

November Issue is out

The November issue of Fangangle Magazine is out. This is a great magazine filled with stories, articles, puzzles and crafts. You can read my story, "No Peanuts Allowed" at Fandangle Magazine.