Depression Sucks–Part II

This past Saturday, I wrote a post about being in the throes of depression. I wrote it mostly as a way to vent a little and maybe as a way to feel a little better. By Monday, I was on the mend, and today I feel like my normal self. Whee. Who knows how long it’ll last. Could be days (gosh no), weeks (please), or months (wishful thinking). The point is, I am feeling better. But you know something? I now cringe at my post from last week. So much so that I want to just delete it. I feel embarrassed … Continue reading Depression Sucks–Part II

Depression Sucks

Well, that’s a duh statement. Depression. Sucks. Depression can come because of some outside influence: you’re sick, your favorite basketball team lost, you’ve lost your job, someone you know passes away. All of these things and so many uncountable others can send a person spiraling, and in some cases, into an extremely harrowing, down to the bone, sadness. A sadness that, at times, doesn’t seem to want to let go. But what about the depression that decides show up unannounced, walk in the door, hang it’s hat, lounge around on the couch in it’s underwear and eat all your Cheetos … Continue reading Depression Sucks

New Opponent, New Word

Everyone is probably sick of me talking about the Madness! Poetry tournament, but I’m going to write a post about it anyway. The first round went even better than I had hoped. Marileta Robinson was a fierce competitor, but somehow I was able to come out on top. Even though we were given two different words (stalwart and albeit) and no topic, both of our poems ended up having dancing elements in them. And both had some punny endings. 🙂 You can read them both here. In round 2, I’ll be facing off against Michele Krueger, a poet teacher in … Continue reading New Opponent, New Word

Books, Movies, and Non-Newtonian Fluids

Two months into the year and I am already behind in my reading. February was an all around slow month. I felt like I was moving through a non-Newtonian fluid most of the time. But we all have rough patches, so hopefully I’ll perk up a bit and get some more writing and reading done. Of all the books I read in February, I can definitely say that James Herriot’s All Things Bright and Beautiful was my favorite (it’s the only book I finished last month). I loved the 1st book in the series and the 2nd was just as … Continue reading Books, Movies, and Non-Newtonian Fluids

Exciting Update + a Crazy Twist

I actually have some cool news. A few weeks ago, I heard about Madness! Poetry, a children’s poetry competition. I applied by writing a poem based on a prompt, and I was selected to be in the tournament. 64 bracketed “authletes” compete head-to-head throughout the month of March à la NCAA March Madness. This Sunday, March 5th, I’ll be assigned a word and I’ll have 36 hours to write a children’s poem. My competitor will do the same. Then kids, other poets, and the masses will vote. I am excited and a bit nervous. Either way, it should be fun … Continue reading Exciting Update + a Crazy Twist

February Update

February has been a good writing month despite the last week being a bit emotionally rocky. I don’t know if it’s postpartum, or just my normal ups and downs, but I’ve been a bit rough, and that’s okay. Overall, I am super happy with my progress. I am slowly finding ways to make time to get my butt in the chair and write. Mostly, this is between the hours of 10:30PM-3:30AM. It’s slow going, but I am improving. Here are a few things I was able to accomplish this past month: Wrote and submitted 3 poems Received 2 rejections Posted … Continue reading February Update

Devious Distractions

I’ve been thinking a lot about what distracts me from writing. Hmmm…I guess thinking about what distracts me from writing is also distracting me from writing, but that’s not the point. The exercise showed me that 90% of the time, it is my own internal struggles that keep me from getting my big butt in the chair to write. I came up with 3 main categories of devious distractions. Unexpected Necessities -10% 1st, the external 10%. These are things that arise that I hadn’t planned but that I have little control over. My 3 month-old decides to  take a 15 … Continue reading Devious Distractions

John’s on a Jet

My amazing husband, John, flew up to the SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC this weekend. I am super excited for him. Yeah, and maybe a little bit jealous. He loves NYC in the winter and seeing how they just got dumped on, I am sure that he is happily freezing his butt off. I’ve watched John over the last few months work so hard to hone is illustrating craft and to prep for the conference. I hope that all his prep pays off and he is able to have an enjoyable time and make some good contacts. I can’t wait … Continue reading John’s on a Jet

Oscars Asylum

Have you ever read a creepy book in the dark of night in order to stay awake to feed your 2-month-old? And then have your spouse let out a snore so loud you mistake it for the growl of a monster? So then you react by dropping your book onto your nursing child’s head, causing them to spit out your boob and begin to scream while milk sprays around the room like a fire hose? Uh…me either… I enjoy reading creepy books, and most of the time they aren’t scary enough to give me the chills. Asylum by Madeleine Roux, … Continue reading Oscars Asylum

January Writing Update

As a way to be more accountable with my writing, I will give a quick little update here on the blog at the end of each month. This past month has been a success, I believe. I was able to attend an SCBWI writing conference in Miami, which was great. I took a picture book intensive at the conference from the marvelous Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple. To be honest, I was a bit star struck. But once I was able to gather my wits, I was able to learn so much. If I had to pick the … Continue reading January Writing Update