I am a WINNER!

The Versatile Blogger Award

A lovely writer who used to answer to the title of "Gorton JHS teacher," nominated me for  The Versatile Blogger award! The ever-versatile Jen of choppingpotatoes.wordpress.com was so kind to give me a mention. We taught together many moons ago and I was thrilled to find her on the same journey, the stay-at-home-write-when-you-can mom journey. 

Thank you, Jen. You made my month.

If you find yourself nominated, you’ve been awarded The Versatile Blogger award.  And then, you need to pay it forward:

• Thank the person who gave you this award
•  Include a link to their blog
•  Select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly
•  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
•  Tell the person who nominated you seven things about yourself

Seven things about me: 

1. I have an obsession with donuts and Star Wars. In fact, a Star Wars donut would rock my world.
2. I have always wanted to breathe fire.
3. I WILL own an airstream and I will paint a donut on it. A pink one. 
4. I have trouble concentra...whoa, something shiny...
5. My husband and daughter are my everything.
6. I prefer to go to the movies alone and when the movie starts, it's like a religious experience--every time.
7. I am pretty spot-on at naming actors in voice-overs--almost every time.

And the nominees are in no particular order . . .

1. The Cutting Edge of Ordinary - Culinary wisdom and beauty. We also swim in the same waters!

2. Because of Jackie - Beautiful, practical fashionista!

3. Gennine's Art Blog - This incredible illustrator has been a constant source of inspiration. I am in awe of her...

4. Natalie Whipple: Between Fact & Fiction - An author I found awhile back and am happy to report that her new book, TRANSPARENT will be coming out Summer 2013 from HarperTeen

5. Christine DePetrillo - It is an honor to be in the same writer's group as this talented author.

6. Joe Mazzenga - Another amazing author in my writer's group that I have the privilege of knowing. 

7. 365 Dresses - A fellow 365er. Dress #121 appeals to my inner mermaid!

8. Mim4Art - An incredible mail-art artist.

9. Yvonne's Life and Art - Another 365er from Holland who is now living in Germany.

10. Tea Art - Dutch artist, Githa Schrijver creates tiny works of art on tea bags--every day.

11. Sun Today - Australian artist, Frances is 365ing one sun, every day!

12. 365 Words. 365 Days. 365 Opportunities. - beautiful pairings of words and images, every day.

13. David Graeme Baker - His paintings are beyond words.

14. Room 9: Art! - Dedicated blogger and art teacher, Jana blogs about her talented students and the art they create under her guidance.

15. Maggie Stiefvater - Another mom/writer/artist. She, too, is a wonderful inspiration to me. Her new book, THE RAVEN BOYS will be out this September.

I am not a REJECTION

I am in the process of finding an agent for my YA manuscript, THE LOCK-IN. It's an urban fantasy/adventure and it was written for the Aldrich/Pilgrim graduating class of 2015. They inspired me with the question, "What if zombies attacked our junior high? What would you do?"
There were many responses, many involving my art room, cutting board blade... As a teacher and a writer, I was always asking my students to share what they were reading with me. I noticed that the boys were not always as forthcoming as the girls. Needless to say, I wrote this more for them than anyone else. Okay, I also wrote it for a certain girl who always carried around a copy of Max Brooks', ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE. She will forever be my Ava.

Ah, the querying. If you know what I mean, than you know what I mean. I have found this to be the most humbling experience in the writing process.
It has literally brought me to my literary knees.
There is a window in front of my desk and I enjoy the view of the street corner while I write. The other day, that window became so much more to me. It became my motivation to keep querying and to not give up on my publication dreams.
I believe. I believe. I believe. 
Say it with me. Say it as many times as Kathryn Stockett mailed envelopes for her manuscript, THE HELP (60 times.) This one's for you Ms. Stockett,

I believe.