A holiday gift for you! A free copy of my latest e-book “Christmas Carols for Cats - Howlingly Good-Sing-a-longs for Cats and Their Owners.” Go to http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/ to download your copy! Feel free to print it, email it to others, distribute, and take it Christmas carolling with you. Like Santa and his sleigh, help “Christmas Carols for Cats” TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE BY CHRISTMAS DAY!
Your favorite Christmas carols have been hijacked and rewritten by cats! From “Deck the Halls with Boughs of Catnip,” to “We Wish You a Furry Christmas,” these carols are alternately funny, outrageous, and heartwarming. E-mail it to everyone on your Christmas list, whether they have been naughty or nice! Where will this book travel? The author wants to know! E-mail me at kidzbookzonline@gmail.com And have yourself a furry Christmas and a purry New Year!
Thanks to the photographers from around the world for contributing to this e-book.
My children's book website, KIDZ BOOKZ ONLINE http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/ offers fun and semi-educational tales, sweet and snuggleable stories, and silly, outrageously fun reads for kidz and their families. At Kidz Bookz Online, you and your child (or grandchild) can download e-books right to your computer to read onscreen or print them out to read together at bedtime. Free e-zine and other goodies for adults! Dowloadable full-color pdf format.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Aaaah... Asheville! (North Carolina)
Aaaah... Asheville!
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville North Carolina is where my family calls home. The city is a haven for artists, writers, musicians and craftspeople — those who are inspired by the spirit of the mountains and by the synergy of Asheville’s artistic community. I have done my most creative writing work here. Some say it is the quartz crystals embedded in the mountains. Some New Agers say that Asheville is a vortex, drawing people towards it like gravity. Asheville is a melting pot of diverse energies. I don’t know about things New Age, but Asheville certainly is a melting pot. More dogs per square foot than a kennel. More white girl dreads than Haight Ashbury, our sister city in San Francisco. More creatively charged than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. My city is a wonderful mix of people: artists, entrepreneurs, professional business folks, hippies, and granola mamas. Not sure where I fit into the mix. I suppose that inside me I am a certain percentage of each.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville North Carolina is where my family calls home. The city is a haven for artists, writers, musicians and craftspeople — those who are inspired by the spirit of the mountains and by the synergy of Asheville’s artistic community. I have done my most creative writing work here. Some say it is the quartz crystals embedded in the mountains. Some New Agers say that Asheville is a vortex, drawing people towards it like gravity. Asheville is a melting pot of diverse energies. I don’t know about things New Age, but Asheville certainly is a melting pot. More dogs per square foot than a kennel. More white girl dreads than Haight Ashbury, our sister city in San Francisco. More creatively charged than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. My city is a wonderful mix of people: artists, entrepreneurs, professional business folks, hippies, and granola mamas. Not sure where I fit into the mix. I suppose that inside me I am a certain percentage of each.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Dog Blog!
Dogs Lovers Unite!
Asheville, NC is the most dog-friendly city in the United States. Denver, Colorado comes in second. In Asehville there are dog treat shops featuring with a glorious selection of canine tummy yummies. Asheville has no kennels; they are Doggie Day Spas where dogs can get daily massage and reflexology. What I'd like to know is can I go there for the day? I had never heard of “Shampoo-Your-Own” dog washes until I moved here. Actually, it’s a genius idea. You don't need to clog your own bathroom drain with fur. People have daily Play Dates in the Park for their pooches. Local restaurants have Yappy Hour. Yes, there are special alcohol au jus cocktails just for dogs. There are dog parks a ball’s throw from your back porch. The annual Halloween Dog Parade offers prizes for the most original. Dogs and their people who dressed in matching outfits get commendations. Dogs strolling in the neighborhood always keep their people on a leash. Their human servants are made to carry poop bags and clean up after their canine masters. The biggest draw to Asheville’s annual street fair (attended by 100,000 people) was the Purina Air Dog Competition. This is a new sport, surpassing the popularity of dog frisbee. The Air Dog Show folks inflated a 20 x 40-ft. swimming pool, taking up an entire parking lot. Owners stood at pool end of a 40-ft long ramp and threw a ball into the swimming pool. Dogs sprinted down the ramp and took a flying leap into the pool to catch the ball. There were tics on the side of the pool indicating, like a tape measure, how far these dogs could jump. Golden retrievers rocketed to a breathtaking distance of 20 feet! I believe that the record holder for Air Dog competitions is held by Callie, a black labrador retriever who made it to 30 feet, 10 inches! In addition, Asheville has an abundance of Animal Communicators. These super-sensitive souls tune in psychically to your dog, find out what he’s feeling, and translate it into our human language. Personally, I think barking, whining, and tail wagging will do. But, perhaps your dog has more to tell you . . .
Asehville is the most dog-friendly city in the U.S. Does YOUR dog want to move here now?
Asheville, NC is the most dog-friendly city in the United States. Denver, Colorado comes in second. In Asehville there are dog treat shops featuring with a glorious selection of canine tummy yummies. Asheville has no kennels; they are Doggie Day Spas where dogs can get daily massage and reflexology. What I'd like to know is can I go there for the day? I had never heard of “Shampoo-Your-Own” dog washes until I moved here. Actually, it’s a genius idea. You don't need to clog your own bathroom drain with fur. People have daily Play Dates in the Park for their pooches. Local restaurants have Yappy Hour. Yes, there are special alcohol au jus cocktails just for dogs. There are dog parks a ball’s throw from your back porch. The annual Halloween Dog Parade offers prizes for the most original. Dogs and their people who dressed in matching outfits get commendations. Dogs strolling in the neighborhood always keep their people on a leash. Their human servants are made to carry poop bags and clean up after their canine masters. The biggest draw to Asheville’s annual street fair (attended by 100,000 people) was the Purina Air Dog Competition. This is a new sport, surpassing the popularity of dog frisbee. The Air Dog Show folks inflated a 20 x 40-ft. swimming pool, taking up an entire parking lot. Owners stood at pool end of a 40-ft long ramp and threw a ball into the swimming pool. Dogs sprinted down the ramp and took a flying leap into the pool to catch the ball. There were tics on the side of the pool indicating, like a tape measure, how far these dogs could jump. Golden retrievers rocketed to a breathtaking distance of 20 feet! I believe that the record holder for Air Dog competitions is held by Callie, a black labrador retriever who made it to 30 feet, 10 inches! In addition, Asheville has an abundance of Animal Communicators. These super-sensitive souls tune in psychically to your dog, find out what he’s feeling, and translate it into our human language. Personally, I think barking, whining, and tail wagging will do. But, perhaps your dog has more to tell you . . .
Asehville is the most dog-friendly city in the U.S. Does YOUR dog want to move here now?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Five ways to combat office stress, an ongoing blog . . .
The events described here actually took place. The names and places have all been changed to protect the guilty.
I had the misfortune of being the only creative soul stuck in an office full of left-brained business types. I am so creative that my head always tilts to the right. My bosses are button-up, no-nonsense navy pinstripes types. In their defense, they are truly important people doing exceptional work for the greater good of all. In my defense, I was born to make the world a more colorful, fun place.
How I had wandered into this foreign world, I know not. What was a hippie chick dressed paisley doing in a world of suits and power ties? But, the money was good, the health insurance fantastic, so I was stuck in a golden birdcage.
Creative, dreamy artist meets the serious-minded real world. Do you see the dilemma brewing? Two worlds were about to collide, and I was the sole person on my side of the tug-of-war rope. I am small, but scrappy, but I knew I’d certainly lose in a fair fight. Well, if sheer strength couldn’t take them, perhaps I could use my God-given gifts in a backhanded, crafty way. I realized it was up to me to do something to cut the boredom and stress in this beige-on-beige environment. Let’s make lemonade out of these sour pusses. I could be a Super Stress-buster, Diva of Delight, Queen of all things Fun. I made the decision then and there to become the office’s Self-Appointed Morale Officer. Hey, that sounds great. Maybe I should make business cards. . .
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Five ways to combat office stress_#1
“1, 2, 3,4... I declare a Frog War!” The stress and tension in out little cubicle farm was getting thick and deep as heavy fog. The four of us coworkers crowded into our closeted niche had grown close, thrown together by fate, bonded by the mutual brotherhood of being the lowest lifeforms on the office totem pole. Something must be done to disperse the cloud of doom hovering above our heads. So, I purchased a gross of stretchable rubber frogs at Oriental Trading company (oriental trading.com - they’re the best!). The frogs were long and thin. The back legs, and the forearms were molded into loops, like a rubber band. I had big plans for these little green meanies! I supplied each of the poor, unfortunate souls who shared my cube farm, with a dozen frogs each. We shot them like rubber bands at each other. The frogs arced gracefully across the room to ricochet off computer screens. Frogs We were frog warlords, and we strategized on elaborate trajectories to circumvent cubicle walls. I was successful in my quest to bring sunlight to melt the clouds, to lift the dark clouds of doom. Nothing like a frog to the back of the head to break the tension. I targeted my coworkers butts as they walked by. We were delighted to find that if we shot them straight up into the air they would stick to ceiling. There was a whole colony of upside-down frogs breeding up there. We yelled “incoming!” and ambushed the big boss and shot him with a barrage of frog artillery. Being ex-military he appreciated the realism of our pre-panned attack, but told us we would have to scrape the frogs off the ceiling. To this day the frogs are still there, an homage to oppressed workers everywhere.
Frog Wars was truly the most fun I’ve had in years. Try it. I highly recommend it. To this day my old coworkers and I send each other emails with jpgs of frogs. “Incoming!!!”
Frog Wars was truly the most fun I’ve had in years. Try it. I highly recommend it. To this day my old coworkers and I send each other emails with jpgs of frogs. “Incoming!!!”
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Five way to combat office stress_#2
The old brain-in-the jar trick.
Oh, the days of unending boredom at the office. Day in day out. The same old thing. A-ha! I know what I’m gonna do today! I searched the Web for just the images I wanted. Then I printed out several pages of photographs onto 8 x 11” paper. A rubber ducky, a lobster, and brain, and other odd things that will swim or float when put in water. While I was dreaming up this devious, deceitful and delicious plan, I snickered and giggled, and even burst out laughing at times. My coworkers thought I had gone mad, mad in a good way, in a genius mad scientist way.
On Day One, or what I liked to call “day of the living ducks,” I taped the photo of the rubber duck to the back side of the water cooler. The effect I wanted was of a duck bobbing in a bathtub. It worked. When people filled a cup of water from the cooler, the bubbles made the illusion complete. Rubber ducky you’re the one, you make bathtime so much fun...
Next week, a bright red, life-sized lobster swam in the cool waters of Deer Park. With the realistic bubbling effect, it looked like it was simmering away in a stew pot, tonight’s dinner to be served with drawn butter.
Next week a brain floated in the water tank, a la Frankenstein. The water magnified the brain, and created a lovely 3-D effect. The bubbles made this production sheer perfection. I had succeeded in creating a prop for a realistic mad scientist’s lair. The old brain-in-a-jar trick. Let’s see who falls for it.
My hypothesis was that the senior staff would do a doubletake and look around angrily for the culprit. I hovered around the cooler for days, a half-smile on my face, just waiting for my first victim. I waited in vain. Sadly, I was incorrect in my assumptions. Preoccupied with the fate of the tax-paying world, the senior staff tragically did not even notice what was right before their eyes. A brain in a jar.
Oh, the days of unending boredom at the office. Day in day out. The same old thing. A-ha! I know what I’m gonna do today! I searched the Web for just the images I wanted. Then I printed out several pages of photographs onto 8 x 11” paper. A rubber ducky, a lobster, and brain, and other odd things that will swim or float when put in water. While I was dreaming up this devious, deceitful and delicious plan, I snickered and giggled, and even burst out laughing at times. My coworkers thought I had gone mad, mad in a good way, in a genius mad scientist way.
On Day One, or what I liked to call “day of the living ducks,” I taped the photo of the rubber duck to the back side of the water cooler. The effect I wanted was of a duck bobbing in a bathtub. It worked. When people filled a cup of water from the cooler, the bubbles made the illusion complete. Rubber ducky you’re the one, you make bathtime so much fun...
Next week, a bright red, life-sized lobster swam in the cool waters of Deer Park. With the realistic bubbling effect, it looked like it was simmering away in a stew pot, tonight’s dinner to be served with drawn butter.
Next week a brain floated in the water tank, a la Frankenstein. The water magnified the brain, and created a lovely 3-D effect. The bubbles made this production sheer perfection. I had succeeded in creating a prop for a realistic mad scientist’s lair. The old brain-in-a-jar trick. Let’s see who falls for it.
My hypothesis was that the senior staff would do a doubletake and look around angrily for the culprit. I hovered around the cooler for days, a half-smile on my face, just waiting for my first victim. I waited in vain. Sadly, I was incorrect in my assumptions. Preoccupied with the fate of the tax-paying world, the senior staff tragically did not even notice what was right before their eyes. A brain in a jar.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Five ways to combat office stress_#3
I have my googly eye on you. I purchased several pairs of googly eyeglasses from Oriental Trading company (oriental trading.com). Can you tell I love this store? These glasses have huge eyeballs attached to slinky-like boingy wires. The eyeballs bounce up and down delightfully. My friends and I would don these glasses and go for casual strolls around the office. For extra fun we’d pop our heads around the corner of a coworker’s door and stare at them until they looked up. Some screamed, some laughed, but none gave us the evil eye. Success! I had broken through their dual defenses of seriousness and humorlessness with my twin weapons of irreverence and surprise. One stated, dazed, “Blimey, I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition!”
Score one for ME! Googly eyeglasses: $12 for one dozen. The look on your coworkers’ faces: priceless. Your level of satisfaction and amusement: equally priceless!
Score one for ME! Googly eyeglasses: $12 for one dozen. The look on your coworkers’ faces: priceless. Your level of satisfaction and amusement: equally priceless!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Five ways to combat office stress_#4
Peep-a-licious!
If you don’t know what a Peep is, you are probably a devout health nut. These little marshmallow sugar treats used to come out just at Easter. Stuff a marshmallow into a mold shaped like a baby chick, cover it in yellow granulated yellow sugar and Viola! - a peep is born. They come in packets of 12 sugar-licious peeps. Later the Peep company branched out and now they have a seasonal selection of Halloween pumpkin peeps, red and green holiday peeps. Well, you get the picture.
While I was supposed to be hard at work. I search the Web for more tantalizing information about these habit-forming delicacies. My coworker swears stale peeps are the best. I prefer mine fresh. I read about contests where people make peep dioramas, creating miniature scenes from movies, literature, or out of the imagination. The dioramas, built in shoe boxes, use peeps as people, doll house furniture, and anything else handy. One year the winner had created a spot-on replica of a NYC diner with patrons, waiters, and miniature bar stools. Truly breathtaking! Second place was a scale model of King Arthur’s Court featuring Peeps of the Round Table. Other runners’ up included “Peeps Galore,” a pole-dancing peep in a miniature night club. ‘Nuff said. For hours of sugary fun, try build your own peep diorama. Look it up online for inspiration. And no, I am not making this stuff up!
For my attempt at creating peep world “Office Space” - style, I just had to look around me for inspiration. I meticulously handcrafted peep workers wearing shoelace neckties, peep-sized cubicles made from cutup cardboard boxes. I created tiny furniture. Tin foil covered erasers served as computer screens. A big peep boss walked by with a sticky note, like a cartoon bubble, attached to his head. It read “Get back to work!”
If you don’t know what a Peep is, you are probably a devout health nut. These little marshmallow sugar treats used to come out just at Easter. Stuff a marshmallow into a mold shaped like a baby chick, cover it in yellow granulated yellow sugar and Viola! - a peep is born. They come in packets of 12 sugar-licious peeps. Later the Peep company branched out and now they have a seasonal selection of Halloween pumpkin peeps, red and green holiday peeps. Well, you get the picture.
While I was supposed to be hard at work. I search the Web for more tantalizing information about these habit-forming delicacies. My coworker swears stale peeps are the best. I prefer mine fresh. I read about contests where people make peep dioramas, creating miniature scenes from movies, literature, or out of the imagination. The dioramas, built in shoe boxes, use peeps as people, doll house furniture, and anything else handy. One year the winner had created a spot-on replica of a NYC diner with patrons, waiters, and miniature bar stools. Truly breathtaking! Second place was a scale model of King Arthur’s Court featuring Peeps of the Round Table. Other runners’ up included “Peeps Galore,” a pole-dancing peep in a miniature night club. ‘Nuff said. For hours of sugary fun, try build your own peep diorama. Look it up online for inspiration. And no, I am not making this stuff up!
For my attempt at creating peep world “Office Space” - style, I just had to look around me for inspiration. I meticulously handcrafted peep workers wearing shoelace neckties, peep-sized cubicles made from cutup cardboard boxes. I created tiny furniture. Tin foil covered erasers served as computer screens. A big peep boss walked by with a sticky note, like a cartoon bubble, attached to his head. It read “Get back to work!”
Friday, April 1, 2011
Five ways to combat office stress_#5
Peep Jousting!
You should read my previous blog, “Peep-a-licious” as a prerequisite to truly understand the deep meaning and poignancy of today’s blog. On this auspicious day, as self-appointed morale officer for the office, I declared Monday Peep Jousting Day. (Jousting is a medieval sport where two knights in full battle armor mount horses, hold ridiculously long lances, gallop towards each other at full speed and try to knock the other on his ass. Stupid, yes, but endlessly amusing to watch.) No knights or horses in this contest. Just gooey marshmallow goodness.
As team captain, I divided my coworkers into teams. Each coworker received one peep and a toothpick. Where is this going, you might ask? To the office kitchen, of course. I moved aside the mound of dirty, moldy coffee cups, stale pastries, and laid down the ground rules.
“Each of you has been given a mission. To dominate WWPJ, the Wide World of Peep Jousting. Please pick your favorite celebrity, living or dead. You will name your peep after said celebrity.”
The first two combatants put their peeps on a small paper plate, stuck the toothpicks partially into their peeps, and put them into the microwave.
“Let the jousting tournament commence!” I set the microwave for 1 minute, not knowing how long it actually takes for a peep to explode. Would it blow up the microwave? Who cares; it’s office property. I had set up the contest in heats. The first round we decimated David Letterman Peep. The second creamed Chris Rock Peep, and the third mashed Mike Myers Peep. Soon it was time for the final heat to determine the grand champion. On one side of the microwave, Paris Hilton Peep. On the other, defending champion Evander Holyfield Peep. I dropped the flag (started the microwave). The peeps immediately started to blow up like balloons as their gooey marshmallow centers expanded. Toothpicks rose up like lances into battle position, moving closer, closer . . . The tension in the room was palpable. Sweat trickled from my brow. Money exchanged hands in the back of the room. Paris Hilton’s toothpick lance rose like a flag, inched forward... and sank deep into Evander! The resulting explosion blew peep innards all over the microwave. (Somebody’s gonna have to clean that up!) Spontaneous cheers arose from all around the room. Victory was sweet - literally! The winner received ... a package of peeps.
You should read my previous blog, “Peep-a-licious” as a prerequisite to truly understand the deep meaning and poignancy of today’s blog. On this auspicious day, as self-appointed morale officer for the office, I declared Monday Peep Jousting Day. (Jousting is a medieval sport where two knights in full battle armor mount horses, hold ridiculously long lances, gallop towards each other at full speed and try to knock the other on his ass. Stupid, yes, but endlessly amusing to watch.) No knights or horses in this contest. Just gooey marshmallow goodness.
As team captain, I divided my coworkers into teams. Each coworker received one peep and a toothpick. Where is this going, you might ask? To the office kitchen, of course. I moved aside the mound of dirty, moldy coffee cups, stale pastries, and laid down the ground rules.
“Each of you has been given a mission. To dominate WWPJ, the Wide World of Peep Jousting. Please pick your favorite celebrity, living or dead. You will name your peep after said celebrity.”
The first two combatants put their peeps on a small paper plate, stuck the toothpicks partially into their peeps, and put them into the microwave.
“Let the jousting tournament commence!” I set the microwave for 1 minute, not knowing how long it actually takes for a peep to explode. Would it blow up the microwave? Who cares; it’s office property. I had set up the contest in heats. The first round we decimated David Letterman Peep. The second creamed Chris Rock Peep, and the third mashed Mike Myers Peep. Soon it was time for the final heat to determine the grand champion. On one side of the microwave, Paris Hilton Peep. On the other, defending champion Evander Holyfield Peep. I dropped the flag (started the microwave). The peeps immediately started to blow up like balloons as their gooey marshmallow centers expanded. Toothpicks rose up like lances into battle position, moving closer, closer . . . The tension in the room was palpable. Sweat trickled from my brow. Money exchanged hands in the back of the room. Paris Hilton’s toothpick lance rose like a flag, inched forward... and sank deep into Evander! The resulting explosion blew peep innards all over the microwave. (Somebody’s gonna have to clean that up!) Spontaneous cheers arose from all around the room. Victory was sweet - literally! The winner received ... a package of peeps.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The day the Stress-o-Meter exploded
The day the Stress-o-Meter exploded
At my stressful job, I finally got to the point of not caring. My attitude was, “If you have an issue, take a tissue!” There was a large tissue box conspicuously placed on the edge of my desk. A large sign near the door read “There will be a $10 charge for whining. My fees have gone up.”
The last straw was when I worked a 12-hour day. Not so irregular in my line of work. But, that day I was not feeling so well. Cursed with back problems for many years, I have downed more than my daily RDA of Motrin, Tylenol, and Asprin. My chiropractor was on speed dial. My back ached and I longed to curl up at my desk and put my feet up to alleviate the stress on my back. Of course, the big boss wanted everything NOW. No time for the luxury of sitting down. Oh, did I mention that I was extremely pregnant with my first child? I did not realize at first that I was in labor. Labor pains were supposed to be in front -- in the stomach area. My stomach felt fine; it was by back that was killing me. Later I learned that some women have back labor. Never heard of it! I finished my tasks for the day at 8 pm, now fully realizing I was about to have a baby. I was not a such a dedicated employee that I as willing to give birth at my desk. I went home. The next morning I said hello to my beautiful baby girl. What a change in perspective! She was the single most important thing in my life! Can I stay on maternity leave forever?
At my stressful job, I finally got to the point of not caring. My attitude was, “If you have an issue, take a tissue!” There was a large tissue box conspicuously placed on the edge of my desk. A large sign near the door read “There will be a $10 charge for whining. My fees have gone up.”
The last straw was when I worked a 12-hour day. Not so irregular in my line of work. But, that day I was not feeling so well. Cursed with back problems for many years, I have downed more than my daily RDA of Motrin, Tylenol, and Asprin. My chiropractor was on speed dial. My back ached and I longed to curl up at my desk and put my feet up to alleviate the stress on my back. Of course, the big boss wanted everything NOW. No time for the luxury of sitting down. Oh, did I mention that I was extremely pregnant with my first child? I did not realize at first that I was in labor. Labor pains were supposed to be in front -- in the stomach area. My stomach felt fine; it was by back that was killing me. Later I learned that some women have back labor. Never heard of it! I finished my tasks for the day at 8 pm, now fully realizing I was about to have a baby. I was not a such a dedicated employee that I as willing to give birth at my desk. I went home. The next morning I said hello to my beautiful baby girl. What a change in perspective! She was the single most important thing in my life! Can I stay on maternity leave forever?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Any artists out there?
Any artists out there? Why do many artists have such a hard time marketing themselves and making money? Everyone in my family is an artist: actor, musician, fine artist, writer, furniture designer, graphic artist. We ALL struggle with the money issue. I’ve heard that art, as a business, should be 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. I guess that either artists are REALLY lazy, or they would rather have more fun being creative! I’m with the second choice! Play now; work later!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
In praise of the dot
I am staring at a big white computer screen, fingers poised over the keyboard. Ten years ago I stared, pen in hand, at a blank page. Ten years before that I held a paintbrush and stared at a blank canvas. When I was 10 years old I grabbed fistful of crayons and stared at a blank page. Ten years before that I was the blank slate. Anothe ten years prior, I was in utero, just tiny cell, a dot, really. I guess that means every great artistic journey begins with a single dot. Profound, huh?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
People on my "I Want to Invite to Dinner" list
Artists / writers / bloggers I admire.
Hugh McLeod has a wonderful website. He does these minimalist cartoon illustrations he calls "cube bombs" - dry humor. Ya gotta see them. They are so simply drawn, but have so much mass-market appeal. His writing is quirky and unexpected. He posted the first part of his book online "Ignore Everybody - and 39 Other Keys to Creativity."
http://gapingvoid.com/
His online gallery: http://gapingvoidgallery.com/
I adore Vanessa Valencia's site. It's in the form of a blog, has photos, illustrations, loosely-woven-together stories. I emailed her & told her she should do children's books. This gal does it all - a real jack of all trades creative. When I grow up I want to BE her! No, seriously. Her blog:
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/
Her art is whimsical, full of joy. I especially love the pieces that are textural, use bunches of newspaper to fan out and form a ballerina's dress. Her art site:
http://www.vanessavalencia.com/
These two people are on my People I Want to Invite to Dinner List.
Let me know if they make your list.
Hugh McLeod has a wonderful website. He does these minimalist cartoon illustrations he calls "cube bombs" - dry humor. Ya gotta see them. They are so simply drawn, but have so much mass-market appeal. His writing is quirky and unexpected. He posted the first part of his book online "Ignore Everybody - and 39 Other Keys to Creativity."
http://gapingvoid.com/
His online gallery: http://gapingvoidgallery.com/
I adore Vanessa Valencia's site. It's in the form of a blog, has photos, illustrations, loosely-woven-together stories. I emailed her & told her she should do children's books. This gal does it all - a real jack of all trades creative. When I grow up I want to BE her! No, seriously. Her blog:
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/
Her art is whimsical, full of joy. I especially love the pieces that are textural, use bunches of newspaper to fan out and form a ballerina's dress. Her art site:
http://www.vanessavalencia.com/
These two people are on my People I Want to Invite to Dinner List.
Let me know if they make your list.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My Publishing Odyssey
I call my spotty writing career "My Personal Publishing Odyssey." You may remember from college English courses that Homer wrote this epic poem more than a few centuries ago. Some days I feel lost and wandering like Odysseus on his long 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. No war in my life, thankfully, but I have been struggling with writing and publishing for more than 20 years. My first forrays were generic, as vague and self-important as writing from a 20-year old's perspective can get. It got better. Starting with an idea and QuarkXpress, I designed a deck of spiritual encouragement cards and an accompanying book. I was the writer, designer, printer, and salsperson. I sold them at local shops, and I considered each sale a personal victory. Having little idea of the publishing world, I sent the collection to publishers. One positive response, but no deal. I self-published many more booklets. My laminated quick reference sheets were one of my better ideas. I compressed several books' worth info onto one page, with themes like Feng Shui and Native American spirituality. I had not learned that New Age topics do not have mass market appeal and that it is a niche market.
Through the years, as an artist, craftsperson, and jack-of-all artistic trades I experimented with jewelry design, T-shirt art, gift baskets, making purses, basic clothing design, home made perfume, even compiling music for a CD. When I look back at all my dabblings, the only consistent theme was writing, with craft projects on the side. Crafting is a tough, tough business. Publishing is an even harder business. Both are a joy, but I have yet to see any financial returns. Perhaps I am persisting with a stereotype, but artists are poor marketers of their own work.
Since the birth of my daughter I have begun writing children's books. I started out with simple picture books. The writing progressed and evolved as she grew. Now I am writing longer books, verging on Middle Grade novels. Pulishing is a tricky and elusive business. J.K. Rowling, author of the blockbuster Harry Potter series, sent out tons of query letters before her first manuscript was accepted. I made the decision to self-publish, this time from a different angle. I still design and self-publish books, but do it online as e-books. My evil plan is to circumvent those persnickety publishers! My website is http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/ It offers several downloadable children's e-books and goodies for adults. For now, the books are free. Soon, the more meatier books will be Pay Pal worthy.
Technology has grown to the advantage of aspiring authors. The Web, U-Tube, Facebook, etc., have catapulted aspiring authors to new heights. Publish-on-Demand (POD) printers let authors print as many books as they want. Self publishing is growing at an astronomical rate. E-books and downloadable Kindle books (among other services) are starting to take off. Barnes and Noble is wisely getting into the mix. Services like CreateSpace allow authors to become their own publishers and marketers. I say, "Hooray for that!" But, I digress. Tangents are the siren's song of bloggers.
There is a lot of controversy about self-publishing. At first, vanity presses were considered just that - egotistical and self-serving. Now self-publishing has become a respectable, valid and substantive industry. I believe that it unties the apron strings and allows talented writers to do it "my way." It is exhilarating for an artist to "get it out there." Creating their art and sharing their creations - the "raison d'etre" for artists.
My own take on self-publishing e-books is that it is quick, easy, and it is ecologically friendly. It is satisfying because, like the 5-year olds I write for, I want immediate gratification! It can take up to 2 years to be traditionally published. While I am still pursuing publishing houses, I have found a way to express myself in the here and now. Very exciting. I have posted 4 children's picture books on my site and "Christmas Carols for Cats," Christmas songs from felines' perspective. I have more than 40 other books in the works, all in various stages of completion. Some are nearly ready for conversion to e-books for the website, and some are just a title.
Writing is my passion. Art is who I am. Creativity is what I live for. I've found and embrace the genre of e-books; they are the perfect way for me to express my overflowing creativity and life's passion.
Please support me on my publishing odyssey and travel with me to http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/
Through the years, as an artist, craftsperson, and jack-of-all artistic trades I experimented with jewelry design, T-shirt art, gift baskets, making purses, basic clothing design, home made perfume, even compiling music for a CD. When I look back at all my dabblings, the only consistent theme was writing, with craft projects on the side. Crafting is a tough, tough business. Publishing is an even harder business. Both are a joy, but I have yet to see any financial returns. Perhaps I am persisting with a stereotype, but artists are poor marketers of their own work.
Since the birth of my daughter I have begun writing children's books. I started out with simple picture books. The writing progressed and evolved as she grew. Now I am writing longer books, verging on Middle Grade novels. Pulishing is a tricky and elusive business. J.K. Rowling, author of the blockbuster Harry Potter series, sent out tons of query letters before her first manuscript was accepted. I made the decision to self-publish, this time from a different angle. I still design and self-publish books, but do it online as e-books. My evil plan is to circumvent those persnickety publishers! My website is http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/ It offers several downloadable children's e-books and goodies for adults. For now, the books are free. Soon, the more meatier books will be Pay Pal worthy.
Technology has grown to the advantage of aspiring authors. The Web, U-Tube, Facebook, etc., have catapulted aspiring authors to new heights. Publish-on-Demand (POD) printers let authors print as many books as they want. Self publishing is growing at an astronomical rate. E-books and downloadable Kindle books (among other services) are starting to take off. Barnes and Noble is wisely getting into the mix. Services like CreateSpace allow authors to become their own publishers and marketers. I say, "Hooray for that!" But, I digress. Tangents are the siren's song of bloggers.
There is a lot of controversy about self-publishing. At first, vanity presses were considered just that - egotistical and self-serving. Now self-publishing has become a respectable, valid and substantive industry. I believe that it unties the apron strings and allows talented writers to do it "my way." It is exhilarating for an artist to "get it out there." Creating their art and sharing their creations - the "raison d'etre" for artists.
My own take on self-publishing e-books is that it is quick, easy, and it is ecologically friendly. It is satisfying because, like the 5-year olds I write for, I want immediate gratification! It can take up to 2 years to be traditionally published. While I am still pursuing publishing houses, I have found a way to express myself in the here and now. Very exciting. I have posted 4 children's picture books on my site and "Christmas Carols for Cats," Christmas songs from felines' perspective. I have more than 40 other books in the works, all in various stages of completion. Some are nearly ready for conversion to e-books for the website, and some are just a title.
Writing is my passion. Art is who I am. Creativity is what I live for. I've found and embrace the genre of e-books; they are the perfect way for me to express my overflowing creativity and life's passion.
Please support me on my publishing odyssey and travel with me to http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Networking & Facebooking
Networking. What exactly does that mean? Shaking hands? Collecting business cards? Going to social events? Why is it important? My personal life coach suggested that I start networking to help get my writing business off the ground. What??? How could that possibly help? Well, what he heck. I tried it. I went to a ladies networking luncheon and met a wonderful group of professional women, had a good time, and got to meet a few potential contacts. True, I now have a giant box 'o' business cards. But, 4 of the 40 were actually useful. I got hooked to write a spec story for a local women's magazine. I also found a new hairdresser. Interestingly, when I told others about my interests, they were able to refer me to a wider network of their contacts. Aha! Some leads to local authors, editors, and a writing coach! So, the luncheon was a worthwhile and productive event.
The other face of networking, besides meeting real live people locally, is online networking. What's exciting is that I've met people from around the world who have similar interests. I've become a Facebook junkie. It's truly as addictive as videogames. Through Facebook I have discovered several local "meetups," folks who start a local get-together to socialize and . . . network. I am helping to organize a local aspiring authors' group. We set up the time, the place, and the theme. 18 people are signed into the meetup, and hopefully, 6 or 8 will show up! I also discovered a regional chapter of a national writers' organization who meets locally. So, I'm hooked. Networking. Facebook. All because I ventured outside of my comfort zone, fired up by my personal life coach. It took a push and a leap of faith. Net-work it!
The other face of networking, besides meeting real live people locally, is online networking. What's exciting is that I've met people from around the world who have similar interests. I've become a Facebook junkie. It's truly as addictive as videogames. Through Facebook I have discovered several local "meetups," folks who start a local get-together to socialize and . . . network. I am helping to organize a local aspiring authors' group. We set up the time, the place, and the theme. 18 people are signed into the meetup, and hopefully, 6 or 8 will show up! I also discovered a regional chapter of a national writers' organization who meets locally. So, I'm hooked. Networking. Facebook. All because I ventured outside of my comfort zone, fired up by my personal life coach. It took a push and a leap of faith. Net-work it!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Gift for YOU. Free e-book "Christmas Carols for Cats"
Gift for YOU. Free e-book "Christmas Carols for Cats"
A holiday gift for you! A free copy of my latest e-book “Christmas Carols for Cats - Howlingly Good-Sing-a-longs for Cats and Their Owners.” Go to http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/ to download your copy! Feel free to print it, email it to others, distribute, and take it Christmas carolling with you. Like Santa and his sleigh, help “Christmas Carols for Cats” TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE BY CHRISTMAS DAY!
Your favorite Christmas carols have been hijacked and rewritten by cats! From “Deck the Halls with Boughs of Catnip,” to “We Wish You a Furry Christmas,” these carols are alternately funny, outrageous, and heartwarming. E-mail it to everyone on your Christmas list, whether they have been naughty or nice! Where will this book travel? The author wants to know! E-mail me at kidzbookzonline@gmail.com And have yourself a furry Christmas and a purry New Year!
Thanks to the photograpers from all over the world and for contributing to my e-book.
My children's book website, KIDZ BOOKZ ONLINE http://www.kidzbookz.vpweb.com/ offers fun and semi-educational tales, sweet and snuggleable stories, and silly, outrageously fun reads for kidz and their families. At Kidz Bookz Online, you and your child (or grandchild) can download e-books right to your computer to read onscreen or print them out to read together at bedtime. Free e-zine and other goodies for adults! Dowloadable full-color pdf format.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Moving to Asheville NC
We have escaped from the looney bin...
We gone and done it! Our family decided to take the big leap. We’d had enough! We packed up our entire house, stuffed it all into an overflowing moving truck and headed South. Aaaah! That’s better! Goodbye, Washington DC. Adios traffic. Au revoir stress! Just me, my husband, my daughter who watched her “Scooby Doo Meets Batman and Robin” DVD 20 times on the way. Yes, we do have it memorized. And our two cats, who had been medicated for the journey. Sorry, cat lovers, it had to be done for their own good.
As we rounded a curve near the Tennessee / North Carolina border, we spied the mountains in the distance - indigo and blue. The very essence of peace. I could suddenly breathe more deeply. We pulled the truck into Asheville NC. We were home!
We gone and done it! Our family decided to take the big leap. We’d had enough! We packed up our entire house, stuffed it all into an overflowing moving truck and headed South. Aaaah! That’s better! Goodbye, Washington DC. Adios traffic. Au revoir stress! Just me, my husband, my daughter who watched her “Scooby Doo Meets Batman and Robin” DVD 20 times on the way. Yes, we do have it memorized. And our two cats, who had been medicated for the journey. Sorry, cat lovers, it had to be done for their own good.
As we rounded a curve near the Tennessee / North Carolina border, we spied the mountains in the distance - indigo and blue. The very essence of peace. I could suddenly breathe more deeply. We pulled the truck into Asheville NC. We were home!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
How to write a novel
I always have to remember that “butt in seat time” is the most valuable tool I have as a writer.
“The jouney of ten thousand miles begins with a single step.” from Tao te Ching.
To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.
There are many different kinds of writers. Those who plan, lay the foundation and build up from the ground. Me? I start in the sky and work my way down. I get an idea in my head and take off with it, having absolutely NO idea where it will lead me. Often my writing is a journey that takes me to strange and amazing places, like walking through a dreamscape. My unconsicous mind somehow finds the key to the story's ending that I never would have imagined. The story comes full circle, but reaches a new level.
Other times my writing does not reach a moment of clarity or resolution. It's just a mess.
It always amazes me — the leaps my mind takes. Finding the perfect resolution is like a little miracle: the stream of the unconscious mind winding its way to the sea.
WHat kind of writer are you?
“The jouney of ten thousand miles begins with a single step.” from Tao te Ching.
To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.
There are many different kinds of writers. Those who plan, lay the foundation and build up from the ground. Me? I start in the sky and work my way down. I get an idea in my head and take off with it, having absolutely NO idea where it will lead me. Often my writing is a journey that takes me to strange and amazing places, like walking through a dreamscape. My unconsicous mind somehow finds the key to the story's ending that I never would have imagined. The story comes full circle, but reaches a new level.
Other times my writing does not reach a moment of clarity or resolution. It's just a mess.
It always amazes me — the leaps my mind takes. Finding the perfect resolution is like a little miracle: the stream of the unconscious mind winding its way to the sea.
WHat kind of writer are you?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Too much inspiration?
Is there such a thing as too much inspiration? Can you have too much creativity? Too big of an adrenaline rush? For artists, adventurers, and other creative souls, the answer is a resounding NO! For me, a writer and artist, the answer is "sometimes." I often get swept into a tide of overflowing creativity, go manic with hundreds of ideas for new books and projects. My intense passion for art can keep me up half the night. For the sake of my husband and daughter, I have learned to rein it in somewhat. Some days the "creativity hangover" (the payback for staying up all night to write a good article) is worth it. Other times, no. Over strong coffee and a gruesome migraine, I ask myself, "Why, oh, why did I trade 8 hours of delicious sleep for one measly paragraph that, in morning's clear light, completely sucks?" No one makes the best decisions at 3 am.
"As with all things in life, seek balance." The Zen wisdom of a fortune cookie. Balance has evaded me for 45 years. With a half-smile, I admit to being quite "unbalanced." I've told others that my right brain is so overly developed that my head constantly tilts to the right. Why? It weight more. It is difficult for me to perform left-brained activities like math, taxes, remembering to change the oil in the car. I've been known to forget to eat breakfast, lose my keys multiple times in one day. And I have problems understanding the concept of time, much to the annoyance of dinner partners.
Fortunately, I married a wonderful, left-brained man. He remembers everything and is a good model for me to get my act together in the left-brained world. He is a good sounding board, the voice of the people, for my outrageous ideas. Opposites compliment each other. We have taught each other to appreciate life from a different perspective, from the "great divide" of the brain's hemispheres. My husbands's office is pristine, a study in order and simplicity. Mine is crammed to the ceiling with books, art supplies, half-finished craft projects, photos thumb tacked to the wall, post-its with scribbled ideas for a next book. In short, a messy whirlwind of creative energy run amok. In this maelstrom-of-my-own making, I lose things, (like myself) and cannot seem to finish any of my hundreds of projects. Why?
Recently someone breezed through my life at an important moment to help me with my left-right dilemma. There are a few golden moments where a stranger makes a simple statement and it hits you like a brick from the sky. This particular stranger said "If you run your life from sheer emotion, nothing will ever get done." I translated this to, "If you run your life from creativity and inspiration alone, nothing will ever be accomplished." My art may not make it to the gallery. My novel stays half written. The abandoned craft project scattered beads and fabric scraps all over the floor... I get inspired, excited, and jump into a new project. In the midst of that, I get an idea for a book, so I wander off. The next moment, I get distracted by a snippet of song that inspires me to write a poem. I am having a blast, I’m in the zone. I have the attention span of a 5-year old. No wonder I can’t get anything done. I’m having too much fun playing and don’t want to stop to come in for dinner. My inspirations, whims, and flights of fancy lead me dancing and flittering from one thing to another, never stopping long enough to get anything accomplished, let alone finished.
"If you run your life from creativity and inspiration alone, nothing will ever be accomplished." That statement explains a lot about me. I am so in love with my right side that I’m blinded to the left. What, I have another half of a brain? Who knew? I am finally realizing that I need the left side’s help to be whole and complete. I need the practical, the business mind, the realist, as well as the artist, the dreamer, the muse. Hmmmmm. Will the two sides ever meet? Can I even FIND my left brain without getting lost?
Can you have too much of a good thing? Too much creativity and inspiration? Only if you allow it to take over your life.
"As with all things in life, seek balance." The Zen wisdom of a fortune cookie. Balance has evaded me for 45 years. With a half-smile, I admit to being quite "unbalanced." I've told others that my right brain is so overly developed that my head constantly tilts to the right. Why? It weight more. It is difficult for me to perform left-brained activities like math, taxes, remembering to change the oil in the car. I've been known to forget to eat breakfast, lose my keys multiple times in one day. And I have problems understanding the concept of time, much to the annoyance of dinner partners.
Fortunately, I married a wonderful, left-brained man. He remembers everything and is a good model for me to get my act together in the left-brained world. He is a good sounding board, the voice of the people, for my outrageous ideas. Opposites compliment each other. We have taught each other to appreciate life from a different perspective, from the "great divide" of the brain's hemispheres. My husbands's office is pristine, a study in order and simplicity. Mine is crammed to the ceiling with books, art supplies, half-finished craft projects, photos thumb tacked to the wall, post-its with scribbled ideas for a next book. In short, a messy whirlwind of creative energy run amok. In this maelstrom-of-my-own making, I lose things, (like myself) and cannot seem to finish any of my hundreds of projects. Why?
Recently someone breezed through my life at an important moment to help me with my left-right dilemma. There are a few golden moments where a stranger makes a simple statement and it hits you like a brick from the sky. This particular stranger said "If you run your life from sheer emotion, nothing will ever get done." I translated this to, "If you run your life from creativity and inspiration alone, nothing will ever be accomplished." My art may not make it to the gallery. My novel stays half written. The abandoned craft project scattered beads and fabric scraps all over the floor... I get inspired, excited, and jump into a new project. In the midst of that, I get an idea for a book, so I wander off. The next moment, I get distracted by a snippet of song that inspires me to write a poem. I am having a blast, I’m in the zone. I have the attention span of a 5-year old. No wonder I can’t get anything done. I’m having too much fun playing and don’t want to stop to come in for dinner. My inspirations, whims, and flights of fancy lead me dancing and flittering from one thing to another, never stopping long enough to get anything accomplished, let alone finished.
"If you run your life from creativity and inspiration alone, nothing will ever be accomplished." That statement explains a lot about me. I am so in love with my right side that I’m blinded to the left. What, I have another half of a brain? Who knew? I am finally realizing that I need the left side’s help to be whole and complete. I need the practical, the business mind, the realist, as well as the artist, the dreamer, the muse. Hmmmmm. Will the two sides ever meet? Can I even FIND my left brain without getting lost?
Can you have too much of a good thing? Too much creativity and inspiration? Only if you allow it to take over your life.
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