Blueprints at the monastary

The days the monastary were incredible.  Peace, focus, and clarity. 

I achieved my main goal -- a better blueprint for my novel.  But in the process, I began to realize that I need a better blueprint for my life.  (In other words, if my life were a novel, an editor would encourage me to take out the clutter.)

BTW -- If I weren't married, female, and Protestant, I'd seriously consider being a monk.

It's waaaaay too late for writing

It's 1:00 am and I should be in bed. 

But somehow, I still need to prepare a Sunday School lesson for eight wild fourth-graders AND get things packed for a writing retreat in Nebraska at one of my favorite places in the world -- a Benedictine Monastery near Schuyler, Nebraska. 

Meanwhile, I've been sending out reminders about the two upcoming writers' and illustrators' conferences.  If you're interested, take a look at these links. 

University of North Dakota - 30th Annual Writers Conference in Children's Literature
October 9-10, 2009
 http://www.und.edu/dept/english/ChildrensLit/ChildrensLit09.html

First Annual SCBWI Black Hills Writers' and Illustrators' Conference
November 6-7, 2009
http://www.dakotas-scbwi.org/

G'Night!

Turtles and a Moustache

Why am I in Hankinson, ND?  Yesterday I had a school visit at the elementary school where I did four presentations about four different books, followed by a Title I family night.  Whew!  But seriously, this is the icing on the cake when it comes to being an author. 

There's nothing that matches the kids, their questions, and the stories that they tell when they're supposed to be asking questions.  Me:  "Does anyone have any questions?"  Kindergartner:  "One time a turtle crawled over my grandma's foot."

The family night featured kids dressed up as the people from one of my Mount Rushmore books.  My favorite was the lanky boy who dressed as Doane Robinson (the man who had the first idea for the carving in the Black Hills).  It's amazing what a hat and a suitcoat will do to a fifth-grader! (In fact, it reminds of the time my son bought a suitcoat from Goodwill to dress as Santa Ana, but that's another story.)

After the whole presentation was done, the kids had plenty of questions about Mount Rushmore. The best one of the bunch?  "How long is Teddy Roosevelt's moustache?"  (Did I mention that I'm in North Dakota???)

Beginnings

I'll eventually explain the name of my blog.  Until then, I'm just amazed at myself for getting started.  I was the kind of kid who always hid her diary inside of her pillow case and wrote horrid notes of doom to anyone who dared to read it. So the idea of going public with rambling thoughts is somewhat crazy. 

But as an author, I'm supposed to have a blog.  A public presence, per say.  Okay, Jean.  Time to be brave and jump in where you are...

And where am I?  At a tiny little motel in Hankinson, North Dakota.  More on that tomorrow.