I think...

I am starting a new blog.


Because I want to...

Email...

I check my email WAY too often.


What do I think is going to happen if I go a day without turning on the computer? I'm a stay-at-home writer-mom for Pete's sake. What information is going to arrive via email that needs to be dealt with RIGHT NOW!?


What can't wait 24 hours?


The blog-job makes it hard NOT to be living online. So I can blame part of this addiction on the blog-job, but the rest is just my silly need for constant contact.


I need help.

Invention...

I'm thinking a lot about invention in writing this week. Thinking, as I re-read The Phantom Tollbooth, that once in awhile someone invents something... or at least that once in awhile, someone is a little inventive.


According to wikipedia, Juster wrote "Tollbooth" "primarily to amuse himself." That seems to me to be one way to do it, a key to understanding what I seek in invention.


Not "invention" as a process of pushing against, a process of breaking apart from, a "shock of the new"... but invention as a process of letting go of seriousness... laughing... surprising oneself and others... shooting for madness, magic.


But all within the context of communication. Invention in communication. Invention in amusement.


This, THIS is why I write for children. Children still believe in invention. Children can still be persuaded.


Some of them.


I want to be an alchemist. I'm fine with being a failed alchemist. I believe in alchemy, or I believe that believing in such things is worthwhile.


Hard to explain.

Something you have to hear...

My very wonderful, amazing, sweet friend Lucy.... has made some equally wonderful, amazing, sweet songs. You should go listen to them right now! "Bridge" is particularly heartbreaking. It has some kind of eerie honest melancholy ring.

In case...

Just in case people should stumble by JewishyIrishy looking for such a thing...


You can find "Laurel Snyder's Tips for Planning an Interfaith Wedding" over HERE!

Natasha Tretheway...

Has won the Pulitzer!


Good for her!


Does this mean she'll move away from Atlanta, and take a sweet job at a swanky MFA program?


We'll see.

My little 'un...

A big weekend was had by Mose. A new swingset and sand table. Bubbles. Four of Mose's grandparents. Ice cream. Aquarium. Banjos at the Earthday concert. Bookstores. And finally, sleep.

Weird...

I'm always shocked when someone sends me review copies of something.


But last week I was uber shocked to get my first review copy from W.W. Norton. Adrienne Rich's "Poetry and Commitment".


I'm reading it now. I'll let you know how it turns out.


But I can already guess.


Poetry? Commitment?


Poetry tends to be kind of fly-by-night, dontcha know.... fickle bitch.

I'm thinking...

a lot today about all the words I know how to use in a sentence, but can't actually define.


Dangerous!

Complete failure...

I'll have to try NaPoWriMo some year when I'm not 7 months pregnant, doing daily freelance work, writing a book on deadline, parenting a 16 month old with no babysitting help, and having a bunch of houseguests.


I suck.

Yes, Virginia...

"Papa says, 'if you see it in Publisher's Marketplace, it's so.'"


Which means, I think, that I can reveal my new news...


I sold another book, another children's novel!


Any Which Wall is the story of four children (Susan, Henry, Roy, and Emma) in a small town in Iowa (Quiet Falls) who stumble upon a magic wishing-wall in the middle of a corn field, and are transported to all manner of odd places for a crazy series of strange adventures.


Now I just have to write the dang thing.

News...

I have some news, but can't share yet.


Oh, I wish I could spill these beans.