step by step

I must say, writing can feel so slow sometimes. Especially since I have 3-4 projects going on at any one time. You sit down for the morning, you write 1200 words. Hurrah! You congratulate yourself. You feel good all day. You sit down again the next day. You're still on chapter two. There's a looooong way to go.

Thank goodness that the pleasure of writing is in creation and discovery, not the rapid crossing of finish lines. 

Okay, I'm off to crawl through, hopefully, a few more pages.  I have no idea what I'm going to write. I look forward to the discovery...

validation

Here's the wonderful short, Validation, posted here again by request. It's sure to make you smile!

Emily Recommends: A Ritual to Read Together

Continuing the trend of having my poetry published in the same anthologies as my favorite poet, Naomi Shihab Nye (6 so far? I swear I don't do it on purpose!), I just got my copy of Becca J. R. Lachman's lovely collection A Ritual to Read Together: Poems in Conversation with William Stafford.

It makes me want to read and write more poetry.

That is one of the top compliments you can give to a poetry book, particularly one centered on a premier American poet whose teaching and emphasis on nonviolence inspired so many others. This collection is cleverly assembled of poems in conversation with Stafford's: some are tributes, some play off one or more lines and some (like mine) are linked only in their mutual interests. The result is a ready-made class, oh professor friends. (There's even a study guide with poets' commentary at the end of each chapter.) What fun that would be to teach...

Owl Hat!

I must say, I love the current trend of owl themes for children's stuff. I designed this owl hat for my daughter so she could be an owl for Halloween. (Sounded easier than making a full costume!) The knitting pattern is now for sale here on ravelry.

Winter Farmers' Markets

My radio story on winter farmers' markets aired on WXPR today. One of the pleasures of freelancing for radio (or print) is that you can choose stories that matter to you. I'm proud that my town offers an opportunity to buy locally produced foods (like this goat cheese, above) straight from farmers year round. May more people come!

cold

Sorry I've been delinquent, folks. I've been holed up inside working on radio stories, which is the perfect thing to do in this weather--negative 12 here at noon, with wind chills down to negative 40. Ahh, winter in the Northwoods.

Emily Recommends: Writing Picture Books

I am doing a happy dance over Ann Whitford Paul's thoughtful, clearly written guide, Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication. The title is apt. Every chapter has an exercise at the end to help you conceive, write, and market and picture book. I'm learning so much. If you've ever dreamed of writing a picture book, read this first.