So I finished Campnanowrimo. I am now left with 10 great picture book stories that need to be cleaned up and shown some love. Also, my NA Scifi is back from another round of CP's (critique partners). It needs to be shown more love as well. May is super busy for me. My plan is to do revisions on both novels during the month of May. I have a tentative day of May 15th which I recognize is CRAZY!

Clearly, I like crazy:)

Here is my revision…

"I'm a Baby Who-Ha!"

This was what Maxx announced at bedtime last night.

He proceeded to add that Marc was a Daddy Who-Ha, Mom was a Mommy Who-Ha, and Avi was the other Who-Ha.  Yes, his sister was just, "the other Who-Ha".

And no, I'm not sure where he got the word, "Who-Ha".  I think he thinks he made it up.

What a Who-Ha is in his little mind, I'm not sure.  I imagine something rather Dr. Seussian.…

SHOW ME HOW! BUILDING YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING

n the early 1900s many immigrant men were recruited to work on the sugar cane plantations in Hawaii on temporary visas. Rather than intermarry, a match making organization sent pictures of these men home to recruit willing women to be their wives, and to help on the plantations. These were…

I'm posting this today after reading the announcement about the NYTimes/Amazon best-seller by author Adam Mansbach -- "a picture book for adults" -- lauded as an anthem for all road-weary parents. Depending on your own sense of humor, you may find this book funny as all get-out or a travesty in publishing.

Although written in PB style (I'm an aspiring PB author), this book is aimed at grownups, with the provocative title "Go The F*** To Sleep" (Mansbach got the idea after…

I've posted a new poem inspired by the great massive sculptures of Richard Serra: "Inside Serra":

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/03/inside-serra-poem.html

I'm participating in today's One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge at One Stop Poetry. My contribution is a new poem, "After, the Evidence":

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/03/after-evidence-poem.html

My kids loved this book. Not only does it teach Spanish, but includes a Latin Jazz cd to play and learn from as well.  Enjoy!

If you're wondering what you can give a child that will make the most positive difference in his or her life, you can begin by giving a gift that will teach them diversity. Matthew Gollub has been writing children's books for years and each one teaches…

I'm participating in today's One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge at One Stop Poetry. My contribution is a short poem titled "Picture This":

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/02/picture-this-poem.html

I'm participating in  today's Picture Prompt Poetry Challenge, which uses an image by photographer Sean McCormick.

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/02/shooting-stars-poem.html

Anyone may participate in the challenge, offering either poetry or flash fiction.

There's a fun prompt at One Stop Poetry for today's One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge. I contributed a new poem, "Relief Prints":

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/01/relief-prints-poem.html

I've contributed a new poem, "Blue-Blooded Love", to today's Picture Prompt Poetry Challenge at One Stop Poetry.

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/01/blue-blooded-love-poem.html

Anyone may participate. I've included links to OSP for instructions. Be sure to read the interview there with portrait photographer Katherine Forbes.

I'm participating in today's One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Poetry Challenge at One Stop Poetry. I've just contributed a new poem, "Red Menace", in response to the image.

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/01/red-menace-poem.html

The Thanksgiving Coat: Inspire Acts of Kindness, Happiness and Healing, written by Elizabeth Hoadley and illustrated byher talented 5-year daughter, Kailee, is a fine example of what level that teaching and learning can rise to.

This inspiring and motivational children's book is based on a true story that began with Kailee's visit with her mother to a food bank to…

There's a fun prompt today for One Shoot Sunday at One Stop Poetry. My response is titled "Overheard at Coney Island".

I've included in my post links to One Stop, which also features an interview with the photographer whose image is the picture prompt.

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2011/01/overheard-at-coney-island-poem.html

Note: The "Mr Linky" widget is…

I was reading this interview with Ruth Denison & it reminded me of the blog post(s) I wanted to write on addiction.

Quotes from the article...

- There was always something out of the ordinary in my relationship to plants & nature…