Inktober 2016

It's Inktober! Woot! Woot! I actually took time and came up with 31 drawing prompts. No guarantee I'll keep up with them all but it was fun making the list! For those looking for prompts you're welcome to follow mine. The list on the left is of little things that should be drawn big. The …

Frankenstein Fish

Blogging is like having an aquarium, but without lives at stake. Let me start at the beginning. You decide to get a fish tank. Why? Because you like fish and you got mad fishy-ideas! You’re ready for the world to see your awesome fish-abilities! You pick out a tank that suits your needs, you get …

When Ideas Come Knockin’

I really want to focus on my life, but I haven’t written in a week and the creative ideas are coming for me. That’s right. Not to me but for me. There’s this box in my brain where I store all my potential story ideas. But it seems the box’s lid has come loose. And …

NaPiBoWriWee 2016 Day 1

It's May, and that means it's National Picture Book Writing Week (Napibowriwee)! Woot Woot! Created by children's book rock star Paula Yoo, Napibowriwee runs the first week of May, during which time participants aim to write seven picture books in seven days! I know it sounds like madness, and it is. But the goal is …

Captain Harlem

Winds blow back the rust-orange cape and make her braids take flight as Captain Harlem crosses the the street. The Captain's colorful, printed poncho bellows around her making her look larger than life, her true size. Poised and attentive, she guides her baby carriage through the intersection, the same way she guides the good people. …

Mr. TightShorts

We get it, man you're in shape. Now put some damn pants on!

The Empire Tight Building

An opportunity to take a picture with an icon, but that little boy would rather be anywhere else. On the corner of famous Fifth Ave. all the eager tourists break their necks to capture the tower. But not this kid. “Smile!” encourages Mom. He throws a glare away from her, fists jammed in his pockets, …

Levitating Light Bulb

As if cut from a glowing golden cloth, The full moon, a circle sitting on the east horizon. My bus flies north on the highway and the moon follows like a curious dolphin, dipping behind dark waves of distant buildings amongst the silky cityscape. A levitating light bulb. Its warm, large glow reminds the city …

Weekly Meeting Notes

The Editor and I sit across from the VP in her sunny office. I smooth out my skirt, cross my legs, and place my notebook on my lap. I definitely look the part of Editor-in-the-making. A quick glance. The Editor has crossed her legs too. This is how a good editor sits I think to …

Warm Words

On Saturday February 13th I braved frigid temperatures and biting winds as I ventured to the Grand Hyatt Hotel. There I joined 1,150 aspiring writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ 17th Annual Winter Conference. Once settled inside the ballroom lecture hall, we were introduced to our enthusiastic …