Got more stuff to do

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I had a manuscript turned down by an editor who called me a “lovely writer.” An hour later I got a nod from a different editor (on a different proposal) saying things look promising on that one. The new book is for teachers and I’m co-writing it with Laura Robb. My part is to provide reading texts including poetry and prose. We don’t have the green light yet but I take it as a good sign when the reviewers loved it and the editor calls it “a fabulous book.”

Also yesterday Mary Jo Fresch and I moved another step closer to completing the book we’ve been working on over these past several months. We’re waiting for input from more than a dozen classroom teachers and will plug those in as they arrive. We’re not there yet but it won’t be too much longer now.

Thanks to everyone who supported our family yesterday as we paused to remember my sister. I appreciated all your notes very much.

Off and running

Hi everyone,

What began in a rough patch turned out to be a good week. I found the groove I needed for the new book proposal and by the end of today I’ll have five good poems ready to go. A decent poem per day makes for a successful week. Three are in verse and two are free verse. Sandy, my hawk-eyed first reader, suggested two spots to reconsider, which is what I’ll do this morning. After that I’ll send them along to my writing partner, Laura Robb, and we’ll get back to our editor.

On another front, Mary Jo Fresch and I finished the proposal on another book and sent it on its way. Our editor was just leaving for a conference so we’ll be waiting a while to hear back on that one.

Word and Theme of the Month

Hi everyone,

TA DA! Here are the Word of the Month and Theme of the Month words for September.

Thanks to Mary Nida Smith, the theme is WEATHER MOODS.

And here are the Word of the Month words for the next three months.

September’s word, provided by B.j. Lee, is BOSK.
October’s word, provided by Deborah Holt Williams, is MAY.
November’s word, provided by Renee La Tulippe, is AWNING.

Moon over Arkansas

Hi everyone,

Here’s a beautiful picture snapped by Mary Nida Smith. Thank you, Mary Nida, for sharing some of the natural beauty of your fair state.

David

More from Bella Vita

Last evening with an overcast sunset, it was a monochromatic world where sand, sea, and sky seemed nearly one. How’s that for a supernatural world, Mary Nida?

There are 48 units in the complex. Right now only five other owners are here so it’s almost like having the whole place to ourselves.

Here’s a picture of the front of our condo. I love sitting at the table to work or read.

Hi everyone,

My friend Laura Purdie Salas has learned that her new Clarion book, BOOKSPEAK! POEMS ABOUT BOOKS, has just been named a Minnesota Book Award Finalist. Way to go, Laura! I’ve ordered my copy and look forward to reading it. For more information about Laura and her work, check out her site : www.laurasalas.com . 

David