2009 Blog Entries
12/31/09 -- Done writing for the day, and 2009! Happy New Year, everyone!
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12/23/09 -- Happy Holidays from our house to yours!
And wishing you all the best in 2010!
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12/17/09 -- Done with draft number 8 of REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR a day ahead of schedule! Woo-hoo! Which may sound like I'm almost done with the book. Nope. To use a climbing metaphor, I've reached a nice hold that will give me a momentary rest, but I've still got a lot of work to do before I top out.
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12/15/09 -- Back in Oregon, I am now done with all of my school author visits for 2009. El Paso was a quick turnaround -- only one day -- but fun, with an added bonus of spectacular weather and yummy food. Great kids, too, of course, and educators.
Now I'm pushing hard to get to the end of this draft of REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR before I head to Kentucky on December 22 to visit my wife's family. Looks like I'll make it with time to spare. Whew!
Then on to draft number 9 . . .
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12/9/09 -- I've just finished packing for a whirlwind trip to El Paso, TX for the last school visit of 2009. I'll be up at 4:00 AM tomorrow, out the door by 5:00, and on my way to the Portland, OR airport. My flight departs at 8:30. With a stop to change planes in Phoenix, AZ, I arrive in the Lone Star State by mid-afternoon. Hopefully, I'll have time for a run, then dinner, then a bit of relaxing before bed.
Friday I'll do four presentations at Dr. Green Elementary, discussing the writing process with aspiring authors. Which I find endlessly fascinating. Hopefully, they will, too. By 4:20 I'll be back on a plane headed to Oregon, arriving home in Corvallis by 1:00 AM or so.
See what I mean by a whirlwind trip? But here's the thing: time zone changes and airplane time don't bug me. In fact, I enjoy the adventure. And even if getting there turns epic, it's all worth it when I get to meet my audience face-to-face.
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12/7/09 -- Although I love reading children's books and learn tons from them -- both as a writer and as a human being -- I also like to spread my choices wide, both for the fun of it, and to continue my ongoing quest to finally get educated. So this weekend I bought a book I've been meaning to read for years -- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Not sure if my science-challenged brain will be able to comprehend the mind-bending theories, but I'm going to give it a try. I figure that even if I only grasp 5% of what I read I'll know a lot more than I do today. What have I got to lose?!
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12/4/09 -- Typical weather for this time of year west of the Cascades is cloudy with plenty of rain. Instead, we're getting sunny day after sunny day. Cold, yes, but blue skies. Nice!
Still, there is writing to be done, which is an indoor task, and so I type away at REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR . . . Until noon, when I've allowed myself the luxury of walking downtown to run some errands. Get myself a good fix of sun and I'll be ready to roll for the rest of the day. The best of both worlds, inside and out.
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12/2/09 -- A friend of ours passed away last week of cancer. Yesterday we attended her memorial service on the Oregon coast. From the church windows we looked out at the spectacular beauty of brilliant blue skies over calm seas. Inside we celebrated a different, but no less spectacular, kind of artistry -- that of a life very well lived. Much was said, and sung, and read. But one line in particular resonated with me the most. So I'm passing it along as food for thought: "Love doesn't die, people do. So, when all that's left of me is love, give me away."
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11/28/09 -- Finally recovered from turkey-induced lethargy, I'm back in the saddle and writing again today. Still, the fun and warmth of Thanksgiving lingers. It was a great feast and, much more importantly, great company. Clockwise: Tyler, Kelsey, Debbie, Alex, Amy, and Tom.
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11/24/09 -- With Thanksgiving just around the corner it's natural to consider all I have to be grateful for: a wonderful wife and daughters and extended family, great friends, good health, a roof over my head, a hot mocha on a chilly afternoon. . . The list goes on and on, and of course includes the luxury of writing for a living. Not to mention the freedom to write what I choose, and for whom I choose -- kids, the most important readers on the planet. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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11/19/09 -- I'm back home in Oregon, unpacked, and my desk finally cleared. The flight from Nebraska was uneventful, except for the repeated kindness shown to me with my arm in a sling. I never once had to ask for help putting my bag in the overhead bin. Someone would just jump up and say, "Here, let me help you with that." Anyone who is feeling pessimistic about the human race, I'm here to tell you that are lots of very nice people out there!
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11/17/09 -- Here in the Omaha, NE airport I'm waiting for my flight home to Oregon, tired but happy with the school visits in Lincoln. Many thanks to my wonderful hosts, Theresa Dorsey and Glenda Willnerd, and all of the great librarians and teachers and kids I met over the past 10 days. You were fantastic, and inspiring! I'm stoked to get home and make some major progress on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. Woo-hoo!
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11/15/09 -- I'm sitting in a laundromat in Lincoln, NE. Clothes are almost done. The steady rumble of the dryers is oddly comforting, and dampens most other noise, except for the clink-clink-clink of the change machine dishing out quarters.
I've gotten quite a bit of writing done over the past hour, which is satisfying. Will do more back at the hotel. Tomorrow I begin a whirlwind tour of six schools in two days. It'll be intense, but fun. After all, this is my audience as a writer. I love meeting them face to face.
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11/10/09 -- My author visits in Lincoln, Nebraska are well underway. This first week I've got the luxury of staying put for five straight days at Roper Elementary. Great kids, great educators, and a chance to go deep into the writing process with over 900 emerging writers. Who could ask for more?
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11/7/09 -- In the rush of packing to go on a trip (me to Nebraska, for example) it's easy to get caught up in hurry-hurry mode. This morning I was hustling across the dining room with yet another load of stuff to cram into my suitcase, when the sun peaked out from behind the clouds, casting slanting beams of light across the table and onto a glass of water. I stopped in my tracks, and for a moment just stood there, reminded once again of the importance of taking in and appreciating the small beauties of life. As has been said by many an editor, true artistry is in the details.
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11/6/09 -- A busy day writing and getting ready to leave for Nebraska on Sunday. My arm is in a sling from the shoulder surgery, but I'm doing fine. Traveling will be a challenge. Nothing I can't handle, though, as long as I can get some help putting my suitcase in the airplane overhead bin. Have you noticed how many kind people there are in the world? I'm sure someone will come to my aide.
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11/5/09 -- For those of you who use Facebook, I now have a Facebook page and love getting to know new friends through it. Consider yourself invited!
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11/2/09 -- A day late with this news, but November is National Novel Writing Month, in which writers attempt to pen 50,000 words (roughly 200 pages or so) within the 30 days of the month. Which I calculate to be 1,666.66 words per day. Lots of writing, but doable.
To learn more visit NaNoWriMo web site at http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node. If you are under the age of 13, go to http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/ for the National Novel Writing Month Young Authors Program. Then get back to work! Write, write, write!
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10/29/09 -- My head has finally cleared enough from the post-op medications to actually make some progress on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. Also, a fun realization:at a fundamental level this story is really about the main character, Cody, trying to figure out, "What is love?" A grand question that has many answers.
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10/27/09 -- Typing a bit slowly today, as my right arm is in a sling. Yesterday's shoulder surgery went well, but the doc found more damage than predicted: torn rotator cuff in two places, and a torn bicep tendon, as well as the suspected labral damage. So instead of the hoped for 6 weeks recovery, it will probably be more like 6 months. Of course I'm disappointed -- there goes most of ski season, not to mention indoor gym climbing this winter -- but I should eventually recover 100% and be having even more fun come spring. I'm grateful for that and the fantastic care I got at Good Samaritan Hospital here in Corvallis. In the meantime I can still have fun doing author visits in schools (next stop Lincoln, NE), and get lots of writing done, even if it is kinda slow.
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10/25/09 -- Great weekend: Dinner with the Chilis (a book club we've been part of for 16+ years), family time, a bit more rock climbing, a literary fundraiser for the local food bank, a hike at Findley Wildlife Reserve, a run, and a bike ride. Plus got some work done. Ah!
Uncertain Monday: I report to the hospital for shoulder surgery at 6:00 AM, and go under the knife at 7:00 AM. Yikes!
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10/23/09 -- A fantastic opportunity came up this week -- a chance to climb a huge rock spire called the Monkey Face in Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. Since I'm having shoulder surgery on Monday and will not be able to climb for at least six weeks, I jumped on the opportunity to squeeze this in. Especially since I've been wanting to climb it for years. My friend Tom Pleeger and I drove over the pass late Wednesday after work, camped at Skull Hollow (nicer than it sounds), then went for it Thursday morning.
The Monkey Face. We climbed the left side through the V notch, up into the "mouth," then out over the airy void and on to the top.
Tom P. climbing as I belay from above.
On the summit!
Today I'm tired and a bit sore, but working away on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. I'll need to work this weekend, too, to make up for the missed writing time, but it was absolutely, positively worth it!
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10/19/09 -- Back in Oregon again. (Thanks to all the great folks in Missouri that made my recent trip so much fun). Here in the Northwest I was greeted by beautiful fall colors; witness the maple tree in our front yard. That combined with cool temps and dramatically angled light make this one of my favorite seasons.
Not that I dread winter! In fact, I love it. Can't wait to get skis on snow!
In the meantime, I've cleared my desk, and now look forward to uninterrupted writing time for the next three weeks.
Actually, not completely uninterrupted. I'm having surgery on my shoulder on Monday, Oct. 26. But they've assured me I'll be able to ease my arm out of the sling and type soon after. So I should be back at it on the . . . 27th? Keeping my fingers crossed!
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10/13/09 -- At the end of my presentations I like to give kids an opportunity to ask questions. This morning at an elementary school in Kearney, Missouri, a third grade girl asked me a great one: "When you write," she said, "is it like going on an adventure in your mind?" I told her, "Absolutely." In fact, for me it's a necessary part of the writing process. I need to mentally project myself into the middle of the action -- see what the characters are seeing, do what they are doing, and feel what they are feeling. Only then am I able to move the story forward with any certainty, and -- hopefully -- authenticity. An added benefit is that it's also lots of fun, like playing make-believe, or acting out a part. Try it. Write a story. Go on an adventure in your mind.
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10/10/09 -- Five days of school visits done in MIssouri. Since I'll be in the area until next Thursday (one more day in Lee's Summit, then three in the Kearney area), I'm spending the weekend away from home. Today I'll do laundry, write a bunch, read, and cap it all off by watching a football game on the tube. Tomorrow is my day for a seven mile run, then more writing. At home I write standing up. I find it to be less tiring than sitting for hours. Here, in the hotel room, that's not a choice, so I'll be doing lots of sitting and writing. Which is fine. I always try to make the best of what I have. All I really need is my lap to set my laptop on. Anything else, like this nice desk in my room, is gravy!
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10/6/09 -- I'm in Lee's Summit, Missouri, enjoying school visits with great kids and teachers. Not to mention the librarians! They are wonderful hosts, and dedicated booklovers who are turning kids onto the joys of reading every day. It's a pleasure to be around them.
Of course I'm missing my family. Thankfully, technology helps us stay in touch: phone chats, email, Facebook, texting. Also, keeping busy is key -- not a problem with school visits during the day, a run in the late afternoon, writing at night, followed by a good read. Life on the road. Hotel is home, at least for the time being . . .
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10/2/09 -- Today marks the end of a week at home, which has been extremely busy, but productive. I made some good progress on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. And am filling my calendar with school visits.
Some sad news came my way, too, though: My middle grade novel, THE EYE OF THE STONE, is going out of print, another casualty of the economic downturn. As a writer, I know this kind of thing is inevitable. Still, it's hard, a bit like a death in family. But such is the writing life. All things must pass. It was fun while it lasted, and a great learning experience writing the book.
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9/28/09 -- Nothing like a well-rounded weekend: Ran a 5K race with Kelsey, rock climbed with Amy and her boyfriend Alex, got to spend lots of great catch-up time with Debbie, AND was able to do some more work on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR.
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9/26/09 -- Went to t he orthopedist and found out I'm going to have to have surgery on my right shoulder (rotator cuff). I'll go under the knife October 26, the week after I return from author visits in Missouri. Best case scenario: 6 weeks of recovery and rehab. Worst case: 6 months. Good news: I'll be able to write. Just slip my arm out of the sling and go for it! Now if only I could do the same thing with my favorite sport, rock climbing . . .
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9/24/09 --Back in Oregon, I've got nine days to reconnect with family and friends, then it's off to Missouri for two more weeks of author visits. In the meantime, I'm trying to get as much writing done as possible, even over the upcoming weekend. That's the way it goes on occasion -- crunch time. Still, it's a beautiful day and I'm going to squeeze in a run.
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9/20/09 -- I'm still in Grand Island, Nebraska, with the weekend off before two more days of school visits. Early this morning I went for an 8-mile run on a nearby bike path. Very few people were out and about. The rhythm of my feet on the pavement and a few birds singing was the only soundtrack. Corn fields and a wide Nebraska sky added a sense of vastness that made me feel as if I could run straight and steady for just about forever.
Then, at mile four, the path forked and, on the spur of the moment, I took a left. The next thing I knew I was in a large cemetery, padding alongside row after row of headstones.
For me, running is more than just exercise; it's a barometer of my health, and consequently the guage by which I measure the quality of my life. (Win the lottery and I'd still be impoverished without good health.) At 58 I count myself very lucky to still be putting one foot in front of the other, especially in a cemetery surrounded by those who can no longer do the same.
My father died in 1974 at the age of 54. In his healthy days, before the cancer took over, he was a runner. This morning, far from his resting place in Danville, Kentucky, I remembered him, and would like to think that I maybe even felt his presence, running beside me at exactly the same pace, our hearts beating in time.
9/16/09 -- Three days of author visits under my belt here in Grand Island, Nebraska. Great kids and teachers. A real joy.
Tried to get some writing done after I got back to the hotel, but not much accomplished. Sometimes the will is there but the mind is not. Hopefully, a good night's sleep will remedy my brainlessness.
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9/13/09 -- I'm off to Grand Island, Nebraska for seven days of author visits -- my first of the 2009-2010 school year -- and looking forward to meeting lots of young writers from the cornhusker state. REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR is going along with me. I'll work on the plane, and try to get in a least an hour or writing done each day in my hotel room. My motto: Have laptop will travel.
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9/8/09 -- Just back from a wonderful Labor Day weekend of rock climbing with family at Smith Rock State Park in the central Oregon desert.
Climbing is one of my favorite sports. I love the physical nature of it, and the intimate connection with the stone. Different in almost every way from writing -- where I'm indoors, in my office, inside my head in a fictional world -- it also recharges my batteries for work.
Although lots of fun, climbing is also very challenging, which I savor. Of particular inspiration to me at Smith Rock was watching my daughter Amy's boyfriend, Alex, climb. He was born with only one arm, and yet managed to scale routes that give people with two hands second thoughts. He did it with a big smile and completely positive attitude, too.
Next time I find myself with writer's block, I'll remember Alex's can-do mindset and figure out a way to keep climbing.
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9/4/09 -- I just heard from a former student who was in my 4-5th grade class in Lincoln City, Oregon way back in the early 1980s. Seems she was recently at her 20th high school reunion and ran into other students from that same class. Later, she wrote me about the experience:
"Most of us hadn't been in contact for 20 years. Many of the kids from our 4th and 5th grade class asked about you. They recalled warmly all of our experiences in the classroom, and particularly our outdoor/nature adventures. Those were very memorable years, where many of us met for the first time perhaps, for our journey through the rest of our school years together. I just wanted to let you know that you really impacted our lives in a great way!"
I loved that class, and am so glad to hear that in the long run it appears I didn't do any lasting damage to them as their somewhat wacky teacher. What I got from them has been twenty fold -- a wonderful teaching experience, and tons of ideas for my writing. In fact, that class was the inspiration for my very first book, the middle grade novel, I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS. Thanks, y'all!
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9/1/09 -- Ah, the first of September. For those of you not already back at school, it won't be long! Here in Corvallis, Oregon classes begin on the Wednesday after Labor Day, September 9th. Back east in South Carolina, my brother-in-law, Robert, has been teaching his 5th graders since August 18th. Regardless of where you live and when you start, have a wonderful year, especially with your writing!
I'll try my very best to do the same . . .
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8/28/09 -- You know that fine feeling at the end of the week when you've accomplished a lot and can revel in satisfaction at your productivity? Yeah, me neither.
Just kidding. Although it did take me several false starts to get going most days, I ended up making good progress on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR this week. In reward, I'm going to take Saturday off and hike into beautiful Jefferson Park (see photo below) with my beautiful wife, Debbie.
Whatever you choose to do on your time away from your writing, here's wishing you great pleasure in it. Otherwise, well, then why are you doing it?
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8/26/09 -- Normally I write standing up. (Keeps me awake, in addition to -- oddly -- being less tiresome.) Today, however, I had the urge to sit down all afternoon, and so did just that. (One of the nice things about being self employed; I can sit anywhere I want.) Anyway, I had a very productive PM writing session.
Tomorrow I may try the couch downstairs, the front porch swing, the back deck, the roof -- Well, okay,maybe not the roof. Still, it would be an inspiring view. And I could use my climbing harness and rope to tie into the chimney for safety. Hmm . . .
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8/24/09 -- Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Feels good to be back at my desk. (Well, once I found it under the piles of mail, and notes, and lists of things to do.) But now all is cleared and I'm ready to roll full tilt on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. Woo-hoo! What I may lack in intellect, I make up for with enthusiasm!
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8/17/09 -- After a fun drive across Eastern Oregon, we spent three days in Yellowstone National Park, which included a close encounter with bison, a hike along the rim of the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and of course Old Faithful.
Now, a week later, it's a frosty morning in Grand Teton National Park. I'm sitting in the rustic log-cabin library of the the Grand Teton Climber's Ranch maintained by the American Alpine Club.
A fire crackles in the wood stove, slowly taking the chill out of my fingers. We attempted an ascent of the Grand Teton on Sunday, and made it to the Lower Saddle by late afternoon -- 11,600+ feet above sea level -- with only a bit of bad weather to liven things up. A full-on storm roared in that night, though, and dumped eight inches of snow. Dawn revealed a mountain world of wonder . . .
Along with the beauty came a liability -- rock coated with verglas, a thin layer of ice, which made footing sketchy at best. The summit would have to wait. We were forced to retreat back to the valley.
Which may seem like a defeat, and was, I guess, if success is only measured in attaining the summit. But we had a great mountain adventure, and returned safely. Most importantly, I got to share the experience with daughter, Amy, and close friend Mark, which for me is really what mountaineering is all about.
And to top it all off, I've got tons of more ideas to use in the rewrite of STORM MOUNTAIN, and other upcoming stories.
Speaking of writing, I'll be getting back to work on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR today while we start our return trip to Oregon. My office is now the backseat of our car. Love my laptop!
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8/5/09 -- Back home in Oregon, enjoying the familiarity of my office and desk.
At least for a little while. We leave again on Saturday, August 8, this time for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. (More on that later.)
In the meantime, much work to do on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. Writing, writing, writing . . .
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7/30/09 -- Lounging on the front porch with family and friends in KY. Many great stories told, and with that special Southern flair. I had my notebook out many times, and even got a bit of video with priceless antics. Which will no doubt show up in future stories.
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7/27/09 -- Our family reunion at Folly Beach, South Carolina is over. A good time was had by all, despite a few jelly fish stings and a virus that crept up on 3 of the 16 in attendance.
Writing time was difficult to carve out on some days. At best my desk was my lap, while sitting on the bed. (Read: neck ache.)
If all the frivolity at the beach house proved to be a bit much, I went into the village and grabbed a booth at the Drop Inn Cafe. Sometimes it was quiet, but more often classic rock blared and ESPN commentators looked down on my work from looming TV monitors, making sure I was filled in on the latest on the latest baseball highlights or Lance Armstrong and the Tour.
All of which may sound less than ideal. Still, I believe that part of being a writer is learning to keep the story going no matter what. The more you do it, the easier -- and productive -- it gets.
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7/22/09 -- After a wonderful week teaching at the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writer's Workshop (see link in 7/10 entry below), I'm now on the opposite coast in Folly Beach, South Carolina at a Birdseye reunion. Lots of great time with family, including walks on the beach and playing in the surf.
Afternoons bring siestas for many, writing time for me. Gotta keep the ball rolling on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. I don't mind, even though this is official vacation time. Writing is not just what I do, it's a big part of who I am.
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7/10/09 -- I'm headed off tomorrow to teach at a weeklong shindig in Oceanside, OR called the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writer's Workshop. It's organized by author David Greenberg, who in addition to being a great guy and a great writer, is also a great cook, and treats his faculty like royalty. (Well, hard working royalty.) The setting is as spectacular as the food. Check out the view . . .
But what really makes the event is the students, aspiring writers all, and the camaraderie that develops over the course of the week. I expect to learn as much from them as they learn from me.
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7/3/09 -- Working hard today to get as much done as possible on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. This in preparation for taking the weekend off for July 4 festivities, which include a canoe trip on the Willamette River with family and friends, followed by a BBQ and the fireworks show. Wishing you all a happy and safe celebration!
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6/30/09 -- A good day of writing. And a revealing one, as well. With the complicated plot of REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR I'm finding it more efficient to work from the inside out. By that I mean writing each small subplot-within-a-subplot first (ie the debate over what to name the puppy), then weaving it into the full subplot (Mollie's quest for a pet of her own), which I then blend into the central plot (Cody's quest for his first kiss). Confusing? Yeah, me too. That's where the patience part comes in. Pound away at it long enough, and it will all come together. I hope . . .
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6/28/09 -- Went to the Cascades over the weekend, this time with family, which was fantastic. We climbed the gentle side of Mt Hood up to the 9,300 foot level and the base of Illumination Rock, where we were treated to a great view of the rugged west side of the mountain.
Then we skied down the Zig Zag Glacier (see below) and had lemonade at Timberline Lodge.
After two mountain adventures in one week, I'm especially stoked to get back to my writing!
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6/26/09 -- Wrote out on the deck for a bit today, and was reminded of how important my connection to the natural world is. I believe it's important for everyone, whether they know it or not, but especially kids. Summer is the easiest time to get outdoors -- for sports, or a hike, or camping, or a bike ride, or maybe even a bit of writing!
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6/25/09 -- Took a day off yesterday to climb Mt. St. Helens and ski from its summit. No crevasse falls or whiteouts, like in STORM MOUNTAIN, thank goodness. Still, the main characters, Cat and Ty, did cross my mind many times during the day.
Going up . . . and up . . . and up. 4,500 vertical feet on the ascent. That's me on the right.
On the summit. With winds gusting to 50 mph, we didn't stay long. Mt. Adams in the background.
Looking down into the crater and at the lava dome. Notice steam venting here and there. Geology in action! Spirit Lake and Mt Rainier in the distance.
Headed down (me on the left). Great open slopes to carve turns, then some tricky drops. Altogether a wonderful day! Tomorrow, for a different kind of challenge, it's back to REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR!
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6/22/09 -- A belated Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. I got to spend the afternoon with my oldest daughter, Kelsey, her boyfriend Tyler, and my wife, Debbie, hiking at Silver Falls State Park (see photo of Kelsey and me below). Today my younger daughter, Amy, and her boyfriend Alex, will be dropping by for dinner. I am one lucky dad to have such great kids!
This week I'm still focusing on subplots. Hopefully, I'll have all of the pieces done and ready to put together by the first of July. Then come many many rewrites.
Amidst all of this work, I am, however, sneaking away mid-week to climb Mt St. Helens in Southern Washington. My friends Tom and Mark and I will leave tomorrow after work, and drive to the climber's bivouac to get a few hours of sleep. Wednesday morning we'll get up very early -- 3:00 AM -- for an alpine start, reach the summit before noon, then ski down and be back home by that evening.
Or that's the plan, anyway. As always in mountaineering, the summit is not nearly as important as coming home in one piece. If the weather or snow conditions aren't safe, we'll turn back, or scrap the plan altogether and go rock climbing on the dry side of the Cascades at Smith Rock State Park. Sort of a rewrite, I guess, just scribbled in actions instead of words.
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6/16/09 -- I'm now focusing on individual subplots for REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. Currently, it's what I call "The Pet Issue." Cody's younger sister, Mollie (also known as Mollie the Creature, or MC for short) really wants "something more than just a plain old cat." Cody is offended on Emma's behalf. Mom and Dad say, "This is not what we need right now." Let the argument begin!
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6/13/09 -- In order to keep the narrative ball of REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR rolling, I'm writing full days during the week, and at least an hour or so on Saturday and Sunday. So far so good. Still, there are moments when the volume of things I want to work into the story gets overwhelming. Witness the spread of notes on my desk.
But the bottom line is that I'm having fun with the puzzle of it all. Which I'm taking as an optimistic sign.
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6/8/09 -- As part of writing a sequel -- REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR -- I'm going back and reading the original -- ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR -- and taking lots of notes.
Several times today, though, I actually found myself laughing out loud at my own writing! Which I guess should be considered a good thing. What if I found it ridiculous? Or silly? Or just plain old boring?
Still, it felt embarrassing and inspiring at the same time. Embarrassing in that I was raised not to be too full of myself, which that seemed to be, and inspiring in that I really want to write to that level in the sequel, or better!
Typical me: simultaneously thinking out of both sides of my brain.
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6/05/09 -- I got completely out of author-as-traveling-speaker mode today and back into the mind set of a writer-at-work. As much as I love visiting schools and talking to kids about the writing process, it feels really great to have a stretch of home time to work on REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. As if to confirm this turning point, I made lots of progress on the story. Yee-haw! Ride 'em, Tommy!
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6/3/09 -- Home again, and this time for several weeks. Visits to Longview and Duvall, Washington both went great. One group of kids asked, "What's next?" I told them about the sequel to ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. "What's the title going to be?" they wanted to know. I said I was considering ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO. A fifth grade boy said he understood the meaning of the title and the allusion to filmmaking, but suggested that a lot of kids wouldn't. The class agreed, then voted that the best title would be REVENGE OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR. I concur. So there you have it -- literary democracy in action!
My next school visit isn't until mid September. I'm going to miss all of the kid contact.
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5/28/09 -- 24 hours of travel time from Brazil to Corvallis, OR, and I'm home. For a couple of days, anyway. Then it's pack up again and I'm off to the beautiful state of Washington for more school visits, the last of the 2008-2009 school year.
The Brazil trip was fantastic, albeit short. I didn't have time to take many photos, but here are a few:
A capibara, the largest rodent in the world, the size of a sheep. Really!
Botanical garden in Curitiba.
Dr. Suessian pine tree, which is found only in southern Brazil.
Rain forest hike with wonderful hosts, Kathy and Kae.
What it's all about: kids and books. Good thing he's got his seat belt on; stories can be a wild ride!
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5/25/09 -- A quick entry here, as I'm back at the hotel in Curitiba, Brazil for only an hour-and-a-bit before dinner with some of the staff and parents from the international school. I had a great day with kids and teachers, and am thoroughly enjoying the experience. One nice moment among many: After lunch, kids were playing one of those complicated hand clapping games, and chanting in Portuguese. Even though I couldn't understand what they were saying, the language of their laughter was universal, and beautiful.
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5/23/09 -- I'm at the Portland Airport waiting for my flight to Brazil. It'll be a lonnnnnnng day today, 20 hours before I touch down in Curitiba. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some sleep on the red-eye portion from Dallas to Sao Paulo. Regardless of the amount of shuteye, I'm stoked to visit South America for the first time, and plan to blog from there.
Gotta run, they're starting to board. Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you all!
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5/20/09 -- I just downloaded some photos off of my camera, and found this one dated May 2.
On that date the cherry trees in Corvallis, OR were at mon kai, Japanese for full bloom. Petals drifted like pink snow. We couldn't resist using them as confetti for nature's parade. I'll jot a note recording the beauty of that late afternoon walk, and put it in my idea drawer. Might make a good scene in a future story . . .
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5/18/09 -- Today is the 35th anniversary of my marriage to Debbie. I am a VERY lucky guy to share my life with such a wonderful woman.
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5/13/09 -- I'm sitting at Gate A 13, Concourse A of the sparkling new Indianapolis airport, after finishing up with school visits here in the Hoosier State. Once again I was hosted by wonderful librarians, and met tons of great kids. Thanks, Samantha at Kitley Intermediate School, for instigating the trip!
Next stop is Post Falls, Idaho. But many miles to go before I sleep. Good thing I've got a good book to read, and some think time to get back into the right mind set for my return to ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO. Or whatever it ends up being titled. As with all work in progress, everything is open for revision.
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5/12/09 -- After running a 5K race in Portland on Saturday with my daughter, Kelsey, she and Debbie and Amy and I went to Fed Ex to ship the print-out of STORM MOUNTAIN to New York. I also emailed an electronic copy. So, for now anyway, the story is back in my editor's hands. It'll rebound my way again, though, I'm sure, with more suggestions for improvement. Which I look forward to. The first round was super helpful. I expect the second to take it to the next level.
Kids in schools here in Indiana, where I'm currently doing author visits, have been asking when STORM MOUNTAIN will be published. I don't know the answer right now, but will spill the news as soon as I find out.
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5/8/09 -- Super busy this Friday, doing laundry and packing for 19 days on the road: school visits in Indiana, Idaho, and Washington, then ending in Brazil. Plus I'm desperately trying to finish the rewrite of STORM MOUNTAIN, spell check and print it out, and get it in the mail to NYC before I depart tomorrow morning at 5:30 AM.
Other than that, not much going on . . . :-)
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5/04/09 -- More good news from Michael Jung, a feature writer who interviewed me a few months ago for the online magazine, Suite 101. Another article based on the interview has been published on the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, an online resource for teachers, librarians, and other children's literature enthusiasts.
You can read the interview, From Reluctant Reader to Celebrated Children's Author by clicking on the title.
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4/29/09 -- I start every writing day by reading a poem or two. It's like taking a dip in pure language, which is enough in itself. But then mix in the wonderful layers of meaning a great poem can convey, and the experience is multiplied by ten. Here's one of my recent favorites from Garrison Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac" aired daily on public radio. It's called Teaching Poetry to Third Graders Click the title and enjoy.
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4/27/09 -- Another wonderful week of school visits under my belt. Both Troutdale, Oregon and Baltimore, Maryland were a treat, filled with great kids and educators. Jotted down some fun ideas in my notebook, too, material that will almost certainly make its way into future work. As I always tell aspiring writers, be observant, there are so many possibilities out there if you just pay attention.
Today begins a nice two week stint at home before I take off again. I'm using the time to finish -- I hope -- the rewrite of STORM MOUNTAIN. Good progress so far. Stay tuned . . .
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4/20/09 -- I'm back from Iowa, but already packing to leave again, this time for school in Troutdale, Oregon and Baltimore, Maryland. One of the joys of author visits is the thank you letters I receive from kids where I've spoken. Here's a typical pile:
One kid wrote: "I hope you write another book so I can read it and laugh so hard that I rip my pants."
Another said: "I know that you did 23 rewrites, but I still like you just the way you are."
What more could an author ask for?
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4/15/09 -- I'm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a week of school visits. Once again I'm impressed with the incredible quality of learning experiences educators are providing for kids. See a teacher, pat them on the back. They deserve it!
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4/10/09 -- Funny how sometimes life imitates art, or dog imitates dog. A librarian showed me a copy of Marley and Me, by John Grogan, the story of "the worst dog in the world." As if to say, "Oh yeah? I'm just as bad a dog as Marley. Watch this!" the dog of the library patron chewed up the book. (See below.)
So I guess that means the book is good food for thought . . .
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4/7/09 -- Rewriting is progressing well on STORM MOUNTAIN. Maybe, just maybe, I got over the final hump today. It appears to be smooth sailing from here.
Not to imply that all is done. There are still many details to attend to, and another read-aloud. I'm looking at a minimum of five days work.
Still, I'm excited at how it's coming together with all of the editorial help I've gotten. Never underestimate the value of a smart, intuitive reader. My editor on this book is gold!
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4/1/09 -- Since it's April Fool's, I thought it would be fun to offer up the one-and-only example in all 18 of my published books that I've written about this mischievous day of pranksterism. What follows is an excerpt from ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR.
Sunday, April 1
OK, here’s a riddle for you. Picture this: I’d been grounded in my room all day, on my birthday (which seemed about as mean as parents could get). So when Mom called me to come down for dinner I wasn’t in the best of moods. I walked into the dining room, and there was MC piling a mountain of brown sugar on top of . . . a waffle.
“Waffles?” I said. “For dinner?” I love waffles. They’re up there with chocolate chip cookies and pizza on my favorite foods list.
“It’s not a waffle,” MC explained, “it’s a volcano.” She poked her thumb into the summit of Mt. Sugar, then poured syrup in the crater. “Look, it’s erupting!” she said as the syrup oozed down the side.
Of course I ignored her, because she’s my stupid little sister. But more importantly because at that very moment Mom was putting two fresh waffles on a plate for me.
“Waffles?” I said again. “For dinner?”
Mom smiled and said, “It’s your birthday. We thought you’d enjoy a special treat, especially after being grounded. Would you like whipped cream on them?”
“Whipped cream?” I said as she spooned on a mound of the wonderful white stuff. “For dinner?”
“How about some strawberries, too?” Dad said. He was walking out of the kitchen with a bowl of them in his hands. He plopped a big spoonful into the whipped cream.
“And of course maple syrup!” Mom said as she poured a river of the lovely stuff over everything.
I stared, bug-eyed. They’d turned my regular old waffle (which I really like) into a Belgium waffle (which I really, REALLY like). And for dinner! This ranked above chocolate chip cookies and pizza on my favorite foods list! Number one!
“Oh, and then there’s this,” Dad said, and laid a hundred dollar bill in front of me. Yep, one hundred dollars, as in more money than I’d ever had in my entire life. Wow!
Then he added a hundred dollars more.
“Happy birthday, Cody!” Mom and Dad both said, and gave me a double hug.
So the riddle is this: What’s wrong with this picture? Yes, what’s wrong with it?
Any ideas?
C’mon, think, think, think!
OK then, I’ll tell you. What’s wrong with the picture was that the waffle was made of styrofoam. And the “whipped cream” was actually shaving cream. And those strawberries Dad was so generous with were made of plastic. And that maple syrup was motor oil. And those one hundred dollar bills were fake!
“April fools!” my family laughed and shouted.
Good grief, they’d gotten me again. It’s the curse of being born on April 1.
“Not bad,” I admitted, “but no more tricks, OK?”
“No more,” everybody said. “We promise.”
Right. I could see them crossing their fingers behind their backs. So it didn’t surprise me that after our dinner of real waffles, with real whipped cream and strawberries and syrup, Mom brought out cooked cauliflower (my least favorite food ever) then teased me that I had to eat it before I could have any of my birthday cake.
When they finally brought the real cake to the table I was ready for anything: more shaving cream, plastic sherbet on the side. Well, almost anything, except a birthday cake made to look like a kitty litter box.
That’s right, a kitty litter box, complete with crumbled white cookies to look like the litter, and tootsie rolls to look like . . . well, you get the idea. The joking and pranks went on and on and on. I finally gave up and got into it. Funny thing, as soon as I did I felt better, and better, until I felt great. We had a grape fight at the dinner table, catapulting them with spoons. (MC started it.) Outside MC and I glued a quarter to the sidewalk, then hid in the bushes and watched people try to pick it up. (Our own little April Fools trick.)
But the best part was the present from Mom and Dad and my Grandpa Irving in Kentucky -- a Littermaid Self-Cleaning Deluxe Kitty Litter Box! Just like on the internet They’d gone in together to give it to me. “In the interest of world peace,” Dad said.
So anyway, a day that started out looking uglier than ugly turned into a 10!
I hope your April Fool's Day is a 10, also.
Really. No joke. I'm not kidding.
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3/30/09 -- I'm well into the rewrite of STORM MOUNTAIN, and things have been going fine. Well, up until yesterday, anyway, when I noticed mistakes that I was sure I'd already fixed on a previous draft, ranging from word repetitions to misspellings to awkward language usage, stuff I pride myself on ironing out before submitting.
All of which got me wondering at 3:00 AM this morning if the draft I submitted to my editor (#32) had somehow gotten deleted from my computer. (I've had on-going software and operating system issues.) Which would mean that I was currently working on an earlier draft and was rewriting something that I'd already rewritten.
I searched all of the files related to the story, and couldn't find anything. At a loss of what to do, I emailed my editor with an embarrassing, she's-going-to-think-I'm-a-bozo question that went roughly like this: "Did you find places in the text I mailed you where I'd made notes to myself, i.e. 'REP', or 'CHAP BREAK HERE?', or 'FIX THIS', or anything like that?"
It wasn't until after I'd clicked "Send" and launched the message to New York City that I realized I had not only submitted a hardcopy manuscript of STORM MOUNTAIN, but also an electronic one, attached to a email. I went back through several mailboxes and -- BINGO! -- there it was. Sure enough, I had been working on the wrong draft.
So today I'm back at it. Thankfully, clearing things up has gone fairly easily. Still the whole thing really does make me feel like a bozo.
Bottom line: If you are writing on a computer, make doubly sure you have everything backed up.
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3/25/09 -- School visits completed in Columbus, Georgia, I've since driven to Charleston, SC to see my mom and sister and her family. Then on to Lexington, Kentucky to meet my wife, Debbie, at her mom's house.
The family time has been great, and I've also been able to keep the work going on the rewrite of STORM MOUNTAIN. Although the changes aren't major, they are requiring lots of time, especially in the first three chapters, when so much is established, i.e. character, back story, etc. Hopefully, things will speed up tomorrow, as I'm setting a goal of getting through the next 40 pages.
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3/18/09 -- Halfway through my author visits here in Columbus, Georgia and I'm having a great time! The kids are fantastic, as are the educators and the local barbeque. And to top it all off, the weather, which was very rainy at first, has cleared. Today hit 74 degrees with tons of sun. Who could ask for more?
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3/14/09 -- I'm packing to leave for a week of school visits in Columbus, GA, followed by a week of time with family in Charleston, SC and Lexington, KY. But I'll keep working on the rewrite of STORM MOUNTAIN every day, if possible. One of the great things about writing is its portability.
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3/13/09 -- Friday the 13th -- a bad luck day to the superstitious. Not to me, though. I was born on Friday, July 13th, 1951, and have had 57+ years of great fortune. Sure, I've broken bones and lost the car keys, flunked trigonometry and wrecked the car. But I'm blessed with a wonderful wife, fantastic kids, good health, and a job that I love. Who could ask for more? Yay, Friday the 13th! I'm looking forward to more!
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3/11/09 -- In January I was honored to be interviewed by Michael Jung for Suite 101, an online magazine. From the interview he authored two articles: Talking With Children's Writer Tom Birdseye and Storyteller Shares Thoughts on Children's Books. Both received and Editor's Choice Awards. Way to go, Michael! Click on the article titles to link to Suite 101 and read them.
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3/10/09 -- Today a literary quote from the great Groucho Marx: "Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read."
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3/9/09 -- I'm back from Oskaloosa, Iowa, where I spoke at a young author's conference March 5th and 6th. A great event, it was put on by dedicated educators, and attended by over 1,000 aspiring writers. On top it that, it was a balmy, unseasonable 74 degrees on Thursday -- a taste of summer.
In contrast, back here in the Northwest, my wife Debbie, daughter Amy, and her boyfriend, Alex, all went skiing yesterday, and enjoyed knee-deep powder and full-on winter! That's me below, excited to sample the great snow at Willamette Pass, Oregon.
Today it's back to work on the revisions of STORM MOUNTAIN, and the second draft of ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO. Talk about contrasts . . .
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3/2/09 -- Sad news. Two of my books are going out of print: the hardcover edition of AIRMAIL TO THE MOON, and the hardcover edition of I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS. Fortunately, "Airmail" will still be available in paperback, but "Famous" will be gone-gone-gone after 23 years in print. The fact that this was my first book published makes it especially hard. Still, on the other hand, I'm extremely grateful to publisher John Briggs at Holiday House (a true gentleman in every sense of the word) for keeping it out there as long as he did. Rest in peace, I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS. May all of your bananas remain forever ripe . . .
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2/27/09 -- I received the lost email today (see post below) containing editorial comments on STORM MOUNTAIN. The print-out is over three pages long, single spaced, and that's just for big picture stuff, not line editing (specifics on word choice, grammar, punctuation, etc). Some people would find this daunting, I know, but I am psyched! I knew there were things in the story that needed . . . something, but I'd gone over every single word so many times I could no longer see the forest for the trees. My editor, Julie Amper, has not only put her finger on the rough spots, but done so in detail and with great insight. Sure, it means more work for me, but I know that with her help the book will go to press much stronger. Never underestimate the power of a good editor.
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2/26/09 -- I just found out that an email was sent to me quite a while ago containing editorial comments on STORM MOUNTAIN. Only problem is, I never received it. The message was probably labeled as spam and junked, or just lost in cyber space. Of course this kind of thing happens all the time, and it's no one's fault. It's just the nature of the cyber beast.
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2/23/09 -- With my first draft of ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO done, I'm now going over it to see what fits and what doesn't, what needs moving, rearranging, or cutting. Lots of work to do, but that's what I expected. Anybody out there produce their best on a first try? If so, I'd love to talk with you and learn the magic trick.
Actually, I wouldn't. As strange as this may sound, I like to rewrite. There are few times in life in which you get to redo your mistakes. Rewriting is a gift, and without it I would be doing something else for a living. I'm not a good writer, but I am a very persistent rewriter.
So back to work I go, draft two, woo-hoo!
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2/19/09 -- For me, getting ready to write is more than just stepping into my office and turning on my computer. I need to focus my attention, and imagination, on the story, step inside that world and live and breath it with the characters. In the case of Cody, the protagonist of ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO, I also have to think and write like him, since he's the narrator. It's like method acting. I need to "become" Cody to do my job.
Taking a minute or two to sit quietly and get into "the zone" is very helpful with this process of crossing from the real world into the fictional world of my story. Get my mind tuned in, and I'm ready to roll. Try it some time. It's fun!
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2/17/09 -- Waiting for my flight the other day in Ft. Worth, TX, I saw these birds inside the concourse. They must have been waiting for their flight, too. Birds indoors at the airport = irony.
Good day of writing. Really nice to get back into ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO. When done for the day I'm going to reward myself and cycle over the the indoor climbing center at Oregon State University and get vertical. Woo-hoo!
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2/16/09 -- Whew! Software issues have kept me from adding to my blog for two weeks, but now, obviously, I'm back.
Back from Ft. Worth, Texas, too, and two weeks of school visits there. Great kids, and educators, all around a wonderful experience. Next speaking stop is Portland, OR; then Oskaloosa, Iowa. (Say that three times fast and see how quickly your tongue gets tied.) Then Columbus, GA; followed by Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Baltimore, Maryland; Indianapolis, Indiana; Post Falls, Idaho; Tri-Cities, Washington; Curitiba, Brazil; and finally Duvall, Washington. Lots of miles to travel and kids to see before the school year is over.
But in the meantime there is a huge pile of mail, email, and things to catch up on, so it's back to digging my way out I go . . .
Then I can really get rolling on ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO again! Yay!
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2/1/09 -- I'm sitting in the Portland International Airport (PDX) waiting for my flight to Texas. Around me people talk on cell phones, or with each other, or watch the parade of travelers on the concourse headed for their gates. Each with a destination. Each with a story. When passing time at a hub of humanity like this, I often find myself wondering about those stories passing by, sometimes filling in my own fictitious version. It's a fun mind-game to play, and a good "writing" exercise.
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1/31/09 -- Great day of skiing. That's my daughter, Amy, on the right, waving from the chairlift. Her boyfriend, Alex, is on the left.
Later, I went over a jump, caught a ski tip and did a nifty cartwheel, landing on my head and shoulder. Ouch! On occasion there is a price to pay for fun. I've written about that fact before, and no doubt will again.
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1/30/09 -- Whew! Spent the entire day rushing around getting lots of errands done before I take off for two weeks of speaking in schools in Ft. Worth, Texas. I reap the rewards of this frantic day tomorrow, though, when I get to go skiing with my wife, Debbie, daughter Amy and her boyfriend Alex, and our good friends the Winograd family (Ken, Melinda, Sam, and Claire).
Then it's off I go into the wild blue yonder! Looking forward to meeting the great kids in Ft. Worth.
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1/29/09 -- A notion I've been considering: A dream or goal without a plan is nothing more than a fantasy. So, for example, if I dream of climbing the Grand Teton in Wyoming (which I do), but have no plan as to how to make it happen, then it simply won't. If I dream of finishing my new novel without a plan, it won't happen either. Dreams or goals take planning, AND perseverance and commitment to that plan.
Visualize yourself making plans, and sticking with them. Visualize yourself making it to the top, or "The End."
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1/28/09 -- A great reading chair. Makes me look like a little kid, huh? Appropriate, since I write for them.
Actually, it's a user-friendly sculpture at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where my daughter, Amy, goes to school. Guess what she's majoring in? Nope, not writing. She wants to be a sculptor.
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1/27/09 -- After reviewing my first novel, I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS (See 1/19/09 entry and link below), Michael Jung of Suite 101.com asked is he could interview me for a seperate article. I said it sounded like fun, and we set up a time -- today.
Now I'm just off the phone from speaking with him. 45 minutes flew by. What a great guy, a real lover of books, especially books for kids. As soon as his article is published I'll let you blog readers know and post a link.
In the meantime, Happy Reading!
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1/25/09 -- As you may have noticed, my web site is undergoing a revamp. I'm spending time today going over each page and looking for changes needed. If you have suggestions, feel free to send them my way at tom@tombirdseye.com.
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1/19/09 -- I received word this week that my first novel, I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS, which has been in print for over 22 years, has just gotten a new review! Suite 101.com is an online magazine that, according to contributing writer Michael Jung, is "read internationally by over twelve million readers a month." Not all of them will be reading this review, of course, but hopefully at least you will. To check it out, click here.
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1/8/09 -- Since New Years I've asked a number of people if they've made any resolutions for 2009. The vast majority say no, then make a joke about not being able to keep the resolution anyway, so why bother.
I understand this mentality, but don't practice it. For me, a resolution is a way of setting a goal, and goals are critical for getting things done. If I don't resolve to finish ATTACK OF THE MUTANT UNDERWEAR: TAKE TWO by June, then it probably won't happen