It’s been a rough start to November, but I am hopeful I can complete NaNoWriMo 2016. I’m very distracted right now with the election results. It seems like we need organizations and movements like We Need Diverse Books even more than ever. Our children need to know the world does not belong only to one kind… Read more »
General writing
New Books at Our Little Free Library
Our Little Free Library is really getting a lot of use! We get thank you notes frequently. I love seeing the books change over, noting which ones have found new homes, finding new ones that I didn’t add to the library appear. I do admit I feel a little bad for some books that never… Read more »
Play Coin Capture!
Coin Capture Coin Capture is a fun game that can be played on a rainy day with easy to find household materials. It also gives the players a chance to do some simple math and can be played over and over again. It’s fun for adults and kids to play together. Ages: 6-adult Players: 2… Read more »
Let’s Close the Word Gap
Ready to learn about the Word Gap? I love to sneak learning into all parts of life. I’m a curious person, I can’t help it! My son asked if we could go on one vacation without learning things, and I answered with a maniacal laugh and a deep, sonorous NO. In this family, we love… Read more »
Writers in Pittsburgh are Going to be Busy
Writers in Pittsburgh are going to be busy this fall. There are tons of events for writers in this city! There are new books releases, new bookstores opening, at least two conferences with agents, and of course NaNoWriMo 2016! Book Release Let’s start with an announcement that Kate Dopirak‘s first book You’re My Boo hit… Read more »
Six Things I Learned in New York City
I never go anywhere without learning something. So while we were in New York City for three days, I crammed a lot of new information into my brain. Here are six things I learned in New York City that I didn’t know before this visit. Polynesian sailors made star charts out of sticks and shells… Read more »
A Little Free Library – Finally!!
We finally have a Little Free Library in Tyler Park! About a year ago, I was in Minneapolis, MN, for a volunteer conference. While I was there, roaming around the very flat city, I walked by my very first Little Free Library. I had heard of these delightful book boxes, but never seen one. As… Read more »
WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest Results
Earlier this summer, I entered the WOW! Spring Flash Fiction Contest with my story “Sargassum.” In late July, the same day I learned about my Pen Parentis fellowship, I received an email from WOW! letting me know I was a Finalist! I was thrilled. The panel of first round judges loved the story. But I still… Read more »
Summer Writing
Summer writing is different from school year writing for me. This summer, it’s been hard to find time to sit down and write. For me, once I get in my chair, I tend not to get out again. I get sucked in, absorbed, and I neglect other things like eating, moving and people. That kind… Read more »
Pen Parentis Fellowship 2016-2017
I wanted to be a writer before I was a mom, and after I had kids I still wanted to be a writer. I think writing influences me as a mom, and being a mom influences me as a writer. That’s why I’m so proud to have been chosen the Pen Parentis Fellow for 2016-2017…. Read more »