One Terrific School Visit

The 5th grade students in Mrs. Downer's class at La Crescenta's Fremont Elementary were a delight to visit.  Each student gave their own interpretation of THE AVIARY's silhouette cover illustration (see above) and came prepared with a thoughtful question.  I had a wonderful time and hope they all did too!

Pasadena Litfest--Saturday May, 11th, 2013

KIDS: Magic and Mystery for Middle Grade Readers! (11:50am-12:40pm)

Magic & Mystery for Middle Graders!

Middle grade readers are invited to meet favorite authors who weave magic and mystery into their stories for readings and conversation! Featured guests include James Riley (Twice Upon a Time), John Stephens (The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning 2), Kathleen O’Dell (The Aviary), Lin Oliver (Double Crossed #3, Sound Bender #2: The Shadow Mask), and Theo Baker (Sound Bender #2: The Shadow Mask)! Moderated by Rosalind Helfand. (Octavia Butler Stage at Pasadena's Central Park; 275 S Raymond Ave Pasadena, CA 91105)
Signing hosted afterwards at the Once Upon A Time bookstore booth.

She's here!

She's Julie, a San Francisco girl from the '70's. And she is in big trouble!

Taking Time Out for THINK DAY

I know that I need to write every day to keep a book rolling, but there are some times that I am forced to skip. School visits usually knock out a writing day, as do unexpected domestic "emergencies"(pug dog corneal abrasion, anyone?) But my recent schedule now requires me to take every Tuesday off, so I have come up with a way to use it in the service of my book without actually writing. I call Tuesday THINK DAY. That's the day I put aside for all the little nagging questions of plot or frustrations with scenes that drag, etc. I can think about all this stuff in my car as long as I don't distract my mind with talk radio or news or loud music.(I listen to music at teenage volume--for the energy; not because I need a hearing aid...yet.) THINK DAY seems to be working okay so far. It's a way to stay on Writer's Island even as I keep my commitments, tote children to dance lessons and all that jazz.

Book Love in Pasadena

I'm impressed at how creatively California area kids, teachers and parents express their love of books. Just last month, I visited with a bunch of students at Eliot Middle School in Altadena who brought their pajamas, sleeping bags and books for a library sleepover. On Friday evening, February 1st, I'm joining with kids and mystery writers for some sleuthing at Pasadena's Field Elementary. Earlier that afternoon, I'll be sharing secrets of the writing life (along with writers Leslie Margolis and Kevin Emerson) for Blair Baccalaureate in Pasadena. Hooray for eastside L.A. County readers!

Christmas in Paris a la Papa

Source: bluepueblo.tumblr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Reading A Moveable Feast to prepare for our Christmas holiday in Paris. My son is a big Hemingway fan, and we're staying in Montparnasse near Gertrude Stein's old place. We'll be hitting one of Hemingway's favorite cafes for Christmas dinner. Now if we could only get hold of that magical time-traveling taxi in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris...

How to Feed Your Food Bank

Just a little P.S.A. for the holiday season: food banks all around the country are running low on stores. My neighborhood Salvation Army reports that twice as many people are coming in as last year. In the past, food banks could depend on overflow from holiday donations to carry them through the winter, but no more. I learned that my food bank was not as interested in turkeys and trimmings as they were in everyday canned staples, pasta, rice, etc. A tip: they prefer small quantities as opposed to Costco portions because so many people come in on the bus or on foot and have to carry the groceries. Happy giving everyone!