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Last week I finished the rough draft of my WIP, so this week I'm taking some time away from it. I never like to jump immediately into revisions. I have to distance myself from the story so I can go back to it with fresh and hopefully somewhat objective eyes. So what do I do in the meantime?

Two things, read and work on something else. When I'm writing, most of what I read is in the same genre as what I'm writing. Since I'm working on a middle grade fantasy, almost all of the books I've read lately were middle grade books. Sure I'll span genres to include, fantasy, humor, and mystery because my manuscript has elements of all three. But I was sticking to middle grade. That meant my YA pile kept growing and growing. Now that I'm in between writing and revising, I'm diving into those YA books and attempting to get somewhat caught up.

But, I can't not write. (Great wording there, I know!) I have to always be working on something. If I don't write everyday, I feel naked. Well, I've been choosing to write nonfiction, which is about the furthest thing from my middle grade fantasy. But I really like the change of pace. It's helping me clear my head of my story and characters. I will admit that I do miss my beloved characters though.

What do you do when you're between projects? How do you fill the time between drafting and revising?

It's Monday Mishmash time. And it's my 200th blog post! Here's what's on my mind today:

Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway I'm hosting a giveaway on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ this week. Two copies of May the Best Dog Win are up for grabs. Contest ends on May 26, so head on over to enter. http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/10754-may-the-best-dog-winMy Kindle is getting full When I first got my Kindle, I only downloaded books as I read them. I had one book to start, and when I finished it, I promptly downloaded another. Now? It's out of control! So many unread books to go through!Promotion I'm in the process of setting up more school visits and book signings. I'm making crafts, writing invitations, organizing fundraisers, planning radio interviews... You name it, I'm doing it. (When do I get to nap?)Finished my WIP Yay! My WIP is officially drafted. I've already done some revising, but the bulk of it is yet to come. I'm taking a little time away to clear my head before I tackle that.Only two cans of coffee left? Okay, I know some of you are thinking so what? But I live on caffeine. Good thing my one cabinet is full of tea! Yes, it's really full. :) 

That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

Yesterday I had my very first school visit. In one word it was AMAZING! I had the best time ever. I'm still floating on air. The second graders at Rolling Hills Primary School are the best kids I've met. They were so great and genuinely interested in what I had to say. I signed autograph after autograph!

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(The pictures were cropped so the students wouldn't be identifiable. The school sent them to me but I am playing it safe.)

And boy are these kids creative! They came up with great ideas for the activity I had planned. There are definitely some future writers in that bunch. A huge thanks to Mrs. Schade, Mrs. Dambach, and Mrs. Vanderbeck for having me. And an even bigger thanks to all my new friends--the students in those three classes. I had a blast spending the day with you.

I've already gotten some messages from the students and they just made the experience that much better.

As if the awesome visit wasn't enough, I went to my mom's house to find in an article in the newspaper that read "Local Author Comes Home". That's right! It was about me visiting the school today! How exciting is that? Click to read the article.

So for anyone who is thinking about doing school visits, I say do it! I had a great time and can't wait to do another. But I'm curious, what are your thoughts on school visits? Do they scare you are make you totally excited?

Last week's episode of The Vampire Diaries really made me think about TV shows and Movies that are adapted from books. I always read the book first. That's my philosophy because I never think the movie or TV show lives up to the book. I don't think it's necessarily the fault of the writers who adapt it. I think it's just a case of one medium (books) being able to offer more than the other (film).

Well, after the amazing episode of The Vampire Diaries so many bloggers were buzzing. Now these bloggers had read the books. I haven't. We'll many made comments that the TV series was better than the books. I was shocked. Really? That usually doesn't happen. And of course now I'm curious. But...I've never read a book after seeing the movie or TV show. Never. I'm worried how this will affect me. So what do I do? I should also mention I know people who have read the books and refuse to watch the TV series because they don't think it will live up to the books. See, I'm torn here.

Do you have a strict rule for which comes first the book or the movie/TV show? How do you decide which one you want to dive into first?

It's Mishmash time again! Here's what's on my mind today:

My first school visit On Thursday I'm heading to my old elementary school to read my book and talk to a few second grade classes. I'm very excited--and a little scared.My first book signing I booked my first signing for June 18. It's at an independent bookstore in Newton, NJ, which is close to where I grew up and also the place I go just about every Friday to go shopping.Rain My weather forecast this week is rain everyday. Now come on! I hate not being able to go outside with my daughter.Humorous Middle Grade I love that there are so many humorous middle grade novels. I think this age group really appreciates humor--at least my students did.Promotion Wow, promotion takes a lot of time. I'm on so many marketing sites and I'm setting up signing and school visits. It's definitely fun, but it takes a lot of time.

That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

This week I realized something I need to change about myself. I have to stop judging my accomplishments against other people's. Why? It's driving me crazy. I've found that instead of celebrating the things I should celebrate, I'm thinking about how far I still have to go.

Here's what I mean. I just published my first picture book. I should be dancing on air, right? Well, I was until I thought about people (some of whom I know) who have made a good amount of money on their first book. Now I worry I won't measure up. Example two: I have an agent and am on submission to editors. Woo hoo! Except...I know people who have signed contracts before they even wrote one word of the book. Lately, this has started to bug me and make me wonder what I'm doing wrong.

So I called my mom. Who knows better than Mom, right? Well, here's one of the many reasons why I love her. She basically told me that I'm crazy. I should be happy about what I have accomplished because even if I know people who've done more, what's happening to me now is good. My successes don't have to equal someone else's.

Thank you, Mom! Once again you've shown me I need to stop stressing and be happy--and even proud--because I have found success in the writing world. My own success. I may not be J.K Rowling or Rick Riordan, but I'm me. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Do you compare yourself to other writers? Tell me some things you've accomplished and that you're proud of. I want to celebrate the writer you are.

One of the main reasons why I love to read and write is because I get to become someone else. I jump right into the characters' lives as if I'm them. Well, maybe I'm feeling nostalgic but I realized that given the opportunity, I'd totally go back in time and relive different moments from my teen years.

I thought about the memories that mean the most to me, and something hit me. I do relive my teen years. In my own writing, I'm constantly recreating moments that actually happened in my life. My middle grade novel takes place primarily inside a forest. Why? I lived on a mountain when I was growing up and there were woods and the Appalachian Trail running up and down the mountain. My friends and I would go exploring all the time, discovering small lakes and climbing up rock cliffs. I loved it. Well guess what? My characters did that stuff, too. Of course their memories aren't so nice since I sort of put them through hell in those woods.

But I want to know, do you incorporate your own memories in your writing? Which events or settings do you use because they were important to you when you were growing up?

Happy Monday! It's Mishmash time. Here's what's on my mind today:

Mother's Day I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. My daughter made me some great gifts in addition to my gift card so I can go shopping.Mondays Now that I don't go to work on Mondays, they've become my favorite day of the week.Reviews I'm so grateful for all the amazing reviews popping up for May the Best Dog Win. The ones on my blog tour have been great, and I have nine up on Amazon already and one on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! I'm so excited. Thank you to everyone who posted one.Chocolate Chip Muffins One of my Mother's Day surprises was giant chocolate chip muffins. Delicious!Nearing the end of my WIP Okay not really, but I have under 15K to go. I always get a little sad at this point because I can see the end in sight. Luckily this is book two in a planned trilogy so I don't have to say goodbye to my characters just yet.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

I'm working on a middle grade novel right now, so I'm reading a lot of middle grade books. And here's what I'm noticing. There are huge differences in the way this age group is portrayed. Some books teeter the lines of YA as far as boys and girls having crushes on each other and dare I say even kissing. (I'm thinking like When You Reach Me and the Sammy Keyes books) Others won't go near the idea of crushes at this age.

Now, it got me wondering. What do real kids this age think about the opposite sex? Well, luckily, I happen to have some of my old diaries. And yes, I'm about to totally embarrass myself here. First let me say the diary I'm looking at in particular is from when I was 11. And man was I boy crazy! I counted three boys names in five pages, and one unidentified boy as well. Here's a little excerpt:

Dear Diary,

I found out that my old boyfriend is in my class. [Okay, wait a second! I had a boyfriend before I was 11? I totally don't remember this. Too bad I didn't give his name.] I can't talk to him. I just feel I love him not like any other person I liked before. [Love him? Love?] What do I do? I really love him. I can't tell you how much either. You know what I mean. I wish my sister was home. I always can talk to her and I need to talk to someone but she's not home. [I was already seeking love advice from my sister who is almost five years older than me? There's a big difference between an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old.]

Anyone else as shocked as I am? Not only did I have crushes, I threw around the "L" word!

So tell me, in middle grade fiction, what do you think is acceptable? Crushes? First kisses? Or is it better to stay away from that stuff all together.

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for a free signed copy of May the Best Dog Win and some great SWAG including a doggie bag filled with goodies and a t-shirt.

Who won? Well, thanks to the help of a random number generator, the lucky winner is.....

Amber!

Congratulations! Amber, I'll be emailing you to get your address so I can send your prizes.

For those of you who didn't win, you can order a copy of my book on Amazon.

But wait! That's not all! (Do I sound like a sales person?)

If you are a teacher or you home school your children and you purchase a copy or copies of MAY THE BEST DOG WIN for use in your classroom, contact me and I'll send you a free teacher resource packet. The packet includes:

reading comprehension worksheet with drawing activityword searchcrossword puzzlebook report form"Top Dog" certificate for your student(s)

Be sure to include your email address when you contact me so that I may send you your free electronic copy of the resource packet as my way of saying thank you for your purchase.

And now to leave you with a question. What was your favorite picture book when you were a child?