Tag: personal

My Biggest Fan

If you know me, you know that my husband, Randy, is always bragging on me, supporting me, and celebrating my writing. Today is Randy’s birthday, and I’m spending the whole day celebrating with him! He gets so short-changed, having his birthday right before Christmas. And even at Christmastime, he finds

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Maddie Can Be...

Poetry Friday — A Daughter Can Be…

Happy Poetry Friday! I don’t often write poems or verses for specific people. Well, I do, occasionally, but I don’t give it to them–I’m too self-conscious to do that. I’ve written poems for/about both my daughters but don’t think I’ve ever shared them. However, inspired by Renee LaTulippe’s lovely take

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IRA — Friday

I was in New Orleans for the International Reading Association recently and thought I’d share some pictures and thoughts over this week and next. After a fun Friday day, including lunch at NOLA and a ride on the paddleboat Natchez,?I went to a get-together hosted by April Whatley Bedford, a

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Book Cookies

[my writing life] My family rocks!

Every once in a while, I’ll talk with a writer whose spouse is wholly unsupportive of the writer. I honestly don’t know how those writers survive. I feel so lucky to have my family’s support, especially that of my husband, Randy. As I get ready to go to NCTE, a

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[my life] Happy Anniversary, Randy!

Today, I have been married 25 years to Randy Salas. I met him in my first creative writing class in college (taught by Wyatt Wyatt–that’s right–at the University of Central Florida). What a great class–I found both a new career I loved and a future husband I loved! I know

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[My Writing Life] Fun at Vegas/NCTE

I’ve blogged about generosity at conventions, “Is it worth it for a writer to go to IRA?” (or any of the big conventions), setting goals for conventions, and following up afterwards. Now, I just want to take a minute to share some of the fun I had in Vegas. You

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[Nifty Stuff] Book Cover Cookies

My husband is the best. A box arrived Friday marked “Perishable.” Oh, that can only be good things. Turns out Randy ordered me cookies (cinnamon shortbread!) from Baking for Good, an online bakery that creates treats and donates some proceeds to the cause of your choice. So check out the

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Happy Holidays to You x 2!

So much of my communion with writers, educators, and readers takes place online, and I’m truly grateful to be part of such a wonderful community! Thank you. On a funny note, my husband, Randy, makes online JibJab cards all the time, where you can stick the faces of loved ones

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Why I’m Glad Writing Is Not a Performance Sport

1) I’ve been watching some of the Olympics, and it’s so heartbreaking when a supremely skilled athlete has a bad day and watches golden dreams slip away. 2) I’m “driving” a prop car for Minnesota Brass this season in our Bonnie & Clyde show. Due to a perfect storm of

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Bus Writing to Connecticut

I was on a bus trip from Minneapolis to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and back from Thursday afternoon to Sunday night with Minnesota Brass. Here we are in the full retreat portion of the show we were in Saturday night.             To say it was a long

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