Links I Love

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Jo Knowles

For the last stop on the 31 Blogs in 31 Days trip I’d like to point out the blog of author Jo Knowles.Jo’s blog is the blog of a working writing with tidbits about revision and the crazy business we’re in. On Monday’s she offers up a writing prompt and it is always tied to some wonderful Jo story about life.

A couple of my favorite posts include this one,  Is it censorship?  and this one Daring to dream which seems like a wonderful way to end the year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your visits to 31 blogs this month. The yellow icon will reside in the sidebar of my blog so you can dip back into them in the future.

Thursday, December 31, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |5 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Terri, wildlife rehabber/author

I love animals. A lot. But there’s no way I could do what wildlife rehabber (and children’s author) Terri does. I read her blog for the animal stories but I also read it for her writing journey. She often weaves the two together. A couple of my favorites are Of Deer and Men which talks about what to do if you come across an injured deer and If I had a Hammer in which Terri reminds us writers that we were all beginners once upon a time.

Thanks, Terri, for doing a tough job that many of us think we would love to do but probably couldn’t handle.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |1 Comment

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – L.K. Madigan

Some people can make you laugh one moment and catch your breath at the beauty in a photograph in the next. That’s the way it is with author L.K. Madigan. She has a fun feature called authorial intrusions which are “not your typical author interviews” but some of my favorite posts are the ones where she has Tim Gunn (from Project Runway) in her head while she is trying to write.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Miss Rumphius Effect

Tricia, at the Miss Rumphius Effect, blogs about a lot of things related to kidlit but I’m addicted to her Monday morning poetry stretches. I don’t always play (though it is my goal to participate more in 2010) but I always stop by to read. They’re great poetry prompts for all ages.Here are a couple of my favorites:  Childhood games  and What Isn’t There.

And since today is Monday, you might want to try stretching yourself while you’re there.

Monday, December 28, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |3 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Melissa Wiley

When I want to feel like I’ve been hugged, this is one of the blogs I head for, Here in the Bonny Glen. Author Melissa Wiley has created a warm and friendly place in the blogosphere that is about writing and raising kids and homeschooling and living green and being real, right here, right now. I’ll warn you, a lot of her posts will move you to tears, but they never leave me feeling sad. Often they leave me wishing I was a part of what sounds like a wonderful family.

The Boy with the Perfect Heart is a great example of a perfectly told tear-inducing story and this one which talks about how some of us have a tendency to have more “tearing up moments” than others.

Sunday, December 27, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Lisa Schroeder

‘m a writer and a poet so I am naturally drawn to blogs that connect to my writing life so well. One of my favorites belongs to Lisa Schroeder>.

She takes you into the life of a writer/poet and shows you the good, the bad, and the “this will probably make you cry” kind of stuff. This month she’s been running some reruns from her favorite posts from the past and I’ve loved reading all over again about the way her career has evolved.

A couple of favorites of mine are I’m not the only one where she compares American Idol to the writing business and this one where she talks about getting an agent at last.

Saturday, December 26, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |3 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Lyttie Poe & Melodye Shore

My Christmas gift to you is two blogs that hold a special spot in my heart – True Tales of Kindness and Stupidity and Front Pages. Both blogs are written by talented and creative woman who remind me that love is all around us, once we slow down long enough to really look. I love blogs that change my mood or my way of looking at something and these blogs both do that. They remind me that growth is always possible and that it doesn’t take much for us to make a change in someone’s life. Often we can do it just by pausing to sit with them for a while.

Over at True Tales of Kindness and Stupidity, a couple of my favorite posts are A Tale of Uncle Al and Two Dolls and A Fool of Myself.

At Front Pages I really enjoyed In my travels, two things and Creative Inspiration from the King of Pop. Melodye is also my Creative Art Journal buddy.

Friday, December 25, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – I.N.K. Interesting NonFiction for Kids

Over at I.N.K. (Interesting NonFicton for Kids) What a great idea for a blog – authors who write nonfiction for kids share tips about this genre of writing and talk about their favorite nonfiction children’s books (and what makes them work)

I am always fascinated by how other writers deal with the topic of research so I really enjoyed these two posts on the subject: Oh Wow Notes and Prehistoric Notes

Thursday, December 24, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |0 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Janni Lee Simner

Today”s visit on 31 Blog You Might Not Know is with Janni Lee Simner. Her posts vary from life to process to the occasional low-keyed rant. Her posts almost always make me pause and think for a while which makes it a good one for me first thing in the morning. I liked this recent post, The Stories Not Written and this one, But really, the _next_ next book will be different , which is just one of the many wonderful character conversations she blogs about fairly often. (If you’ve enjoyed reading my letters to characters, I got the idea from Janni.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |6 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Hip Writer Mama

Do you know Vivian of Hip Writer Mama and ReaderGirlz fame? If not, you should. Why?

Because most of us writers have to balance our writing with a whole lot of other non-writing things, like raising kids and washing windows, and such. And sometimes it seems like there is never enough time to do what we want to do most of all – write! A visit with Hip Writer Mama reminds me that all things require balance and that some days we all have trouble balancing and that’s okay.

Right now Hip Writer Mama is closing in on the home stretch of her personal writing challenge to write every day for 30 days.

How’s she doing with that? You can read all the challenge posts here or a few of my favorites like  and Day 23: Mapping Out Writing Time: The Double-Edged Sword and Day 22: Mapping Out Writing Time: Do the UNEXPECTED .

For a bonus, there are writing prompts at the end of each post.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Loree Griffin Burns

Today I’d like to introduce you to scientist and children’s author Loree Griffin Burns.

She’s managed to combine two of my most favorite things, nature and writing, into wonderful books for children.

Trips to her blog are like little nature field trips. A couple of my favorites posts are Monarchs in Space and Seeing the Chrysalis, Finding the Spine.

Enjoy!

Monday, December 21, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |6 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Shen's Books

For today’s visit on 31 Blogs you might not know I want to point you to Shen’s Books. Shen’s publishes beautiful books and has a blog/website full of multicultural book related info.

Recently, publisher Renee Ting started a new feature called the Multicultural Minute – short 1 minute videos connected to the multicultural kidlit world.

A couple of my favorites are Multicultural Minute on Food and The Multicultural Minute on Biracial Picture Books

Sunday, December 20, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |0 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – I'm here. I'm queer. What the hell do I read?

Today’s stop on 31 blogs you might not know is I’m here. I’m queer. What the hell do I read?Lee Wind has created a wonderful resource for gay teen books, gay culture, gay politics and more! Lee’s taking a couple of weeks off for the holidays but there are plenty of juicy posts over there for you to enjoy until he comes back in January.

A couple of my favorites are The GLBTQ Middle Grade Bookshelf! and The Power Of A Ten Year Old: A GSA Monday Inspiration

Saturday, December 19, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |1 Comment

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – A Year of Reading

A Year of Reading is a blog written by, in their own words, “two teachers who read. A lot.” I always feel like I am in the back of their classroom listening in as they turn kids on to reading and writing and poetry. So many of the lessons they share with their young students are just as important to this old student.

This blog is also the home of the great list, 100 Cool Teachers in Children’s Literature (they’re actually up to 128 now.)

A couple of my favorite posts are the current one Unit of Study on THEME (beginnings) and THEME (middle, part 2)

Friday, December 18, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Deaf Characters in Children's Literature

I came across this blog when I was looking for links to unusual book lists. What I found when I landed was this list on deaf characters in children’s literature. The blog covers adolescent books with deaf characters, websites, author interviews and book reviews, all related to the oft-neglected in literature, world of the deaf.
A couple of my favorite posts are this one about a Documentary about ASL Poetry, “The Heart of the Hydrogen Jukebox”and this interview with deaf playwrightWilly Conley.

Thursday, December 17, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |0 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Liz Garton Scanlon

Today I want to introduce you to author/poet Liz Garton Scanlon. Her book All the World was just named the year’s best picture book by the L.A.Times and a Best Kids’s Book of the Year by The Washington Post. Reading her blog is like sitting across the table from her chatting, one-on-one, about life and family and writing and poetry and so much more. I read Liz’s blog for the beauty of the language she uses and I read it because she is always so darn grateful for her life that I can’t help but walk away from her blog feeling better than I did when I first started to read.

Liz is also one of the Seven Poetry Princesses responsible for encouraging them to write their Thanksgiving Villanelles.

A couple of my favorite posts of hers are Thanksgiving in the Backcountry and Humility and Audacity.

Don’t rush your visit with Liz. Sit with her a while. You’ll be glad you did.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |3 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Peni Griffin

Today’s stop on 31 Blogs (you might not know) is The Idea Garage Sale , the virtual home of author Peni Griffin. I love Peni’s mind, the way it tunnels through things the rest of us might not notice and comes out the other side with a story, such as her latest book, 11,000 Years Lost which is in the Pleistocene age. Cool, huh?

Peni believes ideas are all around us, we just need to become more aware of them. She believes this so much that she is giving ideas away to all comers. Go on now, pick one up for yourself.

A couple of my favorite posts are Coolest Thing I Learned All Year and Projects.

Since Peni is a new blogger I hope some of you will head on over to say hello.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |6 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Jenn Hubbard

If you love blogs about the writing process and writers who think deep thoughts and aren’t afraid to talk about, then you might want to check out Jenn Hubbard’s blog. Jenn’s first young adult novel, THE SECRET YEAR is coming out next month and I can’t wait.

A couple of my favorite posts are the ones Jenn did on writing the synopsis, in three different flavors and Revision in Action.

Give her a wave from me when you stop by.

Monday, December 14, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |8 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Three Silly Chicks

Three Silly Chicks (aka Julia Durango, Andrea Beaty and Carolyn Crimi) are all about going for the laugh. They read, write, and review funny books on their blog and on occasion they’ve been known to drag authors and illustrators of funny books into the coop for some interviews.

A couple of my favorite interviews are In the Coop With Tammi Sauer and In the Coop with Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman!

Great blog for busting stress and getting that laugh just when you need it the most.

Sunday, December 13, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Laura Salas (for real this time)

(Yesterday I goofed and had the wrong title with the wrong post. Apologies to both Don and Laura.)
I think every poet needs to be reading this blog by Laura Salas. Why? Because Laura not only talks the talk, she walks the walk. Somehow, in-between raising a family and doing a tremendous amount of work-for-hire projects and teaching both on and offline, she is crafting the life of a working poet. And she shares that journey with her readers, the good, the bad, and the ugly. She also shares a tremendous amount of original (and wonderful) poetry.A couple of my favorite posts include her recent original villanelle Wounded and this original poem, Recipe for a Poetry Book, A Poem for Lee Bennett Hopkins.

Laura encourages everyone to get into the poetry habit with her weekly (every Thursday) photo poetry prompt for 15 Words or Less Poems.

Tell Laura I said hello when you stop by.

Saturday, December 12, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: , |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Don Tate

Today I’d like to highlight the blog by artist/writer Don Tate. Don’s blog is about the process of creating art, both for the books he illustrates (his own and those written by others), the art he does for his day job at the newspaper, and his recent journey into the world of writing for children. When I read Don’s blog I always get the sense that this is what it is really like to be a working creative person in the world of children’s publishing today.

A couple of my favorite posts are This Isn’t as Easy as it Looks where he talks about an art project that didn’t go as well as he had hoped (complete with illustrations) and Wearing My Writer’s Cap in which he shares about the long, long journey to publication his first picture book which will published next fall by Lee and Low. If you want to know how long, you’ll have to read the post for yourself.

Tell Don I said hello when you stop by.

Friday, December 11, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Becky Levine

This blog is for writers (or anyone) who love to read about the writing process and how writers do what they do. At Moving Forward on the Writing Path Becky Levine talks about everything from strengthening your characters to adding more conflict to your plot and more. When I’m struggling with a WIP I like reading about other writings who are trying to figure things out at the same time.

A couple of my favorite posts are Triangles-More Angles and Sharp Edges (what an easy way to increase the tension in a scene) and Making Connections, Deepening Story.

Thursday, December 10, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |3 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Elizabeth Koehler- Pentacoff

Today’s entry in 31 Blogs (you might not know) is great for teachers, writers, librarians and kids! It’s Reading, Writing and Elizabeth, the blog home of author Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff. Liz searches the web for writing contests for kids (and adults.) She also posts interesting writing prompts that are terrific for writers of all ages (and great for the classroom) so check them out in the sidebar.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: , |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Sarah

This one is for the writers out there. Sarah works in New York as a publishing assistant. I love looking at things from her side of the desk. A couple of my favorite posts are Unlikable Villains (in which she reminds us of the importance of keeping our villains villainous and The Secret Lives of Titles because I love anything that talks about coming up with the right title. If you’re a short story lover you’re in for an extra treat because every so often she publishes short that readers have sent in on her blog.

Give her a wave from me when you peek in her window.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |8 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Wes Hargis and Ted Dawson

Maybe the rest of you already know about this blog, Three Men in a Tub, but it was news to me. It’s the sketchblog of Wes Hargis and Ted Dawson and is filled with stories about comics and comic books, art and artists and, not surprisingly, sketches of original art.

A couple of my favorite posts How To Draw With Tom Gammill are Elephant in a Tree (which could also be called My Life as a Tattoo.)

Them them I said hello when you stop by.

Monday, December 7, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Debbie Gonzales

Austin author and educator Debbie Gonzales wears a lot of hats, and she wears them well. Her blog is a delightful mix of writing observations, tips, book discussions, and help for teachers. And then there’s Simple Saturdays. Every Saturday she posts simple activities to be enjoyed by all family members. (On Fridays she posts the supplies you need for Saturday’s simple activity.)

A few of my favorite posts are Sports Novels: The Voice of the Gamer and the Simple Saturday activity Autumn Leaf Potion

Tell Debbie I said hello when you stop by.

Sunday, December 6, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |2 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – A Sweet Read & Jama Rattigan

This blog had me at chocolate. I mean really, a blog that combines children’s books with baking for kids? Yummy! This Florida teacher came up with a winning combination for blogging – she takes her favorite books from children’s literature and then gives you recipes to go with the books. If the book doesn’t have an obvious food connection, she makes up Recipes to Read by. The moral of her story is that food and books go together.

A couple of my favorite posts are Chocolate Obsession which is, as you can imagine, all about chocolate and You Don’t Want to Steal My Dog where she has a delicious looking recipe for “pup cakes” that look like dogs.

Pair this delectable blog up with who rolls out amazing feasts of words and food (yes, I am giving you two for one today just because I can) and you will have food/book connections for just about any occasion. Jama’s recent post on Thanksgiving with Arlo Guthrie at Alice’s Restaurant made me hungry for words and music and her Friday Feast: A Taste of Tuscany will appeal to foodies as well as writers and poets.

Tell them both I said hello when you stop by.

Saturday, December 5, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |16 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Brian Floca

Todays suggestion for 31 Blogs (you might not know) in 31 Days is Author/Illustrator Brian Floca. In support of his latest book, MOONSHOT, Brian has a lovely series of posts about the space program and the anniversary of Apollo 11. A couple of my favorite posts are Radio Days and Countdown Apollo 12

Tell Brian I said hello when you stop by.

Friday, December 4, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |0 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Anne Bustard

Anne Bustard’s blog, Anneographies, highlights picture book biographies tied to the subject’s birthday. Isn’t that a brilliant idea for a blog? Of course the first thing I did was go to my birthday to see if there was a picture book on one of my birthday twins, Ernest Hemingway or Robin Williams, but alas, July21st was blank. But many other days of the year were filled with some great picture book biography choices like July 16th, my son’s birthday. (He just happens to share it with Ida B. Wells-Barnett) and August 27th, my daughter’s birthday (coincidentally, it is also the birthday of former president Lyndon Baines Johnson.)This is a great blog for teachers to bookmark for when they need ideas for those pesky bulletin boards.

Tell Anne I said hello when you stop by.

Thursday, December 3, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |8 Comments

31 Blogs You Might Not Know – Elaine Marie Alphin

Today’s visit is to the blog home of the award winning author Elaine Marie Alphin. Elaine’s books include, Ghost Soldier, Counterfeit Son, and The Perfect Shot. Elaine’s posts might be sporadic but every one of them is rich in the details of her writing life. A couple of my favorite posts are Father’s Day Stories which goes right to the root of her storytelling past and Inviting Readers to Read about the importance of creating doors through which we writers can invite readers to begin their journey.

Tell Elaine hello from me when you stop by.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009|Categories: Random|Tags: |0 Comments