The last day of summer and the last day of August. One of the most productive summers of my writing career. The letter from a publisher about my chapter book was a rejection but a very nice rejection. He took the time to write me a note. Now I am preparing a query and a synopsis for GAMERS OF THE ROUND TABLE. I really hope it can find a home with this publisher.
Lily’s Lagniappe: This week college football season begins. I am so excited. LSU begins with McNeese State University. There are some other schools beginning this week also. Would love for Alabama to lose their first game. That would be very good for me. GEAUX TIGERS!
Working on an agent package that my critique group will critique on Wednesday. I’m sending out to an agent because I have great hope. Let’s see what is hope. There are several definitions but the one I like the best is to expect with confidence. This is a character trait of mine, someone may view as a flaw. You want something so much it rules your life. Let’s be honest: yes I want it but I can only be hopeful. Trusting someone may see merit in my writing this is a driving force to make my craft better and stronger.
Lily’s Lagniappe: The early morning hours are prime time for the creative juices to flow. Even in our stupor or lack of sleep the muses of creativity visit us at odd times. Try it and just see.
Getting THE GAMERS OF THE ROUND TABLE ready to send to Pelican Publishing. They put out middle grade fiction. They have had some fantasy with knights and historical figures. Hoping they like Gamers too!
Lily’s Lagniappe: The weather in Baton Rouge is getting a nice break from the humidity. Don’t worry it will return with a vengeance but for now ENJOY!!!
Back to Hickory from Charlottesville. The ride was uneventful. That is always good. We had a good visit but getting back home is always good too. My sister was sleepy so we pulled off for a bit and she laid down. I wrote in my new YA tentatively called, “BBQing the Boob Squad.” I think it is about time the geeks, goth and nerd cliques take over a high school. Anyway in my novel there will be some of that. I’ve tried to get all the scenes etched out and now sitting down to begin to write it. I am writing from beginning to end. It is the only way I know to do it. I am so thankful to Lynn Hightower for showing me how to plot a novel.
Lily’s Lagniappe: The college football season is fixing to start, thank God. All of us from the Tiger Nation are so glad and hoping the Tigers have a better season. Knowing the nation as I do if Les Miles plans on being the coach next year, the team has to have a better season. We must be ready for Mississippi State and Auburn very early. GEAUX TIGERS!
Lazy day Sunday. We went outside and let Cherish sleep a little more. Brooks played with Nanna and his nerf guns. A very simple young man not needing a lot of attention or upkeep. He is very capable of playing by himself. He entertains himself really well. He also meets kids really well. So Sunday even though it was a lazy day, he never complained about nothing to do or play with. He loves books and to be read to. I truly hope Brooks remains interested in being read to.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Wow! Almost two months into the hurricane season and we have one spotted aiming at the Caribbean. The majority of typhoons have been in the Pacific. Our Hurricane Hunter Pilot has been in the Pacific mostly this year. Poor baby! He has had to be in Hawaii for some of the summer.
This is Brooks’ third day in kindergarten. He had a good start. So today we went to celebrate at the pool of the camp ground. he jumping on the ‘jumping thing!’ He had a great time. Sweating a good bit, then he went into pool to cool off. We had two visitors that night. Brooks and his momma stayed the night in the she-kamper with his Nanna and me. It was a great five days in Charlottesville, VA. Brooks is going to learn so much this year and he will soon impress his momma with his good work.
Lily’s Lagniappe: The cool weather in Baton Rouge is fooling everyone there. No fall has not begun. It is a little weather joke! When the LSU Tigers take the field on Sept. 5th it will be blistering hot. But it will be marvelous!!
Heading to Charlottesville, VA to find out if Brooks had a great day in kindergarten. Well, he said he had a good day but a older boy hit him on the bus near his eye. It was his first bus ride, his first day of kindergarten in a new school and a new aftercare facility. Well, he seemed happy and excited and we didn’t want to burden him with questions. The next day he forgot his backpack on the bus so we had to figure out a way to retrieve it and while we scurried from spot to spot we tried to find out about his day and the BULLY without being obvious. Well, this time the bully sat in front of Brooks and continued to turn around and hit our kindergartener. The bus driver kept telling the ‘mean’ boy (Brooks’ label for this kid on day two of school) to turn around. We picked him up the third day at aftercare and let the director know that Brooks was having trouble with this older boy. We were told that there had been a incident on the playground in front of the director, the older boy told on Brooks hitting him. The director asked why would Brooks hit him? He lied and the other kids told the truth about him bullying Brooks. The director told him if you are going to hit someone you need to be prepared to get hit back. Although we don’t want Brooks to initiate anything we also don’t want him to be a victim.
Lily’s Lagniappe: LSU Tigers open up their season with McNeese State on Sept. 5th. GEAUX TIGERS!!
Finished revising FLIES IN THE OUTFIELD need to send to a publisher. Need to work on a softball game for girls, then on to soccer, maybe even lacrosse, and then onto other sports. Also need to work on gender issues with the sports. If I can create a series then maybe I have a shot of getting published. I also have written a new picture book. Hopefully I can get it in shape for 12 X 12 August.
Lily’s Lagniappe: School and Pre-K is beginning soon or may have already started. Pay attention to little feet being excited and confused at the new beginnings. SLOW DOWN!!
Received a nice rejection letter from the publisher I sent my chapter book to. The Editorial Director told me he hoped I found a home for my engaging story. Well, looking at other publisher’s websites to start sending out right away. I believe that FLIES IN THE OUTFIELD is an engaging story that kids would like to read. I also have a rhyming story about Brantley and Brooks. Then just wrote a new picture book about Ugglewuggle Warthog. It has no title yet and needs revision and an enhanced ending.
Lily’s Lagniappe: I can’t begin to describe how thankful I am that football season has started. Watched NFL preseason games last night. All night long.
Today we set our plans into motion for leaving next Wednesday to see Cherish and Brooks. Can’t wait to see the kindergartener, I hope he likes his new school. Going to Barnes and Noble to pick up some books for Brooks. I will also get some coloring books and colors. Hoping to get decide today which book to send to Deborah Halverson.
Lily’s Lagniappe: This is the beginning of the school year in my neck of the woods. Please be careful for little bodies, school bus stops and school zones. SLOW DOWN!!