The Best Kind of Surprise Party

Sometimes being a writer comes in handy.

This afternoon, I was at my desk pretending to work, when our dog, Lady, barked because someone was at the door.

“Good dog, Lady. Keep us safe from big, scary, dangerous . . .”

"Oh, hi, Amy and Megan. What's up?"

"Um, we're making a surprise party for our mom. Can you come over at three?"

"Three?"

"Yup. That's when she gets home from picking our brother up from baseball camp."

It was 2:57.

I thought about the work on my desk and said, “Give me a minute. I'll be right over.”

This is the part where being a writer comes in handy.

I grabbed a birthday card from my closet (a published sample I'd gotten from Blue Mountain Arts) and a gorgeous autographed fish puzzle created by my talented friend, Janeen Mason.

Ta Dah! A gift!

I hustled across the street, gift in hand, to find a couple neighbors helping the girls tear construction paper into confetti for the big event.

When my neighbor, Donna, walked in, she was greeted by shouts of “Surprise” and handfuls of confetti thrown at her.

She showed her surprise and appreciation by saying, "Oh my, no one cleaned the house."

I stayed a few minutes and chatted before heading back to my home office, really happy that two little girls love their mom enough to create an impromptu surprise party for her -- clean house or not.

Way to go, Megan and Amy!

Vegetarian Cheeseburger in Paradise

“I feel like I’m on vacation,” I say to Hubby, who is munching on a vegetarian cheeseburger, a Jimmy Buffett song playing in the background.

Hubby delicately points out, “You’re raising two teenage boys, caring for two pets, me, you work – a lot – cook, clean, volunteer, and--”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

Despite that dose of reality, I still feel like I’m on vacation in sunny South Florida. Opening your door every day to palm trees, exotic birds and interesting geckos will do that to you.

In winter months, we “natives” are overrun by tourists and Snowbirds. (Yes, this means you, Grandma!) Our roads are jammed with people in competition to drive below the speed limit, we can’t get a seat at our favorite breakfast spot and there’s rarely a square inch (or yard) of beach for me to fit my fanny in.

Summer, though, is a different story. Something about heat exhaustion, alligators and wild hurricanes scare people off. Can't imagine why.

Yesterday morning, I dropped my flip-flops in the sand and took a long walk along the water’s edge. The only others on the beach were a few guys fishing, a large dead fish (yuck!), a couple carrying thirty pounds of toddler and ninety pounds of buckets, plastic shovels, folding chairs, an umbrella, a cooler and a bevy of sunscreen. There were also folks poking at shells and walking just like me. Locals. We nodded as we passed each other, grateful to have our little corner of paradise to ourselves.

While I was admiring the view on a jetty, an older gentleman nodded at my Penn State T-shirt and told me he used to teach there. A long time ago.

We reminisced about how grand Happy Valley is with its mountains, lakes and fine university. Not to mention the grilled sticky buns at midnight at Ye Olde College Diner. Yowza!

Doing my best Vanna White imitation, I pointed to the intracoastal waterway leading into the ocean with the Jupiter Lighthouse in the background and said, “Of course, this isn’t half bad.”

The man nodded. “Best place in the world to live.”

As I headed back along the beach (not caught in a violent thunderstorm this time), the ocean rushing over my feet, clouds overhead, I couldn’t have agreed more.

For our family, the only thing missing from our little corner of paradise are family and friends from home.

So, to them I say, “Pack up the sun screen, a bathing suit or two and come on down. The water’s fine. “

To you, I say, what makes your corner of the world a little piece of paradise?

Hope you’re having a delightful summer,
Donna

Big Birthday Blog-O-Rama

Today is my blog’s one year birthday and my, um, slightly more than one-year-birthday. (I’m 43.) As a child, a July 5th birthday meant no one showed up at my birthday party except the one kid whose family wasn't away on vacation. As an adult, though, having a birthday around a major holiday is a lot of fun because no one is working and everyone is in the mood to celebrate. (Just read that Jordan Sonnenblick's birthday was July 4th. Happy Birthday, Jordan. Loved Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. And really loved the letter you wrote in School Library Journal about the state of education.)

Today's Birthday-O-Rama went something like this:

Oldest son began the day by making me pudding. Doesn’t everyone crave pudding for breakfast on her birthday?

Youngest son created Jake Bucks. I can trade them for anything in the Jake Land Catalog – reading together, him taking the dog for a walk, him preparing a meal, playing a game of Yahtzee together, etc. (And I can earn more Jake Bucks by having good parental behavior.)

Hubby got me great nerd gifts – a funny book about language, a funny political book on CD and magazines (about books).

Then hubby took the boys and me out to Vic & Angelo’s for lunch. Personable waiter. Delicous food. Fun times.

I don’t know what it is with my side of the family, but my sisters and father called and sang “Happy Birthday.” Badly. It was wonderful.

Friends and family called and sent e-mails. One friend gave me a book lover’s Scrabble mug -- perfect! I think the main character of my novel would have loved it. She also would have loved the mug with purple flowers given by another friend. (Yes, I drink lots of herbal tea while I write.) Another bud sent fun, funky jewelry from Maine. My writing pals showered me with flowers, gifts, strawberry shortcake and lots of love.

If you want to do something bookish to celebrate this holiday weekend, the Cedar Rapids Public Library was damaged by flooding. They desperately needs monetary donations to restock and repair. You can read about it at Meg Cabot's diary. (Scroll down to the June 30th entry.)

It’s been such a grand and glorious birthday. Thanks so much for the good wishes and thoughtful gifts and for reading this blog. My very first blog was about beginnings.


Today feels very much like a new beginning . . .

Celebrating Life

This is my friend, Cary Garcia . . .

On October 7, 2002, Cary was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Four days later, so was I.

We’d been acquaintances before. But the moment we discovered this terrible connection, we became fast friends, sharing information, sympathy and laughter. Yes, laughter. What a great antidote to fear, guilt and worry! There were flurries of e-mails between us, comparing symptoms and new realities.

And there were visits. Our families got together whenever we could. Cary and I occasionally met halfway between our homes for lunch as well.

I wondered what the waiter thought of the two bald women at his table when Cary and I met for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Bold and wild, Cary proudly wore her bald head with big earrings and bright make-up. I covered my head in a simple scarf.

After three months of intense chemotherapy that required several hospitalizations, I was deemed cancer-free. Not fear-free, but cancer-free.

Cary celebrated my victory, but was never able to enjoy similar news. She’s never enjoyed a single remission. “Stop with the survivor guilt!” she wrote in one e-mail after I’d told her how badly I felt that we’re not both celebrating good news together.

I stopped with the guilt. And I helped Cary do exactly what she wanted – enjoy life as much as she could.

Together, we flew on three planes to get to an ovarian cancer survivor’s retreat in Montana in 2005. What an amazing time. We women got to forget our troubles for a little while and have fun with kindred spirits. That retreat is a very special memory for me.

This was the view from our cabin . . .

And here’s a photo with Cary holding up a t-shirt she’d just bought in a nearby town.

Camp Mak-a-Dream is an amazing place. Besides the ovarian cancer retreat, they have another retreat for women with cancer, but mostly retreats for children who need a break from the sadness of cancer. If you want to relieve yourself of a few bucks, you could find worse places to donate.

Five years after our diagnoses, Cary made a “Celebrating Life” party. She invited our family and her doctor and his family because she credits her doctor with keeping her alive this long and has come to love him and his family.

Here we all are, having a great time together . . .

Cary persevered through a rough summer last year that included a series of hospitalizations. Then, six months ago, when she wrapped Christmas ornaments for storage, she wondered if she’d see them again the following Christmas.

She won’t.

This summer is bad. Cary’s stomach has stopped working. And for a self-admitted lover of food, this is pure torture. Besides that, she’s sick most of the time. As I write this, Cary has suffered through 76 chemotherapy treatments. 76!

She’s ready to be done.

I visited her at home last week. She hardly looked like herself, lying on the living room sofa, under the Christmas quilt someone had made for her. Her voice was a hoarse whisper.

It was hard to be there, to say good-bye to my friend, but I felt honored to spend time with her during these last days. Cary told me about the most important parts of her life – Rey, her husband of 28 years and Lauren, her precious 16-year-old daughter. Of course, Cary would love to stay around and celebrate her hubby’s 50^th birthday this December and watch her daughter grow up, get married and have children. But she's come to peace with the fact that she can’t.

When Cary was too tired to talk anymore during our visit, we hugged each other. Her frail arms wrapped around my neck and she whispered, “I love you.”

Well, friend, “I love you, too.” You’ve helped me sail through some rough waters.

Life is hard sometimes. It just is.

Last night, I read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow. It made me cry, but it was full of life and love and lessons I wanted to impart to our sons. When I’d seen Randy Pausch’s lecture on the Internet, his wife, Jai, hugged him at the end and whispered something into his ear.

“I wonder what she’d whispered,” I said to my husband.

At the end of Mr. Pausch’s book, I found out. Jai held onto him and said into his ear, “Please don’t die.”

All he could do was hug her more tightly.

This morning, feeling sad, I took myself to the beach, a place that always makes me feel centered and serene and grateful.

I looked out at the calm water and thought of Cary and of two other dear friends who are currently fighting cancer. I took note of some dark clouds in the distance, reminding myself not to wander too far.

Then I walked along the water’s edge, small fish darting near my feet.

I passed men fishing, families splashing in the smooth water, couples strolling along the beach, a woman checking a sea turtle nest. Everyone was friendly when we passed each other. And there was a glorious breeze off the water as I walked, but those dark clouds grew larger. And darker.

Lost in my thoughts, I kept walking until I came to a jetty.

While appreciating the landscape, an older woman, Dolores, came over and told me about her husband and two sons, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a sister who didn’t marry until she was in her 70’s. What a life! I touched Dolores’ hand, told her how nice it was to meet her and said I’d better head back because those dark clouds were getting closer. Dolores headed off to her car.

As I walked back along the water’s edge, I felt drops plink onto my skin. It was a long way back. I picked up my pace.

When the raindrops got fatter and fell faster, I jogged. Then ran. I don’t mind getting soaked, I told myself, as long as there is no lightning. South Florida storms can be ferocious.

With that, the sky opened up with a sharp crack of thunder. As long as there is no lightning. Lightning sizzled in a jagged line into the ocean.

Rain fell in fat pellets from dark clouds. Thunder boomed so loud, I huddled against the noise. And lightning continued to sizzle.

I noticed a woman standing under an overhang at a small bathroom and chugged up a hill of sand toward her. Another crack of thunder. I leapt off the sand, intending to go into the bathroom until the storm passed, but saw a car pulling out of a spot in the parking lot. Forget the bathroom! I charged toward that car, waving my arms.

The driver stopped, rolled down the window, and before I could say, “Could you drive me to my car?” he yelled, “Get in! Get in!”

“Thanks so much,” I said, water dripping down my face. “I was going to take cover in the bathroom, but—“

“It’s a good thing you didn’t,” the man said. “The bathrooms are locked. Where’s your car?”

I told him.

The woman turned toward me. “I’m Connie and this is Gary.” We talked about their sons at the University of Florida and my boys at summer camp.

When I got out of the car, before I could get into mine, a bolt of lightning sizzled nearby and thunder crashed. I dove into my car, took a deep breath and drove home, grateful for Connie and Gary. Grateful for the kindness of strangers.

Connie and Gary reminded me how much I have to be grateful for.

One of the things for which I’m profoundly grateful is Cary’s friendship.

Life is precious. All we can do is embrace it by living well, being kind to strangers, kinder to those we love and kindest to ourselves, hugging our kids (even though they drive us crazy sometimes), working hard and being profoundly grateful for blessings, like friends who are true and honest until the end.

Celebrating life,
Donna

We Have a Winner!

A huge thank you to the millions of, um 4, people who contributed great ideas in the comments section of my recent blog.

Your names were carefully written on scraps of paper and tossed into an almost-clean Tupperware container that once held macaroni and cheese. Then the Grand Wizard of Contests (our 15-year-old son) used a very special pair of gold-plated (okay, plastic) salad tongs to extract the winning entry.

And the winner of our Great Idea Contest is . . .

BETH LEVINE. Here's the helpful idea Beth posted in the comment section:

www.helpareporter.com

If you need to find "real people" to interview for a book or article, this guy will send out your query to his list of thousands! I put in a query and had 50 responses in an hour!

Beth has generously chosen to donate her prize -- a paperback young adult novel -- to 826 Valencia. They are currently trying to stock a satellite program in a middle school. I'm sending a copy of my novel today. Click here to see how you can contribute. Scroll down to "Odd Books?"

If anyone wants to know what an agent's day is like, pick up a copy of Water Cooler Diaries: Women Across America Share Their Day at Work. My agent, Tina Wexler, has a day-in-the-life piece in the book detailing the many things she does during the day, including squeezing in reading manuscripts while riding the train to and from work.

Thanks to Elizabeth Willse for her recent review in the New Jersey Star Ledger:

The title of Donna Gephart's smart, funny novel, "As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President" (Delacorte, 240 pp., $15.99), says it all. Vanessa Rothrock has enough trouble fitting in when her Mom is the governor of Florida; but once the presidential campaign begins, Vanessa feels she can't even talk to her mother without an appointment with the press secretary. Gephart does a beautiful job blending a tense political race with Vanessa's junior high dramas.

All I want to know, Elizabeth, is: Did my family pay you to write that?

Have a great week everyone!
Donna

Nice Interview

A big THANK YOU to Sandra Louden, greeting card writer and friend extraordinaire, for her very nice interview in Absolute Write.

Sandra and I connected when I worked as an editor at a greeting card company. Then we met in person for the first (and only) time at a writer's conference in Western PA. I was very pregnant with my first son at the time. He's now a whopping 15 years old. Time flies!

If you'd like to read Sandra's guest blog about how to write and sell greeting cards, click here.

Three blogs, one tip and a CONTEST!

Every day, I check several blogs that inspire and offer useful information. Here are three that I highly recommend:

1) Shrinking Violet Promotions hosted by Mary Hershey and Robin LaFevers. This blog offers a bevy of marketing and promoting tips with a generous serving of grace and generosity thrown in for good measure.

2) Cynsations hosted by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Queen of Giving Back to the Children's Litature Community. On her blog, you'll find oodles of interviews, book giveaways and more useful information than you can shake a number two pencil at.

3) Alice's CWIM Blog hosted by Alice Pope, editor of Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, shares news and musings.

And here’s one tip to promote your work and have fun in the process: When doing an event at a school or participating in a book signing, hold a drawing for a book or appropriate giveaway. For example, Debra Garfinkle might give away a rubber chicken because of this and this. Ask only for the person’s first name and e-mail address on a slip of paper. After the event, choose a winner, e-mail a congratulations note and ask for a mailing address. Send the prize and then -- here’s the important part -- put each of the e-mail addresses you received in a database that you’ll use to send e-mail notices when you have exciting book news, like a new book coming out.

Now, the CONTEST: Share a blog, Web site or tip in the comment section below and I’ll choose one winner to receive a paperback children’s book. The winner will be announced Monday, June 30^th.

Good luck and thanks in advance for sharing!

Donna

Shrieking and Signing

Sometimes, when I'm driving and see a cute couple pushing a baby in a stroller, I want to slam on the brakes, leap from my car and shriek, "Don't you realize that adorable baby will one day morph into an evil zombie from Planet Teenager?!!"

But I don't.

Usually.

I showed no restraint, however, at our local Barnes & Noble.

While a woman was perusing the children's section along with two children, I oh-so-casually mentioned that I wrote the book they were standing in front of. "Yup. That's mine. Right there."

I think the woman wasn't sure whether to believe me or call store security, but I was wearing my "Be Careful Or I'll Put You In My Novel" T-shirt, which obviously proved I wrote the book the woman was now holding. And showing the girl. And . . . asking me to sign.

We talked awhile and she picked up another copy for herself. Hooray. Two books down. 98,753 to go.

If anyone happens to be in Vero Beach this Saturday, stop by Waldenbooks at the Indian River Mall between 1 pm and 3 pm. I'll be wearing a silly skimmer hat, like the girl on my cover and signing copies of my novel along with the very talented Carole Crowe, who will be signing her lovely picture book, Turtle Girl.

Not only will I wear a skimmer hat, I'll also wear a T-shirt with a picture of the cover of my novel on it as will my husband and, well, anything else we can think of to sell a few books and more importantly, embarrass our teenage sons.

Happy weekend,
Donna

A Literary Adventure

Just got back from a trip to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In New York, hubby, oldest son and I enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city while youngest son went to a friend’s graduation. During our visit, I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my agent and editor. One of the three of us ate octopus and wore blue toenail polish. Hint: It wasn’t me!

Then it was off to Books of Wonder. I’d always wanted to visit this independent children’s bookstore. And there it was – loaded with shelves of brand new books and cases of really old books as well. But the best part of the space might have been Cupcake Café. Hubby and I thought they were the best cupcakes ever. But don’t ask our son’s opinion; he ordered ice cream!

New York must have been inspiring. On the train ride home, I came up with an idea for my next book.

A few days later, hubby and I made a quick trip to Princeton, New Jersey while my sainted in-laws watched our boys.

We wandered around campus, admiring the architecture of the old buildings and wishing we were young enough (and smart enough) to go to Princeton University.

Hubby and I spent nearly two hours in Labyrinth Books. Lots of children’s titles I wasn’t familiar with. Lots of good sale books. Let’s just say we did our part to support independent bookstores that day.

A few streets over was Jazams -- half toy store, half children’s book store. Entirely fun.

The public library astounded me. A three-story glass structure, it sported both a gift shop and café on the ground floor. And a huge children’s and separate teen section on the third floor. An aquarium added to the charm.

While in the Philadelphia area, we stopped into Newtown Book Store. I was delighted to discover my novel was chosen as one of the summer reading book club choices. Twenty-one copies were stacked in a special display.

At Children’s Book World in Haverford, my book was chosen as a staff pick. Owner Hannah Schwartz has been fostering a great relationship with schools and the community for over seventeen years. And Sarah, one of the employees, did such a great job of book talking several titles that we left with bags full.

Even though the book stores and libraries were great fun, the best part of our visit was spending time with brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, Pop-Pop and friends. We squeezed in lots of games, meals and laughter.

Now, I’m looking forward to the time and space to work on my new book. And perhaps, to making a dent in the ever-growing stack of books beside my bed.

Happy summertime,

Donna

SOLD!!!

I’m delighted to announce the sale of my second novel to Stephanie Lane at Delacorte Press.

Here’s a peek at the blurb that will go to Publisher’s Lunch:

Donna Gephart's HOW TO SURVIVE JUNIOR HIGH, about David Greenberg, a boy who dreams of becoming the next Oprah (the white, Jewish, male version), but whose day-to-day life is filled with embarrassing You Tube videos, bullies threatening swirlies, and a best friend gone ga-ga over girls, to Stephanie Lane at Delacorte, by Tina Wexler at ICM.

Hooray!
Donna

THANK YOU!

On the occasion of my 100^th blog post, I want to say, “THANK YOU!”

This writing gig is quite a journey, and I’ve been lucky enough to connect with amazing people along the way.

First and foremost, thanks to Hubby. He’s been both friend and cheerleader (not to mention breadwinner) through it all. You rock my world, babe!

Thanks to my two sons, who drive me nuts and melt my heart in equal measures. Despite what I say sometimes, I would never trade you guys for a hamster and a goldfish.

Thanks to my father-in-law, Jake, who stood beside me through everything and stood taller in heart than he ever did in height. I miss you, pal.

Thanks to my family and family-in-law for all the laughter and love.

A huge, honkin’ thank you to the friends who have seen me though good times, bad time and the wonky times in between. There aren’t enough words . . .

A heart full of hugs for my writing buds, who understand the neurotic personality of a writer like no other.

Thanks to my agent, Tina Wexler, for encouraging me to tell Vanessa’s story. I’m so glad to have you in my corner.

Thanks to my editor, Stephanie Lane, for embracing a certain klutzy character and a certain awkward writer.

Much appreciation to the educators, media specialists, principals and students who welcomed me into your schools this year. And to the kids who wrote me notes, like this one from a third grader: “Thank you so mush for telling us all about you and how to rihte a book. I think when I am groin up I miht be a rihter.” (This is exactly what my writing looked like at this age.)

A bouquet of thanks to the librarians who embraced my novel, especially my local librarians, who purchased my book for every one of their branches. And who never look at me strangely when I hover around the children’s books for hours.

Thanks to fans who’ve sent me uplifting e-mails, like this one: “I recently finished As If Being 12 and 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running For President! Anyways, I really liked it, and I wish I had a Michael Dumas of my own. I only seem to get Reginalds... My sister made Mrs. Perez's lemon squares, and they were really good. I think it's pretty neat that you use your friends' and family members' names in your books.”

Three cheers to Steve Mooser and Lin Oliver for dedicating much of their lives to a little organization called SCBWI. You two are the fairy godmother and godfather of many a writer’s and illustrator’s dreams coming true!

It took me only twenty years of writing (greeting cards, articles, stories, puzzles, essays, etc.) and six unpublished novels to realize my dream of publishing a novel for children.

In Aaron Shepard’s book, The Business of Writing for Children, he reminds us, “It takes about eight to ten books to “establish” a children’s author.”

That’s why when I tell my agent I’m thinking of becoming an interpreter of Swahili or am sure I should write a book about the mating habits of albino kangaroos, she calmly talks me down from the ledge. “Donna, just write the next book.”

She’s right.

That’s all we need to do. Write the next book. Write the next chapter. Write the next sentence. The next word.

The rest will follow. I promise.

My novel did not garner a six-figure advance. It did not rocket to the top of the best-seller list. It did exactly what it was supposed to do – it went out into the world and touched some readers’ hearts and tickled their funny bones.

It allowed me to enjoy some amazing experiences I wouldn’t have otherwise, like sitting in the audience as the Newbery winners were announced and having Sid Fleischman touch my arm and compliment a speech I gave at a conference.

So, for this magnificent journey (so far) . . . thank you, thank you, thank you.

With love,

Donna

Last School Visit

Thanks to Ms. Supran for inviting me to spend time speaking with her and Ms. Crew’s third grade students at Jupiter Farms Elementary.

They were attentive and enthusiastic and came prepared with great questions, like, “How long did it take you to write your book?” and “Did your sons help you with it?” (Answers: Research, writing and revisions took about a year. And our sons did come up with a couple good ideas while I was writing.)

To top off a fine visit, the students created these wonderful thank you cards. Here is a picture of my cat, Jasmine, admiring them:

I’m grateful to the teachers, principals and media specialists who invited me into their schools this year.

During one of the visits, groups of students were talking and laughing. One student stood off to the side. Before I went over to chat with that student, I reminded myself that this is the student I’m writing for -- the one who might not feel part of a group. The one for whom a character in a book can feel like a friend. The student I was so many years ago.

Now that school visits are over for this year, I’m looking forward to writing, writing, writing and to enjoying the relaxed pace of summer with family and friends.

Hugs,
Donna

Creative Students!!!

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of signing books at Independence Middle School’s book fair. Ms. Petroccia, the media specialist, organized and promoted the event, made me feel welcome and provided a great lunch. Thanks so much for all your support!

Ms. Drum, an enthusiastic language arts teacher, had her highly creative students make projects in response to reading As If Being 12 ¾ Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President!

The students created brochures, videos, posters, T-shirts and cakes. I only wish there were space to showcase all the projects, but here is a sampling of the amazing ideas the kids came up with:

Here I am with Ms. Drum in front of one of the posters.

Student-made brochures on a table cloth of "cherry pits" from Ms. Drum. You'll have to read Vanessa's list of deficiencies to get that reference. (Poor Vanessa!))

Several students worked together on this poster. (G.I'm impressed!)

The kids managed to include a lot of elements from the book in this one. (I love the little Scrabble tiles spelling out "president!" How many points is that worth?)

These girls also made a T-shirt for me. I (heart) it! The principal (left) and media specialist, Ms. Petroccia (right) are enjoying some of the FOUR cakes students made.

This cake includes the skimmer hat, "Vote 4 Mom" button and a lemon square.

And in the tradition of Vanessa's obsession with spelling bees, this student spelled it all out with cupcakes!

A big, heartfelt thank you to the great students and staff at Independence Middle School!
Donna

Three Questions & a Photo

Hello fellow book lovers!

If you have a minute, answer these three questions:

1) What is the first book you remember reading or having read to you?

Mine was Mr. Grabbit, a tiny picture book about a rabbit who learned not to be so greedy. I loved it so much I recently purchased a copy of the $.19 book from Ebay for over seven bucks.

2) What was your favorite book when you were a child?

I loved Mr. Popper's Penguins so much that to this day I still love penguins. Last summer I found a copy at a book sale at my hometown library in Philadelphia. It cost only a buck (and that was for a whole bag of books).

3) What children's book do you love best now?

Tough one to answer, I know. There are sooooo many good ones. But I'd have to go with Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. It gets me every time.

Now onto that photo . . .



Can you guess which one is my super dooper uber wonderful agent, Tina Wexler from ICM? And which one is Tina's adorable cousin's daughter, Haleigh, who just finished reading my book? "Hi, Haleigh!" And Niko, Haleigh's cat, who, um, hasn't read my book. Yet!

Inspiring Video

I found this video inspiring. Thanks to Rachel at Obsessed With Life for posting this at her blog.



Have an inspired weekend,
Donna

School Visits Abound This Month

Yesterday, I had a great time talking with the fourth and fifth grade students at Greenacres Elementary as part of their Career Day program.

Even though I didn’t show a giant alligator skull like the woman from the Wildlife Management, the kids were really enthusiastic, especially those who read my book in advance. Thanks to the teachers who introduced themselves to me and to the media specialist who gave me a tour of the library and TV studio. What an awesome school!

Then this afternoon, I had a fantastic time at Independence Middle School.

A big thank you to Ms. Petroccia, the media specialist, for filming a video promo to announce a book signing I’ll be doing at the school Wednesday the 21^st. The six young actors, um, students not only did a fantastic job saying their lines, they had me laughing harder than I have in a long time with their hilarious expressions. Way to go, guys!

Then it was off to Ms. Drum’s 7^th grade Language Arts class with a few 6th graders thrown in for good measure. Most of the students had already read my book, so they had lots of excellent questions, like this one:

“Ms. Gephart, when you were young, did you meet a lot of Reginalds?”

“You’d better believe it. Didn’t we all? There are a lot of Reginalds out there. Fortunately, I didn’t marry one!”

What a wonderful time I had with the kids! Thanks so much for inviting me to speak with your class, Ms. Drum!

Next, week I’m off to Jupiter Farms Elementary, a signing at Independence Middle and a home school workshop for creative writing. And a radio interview thrown in for good measure.

I may not be writing a whole lot this month, but I’m having a fun, exhilarating and exhausting time!

Hugs,

Donna

Naked Lady . . . Soap!

Today's squeaky clean post is all about supporting small business.

If you're anything like me, you get a nervous tic just thinking about stepping foot in your local Wal*Mart. I'm a big fan of small, local businesses. The service is always superior and the quality excellent, so I support small, local businesses every chance I get.

As an author, I ALWAYS buy something when I'm lucky enough to spend time in an independent bookstore. The two closest to us are Vero Beach Book Center and Books and Books. Wish there were more.

For a big celebration of independent bookstore's, check out Shrinking Violet Promotions, created by authors Mary Hershey and Robin LaFevers. Each day in May, they're celebrating a different independent bookstore.

Something I enjoy nearly as much as the indies are local green markets. We have one right here in Abacoa. Sadly, this Saturday is the last one of the season and I'll have to get my fresh greens and hand-made soaps elsewhere.

Um, no I won't!

My friends at family-owned and run Naked Lady Soap sell their yummy smelling soaps on-line. I can replenish my supply until the green market opens again in the fall. If you want to support a lovely, small business and get some fabulous soaps for yourself or your friends, stop by the Abacoa green market this Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or shop on-line here.

And speaking of clean, there's a certain housewife in Utah who blogs about books she deems to be clean. My novel didn't meet her squeaky standards. Too bad about that. I nearly laughed my head off when she gave my book a little devil icon instead of the angel icons reserved for good, clean books. Check out her review here.

Now, if only my book would get banned somewhere, then perhaps I'd sell even more copies.

Stay clean (or not),
Donna

How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel

A camel arrived in the mail the other day. Okay. Okay. It was a book with a picture of a camel on the front. You don’t have to be so picky about things.

How to Fit a Car seat on a Camel and Other Misadventures Traveling with Kids is a collection of essays about, um, well, traveling with kids. It’s edited by the talented and well-traveled Sarah Franklin, who lives with her own kids and hubby in Ireland. Her essay is titled: “Splish, Splash, We’re in First Class.”

Here are a few other essay titles: “The Devil Wears Pull-Ups,” “Senseless in Seattle,” “Mouse Ears and Monster Faces: Adventures of the Medicated” and “Rock Me Like a Hurricane.”

My essay, “Road Trip Through Adolescence” is included in the collection. It’s about a memorable trip I took with our older son, Andrew, over the rocky landscape of Acadia National Park in Maine. Here’s how my essay winds up: “I realized that if Andrew handled the rocky landscape of adolescence with the same grace that he handled the rocky landscape at Acadia, he’d be just fine. And so would I.”

Do you have any funny/interesting/memorable stories about traveling? Do you have travel plans for this summer? With kids? Or will the soaring gas prices keep you closer to home?

We’re looking forward to visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania this summer. And I know exactly which book I’ll bring to read on the trip. Hint: There will be a picture of a camel on it.

Happy weekend,
Donna

What Do Children Read?

To find out, read this illuminating article from today's Washington Post.

I was delighted to read that children are still reading the classics, like Green Eggs and Ham for the younger set and Charlotte's Web for those a bit older and To Kill a Mocking Bird. And my favorite, Bridge to Terabithia, was a fifth-grade favorite.

Are any of your favorite books listed in the article?

Thanks to Dan's Distractions for the tip.

All Booked Up!

May is shaping up to be a busy month – brimming with school visits, workshops, radio and TV interviews, revisions and the start of a new work. No wonder I’m feeling a bit scattered. I can barely finish anything I

This includes books! I’m in the middle of four different books. And the list of books I’d like to read is even longer.

So, what did I do? I went to the local Barnes and Noble and bought two new books – Jerry Spinelli’s Smiles to Go and Varian Johnson’s My Life as a Rhombus because well, I mention rhombuses in my novel and I’ve heard such good things about Mr. Johnson’s work. As soon as I got home, I read on Cynthia Leitich Smith’s blog that Mr. Johnson sold a new novel to Delacorte Press. To my editor. Hooray!

Does anybody else have a stack of books by their bed that threatens to topple while they're sleeping and crush them to death?

Is anyone else on the Web sites Shelfari or Goodreads? I’m not, but hubby does Shelfari. And the number of books he’s read puts the number of books I’ve read to shame. And the books he reads are usually much thicker and with smaller print.

At least I've finished 25 books so far this year, most recently Sid Fleischman’s The Entertainer and the Dybbuk. It’s a short, powerful book about those who hunted for and murdered Jewish children during the Holocaust. Not his usual funny fare, but an excellent read. In his author’s note, he wrote: “It has taken me a long lifetime of novel writing to finally feel prepared to grapple with the Holocaust.”

WHAT ARE YOU READING this weekend? Which books do you hope to read soon?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Donna

Guess Where I Was . . .

Seaside, Oregon. Where else?

Here's my nephew and brother-in-law dutifully holding up the town's sign. What a great beach town!



Coming from Flat-as-a-Pancake Florida, it was a treat to see mountains . . .



and snow!!! I walked along the Promenade (a cement boardwalk) and caught fat flakes on my tongue. It was fabulous.

We also had a blast in the town. My nephew liked the candy shops every few feet. We bought enough fudge to feed a small nation. And there was a glorious little bookstore -- Beach Books, Inc. I met the owner, Karen, and Mariah and the bookstore cat. He was fat and friendly and loved to perch on the pink and white striped sofa by the window.

We also went to Canon Beach, another great seaside town, and ate at the Lumberyard & Grill, where our waitress, Kathleen, memorized not only our six orders but our names and kept us laughing throughout the meal. The food was excellent, and my nephew loved his S'mores dessert that came out in a tiny cast-iron skillet.

A trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory was fun, too. Did you know a cow weighs about 96 pounds at birth? And about 1,330 pounds when it's full-grown? Yowza!

But the best part of the whole trip? Hanging out with family, of course! Especially my nephew, who beat me at the following games: ping-pong, air hockey, dice, cards, checkers and chess. But I won Monopoly by building lots of houses on Park Place and Boardwalk. So there!

Dorothy, me and Dad

Brother-in-law, Ben and sister, Sherry

Couldn't have asked for a more relaxing, joy-filled vacation. Lovely to be surrounded by family, great sights and fabulous food.

Now, I'm ready to get back to work.

Thanks to a very talented 12 3/4-year-old bookworm, who posted a review of my book on her blog, Bookworm Readers. (Authors: She's looking for books and ARCs to review for her blog.)

And if you live in the Palm Beaches or Treasure Coast, this Saturday, May 3rd, I'll be interviewed on WPBF News 25 (the local ABC affiliate) during the 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours.

Happy trails,
Donna

fAiRy gOdSisTeRs, iNk.

fAiRy gOdSisTeRs, iNk.
Surprising Writers & Illustrators Everywhere!

SCBWI SUMMER CONFERENCE GRANT
Announcing a $1,000 grant opportunity
for an SCBWI member to attend the
August 1-4, 2008 Summer Conference in Los Angeles

TO APPLY: Submit a 250-word double-spaced essay
describing what you hope to accomplish by attending
this year's summer conference.

Send your essay to: fairygodsistersink@yahoo.com

Application deadline: May 15th, 2008
Winner will be notified on June 1st, 2008

Questions about the grant may be sent to: mlhershey@aol.com

fAiRy gOdSiStErS, iNk. is a small, benevolent squadron of children's book authors who believe in the magic of passing forward lucky breaks, bounty and beneficence, as so many have done for us. We are: Thalia Chaltas, Mary Hershey, Valerie Hobbs, Robin La Fevers and Lee Wardlaw.

MARY HERSHEY IS IN THE HOUSE!

First, a big thank you to Cynthia Leitich Smith for posting an interview with me here. And an even bigger thank you to Cynthia for generously sharing incredibly useful information with the children's writing community here.

And now, fabulously funny and genuinely generous author extraordinaire -- Mary Hershey.

You can read about Mary here or check out her fun blog here or her insightful blog about book promotion with Robin LaFevers here.

And you can pre-order her brand spankin' new book here.



Or check out her other great books here and here.

Thanks, Mary, for agreeing to do a guest blog and sharing your wise words with Wild About Words. Mary and I not only have an affinity for long titles, but we both like to make up interviews, like the one here or the following . . .

INTERVIEW: MARY & DONNA

DONNA: Both your first book and my first book have thirteen words in the title. Comments on that? Mere coincidence, or is there something bigger than the both of us at play at here?

MARY: Clearly something bigger at play here. Even though the number thirteen is frequently associated with bad luck, it is a little known fact in the sacred field of Titleology, that odd number titles have some seriously powerful mojo. Editors are completely powerless in the face of them! Novels with fifteen words in them, as is the case with my new book coming out in July, causes the eyes of book reviewers to spin, leading them to hand out starred reviews. Titles with numbers in them, as we both do have leads to movie options. (Just watch and see what happens to Jay's Asher's book Thirteen Reasons Why) Donna, you use '12 3/4', a fraction, which was a bold move. Can't wait to see what happens!

DONNA: As a writing coach, do you have any tips you want to share about writing practice?

MARY: Why, yes, Donna I do. Thirteen of them, in fact. Making their grand debut on your blog today!
1. First things first. I stole this-- I mean borrowed this from author Steven Covey. Writing needs to be the first thing you do in your day. Just trust me on this.
2. Create a sacred writing space. Even if it is a corner in a room or a limb of a tree. Claim it. Honor it. Make a small altar there. Return frequently.
3. Thou shall not checketh email during a writing session (Even if though doth expect to hear from thou editor or agent that day.)
4. Breathe and hydrate freely and frequently.
5. Write as if no one else is ever going to read what you're writing, and take some risks. Throw your nice girl (or boy) right out the window.
6. At least once an hour, get up and do a Downward Facing Dog pose from yoga. If needed, call Donna, and she'll come by your house and demonstrate it. DFD leads to inspiration.
7. If you get to the proverbial 'stuck' place, grab some paper and hand write a letter to your main character. Do a check-in with them.
8. If possible, don't answer the phone or door, or incoming messages from carrier pigeons.
9. Live in a place of absolute gratitude for the gift of writing you've been given.
10. Read everything you can get your mitts on in your genre. The good, the bad and the ugly.
11. Find a writing buddy. Someone with whom you can share both the agony and the ecstasies.
12. Be a volunteer in your local/regional writing network. Even if you don't have extra time. Do it anyway.
13. Be the most generous writer you know. Help anyone and everyone on their writing path!

DONNA: I love lemon bars. Care to share your favorite dessert with our readers?

MARY: This is my new fave which I get at the best vegetarian restaurant on the planet--the Sojourner in Santa Barbara. Start with one warm vegan chocolate chip cookie. Add a big scoop of coffee ice cream on top, then smother in hot fudge until the cookie nearly sets sail across your plate and off the table. Nirvana.

DONNA: If you were stuck on a desert island, and only had one tune on your iPod, what would it be?

MARY: Easy squeezy. Bari Improv by Kaki King from the August Rush CD.
I could listen to that until my brain exploded. That actually happened earlier this week.

DONNA: Favorite inspirational quote?

MARY: “Wherever you are is the entry point.” (Kabir)


Mary, thanks again for stopping by Wild About Words and sharing your writing practice tips . . . and favorite recipe!

Happy writing trails,
Donna

Hope

Because it is National Poetry Month . . .
Because, in a turbulent world, we can all use a little hope . . .

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

-- Emily Dickinson --

Have a hopeful week,
Donna

Wise Words

My friend, Diahnka, sent me this poem written by Dr. Seuss. Thought you might enjoy it.

It has often been said

there's so much to be read,

you never can cram

all those words in your head.

So the writer who breeds

more words than he needs

is making a chore

for the reader who reads.

That's why my belief is

the briefer the brief is,

the greater the sigh

of the reader's relief is.

-- Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)

PET PALS

The pets have been at me to get a little face time on the blog, so here goes . . .

Meet Jasmine -- resident napper and all around sweet cat, except for this morning when she peered into my face. And sneezed!

This is Lady with her current BFF. They have a squeaking good time together, except now the reindeer's hat and one of its antlers is history. "Good dog, Lady."

Our pet sitter posts a veritable parade of pet photos of her "clients" on this Web site.

I can hear the "Awww"s from here.

Who are your favorite pet pals?

Have a happy weekend!
Donna