ENTER THE BIG GIVEAWAY!

We're celebrating OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN'S paperback release this week by GIVING!

Today, we're giving away not one, not two, but THREE prize packages!

There will be signed bookmarks

There will be autographed books

There will be cash to buy books!!!

But first . . .

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our last blog post and voted for which children's literacy organization should receive a $200 donation.

Your kind comments and generosity inspired me!

Kimmy T is sending boxes of new, award-winning books to my childhood library -- The Northeast Regional Library.

Thank you, Kimmy T!

Imagine my purple banana seat bicycle with the basket for books parked in front.

S.R., a teacher at a Title I school, matched my donation!  Thank you, S.R.!!!

Paul Grecian, photographer and friend, added $25 to the total.  Thanks, Paul!

That means the organization with the most votes will receive $425.00!!!

* Drum-roll, please. *

After totaling votes from blog comments, we had a tie.  Fortunately, one person wasn't able to post a comment and sent her vote via e-mail, which broke the tie.

So, the recipient of the $425 donation will be . . .

FIRST BOOK!!!

Their programs provide access to new books for children in need.

Now, onto the BIG GIVEAWAY . . .

THREE prize packages will be given away!

Each prize package consists of:

• 3 signed copies of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN
• 30 signed bookmarks
• $30 to spend at the bookstore of your choice 

To enter this random drawing, tell 3 friends about the giveaway and leave a comment below.

That's it!

Winners will be announced on the blog Tuesday, March 26th, after I get back from a week of school visits in Fort Worth, Texas.

What are you waiting for?

• Share this opportunity with 3 friends!
• Leave a comment.
• Check back March 26th to see if you've won. 

Excellent Writing Workshop (and one extremely rude lady)

I knew I was in for a treat when I signed up Dorian Cirrone's writing workshop at Murder on the Beach bookstore in South Florida.

This guy kept an eye on Dorian while she presented

Bookish skeleton at Murder on the Beach Bookstore in Delray, FL

In two hours, Dorian shared information, handouts, juicy industry tidbits and a few jokes.   She even gave each participant one of her novels.

I loved this book!

She suggested we watch videos, like this one from the Plot Whisperer:

She gave us a handout of great beginnings, like this one from the hilarious Absolutely, Positively Not by Sid Fleischman Award winner, David LaRochelle:  "Everybody has at least one ugly secret, and mine is as ugly as they come.  I square dance.  With my mother."

She suggested books, like this one and Web sites, like this one that has a great character worksheet.

Dorian's workshop was informative and inspiring.  It hit all the right notes.

Dorian Cirrone and Donna

Everything about it was perfect, except . . .

A woman sat front row center, but she didn't face Dorian.  She faced the rest of the audience.  I soon discovered why.  Every time Dorian made a point, this woman loudly offered her opinion/experience/thought/etc. to the rest of us.

I wanted to scream, "I paid to hear Dorian, not you, lady!"  I wanted to tell Dorian, "Tell everyone to hold questions until the end."  Although it seemed nothing would quiet this rude woman.  When she began organizing a crinkly pile of store receipts from her pocketbook and answered a cell phone call, I wanted to hit her with a book.

I didn't.

I did what every good writer would.  I took mental notes because I will include her in an upcoming novel.  I will give her unsightly acne and a grapefruit-sized wart on her nose.  Then I will make her suffer a literary death of which Stephen King would be proud.

Yeah.  Being a writer is awesome.

Crazy Bike Adventure in Columbus!

I accidentally rode a bike 26 miles today.

After writing all morning, I was ready for an adventure.  A board member here at Thurber House kindly lent me a bike.

I hopped on it and pedaled up busy High Street toward Cover to Cover Bookstore.

Traffic lights were out.  Most stores were closed.  Trees were down.  Last night's storms hit this area hard.

It was possible that after six miles, the indie children's bookstore would be closed.

But it wasn't.

 Couldn't have been happier to walk into that dark store and meet Salli, the owner.  She was a gem.  We sat back in the corner where authors and illustrators have signed the walls and we talked books a good long time.

Salli, Cover to Cover Bookstore

Then Salli allowed me to refill my water bottle, choose a book from her pile of ARCs and gave me directions to return to the Thurber House via a bike trail along the river.  (Much prettier and safer than city streets.)

Before leaving, I bought several new books and threw them into my backpack.

No trouble finding the bike trail or maneuvering around downed trees.  Was awed by the beauty of the trees and river along the trail.

While the scenery was gorgeous, I wondered why I hadn't passed the university, as Salli had said I would.  I wondered why the trail marker said Downtown Columbus was ten miles away.  It should have been fewer than six.

Finally, I asked someone how far to Downtown Columbus.  He pointed in the opposite direction.  "This is Worthington.  Downtown is about ten miles that way."

I'd gone the wrong way on the trail.  Four miles the wrong way!  The scenery didn't look quite as sparkly on the way back.  Maybe I should have paid less attention to the views and more attention to this . . .

I felt grateful I was able to refill my water bottle again at the one water fountain I saw along the trail.  I felt grateful the weather was lovely.  I felt grateful I packed snacks in my backpack.  In fact, I stopped on this bridge to eat an apple . . .

The trail heading toward the city was not nearly as lush as the suburban section.  I enjoyed riding along a detour that took me through the Ohio State University campus.  When the trail veered off, I had to ask directions a few times.  Such friendly people!  And I had to maneuver around some of these along the way . . .

Once I made it to Downtown Columbus, it was still a couple miles to get back to the Thurber House.  Those were the hardest miles!

Safe and sound now.  Astounded at how far I was able to ride . . . and how many calories I consumed when I got back.

Tomorrow's adventure will be at the Columbus Zoo with Pat Shannon and her hubby.