Eat Pray Love and Write...

I feel like that woman in Eat Pray Love. I'm restless.This year needs to be about finding my balance in writing and just being sure I know where I stand with those little pesky commas, semi-colons, and heck the whole infrastructure of my writing! I feel like it has been raining doubt for weeks with no sunshine. I need a peep hole (I got a glimpse from Lee and Low books the other day and I feel so close, I just might be a breath away) so I can peek through and see the sandy beaches (yeah the ones with the crystal clear water, the one's mermaids just might inhabit), those far away places that seem so fun and magical from a distance if we would only get on a boat, ship, or airplane and just take the leap and explore them.

This year I'm an explorer. I'm a traveler. I'm Don Quixote, circa first expedition only. I'm Columbus...Amerigo Vespucci. I'm Ten Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and swimming for the surface. I've been cooking like crazy and loving it. Now that I've been so sincere I'm not afraid to say that I believe Don Juan has entered our bedroom several times this month, oh wait that would be my loving husband. TMI I know, but I can't let you get away with thinking I haven't got the "love" part covered. I've been a character all to herself. In my own world. Let an awakening begin.

My blog will drown a little bit...okay a lot, but all in the name of discovery and preservation (not just for my writing). Before I head out though. I promised I'd let you know who the winner from December's challenge is.....

Congrats go to Melissa from Through the Looking Glass! She is splenderific. ;) I always smile after reading one of her charming, sometimes silly blog posts. So Melissa, please e-mail me your address and I will ship to you your prize. In fact, you get to pick the book! You can pick anything that is listed from December's Author Birthday Reading Challenge list.

Author Birthday Reading Callenge: Rules

This challenge is closed to all for now and may or may not be introduced again for the year2012. 

So here's how you get points to earn the prize:


1. Follow this blog: +3 pts AND...
2. Read at least one book from the list of author birthdays for the month specified (in this case starting  Feb 2011) The more you read, the more points you get! For every book you read you will get +3 pts and +5 pts  for answering a question about the book (these will be listed below also but not all books will have a question).
3. Spread the word: blog about this challenge, tweet about it, put the banner on the sidebar of your blog, or link back to this post through facebook. Comment and give a talley on this post of your points. Please also list the link(s) to your blog, tweet, or Facebook page that cover the challenge/contest. Follow this step closelyand it will get you a good +5 pts.
5. Be sure your kid gets that special book he/she has been wanting to read.Obviously it has to be an author from one of the lists. +8 pts if you post a picture on your blog of your kiddo reading it and comment with the link to the photo! 
6. +10 points for donating a book (Spanish or English) to the book drive I'm organizing. It's ongoing  just in case you are wondering. 


If you happen to read at least one book from each list I'll enter your name into a drawing for a special prize which will be ready for you at the end of the 2011! So keep tabs on the books you read so you can send me a list of the ones you have read by December 2011. 

***contest is for USA, Canada, and Mexico only*** 

Thats it! Whoever has the most points wins! If there happens to be a tie, well then I'll have to do a raffle.


The winner will get a book or a few books from the authors listed below!!!! Once the winner is selected I will contact them to get shipping information in order to send out the prize.


Here is the official banner to add to your blog ! So spread the word on the challenge:

  Not every month will have a winner, it all depends on participation. 

• There was no winner for January. Here is the February Author Birthday List: 
•  ** Dicken's children's stories only for this contest.
• • Meg Cabot - February 1, 1967
  • Jerry Spinelli - February 1, 1941
  • Judith Viorst - February 2, 1931
  • Russell Hoban - February 4, 1925
  • David Wiesner - February 5, 1957
  • **Charles Dickens - February 7, 1812 
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder - February 7, 1867
  • Barbara Joosse - February 8, 1949
  • Donna Jo Napoli - February 8, 1948
  • Lucy Cousins - February 10, 1964
  • E.L. Konigsburg - February 10, 1930
  • Mark Teague - February 10, 1963
  • Jane Yolen - February 11, 1939
  • Judy Blume - February 12, 1938
  • David Small - February 12, 1945
  • Jacqueline Woodson - February 12, 1964
  • Janet Taylor Lisle - February 13, 1947
  • Simms Taback - February 13, 1932
  • Paul O. Zelinsky - February 14, 1953
  • Norman Birdwell - February 15, 1928
  • Jan Spivey Gilchrist - February 15, 1949
  • Walter Wick - February 23, 1953
  • Wilhelm Carl Grimm - February 24, 1786
  • Cynthia Voigt - February 25, 1942
  • Uri Shulevitz - February 27, 1935
  • Megan McDonald - February 28, 1959
  • John Tenniel - February 28, 1820
  • Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) - February 28, 1970
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Awards and a Fun Contest and Challenge

Read all the way to the end for information on the contest challenge!! 


I have several things to do today. First I have AWARDS to give out! I know how you lost boys and girls love awards! I have been thinking on this one for some time and it seems there are many fellow bloggers I could give this award to but I believe there are two that stand out


These three ladies are wonderful at motivating me and sharing their thoughts after many of my posts. They always have great insight into whatever I may write! Thanks gals  for all your support and comments! Congrats! Come claim your award! Here it is:

The three lovely ladies are:


LTM!!! 
You really must visit her blog That's Write. She has so many colorful opinions. She does reviews of books from time to time and is also an aspiring author and an editor. Who would have thought! Go Leigh! You won't want to miss out. She is full of surprises.


Adina West!!! 
A fellow Crusader and lovely lady on a wonderful journey towards publication! Please step on up and over to her blog Stairways and Landings


Melissa!!! 
This gal shares my love for none other than Alice in Wonderland, or at least her blog title Through the Looking Glass would suggest so. Either way she is one fun blogger! So waste no time. Hop on over for a very important date with her blog!


I also promised a bit of fun was on the way for those of you who read or follow my blog!! I wasn't joshing you! It's coming! I'll reveal the challenge now so that everyone can sign up but you will just have to wait until after Santa comes to receive the prize. I want to be sure everyone hears about this one! 


So here's how you get points to earn the prize:


1. Follow this blog: +3 pts
2. Read at least one book from the list of author birthdays for the month specified (in this case December 2010) The more you read, the more points you get! For every book you read you will get +3 pts and/or  +5 pts  for answering a question about the book (these will be listed below also but not all books will have a question).
3. Spread the word: blog about this challenge, tweet about it, put the banner on the sidebar of your blog, or link back to this post through facebook. Comment and give a talley on this post of your points. Please also list the link(s) to your blog, tweet, or Facebook page that cover the challenge/contest. Follow this step closely and it will get you a good +5 pts.
5. Be sure your kid gets that special book he/she has been wanting to read (from good ol' St Nick of course). +8 pts if you post a picture on your blog of your kiddo reading it and comment with the link! 

***contest is for USA, Canada, and Mexico only*** 

Thats it! Whoever has the most points wins! If there happens to be a tie, well then I'll have to do a raffle.


The winner will get a book or a few books from the authors listed below!!!! Once the winner is selected I will contact them to get shipping information in order to send out the prize.




Here is the official banner to add to your blog ! So spread the word on the challenge:

Authors with birthdays in December are being listed below!  Happy Birthday!! Read as many books as you can as not all books by the author(s) will be listed. I'll be adding to the list as I find more so keep making your own list and checking it twice so you know what you have read! You will feel quite like Santa Clause before the month is over!


1. Jan Brett --the perfect author for this month as she has written many winter and Christmas themed books such as: Christmas Trolls, The Mitten, The Hat, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Gingerbread Baby! Her Birthday falls on December 1, 1949.
2. David Macaulay : the guy who knows it all! His birthday falls on December 2, 1946.
3. Andrea Zimmerman is the author of Trashy Town. Her birthday is December 2nd.
3. Monro Leaf was born December 4,  and is the author of The Story of Ferdinand.  
4. James Thurber born December 8, 1894. Author of Many Moons and The 13 Clocks, among others.
5. Joel Chandler Harris is the author of the fictional character Uncle Remus who narrates several African American folktales such as (compiled by Joel Chandler Harris).


Fun fact:
"Beatrix Potter illustrated eight scenes from the Uncle Remus stories between 1893 and 1896, coinciding with the first drawings of Peter Rabbit. Potter's family had favored the Uncle Remus stories during her youth, and she was particularly impressed by the way Harris turned "the ordinary into the extraordinary." 


6.Jean de Brunhoff is the author of the adored Babar books. His birthday falls on December 9, 1899.
7.  Rumer Godden who wrote Little Plum  and other books. Her birthday falls on December 10, 1907.
8. George MacDonald is the author of The Princess and the Goblin he was born in 1824 on December 10th. 
9. Mary Norton is the author of  The Borrowers  books, The Magic Bedknob, and Bonfires and Broomsticks. She was born December 10, 1903.
10. William Joyce was born December 11, 1957 and is the author of George Shrinks. 
11. Tamora Pierce born December 13, 1954. She is the author of the Song of the Lioness books. 
12. For YA readers: Jane Austin was born December 16, 1775 and is the author of Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. 
13. Mick Inkpen Was born December 21, 1952 and is the author of the Kipper the Dog books,  Wibbly Pig, Threadbear, and Lullabyhullaballoo. 
14. Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the author of Punk Farm, Baghead, Bubblebath Pirates, and a few other books, including some graphic novels. He was born December 22, 1977.
15. John Gruelle born December 24, 1880 is probably most famous for his stories of Raggedy Ann and Andy. 
16. Jean Van Leeuwen  December 26, 1937. She has several books so take a peek here.
17. Carol Ryrie Brink was born on December 28, 1895 and is best known for her book Caddie Woodlawn.
18. Cynthia DeFelice is the author of  One Potato, Two Potato; Clever Crow; The Dancing Skeleton; Mule Eggs; The Real Dulcie Campbell; Three Perfect Peaches; and a few other books. She was born December 28, 1951.
19. Richard Atwater was born December 29, 1892 and is the author of Mr Popper's Penguins.
20. Molly Garrett Bang is the author of The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher and many other books. She was born  December 29, 1943.
21.Rudyard Kipling is the author of The Jungle Book. His birthday is December 30, 1865.
22. Mercer Mayer was born December 30, and is the author of the popular Little Critter books.
23.Cynthia Leitich Smith born December 31, she is the  author of Holler Loudly, and many other fabulous books. Visit her blog Cynsations.
24. Gerald McDermott born, December 31, 1941, is the author of  Arrow to the Sun and Creation.

Questions: TBA 


1. Which of Jan Brett's books is similar to the story of the Three Little Pigs?