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WELCOME!

Hi! I am a writer of children’s fiction, which means magical characters wake me at night with ideas they don’t think can wait until morning.

I recently completed a manuscript in a potential middle grade series,

CALL OF THE CROW:

When an adventurous boy follows a series of mysterious clues about the dark magic that has overtaken the small town’s forest, he finds a comical and mischievous boggart who challenges his thoughts on fear and friendship as they rush to stop a destructive monster.

These adventures take place in and around protected forests and parks where mysterious mountains and legendary canyons whisper their secrets. Find your own places to explore at: Discover the Forest, Federal Parks and Recreation Areas, and State Parks

 

Written on February 23rd, 2011 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
MIND OF A DOG

This month the Crossroads Campus crew taught teenagers how to clicker train dogs, but with one twist: WE were the dogs.

Reward for a job well done--playtime with a pit puppy, Evie

Reward for a job well done–playtime with a pit puppy, Evie

In small groups, each of us took turns being in the vulnerable position of entering the room without any idea what the others wanted us to do. (And no guys, “Shave your head!” is not an option).

These young men always light up when the dogs come to play, but this dogless exercise brought out the little kid in everyone as we became miniature chihuahua / yorkie / pit bull mixes (these guys are creative) who had to use the TV remote, or hounds who had to scratch their long floppy ears.

Evie loving all the attention

Evie loving all the attention

What a way to get into a dog’s mind of how it must feel to hear cues and not know what humans want. We crawled around, sniffed, rolled over, and hopped on furniture. Any movement toward what the others wanted “the dog” to do would get a click and then a treat. One click, guys…not four or five :) . They quickly got the hang of both clicker training and how patient and smart animals are as they learn our language.

Kudos to Julie Farris for her guidance and wonderful ideas, and many thanks to these young men for their trust as they go along with whatever ideas we adults bring to them on our Dog Day visits. This time, we all came away with a better understanding of how our four-legged friends must feel when we speak human gibberish and expect them to understand.

(Photos courtesy of Crossroads Campus)

Written on April 23rd, 2013 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

As a kid, I dug grass away from our water meter to see what might be hidden underneath the rusty metal lid. Last week it was our plumber’s turn. He cut off the water to fix a leak in the kitchen and a minute later came in the front door and said, “You have a black widow spider.”

Instantly I was 8-years-old and followed him and his flashlight outside to the dark cavern of the water meter to scoop the spider out with a stick before it got away (and perhaps closer to the house). Its legs curled up as it tried to play dead on the grass, revealing two red markings on its belly including a perfect red hourglass—like artwork made with a tiny paintbrush.

As the plumber and I knelt there like two elementary school kids, the teenager next door pulled up in front of the house. An invitation to come see the spider got a quick, “Um, no thanks.” Maybe at some point we gravitate back to the wonders of our childhood. During the teen years…apparently not.

I found a glass bottle and cut a slice in the metal lid before wondering just how narrow a slit that spider could crawl through. I slid our 8-legged guest into the container and shut it while the spider was still playing possum. It could hang out in the front yard until I knew what to do with the cool but seriously creepy creature.

A web search (the electronic kind) of black widows said we had a female, poisonous to children and the elderly (not that she was all that great for adults) yet non-aggressive. But if you accidentally brush against one…well, you’ll know it later.

I read my Animal Medicine book and saw a spider’s message is: CREATE. Whoa. Tomorrow we would do just that at a 3-day writing workshop on revision.Flyer

One of the many mantras of revising is: “Kill your darlings.” Who does that more than a female black widow who devours her companions at the end of a date? With about 25 writers at the retreat, there would be lots of creating (and carnage of our manuscripts).

When my husband got home, I led him to the glass bottle. I’ll leave out his response since I write for middle-graders. He is a gentle soul so I asked his advice on what to do and got an immediate, “she’s not staying here” like the spider is some obnoxious old friend breezing through town.

Next I thought about emailing a friend visiting Bhutan that week. Those enlightened souls are the epitome of “do not harm.” Then I decided she might have better things to do there than interrogate monks about arthropods.

An hour later, I drove down the road with a spider in the cup holder. A dead end about a half a mile away from any houses would be her new home. Once there, I opened the lid and swung my arm out toward the field to set her free. This would have been an inspirational moment had I not leapt around as if on fire, wondering if the breeze had blown her onto my clothes. Maybe wearing a black shirt and sweatpants to fling a poisonous spider into the wind isn’t a good idea.

Back home, I asked my husband to see if I had anything on me. “You mean, like a spider!” he asked. I shrugged. “I’m sure she’s in the field…it’s just for my peace of mind.” (and the fact that I’d used his car).

Ready to "kill our darlings"

Ready to “kill our darlings”

As I got ready for the writing workshop, I decided the spider’s message for the retreat may not just be the mantra, “kill your darlings” but also to devour that which no longer serves us so we can give birth to new life. I’m referring to your manuscripts here, not your dates. We’ll leave that to the black widow.

P.S. Oh, and let me know if you need a good plumber :)

(Photos courtesy of Courtney Stevens Potter and the SCBWI Midsouth website).

Written on April 9th, 2013 , Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,
AN UNINTENDED CAUSE

“Daddy, why are they calling dogs like me dangerous?”

NOTE: As of March 19th, this bill has been withdrawn :) ! Thanks to all the dog lovers out there who made that possible! Since awareness of breed specific legislation is important, I am leaving the blog post from yesterday:

This week (March 20th), lawmakers in Tennessee will decide if they can require owners of a specific breed to carry $25,000 worth of insurance on their dog. Judging others based on appearance is simply a fancy way of saying discrimination. When we think of people being stereotyped by the physical characteristics they brought with them when they were born, we cringe. But now they are teaching the concept of discrimination through dogs.

Week 2 with Mia

Tennessee House Bill 621 has tossed in an amendment that labels all pit bulls as “dangerous.” What breeds will be next? shepherds? chows? dobermans? Since most of us do not have a family tree of our pet’s linage (nor do we do the expensive DNA testing) this leaves us with a lot of guessing on what they are.

Years ago, without intending to, I became a person who adopts dogs others have cast out. We had a beagle mix whose former owner named “Hunter.” They gave him to me since he was not what they wanted and thus had been a neighborhood stray for two years. This little guy enjoyed rolling in the dead as much as any dog, but he never harmed a furry or feathered creature that we ever saw. Squirrels dashed around our yard with no fear of Hunter, who would sniff along as they gathered their dinner.

Little Hunter

When the cicadas came up out of the ground a few years ago, he would crunch on the dead ones, but those on the ground still alive, he would simply sit and listen to their song as if meditating. The last two days of his life, a cicada got inside our patio and sat near Hunter’s bed, making its familiar noise for a not-your-typical beagle. He defied the label that society (and even his own name) stuck on him.

This beagle’s lack of sticking by his stereotypes always made me smile, but now, our other dog is being stuck with labels that could affect legislation (and the adoptability of an entire breed).

Six months after little Hunter died at age 16, we went in search of another all-American-mutt. Petfinder.com led us to a dog who had been tossed around and returned for two years. Her photo showed a scared but sweet face. The rescue organization said she was a good match for our blind elderly dog so we did a meet and greet with them where they pretty much sniffed and then ignored each other.

After adopting Mia, an animal expert friend came over with her own dog and determined that Mia (a pit bull-boxer-basenji mix) had been severely abused at an early age, confirming what we had already thought based on her behavior. No one would blame this dog for not trusting humans, but luckily for us, she did. I’ve never seen a more snugly creature. She curls up next to us like a cuddly toddler and has come a long way in seeing that she does not always have to bark to keep new people at a distance, but can let them love her.

Day 1 with Obi Wan

And then there is our other dog Obi Wan, a chow-shepherd mix who exudes the comfort and calmness of a true Jedi Knight. At only 3-months-old, he used his mind trick skills to quickly have me open the car door where he jumped in as if he already knew the way home. He was quite happy for a dog that had been dumped out of a truck earlier that day, according to the nice young man that had been caring for him outside a store. When I brought home this begging-for-a-bath dog, I did not know that 12 years later, he could be next on the list of breeds being legally considered “a dangerous or vicious dog” like his adopted sister.

I never intended to adopt these types of dogs, but now that we have them, I’ve taken up a torch that has been handed off by people who spend countless volunteer hours to bring their misunderstood pets (many certified as Canine Good Citizens by the American Kennel Club program) out into the community to shine the light of truth on breed stereotypes, mainly pit bulls.

And what do they get in return? Breed specific legislation.

Day 12 with Mia

Even though pit bulls (see Staffordshire Bull Terrier) are ranked higher in temperament testing than the average dog—passing 90.7% of the time vs. saint bernards at 84.6 (per the American Temperament Test Society)—pit bulls are one step away from costing responsible owners $25,000 worth of insurance coverage for “…harboring a dangerous breed.”

As a certified dog trainer, the big smile of a pit bull brings out my baby-talking voice: “Who is a sweet baby? You are. Yes, you are.” (insert kissing noises here).

Do not stereotype us

So why not legislate against dangerous owners like dog fighters, or those who chain their dogs up outside and torment them so they will be “good guard dogs,” or those who let their dogs roam free to snarl and snap at anyone passing by? (We get this in our neighborhood from dogs not considered “dangerous” so they are left for my leashed pitty-mix and me to deal with). Trust me, dog fighting ring leaders will not be rushing out to insure their sixty or so dogs, however, responsible owners will be obligated to do so, and others just won’t adopt them all due to cost of insurance.

If you want your voice to be heard on this issue, you can email the sponsor of the bill and those voting on it this week. Here is the information to politely ask these representatives to vote NO on HB621:

 

“These are not the dog owners you are looking for.”

Sponsor of the bill: Brenda Gilmore at rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov
Ron Lollar, Chair (Shelby) rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov
Curtis Halford (Gibson, Carroll) rep.curtis.halford@capitol.tn.gov
Andy Holt (Weakley, Obion, Carroll) rep.andy.holt@capitol.tn.gov
Judd Matheny (Coffee, Warren) rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov
Billy Spivey (Franklin, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall) rep.billy.spivey@capitol.tn.gov
John Tidwell (Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery) rep.john.tidwell@capitol.tn.gov
Ron Travis (Bledsoe, Roane, Sequatchie, Rhea) rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov

Also thank them for their time and consideration on this issue.

Written on March 18th, 2013 , Uncategorized Tags: , , ,
WHITE SQUIRREL

Our new neighbor

Last week we had a visitor, one I did not think we would ever see again. It came in the form of a pure white squirrel.

“I know I left it here.”

Two months ago, this creature bounced around our backyard while I made my breakfast. At first, I thought it was a rabbit and was amazed at how white the fur was on a muddy day. But then the animal swished its long fluffy tail and ran up the tree. In complete awe of the squirrel that looked as if it had been dipped in snow, I wasn’t sure what to do. Stand and appreciate it, or rush for my camera?

I thought about the symbolic (animal totem) meaning of squirrel. Then I remembered the fully charged battery in my Nikon.

Symbolism could wait until I got my zoom lens.

“Really? More photos?”

I noticed the other squirrels ran from the white one like rats leaving a sinking ship. Unlike the obnoxious human (me) in her bedroom slippers in the mud, they wanted to keep a good distance.

But now the other squirrels seemed to be okay with their bright buddy. Some even played chase with it up and down the trees. Maybe over the last two months they saw that this squirrel was no different than they were, except easier to spot (and stalked by the human with bad morning-hair).

“Some privacy please”

After googling white squirrels (that’s just fun to say), I found they are indeed rare because of low occurrence and their beautiful coat. See The Wild Classroom.

Unlike the lovely brown squirrels who blend in with their environment, this glow-in-the-dark mammal might as well have a lighthouse beacon on its back for hungry hawks and other birds of prey. Because of that, they don’t have a long lifespan and therefore do not leave behind as many cute babies to carry the gene.

I realized that this precious creature will not grace our backyard for years to come like so many other squirrels (including the one that ran in the doggie door and made my husband scream like a 5-yr-old girl).

Crow totem meets new squirrel

Like winter snow, this unusual squirrel appeared out of nowhere, making the landscape seem more alive, only to fade away as quickly as it came (that is, if you live in the South).

So what is my point in this squirrel appreciation post? I suppose to step back and appreciate differences when we see them and maybe even wonder why they offer us a different view than we are used to seeing in our own backyard.

Written on March 15th, 2013 , Uncategorized Tags: ,
TIME CHANGE

“Why am I eating an hour early?”

The spring forward weekend reminds me that our middle Tennessee winter—the brief period of darker days and searching for a glove you lost last year—is close to an end. As humans, we often try to fight the cold months of nature and curse its bone chilling winds while wishing for sandals and sun. (I am firmly planted in this population). But if we follow the seasons and flow with them, we can adapt just as the animals do.

I use myself as an example since friends and family aren’t fond of my using them. (Oh, wait, I’ll just share one photo of Dad, flowing with the seasons by digging out all of his superhero underwear each year at the first sign of spring).

Dad’s “Welcome Spring” wardrobe

When the cold weather comes, I ramble indoors like a bear to a cave, snuggling in deep to create a new story (insert your own project of choice here). I curl up into the plot and hear the characters’ innermost thoughts inside that hollow cavern. Their truths hover all around me like a warm fire, keeping out the cold of the unknown…what will happen next? Whispers echo from faraway places, luring me into the story. Some characters stick to the page. Others haunt my mind and spill out conversations at any time of day, or night. I’ve asked them to please hold their inspirational thoughts when it is freezing cold and I’ve just climbed into a warm bed, or while I am doing 70 mph on the interstate. So far, my requests have been ignored.

But when those first flowers of spring pop out of the soil, it is time to come out of our creative caves to see what we have made. My characters will stretch their arms and legs (and in some cases, their wings) and greet the sun with a new understanding of what they discovered during those cold months of hibernation with only their emotions and ideas to occupy their minds. Spring will be the time to feel the grass beneath their feet and awaken their senses. A time to connect again with the rest of the world. A time to play with the story I wrote in a cozy winter womb.

Written on March 7th, 2013 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
A QUEST

In continuation of my last blog on Getting to Know Fictional Characters, I add this: Get to know the world they live in. What sights, sounds and smells fill their backyards, towns and world?

After writing the climax scene of a work-in-progress, I had an overwhelming urge to go back to Old Stone Fort State Park. Unsure of the purpose of this story quest, I bundled up for the cold weather and drove out there. As the only one on the muddy path in the drizzling rain, I had the place to myself.

Waterfall after a storm

A short way into the loop trail around the park’s sacred site, the rush of the first waterfall filled the air. We had a severe storm the night before, so the two rivers and falls flowed at a rate I hadn’t seen before. But…I had written about it. The scenes I’d imagined for my story only hours earlier, took place in Ireland during a storm at sea. The part that would follow would be the emotional aftermath of pain my main character Josh would experience. This long walk in solitude would bring me there.

Bright green moss crept up trees, along logs and rocks. I transported myself to the Emerald Isle as I stepped into a dilapidated structure along the river. The stones fit together like the short walls that wind their way across the Irish countryside. Spirits live in this ancient burial ground of the park—that too screamed Celtic culture and mystery.

Remains of stone wall

I stood inside the gap of a rock wall to stare down the cliff at the water below. Josh would have heard this same thunderous roar on the sea cliff of Ireland that night. I hung onto the rocks on either side and closed my eyes to see it as he did.

One thing was missing: crows. These birds show up in every park, on every trail since the winter before my first manuscript came to me. Sometimes I get a larger version of the crow—a single raven—but only in the parks that are part of my stories. Somehow they know. But the faithful crows sail around our yard and caw at key moments when I write. How could they not be on this quest with me into the realm of our story?

Nature has a sense of humor. It didn’t bring me crows. It brought me bold black birds, all right. Vultures. And lots of them. At first I thought the fingered wings of the beautiful creature in flight over the river was a black hawk. I’ve had a few of them show up at key moments in life, so why not. Take it up a notch…no offense crows, but sometimes bigger is better when it comes to impressive wing span.

What image do you see here?

Moments later, another bird and another flew in with the wind. They didn’t circle in true vulture fashion, but seemed to be enjoying the unusually swift current of the river. Grateful to nature for giving me a fist bump in regards to my quest, I forged on, tossing fallen branches from the storm off the trail as I went, and photographing odd mushrooms, familiar tree holes and strange shaped trees.

What came next was something I’d never seen. At the top of a tree, a bird sat facing me with its wings fully spread among the branches, like it was caught. I thought it might be dead, until it moved its head as I got closer. There were others. Two more posed the same way, both eerie and cool. What were they doing? When I got up to the tree, they took off over the river in a majestic flight. It felt like a blessing.

An odd blessing

Their action had parallels to my personal life, but that is for another time, another blog. I gathered that this journey had a dual purpose as the feathered companions continued to swoop along the circular trail for the next mile or so, coming into my line of view at key points in my thoughts as I dwelt in this make-believe Ireland.

To stick with the theme of the story’s Irish setting, I remembered a Celtic coffee shop I read about in a nearby town only ten more miles from the park. Why not? I used my faithful GPS (calling my mom and having her google it) and soon was transported to another side of Ireland—the warm and cozy interior filled with authentic music, and Irish tapestries and paintings, along with unique gifts from the Emerald Isle, even an adorable set of cuddly toy sheep.

The Celtic Cup

I bought a CD set called Celtic Legends, Songs of Lore and a map of Ireland. I ordered an Irish tea with honey and slid into a chair at one of the custom wooden tables. After a damp cold gray day beside the flowing waters of Ireland, I drank the smooth texture of the country’s spirit and wrote notes about the enlightening quest. An hour later, I drove home listening to the mystical music of a land not so far away.

Written on January 31st, 2013 , Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

She sees you when you’re sleeping. She knows when you’re awake…

Not sure what was going on to the left of us, but it was more interesting to the dogs than my 79-yr-old father rolling around on the ground to get what he felt was the perfect angle.

 

 

 

Written on December 12th, 2012 , Uncategorized Tags:
GETTING TO KNOW FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

Do you want to get to know a fictional character better? Pick one or two people (or creatures) from your favorite book. Now dig in and get a real feel for who they are and why they make certain decisions. What would you do in their situation? Characters can reveal your innermost thoughts and beliefs (and of course, show you a good time).

After a spot-on critique with an agent, and attending an energetic conference (thank you SCBWI Midsouth!), I’m challenged with diving in deeper to get to know my main character (Josh). He has this magical creature best friend who dominates my everyday life, so I decide to carve out some quality time with just Josh and me…no boggarts allowed.

Here is what I have so far for the get to-know-your-character adventure:

Sunday—In the car:
I let Josh scan radio stations. As he does, I wonder if he will sing with no shame on being off-key? Maybe he’ll just nod here and there to the beat of the music. Eventually, I know Josh will stare out the window and ask questions I can’t answer. Thank goodness for Google.

Characters don’t do laundry

Monday—Clothes shopping:
I already know how Josh dresses, but while returning a blender to a department store, I take a few minutes to browse the boys section. His cargo pants hang on rack. I get a vision of the dirty clothes, tossed on the beanbag in his bedroom. When I touch the thick material, I see Josh in the woods, stuffing rocks in the over-sized pockets. Some t-shirts make him snarl (metallic iron-on…no way), while others get a nod of acceptance (big black birds with wide-spread wings–cool).

No mild salsa allowed

 

Tuesday—Grocery store:
Josh leads the way. He drops hot peppers in the cart. He wants onions on everything; I want garlic. He wants the hot salsa. I want mild. He talks me into the medium. 12-yr-olds can be convincing.

 

Wednesday—Plan for a walk:
What will he talk about, away from the distractions of TV, music, video games or friends? Will he ramble on about outer space, or will funny stories of what happened at school come up? Maybe he will point out things I wouldn’t normally notice, like how the bark on a tree forms a sort of face, if I look at it just right. I’ll bring a camera to photograph nature from his perspective. He might have problems to discuss or an embarrassing moment to confess. I haven’t heard him…I’ve been too busy plotting his life for the next year, to get a feel for how the possible series would develop. Now that it has come full circle and I see how it ends, I’ll let Josh make me laugh or cry as I see life unfold in his everyday world.

Written on September 18th, 2012 , Uncategorized Tags: ,
FURRY STUDENTS

Dog Graduate #1

Meet some of my 4-legged students helping me become certified in dog training. Lovable nine month old Boonaoom graduated this week with flying colors, literally. In the beginning, she would climb up on a chair and use it as a doggie diving board to sail over the top of the barrier. This sweet-sixty-pounds-of-fun taught me the importance of communicating in ways an audience can understand. Under the guidance of Carrie (the Yoda of all dog trainers) I’ve found the job of dog trainer to be more of a translator between the dog and pet parents. When they learn each other’s language, both walk away feeling closer, which leads to a better relationship. So, since I relate everything to writing (or Star Wars…or Seinfeld…or Harry Potter), I have to share the similarities I’ve noticed between dog training and writing for young people:

  • Don’t just say they are a “good dog.” SHOW it with action. Rub their chest. Scratch their ears (the dogs, not the readers). For a character, don’t just say “Josh is a nice guy.” Have him give half of his favorite sandwich to a new kid who forgot his/her lunch.
  • Be clear. If you mean “sit” then say “sit.” Don’t say “rest on one’s behind.”
  • If you want your dog (or reader) to walk with you— don’t get sidetracked. Keep moving. Stay on the path (plot). Sure, those trees need sniffing, but save that for play time (random thoughts that don’t need to go on the walk, I mean, in the story).
  • Treats must be earned. They (dogs or characters) cannot have all they want given to them; they need to work for it.
  • Establish trust. If you promise treats (answers) in the end, you’d better follow through.

Other works-in-progress (dogs who are revising their behavior: cutting out parts that do not show their sweet character while adding ones that do):

Audacious Aubrey

Rock-em sock-em Rocky

Lovable Lady Gaga

 

Cuddle Me Cali

Back-up-off-me Bandit

Written on August 1st, 2012 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
READ ALOUD

Before entering a writing contest, it is important to read your story and synopsis aloud to an attentive audience.

It’s a LAP desk—not a “nap” desk.

Written on July 14th, 2012 , Uncategorized Tags: ,
OUR FIRST HEROES

My hero, Horton the elephant

When we think of our first role models, besides parents or those in our daily lives, we normally think of superheroes with special powers far beyond our reach. For most of us, there were more significant heroes before we got caught up with cool cartoon ones. I’m talking about those creatures we dragged around in the form of stuffed toys, who slept by our sides every night, reminding us of our favorite story.

Books like The Lorax and Horton Hears a Who introduced us to those who stood for something greater than themselves. They held large concepts, but yet we understood their message and their hearts, so much that we wanted them with us all of the time.

I wonder how much creatures like The Lorax and Horton influence us as we get older. Did The Lorax help teach me to care about the environment? Did Horton show me that “a person’s a person, no matter how small” and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Recently, my best friend and I took her four-year-old to see the movie The Lorax. When the movie was over, her little boy started to act out. His mom kept asking him what was wrong. After a few minutes of stomping around and not being able to look at us, the little guy went from anger to sadness. He cried but managed to get out words that brought us all to tears: “But the trees…”

Feeling responsible for every tree that has ever been cut down in the history of the world (how do they do that?) we stood silent, not knowing what to tell him. My friend rushed out to get the book so she could read over and over again about how the trees came back and he could touch bright-colored pictures of those precious truffula trees. She also got him a stuffed toy Lorax which has not left his side. Her son wants to plant a tree so they won’t all disappear. I love this kid (and will of course tell this story to his future prom date before allowing them out of the house :) ).

My question is this: Do our first heroes help make us who we are, or do we migrate to those that mimic what we already believe? I tend to think it is both. Maybe this is a question only a four-year-old can answer.

Written on April 23rd, 2012 , Uncategorized Tags: ,
WARM AND FUZZY WORDS

Today I was reminded of how words give us much more than their mere definition. They bring us a 3D image of their texture, emotions and power. A good friend was trying to come up with a name for her management style with animals and asked a group of us for our input. In looking over the phrases on the list, each word popped out at me. The overall names may have been accurate for what she does, but some of the individual words weren’t right; they were either too hard, cold, or complicated. Her technique is soft, caring, and compassionate. Each word would need to reflect those characteristics if the name was to carry the message home to the hearts of her audience.

It dawned on me how much texture a word has to it. The word “care” feels soft, like a rabbit’s coat (still on the rabbit, of course), whereas “management” feels like a porcupine. Okay, so a bit of my own personal issues with being managed show in that last example, but words create emotions. Again, “care” wraps me in a warm blanket on a cold night; “management” leaves me asking for the blanket and waiting for approval to get it.

Words also have power. They attract the energy of their meaning. “She crept” makes me bring the book closer, crouch down with the character and wonder what will happen next. “She screamed” pushes me back, brings up my defenses and forms an invisible wall around the character, away from what awaits her. (No, I do not write horror; I write children’s stories :) ).

I am aware of a word’s texture, emotion and power in my writing, but how much attention do I pay to those attributes in my speech or non-professional writing such as e-mails with friends or others? Hopefully, more now. Awareness is the first step…it’s the second step of doing that gets tricky :) .

Written on March 6th, 2012 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

May your holidays be filled with peace and joy.

Photo not used on our card…

Written on December 19th, 2011 , Uncategorized
TOUR OF FOREST HOMES

This month we visit a few forest homes. Each house reveals the personality of their resident magical creature:

“Come on in”

“Nothing to see here”

“No muss no fuss”

“A fixer-upper”

These elf and boggart homes are along the main trail in the Old Stone Fort State Park. The park is an ancient sacred ceremonial site between two rivers in Tennessee. It is not actually a fort, but a short rock wall covered in dirt, stretching for over a mile. The wall mound was started 2,000 years ago and was kept up for 500 years! Sure, 500 years isn’t long in elf years, but for us, that’s over 5 lifetimes.

On the shaded trail, you pass unique tree holes, a wrap around dirt mound with a hidden wall underneath, and three cascading waterfalls. As we leave the tour of homes right before sunset, the only sound is a light breeze rustling through the leaves. The last of the day’s light filters through to tell us it is time to leave. Darkness is coming—time for enchanted beings to roam the forest, undisturbed.

Nature’s camouflage

This little tree frog near a waterfall reminds me how creatures blend in with their forest, but are alert to everything around them. Keep your eyes open and no telling what you will see.

Written on August 31st, 2011 , Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,
HARRY POTTER—MISCHIEF MANAGED

We witness the last of the Harry Potter movies this month <sigh>. Seeing the end of this legendary tale, I have to wonder why this story resonates in us to such an extent. Yes, it is suspenseful, adventurous, etc, but it must be more than that. Is it the power of the friendships; characters so solid in what they seek; courage to face unimaginable fears?

For me, the Potter series was an eye-opener. It let my imagination run wild through the halls of Hogwarts and the forbidden forest. The words put me back in touch with my own creativity and imagination. J.K. Rowling released the inner middle-grader in me.

I remember the wave of excitement with the release of each book or movie. They brought Potter fans together with no barriers of age, language, or culture. Sitting in a bookstore until midnight, waiting for the latest Potter release, was a feeling of oneness with strangers. Everyone there, and in bookstores across the country—across the globe—wanted the same thing. We needed to embrace the friendships and hardships of characters we had come to love. Okay, and we were dying to know what happens to Harry!

So with the release of the final movie, we say thank you to Harry, Hogwarts, and most of all to the author and those who believed in her story enough to bring it to us. So raise your mug of butterbeer, or glass of pumpkin juice to J.K. Rowling as you curl up in front of a cozy fire in the Gryffindor Common Room to read your favorite Potter book.

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” –Professor Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.

Written on July 30th, 2011 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
THE LONGEST DAY—SUMMER SOLSTICE
Peak of Solstice

Peak of the solstice

In celebration of the longest day of the year, I get up at 5am and head to Roan Mountain, aka the legendary mountain in my work in progress manuscript. Mid June brings thousands of catawba rhododendron to life.  These evergreen bushes cover the mountain top with a blanket of dark pink / red. Waves of blue Appalachian Mountains stand witness to the short lived beauty that will soon be cast away by wind and rain.

World underneath

World underneath

For the peak of the summer solstice, I can think of no better place to be than the pages of my manuscript come to life.  The curved branches underneath these blooming bushes are as captivating as the flowers.  It is a whole other world under their canopy as you walk along the paths.  Buzzing bees provide the background music, moving in and out of the flowers.  An occasional butterfly stops long enough for you to see the color of its wings.

Doe River

Doe River

Other parts of this mountain are shaded and quiet. The Doe River flows over rocks and along moss covered trees in this magical forest.

Climb at Carvers Gap

Climb at Carvers Gap

Still other parts are high grass covered hills.  I climb the one at Carver’s Gap while thunder rolls in the background.  Once up there, I have enough time to record some video of the 360 degree mountain view, and take a few photos before a bolt of lightning hits the hill next to me.

Uh oh

Uh-oh

Knowing lightning hits the tallest thing (and at this moment on this hilltop—I am the tallest thing) I gather up the tripod and electronics and run down the hill.  I will admit there was serious praying going on too as I realize the irony of meeting my end on the mountain I have focused on for the last year.  Seeing two more bolts of lightning, I finally reach the forest area of the hill.  The minute I dive into the trees, I feel safe and protected by the strong branches surrounding me.

Peaceful greeting

Peaceful greeting

When I exit the forest area, a lone rhododendron bush greets me.  It is so peaceful in the shade of the incoming storm clouds.  I can breathe; it is going to be okay.  I give thanks and of course take out my camera, just for a minute, before the last of the downhill climb.  It is time to head home. In a way, this mountain has become a second home thanks to the story and characters.

Raven at Visitors Center

Raven (Queen of the Crows) greets me at the Visitor Center

 

Until we meet again on mountain, trail…or keyboard :)

 

 

Written on June 25th, 2011 , Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,
VISIT TO FAIRYLAND CANYON

Hoodoos

Just back from Fairyland Canyon.  Yes, it actually exists on a mountaintop in Utah.  Before our trip to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, I knew my second story in series would start in this area.  Spotting “Fairyland Canyon” on a map when we got there was followed by a resounding, “We have to go there!”

Towering hoodoos fill the canyon like stone people awaiting their fate. Ancient bristlecone pine trees dare you to come close. Some of these trees are thousands of years old and I imagine the magical creatures who have lived among them.

Ancient tree

While taking pictures of the canyon, a wind comes up behind me and sweeps my hat down into the canyon.  You do not want to go “off trail” here, unless you want to spend the rest of eternity at the bottom of the hoodoos.  Photographing a goodbye to my beloved Pikes Peak hat, I notice the log next to it looks like a creature with its mouth open.  How many hats has this tree-log-creature eaten?

Borrowing my husband’s hat (and holding it on my head this time), we leave this mysterious mountain of rocks and trees.  In my mind, I see the characters Josh, Lilly, and Festy wandering through this land – searching. I’ll be sure to tell them not to wear a hat.

Lost hat

Written on May 31st, 2011 , Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,
WELCOME TO THE NEW FORMAT—powered by the wind!

I have changed web hosting companies, and switched to a new format.  This website is now brought to you by wind power. Host Gator uses wind mills for energy.  They are protecting 551 acres of forest a year! Each of my stories relay our connection to nature. Now, Mother Nature herself is helping to bring them to life—well, to the web anyway. It will take a publisher to bring them to life :) .

 

Written on April 3rd, 2011 , Uncategorized Tags: , ,
Debbie Emory