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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday for Reading Writers

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Here’s a Tuesday double tooting! (Um, that didn’t sound very ladylike, did it? Let’s keep moving…)

I just received my children’s book Opinion from Elizabeth Guy over at Reading Writers. Remember that opinion I won way back when for writing that splendiferous sentence? (The Verb, the ezine affiliated with Reading Writers, sponsored a contest called The Sentence Soiree.)

So, first, I have to shout, “Whee! She liked it! She really, really liked it!” The parts that I thought were funny, she thought were funny, too! I love my main character; she loved that little guy, too! The story that I’ve labored over for months and months and months, she liked and enjoyed.

It wasn’t all a love fest, of course. There were aspects of the story that needed work. And Elizabeth gave some great suggestions. Bottom line, that was absolutely the best prize I’ve ever won. Yay for me!

And yay for Reading Writers! I’d never considered an editing service before, but I can definitely see the value therein. And if I ever finish my second story, I know just where I’ll send it for an opinion.

But for now, I need to work on my children’s book. And you need to check out Reading Writers. You can sign up for the newsletter and get The Verb ezine sent to your inbox, free. Oh, and check out the latest contest. You could be tooting, too. (Um, I really need to come up with something else for Tuesday).

New Year’s Do-Over

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You know how kids LOVE the do-over? With the way 2009 started, I’m thinking kids are onto something with the do-over.

I started the New Year with my computer being on the fritz, so it was pretty bleak around F & K…and pretty much everywhere else in my vicinity. On the upside, I managed to get sorta organized. And along those lines, I set my writing goals. Take a look at a few of  my 2009 goals. Find one you like and keep it for yourself!

1. Keep up with trends in children’s writing by reading newsletters instead of waiting for them to pile up in the inbox (and then deleting them).  Hint: Try Publisher’s Weekly or Library Journal for up-to-date publishing news.

2. Consider the benefits of joining a professional organization. (Is it time for me to give up winning a free membership and just pay the darn fee? ) Hint: See the biggest organization of them all: SCBWI.

3. Network, network, network. (But write, write, write, first) .  Hint: Check out Jacketflap, the social network for children’s writers, illustrators, publishers and editors.

I think that’s enough to get us all started. Hopefully, we won’t need a do-over by February.