WORDPLAY WEDNESDAY: Daffy Definitions

I have lists of definitions in two of my joke books (PET JOKES THAT WILL MAKE YOU HOWL and GREATEST GOOFIEST JOKES). These are silly, new definitions for traditional words. I thought today’s Wordplay Wednesday would follow that thought.

Here are some examples:

Cattails: What kittens like to hear at bedtime.
Deface: De thing at de front of de head.
Albeit: What a redneck says when he wants a turn at playing tag.

It's that simple (or should I say simple-minded?). Care to share your own Daffy Definition?

Much Ado About a Dog Scrotum

I’m a bit late in posting something about the recent debate over Susan Patron’s Newbery-winning novel, THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY, but since the controversy still rages on...

Admittedly, I haven’t read the book yet—I’m number six on my local library’s waiting list, but I’ve gleaned enough information to say that, IMHO, this entire thing seems a bit nuts (no pun intended).

The anatomical term—scrotum—is used on the first page of the novel. Apparently, it is not used in a vulgar context; it’s in reference to a dog being bitten on the scrotum by a rattlesnake (the image of the poor suffering dog should warrant more distress than reading the word “scrotum”). I simply do not see why this is an issue with some folks. Do they object to the use of all anatomical terms in children’s books as well? How would they handle a reference to a mother who is breast-feeding? There’s nothing more natural than that, but dare an author use the word “breast”?

The other irony I find is that the people who are objecting the loudest to the use of the term are some librarians, who find it their duty to control what goes into their libraries and hence, what children read. Ahem...the American Library Association gives the Newbery Award. Shall I say it again? The American LIBRARY Association. This makes as much sense as a librarian holding in one hand a lit torch to a pile of banned books and holding a fire extinguisher in the other hand.

However, if you want to rile up a group of kid-lit folks, this is the way. This treads beyond a dog’s nether regions, it goes to censorship issues and if one really wants to push the argument, the whole religious right movement that’s occurred in our country for the past six years. And one thing about Americans—we love our First Amendment rights and we love a good debate. No matter who gets bit in the scrotum!

I hope Ms. Patron, a writer AND librarian, benefits from this with thousands of additional book sales. She deserves it—after all, she did write a Newbery Award winner—and that’s far more important than one little word.

Wednesday Wordplay: Worst Title for a Children's Book

While I’ve enjoy having a blog and sharing my thoughts (okay, ramblings) with the one or two people who read this (one of them likely being my mother), I’ve decided to give myself some structure with it (after all, I am one of those “organized” types).

Inspired by my love of goofiness, I’m deeming every Wednesday to be WORDPLAY WEDNESDAY on my blog. I can’t play an instrument, I can’t play sports, but I CAN play with words. I mean, what else does one do while waiting in line at the P.O. or spending hours waiting at the doctor’s office?

Variations will be many—sometimes a question, a definition, a list, whatever strikes my fancy (after all, it is my blog). I welcome you to join me, as I would suspect that you like playing with words as well.

So—to start things off, here is my first Wednesday Wordplay question: What is the worst title for a children’s book? Here’s one to start: How to Cope When You Are the Reason Your Parents Divorced.

Any wordsmiths out there who'd like to join the fun? What's your worst title for a children's book?

Books to Snuggle Up With

It’s a rainy Monday morning in the California desert. A welcome break from our clear cerulean skies. Weather like this takes me back to my childhood in Seattle. I spent many days there snuggled down with a good book. With this on my mind, it occurred to me that I don’t have list of my favorite books on my blog. As my writer friend says, “Bad writer! Bad writer! No writing kibbles for you!” I knew I had to remedy the situation.

I’ve composed three lists of my favorite children’s books (on the right, scroll down). Some are old, some are new, some are borrowed, but none makes me blue.

Enjoy!

Benefits of Blogging

Ahh...Saturday morning. A time for leisure and warming into the day. Well, for most people. Two days ago, my husband and I adopted another kitten (CocoaPuff’s brother). Now I have two kittens waking me up at 5:30 AM. So, after this morning’s wake-up call (or should I say purr), I did what any self-respecting writer would do--I got up, threw some kibbles in their food bowl, tossed a toy their way, then booted up my computer so I could work on my novel. It’s all about opportunity, right folks? Grab that writing time when you can (although I admit the wee dark hours of morning are my favorite time to write).

After writing, I treated myself to some "blog time." I just finished reading a few and was reminded of something Greg Pincus said on the subject. “Blogging is like attending an SCBWI conference from your home.” A wise man, that Gregory K.!

Reading other blogs doesn’t take that much time, but it puts me in touch with other kid-lit folks on many levels-- emotional, personal, professional and business. I feel like I’m not alone. I learn how other writers deal with things. I see a more personal side of editors and agents. In essence, it's another way to connect me to the humanity of writing. Just like attending a conference. Only this happens as often as I choose, and I get to wear my bunny slippers and jammies!

So, the next time you warm into your day, read a blog or two or three! It’s a great way to start your morning.

Valentine's Day Silly Poems

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to post two poems:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
What a cheap way
to break up with you.

Okay, now for real:

Roses are red,
So is my dog,
Enough of this nonsense,
Time to go blog.

I welcome all creative and oh-so-corny poets to join me. And for all poetry lovers, visit Greg Pincus at "Gottabook" every Friday.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine's Day Silly Poems

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to post two poems:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
What a cheap way
to break up with you.

Okay, now for real:

Roses are red,
So is my dog,
Enough of this nonsense,
Time to go blog.

I welcome all creative and oh-so-corny poets to join me. And for all poetry lovers, visit Greg Pincus at "Gottabook" every Friday.
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cats and Writing

I recently got a kitten. Her name is CocoaPuff. I observe her a lot and am struck by how much her behavior and "cat-titude" reflects the spirit of a writer.

For instance, when she chases a toy, she commits to it 100%. She doesn't just run after it, she charges forward until it’s in the grasp of her paws (or her jaws—she fetches), even if she takes a tumble or two along the way. If she's on the sofa or bed, she doesn't just hop off, she flies off, paws fully extended like Supercat. This girl knows how to go after her goal. Just the kind of attitude that writers must have to get published. Do we have setbacks? You bet! Do we take a tumble or two along the way? Absolutely! Can we let them stop us in our quest? No way! We indulge in a little chocolate then get back up and move on!

Last week, CocoaPuff fell in the toilet. Did that slow her down? Oh, no! She scrambled out, shook off her hind legs and moved on. Kind of like what writers must do after receiving a manuscript rejection (and yes, sometimes it even feels like climbing out of the toilet).

Occasionally, CocoaPuff climbs into my arms, wraps her paws around my neck, rubs her face against my cheek, and snuggles with me. She needs to feel loved and know that she has a safe place in the world. Just like writers—we need assurance, and our support circles of family and writing friends/colleagues give this to us.

I have a quote on my computer that says, "Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons." I'm not so sure about the quiet part, but I definitely feel a kinship with cats.

Ideas and Inspirations...Volcanoes, Starfish and Fish-Scented Ice Cream

Children and adults ask me, "Where do you get your story ideas?" I simply respond with, "From life." Yes, it's a vague answer, especially if someone is expecting a lofty, revolutionary, lights-beaming-down-from-the-heavens kind of answer; but that doesn't happen to me.

Sometimes I experience something in life that I feel I must write about or I'll die if I don't, like when my family hiked six miles across the lava beds in Hawaii to see Kilauea erupting. Sometimes I see something that I've seen a million times before differently, like one morning when I noticed that my ceiling fan resembled a starfish. And sometimes I overhear (okay, eavesdrop) on conversations that give me food for thought, like the time an elderly couple walked past me on the street. They were licking ice cream cones when the man said, "Well Honey, this sure smells like fish but it tastes like chocolate!" Okay, I'll come clean. This is my little writer's secret—I love to eavesdrop on strangers (shhh...don't tell anyone). It's amazing what people say when they think no one is listening (and what a great way to develop an ear for dialogue too).

My point is that story ideas are all around us. I keep a small notepad and pen with me so I can jot down those "light bulb" moments of inspiration and later add them to my "Ideas" folder. During those rare times where I'm stuck in the mud pit of writer's block, I can go to my folder, pick an idea, and write about it. Maybe it will turn into something—maybe it won't; but at least I get my mental wheels turning and my hand moving.

What's your best story inspiration? I welcome you to share with me!

Tornado in the Blogosphere!

Welcome to my blog (that word still makes me laugh). This has been a busy past two weeks. I can't help but think of a greeting card I once saw that had a goofy dog standing on a cinnamon bun. He was yelling compliments to the recipient, and on the inside it said, "Don't stop me. I'm on a roll!"

That's how I feel now. Two weeks ago, I attended the Ventura/Santa Barbara SCBWI retreat on cyber-promotion. I came home exhilarated, my head spinning out of control with ideas. Then last week I received "the call." The call that children's writers and illustrators all dream of and anticipate. Donna German, editor at Sylvan Dell phoned me with the news that they wanted to buy my picture book manuscript, THE BLACKBERRY BUSH. My head was nearing tornado status!

Yesterday I received my contract in the mail, and to my surprise, a box of books. No, Sylvan Dell aren't miracle workers; they were my collection of Mother Goose Rhymes from Picture Window Books, which were originally supposed to be out next fall. Now my head was officially in tornado mode! I posted my happy news on my SCBWI listserve because well, that's what we writers do. We share in each other's joys (and sorrows). We are uplifted every time "one of our own" makes a score. We are of such a community spirit that one might expect us to be found wearing orange robes and chanting at LAX. Amongst the congratulations, some of my writer friends and colleagues said, "Now this is something to blog about!" Yes, I listened. So, here I go. Like a tornado into the blogosphere!

I hope along the way, in my "not so daily" posts, I'll have some insightful comments, provoke thought, and heck, if nothing else, give you a laugh or two.