Fab Photo Shoot

Last weekend I had a fab photo shoot with a local photographer. Wanted to get some new pics for my blog and website. Stay tuned they're coming and they're fab. She totally got my vision of wanting to be fun yet artsy. She mad me look like a million bucks, which as we all know is not that hard!! So maybe she made me look like two million bucks. Anyway, can't wait to share them with you in the next few weeks. Have a great weekend folks. Look for some picture book reviews next week. Until next time.

WORDS

Oh how I love words. I think Frank McCourt put it best in Angela's Ashes. He described reading Shakespeare as  "having jewels in my mouth." Words are precious. They can make you want to stand up and shout Hallelujah, they can make you cry. When someone says something mean to you, it can pierce deeper than a sword. When someone says something nice to you, it can change the trajectory of your life. Words are powerful. It is hard writing story after story but sometimes you write that one sentence that makes you say "how is it possible I haven't been discovered yet." I love when that happens to me.

I've been thinking a lot about words lately. Partly because I'm still dealing with some stuff from some words someone said to me that were not very nice. But also because of the whole Laura Schlesinger brouhaha (I don't think I've ever written that word before) over the N word. Oh, Laura. Hopefully you know what I'm talking about if not take it to the Google. Anywho, whenever someone in the public eye gets caught saying THAT word it stirs up debate. No debate for me. It is a vile, disgusting word. When I hear it I immediately see images of people who look like me, who look like my children swinging from trees. However, I recently got into a conversation with someone of the Caucasian persuasion about THAT word. I said  THAT word is not a word anyone should be able to just easily let roll of their tongue and that if it does that's problematic. I didn't say that meant the person was a racist  but  I do find it suspect if it can just roll out of your mouth. My friend of the Caucasian persuasion said well it's confusing because some black people use the word, so ... I don't get why it's confusing. Do you want permission to use the word and if so why? I don't know maybe it's not all black and white(pun intended). But if you know it's a word that has the potential to insult, degrade or just piss people off why would you want to use it. I'm not confused about why we don't say the R word for people who are mentally challenged or the host of other racial slurs for ethnic groups that I don't belong too. I don't walk up to an Asian person and say I'm confused is it okay or not for me to call you..... Yes, all the rappers say it, but are they really our role models? They also pour champagne on half naked girls so should I be considering doing that? Call me Pollyanna again but if it's not a nice word don't use it. What are your thoughts folks?? Choose your words carefully today. Until next time.

Please Feed the Artist

Julia Cameron advises all artists to do three things. Make walking a regular part of you routine, write in a journal daily, and take yourself on an artist date once a week. I've always journaled so that was easy. I live in a fabulous neighborhood for walking so that's a piece of cake, but I wasn't sure about this whole artist date. She says it's important to get out once a week. Well, I have little ones at home so I can't always get out but I thought I would commit to doing it twice a month. So Friday I had my first date with myself. I went to our local arts council for a quilt exhibit. Maybe that makes me sound like an old lady but I had a great time. There was a big reception beforehand with the African American Dance Ensemble performing. There was dancing and drumming and just a happy energy. Then when it was time for the grand unveiling each of the artist went and stood by their quilt. These were not just blankets, they truly were art. Absolutely gorgeous and intricate. I just stood in front of each one with my mouth open. I had to put my hands in my pockets because I just wanted to touch each one, but that was a no-no. The colors and details were just incredible. It was also way cool to get to talk to each of the women who created them. I left feeling really happy and inspired which is the point of artist dates. You can't create art if you are not feeding your artist. Now that I got the ball rolling, I can't wait to take myself out on my next artist date.

On a crummy note, I found out yesterday that I did not get into the Rutgers One-On-One Conference. I'm disappointed but have to believe that when God closes a door, he opens a window. Maybe the grant will be my window. I do have friends that applied so I can't wait to hear if they got accepted. If I can't celebrate for myself, I'm happy to celebrate with my friends. It will be my turn soon enough. Until next time.

Grant Writing 101

I'm still plugging away on this Emerging Artist Grant. It's not due until Sept 15 but I always like to get things in early. I've met with the Director of Grant services at the Arts Council which is providing the grant. She is super nice and took a look at my first draft (which I think was actually my 5th draft). She had great comments and suggestions. Now I think I'm on my 12th draft. From the grant meeting I attended to the feedback I got from my meeting with the director I thought I would share everything I've learned about applying for a grant. (If I actually get the grant then this info will be gold.)

1) Know Career Goals: The commite wants to know that you are focused and dedicated and if you don't even know your goals then how do you know what you should use the money for. Think short term and long term.

2)Use Power Words: Okay I had to look up power words.Thank heavens for the google. Power words are words like increase, develop, establish, revitalize etc. This helps your application sound strong and determined.

3) Questions to answer: What will be the impact on my career? Why does it matter to do now? Will it translate into a credential that will benefit me? Why should they be excited? If someone wants to hand you $1500 no strings attached, then they do want to make sure you are worthy of it. I knew this money would help me do some sort of training. When I started researching workshops, I found one that was on a little island. All you have to do is pay your money and show up. My first impulse was to go with that one. It's a great workshop and no doubt that I would learn a lot and have fun. But when thinking about the impact on my career and credentials I realized (and with the help of lots of writing friends advising me) that it would be better to apply for the Highlights Writer's Workshop. I have to be accepted to attend, and I will have to use some of my own money, but in the end it would be the most helpful.

4) Keep Language Simple and Direct: Okay I have to laugh at myself here (as did the grant lady). Being a writer and being overly dramatic at one point in my earlier drafts I compared myself to a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. At one point there was even a tumbleweed rolling down a dusty abandoned street. WHATEVER!!! Needless to say the tumbleweed and the butterfly have been evicted from the Big Brother house. (My name is Jeannine and I'm addicted to stupid reality TV.)

5) Take Advantage of Help: At the grant meeting I learned that not everyone appplying for the grant comes to the meeting and that hardly anyone asks the director for help. The director was very adament that if you have a question or need help to come and talk to her. It's like if Donald Trump told the apprentices, come see me and I'll tell you exactly how to get hired, and nobody went. (I know I need to be in Reality TV Anonymous.) Why wouldn't you want to make an apperance before the gatekeepers of the grant?

So that is my top 5 list of getting a grant. In the event that I don't get the grant, this post will self-destruct. Until next time.

Staying Grounded

What are some of the things you do to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground? What are the things that have to be in place in order for you to perform at your best level? For me, getting up early to write, staying organized and taking a few minutes each day to spend quietly meditating, are the things I need to do in order to be a happy Jeannine. (I also need a clean house but that rarely happens.) I feel tremendous personal satisfaction when at the end of the day I have a big list of accomplishments. They are not anything big, and they certainly aren't sexy (Yeah me, I cleaned the bathroom.) but a sense of accomplishment nonetheless. I also know the busier I get the more frantic the bees in my head start buzzing so I have to be smart about taking care of myself. I'm hoping to start a part-time job soon. Mama needs a new pair of shoes, and to get myself to some writing workshops, so I'm excited about having some cash in my hands. A little nervous about adding an extra responsibility into my already busy life, but it will be good as long as I stay grounded. What about you? Are your feet firmly planted? Until next time.

Finding Your Inner Cheerleader

After giving my Negative Nelly, Kathy Griffin doppleganger the old heave-ho, I needed to replace her with a more positive image. So meet Encouraging Enya. She is both encouraging and soothing!!
Encouraging Enya's likes are walks on the beach, cheering and chanting positive affirmations. Her dislikes include, negative people, sadness and pickles. Miss. Enya wanted me to include this quote in todays post in the hopes that it gives someone the bit of encouragement they need to keep on keepin' on!!!

 "Being an artist means: not numbering and counting, but ripening like a tree, which doesn't force its sap, and stands confidently in the storms of spring, not afraid that afterwards summer may not come."
                        Rainer Maria Rilke


OMMMMMMM I am a ripening tree, standing confidently in the storms!! Be a tree with me folks. Whose with me? Comment if ya love me. Until next time.

One of THOSE Weeks

 I'm having one of those weeks. You know how sometimes you have this little Negative Nelly that sits on your shoulder whispering mean sarcastic things in you ear. (Mine looks like Kathy Griffin, don't ask me why) Then of course when you have one of THOSE weeks it's just fuel for their meanness. (My Negative Nelly sits atop my shoulders filing her nails and occasionally slinging her hair back long enough to say "see you're a loser, told you so.") Well this week she had plenty of fuel. I've been totally stressed about filling out this grant application. It is hard work putting into words why you deserve something over everyone else. While working on the application I did make the decision to use the grant money to attend the Highlights Writers Workshop. Big event. However, you have to apply to get in. So very stressed about all of these things that I want to do and not sure if they will come to fruition. On top of that I saw a book that I wrote sitting in the library. Of course my name wasn't on the cover but essentially it was the same story as one that I have at the bottom of my "too crappy to see the light of day" manuscript pile. Don't worry, no one stole my idea they just beat me to the punch. After that, I heard from an agent who said she didn't represent authors until they had 4-5 polished manuscripts under their belt. Oh and she said that my work in progress (my non-fiction Holocaust story I've been working on) several of her clients have been working on the same idea. *%&^(&#$*)%^%)!!!! Excuse my bad language, but doesn't life make you want to scream sometime. So after I cleaned up from the lovely chocolate filled pity party, I started looking again at my grant application. One of the first things I had to do was list my goals. I'll share them with you.

1) To (one day) enroll in the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children and YA
2) To become a published author.
3) To become a teaching artist in the schools.
4) To make tons of money.

Okay, I didn't really say number 4. But the process of writing down goals forces you to really look at what it is you desire. It forces you to wipe your nose and get back to work. It forces you to fling that Negative Nelly off your shoulder and keep moving forward. We all have choices in this world. I can quit and wonder might that dream ever have come true, or I can keep working and pray that one day all my hard work will pay off. I'm going with choice two, what about you??? Until next time.

Free Conference

If you're broke as a joke like me, you'd better check out the Write On On-line Conference. (It has nothing to do with this blog just same name.) Lots of high profile industry people presenting information and also giving critiques. I think they all donated their time. It seems to be very well organized. Sometimes technology rocks!!!! Until next time.

Free Money

I'm applying for a local 2011 Emerging Artist grant and feel like I have spent the week crunching numbers. The grant is worth $1500 and I have been weighing the pros and cons of various workshops to see which would most benefit me and how to use the money wisely. It is very tricky. I have two programs that sound amazing. With workshop A, I would need an additional $900 plus airfare. With workshop B, it would be completly paid but I would have to find a way to pay the $799 tuition plus book a hotel room before this year is even over. All of my writer friends assure me that scholarships are given at workshop A and  I could possibly get the whole amount and only pay airfare. I think I would benefit from both workshops, but it would certainly be a coup to have the first workshop on my resume. Oh bother, what's a girl to do. It especially makes me laugh because I'm doing all this planning and wishing and hoping on hypothetical situations. If I get the grant, and if I get accepted to the workshop, and if I get the scholarship, it will be amazing. That is a lot of if's to hope on, but you gotta take a chance right???? If any of you have any tips for making a grant shine, holla'. Until next time.

Writing Workshops

Amidst getting my daughter settled into kindergarten and working for my online class, I've been trying to put together a plan to teach some writing workshops. I always thought that once I got the word author behind my name I would do it, but a writer friend of mine said I should just go ahead. You know what, she's right. It's kind of funny because I used to teach writing when I taught second grade. I had no idea what I was doing. Now I might not be published but I am certainly more equipped. Yesterday I went up into the attic and dug through some of my old teaching things which I haven't looked at in almost  6 years. It brought back some good memories and some treasures. I found a rhyming dictionary and a thesauras!! I have lots of books on teaching writing. They don't really teach teachers about teaching writing, so I did a lot to educate myself. I do miss teaching and the thought of teaching workshops without the hassles of taking attendance, collecting lunch money sounds awesome!! The problem is finding time. My daughter is in school all day but my son is still home with me. I don't want to put him in daycare and hiring someone to come to my home is super expensive. I'm not sure when I will be able to get the workshops off the ground but it is good to start planning. I've also been asked to facilitate a girl's book club which should be fun.

I have started work on a new story. I haven't worked on a new project in a couple of months which is the longest I've gone without working on a project in three years. I think I needed a break and I've been really busy with my class so I haven't been completely a lazy bum!! It's always exciting when starting a new project. What are you working on?? Until next time.

Happy BIRTH Day

 Congratulations to my friend Tameka Fryer Brown whose first picture book Around Our Way on Neighbors' Day was released today. Hope you will help this wonderful book rise on those bestsellers lists!! Until next time.