There is a lot to report as I get started on the new year…
1. Several months ago I nominated NICKEL BAY NICK by Dean Pitchford for the 2014 Cybils (Children and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards) in the Middle Grade Fiction category. The finalists were announced last week and my nominee made the cut to the final seven! Cheers and good luck to one of my favorite books. If you need a memory refresher here’s my review from last year.
2. Yesterday I completed my fourth MG Manuscript, THE MOHAVE DROPOUTS. This initial draft took me three months to complete and I’m looking forward to the eventual rewrites. Yes, four stories are enough for now and it’s time to concentrate on polishing the ones I have and getting them noticed. My mind is swimming with more story ideas, but those will have to wait until I’m satisfied with the foursome I’ve created. Each are in different phases of the editing and rewriting process, but I’m excited about their progress.
3. CBS Sunday Morning interviewed Jeff Kinney, the author of the wildly popular Wimpy Kid series. People seem to either love or hate his stories of adolescent angst told through the eyes of young Greg Heffley. His response to what he thinks of this varied critical feedback may surprise you. See for yourself in this 6 minute interview.
4. Except for short pleasure jaunts, I’m not traveling this year teaching classes one weekend per month. I’ve been doing that for 15 years but most of the classes are now online (not my preference, but certainly easier for the students). I’ll miss seeing small town America like Beaufort, SC, Cody, WY, Spartanburg, GA, and twenty more. The people in these towns are what make these places truly great.
5. I began blogging long ago but only became serious about the task when ALWAYS in the MIDDLE started 30 months ago. Since then I have posted 250 times and who knows how much time involved in their creation. It’s not a chore but a love. I can’t wait to find out what the next 250 bring me.
“In the end, the only people who fail are those who do not try.” – David Viscott
Always in the Middle... 
Well done on your nomination becoming a finalist. Keep blogging as well, I enjoy visiting each week.
Your visits are much appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.
You certainly have the a fire in your belly — that is a lot of writing! Good for you. I saw the interview with Jeff Kinney and found it inspiring — he’s laughing all the way to the bank. He’s very creative. I love MG. I reviewed Sharon Draper’s new MG “Stella by Starlight” on Tuesday, and then had the opportunity to attend her book launch in Cincinnati later that night — what a storyteller. Worth reading to study a master writer.
I will read that one and look at your review. Thanks for the heads-up.
Congrats on these accomplishments. Good luck polishing your gems. It’s a tough process, but probably worth it. Happy New Year.
A tough and very slow process, but there is progress. Thanks for always stopping by.
good luck with your MS! and congrats on all of this. I hope this new year is wonderful for you!
And Happy New Year greetings are sent your way, too. Good luck with all of your writing goals in 2015.