Saturday, June 08, 2013

Plans and Such

 I love writing and am learning to be a better storyteller.

This past year I have accomplished quite a bit: writing articles for the paper (I published 5 of them thus far), completing a curriculum that is being published (this was quite a task), and working toward self-publishing my Christmas picture book.

This summer I plan to refocus my attention to writing and the writing process. (It will help that I have no professional work to do this summer.) I recently got the opportunity to sit down with an accomplished author who spoke some words of wisdom to me about the process. Here's what she said:

1) Be declarative in what you want to do--don't shy away.
2) Sit down and have conversations with your characters--you need time to know them.
3) Rise early and write--the early bird gets the publishing deal.

So, here I am! I'm stepping out to say what I want:

1) I want to self-publish my Christmas picture book in 2014 (or earlier) and sell oodles of copies. I would love to see it on a "Top List" somewhere.

2) I want to write a children's book that will be professionally published--Nedge would be my heart's delight.

I will get there by taking the advice of number 2 and 3 from the previous list. Here's to relaunching the vision.

Happy Summer!

Friday, June 07, 2013

I'm bored...

Per a student's request, I made this list of things to do this summer. Her criteria was to make the events "in town" and "not to spend money". I figured I could push it to spending a buck per activity.

Here it is!

Things To Do for $1 or Less This Summer!

1. Walk to the Library and go on a book hunt—find a book title that:
a. Describes your relationship with the person you are with
b. Describes your worst enemy
c. Represents your childhood
d. Represents your relationship to your parent(s)

2. Go on a bigger and better scavenger hunt. Give the first house any small item (a button, pen, penny, etc.) and go door to door to trade it for something bigger or better. Go until you get something great. Be careful to avoid creepy people.

3. Sit in Starbucks with two blank pieces of paper. Draw a BINGO grid. Fill in the grid with items like: Spills a Drink, Orders a Tall, Buys a bagel, Crying Toddler. Once you have them filled in, switch papers. First person to BINGO wins.

4. Walk to Albertsons and ask the Bakery for a free treat. They set them out in the bakery section next to the cakes. If they aren’t there, ask for one.

5. Walk through Farmer’s Market on a Tuesday morning. Taste the free samples.

6. Buy a $1 loaf of bread at the market and feed it to the ducks at Waller Park.

7. Go on a bike ride to Evergreen Video and rent a $1 movie.

8. Take a handful of quarters (ok, 4 quarters) to Giavanni’s. Whoever gets the highest score on the pinball game gets to make the other do something absurd.

9. Wake up to watch the sunrise then go on a walk to the Golden Donut after it rises.

10. Go to the pet shop and name all of the animals. Extra points if you name the fish.

11. Find the most absurd item at any of the many Dollar Stores in town. Buy it and attach a note to it from a secret admirer. Put it on a stranger’s doorstep. Video the fun.

12. Go on a hike to the giant golf ball.

13. Organize a DVD trading party. Have all of your friends get an old DVD they want to trade. Have each person wrap the DVD in a brown paper bag. For each person who brings a DVD have them draw a number. Then, going in number order, have people pick a DVD to unwrap. They are now stuck with this DVD. The next person in order can either steal the DVD or can open a new one. Limit three steals per item.

14. Rainbow hunt. Go to a public place and collect items from strangers to fill the main colors of the rainbow (i.e. a red pen, an orange orange, a yellow button, etc.). Once you have all the items, take photos and post online.

15. Host a Scrabble tournament at Starbucks (I’ll totally come.).

16. Set up a treasure hunt. Hide a dollar somewhere in a public place and make a map that leads to the prize. Give the map to a friend and watch the fun unfold.

17. Roll a ball down the Bradley Dip. It is more fun than you may think.

18. Walk by all of the classrooms you attended during your elementary years. Try to remember one special moment from each class.

19. Get a group of people together and divide into two teams. Make sure each team has a camera/ camera-phone. Set a time limit of 45 minutes to complete the photo challenge. Whichever team completes the most photos will win the game. Take pictures of at least one of your teammates:
a. Standing under a business sign or street sign with their name on it.
b. Hugging a stranger.
c. Lying on the sidewalk.
d. Asking for directions to Elmer’s.
e. Ordering water at Taco Bell. (1 extra point if you bring the cup back.)
f. Pumping gas for a stranger. (1 extra point if you get a tip.)
g. Eating a French fry from a stranger.
h. Holding a pizza box. (1 extra point if you get to keep the box.)
i. Bagging someone’s groceries.
j. Standing with someone who is wearing all one color.
BONUS- Take a picture with as many people in uniform as possible. You may only use the same uniform twice. Each picture is worth one extra point.

20. Take a bike ride to Panera Bread. Order a plain bagel for $1 (if you get it to go it will not be taxed) and get free water. Ride back and take a nap.

21. Pick a bouquet of wild flowers and give them to someone you care about.

22. Write a letter to a celebrity, walk to the Post Office, buy a stamp, and send it. Wait for a response.

23. Get a “free trial” to Anytime Fitness in Orcutt. (I think you are old enough to get a pass.)

24. Start a parking lot dance party. Get four or more cars to put their radios to the same station and dance to a song with the four drivers.

25. Go to the library and use the computers. During your limited 30 minute time on the computer, find as many people with the same name as you. List their occupations, age, and any other information you can find. If you can’t find much, look up information on Nicolas Cage lookalikes.