Of course, I couldn’t participate in my own product prediction at that time. My budget didn’t allow for that particular extravagance. But with some meticulous saving, and a surprise monetary birthday gift from a friend for just that purpose, I was able to purchase the Nook Color this past summer.

Why the Nook Color? I spent a few months researching and trying out a few  e-readers. I liked how the pages turned without blacking out. I liked the potential of reading items (especially picture books) in color. I even liked that I can check my email from my Nook while my kids use my main computer, saving me from constantly calling out, “Do I have any mail?”

I don’t like the short battery life, but my current lifestyle keeps me close to electrical outlets, so it’s not a problem at the moment.

How do I feel about it now that I’ve had it for a few months? I enjoy it. One of the reasons I wanted an e-reader was to get old editions of books for little cost. This is a huge plus for all the research I have to do. The downside is that I have to be careful how these editions were scanned. Some optimizers misread the old fonts, making a guessing game out of particular words. With a little effort, though, editions can be found that are very readable.

I like that I can carry my current selections all in one package. Many of the volumes I’ve used for research are large, so it’s nice to have a hand-size version of what I’m reading that’s easy to carry.

I’m still getting used to bookmarking and highlighting. It’s not the same as flipping book pages back to reread a passage you liked. It’s a lot more work to find something. But at least you can peruse a list of those favorite lines you highlighted.

Will my e-reader keep me from buying books? Absolutely not. I still enjoy my paperbacks, especially since not everything I’m reading has been converted into an e-book.

Would I recommend buying an e-reader? I’d advise borrowing a friend’s for a day or two to see if it’s something you would enjoy. It’s really a personal call. For me it’s useful, though I don’t use it as often as some. But for others, they wouldn’t even think of turning an electronic page. It takes away that real book feel.

I have several projects I’m working on at the moment, but these are assignments, not creative stories of my own design. I want a summertime fun project to work on. Perhaps I’ll write a mystery or adventure story. I love these kinds of stories. So while the kids are taking it easy, I’ll sit with laptop, or maybe a legal pad and pen, and let the thoughts flow and bring some new characters to life. I can’t wait to get started!

I gave three presentations by grades: K – 2nd, 3rd – 5th, and 6th – 8th. My first two presentations discussed the historical aspects of the Declaration of Independence. I had a whole new PowerPoint presentation that I had designed just for this visit, and it was fun showing the kids some of the differences between 2011 and 1776.

My last presentation was about the writing journey. I discussed my writing career briefly, then went on to talk about how my book was published, from idea to final publication. The kids had lots of questions about the writing process, and I was also able to share from personal experience how crucial it was to make sure your work is error free.

After my presentations, I was taken to the library where a small luncheon had been prepared in my honor. Sandwiches, salads, snacks, and sweets were spread out for me and the teachers, parents, and staff to enjoy. Later, I was driven back to the airport, where I flew home.

It was a long day for me, but a very enjoyable one. Thanks to everyone at the Genevieve Didion School for their superb hospitality and a truly amazing day!

As a writer it is necessary to make appearances to help promote your book, encourage literacy (you want to keep people reading so you can keep writing), and discuss writing as a career. Although each presentation and/or event will be different, I try to be adaptable as well as teachable in the situations I find myself in. I try to take away a tip or tidbit or lesson so that my next appearance or presentation is that much better.

It’s fun to interact with the kids, and it’s great when you talk to teachers and principals who can offer constructive helps to make your interactions more vibrant and relate-able. Improving as you go not only helps you as a presenter, but it makes your visits more memorable to young potential readers.

It’s not easy. I’m in the midst of some really in-depth studying for a manuscript I will write next month, but I don’t want to burn out because of the intensity of my subject. Then I need to keep on top of some writing projects, but I want to make use of every opportunity to read my research books (you should see the stack I want to go through).

The important thing is to prioritize. Right now my main priority is to find as much information on my topic so I can begin writing the manuscript next month. I found that if I give myself so many hours a day to read, then I can put the books aside without guilt and spend some time writing later in the day. Although it’s not a perfect plan (life has a way of throwing curve balls into any schedule), it’s been working so far. I expect to be finished researching in time.

Juggling takes time to master; but just think of all that can be accomplished once you learn!

As dedicated writers, we should be finishing what we start and reworking where we are going. We need to set our sights for the horizon, but once we move forward, we need to reset our focus because the area we have covered has shifted and changed, and there is a new horizon in view.

As we begin this new year, let us seriously look at our writing to see what we have accomplished and determine where we would like to be. There are some great avenues ahead. Where are you going in 2011?

I had never participated in a group signing before, but I had a great time. It was fun sharing our road-to-publication stories, especially since all of us had unique ones to share. I also enjoyed the conversations since it is sometimes awkward sitting by yourself in a normal solitary signing; but here we talked about all sorts of writing related topics: publishing opportunities, marketing techniques, presentation tips, school visits, blogs, critique groups, etc. It made the time fly by.

Special thanks to Jamie and Kelli of Borders Books for the opportunity. And thanks to Suzanne, Dina, and Meagan for a great afternoon!

I’m normally a morning person anyway, so I find it easy to write first thing when the temps are cool. When the temps start to rise, I try to read some research materials or surf the net. Then, when it becomes too unbearable, I don’t write at all.

I’ll be glad when this heat wave is over. I need to begin planning new projects and to send out some more submissions. In the meantime, ice tea anyone?

Why the emphasis on the degree in English? Perhaps because some people feel that you must have a command of the English language in order to write. There is some truth to that, but that doesn’t mean you have to be degreed in that subject. If you lack good grammar, take some classes to improve your skills. But a naturally gifted storyteller will know how to string words and sentences and paragraphs together to make a coherent story from beginning to end. The classes will hone your skills, but you must have those God-given gifts inside in the first place for you to work with.

So if you want to be a writer, but don’t have a degree in English with an emphasis on writing, don’t worry. Study those things that interest you, take a few classes to sharpen your writing skills, then write about things you know and love.

My own routine has changed as well. Not only am I back in the driver seat as head chauffeur to the various school we have to go to, but I have to get back to fitting all my errands into the early morning hours so I can have time to write before my chauffeuring time starts all over again in the afternoon.

It’s nice to be able to sit and write without the extra noise and distractions. Yes, I love it when my kids are around, but I do enjoy the quiet moments when I can let the creative juices flow nonstop.

It’s good to get back into a routine. Sometimes we need that bit of organization to force us to get certain things done. Maybe in a few days my kids will be thinking that, too.