That Scary Drawer
The ever witty and insightful Slate (it's a magazine about news, politics and culture--not rocks) picked up this quote (see bottom-ish of column) from my last blog about the Caldecott and winner Brian Selznick . . .

(Above: Using her psychic abilities, Lisa had today's blog photo taken with Brian at a baseball game MONTHS before he won the Caldecott.)

I'm working on a manuscript right now and having problems cutting it down to size. I realize this is a pattern in my life. Recognize this?


Yep. It's THAT DRAWER. I know you have one, too. You know, the drawer where you toss things you think you might need someday. Only, someday still hasn't come, and you now have all these are-they-important?-things-because-if-they-are-I-might-need-them-someday.

Well, it's the same way with writing. You've/I've got all this extraneous stuff that really needs to be tossed, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I guess I need to get ruthless . . .

(Above: Lisa gets ruthless while an unassuming David Lubar sits quietly not knowing what is to come next.)

Because I am trying to finish a novel, that can mean only one thing. Time to sign up for Facebook! Several LAYAs belong and they talked me into it. So if you're on Facebook, please feel free to add me, then poke me. (I'm not really sure what a poke is, but supposedly it's something that Facebook people do to each other.)


However, if you are working on a manuscript right now (well, right, I know you're reading this, but say that AFTER you finish the blog, you're going to write) and don't feel the need to sign up on Facebook, here's something you can try instead . . .

1. Lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Okay. Keep that foot going and draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.

Did your foot change direction? If it did you know what that means! Time to get back to work.