Shade Swamp Sanctuary

I signed a contract to write my first two books for Lerner! So, I've been hard at work on them. My goal is to get one first draft done by the end of this week. One more chapter and some sidebars and I'll meet that deadline.

The zoo started out as a sanctuary for injured birds and other animals.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Shade Swamp Sanctuary in Farmington, Connecticut. It's unusual because it's the site of an abandoned zoo. I wouldn't want to do this hike when mosquitoes are buzzing about, but during the spring it might be a great place to view wetland birds.

 I believe these are bobcat tracks cutting across the frozen swamp.

Agent-Editor Day

Ragged Mountain - Metacomet Trail

In early November I drove to Devens Massachusetts for Agent-Editor Day. It was my first time attending this workshop and by the look of things, it's pretty popular.  I brought two manuscripts that I thought were ready to submit. During the morning session, my manuscript was read by the person to my left. During the afternoon session, I read my own work.  Critiquing was done primarily by the agent or editor that was at the table. If there was time, other writers chimed in with their thoughts.

Love this hike!

I learned that my ideas were marketable. Both the agent and editor that reviewed my work thought the concepts were good ones. However, I discovered the manuscripts that I thought were ready to roll, needed to be hauled into the shop for some small repairs. I got some great advice that I believe has improved both pieces. I was also impressed by the work of my fellow writers.

Rock climbers scale this cliff.

If you're going to this next year, here are some tips:

• Bring your best work, the stuff you think is ready to submit. You might be surprised.
• Bring two different manuscripts. The folks that brought the same manuscript to the morning and afternoon sessions got the same advice.
• Pick out which manuscripts you want to bring before you register.
• Decide who you want to sit with before you register and have a backup person ready too. You will be at your assigned tables most of the day, so there isn't much opportunity to network with the other agents and editors.
• If you have questions about your manuscript, you can ask those after the agent/editor is done critiquing. 
• It was helpful for me to take notes while the agent/editor was speaking about my work.
• You can also learn by listening to the critique advice given to others.   

To think I've lived in this state my entire life and I've never hiked Ragged Mountain, and what a hike it was! Take the trail on the left to get to the cliffs and the scenic vistas. There are more lookouts when you reach the Metacomet Trail. I will be back.   

Picacho Peak, Arizona

Picacho Peak (taken from the car while on the highway)

I'm astonished at how much time has passed since I last posted. Right now, I'm busy writing passages and line items for a major test. The process is taking longer than I expected, but the amount of work has doubled. What started out as chemistry and physics work has now grown to include Earth science and biology. The work requires some thinking, but creativity is sorely lacking. 

The cables got progressively more challenging.

It's getting a little steeper. Gloves are recommended for this hike.

In April, I volunteered at the New England SCBWI Conference and two days later, I attended it. I'm so glad I went. It was nice reconnecting with the gang from Falling Leaves and with a science writer I met at the AAAS conference in Boston this past February. It was even nicer getting a long list of editors and agents I could submit to.

This was insane! I was trembling a little bit here.

On the way down, a gust of wind swept my new sunhat off my head. I ventured beyond the cable to retrieve it (scary).

When I was in Arizona in March, we hiked Picacho Peak. Someone from town suggested it and said he loved that hike. I read up on it before going, so I knew it was going to be a challenge (understatement). In the top photo, you hike up on the left side until you reach the cliff wall. Then you trek to the right and go up and over the middle (the saddle). To climb the peak, you hike it from the back and end up on the left peak. Sounds simple (laughs).  Walt called this the most hazardous hike we've ever done.  

What a gorgeous view!

Grand Canyon - South Rim

South Kaibab Trail head

At the top of the South Kaibab Trail, in the frigid morning air, I passed a woman who seemed petrified. The upper canyon was shrouded in snow, and ice coated the first mile or so. Even though I was wearing stablicers, I still went slow.

Beyond the ice, the trail looked like this.

Fabulous vistas changed at every switchback. I was thrilled to spot the river, then the bridge across. I shot my fist in the air when we entered the tunnel before the bridge--it was level the rest of the way.

This area had a steep drop-off, so I hugged the rock wall and gave the mules the precipitous edge.

Despite seven miles of downhill, I didn't get a single blister. Not one. In the past, my feet have killed me hiking down Mount Washington, so the downhill was my biggest concern. I made three changes to my footwear: new boots with a wide toe box, Injinji liner toe socks, and boots tied for downhill hiking. I also wore these cushy socks that my friend gave me. They were wonderfully soft.

Lunch with a view of the river. Phantom Ranch is on the right.

Phantom Ranch was nestled under an oasis of trees across the Colorado River. I was lucky to get a reservation at one of the few cabins at the ranch. One couple had brought their baby all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. The young woman planned to carry her 16-pound bundle uphill, and that pack wasn't going to get any lighter.

Across the river, the trail goes left to the ranch.

I wore shorts on the 10-mile uphill hike. It energized me in temperatures that hovered around 50°F. On the first mile or so, the Bright Angel Trail was sandy and followed the river. Eventually, the trail wound its way uphill inside a canyon. Slick ice greeted me at the top.

suspension bridge on the Bright Angel Trail

As I crossed the Colorado River, morning sunlight gave the canyon a golden glow.

The top of the Bright Angel Trail was a bit hazardous.

Overall, the hike was a phenomenal experience, but the time flew by too fast. It was a lot easier than I had expected. What I found challenging was balancing a writing deadline and an active vacation. With most jobs, you leave your work behind. I brought mine with me. The plane ride gave me a long stretch of time to get immersed in my work and accomplish enough to put my mind at ease. When I returned, I put aside the unpacking until my article was close to finished.

This yellow brain fungus was delicate, like a flower.

I've started 2017 with a flurry of webinars--I registered for five. I like webinars. They're inexpensive ways to learn. They cut down on carbon emissions and offer flexibility. If the time doesn't work for me, I'll get a link to the recording and listen later at a more convenient time. Often, participants get the opportunity to ask questions, but admittedly, I never have. At a recent webinar, I was pleasantly surprised to discover I got the opportunity to submit!

The remains of an old quarry reminded me of Greek architecture (purple trail).

On the science front, I went to a Science on Screen documentary that was fascinating. The event had sold out, but a generous man gave me a free ticket and he wouldn't take any money! At that price, I'm planning to go again next month (laughs). I also want to see Elizabeth Kolbert at UConn in early February. I used to drive to campus to see the Teale lectures, but now I watch most of those at home (except for Kolbert's).

There's a guy in a white shirt a little more than halfway up this trap rock ridge.

I took these photographs at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Connecticut. In the past, I've taken the easy crushed gravel path to the tower. This time, we climbed up and down ridges via the blue trail, which is rated difficult. The recent rain made some rocks slick. The dog had trouble in spots, so we had to help her up some of the steeper sections. On the way back we took the easier purple trail, which was fairly level.

The blue trail took us atop the ridge to the giant's head.

Indian Council Caves, Barkhamsted, Connecticut

Luna moth larva

In August, while hiking to the Indian Council Caves in Barkhamsted, my brother found this plump green caterpillar. I did a little bit of research and discovered it was a luna moth larva. The hike was up and down, which wasn't so bad, but hot and humid conditions made it seem enduring.

It was one mighty big larva.

Hornets were buzzing around this huge nest.

This past week, I reviewed three edited articles. Two are expected to be published in MUSE in January. The other one, for Highlights, has a target publication date of May 2016. I'm really happy with both of them. The edits were small, but they've enhanced the text.

It seemed like everything we encountered was immense.

Recently, I restructured a middle grade manuscript and turned chapters 1 and 2 into chapters 4 and 5. The end result was that my manuscript, that was ready to send out, had become far from ready--the first chapters were gone. So, I've been real busy writing the front end (chapters 1 and 2). My goal was to have at least five pages ready for a retreat I'm going to in November. I wound up chopping chapter 1 in half and was delighted that I once again had two chapters! They still need some work, but the story is there.

Adam's Mill Trail, Manchester

In mid-July, I noticed a small error in a research paper that was an in press, corrected proof.  The paper was dated August 2013.  The third word in the introduction was the date of the discovery.  It was off by ten years, but the discovery was not the subject of the paper.  It left me pondering, so I contacted the journal about it.  I heard back from the publisher and the journal manager.  Recently I received this email:
        

the banks of the Hockanum River

Dear Dr. Zajac,

Can you please confirm, what is your preference? Do you want to have the article updated online, or do you prefer to publish a corrigendum in the issue it will appear? 

It was exciting crossing this old railroad bridge.

I responded by saying I didn't feel as though I was in a position to make that decision (what's a corrigendum!) and that they should do what works best for them.  It seemed to me that if it was still considered to be "in press," then maybe they could correct it before it went in the journal? 

the ruins of an old paper mill

I am purposely not mentioning the paper, the scientist or the journal because my intent was not to discredit anyone.  Last night, I thought about the folks that try to punch holes in climate science papers.  They do it to discredit scientists and climate science.  It takes time and effort to read research papers and review the science, so I wondered if someone (like big oil) paid these scientists for their time?

Walt congratulated me on my degree.  Lol.  He asked if I wished I was a scientist.  I've been asked that before.

The answer is no.  Certain aspects, like dealing with wildlife sound quite exciting, but the job lacks the creativity that I enjoy when I write.  However, I do find that scientists are very open-minded and sometimes find creative ways to solve their problems by using the latest technology

These photographs of the Adams Mill Trail in Manchester were taken months ago, in early May.  It was a flat, short trail that followed the Hockanum River.  We came upon some interesting historical structures, like the ruins of an old paper mill. 

Bigelow Hollow State Park - Breakneck Pond Loop

The dog loves water and chasing sticks.

After a week of house guests, I was eager to make up for lost time on Monday.  Everything I tried was such a struggle.  Fallen branches and a downed tree interrupted a four-mile run.  Mosquitoes were biting once I got writing.  Exhaustion and a boulder of a headache rolled in.  Tuesday's progress on an article due August 25th was a welcome relief.  It has thankfully passed the kitty-litter stage--it was so repulsive I didn't want to pick it up.  

Mountain laurel was in bloom.  I've never really been fond of their bland color.

Yesterday's words of wisdom from an editor echoed in my head as I tried to sleep.  I might as well have been pacing the floor.           
"No one can teach writing, as they say. We all have to learn it on our own, alone at the desk. Only the tough, determined, and persistent can get through that! Remember that."

Walt went up and around, while I went right over the debris, in my typical manner.

The rougher side of the pond.

Why not turn the "Os" into a happy face?

June 28th, I pushed it hiking about 6.8 miles around Breakneck Pond at Bigelow Hollow State Park.  At the time, I figured I could do about 7 miles on the ankle I'd sprained a week or two before.  On the other side of the pond, loose rocks did a number on my foot as I picked my way across them.  By the time I got home, I was exhausted and the ankle was beat.  
  

While I was snapping a photo of the flowers, the mud-soaked dog  did the wet-dog shake all over my legs.     

Nipmuck Trail, Mansfield

Even dogs stop to admire the scenery.

During the outdoor around-the-world dinner at the conference (see prior post) I was fortunate to sit at a table with former and current editors of Time for Kids.  It was a great opportunity to ask questions about one project I'm working on.  I learned they weren't interested in submissions of this sort.  Wham!  Then I learned that this idea of mine wasn't going to work.  Double wham!  Despite the negative news, it has helped me reshape the idea into something better, something that I think will work.  I hope to finalize and ship out that unique project next week after my critique group meeting.

At the conference, I learned that kids like to see photographs of writers having fun.

Lately, vacation planning has been taking an inordinate amount of my time.  During the past two weeks I've booked three flights, a ferry, a train, and a hotel.  It has been a real challenge with bank credit card locks and other safeguards, online booking sites in a foreign language, Google translate, required phone fields that begin with +, and calling a foreign country.  Now I know why people take tours.  

We walked alongside the Fenton River.

Beaver?

 I've got a backlog of photographs to post.  This batch

This unknown species reminded me of a churro.

from the Nipmuck Trail dates back to April 18th.  The first time I tried this hike, I had a bug that made me come real close to losing lunch.  It was an enduring feat getting back to the car.  The second time, I hiked nearly nine miles.  Conquest!    

The Laurel Marsh Trail, Manchester

Black-capped chickadee

I have been insanely busy in April trying to meet a too-short deadline.  There's nothing quite like chewing up half the month going in one direction, only to realize it's not the right direction.  Then came the frantic scramble to come up with something unique, something creative and something really exciting.  Done!  When someone asked, "what institution?"  Why is it that "mental" was the first word out of my mouth?   I thought it was funny, but there was no laughter on the other end.  LOL.

We watched a large crow polish off a mouse while it was atop a transmission tower.

We've started something new in our critique sessions.  We now deconstruct PB narratives by writing them up and analyzing them.  It's a bit time consuming, but it has been a really helpful exercise in many ways.

Downy woodpecker

LLBean held a free birding event at the Laurel Marsh Trail.  I would definitely do one of their walks again.  We spotted a number of birds and seeing them will help me identify them in the future.  I also downloaded, but have not yet used, Merlin, Cornell Lab's excellent bird ID iphone app.  The guy pointed out these spongy seed pods, but he didn't know what plant produced them.  I still have one in my coat pocket.  I did an image search and found this fascinating Pinterest board called textures and structures.  I have more birding photos, so I'll save them for next post.

Seed pods of a mystery plant? (a chestnut perhaps)