I've been working hard on this 4-book Minecraft series for Lerner Books. I even took work with me when I went on vacation in November. The books are for 8–12 year olds. My personal favorite is the creative mode book. However, redstone is a lot of fun too, especially the railroad tracks. I'm hoping to take a video of the roller coaster I built and include it on my blog (once I figure out how to do that). The neatest thing about redstone is that it's easy to build rollercoasters and you can click on a mine cart and go for a ride. What a thrill!

Work-for-hire deadlines

This juvenile barred owl was sitting on my next-door neighbor's deck.

In the writing world, it's common knowledge that work-for-hire books have tight deadlines. If you're considering this kind of work, you might want to know exactly what that means. Here are my deadlines for Lerner:

For two books in a 4-book series:
Length = 1600-1800 words

January 3 - received guidelines, compensation information, and deadlines
January 17 - sent outline to editor
January 23 - received editor's comments about outlines
April 2 - due date for book 2 (the harder one)
April 16 -  due date for book 1
May 23 - received edits for book 2 and the text for the frontrunner* in the series
May 24 - received edits for book 1
May 31 - sent revisions for book 2 to editor (they typically give author's a week for revisions)
June 7 - sent revisions for book 1 to editor
June 13 - received photo wish list for book 1
June 23 - received photo wish list for book 2
July 1 - I uploaded most of the photos (I had to wait on a few) 
July 30 - received book layouts for review
January 2019 - publication date 

When they're begging for food, juveniles have unusual calls.

*The first edited text in a series is referred to as the "frontrunner."

As you can see, these books kept me busy the first half of the year. If I had to do it over again, I'd ask more questions at the start to confirm that what I was thinking matched what they were looking for. The photo portion of the project was a lot of fun and there were no deadlines. I delivered the photos via a steady stream of Dropbox uploads. Since I had planned a vacation in early April, I lost a week of work time, so that added to my stress level, but I made all my deadlines. Even though the deadline for book 2 was shorter, I worked on and handed in book 1 first. Logically, it made sense to do it this way.

The nice thing about the process is that a published book is produced in a relatively short period of time.

The owl has spotted me hiding behind my neighbor's garage. It's ready to fly.

I wondered why the deadlines were so short? Do editors allocate less man-hours to save money? Is the demand for this book so strong that they have an urgent need for it? Have they found that giving writers an extra week or two doesn't affect the quality of the book? Got me.  

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.   

One thing I did this summer that has boosted my productivity and organization skills was to switch from a freebie Hallmark calendar to a planner that spans one and a half years. Now, I have plenty of room to jot down multiple tasks. I have found that when I write it down, it gets done. It was well worth the few dollars I paid for it. At the end of every day, I look at my list and smile at all the things I've accomplished. It has also reduced those writing ruts--the kind that used to swallow me up and leave me wondering why I bother.

Last week, I took a day off and went to the Southwick Zoo. It's fascinating to watch the animals. 

chimp

I stopped by the tiger and lion cages numerous times because they were sleeping. Finally, the Bengal tiger woke up.

A grad student told me this young male and his dad were play fighting

A parakeet landed on my hand!

      

On Collaboration

barred owlets

In addition to writing nonfiction, I've been collaborating with a friend on a middle grade novel. The whole idea was born from loss--an untimely tragedy and a lost job. The project was immensely helpful keeping my mind busy with constant aggressive deadlines. Last year, it was exactly what I needed. In fact, I wonder some times how deep a hole I would have sunk into without this project.

Barred owl parent calling, "who cooks for you?"

The manuscript is different than the work I've been doing. It's fiction. It's fantasy. It's funny. Last year, I didn't have much of a sense of humor, but there were times when we were laughing hysterically. Even if it never goes anywhere, the project has served an important purpose. It was a healing project and for that I am immensely thankful.

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.     

Hammonassett Beach State Park

At the end of the beach, near Webster Point, reddish sand was likely rich in iron.

This past weekend, I started an experiment.  I shut off the computer all day Saturday and Sunday.  Sometimes I feel so drawn to it, like there is a magnetic force luring me in front of the screen.  Often I keep on working and pushing right through the weekend.  If I'm not writing or doing research, I'm thinking about them.   I wondered how I'd feel without the computer.  Would I be frustrated at the inability to work and type?  Would not moving toward my goals make me spiral downward?  Would I become more creative?   Would my life be richer with a break?

 I found a scallop perfectly balanced on an oyster shell.

This first weekend, I found myself doodling on my brother's birthday card, turning the "O" in his name into a sinister looking Mr. Potato Head.  If it was warm, I would have gone outside to sketch with a pencil.  I picked up two nonfiction books and read quite a bit, but I didn't do anything connected to writing.  I was kind of hoping the time away from the computer would put some magical thoughts in my head about how to creatively approach two projects, but it did not.    

Driftwood that looked like an eel

I don't know whether it was pure luck or not, but I managed to nail an ending in one day instead of the three days it normally takes me.  It may have been because I started jotting down phrases and brainstorming instead of trying to write full sentences.  Next time I need an ending, I'll have to give this method another try.

Skate egg case

      
With a mother of a snowstorm expected tonight, I thought I'd better post these photographs from Hammonassett Beach State Park before the place turns into a winter wonderland.  At this time of year, skate means something entirely different.

Hammonasset Beach State Park

I love this tangerine sky and the way sunlight lit up the crest of the waves.

I'm writing this post in the spirit of Linda Lou Who, which is what my Aunt Esther used to call me.  Bless her soul.  Now that the sun is setting on 2013, it's time to reflect on the year.  Despite the Christmas morning (1:12 a.m.) rejection, I'm going to focus on all the good things that the year has brought:

1. I got a far better handle on the art of the picture book by developing a method to create a typed dummy to see page turns.  It also helped to read it aloud to a teddy bear that Walt bought for the dog (on the right hand side of this website, click on "asylum"). 

2. I found a good way to get moving when I'm stuck trying to work out a first paragraph.

3. I am much better at multi-tasking because I got a lot of practice this year.

4. It was quite a productive year.

5. I expanded my editorial contacts and my network of writer friends by attending the 21st Century Nonfiction Conference and other SCBWI events.

6. It was a stellar year for some of my writing friends who won contests, went to acquisitions and landed contracts!

7. I used social networking all year long to get the word out about climate change.  Every single time I read some crap being passed off as fact, I plastered it all over Facebook and Twitter.

8. I took Climate Literacy Navigating Climate Change, a class offered by the University of British Columbia, and did well enough to land a spot as a teacher's assistant for the course.

9. I wrote a clever little manuscript with a number of activities.  I had no intention of writing any activities at all, but they evolved with so little effort and added to the fun that I simply had to include them.

10. I went to the American Association of School Libraries conference in Hartford and had a great time.

While standing in the bitter cold and harsh wind, we watched the sun set at Hammonasset Beach State Park.  I was wearing thin gloves, so it took a long time for my fingertips to thaw out.  It was worth it though.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The view from the Prudential Tower, Boston

I spent the year cranking out some good stuff.  Time and again, I cast the line out into the lake where the fish nibbled enough for me to know they were interested.  Much to my dismay, they failed to hang onto the hook.  So, for the time being, I'm fishing from a new dock.

Polar Bear art aptly titled, "The Discarded."

Lately, I've been thinking about how to be objective about my work.  Writers deceive themselves.  They think everything they write is great.  Everybody has work that is worthy of publication.  It could be the biggest chunk of crap or it could be beautifully written.

Traffic wasn't clear enough to venture home.

I just wrote something that I'm enthusiastic about, but I'm trying to take off the rosy colored glasses and see it from a distance in hopes of learning the truth.  I'm trying to view it from a critiquer's eyes, from an editor's eyes, from the eyes of anyone, but my own lying eyes.  I've packed it in a drawer and formatted it into a book with page turns.  I've worn myself out trying to punch holes in it, in hopes of sparing it from the firing squad of rejection.  I've been asking myself questions like these:

Planes landing at Logan Airport

Is it age appropriate?  I think so.
Is it fun? ABSOLUTELY
Is it suitable for illustrations?  Certainly
Is it marketable?  1,000 times yes!
Am I deceiving myself?

On November 19th, we were in Boston to see our daughter off to Italy.  Enroute to the Prudential tower, we stopped in a sheltered doorway to get our bearings.  It turned out to be the home of HMH.  Deep sigh.  I hope we can get out to visit her in Italy because I would absolutely love that.

Bolton Lake

In the past few weeks, I've surged forward on a small, but challenging piece of writing.  It has been SO much fun to put together that I've lost track of time, staying up past midnight a couple of nights.

My approach was different than it has been in the past.  Instead of writing the picture book then fitting it into the format, I designed it with the layout in mind.  Huge difference.  I definitely think this is the way to go.

It also helped immensely to be able to see what it would look like.  That old cut and paste the manuscript process was not for me--too inefficient and slow.  I started by making a little booklet and writing the story in it.  Then I had more revisions.  The thought of making more booklets and writing the whole thing again and again was not at all appealing.  I'm really pleased that I finally devised a way to make a typed book of my manuscript relatively quickly.  It helped me see the page turns and it also gave me a better perspective as far as age level, wordiness, balance, and where it fell flat. 
 
These photographs represent my "reflection collection."  All were taken at Bolton Lake.      

A colorful wall:  yellow sulphur, rusty iron, silver manganese.

It's miserable when I struggle for words.  When the clock is tick...tick...ticking...thoughts of I stink at this echo through my head.  Once I find the right words or the way into a story, it's a glorious feeling, a feeling of freedom.  It's like being cooped up inside, then opening the door to the bright sunshine of a spectacular day.

This formation reminded me of  brain coral.

There is a big difference between knowing what you want to say, but now how to say it and not knowing what you want to say.  Generally, when I start something small, I know what the first paragraph is going to be about.  It's only a simple matter of getting it down.  Cough. Cough.  If I'm having trouble, the thing that works best for me is to hop on the treadmill and walk slowly (I put a board over the treadmill arms--voila, desk).  I did this the other day and in five minutes and thirty-four seconds, I had a first paragraph!

A brachiopod fossil?

I've been laboring over how to approach a picture book about a challenging subject.  Neither walk, nor run, nor treadmill was of any use putting down that first line.  Ideas bounced back and forth in my head.  I'd get going in one direction only to find out it wasn't the right way.  Nothing worked.  The process was laborious, like lifting and scanning rocks, one at a time, hoping to find a precious fossil.  Last night, around 3 am, the right way came to me and indeed it was a glorious moment!

An underground river

The last tour on a Monday in November was a great time to visit Howe Caverns.  Aside from the tour guide, we were the only ones in the huge cavern where white-nose syndrome was first discovered.  There were no bats in this part of the cave.  It was an incredibly neat place to visit.  Our guide used a long pole, gondola-style, to propel us down an underground river.  In the quiet semi-darkness, water trickled as we imagined what it must have been like to be the first to explore this place.  A number of different fossils were found in the cave, but I'm not so certain that the brachiopod (above) was one of them.  I question everything.  

Glistening silver manganese

A view of the water-carved ceiling

   


 

Home tweet home

At New Media Day in Amherst MA, I listened to speakers discuss the digital revolution.  James McQuivey, author of Digital Disruption, was the first speaker.  He impressed all one hundred people in attendance by giving his entire lecture without Powerpoint because the projector wasn't working.  To get an understanding of the quantity of the digital marketplace, he mentioned Apple has sold 155,000,000 ipads.  He also said that the most successful writers are those that publish with traditional publishers and also self-publish.

Reflection in pond water

Rubin Pfeffer, who works at East/West Literary Agency, discussed the market and how publishers are creating digital imprints and collaborating with e-publishers to meet this new demand for digital content.  Three authors discussed their experiences turning their out of print books into e-books.  Sales are tough because the app search facility is lousy. Lastly, Ruth Sanderson spoke about her long career and being flexible and willing to try new things.

The nicest strip of community garden

I brought my camera on a stroll through the woods out back.  Color was everywhere.  
 

Lake Waramaug State Park

Moonrise in a pink sky, Mount Tom Pond, Litchfield

I applied for and was accepted as a teacher's assistant for the Climate Literacy class at the University of British Columbia.  Thirteen TAs from Australia, Thailand, India, Germany, Vancouver, the United States, and possibly other locations, were enlisted to help.  Even though class doesn't start until September 30th, I've already fielded one question.  About fifty students have introduced themselves in the discussion forum.

Although it takes time to browse the threads, I am enjoying reading comments from all over the globe.  It is rewarding knowing that I'm contributing to the students' greater understanding of climate change.

Eating a "quacker"

October is shaping up to be a very busy month.  On October 6th, I'm going to a school-visits presentation by Alexis O'Neil, a school-visits guru and excellent presenter.  On October 19th, I'm going to New Media Day, another SCBWI event.  The third week in October may give me some anxiety with a first-time platelet donation, a trip to Boston, and notification about something.  It has the potential to be an awful week and it has the potential to be a great week.  So, I'm not allowing myself to think about it.

Lake Waramaug, Kent Connecticut

I've been making inroads.  I've learned it's a lot more work to get the water wheel moving again once you let it stop.   Today, I finished up a lovely piece of literary science.

It wasn't until I looked at my photos that I noticed Goose C484.

Last week, I spent the day at Lake Waramaug with my friend Carol.  We sat by the shore admiring the beauty of the lake and watching the wildlife waddle way too close.  She read while I wrote.  I would have loved to have kayaked on the glassy lake, but the rentals were closed for the season.  On the ride home, the harvest moon was stunning, shining over the pond.
 

Our stomping grounds on the shore of Lake Waramaug