Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Proud Mama

Today, I am not posting as Deborah Lytton, Author.  I am posting as Deborah Lytton, Mom.  Being a mom is my most important job--and the most rewarding and fulfilling job I could ever imagine.  I am posting as a mom because my nine year old daughter Caroline has her first ever published work.  And you can read it--Caroline reviewed Holly Schindler's middle grade novel, The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky, and Holly posted it on her new site specially designed for middle grade readers.  If you have a chance, please click through and take a look.  I know it will make you want to read Holly's heart-warming tale of one girl's journey to finding her own way to shine.   Here is the link.  http://hollyschindlermiddles.weebly.com/reviews--shine.html


Enjoy!
D.L.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Waiting



Today I am waiting.  Waiting for news on my latest manuscript submission.

And it occurs to me that much of what we do as writers involves waiting.  So here are some things you can do while you wait for responses from queries, or feedback from your critique group or the best waiting of all, your release date. 

1.  Eat chocolate.  (I highly recommend the coconut chocolate bars from Whole Foods.)
2.  Read a favorite book again.  (My latest obsession is Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.)
3.  Spend some time outside.  (Try a jog around your neighborhood or a walk through the park.  I like to walk on the beach--it's the best thing about living in Southern California.)
4.  Reach out to family and friends.  (When you are trying to finish a manuscript, you have to commit time to writing and sometimes friendships are neglected.  So pick up the phone, or, better yet, get together.)
5.  Write something new.  (Of course this is the most important thing you can do for your career.  You always need to be working on something, even if it is just an idea.  Research or outline a plot, sketch out character portraits or just doodle names on a piece of paper, but keep your creative mind open and free.  You never know what brilliance may come to you!)

Do you have any ideas of things to do while I wait?  Let me know!

D.L.