Author Archives: PB Rippey

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About PB Rippey

Writer, mother, wife, 7th gen Californian, and keeper of the mini-zoo.

Quote For The Weekend

PS. They’re real “I need an hour alone before dinner, with a drink, to go over what I’ve done that day. I can’t do it late in the afternoon because I’m too close to it. Also, the drink helps. It … Continue reading

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Quote For Saturday

Easy reading is damn hard writing.  ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Piddlings

I printed out a “finished” poem and left it on the chair next to my bed desk. I left the room. When I returned, I discovered that fearless, scratches-inflicting, wild, out of control, great white shark-mouthed and terminally cute Diggory-The-Kitten had … Continue reading

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Monday Tussle

Welllllllll…Soooooooooooo…It’s one of those mornings when you use that refrain as you do a Trader Joe’s run, a shoestore run for the little guy, a Target run and a Lowe’s run because you can’t live without knowing if they have … Continue reading

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Special Windows

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. —Eskimo Legend RIP Cousin Carolyn. You are missed.

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Then, Suddenly

We crawl out of the masterpiece, brushing beach sand from our legs, welcomed by pets, baby birds hatched and complaining in the former lantern hanging from the patio’s eaves, floors that need attention (especially behind the stove that is being … Continue reading

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Notes From Here

Beach as mental equalizer (despite persistent wind). Impossible to crack open a book or uncap a pen here (though not because of wind). The way the sand is riled, looks as though whole, transportable cities (twirling towers of particles) are whisking … Continue reading

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Brief Idyll

I am taking my little family, the dog, the new kitten, Mockingjay, sunblock and bathing suits and crawling into the photo on the left (yes, that strikingly cheerful Dufy masterpiece) for a weekend getaway involving serious beachtime, naps, organic salads and a baby … Continue reading

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Gentle Jurassic Giant

Largest fish in the ocean Wonderful piece in the June Smithsonian about whale sharks. If, like me, you are an ocean fanatic (often more than just the armchair variety) and in the throes of revising your middle-grade novel that has everything … Continue reading

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Contest Winner

In a previous post I mentioned the YA Muses were holding a very generous contest. Winners would have the first 15 pages of their WIP or NIPR (novel in perpetual revision) read by one of the Muses. The grand prize … Continue reading

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Help

 Kathryn Stockett on her rejections and perseverance in More.  Memorable quotes: A year and a half later, I opened my 40th rejection: “There is no market for this kind of tiring writing.” That one finally made me cry. After rejection … Continue reading

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New Muse

A kitten after my own heart. We have a new muse around here since Mother’s Day. He was this writer’s huge, completely unexpected, big-deal surprise. I’d forgotten how much joy kittens bring, endless chuckles for both adults and a little boy excited to … Continue reading

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Quote For Forever

“People always say that to be a good writer you have to read; that sounds like they’re collecting ideas and information. But what it ought to mean is that you have to be able to read what you write critically. … Continue reading

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No Whining

No whining when it’s hard to write/revise because: 1. because a dog charged your cats at 6:00a.m. and in her haste to control her animal, the owner, lunging across your front yard and bashing into the wall below your kitchen … Continue reading

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YA Muses Contest

If, like me, you welcome critique on your WIP, which is actually a complete novel you can’t stop revising, then visit the YA Muses and participate in their contest. The prizes are very generous. I hope I win. Something. Thank … Continue reading

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Finished

Perhaps it’s in bad form to compare this novel to the Twilight series, but I am struck by how much more horror-packed credible dystopia is than books with credible, contemporary vampires and their various friends and foes. Yes, I’m still … Continue reading

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Ocean Magic

If, like me, you are mad about the ocean and all manner of marine life,  like googly transparent things with 10 stomachs that live at extreme depths and if you, too, receive the Holy Viperfishes, Batgirl! reaction when viewing a 35 … Continue reading

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The Chalk Speaks

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There’s No Place Like Hush

It’s April. I’m quiet. I’m revising. Being a vigilant mother. Cooking for house guests (i.e. Costco-ing for house guests). Hulu-ing Parenthood (help me, Obi Wan—it’s my only vice). Typing in my quips on Facebook (help me, O.W.—it’s my only other … Continue reading

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Welcome Vibrations

A striking thing happened this morning after dropping my son off at his preschool. I returned home, did not check email, vacuum up dog hair, make a Trader Joe’s list, stare intently at Yahoo news while groaning at the spelling … Continue reading

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Tides

Amazing minus tide Friday in Santa Barbara (coinciding with—or because of?—the Super Moon). I forgot my camera, but my sister had her phone and all its very cool, very smart apps. The wind was up, so we couldn’t stay long—my … Continue reading

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Valuable Information

The ever helpful YA Muses blog has wonderful posts up on the writing process and revision and what the heck writers do to make novels make sense (including cutting mass portions, creating charts—oh, go see, go see). The YAM posts … Continue reading

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Fever!

I need the sort of writing fever that allows multi-tasking. I need to be able to be ill AND revise a novel and engage the 3 year old and toss the tennis ball for the dog, fold laundry, garden (i.e. yank … Continue reading

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Moon Night

Shawls of cool sea fog wafted along Anapamu Street just in time for the event, chilling the artists set up on the gallery’s front patio and across the way—in front of the hushed, monolithic library—attempting to capture the full moon … Continue reading

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Upcoming Poetry Reading

On Wednesday, January 19th, somewhere between 630 and 700 in the evening, I will be at Sullivan-Goss An American Gallery, 7 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, reading a few of my moon poems in conjunction with the gallery’s full moon event … Continue reading

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