Category Archives: Writing
Buh-Bye November Nanowrimo
And how was your Nanowrimo? Mine was interspersed with vaccinations (see previous post for shingles vax info if you’re thinking about going for it). And, right before Thanksgiving, a family reunion in redwood forests near Santa Cruz, CA. I might … Continue reading
NANOWRIMO UPDATE (Shingles Vax Edition)
10 days since the start of Nanowrimo. I have missed 2 days of showing up. Because I got my shingles vaccine and had no idea it would slay me. “Just a sore arm,” I was told. “Like the flu shot. … Continue reading
Boo
This Halloween week, my son’s English teacher is having her students read the short story, THE MONKEY’S PAW, by W.W. Jacobs. Have you read it lately? Or, ever? I just did. First published in 1902, THE MONKEY’S PAW is so … Continue reading
NANOWRIWAYMO WHAMO
The current issue of SCBWI Insight has an article with NanoWriMo tips. Succinct, logical tips for writing 1,667 words a day. And while I probably won’t follow all tips, I have been nudged (shoved?) by said article to participate this … Continue reading
O Revision!
Ever since the SCBWI Big Five-Oh summer conference, I have been the Madwoman of Revision. Lots of adhering to red ink exclamation points. Filtering critique. On not just my manuscripts, but synopses, loglines…You, too? Whenever I’m convinced my writing is … Continue reading
SCBWI Big Five-OH! Summer Conference
I’ve “been here” since Thursday morning. Et tu? A main event for me yesterday was class with one of my revered middle grade authors, Gary D. Schmidt, reminding/pointing out to writers the perhaps subtle, yet concrete importance of your novel’s … Continue reading
Member: Mini-Get-Away Club
How odd to be out in the world. We aren’t venturing drastically far, but enough for a first substantial get-away since—-at least 3 years. The teen has been across the GG bridge, but he was just a boy then, shorter … Continue reading
June Reading List
Revisiting favorite way-to-tell-a-story inspirations. Encouraged that my Novelist-Dames (like my Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco Songstress-Dames) stand the test of my personal decades. IMO, the tell vs. show offered by these novelists (contrary to contemporary insistence on show vs. tell) … Continue reading
Music While Writing
My Twitter feed has (once again) switched from an obsession with What Is Your Favorite Movie, to What Is Your Favorite Song. After research into my digital playlists (making me wonder if I’m missing a gene as everyone on Twitter … Continue reading
SCBWI Summer Conference
My Covid-Recovery-Brain has suggested that my leaning back against bed-pillows and Zoom-ing into conference keynotes and panels and workshops might be especially beneficial for igniting synapses previously Covid-numbed. Especially since Gary D. Schmidt is participating this year. July 29 – … Continue reading
Spring Wild Fire
I was hoping that by now we’d have had more rain vs. thimblefuls, but we experienced a brushfire instead. Way too early in the year, too close to home. Friends texted me: ALREADY? and EXCORCISM RE; SUPER LA NINA. And … Continue reading
Earth Day 2021
Oh, crap–missed it. Didn’t realize until 11:30pm last night and checked my Twitter feed. I’m used to ED falling on Saturdays. Aren’t I? Speaking of Earth, we are having a Super La Nina in my part of the world. No … Continue reading
Euphoria
Reading Lily King’s EUPHORIA and watching Ken Burn’s ‘Hemingway’ feels like my brain has been emptied into the large silver strainer I use for washing strawberries, jiggling organic matter beneath faucet spray, jiggling, jiggling some more. For me, the theme … Continue reading
21 Days Later
I notice myself doing little things I haven’t in 3 weeks. Moving my hips to my Echo Show playlist, “PB’s Groove”, as I transfer dishes from the dishwasher to their homes. Throwing cat toys for the 3 beasts, up and … Continue reading
This Is Covid
Yes, but I’m the one who wears a mask to walk the dogs, herding them across the street to avoid oncoming pedestrians (who are never masked); the one who won’t powerwalk with mom friends (who are never masked); who will … Continue reading
SCBWI Events
A bright light in #stayhomestaysafe is being made aware (thanks to my SCBWI regional newsletter) of SCBWI regional events around the USA. Here are a couple I’m registered for: Austin, TX Webinar: To Plot or Not? , Tuesday 3/16 with … Continue reading
2021 Int’l Women’s Day
Card Parade
I was particularly impressed by birthday cards I received this year. Or maybe I’m particularly impressed every year and just forget how impressed I am, year after year…after year…But look: Right??? And look: Just the other day I was up … Continue reading
SCBWI Winter Conference
I’m “here”! Full day today. Especially looking forward to the agent panel. Also have made new Twitter friends. Will be phenomenal to attend in real life one day. Yours in info dumps,PB
Revising Is Writing
That’s it. That’s the post. Revising. Is. Writing. Also: When I remember that revising IS writing? It’s like I’ve downed a small shot glass of caffeine. Or at least an Americano. Pen, fingers liven up. In conclusion: Here is a … Continue reading
Dam Break! (Shaman Edition)
Not at all far from my new home in the Santa Clarita Valley are chunky ruins of the St. Francis Dam, once a major reservoir for Los Angeles. March 12, 1928, the dam collapsed. The sudden freedom of 12.4 billion … Continue reading
Happy Inauguration Day
The future is bright! Finally. Also: #catsforbidenharris
SCBWI Winter 2021
I’m going. Are you?
Happy New Year!
NYE we went around the dinner table, each of us (husband, teen, me) listing anything we’d like to accomplish in 2021. Our teen shocked the heck out of his parents by stating he’d like to learn how to cook things … Continue reading
Aaaand: Christmas!
Countdown over! A certain teen is happy about this. The cats could care less.The dog just wants to be loved and wants us to pretend he is tiny enoughto fit in our laps. Not. May your days be merry and … Continue reading
PB Rippey Writes 
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