Tag Archives: toddlers

Deep Summer Checkpoint

Posted on July 25, 2012 by PB Rippey

Two summers ago I wrote: I create escape beneath my yard’s wind- bent gazebo, books on spread gingham, the shrunk house I dragged into our shade, ticking stove, stranger’s voice in the toy wall phone he refuses. Create with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, Poetry, Writer quotes, Writing | Tagged 2012, children's literature, domestic bliss, E.B. White, fiction, fiction writing, Joyce Carol Oates, Ken Follet, palominos, poetry, preschoolers, quotes on writing, revision, toddlers, writing | 1 Comment

Rocking Muses

Posted on August 4, 2011 by PB Rippey

YA Muses are having another contest/giveaway and all week have reposted tons of valuable writing advice. Their story is inspirational–seriously, check them out, especially today’s post. Really wish I was going to SCBWI-LA this year so I could meet them … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, To Explain, Writing | Tagged 2011, chaos, domestic bliss, life, SCBWI, toddlers, writing | Leave a comment

The Baby Blessing (With Writers)

Posted on July 11, 2011 by PB Rippey

So the baby blessing took place in my mother’s faintly overgrown backyard, guests’ heads thunked by falling trumpet vine blossoms (they are as large and as heavy as some sandwiches), the mingling of shadows and vines and succulents forcing the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, ocean related, Santa Barbara, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged 2011, buddhist monks, children's literature, fiction, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, mystery writer, ocean, personal goals, screenwriting, toddlers, writing, Zen | 1 Comment

Retreat

Posted on July 6, 2011 by PB Rippey

Tomorrow I go off the grid and to my borrowed writing-house, get-away-pad, writing-retreat-with-fountain for a few days. Since there will be no wireless connection, I will revise sans the usual distractions (Facebook, The Pioneer Woman, Yahoo “News”, hulu) while my son eats … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Me and Us, ocean related, Santa Barbara, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged 2011, beach, cats, children's literature, dog, labrador, life, ocean, personal goals, toddlers, writer, writer's retreat, writing | Leave a comment

When I Write

Posted on July 1, 2011 by PB Rippey

I might wake up many times during any night due to: Nightmares involving fedora-wearing aliens intent on making off with my son. The certainty that I have heard a loud noise, which means rising from bed and checking my son’s room and the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, books, dog, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2011, cats, chaos, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, labrador, life, middle grade writing, personal goals, poetry, toddlers, writer, writer's angst, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

Piddlings

Posted on June 10, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Me and Us, Parakeet, Poetry, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2011, cats, chaos, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, labrador, poetry, toddlers, writer, writing | 1 Comment

New Muse

Posted on May 12, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, books, Me and Us, To Explain, Writing Progress | Tagged cats, domestic bliss, fiction writing, kitten, life, toddlers, writer, writing | 1 Comment

Finished

Posted on May 2, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Adult writing, books, Fiction, Writing, WTF | Tagged children's literature, Dystopia, fiction, fiction writing, Rudyard Kipling, toddlers, writing, Young Adult fiction | Leave a comment

Ocean Magic

Posted on April 24, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, fish, ocean related, To Explain | Tagged beach, fish, nudibranchs, ocean, toddlers, whales | 1 Comment

There’s No Place Like Hush

Posted on April 7, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, dog, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Parakeet, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged aliens, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, dreams, Facebook, fiction, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, nightmares, toddlers, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Welcome Vibrations

Posted on March 31, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Adult writing, dog, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Parakeet, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, personal goals, preschooler, toddlers, Trader Joe's, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Tides

Posted on March 20, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, fish, Me and Us, middle grade, ocean related, Santa Barbara, To Explain | Tagged beach, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, ocean, tide pools, toddlers, writing | Leave a comment

Fever!

Posted on February 28, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, dog, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2011, beach, chaos, cornwall, doc martin, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, flu, guilt, life, middle grade writing, multi-tasking, novels, personal goals, poetry, toddlers, writer, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

Moon Night

Posted on January 31, 2011 by PB Rippey

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 →

Posted in Me and Us, ocean related, Poetry, poetry reading, Santa Barbara, Writing | Tagged art, fiction writing, full moon, life, mom's night out, poetry, Santa Barbara, toddlers, writer's retreat | 2 Comments

Writing Fever

Posted on December 21, 2010 by PB Rippey

It’s going to take longer for me to reach my number one goal. I can’t rush this revision, even if I wanted to. Yes, domestics ALWAYS come into play when it comes to writing, such as: My son’s flu, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged cats, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, labrador, life, middle grade writing, personal goals, poetry, toddlers, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Hi Ho!

Posted on December 3, 2010 by PB Rippey

My little shining writing-prize moment of 2010 made the Kite Tales newsletter. I am the giant on the far right. (???) I will never forget hearing the name of my book called out and almost falling off the auditorium chair, … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Fiction, middle grade, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged children's literature, fiction, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, personal goals, SCBWI, toddlers, Trader Joe's, writing | Leave a comment

Ready, Set, Write!

Posted on November 21, 2010 by PB Rippey

Preschool is a go! (See my other blog—or, not) I now have 3 hours 3 days a week to write. Am very confident that by next week (after the holiday excitement dies down around here) I will have my Number … Continue reading →

Posted in dog, Me and Us, middle grade, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged cats, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, labrador, life, pecan cheesecake pie, personal goals, roughhead blenny, SCBWI, toddlers, writer, writing | 1 Comment

Poet Distracted By Whales

Posted on November 9, 2010 by PB Rippey

Had to take a break from editing Trouble. Did so by editing a new poem. It’s almost 9p.m. My spouse has once again passed out with the toddler when putting him to bed. There is nothing to distract me from editing … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, Me and Us, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged chaos, children's literature, life, personal goals, poetry, SCBWI, toddlers, whales, writer, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

When You’re Writing…

Posted on November 4, 2010 by PB Rippey

My official “Trouble” roughhead blenny mascot returns The good news is, I haven’t been posting because I am going over Trouble Beneath The Waves. I do this while my son eats his meals. I do this when my husband returns … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged children's literature, dog, fiction, fiction writing, life, personal goals, roughhead blenny, SCBWI, toddlers, writer, writing | 1 Comment

Pack Leader

Posted on October 22, 2010 by PB Rippey

I have not posted of late. See picture on left. We brought him into our pack and I have been adjusting to the dog element as it relates to freaked out housecats and a toddler with beaucoup d’energy. Le French … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, dog, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged beach, Big Sur, children's literature, dog, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, Henry Miller Library, labrador, life, personal goals, poetry, toddlers, writer, writer's retreat, writing | Leave a comment

Writing Companion

Posted on October 15, 2010 by PB Rippey

Sometimes Julian joins me in my bed office, keeps an eye on me while I fuss with the keyboard, picks at his rope, emits charming whistles. He’s a good listener when I read a draft out loud—although my voice seems to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Me and Us, Parakeet, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged domestics, fiction writing, life, Rudyard Kipling, toddlers, writer, writer's block, writing | 2 Comments

New Workings

Posted on October 11, 2010 by PB Rippey

Depending on who you talk to (my spouse, Facebook, my infernal muse, ABC.com…) I am working on a new poem. As proof, and in danger of ex-ing myself from the writing genre, here are some lines from this new poem … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, Me and Us, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged domestic bliss, domestics, Facebook, fiction, fiction writing, life, personal goals, poetry, toddlers, Trader Joe's, TV, writer, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

Boo, Moan, Woo

Posted on October 9, 2010 by PB Rippey

On the heels of a rejection, I finished editing my short story and submitted it today—thanks to my spouse whisking the boy to Zuma Beach for the afternoon, leaving me to my laptop in my quiet bedroom office—quiet but for … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Fiction, Me and Us, Steps In Promotion, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged domestics, fiction, fiction writing, Halloween, life, personal goals, toddlers, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Cooler I Have Been

Posted on September 27, 2010 by PB Rippey

I’m over the Book Club Blues and previous “froggy” state and have moved on to more-than-contemplating my goals, which meant working on a short story today in this freaky heatwave of 113 degrees, which is all anyone in the San Fernando Valley … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, Book Club, Fiction, Me and Us, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged Alice In Wonderland, book club, fiction, fiction writing, Lewis Carroll, life, lullaby, toddlers, writer, writing | 2 Comments

Distraction

Posted on August 25, 2010 by PB Rippey

I know all about distraction. Writers are always griping about it at conferences and on their writing blogs—about dusting behind headboards and vacuuming behind toilets and taking walks in heatwaves to buy lottery tickets and FBing, IMing, texting, checking email every 5 mintues, about gazing at People.com and clipping toenails and making popsicles and hanging out at Big Foot websites analyzing Big Foot photos and downloading bizarre Big Foot screams, instead of you-know-what. Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Me and Us, Writing Progress | Tagged Big Foot, fiction, life, personal goals, toddlers, writer, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment