Tag Archives: writing

Quote For The—Blrrrrrrrrrrgh

Posted on March 24, 2012 by PB Rippey

This is what I remember about Friday: feeding the boy, hug-sandwich as we said bye-bye to his dad, finally getting the boy to preschool (I thought I was a slow eater!), speeding to Starbucks as forgot to buy coffee for … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, Writer quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Bits (Courtesy of NPR)

Posted on March 19, 2012 by PB Rippey

You’ve probably already been here  as I’m never the earliest anywhere except the zoo, museums, playgrounds and places in which excessive queuing is involved. But here is an excerpt anyway and you can listen to the whole interview with Jonah Lehrer … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Fiction, Writer quotes, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Quote For The Weekend (Rain Edition)

Posted on March 17, 2012 by PB Rippey

There’s always a period of curious fear between the first sweet-smelling breeze and the time when the rain comes cracking down. —Don DeLillo Yes. And a curious fear in the short time it takes to crack open the cover of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fiction, Me and Us, Quotes, Writer quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Middle Grade Tidbit

Posted on March 16, 2012 by PB Rippey

In case you’re missing it, agent Michael Bourret from Dystel & Goderich and editor Molly O’Neill are conversing via their blogs about middle grade novels–what they look for, what they like, what middle grade is or might be or possibly isn’t but … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quote For The Weekend (Yet Another Late Edition)

Posted on March 11, 2012 by PB Rippey

I am repeat quoting. Visiting the museum this weekend, I was once again struck by Marcel Proust’s words high on  a wall overlooking the displays of dinosaur bones. I am constantly trying to quickly evolve new eyes as I revise my novel … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Quotes, Steps In Promotion, Writer quotes, Writing Progress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Blog Break: Yes, Kony 2012

Posted on March 7, 2012 by PB Rippey

Click here for the movie. Scroll 1/2 way down their page. Watch. If you haven’t seen the film yet, it’s 27 minutes short and after the first 5 minutes you don’t care how long it is. If, like me, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Fiction, Me and Us, Writer's Angst, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Critique Etiquette

Posted on March 2, 2012 by PB Rippey

  The ever-interesting Beth Hull offers some valuable critiquing advice at her blog today. I highly recommend you check in–especially if, like me, you are gearing up for the Rocklin Spring Spirit conference, where critiquing will be in the air, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Quote For The Weekend (Poem Edition That May Last Until Next Weekend Due To Secret Project, Beautifying The Ponderosa & After Effects Of Polishing Off Box Of Birthday See’s Candy & Snickers Bar Cake—Which Created The Most Hyper Preschooler On The Planet)

Posted on February 24, 2012 by PB Rippey

This poem won me a fellowship to the Abroad Writers’ Conferences. I debated  thoroughly utilizing the generous benefits of my fellowship and hightailing it to Thailand, especially as my dear, cool, ever-fascinating friend Chris Abani was a workshop leader and how … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Poetry, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

And Now This

Posted on February 23, 2012 by PB Rippey

Remember in the movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs when Flynt pulls up that kitten bit on his computer screen and 3 hours fly by? Or maybe you don’t as, unlike me, you have not seen the movie 40,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, To Explain | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Quote For The Weekend (Tide Pool Edition)

Posted on February 12, 2012 by PB Rippey

“If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” —Rachel Carson … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Children's Books, fish, ocean related, Quotes, Santa Barbara, Writer quotes, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Quote For The Weekend (Superbowl Edition)

Posted on February 3, 2012 by PB Rippey

1. In modern war…you will die like a dog for no good reason. 2. Man is not made for defeat. —Ernest Hemingway I regret not going into Hemingway’s house when I was in Key West. Instead I stood out on … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Quotes, Writer quotes, Writer's Angst, Writing, WTF | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tropic of Dentist

Posted on January 31, 2012 by PB Rippey

Sharing this delightful list after a harrowing dentist appointment for my son (and his parents), in which despite kiddie valium being administered, despite the unfortunately Hannibal-Lecter-like restraints and despite the nose mask pumping in “giggle stuff”, my son raged quite effectively at … Continue reading →

Posted in To Explain, Writer quotes, Writer's Angst, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Quote For The Weekend (Seminar Edition)

Posted on January 28, 2012 by PB Rippey

Some writers, critics, and other assorted literati sniff at plotting as a tool of craft. A synonym of plotting, in this mindset, is slumming, something decent people just don’t do.   —James Scott Bell Whose seminar I attended this morning in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, Quotes, Writer quotes, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Oak Ents

Posted on January 26, 2012 by PB Rippey

This was the morning: camellias and oak trees. And koi ponds, a small, very green lake with coots and mallards drifting, a Japanese garden with an unattended snack bar my son immediately took over, stepping behind the counter (which came … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing, WTF | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Speaking Of Poetry

Posted on January 23, 2012 by PB Rippey

Askew , a poetry journal, accepted a poem of mine for their May issue. It’s nice to have an acceptance so early in the year, providing me with impetus to keep submitting my work even when the day starts at … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Quote For The Weekend (Pulled Muscle Edition)

Posted on January 20, 2012 by PB Rippey

“Writers are notorious for using any reason to keep from working: over-researching, retyping, going to meetings, waxing the floors–anything.” —Gloria Steinem I opened the door to my son’s classroom and an invisible  claw grabbed the muscles in my right side and … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Children's Books, Fiction, Quotes, Writer quotes, Writer's Angst | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I Told You So

Posted on January 16, 2012 by PB Rippey

We hit town late afternoon-ish and I immediately honor the request for the museum and its entertaining dinosaur footprints indented in cement, pgymy mammoth bones, taxidermied (the fraying sort) mountain animals and vultures, buttons igniting barn owl shrieks and snake … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, ocean related, Poetry, Santa Barbara, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Quote For The Weekend (Another Sunday Late Edition Blrrrrgh)

Posted on January 15, 2012 by PB Rippey

The blood jet is poetry/there is no stopping it. —Sylvia Plath I could stare at this photo for hours…

Posted in Poetry, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spring Spirit 2012

Posted on January 11, 2012 by PB Rippey

Recently writer Beth Hull turned me on to the Spring Spirit conference, an annual SCBWI California North/Central event held in Rocklin, CA. This year, I’m excited to say I will be attending. The lineup is top notch, including the YA Muses … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Me and Us, middle grade, Writing, YA Novels | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Time Spent

Posted on January 9, 2012 by PB Rippey

Roaming the house looking for my reading glasses when on top of head entire time: a good 15 minutes (additional minutes tacked on when distracted by each room’s white elephant: mound of clean yet hopelessly wrinkled laundry on guest room bed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, Pets, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Quote For The Weekend (Sunday Late Edition–Oops)

Posted on January 8, 2012 by PB Rippey

Lifted directly from Spiritual Now Dot Com. The Dalai Lama’s 20 ways to get good karma (believe it or not). Compare to Gandhi’s top 10 fundamentals for changing the world. Live well, long and, of course, prosper as you wash dishes, mow the … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Little Nap Reading

Posted on January 3, 2012 by PB Rippey

I’m terrible when it comes to reading (cue echoing god-voice): books on craft. I used to ride horses that shied when the wind picked up, theirs withers trembling, nostrils flaring noisily. Hold Donald Maass’ book up before me and I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, Fiction, Steps In Promotion, Writer's Angst | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

When I Despair, I Remember

Posted on January 1, 2012 by PB Rippey

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s Top 10 Fundamentals For Changing The World Change Yourself You are in control Forgive and let go Without action you aren’t going anywhere Take care of this moment Everyone is human Persist See the good in people … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotes, Writer quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Quote For The Weekend (Christmas Edition)

Posted on December 24, 2011 by PB Rippey

The best sitting room at Manor Farm was a good, long, dark-panelled room with a high chimney-piece, and a capacious chimney, up which you could have driven one of the new patent cabs, wheels and all. At the upper end … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Children's Books, Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bit Of Info

Posted on December 20, 2011 by PB Rippey

From Writer’s Digest. Because I, anyway, always learn something (except how to make the perfect cup of coffee, I can never seem to learn that…): The 18 Most Popular Articles on Writing of 2011 We posted more than 1,300 articles … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments