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The Ancient City of La Coruña: Discoveries!

6/7/2017

We pulled into the port of La Coruña around breakfast, had our foreign 'face check' assuring the Spanish government we were indeed who we claimed to be, then disembarked for our city tour.

The shoreline went on for miles, as it snaked around the city. It was difficult to tell what was beach and what was port. No wonder this became the largest port on the Northern Iberian Coast, launching not only commercial ships, but warships (the Spanish Armada) and expeditions—ships exploring new routes and lands.

La Coruña is also known for its 2,000 year old structure, the Tower of Hercules, the oldest functioning Roman lighthouse in the world. Originally it had a ramp oxcarts used to bring wood up to light the warning fires before electricity was invented. Unfortunately it was on the other side of town, and, since we left port later than expected, we never had the chance to see it.

Supposedly, Hercules fought a giant, cut off his head, and buried it with the monster's armor close the shore, and built the lighthouse on top. Which is why, according to myth, Hercules is attributed with the founding of La Coruña. To my best knowledge, it means crown. Whether that means the kingly sort, or the top of the head, I'm unsure.

The first thing we noticed were the apartments lining the shore, having many glass paned windows facing the sea. When Caesar first came to La Coruña, he found a small fishing village, but, due to the rich minerals in the area, it became a thriving commercial port. The fishermen lived in these apartments and would pull their boats up under the arches at night, since the water came up to the building in those days.

Since the area was very humid and rainy, they enclosed the porches, inside and out (beginning in 18th century), where warmth and humidity built up during the day. At night when it was cooler, the inside porch windows were opened to let in the warmed air. Ingenious!

And here is a fancy version in the downtown area of La Coruña. . .isn't it gorgeous??

We visited a church who's bell tower was slightly off kilter. Not because of the architects supposed drunken state, but, to allow the sun in its zenith to enter the tower and reflect down on the alter below. I'd say he had his head on straight!

This statue commemorates Maria Pita, a brave woman who, after losing three husbands in the battle when Francis Drake returned to fight the Spanish, refused to lose the fourth. So, she entered the fight alongside him, found the emblematic flag bearer and speared him to death. Thus, Maria ended the conflict, saving the life of her sweetheart, and all the other Spaniards along with him. Hmmmm. Could be another historical fiction brewing . . .

We stopped in a sausage/ham shop where we were given a taste of the national treat: simply called jambon (ham). Raised in the country, these pigs are slaughtered, the back legs (having more meat) are buried and dried in salt for a year, then hung up for a time to lessen the fat content, then sold in shops as a snack. You see it on the left of this plate, and also hanging from the ceiling in shop in the photo above. . .

Through the years, the church has had a fast or ceremony for women who wished to conceive, since large families were important in this farming community. A few hundred years ago, they found corn to be the best crop for the cool but humid climate. Curiously, still today, engaged couples bring eggs and flour to the nuns so they can make a wedding cake to bring them good luck. Wealthy families years ago would bring their young girls to the nunnery to protect them from unwanted pregnancies before they were of marriageable age.

I was thrilled to visit La Coruña because my MG Historical novel in progress is not only set in this city, but also on a Spanish galleon, similar to the one we were sailing on. Time for research! Via our guide, I discovered there was an orphanage run by nuns that would have been standing in the early 1700’s. Good news! But then, he was told the building no longer existed. I was disappointed to say the least, but decided to visit the neighborhood anyway, to see what would have been standing when my character existed.

I found a street named after the orphanage . . .

A staircase leading up . . .

And down from the street. . .

And it would have been overlooking the bay and beach. That was good enough for me!

All in all, it was a good day . . .

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A Sabbath's Rest—and Surprise!

6/5/2017

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I had to exchange my Portuguese ear and tongue, as primitive as they were, for German when we stepped aboard our German-registered ship. Usually, that means the staff is mostly German speaking, but I did not expect the passengers to be as well. All but a table of 7 Americans are German and Swiss, making a total or over 50. Much to my embarrassment, I know only a few words, where as our European counterparts speak English tolerably well. Our first night on the Atlantic was uneventful, but it took us some time to adjust to the constant rhythm of the waves. It was relaxing to 'rock and roll' like a baby in a cradle, but the sound of the waves slapping against the sides of the vessel along with the intermittent creaking was distracting. I would have expected it to be soothing, and other passengers agreed. Thankfully my earplugs saved the day, and sometime later, I drifted off to sleep . . .

We had a short journey to our first stop at the Islas de Cîes, a national park of stunning vistas. This is where the people of Galicia claim God rested on the 7th day of creation after He shook off the dirt on his hands. The islands miraculously grew where the bits of earth landed, causing estuaries along the Atlantic shore. I smile at this legend, not only because it's clever, but if I were God (and clearly I am NOT), I would have chose this spot as well. Just walking up the paths to the lighthouse seemed to relax my mind and muscles. It was truly a breath of fresh air.

We happened to arrive early, before the masses took over the beach and camping grounds. Our guide, Reny (Reinhardt) shared much history with us as we climbed the hill towards the lighthouse. The one below is also on the island, but non-functioning.

Evidently, Julius Caesar was here during the Gallic Wars, checking out the tin, copper and gold for trade. So was Francis Drake, who returned a year after the Spanish Armada to retaliate for the damage done to Britain's troops. Britain called him 'Sir', said Reny, but the Spanish called him 'pirate'. We chuckled, knowing one man's hero is another man's nemesis. Hmmm. . . did I make that up?

Reny also mentioned Jules Verne's visit to the area. Evidently his boat broke down in the harbor, so he took it across to Viga for repairs. While waiting there, the townsfolk filled his mind with tales of Spanish galleons and sunken treasure. So, being a literary sort, his creative side began to formulate a story of a Captain named Nemo, later calling it 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.' Amazing. Another literary connection to the Iberian Peninsula. Another example of how trials can turn into inspiration.

Now, savor these incredible views, as I did!

A quiet resting-place . . .

On to the surprise. When we arrived back at our ship, I noticed an envelope artfully scripted with our names. I grabbed it and placed it on our table, since we had to quickly get ready for the Captain's welcome in the Lido Bar. We were greeted by Captain Christian Pfenninger, then I picked up my glass of sparkling water and we proceeded to find a place to sit as he introduced the crew. Soon after, we made our way to the dining room, and to my surprise, were directed to the Captain's table. To even more surprise and wonder, he had a chair pulled out next to him for ME! We truly missed the memo, which read:

Since we travel with only a carry on wherever we go, our wardrobe is limited. And for that reason, I did not bring my gala outfits, or anything else fancy, unlike the rest of the passengers. So, here we were at the Captain's table. How ironic. But, what I was lacking in after-five dress, I made up in conversation. It was fascinating to hear stories of his voyages throughout the last 35 years, and ask him (since this was a research trip as well), what it would be like to sail on an 18th century ship. It was a delightful time! Here is a pic, albeit fuzzy, to prove it:

It was a lovely way to end an evening on the Seas!

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Feeling Like Royalty, Dining as an Author

6/4/2017

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Today was another stellar day for touring—this time, by motorcycle and sidecar. Our guide for Porto was John, who came promptly at 9:30am. We introduced ourselves, put on our helmets, and got ready for a more than ordinary ride. We liked John immediately with his kind, informative and humorous ways. He gave us the usual safety talk, along with one other warning— by riding in a sidecar vehicle, we would be instant celebrities. And he was right! People everywhere of all ages waved, smiled or gawked at us. And I followed suit by giving them my best royal wave.

Up and down the hills we rolled, first along the river's edge and expansion bridge, then back into the city to see churches and government buildings. . .

When the explorers brought back ceramics from China centuries ago, the Portuguese created their own version of the tile as seen on the church above.

The following are a few Porto city views . . .

I enjoyed Porto much more than Lisboa. It was smaller, more navigable, and somewhat less hilly.

Finally across the river to Gaia, where the fishing boat industry and wine preservation continues.

It's also where J.K. Rowling lived while she wrote the first two Harry Potter books. We ended with a trip up past the military base and to the highest point of the city where an old Catholic Church is situated.

Many come here to take wedding or engagement photos. We had our anniversary photo taken!

We returned to our hotel with time to eat at the Majestic Café, known for serving and inspiring authors and poets, including of course, J.K. Rowling. This was where she had the inspiration to write her series, and name one evil character after Spain's former dictator—a slippery sort of person!

Then, a taxi took us to Leixôes (pronounced something like: Lee-shoines, believe it or not), where we caught our first glimpse of our home for the next four days. Breathtaking! Tomorrow, we visit an off-the-beaten-path location known for its natural beauty. . .

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Splendor in Sintra—Out of the Ordinary

6/3/2017

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André and his wife own the 'Portuguese for a Day' tour company. Not only do they make a great couple, but they are also dynamite business partners. Filipa generally takes care of the reservations and business end, and leaves the touring to André (most of the time). He's been driving since he was a teen, never had an accident, and was born in the old Alfama section of Lisbon. So he knows his way around. We also discovered he is a professional Jazz Bass player, and has performed all over the world with the likes of Elton John and Michael Bublé. He has also played all over Lisbon, which is why he knows the roads so well. Last year, he decided to stay close to home and begin a tour company with his wife. And we are glad he did!

Our first stop was the Pena Palace, built by Ferdinand II (a Saxe-Coburg and Uncle of Queen Victoria) who married Maria, the Queen of Portugal. In the mid-1800’s, this artist-king built the Pena Palace in the Romantic style at the site of an old Monastery on the tip-top of a mountain in the historic town of Sintra, a half hour drive from Lisbon. Dan and I agreed it was the nicest and most livable palace we have seen to date-which is quite a few! The roads, although winding and extremely narrow, were not an issue for André. He was a master at getting around (or making way) for tour buses and other vehicles which had no business being on the road.

Each view of the palace was more stunning than the previous. It was hard to take a bad photo. We wound in and out of the rooms, looking at the incredibly intricate ceilings, which, in the last few rooms, became faux-finished works of art. One could barely tell they were two dimensional!

The one below is a faux-finish!

There were a few oddities, like their first telephone, pictured below:

And this Asian-looking desk. . .

And this rather uncomfortable looking chair!

When we arrived at the end, this enormous kitchen came into view-one I would covet even today. All the pots, pans, and space one needs to make a meal fit for a king and queen.

Here are a few more shots . . .

Then, we wound our way to Quinta da Regaleira, the summer residence of wealthy businessman Carvalho Monteiro, built in the neo-manueline style by the country's best artists. I would call it a small palace. What do you think?

Here were some of the interior views . . .

We had only ten minutes to tour, since we spent most of our hour and a half on the winding, tree-covered paths, leading to Lake of the Waterfall. . .

Towers and turrets. . .

Next, we had a lovely meal at a local restaurant, suggested by our guide, André. I tried a national dish of salted cod mixed with onions, egg and 'chips' or tiny bits of French fries. Yum! Then we strolled around for a few minutes, walking up (of course), the narrow streets to window shop.

Dan bought a tasty pastry known as the 'pillow of Sintra'. André explained when the kings would come to towns around Portugal, they requested a special pastry made, similar to the pastis de Belem in Lisbon. It all began with monks who spent their time making wine, and discovering the barrels were rotting inside, found a way to seal them with egg whites. What was left after painting the interior of the barrels? Egg yolks! Thus, custard came into being, which bakers used in their delicacies.

Then we ventured to the Westernmost point on the continent of Europe: Cabo Da Roca. Talk about wind! Well, I suppose it's a good thing on a Windjammer cruise. . .

We had a grand tour with André- it couldn't have been better! Our every need was attended to, including a drop off at the Oriente Train Depot, where we thought we had tickets for a 6pm journey to Porto. Not so. It was a mere promise of a ticket. Come to find out that ordering an paying for a specific train trip and having it shipped overnight to the States doea NOT a reservation make. So, we missed our train, and took the intercity route which arrived in Porto at 11:15pm. By the time we made it to our Hotel, it was almost midnight. Dan pointed out we didn't miss our destination. True. And for that I was grateful. He takes the laid back approach at all times. It must be his Italian roots. Me? I'm stil working on patience and trust!

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The Path is Not Always Easy . . .

6/1/2017

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It's been an uphill battle these last 24 hours—in more ways than one. First, there was an issue with our passport names not matching our tickets. Our surname, Del Boccio, is composed of two separate words, but many computer programs do not allow for the space. Not good. So, we waited for 45 minutes to resolve the problem as one family (yes, one) ahead of us checked in. We were next in line. That is, until the woman decided to go on break. Patience is certainty not a virtue of mine, but at least I had the comfort of knowing we left plenty of time for unforeseen issues like this.

Then, at the Philadelphia airport, we witnessed a fire drill- complete with alarms, flashing lights, and the warning of a fire in the building. Everyone needed to go immediately to the nearest exit. Of course, Dan and I dutifully obeyed, looking for others who would be streaming out the doors along with us, all the while the obnoxious alarm and warning rang out repeatedly in our ears. It finally occurred to us, after five minutes, that no one was panicking. Or moving swiftly to the nearest exit. Nope. It was business as usual.

Being proactive, I had to ask. I thought a young employee, sauntering along towards me was a good target. Where should we exit the building? I asked. Oh, she said, with a wave of her arm—don't worry. It doesn't mean anything. It's just annoying that's all. She went on her way, leaving me with a furrowed brow and recollections of a folk tale about the "Boy Who Cried Wolf." The alarm continued to sound for another twenty minutes, which in fact, deadened the passenger's sensitivity to the alarm. I'm still shaking my head.

Other than a bit of turbulence and very little sleep, the flight went well. For that, we were truly thankful to the Lord. Arriving at 9am (4am Chicago time), we pick up our carry on bags, navigated the Métra into the center of town, and began our uphill climb (literally) to our lodging along the stone wall of Castelo de São Jorge. It didn't occur to me until this morning that this would be a difficult location to access, since castles were built on the highest point in a city. From the Rossio station, we zigzagged back and forth on the uneven terrain, with our faces to the sun, and a simple map of the city, which looked like a maze of ant trails. I counted at least four times we stopped and asked for directions. Each time, the helpful person assured us the place was 'up and to the left' or 'just around the corner.' I began to think they were all conspiring to give us leg cramps and blisters, but in the end, all we got was extreme exhaustion.

I must say the old buildings with their quaint curtains and shutters, decorated with hanging laundry distracted me, so the steep incline, innumerable flights of stairs and cobbled streets didn't seem so daunting. Of course, we could have used our cellular data to find the way, but we thought an adventure was in order.

When we checked in to our lodging, the desk clerk's eyes widened when we told her we walked up from the Metro Station rolling our luggage behind us. I thought we needed a badge of some sort to commemorate the event. And probably new wheels for our luggage.

But, we were well rewarded with a lovely lodging, and a classic Portuguese (or so I thought) terrace in which to rest. Along with its resident peacocks— and boy, were they proud!

He was more than happy to display his feathers. I chucked as I caught him admiring his image in the patio window.

Well, that's about it for now- tomorrow we will visit a unique multi-architectural castle in nearby Sintra, before heading north towards Spain. Hope you've enjoyed your tour . . .

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Marrying Business with Pleasure . . .

5/23/2017

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In just a few days, my husband Dan and I will embark on our 25th wedding anniversary voyage. This one will be a true adventure-taking us across the northern coast of Spain in a Windjammer!

The last time I set sail on a Windjammer was with my best friend Becky, decades ago. Then, it was along the coast of Maine. The captain allowed, in fact, encouraged us to be part of the crew-helping with sails, anchor and even navigating!

I'm not sure what we will experience this time, but I know it will be memorable. And the fact my Middle Grade Historical Novel-in-progress is set in La Coruña, one of our stops, is a plus. Even better, the bulk of my story takes place aboard a similar ship, which is icing on our proverbial anniversary cake. Here is a photo of the Sea Cloud II:

So, I will have my royal blue lined notebook ready as we set sail from Oporto, Portugal. Before then, I hope to share a few historical tidbits along the way. For that is my passion: to make History and Scripture come alive for my readers.

Stay tuned for your armchair voyage. No need for dramamine. No fighting crowds. Just a peaceful and inspirational trip back in time. . .

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Miranda Paul Talks About Her Latest Book:10 Little Ninjas

8/26/2016

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I'm thrilled for my author friend, Miranda Paul, and honored to interview her today about her latest book. It was voted an Amazon Best Book for August 2016! Miranda is a delightful, personable and creative individual, so I can't help but wish her the best in her author's journey.

So, here goes!

JDB: Amazing 5 books in 18 months! That doesn't happen to all children's writers. What was the key to your success?

Miranda: I don’t know if there’s one single key. I’m also cautious around using the word “success” — it can be a dangerous word, and can mean vastly different things to different people. I built up a body of work, and then when my agent began to query, there were a lot of manuscripts ready to go.

JDB: What was your inspiration for 10 Little Ninjas? Did the original story write itself, or did you struggle with every word?

Miranda: My own kids seem to go through phases of clever bedtime-stalling antics. My extended family is pretty large, and my husband also comes from a family with 10 kids (he’s the baby!). I wanted 10 Little Ninjas to be fun and funny, but also sweet. The original idea came quickly, but I struggled through many choices, deletions, and endings over the course of several years.

JDB: I understand you have three distinct versions of the manuscript, and went through many revisions. What were the darlings you had to kill in the process?

Miranda: The original pirate stanza rhymed “booty” and “pa-tootie”, which I loved. The book is better off without those lines, but my finger hovered over the delete key for awhile before I was able to press down. Critique partners and editors pull you back to reality and help you recognize stronger and better choices.

JDB: What was it like to collaborate with Nate Wragg, a Disney Pix animator? Any surprises?

Miranda: I’ve never met Nate, nor did we speak directly during the process. (This is often a surprise to people to know that you don’t have to illustrate your picture book or provide any art notes!) My editor and the Art Director at Knopf handled all of the communication between us. My favorite surprise is how Nate gave each character a distinct color outfit, shining-star moment, and personality. It’s interesting to see how Mom is portrayed in each scene. Some of them are particularly clever.

JDB: In that case, which ninja was the most fun to create?

Miranda: You’re asking me to choose a favorite kid?! Well...the 1 little cuddlebug sleeping on Daddy’s head was my favorite. Both of my kids (and cats) have done this—sneak all the way from their beds into ours, and fall asleep on top of our faces, etc. Basically, that stanza was written from personal experience. It’s also the “heart” of the book in a way.

JDB: Awwww . . .sweet! So, what's your secret to getting your own Ninjas to bed?

Miranda: Nowadays if they say they’re bored at any point during the day, I make them run laps around the yard. As a result, they’re always tired by sunset.

JDB: Since yours is a rhyming picture book, do you have any tips for writing great rhyme?

Miranda: Read a lot of current rhyming books, get some thick skin and a sharp editor’s eye, and read Dori Chaconas’s article, “Icing on the Cake”.

JDB: Helpful ideas. Thanks, Miranda! What takeaway do you want your readers to experience after reading 10 Little Ninjas?

Miranda: I want them to think the book was fun and that they want to read it again and again!

JDB: I'd say that's a universal goal of all writers! So, tell us about your dedication page. . .

Miranda: I wrote a whole piece on that over at Laura Sassi’s blog, so I’ll post the link here: https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/a-handful-of-books-miranda-paul-and-her-picture-book-10-little-ninjas/

JDB: Which book was easiest to write up to this point, and why? The most labor intensive?

Miranda: The fastest book I ever wrote isn’t out yet - it’s called Are We Pears Yet? The book is coming out with Neal Porter Books (Roaring Brook/Macmillan) in Fall 2017. But...just because I wrote it fairly quickly and my editor loved it right away doesn’t tell the whole story. I waited nearly two years before an illustrator signed on (the fabulous Carin Berger) and then there were some significant changes I made to the text once she began, because of some style choices we made cooperatively. This just proves that all books are labor-intensive in different ways.

JDB: Well, I can't wait to read it! What drew you to writing for children in the first place? What's the most rewarding part of your career?

Miranda: My husband would probably answer this by confessing to everyone that I’m just a grown-up child, or at least young at heart (and silly). The most rewarding part of my career, hands down, are the readers themselves. They’re remarkable. I love getting the chance to meet them or hear from them through their letters.

JDB: I understand your husband, Baptiste Paul, is a writer as well. Did you ever guess when you married that this was the path you would take?

Miranda: Although we used to write, read, and attend poetry readings together long before we were married, I don’t think either of us considered it as a viable career option back then. Neither of us met an author at a young age, and are each first-generation in terms of certain life experiences. I’m glad that our lives have been rich with experience and that we were blessed with great teachers and mentors. It’s really remarkable that Baptiste and I get to do this together—I’m looking forward to a particular book we’re co-writing.

JDB: That's amazing. What an opportunity! Then, tell us a bit about your family:

Miranda: Two kids, a cat named dog, beetles, fish, a dozen monarchs (for the moment), and whatever else my son has collected for the day. We also host exchange students from time to time. Never a dull moment in the Paul Household, that’s for sure!

JDB: Well, that certainly sparks fun ideas for future stories! Since you spent time teaching in Gambia years ago, what did you come to love about the culture? Did you experience culture shock?

Miranda: I don’t know that I’m the kind of person who experiences culture shock. As someone who can be introverted, it can be difficult to transition to a new community, especially one as social as the village where I lived. But I’ve come to love so much, especially my host family and good friends. There’s also food, of course—domodaa (peanut butter stew with rice), tapalapa (stone oven baked bread), and mangoes so big they’re hard to hold in one hand. I love learning words in other languages where there isn’t a direct translation in English, because those words explain so much about a culture or place.

JDB: Okay, stop. Your making my mouth water! Since your husband hails from St. Lucia, you've embraced the culture fully. What have you found most engaging?

Miranda: Warmth, friendliness, and a life lived alongside nature, without as many “things” or “distractions”.

JDB: Sounds like a writer's paradise. Anything you can share about yourself that few people know?

Miranda:

I love making pizza dough.
I don’t eat red meat or pork.
I was once in a Janis Joplin cover band.

I’ll leave it at that!

JDB: Wow! For our readers, check out this link for more fun facts about Miranda: http://mirandapaul.com/11-fun-facts-about-miranda-paul/

JDB: Any last words for writers who feel as though their manuscripts will never be published?

Miranda: There are so many options for printing or publishing a book today. I wouldn’t lament rejections, just focus on what you really want to accomplish and why you’re doing it. Don’t compare yourself to others.

JDB: Good point. Thanks for your time, Miranda. All the best!

Miranda Paul is a award-winning children’s author of One Plastic Bag and Water is Water, both named Junior Library Guild selections. Her titles have received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly in addition to being named to several recommended and “best of” reading lists. Miranda’s newest release, 10 Little Ninjas, was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month (August 2016). Miranda makes regular appearances at schools, libraries, and bookstores, and has been a guest presenter at the Library of Congress Young Readers Center along with environmental activist Isatou Ceesay. Miranda also serves as Mentorship chair for We Need Diverse Books™ (www.diversebooks.org), volunteers for Books for Africa, and is a regional advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers (Wisconsin Chapter). She believes in working hard, having fun, and being kind. Learn more about her current and forthcoming titles at www.mirandapaul.com.

Find Miranda here:

TWITTER - @Miranda_Paul
FACEBOOK - Facebook.com/AuthorMirandaPaul
Web: mirandapaul.com/contact

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A Letter to my Dream Agent

2/23/2016

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This prompt came across my path the other day:

"Write a letter to an agent telling her how wonderful you are."

So, with my tongue partially in my cheek, but with all the honesty I could muster, I began:

Dear Ms. Dream Agent;

You don't know me, but you soon will. I am YOUR dream client. As of yet, I'm undiscovered (not sure why), but in the near future, that will change. YOU will find me.

I'm the kind of client every agent wants. Hard working, easy to get along with, not offended by positive critical feedback, and, I'm told, a lyrical writer. Best of all. . . I'm prolific!

I've written fiction and historical fiction PBs, three chapter books (one
Biblical fiction), an MG novel (WIP), and one historical Picture book in the process of converting to an early MG. So, you see, you will have much to work with. And I am not so blind to assume these are all submission ready.

And that is why I have chosen to submit to your agency. I understand you are 'hands-on' and communicative, and unafraid to give your opinion (with gentleness). I also hear you are well-connected, always looking out for the best publisher for your client's work.

You also have helpful suggestions for your client's platform, coming alongside even when that may not be part of your job description. And best of all, you LOVE my work, so naturally, it will be easy to promote me as an author.

Well, dear agent, I look forward to hearing from you soon. I believe we are a perfect fit, and will move together into 2016 with grace, expectation, and success.

All the best,
Jarm Del Boccio

What about you? What do you want in a dream agent? And what do you have to uniquely offer?

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The Writer and Her Disappointments. . .

2/1/2016

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Have you experienced disappointments as a writer?

My last post was a celebration of my SUCCESSES in 2016. This time, I'll share my DISAPPOINTMENTS. But, before you assume this will be a 'downer' post, let me include what I know to be true about my self . . . and ideas for improvement.

Here they are:

1. I had a difficult time focusing on one aspect of my writing. Chapter books? PBs? MG Novels? Revisions? Classes?

I'LL NEVER FIND MY FOCUS. I'M LOST!

What does my

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Writerly Goals for 2016

1/12/2016

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"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself:
‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’
And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change
something." - STEVE JOBS

Yes, time flies. So, I am making the best of it by getting a clear FOCUS on my goals . . .lasting, God-honoring, inspiring. Have I spent the last year in pursuits that brought joy to my heart? Absolutely! Have I done all I could to further my writing career? Not by long shot. Can I make 2016 a record year? You bet!
I'll be sharing my successes, failures, and plans to change those failures into achievements during the next couple of weeks. Come along! Hopefully, something will inspire you, too.

Here are my successes, as I see them, inspired by Julie Hedlund's "12 Days of Christmas" Challenge:

- Attending Kristen Fulton's Wow Retreat (Week of Writing)
- Wow NonFicPic: completed 7 manuscripts
- 7 days of fiction-writing: 7 rough drafts
- signed up for Alayne's ARC class and was accepted by the Institute of Children's Literature
- Sent out at least four manuscripts
- Set up Author's Blog and planned author's Bullet journal posts.
- Completely rewrote my Peacock story per conversation with a peacock expert at our Local Zoo.
-Participated in two Twitter pitch parties, even though my manuscript wasn't accepted.
- Feeling more confident as a writer to submit manuscripts even if everyone doesn't agree on how I should revise. I'm committing to submitting two or more manuscripts per month in 2016!
- Completed 12 ms this year thanks to 12x12. . .and then some!
- Listened to a number of MG novels, since professional writers are encouraging me to read what I want to write. I fluctuate between PBs, Chapter Books and an MG Novel.
- Feeling the need to 'simplify' and FOCUS on my writing. . .I'm too scattered. Just knowing that is a help!
- I'm reading, reading, reading, and analyzing, analyzing, analyzing. Looking for the hook, the plot, the descriptions.
-More thick skinned with critiques. . .I'm enjoying the challenge of revision.
-Accepted at SCBWI's 'Falling Leaves' conference. I left there knowing I had much work to do, but had great feedback from fellow writers at our Roundtable.
-I'm more knowledgeable about the process of critiquing a manuscript. . .what to look for, and how to express it.

That's it for now. . . More to come! If you like what you see, please feel free to sign up for my mailing list. I promise to have many posts full of writerly inspiration in 2016, including ideas for:

-A writer's bullet journal
-Lists of helpful posts for all stages of your writing life
-Ways to organize your writer's life and help you FOCUS on what is important

P.S. If you wanted to be inspired and challenged in your writing, NOW is the time to sign up with Julie Hedlund's 12x12 group. You'll be glad you did!

Children's author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year's resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity - what DIDN'T get done or achieved in the previous year. Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Above is my list for 2015. . .

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Forward>>

The Ancient City of La Coruña: Discoveries!

A Sabbath's Rest—and Surprise!

Feeling Like Royalty, Dining as an Author

Splendor in Sintra—Out of the Ordinary

The Path is Not Always Easy . . .

Marrying Business with Pleasure . . .

Miranda Paul Talks About Her Latest Book:10 Little Ninjas

A Letter to my Dream Agent

The Writer and Her Disappointments. . .

Writerly Goals for 2016

Jarm Del Boccio, Author

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Jarm Del Boccio, Author

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Thanks for stopping by! Click on the blog tab to sign up for the latest writerly news and inspiration on my road to publication . . .