Plush Duck and Media Training

You win again, Teresa! :D

As much as I love these caption contests, I'm going to finish out this month and then give everyone the summer off.   I think we all have plenty of outlets for our creative energies and summer is when mine get  tapped out.  Soooo, three more weeks to go. I'm gonna enjoy it while I can!

This past weekend I went to an SCBWI Media Training workshop in Nashville, Tennessee. Mimi Bliss presented, and she offered loads of valuable tips. One of the most simple, but one that I'd never considered, was that it is actually okay to pick up the phone and call a reporter (start local) with an offer of a story or interview. Who knew? I guess I lumped reporters in with literary agents: don't call us, we'll call you.  It makes sense, though. Reporters want news and if you have a solid offering, pitch it politely, and make their job easy they may jump on it. 

Mimi also taped some practice interviews with some of us, and sent us home with a DVD of the experience. Being interviewed was nerve-wracking, even while surrounded by an audience of supportive writers.  I'd need a lot of practice before I could do it for real, but it made me feel confident that I could handle it if the opportunity ever arose.

While I was in Nashville, I was lucky enough to share a hotel room with a two amazing writers (one an author/illustrator) and we stayed up swapping stories, advice and family pictures far into the night.  It was the cherry on top of a fun, enlightening and worthwhile experience.

Minutes after I got home on Sunday, my husband passed the kid-baton and headed up to Chicago for a conference.  This week our kids are on spring break so it has been a whirlwind, to say the least.  A fun whirlwind. We've played with lots of friends, some new and others we haven't seen in ages, and, just today, my five-year-old learned to ride a bike! Daddy came home and got to see.  We're very proud. :)

I appreciate those of you who stopped by and held down the fringe while I was away.

Your comments make this bloggy thing worthwhile. <3

Gecky on "The Rock"

The entries for this round were all so fabulous and every one of them made me laugh out loud!   I chose the winner because I loved how it incorporated the name of the vino for added fun. Congrats, Tara, it's just fantastic. :D

Tomorrow the monthly prize-winner will be announced! If you've ever played, your name is in the hat. Be sure to check back and find out if it's YOU.

Popcorn Faerie

Thanks so much for the entries to the caption contest! I love the way you think.

The winner was chosen because I found it quite likely to have happened. ;)  I apologize that I couldn't manage to include the entire entry.  I hope you don't mind my shortening it to fit, Teresa! I actually love the way it turned out.

New picture, coming tomorrow!

Unlucky Flamingo

I am dealing with a lot of twirly rainbows on my Mac this evening. I couldn't get the font exactly right for this entry, but I want to get this loaded before my computer implodes!  The winner is:

Remember, by posting a caption you're entered into my monthly drawing--winners get two entries! So be sure to check back on the last Friday of the month (March 30th) to find out if you should begin to eagerly anticipate your mailman delivering one of the fancy pant's prizes listed in the "rules" section above.

Also, please stop by tomorrow to see the next photo posted for your captioning pleasure!

I'm off to address twirly rainbows, of which I've seen dozens in the past five minutes. Could use a little luck sent my way....or, better yet, Mac know-how!