Skip to main content

An Introduction

Dear Reader,

Writing has been a part of my life from the moment I could form sentences. When I was in third grade, I had my first writing success when I won the puppet stage prize the teacher offered for the best essay. I haven't stopped writing since.

What do I write? I write short stories, poems, children's stories and a novel has been in the works forever. I have written manuals for various work projects. In high school I started a monthly newspaper for my small hometown. Together with some friends, we produced it monthly for two years. 

I have won (well, 2nd place) two short story contests, won a limerick contest and have been published in newspapers and local historical books. 

I have always written letters too, from the first thank you notes that my mother insisted I write to a dozen pen pals in different states across America and internationally to Australia, Denmark, Greece and Saudi Arabia. That brings me to the name of this blog. I brainstormed and agonized over what to call this new blog. I loved, "Ponderings and Wanderings"--taken. My husband suggested, "Random Thoughts", I knew that was taken. Every new idea that I came up with, I googled. Nothing was original. I thought back to when I was a pen pal. My usual sign off was, "As Always, Debbie". Now full circle, I am using it again.

Don't let me mislead you that writing is my livelihood. I worked nearly 8 years in insurance and 34 years for the small post office in the town I grew up in, the last 17 tears as Postmaster (note: master, never mistress).  I am now retired, and my other titles include Wife, mother, grammy and volunteer. I am now more seriously pursuing my dream title of published author. 

I am on a journey now, with my first published book, "A Fish in a Tree"--not to be confused with "Fish in a Tree"--I didn't google my title when I started, but my book could not have any other name anyway. Nothing else would do.


I think I will leave you with this for now, a little introduction about me. I'll be back! Until next time...


As Always,

Debbie






Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bringing a book to life

Dear Reader, The next step for me was to find an illustrator. Before all this, I had found clip art online and made a rough illustrated version to share with my grandchildren. I can't draw at all. I made a little stapled booklet to share with them. This was the cover of the first illustrated version. I cut the fish out from one clip art and glued it in the tree.  Obviously, if I was serious about publishing this, I needed to hire an illustrator. I thought about using some local talented high school kids I knew, however, the publicist frightened me away from that when she talked about using the right pixels and other terms unfamiliar to me. I decided to hire a professional. Once again, I searched the internet. It is amazing how this whole procedure could be done via the internet. I had already subscribed to "Writer's Weekly" via email, and they had a section of recommended illustrators. I narrowed down my favorite ones and finally contacted Chad Thompson to see if he w...

Another chapter in the journey

 Dear Reader,  For the next chapter in my journey, I decided to do some more research. I already knew that Connecticut Publishers and Authors Association highly recommended self-publishing for reasons that I previously stated. I did know a couple of people who had self-published, and I saw that many of the CAPA members did it repeatedly.  I decided to contact one of my friends who published a children's book. We met for coffee, and she spoke freely about her experience, the time, the money, basically all the blood, sweat and tears. I was encouraged and discouraged at the same time. At the end she said, "I will never, ever do it again." Ouch. Stabbing words that I didn't want to hear. Yet, I decided to keep researching. I noticed a children's book author who was selling locally and decided to contact her and ask her about her journey. She was quite willing to share her experiences. She was trying to promote this book as Covid was first upon us and that really slowe...

Reading to kids

 Hi Reader, This past weekend I had my first book reading to kids who weren't family or friends. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I know that reading to kids is a fun adventure, you never know what to expect and I want to remember some of these moments, so I will share one with you here. When I read my book, "A Fish in a Tree", I try to intersperse some information about taking care of our earth. One thing I wanted to try to relate to the children is I have read that it takes 7 years for a mylar balloon to decompose.  To emphasize this point, I asked if anyone was 7 years old. Immediately the youngest girl in the front row raised her hand. This made me smile and fortunately her grandmother corrected her, "No, you are only 3." Realizing no one was 7, I tried for 6 and I got one. As I explained the significance, her sister next to her put up four fingers and whispered, "Ask if anyone is 4."  I couldn't help but smile and laugh later. Of course, ...