Sometimes, when I really stop to think about it, I am convinced that we writers are certifiable. We put ourselves out there; our hearts and souls and words sliced open and served up to the entire world. We optimistically send our work out over and over again, only to be hit in the face with... Continue Reading →
Thinking Like a Coach
It’s Fall and in the Dixon house, that means it’s soccer season! A few years ago, I somehow started coaching. It was one of those things where someone is asking for volunteers, and no one is stepping up, and your head is saying, “No way, no how, not possible, you’re crazy…” and yet, before you... Continue Reading →
A Psychology Lesson from Koala
So I was reading this picture book the other day. It is the story of a child and a terrible stuffed koala that WON’T. GO. AWAY. He tries everything he can to escape Koala. But he can't. And as I watched and giggled and turned the pages, it hit me. This may be a book... Continue Reading →
Information Overload!
After discovering we were pregnant with our first child 15 years ago, my husband Rob and I rushed out to the bookstore (remember those?) and picked up a stack of books on raising children. We were so excited to read them and learn everything we could about this business of having a child. We had... Continue Reading →
How Many Submissions are Enough?
Submitting our work takes so much time and emotional strength. Then we get the form, or no response at all. Sometimes we can't help but wonder, how many submissions is enough? Of course, as with most things in the publishing world the answer is not straightforward and simple. (Insert long lament here.) Nope, it depends on a... Continue Reading →
And Then It’s Spring
I came home last week with a huge stack of picture books about spring. There are so many great ones, and it’s April, which makes it the perfect time to peruse the stacks and be inspired. I picked AND THEN IT’S SPRING by Julie Fogliano and Erin Stead to blog about today, with its soothing... Continue Reading →