Woofing

My son and I were talking about a friend of his who went to Sweden and then to Turkey to work on a farm...he called it "woofing".

I'd never heard the expression before. At first I thought he was saying roofing. But he sneered at me, in that way that sons sneer at you when they think you're one of those daft old folks. Then he explained it to me.

The program initially started as as "Working Weekends on Organic Farms" but grew and grew. Today Woofing is a world wide movement to help organic farms grow and prosper and the name now means World wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

Thought for Thursday - Queries

Query Letters are difficult to deal with. They are beasts actually. Scary, intimidating creatures that can take the wind out of a rhinoceros' snort. Yeah, that frightening to some writers. And why?

It's just a short little paragraph or three. Where you can tell someone about your story. I try to think of it as a chance to sit down and blab with a good friend (okay I wish) but that's the way I approach queries. I think of what I'd say to a friend to get them to read the story. I don't even have to think of the story as mine.

I think back to the last time I told a friend she just HAD to read a book. Then I think about the things I thought were memorable or what made the story worth reading. That's what I share in a query. And maybe a little bit about me and a little bit about my friend (the agent I'm trying to entice into reading more).

Yeah, I never blab just about me, that wouldn't be polite. Okay, well almost never. Sometimes I get carried away and just jump right into my story. But isn't that what you might do with a friend, if you're talking about an exciting story that she just HAS to read?

When you share enthusiasm, it catches on...or at least that's what I'm hoping for.

So happy querying...and don't be so bothered by the beast.

Word for Wednesday

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Do you know what the word means?

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WORD: EVINCE

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Meaning

To demonstrate clearly 

The Unbreakable Rules of Marketing

Cathey Armillas was one of the guest speakers at the conference this past weekend. And she was fantastic.

I really enjoyed her energy, excitement and tips, hints and tricks for branding. I think anyone would gain more than a morsel of information by hearing her speak.

I don't know if it's because she's also a soccer player but I'd say she kicked this presentation into the outfield.

And the energy was more than contagious.

She's an awe...mazing marketing specialist.

So, if you ever get a chance to see her speak...or even simply listen to her speak, I'd recommend it.

SCBWI Spring Conference

WOW! What a weekend.  That's about all I can say after a weekend of eating, reading, writing and being surrounded by inspirational speakers.

If I can encourage anyone to attend one of these conferences, I want to do it. You'll definitely get more than your money's worth.

Random Acts of Senseless Violence

Okay, it's time for another bookclub book. And, NO, I didn't pick this one. Has anyone out there read
Random Acts of Senseless Violence? I'm hoping to start it on Sunday. It sounds good, a little rich girl goes through a terrifying transformation. That does sound like my kind of story.

Lola Hart is writing her life in her diary. She is a little rich girl, cushioned from the horrors that lurk in the New York streets. But Lola is about to undergo the same transformation as her city. This book charts Lola's journey from middle-class affluence to a life of violence.

We'll see. I liked the last story, which wasn't a book I would have picked. That's the good thing about book clubs. They make you step outside your comfort zone and try new things...read new books, new genres.

So, that's what I'll be reading...how 'bout you?

Adding Bling

I'm getting ready for the SCBWI Wagons Ho event this weekend by getting out my western gear.

I've got my cowgirl hat

But it's a little plain. "Sew" I pulled out some ribbon, some rhinestones, and my all purpose glue gun.

Then I started gluing those sparkles to my hat.

Here's how it came out.

And after the conference, I can pull off the ribbon and be back to the plain old me.