How Judy Blume became an Author

Dreams. When I was growing up, I dreamed about becoming a cowgirl, a detective, a spy, a great actress or a ballerina. Not a dentist, like my father, or a homemaker, like my mother— certainly not a writer, although I always loved to read. I didn't know anything about writers. It never occurred to me they were regular people and that I could grow up to become one, even though I loved to make up stories inside my head.

Stories.I made up stories while I bounced a ball against the side of our house. I made up stories playing with paper dolls. And I made them up while I practiced the piano, by pretending to give piano lessons. I even kept a notebook with the names of my pretend students and how they were doing. I always had an active imagination. But I never wrote down any of my stories. And I never told anyone about them.

Grown Up. When I grew up, my need for story telling didn't go away. So when my own two children started pre-school I began to write and I've been writing ever since! My characters live inside my head for a long time before I actually start to write a book about them. Then, they become so real to me I talk about them at the dinner table as if they are real. Some people consider this weird. But my family understands.

Places. Many of my books are set in New Jersey because that's where I was born and raised. I lived there until my kids finished elementary school. Then we moved to New Mexico, the setting for Tiger Eyes. I also spent two years in Connecticut, where Just As Long As We're Together and Here's To You, Rachel Robinson are set. And Fudge-a-mania grew out of a summer spent in Maine. I don't think I could set a book in a place without knowing it really well.

These Days. Now I live in Key West, Florida (the southernmost city in the US), and New York City with my husband, George Cooper. Between us we have three grown children and one grandchild. Our lives are busy, sometimes too much so, but never dull. And yes, I'm still writing!


Read about everything Judy on the official website:  http://www.judyblume.com/about/author/author.php



Story Ideas: What Comes First, the Characters or the Story? - article - Author Learning Center

If you ever wanted to write a novel or even a short story, take a look at this article. It is a nice, short read that will give you a starting point of the importance of character development and originality. Even if you aren't new to writing, you should take a look at this. Any information is better than none. Even for a children's author, like myself, I took a lot from this article. Characters are essential in any story, and it's crucial that they stand out and capture their audience. How can you do that? Start by reading this:


Story Ideas: What Comes First, the Characters or the Story? - article - Author Learning Center

"Hope" is the thing with feathers

I heard some fantastic news today!  It gave me such great hope, and so...in lew of it, I decided to share an Emily Dickinson poem:



"Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.


-Emily Dickinson -

As if you don't know who Roald Dahl is?

Alrighty, so I will get right down to it...I am a big fan of Roald Dahl books.  Who isn't, really?  I mean, come on!  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, etc.  I find his books clever, witty, and overall superb!  Honestly...if you haven't read one of his books, you must!  Check out his official website to get more information on his books, about him, and lots more! 


http://www.roalddahl.com/



Warm Jammies and a Butterfly Face

I have been invited to do a reading of Bug Crazy at North Star Elementary School in Cold Lake!  It should be so fun, and something I haven't yet done.  It will be in the evening at 6pm-ish.  The theme is a pj party! Isn't that the coolest?  I get to wear my jammies super early and read my story to all the kids.  Do I sound excited?  I am! 
Of course I will still be doing my famous face-art to go along with the bug theme of my book, so that will be even cooler!  I plan on painting a full butterfly on my face, put my hair in pig tails, and dress in the comfiest pajamas ever!  I hope to get some pictures taken of the event, so I can post them on my facebook page and blog.  Keep checking in for those!  Take care all, and you will hear more about the event tomorrow night when I get back home!  Later days!

If you haven't yet 'liked' my facebook page, I welcome you to do so, and thank you for your support!

Mandy's Facebook Page



Kids Poem 1:Jump Frog Jump

Jump frog, jump! As high as a kite can fly! 
Jump frog, jump! Don't land in the apple pie!

Mama wants to bake the pie for afternoon tea, and you might just ruin it, don't you see?
Mama won't like it if she spots your green face, and you might give her warts all over the place!

Jump frog, jump! As high as a kangaroo!
Jump frog, jump! Look, I'm jumping just like you!

written by: Mandy Hunter

A Sunny Day and a Bird's Song

I must say, the sun is a welcome guest this morning.  We have had a very mild winter for northern Alberta.  I can't complain.  The birds are singing their joyful song outside, and I have even kept a window open for my cats to enjoy the fresh air.  What a lovely day thus far!
Nature is beautiful.  I truly think we don't bask in it enough.  Life is so fast-paced.  No one wants to stop and smell the roses anymore.  Well, I for one am going to.  Life isn't a race. It's to be savoured.
People eat food to fast, run errands too fast, visit too fast, etc.  Why?  Make a priority list.  Those things that can wait, let them wait.  Visit a little longer, take time to enjoy your food, running errands doesn't have to be a chore, and so on.  You can make everything more exciting if you want to. 
Make life an adventure!

 

Great Site on Crafts for Kids

This is such a colorful website with video clips, a blog, crafts for different ages, and so on.  I enjoyed skimming through the site and checking out the things it had to offer.  I think it's a great idea to explore your children's creativity, and sites like these offer you ideas to do that.  Take some time to look at this website and pick a project for you and your kid(s) to do.  They'll have a lot of fun, and I'm sure you will too!

http://www.crafts4kids.com/