Every heard the saying, “Can’t see the garden for the weeds?” Revising a story is a lot like pulling weeds:

• Not fun to think about
• Easy to put off
• Necessary
• Not to be taken lightly—mustn’t yank carelessly or you could pull out something good.
• Hard work—gotta dig down and get to the roots, or the problem will persist
• And like pulling weeds, once you get started, ripping out all those unwanted/unnecessary weeds/words is satisfying—even fun, sort of… And, the end results make it all worthwhile!

The International Reading Association’s “Engage/Teacher to Teacher blog”  declared September 5-9th Revision Week. The postings are all there, ready and waiting for you to read and be inspired. Click back through postings from that week you’ll find teaching tips from Newbery Honor winner Cynthia Lord, a podcast from Kate Messner (Real Revision), “5 Questions With” by Ruth Ayres and Stacey Shubitz (a.k.a. the Two Writing Teachers), among other revision-themed features.”

Now pull on those gardening gloves and let’s get after it!

My favorite garden book, courtesy of Sarah Stewart, with art by David Small

“Some one gave me a wonderful present/something I needed and yet never knew/so start the whistling and clapping cause under the wrapping was you!!!!!”

–from the Jermome Lawrence Musical, Mame, based on the book “Auntie Mame” by Patrick Dennis

Twenty eight years ago today, July 28, 1983, at 12:35 pm in the afternoon, I received that most wonderful present:  Alexis Rose. Today we celebrate her!

Alexis Rose "Rosie" born with the happiest laugh--still has it!

And what better way to celebrate that with a memory…just one, I promise. And since this is what Lexi calls her “golden birthday” since she is turning 28 on the 28th, a “golden” combination, I’ll share a memory that’s pure gold:

“Rosie” as we called Alexis (because she was rosie pink and joyful), was not much of a talker. On her 2nd Christmas, Grandma Mary gave Lexi a Madame Alexander doll with brown hair and eyes that looked “just like her.”  As 2 year olds faced with a mound of colorful wrapped gifts do, Lexi  unwrapped the doll and tossed her aside to reach for another gift. The doll let out a “Whaaaaah!” Lexi looked down, scooped up the doll and that was it. From then on Whiney Baby  was Lexi’s baby

Spread from YOUR MOMMY WAS JUST LIKE YOU, illustrated by David Walker

People often ask writers what inspires a story.  No surprise that the inspiration for every scene in my newest picture book came from memories of Lexi as a baby and growing up. What is suprising, and amazing, and incredible is that without ever talking with me, or seeing a photo of Lexi, David Walker so beautifully captured the little her in the illustrations for this book.

Happy Birthday, Alexis Rose. No matter how big you get, or how smart you get, or how oooooold you get, you will always be my baby!

A writer friend of mine maintains an office in a strip center near her Texas home. She has a lovely home with no small children or other obvious distractions to keep her from writing. In my mind I could never justify the expense. Why pay for an office, have to get dressed and leave home to work,  when it is so much easier to sit in your comfy home in cozy jammies and write?

You can't see me, but I'm sitting at that monitor in my cozy jammies

So far this week this week ( a designated “writing-only week”) the ice maker  and 2 air conditioners have had unscheduled repairs, one rat caught, touch-up painters arrived brushes in hand, the Blue Air filters were serviced, the local duty free shop manager stopped by asking for advice on her brochure,  and Sani, the gal who helps our house keeper, Rusnati, had a scare with cancer in her breast (that, thankfully, turned out fine.)

–And it’s only Wednesday…

Anyone know of a nice office space for rent?