Read, Read, Read!

Last night I was reading a writer's magazine that my friend, Nan, gave me.  In a piece called "Top Ten Pieces of Writing Advice I've Been Given,"  Sherman Alexie says to "Read 1000 pages for every one you try to write."  That is such great advice–– and I hear it all the time at writers' conferences.  Read, read, read!

You can't expect to write well unless you constantly immerse yourself in good books.  (Emphasis on the word 'good!')  Popular doesn't always mean a book is well-written. Occasionally I'll read something and wonder how the editor ever let that slip by!  I like to re-read the classics from time to time just to soak up all that wonderful language.

Of course, reading is not only important for writers.  I went to a teachers' workshop recently which was called, "Learning Smarter––Brain Based Learning."  It was offered by Play It Forward Giving Circle, and the presenter, Julie Kiricoples, was amazing.  Our brains got lots of exercise!  Julie told us some fascinating things about how children learn.  I have always believed so strongly in the importance of reading to young children.  I read to my daughter every night until she was twelve.  But Julie told us about studies in which parents read a particular book to their unborn babies, over and over again.  It was shown that if they read Good Night Moon, for example, to their unborn baby, that child would most likely choose that book as their favorite book when they were two or three years old.  I think that is so incredible!

So, read, read, read.  No matter how old or young you are.  I went through a phase where I thought I was too busy to read.  Now, at the very least, I read before I go to sleep.  Sometimes I only make it through a couple of pages before I nod off.  But, by the end of the year I'm amazed at how many books I have read.  I have a list of what I've read so I can keep track, and sometimes I'll see a pattern of topics or authors.

Well, Hurricane Irene is howling at my door, so check back with me later.  If I haven't been blown away I'll tell you what I'm reading and working on now…

Who Wouldn't Love a Mouse?

Hello!  And welcome to MouseSqueaks!


Why call my blog MouseSqueaks?  Well, here are a few reasons:


#1.  I think they are adorable.  I got my first pet mouse when I was in 4th grade, and I even took a mouse with me to college (I've had very educated mice).  Over the years, as I've observed their behavior, I've learned to appreciate these tiny creatures.  I can't understand why some people are afraid of them!  Really?  They are tiny, won't hurt you, and they are so cute.


#2.  I saw Disney's Cinderella when I was little and I was hooked. To me, Jacques and Gus were the stars of the movie.  I was determined to have little mouse friends like Cinderella had.   Of course, when I finally got my first mouse, I was pretty disappointed to discover that he wouldn't wear clothes.  In fact, he hated them!  Oh well.  I still loved him.


#3.  I have drawn little mice and made up stories about them since I was about ten, so I think they must have something to do with my creative muse.  Mouse… muse…?  Hmmm…


#4.  And of course, my first book is about an amazing, musical mouse.  ANGUS MACMOUSE BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE was published by BloomsburyUSA in 2010.  More about Angus MacMouse later, I promise.


Well, I am looking forward to having a lot of fun here.  This is only the beginning!