Guest on Radio Show

Recently I was honored to be a guest on The Homeschool Companion Radio Show to talk about the cartoon I write for Listen Magazine, "Windermere Blogosphere." I also talked with the delightful hosts Rose and Candy about following my passion, overcoming rejection and disappointment, and lessons I've learned through my nonprofit literacy foundation "Write On!". You can listen to the full interview at this link:

http://www.lifetalk.net/media/HSCompanion/mp3/HS080924.mp3

Big thanks to Rose, Candy, and my amazing editor Celeste Perrino-Walker!

Story Published in "Faith, Hope, and Fiction"

I wrote a story about my experience studying abroad in England last semester called "Learning from a Distance." It is featured this month in the wonderful e-zine "Faith, Hope, and Fiction" -- a delightful and inspiration-filled publication for everyone who loves stories that tug on the heartstrings. Check it out (and subscribe to this wonderful free monthly publication) at www.FaithHopeandFiction.com.

The Ultimate Dog Lover Book

Wanted to let you all know that I have a story published in the just-released book The Ultimate Dog Lover. The book includes dozens of true, heartwarming stories about the special bond between people and dogs. It would be the perfect gift for any dog-loving people in your life!

Neat Writing Site

Who says writing is a solitary profession?

The people at "WeBook" think writing can -- and should -- be a fun, collaborative endeavor. The site features forums for writers to receive feedback on their work, avenues for readers to critique new writing, and provides a way for writers to work together, virtually, on projects. They even publish projects by "WeBook" authors!

Check it out: http://www.webook.com/

Promises to Yourself

Whenever you begin a new chapter of your life -- a new school semester, a new job, a new year -- it is the perfect time to sit down and set some goals for yourself. What do you want to accomplish in the next six months? Where do you want to be? WHO do you want to be?

Also, make a list of promises to yourself. Promises to strive for health, balance, and happiness with every ounce of your being.

I read an apt quote by Annie Dillard the other day: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

How are you spending your days -- and, thus, your life? It can also apply to your thoughts. How we spend our thoughts is how we spend our lives, as well. How would your characterize your thoughts and self-talk? Are you building yourself up or bringing yourself down?

Here are some promises I am making to myself this upcoming school year. Maybe they'll work for you, too:

- I will surround myself with positivity.
- I will think positive, supportive thoughts about myself and my dreams.
- I will surround myself with nurturing, driven, creative, optimistic, intelligent people of integrity, who love me for who I am and yet also push and inspire me to be better.
- I will, as John Wooden says, "make friendship a fine art," and I will choose relationships that make me feel happy, fulfilled and whole.
- I will not get overwhelmed by everything I have to do -- by all the details and to-do lists of everyday life, as well as the enormity of my dreams -- but instead will seek confidence and support from all of the things I have done and learned thus far, with the support of those who love me.

Article in Justine Magazine

Check out my article, "New School, New You!" in the back-to-school issue of the popular teen girl magazine Justine, on newsstands now!

http://www.justinemagazine.com/

Article in Ventura County Star

The Ventura County Star has always been so supportive of me and my writing endeavors, and today the newspaper published an article about my upcoming writing camp. You can read it here:

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/06/young-writer-shares-craft/

Thank you to Julie Price of the Ventura County Star, Jeff Dransfeldt for writing a wonderful story (and for being a great friend), and Eric Parsons for taking such a fabulous photo portrait.