Inspiration . . .

Sometimes a story finds you and sometimes you have to search for it. I don't necessarily think that a story is better or worse because of the way it comes to be. However, I've noticed that there comes a point as I write where I truly feel inspired and then I can't help but think - am I the only one who's going to be excited about what I'm writing?

On a greater scale, is that how Euclid felt each time he developed a new proof or how Pythagoras felt when he came up with the Pythagorean theorem? I'm not suggesting in any way that I'll ever contribute something so timeless and substantial to any society or community, but even having one reader feel and relate to what I've pulled from my own mind would be gratifying.

Is true inspiration similar to kinetic energy?

I suppose anytime inspiration strikes you, there's always uncertainly as to whether or not sharing it will in turn inspire others or if they'll simply think you're nuts!

Will our children's generations enjoy reading as much as we do?

As a writer and avid reader, I can't help but be concerned that the growing electronic media available for entertainment worries me when it comes to my kids. Obviously I don't want them inundated with video games and movies, but it's more than that. Simply put, I want my children to take quiet moments in their lives to sit down and read for pleasure. My kids are currently very young - almost 2 and almost 4 - but as I watch the way in which they are being exposed to technology as opposed to what I grew up with . . . it's astonishing! My father was one of the first waves of men who went to school and jumped right into software programming (back before computer science degrees were available). He was actually part of the group that wrote some of the code that enables users to hop on the web, so I grew up with computers - black DOS screens with awful, glowing green font and all. But even having been exposed much sooner than most of my friends, who didn't have personal home computers until they were older, I still didn't grow up with mp3 players or dvds as a child - those came in high school and college.

Children these days have programmed cell phones (specifically for kids so that they can only contact parents and 911, something my husband and I are honestly consider for our eldest who goes to school in the fall) as soon as they go to school, mp3 players, laptops, etc. I guess coming back to my purpose in starting this discussion, with all of these amazing media options, do you honestly feel that our children's generations will really enjoy reading for pleasure?

I'm pretty adamant about wanting my sons to enjoy reading and their private preschool and the school that follows certainly encourage this as well, but will society? I've seen older children's public school programs cut out things like phonics, spelling, etc. Are we just paving the way for a lessened love and understanding of literature down the road?

Nursing tops worth a second glance!

I was poking around online and I just came across this site www.milkstars.com which offers fabulous nursing tops! The shirts have relatively simple, but flattering cuts, however, I believe the real appeal is the absolute versatility and ease with which you can supposedly nurse in what looks like a tailored top-AMAZING! I haven't tried one myself since a) I just found the site and b) I've already weened my second (and last), but if you look at the demonstrative photos on how they work it's actually really clever!

They offer basic cuts - short sleeve scoop necks, short sleep v-necks, long sleeve versions of both and one fluttery-sleeved top that for dressier occasions - but let's be serious, compared to other nursing tops these tailored essentials are GREAT. They look as though they come in a wide variety of colors, which is nice, too. I just wish I had found this site a year ago! I think my favorite part is the fact that is covers a large portion of your breast and all of your back and stomach. The site also says you can use part of the shirt to cover your child while they nurse.

Check them out and tell me what you think. Am I nuts or do these looks like they could be a great solution to the nursing-while-you're-out issue?

Why did I choose to have my first son in the delivery room for the birth of my second?

I'll tell you why . . . right here in my blog post on Boston Parents Magazine's blog community!

Check it out here!

Free Book Club Membership with Wiggles Press!

Wiggles Press is now offering FREE children's e-books for you to review! They will be delivered to your email as PDF's, giving you the opportunity to experience new books with your children for FREE!

Sign up now!

Initial Character Sketches Drawn and Approved!

I am absolutely thrilled with the preliminary character sketches drawn up by Artist Anna Greene-Smith, who will be illustrating the first book in what I hope to be a series (The Mischief of the Murphy Brothers: Seamus's Brother Liam is Born - Coming this Fall). Her work is beautiful and I am pleased to say that her illustrations will visually bring this book to life, perfectly complimenting my story.

I will be sure to share more updates as things progress, and hopefully sometime soon I will be able to post an image of the cover art!

I hope you're all looking forward to my book as much as I am:)

Wiggles Book Club - Join Today!

Hey parents!

Wiggles Press, my publisher, has a GREAT book club for children of all ages. I
highly recommend it. It's super cost-effective and a wonderful way to
increase your kids' libraries:)

http://bookclub.wigglespress.com/

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The Mischief of the Murphy Brothers: Seamus's Brother Liam is Born. Scheduled release TBD Spring/Fall 2010!

The Mischief of the Murphy Brothers: Seamus's Brother Liam is Born. Scheduled Release Fall 2010!

I am very pleased and excited to announce the future release of my first book with Wiggles Press - The Mischief of the Murphy Brothers: Seamus's Brother Liam is Born.  Scheduled Release Fall 2010!  

This book details the beautiful story of my second son's birth and the wonderful experience we had as a family together.  While pregnant with my second son I wanted what every second-time mother wants, a book for the first child  explaining the emotional side of the coming of a new sibling.  However, we had a very special situation.  My first son was going to be present at the birth of his brother.  We had thoroughly prepped him on what to expect during labor and as a family we felt that things like baby development and birth are very natural and wonderful experiences that should not be hidden from children.  However, I had a very difficult time finding a book that described this unique experience from a sibling's perspective.  It was then and there that the idea of writing a book of this nature came to mind, but was quickly filed away behind thoughts of hospital and baby preparation.  After my second son was born and things settled a bit, I made the time to write a story based on our experience that embodies the absolute beauty of this event for the whole family; especially for my eldest son who truly understood and enjoyed the experience in a unique way.  I believe that there is something so amazing about the dynamic of the relationship between siblings and I believe that my book captures some essence of this.  

I look forward to sharing it with you and can't wait to see how you receive it!