So This is 2015

I know. I know. You're not supposed to wish your life away. I need to enjoy and be grateful for each healthy day. So I will be. But I'll admit it is really difficult because I cannot wait for 2016. 

2016 is scheduled to be an awesome year for my career. I have 6 books slated to be published. That's pretty exciting considering I've published 1 in the last 30-some years of my life.

Winter 2016: The Dino Files: Book 1 (chapter book)
March 2016: Excellent Ed (picture book)
May 2016: Mr. Fuzz Buster Knows He's the Favorite (picture book)
July 2016: 101 Reasons I'm Not Taking a Bath (picture book)
Fall 2016: Beautiful (picture book)
Late 2016: The Dino Files: Book 2 (chapter book)

But this post is about 2015 and just what am I going to do with this year that lies ahead of me.

WRITE MORE
This is a no-brainer. I will be writing and revising all year long. Hi Hi Ho. I'm lucky to do the job I love full-time. And while I may not work 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, I essentially work every day. 

Other goals I have for my non-publishing 2015.
TRAVEL: already have 3 trips planned
SEE JIMMY FALLON/TONIGHT SHOW: IM me if you know when tickets will be available
EXERCISE: at least once
TAKE A CLASS: screenwriting and basic drawing are on my list
GET ORGANIZED: reduce the number of useless gadgets and free mugs in the kitchen
GET A THIRD DOG: probably not going to happen but a girl can dream
VOLUNTEER: I do some, but it feels so good, why not do more
LEARN TO TYPE:  the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog
USE BULLET JOURNAL: only been a few weeks but loving it so far
BLOG MORE: will try
BE THANKFUL: so simple yet so hard to remember
LOVE THE MOMENT: yesterday is history and tomorrow is not a guarantee, so I will try to love the moment

My Best Review EVER

I recently visited a school to do two presentations and a writing workshop. Here's a student's recap of the day. I was totally blown away.

Student News: "Visiting Author Conducts a Writer's Workshop", by Student Grade 6*

Author Stacy McAnulty visited IHM on Tuesday, December 2nd and conducted three presentations.  She had an assembly with Pre-K – 2 and another with 3 -5.  For middle school, Mrs. McAnulty conducted a writer’s workshop for a few students who are interested in writing and authoring.

 I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in the program, and the experience was amazing. To start, the author talked to us about her desire to write, and treated us like authors. That was inspirational.  During the workshop we worked on many activities that she does to perfect her stories.  Creating a storyboard for our ideas was one of the activities in which we participated.  We had to think of one simple story idea and create eight boxes, which described the story through the actions and feelings of a certain character or group of characters at important points in the story. To get started, I used words from a 'word sheet' I had been given to describe the emotion/feeling the character was feeling at that point in the story. Then I drew a picture in the box to show the character’s action or reaction to what was happening.  For example, I had used "paranoid" to describe how a character was feeling in a very scary situation. Currently I am writing my second book and I used characters from the first book. When Mrs. McAnulty showed us how she did a storyboard for her novel, I knew that I was getting very helpful hints for my own writing. She shared about all the emotions that we will experience as authors, nervousness, rejection, and that we would need to learn patience.  It takes a long time to get your writing published, even when a publisher likes your work.

I honestly think and strongly believe that this was the best workshop or presentation that I have experienced.  I wish that more classes could be as hands-on as this session. One thing for is sure, all the tips and information Stacy McAnulty will help me to be a better writer. They were inspirational.  Who knows?  Maybe one of my novels will be published someday.  Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring the author visit and to Mrs. Ravel for hosting the workshop.  It was unforgettable.

 *I removed the student's name.

German-Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

Last year I shared over a dozen cookie recipes as part of my Dear Santasaurus blog tour. This year, I'm moving beyond cookies. (And this isn't an official blog tour.) Through the holidays I'll be sharing my favorite recipes. These are my go-to foods for potluck and when entertaining. Nothing is too hard and it's all yummy.

 German-Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

Here's what you need.

Ingredients:
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz)
1 cup milk
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup mini chocolate chips
4 oz German chocolate
confectioners sugar

Here are the Directions!

Step 1:
Combine cake mix, pudding, eggs, milk, and oil.

Step 2:
Beat on low speed until mixed. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Step 3:
Grate the German chocolate and add to the cake mix.

Step 4:
Add chocolate chips. Stir the batter to combine grated chocolate and chocolate chips.

Step 5:
Pour into greased and floured pan. (Warning: I don't know if it's my pan or the batter, but this cake likes to stick. I need to a thorough job of preparing the cake pan. The non-stick spray does not work for this.)

Step 6:
Bake at 350 for 55 to 65 minutes.

Step 7:
I cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. I believe the original recipe says to cool for 10 minutes and then remove from pan and place on a wire rack. It's your call.


Step 8:
Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

 

Thanks for visiting my page!

Now Available!

Sale! Sale! Sale! Last Minute School Visits (November and December)

 I'm on sale!

I love talking to elementary school students about books, writing, and dinosaurs.  And now, for a limited time, I'm offering 50% discounts on my school visits. See my website for complete pricing details. (Take 50% off listed prices. There is no discount on travel expenses.)

As one media coordinator said...

"...her author visit is fantastic fun." 

 

The following dates are still available:
November 17-20
November 25 - booked

December 2 - booked
December 3-4
December 5 - booked
December 8-12
December 15-17


Please contact me for more information. stacy (at) stacymcanulty (dot) com

7 Random Questions with Marcia Strykowski

I'm very excited about Marcia's book. The buzz has been building and it's almost release day.

Available November 1st

“Strykowski lovingly captures seaside Maine and the travails of adolescence in her quiet, sweet-natured debut novel.” —Publishers Weekly


To learn more about Marcia and her books, check out her website www.marciastrykowski.com

 7 Random Questions with Marci Strykowski

1-What’s the last book you bought?

 The Girls of Gettysburg, a middle-grade novel by Bobbi Miller. I’m halfway through and it’s a great read.

2-If you had to dedicate your book to a thing (and not a person), what would that thing be? 

Although it can sometimes be so stubborn, I guess I would have to dedicate my book to my computer, since without it, there’d be no books.

 

3-What’s an interesting tidbit readers might not know about you or your books? 

I won an amazing star-studded trip to SeaWorld by creating a prize-winning birthday card and then singing its greeting on the radio. While there I got to pat killer whale Shamu at her 1st birthday party--so much fun! 

4-If you could have any career, what would it be? (And it can’t be “author”.)

 Making music with a band or orchestra might be fun… 

5-Do you prefer the sunrise or the sunset? 

Sunrise--the beginning of a brand new day.

6-What is the name of the protagonist in your work-in-progress?
Mateo is the name of the main character in my WIP. He’s a fourteen-year-old city boy with an interesting hobby. 

7-What’s your favorite word?

 I’ll go with piccalilli.

You Should Follow This Blog Tour

My critique buddy (and super-supportive friend) is embarking on a blog tour. Laura Gehl has great insight on writing and her books are hilarious. I'll be following along.

November 1: Booking Mama
http://www.bookingmama.net/
November 5: Friend for the Ride
http://friendfortheride.wordpress.com/
November 6: Teach Mentor Texts
http://www.teachmentortexts.com
November 7: Picture Books Help Kids Soar
http://viviankirkfield.com/
November 13: As the Eraser Burns
https://aseraserburns.wordpress.com/
November 16: Carrie On...
http://www.carriecharleybrown.com/
November 20: Write. Run. Rejoice.
laurabowers.net
November 23: The Children's Book Review
http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com
November 28: Geo Librarian
http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/
December 1: SHARPREAD
http://mrcolbysharp.com/
December 3: Susan Heim On Parenting
http://susanheim.blogspot.com/
December 5: Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
http://taralazar.com/
December 9: Flowering Minds
https://floweringminds.wordpress.com/
December 13: LibLaura5
http://liblaura5.blogspot.com/

Doggy Dinosaur

I'm getting in the Halloween spirit... which means I'm dressing up the dogs and eating chocolate for breakfast.

Pepper

Jack