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Peggy's Pages BlogĀ 

The Other Side of Being an Author

Last week I attended the Indiana Writers Consortium dinner event on the Business of Writing. The company was superb, and the food was great. It was nice to meet new friends and spend time with the old ones.

I learned more about the not-so-much-fun side of writing-- the business side of writing. It's the part that horns in on your writing time. The part that makes you keep records, and sets deadlines. The part that defines you as a serious writer.

I love speaking to students and young children about my books and writing, and to adults about writing for children. The business side says I have to let people know that do this, including the what's and how's. I hope that my website and blog is a good start. And I hope to see you at your school or library, or at an event for children's writers, one day.  Read More 
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Wonderful Words

Aren't vacations wonderful?! My husband and I took a week off and went to the Smokey Mountains in TN. How beautiful, and vast.

Like writing for children...
So many ideas, so little time to put them into words.

But not just any words. The right words. Words that jump off the page, words that stretch the imagination, words that take you someplace you've never been before. They're simple, and lyrical and fun. They make you laugh or cry, but always, they make you feel. Together they tell a story, change characters, and can change the world one reader at a time.

The vacation is over, but  Read More 
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Love your story, revise, and don't give up!

Last Saturday at St. Joseph College in Rensellaer 11 children's pictue book writers,including myself, gathered to learn and talk about writing the pictue book.

What a great morning, meeting new people, enjoying a common aspiration.  Read More 
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Can cleanig give your writing a jump-start?!

After weeks of spending too much time on the couch because of a broken foot or a broken ankle this summer, I finally started putting away the accumulation of papers and books that had surrounded me as I sat with one foot or the other propped up on pillows. Magazines, books, old mail--all got sorted and put away, or thrown away. But I also found bits of new writing, and revisions of old manuscripts there. Those still sit in the corner of the couch where Read More 
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Ghostwriting and Revision

This past Saturday Indiana SCBWI hosted an event for children's writers on Ghostwriting with Sara Grant, Editor at Working Partners in London. Sara talked about their projects and gave tips on sending an application, but she also offered a wealth of knowledge on writing the novel and Read More 
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Writing a Picture Book--not as easy as it looks!

Last week I had the opportunity to meet April Pulley Sayre when she gave a talk about writing and her picture books in South Bend. I love the simplicity of her picture books, and the way that she presents facts in such an interesting & fun way. She makes it seem so easy, but  Read More 
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Love to Talk...

One of the perks of being a children's author is talking to children and adults about books and writing. I've learned so much along the way! The process of creating a picture book, the time it takes, and the people involved in making it come alive is amazing. Read More 
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Oh the Possibilities!

For the past 17 years we been blessed with Esther Hershenhorn, Illinois SCBWI RA, whose catchy enthusiasm, positive thinking, and insight into the world of children's books has helped many children's writers and illustrators move forward. She encouraged us to tell our stories, pointed us in the right direction, and helped us to connect. Lucky me, that her generosity spilled over into Indiana.  Read More 
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Mixed Blessings

The Indiana Writers' Consortium (IWC)is a group of writers spanning 5 counties in northwest Indiana whose purpose is to connect with each other & with the community. The group is less than a year old, but looking ahead to a long future. Our first event was a picnic, complete with food, fun, and a silent auction--one that I had been looking forward to, until I broke my ankle. Mixed blessings.  Read More 
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Summer Critique

Earlier this month our critique group got together for an all-day meeting when one member opened her home to us for the day. It was great! No rush to get home on time. More time to share tips and advice, news and up-coming events, new writing ventures, and finally, critiques.
A big part of writing and publishing for children is 'connecting.'  Read More 
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