HOBO TRAIN

Today, I watched live broadcasts of Hurricane Sandy. My friend Andie and her little family are in Manhattan at a hotel without power. I’m thinking about her and all of our friends there on the east coast. You are all in my thoughts and prayers today.

I was so nervous today that I practiced drawing another picture. The problem is that I’m taking photographs of my illustrations and they are coming out looking weird.

These drawings are a lot like me. They look slightly better in person. Well, at least a little.

CHARLEY AND THE SYMPHONY

ERNIE PEA AND THE PRINCESS

Many agents and editors of picture books would prefer to have author/illustrators as opposed to just text writers. So, I have decided to try and draw. These are my first tries at drawing anything.

Please try not to laugh too hard.

I drew this with watercolor pencils and a gum eraser. I made a mistake. I hope Ernie Pea is small, like a green pea. Oh well. I tried.

Charley and the Symphony, whew! A little crooked. And that sidewalk is awfully HUGE! Oh well, again.

I should stick with just writing.

The end of another Monday and I’m thinking about the “nice” rejection I got today. She said “Hi” and spelt my name correctly. Mentioned the title of my manuscript and wrote kind words of encouragement. I appreciated that.

But did you know that the word “nice” wasn’t always meant to be agreeable? Long ago the word was used negatively. It meant someone who was foolish, stupid, ignorant or unaware.

With that, some days I think I must be awfully “nice” since I keep fooling myself in believing that all of these words I keep pouring out of my soul may … could perhaps mean something, touch or move someone.

The other day my friend told me that she couldn’t do what I do (speaking of the constant rejection). And most days it’s okay but some days it’s just so very … NICE.