Changing School Supplies...and Writers' Supplies

Have you noticed how the school supply lists have changed in recent years? School starts next week (in our region) and I always marvel at how different the lists are from when I was a kid. Paper, crayons, folders and scissors are still on the list. Glue sticks have replaced the paste. Remember paste? My kids don't even know what it is!

No, today's kids need USB flash drives.

Kids are also asked to bring in disinfecting wipes and hand sanitzer for the classroom. Do you suppose this trend has affected the number of days kids miss due to illness? I kind of doubt it. But, at least no one is missing school because of tummy-aches due to eating too much paste.

Have you seen the stretchy book covers that kids use now? Do you remember how we spent the first minutes of class making book covers from a brown paper bags? We spent the rest of the year decorating them and also protecting them from our neighbors who would be quick to scrawl "Karen loves so and so" on the cover when you weren't looking.

This has gotten me thinking about what types of "supplies" I need as a writer. Here's a few of the things I put on my list. What's on yours?

• Laptop (I know you can write without one, but I love the freedom it offers).
• Coffee and chocolate
• Google (for historical research)
• Facebook (for networking and marketing)
• iPod--I use mine for inspiration and to block out distracting noise.
• Laptop desk. Keeps your legs from getting toasted when away from a real table-top.
• Bible-Gateway.com. A great resource for quickly finding bible verses and references.

Just like the current school supply lists, I realize that my list differs greatly from what someone would have needed twenty or thirty years ago. Let's see...typewriter ribbon? White-out? Reams of paper? Stamps?

Hmmm. Now that I think about it...I'm awfully glad that times have changed.

So, what's on YOUR list? You might not be a writer...but what's neccessary to get your daily tasks done? What kind of weird supplies does your school request?

Conference Fever

I apologize for being uncharacteristically quiet these past two weeks. I've been busy with writing conference preparations. This week I attended the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference and in a few more weeks (see the countdown clock to the lower right) I will be flying off to St. Louis for the American Christian Writers Conference (ACFW).

I've written about conferences before, so I won't go into the "Why Every Writer Should Attend Conferences" speech. Been there, done that. If you need that pep talk, check it out here and here.

I would love to hear from other writers--what's your favorite thing about conferences? What's your least favorite?

Will I see you at ACFW? How about next spring at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference?

Friday Book Pick: Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann

If you need to throw a little excitement into your summer, today's book pick is the perfect choice for you. Christian author, Kristen Heitzmann's newest book, Indelible, is a perfect mix of romance and excitement. I was instantly pulled in by the characters. Heitzmann bravely chose to feature a woman who uses art as therapy to deal with her disability and I found this character endlessly fascinating. The plot twists were surprising and kept me turning pages late into the night. I don't read suspense very often (usually finding it dark and predictable), but Heitzmann's writing is so spectacular she has won me over completely. I will need to go in search of more of her titles.

Back cover copy, courtesy of WaterBrook Press:
Rescuing a toddler from the jaws of a mountain lion, Trevor MacDaniel, a high-country outfitter, sets in motion events he can’t foresee. His act of bravery entwines his life with gifted sculptor Natalie Reeve—and attracts a grim admirer.

Trevor’s need to guard and protect is born of tragedy, prompting his decision to become a search and rescue volunteer. Natalie’s gift of sculpting comes from an unusual disability that seeks release through her creative hands. In each other they see strength and courage as they face an incomprehensible foe.

When a troubled soul views Trevor as archangel and adversary, Redford’s peaceful mountain community is threatened. Together with Police Chief Jonah Westfall, Trevor presses his limits to combat the menace who targets the most helpless and innocent.

Read an excerpt, courtesy of WaterBrook Multnomah.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Great Writer Gifts (or a good way to waste a lot of time online).

Okay fellow writers and those who love them...

Do you want to know a great place to waste a lot of time (and money) on-line? You know you do!

It's CafePress.com. Have you ever been there? It's a webstore that will custom print your favorite quotes, images and whatever onto t-shirts, bags, hats, mousepads, etc. You can also buy ones that other people have already designed.

There are a gazillion writer-themed products on there with humorous quotes and sayings. Just a hint...for Christmas, I want them ALL. Okay, that's not true, but you get the idea. I keep thinking I want to buy one for my next writing conference, but then I get on the site and get overwhelmed with the choices and end up not buying anything.

Here are a few that I thought were paticularly funny... (This is NOT a wish list--some don't apply to my style of writing or would be too embarassing to wear).

• Good writers avoid cliches...like the plague.
• Will Write for Chocolate.
• I get paid to sit around all day, drink coffee and make stuff up. I love my job.
• I'm plotting against you. I'm a writer. It's what I do.
• I'm a wordsmith, which is kinda like a blacksmith only without all the tools and fire and stuff.
• Being a good writer is 3% talent and 97% not being distracted by the internet.
• Bad Muse! Bad!
• I'm a mystery writer. I know 101 ways to cover up a murder.
• Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill)
• Of course that character isn't you, sweetie! (You're not interesting enough to be in my book).
• Don't mind me. I'm just researching my next novel.
• Never wrong a writer. They get their revenge in print.
• I'm writing you into my next novel. Your character will meet a painful, violent death. Have a nice day.
• Don't make me get out the red pencil!
• Careful or you'll end up in my next novel.
• The voices in my head tell me what to write.
• First drafts don't have to be perfect, they just have to be written.
• My literary agent can beat up your literary agent.

So can you help me choose? Which ones made you laugh? Do you have a favorite quote that you'd add to the list? Should I just get the simple one that says, "Writer?"

Book Pick: BLUE SKIES TOMORROW by Sarah Sundin

The wait is over! Sarah Sundin's newest title, Blue Skies Tomorrow, releases today.

I fell in love with Sundin's writing with her debut book, A Distant Melody (see Book Pick, 4/8/2010). Her second book, A Memory Between Us, was equally good or better than the first (see Book Pick 9/17/2010). But this third book, Blue Skies Tomorrow, is far and away the BEST of the bunch.

Here is the back-cover copy, courtesy of Sundin's website: Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit, but at least his stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life. As he courts Helen Carlisle, a young war widow and mother who conceals her pain under a frenzy of volunteer work, the sparks of their romance set a fire that flings them both into peril. After Ray leaves to fly a combat mission at the peak of the air war over Europe, Helen takes a job in a dangerous munitions yard and confronts an even graver menace in her own home. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

The three novels follow the stories of the Novak brothers, all B-17 bomber pilots stationed in England during World War II. Each book stands alone...but trust me, after reading one, you'll be compelled to pick up the other two. The books are thoroughly researched, and each page spills over with romance and peril. 

In celebration of today's release, Sarah Sundin is conducting a drawing to win a copy of the book and also for a beautiful vintage apron with a photo of the book's cover on the pocket. You can enter the drawing by leaving a comment on her blog, Under His Wings. Tell her I sent you. :) The drawing will be conducted on Friday, August 5, 2011.

Good luck, and here's wishing you blue skies tomorrow!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Revell for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”