Randy Pausch- The Last Lecture

You may have seen this clip or read Mr. Pausch's book of the same title. It is worth watching again. What a legacy he has left for the world.

It is so worth hearing his inspirational words offered only months before his death from cancer. Pay attention to the importance of childhood dreams.

At the end, ask yourself if you are a Tigger or an Eyeore. How will your attitude affect the brick wall you will inevitably face.

Ernest Hemingway on Writers

"A writer's problem does not change. He himself changes and the world he lives in changes but his problem remains the same. It is always how to write truly and having found what is true, to project it in such a way that it becomes a part of the experience of the person who reads it."
---Ernest Hemingway

J.K. Rowling Harvard Commencement Speech Part One June 2008

I know it's rather like cheating to post video clips on a blog. I promise this won't be a habit beyond my crazy summer. I hope the specific clips I post will entice you to forgive my temporary laziness.




Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIbTqNrxSV0

Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cElk8cQk2VY

Interview with Eric Carle- Happy Birthday Very Hungry Caterpillar

Summer Inspiration Part Two- If you've never Failed, You've Never Lived

Summer Inspiration Part One

Summer days are long, but time for blogging is short. Please indulge a little summer experiment here. When the hour is late and my brain is mush, I will post an inspirational or motivational quote and/or video clip that has touched me. I hope they brighten your day.

I would love to know that you stopped by. Please leave a comment.



Quote for the day: "I think talent is like a water table under the earth-you tap it with your effort and it comes through you." ---Natalie Goldberg from Writing Down the Bones

Just a Quote for this lazy Saturday

Quote for the day "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

Who's giving you a nudge?

Okay, a quick disclaimer is in order. I am not a beer drinker and I am not endorsing Budweiser. BUT...you've got to admit they make remarkable commercials.

As you watch this video clip I hope you writers and illustrators and other creative artists will ask yourselves one question:

Who are the people supporting you and nudging you along your path to success? A critique group? A friend? A spouse?

It's time to say thanks!

Chris Barton's Day-Glo Brothers- What an Event!

photo descriptions- 1.) My son peeks into the black-light viewing box to see the Day-Glo book illustrations literally glow 2.)Donna Bowman Bratton (L), Jenny Ziegler (c), and Carmen Oliver (r) holding signed copies of the book 3.)One angle of the room 4.)Interactive question and answer session with the kids 5.)The happy author signing for a fan-with fluorescent pens of course.

Chris Barton's much-anticipated book signing for his debut picture book, The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors was-ahem-a glowing success. As you can see in the photos, the turnout was incredible.

The first thing I noticed as I ascended the stairway to Book People's second floor, was the neon colors splashed everywhere. The edible treats and punch, the kids' craft table, the black-light viewing box, even Barton's own tie was an unmistakable Day-Glo color. The countless children in the audience were mesmerized by it all.

Before engaging the audience in a well-planned question and answer activity, he shared the story behind the writing of this book. He was inspired by a 1997 obituary of one of the Switzer brothers, which gave a brief history of their famous invention. The story stuck with him for several years before Barton decided to try his hand at writing a children's book about the topic. The surviving Switzer family members were apparantly thrilled by the prospect of sharing their loved ones' story with young readers, so they offered the most valuable of sources for Barton's research. For further information about his inspiration, refer to Cynthia Leitich Smith's recent interview as mentioned in my most recent blog post.

There are several reasons to pick up this book: If you've ever wondered who invented the fluorescent colors seen on everyday objects like highlighters, traffic cones, and safety vests (not to mention the iconic colors of the 60's); If you are a writer or teacher interested in dissecting the structure of a successful nonfiction picture book; For the fun retro-style illustrations by Tony Persiani that actually glow under black light; or to be entertained by the true story of a little slice of Americana as told by a delightful author.

Here's a little peek- "Bob wanted to make his fortune by becoming a doctor, and Joe wanted to make his mark on the world through magic. At first it may seem that neither brother ended up where he wanted to be. But in that darkened basement, the Switzer Brothers began to look at the world in a different light."

Chris Barton began writing this book eight years ago and, admittedly, learned a great deal in the process. Amid the 23 publisher rejections, he whittled the story down from its original 6200 word count. Writers will understand the painful process of cutting details from a manuscript that is as much a part of you as your children. Charlesbridge Publishing picked up the book in 2004 and the long wait to publication began.

Keep your eye on author Chris Barton (www.chrisbarton.info) who has several other books on the way. His next book, Shark vs. Train will be released in 2010.

Friday quote for the day

"You have to write whichever book it is that wants to be written. And then, if it's going to be too difficult for grownups, you write it for children." Madeleine L'Engle

Chris Barton debuts The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors

I'm a nonfiction junkie, especially children's nonfiction, so I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Austinite Chris Barton's debut book titled
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors (Charlesbridge, 2009.)


I hope to see you at the Austin Book signing to be held at Book People Saturday, July 11th at 1pm. Barton promises a few incentives for attending. "In honor of The Day-Glo Brothers, we’ll have daylight-fluorescent crafts, prizes*, and activities, including a high-tech viewing station (a cardboard box rigged with black lights). With some assistance from the younger members of the audience, I’ll talk a little about the story and science behind the book."

Leave it to the oh-so wonderful Cynthia Leitich Smith to provide an insightful and entertaining interview with Chris at http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2009/07/author-interview-chris-barton-on-day.html. While you're there, register to win a free copy of the book.

For more information about Chris Barton, pop over to his website at http://www.chrisbarton.info/index.html

Here's a peek at just a few of the glowing reviews:

Publishers Weekly, June 29, 2009
*Starred Review* Barton takes on the dual persona of popular historian and cool science teacher. ... The story is one of quintessentially American ingenuity, with its beguiling combination of imaginative heroes, formidable obstacles, a dash of serendipity and entrepreneurial zeal.

Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2009
*Starred Review* Barton brings two unknown inventors into the brilliant light they deserve. ... The final pages explode in Day-Glo radiance. Rendered in 1950s-cartoon style ... these two putty-limbed brothers shine even more brightly than the paints and dyes they created.

ALA Booklist, June 1, 2009
Organizing his material well and writing with a sure sense of what will interest children, Barton creates a picture book that celebrates ingenuity and invention.

Relaxed Summer Blog season

Happy Summer to you all!

I hope you're enjoying a few lazy days as well as soaking up time with your families in fun and creative ways. It's been blazing hot here in central Texas with temperatures climbing well over 100 degrees most days for the past several weeks. We usually don't hit triple digits until late July or early August so everyone here is a bit worried about what's to come. 108 degrees is far too hot, even for Texas.

Despite the heat, I'm enjoying time with my kids with a much relaxed routine. We're staying up late and sleeping in late. We're playing ball, swimming, reading, going to movies, visiting local attractions, and beginning craft projects. We're planning day trips around our August trip to Illinois and planning an almost-spontaneous vacation in between. In other words, my summer priorities have shifted toward family.

That said, my blog posts will be sporadic at best until school resumes. Don't get me wrong, I am still working but at a slower pace. I've finished a picture book biography, outlined another, and began research on yet another project - mostly when my son has been in camps.

I'll still post about upcoming events and big news so check in when you can.

Happy Summer!!!

Quote for the day: "Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." ~Ada Louise Huxtable (b1921-)architecture critic and writer and 1970 Pulitzer Prize winner