A LOT ABOUT ME

On October 10, 2012, after years of fighting my worst enemy – ME – I chose to listen to my heart. With pen and paper laptop in hand, I made the decision to publicly call myself a writer beginning with the establishment of this blog, thereby dedicating myself to stepping out into the world with my children’s books, poetry, essays – just about anything my muse throws at me when I show up and put my butt in the chair with the intention to write.

She’s done a good job so far, too. In addition to a number of picture book stories, one about an egg-straordinary Scottish hen who shows egg-ceptional pluck when a persnickety tourist deems her eggs inedible, I have written a middle grade novel about a chicken who accompanies Marco Polo on his expedition to China. No. I don’t have a poultry fetish, but considering that I am authoring this blog and you are reading it, I think I’m finally pushing past being a chicken myself.

 

*Update* It is now 2024 and my debut picture book There Are No Dragons In This Book, publishd by NorthSouth Books, will be available on March 5th.

 

 

jpegBesides writing creatively, I have translated this stunning book from German into English: STELLA POLARIS ULLORIARSUAQ: The Shining Memory of Mother Earth (December 2014) by Sven Nieder, Nomi Baumgartl, Laali Lyberth, and Yatri N. Niehaus. The project documents photos and film footage of illuminated icebergs. The breathtaking images literally shed light on the effects of climate change.

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When I’m not writing with my personal trainer/slave-driver Lucy looking over my shoulder, I am being dragged over the hills of the San Francisco Bay area by her and our other black Labrador Retriever, Jazzie (in puppy heaven as of 12.10.16).

Otherwise, I enjoy reading, skiing in sunshine, traveling, and simply being. I have served on the Bay Area Book Festival’s children’s programming advisory council and am presently the Marin County Co-Coordinator of the San Francisco North & East Bay region of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators,

Enough about me. Thank you for stopping by. If you’d like to regularly join me, you may subscribe to my adventurous updates by hitting the cute little follow button in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. I will always have a virtual cup ‘a’ something waiting for you.

Wishing you all the very best today and always ~ Donna

47 Responses to A LOT ABOUT ME

  1. bravesmartbold says:
    March 23, 2013 at 22:15

    I’ve been fighting ME too. I’m finally enjoying the fact that I’m a writer and there’s nothing anybody can do about it, except for me of course. I look forward to reading your work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. alexiskrystina says:
    March 24, 2013 at 06:05

    I love when I come across fellow authors! I’m currently working on a YA novel myself. 🙂 By the way, I really loved your 2am creative writing prompt! Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Maja M says:
    March 26, 2013 at 03:12

    Wow so happy we discovered your blog!
    Will be back for more 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Lyn says:
    March 29, 2013 at 05:01

    Hi Donna, thanks for dropping by my blog and liking my latest Friday Fictioneer post, “The Nightmare Continues” 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Lyn says:
    March 31, 2013 at 16:52

    Well, here we are again 🙂 Just wanted to thank you Donna, for taking the time to read “His Death – My Peace” and for clicking the “LIKE” button. I’m grateful

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Lyn says:
    April 7, 2013 at 23:04

    Hi, you came back 🙂 Thanks Donna for liking my silly post Isn’t time fun when you’re having flies. I wrote it in response to a writing prompt “Time”.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Lyn says:
    April 22, 2013 at 03:24

    Hi Donna, I’ve nominated you for the WordPress Family Blog Award. To find out more visit my latest post, “Blessings Everyday”.

    Like

    Reply
  8. Lyn says:
    April 22, 2013 at 09:39

    Ooops! It’s 2:00AM here in Oz and I just woke up and realised I forgot to include the Award in my post. It’s there now. I plead a blonde moment even though I’m not blonde 🙂

    Like

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  9. alexiskrystina says:
    April 23, 2013 at 07:34

    Hi Donna! I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! 🙂 Check it out here: http://alexiskrystina.com/2013/04/22/i-got-one-the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Mocha says:
    April 23, 2013 at 11:40

    I like people that start sentences with ‘But’ I like the interruption of it..the quick change that might comes after it…its life right..
    And you know what there are surprises after but…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Pingback: Wonderful Team Member Award | Comfortably Numb

  12. Lyn says:
    May 19, 2013 at 20:40

    Hi Donna, I have nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award – please see my http://theencouragingscribe.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/sunday-morning-sunshine/ post for details.
    Blessings,
    Lyn

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Yarrowhouse says:
    January 28, 2014 at 04:07

    I enjoyed your blogs. Thank you for stopping by Yarrowhouse and following.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Little Miss Menopause says:
    January 29, 2014 at 02:33

    Well, well, well….who can resist an ABOUT page like this? And to add icing to the frosting, who can not FOLLOW when there is the promise of “Something Writerly This Way Comes?” LOVE THAT! And Dawg Daze as well – – what a cute little slave driver!
    Take care,
    Stephanie
    ps. Is that a glacier in Alaska on top of this page?
    pps. Thanks for the follow on my blog
    ppps Congrats on the upcoming nuptials of your daughter
    pspsps Nothing more. Just wondering how patient you were! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. thatssojacob says:
    April 12, 2014 at 00:04

    Just tuned in – I like what I see. Come hang out with me at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com 🙂 thanks, have a great day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Don Royster says:
    August 18, 2014 at 23:38

    I understand you have a bad case of archery-itis. Unfortunately I don’t think there is a cure for it. Course you have a lot of great predecessors. I am thinking Cupid and Robin Hood. Hey, Cupid, Robin Hood and Donna. Sounds like the Three Musketeers. By the way, great looking Labs. Also a tip of the hat to your blog. Just wanted to stop by and say hey.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Don Royster says:
    August 20, 2014 at 18:11

    I just want to thank you for following my blog. Seems that I have cornered the market on meaninglessness. The competition is awfully stiff. But I am giving it a run for the money. So enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Don Royster says:
    August 25, 2014 at 03:08

    I heard about the earthquake in your area. Hope all is well with you.

    Like

    Reply
  19. Don Royster says:
    September 9, 2014 at 19:17

    Let me urge you to join me in WordPress’s campaign for internet neutrality. Thanks.

    Join Us in the Fight For Net Neutrality

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. likeitiz says:
    November 18, 2014 at 12:06

    Hi! Thanks for dropping by my blog. After perusing through your various pages, I thought, wow, i’d like to do this someday. It must be so much fun! One day. One day. One day.

    Love the look and read about your dogs. We have a goofy Dane. Preceded by a lovable lab who has hied off to dog heaven.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. erichmichaels says:
    May 31, 2015 at 09:49

    I just nominated you for the Encouraging Thunder award: https://erichmichaels.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/69/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Jennifer says:
    June 6, 2018 at 14:22

    Hello Donna! Love the photo with your canine friend on the table :). Beautiful blog! So glad to hear that you are being courageous. Much Love, Jen

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. petespringerauthor says:
    September 4, 2022 at 19:57

    Good stuff, Donna. I’m reminded of the Walt Kelly phrase: “I have seen the enemy and he is us.” I could relate to that sentiment as a shy teenager. Then I became an elementary teacher, and that all disappeared. Thank goodness—throw that trash out. It would seem hypocritical to tell kids to follow their dreams and not do it myself. In retirement, I’m giving this writing thing a go.

    I’m part of the Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival because I’m passionate about promoting literacy. https://www.authorfest.org/ We’ve got our biennial festival happening in October, bringing 25 children’s authors to our area. While they’re here, we take them out to over 60 schools in the county to talk to children. Happy writing! Maybe I’ll run into you at an SCBWI event down the road.

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  24. auntyuta says:
    September 10, 2022 at 23:24

    “It is difficult to write in a vacuum where no one comments or no one likes.” – – – This may even lead to some kind of depression, when nobody seems to be interested in you as a person!

    In my experience, it does help a lot, when I do show interest in another person, and this includes what people write about. But above all, talking to people may be important! 🙂 I find it very rewarding, when I go out of my way to meet any number of people and let them talk to me. If I find a way to put a person at ease, any unhurried talk can open up new worlds! 🙂

    Like

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