Mother Nature

Key West -- it's good to be back! Isn't that half the reason we go away -- so we can appreciate how good it feels to be home again?

This is how lucky we were --just missed some brutal spring storms in New Orleans. And those of you who know me know I'm phobic about thunderstorms. Like a frightened dog, I need to be in a small space and low to the floor. We didn't have a dog at our hotel in New Orleans but we did have Clarice, the hotel cat.

Clarice would come to our room via the open window in the early morning, make herself at home on our bed, and hang around until after breakfast - the most delicious buttermilk biscuits ever -- still warm from sitting on a hot stone in a covered basket -- with strawberry jam on the side. What a way to start the day! Loved staying at this small hotel in the middle of the French Quarter.

This is the window Clarice used at the The Soniat House

We were there to see old friends, Richard and Annie, and what a good visit we had. Annie gave us a tour of the city, focusing on the areas that were hardest hit by Katrina. After our tour we sat down at Cafe du Monde to try a New Orleans beignet. At first I was skeptical. After all, they're made of fried dough -- but as George pointed out, I love doughnuts (yes, but am always sorry after indulging) -- but these were something else -- light and incredibly delicious, topped with powdered sugar.

A highlight of my visit to New Orleans was getting to see a KIPP school up close. Jonathan Bertsch was my enthusiastic guide.

We dropped in to say hello to classes from Pre-K to 8th grade. The 5th graders had a lot of questions for me, including "Do you make a lot of money?" I always try to explain that writers are paid royalties, a percentage of the price of the book. They understood 10% but couldn't believe how many copies you'd have to sell to support yourself as a writer. (Sad but true!)

From New Orleans we drove to Hattiesburg and Southern Miss (for those who don't know, as I didn't until a few days ago, that's what the locals call the University of Southern Mississippi) for the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival. George and I were invited to stay at the President's house and now I understand what southern hospitality really means. Dr. Saunders and her staff couldn't have been more generous and welcoming. Plus I got to spend time with Pat Scales, uber librarian, and defender of intellectual freedom.


Also enjoyed being with Arthur Yorinks, who's as witty in person as he is in his books. Check out Hey, Al, and you'll see what I mean.



You want more luck when it comes to weather, how's this? On Thursday, the day of the medallion presentation (I joined an impressive list of former winners for lifelong contributions to the field of children's literature, some of whom inspired me when I was starting out, so was really thrilled and very appreciative) -- but back to stormy weather -- the radar showed two major storms, one on each side of Hattiesburg. Each time George checked, the storms were moving closer and closer. We heard that schools were dismissing students at noon, adults were scurrying for cover, and as we pulled up to the theater where I'd be speaking, the sky turned black. You think I was nervous about my speech? Not compared to what was happening with Mother Nature. I imagined stepping up to the mic just as the power went out. I'd be alone on stage in darkness, lightning flashing all around and...and....

But the presentation went as scheduled, I received my medallion from Southern Miss Provost Bob Lyman. I'd sent a smiling photo for the engraver but teeth weren't his specialty, so he artistically closed my mouth. When I had to come up with an idea for the reverse side of the medal I thought about my most autobiographical book, Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself, which takes place in Miami Beach, and how, these days, when I sit at my desk in Key West I look out at my tropical garden. So palm trees made sense.

I not only survived my talk, I even enjoyed myself. And when we left the building an hour later, the sky was blue. The storms had converged north of Hattiesburg. Can't tell you how relieved I was! Off we went to the book signing at the campus B&N. Signed for the next two hours.

After a party that night, we packed up, and the next morning at 7:30 left for the airport (a two hour drive to New Orleans) but with Pat Scales along for company it felt more like 15 minutes. Pat and I will be together again at ALA in Chicago in July. Children's book people are a friendly group. It's good to hang out with them -- makes you proud to be a part of their world.
xx Judy

Meg and Judy, Elliot and Emily, and...

Key West -- What a week!

Meg Cabot and I did a gig for the Friends of the Library. We decided we'd ask each other questions on stage, so we went to lunch a few weeks ago and made a list, but didn't tell each other the answers. We wanted to be surprised along with the audience. Meg was a great interviewer. She jumped in and asked almost all the questions. After I answered I'd turn to her and say, What about you? Then she'd say a line or two and ask the next question. Mostly, we talked about our journeys as writers, and our process. When Meg asked, Are you a plotter or a seat-of-your-pants-er? I admitted I'm definitely a seat-of-your-pants-er. That is, I don't carefully plot my story first. As I write I get to know my characters. I can count on them to lead me the rest of the way. The best part of writing for me is the surprise -- and my characters always surprise me. Meg said it's pretty much the same with her. We had a great audience who had their own questions to ask.

And in the first row of the audience was my grandson, Elliot and his girlfriend, Emily. They'd just arrived to spend spring break with us. Since Elliot loves Meg and Benjamin we all went out to dinner together after the event. That was SO much fun!

The next day George and I took Elliot and Emily on the Danger (that's the name of the sailboat, not the event). We went kayaking, snorkeling (them, not me -- I don't like putting my face in the water).


At the end of the week Elliot said it was the best vacation he'd ever had. Hey...that's high praise coming from a grandson. Okay, so it wasn't because of me ( as you can see) but still... We all enjoyed ourselves and each other.
















On the day Elliot and Emily left, part of the Cooper clan from Baltimore arrived for two nights. They got to play tourist during the day but we all had a yummy dinner at Blue Heaven. (Save me from their Key Lime pie!)



Before they left Matthew and Jessica, with the help of Levi and Reed, finished the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle Emily and Elliot started but didn't have time to finish.















In case you're wondering what I've been doing since then -- (no, I haven't taken to my bed although it was a tempting idea) -- I've been preparing my talk for U. Southern Miss next Thursday. They're giving me a medal and I'm giving them the story of my life as a writer (more or less). Will let you know how it goes.

Tomorrow George and I leave for New Orleans, where I've never been! Three nights there, then Hattiesburg (and Southern Miss) another place I've never been. Really looking forward to this break before I settle in to work on my new book idea.
xx Judy

Dance-a-mania

Key West -- You know that song from Mame, the musical -- We Need a Little Christmas? I love that song. It's about needing to celebrate life and making the most of what we have. You don't have to wait for Christmas to do that. So I got it into my head that we should have a dancing party at our house. Times are tough for so many people but, hey, we can still have fun being together. And on Friday night, that's what we did. Sixty friends (not all of them dancers) gathered at our house for some pretty rowdy dancing. One thing I love about Key West -- the women get up and dance. We dance together as a group, or by ourselves, or whatever -- no waiting around for guys, no wallflowers. You feel like dancing -- you dance! Oh sure, there are guys who dance, too. But it's not a couples kind of place. Everyone is welcome on the makeshift dance floor. Best fun -- when Georgia Chase, who prepared a yummy buffet for us, spun me around for an upbeat swing number. Wow, can she dance!

George and I spent a week making a playlist. We tried to include something for everyone -- swing, doowop, rock, disco, R&B. Everything from the Four Seasons, to Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind and Fire (the last two for the Obamas) -- Abba for a friend who grew up dancing to them, Big Band with Ella Fitzgerald, and Otis Redding for quiet moments. Half the crowd stayed til we turned off the music at 11pm (didn't want to offend the neighbors).

George (not Georgia) left at 6:30 the following morning to visit Amanda in Albuquerque. He must have dozed off in the departure lounge at the Key West airport because when he opened his eyes everyone was gone. He raced up to the desk, learned his plane was about to take off, but someone took pity on him and held the plane. Me?-- I slept almost all weekend. No kidding -- I'd sit down to read and wake up three hours later. Then I'd have something to eat and go to bed. That's how tired I was.

Now we have Elliot, and his friend, Emily here for spring break. Elliot can't wait to show Emily all his favorite spots in Key West. And real work can wait another week, right?

Speaking of -- I've been spending time at the public library here reading microfilm on loan from the Newark (NJ) public library (researching my next book -- see previous blog). Everything I need is right there in those Newark Evening News stories from the early 50's. Talk about taking me back in time! The only problem is, the Florida History Room, where the microfilm reader/printers are housed, is moldy, dusty, and rife with all those nasty allergens that often come with historic documents. So far I've tried wearing a dust mask -- didn't work. Came home with swollen glands, laryngitis, and itchy eyes. My next idea is to pop an antihistimine before heading for the Florida History room. Maybe I just wasn't meant to do this kind of research. But no way am I giving up!

In the meantime, there's always dancing -- it works for me every time.
xx Judy

Inspiration!

Key West -- during the January back-to-back Literary Seminars an idea for a new book came to me. Usually ideas come slowly over a long period of time. Characters live inside my head, sometimes for years, before I'm ready to write about them. I usually fill a notebook with everything I can think of about my characters before I'm ready to type Chapter One. But this came like a bolt out of the blue!

I'm always inspired at the Key West Literary Seminar (it's more theater than seminar) but I've never come away with the burning need to start a new book. Maybe it was because of Rachel Kushner, a first time novelist, whose book, Telex From Cuba, was fascinating. I couldn't put it down. It takes place in 1950's Cuba, just as the revolution is beginning. It was during Rachel's talk/reading that the idea came to me. Who would have believed that this year's topic - historical fiction - would so inspire me, taking me back to a time in my own life -- the early 50's -- when my friends and I believed our city was under siege?

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that in my idea folder was a story clipped from a newspaper about the very events I wanted to write about! I'd forgotten I even had this article. I took it as an omen. This is a story I was meant to tell. Suddenly, the structure for the book seemed so clear. The characters started talking to me. I didn't waste any time. I created a notebook for them. I even did something else I never do. I called my agent and editor and told them both I have an idea for a YA novel (I think that's what it will be, anyway.) Now there's no turning back.

In my early enthusiasm I blabbed to George that I'm going to finish this book in 18 months. He found that funny. We'll see. If I put aside everything else I'll bet I could do it. It's the putting aside that's the problem. Already I don't want to go grocery shopping this afternoon. And forget laundry. And the party I've been planning for Key West friends.

But really, I knew it was time. I've been feeling antsy. I've been between writing projects since I finished Friend or Fiend? last summer. (It will be published in May, the 4th book in the Pain & Great One series.) Then I went through my Maybe I don't want to write anymore phase. George reminds me I do this after every book. Really?

So, many thanks to Rachel and the other writers who gathered here a few weeks ago. I've been doing research for several days now. I hope I can write this story as if it happened yesterday. To me, it feels as if it did.
Stay tuned,
Judy

Princess of the Sea

Key West -- My friend, Meg Cabot, asked me to decorate a tiara to celebrate the upcoming publication of Forever Princess, her final book in the Princess Diaries series. The New York public library will benefit from the proceeds of an on-line auction of these "celebrity" decorated tiaras during the month of January. The idea sounded like fun so I said, Count me in. That was last summer.

Toward the end of summer I was asked where the tiara should be sent. By then it was clear I'd never find the time until I got to Key West which I thought would be mid-October. But then...well, I started to get really busy. By the time I got around to the tiara the deadline was approaching. Since Meg and I both live in Key West I was thinking of a sea theme -- you know, shells and star fish. But I wanted it to sparkle, like Meg. So I went for Swarovski crystals instead, in Key West colors -- the blues and greens of the sea -- with mother of pearl, rhinestones, and a silver centerpiece. Sounds good, right? Read on...

The Saturday before my family was due to arrive for the holidays was my last free day. It was then or never! But decorating the tiara proved to be harder and more time consuming than I could have imagined. I worked all day, took a quick break for a pasta supper, then continued into the night.


At the time I was quite proud of myself. The last time I'd use that much glue was 40-something years ago when Larry and Randy were little children and I was designing and making wall hangings for children's bedrooms (I refer to this as my first career). I can't believe I had the chutzpah back then to pack up a suitcase of sample "felt pictures" as I called my creations, take the bus into New York (from my home in suburban New Jersey) and march into Bloomingdale's. Somehow, I found my way to the children's accessories buyer (maybe it was the children's furniture accessories buyer?) who looked at my work and said Yes! I can still remember the thrill of hearing him say he wanted to carry two designs, one for boys - a red and blue toy soldier - and one for girls - a ballerina. (Talk about your basic stereotypes!) Each would be a special order featuring the child's name and colors to compliment his/her bedroom. I would be paid $9 apiece. Nevermind that I had to buy the materials and ship the finished products or that Bloomingdales was selling them for $18 (50% markup was common, still is). Even so, I would make a few dollars on each. I was ecstatic!

For a year I sat in my basement workshop and turned out "felt pictures." Larry and his friend, Laurie Murphy, would sit on the floor and play with scraps of fabric and trim. Soon word got out and I began to get orders from friends and friends of friends. I had a small (make that very small) business. Eventually I grew bored and the skin on my fingers started to peel from the Elmer's glue. With my profits (about $350 as I remember it) I bought an electric typewriter. Soon after, I started to write. But before then I created one last design for my college roommate's second baby, a boy, Jordan.

Here's where things get strange. While I was gluing crystals onto the tiara, my college roommate, Sondra Snyder, was cleaning out her attic and came across the felt picture I'd sent to her for Jordan's room. She surprised me with this photo....


First thing I thought when I saw it was, where are the toddlers' hands? Why aren't they on the floor? Then I thought, it's a good thing I started writing!

Cut to the present --

When I called Meg to tell her I'd finished the tiara and was packing it in bubble wrap for its trip to New York, she told me I could see some of the other tiaras online. Big mistake! When I went to the website and saw what Bobby Brown (the makeup guru) had designed, not to mention some of the other fantastic creations, I crumpled. There was no way I was sending in my tiara which now looked pathetic to me -- make that less than pathetic. I was so relieved I hadn't sent it off. I wanted a do-over. If only I'd checked out the website first, I told myself, surely I'd have come up with something more original. But now there wasn't time. Either I had to send in my tiara as it was or...wait! Maybe I could improve it by adding a lining. Yes...something in deep blue or purple to set off the stones. But where was I going to find a piece of fabric in just the right color?

Enter our friend and house helper, Marianne, who knew just the thing.
My old (and favorite) tank top, one I like to wear to tap class. I agreed, the color was perfect. And I had other old t-shirts to wear to tap class. So I cut a few inches off the bottom -- just enough to glue (more glue!) to the inside of the tiara. Surely this would do the trick!



Ummm...let's just say it was an improvement.


I know what you're thinking -- that it's good I found another career! But try to remember the money from the auction goes to a worthy cause -- the Young Adult section of the NY public library. And it's a lot more sparkly in person. Really.
Love,
Judy
P.S. On a recent interview with Renee Montaigne on Morning Edition (NPR) I talked about making Felt Pictures. Now that you know what they looked like you'll understand when I say how naive I was at the time.

How Did it Get to be January?

Key West -- wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Our gang gathered here for a week of sunny weather, lots of cooking and baking (I still have Randy's yummy brownies in the freezer where I can defrost one at a time -- don't ask about the extra apple pie she baked for me which I've already devoured), poker games lasting until midnight (Larry taught us Texas Hold'em), hours of Pounce, Randy's favorite card game which is a combo of Spit and Solitaire, movies at home and at the Tropic Cinema and well, just being together. There's no better way to spend a holiday week, at least for me.

From left to right we are: son-in-law Jim with daughter Amanda, George, then me, and daughter Randy, son Larry and grandson Elliot.


This was taken on New Year's Eve before Larry took Elliot to Old Town to watch as the crowd gathered to ring in the new year. The rest of us opted to stay at home, watching the festivities on TV. Anderson Cooper always shows Key West star Sushi in the famous red pump, dropping to the ground at midnight. And this year our own Mimi McDonald did her Sarah Palin impersonation on camera. (Hope some of you caught her on CNN.) We may be a small town but....

As for New Year's resolutions -- I promise to get more posts on my blog (I wonder if I promised the same last year?) No, really -- I have three almost ready to go. I do. No kidding. The next will be about a tiara. Don't believe me? Ask Meg Cabot.

Love,
Judy

The Not Very Fun Thanksgiving

Key West -- You know that children's book, The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever? Well, we had our worst Thanksgiving ever. Now that's it's over we're laughing - or trying to. Flew to New York to be with Larry, Randy, and Elliot for the holiday weekend. Long story short -- never got to see anyone. Spent a lot of time on the bathroom room floor with the dreaded stomach virus. This is not something you want. Even though it comes on fast and goes away just as fast -- it's definitely not fun.


Can you believe in the midst of it George snapped this pix with his iPhone? I was so sick I didn't even care. Actually, I didn't even know!

Had to be "hydrated" at the doctor's office. Once, when we were "babysitting" Larry's dog, Mookie, she was so depressed by his absence, she refused to eat or drink. We took her to the vet, who "hydrated" her. She came back renewed, as playful and frisky as a puppy. I was hoping I'd feel the same way. Alas, I did not feel playful or frisky.

Mookie

George caught it from me. (I didn't take a photo of him.) Then I got a sinus/vocal cord infection. Couldn't speak at all. No kidding, could barely produce a grunt. By then I was so run down I couldn't have gone anywhere even with the doc's blessing. She kept me in NY for another week. I never left the apartment except to see her. But I did sit in my window on Thanksgiving morning and caught some of the parade. For a healthier, happier Thanksgiving see my 2007 blog.

While confined I read Wally Lamb's new book. I'm a big fan of his. At the end of the novel there's a note from Wally telling of the trouble he had getting this book off the ground. As a writer I found that note fascinating. He tells of a first sentence he had in his head -- a brilliant first sentence, I thought -- but ultimately he veered from it and wrote a different story. Two years ago Wally came to the Key West Literary Seminar and read a story from what was then his novel in progress. It was a disturbing story about a young boy and his run-in with a school janitor. That story became a blip in the big new novel. But no matter what he writes, he writes it so well, and observes his characters so keenly, I can't put it down.

There's another story line in this book about a woman who was once a Miss Rheingold. As a little girl I fantasized about being a Miss Rheingold when I grew up. I once told that to George and when I came home the next day I found a sign on the back of my desk chair -- Miss Rheingold 1982. How sweet is that?!

We're back in Key West now. There's no better medicine than the Key West sunshine and warmth. Next week Larry, Randy, and Elliot will arrive and a few days after that, Amanda and Jim. We'll all be together for the holidays. Randy and Elliot promise a do-over Thanksgiving dinner. And that means I'll get to cook with Randy. Always a treat.

Hope your Thanksgiving was joyous and that you got to share it with family and friends.
Love,
Judy