We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming for a health item. Today is ME/CFS International Awareness Day. It’s on May 12th because it’s the birthday of Florence Nightingale. I love that fact as she was one of my favorite historical figures in my 4th grade history book. I had plans to go to… Continue reading

If you’ve visited my website in the last month, you may have wondered what was happening. Were there coffee beans in the banner? Well, my theme expired, and I didn’t have the energy to do anything about it until class let out. I’m noticing some other things that need updating on the site as well.… Continue reading

Some writers in my spec fic group recently recommended the webtoon Space Boy. Space Boy has to be one of the purest stories I’ve ever read. The characters feel so authentic and real, but there aren’t really any terrible characters. There are characters who make terrible choices, but they feel like read people who have… Continue reading

Update: Apparently there was some kind of auto-recovery, and the house came back! Yay! My elementary-aged daughter loves designing houses using a free house plans software. Today, she spent all of her screen time working on this really amazing house with ball rooms and chandeliers and rooms for cat families, etc. But she didn’t save… Continue reading

In spite of my health being not great, 2022 was actually a pretty good year for writing/authoring. I had my first ever author event at This House of Books in Billings, Montana. I represented Chicken Scratch Books at a homeschool conference in Houston, Texas. Talking with all of the homeschool families, and especially kids interested… Continue reading

Now that it’s after December 20, I can finally share the digital art I made for The Silver Eye Secret Santa 2022! One of things I have enjoyed about reading The Silver Eye is the fandom. I love how the author gets to interact with the fans and see their reactions in real time. Some… Continue reading

For your Christmas Present, I am going to introduce you to The Silver Eye. I have long admired the artwork of Laura Hollingsworth, but somehow, I missed the fact that she is writing a webcomic. Then about three months ago, she posted in a writer’s group we both belong to that all her notifications for… Continue reading

I had grand plans for all the posts I was going to write this fall, but this fall has been a season of survival. I had to let go of my blog and marketing my book for a little in favor of personal needs, like my job and being there for my family. I went… Continue reading

I am quite behind on my book reviews. Actually, I’m behind on everything. Since my diagnosis with ME, that’s pretty much become my life. But in the midst of everything I have to do in order to survive, it’s good to take a little time to myself when I can. So hopefully, I’ll catch up.… Continue reading

Fundraiser update! We have enough donations to purchase 6 handbooks! Thank you for the support! I currently have 10 students enrolled who NEED handbooks and 6 more who would benefit from handbooks. To purchase 4 more handbooks, we need to raise just $80 more. To purchase each enrolled student a handbook, we need to raise… Continue reading

This June, I had the opportunity to lead my first in-person story workshop for ages 8-13. I had a blast. All of the organizers were wonderful, and the venue was beautiful. I was a little nervous about leading a 4 1/2 hour workshop because of my health, but with my wheelchair, it went fine. The… Continue reading

I’m so excited tomorrow to go to the family picnic and new member meeting of the homeschool group I was a part of in high school. SHINE even sponsored a full-fledged graduation for me and the other seniors my last year of high school. We joked that we were a graduating class of eight valedictorians.… Continue reading

We take this break from our regularly scheduled programming to share a word about patriotism. I’ve been learning a lot more about American history lately–focused on US history, but I’m trying to learn more Canadian history, too. I know sadly little about Canada, and it’s our next-door neighbor! One of the things I’ve really appreciated… Continue reading

Hey everyone! This weekend, I’ll be at the Called to Teach Homeschool Convention in Houston, Texas. If you are in the area, stop by the Chicken Scratch Books booth to say hi. I’d love to meet you and sign a copy of Best Friends Playbook for you! You’ll also have the chance to meet my… Continue reading

Whew! It’s been a busy spring! I’m still used to calling January through April “spring” because it’s the spring semester of school, and in Texas, it’s not out of the realm of reason for January through April to be spring (or summer). Anyway, it’s been busy! Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been doing… Continue reading

This week, Julie from Kid Lit Six features authors from Chicken Scratch Books! These are really fun, short videos to help middle schoolers and their parents and teachers decide what to read next. I highly recommend this channel. Here’s today’s video to get you started! P.S. I love that Hope Bolinger wore her dinosaur suit… Continue reading

Aww, well the Packers lost. But stay tuned because I think it would be really fun to have some sort of live event around the SuperBowl. I’m still figuring out what that would look like, but sign-up on my email list for more details! P.S. This has been a really fun football season to follow! Continue reading

There’s still time to sign-up for a chance to win a copy of Best Friends Playbook–if the Packers win tonight, of course! For the playoffs, I’m giving away a copy of my middle grade novel, Best Friends Playbook, to members of my email list every time the Packers win (the main character is a Packers… Continue reading