Tag Archives: writer

A Tale of Two Websites

writing, , , ,
Note: The following post is a copy of what now appears on this site’s Welcome page. I’m posting it here as well, so you’ll be aware that I’ve recently merged my two author websites. From now on, this site is the only one you’ll need in order to access all of my past and present blog posts, etc. I hope that simplifies your life. I know it will simplify mine!

“Words, words, words.” —”Hamlet,” Act 2, Scene 2.

I’ve always been in love with words.

As a child, I was an avid reader, but it wasn’t until high school (many decades ago) that I wrote my first piece, a one-act play about Cinderella set in modern times. I still have a copy of it!

After a long hiatus involving college and parenthood, I started writing again, and now I can’t seem to stop.

In fact, I’ve been writing so much that I recently found myself with not one but TWO writing websites. This was confusing for my readers, as well as for myself, so I’ve just merged the two sites. Now, whether you use the old url (loristory.wordpress.com) or the newer one (loribonati.com), you’ll end up here.

In addition to still being able to read all of my old WordPress blog posts dating back to 2016 (lucky you, especially if you have insomnia!) you’ll now have access to a few I’ve never posted here before, as well as all of my future blog posts. For example, you’ll see:

  • An account of my experiences when I was Teaching Kids About Poetry.
  • A five-part series that’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, or at least in your seat. It’s about my move from Arizona to New York, and it’s called (I’ve Got A) New Latitude.
  • A mini-series about a not-so-comfortable-but-I’d-do-it-again three-day cross-country train trip, Train Tracker. (P.S. Hyphens are my friends.)

You’ll still be able to view my Photos, and you’ll find a few new tabs (Books, Honors, News, and Services.

As always, thanks so much for subscribing and reading my “words, words, words.”

Writer’s Conference Revelations

books, humor, writing, , , , , , , , , ,

Yesterday, I attended the 2018 Arizona SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) conference.

I learned a ton of information about writing everything from picture books to YA, both fiction and non-fiction, and I came away with so many fresh ideas that I think my brain is going to explode very soon. But wait — that just gave me an idea for a picture book called, “My Brain Feels Like It’s Exploding.”

The book sample that I had submitted to the conference was not one of the few chosen for a face-to-face critique by an agent, but I did receive a constructive and thoughtfully-written critique from a knowledgeable and experienced children’s book editor. For that I am forever grateful. So maybe I should write the definitive YA self-help book on “How to Handle Criticism.”

My First Page submission was not one of the 15 or so selected to be discussed by the faculty panel, but I gleaned important insights from the panel’s comments about others’ writing. Now that I have those insights, I’m actually glad mine wasn’t chosen to be showcased. I probably would have jumped up, knocked over my coffee, and tipped everyone off that the anonymous, flawed first draft up on the two gigantic screens was mine. How embarrassing that would have been! And now I have an idea for a Middle Grade science book: “Why People Blush.”

I was not sought out by agents wanting to sell my books, as I had secretly dreamed. One agent did ask me for my “elevator pitch” (after I’d delicately broached the subject), but I stumbled through it, and I don’t think I impressed her. Besides, she specializes in a totally different genre.

I didn’t even win a door prize.

But I LOVED the conference. It was stimulating, informative, inspiring, and friendly. I met some really nice writers, agents, editors, and illustrators, and I’m eagerly looking forward to being in touch with them and seeing them at the next writing conferences and events.

Within hours of the conference closing, I was back at it, revising not one but two books that I’m currently working on. And I plan to keep writing and revising and attending writer’s conferences forever. And thinking up goofy book ideas.