The trick is to make time–not to steal it–and produce fiction.
–Bernard Malamud*

I have friends who will write a book when they have the time.

Meet folks at parties, the hair salon, and the grocery store. They’re on the same someday schedule.

Would-be writers everywhere. They’ll get around to it. Eventually, they say.

Clearly, we don’t all live under the same set of circumstances. For example, I’ve never had triplets or a husband running for political office or handimen remodeling my historic house.

Oh, wait. I do qualify on that last one. I’ve also written while moving, through grief, on the floor of a hotel bathroom in Paris.

I don’t fit writing into my life. I fit my life into my writing.

No regrets.

*the Malamud quote came from A Creative Writer’s Kit: A Spiritual Companion & Lively Muse For The Writing Life by Judy Reeves, author of A Writer’s Book Of Days.

Cynsational News

I received a postcard announcing the publication of Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas, illustrated by Lisa McCue (Viking, 2005), which received a star from Kirkus. It’s a level 3 Easy-to-Read for ages 6 to 9, grades 1 to 3.

The Austin Book Nook, benefitting the Austin Children’s Shelter, is requesting donations of new or gently used books. The Shelter has indicated a special need for books for newborns up through age 8 and kids 14-17 as well as multicultural books and books in Spanish. Visit the site for more information.

Children’s Book Press has released a 15th Anniversary Edition of Family Pictures/Cuadros de Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza with an introduction by Sandra Cisneros. More than 400,000 copies of the original book have been sold. The new edition will officially debut at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin on April 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Garza will also be speaking at the TLA annual conference in conjunction with the rally at the Texas State Capitol on April 6 from 4 to 5 p.m.