Maureen Bush

My Stories Are Nagging Me

This morning I want to settle in and focus on three different projects. The kids at Lakeview and a brainstorming session with my younger daughter have inspired me to start on a sequel to Feather Brain. I want to get back to The Veil of Magic book III for another round of editing. And I received the first editing comments for Witchdoctor last week, so it’s time to launch into that.

It’s like having three little kids tugging at my pants wanting attention, and I have to choose one.

I know which it has to be – editing to a deadline comes first. But I’m really pumped to settle in for weeks of focused work on each one. I guess I’ll just have to be thankful I’m feeling inspired, pat my darlings on the head and tell them, “Later, dear one. Later.”

Maureen

Another One School, One Book

Thursday I spent another day in Lethbridge, at Lakeview School. This is the second school I’ve visited using Feather Brain for a One School, One Book project.

All the kids in the school received a copy of the book (in a bag with dinosaur goodies, packed in an egg for each classroom to open.) The parents were asked to read Feather Brain to their kids (and siblings), one chapter a night. Reading ahead was not allowed!

Then the school launched into all kinds of projects – decorating the entire school with dinosaurs, including one that roared; a classroom door decorating contest; novel studies. Papier maché dinosaurs are on display near the front door. These are wonderful, with pistachio shells and golf tees for texture.

One of my favorite ideas was smart and sneaky: the teacher had his kids begin making papier maché dinosaurs before they started the book, so that by the time they were reading about Lucas making a dinosaur, they had already been doing the same thing.

I met with all the kids, in five sessions through the day, and signed their books. I talked about where the idea for Feather Brain came from, and explained my writing process. We made up our own stories, sending kids to other planets, inventing androids taking over the school, and playing with the  idea of living shadows.

Parents came, too, and often took time to introduce themselves and thank me. One couple said that reading Feather Brain as a family had made an enormous difference to their family life, and they planned to continue reading together. Then the dad asked if I’d intended that when I wrote Feather Brain; I had to admit I just tried to write a good story, and had no idea it could be used this way.

After seeing two schools using Feather Brain for One School, One Book, I’m totally impressed with the program. The energy in the schools is amazing, and the excitement about reading and books tremendous.

Maureen

Spring?

The two-week forecast is for temperatures just above freezing, and I’m thrilled. As the sun hits the frost layered on all the trees, it’ll fall off in showers of white, and then, perhaps, actually drip. It’ll be chirpy and splashy and incredibly messy, and I can’t wait!

A New Manuscript

I have a new manuscript, fully written and reasonably edited. It’s still a thrill to get to this point, to be able to carry it around and leave it out for family to read. It’s one of the few moments when writers have something concrete as an accomplishment.

Maureen

Podcasts

I’m working on recording short clips from my books for my website.

My husband is helping, using his flashy new computer music software (Logic Pro, for anyone who knows what that means). We’ve discovered all the complications of recording at home: squeaky old wooden floors, noisy kids even when they’re trying to stay quiet, furnace fans, computer fan, helicopters and airplanes overhead. We bought a new mike, which solves some of the problems, and are discovering some of the possiblities of Logic Pro for filtering and improving the sound qualilty. Derek Mah is coaching us on what to do, how to do it, and what to listen for . . . and it’s coming. I have no idea when anything will be ready for the website; I’ll mention it here when we’ve posted the podcasts.

Maureen