Oct18

Why Showing Up Matters in Creativity and Life

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There’s a big difference between showing off and showing up. Showing off is rarely productive or inspiring. But showing up? That’s where the power is. You see those brilliant red leaves, right? Okay, sure, maybe they do appear to be showing off, but they don’t do that every day. We count on that spectacular color to show up each autumn in Michigan. When those colors show up, it signals the start of an all-too-short cozy season. Knowing I can depend on the trees to do their “thing” is a comfort, especially when the world feels unpredictable and chaotic.

Showing up may not seem like much, but you’d be surprised what a difference it can make in your creative pursuits, your professional goals, and in your personal relationships. Consistency, even when we don’t feel like showing up, is what chips away at complacency and creates subtle, but persistent progress. I find it’s often best not to make showing up a decision. Will I? Won’t I? It’s best to view it as a foregone conclusion.

Will you join me in challenging ourselves to show up:

  • At your desk/computer/workspace — I guarantee you’ll make more progress.
    • When I was working on the manuscript for my children’s book, I had to show up–even on vacation–because I was determined to meet every deadline set by my editor. Did I do it? Yes. (Sometimes I didn’t send a revision until 4:59 p.m., but I got it there.)
  • For creative friends who need encouragement, a nudge or a lovingly worded challenge to help them get unstuck (so they can then show up, too).
    • I’ve found offering an open invitation to review a friend’s work or offer feedback can give them the motivation they need. Writing can be lonely work. Knowing someone is willing to show up for you can make other want to show up for themselves.
  • For book launches or author talks to show fellow creatives our support. You don’t have to bring a gift. You don’t need to stay for hours. Just show up. Let them see your sweet, shiny face in the crowd.
    • I love cheering on friends at their events whenever I can. Plus, I find I almost always come away with an idea I can incorporate in my future presentations.
  • For learning opportunities like workshops, virtual events, seminars, retreats, critique groups and classes. Get at least one on your calendar each season (and for those of you who live in a seasonless climate, let’s call it four times a year!)
    • I don’t have time to travel to far away events, so I often look for virtual opportunities — I’m still showing up!
  • For yourself — for your health (both mental and physical), for your goals and ambitions, your rejuvenation. Get “you” on your calendar for annual check up, dental appointments, counseling sessions, and dates with friends who recharge your batteries.
    • I find this one can be the most challenging, but it’s what makes it possible to show up for all the others.

My little apple cinnamon tarts, of course, you can’t show up for everything and everyone all the time. No one can. Just be intentional and consistent with your choices and feel the satisfaction of your own forward momentum. I’m rooting for you. Ever forward. Ever forward.

(And yes, always show up for cider and donuts!)

Care to share your progress?

 The advice I like to give young artists, or really anybody who’ll listen to me, is not to wait around for inspiration. Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work. ~ Chuck Close

Jun30

Summer Open House: Win 2 Copies of The Big Book of Barf!

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Welcome! So glad you’re here. Snoop around and stay a while. This is the Frog on a Dime Summer Open House. I’ve swept the porch, put the plumpest pillows on the swing and poured a chilled glass of refreshing lip-puckering strawberry lemonade–just for you!

Win 2 copies!

This year’s Summer Open House giveaway is extra special. The winner will receive not one, but two copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. One autographed copy will be yours to keep (or give to your favorite young reader). The second copy is for you to donate to your local public library or elementary school media center.

Here’s how to enter:

Share a childhood library memory in the comment section for this post. Easy peasy!

Enter by noon on Saturday, July 12.

My little firecrackers, it seems only fair that I share an early library memory of my own. I recall being in Mrs. Server’s kindergarten classroom. On our designated “Library Day,” we’d line up to walk the long window-lined hallway, past the principal’s office, through the school lobby and over to the right where we, a row of little kinderducks, would file into our Blackman Elementary School library.

I remember low book stacks, only two or three shelves high, running perpendicular to the wall of windows that looked out on the school yard. It was a quiet place, a warm room, filled with the potpourri only a collection of aging books can create. We were each given a dark brown “paddle” made of pressed wood. This we would use as a place marker once we’d pulled the book of our choice–our choice!–from the shelves.

From Day One, I was enchanted by Hans Christian Anderson’s Thumbelina. I’d pull it from the shelf, replace it with my paddle, and take the book to one of the library’s tables to devour the beauty of the book’s illustrations (with my eyes only!) At the close of our all-too-short library time, I’d have to return Thumbelina to her shelf . . . until next week when Mrs. Server would announce “Library Day!”. And I couldn’t wait see her again (Thumbelina, that is).

What do you remember?

Share your early library memory for a chance to win TWO copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. Enter by July 12.

CONGRATULATIONS to Danielle Hammelef! You’re the winner of the Summer Open House giveaway! You’ll receive two copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. I’m happy to personalize one for you AND one for your favorite local library or school media center! Thank you so much for sharing your library memory with all of us. Happy summering to you!

The library is like a candy store where everything is free. ~ Jamie Ford

Jun15

Sensory experiences and writing prompts: reliving childhood summers

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Listen. A little hand covered in popsicle juice and sand is turning the lid on a jar.

Look. Fireflies play flashlight tag.

Feel. The grass under your bare feet is cooling. (Smack! Frenzied mosquitoes seek a bedtime snack.)

Smell. Summer’s incense–the sulfurous metallic scent of sparklers sizzle the night air.

Taste. A charred marshmallow deflates spreading sweetness on the tongue.

Whether you write novels, nonfiction, picture books or poetry for children, seize every sense of the summer season. Research can be pure pleasure. Scoop your piggies (aka toes) into the cool sand beneath the sizzling surface of the beach. Build a bonfire and swap your summer stories with friends. And, if you haven’t had a popsicle in a while (aka decades), you’d best snap to it.

Photo by Vicky Lorencen

Capture childhood memories of the season

  • Summer smells like (weather, food, plants, etc.)
  • Favorite summer food taste like
  • Summer-specific sounds by day/by night
  • Summer sights
  • Summer feels like ___________ on my skin/my face/my feet.
  • Summer water sensory memories (pool, lake, creek, sprinkler, hose, water park)
  • Summer night sounds

What long-forgotten memory paid a visit?

Photo by Vicky Lorencen

As with every season, not all memories are sweet.

There’s sunburn, bug bites, boredom, and harder still, family squabbles, disappointments, sullen babysitters, food insecurity or loneliness.

Collect deeper summer memories with these simple prompts

  • My family and I always went to
  • Going on a family vacation made me feel
  • My family and I never went on vacation because
  • Not going on a family vacation made me feel
  • I remember the first time I
  • When I didn’t have friends to play with, I would
  • I felt scared when
  • I dreaded it when
  • I used to imagine I
  • I couldn’t wait until
  • Summer break felt like it was ___ months long
  • As the end of summer approached, I felt/worried about/looked forward to

My sweet shortcakes, I hope this post sends your Ferris wheel of memories whirling. AND I also hope-hope-hope you’ll share a summer memory with me!

Photo by Vicky Lorencen

Fireflies in the Garden

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies, 
And here on earth come emulating flies, 
That though they never equal stars in size, 
(And they were never really stars at heart) 
Achieve at times a very star-like start. 
Only, of course, they can’t sustain the part.   ~ Robert Frost

Jun7

Time to quit your publishing pursuits? 12 questions to ponder

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In 2007, Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Dillard told NPR listeners, “I’m here to tell you that I’m retiring. I woke up one morning, went to my desk, and realized I’ve done everything I set out to do as a writer, and the writer label does not define me, and I have more life to live, but I am done because I did my work on my terms.”

Does Dillard’s declaration stir something in you? Inspiration? Exhilaration like a zing of electricity? A soul-satisfying exhale?

Maybe it’s time to quit.

And by “quit,” I mean . . .

Before we move on, my little lemon drops, let me define “quit.” I’m talking about letting go of your pursuit of publication. No more queries. No more proposals. No more stalking agents. No more pouring over every issue of PW. (And no, I’m not talking about never writing again. Yikes. Writers, by definition, have to write. It’s a given you won’t give that up.)

Queries about quitting. (You can be totally honest. You’ll be grading your own paper.)

  1. Has my passion to be published–needing validation from the publishing industry, reviewers, readers–changed/diminished since I first began my pursuit?
  2. Do I neeeed to be published to be happy?
  3. Am I persisting in my pursuit solely because it pleases someone else or out of fear of displeasing them?
  4. Does the thought of setting my pursuit aside make me feel lighter, maybe even a little excited? (If it makes you feel full-on giddy, go ahead and quit already!)
  5. Can I be satisfied with writing for my own pleasure and/or with helping others improve their writing?
  6. Is my pursuit of publication keeping me from a new passion?
  7. Do I want to invest my creative energies doing something wholly apart from writing? What might that be?
  8. Would I see my decision as a liberation rather than a resignation?
  9. How about a 6-month or 12-month “hiatus” from my publishing pursuits versus a full stop retirement?
  10. Am I comfortable with not knowing what might have been?
  11. What will my new dream be? How and when will I begin?
  12. How will I see myself on the other side of my decision to quit?

Next steps

  • Take your time and ponder. Seep into a head-to-toe mull.
  • Journal over your responses to the 12 questions.
  • Reach out to a friend who can listen while you deliberate. And remember, I’m always here too.

The purpose of my post is not to discourage you from pursuing publishing. Honest. No one’s pushing you. (Go ahead. Look behind you. See?) I’m offering you the freedom to let go, if that’s what you really want to do. And, you should know I (and many others, I’m sure) will never quit admiring you and valuing you. Heck, some will even envy you.

Success does not lie in sticking to things. It lies in picking the right thing to stick to and quitting the rest. ~ Annie Duke, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away

Dec15

Frog on a Dime Turns 12! Get in on the 12/20 giveaway!

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Illustration by Matt Faulkner

How the years have hopped by!

On this 12th birthday, I’m hoppy to dole out a dozen reasons I’m grateful for Frog on a Dime:

  1. I’m grateful-grateful-grateful for all of you, my little twinkling tadpoles.
  2. I’m grateful for your kind comments and encouragement. You’ve kept me hopping (versus hobbling) forward.
  3. I’m grateful for the companionship this little blog provides. (Confession: I was trembly-terrified when it came time to publish my very first post. What if no one notices?)
  4. I’m grateful for this space to capture random sparks of imagination, ruminations and images.
  5. I’m grateful to Darcy Pattison, a wise children’s author and publisher. Darcy emphasized the importance of obtaining a domain name and establishing an online presence to protect against invisibility. And I did it.
  6. I’m grateful to illustrator extraordinaire Matt Faulkner for the amphibitastic image of Frog on a Dime (as proudly displayed above).
  7. I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage you along your winding, wondrous creative journeys.
  8. I’m grateful for this stockpile of memories to revisit and the way it reveals (at least some) progress.
  9. I’m grateful for this connection with readers, librarians, teachers, and other such brilliant bibliophiles.
  10. I’m grateful for all the creatives who write guest posts, including Leslie Helakoski and Kris Remenar.
  11. I’m grateful to authors and illustrators who welcome interviews, and I’m thankful I get to promote their work.
  12. I’m grateful to offer you a giveaway in celebration of Frog on a Dime’s 12th birthday!

Giveaway details . . .

Enter to win an autographed copy of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. BONUS: a complimentary barf bag (sporting googly eyes!)

Leave a comment about what you’re grateful for (e.g., new friendships, writing breakthroughs, experiences you’re looking forward to like a workshop or conference, a new technique you’ve learned or resource you’ve discovered or whatever makes you thankful).

Post the comment here or on Facebook.

HOP TO IT! Your entry must be posted by 12 (noon) on 12/20.

Oh, and if you like, go ahead and share this giveaway news with a friend. And aren’t you kind.

Onward to Lucky Year 13! Ever forward, my little sparklers! We will continue to keep each other encouraged in 2025.

The year I turned twelve, I learned that what I said and what I did mattered. ~ Lauren Wolk, Wolf Hollow

Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef! You’ve won an autographed copy of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF, plus the bonus BARF BAG! I’ll send it your way as soon as the book officially hurls into the world on January 28! Many thanks to everyone who participated. I am grateful for you!

Nov17

Preorder The Big Book of Barf & Get a Bonus

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Attention Hurliday Shoppers!

Does the mere mention of the holiday season make you queasy, my sensitive little sugar plums? Let Frog on a Dime set you at ease. Here’s what you do . . .

  1. Preorder THE BIG BOOK OF BARF for a special young reader.
  2. Go to the Frog on a Dime Contact Me page. Let me know you’ve placed your order.
  3. Be among the first 30 to respond. You’ll get a spewtiful barf bag to give to that young reader. Inside is a personalized, autographed message with the exciting news a Happy Spew Year gift arrives soon. (THE BIG BOOK OF BARF releases all over the world on January 28, 2025. Messy!)

HURRY! Offer ends December 1 or while supplies last.

Wishing you peace–and good health–this holiday season, my Cocoa Cups of Kindness!

A sure crowd pleaser . . . this info-gusher, plainly a labor of love, will draw readers like flies. ~ KIRKUS REVIEWS

Recommended for ages 8 – 12

Copyright © 2025 by Vicky Lorencen. Illustrations copyright © 2025 by Remy Simard. Published by Bright Matter Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Aug20

To the wow of teachers

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Arrangement and photo by Vicky Lorencen

A new school year begins this week. I’ll watch as kids bounce down the steps of their buses and enter the school mere footsteps from my back door. Every fall, those children remind me of my own when they were in elementary school. They also take me back to my school days and spark memories of my favorite teachers. If you don’t mind, my little gold stars, I’d like to tell you about some of them. I hope my recollections inspire some sweet memories for you too. Honor your teachers by telling your kids or grandchildren about them, won’t you?

Janet Schafer

You were my 4th grade teacher at Blackman Elementary in Jackson, Michigan. I remember the day you invited all of us to come to your house. Now, by age 9, I was old enough to recognize the concept of teachers having lives outside of school, but actually going to my teacher’s home . . . wow. The funny thing is, I don’t remember a whole lot about that day. I have no idea how we got to your house, what we did once we got there or even what your house looked like. But I do remember feeling honored. You made me feel special another time when you sent me a card to congratulate me on my high school graduation. You kept track of such things? You found my new address (in pre-Internet days!). Once again, wow.

Barbara Eickholt

You were my world humanities teacher at Jackson’s Northwest High School. You introduced me to the best in classical literature, in history, in art and philosophy and got me ready for success in college. As if that weren’t enough, you recognized, challenged, affirmed and encouraged my writing abilities (such as they were back then!). And you did even more than that. You made me feel seen, and you gifted me, your “little elf,” with your friendship. Wow.

Frances White Ewbank

You were my freshman English professor at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Not only were you an exceptional scholar, you were an example of empathy. I remember arriving in your classroom on the day of our first exam. Do I remember what the test covered? No, I do not. Here’s what I do recall. You walked into the room, which fell silent immediately. As blue books were passed from desk to desk, you went to your lectern and bowed your head. You prayed for all of us. I suppose some would have taken this as a sign that we were about to take a grueling exam, but I felt honored by your empathy and kindness. Once again, all I can say is wow.

I’d love to hear about your favorite teacher. Please take a moment to share. Thank you!

Nine-tenths of education is encouragement. ~ Anatole France

Teaching is the greatest act of optimism. ~ Colleen Wilcox

Aug4

Because science is “boring”

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The original spark of inspiration for writing a book about barf came out of seemingly nowhere (much like the urge to vomit). In 2020, the initial concept was a simple book, likely a 32-page picture book listing the various silly words we use for vomit. It’d be in alphabetical order, so a “ralphabet” book.

But then, my agent who was very enthusiastic about the idea, suggested I add definitions to each word. (And between you and me, I thought, How am I supposed to do that? They all mean the same thing!)

But then, I wrote those definitions (and it was actually pretty fun). Fast forward four years, and new we have, not a picture book, but a non-fiction title for middle grade readers. THE BIG BOOK OF BARF, in its final, shipped-to-the-printer form is 288 pages and weighs in at nearly 3 pounds! (It’s not called BIG for nothin’.)

But then, there’s no denying the book overflows with silly stuff. There’s plenty of science schmooshed in there too. Perhaps because I began writing in the midst of a pandemic when respect for science was, sadly, in decline, I was all the more determined to ensure the non-fiction elements were accurate and trustworthy. Kids deserve that. The more I researched, the more I discovered how much I didn’t know I didn’t even know about the human body and the way it helps us before we even know we need it. It’s incredible.

Curiosity cajoled me to keep asking questions and foraging for facts. My ultimate aim was to create a science-based book with an intimidation factor of minus 10 so that even kids who are reading reluctant or think science is “boring” might feel free to wander in. The book is intentionally divided into easy-to-digest “chunks” so young readers can enjoy it a bite at a time (and then spew the facts around to their friends!). And yes, it’s still divided into “ralphabetical” order.

I can’t wait to visit schools and libraries to share what I’ve learned and to hear what readers have to say about it.

But then, I may end up hearing a lot of kid’s “hurl-rific” stories. I’m more than okay with that.

“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice. ~ Lewis Caroll

Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. ~ Lewis Caroll

Jun29

Preparation tips for a (nearly) perfect interview

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You’ve been invited to give an interview. How exciting! Let’s get you ready, my little Key Lime Pie!

Besides being a children’s book author, I’m also a PR specialist. (15 years and counting!) Allow me to pass along the tips I share with the people I schedule for interviews.

Practice and apply these basic tips and you’ll become more polished, poised and professional with each experience. Why, you’ll feel cooler than a watermelon slice on ice. Your audience will think you’re cool too. This may be crazy talk, but hey, you may even learn to enjoy being in the hot seat!

TV interview

  • Watch prior interviews the host has conducted, if possible. Take note of their style, tempo, the types of questions they typically ask, and their sense of humor (or lack thereof!). Now, imagine yourself chatting with them.
  • Unless directed otherwise, look at the interviewer, not the camera.
  • Avoid wearing checks or stripes. Simple, solids are your best option.
  • To give yourself a chance to make any necessary wardrobe adjustments, practice sitting/standing in the clothes you plan to wear.
  • Arrive 10 – 15 minutes early to give the station crew time to attach your mic and run through anything they’d like you to know or expect before it’s your turn.
  • Speak up if you have concerns or nagging questions before the interview so that you can feel confident, and both you and the interviewer you can have a positive, upbeat experience.
  • See tips for radio interviews.

Call-in radio interview

  • Use a landline, if available, to avoid being dropped mid-conversation.
  • Smile as you speak, if appropriate to the topic.
  • Have a mirror in front of you so you’ll have “someone” visible to talk to. It will remind you to smile.
  • Ask how long the interview will be so you can pace yourself. Note, if an interview is very brief (e.g. 2 minutes or less), don’t let that pressure you into speaking too fast.
  • Prepare a cheat sheet of answer prompts to anticipated questions, but not a word-for-word script. You’ll be too tempted to read it and you’ll come off sounding stiff or rehearsed.
  • Have a glass of water handy. (A bottle takes too much time to open.)

Zoom/Skype/Web interview

  • Make sure you have the technology loaded to your device prior to the interview.
  • Set up a professional, clutter-free background.
  • Position your device so that the interviewer can see you square on, as if you are seated across a table from one another. Avoid looking down at the screen.
  • Adjust the screen so the interviewer sees more of you and less of the background.
  • Have your notes, pen, phone, etc. within easy reach.
  • Look into the camera when you are speaking. You can look at the screen otherwise.
  • Speak slowly and clearly.
  • Pay attention to the mute button.

For any interview

  • Thank the interviewer at the top of the interview and at the close.
  • Be your authentic, wonderful self. If you misspeak, quickly correct yourself, and move on.
  • Prepare a “cheat sheet” with basic information for easy reference, such as:
    • Street address/date/hours/details – for an upcoming book signing, workshop or event you’re promoting. It’s better to have the information ready and ignore it than to have your memory go POOF! mid-sentence.
    • Your web site URL, social media handles and/or how to contact you. (Who knows. Someone listening may want to invite you to your next interview!)
  • Provide your interviewer with a synopsis of your book, your headshot and image of your book cover to use for pre-interview promotion.
  • Offer the interviewer a signed copy of your book to use a giveaway to their audience.
  • Practice with a friend.
    • Give your friend/interviewer a list of the questions you’re likely to asked, then give them the okay to throw in a few unexpected questions.
    • Record your interview. Count on not liking the sound of your voice. It’s a hang up we all have.
    • Ask your friend for honest feedback and record that too.

You’re going to be fabulous!

Photo by Vicky Lorencen, Lily Pond, Fredrik Meijer Gardens 2024

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying. ~ Oscar Wilde

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson