Author Archives: Vicky L. Lorencen

Dec17

Sit down. We need to talk. (Yes, there will be cookies.)

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I know you’re busy. Me too. But, please, sit down a minute.

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Art Institute of Chicago, photo by Vicky Lorencen

We need to talk.

Yes, you can grab a cookie and that pillow.

Comfy now?

Sweetness.

That’s what we need to talk about.

Now, I don’t mean the hazelnut cocoa with an extra dollop of marshmallow fluff kind of sweet (as delightful as that is).

Wait. Please come back. I’ll make you some cocoa when we’re done, okay?

Now,  back to sweet. See, sweet, to me, means empathy, compassion, sensitivity and awareness of others (people, critters, nature, you know, the world around us). It’s one of the best parts of us.

But trust me, being sweet is not for sissies, especially if you intend to stay that way. You gotta be vigilant about protecting your sweetness–now, more than ever ever ever.

Why am I making a fuss with all this “sweetness jazz”?

Fair question. My answer: because children.

You and I write for them. We must sign on to be one of their tenderizers. Through our stories, we can show little ones what empathy looks like, even in–and especially in–painful, challenging, heart-searing circumstances infested with tough choices. We can introduce kids to diverse people and let them see in natural, everyday ways the value of sweetness with each interaction.

Child development researcher L. R. Knost, said, “It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.”

I love that . . . “Make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” Amen.

What’s that? Am I suggesting you be a “Polly Anna Pushover Nanny Pants”?

Uh, not sure what that is exactly, but um, no. Staying sweet can take a lot of grit. Don’t be a door mat. Don’t be a cream puff. You know that.

Be you – the best tender, kind, compassionate, welcoming, sweet you you can be. And write the tenderizing stories only you can. And as you do that, gosh, oh my. The world is lucky to have you here. I am lucky to have you here. Children are even luckier.

So, that’s it. That’s our talk. Thanks for listening.

Pardon?

Sure, you can take a cookie with you.

Everyone carries an atmosphere about him. It may be healthful and invigorating, or it may be unwholesome and depressing. It may make a little spot of the world a sweeter, better, safer place to live in; or it may make it harder for those to live worthily and beautifully who dwell within its circle. ~ J.R. Miller

 

Dec10

Congrats x Four!

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tarzan-2Granted, he doesn’t look thrilled, but Mr. Tarzan Malarkey was honored to draw the names of our lucky Happy 4th Birthday Giveaway. Honest.

He said, “Yes.”

(That’s how he responded when I asked if he had fun.)

Congratulations to these four lucky winners!

Sally Thelen – An idea journal to capture light bulb moments in the New Year

Ann Angel – A surprise! (You’ll like it!)

Lindsey McDivitt – A critique of up to 10 pages – offer good through 2017

Kristin Lenz – Doodle pad and pens (with an original doodle t’boot!)

Piles of thanks to everyone who entered the contest, offered ideas for future posts and shared such scrummy words of encouragement.

My little hand-sprinkled sugar cookies, I wish you all a warm, peaceful and delightful holiday season. Take time to “be,” to loll around in the love that’s all around you and to keep your heart tender. You’ll be ready to make 2017 your most productive, creative, daring year ever.

And then, as if written by the hand of a bad novelist, an incredible thing happened. ~ Jonathan Stroud

Dec4

Happy 4th Birthday Giveaway

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Can you believe it, my little cinnamon sticks? We’ve reached four full years of Frog on a DSC06765Dime. You’ve made this step of faith (and fear!) so worthwhile for me. My desire to be an encouragement has come full circle so many times, thanks to you, I’m a curlicue (and yeesh, that is quite a sight!)

To thank you for your, well, your YOU-ness, I want to offer you FOUR chances to win this Happy 4th Birthday Giveaway.

Win one of four prizes:

  • An Idea Journal to start your new year.
  • A critique (up to 10 pages) of your picture book or middle grade novel in progress.
  • A doodle pad & pen. (Plus, I’ll draw a doodle just for you to get you started.)
  • A surprise prize!

Four quick as a wink ways to enter:

  • Become a new follower of Frog on a Dime. (Sign up’s on the home page.)
  • Leave a comment under this post on Facebook.
  • Like and retweet this post on Twitter.
  • Share a comment, suggestion or question on this post below.

Your ideas for future post topics, your writing-related questions or nominations for guest bloggers are especially welcome.

Enter by 4 p.m. (EST) on Friday, December 9.

I can’t wait to dole out the prizes. So, hop to it! What are you waiting “four”?

I grabbed a pile of dust, and holding it up, foolishly asked for as many birthdays as the grains of dust, I forgot to ask that they be years of youth. ~ Ovid

 

Nov23

The Who’s Who of Thank You’s

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adams-pumpkin-2I’m about to do something dangerous. So, hold on, my mini pumpkin muffins. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am compiling a list of people I want to thank for encouraging me as a writer. It’s inevitable I’ll miss some folks and for that I apologize with a dollop of whip cream on top. (But if you ask me, having lots of names to recall is a most excellent problem to have.) When I surface from my tryptophan-induced haze, I will draft a Part II to recognize anyone I may have missed or new names I need to add.

I am most sincerely . . .

  • Thankful for my critique group for their honesty, genuine encouragement and generosity.
  • Thankful for Helen who always makes my XL English Breakfast with two creams just right every morning. Writers run on tea.
  • Thankful for Erin,my agent, for taking a chance on me.
  • Thankful for my parents who are always enthusiastic about my writing pursuits.
  • Thankful for my husband who never makes me feel bad for heading off to yet another writing retreat, and always supports me with love and a listening ear.
  • Thankful for the inventor of “Find/Replace” and “Cut/Paste” (aka Ctrl C/Ctrl V).
  • Thankful for Mrs. Eickholt, Mr. Darling and Mr. Brahlek–middle school and high school teachers–who recognized my love of writing.
  • Thankful for my stellar beta readers–you give me much-needed confidence.
  • Thankful for my non-writing friends who patiently listen as I babble on about a conference or puddle up about a rejection.
  • Thankful for my children who have listened to me read my stories over the years.
  • Thankful for editors who have considered my work, even if they said no thank you.
  • Thankful for Hope, Kelly B., Kris, Danielle, Ann F., Pam, Rachel, Cathy, Monica, Matt, Kristen, Randy, Rebecca, Lisa, Buffy, Ann P., Jay, Ruth, Anna, Charlie, Deb, Vicki, Janice, Kim, Sarah, Ann A.,  Carrie, Hayley, Kelly P., Terry, Kirsten, Patti, Leslie, Catie, Donna, Kathi and soooo many others. (Like I said, needing to remember lots of names is a good problem to have.)

Let me encourage you to go and do likewise, my little drumsticks. It’s great to say you’re thankful for your friends and family, but why not reserve a minute or two while you wait for the turkey to brown, and recall the names and faces of the dear folks who have made a big difference in your writing life. Why, you’ll feel warmer than a mound of mashed taters.

Ahem. Pass the gravy.

I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. ~ Henry David Thoreau

 

Nov13

23 reasonably good ideas for self-care

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Hello my little apricot tarts. It’s been quite a week and the “fun” isn’t over yet, so while I will never-ever-ever pretend to have all the answers, I want to share my list of 20-plus ways you can take good care of yourself. When you and I take care of ourselves, we’re a bit better able to extend compassion, patience, empathy, kindness and cookies to others.

You’re so smart, you’re probably practicing all of these right now. But just in case . . .

  1. Keep something beautiful in plain sight. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A photograph or even a rock that reminds you of your trip to Lake Michigan can work wonders.
  2. Encourage someone else. Too much navel-gazing can do a number on your mind, not to mention your neck. Think of something you can do to lift up someone else, you’ll be helping yourself at the same time. Look at you, double-lifting. Impressive!
  3. Practice self-discipline. Specifically, I mean, when you are over-the-top tempted to engage in a conversation you know will go nowhere fast, don’t go there. Save your words for someone who will truly listen and for when you’re able to listen too. Otherwise, you get wound up, say things you regret and feel crappier than you already do. Don’t be self-defeating. Be self-replenishing.
  4. Clear your counters. Living in a messy, cluttered environment can really mess with your head. Set a timer for 15 minutes and do what you can each day to make things a bit less chaotic. You don’t have to aim for pristine, just try for more serene.
  5. Read. Get lost in a story. Reread a classic you adore. Pick up a pile of beloved children’s picture books and enjoy the rhythm of the words coupled with the elegance of the art.
  6. Watch funny movies. Make some popcorn and invite someone to watch and giggle along with you.
  7. Create something. Doodle. Write a poem. Bake a pie. Do origami. Knit.
  8. Nurture yourself in nature. Hit the local hiking trail or bike path. Take your camera. Notice the glory that’s all around you. (And say hello to the squirrels. It’s fun to see their reactions.)
  9. Let it leak. Ever noticed how you feel different after shedding tears of sorrow (versus tears of joy)? Giving into that need to cry when you feel sad or overwhelmed really can make you feel better physically and emotionally. So what if you have a leaky face.
  10. Be a picky eater. It’s easy to turn to fatty, sugary foods when you feel stressed (trust me–I know!) Go ahead and indulge in comfort foods once in a while, but know that eating healthier foods will help you feel better in the long run. So, keep good stuff on hand to make it easier to eat well.
  11. Let music soothe your savage beast. Isn’t it remarkable how a song can lift your whole outlook?
  12. Come out of your cave. Have lunch with an encouraging friend. Go for a walk with your sweetheart. Interacting with others helps to get you out of your own head and adjust your perspective.
  13. Be thankful. Keep a daily log of at least one thing you’re grateful for each day.
  14. Sleep. Can’t sleep? Limit screen time at least 30 minutes before bed. Watch your caffeine intake. Make a your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep (okay, and maybe a little somethin’-somethin’) only. Keep it dark, cool and screen-free. Aromatherapy helps too–lavender is a good choice.
  15. Seek help. Wise people seek the counsel of others when they are in distress.  If you need the guidance of a professional, make that call.
  16. Pray. Remembering you are not the center of the universe and that the future of all humankind does not rest on your shoulders alone can be a good thing.
  17. Breathe. Take in long slow breaths and release slowly. Allow your shoulders to relax too (they may be around your ears and you don’t even realize it!)
  18. Get a massage. Let a professional undo those knots in your neck, shoulders and back.
  19. Avoid the suck. For a lot of us, spending too much time on social media or watching the news can pull us down to a sorrowful place. Stay informed, but do what you need to do to limit your media consumption.
  20. Get a pet. Having a furry friend to come home to can make such a difference. Already have critters at your house? Be sure to do more than feed and water them while you’re in a slump. Take time to truly enjoy their company.
  21. Move. Go for a walk daily. Swim laps. Shoot hoops. Practice yoga. Get your bod in motion.
  22. Plan something fun for the future. Get tickets for a musical you love. Sign up for a conference. Plan a trip. Heck, make a lunch date. It’s uplifting to have something good to look forward to.
  23. Give yourself some grace. You’re going to have some bad days. You’re going to say things you wish you hadn’t. You’re going to not do things you wish you had. Apologize to those you hurt and move on, knowing you’re going to do better tomorrow.

Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.  – Christopher Germer

Oct24

Trick or Treater Winning Reader

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Congratulations to Sally Kruger–winner of her very own copy of WILLIAM AND THE WITCH’S RIDDLE by Shutta Crum!

Many thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway contest and shared your Halloween costume tales. Bats, punk rockers and lions, oh my!

Sally, please send me your address via my contact page and I’ll be glad to whisk your new read your way! I may even include an extra treat or two–no trick!shutta-book-2

Happy Halloween to one and all!

A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality. ~ Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts)

Oct19

Trick or Treat – Repeat

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Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2016

My little cinnamon sugar cider donuts, do I have a treat for you . . .

WILLIAM AND THE WITCH’S RIDDLE written by Shutta Crum and illustrated by Lee Wildish.

From the jacket flap . . .

“William and his little brother, Pinch, have been left alone at their home atop a mountain. When a witch named Morga shows up, William is forced to embark upon a terrifying journey, but he is also offered the possibility to save his family.

“The worst part of the journey is Morga herself. She has three riddles for William to solve, with only the help of an odd fellow who wakes up a different size every day and a tiny yellow dragon who can dream storms into reality.

“Three riddles. Three chances to lift an ancient curse. Three chances to save his family.”

This is a beautifully written middle grade fantasy. You’ll want to gobble it up like trick-or-treat sack of snack size Snickers! But you don’t have to take my word for it . . .

From Kirkus Reviews:

“There is humor, heart-stopping action, magic of many sorts, and tender emotions of sacrifice, love, and loss. Crum draws readers into this evidently white fairy-tale world with detailed, descriptive language and inventive syntax. An exciting, neatly crafted adventure.”

Doesn’t this sound irresistible? A copy of this spellbinding can be yours!

How?

Leave a comment–describe your favorite childhood Halloween costume–at the end of this post by Noon on Monday, October 24, and you will be entered into a drawing for a copy of your very own. No trick – just treat!

dsc04887October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace! ~ Rainbow Rowell

Oct6

the high price of giving up

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You may not be able to calculate it in dollars, but the price may be higher than you think.

Vicky L. Lorencen's avatarWelcome to Frog on a Dime

Photo by Vicky Lorencen Photo by Vicky Lorencen .

Have you ever wanted to quit on a dream? I have. I suspect we all have. Dreams are easy to carry when they are fresh and so are we. But they can feel burdensome once the real work begins. Little wonder we want to say “enough”!

Recently at least two of my writing friends wondered if they should loosen their grip on their dreams and let go. Can you relate? Before you make that decision, may I offer some things to think about?

Will your life be better for it–will you feel free to pursue other things–or will you miss having a dream to chase?

Can you live with the wonderings and the what ifs–I wonder what would have happened if I’d stuck with it just one more year . . . sigh.

How will others be influenced by your decision? Now, typically, when…

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Sep20

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

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Sketch from high school art class

My high school art teacher Ms. Bassnett told me, “If you can draw a hand, you can draw anything.” And so, I spent a lot to time (and paper) doing pencil studies of hands (mostly my own because it was a willing model).

 

Ever thought about your character’s hands? Studying them, I mean. Hmm. You can tell a lot about a person simply by seeing her hands.Taking a good long look may reveal some intimate info that will transform and three-dimensionalize (a word?) your character for you and your readers.

Start with your main character, but don’t stop there. If a character has a name, she has a past, feelings and preferences, and you need to know them. Otherwise, what you got ’em in your story for?

Now, relax and let your imagination drive. Don’t censor. Hold that hand and see what happens.

  • Does your character want you to see his/her hands? Does he sit on them after you ask or present them with pride?
  • How do they feel? Warm, cool, rough, calloused, soft, sweaty, puffy, jittery?
  • What shade are the hands?
  • Is the skin mottled? Freckled? Moley?
  • Are the fingers pudgy or long? Knuckles wide or narrow?
  • Are the thumbs looped into holes made in the cuffs of the sleeves?
  • Do you see bruises, cuts, burn marks or scars?
  • Is the hand covered in a lacy glove or a catcher’s mitt?
  • Is it stained with juice, paint, ink or some unidentifiable funk?
  • Is there orange Cheetos dust on the fingertips?
  • Are there tobacco stains between the index and middle finger?
  • How’s the wrist look?
  • Are you holding your character’s dominant hand? Or is your character ambidextrous?
  • What about a stamp on the back of the hand? Where did your character go?
  • Do you see Band-Aids? Are they fresh or dirty? Standard variety or Hello Kitty brand?
  • Do you see any embellishments–tattoo on the wrist or perhaps a phone number scribbled on the palm?
  • What about a ring (or many rings) or perhaps a line around a finger where a ring used to be? Are these big rings intended to impress or intimidate? Are they dainty? Cheap? Pricey?
  • What about the finger nails–are they minced to the quick, polished in a demure pink or are they covered in cheap press-on nails with rhinestones? Is there grime under them or are they filed and clean?
  • Is one hand in a cast? What happened?
  • Are all the fingers there or is one missing? What’s the story there?

Well, my little animal cracker, how was that? Was something new revealed or something suspected confirmed? Do you feel closer to your character or perhaps closer to mapping your plot? Would you try this again with your other character? Thank you for giving this handy exercise a try.

High five!

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Sketch from first drawing class

I don’t know where my road is going, but I know that I walk better when I hold your hand. ~ Alfred de Musset

Aug25

To my friends who write for teens

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Dear Friends Who Write for Teens,

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Collage by Vicky Lorencen

Car-less high schoolers in my neighborhood must meet at a bus stop a stone’s throw from my house. I heard them gathering this morning as I lay in bed. A loud-mouth girl shouted to her friends down the street. Other kids laughed. And although I didn’t peek out my bedroom window, I imagine there was at least one stoic kid standing solo in a sweat-drenched cocoon, clutching a sack lunch.

I rolled over on my pillow and thought about those kids. My heart went out to all of them, to the loners for certain, but truly to each of them, even Ms. Loud-Mouth. I knew that once they boarded that bus, they were headed to an emotional meat grinder. Part of me wanted to open my window and yell, “Listen! There’s some important stuff you need to know!” and then I’d talk as fast as I could before the bus roared down our street. But that part of me didn’t move off the mattress. And so, this is where you come in, my dear friends who write for teens.

Will you, in your own unique, skillful way, remind these kids of how precious they are? They are no less loveable than when they were darling, chirping preschoolers. I know some of those kids may not be or feel loved right now, but they are no less love-worthy.

Will you, somehow, in a way only you can, let them know that what the cool kids think of them during high school will not matter AT ALL after graduation?

Will you, using your subtle magic, encourage them to talk to everyone–not just the kids they like, to get involved at school, to take wise risks and to keep the long view in mind (i.e., there’s life after high school) because the choices they make now matter?

Will you woo them into seeing the value of a trusted adult friend–a teacher, a coach, a grandparent–who can act as a mentor and support?

Will you, with sincerity and without condescension, offer them some kind of hope for the future and a touch of inspiration that will spark imaginings and dreams?

Will you, with your prosey powers, help your readers feel seen and heard and known?

Yes, yes, I appreciate the pressure I’m placing on you. But you’re more than up for the challenge! I also know I probably sound idealistic and maybe even mushy (yeesh), but I know that you, like me, have who-knows-how preserved a soft, empathetic chamber in our hearts for teens. We remember that merciless emotional meat grinder and we’ve lived long enough to tell about it.

Finally, will you remember how much I appreciate what you do so well? Because I do.

Growing up is hard, love. Otherwise everyone would do it. ~ Kim Harrison