Good morning, Everyone. I’m back in New York. Burr, it’s a lot colder than South Carolina. Grab your coffee. Let’s catch up.
If we were having coffee together, I would report I had cleared out the rented condo, pack the car, strapped my bicycle to the rack, tied Matt’s recumbent bike on the car roof, kissed my daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids goodbye, then closed the door on a satisfying winter on Hilton Head Island. I am already missing my grandkids.
Matt and I scheduled a two-day road trip to home on Long Island. I was sure to stay in the middle lane on the Southern State Parkway since some of the underpass bridges had less than an eight-foot clearance. Whew! The recumbent bike survived.
Hershey, the cat who had a house sitter for company, was glad to see us. He nipped me twice and groused for an extra kibble serving as a welcome home greeting. I am glad to be home, surrounded in my familiar space and place. I have spent the week unpacking, reorganizing, and mentally listing all the cleanup and necessary spring prep. Yes, it’s spring! Hurray!
If we were having coffee together, I would announce that I got Shot 1 done. It pleasantly surprised me how well organized and efficient the site was in processing and administering the shots. My arm is sore, but I’ll take it. Shot 2 is in three weeks. I am feeling we are soon going to see a new normal in which we can all work, play, and enjoy our lives.
If we were having coffee together, I would let you know I had taken part in the Women In Publishing Summit, which covered an amazing amount of craft, business, and everything else a writer should know. From the chats, I met a small group of fellow kidlit authors at various stages in their writing life. We decided to meet via Zoom for writing sprints. I’m not sure what this is, but it sounds like something I need to do. Stay tuned.
From the summit, I learned I need a social media schedule and a weekly interaction goal to build that coveted audience and email list. I also need to finish the draft in editing Book 2, The Hearts of Singers and Sluggers. Write on!
If we were having coffee together, I would remind you that this upcoming week marks the 110th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire—a heartbreaking tragedy in American history that propelled laws and enforcement of safe workplaces, workers’ rights, and mitigating child labor. The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire served as a backdrop to my story Daily Bread Becoming America’s Stories Book 1. Storytelling typical life through historic events brings saliency to the bigger picture and steers the timeline into the future. Listening to our elders’ childhood and coming-of-age stories provides foundations and understanding as to the significance lasting impact of these events.
For all of your teachers and librarians, I am offering free links to articles, videos, discussion topics and writing resources. Click on the link below. I’d love to know what you think.
That’s it, Everyone. Thank you to Natalie the Explorer for keeping Weekend Coffee Share up and running.
Have a good week. Make it Funtastic.
Attention Teachers and Librarians
March is National Reading Month!
Schedule your virtual and live Book Club Events and Creative Writing Workshops.
Download FREE Curriculum Connections
If you had purchased a paperback or ebook Daily Bread and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories—Thank you!
Take a picture of you with Daily Bread and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories, and I’ll send you Reader’s Swag and add you to the Becoming America’s Stories Readers slideshow, coming soon! Kid pics are welcomed with parent or guardian permission. Don’t forget to leave a rating and quick comment on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
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Daily Bread is set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows nine-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who wants to prove she is not a little kid. To be a big kid in the crowded tenement neighborhoods, she must tackle bigotry, bullies, disasters, dotty bakers, and learn to cross the street by herself.
Hope you are hungry. Becoming America’s Food Stories recalls the tales that have been told around my family’s dinner table. The histories explain the motivations over bowls of macaroni, antics play out while slurping soup, and laughter echoes throughout the dining room. Pull up a seat. There’s always room.
“If you don’t cook with love, you have to get out of the kitchen.” Florence Messina
Stories Served 
Welcome home, Antoinette. Your time away sounds like it was very fulfiling. The Women in Publishing Summit sounds awesome. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Glad you are safely home, but sad that you will be missing your family. It sounds like you have a good plan for your writing though. Good luck!
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Thanks a bunch
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Hi Antoinette. I’m catching your coffee share via the WP Reader this round.
After such a great stay south, I’m betting that you feel like you have two homes, both with deepening roots and community. I’m glad your are safe and comfortable because that will keep you writing.
I was thinking that I could use a summit as you described as I’m stuck in a story line that grew in a way I’d not expected and suspect I may need to bear down and write my way out. The muse in in a strained mood and needs a good shakeing.
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Keep plodding. The story reveals itself.
Thanks for reading.
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