I'm back!

It's been a very long time since I've written here. I wish I could say I have been swamped with writing assignments, but that's not all true. I have been keeping busy with some small articles but that's it. So....what have I been up to? I do teach preschool full time in a public school so that takes up most of my time. Any writing I do is in my spare time, which is few and far between since I am a wife, and a mom to two boys ages 10 and 11.

I just filled out a Product Writer's Test for Lakeshore Learning Materials. I hope to hear something from them soon. Being a teacher, it is a dream to create learning materials for such a known and well-respected educational company. I hope I did well on my writing test.

I have also been thinking about going back to college and get my Masters Degree in Educational Administration. There is a program that is in a weekend format and I can be done in 6 semesters (summer, fall, spring, summer, fall, spring). It starts this summer. I am hoping to get a scholarship that will pay the tuition for my classes. If I can get that, then I am going to go for it and start my classes this summer. I applied to Graduate School and was accepted. Now, I am just waiting to hear from the scholarship committee. Unfortunately, if I don't get the scholarship, I don't think I can pursue that degree at the moment. At $300 per credit hour, and with 37 credits, it's not cheap. I do know that if I start school this summer, I will be limited on what writing projects I can take on. You know how it goes, haven't got an assignment for months, but if I start my classes, I will get assignment offers left and right!!

I will keep everyone posted on what's going on. Thanks for reading!
~B

New Writing Opportunity

I just wanted to share my latest writing opportunity. I am now the Southeastern Illinois Early Childhood Education Examiner for Examiner.com. I did a lot of research on this writing opportunity and considering they needed a writer for an area of my interest, I applied. I was contacted that my application and writing samples were accepted and they offered me the writing opportunity. I just started today and only have one article up on my site. But, I wanted to share it with everyone. Please check it out and leave me comments. And keep checking back because I will be adding to it weekly. Even if you are not in Illinois, if you are interested in early childhood education or know of someone that does, it will be interesting to you no matter where you live.


Can't wait to hear what you think!
Thanks!
~Bobbi
Southeastern Illinois Early Childhood Education Examiner

What's on for 2010?

It is the new year, 2010. I've been thinking about my writing and trying to make a list of everything I want to accomplish this year. For some reason, if I write it down and actually see it in writing, I am more likely to get it done. Some of the things on my list are:
1. Get new author packs ready for bigger educational publishers.
It's been 1 yr since I sent a pack to them and haven't heard anything. I've got some new published credits, so what a better time to reintroduce them to me?
2. Submit to a magazine each month.
When I first started, I submitted many articles/stories to magazines but have since stopped. I am gong to revise some of my old stories and find new homes for them.
3. Work on a proposal for a children's publisher.
This is just some of my list, but it's where I am starting. How about you? What's on your "to do" list for 2010?
Happy Writing!
~Bobbi

Blogs. . . what are they good for?

Isn't it funny that only a few years ago we had never heard of a Blog, at least I know I hadn't. But now, there is a blog for everything. You can read environmental blogs, cooking blogs, lifestyle blogs, writing blogs, and you can even read your favorite musician's blog. In a way, it makes us feel like we know people that we in reality don't know at all.

Writers, musicians, and artists can use blogs to reach people and sell their books, music and art. What greater way to reach your fan base and to connect with them. Even some retail stores and corporates are blogging now.

I like blogs that share information with me. I subscribe to many blogs that share freelance writing opportunities and writing markets. I also subscribe to my favorite musician's blogs in hopes I am the lucky winner of some cool merchandise that they give away to their blog subscribers.

Some blogs teach us something. Either an actual process, or an personal emotional lesson. I receive a Bible scripture everyday from K-LOVE. It isn't actually a blog, but an email, but you get my point.

Some people make a living from blogging. With google ads, amazon ads, and with getting traffic to their blogs. One time I saw a huge blog community and couldn't figure out how so many people blogged and commented on this one site. Then I found out that many huge blog sites are that way because the bloggers are paid to blog. I think I read in the news that soon all blog sites that pay their authors to blog will have to post that they are a paid blogging site.

Some of my friends use a personal blog to stay in touch with friends and relatives. They post pictures, videos, and details of trips and events. This seems like a slower paced way of social networking to me in comparison to a facebook or myspace. I think it is a great alternative to those bigger social networking sites. This way, people come to your blog to read about you and aren't distracted by everyone's status or posts, as in facebook.

Some people believe in a cause and want to educate others on the cause. Blogs are a great tool for that as well. And they can be fun to create and update.

As a writer, artist, musician, I think I can speak for all in saying a blog is a way to get noticed and to hopefully land that huge opportunity someday! We can all dream, right? You never know who is reading your blog and what connections that person may have.

Have you updated your blog today? Why not do it now!

~Bobbi

I've got mail!

When you get a book contract you feel so much excitement. As you are working on that book, the excitement turns in to "work". Once that deadline is meet, it turns into relief. Today, I felt that excitement again when my book arrived on my doorstep. I was so excited to finally see my project, my baby, my ideas all in print. I have had books published for work for hire projects, but this is my first book that was all my idea.

It is my Abraham Lincoln book that is pictured on my blog.

Potty Training Story Contest!

Do you have a good potty training story? How was your and your child's experience with potty training? Tell me your story and you could WIN an autographed copy of my latest book.

I am writing an ebook for an up and coming website. It is an ebook on potty training. I am doing research and collecting stories that may be used in my book and/or on the website. If you would like to share your story or tips, please send me an email or leave it as a comment here. If you want your your first name listed and what state you live in, I can include it if your story/tip if used. Just let me know if you want that recognition.

I can't wait to read your stories and tips!! Tell your friends and family to submit a story because I will be drawing a random winner from all the submitted stories/tips and they will receive an autographed copy of my latest book, "Abraham Lincoln and His Era: Using the American Memory Project to Teach with Primary Sources" that is to be released December 31, 2009, published by Teacher Idea Pres. The book will be shipped to you as soon as I get my order, after December 31.

Please repost this on your blog, Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter page. The more stories, the better!!!

Thanks~!
~Bobbi

Hello December!

It's so hard to believe that this is December 1! The Thanksgiving Holiday went really fast and now we are into the Christmas Season. I had a good time spending Thanksgiving time with my family. I finished up a freelance writing project for Carson Dellosa right before Thanksgiving. It was such a fun project but I was glad to have it finished before Thanksgiving. I some exciting news, I am going to be working with someone on a Potty-Training website for parents. I am working on an e-book that will be available on the site soon. I am very excited about this new opportunity and I can't wait to share more news with you all when it's time. Until then, wish me luck on this new opportunity and I will fill you in later.