The Writing LIfe | Love, Laughter, and Life

February 16, 2024
by Angie 4 Comments

Let’s Talk Hobbies

Hey, friends. If you’ve been checking out my blog for any length of time, you may know a few of my hobbies. Gardening. Photography. Books. Reading. Cats. Tote bags. Grands (though they are not this far down the actual list, were I naming things in order of importance). Bible. More books. Art. Chocolate. Travel. Exploring. Seahawks. Oh, wait. I don’t post about the Hawks. But I LOVE watching them. (And it’s a LONG time until football season.) RV living. Hiking. Heart rocks. Beach time. Food. Thrifting. Reading. And books.

Let’s not forget-rubber stamping-the topic of this post.

Last year was an anomaly for rubber stamping. Because of surgeries (2), planning for and enjoying a lovely trip to Europe, taking my grand to the beach when he turned 10 (a Nana tradition for the grands), work, writing, and so many other things, my rubber stamping time was cut to the quick. My stash of handmade greeting cards is in the red. My creative muscles did not get much exercise.

Friends, it’s already the middle of February! This year will probably go as fast as last year, but I hope to exercise those creative muscles much more in 2024. Time to get this hobby in shape!

To kick off the year, I spent a part of last Saturday making a huge mess with my stamping supplies. Those rubber stamping muscles are so rusty! It took me quite a bit to get going. And I have to admit, I create better in the company of fellow creatives-the stamping buddies. Hobbies with friends is best.

But I persevered. I managed to make 8 cards. The struggle was real!

We watched the Super Bowl. I continued my personal Super Bowl of stamping by creating as I watched the game. Ended up with another 20 cards. All one basic design, but I will count each one as a win. My honey uses my cards in his job as chaplain and celebrant. Due to lack of rubber stamping exercise last year, even HIS stash is super low!

I wasn’t going to make valentines. But then I was inspired with one more idea as I was playing with a set of stamps I recently found at a thrift store (see above list of hobbies: thrifting). For one, I’m so proud of myself for actually USING a new/old set! For two, I made 12 more cards!

The mess is real. It’s still spread hither and yon. All worth it.

What hobbies do you enjoy? Let’s hear about it. Maybe I will find a new hobby!

February 15, 2024
by Angie Leave a comment

Haiku Moment: tricksy

winter rolled out, gone.

spring swept in, bright sun, blue sky-

but tricksy came back

tricksy by Angie Quantrell

Valentine’s Day surprise, Yakima Valley

February 12, 2024
by Angie 12 Comments

Author Interview: Janet Lawler and Her New Picture Book THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE

Today I’d like to welcome Janet Lawler, author of the new picture book THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE (FSG, 2024). With Janet’s beautiful words and Tamisha Anthony’s adorable illustrations, this picture book is delightful!

Congratulations, Janet and Tamisha. Welcome!

Janet, tell us about your brand-new picture book.

Thank you for asking, Angie!

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE is a kid-friendly exploration of how hope makes us courageous, kind, and connected to one another. Tamisha Anthony’s diverse characters, shown caring and sharing in childhood/community scenes, beautifully complement my text.

My words are intentionally universal; I wanted to leave a lot of leeway for an illustrator to interpret them and add depth to this picture book. And I love what Tamisha did with my poem! For each couplet she developed a story vignette that helps children understand the concept of hope. For example, I wrote:

Hope helps you fix things

when plans have gone wrong

and offers you comfort

when nights are too long.

The illustration shows a child in pajamas, tossing and turning in multiple poses. The reader then sees that child snuggled with an older sibling under a blanket tent, reading a book.

I believe that THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE will provide comfort and hope for young readers and their families during difficult times. The book also will be a good addition to classroom, school library, and school counselor collections focusing on community and kindness.

I totally agree, Janet. We all need more hope, community, and kindness in our lives.

Where did you get the idea for THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE?

The recent pandemic severely challenged my usually optimistic outlook, both professionally and personally. My darkest days were those in early 2021, when it seemed as if there would never be a vaccine approved to change the course of Covid’s deadly advance. But sometime in January of that year I began writing about hope, sparked by a suggestion from my agent. That creative effort (and spring news of a vaccine!) sustained me over the next few months. I wrote, revised, and polished a picture book text that could be illustrated in a way that would make the positive pull of hope relatable for young readers.

From a place and time that seemed without hope, you discovered hope—and a brand-new picture book to inspire others. Excellent.

How did you decide to write this picture book in rhyme?

Honestly, I am not sure it was a conscious decision. I often write in rhyme, and my early scribbles came out that way. Maybe subconsciously I knew it was the right choice for writing about hope—a fluid, connecting, healing concept. And rhyming text, especially when read out loud, sounds musical in a very uplifting way, don’t you think? So verse seems to further my theme; at least, I hope so!

Give hope as a gift,

like the song of a bird.

Your words will have wings.

Your voice will be heard.

I think rhyme is the perfect choice for this picture book!

How are you celebrating the release of THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE?

I am very excited to be launching this book with an appearance at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, CT on Valentine’s Day, February 14^th. CCMC has recently created an in-house TV studio, where guests can “visit” into the patients’ rooms via closed circuit broadcast, allowing for more entertainment for children in need of isolation for health reasons. I will read the book during an afternoon virtual story time and donate autographed copies of THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE for each child hospitalized there on Valentine’s Day.

What a perfect way to celebrate hope! And Valentine’s Day!

What’s next for you, Janet?

I have a couple of early nonfiction projects and a fiction picture book under consideration for possible acquisition. Those will require further development and revision if they move forward. In the meantime, I have new ideas percolating, as well as plans to revise a couple of stories I wrote a while back that might benefit from a fresh look.

We can’t wait to hear more in the future. Best wishes to you with all of your books, new and old! Thank you for stopping by!

Connect with Janet:

Janet Lawler

Instagram

Facebook

February 6, 2024
by Angie Leave a comment

Haiku Moment: green snow

green snow, you look weird

better than yellow, but what???

slushy algae ice

green snow by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley

February 5, 2024
by Angie 6 Comments

The Birthday Girl = Breakfast and Thrift Stores

Happy birthday to this beauty! Jamie Lee!

My annual tradition is to take my grands on a birthday date. We enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This year I decided I wanted to take my adult children out on a birthday date as well. Because. Well, they are pretty important to me and we never get the chance to just visit. Plus. Heh-heh. I get them all to myself!

We kicked off our date with a delicious breakfast at the White House Cafe in Yakima. I’m telling you, the special touches were so adorable! The whole house is currently decked out with hearts. And all things white. So many sights to see and enjoy.

Even the water glasses were delightful. Look at those little heart-shaped cranberry ice cubes with a wedge of cucumber. Mmm.

Of course we went for breakfast. Because of their tasty hashbrowns (among other treats). We had to have the special, which had so much food, we were glad we followed the advice of our server and split the meal. Some of everything. Plus half of a ginormous cinnamon roll! Which we could not finish. Scrumptious.

Don’t worry. I didn’t just take food pictures. I was there. Enjoying the company and ambiance.

Just look at those old windows and lights! They were everywhere. Perfectly my style.

I’d love to show you pictures from the rest of the day, but we were too busy treasure hunting through many thrift stores, a fabric/craft store, and even an estate of sorts. We wore ourselves out. But you will be happy to know that several treasures were rescued to go home with us.

I’m leaving you with a strawberry heart and 1/2 of a huge, yummy cinnamon roll. FYI, they make these every Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks for being my birthday date, Jamie Lee!

February 1, 2024
by Angie Leave a comment

Book Share: Something Wild by Molly Ruttan

Something Wild

by Molly Ruttan

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023

I have something in common with this lovely picture book by Molly Ruttan. Stage fright!

Thank you, Molly Ruttan, for sending me a copy of your delightful picture book. And thank you, Kathy Temean, for introducing me to Molly and her work. What a great picture book!

Something Wild is the story of a young violin player who loves playing her violin. But she is nervous about her upcoming recital. She desperately wishes for something wild to happen so she won’t have to go. But it doesn’t. She hopes again, but nope, nothing wild. Again. Nothing. When it’s finally her turn to play on the big stage, something does happen! But you’ll have to read the book to find out. Beautiful!

What I Love About This Book:

~ beautiful, emotion-filled illustrations

~ imagination

~ the theme of stage fright

~ the love of playing a musical instrument

~ the common challenge many young performers face when they prepare to share what they’ve learned at a recital

~ overall wonderful book

Thank you, Molly! Best wishes on your future projects!

January 31, 2024
by Angie 7 Comments

Haiku Moment: melted crayons

melted crayons spill

drip, swirl, splash-silhouettes pause . . .

pathway to the day

melted crayons by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley sunrise

January 24, 2024
by Angie Leave a comment

Haiku Moment: snow clothes

winter! there you are,

dancing in, fancy free . . . wood

is wearing snow clothes

snow clothes by Angie Quantrell

Winter, Yakima Valley

January 19, 2024
by Angie 3 Comments

New Book Alert: Afikotective by Amalia Hoffman

Afikotective

Written and illustrated by Amalia Hoffman

Kar-Ben Publishing, January 2024

It’s time for new book news! Author Illustrator Amalia Hoffman kicked off 2024 with a new picture book! Amalia is joining us today to talk about her newest project. Welcome, Amalia!

Tell us about your brand-new picture book, Afikotective. What is it about?

A family of bears is getting ready for the Passover seder, preparing all the items for the seder plate. When the time comes in the seder for hiding the afikomen, Grandma breaks the middle matzah into two pieces. She hides the bigger piece, the afikomen, that the kids will eagerly search for later in the seder. It’s a good thing one little bear has turned his toy elephant into an Afiko-Sniffer! The invention sniffs out apples in a bowl, eggs in the fridge, and horseradish in the pantry, but can it help find the afikomen?

Amalia, this story sounds super adorable! I love learning about Passover in such a fun way.

Where did you get the idea for Afikotective?

When I grew up in Jerusalem, we used to attend the seder over at a family’s relative. The hosts used to hide the afikomen (the piece of matzah that is hidden during the Passover seder) in the most obscure places. One year, they hid it in a cactus planter that stood on the balcony. Another year, it was hidden wrapped in a towel by the bathtub. It was really challenging to find. But I was determined because finding the afikomen was rewarded with a small amount of money. At one seder, I stood up and announced: “I’m the afikomen detective!” I guess that this is what gave me the idea for the story.

So this picture book springs right from your own childhood! That’s pretty cool.

How did you decide to write and illustrate this book?

I wanted to create a book about Passover but to write a story that is fun and funny and will resonate with little kids’ sense of humor. So I came up with the idea that Afikotective and his “helper,” the Afiko Sniffer, look for the afikomen in all the wrong places, until Afikotective decides to fix his afiko-sniffer and finds the afikomen in the toolbox, that could be something that will put a smile on the face of a 3–7-year-old. I was always in love with anything pop-up, like pop-up books and cards. But producing a pop-up book is very expensive so I decided to illustrate the book by cutting elements so they look like they pop up off the page. I started by cutting elements out of paper and positioning them on boards. Later, I added color to my figuring and the background. I started using lighting to see how the shadow will play a role in the final photograph. Then, I incorporated other elements such as string, yarn, etc. For the cover, I painted a faux matzah.

Your illustrating style is unique, intricate, and captivating! I imagine it takes quite a long time to get all the illustrations just right. Well done!

How have you been celebrating the January 2024 release of Afikotective?

I decided to plan book launch not in January but closer to Passover. But on the day of January 2^nd, when the book launched, I held it close to my heart and sniffed it. I love the smell of a freshly printed book. I also sniffed the flowers I got from my family.

Awwww, you are absolutely right! That new book smell is so enticing! Congratulations on your new book!

What’s next for you, Amalia?

I am working on a picture book about peace. I have a board book about the Jewish holiday of Shavuot launching in May. I am working on a picture book about peace and another picture book. I am also experimenting in different illustration style, using paper tissue collage.

Wow, you are busy! We look forward to hearing more about your upcoming book projects!

Thank you, Amalia, for visiting and sharing your new book with us.

You can see Amalia and her puppet helper Elfie in this sample of the presentation she does for Afikotective. Very cute!

See below for more information about Amalia and her new book. Afikotective is available now (the press release says Spring).