Gina Ritter, Children’s writer

When we left New York 2.5 years ago, I left a ton of office space behind. A big desk, two desk top computers AND a laptop, a file cabinet, lots of paper holders and binders. I love NorCal, but the homes are generally so small and I have no sewing space, no writing space that’s mine, no place to permanently set anything out. I am so unsettled.

Still, I started getting settled again in 2006 and early 2007 until I decided having ONE MORE BABY would be a great idea. P’shaw! Now I am swimming in even more clutter and have even less time and *sigh* …. but it can’t wait. I type mostly one-handed while nursing at the keyboard with my neck craned to the right. However, despite the handicap, the characters are speaking to me always and I have to begin to get them down on paper.

I will be starting my first college class soon (late start class later this month) and beginning my voyage to a Masters in Creative Writing. I should also join a class for children’s writing. And somehow I think I will still find time to write? I’m not sure, but I need to try.

But all my STUFF is locked in a little rolling organizer in the closet, on the computer, and on a shelf. I need to get it all together, read my notes, get refreshed and start writing again. I’ve tried recently but feel like I’ve lost the ability to just do it and I feel completely spaced out. I need grounding. I need to go back to my roots and read about the craft of writing. I need to enjoy the fact that I bought a pub height table so if I lay my cards or papers out for the day, the baby will not be able to disrupt them.

After 8 months the babe started allowing me more time and now at 9.5 months he plays with toys for a few minutes to an hour here and there. I smell opportunity!

I am also contemplating getting up really early like 4:00-5:00am to work on things before the kids get up. The baby tends to nurse 5:00-7:00am, so I could have an hour or two to work before that and if it’s still early, he may settle in for more sleep. Being perpetually tired though… will I be able to drag my bones out of bed or keep them out of bed?

My six year old has been writing and illustrating his own stories for a couple of weeks. It’s most likely an interest that won’t last too long, but I am impressed.

Each has a beginning, middle and end, is fully illustrated, stapled together and on the back it says Written by Jackson, Illustrated by Jackson. One has three books in one; a series called The Monster Day. SO CUTE!

Likewise, he doesn’t have more than game experience on the computer but he went in and opened a Word doc himself and started typing up his Monster Day series. LOL

My 9 year old is also a bit of a writer. I don’t always “get” why he chooses the story lines he does, but that’s my problem. He’s writing what every boy his age probably wants to read, you know?

My 12 year old isn’t a writer, but I am very proud that he’s taken interest lately in a book.. something about Al Capone Does my Shirts or something. That in itself is enough!

Hopefully the boys will continue to be interested! I’d love to see them write as they grow.

I’ve been “away” for about 6 of my 7 months of pregnancy due to troubles with growing the bean. To make it very short, I have been SICK.

I am now 28 weeks along, so third trimester, with approximately 12 weeks left. The hyperemesis is gone, but some of the troubles remain. I am on light bedrest for a possible liver issue.

However, I can’t stay away from reading/writing any longer! We all go through our seasons where we lose some of our forward motion or we have to pay attention to other themes in life. I guess that’s where I have been. I’m back and I’m moving forward again! Come visit me!

I went to a conference this weekend for my local SCBWI chapter. If you aren’t an SCBWI member and are a children’s writer, you should be. I do believe you CAN go to these events even if a non member though.

I “met” the senior editor at Candlewick (one of my FAVE publishers). Amazing woman, really. I can see why they’re such a big independent with tons of awards when they have an editor like that who is ALL ABOUT the kids, the fun, the emotions… Anyway, they do not take unsolicited submissions, but when you see one of them at an SCBWI
conference, you get a small window to send subs in. Read the rest of this entry »

I purchased a cheap pedometer off eBay a while ago from the Health Council and I am FINALLY starting to use it. I must have had it over two years now. I have started walking or hiking every day and so far so good. I only go about two miles a day but hey, I never thought I’d be able to do that much again. I want to keep working on it until I do closer to five miles in the same amount of time.

The pedometer doesn’t seem sensitive enough. If I take three steps into the door or up to a closet from the bed to hang clothes it doesn’t measure those. It only seems to measure when I have big strides and am really pounding the ground with my feet. I would like to be able to measure how many steps I am taking – even around the house when I am just going about my day. I am trying to reach that elusive 10,000 per day with at least 5,000 of those being steps where my heart rate is up. And while I don’t want to sound like a baby over a few hundred tiny steps around the house, I do want an accurate number to keep me motivated. Read the rest of this entry »

Today is a whining day… Writers have a tough career and it’s not always easy to slog on.

I have a specific style of writing I guess. I also believe it’s better of you have a unique style - so I am told. I can’t help it because I just am

Yet I hear a lot that I am a good writer but that I am headed in the wrong direction. I suppose that’s what a lot of writers go through. I mean, who would have thunk that farting dogs or Captain Underpants could fly, right? Read the rest of this entry »

Well, I’ve finally started exercising again. Nothing TOO strenuous, as I don’t want to ruin the rubenesque figure I’ve earned over the past 4.5 years staying at home. 

I’m taking the dog to the park down the road every morning. It’s a lot of fun to go walking after he’s warn down from romping in the enclosed area with other dogs while we stand around talking about…dogs. Or today I met up with a mom whom is becoming a friend I think.  Read the rest of this entry »

This weekend I think we’re going to go to Pier 39 in San Francisco to check out the aquarium and the hub bub on the pier. They have free live entertainment like jugglers and performing dogs and what-not. We get to see Sea Lions too, so I hope it isn’t raining, but I think we’re going to go on Sunday and rain is in the forecast. Read the rest of this entry »

Did anyone notice Google’s Valentine’s Day graphic? The one with the strawberry dipped in chocolate? In case you missed it, I grabbed it. What’s wrong with this picture?

See what’s missing? The little L.

Thus proving that no matter how great you become, don’t get too big for your britches. Be humble and get help from a copyeditor or proofreader friend! *snicker*

Unless the stem was supposed to be the L in which case it still looks like the L is gone and you still need someone to crit your work and tell you what’s wrong even if you believe it’s all right!

Read about it: http://tinyurl.com/yq5ao6
Look for the number 2111 on the lids.
Gina