Jennifer Ziegler's Blog, page 3

Conference Wrap-up, a.k.a. Does anyone out there have a picture of me with Arthur A. Levine?

Last weekend I helped out at the Austin SCBWI Books, Boots, and Buckskin Conference at St. Edwards University.

 

As is typical of all things Austin SCBWI, it was a great time.  I met many wonderful people. I learned about writing and publishing and marketing strategies.  I nibbled quesadillas and ate cookies.  I even made someone cry – in a good way.

 

I always enjoy giving manuscript critiques at these conferences.  There are so many talented writers out there, and everyone – even established, published authors – can benefit from someone else’s viewpoint.  I was truly impressed by all the samples given to me.  One writer teared up after my critique.  At first I feared I’d been too harsh.  Then she shot her fist in the air and exclaimed, “Yes!  You got it!  You get what I’m trying to do!”

 

I know firsthand the struggle to have your vision understood and appreciated.  It’s especially difficult during the early phases of your draft.  Hearing that I’d done that for someone … Well, it made me a little teary-eyed, too.

 

Other conference highlights included…

 

-- Meeting Gregory Pincus and hearing him talk about using social media and the internet as self-promotion tools.

 

-- Listening to the incomparable Elizabeth “Lawsy” Law discuss a hypothetical brilliant-but-socially-inept author who lives in a closet and is covered with oozing sores (to make a point that marketing skills are a plus, but it’s the quality of the writing that truly counts with publishers).   “In fact, I think I dated that guy,” she added later.  Lawsy also theorized that mollusks would be the next big thing in children’s literature.

 

-- Talking with Julian Hector, a huge up-and-coming talent.  Julian illustrated Arthur A. Levine’s book Monday Is One Day, due out in a few weeks.  Julian is from the Austin area and said he was moving back.  Now that he has officially announced this to Austin SCBWIers, he has to follow through.  Or else.

 

-- Meeting illustrator David Diaz and watching him create a gorgeous “book illustration” on a door in a matter of minutes.

 

-- Getting to know Michelle Poploff – editor at Delacorte Press.  Michelle edits fellow Delacorte Dames Shana Burg and Bethany Hegedus.  She is also the editor of Clare Vanderpool’s Moon Over Manifest, winner this year’s Newbery Award Medal.  Below is a photo of Michelle with all the Delacorte Dames at the conference.  As you can see, she fit right in:

-- Talking with screenwriter Alvaro Rodriguez (Machete), who was leading a screenwriting workshop in the same hotel where we held our after-party.  Al is a great guy and had terrific advice for a certain YA author who might or might not want to write a screenplay.  Ahem.

 

-- Reuniting with writer friends that I don’t get to see as much as I’d like, and making new ones.  In fact, I spoke with several people who told me that it was their very first conference.  I admire them so much.  When I was starting out, I didn’t know about SCBWI.  I could have really benefited from such meetings – not just to learn about craft and the industry, but also to bond with others who have similar goals and struggle with similar problems.  Kudos to all of you who took deep breaths and jumped in.  You are my heroes.

 

I wasn’t the only one having a fantastic time.  Judging by the big smiles and chatter, the conference was a tremendous success.  Gigantic kudos goes to Debbie Gonzales, our regional advisor.  Many of you know her from her Simple Saturday blog.  Well, she sure made this Saturday (and Friday) seem deceptively simple -- and it was all due to her vision and hard work.  Other shout-outs go to Carmen Oliver, Donna Bratton, Mark Mitchell, the staff of St. Edwards, and the many friendly volunteers.

 

There was only one thing I would change about the conference if I had to do it all over again (and oh, how I’d love to do it all over again!):  I would have taken more pictures.  That is to say, I would have taken at least some pictures.  Because I didn’t take any.  I remembered to bring my camera, but basically I just took it for a ride. Because I’m forgetful, in-the-moment, talk-too-much girl.

 

I especially wish I had a shot or two from Friday evening.  That was when I had the honor of introducing superstar editor, champion of young readers, and all-around great guy Arthur A. Levine.  I chatted with him before his reading and was struck by how warm, genuine, and upbeat he is.  He seems to truly enjoy his job, too.  It was sweet to see how excited he got during Carolyn Coman’s reading of The Memory Bank, a book he edited.  Arthur was sitting beside me and I could hear him laughing and quoting along.  Afterward, he treated us all to a reading of Monday Is One Day – a beautiful book with a simple, sweet, and important topic.

 

And my introduction?  It went very well – in unexpected ways.  We had some technical considerations to address regarding the use of a projector.  So while I gave the intro, Deb Gonzales was going to test the equipment. 

 

I opened with a joke which received a respectable amount of laughter.  Seconds later, there was a huge guffaw.  For a second I thought, “Wow, I’m really nailing this!”  It then occurred to me that I wasn’t at a funny part in my speech.  That’s when I realized that sweet Deb must be doing some slapstick behind me.  I found out later she’d tested the projector with some shadow play – including a bird (not to be confused with giving “the” bird).

 

So if you would like an amateur comedy duo to loosen up an audience before your next presentation, keep me and Deb in mind.  We’re the Groucho/Chico of kid-lit conferences.

 

[And if anyone out there has a photo of me with Arthur (anything will do!  Even if all you see is my hand or the tip of my nose!) please send it my way.]

 

So here’s to Austin, SCBWI, and the power of the written word.  The conference is over.  Now the real work begins.

 

 

 

Beginning at the Beginning

Tomorrow (Thursday) evening, I will be participating in a panel discussion, along with the amazing Brian Yansky and the equally stellar Stephen Harrigan, to kick off the Writers’ League of Texas’ Third Thursday Series.

 

This yearlong series is designed to guide aspiring writers from concept to publication and beyond.  Each month will tackle a different topic (such as first draft, revision, pitch, etc.), building the previous month’s topic.  Tomorrow’s subject matter is “Inspiration: The First Glimmer of a Book Idea.”  Basically, Brian, Stephen and I will discuss how we hunt down, catch, rassle with, and tame our ideas for books (or articles or essays or poems, and so on.).  The brilliant and lovely Bethany Hegedus will serve as moderator.

 

I must confess something.  When I first considered the topic, I said to myself, “But that’s the easy part of writing.”  I thought about the file drawer I have full of ideas – there so many, I won’t live enough lifetimes to explore them all.  But the more I pondered the matter, the more I realized that it isn’t so easy.

 

I speak on this topic all the time during school visits.  Teachers too often hear from their students that they have no idea what to write about.  Those of us who see stories everywhere take our knack for granted.  We forget that it isn’t so easy for others, and it wasn’t always easy for us.  Heck, it isn’t always painless for those with active writing careers.

 

Even once you’re inspired, there can be problems.  You can have too big of an idea … or too small of an idea … or an idea that doesn’t go deep enough.  You can ruin a topic or theme that you feel compelled to write about by trying to force it into a form that doesn’t work – for it or for you.  You can even get too burdened by concept and end up neglecting other important aspects of your story.

 

So where does one find ideas?  How do you know when you have a good one?  How do you work with it? 

 

We will answer all this and probably more tomorrow night – that’s Thursday, January 20 – from 7 to 9 pm at BookPeople.  It’s bound to be lively, fun, and informative, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

 

Come join us!

School Visit Magic

Last week I had great fun visiting six schools in nearby Hays ISD:  Dahlstrom Middle School, Wallace Middle School, Hays High School, Blanco Vista Elementary, Barton Middle School, and Simon Middle School. 

 

Here's a pic of me with wonder librarian Susie Krejci and one of me with her aide extraordinaire, Nichole Cardiel:

 




 

The staffs were all wonderful and welcoming, and the students!  Wow!  The students were all very sweet and so curious and joyful about writing. 

 

(Pictures like this next one make me think I’ve missed my calling.  I should have been a mime.)

 

In addition, I was treated to some wonderful lunches.  If you are ever in Kyle, Texas, I highly recommend this place:

http://www.texaspiecompany.com/ 




 

And the restaurant just happens to be down the street from the Katherine Anne Porter House:



 

All in all it was a lively and lovely time.  I’ve since received quite a few messages from my new pals, including this sweet email:

 

“Hi. You came to my school in Buda. When you were talking to us, you were like speaking to me about writing and telling me about all of this stuff. So what I really am tring to say, is that you really spoke to me. Because i really LOVE to write. So I just want to thank you for what you did.”

 

Feedback like that warms my heart and fills me with joy, determination and a great sense of purpose.  Thank you, Hays ISD.  And a huge thanks to Dianne Mueller for organizing.  I hope to visit you all again soon.

 

Book Events Galore!

This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend two big-deal literary events here in Austin.  Both took place in one of my favorite spots in town, if not the whole planet: Book People, independent bookstore extraordinaire.

 

At 2 p.m. on Sunday I attended the triple-threat book release event for Cynthia Leitich Smith’s charming new picture book Holler Loudly, Bethany Hegedus’s sweet, moving middle grade novel Truth With a Capital T, and Brian Yansky’s hilarious young adult adventure Alien Invasion & Other Inconveniences. 

 
   

As you can see, the place was packed.

 

Cyn read her entire book and had us all laughing and shouting.  Her call of “soooouuuuieeee!” is still ringing in my ears, in fact.

                 

Bethany gave us the witty and quite touching tale of how her book came to be, followed by a reading.  And Brian gave a glimpse into his research, which included a showing of the hilarious (and real) movie trailer for Teenagers from Outer Space.

Along with the fabulous and fun presentation, we were treated to awesome chili (made by Bethany) and Anne Bustard’s famous frosted cookies.  It’s a good life here.

 

While there I visited with the wonderful staff – the amazing Mandy, Meghan, Madeline, Alison.  Lots of local book reps and authors were there.  Here’s a photo of Sara Bird, Alison Amend, and Margo Rabb, and another of Alison with her beautiful eyes open.

 

          

 

Those few of you in the web-verse who are unaware of Book People, it is a world famous independent bookstore, whose author events and literary theme camps are legendary.  When I was but a wee lass growing up in nearby Round Rock, I loved coming in to Austin and visiting a quaint book store called Grok’s Books, located in a renovated old house near campus.  Patrons could help themselves to hot tea as they perused the stock, dropping into one of the many comfy armchairs if they felt like it. 

 

At some point the store moved south and renamed itself Book People. Because I was young and without my own transportation, it might have well moved out of state.  I missed my visits there and my chats with the book loving staff.  And when I heard it was moving to a downtown location on 6th Street, I was overjoyed.

 

Years later I was even more thrilled when my first novel debuted and I threw a launch party at Book People.  It was such a success I repeated it when my second book came out.  Since then, the store has been the site of other significant and stellar launch parties (like the one described at the start of this post), as well as SCBWI meetings, café socializing, perusing, gift shopping, I-deserve-this shopping, and fun with animal puppets (this means you, Smudge).

 

 

So Happy Anniversary, Book People.  Thank you for all that you do for our community.  You really grok us.

 

And big congratulatory hugs to Cyn, Bethany, and Brian!  Thank you, too, for all that you do for the community, and for sharing your wonderful stories with the world.

 

 

Texas Book Festival 2010

It has been quite a festive October in Austin so far, and Halloween is yet to come.  Two weekends ago I attended the Austin City Limits Music Festival and this past weekend was the Texas Book Festival.  Both brought beautiful weather, record attendance and the opportunity to hobnob with people I love and/or admire.

Austin has really been showing off this month and I can’t help but think that such events are the reason why my fair city has been growing so darn fast.  I do believe people come to visit … and then never want to leave.

 

Not that I can blame them.

 

The Texas Book Fest started off with a bang.  My good friend Gillian Redfearn, sales rep extraordinaire, and I picked up the lovely Kate Runde of Random House and the amazing Laurie Halse Anderson and escorted them to the Children’s Authors’ Party.  I wish I had pictures of them both.  Kate is an absolute doll.  I thought I’d be intimidated by Laurie, whom I admire so very much, but she is a joy – so down-to-earth and easy to talk to.

 

At the party I also chatted with such literary luminaries as Ingrid Law, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black, Scott Westerfeld, Justine Larbalestier, Carol Dawson, Marina Budhos, and Sara Pennypacker.  My awesome Austin author pals were also out in full force, looking gorgeous in their fine clothes.

 

I wish I was better about pulling out the camera at such events.  Justine kindly took this shot of me with Matt de la Peña.  By the way, if you haven’t read Matt’s new book, I Will Save You, run right now to your nearest store, shove people out of your way, break the piggy bank – do whatever you need to do to get it.  It’s an extraordinary read.



The next day, I started the book festival off with a goals-discussion breakfast with my critique group – a tradition we began last year.  We had so much fun it ran long, and I ended up not being able to get in to Laurie Halse Anderson’s presentation.  (Sad face.)  But I did catch the charming and hilarious Peter Brown reading his book Children Make Terrible Pets.  I got to hang out with Peter for a while and he is just as much fun as you would imagine.  He didn’t even mind the Beatles jokes I made regarding his name.

Here’s a shot of Peter:


Later I caught my good pal Joe McDermott working his musical magic:



Also on Saturday I got to see the “True Grit: Kids with Chutzpah” featuring Carolyn Cohagan, Lisa Railsback, and Sara Pennypacker – moderated by the amazing Bethany Hegedus.  And I caught half of the Texas Bluebonnet Master List.  Here’s a shot of Dr. Cuthbert Soup and Michael Buckley announcing the nominated titles.

Lastly that day, I saw the incomparable Meg Cabot speak in a packed church sanctuary.  She is so cute and kooky.  Later on, fellow dame Margo Rabb and I cornered Meg at the author cocktail party.  We mainly talked about shoes.  It was very girly. 

The cocktail party took place at the top floor of the Four Seasons Residences building which had a beautiful 360-degree view of the city.  There I was able to catch up with Sarah Bird, one of my favorite authors and favorite humans, and writer/musician Jesse Sublett.  Years ago Jesse's band The Skunks was one of the things that lured me into the creative culture of Austin.  The party also reunited me with my Way Out West Book Fest pals DJ Stout and Lana McGilvray.  If you haven't seen DJ's latest book, you must.  It is beautiful, and it's one of those historical tales that is so interesting, it almost seems made up.  I won't be surprised if Hollywood comes calling.  It would make a great film -- a Friday Night Lights of yesteryear.

Saturday night ended with the Zombies vs. Unicorns event that benefited the Austin Bat Cave.  What could be more fun than 17 sassy YA authors squaring off in front of a lively audience?

Speaking of “versus,” the first thing I caught the next day was local author Chris Barton reading his bestselling picture book Shark vs. Train to a tent full of awestruck children.


 

Next I socialized with more writer pals and lunched in the Author Tent as I waited for my esteemed panelists, Varian Johnson, April Lurie, and Matt de la Pena, to arrive.  Once assembled we were led into the bowels of the capitol building for our talk "Is the World Ready for My Book?" 



It was such an honor moderating this panel.  Each of these brilliantly crafted novels delves into a difficult yet timely topic.  The books are quite serious and touching and, yes, sad, but the discussion was often lively and fun.  The high points for me included hearing April talk about her upbringing, having Matt recount meeting a troubled teen who was also a budding writer, and listening to Varian explain his research on a … touchy subject … that might or might not be included in his next book.  (Trust me -- it was hilarious.  You just had to be there.)



After the panel and the book signings, April, Matt, Varian and I, along with local writer Amy Rose Capetta, headed to the Roaring Fork for drinks and munchies.  We were soon joined by Greg and Cynthia Leitich Smith and M.T. Anderson.  It was great fun.  By the time I returned home, my sides hurt from laughing and my cheeks were still blushing.

It was a magical weekend.  The kind that makes me ever so proud and grateful that I live where I live and do what I do for a living.

Big kudos to Clay Smith, TBF's superhuman organizer, and his brilliant assistant Kimberly Whitmer.

I hope to see everyone there next year!

 

 

 

Austen Meets Austin

With all the excitement recently over my second born, HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR, I’ve neglected to blog about other pending news.  There will soon be a new addition (edition?) to my book family.

Announcing...

 

SASS AND SERENDIPITY

By Jennifer Ziegler

Due date:  July 12, 2011

Delivered by: Delacorte Press/Random House

Length:  350 or so pages

Weight:  Dude, it’ll be heavy, heavy, heavy…

 

As you might have guessed, SASS pays tribute to my favorite Jane Austen story, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY.  It isn’t a retelling, per se, but it is inspired by her work.  I purposely avoided rereading her while working on the book.  It was not my intention to simply do an updated version, but to take the themes and emotions that I carried away from her novel and explore them in a modern, small-town Texas setting.  Some parallels are obvious.  There are two sisters with very different views on love.  There is a single mom and money problems.  There are the respective love adventures.  But the main relationship in the book is that of the sisters – their growing understanding and acceptance of one another.

 

I love this story the way I love all my books, and I can’t wait to officially welcome it into the world.

 



 

And That's the Way It Was

To help celebrate my recent birthday, my husband took me to the LBJ Library & Museum here in Austin to see an exhibit on one of my heroes, broadcast journalist and anchorman Walter Cronkite.

When I was a journalism student at The University of Texas at Austin, I once had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cronkite (who graduated from UT).  The encounter was brief yet serendipitous.  Basically I ran into him in an elevator.  But he was, as you might imagine, very kind.  Shaking his hand filled me with such a sense of awe, I forgot to get off on my floor and had to ride it back down again.

The library’s exhibit is a lovely, touching, and very thorough tribute.  A mixture of displayed mementos, newspaper clippings, audio tapes, video clips – very appropriate considering his background in print, radio, and television journalism.

His microphone:



A clip of him announcing the death of President Kennedy:



One of his many Emmy Awards.  This particular one, for his in-depth report on Watergate, was the one he was most proud of.

Uncle Walter was quite quotable, too.  My favorite is the one about "doing something" ...

         

The edited script for his editorial report on the Vietnam War:

And so much more.  The exhibit will be on display through January 3, 2011.  The permanent exhibit at the library is also quite fascinating, detailing Lyndon Baines Johnson's life and presidency, as well as many other historic moments of the 1960's. 

Those of you who are coming to Austin for the Texas Book Festival might want to arrive a day or two early or stay through Monday in order to take in the LBJ Library & Museum.  Book and film fanatics would also enjoy the Harry Ransom Center, located just across campus from the library.

HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR the Movie?

      

Yes!  It could happen!

 

I am thrilled to announce that the movie rights for my book, HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR, have been sold to film producer Amy Green of Toronto-based company One Eye Open!

 

Huge shout-outs go to my wonder editor Erin Murphy of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency and Luke Sandler of the Gotham Group for brokering the deal.  Also, a very sincere and verklempt thank-you to Amy – for her vision and persistence, and for “getting” my story.  It’s a wonderful feeling to think that something I wrote has inspired someone else to create.

 

I shall post updates as they happen.  From what I understand these things take time and hard work and perhaps an eensy bit of luck.  In the meantime, I would love to hear ideas from readers on casting, costumes, music, setting ... anything.  It’d be fun!  Feel free to comment here or via my Facebook or Twitter, or email me directly at jennifer@jenniferziegler.net.  

 

Crossing fingers that things continue to develop.  Thanks again to everyone who has read my book, enjoyed it, perhaps embraced it, and believed …

Golden Moments with Picture Book Art

Recently I joined several Austin-based SCBWI members for a field trip to the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in Abilene to see the Golden Kite Golden Dreams exhibit.  This touring museum show features original art from all of the Golden Kite Award children’s books.

 

It was fascinating seeing beloved children’s book illustrations in their original form.  Here is artwork by John Parra, from the 2010 winner Gracias, Thanks (text by Pat Mora).

Look closely below at the 1984 winner, Trina Schart Hyman’s Little Red Riding Hood.  As a writer, I was intrigued to see the edit note on the text.  It’s difficult to make out in the photo, but the words “good heavens” were crossed out and replaced with “by jiminy!”

 
 

One of my family’s favorites:  Audrey and Don Wood’s The Napping House, the 1985 Golden Kite Award for picture book illustration.

 

 

Kevin Hawkes’ creepy cool illustrations for By the Light of the Halloween Moon won the 1994 Golden Kite.

 

 

Robert Sabuda’s illustrations for The Paper Dragon (by Marguerite W. Davol) won the 1998 prize. You can’t tell in the photograph, but images are paper cuttings.  So intricate!

 

 

I love love love this art from The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) (2000 Golden Kite award for picture book illustration).  The cat cracks me up.

 

 

Below is a mural created by the illustrious illustrators who attended the opening day festivities.  If you look closely you can recognize their names and trademark styles.
 

 

The statues around the center were quite interesting, too.

           
 

I highly recommend that lovers of books and art go see this wonderful retrospective.  The Golden Kite Golden Dreams exhibit will be in Abilene through October 1st.

Dispatches from Way Out West

Recently I had the honor of traveling to Alpine, Texas to take part in the Way Out West Texas Book Festival. 

 

I’ve traveled through that part of the state before, but usually by plane or, if it was in a car, at night.  This was the first time I could really take in the magnificence of the surroundings. 

 

My photos don’t really do it justice.  Imagine raw, unsculpted land, hard-edged hills with sparse vegetation, like stubble on a chin…

               

 Flat topped mesas … Collarbones of pink rock on the tops of mountains …

               

 

The kind of country where you wouldn’t be surprised to see Yosemite Sam mosey out from behind a boulder or John Wayne ride up on a horse.

 

It was hot, but it didn’t feel that way.  The atmosphere was lighter, drier, and there was a constant breeze.  A spicy, earthy aroma spiked the air.  Sound bounced off nearby mountains, making it difficult to tell how far away something really was.  Even colors looked different – uncommon greens and browns.  At times I could pretend I was driving across an alien moon.

  

The locals were just like the land -- earthy, open, warm.  Grittier, too.  In Alpine small talk about weather could turn into intimate conversations within seconds.  They weren’t interested in idle chit-chat; they wanted to make real connections.  They thought nothing of grasping my hand or asking my age.  I fit right in.

 

After a lovely welcome barbecue that first night, the presenters and other honored guests were treated to ... a bellydancing show!  Of course!

                                      
 

One of the biggest highpoints was meeting a group of librarians, many from McAllen, Texas.  During my lunch break on the first day of the festival, we toured the Alpine Library together.  Guiding was Connie Roe, who used to be a librarian there.  From left to right:  Ema Torres (McAllen), Cesar Garza (McAllen), Michelle Shelton (McAllen), Connie Roe (Alpine), me, and Jose Gamez (McAllen).  [Not pictured: Kate Phoran (McAllen)]

 

The library was very charming – two residential homes joined together, with lots of lovely native plants and a big backyard where they host performances and speaking engagements.  I also really loved the "tree" in the children's room.

                                  

 

After our tour, we had a tailgate party on the street before heading back to the fest. From left to right Jose Gamez, Ema Torres, Kate Phoran, Connie Roe, Cesar Garza, and Michelle Shelton.

 

I also met or was reunited with several amazing authors, illustrators, poets, photographers, and publishers.  Sadly, I don’t have photos of everyone.  DJ Stout (who was born in Alpine) was there presenting his upcoming book The Amazing Tale of Mr. Herbert and His Fabulous Alpine Cowboys Baseball Club.  Big Bend photographer James H. Evans was there with his beautiful wife Marcy.  Other presenters included the lovely Carol Dawson, Scott Wiggerman, W.K. Stratton, Rose Alcala, and Lonn Taylor.  And I really enjoyed talking with Bobby Byrd and Lee Merrill Byrd of Cinco Puntos Press.

 

Everyone had great fun listening to author/illustrator Xavier Garza.  He is a master storyteller.

 

Listening to Ben Saenz and Denise Chavez (who are cousins) was like going to literary church.  They are both so witty and wise.

 

Friday evening we all met up at a lovely restaurant for Trattoria for drinks and dessert.  They had an amazing menu, including Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate, Mayan Mocha, tiramisu, and the most beautiful chocolate cheesecake.  Behold:

 

On the final evening of the festival, Sul Ross University featured a benefit concert by the Flatlanders!  I was there with my boots on.  Doug Moreland opened the show.  He was lots of fun.

 

My camera was not up to snuff for the concert photos – especially since using a flash was not allowed.  Happily I sat beside one of the nicest and most interesting pairs of people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, Steve Barr and Rachel Barr.  Steve very kindly shared his photos with me.  (Thank you, Steve!)

 

 

Here’s a great one of Joe Ely.

 

And one of Butch Hancock. 

 

And a not-very-good shot of Jimmy Dale (from my camera). 

 

Afterward we chatted with the band a bit.  The lovely Lana McGilvray took the following photo of me with Butch – who is a super nice guy.

 

She also snapped one of me with Joe.  The very tall guy standing with us is a professional trick rider (forget his name) and a friend of Joe’s.  During the concert Joe told a very funny story about him hopping the fence at a zoo and riding a rhinoceros. 

 

The fun was not over yet.  The next morning before I drove back to Austin, the organizers treated us to a cowboy breakfast.  And I mean a real cowboy breakfast where they set up a tent, dug a pit, boiled coffee, and made the best biscuits, eggs and gravy I’ve ever had.

 

 

Thank you to all of the lovely people of West Texas who befriended me on my stay – especially Jean Hardy-Pittman, wonder organizer, and Cyndi Hughes and Jan Baumer of the Writers' League of Texas.  Also thank you to the very kind and welcoming people of the Maverick Inn.  Here are some photos of my charming digs:

 

                                         

 

Goodbye, West Texas!  I hope to return very soon!