#SOL: Ready to Wander

Photo Credit

I'm a nomad by nature. Maybe it's because I grew up sliding through towns like a slow moving river, carrying a little from each place with me but never resting. Each time a place began to feel like home, I found myself surrounded by boxes and moving trucks, off to the next big adventure.

This house we bought just over a year ago, which I love, has already begin to press in. I'm restless. The itch to be in motion is just beyond my reach, not a thing that can be scratched. While most people I know seem at peace right where they are, I ache to pick up and wander off wherever my feet take me. To see everything this wide world has to offer.

A couple of years ago I read Jennifer Pharr Davis' Becoming Odyssa, her memoir of the time just after college she spent on a solo hike along the Appalachian Trail (AT). Just barely in her twenties, she walked over 2,000 miles completely on her own with only the contents of her backpack to provide for all her needs.

I was captivated. Smitten. Ready to sell everything and find my own answers on the trail.

I've had Appalachian dreams ever since.

Last week, for the research paper I've been working on, I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed. A much different story, but similar setting. At age 26, Strayed spent three months on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) during a solo hike she began in hopes of healing her ruptured life.

Once again, I felt the call to wander out into the world and get lost. Get found. Just get out. Only this time the call was a roar, not a whisper.

I don't have six months to dedicate to the AT, or even three. Although the school year is wrapping up, I'm already registered for a summer session in June. August will be filled with back to school planning days, and a very important 18th birthday party for my Dos.

But I do have a couple of weeks in July.

I did a little searching online to find places I can reach in a day so that the majority of my trip isn't spent in the car. Just a little more than five hours from me is a 218 mile trail in northwest Arkansas called the Ozark Highland Trail (OHT). Backpacker magazine recently spotlighted a section of this trail as one of the nation's best kept hiking secrets.

I'm a hiker!

I have seven days to spend on the trail. I have a new (to me) backpack. I have brand new hiking boots that may have been engineered by rocket scientists. I even have a spiffy new OHT Guidebook to help me plan. And of course, I have The Husband, who would wander off and live in the woods forever if I let him. Upon hearing my plan to take off to parts unknown this summer, he was already packing his gear. So now it is a trip for two.

How ridiculous are these guys?

My goal is to cover as much ground as possible each day, hoping that my target of ten miles a day isn't completely unreachable for someone who, since childhood, has never done anything more than easy campground tent pitching and marshmallow roasting.

We'll see. For now, I keep planning. Collecting gear. Pretending I'm not terrified by the idea of walking into a den of crazed black bears or stepping on a bed of rattlesnakes. Stomping around my neighborhood in my new boots in an attempt to break them in and not spend my trail days crying over my blistered feet.

It feels good to have this adventure on the horizon. It's not a solo hike. It's not months and months away from civilization.

But it's a start.

The wild has been calling, and I'm finally ready to respond.

#Slice2013 - Day 31 of 31

A month in reverse...

Easter celebrated with family,
A beautiful finished harlequin floor,
Lunch with friends and a reminder to make time for the happy moments,
A phone call that may just lead to a dream job,
Wrote side by side with eager learners,
Shared the power of "believe" with Dos,
Remembered the strength in helping people be their best,
Time with The Husband turning our house into a home,
Stepped out on faith and still trusting the process,
Asked questions of my learners instead of giving them the answers,
Said yes to a possibility that holds infinite rewards,
Found the strength to be honest about where my shame hides,
Enjoyed quiet moments at home with Dos and The Husband,
Thankful for Dos' quick recovery from the surgery that rattled my nerves,
Learned patience and dedication through our work in the house,
Beat my head against the wall over floors that didn't want to be transformed,
Laughed with friends over ridiculous Shakespearean insults,
Stretched my ability to grow comfortable with my soon-to-be 20 year old son,
Grabbed up my old writing self and refuse to let her go,
Connected with the reasons to hold fast to dreams,
Became an experienced floor grinding, concrete sanding, staining expert,
Searched my heart for the path I want to be on,
Reflected on my life as a writer,
Lived through an in-home dust storm,
Cherished my mom on her special day,
Lamented the pains of a boy that I miss every moment,
Sent out a passionate call to action for educators everywhere,
Battled it out with The Husband on the first round of floor tear down,
Finally (finally) chose the right shade of grey for the living room and took action,
Told the truth of my hermit crab mental life,
Made a promise to write without ceasing for thirty-one days.

All in all, I'd call March a success.

My heart is full, my life is energized, my family and friends are healthy.

And it only gets better from here. April is already promising to offer more everyday blessings.

I'm ready to get started. How about you?

#Slice2013 - Day 21 of 31

Today is a day filled with possibility. (And so is tomorrow, if I choose to focus on the positive.)

Today Dos took off his bandages and marveled at his "big swollen lump of a knee," and later marveled at the knee taking shape as the swelling went down. Tomorrow? Well, tomorrow he might go back to school, depending on how he feels.

Today I was back in class, writing alongside students. We talked about what was working and what was not. I asked the right questions, and they found their own answers. Tomorrow? Tomorrow we'll do a read around, celebrating the craft they've been developing all year.

Today I stepped out into an unknown area and said YES, even though I was nervous. I met some new friends. I spoke up when I wanted to shut down. Tomorrow? Tomorrow I'll meet more friends, I'll stick to my plans, I'll work on the dream of financial freedom. Because dreams without work don't equal success.

Today I choose time for myself and The Husband, instead of squeezing in a few extra hours working on the house. We laughed and lazed about and enjoyed a quiet house. Tomorrow? Tomorrow we'll be back in the house, Littles running about squealing and giggling about their new room.

Today was a very good day (not despite the grumpy-mumpy bits, but alongside them) and tomorrow holds an entire new set of happy possibilities.

And for all that, and so much more, I am thankful.

Writerly Wednesday

I'm really digging these mini-writing updates. They help me be accountable and the feedback I'm getting makes me feel like maybe I'm helping some other secret #nerdywriterclub members start to come out of their shell, too. I'm not gonna lie -- that's a pretty good feeling.

First, here are some of my favorite writerly reads this week:

1. Script Frenzy: this is a no brainer. Since I'm gearing up to write my big screenplay, I'm spending mad online time browsing this site. Lots of helpful tips and forums as busy as the local sports bar on $2 wells night. (p.s. I have a plot!! I know, a lot can change for me in one day, right?) There's also a site for teachers, if you fancy running this month o' madness in your classroom (and you should).
2. Donna Newton's Blog: writer, runner, mother, storm chaser -- this chick can do it all. And when she isn't off living large, she's blogging about nifty writer stuffs, such as contests, workshops, and author interviews. Check her out!
3. Texas Sweethearts (& Scoundrels): 7 authors and illustrators from Texas that write for kids and teens. You can access all the author's websites from here, and I have a weird love of reading author blogs (is this how some people feel about reading People magazine??) so you should definitely give them a visit -- who knows, maybe you'll even find some new books to read!
4. AdvancedFictionWriting.com: Another great site filled to overflowing with tips, tricks, and helpful info. You could spend way too much time here reading about writing, and not actually writing! So I'm linking you straight to my current favorite page -- an article on the "snowflake" method of writing a novel.
5. Writing Excuses: this is a super-rockin' website with podcasts on just about every writing topic you can dream up. The line-up of talent on this blog is pretty spectacular, too. I like to listen when I'm feeling a bit deflated. I hope you'll give it a listen, too!

On my own personal writing front, I'm knee-deep in edits on my picture book. I took the best advice from the 8 critiques I've received and have been able to tighten up my sentence structure, reorder a few lagging moments, and let some unnecessary words take a hike. I'm feeling good about sending it out soon! Once the edits are done, I'm going to work on some of the other titles I have in mind for this character. I think she'd be a character many kids can relate to, and I'd like to submit the first picture book with the promise of other titles to follow. I'm not sure that will help sell the book to a publisher, but I've read it never hurts to show you have other stuff lined up. I'll let you know how it works out -- by next week, I should be working on this stage. Exciting stuff, guys!

And as a little edit to yesterday's floundering post-of-much-whining, I'm pleased to say I've come up with my screenplay idea. It's an idea that I actually had about 5 years ago. I wrote this tiny snippet down and never went back to it, but the main character keeps kicking around in my head lately, so I decided I may as well give him some time in the spotlight. I'll spend the rest of this week fleshing out his character and rubbing the rust off the story details. I'm pretty hyped to share my story with my class, and can't wait to see what they want to work on. I have a feeling April will be a very good month!

So guys -- what about you? What have you been writing this week?

In Which I'm Proven Wrong, Yet Again

Remember how I promised my kids I would actively seek out publication for some of my writing? (And then threw a big hissy fit, positive it was going to kill me?)

And then got this crazy idea to write a completely new picture book manuscript, and take it through all the steps that lead to having an actual-factual book sitting in the stores? (Also: resulting in hissy fit.)

Yeah. I'm still pondering what on earth I was thinking, but it appears -- and I know this will shock you -- it's not quite as bad as I had imagined it to be...

I've followed the Face Book group Writers Support 4U! for a while now. Mostly I just lurk the posts, feeling sorry for myself -- look at all these writers writing! look at all these writers publishing their work! look at all these writers interacting!


Seriously, yo. I'm not really sure why I even joined if I just wanted to creep up on them Peeping Tom style, and not actually participate.

But last week I finally did more than hit the "like" button on a random post.

I asked about critique groups.

The response was quick and painless, and as a result I'm the newest member of a weekly Skyping writer's group and an online critique site.

The picture book has been critiqued twice on the site so far, with some really great feedback! I've got some ideas on a few changes to perk it up a bit, and both critics left me feeling hopeful about sending it out to publishers.

I also read the manuscript to my class, proving to them that I am, indeed, sticking to my word -- they had the same reaction as my own Littles, which was another plus. Laughed in all the right places, and because we so often critique each other's work, they also let me know what was strong and what needed help! What amazing little writers they are becoming!

This weekend I'll participate in my very first Skype critique group. I expect w(h)ine to be involved. (You didn't think I would give up complaining that easily, did you?)

It's good to be moving forward. New possibilities keep springing to mind. And I'm sort of falling in love with that.

Not Accepting the Nonacceptance

Last night I trudged out to visit Barnes & Noble. I ushered our littlest Littles into the children's area, snuck over to the reference section, and -- with a quick glance to make sure nobody saw me -- grabbed the newest copies of the Children's Writer & Illustrator Market  and Guide to Literary Agents off the shelf. I zipped back to the children's area, feeling like I had a huge blinking neon sign that said "FRAUD" lighting up over my head the entire way back.



"Who does SHE think she is?" my inner monologue snickered. (Among other things, but I like to keep it as PG as possible, y'all)

Back in the safety of picture books and young readers, I found a bench that was definitely made for Goldilocks, plopped my books onto a smallish wooden table, and started flipping through the pages. When you decide to peruse the publication world for picture books, here is some of what you will find:




Not accepting unsolicited manuscripts.
Manuscripts by literary agents only.
Picture books must have strong lead character with problem resolution.
5% of yearly books published by new authors.
Not accepting unsolicited manuscripts.
Not accepting unsolicited manuscripts.
Not accepting unsolicited manuscripts.


Never one to let anyone else tell me what I can or can't do, I continued scanning the pages. I grabbed books that matched the publishers that actually do accept unsolicited manuscripts. I read through a mountain of picture books, scrutinized the words, the illustrations, the style.

I added to my list.
I found a little inspiration.

And we went home. I didn't buy the books, still not convinced I need them. But I did get some good information. I think joining the SCBWI will offer more resources in the long run. (No, I mean it. Joining them for real this time.)

I kissed the Littles goodnight.
I read Mem Fox's advice on picture book writing.
And I wrote a new picture book manuscript.

Then finally, happily, I went to sleep.

A Wild Imagination

"I'll probably vomit, you know.”


I say this to my husband, avoiding eye contact.

I had just shared my student’s comments about publishing my writing with my husband, who just nods and smiles knowingly, as he's been trying to get me to send things out for publication for months. His smirk of a smile irritates me, and I roll my eyes.

"You don't know how hard it is!" I say. "There's research! And you have to write query letters and find the right people to send it to! It doesn't just happen overnight!"

And still he smiles.



Stupid smiling husband who thinks he knows everything.

And it's not as if I've never looked into it. I follow author blogs! I read agent and publisher websites! I know things, for goodness sakes!

I've been to the website for the SCBWI so many times I have their logo burned into my retinas. I haven't joined, because, you know, then I'd feel like I should go to the critique groups and then I'd have to actually share my writing with people.

Yes! With people! Is there anything more horrifying than that?

He doesn't even look at me.

"At least it'd give you something new to write about."

"I mean it! And I'd cry! I'd go to share my stuff, start crying, throw up, and die of embarrassment. Right there, on the floor of the super awesome writer's meeting."

He sort of half glances at me.

"It could happen," I say. I force my smile to rein itself in. Even I know I'm being ridiculous, but if he sees me smile, he wins this round.

He sets his book in his lap, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "It could happen, I guess. They might kick you out for that. I probably would. But then you could write a new book about all the mean people, and it would be so good they would buy it and you could laugh at them!"

He wins. I can't help it; I'm laughing even though I don't want to.

But this publishing thing is just a fiasco. Have you ever seen those TV shows where some crazy dude is trying to solve a murder on his own, so he has approximately 800 yards of yarn strung back and forth all over a room connecting one newspaper clipping to another, with maps and headlines and big bold circles around the important bits?

Yeah. That's how I feel when I peek out from behind the curtain and view the big bad world of publishing.

My Yellow Brick Road

World Read Aloud Day was a huge hit yesterday, and our Skype with Navjot Kaur certainly stole the show. After a few minor audio complications, we were off and running! I am so thankful we had the opportunity to trade emails beforehand because Navjot was able to tie in some special connections from her book while talking with my class about things we've been learning. She had them spellbound for nearly an hour, which pretty much makes her magical in my book.

After the read aloud, hands were popping up all across the room -- 21 eager 4th graders ready to ask questions. Everything from "what inspired you to become a writer," to "where do your ideas come from," to "have you ever cried when your book was rejected." I definitely have a class filled with writers!

We ended our conversation with her and had about 5 minutes to reflect on the Skype session before we had to jump up and run off to recess.

And my kids completely shocked me with where the conversation went.

"Soooo, Mrs. Mogk," one of them began, "You have books you've written."

21 heads nodded at me, eyes wide.

"Well, yes," I say, unsure of where they're going.

"But... you haven't even tried to get yours published?"

21 students fold their arms and glare at me accusingly.

(Okay, fine, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.)

"Oh. Well, they aren't quite ready yet..."

"But you have stories! You read them to us all the time! And you finished your NaNoWriMo novel! You told us!"

21 little bodies start bouncing up and down, shouting things at me in rapid succession.

"Navjot Kaur said she kept sending out her book even though she CRIED sometimes when it was rejected!"

"You said you want to have a book published, so you should do it!"

"It would be SO COOL to have a teacher that was an author too!"

"Navjot Kaur said sometimes you have to believe in your story even when no one else does!"

I had a full-blown fist-pumping riot brewing in my room.

I laughed. Partly because I didn't know what to say, partly because they were right.

Thankfully, it was time to line up for recess.

At home, I started browsing publisher sites, submission guidelines, the how-to's of picture book publication. I felt a little dizzy. A little unsure of where I'm headed.

A little like Dorothy on her yellow brick road.

Am I ready for talking trees and flying monkeys and mean ol' witches?

I certainly hope so.

Beginning to Wonder

Today I (finally) picked up a copy of Wonder by R.J. Palacio. There's been such a buzz about it online recently that I've been dying to get to a store and dive in. We've talked about it in class; the kids are super eager to read it and compare it to Out of my Mind. Because of all the hubbub surrounding it, I expected greatness. What I did not expect was to be pulled nearly 30 years into my past, sucking back tears within the first few chapters.

I begin each year with my new batch of fourth grade students the same way -- the story of my very own first day of fourth grade.

Beyond any other year in school, it's my most memorable first day. It stands out above the beginning of middle or high school, and is even more vividly stamped in my brain than the first day of school in Soesterberg, The Netherlands. And being in a brand new country was pretty impressive, so I think that speaks loudly about my 4th grade memories.

Fourth grade was a year of new things: new house, new school, new state (we had just moved from Florida to Nevada); oh yeah, and one other thing -- new face.

Perhaps I left that detail out. On our family road trip that lead us to my dad's new assignment at Nellis Air Force Base, we were in the type of wreck that leaves your car flipped over on the side of the highway, resembling a small burnt-up toaster.

Fortunately, we all lived through it.
Unfortunately, half my face tried to fall off in the process.

So I began my new school as a pale, sickly, stitched up, bald spotted (head injuries are the worst, man), fraidy cat with dark circles under my eyes. I was pretty much a fourth grade zombie. That might be a point in my favor today, but back then zombies weren't exactly in.

This is the image in my head on each first day of school with my own students: staring through the window on the classroom door; one hand poised to grab the doorknob and walk in, one foot ready to tear through the school and run all the way home.

I actually love sharing this story with my students, because I think it tells them a few things about me --

1. I know what it feels like to be different.
2. My first goal every year is to make sure everyone feels safe socially and emotionally. All that other crazy academic stuff will fall into place after that.
3. I'm real.

They always respond the same way -- shocked that other kids were so mean to me, amazed that I look "normal" now, and ready to share their own scary school stories. It's a great way to start -- we get all the first day of school anxiety off our chest and happily move on.

It's an important story to share, and I'm glad there are authors like Sharon Draper and R.J. Palacio willing to write it all down.  I've tinkered with my own kid-sized Frankenstein story through the years, told in various ways, wondering if it's a story worth finishing.

And I think the first few chapters of Wonder have given me my answer.

nanowrimo: ready to write

NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, and I find my creative wheels spinning as I rev up for this year's challenge. Last year, I brought my class into the mix by spending November teaching about story development as we worked together to finish our own novels. The energy in the room was contagious -- kids from all over the campus wanted to know more about what we were doing.

So this year I've decided to open my doors to more students. Instead of writing our novels during class time, I'm hosting a before school club just for NaNoWriMo's Young Writer's Program. Every day in November, students are invited to come write from the time school doors open until 5 minutes before the bell rings. This will give us roughly 30 minutes of writing time every day.

I've passed out flyers, given information to be posted on our school FaceBook page, and created a short video teaser that our librarian is showing to all her 4th and 5th grade classes this week. I've visited as many of my students from last year as I could track down and pumped them full of info and excitement as I can. Several of them say they will be there.

I don't know who will show up at my door on November 1st. If I'm lucky, I'll have a classroom crowded with little bodies lying all over the room creating their own stories. My dream version has so many kids show up that we have to overtake the library for our 30 day journey. Of course, I may see just a sprinkling of kids from one day to the next. Either way, the amount of kids that come to write doesn't really matter. Whoever is there is meant to be there, and we will spend our mornings writing, sharing, laughing, and sometimes banging our heads on stories that move more slowly than we like.

I have ideas to try a write-in for the area and a special event for all our writer's to have a reading when we're done. And we can't forget an after-party on December 1!

Regardless of the number of participants or events we celebrate throughout the month, I'll be there writing along side them.

November can't get here soon enough.

a wild and wonderful list

Since August has wrapped it's hot fingers around my hand and is pulling me regrettably forward, I've found myself daydreaming about the many irrational, fun things I would like to do before summer's end.

And thus, a list:

A Wild and Wonderful (and wholly selfish) List of Silly & Irrational Things To Do Before Summer's End!

A bold, new hairdo

A lovely tattoo: Not all who wander are lost

Write. Finish as many chapters as possible in my current work in progress.

Make many beautiful things

Spend a weekend somewhere beautiful.

Surely I'm not the only one that drags my heels kicking and screaming as I realize I'm running out of "me" time... so what would be on your list?