Cricket and things are hoppin'!

So, my latest news is that Cricket Magazine just accepted my story "Abe and the Magic Lantern". I received the fabulous letter on Friday, a day after stuffing myself full of turkey and oyster dressing and thanking God for the many blessings I already have. Now I have another! The editor at Cricket was wonderful, and I emailed him this morning and within minutes received a reply. What a wonderful way to finish off one holiday and start the preparations for another.

Speaking of Christmas...is everyone ready? My hubby and I have already started shopping and actually had a celebration/date night last night thanks to my brother-in-law and his wife. I can't wait to put up the Christmas tree and deck the shrubs and trees outside with lights--finally. I've always wanted to do a little outside, but it's always been so low on the priority list that it never got done. But this year...

Oh! And I did accept the teaching position, so I'll be a busy chick next semester. Now I must get my novel finished before Christmas...I must...I must...I must finish the battle for man's survival and leave my MC standing tall...

What's your mantra?

Introductions

Ok. So here I am in what I've been told is a flattering photo--I'm not sure there is such a thing when it comes to me, but you get the idea. I'm new to the whole blog thing, so forgive my novice appearance. Just what we all need...another distraction to keep us from publishing that blockbuster we know resides deep within our child-like subconscious. At least I hope I can find it there. Please feel free to leave your thoughts or wisdom, however they may coincide.

Just a little bit about me. I'm the mother of 2 fabulously creative and brilliant kids--a 9-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. I used to teach English to high school students, many of them gifted, all of them fascinating. After putting my husband through graduate school (yikes!), I am now staying home to pursue my dream of writing books for children and young adults while he lives his as an English professor at a small liberal arts college. We are a disgustingly literary family with far too little book shelf space--hoping the big sale will remedy that...as well as buy back my second passion--horses. (Had to sell mine, what with the whole graduate school budget and all).

What do I write? Mostly ghost stories. I love them. I grew up in a house that was haunted by the ghost of a young Miami indian. Yes, we saw things move unbidden and heard strange noises. When the toilet ended up in the middle of the bedroom one night, we figured he had a real sense of humor! I am currently working on a historical novel set in 1850 Rochester, NY. I am very nearly done and look forward to sharing more, but for now, that will have to be all.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Mary Ann...the Ghost Girl