Things change.  They ebb, flow, grow, shrink.  They shift.  With every step, with every breath, things take on a new shape, and if we're paying attention, we can get caught up in the shape-shifting and feel everything as new.  Different.  Fresh.  Somehow this is where I found myself this summer, observing subtle moments when I could feel my world revolving.  Evolving. So, I grabbed hold and unfolded into the shifts and today I find myself saying a good-bye to r mccormack writes.

Wait.  What do I mean by all this?

Well, I mean that the time has come to let go of older concepts as my heart pulls me toward new ones.  It means my small home studio, overflowing with writing and art projects, had to be organized and everything that exists as an extension of my workshop needs revamping too.  So I'm simplifying.  Consolidating.  And this means my art site, gongoozler art, and r mccormack writes blog will combine as one site called storm row studio.

Though a work in progress, storm row studio is up and running, both as a new business and in the online realm.  I hope you'll visit the blog soon, check out my new digs, see what's grown out of my time as the artist and writer behind gongoozler art and r mccormack writes.  These two places are the now and forever foundation that will support me as I move onward...and hopefully upward.  I'm grateful to all of you who visited the website and blog, who offered encouragement and participation. In the near future, both will be taken off-line, but for now, they stand as is, guardians over all the changing, ebbing, flowing, growing, shrinking, shifting newness.

"Everything you can imagine is real."  Pablo Picasso

I've spent the summer being inspired...

...and putting that inspiration to work.

Where will it lead?

To something new and different...and real, I imagine.

Hope you're having a fine summer too.

"Hanging softly over the black Singer sewing machine, it looked like magic, and when people saw me wearing it they were going to run up to me and say, "Marguerite, forgive us, please, we didn't know who you were," and I would answer generously, "No, you couldn't have known. Of course I forgive you."

Maya Angelou I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Last Wednesday teacher, activist, and artist Maya Angelou died.  The news reached me via Twitter, as I happened to posting when a flood of beautiful sentiments filled my home news feed.  Profoundly moved by tributes and comments, I read post after post. Her own words rang out and were shared by people of all ages, colors, creeds, and genders.  It was deeply touching, and as an artist myself, several of the quotes people added to the conversation struck me in the heartspace.  And not just because Maya's words are always succinctly powerful.

For me, part of the impact came in seeing just how many others had been touched by the same sentences or lines from a book or one of her poems.  I knew she was popular, of course.  She's a best-seller.  But I didn't know know. And seeing the proof of how far one woman's words can travel, I had to pause and give thanks for her will to use her voice and pursue her life.

Then, in that midst of that pause, something new occurred to me.  In the act of living her life with an expressive and willful nature, she's provided a great lesson for writers, artists, and...well...creatives of every kind.  I mean, consider this: Maya was San Francisco's first African-American streetcar conductor...at the age of sixteen!  She wanted that job, so she got that job, ringing that trolley bell with confidence.  It's so wonderful and simple.  And a great inspiration!

For many of us, the inspiration doesn't end with her writing.  She also demonstrated her commitment to her own courage by actively perfuming the world with real ideas about equality and peace.  How?  By showing up and telling the truth about herself.  By speaking from the gut and gracefully refusing to apologize for having something to say.  In the end, this is what most of us want...to tell our story in our own unique way, with poise and clarity.  Watching Maya do it, revealed how alike we all are in spirit.

To close, I'll pass along more of Maya's words.

May she rest in deep peace.

"There is no greater agony 

than bearing an untold story inside you."

"If you're always trying to be normal, 

you will never know how amazing you can be."

 A Note Re: Our Inner Editor

"Don't reinforce its power by listening to empty words. If the voice says, 'You are boring,' and you listen to it and stop your hand from writing, that reinforces and give credence to your editor. That voice knows that the term boring will stop you dead in your tracks, so you'll hear yourself saying that a lot about your writing. Hear 'You are boring' as distant white laundry flapping in the breeze. Eventually it will dry up and someone miles away will fold it and take it in. Meanwhile you will continue to write."

Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg

Congratulations to the winners of the 

Earth Day Goodreads Giveaway! Your books and 

eco-vintage bookmarks are on their way!

Enjoy your gift pack and enjoy

Earth Day 2014!

book love makes the world go round

A fRead Book?

10 signed copies of wildflowers

10 eco-vintage bookmarks

Just in time for Earth Day 2014!

(click here to enter goodreads giveaway)

And now, what's all this book love stuff about?

Haven’t we all had it?  Felt it.  Anxious to dive into a beautiful, new book, but also not wanting to disturb its crease-free cover and perfect pages.  Marveling at the cover design, the interior formatting, and maybe illustrations while holding it gingerly and gently flipping.  And then we go for it, hearing the crisp crack of the spine, we read—really read—the words.  And if there are illustrations, we get in close to view every inch of art.  This is book love.

After receiving a book order in the mail this week, I fell into my own circling spiral of book love and it inspired me to write, not a love poem, but a love post.  And it all began with the delivery of a box.

I knew it was on its way, had tracked it online.  But when it arrived, I saved the opening ceremony until I had an extra hour or so to enjoy the contents of the box.  It was worth the wait.  Inside lay three books I purchased as gifts.  All were picture books and all were titles from the 2014 Amelia Bloomer Project list.  The Amelia Bloomer Project list comes out yearly and features recommended feminist fiction and non-fiction titles for readers ages 0-18.  I found the list by way of Twitter and when I saw that Hattie Ever After, the follow-up to Hattie Big Sky, had made the list, I knew I had to learn more about the Amelia Bloomer Project.  Hattie, you see, isn’t just a strong, female character, she’s brave and curious and willing to put herself out there.  She was created by author Kirby Larson, who I admire for her writing and her support of teachers and librarians.  Last year around this time, Kirby invited me to write a guest post regarding Independent Publishing for her Friend Friday blog (read here).  Very friendly of her, I thought.

So, as I sat marveling (as we do) over these three wonderful picture books I ordered, I decided I needed to make a friendly gesture myself. And first thing in the morning I logged on to Twitter and let the authors and illustrators of these books know how they’d touched me with their words and art.  Let them know how pleased I was to be giving such great books to a little gal reader.  And I also wanted to thank those who put the Amelia Bloomer list together.  It’s an amazing list and I’ll continue to use and recommend it.  And after tweet-tweet,-tweeting, I felt good for sharing some book love.

Here are the new books I love and will keep on giving:

Zephyr Takes Flight by Steve Light

Princesses on the Run by Smiljana Coh

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts

As the story circles, tweeting about picture books and sharing led me to consider other forms of book love.  Popping to mind?  My most awesome friend and critique partner, Dawn, and her blog PBCrazy.  Besides being a dedicated SCBWI member and writing rhyme that goes to the outer limits of amazing, Dawn also reads more picture books than any human I’ve known.  I’m talking thousands here, and with that crazy love of the picture book genre, she decided to focus her blog posting on giving credit where credit is due.  She records her favorite lines in books with Love that Line posts and chronicles stand-out finishes with her Fabulous Finishes posts.  In addition, Dawn posts and tweets all things Smart Girls, honing in on efforts to bring more girls into the fields of math and science. As I contemplated Dawn and the PB Crazy blog, I knew I had to tell her about the books I'd just ordered (she’s picture book crazy, if I didn’t mention it) and the cycle of sharing continued. 

And then the Amelia Bloomer list re-entered the go-round.

First, let me say my days and weeks have been full of writing and revising.  My natural writing process is slow—very slow—and this past week, the end came into view (hooray), allowing me to do some work for the fRead Project, my personal giving program for Row Press.

One item on my list was getting my Goodread’s Earth Day Giveaway up and running, and once that was complete, I moved to a donation project for fellow writing friend Sara Frances-Fujimura who is organizing a local creative writing and service event to coincide with the readergirlz Rock the Drop movement.

With those three girl power picture books still on my mind and in my heart, with thoughts about how Dawn gives and shares book love and girl power, I began to think about whether the Rock the Drop donation could include a few titles from the Amelia Bloomer Project list.  I happen to be a huge supporter of The Representation Project, an organization that challenges gender stereotypes in media for both girls and boys, women and men.  And sharing books that show the successes of a main character overcoming a stereotype or that display characters learning or teaching about the hurtful nature of stereotypes is important to me.  Though I don’t talk much about this (because the environmental aspect dominates), the idea of stereotypes is a central theme in my book wildflowers.

In it, my lead character Keifer grows only when he recognizes the contributions of his grandmother, aunts, mother, and sister, Abi.  His growth continues when he decides to let go of what he thinks it means to be a "guy" so he can just work on becoming his best self.  This stereotype-challenging idea is also why I loved finding the Amelia Bloomer list, which highlights the best books breaking stereotypical ideas about girls and women.

My head swirled with all this data and an answer came, finishing the circle.  Yes, besides wildflowers I had to donate three other books for Rock the Drop drop day, and since Sara liked the idea, it’s a done deal.

Now, I get to go back to the Amelia Bloomer list and pick three young adult titles.  And when I have the books in my possession, the cycle of book love and book sharing will begin all over again.  Round and round we go.

Here’s more information about Sara's 

Rock the Drop-Phoenix Kick-Off Event:

The Rock the Drop-Phoenix Kick-Off Event is an off-shoot of a creative writing and literacy day Sara put together for her Girl Scout troop a few years ago.  Then Sara heard about readergirlz and realized she’d used the exact format they used for their Rock the Drop events.  The only difference?  Her troop collected books and donated them to charity instead of sending the books back out with participants to “drop” on Drop Day.  No matter, with a few adjustments her troop members became Rock the Drop pros, efficiently getting books into the hands of readers on Support Teen Literature Day.

And Sara wants everyone to know, a person doesn’t have to come to the Kick Off Event (or be a teen...look at me, I'm an old(er) gal) to participate in Drop Day, which is Thursday April 17.  Anyone can print a bookplate from the readergirlz website, put it in a book, and drop it where young readers can find it.  Sara will have identifying bookmarks up on her website in the next week or two, as well.  The plates and bookmarks describe the project and let readers/finders know they can keep the book.

This year’s Phoenix Kick-Off Event (a day of writing workshops and general book love) will be held at Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, Arizona on Saturday April 12 from 1pm – 4:30pm.  Presenters include YA author Erin Jade Lange, Sandi Greene, and many other great people from the local kid lit world.  For more info, click here.  To follow the news for events across the nation, check out #RockTheDrop on Twitter.

Thanks for stopping by!

In closing, I hope this spring you'll consider committing at least one random act of book kindness, sharing book love wherever you can, keeping the circle revolving.

Congratulations to the 

Winners of the February Goodread's Giveaway!

Your copy of Wildflowers 

and eco-vintage bookmark & keepsake box 

will ship February 25, 2014.

Thank you to all who entered the giveaway. 

I so appreciate your interest.

Look for another giveaway coming this spring!

creating, nerd style

Pardon my absence from posting while I 

write, write, revise, and then write some more.

While I'm away, 

please use the icon in the left column if you:

Need more information or would like to enter the wildflowers goodreads giveaway. Five winners will receive a signed copy of novel and an eco-vintage bookmark and keepsake box.

Also use the left column icon if you:

Want to join in on the second round of #nerdlution. Nerdlution is a movement where a person makes a resolution (or two or three) and attempts to stick to it, nerd style, for fifty (50) days. I'm dedicating myself to daring, bold, and focused forward movement in my creative life. If you come on board, remember: inspiration, progress updates, and cheerleading are offered at the above hashtag and various blogs. Just follow the links on Twitter.

Go Nerdlutionists!

Let the Evolution Begin...

Goodreads Giveaway starts Monday January 20

Up for grabs are five signed copies of Wildflowers, the YA ecotopian mystery.  Giveaway runs from Jan 20 to Feb 16, perfect timing to read before Earth Day 2014 (April 22).

Along with novel, winners will each receive a handcrafted eco-vintage wildflower-themed bookmark and keepsake box.

Good luck to all who enter!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wildflowers

by Rhonda McCormack

Giveaway ends February 16, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

5 more days of the homeology art sale

10 more days of #nerdlution

Once the winter holiday events begin, minutes, hours, and even days of normal life can evaporate from the December calendar.  It takes focused attention to pace oneself and avoid getting lost in the hoopla.  Lucky for this Creative, the last month of 2013 was rather low key, and with that, I was afforded a few joyful surprises.  For starters, from writing to arting to projects around the home or yard and meeting with friends to chat about their creative endeavors, the past six weeks or so have been an artistic time.  And what a breath of fresh air it's been to spend time recharging the batteries!  Leading the charge, however accidental, was the #nerdlution revolution that I joined. Found on Twitter, I arrived at the resolution party a few days late, but tardiness didn't deter me from going for it.  I made my list of things I wanted to implement into my life until January 20 and I began.

Here's my list as of a few days ago:

As you can see, it hasn't been possible for me to add in or complete each component every day.  But because I wanted to make an effort, no matter how small, I ended up getting pretty inventive.  Especially with numbers 1 and 4.  Standing and watching the birds in the birdbath for a few minutes on a busy day counted for #1, and though the end of the year is always a charitable time for our family, I found giving random words of kudos or compliments or giving moments of my time (sometimes to myself) just as fulfilling as gifting tangible donations.  On other fronts, like with 3, 5, and 7, I've had lulls where I would run out of ideas or lack energy to make them happen before the clock chimed midnight.  But I still went to bed happy I'd had an awareness that they existed as intentions at all.

In the end, the whole #nerdlution ordeal has become rather personal, which is the reason I haven't been writing blog posts about it, as I committed to early on.  I just needed it to be mine for awhile.  And once this shift happened, my list became a much more serious change agent.  Item 2 (read for an hour) took precedent.  Books and reading morphed into the reliable stand-by research tool.  Along with being influenced by friends' fiction recommendations, the 2013 Nerdy Book Awards, and my own To Read list, I dove into art and writing and business books, and even checked out a towering pile of picture books to inspire the creative spirit.

So, here we are.  With ten days left of the challenge, I'm eye-ball deep in new priorities and attitudes and energy.  Not only is the nerdlution list embedded in my daily doings and nightly gratitudes, but I found what matters to me, in this moment, and am using what matters as my guide.  You know, one of my favorite quotes is Praise the bridge that carried you over (George Colman) and before I sign off, I want to thank the idea-makers behind #nerdlution and also the supporters.  Thank you for the insightful and fun ride.  I wish all those who joined in, read along, or did private resolution ceremonies continued successes. 

Here's to a brilliant 2014 for one and all!

No matter which winter holiday you celebrate, the Writes blog wishes you joyful times with family and friends, now and into the New Year!

The #nerdlution movement continues with small and large successes alike. More to come...

Well, I dropped the ball on my Wednesday #nerdlution check-in post, and I admit it's getting more difficult to keep up with my daily commitments.  I'm finding that my conversion rate is about 50%, meaning I either complete half the tasks or I complete them all, but have to cut the time or give less effort.  Surprisingly, this still makes me feel good.  Maybe it's because I've recently embraced the idea that goals can be reached in many ways.  Sometimes in one fell swoop, sometimes with one small step and then another.  Sometimes with fierce and focused dedication, sometimes with spontaneous choices and flexibility.  Because even while the goal holds constant, our lives go on.  And adjustments need to be made in the moment.  Hmm?  Maybe I'm learning more than I thought from this nerdlution movement.  Love that.

And in other news:

inward, set of two, 24x24 each,
acrylic on canvas

I'm extremely grateful to home-ology, the eco-minded home interiors boutique, for partnering with me on a Welcoming 2014 Art Sale.  And they've just done a write-up on the event in their newsletter. Thanks home-ology, and thank you for including the kind words about wildflowers, my YA ecotopian mystery.  Here's the newsletter link for any Writes Reader who'd like more information:

home-ology Welcome 2014 Art Sale newsletter

welcoming 2014 art sale

phoenix cityscape, 30x36, mixed media

happening now at home-ology eco-friendly boutique:

all r mccormack 

original art pieces

40% off

Besides spending most work days revising my next Indie novel, roll, and fine-tuning another novel for agent submission, I've been taking time out to work in the gongoozler art studio.  And since new works are developing fast and I want to make some space for them, I've partnered with home-ology for a Welcoming 2014 Sale, where all existing r mccormack paintings are reduced by 40%.

Home-ology is an independently-owned home interiors shop selling eco-minded products, including home decor, gifts, and furniture.  They also support local artists like me.  Thanks home-ology!

The sale will run from Dec 15 to Jan 15 and you can view the pieces by either stopping by the shop or my blog or website.  If you're looking to spruce up the pad for the holiday season or new year, I hope you'll consider one of these works, which are mixed media on canvas. Gongoozler art is an eco-minded studio and my pieces are created with upcycled art and tissue paper, fabric, and tapes to build texture, and acrylics, pastels, and art pens provide more color and accents.

If you like a piece, but aren't in Arizona, no matter!  I'm happy to answer any questions via email (rhonda (at) gongoozlerart dot com) or the blog comment section and home-ology ships just about anywhere for a fee.  Here are a few of the pieces on sale now:

wildflower, 20x20, mixed media

phoenix cityscape 2, 24x36, mixed media

uneven, 24x24, mixed media

the tractor, 36x36, mixed media

sequence, 48x60, acrylic