New Year, New Words

For last year's words belong
to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make
a beginning.

~T.S. Eliot

I’ve been completely AWOL from this blog since Thanksgiving, and here we are already a week into 2010. Winter is firmly entrenched, keeping me mostly indoors but providing a beautiful landscape by way of apology. I took this picture from the pole barn, looking into the backyard. I love how the red house and berries stand out against the bright snow.

But before any more time slips away, I first want to send out best wishes to all of you for much happiness in the new year. It means so much to me that you are reading these posts and following my writing journey. The path I’m on is sure to take some unexpected turns, and I feel blessed to have such good company along the way.

Following a joyous (and extended) Christmas season, I’m happy to be back at work on my projects. The most exciting news I have to share is that the cover art for Anna Mei, Cartoon Girl has been completed. With my publisher's permission, I'm thrilled to be debuting it here.

The illustrations for both the front and back covers were created by artist Wayne Alfano. I expected them to be computer-generated, so was surprised to learn that they are actually full-size oil paintings. I’m just delighted with how he has captured the personalities of Anna Mei and her friends. He also included some specific details that are important in the story, such as a science experiment in the background and a sketchbook that helps illuminate the "cartoon girl" part of the title. The back cover includes a second illustration, plus a few more graphic elements pulled right from the story. What a thrill to see all of this brought to life on a piece of paper I can hold in my hands!

It's also been fascinating to learn details about the design process—how and why certain colors were chosen, how the design ties in with the Marketing Department’s promotional plans, how important it is that the art works both as a full-size book cover and as a thumbnail image. It’s very gratifying—and humbling—to know that so much care and attention is being taken with these details.

In anticipation of Anna Mei’s debut in a few months, I now have an official Author Page at Amazon.com. As soon as the book is available, the cover will be added to the ones already there. In March, I hope to add this one from Chicken Soup for the Soul. I should hear a final decision about that sometime next month. And in August, Celebrate the Season!, including my story called "O Holy Night," will be available from Pauline Books.

So much to look forward to! But in the meantime comes the hard work of facing down the blank screen, of breathing new life into the characters I created so that their story can continue in the next book. For inspiration, it would be hard to beat this picture of them staring down from the bulletin board above my computer, encouraging me to give it my best shot.