To celebrate Poetry Friday today, one of my favorite Robert Frost poems (on what would have been his birthday — Happy Birthday, Bob) , perfect for this time of year, this time of Springish delight, of new warmth and new growth and the feeling that it’s time to put your hand to the plough. 

I am putting my hand to the plough in my own way this spring by working to finish a discovery draft of my novel WIP. I had to step back this week and figure out where I’ve gone wrong because I feel like I’m moving in circles. 

This week as I enjoy the hint of spring in the air, I think I’m going to imagine myself as Frost did, working in concert with others to point toward something beautiful and fragrant. And maybe, just maybe I’ll find it.

The Tuft of Flowers

BY ROBERT FROST

I went to turn the grass once after one
Who mowed it in the dew before the sun.

The dew was gone that made his blade so keen
Before I came to view the levelled scene.

I looked for him behind an isle of trees;
I listened for his whetstone on the breeze.

But he had gone his way, the grass all mown,
And I must be, as he had been,—alone,

As all must be,’ I said within my heart,
Whether they work together or apart.’

Read the rest here.

1. I’ve felt like something big was supposed to happen all week, but nothing has really materialized. Oh wait, ME WITH YOU was nominated for the SIBA 2010 Book of the Year award in the children’s/YA category. I’m very excited about that. Yes. But still, I’ve had this feeling I can’t shake, so maybe one of you will get good news before the end of the day.

2. I got art for my upcoming pb, MINI RACER, that I’m dying to share with you, but I don’t have permission yet. So instead, I’ll let my illustrator do it for me. 🙂 Bridget Strevens-Marzo shared some of the art on her blog a week or so ago and then Cynsations posted an interview with her as part of the SCBWI Bologna series. Be sure to check both of them out!

3. Cynsations also posted an interview with my fabuloso literary agent, Kendra Marcus, of Bookstop Literary. She shares a sweet story about me that made me blush (though she doesn’t use my name.) It’s nice to have an agent that makes you feel good about yourself, huh? 

4. So have you noticed yet that lots of people I know are going to the Bologna Book Fair but not me? 😦 Pooh.

5. My agent just sent out my latest picture book manuscript. I am insanely excited about this story. I’ve had the idea/title in my head for years and have worked and reworked and worked and reworked and then finally the story just came together the other day. I wrote, revised, rewrote, revised, had it critiqued, revised, sent it to agent, revised, talked with agent, revised some more, and now it is OUT THERE. Oh boy.

Okay, so for the first time ever my agent read the synopsis of my novel WIP today. And when she was through, she did not ask to de-agent me. Whew.

Someone — I ain’t saying who– put a bee in my bonnet to submit an application for Work-in-Progress grant from the SCBWI. Glory, it’s taken me all day but I think I’ve finally pulled it all together.

In the mail, tomorrow. Whew.