Boo!
Halloween is just around the corner. My boys have been planning their costumes for weeks. I am lucky to have two kiddos with big imaginations. Costumes are not reserved only for Halloween around here. As a matter of fact, when they were younger they so rarely dressed as themselves that I stopped noticing what they were wearing. We would be half way through a trip to the grocery store when I'd realize one kid was dressed as a bullrider and the other as a fire fighter. Then there was the day that they were "army guys". They marched in unison through out the store, referring to me as "Sir".

This makes me wonder about our own disguises. I often write for our local paper (www.rivercurrentnews.com) One of the gifts has been getting to know people in our valley, that I might not necessarily meet otherwise. I get to interview some pretty incredible folks. What strikes me today, is how many of them are disguised as moms or dads or PTA members or work-a-day folks! In reality, they are artists, craftsmen, athletes, coaches, and people of many talents! It makes me curious that as adults we often disguise ourselves, dressing up to be less than we are. Perhaps because of modesty or humility. Perhaps because we don't believe in that aspect of our selves yet. I am guilty of this too. Not very many people in my community knew I was a writer until they saw my book at our school auction. I think my mom disguise threw them off!

I'm still a bit shy in my writer's costume, but I'm working on it. It is part of who I am. What disguises do you wear? And, what costume would you like to try on? (Note to parents: if you can get your kids to march in unison and call you "Sir", your grocery shopping trip will run much more smoothly!)

Jen

Welcome!

Welcome to my updated website and blog. The launch of these technological tools coincided with an age old tradition: story telling. A few evenings ago I was fortunate to be part of The Inside Story, hosted at The University Book Store in Bellevue, WA. by SCBWI. The Inside Story invites local authors and illustrators to share the story behind their stories...hence, the story telling. I was awed by the diverse talent, varied backgrounds, and stunning work. Many of us had worked and waited for years, in some cases decades, for our writing or art to become published. Our stories were funny, poignant and decidedly our own. Despite the disparate stories, there was a common denominator: at some point each and every individual put pen (or brush, or pencil) to paper and begin to tell (or paint, or draw) their story. Most of us can't help ourselves. We have stories to tell.

I see and hear stories everywhere. I am most fascinated by the stories behind seemingly every day moments. I always know there is more than meets the eye! Stop by from time to time and we can share our stories.