Was that at the panel you were on recently? The one with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple? I wish I’d been there. I would not have had the nerve–or the notion–to raise my hand. You have reminded me, again, that as a children’s writer, I need to keep my young self close by. It’s hard when older, grumpier, more serious self is worrying about, well, everything. Come to think of it, I worried about everything at ten, too!

and ah that ten year old Candice. I did speak recently to a group and asked if anyone there was nine. And only someone just a bit younger than us shot up her hand. A writer through and through. Aspiring to that, too.

Oh, thanks Candice. You’re a sweet heart. I will let you know when the book comes in.

I remember Gwen from the photos you showed me not too long ago. She is getting to be such a big girl! How exciting she is learning to read, the most important thing she’ll ever learn and you get to experience that. Let me know if you do order Big Green Pocketbook. I’ll send Gwen an autographed book plate to put inside. And a photo of the real big green pocketbook, which I still have.

I don’t know if that show will travel or not. I never understand how people let priceless objects go out of their possession, but I let an exhibit borrow a World’s Fair scrapbook of mine. Never got to see the exhibit myself, but I am glad people got to enjoy my small piece.

At the risk of sounding like we’re in a mutual admiration society, I am enjoying watching you grow as a photographer, coming to your work from different angles, viewing the world through your particular lens. In the two years we’ve been friends, your work has changed, deepened.

I spent this snowy day at the computer and have nothing to show for my hours. This frustrates me more than anything lately. I wish I had taken at least one picture, something to look at the end of day. But soon the weather *will* warm up and we can get out! And I do thank you for telling me about the pen (ordered, as you know) and the notebook at B&N (on my desk now).

The map book looks a lot of fun. Kids love map making [as do some adults such as myself – nothing like making a treasure map].

I totally understand your appreciation for a good pen. And I do love a pen that flows smoothly.

At the moment we are all about reading at home – especially the children’s books. Gwen has started school and she is coming home with daily ‘readers’. It is an incredible feeling hearing Gwen sounding out the words she reads, and recognising the words on sight. I am thinking of finally buying “The Big Green Pocket Book” to add to the home library, something fun to help her read. And on top of that all the schools in the state are involved in an annual reading challenge, so Gwen is signed up for that. It’s an exciting time for Gwen.

Patty, that memoir was about Jack’s very young experience with prison. It’s eye-opening, funny, and brave. Hole in My Life, it’s called. You should read it!

Offices tend to clutter themselves when we aren’t looking. I’m pretty vigilent about mine but stuff sneaks in anyway!

Tami, you are so sweet . . . and funny. Okay, you can order that pen on Amazon–it ships free but it takes three to four weeks to arrive! I’ve found a good substitute for the Apica notebook right in Barnes and Noble. Their cloth-covered “deconstructed” notebooks by Studio Oh! No binding–just sewed and glued–so the books lay flat. Paper is almost as good as Apica’s!

You inspire me as well–I stop by The Phantom Tollbooth often. The best thing about the conference was that it reminded me I’m not alone–we’re all in this together, doing the best we can.

I haven’t been to that conference since 2009 and that time I was disappointed, though I can’t remember why. I went up on the train one person, and came back somebody else–well, not somebody else, but that conference gave me a much-needed kick in the pants. Gantos was brilliant. And Kate Messner was also very inspiring.

Thanks so much, Mary. I’m trying to be the Candice Ransom I was meant to be from age ten.