I thought I'd pop in again to post - it's only been 3 months, give or take a week or two...

Writing life has been on-again, off-again - I'm in a lul after a somewhat sad attempt at NaNoWriMo (I didn't hit 50,000 by any stretch, but wrote much more than any normal November) I have a few things out on submission, an many things waiting for revision...

I'll get to them, I swear! My Christmas shopping is almost done (I know, can you beleive it? I usually don't start until somewhere around Dec. 20), so as soon as I get my wedding thank you's in the mail (is 5 months after the wedding still within etiquette guidelines?), I'll hit my revision list...

it is, in this order...

A magazine story that, with a few tweaks, could be perfect for Pockets,
My "set in the future" Highlights Fiction Contest entry
My Year of the Pigs novel - which needs a new MC name, because I stole it for my Nano novel,because it was a perfect fit, and no other name would do...

Hope everyone is having a fabulous holiday season!!

I'm great at reading my friends-list-posts when I'm supposed to be working, but not so great at actually posting! But, I'm back for a purely selfish reason - to spread the word about Writer Mama's contest at http://thewritermama.wordpress.com/ Take a look - enter (every day in September!) and be sure to mention me in your comment - I could use some serious writer-mama encouragement these days (see my profile pic? that's the general toddler mood at our house lately)

Happy Writing all! and hopefully I'll be back before another 5 months passes!

Christy (used to be zoulek) Humpal

I had an entire week off of work, and only managed to read 1 & 1/2 mg novels (Olive's Ocean, loved it - Al Capone does my shirts - love it so far - I am SO behind on my reading, it's pathetic). I managed to do a few revisions on a short story and get 2 submissions ready to mail to Carus - as soon as I get stamps.

I did, however, spend too much money at Hobby Lobby, punch 440 holes, string 220 ribbons, fold 220 pieces of cardstock, print and cut too many little papers to count, hot glue feathers to 5 pairs of flip flops, assemble 5 bridesmaid bouquets and a bridal bouquet, and 30 or so corsages and bout.'s, eat an amazing lunch at the Des Moines Art Center, and sing karaoke (4 songs, to be exact).

OK, so I didn't make it. My mystery was in no way, shape, or form submission-worthy. But we're over that :) I got my contract in the mail from Highlights for Mr. Perry's Pockets (yay). And today, I got an e-mail notification that I am a recipient of a 2007 Chautauqua Scholarship (double YAY!!!)

OK, so now that my elation is starting to wear off a little bit, I'm remembering those details like coming up with transportation and lodging costs, and how we're going to work out a schedule for hubby and the kids (He goes in to work early, early...) But all of that is figureoutable.

wow, besides the tree branches everywhere and the power outages, and the two more days off of school that put the last day of school into the first week of June (leaving me only 4 days off before my wedding) This has been a GREAT week!

Happy Writing!

OK, so I have a really bad, really rough first draft of my mystery :) I can't guarantee it will be sub-ready in time, but I'll try!!

OK, so I've been hoping the muse would strike with a really great mystery idea for the Highlights Fiction Contest - so today, inspiration struck, giving me about 20 days to try to hash out something marketable. The sad thing is that the story is based on something I heard in September - so had I been in 'writer mode' I would be working on final draft material, rather than outlining the idea... UGH! Doable? perhaps. That means that I need to actually make writing a priority for the first time in months! So, no more blogging until my rough draft is on paper. I work better with a deadline, anyway :)

Wish me luck!

OK, so I slacked on my LJ, I warned you in my last (or should I say first?) post. Kelsey reminded me that I HAD a LJ page, and here I am with an update. I'm one step closer to selling a story to Highlights (YAY!). I got one of them back with a no after my "bear" card, but the other is recommended for purchase (woo-hoo!!)

So, with any luck, I'll find a contract in the mail soon :)

OK, so I have my art-teacher blog, and now this will be my writer-blog. Judging from how often I update my mszoulek blog, I wouldn't count on frequent updates :)

OK, so as an introduction to any of you who stumble upon this blog, I am an unpublished writer, focusing on writing for children. I am currently "bearing with" highlights while they take a look at a couple of stories, and have sold one Picture Book manuscript, which will be coming out on DVD any day now. So, not a newbie exactly, but I still need all the help I can get. I have had the great fortune to work with a mentor the past few months, and it has been great! Linda Skeers rocks!

Anyway, I should get back to actually teaching art, and actually writing - instead of just blogging about them!!