About My Writing

I’m Linda.  Linda Martin Andersen.  I am a PAL member (published writer) of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).   I wear a jester’s hat on my blog.  Would you like to guess why?  Leave me your best guess on the comments below and I’ll let you know if you’re right. 

 My writing journey often reminds me of the Family Circus comics that show one or more of their characters running an errand.  Instead of following a direct route, the child meanders here and there, which is illustrated with a dotted line. My writing often heads in one direction and then turns again and again.  I may even get distracted by research and head off on another project altogether.  I believe this is because I have many interests.  Nevertheless, I am able to regain focus and complete projects.  My publications include: 

Publications for teachers/parents who lead children:

• Christian curriculum for Tell Me the Story at Word Action Publishing (2011) which includes activities, Bible story retelling, and leader’s guide for six units of study.
• Online teacher’s guides for AppleSeeds magazine:
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/APP/APP0709.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/APP/APP0905.pdf
• Online teacher’s guides for Cobblestone magazine:
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB0909.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1010.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB0911.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1001.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1002.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1003.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1004.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1005.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1007.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1009.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1010.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1011.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1101.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1102.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1103.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1104.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1105.pdf
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pdfs/COB/COB1107.pdf
• Online teacher’s guides for ePals In2Reading (for two children’s books) Recommended for this assignment by Marcia Lusted, editor of teacher’s guides at Cobblestone Publishing.  Thanks Marcia!
• Tips for Parents–co-written with fellow educators.  A weekly article in the Fayetteville Observer (Sept. 2005-July 2006)

Professional Publications for Fellow Children’s Book Writers/Illustrators:

• “Grant Writers Needed for Author/Illustrator School Visits.”  The SCBWI Bulletin (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators–SCBWI). Publication date to be announced.

Publications for Children:

• “Little Willie Sherman” for AppleSeeds magazine ( November/December 2011)
• “A Different of Party” for Pockets magazine (January 2012)
• “Whistling in the Spotlight” for Guide magazine ( November 10, 2012)
• Numerous poems, activities, poems, piggyback songs for Celebrate and Adventures magazines with Word Action Publishing.
• Christian curriculum for Tell Me the Story at Word Action Publishing (2011) which includes activities, Bible story retelling, and leader’s guide for six units of study.
• “A Writer’s Playground” My blog (here) of reading and writing activities for kids based on calendar themes.  Begun on May 1, 2012.

Here’s an activity for you:  Look for a Family Circus comic that outlines a journey as a dotted path.  Trace where it goes and where it ends up.  Tell about a time when you meandered on a journey.   

Find another comic that you like.  Which one is it?  Why do you like it?  Does it remind you of yourself?  How?

Survey friends and find out their favorite comics.  Chart the results.  Use another type chart to display the same results.

Writing for publication is a goal I am proud to have accomplished.  When I received my first check for published magazine activities for children, I celebrated by taking a special ride in a 1929 Model A car.  I invited my family to join me. We were driven on our dirt driveway and on paved streets by the car’s owner.  What fun!  I especially enjoyed sharing the ride with my grandsons.

1929 Model A ride to celebrate my first magazine publication. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

How do you celebrate your successes?