The Latest from Nancy...
Finished Illustrations for Book
The illustrations and cover are finished. The book, Chloe Starcatcher, written by Beverly Crandell based on a story by Chloe Pierce, will be privately published. I will post a few illustrations from the book later.
Pizza Party for Writers
Today the participants of Jano celebrated with a party. A group of local writers, who liked the idea of writing for one month on a novel of our choice, but didn’t like doing it during the month of November, decided to do it in January. (So instead of Nano, we called ours Jano.) We had participants from coast to coast; not even sure how one of them even found us! Four people actually reached the goal of 50,000 words. But not me. However, I now have a good start on a mystery novel. Prizes were awarded at our celebration party for several things; I tied for “best first page.” Yea! We all enjoyed hearing what everyone has accomplished. This was fun, and the mutual cheerleading encouraged a lot more writing. (Now for Jano 2011)
50,000 Words in a Month?
Sleuths’ Ink, a mystery writers group I belong to, decided to spend a month in which each member (who chose to do so) would write a 50,000 word novel, but not in November when it’s usually done. We chose the “bare” winter month of January. Problem was…I got sick and totally drained of all energy. Took a long time to “come back.” And while I did not reach the 50,000 goal, I got a really good start for a novel that has been just running around in my heard taunting me for a few years. Now to go back to work finishing other projects!
2010 The Year to Finish Projects
I plan this year to finish the five major writing or writing related projects that I’ve been working on.
One: complete the editing of my biography about the life and times of Maria Sybilla Merian, a woman who captured my heart because she played with caterpillars all of her life, was a very important part of the development of the field of entomology, did her own meticulous research, and became famous. She persevered and did all of this even though everything was stacked against her. What a gal!
Two: finish the illustrations for a children’s book written by Beverly Crandall.
Three: complete the last bit needed for my picture book about Maria Sybilla Merian, and send the dummy book out searching for a publisher.
Four: send out a children’s book I have written about a ghost’s discovery that he is a ghost.
Five: complete the writing of a 50,000 word mystery novel during the month of January, even though I have a slow start right now. : )
Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt
Last weekend in Columbia, MO, I tried Tiger Ice Cream at MU. It was quite tasty and the scoops were the biggest I’ve seen in awhile.
Last night we went to Andy’s where I had my favorite––a concrete with raspberry topping (which means the topping is all mixed in). Delicious.
But my all time favorite is the ice cream I had in the little town of Wilster, Germany, at the Eiscafe Rialto across from the church. It was a dish called Spaghetti Ice Cream; looked like real spaghetti with tomato sauce! Tasted fantastic! I loved the combination of looks and taste. And if I’m ever back in Hamburg, I will definitely take the train to Wilster for more ice cream at the Eiscafe Rialto.
Researching Amsterdam
I have taken Maria Sybilla Merian and her family from Frankfurt, Germany, where she was born to Nürnberg, back to Frankfurt, on to Castle Waltha in Friesland, northern Holland and now to Amsterdam.
Inside the Old Walls of Nürnberg
The first photo shows the cobblestone street––notice the width of the street––and a modern wall that is boundary of someone's house/yard today.
The second photo gives a better look at the outer wall. The tower has the door which is an entrance to the upper walkway of the wall. Here I can imagine the men, whose duty it was to defend the city, walking their assigned stretch and keeping a close surveillance of any activity outside the city.
Waypoint: Murder Published
I have a short mystery story published online in the October issue of Caching Now magazine.
It is the featured story this month.
You can read it here.
Another Chicago Sculpture
Side view of Sculpture
Bat Column in Chicago
While in Chicago I also wanted to find the Bat Column, a steel and aluminum sculpture designed by Claes Oldenburg. It is on the grounds of the Social Security Building on West Madison Street. My friends and I walked down Madison Street, keeping an eye out for this column. Unknown to me, my friends thought it was something else and were looking for another kind of bat column. They were quite surprised to discover the sculpture was a baseball bat instead of a column of bats–the flying kind!
I always enjoy Claes Oldenburg’s gigantic sculptures of ordinary things. : )
Other Work
Chasing Caterpillars
The Life and Times of Maria Sybilla Merian
Maria Sybilla Merian (1647-1717) lived in a culture where women were supposed to marry, keep house, and raise children. So how, then, did her persistent involvement with caterpillars make such an impact on the world of science? This is her story.
Draft
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Missouri Life Magazine
Illustration
Gone But Not Forgotten — Missouri Life Magazine
Artist Profile: Jim Veronee
An article about a Missouri mural artist and his legacy.
I just couldn’t put it down!
– Dixie Simpson
Upcoming Events
September 8, 2018
ABC Books, Book Signing • Springfield, MO
1-3 pm
September 31, 2018
Draft, Book Reading • Los Angeles, MO
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Coming Soon!
Available Aug 16, 2018
Missouri’s Best Known Resident, A Dog?
Non-Fiction
In the 1930’s Jim may have been Missouri’s best known resident.
My Writing Blog
Follow Along
Geocaching find!?
Out hunting for a geocache early this morning... Did not find the cache but found this: Dog Stinkhorn. Very strange! Learn something new all the time. #geocaching
Mystery Caterpillar
(see full image)
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