by Pat McCaw | Feb 6, 2020 | book review, environment, Pat's Chat, Uncategorized, Writing tips
When a child reads a novel, they want to be entertained and swept away into familiar worlds or magical places. I used to be a kid … long, long ago. As a fourth grader, I craved mystery and detective stories. I voraciously read Nancy Drew mysteries and Stephen...
by Pat McCaw | Jan 28, 2020 | parenting, Pat's Chat, Uncategorized
I decided to have fun with this blog post. I’m not trying to preach life lessons – I’M NO EXPERT! If you’ve ever tried to explain something to your kids, and they stare at you with glassy eyes, BUT then a person next to you shows them a video...
by Pat McCaw | Nov 3, 2019 | Pat's Chat, picture books, Uncategorized, Writing tips
Writing a picture book is hard. Very hard. The sweet books you read to your children are poured over by their author with scrutiny for every word on the page. When I’m told, “I’ve always wanted to write a picture book – I have so many ideas!” That is fantastic! But...
by Pat McCaw | Oct 20, 2019 | Pat's Chat, Uncategorized
When I get frustrated with writing and revising, or on the days when words get stuck, I take a break. But I have to justify my breaks to my obnoxious, overactive brain that insists I don’t waste life flipping channels (Stupid brain.) One outlet I have is working...
by Pat McCaw | May 18, 2019 | Pat's Chat, Uncategorized, Writing tips
Lessons from Highlights. Sometimes it takes a journey to find the heart of your story. After a week at the Highlights Foundation Workshop on Writing the Unreal, I am energized and ready to create. Amazing mentors and new friends with similar aspirations...
by Pat McCaw | Dec 6, 2018 | book review, Pat's Chat, picture books, Uncategorized
I’m positive that kids get tired of hearing – “things are different than when I was a kid” . . . but they are! In my opinion, children face different social pressures, cyber bullying, and have to watch out for “drugs” in all forms...
