Month: June 2016

Revamping to Make New

by Gretchen Fogelstrom, posted in Adventure, childern's literature, Geography, Writing

Hi All!

Summer is just gorgeous here in Oregon.  So gorgeous in fact that I am finding so many things to do that I have not been focusing on writing as much as I had planned.  But I have taken a few odd hours here and there to revisit some of my “old” stories.   Now that it has been a few years, I am reading them with new eyes and finding that I like, for the most part, their nuts, bolts and flow.  So I have started to revamp to make them fresh, with more twists, and more highs and lows.  I am also researching illustrators – as a couple of them are definitely picture books, via the website FIVERR, where I am finding some amazing artists.

But no worries – The Jade Serpent is still happening.  Apparently I need(ed) to work on something fresh for a bit.  I’ll return to fleshing out the parts that have me hung up once I have a couple other stories out on the market.

But as we move into July, I am determined to carve out a daily routine of writing.  And can you believe I am going to start by taking off on an adventure?  For eleven days I am going to be exploring two beautiful parts of Oregon, one in the mountains and the other at the edge of the Pacific ocean.  And to top it off, I will be with my mom and three cats! Ha! No, I’m not crazy.  I expect it will be full of hilarity more than anything.

First stop: Sisters, Oregon for the 4th of July (US Independence Day) weekend.  We will be hiking in the glorious Deschutes National Forest and wandering the adorable town of Sisters.

I’m expecting the winding rivers and tall trees to breathe creative, new story ideas into my head.  Deschutes National Forest

Then we head over to the coast for a a few days for long walks along the endless beach.  I’m thinking eleven days of fabulous hiking, writing, painting and relaxing.

surftidesbeach

I can’t wait!

So, with determination as my companion, I will be writing to you next with when, where and how my next book(s?) will be heading out into the public.

Happy end-of-June to you all!

~ Gretchen

Clyde Rice – Artist Retreat

by Gretchen Fogelstrom, posted in Art, Discovery, Photography, Sketching, Writing

Hi All – just a quick shout-out to tell you about a beautiful place in Oregon where you can let all your creative juices over-flow.

Check out The Clyde Rice estate – it is a 10 acre, gorgeous place on the Clackamas River in Oregon – just 15 miles from Portland. Has three bedrooms and lots of space to be creative – and super cheap to rent.  Think workshop space, brainstorming sessions, private pondering, exquisite landscapes to paint and write about.  It is idyllic, serene and cozy.

Clackamas River

CR 1CR 2CR 3

To rent the place or learn more click here.

The Re-Write

by Gretchen Fogelstrom, posted in Adventure, Mystery, Writing

I’m finally settled in gorgeous Oregon.  I have been having fun hanging out with my mom soaking in all the beauty here.  As of yesterday I started to work on the second draft of The Jade Serpent.  I am already feeling better about it and I’ve only worked on the first six paragraphs!  Its going to take awhile to get this second draft completed but I am loving how it is shaping up already.

I’m planning on working on the illustrations this summer as well.  I will be moving down to California at the end of the month so life will be a little chaotic again then.  But I am determined to get settled and right back to editing.

As a teaser – here is the first few lines of the very first paragraph of the 2nd draft – what do you think?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The pounding of his heart was nearly audible. His breath was short and rapid as he crouched, ready to launch. Then, quick as a cobra striking its prey, Koen’s hand punched outward toward the flying dog. The mechanical wings veered, then flapped up and down just out of reach. But when the dog flew around again, Koen launched his whole body into the air, stretching both of his arms towards the beast.

So fun to tweak and tweak again.  Happy days to you all!