An Open Book

Most who know me know I am a very goal-oriented person (in fact, I already shared my goal wrap-up for 2016 and my new ones for 2017 on this very blog). I work best with specific guidelines and b...

http://www.joannesher.com/2017/01/my-one-word-2016-and-2017.html

In case you are curious, I AM in fact aware that is has been A YEAR since I posted anything on this blog. It has been a busy time, and I just haven't focused (at all) on this aspect of my writing...

http://www.joannesher.com/2016/12/yes-i-still-exist-looking-back-and.html

I am a goal person. Those of you who have followed this blog for a while (or know me) realize that. So, even though some folks like the idea of "just" picking a word for the year - it doesn't wor...

http://www.joannesher.com/2016/01/welcome-to-new-year-2016-word-and-goals.html

I know - I haven't blogged much this year. But it doesn't mean I haven't been pressing forward. And it's good to acknowledge progress, right? So - here I am, doing just that. At the beginning o...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/12/2015-looking-back.html

Yes - I know I have neglected my blog. This is my first post since April, but when I saw Susanna Hill's 5th Annual Holiday Contest , and checked out the topic, I got an idea immediately - and pos...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/12/precious-cargo-5th-annual-holiday.html

Here's this week's fabulous pick for Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday. And, by the way, fabulous is NOT an understatement. And it is an "older" one (well, older than current, a...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/04/come-on-rain-perfect-picture-book-friday.html

Here's this week's fabulous pick for Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday TITLE: Don't Turn the Page! AUTHOR: Rachel Burk ILLUSTRATOR: Julie Dowling PUBLISHER: Creston Books,...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/04/dont-turn-page-perfect-picture-book.html

I know. I haven't been here in a while. But I've been busy. And this book has been sitting beside my laptop for WEEKS, waiting for me to have time to write up a PPBF post for it. And today is tha...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/04/a-fine-dessert-perfect-picture-book.html

I'll admit it. The title got me. As I was perusing the picture book shelves at my local library, this book jumped out and grabbed me - and wouldn't let me go. Cuz who hasn't thought this at some ...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/03/i-need-my-own-country-perfect-picture.html

Just under two years old Today, my oldest turns 14. In September, he starts high school. And really, neither of these facts has really sunk in yet. I am having a TOUGH time getting my mind a...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/02/god-gave-us-you-perfect-picture-book.html

One of my 2015 goals is to do at least one specific, relatively substantial, thing to improve my children's writing craft each month. And today, with your help, I'm doing my "thing" for February...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/02/getting-better-with-your-help.html

Well, I'm back! Did you miss me? I've been pretty busy the past few weeks, and Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday has been put on the back burner at my blog. But now it's back (a...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/02/the-extraordinary-mr-qwerty-perfect.html

I am in (and actually now one of the moderators of) a Facebook group that studies picture books by debut picture book authors who are not also illustrators . What better way to help us figure out...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/01/prudence-wants-pet-perfect-picture-book.html

I don't know about you, but I grew up with a strong dislike for my name (my first name to some extent, but ESPECIALLY my last - and those of you know the last name I was born with no doubt can un...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/01/perfect-picture-book-friday-dont-call.html

We ALL know, without even asking, that this picture book idea started with the title, right?? ;)  I'm back with another fabulous picture book to add to the lovely Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfec...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/01/perfect-picture-book-friday.html

I'm back with another fabulous picture book to add to the lovely SusannaLeonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday project. And considering the extremely cold weather in my part of the world tod...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/01/perfect-picture-book-friday-snowbots.html

Welcome to a new year on my blog! My post yesterday talked about the year that just ended - this one will focus forward, on the one to come. The year 2014 was the first one when I chose a si...

http://www.joannesher.com/2015/01/stepping-into-2015.html

I say this every year (really!) but can you believe this year is over?? Crazy. For me, 2014 was quite a year writing-wise (and otherwise - but I'm not dwelling on that). As is my custom, I though...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/12/2014-in-review.html

I've spent the past week or so writing this story for Susanna Hill's 4th Annual Holiday Contest (by the way, I "met" Susanna a year ago with the 3rd Annual Contest, which I also entered ). The re...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/12/a-wild-aussie-christmas-holiday-contest.html

I'm joining with the delightful Susanna Leonard Hill today, sharing a fun picture book I encountered last week for Perfect Picture Book Friday. Thanks, Susanna, for giving us a place to share ou...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/12/perfect-picture-book-fridaybrother-sun.html

I know - not quite Thanksgiving yet - but have I got a Christmas present for you :) I know I've mentioned it here earlier this month, but I have three stories in a wonderful Christmas anthology...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/11/some-free-christmas-treasures-including.html

I've been pretty busy with writing and editing and such, and haven't had a chance to participate in Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday in a while. SO VERY glad I'm making time to do it t...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/11/perfect-picture-book-friday-crazy-day.html

This post is party of Patty Wysong's A to Z meme . This week's letter is "F" I don't know about you, but I LOVE Christmas. As a Jew who came to Christ in her early 30s, there is such rich ...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/11/a-fantastic-fun-project-with-friends.html

This post is party of Patty Wysong's A to Z meme . This week's letter is "D" This tiny story/entry has been a lot of work in coming. You see, I have known about this contest for months (...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/10/discipline-drive-and-determination.html

(Seriously, is there a SINGLE ONE of you who could see this title and NOT pick it up??) I'm joining with the delightful Susanna Leonard Hill today, sharing a fun picture book I encountered for ...

http://www.joannesher.com/2014/10/perfect-picture-book-friday-115-and.html