Ideas

Everyone always wants to know where writers get their ideas. But I have to tell you... that's the wrong question to be asking. Truth is, ideas are everywhere all the time, free for the taking. But those ideas are just ideas. You can't copyright an idea for a very good reason. It's nothing until you shape it into something tangible. The question people should be asking is, "How do you recognize if an idea is worthwhile?"

For me, it's all about the sense I have that this idea must already exist. It's so good that it must already be part of the world. Along with that comes a feeling of urgency because if the idea hasn't already been developed, it certainly will be soon. And also, if I thought of it, someone else (who is of course a better and faster writer than me) will think of it, too.

So there you have it, the foolproof way of figuring out if an idea is worth pursuing or not. Equal parts excitement, urgency and insecurity.

What's up?

Lots has been happening in the Ferber house lately. My daughter figured out where she'll be going to college next year! Go Faith!

Jacob, always the prankster, did this when I thought he was shoveling a path in the backyard for our sweet dog.

I'm going to miss his sense of humor next year when he goes to college. (Still not sure where that will be.)

Sammy has been playing The Wolf and Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods at Wilmette Theater. Tickets are still available for next weekend. I saw the show this morning and loved it!

Here's Sammy as Prince Charming greeting a special fan after the show. 

And I went to the Arctic for a writing retreat. Actually, we were just in western Michigan. It was awesome!!

That's me looking out over Lake Michigan (Photo creds: Carolyn Crimi)

Life's been busy and fun. What's up with you?

Book Winners and a Couple Other Things

Thank you to everyone who told me about their random acts of kindness this month. The thing I realized was that I surround myself with very kind and giving people. People who make practicing kindness a normal part of their life so much so that they wouldn't even think to draw attention to it. So I say to all of you who are doing small things to make the world a better place, thank you!

And now, without further ado, here are the five people, chosen by my kids, who will be receiving free autographed copies of The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever. Drum roll please...

1. Ellen, who as she was shoveling snow, noticed a young girl walking all alone. Turns out the girl couldn't find her parents, and she didn't have a phone to contact them. Ellen called the parents and hung out with the girl until her father came to get her.

2. Sabrina and Kenny, who drove an elderly co-worker 90 minutes away to a mandatory class, waited the five hours while she was there, then drove her back home again.

3. Christine, who after getting her small paycheck, put a chunk of it, in cash, into an envelope and gave it anonymously to a friend who could really use the money.

4. Juliet, who runs a group at her children's school that practices random acts of kindness for parents in crisis.

5. Jeff, who bought lunch for a homeless woman who was asking for money in downtown Detroit.

And as for the couple other things...

1. Now that Valentine's Day is over, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of publicizing and promoting this book. The reception it's received from kids, adults, and reviewers has thrilled me to no end. I mean, New York Times? Really??!!

Most of being an author is slaving away at the computer, searching for the just-right word. Moments like these, where your book actually gets out there and read and enjoyed by strangers, should not be taken for granted. I am so grateful!

2. I've written another picture book. Hooray! I have no idea if anyone will publish it, but my agent loves it, so that's a good first step. Fingers crossed!

Random Acts of Kindness Update

I'm so psyched that Publishers Weekly is spreading the news about my Random Acts of Kindness contest. I hope you all will email me with the fun things you are doing.

To inspire you, here are a few things that have already been done:

Ellen helped a young girl who couldn't find her parents after school. Pretty scary for the child and the parents. Hooray for Ellen, who acted on instinct and saved the day.

Twelve-year-old Tova stuck up for a classmate who was being bullied. Then she created a t-shirt design that says, "I like who I am/ That's good enough." Go Tova!!

Bonnie used to work as an activities coordinator at a nursing home. The other day she stopped in to visit some of the residents there and spread some cheer.

Here's Bonnie visiting some old friends. He's 102! She's 100!

Teenagers Sammy and Emily wrote an anonymous letter reminding the recipient that she is loved, and they slipped it under her door.

As for me... I stuck $2 bills in five random library books the other day. I anonymously paid a library late fine for a random family. And I baked cookies and delivered them to our local fire department. Fun fun fun!

What random acts of kindness have you done lately? I'd love to know!

Yucky, Stinky Valentine Event

I had so much fun at the Deerfield Library on Friday. I read my book to a crowd of mostly strangers, and then we made yucky, stinky valentines. True, I had stocked the audience with a few nieces and nephews, but they weren't the only ones in attendance.

It never ceases to surprise me when strangers read my books. Like, I get that's the whole point of publishing your book, but still. There are people in this world who don't know me and who, with no obligation to me, choose my book off the library or book store shelf. There are even people who will come out on a cold winter's day to hear me read to them and to make valentines and to even purchase my book and ask for my autograph. That is just plain amazing.

So huge thanks to all you strangers out there who are reading my books and coming to my events and making me smile from ear to ear.