mary e. pearson

Getting a few things ready to take off tomorrow for Stockton, California, where I will be participating in their  Stockton Reads!  program--part of national program, The Big Read. 

Their community book is Fahrenheit 451.  I read this in high school and was in awe of Ray Bradbury and his writing.  Years later as an adult and would be writer, I was in awe of him again when I read Zen and the Art of Writing.  Lots of inspiration.  But then years later, I was in awe of Ray Bradbury again, the very nice and real man.  

My family was in Park City, Utah and our paths happened to cross his outside of a hotel.  I pointed him out to my girls and told them who he was.  They were thrilled. A real author!  And a famous one!  They wanted a picture with him.  I was a little nervous to ask, so I approached him very quietly and said, "Are you Ray Bradbury?'  (just in case he was a look-a-alike ; )  He said yes, and I asked him if he would mind if my girls took a picture with him.  Oh, the nerve!  But he was more than gracious.  He put his arms around my girls, smiling and asking them questions and said he would be happy to be their "honorary grandfather" for the weekend.  I snapped a shot of them all grinning, and that day I not only admired Ray Bradbury the great author, but Ray Bradbury the man, filled with warmth all the way down to his bones.



So yeah, I am especially happy to be included in this event and that my book is even remotely mentioned in the same breath with this wonderful writer and man.

I will be speaking at two high schools in Stockton and also at the Chavez Library on Thursday at 5:00.  Will post pics as soon as I can.  I may even experiment with Twitpics on Twitter.  Ah, I guess that means I better experiment today since I leave tomorrow.  So if you see some odd pics on twitter ( @marypearson ) it is me trying to figure it out.  

In other news, check out an interview at the YA Authors Cafe with Carol Lynch Williams about her new novel, The Chosen One! 

And for your revising and editing chuckle of the day, this video is a must.

Love it.

Wicked fun humor over at Alien Onion.  

All writers MUST check this out.  Those editors know how to poke fun--even at themselves.

Thank you for all your good wishes and prayers yesterday. And yes, Melissa, when Karen smiles it is with her whole face--and heart. She lights up a room.

One thing I forgot to mention yesterday is that both my girls are participating in a study at Harvard's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for sibilings or multiple family members with lymphoma. It is not that common so if you should know of anyone who fits this description, you may want to tell them about it.

And now, it's time for a chuckle (or a moan, depending on how you look at it.) Check this out. Be sure your sound is up! I am embarrassed to say that I have probably publicly done all of these at one time or another. (thanks to Karen and Jessica!)

Yes, even the lawn mower. C'mon, admit it, you have too.