They can’t feed people, shelter them, or give them drinkable water.
A whole lot of things seem a whole lot more important this week than stories — writing them, revising them, sending queries for them. Over the past several days I tried to keep doing all three, but my numbness at what Katrina has wrought finally gave way to realization and horror.
I’ll be taking a vacation from all things writing, including blogging, for at least a few days. Among other things, that will help me and my family consider and act on ways that we might be of some help to those devastated by the hurricane.
Last night I e-mailed the regional advisors of the SCBWI chapters covering New Orleans, Biloxi, Gulfport and Mobile to see if there’s anything in particular that their members need, anything that my family or our friends here in Austin can provide. If I do hear of anything, I’ll interrupt my break from blogging and post that here.
Kim recommends the picture book River Friendly, River Wild as a way to help young readers understand natural disasters like Katrina. That’s an excellent choice. And I’ve got a recommendation to add to hers: Smoky Night, which finds some hope in an episode of violent urban turmoil. I can only pray that when the nightmare in New Orleans abates, some such stories will emerge.
Take care this weekend, be safe, and help if you can.
Although I won’t take a break from blogging, we will be volunteering with the City of Austin at the Palmer Center all weekend, I think is where its at. San Antonio is full, and they will start arriving tomorrow. Trying to decide if the son should go along, maybe too young and in the way, but also maybe a good lesson for him. Hmmm.
Although I won’t take a break from blogging, we will be volunteering with the City of Austin at the Palmer Center all weekend, I think is where its at. San Antonio is full, and they will start arriving tomorrow. Trying to decide if the son should go along, maybe too young and in the way, but also maybe a good lesson for him. Hmmm.
Although I won’t take a break from blogging, we will be volunteering with the City of Austin at the Palmer Center all weekend, I think is where its at. San Antonio is full, and they will start arriving tomorrow. Trying to decide if the son should go along, maybe too young and in the way, but also maybe a good lesson for him. Hmmm.
I hear you, Chris.
What a nightmare.
I hear you, Chris.
What a nightmare.
I hear you, Chris.
What a nightmare.
I know what you mean. The need is just so overwhelming, it’s difficult to know where and how you can best help out at the moment. Add to that the emotional element of having this happen to our neighbors, watching just a fraction of their sad stories via the news and knowing that some of these people will not have happy endings of reunion with loved ones… It really puts our daily problems and priorities into perspective.
I know what you mean. The need is just so overwhelming, it’s difficult to know where and how you can best help out at the moment. Add to that the emotional element of having this happen to our neighbors, watching just a fraction of their sad stories via the news and knowing that some of these people will not have happy endings of reunion with loved ones… It really puts our daily problems and priorities into perspective.
I know what you mean. The need is just so overwhelming, it’s difficult to know where and how you can best help out at the moment. Add to that the emotional element of having this happen to our neighbors, watching just a fraction of their sad stories via the news and knowing that some of these people will not have happy endings of reunion with loved ones… It really puts our daily problems and priorities into perspective.