The thing about sunsets and something important

We all love a good sunset.

Everybody with a camera or cell phone tries to catch that ephemeral moment.

And I thought I'd share some of mine right now, because things have been sooooooo intense for all of us lately, what with contentious elections and superstorms. So here's to joy and beauty and that sense of wonder a sunset can give.

The sun will come up tomorrow. We can count on that. Unless, of course, you're writing dystopian and have decided to scare the bejeebers out of us. Love you all! We're good here.
*
And for those of you who write or are teachers or librarians there is an amazing online auction to raise money to benefit the Red Cross relief effort for people devastated by Sandy. The project is hosted by Kate Messner and the Twitter hashtag is #KidLitCares. Some of the authors, agents, editors putting up critiques, Skype visits, phone chats, books and more are Laurie Halse Anderson, Veronica Roth, Cheryl Klein, Ellen Hopkins, Linda Sue Park, Mo Willems, Jennifer Laughran. Oh, there are so many more. Check it out, put in a bid. Such a good cause.

Heroes, sung and unsung

Most days, news feeds batter us with financial disasters, killing fields and other disturbing results of human behavior. But sometimes people do things that are wonderful, and they deserve more notice than they usually get.
So here is a little story of two women who met while blogging:
Natalie Bahm

and Wen Baragrey

The vast Pacific Ocean separates them geographically, but they became critique partners, sharing their works-in-progress and the stories of their lives. (as a disclaimer, I should say I've known both Natalie and Wen through blogging for several years and have shared works-in-progress with Wen)

Enter the horrific earthquakes that tore apart Christchurch, New Zealand where Wen lived. During this, Wen's daughter was pregnant with a child who wasn't supposed to live. But Jayden did fight to be born and survive, and that meant being in hospital with a sick baby while the earth continued to rumble and buck.

To shorten this story, fast-forward to a decision by Wen and Jayden's parents to move to the stable ground of Australia. Jayden's health problems were far from over, however, and he needs special care and living environment.

I'm going to skip to what Natalie did. She decided to hold an online auction to raise funds to help Jayden's family care for him. I don't know all the behind-the-scenes work or who did what, but that meant calling for donations, setting up a website, writing the content for each item with photos and links, setting up payment option, hosting the auctions and contacting the winners.

The auction has been going on for a week with the critiques offered by agents garnering the heaviest bidding. There were many other contributors--authors and artists, who helped give this struggling family a boost. They all deserve thanks for their generosity.

Natalie wasn't done, though. She announced this: "After some thought, I’ve decided, as a personal gift to Jayden, to donate all of the proceeds from my middle grade novel UNDERGROUND to his family. UNDERGROUND is a sweet, back-yard adventure.  It will release early fall 2012, and will be available in both eBook and print.  My agent, Sara Megibow, has helped make this donation possible.
UNDERGROUND’s publication is sure to be an adventure, and, with any luck, it will also be another way to help Jayden and his family."

How extraordinary is that?

There are still a few items left to bid on until the auction is completely over, so please check it out. Or you can also make a direct donation to the family here. And don't forget to order UNDERGROUND--it should make a fine holiday present in more ways than one.

Critiques, signed books, custom art--come on down!

Ever been to an auction? You don't need to worry about understanding the speed-talking auctioneer for one I'm pointing you towards. This one is easy-peasy online and proceeds help a sick child and his family. Win-win.
I wrote about Jayden here or you can just go to his blog site and check out the auction items. There will be about five new items a day this week and you have several days to make your bid. The rules are spelled out and simple.

For starters, there are manuscript critiques, a custom artwork, signed books and a commemorative picture frame given to people who worked on The Hobbit film. So take a chance, please. You might win the item and help someone at the same time. Thank you!

Baby love (and a plea)

Isn't this little guy too cute in his Spidey glasses? He's also too sick, and I'm asking you to read his story, please.

Jayden had his first surgery when he was only 24 hours old. There have been many more procedures in his short life, but he keeps fighting.

I've been blogging buddies, long-distance writing pals, with his grandmother, Wen Baragrey, since before her daughter became pregnant, since before they knew her unborn child wasn't doing well, since before their home in Christchurch, New Zealand received a pounding in a series of unrelenting earthquakes.

Jayden was born and required frequent trips to the hospital, even as the ground kept shaking and terrorizing the people of Christchurch. Finally the family decided to relocate to Australia where they now live. But Jayden still needs help, and that's why I'm writing this post.

Wen has established the HelpBabyJayden blog to tell his story. There is also a donation page with Australia's MyCause. If you can give anything, it will be a blessing to this family as they struggle to meet Jayden's needs.

Another blogging friend, Natalie Bahm, has set up an auction to begin June 2. There will be books, critiques and art offered for bid.

Please do whatever of these things you can--spread the word, donate an item to the auction, attend the auction, make a donation to the MyCause site. Thank you so much.