I'm inclined to say I'm working on this and that, because there is a lot of "this and that" in my computer these days. I've completed—and sold to Holiday House—a new picture book called The Halloween Forest. I've finished another, a boy-oriented board book, called I am a Truck, and am waiting for a response on that one. (The editor likes it. The editorial committee remains to be breached.) And I've completed a Christmas picture book, on request, called Winter's Gifts, but though the editor is very pleased with it, I don't have a sale yet. (Publishers seem to be suspended in aspic these days. I suppose they are trying to figure out which way the wind is blowing . . . or if there is any wind at all.)

I've also completed the first draft of a prequel to The Very Little Princess. This is Rose's story, the mother from the first story, as a girl. I have the manuscript back from my editor, Jennifer Arena, with lots of notations and that's what I'll be focused on in the next weeks. Jen is an exceptionally strong editor, and I always feel confident under her direction. The first draft came in too long by about 3,000 words and the reading level came through too high, so there is some of that kind of fairly mechanical work to be done and more deep ordering of story and character.

Beyond that, I've started two or three more picture books, none past the stage of a few opening spreads.

And I'm wondering. What do I most want to do next?

Go play? For the first time in my life that feels like a real possibility.

But I'm sure the keyboard will call me. It always does.

The question is . . . for what?