Hi, I'm Margaret Dilloway! I write both contemporary realistic and fantasy middle grade; I'm also the author of three women's fiction. I'm an Aquarius, born in the year of the Tiger, on a Wednesday. For fun, I like to do long-form improv, hike, play with my dog, and bake. What Am I Open To? ContemporaryContinue reading "PitchWars 2018 Wish List: Middle Grade"
IMPROV BOOK COVER REVEAL!
This book is the most personal I've ever written, because it's based not only on me, but my daughter. And improv! It doesn't focus on the bits but on the emotional impact of the scenes and being on a supportive team. In the cover copy I wrote that Ava has a "Technicolor inside but aContinue reading "IMPROV BOOK COVER REVEAL!"
48 Hour Film Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCiwnWIVwSc&fbclid=IwAR3bjFY-GLso-KtvnqsBGXfE2TAsrJfwilWIEBvXuLTWAEOb1myGFBaUFFQ My amazing improv team, Big Shoes, formed a 48 hour film festival team this year. Two of our members, Mark and Randy, had done the fest in northern CA and Tijuana, respectively. Austin's brother Mason flew in from Austin (ha ha) with his camera equipment and extensive knowledge (he also composed music!). And theContinue reading "48 Hour Film Project"
Minding Your Own Business
Dear People of the World: MYOB. I just saw this article about how these parents who live in a beach condo received an anonymous note criticizing their choice to live there with 2 kids. As if billions of other people in the world don't live in far worse conditions. As if there's NOTHING to do soContinue reading "Minding Your Own Business"
Teaching Kids How to Meditate in 4 Easy Steps
I’ve seen this article shared a bunch of times on Facebook about how using meditation has improved behavior at a school. I’ve actually used a similar technique in the classroom and I can attest to how well it works. I learned about this meditation technique from a hypnotherapist that was recommended by my pediatrician to helpContinue reading "Teaching Kids How to Meditate in 4 Easy Steps"
Teaching
Happy December! Where have you been, you ask? Besides recuperating from my 4th procedure since July, I've been (drumroll) teaching! Yes, teaching creative writing to the sunniest, easiest age group of kids that ever was...middle school. A glutton for punishment, you say? Perhaps. I was hired a couple days before the school year began, andContinue reading "Teaching"
How Did I Get Here?
I’m lying on my back looking up at the fluorescent lights and the acoustic tile ceiling at the gym (seriously, do they purposely make the lighting that bad so you look horrible and keep returning in the vain hope that one day you’ll catch sight of your reflection and appear normal?) when it hits me.Continue reading "How Did I Get Here?"
Kid Milestones: Unlocked!
My youngest turned 10 a couple of days ago, but this morning it really hit me. We have NO kids in the single digits anymore. Milestone unlocked. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's bittersweet-- she's our BABY, she's not supposed to AGE!-- but we all know how the days are short but the years are long already,Continue reading "Kid Milestones: Unlocked!"
Reasons I’m Glad I Had My Kids Young
One of the biggest decisions you'll make as a woman, if you want kids, is when exactly you ought to reproduce. Straight outta college? After a career is established? In our community, I am on the younger side for having a 16 -year-old, so obviously I fall on the younger. I had my first atContinue reading "Reasons I’m Glad I Had My Kids Young"
Saturday Night
Tonight is Saturday night. Tonight I wrestled down a copse of dead trees standing between us and the neighbors. I'm sitting here with a hair full of bark and glasses full of sawdust. I'm not sure what kind of trees they were. They were tall, providing privacy; now they're just branches sticking into the earth.Continue reading "Saturday Night"
MARGARET DILLOWAY 