tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54881919663511301112024-03-18T15:59:18.906-05:00Smack Dab in the MiddleAll Things Middle Grade LitHolly Schindlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742207239654178917noreply@blogger.comBlogger2510125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-21221876788134255142024-03-15T06:01:00.001-05:002024-03-15T06:21:13.431-05:00Don't Forget to celebrate!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2VRY1ug9pIq86rkBNJJxNwlo5YdXOoh9c6avoV6yHOQzHRD0yXuLSj6rJ_QBwr1NLWLMp7jugVKC70SO5rpb7YVKiPTVp_NxuTKLPAzTqy7dAFS0BTAq0sDAcxnhLJuHiqPwhzaIORN1bW_8dW-4ISZX1Ta9O8ciuDRULSJuP5iG7JTf_025rpu-dnNe/s4160/Celebrate%20SFD.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2VRY1ug9pIq86rkBNJJxNwlo5YdXOoh9c6avoV6yHOQzHRD0yXuLSj6rJ_QBwr1NLWLMp7jugVKC70SO5rpb7YVKiPTVp_NxuTKLPAzTqy7dAFS0BTAq0sDAcxnhLJuHiqPwhzaIORN1bW_8dW-4ISZX1Ta9O8ciuDRULSJuP5iG7JTf_025rpu-dnNe/s320/Celebrate%20SFD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Recently, a friend shared his wisdom when another said that
writing is hard, and asked if there was a way to make it easier. To this, my
friend said, describing his approach to writing fiction, “Write it from inside
the characters. Allow the characters to grow their own story and follow their
lead. When it is complete and you are seeking opinions about how well you wrote
it, leave your ego at home and allow the comments --- even the foolish or
misguided ones --- to penetrate because they are talking about a book, not
about you. Even a fool is correct once in a while! The goal is to create a work
of art that will speak well of you. Any hack can cobble together 80,000 words,
but most of that kind of writing can put a shark to sleep.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every term, my MFA students lament this very thing. I have
to remind them that every writer carries similar worries at every stage of
their career. In some part, it's the nature of the business itself. But it's
also a function of human nature. <span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It seems the core of these worries are defined by a lot of
shouldas and couldas, accompanied by a strong belief in several sacred myths
about writing and writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myths, they
hope, that carry the secrets to and serve as a compass for how to succeed as a
writer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">Myth: Writers only write when they are inspired.</span></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m too old to wait around, hoping for some magical muse to
show up. The truth is, writers write. It seems to me that curiosity is much
more important. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recently I’ve been going through a phase in which I really
like Australian TV. The scenery. The intersection of history between indigenous
and penal colonies. The Māori (and the Huka!). A common plot device is cricket
– whether it’s baking, mystery, supernatural or comedy, there always seems to
be a leather ball and a flat bat involved. To understand the context, I started
researching cricket. And watching Australian cricket. (Baggy green is now my
favorite color! What a sticky wicket!) This led me to research certain cricket
personalities, then cricket history, which led to reading more about British
colonialism. Which led to reading about the mid-Atlantic slave trade and the
middle passage and the slave narratives. Which led me to Caribbean uprisings.
While it sounds like a rabbit hole that Lewis Carrol might envy (and it was), I
began noticing a seed for a story. This seed soon developed into a premise.
Then it became a character. Then it became a draft.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More often it is through the act of reading and writing
itself that inspiration finally decides to visit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">Myth: Writers are introverts.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There may be some truth to this. I prefer long walks to
parties. I prefer languorous conversations with my flowers. Albeit, my
granddaughter is pretty good at discussing the secrets of dragonflight. Others
travel, attend literary events, participate in writing and reading groups, join
online discussions. Sometimes I pop into one or two events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given my luddite nature, my relationship with
social media is rather wobbly. (The irony that I’m writing a blog isn’t lost on
me. But I did handwrite this first!) Some may be energized and go full steam
into social events, while others find it exhausting. In the end, writers need
diverse perspectives and connections to enrich their writing, but ultimately,
it’s more important for you to be you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">Myth: Method X is better than Method Y.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m a nerd about the writing process. I find it an endlessly
fascinating topic. While I have more than a fair share of degrees and
certificates in the writing process, I still attend classes, workshops and
lectures given by the best in the business. If you have the chance, I can’t
recommend enough the classes given by <a href="https://drydenbks.com/" target="_blank">Emma D. Dryden</a>, <a href="https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/faculty/harold-underdown/" target="_blank">Harold Underdown and Eileen Robinson</a>, and the many offerings at <a href="https://www.free-expressions.com/" target="_blank">Free Expressions</a>, sponsored by
Lorin Oberweger and company, featuring such lecturers as Donald Maass, Chris
Vogler and many others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether it’s plotting versus pantsing, the hero’s journey
versus the snowflake method, or saving the cat versus the three-act narrative,
editing while you go or hammering out an SFD, everyone has their own way of
engineering a story. My own process tends to follow four steps: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. Research to get an overview of historical and social
contexts. Besides, I like to read. You never know what treasure you’ll find. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outline, because I
tend to work with a cast of characters as well as historical/social elements
that require careful staging.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3. Write that SFD, usually by hand first.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4. Revise, then revise again, then revise again, because
this is where the real magic happens. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What makes it work for me is that I set time apart for my writing
and treat it like a job. I know how busy life becomes, having worked full-time as a
single parent and maintained a household. But it is still my job to write. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">Myth: Writers are excellent spellers.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yea. Right.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">Myth: Writing is easy.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does any of this sound easy?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just as an engineer relies on a structurally-sound blueprint
– one that, according to Larry Brooks in his book, Story Engineering, requires
a plan based on proven physics and structural dynamics -- to build something
that will bear weight and resist the elements, so must a writer engineer a
story using the literary equivalent. The technicality of the story is
fundamental to its creativity. The master writers make it look easy, but behind
the scenes, it’s all sweat, blood and a few tears.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are no easy answers. I tend to like what
Margaret Dilloway suggests in <a href="http://writerunboxed.com/2016/05/13/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome-as-a-writer/" target="_blank">The Writer Unboxed</a>, that you have to give
yourself the permission to write, and you have to give yourself your own
approval and authentication, instead of depending on external sources. As she
states, "Nobody else can do that for you. You have to take that
power and confidence for yourself.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b>Most important, remember that it's important to celebrate the
little things. And the big things. And the wicked goggly things, too.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Celebrating the
completion of my SFD! You know, shitty first draft! Only 99 more to go!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Thank you for reading!</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Bobbi Miller</o:p></p>Bobbi Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06175232103842324895noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-39127268464247403612024-03-12T07:00:00.001-05:002024-03-12T07:00:00.128-05:00Rebound and Recharge by Darlene Beck Jacobson<p> Highs and lows. Ups and downs. We all go through the roller coaster that is life. As authors it sometimes feels like the lows are winning as we face rejections, disappointment, and lack of motivation to even show up with pen in hand or hands on computer.</p><p>We love the highs. Who wouldn't? Praise, awards, great reviews can recharge our dormant batteries and give us the incentive to keep on going. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrBBBJSJhpmYIt1CaWJN4mILN3yCeHy_PD4cba3JGS96_ZE62I4ZECnxmccNSe97I9ozCabGR5C6f5hq8EaWLPzhn47eqM34Z-9sfatpWAGsn264ARMAuiiBLy0UmdBWSj9BlVwxpOcdhHnrcSqfs4a4ckETAVGOBEMDVCei_QArasF09kjBwjZwIFrA/s620/trampoline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="432" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrBBBJSJhpmYIt1CaWJN4mILN3yCeHy_PD4cba3JGS96_ZE62I4ZECnxmccNSe97I9ozCabGR5C6f5hq8EaWLPzhn47eqM34Z-9sfatpWAGsn264ARMAuiiBLy0UmdBWSj9BlVwxpOcdhHnrcSqfs4a4ckETAVGOBEMDVCei_QArasF09kjBwjZwIFrA/w294-h423/trampoline.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>But just like in life, most of our creativity and the writing that springs from it often happens in the valley. On the everyday straightaway that hums steadily along like The Little Engine That Could. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwfaFNyT2AKcuwRBIergFZiUuz3C6XBvW5tcjChBWMNOPLDRqR6mWTL0vZTxLotR2c1OucHsYV6ukyNJMlh1y6SIJ7_p_VLIdiUEtcBnyG_KgN9QVBDYLtaKliPDGwHtY3OA1IfhPVYfMIFUeLpIaK0aJ1c_NTrNqt94yt9UIVebU8Auq32SFGSUMJKA/s371/engine.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="371" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwfaFNyT2AKcuwRBIergFZiUuz3C6XBvW5tcjChBWMNOPLDRqR6mWTL0vZTxLotR2c1OucHsYV6ukyNJMlh1y6SIJ7_p_VLIdiUEtcBnyG_KgN9QVBDYLtaKliPDGwHtY3OA1IfhPVYfMIFUeLpIaK0aJ1c_NTrNqt94yt9UIVebU8Auq32SFGSUMJKA/s320/engine.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We can't wait for the highs and we can't stop for the lows if we are to keep on going. As Irene Latham said so eloquently a few days ago, we acknowledge our disappointments, our successes and our failures. Then we get back on the writing train and see where it takes us. The ride is never the same, but it always leads to someplace interesting.</p><p><br /></p><p>Embracing the journey with all it's ups and downs is what makes us keep on writing.</p><p><br /></p><p>Darlene Beck Jacobson enjoys riding to places she's never been and often finds something worth noticing on these excursions.<br /></p>Darlene Beck Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864962362623663288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-14388989467604742962024-03-11T06:00:00.001-05:002024-03-11T06:00:00.132-05:00 R-E-B... R-E-B... R-E-B-O-U-N-D... Rebound!<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw1a5mCC7kxpI9jYn30vDJwxLesyJz3TXrWOXpgwdNRbtGLNtIg0KSYg-1YTsaGULWK33VdNUG9w5ier2WBvoEvSQEbDX_gCgaMhfnx4fbkm13scNsKLE9ZIs1nZDF0UuuIg21jLk1ma10oyYn0oODGnU35ZGKfyhRDVGJvBDbEMinGqt2F7HxzfS6GUEE" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="2560" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw1a5mCC7kxpI9jYn30vDJwxLesyJz3TXrWOXpgwdNRbtGLNtIg0KSYg-1YTsaGULWK33VdNUG9w5ier2WBvoEvSQEbDX_gCgaMhfnx4fbkm13scNsKLE9ZIs1nZDF0UuuIg21jLk1ma10oyYn0oODGnU35ZGKfyhRDVGJvBDbEMinGqt2F7HxzfS6GUEE=w174-h117" width="174" /></a></div><p></p><p>The chant from the school bleachers echoes throughout my mind from time to time. </p><p><i>R-E-B... R-E-B... R-E-B-O-U-N-D, Rebound! </i></p><p>Back then, the chant meant only one thing: a hope that the other team would miss a free throw; then, our team would grab the basketball, take it down the court, and swish it through the net. Even though I still watch basketball and hear “rebound” at every game, the word has a whole other meaning to me. It’s something I’ve needed to do literally hundreds of times.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznXOlmt5Yrogxldn-XPFEfLzzwRGHdX0rP4OUSxGZ8-5ybQ6tqoRP6K_i5HOU0JQyXXlznzdPL5-vqm350G7Pqrl65Tn0hdxHoFn-oVb9RXZZzUiQpKfUIJs6NGjnTOIyenuu8HWp_ZXF_lll9uFkLU81fROqVaXuut-q4W7LRj2AyvxuCxPwvAgNADW8/s2814/RejectionRuler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="2400" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznXOlmt5Yrogxldn-XPFEfLzzwRGHdX0rP4OUSxGZ8-5ybQ6tqoRP6K_i5HOU0JQyXXlznzdPL5-vqm350G7Pqrl65Tn0hdxHoFn-oVb9RXZZzUiQpKfUIJs6NGjnTOIyenuu8HWp_ZXF_lll9uFkLU81fROqVaXuut-q4W7LRj2AyvxuCxPwvAgNADW8/w222-h260/RejectionRuler.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>Take a look at the expanse of rejections I amassed, from agents and editors alike, before I got my first YES.<span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span> These represent the time when my learning curve was steep, when I was just starting to acquire the skills and appreciate the work it takes to micro-move a book from pretty great to publish-worthy. <p></p><p>I’d like to tell you that <i>rebound</i> is again limited to my basketball vocabulary, but the truth is, I’ve been slapped many times since. Sure, it stings. Sure, no balm will heals some of the wounds. But there’s this. Each time I need to brush off the hurt, take a deep breath, and start over again, I learn something new. And that works to limit most of the rebounds in my life to the basketball courts.</p><p></p><div style="color: #990000;">*Yes, that's an 18-inch ruler. But wait! I’ve amassed so many more since correspondence by USPS has morphed into email rejections and, most frustrating, when months of hearing crickets eventually mean no. </div><div style="color: #990000;"><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://jodyfeldman.com/" target="_blank">Jody Feldman</a>, the award-winning author of </i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-seventh-level-jody-feldman/9042760?ean=9780061951077" target="_blank">The Seventh Level</a><i> and </i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gollywhopper-games-jody-feldman/8919468?ean=9780061214523" target="_blank">The Gollywhopper Games</a><i> series , is currently rebounding after having licked her wounds from feedback on a story that will, undoubtedly, be stronger because of the process.</i> </div><p></p>Jody Feldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215132896417490607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-11970805909019128642024-03-09T04:00:00.001-06:002024-03-09T04:00:00.136-06:00Unlocking Holistic Learning: Nurturing Minds Beyond the Classroom (Guest Post by Fahad Siddiqui)<p>In a world where information flows like a
digital river, education stands at a crossroads. We’ve all been there—the rigid
classroom desks, textbooks filled with facts we’ll likely never use, and the
pressure to memorize dates and equations. But what if there’s a better way?
What if we could transform education into a dynamic journey that equips us not
just with knowledge, but with the skills to thrive in an ever-evolving
landscape?</p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 14.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; page-break-after: auto;"><a name="_yta0qe0s48z"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Problem with the
Conveyor Belt Approach<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">Our current educational system often
resembles a conveyor belt, churning out graduates who can recite historical
events but struggle to apply critical thinking to real-world problems. The
focus on standardized tests and memorization leaves little room for creativity,
emotional intelligence, or practical life skills.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 14.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; page-break-after: auto;"><a name="_kysguy3xjcza"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Holistic Learning: A
Paradigm Shift<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">Holistic learning flips the script. It
recognizes that education isn’t just about absorbing facts; it’s about
nurturing well-rounded individuals. Here’s how we can shift gears:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN">Skills Over Facts</span></b><span lang="EN">: Instead of memorizing the periodic table, let’s teach
problem-solving, communication, creativity and adaptability. These skills
transcend subjects and empower students to tackle any challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN">Embracing Curiosity</span></b><span lang="EN">:
Curiosity is the spark that ignites lifelong learning. Let’s encourage
questions, exploration, and interdisciplinary thinking. After all, the
most exciting discoveries happen at the intersection of fields.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN">Learning Beyond Walls</span></b><span lang="EN">:
Classrooms are essential, but so are gardens, workshops, and community
spaces. Imagine a curriculum that includes engaging with the outdoors,
mindfulness, and financial literacy. Lessons such as these build a solid
foundation for the future of any child. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN">Mindfulness and
Well-Being</span></b><span lang="EN">: Mental health matters. Let’s weave
mindfulness practices into the fabric of education. When students learn to
manage stress, cultivate empathy, and practice self-care, they become
better learners and compassionate citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<h3 style="margin-top: 14.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; page-break-after: auto;"><a name="_cf15f1cltt9j"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Building an Equitable
Society<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">Holistic learning isn’t a luxury reserved
for the privileged. It’s a right for all. By emphasizing practical skills,
emotional intelligence, and community engagement, we bridge gaps and create a
healthier, safer and more equitable society. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 14.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; page-break-after: auto;"><a name="_cve19teklptj"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">As we reimagine education, let’s break
free from the robotic mold. Let’s cultivate thinkers, creators, and empathetic
problem-solvers. Let’s build a society where well-being and critical thinking
are as essential as algebra and history. Together, we can unlock the full
potential of our minds—beyond textbooks and into a world of holistic learning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">Remember, education isn’t just about what
we know; it’s about who we become. We are striving to create content that
challenges the current educational parameters and instill skills and habits
that are beneficial for our collective wellbeing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">~</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6107-6epuYL._SY522_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="365" height="153" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6107-6epuYL._SY522_.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br />Fahad Siddiqui is the co-founder of Our Story Media Group, an innovative and holistic educational publishing company. Their mission is to foster positive, sustainable habits and behaviors through the integration of Cognitive, Physical, Communicative and Socio-Emotional teachings with proven pedagogy. Their "Our Story" book series introduces students to lesser-known global role models such as Mansa Musa, Fatima Al-Fihri and Shen Kuo. Their second series, "The Secret Alien Diaries," fosters healthy habits and promotes Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by encouraging young readers to teach alien friends how to behave on Earth. Learn more about both book series at: <a href="http://www.ourstory.media/" mcafee_aps="true" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">www.ourstory.media</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;">Purchase Links:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;">Mansa Musa:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C91DT5CK" mcafee_aps="true" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C91DT5CK</a><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;">The Secret Alien Diaries:</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN"></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Alien-Diaries-Mission-Bedtime/dp/B0CQTC86G4/" mcafee_aps="true" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Alien-Diaries-Mission-Bedtime/dp/B0CQTC86G4/</a></div>Holly Schindlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742207239654178917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-60797585670278243732024-03-08T09:00:00.052-06:002024-03-08T09:00:00.133-06:00REBOUND -- by Jane Kelley<p>The treasures of the Morgan Library in New York City always inspire me. When I visited there a few weeks ago, one of Mark Twain's notes to himself caught my eye.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KMSByeBJjDjpnQoHHrpj3d4YwipG68nx0Ebh6Jz1mqn60D3ttcCgnGuKu98mZdSc_u9fGSvHGZD4muIYs0ElhUuu3GLzkVBqyxQcxPXDXwvSruD5TuZcFWdtyPq8WB6Xl3qloDEHh8LxRulohJ02hWNs1n8EtCovpHsMQ5cCvGDMePBOc7_TXpI76jc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2029" data-original-width="2792" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KMSByeBJjDjpnQoHHrpj3d4YwipG68nx0Ebh6Jz1mqn60D3ttcCgnGuKu98mZdSc_u9fGSvHGZD4muIYs0ElhUuu3GLzkVBqyxQcxPXDXwvSruD5TuZcFWdtyPq8WB6Xl3qloDEHh8LxRulohJ02hWNs1n8EtCovpHsMQ5cCvGDMePBOc7_TXpI76jc=w477-h347" width="477" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you see, he created symbols for the weather to save himself the trouble of writing out the descriptions. Aha, I thought. I could do this too! (I confess I'm a reluctant describer. ) <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwSD4sSwHIlK2yfT4UWO_FafXiEkL7GLrG0nCjoggNgxlsik9mmBq--NGIybnPuS-ob-IaZnOlRRQBcuLC-6TdzmNyb0V-I-fSAA0l247HKARnMKiJ3SoWKHxVAlLRf__JT9VccB5MhmLA_-Ec2ozL6SX3udEC7SNIILmwzRCNaDvfEHYtfl1iSZR-sEg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="3613" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwSD4sSwHIlK2yfT4UWO_FafXiEkL7GLrG0nCjoggNgxlsik9mmBq--NGIybnPuS-ob-IaZnOlRRQBcuLC-6TdzmNyb0V-I-fSAA0l247HKARnMKiJ3SoWKHxVAlLRf__JT9VccB5MhmLA_-Ec2ozL6SX3udEC7SNIILmwzRCNaDvfEHYtfl1iSZR-sEg=w488-h200" width="488" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to the plaque, Twain had a good reason to be in a hurry to finish the novel he was writing. He was broke. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This doesn't seem that extraordinary for most writers. But Twain had made a lot of money! What happened? Was he a spendthrift? No. He made unbelievably bad investments. Including starting his own publishing house, which he eventually described as "lingering suicide."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did he learn? No. He kept sinking money into unwise investments again and again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He wasn't dumb. And yet, as Dan Piepenbring wrote about him in the <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/how-mark-twain-tried-to-get-rich-quick-again-and-again" target="_blank">New Yorker</a>, "He, too, was drawn in by more than his fair share of
cure-alls, gadgets, swindles, and flimflam artists."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It was the Gilded Age. There were plenty of those kinds of characters around. Twain made the money he would eventually lose by writing about them. Which brings me to the theme for this month. Rebound. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Twain's life and in his literature, he kept trying something crazy, failing at it, laughing about it, describing it in such a way that his readers could laugh about it. And eventually moving on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a sucker born every minute. But as Twain knew, there's also a story born. Who better to write about it than Twain. Even if he preferred to draw a little picture of a umbrella instead of describing the rain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's how he wrote 60,000 words IN ONE MONTH. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's taken me three years to write 30,000. And I haven't been describing the weather either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://janekelleybooks.com/" target="_blank">JANE KELLEY</a> is the author of many middle-grade novels. Her father was an inventor of several products including the Bait Palace, a styrofoam box whose design made it easy to retrieve worms who hide at the bottom of the container. Mark Twain would have probably invested a lot of money in that. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: #0C00; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: #0C00; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p></p>Jane Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12819764188557582625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-91397582055612503302024-03-04T06:00:00.001-06:002024-03-04T06:00:00.131-06:00EVERYTHING COMES FROM MOTHER EARTH (Guest Post by Susan B. Wile)<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://susanbwile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cover_ebook4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="536" height="622" src="https://susanbwile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cover_ebook4.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I have always loved animals and I am awed by the natural world and the extraordinary diversity of animals and plants with whom we share our planet. Evolution and extinction hold great interest for me too, and I am fascinated by indigenous people who honor, respect, and live in harmony with nature and have a deep knowing that <b><i>everything comes from Mother Earth.</i></b><i> </i>Technology intrigues me as well and the many promises it holds for the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">After more than ten years writing a story that combines these passions and interests, I published my first novel last fall. EXTINCTION WARRIOR is a middle grade/YA environmental science fantasy set in 2155 about a young, clairvoyant animal communicator who grows up on the Bering Strait in a tiny indigenous community, the westernmost place on the North American mainland - Wales, Alaska. It’s a real place and the chokepoint for the annual marine migration. When her parents disappear pursuing a notorious animal trafficker, my fearful protagonist and an android go on a quest to find them. They collect endangered animals as bait and masquerade as traffickers to lure the leader of the trafficking gang. The story features Arctic culture, diverse environments and world geography, climate change, endangered animals, the sixth extinction and A.I.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As a writer, I’m a “pantser.” I didn’t outline EXTINCTION WARRIOR and as I wrote and researched steadily over the years, I thought I was letting the story take me where <i>it </i>wanted to go. But my passion to weave a tale about protecting Mother Earth pushed the story in a direction that didn’t work. Fortunately, the developmental editor I hired helped me see where the story wanted and <i>needed</i> to go and following a major revision, I took the steps to self-publish.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">These are pivotal times. Having degraded and polluted Mother Earth while rapaciously exploiting Her resources, we face the profound consequences of our species’ impact on the planet and must act.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The current extinction rate is 10,000 times higher than the natural, historical rate. More than one in four species faces extinction. Unless urgent action is taken, the rate is predicted to rise to 50% by 2100. Will we be able to stop or even reverse it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">With our energy consumption and overcrowding Stephen Hawking theorized that humans would turn the earth into a giant ball of fire, which will make earth uninhabitable and that we would face extinction or need to colonize another planet. Could humanity embrace zero population growth?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Last year the average global temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius for the entire year. Each of us can help reverse climate change by eating less meat, to use it as a condiment instead of a main protein. Will we wake up to the power we wield at the end of our forks? Can we make the cultural shift and embrace crickets as an environmentally friendly protein? My protagonist does. Can we finally wean ourselves off big oil? Might scientists unlock fusion technology in time to mitigate global warming?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">We are living during an unofficial epoch known as the Anthropocene. It is the most recent period in Earth’s history when human activity started to have a significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems. What markers will delineate this era? Does it begin with the geochemical traces of nuclear bomb tests, specifically plutonium cored from the bed of a lake in Ontario, Canada? Does it end with every square inch of earth, from the highest mountains to the deepest oceans containing particles of plastic?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At the heart of being human is our ability to communicate and cooperate, but the cement that binds cooperation and kindness is <i>empathy</i>. Nevertheless, our lizard brain continues to have the upper hand. We are territorial and competitive in the extreme - hunger, thirst, and sex are our drivers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">For years I have joked that I want aliens to come down and bitch-slap humanity into higher consciousness, but I’m not joking anymore. I would love that to happen! POOF. Our awareness expands into a state of permanent nonduality. No more lizard brain. War and competition for resources instantly vanish and we <i>know</i> we are one, just as John Lennon wrote in The Walrus, “I am he, as you are he, as you are me and we are all together.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">EXTINCTION WARRIOR is a hopeful story with a happy ending. Facing challenges and setbacks, my protagonist overcomes her fears and anxieties. By taking action, she and the android succeed in their search, bring the trafficker to justice, save the last pangolins on earth, and with the help of her pet arctic fox, my heroine rescues her parents too. I am hopeful for our planet because Mother Earth is amazingly resilient. Like my protagonist we must overcome our fears and anxieties and <i>act.</i> We can begin simply by choosing what we put on our forks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">~</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><i>Order a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/EXTINCTION-WARRIOR-Round-World-Endangereds-ebook/dp/B0CH45KW6K">Extinction Warrior</a> and keep up with Susan B. Wile at her <a href="https://susanbwile.com/">author site</a>. </i></span></p>
Holly Schindlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742207239654178917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-24594619421114212152024-03-03T05:30:00.009-06:002024-03-03T05:30:00.137-06:00For Writers: How to Rebound from Rejection<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgqZTgqCUJt0c-vFrId_M4hBukPw9AzrTFSuSPYkd766cWCCFLonCMNz0bswHZjBfuZK7dFvFhBnI3aETbLM3SIY0vSNiu3GyqC0fBwAlIlW1rYoZXU_d5twc76INIk2OuNDRXMzvT31IN73SDhS05q2Z9RGZMgS0uoQCNCT8LnIIf4ZgpfGQrW7KKVJ0/s5000/IreneL-33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgqZTgqCUJt0c-vFrId_M4hBukPw9AzrTFSuSPYkd766cWCCFLonCMNz0bswHZjBfuZK7dFvFhBnI3aETbLM3SIY0vSNiu3GyqC0fBwAlIlW1rYoZXU_d5twc76INIk2OuNDRXMzvT31IN73SDhS05q2Z9RGZMgS0uoQCNCT8LnIIf4ZgpfGQrW7KKVJ0/s320/IreneL-33.jpeg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.irenelatham.com/" target="_blank">Irene Latham</a>, still writing,<br />in spite of it all</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> While the author-journey sometimes yields Mt. Everest-type vistas, it's also pocked with valleys of despair, swamps of hopelessness and desolation.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've experienced many a day when I've wanted to unlace my hiking boots and call in the rescue team. When I've wanted to quit, when I HAVE quit.</span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But here's the thing: <b>There is only one way to fail as a writer, and that is to stop writing.</b></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm here to tell you: DON'T STOP.</span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or rather, stop, but only for a little while. </span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Consider this your short tutorial on how to rebound from rejection from a writer who has been walking the path—and going off the trail— for quite a while now. I've had some marvelous successes! And SO. MANY. HEARTBREAKS.</span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here's how to rebound from rejection:</b></span></span></p><ol><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Sit with it</b>. I get really irritated when I've just gotten a rejection, and someone oh so cheerily tells me it's no big deal, just part of it, blah blah blah. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It IS a big deal. Time to acknowledge that you really wanted this YES, whatever it was. That you're disappointed. No need to put on a brave face. Just own your feelings.</span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Relax.</b> By which I mean, step away from your writing. Read, meditate, walk, kayak, do pilates. . . or whatever gets your body moving.</span></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with your tribe.</b> The best way to get perspective after a crushing disappointment is to remember this is not a singular experience. All writer experience rejection. You are not alone.</span></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Reframe.</b> Ask yourself what the message is. What can be learned? What adjustments need to be made?</span></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Remember:</b> <b>If it didn't work out, it just wasn't meant for you at this time.</b> Something else is waiting for you. It's up to you to show up and be available to accept whatever that thing is.</span></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Also remember:</b> your words are important. The world needs your stories. You are the only one with your particular truth. You must carry on. You've been given a gift – the love of the written word, the patience and wonder it takes to create poems and stories – share it with the world. Love yourself enough to resist judgment and comparisons and envy and those other wastes of energy. <b>Write like the world is on fire, and it's your job to save it. Write like you're an alien visiting from another planet. Write like your heart will stop beating if you don't. </b>And someday, when you get that YES, celebrate the NO's that got you there.</span></span></p></li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Above all: KEEP GOING. xo<br /></b></span></span></span></p></li></ol><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">---</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Want more <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">insight, inspiration & imagination? </span><a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/165708/join" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">SIGN UP FOR MY "ADVENTURES IN WRITING" NEWSLETTER!</a></span></p>Irene Lathamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905936104127707762noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-78434300468457465292024-03-02T05:33:00.000-06:002024-03-02T05:33:36.936-06:00Rebounding with Some Middle Grade Reading for March!<p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;">With spring on the horizon, I thought it was time for some middle grade reading recommendations. On my blog Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb, I recently interviewed a trio of authors with new MG novels.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23q-CrQCOrYWjW9N7K0HsTa7gCXLrqUk2pIHdrzH_hxAOEfvmPBnEC29s_hwhrkmlNSiHgs_i4Zl53FP9QlLoboQCQ-Xs4AnDF2r-Nx1jat7-DnkvJyo4o1rT7Qyaif5ZUe5nZXCCw12LWskMDd55c5TW4VU6k_-teH87a_tb0zylZehwxGFDPonHbBYz/s1500/SUNNY%20PARKER%20IS%20HERE%20TO%20STAY_low%20res%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23q-CrQCOrYWjW9N7K0HsTa7gCXLrqUk2pIHdrzH_hxAOEfvmPBnEC29s_hwhrkmlNSiHgs_i4Zl53FP9QlLoboQCQ-Xs4AnDF2r-Nx1jat7-DnkvJyo4o1rT7Qyaif5ZUe5nZXCCw12LWskMDd55c5TW4VU6k_-teH87a_tb0zylZehwxGFDPonHbBYz/s320/SUNNY%20PARKER%20IS%20HERE%20TO%20STAY_low%20res%20cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">M</span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;">argaret Finnegan is the author of the forthcoming novel <i>Sunny Parker Is Here to Stay</i>, which is based partly on her own experiences living in affordable housing. When I asked Finnegan what she hoped readers took away from the story, <a href="https://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2024/03/q-with-margaret-finnegan.html">she said</a>, "<span>I always hope that readers finish my books feeling happy, like they’ve had a
chance to laugh and relax. But I also hope they’ve enjoying stepping into
someone else’s shoes," adding, "That’s
the amazing thing about novels, right? They let us experience lives different
from our own, and, in doing so, gain empathy and understanding."</span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Wc9siguCwKUOMRH8rww33sWLi3pjir-RsJ-W88G_UQVJAyJ3B-x9SCrF2MR1_4Y5JXfOCICmjcA_NGhNTQ-PpvojUT1QK_9UyMgTsPGezdhB7PfhgNdNLDJiEThiM4nOLjuxT7zUn7ElhyDduofX510CLvmf8-eTSfjnjwA6MKQHwhkr-pS484oFi9b6/s320/9780823454396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Wc9siguCwKUOMRH8rww33sWLi3pjir-RsJ-W88G_UQVJAyJ3B-x9SCrF2MR1_4Y5JXfOCICmjcA_NGhNTQ-PpvojUT1QK_9UyMgTsPGezdhB7PfhgNdNLDJiEThiM4nOLjuxT7zUn7ElhyDduofX510CLvmf8-eTSfjnjwA6MKQHwhkr-pS484oFi9b6/s1600/9780823454396.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Linda Crotta Brennan's new novel is <i>The Selkie's Daughter</i>. When I asked her how she created her protagonist, Brigit, </span><span>she said, "</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Brigit inspired me to write <i>The Selkie’s Daughter</i>.
One morning she strode onto the page of my journal. She was standing on a cliff
hurling a prayer over the raging sea, 'Bring him home, bring him home, bring
him home.'" She added, "Who was she? Who was 'he' and what had happened to
him? I journaled further to discover the answers, finding them on the
mist-shrouded coast of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia and its storied Celtic
traditions. Brigit’s father was a fisherman, lost at sea, and her
mother…well her mother was a selkie, a seal woman, a secret Brigit must keep
from her suspicious neighbors."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nc9fCoAjXeynL8axh0rJKsks066-KJ8Dr3q-rgyCjK0p-ChYNxxaOjts7RLJk4mHwhs-ehBJkTeodIbjLSaECqhfzGZSBFRIylPG0rKWOeGsgt7pjWnfiuYMt7EIJNxr75GzVxnzOUFrfwiKX0Mepjnsgf7hLTAQaM9SJNNl5EjDL9Rij4KbAj9yrqYP/s1500/71cScvqo+XL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nc9fCoAjXeynL8axh0rJKsks066-KJ8Dr3q-rgyCjK0p-ChYNxxaOjts7RLJk4mHwhs-ehBJkTeodIbjLSaECqhfzGZSBFRIylPG0rKWOeGsgt7pjWnfiuYMt7EIJNxr75GzVxnzOUFrfwiKX0Mepjnsgf7hLTAQaM9SJNNl5EjDL9Rij4KbAj9yrqYP/s320/71cScvqo+XL._SL1500_.jpg" width="224" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Fred Bowen is the author of the new novel <i>Extra Innings</i>. He said of creating his main character Mike McGinn, an aspiring baseball pitcher, </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">"</span><span>I remember when my son was around 14 years old. He was too old for summer camps
but too young for a job. He was at loose ends most of the summer, doing odd
jobs around the house. But Liam loved baseball and that gave his summer some
purpose and structure." He added, "I
was remembering that summer when I came up with the character Mike. He is 14
years old and is enjoying his last summer without a job. But he is working hard
to become a better pitcher."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">Happy reading!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>--Deborah Kalb <br /></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p><p> </p>Deborah Kalbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361546823368350856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-33653082516232182292024-02-28T06:00:00.001-06:002024-02-28T06:00:00.136-06:00When You Don't Want to Hear a Thing (Holly Schindler)<p>Sometimes, I feel like I'm especially sensitive to noise. I can't write to music. I never have been able to. I can <i>sometimes </i>do illustration work to it. I can draw and draft writing projects to talking (the TV can be on). But if I'm trying to be hyper-focused on revising or tightening my manuscripts, I want to get completely away from any verbal noise at all. Which is how I wind up spending so much time outdoors writing.<br /></p><p>The only noise that I've ever found that helps me work is white noise.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2nQb2fJklgy-VLs1z8oZ87W9YU7xH6_b1JtIbRUt4POE8a5yL6JUPtOgs8zp8AKyvOfm9UMjrppvep2SAQfuF65ze9vzcVS93p2zop0h2yTR0UdT0H5bq9fxmopNi-f53H0VdoUjB4JNRTugiqEme1_gQn1n06ZT6XYhDPgUuO8dqXAxVbeBsSMeNFY/s5427/pexels-ron-lach-9783810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3618" data-original-width="5427" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2nQb2fJklgy-VLs1z8oZ87W9YU7xH6_b1JtIbRUt4POE8a5yL6JUPtOgs8zp8AKyvOfm9UMjrppvep2SAQfuF65ze9vzcVS93p2zop0h2yTR0UdT0H5bq9fxmopNi-f53H0VdoUjB4JNRTugiqEme1_gQn1n06ZT6XYhDPgUuO8dqXAxVbeBsSMeNFY/s320/pexels-ron-lach-9783810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>A quick Google search will lead you down a bit of a rabbit hole on the subject. I'm not the only one who thinks white noise increases focus. There's just something about a constant, repetitive noise that helps keep my mind from wandering. Part of it, I'm sure, is that it drowns out the other noises. But it's more than that. I have more sustained writing sprints. I don't tire out mentally as quickly. </p><p>There are ton of apps out there with white noise options. If you give it a shot, my personal favorite sound to write to is rain on a tent. I hope it help you, as well.</p><p>~</p><p><i>Holly Schindler is the author of the MG The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky</i><br /></p>Holly Schindlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742207239654178917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-32564238034889762612024-02-28T00:00:00.001-06:002024-02-28T09:40:46.059-06:00Shhh! Do You Hear That?<p> By Charlotte Bennardo</p><p><br /></p><p>Sound is one of the senses most used in writing. Authors talk about the waves crashing, angry shouts, doors slamming. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUlN_6eJ7-tZYDoag8P0JoqgXIb1B1xa0LE_r5Fhi6P1g3-FEP2W-LWtC1vJoUSXeeSTQbmLytSuKysrET6wltW0snetfGfT__GUHs7sFD0rGnA0kpg4LPeNgJdGfGrvZo7SazatMLgIaiUzFELaENelLL8VTrLP_xuiQ86wXiAHPALWJnVQ6Gd0pTjc/s3000/pexels-emiliano-arano-1330219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="3000" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUlN_6eJ7-tZYDoag8P0JoqgXIb1B1xa0LE_r5Fhi6P1g3-FEP2W-LWtC1vJoUSXeeSTQbmLytSuKysrET6wltW0snetfGfT__GUHs7sFD0rGnA0kpg4LPeNgJdGfGrvZo7SazatMLgIaiUzFELaENelLL8VTrLP_xuiQ86wXiAHPALWJnVQ6Gd0pTjc/w318-h179/pexels-emiliano-arano-1330219.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Emiliano Arano: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ocean-wave-at-blue-hour-1330219/</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJSU-P809Buv9GFZpLmnU_OXyt_Zc-2MuAzQh3KFBaZLYWNqhr8FliSSzltgfjjAZ5TmXdNnt3-eFfMb6VO9CrdCu0ftbPcPmPJ7uu4Rkdkt6hGDMZd_gzDpPm36BXF2KJyGOhBK6Xs71tVaPrPC04qehV-VQhy2Kj1CfNPhGECA_0-x1Z84hfsbJD6c/s4667/pexels-mohamed-abdelghaffar-783941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3177" data-original-width="4667" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJSU-P809Buv9GFZpLmnU_OXyt_Zc-2MuAzQh3KFBaZLYWNqhr8FliSSzltgfjjAZ5TmXdNnt3-eFfMb6VO9CrdCu0ftbPcPmPJ7uu4Rkdkt6hGDMZd_gzDpPm36BXF2KJyGOhBK6Xs71tVaPrPC04qehV-VQhy2Kj1CfNPhGECA_0-x1Z84hfsbJD6c/s320/pexels-mohamed-abdelghaffar-783941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by mohamed abdelghaffar: https://www.pexels.com/photo/toddler-with-red-adidas-sweat-shirt-783941/</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8PiXmuMz4F2n_wqWUZYyzT5L3n8vkAcoVDMXJTBwItecbBcvHBYnrDa9YjCiv1yOrwiXK16F0bewvgLRyieK6XicC0ZF3-HlbXX7NiwnEWqAgAgzQLn-m5A_LcBlc6E31gGNIjnnm8FUdIWr3sUMI4ZsxKsM7oSOyeBexQR7Moy-6V8su-AOBf2F3dw/s6530/pexels-adrienn-1459558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4765" data-original-width="6530" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8PiXmuMz4F2n_wqWUZYyzT5L3n8vkAcoVDMXJTBwItecbBcvHBYnrDa9YjCiv1yOrwiXK16F0bewvgLRyieK6XicC0ZF3-HlbXX7NiwnEWqAgAgzQLn-m5A_LcBlc6E31gGNIjnnm8FUdIWr3sUMI4ZsxKsM7oSOyeBexQR7Moy-6V8su-AOBf2F3dw/s320/pexels-adrienn-1459558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Adrienn: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-behind-door-1459558/</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><p>For most of us, we are surrounded by sound, and we authors try to incorporate them into our writing. To not include sounds makes the writing thin, we feel something's missing. Think about a specific moment of your day; let's say 10 p.m. Everyone's in bed, sleeping- but there are still sounds: your partner's breathing (or snoring, let's be real), the bed squeaking as you turn over, truck downshifting on a road somewhere, the heat or A/C turning on... Even silence is an acknowledgement to sound. Think about a good horror or psychological thriller, when no outside noise is heard, but there is the rush of blood in our ears, the soft sigh of our breath as we listen, searching for THE sound we most dread: the creak of a stair, the soft foot fall of a stalker. </p><p>Unfortunately, describing those sounds leads to one of the most frustrating aspects authors face when writing: telling vs. showing. Consider:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I heard her sigh softly in the dimness.</b></p><p>That's TELLING.</p><p>Here's SHOWING:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>She sighed softly in the dimness.</b> </p><p>(Same logic applies to numerous other words, but I digress. That's a subject for another post.)</p><p>Sound should be well represented so that the reader is HEARING them in their mind, not just acknowledging them, as shown in the telling example. And, if written well, readers will be LISTENING for sounds in the story, such as during a crime drama, there should be wails of police sirens, or during a shootout scene, the bang of bullets and the whine of a ricochet, or during a scene at a playground, the yells, calls, and shouts of children playing and arguing over game rules. There is no complete picture without sounds.</p><p>Ideally, all the senses should be well represented, although 'taste' can't be an equal unless it's a culinary story. </p><p>So when we write, we need to LISTEN for the sounds that surround us, and not only are part of the story, but enhance it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgtoxK_M4dFBtnXeypKiOCyiYWwuaVemIJBzodUkGJL-L244aX6CHV3xAV-ZUC8bLjLxhVNbeHGvTuDVC81V_r46fqZKQ_zZX7_N4VB_FjZdSF0b2FDhWpnUWOwjKMTiK6Ig0Pbq5fkfurBgSpgBKqWh7zGux1L0C9-SLRkc5hqq9sjWJPJ2SkkfBqDI/s6570/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3779448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3990" data-original-width="6570" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgtoxK_M4dFBtnXeypKiOCyiYWwuaVemIJBzodUkGJL-L244aX6CHV3xAV-ZUC8bLjLxhVNbeHGvTuDVC81V_r46fqZKQ_zZX7_N4VB_FjZdSF0b2FDhWpnUWOwjKMTiK6Ig0Pbq5fkfurBgSpgBKqWh7zGux1L0C9-SLRkc5hqq9sjWJPJ2SkkfBqDI/w366-h222/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3779448.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="text-align: start; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-red-polo-shirt-sitting-near-chalkboard-3779448/</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="text-align: start; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="text-align: start; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>Charlotte</span><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> writes MG, YA, NA, and adult novels in sci fi, fantasy, contemporary, and paranormal genres. She is the author of the award-winning middle grade </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Evolution Revolution </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">trilogy, </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Simple Machines, Simple Plans, </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">and </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Simple Lessons</i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">. She co-authored the YA novels </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Blonde OPS,</i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Sirenz,</i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> and </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Sirenz Back in Fashion. </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">She has two short stories in the </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Beware the Little White Rabbit (Alice through the Wormhole) </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">and </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Scare Me to Sleep (Faces in the Wood) </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">anthologies. Having finished her MFA, she's applying what she learned and is working on several children's and adult novels, along with some short stories. She lives in NJ with her family and her floofy cat. When they trimmed the backyard tree, the crazy squirrel couple had to move out.</span><br /><p><br /></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-75850206421756585652024-02-15T03:09:00.001-06:002024-02-15T06:40:03.347-06:00The Art of Listening: Podcasts That Inspire<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNULjNUOXWl3vcez_Peq158dowjUiQEMKpvbbjm7QMbWLrdPPoZDpwLWKwY-NEONNwLaiXupvKcbsCg3MT5MyPpCHjkDnKigm8qlOhUMOznGuOnnUSCYZ0fHFJULW4GL7ioNFeWxPI3zTLISNrTVkjJBeKqMSDkD_dv8V-M2sFEKzUopjjaANRQ3A5xTNV/s960/SMAK%20Podcast%20image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="960" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNULjNUOXWl3vcez_Peq158dowjUiQEMKpvbbjm7QMbWLrdPPoZDpwLWKwY-NEONNwLaiXupvKcbsCg3MT5MyPpCHjkDnKigm8qlOhUMOznGuOnnUSCYZ0fHFJULW4GL7ioNFeWxPI3zTLISNrTVkjJBeKqMSDkD_dv8V-M2sFEKzUopjjaANRQ3A5xTNV/s320/SMAK%20Podcast%20image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Victor Hugo reminds us (Eviradnus, 1922) reminds us,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b>"And exclaim, by fancy stirred, <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'Hero and Leander
they; <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We in listening for a
word,<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let our water fall
away.' “</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we at Smack Dab continue to ponder what it means to
listen for a word, I offer these podcasts that you might find inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use these in my classes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These eleven shorts (and free!), inspiring videos are on TED
Talks: Isabel Allende speaks on the passion in your writing. Pico Iyer ponders
on the meaning of home. Chimamanda Adiche talks about finding the authentic
voice. Amy Tan dives deep into the creative process. Karen Thompson Walker
shows how fear propels fiction. And many more, <a href="https://www.ted.com/playlists/194/10_talks_from_authors" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Literary agent Sarah Fisk – also known under the pen name as
YA author Sarah Nicholas – sponsors several podcasts and videos that take a
deep dive into craft concepts. Included is a list of upcoming Live Stream
podcasts you might find particularly helpful. Take a listen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SarahNicolasYA" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Journalist Hattie Crisell interviews several authors,
screenwriters, poets and more,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to gain invaluable
insights into their writing habits, motivations, and unique approaches. Take a listen <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-writing-with-hattie-crisell/id1490412801" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Book Riot offers fresh insights into the coolest and most
relevant topics in the literary world. Take a listen <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-riot-the-podcast/id647720354?mt=2" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joanna Penn and her Creative Penn explores the necessary
knowledge to successfully navigate the ever-evolving publishing world. Take a listen <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-creative-penn-podcast-for-writers/id309426367" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of my favorites, K.M. Weiland offers a guide to crafting
compelling characters and polished prose. Take a listen <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/helping-writers-become-authors/id319307387" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Manuscript Academy (MSWL) offers very enlightening dialogues
with agents, editors, and writers on how to navigate the challenges in your
publishing journey. Take a listen <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-manuscript-academy/id1171799743. " target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kelton Reid of The Writer Files studies renowned writers'
habits and shares secrets of productivity and creativity to keep the words
flowing. Listen <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writer-files-writing-productivity-creativity/id984527862" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally Alexa Donne is a traditionally published YA author
offers crafting advice, publishing Real Talk, drafting and editing vlogs,
interviews with authors, book reviews & more<span style="background: white; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her video on narration vs dramatization (show
vs tell) is a must see. See her full playlist <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AlexaDonne" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b> Thank you for listening!</b></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b>-- Bobbi Miller</b></span></o:p></p>Bobbi Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06175232103842324895noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-19692071680545754422024-02-12T07:00:00.008-06:002024-02-13T10:59:12.353-06:00Do You Listen? Do You Hear? by Darlene Beck Jacobson<p> This month's theme of listening gives me a lot of food for thought. As an author trying to create authentic characters and settings, it is imperative to listen. Listening not only to the words our characters say or the sounds we hear with our ears. </p><p>I'm talking about listening to the movements and feelings that course through our own bodies. Telling us what we need, be it food, drink, movement, or rest. Listening to what that food we just ate is saying. Good taste? Bad taste? Do I want more? Does this place I'm in feel safe? When I take a detour and end up in a place I don't recognize, what does that feel like?<br /></p><p>Listening to how we feel after kind words, cruel words, angry words are spoken. Tapping into what takes place within ourselves can help us add more truth to what is going on with our characters.</p><p>Listening...and then actually hearing and processing what is happening involves so much more than auditory stimulation. Tuning in to ALL our sensory input is one more way to create authentic characters who feel like real people.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCGH-jEIYYIWl-pnCinXYQCTLaTKDEzAjNMIYJF-bWIyyIkg_bpxsOVmLaRnNlTXMqn4ilfNC-9w90okvxeH92v7TmdnXa5MsEeUHGoPvdYzHq1l8zAfWUTCcN4GrienKTYt3BSYQ1sGuNaNi8_4l3I0bpxRzKNdOGYSYC9NiZE18Xb1LNLBsCpZX5yw/s960/waterfall.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCGH-jEIYYIWl-pnCinXYQCTLaTKDEzAjNMIYJF-bWIyyIkg_bpxsOVmLaRnNlTXMqn4ilfNC-9w90okvxeH92v7TmdnXa5MsEeUHGoPvdYzHq1l8zAfWUTCcN4GrienKTYt3BSYQ1sGuNaNi8_4l3I0bpxRzKNdOGYSYC9NiZE18Xb1LNLBsCpZX5yw/w262-h394/waterfall.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><br /> A short meditation:<br /><p></p><p>Imagine yourself standing in this place. Breathe. Quiet. Breathe. Peaceful. Breathe. Serene. Yet...<br /></p><p> No only would you hear the waterfall crashing to earth, you would feel the misty and cool air. Smell the moisture and organic things churned up by the water. How the air seems to vibrate with energy. See water droplets clinging to leaves and maybe even your own skin.</p><p>Being in a place like this creates all kinds of feelings when we stop and listen. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Darlene Beck Jacobson finds inspiration is the quiet places around her. <br /></p>Darlene Beck Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864962362623663288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-43390206689581849812024-02-11T06:30:00.001-06:002024-02-11T06:30:00.134-06:00Listen! Do You Hear Voices, Too?<p> When I’m writing dialogue, the hardest part is mastering individual voices. The nearly unachieveable goal is this: No matter who’s delivering a line, I want the reader to know who's speaking without a dialogue tag. </p><p>Every once in a while, I get lucky and distinctive voices flow from the air and through my brain, where my fingertips magically type out the words in such a way that you know who delivered that line. </p><p>Much more often, and often midway through a first draft, half the characters reveal their voices. </p><p>Then there's the third category, the remaining characters. That’s where the work—and especially, the listening—comes into play. Where do I find inspiration? Who and what do I listen to? I have three go-tos. And here are examples of each:</p><p>Old Man Golliwop from <i>The Gollywhopper Games</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWQd9GcJhmCDZinbIqNm8Eie-7TR5rIpGib0kmLb8lfjcQxJNgvH-8kkqxWaKoyREQ9VwiOuRyPYL3CSe5pCUVV13e4jAtBSMsX3EJakPO8gu26_N0uN9dVhQXSAHwoNPPGBOVjRlrY4l7qXLVYHiirAxYL54LUUMXRIVZYDtqtxFMGTzR38zgZI-SggDH" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="219" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWQd9GcJhmCDZinbIqNm8Eie-7TR5rIpGib0kmLb8lfjcQxJNgvH-8kkqxWaKoyREQ9VwiOuRyPYL3CSe5pCUVV13e4jAtBSMsX3EJakPO8gu26_N0uN9dVhQXSAHwoNPPGBOVjRlrY4l7qXLVYHiirAxYL54LUUMXRIVZYDtqtxFMGTzR38zgZI-SggDH=w165-h173" width="165" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>His voice came to me thanks to Dick Van Dyke; specifically, when in <i>The Dick Van Dyke Show</i>, he played Uncle Hezekiah. From that character, I heard Old Man Golliwop's voice. Not only that, Dick Van Dyke's portrayal also colored Old Man G’s movements and mannerisms.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Travis Raines, the main character in <i>The Seventh Level.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtZsjRTUg_wthoAyKekgafVNlHGVXiQw63jsMK76qi0o3F0xz2e29_UIhXCgdqOF4o0UmoCYu_HiQgu2ykp2tjYVnXg1DtfpmIBqbVNXHKZeQ15m1UCDaR-2ArNBPZVMAiV7PotiUeS7MzeIMlzsXiwvYIQLY53dWjayP98qoHPYkPp30tRj0YHjVmSJgd" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="514" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtZsjRTUg_wthoAyKekgafVNlHGVXiQw63jsMK76qi0o3F0xz2e29_UIhXCgdqOF4o0UmoCYu_HiQgu2ykp2tjYVnXg1DtfpmIBqbVNXHKZeQ15m1UCDaR-2ArNBPZVMAiV7PotiUeS7MzeIMlzsXiwvYIQLY53dWjayP98qoHPYkPp30tRj0YHjVmSJgd=w130-h192" width="130" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Why not borrow from someone you love especially when you’re pretty much the opposite of an ADHD diagnosis and, right there, is the person who embodies it? That's how I saw Travis.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Stav from my current WIP</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvF7GTSCIqcxBHzaFB1eKBGR1JMKY_eufrMwV4GW6zSU1diCfBv8FYLL4yYjXVHsmxomqSjOSFoIycgPtG1bfEzIjU6b_zFMZ-o9vts724UfnH1KWEppHbMBuV6uuInM1EHdMEn_izYCGzIJJSM37NtlfcpLVTZlWXbANONeqpfLxFJF_5UOmNue3eWMOd" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="978" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvF7GTSCIqcxBHzaFB1eKBGR1JMKY_eufrMwV4GW6zSU1diCfBv8FYLL4yYjXVHsmxomqSjOSFoIycgPtG1bfEzIjU6b_zFMZ-o9vts724UfnH1KWEppHbMBuV6uuInM1EHdMEn_izYCGzIJJSM37NtlfcpLVTZlWXbANONeqpfLxFJF_5UOmNue3eWMOd" width="320" /></a></div>I had no clue who this character was or what he sounded like. I also had no clue if he even belonged in the story. But then I came across a picture of a cocky athlete, the embodiment of Stav. Now, for the voice. I tuned to videos of athletes and other celebrities who come across as, well, maybe a bit arrogant (I still want you to like Stav) but also self-assured.<p></p><p>Sometimes it's hard, but I keep myself from copying what these characters or people do and say. Instead, stopping, listening and absorbing their attitudes--taking inspiration from them--I hope to bring my characters’ voices alive.</p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p><i>Jody Feldman encourages you to stop and listen to the voices of the characters in books you read and movies you watch. Notice the subtle differences? Maybe the authors and screenwriters also took inspiration from listening.</i></p><p><br /></p>Jody Feldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215132896417490607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-66998264095474491732024-02-08T08:48:00.000-06:002024-02-08T08:48:05.363-06:00LISTEN by Jane Kelley<p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpZDjL6eXjqYJ8m3zsdgFuoBVEEsQa6wLqgWshB6fKw7lJWsE2U3mPXJsx7mgyjiHhgY871kGkj4fB1CvTyRRnfPfBxEazeq4wLA4hm3PdNkGm-aVpGvduTITzQ4iAxHCVNYusSqMGKJcr7cQ9-dX64ROfE7dpEtiFxT5S3lETfD0G7h1eGL4-hcQNVjw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpZDjL6eXjqYJ8m3zsdgFuoBVEEsQa6wLqgWshB6fKw7lJWsE2U3mPXJsx7mgyjiHhgY871kGkj4fB1CvTyRRnfPfBxEazeq4wLA4hm3PdNkGm-aVpGvduTITzQ4iAxHCVNYusSqMGKJcr7cQ9-dX64ROfE7dpEtiFxT5S3lETfD0G7h1eGL4-hcQNVjw=w275-h366" width="275" /></a> <br /></p><p></p><p>So here I am. In the middle of Connecticut. At the Goodspeed Opera House. The place where ANNIE was first produced. And MAN OF LA MANCHA. Talk about dreaming the impossible dream to escape the hard-luck life. I'm one of the participants at the 2024 Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals.</p><p>How did this happen? I write novels for kids. By myself. At my kitchen table. <br /></p><p>But here I am. The oldest writer here, certainly the one with the least experience in musical theater, writing a musical with my collaborators. Fortunately these guys know theater! <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1R5XmMD3lpY0AMFXmKY6_8j54TT_N_Jhcn-U3pPYk2nvPNBQCvHgHRPXcUB35M-O3wkLdZpxFHDermKraLxAzE_0mZoy-KhfEKz4xevLDKIAbA3F8_MT11fsCqXmMbLBq1ImcIfwDTEcU-pgX1RIFkIvGsfhKsyRoLGoLzbz7-8TyzBC3Dg6ZXb6IyFo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1R5XmMD3lpY0AMFXmKY6_8j54TT_N_Jhcn-U3pPYk2nvPNBQCvHgHRPXcUB35M-O3wkLdZpxFHDermKraLxAzE_0mZoy-KhfEKz4xevLDKIAbA3F8_MT11fsCqXmMbLBq1ImcIfwDTEcU-pgX1RIFkIvGsfhKsyRoLGoLzbz7-8TyzBC3Dg6ZXb6IyFo" width="320" /></a></div><p>Greg Alexander writes, directs, and acts in plays and musicals at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento. Clifford Lee Johnson III ran the musical theater
department at Manhattan Theatre Club before becoming an
independent producer and writer. </p><p>And here I am. Gulp. <br /></p><p>What do you do when you're surrounded by super talented people whose gorgeous music sweeps over you in a wave of feelings that carries you to an entirely new place. <br /></p><p></p><p>What do you do when your collaborators tell you scene 7 doesn't move the show forward. </p><p>What do you do when the dramaturg has pointed insights about how to make your show better.</p><p>What do you do when your favorite joke doesn't fit the show anymore.</p><p>You listen. And get lifted and inspired and supported and tweaked and energized and nurtured. <br /></p><p>And somehow your show gets better.<br /></p><p><a href="https://janekelleybooks.com/" target="_blank">Jane Kelley</a> is the writer of many middle-grade novels and one musical WIP entitled GRACE AND THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Jane Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12819764188557582625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-60192601345012609532024-02-03T05:30:00.001-06:002024-02-03T05:30:00.131-06:00Tuesday 2-Minute Writing Tip #19 "Listening to Intuition"<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Hello! This month we are riffing on the word "Listen."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I love this word. So much, that one year (2009!) I chose it as my <a href="https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-little-word-for-2009.html" target="_blank">One Little Word</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As a introverted person who grew up in a chaotic household, I learned very early to listen...to conversations; to news; to other people's opinions and wants and wishes; and to anything that might warn me and keep me safe in the face of upcoming danger.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As a poet, listening is one of my super-powers. So often, as observers of the world, we are called upon to listen.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But the kind of listening I find most challenging, is listening TO MYSELF. As in, listening to intuition.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzY5-o3eskK149tSz4yTdQu6gmskN8Ti3J4JtcdHh2pg_i6MPHVW5P8q3VJcpcEsJj9VVVSKHnq9DpxFAq7NsC2_3KuW_dzhGH618TXwzoHHaMNPW3Z1O3YjALfxlw_d0yLbAr0jd84uGALwleAEopx3IsUQ4xpALLak_DxER5ptP8gD6hPx6OfofaigN/s2562/D-39%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="1678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzY5-o3eskK149tSz4yTdQu6gmskN8Ti3J4JtcdHh2pg_i6MPHVW5P8q3VJcpcEsJj9VVVSKHnq9DpxFAq7NsC2_3KuW_dzhGH618TXwzoHHaMNPW3Z1O3YjALfxlw_d0yLbAr0jd84uGALwleAEopx3IsUQ4xpALLak_DxER5ptP8gD6hPx6OfofaigN/s320/D-39%20cover.jpg" width="210" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Which probably explains why all three of my middle grade novels are, at their core, about the main character learning to listen to herself.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I give you a quote from <a href="https://www.irenelatham.com/D-39.html" target="_blank">D-39: A ROBODOG'S JOURNEY</a>, a dystopian wartime adventure about a girl trying to save a robodog, a neighbor boy, and herself:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"As we walk away from Everlake, I hear a </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>voice. <i>Yes, Go home.</i> Not Mama's voice. Not </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Papa's or anyone else's.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mine."<br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">...and here is a video from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSu2MYUhmVxGfwKzKWibxcULo2lwTfHLb" target="_blank">2-MINUTE WRITING TIP series</a> on YouTube about this very thing. Enjoy!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k2R-C43cPmo?si=9GhESMJhNzFFdEQI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Irene Lathamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905936104127707762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-44834949775171955562024-02-02T08:28:00.001-06:002024-02-02T08:28:06.907-06:00Listening to Your Characters<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Listening to Your Characters</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I’m stuck and have no idea where my work in progress is
going, I take my character and decide on someone else they should talk to, and
I lock them in a room and tell them to have at it. And, at least on good days,
they do. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dialogue is something I’ve always enjoyed writing. I would
love to be a poetic writer, someone whose descriptions are beautiful, who makes
you see the river or the mountain or the crumbling façade of the building. I
can struggle with it, and occasionally something comes through. But I feel much
more comfortable with dialogue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my most recent book, a novel for adults called Off to Join
the Circus, my characters range in age from almost 13 to 80, and I had to be
sure that the dialogue was age-appropriate. I needed to listen to the various
characters to hear what it was that they wanted to say—and how they wanted to
say it. Would a teenager really say that? Would an 80-year-old use that
particular word?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another manuscript I’m working on is set in 1952, so I had
to listen to my characters—and read various novels set in that time period—to figure
out exactly how these characters would express themselves. When did this
particular slang become popular? Was that word in use by the early ‘50s?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So as I continued to contemplate writing and listening, I
decided to look up the thoughts of some famous writers. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ernest Hemingway had this to say: “When people talk listen
completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never
listen. Nor do they observe. You should be able to go into a room and when you
come out know everything that you saw there and not only that. If that room
gave you any feeling you should know exactly what it was that gave you that
feeling.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">James Baldwin had a different take: “Children have never
been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to
imitate them.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moving further afield, the actress and writer Emma Thompson
said this: “Any problem, big or small, within a family, always seems to
start with bad communication. Someone isn't listening.” <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Which of course gets back to the heart of it. Someone isn’t
listening. Family problems result. And that’s what makes for good fiction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>--Deborah Kalb</b></p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Deborah Kalbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361546823368350856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-12999854240168260122024-01-29T09:00:00.001-06:002024-01-29T09:00:00.140-06:00Eureka!<p> by Charlotte Bennardo</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Lobster;">Eureka! </span>That's supposedly what the mathematician Archimedes shouted when he discovered how to calculate the mass of gold used in the king's crown (water was displaced in a bathtub as he got in and he applied it to the gold crown). Don't know if the story or the math are true (hey, English person here), but when a writer gets an epiphany, we feel like shouting. And sometimes we do. </p><p>I'm not a person that thinks, 'I'd like to write a coming-of-age book', or a 'character-driven contemporary novel'. I don't ponder issues and dilemmas or even characters. Usually my ideas come with an epiphany, like a slap across the back of my head. Some examples: </p><p>My youngest son was playing in the sandbox while his brothers were at school. We had a resident squirrel in the big backyard tree that I would put out bananas, nuts, and other fruits for. This squirrel was a character, brave enough to come relatively close while kiddo and I were out there. Collin's brother Alec, in third grade, came home, whining about homework. The paper he showed me had to deal with simple machines: lever, wedge, wheel, etc. I promised to help him. Several days later, I was checking on my squirrel, thinking about Alec's assignment. I thought it would be so cool if the squirrel learned 'simple' machines. WHAM! BOOK IDEA! - my <i>Evolution Revolution </i>trilogy.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8ES2bsra0fufc744nstNTPu626YkQ6KOFJLF7KJkoTfDfJULxw4yvYJGlNK1P06vcntsA_hcHNQlEAAURSw1Rj7rMyvFWZl8bQVpEM_r4hIN99-63C0T18JlSVKS8pbhIBR1pEJYBUxbGJmDmgZb23PsXSvRn5oqWZGVQz1HmjQgXxSKY3Lc2suFWt0/s6000/pexels-ludovic-delot-15092513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8ES2bsra0fufc744nstNTPu626YkQ6KOFJLF7KJkoTfDfJULxw4yvYJGlNK1P06vcntsA_hcHNQlEAAURSw1Rj7rMyvFWZl8bQVpEM_r4hIN99-63C0T18JlSVKS8pbhIBR1pEJYBUxbGJmDmgZb23PsXSvRn5oqWZGVQz1HmjQgXxSKY3Lc2suFWt0/w242-h364/pexels-ludovic-delot-15092513.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="text-align: start; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Ludovic Delot: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-a-squirrel-eating-a-peanut-15092513/</span></span></div><br /><p>There is a renaissance fair in Tuxedo Junction, NY, every fall. While perusing the stalls of various crafts people, I stopped at the blacksmith's. It was fascinating to watch him hammer orange-hot metal into a knife. Random thoughts run unfettered in my brain constantly, and I thought about how blacksmithing looks the same as I'd imagine it hundreds of years ago. A man in a knight's costume, with a long sword, walked by. Reminded me of the King Arthur tales. WHAM! What about a blacksmith who ruins the greatest sword ever made, Excalibur! Its magic would create a repercussion. BOOK IDEA! - my thesis novel, <i>The Excalibur Vow.</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLa3xfgbxYdR4kkJ7hdMDMRVSj1EUKrFy4msNaElzqxZlABUgrBOq0CG2STR2briNYoUB14vkm76MBFX7DOPehL2J58GBlj4_OJXnVeHofwRUTSUo3aJYgY3iPVcZ9n2JquDSAYgTnIfLo2Nrs1XgHsABfJhTCtm51zGJ-kik2PfF8CZdsRXhDkxW8Z8/s3888/pexels-rene-asmussen-334032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="2592" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLa3xfgbxYdR4kkJ7hdMDMRVSj1EUKrFy4msNaElzqxZlABUgrBOq0CG2STR2briNYoUB14vkm76MBFX7DOPehL2J58GBlj4_OJXnVeHofwRUTSUo3aJYgY3iPVcZ9n2JquDSAYgTnIfLo2Nrs1XgHsABfJhTCtm51zGJ-kik2PfF8CZdsRXhDkxW8Z8/w269-h404/pexels-rene-asmussen-334032.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre;">Photo by Rene Asmussen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-a-hammer-in-front-of-anvil-334032/</span></div></span><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>These are just two examples how random thoughts that flow through and I don't pay much attention to suddenly link up with a partner and suddenly I have a new book idea. I never need books on how to find inspiration and I can't deal with some authors' complex systems of writing down ideas and scenarios until I find one that works. </p><p>Now, I don't use all my epiphanies (would that I could live that long!), so I make notes and keep them in an idea file. Sometimes I revisit those ideas and use them in short stories, or as novel starters. I firmly believe that when you have an epiphany, you shouldn't ignore it- it's a gift from your muse and she doesn't always answer your calls. </p><p>Until next month-</p><p>Char</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Charlotte</span><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> writes MG, YA, NA, and adult novels in sci fi, fantasy, contemporary, and paranormal genres. She is the author of the award-winning middle grade </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Evolution Revolution </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">trilogy, </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Simple Machines, Simple Plans, </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">and </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Simple Lessons</i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">. She co-authored the YA novels </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Blonde OPS,</i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Sirenz,</i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> and </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Sirenz Back in Fashion. </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">She has two short stories in the </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Beware the Little White Rabbit (Alice through the Wormhole) </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">and </span><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Scare Me to Sleep (Faces in the Wood) </i><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">anthologies. Having finished her MFA, she's applying what she learned and is working on several children's and adult novels, along with some short stories. She lives in NJ with her family and her floofy cat. When they trimmed the backyard tree, the crazy squirrel couple had to move out.</span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-68293946747272331472024-01-25T03:00:00.001-06:002024-01-25T03:00:00.143-06:00Luck, Christmas Trees, and Epiphany (Holly Schindler)<p>I am a firm believer that Christmas trees come down on the 26th. I'm a little looser about when they go up. I usually put them up on Thanksgiving weekend, but they might also go up a little earlier, depending on my Thanksgiving plans. </p><p>But I am adamant about coming down--they come down on the 26th. If the weather is decent, the outdoor decorations come down on the 26th too.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarLZ8oqphLtUyEnNYLEBBGksQ1FrV1KuKTZnrz2LJMxBKRhMOSGbejU8XU2bqlWM1nyxRt7JL7nX5pjA2Blee5-kPv05k5SGeL36z6_ssG2NeuoQAb88IdHV1oqCjgg-YdBNUccVjjk6wvXom9-C2QXnnARnZ5822X0-Ph9_tsB7DvhyphenhyphenxwDldfwmP0m8/s5184/pexels-valeria-vinnik-246351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarLZ8oqphLtUyEnNYLEBBGksQ1FrV1KuKTZnrz2LJMxBKRhMOSGbejU8XU2bqlWM1nyxRt7JL7nX5pjA2Blee5-kPv05k5SGeL36z6_ssG2NeuoQAb88IdHV1oqCjgg-YdBNUccVjjk6wvXom9-C2QXnnARnZ5822X0-Ph9_tsB7DvhyphenhyphenxwDldfwmP0m8/s320/pexels-valeria-vinnik-246351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Apparently, there's a superstition that you're supposed to take the tree down on Epiphany--January 6. Taking them down earlier will bring on a year of bad luck. </p><p>Sometimes, I think writers are worse than athletes about superstitions. We don't submit before the holidays. Back in the days of paper subs, we used to put lucky stamps on SASEs. We don't send manuscripts after four p.m. Or we only submit on Mondays. Or we submit wearing lucky socks. </p><p>But the thing is, there's only one thing that creates luck--and it isn't socks and it isn't a day of the week and it isn't a number. It's showing up. Every day. Even when things aren't going well. Even if part of you wonders if anything you do matters anymore. </p><p>Here's the truth: It does matter. It matters even <i>more </i>when you've been beaten up and you wonder if it's worth it. </p><p>I have a quote from Emily Dickinson above my desk. It's been there since I started writing full time in '01. It says: <br /></p><p><i><span class="long-line">"Luck is not chance—</span><br /><span class="long-line">It's Toil—</span><br /><span class="long-line">Fortune's expensive smile</span><br /><span class="long-line">Is earned"</span></i></p><p><span class="long-line">I still believe it, all these years later. </span></p><p><span class="long-line">And next year, my tree will come down before Epiphany.</span></p><p><span class="long-line">~</span></p><p><span class="long-line"><i>Holly Schindler is the author of the MG The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky<br /></i></span></p>Holly Schindlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742207239654178917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-3026549148930089982024-01-23T02:00:00.001-06:002024-01-23T02:00:00.141-06:00How to Write an Epiphany: Smack Dab in the Imagination by Dia Calhoun<p>For me, the question isn't how<i> </i>to communicate your character's <i>actual epiphany</i>—some sudden insight wisdom, or revelation. The
statement of that can be straightforward enough. No, the haunting question is
how does a writer <i>communicate</i> <i>the experience</i>—the state of mind, psyche, emotion, somatic
feeling—<i>that leads to the character’s epiphany</i>? That's what makes the epiphany believable. This is tricky because that experience is often fundamentally a liminal state of psychic
disorientation, and you don’t want to disorient the reader or have your writing
feel over the top. So how do you do it?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Structure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That seems counter-intuitive, right? To structure an experience that falls somewhere between an ah-ha
moment at the low end or a profound revelation at the high end. But if you look
at initiation experiences, which are similarly about disorientation that leads
to revelation, you’ll see they are all about structure.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Here are a few suggestions gleaned from my study of the problem.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">--Start in the character's very ordinary, very grounded kitchen-table-world. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">--Have something or someone, be a bridge into the liminal
world.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">--Have the character feel several contradictory<i> physical</i> sensations—the
old hot and cold idea. Or up is down or down is up. This starts to dissolve the ordinary world. The character
is in a chaotic spin. Build this moment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">--State the epiphany.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">--Return to the ordinary world and integrate the
experience.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Practice this technique by writing up scenarios. I'm telling you; this really
works. Have fun.<o:p></o:p></p>Dia Calhounhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14292548122662586492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-35663856329750783622024-01-15T04:07:00.000-06:002024-01-15T04:07:22.207-06:00On Epiphanies, Eurekas and other Mavities<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">This week we explore the meaning of epiphany as it relates
to our work and life. We understand that the term, as it applies to the ordinary, is an
experience of a sudden and striking realization.<span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span>In
a flash, the moment turns away from the ordinary and enters the extraordinary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is Archimedes' realization of how to estimate the volume
of a given mass, when he shouted "Eureka!" ("I have found
it!")<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or, when struggling to reconcile Newtonian physics and
Maxwell's equations, Einstein took a streetcar home. Looking behind him at the
receding clocktower, he realized that if the car sped up (close to the speed of
light) he would see the clock slow down, and remarked, "a storm broke
loose in my mind.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or, the moment when Isaac Newton gets hit with a falling apple. It's Mavity! (It's a Doctor Who thing. But still the same definition of epiphany made).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b>It’s the a-ha moment, when ordinary becomes extraordinary, when suddenly we come to an understanding
of a previously incomprehensible problem or concept.</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Writers strive for those a-ha moments as we
engineer our stories, when suddenly the character and their journey make sense.
We struggle in our efforts to give readers their own epiphanies via relatable
characters and fantastic adventures. Writer’s block by any other name still
stinks. But I’m not going to discuss this here because it seems just as important to
remember that’s it’s okay to not have an epiphany. Not everything needs to be
extraordinary all the time. Sometimes, as Tolkien once said, it’s not a bad thing to
celebrate the simple life every so often.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now is the time when writers make their resolutions to write XX number of
pages a week, or contact XX number of agents, or submit XX number of
manuscripts. And spend XX number of hours on research, write an outline, chart a character arc. Revise XX number of chapters. Write a forward.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><b>Here’s an epiphany I posted last year. Wisdom from Emma Dryden. It should be posted
every New Year as we struggle to achieve these preposterous resolutions. It’s
okay to be human, and ordinary, at least for a day or two anyway.</b></span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8V-NTU_A2G5NzFQxXuRLS2n9gwHyruf0CWLFna0DEluGoO2B_d9Uz8WVwFW8k94UN2uxn14jcNQJ_QZowHthv8niN4sFmcubY_kR5wfKqpVtsPGi1k2bCGiL4uNSjQD0r-HYggfR0O3UvF1QGW3Nq82yNBAalWV4_uwMwwKQTLHRp4kDV6I5FBVDCQW1/s940/Emma%20Wisdom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8V-NTU_A2G5NzFQxXuRLS2n9gwHyruf0CWLFna0DEluGoO2B_d9Uz8WVwFW8k94UN2uxn14jcNQJ_QZowHthv8niN4sFmcubY_kR5wfKqpVtsPGi1k2bCGiL4uNSjQD0r-HYggfR0O3UvF1QGW3Nq82yNBAalWV4_uwMwwKQTLHRp4kDV6I5FBVDCQW1/w400-h335/Emma%20Wisdom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Bobbi Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06175232103842324895noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-62973196489813752552024-01-14T07:57:00.000-06:002024-01-14T07:57:01.684-06:00The Elusive Writing Epiphany<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Elusive Writing Epiphany</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a writer, I definitely have days when I’m slogging
through, trying to get to my word count for the day and hoping for something
exciting that will keep me—and my potential future readers—eager to continue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then there are days when my characters enjoy talking to one
another, and something emerges that I hadn’t quite expected. And that’s
exciting! Encouraging! I feel better about the world, or at least my small
corner of it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But every so often, alchemy occurs. My characters take
actions that throw my whole plot up in the air. Actions I certainly hadn’t
predicted. And all I can do is sit back and take a deep breath. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Take my character Lucy, in my new novel for adults, <i>Off to
Join the Circus</i>. Lucy, a 35-year-old middle school English teacher and the
youngest of three daughters in a close-knit family, recently went through a
divorce. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Both Lucy and I firmly believed that Lucy and her former
husband, Jeff, went their separate ways because they couldn’t agree about
having children. Lucy wanted a child; Jeff did not. Their divorce was fairly
amicable.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But one day, Lucy and I had a sudden realization about Jeff and
their marriage (I won’t get into it, in case anyone wants to read <i>Off to Join
the Circus</i>) that caused us to rethink absolutely everything. I was stunned—as,
of course, was Lucy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The elusive writing epiphany. It appears when you least
expect it. So here’s to more writing epiphanies in 2024, for us all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>--Deborah Kalb</b></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Deborah Kalbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361546823368350856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-32416239829249220772024-01-12T07:00:00.011-06:002024-01-12T07:00:00.149-06:00MY MIDDLE GRADE BOOK REVIEWS FOR 2023 by Darlene Beck Jacobson<p> Each year I read a lot of kid lit books. Just as I'm sure many of you do. I also try to leave reviews for the books I love. There were so many wonderful middle grade stories in 2023. Here are the ones I read and really enjoyed. </p><div class="WACEditing EditMode EditingSurfaceBody FireFox WACViewPanel_DisableLegacyKeyCodeAndCharCode usehover" contenteditable="false" id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; visibility: visible;" tabindex="0"><div class="SCXW41209151 BCX2"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW41209151 BCX2"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW41209151 BCX2" role="list" start="2"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW41209151 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW41209151 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW41209151 BCX2">MIRROR TO MIRROR (MG) by Rajani LaRocca</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW41209151 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW155355572 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW155355572 BCX2">SPIRIT’S KEY (MG) by Edith Cohn</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW155355572 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"></span><span class="TextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2">THE CARREFOUR CURSE (MG) by Dianne K Salerni</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2">THE GRAY (MG) by Chris Baron</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW35549988 BCX2">THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST (MG) by Samantha M Clark</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"></span><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2">THE OGRESS AND THE ORPHANS (MG) by Kelly Barnhill</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO15dA3tLMpKDu7q2eIGg814vQcAkOeObJdQ1in0i60_2qQOgoNCx98vEeKir64R2ILDr62R2n7dkQVpIgpSMInqCFzw-hS_75lGEidsHjM-LTYpxmPZscKu9ajsJQlRF0wuM1lUoeDO_608MXDc7x828D0PWeshqH7Lc-ZFgysilqWnoekdiQIwkZJNA/s3861/ogress%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="2680" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO15dA3tLMpKDu7q2eIGg814vQcAkOeObJdQ1in0i60_2qQOgoNCx98vEeKir64R2ILDr62R2n7dkQVpIgpSMInqCFzw-hS_75lGEidsHjM-LTYpxmPZscKu9ajsJQlRF0wuM1lUoeDO_608MXDc7x828D0PWeshqH7Lc-ZFgysilqWnoekdiQIwkZJNA/w179-h257/ogress%20cover.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW9913867 BCX2">HUMMINGBIRD (MG) by Natalie Lloyd</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW175266639 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175266639 BCX2">THE SWIFTS (MG) by Beth Lincoln</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW175266639 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sCCIMTiJDNZd3_9EWJcvy1zisBrZ5K8y_uAYqTLybR8_mqxXP_IGaql2X4Qf-6LY9dFNryYsnUOv3tvzru461zrTwiLmqts3JLuQ4_PnZMH9EhRQAnlRfjvvRPcv3_ooGSdDsbsE-HrDhVJw-R0m7Yf7DOdwSoYyr5DlVkSZSeNuhqhUMGYqIPBkUPs/s327/simon%20says%20cover.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="218" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sCCIMTiJDNZd3_9EWJcvy1zisBrZ5K8y_uAYqTLybR8_mqxXP_IGaql2X4Qf-6LY9dFNryYsnUOv3tvzru461zrTwiLmqts3JLuQ4_PnZMH9EhRQAnlRfjvvRPcv3_ooGSdDsbsE-HrDhVJw-R0m7Yf7DOdwSoYyr5DlVkSZSeNuhqhUMGYqIPBkUPs/w213-h320/simon%20says%20cover.webp" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW3022978 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3022978 BCX2">DUST (</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3022978 BCX2">MG) by</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3022978 BCX2"> Dusti Bowling</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW3022978 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW18854837 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18854837 BCX2">WILD ROBOT PROTECTS (MG) by Peter Brown</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18854837 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2">PHARMACY GIRL (</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2">MG) by</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2"> Kate Szegda</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2">THE LAST GRAND ADVENTURE (MG) by Rebecca Behrens</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.7417px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116805201 BCX2">SIMON SORT OF SAYS (MG) by Erin Bow</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 23.7417px;"> <br /></span></p><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW116805201 BCX2"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW116805201 BCX2" role="list" start="35"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="35" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW116805201 BCX2" role="list" start="36"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116805201 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="36" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></li></ol></li></ol></div><div class="WACEditing EditMode EditingSurfaceBody FireFox WACViewPanel_DisableLegacyKeyCodeAndCharCode usehover" contenteditable="false" id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; visibility: visible;" tabindex="0"><div class="SCXW9913867 BCX2"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW9913867 BCX2"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW9913867 BCX2" role="list" start="15"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="15" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW9913867 BCX2" role="list" start="16"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="16" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope you'll check out some ot the titles.</li><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="16" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </li><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW9913867 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="16" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am looking forward to more great reading in 2024 and make a resolution to post reviews for the books I love. As authors we feel good when we get some book love in the form of positive reviews. Here's to great middle grade books and happy reading in 2024!</li></ol><p> </p><p>Darlene Beck Jacobson is already reading a great new MG book she will be sharing soon. Happy New Year!! <br /></p></li></ol></div></div></div><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="WACEditing EditMode EditingSurfaceBody FireFox WACViewPanel_DisableLegacyKeyCodeAndCharCode usehover" contenteditable="false" id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; visibility: visible;" tabindex="0"><div class="SCXW35549988 BCX2"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW35549988 BCX2"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW35549988 BCX2" role="list" start="8"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="8" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW35549988 BCX2" role="list" start="9"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="9" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW35549988 BCX2" role="list" start="10"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW35549988 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="10" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></li></ol></li></ol></li></ol></div></div></div><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="WACEditing EditMode EditingSurfaceBody FireFox WACViewPanel_DisableLegacyKeyCodeAndCharCode usehover" contenteditable="false" id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; visibility: visible;" tabindex="0"><div class="SCXW155355572 BCX2"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW155355572 BCX2"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW155355572 BCX2" role="list" start="6"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW155355572 BCX2" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559684":-1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman, "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></li></ol></div></div></div><p class="Paragraph SCXW41209151 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></li></ol></div></div></div><p></p>Darlene Beck Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864962362623663288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-89234367503818212142024-01-11T06:30:00.001-06:002024-01-11T06:30:00.163-06:00Reveal Yourself!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZp5O2jo_blv79yhdfxh78iqWZzHEs_uaJc74DfUk5FDpCzOZd9ktictMEEmZuU0TUgu-lTi7TpRD2nSAd_gZA2wWD4Q4Odyklzfu6L_mP5q3EQuzURbZ7w_xHtryiO2gUPd8PgAurrmo0KNNqYkwX-1Poy3h1ppyx4Z6nl7w6woH4y7GF76HfPC7tpQ8V" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="387" height="47" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZp5O2jo_blv79yhdfxh78iqWZzHEs_uaJc74DfUk5FDpCzOZd9ktictMEEmZuU0TUgu-lTi7TpRD2nSAd_gZA2wWD4Q4Odyklzfu6L_mP5q3EQuzURbZ7w_xHtryiO2gUPd8PgAurrmo0KNNqYkwX-1Poy3h1ppyx4Z6nl7w6woH4y7GF76HfPC7tpQ8V=w248-h47" width="248" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUG_dOnmNXGsP2N8QagUNx_TRQAdwX-G_a0hCFrg9G7yPZlGQvVou0h6loVq7iURR-ZIKwT3Qg0Ey8I194JwXmPk9FXO8hRvdIvVcPy5VvKDYwGupxQjUVzf0QA2R6R-cOC5DRXFdzPZsfOfZPGH-_ZoqGTk5sDQrO4MI2VENT9u-f_Xh5d-66C67khs3B" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="41" data-original-width="388" height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUG_dOnmNXGsP2N8QagUNx_TRQAdwX-G_a0hCFrg9G7yPZlGQvVou0h6loVq7iURR-ZIKwT3Qg0Ey8I194JwXmPk9FXO8hRvdIvVcPy5VvKDYwGupxQjUVzf0QA2R6R-cOC5DRXFdzPZsfOfZPGH-_ZoqGTk5sDQrO4MI2VENT9u-f_Xh5d-66C67khs3B" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>The last of the Merriam-Webster definitions of <i>epiphany</i>...</div><div>that’s the one!</div><div>Because...</div><div>How great is it when you reach that twist, that turn, that aha moment in a book or a movie! How great it is when you didn’t see it coming! How great is it when you had no clue how the writer would weave all those pieces together in one cohesive, satisfying conclusion. <br /><br /></div><div>There was one book when it didn’t happen for me. <br /><br /></div><div>I was in 4th grade when our teacher handed out the seasonal Scholastic Book Club flyer. <br />Me! I could choose whichever books I wanted. My shortlist must’ve included a dozen titles or more but the budget would allow only three. </div><div><br /></div><div>One book, in particular, was a slam dunk. The main character had a big secret. What was it? What was it? What? Was? It!?</div><div><br /></div><div>When the books finally arrived, I tore into that story immediately. And when I got to The End, I sat there, stunned.</div><div>Not surprised-stunned. <br />Disappointed-stunned. <br />The MC’s secret may have been a big deal to her, but it was a who-cares to me. </div><div><br />I still remember the book’s cover. I remember its title. What I don’t remember are the particulars of the character and the plot. I suppose I chose to forget them.</div><div> <br />What I’ve never forgotten is this: <br />My readers deserve an ending they can sink their teeth into.</div><div><br /></div><div>Easier said than done. <br />Even after I’ve carefully crafted plot and characters, after I’ve imagined scenes that are rich with detail, after I’ve promised my readers they'll come away with that feeling of satisfaction, I’ve sat there. Wracking my brain. Searching for that spark, that aha-moment which remains buried deep in those tens of thousand of words.</div><div> <br />It's at this point, I should sit back and take a deep breath. I really should. But that 4th grader's voice bubbles up, loud and clear. “Hey Reveal, pretty please, REVEAL YOURSELF. NOW!”</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Jody Feldman refuses to show anyone her work before she’s certain it has the payoff she expected from that book she read so long ago. </i></div><p></p>Jody Feldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215132896417490607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-53913733787418952412024-01-08T10:12:00.000-06:002024-01-08T10:12:50.415-06:00EPIPHANY? by Jane Kelley<p>Where do you get your ideas? That's the question I always get when I do workshops. That's also the question I ask myself when I get stuck for one. </p><p>The myth, of course, is that ideas come like this. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX2JDanEEOE59gWKcPUS7Y_tZkukoB1ecc_rCW60uYOfIJO_0v-6kRDgbllAfd7uwNLaFyMnxgYqvBs6XB-VyX-v5pps8kzUbP3_NKachGI_guL5xHjZBsNlSbtPxPbtrc2M4GEd_XDHzy9uSwajjQOjDCnmIwp2VUwPa9TTDVrr1HKAoGtWhee2YhAuY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="540" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX2JDanEEOE59gWKcPUS7Y_tZkukoB1ecc_rCW60uYOfIJO_0v-6kRDgbllAfd7uwNLaFyMnxgYqvBs6XB-VyX-v5pps8kzUbP3_NKachGI_guL5xHjZBsNlSbtPxPbtrc2M4GEd_XDHzy9uSwajjQOjDCnmIwp2VUwPa9TTDVrr1HKAoGtWhee2YhAuY=w255-h342" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky -- by Benjamin West</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ideas come from some place above. You can call it a muse, or divine inspiration. I remember being taught that Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity by flying a kite in a thunder storm. I'm sure those weren't the facts I was presented with. But that's what stuck in my head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Look at Benjamin West's painting of Franklin out in a thunder storm with his kite! If that isn't an epiphany, then what is? He's like Prometheus stealing energy from the gods. He's surrounded by cherubs, for Pete's sake. He's doing something glorious! Because, as we all know, electric current traveled down his kite string so he could tame it for the benefit of all humankind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At least, that's the myth. The truth is a much more complicated, as truth usually is. This moment in the storm was not a stroke of genius. This was a scientific experiment. Franklin knew that another scientist, Jean-Antoine Nollet, had wondered if lightning was connected to electricity in 1749. Others were studying tribolic electric effect -- where charges can pass from one object to another. Franklin had tried to make that transfer from the top of a tall building. All of which was very interesting to scientists, but I know you're wondering -- what about that kite? <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Franklin and his son attached two strings to the kite. One was wet to conduct the electricity to a Leyden jar -- a contraption made of several nesting jars used to store electricity. The other string was kept dry so that Franklin could safely hang on to the kite without getting killed like Georg Wilhelm Richmann, another scientist who was also working with electricity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In fact, on that fateful day, no lightning bolt struck the kite. The wet string did conduct an electrical charge. Franklin observed the tiny filaments of the string stand up -- like static -- as the power was conducted down the string to the Leyden jar. After energy was in that jar, Franklin used it later to, as he described, charge phials, kindle spirits, and perform all other electrical experiments that people did with "excited" globes and tubes. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In other words, the kite experiment worked. Just not in the way that Benjamin West depicted in his painting. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so it must be for us humble creators. We should not wait for lightning to strike us. If it did, it probably would kill us, like poor Georg Wilhelm Richmann, who never was glorified in a painting for his work with electricity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead we should construct a place to keep our ideas safe until we are ready to use them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Sv65k3z_U8bP_Lbn7E92AbSTigsxbDKzG3OpUY4B_ExWWYmlVduNQux-wG_wNK-E5tAjbsrSnon2-PFmKwsMyU_iyqUkz7zOCpsHy5dNjQMF5dpcZ6r4jZVDBCyWDEjqE5nHWhQgNHPMmp-KofHSHa-qFvnJOyLOyzp9dZfIrWWFJKrezWP7QycDb8A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="340" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Sv65k3z_U8bP_Lbn7E92AbSTigsxbDKzG3OpUY4B_ExWWYmlVduNQux-wG_wNK-E5tAjbsrSnon2-PFmKwsMyU_iyqUkz7zOCpsHy5dNjQMF5dpcZ6r4jZVDBCyWDEjqE5nHWhQgNHPMmp-KofHSHa-qFvnJOyLOyzp9dZfIrWWFJKrezWP7QycDb8A" width="180" /></a></div> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you don't like these Leyden jars, maybe a notebook will suffice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://janekelleybooks.com/" target="_blank">JANE KELLEY</a> -- has never been struck by lightning, but she has flown kites and is the author of many middle grade novels. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><p></p>Jane Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12819764188557582625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488191966351130111.post-16075380648193435862024-01-03T05:30:00.001-06:002024-01-03T05:30:00.126-06:00Look: It's Fresh. It's a Poem. It's an Epiphany!<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEwhbJuWvFQgNmibeoNNS6jm-aJEjZYwQzNfO73X8eFkgi0Ys-LgMmT7PO3tgrX6wyMyjGLDTjHJ6d_8YrAN8i9vdTeV6bNf2RsBaJTHfJ8idss5Tnt1yCEGazq-R_PAIIsMoGiIJOuAzv2HmSc46fBxpX2risTYdriVQJs3qZz_VESAwuU5co3JS6hv-/s6036/DT_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4020" data-original-width="6036" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEwhbJuWvFQgNmibeoNNS6jm-aJEjZYwQzNfO73X8eFkgi0Ys-LgMmT7PO3tgrX6wyMyjGLDTjHJ6d_8YrAN8i9vdTeV6bNf2RsBaJTHfJ8idss5Tnt1yCEGazq-R_PAIIsMoGiIJOuAzv2HmSc46fBxpX2risTYdriVQJs3qZz_VESAwuU5co3JS6hv-/s320/DT_0021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Waters &<a href="http://irenelatham.com" target="_blank"> Irene Latham</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">It's a brand new year, and I've got poetry on my mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While I've written (and co-written) quite a few poetry collections, this year marks my debut as a co-anthologist (with <a href="http://charleswaterspoetry.com" target="_blank">Charles Waters)</a> with the release of <i>The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets</i> coming from Lerner in the Fall with illustrations by <a href="https://www.mbartists.com/cgi-bin/iowa/artists.html?artist=124" target="_blank">Mercè López.</a> (The cover isn't quite final, but soon!)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpWHH5Qr-dTNKrRTkgulNXNQRKDH9miwXKZQTTmLzRqSN1D9b8fuxkpo8s7NCqOF0DYL1zd8Lz904MHMTipaemas5o5KQR3C3c131VHbZb0wddwMILsmjpks-mPHzwQyu2bco0Fhjxm-X6J8VmBUXT0IM3zm6s_dfOtXSdjr6-2NAVd0mu4MHq-XdvlWk/s1080/Mistakes%20Anthology%20announcement.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1080" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpWHH5Qr-dTNKrRTkgulNXNQRKDH9miwXKZQTTmLzRqSN1D9b8fuxkpo8s7NCqOF0DYL1zd8Lz904MHMTipaemas5o5KQR3C3c131VHbZb0wddwMILsmjpks-mPHzwQyu2bco0Fhjxm-X6J8VmBUXT0IM3zm6s_dfOtXSdjr6-2NAVd0mu4MHq-XdvlWk/w640-h254/Mistakes%20Anthology%20announcement.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>As we worked with poets (including Margarita Engle, Naomi Shihab Nye, Linda Sue Park, Jane Yolen, and others!) on poems for this project, I found myself really responding to poems that offered some sort of</span><b style="font-size: large;"> epiphany</b><span style="font-size: large;">. And that reminds me of this marvelous quote from (marvelous) poet </span><a href="https://www.joycesidman.com/" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">Joyce Sidman</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #85d4e3; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO_NDpXl-nhUtFkyUQV_ILha9lga8MY5tX841erq1v8tUFTHi0OA83MR8fhbgpqcI_1eRUf5nnKyiY92qegeLIpv_se8mP5V9TMocuseVL57ydPi3_jS7Qgb4kln2tqAUG5yPsWeo9iYWSiU3KDATqBZeC_LwZLDvplafCASljcLPAp-b-ah-dDVp3qk7/s260/Allen_Dark_Emperor_and_Other_Poems_of_the_Night_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="260" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO_NDpXl-nhUtFkyUQV_ILha9lga8MY5tX841erq1v8tUFTHi0OA83MR8fhbgpqcI_1eRUf5nnKyiY92qegeLIpv_se8mP5V9TMocuseVL57ydPi3_jS7Qgb4kln2tqAUG5yPsWeo9iYWSiU3KDATqBZeC_LwZLDvplafCASljcLPAp-b-ah-dDVp3qk7/s1600/Allen_Dark_Emperor_and_Other_Poems_of_the_Night_cover.jpg" width="260" /></a> "I love the brevity and power of poetry, and the way, through metaphor, it connects everything to everything else. I love the way it can celebrate the humble things, the odd or overlooked things, and make them fresh and amazing. <b>I love the way it captures these moments of epiphany: when we suddenly realize something deep and powerful.</b>"</span></span><span style="background-color: #85d4e3; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 28.48px;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="background-color: #85d4e3; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 28.48px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">- Joyce Sidman</span></i></span></span><div><span style="background-color: #85d4e3; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 28.48px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">May your 2024 be filled with epiphanies...and poetry!</span></span></div>Irene Lathamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905936104127707762noreply@blogger.com3