Saturday, February 11, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Citizen Science
Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin BurnsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Although I am not much of a scientist, I loved this book. Each of the projects which Burns presents is so intriguing and the way she explains everything really makes me want to get out into the field and explore. I highly recommend this book to share with kids and nature-lovers. It's fun to read, there are beautiful pictures, and it has great projects. Citizen science all the way!
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Friday, January 20, 2012
Worcester Writers Collaborative
A lot of new and exciting things are happening with the Worcester Writers Collaborative (WWC). Next Saturday, January 28th, there will be a group signing at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough, MA from 1-5 PM. As of now, I am planning on sharing a reading from MiF. We'll see how that goes. Telegram Towns published an article today about the upcoming signing. Also read about WWC authors and founders Cheryl Cory and Jessie Olson in The Daily Holden.
In other news, the Collaborative has insipired me to work on my next book. I'm currently editing and am hoping on releasing it for summer 2012. I've also kept busy with the Westborough Patch and Story to Tell.
In other news, the Collaborative has insipired me to work on my next book. I'm currently editing and am hoping on releasing it for summer 2012. I've also kept busy with the Westborough Patch and Story to Tell.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Setting Your Stories
An article in the Telegram & Gazette this weekend discussed how Stephen King briefly mentions Westborough in his new novel. While I thought it was funny that King should mention our town in his novel, it got me thinking about something very important when writing: setting.
Although individual places such as the protagonist's house, place of work, or school are important, the town or city which they live in is just as crucial to the story. Take some time to develop the town. Where do people go for a fancy dinner? What is there to do for fun? Are there any slang words particular to this setting?
I was in a critique session once and my critique buddy asked me about an ice cream shop my characters went to in one scene. When she began asking what it was like, I had to pause and ask myself. In all honesty, I hadn't thought about it all. I just knew it was centrally located and a popular place for kids to go to after school. After receiving this feedback, I went home and made some decisions about this place. I continued on to think about the town as a whole. I began asking myself some important questions and soon I had a much clearer vision of Greendale. It grew from a place with a hodgepodge of buildings to a town with specific streets, locations, and areas.
If you are working with a setting which actually exists, it would be a good idea to spend a day there, take some pictures, and jot down some observations. One of my English teachers often visits the settings of the books we read in class. She shows us pictures of actual and specific buildings which match the places in the novels. If you have a fictitious setting, begin to develop it by asking yourself some of these questions.
-What is the town known for?
-Are there any town traditions? Do they celebrate holidays with parades and ceremonies or do residents have to go elsewhere?
-What are the people like? Are there any qualities specific to the residents?
-Are there any good or bad areas?
-Is there a downtown? If so, what is it like? Are there stores, restaurants, or parks?
-How does this setting involve itself in the story?
Although individual places such as the protagonist's house, place of work, or school are important, the town or city which they live in is just as crucial to the story. Take some time to develop the town. Where do people go for a fancy dinner? What is there to do for fun? Are there any slang words particular to this setting?
I was in a critique session once and my critique buddy asked me about an ice cream shop my characters went to in one scene. When she began asking what it was like, I had to pause and ask myself. In all honesty, I hadn't thought about it all. I just knew it was centrally located and a popular place for kids to go to after school. After receiving this feedback, I went home and made some decisions about this place. I continued on to think about the town as a whole. I began asking myself some important questions and soon I had a much clearer vision of Greendale. It grew from a place with a hodgepodge of buildings to a town with specific streets, locations, and areas.
If you are working with a setting which actually exists, it would be a good idea to spend a day there, take some pictures, and jot down some observations. One of my English teachers often visits the settings of the books we read in class. She shows us pictures of actual and specific buildings which match the places in the novels. If you have a fictitious setting, begin to develop it by asking yourself some of these questions.
-What is the town known for?
-Are there any town traditions? Do they celebrate holidays with parades and ceremonies or do residents have to go elsewhere?
-What are the people like? Are there any qualities specific to the residents?
-Are there any good or bad areas?
-Is there a downtown? If so, what is it like? Are there stores, restaurants, or parks?
-How does this setting involve itself in the story?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Back Again
It's been a while since I last blogged but after going to a Worcester Writers' Collaborative signing at Annie's Book Stop in Worcester, I found new motivation to publish. It's always so exciting to be around authors and their new books. This made me want something fresh to share. I published Misadventures in Filgersville in 2008. It will have been out for four years next August and I decided that it's time to set a deadline and try to publish another story for next summer. I've started to take the first steps. I completed NaNoWriMo the other day so now I have new found time to edit my manuscript, and I'm starting to think about some of the more production based steps of the process.
So, here's my challenge to you. If you have that manuscript that you've coddled for years, it may be time to take the next step. Editing may always be done but share it for critiquing and then query with agents or begin the self-publishing process.
So, here's my challenge to you. If you have that manuscript that you've coddled for years, it may be time to take the next step. Editing may always be done but share it for critiquing and then query with agents or begin the self-publishing process.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Overcoming Challenges
It has been one grueling month since beginning Moby Dick. It's finally springtime, although it snowed today, and I am halfway through reading the book. It's been challenging to keep up with the reading but it's manageable. Feel free to comment on headway you've made towards your goals thus far, at this halfway point.
Fortunately, I received some inspiration in overcoming challenges this past Saturday at the Eric Carle Museum from the author panel on "Overcoming Challenges" with authors and author/illustrators Brian Lies, Mary Newell DePalma, Jo Knowles, and Barbara O'Connor.
These authors discussed how they traversed adversity in their careers and writing. They emphasized values such as discipline, balance, and perseverance in reaching success. After being stuck at a writing standstill, this event motivated me to get back to work and helped me realize that sometimes the best remedy to a writing problem is to simply write through it. In general, this seems to be a great way to solve problems: to plow through them and persevere even when things seem unwelcoming. Try new things. Although certain choices may not work, they may segue into a solution.
Fortunately, I received some inspiration in overcoming challenges this past Saturday at the Eric Carle Museum from the author panel on "Overcoming Challenges" with authors and author/illustrators Brian Lies, Mary Newell DePalma, Jo Knowles, and Barbara O'Connor.
These authors discussed how they traversed adversity in their careers and writing. They emphasized values such as discipline, balance, and perseverance in reaching success. After being stuck at a writing standstill, this event motivated me to get back to work and helped me realize that sometimes the best remedy to a writing problem is to simply write through it. In general, this seems to be a great way to solve problems: to plow through them and persevere even when things seem unwelcoming. Try new things. Although certain choices may not work, they may segue into a solution.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Clarity is a Clear Hit
Clarity by Kim HarringtonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a fantastic read. I love a good mystery and this book definitely exceeds my criteria for a good mystery. It's fast-paced, has a great mood, and will keep you puzzling until the very end. Also, the Fern family's abilities are really intriguing and add a lot to the excitement of the book. I highly recommend it to anybody looking for an interesting, thrilling, and chilling novel.
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Photo and review from Goodreads
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