In recent weeks, I have been asked by a few folks about writing. I suppose this is because my first novel, Journey of Shadows, came out in March through Smashwords. My co-workers have especially been curious, and a few of them have asked some really good questions. The most reoccurring question though has been this: "Why did you decide to write a novel instead of a short story?" The usual comment that follows is something along the lines of "A short story is so much easier, right?"
My answer? Well, yes and no. A short story is less words... a whole lot less in fact. But in my opinion, it is much more difficult to write. Why? For many, many reasons.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Hey there! Yes, You...
Sorry for being absent this week. Our Internet hasn't been the most reliable thanks to some scattered storms and utility "repairs" down the street. I gave up after they flipped our electric off for the 4th time in an hour and decided not to attempt to blog until they were finished. That was on Monday. They aren't there today so I'm crossing my fingers that they completed their project, and not just gone for the weekend. Just in case, I'm working on some blogs for this coming week and will be scheduling them throughout the week.
Coming this week:
Monday- Short Story vs. Novel
Tuesday- Tuesday Treat: Favorite Snacks of the Great Scribblers
Wednesday- A View From the Margins
Thursday- Thursday Thought: Tradition
Friday- Friday Five: 5 Questions with a Reading Teacher
Stay tuned!
Coming this week:
Monday- Short Story vs. Novel
Tuesday- Tuesday Treat: Favorite Snacks of the Great Scribblers
Wednesday- A View From the Margins
Thursday- Thursday Thought: Tradition
Friday- Friday Five: 5 Questions with a Reading Teacher
Stay tuned!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Friday Five: 5 Questions with Rene part 2
Continuing my 5 Questions series with Rene, we switched gears to talk about her political activism through Political Commentary. Rene is very intelligent woman and knows her stuff when it comes to politics. She keeps herself informed and abreast of current events. She is also very tolerant of different views/opinions, which I have rarely found in others in the realm of political activism. Even when others do not give her the same courtesy. I respect her so much for that, which is why I decided to interview her on this subject.
Q: You keep a blog about current events. Why did you decide to blog about politics?
A: In any endeavor, if you feel passionate about something, you have to give voice to it. Some stories or issues, it's either write or explode. [I wouldn't have a clue what you mean by that. :P]
Q: What issues are the closest to your heart?
A: Because of my background, I have a real issue with bullies and abuse. Thus, I tend to care most about groups that are abused or disenfranchised like women, minorities, the working poor, etc.
Q: Do you get your political news from any particular sources other than mainstream media?
A: In the morning I start with Google News which gives a spread on everything. I then check the International News sites such as BBC, le Monde and Al Jazeera. Then I check sites like Huffington Post and finally I check news blogs. If I'm looking for news on a specific bill, I'll check Congress.gov, or the Congressional Record. If it's a specific speech, I check YouTube and C-Span. In this way, you get the overview from several angles. [I tried to include the links to these particular places, but forgive me if the links are wrong.]
Q: Do you claim a political party?
A: As my hero, Will Rogers once said, "I belong to no organized political party, I am a Democrat." I go one step further, I am a Progressive Democrat.
Q: How do you feel about political satirist like Jon Daley and theonion.com? Do they hurt or help people understand the current political climate?
A: Humor has always been used to teach and shine a light on politics. I was weaned on Will Rogers and Molly Ivens and love Colbert, the Daily Show, etc.
Have any questions or comments? Post them below!
Q: You keep a blog about current events. Why did you decide to blog about politics?
A: In any endeavor, if you feel passionate about something, you have to give voice to it. Some stories or issues, it's either write or explode. [I wouldn't have a clue what you mean by that. :P]
Q: What issues are the closest to your heart?
A: Because of my background, I have a real issue with bullies and abuse. Thus, I tend to care most about groups that are abused or disenfranchised like women, minorities, the working poor, etc.
Q: Do you get your political news from any particular sources other than mainstream media?
A: In the morning I start with Google News which gives a spread on everything. I then check the International News sites such as BBC, le Monde and Al Jazeera. Then I check sites like Huffington Post and finally I check news blogs. If I'm looking for news on a specific bill, I'll check Congress.gov, or the Congressional Record. If it's a specific speech, I check YouTube and C-Span. In this way, you get the overview from several angles. [I tried to include the links to these particular places, but forgive me if the links are wrong.]
Q: Do you claim a political party?
A: As my hero, Will Rogers once said, "I belong to no organized political party, I am a Democrat." I go one step further, I am a Progressive Democrat.
Q: How do you feel about political satirist like Jon Daley and theonion.com? Do they hurt or help people understand the current political climate?
A: Humor has always been used to teach and shine a light on politics. I was weaned on Will Rogers and Molly Ivens and love Colbert, the Daily Show, etc.
Have any questions or comments? Post them below!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thursday Thought: Live Life...
There are some amazing quotes about life. I have had such things on my mind for a couple reasons. One, a woman I went to high school with many years ago lost her younger brother last week in a car wreck. He was 25. And the second is that the school district where my little sisters attend have had 2 student deaths this school year, one due to a wreck and one a suicide. Life is precious. Goodreads has a great collection of quotes. Following are a few of my favorite.
"You gotta dance like there's nobody is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's Heaven on Earth." William W. Purkey
"In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
"Get busy living, or get busy dying." Stephen King, Shawshank Redemption
"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You got to go out and kick ass." Maya Angelou
"There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be." John Lennon
Go out there and live life to the fullest. Remember we aren't promised tomorrow so live like today is your last and you'll be okay.
"You gotta dance like there's nobody is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's Heaven on Earth." William W. Purkey
"In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
"Get busy living, or get busy dying." Stephen King, Shawshank Redemption
"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You got to go out and kick ass." Maya Angelou
"There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be." John Lennon
Go out there and live life to the fullest. Remember we aren't promised tomorrow so live like today is your last and you'll be okay.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tuesday Treat: Marinades
It is getting to that time of year... grilling season! I'm so excited. I love a good steak, especially after it has been marinated for a while. I found this awesome list of Cheap, Healthy Marinades from 2008. I hope all the links work. I haven't made my way through all of them yet. Check out the list to see if any tickle your fancy.
Marinades can be used to tenderize meat and to flavor it in the process. It can also be used to flavor vegetables too if you are feeling creative. All recipes are different but I'll tell you what I have been told about marinades. Keep in mind that I'm no expert, this is just what I have learned over the years.
First of all, you need to let whatever you are marinading age a bit before you use it. Fresh cuts are not always the best... but makes sure they aren't spoiled too. There is a fine line between aged and spoiled. You can use your normal tenderizing methods. The hammer and tenderizing salt are a go-to in my house. Take your frustrations out on a steak for a couple minutes. It is very liberating! After that, toss your cuts into a lined pan, completely covered with the marinade, wrap it up, and refrigerate it for anywhere from 4 hours to 48 hours. The longer it sits, the more time the marinade has to break down the tissue of the cut. Dispose of any used marinade once you drain it off of your cut (used raw meat sauce = bad).
The best steak I have ever had (seriously) was back in 2003 at a wedding in Alabama. My neighbor got a 5 gallon bucket, dropped a large amount of top sirloin cuts in, and covered it to the top with cheap, off-brand beer. That is literally all he did. He stuck the lid on it and put it in his cellar for the two days before the wedding and then fired the grill up right after his niece said "I do" to a goofy looking guy in a Hawaiian shirt. The food was incredible.
Do you have a favorite marinade? My mom is a fan of bbq sauce type marinades. I like Dale's myself. Or a crap ton of Soy Sauce. Lots of salt but yum.
Marinades can be used to tenderize meat and to flavor it in the process. It can also be used to flavor vegetables too if you are feeling creative. All recipes are different but I'll tell you what I have been told about marinades. Keep in mind that I'm no expert, this is just what I have learned over the years.
First of all, you need to let whatever you are marinading age a bit before you use it. Fresh cuts are not always the best... but makes sure they aren't spoiled too. There is a fine line between aged and spoiled. You can use your normal tenderizing methods. The hammer and tenderizing salt are a go-to in my house. Take your frustrations out on a steak for a couple minutes. It is very liberating! After that, toss your cuts into a lined pan, completely covered with the marinade, wrap it up, and refrigerate it for anywhere from 4 hours to 48 hours. The longer it sits, the more time the marinade has to break down the tissue of the cut. Dispose of any used marinade once you drain it off of your cut (used raw meat sauce = bad).
The best steak I have ever had (seriously) was back in 2003 at a wedding in Alabama. My neighbor got a 5 gallon bucket, dropped a large amount of top sirloin cuts in, and covered it to the top with cheap, off-brand beer. That is literally all he did. He stuck the lid on it and put it in his cellar for the two days before the wedding and then fired the grill up right after his niece said "I do" to a goofy looking guy in a Hawaiian shirt. The food was incredible.
Do you have a favorite marinade? My mom is a fan of bbq sauce type marinades. I like Dale's myself. Or a crap ton of Soy Sauce. Lots of salt but yum.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Friday Five: 5 Questions with Rene Thompson
...about Fan Fiction!
In the 3rd installment of 5 Questions, I interviewed Rene, Steven's wife, about her foray into writing. Rene writes Star Trek fan fiction. I've read tons of fan fiction so I'm somewhat familiar with the lingo (such as the term "ship") but Star Trek was before my generation so I'm not that familiar with it.
As a reminder, my questions are in bold font, the answer is prefaced with A:, and my comments are in [red brackets] to try to make things a little more organized and easier to read.
Q: What kind of fan fiction do you write and why?
Star Trek and occasionally James Bond but the vast majority is Star Trek. I wanted to deal with questions and situation that weren't covered by the writers of the show. What was happening after this scene, how did they react after the conclusion, why were they the way they were, how did they react with other characters in the show that they didn't normally deal with. And, of course, shipping. [A definition of shipping can be found here.]
Q: When did you get into fan fiction?
A: When I was about 13 or 14.
Q: What are some good resources for writers interested in fan fiction?
A: For Star Trek there are some magnificent sites, Memory Alpha and Vulcan Language Dictionary come to mind. If the show has a wiki with detailed background, that will definitely help.
And good grammar book and spell checker.
Also, read a lot of fan fiction of your subject so you can see the problems before you write them yourself. Mary Sue's/Marty Stu's (writing in a perfect character for one of the regulars to fall for) can be well done or it can be total tripe. If you create a "super perfect" person, you don't even have to ask, it's tripe. If you have your regular character doing or saying things that are totally out of character, then it's tripe. [If you can't tell if you have written a Mary Sue or Marty Stu, go here and take the test.]
Q: Are there any rules of etiquette concerning fan fiction that a writer of regular fiction might not know?
A: You MUST acknowledge that this is based on other's work and that the rights to the show are held by someone. You also need to, if your work is more adult, acknowledge that below the title and acknowledgments and credits. In that way, the reader has been warned. Some people, if there is any shipping in the story give the code for the shipping. For Kirk and Uhura it would be K/U, for Spock and Chapel it's S/Ch, you get the idea.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most popular subject of fan fiction?
A: Star Trek, then maybe Harry Potter and Star Wars. [I have read some pretty crazy Harry Potter fan fics! ;)]
Do you have any questions or comments for Rene? Post them in the comments below and I'll pass them along!
In the 3rd installment of 5 Questions, I interviewed Rene, Steven's wife, about her foray into writing. Rene writes Star Trek fan fiction. I've read tons of fan fiction so I'm somewhat familiar with the lingo (such as the term "ship") but Star Trek was before my generation so I'm not that familiar with it.
As a reminder, my questions are in bold font, the answer is prefaced with A:, and my comments are in [red brackets] to try to make things a little more organized and easier to read.
Q: What kind of fan fiction do you write and why?
Star Trek and occasionally James Bond but the vast majority is Star Trek. I wanted to deal with questions and situation that weren't covered by the writers of the show. What was happening after this scene, how did they react after the conclusion, why were they the way they were, how did they react with other characters in the show that they didn't normally deal with. And, of course, shipping. [A definition of shipping can be found here.]
Q: When did you get into fan fiction?
A: When I was about 13 or 14.
Q: What are some good resources for writers interested in fan fiction?
A: For Star Trek there are some magnificent sites, Memory Alpha and Vulcan Language Dictionary come to mind. If the show has a wiki with detailed background, that will definitely help.
And good grammar book and spell checker.
Also, read a lot of fan fiction of your subject so you can see the problems before you write them yourself. Mary Sue's/Marty Stu's (writing in a perfect character for one of the regulars to fall for) can be well done or it can be total tripe. If you create a "super perfect" person, you don't even have to ask, it's tripe. If you have your regular character doing or saying things that are totally out of character, then it's tripe. [If you can't tell if you have written a Mary Sue or Marty Stu, go here and take the test.]
Q: Are there any rules of etiquette concerning fan fiction that a writer of regular fiction might not know?
A: You MUST acknowledge that this is based on other's work and that the rights to the show are held by someone. You also need to, if your work is more adult, acknowledge that below the title and acknowledgments and credits. In that way, the reader has been warned. Some people, if there is any shipping in the story give the code for the shipping. For Kirk and Uhura it would be K/U, for Spock and Chapel it's S/Ch, you get the idea.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most popular subject of fan fiction?
A: Star Trek, then maybe Harry Potter and Star Wars. [I have read some pretty crazy Harry Potter fan fics! ;)]
Do you have any questions or comments for Rene? Post them in the comments below and I'll pass them along!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday Thought: Patience
Patience is something my family falls short on sometimes. With so many people and animals in the house, we are constantly in the way of someone else. Until last week, we shared 1 bathroom between 4 adults and 2 little girls. That was a nightmare. My dad has become very accustomed to peeing outside, even in bad weather. My grandmother moved into her own place now that she is able to get around and so the holdup at the bathroom is a little better. But the kids still want food the second they realize they are hungry (same for the critters), my dad wants the puppies to be potty trained 6 months ago, and Mom wants to be able to snap her fingers and have a clean house.
I am a patient person. At least I try to be. My job requires an inordinate amount of patience. My family requires it as well. lol Here is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson about patience to keep in mind: Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. How appropriate is that?! That really resonated with me this morning.
And now I am off to work and am going to try to patiently await the weekend. Which is when I will patiently sleep for about 12 hours at a time between naps. :D
I am a patient person. At least I try to be. My job requires an inordinate amount of patience. My family requires it as well. lol Here is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson about patience to keep in mind: Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. How appropriate is that?! That really resonated with me this morning.
And now I am off to work and am going to try to patiently await the weekend. Which is when I will patiently sleep for about 12 hours at a time between naps. :D
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Tuesday Treat: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
I love peanut butter cups. Even the cheap off-brand ones. I like to freeze them and eat them real cold with milk. Maybe that is weird. Anyways, I made these for this past weekend events (yes, I got my deviled eggs... delish!). They were oh so yummy.
Here is the link.
Pretty easy to make. Flour, salt, baking soda, butter, white sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and mini chocolate chips mix to make one of my favorite desserts. Give them a try!
Here is the link.
Pretty easy to make. Flour, salt, baking soda, butter, white sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and mini chocolate chips mix to make one of my favorite desserts. Give them a try!
Friday, April 06, 2012
Friday Five: 5 Questions with Steven part 2
...about blogging.
It is Friday, Friday, Friday. Gotta get dow-... Okay, I'll stop, that was pretty lame, I know. But, Friday is a wonderful day, rain or shine. Today's Friday Five continues my 5 Questions series with the second installment of questions with editor and blogger Steven Thompson. Steven runs 12 very popular comic/pop culture blogs and writes a regular column on a 13th. He has been recognized around the world due to his blogs. Check out Booksteve's Library here and find the links to his multiple blogs!
Q: When did you start blogging?
A: I had enjoyed reading blogs for a few years. Kate Worley, a comics writer who had befriended my wife an I back in 1990, died in 2004. I was searching for information on her passing and found a blog by Reed Waller, her ex-partner both in life and in comics. Although they had long since broken up, Waller wrote eloquently of his friend and I thought, "I wish I had a forum like this." Then I realized how easy it was to get just such a thing.
Q: Why do you blog?
A: All I've ever really wanted to be was a writer. My wife has always said that, with all my arcane knowledge of trivia and minutiae, I should be a teacher. I decided that blogging was the best way I could write and at the same time teach people about some of the weird things I've enjoyed over the years.
Q: Why do you have so many different blogs instead of putting it all together in a single location?
A: Well, my first try at a blog didn't take. It was aimless and abandoned after only 3-4 posts. Eventually I deleted it entirely and figured I was through with blogging.Then I came up with the idea for a new blog centered on sharing books, movies, etc from my own personal library. It slowly became quite successful and was my only blog for the first three years. Then I found myself a victim of the economy, depressed and with time on my hands. So I started a second blog specifically aimed at a different audience. In time, some ideas hit me that just wouldn't fit in on my regular, all-purpose blog--my high school journal for example--so I gave them each their own blogs! I currently have 12 (and write a more-or-less daily column for another) but there have also been four more that I created, abandoned and eventually deleted along the way.
Also, it doesn't hurt that more blogs, appealing to somewhat different readers, tends to elicit more ad-clicks and thus more money for me.
Q: Do you have a few favorite blogs of your own or others you'd like to share?
It is Friday, Friday, Friday. Gotta get dow-... Okay, I'll stop, that was pretty lame, I know. But, Friday is a wonderful day, rain or shine. Today's Friday Five continues my 5 Questions series with the second installment of questions with editor and blogger Steven Thompson. Steven runs 12 very popular comic/pop culture blogs and writes a regular column on a 13th. He has been recognized around the world due to his blogs. Check out Booksteve's Library here and find the links to his multiple blogs!
Q: When did you start blogging?
A: I had enjoyed reading blogs for a few years. Kate Worley, a comics writer who had befriended my wife an I back in 1990, died in 2004. I was searching for information on her passing and found a blog by Reed Waller, her ex-partner both in life and in comics. Although they had long since broken up, Waller wrote eloquently of his friend and I thought, "I wish I had a forum like this." Then I realized how easy it was to get just such a thing.
Q: Why do you blog?
A: All I've ever really wanted to be was a writer. My wife has always said that, with all my arcane knowledge of trivia and minutiae, I should be a teacher. I decided that blogging was the best way I could write and at the same time teach people about some of the weird things I've enjoyed over the years.
Q: Why do you have so many different blogs instead of putting it all together in a single location?
A: Well, my first try at a blog didn't take. It was aimless and abandoned after only 3-4 posts. Eventually I deleted it entirely and figured I was through with blogging.Then I came up with the idea for a new blog centered on sharing books, movies, etc from my own personal library. It slowly became quite successful and was my only blog for the first three years. Then I found myself a victim of the economy, depressed and with time on my hands. So I started a second blog specifically aimed at a different audience. In time, some ideas hit me that just wouldn't fit in on my regular, all-purpose blog--my high school journal for example--so I gave them each their own blogs! I currently have 12 (and write a more-or-less daily column for another) but there have also been four more that I created, abandoned and eventually deleted along the way.
Also, it doesn't hurt that more blogs, appealing to somewhat different readers, tends to elicit more ad-clicks and thus more money for me.
Q: Do you have a few favorite blogs of your own or others you'd like to share?
A: Oh, I have scores of them. Other than yours [You are so freaking sweet!] , a few of my favorites:
http://martingrams.blogspot.com/
http://www.bionicdisco.com/
http://www.newsfromme.com/
http://my-retrospace.blogspot.com/
Q: What advice do you have for a newbie blogger or someone that is thinking about starting a blog?
A: It's the simplest thing in the world nowadays, even more so than when I started blogging six years back. Everyone has a voice and blogging is a unique and simple way to get yours heard. Blog about politics, family, life, death, books, movies, dental work, Lindsay Lohan, Justin Bieber [please no], the history of the telephone, how to bake lasagna. There is quiet literally no limit to the subjects you can choose. Maybe only two people will read your posts but on the other hand, there could be thousands. But you aren't writing for them anyway. You're writing for yourself. Now, go. BLOG! [Yes sir!]
Have any other questions for Steven about blogging? Post them in the comments section and I will forward them to him. Or, since he is over here pretty often, maybe he'll answer them himself! It is always nice to hear it straight from the source rather than a 3rd party don't you think?
http://martingrams.blogspot.com/
http://www.bionicdisco.com/
http://www.newsfromme.com/
http://my-retrospace.blogspot.com/
Q: What advice do you have for a newbie blogger or someone that is thinking about starting a blog?
A: It's the simplest thing in the world nowadays, even more so than when I started blogging six years back. Everyone has a voice and blogging is a unique and simple way to get yours heard. Blog about politics, family, life, death, books, movies, dental work, Lindsay Lohan, Justin Bieber [please no], the history of the telephone, how to bake lasagna. There is quiet literally no limit to the subjects you can choose. Maybe only two people will read your posts but on the other hand, there could be thousands. But you aren't writing for them anyway. You're writing for yourself. Now, go. BLOG! [Yes sir!]
Have any other questions for Steven about blogging? Post them in the comments section and I will forward them to him. Or, since he is over here pretty often, maybe he'll answer them himself! It is always nice to hear it straight from the source rather than a 3rd party don't you think?
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Thursday Thought: Humor
This week saw the passing of another April Fool's Day. With that in mind, today's Thursday Thought is about humor.
Laughter is the best medicine. It really is.
Laughter has many benefits. Here is an article from WebMD that list some of the benefits of laughter:
I don't know about you but the last one is a huge benefit to me. I don't sleep enough as it is and I certainly never feel like I can relax. The article suggests watching a comedy of some kind for 30 minutes a day will provide incredible laughter related benefits. So as much as I hate to say it (because I hate television), maybe try watching a 30 minute sitcom. Or kick back and check out a comedy movie or some late night stand-up. Read a funny memoir or a kid's joke book. Go to a comedy club or find local shows in your area for amateur nights. Try to find humor in your day however you can. A little silliness is apparently good for you! I'm off to go catch up on Season 3 of Glee since I haven't been able to watch all season long. Hey, it is a sitcom... at least it is to me. ;)
Laughter is the best medicine. It really is.
Laughter has many benefits. Here is an article from WebMD that list some of the benefits of laughter:
- Increased blood flow throughout the body.
- Boosted immune system.
- Lowering/regulating blood sugar levels.
- Helps relax the body and increases the likelihood of a more peaceful sleep.
I don't know about you but the last one is a huge benefit to me. I don't sleep enough as it is and I certainly never feel like I can relax. The article suggests watching a comedy of some kind for 30 minutes a day will provide incredible laughter related benefits. So as much as I hate to say it (because I hate television), maybe try watching a 30 minute sitcom. Or kick back and check out a comedy movie or some late night stand-up. Read a funny memoir or a kid's joke book. Go to a comedy club or find local shows in your area for amateur nights. Try to find humor in your day however you can. A little silliness is apparently good for you! I'm off to go catch up on Season 3 of Glee since I haven't been able to watch all season long. Hey, it is a sitcom... at least it is to me. ;)
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Tuesday Treat: Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
Easter is coming up and I hate holiday get-togethers. Drama, messes, and a house full of people. My anxiety levels go up just thinking about it. But what I do enjoy is the food. Well, some of it anyways.
One of my favorite family dinner staples is deviled eggs. I can't make them worth a damn (I fail at peeling the hard-cooked eggs) but my mom and my grandma can make deviled eggs that are out of this world. I found a recipe for bacon cheddar ones that I'm going to beg someone to make this year.
One of my favorite family dinner staples is deviled eggs. I can't make them worth a damn (I fail at peeling the hard-cooked eggs) but my mom and my grandma can make deviled eggs that are out of this world. I found a recipe for bacon cheddar ones that I'm going to beg someone to make this year.
Monday, April 02, 2012
International Children's Book Day
Today is International Children's Book Day and it is celebrated world wide.
A little background on ICBD: Started in 1967 by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), ICBD is celebrated on or around Hans Christian Anderson's birthday, April 2nd. You may remember Anderson as the writer of stories like The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes, and The Princess and the Pea. ICBD celebrates the love of reading and its purpose is to call attention to children's literature.
My favorite children's book is Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel, an ABC book featuring Bad Kitty, a mischievous black and white kitty that has all kinds of adventures. The series has continued with Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, Happy Birthday Bad Kitty, Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray: The Uproar at the Front Door, Bad Kitty for President, Poor Puppy, and Bad Kitty Meets the Baby. From the ABC's and counting, civics lessons, cat facts, and more, this series has never disappointed me. I have continued to be impressed with the compelling stories, the humor, the fun illustrations, the information, and the growth of the stories. Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy are picture books with very little text and a LOT of pictures. The others go up and up in reading skill until you find Bad Kitty Gets a Bath as a chapter book. What a way to bridge reading skills!
So I shared my pick. It is now your turn! What is your favorite children's book and why?
A little background on ICBD: Started in 1967 by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), ICBD is celebrated on or around Hans Christian Anderson's birthday, April 2nd. You may remember Anderson as the writer of stories like The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes, and The Princess and the Pea. ICBD celebrates the love of reading and its purpose is to call attention to children's literature.
My favorite children's book is Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel, an ABC book featuring Bad Kitty, a mischievous black and white kitty that has all kinds of adventures. The series has continued with Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, Happy Birthday Bad Kitty, Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray: The Uproar at the Front Door, Bad Kitty for President, Poor Puppy, and Bad Kitty Meets the Baby. From the ABC's and counting, civics lessons, cat facts, and more, this series has never disappointed me. I have continued to be impressed with the compelling stories, the humor, the fun illustrations, the information, and the growth of the stories. Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy are picture books with very little text and a LOT of pictures. The others go up and up in reading skill until you find Bad Kitty Gets a Bath as a chapter book. What a way to bridge reading skills!
So I shared my pick. It is now your turn! What is your favorite children's book and why?
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Applying Feedback to Your Writing
So now you know how to give appropriate feedback. Now, let's switch gears and talk about what to do with feedback you receive. Yeah, yeah, you are probably not a writer. But what if you are? Or want to be? Consider this a "the more you know" instance.
How to give Feedback That is Helpful
I know you may not be a writer, but everyone must give feedback at one time or another. If you have had to call customer service for anything lately, "remain on the line for a short survey after your call" should be familiar. Or the cards left at the tables at restaurants. Whatever it is, everyone is asked to give some form of feedback for something in their lifetime.
But many people look at the chance to improve something in their life like a chore. Like the place? All 10's! Had a single bad experience after years of fantastic service? All 1's! For the love of all that is holy, don't do that. Just don't. It is lazy, dishonest, and stupid. If you aren't inclined to make the effort, then just decline the request. You hurt no one by doing that.
So what if you want to give constructive feedback, but aren't really sure how? Well, now I can help you out there! Here are some guidelines to follow.
But many people look at the chance to improve something in their life like a chore. Like the place? All 10's! Had a single bad experience after years of fantastic service? All 1's! For the love of all that is holy, don't do that. Just don't. It is lazy, dishonest, and stupid. If you aren't inclined to make the effort, then just decline the request. You hurt no one by doing that.
So what if you want to give constructive feedback, but aren't really sure how? Well, now I can help you out there! Here are some guidelines to follow.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Friday Five: 5 Questions with Steven
...about editing.
The next few weeks of Friday Fives are going to consist of mini-interviews with my friends and extended family of people within my industry. I am hoping for a variety of interview subjects. Since my group of friends/family is somewhat small, expect some people to reappear within the Friday Fives speaking about different subjects. This should be a quick interesting glimpse into the realm of all-things-writing.
My questions are in bold font to make it easier to see. Answers follow the bold A: and my comments follow in red brackets.
My friend and fantastic editor Steven Thompson agreed to be the first Friday Five subject.
Q: How do you approach a project?
A: First, I avoid approaching it at all for as long as possible. [lol] Then. once I make the decision to do so, I jump in wholeheartedly and just get right to work.
Q: What kind of enjoyment do you get out of editing?
A: Honestly, I'm not some great expert on the right way to do things and I know that. But I do tend to recognize the WRONG way when I see it and it makes me feel good being able to steer someone away from that at least.
Q: What advice do you have for your writers that would make your job easier?
A: It's not the writers' job to make my job easier. It's the writers' job to be creative and that's all I ask of them. My job is to take that rampant creativity and clean up after it.
Q: What is the most difficult thing to deal with as an editor?
A: The writer…present company excepted. [D'awww. Thank you!]
Q: In your opinion, do/should all writers make good editors?
A: Well, there's no need for it, I suppose…but I think it's inevitable in most cases. A writer is rarely the best editor for their own work but I think the simple process of writing itself makes one acutely sensitive to mistakes in grammar, spelling, continuity and other issues, in essence making them a good editor whether or not they realize it. [I think that goes along with a writer should always take the opportunity to read anything they can get their hands on, especially works outside of their genre. We learn just as much by observing the mistakes of others as we do by making the mistakes ourselves.]
Have any questions for Steven about editing? Post them in the comments section below and I'll try to badger him into answering them when he gets some free time to do so!
Stay tuned for next week's Friday Five when Steven talks about blogging. And yes, he is qualified to talk about blogging since he runs/writes a baker's dozen.
The next few weeks of Friday Fives are going to consist of mini-interviews with my friends and extended family of people within my industry. I am hoping for a variety of interview subjects. Since my group of friends/family is somewhat small, expect some people to reappear within the Friday Fives speaking about different subjects. This should be a quick interesting glimpse into the realm of all-things-writing.
My questions are in bold font to make it easier to see. Answers follow the bold A: and my comments follow in red brackets.
My friend and fantastic editor Steven Thompson agreed to be the first Friday Five subject.
Q: How do you approach a project?
A: First, I avoid approaching it at all for as long as possible. [lol] Then. once I make the decision to do so, I jump in wholeheartedly and just get right to work.
Q: What kind of enjoyment do you get out of editing?
A: Honestly, I'm not some great expert on the right way to do things and I know that. But I do tend to recognize the WRONG way when I see it and it makes me feel good being able to steer someone away from that at least.
Q: What advice do you have for your writers that would make your job easier?
A: It's not the writers' job to make my job easier. It's the writers' job to be creative and that's all I ask of them. My job is to take that rampant creativity and clean up after it.
Q: What is the most difficult thing to deal with as an editor?
A: The writer…present company excepted. [D'awww. Thank you!]
Q: In your opinion, do/should all writers make good editors?
A: Well, there's no need for it, I suppose…but I think it's inevitable in most cases. A writer is rarely the best editor for their own work but I think the simple process of writing itself makes one acutely sensitive to mistakes in grammar, spelling, continuity and other issues, in essence making them a good editor whether or not they realize it. [I think that goes along with a writer should always take the opportunity to read anything they can get their hands on, especially works outside of their genre. We learn just as much by observing the mistakes of others as we do by making the mistakes ourselves.]
Have any questions for Steven about editing? Post them in the comments section below and I'll try to badger him into answering them when he gets some free time to do so!
Stay tuned for next week's Friday Five when Steven talks about blogging. And yes, he is qualified to talk about blogging since he runs/writes a baker's dozen.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday Thought: I Need Sleep
As of the writing of this blog (hello from the past- Saturday, that is), I am dead tired. I've been working a lot lately and spinning my wheels trying to fit everything into my schedule. Obviously I have not quite been able to keep up with everything. So today's Thursday Thought is this: Sleep is the most important part of the day!
You hear the advice from doctors all the time. You need X hours of sleep nightly, X cups of water daily, and X amount of this food group and that vitamin and those minerals and these fats. Yeah, obviously I missed the exact numbers somewhere along the way. But I can honestly say that sleep makes my world go around.
When I miss just an hour of sleep at night, the next few days are in trouble. I just can't get it together. And those (normal) nights where I miss about 3 or 4 hours of sleep... yeah, I might as well turn off the alarm and keep on sleeping because my next week is screwed. And trying to catch up on the weekend is pointless. If I sleep more than 8 hours, I feel hung over because I'm dehydrated, my muscles are sore from laying for so long, and my brain is mush.
So today, try to remind yourself of the importance of sleep. Is that rerun of whatever sitcom that just popped up on the television so mesmerizing? Can't that last load of laundry sit in the dryer until you can spin it for a few minutes in the morning? Do you really need to play one more game of solitaire before bedtime? It is worth oversleeping tomorrow to read three more pages when you know its going to turn into thirty? I bet it isn't. Take your health (mental and physical!) in your hands tonight and see if you reap a bounty tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Dream Writing Setup
I thought I made post about my ideal writing room back during my October NaNo posts but I can't find it. I don't know if I started it and never finished it or if it is just buried somewhere. Anyways, I'll start over.
If I had my way (c'mon Mega Million jackpot! haha), I would have my office at the back of my home, away from bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. It would have thick walls to muffle the sounds in the house even further. I'm easily distracted so any noise reduction is helpful. A private bathroom would be nice too.
The walls would be a mid-green shade (olive maybe?) with a warm brown trim. Maybe one wall brown. On the side opposite the door (and the side with the best view, naturally), I would have installed a bay window trimmed in brown. It would be upholstered in the green and stacked high with squishy brown pillows.
Around the room, I would have several bookshelves of course. In between those, I would have the illustrated prints of my book covers on canvas in poster size. Maybe a few of my own paintings. A large brown leather rolling chair and corner desk to match would set it up pretty nicely.
The desk would sit so that if someone came into my office, they would sit opposite me on the other side of the long end of the L shape, with the short end on my right (I'm a righty). A bouquet of red, pink, and purple flowers would sit on a stand just inside the door where I could see it pop against the green. I wouldn't use a metal filing cabinet. I would use the drawers/cabinets in my desk instead.
My office would be my sanctuary. What does your dream sanctuary (be that a man cave, a makeup room, a kitchen, etc.) look like?
If I had my way (c'mon Mega Million jackpot! haha), I would have my office at the back of my home, away from bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. It would have thick walls to muffle the sounds in the house even further. I'm easily distracted so any noise reduction is helpful. A private bathroom would be nice too.
The walls would be a mid-green shade (olive maybe?) with a warm brown trim. Maybe one wall brown. On the side opposite the door (and the side with the best view, naturally), I would have installed a bay window trimmed in brown. It would be upholstered in the green and stacked high with squishy brown pillows.
Around the room, I would have several bookshelves of course. In between those, I would have the illustrated prints of my book covers on canvas in poster size. Maybe a few of my own paintings. A large brown leather rolling chair and corner desk to match would set it up pretty nicely.
The desk would sit so that if someone came into my office, they would sit opposite me on the other side of the long end of the L shape, with the short end on my right (I'm a righty). A bouquet of red, pink, and purple flowers would sit on a stand just inside the door where I could see it pop against the green. I wouldn't use a metal filing cabinet. I would use the drawers/cabinets in my desk instead.
My office would be my sanctuary. What does your dream sanctuary (be that a man cave, a makeup room, a kitchen, etc.) look like?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday Treat: Chocolate Pudding Cake
My editor Steven took on a project promoting an Italian cookbook and I got the chance to taste his cooking on Saturday. Simply put, he is a fantastic cook. We ate herbed chicken in a marinara-wine sauce. /drool Check out Booksteve Presents for his blog about his adventures in Italian slow cooking. While I was there, Steven told me about this amazing recipe in this book for chocolate pudding cake that is made in a slow cooker. Really. The book is Italian Slow Cooking by Ellen Brown.
If you want the recipe, you'll have to find one yourself... or buy the book! It is available in May 2012 and you can pre-order it here.
If you want the recipe, you'll have to find one yourself... or buy the book! It is available in May 2012 and you can pre-order it here.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Best Seller vs Loyal Following
So I have a question for you. Think of it as my version of "Would you rather..." and go with it.
Would you rather have a best seller that makes you a "name" or would you rather have a loyal fan base that follows your progress, cheers your successes (no matter how small) and consoles you in your losses?
I know you may not be a writer so apply this to your life. Think of it as a billion dollar company or a mom-and-pop shop perhaps. You could make a ton of money but you would be so out of touch with your consumers that you aren't part of their world anymore. Or you could just scrape by paycheck to paycheck with the knowledge that you are participating in your community economy. Maybe think of it as the chef of a huge restaurant that never sees the customers enjoy his creations but gets lauded by everyone, or the waitress that provides the service that really does the hardest work but is highly underrated.
I'm curious of your opinion. Since I am a writer, I'll go with the original best seller vs. loyal following.
I want to write something that is engaging. I want my reader to wonder what happens next, to clutch at her heart while swept up in the emotions of her favorite character, and to get him to talk about the story with me and others. I don't want to be the next Anne Rice, J. K. Rowling, or Stephanie Meyer. I want to be Dee Sutter, that writer that wrote those novels. I think that it would be difficult to engage with my reader if I were to reach a "name" status so my initial thought is that I would rather have a loyal following of readers that genuinely want to know more. But, I would take a best seller without complaints too. Just saying.
Would you rather have a best seller that makes you a "name" or would you rather have a loyal fan base that follows your progress, cheers your successes (no matter how small) and consoles you in your losses?
I know you may not be a writer so apply this to your life. Think of it as a billion dollar company or a mom-and-pop shop perhaps. You could make a ton of money but you would be so out of touch with your consumers that you aren't part of their world anymore. Or you could just scrape by paycheck to paycheck with the knowledge that you are participating in your community economy. Maybe think of it as the chef of a huge restaurant that never sees the customers enjoy his creations but gets lauded by everyone, or the waitress that provides the service that really does the hardest work but is highly underrated.
I'm curious of your opinion. Since I am a writer, I'll go with the original best seller vs. loyal following.
I want to write something that is engaging. I want my reader to wonder what happens next, to clutch at her heart while swept up in the emotions of her favorite character, and to get him to talk about the story with me and others. I don't want to be the next Anne Rice, J. K. Rowling, or Stephanie Meyer. I want to be Dee Sutter, that writer that wrote those novels. I think that it would be difficult to engage with my reader if I were to reach a "name" status so my initial thought is that I would rather have a loyal following of readers that genuinely want to know more. But, I would take a best seller without complaints too. Just saying.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
I Have a Confession...
The past few weeks has been incredibly busy and I have slacked on my blogging. I know I promised that I would be updating this blog with a few posts per week and then didn't. I haven't forgotten about you and this blog. I have been swamped at work and literally come home with absolutely no energy to do anything. I have sat at my computer for a few hours a night and tried to look like I was being productive while in reality, I was just almost sleeping with my eyes open. Yes, I have been that tired.
With Journey of Shadows finally coming out, work deciding that everything must be done before Spring Break, and my stupidly weak immune system trying to recuperate from a week long battle with strep, the past three weeks has been a true FML moment. C'est la vie.
I have 3 blog posts coming this week that are 100% happening (because they are already written and scheduled) and another two that are possibly going to happen. We shall see about those possible ones.
Until then, please accept my apologies for my extended absence. Stay tuned.
With Journey of Shadows finally coming out, work deciding that everything must be done before Spring Break, and my stupidly weak immune system trying to recuperate from a week long battle with strep, the past three weeks has been a true FML moment. C'est la vie.
I have 3 blog posts coming this week that are 100% happening (because they are already written and scheduled) and another two that are possibly going to happen. We shall see about those possible ones.
Until then, please accept my apologies for my extended absence. Stay tuned.
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