One of my classes just finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. What an amazing writer and book. I couldn't even finish reading the last page out loud. One of my students had to read it. I was too busy bawling. Of course, I'd been crying for the last 10 pages, but I just couldn't go on. And some of his passages, just put you there, in that simpler time, where the most important things in life were those dogs. This is another time I could show my kiddos that the movie just doesn't do the book justice.
One of my favorite parts is when Billy had just gotten Old Dan and Little Ann and was walking through town, when a group of kids starts picking on him. One of them had already stomped on his toe and they were singing a song to get him on the defensive, but nothing set him off until they started picking at his dogs. When he finally decides to fight back, Rawls says "I reached way back in Arkansas somewhere. By the time my fist had travelled all the way down to the Cherokee strip, there was a lot of power behind it." Now that's momentum!
I hope I can find ways to describe the scenes in my book that paint a picture and put you in the story! I'm working hard and I hope some day my books will be able to allow readers to become such a part of the story that their emotions get away from them and they can hardly finish reading the book outloud, or they are so scared they can't sleep with the light on, or they laugh outloud!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
What Research Can Show You
My first completed novel (which I decided wasn't good enough, though I may go back to it later) was set in a location that I didn't know much about, so I decided I'd have to fix that problem with my next WIP.
So.... I started to doing some research on the surrounding area. Googled, went to Amazon looking for books, etc. I finally came across a book, written by the nephew of a man who had been born and grew up in this area of Texas. His uncle had told him stories, and he had recorded them. Then he sat down and wrote the book. Seems simple enough....
I want to do a paranormal YA, but I want to put some historical aspects in there too. I was so exited to read some of the tales from the late 1800s and early 1900s. This tiny town used to be a booming area with the railroad and mineral wells. The water was bottled and sold, supposedly because of its ability to heal. There was a military academy here in the l890s, yeah, that one gave me some ideas, and the post-master committed suicide when the auditor showed up unexpectedly. Apparently, he'd been embezzling money. Hmmm......There were stories from before the town was even a town.
I'm going to write more about what I know this time. In fact, I've been carrying around my trusty journal, jotting down ideas, and I've got so many scenes in my head that I know will fit in there somewhere.
Off to write......
So.... I started to doing some research on the surrounding area. Googled, went to Amazon looking for books, etc. I finally came across a book, written by the nephew of a man who had been born and grew up in this area of Texas. His uncle had told him stories, and he had recorded them. Then he sat down and wrote the book. Seems simple enough....
I want to do a paranormal YA, but I want to put some historical aspects in there too. I was so exited to read some of the tales from the late 1800s and early 1900s. This tiny town used to be a booming area with the railroad and mineral wells. The water was bottled and sold, supposedly because of its ability to heal. There was a military academy here in the l890s, yeah, that one gave me some ideas, and the post-master committed suicide when the auditor showed up unexpectedly. Apparently, he'd been embezzling money. Hmmm......There were stories from before the town was even a town.
I'm going to write more about what I know this time. In fact, I've been carrying around my trusty journal, jotting down ideas, and I've got so many scenes in my head that I know will fit in there somewhere.
Off to write......
Friday, February 19, 2010
I turned 4001
Today's my birthday. The kids at the middle school I teach at seem to think I'm a leprechaun. It all started because they make fun of me for being short. I'm only 5 ft tall. I've been called a munchkin and oompa-loompa too, but this leprechaun thing has really stuck.
I told them that they couldn't have my pot of gold. The 8th grade boys went so far as to bring me some Lucky Charms cereal and then steal some of it, so I could say they "stole me Lucky Charms!" They even come give me high-five before a basketball game so they can have some of my luck!
Apparently they think leprechauns are really old too, because they've decided that I turned 4001 today. I'm actually 34, but maybe I need to check into some kind of wrinkle remover if I look that old!
Thing is, I am so short, that I can blend right in with the 6th graders - sad I know, but I figure if all they have to make fun of me over is being short, then I'm doing good. Middle school age kids can be mean and they LOVE to make fun of people!
So today I celebrate my 4001st birthday, maybe they'll listen to the wisdom I've learned throughout all my years. Nah, they already know everything!
I told them that they couldn't have my pot of gold. The 8th grade boys went so far as to bring me some Lucky Charms cereal and then steal some of it, so I could say they "stole me Lucky Charms!" They even come give me high-five before a basketball game so they can have some of my luck!
Apparently they think leprechauns are really old too, because they've decided that I turned 4001 today. I'm actually 34, but maybe I need to check into some kind of wrinkle remover if I look that old!
Thing is, I am so short, that I can blend right in with the 6th graders - sad I know, but I figure if all they have to make fun of me over is being short, then I'm doing good. Middle school age kids can be mean and they LOVE to make fun of people!
So today I celebrate my 4001st birthday, maybe they'll listen to the wisdom I've learned throughout all my years. Nah, they already know everything!
Loss and snow
Last week wasn't great for us. My dog, Adrian, got run over. She's been part of our family for the last eight year. We named her Adrian to go with Rocky, our Boxer pup, who died from Parvo. She, along with her siblings, had been abandoned at a vet's office. Her mother's owner was not happy when his German Shepard bred with a Black Lab, and my Adrian was one of the resulting pups. A girl I worked with was friends with the vet and brought the puppies to school. We bottle-fed them in her classroom. Adrian was one of my babies. She had out-lived all of our pets and I was devastated when I found out that she was gone.
My husband came home from picking our exchange-student up from her basketball game. As he drove up toward our drive-way he saw her, right in front of our mailbox. She was still in the road, and fortunately, she died instantly. I don't know how I would have dealt with her lying there suffering. I was so upset, I couldn't help get her out of the road. My 17-year old went and helped his dad. They were both sniffling when they came back in. I told my 13-year old, but my two little ones were already asleep, so I waited until morning to tell them. My son took it the worst. He's 10 and there's just something about a boy and his dog. He didn't want to go to school and told me that he felt "all torn up inside." My 4-year old just kept asking me where she was.
Two days later, it snowed. Snow in Texas is a rarity, and this was our second snow of the season. It snowed a lot too. I kept thinking of how much fun Adrian would have had playing with the kids in the snow. We missed school Friday because of the bad weather, and we had Monday off for President's Day. The four-day weekend was helpful. My brain needed the rest, and the kids did enjoy the snow. I don't know when I'll be able to get into and out of my pick-up without expecting her to greet me.
My husband came home from picking our exchange-student up from her basketball game. As he drove up toward our drive-way he saw her, right in front of our mailbox. She was still in the road, and fortunately, she died instantly. I don't know how I would have dealt with her lying there suffering. I was so upset, I couldn't help get her out of the road. My 17-year old went and helped his dad. They were both sniffling when they came back in. I told my 13-year old, but my two little ones were already asleep, so I waited until morning to tell them. My son took it the worst. He's 10 and there's just something about a boy and his dog. He didn't want to go to school and told me that he felt "all torn up inside." My 4-year old just kept asking me where she was.
Two days later, it snowed. Snow in Texas is a rarity, and this was our second snow of the season. It snowed a lot too. I kept thinking of how much fun Adrian would have had playing with the kids in the snow. We missed school Friday because of the bad weather, and we had Monday off for President's Day. The four-day weekend was helpful. My brain needed the rest, and the kids did enjoy the snow. I don't know when I'll be able to get into and out of my pick-up without expecting her to greet me.Friday, February 5, 2010
The 2010 Debut Author's Challenge
The Story Siren, an awesome blog I'm following, is hosting a challenge to promote 2010 Debut Authors.
What is the 2010 Debut Author Challenge?
The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year. (This challenge is limited to novels released in 2010).
The Story Siren is challenging everyone to read at least 12 debut novels!
You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year.
Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. If you don’t have a blog you can always share your views by posting a review on Amazon.com/BarnesandNoble.com/GoodReads/Shelfari, or any other bookish site.
The challenge will run from January 1, 2010- December 31, 2010. You can join at anytime!
Their challenge is 12, but I bet I can do better than that! I might even do a little challenge of my own with my 13-year-old bookaholic daughter! Wonder who can read the most!?!?! I can put both my and her reviews on my blog. What do you think?
I'm signing up to participate! If you'd like to join me in the challenge, or would like to learn more about it go to The 2010 Debut Author's Challenge.
These are the books I've chosen so far:
1. Everlasting by Angie Frazier
2. A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
3. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
4. Split by Swati Avasthi
5. Mistwood by Leah Cypess
6. 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
7. Under My Skin by Judith Graves
8. The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Houtman
9. Freaksville by Kitty Keswick
10. The Handcuff Kid by Laura Quimby
11. Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards
12. Shade by Jeri Smith-Redy
Go join the challenge!
What is the 2010 Debut Author Challenge?
The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year. (This challenge is limited to novels released in 2010).
The Story Siren is challenging everyone to read at least 12 debut novels!
You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year.
Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. If you don’t have a blog you can always share your views by posting a review on Amazon.com/BarnesandNoble.com/GoodReads/Shelfari, or any other bookish site.
The challenge will run from January 1, 2010- December 31, 2010. You can join at anytime!
Their challenge is 12, but I bet I can do better than that! I might even do a little challenge of my own with my 13-year-old bookaholic daughter! Wonder who can read the most!?!?! I can put both my and her reviews on my blog. What do you think?
I'm signing up to participate! If you'd like to join me in the challenge, or would like to learn more about it go to The 2010 Debut Author's Challenge.
These are the books I've chosen so far:
1. Everlasting by Angie Frazier
2. A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
3. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
4. Split by Swati Avasthi
5. Mistwood by Leah Cypess
6. 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
7. Under My Skin by Judith Graves
8. The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Houtman
9. Freaksville by Kitty Keswick
10. The Handcuff Kid by Laura Quimby
11. Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards
12. Shade by Jeri Smith-Redy
Go join the challenge!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Procrastination and the thousand words
OK, so I read a lot of blogs. I read writers' blogs, agents' blogs, publishing blogs, etc. There is a lot of helpful advice out there and a topic I've seen a lot is procrastination.
That's my problem right there. I have all these ideas and all these excuses. I've also read blogs about what to do with those excuses and so.... I've made a decision, though I really hate neglecting my kids, they ARE old enough to fend for themselves. (I'm not really neglecting them they just think I am) I am going to take at least one hour a night and disappear to write.
I don't care how cold it is outside, or how much they holler "Mama." (My husband does a really good impersonation of each and every little voice by the way. He thinks it's funny, I think it's annoying). I'm going to go away and write. Away, as in out to the RV, where I can lock the door. I'm going to turn on my music and write for an hour. Period. One hour is all I can expect from my way-too-dependent children who forget they can go tattle to Daddy when the little one destroys the latest lego-creation, not just "Mama!"
So, I did this last night and actually accomplished something. I wrote 1000+ words in that hour. That may not sound like a lot, but I was actually interrupted twice by two different kids, and I tend to reread every page and change things a lot as I go along. 1000 words in one night was a big accomplishment for me and made me realize that it is ok if I take some time for myself and just do it!
I got to thinking and realized that last year, when I finished my first novel, I had a lot more time to myself. That was because I had broken my foot and couldn't go do all the things with the kids that I had. Daddy had to take the kids off and I had the house to myself, hmmm..... how painful was that?
That's my problem right there. I have all these ideas and all these excuses. I've also read blogs about what to do with those excuses and so.... I've made a decision, though I really hate neglecting my kids, they ARE old enough to fend for themselves. (I'm not really neglecting them they just think I am) I am going to take at least one hour a night and disappear to write.
I don't care how cold it is outside, or how much they holler "Mama." (My husband does a really good impersonation of each and every little voice by the way. He thinks it's funny, I think it's annoying). I'm going to go away and write. Away, as in out to the RV, where I can lock the door. I'm going to turn on my music and write for an hour. Period. One hour is all I can expect from my way-too-dependent children who forget they can go tattle to Daddy when the little one destroys the latest lego-creation, not just "Mama!"
So, I did this last night and actually accomplished something. I wrote 1000+ words in that hour. That may not sound like a lot, but I was actually interrupted twice by two different kids, and I tend to reread every page and change things a lot as I go along. 1000 words in one night was a big accomplishment for me and made me realize that it is ok if I take some time for myself and just do it!
I got to thinking and realized that last year, when I finished my first novel, I had a lot more time to myself. That was because I had broken my foot and couldn't go do all the things with the kids that I had. Daddy had to take the kids off and I had the house to myself, hmmm..... how painful was that?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Well that didn't work....
Yeah, tried that NaNoWriMo challenge - 50,000 words in a month. Didn't quite get that far, but I did get started.
I've realized something though. Last year it took me five months to finish my novel. This challenge pretty much was just to write it, then go back and edit. I am BAD about editing as I go along. For example, I have a starting place and I go for it, then I'm lying in bed thinking and I realize the book would be so much better if I started with something else, so I go back to the beginning and start again. If I just keep restarting, I'll never finish. I really need to work on the "just write it" part of writing!
Oh, well, I will just have to challenge myself to get it finished. Christmas break last year was when I did most of my writing, so two weeks off of work could be helpful, if I can just get all the kids to leave me alone and enjoy their time off too. 13 more days until Christmas Break!!!!!
I've realized something though. Last year it took me five months to finish my novel. This challenge pretty much was just to write it, then go back and edit. I am BAD about editing as I go along. For example, I have a starting place and I go for it, then I'm lying in bed thinking and I realize the book would be so much better if I started with something else, so I go back to the beginning and start again. If I just keep restarting, I'll never finish. I really need to work on the "just write it" part of writing!
Oh, well, I will just have to challenge myself to get it finished. Christmas break last year was when I did most of my writing, so two weeks off of work could be helpful, if I can just get all the kids to leave me alone and enjoy their time off too. 13 more days until Christmas Break!!!!!
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