Wednesday 29 August 2012

The Power of Play in Writing

When my storytelling partner and I used to do storytelling workshops and residencies we came to the realization that much of what was done was play. Now, from our point of view, it was play with a purpose. But. For the kids it was play. Lots of games that had them writing, socializing, writing, developing stories and their literacy skills. And I also realized it was also creating a safe atmosphere of risk taking. Recently I've starting taking a couple of courses for the daycare I am teaching at. One of them is on play in early education. It is bringing back many memories of the games we played in our storytelling workshops, but not only that. It is bringing back many memories of the writing games I used to play before I would settle in for the "work" of writing/revising/critiquing etc. Somewhere along the line I stopped. Not enough time. Hearing others say that it was something they never do and that they thought it was a waste of time (now there's a newbie mistake--assuming that advice and thoughts on certain processes are all encompassing). For them it probably was, because it just did not work. For me it worked. It loosened up my thoughts, created new ideas, helped me work out of tight spots in the writing, but more importantly it was just plain fun to do. I was playing.

Take listen and watch of this TED TALK (oh how I love those).




SO! I am returning to playing each day. Doodling, writing out first lines just for the fun of it. Taking characters out of the story I have them in and throwing them into another situation/book/story. For example what would your character do it he she ended up in THE HOBBIT? Help Bilbo? Want to go? Want to get out and get out fast?

Hah. Now I am truly curious. What would one of your characters do if they suddenly ended up in another book. What would the book be? And of course, we'll assume they know the book. One book that does this and does it well is...LITTLE WOMAN AND ME by Lauren Baratz-Logsted.

Off to ponder what Happy would do it she woke up to find herself in THE HOBBIT. Besides looking for ghosts, that is. Looking forward to hearing from you and where you'd put your character.

Sunday 26 August 2012

MMGM-CIRCLE OF SECRETS by Kimberly Griffiths Little (Giveaway too!)

The last Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of August is here! Hope you've all enjoyed your summer and found many a book to add to your to read lists and or piles. Before I get to the post at hand I have a couple of other things to share.

  1. The WINNER, thanks to RandomOrg, of Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris (ARC) by Marrissa  Moss is Barbara Watson. Congrats Barbara, you are on a winning roll!
  2. There's another giveaway on this post about support along our writing journey's. Comment and join in the conversation to win a writing resource book of your choice for you and a friend.
NOW! On the reason you all came here. 

Here is the book:



Here is the description from the publisher:

Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little weaves a haunting story of friendship and family and the power of faith, once again set against the lush backdrop of the Louisiana bayou.
After her mother walked out on Shelby Jayne and her dad, Shelby thought she'd never speak to her mamma again. But with her dad leaving the country for work, it turns out she doesn't have a choice: Shelby has to move back into her mamma's house, deep in the heart of the Louisiana bayou.
Her new classmates tease and torment her, so Shelby's relieved to finally find a friend in Gwen, a mysterious girl who lives alone on the bayou. But Shelby can't help wondering if Gwen has something to do with the puzzling messages she finds hidden in the blue bottle tree behind her house. The only person who might be able to explain is her mamma — but Shelby's not ready to ask. Not yet. It may take a brush with something from the beyond to help Shelby see that the power to put her own ghosts to rest is within her reach.

Here is the book trailer:

Here are my thoughts as a writer and a reader:

Just as in THE HEALING SPELL, the author is a master of capturing an authentic voice in THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. A voice that is certainly middle grade and yet unique to the character. It is how Shelby views the world, the words she choses to tell us what she sees, hears and feels. How she puts those words into sentences, elegant and ladylike at the same time as sassy and funny. It's all Shelby. It is something well worth taking a good close look at if you are a writer working on bringing what seems like that elusive voice to your work. Studying the work of others to see how it is done is well worth your time. In fact I would suggest reading both of these books. Read them out loud and you will hear the difference.

As a reader I was pulled in immediately by that same voice-felt like I could hear Shelby right away. I like that. It makes me know this will also make a great read-a-loud. Take that and this:

"The summer I turned eleven, I found out ghosts are real."

I am so there. The author carries on with throwing the mc right up a tree. She has to go and stay with a mother who walked out on her and her father over a year ago. And a mother she has not seen in three months. You are, and kids will be, immediately sympathetic to her and will want to see what happens next, including learning more about Mirage (aka, the mother, but Shelby does not want to call her that). As for where Shelby has to go? To the swamp. Deep in the swamp and she doesn't like it so much...it's filled with snakes, spiders...frogs with creepy red eyes and who knows what else. Her view of  the swamp (Bayou) is the polar opposite of Livie in THE HEALING SPELL and yet just as well done and just as compelling. You can imagine what it would be like to be there and not like it one bit.

It doesn't end there for Shelby. School comes complete with bullies who tease her about where she lives and her mother, "The Swamp Witch". So, when a friend named Gwen comes along you breath a sigh of relief for Shelby because you are so invested in her story. Next thing you know, you are continuing to turn those pages because you know there is something "off" about Gwen...something deep and mysterious like the swamp. In other words, suspense, tension and mystery combined with amazing setting and strong voice make this one a must read. So, if it's in your to read pile move it to the top!

Here is more information about the author:

Website - you can send in a request for a teacher's and/or mother daughter book club guide 

Here are the giveaway details:

  • Open to US/Canada
  • Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
  • You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST
  • RandomOrg.Com will be used to pick winner
  • The author (thanks Kimberly!) will send the person picked one SIGNED hardcover copy of THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. 

Good luck everyone.

And for more MMGM Marvelousness head on over to Shannon Messenger, the one who started it all!


Wednesday 22 August 2012

Friends Along the Writing Trail and a Giveaway

As some of you know Mark and I just returned from a backpacking trip. Tiring but incredibly awesome and what really struck me were the things that reminded me of my writing journey. And of that the most striking was a moment when we met a couple from Paris. They are avid hikers. They have a home in the Alps that they vacation at so they can hike. They love it.

But.

We met them standing on the side of the trail wondering if they should go on. They really, really wanted to but they were afraid. You see this was their first day hike in The Rockies, Banff in particular.  
Way out of their hiking comfort zone because of all the signs and warnings about bears. They got more and more nervous as they went along. We talked to them for a bit, explained that this was a well travelled trail and that a bear will most likely go the other way if they hear you coming and the chances are pretty slim they would encounter one. Not to say they wouldn't. For example about 700 meters up the trail head we started on {different from the one this couple used} they was bear...poo. A few days old. Small bear, most likely a black bear. There was a posting about it. Here is my face. Bear Poo!!

Course I am fooling around, wasn't really scared, lol.

Anyway the point of this story? The couple asked if they could walk with us. We said of course! As we walked along we passed others coming down the trail. Their confidence restored they eventually felt comfortable moving along on their own. We were a little slower, okay ALOT slower with our packs on. They thanked us. Said they never would have gone on if not for us.

I've got family, friends, fellow writers and so many others I've met along my writing trail who've helped me push on when I was out  of me comfort zone and afraid of carrying on. So here is my thank you to all of them and all of you who commented on my previous post about adding another weekly post to the blog. Something that comes from me and is me and goes beyond a "meme".  This is ME (I swear this is the last me I will use) being me


So on to the giveaway.

Have you a special writer friend who has helped you push through when fear has taken over or is at least knocking on the door? 


Care to share? 

AND if you tell me who it is/was, I will get you each a writing craft book of your choice. This giveaway will last until September 15. Sept 16 I will pick the winners!

Monday 20 August 2012

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Mira's Diary Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss/Giveaway

The time this summer is flying by. So fast, I almost wish I could step back in time to do this summer again.  It has been a good one.  Including the backpacking trip I just came from. LOVED it. And now watch this remarkable segway into talking about time slip fantasy for this Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

But before that a quick shout out to Jill at OWL.  She won last week's pick your middle grade give away.  Her pick was The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver. I'll be getting this one too, that's for sure!

Another book I suggest you watch for is Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss.

I received the ARC from Rain Coast Books and started reading it the same week.  The book is not out until October, usually I wait but really wanted to tell you about this one. What a trip it took me on.  All the way to Paris and not just present day, either.  Oh no.  I was hopping all over time in this one and I really enjoyed myself.  Maybe not such a fun ride for the main character whose parents neglected to let her know that she is a fine traveler and can travel from era to era tweaking bits of history here and there as needed.

From the publisher:

Mira is shocked when she receives a postcard from her missing mother – from Paris! Her father decides it’s time for a trip to France to search for her. While visiting Notre Dame, Mira touches a gargoyle and is whirled into the past. There she meets the famous painter Degas and catches a brief, shocking glimpse of her mother. Mira begins to suspect that her mom didn’t run out on them but is a prisoner of the past. Can one family on an incredible worldwide adventure stop a plot in time?

Well written and oh boy, well researched. The book drips with historical Paris from Degas's time on. Famous figures walked off the pages. And I was right with the mc as she tried to find her mother and save a man from a horrible injustice. And again-the history, the facts and details did not, for me, slow it down. Once I get my book club up and running this one is going to be on the list. And on a final note-_great_ cover design.

If you'd like to read this one, I mean this very copy, let me know in the comments and I will enter your name in a draw. Giveaway will end next Monday.

Enjoy your day and head over to MMGM Mom, Shannon Messenger for some more fun!

Thursday 16 August 2012

Adding Content to the Blog: Story Games, Passion for Story, Power of Story

Greetings all and big waves to fellow writers I saw here and there at WriteOnCon.

I swear each year gets better and better. Not bad considering it is already made of awesome. Came away inspired to just keep at it, keep writing, keep revising, keep learning. And that inspiration came from authors, editors, agents, attendees. It truly has the feel of an in person conference-just imagine your home filled with 2000 plus (or more) people at any one point.

One of the most insightful bits of advice I came away with was from  Pam van Hylckama who is a debut author, literary agent and also developed BookALicious.Org

That advice was to add one more post per week, not because one is not enough, but the one I am doing is a blog meme.

The post I do each Monday is a blog meme, Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. And y'all know I LOVE doing that---love sharing the love of MG. But. The thought from Pam was that I could also do one post a week that has content. That is. Something that comes from, gulp, me! 

Now...here's the thing. 

You could throw me in front of an audience of hundreds.  Kids, teachers, librarians and ask me to talk, share a story and I am so. there. It's odd to say that, because I am a very shy person. Awkward introvert. And yet--I can do that. Adore doing that. Look forward to the day it is my books I'm doing that with!

But.

For some reason sharing content to add to our blogging conversations that is worthwhile and worth reading makes me all kinds-a-nervous! Even if is just being myself. Hah. Maybe it is because I've never truly grown up. I don't have an inner 5, 10, 12 year old. I AM a mash up of 5, 10 and 12, so don't trust what may come tumbling out of my head.

So. 

Content. 

Thinking I'd like to start something that focuses on Story

-games I've played when doing residencies, the power story has to make a change, sharing moments where I have seen those changes and heard about them from teachers

-the passion we all have for story and sharing it with kids. Tips/suggestions for doing school visits and I am thinking _before_ your book is out, too. No need to wait-get out there and share your love of writing, reading and anything else related to literacy? 

Turn Wednesdays into a playground for sharing the power of story and why we do what we do and I do what I do-or something like that.

Lots to think about.

I'm heading off to the mountains for a backpacking trip, back on Sunday. I can think on this more when I am up there. 

Would love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime thanks for reading--gads that felt like a whole lotta yakkity yak from me. Your. Turn! Please :) ?

Monday 13 August 2012

Marvelous MIddle Grade Monday Giveaway-Your Pick of a Middle Grade You're Dying to Read

Happy MMGM Monday, everyone!

Today is just a plain old giveaway. Leave a comment telling me what MG you are dying to read and I will get it for you if your name is picked. You have until midnight tonight (MST). Cheers!

I am guest posting on MMGM Mom Shannon Messenger's blog today.




Sunday 5 August 2012

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and the middle grade e-books of Anthony R. Williams

Before I get to the books I am talking about today, I need to let you all know who won SEEING CINDERELLA! Totally forgot to do that last Monday. The winner was:

Michelle Mason

Congrats to Michele!

The book is on the way.

And the winner of ISLAND DANGER is:

Jennifer Rumberger - Children's Author

Congrats, Jennifer! Will pass this along to Margo who will send you a copy in the format of your choice.

Finally, on to... 



Some time ago author Anthony R. Williams contacted me about reading his book CULT OF THE FLY. The flap copy of the book caught my interest and the fact that I read a mention similarity to R.L. Stine or Stephen King for the young and reluctant reader set, I was doubly interested.

CULT OF THE FLY did not disappoint. Loved it. Even the really gruesome bits that were so well described I was actually reading with my face scrunched up and eyes partially close. The action was fast paced and the author was not afraid to make things for the kid characters get worse and worse...and worse.

Now, this book was free on Amazon as were his two other books, EYES WITHIN IN THE CEMETERY and SARCOPHAGUS. I didn't get the next two because they were free, I got them because I liked CULT OF THE FLY and wanted to read more from this author. He succeeded again with writing faced paced, scary stories that could easily grab the reluctant reader or any reader who loves the scary--and not a little scary but the kind that goes SCREAM in the night.

All three of these books are well, well worth trying out. Mr. Williams has some serious writer chops and has great skill with suck-you-into-the- scene vocabulary rich descriptions that don't affect the pacing of the book in a way that could lose the reader, especially a reluctant one. Not only that, the characters are real kids thrown into fantastic-ly creepy situations that come with hold your breath climaxes. Of course, if you check out his site you'll see the writing history he has serves him well.


Following are brief descriptions of each book as provided by the author.

Cult of the Fly - The last place Jessica wanted to be stuck during Spring Break was in a hotel in the middle of the desert with her family. What she didn't anticipate was stumbling upon dark secrets undiscovered for decades. When all hell breaks loose Jessica must face her fears and the terrors concealed deep underground by the Cult of the Fly.

Sarcophagus - When Jeremy moved into his new house he left his friends, school, and old life behind. With nobody but his eccentric neighbor Adrian to play with, Jeremy unearths something buried within the woods that was meant to remain undiscovered. The fate of the world is in Jeremy and Adrian's hands when they must stop the dormant evil they unwittingly unleash from within the Sarcophagus.




Eyes Within the Cemetery - If moving wasn't already bad enough, Marcus' new house doesn't have a backyard, it has a graveyard. He didn't want to believe ghosts, ghouls, and zombies lived back there. Marcus didn't want to think the cemetery was haunted. But when he spots two glowing Eyes Within the Cemetery he won't have a choice but to confront an unspeakable evil living right outside his bedroom.



That's it from me! Hope you are all having a Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Be sure to head back to Shannon Messenger {our fairy MMGM mother!} to see even more MMGM goings on.

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