Writers Wednesday

"The 5 Differences Between Professional and Amateur Novelists" is an article that captured my attention this week so I'm sharing it with you.

It was written as a guest post by novelist Charles Finch at Writer's Digest.  His first novel, A Beautiful Blue Death, was listed as one of Library Journal's 2007 Best Books.  His writing credits also include the Charles Lenox Mysteries and the recently published contemporary novel, The Last Enchantments.

The article addresses several essential areas of importance for writing success: tools, patience, focus, habit and practice. Yes, these terms may be very familiar, but they are worth revisiting and Finch shines a clear light on each of them. 

Refresh your thinking, with a read.

Nonfiction Monday

Find other Nonfiction Monday Posts Here.

For Nonfiction Monday  --  "Many Ways To Move: a look at motion written by Jennifer Boothroyd."

Boothroyd gives young readers (K-3) an introduction to motion through the use of simple text and colorful photographs.  Real world examples explore the concept and offer opportunities for discussion. The book is divided into five sections: Lots of Motion, Forces Make Motion, How Things Move, How Much Motion?, and Changing Motion. The chapters examine both natural and man-made motions and forces. Directions for a related activity invites readers to further explore the subject. A glossary, additional reading and index complete the book.

STEM and Common Core appropriate.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday is hosted today by Tara at A Teaching Life.

For Poetry Friday -- "Antarctic Antics: a book of penguin poems" written by Judy Sierra with illustrations by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey.

Sierra offers her readers an inside look at life in an Emperor Penguin colony.

Beginning with a hatchling --

"I'm almost hatched!

I'm almost hatched!

I'm small, I'm wet,

I'm not out yet.

I'm almost hatched!"

-- Sierra introduces the basics of penguin life: mother foraging at sea for two months, father caring for the chick who stays warm snuggled on his feet.  The verses are simple enough for young readers to follow.  The illustrations take just enough creative liberties to be entertaining.  Together they make for a fun and educational introduction to a study of birds or Antarctica.

Writers Wednesday

I'm sharing a post that I enjoyed. See what you think.

"What's So Great About Perfect?" by Steven Pressfield for Writing Wednesday at Steven Pressfield Online.

Before someone comments that we should all aspire to produce our best work, let me say this. One of the most common problems I hear from writers is the difficulty of getting down those early drafts of a manuscript. And the difficulty seems to stem most often from the compulsion to analyze and correct every sentence as soon as it is on the page.

With practice, those hideous mistakes that appeared in those novice first drafts gradually disappear and/or I recognize them as they fly past my eyes on the screen and know that they can be corrected at a later date which frees me to just keep humming along moving story from mind to paper.

Sometimes the best decision is to just leave that mental eraser alone, let go, and give inspiration the freedom to run with an idea.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday is hosted today by Keri at Keri Recommends.

For Poetry Friday -- "Once I Ate A Pie" by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest and illustrated by Katy Schneider. 

 

An assortment of dogs of various breeds, shapes and sizes offer canine perspectives on what they do and why. Each of the free-verse poems express the unique personalities of the dogs. Lucy, the rescued shelter dog sleeps safely cuddled with her human.  Have one.

There's a pug who is not above stealing food when the opportunity occurs. Know one!

The dog who "borrows" things but forgets to give them back is here as well.  Yes, the sock-thief too.

Chances are, if you have a canine sharing your life, you'll find a familiar glimpse here.

Writers Wednesday

Here's an interesting article that was posted by Joan Y. Edwards at Writers on the Move --

Add Props to Die For as Symbols in Your Story

 

Edwards explains how props are used in stories, discusses examples, and offers some writing exercises to provide readers with opportunities to explore the use of props in their writing.

 

 

Poetry Friday

For Poetry Friday -- "Here's what you do when you can't find your shoe: (ingenious inventions for pesky problems)" by Andrea Perry with  illustrations by Alan Snow.

Lost a shoe?  Have an aversion to vegetables? Afraid of spiders?

Perry offers her young readers poetic answers to an entertaining collection of problems.  Her solutions combine contraptions reminiscent of Rube Goldberg's machines with descriptions that fans of Dr. Seuss will enjoy.  The verses very in style, but all contain a lively rhythm that is reflected in Snow's energetic art work.