“Creativity is like washing a pig. It’s messy. It has
no rules. No clear
beginning, middle or end. It’s kind of a pain in the ass, and when you’re
done, you’re not sure if the pig is really clean or even why you were
washing a pig in the first place.”
~ Luke Sullivan ~
beginning, middle or end. It’s kind of a pain in the ass, and when you’re
done, you’re not sure if the pig is really clean or even why you were
washing a pig in the first place.”
~ Luke Sullivan ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
I didn't have a chance to post last week. My hubby and I took a short trip to Minnesota for some family business. We were there at the perfect time to enjoy some beautiful autumn colors and weather and had a chance to visit with some family and friends. It was a great few days, and I enjoyed my mini-break. The last time I posted, I offered a copy of Dash by Kirby Larson. Our lucky winner this time is Myra! Congratulations to you, Myra. I will get the book in the mail to you this week. For the rest of you, I have another terrific book to giveaway, so read to the end.
Back in February, I reviewed a book that I LOVED -- Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington. If you missed that review, you can click HERE and read it. When I saw there was another book coming by her, I snagged it for review as soon as it was listed. I was not disappointed. Courage for Beginners is a terrific book and below you can read the 5-star review I wrote for the San Francisco Book Review.
Mysti Murphy is having a difficult time. Her mother cannot leave the house. All she does is paint, grow vegetables, and bake bread. Mysti’s father tries to keep everything light and running as normally as possible. He does all the shopping, driving, working, etc., and takes care of everyone, but Mysti knows there’s nothing much normal at her house. Few things are going well in her life. Her best friend, Anibel Gomez, has decided he is becoming a new person, a hipster, when they start seventh grade, and he doesn’t want Mysti to talk to him or act like she knows him while they are in school. When Mysti’s father suffers a terrible accident, Mysti must take over while he is in the hospital.
and difficult problems. Mysti has to deal with issues
including mental illness, bullying, money issues, a terrible accident,
and more. She is a bright, interesting, courageous character, and
readers will naturally root for her. The problems she has to face are
things middle-graders will relate to. These are things they worry about.
The writing is lovely and the story very satisfying. Don’t miss this
one.
If you would like to have a chance to win my gently-read hardcover copy, all you need do is have a US address, be a subscriber or follower and tell me that in a comment you leave on this post. If you are reading this in your email, click HERE to go to the blog so you can leave a comment. If you would like extra chances, please spread the word by posting the link on a Tweet, blog post, Facebook, or any other way you like. Let me know what you have done in your comment, and I will put in extra chances for you for each that you do.
Janice
Hardy has a great way to create characters with a game. Check it out HERE.
All
writers know we can learn a great deal from screenwriters. Billy Wilder was one
of the best. HERE you will find his tips for writers. Very interesting reading.
I
just ran across a link to a Darcy Pattison post from earlier this year that
discusses 29 Plot Templates. You can find it HERE. It’s chock full of good
information.
I didn't have a chance to post last week. My hubby and I took a short trip to Minnesota for some family business. We were there at the perfect time to enjoy some beautiful autumn colors and weather and had a chance to visit with some family and friends. It was a great few days, and I enjoyed my mini-break. The last time I posted, I offered a copy of Dash by Kirby Larson. Our lucky winner this time is Myra! Congratulations to you, Myra. I will get the book in the mail to you this week. For the rest of you, I have another terrific book to giveaway, so read to the end.
Mysti Murphy is having a difficult time. Her mother cannot leave the house. All she does is paint, grow vegetables, and bake bread. Mysti’s father tries to keep everything light and running as normally as possible. He does all the shopping, driving, working, etc., and takes care of everyone, but Mysti knows there’s nothing much normal at her house. Few things are going well in her life. Her best friend, Anibel Gomez, has decided he is becoming a new person, a hipster, when they start seventh grade, and he doesn’t want Mysti to talk to him or act like she knows him while they are in school. When Mysti’s father suffers a terrible accident, Mysti must take over while he is in the hospital.
“I just figure that ever since that tree branch snapped, change has been forcing its way into my life. It’s time to make friends with it. Do something on the outside that matches how I feel on the inside.”Karen Harrington has written a very complex story full of interesting characters
 |
| Karen Harrington |
If you would like to have a chance to win my gently-read hardcover copy, all you need do is have a US address, be a subscriber or follower and tell me that in a comment you leave on this post. If you are reading this in your email, click HERE to go to the blog so you can leave a comment. If you would like extra chances, please spread the word by posting the link on a Tweet, blog post, Facebook, or any other way you like. Let me know what you have done in your comment, and I will put in extra chances for you for each that you do.
And don't forget to check Shannon Messenger's
wonderful blog for more Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday reviews and giveaways.
Click HERE
to visit.
Oh, and please don't ask my why the font changes in the middle of my post. I have no idea and have done everything I can to fix it. Bah!
