October 5, 2016

Since my last post: 

I have read the following

The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas Dan Craig (Illustrator)

            This was an incredible journey for all ages.  It is an epic journey like the Hobbit but written at a level that all ages will find pleasure and not strain reading.  This tale incorporates many mythical creatures from Irish, Welsh, and Celtic folklore.  This could be a fun read aloud book for a class, a good bedtime book for older listeners, a great read together book for a family, or even a wonderful book to curl up and read by yourself.

Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

            I was captivated by her raw storytelling.  This was a breeze to read while still being informative.  The language may be harsh for some readers but considering the content and the emotions it’s completely understandable.  I would definitely read another book of hers on any topic regardless of the contents connection to me. 

The jacket by Andrew Clements

A wonderful story where the young boy gets to be his own hero.  While he talks to adults Phil draws his on conclusions and decides for himself what is right and wrong.  A beautiful story which shows how racism is still prominent.  one may think this is a story of the 1970's but it isn't.  This battle of racism is from the early 2000s.  a wonderful book for both read alouds in a classroom or family or a great independent read. 

Don't You Know There's a War On?

by Avi

Another wonderful book by AVI.  AVI was one of my first favorite authors as a kid.  Still as an adult the writing is captivating and the style is always used to progress a story. In this book time was marked by events that happened that day in history.  While a day may have multiple chapters the chapters were grouped in a way what let readers connect with history.  A beautiful story of young love.

The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney (Devon Delaney #1)

An adorable exploration of the world of a pre-teen. In a world where a stray hair can ruin one's whole week a young girl must grapple with numerous problems she has created for herself. She is forced to navigate the middle school watters not even sure who she is. I love how the author made a reader feel the emotional roller coaster of the teen regardless of the readers age.

 

 

I have worked on the following

I have written recipies, continuing fiction, and editorial pieces for The Heartland News

I’m working on the following

I am getting ready to revise Novembers NaNoWriMo piece and considering starting something new for this November

August 24, 2016 update

I have read the following

            Harry potter and the cursed child.

            I found the journey fun, but that was because I knew the characters and the would.  I doubt this would have worked if readers weren’t already invested in the characters.  I felt like I was reading fanfiction instead of a continuation of the original story.   That being said the end was disappointing.  Readers went on a journey to end up at almost the same place.  It felt like the ending of Rosanne where viewers found to that the last two seasons were just a dream.  Readers watched a protagonist go on a hero’s journey to see someone else change. 

I have worked on the following

            I am still working on my snowflake for my first mystery. 

            I am also looking into ghostwriting, resume writing, and of course continuing education.  

            I am going to be writing for a local street newspaper.

May 2nd Update

Since my last post I have used the following resources

Working through the writer’s devotional

I took the endless Ideas course through Creative Writing Now

Having joined the Omaha writers workshop I will be catching up on the three books the group is working though this year.
I have read the following

            I’m reading The Galaxy Game by Karen Lord

I have worked on the following

            A snowflake for my first attempt at a mystery.  As I continue to work on the snowflake my mystery has evolved into something which resembles more of a suspense mystery.

            Since I feel most comfortable as a student I’ve created a syllabus for this week and will continue to create syllabi for myself.  My writing buddy is also working on her own syllabus and we are holding each other accountable by sending each other our homework.

            The first week didn’t go as well as I would have hoped since I started some new medication which made me sick.  I’m hoping I can do better through the month of May.

Thoughts

A devotional exercise suggested limiting the verbs used to describe dialogue to just four; said, replied.

I’m going to try to work on writing in may as a 20 hour a week job.  This will allow me to both focus on writing and continue looking for a teaching job.

April NaNoWriMo camp didn’t go as well as I’d hoped but I did succeed in writing outside my comfort zone.