Tag Time

HAPPY LEAP DAY. I think I'm supposed to ask Gerard Butler to marry me.

Huge hugs and thanks to Ruth from the Out on a Limb blog for giving me the Kreativ Blogger award AND to C. Lee McKenzie at The Write Game for catching me in a game of tag.

I'm going with a hybrid of the rules of these two honors. I answered Lee's 11 questions below, but I'm kind of cheating and re-tagging the same people she tagged. I enjoyed visiting their blogs and I want you to go say hi to them as well. In a duplicitous move, I'm also passing on the Kreativ Blogger Award to the aforementioned tagees.

My rule breaking may cause the ruination the entire Internet that was expected back at Y2K. For that, I apologize.

Tag Q & A: 

1. What's the best part of reading a book you love?

I love the "point of no return," where you can't put the book down until you finish it.

2. What book(s) have stayed in your head?

LORD OF THE RINGS and PETER PAN because I want to live in either Neverland or Middle Earth.

3. If you could write one book only, what would the main character be like?

Super smart teen girl who is obsessed with astronomy and is freakishly gifted at fencing.

4. What book(s) do you love to read to your kids?

I teach 5th grade, so I love books with characters that challenge my students to look at the world or people with a filter they haven't used before. We're about to read FIGHTING GROUND by Avi, which chronicles a middle grade aged boy who joins up to fight in the revolutionary war.

5. Do you ever read books aloud to others?

I read LORD OF THE RINGS aloud to my own children before they saw the movies. I do a spectacular Gimli. It took a whole year. Currently I'm reading the amazing story, MILO, STICKY NOTES AND BRAIN FREEZE by Alan Silberberg to my class. 

6. Do you like discussing books with others?

There's nothing better than having a verbal love fest with people who felt the same way you did about a book. My work colleagues and I just savored MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson.

7. If you hate a book, do you keep reading anyway or put it away?

I can't stand abandoning a book. I've only done it once. No, I won't tell you the title because I still intend to go back and finish it. Someday.

8. What kind of books do you like best? Sci-fi, Realistic, Historical Fiction, Biography, other.

Sci-fi. Sci-fi. Sci-fi.

9. Are you transitioning into the digital age with a Kindle or a Nook or a I-Pad? Or are you sticking with those hard copies? Do you mix it up?

I mix it up. I'm always working on a Kindle book, a hard copy, and an audiobook.

10. How much do covers influence your buying a book?

I have a design background so covers are a HUGE draw for me, especially ones with a lot of complexity and a kickin' color palette.

11. Any new books you'd recommend?

I'm having a love affair with LOLA, AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins, A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis, and WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick.

Tagees - Say hi for me when you go a visitin':

Kurt Chambers - Genius Bordering Insanity

M. Pax - Wistful Nebulae

Misha Gericke - Taking Charge of My Life

Susan Fields - Hands Off My Coffee...

Margo Kelly

Meradeth Houston - Write Stuff

Sally Writes

Samantha - Writing Through College

Carrie Butler - So You're A Writer

Theresa Milstein - Theresa's Tales of Teaching Tribulations...

Ruth Schiffmann - Out on a Limb

Official rules of the tag:

1. Never talk about fight club, oh wait...

Real #1. Post the rules

2. Answer the questions and then create 11 new questions to ask the people you've tagged. (I'll let Lee's questions stand for the double tagged blogs above.)

3. Tag 11 people and link to them.

4. Let them know you've tagged them.

Official rules of the Kreativ Blogger Award:

1. Tell ten things about yourself

2. Pass it on to six others

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I'd Like to Thank the Academy

I love the Academy Awards. I've had the thrill to attend in person three times. Yes, you do feel like Cinderella at the ball. 


This year I've seen every movie nominated for best picture. You should see them too. Why...

The Artist: If you love old classic Hollywood this movie is the time machine for you. It's wholly unique, and there's a great dog in it.

The Descendants: The human condition splats out all over the screen in unexpected permutations. You haven't lived until you've seen George Clooney run in slip-on shoes.

The Help: Love the book and the movie stays true to it. 

Hugo: Magic. Pure magic. Living inside the walls of a train station and solving a mystery is right up there with flying away to Neverland with Peter Pan.

Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close: We all have to deal with death and loss. Imagine trying to cope with those issues during a worldwide trauma when your capabilities for reaching out for comfort and compassion are not wired like everyone else? Unforgettable main character.

Midnight in Paris - Fab premise. Who wouldn't want to go back in time to meet Hemingway, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald among others?

Moneyball - It's a baseball movie. Need I say more?

Tree of Life - I think Terence Malick walks on water. The way he tells a story in moments and images transports you to a parallel consciousness.

Warhorse - Epically delicious. You get lost in this movie and go on the journey right along with Joey the horse.








The most cherished Academy Awards memory I have is when I watched Tom Hanks give his best actor acceptance speech for his performance in Philadelphia. He said, "The streets of Heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons we wear here tonight." 


The movie, Philadelphia, was one of the first to put a face to the AIDS crisis. I lost my brother, Rick, to AIDS just a few years after that. I am forever grateful to Mr. Hanks for the dignity and respect he showed in his speech that night.


Do you have an Academy Awards memory? Ritual? Way to celebrate? See you on the red carpet.

View From the 5th Grade Trenches -February 2012 - Two Questions

I need the opinion of intelligent, creative people so of course I've come to you. There are two questions rolling around in elementary education right now that I'd love to hear your thoughts about.

1. Do you think kids need to learn cursive nowadays?

2. Do you think kids need to learn the 50 U.S. states and capitals?

I said two questions, but I'm changing that to four. I can't help it. It's a teacher thing. Please explain the "why" after each answer. I don't want to tell you my thoughts up front. I'll sneak those into the comments.

"Hit me with your best shot. Fire away."


Hello new followers. Thanks for comin' aboard.

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educationalwarehouse.com

Short and Silly

Ever been to that "slap happy" place when you are overtired? Once you start laughing, everything is triple hilarious. Well that's my frame of mind right now so when I checked my spam, the list sent me into more giggle spasms. I figure everyone can use a chuckle, chortle, or snort every now and then. Welcome to my spam. 

Lint Lizard

Free Sandwich

Pajama Jeans

Belly Fat Blast

Magic Jack Plus

Sexy Liberal Show
Walk in Tub

Tool

Forearm Forklift

I'm visualizing a lizard with a fat belly on a forklift eating a sandwich and wearing pajama jeans. So wrong.


Any goofy spam landed in your folder lately?

Keep the Learning Train Chugging

As a teacher, I am a maniac for lifelong learning. I am constantly reading books and articles about brain research and effective teaching techniques. At present I'm involved in an amazing program from the Kennedy Center to integrate arts education in the classroom. It's transformative.


I have this same passion as a writer. I'm always reading craft books and devouring blogs that share writing tips and "Ah Ha" moments. The third leg of my learning trifecta in writing is conferences. Love them. If you haven't taken the conference leap, you are cheating yourself out of crazy wonderful experiences that will make your writing grow.


This last weekend I attended the San Diego State University Writer's Conference. It was fantastic. Here are ten tidbits plucked from the conference treasure chest.

• Do advanced reading appointments/critiques -  Super advice from industry pros. 
• Networking - Don't be shy, you'll meet fascinating new friends
• Always have a pitch ready - Yes, an agent sat down at our table and invited us to pitch our books. Just like that.
• Bring your first five pages and don't be afraid to go to a "first pages" critique. 
• Style wise - Thoughts are no longer italicized
• There is a big difference between learning how to write and learning how to be an author - business savvy matters
• No one really know what is going to happen in the industry with the rise of e-books and indie publishing
• In sex scenes, emotions matter more than parts
• Try using the Meyers-Briggs personality test to create character profiles
• In fantasy/sci-fi show an unknown object in action to teach the reader about it, as opposed to just describing it

Any tasty conference tidbits you have to share?

'Lil Bit 'O News

Guess what?

I survived the Yalitchat Pitch Slam. In fact, I actually am one of the finalists for my pitch of OVER THE DEEP FRIED RAINBOW. It took me about twenty-four hours to lift my jawbone off the pavement. I would like to officially apologize to my friend, Diane for whacking her in the arm a little too hard when I saw my name listed.

Congratulations to all my fellow finalists. Here’s a “Whoo – hoo” for all of you.

For anyone reading this, I’m not opposed to you dancing naked in the forest or partaking in any other Pagan ritual of good luck, good vibes, or good juju to support my chances in the final leg of my pitch slam journey.

And now for something completely different… (Yes, besides being a Star Wars and Lord of the Ring geek, I’m also a ridiculously devoted Monty Python fan.)

Thank you to C. Lee McKenzie over at the The Write Game for the Versatile Blogger award.

There’s a lot of responsibility with this award and I have a frightening amount of papers to grade so instead of naming specific blogs to pass the award to, I’d like to change up the equation.

Check out blogs I follow in my profile and find some new friends to visit.

Here are my 7 random facts:

1. My Christmas tree is still up. It's a perpetual pine, but the cat still eats the needles and vomits.
2. I’m trying to put my cat on a diet.
3. Bugs don’t freak me out.
4. My first car was that version of a Pinto that would explode if it was rear ended, yet my parents claim they weren't trying to off me.
5. I’m tone deaf, so of course I love to sing at the top of my lungs.
6. I believe David Tennant was the best Dr. Who ever.
7. My southern roots cause me to use done as a helping verb on some occasions. Example: “I done finished the magazine in the outhouse.” 

Have a kickin’ week.

The Windup and The Pitch

Welcome to you wonderful new followers.

 Thank you for coming aboard.

This week I left my comfort zone. 

I entered my first pitch slam at

and boy am I glad I did.

Don't get me wrong, my fingers quivered over the keys and I got "that" feeling in my stomach. I knew I was stepping up to the mound and tossing one out IN PUBLIC. Yikes.

I crossed everything that wasn't painful or unnatural, hoping the judges wouldn't throw me out of the game.

Why did I do it? Well, my mama didn't raise no fools except for my brothers. Here was a chance to get not one, not two, but three critiques on my pitch. Yes, the dreaded pitch, the all important grabber that must enchant an agent or editor if my work is ever going to leave the batter's box. 

I want to learn how to throw a pitch that will allow my MS a chance to be hit out of the park.

Not one like this.

The Yalitchat pitch slam has done just that. I am rounding the bases of inspired pitches and home run comments by the judges.

Treat yourself and head over to the Pitch Slam for a fantastic education and grand slam examples in the art of the pitch.

I kneel before Yalitchat in gratitude for the opportunity to learn how to launch a perfect pitch. Thank you.

And next time you have a chance to leave your writing comfort zone - DO IT

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View From the 5th Grade Trenches - January 2012 - READ-WRITE-THINK

One of the many benefits of being a teacher and a writer is information crossover. Often resources intended for my students pop out as ongoing writing education for myself. One of my favorite places for learning is: 

 READ-WRITE-THINK brought to you by International Reading Association, NCTE, and Thinkfinity by Verizon, is treasure trove of writing lessons for students. To me it’s a magical index, worthy of being a volume in Hogwart’s library, where I can explore very specific aspects of writing that I may need to focus on at any given time. Often these lessons give an explicit explanation of what we know inherently, and by doing that sharpen that specific skill in our arsenal of writing talents.

Here’s a snipet from a lesson on DEFINING CHARACTERIZATION that focused on the difference between DIRECT and INDIRECT characterization. This information is also a good snapshot of telling vs. showing.

DIRECT - Defines character though TELLING.

The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother."

INDIRECT - Shows things that reveal the personality of the character using the five methods of: Speech/Thought/Effect on others/Actions/Looks

***Acronym Alert*** - STEAL

The lessons may seem simplistic to we wise literary tribal elders, but sometimes a simple quick check up is all we need to smooth over a writing snag or answer a puzzling technical question.

Here are a few lessons you can peek at to get a feel for the site and its value.

Plot Diagram

Mapping Characters Across Book Series

The Passion of Punctuation

This site is definitely worth a bookmark in your craft folder.

How Do You Spell Rejection?

Let's face it. No matter how thick-skinned or glass half full we have become in the face of rejection as writers, a "no" still tugs at our heart and casts a shadow over our optimism. Querying, whether it be to agents or editors, renders the creative persona fragile.


So how do we persevere and keep on the query road when a mist of negativity nips at our heels?

Here's one exercise that has worked for me. I remember it through the acronym FREE, because it frees me from the elephant of rejection that likes to perch on my chest.


F - FILE those rejections that have either constructive or complementary points in a folder.


R - REMEMBER a "no" is one step closer to a "yes."


E - EXTRACT the specific positive statements from your saved "no thank you" responses


E - EXPRESS those statements visually by:

1. Creating a document that mimics the reviews that flash on TV for a movie.

"A well-crafted love story. Confident writing."
Agent/Editor Name Here


2. Go play on Wordle and create a graphic of your kudos.

Never give up. You deserve the dream.


What do you do to hang in there?


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Looking Back

As I sit making THE list for writing projects I hope to tackle in 2012, I can’t help but reflect on the profound influences that have left indelible marks on the emotional landscape of my life.

As writers, I believe the living script of our existence is the treasure chest from where we summon the seeds of creativity that bud and blossom in our stories. We report, invent, and metamorphosize moments, feelings, and events that have profoundly touched us.

As I wave farewell to 2011, here is a list of 11 notches on my consciousness, in no particular order.

Standing outside in the front yard with my brothers when the men first landed on the moon and swearing we could see them in the binoculars.

Seeing my parents cry when John F. Kennedy was shot.

Watching WIZARD OF OZ for the first time on a color TV and freaking out because the Wicked Witch was green.

1968 – Viet Nam, the soldier on my POW bracelet never came home. Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. being assassinated.

Two perfect children.

The Berlin Wall coming down.

Losing my brother and too many friends to the villainy of AIDS.

Beloved books: Peter Pan, The Three Musketeers, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Gone With the Wind, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.

Star Wars, because Luke Skywalker and I were facing our destinies in the same year. He as a Jedi, me in college.

Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Mammoth Caves, Grand Teton, Crater Lake, Grand Canyon National Parks, and New England in October.

Drop drills in elementary school, preparing for a nuclear attack.

What memories are etched in your minds?

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