Lyrical Language in Literature
Our next master class is coming up soon! On September 28, Natalee Creech will speak about lyrical language in prose. In thinking about this topic, let’s look at some examples of lyrical language in different types of literature. The House of the Seven Gables Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The House of the Seven Gables contains many examples […]
What is so Exciting About the Inciting Incident?
I’ve got about a dozen unfinished stories. When I look back to see why I gave up on the story (sometimes mid-sentence), I discovered most of them died out around chapter three. I was shocked. What was so hard about chapter three? Why would I give up so easily? As I read through the first […]
Mimosa Trees and Writers’ Dreams
Mimosa Trees Have you ever compared mimosa trees and writers’ dreams? I have. Several years ago, I attended a writers’ conference in North Carolina. While driving with my husband from our home in Texas, north through Alabama on Interstate 85, my husband and I looked for blossoming mimosa trees along the road. We do this […]
Book Review: Miraculous Sky
Join us for a book review of Michelle Weltz’s new picture book, Miraculous Sky; a story based on true events.
8 Questions to Ask Yourself When Brainstorming Your Synopsis by Ann Harrison
Writing a synopsis is hard. Don’t let anyone kid you. I struggle with this task, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you. I’ve found that I can brainstorm my synopsis in the same way I brainstorm or revise my books, or do developmental edits for my publishers. Here are eight questions I used to brainstorm […]
Chutzpah Heroes by Bill Edgar: A Book Review from Several POVs and a Giveaway
Introduction Since this book is written for adults to read to children, or for children to read themselves, I thought it would be fun to have an adult’s POV on the book as well as two children’s opinions. The author of the book, Bill Edgar, is my oldest daughter’s father-in-law. Believe me when I tell […]
The Stars We Hold: A Book Review by Kathryn Dover
One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction, specifically World War II novels (check out my previous review of Until Leaves Fall in Paris), so I was excited to get to be a part of the ARC team for The Stars We Hold by Melissa Armstrong. I’ve never read a World War II […]
BUTTERFLY INK- A YA Romance reviewed by Guest Blogger, Kate Lundeen
REVIEW Butterfly Ink is the newest young adult romance from Monarch Educational Services by Lori Keating and it’s perfect for a summer vacation read. Meet Calista: a teen about to have all her wishes come true through a magical tattoo made of butterfly ink as the title suggests. Calista travels to Florida to spend her summer working at […]
I Dream a Dream for You Book Review
I Dream a Dream for You by Bob Hostetler is a sweet board book of bedtime rhymes to read to little ones. This love-filled picture book of dreams and hopes can be shared with the toddlers and young children in your life. REVIEW Full of bold illustrations, I Dream a Dream for You is a […]
Classic Fantasy and Today’s MG and YA Fantasy Stories by Deborah S. DeCiantis
In our recent Master Class on fantasy, author Amy Earls provided important tools for writing YA and MG fantasy. Today, team member Deborah S. DeCiantis gives her perspective (from many years of being an English college professor) to understanding classic fantasy. Fantasy fiction seems to attract definite responses: readers either love it or hate it. Fantasy’s defenders point […]