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by Jean Matthew Hall
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Friday-
I’ve been working my way through an inspirational YA manuscript for, well, YEARS. I lovingly call it my “learning novel.” Recently I realized that it probably isn't’t a viable YA at all. Not one that today’s sophisticated young adults might be interested in anyway. The protagonist is sixteen years old, but she lives in an era totally foreign to most 21st Century American young adults. Also, her
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from C. Grant & Company as part of their Blogger Book Reviews program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Always
In recent months several of my writing friends have signed on with agents. They are in approximately the same stage of writing and "publishability" as I. We've critiqued each other's mss. We laughed together, prayed together, written together and cried together. I'm happy for them because signing with a reputable agent is a giant step toward book contracts I've been told. Especially because many
I've been a little slack in posting this week. We're coming down to the wire with our 2011 Write2Ignite! Conference and I'm as busy as a squirrel before the first snow fall.
I won't post next week either, but February 22, 2011, I'll be back with pictures and praises about the Conference.
Meanwhile, I leave you with these Encouraging Words:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
Well, I'll be Jiminy Cricket!
I've been bragging so much on Anastasia Suen's book Picture Writing that my friend Donna Earnhardt has gone right out and bought herself one. That's wonderful!
But...
She bought two! And now she's giving one away to the winner of her Picture Book Love Contest this weekend over at her blog "Musings." That's not fair, is it? I found the book first! Shouldn't I have
You’re headed for a writer’s Conference (maybe Write2Ignite! ) and you want to be prepared. You want to meet with some editors and agents, for sure. And you want to wow them with your fantastic ideas.
Guess what! That is the reason those folks are at the conference. They really want to hear about your work, listen to your ideas and give you feedback. At almost every conference attendees have the
Oh, dear! Where to begin?
I'm muddling my way through Chapter Five "Fiction Characters" in Picture Writing: A new approach to writing for kids and teens by Anastasia Suen, and there is so much wonderful stuff in this chapter that I am in a quandary as to what to tell you and what to leave as a surprise.
As I read through Picture Writing I'm finding a lot of information that I've read or heard
I periodically review books for Thomas Nelson, Zondervan and for Clarion’s Children’s Division. I usually gobble those books up. Not only do they feed my appetite for books, but they cost me nothing but my time.
I love the arrangement.
This week I finished my most recent Thomas Nelson read, Sabbath by Dan D. Allender. This title is part of Thomas Nelson’s “The Ancient Practices Series.” My
I'm late posting and just a little peeved with my Blogger. I've been trying on and off all day to post this--but I couldn't upload any photos, and I have lots of photos of this event to share. At last! I found the secret formula to this technological secret!
Last Friday evening the Mudskippers held a terrific Schmooze starring our own Tameka Fryer Brown. We were sixteen or so hungry writers
A Wing and a Prayer by Franklin Graham is a special kind of picture book. It was published by Thomas Nelson for Samaritan's Purse.
This beautifully illustrated, soft back picture book was written to spread a couple of important messages through an engaging story. In my opinion it accomplishes both.
A Wing and a Prayer introduces us to two very different boys who live in very different worlds.
My hand trembled as I reached for the shiny, still too-new-looking book. It had been weeks--too many weeks--since I had cracked the cover. I slid it from it's shelf-tomb. I brushed dust from the cover and laid the book on my desk reverently.
I've been a bad little writer. I made a promise to myself that I would spend months submerged in Anastasia Suen's Picture Writing: A new approach to writing
I picked up a sweet book Momma, Will You? by children's author Dori Chaconas, and beautifully illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.
Reading Momma, Will You? is like a visit to your great aunt's farm with your grandchildren. It's quiet and lilting. The MC is a little guy who stroll through various activities of his life on the farm sharing them with his baby sister.
This book makes a
Hop on over to Carol Baldwin's Blog and take a peek. She interviewed me about Write2Ignite!
Carol is leading the Teen Track at our next Write2Ignite! Conference. February 18-19, 2011, at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC.
Enjoy some photos from last year's event.
Our line-up of presenters for adults include the following terrific folks:
Cindy Sproles Editor with Christian
I've been reading blog posts about the New Year and making resolutions. I'm surprised by the splurge of bloggers stating that they've resolved not to set New Year Resolutions because they never keep them all year long anyway.
That sounds discouraging to me. Like quitting before you've begun.
Then I read Ann Voskamp's post on A Holy Experience. She says, "Impossible resolutions require God
I know I should be posting about resolutions and goals for the New Year of 2011. But December has been such a hectic month for me I haven't yet gotten around to thinking about those things. That's pathetic, I know. But sometimes TODAY just gets in the way of planning for tomorrow.
In the meantime, please check out the information below. And help us by tweeting it, emailing it, FaceBook-ing it,
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with the love of Christ Jesus, the joy of God's greatest Gift and the hope of eternal life found only in Him - the Babe of Bethlehem.
I won't be posting again until January 4, 2011. Meanwhile, please check out http://www.write2ignite.com/ especially for the teen writers in your life. A day at the Write2Ignite! Teen Track will make a terrific
Star of Wonder is a beautifully presented version of "the story of the birth of Mary's son, from the visit of the angel Gabriel to the flight of the holy family to Egypt, and their return after the death of King Herod." It was published by Abingdon Press in 2007.
Leena Lane has done an excellent job of retelling twelve events associated with Jesus' birth and childhood. She uses beautiful, almost
Happy Christmas, Dear Readers.
I'm still picking my way through Anastasia Suen's book, Picture Writing: A new approach to writing for kids and teens. I'm finding it difficult to do all of t he exercises, however. I've concluded that I need the discipline imposed upon students in a class group. But I am picking up helpful nuggets and trying to implement them in my own writing.
Wait...did I say "
Dandi Daley Mackall's book, Three Wise Women of Christmas was published by Concordia Publishing House in 2006. Diana Magnuson illustrated Dandi's text. beautifully.
I plucked this book from the shelves because it's title intrigued me--everyone knows about the three wise MEN of Christmas. But we hear so little about the three wise WOMEN. Thumbing through the pages I see the beginning is a
I like the Disney-Pixar movie, Finding Nemo. I've watched it dozens of times with my grand children. Probably the most memorable line for me is Dorie's philosophy of how to reach her goal, how to accomplish her dream, how to succeed in getting where she needs to go.
"Just keep swimming."
Lately I've been reading a lot about "dreams." Wherever I read the term seems to rise to the surface like
I admit it; I'm a picture book-aholic. The owner of my local used book store loves to see me walk through her front door. She knows I'm there to blow a wad of cash on her collection of picture books. I love to read the same books again and again. (Is that the child in me?) One of my biggest writing dreams is to see my picture book manuscripts transformed into beautiful PBs for children and
I forgot to let you know that yesterday I was the guest blogger on Susan Panzini's Eternity Cafe.
Please drop in and leave a comment. Merry Christmas!
My husband, J. is home and doing some better. He still struggles with chronic pain. Thank you for praying for him.
Last night in our Write2Ignite! Chat Room we discussed our writing dreams. As writers we all have a place we hope to be in a few years. However, we all agreed that our plans don't always work out the way we hope they will. That could drive us to the point of despair except for one
Today I had planned to review a another delightful Thanksgiving PB. Alas, I have been in a hospital ED and now in a room with my DH. Not sure how many days we will stay.
Both J. and I appreciate your prayers. When I am back at my home computer I will post my review.
Thank you, kind Readers.
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I have not seen this book, but will consider giving it a look.<br /><br />Thank you for all you do!