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The Office Of Letters and Light not only organizes NaNoWriMo but also the Young Writers Program, Script Frenzy and the Script Frenzy Young Writers Program, among other events. The goal: to help kids and adults find the inspiration, encouragement and structure they need to reach their creative potential. 

Here's a video from my friends Debs & Errol about why donating to OLL is a good thing:

If you support this cause, please do Vote for them on the Project For Awesome site, and comment/Like the video. Here's why:

If you've never heard of The Office Of Letters and Light, here's an overview:

If you're short on cash, there are other ways to help out OLL.

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Written by Giovanni Gandini and illustrated by the wonderful artist Margherita Saccaro, here's a unique Italian ABC book from 1976.

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By Mika Ashley-Hollinger
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

To keep mystery and suspense throughout your story, up until the very last page, you need to engage the imagination of the reader at all times.

In my debut young adult novel Precious Bones (Delacorte, 2012), I tried to create suspense and mystery by using my young protagonist's self doubts and the unique environment of a swamp.

I also created characters that bordered on the edge of being bigger than life. Their personalities were bold and outright, but there was also something hidden, good or bad, just underneath the surface. Some characters had contradicting traits and actions that left an air of mystery around them.

Hopefully, readers were often times left with the question; is this person a good guy or a bad guy, is he capable or not capable?

There were numerous times when the young protagonist's perspective became clouded over with suspension. She allowed small worms of doubt to wiggle around in her mind. Sometimes stories and legends she had heard her entire life became entangled with her present day interactions.

Character traits also came into play. Was someone with a large, slow moving body capable of solving a serious murder? Was an old woman that lived in the swamp, an evil witch or just a lonely old lady? She even allowed doubts to creep in about her own beloved Daddy--was he just a harmless rascal or a man capable of doing unimaginable bad things?

Of course, the environment where the story takes place, a Florida swamp, is in it self, mysterious as well as frightening. I wanted to pay homage to the swamp for the magnificent, nourishing, ever changing place it is, and at the same time make use of it's potential for danger. Some characters viewed it as a gentle gift from God, where animals came to raise their young, to others it was a dark murky place where secrets could be hid under a thick layer of muck.

The use of contradicting scenes and events is a sure way of bringing suspense to a story. Also creating a sense of doubt about a characters true nature results in page-turning events.

The reader wants to know, what's this guy up to next? I let the reader's imagination come to it's own conclusions, before the real truth was revealed. I tried to make good use of the element of surprise.

Feeding time in the valley...

Mika's husband and two of their granddaughters, overlooking the North Shore of Kaua'i.

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By Cindy R. Williams

This blog is all about writers. This includes music writing as well.

This is incredible. The young lady in this video is one of my guitar students. In her lesson last week I asked her to write a Christmas song, and then the horrible tragedy happened at the Elementary School Friday, December 14, 2012. Lacee wrote this. She is just that amazing.

Her mother told me Lacee's heart was aching for the children and their families. Her little brother is in kindergarten so it hit home. This song can bring great comfort. I hope it reaches those left behind with broken hearts.

This is really worth three minutes to have your heart strings played.

May we all be a little more kind and hold our loved ones close this Season.

Merry Christmas to all and peace to your hearts.

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Like all of you, I have been searching for something to grasp on to since the horrific events that occurred in Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday. When the news flashes first appeared, I instantly recognized the school. Not because I had ever been to that school—I have visited schools in Newtown, CT, even schools called Sandy Hook in other states. But I recognized the school because it looked incredibly familiar, like so many of the elementary schools that I am welcomed into every year. I thought of the librarians I have visited with over the years, every single person who has ever buzzed me in at the front door, had me sign in at the front office and asked to scan my driver's license. I thought of the principals who take time out of their busy schedules to welcome me to their school. I thought of all of the teachers that I have met, all of the teachers that I know. And of course, thought of all of the young faces in my audiences over the years. Every single school that I have ever visited has taken great pride in their community and I have always been so thankful that they have granted me the distinct honor to speak at their schools.

As the weekend went on, my heart ached to do something. But the community in Newtown, CT doesn't need boxes of stuff and they don't need to reconstruct buildings. They need to rebuild their lives, which are unfathomably changed. Like all parents, I hugged my children more tightly and focused on the small moments like never before. On Sunday evening, Gina and I were scheduled to play the role of Elf and Conductor at Santa's Trains at Look Park here in Northampton. It's a marvelous display of miniature trains and a holiday display that is the stuff of Norman Rockwell paintings. And of course, Santa is there to listen to the children's greatest hopes for Christmas morning. My job was to punch every child's "magical ticket" as they entered. As each child approached, I got down on one knee so that I could be on their level and asked for their ticket. I then asked their age and would punch a hole for each of their years. And I always looked directly into their eyes. In each set of those eyes, be the kids three or thirteen, I saw the same two things—magic and wonder.

We as a people need to make magic for our children. We need to preserve their wonder. We of course need to put pressures on our legislatures to ensure that such a tragedy never again occurs in our schools, but on a daily basis—it's magic and wonder that we need to foster.

I salute the faculty, staff and administrators of our nation's schools today more than ever. It is surely a challenging morning to be returning to school. But I know that this group of people are what keeps our nation moving forward. They are creating life long learners and will stop at nothing for our children.

They are making magic, they are preserving wonder.

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The winter issue of The Gila River Review features one of my essays: “Frankie Forever,” an homage to Rocky Horror Picture Show and how it possibly saved my life as a troubled junior high kid in Perrysburg, Ohio. No, it’s not Christmas-related, but consider it my Christmas present to you anyway.

***Beware: includes explicit language.***

“Frankie Forever”

by Sara Dobie Bauer

There’s something about a big pair of red lips—something like salvation. I didn’t know it as a seventh grader at Perrysburg Junior High School, but I was about to find out, following the death of my Grandma Dobie. Grandma and I were close, maybe best friends. She was my babysitter and a constant fixture at Sunday dinners and weekend picnics. Then one day, I came home from school and my dad’s car was in the garage. I knew damn well he should have been at work, and I remember thinking, “Grandma Dobie is dead.” I hated being right.

Before the start of eighth grade, I demanded to dye my hair black. I stole black eyeliner and nail polish and wore huge t-shirts with Kurt Cobain’s mug on the back. He’d killed himself the year before, and I associated with the guy. So did plenty of people, but I didn’t know it. I was too busy raging to Nine Inch Nails. Writing notes to myself that said “I hate you” and “You are ugly.” Using little pocket knives to scrape my skin.

They call it “teen depression.” How was I supposed to know? I lived in Perrysburg, Ohio. The yards were perfect. The clothes were perfect. Everyone was perfect. Except me. I was messed up, but no one in Perfect-ville talked about depression, suicide, or sex.

It’s estimated that one out of every eight American teens experiences depression. It’s considered a national epidemic, and I was the poster child, wallowing in death fantasies, hopelessness, and fear. There were ways to treat my condition, of course: medicines like Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor … the list was endless, but in teens, certain antidepressants had been shown to actually increase suicidal tendencies, so that option was out.

I did see a therapist the summer after Grandma died. He wanted to talk about my dreams and what they meant. I remember how much I hated him. He was fat with a big beard, and he never laughed. He made me angry and nervous, and after sessions, I would bury myself under my bed like some skinny corpse in a tomb. Asshole, I would think. Conventional treatments weren’t working; my parents were running out of choices.

Then, I met Jannelle through church. Our moms were friends, and we shared a bond of introverted misery. It was like she knew, just looking at me, that I wasn’t right. She wore big, white bandages up her arms and around her wrists. She was even bonier than me, and none of her clothes fit, so she always appeared to be drowning. I loved her. I loved her even more when she gave me my first cigarette and said, “You should come over this weekend. We’re going to watch Rocky Horror,” to which I replied, “You’re doing what?”

###

When asked about the film Rocky Horror Picture Show, actor Barry Bostwick said, “I just thought we were making a musical.” Well, he was right and he was wrong. Rocky Horror was a musical, released in 1975 to horrible reviews. The film was a total bomb, until one advertising exec in Hollywood suggested the Waverly Theater make it the midnight show. It’s been shown continually in movie theaters ever since, making it the longest theatrical run in history. How did this happen, when the movie was originally such a flop?

In 2005, it was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.” I don’t know about the aesthetic part, but culturally, I get it. Rocky Horror was one of the first films to openly portray a transgender lead male who just wanted to screw. And it’s easy to root for the guy, because who doesn’t want to screw Tim Curry in a corset and high heels? I know I did, sitting on the carpet at Jannelle’s mom’s house that weekend for the popping of my RHPS cherry. As soon as Magenta’s big red lips started singing “Science Fiction Double Feature,” I was hooked, done for, obsessed. I have been ever since.

The plot is simple … in that science fiction, alien porn kind of way. Janet and Brad are college kids who just got engaged. Out for a night on the town, they get lost and end up at the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry, better known as “Frankie”). Frankie is a bi-sexual transvestite from another planet. He’s having a party with all his transsexual alien friends and celebrating the creation of his “monster”—a hunky dude with blond hair who was born to become the doctor’s sex slave. As you might imagine, the innocent virtue of Janet and Brad is soon compromised by Frank’s servants: Riff Raff, Magenta, and Columbia. Of course, they get some sexin’ from Frankie, too, and well, that’s the movie, with some outstanding song and dance numbers and finally, a mansion that takes off and disappears into space.

I recently asked a fellow Rocky Horror fanatic why the film was so important. His response? “The movie itself is not important. It’s the people who are attracted to it.” ….

(Read the essay’s conclusion at the Gila River Review website! And have a very merry Christmas!)

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How do you give your character's thoughts, even when you're writing in third person. 

http://litreactor.com/columns/the-benefits-of-free-indirect-discourse

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• Does your significant other totally ignore your ‘writing world’ or view it with contempt either because you’re not making enough money or because they feel jealous?
• Does he/she refuse to consider your writing as anything other than a ‘mere hobby?’
• Does he/she belittle or demean your ‘writer dreams?’
• Does he/she believe you’re wasting your time and should be spending that time in something more ‘valuable?’
• Does he/she make you feel guilty for those hours you spend writing?
• Does he/she say they understand, but then they put demands on your writing time and don’t respect it?
• Is he/she jealous of the time you spend writing at the computer?
• How does their behavior make you feel as a person and as a writer?
• To what extend do their criticism contribute to your insecurity, anxiety, and maybe even depression?
• How do you cope with their behavior?
• What keeps you writing and persevering in spite of all the odds?
• What would you like he/she to understand about you as a writer?

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We’re excited to announce more updates to the Media Manager, which makes it even easier to upload and manage media on your site.

Insert a Slideshow in the Media Manager

You can now enable a slideshow in the Media Manager. In Edit Gallery mode, you’ll see a list of options on the right under “Gallery Settings.” Click on the dropdown menu next to “Type” to see a new list of gallery types, including a Slideshow option at the bottom:

Similar to the gallery feature, the slideshow option allows you to include specific images. You can reorder the images by dragging and dropping thumbnails, randomize the order by checkmarking the box next to “Random Order,” and reverse the order of images by clicking the “Reverse Order” button at the top. You can also insert multiple slideshows into a post or page, just as you’re able to do with galleries.

Note that the “Link To” and “Columns” options do not apply to slideshows.

The old [slideshow] shortcode will continue to work, but to access all these new features — such as ordering, excluding certain images, etc. — you would need to update your shortcode to use the new [gallery type="slideshow"] format.

Select Gallery Layouts Easily

You’ll also notice you can now set the type of gallery in the Media Manager, in the same dropdown menu mentioned above. In addition to Slideshow, you’ll see a list of gallery layout options: Default, Tiles, Square Tiles, and Circles. Note that Tiles is the option for the rectangular layout, and Square Tiles is the option for the square layout. (As mentioned in our recent galleries post, the  thumbnail grid layout is the default option for all sites.)

Using the various gallery shortcodes to display your galleries still works as well.

These latest updates make it even easier for you to manage your media — all in one place! For further information, please visit our slideshow and gallery support pages.

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#1: International Artist. (55 votes) This bimonthly Australia-based magazine features artists from around the world. It usually allows the artists themselves to explain their thinking and their process. There's a competition in every 160 page issue, with winners from previous rounds highlighted. Most kinds of traditional media are shown, sometimes with step-by-steps. Special features on portrait painting, wildlife art, and illustration extend its range. (Full disclosure-- I do a regular column called "Station Points" on a variety of topics).


#2. ImagineFX. (50 votes) Published in England, and available in many other countries, this magazine concentrates on fantasy and science fiction (or "imaginative realism" as many are calling it now), as well as concept art. The majority of artists working digitally, but there are some who use paints and brushes. There's always a feature for new talent. The DVD included, with demos of the techniques by each of the workshop leaders.

#3. The Artist's magazine (33 votes) This Ohio-based magazine covers a variety of painting media with lots of pragmatic information about technique with lots of how-to examples. It has features on drawing, Q&A, "Ask the Experts," and workshop listings. It's website has videos and other features. Other magazines from the same publisher include Pastel Journal and Watercolor Artist. The magazine is associated most strongly with North Light books, and it has inherited American Artist's former subscribers.

#4 Plein Air magazine. (29 votes). Launched, changed to Fine Art Connoisseur, and then relaunched by popular demand, this quarterly magazine features techniques and profiles of prominent outdoor painters and collectors, as well as information about contests and conventions. The emphasis is on oil painters, especially in the Edgar Payne thick-paint mode. The editor is M. Stephen Doherty and the publisher is Eric Rhoads.


#5 Southwest Art (23 votes).  The emphasis is on Southwestern USA Art and Native American Art and artists. There are features on artists, art galleries, show listings, plein air events, new artists and art towns.

Other strong vote-getters:
#6 Watercolor Artist (20 votes)
#7 Hi Fructose (18 votes)
#8 American Art Collector (16 votes)
#9, 10, and 11. A three-way tie for Pastel Journal, Fine Art Connoisseur, and Artists and Illustrators (13 votes each)

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More Austenland movie news: Sundance announced the Austenland screenings, and Entertainment Weekly posted a darling First Look photo.

Both Austenland and Midnight in Austenland will be published in the UK in March and available as well in New Zealand, Australia, and all world English markets. What do you think of the UK covers?

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My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird—
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished.

—from “Messenger” by Mary Oliver

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Lisa and I invite you all to hop on over to the workshop site to read and comment.

http://firstfivepagesworkshop.blogspot.com

It seems strange to be going on with business as usual today, doesn't it? I hope everyone is giving their children extra hugs and taking the time to say "I love you" to every meaningful person in their lives.

Reflecting on the tragic events at Sandy Hook, I'm going to take this opportunity to say thank you, too. Thank you to everyone I have met online since Marissa and I started this blog two years ago. You have all been such an inspiration, and I have had so much fun learning from and along with all of you. I don't always have time to stop by and comment on your individual blogs or tell you thank you in person, but it is important to stop and acknowledge gratitude while we can.

So thank you. Bless you, and may you all be safe with all your loved ones this holiday season.

Best,

Martina

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Filed under: Instagram

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“All I know is that first you’ve got to get mad. You’ve got to say, ‘I’m a human being . . . My life has value!’”

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Since yesterday's 6pm (US/Eastern) deadline, three people tried to submit entries for this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best opening Line.

I'm sorry. I wish I could accept late entries, but it wouldn't be fair on the folks who entered before the deadline (or those who realized they were too late and therefore didn't try to submit).

Thank you for understanding.


 

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Author Donna Sheperd just let me know Bradybug has been released with iTunes. The illustrations were a hoot to draw since she has a gift for words and used some unusual animals.
This is my second illustrated book released with iTunes. They have been out in print a short while.

So check out Bradybug, but also take a look at Sister Exchange by Kevin McNamee.
Along with my book,  Mollie the Merbaby, by Meegenius, that puts the count to three. Thanks iTunes!

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Click the covers for the Amazon product page.

Doctor and the Rough Rider, The (A Weird West Tale) (Weird West Tales) by Mike Resnick (Dec 18, 2012)

The Folly of the World by Jesse Bullington (Dec 18, 2012)

Leashing the Tempest by Jenn Bennett (Dec 18, 2012)

The Merchant of Dreams by Anne Lyle and Kate Reading (Dec 18, 2012)

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder (Dec 18, 2012)

Aftershock (Hqn) by Jill Sorenson (Dec 18, 2012)

Against the Odds (The Raines of Wind Canyon) by Kat Martin (Dec 18, 2012)

Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller (Dec 18, 2012)

Double Danger (An A-Tac Novel) by Dee Davis (Dec 18, 2012)

The Earl with the Secret Tattoo by Kieran Kramer (Dec 18, 2012)

Enchanted Ever After (Luna Books) by Robin D. Owens (Dec 18, 2012)

Engagement at Beaufort Hall by Jane Feather (Dec 18, 2012)

A Feast of Souls (Araneae Nation) by Hailey Edwards (Dec 18, 2012)

Forbidden Jewel of India (Harlequin Historical) by Louise Allen (Dec 18, 2012)

Forever a Lord (Hqn) by Delilah Marvelle (Dec 18, 2012)

Highlander Claimed (Hqn) by Juliette Miller (Dec 18, 2012)

The Laird’s Choice (Lairds of the Loch) by Amanda Scott (Dec 18, 2012)

Ripe for Seduction (The League of Second Sons) by Isobel Carr (Dec 18, 2012)

The Secret Life of Lady Lucinda: A Summersby Tale by Sophie Barnes (Dec 18, 2012)

Trouble in Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas) by Katie Lane (Dec 18, 2012)

Love in the Afternoon by Alison Packard (Dec 17, 2012)

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Kirkus gave Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? a star, and called my watercolors "broad"! I'm Sirius!

The cover

The star

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Many of us have watched the tragedy fall out on T.V.

Innocent lives lost. Heroes found. Hearts broken.

As a publishing industry, we can ban together to make a difference in more lives once again. 

As parents, we need to honor our own children in this tragedy by helping others. 

As humans, we can step up and help each other.

What is PubHeartsConn?

It’s an online auction to benefit the victims of the Sandy Hook Connecticut shootings through Newtown Youth and Family Services. The auction is currently scheduled to start Monday, Dec 17th (9am EST) and the first round will end Friday Dec 21st (11:00 PM EST)

Agents, editors, authors, illustrators, and industry experts have donated various products and services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly school.

We plan to donate the money to the school's relief fund for the families to possibly help with grief counseling, funeral arrangements, and scholarships for students.

You can bid on an items or donate directly to The United Way of Western Connecticut.

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