Sort of a bummer today. George Carlin, one of my all-time standup comics, passed away last night. He was one of those guys you either 'got' or you didn't and I think I definitely fell in the former category. I said, many years ago, that if he were to start up a religion, I'd probably be an altar boy at his church.
He said a lot of things that pushed people's buttons (organized religion, politics, cigar-smoking businessmen) and I loved the fact that he'd find where the line was and boldly step across it without hesitation.
More than anything, he got me to look at things in different ways. He loved to stab at people who took things waaaaay too seriously. Sure he sounded angry a lot, sure he had a mouth that could make a sailor blush, but still...he had a real gift for taking the truth and laying it right in front of our noses...no matter how ugly it was.
Say what you will about Mr. Carlin, but I feel like a huge void had been left in the world of comedy today.
Thanks for the laughs, George.
Your fan,
Thomas
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By: Thomas Kingsley Troupe,
on 6/23/2008
Blog: Tappity Tappity (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: rest in peace, comedy emperor, george carlin, Add a tag
Blog: Post-Its from a Parallel Universe (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's Book Review, Simon Rose, dyslexia, Simon Rose, Children's books, Writing, Children's Book Review, dyslexia, Add a tag
Simon Rose writes the perfect books for reluctant readers, especially boys. I wish that he’d been writing books when my oldest son was between the ages of 9 and 13. My oldest has dyslexia, and he needed books that were not only well-written but exciting and fast-paced. And books that did not “talk down”. Simon Rose writes such books.
The Emerald Curse is the exciting adventure story of a boy who must rescue his grandfather from the very world his grandfather created in comic books. The illustrations by Cynthia Nugent are graphic novel like and perfect for the story. There is a magical pen with a cursed emerald in it, hybrid animals such as Wolfbats to scare the bejeebers out of you, superheroes that save their comic world and rebels who fight for it. I do recommend it for the older reader, though, as there is violence in it. But that is why I like it so much, not for the violence but because it is a story for the older kid but in a compact easy-to-digest package (115 pages).
I met Simon Rose at the SCBWI-Michigan Fall Conference. He is especially witty and will keep you laughing if you get the chance to go to one of his workshops. He has a self-deprecating humor and is a history buff. But, most importantly, Simon Rose is one of those writers who is going after it and succeeding, despite doing it the non-traditional way. If you listen to Andrew Karre, the Flux editor, he will say if your book doesn’t sell so many in just a short time, it’s over for the book. And probably over for you, since your book didn’t sell. Who would want to publish you again? But, then there is Simon Rose whose books are growing in popularity over time.
And I predict his books will continue to sell and become more popular, not less.
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By: Writing for Children,
on 2/25/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's books, science fiction, Picture Books, fantasy, biographies, writing for children, writing workshop, Children's Writing, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, CWCC, Margot Finke, Rita Milios, Lila Guzman, Simon Rose, educational markets, Add a tag
This Thursday, February 28 , 2008, at 2:00 p.m. eastern time, the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club will offer another exciting and informative teleclass for children’s writers.
Rita Milios will present session 1 in the Writing for Children’s Educational Markets Series - The Lucrative Educational Market: Where Do YOU Fit In?
Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club today and find out on Thursday if writing for the educational markets is right for you.
When you join the club you will receive links to these other three teleclasses that were presented earlier this month:
Lila Guzman - Show Me the Money: Writing Biographies for Young Readers
Margot Finke - Picture (Book) Perfect
Simon Rose - Beyond Belief: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Readers (part 1 of a 2 part teleclass)
Every month, club members are given the opportunity to attend 4 LIVE 55-minute teleclasses about some aspect of writing and publishing for children. Later, the links to these recorded classes are sent to all members, too.
Join the CWCC here.
Childrens Writers Coaching Club, educational markets, Lila Guzman, Margot Finke, Rita Milios, Simon Rose, writing for children
By: Writing for Children,
on 2/21/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: science fiction, fantasy, Children's Writing, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, CWCC, Simon Rose, Add a tag
This week’s teleclass for members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club will take place at 7:00 central time. Author Simon Rose will be the instructor for Beyond Belief: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Readers. This is part 1 of a 2 part teleclass conducted by Simon Rose.
To take part in the class tonight, join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club today, then look for an email this afternoon with the call in information you’ll need tonight.
To learn more about Simon Rose and his books for children, visit his website at www.simon-rose.com
Childrens Writers Coaching Club, fantasy, Science fiction, Simon Rose
By: Writing for Children,
on 2/16/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: science fiction, fantasy, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, CWCC, Simon Rose, teleclasses for childrens writers, writing science fiction and fantasy for kids, Add a tag
This week’s teleclass for members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club will be presented by children’s author Simon Rose. The teleclass will take place Thursday night, February 21, at 7:00 central time.
Join Simon Rose for part one of this two part teleclass which explores writing science fiction and fantasy for younger readers, covering such topics as imagining plausible technology, crafting realistic settings, character creation and effective time travel stories.
Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and receive an email invitation to this event. You’ll also receive links to every teleclass this month, so you won’t miss out on anything, even if you join the club in the middle of the month.
To learn more about Simon Rose, visit his website at www.simon-rose.com.
Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Simon Rose, teleclasses for childrens writers, writing science fiction and fantasy for kids
Believe it or not, I was a big fan of Carlin, too--even if he did push a lot a buttons. I've read a lot of different eulogies from bloggers and on message boards regarding his passing and there's a consistent theme--much like yours. I have serious questions about his philosophies, but I think it's only right to wait until the dust settles a bit. His wit and insight will be missed.
Definitely a bummer.
RIP, George.
And thanks for the vocabulary lessons!