new posts in all blogs
Viewing Blog: Debbie Shakespeare Smith, Most Recent at Top
Results 1 - 25 of 48
http://pntopaper.blogspot.com/
Here is another blog to visit.
Statistics for Debbie Shakespeare Smith
Number of Readers that added this blog to their MyJacketFlap: 1
I am writing a new book. The excitement is high! I feel like sitting at the computer 24/7. I'm on a roll, Chapter 5. I look at the screen, then look at the keyboard. I wait for my fingers to pound out more goodness.
Nothing happens.
My mind drifts. Maybe I should comment on a picture book I read (see below). Maybe I should check-out the game I'm playing on Facebook, and while I'm there I'll look at the stats on my Facebook Page. I glance outside, it's beautiful. Walking the dog sounds pretty good.
Another though jumps in my head: I could clean the house. I laugh. Writer's Block can cause all sorts of crazy thoughts!
Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt is worth picking up.
Jonathan James finds himself plagued by a Whatif Monster that causes him to worry and doubt. What if this...and what if that. But when he shushes the monster, he begins thinking in another direction.
This picture book is written in very simple language, the artwork average, but colorful.
Watch for this chapter book to be available in bookstores and online!
Summer McKay is beside herself when she impulsively invites the class know-it-all to her sleep over. At the party the know-it-all takes control, leaving Summer to feel like an outsider. Surely the results of her impulsive act can't get worse, or can they? In an effort to regain control of her own party, Summer's mouth flies open and a lie jumps out. She informs the girls that she has a show dog: One that wins ribbons. Can it get worse? Only if Emily, the know-it-all, tells the teacher about the dog and Summer is invited to bring her ribbon-winning dog to class.
 |
Note From Student
Thank you, Christopher.
Yes, I love to read and write. |
If this doesn't make it all worthwhile, I don't know what does!
This morning I had a wonderful opportunity to visit with a "fun" third grade class at Spring Branch. They were great listeners and asked some good questions. Since the class has
 |
| One for Fun |
a blog, I've been able to follow some of their individual posts. It's exciting to see them grow in their .writing skills this year,
 |
| One for Real! |
.
I'm always excited when I discover another great picture book.
I Am Otter has wonderful illustrations as well as a cute story.
Once Otter Keeper is off to work, Otter decides to start a business with his friend, Teddy: a toast restaurant. When the restaurant flops, Otter can't quite take responsibility, so he fires Teddy and hires Giraffe to replace him. After Teddy disappears, Otter ends up discovering what's really important in his life. (And who's really to blame for everything!)
Once again, I've found a great picture book that I have to share. I'm usually disappointed with picture books, but this time I found a winner. Memoir's of a Hamster shares Seymour's happy life inside his cage. But one day Pearl the cat tells him of the goodies that are available throughout the house. When he starts to think he's missing out, things get a little rocky!
I'm always watching for good picture books, but usually disappointed by what I find. Last month,while on vacation in Canada, I discovered a wonderful author: Nicholas Oldland. As with most authors, I like some of his books better than others, but this one is sure to make you and your child smile.
The Busy Beaver: The busy but careless beaver spends his days following his impulses and leaving behind a forest filled with stumps, half-nibbled trees and injured, homeless animals. However, one day the beaver finds himself on the wrong side of a falling tree, which as it turns out, is just the thing to knock some sense into him. He decides to make some changes. Soon, the now wiser and gentler beaver is getting down to the business of making things right, much to the delight of his forest friends. 
For a limited time you can get Just Call Me Feathers for free. It is regularly $2.99
My new tween ebook is available and recommended for those with a sense of humor. Both young and old will chuckle at Nick's experiences as he starts a new job and learns to deal with girls. The price is right! Get it today!
How many of you have run the Flesch Reading Ease check on your writing and still said, "Huh? So what does that mean?"
For those of you like me who weren't sure, this is what it tells you.
90-100: Very Easy
80-89: Easy
70-79: Fairly Easy
60-69: Standard
50-59: Fairly Difficult
30-49: Difficult
0-29: Very Confusing
* Scores between 90 and 100 are considered easily understandable by an average 5th grader
* Scores between 60 and 70 are considered easily understood by 8th and 9th graders.
* Scores between 0 and 30 are considered easily understood by college graduates.
For those of you looking for a group of writers with like interests, and a place to get input on your stories, look no further. Scribophile is a fun, fair way to gain great critiques. You earn karma by critiquing others, then when you have enough karma, you can post something.
I have been involved in several critique groups over the years, but by far this is my favorite. In most cases the feedback you get is phenomenal. They help with grammar, punctuation and plot.
Joining is free, or you can pay a small amount for a premium account, which gives you some added perks. I ended up moving to the premium account, but you wouldn't have to.
For more details click here: Scribophile Facts
In a short time, I've gained several great friends and received some wonderful critiques. In fact, after running two stories through this critique group, I was able to sell them.
I've come across another good picture book:
The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend and illustrated by John Manders. It combines interesting, page-turning text with awesome illustrations. If you have time, give this one a try.
Acute or Chronic????
An acute illness is one that is sudden and severe but short-lived
A chronic illness persists for a long time.
Aggravate or Annoy????Aggravate means "to make worse."
And, of course, we all know what
annoy means.
And I would like to say I was very
annoyed last week when I open my website and pictures started disappearing and reappearing and even landing on top of each other. It was not what I was hoping to deal with.
Sometimes I think these little diversions are put in our road to see how dedicated we are to writing. I may be developing an
acute headache!
I'm always looking for good pictures books, but have a hard time finding many. Here are some I highly recommend.If you have a chance read
Let's Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile. The story is great and his illustrations are even better.
Best friends Frankie and Sal decide to do ... nothing, since they've done all there is to do. The plan is to sit perfectly still, no moving, no talking. And how does that go? Definitely a book worth looking at.And while you're checking out picture books, give this one a try:
The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch. Henrietta decides to write a book so she enlists the help of her three aunties. When Henrietta publishes her story, the critics say she's laid an egg! What will she do now?
Memoirs of a Goldfish by Scillian, Devin and Tim Bowers is another book to take a look at. In this simple diary of a goldfish you will have to chuckle. It starts with the boring life of a fish who has the bowl to himself. ..until one day things begin to change.
And lastly, I would highly recommend
Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester Laminack. The Tuckers' farm is a peaceful place. The animals all have jobs and no one complains. That is, until a peacock suddenly falls off the back of a passing truck.
If you have any favorite picture books, I'd be interested in hearing what they are.
Years ago I started dreaming. If I could only win a writing contest. If I could just get something published in a magazine. Then, if I could just have one book published. Well . . . maybe two books. And the thought continues to this day. I don't think true writers ever give up on their dreams.
It is my hope that this blog will keep the fire going under our dreams. It is so easy to get discouraged by rejections, or reading "bad" things that have been published and knowing our writing is much better. I intend to share the ups and downs.
Maybe not all writers have ups and downs like I do. But I seem to hop on roller coasters that unexpectedly veer off course and eventually throw you out of the seat. I won't go in to my past adventures...just take you on the newest ride:
Last May I did a happy dance because I'd signed a contract with a publisher for my first picture book. After that came the exciting part of seeing the pictures as they were furnished by the artist. While not always what I expected, it was still an exciting time. Then came the slow down of emails from my publisher. Hmm, perhaps not a good sign, but then I tend to worry too much. Be patient I whispered to myself...things will be fine, after all you have a signed contract.
I decided to send a quick inquiry January 2. No reply by February 2. Hmm, perhaps not a good sign, but then probably the email got lost. I sent off another short inquiry the first of February...then the dreaded reply:
Reluctantly yet realistically I must tell you that I'm not able to go ahead with the publishing of (book's name). I know this decision will cause you great disappointment, and I'm sorry for that. The project itself has brought so many problems with graphic designers that I prefer not to deal with the challenges any more. Moreover, my publishing business itself is moving toward new models of information marketing and online education. Finally, I have some health issues to deal with, and that is one reason why I have had some periods where I haven't communicated with you promptly. Please accept both my apologies for holding you up and for my continued high regard for the idea itself. I release you from the contract, and wish you all the best. (publisher)
Okay, okay, so maybe every author doesn't have my ups and downs....but I tell ya, if writing wasn't my passion I would have thrown my hands up years ago!
So let's share our Ups and Downs.
If you have any ideas or sites that have helped you, please feel free to let us know.
Here is a little bit more about who I am:
my web site
Well, I pretty much saw the writing on the wall, but I got the notice several months ago: my publisher closed their doors. Thus the door slammed shut on my four books.
So what to do? Sink to the ground and have a pity part, then hop up, rewrite and send it through my wonderful critique group. I think resilience is one thing we writers have in common.
At this time I'm going to reluctantly delete most posts about my former books and look forward to my new MG book that should be available this year....more coming on a PB that should have been available this year.
Summer McKay is beside herself when she impulsively
invites the class know-it-all to her slumber party. At
the party the know-it-all takes control, leaving Summer
to feel like an outsider. Surely the results of her
impulsive act can't get worse, or can they? In an effort
to regain control of her own party, Summer's mouth
flies open and a lie jumps out. She informs the girls that
she has a show dog: One that wins ribbons. Can it get
any worse? Only if Emily, the know-it-all, tells the
teacher about the dog and Summer is invited to bring
her ribbon-winning dog to class.
Author Talk at Spring Branch Elementary
Third graders at Spring Branch were great listeners this morning with some wonderful questions. We talked about how I became a writer, proofreading, and many other subjects dear to my heart.
Right now they are hard a work writing non-fiction pieces. Hopefully, the visit gave them a little inspiration and insight in to writing.
Author Talk at Spring Branch Elementary
Third graders at Spring Branch were great listeners this morning with some wonderful questions. We talked about how I became a writer, proofreading, and many other subjects dear to my heart.
Right now they are hard a work writing non-fiction pieces. Hopefully, the visit gave them a little inspiration and insight in to writing.
March 10th Fort Osage had their annual Young Authors' Conference., The other guest authors were Doninda Nicholson, Steve Rideout, Ann Ingalls, and Priscilla Howe. I was asked to talk to the 7th and 8th graders. What talented kids! Their stories were so original and varied. Each time I've talked at Fort Osage, I come away impressed by the talented writers as well as the wonderful staff who are behind the scenes of the conference.
March 10th Fort Osage had their annual Young Authors' Conference. The other guest authors were Doninda Nicholson, Steve Rideout, Ann Ingalls, and Priscilla Howe. I was asked to talk to the 7th and 8th graders. What talented kids! Their stories were so original and varied. Each time I've talked at Fort Osage, I come away impressed by the talented writers as well as the wonderful staff who are behind the scenes of the conference.
The start of this school year has certainly gone good for me. Perhaps that's because I retired last June. I smile as the school buses drive by. I smile as I sit down in front of the computer and do the thing I love most: write. And hopefully, I will find more time to blog now.
I have spent all morning trying to find some good middle readers. I have requested several at the public library that looked good: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Bystander, Slob, Operation Redwood and Scat are among several that I asked for. If anyone has a good picture book or middle reader to share, I would be interested.
The start of this school year has certainly gone good for me. Perhaps that's because I retired last June. I smile as the school buses drive by. I smile as I sit down in front of the computer and do the thing I love most: write. And hopefully, I will find more time to blog now.
I have spent all morning trying to find some good middle grade/chapter books. I have requested several at the public library that looked good: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Bystander, Slob, Operation Redwood and Scat are among several that I asked for. If anyone has a good picture book or middle reader to share, I would be interested.
Independence/Fort Osage International Reading Association along with the School District of Independence had a wonderful program for young, aspiring authors. This year the featured author was Lisa Campbell Ernst. The students seemed to have a wonderful morning. I had a table to sell my books, there was a Scholastic Book Fair, Mid-Continent Public Library, and several other tables for the kids to enjoy.
View Next 22 Posts
