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I love contests. Though you've probably already guessed that. I first caught the contest bug when I won a holiday to Las Vegas plus spending money a distant 10 years ago. Since then I've won videos, t-shirts and books. Anyway, why am I telling you all this? Because I'm excited to have just bought a wad of fairy and pirate items for a future contest which I will be running in honour of my first pro sale. The story was accepted last November and I'm hoping it will appear in the next couple of months. I like to be prepared. I'm also trying to stiff the taxman.
Of course my ebay hunt also led to my spending an hour procrastinating. Consider my wrists duly slapped.
Wolf Dude won't be hosting this competition. He's currently in prison (ie locked in my bookcase) for scaring my four year old niece last week. I have to admit I played my own part in the evil act (I left him guarding my make-up case where her sticky fingers usually wind up) and my brother added to the distress by persuading Wolf Dude to go for a walk across my dressing table while singing his trademark song. I don't think I should be allowed to write for children.
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Shari Lyle-Soffe ,
on 2/1/2009
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Shari: You write wonderful books for reluctant readers. How many of those books have you written? Have they all been published?
Max: Thank you, I appreciate that, and the opportunity to talk about the subject of reluctant readers, especially tween boys. I’ve completed a total of thirty-five manuscripts for this age group. In addition, one of my short stories is included in the book, Lay Ups and Long Shots, from Darby Creek Publishing. Seven other books have been published.
Shari: Would you tell us about them?
Max: The titles are Newspaper Caper, Terror at Wolf Lake, North Woods Poachers, Mountain Cabin Mystery, Big Rig Rustlers, Secret of Abbot's Cave, and Legend of the White Wolf. I would describe them as action-adventures and mysteries that are filled with exciting stories, humor, a lot of dialog, and heart-pounding action and adventure. Kids tell me that reading one of my books is like being in an exciting or scary movie. I should point out that this is good scary, not dark or evil scary. The books have completely different characters, settings, and plots, so you can pick up any book and begin reading, without having to start with any particular title.
Shari: Are many publishers looking for books for reluctant readers?
Max: From what I see in trade publications and newsletters, they are. But publishers are also looking for well known authors, or authors with a solid platform. Platform, of course, means that the author has several ways to help get the books sold. I’m not that famous, and I don’t have something like a national radio show, so I continue working on my platform in other ways. I write articles, short stories, give interviews, speak, maintain email lists of schools and homeschoolers, along with a number of other initiatives. My blog, Books for Boys http://booksandboys.blogspot.com has been holding # 4 on Google over the past several weeks. So if someone is looking for that subject, they will find my blog near the top of the Google list. I also have a short story under consideration at Boys’ Life. Something like that, with a circulation of 1,300,000 would help a lot in name recognition.
Toward the end of 2008, and into the first part of this year, my agent has sent quite a few proposals to interested publishers. So we’re hopeful to see some doors open before too much longer.
Something that interests me is that James Patterson, author of a ga-billion books, has a ten-year-old son who is a reluctant reader. I, too, grew up as a reluctant reader, even though my father was the author of over 70 books. I never read any of them. Mr. Patterson has started a web site to help in the fight to reach reluctant readers. That site is http://www.readkiddoread.com
Shari: How would you describe a book for a reluctant reader?
Max: It would be a book without a lot of large blocks or paragraphs of words. Sentences tend to be shorter, with lots of dialog. They must be fast-paced, and grab the reader right away. In the case of my books, almost all chapters end with a cliffhanger, so the reader simply must keep reading. My books are printed on bright, white paper, with larger type and wider spacing between the lines. Vocabulary needs to be more simple to grasp, without talking down to the reader. These are some of the elements that I use when writing. The interesting thing I have found is that my books are also enjoyed by avid readers, girls, and even adults. So writers need to make sure to tell a good story. If you do that, the readers will follow.
Shari: I bought some of your books for my grandson. He really enjoyed them. Do you visit schools where you get feedback from your readers?
Max: Yes. In fact, I’ll be speaking in a school this week. My program is called Imagine http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/whats_new.html My presentation is very interactive, so I get a lot of feedback during the process. Most often I speak to just one class or one big assembly. But this time I’m speaking to the assembly, where I’ll give the first ¾ of my program, and then go to a couple of individual classrooms and do the writing assignment, followed with question & answer. It’s not only an opportunity to connect with potential readers, but I have the schools send a pre-order form home with the students. It’s a nice way to add to their enjoyment of the experience.
Shari: Will you tell us about your latest book and how readers may purchase it?
Max: All of my books are available on Amazon.com, and all are rated by Accelerated Reader. That’s important to kids because they can earn points in school by reading them. My most recent full length book is Legend of the White Wolf. What I’ve written about that one is, “They didn’t call him a liar; they just couldn’t believe his story. Brian Fisher was determined to prove it was true even though it involved the risk to his own safety. His rescue of a wolf pup from a steel trap results in a mysterious relationship with surprising results. The story is set in the lower elevations near Yellowstone.”
The most recent book is Lay Ups and Long Shots. It includes my short story, Big Foot, which is a football story about a boy with a dis-ABILITY. One of his feet is much, much larger than the other and it causes him to be teased and bullied, no matter where he has lived. After his father dies suddenly, we learn a special secret that only he and his son knew.
People can send orders to me for my books and I sign all of those books. Email for details at [email protected] However, I don’t have the right to sell Lay Ups and Long Shots. That one is available in most stores or on Amazon and other online outlets.
Shari: If you weren’t a writer, what do you think you would be?
Max: Actually, when I’m not writing, I’m a producer of video programs and television commercials. I’ve shot, directed, or produced over 500 national TV commercials for True Value Hardware, and done a number of commercials for my state senator. Most of my work comes from industrial or medical clients, although, with the severe economic downturn, that part of my life is pretty quiet right now. I grew up around film production since that’s what my dad did. It kind of got into my blood early, and I’ve always enjoyed the process. That work also gives me a different opportunity for writing video and commercial scripts.
Shari: Would you describe your work space?
Max: Both of our children are grown and out on their own, so I took over our son’s bedroom, turning it into my writing room. I have a separate computer there along with all my reference books and tools for writing. The room has windows on two sides which are a must for me, creatively. I can close the door and be completely isolated. I have a stereo set up in there too, and an extensive CD library of classical music along with several others. When I write, I burn a candle right next to the computer. I only write scary scenes after dark, and keep the room dark too. Next I find some really spooky music and play that. It never fails to put me in the right mood. Then, when I write something really creepy, I get chills all over, just like I hope the reader will. For sad scenes, I’ll choose very sad music and that can bring tears. And for comedy, I’ll put in funny music. That’ll make me laugh at times. But I can’t have any music playing that has lyrics. I can only write to instrumental music.
It’s good if you can have a designated writing place because, once you get there, it helps to put you in the right frame of mind to start writing, and to experience the full creative process. I marvel at writers who can work with the TV blaring, kids screaming, and a lot of interruptions. That’d drive me crazy I think.
Shari: Will you tell us how you work? (Time of day, attire, process, etc.?)
Max: My last book-length manuscript is called Scanners. About it I’ve written, “What do bar codes, scanners, tattoos, and 666 have to do with the life of a twelve-year-old boy? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.
Alex and his friends, Noah Bates and Tim Price began working with him, in his father’s grocery store, for the summer. But it wasn’t long before some money was missing, a lot of money. And it always happened on the weekends.
Alex didn’t care what it took, he was determined to catch the thief. Only he could never have imagined how big it was, or how many people were involved.”
I completed Scanners in March of 2007. Again, that was a conscious decision to stop, after writing thirty-five of them, and concentrate on becoming a more attractive prospect for publishers. I often tell other writers, who haven’t yet been published, that writing your book is the easy part. The truly hard job is all of what comes next.
I dress normally when I write. I’ve read about how some people slouch around in P J’s, or a robe, but that wouldn’t work for me. I believe that you change, mentally, depending on what you’re wearing. Just remember back the last time you wore a Tux or evening gown as compared to jeans or shorts and a T shirt.
The best time for me to write is beginning in the evening. I like to finish two to three chapters, and I’ll never start a chapter that I can’t finish in that session. When I come to the end of the session, I place a post-it-note on the freshly printed pages that says, “Next.” On it I scribble a few notes about what would happen next, if I were to continue writing. But something funny happened with Legend of the White Wolf. I don’t write to an outline. So the story is happening fresh, as I go along. I began writing on a Friday evening, and the next thing I knew, it was tomorrow. That was a little shocking, but I just kept on writing, and the first draft was finished in three days. I did this because I couldn’t wait to see how the story was going to turn out.
I don’t edit as I go, and don’t read anything until the first draft is finished. I will have made notes, and there are scraps of paper scattered around with pieces of dialog, a funny line, or a fine point I want to include
I like to write summer scenes or stories when it’s hot, and winter when it’s freezing cold out. There have been times when I’ve cranked the heat up, during cold weather, just to simulate the summer heat.
What I enjoy most about writing is being able to plunge into a different world with characters that I get to create. I’m the most at peace when I’m writing, and I love everything about the process. Then, when a parent, or a young reader send a letter, or an email, to tell me how one of my books has touched their lives, or when I find that a reluctant reader is now a reader, because of one of my books, that makes everything worthwhile.
Yesterday, after scurrying about all day on errands, etc..., I decided, dang it, I'm going for my run even if it's raining and nearly dark outside. So I hopped into my running gear grabbed a flashlight and ventured out jogging happily past the national park gates, closed to traffic. The gates open at sunrise and close at sunset. No words for the beauty of a stormy sky with enough clearing in the west to make the purple darkness that much darker. Large raindrops caught the unnatural light sparkling silver like Christmas decorations. A person had paused down the way on the deserted road. Pretty soon the woman with a white pooch emerged from the darkness.
"Hello." I said all cheery on a high from getting my butt out to exercise.
"Hi. How far are you going?"
I paused to talk, something I don't usually do on a run, I must admit. "I usually run on the dirt trails, so much kinder to my knees, but with this storm I'll stick to the road. Probably run to the ranger's building and back."
"Oh, because something, um, something big is out there."
"Like a deer?"
"Ah, I don't know. You saw me standing there right?" She pointed down the winding road. My scrappiness sunk into my stomach.
"Yes, I did."
"You know how sometimes you just have to go with your gut?"
I nodded. "Yup."
"Well, that's as far as I got. I decided to turn around. My dog pointed too, like he saw something out there. I heard something else but when I turned around it I knew it was human, you running."
"Oh, ah, sorry about that." I wasn't turning around. I was out and loving life and while seriously creeped out I wasn't going to go back home without getting my run in. No. Way.
She saw the determination in my eyes and said, "Yeah, you know people get that feeling for all kinds of reasons. Maybe I left the stove on, or, maybe a light. Anyway, it will be great you all alone out there."
"Yeah, well, take care," and we parted ways. I mean, seriously what a buzz kill. And of course I was freaked, potential headlines running through my head: 'Nice gal eaten by something big in the Santa Monica Mountains' but I turned my flashlight on and kept running. I didn't run as far as usual, but something is better than nothing and after I ran through all the possible headlines in my head, I didn't feel scared at all just awed by the beauty of the passing storm.
**********************************************
On a lighter note, I ran out of hot Paprika. Now, a lot of people don't even know that there are two kinds of Paprika, unless you were brought up on Bohemian cooking outside of Chicago. But, there it is. I was all set to make Hungarian goulash after my run but discovered that little black bugs had infested my hot Paprika. Another casualty of life on the road. Dang.
**********************************************
Our VHS died, a while back I think. Not being home very much this year I truly didn't miss it, until the other day. All our Christmas movies are on VHS. So yesterday I joined the 21st century and bought DVDs of some favorite movies. Can't wait to watch them.
I know I’ve dropped the ball on this one—every other blogger seems to have had an Advanced Reading Copy of this book for months and months. I, however, have had to subsist on these other blog reviews and the odd mention on the author’s website. Finally, however, just in time for Halloween: The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaimain.
Nobody Owens, (Bod for short) has grown up in a graveyard. Not near a graveyard. Not next to a graveyard. Actually in a graveyard. His whole family was murdered when he was just two years old, and he escaped by toddling into the graveyard, where he was adopted by the ghosts. He’s raised by two of the ghosts (Mr. and Mistress Owens, who died almost 300 years before), guarded by Silas, who lives in the crypt and is . . . neither living nor dead, and taught, nurtured and protected by the rest of the denizens of the graveyard. Why do they need to protect him? Because no one knows why his family was killed–and the murderer is still looking for him.
I know, I know–it sounds unremittingly grim, terrifying, even. And I cannot deny that it is scary. But it’s also by turns charming, bittersweet, illuminating, and gripping. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes ghosts, mysteries, atmosphere and even coming-of-age stories. Happy Halloween!
(Bonus points if you figured out the title’s reference to a classic of children’s literature–The Jungle Book!).
Posted by: Sarah
Thought this would be scary for anyone to encounter.
In this very suspenseful and scary story, which takes place in New York City, 1872, fourteen-year-old Horace signs on as a photographer’s apprentice and becomes entangled in his lazy employer’s scheme to create fraudulent spirit photographs. Horace, a rational and upright person, wants no part of such goings on, and just wants to learn the art of photography. When he gets forced into his employer’s scheme, Horace discovers the photos he takes accidentally free the real ghost of a dead girl bent on revenge against those who harmed her in life.
A wealthy society lady, Mrs. Von Macht, recently lost a “loved one” and when she orders a photographic portrait, Mr. Middleditch, the fraud, sees a chance to include the dead girl’s image in the woman’s photo and make money from this. Pegg is the Von Machts’ black servant girl and she befriends Horace, fills him in on the reality of the home situation, and the two face a very scary and dangerous time of containing the ghost of Eleanora.
Is this a gift or a curse that dead peoples’ images in Horace’s photos gradually develop, grow stronger, more visible, more real? What will Horace do about this ability? Do bad people in stories deserve what happens to them? Is Horace at fault at all for freeing this vengeful ghost? This intriguing scary story, written by an accomplished familiar author, recommended for grade 5 and up, might also be a good choice for a book discussion group as there are many questions to explore. Try this if you like ghost stories.
Posted by: Fran D.
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By:
Just One More Book!!,
on 10/1/2008
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Author: Mark Greenwood (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Frané Lessac (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763639133
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Deceptively simple looking folk art illustrations, uncluttered narration and sparse, intimate utterings deliver some of the dark, disturbing details of war in this eye-opening, true tale of courage, carnage and camaraderie.
More war and peace on JOMB:
HOTLINE VOICES: Bobby (a grade two teacher in Phoenix, AZ) describes a difference of opinion between he and his fiancée (a grade one teacher) and asks the question, what is the best way to read books to a group of children?
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Steve Novak,
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Just a little something I sketched last night while laying in bed, half asleep. I'll save you the annoyance of sitting though any of my "witty" banter today.
Steve~
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on 10/27/2007
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Nineteen upbeat poems and a generous cast of wacky-looking monsters serve up a blend of scariness and humour that provides a perfectly harmless Hallowe’en thrill.
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Nineteen upbeat poems and a generous cast of wacky-looking monsters serve up a blend of scariness and humour that provides a perfectly harmless Hallowe’en thrill.
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By:
Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/25/2007
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“Sigh… it’s a shame too. They only found one Ajan wimp, and it’s been over a week.”
“Six days to go until we cancel the party for them. I can’t wait to see all the disappointment.”
“Come on, we’ve got more of those sad face buttons to sell.”
“I’m depressed.”
“You’re always depressed.”
“Yeah but today I have bonus depression.”
“Oh, have a nice day.”
“That’s not very funny.”
“Ssssend usssss more fiend mail. . . humansssss are such foolsssssss…”
By:
Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/18/2007
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“I found Teko and he gots clues for everybody so you can help us find all my friends! If you look around our site starting tomorrow you might find some of Teko’s clues and if you do it will help us find everyone faster! Come on Hikousen! Let’s keep looking.”
zzzzzz
Posted on 10/16/2007
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“I’m glad you came to help us, Acey!”
“Hey, we’re all on the same team! Let’s put together a good plan and we’ll find your friends. You can count on that.”
“Yay! Now we’re gonna beat those mean Halloween monsters, Hikousen!”
“zzzzzz”
“Communications link with LadyStar web site established, Commander.”
“Outstanding. We’ll handle the updates from here, Cici. You and Hikousen take this commlink and go find your friends. If you need us, just say ‘Cici to Hana’ and you’ll be patched in to Z-bot’s communications network.”
“Okay! Let’s go Hikousen!”
“mmmmzzzzrrrwwzzzzz”
Posted on 10/16/2007
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“No time for analysis, Z-bot. Until we know what’s going on we’re on maximum battle status.”
“Affirmative, Commander. Weapons systems armed.”
“Look sharp.”
“I can’t find anyone. Alanna, Shannon, anybody. Do you have any idea?”
“Only that white bird, and it’s still in the tree outside. I can’t get near it but it’s been watching us all day.”
“FREEZE!“
gasp!
“Is that some kind of space gun or something?”
“How many more?”
“None, Commander. Nearest humanoid life form bearing 252 mark six range 18 meters.”
“Threat analysis.”
“Negative weapons. Negative heavy alloys. Negative elecromagnetic emissions. Negative radiation. Nearest radio communications signal source range is 21 kilometers.”
“Who are you?!”
“Where is Talitha Hayashi?”
“We don’t know! That’s what we were just saying!”
“Acey!”
By:
Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/15/2007
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“Well, you look like an awfully tired cat, but I have to use my desk if you don’t mind.”
zzzzzz
“Oof! You’re a heavy one aren’t you? Arrrgh! You’re too heavy for me! Well I was headed for class anyway so I guess you can stay here until you find another place to sleep.”
“Okay, here’s that computer that Talitha was using with the green letters. She did a ‘ping’ something and that made it so Acey could hear us. Let me try it.”
“New Satcom signal detected. Low-power ATS IP network data source at terminal location E29A64. Core communications database identifies sender as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ ninth-grade student. Location: Tree Shores High School. Priority transmission source identified. Message recorded for relay to Hana. Activating primary com channel. Stand by location E29A64.”
“Help us Acey! Oh wait, I have to type it. H-E-L-P U-S A-C-E-Y“
“Distress signal detected. Upgrading alert status. Switching transmission network to secure frequency. Activating secondary com channel.”
“Z-bot to Hana.”
“Hana, Acey here.”
“Reporting auto-upgrade of alert status. Receiving distress signal from priority transmission source at station E29A64, bearing 304 mark 18, range 82,000 kilometers. Sender has been identified as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ Location: Tree Shores High School. Standing by for instructions.”
“Yellow Alert. Activate autocombat systems.”
“Affirmative. Autocombat systems engaged.”
“Patch me in to primary secure com channel.”
“Affirmative. You’re on Commander.”
“This is Commander Acey aboard the Hana. Please describe your emergency.”
“Receiving response, Commander. Relaying… T-H-E H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N M-O-N-S-T-E-R-S“
“Halloween monsters? Analysis, Z-bot?”
“Negative. Station E29A64 is no longer transmitting.”
“We’ve got to get down there and find out what’s going on. Rendezvous with the Hana at the Tree Shores High School Band Room and remain on station, Z-bot. Acey out.”
“Affirmative, Commander. ETA six minutes.”
By:
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“This is where Talitha was using the computer, Hikousen, but we gotta be real quiet ’cause it’s like a library.”
“mmmmmwwwrzzzzzz”
“That’s the teacher’s desk I think. It’s the one with all the papers. Maybe I should transform and then I can use my powers to make them go away.”
zzzzzz
“Or I can use big fat purring kitty power.”
*oof* “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….”
“You’re gonna sleep there Hikousen. Don’t move until I get back. I’m gonna go use Talitha’s computer so I can call Acey to help us.”
“mmrwowrzzzzzz”
“What in the name of…”
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on 10/14/2007
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The Haunted Halloween Hunt now has its own page so you can follow Cici n’ Hikousen’s spooky adventure!
“Missssssserable humansssssss. . . thisssss page will not sssssssave your Ajan Warriorsssssssss. . .”
By:
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on 10/13/2007
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“Greetings humans! heh heh heh… seems we’ve got us a web site now that everyone else is gone. We brought some of our friends along too.”
“Pathetic humanssssss. . . . Your Ajan Warriorssssssss are finissssssssshed. . . . You thought we were defeated at the Lithic Pavilion, but you cannot defeat ussssss ssssso eassssily. . .”
“So as you can see, we’re in charge around here now.”
“This is all so pointless. Why is everything so pointless?”
“Oh, I’m afraid we’ll find the last of the Ajan Warriors soon enough. . . heh heh heh get it? ‘I’m afraid?’”
“I’m so depressed.”
“Go ahead you simpering humans. See if you can find them! We dare you.”
“They get candy and parties and what do I get? A candle burning the top of my head for two weeks. Go away and leave us alone.”
Happy Halloween!
Jessica, Shannon, Talitha, Ranko, Leila and Alanna were all together at school. But one by one, they have vanished. Only Cici and Hikousen are left, and they’ve set out to rescue their friends.
But they need YOUR help. The nefarious Haunted Halloween minions have trapped Jessica and her friends in ensorcelled cages hidden somewhere around the LadyStar web site. Each time you discover one of the ensorcelled cages, you will be able to read another chapter of the story of Cici n’ Hikousen’s Haunted Halloween Hunt. If you can find them, you will be helping Cici and Hikousen solve the Halloween mystery.
Starting Monday, October 15th!
Starting Monday night, October 15th, you have until Halloween night, October 31st, to help rescue all six of Cici’s friends. Then, on Halloween night, the seventh and final chapter of the Haunted Halloween Hunt will be published exclusively right here on the Magical and Mysterious World of LadyStar. Can you defeat the Halloween minions and rescue Cici’s friends?
The Haunted Halloween Hunt Rules
- The ensorcelled cages and story chapters are on the Ladystar.net site only. It is not necessary to click any off-site links or links provided by any site other than LadyStar.net
- You may find clues hidden around the site as well.
- Be observant and read the Halloween story chapters carefully. There might be clues hidden there.
Are you up for the challenge? Prepare yourself. The minions are waiting, and they know what scares you . . .
By:
Scribe Chronicler of Aventar,
on 10/12/2007
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“Alanna’s been gone a long time, Hikousen. . . I don’t know what I should do. She said to stay here but what if she’s in trouble?”
mrowrzzzzzzzz….
“Maybe I should transform and. . .”
“Hey! Who are you?”
“She is very much too young for Tree Shores High School.”
“You better not be that Sorcerer in disguise or I’ll ZAP YOU!”
“Whoa! I’m not a sorcerer. I promise. Calm down, now, okay? I’m just wondering what a little girl is doing in the band room at our high school?”
“With very strange-looking watch.”
“Yeah.”
“Jessie said I could go to the band room whenever I want. I’m supposed to wait here until Alanna gets back.”
“Jessie… Jessie… hmmm.. oh yeah! Isn’t that the dizzy blond girl that hangs around with Ranko?”
“I think last name is Hoshi. She is freshman in band with Ranko.”
“I don’t know where anybody is. Alanna said to wait but she’s been gone for a long time and I don’t know what to do.”
“I don’t know what’s going on but this sounds bad.”
“I have to go find Acey. She’ll help me find them. Come on Hikousen.”
zzzzzzzz….
“Should she just leave like that?”
“We need to go to Ranko’s Mom’s Diner, or call somebody, because this is like, intense bad stuff going on.”
“We can use the shortcut to get to Diner. I have bike.”
“Me too. Let’s rock.”
If you enjoy reading about ghosts and spirits, you are bound to enjoy this one.
The Willis place is an old mansion, set in the woods, that has been uninhabited for many years. It is in disrepair and downright spooky! The owner, Lilian Willis, has been dead for quite awhile, so the mansion has a caretaker who lives in a trailer nearby.
Diana and her younger brother, Georgie, live in the woods, and over the years they have enjoyed tormenting and teasing the various caretakers of the Willis mansion; as well as any teen-agers who hang out in the woods. Thus begins the rumor that the mansion is haunted. They follow “special rules” that keep them from showing themselves to other people, that keep them from ever leaving the woods and that keep them from entering the mansion.
When a new caretaker and his daughter, Lissa, move in, Diana is immediately drawn to the idea of making a friend. At first, Diana and Georgie just spy on Lissa and her father, but eventually Diana can’t help but to break the “rules” and show herself. The two immediately become friends. Lissa’s curiosity about the mansion leads to discovering and releasing the evil spirit within. This also causes “the bad time” that Diana and Georgie have always kept as a secret to be revealed.
This is a great ghost story that makes me happy that I don’t live in the woods, or near an abandoned mansion!
Posted by: Wendy
Posted on 9/29/2007
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Published: 2001 Farrar, Straus & Giroux (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0374303908 Chapters.ca Amazon.com
Stagnant submissiveness meets infectious effervescence in this rousing exploration of supremacy, perspective and the power of partnership.
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By:
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on 9/28/2007
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“I heard a rumor.”
“What rumor?”
“That we might have a big event for Halloween this year.”
“Halloween? I hope it isn’t scary…”
…
…
 |
“boo” |
The Poison Diaries
Author: Colin Stimpson, Duchess of Northumberland, Jane
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
ISBN-10: 0810993147
ISBN-13: 978-0810993143
The Poison Diaries is one of those books that you can’t help gazing at again and again. Story aside, the book is gorgeous. Rich, pastel like drawings that cover every inch of the page make it captivatingly sumptuous with all the style of an old-fashioned, Victorian herbal.
Each plant is lovingly drawn in great depth and detail and the book appears to be a kind of field guide to the plants in a garden as you first flip through it. Then you start to notice that the plants have almost human characteristics that they appear to be not only alive, but also malevolent. My first reaction was to stop flipping through it and start back at the beginning.
The story unfolds as darkly gothic as something from out of Lovecraft. The story is of an orphaned boy named Weed who works in his cruel master’s poison garden tending to the plants. He discovers that he can hear the plants talking and they him.
The plants are evil creatures who adore telling tales of the manner in which they kill. They goad Weed and try and encourage him to kill his master, glorifying murder and offering justification. He refuses to go along with them until one day he finds that his only friend and true love Marigold has experimented with one of the poisons and dies. With Marigold’s death, Weed unravels, sinking into a madness that the plants feast on and use to control him into doing what they want which is to kill.
I was completely caught up in the story even though I tend to shy away from very violent books and this is violent make no mistake about this. It is violent and graphically so. Still, the story is a good one, riveting though chilling. I have a feeling there will be more stories about Weed and his plants in the future or at least there should be given that the book left me wanting more.
I’m fascinated by the fact that the author was once a Disney animator. I could completely see this story animated although certainly not for children. It would make a very dark, very interesting film I think. The Poison Diaries comes highly recommended.
Book Description from the publisher:
This truly gothic tale—a “facsimile” of Weed’s journal found at Alnwick Castle, in England—is not only a story of the battle between good and evil, but an educational parable of the curative and lethal properties of plants.
Weed—an orphan boy who apprentices with an evil old apothecary—is both used and abused. His journal is part botanical workbook and part diary of his own relationship with poisonous plants.
Weed discovers that he is one of the few people whom the plants talk to, and they try to persuade him that, with their help, his master can easily be disposed of. Although he refuses at first, after Weed’s first love, Marigold, experiments with the poisons and dies, he is pushed over the edge and plots to kill his master with a taste of his own evil medicine.
Each chapter of the story begins with Weed’s botanical notes: a plant’s appearance and properties, where it is found, how it should be cared for, the most poisonous parts, and how poison is extracted and administered. Accompanied by Weed’s sketches of the plants in their natural form, his diary also reveals the “real” personalities of the plants.
About the Author
Jane, Duchess of Northumberland has long researched poison gardens. She is responsible for creating the Poison Garden at Alnwick Gardens in England, which opened in 2004 to worldwide acclaim. The Poison Garden is the culmination of her life’s goal to teach children and adults alike the curative and lethal properties of poisonous plants. Colin Stimpson worked as an animator at Steven Spielberg’s Amblimation studio in London and then at Disney Feature Animation in California.
Posted on 7/26/2007
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Published: Sleeping Bear Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1585361267 Chapters.ca Amazon.com
Gorgeous red and gold warmth entwines with thrashing, raw waves and spray to tell the tragic tale of twenty nine souls struggling against the fury of Lake Superior and of the polished brass bell that forever sounds their farewell.
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Dark and disturbing yet surprisingly digestible, this thought-provoking twist on the classic rhyme is an arresting introduction to drug-induced despair — and a call to choose to act to end it.
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Wolf Dude can come and protect stuff from small children anytime he wants to in my house.
LMFAO @ Wolfdude
Wolfdude welcome here! I grew up on Hans C. Andersen and the Grimm Bros, and it only warped me a little bit.
Wolf Dude scares me a little too. He doesn't look like he could swim, though, so I'm probably safe from him.
The contest sounds intriguing!
I love contests too though I rarely ever win. I try anyways.
Wolfdude can visit here anytime he wants. Maybe he can scare my brother in to...I don't know...cleaning something. That would scare me.
Jamie - he's not as effectual as he thinks. She did carry him all the way down the stairs to complain that he scares her.
Natalie - stop laughing, he has been very naughty.
Ian - totally warped this end.
KC - He knows how to sail yachts though and how to catch a bus when he reaches another continent.
Andrea - he's yet to scare me into cleaning my office. :)
A multi-tasking Wolf Dude...band member, protector of make-up...you got yourself a gem when he came into your world...grin...
A wolf of many skills.
Just thought I'd tell you that I'm celebrating Poetry Month over on my blog with a: ”Poetry Contest”
Oh...I have two children in my house that would love a song from Wolf Dude. But they're a little warped themselves, chips off the old block and all that.
Kim, I noticed. I saw the word poetry and I ran away. :D
My poor niece seems to have developed a fear of anything to do with wolves.
I think Wolf Dude is made of awesome. I'd like a mural sized one to keep my kids from drawing on the walls.
I'm now wishing I'd bought his twin brother last Halloween.