Monthly Archive: April 2017

National Dance Week

National Dance Week

This is National Dance Week. It began in 1981 as a way to bring national attention to dance. So what are you suppose to do? I suggest you try one of these ideas: attend a dance event (local dance studio recital or professional dance group presentation of ballet or culturally themed dancing) watch a PBS special on dance watch a movie of dancers from a variety of dance genres take a lesson in ballroom, classical dance, or cultural dance (Irish, Indian, Asian, etc) turn on your favorite music and dance just for the fun of it.

FAQ About Ballet Dancers

FAQ About Ballet Dancers

How long does it take to become a professional ballet dancer? Most dancers start lesson by age 7 and take 1-2 classes a week. They focus on basic techniques. Young women must wait for their feet to finish growing before they step into pointe shoes. Both young men and women will also take modern dance and partner classes. By their teen years most serious dancers are in class 2-4 hours six days a week. What are pointe shoes made from and how long does a pair last?  Pointe shoes are made from several layers of fabric. The outsides are satin...

Slow Motion – A Writer’s Trick

Slow Motion – A Writer’s Trick

Clive Matson got it right! In his book Let the Crazy Child Write: Finding Your Creative Writing Voice, he suggests that writers use slow action. When an important event occurs, slow the action down to freeze frame speed. That pulls readers closer allowing them to experience the physical tension with the character. Whatever the action looks like: a fall, a gun fight, or an ah-ha moment; it works. The next time you come across an action scene, see if the author has extended that scene through slowing down the time and movement. If it is a memorable scene, I’ll wager...

Vote for Your Top 5 Most Antagonizing Characters

Vote for Your Top 5 Most Antagonizing Characters

Throughout the trilogy, I invited many characters to step into my books. Here is a list of story characters in no particular order. Select the top 5 you feel were the most antagonizing. Madame Cosper                   Steve Mason                           Noel Elijah                      Mrs. B.                                         ?   Lynne Meadows                   Marta Selbryth                      Damien Black                 Uncle Leo Carol                                      Dennis (carpenter)                Lily Rose                         Ida                                                 ? Suzette                                  Bartley Timmons                   Elle Selbryth                  Wallace Cheryl Menkins                   Karl                                          Lynne’s parents             Lucia                                            ? Kitsy                                      Arty                                        Madame Zelb                  Jae...