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8 Reasons to Read

musings

8 Reasons to Read

The other day I had a drop-in book event at the Edmonds Bookshop. During quiet moments, I looked around, watching people browse the array of books this gem of a bookshop stocks. It made me wonder why they browse/select/buy/read certain genres. I made a quick list and came up with this random collection of generic ideas: 1. It’s fun, informative or both. 2. It takes you to worlds you’ might never visit otherwise. 3. You are led to see images in new ways. 4. It’s often relaxing. 5. It opens you to new perspectives. 6. You meet interesting story characters...

Letters to Follow: a Sneak Peek

book reviewing / Letters to Follow / new works

Letters to Follow: a Sneak Peek

Chapter ONE Lynne stormed into the women’s dressing room and threw her ballet slippers into her locker. “That woman! She never stops yelling at me!”   “Maybe you deserve it. I mean, you’re late a lot and…”   Lynne swung around. “Mind your own business, Suzette.”   “I’m just trying to be helpful.”   “Back off, Suzette!” Lynne glared at Suzette’s saccharine smile. “You couldn’t help an old lady open a cereal box.”   The dressing room fell silent. The first year as well as the seasoned dancers watched the two women elevate their dislike to the level of a...

Write on the Sound Conference

character development / details in writing / Letters to Follow / musings / writer reminders

Write on the Sound Conference

Writers never stop looking for ways to improve their writing. One such way is conferences. Our local conference, Write on the Sound, is a perfect place to gain ideas and techniques while meeting with fellow writers. And, as good fortune would have it, we had a perfect weekend of weather, classes, and vistas from the Plaza Room at Edmond’s Francis Anderson Center (formerly the place where I began my teaching career half a century ago). Ouch. that sounds ancient; maybe it is! The conference strictly showcases writers as presenters with no agents or publishers making presentations. Listening to fellow writers...

Found Poetry – Fun for Everyone

musings / poetry

Found Poetry – Fun for Everyone

I want to share this notion with you because it only take a few minutes and it creates amazing results.   O.K. so what is ‘found poetry’? A friend who loves words, writing and reading brought this to my attention. As I understand it, you need a book of your choosing, paper and a pen or pencil. Now comes the fun: open the book to any page and touch a sentence at random. Write it down. Now repeat this action two more times. You will end up with a strangely clever poem. Consider taking more lines from various sections of...

Quotes to Ponder

musings / quotes

Quotes to Ponder

Small ideas often make stories more memorable and often give us pause: If I cannot accept the real as real, how can I accept a dream as a dream? Night Gardening by E.L. Swann comment attributed to the 12th century priest/monk Saigyo   The grooves of his life were deep and rigid. Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston   It turns out impatience is the thief of serenity. Chicken Chronicles by Alice Walker   (talking about life events) … the kind that looks like nothing except through time’s rear view mirror. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans  ...

After the Music Stops, What Do you Do?

book reviewing / interviews / When the Music Stops / writing process

After the Music Stops, What Do you Do?

[Now that When the Music Stops-Dance On is available in bookstores everywhere (hooray!!!), I thought you’d enjoy reading a typical press release.] Edmonds, WA – September— How does a dancer who’s spent her entire young life training to dance and perform, step away from the choreography, the costumes, the music, and the bright lights? Award-winning author Paddy Eger says, “Most dancers do not make that transition easily. Marta Selbryth is no exception.” In When the Music Stops— Dance On, book two of her YA trilogy, Eger addresses Marta’s roller coaster of emotions as her career faces steep challenges. “Her life...

Writing as an Everyday Activity

musings / writing

Writing as an Everyday Activity

I write every day. Mostly it’s on pages for my upcoming book. Sometimes it’s for one of my 3 blogs (Educating America, Goodreads and this one about Writing). I also find myself spending time writing classroom newsletters, math games and book publicity. I enjoy the variety of writing activities and sometimes I find myself switching from one type of writing to another when my brain needs a chance to rethink or sift through an idea before I make a final decision. I’ve tried to step away from writing some days, but I get edgy and need to work with words...

Upcoming Book Events for When the Music Stops-Dance On

interviews / marketing / musings / When the Music Stops

Upcoming Book Events for When the Music Stops-Dance On

When the Music Stops-Dance On has a publication date of Sept. 15th. To celebrate the release of this, book two in the ballet series, I have events planned and YOU’RE INVITED! *** Thursday, September 24th 7 PM at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park *** Thursday, October 15th drop-in between 5 and 8 PM to the Edmonds Bookshop (It’s Art Walk Thursday!) *** Saturday, October 24th at 2 PM at the Barnes and Noble in the Kitsap Mall (Silverdale) PLUS: Invite me to your book club meeting, live or via Skype, most anytime over the next months. If you’re...

Name that Character – Receive a Special Prize

84 Ribbons

Name that Character – Receive a Special Prize

How well do you know the characters in 84 Ribbons? Can you guess their names from these clues? 1. I’ve lived in Billings all my life. My father runs the local paper. I used to think of myself as a ladies man until I met Marta. Who am I? 2. I have also lived in Billings all my life. I work in the local oil refinery office. I have opened my home to boarders. Who am I? 3. My best friend is Marta. She’s a real over achiever when it comes to ballet. I work at it, but I also...

Facts You May Not Know about Marta

84 Ribbons

Facts You May Not Know about Marta

Writing requires authors to create character profiles which include the basics (height, age, hair color, etc.) but also includes more personal details that reveal character idiosyncrasies. Here are a few facts you may not know about Marta Selbryth, main character in 84 Ribbons and When the Music Stops -Dance On, books 1 and 2 of my ballet trilogy. Marta’s middle name is Annette. Marta is mildly dyslexic. As an adult she’s self-conscious about her limited education. Marta’s favorite colors are blue and red. She likes to wear  soft, flowing fabrics. Even though Marta’s father died when she was seven, he...