Kid's True Fiction

HOW LONG MUST TWINS BE SEPARATED BEFORE THEY FORGET?

2011-12-13T08:04:00.003-07:00

HOW LONG MUST TWINS BE SEPARATED BEFORE THEY FORGET?Two new novels follow the separate lives of twins whose parents thought it possible.The twins are fraternal, a boy and a girl, with very different personalities. What could be more natural when Mom and Dad divorce than for Mom to keep the girl and for Dad to take the boy? “And never the twain shall meet” is the parents’ decision for the

Writing the Ending

2011-11-13T06:24:00.004-07:00

I have always maintained that the ending is the hardest part of the book to write. My style of writing is to develop characters I care about and then hand the reins to them, so to speak. Beginnings are usually easy, as I place these characters in the middle of some action with a dilemma to solve. Then I ask them, "What will you do, now?" and the story takes off. I don't outline. I don't plan the

Third Person Omniscient Point of View

2011-10-28T09:10:00.003-06:00

In my last post, I talked about point of view, particulary, third person limited subjective POV, where the reader views the story only through the senses of one character. Another effective method, when done well, is to write from the omniscient viewpoint. The point of view is not that of a character in the story, but of an unseen other, usually the author, who tells the reader everything that

Clarifying a Confusing Concept—POV

2011-09-16T04:28:00.005-06:00

I'm jumping into the middle of an issue with this post, and will come back later with more background from my workshop lesson on POV. For now, I want to relate an idea that I hope will help writers who struggle with this concept, hence this post.When writing fiction, you must decide who is narrating the scene and stick with that person's point of view. You also have to decide how many points of

Titles for young adult novels from Raven Publishing

2011-05-31T05:37:00.008-06:00

In my last post, I asked for help in finding a title for my book about a junior high boy assigned to work in a homeless shelter. Several titles were suggested to me. The winner, so far, is "The Body in the Freezer." Yep, you gotta read the book to find out why. Coming soon.Coming sooner is Kendall's Storm, the companion novel to Kyleah's Tree, which is also being reissued with a study/discussion

What's in a name?

2011-02-12T08:30:00.003-07:00

Captain's Conundrum, Captain in His Own Mind, Homeless Children. The first was suggested to me, and I like it best, the second, I contrived with much effort, and I don't like it at all, the third has long been the working title and will never be more than that.Titles are not only necessary, but critical to the success of a book. It helps if a title naturally comes up in a variety of frequent

books, digital or paperback?

2010-12-05T06:40:00.002-07:00

For some people in the elder generation, electronics are a mystery, maybe even something akin to witchcraft and dark magic. "Computers scare me. I don't even want to turn one on," someone said to me. I even know of people who have trouble getting used to a cell phone. Technology is expanding so fast that each generation has a different view of the world and how to do things. The learning curve

Writers, Are You a Planner or a Pantser?

2010-10-06T05:43:00.003-06:00

And is one better than the other? After a rich learning experience at the Flathead River Writers Conference in Kalispell, Montana, I have a new way of looking at my writing. Two of the presenters claimed very opposite methods of writing. Larry Brooks, bestselling psychological thriller author, screenwriter, and instructor (www.storyfix.com) advocated that a writer, if she wants to be published,

Manuscript submissions

2010-09-30T05:07:00.006-06:00

As publisher for a very small press, I receive frequent submissions of manuscripts from hopeful authors. Some of them are very professional and indicate that the author has studied my publishing website and read my submissions guidelines. Some do just about everything wrong. My advice to authors: After putting a lot of time and care into creating your manuscript, take time to learn the proper

To scold or not to scold?

2010-08-18T05:14:00.007-06:00

I once read in a Christian-published book on parenting that parents should NEVER scold their children or raise their voices in anger. I was surprised and confused by the admonition. I'd been scolded and whipped by my parents. My husband yelled at our kids, and I found myself doing the same—out of habit and frustration, perhaps, or because I believed it was what parents are supposed to do. 68

Reading and Writing for Kids

2010-06-09T10:59:00.004-06:00

With summer vacation beginning for children across the country, kids and parents may be looking for activities to keep active young minds occupied. They'll want to enjoy plenty of outdoor sunshine, of course. For days when they must stay indoors, how about reading and writing, not only for something to do, but to keep them from losing reading ability. According to an article in the Marshall News

Electronic publishing, the future of the book?

2010-03-13T08:41:00.004-07:00

Books have always been close companions. It find it unthinkable to go anywhere without a book or several books along. I love the smell of paper, the feel of the book in my hand, the adventure awaiting on the next page I can turn. I go to bed with a book every night, reading until I fall asleep. I've been kept awake, reading through the night because the story was too exciting to put down. I can't

Think You Can!

2010-02-15T05:28:00.004-07:00

Henry Ford so wisely said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't—you are right." Even though we may know this to be true, slipping back into negative thinking about our abilities is as easy as falling off a log. Well, it is falling—falling back into the rut formed as a child when both peers and adults found it easier to point out faults and failures than our goodness, talents and skills.

Fun Games to Get Creative Juices Flowing

2010-01-24T06:34:00.004-07:00

Just for fun—and to create ideas for stories and poems—play these games. For added fun, play with them with friends to see how many different results can come from the same words. 1) Pick five random, seemingly unrelated words. This can be done by pulling whatever first comes to mind, or by opening a book to the first page that falls open, closing your eyes and putting your finger on a word. Then

War and Peace

2010-01-18T09:17:00.005-07:00

I'm going to share a couple of poems that I've written as I contemplate the civil rights movement as well as current conflicts on Martin Luther King Day. Much was accomplished by this remarkable man, but so much remains to be done in the fight against inequity and ethnic hatred. It seems that mankind as a whole just can't learn from the past, and greed and intolerance shape the world we live in.

Looking Ahead

2009-12-27T07:08:00.002-07:00

It's that time of year when we begin to think of all those goals that we didn't quite meet last year or focus on changes we'd like to make in order to better ourselves, our living conditions, our financial, mental, physical, or spiritual health. I have learned that in order to make my "New Year's Resolutions" come true, I must commit to being true to myself; keep my word to myself in order to be

Journaling and poetry: Confessions of a closet "rimer"

2009-12-14T05:40:00.004-07:00

For far too long, I have neglected my online journal, my blog, as I focused on other tasks, events, and distractions. I'm turning over a new leaf and committing to posting more regularly.Those who know me will remember that many of my early morning thoughts and journal entries are in the form of poems, mostly rhyming poetry. Sometimes I awaken to "hear" rhymes chanted in my head. I call this

The Benefits of Solitude

2009-09-22T07:13:00.004-06:00

Sometimes a person needs to get away in order to find out what is important and to shed the extraneous worries and cares of daily life and business. We then come back refreshed and ready to conquer the world. The important thing is to conquer our own doubts and demons first, for only then are we armed with the confidence needed to meet our goals.H.D. Thoreau wrote that he went to the woods that

What you think is what you get

2009-09-01T10:19:00.008-06:00

I just read Ted Turner's autobiography, "Call Me Ted." As I write about the power of mind over matter, I can't help but think of Mr. Turner as a good example. I am impressed with three things that have made this man great: his honesty and his positive attitude combined with action. His example proves that Brian Traci was absolutely right when he said, Whatever you dwell on in the conscious grows

Public Speaking—with confidence

2009-07-20T08:49:00.005-06:00

When I think back to the jitters—no that's too mild—the mind-numbing, paralyzing fear that I used to experience when I found myself facing a crowd and was expected to speak, I am proud of the progress I've made. And surprised at how much I enjoy the interaction with each group of people to whom I am presenting. From whence came this transformation? From years of work and counseling to overcome

More Insightful conversation with Janet Grace Riehl

2009-07-09T05:46:00.008-06:00

Photo shows Janet Grace Riehl with her father, Erwin Thompson. Today, I have the pleasure of continuing yesterday’s conversation with Janet Grace Riehl author of Sightlines, a Poet’s Diary, and the audio book, Sightlines, a Family Love Story in Poetry and Music. JMH: Janet, as I listened to your audio book, I was impressed with the way you tell your family story in poetry,

Conversation with Janet Grace Riehl

2009-07-08T04:11:00.007-06:00

I'm honored to have Janet Grace Riehl as my guest today and to be included in her blog tour as she discusses her audio book, Sightlines: A Family Love Story in Poetry & Music. You can find a complete list of Janet’s tour on her blog. The previous post on the audio book tour was at Molly Lundquist’s Lit Lover book club site. There Janet posted a regional recipe of scrapple, a guest blog useful for

Life's changes

2009-06-27T15:31:00.005-06:00

There are times in life when we feel as if the world is a sunny garden, planted for our enjoyment, and we will flourish, no matter what. Our possibilities are endless. Then something shifts to rock our world, and we must adjust. How we do so depends on our inner resources to cope. We may process and move on or we may peacefully accept the circumstances we are given. Change is never easy, yet life

Of Death Do We Speak? Helping children cope with death of a loved one.

2009-05-31T06:16:00.003-06:00

My paternal grandfather died when I was eight years old. I cried as I watched my parents and two older siblings drive away to attend the funeral. I was not allowed to go to the funeral. I guess my parents felt I was too young and it would be too hard on me. Or maybe they were just so steeped in their own grief to think of my need for closure. I loved grandpa. I did not want to be left out of

Kyleah's Tree is a finalist

2009-05-19T07:14:00.003-06:00

Kyleah Ralston's mother has died. She doesn't know where her father and brother are or even if they are still alive. She joins her friend Benjamin to leave the foster home in Kansas where they both live. Though she seeks to find her lost brother, it is her true self she is looking for—and finds, through the many hair raising adventures they encounter from Kansas to Canada. Kyleah's Tree, by

Chautautqua, an assembly for sharing

2009-04-15T06:04:00.018-06:00

It has been a great pleasure to participate in the relaxed atmosphere at the Elling House in Virginia City, Montana each third Saturday evening of the month from January through April. Music, poetry, essays, humor and drama are presented by anyone who wishes to participate. And we never ceased to be amazed at the quality and quantity of talent in our area. Laughter, camaraderie, and mutual

Developing creative writing habits

2009-03-30T09:25:00.004-06:00

In March, I completed another enjoyable workshop with six talented authors in Ennis, Montana. It was the first five-day writing workshop and included four more lessons in the workbook. A daily schedule of lessons will soon be posted on our website. You can e-mail author@janetmuirheadhill.com and request a workshop schedule, a list of lessons covered, a registration form, and/or more information.

Compelling Fiction Comes from the Heart, not the Head

2009-03-02T12:14:00.007-07:00

Are you intimate with the characters in the novel you are reading? Do their problems become yours as you are reading? Are their emotions, happy, sad, frightened, or angry, real to you? Felt by you? Then you are reading a book written by an author who tells his or her story from the heart, not from the head. The author became one with the characters, felt the emotion, and suffered or rejoiced with

Publishing truth about child sexual abuse

2009-02-10T06:19:00.004-07:00

My main purpose in writing "Kyleah's Tree," besides furnishing an exciting reading adventure, was to attempt to dispel the beauty myth that is so pervasive among today's youth. Too many kids believe that you have to be beautiful to fit in. If they don't see their own beauty through the eyes of their peers, their self-esteem plummets. What I hope for kids to get from this book is that today's

Truth in fiction: Helpful or Hurtful to young readers?

2009-01-28T04:48:00.009-07:00

After receiving an e-mail from a school librarian objecting to what she called "many problems" that make Kyleah's Tree "inappropriate" for her students, I asked her to be more specific. She said, "Kyleahs tree has death, runaways, orphans,foster families, physical abuse, sexual abuse, alluding to BIA police as corrupt with drugs, adults using children to benefit their careers. Too many problems

Happy Meme

2009-01-27T12:07:00.002-07:00

Mary Cunningham, www.cynthiasattic.blogspot.com, tagged me for a meme. It's simple. I only have to list six things that make me happy. Well, maybe not so simple when there are so many to choose from. Hmmm. Let me think. 1. Watching my next to youngest grandson have fun in the snow. 2. The view of hills, wildlife, and changing sky through my office window. 3. Listening to the laughter of my baby

Editing for brevity

2009-01-15T07:21:00.005-07:00

One of the most important steps in editing anything I've written, is to cut—lots of it. As William Zinsser claims, about 50% of what we write can be eliminated without losing meaning. A good example is my last blog post. I usually edit each one several times before posting. This time, I was forced to publish it quickly before my computer shut down. I couldn't get it to save and I didn't want to

Everything you ever dreamed or imagined

2009-01-04T09:33:00.006-07:00

Each morning, I break the code of a cryptogram that is a quote from some profound or famous person. This morning's fits very well into both the recorded interview I had last night with Reader Views' Irene Watson and Loving Healing Press owner, Victor Volkman on Author's Access and my workshop on writing "True Fiction." The quote is by Orison Swett Marden, who was a prolific American writer who

Our Children; Our Future

2008-12-27T07:22:00.008-07:00

I can't imagine the Christmas holiday season without children. In our family, this time of year is special for bringing family together, putting aside worries and work, and finding the love and peace that connects us. But it is the children who make it so joyous and promising. I was given a bookmark with a most profound message that I wish all of us, including our world leaders would take to

Creative writing, both inspiration and perspiration

2008-12-10T05:47:00.004-07:00

"Eliminate the time between the idea and the act, and your dreams will become a reality." Jean Jacques RouseauGood advice, I think, especially for the writer. Ideas are plentiful enough. It's the act of transferring them to paper (or word processor) before they evaporate that is too often lacking. Writing requires inspiration, but inspiration alone produces nothing if it is not acted upon—and

Hidden Population/Innocent Victims of Social Stigma and Neglect

2008-11-07T06:40:00.007-07:00

Imagine you are a child. You wake up one morning to find that your father (or perhaps it's your mother) is gone and won't be coming back. Dead? No, worse. He (or she) is in jail...going to prison. But you are not allowed to talk about it. "Don't tell anyone. They'll hate you if you do." But kids in school find out. They whisper about you. They point fingers. They stop talking when you enter the

Releasing Suppressed Emotions/Healing with True Fiction

2008-11-03T08:19:00.011-07:00

Perhaps it's because of a childhood experience that I empathize with a child separated from his or her parents—and why I write and publish books that express the trauma such children experience. It is my hope in publishing these books that readers will understand and accept their own feelings and know they are not alone. Too often, kids think that their feelings are wrong and that they are

Present Influences on Our Writing/Writers Block

2008-10-26T09:11:00.006-06:00

"The future influences the present just as much as the past." When this quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzche came up in my cryptoquote for the day, it seemed fitting. Like most working class Americans, my present decisions are being influenced by the forecasts of a future financial recession. I don't know if that is what he meant or whether I agree with him. It seems to me that the future, not

The season to write is now, but don't give up on promotion

2008-10-21T07:28:00.005-06:00

I have the perfect antidote for the prevailing fear and uncertainty that plagues most of us as a result of the falling stock markets reacting to the mismanagement of our country's financial institutions, the failure of the imprudent government bailout attempt to fix the problem, and the recession in which we find ourselves. The average American is cutting back spending to cover basic needs.

Battles of Will

2008-10-03T08:01:00.009-06:00

"It is a great mistake to command when you are not sure you will be obeyed," said Honere, Compte de MirabeauThis morning's quote for the day reminded me of Jenny's story. Jenny was a precocious two-year-old, eagerly exploring her world to learn for herself how everything worked. With typical two-year-old zeal, she explored her own independence, as well. Wrapped in love by her parents and two

Criticism and Self Esteem

2008-09-26T14:48:00.003-06:00

Esteem-building in Children Produces Successful AdultsBy Janet Muirhead HillThe trouble with most of us is that we would rather by ruined by praise than to be saved by criticism. Norman Vincent Peale Nice outfit, Good thinking, Well done, Beautiful picture! Delicious meal! All are nice words to hear. On the other hand: Your fly is open, You need to brush—your breath is overpowering, or I

The joys of Grandchildren

2008-09-20T18:29:00.004-06:00

On the 12th of September, a new grandchild was added to our family. Nothing is more exciting than a new baby. I'm in awe of how perfect and precious our little Dawson James Andrews is. Here he is, brand new, with his big brother, Kaden, age 4 and 3/4 years old. Congratulations to the proud parents, Joel and Tayla Andrews.I'm a happy grandma, and a sober one as I contemplate the future for my

Physical beauty and self-esteem

2008-08-28T08:39:00.012-06:00

In my latest novel, Kyleah's Tree, although she doesn't understand it in these terms, Kyleah is looking for herself—a better self than the one she perceives when she looks in the mirror. "I wished to be pretty so Dad could love me," she told Aunt Jude upon return to her foster home after running away. She was less than 4-years-old when her mother said to her, "Pretty is as pretty does. Don't go

Kyleah's Tree is HERE.

2008-08-21T10:28:00.005-06:00

I was extremely pleased with the book when it arrived from the printer last week. Herb Leonhard's beautiful cover illustration depicts the story so well. A girl in a tree at sunrise. Kyleah, whose tree connects her with all she has lost and hopes to find, reminds me a lot of myself, whose childhood refuge was the tip-top of a tall cottonwood in our backyard. Kyleah, who suffers from a lack of

True Fiction for child victims

2008-08-16T05:37:00.006-06:00

No matter how one feels about the war in Iraq, all must surely agree that the children who are left behind are the innocent victims. As I watched news clips after the invasion of Iraq, I felt deep empathy and sorrow for the children pulled from the arms of a mom or dad, and in some cases, both, after a prolonged and tearful goodbye. I listened to a mother left behind with three preschool age

Guidelines for Writing "True Fiction"

2008-08-07T08:03:00.005-06:00

Have you ever wondered, "Just what is 'True Fiction?'" When authors ask for guidelines from our publishing company, Raven Publishing, Inc. they receive a pretty fair description. Almost all of the titles we've published constitute what we call "True Fiction." Here are the guidelines as given by Raven."Raven Publishing, Inc. specializes in "True Fiction" for children ages 8-14. Here are the

Runaway children and another "True Fiction."

2008-07-17T07:01:00.005-06:00

In the heat of a childhood argument I was once told that I ought to run away from home. No one would miss me, anyway. The argument was resolved, a truce reached, and we went on to work, play, and fight together as siblings do, but the suggestion provided interesting fodder for my overactive imagination. Yes. I'd show them. I'd just see how much they missed me. Like many kids—maybe even most—the

New book on the way

2008-07-13T07:51:00.002-06:00

My latest book will be available for sale by mid August. The cover and illustrations are by Herb Leonhard. www.herbleonhard.com A brief synopsis of Kyleah's Tree, written by editor Florence Ore, follows: "Wishing on the sunrise from her treetop refuge, eleven-year-old Kyleah Raltson seeks magic to right all that is wrong in her life. Her twin brother is lost to her, and she believes that her

The Muse Returns to Play Word Games

2008-06-25T14:33:00.004-06:00

I've recently returned from a two month stay in Colorado. My sister is well on the road to recovery from lung cancer. She finished radiation, and will have the results in a month. In the meantime she continues to pursue a healthy Ph balanced diet and an easily managed alternative treatment. After spending much coveted time with her, I find I miss her terribly. We keep in close communication by

Colorado writing workshop planned.

2008-06-01T05:26:00.005-06:00

My sister, Joan, is out of the hospital after a bout of pneumonia. The front range of the Rockies in beautiful Colorado greeted her with an explosion of spring time greenery, flowers, bird song, and blue skies. A new foal awaits our visit at our sister, Shirley's home. Whisper, a buckskin filly was born about the time Joan's cancer announced itself, so Joan hasn't seen her yet.I will stay with

First Lines / matching game

2008-05-28T05:48:00.006-06:00

I'm still in Colorado on a rainy day. I'll be going to the hospital, where my sister has been admitted once again, this time with pneumonia. Before I leave, I wanted to share a fun exercise we have been doing to pass the time. As most authors know, the first sentence of a book needs to grab the author's interest. For fun, my sister, who is also an author (Absaroka) and I decided to reread the

Ups and downs; hope and despair--and hope again

2008-05-06T07:26:00.004-06:00

I've been absorbed with concern for my sister who recently discovered she has lung cancer, with upheavals of test after test, and anxious waiting for results. After a surgery which turned out to be in vain, as the tumor was inoperable, my sister is faced with decisions while recovering in the hospital from the surgery. She will be released today and will start radiation treatments in about a week

Life and Death

2008-04-22T05:24:00.006-06:00

"Life is too short to be little." Benjamin Disraeli In the shadow of the threat of death, one begins to look for deeper meanings. Words and platitudes are challenged. Procrastinated intentions ask, "When? If not now, never." Superficiality is exposed as a sham. Denial is questioned. Truth demands a fair hearing. As a human being, I am more than I become because I hold myself back with assumptions

Tools of the trade

2008-04-06T06:38:00.003-06:00

In the March 2nd post, I referred to words as the tools of the writer's trade. That is not the best analogy, however. My husband is a builder, specializing in tile work and remodels, but has done everything from "concrete to cabinets" in both new homes and commercial buildings. As I compare my vocation to his, I see my words not as tools, but as building blocks. They are like the tile my husband

Write with passion to overcome fear

2008-03-29T05:29:00.005-06:00

If an author is not passionate about his or her book or story, people will not be passionate about reading it. All my favorite books were written by authors with a purpose and a passion for a cause. Khaled Hosseini’s passion for the plight of Afghanistan and compassion for Afghani women fill his book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and take the reader into the hearts, minds, and emotional upheaval

Overcoming fear

2008-03-16T07:28:00.008-06:00

When overwhelmed with projects needing attention, and discouraged from not seeing the results one wants, it's easy to feel discouraged. Maybe more than discouraged—depressed and immobilized. When that happens, STOP. Take a look at where you are versus where you want to be. What do you need to do to get there? It could be a new outlook, a change of pace, and an inspiration that you are not going

Spreading joy with kindness/ a tribute to my brother on his birthday

2008-03-07T06:12:00.004-07:00

As I completed the cryptogram for today, I thought of my "little" brother. Today is his birthday, and this quote from Washington Irving describes him very well. "A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles." This is an apt description Larry Muirhead, who is 59 years old today, the youngest in a family of six children. 59? It hardly seems possible

Words are tools

2008-03-02T06:36:00.005-07:00

Words are our tools, we writers like to say; The tools of our trade as we labor every day. And certainly that's true, as far as the saying goes,But we have no monopoly, as everybody knows. Not just necessary tools are all the precious wordsfor the erudite authors and the loquacious nerds,But necessary, really, to let human life persist,For without any words, even thoughts cannot exist. (

Writing Freely

2008-02-22T16:51:00.007-07:00

"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."– C.S. Lewis"Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."– Cyril

One day at a time

2008-02-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

My husband, knowing how much I enjoy cryptograms, gave me Cryptogram-a-Day by Louise B. Moll for Christmas. Often the quote for the day is just the reminder I need. This is the case with today's quote by Thomas Carlyle. "Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." Much of my time in the past month has been consumed with concern and planning

Positive thinking; Believe in your self and your dreams

2008-01-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

A whole month has slipped by in silence, as far as my blog is concerned, but much has gone on behind the scenes. I have started, but not finished a few posts, and I will pick up those threads later, or I will discard them. I have spent a lot of time with grandchildren lately, and I count my blessings for every moment. Each one of them is absolutely precious. They offer fresh eyes with which to

Resolutions

2007-12-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

It seems every time a new year rolls around, I tend to think back on the past, wishing in a lot of instances that I could have "do-overs." Isn't that what New Years resolutions are all about. We know we can't change what's been done, but it eases our consciences to think we can prevent making the same mistakes again. I've been known to join the tradition of those who write out their list of

War and Peace

2007-12-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

The many minds of mortal menMake mutual musing mockery.Various views and vantage points Make millions mutter “crockery.”Though two men see the exact same scene, Their interpretations differ.And thus we have a war of mindsWhich arguments just make stiffer.There are those who refuse to change.There opinions stand for seasons.And those who curse the stubbornness Of those who will not reason.I think

Looking at the little picture can result in wrongful judgments.

2007-12-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

I promised to expound on my comment about looking at the big picture, when I talked about playing God. I had an e-mail from a friend commenting on a recent blog post. She said, "Your new note on your own divinity, or lack of it, delighted me. Just think what a different world this would be--and what an entirely more positive, productive situation we'd be in--if each of us understood, and operated

Newton's third law

2007-12-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

I promised an explanation for what I said in my last post, As I learned in physics, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So my wishes are mere fantasies of what I perceive to be better for us—for me—when looking at the little picture.When I wrote it, I meant that there are two sides to every story, every person, every situation. Newton's third law says, paraphrased, "To

Blogging and life

2007-12-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

Life and BloggingI’ve been asked to explain some of my comments in my last post, the blog tag. The paragraph in question includes my answer to the fourth question. Here is what I wrote. “Worse, though, are the online predators taking advantage of the unsuspecting, especially young people. I wish there were no predators on social sites like My Space and others so that our kids could safely surf

Me(me) Blog tag: Give me the blogging life

2007-11-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged for this meme by Janet Riehl, Riehl Life; Village Wisdom for the 21st Century. and I'm tagging Mary Cunningham;Cynthia's Attic Blog Here are my answers to the blog tag about the blogging life: It's All About Me(me) Blog tag questions and answers: 1. How long have you been blogging?I'm quite new to the world of blogging and learning slowly as I fight for time out of a busy

Giving thanks, Living thanks

2007-11-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

The day after Thanksgiving finds me in a contemplative mood, with much for which to express gratitude. Family, friends, shelter, warmth, food, and freedom should never be taken for granted as I tend to do throughout most of the year. An e-mail newsletter from James Ray, speaker and author of The Science of Success stated that gratitude is the mother of creative vibrations, that life is a

Connecting the past to the future

2007-11-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

I’m surprised at how long it’s been since I posted anything here. I won’t make excuses, though, as I recently was given sage advice against doing so. “Your friends don’t care, and your enemies won’t believe you.” It’s been on my mind to expound on the trip my daughter, grandson, and I made to Colorado. I experienced a wonderful blending of generations that long weekend—the end of September –

True Fiction Holds up Ideals Worth Pursuing

2007-11-01T07:13:00.000-06:00

As I said in an earlier post regarding writing True Fiction, "Last, but surely not least, are these three related ideals; the author must be true to his or her conscience, purpose, and audience." When I began calling my work "true fiction," I was borrowing from John Gardner as well as Wallace Stegner. Gardner (On Moral Fiction)defines "true art" in which he includes fiction, as art that improves

True Characters in "True Fiction"

2007-10-27T05:52:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy week, with no time to be ill, but somehow, that didn't stop a nasty virus from invading my body. I was pretty unproductive for most of three days of terrible congestion, fever, coughing, and sneezing. With most of my strength back, I'm ready to catch up on a few things. With help from my editor and proofreaders, Florence and Tayla, we have moved closer to finishing Raven

The Art of Writing True Fiction

2007-10-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

Where does the truth in "true fiction" lie? Er, I mean, uh, maybe I should say, where doesn't it lie? (I didn't notice the pun until I read the published post, so I've come back to clarify—I think.) This question, however we frame it—and perhaps I'd be better off to say, wherein is True Fiction true?—has a complex answer. To be classified as "true fiction" as I define it requires "truth" on

The Art of Criticism

2007-10-07T07:48:00.000-06:00

I didn't intend to let so much time lapse before getting back to this blogpost. I took a road trip to Colorado to a reunion where I enjoyed visiting with siblings, nieces and nephews, and cousins, some of whom I hadn't seen since grade school. On the following Monday, I spoke to about 550 Namaqua elementary student in five sessions. I am grateful for the opportunity as interacting with children

Taking the Sting Out of Criticism’s Bite

2007-09-23T10:04:00.000-06:00

(This is a repeat, fleshed out and edited, of some earlier blogposts on the subject. I thought it would bear repeating as some writers have expressed an interest in seeing it again.) Writers, unless they hide their work in a closet, under the bed, or locked away in journals where it will never be read, will encounter both praise and criticism. When I was a young mother, I told stories to my kids

Book Review

2007-09-20T06:24:00.000-06:00

Beth Hodder is very familiar with the Flathead National Forest and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. She worked for the forest service for many years conducting plant surveys, planting trees, working on campsite rehabilitation and other related work. It was there that she met her husband who spent 13 years working at the Spotted Bear Ranger Station and living in the ranger's house at Shafer

Foster reading habits by reading aloud to children

2007-09-17T07:05:00.001-06:00

"If people want kids to read, they need to read to them." This comment by Clair on a previous post got me to asking, "How can we get more adults to read aloud to children?" A little research showed that there are programs across the country and around the world that foster reading by using volunteers to read to children, either one on one or to groups. The difficulty is in finding people who are

Reluctant Readers

2007-09-13T06:44:00.000-06:00

A comment I received on yesterday's post got me to thinking again about what makes reluctant readers — and what it takes to transform them into avid readers. I believe Max Elliot Anderson has the right idea. I, too, was a reluctant reader by the time I was in elementary school. I especially remember 5th grade. I question why, for in my preschool days, I was introduced to books by an older sister

Interviewing childen's author, Mary Cunningham

2007-09-10T10:32:00.000-06:00

Today I am interviewing Mary Cunningham, author of a series of children's fiction stories, for approximately the same age group for which I write—ages 8-14.JANET: Mary, I am familiar with your Cynthia's Attic series, and I just visited your beautiful website. I see that your ideas for your series came from a recurring dream and is based on your childhood friendship. What a gift your dreams were!

Separating our personhood from our work.

2007-09-07T04:56:00.000-06:00

It is important to remember that the reviewer or editor is speaking of your work—not you. Even if he or she says "the author apparently.... " or "The author.... something else" it is not about you as a person. If they seem to be attacking you unfairly and without basis, you are dealing with the nasty, adversarial critic I spoke of yesterday—the critc with his or her own axe to grind which

Overcoming rejection

2007-09-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Overcoming Rejection and the Writing Life. Monica Wood says in her book, The Pocket Muse that “every writer needs two critics, one who gives only praise and another who never ever lies.”The love-everything reader: I agree that the encouragement of family and friends who love everything I write goes a long way toward keeping the creative juices flowing.The gently discerning listener: In my writers

How to take the sting out of criticism

2007-09-04T05:55:00.000-06:00

In the years I have been writing, I have found how useful criticism can be. I seek it out as I'm writing. But in order to avoid letting a rejection or negative review bring creativity to a halt, as I've done in the past, I've learned that writers must:1) Look closely at any criticism of their literary efforts,2) Measure criticsm thoughtfully against their own purposes,3) Apply what is

The Sting of Criticism

2007-09-03T17:43:00.000-06:00

I have not kept up with my blogs on as regular a basis as I thought I would. I hope to remedy that, and though there might not be a post everyday, I plan at least three or four a week. For the next four posts I'll take not only an example from Janet Grace Riehl, a faithful blogger, but also borrow some of her content. She recently hosted me as guest blogger, posting a short essay of mine on her

Introducing Beth Hodder

2007-08-31T05:07:00.000-06:00

I was thrilled to receive a new book in the mail yesterday. It came from an author I met when she had some publishing questions to ask me. Her middle-grade fiction, "The Ghost of Shaefer Meadows", is a work of art. The editing, the design and layout, the artwork, the paper and lamination she chose all work together to attract the bookstore browser. Hard to resist, this book cries out, "hold me."

Favorite authors

2007-08-20T16:27:00.000-06:00

It seems there is no better way to meet and read new authors than to be an author oneself. We find each other through book events, blogs, and our mutual love of great books. I feel blessed to have met Janet Riehl and many other accomplished writers via the organization called Women Writing the West. I am honored that Janet has invited me to join her blog (www.riehlife.com) as guest blogger. On

Dealing with movie producers

2007-07-19T09:46:00.000-06:00

Thursday, July 19, 2007I have always felt that the "true fiction" books I write and those I also publish for others have a storyline that would make important, entertaining, and wholesome family movies. For this reason, I signed a movie deal with a professed producer who seemed to share my passion. Being very naive at the time, I signed a contract which required the producer to pay me $50,000 for

New True Fiction coming soon

2007-07-05T11:50:00.000-06:00

Not only do I write "True Fiction" for young people, but I publish other author's True Fiction as well. Jan Young's "The Orange Slipknot" falls into this category. It is also a book with a 12-year-old male protagonist. Although we know from experience that girls will read it too, just as they have loved Fergus, the Soccer-Playing-Colt, we are always glad to find material that boys will enjoy. As

What Kids Like to Read

2007-06-15T10:41:00.000-06:00

Irene Watson raised an interesting point when she said there is something wrong with the way we produce kids' books and then wonder why kids don't read them. Adults write for kids books. Adults review kids books. Adults decide what books kids should read. Times have changed drastically since we were kids, even if it was not so long ago. Are we the best judges of what interests today's youth? No.

Book Expo of America

2007-06-10T07:05:00.000-06:00

My husband and I attended the BEA in New York last week. It was thrilling to see so many people in one place. As author and publishers, we paid close attention to the badges people were wearing. The blue badges were worn by booksellers and librarians. They are the ones we were most interested in talking to. It certainly seemed as if they were in the minority, however. I'd love to see the figures,

Why I Write True Fiction

2007-06-05T14:49:00.000-06:00

Wearing "many hats" as they say (not that I ever wear a hat) has both advantages and downsides. As a publisher—yeah! CEO of my company, small as it is—I have many jobs and have enjoyed learning them all. Tackling so many challenges certainly lends spice and variety to life. It has broadened my perspective, experiences, and acquaintence with more people than I could ever have met otherwise. Yet