WORD FOR THE WEEK

IMAGINATION: The ability to imagine things that are not real. The ability to think of new things. Something that only exists or happens in your mind.

EXAMPLE: Use your imagination and let your writing soar to places it has never been before.

QUOTE: Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try. Dr. Seuss

Imagination is something a writer uses daily, even in writing non-fiction.
Readers also use their imagination.

The writer creates characters, settings and new worlds when they write their manuscripts. The readers then get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your writing takes them into another time and world. They get to visit other places, magical or real, without ever leaving their home.

Writing is a labor. It takes hard work, along with our imagination. But, I consider writing a labor of love!

I use my imagination and stories about my ancestors 

to create works of fiction - and non-fiction.

How do you use your imagination?

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!

Dr. Seuss

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_imagination.html#RuWVqmPhHluu6WKX.99

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!

Dr. Seuss

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_imagination.html#RuWVqmPhHluu6WKX.99

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!

Dr. Seuss

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_imagination.html#RuWVqmPhHluu6WKX.99

FAVORITE CHAPTER BOOKS

I was sailing the internet visiting blogs, when I came upon this list.
Top 100 Chapter Book Poll Results.
Go to the above link and click on each title and read about them.


These are books suitable for a wide range of ages.

I have read many on the list, including:

Charlotte's Web
Holes
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Because of Winn-Dixie (my favorite!)
Bridge of Terabithia
Little House on the Prairie
Ramona the Pest
Sarah, Plain and Tall (another one of my favorites!)
The Boxcar Children
A Long Way From Chicago (I must confess, another favorite!)
Out of the Dust
The Indian in the Cupboard

We could make a list of our own.
What are some of your favorite chapter books for children?

Why do I like to read - and write?

It takes me on adventures to other places and times.

Posted by Janet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

SPECIFIC: Clearly defined or identified

EXAMPLE: In order to be specific you need to come to the point, go into detail, put a finger on, pin down and be precise.  :o)

QUOTE:

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific. Lily Tomlin

To make your writing shine, use specific words when you write.

Did she walk or did she tiptoe, prod or prance?
Were her eyes just blue or were they sapphire or steel gray?
Did he drive a vehicle or a Ford F-150 or a scarlet mustang?

Use specific color, shape, taste, smell, touch, walk, etc. words in your writing.

They say we should write using all of our senses, but writers often don't use taste and smell words enough in their writing.

Here are a few taste and smell words for you to consider:

alkaline, bland, crisp, dank, earthy, fresh, gaseous, hot, musty, overripe, piney, raw, sour, stinky, tempting, vinegary

Can you add more to the list?

Mama Bird told Papa Bird to build her a nest in a hidden area. 

She should have been more specific!

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

WORD: (n) a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed

QUOTES:

Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools. Napoleon Bonaparte

Suit the action to the word, the word to the action. William Shakespeare 


What is a writer without words? Stitch together wonderful words and you create a story.

I just found a really neat site that I am going to bookmark and I am sure I will go back to often: Thesaurus.com. 

I looked up my name (Smart) on the site.  Wow! I never knew that humble little word could be used in so many ways. Go over and put a word in the search window at the top of the page and see what comes up. It can be a little overwhelming and very helpful.

Do you know what the 100 most used words are? Click here to find out.

Have you ever heard of six-word stories? There is actually a site for them. Find it here. Go check out the ones submitted and get inspired. Your six-word story can be a prompt that leads to writing an entire novel.

Here are a a couple of my bad six-word stories:

Bird drops seed. A tree grows.
A tree falls, creating housing crisis.

Do you have a six-word story you would like to add?

INSPIRATION:

 

let your words soar like a seed in the wind and see what develops 

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

ible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/word.html#Ped8UJ0DW9MxUzV6.99

Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/word.html#Ped8UJ0DW9MxUzV6.99

MMGM - sleuth or dare Partners in Crime

sleuth or dare Partners in Crime 
by Kim Harrington
Scholastic 2012

. . . is the latest book I've read.
I obtained this book from the Kellogg's Family Rewards Program.

Both girls are smart, but Darcy and Norah are different as salt and pepper. Darcy dresses in black and purple, lives and breathes the internet and computers and gets in trouble on a regular basis. Norah is a goody-goody and loves to help people. They have to create a fake business for a school project, but they don't want to do the ordinary like dog walking or pet sitting.  They decide to set up a website for their fake business - a detective agency called Partners in Crime.

To their surprise, their fake agency gets an email about a real case. Someone wants them to find their twin sister. They jump on the chance to solve a real mystery. Along the way, they get threats from someone who doesn't want them to solve the case. But, that only makes them more determined.

If you like mysteries, this is a fun read of only 29,944 words that I think kids will enjoy reading.

Want to read reviews on other middle grade books?
Follow the links on Shannon Messenger's Blog.


Posted by Janet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

Read What You Write

You have heard it before. Read what you write.

Where do you get all these books you are supposed to read?

Of course, you can buy them at the book store or at Amazon, but that can get expensive.

You can check them out at the library.

You can buy them at thrift stores and yard sales.

You can trade books with your friends.

You can receive children's books by saving codes from Kellogg's and Keebler products.

I have did all of the above.

I have received the following books by saving the codes 

and submitting them online at Kellogg's Family Rewards. 

So don't throw those boxes away before entering the codes.

The books are identified by the small Family Rewards logo on boxes.

You do not have to buy the products that say free books, because in the

regular rewards program, books are also on the list of items you can get.

I suggest you give it a try. What have you got to lose? And, you can gain a book - or two!

Do you read what you write? Where do you get your reading material?

Happy Writing!

Posted byJanet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

LAZY: not inclined to work or exertion.

EXAMPLE: Lazy writers take the easy way out.

 QUOTES:

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."
Mark Twain

 "It's none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way." Ernest Hemingway

"Hard writing makes easy reading."
Wallace Stegner

We need to strive to not be lazy in our writing. Being lazy can mean many things.

Words matter. Don't use lazy words in our writing. Words such as: was/is/are/am, got, went, often, almost, felt, things, few, some, that, really, seemed

One way to get around using these words, is by using descriptive and specific words. 

She felt cold = she shivered in the harsh wind
She felt sick = the contents in her stomach churned and her head ached

We went to the store = he jumped onto his bike and sped to the store
She packed her things in the suitcase = she packed her pajamas and teddy bear into her small suitcase and walked next door to spend a sleepover at her best friend's house.
I got up = I stood up - I woke up   

Avoid passive writing. Describe the action, not the result. 

I try not to use ly words. How do you do that? By using powerful verbs.

A lazy writer could mean a writer who doesn't write. In order to succeed in your writing, you have to write. 

Don't think about it. Don't dream about it. Don't procrastinate. Don't wish.

Writing doesn't just happen. Writing comes from reading, practice, studying, editing and determination.

I might be classified as a determined writer. I am not the best writer, but I am determined to make my writing the best I can make it. If this means working on a story until I get it right, then I will continue to rewrite it until the story is the best I can make it.  I will not give up on it until I am satisfied.

 Don't by lazy. . .

Writing can be like this lump of coal. 
Add the right ingredients and watch it grow into something beautiful!

Do you have any suggestions to share?

Happy Writing.

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

 

WORD FOR THE WEEK

REVISION: a change or a set of changes that corrects or improves something

EXAMPLE: My critique partner gave me suggestions for revision. 

QUOTES:  

“This morning I took out a comma, and this afternoon I put it back again.” Oscar Wilde

“By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.” — Roald Dahl

Revising is more than fixing grammar, looking for better words, avoiding repetition, cutting words, or ‘gasp,’ entire chapters from your manuscript.

Revising is taking your time and doing it right.

Take a break from your first draft. Then read through it and analyze it. Read the paper out loud and read from hard copy.

Among others, ask yourself these questions: what do you like/dislike about the characters, were there places where you got bored (If so, your reader will more than likely get bored), does the plot make sense, does the story flow, do the characters jump off the page, does the story have stakes and is there a worry factor for your readers?

Cut, condense and tighten. Eliminate anything that doesn’t move the story along, even if you love that part. If it makes the book better, wipe away your tears and take it out. 

Make sure the first paragraph, first page and first chapter grab your reader. Make the last paragraph of your chapters compel the reader to continue reading.

Yes, revising is hard. I know some people who do not like to have others critique their stories. Of course, you do not have to follow all suggestions others give you, but your story needs to be seen by  eyes other than your own.

No matter what you write, whether it be articles, short stories, poems, children's literature or adult literature, you should develop a thick skin and get the opinions of others. We need to try and get it right before publication. A good first impression will go a long way. It will keep your readers coming back for more.

These are just a few suggestions. What do you think about revising? Give us your thoughts.

 

During your writing and your revision, 

strive to find something that makes your words and story unique.

 

(From now on, WORD FOR THE WEEK, will be a regular post each Wednesday. (Unless circumstances in real life take over, which is what happened this past week.)

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

PERSEVERANCE: steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

QUOTES:

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas Edison

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” Babe Ruth

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” A. A. Milne

“Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.” George Washington Carver

PEOPLE:

Thomas Edison was told in his early years that he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He made over 1000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. 

Jack London received six hundred rejection slips in his early years.

Dr. Seuss’s first book, To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, was rejected 27 times.

The next time you think about quitting, in your writing or some other endeavor, think of my word for the week: PERSEVERANCE

Another little tidbit of information about perseverance:  It took 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula for WD40 worked out. Hence the name, WD40. And just like duct tape, what would we do without WD40?

Maybe some day someone will say, "What would we do without the writings of (fill in your name)?"

 In the eyes of some, even rejects are beautiful!

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

 

A B C's of Writing

If you notice, I have a picture of a booklet I wrote on my sidebar.
I had fun putting it together.
The Table of Contents consist of: A B C's of Writing, Specific Words, Find Button, Tips on Writing ABC Books, Tips on Writing Articles, Prompts, What If's, Sites for Writers, Last, But Not Least - Helpful Tidbits and Author Info.

I thought I would share a little of the A to Z Book on Writing
If you are a freelance writer, or would like to give writing a try, there are times when you are at a loss as to what to write about. Below are a few ideas.

A

ABC BOOKS.*

Pick a topic and write a unique ABC book for small children.

ADVERTISEMENTS

ANTHOLOGY Gather stories and put together an anthology

ARTICLES.*

There is always a need for someone to write articles.

ASSEMBLE YOUR TOOLS.

Dictionary, Thesaurus, Pens, Pencils, Computer, Books, The Elements of Style Handbook, Writing Tablets (keep small one at your bedside and with you at all times for whenever an idea pops into your head)

 B

BIOGRAPHIES Pick a favorite person, research and write a biography

BITS OF WISDOM Share bits of wisdom with others

BLOGS Start a blog and write daily or weekly posts. Write about your passion, your craft, your day to day life.

BOOKMARKS Make bookmarks with your info, books, etc. printed on them to give out.

BORROWED STARTERS When you are at a loss for an idea, pick up a book and borrow the first sentence. Write your own manuscript, article, poem or prose starting with that first sentence.

BROCHURES Write brocures. Focus on a topic, be specific and mix writing styles (Bullet points, numbers and lists). Add photos.

BUSINESS CARDS Always have business cards to give out

C

CHAPBOOKS Write a collection of poems or short stories and put them together in a chapbook. Stay to a certain theme.

CHARACTERS Collect unique, quirky, fun characters. Write them down and give them a home in your writing.

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL They are always asking for submissions. Check their site often for new topics

COLLECTIBLES Collectibles are very popular. Write about a group of collectibles or a single collectible.

COLUMNS Write columns for newspapers or magazines

CONTESTS Enter Please!

COOKBOOKS Who doesn't love cookbooks? Put together a family cookbook, school cookbook, workplace cookbook or a specialty cookbook. There are publishers who deal specifically with printing of cookbooks. 

COUNTING BOOKS As with ABC books, there is always room on the bookshelf for one more. Pick a topic and make yours unique. Put the counting into a storyline such as ... One day one little puppy walked down the road. A kitty joined him and then there were two.

CRAFT BOOKS If you are good at a certain craft, write a book about it. Blog about it.

CRITIQUE GROUPS Join at least one!

The subjects with an * beside of it, means there is more about that topic later in the booklet. 

I hope you enjoyed this small peek into my booklet. In the ABC section, I go through the entire alphabet - even finding an entry for Z!

I know I am quite often at a loss as to what to write about. This booklet helps spark my imagination when I need a little nudge.

Do you need a little nudge? Just let me know and I will email you a free PDF copy of the booklet.

Posted by Janet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.

Final Spit and Polish

I'm giving one of my MG novels a final spit and polish before sending it out into the world this year.

I am using the Speak command on Word to find my mistakes.
You can go here to one of my other posts that tells you how to put the Speak command on your toolbar if it isn't already there.

I thought this manuscript was ready to go. But, I am finding awkward sentences in my manuscript using this tool . . . plus a few other mistakes. 

A few weeks ago I sent out a couple of stories to a children's magazine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will get at least one of them accepted. I had never submitted to a magazine before. So this is a first for me. 


Anyone else out there polishing up a manuscript for submission?

Do you have any writing goals for the new year?

One of my goals is to try and send out more manuscripts . . . and to keep improving my writing skills. 

We need to think big . . . 

and keep climbing the steps to reach our writing goals!

 Happy Writing!

Posted by Janet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.