Beginning

Welcome to my blog, thank you for stopping by. If this is your first time to my blog, it's nice to meet you. If you've been here before, welcome back.

My writing journey has begun. The road will have some bumps and detours. I only hope that the first hill is not too high, and the journey is long.














Thursday, June 30, 2011

Who Is Telling Your Story?

I feel that as the author of my story, I must remain invisible.  I chose who is telling the story.  Whether I am writing in the First, Second or Third Person. 

First Person - This point of view bring the reader up close and personal with the "storyteller".  The reader is able to experience the events in the story as if they are seeing them through the eyes of the main character.  All details of the story come from what this character knows or thinks.

Second Person - I find this point of view a little more difficult to use.  This format allows the story to come from an objective character who has limited access to a certain character's point of view.  The story is told with more detachment from the characters.

Third Person - In this point of view you use the pronouns "he" and "she", but you are still telling the story through one character's eyes.  It allows you, as the writer, more freedom in how the story is being told.

Sometimes I even break up what person I am using in the story depending on where the story is taking me at that time.  Make it clear from the beginning whose story is being told.  I feel as the writer, I must remain invisible so, my readers can be drawn into the world of the story.  I let my "storyteller" tell the story.  If your storyteller is not there to see or hear what happens, then your reader can't see or hear it either.

Do you know what your point of view is?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

"Batteries Not Included"

     Sometimes while writing I feel that while working on a story it is like the toy that says, "Batteries Not Included!"  I'm ready to play, all the other parts are there, but the main element to get it going is missing.  My idea is the toy, I have an imagination and my determination is the batteries. 

     With all of these together, I can play, create and not have to worry that the batteries are not included!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Make The Travel Worth The Trip!

     Writing a story for your readers is like planning a trip.  There is a starting point and a destination, sort of like a road map.  So, plan a journey and grab your readers' attention.  Map out some interesting and intriguing sights along the way.  Plan it well, don't let them get lost.  Hopefully, they will recommend the trip to a friend and want to come back and travel with you again.  Good luck mapping out your trip.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Setting The Tone

     I have been working the “tone” used in my writing. I have been listening to everyday conversation and jotting down what I hear. When people are talking, I try to watch their body language, listen to their vocal inflections and their facial expressions. In my writing I want to clearly convey the tone of my characters. So, watching and noting the dialoge, action and reaction of others helps me with the tone. Setting your tone early in your writing determines the tone and sentence structure you will use throughout your story.


     Tone comes in a wide range of attitudes. Tone can be humorous, sometimes sarcastic, flippant, silly or ironic. Complaints can be angry, bitter, sad cautious, polite or intense. These are some of the questions I ask myself when setting the tone:

1. Is it too silly?

2. Is it too dreary?

3. Will it engage my reader?

4. Does it flow?

5. Does it fit with my subject?

6. Are you refelecting the attitude you envision?

What are some of the questions you ask yourself when setting the tone?

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Short But Sweet Today!

I am grateful for days, like today, when gratitude walks beside me or sometimes a few steps ahead of me, allowing a skip in my step, to keep up with it.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (5)

The Noisy Noisy Farm

The Noisy Noisy Farm, Stephanie Stansbie, Hardcover

Written by:  Stephanie Stansbie
Illustrated by:  Veronica Vasylenko

A book full of surprise sounds.  One by one the animals on the farm call out to Rooster - MEOW! QUACK! BAAAA! MOO!  But, no doodle-doing at all!  Read why Rooster can not be found and why finally, his wake-up call is louder than ever!

My Grandson loves this story.  He loves hearing the animals as the story is being read to him.

Snickerdoodle Cookies
(makes 24)

Ingredients


1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar and eggs thoroughly in a large bowl.

Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.

Blend dry ingredients into butter mixture.

Chill dough, and chill an ungreased cookie sheet for about 10-15 minutes in the fridge.

Meanwhile, mix 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl.

Scoop 1 inch globs of dough into the sugar/ cinnamon mixture.

Coat by gently rolling balls of dough in the sugar mixture.

Place on chilled ungreased cookie sheet, and bake 10 minutes.

Remove from pan immediately.

Prep time:  10 minutes        Total Time:  20 minutes

Don't Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

I can't believe it - I'm Stylish! TWICE!!

Blogger Award!

         

Hi everyone!

I want to thank Charmalot at http://andthenmyheartsmiled.blogspot.com/  and Pat Newcombe at http://writingsavedmylife.blogspot.com/  for presenting me with the Stylish Blogger Award. Thank you so much, I am honored.

The Rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person giving you the award.

2. Share 7 Things About Yourself.

3. Award 10-15 Blogs Who You Think Deserve This Award.

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award.

7 Things About Me:

1. I am a grandmother. I am called “Lolli” and my husband is called “Pop”. Hence, this is where the name for my blog came from.

2. I like to quilt, sometimes I quilt with a group called “Stitch ‘N ( )itch”. I left out the “B” on purpose. 

3. I made my daughter’s wedding dress & veil, her bridesmaids’ dresses and my outfit for her wedding. (pictures on left side of my blog)

4. I collect teapots and teacups. I have a teapot from 1920.

5. I like to write, draw and paint.

6. I am known for quick-one-line-zingers.

7. I melt when my grandson says, “Hi Lolli!”

My 15 Stylish Blogs I pass on this Award to are:

1. http://www.jennyleeyoung.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.michelleteacress.blogspot.com/

3. http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/

4. http://www.dawnvandermeer.blogspot.com/

5. http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/

6. http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/

7. http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/

8. http://writingsavedmylife.blogspot.com/

9. http://cynthiawillis.blogspot.com/

10. http://brenleedrake.blogspot.com/

11. http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com/

12. http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/

13. http://www.alicross.com/

14. http://www.thesecretwriterblog.blogspot.com/

15. http://stacysjensen.blogspot.com/


Please visit them and say hello! Thanks again, Charmalot and Pat Newcombe!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Helpful Writing Books

Here are a few books about writing that I found helpful:

1.  Take Joy - by Jane Yolen
2.  Writing With Pictures - by Uri Shulevity
3.  The Writer's Idea Book - by Anastasia Suen
4.  Writing Hannah:  On Writing For Children - by Libby Gleeson
5.  Writing Down The Bones - Freeing The Writer Within - by Natalie Goldberg

Just wanted to share.  Do you have any you would like to share?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Let's Play 20 Questions

1. Who is telling the story?

2. Is it someone outside the events of the story or is it one of the characters?

3. Does the narrator tell the character’s thoughts?

4. What tense is the story told in?

5. Is it in the first person, using I?

6. Who is your major character(s)?

7. Who is your minor character(s)?

8. Consider their behavior, how are they are described?

9. What do they say?

10. Do your characters stay the same or change?

11. Is your story a comedy, a tragedy, science fiction or maybe a life lesson?

12. Do the events in your story connect together?

13. What are some of the conflicts?

14. Is the reader given clues?

15. What will happen next?

16. Is your story chronological?

17. Does it skip around?

18. How does it compare to others of its type?

19. Does the story leave the reader satisfied, yet wanting more?

20. Are you satisfied?

Bonus Question:  What are your 20 questions for writing your story?

Monday, June 20, 2011

Revising Your Work

I like to take my draft and put it away for at least a week. I read my draft as if I were someone else, not as I wrote it. This way I am able to read it with more objectivity. Here are the steps that I follow:

1) Read it from the beginning. This helps you get into the flow of the writing thought. It allows you to revise what you have written so far. I like to use the “track changes” feature on my computer. If you are not using a computer, you can create multiple drafts. This way if you decide to delete something, you still have your deleted material in the event you want to put it back into the story.

2) I like to print out a hard copy from my computer. This helps much more than just trying to read my draft from the computer. It allows me to get a full picture of the entire story.

3) Get feedback from others. Utilize your critique group. The response that you receive from other readers can be very helpful during your writing process. But, remember that you are the writer, and you choose to decide which advice to listen to.

4) Fine tuning of your draft is in the editing process. Check for spelling and grammar, don’t rely just on spell checker and grammar checkers.

5) The most effective time to edit is when you have finished revising. This way you are fine tuning the sentences that are in your final draft, and not wasting that time on multiple drafts. Get the story down first.

6) Lastly, proofread, proofread and proofread. This is the final step in the editing process. This is where you get to check for missing words, misspellings and formatting.

7) Are you ready to submit? What are you waiting for?

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day Quote:

"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child." - Knights of Pythagoras

Happy Father's Day to My Husband. 
A Great Father and Husband. 
I wouldn't have wanted to travel this road with anyone but him. 
Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (4)

Have You Seen Duck?

Have You Seen Duck?, Janet A. Holmes, Hardcover

Written by: Janet A. Holmes


Illustrated by: Jonathan Bentley
   
     Duck goes everywhere with the little boy. They share everything together. Now, Duck is lost. Where did he go? The little boy is sad and misses Duck. Will he ever find him? This is a cute story that a child can relate to.


Peanut Butter Kisses
(flourless cookies)
Ingredients:
1 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 cup of sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 (12 oz) package of Hershey Kisses, wrappers removed
1 teaspoon of salt
Extra sugar for rolling the peanut butter balls in


Directions:
Preheat oven to 325° degrees.
Beat sugar, salt, peanut butter and egg in a large mixing bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. This mixture will appear crumbly. Shape the peanut butter mixture into 1” balls. Roll each ball into the extra sugar. Place each ball, 1” apart, on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Press a Hershey Kiss on each ball, indenting slightly.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet before removing from pan.


Makes about 48 cookies.


Don’t Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!

Prep time: about 20 minutes Cook Time: 8-10 minutes.

Friday, June 17, 2011

"Page Headings"

One of the motivational tricks I use while writing is to put a "header" on the top of each of my "word pages" that says, "I Am A Writer!"  This heading scrolls onto each new page while I am typing at my computer.  I find it very inspirational.  I just have to remember to remove my heading on my final copy before sending/submitting.  Do you have a motivational trick?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Making Progress And Feeling Good About It

Do you know that magical feeling when your story takes flight?  The words flow through your mind and fingertips and it begins to make sense.  That is where I am, now, in my YA novel.  I spent the last few weeks developing my characters, setting the scenes and formulating my plot; hoping they would all gel together.

It started as a tease, just an idea and now it is taking wings and moving right (or should I say write) along.  It is actually becoming a story.  I just thought I'd share.  I can't wait to get back to it.  How about you?  How is your story coming?

Monday, June 13, 2011

I Love Quotations!

Here are a few quotations I thought I would share:

"A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever." - Martin Tupper

"Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you." - Marsha Noonan

"Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go." - Louise Driscoll

"When the dream you follow has awakened, allow it to spread over you and take you along for the journey." - Maeve Frazier

Happy writing!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (3)

There Was An Old Monkey Who Swallowed A Frog

 Written by: Jennifer Ward
Illustrated by: Steve Gray

There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog, Jennifer Ward, Hardcover

Here is a brief excerpt from the book:


There was an old monkey…
Who swallowed –
A frog,
A bat,
A mango,
A toucan,
An iguana,
And more!

Jennifer Ward has written a delightful rhyming story set in the rain forest.

The illustrations done by Steve Gray are comical with exaggerated features. This is done so that the reader will know not to take the story too seriously. A fun story to read.

Now for the cookie recipe - Here is one for the summer - No baking!

Oreo Cookie Balls

1 package regular size Oreo cookies (not double stuffed), crushed into crumbs
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 package white morsel chips
1 package chocolate morsel chips

 Directions:

1. Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.
2. Roll into walnut size balls.
3. Chill for an hour.
4. Melt approximately 3/4 package of white morsel chips.
5. Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white morsel chips.
6. Allow to harden on wax paper.
7. Takes about 15 min.
8. While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate chips
9. When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of melted white and chocolate chips.
10. You can use a sandwich bag with a tiny hole cut in one corner to drizzle the melted chips over the cookie balls.

     Prep Time: 2 hrs                         Total Time: 2 hrs

Don't Forget The Milk!

Enjoy Reading!


The Winner Is:

The winner of "Daddy Dates - Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, And His Quest To Win Their Hearts." - by Greg Wright is:

Stacy S. Jensen


Stacy -  I have sent you an email so you will be able to respond and give me your mailing address.  You have also won a Surprise Picture Book, which will be included in your mailing.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I Love Writing. - It is like talking and there is no one there to hush you up!

It is a place where I can talk endlessly and people can choose to opt out when they are ready to, but not while I am still talking. I write because I get to tell stories. Here I create what is real, what isn't real, what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. The story and the character’s destiny are mine. I love describing characters and settings. Here I get to unravel the tale. I get to take risks.

Don’t be afraid to take risks, they are there for the taking. Have confidence in your work. Write regularly. Don’t give up. I find that the more I write the more I improve. Practice makes perfect.

Writing is where I am my own boss. I get to show up in whatever I want to and when I want to. We writers have quirks. That is what sets us apart from everyone else. So, whether you are the writer who shows up in their pajamas, a crazy hat or you like to write in odd places. Just show up! Push everything else out of the way! Start talking!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (2)

Here is the second addition to Books With Milk And Cookies:

A Cuddle for Little Duck


A Cuddle For Little Duck, Claire Freedman, Hardcover
Written by – Claire Freedman
Illustrated by – Caroline Pedlar
Published by – Cartwheel Books

This story is adorable. The illustrations are wonderful.
It is a cute rhyming story to delight a young child.


Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups Bisquick Baking Mix
2 regular boxes lemon pudding mix
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
¼ cup sugar for rolling cookie dough in
1 can vanilla frosting
1 tsp lemon extract


Directions:
Stir baking mix, pudding mix, vegetable oil and eggs together. Shape into small balls (walnut size). Roll each ball in the granulated sugar.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly with the bottom of a floured glass. Bake at 350° degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool.


Mix vanilla frosting and lemon extract. Frost the cookies.

Prep Time  10 minutes       Cook Time  8-10 minutes                       Frost Time  10 minutes
 
Don't Forget The Milk!
 
Happy Reading!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Blog Give A Way

Just in time for Father's Day!

“Daddy Dates – Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest to Win Their Hearts.” By Greg Wright


Daddy Dates: Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest..., Greg Wright, Hardcover


I am giving the above hard cover book away to 1 lucky winner. To enter just follow my blog and leave a comment. I’ll select the winner randomly. The giveaway ends June 10, 2011.  Good Luck and thank you for stopping by!