Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the category “Uncategorized”

27 Feb 2013
2 Comments

Blog Hop


blog-hop-png

Valerie Lawson is one gung-ho gal when it comes to writing and getting published.  From her detailed commentary from attending the Big SCBWI Conference to contests to writing tips she knows how to motivate and inspire.  That’s why I jumped at her latest writing endeavor (see above).

The Next Big Thing comes at a great time for me because I am determined to get my manuscripts out into the hands of editors and agents this year. I recently sent an agent  one of my YA manuscripts and I am awaiting her response.  So, here I go with my Blog Hop contribution:

1. What is the working title of your book?
FreeFall
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
For a time I was a teacher in an alternative program and there were a couple of male students who struggled with trying to change the direction of how their life was headed. Fighting, a tough home life, and going to juvie hall were aspects of life they dealt with. I saw how they struggled to keep from falling further into a destructive lifestyle. I also saw the need for a strong male mentor to step in and help befriend these guys and so  with these elements before me I sat down and the story began writing itself.
3. What genre does your book come under?
Definitely YA, although I believe adults would find interest in the interrelationships.
4.  Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I’m not much up on teen actors these days, but I did keep a mental picture of a young Matt Dillon (Outsiders vintage) in mind for Wes, the lead protagonist.
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Sometimes to keep from falling we need to accept the hand of friendship.
6. Is your book self-published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
It is currently being reviewed by an agent.
7. How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft took about a year to write and I submitted chapters through my writing group and through Inkpop when the site was up and running. I also received feedback from an editor at an SCBWI conference. I’ve been working on polishing the manuscript over the last couple of years based on feedback received.
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I think of Ponyboy from The Outsiders and how he tried to overcome the difficulties of his life, but The Outsiders isn’t really my inspiration, only the struggles are– of a young man with potential who is caught up in a lifestyle he wants to get out of, yet isn’t sure how to do so. Any YA books where the protagonist is in conflict with himself, as well as conflict with society would be the main genre.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? See #2
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Feedback received mention the high school action being realistic, along with the shifting dynamics of longtime friendship that’s changing. There’s also a great scene of a three on three basketball competition. The biggest grabber is the opening.  Here it is:

          Falling.  Air rushing past him.  Rippling his cheeks, his clothes, coursing over him like cool river water.  Arms spread-eagled out, he faces the approaching ground with a smile.  Yeah.  Getting closer, closer.  Any time now.  Not quite there. Pull!

          “You’re dead.”

          Wes slammed the console.  “No way.  The machine is off.  I had it timed.”

          Nick smirked. “Game over. You’re dead.  You didn’t pull the rip cord in time.  And you are now splattered all over some farmer’s field in Kansas.  You cut it too close every time.”

          Still tingling from the game’s adrenaline rush, Wes stepped out of the game booth. He got such a rush playing Free Fall.  There was something about jumping out into nothing but the blue sky and screaming down towards earth.

Thanks, Valerie for the inclusion to The Next Big Thing. Be sure to check out her site and the others who have participated.

Image

FreeFall: a novel of a young man who needs to change his direction in life

Happy Pages!

Posted in Blogging, creativity, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged , , ,
26 Feb 2013
12 Comments

The Language of Snow


Snow balls

Snow balls (Photo credit: blmiers2)

Just when I thought winter was truly on the way out that dratted phenomenon known as spring snow arrived.  It’s the “ha ha gotcha” of winter.  Not nice.  I had visions of puttering out in the yard, placing my yard ornaments and maybe even putting out the hammock.  After all, the temps had reached a searing 50 degrees.  The natives were donning shorts in anticipation.

While I have one word for snow: “yuck” the Inuits apparently have over a hundred.  Then again it could be a hoax.   If you are in need of describing snow maybe you can find one off this list:

The Eskimos’ *edited*Hundred Words for Snow

by Phil James

Fresh powder snow, snow crystals.

Fresh powder snow, snow crystals. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

tlapa           powder snow
tlacringit      snow that is crusted on the surface
kayi            drifting snow
tlapat          still snow
klin            remembered snow
naklin          forgotten snow
tlamo           snow that falls in large wet flakes
tlatim          snow that falls in small flakes
tlaslo          snow that falls slowly
tlapinti        snow that falls quickly
kripya          snow that has melted and refrozen
tliyel          snow that has been marked by wolves
tliyelin        snow that has been marked by Eskimos
blotla          blowing snow
pactla          snow that has been packed down
hiryla          snow in beards
wa-ter          melted snow
tlayinq         snow mixed with mud
slimtla         snow that is crusted on top but soft underneath
kriplyana       snow that looks blue in the early morning
puntla          a mouthful of snow because you fibbed
allatla         baked snow
fritla          fried snow
gristla         deep fried snow
tidtla          snow used for cleaning
ertla           snow used by Eskimo teenagers for exquisite erotic rituals
kriyantli       snow bricks
hahatla         small packages of snow given as gag gifts
semtla          partially melted snow
ontla           snow on objects
intla           snow that has drifted indoors
nootlin         snow that doesn't stick
rotlana         quickly accumulating snow
skriniya        snow that never reaches the ground
bluwid          snow that's shaken down from objects in the wind
tlanid          snow that's shaken down and then mixes with sky-falling snow
talini          snow angels
blontla         snow that's shaken off in the mudroom
tlalman         snow sold to German tourists
tlalam          snow sold to American tourists
tlanip          snow sold to Japanese tourists
protla          snow packed around caribou meat
attla           snow that as it falls seems to create nice pictures
		in the air
sotla           snow sparkling with sunlight
tlun            snow sparkling with moonlight
astrila         snow sparkling with starlight
clim            snow sparkling with flashlight or headlight
tlapi           summer snow
krikaya         snow mixed with breath
ashtla          expected snow that's wagered on (depth, size of flakes)
tla-na-na       snow mixed with the sound of old rock and roll
		from a portable radio
trinkyi         first snow of the year
tronkyin        last snow of the year
shiya           snow at dawn
katiyana        night snow
tlinro          snow vapor
nyik            snow with flakes of widely varying size
ragnitla        two snowfalls at once, creating moire patterns
akitla          snow falling on water
privtla         snow melting in the spring rain
chahatlin       snow that makes a sizzling sound as it falls on water
hootlin         snow that makes a hissing sound as the
		individual flakes brush
geltla          snow dollars
briktla         good building snow
striktla        snow that's no good for building
erolinyat       snow drifts containing the imprint of crazy lovers
chachat         swirling snow that drives you nuts
krotla          snow that blinds you
tlarin          snow that can be sculpted into the delicate corsages
		Eskimo girls pin to their whale parkas at prom time
maxtla          snow that hides the whole village
tlayopi         snow drifts you fall into and die
truyi           avalanche of snow
tlapripta       snow that burns your scalp and eyelids
carpitla        snow glazed with ice
tla             ordinary snow

Since we, as in Anglo-Saxons (hope that isn’t offensive to anyone), lack the same depth of expressives, I’ve come up with my own:

In my region there are three recognizable seasons:

  • no snow

  • snow

  • mud

Snow terms to consider adopting into the English language:

  • lookitsnow:  first snow of the season–Nov/Dec

  • itzsnowing: comment of the day until January

  • ucksnow:  bridge between Jan/Feb when people begin getting weary of shoveling, scraping, and slipping around in the stuff

  • snizzle: the on off dance of snow and rain found in Jan/Feb

  • snain: a more serious form of snizzle

  • smush: slushy snow of Feb/Mar

  • smud: ground showing with snow patches, squashy walking usually around Feb/Mar

  • ohnosnow: snow when daffs coming up and flakes coming down in Mar/April

  • nomohsnow: snowfall and meltaway tease of April/May

I’m hoping the smush will quickly melt and we can get Spring back on track soon. Until then–

Wishing for Blue Skies
Cricket Muse

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Posted in America, Reflections, Uncategorized and tagged ,
20 Feb 2013
11 Comments

Egads, Those Cads of Literature


You know who they are.  Those bad boys who jilt the girl, cheat the honest friend, and play havoc with the plot.  They are the cads of literature.  Having finished Jane Austen’s Persuasion I have added Mr. Elliot to the list.  His subterfuge was most deplorable.  Then again, I do adore how she swiftly cast him aside for someone much more worthy of her devotion.  My favorite heroines have done just that–put those cads in their place.  Since I am on a Jane Austen revisiting read here are some cads that live in her books:

Henry Crawford (Mansfield Park)–I detected cad from the very start

Frank Churchill (Emma)–what a naughty game you played with so many hearts

Oh, Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility)–we wanted so much to like you

Elliot (Persuasion)–did you really think you could turn Anne’s head or her heart away from Wentworth?

Tsk tsk, Wickham (Pride and Prejudice)–your charm could not cover your secret faults

 

As to Northhanger Abbey, I haven’t decided who the cad truly is.  It’s up on my list to review.  As to other literary cads–any nominees?  Rhett Butler comes to mind, but then was he a cad or simply a foil for Scarlett?

Happy reading!

English: Engraving of Steventon rectory, home ...

English: Engraving of Steventon rectory, home of the Austen family during much of Jane Austen’s lifetime (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Posted in Books, Literature, Movies, Reflections, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , ,
17 Feb 2013
13 Comments

The Art of Nap


Dagwood Bumstead: the poster boy for napping

I look forward to my Sunday afternoon nap.  I wait for the sun to peep in the window just so and then shut the door,  snuggle under my down comforter, read through a couple of chapters of my latest book, and drowsily drift into the sweet dreams of a lazy afternoon slumber.  It’s even better in summer when my afternoon nap is accomplished in my favorite backyard hammock.

As beneficial as naps are, naps in the States seem to suffer from bad PR, as if taking a nap is synonymous with sloth and non-productivity.  However, in other parts of the world it’s recognized that the afternoon is a time of siesta and rest in order to finish the day with zest and zip.

Whether taken in the afternoon or whenever the need arose , some of history’s main line notables have appreciated the nap:

    • Napoleon
    • Brahms
    • Churchill
    • Margaret Thatcher
    • Thomas Edison
    • Leonardo Da Vinci
    • Einstein
    • Ronald Reagan
    • Eleanor Roosevelt
    • Salvador Dali
    • John D. Rockefeller
  • Hmm–anyone else notice it’s mostly men who are on the list?

There is something to this nap stuff–seriously!  I did some research and pulled up some heavy-duty information.  The major source of information came from the Sleep Foundation, but there is a huge warning about all their information being copyrighted so I suggest you click here to find out for yourself how important napping is for your health.

The benefits of napping being commiserate to creativity are proven with the likes of Edison, Einstein, and Salvador Dali.  I have learned to keep my Post-it pad next to me when napping because afterwards, or even during, while my body is resting, my brain is buzzing away with ideas.  I have a whole pad of dream-induced ideas that will keep me well-supplied for writing material for years (and years).

You would think there would be more books about naps. This picture book was part of our reading repertoire.  I can relate to the snoring granny these days.

If you are wondering how long you should nap to recharge your batteries, here is a helpful guide from the Natural Sleep Store:

The Values of a Your Nap

10-20 seconds: Sleep studies haven’t yet concluded whether there are benefits to these brief intervals, like when you nod off on someone’s shoulder on the train.

2-5 minutes: These have proven to be surprisingly effective at shedding sleepiness.

5-20 minutes: These mini-naps increase alertness, stamina, motor learning, and motor performance.

20 minutes: The original “Power Nap” is 20 minutes and includes the benefits of shorter naps but also additionally improve muscle memory and clear the brain of useless built-up information, which helps with long-term memory.

50-90 minutes: Now we’re talking! Naps of this length includes slow-wave plus REM sleep and are good for improving perceptual processing and repairing bones and muscles when the system is flooded with human growth hormone.

Happy Napping!

The siesta

The siesta (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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15 Feb 2013
3 Comments

#9: Poems to Know and Grow On


It’s been too long since I paid attention to my Musings of a Voracious Reader list.  Tidying up my files I discovered entry #9: Poems to Know and Grow On and it seems quite appropriate as a post-Valentine’s Day post, since poetry is the food of love (right next to chocolate).

As I teach poetry, especially as I prepare my AP students for their exams in May, I am reading more and more poets and poetry.  This is a good thing.  In fact, I am now taking on what I have deemed as the “Emily Project” which is discovering Emily Dickinson.  Understanding her would be another project in itself.

As I teach, read, and study poems I have gathered a few along the way.  I dearly wish I had a better knack for memorization because I would like to pull out a poem for any occasion and dazzle, delight, and demonstrate the power of poetry to any willing listener. I love it when that moment arrives in a movie when one character starts a poem and another finishes it.  Remember Willoughby and Marianne from Sense and Sensibility? *sigh*

This is simply a sprinkling of poems I have deemed worth knowing and to grow on:

1. My First Memory (of Librarians) by Nikki Giovanni–a Book Booster’s banner poem of delight

2. Harlem (A Dream Deferred) by Langston Hughes–his imagery is enviable

3.Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins–enjoy poetry, don’t tie it to a chair and beat a confession out of it (love this)

4. Hope Is A Thing With Feathers by Emily Dickinson–hope wings its way into our hearts

5. The Road Not Takenby Robert Frost–almost clichéd by its overuse, it’s still a powerful statement about making choices

6. The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll–delightfully fun for any age

7. This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams–after I discovered this was actually a note to his wife I embraced the poem even more

8. The Tyger by William Blake–imagine seeing a tiger for the first time; how can something so exquisitely beautiful be also so incredibly deadly?

9. One Art by Elizabeth Bishop–the more I read Bishop the more I realize what talent she has for capturing life’s moments

10.I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman–“a sweaty-toothed madmen” claimed Todd from Dead Poets Society, when asked what he thought of Uncle Walt; Whitman is clearly underrated (check out the Poem Flow when you hit the link or better yet check out this YouTube)

11. Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare–the Bard employs his wit whilst he poketh funneth at the syrupy nature of sonnets

12. We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks–no matter the era, youth’s self-destruction prevails

13. Fog by Carl Sandburg–its simplicity speaks volumes

14. The Daffodils by William Wordsworth–my heart gladdens of spring’s promise as the daffodils lift their golden heads above winter’s chilly grasp

And there are  fourteen poems, a drop of verses in the deep well of that which stirs the soul, as a nod to Valentine’s Day and the tradition of sweet rhymes, chocolate, and roses.

One last poem to know and grow on, not necessarily my favorite, but definitely memorable.  True love is memorable, as Poe so deftly renders in this tribute to his lost love. This one usually makes my ninth grade students pause, which is one reason I refer to it.

Annabel Lee
by Edgar Allan Poe 
It was many and many a year ago,
   In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
   By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
   Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
   In this kingdom by the sea:
But we loved with a love that was more than love--
   I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
   Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
   In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
   My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
   And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
   In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
   Went envying her and me--
Yes!--that was the reason (as all men know,
   In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
   Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
   Of those who were older than we--
   Of many far wiser than we--
And neither the angels in heaven above,
   Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee:

For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride,
   In her sepulchre there by the sea,
   In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Virginia Poe watercolor painted after her deat...

Virginia Poe watercolor painted after her death in 1847. From eapoe.org Category:Edgar Allan Poe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Posted in America, creativity, Poetry, Reading, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged , , , , ,
12 Feb 2013

It’s a Small World After All


Lately I was relaxing in Greece after a quick trip to Spain.  This was all done without suffering passport photo application and TSA hassles.  Over the last year I’ve even been to visit some of the Italian wineries after a quick wink at the French Rivera.  It didn’t matter that I hadn’t packed my bathing suit or that I can’t handle two drops of wine without getting dizzy.  I like to travel.  And I do so by staying cozy in my living room.  I am a bigtime homebody but I am interested in what other countries are like.  I make great use of our library’s travel videos and our current guide is nice guy Rick Steves, who is personable, fun, and easy to travel with.

I may never get around to traveling the world (although I did get to Europe when I turned 21–*ahem* a few years ago) I have enjoyed seeing the sights and should I dust off the passport I will know where to go, what to do, and how to do so on a retired teacher’s budget.
Others who live the adventuresome life by traveling all over the world definitely get my thumbs up (see Rick) and one special traveler, adventurer, and blogger is Lesley Carter who has the incredibly popular Bucket List Productions blog.  She has been all over the world and has had some amazing adventures. I admire her pluck and I enjoy her blog and so I cast my vote for her as a contestant in the Biggest Baddest Bucket List Contest. Swing over and watch her video, get inspired, and give her a vote.
A picture of Matt Harding at Yoyogi Park in Sh...

A picture of Matt Harding at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another person who inspires me is Matt Harding, who is a phenomena all in his own.  Watch him dance all over the world and then check out his website. His story is just as amazing as his videos.  I smile every time I watch one.
And no, his videos are not a hoax.  Check out his hoax explanation–too funny.
For those of you, like me, who desire to travel the world from the comfort of your living room.  Enjoy your travels with Rick, Lesley, and Matt.  Pass the popcorn.
Blue Skies
CM
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Posted in Reflections, travel, Uncategorized and tagged , , | Leave a comment
09 Feb 2013
3 Comments

The Library Times Are Changing


Bob Dylan could very well be singing the theme song for today’s library.

image: travelgoat.com

Are you old enough to remember when libraries only contained books?  I can’t remember back exactly when I noticed that the library went into BB  [beyond books] mode, and I am not sure if it’s a problem or not.

Long time ago when I worked in a middling sized library we held off on offering VHS movies for check out.  Yes, that was a long time ago, wasn’t it?  Our director deliberated for nearly six months whether or not we would incorporate them into our collection because, after all, the library is all about reading, isn’t it?

Counter arguments included: Well then, what about the cassettes we offer?  Not all are  audio books, many are music.

Hmm, that is a good point.

Long story short is VHS movies moved in on the shelves and *Surprise!*–people kept checking out books. People aren’t going to stop reading books.  Even when given options. Yes, I do believe this

As much as I would like to be a purist and spout: Books Only! I realized today’s libraries, like any smart enterprise, has learned to diversify in order to serve the changing public needs and tastes.

Go into any library today and you will find computer labs, video games, DVD collections, and other options among the shelves.  It hasn’t gone so far as this one cartoon portrays though:

I admittedly check out DVDs, audio books, music, magazines, and even video games (for others I know).  Of course, I rarely leave without at least one book in my bag.

Are the times a-changing too drastically? I figure the library is a reflection of current society.  Right now we are currently into media which translates into both entertainment and information. The library folk are savvy enough to know it’s best to provide in order to survive.

So, Bob D–sing through those lyrics one more time, wouldja?

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Posted in Books, Libraries, Reflections, technology, Uncategorized and tagged , , , ,
08 Feb 2013
1 Comment

Loving, Living, and Liebstering


I am always glad to turn the calendar page to February for several reasons.  First all, once January is past I begin to rally and anticipate spring, which, of course is next month, and spring leads into summer.  Secondly, there’s Valentine’s Day, and although I’m not real keen on a forced holiday I do like that it’s about love, appreciation, and chocolate.  Plus, it’s fun to see all those cute red and pink heart decorations when shopping (and there are no annoying overdone Christmas songs blasting all over).

So with my happy dance getting underway it was pleasant to open my blog notification up to see http://artsandyouthlove.wordpress.com/ had nominated me for the Liebster Award.  Lovely!  Thank you!!

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows :

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you.

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.

3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen. (No tag backs)

4. Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog

Questions Answered:

  1. Do you like answering random questions? If given time to think about the answer, I’m okay with it.
  2. If you could meet anyone, who would it be? Living? Meryl Streep or Bobby McFarrin Past? Helen Keller
  3. If you could change your talent for another talent, what would it be? Hmm, I really like writing, and as much I would like to become a world-renowned juggler I will stick to writing, thanks anyway for the wish wand
  4. Do you listen to more than one genre of music? Absolutely!  I’m open to pretty much everything that doesnt’ involve screaming lyrics or screaming guitars. Not too fond of opera or country music though.
  5. What’s your favorite junk food? Is dark chocolate junk food?
  6. Do you watch tv? Blech!!!!!
  7. How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Hallmark induced sentimentality.  Everyday is a day to express love and appreciation to people.
  8. What is your favorite movie genre? Old black and white comedies, especially Katherine Hepburns, Gary Coopers, Cary Grants.  Don’t mind a good old John Wayne western now and then.
  9. What is your favorite season? Summer 🙂
  10. Do you find it hard to create and answer random questions? Not really, but is this really a question?
  11. How’s your week going? It’s Friday.  Nice….

Elevensies for the next batch of nominees:

1.  It’s 2pm on a sunny Saturday–where are you and what are you doing?

2.  Given the choice of reading a classic novel or the latest bestseller which do you prefer?

3.  Could you work in a job without a window?

4. How do you celebrate the first day of vacation?

5.  Who is your favorite poet?

6.  Do you think technology is affecting they way we converse with one another?

7.  Here’s the magic wand–what’s your wish?

8.  What country would you visit if you won the sweepstakes?

9.  Which pet do you prefer–traditional (dog) or exotic (hedgehog)?

10.  How many blogs do you read during the week?

11.  What do you think of blog awards?

Here are my nominees (and if you are over 200 followers because I couldn’t find your follower indicator, you are still wonderfully worthy of Liebster Blogging Kudos) and I went with reading/writing-themed blogs this time:

1.http://angelagodbout.wordpress.com/

2. http://wetinkpresspublishing.com/

3.http://alibilibrary.com/

4. http://joanngrasso.wordpress.com/

5. http://lazycoffees.wordpress.com/

6. http://runnerwithwords.wordpress.com/

7. http://redpeffer.me/

8. http://literaryman.com/

9. http://ctwesting.com/

10. http://jenniferkblog.wordpress.com/

11. http://befferkins.wordpress.com/

As for the stuff about me…eh, I’ll pass for now. The sun is out after a long absence and it’s time to walk around the block for a dose of vitamin D.

Happy Pages!

Posted in Awards, Blogging, creativity, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged ,
04 Feb 2013
5 Comments

But Is It Art?


Flying through my Yahoo news headlines I was caught off-guard by the news of the Etch-a-Sketch inventor passing away recently.  I hadn’t thought that the ubiquitous toy had an actual creator–I thought it had always been there, like marbles, yo-yos, and bouncy balls.  Yet, the famous graphic sketch toy did indeed have an inventor,  André Cassagnes,  and it went into mass production by the Ohio Art Company.

The classic red-and-white Etch A Sketch model

The classic red-and-white Etch A Sketch model (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As a baby boomer I have a fondness for the Etch-a-Sketch.  A kid could create anything with it and then shake to start all over again.  Think of all the paper art teachers could save by handing out these fabulous little art producers.

However, is it truly art?  Or are the renderings created in the category of velvet Elvis paintings making it only subjective and in the eye of the beholder?

Check out this blogger’s post about the Etch-A-Sketch. What do you think? Is it art?

A bit of a skeptic, I went searching on the Internet and I found at least one artist who convinced me the graphic erase renderings are art.

The Etch-A-Sketch® Art of Jeff Gagliardi

For him it began with the Taj Mahal on his nephew’s Etch-A-Sketch.  Check out his creations here.

How would one frame it?  I can see the scenario.

DSC_0028

DSC_0028 (Photo credit: Ryan D Riley)

“Hey can I look at your Mona Lisa Etch-A-Sketch?”

“Uh, sure.  Just don’t touch…”

“OOps…[awkward silence]

“Aw man, I asked you not to touch it.”

For those not as deeply affected by the passing of this toy icon inventor. Here are some basics W.S.I.C.s [why should I care]:

  • The Etch-A-Sketch came out in the ’60s and became one of the most popular toys of that era.
  • In 1998 it found its place into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
  • The Toy Industry Association named the Etch-A-Sketch to its Century of Toys List.

In case you are wondering how it works, check out this video.


In terms of the application for writing, there is the definite possibility of its benefit.  There have been many a manuscripts of mine that could have benefited from a quick shake to get things started all over again.

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Posted in Reflections, reviews, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged , , ,
02 Feb 2013
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Literary Library Love Posts


Oh my I love libraries.  Even when I am on vacation I go visit the library.  Some people hit the shops, others browse the galleries, most play, but I go check out the library.  I am so fortunate to have the library that I do.  Have I mentioned this before?

  • image from hofstra.edu

I am not the only one who has a real life love affair with libraries.  I know some great characters who love their libraries as well.  I came across this love letter to a library the other day:

The library was a little old shabby place.  Francie thought it was beautiful.  The feeling she had about it was as good as the feeling she had about church.  She pushed open the door and went in. She liked the combined smell of worn leather bindings, library paste and freshly inked stamping pads better than she liked the smell of burning incense at high mass.
                                             –beginning of chapter two from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Francie Nolan loved libraries.  The librarian wasn’t the greatest, but Francie persevered her weekly visits because  Francie had long ago dedicated every Saturday as her library day in order to work her way through all the collection, even though she usually ended up reading the same book.

What an amazing undertaking!  To walk into the local library and take down a book, read it, and move on to the next one until all is read.  A lifetime of literary adventure.

There are other literary library mentions.  For instance, Elizabeth Bennett comments about Mr. Bingely’s library, how fine she hears it is, and then he sheepishly admits he doesn’t read much, being he would rather be outside.  Lizzie’s father, Mr. Bennett, is well-known for hiding in his library.  They sadly are the only Bennetts who bothered with books. In fact, most of Austen’s books have a mention of libraries.  Emma’s father usually hid out in his library, avoiding the world. I’m pretty sure JA would be registered on my Book Boosters page had WordPress been around in her day.

What about you?  What aspects of the library do you love?

  • Is it the sheer volume of knowledge available at your fingertips?
  • What about the amazing amount of FREE reading waiting to jump into your book bag?
  • Are there special librarians or staff who make you feel welcome? (I think Francie’s librarian was an anomaly–all the librarians I have known have been absolutely wonderful)
  • Does the library have a special place where you sit and read or work?

I’m also interested if you have come across libraries mentioned in the books you have read or are reading.

Happy Pages!

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Posted in Books, Libraries, Literature, Reading, Uncategorized, writers and tagged , , ,

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