A Garden of Verses

As children we begin our acquaintance with poetry through nursery rhymes and catchy little verse books and move up to reading by way of Dr. Seuss. If the love of poetry takes hold. Then we discover there is a world of rhyme through the pens of such poets as Jack Prelutsky (shown happily proffering his poetry pencil). And of course, Shel Silverstein.

Robert Louis Stevenson and Lewis Carroll come to mind for when we are older. And then what? We are told “good” poetry shouldn’t rhyme and rhyming verse is childish. We then go deep into the likes of Robert Frost, Longfellow, and perhaps Langston Hughes when we get into school. This is not a bad thing. Not at all. Life gets more complicated as we get older and poetry can be that reflection.

I wonder if this is where we lose the initial love of poetry, when we have to work at understanding it through its symbolism, imagery, and meter. Cats and fiddles, Jacks and Jills no longer suffice as poetry thrills. Tis a shame.
My freshmen groan and revolt when I trot out the poetry unit. I wish I could say I have swayed their opinions or created new converts at the end of the designated nine weeks, yet that doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. Most do appreciate poetry a bit more. Sure, that works for me–I’ll take it.

I wonder how many of us would continue loving poetry if we could only be allowed more Jack Prelutsky when we are all grown up.

When

Blog Hop

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.

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

Happy Pages!

Bright Spots and Pass Alongs

When the world reveals too much darkness I tend to retreat.  I know I can’t just hide and pretend it will all go away, yet I don’t want to dwell on tragedies and troubling events.  So when the world is at its darkest I look up and out and around to find the bright spots.

And I escape by reading.

My love and prayers go out to those affected by the turmoil and troubles of the day.  I do encourage everyone to keep looking for the bright spots as I am reminded of Emily Dickinson who spoke of hope:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

254
“Hope” is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all—
And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm—
I’ve heard it in the chillest land— And on the strangest Sea— Yet, never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb—of Me

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Life Imitating Art Imitating Life

Cover of The Last Action Hero

Yesterday I thought I would be enjoying my extra day off, the perk for having worked two twelve hour days.  Instead , I was doing the porcelain hug–yup, the flu bug caught up to me and bit me rather nastily. Lipton soup, napping, and the wonderful ministrations of my MEPA (most excellent personal assistant) righted me from prone to errands.  I had to get my Saturday library run in–plus I expanded my horizons with a chocolate taste-testing lesson from ET, my librarian compatriot.

With a bag of AP Cyrano journals to grade I needed a movie to keep me company–my MEPA had a previous engagement with the roof. It’s an oldie but goodie: Last Action Hero. I checked it out again (third time watching it) because Ahnold plays Hamlet.  “Hey Claudius, you killed my fadder.  Big mistake.” I’m readying for Hamlet in AP and thought it would be appropriate to show how far Shakespeare’s influence reaches.

One reason I like LAH so much is the irony, paradox, parodies, and outright clichés. Here it is in a nutshell if you haven’t seen the movie: Arnold  is playing Jack Slater who is Arnold playing Jack Slater, who is the  quintessential action hero.  There are a bazillion inside jokes and cameos. Maybe this movie gave me the idea for my NaNo novel. Who could resist writing a novel about a girl writing a novel during National Novel Writing Month?  I couldn’t.

If you are writing your NaNo, hang tough, because this is the week people start to find the going tough and drop out of the word count race.  You can do it.  You can do it. You can do it.  Yes, you can.

See you on the other side of 50,000.  It’s one word at a time making each sentence reach into paragraphs into pages.

And with that,
Happy Pages
CM

 

Whatsa matta with myah Zemanta?

If you’ve been blogging for a bit you are no doubt aware of Zemanta, the wonderful widget which suggests photos and articles based on your text.  It’s a quick way to instantly add some bling to your blog and doubly nice since the credit tag is part of the package.

You stop and mutter, “What the–? because the photo has NOTHING to do with your text.

Case in point–I hoped to insert some raging Gothic images for my Gothic romance post and laughably Zemanta offered me:

• the AP press insignia (I guess because I mentioned AP literature texts)
• Luise Pop (no clue)
• Jungle girl (huh?)
• various renditions of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Height (understandable  since I mentioned these)
• We alone (excuse me?)
• Old car 2, sold Lake Utah (don’t think so)
• Salt and Pepper Prawns (what?)
• Eden with Ruby Slippers (no thanks
• David Hockney’s  “The Road Across the Worlds” (whatever)
• “Robert O. Harris” (wrong Harris)
• “Another One Rides the Bus” a Queen parody (ha ha–way off)
•  Laoghane Harbour (Gothic romance in the      tropics?)

Have you been there? Scrolling from the plausible into the oblique?

So I ask: Whatsa matta with myah Zemanta?

Is my text too vague?
Are my topics too oblique?
Do I not inspire the photo picking Zemanta elves to brilliance and relevancy?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate Zemanta. It’s handy, and it’s dandy. It’s just a bit perplexing.

Troubleshooting my concerns I did some researching for answers.

1. typing in specific searches sometimes dials in more relevant photos, but  truthfully not much
2. going to help sites doesn’t always clarify–as in this answer for the question:      How do you come up with recommendations?

We analyze your post through our proprietary natural language processing and semantic algorithms, and statistically compare its contextual framework to our preindexed database of content.

In plain speak I think they are telling me that they try to match up photos to my text depending on my content and depending on their photos.

3. I did  learn images come from Wikipedia Commons and Flickr among other stock photo providers.
4.  Overall, I usually find one or two photos that are pertinent. The rest? I just figure the Zemanta elves were messing with me.  As for the articles? No problemo; they match up–mostly.

Anyone else think the Zemanta elves are laughing at them?

image: flickr.com
Zemanta offices. Hello? Anybody home?

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Just Another Gothic Girl

English: Gothic girl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT THE GOTHIC TO WHICH I REFER

I have admittedly strayed from my AP book list and I am in the midst of coasting in my reading tastes: the gothic romance novel. oh yeah.

I’m not talking your acceptable-found-on-the-list novel like Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre. Nope, I’m talking about the forgotten books by a forgotten author that needs rediscovering.  Maybe I will start a resurgence of Dorothy Eden readers. You  never know.

Intrigued by what constitutes a gothic romance novel I Googled to find a most excellent site called Virtual Salt, which is written by Robert Harris, former professor and general busy guy.  He’s got an exciting menu of topic choices on his website and it is a recommended stop by.  I chose “Element of the Gothic Novel” and will definitely be borrowing from and referring to his article once I get to Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre in AP Lit.

Currently I’m cheat reading and have discovered amidst the buried “E”s when I was last shelf shopping,  Dorothy Eden, who had once upon a time a long writing career spanning from the 1940s into the 1980, being known primarily for writing these smashing gothic romances with heroines exhibiting contemporary tendencies.  I’m deep into my second one and these are exactly what I need,  having come off of a grading campaign of freshmen poetry notebooks.

Here is Gothic Romance Elements 101 in a Nutshell.  For in-depth article investigation I encourage you to investigate Robert Harris’s site.

A Gothic Romance needs to have the following:
1.  a castle
2. inexplicable events
3. suspense
4. a damsel in distress
5. overwrought emotions
6. metonymy of gloom and horror *

*refresher for metonymy: it’s a type of metaphor.  For instance, in movies to get some immediate gloom and horror tone going the script will throw in some approaching footsteps and of course you gotta have the sudden torrential downpoour complete with thunder and lightning.

Here’s what Dorothy Eden fare I’ve dined upon so far–the title alone, let alone the cover art, indicate a GR is within the grasp.

I couldn’t improve on Amazon:

There was something about the tall, dynamic Dane that disturbed Luise Amberley. But he was so attentive, so charming, that she silenced the small warning voice within her and yielded to his passionate persuasions. The wedding ceremony was hasty, almost furtive, but Luise was too wildly infatuated to care. Even his insistence that their marriage be kept a secret did not seem unreasonable. Otto Winther was, after all, a Count…a man whose ancestors were royalty in Denmark. Not until they left the small seaside resort where they had met and arrived at Maaneborg Castle did Luise become aware that something was wrong. It was not merely the coolmess of the welcome. There was an atmosphere of desperation and danger. They were hiding something. And Luise was determined to find out their secret, no matter what the risk. She did not want to remain a SHADOW WIFE.

It’s actually much better than the description. Considering the publishing date was 1967 I found myself surprised that the following being mentioned: a)computers b)open love affairs within a marriage c)abortion.  Plus Luise is no fainting Melba.  She does not easily whimper off or get locked up in a dungeon.  She reminds me a lot of Jane Eyre, one of my all time fave heroines.

I’m in the middle of Winterwood and once again I will let Amazon do the honors.

 See the castle?  See the damsel in distress?  Gloom and suspense?  And you know that inexplicable event is about to happen.

Enough of the blogging.  I must return to my saga of the socialite forced by circumstance to become governess to the wealthy family consisting of handsome husband, aloof wife with a myriad of light illnesses, and two spoiled children.  I did mention the dying, extremely rich aunt, did I not?

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The Wanders of Spillchick

Various flavours of gelato (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Second Friday of the new school new year.  And I’m  heading downtown for a gelato–not because I need the endorphin boost, it’s cause for celebration.  It’s basically two weeks into the new year and I’ve decided I still like teaching, even though I have five sections of freshmen instead of the usually two or three.

One thing that does amaze me is the first batch of papers I receive from my freshies.  I encourage them to type because 1) it’s easier to read and 2) they can plug in spell-check and grammar-check.  But do they?  Mmmm, not really.

Here are some true-life examples.

* Names have been withheld in case my students have figured out this is my blog and I end up as a Yahoo News item blurb.

Some of the activities I like do out side of school are skiing, golf, and lacrosse.

My biggest influence would be my dad. He has Ben that for years!

So I would have to say my favorite subject is Band or Jazz Band, it in cooperates gratis faction and challenges.

Shakespeare influenced me because of this plays, it helps me know that even people who started out as regular people can make history.

I don’t want to pick on them too much because I know they are still learning. And I know I make mistakes as well.  My AP students caught this doozy the other day.

Typing is NOT an option. Times Standard or Ariel, 12 font.

Okay, I meant “is not optional”–they gave me the sidewise eye on that one. (“You mean you don’t want the essays typed?”)

Here is the revision: “Typing is NOT an optional.”

Yes, it’s Friday. I need a gelato.

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Lawns are for playing tag, not mowing…

• 

  http://www.scientificturf.com

Originally I vowed I would stop playing tag simply because being a grown up I have important things to do, and yet the kid in me yells out, “Let’s play!” Thanks to Valerie Lawsonfor the tag and getting me out of working in the yard for now.

Answers

1. What do you want to be when you grow up? There are moments of dancer that comes to mind until I remember I carry no rhythm to speak of.  I have thoughts of college professor until grading papers come to mind.  Currently my ambition is to be famous writer recluse.

• 

2. Were you ever afraid of the dark or anything under your bed? I still am!

3. What time of day do you read/write the most? If there is daylight I’m reading or writing.  Make that anytime there is light, including by flashlight at 3 a.m.

4. When you’ve had a hard or a bad day, what makes you feel better? A hug, whether is via chocolate or someone who cares.

5. If you could own any kind of creature (mythical or not) what would it be? Hanging out with Aslan from Narnia would be spiffy.  He’s not tame, you know, so owning him would not be a consideration.

6. Are you an extrovert or introvert? A gregarious hermit, by definition.

7. If you could be anybody for just a day, who would it be and why? Any body would be Lara Croft’s from Tomb Raider–wow, to be so fit to perform Bungee Ballet–how cool.  Anybody? Someone in the crowds back in Jesus’s time  to witness one of his miracles.  That would be truly amazing.

8. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? Flying, without the need of spandex.

9. What’s the worst trouble you ever got into or the best thing you ever got away with as a kid? Zipped lips on this one.  Gotta have some secrets.

10. What were your best and worst subjects at school? Best: anything involving reading and writing.  Worst: anything with math.

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  http://www.zazzle.com

11. What’s one thing you want to learn before you die (e.g. a musical instrument, a language, how to perform brain surgery, e.t.c.)? I have playing the harmonica and juggling at the top at this top.  I’ve bought the juggling balls and harmonica.  It’s getting the talent and inclination to practice that’s holding me back from greatness at this point.

I have to go back to chores and can’t play tag anymore.  So if I didn’t get around to tagging you, fair warning, I will sneak up when you aren’t looking!

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The Baby Robin Song

American Robin — Humber Bay Park (East) (Toronto, Canada) — 2005, by User:Mdf (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As we have been watching the last batch of robins readying for their imminent departure I found myself humming a tune:

There were four robins in the nest

and the little one said:

“I’m squished.  Move over.”

So they all moved over  and one flew out,

and there were three in the nest

and third one said:

“I’m squished. Move over.”

So they all moved over and one flew out,

and there were two in the nest

and the second one said:

“That’s better.  You good?”

And the first one said,

“Yup.  Works for me.”

At least that’s what I think is going on.   I had received an update on the baby birds whilst out shopping yesterday (we take our baby birding seriously) and contemplated rushing home to watch the event.  Costco won out and by the time I got home one of the birdies had flown.  Towards the evening it looked like another might be heading out but then all three hunkered down into the nest so only the tips of the beaks were sticking up.

Smart birds.

A summer storm kicked in an hour later and that birdie knew the nest was the best place to be if being a baby bird.

This morning I heard a cacophony of cheeping outside my bedroom window.  Upon checking I found the third baby robin just below the nest and forlornly indicating its angst of separation anxiety.  When it saw me approach it flew up into what I call the launching pine (it’s where all the robins seem to fly from the nest).  It hung out there for the longest time.  It’s still there and I still hear its lamentable cheeps.  I wonder if it’s having second thoughts about leaving the nest?

As I listen to its pitiful cheeps this book came to mind

I think our little bird is saying, “Mom? Mom?”  And I hope mom bird stops by and encourages her baby to find flight, grab a worm, and enjoy the sights.  At least that’s what I’d recommend.

UPDATE: the birds are gone. Rats.  I came home from morning appointments and the nest was empty.  I hear scattered cheeps up in the pines and I hope to spot them on the lawn learning how to get their own grub.  A couple of pics to share:

Getting Ready

I’m out…now what?

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Tagged–Watch Out, I’m It…

The last time I played tagged was about three months ago at the roller rink.  It took my knee about a week to recover from the fall.

 

Roller Rink Fun Mural (Photo credit: sparklemotion0)

 

This game of tag is a bit easier since no real physical exertion is involved. Literary Tiger tagged me and now it’s my turn. Here goes:

 

The Rules:

 

• Post Rules *[adding a new one--no tag backs, and once tagged, safely immune]
• Answer questions
• Create or reuse questions
• Tag 11 others
• Notification of said tag

 

Questions answered:

 

1. What do you want to be when you grow up?  As Bartleby said, “I prefer not to.” (grow up)

 

2. What is your favorite thing to spend money on? Hmm, back-to-school clothes currently.

 

3. What time of day do you read/write the most? Mostly mornings for writing.  Reading takes place anytime.

 

4. When you’ve had a hard or a bad day, what makes you feel better? Dark Chocolate, of course

 

5. If you could own any kind of creature (mythical or not) what would it be? Hmm, somehow it wouldn’t seem right to own a mythical creature, a guinea pig yes, a unicorn–it would be trying to own a rainbow, in my mind.

 

6. Are you an extrovert or introvert? I’m a gregarious introvert

 

7. If you could be anybody for just a day, who would it be and why? Too many choices!!!

 

8. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? Flying, Superman style.  Ooh, invisibility, maybe.

 

9. What’s your favorite Olympic event? Is badminton on the docket?

 

10. What were your best and worst subjects at school? Anything with words I enjoyed, and that leaves out math.  Even story problems because of numerical influence.

 

11. What’s one thing you want to learn before you die (e.g. a musical instrument, a language, how to perform brain surgery, e.t.c.)? That sound’s so final.  I do have a B.I.G. list (before I get–too old, too set in my ways, too lazy…) I would really like to learn how to play the harmonica-juggling is on the list too.

 

My questions for the ones I have tagged:

 

1.  Ice cream, sherbet, gelato, frozen yogurt or sorbet?

 

2.  Window seat or aisle seat on the plane?

 

3.  What’s playing in your car stereo?

 

4.  Favorite breakfast on a Saturday morning?

 

5.  Water ski or snow ski?

 

6.  How would you spend $100 if you had to spend it in two hours?

 

7.  Who would you interview given the opportunity? (past or present)

 

8.  Have you ever watched an Imax movie?

 

9.  Can you cope without coffee in the morning?

 

10. Your favorite black and white movie?

 

11.  Who would you like to get stuck in an elevator with–Harrison Ford or Julia Roberts?

 

 

 

Tagged…You’re It Now!

 

1. http://elizabethwillse.com/2012/07/20/so-many-books-2/

 

2. http://wantoncreation.wordpress.com/about/

 

3. http://newsofthetimes.org/about/

 

4. http://2bnine.wordpress.com/about/

 

5. http://ashaseth.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/going-the-book-way/

 

6. http://readncook.wordpress.com/about/

 

7. http://livingwiththebirds.wordpress.com/about-katie/

 

8. http://makesomethingmondays.wordpress.com/about/

 

9.  http://merlinspielen.com/about/

 

10. http://literaryman.com/the-literary-mans-handbook/

 

11. http://cecileswriters.wordpress.com/about/

 

If I didn’t tag you, no snub intended.  I thought it would be fun to interact with those blogs I follow that I don’t exchange comments as much as I would like (or maybe should).  Tagging is optional–although I could never resist a game of tag. That darting about and anticipation of switching from pursuer to pursueree was definitely exhilarating. And yes, I will honor the age old “Ha, my fingers were crossed, so the tag doesn’t count.”

 

Blue Skies (loving these sunny days of summer),

 

CricketMuse

 

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