Whimsical Word of the Week

Misanthrope - (adj.)
a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.
Example: The terrorists on September 11, 2001 must have all been misanthropes to have murdered the thousands of innocent souls that  tragic day.

Bibliophile's Corner

Song for a Whale
by Lynne Kelly

Flap Copy Description:
From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she's the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she's not very smart. If you've ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.

When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to "sing" to him! But he's three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?

Full of heart and poignancy, this affecting story by sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly shows how a little determination can make big waves.

My Thoughts:
It's always a pleasant surprise to come across a middle grade novel that is entertaining, informative, and heartwarming; Lynne Kelly's Song for a Whale definitely fits that description! One of my favorite elements of the story is the protagonist, Iris. While Iris is deaf, and the deaf community is a significant part of the plot, Song for a Whale is really for anyone who has ever felt like they're not being understood. In addition to that, the research the author obviously put in to portray the life of Blue 55, and whales in general, is so apparent. I highly recommend Song for a Whale to readers aged eight & up!

Click here to learn about the author, Lynne Kelly.

Storyteller's Journey

The Joy of Writing

Since embarking on my storyteller's journey in 2008, one important lesson I've learned is that a professional writer must write even when she doesn't want to. It is the one behavior that I believe separates a writer from an author. That being said, the sense of satisfaction after writing on a seemingly uninspired day, is priceless. Some of my best writing has occurred on days when I least expected it. And, because of that, I treat my career as a job; I show up even when I don't feel like it. Consequently, my life, and my writing career, have been transformed.

There are any number of inspirational quotes about perseverance, encouraging writers to just keep going. What I'm talking about is something akin to a runner's high. I've actually grown addicted to writing - in all its forms. Whether it's blogging, journaling, writing poetry, or working on my manuscript, I feel a flow of life as I type out words onto a digital page. However, that doesn't mean I'm able to write 2000 words everyday - which is what I'll need to do next month if I'm to be successful with NaNoWriMo!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Hirsute - (adj.)
hairy.
Example: The sasquatch is a large hirsute creature that walks upright and dwells in the wilderness.

Bibliophile's Corner

The Missing of Clairdelune
by Christelle Dabos

Flap Copy Description:
In book two of the bestselling Mirror Visitor Quartet, "the plots multiply, the world of the Arks gains depth, details abound, and the story envelops the reader as the pages fly by." 

When Ophelia is promoted to Vice-storyteller by Farouk, the ancestral Spirit of Pole, she finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the public spotlight. her gift―the ability to read the secret history of objects―is now known by all, and there can be no greater threat to the nefarious denizens of her icy adopted home than this.

Beneath the golden rafters of Pole's capitol, she discovers that the only person she may be able to trust is Thorn, her enigmatic and emotionally distant fiancé. As one influential courtier after another disappears, Ophelia again finds herself unintentionally implicated in an investigation that will lead her to see beyond Pole's many illusions to the heart of a formidable truth.

My Thoughts:
As I read Book Two of The Mirror Visitor - The Missing of Clairdelune - I kept thinking that at some point these books by Christelle Dabos will be discovered by multitudes of American fans of fantasy fiction who will go crazy for her work. Until then, I'll keep spreading the news! This multi-layered story includes a sensational cast of characters and a plot that will keep you guessing at every turn. The settings (which always are important to me in a story) are to die for - which some of the story's characters actually do. I highly recommend The Missing of Clairdelune, as well as Book One of The Mirror Visitor - A Winter's Promise, to readers aged ten and up. 

Click here to learn about the French author, Christelle Dabos.

Storyteller's Journey

Public Domain Photo

The Experiences We Need to Write

While there are numerous articles dedicated to the qualifications needed to be a Kidlit author, I've always been interested in exploring the experiences needed to be an effective children's book author.

It's important (and necessary) as a new writer to become proficient at all the elements of storytelling, as well as to be adept at using  the English language. Obviously, it can take years to actually acquire those abilities. (I'm still working on them!) But to assume that those are the only skills necessary to be an effective and authentic writer is just not true. In the eleven years since I embarked on my storyteller's journey, I've learned a myriad of lessons. One of the most important, and least discussed amongst writers, is the necessity to live a full life.

When I read a children's book that really resonates with me, I almost always delve into the biography of the author. I'm curious. I want to know about their education, background, online presence, etc. While there are just as many paths to publication as there are authors, I've learned one thing: Living a full life is necessary to be an author with something important to say - something that will speak to children.

Negative experiences I've seen mentioned by successful authors reveal they found strength amidst their struggles. Here are just a few:

Painful childhood
Debilitating shyness
Struggles with identity
Lack of financial support/poverty
Spiritual confusion
Victim of bullying
Struggles with living in a diverse community
Struggles with parents
Dealing with a divorce - as a child or an adult
And on and on...

It's not that you must suffer to be a writer, but you must suffer to be compassionate and empathetic. That's just how it happens. To touch the hearts of young readers, we need to have experienced a few struggles that some of them have experienced. The fact that we over-came our obstacles can give hope to a child who sees no way out of her dilemma. Surviving almost always yields wisdom as its reward.

But, it's not just negative experiences that are required, it's those positive experiences we choose to bring into our lives. Here are a few:

Enjoy a hobby outside of books: Music, art, sports, etc.
Have a curious mind; continue to live & learn
Travel - learn about other cultures
Volunteer - no better way to fill your heart with joy!
Maintain a strong network of friends & family
Exercise - I'm still working on this one!
Discover your spirituality - in whatever form it takes
Conquer your fears - wade into unfamiliar waters
Attend writer events - a great way to learn & have fun!
And on and on...

One of the best ways I've found to help heal emotional wounds - and to become whole - is to infuse the soul with positive experiences like those listed above. (However, there are times when professional help is needed; always  consult your physician or health care provider.)

As you can see, I've written one of my longer posts. This topic has been on my mind for some time. There's one more thing:

You must share your experiences to be an authentic author.

Therefore, let me be honest; I've struggled with nearly every negative point I mentioned above, beginning with enduring a painful childhood. I'll leave it at that, for now. The good news is I survived, and thrived.

Live a full life! Everything you experience will make you a better writer.

Whimsical Word of the Week

Weir - (n.)
a low dam built across a river.
Example: The beavers built a weir that created a pond to protect them from predators during the winter months.