Kirby Larson's Blog, page 68
August 3, 2011
Writing Rules
I recall, when I first started writing, someone telling me that every scene must contain a character's internal "monologue." Being uncertain about what that might even mean was only part of my problem! I gave it a go, but the advice didn't click with me; didn't suit my writing style.
I was reminded of that moment when I read a question about using passive voice at the Dear Editor blog on Monday. I actually dreaded reading the answer, fearful it would condemn any use of passive voice.
It was with great pleasure, then, that I read the very sensible answer of author Charlie Price which basically said if passive voice is serving the scene/story, then by all means, use it.
Sounds like good advice to me!
I was reminded of that moment when I read a question about using passive voice at the Dear Editor blog on Monday. I actually dreaded reading the answer, fearful it would condemn any use of passive voice.
It was with great pleasure, then, that I read the very sensible answer of author Charlie Price which basically said if passive voice is serving the scene/story, then by all means, use it.
Sounds like good advice to me!
August 2, 2011
Celebrate
Today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. Nuff said.
August 1, 2011
Sea Gulls and Seeing
I will confess that, even though I love to watch birds, gulls are not my favorites. They're so blasted noisy for one thing! But today Winston and I were walking on the spit and met a couple from Wisconsin, armed with a birding scope, so I knew they were serious. I confessed my gull guilt and was promptly rewarded with an amazing discussion about the five types of gulls they'd seen that very morning. I couldn't catch everything from this impromptu lesson but I recall that some gulls have yellow legs and some pink and the young of some have a grey spot by their eyes. And listen to these names: Caspian Tern and Bonaparte Gull.
Guess which gull this is!
Of course I saw a message in this for me as a writer: it's all about concrete and specific details. Every morning outside my Shangri-Lar office window, I see dozens of gulls. But now I will look for yellow and pink legs, for grey spots and white heads.
How much richer the world and my writing can be if I'm a little less lazy and a little more precise.
Guess which gull this is! Of course I saw a message in this for me as a writer: it's all about concrete and specific details. Every morning outside my Shangri-Lar office window, I see dozens of gulls. But now I will look for yellow and pink legs, for grey spots and white heads.
How much richer the world and my writing can be if I'm a little less lazy and a little more precise.
July 29, 2011
I LOVE Augusta Scattergood!
Barbara O'Connor sent me this link to a really wonderful review of The Friendship Doll by Augusta Scattergood. I love her comments about what is historical fiction -- I definitely have to chat with her some day over a good cup of coffee. Even though I might make mistakes (and even though I drive the poor Delacorte copy editor crazy), I do work hard to get the historical details right. If I didn't dig and dig, I might never have found out that passengers did have to hop out of their cars so the drivers could baby those buggies over some of the hills on Route 66. Or I would've missed learning about Sally Rand's scandalous fan dance at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Or never known about those brave and faithful Kentucky Pack Horse librarians.
I cannot wait to return the review favor when Augusta's first book, Glory Be, comes out in January. The cover alone makes me want to stand up and shout!
Don't you just know that the story inside's going to be amazing?
I cannot wait to return the review favor when Augusta's first book, Glory Be, comes out in January. The cover alone makes me want to stand up and shout!
Don't you just know that the story inside's going to be amazing?
July 27, 2011
Thank you!
Dori Jones Yang has a nice review of The Friendship Doll here. She says I don't do cliches. But I do. It was a sweet compliment, anyway!
July 26, 2011
I love Ira Glass!
Thank you to Cynthia Leitich Smith who got it from Lia Keyes who got it from. . .. for posting this:
Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
July 25, 2011
Catching Up
The past few weeks have been a bittersweet mix of sorrows and joys. One of the great joys (and reason I wasn't blogging!) is that our son's best friend, Kyle, got married on Saturday. We had events every day beginning Thursday through last night. The ceremony was a lovely blend of two faith backgrounds -- Jewish and Methodist. Our family was asked to give a toast at the rehearsal dinner and then Neil and I read one of the Seven Blessings during the service itself. Tyler gave part of his wedding dinner toast in "Nerd," ably translated by another groomsmen, Jed. It was pretty funny!
Despite our crummy weather, by Saturday the sun was shining as brightly as the smiles on the bride and groom's faces. That was a lovely omen but even better: as Neil and I drove to the wedding we stopped at a 4-way stop and two Monarch butterflies, flying in perfect tandem formation, flitted in front of us.
It was the best wedding blessing of all!
Despite our crummy weather, by Saturday the sun was shining as brightly as the smiles on the bride and groom's faces. That was a lovely omen but even better: as Neil and I drove to the wedding we stopped at a 4-way stop and two Monarch butterflies, flying in perfect tandem formation, flitted in front of us.
It was the best wedding blessing of all!
July 18, 2011
Heather's Book
In March, I was invited to participate in a fundraiser for the Yuen Lui Guild for Seattle Children's Hospital by reading to some patients and giving them copies of my books. It was such a great experience, but emotional, too, of course.
The highlight of the day was meeting Heather, a little sparkplug with a million dollar smile and an impish sense of humor. I read her the Two Bobbies and then she said, "Do you want me to read you my book?" I certainly did!
If there had been room to roll around on her hospital room floor, I would have been down there, rolling with laughter, as she shared her story of life from a dog's point of view. The illustrations were just as charming as the story. Yes, she was a cute little kid which is reason enough to like whatever she'd created. But this story was good. Really good! I connected with her mom after the visit and encouraged them to get the book published and, with some helpful advice from generous writer friends like Martha Brockenbrough and Kjersten Hayes, they found a site to turn Heather's story and art into a picture book. When the book was finished, Heather's mom emailed me the details and I emailed back, asking if I could post that information on my blog. I didn't hear back from her for quite awhile, not until Friday.
I could hardly stand to read the email. That darling little girl had passed away. I know it sounds cliche, but Heather was special. She had a sparkle and joyful spirit about her that was contagious. And I know she would've been an amazing writer. . .or whatever else she chose to do with her life.
Heather's mom did give me permission to share about Heather's book. I can highly recommend it! If you would like to make a donation of $50.00 or more to the Heather Schlindwein Leukemia fund, PO Box 8426, Lacey, WA 98509, her family will send you a copy of "A Dog's Point of View," which also includes seven poems written by Heather and a CD of her reading her work.
I can't wait to get my copy.
The highlight of the day was meeting Heather, a little sparkplug with a million dollar smile and an impish sense of humor. I read her the Two Bobbies and then she said, "Do you want me to read you my book?" I certainly did!
If there had been room to roll around on her hospital room floor, I would have been down there, rolling with laughter, as she shared her story of life from a dog's point of view. The illustrations were just as charming as the story. Yes, she was a cute little kid which is reason enough to like whatever she'd created. But this story was good. Really good! I connected with her mom after the visit and encouraged them to get the book published and, with some helpful advice from generous writer friends like Martha Brockenbrough and Kjersten Hayes, they found a site to turn Heather's story and art into a picture book. When the book was finished, Heather's mom emailed me the details and I emailed back, asking if I could post that information on my blog. I didn't hear back from her for quite awhile, not until Friday.
I could hardly stand to read the email. That darling little girl had passed away. I know it sounds cliche, but Heather was special. She had a sparkle and joyful spirit about her that was contagious. And I know she would've been an amazing writer. . .or whatever else she chose to do with her life.
Heather's mom did give me permission to share about Heather's book. I can highly recommend it! If you would like to make a donation of $50.00 or more to the Heather Schlindwein Leukemia fund, PO Box 8426, Lacey, WA 98509, her family will send you a copy of "A Dog's Point of View," which also includes seven poems written by Heather and a CD of her reading her work.
I can't wait to get my copy.
July 15, 2011
Oh My Goodness!
Not saying they're all keepers but look at what I cranked out in one day:
3,766! No wonder I'm tired.
3,766! No wonder I'm tired.
July 14, 2011
Happy Birthday, Quinn
Today is the birthday of my favorite daughter in the whole wide world. Despite being the only youngest in a family full of oldest children (me, my husband and our son), she has a remarkably sunny spirit and wonderful outlook on life.
It truly seems as if it was just a few years ago that she was placed in my arms, all slick and wet, and I counted her fingers and toes and noted that she had my mother's (lovely) nose. I can honestly say that Quinn was a complete joy every day of her growing up life -- except for those days when she didn't get a nap and "Crankleberry Johnson" came to visit. But those days were oh-so-few. And though I deserved the worst teenage daughter ever, as payback for how I treated my own mom, that was not how it played out.
Quinn was thoughtful, charming, kind and always ready to help her mom with just about anything. I've relied on her decorating advice since she was in kindergarten; if you need a good eye for a design project, she's your gal!
Our sweet daughter has grown into an even kinder, more thoughtful and charming young woman. And I feel blessed everytime I hear her call me "Mom."
Happy Birthday, Quinn!
