Kirby Larson's Blog, page 83
January 24, 2011
My First Review!
Thanks to Google Alerts, I discovered this review -- my first! --of The Friendship Doll, written by a young reader*:
". . . a heartwarming story about four girls that opened a doll's heart and soul. The characters were well illustrated and very well thought out. Just reading it, I could see a picture of what was happening. The Friendship Doll was very original."
Thank you, Marisa M! I love learning what my readers think of my books and since I've been nervous about this book, it meant a lot to get such a nice review right off the bat.
*Hats off to this great indy, Bookworks, in Encinitas, California, for making it possible for readers of all ages to post reviews to their blog!
January 23, 2011
What's Up with my WIP
Those who know me best know me to be very chatty. I love meeting new folks and talking with old friends.
I'm just not so crazy about talking about what I'm working on. But I learn so much from generous friends such as Karen Cushman, Cynthia Lord and Barbara O'Connor when they talk about their WIPs that I decided I could share, too. A little bit, anyway.
So here goes: First the huge surprise part. I'm working on another historical novel. (What? You already guess that?) Second, I am using Scrivener, with which I had great success on the chapter book I spent last summer writing. Third, I am writing as fast as I can to meet an August deadline.
After hitting a wall, so to speak, I got a brilliant idea*. I went back to see how many chapters were in Hattie Big Sky (23). I thought I'd cut myself some slack and guesstimate this new novel at 21 chapters. So I created 21 note cards on Scrivener's virtual corkboard and began to write a sentence or so on each card. Those of you with very sharp eyes will notice that SOME CARDS ARE BLANK.
As weird as this sounds, a blank index card seems far less intimidating than a blank page. So I am sallying forth, doing my best to fill in each card, and to write a corresponding chapter.I'll do occasional posts to let you know how it's all working!
*Thank you to Barbara for introducing me to Scrivener and talking me down off the roof when I thought I'd lost 3 chapters (note to self: do not delete cards from corkboard unless you want the related chapters to end up in the trash) and to Cindy for inspiring me to tackle a chapter a day.
I'm just not so crazy about talking about what I'm working on. But I learn so much from generous friends such as Karen Cushman, Cynthia Lord and Barbara O'Connor when they talk about their WIPs that I decided I could share, too. A little bit, anyway.
So here goes: First the huge surprise part. I'm working on another historical novel. (What? You already guess that?) Second, I am using Scrivener, with which I had great success on the chapter book I spent last summer writing. Third, I am writing as fast as I can to meet an August deadline.
After hitting a wall, so to speak, I got a brilliant idea*. I went back to see how many chapters were in Hattie Big Sky (23). I thought I'd cut myself some slack and guesstimate this new novel at 21 chapters. So I created 21 note cards on Scrivener's virtual corkboard and began to write a sentence or so on each card. Those of you with very sharp eyes will notice that SOME CARDS ARE BLANK.
As weird as this sounds, a blank index card seems far less intimidating than a blank page. So I am sallying forth, doing my best to fill in each card, and to write a corresponding chapter.I'll do occasional posts to let you know how it's all working!
*Thank you to Barbara for introducing me to Scrivener and talking me down off the roof when I thought I'd lost 3 chapters (note to self: do not delete cards from corkboard unless you want the related chapters to end up in the trash) and to Cindy for inspiring me to tackle a chapter a day.
January 22, 2011
Thank you!
If I had a brain in my head, I would've taken a camera with me to my Village Books visit today. No brain thus no photos of the great turn-out thanks to this article by Bellingham Herald reporter Robert Mittendorf (who is amazingly well-read in the realm of children's literature!). Thank you Robert!
In the crowd were beloved familiar family faces (thanks Mom, Dad, Lisa, Dennis, Diane, Colton, Reid and Aima; Ginger, Judy, Grace and I know I'm forgetting someone!), old friends (Janet, Gale, Kory, Sher, Kathy, Emily, Sue, Sylvia. . .oh, my goodness too many to name) and new friends like Arden and Caleb and Naomi. Oh, and lovely person and fellow writer, Judy Enderle who has settled in Bellingham also came to support me. I also had the pleasure of meeting Clara Kelly, author of The Flamboya Tree, which is her story of being in a Japanese POW camp in Java. Can't wait to read it!
There were some four legged guests as well, I'm sure there to meet Winston. He had been under the weather yesterday so opted for a day at home with Dad, working on taxes, rather than riding north with me.
Thank you to Christina who was my host today and to Chuck and Dee whose wonderful bookstore is 2nd in the most successful independent bookstores in the country!! If you ever get the chance for a book event at Village Books, say yes!!
When I arrived home this evening, I found a belated Christmas present from my dear friend Mary. When she was here in October, I mentioned that I would like a pair of fingerless gloves for walking Winston. Kind soul that she is, she remembered and ordered me a darling pair. . .which were backordered and arrived today. Perfect timing for our cold weather!
Happy Saturday to you all.
In the crowd were beloved familiar family faces (thanks Mom, Dad, Lisa, Dennis, Diane, Colton, Reid and Aima; Ginger, Judy, Grace and I know I'm forgetting someone!), old friends (Janet, Gale, Kory, Sher, Kathy, Emily, Sue, Sylvia. . .oh, my goodness too many to name) and new friends like Arden and Caleb and Naomi. Oh, and lovely person and fellow writer, Judy Enderle who has settled in Bellingham also came to support me. I also had the pleasure of meeting Clara Kelly, author of The Flamboya Tree, which is her story of being in a Japanese POW camp in Java. Can't wait to read it!
There were some four legged guests as well, I'm sure there to meet Winston. He had been under the weather yesterday so opted for a day at home with Dad, working on taxes, rather than riding north with me.
Thank you to Christina who was my host today and to Chuck and Dee whose wonderful bookstore is 2nd in the most successful independent bookstores in the country!! If you ever get the chance for a book event at Village Books, say yes!!
When I arrived home this evening, I found a belated Christmas present from my dear friend Mary. When she was here in October, I mentioned that I would like a pair of fingerless gloves for walking Winston. Kind soul that she is, she remembered and ordered me a darling pair. . .which were backordered and arrived today. Perfect timing for our cold weather!
Happy Saturday to you all.
January 21, 2011
Up the Road A Ways
Tomorrow (Saturday), Winston and I will be up the road a ways at the wonderful Village Books in my sort-of hometown, Bellingham, Washington. I will be talking about The Fences Between Us and Winston will be his charming Winston-self.
The event starts at 2. I hope some of you can be there!
January 20, 2011
Doggone It
Not to mention any names but a certain writer friend of mine whose initials are Bonny Becker was giving me a hard time about how often Winston cropped up in my blog posts.
Ready for the seven seas! Aargh!
Adorable is my middle name
Furry Fashionista
Why, yes, I do deserve another treat!
Ahem. Besides, I don't think he gets as much press in my blog as Ruby does in her writer's blog.
I'm certain Bonny's dog, Henry, wishes she would write more about him. I mean, what is up with writing about bears and mice when an adorable Shiba Inu lives in your household?
Who is your four legged companion? Winston and I want to know! And you can write about him or her as much as you want in your comment. We just won't tell Bonny.
Ready for the seven seas! Aargh!
Adorable is my middle name
Furry Fashionista
Why, yes, I do deserve another treat!Ahem. Besides, I don't think he gets as much press in my blog as Ruby does in her writer's blog.
I'm certain Bonny's dog, Henry, wishes she would write more about him. I mean, what is up with writing about bears and mice when an adorable Shiba Inu lives in your household?
Who is your four legged companion? Winston and I want to know! And you can write about him or her as much as you want in your comment. We just won't tell Bonny.
January 19, 2011
The World's Favorite Librarian
. . .and mine, too. Watch this delightful interview with Nancy Pearl. You'll be glad you did! (PS: bookmark Author Magazine for more amazing writing world interviews!) 
January 18, 2011
I love kids!
What could be better than a letter like this:
Dear Kirby Larson,
I love your book's!They Inspire Me very very much and I have never really been Inspired Before!
I am one happy camper.
Dear Kirby Larson,
I love your book's!They Inspire Me very very much and I have never really been Inspired Before!
I am one happy camper.
January 17, 2011
Thought for the day
"Behind the story I tell is the one I don't…Behind the story you hear is the one I wish I could make you hear."
― Dorothy Allison
Nuff said.
― Dorothy Allison
Nuff said.
January 16, 2011
Research Tips
While with the ubersmart students of the NILA MFA program recently, I learned about several research sites and aids and wanted to share them with you:
For costumes and fashion: the Fashion Institute and, of course, old issues of the Sears and Roebuck catalog (check your local library) For photos: Life magazine on-line archivesIn-library research: American Decades: Primary Sources (Gale Cengage)
What's your favorite research tool/site/tip?
For costumes and fashion: the Fashion Institute and, of course, old issues of the Sears and Roebuck catalog (check your local library) For photos: Life magazine on-line archivesIn-library research: American Decades: Primary Sources (Gale Cengage)
What's your favorite research tool/site/tip?
January 15, 2011
Yum!
What do you do with a big bowl of cubed bread after serving fondue?
Make Bread Soup!
This is an absolutely delicious version, from Everybody Likes Sandwiches. Though I like food with zing, next time, I think I'd only use 1/2 tsp. hot chili flakes.
Bread Soup
1 T olive oil1/2 onion, diced4 cloves garlic, chopped1 stalk celery, diced1 tsp hot chili flakes1 tsp dried oregano4 cups vegetable stock (I used the chicken I had on hand)1/2 small loaf of stale bread, cubed1 small can diced tomatoes1 bunch spinach (mine was fresh from Full Circle Farms -- yum!)2 T grated Parmesan cheesesalt and pepper to taste
Saute the onion, garlic and celery in the oil over medium high heat. When softened, add in the chili flakes, oregano and some salt and pepper. Add in vegetable stock and tomatoes and simmer over medium heat for a couple of minutes. (I simmered for about 15 mins.) Add in bread and spinach, stir and cover pot. When bread is soft and spongy and the spinach is wilted, throw in some cheese. Add more salt and pepper -- and cheese! -- to taste.
So good, I had seconds!
Make Bread Soup!
This is an absolutely delicious version, from Everybody Likes Sandwiches. Though I like food with zing, next time, I think I'd only use 1/2 tsp. hot chili flakes.
Bread Soup
1 T olive oil1/2 onion, diced4 cloves garlic, chopped1 stalk celery, diced1 tsp hot chili flakes1 tsp dried oregano4 cups vegetable stock (I used the chicken I had on hand)1/2 small loaf of stale bread, cubed1 small can diced tomatoes1 bunch spinach (mine was fresh from Full Circle Farms -- yum!)2 T grated Parmesan cheesesalt and pepper to taste
Saute the onion, garlic and celery in the oil over medium high heat. When softened, add in the chili flakes, oregano and some salt and pepper. Add in vegetable stock and tomatoes and simmer over medium heat for a couple of minutes. (I simmered for about 15 mins.) Add in bread and spinach, stir and cover pot. When bread is soft and spongy and the spinach is wilted, throw in some cheese. Add more salt and pepper -- and cheese! -- to taste.
So good, I had seconds!
