Kirby Larson's Blog, page 99

Wordy Wednesday

Sometimes we are lucky in that certain lovely, dreamy, smart folks bump up against us in life and they don't mind that we call them "friend."

I am that lucky in that (I think!) Julie Larios calls me friend. She is scary smart when it comes to poetry, as well as being kind and warm and -- I think I especially love this about her!-- she collects photos of picnics! It is from Julie that I acquired the habit of checking eBay for photos/diaries of certain time periods.

So recently (April 15; okay, I...

Use Your Powers for Good

Lisa Yee offered the loveliest tribute to that wonderful man, Sid Fleischman, when she shared about approaching him at some event. Before she could even ask her question, he said, "Whatever you're asking, the answer is yes."

Can you imagine the abundant spirit that allows for such a response?

Lisa's sharing of Sid's comment after his passing was a reminder to me that we writers have great powers and the opportunity to use them for great good.

I want to remind you of some places you could use you...

Too Funny. . .and oh so sad

Thanks to my new buddy, Kay, for the link to this video.

Wordy Wednesday

A few of my revised drafts

A recent epiphany while revising: I had been focused overmuch on the way words look on the page and had begun to ignore how they sound. I found that reading aloud my entire manuscript (something the amazing Barbara O'Connor always does) really helped me catch unintended repetitions, awkward phrasings and overuse of pet words (one of these days, I will write an entire novel without using the word, "just," not even once!).

The way words sound matters. If you are ever an...

We did it. . .almost!

Put me in, Coach. I'm ready!

Winston and I spent nearly six hours at a training session yesterday. He aced the "stay" and being petted by three people coming at him all at once and he didn't bat an eye when approached by someone in a walker. The only thing he wasn't perfect at was getting checked out by the instructor. She put him on the table (because he's small) and it reminded him of going to the vet. I got assertive and asked if he could do it again, but on the ground this time and he pass...

TV Starlet

The problem with not being a TV watcher is that you miss yourself when you are on TV. I didn't realize my interview with the delightful Nancy Pearl of BookLust fame had aired until a friend called to tell me she'd seen it.

I think Winston stole the show but it was fun to chat with Nancy.

Seattle Channel Video can be played in Flash Player 9 and up

Jennifer Holm!

Jennifer Holm

I know Jennifer Holm wears a SuperWoman costume under her clothes. She is not only a prolific writer, and total bundle of positive energy, she took time out while on book tour to participate in this blog interview! That is truly superhuman!

I've been a fan of Jenni's before we became Silver Sisters in 2007 -- Our Only May Amelia opened my eyes to what historical fiction could be like in the hands of an expert story teller. Drawing once again on bits of her own family history (I wa...

Critique Groups

In response to a reader request, there will be a future blog post (or two) exploring critique groups. Six dynamite book creators (featured below) have agreed to share their thoughts/experiences. Now is your chance: what would you like to know about critique groups? Ask away!

The panelists:

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Martha Brockenbrough is author of Things That Make Us [Sic:], It Could Happen to You, and the...

I wanna see you Thursday night!

Richard Jesse Watson's fabulous illustration of "Saynora"

Newsflash: This just in from the Washington State History Museum:

COLUMBIAKids Turns Two!
May 20, 2010, 6:30-8pm
Washington State History Museum ~ 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma WA 98402
1-888-BE-THERE

Join us as COLUMBIAKids e-zine turns two! This year we're exploring "the story behind the story" with amazing PNW authors Kirby Larson (Hattie Big Sky, Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, and COLUMBIAKids "Sa...

Teamwork

"Dear Kirby & Mary, I like how you ellborted and mabe the picher mach the text."

How could this fan letter for the Two Bobbies not make my day? It's good to know that Mary and I are good "ellborters."

(PS: Be sure to tune in Thursday, May 20 for an interview with the only one of my Silver Sisters I haven't interviewed yet!!)