Cynthia Chapman Willis's Blog, page 14

An Amazing School, An Amazing Visit!

This past Thursday I visited a truly amazing school. So, I thought that I would share a few parts of my fantastic day.

Even as I walked toward the school, I could feel the enthusiasm and energy that filled the rooms and the hallways of this middle school. Everyone was welcoming and excited and friendly. And boy, did the staff and parents and students make this author feel special.

There were "Welcome Cynthia Chapman Willis" banners hanging outside the school as well as inside it. There...

Share the Books, Share the Love

I love sharing books. If I won a lottery or stumbled over a pot of gold, I'd probably spend at least a chunk of the booty buying books to read and pass on to others. I've lost count of how many copies of Dog Gone and Buck Fever I've given away. Sharing books is just pure fun.

It's probably not surprising, then, that I am always on the lookout for organizations where I can donate books that I've read and want to share. So, I've done a bit of homework. Below are some organizations that you...

Dog Gone Good News

Good news! THRILLING news! Forgive me, but I just have to share:

Dog Gone has been selected to be included in the fabulous line up of Scholastic Book Club selections!

and Scholastic, I immediately went back to my elementary school self. To think...

Waiting

Is it just me, or does waiting stink? Like, the kind of stench when the dog wrestles with a skunk and loses in a big way. I don't care if I'm waiting for a train or waiting for a piece of mail or waiting on someone else, I fidget and fuss when I have to wait. And yes, I sometimes whine. Don't ask. It isn't pretty. Waiting is waiting. And it rots. One answer (call it anesthesia) that works for me is reading. Immersing my impatient self into fictional worlds takes the sting out of waiting...

Survey Says...

When writing or reading, what is, in your opinion, the most delicious part of a story? The plot and the premise? The writing style? Or, maybe you prefer the characters. No? How about the setting? Is this what you most enjoy writing or reading about when immersed in a story?

I came upon a survey about this in the March/April issue of Writer's Digest. The members of a WD forum found characters to be the biggest pull of a story. Not surprising, really. I mean, if, as a reader or a writer, I'm...

Inspiration?

It's a rainy Monday morning and I could use a kick-start. So, I looked up a few quotes on writing. Below are some choice snippets. Inspiration, anyone?

Some advice from Stephen King: "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."

Ah yes, so true.

According to Ernest Hemingway, the most frightening thing he had ever encountered was [insert drawn out drum roll here:]: "A blank sheet of paper."

Keep in mind that this man was a...

Something Different

In a recent interview, I was asked about what I listen to while I am writing. Believe it or not, this was sort of a tough question to answer. As in most aspects of my writing life, I can be a bit flaky about what music I tune into while in creative mode. Yes, I said it—flaky. I cater to my moods. I might listen to music, but then again, maybe not. One thing is a constant, though: I love, love, love, to write with the windows open. Especially if there are birds chirping and carrying on...

How to What???

While doing research for a writing project this past weekend, I stumbled upon a hilarious article that I thought I'd share--an article on how-to kiss. Okay, maybe I was punchy. It was a rainy day and I'd been working for a lot of it. Or, maybe I'm twelve, but this article cracked me up. Anyway, here are some highlights:

Exfoliate your lips with sugar to make them smooth and sweet. Count me in on this one! This beats shoving an entire cupcake into one's mouth when in need of a sweetness fix.

...

How About a Poem?

While going through one of my bookshelves the other day (one of my favorite forms of procrastination, by the way), I came upon one of my most treasured books of poetry: Poems of Childhood by Eugene Field, with illustrations by Maxfield Parrish. If you have never encountered this book, I am officially recommending it. Here is a sample poem:

The Dinkey-Bird

In an ocean, 'way out yonder

(As all sapient people know),

Is the land of Wonder-Wander,

Whither children love to go;

It's their...

Goodies and Give-Aways

I'm going to begin with a flat out confession (don't worry, this sounds much more dramatic than it is): I'm not sure which goodies make the best give-away treats for the wonderful readers that I get the opportunity to meet and speak with. I'd love to find the perfect gesture of appreciation (no, not bribery) for those who show interest in my books, but sometimes this is easier said than done. Bookmarks, of course, are fabulous, but most authors give these out. Wouldn't it be great to do...