Simon Rose's Blog, page 249

Magic in Stories for Children - Paying the Price

Sometimes a being bestowing power on the hero of the story may be anything but benevolent, when a verse carved on an ancient tablet can be recited to summon a demon, which will then grant a mortal some kind of magical powers. In this type of story however, the acquisition of powers usually carries a dreadful price, such as the possession of one's soul, the death of a loved one or something equally drastic, which the demon will return and claim as his fee.

More often, magic is an innate...

The Children's Writer's Coaching Club at the National Writing for Children Center

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Need help creating your career as a children's writer or illustrator? Or do you want to learn ways to make more of the career you already have?

Then join the Children's Writers' Coaching Club.
As a member of this club, you'll work with both published and aspiring children's writers and illustrators to create the children's writing or illustrating career of your dreams. And the best part is, you won't ever have to leave your home to do it - so you can enjoy your coaching club sessions in...

An Interview with Barbara J. Smith

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My guest today is Barbara J. Smith, author of A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I've been a freelance editor since the mid-1980s and have always dabbled in writing but have never actually put my skills to a test until now. My freelance editing background ranges from pre-school through college-level textbooks. Most of these projects involved mathematics, geography and some science textbooks at the pre-school through 5th grade levels, but I've also...

Magic in Stories for Children - Secret Languages and Mysterious Books

Magical objects of course are not the only means by which powers can be exercised. We also see the specific use of archaic or secret languages and names in ways to practice magic. Spell books may be written in a long forgotten language or enchantments and verses inscribed on ancient stone tablets or written on the walls of tombs buried for centuries. In Earthsea, magic can only be used when speaking a certain language. In the Harry Potter novels, Rowling employs the use of Latinized words...

Magic in Stories for Children - Magical Objects

Magical objects abound in fantasy stories and take a wide variety of forms. They are usually endowed with fabulous powers which can affect memory, cast illusions, disguise people or objects by transforming them into something else, stop or turn back time and so on. The origin of the object is often shrouded in mystery and if the creator is actually known, he or she is rarely mentioned.

It is also important that the creator of the artifact is not the only person able to use the object...

Magic in Stories for Children - Themes in Magical Stories

Another common theme in stories involving magic features an overwhelmingly powerful spell, which may cause untold damage or destruction if it is miscast. It may be the sole means of salvation for the heroes, but will destroy the entire world if it is used improperly. We also occasionally learn how magic may incur sacrifices, which could be something simple, such as an adversary's prized possession or perhaps a sample of hair. Or it could be something far more difficult to obtain, such as a...

One in a Million Collisions @ Dark Roasted Blend

Check out my article entitled One-In-a-Million Collisions, at Dark Roasted Blend.
Collisions of an unusual nature have been in the in 2009, such as the story about two satellites colliding in space and two heavily armed and highly dangerous nuclear submarines colliding in the vast empty spaces beneath the Atlantic Ocean. One-in-a-million collisions, it would seem, but this article examines other such incidents, plus potential collisions with asteroids, meteors and other objects from space.

The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference

[image error] The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference featuring local children's authors and illustrators in Calgary and the surrounding area, will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre in north west Calgary.

Discover the wealth of talent in your own backyard!

The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference represents a fabulous opportunity for children to meet local writers, chat with them about their work and obtain an autographed and...

Book signing at Chapters in Calgary Sunday November 1

[image error] Today I will be signing copies of The Doomsday Mask at the Chapters store at Crowfoot in NW Calgary, 66 Crowfoot Terrace NW. I will also be signing copies of The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait. Hope to see you there.

Book signing at Chapters in Calgary Friday October 30

Today I will be signing copies of The Doomsday Mask at the Sunridge Spectrum Chapters in NE Calgary at #500 - 2555 32 St NE. I will also be signing copies of The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait. Hope to see you there.