Joyce Magnin's Blog, page 13

Arthur and Me

Here's the thing. I made an observation this weekend. Did you ever notice how quickly we go from being a driver to being a pedestrian? One minute you're safely tucked away in your vehicle. The next minute you park, step out of the car and whamo! You are a pedestrian and all the rules, the mindset changes. It's instantaneous. Just moments ago you were the one annoyed by slow walking pedestrians and now you are the very annoyance you were annoyed ( if you were annoyed) at moments before. Weird...

Take it with a Grain of Salt

Here's the thing, I've been doing some research for a current WIP that involves salt and pepper shakers. That's right. I won't tell you too much right now, except that it's funny. I thought it would be fun to share some of my findings with you. First a little history:
Before the 1940s when someone figured out how to make salt free-flowing, salt came to the table in a chunk and you had to scrape it onto your food. Pepper, not so much in a chunk but still not in a shaker or a cellar until then. ...

To Chuck or Not to Chuck. You Decide

Here's the thing, I haven't blogged about it yet because it took a few days to settle into my brain. And I reckon most of you already know, but The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow has been named a finalist for the prestigious ACFW Carol Award in the contemporary long division. I'm thrilled and maybe a bit stunned. I was never very good at accepting compliments and this, my loyal listeners is a huge one. I cried. Okay, there I said it. I cried when I saw my name. Well, actually I stared at the screen...

The Top Five Reasons to Attend a Writing Intensive

Here's the thing, this is such an incredible opportunity for anyone who wants to write a novel. A couple of years ago I would have driven three hours or more t attend. It's not often that a new writer or even a seasoned author gets to spend the entire day with an actively acquiring editor. And believe me, it doesn't get better than Barbara Scott. So here is a re-post of her post about why you should attend this workshop. If you live anywhere near the Philadelphia area you need to come--Lancas...

It Doesn't Get Better Than This

Here's the thing, my fabulous editor Barbara Scott and I will be conducting a one-day writing intensive on August 21 at my church in New town Square, Pennsylvania. Seriously folks, if you want to write a novel--adult or youth, then don't pass up this opportunity to workshop with one of the most respected editors in the biz. Barbara is acquiring novels for Abingdon Press. She is looking for fresh, new voices! This doesn't come along too often. So, think about and then get in touch with me and ...

Doing Good Pie

Here's the thing, if you've read the bright's Pond Books you know that pie plays a significant role in the stories. Pie to me is the ultimate comfort treat. It comes in so many varieties and can be eaten so many ways--with ice cream, cheese, whipped cream, goodness Pie rocks. My favorite is apple, deep dish with the apples baked exactly correctly with just the right amount of sweet and tart. Nothing like it. Although I would never turn away a good berry pie. Flossie, my mother was the ultimat...

A Short History of the Comma

Here's the thing, I've been thinking about commas this morning. I know, weird, but there you go. Anyhoo, did you ever wonder who was the very first person to actually insert a comma into a portion of text? I have. I often wonder about strange things like, who was the first person to eat a lobster? Or who said the words, "back in the day" the first time. But I digress, today's topic is of course the comma and the history there of. An amazing little invention the comma, merely a squiggle but on...

Magnin Family Encyclopedia of Quirkdom

Here's the thing,
• My mother was present at the birth of the world's most incredible toy—The Slinky. (thanks loree lough for the memory)
• My mother once acted in a radio soap opera.
• My mother sang a duet with Frank Sinatra.
• My mother was fired from a job for giving away sensitive war secrets during WWII. Something about Shrimp Boats.
• My mother paid to have a baby robin's leg amputated and then the bird lived with us.
• We owned a Flying Squirrel named Johnny Rocket
• My father once fished a ...

Exciting Announcement

Here's the thing, I love my blog but it occurred to me that you folks are only getting part of the story. There's so much more going on that I decided to start an E-Newsletter and E-Promotion thingamabob. I sent my first E-Newsletter, I call it Joyce to the World, out yesterday and it was pretty cool. Truthfully I didn't put everything I wanted into it because I am still exploring those details. But if you would like to start receiving these thingamabobs then please, sign-up using the nifty ...

Fractures, Mean Girls, and Squiggly Straws

Here's the thing, when I was five years old I fell from the Monkey Bars, crashed to the ground and broke both my arms. That's right, I busted both arms at the same time. I always was an over-achiever. Anyhoo, the most I remember of the incident is that I was conscious long enough to tell my sister to go get Mommy. She did. That's all I know until I woke up surrounded by bright lights. Yep, thought I died. But then I heard my mother's voice in the distance like it was coming from someplace far...