Tess Hilmo's Blog, page 7
January 23, 2012
That Word
I know I've lamented here before about "that" word. You know...the four letter word T-H-A-T.
It's insidious.
It's elusive.
It weakens your prose -- oh no!
So, once again, I spent the day going through my current WIP under the "find" option and removing 90% of the "that"'s.
She worried that he wouldn't come becomes She worried he wouldn't come
She knew that he would be late becomes She knew he would be late
See? Tighter...cleaner...better.
I don't even realize I'm using it like I do until I go back and spend an afternoon cleaning up the mess
Tell Me: Do you have an issue with THAT word too?
It's insidious.
It's elusive.
It weakens your prose -- oh no!
So, once again, I spent the day going through my current WIP under the "find" option and removing 90% of the "that"'s.
She worried that he wouldn't come becomes She worried he wouldn't come
She knew that he would be late becomes She knew he would be late
See? Tighter...cleaner...better.
I don't even realize I'm using it like I do until I go back and spend an afternoon cleaning up the mess
Tell Me: Do you have an issue with THAT word too?
January 20, 2012
An Amazing Day
I've said before how much I enjoy being invited into a bookclub to discuss LOVE. Really, what could be better than lovely readers graciously inviting you into their home and wanting to discuss something that is near and dear?
Nothing.
Well, that's what I thought until today....
When I attended a bookclub in my area and the lunch featured all the food in the novel!
For real!
There was Susanna's chicken soup with homemade noodles
hand pounded biscuits ... even w/ plum jam (from Mrs. Mahoney's plum tree)
and for fun..
frog eye salad.
Now, if you've not read the book, this makes no sense (and why don't you read it? :D)
But if you have, you can see how extra special this day was for me.
Super cool.
Question: have you ever cooked the food in books you've read? was it yummy?
Nothing.
Well, that's what I thought until today....
When I attended a bookclub in my area and the lunch featured all the food in the novel!
For real!
There was Susanna's chicken soup with homemade noodles
hand pounded biscuits ... even w/ plum jam (from Mrs. Mahoney's plum tree)
and for fun..
frog eye salad.
Now, if you've not read the book, this makes no sense (and why don't you read it? :D)
But if you have, you can see how extra special this day was for me.
Super cool.
Question: have you ever cooked the food in books you've read? was it yummy?
January 16, 2012
If You Really Knew Me...
I'm stealing this idea from my senior-in-high-school daughter's blog. Her revelations were remarkable. Mine are far less so. Still, If you really knew me....
If you really knew me, you'd know that I am terribly superstitious, but wish I was not.
If you really knew me, you'd know that my most creative moments come right after a stolen, mid-afternoon, contraband nap.
If you really knew me, you'd know that I eat way too much sugar and waste way too much time and have that awful restless leg syndrome, "RLS" they call it, which has robbed me of my favorite drink - diet coke (no caffeine allowed).
That I love being a mom.
That I'm bugged by people wh o are only open minded about things they find important.
If you really knew me, you'd know that I may seem unaffected, but have a deep river of emotions pulsing right below the surface.
If you really knew me, you'd know that I try.
I really do.
And that I understand how often I fall short.
If you really knew me, you'd know I am still figuring most things out.
And I'm okay with that.
Question: If you write your own "If you really knew me" post...will you please let me know? I'd love to learn more about you...
If you really knew me, you'd know that I am terribly superstitious, but wish I was not.
If you really knew me, you'd know that my most creative moments come right after a stolen, mid-afternoon, contraband nap.
If you really knew me, you'd know that I eat way too much sugar and waste way too much time and have that awful restless leg syndrome, "RLS" they call it, which has robbed me of my favorite drink - diet coke (no caffeine allowed).
That I love being a mom.
That I'm bugged by people wh o are only open minded about things they find important.
If you really knew me, you'd know that I may seem unaffected, but have a deep river of emotions pulsing right below the surface.
If you really knew me, you'd know that I try.
I really do.
And that I understand how often I fall short.
If you really knew me, you'd know I am still figuring most things out.
And I'm okay with that.
Question: If you write your own "If you really knew me" post...will you please let me know? I'd love to learn more about you...
January 12, 2012
Sharing the Middle Grade Love
Welcome to the world May B!
This beautifully written novel in free verse is now on the shelves your favorite book store or library. I really enjoyed this gem...the imagery, the poetic flow, the plight of a girl you can't help but adore. It is absolutely deserving of all the advance praise it is receiving. Plus, Caroline Starr Rose is one of the nicest people you'll ever know. Don't pass this one up!
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This beautifully written novel in free verse is now on the shelves your favorite book store or library. I really enjoyed this gem...the imagery, the poetic flow, the plight of a girl you can't help but adore. It is absolutely deserving of all the advance praise it is receiving. Plus, Caroline Starr Rose is one of the nicest people you'll ever know. Don't pass this one up!
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December 26, 2011
Do It Anyway
People are often unreasonable, illogical, self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
----Mother Teresa----
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
----Mother Teresa----
December 20, 2011
A Word about the Ending
Sometimes people are afraid to tell me what parts of With a Name Like Love they wanted to be different. Really, I enjoy discussing the novel and never take offense to the opinion and thoughts of others. I find it fun!
Recently, I had someone tell me they were upset by the ending. They wanted the problem "fixed" more. They wanted Jimmy to want something different. They wanted the Love family to offer something (trying not to give it away here, but if you've read the novel you might know what I'm referencing)
I liked hearing this. I appreciated their insight. They made a good point.
The truth is, I considered that ending. I truly did. But, for me, it didn't fit Jimmy as a character.
Here's what I said to this reader -- sometimes people don't want to be fixed. they don't see anything wrong with their situation. Jimmy knows it is not perfect, but he loves what he has and he doesn't want anything different -- even if we as the reader think that would be better.
And, it is true with life. Sometimes, as much as we think people should want better or different or more...they just don't.
And who is to say which is right?
I think this is good to ponder on, especially at this time of year. what do you think?
Recently, I had someone tell me they were upset by the ending. They wanted the problem "fixed" more. They wanted Jimmy to want something different. They wanted the Love family to offer something (trying not to give it away here, but if you've read the novel you might know what I'm referencing)
I liked hearing this. I appreciated their insight. They made a good point.
The truth is, I considered that ending. I truly did. But, for me, it didn't fit Jimmy as a character.
Here's what I said to this reader -- sometimes people don't want to be fixed. they don't see anything wrong with their situation. Jimmy knows it is not perfect, but he loves what he has and he doesn't want anything different -- even if we as the reader think that would be better.
And, it is true with life. Sometimes, as much as we think people should want better or different or more...they just don't.
And who is to say which is right?
I think this is good to ponder on, especially at this time of year. what do you think?
December 12, 2011
I did something fun
A hard part of sending a book out into the world is not knowing exactly where it is finding a home. I don't get reports from my publisher for a while and, even then, I think it will show general sales and not specific locations. Amazon's Author Central gives a sketchy outline but doesn't include library sales (a big part of LOVE's market).
So tonight I skipped making dinner and did a google library search for the novel.
I found 29 copies in the a feature at Richmond Heights Library
way up at the Toronto Public Library
it was even a staff pick at Kent District Library in Michigan !
I found it all over ... and, what's even more fun is seeing that it is checked out by patrons! The thought of someone in Michigan or Texas or Florida getting my book from their local library and reading it is something I can't even begin to put words to.
I'll be sleeping with a smile tonight :)
So tonight I skipped making dinner and did a google library search for the novel.
I found 29 copies in the a feature at Richmond Heights Library
way up at the Toronto Public Library
it was even a staff pick at Kent District Library in Michigan !
I found it all over ... and, what's even more fun is seeing that it is checked out by patrons! The thought of someone in Michigan or Texas or Florida getting my book from their local library and reading it is something I can't even begin to put words to.
I'll be sleeping with a smile tonight :)
December 6, 2011
A Wonderful Conversation
A great blog, 100 Scope Notes, has a conversation between two super talented picture book illustrators - both Caldecott winners. Erin Stead won for A Sick Day for Amos McGee and is relatively early in her career ... Jerry Pinkney is a picture book veteran with lots of amazing work under his belt.
Click here and read their conversation with each other...learning about their individual creative processes is really interesting!
The whole thing has me remembering some of my favorite picture books. The classics like Green Eggs and Ham, Bedtime for Frances and Good Night Moon ... but also some great lesser knowns that we love around here like The Night I Followed the Dog and It Could Always be Worse.
Tell me: What are some favorite picture books in your house?
Click here and read their conversation with each other...learning about their individual creative processes is really interesting!
The whole thing has me remembering some of my favorite picture books. The classics like Green Eggs and Ham, Bedtime for Frances and Good Night Moon ... but also some great lesser knowns that we love around here like The Night I Followed the Dog and It Could Always be Worse.
Tell me: What are some favorite picture books in your house?
November 25, 2011
Weird Eats
We ran away from Thanksgiving this year and spent it in sunny, beautiful Orlando instead.
Ate gator.
They told me it would taste like chicken.
Um, no. Maybe a dark meat, grisly piece at best.
Still, I ate it and if you knew how unadventurous I was about meat you'd be impressed.
Tell me, what is the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?
Ate gator.
They told me it would taste like chicken.
Um, no. Maybe a dark meat, grisly piece at best.
Still, I ate it and if you knew how unadventurous I was about meat you'd be impressed.
Tell me, what is the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?
November 19, 2011
Holy Cow!
My 2k11 pal, Kiki Hamilton (who wrote the amazing book The Faerie Ring) sent me this picture from NCTE today...
.
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Holy Cow! Now here's the funny part... I am such a newbie, I have no idea what or where NCTE is! But it's nice to know my publisher is celebrating the novel.
someone asked what those stars were so, at the risk of sounding pompus, I'm sharing the rundown:
School Library Journal Best Book of 2011 list
School Library Journal starred review
Booklist starred review
Kirkus starred review
Hooray for Ollie and her family, making their way in this world.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
..
Holy Cow! Now here's the funny part... I am such a newbie, I have no idea what or where NCTE is! But it's nice to know my publisher is celebrating the novel.
someone asked what those stars were so, at the risk of sounding pompus, I'm sharing the rundown:
School Library Journal Best Book of 2011 list
School Library Journal starred review
Booklist starred review
Kirkus starred review
Hooray for Ollie and her family, making their way in this world.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
