Alexander M. Zoltai's Blog, page 38
November 14, 2017
Repeat Readers by Julie Potvin Kirchner
Today’s re-blog is certainly not just a teacher talking about motivating kids to read…
This one goes deep into why anyone reads the way they do…
I recently overheard a teacher asking a student to choose a different book because “you have read all the books in that series.” As I listened to their conversation I got the feeling not only had this student read all the books in the series, but that she had probably read them more than once. This caused me to have a bit of a flashba...
November 13, 2017
More about Journalists; Because, sometimes, They’re the Most Important Writers We Have…
There are two important posts in this blog’s past about journalists: [image error]
The other day, I was looking for a free movie on YouTube (just put full movies in the search bar, skip the ones that cost money at the top, and hope the one you want begins at the beginning…).
I started and stopped about 5 movies till I had one that grabbed me and held me tight to the end…
It was a great story and it was extremel...
November 12, 2017
Including Background Scenery
Good advice in today’s re-blog…
I write a lot of first person. That means that I use “I” a lot. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but because I’m so concerned about my story’s action getting out that I tend to forget to put sufficient background into my story. You know that old writer’s maxim = Show don’t tell? Well I am forever telling.
Not good.
Background scenery is what literally grounds your scene. It allows your readers to visualize themselves right alon...
November 11, 2017
Top Ten Picture Books to Use to Teach Digital Literacy by Erin Marone
Great selection of books in today’s re-blog :-)
According to Common Sense Media, children spend an average of six hours a day with media while teenagers spend an average of nine hours a day with media. With screen time at an all time high, it is important educators tackle digital literacy topics within their curriculum such as balancing time off and online, standing up to cyberbullies, and making safe choices on the web. Using picture books as conversation starters in the clas...
November 10, 2017
Friday Story Bazaar ~ Tale Sixty-Nine
CyberWar Updates
by
Alexander M Zoltai
~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday the 2nd:
“Massive computer breach at hospitals in fifteen countries—critical equipment failures—hundreds dead.”
Sunday the 6th:
“Hack of nuclear plant control networks in four countries. Dangerous release of contaminated waters.”
Tuesday the 8th:
“Failure of European Union Agency for Law Enforcement’s computer network with High Alerts in twenty-seven countries.”
Wednesday the 9th:
“Suspicious activity reported on nine Federal Networ...
November 9, 2017
Indie publishing the 2017 way – video chat with sci-fi author Nick Cook
After yesterday’s post about the inside view of the traditional publishing world, today’s re-blog from Roz Morris is a lovely reinforcement :-)
When I was first hanging around Twitter, I came across Nick Cook, who was taking his first steps building a presence as a science-fiction author. I watched over the years as his hard work paid off – he found representation and then a book deal with Three Hares Press (which, by coincidence, was founded by an editor I used to work with)....
November 8, 2017
Why Traditional Publishing Is Not for Serious Writers . . .
I’ve compared Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing quite a few times—click on both terms down in the Top Tags widget in the left side bar to do a bit of research… [image error]
However, I’ve found what may be the definitive article explaining why serious writers need to learn how to Self-Publish.
The article is from Erica Verrillo and is titled, An Insider’s View of the Publishing Business.
My usual excerpts (to, hopefully, encourage you to read the full article...):
“We think editors at publishing...
November 7, 2017
The Important Things Don’t Change
Incredible re-blog today!
I must quote a power-punch of an idea from it because it speaks not only to the children referred to in the re-blog—it also strongly speaks to adults…
“…the learning and the rewards are in the process, not in the product! “
Today was the first day back to school for teachers. You’d think that I would be drained and overwhelmed with all the teacher work that needs to be done.
Nope. Not at all. We talked about growing; both children and ourse...
November 6, 2017
Getting the Media to Pay Attention to You…
[image error] I’ve done a lot of writing here about what can be called book promotion or author platform or social media engagement or a few other things you can find categorized in the Top Tags widget (a bit further down in the left side-bar…).
I’ll share just a bit from my past post of June of 2016:
“There are many things an author can do to increase the likelihood that their book will sell.
“None of those actions will guarantee sales…
“Some writers think landing a traditional publishing deal will assur...
November 5, 2017
Top Ten Books to Build a Classroom Culture by Cindy Christiansen
Whoa!
Building a culture of trust and acceptance…
Very cool teacher in today’s re-blog :-)
I have a small poster of two sheep in my classroom. One sheep is white and the other is black, and the quote below them reads, “Choose your socks by their color and your friends by their character. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense. Choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable.” (Author Unknown) The sheep reside just above our pencil sharpener right at eye...
