Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News, page 23

International Women's Day - Let's Challenge Gender Stereotypes In Children's Literature!

Happy International Women's Day to all my readers, including men, and boys!

I would just like to state that it is my intention to celebrate the strengths of the masculine and the feminine in my books, in a way that acknowledges diversity.

We can deconstruct negative stereotypification of girls in Children's Books, by giving them central, active roles in which they are not always "rescued" and are not always princesses. They take responsibility for making their own destiny, through the decisions they make, and the actions they take.

"Snugs The Snow Bear," Book One of my Modern Children's Series, shows that girls are adventurous, and independent, and that boys may be sensitive, have feelings, and show them, too.

It is only when we stop labelling girls and boys with false images of themselves, that our children will be liberated, to have the freedom to be, discover who they really are, and fulfill their full potential.

Your First Novel - Some Tips!

It is now two years since I wrote my debut novel, "Johari's Window." I look back and smile when I realise how much I learned from my apprenticeship!

For ease of reading, here are some points - Do's and Don'ts :

1) Do get something down on paper. I know this sounds obvious, but procrastination is not preparation. I begin by "writing in my head" and jotting things down - just in note form to begin with. You can always rewrite, and rewrite, till you have written your best possible polished version.

2) Do write about what you know. However, if your work is fiction, go on an adventure with it, too! Do the research, unless you have direct experiences you can write fiction about.

All kinds of things come under the rubric of "Research." The Internet makes it relatively easy to gather information, as do libraries. Ask people, and organisations, for information, if need be.

You may be tempted to visit a location, for example, but almost as good, and perhaps a more cost-effective method, is to ask someone who lives there, contact travel firms or search online.

3) Be selective. Don't be tempted to write everything into your book that you know! Remember, what you include in your book has to be there for a reason - don't pad out your best writing with "filler" or "waffle."

4) Do read your work out loud. I find this useful when I want to choose between two versions of the same idea. Which words and phrasing sound easy on the ear? Which is the better choice? Your ears will tell you!

5) Use memory devices, such as post-it notes or flashcards, to help you organise, and bring together all the different aspects of your work.

I find it useful to use color codes, with highlighter pens, or different color post-it notes.

Even if you are tidy, be prepared for creative chaos! Floors are good for "filing" if you run out of desk-space, and they are good for "doing jigsaws" as you piece your book together!

6) Do ask yourself, at intervals, whether what you write is what you want to say. I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but your book will be read by many people. Make sure what you write is clear. Do not be afraid to use a wide range of vocabulary but be precise in your selection.

Make sure you "signpost" the reader when you give him/her choices of interpretation in characterisation or the story-line, too. On the other hand, ambiguity in fiction is sometimes a good device when intended!

7) Consider writing the ending first of all. Then, you know where you are going, and can make adjustments to it, as you go along with your story.

8) Pay particular attention to the opening sentence, and the beginning of your book. The first sentence is what "hooks" the reader. Go straight to the important point of your book, at the very beginning. This can be a character, (which can be a place,) or some kind of question that summons an answer, for example. Create atmosphere and suspense. Make it "unputdownable."

9) Do scrutinise your manuscript thoroughly, when you feel it is ready. All of the book, should have a "holistic" quality, when it is finished, ready to be published. Is the writing even, and the voice consistent? Have you used parallel and opposition to best possible effect? Do your characters sparkle on the page? Are they believable? Are you clear about the themes in your book? They should be woven carefully throughout your book, like a tapestry.

10) Do be ruthless in cutting out anything you don't like or which doesn't work. You will most probably do a lot of this! The process is akin to a sculptor, who chips away at everything until he has a masterpiece! Aim to write over the word limit you need, and then, when you do the final "cut," you are more likely to meet the word limit with your revised final version.

11) Don't do your own final editing! Don't, Don't, Don't! O.K?

12) Don't depend on friends and family to make judgements about the merits of your work! Even if they "know" you are a good writer, and provide much-needed moral support, don't let them sidetrack you or distract you from your purpose. Make writing your priority, and keep your feet firmly on the ground. It's going to be a long haul, unless you are very lucky!

13) Do remain positive, and give yourself breaks away from the computer, and writing, to do something completely different. Your life is good fuel for your job as a writer, and the more experiences you have, the more raw material you will have to draw on.

14) Do you see your first novel as an apprenticeship? If you do, whatever the outcome, you will not be disappointed. Dedicate yourself to your craft, and your growth as a writer will be a reward in itself - perhaps the greatest reward in your lifetime!

Copyright Suzy Davies, 05/03/2017. All Rights Reserved.

Reviews!

Once again, thank you to those lovely people who read and reviewed my books! I am uplifted, humbled, and encouraged! The fact that the reviews are so positive, spurs me on in my writing endeavors!

Happy World Book Day in The U.K!

I'd like to wish all my readers, followers, and those lovely people who gave "Snugs The Snow Bear" 5 star reviews, a Very Happy World Book Day!
Today gives us the chance to celebrate good writers and their books!
Get involved in World Book Day, and discover something new in Children's Fiction for your kids!
Once again, thank you all for your support and kindnesses. It is great to make people happy doing what I love, and to be appreciated!

"Snugs The Snow Bear" - a Bear of This Time- Unique, and Magical!

International Polar Bear Day on 27th February is fast approaching - and Snugs, the Snow Bear Hero of my Children's Series, has a message on Climate Change and Green Issues for all my readers!
But Snugs is more than just a global voice for The Environment - he is a bear of his time, unique, and magical.
Those of you who read my posts will know the story of my inspiration for the bear, but I would not have written Snugs' story in quite the same way, were it not for the great writers who inspired me, and to whom I am most grateful!
For, although Snugs is a modern bear, he also borrows from the nostalgia of the past!
From Paddington Bear, who hailed from Peru, Snugs takes on his exotic quality - he comes from Greenland, a place also associated with Santa Claus!
Raymond Briggs', "The Snowman," touched me as an allegory about death, dying and bereavement, and Snugs borrows the idea that this glorious planet we live in may also be dying, too, unless we take steps to address Global Warming.
We should remember that many beautiful wild creatures will face extinction, and there is a sense in which the majestic, magical bear, Snugs, represents a call to action to avert this potential disaster.
Elisabeth Beresford, of "The Wombles" fame, made an enormous impact on us all, when her tales of these delightful creatures put Green Issues at the forefront of our agenda!
I would also like to acknowledge that the humor and vision in Dr Seuss, and the notion of "going places" in a book, resonated with me, and is echoed in the theme of travel being a great educator in "The Snugs Series."
Finally, Snugs is also about a philosophy for life, and some of Snugs' insights, when he is quiet, and alone with his thoughts, reflect the old-fashioned whimsy of Pooh Bear!
So, what makes Snugs unique? Well, not only is he the most lovable, snuggable bear, but he also has magical qualities. Indigenous people believe that snow bears have supernatural powers!
Let's celebrate Snugs, this Snow Bear of our time, on International Polar Bear Day, as a symbol of all that is magical and mystical about this beautiful planet, our children's heritage!

How Children's Books Can Open Up a Whole New World For Your Children!

In these days of The Internet, sometimes the value of good books can be overlooked, and in particular, the ways in which Children's Fiction can provide a stimulus for learning activities.
Very soon, it will be time for kids to Read Across America, and to observe this celebration, we can introduce our children to Children's Books which will entertain, educate, and inspire them.
Children could have fun with "Snugs The Snow Bear," mapping where Polar Bears' habitat is in the world, and doing projects on Climate Change, Green Issues, and Global Warming.
There may be kids who like Astronomy, and they could study books about the sky, and stars named after bears! Snugs has even adopted his own Northern Star, donated by The Pale Blue Dot Project!
It is interesting for kids to find links to what they have read, across the curriculum, in Science and Geography.
Little artists, who enjoy painting and drawing, may enjoy creating images of the characters of their own, who they meet in my story.
Children who like sewing and crafts could make finger puppets of the characters, and stage their own piece of theatre or even make origami versions of the animal characters!
Those who are interested in Culture, Social Studies, and History, may be entertained by mythological stories from indigenous peoples about polar bears.
Whatever you decide to do, make it a fun and enjoyable activity!
These activities would be ideal for homeschoolers or for classroom activities.

Cosy Up with Snugs, and Celebrate International Polar Bear Day

27th February is a very special day for "Snugs The Snow Bear," and, in fact, polar bears everywhere in the world, since it is a day we celebrate these majestic snow bears, and draw attention to the fact that these snow bears face extinction, unless we do something about Climate Change.
"Snugs The Snow Bear," Book One of my Children's Fiction Series, aims to entertain kids, but at the same time to inspire them, and teach them about our carbon footprint, energy conservation, and green issues, that is essential knowledge in our efforts to address man-made global warming.
As Polar Bears International states:
"Using less energy produced by carbon-based fuels reduces our carbon emissions and can slow and even stop global warming, in turn saving our sea ice. Polar bears require sea ice for efficient hunting. Without sea ice, polar bears will decline in range and numbers, making them vulnerable to extinction in the future."
I hope you and your children will have fun reading "Snugs The Snow Bear," and that my book will stimulate children's curiosity about the natural world, and endangered species, providing them with a springboard for their own discussions and projects.
When children are engaged, it makes learning fun!

Snugs The Snow Bear - Wait till you see the Illustrations!

I am happy to announce that there will be a new look "Look Inside" to my first Children's Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," coming soon!
At the moment, you have a snippet of the story; the next reveal will show you more of the story, and, in particular, some of the colorful illustrations of Snugs, The Snow Bear, The Moose, Slip and Slide, the penguins, Paintbox, the parrot, Huff Puff, the puffin, Spout, the whale, the two children, Carla and James, Captain Lightowler, Mrs Merryweather, and all the crew!
My illustrator, Peter Hall, has also created some fabulous "places" in the pictures, which lend atmosphere to the scenes.
"Snugs The Snow Bear" is set in Iceland, The Isle of Wight and Southbourne-on-Sea, in Dorset, and the "character" of these places is brought out very well in the illustrations in my book!
Writing "Snugs The Snow Bear" was a great deal of fun, and the humour in the text is also brought out in the very lively drawings! Children love them, and even some young-at- heart adults, too!

How To Write Your First Book!

When you think about it, we always remember firsts! Our first early memories, our first childhood friend, our first school uniform, our first birthday party, our first pet, our first kiss, the first time we fell in love, our first wage packet, (and what we spent the money on,) our first independent holiday without parents or caregivers, our first flat or house, our first car, the first time we won an award or competition, and so on! Life is full of "first times." How could you ever know that you would be contemplating another first - your first book!

First books "happen" in different ways to different writers. There is a common misconception that, all of a sudden, you will be inspired, as if by divine intervention, to write a book, but misconception it is, since to write a good book you will have read a lot of books by well-respected writers, or at the very least, read widely and avidly - whatever your reading material.

If you write books without having read anything, how will you know, from an honest objective viewpoint, that your writing is good enough to publish? Friends and family, after all, are a sure win captive audience, and are likely to be biased, after all. The true test of any writer is whether they attract the attention of readers, and possibly whether, in the long haul, they grow to become a writers' writer as well.

Popularity, however, is not everything! Think of the "undiscovered" writers, whose work did not gain true recognition until after their death. And think of writers whose work was so visionary, that perhaps we could argue that the merits of their work are only fully seen, and appreciated, today.

This brings me to a question of ethics. Should a writer be instrumental, and do a cold analysis of what sells? I don't have to mention what sells; we all know that sex sells, violence sells, how to make a quick million sells, even death sells.

I believe that to succeed as a writer, you have to write from your authentic self, the self that is the same on the inside as the outside - the congruent self. Readers are not easily duped. They will know whether you believe in your book or not, and whether it comes from the heart.

So, you think you have a book inside you. If you trace back through your memories, you are likely to discover that the seed of an idea about being a writer has been germinating for some time. In my case, the story of becoming a storyteller goes something like this.

1) A schoolgirl always chooses a window-seat in class. Why? She finds what is going on outside the classroom more interesting than what is going on inside. She likes to observe what is going on out there in the world.

2) This schoolgirl is sometimes described thus in school reports: "....has a tendency to daydream."

3) The schoolgirl is at her happiest with the wind in her hair and sand between her toes. She misses the sights, sounds, and smells of her father's homeland - the cows coming down the lanes at the end of the day, the music of waterfalls, the silly, skittish lambs jumping for joy on the hills, Welsh women polishing the brass steps of their cottages, fishermen hauling in the day's catch at the docks. She misses Wales, the land of her father. She misses being an outsider, an observer, and a dreamer: "The English Girl."

4) The schoolgirl meets a mentor, someone who believes in her, who tells her she can write. Suddenly, this girl finds a reason to do English homework, and it is the one subject she can do. She has a poem published in a school magazine. Being a writer seems surreal; she sees her name in print, and it feels like watching a film.

5) The young woman does a string of dead-end jobs, and progresses to more interesting ones but is still not fulfilled. Eventually, luck, motivation, and opportunity coincide, and she realises her ambition to go to university.

6) A mature young woman enters university. She feels like an ant climbing a mountain, she is so intimidated at the prospect of the "great minds" she will encounter there. She reads and reads and reads. She stumbles across a book by a famous writer that impresses her. She reads another, and another, by the same author. The third book is not so great. She has a secret thought, that gathers strength the more she writes: "I can write as well as that writer!" She has some small successes with writing poems - and a publisher puts them in an anthology, with ninety-nine other poets' work. When she receives a royalties cheque for just over a pound, she is so poor, she banks it!

7) This young woman, with a tendency to procrastinate, has become a legend, who can turn out term papers, written last minute, overnight, and get respectable marks. She likes to delay up to the hand-in deadline of tomorrow. Sometimes, she misses the deadline, but most times she doesn't because she has spent weeks "writing it all in her head."

8) The young woman is not young anymore. She is now a teacher. She teaches the four English skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. There is nothing like teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Literacy as a way to know your language inside out and back to front.

9) The woman is middle-aged now. She vows she will write a book before her time runs out. She has lived enough to have material to draw on, she has survived, and imagined enough to put her dreams into words. Her first book, a Romance Novel, "Johari's Window," is her apprenticeship.

10) How to write your first book? Write your apprenticeship book first. Let it pour out! Put your heart into it! The second book may well be the one with which you are most satisfied, until you write your third.

Celebrate World Read A Book Aloud Day!

Hello everyone! Those of you who know me from previous posts on Social Media will be aware that I am the author of the brand new Children's Fiction Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," and a passionate educationist and advocate for good reading!

You may also know that I hail from Celtic roots, with Wales on my late father's side, and Scotland on my late mother's. I also have family in Ireland! I have been aware of languages from a very early age, and where the English Language is concerned, it was not my first language for writing. Surprised?

In my formative years, I went to school in Aberystwyth, Wales - Penparcau, to be precise. I was the only girl in a class who was English, and Welsh was the medium for classes. I struggled, to say the least!

When the family moved, with my father's job, over the border, to England, all of a sudden, I was expected to read English Language Books, as if it were second nature to me. Luckily for me, I managed to "catch up," through one to one reading aloud with a teacher. I was also fortunate that my late mother read stories aloud to me, too, not only before bedtime, but whenever I needed support to read in English. She was an excellent teacher, indeed!

So what is special about reading aloud? Well, I speak from personal experience of being the child read to, and being the teacher reading to children.

First of all, reading aloud helps to establish a relationship. Think about it! This is important. It encourages exchange of ideas, and takes away the negative drilling aspect of mastering reading, so that the child learns to associate reading with pleasure and entertainment.

This in fact, establishes early on a love of books, which will help your child in his/her life.

Secondly, reading aloud, and looking at pictures at the same time, will nurture a child's self-confidence. When you first read a new book together, have fun anticipating the content, by chatting about the illustration on the cover. For example, "Who is the bear?" and "What kind of bear is he, do you think?" and, perhaps, "Where does he live?" and so on. You can repeat this with the internal illustrations, too, and when you ask your child to predict the story line, this cultivates a sense of surprise, and fun, whilst your child develops cognitive skills.

When children enjoy a book they "hear," this will develop their awareness of what written words sound like, and will build familiarity with social sight words, and develop their vocabulary. Remember, vocabulary is important for children to know that they can think for themselves, and shape the world!

There is a strong relationship between our capacity to think new thoughts and innovate, and our range of vocabulary! Not all learners are visual, remember! Reading aloud together will help develop listening skills, and develop a child's memory.

Reading aloud to children offers opportunities for interaction, which will develop their creativity, and imaginations, as well. Creativity and imagination is much needed to cultivate not only future Artists, but Scientists, too! Remember it was Einstein who said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

That said, sometimes a good children's book will deliver knowledge in a fun way, and reader and child can discuss the topics together. Children will want to investigate things themselves, and maybe visit the library to find more books on the topics they read about. They may even decide to create their own projects from their research!

My book "Snugs The Snow Bear," is a fun read, but to paraphrase one reviewer, the book also educates children about green issues and wildlife, in a non-patronising, unobtrusive way. The book is suitable for children aged 4-10 years, and the young at heart.

The most important thing about reading a book aloud is to enjoy it together!