T.C. Booth's Blog, page 11

Kiss in the Dark

“A short story is a different thing all together - a short story is like a kiss in the dark from a stranger.”
― Stephen King, Skeleton Crew

       I love quotes from Stephen King. His quotes put writing in perspective for me.

  I'm working on a  young adult short story now dealing with the topic of death. I know..... not fun. The reader experiences the grief process through young Gabby's eyes but also has glimpses of her humor throughout the story.
  My story is almost finished and will need to go through some polishing yet. Maybe it will be someone's kiss in the dark when it's all said and done.

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Friday Faves Children's Literature

Happy Friday everybody! My Friday Fave Children's book this week come from the same author as last week, Beverly Cleary. Yes, she is my favorite childhood author. Her stories had a way of pulling me in. I remember not being able to wait to hear my teacher read Ramona Quimby stories to us. Ramona's character was so identifiable in that she thought all the things about adults that children think. Her actions are comical.
                                        
Link up to tell about your favorite children's book, present or past, or  you can comment below.

Who Hurts the Most From Alcohol Abuse?

 Alcoholism doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor. It doesn't matter what color your skin is or if you are a male or female. Can it hurt some more than others? Yes. The children of  alcoholics are hurt the most. It is estimated that 7.5 million children live in a home with a parent that has some type of alcohol disorder. Children are the helpless victims of this disease.
   This is a subject that I feel passionate about. I've seen what living with a alcohol dependent parent can do to a child. Uncertainty, embarrassment, and guilt are some of the feelings these children experience.
  Tegan Taylor is a middle class teenager with educated parents She is also a child of an alcoholic. This is the main character of  the young adult novel I'm currently writing. Writing this novel through the eyes of Tegan has been rewarded and challenging. She leads me tell her story with a touch of humor, but the consequences of her what she lives with are serious.
   I hope to do her justice through this novel, as well as all of the children who live it. I will post again soon with an update on this project.

                            

It's All In the Voice Contest

Hello all. I'm participating in the Heather Webb's It's All in the Voice Blog Hop and Contest.  Here are the first 250 words of a young adult novel I'm currently writing. Thank you for your feedback and I will "hop" around to your blogs to offer advice as well.


   "You should've stayed away from preacher man, Hester." I say to the adulterous heroine in the book I'm reading for class. A robin answers me from the top branches of the old oak. The swing under me sways covered by the shade of the oak. A woman's shriek from next door jolts me off the swing and onto my feet sending The Scarlett Letter to tumble from my lap. It lands spine up in the thick grass. Monstrous hedges guard the property line of my yard and that of my neighbor's, blocking my view from what lies beyond them. I search until I find a space in the hedge monsters and am able see into the yard next door. My eyes widen at the scene playing out before them.
  A woman stands inside a bed of daisies swinging a garden hoe. With each swing, a hot pink ribbon bobs from her brimmed hat.
  "Drop it, you evil thing," she cries. "Get out of here." 
  I want to call out to see if she needs my help, but I'm not sure what her name is. My mom took her a "welcome to the  neighborhood" gift basket and a pie when she moved in over the winter, but I didn't pay attention when mom told me her name.
  The woman inches a step forward, pokes at something with the hoe, and shrieks.
 "Oh my lands!"  A huge tomcat dashes to the opposite side of the yard and turns to bare it's teeth. It gives the woman a hiss before disappearing in the hedges. "Oh good Lord!" 

Friday Faves

 Welcome to my first Friday Faves for Children's Literature.  Book lovers and writers all started somewhere. More than likely the love of stories developed as a child. I invite parents, teachers, authors, and all book lovers to share their favorite children's literature.



   I'll start by sharing one my favorite childhood authors, Beverly Clearly. I'm currently reading her story Runaway Ralph.  Her ability to bring Ralph's character to life is amazing. Even though Ralph is a mouse, he has the thoughts, feelings, and interests of a child making him a character children can connect with. What child hasn't thought his parents unfair or siblings annoying?  This is a classic story that continues to be a favorite of mine.


Please link up a favorite children's book. Be sure to link from a blog post telling about the story and why it's a good book for children. Author, parents, teachers, and all book lovers may link up.

Children's Book Week Giveaway

   Children's Book Week is May 13-19. In honor of this book reading celebration, Mother and Daughter Book Reviews, and Youth Literature Book Reviews are having a Kid Lit Blog Hop Giveaway.
 I'm proudly participating in this event honoring two things dear to my heart, children and books.  You may enter to win a signed copy of my story The Time Travel Storm.  You can enter each day from May 13-19.
Click on the Kid Lit Blog Hop button below to find other wonderful book giveaways. Good Luck!


                                                          a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome

 If you don't have time to read, you don't have time (or tools) to write. Simple as that. -Stephen King

   
 Welcome to A Writer's Devotion. I believe the love of reading is the foundation upon which a writer develops.  The desire inside to tell a story or express an idea pours out of a writer's hand. Beyond that it takes hard work to continue to grow and cultivate the craft. Dedication to write each day is a must.
   Join me on this journey as I explore great books to read, share tips from other writers, and share my own trials and triumphs.


     Keep Writing,

Daily Prompt: Art Appreciation

Daily Prompt: Do you have to agree with an artist’s lifestyle or politics to appreciate their art?  No.

Whether or not you agree with the artist’s lifestyle or politics, the work produced tells a story.  Art tells about a time in history. It can convey the politics of a time or current trends.

Do I have to agree their are mythological Gods to appreciate this art? This art reflects a time when Greek Mythology was believed.

  This artist tells of the Trinity. It contains Catholic reform of the time as it shows God the Father wearing the tiara of the Pope. I don’t need to agree with the artist’s religious views to appreciate his art.

  Just as art reflects history or modern times, music should be appreciate for this as well. Think about the song War by Edwin Starr. It was a direct protest against the Vietnam War. This song tells about a time in our country’s history whether you agree with Edwin Starr’s view or not.

 Art in its various forms can be appreciate despite the beliefs of the artist.

Daily Prompt: Your Time to Shine

Daily Prompt: Your Time to Shine…..early bird or night owl?

Hmmm. That’s a hard one to answer. I’m definitely not shining in the morning.  I’m  pretty dull actually, nor am I shining late at night. I’d have to say however, that I’m more productive in the morning hours after two cups of coffee.

I usually dedicate the morning hours to writing on my days off. My mind is clear and rested. Armed with my laptop, coffee, and my dog snuggled beside me, I set to write.  My time to be creative without parameters is my time to shine. After my time to shine,  it’s on to housework, cooking, lesson plans, grading papers, running children around…..less shiny, but I love it all the same!

 

Meet Alex and Scott

 My math fact rappin’ little time travelers are now available on Kindle.

Click the picture for a look inside the book.