Augusta Scattergood's Blog, page 10
October 9, 2017
Memories
One of my favorite things about Facebook is the "memories."
Otherwise, how would I know what I did a year, two years, several years ago? Kind of like keeping a diary, right?
When this Blogpost showed up as a memory, I felt it needed a little updating.
CLICK HERE for my updated post about Saying Goodbye (to New Jersey).
(And here's what part of that Facebook memory caught my eye. ME, as seen by a former student...)
Otherwise, how would I know what I did a year, two years, several years ago? Kind of like keeping a diary, right?
When this Blogpost showed up as a memory, I felt it needed a little updating.
CLICK HERE for my updated post about Saying Goodbye (to New Jersey).
(And here's what part of that Facebook memory caught my eye. ME, as seen by a former student...)
October 5, 2017
Thoughts for the Day
Life has been busy and crazy, and my poor blog has been overlooked. I've been writing, but it's hard to be inspired with all that's swirling around us.
Then this morning on a walk I saw this bumper sticker.
Today, while re-reading an email, I noticed this on Irene Latham's signature.
(If you want to be treated to gems like this on a regular basis, read her blog. So good.)
"NOT knowing when the dawn will come I open every door." - Emily Dickinson
And while I was writing this post, a friend shared this photograph from their Irma evacuation.
That should do very nicely for inspiration, don't you agree?
Then this morning on a walk I saw this bumper sticker.
Today, while re-reading an email, I noticed this on Irene Latham's signature.
(If you want to be treated to gems like this on a regular basis, read her blog. So good.)
"NOT knowing when the dawn will come I open every door." - Emily Dickinson
And while I was writing this post, a friend shared this photograph from their Irma evacuation.
That should do very nicely for inspiration, don't you agree?
September 18, 2017
Dreams
(This post is dedicated to my fabulous writer friends who are on their journey to publication. You know who you are.
August 29, 2017
Billy Wong's Story
Thank you to my Mississippi Delta Chinese friends, especially Frieda Quon, who very articulately shares her story in this video.
August 14, 2017
Packing up, say HELLO!
I'm off!
First stop, one of my favorite places in the universe.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
On Tuesday, August 15, at 4:00, I'll be MEETING AND GREETING at Flyleaf Books.
Stop in and say hello, fellow Tarheels!
After what I'm certain will be a really fun day talking to the kids in the Blue Ribbon mentoring program,
I'm off to the MISSISSIPPI BOOK FESTIVAL.
My panel is right after lunch.
Signing right before.
Check the schedule for last minute updates. This is going to be fun!
First stop, one of my favorite places in the universe.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
On Tuesday, August 15, at 4:00, I'll be MEETING AND GREETING at Flyleaf Books.
Stop in and say hello, fellow Tarheels!
After what I'm certain will be a really fun day talking to the kids in the Blue Ribbon mentoring program,
I'm off to the MISSISSIPPI BOOK FESTIVAL.
My panel is right after lunch.
Signing right before.
Check the schedule for last minute updates. This is going to be fun!
July 23, 2017
Road Trip! (Reading Books Across 50 States)
A few years ago when I was still a school librarian, the 4th grade teacher and I had this great idea. The students were doing reports on their chosen state. Why not read a novel set in that state?
Great! I said.
Then I realized I had to find books suitable for lots of states that weren't very well-represented in middle-grade novels.
A fun but time-consuming project.
Now, look at this!
50 States
Somebody else did all the work.
There are a few under-represented states (Hello, Arkansas! May I suggest a book called MAKING FRIENDS WITH BILLY WONG?)
But I can see this being an excellent starting place for some really fun books.
(I wish there were a way to suggest titles because a few have already come to mind.)
Great! I said.
Then I realized I had to find books suitable for lots of states that weren't very well-represented in middle-grade novels.
A fun but time-consuming project.
Now, look at this!
50 StatesSomebody else did all the work.
There are a few under-represented states (Hello, Arkansas! May I suggest a book called MAKING FRIENDS WITH BILLY WONG?)
But I can see this being an excellent starting place for some really fun books.
(I wish there were a way to suggest titles because a few have already come to mind.)
June 26, 2017
GIVEAWAY!
Hey, guess what my fabulous agency sent my way.
An extra audio CD of both MAKING FRIENDS WITH BILLY WONG and THE WAY TO STAY IN DESTINY.
I love to share.
Are there teachers or librarians out there who use audiobooks with your kids?
If so, leave me a comment, here or on Facebook or Twitter (ARScattergood via Twitter).
I'd love to get this in the mail no later than Thursday.
So let's do this thing today and tomorrow, okay?
PS: If I can find a big enough box, I may have a few brand new Advance Reader Copies of books (not mine) to add to the mix.
An extra audio CD of both MAKING FRIENDS WITH BILLY WONG and THE WAY TO STAY IN DESTINY.
I love to share.
Are there teachers or librarians out there who use audiobooks with your kids?
If so, leave me a comment, here or on Facebook or Twitter (ARScattergood via Twitter).
I'd love to get this in the mail no later than Thursday.
So let's do this thing today and tomorrow, okay?
PS: If I can find a big enough box, I may have a few brand new Advance Reader Copies of books (not mine) to add to the mix.
June 12, 2017
IMWAYR
It's MONDAY and what am I reading, you ask?
Some people don't understand how I can read <MANY> books at the same time.
Clearly, those people are not librarians. Or teachers.
I can juggle books with the best of the best.
Right now I'm reading the (so far) excellent YA novel SALT TO THE SEA.
I've always been a fan of World War II books. This one is multi-POV and a different setting from others I've read and I love it.
I am reading the e-book, downloaded via my local library's website, and I'm also on the waiting list for the audiobook. The wise and wonderful Teri Lescene mentioned it (I think) at her talk about recommended books at the Kaigler Book Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi this spring. Or maybe she or her partner-in-reading Karin Perry posted on Facebook or tweeted how great the audiobook is. I rarely both listen and read the actual book, but I'm going to give this one a try. As soon as I finish the words on the page. The page of my Kindle, that is.
I have an ARC of Nancy Cavanaugh's new novel which I started before we began our trek northward, and I'm looking forward to dipping back into this fun book later today.
I'm also reading an adult novel which is intriguing and not at all what I'd normally pick up. But I adore Monica Wood's writing tips and I even blogged about her fun, funky craft books, POCKET MUSE (one and two) on a group blog I once wrote for. So I'm reading her new novel, recommended to me by a random stranger standing in front of the New Books shelf at my public library. That happens a lot- perfect strangers connecting at the library.
I'm also re-reading at least two writing craft books.
A lovely screened porch in a little cottage on Maryland's Eastern Shore is the perfect place to read. We're visiting, away from the distractions of my house, not cooking much, no weeds to worry about or errands that need running. I'm in reading heaven.
I hope your summer reading is the same!
Check out some of the other Monday Readers, linked HERE
and also HERE.
Tell me, what are you reading?
Some people don't understand how I can read <MANY> books at the same time.
Clearly, those people are not librarians. Or teachers.
I can juggle books with the best of the best.
Right now I'm reading the (so far) excellent YA novel SALT TO THE SEA.
I've always been a fan of World War II books. This one is multi-POV and a different setting from others I've read and I love it.
I am reading the e-book, downloaded via my local library's website, and I'm also on the waiting list for the audiobook. The wise and wonderful Teri Lescene mentioned it (I think) at her talk about recommended books at the Kaigler Book Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi this spring. Or maybe she or her partner-in-reading Karin Perry posted on Facebook or tweeted how great the audiobook is. I rarely both listen and read the actual book, but I'm going to give this one a try. As soon as I finish the words on the page. The page of my Kindle, that is.
I have an ARC of Nancy Cavanaugh's new novel which I started before we began our trek northward, and I'm looking forward to dipping back into this fun book later today.
I'm also reading an adult novel which is intriguing and not at all what I'd normally pick up. But I adore Monica Wood's writing tips and I even blogged about her fun, funky craft books, POCKET MUSE (one and two) on a group blog I once wrote for. So I'm reading her new novel, recommended to me by a random stranger standing in front of the New Books shelf at my public library. That happens a lot- perfect strangers connecting at the library.
I'm also re-reading at least two writing craft books.
A lovely screened porch in a little cottage on Maryland's Eastern Shore is the perfect place to read. We're visiting, away from the distractions of my house, not cooking much, no weeds to worry about or errands that need running. I'm in reading heaven.
I hope your summer reading is the same!
Check out some of the other Monday Readers, linked HERE
and also HERE.
Tell me, what are you reading?
June 5, 2017
First Lines
I love it when I follow a blogpost down a rabbit hole and actually end up happy.
(Sometimes, I end up feeling as if I've wasted an hour, don't you?)
Here's where I ended up today:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/07/why-stephen-king-spends-months-and-even-years-writing-opening-sentences/278043/
And this quote from Stephen King is perfect:
"An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this."
Dorian Cirrone wrote an entire series of posts about First Lines.
(CLICK THAT LINK. Get lost down that rabbit hole! You'll learn a lot.)
I LOVE a good first line.
Dorian shares so many, it's hard to borrow just a couple. So click on over and read them all.
What Remains by Helene Dunbar
No one ever calls in the middle of the night to tell you that you’ve won the lottery.
And this:
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Of all the kids in the seventh grade at Camillo Junior High, there was one kid that Mrs. Baker hated with heat whiter than the sun.
Me.
Go ahead. Begin! Or revise if you've already written a draft.
Hook your reader from very the first line.
(Sometimes, I end up feeling as if I've wasted an hour, don't you?)
Here's where I ended up today:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/07/why-stephen-king-spends-months-and-even-years-writing-opening-sentences/278043/
And this quote from Stephen King is perfect:
"An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this."
Dorian Cirrone wrote an entire series of posts about First Lines.
(CLICK THAT LINK. Get lost down that rabbit hole! You'll learn a lot.)
I LOVE a good first line.
Dorian shares so many, it's hard to borrow just a couple. So click on over and read them all.
What Remains by Helene Dunbar
No one ever calls in the middle of the night to tell you that you’ve won the lottery.
And this:
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Of all the kids in the seventh grade at Camillo Junior High, there was one kid that Mrs. Baker hated with heat whiter than the sun.
Me.
Go ahead. Begin! Or revise if you've already written a draft.
Hook your reader from very the first line.
May 26, 2017
Thank you, Third Graders
My novel GLORY BE is used in a third-grade historical fiction curriculum (HERE'S the link) and this time of year I get A LOT of letters from those readers.
I try to answer them all.
Sadly, sometimes they reach me too late to answer.
Their questions are often thoughtful, sometimes wacky, occasionally critical, frequently helpful.
Just this week, a third grade girl (Hi, Lydia!) advised me to continue to "put the little seeds you put in the beginning that make that problem big later in the book."
I predict Lydia will be a smart editor or a writer herself someday. Or both.
Here's what one enterprising teacher came up with. And I love it.
Thank you, Ms. Neurer's Fabulous Third Graders, way up there in Minnesota!
I try to answer them all.
Sadly, sometimes they reach me too late to answer.
Their questions are often thoughtful, sometimes wacky, occasionally critical, frequently helpful.
Just this week, a third grade girl (Hi, Lydia!) advised me to continue to "put the little seeds you put in the beginning that make that problem big later in the book."
I predict Lydia will be a smart editor or a writer herself someday. Or both.
Here's what one enterprising teacher came up with. And I love it.
Thank you, Ms. Neurer's Fabulous Third Graders, way up there in Minnesota!
