Hannah L. Clark's Blog, page 8
October 8, 2013
The Lemorian Crest Release Date
Hey Everyone,
It's been a super long time since I've posted, and I'm excessively sorry for that. My husband just finished grad school. That should explain everything. Now that that's behind us, hopefully I'll be posting more often.
Today I have a bit of news. The first is the new release date for Book 2 in the Cobbogoth series. After talking with my sister, Bekah Shakespear who is the illustrator for Cobbogoth--I know, she's completely brilliant--we've both decided we need a little more time if we want The Lemorian Crest to be as great as it can be. So, rather than this Christmas, like we hoped, we have set the release date for June of 2014. I know this is a bummer for those of you dying to find out what happens next, but I promise you, it will totally be worth the wait!
Lastly, I am 100 pages into a new book called The Blessing Curse. It isn't part of the Cobbogoth series. It's just something I've been working on in between edits of The Lemorian Crest. The Blessing Curse is a Victorian love story with a twist of Arthurian folklore in the mix. It's really turning out quite cute, and if I like it enough when I'm finished, hopefully there will be two books of mine out for you to enjoy next year!
I'll keep you posted!
It's been a super long time since I've posted, and I'm excessively sorry for that. My husband just finished grad school. That should explain everything. Now that that's behind us, hopefully I'll be posting more often.
Today I have a bit of news. The first is the new release date for Book 2 in the Cobbogoth series. After talking with my sister, Bekah Shakespear who is the illustrator for Cobbogoth--I know, she's completely brilliant--we've both decided we need a little more time if we want The Lemorian Crest to be as great as it can be. So, rather than this Christmas, like we hoped, we have set the release date for June of 2014. I know this is a bummer for those of you dying to find out what happens next, but I promise you, it will totally be worth the wait!
Lastly, I am 100 pages into a new book called The Blessing Curse. It isn't part of the Cobbogoth series. It's just something I've been working on in between edits of The Lemorian Crest. The Blessing Curse is a Victorian love story with a twist of Arthurian folklore in the mix. It's really turning out quite cute, and if I like it enough when I'm finished, hopefully there will be two books of mine out for you to enjoy next year!
I'll keep you posted!
May 5, 2013
This is the House that Jack Built . . . And Norah's Other Haunts
This past week, I got the unexpected chance to fly back to Boston for a few days. I was taking care of some pretty spectacular kids, who actually happen to live in the house I based Uncle Jack and Norah's house in Cobbogoth on. So, while I was back there--I haven't been in Belmont since before Cobbogoth was published--I decided to take a few pictures of places in Book 1 that Norah visits.
Now, first off, everything that takes place in Belmont during Book 1 really exists. I spent two summers back there, one when I was sixteen and a second when I was eighteen. The place really got into my blood, and that's probably why it became my natural choice when I was coming up with a city to set Cobbogoth in. Up to that point in my life, Boston was the only city I'd ever spent enough time in to believably be able to write about it.
So, without further ado, let me take you on a visual tour of Belmont and the other real places Norah visits in Book 1. I'm very excited to share them with you!
I suppose the best place to start, would be at the beginning. So, here we go. This first pic is of the bridge Norah passes under onto Belmont Center when she first wakes up at the beginning of the book:
These next two pictures are of Belmont Center.
Fun Fact:
I spent a lot of time wandering through the shops on this Center during the two summers I spent here as a teen. It changes every time I visit, but I still feel the same feelings when I walk up and down this street. It was easy to visualize Norah here while I was writing Cobbogoth.
This is the but station where Norah gets dropped off, and James picks her up. Oh look! There's even a silver car parked across the street, just like James' would've been.
Fun fact: The reason James' car is sliver is because my husband's car was silver when I first started crushing on him. ;-)
And here is the Belmont Fire Station, where James works.
Fun Fact: When I first started writing Cobbogoth, this fire station wasn't built yet. There actually was just an old utility building here, and the Fire Station was more in the middle of Belmont Center, so I had to change a few things when they built this one in order to make my book accurate.
This is Pleasant Street, the street Norah and James would've turned onto after leaving Belmont Center.
Fun Fact:
Pleasant Street is part of the Historical District in Belmont. There are some pretty amazing houses along the way.
From Pleasant Street, James and Norah would've turned onto Stella Road, pictured below.
Here's Barbara RD. Norah and James live at the end of this street.
This is a shot of Barbara RD from the other end. To the left is where we just came from, and to the right is the winding drive that leads up to Norah and Jack's house. Straight ahead is James' house.
And this is the house that Jack built: :-)
This is the view Norah would've seen when she first caught sight of it as James drove her home.
Fun Fact: This is the house my husband grew up in. I have a lot of great memories in this house starting from clear back in 1999. Every time I drive toward this house when I first visit, I feel a wave of jumbled feelings rush over me, just like Norah does when she sees it again for the first time.
Here is the mailbox, where Detective Narson would've found signs of a struggle after Uncle Jack's murder. This was where Norah should've found her graduation present.
Here is the front porch. Imagine Norah and James approaching it cautiously, as the drive is lined with police cars, an ambulance, and a fire engine.
This is the swing Nina, Norah's housekeeper would've been sitting on and crying when they first arrive. This door would've been smashed in by a rabid Dogril. ;-)
This is a better shot of James' house. It's just down the hill from Norah's and next door. I've never been inside it, but from the exterior design I imagine it looks the way I picture the inside of James' house looking. There's even that little balcony over the garage where Norah could've peeked down from that top window and heard Lylend and James talking. She wouldn't have been able to see them because that balcony is so narrow--her angle would've been too steep.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get down to Harvard Square during this visit, and chronologically, that's where Norah would've gone from here, so here are a few pics I found online.
I don't have any pictures of the Mirage--Samir's shop--because I made it up. But that steeple in the background could very well be the Pre-Revolution church beside it.
Fun Fact: Those secret passages like Samir's book case, that lead down into Boston's sewers were really built by the Free Masons, and some of them still really do exist.
Fun Fact: I used to work in that greenish gray building to the left in the photo below. It was an Abercrombie and Fitch at the time. Not sure what it is now.
Back to Belmont.
Here is the Belmont Police Station. I know, it looks too pretty for a police station, but trust me, it looks like a jail inside. Norah would've been held in a cell inside, interrogated by Narson in an interrogation room, and busted out by Lylend via a hoption hole.
And this is the alley where she would've ended up. These alleys are really small, and so Lylend, being as big as he is would've taken up most of the space. At night this particular alley is super dark and very creepy.
Fun Fact: When I was a girl walking on Belmont Center at night, I would run past these alleys without looking down them, because they freaked me out so much. ;-)
After Lylend busts Norah out of jail, he leads her up to Pleasant Street again, and this is where she would've run into Leila and Si, Cifer's Dogrils. This rock wall is the wall she jumps right after she sees the Dogrils morph.
She then booked it up this hill. As you can see, there are a lot of tangled vines and underbrush to get caught on, as well as thickets to hide in. This hill is also pretty steep.
This is the hill Lylend takes Norah to after she's been attacked by the Dogrils. This is where he would've opened his rodaor and taken her inside to heal her leg.
The picture below is the room where Leila nearly burns Norah to death, and where Norah first learns that James is Lylend's Tyro and a Cobbogothian.
Fun Fact: When my husband used to live on Barbara Rd there was a grand piano in the right-hand corner that I used to love playing when I visited. I don't know if its Norah or Uncle Jack who plays the piano, but this room always seems a bit empty to me without it, which is why it's present in Book 1 for Norah to hide under after Leila starts to set the room on fire.
Here are a few pictures of the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology on Harvard University Campus. This is where Norah goes to meet Anderton, and where she would've seen Uncle Jack's Dogril exhibit.
Below is a black and white interior shot. Uncle Jack's exhibit would've been straight ahead through that doorway and off to the right.
After meeting Anderton, Norah would've been hijacked by the Dogrils and flown to Iceland.
I know what you're thinking; Iceland is one of the more glorious countries in the world. Unfortunately Norah wouldn't have seen any of Iceland's lovely landscape in book 1.
This is what the Caves of Aegissida entrances are supposed to look like.
In the book, I describe the caves as lined up like the picture below. Since I've never been to Iceland and seen the Caves of Aegissida, I have no idea what they really look like or how their set up.
Here is Mount Hekla. The caves lead Norah and the Dogrils to Old Cobbogoth, which is built beneath this volcano. Hekla is located just outside of Hella Iceland as well.
Fun Fact: The Vikings used to think Mount Hekla was the Gateway to Hell.
Here's a pretty good idea what the labyrinth caves would've looked like once Norah and the Dogrils got inside the Caves of Aegissida.
At the end of the labrynth caves, Norah would've come across something like the picture below, only the crystals from Cobbogoth would be much bigger that these, and well, the spiral city of Old Cobbogoth would be nestled in the center of them.
Fun fact: I came across an article in National Geographic about the discovery of this cave down in Mexico. I'd written about five drafts of Cobbogoth by that time, but this article and the pictures with it fascinated me so much that I completely re-wrote my book again just to incorporate them into the story line. I'm so glad I did.
Finally, when Norah's hiding in the alley with Lylend after he busts her out of jail, she mentions an ice cream parlor she and James used to visit toward the end of Gram's life, because ice cream was the only thing they could get her to eat. This is Rancatore's--the very same parlor they visited.
And that's it folks. You have officially seen Norah's old haunts through the author's eyes. If only I could take a picture for you of all the imaginary places she and I have visited together. How well do these real places match up to the ones you visualized in your mind?
I hope you've enjoyed this post; I had a great time putting it together for you. Thanks for stopping by!
Now, first off, everything that takes place in Belmont during Book 1 really exists. I spent two summers back there, one when I was sixteen and a second when I was eighteen. The place really got into my blood, and that's probably why it became my natural choice when I was coming up with a city to set Cobbogoth in. Up to that point in my life, Boston was the only city I'd ever spent enough time in to believably be able to write about it.
So, without further ado, let me take you on a visual tour of Belmont and the other real places Norah visits in Book 1. I'm very excited to share them with you!
I suppose the best place to start, would be at the beginning. So, here we go. This first pic is of the bridge Norah passes under onto Belmont Center when she first wakes up at the beginning of the book:
These next two pictures are of Belmont Center.
Fun Fact:
I spent a lot of time wandering through the shops on this Center during the two summers I spent here as a teen. It changes every time I visit, but I still feel the same feelings when I walk up and down this street. It was easy to visualize Norah here while I was writing Cobbogoth.
This is the but station where Norah gets dropped off, and James picks her up. Oh look! There's even a silver car parked across the street, just like James' would've been. Fun fact: The reason James' car is sliver is because my husband's car was silver when I first started crushing on him. ;-)
And here is the Belmont Fire Station, where James works.
Fun Fact: When I first started writing Cobbogoth, this fire station wasn't built yet. There actually was just an old utility building here, and the Fire Station was more in the middle of Belmont Center, so I had to change a few things when they built this one in order to make my book accurate.
This is Pleasant Street, the street Norah and James would've turned onto after leaving Belmont Center.
Fun Fact:
Pleasant Street is part of the Historical District in Belmont. There are some pretty amazing houses along the way.
From Pleasant Street, James and Norah would've turned onto Stella Road, pictured below. 
Here's Barbara RD. Norah and James live at the end of this street. This is a shot of Barbara RD from the other end. To the left is where we just came from, and to the right is the winding drive that leads up to Norah and Jack's house. Straight ahead is James' house.
And this is the house that Jack built: :-)
This is the view Norah would've seen when she first caught sight of it as James drove her home.
Fun Fact: This is the house my husband grew up in. I have a lot of great memories in this house starting from clear back in 1999. Every time I drive toward this house when I first visit, I feel a wave of jumbled feelings rush over me, just like Norah does when she sees it again for the first time.
Here is the mailbox, where Detective Narson would've found signs of a struggle after Uncle Jack's murder. This was where Norah should've found her graduation present.
Here is the front porch. Imagine Norah and James approaching it cautiously, as the drive is lined with police cars, an ambulance, and a fire engine.
This is the swing Nina, Norah's housekeeper would've been sitting on and crying when they first arrive. This door would've been smashed in by a rabid Dogril. ;-)
This is a better shot of James' house. It's just down the hill from Norah's and next door. I've never been inside it, but from the exterior design I imagine it looks the way I picture the inside of James' house looking. There's even that little balcony over the garage where Norah could've peeked down from that top window and heard Lylend and James talking. She wouldn't have been able to see them because that balcony is so narrow--her angle would've been too steep.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get down to Harvard Square during this visit, and chronologically, that's where Norah would've gone from here, so here are a few pics I found online.
I don't have any pictures of the Mirage--Samir's shop--because I made it up. But that steeple in the background could very well be the Pre-Revolution church beside it.
Fun Fact: Those secret passages like Samir's book case, that lead down into Boston's sewers were really built by the Free Masons, and some of them still really do exist.
Fun Fact: I used to work in that greenish gray building to the left in the photo below. It was an Abercrombie and Fitch at the time. Not sure what it is now.
Back to Belmont.
Here is the Belmont Police Station. I know, it looks too pretty for a police station, but trust me, it looks like a jail inside. Norah would've been held in a cell inside, interrogated by Narson in an interrogation room, and busted out by Lylend via a hoption hole.
And this is the alley where she would've ended up. These alleys are really small, and so Lylend, being as big as he is would've taken up most of the space. At night this particular alley is super dark and very creepy.
Fun Fact: When I was a girl walking on Belmont Center at night, I would run past these alleys without looking down them, because they freaked me out so much. ;-)
After Lylend busts Norah out of jail, he leads her up to Pleasant Street again, and this is where she would've run into Leila and Si, Cifer's Dogrils. This rock wall is the wall she jumps right after she sees the Dogrils morph.
She then booked it up this hill. As you can see, there are a lot of tangled vines and underbrush to get caught on, as well as thickets to hide in. This hill is also pretty steep.
This is the hill Lylend takes Norah to after she's been attacked by the Dogrils. This is where he would've opened his rodaor and taken her inside to heal her leg.
The picture below is the room where Leila nearly burns Norah to death, and where Norah first learns that James is Lylend's Tyro and a Cobbogothian.
Fun Fact: When my husband used to live on Barbara Rd there was a grand piano in the right-hand corner that I used to love playing when I visited. I don't know if its Norah or Uncle Jack who plays the piano, but this room always seems a bit empty to me without it, which is why it's present in Book 1 for Norah to hide under after Leila starts to set the room on fire.
Here are a few pictures of the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology on Harvard University Campus. This is where Norah goes to meet Anderton, and where she would've seen Uncle Jack's Dogril exhibit.
Below is a black and white interior shot. Uncle Jack's exhibit would've been straight ahead through that doorway and off to the right.
After meeting Anderton, Norah would've been hijacked by the Dogrils and flown to Iceland.
I know what you're thinking; Iceland is one of the more glorious countries in the world. Unfortunately Norah wouldn't have seen any of Iceland's lovely landscape in book 1.
This is what the Caves of Aegissida entrances are supposed to look like.
In the book, I describe the caves as lined up like the picture below. Since I've never been to Iceland and seen the Caves of Aegissida, I have no idea what they really look like or how their set up.
Here is Mount Hekla. The caves lead Norah and the Dogrils to Old Cobbogoth, which is built beneath this volcano. Hekla is located just outside of Hella Iceland as well.
Fun Fact: The Vikings used to think Mount Hekla was the Gateway to Hell.
Here's a pretty good idea what the labyrinth caves would've looked like once Norah and the Dogrils got inside the Caves of Aegissida.
At the end of the labrynth caves, Norah would've come across something like the picture below, only the crystals from Cobbogoth would be much bigger that these, and well, the spiral city of Old Cobbogoth would be nestled in the center of them.
Fun fact: I came across an article in National Geographic about the discovery of this cave down in Mexico. I'd written about five drafts of Cobbogoth by that time, but this article and the pictures with it fascinated me so much that I completely re-wrote my book again just to incorporate them into the story line. I'm so glad I did.
Finally, when Norah's hiding in the alley with Lylend after he busts her out of jail, she mentions an ice cream parlor she and James used to visit toward the end of Gram's life, because ice cream was the only thing they could get her to eat. This is Rancatore's--the very same parlor they visited.
And that's it folks. You have officially seen Norah's old haunts through the author's eyes. If only I could take a picture for you of all the imaginary places she and I have visited together. How well do these real places match up to the ones you visualized in your mind?
I hope you've enjoyed this post; I had a great time putting it together for you. Thanks for stopping by!
April 25, 2013
Norah
People have asked me about Norah's coloring. They don't quite understand the "vanilla pale" skin thing. So, I've found you all a visual to help out. I don't usually like to put up pics like this, because I always like to visualize the characters I read about myself. But, since Norah is such a peculiar looking character, I'll make an exception.
Just imagine this girl has pale, kiwi-green eyes, and thicker, braided hair, and you've got a pretty good idea of what Norah looks like.
BTW, whoever this person is, I have to say, she's quite angelically lovely.
Just imagine this girl has pale, kiwi-green eyes, and thicker, braided hair, and you've got a pretty good idea of what Norah looks like.
BTW, whoever this person is, I have to say, she's quite angelically lovely.
April 16, 2013
Norah Lukens Is Real!
Ehem! So I have one of the coolest announcements EVER to make. There is officially a real-life Norah Lukens in the world now. My BF from childhood, JeriAnn Lukens, whom I named my main character in Cobbogoth for, just adopted a little girl and named her Norah Renae Lukens! Jeri and her husband, Matt have waited a while for this little lady. She is SO adorable, and I'm so happy for them. I can't wait to meet her!
This real-life Norah Lukens isn't Cobbogothian, though, just in case anyone was confused on that part. ;-)
This real-life Norah Lukens isn't Cobbogothian, though, just in case anyone was confused on that part. ;-)
April 15, 2013
Red Shirt Kids by Bryce Clark
Hey Everyone,
I have some amazing news! My Brother-in-law, Bryce Clark, (also debut script writer/movie director . . . I know! We're all very proud of him!) got picked up by a publisher recently with his very first book!
Red Shirt Kids is a super fun middle grade book about some kids (boys and girls) who come across some pretty cool shirts that give them magical powers. Sounds great right? Well it is! And it also has a bit of sentimental value for my husband and his family; the tale is based on a series of stories my husband's dad used to tell them before bedtime when they were kids. I loved it, and although it is a middle grade reader, I'd recommend it to everybody!
Red Shirt Kids will be released in August from Sourced Media Books, but you can pre-order it from Amazon now! Here's the link. And here is the PHENOMENAL cover!!!
I hope you guys love this book as much as our family does!
I have some amazing news! My Brother-in-law, Bryce Clark, (also debut script writer/movie director . . . I know! We're all very proud of him!) got picked up by a publisher recently with his very first book!
Red Shirt Kids is a super fun middle grade book about some kids (boys and girls) who come across some pretty cool shirts that give them magical powers. Sounds great right? Well it is! And it also has a bit of sentimental value for my husband and his family; the tale is based on a series of stories my husband's dad used to tell them before bedtime when they were kids. I loved it, and although it is a middle grade reader, I'd recommend it to everybody!
Red Shirt Kids will be released in August from Sourced Media Books, but you can pre-order it from Amazon now! Here's the link. And here is the PHENOMENAL cover!!!
I hope you guys love this book as much as our family does!
The Red Shirt Kids by Bryce Clark
Hey Everyone,
I have some amazing news! My Brother-in-law, Bryce Clark, (also debut script writer/movie director . . . I know! We're all very proud of him!) got picked up by a publisher recently with his very first book!
The Red Shirt Kids is a super fun middle grade book about some kids (boys and girls) who come across some pretty cool shirts that give them magical powers. Sounds great right? Well it is! And it also has a bit of sentimental value for my husband and his family; the tale is based on a series of stories my husband's dad used to tell them before bedtime when they were kids. I loved it, and although it is a middle grade reader, I'd recommend it to everybody!
The Red Shirt Kids will be released in August from Sourced Media Books, but you can pre-order it from Amazon now! Here's the link. And here is the PHENOMENAL cover!!!
I hope you guys love this book as much as our family does!
I have some amazing news! My Brother-in-law, Bryce Clark, (also debut script writer/movie director . . . I know! We're all very proud of him!) got picked up by a publisher recently with his very first book!
The Red Shirt Kids is a super fun middle grade book about some kids (boys and girls) who come across some pretty cool shirts that give them magical powers. Sounds great right? Well it is! And it also has a bit of sentimental value for my husband and his family; the tale is based on a series of stories my husband's dad used to tell them before bedtime when they were kids. I loved it, and although it is a middle grade reader, I'd recommend it to everybody!
The Red Shirt Kids will be released in August from Sourced Media Books, but you can pre-order it from Amazon now! Here's the link. And here is the PHENOMENAL cover!!!
I hope you guys love this book as much as our family does!
March 29, 2013
Draft 1 of The Lemorian Crest is Done!
Hey All,
Sometimes I wish I was a better blogger, but I'm not. :-( Sorry! I just realized that I never posted here about finishing draft 1 of Book 2: The Lemorian Crest. I'm in the middle of revisions right now. Its coming along, and so far, I'm VERY happy with it. Writing a second book is pretty much a million times funner than writing the first. Just in case any of you were wondering.
We're still planning on a December release, but it's a "soft" release date--meaning anything can happen between now and then (like maybe I'll miraculously get a phone call from Scholastic saying that they randomly came across a copy of Cobbogoth and LOVED it so much they want to make it into a New York Times Bestseller!) I know! Wouldn't that be cool? But anyway, what I guess I'm really trying to say is that I won't publish TLC until I feel like it's ready, and if that happens to take longer than December, then so be it. ;-) But so far, so good.
Anyway, I hope this news tickles you to your toes! I'll keep you all updated as I move along in the process. Thanks for all of your love and support, and for loving Cobbogoth like you have! It is SO amazing being able to live this life-long dream!
P.S. If you didn't see the latest news on my Cobbogoth Facebook page, first of all, you should go "like" it here. That way you won't have to wait for me to post on my blog to get updates. But anyway, we've been doing a free e-book promotion this week--yep, you read right, FREE--and the response has been so AMAZING, that we extended it for two more days--today being the last. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you haven't downloaded your copy of Cobbogoth, then . . . I don't know . . . maybe you should or something. :-)
Sometimes I wish I was a better blogger, but I'm not. :-( Sorry! I just realized that I never posted here about finishing draft 1 of Book 2: The Lemorian Crest. I'm in the middle of revisions right now. Its coming along, and so far, I'm VERY happy with it. Writing a second book is pretty much a million times funner than writing the first. Just in case any of you were wondering.
We're still planning on a December release, but it's a "soft" release date--meaning anything can happen between now and then (like maybe I'll miraculously get a phone call from Scholastic saying that they randomly came across a copy of Cobbogoth and LOVED it so much they want to make it into a New York Times Bestseller!) I know! Wouldn't that be cool? But anyway, what I guess I'm really trying to say is that I won't publish TLC until I feel like it's ready, and if that happens to take longer than December, then so be it. ;-) But so far, so good.
Anyway, I hope this news tickles you to your toes! I'll keep you all updated as I move along in the process. Thanks for all of your love and support, and for loving Cobbogoth like you have! It is SO amazing being able to live this life-long dream!
P.S. If you didn't see the latest news on my Cobbogoth Facebook page, first of all, you should go "like" it here. That way you won't have to wait for me to post on my blog to get updates. But anyway, we've been doing a free e-book promotion this week--yep, you read right, FREE--and the response has been so AMAZING, that we extended it for two more days--today being the last. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you haven't downloaded your copy of Cobbogoth, then . . . I don't know . . . maybe you should or something. :-)
January 10, 2013
Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards
So, a while back, I entered Cobbogoth into the Writer's Digest Self-Published book awards. Unfortunately, my story didn't win anything, however, today I just got the judges feedback, and I have to say that I'm quite pleased with it. I thought I'd post it here, and we can all feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Get ready to feel good!
Books were evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. This scale is strictly to provide a point of reference, it is not a cumulative score and does not reflect ranking. Structure and Organization:5 Grammar: 4 Production Quality and Cover Design:4 (I have to say I don't agree with them here. Bekah deserves a 5 for her work.) Plot (if applicable): 5 Character Development (if applicable): 5 What did you like best about this book? "Cobbogoth is a unique and creative story that very successfully blends mystery and adventure. The author’s tone and style are appropriate for the target audience. The characters are sympathetic and readers will easily identify with them, and this in turn will draw them into the story. I very much enjoyed the way the author incorporates Icelandic myth into the story, this gives the book a unique flavor. The plot is fast-paced and the descriptions are vivid. The cover design of the book is eye-catching and inviting. Overall, this book was a wonderful and entertaining read." Alright! Yeah, that was fun! Thanks for celebrating with me. :-)
Get ready to feel good!
Books were evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. This scale is strictly to provide a point of reference, it is not a cumulative score and does not reflect ranking. Structure and Organization:5 Grammar: 4 Production Quality and Cover Design:4 (I have to say I don't agree with them here. Bekah deserves a 5 for her work.) Plot (if applicable): 5 Character Development (if applicable): 5 What did you like best about this book? "Cobbogoth is a unique and creative story that very successfully blends mystery and adventure. The author’s tone and style are appropriate for the target audience. The characters are sympathetic and readers will easily identify with them, and this in turn will draw them into the story. I very much enjoyed the way the author incorporates Icelandic myth into the story, this gives the book a unique flavor. The plot is fast-paced and the descriptions are vivid. The cover design of the book is eye-catching and inviting. Overall, this book was a wonderful and entertaining read." Alright! Yeah, that was fun! Thanks for celebrating with me. :-)
December 2, 2012
Writing Gem #6: Great Reads for Writers
Alright, Folks! I'm back with a little writing gem. Sorry it's been so long, but with the writing of book 2 and the holidays, I've had a lot on my plate. Hopefully things will settle down after New Years and I can get back into a regular swing of things with these gems. In the meantime, I hope you use some of your free-time this holiday season to read a few of these great books on writing! Enjoy!
November 2, 2012
Safe Books for Strong Girls
So I've been reading Joan of Arc by Mark Twain and it is simply AMAZING!!! I am not kidding. The life of this quiet, unassuming, seventeen year old, illiterate peasant girl absolutely astounds me. Reading about her makes me want to be better in every way--she was the kind of person I'd want my daughter to want to emulate.
Anyway, this got me to thinking, and every time I've gone to speak to groups about Cobbogoth, there have been mothers and teen girls alike who ask me for recommendations of books they can feel safe reading. "Safe" meaning, they aren't afraid they're going to run into a bunch of garbage that contradicts everything they believe in; they aren't afraid of giving their daughters the wrong idea about what it means to be a girl or woman; they know that the heroine of the book is strong and smart and wise and independent and most importantly truly good.
Now, I was raised on "safe" books, and I attribute a lot of my independent way of thought and my ability to respect myself and those around me enough to be true to my core convictions to the examples of the heroines in these "safe" books. I absolutely believe the age old adage that "You are what you read."
So, in that light, I have compiled a list of my most favorite and absolutely "safe" books for all those mothers and daughters. Here they are:
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (the entire series is awesome!)
The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery
Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M. Montgomery
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (in my humble opinion, Jane is the greatest heroin ever written)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen (Actually, I'd say that Anne Elliot is tied with Elizabeth for second.)
Northanger Abby by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Levitte (Love! Love! Love!)
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (A sort of fairy tale version of the bible story of Esther)
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
The Hunger Games Series by Susanne Collins
(Now, I have to make a note on this particular series. I know this series is violent, but the violence isn't for the sake of being violent, it's to teach kids about the devastating effects of violence. I think it is a really important piece of literature, because it safely teaches teens about the reality of war and the role media and propaganda play. It's a very timely piece and I think Katniss is a heroine who is able to rise above and be true to herself throughout the series, even when it is hard and the price could be her life.)
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
The Perilous Guard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
North and South By Elizabeth Gaskell
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Incidents in the Life of Slave-Girl by Harriet A. Jacobs
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Anna by Susan Evans McCloud
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I've also recently come across an author of Christian Historical Fiction who I really like. Her name is Karen Witemeyer. She's written four books and all of them have not just fantastic heroines, but also great male characters--masculine but not macho. These books are probably for older more young adult readers say 18 +, but they are squeaky clean, and they are TRUE love stories, not lust stories. I really enjoy her writing style as well.
Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
I'm sure there are a many more titles I could add to this list, but what about you? What are your favorite "safe" books. Who are your favorite strong heroines and why? Let's see if we can't make an even bigger list, and I'll make it a permanent list on my blog, so that whenever I come across moms and daughters looking for safe books to read, I'll have an awesome list to send them to.
Thanks for your help!
Anyway, this got me to thinking, and every time I've gone to speak to groups about Cobbogoth, there have been mothers and teen girls alike who ask me for recommendations of books they can feel safe reading. "Safe" meaning, they aren't afraid they're going to run into a bunch of garbage that contradicts everything they believe in; they aren't afraid of giving their daughters the wrong idea about what it means to be a girl or woman; they know that the heroine of the book is strong and smart and wise and independent and most importantly truly good.
Now, I was raised on "safe" books, and I attribute a lot of my independent way of thought and my ability to respect myself and those around me enough to be true to my core convictions to the examples of the heroines in these "safe" books. I absolutely believe the age old adage that "You are what you read."
So, in that light, I have compiled a list of my most favorite and absolutely "safe" books for all those mothers and daughters. Here they are:
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (the entire series is awesome!)
The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery
Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M. Montgomery
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (in my humble opinion, Jane is the greatest heroin ever written)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen (Actually, I'd say that Anne Elliot is tied with Elizabeth for second.)
Northanger Abby by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Levitte (Love! Love! Love!)
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (A sort of fairy tale version of the bible story of Esther)
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
The Hunger Games Series by Susanne Collins
(Now, I have to make a note on this particular series. I know this series is violent, but the violence isn't for the sake of being violent, it's to teach kids about the devastating effects of violence. I think it is a really important piece of literature, because it safely teaches teens about the reality of war and the role media and propaganda play. It's a very timely piece and I think Katniss is a heroine who is able to rise above and be true to herself throughout the series, even when it is hard and the price could be her life.)
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
The Perilous Guard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
North and South By Elizabeth Gaskell
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Incidents in the Life of Slave-Girl by Harriet A. Jacobs
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Anna by Susan Evans McCloud
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I've also recently come across an author of Christian Historical Fiction who I really like. Her name is Karen Witemeyer. She's written four books and all of them have not just fantastic heroines, but also great male characters--masculine but not macho. These books are probably for older more young adult readers say 18 +, but they are squeaky clean, and they are TRUE love stories, not lust stories. I really enjoy her writing style as well.
Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
I'm sure there are a many more titles I could add to this list, but what about you? What are your favorite "safe" books. Who are your favorite strong heroines and why? Let's see if we can't make an even bigger list, and I'll make it a permanent list on my blog, so that whenever I come across moms and daughters looking for safe books to read, I'll have an awesome list to send them to.
Thanks for your help!
