Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 29
November 22, 2019
Why Writers Need to Be in Book Clubs
In September 2001, I joined my first book club. I recall my excitement at seeing the announcement in our church worship folder. As a young mom struggling for writing time and craving adult interaction, this book club was an ideal outlet. I remember the first book these women and I read together. I still have […]
November 18, 2019
Keeping the Books
In my personal Bible study, I was encouraged to give up all media for 24 hours. I read through the list. Television: I can avoid television. As a young mom, I used to crave the noise and fake interaction. But, as a middle-aged woman, I find I have to be working on a project or […]
November 16, 2019
The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
Three Stars I felt like The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni was a bit of a slog. Maybe it’s because I’m not an espionage fan. I have read more than one book about communism this year, and I watched Chernobyl around the time I read this book. I think I was overloaded on oppressive regimes. […]
November 15, 2019
What’s Your Writing Theme Song?
Several years ago, I created a soundtrack for my few-and-far-between writing moments. For poetry, it was a compilation of Jim Brickman songs. For The Forget-Me-Nots, it was Chopin because Aunt Minnie played Chopin. But, now, I just don’t know. While Brickman’s “The Road Before Us” still launches me into a writing mode, I’m thinking I […]
November 11, 2019
Making Music Together
Recently, my husband and I ventured to a nearby violin shop in search of a viola for me. Several reasons played into this decision to upgrade. After thirty years of playing my current viola, I needed a change. Sometimes a different resonance and tone is required to meet new challenges in life. I realized that […]
November 9, 2019
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Four Stars I decided I wanted to read the book before I decide if I want to see the movie. I listened to Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain on Audible. It took a bit to get used to the narrator and to a dog who swears. Compared to other books I’ve […]
November 8, 2019
Why Understanding Personality Types Can Help with Character Development
I have to admit, I’m obsessed. My family shudders every time I bring up the topic. I truly can be obnoxious about it. But, I have found that in life and in writing the study of personality is fascinating and essential. I’m going to use https://www.truity.com–one of my new favorite sites that my youngest son […]
November 4, 2019
Catastrophic Obsessions
I have a daily obsession. Like most obsessions, it is something some will admit to doing themselves and wonder why I could consider it a detriment. Others won’t get the allure and will count me in with fools before reading to the end of this post. But, admitting foolishness is often the beginning of obtaining […]
November 2, 2019
Dog On It by Spencer Quinn
Five Stars I love dogs. I love a good who-dun-it. And, I have to admit, I love a good pun. Spencer Quinn’s Dog On It, the first book in the Chet and Bernie series, is the solution to all three. Quinn does a superb job of creating a believable first-person narrative from the perspective of […]
November 1, 2019
NaNoWriMo: What It Means For Me
I never quite know if I want to participate in National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo. My guess is that for many writers it has become an annual tradition after its twenty years of existence. I don’t know that for certain. I do know that by 1999 I had started The Forget-Me-Nots before it […]
