Kathy Cyr's Blog: Kathy Cyr- Author, page 102
June 8, 2015
Monday Mentionables
Good Morning!
I hope your weekend was a great one.
It's Monday Mentionables time: Links for #readers & #writers.
I think I've chosen some good ones for you (& me) today.
#Writers
First up, ways to avoid using the word very.
I can tell you that I have a few in my current drafts.....okay, maybe more than a few. But, the word that is taking over my manuscript, at the moment, is 'watch'. Watch. Watches. Watching. You get the idea.
I've placed them in parentheses to remind myself they need to be changed. (there are alot of parentheses. lol.)
Have a look for yourself.
45 ways to avoid using the word 'very'
http://writerswrite.co.za/45-ways-to-avoid-using-the-word-very
This next link is pretty interested. It for screenwriters, but seriouly? I think any writer can use the info they supply. (IMO) The site navigation is weird and it hasn't been updated in a year, but the Columns section is what you want. If you scroll down to the bottom of the welcome page and click on Downloadable (TOC) under Archives, it might be easier.
Simply put, Wordplayer.com gives away secrets. Professional secrets. For free. From working screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Secrets weighted specifically toward selling scripts to Hollywood. So if you want to make a sale, get an assignment, be able to quit that day job... Wordplay is for you!
http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/welcome.html
I'm having a bit of deja vu for this last link. I feel like I posted it before.
If you've already seen this website link, feel free to pass it along to someone who hasn't.
If you've never been to this website, go there and click around.
I find it truly interesting.
The Periodic Table of Storytelling
http://www.designthroughstorytelling.net/periodic/
#Readers
Okay readers, I've got some links for you. If you're a booklover like I am, you're going to want to click on the links below. Trust me. I'd fill my home with most of it. ;)
32 Brilliant Things Every Book Lover Needs In Their Home
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/buy-books-and-then-buy-this-stuff#.hy0WbM7gR
35 Clever Gifts Any Book Lover Will Want To Keep For Themselves
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/east-egg-vs-west-egg#.fjeMQPyXR
22 Things That Belong In Every Bookworm’s Dream Home
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/things-that-belong-in-every-bookworms-dream-home#.bfezQNLyx
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
I hope your weekend was a great one.
It's Monday Mentionables time: Links for #readers & #writers.
I think I've chosen some good ones for you (& me) today.
#Writers
First up, ways to avoid using the word very.
I can tell you that I have a few in my current drafts.....okay, maybe more than a few. But, the word that is taking over my manuscript, at the moment, is 'watch'. Watch. Watches. Watching. You get the idea.
I've placed them in parentheses to remind myself they need to be changed. (there are alot of parentheses. lol.)
Have a look for yourself.
45 ways to avoid using the word 'very'
http://writerswrite.co.za/45-ways-to-avoid-using-the-word-very
This next link is pretty interested. It for screenwriters, but seriouly? I think any writer can use the info they supply. (IMO) The site navigation is weird and it hasn't been updated in a year, but the Columns section is what you want. If you scroll down to the bottom of the welcome page and click on Downloadable (TOC) under Archives, it might be easier.
Simply put, Wordplayer.com gives away secrets. Professional secrets. For free. From working screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Secrets weighted specifically toward selling scripts to Hollywood. So if you want to make a sale, get an assignment, be able to quit that day job... Wordplay is for you!
http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/welcome.html
I'm having a bit of deja vu for this last link. I feel like I posted it before.
If you've already seen this website link, feel free to pass it along to someone who hasn't.
If you've never been to this website, go there and click around.
I find it truly interesting.
The Periodic Table of Storytelling
http://www.designthroughstorytelling.net/periodic/
#Readers
Okay readers, I've got some links for you. If you're a booklover like I am, you're going to want to click on the links below. Trust me. I'd fill my home with most of it. ;)
32 Brilliant Things Every Book Lover Needs In Their Home
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/buy-books-and-then-buy-this-stuff#.hy0WbM7gR
35 Clever Gifts Any Book Lover Will Want To Keep For Themselves
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/east-egg-vs-west-egg#.fjeMQPyXR
22 Things That Belong In Every Bookworm’s Dream Home
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/things-that-belong-in-every-bookworms-dream-home#.bfezQNLyx
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
June 6, 2015
Morning
Good morning, lovely people!
Coffee is in hand and it's #amwriting time.
I'm just finishing up chapter 6 of book 3. My pace has slowed a bit between book 2 and 3. Not sure what that is about, but am not going to dwell on it.
It's the weekend. Yay, right?
I hope whatever you have planned, big or small, it goes well for you.
May your muse be overflowing and I'm sending positive vibes your way.
K. :)
Coffee is in hand and it's #amwriting time.
I'm just finishing up chapter 6 of book 3. My pace has slowed a bit between book 2 and 3. Not sure what that is about, but am not going to dwell on it.
It's the weekend. Yay, right?
I hope whatever you have planned, big or small, it goes well for you.
May your muse be overflowing and I'm sending positive vibes your way.
K. :)
Morning
Good Morning!
#Coffee is in hand and it's #amwriting time.
Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very creative day. May your muse be overflowing. Sending positive vibes your way.
K. :)
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
#Coffee is in hand and it's #amwriting time.
Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very creative day. May your muse be overflowing. Sending positive vibes your way.
K. :)
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
June 4, 2015
10 Things You Probably Don't Know...
Just for fun...
10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Max Hamby & the Blood Diamond
1. It is the first full length novel I've ever written.
2. It took four plus years to get up the courage to write & finish it.
3. It is a children's fantasy, but I wrote it in a way where people of all ages will enjoy it.
4. The title and main character came to me in 2010. The story came in bits and pieces. I added each piece to a binder for the next four years.
5. One of my favorite characters in the book is Crazy Alice. She's extremely unpredictable.
6. I knew before I started writing this story that it would be a fantasy. I love witches, wizards, fantasy creatures and magic.
7. Some characters in the book are modeled after friends & family, past & present.
8. The Downs is a massive, mostly unexplored, forest. It divides the magical from the non-magical. No one really knows what or who lives there.
9. The Trith, half-man & half-beast, came from a nightmare I had years ago.
10. The very first draft was horrible and had to be dumped. I don't even like to call it a draft, as it was 80% telling.
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Max Hamby & the Blood Diamond
1. It is the first full length novel I've ever written.
2. It took four plus years to get up the courage to write & finish it.
3. It is a children's fantasy, but I wrote it in a way where people of all ages will enjoy it.
4. The title and main character came to me in 2010. The story came in bits and pieces. I added each piece to a binder for the next four years.
5. One of my favorite characters in the book is Crazy Alice. She's extremely unpredictable.
6. I knew before I started writing this story that it would be a fantasy. I love witches, wizards, fantasy creatures and magic.
7. Some characters in the book are modeled after friends & family, past & present.
8. The Downs is a massive, mostly unexplored, forest. It divides the magical from the non-magical. No one really knows what or who lives there.
9. The Trith, half-man & half-beast, came from a nightmare I had years ago.
10. The very first draft was horrible and had to be dumped. I don't even like to call it a draft, as it was 80% telling.
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
10 Things you probably don't know...
Just for fun...
10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Max Hamby & the Blood Diamond
1. It is the first full length novel I've ever written.
2. It took four plus years to get up the courage to write & finish it.
3. It is a children's fantasy, but I wrote it in a way where people of all ages will enjoy it.
4. The title and main character came to me in 2010. The story came in bits and pieces. I added each piece to a binder for the next four years.
5. One of my favorite characters in the book is Crazy Alice. She's extremely unpredictable.
6. I knew before I started writing this story that it would be a fantasy. I love witches, wizards, fantasy creatures and magic.
7. Some characters in the book are modeled after friends & family, past & present.
8. The Downs is a massive, mostly unexplored, forest. It divides the magical from the non-magical. No one really knows what or who lives there.
9. The Trith, half-man & half-beast, came from a nightmare I had years ago.
10. The very first draft was horrible and had to be dumped. I don't even like to call it a draft, as it was 80% telling.
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Max Hamby & the Blood Diamond
1. It is the first full length novel I've ever written.
2. It took four plus years to get up the courage to write & finish it.
3. It is a children's fantasy, but I wrote it in a way where people of all ages will enjoy it.
4. The title and main character came to me in 2010. The story came in bits and pieces. I added each piece to a binder for the next four years.
5. One of my favorite characters in the book is Crazy Alice. She's extremely unpredictable.
6. I knew before I started writing this story that it would be a fantasy. I love witches, wizards, fantasy creatures and magic.
7. Some characters in the book are modeled after friends & family, past & present.
8. The Downs is a massive, mostly unexplored, forest. It divides the magical from the non-magical. No one really knows what or who lives there.
9. The Trith, half-man & half-beast, came from a nightmare I had years ago.
10. The very first draft was horrible and had to be dumped. I don't even like to call it a draft, as it was 80% telling.
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
Thursday Three
Morning! It's Thursday Three: prompts for writers. Grab your coffee, my friends. It's #amwriting time.
It was Christmas Eve and Lucy Brown was very excited. She hung her stocking up on the wall next to her bed and fell fast asleep. In her dream, she thought of all the lovely things that Santa would bring her. When Lucy woke up, she looked in her stocking and found nothing but a silver box. It was very shiny, with a star on the lid. She opened it to find
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm
"Ouch! What was that for?" " I just felt like it, ok?" Stibbs had always been that way - always picking on the rest of us for no reason whatsoever. He liked to think he was hard, but I knew differently, I knew his secret. We had lived next door but one to each other since we were both four years old. Now, at eleven and in the final term of Year 6 at Newfields, I was looking forward to moving up to the Comprehensive. If only Stubbs was in a different form. Still, like I said, I knew his secret.
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm
We ran though the woods as fast as we could. I could hear Ellie, my little sister, panting from running so long. "Are you okay?" I asked her, just as I snagged my foot on a tree root. I could hear them now. They were gaining on us. Ellie started to cry. "NO! stop crying!" Well, I couldn't blame her. She's only 4. Now they were only about 16 feet away.
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
It was Christmas Eve and Lucy Brown was very excited. She hung her stocking up on the wall next to her bed and fell fast asleep. In her dream, she thought of all the lovely things that Santa would bring her. When Lucy woke up, she looked in her stocking and found nothing but a silver box. It was very shiny, with a star on the lid. She opened it to find
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm
"Ouch! What was that for?" " I just felt like it, ok?" Stibbs had always been that way - always picking on the rest of us for no reason whatsoever. He liked to think he was hard, but I knew differently, I knew his secret. We had lived next door but one to each other since we were both four years old. Now, at eleven and in the final term of Year 6 at Newfields, I was looking forward to moving up to the Comprehensive. If only Stubbs was in a different form. Still, like I said, I knew his secret.
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm
We ran though the woods as fast as we could. I could hear Ellie, my little sister, panting from running so long. "Are you okay?" I asked her, just as I snagged my foot on a tree root. I could hear them now. They were gaining on us. Ellie started to cry. "NO! stop crying!" Well, I couldn't blame her. She's only 4. Now they were only about 16 feet away.
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
June 3, 2015
Did not know...
I did not realize author's can blog here on Goodreads. I visit all the time, but never noticed. (then again, I have a terribly habit of skim reading...sometimes :/ ).
This is wonderful. Now I can connect with other members, readers and booklovers. :)
This is wonderful. Now I can connect with other members, readers and booklovers. :)
Wednesday Wisdom
Good morning, everyone.
It's Wednesday Wisdom: quotes, sayings and advice for #writers & #readers.I thought today would be a great day to post some words of wisdom from one of my favorite authors. She is a talented author/writer, but at the same time, a very inspiring woman and mother.
J.K. Rowling
Photo Credit:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/11421980/JK-Rowling-harry-potter-fans.html
I love and adore everything Harry Potter. It is one series of books I can read over and over again and find more things to love about them. The same goes for the movies. But, what I find more interesting is J.K. herself. I can relate to her and hope to rise above one day and in some way, just as she has done. Take, for example, the video belowIt is definitely one to watch.
And here are just a few quotes from this lovely lady:
On taking chances
“Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.”
On going from rags to riches
“I think the single biggest thing that money gave me—and obviously I came from a place where I was a single mother and it really was hand to mouth at one point. It was literally as poor as you can get in Britain without being homeless at one point. If you’ve ever been there you will never, ever take for granted that you don’t need to worry. Never.”
On worth
“Whatever money you might have, self-worth really lies in finding out what you do best.”
There are more here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/56940/20-wise-and-witty-j-k-rowling-quotes
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
It's Wednesday Wisdom: quotes, sayings and advice for #writers & #readers.I thought today would be a great day to post some words of wisdom from one of my favorite authors. She is a talented author/writer, but at the same time, a very inspiring woman and mother.
J.K. Rowling
Photo Credit:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/11421980/JK-Rowling-harry-potter-fans.html
I love and adore everything Harry Potter. It is one series of books I can read over and over again and find more things to love about them. The same goes for the movies. But, what I find more interesting is J.K. herself. I can relate to her and hope to rise above one day and in some way, just as she has done. Take, for example, the video belowIt is definitely one to watch.And here are just a few quotes from this lovely lady:
On taking chances
“Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.”
On going from rags to riches
“I think the single biggest thing that money gave me—and obviously I came from a place where I was a single mother and it really was hand to mouth at one point. It was literally as poor as you can get in Britain without being homeless at one point. If you’ve ever been there you will never, ever take for granted that you don’t need to worry. Never.”
On worth
“Whatever money you might have, self-worth really lies in finding out what you do best.”
There are more here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/56940/20-wise-and-witty-j-k-rowling-quotes
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
June 2, 2015
Traveling Tuesday
Good Morning!
It's Tuesday and you know what that means. We're off to another place in our adventure of pic prompts. So, grab some coffee, tea, juice or water, we're going to discover Snowdonia, Wales.
#Writers #Authors #Readers #Booklovers
Snowdonia is rich in history as it is beauty, but there also seems to be many myths and legends that go along with this fascinating place.
For example:
The Legend of Rhita Gawr
At one time, there were two kings in Britain; Nynniaw and Peibiaw. One night, they were both riding through the country, under the stars, and Nynniaw said:
“Look at the vast and beautiful land I have.”
“Where is it?”, asked Peibiaw.
“This whole area”, answered Nynniaw.
“You look how many cows and sheep I have grazing your land”.
“All of the stars you see”, said Peibiaw, “in the fiery gold of every one of them and the moon is their shepherd, leading them”.
“They cannot stay on my land”, said Nynniaw.
“Yes they can”, replied Peibiaw.
And then, the situation deteriorated and a war was announced between them both. Rhita Gawr, king of Wales heard about the quarrel between the two kings and decided to put an end to it by attacking both kings. Rhita succeeded to conquer and kill them and cut off their beards.
You can read more here: http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/a-sense-of-place/myths-and-legends/the-legend-of-rhita-gawr
http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/07/26/snowdonia-national-park-in-north-wales-united-kingdom/tryfan-nant-ffrancon-valley-snowdonia-wales-uk/
More links for your research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdonia
http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/history-81.aspx
http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/a-sense-of-place/history-of-snowdonia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdon
http://www.snowdonwales.co.uk/eryfacts.html
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
It's Tuesday and you know what that means. We're off to another place in our adventure of pic prompts. So, grab some coffee, tea, juice or water, we're going to discover Snowdonia, Wales.
#Writers #Authors #Readers #Booklovers
Snowdonia is rich in history as it is beauty, but there also seems to be many myths and legends that go along with this fascinating place.
For example:
The Legend of Rhita Gawr
At one time, there were two kings in Britain; Nynniaw and Peibiaw. One night, they were both riding through the country, under the stars, and Nynniaw said:
“Look at the vast and beautiful land I have.”
“Where is it?”, asked Peibiaw.
“This whole area”, answered Nynniaw.
“You look how many cows and sheep I have grazing your land”.
“All of the stars you see”, said Peibiaw, “in the fiery gold of every one of them and the moon is their shepherd, leading them”.
“They cannot stay on my land”, said Nynniaw.
“Yes they can”, replied Peibiaw.
And then, the situation deteriorated and a war was announced between them both. Rhita Gawr, king of Wales heard about the quarrel between the two kings and decided to put an end to it by attacking both kings. Rhita succeeded to conquer and kill them and cut off their beards.
You can read more here: http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/a-sense-of-place/myths-and-legends/the-legend-of-rhita-gawr
http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/07/26/snowdonia-national-park-in-north-wales-united-kingdom/tryfan-nant-ffrancon-valley-snowdonia-wales-uk/More links for your research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdonia
http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/history-81.aspx
http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/a-sense-of-place/history-of-snowdonia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdon
http://www.snowdonwales.co.uk/eryfacts.html
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
June 1, 2015
Monday Mentionables
Good Morning, lovely people.
I hope your weekend was a good one. It's time for Monday Mentionables: Links for #writers & #readers.
Today's links are all about map making/cartography
I want to create a map for the Max Hamby series, but I've been a little apprehensive to give it a go.
So, instead of sitting down and drawing one out, I was going through Google links yesterday looking for info, tutorials, programs, etc. There's some decent info out there. I figured some of you might be as interested in this subject as I am.
I also came across a software company/site that looks really interesting and if I could go with their software instead of drawing it by hand, I would. I, especially, like their campaign cartographer 3 and their city designer. (No, I'm not an affiliate. Their software looks fun and easy.)
https://secure.profantasy.com/default.asp
If you have any links or tutorials to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments section or let me know and I'll post them for you.
#Writers
http://jademphillips.com/2012/12/05/creating-a-map-for-your-fantasy-novel/
http://www.darlawrites.com/novel-map-fiction/
http://www.bigskywords.com/writing-blog/top-10-reasons-fantasy-ebook-novels-dont-have-maps
http://mlorimotley.hubpages.com/hub/Drawing-a-Fantasy-Map-for-Your-Novel-or-Short-Story
http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/mapmaking-for-fantasy-authors
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
I hope your weekend was a good one. It's time for Monday Mentionables: Links for #writers & #readers.
Today's links are all about map making/cartography
I want to create a map for the Max Hamby series, but I've been a little apprehensive to give it a go.
So, instead of sitting down and drawing one out, I was going through Google links yesterday looking for info, tutorials, programs, etc. There's some decent info out there. I figured some of you might be as interested in this subject as I am.
I also came across a software company/site that looks really interesting and if I could go with their software instead of drawing it by hand, I would. I, especially, like their campaign cartographer 3 and their city designer. (No, I'm not an affiliate. Their software looks fun and easy.)
https://secure.profantasy.com/default.asp
If you have any links or tutorials to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments section or let me know and I'll post them for you.
#Writers
http://jademphillips.com/2012/12/05/creating-a-map-for-your-fantasy-novel/
http://www.darlawrites.com/novel-map-fiction/
http://www.bigskywords.com/writing-blog/top-10-reasons-fantasy-ebook-novels-dont-have-maps
http://mlorimotley.hubpages.com/hub/Drawing-a-Fantasy-Map-for-Your-Novel-or-Short-Story
http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/mapmaking-for-fantasy-authors
#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit
Kathy Cyr- Author
Kathy Cyr writes in an underground cave, but has her eye on a wizard's castle.
On an average day, she's usually surrounded by a dwarf with a curious addiction to coffee, a moody dragon and a pink pixie ...more
On an average day, she's usually surrounded by a dwarf with a curious addiction to coffee, a moody dragon and a pink pixie ...more
- Kathy Cyr's profile
- 15 followers
