The trend in picture books is fewer and fewer word count. Each word becomes so important. Parents are wanting to read to their children in 15 minutes or less. A picture book is becoming illustration dependent. Unfortunately not every parent takes the time to discuss the illustrations. So then I wonder when do the children learn to love language. When do they hear the musical rhythms, the flow of the words, the beauty of language? If the books read to them are limited with words and the early reader books are controlled vocabulary when is the richness of language modeled to them? Will they ever fall in love with books?
I need to know I'm wrong. Someone tell me this is crazy thinking.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
A SHOT IN THE BRAIN
I'm in a depressed rut, a valley of ugh, a leaky balloon. I haven't found someone who loves my stories as much as I do. The possibility feels unattainable. So I said,"Self, snap out of it. Pity party is over." And then I stumbled upon the Kidlit Summer School. Daily lessons from writers with the know how. Assignments to complete. Something new for me to work on. A new challenge. A new beginning. Thank you Kami and Sudipta.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
I've already written this in my head
I have been writing on this blog each day. However it's all been in my head not on paper or screen.
A lot has happened since the last entry. First I have quite a few drafts and half drafts on my hard drive. Second I am seeing stories everywhere. I am also wishing a piece of paper was handy not just a paper napkin. But the biggest thing has been the class I took in April which ended a month later in May. Renee LaTulippe's Lyrical Language Lab online class was writer's life changing. She stepped up through the different meters and rhymes. The assignments were critiqued with incredible helpful kindness. I hear her voice (even thought she's never actually talked to me) and her messages about what to watch out for, what to make sure I do, what not to do. I spent a lot of time writing poems and didn't write or revise any of my stories. I was so focused and determined to use what she was teaching. It's a course everyone would become a better writer because of Renee LaTulippe.
A lot has happened since the last entry. First I have quite a few drafts and half drafts on my hard drive. Second I am seeing stories everywhere. I am also wishing a piece of paper was handy not just a paper napkin. But the biggest thing has been the class I took in April which ended a month later in May. Renee LaTulippe's Lyrical Language Lab online class was writer's life changing. She stepped up through the different meters and rhymes. The assignments were critiqued with incredible helpful kindness. I hear her voice (even thought she's never actually talked to me) and her messages about what to watch out for, what to make sure I do, what not to do. I spent a lot of time writing poems and didn't write or revise any of my stories. I was so focused and determined to use what she was teaching. It's a course everyone would become a better writer because of Renee LaTulippe.
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