Instant Gratification Very few readers today could sit still long enough to get through the first page of a Dickens novel. Oh, they might make it through a film of one of his novels, but read it? Not likely. And that is fine on some accounts. Different readers prefer different books. Yet, in the 19th … Continue reading Why Are Readers So Impatient?
Tag: Reading
Writing Processes, Thoughts, and Other Ramblings
Processes and Thoughts This morning I woke up at 5:30, lay awake a bit, and then got up and made coffee. Eventually I made it to my home office by 6:30 a.m. I sat down and got to work on a children’s chapter book/short novel (the 4th book in my Ranch Girl series) I’ve been … Continue reading Writing Processes, Thoughts, and Other Ramblings
Why Writers Write—I think!
Whenever I have a Q & A with elementary students, someone inevitably asks me why I write. I always manage some sort of answer which I believe to be true, but I never feel satisfied with that answer. I say something to the effect that I grew up loving to read and wanted to see … Continue reading Why Writers Write—I think!
Going to Innisfree
So—2026 sneaked in while I wasn’t looking because I was laid low by what a kind, highly efficient nurse practitioner designated a heavy viral load. The aches, pains, fever, and congestion that started at Christmas have just now loosened their gnarly grip. I am almost back to normal. When I am unwell, I return to … Continue reading Going to Innisfree
The Stories We Read and Write
I have completed reading two good books the last couple of weeks, and I want to talk about them in a bit. But first, I want to discuss a couple of the writing projects I'm excited about. I just completed writing Classroom Guides for my two middle-grade fiction books, Ranch Girl and the Orphan Lamb … Continue reading The Stories We Read and Write
Making Progress in the World of Words
The Storytellers, Nacogdoches, Texas Carl Sandburg, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner in Literature, once said, “I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” I find this an optimistic view about doing. Sometimes we have to start doing. In my previous blog post (“Spring Resolutions: Reading, Writing, & Blogs”), I made … Continue reading Making Progress in the World of Words
Spring Resolutions-Reading, Writing, & Blogs
Most people make New Year’s resolutions, but I have decided to make mid-spring resolutions instead. The middle of May seems as good a time as any for resolutions. Some of those resolutions follow: Resume writing consistent blog posts. I enjoy blogging and have published ninety posts since I began on May 20, 2022. Over the … Continue reading Spring Resolutions-Reading, Writing, & Blogs
2025: Week 16 – Bookish
I’ve just finished Lucy Mangan’s latest ‘Bookish’, a lively toddle through her extensive bookshelves with accompanying comments on her journey … 2025: Week 16 – Bookis This post is from a blog I follow called Country Gate. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Click on “Week 16–Bookish.”
Of Books and Festivals
It seems that fall and book festivals go together, at least in Texas. I have had the joy and honor of being a featured author at The Texas Word Wranglers Festival in Giddings in September, have signed in the Writer’s League of Texas booth at the Boerne Book Festival in October, and will likely sign … Continue reading Of Books and Festivals
“Words,” the Bee Gees
Strange as it may sound, I've been thinking about the Bee Gees of late--particularly about their song "Words." I know. I know. I should be considering Christmas carols and festive musical favorites (of which I have more than a few) now that it is December, and we are fully into the most wonderful time of … Continue reading “Words,” the Bee Gees