Yesterday Joyce Hostetter and I brainstormed our upcoming workshop for the Write2Ignite conference. We have presented “Using Life Experiences to Inform Your Writing” at other venues, but we like to tweak it each time to make it fresh. We introduce ourselves by each reading a passage that springboards from our own life experiences. Previously, I have… Continue reading Wild Onions, Orange Popsicles, and Truth
I wanted to share two events on my calendar that might interest you. On March 13 I begin a 6 week class on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30. Crafting Characters that Connect will meet on the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College. The course focuses on the basic principles involved in writing compelling, three-dimensional characters for short and long… Continue reading Upcoming Events
I can't help myself. Whenever I read a book I'm always analyzing how the author pulls it off. How does he or she weave together the different elements needed to produce an engaging book for young readers? My recent read, FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen, is a great example of this type of book. It has:… Continue reading FLUSH: An Example of What Every Book Should Include
If you are new to this blog, you might not notice the tabs on top of the blog posts. If you click on "Half-Truths" you'll find past posts which document my progress in writing my historical novel. Click on "Writing Workshops" for a list of my writing workshops. I can tailor workshops to meet your… Continue reading Navigating My Blog
I am so proud of Joyce Hostetter and her daughter Wendy Davis. Joyce, the author of BLUE and COMFORT, asked Wendy to create book trailers for both books. I shared the one for BLUE here. (If you haven't viewed it yet, do this first!) Now, watch the trailer posted below. Than mosey on over to Joyce's… Continue reading COMFORT: A Book Trailer that Will Leave You in Tears
Several writers I know are reposting previous book reviews as a part of Random Acts of Publicity Week. Since Joyce Hostetter's book trailer came out today celebrating the new cover of her book, I figure this was an opportune time to republish my review of BLUE and share Joyce's book trailer. This review is from July, 2007.… Continue reading BLUE's News
It has been quite awhile since I have posted about a technology tool that I have found useful. In the last ten days I've used two that I want to share with you. During a recent class at Central Piedmont Community College on "Crafting Characters that Connect" I brought Joyce Hostetter into the classroom via… Continue reading Two Tech Toys and One Book
Today I am hosting Joyce Hostetter, my friend and co-presenter at writing workshops. I hope you enjoy her post and the corresponding one on her blog. Joyce, please tell my readers about what's going on in your neck of the woods and welcome to my blog! Thanks, Carol. I'm thrilled to be here to talk about… Continue reading HENRY RIVER MILL HILL: Where Hunger Games is Being Filmed
As Joyce Hostetter and I planned our May issue of Talking Story on public art, it became clear we could not include all of the pictures we wanted to. Here are a few images--related to literacy of course-- that didn't make the final cut. Here is art about reading stories: Looking over the shoulder of a reader… Continue reading I Had to Draw the Line Somewhere
The subtitle of this book, "An Artistic Adventure From the Avenue Road Arts School" says it all. Fifty-seven art projects that can be created in a park, at the beach, or in your student's backyard are clearly presented in this kid-friendly and eco-friendly book. Eleven artist-instructors have contributed their ideas and expertise to show children how to use… Continue reading The Jumbo Book of Outdoor Art