When our children were younger and in kindergarten, my hubby and I got to participate in the time-honored tradition of having breakfast at school with them. This was always held in the library - now renamed 'media center', which I tend to ignore - and involved the librarian reading to us as we ate. I loved it - and the muffins, of course - and appreciated the school's efforts to make reading a family affair.
That was never an issue for us. I took my children to get their first library cards as soon as they could read, and they in turn have done the same for their own children. Stacks of books in the family room and in the bedrooms were the norm, and I loved the 'quiet time' we enjoyed when everyone was curled up in bed with a book.
This legacy of reading for pleasure has served me well in many ways, from a career in education to writing my own books. I know that I am, in some way, helping to preserve the notion that reading really is fundamental and that readers do indeed make better writers.
Keep reading.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
First Impressions Count!
"If murder and mayhem were not part of the hiring process, AJ certainly got the raw end of the deal..."
Have you ever read the blurbs on the back of books and wondered who wrote them? The answer might surprise you! Established novelists have those whose job is to compose the 'hooks' for them, but most authors write the little gems themselves, present party included.
While this might seem like a shameless exercise in self-promotion - and I'm sure that it is - it also acts as the 'first impression' we experience when meeting someone new face to face. If we like what we see, we act. The same goes for book jackets; the combination of cleverly worded comments and artwork will make or break the connection.
By the way, the above blurb was written for my book entitled "Murder at the Miramar". Check it out on Barnes and Noble's website or visit Amazon worldwide for your copy. And when you read the back of the book, just remember that it's me, Dane McCaslin, saying howdy to a new friend.
Happy reading!
Have you ever read the blurbs on the back of books and wondered who wrote them? The answer might surprise you! Established novelists have those whose job is to compose the 'hooks' for them, but most authors write the little gems themselves, present party included.
While this might seem like a shameless exercise in self-promotion - and I'm sure that it is - it also acts as the 'first impression' we experience when meeting someone new face to face. If we like what we see, we act. The same goes for book jackets; the combination of cleverly worded comments and artwork will make or break the connection.
By the way, the above blurb was written for my book entitled "Murder at the Miramar". Check it out on Barnes and Noble's website or visit Amazon worldwide for your copy. And when you read the back of the book, just remember that it's me, Dane McCaslin, saying howdy to a new friend.
Happy reading!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
What a Wonderful World
I remember getting my first library card. With it came the privilege of checking out books of my own choosing...and the chance to listen to the record collection that was housed behind the main desk. I used that invitation to listen to Johnny Cash, 'Oliver', sonatas, and jazz. I became eclectic in my taste and loved the variety of life that a record player offered to me. The very fact that I could choose became the impetus.
This is the same mindset I have whenever I begin a new book. I am open to possibilities, and I know that sooner or later, the characters will demand a certain setting or plot, and I find that I am willing to compromise. I know that the characters will grow and will demand a more fulfilling story line, and if I refuse to look forward, we will all lose. This is the way all life continues. Without the ability to adapt, life as we know it will cease.
When constructing a plot, keep in mind that the characters may change within the assigned confines. If this happens, be grateful: You are part of an ever evolving story.
This is the same mindset I have whenever I begin a new book. I am open to possibilities, and I know that sooner or later, the characters will demand a certain setting or plot, and I find that I am willing to compromise. I know that the characters will grow and will demand a more fulfilling story line, and if I refuse to look forward, we will all lose. This is the way all life continues. Without the ability to adapt, life as we know it will cease.
When constructing a plot, keep in mind that the characters may change within the assigned confines. If this happens, be grateful: You are part of an ever evolving story.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Refining the Vision
For those of you who can recall the 80s and 90s, do you remember those ridiculously large glasses frames we wore? From prescriptive to sunblocker, we sported glasses that not only framed our eyes but also our eyebrows and cheeks! Who in the name of all that was holy decreed that vision was also in our cheekbones? I was truly glad to move away from that trend.
Sometimes our writing can be large as well: Overly descriptive, overly plotted, overly peopled. Why not go the simple route and let the story unfold itself? I can almost guarantee that it will be succinct yet better worded, and you will see the 'skull beneath the skin'.
Just a brief thought...
Happy writing!
Sometimes our writing can be large as well: Overly descriptive, overly plotted, overly peopled. Why not go the simple route and let the story unfold itself? I can almost guarantee that it will be succinct yet better worded, and you will see the 'skull beneath the skin'.
Just a brief thought...
Happy writing!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Plotting the Plot
Have you ever wondered how a mystery author is able to take seemingly unrelated issues and tie them all together in one neat conclusion? Backward design!
This is a concept that educators are familiar with, ie design an assessment based on what you want your students to know, then work backward, creating lesson plans that stair-step toward the assessment. Writers can do the same thing- create the final scene and work back from that point, insuring that the puzzle pieces fit and make sense.
I wish that life could be that easy! Can you imagine the gift of knowing the final outcome of your time here on earth? We could re- do the plot if we didn't care for the ending and work backward to make certain that all bases were covered. That would be the ultimate insurance plan, wouldn't it?
Just something to think on as you live your own story line.
Keep writing!
This is a concept that educators are familiar with, ie design an assessment based on what you want your students to know, then work backward, creating lesson plans that stair-step toward the assessment. Writers can do the same thing- create the final scene and work back from that point, insuring that the puzzle pieces fit and make sense.
I wish that life could be that easy! Can you imagine the gift of knowing the final outcome of your time here on earth? We could re- do the plot if we didn't care for the ending and work backward to make certain that all bases were covered. That would be the ultimate insurance plan, wouldn't it?
Just something to think on as you live your own story line.
Keep writing!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Who done it? I've no clue!
Seriously. There are times my characters refine themselves under my nose - or pen, in this case. Just when I think I have the antagonist nailed down, he (or she) surprises me.
Before you begin to think that I am in need of help, consider this: Does everyone in your life act in a consistent manner? Not in my experience they don't, and neither do my characters. When you are a writer, you've got to expect the same thing from those in your story. Of course, the writer is in control - it's not a mystic experience- but when a plot wants to go another way than what you originally planned, go with it! The books we love the most are those whose characters remain dynamic and alive on the page. When a character seems static, it is probably because the author started out with one idea and by gosh, it was going to remain that way.
My thought for today? Be a dynamic character in your own story!
Keep reading. And writing.
Before you begin to think that I am in need of help, consider this: Does everyone in your life act in a consistent manner? Not in my experience they don't, and neither do my characters. When you are a writer, you've got to expect the same thing from those in your story. Of course, the writer is in control - it's not a mystic experience- but when a plot wants to go another way than what you originally planned, go with it! The books we love the most are those whose characters remain dynamic and alive on the page. When a character seems static, it is probably because the author started out with one idea and by gosh, it was going to remain that way.
My thought for today? Be a dynamic character in your own story!
Keep reading. And writing.
Friday, February 14, 2014
This is True Love
It's Valentine's Day, a day that is - to my mind - one of the most polarized. You either love it (pun intended) or you hate it. You either have fond memories of February 14th, or it's one of those days you wish would just go away. Forever.
I bring this up because of writing. Really.
It amazes me that most people have strong feelings about writing. They either absolutely love it or they can't stand it. (There is a small population that could care less, but that's another issue.) Here's an interesting observation: Because I am a writer, most folks assume that I adore the practice. They are right, of course. And just as wrong.
Writing is an exercise that is more exhausting than a dead lift in the weight room. It's also one of the most invigorating thing you can do. When the words flow, when it all comes together and the plot makes sense and the characters develop as I imagined they would, I am on top of the world. As you might imagine, life can be almost unbearable when nothing is clicking. That's when writer's block feels terminal, and I'm convinced that nothing I write is worth reading to myself, much less good enough to share with the world.
Thank goodness that's a temporary state of mind. The only cure is to keep writing. Sooner or later, the words begin to mesh and the plot begins to move once more. Love is that way as well. Sometimes the only cure for a relationship stalemate is to keep loving. Eventually it will kick-start itself.
Keep loving. And keep writing.
Happy Valentine's Day.
I bring this up because of writing. Really.
It amazes me that most people have strong feelings about writing. They either absolutely love it or they can't stand it. (There is a small population that could care less, but that's another issue.) Here's an interesting observation: Because I am a writer, most folks assume that I adore the practice. They are right, of course. And just as wrong.
Writing is an exercise that is more exhausting than a dead lift in the weight room. It's also one of the most invigorating thing you can do. When the words flow, when it all comes together and the plot makes sense and the characters develop as I imagined they would, I am on top of the world. As you might imagine, life can be almost unbearable when nothing is clicking. That's when writer's block feels terminal, and I'm convinced that nothing I write is worth reading to myself, much less good enough to share with the world.
Thank goodness that's a temporary state of mind. The only cure is to keep writing. Sooner or later, the words begin to mesh and the plot begins to move once more. Love is that way as well. Sometimes the only cure for a relationship stalemate is to keep loving. Eventually it will kick-start itself.
Keep loving. And keep writing.
Happy Valentine's Day.
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