Thursday, August 23, 2007

Poetry Friday

Here's my first attempt at poetry Friay. There's certainly no rhyme, there might be a hint of meter. This is just some poetic-like musings that come to mind as I often pass this old barn on the road. Sometimes words want to get out, even if they aren't perfect.


Rotting shell of yesteryear,
Swathed in lacy green.

Winding bough seeking light,
Peeks through aged door.

Knotty branches reach for sun.
Timber shrinks to dust.

Place of birth and solemn grave,
Unlikely partners bond.

A union
Equally morbid and brilliant.

Existence
Fleeting yet endless.

Lending ever-present mind
To our own futile days.


Christy

Gee, I'm so darn perky and cheerful, I can hardly stand it! ;0P

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Story Night with Karen Lee was a huge success!


We had a great turn out!


A big thanks to Karen Lee for coming to our Chick-fil-A Story Night!
The kids had a blast listening to Karen read ABC Safari, One Odd Day and My Even Day

Karen reading the "Snakes Juggling cakes" page! I love that one!




Karen with Emma, one of our more enthusiastic listeners.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Story Night with Karen Lee this Tuesday Night

Story Night
Chick-fil-A RTP 104 Residence Inn, Durham
www.kidsnight.blogspot.com

With Award Winning
Author/Illustrator
Karen Lee!

Reading times:
5:30
6:00
&
6:30

Join us for Story Night on Tuesday August 21st from 5-7 PM as Karen Lee reads to us from her most recent book "ABC Safari"

You may recognize some of Karen’s numerous illustrations in publications such as “Highlights for Children, Ranger Rick Magazine and Family Fun Magazine” just to name a few. She has also illustrated many books such as “One Odd Day” and soon to be released “My Even Day” by Doris Fisher and Dani Sneed.
You can check out Karen’s blog at:

www.Karensnews.blogspot.com


Saturday, August 18, 2007

Take the Book Quiz: What Book are you?

What is your literary equal? Take the Book Quiz from Blue Pyramid and find out. It's surprisingly quick and for me -- accurate.

Mine was pretty much spot on! My match was "The Giver" By Lois Lowry


You're The Giver!
by Lois Lowry
While you grew up with a sheltered childhood, you're pretty sure everyone around you is even more sheltered. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, you were tapped on the shoulder and transported to the real world. This made you horrified by your prior upbringing and now you're tormented by how to reconcile these two lives. Ultimately, the struggle comes down to that old free will issue. Choose wisely.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Contest info for all you Artsy Schmartsy Poets out there!


There's a great new kids e-zine coming out in Sept. called Kidz Wonder.

They are accepting articles for future submissions, but they are also running a poetry contest, complete with prizes.

Here's the link for submission info!

365 Poems Contest, Kidz Wonder e-zine

Christy

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Raleigh Schmooze


We Mingled

And Listened to Stephanie

Isn't Karen so cute?


Hello nice lady from Quail Ridge!


We ate and drank and ate and drank and ate and drank -- well, you get the picture.


Wow! What a great schmooze! It was great to meet new people and put some names with faces.

A great big thanks to everybody who brought food and "festive" decor.

And a super great "Thanks" to Stephanie who gave us some valuable insights! You're a gem Stephanie!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Creative Exercise #2 "What if. . . "

photo from www.louisepalanker.com

It's Saturday! Time to remove the cobwebs and get the creativity going!

This is a "What if" game. Think of a bizzare situation and think of what could happen if. . . .

For example:
In one page or less, explain (or draw a picture of) what could happen if . . . . .
a Monkey owned an ice cream shop.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators/ Raleigh Area Schmooze this Sunday!



Come Schmooze with us!
The Society of Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators-Carolinas

Sunday August 12th, 5PM – 7PM
At Quail Ridge Books and Music

The Triangle area members of the
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
are hosting a Schmooze!
Whether you are a professional, a novice
or have ever dreamed of becoming a writer or illustrator
for children’s literature please come join us for
a casual and friendly get-together.
Our Guest Speaker is
Stephanie Greene,
Author of the “Owen Foote” and “Moose and Hildy” series.
This is free and open to the public.

Quail Ridge Books and Music
3522 Wade Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-1588

Visit Mapquest for directions!

I hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Mad and Sad

I'm very bummed. At the end of June I had my first article accepted for Lifted Magazine. (I'm not going to include a link because I'm mad at them!) :0P My article was supposed to be included in their Aug/Sept issue. I had signed an agreement and received confirmation of acceptance and everything!

Imagine my surprise when the Aug/Sept. issue came out and my article wasn't included.

I contacted the editor re: my article. Her response was that she didn't have time to include my article, they were changing some formats of the magazine and they will include my article sometime in their blog, but not as a featured article. :0(

Boy! My balloon has been busted!

I'm mad and I'm sad.

The good news is that I did have another article accepted by a new e-zine called Kidz Wonder. That article is going to be featured in their January issue.

~sniff, sniff~ :0(

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Get those creative juices flowing!

Do you ever have those moments (or days) when creativity is lost, and you have no idea where to find it? Maybe is is cowering under the bed in your mind, afraid to come out, thinking that it may disappoint you. Maybe it's playing hide-n-seek. Maybe it's just being stubborn and giving you a difficult time. Whatever it is, sometimes it just needs a little persuasion to show it's pointy-hatted head.

Sometimes I use short little exercises to help coax my creativity out of hiding.

I thought maybe I'd post some creative power boosters from time to time, so if you need a little help finding your creativity, you can come on over and I'll help you out. :0)

This first exercise takes a name, place and item. Randomly pick a name for a character, a place (how the "place" fits into your story is up to you.) and an item that your character will use, or will influence your character in some way.

You have two options.

Option 1: In 100 words or less, write a summary for a story using the characters name, place and item.

Option 2: Write a short story using the name, place and item.

Here's an example to get you started.

Name: Soraphina Tubscrub
Place: A cave in Poisonwood Forest
Item: An emerald vase

string these items together in anyway that you want. There are no rules, except to use these three things somewhere in your story or summary. Oh -- I guess there are two other rules.
1. Don't think too hard.
2. Just have fun.

If you come up with something, please share!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Midnight Magic By Avi


I just read another great historical fiction book by Avi called "Midnight Magic"

I've never known anyone to write historical fiction quite like Avi. He's a master story teller.

When Fabrizio, loyal servant to Mangus the Magician, hears someone knocking at their door at midnight, he knows it must be bad news. Mangus had been tried and convicted of practicing magic, and no one ever came to visit them. Mangus was spared from being put to death by King Cluadio's mercy. When Fabrizio answers the door, one of the king's soldiers says that Mangus is wanted at the castle because his daughter has claimed to see a ghost and he wants Mangus to rid the castle of the spector. Mangus, though convicted for practicing the dark art of magic, was nothing more than a trickster. His magic was a hoax and he does not believe in ghosts, so he is determined to find out what the princess really saw.