tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36473672356710441452024-03-07T21:49:20.561-08:00Cerulean WombatEncouraging and supporting #youngauthors, #teenauthors, and the #writingcommunityCerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-3352575269765553342019-04-02T15:29:00.002-07:002019-04-02T15:29:48.509-07:00#Hashtags for #Writers<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you’re on
any form of social media, then there is zero chance that you’re managed to
avoid hashtags. These are words (or phrases all mashed together) with a hash
sign (or number sign - #) stuck on the front.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Hashtags are
a great way of finding posts, pictures, articles, or just about anything else
because they give you keywords to search on. Looking for writing prompts?
Search on the #writingprompt tag, and bam, you’ll find tons of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">But there are
gazillions of hashtags out there, and finding the ones you want aren’t always
easy. To help you out, here’s a list of some of the most common and useful
hashtags for writers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Writing
Motivation</span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Looking for
ways to get motivated to write? Check these out:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#1K1H – Can
you write 1000 words in one hour? Of course you can!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#CampNaNoWriMo
– A laid back camping retreat (all online, of course)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#MondayMotivation
– Start your week off right<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#NaNoWriMo – National
Novel Writing Month (November)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#sixwordstory
– Write a story using six or fewer words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#StoryStarter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#TuesdayMotivation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#vss365 –
Write a Very Short Story, 365 days a year<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WordAThon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#wordsprints –
How many words can you cram into just a few minutes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WriteGoal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WriteMotivation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WriteTip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writingblitz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writingparty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WritingPrompt
– For when you can’t think of anything to write<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writingsprint<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WritingTip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Show Off Your
Writing (or Someone Else’s)</span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Ready to
share your writing with the world? Want to give a shout out to a great book you
just read? Looking for ideas on what to read next? Take a look:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#99c – Buy books
for only 99 cents (usually Kindle or other eBooks)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#AuthorRT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#BookBuzz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#BookGiveaway<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#BookMarket<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#BookMarketing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#FreeBook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#FreeDownload<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#FreeReads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#FridayReads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#GreatReads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#KindleBargain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#MustRead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Novelines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SampleSunday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SaturdayShoutout<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WhatToRead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Genres</span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Everyone has
their own personal favorites when it comes to genres. Find yours here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Biopic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Erotica<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#FanFic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#FlashFic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#History<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Horror<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#KidLitChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#MemoirChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#MGLit –
Middle grade<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#ownvoices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Paranormal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#PBLitChat –
Picture books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#poems<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Poetry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#PoetTues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#RomanceChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#RomanticSuspense<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SciFiChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Scriptchat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SteampunkChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#TVWriterChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#UrbanFantasy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WomensFiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#YA – Young
Adult<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#YALitChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#ZineChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Writing
Communities</span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Find other
authors with the same interests as you, and get to know them in a laid back,
informal setting:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#AmEditing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#amwriting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#BlackBookChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#BookWorm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#IndieAuthor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#IndieAuthors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#KidLitChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#KindleChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#LitChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#lovewriting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#RomanceWriter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#teenauthors –
One of my favorites! I just wish it got used more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WordCount<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#write<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WriteChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writersblock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WritersLife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writersnetwork<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writersofinstagram<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WritersRoad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WriterWednesday
– Also #WW<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writingcommunity
– This one has really exploded recently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#writinglife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#youngauthors
– Another one of my favorites!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Independent
and Self-Publishing</span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Here are some
great hashtags for those who want to go the self-publishing route:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#D2D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#eBook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#EBooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#ePubChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#eReaders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#IndiePub (or
#IndiePublishing)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#IndieThursday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#KDP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Kindle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Kobo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SelfPub<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SelfPublishing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SmashWords<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Traditional
Publishing</span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">These
hashtags aren’t exclusive to traditional publishing, but you’ll find a lot of professional
authors, agents, and editors hanging out here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#AskAgent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#AskAuthor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#AskEditor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#CopyWriting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Editing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#EditorChat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#GetPublished<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#MSWL –
Manuscript Wish List, where agents and editors post what they want<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#PromoTip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Publishing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#PubTip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#RWA –
Romance Writers of America<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#SCBWI –
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Odds and Ends</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#StoryFriday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#TeaserTues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#ThursdayThoughts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#TuesdayThoughts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#TuesdayTreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#WednesdayWisdom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#word<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#wordgasm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#wordporn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">This is far
from a complete list of all the hashtags floating around out there for authors,
but it should be plenty to get you started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">If you have
any other favorite hashtags you want to add to the list, please leave a
comment. I’d love to see them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-91584758455278887142019-03-30T06:53:00.000-07:002019-03-30T06:53:03.020-07:00Weekend Writing Prompt 5<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b>Describe a
walk through the woods (or other setting) from the viewpoints of three radically
different characters.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you come up with a good response, please consider sharing it. Complete</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/EKdgMumyFgqnDjag2" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1466c9; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">THIS FORM</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with your description and some basic info no later than Friday, April 5. I’ll pick my favorite response and share it on the blog on the following Friday, April 12.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-82697833398572135602019-03-29T07:39:00.000-07:002019-03-29T07:39:00.605-07:00Writing Prompt 3 Winner<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writing Prompt 3 was:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Write a poem about Spring which does not include any of these words: warm, rain, flower, sun, grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bonus challenge: also avoid using the word “the” or any word ending in -ly</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Congratulations to Jenny S., age 12, of Bloomington, Indiana, for composing this very creative poem.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<b>C'mon, Summer</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
A chill yet lingers in soil and air,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
As yet unbanished despite solar rays</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Washing across them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Fragments of color</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Erupt from muddy graves,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Winter's sleep dispelled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Tiny buds form, unfurl, explode</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
Into vibrant green.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
My eyelids glow pink</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
As I stare through them</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
At Apollo's chariot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-size: 15.4px;">A silent promise that summer will arrive</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
But not soon enough for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<br /></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-72921136386226346682019-03-28T07:39:00.000-07:002019-03-28T07:39:33.317-07:00Roadrunner Review Call for Submissions<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Roadrunner Review, an online literary journal that is run by the students at La Sierra University, is accepting submissions for its second issue. They are looking for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry pieces up to 1,000 words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deadline is April 7.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Submissions are open to any college undergraduate or graduate student.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition, they are also running a writing contest for high school students with a $200 prize. The winning entry will also be printed in their upcoming issue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deadline for the high school writing contest is May 5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All entries must be previously unpublished. All rights revert to the author after publication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See the <a href="https://roadrunner.lasierra.edu/submissions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roadrunner Review submissions page</a> for more details and to submit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-56856458164348688012019-03-25T09:11:00.000-07:002019-03-25T09:11:23.789-07:006 Tips for Handling Rejection<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you’re an author, unless you’re the most brilliant author
in the history of the universe (and perhaps even then), you are going to get
rejected. Disappointing? Yes, but not the end of the world. Here is some advice
on how to deal with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don’t Take It Personally</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rejection happens. It is an absolute fact of life, not only
in writing but in everything we do. Nobody is going to like what you have to say
or the way you say it every single time. Some people may never like it. But
others will. You just have to find the right person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the most difficult pieces of rejection to get is when
an agent or editor tells you they liked—or even loved—your writing, but they
still don’t accept it. They’ll explain that it just isn’t the right fit for
them, or not what they want right now, or too similar to something else they have
already accepted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While those may seem like brush offs, chances are what they
are saying is 100% percent true. Agents and editors won’t tell you they liked
your story if they didn’t. They don’t have time to waste on that. A positive
rejection means you are very close to success. You just have to keep trying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Consider Criticism with an Open Mind</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are lucky enough to receive specific criticism, don’t
get offended, and don’t ignore it. The person who sent you those comments took
time out of their extremely busy schedule because they felt your writing was
good enough to merit it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look carefully at what the rejection says. Don’t take it as
an attack on you or your work, but as a suggestion, just like you would from a
critique partner or beta reader. Consider it with an open mind. And then decide
if you agree. If you do agree, make some changes. If you don’t agree, don’t. The
next editor or agent may like your story exactly the way it is now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Take a Short Break</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Take a few minutes, a few hours, even a few days to do anything
other than writing, or stewing over the latest rejection. Go for a walk. Go out
to dinner with friends or your family. Take in the latest moving or binge watch
past episodes of your favorite show. Get out of the house for the weekend and go
somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Take a little bit of time to recharge your batteries, and to
let the sting of rejection fade. Then take a deep breath, and dive right back
in. If the rejection included a personal note, reread it and see if it’s worth
addressing. If not, move on. Identify your next set of targets, and set out
another round of queries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A short break can help a lot, but keep it short. It is far
too easy for a few days off to turn into weeks, months, even years. Don’t let
that happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Write Something New</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You may think the story or book that just got rejected is
the best thing you have ever written. And it may be. But that doesn’t mean it
is the best thing you will ever write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always have another project in progress, or waiting to be
started. You should already be writing something new while you’re waiting to
hear back on your last set of queries anyway. Use the power and energy of
creation, of crafting an even better story, to help get you past the disappointment
of rejection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don’t be afraid to send different works out to the same agents
and editors, either. The first story might not have resonated with them, but
they may absolutely adore the second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Silence Your Biggest Critic</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even the most brilliant, egotistical, bombastic blowhard harbors
self-doubt. For those of us mere mortals, we live our lives surrounded by doubt
on every side. Receiving a rejection is just one more excuse for us to think
the least of ourselves and our abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don’t fall into that trap. Take your self-doubt, slap it
around a little bit, and kick it to the wayside. It isn’t doing you any good. A
rejection does not mean you are a bad writer—some of the best and most prolific
writers racked up hundreds of rejections before making their first sale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And even famous, extensively published authors get rejected.
Jane Yolen, award-winning author of more than 370 books for children, still
receives rejections. Here’s what she has to say about it:<sup>1</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some
rejections I curse the editor for being dense, uncaring, lying, or incompetent.
Some I curse publishing in general, its emphasis on bestsellerdom, its
attention to bottom line, its incapacity for surprise. Occasionally I curse
myself: I’m not good enough for the idea. I was too facile. I sent it to the
wrong editor. I am too demanding, not demanding enough.<o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But
I did the only thing possible, given a rejection. I turned right around and
sent the little picture books off again, by email, to someone else.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Rejection is a Win</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It may not seem like it, but being rejected is not the worst
thing that could happen to you as a writer. Not receiving rejections is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you never receive a rejection, it almost certainly means
you never submitted your work in the first place. You never sent a query. You
never even tried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only sure way to guarantee that you will never be published
is to never try. Accept rejections for what they are: proof that you are
trying, and will keep trying, until you succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><sup>1 </sup>Taken from Jane Yolen’s <a href="http://janeyolen.com/for-writers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">For Writers: Frequently Asked Questions</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-68166737751784686692019-03-23T07:11:00.000-07:002019-03-23T07:11:01.134-07:00Weekend Writing Prompt 4<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b>While
fighting off a horde of zombies/vampires/werewolves/whatever, your hero
discovers a way of killing/defeating them that no one else knows.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">If you come
up with a good response, please consider sharing it. Complete <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/EKdgMumyFgqnDjag2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS FORM</a> with
your story and some basic info no later than Friday, March 29. I’ll pick my favorite
response and share it on the blog on Friday, April 5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-2401196231580032502019-03-22T06:38:00.000-07:002019-03-22T06:38:03.662-07:00Writing Prompt 2 Winner<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was completely blown away by this snippet from Terry G., age 15, of Norfolk, VA. He took last week's prompt and went way above and beyond anything I was expecting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prompt was: <b>Describe your house (or somewhere else) using only the
senses of hearing, feeling, smell, and taste (no sight!).</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terry went with "somewhere else" and definitely knocked it out of the park. Enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The sharp clatter
of hooves on cobblestones vanished at least an hour ago, replaced by rhythmic pounding
on a hard-packed dirt road. As we make a sudden turn to the right, their gait
slows to a walk, and deep grass muffles their progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">No more dust
at least, I think. I try once again to clear my throat, to cough up the cloying
dirt, but the gag makes it impossible. The weak spasms bounce my body against
the back of the man who guides our horse, scraping my cheek against his coarse
shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Murmuring voices
drift from ahead, but they are too indistinct to make out over the jangle of harnesses,
the rustle of slender legs through tall grass, the blowing of the nearly
exhausted horses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">A swirling
gust dries the dusty sweat on my face, carrying with it the scent of orchids
and cowberries. The meadow we’re crossing must boast a respectable display of flowers,
but the men were quite thorough with my blindfold and I can’t see a petal. I wouldn’t
even be sure the sun was still up were it not warming my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">A moment
later, the world grows suddenly colder as the sunlight vanishes and the thump
of hooves on grass is replaced by rustling leaves and snapping twigs. A patch
of woods, perhaps a forest. The trees could not have been too thickly
clustered, as we ride another fifteen minutes before finally pulling to a stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The man
before me dismounts and unties the cord that bind my legs to the horse. I am dragged
from my seat and unceremoniously dumped on the ground. Before I can stand up,
or even work some circulation into my dead legs, my ankles are pushed together
and wrapped with rope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Comfortable,
your Lordship?” a cruel voice asks, before breaking into a raucous laugh. Coarse
hands drag me across the ground and prop me against a tree. Another rope is looped
under my arms and wrapped around the tree, tugging against my chest as it is
tied on the far side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Over the next
hour, they unsaddle the horses, build a fire, cook their dinner. My stomach
rumbles at the smell of a savory stew, venison as near as I can tell. Despite
my hunger, I don’t think I could keep anything down. Not that it matters. No
one offers me even a single bite. I taste nothing but the dust of the road that
still clings to my gag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The men are
careful. Far more careful than I would have credited. Talk is minimal. There
are no threats, no boasting, no banter. Not a single name gets used, nor any hint
of where they are taking me, or why. Though why seems obvious. It must be for
money. My family has no influence at court that might be manipulated, but they
do have plenty of money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Tree frogs
and crickets begin their nighttime song. The breeze has died, but the cold
seeps in from every side. I am too far from the fire to enjoy any of its
warmth. No one offers me a cloak or a blanket. It will be a long, uncomfortable
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I lean my head
back against the tree. Coarse bark grinds against my skin. When I tip my head
forward again to try another angle, strands of my hair cling to the tree.
Great. Just what I needed. Pine sap in my hair, on top of everything else. There
is nothing for it. I settle my head back again, hoping to find a more
comfortable position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I know I must
have dozed off somehow. The frogs have quieted enough to tell me a couple of
hours have passed. Now their mating cries vie against the snoring of my
captors. I am just about to try sleeping again when I realize someone is right
next to me. I can feel the radiant warmth of their body on my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Don’t make a
sound.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The whisper borders
on the inaudible, the speaker’s lips so close to my ear that they tickle it.
The words bring a smile to my face and hope to my heart for the first time
since I was seized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Irina. I
should have known she’d find me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Cold steel
rubs against my wrist as a wickedly sharp knife slices through my bonds. In a moment
my hands are free. I work to silently rub some feeling back into them as the
knife moves to my feet, to my gag, and at last to my blindfold. The knife vanishes,
to be replaced by strong, slender hands. Irina helps me to my feet. She doesn’t
make a sound. I do. But not so much that anyone could hear it over the
reverberating snores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Don’t move
unless you have to,” Irina breaths. “If you must, head left. My horse is near
the road. I’ll be right back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The night is dark,
the fire down to the last faint embers, the leaves blocking the starlight. I
can barely make out the tree next to me, can’t see the sleeping shapes on the
ground at all. That’s okay. I don’t want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I close my
eyes and listen to Irina work. I hear nothing of her movements, but I can track
her nonetheless as she moves through the camp. One by one, the snores go
silent. I almost feel sorry for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Almost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-66778163295083952282019-03-21T06:17:00.000-07:002019-03-21T06:17:02.643-07:00Writers of the Future Contest<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funded by the estate of writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Writers of the Future contest is open any non-professional author (no or very limited previous publications).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are looking for science fiction, fantasy, and dark fantasy stories of up to 17,000 words in length. This contest does not accept poetry or stories intended for children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The contest runs four times a year, and prizes are $1000, $750, and $500 each quarter. Quarterly winners are also eligible for the annual prize of $5000.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The current contest ends March 31, with the next round running from April 1 to June 30.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no entry fee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more details and to enter the contest, see the <a href="https://www.writersofthefuture.com/Contest-Rules-Writers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Writers of the Future </a>website.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span><br />
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-36913066011800427892019-03-19T05:15:00.000-07:002019-03-19T05:15:06.420-07:00Review: The Girl King by Mimi Yu<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1681198894/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1681198894&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=8e3b0809df40b13e3a1c6de2e09a861c" target="_blank"><img align="right" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1681198894&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=ceruwomb-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ceruwomb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1681198894" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lu may be the
oldest of the Emperor’s children, both girls, but that in no way ensures that
she will become Emperor after him. There has never been a female Emperor, and
most of the land’s nobles want to keep it that way. Even though her entire life
has been spent training to rule—in combat, in court etiquette, in history, in
tactics—there is the very real chance that she will never get the opportunity
to put them into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lu suddenly
finds herself betrayed by everyone around her: tutors, generals, the man who
would be her husband, and even her own parents. She must go on the run to find
new supporters in her bid for the throne, with only the help of Nokhai, one of
the shape-shifters whose family her own father destroyed. Meanwhile, her sister
Minyi is trapped in the world that Lu leaves behind, and must struggle to discover
her own identity now that she is no longer overshadowed by her older sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mimi Yu presents
a vivid, well-constructed fantasy world inspired by the empires of Asia. The imperial
palace and courtly life are intricately detailed and portrayed—you can feel the
weight of history surrounding Lu and vainly attempting to mold her into a role
she does not want to accept. Yu effectively contrasts the disparity between the
nobility and the common man without being blunt or overbearing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The plot is
as twisted as a nest of vipers, which leaves the pace of the book feeling a
little slow at first as all of the strands are introduced. But there is nothing
slow about most of the novel, and the ending is over almost too quickly,
leaving you begging for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Released in
January 2019, <a href="https://amzn.to/2FigM9z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Girl King</a> is Mimi Yu’s first novel, but it is clear it won’t
be her last. If you are a lover of high fantasy, imperfect characters, and shadowy
intrigue that leaves you constantly guessing, The Girl King is the book for
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-6188983992701792892019-03-18T06:19:00.000-07:002019-03-18T06:19:05.550-07:00Are Adverbs Evil?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writers use
adverbs. From great writers to horrible writers, best sellers to those who will
never be published, every writer uses adverbs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">So why do so
many writers hate adverbs? Why do you so often see the advice to avoid them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">What Are
Adverbs?</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully you
already know this one. Much like an adjective modifies a noun, an adverb is “a
word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb
or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner,
cause, degree, etc.” A lot of folks think adverbs only modify verbs, but note
that they can modify other things too, including adjectives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">For example: The
dog ran quickly down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Here’s, it’s
obvious that quickly is an adverb. It tells us how the dog ran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Example 2:
The cat had unusually shiny fur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Here, shiny
is an adjective (it modifies the noun, fur), while unusually is an adverb that
modifies the adjective (it modifies shiny, telling us more about the shininess
of the fur).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Many adverbs
are easy to spot because they end in -ly, but not all of them do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Why Are They
Bad?</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, if adverbs
exist (and they certainly do), and every writer uses them, why do they tell you
not to use them?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The answer
isn’t that adverbs are evil. They are overused. In particular, they are used to
shore up weak verbs or adjectives, rather than finding a stronger word to begin
with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Back to our
first example. The dog ran quickly down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">There’s
nothing inherently wrong with the sentence. By itself, it’s a perfectly
understandable sentence. But as authors, we’re not going just for
understandable. We want to craft lyrical, amazing sentences that capture the
reader’s attention and make them say, “Wow, this is an incredible story!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">So how do we
do that? Use stronger, more descriptive nouns and adjectives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The dog
dashed down the road. The dog scampered down the road. The dog raced down the
road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Every one of
these sentences conveys a sense of running quickly, but because speed is
already built into the verbs, no adverb is needed. We don’t need to write that
the dog raced quickly down the road, because it’s difficult to imagine that it
raced slowly down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Overused
Adverbs</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here’s a
short list of frequently overused (and misused) adverbs:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">very<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">really<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">totally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">literally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">often<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">actually<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">probably<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">suddenly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">usually<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">kind of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">extremely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">truly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">hopefully<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">perfectly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">There are
many others that you might overuse yourself, but these tend to be common to
many writers. And in many cases, they can be eliminated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Adverbs Aren’t
Evil</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is
nothing wrong with adverbs. They exist for a reason. But if you overuse them,
your writing will look sloppy and amateur. Cut as many as you can, so that the
adverbs you do choose to keep enhance your writing, rather than detract from
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">One rule of
thumb is no more than one adverb per 300 words of text. For a standard letter-sized
page, doubled spaced, 1” margins, and 12-point font, that means about one adverb
per page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">If you use a
few more, you may be safe. If you use a lot more, be prepared for criticism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">But don’t
ever let anyone tell you that you can’t use any adverbs at all. They’re part of
the language, and they aren’t evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-39349066802955475552019-03-16T05:47:00.000-07:002019-03-16T05:47:10.743-07:00Weekend Writing Prompt 3 <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Write a poem about Spring which does not include any of
these words: warm, rain, flower, sun, grass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bonus challenge: also avoid using the word “the” or any word
ending in -ly<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be as creative as you can. Length is no object--in fact, the longer, the better. Come on, you can do better than a haiku.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you come up with a good response, please consider sharing
it. Complete <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/EKdgMumyFgqnDjag2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS FORM</a> with your poem and some basic info no later than
Friday, March 22. I’ll pick my favorite response and share it on the blog on the following Friday, March 29.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span><br />
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-66456031042004683092019-03-15T07:36:00.001-07:002019-03-15T07:36:25.647-07:00Writing Prompt 1 Winner<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congratulations to <b>Sean M., 16, of Lincoln, Nebraska</b>, for submitting the winning response to Weekend Writing Prompt 1.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prompt was: Your parents accidentally leave something sitting out that
you were never meant to discover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's Sean's story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Maybe I Should Have Just Asked</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Now,
before you do anything rash, give me a minute or two to explain what’s been going
on. I think you’ll agree that it’s all my parents’ fault, and I really
shouldn’t be blamed for any of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I’ll
be the first to admit that I’ve always been a bit too curious for my own good,
and it’s gotten me into trouble before, though nothing like this. Even so, I’d
never though too much about the file cabinet that Dad keeps locked all the
time. And I’d never even seen the lock box that was sitting open on his desk yesterday
afternoon. But Dad freaked when I walked in and saw the box. He shoved some
papers into it and locked it before I could get a look at them. The locked box
went into the file cabinet, and it got locked, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Despite
my curiosity, that might have been the end of it. Dad keeps the keys on him at
all times. I had no chance of getting into the file cabinet without some
serious tools, and there was no way I could get at the box without leaving major
evidence that I had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I
asked Dad what was in the box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Financial
papers,” he said. “Life insurance, stuff like that. Nothing you need to worry
about.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Uh
huh. Right. Sure, maybe parents don’t like their teenage kids thinking about
life insurance and death and all that junk. I get that. But Dad’s reaction was
way overboard for something that simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Just
then, Mom pulled into the driveway, back from the grocery store. Dad went out
to help her unload. I lagged behind for a few seconds, fake tying my shoe, then
checked the top of the desk as soon as Dad was out of sight. Notes from work
were scattered around, along with several spreadsheets (Dad’s an accountant,
possibly the dullest job in the history of the world). I was about to give up
when I saw something that didn’t fit tucked most of the way under a page full
of numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">It
was a birth certificate. No big deal. I had seen mine a couple of times, most
recently when I got my temps. I was about to tuck it back where it was when I
read the name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Faustino
Torini.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I
had never heard the name before. At first, I wondered if it was some distant
uncle or something, but this guy was born in 2003, the same year as me. The
same day, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Tony,
come give us a hand!” Mom called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">My
time was up. I had only a split second to make a decision. I made the wrong
one. I should have just put it back on the desk, but I didn’t. I slipped the
birth certificate into my pocket instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">After
supper, I headed upstairs and pulled the paper out from under my pillow where I
had stashed it. There was no question about it. Faustino Torini, born January
17th, 2003. The exact same day as me. But this kid was born in New York City.
His parents were Giorgio Torini and Delfina Speranza, also both born in New
York. I’d never heard of either of them, either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Except...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Giorgio’s
birthday was June 9th, just like Dad’s. And Delfina’s birthday was November 22nd,
just like Mom’s. I thought the years might be the same, too, though I couldn’t
remember for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">But
I was Anthony Miller, Dad was Michael Miller, and Mom was Angela Watterson
Miller. I’d been born in Fostoria, Ohio, and lived here my entire life. My
parents were born in Akron and Pittsburgh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Just
what the heck was going on here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Why
did Dad keep a birth certificate for some random kid locked up with his
important papers? If that’s really what they were. And what was up with the
birth dates?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I
suppose I could have asked my parents, but I doubted that I would get any
answers, and I would definitely get in serious trouble. Although, being grounded
and losing the car keys for a month doesn’t sound so bad in retrospect, given
the current situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I
turned to the internet, instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">For
all the good it did me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">There
were exactly zero hits for ‘Faustino Torini.’ Zilch. Nada. It was like the kid
never existed. I figured he might go by a nickname, but had no clue what it
might be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">‘Delfina
Speranza’ turned up a few dozen hits, but they were all in Italian. Same with
‘Giorgio Torini.’ As far as I could tell, none of these people lived in the
United States, or ever had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I
went to bed more confused than ever. It looked like I was going to have to
confront my parents after all. But that could wait for morning. I wanted to
sleep on it first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">There
were so many things I might have done differently. I could have never looked
for the birth certificate in the first place. I could have left it where it
was, unread. I could have asked Mom and Dad about it. I could have not done all
those internet searches. I could have tried more variations on the names.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">That
last one, as it turns out, was rather important. I didn’t know it at the time,
but while ‘Giorgio Torini’ had very few hits, if I had tried ‘George Torini’ I
would have found quite a few. Most of them about the time he spent as an accountant
for the mob, or the trial of several major Mafioso where he turned state’s
evidence, landing them in jail, before he was swept away into the witness
protection program with his wife Fina and their infant son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">It’s
all a matter of trust, you see. If my parents had trusted me more, they would
have already told me the truth. If I had trusted them more, I would have asked
them what was going on. Instead, I did a bunch of internet searches that lit up
the mob’s watch list like a Christmas tree, all of them traceable directly back
to me. And when the front door got kicked in at three in the morning, I didn’t
instantly jump out a window and start running, because I didn’t know that I
should.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">And
that, Mr. Mob Hitman, is why I’d really rather you didn’t shoot me right now.
I’m having a hard time coming to terms with all of this happening so suddenly
and feeling rather vulnerable. I need some time to process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Maybe
you could come back in a couple of weeks and we’ll see how things are going
then?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Manuscript" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-74009049696115937872019-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:002019-03-14T06:00:02.460-07:00Podcast Contest for Writers Ages 8-13<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Calling all
#youngwriters – specifically those between 8 and 13 years old. <i><a href="http://stonesoup.com/" target="_blank">Stone Soup</a></i> has
teamed up with AV Education, which produces the <a href="https://www.aveducation.org/by-kids-for-kids---story-time" target="_blank">By Kids For Kids – Story Time Podcast</a>. The podcast features stories performed by kids, and now for the first
time, written by kids, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">They are
looking for original short stories between 500-1,000 words. For this contest,
the theme is climate change. Your challenge: deliver a great story in a fun and
accessible style. The Story Time podcast tends towards fantasy, magical, or
fairy tale type stories, but any great story is acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Top prize
includes having your story made into a podcast and featured on the Story Time
website. First, second, and third prize winners will all have their stories
published in <i>Stone Soup</i> as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b>The deadline for
entries is April 15</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Check out the
<a href="https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/current-contests/" target="_blank">Stone Soup contest page</a> for more details and a link to enter your story. Good
luck!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-42169887173478955332019-03-13T15:25:00.000-07:002019-03-13T15:25:45.745-07:00Review: Slayer by Kiersten White<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534404953/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1534404953&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=02cf3c3af216b6503a220302b87f58f0" target="_blank"><img align="right" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1534404953&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=ceruwomb-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ceruwomb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1534404953" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my all-time
favorite TV series has to be Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. I loved it when it came
out, I loved it during reruns, I’ve got all of the DVDs, and I’ve watched them
all several times. So, when I saw that a new novel was out set in the Buffyverse,
I knew I had to read it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Watchers
have been training and guiding slayers since time immemorial. There are
definite rules and expectations set for slayers by the Watcher Council, and
Buffy violated every one of them. When she divorced herself from the Council,
Buffy weakened it. Then, two years ago, she broke the magic that called young
women to be slayers, unleashing a thousand new slayers on the world, decimating
the Watcher Council and throwing the few remaining Watchers into complete
disarray. And just two months ago, she destroyed the source of magic itself,
shutting off Earth from the demon dimensions, and trapping all that remained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Needless to
say, as the daughter of Watchers, Athena (better known as Nina) is far from
pleased with Buffy’s actions. She lives in the tiny enclave of remaining
Watchers with her twin sister, Artemis, but knows that she will never be a
Watcher herself. She has always been the weaker twin, the less aggressive, and
has resigned herself to a life as a medic in the service of the Watchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But something
happened to Nina when Buffy destroyed Seed of Wonder, infusing her with
something she doesn’t understand. Fearing it might be a demonic force, Nina
never shared what she felt with anyone, not even her twin. When a hellhound suddenly
appears and Nina is forced to kill it with her bare hands, the truth is
revealed: not only is Nina now a Slayer, but with no more magic in the world,
she is the very last of the Slayer line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">White has
done a remarkable job of creating a new story and new beginning within the
existing world of Buffy. The feel of <a href="https://amzn.to/2O9RjlD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slayer</a> is a bit darker than the first few seasons
of the TV series, but it matches well with the later seasons and with the comic
book series that followed. At the same time, White weaves in the same style of
wry humor that Buffy fans expect. Despite a relatively low number of fight
scenes, the book maintains a rapid pace, building a taunt and gripping story
that goes beyond violent action; again, just what Buffy fans expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But even if
you’re completely unfamiliar with everything that has come before, you won’t be
lost. Slayer stands alone on its own merit, and makes an excellent read for any
fan of urban fantasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-80572179139693467082019-03-11T06:10:00.000-07:002019-03-11T06:10:02.735-07:00You Have Five Senses – Use Them!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">When you’re
asked to describe something, what is your automatic first response? For most of
us, we start talking about how it looks. We focus on light, color, texture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Many authors
are the same way. Their books are full of wonderful visual descriptions of people
and places. You can almost see yourself in the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">But can you
hear the picture? Smell it? We have five senses, and as a writer it’s up to you
to use them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hearing</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Close your
eyes for a minute and listen to the world around you. Eyes open again? Good.
Okay, so what did you hear?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I hear the
quiet whir of my computer’s fan, muffled voices coming through the wall, a
distant rumble as the furnace turns on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">What does
that tell you about my setting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Obviously, I’m
not at Starbucks. I’m not out dancing, or hanging out with friends, or running
for my life from a horde of zombies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Force your
characters to close their eyes and listen. Start with the loud, obvious sounds.
A plane flying overhead (or a dragon). A jackhammer. Car horns. Swords crashing
against shields. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Not only will
your readers learn more about your setting, but your characters will, too. The
quiet scuff of a foot on the carpet might be the only thing that saves them
from the serial killer sneaking up on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Having them
hear their completely non-romantic best friend whisper “I love you” can
change the entire tone of your book. Be sure to listen for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Touch</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Very often,
we can guess what something feels like just by looking at it, and from past
experience. A cat’s fur is usually soft and warm, fire is hot, sandpaper is
coarse. We don’t need to touch them to know that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">But there are
many things that are less obvious. Run your fingers along the wall-is it smooth,
textured, rough, warm, cool, damp, slimy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Is the ground
under your feet hard-packed dirt or soft loam? Is the concrete rough or smooth?
Does the sandy beach scorch your bare feet, or push coldly up between your
toes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Touch can be
an especially strong tool when it’s unexpected. Elegant looking clothes that turn
out stiff and scratchy. A metal doorknob that is burning hot because of a fire
on the far side, or icy cold because of a ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Smell</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We often
ignore our sense of smell because we don’t consider it that important. Just as
often, we wish we could ignore it because something really stinks. But as a
writer, you need to pay attention, especially when you want to feed your
characters vital clues.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The faint
whiff of gasoline warns of impending arson. The odor of decay promises that the
missing camper is nearby, and not as healthy as you had hoped. The alluring scent
of perfume rising from the envelope tells you this
isn’t hate mail, but far from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Smell is also
an incredibly strong provoker of memories. The right smell can send you years
into your past, to the heavenly aroma of your grandmother’s kitchen whenever
she baked cinnamon rolls, or to the sharp antiseptic bite of the hospital room
where you held her hand as she slipped away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taste</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taste can be one
of the hardest senses to use when building descriptions. Let’s face it, other
than when we eat, we don’t rely on our sense of taste much at all. But it
shouldn’t be overlooked, either.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">When your
characters kiss, do they taste salty sweat, cherry lip balm, steel braces, sour
unbrushed teeth? A bloody lip may taste salty and metallic. You may taste the ozone
from an electrical discharge more than you smell it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">And by all
means, when your characters are eating, describe how it tastes, especially if
it is new, different, delicious, horrible, anything but normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sight</span></b></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Naturally, vision
is very important, and we should never lose sight of it (pun fully intended). But
be sure to look past the surface. Search for those tiny details that take your
readers beyond the normal, everyday world and immerse them fully in your
creation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">While you
could fill a book with descriptions that are purely visual, it will be incomplete.
Force your readers to experience your writing with all five of their senses,
and you’ll keep them coming back for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-89641051591830820792019-03-09T05:51:00.000-08:002019-03-09T05:51:00.783-08:00Weekend Writing Prompt 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Describe your house (or somewhere else) using only the
senses of hearing, feeling, smell, and taste (no sight!).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you come up with a good response, please consider sharing it. Complete </span><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/EKdgMumyFgqnDjag2" style="color: #1466c9; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">THIS FORM</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> with your story and some basic info no later than Friday, March 15. I’ll pick my favorite response and share it on the blog the following Friday.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Happy writing, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-21224705180241237772019-03-07T06:06:00.000-08:002019-03-07T06:06:02.245-08:00Sarah Mook Poetry Contest<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now in its 15th year, the Sarah Mook Poetry Contest is for students in grades K-12. It includes cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25
for first, second, and third place in each category: kindergarten through
second grade, third through fifth, sixth through eighth, and ninth through
twelfth. </span></span>
<br />
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Previous winners may
enter again with new poems.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rules:</span>
<br />
<ul><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; "><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<li>you may enter no more
than two poems</li>
<li>the poems must be
your original work</li>
<li>you must be a K-12
student (entries from homeschooled students are welcome)</li>
<li>poems may be any
length, in any style, and on any subject</li>
<li>entries must be
postmarked by March 31, 2019</li>
</span></span></ul>
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; "><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; "><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Results will be announced
in late May.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; ">
</span>
<br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; "><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For more information,
entry address, past winners, and judge’s comments, see <a href="http://www.sarahmookpoetrycontest.com/">www.sarahmookpoetrycontest.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; "><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></span></div>
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; ">
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</span>Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-7598975793670315142019-03-05T06:38:00.000-08:002019-03-05T06:38:00.580-08:00Review: Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419731467/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419731467&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=e61ea6a4ae011ccea82abad55e764ee6" target="_blank"><img align="right" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1419731467&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=ceruwomb-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ceruwomb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419731467" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even though t</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he rebellion
was decisively crushed four years ago, Cassa and her friends have never given
up hope of bringing down the ruling council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But how do
you fight someone who knows the future, who can predict your actions before
you even know them yourself? The council of Eldra have ruled for centuries because
of the seers and their predictions. Every major event in history, and those yet
to come, have been seen and recorded, telling the council exactly what they
need to do to retain control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When random
citizens begin to suddenly get struck down, losing all of their memories and
becoming nothing but empty shells, Cassa and her friends know they need to act.
They hatch a daring plan to sneak into the citadel and gather evidence, but are
betrayed and captured before they can even begin their task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419731467/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419731467&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=b24b1462acc6d885b19ee714064b45c3" target="_blank">Beneath the Citadel</a>,<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ceruwomb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419731467" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />being sentenced to death is only the beginning of the story. Soria
unfolds a complex tale of plots and counterplots, intrigue, predictions, and
outright lies. Nothing is quite what it seems, and it is difficult to tell which
side anyone is truly on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Released in October 2018, this is Soria's second book (her first was <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419721925/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419721925&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=93a35d5da893aa7ec970807a9e01ca88" target="_blank">Iron Cast</a>).<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ceruwomb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419721925" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Soria's writing
is compelling and draws you forward at a rapid pace, but does not skimp when it
comes to crafting a lavishly constructed world and multi-layered characters. The
seers and diviners might know what’s coming next, but the reader never does.
You won’t want to put it down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-80517820101564710112019-03-04T06:19:00.000-08:002019-03-04T06:19:01.163-08:007 Ways to Boost Your Writing Productivity<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every once in a while, I find myself with
extra time on my hands and nothing much to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But most of the time, I’m scrambling simply
to make it through the day without letting anything important slip. Chances
are, you’re in the same boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Between school, work, family, clubs, sports,
friends, and everything else, there’s often not much time left to write. That
means you need to make the most of the limited time you have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are seven tips on getting the most out
of your writing time.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Limit
Social Media<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s easy to spend hours on Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and other social media platforms. While there’s
nothing inherently wrong with social media—many successful authors are on it
all the time—it can quickly consume all of your writing time. Don’t let it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Set yourself a goal: “I can’t go on Instagram
until I’ve written 500 words.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make sure it’s practical and achievable. If
your goal is too hard to reach, you’ll ignore it. But don’t make it too easy,
either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Or instead of a goal, set a time limit. Set
your phone’s timer for 15 minutes before you go online. When the timer goes
off, it’s time to shut down your apps and get back to writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Have
a Writing Spot<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the best ways to focus on writing is
to have a special writing spot. Make sure it is comfortable, well enough lit,
and quiet enough that you can concentrate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If possible, pick a spot that you use only
for writing. Don’t do anything else there. No email, no texting, no social
media. Don’t even read books there. Use it only for writing. By not using that
spot for anything else, it can help you focus just on writing whenever you’re
there.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Have
a Writing Time<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With our hectic schedules, it can be tough to
pick out one particular time to use for writing every day. But if you can do
it, it will help you focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It doesn’t matter what time you pick, as long
as it works for you. Many writers are best first thing in the morning. Many
authors write better just before bed. Right before or after supper is often a
good, consistent time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Naturally, that doesn’t mean you can’t write
at other times. But having a consistent time to write ensures you fit at least
some writing time into your schedule almost every day.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Take
a Break<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Does not writing actually make you more
productive as a writer? Well, sometimes it can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you’re only writing for 15 or 20 minutes a
day, breaks aren’t important. But if you do manage to sit down for a longer
session, they can make a huge difference. Especially when you’re stuck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Get up. Stretch. Get a drink or snack. Go for
a walk. Exercise not only rejuvenates your body, it helps clear your mind.
While you’re being physically active, your mind will relax and the ideas will
begin to flow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just don’t take so many breaks that you never
get any writing done.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Build
a Playlist<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This one depends a lot on you. Some writers
work best when it’s quiet. But many others like to listen to music as they
write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Music speaks to the creative areas of your
brain and may be just what you need to get those writing juices flowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But not all music works equally well. Your
favorite songs, the ones you have to sing along with, may distract you rather than
help you. Pick songs that blend into the background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Select songs that promote a particular mood.
Writing something lighthearted and funny? Pick upbeat songs. Writing a zombie
apocalypse? Something darker is called for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Experiment with volume, too. Some people
write better to quiet music; others like it loud.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Keep
a Journal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A journal is helpful on so many levels. Not
only is it good, constant writing practice, but it’s the best place to record
all of those great ideas that pop into your head at random times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whenever you’re stuck on a story or a scene,
flip through your journal. Somewhere in there is the answer. Ideas tucked away
into corners weeks, months, or even years ago will leap out at just the right
time to get you back on track.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Find
a Writing Buddy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Writing by its very nature is a solitary
pursuit. Yes, some authors collaborate, but even then, most writing gets done
separately. And because writing is solitary, it has some drawbacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of the time there’s no accountability.
Unless you’ve managed to land a paid writing job, there’s no one looking over
your shoulder to make sure you’re getting the job done. When you write by
yourself, it’s easy to slack off, set the work aside, and not get much
accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A writing buddy is someone who can pester you
on a regular basis to see how your story is coming. They are someone you can
bounce ideas off of. Once you have finished your story, they can give you
feedback. And you do exactly the same to keep them on track, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Your writing time is limited. Make the most
of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-42643233096395828582019-03-02T05:19:00.000-08:002019-03-02T05:19:04.039-08:00Weekend Writing Prompt 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Your parents accidentally leave something sitting out that
you were never meant to discover.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you come up with a good response, please consider sharing
it. Complete </span><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/EKdgMumyFgqnDjag2" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">THIS FORM</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with your story and some basic info no later than Friday, March 8. I’ll pick my favorite response and share it on the blog the following Friday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy writing, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-80030595895463865762019-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:002019-03-01T10:15:41.889-08:00Become a Scholastic News Kids Press Reporter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calling all 10-14 year-olds! Scholastic News is currently seeking its next set of Kids Press Corps reporters for the 2019-2020 year. This is an incredible opportunity to not only showcase your writing, but to get to meet some incredible people and report on amazing stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To qualify, you must:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- be at least 10 years old as of August 31, 2019, but not over 14 years old</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- complete an application, which includes writing a personal essay and sample news story</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All applications are due no later that May 31, 2019. No late applications accepted!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To see the kinds of stories that the Kids Press Corps reports, see their main page at <a href="http://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/">http://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more details and to apply, see <a href="http://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/page/how-join-scholastic-news-kids-press-corps">http://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/page/how-join-scholastic-news-kids-press-corps</a>.</span><br />
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-27141634032975672422019-02-28T05:00:00.000-08:002019-02-28T05:00:00.853-08:00Harmony Ink Press Young Author Challenge<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Harmony Ink Press is looking for young authors (ages 14-21)
who write in the LGBTQ+ genre to submit short stories for their sixth annual
Young Author Challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Your main characters should be 14 – 21 years old. They can
be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or anywhere else on the LGBTQ+
spectrum, including characters who are still in the process of working out their sexual/gender
identity. Your story should portray positive LGBTQ+ characters who grow or
change for the better in some way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be considered, your submissions needs to be between 2,000
– 10,000 words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Young Author Challenge only accepts work from authors
between the ages of 14 – 21.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Selected stories will be published in an anthology to be
released in both paperback and eBook formats. Payment ranges from $70 – $100
depending on story length.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This challenge is especially exciting because you are
guaranteed to receive feedback from at least one published author, whether your
submission is accepted or not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Submission Deadline: May 1, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Publication Date: October 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Send your submission to submissions@harmonyinkpress.com.
Be sure to include “Young Author Challenge Submission” in the subject line of the
e-mail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/news/harmony-ink-young-author-challenge-2019-319" target="_blank">Harmony Ink Press</a> website.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-22572880725549078662019-02-26T08:28:00.000-08:002019-02-26T09:09:15.779-08:00Review: Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101931000/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1101931000&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=47da915c24da3621670df902a634a42e" target="_blank"><img align="right" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1101931000&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=ceruwomb-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ceruwomb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1101931000" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It would be
tough to describe Sarah Beth Durst’s latest novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fire & Heist,</i> any better than she did herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I had the
idea for this book while I was eating pizza (with mozzarella, tomato slices,
and balsamic vinegar—yum!) and talking about heist movies with my awesome
family. Midbite, I jumped up and said, ‘I want to write <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ocean’s Eleven</i> with were-dragons!’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Released in
December, 2018, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fire & Heist</i> is
Durst's seventeenth novel, and it does not disappoint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sky Hawkins
is a 16-year-old wyvern (or were-dragon, as she likes to think of herself). Wyverns
have lived among humans for centuries, but have made every effort to keep
themselves separate. Despite their power, they are vastly outnumbered, and
always in danger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In wyvern
society, reputation is everything, and it’s based in large part on how much
gold you own and how craftily you acquire it. The more daring and difficult the
heist, the more respected the victory becomes. And when it came to reputation,
Sky’s family was riding high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then Sky’s
mother failed in an attempted heist. Their reputation plummeted, and they were ostracized
among the wyverns, nearly outcast. But that didn’t matter to Sky nearly as much
as the fact that her mother vanished without a trace. Her father hints that she
is still alive, but no one will tell Sky anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Determined to
discover the truth and find her mother, Sky reenacts her mother’s last heist,
breaking into a heavily protected vault and recovering a rare gem. Sky must
recruit a diverse team of friends—and a few not-so-friends—to have any chance
of success. And she can’t let her father or brothers figure out what’s going
on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pulling the heist
off means restoring her family’s reputation and finding her mother. Failure
means permanent expulsion from wyvern society—if she lives that long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Durst has
crafted a complex and deeply satisfying world, full of twists, turns, and intrigue.
Her descriptions are vivid and compelling, and there’s no shortage of action on
any page. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101931000/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1101931000&linkCode=as2&tag=ceruwomb-20&linkId=ba5c68ea2ca3266719f579bf4b5f56ab" target="_blank">Fire & Heist</a></i> is a
gripping combination of thriller and contemporary fantasy that will make a
great addition to your bookshelf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-21325510576687974732019-02-25T12:53:00.000-08:002019-02-25T12:53:49.572-08:005 Ways of Knowing That You Are a Writer<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many writers in this world, and many others who
want to be writers. There are even more who think it might be fun to be a
writer, but have never given it any serious thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what makes a writer? How do you know if you are one? Or
if you even have what it takes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are five characteristics that most writers have in
common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You Read All the Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writers don’t just pop up out of nowhere. Every single one
of them was a reader first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In most cases (but certainly not all), writers tend to be
those kids who were the first to start reading. The ones who read anything and
everything they could get their hands on. The ones who were reading books that
their parents, teachers, and friends told them were too hard for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine trying to go out on the field and play baseball when
you’ve never watched a single game. That’s like trying to write without
reading. You have to know the rules. You have to understand the flow of the
game. To write, you have to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you’re a voracious reader, you’ve already taken the first
steps towards being a writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you be a writer without constantly reading? Yes, but it might be quite a bit harder, and you'll probably make more mistakes that could be avoided just by reading more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You Read Actively<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s a sad fact that many teens, and even more adults, don’t
read anything they don’t have to. And even if they do read, a lot of
people—probably even the majority—read just for fun. They only see what’s on
the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But writers dig deeper when they read. They examine the
structure of the story. They revel in the descriptions. They don’t just read
the dialogue, they hear it. They try to predict what’s going to happen next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s nothing at all wrong with reading just for pleasure.
Every writer does it, many of them every single day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But if you find yourself looking past the words, if you
envision yourself in the story and how it might play out differently, then
you’ve definitely got the makings of a writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You Collect Ideas<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just about every writing conference, panel session, or
author talk I’ve ever been too, one of the questions that gets asked is, “Where
do you get your ideas?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the answer is the same every single time: everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writers don’t invent their stories out of thin air. They
look closely at the world around them. They observe events. They watch people.
They listen. And they find ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But here’s the important part: they not only find ideas
everywhere they look—they write them down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the biggest, most important things you can do as a
writer is to keep your eyes open for story ideas, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">write them down</i>! Keep an idea journal. Carry it with you whenever
you can. When you can’t, at least carry some note cards or scratch paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ideas are everywhere, but they’re incredibly fleeting. You
might think you’ll remember that absolutely wonderful idea forever, but what if
you don’t? Jot it down right away, any way you can, and add it to your idea
journal when you get a chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good writers never have to struggle to come up with ideas.
Just by watching the world around them, they find far more ideas than they can
ever use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You Connect Ideas<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what do you do with all of those ideas you’ve collected?
All those characters, settings, turns of phrase, puns, events?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By themselves, individual ideas aren’t that useful. But once
you put them together, that’s when you have a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writers will often begin a story by taking two or three (or
more) of their ideas and mashing them together. I felt like writing a zombie
story, but not just the same old zombie story. While thinking about what to
write, I watched some birds splashing around in a birdbath. I asked myself what
zombies and birdbaths have in common, then sat down and wrote my story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you find yourself connecting ideas, asking yourself “what
if this happened” and “how would this person react to this event,” you’re ready
to write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You Write<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the one thing that every single writer has in
common?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can want to be a writer. You can daydream about book
tours and movie deals. You can fantasize about hoards of fans screaming for the
release of your next novel. I’ve spent far more time that I’d care to admit
doing all of those things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But until you start writing, you’re not a writer, and never
will be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the other characteristics are important, but this one
is vital. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. Every day, if
possible. You have to want to write. Many writers will tell you they find it
painful not to write. If that’s you, you’re in good company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what’s the best way of knowing if you’re a writer? You
write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Start today. Start now. Create something amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647367235671044145.post-91773769799164386142019-02-25T12:27:00.001-08:002019-02-25T12:27:38.096-08:00Welcome to the Cerulean Wombat Blog!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m glad you’re here, because that means at least one person
is reading this. I hope it is a lot more than that, but hey, any day I can help
even one person is a good day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why This Blog?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve been writing for a while—not always as successfully as
I’d like, but I’m getting there. I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’ve still
got a way to go, but if I wait until I’m a world-renowned expert on writing, I
may never get around to sharing what I’ve figured out so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as importantly, I can never get enough to read. The
more authors we have out there, the more I get to enjoy their books. Some day I
may be lucky enough to enjoy your book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of all, my goal to encourage and inspire young writers.
We’re often at our most creative as children and teens, so why not put that creativity
to use? The sooner you start writing, the sooner you can share your stories
with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s what this blog is mainly about: encouraging young
writers. It’s aimed at tweens and teens, but hopefully everyone will find something
here useful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What Will You Find Here?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m mainly going to focus on five things in this blog, all related
to writing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Tips and tricks on how to be a better writer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Reviews of books for tweens and teens that I
think you’ll enjoy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Opportunities that are specifically for young writers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Writing prompts to get your creative juices
flowing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Sharing pieces written by young authors to help
amaze and inspire others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There might be some other stuff from time to time, but I’m hoping
to hit all five of those points each week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why Cerulean Wombat?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Years ago, I decided that if I ever started a rock band, I’d
call it Cerulean Wombat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why? I haven’t the faintest clue. I just like how it sounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But since I don’t see any rock bands in my immediate (or
even distant) future, I decided to use it for a blog instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why? I haven’t the faintest clue. I just like how it sounds.
I hope you do, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C. Wombat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Cerulean Wombathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11337290162850885964noreply@blogger.com0