writing life: Facebook and twitter

 Building an author's platform is especially important if one considers being an Indie author.  Even when seeking a publishing house, though, these days the stronger an author's platform, the more attractive s/he is to a publishing house.

An author's platform is a combination of social outlets working together to spread the news about what s/he is doing or what s/he cares about.

So, Facebook.... how I wish I didn't enjoy thee so...   It can be a bit of a black hole, right?  It is an important leg for the platform that is so very important for author/writers today.  Those who like my author page help me.  Liking and sharing what I post helps me.  Commenting on what I post helps me.  Weird, right?  But it does.

The same thing goes with Twitter.  In all honesty, I don't quite understand Twitter.  Lame-o, I know.  I've attempted to understand it, but I just don't.  I work hard to share stuff there.  Mostly I end up telling my followers about what's going on here or in YouTube.  Blog and YouTube are my main focus at this point.

They are all very important.  And I appreciate my followers, likers, and subscribers so much!

Have you liked, followed, and subscribed to my various outlets?  I hope you will!

Beowulf by anonymous, a book review

I read Beowulf, an Old English poem (in book form), as a youth for English class in school.  It was one of the few assigned readings I really enjoyed.  The story of a warrior who overcomes a monster and becomes King.  Can't get more classic fantasy than that.

Although it can be a little difficult to understand the English of the story, it is well worth the effort to decode it!  Now, as I remember the class discussions about the book, I especially enjoyed the way my teacher spoke about the hero and shared the story for those who didn't take the time to understand the Old English.

Have you read Beowulf?  What did you think?

If you want to read more of my book reviews of classics, come back on the last Monday of each month.  February 27th my review is about Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.  Check it out and then come see what I think and tell me what you think in the comments!

Oh No, Gotta Go! by Susan Middleton Elya, a book review

Oh No, Gotta Go! by Susan Middleton Elya is a wonderful blending of English and Spanish. The movement between the two languages is smooth and the rhythm and rhyme are wonderfully done. I love it when rhyme begins and follows through!

The Spanish is used in such a way that one can readily understand it by context clues. In addition to that understanding, there is a glossary and pronunciation guide at the end.

This book could be a good addition to any home library of parents who want to help their children learn Spanish in a fun and accessible way. I would like to have it for my homeschool library for just this very reason!

The action of the story is something most parents will probably find familiar: looking for a bathroom for their little one. “Didn't you ask her she had to go?” one parent says to the other, “No, didn't you?” the other says. What two parents haven't made the same flub and then had to rush around looking for a restroom for their toddler? Well, my husband and I have… at least a few times!

My children enjoyed this book. They didn't necessarily understand all of the Spanish, but there wasn't too much to be off-putting.

Illustrations should support and expand upon the text in children's picture books. I felt like G. Brian Karas did a good job in Oh No, Gotta Go! Showing places and using Spanish words as additional support for understanding those words within the illustrations.

Oh No, Gotta Go! By Susan Middleton Elya is an all around good book. I definitely recommend it for any family.

Have you read Oh No, Gotta Go!? What do you think about it?

my thoughts: on addictions

When I was a young whipper snapper, I thought addiction meant that someone used an illicit drug and couldn't control themselves. I may not have even known what illicit meant, but that's the gist of what I believed.

I have learned how wrong I was. Given what I've learned thus far, I imagine that I have yet more to learn that will undo at least some of what I believe I know now. But I don't know what I'll yet learn, all I can share is what I think now.

Basically, I've learned that addiction can take the form of almost anything. It can be a substance one imbibes or consumes. It can be an activity. It can be a thought pattern.

I have more thoughts to share on this subject, but I want to know what you think, too. What is addiction to you?

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, a book review

I wanted to read Catcher in the Rye book as I've heard about it most of my life. Given the places I've heard about it, I would categorize it as a classic, even though it's really not that old, all things considered. However, I didn't read far before I realized that Salinger is of the mind that it's necessary to include a great number of curse words in the text.

Curse words are crude, foul, and cause actual and literal damage. Both to the speaker/user and to those who hear/read such words. As a result, I did not read this novel.

Because many reference it, I will probably read a Wikipedia about it.

Do authors who use curse words so readily in their writing also curse so frequently in real life? I wonder because it seems to me that those who are so drawn to and entrenched in work with words would steer clear of such language because it is weak. It, like sarcasm, reveals a weakness. I know there is some other way they could show that weakness that such language use by their character(s) in some other way if they were truly great in their craft. A sort of showing, rather than telling, that I guess many authors aren't up to because they want the easy way out that curse words provide.

Well, that's lame.

I did not like the little bit of Catcher in the Rye that I read. I would not recommend it to or for anyone who cares about purity of mind and freedom from the wounds that such foul language inflicts.

If you've read it and would like to share what you thought about it, feel free to do so. Just leave curse words out of your description. If you don't, I will be obliged to remove your comment. tyia!

Jamie's Turn by Jamie DeWitt, a book review

Winner of the Raintree 'Publish a Book Contest' in 1984, Jamie DeWitt (with the help of his teacher Lonnie Miller, wrote Jamie's Turn. The winner got his story published and won some money. Jamie used some of his winnings to buy some heifers for his family dairy.

I love this book! It's a story of a boy becoming a man sooner than most by way of a courageous act and then daily doing what needed to be done. Isn't that one of the most important characteristics of a good man? Doing what needs to be done for the good of family and sometimes more. This is especially valiant when that doing takes them away from things they might rather do.

Honestly, it's a character trait important for any and all adults to cultivate and seems all too often lacking among many.

One aspect of this story that I really love is how the community came together to help Jamie's family in their time of need. I believe most people want to help others. They just don't know how. So it's wonderful to read a children's picture book in which this is a part!

Julie Brinckloe illustrated this book. Her illustrations are good. My younger children didn't necessarily love the pictures, though, because the colors are muted and very homogeneous. However, I enjoyed them a great deal. They definitely support and expand the text, which is a primary function of illustrations in children's picture books. I especially like the illustration showing how the community helped when Jamie's family needed it!

I definitely recommend this book. Good lessons for all herein.

Have you read Jamie's Turn? What did you think of it?

writing life: YouTube

Why in the world would an author/writer need a YouTube channel anyway?  Well, writers are more attractive to publishing houses if they have a strong following in various social media outlets.  The more the better... if they are each and all strong.  Mine haven't really been stellar.  Growing is definitely good, though!

Especially since I'm thinking very seriously about going indie.  Independent publishing is up and coming and definitely appealing to me for some reasons that may not be super obvious to you if you haven't watched my channel at all.  And if I'm doing all this work anyway....

Also, I have a great, deep, wide desire for my husband to have a really strong role in this thing I'm doing... something that I could potentially turn over to him as his own thing.  Thus why Cap'N Hugh has had his own day since very early in my channel's life.  Also, his were my first children's books and YouTube, and promoting the search in the other outlets, was really the best way I could think of to search for illustrators.

Video editing was a tough thing for me to learn.  Many YouTube how to's were watched.  A friend's help was accepted thankfully in giving some guidance.  Silly me... I was afraid to mess with the one panel I needed to mess with to make the editing software work.  Isn't that how it goes?

I've still got so much to learn and there are so many ways I want (and probably need) to improve.  I mean, I've got regular posting that shows stuff in my life... and that's the main thing I wanted to do with my channel... so you can know who I really am... Tori FOR REAL... but I also want to have more fun stuff.  Things that are interesting to anyone who takes the time to watch me there.  I want you to come away feeling happier.  Truly.

Next time I'll tell you about my Facebook and probably Twitter, too.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, a book review

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a classic. Classics are worth reading for many reasons. For one, they have been read so widely and often that there is much in intelligent discourse that references the content of the story. Sometimes, references to the classics appears even in less intellectual entertainment venues like broadcast TV programs. The more broadly and well-read an individual, the more they are able to realize reference to classics!

Heathcliff and Catherine are a legendary pair because of Emily Bronte. Their story is not necessarily one others would aspire to, but, like Romeo and Juliet, this story shows a love that lasts beyond the grave. Isn't that what everyone hopes their love will do? I think so… at least when that love is new.

I like that the story is related by someone who has seen the whole thing come to pass. Bess is not exactly a reliable narrator because she is very opinionated about what she has seen, but she does provide a continuous point of view, which makes the story a little bit easier to digest.

The setting is completely unfamiliar to me. I've read about moors of England so I understand what they are like inasmuch as one can without experiencing them. Still, I think if I had actual experience in/with them, this story would be even more interesting to me than it is.

Have you read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte yet? What did you think of it?

Alone Together, by Suzanne Bloom

A very fast read, especially good for young ones with short attention spans. Alone Together by Suzanne Bloom is easy to read with big bold illustrations by the author. My children enjoyed it and encouraged me to read another book by the same author.

Everyone needs some time alone. Will bear be able to enjoy what he wants and needs?

I have felt a bit like bear in this one when with my children. More in the days when I had only one or two than now, thankfully.

What do you think of this picture book?

my thoughts: on gossip

Have you ever been the focus of gossip? How did you find out? How did it feel?

Boy, I sure have. In various forms, I've experience this unkindness. By presenting it as an unkindness, I reveal, at least a little, how it feels to me.

And why? Why do folks gossip about me? Because I think differently about some things than some people? Because I look different? Because I do things differently? Yes, apparently, to each of those.

I'm a fat chick. Thankfully it's pretty proportional fatness. So, I pretty much just look like a larger-sized lady than many. So what have folks had to

I don't think I'm all that unusual or interesting, but apparently others do. I've realized the fact that others gossip about me in various ways. Sometimes, and most directly, when someone makes a comment that reveals they have been speaking with others about me. I'm pretty sure they don't even realize they are telling on themselves.

At other times, and perhaps most often, someone else tells me what others were saying about me. The times this has happened, the person who tells me also usually shares how they defended me and how they got out of that conversation. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. It sure feels like a bad thing to hear the unkindnesses spoken about me when I am unable to explain or help them understand. And most often, they are saying things that reveal they have simply not understood or misconstrued something I've said or done. But maybe it's good to feel bad for a moment because I have definitely and immediately ended any more than the most basic social interaction with those I realize have the habit of gossip.

I have been told I think differently than many. I don't usually perceive it. But if you hear the same thing frequently and long enough, it does seem to have some validity.

As for how we do things… well, when we learn more and assimilate that knew knowledge into our life, we make changes in how we do things to accommodate the new understanding. At least, that's what we're supposed to do. And that's what I do. The way we do everything we do is because we're striving to live in accordance with the understanding we have gained.

I have been through numerous paradigm shifts. And even still must live with a great deal of cognitive dissonance because I'm not in a position to DO what I know and want to do. But we do what we can as we're able. Doesn't everyone? Well, based on how often folks gossip about me in this way, I guess maybe not.

A Widow's Story, a Memoir by Joyce Carol Oates, a book review

Initially, I started reading A Widow's Story, a Memoir by Joyce Carol Oats book as research for a project I started a while back. Only because I was determined to read the whole thing was I able to read all of it. Even so, I didn't carefully read every word. However, even though most of the 415 pages were difficult for me to get through, I'm glad I did. Why? Most obviously, because I finished what I started. Yet, also because there were some good nuggets. Some actual truths like nuggets of gold lying out in the open creek in the days of the gold rush in California. The sun glints on them, I feel awed and impressed. Then the sun disappears behind the cloud and the gold is no longer identifiable.

Most of the gold appears half-way through the Ms. Joyce's relating of her experience of becoming a widow. Some of them, as memories of her husband. Some during the brief relating of her experience with her late husband's manuscript. Most as commentary.

I had a difficult time with her focus on suicide. I guess it's appropriate given how steeped in suicide and suicidal thoughts Ms. Oates has been for, apparently, the whole of her scholarly life (both as student and teacher). Still, given my experiences with suicide, it is just a difficult subject for me to read… and yet more so because Ms. Oates is for a portion of the book very focused on how much better it would be to kill herself than live.

The saurian is very interesting to me. As a result of certain of my own beliefs, it seems very possible to me that if she actually saw a lizard-creature in the periphery of her vision, that it was actually there as a spiritual tormentor. The things she hears that she attributes to it are perfectly in line with my beliefs and understanding.

The first half is very slow and difficult, yet it ends very suddenly. The end is really no end at all. I think it's possible, given the copyright of 2011, that Ms. Oates didn't have enough time after her loss in which to formulate an end that works better.

Although I recommend it, I do not recommend it highly… unless one is already a widow, in which case it might be very interesting.

Have you read A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates? What did you think of it?

Ship of Dreams by Dean Morrissey, a book review

Morrissey, author and illustrator of Ship of Dreams, is an amazing artist! This book is full of beautiful and detailed oil paintings. Some painted created as early as 1990 with the latest finished in 1993.

In children's books, art is meant to tell the story in pictures and/or give details to clarify the words of the story. At least, that's what my children and I look for in picture books. Morrissey accomplishes this with his beautiful oil paintings.

The story grabbed my children's imagination. My boy, especially, loves the ship and the idea of flying around with the Sandman. He thought how the boy ended up on the ship was especially funny.

I like the story. I love the pictures.

Have you read this one? What did you think? If you read it after reading this, let me know what you think.

writing life: it's not just writing

Did you know that I've been working full-time hours (and more) at this writing thing since June last year (2016)?  And for a few months back in 2015 before my family somehow managed to catch lice and I shaved my head (3 guard) in hopes of speeding up the process of getting through that trial.  It didn't shorten the process.  After I got rid of the buggers, they children caught them again somewhere!  grrrr...

I have written, of course, but since June, the majority of my writing has been for Cap'N Hugh, here in my blog, and songs more than working on the stories I have in my head.  Why?

Well, in the business of writing... it's a big job to get art out for most folks anywhere, regardless of the kind... so it's a bunch of work.  What do I do in that non-writing work time?  Well, I mentioned a few things above.  That may account for a little more than half the 40+ hours per week.  The rest of the time is social media management.

Scheduling posts in Facebook, my blog, and twitter.  Checking in at each of those outlets/hubs as well as YouTube.

And YouTube... wow!  Video editing... that was a huge learning curve for me!  YouTube, in general, has been a steep learning curve for me!

I'll share more in a couple weeks.

The Wizard of Rondo by Emily Rodda, a book review

As with The Key to Rondo, I had a difficult time making myself finish The Wizard of Rondo by Emily Rodda. There are good scenes in it. There are slightly funny scenes. There are a couple good action scenes… but mostly it was difficult for me to enjoy. This is not really because of the book, I think, but because I prefer relationship driven stories. This book, and thus far the trilogy, is action driven.

My two eldest daughters really enjoy the story. They are twelve and 9, almost 10 years old. They like the fantasy of it. They like the adventure of it. Neither of them have the preference for another sort of story that I do, apparently.

As far as the content of the story, I can recommend it for children of well-read 9 years or 10 years and older. There are a few new characters in Rondo, who are based on nursery rhymes. Some of them potentially funny. Most of the characters, though, are pretty flat. I think this is a sort of result of being part of an adventure tale.

Have you read The Wizard of Rondo by Emily Rodda? What do you think of it?