Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thursday's This and That

I've another round of tidbits and goodies to share. Hope you find something helpful!

Links and Resources

Do you write to express or write to impress? Author Bernadette Pajer shares her thoughts on this topic over at Chuck Sambuchino's blog. I think her advice, particularly in the area of writer's block, can be liberating - see if you agree.


Here's the answer to the question that's been on many writer's minds - Do you italicize internal dialogue? Deareditor.com has info on this and other interesting topics, like how to obtain height in your dialogue or how to get back on track after an editor calls you an idiot. There's a little something for every writer, check them out!

Looking for freelance work? The Freelance Writing Jobs site might be of help. While there, check out their assortment of helpful articles, writing tips, and business help. Click here for more info.

The wait is over! The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi will be released next week! Angela and Becca blog over at The Bookshelf Muse and offer wonderful writing insight in their posts. They compiled a book with their great writerly advice; I expect it will be a must have for every writer's library. Can't wait to pick up a copy! If you aren't already following their blog, I highly recommend that you do so.

Book Review

Lessons From the Tree House by Carol Alexander

After her sons built a tree house, Carol Alexander realized that they didn't just get a tree house in the bargain, they gained important life skills too. Spurred on by the sobering statistics that most children spend only 30 minutes of outdoor free play each week, she decided to review the process, document it, and share the steps in this new ebook. I'm glad she did, for the result is a wonderful, hands on guide for parents and children of all ages.

Carol divides the procedure into three steps, the design, building, and enjoyment phases. Each phase is broken down further into subjects such as mathematics, computer skills, drawing, science, writing, and even public speaking. The hands on lessons provide a plan for all ages that can be used as is, or tailored further to suit more specific needs and interests. The target audience is the homeschool family, but this would be a great resource for other groups such as 4H or scouts.


In addition to providing suggested books and links, Carol includes quotes from students and parents. I thought this was a great addition to highlight various aspects of the project. Illustrations, photos, vocabulary lists, and even grid paper that can be reproduced are also tucked into this handy guide.

Carol's newest ebook is, in my opinion, another winner. It is exactly the type of resource I would have used when homeschooling my three children. I'll have to keep it in mind for the grandkids!


Carol is also the author of Lessons From the Hen House and Lessons From the Seed Catalog and can be found at her blog, Everything Home With Carol.





Run across any good links lately? What are you up to this weekend?

Happy weekend,
Karen


Photo credit: Stock Exchange

31 comments :

  1. I was taught not to italicize internal dialogue. I don't do it because I have to italicize the telepathic thoughts of my main characters as well.(That would be confusing, wouldn't it?)

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  2. Your blog post was like receiving a goody bag. Thanks for all the tips.

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  3. Id like to invite everyone to a post I've just published honoring the TV show "Big Valley", and also actor Peter Breck. Included with this post are 2 personal recipes that was sent to me by Peters wife Diane, so please stop by and say hello and share your memories of this classic TV show. Richard

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  4. Some really good links! I better go check some out:)

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  5. Interesting, Karen. I popped over to a couple of them. Am thinking that Mr. Sambuchino is probably right and will need to mull that over a little bit. I'm not writing a book, but I sure do hit the brick wall some weeks with that column.

    Thank you, as always, for doing the leg work for me. :)

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  6. Alex,
    It's funny how there are different schools of thought on this. Although I can see your issue with the telepathic thoughts; it would be confusing!

    Linda,
    Aw shucks thanks, Linda! Hope you find something useful! :)

    Richard,
    It's been a while since I've visited your blog. I must hop over soon!

    Terri,
    Thanks! Hope something strikes your fancy!

    Donna,
    You are welcome! Hope they are useful!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  7. Rhonda,
    You are welcome! I hit the wall regularly, even with the blog. A little help is always nice. :)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  8. Having an editor call me an idiot?!? Guess that would get me back for the time I accused an editor of letting his dog eat my emails. :). Thanks for sharing about my ebook, Karen.

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  9. Italicizing internal dialogue? I generally don't, but I don't make my students take italics out partly because I'm unsure about the standard. I had a commercial fiction writing teacher tell me (years ago) that the decision to italicize or not to italicize should be left to the book publisher and editor.

    Thanks for the link to Carol's book - it looks like something I need to read. I've been trying to get my kids outside more, and they have been building a lot of things with my husband lately . . .so this seems like providential timing.

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  10. I was taught to leave the italicizing up to the editor or publisher . . .so I generally don't italicize internal dialogue.

    And thanks for the link to Carol's book - it's providential for me considering that I've been trying to get my kids outside more, and my husband has been building stuff with them lately.

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  11. sorry about the dual comments - for some reason the first one had an error so I didn't think it went through . . and I re-wrote too quickly. aah!

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  12. I do italicize the shorter sentences. But if there is quite a bit then I do not as too much italicized words look a bit funny I think.

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  13. Great links! Thanks!!!

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  14. This is one of my favorite blog stops. You always have good information for us.

    I was taught to italicize thoughts. In my latest attempt at a story, I find I have used italics for thoughts and for the character's stress.

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  15. Carol,
    I can't imagine any editor calling you an idiot! :) You are welcome, I am happy to share the review. It's a great book!

    Tyrean,
    It's interesting that there are many schools of thought on a lot of things! I think I'll stick with italicizing for now. Hope that you find Carol's resources helpful!

    Stephen,
    I've always thought that bigger chunks of text were best indented or otherwise handled differently to indicate thoughts. Short segments are okay italicized; I'm with you.

    Laura,
    Hope something is helpful!

    Glenda,
    You are most welcome!

    Cecelia,
    Thanks so much! :) I enjoy stopping at your blog too. :) I'm with you; that's how I handle them.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Although I didn't homeschool we did a lot of learning together. During the summers I would teach survival skills such as laundry, cooking, cleaning etc. It is fun to hear my son recount those lessons learned. The "Lessons from" books are wonderful resources even for a summer.

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  17. Thanks for a great mashup, Karen. The Emotion Thesaurus sounds so good. Thanks for the heads up that it's being released next week!

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  18. I sometimes italicize internal dialogue. It depends if I think it needs to be set off.
    Thanks for the links!

    Happy Mother's Day!

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  19. Thanks for the links, Karen. I don't italicize my internal dialogue at all.

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  20. Sally,
    Summers are a great time for that kind of learning. I think whether we homeschool or not, we are always helping our kids learn, you know? :)

    Lynn,
    You are welcome! Check out the Emotion Thesaurus if you get a chance. I think it will be a great resource!

    Jennifer,
    This is why I like to use italics - like you, I want the reader to see the purpose.

    Happy Mother's Day weekend,
    Karen

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  21. Rachna,
    It's interesting to see who likes to do so and who does not. I'm thinking much has to do with the context, right?
    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  22. Hi Karen...Thanks for the links. I'd definitely like to check out that freelance writing site.

    This weekend I have a baptism to attend, followed by a nice dinner. Plus, started it off good by vacuuming and cleaning out the refrigerator. Need to organize my pantry and put all the rooms in my dollhouse back in order. Had a visit from two four-year-olds. ha haha Take care and have a FUN weekend. Susan

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  23. Some great links there. I italicise because my editor told me to. I'm very obedient like that :)

    I've had a great start to the weekend, took a workshop on character building with a popular Australian YA novelist Tristan Banck. Intend to spend tomorrow morning writing my WIP about a resurrected teen mummy and then heading over to my Dads with the kids for a bbq. Might watch one of the Brendan Fraser Mummy movies after that :)

    You have a great weekend!

    Wagging Tales

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  24. You have a nice selection here. I like the Freelance Writing site and the Treehouse book. Both look interesting.

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  25. Thanks for the excellent links, Karen. I'm always in need of a good editor. My brother and I built a tree house when we were kids. Every kid in the neighbour practically lived at our house. We were the only farm in miles. Great memories. Thanks for prompting me to remember. Happy Mother's Day!

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  26. Susan,
    You are welcome! I thought maybe the freelance site might interest you. :) Hope your weekend has been grand!

    Charmaine,
    Thanks! Somehow I knew you were an obedient writer. :) Sounds like your weekend has been a good one.

    Nancy,
    Glad you enjoyed the links and review. Hope you had a good weekend!

    Joylene,
    You are welcome! Tree houses are great, aren't they? Great memories are a blessing!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  27. Happy Mothers' Day Karen! I know you have been blessed and you are a great mom and grandma. xxx

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  28. Great links.Sometimes I'll italisize internal dialogue. Sometimes I don't. But I do try to keep it consistent per story.

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  29. Raymonde,
    You are so sweet! Thanks so much. I know you are a wonderful mom, and someday will be a fabulous grandma! Hugs to you!

    Lynda,
    I agree, no matter what, consistency is a must. As a reader, I pick up on things like that.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!