As I began to plan my blog entry about the plays I've been reading, I experienced the familiar embarrassment of feeling unqualified to write about "literature." Although I took courses on Shakespeare during college, they were fairly introductory. I have no degree in literature, nor have I explored it in a scholarly way on my … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Teaching Tuesday – Titles and Twain
I've been struggling to come up with a new title for one of my polished picture book manuscripts. The title I had been using was suggested in a critique, and it played off of a current title on the market. It rolled off the tongue and gave a good feel for the story, or so … Continue reading Teaching Tuesday – Titles and Twain
Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Since reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child last week, I've been thinking a lot about plays. I used to read (and write) a lot of plays back in high school and college. At some point, my reading shifted to teleplays and screenplays (a Broadcasting & Film degree will do that), but I never lost … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Teaching Tuesday – Finding Inspiration and Toto
With this inaugural Teaching Tuesday, I've decided to start at the beginning of the writing process. Namely, inspiration. We grow up reading books and watching movies in which writers must somehow find their inspiration. Often we meet them when they are struggling, their creativity blocked...and then, BOOM, they are struck by the Muse—perhaps in the … Continue reading Teaching Tuesday – Finding Inspiration and Toto
Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Currently Reading Fiction (Middle Grades) Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers. Can't seem to get back into it. I poke at a few pages and then get distracted by other books. As always, it's the danger of seeing a movie (and an excellent one, at that) before reading the book. Recently Completed Plays Harry Potter and … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Teaching Tuesday
Studies have shown that we learn better when we teach others. By organizing information in a way that allows us to explain it to someone else, we clarify and reinforce it in our own minds. Although I learn all sorts of new things each day (many of them quite useless), my specific effort has been … Continue reading Teaching Tuesday
Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Currently Reading Fiction (Middle Grades) Anastasia at Your Service by Lois Lowry. There was such a gap between when I started reading this book to when I resumed more recently, that I've lost track of many (likely important) details. I think I will need to start over this week and give it a do-over reading.Mary … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Reading the Shelves – Check-In
I'm back to the weekly updates, so everything here is what I've managed in the past week. It's been a slow reading (and writing) week, so my goal is to get back into the groove. At some point, all of life's distractions, even the serious, challenging ones, can't continue to be my excuse. I'm also … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Last week I updated the check-in with all of my end-of-year reading. Today I'm updating all of my 2019 reading efforts so far. After this, it's back to the weekly updates. Improving patterns! Building good habits! Yes! (One too many self-help podcasts this week. Don't panic. I'm switching back to the comedies.) Also, I'm setting … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Reading the Shelves – Check-In
I finished 2018 strong, but 2019 has proven itself to be a challenge. And rather than using reading or writing as an escape or a way to refresh, I took time off from both for about a month. As I start to emerge from beneath my dark cloud, I am trying to reinstate the good … Continue reading Reading the Shelves – Check-In
Anna Brooks 