Let's Talk Critique

  I'm almost near the finish line with my novella and ready to get some honest feedback. I've never been part of a critique group and have been searching for information about this. I came across an article in my search titled Can Critique Groups Do More Harm than Good? by Kristen Lamb .This is a well written article that gives the pros and cons of critique groups. 
     It a nutshell among the list of pros are that critique groups can...

•  hold us accountable
• offer professionalism
• take our writing to a new level

   Among the list of cons are that critique groups can...

• become a crutch and prevent growth
• create bad writing habits
• deform a manuscript to the point it doesn't have a chance of publication

  
What are your thoughts on critique groups? Do you use them?

My Writing Recipe

I'm honored to be a guest blogger for Nicua Shamira at Terravereum/Earth's Truth. Nicua is a talented lady with a love of nature. (She also called me "young". She is wonderful! :)  Hop over to see my post titled  My Writing Recipe by clicking the picture below.

Friday Faves Children's Literature

 Happy Friday Everyone!

     My Friday Fave Children's Book is Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing  by Judy Blume. Peter and Fudge have the typical big brother,annoying  little brother relationship.Judy Blume is a  master at making these characters come alive. It is impossible to get through a chapter without laughing. This book was a childhood favorite of mine and a favorite of my students today.

   I had the awesome opportunity to listen to her live video chat this week. She's truly one of the greatest children's authors of all time. (Can you tell I'm a huge fan?)  I've included the link to her chat below if you missed it or are interested.


While your here please vote on my poll question  to the left and leave a comment telling me about one of your favorite children's books. You can even tell about one that you wrote if you wish.


Judy Blume Video Chat

Believe in Yourself

     Congratulations to Jacky Pett, the winner of my children's book, The Time Travel Storm.

 “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." -Maya Angelou

    I love to write. Even when I'm not writing, I'm writing. No matter what I'm doing, my mind drifts to a story. I make sure I'm prepared for my mind drifts by carrying a small notebook with me to jot down my ideas.
     There are times though, when my writing doesn't flow or feels forced. It's easy to give up or doubt myself.  I just finished reading a book called You Are a Writer So Start Acting Like One by Jeff Goins. In his book Jeff talks about being true to your voice. I recognize that those times when my writing feels forced is when I'm not being true to who I am as a writer. The story that I have to tell comes from within me. No matter what is "hot" at the moment, I need to stick to my voice and my story.
    
      This book has inspired my to write what I know and believe in myself.

                                                                                                       

Kiss in the Dark

“A short story is a different thing all together - a short story is like a kiss in the dark from a stranger.”
― Stephen King, Skeleton Crew

       I love quotes from Stephen King. His quotes put writing in perspective for me.

  I'm working on a  young adult novella now dealing with the topic of death. I know..... not fun. The reader experiences the grief process through young Gabby's eyes but also has glimpses of her humor throughout the story.
  My story is almost finished and will need to go through some polishing yet. Maybe it will be someone's kiss in the dark when it's all said and done.

Update: It's polished and finished......Beyond Vica.

Friday Faves Children's Literature

Happy Friday everybody! My Friday Fave Children's book this week come from the same author as last week, Beverly Cleary. Yes, she is my favorite childhood author. Her stories had a way of pulling me in. I remember not being able to wait to hear my teacher read Ramona Quimby stories to us. Ramona's character was so identifiable in that she thought all the things about adults that children think. Her actions are comical.
                                        

Link up to tell about your favorite children's book, present or past, or  you can comment below.

Who Hurts the Most From Alcohol Abuse?

 Alcoholism doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor. It doesn't matter what color your skin is or if you are a male or female. Can it hurt some more than others? Yes. The children of  alcoholics are hurt the most. It is estimated that 7.5 million children live in a home with a parent that has some type of alcohol disorder. Children are the helpless victims of this disease.
   This is a subject that I feel passionate about. I've seen what living with a alcohol dependent parent can do to a child. Uncertainty, embarrassment, and guilt are some of the feelings these children experience.
  Tegan Taylor is a middle class teenager with educated parents She is also a child of an alcoholic. This is the main character of  the young adult novel I'm currently writing. Writing this novel through the eyes of Tegan has been rewarded and challenging. She leads me tell her story with a touch of humor, but the consequences of her what she lives with are serious.
   I hope to do her justice through this novel, as well as all of the children who live it. I will post again soon with an update on this project.