"Baseball wisdom: To hit that magic 300 you have to
miss seven out of ten."
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Primal Themes
Kristin
Lenz’s thoughtful post on the YA fusion blog, reminded me of a section in the
book, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder (Michael Wiese Productions, 2005). To test
if his stories connect with the audience on a basic level, Snyder asks himself,
“Is it primal?” or “Would a caveman understand?” He lists primal drives as
survival, hunger, sex, protection of loved ones and fear of death.
As I look back on my collection of manuscripts, I agree that they involve these themes, but every novel I’ve written is mostly about loneliness. Perhaps these manuscripts failed because loneliness is a nebulous concept. I’d like to propose, however, that cave-people understood that community was essential for both physical and emotional survival. Surviving high school or an attack by saber-tooth cats may well depend on the supporting characters.
As I look back on my collection of manuscripts, I agree that they involve these themes, but every novel I’ve written is mostly about loneliness. Perhaps these manuscripts failed because loneliness is a nebulous concept. I’d like to propose, however, that cave-people understood that community was essential for both physical and emotional survival. Surviving high school or an attack by saber-tooth cats may well depend on the supporting characters.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Voice
Jeremy
and I have been watching The Voice Season 3. This show works for several
reasons.
- The contestants are mostly young people who are trying to live their dreams.
- The personal history section highlights the adversity contestants overcame as they attempted to become professional musicians. The stories of single parenthood, battling addiction, sacrificing a former career, etc. resonate with viewers.
- The contestants have been vetted, so there are no cringe-worthy acts.
- The judges are friends, and the good natured competition between them adds humanity and fun to the competition.
- The judges offer constructive criticism, something that is hard to come by in real life.
- The tables are turned. If more than one judge “turns his/her chair” for a contestant, the contestant gets to choose between them. Superstars plead with unknown singers to pick them.
This
is also a recipe for a successful YA novel.
- Give the young protagonist a dream.
- Make it seemingly impossible to achieve.
- Make the protagonist appealing.
- Have fun with the supporting cast.
- Give the main character a way to learn and grow.
- Use plot twists.
Easier
said than done.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Saugatuck
We went to Saugatuck last weekend. I took some panoramic shots, but I wasn't thrilled with them. Here are a few closeups.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Baba Ghanoush
After buying a large, lumpy eggplant
at the farmers’ market, we decided to turn it into dip. The process was as much
an arts and crafts project as a recipe. First, we stabbed the eggplant
repeatedly with a fork and roasted it on the barbecue until the skin was
blackened and the insides mushy. After it cooled, we tossed the eggplant flesh
into the food processor with tahini, roasted garlic, red pepper, lemon juice
and cumin. (The web is full of recipes, and the amounts of ingredients vary
with personal taste.) Garnishing the dip with hot or sweet paprika and chopped
parsley adds color and enhances the flavor. It’s delicious with toasted pita bread
or rice chips.
You’re probably wondering why I’m posting this on a writing and photography blog. In my internet search for a recipe, I learned baba is the Arabic word for papa, and ghanoush means spoiled. This is “spoiled papa” dip, or the treat you make for dad. Isn’t that fantastic?
You’re probably wondering why I’m posting this on a writing and photography blog. In my internet search for a recipe, I learned baba is the Arabic word for papa, and ghanoush means spoiled. This is “spoiled papa” dip, or the treat you make for dad. Isn’t that fantastic?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Jade Notebook
The Jade
Notebook
by Lara Resau
I enjoyed
all three of Lara’s notebook books (The Indigo Notebook, The Ruby Notebook and The Jade Notebook), although I liked the last best of all. This novel continues
Zeta’s search for a stable home and family and Wendell’s quest to become a
professional photographer. The supporting characters are interesting and
quirky.
I checked
this book out of the library, but I intend to buy a copy to study novel
structure, suspense scenes and building emotion. There is much to be learned
from Lara’s writing.
This post is
in celebration of Darcy Pattison’s Random Acts of Publicity Event.
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