Today. Labor Day. The unofficial end to summer. Why do we do that? Why do we hurry summer—or any season—to a close “unofficially”? We don’t bring anything but seasons to unofficial ends, or beginnings for that matter. When I’m 80, will that be my unofficial end? Did I have an unofficial beginning? Books sometimes have…
Hello, friend, A few weeks ago I wrote about why reading middle-grade and children’s fiction is good for adults. If books help shape children—and I think they do—then can they not also shape adults? Surely we’re not beyond help. I guess that’s debatable, and I suppose a lot hinges on how open a person’s mind…
I was reading an article the other day about what therapists know that everyone should actually know (see reference, below). It included things like “Feelings change over time,” and “Therapists guide; they don’t fix,” and “Your feelings—whatever they may be—are valid.” There was one item that I loved: “Therapists don’t have it together any more…
“…That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet,” says Shakepeare’s Juliet. I suppose it’s true enough. But I would rather smell a rose than something called stinkweed. Shakespeare was good with names and other writerly ingredients (understatement of the year). I’m lousy with names. Years and years ago, I…
Wouldn’t it be nice to stick a bookmark into your busy life and go play? After all, it is summer. Tomorrow’s Independence Day and you don’t get much more summery than that. Here’s my version of a perfect summer day. And then you can tell me yours. Sunshine would be nice. Where I live, there’s…
Hello, friend. What have you been reading lately? Chances are, you’ve been reading very little from the children’s section of the library or bookstore. And that’s a shame. C.S. Lewis said, “A children’s book that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s book in the slightest.” Here are 6 reasons why…
Your voice is important. Not just what you choose to say, but your tone and how you say it. It’s important in life and it’s important in writing, too. What’s the point of having a voice if you’re not going to use it? In life, having a Voice comes from knowing yourself and knowing what…
Do pain and art go together? Take a look at the lives of artists, writers, musicians, poets. Artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch. Writers like Mark Twain, JK Rowling, Stephen King. Musicians such as Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ray Charles. So very many others. Creative types often come from…
No, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But you can judge it by its first lines. You know the saying, “You never get a second chance to make first book impressions.” (sic) First book impressions are quick and visceral. They hit you in the gut. You just “know.” It works for people. It…
Librarians, in general, have a lot on their plates. School librarians have even more. They generally know their “clientele” by name, know their interests, actively suggest books, read stories aloud, teach kids about proper book-handling behavior, anticipate readers’ future interests and book trends. (When my kids were growing up, their school librarian also used to dress up as various…
