When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story's voice makes everything its own.

- John Berger

I love this quote. This is how I feel when I write. I hope my readers feel the same. Happy writing, Christy

Every Line is a First Line

If you’re not a writer you may not understand the thrill of going to a writer’s conference. It’s a heady experience. Everyone there loves what you love. Everyone there is focused on improvement. There is a strong sense of community, and everyone wants you to succeed.

When I go to a writer’s conference my senses are heightened. My skill enhanced. New ideas are everywhere.

Once in a while, I hear something that changes everything for me. An epiphany. A paradigm shift. That happened for me at WIFYR when I heard these words. “Every line is a first line. Every line is the first line of the rest of your book.”

As a picture book writer I am used to weighing words, but this thought brings it to another level. Is this sentence a good first line for the rest of my book?

Every sentence in a picture book is prime property. Every sentence costs me something. Every sentence must pay rent. No matter how much I love the words, if they don’t move the story forward in a meaningful way they have to go. Eviction.

I have nothing against welfare. Maybe in a novel, some sentences can live for free. Not all, of course, but some. In the world of picture books however, there is no free lunch.

Every line is the first line of the rest of your book.

Linda Garner

Carnival Girl

Searching for God in the Aftermath of War

By Sonja Herbert

The only life Sonja has ever known was on the road. Now she must choose between the carnival and her convictions, between her family and her faith. This beautifully written memoir of growing up in post-war Germany and meeting the Mormon missionaries will remind you of how much God loves each one of us and how his power can make anything possible.

Sonja Herbert and her five siblings were raised in a caravan, traveling the carnival circuit from town to town in post-World War II Germany. Sonja converted to the LDS Church, later married, and immigrated to the United States, where she received a bachelor of arts degree at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, and a master of arts degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. You can find more about her unusual life at germanwriter.com.

I felt drawn to this story because I come from similar roots. I have Polish ancestry as does Sonja, and my grandmother spent time in a German orphanage just like Sonja. My grandmother had funny little nicknames for all her children just as Sonja’s mother did. I love reading memoirs like this because they seem to fill in missing pieces of my family.

The reader watches Sonja grow from a toddler to a young adult who knows her own mind and what she wants out of life. Her mother consciously chose the exciting carnival life, but Sonja’s choice was a very different path than her mother’s. Sonja seems to be born with a testimony of Heavenly Father, and she began to recognize it even as a small child when she was taught to pray in the orphanage. Even though Sonja’s family rejected God, she found comfort in her constant belief in a Divine Being, which ultimately led her to the gospel’s light and love. Thank you, Sonja, for sharing yourself in this heart-warming story.

This is a great read! Take time to enjoy it this summer.

Christy

Lend a Hand

My friend is a part of a team working to raise funds on behalf of special needs kids in Nicaragua. The Los Pipitos School in San Juan del Sur helps educate and enrich the lives of children who, due to their limited abilities, would be otherwise unable to take advantage of a regular classroom education. In early August, volunteers are going to Nicaragua to bring school supplies and funds to help keep the school running.

About The School

This special needs school provides an educational experience for the mentally and physically disabled that a regular school cannot. Their goal is to help their students develop to their full abilities and be able to live as normal and independent lives as their disabilities will allow. Disabilities range from cerebral palsy to Down syndrome to mental retardation and brain damage. Beyond the classroom, they provide activities that these children would not otherwise be able to do, including teaching them to surf, dance, and make music.

 

What they need

It costs the foundation $150 per month to pay for the teacher’s salary and $200 per month to pay for bus transportation for the students at the school. Many of the students are confined to wheel chairs and live in communities with dirt roads; therefore if the foundation does not transport them to school then they will not be able to attend. Also, they desperately need school supplies. Unfortunately they cannot rely on the postal system to receive the supplies so they rely on visitors to bring supplies with when traveling to Nicaragua.

 

How you can help

All children deserve an education, and too often special needs children are overlooked. In order to keep the school in operation for another year, it's our intention to raise $4,200 to go toward teacher's salaries and the cost of transportation for the children. The remaining portion will be used to buy and transport school supplies as well as help the school to buy new chairs, desks, and chalkboards for the classrooms. Help these children by being the change you want to see in the world. No contribution is too small: $1, $5, whatever your can give; every dollar counts. Time is short and we need your support to give these children hope for a brighter future!

The link to my friend's blog is: http://ltelliot.blogspot.com

The fundraiser link is: http://www.indiegogo.com/CasaLlanta?c=home

The Twitter handle is: http://twitter.com/HelpLosPipitos

Lend a Hand.

Linda Garner

Dear America,

I just wanted to thank you today for everything you've given me. 

The ability to run down to my local grocer and pick up the freshest fruits and veggies around (and yes, even an occasional chocolate bar). 

To have the choice to read any book I want, even the books that people want banned (I totally read Harry Potter more than twice). 

Thanks for giving me the ability to do whatever I want with my life. To be a lone drifter on the calm and quiet roads or an outspoken activist stirring up the hearts of those around me. 

I'm grateful for the rights I have as a woman that I see so many others deprived of. 

Thank you for giving me a chance to speak my mind without the worry of unmerited retribution.

Even though I know we may have had our differences from time to time, I find myself indebted to you for all you do for me and all those who have helped make you who you are today. You know…the real heroes that are out there. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, Happy 4th of July America. 

You mean a lot to me. 

Photobucket

 

God Mend Thine Every Flaw

I was planning on waxing writerly this morning, but my flag waving heart won’t let me pass up the 4th of July without a small salute.

I love America. I love being American. There’s no place like it on earth. I don’t know what I did to deserve to live here, but I will be eternally grateful for the privilege.

We have our share of problems, but they are all first class. We have our share of turmoil. We have our share of conflict. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone thinks they’re right.

My Dad often said “When I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you.” He said it mostly to be funny, but there’s a grain of truth in his quip. I think everyone should think like me. You think everyone should think like you. It’s hard to be humble, when you know you’re right.

It isn’t easy to find harmony among diversity, yet diversity is one of our strengths.

In church we recently sang America the Beautiful. Don’t you love that song? God mend thine every flaw. I had never really noticed those powerful words before. I loved the feel of them in my mouth and I loved the sound of them in the air. They gave me hope.

We do have flaws. Lots of flaws. As long as people are in charge there will be flaws. Someday God will take charge and there will be no flaws. For now, though, I love this thought, and maybe it should be a prayer.

America, America, God mend thine every flaw.

Hope is a beatiful thing.

Linda Garner

Been working on a new book. Here's a list of questions I found that I'm going to use to flesh out my characters.

Getting to know your main character

Questions for the Author

Who is your main character?

What does he or she want?

What is the main character’s driving question?

What are your main character’s motives?

What emotions do you want to evoke?

What will happen in the story?

What do you want to accomplish?

What do you like or dislike about the main character?

Survey for your main character

What do you like/dislike? What do you love/hate?

What are your favorite foods, colors, school subjects, clothes, music, etc.?

Who are your best friends? Why?

Who are your enemies? Why?

What is your last relationship with love?

What is your relationship with your parents? Siblings?

What kind of girls/ boys do you date? Why?

 Where do you go to be alone?

Do you have faith? In what?

What is the worst thing that can happen to you? Has it happened?

What is your darkest secret?

Can your voice made a difference?

What is your definition of home?

Where to do belong?

I hope this helps you as much as it did me. Happy writing! Christy