"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

February Scribbler Box: Author Career II

I just received my eleventh box from Scribbler. You can learn about previous boxes, and why I subscribed by clicking the "Scribbler" link in the labels below.

The theme this month is AUTHOR CAREER II. Yes, ANOTHER repeat theme. This company is only two years old and they have repeated themes on more than a couple of occasions when there are still so many they could be covering. I by no means am implying that there isn't more to say on the repeat themes, but why go back to something you've already done when you're such a young company. This is their 24th box - one a month for two years now.

As always, the first thing you see upon opening the box is a writing exercise/contest postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice. The deadline for this month is 3/11.

The "Curated Writerly Gifts" this month include a coaster depicting the quote "Remember Why You Started", a sticker that states "Enjoy every moment" and has a picture of a typewriter, a package of dark roast coffee (I don't drink coffee, but my husband likes it), and a two-sided door hanger (one side reads "Caution - Writer on Deadline - enter at own risk" and the other side "Writers kill people in books - do not disturb").



As usual, this box also came with an inside look at the publishing process for this months author, and an exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional: Susan Raihofer, agent at the David Black Agency as well as the collectible 'Writing Passport' with the author discussing this months theme of AUTHOR CAREER II.

This months new release novel is IF YOU TELL by Gregg Olsen, and is based on a true story. In the few months since it's release, the book has become:

A #1 Wall Street Journal, Amazon Charts, USA Today, and Washington Post bestseller.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen’s shocking and empowering true-crime story of three sisters determined to survive their mother’s house of horrors.


After more than a decade, when sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek hear the word "mom", it claws like an eagle's talons, triggering memories that have been their secret since childhood. Until now.

For years, behind the closed doors of their farmhouse in Raymond, Washington, their sadistic mother, Shelly, subjected her girls to unimaginable abuse, degradation, torture, and psychic terrors. Through it all, Nikki, Sami, and Tori developed a defiant bond that made them far less vulnerable than Shelly imagined. Even as others were drawn into their mother's dark and perverse web, the sisters found the strength and courage to escape an escalating nightmare that culminated in multiple murders.

Harrowing and heartrending, If You Tell is a survivor's story of absolute evil - and the freedom and justice that Nikki, Sami, and Tori risked their lives to fight for. Sisters forever, victims no more, they found a light in the darkness that made them the resilient women they are today - loving, loved, and moving on.


To learn more about this monthly box service: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?Gregg OlsenSusan

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Why English is Difficult to Learn

I've been working with more ESL (English as a Second Language) students this year. I've really enjoyed my time with them. They've become a true inspiration to those around them as a result of their strong worth ethic, and unwillingness to give up. I thought I would share some of our fun explorations of the English language with you in the images below. Let me know if you have any fun frustrations with the English language.





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Wednesday, February 5, 2020

IWSG: Artisic Inspiration

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

February 5 question - Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it? 

MY ANSWER: In my case, it wasn't a single art piece, but an entire museum. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland captured my attention and imagination so fully that I was inspired to write a 10,000 word short story - at least a first draft. Unfortunately, I have not revisited the piece as it fell apart toward the end of the tale. I've been letting it simmer for some time now. I really do want to finish the story, I just have to find my way back into it's truth.

How about you? Have you been inspired by someone else's art? If so, what happened?