Tag: authors

Patience Trumps Writer’s Block

On By Susan St.PierreIn Sideshows4 Comments
The discouraged Nenene suffering from writer's...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think writers are best defined as mentally bipolar. Either you are up or down, there’s no in-between.

I have little time for writing and when a great opportunity for uninterrupted creativity arises, I’m usually at a loss. My cycle of inspiration gets out of sync with my opportunities. Maybe I’m trying too hard? Have I used up all my genius already?

ADD of the brain makes me want new exciting projects once I have dabbled and have felt adequate at a writing task. My gut reminds me that dedication and toil separates those who want to be authors from those who are. I don’t really believe it though.

Instead, I wait. I don’t stop thinking…but inspiration has its own timing and I believe if it is pursued too aggressively, it can dissipate like a cloud observed for scientific study rather than one noticed by a dreamer.

This post, this day…I refuse to give up…What I can do is wait.

Keeping Kids Creative: Summer Book Club

On By Susan St.PierreIn Keeping Kids Creative10 Comments

With the last day of formal schooling racing toward us, the question of how to entertain the kids and keep them learning arises.

I have a few ideas for activities in my category named “Keeping Kids Creative”.

My mother had a great idea inspired by our own book club meetings. Why not start a Kids Book Club?

There are so many ways a gathering of similar aged kids could be successful.

A few ideas:

  • Offer prizes to those who participate and make the gathering a party-like atmosphere.
  • Have kids write their own stories to share from photo or word prompts. Compile the entries in a homemade book for them to keep.
  • Ask kids to bring and share their favorite books.
  • Offer a book topic, have the kids find a book that reflects the topic, then have a read-a-thon.
  • Give kids a camera and have them print out a photo journal of their vacation trip or a topic of interest. (Walmart prints photo books rather cheaply…check out their photo gift page.)
  • Have a letter writing campaign. Maybe to long-lost relatives or to a children’s book author.
  • Make t-shirts and name your club. Possibly follow one or two specific authors. Contacting that author may be a great idea too. They just might enjoy reaching out to your club.

I’m sure with this germ of an idea, creative parents can come up with others. Consider the cost of the pizza party or photo books, an investment, rather than a burden. When you compare what you spend on day camps, video games and gas running them to other activities, it isn’t much.

Remember parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and mentors: You are the most influential  teachers that your kids will ever have.

Just a thought…have a great summer people!

Any other ideas would be appreciated in my comments. 🙂

Koontz…Old Reliable

On By Susan St.PierreIn Sideshows2 Comments
My Favorite.

For the record,the most reliable author for a fun read is Dean Koontz. 🙂

Every time I start a Koontz novel, it feels as if a hand reaches out and grabs me!

I find his stories thrilling and thought-provoking and just plain fun. Several times, I have laughed right out loud then had goosebumps within a few pages. As often as he may be described as a Stephen King type, I’ll tell you that he’s better. Mr. Koontz does not arbitrarily place words or scenes for an R-rating, as I suspect King does.

A few of my favorites, so far, are:

Life Expectancy

The Taking

Velocity

Intensity

Strangers

From the Corner of  His Eye

Icebound

There are so very many titles,  you certainly can browse and find something to enjoy. Dean Koontz is like an old friend~ reliable and never a disappointment. This author knows how to end a story so that the reader is satisfied.

Sometimes you just want to read something that you know you’ll enjoy.