Monday, October 27, 2008

Why Wikis?

Exercise #7 is exploring wikis. It's ended up being a rather easy one, but that's okay because Exercise #4 and #6 were time-consuming and this will be a little break for everyone. I even wondered if it were worth talking about wikis, but decided it was. Many people, even librarians (gasp!) only know of Wikipedia and don't really know what a wiki is. Well, after Exercise #7, they should have a better idea.

Writers Live went quite well--people really enjoyed hearing David Giffels talk and we had the biggest crowd ever!

Last book I read was Deanna Raybourn's Silent in the Grave. I read it because it was on one of the RITA lists. I was thrilled to discover she has a second book and it was on our library's shelves! And she has a third one coming out next year!

I also read Bloody Confused: A Clueless American Sportswriter Seeks Solace in English Soccer by Chuck Culpepper. Ha! And you thought I only read romance! You could perhaps stretch it and say something about this is a book about the romance of the game, but that would be pushing it. Highly recommended if you love soccer (real football) and/or sportswriting. Not recommended at all if you don't because you wouldn't understand! (Just like I wouldn't understand or be interested in reading a book about--oh, say, cricket or golf! It's not an insult--it's just why would you want to try to read something you won't enjoy?)

Monday, October 6, 2008

Writing and Authors and Books, Oh My!


So, next week we have one of the two Writers Live luncheons MCDL holds each year. This time we have just one author. David Giffels bought a nearly condemned mansion in Akron (with his wife, Gina, who must be a saint to have done this) and has spent ten years restoring it. His book, All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House is a book worth reading, especially if you are familiar with Akron. Belle Elving of The Washington Post said, "His memoir, All the Way Home, is not only a chronicle of this renovation but also an homage to Akron, Ohio, and an affirmation of his place in it." Since my mom's family is from Akron and I received my BA from The U of A, I can relate to his love of the city.


Another author whose books I've been reading (gobbling up, devouring) is Katie Fforde. She's kind of like a British Susan Wiggs, but with perhaps a bit more humor. Her characters are gloriously, lovably imperfect. Here's her description of the hero in Restoring Grace : "Flynn Cormack might well have been Irish, but he certainly didn't exude the bonhomie Sara was obviously expecting. In fact, he seemed distinctly irritable." Later, Flynn catches the eye of the hero Grace and "regarded her with a strange, intent look. Grace wondered if her ancient makeup had done something funny to her face." How can you not relate to these characters? Well, okay, how can I not relate to them? And it's not just me. My mom loves them too. So, give Fforde a try.


Then at my NEORWA meeting, we learned all about how goals, conflict, and motivation can be used to strengthen your story. All I can say is I have work to do!