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Friday’s Fun Find: It’s a Booksapalooza!

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2013-03-07 04.48.47When I get home from a writer’s conference, I have a slump for a couple days. And I’ll tell you why: I always go with my hopes high and think, Yes! Some editor (or agent) is going to come up and say, “Cathy C. Hall, I simply MUST have your novel! And while I’m at it, let’s make it a three book deal!”

So far, that hasn’t happened. Thus, the slump. But after the slump, I go all Dreamgirls and start shouting, “Okay, people. I’m not going anywhere. I’m getting serious about writing these books now. Next time,” and here I shake my fist in the air, “next time, you’ll see. You-and you–and you, you’re gonna love me.” Er, my books.

Then I get busy. This time around, I had a lovely gift card from the Beneficent Mr. Hall that I whipped out and used to buy a couple books I’ve heard good things about, either at the conference, or from friends, or ’round the Internet.

1. Save the Cat by Blake Snyder…yes, it’s a screenwriting book, but it’s packed with interesting insights for the would-be novelist. Like  the hook and loglines and scenes. And I’m only on page 24.

2. The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson…although, as you may have noticed, I cut to the chase and purchased the workbook. I need exercises and examples to give me a push. But I suppose if I get to a point where I think I should’ve ordered the original book, too, I’ll hit up Mr. Hall for another gift card. St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, right? (Look, I told Mr. Hall it’s a Savannah tradition, so I’d appreciate it if you’d just keep mum.)

3. The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi…who knew emotions could be (sort of) quantified? I am loving this (Kindle) book. (heart pounding,  sharp intake of breath, eyes dilating)

Okay, that’s enough for now. I’ve got some reading to do, and honestly, I can’t think of anything funner I’d rather do on this Fun Friday. (Well, that agent/editor call might be more fun–d’oh. Now I’ve got to sing the song from Dreamgirls again.)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday: Knowonder (It’s a Book!)

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hermans-horrible-day-cover-5.5-x-8.5 A while back, I shared with you about a new market for children’s writers called knowonder. And then I shared that I had a story published at knowonder called “The Chocolate Cake Bait.” You’d think that would be enough, but you’d be wrong. Because now, my story’s been included in one of the knowonder story collections: Herman’s Horrible Day.

I love what’s going on over at knowonder. And I love lists. So let’s put the two together!

1. I love that the editorial team is so responsive to their market. When they realized that parents weren’t as likely to read the stories from electronic devices, they developed a paper format. They’ve published four volumes of story collections now (but they have Kindle versions as well for those parents who really like electronic format and cost).

2. I love their Story-a-day initiative. When the Junior Halls were Wee Halls, we enjoyed a lot of reading. Each child had his or her reading preferences. Oldest Junior Hall was my “read-aloud stories” kid. He had quite the imagination, and honestly, he could listen to me read for hours. I think he’d still sit down for a good listen if I offered a read. (Is that weird for a twenty-something?) Juniorette Hall would rather read for herself, thank you very much. And Juniorest Hall found a story he liked and wanted it read over and over and over and…you get the picture. The point is, each of these kids read every day. (Sometimes the same story, but still.) And they reaped the benefits of daily reading. I love that knowonder is all about providing stories every day, with enough different stories to reach every reader in the home.

3. I love that they pay their writers –and that they offer promotional support as well. Yes, they’re a business model, and they want to succeed financially. But I appreciate the passion behind why they want to succeed. They want kids to read. And that’s why I write stories.

Know wonder I love ’em so much!

P.S. Speaking of writing stories, before you write the first word of your next story, you may want to read my post over at The Muffin. Then get to work. Knowonder needs lots of stories (and articles, too)!