Creative Writing Class Begins Again Today

When I first became a peer mentor in 2016, I was teaching a class on creative writing at work. However, it was scheduled so late in the day and almost no one came after a while, and it was cancelled at the beginning of 2017. Now after tow years, the class is back. I will be doing it on alternating Mondays, starting today. several of my fellow clients and mentors have been excited about the class. And it will be earlier in the day, when most clients are still attending.

My first planned activity is one I had done several times when I first ran the class. I wrote different words and phrases on tiny slips of paper, then folded the slips and put them in a small bag. Participants will draw some of the words (I haven't decided how many just yet) and write a piece that includes all the words drawn.

I can't wait to see how the class turns out this time.

Middle Grade or YA?

Yesterday I began working more on my diary sequel. As you may have seen on my blog in the past year, I have received feedback from several people whom I have let read my story. Only one gave a bad review and one I have not yet heard from. But everyone else who has read my story has given me good feedback. 

I have now wondered how to classify my novel, whether as middle grade or young adult. The protagonist is 12 in the first book and is about to turn 13 in the WIP sequel. Also, the leader of my writers group said it sounds like a YA novel aimed at grades 4 to 7. And I'm more confused on how to classify my book based on what I have read in this link:

I may not be a parent, but the
info contained here is quite helpful
for my post.

Middle Grade Books: Ages: 8-11 yearsGrades: 3-6Length: 30-50K wordsCharacters: Protagonist (main character) is around the age of the reader, 8-11 years old or youngerTopics: friendship, family, the character's life and world, external conflict vs internalPoint of View: often third-person, meaning the narrator is outside the story looking inContent restrictions: no profanity, graphic violence, or sexuality permitted

Examples: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Sisters (by Raina Telgemeier), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Wonder (by R.J. Palacio)
 

Young Adult Books:  Ages: 12-18 yearsGrades: 7-12Length: 50-75K wordsCharacters: Protagonist is older, 12-18 years oldTopics: self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaningPoint of View: often first-person, meaning the narrator is telling the story about himself or herselfContent restrictions: profanity, violence, romance and eroticism permittedExamples: The Divergent Trilogy, The Fault in Our Stars, The Hunger Games Now, these guidelines are just that—guidelines. Often the lines may be blurry in some books, which makes categorizing them difficult. If ever you are confused or concerned or want to learn more, read the book yourself to see if it's a good fit for your child. You are the best gauge, as the parent. You know best what your child can and cannot handle. 

I am now beginning to think that I have blurred the lines as suggested in the last paragraph quoted above. When the time comes, though, I will let others determine if they think it is appropriate for their child to read, and websites to determine what age range they want to file my story under. Books that could fall under either are often categorized as both on Goodreads.

Chapter Break Bingo – January 2019

Here is the new card for January.

Mark up the card however you wish to claim the squares.

Here’s a recap for clarity (with specific dates for example):

January 5 – new bingo card available

February 2 – Julie and I will post our January completed bingo cards. You can link up your bingo cards in this post

February 3 – new bingo card available

March 2 – Julie and I will post our February completed bingo cards. You can link up your bingo cards in this post. We will also be posting the January winner of the most squares in this post.

My books:

1. Quicksilver Chronicles--Frances K. Woods (5 squares): Shelf Love, Siblings, Outdoor Activities, Repercussions, Competition
2. Journey to Topaz--Yoshiki Uchida (4 squares): Library Book, Physical Book, New-to-You Author, Not in a Series
3. Wasted--Marya Hornbacher (2 squares): Diet, Free Space
4. The Isle of the Lost--Melissa De La Cruz (9 squares): In a Series, Start a Series, Dystopia, Magic, YA, Made into a TV Show, Super Powers, Cold Weather, Ghost/Spirits/Ghouls
5. Educated--Tara Westover (1 square): Audiobook
6. The Improbable Theory of Ana & Zak--Brian Katcher (1 square): Multi-Word Title
7. Nine Perfect Strangers--Liane Moriarty (1 square): Over 400 Pages
8. The Secret Life of Eva Hathaway--Janice Weber (2 squares): Re-Read, Free Book

25 squares completed on January 31

What’s in a Name 2019 Challenge

The What's in a Name Challenge has moved to a new host for 2019.

The challenge extends from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.  You can sign up any time, but only count books that you read between those dates.

Read a book in any format (hard copy, ebook, audio) with a title that fits in each category.

Don’t use the same book for more than one category.

Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed, it’s encouraged!

You can choose your books as you go or make a list ahead of time.

Sign up below with a link to your What’s in a Name challenge page, not to your main blog page.  Feel free to save the graphic at the top of this post!  Also, link back to this sign up page in your challenge post so others can join too.

The categories below are links to each category sign up link.  Add your post for each category so we can see what you’ve read and discover ideas as needed.

Here are the categories:

• A precious stone/metal  (ex. Ruby Holler, The Silver Chair): Journey to Topaz--Yoshiki Uchida
• A temperature  (ex. In Cold Blood, Love in the Time of Global Warming): Cold Paradise--Stuart Woods
• A month or day of the week  (ex. Tuesdays with Morrie, March): The Saturdays--Elizabeth Enright
• A meal  (ex. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, A Feast for Crows): Bed & Breakfast--Lois Battle
• Contains the word “girl” or “woman”  (ex. Gone Girl, The Woman in the Window): Such a Pretty Girl--Laura Wiess
• Contains both the words “of” AND “and” (ex. A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Book of Blood and Shadow): The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak--Brain Katcher

Challenge completed on May 2

Poetry Reading Challenge 2019

Will be reading some poetry this year as I have been doing for several years now.

Here is what I am reading:

1. Milk and Honey--Rupi Kaur
2. And We Stay--Jenny Hubbard
3. Emma Lazarus: Selected Poems
4. Don Quixote--Miguel de Cervantes
5. The Holy Forest--Robin Blaser
6. American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin--Terrance Hayes
7. Love--Pablo Neruda
8. Long Way Down--Jason Reynolds
9. The Poet X--Elizabeth Acevedo
10. The Tale of Genji--Murasaki Shikibu
11. The Collected Essays of Katherine Anne Porter
12. The First Day of Kindergarten--Tish Rabe
13. These Are Not Sweet Girls--Marjorie Agosin (ed.)
14. Spoon River Anthology--Edgar Lee Masters
15. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back--Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London
16. An Irish Night Before Christmas--Sarah Kirwen Blazek

Challenge completed n December 5

Just One More Pa(i)ge Reading Challenge 2019

I know it seems like a lot more, but I just couldn't resist this one. Many of the monthly prompts are right in my league.

January: Mental Wellness Month – read a book addressing mental health issues or by someone with a mental health illness:
Wasted--Marya Hornbacher

February: Black History Month – read a book by an African-American author:
Not Without Laughter--Langston Hughes

March: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – read a book by or about someone differently-abled:
Speak--Laurie Halse Anderson

April: National Poetry Month – read a book of poetry:
The Holy Forest--Robin Blaser

May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month – read a book by an Asian Pacific author:

The Inheritance of Loss--Kiran Desai

June: Pride Month – read a book by a writer who is LGBTQ+:

On a Sunbeam--Tillie Walden

July: 4th of July Political Woke-ness in the US – read a book that would fall under the #resist category (a stretch, perhaps, but I feel good about it):

Roses and Radicals--Susan Zimet

August: Women in Translation – read a book by a woman that has been translated from its original language:

The Tale of Genji--Murasaki Shikibu

September: Constitution and Citizenship Day (Sept 17) – read a book by an immigrant/refugee:

Americanized--Sara Saedi

October: Bullying Prevention Month – read a book centered around friends/close relationships:

A Corner of the Universe--Ann M. Martin

November: Nonfiction November – read a nonfiction book (bonus point: if the book is by an American Indian author, as it’s also American Indian Heritage Month):

Night Flying Woman--Igantia Booker

December: End of Year Happy Days – read a rom-com or other positive feels book (to end the year on a positive note…also, we have fun “naming” this month):

Sugar and Spice--Fern Michaels & others

Challenge completed on December 5

2019 Foodies Read

Once again doing the Foodies Read, getting as many books as I can this year.

We welcome your reviews of any books about food.  What are books about food?

• Cozy mysteries set in bakeries or coffee shops or restaurants
• Romances set in food trucks
• Cookbooks
• Memoirs of chefs
• Nonfiction about the history of food
• Political books about food policy
• Science fiction set in futuristic cafes
• ….or anything else where food is a major part of the plot

My books:

1. Open House--Elizabeth Berg
2. The Inheritance of Loss--Kiran Desai
3. Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo--Ntozake Shange
4. Bone Appetite--Carolyn Haines
5. The Vineyard--Barbara Delinsky
6. Pete the Cat and the Bad Banana--James Dean
7. Eat, Pray, Love--Elizabeth Gilbert
8. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder--Joanne Fluke
9. Sweet! The Delicious Story of Candy--Jane Love
10. There's Cake in My Future--Kim Gruenenfelder
11. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe--Douglas Adams 
12. One Foot in the Gravy--Delia Rosen
13. Sugar and Spice--Fern Michaels & others
14. There's Something About Christmas--Debbie Macomb

Challenge completed on December 20