April Newsletter

Post date: Apr 06, 2017 7:37:4 AM

The Podners, Kendall and Cooper Talk Mysteries with Laura Disilverio - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LGwn17dP98&t=148s

Enjoy this enchanting chat with an author who's work spans the full mystery spectrum.

And have a closer look, at a Close Call by Laura D., and The Reckoning Stones which are both recommended in my syndicated column - http://myedmondsnews.com/2017/04/recommended-reads-gripping-mysteries-from-a-delightful-author/

Practicing Descriptive Writing

Good descriptive paragraphs are really fun to read because they fuel a reader’s imagination. A good description welcomes the reader into a part of the author’s world, not just to see it but also to feel the sensations, experience the smells and the tastes of the subject written about. When you use your strongest feeling or impression last, it can increase the memorable impact.

Using figurative language gives your readers a comparison. For example, saying that the couch was, "as hard as a rock," helps to describe what the couch feels like. Personification is another fun way to add description to your writing. This means giving human qualities to inanimate objects. For example, "My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when I saw that puppy."

The descriptive writer's first job is observer. When observing your subject, look for the hidden importance. Search for the relevant detail that others may miss. Show the significance of that detail, when you incorporate it in your description. This will give your descriptive paragraph deeper meaning, and give your reader something to consider and ponder at length.

Ultimately, your goal as a descriptive writer is to recreate your subject inside your reader's mind. To do this a reader needs a spatial pattern of how the subject is organized or designed. Sometimes that pattern is obvious, like describing a building from top to bottom. If there is a logical pattern, go with it. That will keep things clear for the reader. If there isn’t, consider the subject's dominant features. For example, when describing a photograph or a painting, start with the main subject first, and then focus on interesting details in the background.

Let your fun creativity show, like Karen Russell does in her collection of stories St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised By Wolves. Here's a great excerpt -

I take a running leap down the pier. 'Ayyyiii!' and launch over the water. It's my favorite moment: when I'm one toe away from flight and my body takes over. The choice is made, but the consequence is still just an inky shimmer beneath me. And I'm flying, I'm rushing to meet my own reflection -- Gah!

These phrases like "one toe away from flight" and "just an inky shimmer" are perfect descriptions in the context of the story.

When using descriptive language, it’s important to vary your sentence structure. Try to avoid using the same subject-verb pattern in all sentences. Embedding descriptive elements and combining sentences can help to avoid the routine subject-verb structure, can help break the monotonous tone and the clipped, subject-verb style. Here’s an exciting example:

Racing down an empty hall, she skid into the classroom, breathless, just as the bell rang above her.

Use description that advances the story, and avoid dumping all the description in at once, or dedicating whole, long paragraphs to setting. Trickle and layer description throughout the scene. When you integrate setting with characters, it’s delicious to read.

Supporting Reading at the Literary Lions Gala for King County Library System

So much fun volunteering at the Gala again this year. A great way to support and encourage readers through the library system. Thank you to all you Librarians and other Library workers everywhere.

Money raised will go to so many services and resources including library access for kids and adults, innovative activities that engage individuals and families, free sharing of ideas through all kinds of books and electronic media. In particular, the summer reading program is fun in King County for more than 50,000 children and teens. Last summer participants read more than 17 million minutes, an increase of 19% over last year. Now that's a trend to ride. Programs shared outside the library attracted more than 500 children, and children borrowed more than 2 million books and ebooks. Fun, knowledge, and new ideas all freely shared.

Fun Facts From Cozy Mystery Research

The iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag was named for its Feb. 1955 launch date. It's signature quilting was inspired by the jackets worn by race track stable boys. It's designeer Coco Chanel added a strap, not done for purses at the time, just so women could be hands free at social functions. The reason that Coco Chanel designed the purse with an internal secret pocket? For hiding love letters.