Thought for the Day:
“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. You can always do it better, find the exact word, the apt phrase, the leaping simile.”
~ Robert Cormier ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Everyone has to start somewhere, but you don’t need to start badly. HERE is a post on Bookfox with 13 Mistakes Beginner Writers Should Avoid.
Backstory is always tricky. How much? Where to put it? HERE Jenna Kernan has an excellent article from Writer’s Digest with 12 Dos and Don’ts of Revealing Critical Backstory in a Novel.
Sandy Vaile has a great post HERE on Writers in the Storm with 4 Essential Elements You Need to Create a Workable Novel. Her examples are terrific.
I am sure all of you have Uvalde, Texas, and the tragedy there on your minds, as do I. I cannot comprehend how anyone can object to background checks, how anyone can believe 18-year-olds (or anyone else, in my mind) should be able to buy assault weapons and body armor and hundreds of rounds of ammunition unchallenged, how we can continue to sacrifice our children on the altar of gun rights. I am furious and I will do what I can to help candidates who will take this on and make meaningful changes. I try not to get political on my blog, but sometimes I just have to say what I think is really important.
I hope you all have a good Memorial Day weekend. We have many to thank for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, and I include my thanks to all who served. For those of you who have a day off tomorrow, enjoy your day! I am happy to report I am feeling well enough to get to the post office, so I am back to having some giveaways. Yay! No real changes since last week, but I am being brave enough to get out more.
I don’t know if I ever mentioned here that I used to live in Poughkeepsie, NY. It was many years ago. In fact, that is where Dave and I were married. We lived there for five years, and it is a beautiful place. When I saw a book with Poughkeepsie in the title on the review list for the Seattle Book Review, I was intrigued. So I chose Crazy in Poughkeepsie by Daniel Pinkwater for one of my books. Here is the review I wrote for SBR.
When Mick comes home from summer camp, he finds an old man and a dog staying in his room. The old man is a guru, and Mick’s brother Maurice had brought him home from his travels. Mick and the guru get into the habit of walking around Poughkeepsie with the dog every day. Soon they hook up with Vern Chuckoff, Mick’s friend from camp, and his friend Molly, who, it seems, is crazy. They discover an old factory that is filled with ghosts, including the ghost of a whale named Luna. Luna is not happy where she is. She needs to be transported to where other whale ghosts are. The guru arranges to buy a circus wagon for that transport. Thus begins an incredible journey for Mick, Vern Chuckoff, crazy Molly, Luna, the guru, and the dog.
Daniel Pinkwater has written a very clever and funny story that will keep middle graders, even reluctant readers, fully engaged and turning pages right through to the end. The characters are fully formed and fascinating. The story is very compelling and the writing is superb, with snappy dialogue and excellent description. If quirky is something readers enjoy, this is the book for them.
I have a gently-read paperback for one of you. All you need do is be a follower or subscriber (it’s free!), have a U.S. address, and leave a comment below. If you would like extra chances, please share the link to this post on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet and let me know you have done that. And don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE
Rosi Hollinbeck 
So glad you’re getting out more. This one has such a fun premise. I hate to pass on the giveaway but I have way too many books to read right now.
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Thanks, Natalie. It is good to get out. This is a fun book. Maybe put it on your future reads list. You would probably like it. Thanks for the comment.
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Who doesn’t love a quirky ghost story? Not me 🙂
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Quirky, indeed. You don’t find whale ghosts every day! Thanks for commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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First off, I’m so glad your new medicine is helping and you’re starting to feel better! And it’s wonderful that you’re able to get back to doing giveaways—my shelves are always so full-to-bursting that I usually don’t enter, but I know us bloggers all appreciate the chance to get free books (who doesn’t?)! And I absolutely agree with your political stance—I can’t fathom the tremendous lack of empathy one has to have in order to prioritize assault rifles over protecting children from being murdered. It’s such a mess, so thank you for speaking out!
And as for the book, it’s so fun that it is set in a town you once lived in, and the plot itself seems like a delight—whale ghosts pretty much immediately sell you! I’ll pass on the giveaway, but thanks so much for the wonderful post, Rosi!
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Thanks for all your kind words. The book is a lot of fun. Maybe you will get to it one day. Thanks for always leaving such thoughtful comments.
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What a clever story — transporting a whale ghost in a circus van? I’m intrigued.
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It is an intriguing idea, isn’t it? Very fun story. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’ve been to New York, but not to Poughkeepsie. I’m sure I’d remember that name, Rosi. Most middle graders enjoy stories involving ghosts.
I never post anything political, but I appreciate your words of wisdom. There are times when we need to use our collective voices, and this is one of them.
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Yes, Pete, we need to demand reform now. It’s imperative. Poughkeepsie is a great place, and this is a fun book. Thanks for visiting. Good luck in the drawing.
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Sounds a crazy, fun story! Never heard of a whale ghost before but I think I’d like to read about one.
And deepest sympathies from this side of the Atlantic, I can’t imagine how awful it must be for all those involved or affected in any way, by such an horrific and evil act.
Thanks for the great post!
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Thanks for your sympathies. I think our nation is truly in mourning. Yes, the very idea of a whale ghost is just too much fun. The whole book is fun! Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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I have to admit I’ve never even thought about whale ghosts, so that idea alone brought a smile to my face.
I’m glad the medicine is helping. I hope you feel better and better as time goes by.
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Thanks, Nancy. Yes, whale ghosts are a funny idea. The whole book is funny. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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This book just sounds like a joy. I love quirky. I am also glad that you are feeling better, getting out, walking, sharing. Thankful for good medicine.
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Very thankful, Myra. This sure is a quirky book, and I’m sure you would enjoy it. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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Glad you’re feeling better, Rosi. This book sounds fun! I bet Elliott (or one of my grandkids) would like to read it.
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Thanks, Carol. I think Elliott and your grandchildren would love it. If you win, maybe they can pass it around. Good luck in the drawing.
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I love the name Poughkeepsie! (I used to live around there too) It’s been a while since I’ve read a Daniel Pinkwater 🙂
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I must admit, Poughkeepsie is a name I can’t hear without smiling. It is a funny name. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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Poughkeepsie is a crazy place! My daughter went to NewPaltz and Poughkeepsie was the last stop on the Metro North from Grand Central. Very cool depot station, spooky at night.
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I remember the depot. That area was pretty sketchy when I lived there so long ago. But it is a fun place, a perfect setting for this book. Thanks for the comment, Antoinette, and good luck in the drawing.
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I haven’t read a Pinkwater book in a long time. This sounds like a fun read. The title and cover have me hooked. Thanks again for the links. I’ve gotten a little behind her at the start of the summer but I’m catching up.
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