Busy as a Bee, Chuck Close and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 59

This month is a busy one. The Listen to Your Mother performance in St. Louis has one last rehearsal before the show. My son is getting married at the end of the month. Our dog rescue group is having a 5K run the day before "da boy" gets hitched. My eighth graders are graduating. Of course, add report cards to the mix... and boxing up my classroom (so the floors can be waxed) and this all happens before June begins.

"Keith" by Chuck Close

       This painting by Chuck Close is one of my favorites. It's in the St. Louis Art Museum. It's huge, and looks like a photograph until you get right on top of it.

       I love it because you can see the subject---flaws and all. In this portrait, every pore, every wrinkle, every stray hair can be seen.

       When I finish a first draft and then revise it, I think I see most of the flaws. Of course, many are overlooked. Sometimes I look at a piece through rose-colored glasses. Sometimes I've labored so hard over a particular part, I feel married to it... even though I know--deep down--that that part doesn't work...

... Which is where writing colleagues come in. My writing friends are honest and talented enough to tell me when parts need to be deleted or overhauled. Over the years, I've received such wonderful nuggets of advice, resulting in my writing getting better.

How about you? What is the best writing advice/suggestion you ever received?

And now onto the book blurb stuff...


Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A book on the history of statues? A how-to book from Bob Ross? He turned over in his grave over some recent paintings, and now--risen from the dead--has turned to sculpting. You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. Currently, she's super busy. She and her hubster sold their house in Georgia and are setting up their new house in Florida. Lisa did promise she'd make sure their new place has a great place for horses to run... I'm trying to find some irresistible bait for Viggo Mortensen, and after the movie Hidalgo, I know how much he loves to run horses along the sand... 

A picture to remind you of what Viggo looks like, in case you spot him...

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

The ABC Diner

         The ABC Diner had a tri-fold menu. The A side--you could order affordable delicious food, but it would get to you slowly. The B side of the menu--you’d get scrumptious food quickly, but you’d need to get a bank loan before they let you out the door. The C side--the food was served up fast and cheap, but it tasted terrible.

         Diners got tired of too many choices. Business slowed to a trickle.

         A new manager promised a boom. “I can get with the DOT for cheap meat. I can hire an ex-prison cook, since they know how to make tough meat soft and pliable, and I can hire servers who are on meth. That way, folks will get tasty food fast, at a rock-bottom price.”

        His new business plan leads to hilarity, heartbreak and chaos… But will it also lead to success? (143 words)

And for those who like to work ahead, here is the photo for next week:

Steady Like a Turtle

         This is one of many turtles in a sculpture park within walking distance from my school. The turtles are beyond huge, and are meant to be climbed on.

      I'm not sure if it's true, but I've heard that if you pick up a turtle in a well-meaning way (to keep it away from a road, for instance) and turn it in a different direction, it's doing the turtle a disservice. 

      Science teachers--please set me straight if I have the facts screwed up.

      What I am sure about is a turtle's progress.  They drag themselves along, slowly but steadily. It sometimes may not seem like they're moving forwards, but they are.

       I'm working on a WIP. (Hey--if I wasn't working on it, there'd be no W in WIP, right?) It's historical. It's for real (middle-graders) and I think it's the most spectacular thing I've ever written... so far. (Okay, spectacular is not what I'd call it, but I couldn't resist referencing a Seinfeld episode.)

      This is a piece I wrote during NaNoWriMo in November. I sat next to my students and worked on it every week day (and some weekends) that month. Strangely, it almost wrote itself (so far). Or more aptly, the main character is telling the story, and I'm just channeling him.  

      I'm making this public, because otherwise, I might continue to procrastinate. I have 26,000 words down, and I'm getting close to the end. By the end of May, I am going to finish with the first draft.

       Keep your fingers crossed that slow and steady means I can get to the finish line...

Turkey Dogs! And... Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday #58

Yesterday I went to to Chicago. Two cars full of dog rescuers from Love a Golden Rescue left at 5:30 yesterday morning. I got home a little after 9 later that night.

We took home 4 goldens that flew in from Istanbul. Another group that covers several states took 14.

Here are a couple of photos from the day.

      On our way home, we stopped at Wendy's for sandwiches. The four dogs got a potty break and time to roll in the grass. Three of the dogs were thrilled with bites of apple. (One held out for something a bit tastier.) All four loved french fries.

      Their first taste of truly American food...

      And now onto book blurb stuff.


Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A book on the history of statues? A how-to book from Bob Ross? He turned over in his grave over some recent paintings, and now--risen from the dead--has turned to sculpting. You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. Currently, she's super busy. She and her hubster sold their house and are currently trying to hide from Linda O'Connell because Linda is craaaazy about the beach.

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

Cat-Scratch Feverish Fighting

Queen B was one pampered cat. She didn’t have to scratch herself to the top of the heap in her family. From the moment she was brought home, she made her expectations clear.

Only the best tuna. No cat-grade tuna for Queen. Cream every day, served in a delicate heirloom bowl. Walls re-papered on a regular basis for her scratching pleasure. A personal fluffer on call at all times. Fresh, flown-in-from-Maryland crab on special occasions… like every other Tuesday. A private jet for visits to see her friend Morris and Grumpy.

However, when Queen B demanded (and got) a couch in the front yard so she could survey her kingdom, the neighbors complain. What will come next, they wonder. A four-story statue of that spoiled-rotten cat? A giant screen set up outside for bird video viewings? Enough is enough.

Who will unsheath their claws first--the neighbors or Queen B?  (149 words)

And for Val and Pat--sorry, you have one less day than most weeks--here is the photo for next Friday:

It Only Takes 6...

Six-word memoirs. How would you say something of substance in only six words?

My students began working on these today and in just part of an afternoon, they came up with some amazing ones. I'll try and post some of them on Friday or next week.

But trust me, they're good.

I'm hoping some of you try writing one. (You could always leave it in the comment section.)

photo--google images

To give you a taste of what they're like, go here.

So don't waste any more time... write a six-word memoir now.

And if you want to see a photo of me that was taken over 40 years ago, go to my post on the Muffin.

Fun is What Makes the World Go 'Round... and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 57

This is a picture of my son. (He's the one on the right.) My boy's a little over six-feet tall, just in case you think the guy who runs with scissors is normal, height-wise.

Ian plays Ultimate, which (in case you didn't know) is like soccer, but it's played with a frisbee.

He also loves to play basketball, football, tennis, soccer and volleyball. He enjoys joking with his friends and family. He's got a zest for life.

At the end of May, Ian will be getting married. After the wedding, I hope he and his bride continue on the joyous path they've started traveling on... 'cause life is too short to miss out on the delights living has to offer. 

And now, onto this week's book blurb offering:

Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A book on the history of statues? A how-to book from Bob Ross? He turned over in his grave over some recent paintings, and now--risen from the dead--has turned to sculpting. You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. Currently, she's super busy. She and her hubster sold their house to finance Lisa's latest obsession. It's Viggo. Again. Yes, Lisa is stalking Viggo Mortensen (she wants to photobomb him) and her understanding husband has agreed to take the proceeds from the sale of their house to pay for her adventure. They bought the old Partridge Family bus and are criss-crossing the country in search of the elusive actor. Since she's unable to host the book blurb bit anymore, I've taken over.

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

The Solitary Man--Off the Grid

If you loved the first two books about Norman’s real life camper adventures, you’ll love the third one in the series.

Not content to merely live as a minimalist--space-wise--our quirky hermit is now transforming his living space so he can live completely off the grid.

After spending hours poring over research volumes at the library, Norman came back home and immediately boarded up all the windows of his home-sweet-home. Then, he went shopping and bought a trunkful of pork and beans. He boiled some eggs. He pickled cabbage and canned it.

With the camper as tight as a tick, and with Norman’s belly full of gas-producing food, he’s confident he’ll be able to heat his home with a regular supply of methane.

Will his plan work? Will he be able to reduce his carbon footprint through beans and deviled eggs? Read The Solitary Man--Off the Grid to find out. (149 words)  

And for Val and Pat and anyone else who wants to work ahead, here is the photo for next week:

photo by pixabay

    

Wanna Come Out and Write?

 Do you live in the St. Louis area? Do you have plans on Saturday? Would you enjoy being able to write for a few hours?

This is one of the sculptures at
Laumeier Park.

If you answered "yes" to each of those questions, come to Laumeier Sculpture Park on Saturday (4/22) from 1-4.

We're meeting at the main entrance. It's a Camp NaNoWriMo session, but anyone is welcome to join us--kids and adults.

If you come, bring a water bottle and a snack to sustain you... and remember: I have my eye on you.