Monthly Archives: June 2007

Two-year blog anniversay: The evolution of books are our friends and a special announcement

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It’s been a real process, finding what I really wanted to say, if I had anything worth writing that other people might want to read.

Back over at Blogger, I originally envisioned a political blog. Makes me laugh now. I guess I was reading too much Powerline back then. But I discovered quickly that was way too labor intensive. Then I figured I should keep a mommy blog and write about being a mom, a homeschooler, blah blah. But I got bored with that fast. When I sit with Dell, I’m looking for a break from all things mommy. The occasional mommy rant makes it here, or thoughts regarding my spiritual life are posted, but for the most part, I’m content writing about books, writing, and reading.

Which brings me to my big news. And I’ve been waiting over a month to say it, but held off because I was waiting for the link to go with it.

I won a short story contest.

First place bragging rights, $100, and I’m published in an on-line magazine, Mom Writers Literary Magazine, also coming to my mailbox in a real touch-me, frame-me, hang-it-on-the-wall glossy magazine.

I feel like I’m on my way.

Blogging is nice, fun and something to keep me off the street, out of trouble, a distraction. But, let’s be honest here: does the world really need this blog? No. The Internet is overrun with personal blogs, book blogs, writer’s journals. I could delete books are our friends and go about my way, reading, keeping thoughts to myself.

I’m happy my blog-keeping has evolved into something more. Motivated me to the next step. For me the next step is fiction. My own fiction. Winning a short story contest is a great kick in the pants. I can do this.

I can.

So, less blogging and more fiction writing, learning the craft. I’m excited to see what the next two years has for me.

Reading (to and Two) fantasy

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This and that today.

I’m well into The Two Towers by Tolkien and loving it. It’s completely true when we say the book exceeds the movie. It’s all Tolkien and the man takes his time, people, if you understand my meaning. Every scene is well-done, lots of details, beautiful language. One doesn’t rush through Tolkien. I suspect that’s why some folks just don’t get it. Reading fantasy allows for that pure suspension of belief that lets you leave behind everyday life. This is especially true of Tolkien with all the Middle Earth backstory references he drops in the narrative. What’s your favorite Tolkien book?

Whether it be book or movie, my boys are crazy for fantasy, so to participate with Jennifer’s “Read Together” project, I’m going to read to them My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. I’ve had it on the shelf for a few months and keep forgetting to get going with it. Jen’s given me the incentive to start. Follow the link above to see what other folks are reading to their hobbits.

Poetry Friday. For fantasy-readers, young and old, a poem about dragons:

The Dragons are Singing Tonight

Tonight is the night all the dragons
Awake in their lairs underground,
To sing in cacophonous chorus
And fill the whole world with their sound.
They sing of the days of their glory,
They sing of their exploits of old,
Of maidens and knights, and of fiery fights,
And guarding vast caches of gold.

Some of their voices are treble,
And some of their voices are deep,
But all of their voices are thunderous,
And no one can get any sleep,
I lie in my bed and I listen,
Enchanted and filled with delight,
To songs I can hear only one night a year –
The dragons are singing tonight.

–by Jack Prelutsky

Love it? Memorize it!