Monthly Archives: February 2018

Nonfiction… (The Creative Penn has great resources for authors.) The book, “How to Market a Book,”  is a great example of nonfiction for writers, both traditionally and self-published. “The World of Dinosaurs,” is another example that’s great for kids and adults alike. Personally, I love dinosaurs. Here are some things to think about when writing andContinue reading “Post 12: Nonfiction & What I’m Reading”

Reflecting on a Novel – 10 Steps If you’re anything like me, reading outside is a great place to pause and reflect. Want 10 questions to probe deeper thinking about that novel? Consider these: What if the main character was a boy instead of a girl, or vice versa? What if this story had aContinue reading “Post 14 & 15: Reflecting on a Novel – Steps/Graphic Novels – the Benefits.”

Summary: Arnold, aka, Junior, is the main character in “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. Junior lives on a reservation and has one good friend named Rowdy. Junior and Rowdy play together a lot but often suffer from poverty, sickness, and alcoholism. Realizing that he isn’t going to become anyoneContinue reading “Book Review 7: Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”

Summary: Winger, by Andrew Smith, is about a young boy (really young for his grade) who is a junior and just fourteen. He’s in love with his best friend, Annie, who thinks he’s adorable. At the same time, as if that isn’t rough enough, he is moved to o-hall where the “bad” kids have toContinue reading “Book Review 6: “Winger””

Realistic Fiction Do you read realistic fiction? I do. I read a lot of things, actually. But if you would like to know the inside scoop as to what falls under realistic fiction, keep reading: Realistic fiction deals with day-to-day events that are universal to all people. While cultures and the way of life mayContinue reading “Post 11 and 13: Realistic Fiction VS. Fantasy and SciFi”

Check out my first ever silly podcast here: The Case of: Doug JohnsonVS.LibraryCommunity for a glimpse of Dough Johnson’s contribution as library media and technology specialist. Fun but silly! #ala #podcasts

Update: As some of you know, I have been in the process of self-publishing Forces and the Malachite Stone, a middle grade fantasy. I recently published it on Amazon but, deep down, loathed the cover I had made. Plus, believe it or not, found some editing errors (after several read throughs); that just wasn’t acceptable,Continue reading “Publication Update + Excerpt”

Here is a really neat website that I found when trying to garner some illustrating wisdom. Check out Artists and Illustrators for a guide on creating a children’s book. My heart aches to go home and draw right now. At least it’s Friday. Happy writing! and drawing! #art #illustration #childrensbooks

Here is a review of “Booked” by Alexander Kwame. Sorry for the poor lighting. #bookreviews #booked

#middlegradebooks #fantasybooks #amwriting Publication date has been pushed back to April/May.