Those who have visited ‘Inside a Dog’ would know they have a guest author as a blogger each month. This month, Melina Marchetta (author of Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Fransecsca and On the Jellicoe Road) is writing from New York as she spends some holiday time in the US.
So visit Inside a Dog to see what she has to say about life in the ‘Big Apple’. You can even ask her a question or 2, or comment on her observations and ideas at this time.
So did you receive any fabulous books for Christmas? My family knows to expect books from me- occupational hazard, I guess! I pick up gems throughout the year, then try to decide who is going to be blessed with my choices. My nieces are doing rather well at the moment, with all my favourites for early childhood – which delights their mum – a preschool teacher! and they love it too! Read the rest of this entry »
Do you dream a lot? Are you a creative person? Perhaps you can combine the two, and become a creative writer based on your dreams? Where do the creative ideas of authors come from anyway – from the subconscious, or conscious mind? Ideas which may seem crazy to begin with may start the flow of other ideas and a story is born!
One of the challenges I have given myself this holiday season is to read more – and to try to keep track of what I have been reading!! Too often I finish the holidays pleased that I have had the time to read more, but when others ask what book I enjoyed the most, my mind goes blank and I can’t give an immediate answer. So this year, I aim to keep track with a diary.
Now is the time of year when you can catch up your recreational reading – the bliss of holidays – time to read what you want. But isn’t that just when your mind goes blank and you forget all those wonderful recommendations made by others during the year? Why not check out some of the sites listed ahead – a lot of recommended lists, or make your own suggestions?
If you dream of becoming a writer, and would love some guidance from a successful author, then here is a workshop for you…
Authors, Markus Zusak and Ursula Dubosarsky will run writing workshops at the Children’s Bookshop at Beecroft in January. Markus’ latest book, ‘the Book Thief’, has had rave reviews world-wide and is contracted to make a film also. ‘Real Reading’ has also noted that Ursula’s latest book, ’the Red Shoe’, has received many accolades this year.
Even though author J.M. Barrie died in 1937, Peter Pan’s adventures continue. ‘Peter Pan in Scarlet’ was published in October this year after a lengthy search for an author who could write in the same style as Barrie; the aim of course was a sequel that might match the original favourite, ‘Peter Pan’.
Image from: news.bbc.co.uk
Don’t think you have to be out of school with years of experience in order to be a published author! Alexandra Adornetto has just signed with publishers, HarperCollins, with her first novel, ‘Shadow Thief’ to be published next year. In an article in the Sydney Morning Herald on October 27, 2006, Alexandra revealed her passion for writing and about the time she put into the 45,000 word manuscript she had accepted by Harper Collins.
Just a quick comment today to alert you to some of the many blogs (or web sites which include blogs) which you can visit to read about reading! Some are found on the Blogroll, others are those I have been introduced to by other professionals promoting literacy. Try visiting: Read the rest of this entry »
Read a good book? Then release it!! Share it! Don’t let it sit on a shelf gathering dust! This is the idea behind a world wide phenomena called BookCrossing. It has even become an entry in the Oxford dictionary:
Bookcrossing – n. the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.
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