Today is the Princeton Children's Book Festival.
I haven't gone there in the past, but with the contract pending from Lilley Press for Penny Wishes - and because I happen to have two young children, too - I think it will be a lot of fun to attend this event. From what I've read, it's all about the scheduled writers there doing readings, signing books and networking.
I'm really looking forward to it, and I'll report back on this later today.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Meeting Jeff Markowitz - Part II
Yesterday I went to the Manville Library to see and hear Mr. Markowitz talk about murder mysteries, his writing and the Cassie O'Malley series, among other projects.
Despite his claims to the contrary, I found Jeff Markowitz to be quite funny - and the group of people attending his discussion certainly seemed to agree with this assessment. He fielded questions about how he became a writer and storyteller, talked about some of his favorite authors and books, and told some humorous anecdotes to punctuate those points. One of my favorites was about an appearance he made in Florida at a bookstore: To get the gig, he told the bookstore management he could fill the room. And he did - by calling his mother who lived near the store and asking that she send ALL her friends to come by on that date.
As a New Jersey writer, he also told the Manville Library audience that he likes to incorporate a lot of quirky state-related details into his stories, such as local politics (like the kind you can see televised on local access TV) and fictitious minor league baseball teams in fictitious towns.
After his talk, Mr. Markowitz was available for questions - and of course, to autograph copies of his latest book. Unable to resist (because 1.) I am a fan of murder mystery. 2.) because I love to support local authors - and 3.) I really enjoyed his talk) I bought a copy of A Minor Case of Murder from him, and he autographed the book for me. We chatted about some of his upcoming work - and about a bit of my projects, too - and then he also told me about another Xanga blogger who writes humorous poetry. I intend to check this writer out later today!
After I read A Minor Case of Murder, I'll give a review here.
In the meantime, if Jeff Markowitz is going to be appearing at a convenient venue - I recommend going to see him.
And speaking of upcoming readings and appearances - check me out, too!
Next Tuesday, September 16th at 7PM, I'll be joining host (and most excellent poet) Marcia Ivans for Poetry & Pastries - an entertaining evening of poetry readings at Café Beethoven in Chatham.
I'll post more on that soon, along with other dates for readings and stuff!
Cheers,
RJ
Despite his claims to the contrary, I found Jeff Markowitz to be quite funny - and the group of people attending his discussion certainly seemed to agree with this assessment. He fielded questions about how he became a writer and storyteller, talked about some of his favorite authors and books, and told some humorous anecdotes to punctuate those points. One of my favorites was about an appearance he made in Florida at a bookstore: To get the gig, he told the bookstore management he could fill the room. And he did - by calling his mother who lived near the store and asking that she send ALL her friends to come by on that date.
As a New Jersey writer, he also told the Manville Library audience that he likes to incorporate a lot of quirky state-related details into his stories, such as local politics (like the kind you can see televised on local access TV) and fictitious minor league baseball teams in fictitious towns.
After his talk, Mr. Markowitz was available for questions - and of course, to autograph copies of his latest book. Unable to resist (because 1.) I am a fan of murder mystery. 2.) because I love to support local authors - and 3.) I really enjoyed his talk) I bought a copy of A Minor Case of Murder from him, and he autographed the book for me. We chatted about some of his upcoming work - and about a bit of my projects, too - and then he also told me about another Xanga blogger who writes humorous poetry. I intend to check this writer out later today!
After I read A Minor Case of Murder, I'll give a review here.
In the meantime, if Jeff Markowitz is going to be appearing at a convenient venue - I recommend going to see him.
And speaking of upcoming readings and appearances - check me out, too!
Next Tuesday, September 16th at 7PM, I'll be joining host (and most excellent poet) Marcia Ivans for Poetry & Pastries - an entertaining evening of poetry readings at Café Beethoven in Chatham.
I'll post more on that soon, along with other dates for readings and stuff!
Cheers,
RJ
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Meeting Jeff Markowitz - Part I
Jeff Markowitz is a writer whom I met in the Xanga-sphere some time ago. He writes murder mysteries which are one of my special, favorite genres to read!
His blog there is doahsdeer. Tomorrow, he is doing a reading/book-signing at a nearby town's library. And I'm going to be there! I definitely believe we should all support our local authors - and take advantage of the opportunities to meet them and hear them talk about their works!
I'll post all about it tomorrow after I get back.
Cheers,
RJ
His blog there is doahsdeer. Tomorrow, he is doing a reading/book-signing at a nearby town's library. And I'm going to be there! I definitely believe we should all support our local authors - and take advantage of the opportunities to meet them and hear them talk about their works!
I'll post all about it tomorrow after I get back.
Cheers,
RJ
Saturday, September 6, 2008
What a Character!
※※※Being an insomniac has its merits. For one thing, you can use your computer without any interruptions whatsoever in the middle of the night, unlike what you'd normally have to deal with during the day. Which is exactly what I was doing in the wee hours of this damp-ish morning.
So, I was checking out Neatorama, a fascinating blog I follow, which has all sorts of - well, neat things! And, that led me to a link for another blog called Quipsologies. This blog also has a lot of very cool things on it. But, one thing which really caught my eye was a link on that page to yet another page called copypastecharacter.com.
You know how you have to search around and play with the 'alt' plus four numbers to get 'special characters' for a document? Or else play with the 'symbol' drop-down to find the character you want to use so you can try and insert it? Well, this page allows you to simply cut and paste the special characters. Fast and easy. And fun. ♥
Check it out!
☞Cheers,
RJ ⁂⁂⁂
So, I was checking out Neatorama, a fascinating blog I follow, which has all sorts of - well, neat things! And, that led me to a link for another blog called Quipsologies. This blog also has a lot of very cool things on it. But, one thing which really caught my eye was a link on that page to yet another page called copypastecharacter.com.
You know how you have to search around and play with the 'alt' plus four numbers to get 'special characters' for a document? Or else play with the 'symbol' drop-down to find the character you want to use so you can try and insert it? Well, this page allows you to simply cut and paste the special characters. Fast and easy. And fun. ♥
Check it out!
☞Cheers,
RJ ⁂⁂⁂
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Gulf Post Poets!
Woo Hoo!
Gulf Post Poets, a chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas, run a number of poetry contests each month, with different themes and challenges. (Despite living in NJ, I found out about them from being a contributor over the last several years to Sol Magazine.)
I started entering their contests this past summer - and I just found out today that my poem Guess Who Gets the Credit? took 1st place in their July 'Barbecue' competition!
Awesome!!!
So...if you have the chance, check them out. I will be a sponsor of a couple of their upcoming contests this autumn. Even if you use the ideas as prompts (and not enter - although, if you write poetry, you should!) I guarantee it'll be worth your while!
Cheers,
RJ
Gulf Post Poets, a chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas, run a number of poetry contests each month, with different themes and challenges. (Despite living in NJ, I found out about them from being a contributor over the last several years to Sol Magazine.)
I started entering their contests this past summer - and I just found out today that my poem Guess Who Gets the Credit? took 1st place in their July 'Barbecue' competition!
Awesome!!!
So...if you have the chance, check them out. I will be a sponsor of a couple of their upcoming contests this autumn. Even if you use the ideas as prompts (and not enter - although, if you write poetry, you should!) I guarantee it'll be worth your while!
Cheers,
RJ
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Writing Tip Monday
Good morning!
Today, by royal decree (and an overactive imagination!) - and for all future Mondays - I will have a post here called Writing Tip Monday.
Today's tip is on an easy way to get your writing started for the day. This is particularly helpful if you are staring at a blank piece of paper or computer screen. You know what you are there to do...you just can't seem to get it going.
5/7/5
That's the traditional, school-style haiku. In this exercise, you use just 17 syllables in which to be completely concise when making a point. Five words, then seven words and then five words again. Is it 'counting'? Of course. The point is not to write beautiful, elegant haiku, but rather, jump-start yourself and your writing.
But first, some backstory...
Several years ago, I started writing another blog in another blogosphere (TheUnseenUndine - at Xanga.) It was a lot of fun, and I got to 'meet' other writers by blog-networking. One day, in that same blogworld, I discovered a new blog which was just getting off the ground, called the Daily Haiku. Each day, the owner of the site would have a different flavor (twofer 'ku for Tuesday or all 'W' Wednesday) along with some challenge or theme. Those who participated could write their efforts in the 'comments' section of the blog. It caught on quickly and became a bit hit, at least for a few years. Sadly, the site is now defunct.
Now, this wasn't true haiku (or even senryu or zappai - well, maybe zappai), obviously, although many 'ku writers did labor to produce something akin to it. Haiku purists mostly hated the site, but it really had a purpose, because it got writers to think - and put the words down.
Now, I'm no Basho. Not even close. So, realizing I lacked the subtlety for that sublime Zen art form, I decided to go for humor and storytelling, which is a standard in my particular brand of poetry. (It's why I go by Lightverse here. Get it?) A couple of other writers on that board also did the humor/word play thing - and it became a kind of game with us. A challenge in its own right.
But the main thing is, it also got me writing, right off in the AM. And, that's a good thing, right?
So - find a clever word (Worthless Word for the Day is a great source!) or interesting news story (try Yahoo Weird News or Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird or Fark for example) - or write all 17 syllables without the use of the letter 'e'. Or give yourself a challenge like describing a beach or a tree or an old house or someone you saw the previous day, just in passing. The possibilities are endless - or at least, 17 syllables long.
Cheers,
RJ
Today, by royal decree (and an overactive imagination!) - and for all future Mondays - I will have a post here called Writing Tip Monday.
Today's tip is on an easy way to get your writing started for the day. This is particularly helpful if you are staring at a blank piece of paper or computer screen. You know what you are there to do...you just can't seem to get it going.
5/7/5
That's the traditional, school-style haiku. In this exercise, you use just 17 syllables in which to be completely concise when making a point. Five words, then seven words and then five words again. Is it 'counting'? Of course. The point is not to write beautiful, elegant haiku, but rather, jump-start yourself and your writing.
But first, some backstory...
Several years ago, I started writing another blog in another blogosphere (TheUnseenUndine - at Xanga.) It was a lot of fun, and I got to 'meet' other writers by blog-networking. One day, in that same blogworld, I discovered a new blog which was just getting off the ground, called the Daily Haiku. Each day, the owner of the site would have a different flavor (twofer 'ku for Tuesday or all 'W' Wednesday) along with some challenge or theme. Those who participated could write their efforts in the 'comments' section of the blog. It caught on quickly and became a bit hit, at least for a few years. Sadly, the site is now defunct.
Now, this wasn't true haiku (or even senryu or zappai - well, maybe zappai), obviously, although many 'ku writers did labor to produce something akin to it. Haiku purists mostly hated the site, but it really had a purpose, because it got writers to think - and put the words down.
Now, I'm no Basho. Not even close. So, realizing I lacked the subtlety for that sublime Zen art form, I decided to go for humor and storytelling, which is a standard in my particular brand of poetry. (It's why I go by Lightverse here. Get it?) A couple of other writers on that board also did the humor/word play thing - and it became a kind of game with us. A challenge in its own right.
But the main thing is, it also got me writing, right off in the AM. And, that's a good thing, right?
So - find a clever word (Worthless Word for the Day is a great source!) or interesting news story (try Yahoo Weird News or Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird or Fark for example) - or write all 17 syllables without the use of the letter 'e'. Or give yourself a challenge like describing a beach or a tree or an old house or someone you saw the previous day, just in passing. The possibilities are endless - or at least, 17 syllables long.
Cheers,
RJ
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