There were only a few passages in this novel that caught my attention for their descriptive nature. The book was good, thoughtful, and well-written, but there was little use of expressive parts of speech or flowery language. One effective comparison did stick, though, the author described the voice of a wise and aging pope: “HisContinue reading “Father Elijah: His voice . . .”
Tag Archives: #aspiringauthors
Father Elijah
A friend recommend this “Apocalypse” book to me, and it was the sweetest, most innocent, and least terrifying book about end times I’ve encountered. Don’t get me wrong, the prophecies surrounding the end times are scary, but this journey of Father Elijah captures one honest man’s point-of-view of how the end begins: a global governingContinue reading “Father Elijah”
Sioux Falls Friends: Literature & Lattes is TODAY!
Literature & Lattes is a pretty impressive autumn Literature Event in south eastern South Dakota. If you’re in the Sioux Falls area this Saturday, October 26, swing by the festival in the Brandon Golf Course Ballroom! Be sure to stop by the Suddenly Rural Girl table to say hello, too! (I’ll be at a tableContinue reading “Sioux Falls Friends: Literature & Lattes is TODAY!”
Sioux Falls Friends: a Christian Lit Festival worth checking out this Saturday!
Literature & Lattes is a pretty impressive autumn Literature Event in south eastern South Dakota. If you’re in the Sioux Falls area this Saturday, October 26, swing by the festival in the Brandon Golf Course Ballroom! Be sure to stop by the Suddenly Rural Girl table to say hello, too! (I’ll be manning a tableContinue reading “Sioux Falls Friends: a Christian Lit Festival worth checking out this Saturday!”
In Brookings tonight!
I still remember my lines as Theseus from 20 years ago in Prairie Rep’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “What say you, Hermia? Be advised fair maid, to you your father should be as a god…” Tonight I’ll be back to Brookings … at The Nook! If you’re in town this evening, swing byContinue reading “In Brookings tonight!”
Brookings Book Signing … or Just Say “Hi!”
Years ago I was on stage as Theseus in a Midsummer Night’s Dream at Prairie Rep, and I’m now headed back to Brookings … to The Nook! If you’re in town this Thursday evening, swing by to say hi . . . and browse this cute bookstore on Main Street for some great books! (It’sContinue reading “Brookings Book Signing … or Just Say “Hi!””
Rosemount, MN: Meet the Authors on Oct. 17!
The Rosemount Area Arts Council hosts a “Meet the Authors” Series, and Kennedy and I thrilled to be the featured authors this month! We’d love to see friends, family, and avid YA readers and writers at the Robert Trail Library on October 17th at 6:30pm. For more about the RAAC Meet the Authors Series, visitContinue reading “Rosemount, MN: Meet the Authors on Oct. 17!”
Brookings, SD Book Signing!
The Nook is a cute bookstore on Main Street in Brookings, SD, and they’ve invited Kennedy and me in for a book signing event on October 24, from 5:30-7pm! (Kennedy is a busy teen and won’t make the trip, but I’d still love to have you swing by to say hi, and to check outContinue reading “Brookings, SD Book Signing!”
Writing Funny: Humor in Any Situation
Years ago, I taught an acting and film unit called “The Seven Causes of Laughter” and it covered things like Exaggeration, Incongruity, Protection Factor, Relief of Pressure, and more. Relief of Pressure is an important concept when trying to find humor in difficult situations. When tension builds or emotions are already high, a well-timed quipContinue reading “Writing Funny: Humor in Any Situation”
Deep Valley Book Festival in Mankato!
If you’re in the Mankato Area on October 5, swing by the Deep Valley Book Festival and say hi! I’ll be manning a table from 10am to 3pm! The DVBF provides readers the chance to interact with their favorite authors and meet new ones. This FREE family event features authors, illustrators, publishers, book sales andContinue reading “Deep Valley Book Festival in Mankato!”
Ships & Bricks: alike in the way they’re different.
This was another simple, absurd, and entertaining description from Hitchhiker’s Guide. When we draw parallels we frequently compare like things. The choice to combine “these two things that are similar because their not” caught me pleasantly off guard. I’ve been looking for some funny books of late–the kind that make you laugh out loud. They’reContinue reading “Ships & Bricks: alike in the way they’re different.”
“…even though your head is shaped like an anvil…”
This was a fantastic back-handed compliment that uses both exaggeration and incongruity to get the laugh. Initially it’s hopeful. If delivered by an attractive and “ditsy blonde” character–it might actually be intended as a compliment. The dim-witted recipient might also believe it was a compliment. For the reader (of higher intelligence) we see the unintended,Continue reading ““…even though your head is shaped like an anvil…””