Rump...A Must Read!

I am thrilled to announce that one of my good friends has published her first novel.

Liesl Shurtliff

 Her book debuted on April 9th, and I just purchased it at one of her book signings.  I've read it and I'm happy to say that my friend is very talented.  She has created a book that I will read to my kids many times over.

It's the charming story of the heroic Rump who goes on a quest to find the rest of his name.  In most cases, Rumpelstiltskin is the nemesis, but this new twist is playful and makes you root for the boy with the awkward name.

If you loved Ella Enchanted, The Princess Academy, or The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, this will be the new family favorite.  I read it in two days and am reading it a second time with my kids.  It's charming and clever, and the writing is easy and impeccable.  I couldn't imagine a book that would retell the story of Rumpelstiltskin that would convince me that his side of the story was better and a lot more fun.  I loved it and I can't wait for her next book.

Check out Liesl's website here!

Writer Ropes and Hopes

I am currently submitting a book for publishing that I completed a few years ago.  Okay, I know that you are wondering why a "crafting blog" is posting about writing, but actually it's a blog where we explore our talents and writing is something I have a passion for.  Whether it's poetry, short stories, or just letters, I've been creating ever since I could write.  I love doing it, and hope to see my book on bookstore shelves.

I don't know why I waited until now to get it published, but it's time.  And if it doesn't pan out, I'm looking into publishing it myself.  It's difficult because it's a Christmas picture book, but publishers view it as a children's book.  A lot of publishers shy away from children's books because they are full color books vs black and white books which means they are costly to print and there's not a lot of profit.  I heard back from one publisher who told me that my book "is clever and touching and therefore has potential." Then they went on to tell me why my book couldn't be considered by their firm because it's a picture book. I'm not saying that they would've if they could consider my book, but it's both wonderful and devastating news. My book is good enough to be published, but it will be hard to find someone to take the risk of publishing an unknown author who has a picture book.

This is my friend Liesl, she has a writing blog that is simply amazing. If you are a writer and hoping to one day publish, you really need to stop by her blog Writer Ropes and Hopes. She's been writing for a while now and just recently announced that she has a book accepted for publishing. It won't be out for another year or so, but I am very excited to read it. But in the meantime, I have her blog.  She's very talented and gives potential writers amazing tips.

Make Your Own Handwriting Practice Sheets

Wow, I still haven't recovered from the summer break.  I'm still getting used to the kids schedule and the best way to manage my time.  Having my two oldest gone for 6 hours of the day is a great time to get things done, but when they come home...time is out of my hands.  With all their homework and reading assignments there's not a lot of time to get anything done.  My Kindergartener is starting to get homework, but we've also been asked to work with them on their writing skills with their names, the alphabet, and letters.  So his teacher led me to this website, Amazing Handwriting Worksheets.

In a matter of minutes I was able to create alphabet sheets, number sheets, and some with his name.  They have both print and cursive, you can choose the size of the lettering (e.g. larger for beginners) and how many times it repeats, and it's extremely easy to use.  This would be a great tool for homeschoolers (I'm starting to consider this option myself).  If you have a child who's learning to write, starting cursive, or needs to work on their penmanship, this is the site to use.

Poetic Icon...to me anyways!

I write a little bit of poetry.  I would love to get some of mine published, but getting verses published is even harder than getting books published - so I won't hold my breath.

I come from a line of writers of poetry.  My great-grandfather on my mother's side, and a whole bunch on my father's side...including him.  But shortly after I married my husband, we went to his grandfather's funeral, and I discovered his grandfather was an amazing poet.

In my sidebar I have a link to Inglish Poetry, but I wanted to share one of my favorites of his.  I love this because, for years, I have been attempting to write a poem similar to this, but I just can't quite say it the same way he did.

Read-Hi-Speed by Ray Inglish
 I never could read
As fast as I ought-ter.
So I took a speed course
Prepared by Doc Porter.

Now I read plenty fast,
But it costs me some wages.
I'm hiring two people
For turning the pages.

I love that he says so much in such a little space of time.  I really look up to him as a writer.  It was a style that I had never really seen before, and I can only hope that I can be that good.  Check out his other poems.  They're some really great ones.

Just for fun, I'm going to let you read one of mine.  This is one of my favorites, but it's not something that I would ever attempt to publish...it's just for fun.

The Cup by Karena Lapray
Is the cup half empty, or half full?
That question I do despise.
It’s how much you fill it at the start,
That’s where the answer lies.

Take your cup and top it off,
Drink half and then I swear
That your cup is now half empty
Because what was now isn’t there.

But if you start to fill your cup
And at halfway mark you stop,
Your cup is going to be half full
Because it never reached the top.

I know this may not seem quite right
And that some may think me dense,
But if you experiment with my logic
It really does make sense.

There really is a point to make
I hope you got the gist,
That a cup of water can’t decide
Whether you’re an opti- or pessimist.
(Copyrighted Material. You may use, but may NOT claim as your own.)