Library Notes
Betty Moore
Resources about Writing
Some say that everyone has a book inside them waiting to be written. Maybe this is the time yours has been waiting for. Rowan Public Library has a number of helpful resources for writers, whether they are looking for ideas to get started or have manuscripts ready to submit.
Books for inspiration such as Natalie Goldberg’s “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within,” “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott, and “Writing as a Road to Self-Discovery” by Barry Lane discuss elements of the writer’s craft as well as what it takes to be a writer.
Others, such as “Grammatically Correct: The Writer’s Essential Guide to Punctuation, Spelling, Style, Usage, and Grammar” by Anne Stilman and the classic “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White, focus on the nuts and bolts of the writing process.
Browsing through the 808’s on RPL’s shelves will help writers learn about many formats and genres, including memoirs, novels and short stories, plays and screenwriting, magazine articles, and religious, travel or science writing. The titles alone highlight the wide variety of available resources and interests: “Write the Story of Your Life,” “Write Up the Corporate Ladder,” and “The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics.” RPL even has “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Well!”
Once a manuscript is complete, a writer usually begins looking for an agent, editor or publisher. “Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009” is a good place to start. “Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent’s Eye” by agent Katharine Sands gives tips on pitching your book plus getting an agent to notice your work.
“Writer’s Market” lists book publishers, magazines, and literary agents and includes interviews with successful writers. It also has a wide variety of information such as tips on writing query letters and a freelance rate chart. Similar sources are “Poet’s Market,” “Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market,” and “Christian Writer’s Market Guide.” “Literary Market Place 2009” is the directory of the American book publishing industry with industry yellow pages.
The North Carolina Writers’ Network has prepared a helpful little book whose huge title tells its contents: “North Carolina's Literary Resource Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Grants and Fellowships, Retreats, and Residencies, Literary Magazines & Small Presses, Independent Bookstores, Writing Markets, Literary Reference Materials, Writers Groups & Organizations, Agents, Critiquing Services and much, much more.” Their website is www.ncwriters.org.
RPL also subscribes to “The Writer,” a monthly magazine offering “advice and inspiration for today’s writer.” A special section in the June 2009 issue focuses on writing for children. Their website is www.writermag.com.
BookPage, the free monthly book review periodical available at RPL, includes a column, “The Author Enablers,” that offers the inside scoop on writing and publishing.
Free the stories within you using writing resources at RPL.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Library Notes
Rebecca Hyde – May 8, 2009
How can “talk” change our lives? That is the subtitle of Theodore Zeldin’s book “Conversation,” which began as a series of broadcasts on the BBC. Zeldin, born in Palestine, is an Oxford University historian, a philosopher, management consultant, and radio personality. He has conducted his “human audits” in the workplace, within families, and among different cultures. In this little book, he summarizes the history of conversation, of conversational revolutions that have given us the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and modern times. Along the way, rhetoric became a weapon of war, scientific clarity became jargon, and women tried to introduce emotions as a topic of conversation.
Why is conversation so powerful? It is not just about conveying information or sharing emotions. It is creative: “Conversation is the meeting place of minds with different memories and habits.” Facts are not only exchanged; new implications are drawn, and new trains of thought are taken.
Why is conversation so important? It can create equality. In a family, it enables people of different temperaments and different ages to live together. In the workplace, it can overcome problems of specialization, education, and of jobs that have become too narrow.
Along with “provocative” drawings to stimulate discussion, Zeldin provides practical suggestions in the form of thirty-six conversational topics on work, love, technology, and family. We can become more agile, more charming, if we wish, and perhaps more clear-sighted.
For more practice in conversation, browse the following book titles.
“The Art of Civilized Conversation,” by Margaret Shepherd, is a guide to “expressing yourself with style and grace.” In an electronic society, talking face-to face is the most basic form of social interaction, but it leaves many people feeling tongue-tied. For Shepherd, it is a highly practical skill, which can be polished. Think of it as the “Swiss Army knife of social skills,” which you can take anywhere you go.
In “How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere,” Larry King shares his secrets to good communication. Besides covering the basics in “Talk 101,” King entertains with examples of the best and worst conversationalists from his own experience: Frank Sinatra and Bill Clinton are among the “good.”
Leil Lowndes’ “How to Talk to Anybody about Anything” is a directory of opening conversational gambits or icebreakers. For example, in talking with professional athletes, you might ask about mental training or pre-performance routine. With movement or “cult” followers, ask what the group believes in, or why they joined. Ask stamp collectors what area of philately interests them the most.
“Miss Manners’ Basic Training: The Right Thing to Say,” by Judith Martin, is a review of etiquette in conversation, including advice and useful phrases plus humor. Let’s not cast aside conventional forms in favor of creativity and improvisation. In everyday life, originality won’t do. Etiquette can provide people with the right thing to say because it expresses feelings in time-tested ways, appreciated and understood.
Rebecca Hyde – May 8, 2009
How can “talk” change our lives? That is the subtitle of Theodore Zeldin’s book “Conversation,” which began as a series of broadcasts on the BBC. Zeldin, born in Palestine, is an Oxford University historian, a philosopher, management consultant, and radio personality. He has conducted his “human audits” in the workplace, within families, and among different cultures. In this little book, he summarizes the history of conversation, of conversational revolutions that have given us the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and modern times. Along the way, rhetoric became a weapon of war, scientific clarity became jargon, and women tried to introduce emotions as a topic of conversation.
Why is conversation so powerful? It is not just about conveying information or sharing emotions. It is creative: “Conversation is the meeting place of minds with different memories and habits.” Facts are not only exchanged; new implications are drawn, and new trains of thought are taken.
Why is conversation so important? It can create equality. In a family, it enables people of different temperaments and different ages to live together. In the workplace, it can overcome problems of specialization, education, and of jobs that have become too narrow.
Along with “provocative” drawings to stimulate discussion, Zeldin provides practical suggestions in the form of thirty-six conversational topics on work, love, technology, and family. We can become more agile, more charming, if we wish, and perhaps more clear-sighted.
For more practice in conversation, browse the following book titles.
“The Art of Civilized Conversation,” by Margaret Shepherd, is a guide to “expressing yourself with style and grace.” In an electronic society, talking face-to face is the most basic form of social interaction, but it leaves many people feeling tongue-tied. For Shepherd, it is a highly practical skill, which can be polished. Think of it as the “Swiss Army knife of social skills,” which you can take anywhere you go.
In “How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere,” Larry King shares his secrets to good communication. Besides covering the basics in “Talk 101,” King entertains with examples of the best and worst conversationalists from his own experience: Frank Sinatra and Bill Clinton are among the “good.”
Leil Lowndes’ “How to Talk to Anybody about Anything” is a directory of opening conversational gambits or icebreakers. For example, in talking with professional athletes, you might ask about mental training or pre-performance routine. With movement or “cult” followers, ask what the group believes in, or why they joined. Ask stamp collectors what area of philately interests them the most.
“Miss Manners’ Basic Training: The Right Thing to Say,” by Judith Martin, is a review of etiquette in conversation, including advice and useful phrases plus humor. Let’s not cast aside conventional forms in favor of creativity and improvisation. In everyday life, originality won’t do. Etiquette can provide people with the right thing to say because it expresses feelings in time-tested ways, appreciated and understood.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Library Notes
May 1, 2009
Dara L. Cain
Discovering Self-Esteem in Children’s Books
Self-esteem is a genuine respect for or positive impression of one’s self. Possessing positive self-esteem is important to promoting healthy self-development in children. The following is a bibliography of fun, educational, and engaging children’s books that raise the subject of self esteem and can be found at the Rowan Public Library.
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont is a rhyming picture book about a young girl who expresses confidence in her individuality and encourages children to love themselves “inside, outside, upside down, from head to toe and all around...” Illustrator David Catrow will have kids laughing when they see the main character with purple polka dotted lips and dancing in a bird bath with no care in the world as to what others may think of her. In It’s Okay to be Different author and illustrator Todd Parr uses simple text and rainbow colored illustrations to teach youngsters to accept who they are by understanding the many differences that exist among individuals. There are many differences that are “okay” such as “It’s okay to wear glasses,” “It’s okay to talk about your feelings,” and “It’s okay to be adopted.” Three bears wonder if their parents have a favorite child in the book You’re All My Favorites by Sam McBratney. The young bears are reassured when Mommy and Daddy Bear convince each of their concerned cubs that an endless love exists for all of them. The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem by Diane Loomans portrays twenty-four animal characters each personifying a different quality of self-esteem. Children will be able to identify with the qualities that personify a healthy self-image and will learn how to develop positive images of themselves.
Gordon Korman’s novel Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire is about Zoe, a third grader who makes up elaborate stories in order to be liked by others. When an exciting event really does take place in her life nobody believes her. In the end a friend assures her that she is special for just being herself. In the chapter book Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining by Anne Mazer, Abby believes her three siblings outshine her. In search of her own “super special” talent Abby is determined to become a fifth grade soccer star but in the process learns that her genuine talents already make her unique and special. The silly title alone There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar will entice children to read this wonderful story full of insight and comedy. Bradley is a bright and imaginative eleven year old boy who doesn’t have any friends. When Bradley befriends the new school counselor who is kind and funny she helps him to believe in himself and gradually restores his self-confidence.
Don’t forget to check out these great reads on self-esteem at the Rowan Regional Library.
May 1, 2009
Dara L. Cain
Discovering Self-Esteem in Children’s Books
Self-esteem is a genuine respect for or positive impression of one’s self. Possessing positive self-esteem is important to promoting healthy self-development in children. The following is a bibliography of fun, educational, and engaging children’s books that raise the subject of self esteem and can be found at the Rowan Public Library.
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont is a rhyming picture book about a young girl who expresses confidence in her individuality and encourages children to love themselves “inside, outside, upside down, from head to toe and all around...” Illustrator David Catrow will have kids laughing when they see the main character with purple polka dotted lips and dancing in a bird bath with no care in the world as to what others may think of her. In It’s Okay to be Different author and illustrator Todd Parr uses simple text and rainbow colored illustrations to teach youngsters to accept who they are by understanding the many differences that exist among individuals. There are many differences that are “okay” such as “It’s okay to wear glasses,” “It’s okay to talk about your feelings,” and “It’s okay to be adopted.” Three bears wonder if their parents have a favorite child in the book You’re All My Favorites by Sam McBratney. The young bears are reassured when Mommy and Daddy Bear convince each of their concerned cubs that an endless love exists for all of them. The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem by Diane Loomans portrays twenty-four animal characters each personifying a different quality of self-esteem. Children will be able to identify with the qualities that personify a healthy self-image and will learn how to develop positive images of themselves.
Gordon Korman’s novel Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire is about Zoe, a third grader who makes up elaborate stories in order to be liked by others. When an exciting event really does take place in her life nobody believes her. In the end a friend assures her that she is special for just being herself. In the chapter book Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining by Anne Mazer, Abby believes her three siblings outshine her. In search of her own “super special” talent Abby is determined to become a fifth grade soccer star but in the process learns that her genuine talents already make her unique and special. The silly title alone There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar will entice children to read this wonderful story full of insight and comedy. Bradley is a bright and imaginative eleven year old boy who doesn’t have any friends. When Bradley befriends the new school counselor who is kind and funny she helps him to believe in himself and gradually restores his self-confidence.
Don’t forget to check out these great reads on self-esteem at the Rowan Regional Library.
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