Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - The Atomic Weight of Secrets

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 

Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born. I couldn't resist being a part of such brilliance. Others who can be counted on for a great MMGM review each week:

• Joanne Fritz @ My Brain on Books 
• Ben Langhinrchs @ My Comfy Chair

The Atomic Weight of Secrets
or The Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black

by Eden Unger Bowditch

Expected publication: March 15th 2011 by Bancroft Press 

Goodreads blurb:

• In 1903, five truly brilliant young inventors, the children of the world's most important scientists, went about their lives and their work as they always had. But all that changed the day the men in black arrived.
  
  They arrived to take twelve-year-old Jasper Modest and his six-year-old sister, Lucy he with his remarkable creations and she with her perfect memory from their London, England home to a place across the ocean they'd never seen before. They arrived to take nine-year-old Wallace Banneker, last in a long line of Africa-descended scientists, from his chemistry, his father, and his New York home to a life he d never imagined.Twelve-year-old Noah Canto-Sagas, already missing his world-famous and beloved mother, was taken from Toronto, Canada, carrying only his clothes, his violin, and his remarkable mind. And thirteen-year-old Faye Vigyanveta, the genius daughter of India's wealthiest and most accomplished scientists, was removed by force from her life of luxury.
  
  From all across the world, they've been taken to mysterious Sole Manner Farm, and a beautiful but isolated schoolhouse in Dayton, Ohio, without a word from their parents as to why. Not even the wonderful schoolteacher they find there, Miss Brett, can explain it. She can give them love and care, but she can t give them answers.
  
  
  Things only get stranger from there. What is the book with no pages Jasper and Lucy find in their mother's underwear drawer, and why do the men in black want it so badly? How is it all the children have been taught the same bizarre poem and yet no other rhymes or stories their entire lives? And why haven't their parents tried to contact them?
  
  Whatever the reasons, to brash, impetuous Faye, the situation is clear: They and their parents have been kidnapped by these terrible men in black, and the only way they're going to escape and rescue their parents is by completing the invention they didn't even know they were all working on, an invention that will change the world forever.
  
  But what if the men in black aren't trying to harm the children? What if they're trying to protect them? And if they're trying to protect them, from what?
  
  An amazing story about the wonders of science and the still greater wonders of friendship, The Atomic Weight of Secrets or The Mysterious Men in Black , the first book of the Young Inventors Guild trilogy, is a truly original novel. Young readers will forever treasure Eden Unger Bowditch's funny, inventive, poignant, and wonderfully fun fiction debut.
  

I know that's a LONG blurb, but this is such a unique story that it kind of needs one. Even all of that doesn't really explain the million and one things going on. 

At first, I was a bit irritated by the amount of backstory time taken with each character, but I realized later on just how necessary it was. The Atomic Weight of Secrets is so original that I can think of nothing to compare it to--nothing. It's the first of a trilogy, and I believe book 2 is going to be quite an adventure. The main characters felt so comfortable and familiar by the end of the story, that I think I'm going to miss them.

I recommend this book, especially for its unusual and original storyline. It will be released in just a couple of weeks, so add it to your Goodreads list now so you don't forget.

Happy Monday!

Make Some Magic

 

This weekend use these . . .

to write some magic into your story. . .

 

then take some time

to relax and enjoy yourself

Have a wonderful writing and reading weekend!
 

First Challenge REVEAL

I had such a good time reading the comments from yesterday's post. Even more fun than I had writing it! Thanks so much for the comments, everyone.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Rachael Harrie's Crusader Challenge, the goal of the challenge was to:

In 300 words or less, share

· one secret
· one lie
· one interesting quirk
· one annoying habit
· one of your best character traits, and
· one of your favorite things in the whole world. 

BUT . .  it must include the random words, “bloviate,” “fuliguline,” “rabbit,” and “blade”

I looked up bloviate and fuliguline, but they weren't in the dictionary. Tricksy, Rachael, very tricksy!

We get bonus points for making the random words flow smoothly into our post and for making the lie difficult to perceive.  How'd I do??

Everything was true except one thing: my grandpa did NOT design a Fuliguline Engine. He did design and build Cessna airplanes, though.

• Yes, I really did twirl fire. And yes, it was WAY cool! 
• Yes, sadly, I really DO hyperventilate at the dentist and am terrified of bees.
• Yes, my step-father really IS descended from Japanese royalty. Cool, huh?
• My daughter DOES love her piano lessons
• I was 2nd Runner-Up for Miss Montana Majorette (I'd have been 1st runner up if I hadn't had one drop, but I did win the interview)
• I played BOTH instruments (so did my grandmother and mother and so does my son)
• Yes, Elana... I really did want 4 kids. Reality (and time) won out. He he he.

So there you have it! Lots of weird truths and one weird lie.

First Crusader Challenge

Getting to know me in 330 words or less . . . 

As you all know, I'm a coffee-drinking-writer-teacher-baseball fanatic and I love James Dashner. No secrets there. 

But did you know that . . .

I was NOT born in the year of the Rabbit, but rather the year of the Monkey?

My step-father is descended from Japanese royalty? 

That just like my mother I:

• was a majorette in high school
• twirled fire
• played both the trumpet and French horn?

I was second runner-up in the Miss Montana Majorette Pageant?

My grandpa designed and built Cessna airplanes? and designed the first Fuliguline Engine?

But wait! There's more . . . 

One of my favorite things in the whole world is getting to watch the Oakland A's play live: dressing in my A's gear, getting signatures, cheering while my kids dance in the aisle, hoping to get the camera's attention . . . good times.

I swish-swish-swish my right foot on the sheets when I'm falling asleep.

I'm terrified of boviate bees, and I hyperventilate at the dentist.

I have 3 kids, but I always wanted 4.

My daughter is six and loves piano lessons. 

My nine-year-old loves to roller blade and 

my 14-year-old loves to read. 

My husband loves, um, ME.  :-)

Life is Good!!

P.S. One of those little tidbits is a lie. He he he.  Can you guess which one?

Award Love

 

I received this gorgeous award from Shari @ Think Dream Inspire, and I have been remiss about passing it along.

We are supposed to list seven things about ourselves and then share with seven other bloggers. Most of you have been with me for a long time, so I'm not sure I have much new to share, but here goes:

1. I have three children, 2 boys and a girl.

2. My MS is a chapter book. My WIP is a dystopian MG.

3. Victoria, B.C. is one of my favorite places to visit. I even honeymooned there.

4. I LOVE BASEBALL!!!

5. My favorite authors are James Dashner, Brandon Mull, Cornelia Funke, Patricia Polacco, and William Steig.

6. I'm a teacher and I love my job.

7. I'd be lost without the friendship and support of all of YOU!

I'm passing this award to:

Stephanie @ Hatshepsut (the tradition continues)

Robyn @ Putting Pen to Paper (one of the most beautiful people I know)

Old Kitty @ Ten Lives and Second Chances (I followed her avatar and found a friend)

Catherine Denton @ Winged Writer (for her BEAUTIFUL artwork)

Susan Quinn @ Ink Spells (who always teaches me something new)

D.L. @ Cruising Altitude (in honor of his lovely pink hair!)

Tracy @ Forever Endeavor (because she understands/shares my baseball obsession)

And for EVERYONE:

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - The Edge Chronicles

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born. I couldn't resist being a part of such brilliance. Others who can be counted on for a great MMGM review each week:

• Joanne Fritz @ My Brain on Books 
• Ben Langhinrchs @ My Comfy Chair

The Edge Chronicles

by 

Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell

 Goodreads Blurb:

Thirteen-year-old Twig always knew he was different. When his wood troll mother tells him he isn't a wood troll and that she found him as a baby, Twig begins to wonder about who he really is and where he came from. He visits a wood troll family member and runs into trouble almost immediately as he strays from the path. 

Twig has a number of strange encounters, especially a dangerous and terrifying one with a tree. The Deepwoods is populated with all manner of weird and quirky characters, not the least of which are trees and rocks that float when heated, sky pirates, and the most horrible creature of all–the gloamglozer. -- Charli Osborne

I read this one a few years ago because my then-5th-grader insisted. He's in 8th grade now, but he still loves these books. He read them all and would have kept reading if there were more. 

I enjoyed the first book very much, but I didn't finish the series--so many books, so little time!  However, I can testify to their popularity with young fantasy readers.

Happy Monday! 

 

You Have Done What You Could

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 (purchase poster here)

Today, let go of  everything that went wrong this week. Anything that didn't turn out as expected, that disappointed, that bruised your spirit even a little, LET IT GO.

Enter the weekend free of those albatrosses and let your new lightness of being pour from your fingertips and into your writing. If you need a little encouragement, Wordsworth's daffodil poem always makes my heart smile. Here's the final stanza:

". . . For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They [daffodils] flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils."

Let your hearts dance this weekend.  

 

And the winner of this week's MMGM giveaway of  

James Dashner's, A Door in the Woods 

is . . .

Juju @ Tales of Whimsy!!

"Said Bookism"

"James Blish told me I had the worst case of "said bookism" (that is, using every word except said to indicate dialogue). He told me to limit the verbs to said, replied, asked, and answered and only when absolutely necessary."

~ Anne McCaffrey

 

Raise your hand if you are guilty of "said bookism".  My hand is raised, high above my head. I am that irritating girl in the back, bobbing up and down and looking like a total dufus.
 

However, this is an area I really grew in as I revised my last MS. I'm much better at it than I was. I could be better still.

How severe is your case of "said bookism"?

Bernard Pivot Blogfest

 
Nicole Ducleiror @ One Significant Moment at a Time  is hosting today's Blogfest as a fun way to get to know each other better.  

Go here for a full list of participants. Keep reading to learn a bit more about me.

Bernard Pivot's famous questionnaire:

* What is your favorite word? 

daffodil

* What is your least favorite word?

retard

* What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? 

music on K-Love

* What turns you off?

mean people

* What is your favorite curse word?

$#$#%^

* What sound or noise do you love?

my kiddos' laughter

* What sound or noise do you hate? 

the alarm clock

* What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

librarian or sportscaster

* What profession would you not like to do?

customer service

* If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

In you, I am well pleased.

Trust Your Demon

"Occasionally, there arises a writing situation where you see an alternative to what you are doing, a mad, wild gamble of a way for handling something, which may leave you looking stupid, ridiculous or brilliant -you just don't know which. You can play it safe there, too, and proceed along the route you'd mapped out for yourself. Or you can trust your personal demon who delivered that crazy idea in the first place. Trust your demon."

~ Roger Zelazny

 

 

 

Today, I leave you with these words of brilliance:

Trust Your Demon!

Marvelous Middle Grade Valentine's Review + Giveaway

It's Valentine's Day, so I am dedicating this Marvelous Middle Grade Monday review to my favorite author crush, James Dashner. Oh, how I love his books--all of them. 

Every. Single. One. 

This post is for you, James!!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 

Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born. I couldn't resist being a part of such brilliance.

The Jimmy Fincher Saga 

by the oh-so-wonderful

James Dashner

*fan-girl squee*

 

Goodreads Blurb: (book #1, A Door in the Woods)

What begins as a summer-day climb up his favorite tree quickly takes an ugly turn for poor Jimmy Fincher, as he witnesses something that turns his perception of reality upside-down. When the perpetrator of the act notices Jimmy in the tree, the ensuing adventures explode into a torrent of suspense and excitement. 

The next month of Fincher's life includes an ancient legend come to life, a conspiracy of madmen decades old, strange portals to other worlds, villains named everything from Raspy to Shadow Ka—and behind it all is the old wooden door in the forest by Jimmy's home. There, something wondrous awaits.

Knowing how I feel about *sigh* James Dashner, this review probably comes as no surprise to most of you. The simple fact that this series was written by my beloved James should be enough, but for those of you a bit more finicky about the reasons for reading or recommending a book, I'll expand.

One thing I love about this series (and The Thirteenth Reality series) is the family dynamics. In fact, one of my very favorite things about The Thirteenth Reality books is the relationship Tick has with his dad. It's wonderful to read an MG series with a close and loving family. 

Also, the Jimmy Fincher series includes all the things MG kids (especially boys, but not only) will love: tween humor, adventure, magic, other worlds, creatures... 

I've read several less-than-glowing reviews *bares fangs and growls* on Goodreads, but they are wrong about this book's appeal for young readers (not to mention evil for being mean to my James).

Trust me when I tell you that young readers of fantasy will LOVE this series. It's not Maze or Scorch. It's not meant to be. The voice and style are so different that fans of Maze would never know it was the same author.

So . . . what are you waiting for? Hop over to your favorite bookstore and spoil yourself your kids with the whole series!  Then you can LOVE James Dashner like I do even more than you do now.

AND . . . to sweeten the deal and further convince you that all things James = wonderful, I am giving away a copy of A Door in the Woods to one lucky follower. Just leave a comment on this post before Friday

Happy Valentine's Day!

How is Your WIP's Weather?

 

"Put weather in."

~ Joseph Hansen

Weather is one of those things that I have to go back and build in during the revision stage. It's not that I don't have ANY weather in the story, but that I don't generally have enough. 

Weather and natural surroundings, in the right story, have the potential to become characters in their own right. The river in Huckleberry Finn is often considered a main character. In fact, I wrote an essay in high school justifying its role as a major character. Really, what would Huck and his awesome story be without the river?!

We can use it to help our characters, to toughen their situations slightly, or to put them through hell. Whatever the role we choose, weather has a powerful part to play if we let it.

When working away on those WIPs this weekend, make sure you haven't overlooked the weather!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Exploding Cats

"When writing a novel, that's pretty much entirely what life turns into: 'House burned down. Car stolen. Cat exploded. Did 1500 easy words, so all in all it was a pretty good day.'"

- Neil Gaiman        

When working on a story, it's impossible to let it go.

It's there, in your brain, when you wake up in the morning.

It follows you to work, to lunch, and home again.

It interrupts conversation and  relaxation.

It helps tuck the children into bed at night and then prevents you from joining them in blissful sleep.

It's a little bird, pecking away in there, demanding attention.

And THAT's why people think writers are weird.       

Have a great weekend! 

The First Gears

"Break up the larger story into its components, make sure you understand the exact function of each component (a story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should contain no gear that doesn't turn something), and after each component has been carefully set in place, step back and have a look at the whole. Then rewrite until the story flows as naturally as a river, each element so blending with the rest that no one, not even yourself two years from now, can locate the separate parts."

~John Gardner
 

Today is the final day of posting for the first line blogfest.  Forgive the repetition, it's part of the fun. The first line, first paragraph, first page are the first "gears" of our stories. It's worth making sure they are working properly!!

 

The First Line Blogfest

Hosted by Brenda Drake

We're supposed to keep our entries posted for a few days, especially with the number of participants.  So, for its encore performance, I present . . . 

My first line:

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata.
 

First Parargraph:

Pink pony piñata . . . check.

Invisibility . . . check.

Cup of worms . . . check.

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata. The perfect place for a ninja ambush. I just needed those girly girls to come a little bit closer.

Visit Brenda's blog to see the other participants. There are 100!!

Also: Breaking News!
 

Get linked to the writing community and join the platform building Crusade. Check it out here!

First Line Blogfest

The First Line Blogfest

Hosted by Brenda Drake

We're supposed to keep our entries posted for a few days, especially with the number of participants.  So, for its encore performance, I present . . . 

My first line:

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata.
 

First Parargraph:

Pink pony piñata . . . check.

Invisibility . . . check.

Cup of worms . . . check.

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata. The perfect place for a ninja ambush. I just needed those girly girls to come a little bit closer.

Visit Brenda's blog to see the other participants. There are 100!!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Wolf: The Journey Home

** First Line Blogfest entry at bottom of post.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born. I couldn't resist being a part of such brilliance.

Wolf: The Journey Home

by 'Asta Bowen

Goodreads Blurb:

In this fictionalized account of real events, a female wolf named Marta, along with her young family, sets out on an epic journey to return to their home hunting grounds in Montana after they are mistakenly relocated by a group of naturalists.

Told believably from Marta’s point of view, the story takes the reader deep into a wolf's world, as Marta's determination to protect her pups and find their way home takes her on adventures that are by turns heart warming, perilous, and ultimately tragic.

This is the touching, sometimes heart-wrenching, story of a real-life group of wolves. Ms. Bowen wrote it as fiction, but it is fully based on real events. We have class sets of this novel at my school and it never fails to be a hit. It's a winner with MG and YA readers. 

In 2006 it was nominated as a Teens' Top Ten book and has flown under the radar since then. This is one of those books that has failed to receive the acclaim it deserves. Read it and let me know what you think.

Oops! I almost forgot.... (thanks, Beth Fred, for the reminder)

The First Line Blogfest
Hosted by Brenda Drake

My first line:

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata.

Visit Brenda's blog to see the other participants. There are 100!!

Happy Monday!

The Angela Files

 Have you seen this avatar?

Do you know who it belongs to?

  Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

 

The Bookshelf Muse

As promised yesterday, today I reveal the second site that does not leave my desktop when I'm researching, prepping, or writing-- also known as my "Angela file".

In fairness, it should be called my Angela AND Becca file. When I first started following The Bookshelf Muse, Becca had taken a leave of absence. She recently returned, and now they are back to double-the-fun over there. 

Here is another key to writerly bliss. 

Instructions for becoming a happier writer:

Go here, to the Bookshelf Muse blog. On the right side you will see multiple thesauri: Emotion; Setting; Color, Textures and Shapes; Symbolism.  Read and learn!

I can't tell you how often I use these materials when I write. In fact, Robyn Campbell and I were laughing about the hours we both spent at The Bookshelf Muse while finishing our last mss. I think it was a tie.

Just like Shannon Messenger, The Bookshelf Muse provides very wise and uber-useful writing tips, and all for FREE.  Don't miss out!

Shannon Style...But NOT Mine

Do you recognize this face? 

Do you follow her blog? 

Every day?

Well, here's why you should . . . 

(longer than normal post, but worth every extra minute!)
 

I have been researching and brainstorming and all the good stuff that goes into prepping for a new project. Yeah, so? Been there, done that, O'Donnell.  I know, I know, but hear me out, people.

After much searching, reading, and spending money, I have discovered something that might surprise you. The best resources I have found--anywhere--for prepping and then writing a novel can be found within our very own blogging circle. One is the home of the brilliant and well-loved Shannon #1 (I am #2, in case you're wondering). The other I will share with you tomorrow, so come back again.

I have two folders that do not leave my side when I'm researching, prepping, or writing. One is now lovingly referred to as my "Shannon Style File". The other is my Angela file, but that's for tomorrow.

When Shannon started her "Shannon Style" entries I thought, "Oh, yay. This will be interesting." Um, it has been SO MUCH more than that. To fully understand why, keep reading.

Instructions for becoming a happier writer:

Go here, to the Shannon Style label on the right side of her blog to see every post. Next, Highlight, copy, paste into a word document and print! Now you have the beginnings of your own "Shannon Style File".  Read and learn!

Also:

Her Creating Characters entry from 11/30/10 has a two-page character profile template. Click on it, and make one of your own. Use it!  

I made one for each of my new MCs and have spent several hours figuring out and filling in info for them. One of my girl characters surprised me by becoming someone I wasn't aware she wanted to be (characters are funny that way, aren't they?).

But wait!  There's more:

I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants writer. Plotter--what's that? 

BUT . . .  Shannon has tips for outlining that are so amazing I find myself irresistibly drawn to them, using them! *shudders at the thought of such blasphemy* She has changed the way I approach a new project.

I know Shannon isn't exactly a new commodity to most (or all) of you, but maybe you haven't seen (or appropriately appreciated) her Shannon Style posts. I  believe there are now 12 of them, which when printed = 14 pages of very wise and uber-useful writing tips, and all for FREE. 

What is one of your favorite free and uber-useful 

writing resources?

Write A New Book

"It's ALWAYS a better choice to write a new book than it is to keep pounding your head against the submissions wall with a book that's just not happening. The next book you write could be THE book, the one that isn't a fight to get representation for at all." 

~ Diana Peterfreund
 

(Photo Source)

This is a hard-learned lesson. So many of our published and soon-to-be published blog friends tell stories of the MANY manuscripts they shelved before writing THE ONE: Beth Revis, Elana J., T. Anne, Carrie Harris . . . 

We read about how to know when it's time to move on, how long to query or how many rejections to receive before giving up, how to tell if its the query or the MS that's failing to get us requests. It's not an easy call.

I have not given up on my MS. I am still querying bravely (although not always cheerfully) and hoping for good things. My bff Robyn says they're coming, and I believe her (except when I don't or can't). But my ever-so-patient-and-supportive CP Valerie is right when she advises me to pour my heart and energy into THE NEXT project.

And that is what I'm doing! "No object is served in waiting until next week or even until tomorrow."

How do you know when it's time to move on?

I Am Happy

"I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me. I'd like to be the help to you, you've always been glad to be; I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day, as you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way."

~ Unknown 

I've never tried anything in my life more difficult or frustrating than being a writer. Yesterday, Jen called it a roller coaster ride. We've called this journey many, many things--some good, some not so good. But we all keep at it, despite the highs and lows.

There are many things I don't know about writing, things I have yet to learn and discover, but one thing I know for certain: that I couldn't do this without all of you. 

I am the queen of positivity, known for my encouraging quotes and motivational posts. Guess what? When I'm not so positive, you get me there. On days when I want to post about tears and the "R" word (ya know, rejection), I read your blogs, and I am happy. On days when I hate my WIP and I hate query letters and I wonder if it's worth it, I read your blogs, and I am happy.

Together, we keep each other motivated to do this thing. Together, we keep each other encouraged and hopeful and celebrated and applauded.  Thank you for being here. All of you.

When writing gets hard, what makes you happy?