OPINIONS & OBSERVATIONS

In this section I share some of my personal thoughts and feelings drawn from a variety of life experiences that inspired me to write about them. These experiences often indirectly shape my writing style and subject matter but don’t necessarily apply to the act of writing.

April 1, 2021

IS APRIL FOOLS’ DAY REAL?

IS APRIL FOOLS DAY REAL?

  “Everything is funny, so long as it happens to somebody else.”  Will Rogers

 

Although the first day of April was celebrated for centuries by those playing practical jokes on others, it is believed that in 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian, and Hindu calendars, celebrating April 1st as the New Year, many did not agree with the change.

Those who failed to recognize the change became the butt of jokes, and called “April Fools”.
Others believed that “mother nature” initiated April Fools’ Day by fooling people with unexpected ever-changing weather.

Over the years, many have participated in April Fools’ Day and to this day tricksters come up with humorous pranks.

Some pranks not appreciated:

In 1989 a Seattle comedy show went on the air and said the city’s space needle had fallen down. Many believed it.

In  1938 Orson Welles, a radio announcer, convinced thousands of people across North America that Earth was being attacked by Mars. Panic broke out because thousands believed it.     

I can appreciate humor. My father and my uncle both were humorous people. However, not everyone loves a prank, so be certain the  individual you prank, is gracious enough to accept it with a laugh.   

Paula  

 

 



March 25, 2021

HOW TO WRITE FOR CHILDREN

You decided to write a book for children. Great! You want to write one that helps them learn new words and improve spelling, while making it fun to read. Perfect!

Where to begin?

First, decide what you want to write about…a fantasy story…an animal story…, a puzzle book within a story…an adventure about a current popular superhero, all intended to teach and inspire a child’s imagination.

Worthy Suggestions: 

Read a variety of children’s books from other authors.  By reading their work, it will help you to plan your direction.  You can also find many books at your local library.  Remember what books appealed to you the most and why?

To write fiction, read the classics… the ones still read today.

Decide beforehand whether you want your book to be illustrated or text only. Note 🙁Younger children prefer picture books.

Online you will find words to use for different ages such as.

SAMPLE WORDS FOR 5 YEARS OLD

be, he, me, bee, see, she, we, go, so, do, chat, bar, car, far, cow, how, now, wow, hi, by, bye, dry, ox, box, fox, pox, egg, bay, day, may, say, way, all, ball, call, fall, tall, wall, as, ask, bask, task, with, had, have, bell, fell, well, book, cook, took, band, hand, land, say, said, are, jar, tar, car, best,

SAMPLE WORDS F0R 12 years old

There are over 100 words listed, online, that middle schoolers should know, selected by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries, such as: adversary, apprehensive, banish, bluff, commotion, counter, defiance, engross, foresight, and so on. For the complete list, please visit www.visualthesaurus.com/wordlists…

Remember, your book needs to be age appropriate, whether for very young children, middle age, and young adult.

 I read that “READERS MAKE THE BEST WRITERS,”

GOOD LUCK! PAULA


			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			March 10, 2021

			
					


		
SPRING IS COMING

	


		

		



SPRING IS COMING  by Paula
The year 2020, with its’ pandemic, lockdowns for protection of the mass, businesses unable to serve their customers, and the many forced to either work from home or not work at all, is over.
2021 rolled in covering some of us with winter’s fluffy white snow, burying cars in two feet of snow, top and bottom, our homes surrounded by more than snow;  not allowing many of us to shovel our way out before another snow storm hit.
There is good news!  We have a vaccine available to all— States are releasing business from quarantine— more people are able to put food on the table—the snow is finally melting, and Spring is Coming.

(( A LITTLE RHYME TO WELCOME SPRING_)

I see buds on the limbs of trees
View blooms turning to face the sun
The heavens sent a nice warm breeze
The change of season has begun

Here’s to Spring, a welcome sign,
to open spaces and trails to hike
The delicate scent of flowers and pine
in all the parks and places we like

Welcome Spring from all of us here
Delighted to say, See you next year





































				




	


				




	


				




	


				




	

	

				
		
		
	




























			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			February 22, 2021

			
					


		
DOES EVERY NOVEL NEED A SUBPLOT?

	


		

		






  





In my opinion, the answer is YES. …..WHY?   Subplots help your story by creating Obstacles for your main character to overcome. A good subplot adds conflict and tension and runs within the main plot. It is very important to the main story. It is the Secondary tale used to strengthen the main story.  It can take the novel in another direction by adding more obstacles, if you find that your story is moving at a slow pace.  You can also add another subplot if your story is moving at a fast pace and you need to slow it down. Subplots can be resolved during the progress of the story, or they can be resolved at the end. You can create a subplot that is a contrast working against the goals of the main character…For instance, add a best friend  who is secretly jealous of your main character, or add a business relationship which has gone sour, or a job lost.  There are many ways to add a subplot to increase tension and add conflict. 





      Short stories do not require a subplot.  However, longer short stories should have a subplot.







    In writing your first book of a Series, a subplot can be unresolved at the end, leaving the  reader eager to know what will happen in the next book.







   When planning the outline of your next book, keep in mind the Harry Potter books…. so successful in the use of subplots, that they were visually reproduced into great movies. All of the subplots throughout the entire Series, added suspense, conflicts and excitement to the ongoing story.





Have you used subplots?  Did you find them a good addition to your story? 





I welcome your comments:  Paula











			

	
	



			
				


			
				


		

		

			January 26, 2021

			
					


		
HOW TO FIND AN AGENT

	


		

		






Your novel is finished — where do you begin to find an agent to represent you?





YOUR FIRST STEP: is to COPYRIGHT your manuscript, to protect your hard work.  Due to Covid 19, the U.S Copyright office is closed, but you can still file by mail or on line.  Go to  www.copyright.gov/registration –Create a username and password; get the form; fill out, pay a nominal fee, and submit.  That done, you can now begin the search for your agent.





NOTICE:  If you start on line, you will find publishing services eager to read your book— asking for submissions and offering packages that may be tempting—such as editing, publishing, consulting, promotion, and distribution  Before you agree to these services, check reviews, compare pricing, and most importantly, be certain you keep all rights to your book.





NEXT: Determine what category your book belongs too…  Is it fiction or nonfiction?  Did you write for adults, young adults, middle school, or young children?  Is it a Romance, a Mystery, Science Fiction, Educational or Non-fiction.?  If you are unsure, go to a bookstore or your local library and check the books you find in the various categories, until you see one that is most like your novel. Keep in mind that you need an agent who represents other writers in your category. Do not ignore those agents searching for writers. Agents new and established are always looking for authors, and will represent your interests.  They know which Publisher, would be a good fit for your book, and have the experience in creating interest in your manuscript.





NEXT: Write your Query letter directed to all agents who represent authors in your category. Look on line for samples of Query Letters.  Choose one that best says what you are comfortable with, and use it as a foundation for your Query, putting as much care into creating and polishing your query as done in writing your novel. Remember, the Query is to interest the agent in you, as an author.  Be certain to include important facts Agents look for, such as: genre, target audience, word count, title, and a shortened version of the story, as well as a little about yourself.





Today may be your time to be discovered.  Good luck!





My sincere thanks to Robert Lee Brewer Senior Editor of Writers’ Digest, for his wonderful article on finding the right literary agent.










Paula






			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			January 19, 2021

			
					


		
IT’S A NEW DAWN

	


		

		






IT’S A NEW DAWN





How were your Holidays?    Mine were not at all like previous years. Two in my family had Covid-19, thereby necessitating we zoom them while opening gifts and eating our Christmas dinner without parts of our family. Many items ordered did not arrive in time for giving—and selection in most stores was poor. Even Amazon delivered in two or three days, instead of their usual overnight.





The best thing about the Holidays, this year, is that 2020 would soon be gone, and with the vaccines, we hope to see the end of Covid-19, job losses, businesses closing, staying home, virtual learning, and more, allowing us to look forward to a NEW DAWN AND 2021.





What is your next step?  Is it Editing, finding an Agent, or a Publishing House?





 Do use a professional Editing person or company. Writer’s Digest offers a second Draft Service, you may consider. After reading your first ten pages, they will suggest how to improve your manuscript, to make it saleable, at an affordable price.





Next:… HOW TO SEARCH FOR, AND FIND THE RIGHT AGENT.





 Keep on Writing:     Paula

			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			November 23, 2020

			
					


		
THANKSGIVING

	


		

		








 THANKSGIVING
 > 
 Thanksgiving is almost here
 We waited the whole darn year
 It’s not the same as years before
 Still you will find me at the door
  
 To welcome family to my home
 And even those who are alone
 The table is set, the turkey done
 The time for us has begun
  
 I am thankful we had this day
 To be together come what may
 It is time for all of us to part
 I thank you all from my heart 







                         HAPPY THANKSGIVING, PAULA





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			November 13, 2020

			
					


		
FILLING THE BLANK PAGE

	


		

		






FILLING THE BLANK PAGE





When I began writing my first story, I faced the blank page and sat, staring at it for some time. I was hesitant, thinking, am I confident enough to tell the story? Do I really know how to create characters that face the difficulties of life, in a time and place designed by me? I needed advice from other authors, past and present, and began by searching the internet for guidance.  I found an article on quotes they wrote, and read all of them. They inspired me to type MY FIRST WORDS on that blank page. 





Below are a few inspirational quotes, I want to share with you and hope they help you as they did me, to fill that first blank page:










 “YOU CAN FIX ANYTHING BUT A BLANK PAGE”…Nora Roberts





 “I START WITH A QUESTION. THEN TRY TO ANSWER IT.”    Mary Lee Settle





“FILL YOUR PAPER WITH THE BREATHING OF YOUR HEART”…William Wadsworth





“IT’S NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE. LET THEM THINK YOU WERE BORN THAT WAY”…Ernest Hemingway





“I KEPT ALWAYS TWO BOOKS IN MY POCKET, ONE TO READ, ONE TO WRITE IN”…Robert Louis Stevenson





“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS TO STOP SAYING I WISH, AND START SAYING I WILL.” …Charles Dickens





“START WRITING NO MATTER WHAT!  THE WATER DOES NOT FLOW UNTIL THE FAUCET IS TURNED ON.”…Louis L’Amour





          My thanks to author CHELLE STEIN, for providing these Quotes.   





 Paula

			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			November 2, 2020

			
					


		
TIME TO VOTE

	


		

		

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD IN THE STATE OF THE UNION IS…UNION










TIME TO VOTE





Tomorrow, November 3, 2020, Americans Vote.





We are one people—one nation,





voting  for our  choice, together, Unified, to select the President of our United States, as well as local candidates .





It is a privilege we, as Americans enjoy and should be proud to participate in.  We live in a great county, with many opportunities, and benefits.





Remember those who fought and died for this privilege and honor them by voting.





And regardless of who wins, be proud you voted and support those who did. 





YOUR VOTE MATTERS.





Paula