Happy Thanksgiving to All. It is good to give thanks. On this cozy, rainy Tuesday as I start my preparations, I look forward to grandchildren, family, cheer and good food on Thursday. Though the origins of the holiday are not what we were taught in school, the way it is celebrated now, in modern America, is a beautiful thing. May all of the diverse cultures which make up our America lend their own food and traditions to the holiday. Let us all sit around the table together and in the spirit of the holiday honor a day of gratitude, of justice and freedom, happiness too, for us all. And - hey, as I wrote this the clouds parted, the sun shone through and parts of the sky turned blue, even though it is still raining. A metaphor for what will be a beautiful holiday!
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to All. It is good to give thanks. On this cozy, rainy Tuesday as I start my preparations, I look forward to grandchildren, family, cheer and good food on Thursday. Though the origins of the holiday are not what we were taught in school, the way it is celebrated now, in modern America, is a beautiful thing. May all of the diverse cultures which make up our America lend their own food and traditions to the holiday. Let us all sit around the table together and in the spirit of the holiday honor a day of gratitude, of justice and freedom, happiness too, for us all. And - hey, as I wrote this the clouds parted, the sun shone through and parts of the sky turned blue, even though it is still raining. A metaphor for what will be a beautiful holiday!
Monday, July 8, 2019
BIC
I am often asked what is the best formula to write a book. Some folks seem to think it's like following a recipe in cooking, put in the ingredients, mix together, stir and voila! If they can just follow the steps, they will be a published writer.
Hmm, it's not that easy, in fact it is rather hard. However, there is a method for writing children's books, just one proven method that works. It is called the BIC method of writing.
For those who don't know, the BIC method is an acronym. The letters stand for Butt In Chair.
Yep, that unfortunately is the only known formula. Sit in your chair, put in the time, and do the work.
Kind of like other professions, isn't it? I suppose that since stories can sometimes create a sort of magic, writing one seems like it should be magical too.
On several occasions people have told me that they have written a children's book. They tap their temple with their forefinger and say, "It's all right here."
When the story is in your head, that is called thinking. To write a story, you do have to actually write it down.
Thanks for listening. Now it's time for me to put my own butt in my chair, and get to work.
Hmm, it's not that easy, in fact it is rather hard. However, there is a method for writing children's books, just one proven method that works. It is called the BIC method of writing.
For those who don't know, the BIC method is an acronym. The letters stand for Butt In Chair.
Yep, that unfortunately is the only known formula. Sit in your chair, put in the time, and do the work.
Kind of like other professions, isn't it? I suppose that since stories can sometimes create a sort of magic, writing one seems like it should be magical too.
On several occasions people have told me that they have written a children's book. They tap their temple with their forefinger and say, "It's all right here."
When the story is in your head, that is called thinking. To write a story, you do have to actually write it down.
Thanks for listening. Now it's time for me to put my own butt in my chair, and get to work.
Friday, May 31, 2019
HORA
My new book, THE MOUSE WHO DANCED THE HORA, will be out in September. It's about a mouse, Tillie Mouscovitz, who longs to dance the hora at a wedding. "But for a mouse - it's not".
The other day, I had an inspiration about what led me to write this story. I realized that it stemmed from the times I assisted my husband when he photographed weddings and bar/bat mitzvah celebrations. My husband is a professional event photographer. I often went with him, even though sometimes my only task was to watch his equipment. (All of his camera equipment was once stolen from a major San Francisco hotel while he was photographing in a different room). Like Tillie, I was an observer at these events, standing on the sidelines. My husband was busy taking pictures, and the guests were busy dancing.
It is really hard for a Jewish person not to join in when she hears the music and sees others dancing the hora!
Actually, the hora is not the only dance which is second nature to me. While waiting in line to order a hot dog at the San Jose Giants game on Memorial Day, I heard the Hokey Pokey being played in the stadium. Of course I put my right foot in and right foot out while waiting in line. I couldn't help it.
Could you?
The other day, I had an inspiration about what led me to write this story. I realized that it stemmed from the times I assisted my husband when he photographed weddings and bar/bat mitzvah celebrations. My husband is a professional event photographer. I often went with him, even though sometimes my only task was to watch his equipment. (All of his camera equipment was once stolen from a major San Francisco hotel while he was photographing in a different room). Like Tillie, I was an observer at these events, standing on the sidelines. My husband was busy taking pictures, and the guests were busy dancing.
It is really hard for a Jewish person not to join in when she hears the music and sees others dancing the hora!
Actually, the hora is not the only dance which is second nature to me. While waiting in line to order a hot dog at the San Jose Giants game on Memorial Day, I heard the Hokey Pokey being played in the stadium. Of course I put my right foot in and right foot out while waiting in line. I couldn't help it.
Could you?
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