In Search of Giants

Glog: All Summer in a Day

2012-03-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

My Latest Thing

2012-03-14T11:00:00.004-06:00

Well, not quite "latest." I've been painting for about a year now. These are just a few designs. I started it because my dramatic daughter loved having her face done (those are her blue eyes). I've done a couple of school events, and am thinking of setting up this summer at farmer's markets, etc.

Stretching

2012-03-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Stretching my writers' limbs, that is. I have three weeks off school, so I plan to do some non-academic, non-APA formatted writing. This is something I dashed off a while ago - want to help me edit it? What changes would you make?

Beth stared at the wine list, trying to look like she was making a careful selection. Actually, she was trying to catch her breath as she mentally reviewed all the things she had probably said wrong. Her freshly manicured fingernails dug into the leather-looking plastic of the three-page wine list. Perfect. Now she’d taken too long to look and needed some intelligent order to give the waiter, who was waiting for her with practiced patience.

“Um,” she said. “I think I’ll try this Merlot, the Australian one.”

“I’ll have that, too, please,” said the man sitting opposite her. She glanced at him as the waiter nodded and briskly took the wine list from her hands. Tall, with dark hair and thick eyebrows, he was better-looking and more interesting than any of the other disastrous dates she’d been on in the last three months. He was also the only one who hadn’t been a blind date.

She smiled. He smiled back. He seemed far less nervous than she felt.

“So,” he said. “Want to share an appetizer? Or are you just going to have a salad?”

“Hey,” she replied indignantly. “I’m a modern woman, and I love to eat.” He laughed. “How do you feel about bruschetta?”

“Oh, god, you’re a foodie. No one else asks how you feel about food.” She met his eyes and could tell he was teasing. The light flickered, showing flecks of green in the brown. She folded her hands together in front of her.

“So, Anthony, how long have you had this problem with food? Did you have a bad experience as a child?”

“I have been scarred for life, and I retaliate by eating food instead of appreciating it,” he quipped. She laughed, and relaxed a little. The waiter brought their wine and took their order.

“I didn't think you were allowed to drink." Anthony raised his glass by way of a toast while Beth mentally analyzed every possible intent he could have had in making such a statement.

New Literacy Glog

2012-03-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Productive Learning Environment

2012-03-06T21:33:00.001-07:00

Is This a Productive Learning Environment? on Prezi

A Tearful Goodbye

2011-11-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Escaping from what?

2011-10-18T11:18:00.000-06:00

Now that I'm in the MAT@USC, I'm finding all kinds of articles interesting. Like this one, from TIME:

High School Places Limits on Student Bathroom Breaks

There's no information on how much time students have between classes, or how many toilets there are. Assuming there are enough for students to be able to access in passing periods, then this regulation makes sense.

Still, if the worry is that students are using breaks as a means of escaping from class, shouldn't the question be....why do they feel the need to do so?

Rowling Loyalty

2011-10-13T11:17:00.000-06:00

Reason #213 I Love My IPad

2011-10-07T23:22:00.001-06:00

I'm blogging on it. Not through Safari, but actually via the BloggerPlus app.

Understanding by Design

2011-10-02T21:13:00.002-06:00

For my Commonplace Book Entry #3

CBE 3 Bender-Stone

online MAT@ USC

Commonplace Book Entry #2

2011-09-24T18:27:00.000-06:00

Critical Encounters in High School English: Teaching Literary Theory to Adolescents
by Deborah Appleman

a response to reading Chapter 3 (some of the spacing is off because of the limitations of Blogger)

for my online MAT@USC

Now WTH is she doing?

2011-09-24T15:29:00.002-06:00

I'm currently enrolled at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education. Their online MAT @ USC degree program is cutting edge in its use of technology, yet focused on preparing teachers who can effectively work in underserved communities.

Because many of my assignments are based online, I will be including them here on the blog. For any of my readers who are teachers or librarians themselves, I hope you will find some information that is pertinent and even helpful. And even if you're not a teacher or librarian, you may enjoy laughing at the enormity of my workload.....

Clarity of Night "Elemental" Flash Fiction contest

2011-07-18T17:26:00.000-06:00

My entry.

Go now.

Be nice.

2011-07-18T08:16:00.000-06:00

ANSWERS to this quiz

1. The Little Mermaid

2. The Lion King

3. Beauty and the Beast

4. Alice in Wonderland

5. Robin Hood

6. Finding Nemo

7. Tangled

8. Lilo and Stitch

9. Mary Poppins

10. Cars

answers will be posted Monday!

Answers to RANDOM DISNEY QUOTES

2011-07-18T08:15:00.015-06:00

1. The Black Cauldron

2. Cars

3. Tangled

4. Alice in Wonderland

5. Meet the Robinsons

6. Enchanted

7. The Great Mouse Detective

8. Lilo and Stitch

9. The Lion King

10. Ella Enchanted

Random Disney Quotes LITE

2011-07-17T14:24:00.002-06:00

all right, for non-fanatic Disney people

(this one's for you real fanatics)

What movies are these quotes from?

1. "I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad."

2. "Hakuna Matata."

3. "Gaston, you are positively primeval."

4. "YOUR way? All ways here are the QUEEN'S ways."

5. "Oodelally!"

6. "Just keep swimming."

7. "Frying pans! Who knew, right?"

8. "Ohana means family. And family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten."

9. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

10. " I am a precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics."

answers will be posted Monday!

RANDOM DISNEY QUOTE time!

2011-07-16T20:13:00.003-06:00

this is not a contest, it's all in good sport, so don't cheat - just have fun!

Answers might come from any movie under the Disney umbrella:
Miyazaki, Pixar, Miramax, Walt Disney Studios

What movies are these quotes from?

1. "Munchings and crunchings in here somewhere."

2. "I create feelings in others that they themselves don't understand. "

3. "You broke my smolder."

4. "'Mustard! Mustard? Don't let's be silly."

5. "Just a little tip for the future, I am always right. Even when I'm wrong, I'm right. "

6. "Is this a habit of yours? Falling off of stuff? "

7. "Ratigan, no one can have a higher opinion of you than I have, and I think you're a slimy, contemptible sewer rat! "

8. "Pudge controls the weather."

9. "Well, as far as brains go, I got the lion's share. But, when it comes to brute strength... I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool."

10. "I wonder if my opponent is basing her opinion on the Prince's politics or how cute she thinks his butt is? "

answers will be posted Monday!

the Year to Come

2011-01-01T19:30:00.001-07:00

Unlike the list I made last year, my list of New Year's resolutions for 2011 is a serious look at growing more authentically into myself. Other than the birth of my niece,* 2010 was a year in which I felt - well, lost - more often than not. I'm hoping to refocus in 2011.

AERIN'S 2011 RESOLUTIONS

from ehow.com

Stay Ahead of Work Deadlines

Cry for No More than a Week When Bug Starts Kindergarten (in August)

Finish Valentine MS

Take Care of Self
which includes but is not limited to: sleeping regularly, eating decently, not letting people mess with my head or my heart, and limiting internet time

the first pastor who mentored me in seminary was a Healing Touch practitioner; i need to remember those lessons

Establish a Daily Routine

that includes 750words.com,
weight training (even 5 minutes),
and keeping in touch with at least one friend a day

I'd love to hear your list. And don't worry - if you're having difficulty with resolutions for 2011, you could always generate one.

*Obviously there were other highlights, such as meeting PJD and Sundance and finding out Colin Winter is still as lovely a person as he was when we were 13. And I know people will point out others and I'll have to add them here so I don't offend anyone because I am just that nice a person.

A Year in Review

2010-12-30T21:18:00.000-07:00

image from fuffernutter.blogspot.com

Last January, I made some resolutions. Sort of. Let's see how I did.

1. Gain 20 lbs. Rats, I just missed this mark. But not by much, thanks to Starbucks' return of the salted caramel hot chocolate.

2. Lose patience with my children at least twice a day. Yes, yes, I accomplished this!

3. Set aside time to write and end up whittling it away playing around on Facebook. Yay, I accomplished this as well. Though, sadly, I did write more this year than I ever have before. I will work harder to goof off in 2011.

4. Never respond to emails, inbox messages, or phone messages. If you are one of the lucky people who benefited from this successful resolution of mine, congratulations. And if, by chance, you're one of the poor few to whom I did respond, my condolences.

5. Eat my weight in junk food each day. Sadly, I did not achieve this goal. There's always next year.

6. Read only garbage, like books written by Ann Coulter or people with names that end in "y." Failed in this one, too. I discovered too many fantastic authors, including M.K. Dobson (Native Star), Caragh M. O'Brien (Birthmarked), Sherwood Smith (don't make me choose), Anne Osterlund (Aurelia and Academy 7), and - yep, even a 'y' - Margaret Willey (The 3 Bears and Goldilocks).

7. Blog once a month. Never mention Stephen Parrish. By all accounts, I failed this, you know, 'cause of that whole release-date party for Parrish's debut novel Tavernier Stones and all. Damn. I wonder if Murphy's law is somehow active in this? Okay, in 2011, I'm gonna have to never mention Brendan Fraser.

8. Wait until 2011 to read the third Hunger Games novel and the third Kristin Cashore novel. Ignore Quencher, Plum Blossoms in Paris, The Tavernier Stones and Paranormalcy altogether. I don't think the third Kristin Cashore novel is out, so I completed that resolution successfully! Fortunately, I also haven't yet read Quencher, due to my delicate constitution and fear of lusting after its author even more. And of all the titles mentioned, the one I should foist upon you is Paranormalcy. Words cannot describe its amazingness, but come on. Any book with a pink stun gun is sure to be a huge success - and that's just what Paranormalcy is.

9. Refuse to have dinner with Brendan Fraser when he discovers my winning Clarity of Night entry. I took second place in July's CoN contest, and received a note from Brendan's assistant that he's waiting for me to take first. Jason, help me out here.

10. Lose any interest in finding a cure for autism, or even in finding coping mechanisms to help those children and their parents. I'm gonna say I failed this one, too, because I spent much of the year researching and developing a plan for ministry with special needs children, as well as losing my heart to a 4-yr-old from California who has Down's Syndrome.

How'd you do on your 2010 resolutions?

I'm only 20000 words in. You?

2010-11-20T16:33:00.001-07:00

With Apologies

2010-08-22T21:39:00.000-06:00

Our internet has been futzing with us the past week or so. I promise to get back to the Back to School interview series as soon as I can.

(typed in haste using the internet connection at work....)

H is for Holly

2010-08-18T06:00:00.010-06:00

In 2002, Holly Kennedy attended Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Writers Workshop in Belize with a short story she'd written called "The Tin Box." The story became the first novel she ever wrote, and the first she published. Since its debut, The Tin Box, has been published in six languages.

Her second novel, The Penny Tree, released in 2007, has also been published in multiple languages, and her third, The Silver Compass, was published in April 2008.

Holly is married, has two young sons, and is a stepmother to another son and daughter. She resides in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, and is currently at work on a new novel.

<== And here's where Holly is at work on that new novel. In my opinion, this is one of the best offices ever.

About Holly's most recent novel, The Silver Compass:

Fifteen years ago, Ellis Williams was seventeen, pregnant, abandoned by her father, and scared to death when she jumped off a Montana bridge. Then along came Louie, who saved her from shame with a beautiful lie. He changed several lives on that day. Now, recently widowed and with a troubled teenage daughter of her own, Ellis has returned to her childhood home, where life will catch her by surprise-and point her in new directions.

Step #1
LIGHTNING ROUND

music or gym class? Gym class
high school or college? College
school lunch or sack lunch? sack lunch
crayons or markers? markers
first crush: grade 5, boy named Shane
favorite subject: English
favorite teacher: English teacher

Step #2
TELL US about any of your weird writing habits or idiosyncracies. (ie, What’s one “thing” you need to write, the thing without which the creative juices would cease to flow?)

Bose headphones (to block out the noise from my family)
My morning espresso – CANNOT write a word without my double shot
Each morning before I start writing I *fiddle* with a tiny piece of the Berlin Wall as I check my email. A friend of mine was there when the wall was knocked down and he brought it back for me. To me it signifies (of course) freedom, but also the breaking down of any walls that may hinder creativity.

Step #3
TEACH US one or two of your favorite vocabulary words.

this often changes, though right now I seem to be stuck on these words -- cusp, fragmented, catatonic

Step #4
BOOK BLANKS

The last book I finished reading was The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
I gave it 4 stars.
One word to describe it is absorbing.

Step #5
QUESTION: What's your favorite school-age memory?

Having my grade eight English teacher (a tough cookie who rarely smiled or complimented anyone) tell the entire class that my annual short story was ‘stunning’ and ‘well beyond my years.’

Step #6
QUESTION:What effect did school (elementary through college/grad school) have on your writing?

For me, the evolution of relationships/friendships (some that still exist today) proved inspiring. Even now, years later, I still draw on things that happened during my school years when it comes to my writing. I also learned I wasn’t a conformist, hated rules (still do), and excelled when I was allowed the freedom to be creative with my stories.

Step #7
GIVE US THE SCOOP. Tell us something about yourself that’s exclusive to In Search of Giants (ie, has never been publicized in print or podcast interviews.)

I finished high school when I was seventeen and my first job was a long distance operator.

In addition to that, when I was twelve I knocked myself out with a hammer. I was building a bird house, happily pounding away outside, when a HUGE spruce beetle landed on my forehead. I instinctively tried to swat it off with my right hand but was holding a hammer at the time and… WHOMP! …hit myself square between the eyes. It wasn’t funny THEN, but seems funny now, so much so that I made sure to build that scene into my debut novel, The Tin Box.

G is for Genella

2010-08-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

My next guest is another friend-of-a-friend recommendation, but one word as to why I immediately connected with her:

By day, Genella deGrey is an executive assistant at a major motion picture studio, by night she is a romance author. She’s had stories rattling around in her head since high school, and has been writing off and on ever since. In her spare time (what spare time?) Genella enjoys reading historical romance, collecting healing crystal and stone jewelry, live music and participating in historical reenactments.

In addition, she is a makeup artist for independent films and does occasional set dressing. Her favorite set dressing gig was with the Resort Enhancement Team where she refurbished, created, and displayed Christmas decorations for the Walt Disney Resort. She has worked for the resort in many capacities, both back stage and on stage, and for her, Disneyland will never lose its magic.

Genella also has a keen interest in the spiritual. She loves wandering around in graveyards and haunted places, the older the better. New Orleans is one of her favorite haunts, as is Tombstone, AZ.

Step #1
LIGHTNING ROUND

music or gym class? Music – I took choir for seven years, which was fun. But in my junior year I took archery. It came in handy for Ren Faire later. :)
high school or college? College. And someday I'll attend. ;)
school lunch or sack lunch? Sack
crayons or markers? Oooo, tough choice. Crayons if I'm drawing with my son, markers if it's just me.
first crush: Peter Pan. Yes, the cartoon. Seems I'm still falling for the same kind of men as an adult - LOL
favorite subject: Probably Drama class then, now I'd take history in a heartbeat.
favorite teacher: Mrs. McCarthy – World Lit. She treated us respectfully and I learned about amazing artists in that class: Escher, Shakespeare, Dickens, to name a few.

Step #2
TELL US about any of your weird writing habits or idiosyncracies. (ie, What’s one “thing” you need to write, the thing without which the creative juices would cease to flow?)

I know this is odd and may be TMI, but honestly great sex fires-up my muse.

Step #3
TEACH US one or two of your favorite vocabulary words.

Superfluous - Exceeding what is sufficient, not needed, unnecessary extravagant.

Step #4
BOOK BLANKS
OK, here's the sad thing about this, I haven't been able to read lately – I've been in apartment search hell for a couple of months and my son is about to start kindergarten – all this on top of my 9 to 5. Yeah, I've been a bit busy lately.

The last book I finished reading was by
I gave it stars.
One word to describe it is .

Step #5
QUESTION: What's your favorite school-age memory?

Performing at Disneyland with either Choir or Tall Flags.

Step #6
QUESTION:What effect did school (elementary through college/grad school) have on your writing?

None whatsoever. Everything I've learned thus far has been from life-after-school experiences.

Step #7
GIVE US THE SCOOP. Tell us something about yourself that’s exclusive to In Search of Giants (ie, has never been publicized in print or podcast interviews.)

I've been single for six months . . . ? Seriously, there's not much going on here that doesn't have to do with major life-altering change. Luckily, I embrace change. :)

TOMORROW: H is for Holly

F is for Farrah

2010-08-16T06:00:00.002-06:00

I'm grateful to Shauna Roberts (S is for Shauna, coming soon) for introducing me to Farrah Rochon. I don't have any cute personal anecdotes to share about Farrah, since I've just met her myself. I will tell you, however, that I share her deep dark secret (see Step #7).

Farrah Rochon, award-winning author of the popular Holmes Brothers series, hails from a small town just west of New Orleans. Currently residing in Austin, Texas, Farrah writes contemporary romance. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007, and her debut novel, Deliver Me, claimed the prize for Best Multicultural Romance Debut.

Her latest novel, Huddle With Me Tonight, marks Farrah's debut with Harlequin's African American imprint, Kimani Romance. Huddle With Me Tonight is the first in her brand new series, which centers around the fictional New York Sabers football team. The second in the series, I'll Catch You, is a March 2011 release.

D'you see any similarities between the cover of Huddle (white towel, killer six pack) and, oh, another of my favorite celebrity icons (white towel, killer six pack)?

I'm just sayin'.

Step #1
LIGHTNING ROUND

music or gym class? Music
high school or college? High School
school lunch or sack lunch? Sack Lunch
crayons or markers? Markers
first crush: Patrick Swayze as Orry Main in North and South (I was going to marry him)
favorite subject:
favorite teacher: Brenda Mitchell (sorry Mom)

Step #2
TELL US about any of your weird writing habits or idiosyncracies. (ie, What’s one “thing” you need to write, the thing without which the creative juices would cease to flow?)

Coffee!!! Yes, I know I probably can write without it, but I’m too afraid not to. At night, when I’m thinking of the scene I will write the next day, I actually imagine the first taste of coffee hitting my tongue. It’s as if my imagination cannot function without it.

Step #3
TEACH US one or two of your favorite vocabulary words.

Sluice (the verb form) - It means to flow or pour out of.
I didn’t realize this was a favorite word until my sister, who is currently doing a beta read of my latest book, called to tell me I must really like this word because I use it over and over and over. Did I mention that my sister can be very harsh?

Step #4
BOOK BLANKS

The last book I finished reading was Operation Prince Charming by Phyllis Bourne.
I gave it 5 stars.
One word to describe it is enchanting.

Step #5
QUESTION: What's your favorite school-age memory?

When my sister (yes, the same one who has a mean streak) surprised me by having a flower bouquet and the newest John Grisham novel (The Client) delivered for my birthday. Many of my classmates didn’t understand why I was so happy, but getting that book on the release day was like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. It was so special.

Step #6
QUESTION:What effect did school (elementary through college/grad school) have on your writing?

Throughout my high school and college years, my English teachers encouraged my writing. From winning the top prize in my ninth grade English class, to having a former professor choose a poem I wrote about my grandmother for publication in the department’s academic journal, my former teachers were my biggest champions.

Step #7
GIVE US THE SCOOP. Tell us something about yourself that’s exclusive to In Search of Giants (ie, has never been publicized in print or podcast interviews.)

Since I am all over the web, it’s hard to think of something that others don’t know about me. However, I’ll share a deep dark secret…I have neither read nor seen Gone With The Wind. I know, it is a travesty of the highest order to ignore such a classic. I’ll get to it eventually.

TOMORROW: G is for Genella

WEEKEND FEATURE: A is for Adam

2010-08-14T08:00:00.002-06:00

Although Adam Slade is a newly published author (yadda yadda), he's more importantly a new fiance and proud papa of two gorgeous dogs.

two gorgeous couples (L: Adam, Rhaina; R: Dream the Ladypooch and her pup, Poppy)

Oh, all right, you want to know about Adam's book. Sheesh, you're so pushy. For one thing, you can check out Adam's Facebook Author Page Here's the info on A Reaper's Tale (Lyrical Press, 2010).

Even Grim Reapers have bad days on the job.

Mal has managed to stay out of the afterlife for 31 years, despite having been dead for the last three. He's a Grim Reaper, and while he may not be the most enthusiastic, he enjoys his "life" too much to give it up to death. But he's got a problem. A troubled young woman's soul becomes bonded to his, and a vicious demon is hired to retrieve it.

If Mal can't get her soul free in a hurry, he's doomed to share her destination, whether it be heaven or hell.

Step #1
LIGHTNING ROUND

music or gym class? Music (though I was terrible in both)
high school or college? High school! (I lasted a month in college.)
school lunch or sack lunch? School lunch!
crayons or markers? Crayons!!! Woooooo! (I used to eat them.)
first crush: Claire Deacon, I think... The first truly memorable one was Jennifer Heal.
favorite subject: Science!
favorite teacher: Mr. Counter (our head), or Mr. Parker (Geography).

Step #2
TELL US about any of your weird writing habits or idiosyncracies. (ie, What’s one “thing” you need to write, the thing without which the creative juices would cease to flow?)

I like to have a large cup of tea at my side when I start. Other than that, I’m not sure that I have any. Dull answer, huh? ;)

Step #3
TEACH US one or two of your favorite vocabulary words.

Mellifluous - “Having a smooth rich flow.” If only I could get my writing to conform to this more often...

Step #4
BOOK BLANKS

The last book I finished reading was Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
I gave it 4.763 stars. (Out of 5.2)
One word to describe it is AWOOOOOOO!!!.

Step #5
QUESTION: What's your favorite school-age memory?

Hot summer afternoons, laying on the grass and talking to my friends. Also, in the last year we got to go to a local indoor climbing wall. I don’t have the best head for heights, but hanging around with my friends in the bouldering sections was great fun (pun intended).

Step #6
QUESTION:What effect did school (elementary through college/grad school) have on your writing?

None whatsoever. I started writing at around 23 years of age, and it was in no way related to any sort of education, and was all down to the amount I read.
While I enjoyed English lessons, I was never any good at it. I sat toward the back with the... less attentive kids. ;)

Step #7
GIVE US THE SCOOP. Tell us something about yourself that’s exclusive to In Search of Giants (ie, has never been publicized in print or podcast interviews.)

I’ve told people so much, through blog awards and Facebook notes, that there isn’t much left.
I can dislocate my left thumb, and for years I had to do everything symmetrically. Ie, if I did something with my left hand, I’d have to do with my right. Other than dislocating thumbs. That was a lefty exclusive.

MONDAY: F is for Farrah