The End or Something Like That

Just over a week ago, I went Ann Dee’s book signing.

The End or Something Like That.

She read.

A perfect reading.

I’d heard this book before. Had read it. Maybe even more than once. Loved the book as I watched it develop.

 

Here’s the thing about Ann Dee. She is a fast, smart writer. She knows how to move the plot forward.

Her characters are wacky. There are scenes that make you laugh. Make you cry.

She’s powerful with language. She keeps scenes tight. Not a wasted word.

The voice is incredible. A.E. Cannon is right–No one does voice like Ann Dee Ellis.

I honestly don’t know how she does it.

 

(Ann Dee and I are working on a book together. Sending crappy chapters back and forth to each other. Even her crappy chapters are great.)

 

And then you send your book to an editor.

Look, I know an editor’s job is to make your good book into a great book.

Do I always agree with editors?

No.

Not when one is messing with your pal’s great novel.

(Actually, I have always agreed with MY editors. Except for one.)

 

Ann Dee kept telling me what was going on with her book. Sort of. Whisperings of what the editor wanted.

And I was like, Don’t do it!

Too much!

Never!

 

But this weekend I read The End or Something Like That.

Today, I am remembering the book emotionally.

There’s this sad blanket over me.

For lots of reason.

But the biggest is because Ann Dee did a beautiful job at a difficult time in her life and wrote a terrific book.

 

I will think about The End or Something Like That for a long time.

 

the line play

the character development

the emotion

Las Vegas

heartbreak

guilt

humor

sorrow

candy

love

loss

 

I could go on and on. It’s all there.

 

Beautiful, Ann Dee.

Thank you for the trip.

(Though I have to admit, I’ll probably be sad for a while. And I will blame you.)

ANN DEE HAS A SIGNING TONIGHT!

Everyone go!

The King’s English.

7 pm.

Let’s make that place CRAWL with authors and readers and buyers of books!

As a writer, I know how hard it is to go to the release of something you have worked YEARS on and have people ask if they can borrow your pen, not buy your novel.

Let’s make this standing room only.

I am emailing everyone I know who loves to read and lives in UT and reminding about this event.

Will you, too?

Will you email just five people and say . . .

ANN DEE’S THIRD NOVEL, ANN DEE’S AMAZING NOVEL, TONIGHT!

THE END OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!!!!!

I love this book and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

 

Cheryl Van Eck

Now that I have a toddler, I have joined the world of  “The Never-Ending Story.” I don’t mean the totally awesome movie. I mean the board books that are her favorites and that she begs me to read over and over and over again.

Her current favorite is “Blue Hat Green Hat” by Sandra Boynton. The plot goes something like this: each page show different animals wearing different colored clothing, and the last animal is a turkey that wears socks on his head or a hat on his foot and says, “Oops!”

She loves it. More than she loves me, I daresay. As soon as I turn the last page, she screams for me to read it again. Is it the funny way I say “Oops?” Is it that she actually understands that the turkey is wearing clothes incorrectly? Is it the rhythm of the words? The illustrations?

I’ll be honest, I have no idea. All I know is that it can calm the worst temper tantrum, and we’re going to need a new copy soon. 

So, picture book writers: What is your magic formula? How do you grab and maintain a baby’s attention? Is there a form of sorcery involved?

 

Brenda Bensch

For more than 30 years, I taught full time in Utah’s secondary schools. Often, as both debate coach and drama director, plus teaching English or remedial classes, I was fully drained by the end of the school year. I would think I could not possibly go back to it in the fall: I had nothing left to give. Then I’d use summers to take classes, work in a summer camp, go to see live productions at the Shakespeare Festival and Logan Opera season, try to read a few books I hadn’t had time for.

As writers, we sometimes try so hard and for so long, we’ve given all we have and/or are to our writing. Writers need to “fill ‘er up” again too. Yes, reading is taking in, but it keeps us involved with “writing” and “words” too. How else can we “fill ‘er up”? What do you do to rejuvenate, so you have more to give? Your story deserves your best, doesn’t it?

An addition:

Fill ‘er up at Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers.

We have a few spots open in some of the classes.

Go here for more information.

http://www.wifyr.com

 

Kyra Leigh, Queen Bee

I have a spring time cold. It won’t go away. It’s been hanging out in my lungs since my birthday.

Come to The King’s English for Ann Dee‘s book release party (May 15, 2014 7 pm). Then I can give all ya’ll my cold.

On Saturday, come back to The King’s English for my cute mom’s release party (May 17, 2014 7 pm). I will also be there to get you sick.

One day I want a party.
One day we will.
One day.

For Yesterday

Some days you just can’t Write Like  a Writer.

It’s impossible.

Like this past weekend.

A 4-day migraine.

No Mother’s Day on Mother’s Day.

And I still feel like crap.

 

Today is the release date for my book Signed, Skye Harper.

And my head feels like a sponge filled with water.

A sponge with bulging eyes.

 

NEWS!

Ann Dee has a book launch at The King’s English.

May 15, 2014.

7 pm.

For THE END OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

 

I have a book launch at The King’s English, too.

May 17, 2014.

7 pm.

for THE HAVEN and for SIGNED, SKYE HARPER

 

Next time we’re signing together. Maybe for the book we’re working on. 🙂