Perseveranace and Perseverance

“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”
Napolean Hill

I have heard from many people even read in books that the first step is the hardest choice. Nay, I haven’t experienced it. It’s not the first step but to stay stuck to that first step is the hardest of all. In every day life we take the first step but cannot resist all the force exerted back on us. These are the thoughts today and of course leading my path to writing; staying stuck to your writing.
Many people like me, excited by buoyant thoughts of writing a picture book or a middle grade novel and all those long, long thoughts, step into this cave. And soon the darkness and a little boo resulting in a storm of creepy bats (nice scene from the cartoon) ends it all. We rush back because the entrance is near and clear. So what’s important is staying stuck and keep on walking or crawling. And it’s not true only in writing but in every decision. It’s Perseverance and all Perseverance.
Never be dejected by loses and rejections just be an explorer and have an eye around you. Examine all the fissures in the wall, the dripping water from the roof, lose rocks and puddles in your cave. A careful watch and your perseverance will lead you to the other side or even to another cave. Now what I do? One simple solution: always keep a story or a quote from a story about determination or perseverance handy (pasted on you laptop, desk, folders, book shelves, notice boards and even walls of you office). So exhausted from all the efforts just have a look and recite or even sing those quotes. Leave all the writings for some days. Don’t think about any character or scene. And for some nights, before going to sleep, read your favourite quote and go to sleep thinking yourself as the most successful author. After some days the author in you will be back again with all the energy and hopes.
Now are the two quotes I love to keep with me:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Calvin Coolidge

“Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Interview with Kelly Hashway

I was trying hard to get some writers to give me an interview for my blog and Kelly Hashway went first.

Kelly likes to write Picture Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult novels. Her writings were published in many children magazines and educational websites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOUCH OF DEATH is her debut YA novel which will be released on January 15, 2013 through Spencer Hill Press. Don’t miss it!

 

 

 

You can visit her YA blog at: http://kellyhashway.blogspot.com

and her website at: www.kellyhashway.com

And here goes the interview:

1.      What inspired you to write for children and Young Adult?

I’m a former middle school language arts teacher, and I’ve always loved books for kids and teens. I read a lot growing up, and since books meant such a great deal to me, I wanted to create stories that might have the same impact on other kids as they grow up.

2.      What things helped you to be a writer? Did you take any formal education/courses/workshops to enhance your writing skills?

My degree in English definitely helped, as did my love of books. I think reading is a great way to learn how to be a better writer. I also went back to school, taking courses specifically designed for writing for children and teens.

3.      Can you shorten your journey from the day you wished to be a writer and your first published book? And what kept you motivated in difficult times?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I knew I’d have to work hard to make that dream come true. I basically tried to learn as much as I could and talked to published authors who helped me and encouraged me along the way.

4.      How much time you spend writing a day?

Several hours. I write while my daughter is at school, and I write every night after everyone else in my house has gone to bed. I’m a firm believer in writing everyday to exercise my writing brain.

5.      What you enjoys most Picture Books, Young Adult or Middle grade?

Ooh, this is so tough to answer. I love writing young adult novels because it’s like taking a trip down memory lane and tapping into all the emotions I experienced at that age. I do really enjoy picture books and middle grade too, though. Each of those age levels is fun in its own way.

6.      What are your new projects or upcoming books?

I’m focusing on young adult works right now, but I do have four picture books under contract. My debut young adult novel, TOUCH OF DEATH, releases January 15, 2013 through Spencer Hill Press, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.

7.      What was the best comment which a kid gave you on your Picture Books “May the Best Dog Win” or “The Perfect Puppy”?

I’ve been fortunate enough to get some great comments from kids. It’s hard to choose my favorite, but I love the ones where kids send me pictures they drew of Dash and the Sweeper in May the Best Dog Win. So many of the kids tell me their dogs act just like Dash, and they think Dash’s thoughts about the new vacuum cleaner are funny. There’s nothing better than a child telling you you’re funny.

8.      Share any thee websites or blogs which can help writers to improve their skills or are helpful in any other way.

1. YALitChat is an amazing site for writers of young adult, middle grade, or picture books. http://yalitchat.ning.com/

2. The Institute of Children’s Literature is great for learning more about writing for children and teens. http://www.institutechildrenslit.com

3. Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a good place to find conferences and writers workshops. http://www.scbwi.org/

Thanks so much for interviewing me.

Don’t forget to tell me how did you like the interview?

Some People Talk and Talk

Some people talk and talk

And never say a thing

Some people look at you

And birds begin to sing

 

Some people laugh and laugh

And yet you want to cry.

Some people touch your hand

And music fills the sky.

Charlotte Zolotow

 

I once came across this poem on internet and I loved it. Today I read it again and my mind jumped straightaway to books instead of people. I felt same for books. Some books are truly amazing. They make you realize something or change some parts of you or around you. They say everything yet stay silent and touch YOU. And such books stay with me forever.

This not only goes for a whole book but also for a single scene or some dialogue or even some descriptive passage. And sitting here I can still recall all those scenes, descriptions or books which I have read years ago.

And then the otherwise, I can also recall some books which I couldn’t finish no matter how hard I tried. They never asked me to read them more than a chapter or two. They never said a word to me!

Well this can vary from person to person but I believe almost everyone has these two kinds of book. Have you ever noticed? Would you like to share with me those books which have filled you with music?

I’m Tagged

Well I’m a campaigner and Regina Lopes tagged me. I thank for this kind act. I know I’m fairly late but I think to do just do it no matter how much late.

Okay here are the questions I have to answer. I hope you’ll come to know me a little more after reading them.

 

1-   What is your favourite writing place?

Ans: Where I’m alone. It can be any place. But to be specific I love to write in my cozy office (which is not yet built. I only have its image in my mind!) or somewhere among the nature. But I enjoy when I’m alone.
2-What is the best thing about writing?

Ans: I can express myself, use my imagination to the last limit and feel relaxed after writing. Shoo! It’s done at last.
3-What is your favourite quote?

Ans: There are tons of them. But I can share one:

“Failure is a word unknown to me.” (I am doubtful of the person who said this.)
4-Where do you get inspiration from?

Ans: O’ it’s simple. From all around me and my imagination.
5-If you could be a historical figure, who would you be and why?

Ans: It’s very difficult because I’m inspired from many historical figures. And I would never like to be any other figure. I would always like to be with them. I just wish to see how they acted and thought and judged situations.
6- Name your top three favourite authors.

Ans: Another tough choice but let me think. Oscar Wilde, Barry Unsworth and Micheal Morpurgo and Mick Inkpen
7-If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Ans: I want to travel all around the world. Yes, no compromise here.
8-Besides reading and writing, name other two pastimes hobbies.

Ans: I love painting and painting.
9- Name your top three websites.

Ans: www.institutechildrenslit.com this is my most favorite others are for help to new writers.

http://e-writers.net

http://usawrites4kids.cjb.net
10-What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Ans: I’m no experienced writer to say something great. But I think only and only perseverance can keep you going.
11- What special power would you choose to have?

Ans: Power to inspire hearts and souls.

 

Okay, this is from me. But that’s not all. I have to tag new eleven people and ask eleven new questions. I’m extremely sorry I cannot tag eleven people. So I’m just tagging these with the following questions

 

1. What inspired you to start writing?
2. Name your top three books?
3. Share any event in your writing career which can inspire new writers?
4. What keeps you going when your writings are being rejected for a long time?
5. If you ever get the chance which favourite character would you like to use in your own book?
6. Would you ever like to rewrite your favourite novel or book?
7. Which book you think wasted your time? ( optional)
8. What is your favourite genre for reading and writing?
9. Have you ever helped any new writer in any way and what it feels like?
10. What are your favourite Blogs or websites which helped you in improving your writing?
11. What author would you like to meet?

 

I’m tagging:

clarbojahn

out on the limb

Quid for the Quill

Rossandra

Cindy Thrasher

Well that’s all from me now. I hope to post soon for the first challenge.

 

 

 

Tips for Nailing Your Middle Grade Audition

Tips for Nailing Your Middle Grade Audition.

Reflections

WHAT ATTRACTS ME THE MOST?
I read tons and tons of books yearly (i think all writers do) nothing special. And there is one thing which inspires me always. Setting, atmosphere and descriptions in a book. It always attracts my attention and I can say that it is also the most enjoyable part of my reading.
Well I do get attracted by the dialogues and actions of characters but descriptions and choices of words is always the first pleasure.
I have a diary where i collect all those descriptions from books of all kinds. Specially from the books which I have borrowed from a friend or library. Reading them again in later years not only rejoices my senses but improves my learning too.
have you ever maintained any such record? Share with me.

And here goes one description out of dozens which I like:

“…looking ahead they could see only tree-trunks of innumerable sizes and shapes; straight or bent, twisted, leaning, squat or slender, smooth or gnarled and branched; and all the stems were green or grey with moss and slimy, shaggy growths.”
LORD OF THE RINGS
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
BOOK ONE: CHAPTER VI: THE OLD FOREST

And here is another one:

“For many hours they rode on through the meads and riverlands. Often the grass was so high that it reached above the knees of the riders, and their stead seemed to be swimming in a grey-green sea. They came upon many hidden pools, and broad acres of sedge waving above wet and treacherous bogs; but Shadowfax found the way, and the other horses followed in his swath. Slowly the sun fell from the sky down into the West. looking out over the great plain, for away the riders saw it for a moment like red fire sinking into the grass. Low upon the edge of sight. Shoulders of the mountains glinted red upon either sides. A smoke seemed to rise up and darken the sun’s disc to the hue of blood, as if it had kindled the grass as it passed under the rim of earth.”
LORD OF THE RINGS
THE TWO TOWERS
BOOK THREE: CHAPTER V: THE WHITE RIDER

This Monday for Book

 

 

 

Today my words are about a picture book PENGUIN SMALL by MICK INKPEN.

A Little Intro: tired of all the nasty tricks of the polar bears all the penguins decided to swim away to some other peaceful place except Penguin Small. He was afraid of water but he could try flying…

I say:

I LOVE Mick Inkpen’s style and his adorable characters in his fantasy rich stories. The emotion of Penguin Small immediately involves a reader into the book. Besides, the characters of Snowman, polar bears, big blue whale and Neverwozanoceros are so full of life that they fixed in my mind and I wish to create some characters as remarkable as them.

The author is also the illustrator and his soft colours merged with the setting of the story forming a perfect quilt.

 

This was one of the first picture books when I started writing seriously and I love it ever since.

It’s not at all the latest release but I think it’s a must read for the picture book writers and collectors.

I hope you’ll also enjoy reading it.

Hello world!

Hello all out there. Have a perfect HAPPY NEW YEAR.  Share your resolutions with me. Although it’s quite late.

Mine are:

1. To run my critique group smoothly.
2. To plot the first part of my MG novel.
3. More submissions to magazines.
4. to follow more blogs.

I want to keep it simple this time. What you have in mind?