A Child's Love of Poetry

I have been an avid reader all my life, but I am not one to hold on to books. I usually donate my books, once read, to my local library. For me to keep a book means it holds a place in my heart. That is the case with some of the books in my photo.

One of my favorite books is “A Child’s Garden of Verses” by Robert Louis Stevenson. I actually have two copies of this book. My mother gave one to me when I moved out on my own. This book had a lot of meaning to me as she read it to me many times when I was a child. Then I went on to read it for myself. This was a new copy, as the one she read to me as a child had disappeared.

When my parents unpacked after their next move it somehow showed up again. Now I had in my possession the actual one I read as a child. This was very special as I was not the only child to cherish that book. Another had read it many years before me. This book had an inscription lovingly written by my grandmother who had given it to my mother as one of her first books.

The verses may seem simplistic by today’s standards, but they still are precious to me. Here are a few from one of the poems in the book…

We may see how all things are,
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies’ looks,
In the picture storybooks.

If you are unfamiliar with his works, here is a link to learn more about him, his life, and his works.

What's in a Name?

As authors we get to choose our characters names so the names fit the character. Naming your character assists in connecting the reader to the story. If I am writing a story for young children I will use names with which they are familiar. Let's say the story is geared to 8-10 year olds. I will go to the U.S. census and find what the most popular babies names were for that year. One of the most popular names was Ashley. This gives some context to the reader as they will probably know someone who has that name. They will begin to put a face to that character from what they know. This draws the reader more into the story.

I also did this when I was writing a folktale. I wanted my characters names to describe who they are. So I went online to find a name that meant beautiful. I found several choices but the one I chose was Milana. It's fun to look through the meaning for names and where they originated.

You may not always find a name for the word description you list. I tried to find a name that meant one who is slow and one who is lazy. I guess that's a good thing. Could you imagine how you might feel if you discovered that was the meaning of your birth name? Can you say petition the court for a name change?

Here's a great link if you want to look up names for fun or for writing... http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/

Making a Date with a Book

I read an interesting article by Arielle Ford where she discusses the reasons someone buys a book. As for myself I will buy a book only if I can first actually hold it in my hand. I need to be able to read the synopsis and the info on the author. If I do buy a book online it is only after I have looked at it in hand.

I don’t really care where it is on the best seller list of The New York Times because I am not the “every person” reader. Nor do I base my decisions on someone else’s reviews. I certainly wouldn’t take into account a book store shelf talker as I would wonder if it is being highlighted because they just bought too many books.

I have quirky tastes and tend to stay within certain genres. You will never find me picking up a Harry Potter Book or any of the Twilight series. Though they are widely popular their story lines do not appeal to me. I do tend to be loyal to an author once I find that I like their story format. At times I pass on my favorite authors as the storyline has become too predictable.

When I have to start looking for a new author to read it is like the dating process. I have to first be attracted to the cover. I’ll look it over and compare it to the others on the shelf. Then we will say our first hello as I read the synopsis. The next stop is like going out for coffee as I get a little more background by reading about the author and maybe read the first few pages. If all that goes well we’re ready for the date or the book purchase. The reading is the romance. Unfortunately there is always the tender parting when the story is done. If it is part of a series there is always that chance for a more serious relationship.

If you’d like to read more about what Arielle Ford on “What Motivates the Book Buyer?” you can click here.

What's your Bookmark?

I love to read many different books at a time. So I need many bookmarks. My bookmarks are memory keepers. Some of them include actual bookmarks like the one that celebrated my local library’s grand re-opening or the one from the library on a past cruise. I also use ticket stubs from events and postcards from places I’ve visited but never got around to sending out. They do a great job in holding my place in a book but they also bring back great memories. And being a bit of a romantic I even have a pressed rose in a cherished book. That bookmark doesn’t get moved as it is too fragile.

Sometimes I love a book so much that I don’t want to finish it as it will be the end of a relationship. I will have to move on to another book. It is both a sad and a complete feeling when the reading is done.

I don’t have a house full of books as I believe in a catch and release method of ownership. I read a book and pass it on. I also buy extra copies of books that I especially love to pass on to others.

Here are some great quotes about books that I wished I had said…

If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. P.J. O’Rourke

The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests; just as the charm of music dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts. Oliver Wendell Holmes