Books and Board Games – For Adventures in Space Lovers!

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Want to blast off with some fun books and board games? This unusual pairing is sure to launch your space adventurers into the stars. First we have the card game Space Team created by Stellar Factory. Like most rocket launches, this game is LOUD!! The entire game is about communicating with your astronaut crew to solve problems and build equipment and there is a lot of shouting. There is also an app you can use to play sound effects and a count down timer. If you don’t like quiet, boring board games you will love Space Team.

When you’ve had enough noise but your mission team wants more space, then hand them a copy of Field Trip to the Moon by John Hare. This wordless picture book is the perfect, quiet way to replicate the soundlessness of outer space. It’s also a fun way to spark the imagination of the curious mind about what is really out there.

cover of the book Field Trip to the Moon

As always, if you want to learn how to play, I recommend checking out “Watch It Played” on YouTube. Also,BoardGameGeek offers a lot of great recommendations and Q&A.

Once you decide you want to buy a game, please look around for a local board game store!

For more book recommendations, I ALWAYS recommend visiting and buying from your local bookstore. One way you can buy online and support a local store is by shopping through Bookshop.org.

Some Advice for Writers from Birders

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I’m both a birder and a writer.

When I bird, I’m often out there enjoying whatever birds come my way. But sometimes, I’m looking for a specific bird. I have a goal. It can be frustrating when I can’t find it, and even more frustrating when others can.

When I’m writing, I’m often creating a story for the joy of it. But sometimes, I’m creating a story with a goal of getting published. It can be frustrating when I can’t get it right, or can’t sell it. It’s even more frustrating when I see someone else have success with a tale similar to what I hoped to write.

But is writing or birding really about matching what others have done? Or is it about loving what I’m doing? It’s really beautiful to me how the lessons I learn in one part of my life help me enjoy another part. Hopefully some of these thoughts will help you with either birding, writing, or whatever path you are pursuing.

1. If you walk the same paths, you’re going to see the same birds.

Be brave an explore a new kind of story, a new genre, a new path. Pick up a book you’ve never read before. Read poetry. Go uphill instead of around the pond.

2. Sometimes you have to go find the birds, and sometimes the birds find you.

I try to keep an open mind to what stories bubble up in my brain, even when I’m not looking for a new one. I find inspiration in a lot of places – music, news stories, scientific discovery, or even a misspoken word. Be open, and always carry a notebook.

3. Standing still doesn’t mean you’re not birding.

You might think you’re not a real writer if you haven’t sold anything, or if you haven’t written in awhile. It’s OK to take a break and refuel your creativity. You don’t have to prove anything to others.

4. If you kill all the bugs, you won’t get any birds.

Some bugs are scary, some might hurt. Let in some of the unusual, the unfamiliar, the scary and the possibly painful. It could lead to something great.

5. It can be wonderful to bird with others. But sometimes you need to bird on your own.

Critique groups and conferences and writing sessions are amazing. And so are birding walks with groups. But it can be distracting and disheartening if these groups lead you to compare yourself with others too much. It’s OK to want some time to yourself.

Books and Board Games: For Butterfly Lovers!

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caterpillar chrysalis

 

Did you know that I was once a butterfly babysitter? Yep, a friend asked me to watch over her two dozen monarch caterpillars – including feeding them and  cleaning up their poop – until they made their chrysalises and hatched into butterflies!

That’s why I love the board game Mariposas by (again) the incredible Elizabeth Hargrave. Yep, she is a genius at coming up with nature-related board games. The goal in this game is to help your monarchs migrate north over the seasons and multiply AND get back to Mexico in time for to stay warm all winter.

 

But for many years it was a mystery where monarchs went all winter. And there are some excellent books about the people who studied the monarch migration.

I like The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock. The subtitle is “How Kids, Teachers, and Butterfly Fans Helped Fred and Norah Urquhart Track the Great Monarch Migration.” I love community science, and this book is all about how ordinary people helped with this huge research question.

 

This book and board game pair is perfect for people who love butterflies and love a game with a predictable end point. You aren’t playing until someone accumulates a certain number of points (like in Settlers of Catan). You’re only playing for four seasons, so don’t delay. And as a bonus, you learn geography and the names of flowers that monarchs love!

As always, if you want to learn how to play, I recommend checking out “Watch It Played” on YouTube. Also,BoardGameGeek offers a lot of great recommendations and Q&A.

Once you decide you want to buy a game, please look around for a local board game store!

For more book recommendations, I ALWAYS recommend visiting and buying from your local bookstore. One way you can buy online and support a local store is by shopping through Bookshop.org.

Critique Group Feedback on Creating Characters and Connecting with Readers

Posted by & filed under Big Ideas, Books for Kids, General writing, Writing, Writing Coach. | Add Comment

a dog in a superhero costume next to a bowl of candy

 

Getting into costume is a great way to get into character. Writers need to get into their character’s head every time they write a story. But they also need to get into their reader’s head and figure out how their reader will connect with their main character. It’s not easy to hold all of that in your mind at once. That’s why bringing your story to a critique group is great idea. You can get feedback on what behaviors, dialogue, and choices your character needs to make them relatable to young readers.

Here’s some feedback I received recently on characters in my picture books.

  • “This story touches on a universal subject. Although the theme is universal, it is hard to get a sense of who the main character is.”

It’s great to write a story that relates to lots of people, but remember a story is about what happens to this particular character. Is your main character specific enough? 

  • “Picture books usually feature a child protagonist. In this story, your MC feels like an adult. Is there a way you can make him more child-like?”

We are adult writers writing for young readers. Think about ways a child sees the world. Can you connect to a specific memory from your childhood as a starting point?

  • “Why would kids want to read about this? Why should they care?”

This feedback was on my hook overall, or my pitch to editors. When we write for children, we can’t just write about something cute or funny. We have to write about something that really matters to kids, which means we have to listen to kids. What do kids care about? If it’s been awhile since you’ve listened, now is a great time! 

You may know I provide editorial and critique services both independently and on Reedsy. If you’re writing a story or book and would like proofreading, copyediting, critique, or feedback please get in touch!

New Book!! Elizebeth Friedman: Expert Codebreaker of World War II (Women Warriors of World War II)

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For many years, I couldn’t tell people where my parents worked. I could only say, “the department of defense.”

Now, I can tell people they worked for the National Security Agency. That’s why I feel such a special connection to this new book, Elizebeth Friedman: Expert Codebreaker of World War II. 

Elizebeth’s story was secret for so many years, but now we can learn about her astonishing achievements.

This book will be available August 2023. It’s published by Capstone Press.

book cover of Elizebeth Friedman Secret Codebreaker of World War II

An inspiring graphic novel about Elizebeth Friedman, a codebreaking pioneer who changed the course of World War II. Nazi spy rings! No-good gangsters! Shakespearian lies! Discover the courageous woman who cracked all these cases and more–with only a pencil and paper. The youngest of ten siblings, Elizebeth Friedman stood out from an early age with brilliant language skills and a passion for English literature. Eventually, these talents led to a new opportunity: codebreaking. Using ciphers and other trailblazing techniques, Friedman solved coded messages to take down some of the most notorious gangsters in the United States, including the infamous Al Capone. During World War II, as German forces stormed across Europe, she took her skills to the frontlines, thwarting Nazi spies and helping lead Allied forces to victory. In this action-packed, full-color graphic novel, learn more about this daring woman who took risks, defied expectations, and confronted the enemies of World War II. 

Books and Board Games – For Flower Lovers

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Celebrate spring with this colorful pairing of books and board games all about flowers!

Yes, I am featuring another game designed by the incredible Elizabeth Hargrave. Her games are always about things I love. Tussie Mussie is a quick and easy card game with gorgeous art is also about the historic language of flowers!

Once you’ve learned how to play, pick up a few beautiful books about blooms to read and enjoy. I suggest Plants Can’t Sit Still by Rebecca Hirsch .book cover for plants can't sit still

And I think another perfect pairing is Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate by Sara Levine.

 

Both of those books introduce readers to the idea that plants don’t just sit there quietly growing. They are actively engaged in their environment! And the art in these books is really eye-catching.

As always, if you want to learn how to play, I recommend checking out “Watch It Played” on YouTube. Also, BoardGameGeek offers a lot of great recommendations and Q&A.

Once you decide you want to buy a game, please look around for a local board game store!

For more book recommendations, I ALWAYS recommend visiting and buying from your local bookstore. One way you can buy online and support a local store is by shopping through Bookshop.org.

Super helpful suggestions from my critique partners!

Posted by & filed under Big Ideas, Critiques, Writing. | Add Comment

a poster that says why do writers write with answers like to share our feelings, to laugh, to share our experiences

I am so grateful for the super helpful suggestions I get from my critique partners.

It can be so hard to find a great critique group. At a creativity meeting back in March, a friend said to me that they tried out a new group and felt a little frustrated that people were too nice and not really digging in to help group members get better.

I understood how she felt. I don’t need people to be nice. I need people to tell me what’s not working.

I’m not generally too nice. In fact, I am working hard to be more tactful with my critique feedback. I think a good critique group means the members trust each other, understand the goals of each writer, and truly want each member to create their best work.

Here’s some excellent feedback I’ve received from my wonderful critique partners. I hope these comments help you, too!

  • From an adult critique partner on a picture book:

“I realize you bring back the original narrator’s story here, but I still think they are two different stories.”

Sometimes we pack too much information into one story. Other times we lose focus on the main story. Do you have two stories that should be separate? 

  • From an adult critique partner on a picture book:

“…this line stood out, it sounds too didactic and fact telling.”

Didactic means teaching, especially with a moral motive. The best stories tell, and they can have a message. But has your story become too focused on a lesson as opposed to the narrative journey? 

  • From an adult reader on a short story:

“This sentence doesn’t quite work for me.”

Sometimes we write things that WE love, but our readers don’t. When you’re in critique group and someone says this, how do you react? Do you defend your writing? Or do you think, if this reader doesn’t get what I’m trying to say, how can I make it more clear? 

Remember, a critique partner isn’t trying to make you feel bad, they are trying to help you write GOOD! Or, well. You know what I mean. But if you don’t, then I need to go back and revise!

You may know I provide editorial and critique services both independently and on Reedsy. If you’re writing a story or book and would like proofreading, copyediting, critique, or feedback please get in touch!

Books and Board Games – for Bee Lovers

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Nothing is sweeter than a good book. Or maybe a fun board game. Or maybe a spoonful of honey?

(Did you know one bee will make one tablespoon of honey in its entire lift!)

Combine all three and you have something special! Yes, I love bees. I know they can be scary to some people, but honeybees are vegetarian and they feed themselves without harming or killing another living thing. In fact, they help create more plants in the act of foraging! Can you say you help out nature that much?

To really appreciate how sweet bees are and how much we need to help them, start by reading these two books.

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming

This award-winning book is a masterpiece in nonfiction.

The Broken Bees’ Nest by Lydia Lukidis 

Lydia is a friend and a critique partner. She loves bees!

Once you’ve learned to appreciate how special bees are, it’s time to really see things from their perspective and play Honey Buzz.

Honey Buzz was recommended to me by Phil, the owner of our local gaming store, Game Masters. Phil knows how much I love science and nature based gaming. He suggested I get the premium edition of Honey Buzz. One reason was because it comes with fuzzy worker bees – and he was right! I loved those fuzzy buzzy little girls.

This game has only two parts to every turn, but there are lot of jobs to do – just like in a real beehive!

I don’t keep bees, but I did take a beekeeping course during the pandemic. And my oldest son and I did an intro to beekeeping lesson at a local college. I was really amazed at how calm he was taking the combs in and out of the beekeeping boxes.

 

 

I’ve always wanted to write a book about bees, maybe playing this game will help me!

sketch of different bee faces

As always, if you want to learn how to play, I recommend checking out “Watch It Played” on YouTube. Also, BoardGameGeek offers a lot of great recommendations and Q&A.

Once you decide you want to buy a game, please look around for a local board game store!

For more book recommendations, I ALWAYS recommend visiting and buying from your local bookstore. One way you can buy online and support a local store is by shopping through Bookshop.org.