Scribblings on Whatever

The Scene of the Crime

9/13/2023

In a murder mystery, the scene of the crime is usually the pivotal point for the detectives working the case. As a writer, you must think about who will arrive first on the scene. Is your victim found by a civilian or law enforcement? How is the scene secured? What exactly do you need your detectives to find or not find at the scene? How much forensic information is necessary for your reader to know to stay involved with the mystery?

Because of the digital age, readers are more savvy about crime investigations, particularly murder. C.S.I. and Criminal Minds provide plenty of forensics and behavioral analysis to make armchair experts of most of us. Consequently, it creates a wide spectrum for writers when it comes to deciding how much is too much and how much is not enough. Personally, I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. Go with your gut! Whatever you feel enhances the story line or broadens the scope of your characters is the right choice.

The bottom line is that writers and readers are not different from each other. Most readers just want to be carried along by the characters, feeling what they feel, and to exist in their worlds for a short period of time. Writers want the same thing. If we can come together in a special experience called a novel, well then …

Poor, Lonely, Unloved Manuscript

8/30/2023

Is there a fantastic story kicking around in your head, but you can’t seem to commit your idea into a word document yet? Instead, you procrastinate by convincing yourself that:

…I’m not good enough to be a writer
…I’m too old
…Nobody’s going to like it
…I’ve never written anything before
…I’ve never taken any classes in writing. I don’t know how.

How many of you have a completed manuscript languishing away on a shelf with the dust bunnies because:

…I need to go over it one more time
…It’s not ready. It’ll never be ready
…Oh, no! I wasn’t seriously thinking of publishing it.

Sound Familiar? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard any of those excuses, I’d be a lot richer than I am!

Don’t Sell Yourself Short
Try not to succumb to these myths; that’s all they are. Misconceptions that keep you from believing in yourself. Unfortunately, when repeated over and over, those lies become a reality and suck up one’s creative juices, and your story is never told.

Go ahead. Sit down at the computer and let your muse take over. Banish those self-defeating negative vibes with an “I can do this” mindset. Bring up the manuscript you started years ago or begin a new story. Tune out distractions, open your imagination or look over your notes, and let the words flow. Worry about grammar, punctuation, number of words, etc. later – for now, just write.

It doesn’t matter how many words you log; just get those first few sentences. The rest will follow.

Determine When It’s the Best Time for You to Write
Set up a loose schedule. Not necessarily saying you have to write from X to Y o’clock every day, but having an hour or so set aside puts you in the habit of thinking about your story and getting in the zone.

What’s the optimum time of day for being creative? That’s totally up to you. I’ve heard of some authors who prefer to get up before the crack of dawn to get an hour or two of quiet time before the family demands all of their attention. Ernest Hemingway devoted the hours of 6 am until noon before putting his typewriter away until the following morning.

Other writers like the evenings. While writing Riders of the Wind, my husband came home from work, ate supper, and then locked himself away in the office until midnight (or later). Honestly, I wasn’t too thrilled about being left alone with only a book or the TV to keep me company until bedtime. However, I understood why and kept my sulking and pouting to a minimum.

Try to stick with your schedule as best as you can. If you miss a day, so what? Pick up where you left off the next day. Only managed a half-hour? No big deal. The big thing is to be consistent. Keep writing without more than two or three days passing by.

Most importantly, if you hit a snag, don’t worry about it! Walk away. Get some fresh air. Hug your loving, patient, long-suffering spouse (or pet). Then, when you get back to work later on or even the following day, that paragraph you thought was crap won’t look so bad. The words that stubbornly refused to flow will gush from your fingertips, impatiently waiting their turn to magically appear on the screen.

Go with the flow. Your masterpiece doesn’t have to be completed all at one time. So leave a little in the tank to get you back in the groove for the next round.

Of course, distractions are unavoidable. Tell your loved ones and friends what you’re doing, and kindly ask them to bear with you. It may take a while, but they should eventually get the message. Also, try not to be your own worst enemy. Turn off the phone and avoid the temptation to check email or take a quick glance at Facebook.

Finally, after overcoming the inevitable hitches along the way and persisting despite your doubts and fears, you did it! THE END signals the end of part one of your writing journey. Congratulations!!!

Before you proceed to part two, give yourself a pat on the back, a chocolate chip cookie, and the praise you deserve. Then, let your manuscript sit in a place of honor for a few days while you decide how to proceed with the second part of the writing process: re-reading, making changes, editing, formatting, cover design, and publication.

You Should Write a Book About That!

8/23/2023

How many times have you heard someone say, "You should write a book about that?" I'm guilty of saying it, and if you're honest, you'll admit to uttering words to that same effect as well. When someone captivates your imagination with an (obviously exaggerated) tale of daring exploits, or has you laughing hysterically with their youthful misadventures, the well-used phrase automatically escapes your lips whether you honestly mean it or not.

It's true. Everyone has a story. People enjoy reminiscing about happy memories, meeting a famous person, or traveling to an unusual place. However, some of the sagas fall on the opposite end of the spectrum and are not meant for entertainment. Instead, the narratives describe serious subjects such as overcoming horrible situations or coping with a chronic disease.

All these personal accounts deserve to be heard, and fortunately, three non-fiction genres allow these stories to be told: biography, autobiography, and memoir.

Biographies are an objective history of a person's life written by someone else. It's usually written in third person and compiled through extensive research, interviews, letters, diaries, photographs, essays, and other reference materials. The best biographies bring their subjects to life. As a general rule, the narratives are written in chronological order weaving the details of the person's life into an attention-grabbing story. This genre helps us to get to know the background behind historical figures as well as currently popular names we hear but don't really know much about their previous life. Most biographers are very studious about getting their facts correct, but every once in a while, errors occur.

Biographies are fairly straightforward and easy to understand, but the two other categories can be a bit confusing. The terms autobiography and memoir are occasionally used interchangeably to describe a book, even though they are two totally different styles of writing.

An autobiography is the comprehensive history of a person's life, written by that person. It's more subjective than a biography since it's based on the author's personal memories. Autobiographies usually detail the life of a well-known personality and are written in first person portraying his or her life experiences and achievements. The story often begins with the writer's recollections of early childhood and details education, career, life experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. Some accounts emphasize a particular part of the author's life while glossing over less interesting aspects, while other autobiographies chronicle the person's complete history. The finished works are as unique as the writers themselves.

That brings us to memoir. It's the same as an autobiography since it is written in first person as a personal account. Still, it differs as it focuses on a particularly memorable event rather than the author's whole life. Memoirs come in all shapes and sizes. The emotional connection created through a personal, intimate story can touch, inspire, or break the reader's heart. They can also take you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or explain how a life-changing experience helped the author discover a new truth. Being less formal, the tale relies on emotions and feelings. The flow of the story can be chronological or move forward and back in time as the author selects pertinent life events to tell the tale. They take us on a journey or give a glimpse into life viewed from a different angle

Memoirs are typically read because of their theme or subject matter, so factual accuracy is not as crucial as it is for biographies or autobiographies. Instead, the message is the vital factor. It's what makes the reader think WOW as the narrative comes to an end.

Many folks shy away from non-fiction genres because they think the books are boring. For these people, I recommend a memoir, autobiography, or biography of someone they admire. Delving into the little-known facts that made someone else noteworthy may inspire the readers to look inside themselves and discover the story hidden within them that needs to be shared.

Writing in Your Own Style

8/9/2023

Everyone has their own style when it comes to writing. There will always be those out there who will tell you it has to be done a certain way. Of course, there are certain rules of grammar and punctuation to which you should adhere; however, exceptions within dialogue do occur. Your story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, or your reader will be disappointed.

Beyond those criteria, you are expected to have certain basic elements, some of which I touch on here.

1. Dramatic storytelling, evidenced by conflict, suspense, tension, controversy, mystery, for example.

2. Interesting prose, achieved by getting into the rhythm of the story, feeling the need for shorter sentences to increase tension, more descriptive sentences to draw your reader in. You get the idea. Bring it to life.

3. Characters appeal to or repulse your reader for different reasons. It can be their physical appearance, their history, their psychological strengths and weaknesses. As your story unfolds, their actions add to the response by the reader to them.

4. The Hook, the subject of so much talk out there claiming you have to have the mandatory hook in the first paragraph of your novel. Although "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." is certainly memorable and could hook you, most novels don't do this. I've read books that have a "hook" and very little after that to keep me hooked. I've read books that started slowly like a soft breeze, and before I knew it, I was hooked by the story itself. So don't get fixated on some beginning sentence or paragraph and try to fit your story to it.

Bottom Line: Write from your heart. Be a storyteller. Let your passion speak. Follow the rules that need to be followed, like the grammar, punctuation, and basic structure, but let your creativity be your guide.

The Power of the Written Word

6/14/2023

Why do we write? Is it for fame and fortune? Not if we’re realistic. Most of us write because we have a story to tell and a desire to tell it. We either want to write for and communicate with others or take a more personal approach and reflect on our experiences to learn from them.

Writing for others can take many paths. Whether it’s an out-of-this-world fantasy or an inspirational tale of overcoming the odds, we benefit physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically from the act of transforming our thoughts into words.

Writing helps one relax and unwind, easing pressure and stress. Transforming thoughts to words also works as an outlet for an active imagination. Sitting comfortably in your favorite spot tuning out the world while tuning in to your inner thoughts liberates your mind, allowing it to weave disconnected ideas into one chapter after another. As the tale grows, the satisfaction, confidence, and faith in your success far outweigh any self‑doubts holding you back. In other words, it makes you feel good.

Writing can help you share important information to others who may need it. It may start as only a collection of your personal feelings but becomes much more as you journal your experiences while dealing with a difficult situation. Re-reading your words helps you objectively view the positive aspects of the ordeal as well as the negative. You see that you overcame obstacles and achieved more than you thought, and you realize, Hey! I did it! Then you may want to share with others.

Writing may be a form of therapy. A psychology professor conducted an informal study where he asked students to write about the biggest trauma of their lives. At the same time, a control group wrote about neutral topics. He followed both groups for six months and found that during that time the students who wrote about the traumatic events made fewer trips to the doctor than the control group. Coincidence?

Do readers benefit from the written word? Of course they do! Getting lost in an imaginary world transports a bored child to a deserted island where he searches for a pirate’s lost treasure or accidentally bounces too high on the trampoline launching him into outer space. A child can also have a learning adventure exploring the depths of the ocean looking for deep-sea creatures that glow in the dark.

It’s not just kids who benefit from escaping the realities of life. Grown-ups need their “away from it all” time as well. There’s no better way to step into someone else’s shoes and experience the unbearable heat, the terrible thirst, the fear, and the loneliness assaulting an escaped

heroine as she desperately continues her dangerous trek through a dense jungle. Adults can learn as well. Name a place you’d love to visit but know you never will. Grab a book; it’ll take you there!

Believe in the Power of the Written Word.

Writing: Does It Get Easier or Harder?

5/10/2023

How writing feels to you can depends on many things.

• What's your mood at the moment you sit down to write? Depending on what it is, it can make writing hard or easy.

• Are you comparing your efforts to your last book, which you can clearly recall and have yet to lose the momentum you had, or to your first book for which the memory of your labor pains has dissipated? Both could persuade you that writing has become quite easy for you these days.

• Are you competing with yourself or someone else? This ego-driven activity always makes writing seem harder.

• Are you seeking excellence? This has the power to motivate you, but it also has the power to stall you in your tracks. So, once again, writing can become easy or hard.

• Are you simply seeking to honor your talent by refining your expression through the means available to you? Then writing becomes easy because you meet that which would seem hard by simply expecting the best.

I know of many writers, including myself, who have started a novel only to put it aside to work on another idea. Later, sometimes years, we come back to it, and it flows as if there had never been a problem. Why? I think it comes back to one of those items listed above.

I feel the creative part of myself is almost like a separate entity from my day-to-day personality. It has moods and can be just as stubborn as the rest of me. When I write vers libre, my creative self is chomping at the bit to express itself. I have learned to give it room. It makes writing so much easier for me no matter what I am writing.

Can Sensitivity Reviewing Go Too Far?

4/26/2023

An Example of Sensitivity Critiquing of Classical Literature: Roald Dahl

According to the BBC, below are some of the changes being made in Roald Dahl’s books.

• Augustus Gloop, from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is now described as "enormous."
• The word "fat" has been taken out of every book - according to the Telegraph.
• Mrs. Twit, from The Twits, is now described as "beastly" no longer "ugly and beastly."
• The Twits has removed the word "weird" from the sentence "a weird African language."
• "Crazy" and "mad" have also been taken out of the books.
A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister used a word created by Dahl to support his opposition to the changes. “When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the prime minister agrees with the BFG [Big Friendly Giant] that we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words.”

If you’re interested, here’s a link to Roald Dahl: the best gobblefunk words: https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/jun/14/roald-dahl-dictionary-best-gobblefunk-words

While Travis Croken, national co-chair of the Canadian Authors Association, believes using sensitivity readers to rewrite classical literature like Dahl is problematic he does believe employing them to work on in-progress manuscripts can be an important aspect of the writing process.

Examples of In-process Critiquing

A British Columbia sensitivity reader told an author of an unpublished manuscript that her autistic lead character, who spent her time hating herself and being a burden to her family, was a harmful characterization and needed to be changed. There was no mention of how the story played out. Did the character eventually evolve into a better state of mind or was her role to demonstrate to readers, even autistic ones, how unproductive her attitude was?

One sensitivity reader makes the point that often authors are writing about situations they know nothing about. She is non-binary and finds that despite their research, cisgender authors may tap into stereotypes or utilize damaging tropes. I understand that as authors we cannot always walk in another’s shoes, but I find it interesting that in reviewing a fantasy book, she found fault with a black character who turned into a Minotaur being described as monstrous and bestial. She saw this as a dangerous stereotype. My clinical observation is to ask: If the character were not black and still turned into a Minotaur in this fantasy novel, would you still consider it a stereotype?

Being a fantasy novel and the character being a Minotaur, having the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man, which has often been described in mythology as being monstrous and ferocious, doesn’t it seem like overreach to assume that the author’s descriptives were aimed at the character’s race rather than at the Minotaur itself? If one sees this as impossible to view other than as a “damaging stereotype,” it opens the door to authors being unable to exercise their imaginations or create characters that are anything but perfect by someone else’s standards. Censorship of societal issues should not be applied without context.

Authors often use their imaginations to present societal conditions as they exist in order to inform those who are uninformed about those situations. Not all instances are designed to express disapproval of someone or some way of life. Once again, context is important. I once had a reader who, after reading a couple of chapters in one of my books, felt the female character was not portraying the strength she expected. Of course, she didn’t read the book in which this female’s character evolved into a strong, independent woman.

Author Keira Drake had the release of her book postponed because early readers pounced on what they termed “racist trash.” The Continent is a fantasy novel about two warring nations. Apparently describing one nation’s warrior as having “reddish-brown skin and painted faces” is one of the things which set them off. I admit that I haven’t read the book, but it’s difficult to see exactly how imaginary peoples in a fantasy novel could offend anyone.

Writers’ Opinions

American author Francine Prose doesn’t believe authors and publishers need to hire sensitivity readers. “Few of us are working in so much isolation that we can’t find someone who we trust about a certain subject and say, ‘You know, you think I’m getting this wrong?’”

Award-winning author, Kate Clanchy, who went through the gauntlet with several sensitivity readers offers her opinion in an opinion piece. The title is “How sensitivity readers corrupt literature: They sullied my memoir to suit their agenda.” https://unherd.com/2022/02/how-sensitivity-readers-corrupted-literature/

Writer Hillary Jordan, author of Mudbound, told NPR.org the following: Literature “comes from curiosity about how other people live; it comes from the desire to break down the barriers between us. And I just don't know how you do that if you have someone looking over your shoulder and sort of coughing slightly to let you know when you're off."

Sensitivity reader Dhonielle Clayton says, "I'm not in the business of censoring people. I'm in the business of checking to make sure what they're doing does not have harm and repercussions for the people that they are writing about. Because people don't realize the power of words and the power of bad representation — it can haunt people."

Do Sensitivity Readers Have Value?

If all sensitivity readers approach their work like Lynn Brown in New York, then it can be a good thing. She believes her role to be pointing out if the character feels stereotyped or if the character from particular segments of society would speak the way the author has written. She also believes she should point out if the author is developing the character in a stereotypical way to the point of being offensive to those readers of similar backgrounds.

One sensitivity reader believes that any author writing across cultures should use a sensitivity reader, especially in books for kids. I agree that accessing feedback from persons who are in the population group of your characters if different from your own is as reasonable as accessing experts in periods of history or professions used in your book.

My Opinion

I think classic literature should be left alone. It smacks of trying to rewrite history, an offense on the lips of millions today.
Advising authors on a work-in-progress is fine and can perhaps rectify one-dimensional stereotypes as well as clichés as long as the author has the final word.
As mentioned earlier with the Minotaur example, context should always be considered. If a book is a fantasy or a science fiction, it is especially important to honor that they do not usually mirror reality.
Let us all remember that when talking fiction works, fiction is defined as “literature in the form of prose that describes imaginary events and people,” who I assume cannot be offended.
The difference between censorship, such as banning books, and sensitivity readers is that censorship is the suppression of content. As long as sensitivity readers’ opinions are held to the standard of suggestions, there is no suppression.

In today’s hair-trigger, hyperreactive social media landscape, as the New York Times describes it, readers can often assume it is their job to nitpick everything they read. Sometimes you have to wonder if they took the time to enjoy the stories in the books they post about. If such “heightened scrutiny” continues, many writers of fiction will refrain from including other cultures in their writing, resulting in a more homogenized body of literature.

We want to know what you think. Do you believe books should be altered and possible offensive words and content be removed, or should the books be left as they are?

The Writing Process

4/12/2023

It’s easy to find explanations of the writing process. Some are very technical and detailed-oriented. As a writer, you have probably figured out already that everyone has their own style and their own approach. It has a lot to do with one’s personality. Some writers need to outline their entire presentation before beginning. Some writers jot down a few points and start writing. Some writers rely on their intuitive connection to assist them in their writing, choosing to allow ideas to flow more freely.

Regardless of the category into which you fit, there is one basic description of the process that is relevant for everyone, whether you are more analytical or more spontaneous.

1. Every piece of work starts out with an idea. It is an idea you have created. It doesn’t matter what sparked it: you now have a seed idea. You will now take this seed idea and use your own unique approach to the writing process to launch your work.

2. The next stage in the process is the bring out the potential of this idea.

If you are what Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) calls a “classical” thinker, you may choose to sit down and write a detailed outline, carefully developing this seed idea into its fullest expression before you ever begin the actual presentation itself.

If you are more of a “romantic,” you are less methodical. You’re more of a free spirit, choosing to live in the moment. So, you may decide to jot down a few possibilities about how to expand your idea and trust in the moment. If you are an intuitive writer, you may take your idea and start writing, allowing your intuition to guide you.

You may be a little bit of both, but it doesn’t matter which approach you take as long as you carefully nurture your idea so that it develops into the message it was intended to express.

3. The final stage in the process is to prune the outgrowth of your seed idea. Pruning, if done right, will produce a powerful and meaningful message. During this stage, regardless of your approach to writing, you should read your talk over carefully.

Take one paragraph at a time and check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Then check for syntax. The organization of words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence can deliver the power you’re seeking or neutralize your point entirely.
Next, make sure that your sentences within a paragraph are in the best order for making your point.
Next, determine if any sentences should be cut.
Finally, make sure your paragraph is the next logical step in the fleshing out of your idea.

In their execution, these three stages incorporate more detailed steps found in others’ discussions of the writing process. I feel, however, that if you can keep the “big picture” in mind while you’re writing, you’ll be okay. My explanation offers you a structure within which you can do your work – details and all – without losing sight of what you’re trying to accomplish.

Avoid Mindless Patterns in Your Writing

3/8/2023

Your writing can slip into a mindless pattern like those associated with certain activities in your life, such as getting dressed in the morning and driving to work. These mindless patterns indicate that you are acting without conscious thought. You are relying on past experiences to handle your needs in the present.

One of the most obvious ways in which these patterns express in your writing is through using worn-out phrases. These can be clichés, but they can also be buzzwords that are thought to be stylish or trendy for your target audience. There are two problems with trendy and stylish phrases or words:

everyone else has used them – many times! Your audience has become immune to their original intent. Consequently, your message is lost.
sometimes it is taken for granted that the meanings of such words/phrases are known by all when the truth is that no one has bothered to define these terms in so long that their meanings are vague to most of your readers. Again, the full impact of your message is lost.

Another way in which mindless patterns emerge in your writing is through the repetitive use of your own pet phrases. These phrases are peppered through article after article without your even realizing it. In a manuscript I read recently, a writer used the word basically followed by a comma in nearly every paragraph. It was not only a mindless pattern for him, it represented lazy writing on his part: he was unwilling to take the time to be creative in his writing.

To avoid these mindless patterns as a writer, you must stay in the moment. Be aware of every word you write. Make the conscious choice to be creative in how you express your thoughts. After all, writing is not about the number of articles or manuscripts you complete; it is about the message within each work and the uniqueness with which you express it.

A Writer’s Superpower

2/22/2023

Writing is more than putting words on paper. It’s reaching into your innermost thoughts and feelings and expressing them in a way that entertains and enlightens the reader. It’s creating a place where someone can go to escape from reality for a little while. Your words can also educate or inspire or empower a person to see things in a different light.

Our words are powerful. They can do so much more than just entertain readers, especially the younger, more impressionable minds. Books can open children’s and teens’ eyes to experiences they have never dreamed of, discover places they have never been, and experience feelings their souls have not yet felt.

Everyone knows that reading to children is instrumental in their cognitive development. This practice aids in an essential part of brain development in the first three years of a child’s life. Reading to children from the earliest age enhances vocabulary and communication skills.

But that’s just scratching the surface.

At the same time, exposing our kids to books that help develop character and conscience is equally important. These stories are their first life lessons. Memorable characters will shape their perceptions in ways they carry throughout their lives.

That’s where we, as authors, come in.

For kids, concepts such as sharing, caring, honesty, kindness, individuality, gratitude, love, empathy, and so much more can be introduced at an early age in ways they’ll enjoy, accept, and adapt to their lives. Whether the books are read at home, during circle time at school, or at the library, life lessons will be absorbed into their open minds through the magic of storytelling.

The more books a child is exposed to, the more life they experience. Books not only introduce kids to the world around them but also help them connect with it. Stories can show kids they aren’t the only ones who’ve ever been afraid or sad. As authors, the words we write can bolster a child’s confidence and empathy as they realize others share the same feelings.

More difficult life lessons such as fear, death, and bullying are challenging for any aged child or adolescent to wrap their minds around. Parents, teachers, or other grown-ups can offer good, sound advice. However, it doesn’t make the same impression on young thinkers as a character in a story experiencing the same quandary. Reading about someone else making it through similar hardships allows the readers to deal with the difficult issue in the safety of their own home at their own pace. It can also open up a channel for conversation when they feel comfortable talking about it.

Another thing writers need to keep in mind — our words can help young people learn valuable life lessons without subjecting them to boring lectures. For instance, Coming of Age is a popular genre for middle-grade and teen audiences. These books usually cover a protagonist’s journey from adolescence to adulthood, focusing on his loss of childhood innocence as he matures. The plot generally revolves around inner conflict and turmoil that eventually results in personal growth.

Add in the part where parents suddenly become extremely stupid, and this genre portrays a teenager’s life to perfection. No wonder they relate so well with these books! A teen’s journey echoes the hero’s arduous quest.

Trials, challenges, temptations, and curiosity can sometimes overwhelm common sense, causing problems similar to the protagonist’s experiences. A few well-placed words of advice in the story can go a long way in guiding the reader over his own personal humps. Since the words of wisdom come from a fictional character, they don’t come across as a lecture. Back in my time, Yoda was a lot smarter than my parents. I never realized they were both saying the same thing until I got older.

It’s kind of scary to think that as authors, we have our very own superpower. Our words not only entertain our readers but can also influence their lives.

It doesn’t matter whether you write for kids, adolescents, or adults — books teach life lessons.

Our words help readers form identities and confirm values in a way no amount of preaching can ever achieve. Books build a bridge between experience, imagination, and emotion. Time spent reading is time invested in growing and maturing, creating a channel for the good things to enter — empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and love.

So put your superpower to good use and create books that inspire readers to be the best they can be.

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I will read forever because it lets me visit in my mind the worlds that I will never be able to see; it helps me put away the stresses of the day and relax into the rhythm of the story before me; it lets me bring to the surface and experience without regrets those feelings I hide away; it lets me re-experience the thrill of first love through someone else's eyes; it keeps my mind juiced so that it will never desert me; it is always there for me even when there's no one else. I will read forever no matter whether it is print or digital because the words will always call to me. ~ A Sassy Scribbler