When I groom dogs sometimes I simply cannot finish a face. I look at the dog and know something is off but I can’t see why. It doesn’t help that this piece of art moves around and doesn’t sit still, no matter what, it really is an art form. Sculpting dog fur on a live canvas is not easy. Neither are words. Sometimes that sentence or plot point feels off, yet you are incapable of knowing exactly why. In both vocations, you have options to deal with this dilemma. Continue reading “Get Some Help”
I recently took a writing class called Story Telling For Kids run by Val Muller. One of our exercises was to pay attention to children out in the world and incorporate them into one of our stories if possible or just write the scene. I witnessed some kids with their father at a grocery shop visit and one boy was thrilled about a cartoon bear on a cereal box. It was pretty cute. I turned those boys into the girls from one of my middle-grade stories and expanded the moment.
Without giving the full synopsis, this a dark fantasy story about a young girl who’s family of three is dealing with new sadnesses, and (unbeknownst to them) very old evils. Samantha may just be able to help out if she could only keep her manners in check. Continue reading “Grocery Store”
Earlier this month I went to the Rutgers Writing Conference. It was a fantastic experience and I came home with plenty of inspiration and advice. One thing that came up during a conversation about author bios and what to put in there, I was told that including my day jobs was ok because they are “interesting”. I was also told that I should be writing about dogs because I am a dog groomer and dog trainer. They said I “must have tons of stories about dogs”. When I mentioned that I feel the children’s book market is already saturated with dog stories and no one wants another, everyone seemed to disagree. The real problem, however, is that I write to escape dogs. Continue reading “NO DOGS PLEASE (says the dog lover)”
If you are a writer then you have heard time and time again how important your opening sentence is in any story, yet as a reader, I personally have difficulty committing to a book based on first lines only. Another important piece of advice writers hear is to have a voice. For me personally, an opening sentence may perhaps grasp my attention, but too often I struggle to stay attached to books during that first chapter. I am by no means an expert, but sharing my experience as a reader may help show how very important this second piece of advice can be.
First lines are important, but if the rest of your first chapter isn’t strong I will be easily disconnected as a reader. Continue reading “Voice > First Lines”
Is this a thing? I feel like it must be. Everything has a hashtag these days. So I have a topic that has nothing to do with writing or reading. I’m thinking about time portals today and the ones I have in my life. Continue reading “#Off-Topic Tuesday”
INGRID E FABER 