PhyllistheAuthor

The object of National Novel Writing Month is to write a novel of 50,000 words in November. I took on the challenge because I started a new book many month ago, and I hadn't worked on it for months. I had already written 13000 plus words. So my aim was to try and finish the book. I am happy to report that I finished the first draft of the book tonight, writing more than 22,000 words this month.

It has been a busy month and I am pleased I was able to get the first draft written. I learned also more about how I write. Since I write historical novels, I research as I go along. Sometimes I came to an impasse in the story when I was unsure of the historical facts. That meant, I had to stop writing until I figured out the context or found the necessary date, event, or detail. I must have been doing this all along, but only when I was under the pressure of a deadline did I realize that my writing is a dance between the historical research and the writing.

We have gone to the beach for Thanksgiving for the last ten years or more.

This year Thanksgiving Day was sunny and warm. We especially enjoyed seeing families having fun flying kites. This family from Raleigh agreed to let me photograph them.

We visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse. We never tire of seeing it. If you like lighthouses be sure to check out books by my friend Mary "Penny" Clifford. I especially enjoyed Women Who Kept the Lights. Penny's website is listed on my blog.

We opted to celebrate Turkey Day with seafood. How could we resist a restaurant that promised "Killer Food?"

A Mako is a kind of shark. We didn't have shark, but we had an excellent meal and photogenic company.

The temperature dropped following Thanksgiving Day. But the scenery was still spectacular. Nags Head, North Carolina is a great place to spend a holiday.

Life is good!

Poet Stu Nottingham reads a poem he wrote during the workshop.

Kids, next time you are in the library give yourself a treat and indulge in reading a poetry book. I find it hard to imagine a kid that wouldn't like Ronald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes.

Poet Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda reads her poem. Shirley Sellers stands in the background.

I have been trying to read the various Battle of the Books selections for our local contest. I have recently read two historical novels. I liked The River Between Us and disliked Adaline Falling Star.

The River Between Us by Richard Peck is the story of two mysterious girls on their way to St. Louis who arrive in the small river town of Grand Tower. Although the story is set in 1861, it begins and ends in 1916. The book won a number of awards and it is well worth reading. The book could have been improved with the addition of a map.

Adaline Falling Star by Mary Pope Osborne is supposedly the story of Kit Carson's Native-American daughter. The author provides no historical note. So the reader doesn't know if Kit Carson actually had a daughter and if this tale represents her story. I disliked this book because most of the people in the book are bad. Adaline, the heroine, lies, steals, and tries to commit suicide. At one point in the story, she steals and then wears boys clothes. One might argue that she had to do this and other morally reprehensible things in order to find her father. However, I am tired of girls dressing like boys in novels. What does this tendency say about being a girl?

Today I attended a meeting of the Virginia Educational Media Association (school librarians) where I gave a talk and signed books.

I also got a chance to snuggle with a pig!

Daisy is part of a program run by Farmer Minor called "Pig Out on Reading." Daisy and Farmer Minor visit schools "to encourage youngsters to develop a love for reading."

Daisy is famous. She visited the U.S. Capitol by invitation and got her own letter from Laura Bush. She has been in newspapers around the world and has been snuggled and kissed by kids of all ages. She even has her own website: www.daisyminor.com

Farmer Minor with Daisy

My visit to Mebane, North Carolina was very special. Everyone was so nice, I felt like royality. I was taken out for a delicious dinner the night before my day at Woodlawn Middle School by the family of a loyal reader, Bailey Pennington. Bailey likes designing clothes and I was delighted to see her many creative costumes.








The next morning I was amazed to see my name out in front of the school and on a big poster at the library. My visit was even mentioned in the morning announcements.

Librarian Kim Scarlett, her able assistant Barbara Hestetune, and parent Marie Pennington did everything possible to make my visit a success. Not only was I treated to a tasty lunch, but I also had plenty of water and snacks to see me through the day.

I spoke two sixth grade groups, a seventh grade group, and an eighth grade group. I told them how I became a writer, talked about my books, and discussed tips for students to improve their writing. The students provided great input. I especially liked their innovative ideas for getting their characters out of a dangerous situations. I hope they enjoyed meeting me as much as I enjoyed visiting Woodlawn Middle School.

Special thanks to Pennington Plumbing for supporting my visit to the school.

My Halloween treat was having three trick or treaters say they liked my books. That made my Halloween very special. Thank you, readers!

I am off to North Carolina tomorrow. On Friday, I am spending the day at Woodlawn Middle School in Mebane. I'll talk to four groups of students. I am looking forward to it.