I found this on the internet.
Spelling Tentacles
Bad: tendicals
Good: tentacles
I get messed up in the middle of the word of ‘ta’. I might remember the t tentacle stretches out and the a tentacle encircles its victim.
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Every Word Matters, Revising Your Picture Book Manuscript Part B
These are notes from a writer’s conference. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker. This is a continuation of notes on this subject.
Line by line edits:
- Put each sentence on a different line. This allows you to exam the sentences individually and see where sentences are too long. Are there too many clauses or compound sentences. You need to vary the length of your sentences. Will the text keep their interest? If it’s too long, kids can lose interest.
- Remove all the actions (as) Instead of as Della hopped over the bridge, Leo swam across the creek.
- Simplify: Della hopped over the bridge. Leo swam across the creek.
- If writing in past tense, avoid using was _ gerund.
- She was laughing = she laughed.
- He was dancing = he danced
- Instead of verb + feeling: Don’t say what the character is feeling. Show it through actions and context. Instead of ‘She cried with sadness.’ Change to “Her heart grew heavy, and the weight of it pulled her down…down… down… where the salt of her tears mingled with the sea.” This does not cut word count but trims unhelpful words. The sentence above also has rhythm, which makes it fun to read.
- Cut the filler words. Don’t let your adverbs and adjectives overpower your verbs. The action is what’s important. Cut: just, very, seriously, really some, rather, little, even, perhaps, maybe, seem, that. Some filter words may be necessary, but most are not. Check every one.
- Replace passive voice with active voice.
- Instead of: Alma Sophia Esperanza Jose Pura Candeeela was given a long name
- Use Alma Sophia Esperanza Jose Pura Candeeela had a long name.
Simplifying Scenes:
- Picture books don’t need to be complex. Stick to the necessary scenes that involve the character’s obstacles and goals. Within each scene, study the following:
- Character: do you have supporting characters who are necessary to the plot? Other characters may be in pictures but have no txt.
- Setting: how many places does your character need to be to accomplish their goal?
- You can skips words and get your character where they need to be.
- Picture books don’t need to be complex. Stick to the necessary scenes that involve the character’s obstacles and goals. In each scene, study the following:
- Action: too much action can be confusing and bog down the story line. Keep the action necessary and relevant to your character’s goal.
Wondrous Words:
From a book:
- Squeeze every morsel
- To each plump line
- Until the last
- Drop of magic
- Drips from the
- Initiate sky.
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Stretches to Do at Your Desk to Reduce Stress
I got this from a health video offered by my employer. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.
- Cross your arms across your chest in a loose x shape. Lean back on your tailbone. Inhale as you open your arms.
- As you breathe out cross your arms again and lean forward slightly.
- Let your hands relax in your lap and shrug your arms a little.
- Slowly move your shoulders up toward your ears. Squeeze all your stressful thoughts to the top of your shoulders. Smile. Then relax your shoulder as you breathe out.
- Next, bump your shoulders up and down and try to include your collarbones.
- Repeat the process of lifting your shoulders to your ears
- Repeat bumping your shoulders.
- Roll your shoulders around which will in turn moves your upper body.
- Put your fingertip on your shoulders and then move your elbows in a swimming pattern. Your elbows are drawing big circles on the side. The wide shoulder turns will move your upper body at the back and to the waste.
- Do the shoulders roll backwards.
- Lift both arms like your raising your hand, keep the shoulders at 90% angle and lift your hand above your head.
- Refresh your brain by combing your finger against your scalp.
- Rest hands in your lap palms at the top. Breathe in and out.
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C.S. Lewis
The Story of His Journey to Faith and Christian Apologist,
I found this on the web and found it interesting.
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Ben Carson’s Personal Stories
I really like this guy. He was one of my favorite candidates when he ran for President.
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Spelling Abdomen
Bad: andanman
Good: abdomen
I’m way off on this spelling but here is an idea. The b and d could be seen as a visual of the abdomen of the body. Emphasize the pronunciation of ‘men’ at the end to remember the correct spelling for the end of the word.
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Pioneer Christmas Stories, Told by Melva
The source of these stories came from web links and from the books of the daughters of Utah pioneers.
I performed several stories last night at the Pioneer Village. Most of the time I told just the short stories for the kids. When my sister came, Thora wanted to hear the longer stories. I recorded them at a friend’s house to put on my YouTube channel. Here are the links.
George Albert Smith Christmas Sock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLmkRT4RGFs
An Angel in Idaho Christmas Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGwqz0D7uCA
My How Time Flies Christmas Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ9-Z8YhWiI
Helping Widow Jensen Christmas Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNG0cqfjjY4
A Doll For Clara Christmas Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeJoJ4Q6KGg
The Mystery of the Missing Molasses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IKJWu_wp5k
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Advice for a Job Search
I don’t recall were I got these notes but I thought I’d share them.
- Your resume needs to tell how you can help the customer how to succeed.
- Offer to solve their painful problem in a credible way that appeals to their emotions.
- If you have a name of HR or hiring manager look them up in linked in, google. See what associations they belong to and hobbies etc.
- Contact the office admin. Acknowledge they know everything and ask kindly if you can get contact info.
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Testimony
These are notes from church. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.
- Her testimony was like a library of volumes on different subjects of the gospel. She did not have to know everything.
- When we are born we have nothing. We gain experience through our life.
- Often when we pray, we expect God to answer our prayers immediately.
- Our testimonies grow on our different events. Such a prayer experience.
- The parents. Taught their kids to read the scriptures. Her daughter was frustrated about girls at school said went to read the scriptures. The daughter read the scripturas and found a scripture that helped her.
- If you want to talk to God you pray. If you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures, Elder hale.
- While camping, son got impressions to check sibling, rescued his sister in the river.
- Isiah 40: they that wit upon the lord… they shall run and not be weary and shall walk and not faint.
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