Grim and Grimmer 3 The Desperate Dwarf

It's up to Ike to save Grimmery now. This book is so funny, so well told, it makes a writer wish he had written it. When Ian Irvine sent me the first three books in his GRIM AND GRIMMER series I had NO idea of what to expect. As I read each book I fell in love with the characters and realized the gift that Ian has for storytelling. (He even autographed them for me,) These are NOT the books I will be giving away. (I ordered some for that.) How could I part with the books he sent me? 


I have to admit to a serious amount of giggling as I read the GRIM AND GRIMMER series. Lovable characters, just the right amount of the gross out factor for boys, action packed, and girls should love it too. Did I mention the gross out factor? 


Ike and Mellie blend nicely, even though at first, I wondered how these two could ever work together. They can and they do. Ike has confidence problems to say the least. Mellie does not. 'Nuff said?

Ian should write a book on characterization. At least one can study the books he's written to find out how he pulls it all together.


Con Glomryt is the definition of scoundrel. A super fun antagonist. I loved him. 


This is from the blurb on the back of the book: 

It's not easy to be a hero when your bum is the size of an airship and you're bobbing around the ceiling, mocked by a host of angry dwarves. 

Mellie has stolen the unluckiest charm in Wychwold and can't get rid of it. Pook has an insane plan to rescue the Collected children. The demons Nuckl, Spleen and Tonsil are after Ike's innards. And the Fey Queen, Emajicka, is coming to tear out his worst nightmare.

Only Ike can save Grimmery. But first he has to win a contest with a lying, cheating scoundrel - the desperate dwarf, Con Glomryt.

All young readers from 10 to 93 will love reading about Ike's adventures. There is one more book in the series due out June 2011. Grim and Grimmer 4 The Calamitous Queen. I can't wait! 

Be here Monday, March 28th to meet Ian Irvine. You'll be glad you did. There will be a chance to win the first three books in the series.

Be Here March, 28th. Visit with Ian Irvine, author of the GRIM AND GRIMMER Series

If you haven't heard of him, you have now. If you haven't read his excellent books, you will now. March 28th meet author Ian Irvine. There will be a chance to win the first three books in the GRIM AND GRIMMER series. Ian is a fantastic author who writes for adults and young readers too. I can't wait for you to meet him. :) On Friday, I will do a review of the third book in the series THE DESPERATE DWARF. So come on out and meet this awesome writer. I'z gonna show you more books you'll just have to have in your TBR pile. You can thank me later. *wink*

200 FOLLOWERS CONTEST

Head over to Tony Benson's Fireside Park for a cool shot at winning The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. As soon as he hits 200 (and he's not too far away) he could very well draw your name, but hopefully he'll draw mine. ;) I mean,  come on, I needs to win a contest, people. *wink* Here's your link: Fireside Park

Happy Saint Paddy's Day

 My gift to you,
The Irish Blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,             
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Characterization

The definition of characterization from my old pal Webster: the way in which the writer portrays the characters in a book, play, or movie.

Writers know there is a lot more to it. There's indirect characterization:
The wind was so strong that Robyn's highlighted blond hair whipped around  hindering her vision. The sentence is not about the highlighted hair color of Robyn :) but you still learn that her hair is highlighted. And blond. :) (showing)

Direct characterization: Robyn was patient throughout the windstorm. I told what the character is like.  (telling)

Now I know these two sentences are terrible. (Robyn has  co-op today and her brain isn't working, either.)


Showing is so much better. Just compare the two sentences. But. Direct characterization is definitely needed in our novels. The indirect sentences are longer and more interesting to read, engaging us far more that direct. The direct  leaves less imagination to you the reader while still giving you the same information.


It is up to us to decide when to use direct characterization. Using direct characterization lowers our word count and moves the story forward. We may need to use it when we want to reveal something about a character without taking away from the action of a scene.


Anything on characterization I have left out? Tell it to me. I wanna know. <3

I've been gone, but not too far away. I'll be back and it couldn't be soon enough. Crusaders! I'm still crusading, just slower right now.I promise to get around to each and every blog. My recovery isn't going as smoothly as I'd hoped. I had spine fusion surgery. That's a big OUCH! I had the same look on my face as the doctor was explaining what he was going to be doing in the operating room as my friend above does while he or she? is pondering the whole eggs and chocolate thing.

So I come clean in hopes you guys will understand. I can't wait to get outta this bed and visit all my new friends and old buddies. Oops, I've been awake for ten minutes. *she taps her watch* That's the longest stretch of me being up and about since I had the operation Feb. 24th. xxxxxooooo

Great Book Tranlates to: You Gotta read it if You Write For Children

In CREATING CHARACTERS KIDS WILL LOVE, Elaine Marie Alphin gives us fantastic advice which can be applied to any writer.

We learn things from giving our characters the stories they need, a story in search of a cast, and even bringing nonfiction to life.

Ms. Alphin offers a section at the end of every chapter that deals with read the pros. Scattered inside  the chapters are little writing exercises called, Try it Yourself. Here is one that I loved from the chapter called, Keeping Grown-ups in their place: Write a conversation between a youngster and an adult he or she sees everyday, such as the bus driver or cashier at your local McDonald's. (Though my kids have always been home-schooled and didn't do either of those.) So I did mine with the elderly neighbor down the road from our farm. Think of something they have in common that would get them to talking. They both might be shy. How do they overcome that to talk to each other?

Another one: In chapter 4 there is an excellent character interview questionnaire. 56 questions to be exact.

She talks about the letters she receives from kids about why they love her books. The  number one reason? Her characters are just like they are. They identify with them. They compare themselves to the characters we create. But that's true for anyone. So buy the book and grab your highlighter.

I recommend this book to all writers. At least check it out from your local library.