tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46761786581246379712024-03-05T18:13:14.068-08:00Child Centered TeachingREGINA CASTILLO...teaching, reading, and writing!Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-54356875952681256382014-11-09T14:24:00.000-08:002014-11-09T14:24:20.350-08:00How We Fall By Kate Brauning<header class="entry-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #776b59; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #347972; font-family: bree-1, bree-2, 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 46px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.25217em; margin: 12px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
You’re Invited to #YAlaunch! 10 authors+100 books=Giant Book Party</h1>
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<span class="post-date" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://katebrauning.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/youre-invited-to-yalaunch-10-authors100-booksgiant-book-party/" rel="bookmark" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ada393; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.84615em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5:25 PM">OCTOBER 27, 2014</a></span><span class="byline" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author vcard" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="http://katebrauning.wordpress.com/author/katebrauning/" rel="author" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ada393; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.84615em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts by KateBrauning">KATEBRAUNING</a></span></span></div>
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All book lovers are invited to attend the launch party for <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How We Fall </em>by Kate Brauning and<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The Hit List </em>by Nikki Urang on Monday, November 10th, from 6-9pm central time. It’s being broadcast live over video, so you’ll be able to see, hear, and interact with us. 10 YA and adult authors, including Nikki and myself, will be discussing everything from writing a series to movie adaptations. We’ll also be playing games with the audience, taking questions, and giving away 100 books, swag, and even t-shirts! It will be a fun and interactive evening for anyone who loves books and wants to spend some time with great authors.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What</strong>: #YAlaunch is a giant book party, with author panel discussions, games, & book giveaways</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why</strong>: To celebrate the launch of two new YA novels, and to promote reading, literacy, and other great authors</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When</strong>: Monday November 10, 6-9pm</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Who</strong>: Anyone who enjoys books. The party is family-friendly.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Where</strong>: Online, live-streamed over video. <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/katebrauning" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Click here for the link to the live-stream</a>. To receive updates and to be entered for door prizes, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/688554624562335/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">please RSVP here at the Facebook event</a>. Chat on Twitter about the party on the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23YAlaunch&src=tyah" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">#YAlaunch</a>.</div>
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Authors You’ll Hear Speaking:</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/KateBrauning" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate Brauning</a>, Entangled Publishing editor and YA author of<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Fall-Kate-Brauning/dp/1440581797/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1414447447&sr=1-1" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How We Fall</em></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/NikkiUrang" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Nikki Urang</a>, YA author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hit-List-Nikki-Urang/dp/1939392322/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414448226&sr=1-2&keywords=the+hit+list" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Hit List</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/NicoleLynnBaart" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Nicole Baart</a>, New York Times bestselling author of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22609449-the-beautiful-daughters?ac=1" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Beautiful Daughters</a> (Atria 2015), <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleeping-in-eden-nicole-baart/1112033233?ean=9781439197363" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sleeping in Eden</a></em>, & more</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/ATallOrder" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Blair Thornburgh</a>, Quirk Books editor and author</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/kiersi" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kiersi Burkhart</a>, MG and YA auth<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">or</em> of the<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Second Chance Ranch</em> series</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/alexyuschik" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Alex Yuschik</a>, YA author multipublished in poetry/literary journals</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/kjpyoungblood" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kelly Youngblood</a>, faith writer and blogger</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/AlphaDelia" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Delia Moran</a>, YA author</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/BethanyRobison" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bethany Robison</a>, YA author, Month9Books editor, and sports writer</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/ToscaLee" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Tosca Lee</a>, New York Times bestselling author of <a href="http://www.toscalee.com/books/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Legend of Sheba</em>, the<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Books of Mortals</em> series with Ted Dekker, and more</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8HwxTfBq5vSTgEOmvVoxKJhLfyjc-bN5vjZpgrLZ8nKGpzganAzgQk1xyRva6d5mX8CQLmArGzstyRJhkaCO4UdijI2tfPpFQkW5Z4lYTa47DISdpY3h9l4lSlSx8ymApJIHXBCMJdow/s1600/cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8HwxTfBq5vSTgEOmvVoxKJhLfyjc-bN5vjZpgrLZ8nKGpzganAzgQk1xyRva6d5mX8CQLmArGzstyRJhkaCO4UdijI2tfPpFQkW5Z4lYTa47DISdpY3h9l4lSlSx8ymApJIHXBCMJdow/s1600/cover+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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We would love to see you at #YAlaunch! We want this to be as much a giant book party as a launch party, so come meet awesome authors, win amazing books, and see behind the scenes of writing and publishing. We’d love to celebrate with you!</div>
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Please do tell your friends, share this post, and invite others to come! The event is open to the public and we’d love your help supporting awesome authors, fantastic books, and the writing community.</div>
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See you soon!</div>
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Much love,</div>
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Kate Brauning and Nikki Urang</div>
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Click to tweet: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Are+you+coming+to+%23YAlaunch%3F+It%27s+a+giant+book+party!+http%3A%2F%2Fkatebrauning.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F10%2F27%2Fyoure-invited-to-yalaunch-10-authors100-booksgiant-book-party%2F&source=clicktotweet&related=clicktotweet" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Are you coming to #YAlaunch? It’s a giant book party!</a></div>
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Click to tweet: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Attend+%40KateBrauning+%26+%40NikkiUrang%27s+live-streamed+launch+party!+%23YAlaunch+http%3A%2F%2Fkatebrauning.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F10%2F27%2Fyoure-invited-to-yalaunch-10-authors100-booksgiant-book-party%2F&source=clicktotweet&related=clicktotweet" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #347972; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Attend @KateBrauning & @NikkiUrang’s live-streamed launch party! #YAlaunch </a></div>
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Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-79107943913966786852013-04-26T19:00:00.001-07:002013-04-26T19:00:37.919-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #22<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pixar’s Rule #22<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">What’s the essence of your story?
Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Essence:</b> <i>the</i> <i>choicest
or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> the central meaning or theme of a speech or
literary work.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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What is your central theme? What
are you writing about? What is telling
about it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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You have to know the answers to the vital question. You have to know what make your story
unique. You need to know the
market. You need to know who you are
writing for. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You need to be able to answer these essential questions before your
story can come alive. If you can’t find
a theme, we cannot find a theme. You know
the story you are trying to tell or you should.
Without that knowledge, it isn’t really a story and no one else can
follow the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ask yourself the hard questions.
Answer the questions honestly.
Only then can you move forward with your final draft.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Have you answered all the questions? Have you followed all the rules?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
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We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-24420736387171317942013-04-24T19:02:00.004-07:002013-04-24T19:03:19.564-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #21<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pixar’s Rule #21<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">You gotta identify with your
situation/characters, can’t just write ‘cool’. What would make YOU act that
way?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It all in the WHY...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WHY is the <i>Dos
Equis</i> man interesting? They tell you
all the reasons he is identified as the Most Interesting Man in the World. He is the only man to every ace a Rorschach
Test. Everytime he goes for a swim,
dolphins appear. If he were to mail a
letter without postage, it would still get there. When it’s raining, it is because he is
sad. At the end they announce, he is the
Most Interesting Man in the World. With
all the lovely words, there is no need for the last announcement. You already know he is interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WHY is your male main character cool? He is the guy with smooth fluid motions. Everyone watches as he speaks. The girls blush when he says, ‘hello.’ (That
one could be because he is so darn cute.
Or? He had brown eyes that search deep inside you for answers.) He breaks into the school computer to change
everyone’s grades. He scores the winning
touchdown. He picks up your books, when
the goofy guy knocks them across the hall.
He drives a 1965 red Mustang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This is one of ‘show me’ don’t tell me
situations. You know he is cool and you
have a million reasons in your head. Put
them on paper and allow us to come to that realization without being spoon fed
with adjectives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Why is your MC cool? Why is your MC strong? Show me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-49901514025319311002013-04-22T19:21:00.002-07:002013-04-22T19:21:39.774-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #20<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt;">Pixar’s Rule #20<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 14pt;">Exercise: take the building blocks of
a movie you dislike. How d’you rearrange them into what you DO like?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Practice makes perfect. First you break the story down. Map out all of the sections of the story. Then find and choose the parts that just do
not work for you. Every story has great
parts, thing you just love, pick those out.
Keep them. Then rework the bad
scenes or plots that don’t work. Or a
movie you just don’t see that it has a plot.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Now comes the fun part. You get to put your own spin on this bad
story. Give the story a new voice. Make sure it is going someplace and make that
an awesome place. Then go to the next
scene that ‘just wasn’t workin’ for ya.’
Rewrite it. Make it better. Then move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In the end, take all those ‘blocks’ and use them to
build a story you would want to see at the movies. Then, work on them just a bit more. Make this the story you would watch over and
over again. And then you have a great
final project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Exercise builds a good body (or body of work). The
final product has taken you through a process.
You were able to be objective, since it was not your own work. It is tons easier to ‘fix’ someone else’s
work because you don’t love it. You can
see the flaws. I think this is why every
writer needs to have a good critique group or beta reader. You possibly need to go through a
professional editor. You get to hear the
opinions of someone who isn’t so invested in the project. Make sure you surround yourself with honest,
not too brutally honest, people who will really let you know what they
think. You need an outside eye to help
you build the perfect story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Does writing take practice? Should you join a critique group?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-55190149050637596822013-04-22T11:24:00.002-07:002013-04-22T11:24:40.223-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #19<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pixar’s Rule #19<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">Coincidences to get characters into
trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Coincidences. Things
happen. It isn’t always a long road to
the trouble your character gets into and it can just be ‘coincidences’ that put
them into this horrible or terrifying situation. If they just coincidentally get out of the
situation, you lose too much. You don’t develop
your character. The character doesn’t
evolve or change or learn. Thing just
happen to them and they don’t make anything happen. Where is the fun in that? It is cheating. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Keep it simple. Not words to live by as a writer. Don’t get me wrong it can’t be so complex
that the reader throws it down, never to look at it again. You need them invested. Don’t drag them along, slowly tug them by the
heart. Make them love the character as
much as you do. They need to pull for
the characters and yearn to see them succeed.
They have to need more and flip pages like they can’t get enough. If things just happen to the character that
page flipping frenzy will never happen.
The book will be a lump on a coffee table that they just turn their nose
up at as they walk past. Writers want
people to run to that book ever free moment, sometimes stealing a moment under
onn their lap under the table during dinner, that is what we live for. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
In a world where, “We
want more. We want more…” We need people to want more of our writing, more from
our characters, and more of our books.
That is the best. That is the
thing I am striving for, and I hope it happens soon.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Are you cheating as a
writer? Are you cheating your readers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-47109123586402908272013-04-17T17:57:00.000-07:002013-04-17T17:59:11.844-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #18<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pixar’s Rule #18<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You have to know
yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is
testing, not refining.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think this rule is for the obsessive compulsive
perfectionist in all of us. We write and
rewrite. Of course we need to edit and
revise, but we don’t need to pick a story apart until we are left with bare
bones. The juice is in the meat—leave some. You have to know yourself and your
personality so that you recognize when you’re being obsessive. You need to know yourself enough to say, “Okay,
I need to back off. This is really good.”
You have to pull out some confidence.
You have to know YOU. So don’t go back and cut and cut and pick until
you don’t have any of the good stuff.
Just set it down and walk away.
There has to be that point that you don’t change anything. It great, so don’t go it back to good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Testing Not Refining.
I think you should test to see if the work is stands true. But you don’t have to cut until there are absolutely
no flaws. Flaws can be enduring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do you know yourself?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should check out the posts from my blogging
friends who are doing this challenge with me! The first posts go up today.
Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are
located on the side bar. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our post and share anything you
enjoy. Thank you for reading!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-35405430759471889502013-04-16T19:53:00.002-07:002013-04-16T19:53:45.698-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #17<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pixar’s Rule #17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">No work is ever wasted. If it’s not
working, let go and move on – it’ll come back around to be useful later.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Some people believe if you can’t get through a story shelve
it and come back to his much later.</li>
<li>Some people believe you can just push through the wall.</li>
<li>Some people say scrap it and move on.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
What is best? Only you can truly decide what is best for
you. If you start a story, you must have
a heart for the story, so I don’t feel scrapping a story is ever the answer. The other two, I can say ‘yes’ to both.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes you need a
break from a story. A new story may be
filling your thoughts, so shelving the work would be the best thing for you at
that particular point. But at some point
go back to the work and tweak it make it better and finish the story you want
to be heard.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes you need to
just push through that particular point and go to the next scene, and then you
can come back and rework the problem at a later time. You will be able to make it better—the best. That is where your intense edits will come
into play and help you make the story perfect.
So, you come back around to the problem area and make it better and the
writing you originally put to paper will be useful. It will be useful in helping you know where
you want to go or possibly where you do not want to go.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
So all work is useful,
even if it is completely reworked. It
was useful.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do you feel you have
ever wasted time on work?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-5017784413382140642013-04-15T09:01:00.000-07:002013-04-15T09:01:07.461-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #16<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pixar’s Rule #16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">What are the stakes? Give us reason
to root for the character. What happens if they don’t succeed? Stack the odds
against.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
The easy road well
traveled is sometimes a boring trip. It
leads to no surprises. If things are too
easy you don’t get invested in the character and their plight. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
When a character
struggles and pays a price for each righteous choice, they become enduring—loveable. When they go through pain you begin to go
through that pain with them. When they
fight over a discussion you hope they choose wisely. Sometimes you hope they choose the easier, knowing
they will not. And when they take that
harder road it isn’t just the harder, the writer makes it the worst that could—possibly
could never, be imagined. So we struggle
along with them and sit on the edge of our seats waiting, wanting, and needing
them to succeed. This need pushes us
through each page and we hopelessly turn pages until the last one comes leaving
us breathless. We flip the pages
frustrated, because surely that is not the end.
We want to know what happens next.
It isn’t the end of their story—it can’t be. That is the way to get a reader excited. Stack the odd, make them hope. We all need a little drama in our life and
the drama found in the pages of a book are the best kind—we don’t need to clean
up after them.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
This makes for a perfect
story. The character drives you through
struggle after struggle and they push you forward. You don’t even realize how much time you have
spent with them, but you know you need more.
You fall in love with them because of their flaws, struggles, and
imperfect perfection. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far do you push
the struggle? To the believable? Or the unbelievable?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-14682078780359523542013-04-14T16:07:00.000-07:002013-04-16T19:55:06.098-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #15<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pixar’s Rule #15<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you were your character, in this
situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable
situations.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<b>Honesty.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
No matter where or when a
story happens, human nature seems to stay the same. People react a certain way in most
situations. You think about how you
would react, but the place and the situation don’t have to be our normal.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
You come across as more
authentic if you write with truth. What
better way to capture authenticity than to draw from within and pull your own true
feelings. You are different than anyone
else in the world. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
So, how would you
feel? What would it smell like to
you? What things would you notice? What
would you do if…</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">you were in an apocalypse.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">met a new friend.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">you went to a new school.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">had to kill someone.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">had to defend yourself from an attacker.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Only you know what you
would do, write it down. Be
yourself. It will be real, honest and
authentic. You will love it and everyone else will love it, too.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do you write with
honesty?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-74044472686745812042013-04-11T07:31:00.001-07:002013-04-11T07:31:28.463-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #14<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pixar’s Rule #14<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Why must you tell
THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of?
That’s the heart of it.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Creativity. Are we all this lucky? Sometimes you have a story burning inside
just clawing to get out, and be heard.
It is a certain theme, maybe a lesson, or just a beautiful love story,
but you have to tell it. You have
something important to say. Words that
you feel may help someone or that someone will enjoy. So you sit down and write. It can be cathartic to get the words on
paper. You will feel great.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Every time you write you
may not be that lucky. You may not have
that story burning to get out. You might
have to fight for the words and press forward when you just don’t feel like
writing. So when that day comes and you
have that burning story, then let it out.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
This one seems simple—but
maybe not so much. Tell the story you
were meant to tell. Get the words onto
paper. Let the world learn from your
passion.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do you have a story
burning to get out?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Also, all of you should
check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with
me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat,
and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments
on our post and share anything you enjoy.
Thank you for reading!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-9714730468959243132013-04-09T10:23:00.001-07:002013-04-09T10:23:08.981-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #13<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem
likable to you as you write, but it’s poison to the audience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Perfection
doesn’t mean the character is perfect—without flaw. Those kinds of people just don’t exist. Real people have flaws, they say the wrong
things and they do the wrong thing.
Sometimes no matter how much you yell at them or give them advice they travel
down the wrong path and end up some place horrible. And that is okay—better than okay, they learn
things. Those are the things that make
them enduring, likeable, and believable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Those
‘plastic’ girls in high school were never the girls you wanted to hang out
with, they were the ones you made fun of.
They floated through life without a hitch. Everything handed to them on a silver
platter. They never said the wrong thing
and worked very hard not to make any waves.
They liked everyone and tried to keep everyone happy. Yuck! Gag! Where is the fun in that? You may
have secretly wished you had a touch of their luck, at times, but did you
really want to walk in their perfectly un-scuffed high heels—no. You wanted to be that badass girl slightly on
the outs, who said and did exactly what she thought. And guess what? That ‘plastic’ girl, she wished she was her
every night as she hung over the toilet with stomach cramps, because she
suppressed every one of her true feelings.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
writing, you want to use character traits that are admirable. You write about people who are real. If the character says something horrible
about a girl, like she is a slut, prove her wrong. Make her feel horrible about her words and send
her down a road to redemption for the wrong she has done. You want to see the characters grow. Don’t just let them go around burning bridges
like crazy that is just insane, but give them flaws. Keep them likeable. They do need a conscious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Perfection. Flawless.
Wonderful. These are poison to a
writer. No one wants to read about
things that aren’t relatable. Sometimes
we just want to feel better about ourselves by seeing these flaws in others. We want believable. Make them perfect because
of their imperfections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Are your favorite characters flawless? Or are they flawed?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-89226462962160913342013-04-07T15:43:00.001-07:002013-04-07T15:43:39.168-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #12<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Write, Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite and Rewrite.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>On the simple.</b> Each sentence you write can be thought about
and made better. You can express
yourself more clearly. We tend to speak simply.
Get rid of those tired overused words and add a few of those underused
vocabulary words. (Just don’t force the
reader to reach for a dictionary with every page.) Strive to make each sentence full of
expression, make it visual, and make it come alive to the reader.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>On the complex.</b> Your
character isn’t just grief stricken by the death of a family member. Take your character through the process. Educate yourself with all the stages of
grief. Research and explore how
different people with different personalities go through this painful situation. Take us through the journey from denial to
acceptance. When the character is in <b>Denial</b> ‘don’t tell us, show us’ how do they
deny the death? In the process of <b>Anger, </b>let loose and show us how they
strike out at others. As the character <b>Bargains </b>their way back to the reality
of the death that has left them so devastated, show them making a deal with God. Let us be sad as they feel the heavy load of <b>Depression</b>. We want to feel the weight of this
stage. How does it look through your
character’s eye? Last, bring them slowly
and fully into <b>Acceptance</b>. How? Why? When? Where? Did they finally come
to this final stage? We will know and love the character and who they become
out of this process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Life is a process. You go
through stages. Don’t deprive the reader
of the journey. Let the reader know how
the character gets from point A to point B.
This doesn’t usually come from your first thought or even the
second. You have to get rid of the
obvious and reach down deep to pull out that little something extra. Then you will surprise yourself and your
readers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Think about it. Stretch your
limits. Make it better. Then make it the very best it can be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do you do multiple rewrites? Does your final manuscript look like your
rough draft?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-37810841126336559962013-04-06T07:58:00.000-07:002013-04-06T07:58:26.963-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #11<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in
your head, a perfect idea, you’ll never share it with anyone.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is hard to take a chance. Your
mind is a perfect safe harbor for your story.
No bad critique, no rejections, no editing—the story is perfect. But, if you never sit down in that chair,
pull out the tool of choice, pen or computer, and put those ideas to paper they
will never be seen or heard by anyone but you.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once the story is written down, you can start editing the words. You can see all of the short comings. Find those things that don’t quite fit or work,
and make them the best they can possible be.
In the mind, things are perfect—no grammatical errors or misused words. Once you start the process you can find the
mistakes and make them better. Make them
the best. But, until you start the
process you can’t perfect the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This rule seems pretty straight forward and simple. You have to write it, first. Then, do those wonderful things writers do to
make it the best it can possibly be.
Last, you share it. No one will
ever know your ideas unless you write them.
If you don’t write them, they can’t be shared.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you have a perfect story stored in your
brain?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-54949028326625273252013-04-05T18:41:00.000-07:002013-04-05T18:41:43.765-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #10<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #10<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pull apart the stories you like. What you like in them
is a part of you; you’ve got to recognize it before you can use it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Pull apart the stories you like. In my early years of teaching we
taught a form of ‘writing to read’ in primary school. The students learn to be better writers by
reading and in reverse better readers by writing. Find stories you love to read. Dissect them and ask yourself, <i>What do I love about this story? What do I love about the character? What do I love about this genre?</i> When you
discover what makes pull a book from the shelves at the book stores, then you
know what you would be best at writing.
It is always easier to do a job you love. Writing is your job, so you should love what
you write. It would be easy to get stuck
in rut, if you hate what you’re doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of my favorite stories is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth. Tris is a strong female. If you were just given her physical
attributes, it might not scream strong female.
It’s her inner confidence and emotional restraint that make her
strong. Four is the male main
character. He is respectful, strong, and
confidence. Two strong characters who complement
one another, but don’t rely solely on the other person’s strength. These are characters, I <i>would love to be, to date, or to be best friends with</i>, and that is what
I am looking for in a main character.
So, when I write the traits that are important to me as a reader. I don’t want a weak female that can only be
saved by a strong male main character. Can
he save her? Absolutely, but I want her
to be able to return the favor. Down deep, that is what I like—it’s me. Knowing this should make it easier for me to
write about my characters. These traits
are things I recognize as admirable and they would make my character ‘real’ to
me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When I pull a story completely apart, I like to use story maps,
outlines, or flowcharts. You can easily
plug in the story element and work your way through the meat of a book. Again, in reverse using these tools will help
you in writing a great story and working your way through characters, plots and
sub-plots. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once you pull all these things from your favorite stories, and you feel
them resonate with you. Recognize the parts that speak to you—positively and
negatively. Use this information to help
you work your way through you own writing.
Write what you love and love what you write.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Immerse yourself in things that draw you. Those are the stories that are part of
you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What makes you love a story?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-4163384193727094052013-04-04T12:21:00.002-07:002013-04-04T12:21:34.438-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #9<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #9<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen
next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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There is nothing worse for a writer than getting stuck. Where do you go? What path do you choose? What do you want your character to learn? Who do they need to be at the end? All of
these questions are great. They tell you
where you want to end up? What do you do
when you don’t know? You work backwards.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sometimes it is easier to know what you don’t want. You know where you don’t want the character
to end. You know how you don’t want the
characters to act. So, you eliminate as
many options as possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Lists are an awesome tool. When
I write, I have a small notebook. I find
pictures to help me describe things. I
make lists of character traits. They
help me with the physical appearance of things or characters. Working backwards, knowing where you don’t
want to go and you hopefully won’t end up in the wrong spot. You eliminate tons
of option and narrow your path. Finally,
helping you zone in on the place you want to go. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you don’t want you character to be weak. You make a list of all the things that would
make you character weak or even give the appearance of being weak. Don’t make them weepy or cry too much. Then, finding ways to make them seem strong
will be much easier. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This should give you options and set the wheels in motion—again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What do you do when you get stuck?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-11916443107162773782013-04-03T19:57:00.002-07:002013-04-03T19:57:53.523-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #8<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #8<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finish your
story, let go even if it’s not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but
move on. Do better next time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Perfection.</b> As writers we edit, reread, rewrite, strike
out, and polish until we feel the work is perfect. Sometimes you have to let it go. Let it sit, marinate, then come back to it
with a fresh pair of eyes. When you are
ready to change and polish the work into a perfect piece of art your readers
will love to read over and over again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To
me 'the next time' can mean two different things. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>One.</b> You can set the manuscript
on a shelf and come back to it at a later time, after perfecting your craft. The new perspective may produce a much better
story. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Or two.</b> You can’t make this one perfect. You don’t have a good grasp of the story and
it slips through your fingers. In this
case, set it to the side and move on.
Learn from the mistakes you have made and strengthen your skills through
the process. It will make you a better
writer. In some cases, you learn more
from failure than from success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hopefully,
scrapping a manuscript completely is never the case. I would hate to see a true labor of love
trashed. The editing process should always
build a better story. Some stories may
need tons more work, but as a writer, I think your story must come out. It would be hard to let it go. You want your
story told.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you think a story should ever be completely
trashed?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-68811862054839114462013-04-02T14:22:00.001-07:002013-04-02T14:28:13.877-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #7<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #7<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Come up with your ending before you figure out your
middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
The best books I have ever read leave you wanting more because the
story ends with you amazed. It can’t be totally
predictable and (my overused word) boring.
I tend to be a bit ADHD and with three of my five boys severely ADHD, I am
constantly looking for books that keep your attention all the way to the bitter
sweet end. So, endings are super duper important.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
As a teacher we teach with the end in mind. I know it’s a little different, but—it has
some of the same importance. You know
what the students need to know, you set a good pace, and you set up some
amazing lessons to get them to the end. Finally,
they are prepared for the next grade level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
When writing if you get the most difficult job out of the way before
you start—you have most of the work complete.
With the ending ever present in your mind, you can be cautious not to
give too much away. You can also set
little traps for the reader and lead them down the wrong path. This way you will surprise them in the end.
But be mindful not to take a trip way off the main road. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
In my opinion, this is a great idea.
Know the ending. Write an
outline. Use the fabulous ‘fill in the
blank’ sentences from Rule #4 and set your story on a good path. Take the reader on a magical journey and end
the story in a perfect place. In the
end, make the reader anxious for the next book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you always know where you
are going when you start writing? If you
know where you want to end, is it easier to write?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-55982661646564510972013-03-30T17:28:00.001-07:002013-03-30T17:28:16.371-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #6<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #6<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What is your character good at, comfortable with?
Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
The most beloved characters are not boring. Conflict is how you sculpt and build
personality. It is the things that
happen to us in life that make us into the adults we become. If we go through life easy breezy, how fun is
that? You don’t grow. You don’t learn. You don’t stretch your mind you just remain
one dimensional. No fun. People tend to
resent people who have life just a little too easy. The challenges thrown at people
make them into who they are in the end of the story. If they walk down a straight path and just
wind up at the end, you are not allowed to watch as the character evolves. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
A protagonist has to make you want to cheer for them. If they just waltz through life, everything
is easy, and nothing learned they can’t become anything more. The road traveled is too easy. The path is too straight. Remember this should be the person you want
to be, you want to date, or you want to be their best friend. Give us a reason to want these things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
An antagonist has to make you hate them, but you have to understand why
they are part of the story. They may
have started out normal, enduring, lovely, but they switch and become something
more, something different, and something evil.
You enjoy seeing them suffer for their crimes or even die. Or they can start out extremely evil and
through their struggle they learn a lesson.
They become someone better. You
actually hate to see them die or suffer.
You almost feel sorry for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Do your characters
have depth? Are they one dimensional?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-22756742024565457662013-03-30T10:21:00.004-07:002013-03-30T16:51:11.836-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #5<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #5<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop
over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you
free.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Simplify.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Twists and turns are
fabulous. The unexpected can be mind
blowing. But, if you have too much going
on in your story the reader can’t follow it.
If they can’t follow it, they won’t continue reading, and they won’t recommend
it to a friend. Be true to your writing
and to your plot, just cut away the excess fat, leaving the juicy meat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Focus.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Keep a tight rein on where you
are going and how you will end up. You
don’t want to jump around from action to action for the sake of action. It has to mean something and take you
somewhere specific. If it doesn’t, cut
it out—it isn’t needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Combine
Characters.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
This applies the same principle as
simplify and focus. Too many characters
can confuse the reader. You aren’t as
invested in the characters if you spend all of your time trying to keep them
straight. If you have a few strong
characters, the reader can come to love the character. Instead of several shallow one dimensional characters
combining characters can make one multi-dimensional character with more complex
feelings and emotions that will draw the reader. This makes for a memorable character you
love, love, love. And it is all about
loving the characters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Hop
over detours.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
To me if the detour isn’t taking
you to your desired end point or molding your main character—simply get rid of
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You’ll feel like you’re
losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Editing is the hardest part. As a teacher, I have seen tears shed over
editing a paper. You have worked hard to
come up with these words. It is your
work of art. You don’t want to change
it. Sometimes, change is good and
need. In the end your work will be
better. It will be exactly what the
story needs to be the very best story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How
do you feel about cutting chunks out of your work? Is it painful or liberating?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-23127970911693723962013-03-29T15:11:00.001-07:002013-03-30T16:46:41.226-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #4<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #4<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Once upon a time there was ___. Every day,
___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally
___.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
As a teacher we preach not to formula write. Don’t follow a pattern if you want catch the
attention of raters or graders. They don’t
want to see the same thing over and over again.
It is boring and it will not set you apart from the stacks and stacks of
writing. But, what we mean by formula
writing is four sentences, paragraph break, four-five sentences, paragraph
break, and at least five paragraphs.
Where every student in your class has a nice neat paper and if you
flipped through the stack, it would look as if someone photocopied the same
story. That is not what this rule means.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
This is only a guide for getting your story started. It will help you find direction. I feel this
is a great place to start. One of the biggest struggles in writing is sitting
down in front of a blank sheet of paper or a blank computer screen. It is a scary place. With something like this, you know where to
start, where to go, and where you want to end up. It is a compass giving you direction. The
only thing left is set forth on your journey.
A journey you can take without hesitation, fear, or anxiety. You know the major steps to be taken. Just sit and write.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Do you think this would give you direction? Or do you think it is just
another boring formula?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
We’d love to see comments on our post and share anything you enjoy. Thank you for reading!</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-86423622544807814132013-03-28T12:53:00.000-07:002013-03-30T16:47:07.431-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #3<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Trying
for theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about until
you’re at the end of it. Now rewrite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Theme is important. You always need something cohesive to pull
all of the action together into a central theme. Should you force a theme? I think— no.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
In my opinion this rule
is telling you to write with a central theme in mind. Let the story take you on its journey through
twists and turn. Take this journey being
ever cognizant of the thread that will tie these wonderful words up into a neat
tight bow without unraveling the entire story.
</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Look at fashion. You go into a store or see a runway show and the
theme an artist/designer has in mind with his/her pieces almost jumps out at
you. It is their art, their story told
with fabric. It is beautiful when it all
moves from point to point seamlessly. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Go to an art
gallery. When you walk from piece to
piece the story is beautifully told with the stroke of a brush or the shape of
a sculpture. If the artist needs to go
back and add something to a sculpture or color to a painting, the artist may be
able to tie the art together. But, would the individual piece lose some of its
beauty? It could make everything perfect
or it could ruin the entire design. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
This is where the rewrite
is important. The writer/artist must
step back and see gaps or flaws. The
little thing that doesn’t move the story in the direction it was intended. That
little thing that seems like your telling the reader what to think or feel, it
could turn the reader off. And you have to
be careful to take delicate stokes. Don’t
go in with an axe. Let things move
naturally. Be mindful and true to the theme.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
With plots and subplots
they all need to work together in a theme.
You develop the story with an intentional direction, but you have to be
careful not to force things. The words should
glide across the page moving the reader physically and emotionally along with
the main character. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
How do you choose a theme
in your writing? Or do you write and
watch as a theme forms? How do you keep the
theme without forcing it?</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-44792379041972709472013-03-27T09:07:00.003-07:002013-03-30T16:48:06.691-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #2<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pixar Challenge</b><b>Rule #2</b><br />
<b>You gotta
keep in my mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do
as a writer. They can be v. different.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Hmmmm! This is one isn’t quite as easy as Rule #1. I think the important thing is the ‘can’ in
sentence two. They ‘can’ be very
different. Hopefully they are the same
thing, but that would make writing super easy.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
The important thing is to
<b>know</b> your audience. If you are writing MG it’s probably a good
idea to spend a little time with some kiddo’s in that age range, same goes for
YA, NA, or adult. Each age group comes
with its own set of wants, needs, and even language. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Yeah, I was a teenage—a couple
of years back. The thing is times
change. New problems emerge. And the technology. Just the other day my oldest son was watching
Rock of Ages with me and my husband and said, “What kind of cell phone is that?” I told him, “That was the original cell
phone.” He thought it was hilarious. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
And you have to know the
language is different by the day. These
kids come up with new ‘language’ to keep us parents and adults on the outs. Like when I was in teenager they wrote that ‘valley
girl’ dictionary. (Wait! Did I just give
away my age?) The dictionary would be a mile
high at this point. So, it’s our job to
figure it out, if you want to be a successful author. That is the ‘thing’ really—what do you want?</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
It is important for a
writer to know the ins and outs. So, you have to spend time with your audience.
Read books and magazines geared toward your
preferred age group, and listen to their music.
If you surround yourself with things teen, young adult, or adult it will
make what’s fun as a writer, fun for them to read. If you don’t love the things
geared toward that age group maybe you’re not writing to the right age group,
maybe you would have more fun writing to a different audience. It is about loving your craft after all.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Only you can decide what
is best for you and your goal. If you want
people to love your words know your audience.
Be flexible. Take your audience
where they want to go, just use your one and only special voice to get them to
that end point. In the end you will have
a book you are proud to write and to share.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
please check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this
challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn
Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-70599015867947124872013-03-26T12:00:00.001-07:002013-03-26T12:00:51.126-07:00Pixar Challenge: Rule #1<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Pixar’s
Rule #1: Character Struggle<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">#1: You
admire a character for trying more than for their successes.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
As an avid reader, I feel
the key to any good story is love for the characters, feeling their struggle
and wish for their success. You want to
be them, date them, or be their best friend.
It keeps you engaged.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Most of my favorite books
have protagonist that are strong women with the courage to push through the
struggles of life. Those struggles shape
the character into someone you can love.
Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth is
appealing because of the strength she doesn’t even realize she possesses. She knows before her test that she is
different and that she struggles with her ways of her faction. The thought of leaving her family causes her
distress, but the thought of not being who she is meant to be can’t be
denied. She has to follow her true
self. She is small and has to work harder
than the others in her new. Every obstacle
thrown her way is overcome making someone you respect. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Really, it is the basics
for any story. Something has to happen
to keep us interested. You add in a little
bit of a personal connection to a character and the makings of a beautiful
story emerge. </div>
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Be it a struggle you are
horrified about like the killing of children for sport in The Hunger Games or
life as a slightly odd kid from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Life no matter how ‘normal’ or how extreme
has a set of it’s on struggles, it’s how the character deals with the struggle
and come through on the other side that makes the story worth reading—again and
again.</div>
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So, I agree that you need
to admire the characters and their struggle.
Characters are how I personally become invested in a novel or
series. I love to see where they start and
were they end up. It’s all about taking that ride and making us want to be in
the passenger seat.</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing
this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. </span>Links
to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located
on the side bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We’d love to see comments on our
post and share anything you enjoy. Thank
you for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-6688722198564740482013-03-17T09:25:00.003-07:002013-04-16T19:56:52.752-07:00Check Out this YA Cover reveal<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #3366cc; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin: -25px -1px 0px; padding: 15px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
Cover Reveal and Giveaway: ALIENATED by Melissa Landers</h3>
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Check it out. It's a beautiful cover. </div>
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http://www.yahighway.com/2013/03/cover-reveal-and-giveaway-alienated-by.html</div>
Regina Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360247657483347556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4676178658124637971.post-68712129336840718092013-03-16T10:06:00.000-07:002013-04-16T19:59:29.138-07:00Classroom Color ChartUse numbers instead of names...<br />
1. You can reuse from year to year.<br />
2. If visitor comes into the classroom, they don't know whose color has been changed.<br />
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