CHECK THESE OUT!
Here are lists and links for some of my favorite things, plus resources and entertaining diversions about poetry, writing, and word-related things:
The
Comma Goddess Speaks
My blog at Blogger.com, which offers observations and opinions on motherhood, manners,
wisdom, words, and whatever else happens to set me off.
Books You Simply Must Read
Movies I Watch Over and Over Again
For People Who [Think]They Don't Like Poetry
For Women
For Writers
For Young People
Websites I Recommend for One Reason or Another
BOOKS YOU SIMPLY MUST READ
- Anything ever written by Louisa May Alcott; most
things written by Elizabeth Berg and Jane Yolen
- A Land Remembered, by Patrick Smith - A
riveting, grueling account of the domestication of Florida. After reading this, I
understood why my ancestors decided to homestead in Jacksonville instead of Miami!
- As It Is in Heaven, by Niall Williams - A
beautifully written, tenderly romantic story in which the boy finally gets the girl and
the whole village lives happily ever after
- Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger -
Absolutely exquisite writing, with wonderfully developed family relationships and meaty
characters
- Mrs. Bridge, by Evan Connell - Intriguing
glimpse into family life in the days when women handled the home and men handled the money
- Fair and Tender Ladies, by Lee Smith - Great
portrait of a "steel magnolia", and it captures Southern dialect better than
anything I've read
- Nevil Shute
wrote a number of intriguing books, including On the Beach, A
Town Like Alice, and The Checquer Board. For synopses of all
his books, plus reviews, movie adaptations, insights into this prolific
author and more, click
here.
- The Reivers, by William Faulkner - Road trip!
Poignant and laugh-out-loud funny coming-of-age tale about a young boy and his two
companions who "borrow" Grandfather's spiffy new car for a few days. Despite the
fact that brothels and gambling figure prominently, this should be required reading list
for high school and college English classes--and should certainly be the first Faulkner
book anyone ever reads.
- Seven Stories of Christmas, by Leo Buscaglia
- God bless Leo! We should all embrace life with such enthusiasm.
- Writer Tells All: Insider Secrets to Getting Your
Book Published, by Robert Masello - Accurate, essential information presented with
humor and clarity. A must for the serious writer.
- Wild Designs, by Katie Fforde - I'm not sure why, but this book absolutely charmed me. The tale of Althea, a British mum juggling children, work, weight, dust, men, her family, and her garden, entertained me far more than I Don't Know How She Does It or Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman. Fforde is a prolific writer, and all her books are fun, but this one is my favorite.
MOVIES I WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN
Anything with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. The definitive odd couple--with chemistry that ignites like a Roman candle!
The Whales of August, with Bette Davis, Ann Sothern, and Vincent Price - One of my absolute favorites. Vincent Price is the consummate gentleman, and Ann Sothern coming up the path with her blueberry bucket is in my "Best Scenes on Screen Hall of Fame."
Gone With the Wind, with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. I find something new every viewing!
Ladies in Lavender, with Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Two of the world's best actors, a bittersweet tale, magnificent cinematography.
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, with Joan Plowright. I love ALL of Joan's films, but this one is pure bliss.
Music Man, with Robert Preston. Fabulous music, fabulous cast, and the hysterical "Ode to a Grecian Urn." This might just be my favorite movie of all time.
White Christmas, with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I never, ever get tired of this one. And I never fail to be astonished by Vera Ellen's tiny waist!
Ken Turan, reviewer for the Los Angeles Times, is usually dead on with his opinions. Check out his recommendations at Rotten Tomatoes.
FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY DON'T LIKE POETRY
If you think you don't like poetry, you just haven't found the right poet. Honest! There's as much difference in poets as there is in cars--and surely you'd agree that there's a big difference between a pick-up and a Lamborghini. Next time you're in a library or bookstore, take a look at what these poets write:
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Book That Poet - Great place to discover new poets, and useful if you're looking for speakers or classroom presentations
Children's Book Council - great ideas for celebrating Children's Book Week
Civil War Poetry - Unique collection of poems and songs from Civil War soldiers on both sides
Columbia Grangers World of Poetry - Access this comprehensive poetry database with your library card
International Children's Digital Library - A site dedicated to presenting the best in children's literature from around the world
Interview with Billy Collins - terrific insight into some of the reasons why this poet has redefined poetry for the 21st century
Library of Congress Center for the Book - Information about literary events and competitions all over the country
Poetry 180 - Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins' wonderful project to get poetry into our nation's high schools--one a day, for the full school year. Start a movement in your own school district and urge principals at every level to have a poem read aloud every day during morning announcements--either these, or poems students write or select themselves.
Poets.Org - Ideas for celebrating National Poetry Month. Be sure to request a free NPM poster to hang in your classroom!
Poetry Read-a-Thon - Find out how to get your students involved in this fun national challenge
Poetry Teachers -Lessons and ideas for teaching poetry, mostly for younger grades
ReadWriteThink - Resources and clever lessons from the International Reading Association
Weekly Reader Teacher Resources - Opportunities, links, and articles to make your life and life in the classroom easier and more interesting.
Writing Fix - Interactive prompts and lesson ideas from the Northern Nevada Writing Project
GREAT WEBSITES FOR WOMEN
Allreaders.com - Need something good to read? This search engine makes recommendations based on your choice of everything from plot twists to time period. There's a search option for movies, too.
Boomer Women Speak - A writing project to connect women born during the years 1946-1964
ClubMom - Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, you'll find the advice, encouragement, and information you need right here.
Minnie Pauz - Humor is definitely the best medicine for those "middle ages!"
Mom Writer's Literary Magazine - Voted a Best Website for Writers by Writers Digest magazine the last two years, this site is informative, inspiring, and just plain fun.
Persimmon Tree - A literary ezine by women over 60, featuring fiction, nonfiction, and poetry
Women's Hall of Fame - site that recognizes the contribution of women from all walks of life
Women Writers - a wonderful, meaty, cerebral site that offers brain food for all women, not just writers
RESOURCES FOR WRITERS
Acronym Server - search for acronyms and words used in acronyms. Helpful, entertaining, and highly enlightening.
Bas Bleu - a wonderful catalog for writers and booklovers. Great website, too!
Book Promotion Newletter - One of the best marketing resources I've found, Francine Silverman's bi-weekly e-zine is always chockful of valuable information. She's collected the best in Book Marketing from A-Z, available from Infinity Publishing.
English Usage - a delightful site offering explanations of odd words and phrases, news tidbits on word-related events, unusual glossaries and dictionaries, and up-to-the-minute slang definitions
Guide to Literary Agents - Chuck Sambuchino's terrific blog about the comings and goings and passions and prejudices of literary agents.
Holt Uncensored - a fine and feisty site, in general, from Pat Holt (former book editor of the San Francisco Chronicle), but this links directly to her "Ten Mistakes Writers Don't See," which should be required reading for anyone even contemplating creative writing (or, possibly, everyone who has moved beyond a Dick and Jane reader).
Long Story Short - e-zine featuring meaty interviews, neat contests, plus plenty of worthwhile tips and resources
Omnificent English Dictionary in Limerick Form - A wild and crazy international writing project, this attempt to define every word in the English language with a limerick manages to be hilarious, challenging, and enlightening all at the same time.
Poets & Writers Magazine - in-depth articles and great classifieds
Poetry Kit - a wonderful site with info about poetry websites, publications, competitions, and events all over the world
Publisher's Lunch - industry newsletter that arrives around noon every weekday, chockful of all the news you need to know to be an informed member of the literary community
SmartWriters.com - lively, informative site for children's writers. Good tips for teachers, too!
Teachers Who Made a Difference in Your Life - an online opportunity to thank that teacher who helped you become the writer you are today
Twentieth-Century Poetry in English - A wonderful resource for work and biographical information, plus a gazillion links to great poetry sites.
Web-safe Fonts - Working on a website? Here are some tips to make it more successful.
Wit's End Poetry - Promoter of poetry readings, slams, and other poetic events in the Upstate SC/Western NC area.
Writer's Almanac - Site for the wonderful daily feature by Garrison Keillor on National Public Radio
Writing-World.com - wonderful source of helpful, informative articles about various aspects and genres of writing
Southern Scribe's Resources for Southern Writers - SS deserves unlimited servings of sweet tea for compiling this incredibly comprehensive listing of links
- Good place to track down
classic poems, plus a "haiku generator" that's great fun
RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
If you're interested in becoming a professional writer and are looking for colleges, scholarships, summer programs, etc. that will help you reach that goal, be sure to visit my Students page.
Giggle Poetry - Interviews with some popular children's poets, and tips on writing poetry of your own.
Pencils.com - Fun facts, trivia, and background on that most indispensable of writing utensils
Glossary of Poetic Terms - All those confusing definitions in one handy-dandy spot. Dazzle your teacher by using a "zeugma" in your next paper!
Magnetic Poetry - This "virtual poetry kit" lets you piece together your own poems online, on a variety of cool backgrounds--including a locker door! You can also read what other kids have created.
Planet Jaron - My youngest son's website-- great animation, lots of funny and creative stuff, but I apologize for that disgusting cat thing. (Unfortunately, he thinks it's one of his best drawings.)
Rhyming Dictionary - This site will help you with those tough ones (and prevent you from using all those easy ones!)
Teenreads - Book reviews, author interviews, questions, and contests. Sign up for their monthly newsletter so you'll be the first to hear about great new books!
WEBSITES TO WHICH I'M PARTIAL
(for one reason or another)
African Children's Choir - Information about this wonderful organization which uses music to bring hope and help to needy children in Africa
Alzheimer's Research Forum - Excellent site offering solid information and links to related sites
Americans for the Arts - Exposure to arts education is essential for children (and adults, for that matter!) to reach their full human potential. Find out how bonding with a piccolo, a poem, or a paintbrush can make your world a better place.
Ann Ipock - Think beach. Think Southern. Think giggle. That's my friend Ann, humor columnist for the Georgetown Times.
- Find
out what's happening today in the arts in South Carolina
Book Crossing - The most clever idea for spreading literacy and good literature since the printing press! Thanks to Ron Hornbaker and his lofty-minded software development company, the world is now just one giant book club.
Bookreporter.com - Carol Fitzgerald's very fine site offers reviews of current and classic books, plus author interviews, fun questions and polls, and even prizes.
Bunkie Lynn - Wanna laugh? Then meet my friend Bunkie, whose books are big on Southern humor and admonitions to live life to the max.
Dana Wildsmith - Listen here! This fine Southern poet writes of dogs and dogma, sweetness and struggle, moments and memories, and more.
Dew on the Kudzu - Did you know there are two different--and correct!--ways to spell "ya'll"? It is just such fascinating information that makes this site celebrating all things Southern such fun.
Dorothy Fletcher - Having spent several decades teaching high school students use and abuse of the English language, Dottie's new book--Zen Fishing and Other Southern Pleasures--confirms that her own inner poet is alive and well!
FamilyStyle Movie Guide - Family-oriented movie reviews that tell you exactly what to expect
Helen Keller - Details about my most significant childhood heroine and her home. Visiting Ivy Green was one of the most emotional experiences I've ever had. What an incredible woman she was!
Joan Wester Anderson - If you believe there are angels among us, you'll find no stronger ally than Joan. Her book, Where Angels Walk, has sold over two million copies. And don't miss her wonderful biography of one of Hollywood's most beloved and glamourous stars, Loretta Young.
Kay Day - How many people do you know who make sonnets riveting? Kay's site offers great info for poetry lovers and others, especially those in the Jacksonville, FL, area. And she writes such good poems...
International Movie Database - Virtually everything you ever wanted to know about movies
Louisa May Alcott - Official site for the woman I credit as my greatest inspiration
Magnolia Trappings - Online boutique featuring wonderful handcrafted gifts by Southern artisans
Practical Business Systems - My husband's company builds business applications such as complex web sites, e-commerce applications, and accounting systems--often with no licensing fees!
Rod McKuen - Things to ponder from the first poet to whom I lost my heart
Sofa Gallery - Need a spectacular piece of furniture? A colorful cowhide to decorate your den? This is the place.
Steven Givler - My favorite military man! Steven is a writer and artist, as well as a captain in the Air Force. Both his verbal and visual descriptions of the world around him are rife with colorful detail.