Story Focus

Writing a story is like aiming a camera and focusing: do you want the wide landscape, the faraway shot, or the closeup? I often begin up real close, in the narrator's mind or with a close look at one or two characters in the midst of something . . . and then . . .

 . . . pull back . . .. . . to show where this takes place and who else is central to the story.

The focus usually moves in and out then, throughout the story: sometimes close in, sometimes further back.

Someone recently asked me how I choose which sort of focus to use, and the answer is that I simply follow how the scene is playing out (like a movie) in my head.  I don't feel as if I'm manipulating the 'camera'; I feel as if I'm following it, instinctively leaning in and pulling back.

Occasionally when I feel bogged down in the story, it is often because the focus is stuck--too close or too removed for too long--and a simple change of lens revives the movement.

Or something like that . . .
xx

4-H

Here in Maine

we're learning a lot about 4-H

and farm animals.

Jupiter (above)

4-H-ers take on the feeding, grooming and training of the animals.

They also muck out the stalls and learn about showmanship, breeding, diet and health care.

So much to love here.

So very much.

xx

For more about 4-H, click here.

Mom and Dad

My parents

before they became parents

of

five

crazeeee

kids

Look how calm

they seem here

ahhhh

xx

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup: collage

An art teacher and book lover

makes 

a collage-soup

for 

Granny Torrelli

at

Sketchbook Wandering 

(Click on link to hop over there. . .)

xx

Student Art

One class of young readers offered their versions of book covers for The Boy on the Porch.  Below are a few.

You probably already know how much I love student art, right?

I especially loved seeing the elements that students chose as emblematic of the story: the blue tree, the shoes, the guitar, jelly beans, cow and dog.  Perfect.

xx

Childhood Home

From the age of nine onward, this was my home in South Euclid, Ohio, shared with parents, four siblings and a cousin.

My sister, three brothers and I sat on those steps, ran round and round the perimeter, climbed the maple tree (at left), raked leaves, threw red rubber balls against the steps, played jacks and spud and tag, roller-skated on the sidewalk and washed those windows with vinegar and water.

Such a good, good place.

(With thanks to college student Anastasia Demor for the current photo.)

Crabby Crab

Strolling along the beach today

cool breeze sparkled water

met this fellow

skittering sideways:

left left left

right right right 

black beaded eyes swiveling 

missing a leg or two.

Poor crabby fellow

looking for a place

to hide.

He's hoping

I won't 

step

on

him.

I'm hoping

the

same.

xx