Our wonderful local independent book store, Capitola Book Cafe, is struggling to stay in business, as are many independent book stores. They’ve kicked off a Survive and Thrive campaign to try to raise the money needed to keep on bringing us not only great books, but all the wonderful author talks, workshops, and other events … More Capitola Book Cafe
Two big events in May will end the season for the Santa Cruz Peace Chorale. Coming up this week on Thursday, May 3, the chorale will sponsor films as part of the annual Reel Work Labor Film Festival. The films are about the Occupy movement, current and historical. The chorale will sing a few songs, … More Santa Cruz Peace Chorale events
I apologize for the long gap between blogs, once again. I’ve just completed a new middle grade book, Shell, about a modern young Maya girl’s experience immigrating to the U.S. Writing consumed me. Then I made a road trip to visit family in parts north. And I confess, I don’t always have something I feel … More Valuable advice for critique groups
I can’t say enough about how important it is for a writer, or at least this writer, to take part in a critique group. The feedback I get from critique partners is invaluable. I sometimes think of my books as collective efforts. My settings take on smells and sounds. My characters begin to display mannerisms, … More Writing Critique Partners
The Santa Cruz Peace Chorale will hold a fundraising Zumbathon hosted by the Live Oak Grange on January 28th at 2:00 pm. A $15 donation at the door will go to support the chorale. I’ve never tried Zumba, but I hear it is a fun dance exercise and there are rumors it may involve tassels. … More Zumbathon
Anne Ursu was my instructor for the wonderful week-long Whole Novel Workshop for Fantasy at Highlights Foundation last year. She is a gifted instructor and writer and has recently published what I believe is her best book, Breadcrumbs. NPR chose Breadcrumbs as its December Kid’s Book Club pick. Read their review at http://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142862998/december-kids-book-club-pick-breadcrumbs. Then get … More Breadcrumbs
There’s been a lot of talk on internet blogs about a spate of Oz based movies reported to be in production. Here’s a link to one of them: http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/05/19/whats-up-with-all-the-wizard-of-oz-spinoff-movies/ It just so happens that I was inspired a few years ago by my little rescue terrier, who came with the name Toto, to begin retelling … More Toto’s Tale
I recently attended a talk at the Museum of Art and History presented by Walnut Commons. Walnut Commons is a group of Santa Cruz people who have just purchased property downtown and are proceeding with plans to build a downtown cohousing community. The speaker was Charles Durrett, architect and author who has designed cohousing in … More Cohousing
Operation Redwood by S.Terrell French is an excellent middle grade novel which I recently read and then field-tested on each of my three grand-children ages nine to thirteen with enthusiastic results. The characters are well drawn. The lively action begins when city boy Julian Carter-Li intercepts an e-mail meant for his uncle from Robin, a … More Operation Redwood
Before I take a two week hiatus for travel, I want to say something about a new book by science writer, explorer and conservationist Tim Flannery. It’s called Here on Earth, and is subtitled A Natural History of the Planet. Sounds ambitious, doesn’t it? I learned a lot reading this book, which is easy to … More Here on Earth
Sylvia Patience, Author 