Birthdays: Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850), Paul Dunbar (1872), Helen Keller (1880), Esther Forbes (1891), Helen Sewell (1896), Catherine Cookson (1906), E.R. Braithwaite (1912), James Collier (1928), Peter Maas (1929), Lucille Clifton (1936), Christina Bjork (1938), Ivan Doig (1939), James Hogan (1949), Anita Diamant (1951), Alice McDermott (1953), Scott Cunningham (1956), Simon Sebag Montefiore (1965), Jo Frost (1971), Teju Cole (1975)
Quote: “The few own the many because they possess the means of livelihood of all … The country is governed for the richest, for the corporations, the bankers, the land speculators, and for the exploiters of labor. The majority of mankind are working people. So long as their fair demands – the ownership and control of their livelihoods – are set at naught, we can have neither men’s rights nor women’s rights. The majority of mankind is ground down by industrial oppression in order that the small remnant may live in ease.” ― Helen Keller, Rebel Lives: Helen Keller
“I tell writers to keep reading, reading, reading. Read widely and deeply. And I tell them not to give up even after getting rejection letters. And I tell them to get support from other writers. (Not just criticism, but loving support.) And only to write what you love.” – Anita Diamant
Tip: Don’t expect agents or editors to do the work for you. They don’t have the time. Your story should be as good as you can possibly make it. If they say you need to fix things… fix them yourself.
Jumpstart: You have planned the ultimate sit-down dinner. The guests have all arrived and the food is being served. There is just enough for everyone—when an unexpected guest arrives. This person is important and to turn them away would be an insult. What do you do?
Sparkling Book Reviews 