Oh where, oh where has Cheri been?

Lately, the Big Sur Children’s Writing Workshop, school, and Christmas have been getting more of my attention than this blog. I’m glad I put those things first, but I’m itchin to get back you all!

I’ll try to have a little something for you tomorrow.

Oooh. My Inkdeath review appeared on the Well-Read Child last Friday. That’ll keep you busy for a while.

As Seen by Me: WALL-E

A bunch of us just got back from seeing the new Disney movie, WALL-E. Most loved it, but some… well… not so much.

The point of controversy seems to be the lack of dialogue. As a writer, I appreciate how much was shown rather than told. Through movement, action, touch, murmurs and mumbles, we see loneliness, longing, and love.

We feel WALL-E’s need for friendship, his concern and caring, his desire to love and be loved—all without words.

There is something to be said for showing how we feel.

It’s not like WALL-E is a silent movie or anything though. My favorite line was spoken by The Captain: "I don't want to survive; I want to live."

That’s what writing does for me; it brings life. I notice more of the world around me. I pay attention to it. Ponder it. Play with it. Process it. I feel more fully. I live more deeply.

The Big Write!

Calling all fourth to eighth graders!

Join the St. Louis Writers Guild and Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation for a cool contest.

Write your own story that begins with the sentence, “It all began when someone left the window open.”

Six entries will win. Check out the Official Contest Guidelines and the Official Contest Entry Form.

All entries must be postmarked on or before September 12, 2008.

Fourth Graders Rock!

Last Friday I hung out with fourth graders. Totally awesome and amazing fourth graders!

They blew my mind… I was there to teach them about writing fiction, but they taught me!

These kids are readers and writers, and boy do they know their stuff.

Here’s a list of their favorite kinds of books (in their own words):

Adventure, Comedy, Comic Books, Drama, Fantasy, Funny, Girls Lit (we made that one up), Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Mythology, Realisitc Fiction, Scary, and Tragedy.

Tragedy. Whoa!

Their favorite genre?

Mystery.

They really like fantasy and scary stuff too.

Sweet.

I couldn’t believe all the different books they’ve read. The list is huge. Care to guess their favorites? Click below in comments to make a guess.

I’ll announce it tomorrow.

I'll also tell you the one thing they really, really don’t like.

Win a visit from WALL-E…

Wow, another contest!

Check this out… you can enter an essay contest for a chance to bring WALL-E (from the new Disney-Pixar movie) to your school.



Be sure to read the Official Rules. May 28, 2008 is the deadline. Enter here.

500 words or less. FUN!!! You can do this. I’m hoping you win!!!

Check out all the cool WALL-E books too!