Yes, it's true -- next week I'll be seeing one of my heroes, Miss Oprah Winfrey. Before you come completely unglued, I will not be on the show unless a stray camera happens to swing my way into the audience, but nevertheless, I'll be there at the show.
No, I don't know what the show is about. The representative that called from the show said that they were just now putting together the calendar after coming back off spring break. Spring Break? Who knew they took such a thing. It sounds like college, but with much nicer clothes.
Anyway, a friend of mine and I will be traveling north next week for our big adventure in the city. A couple of moms on the road -- let's hope there are no Thelma and Louise moments.
I cannot wait to go to this show. I really don't care what the topic is truthfully. I just want that little opportunity you sometimes get when you attend a taping to speak directly to Miss Winfrey. You see, this is not my first time to the show. In fact, I've been fortunate enough to go twice. The first time was a great, fun show -- Matt Damon was there. It was a fantastic show full of life and excitement. However, when that little window opened, and Oprah took questions from the audience, everything I had planned to say suddenly felt completely out of place. Most questions focused on her figure and her lack of carbs. Don't get me wrong, she looks great, and I could definitely use the diet tips, but this is OPRAH! I've been watching this woman for years, through "thick" and "thin," and her weight is not her biggest accomplishment.
Then, just a month ago, I had another chance to see the show. The weather had been horrible (blizzard-like conditions actually), and the show ended as abruptly as it began. Oprah apologized and said she had to make her way across town, so there was not time for chit-chat. I left that show feeling completely deflated. I knew what I was going to say. The show topic had been serious and the questions that followed were completely in line with what I had wanted to say -- darn it, darn it!
So, this is it. Third time's the charm, right? Or, I guess it could be, "Strike three and your out!" Either way, I think I'll be fine. I've decided to just go with the flow. No expectations. If the moment happens, and there is time for one of my nifty notions, then yeah! If not, I'll just have to share that one with all of you when I get back.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Friday, March 2, 2007
Guess Who's 50?
Here’s something nifty, guess who’s turning 50? The Cat in the Hat that’s who. It was fifty years ago today that Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, introduced the world to one of the most famous felines, The Cat in the Hat.
In a Life magazine article back in the mid-1950s, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Hersey stated that American children couldn’t read because their classrooms were too boring and bland. According to him, traditional books could not compete with the more fun and interesting “stimuli” such as comics and cartoons. At that time, Geisel was challenged to write a book that children in the first grade wouldn’t be able to resist. He took on the challenge, and using only 236 words, Geisel wrote a story that would be published by Random House in 1957 that would not only change the way children learn to read at that time, but one that would continue to have an impact on children today.
To come up with a story that would engage young readers, but would be written simple enough for them to understand, Geisel said he selected his words from a beginning reader’s word list. For the the title, he said he simply chose the first two words on the list that rhymed. Unfortunately, writing the book took a little longer than choosing it’s title. Geisel worked for 1 ½ years before completing The Cat in the Hat.
Besides being an easy read, The Cat in the Hat offers a plot that is simple and meaningful. Children will express joy, astonishment, and occasional disapproval while reading this story about an independent and michievous creature who breaks all the rules and brings chaos to the children he meets.
Thank you Dr. Seuss and happy birthday to The Cat in the Hat.
In a Life magazine article back in the mid-1950s, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Hersey stated that American children couldn’t read because their classrooms were too boring and bland. According to him, traditional books could not compete with the more fun and interesting “stimuli” such as comics and cartoons. At that time, Geisel was challenged to write a book that children in the first grade wouldn’t be able to resist. He took on the challenge, and using only 236 words, Geisel wrote a story that would be published by Random House in 1957 that would not only change the way children learn to read at that time, but one that would continue to have an impact on children today.
To come up with a story that would engage young readers, but would be written simple enough for them to understand, Geisel said he selected his words from a beginning reader’s word list. For the the title, he said he simply chose the first two words on the list that rhymed. Unfortunately, writing the book took a little longer than choosing it’s title. Geisel worked for 1 ½ years before completing The Cat in the Hat.
Besides being an easy read, The Cat in the Hat offers a plot that is simple and meaningful. Children will express joy, astonishment, and occasional disapproval while reading this story about an independent and michievous creature who breaks all the rules and brings chaos to the children he meets.
Thank you Dr. Seuss and happy birthday to The Cat in the Hat.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Why I Write
Some of us read, and some of us write. For years, I’ve been an avid reader. For far less, I’ve been a writer. What I’ve come to believe lately is that I am not meant to be just a reflection of the text that I’ve read before, but to create a reflection of my own.
I am now on a personal quest to become a children’s author. Why am I on this pursuit? There are three words that best explain this compelling need of mine: honesty, responsibility and joy.
While writing for children, I find myself in search of verification. I want to know that there are people in this world who agree with me. I want to believe that there are others who share my opinions, my philosophies, my notions and my tribulations. For this cause, I write with honesty and without fear of exposure.
I also want my words to educate, to show new possibilities, to inspire, and to provide support. A parent who reads to and with their children will see the power of knowledge within them. However, the more we encourage children to read, the more resources that must be made available. For that reason, I believe there is a never-ending need for children’s books. Curious minds must be fed, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the proper nourishment.
At last, the world is a difficult place for everyone, especially our young people. Bad things happen every day. Therefore, if only for a few moments, the smile on a child’s face when everything works out in the end of a story is worth all of the energy spent by the writer whose intention it was to delight her reader.
The truth is, I’m writing for the same reasons I read to my children. In a good book, I hope for awareness in truth, comfort in dependability, and pleasure provided by happy endings.
I am now on a personal quest to become a children’s author. Why am I on this pursuit? There are three words that best explain this compelling need of mine: honesty, responsibility and joy.
While writing for children, I find myself in search of verification. I want to know that there are people in this world who agree with me. I want to believe that there are others who share my opinions, my philosophies, my notions and my tribulations. For this cause, I write with honesty and without fear of exposure.
I also want my words to educate, to show new possibilities, to inspire, and to provide support. A parent who reads to and with their children will see the power of knowledge within them. However, the more we encourage children to read, the more resources that must be made available. For that reason, I believe there is a never-ending need for children’s books. Curious minds must be fed, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the proper nourishment.
At last, the world is a difficult place for everyone, especially our young people. Bad things happen every day. Therefore, if only for a few moments, the smile on a child’s face when everything works out in the end of a story is worth all of the energy spent by the writer whose intention it was to delight her reader.
The truth is, I’m writing for the same reasons I read to my children. In a good book, I hope for awareness in truth, comfort in dependability, and pleasure provided by happy endings.
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