One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Vicky Whedbee.
Vicky Whedbee's work has appeared in the publications Cataloochee Bridge: A Poetry and Prose Anthology, and Oops!: A Poetry and Prose Anthology. She earned the Five-Star Seal from Readers’ Favorite for her first two novels, Things He Hadn't Told Her, and Sarah's Song, whose sequel, Sarah's Home, she has since authored. She currently lives in San Mateo, Florida.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Mike Bowerbank.
Mike Bowerbank is a Canadian author of mysteries, thrillers, and dark comedies, including The Baneridge Murders, The Target, and Love by the Hour. His works, regardless of genre, always contain characters who are struggling with themselves, as we often tend to be our own worst enemy. There’s also – always – an abundance of humour. Life’s too short not to laugh a little.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Nina Romano.
Nina Romano earned a B.S., an M.A., a B.A., and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from FIU. Romano’s historical Wayfarer Trilogy is published by Turner Publishing. Book #1, The Secret Language of Women, is a Gold Medal winner of the 2016 IPPY Book Award. Her western historical romance, The Girl Who Loved Cayo Bradley, and her historical Russian thriller, Dark Eyes, are published by Speaking Volumes, LLC.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Holly Dobbie.
Holly Dobbie is a former high school English, Journalism, Stagecraft and Women's Studies teacher whose volunteer work includes The Canadian Red Cross Child Abuse Prevention Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Pacific Association for Autistic Citizens, the community hot lunch initiative, the Christmas Bureau and the local Youth Hub for at-risk and homeless youth. Her young adult novel, Fifteen Point Nine (Publisher, Toronto University Press), is a contemporary story of courage and compassion that addresses youth mental health and wellness.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Paul Spalding-Mulcock.
Virtually unemployable after graduating with a degree in philosophy, Paul spent several decades as a management consultant. A life-long love of literature eventually catalyzed his decision to flee the corporate hamster wheel, with him transforming into a Literary Features Writer for The Yorkshire Times several years ago. Beyond reading, reviewing, and hiking with his wife, he writes darkly satirical short stories, and has a dreadful first novel limping clumsily towards completion.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Glenna Gill.
Glenna Gill lives in North Carolina with her family. Her first book, When I Was Lost: A Mother's Struggle With Bipolar Disorder, was published in 2019. Glenna has been published in Scary Mommy and P.S. I Love You. She's a wife to one, mom to three and friend to all.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Diane Riley.
Diane Riley has been a journalist, English teacher, proofreader, and copy editor, among other callings, and is now attempting to be a fiction writer. She reads every chance she gets and also likes to travel, knit, walk with her dog, and share life with her husband, kids, and grandkids.
One of the contributors to the anthology Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me is Sallie Moffitt.
Sallie Moffitt is a multi-award-winning essay and memoir writer. Her essay “Hanging by a Vine” won the Ten Spur first place award at the 2022 Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference. Several of her essays and short stories have been published in anthologies, literary journals and small publications. She writes an inspiring blog, where she shares her journey of finding hope and healing after surviving traumatic childhood abuse.
Mahsa, or Mahsā, is a feminine given name of Persian origin. The word in Persian has two parts: mah (meaning moon) and sa (a suffix meaning like). The name means like the moon or moon-like. The word is written in Persian as مهسا and pronounced [mæhˈsɒː] (with the first a like the a in dad and the second a like the a in father).
Merriam-Webster's word of the day is
mellifluous
pronounced muh-LIFF-luh-wus
an adjective
(used in formal speech and writing)
to describe things with a smooth, flowing sound. It can also be used to mean filled with something that sweetens, like honey.
1
: having a smooth rich flow
2
: filled with something (such as honey) that sweetens
Mellifluous comes from two Latin roots: the noun mel (meaning honey) and the verb fluere (meaning to flow). These linguistic components formed the Late Latin word mellifluus, then the Middle English word mellyfluous, before crystallizing into the adjective we use today. As it has for centuries, mellifluous describes sound and is often at the tip of the tongues of writers who proclaim that a voice or melody is smooth like molasses (molasses, like mellifluous, is a descendant of the Latin mel). However, mellifluous can also be used to describe edibles and potables, such as wine, with a pronounced note of sweetness.
(taken from Merriam-Webster)
To see it in context or listen to the pronunciation, check the link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day (September 16, 2023).
Early this morning, I asked AI to write a letter from Clarice Starling to Hannibal Lecter...
This is an edited version of what I got:
Dear Hannibal,
I hope this letter finds you well, wherever you may be. It has been quite some time since our paths last crossed, but I find myself thinking about our unique connection and the intricate dance we shared.
Since our encounters, I have found myself reflecting on the depths of the human psyche and the delicate balance between good and evil. Your insights and unorthodox perspectives have left an indelible mark on my own understanding of the world around me.
While I am aware of the darkness that resides within you, I also recognize the brilliance of your mind and the captivating charm that can both unsettle and intrigue. It is this enigmatic quality that compels me to reach out to you through this letter.
Perhaps it is the lingering curiosity that draws me to you, the desire to unravel the mysteries that lie beneath your refined exterior. I wonder, Hannibal, what drives you to the depths of darkness? What are the demons that haunt your mind, and what secrets do they hold?
As I write this letter, I am reminded of the intricate webs we wove, the subtle games we played. Despite the dangers that came with our interactions, there was a certain thrill in our exchanges – a twisted dance between predator and prey.
Though I cannot deny the pain and suffering you have caused, I also cannot ignore the undeniable influence you have had on my own growth and understanding. Our encounters have taught me that even the most unassuming individuals can harbor untold depths. I write this letter to express my own journey of self-discovery that your presence has ignited.
Should this letter find its way to you, Hannibal, I hope it serves as a testament to the profound impact you have had on my life. Whether our paths cross again or remain forever divergent, I will carry the memories of our encounters, the questions they raised, and the lessons they taught me.
Yours sincerely,
Clarice Starling
Then I asked AI for HL's mailing address, and AI didn't disappoint. I love her sense of humor... Here's the address I got:
The Baltimore Institute for Culinary Arts
Cell Block B
123 Chianti Avenue
Baltimore, MD
"Good description usually consists of a few well-chosen details that will stand for everything else."
Stephen King
Charm...
What a beautiful word for a group of hummingbirds!
Then we have murder for a group of crows, which sounds funny... and mysterious, while an unkindness or a privilege refers to a group of ravens.
From time to time, I look up these names for groups of animals and wonder who came up with these references to groups of animals and how these words stuck.
I know only a few of them: a school (of fish), an army (of ants), a band (of coyotes), a pride (of lions), a swarm (of bees), a pod (of dolphins), a caravan (of camels), a herd (of cattle), a convocation (of eagles), a tower (of giraffes), a parade (of elephants), a shiver (of sharks), a host (of sparrows), a pack (of wolves), and a team (of horses).
I've found a somewhat complete list online:
https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/animal-group-names
Writing a book review is simple, so don't complicate it. Do make sure you use correct grammar and spelling because otherwise you will not seem qualified to evaluate anything. I'm not referring to one or two typos here; typos often happen.
Just follow these steps :
1) First, introduce the book by including the author's name, the title of the book, and its genre.
2) Next, include all your valuable insights, and respect the readers' experience by refraining from revealing much, allowing readers to discover and enjoy the story for themselves. In this section...
a - Consider what stood out to you. Discuss the memorable moments.
b - Discuss the author's writing style, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. (Consider aspects such as the level of detail, pacing, dialogue, and overall readability. Did the writing effectively convey the story?)
c - Examine the themes or messages conveyed in the book. How well were they explored? Were they thought-provoking or perhaps lacking in depth?
d - Provide personal insights by sharing your personal opinion and emotional response to the book. Discuss your favorite aspects or any connections you made with the story. Did something resonate with you?
e - If there are areas of the book that you found lacking or could be improved, provide constructive feedback. Remember to be respectful in your critique and offer suggestions rather than outright negativity and also to criticize the work, not the author.
3) Finally, state whether or not you would recommend the book and to whom it might appeal.
Merriam-Webster's word of the day is
pareidolia
pronounced pair-eye-DOH-lee-uh
a noun
referring to the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.
Pareidolia entered the English language in 1962. It came from the German word Pareidolie (a combination of the Greek prefix par-, the Greek noun eídōlon, meaning image or reflection, and the German suffix -ie. Although the word seems relatively new to English speakers, the concept is not. Certain Renaissance artists who painted collections of fruits, vegetables, and other objects to look like human portraits, used pareidolia as a technique in their work. Leonardo da Vinci once wrote, “… if you look at any walls spotted with various stains or with a mixture of different kinds of stones, if you are about to invent some scene you will be able to see in it a resemblance to various different landscapes adorned with mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, plains, wide valleys, and various groups of hills.”
(taken from Merriam-Webster)
To see it in context or listen to the pronunciation, check the link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day (September 06, 2023).
Words possess an enchanting prowess, for within their embrace lies the magic to inspire, comfort, and ignite the flames of change.
“New month, new intentions, new goals, new love, new light, and new beginnings.”
April Mae Monterrosa
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