The Duck Steps Here

This week I went to Kentucky. I stayed in a four star hotel and ate catered meals (most of which I couldn't eat more of than the salad because I am gluten intolerant) and I graded over 1,050 tests for question #1 in AP Language. Of course, at times the things those high school seniors wrote made absolutely no sense. For instance, "The duck steps here." I stared at that phrase for several seconds before I read on, convinced that some things were never meant to be understood. However, a few lines down, the student made a reference to President Truman and a light went on in my brain. Didn't President Truman say, "The buck stops here"? I looked back at the phrase, "The duck steps here" and realized that the rather messy handwriting had reversed the b and made a loopy thing at the top of the o in stops. The student had indeed meant to write "The buck stops here," but had failed to take care in forming the letters. Ah, I said to myself, there is a lesson to be learned here. Understanding is crucial to communication. I tell my students to write in a clear and concise manner for a good reason--so they can be understood. Writing with care--it's something that could save the world. Maybe more people would believe me if I could get Miss America to say it in response to her interview question.

Off to grade AP tests

Wow. I can't believe I'm doing it again. I'm off to grade AP English Language tests--hundreds of them. In Kentucky. It was fun to spend evenings by and in the ocean when the grading event was held in Daytona Beach. What is there to do in Kentucky in the summer? Maybe a steamboat ride, but that hardly compares to playing in the ocean. Oh, well--positive attitude, positive attitude.

Synopses

So what do you do when the actual novel is much better than the synopsis you sent off?

Summer is a time to write

Just when the weather is warming up and hay fever season is in full swing, I'm not teaching or grading. It's time to write. I must be pretty dedicated, because I'm spending hours inside glued to a computer when I could be outside. It's a good thing, too. I've gotten lots done. It took me most of the winter months to schedule some writing in amongst the teaching and grading and write 60 pages of my latest (and coolest so far) novel. In the past couple of weeks, I've added 70 pages and the ideas are flowing. Yesterday I moved over to my father's to take care of him (90 years old with failing health), so the writing will slow down some, but not as slow as during the winter months. What else am I going to do while he's lying down to take a nap? So, maybe I can get a first draft done in a few weeks. Then I can work on the next book that has been taking shape in my head. It's very different from anything I've worked on before--kind of interesting, actually. The more I think about it, the stranger it gets--in a good way, I hope. To quote Alice, "Curioser and curioser." Anyway, I digress. The main point that I wanted to make is that there are sacrifices that must be made when I want something very badly and staying indoors on lovely days is one of them.

Kristen Chandler's Book Signing

Yesterday I had the great honor of attending the book signing for my friend Kristen Chandler's debut book, WOLVES, BOYS, AND OTHER THINGS THAT MIGHT KILL ME at the King's English in Salt Lake City. I was so happy to see lots of people there and that Kristen sold lots of books. She deserves it and her story deserves all the attention. It's a good read. I know, because I've read various drafts and I can't wait to read the final version. So, congratulations, Kristen!

Being with writers and readers

What is it about being with other writers and readers that is so satisfying? I have other friends who do things I like to do, too, and other people I do things with. I am among people at football and basketball games or out shopping doing what I do, but somehow there is just something soul-satisfying about being with other people who write and read. With those people, I want to settle in and soak up the experience and BE with them. On several levels, they are like me. That's nice.

The Edgar Award Statue

Kind of cute.

Photo taken by Matt Peyton Photography.