Sunday, November 29, 2015

The B Word

A TV show this morning warning about how watching computer screens isn't good for the growth of a child's brain made me think about when I was a kid (pre-computers) and my best friend and I would sit in my room, talking about how bored we were....until we'd come up with ideas for new games, creating crafts or outside adventures.

Next time I get bored, I'll try to avoid the habit of picking up my iPad.

Instead I'll remind myself to look around, think deep thoughts or talk to someone. Reading is always a great option, too (g).

Boredom isn't the enemy, it's a staircase to new ideas and creativity. Embrace your boredom

Saturday, November 14, 2015

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask: Book: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask (The Curious Cats Spy Club book #2) by Linda Joy Singleton Source: Borrowed from Publisher...

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask: Book: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask (The Curious Cats Spy Club book #2) by Linda Joy Singleton Source: Borrowed from Publisher...

Thursday, October 22, 2015

5 Girls Book Reviews: BOOK REVIEW: The Curious Cat Spy Club: They Myster...

5 Girls Book Reviews: BOOK REVIEW: The Curious Cat Spy Club: They Myster...: BLURB: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB has a new mystery to solve! In THE SECRET OF THE ZORSE'S MASK, #2 CCSC, Kelsey, Becca and L...

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

READING IS FUN, NOT MENTAL: Nancy Drew Diaries, No. 10 - A Script for Danger

READING IS FUN, NOT MENTAL: Nancy Drew Diaries, No. 10 - A Script for Danger: Anyone who knows me, knows that I've been reading and collecting Nancy Drew books for years - from the original books dating back to the...

Note from Linda Joy Singleton:
I am relieved to say that my new mystery series, CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB, does not have sabotage as a plot in all 4 books (in the works). In fact, after reading some of the Nancy Drew fans comments about wanting more classic series themes like missing heirs, theft and hidden treasure--all 4 themes are in my work-in-progress SECRET OF THE SHADOW BANDIT (Fall 2016).

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Karen McCoy Books Presents: The Writer Librarian: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB by Linda Joy Singleton

Secrets of writing revealed...

Karen McCoy Books Presents: The Writer Librarian: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB by Linda Joy Singleton: I first got wind of Linda's books when a few copies showed up on my library work desk. She's local to Sacramento, and not only did I...

Karen McCoy Books Presents: The Writer Librarian: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB by Linda Joy Singleton

Karen McCoy Books Presents: The Writer Librarian: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB by Linda Joy Singleton: I first got wind of Linda's books when a few copies showed up on my library work desk. She's local to Sacramento, and not only did I...

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

The Writer Librarian: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB by Linda Joy Singleton

The Writer Librarian: THE CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB by Linda Joy Singleton: I first got wind of Linda's books when a few copies showed up on my library work desk. She's local to Sacramento, and not only did I...

Sunday, September 06, 2015

Emeraldfire's Bookmark: Book Excerpt For Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Si...

Emeraldfire's Bookmark: Book Excerpt For Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Si...: Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I'm so glad to welcome Linda Joy Singleton, author of the C...

Monday, August 31, 2015

Lovely Reads : Never Been Texted

Lovely Reads : Never Been Texted: Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singleton When Ashlee’s stepdad completely forgets her birthday she takes matters into her own hands ...

Monday, August 24, 2015

Journey of a Bookseller: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask by Linda Joy Singl...

Journey of a Bookseller: The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask by Linda Joy Singl...: The animal sanctuary has a zorse; that's part Zebra/part horse.  Becca has grown very attached to it and hopes she'll be able to k...

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Michelle's Minions: Cover Reveal: Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singl...

Michelle's Minions: Cover Reveal: Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singl...: I am honestly thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for Never Been Texted ! I absolutely adore Linda Joy Singleton as an author A...

Monday, July 20, 2015

Seize the day -- the blog of writer Molly Blaisdell: Publish: Revise the Big Picture

Seize the day -- the blog of writer Molly Blaisdell: Publish: Revise the Big Picture: Hi folks, I am writing a summer long series. It's called Publish and is in conjunction with my TEENSPublish workshop at the Ringer Libra...

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Curious Cat Spy Club

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Curious Cat Spy Club: Book: The Curious Cat Spy Club (Curious Cat Spy Club book #1) by Linda Joy Singleton Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for a...

Monday, June 29, 2015

YABookNerd: Mysterious Saturday Review: Curious Cat Spy Club

YABookNerd: Mysterious Saturday Review: Curious Cat Spy Club: Kelsey's out running an errand for her father when she helps a classmate out with a runaway animal.The errand is now out of her contr...

Thursday, June 25, 2015

8 REASONS WHY WRITERS SHOULD WATCH REALITY TV


Every summer I have an obsession.

It's not illegal or immoral yet when I tell people, I get the kind of looks you'd give a crazy person.

I confess, I watch the reality show Big Brother.

"Why would you want to waste your time watching such a fake show?" I'm asked.

I answer, "The setting is artificial but the people are real. I am NOT wasting my time--I'm doing character research for my writing."

Where else would I watch interactions between a wrestler with a master in literature, a gorgeous woman who used to be a man, a rock star dentist, a surfer and a top woman poker player?

While I enjoy the CBS show which is on TV 3 nights a week, that hour-long show is NOT what I'm talking about. It's not just the dramatic moments Production chooses to show on TV. What people see on that hour is NOT the reality feedsters watch.

IT'S THE LIVE FEEDS. 24 hour cameras film the houseguests. Some might call this being a voyeur, but I think of it as social research. For a writer, when I watch the feeds, I pay attention to:

1. How people speak at different ages. As I get older, I seldom hear casual conversation with younger generations. While I avoid using slang in my books, I often learn a phrase or way of expressing something that I can pass on to my own characters. I learn which words and activities are outdated.

2. It's interesting to discover what people younger than myself care about; dating, social media, their phones. Values, though, are often the same; most houseguests put their families and faith above all else. Once the houseguests have been there for awhile, they forget about the cameras and just do their daily routine--fixing their hair, eating, washing clothes, etc. And without any phones or internet or even books (except Bible) to read, all they have to do in down time is talk to each other. And it's real, not scripted. Sometimes they just sit around not even talking--boring like real life.

3. I listen for interesting stories that spark ideas for settings or situations in my future books. For instance, I loved Donny from Season 16 so in an upcoming book, there's a character with a similar name and the same job. Little details from reality enhance writing.

4. I note contradictions and commonalities in different age groups; social-economic backgrounds, singles-vs-married, etc. Most writers will tell you they live quiet lives without a lot of social interaction so there aren’t many opportunities to observe real people. And yes--the houseguests are REAL people. Sure some of them are "mactors" hoping for a career break, but even aspiring actors/models have to wash their hair, brush teeth, prepare meals and just hang out making small talk. And when pitted against each other in a game for a $500K prize, conversations can get VERY interesting.

5. I also pay attention to behaviors I love and hate about houseguests. Emotions are the glue to hold a story together. Realizing what actions bring out specific emotions is a useful tool for a writer.

6. I don't just watch to study characters. I LOVE THE GAME. It's fun to root for a favorite character -- very much like football obsessed fans who cheer on their favorite players. When anyone tries to understand what I love about Big Brother, I compare it to watching sports (beating up people on a playing field is an acceptable American pastime). Big Brother is my sport and the houseguests are playing a game with high stakes. Instead of a ball, they're playing with skills, words and strategy.

7. Do you ever wake up at night and can't go back to sleep? Often houseguests are enjoying quiet moments in the night where a few people just hang out, talking about life, families and strategy. Sometimes emotions flare into anger or confidences warm into comforting hugs. Very few of these moments are shown on TV -- too ordinary, too boring, too real to fit in with the production of a TV show. But these ordinary moments are what fascinate me as a writer.

8. What I also find interesting is comparing what I've watched on the feeds to what CBS shapes into a TV storyline. A houseguest that I know is really nice may be only shown at their worst. Or someone I think is superficial and mean, comes off like a saint. Production is brilliant, really, because they take 24 hours x 7 days a week and shape it into a one hour drama.

A little bit of reality TV can spark ideas and awareness of the interaction of different personalities. I truly believe watching reality shows keeps my character's dialog realistic (think about it--where do teens get most of their sayings? From the commonality of TV/movies).

So if you want to improve your writing, watch a reality show. For me, it's Big Brother. I can't wait to find out who wins BB17.

Latest books by Linda Joy Singleton:
SNOW DOG, SAND DOG (picture book) from Albert Whitman
CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB (midgrade series) Albert Whitman
NEXT BEEN TEXTED (young adult) August 2015, Leap Books
Free short stories: www.lindajoysingleton.com
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Monday, June 15, 2015

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Curious Cat Spy Club

The Book Girl's Book Blog: Book Review: The Curious Cat Spy Club: Book: The Curious Cat Spy Club (Curious Cat Spy Club book #1) by Linda Joy Singleton Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for a...

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Bookworm for Kids: When Sparrows Fall by Diana Blackstone with Giveaw...

Bookworm for Kids: When Sparrows Fall by Diana Blackstone with Giveaw...: WHEN SPARROWS FALL by Diana Blackstone June 9 th 2015 Leap Books 175 pages Historical Fiction late Middle Grade/earl...

Monday, June 08, 2015

Do you know what a SOLAR DANCER is?

Watch the newest collecting craze dance in the sunshine!!

http://youtu.be/eHezwblkbRE



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHezwblkbRE&sns=tw via @youtube

Reese's Reviews: Book Blitz & Giveaway: When Sparrows Fall

Reese's Reviews: Book Blitz & Giveaway: When Sparrows Fall: Title: When Sparrows Fall Author: Diana Blackstone Release Date: June 9 th 2015 Publisher: Leap Books After her mother’s arran...

Friday, June 05, 2015

Prose&Cons: One To The Wolves: On The Trail Of A Killer

Prose&Cons: One To The Wolves: On The Trail Of A Killer: A serious matter caught my attention the other day on Mystery Writers of America's FB page. A mother was reaching out for help to find ...

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Seize the day -- the blog of writer Molly Blaisdell: Lucky March: The essentials of luck

Seize the day -- the blog of writer Molly Blaisdell: Lucky March: The essentials of luck: Hi, folks, this is the last in my Lucky March series. I'm a novelist as well as a picture book author. I am especially fortunate that wa...

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Donna L Martin's THE STORY CATCHER: 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN EDITING

Donna L Martin's THE STORY CATCHER: 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN EDITING:   I thought I would make this post short and sweet. If you are at the revision stages of your manuscript, here are a few links to...

Saturday, January 03, 2015

YABookNerd: Mysterious Saturday Review: Cinderella Murder

YABookNerd: Mysterious Saturday Review: Cinderella Murder: Laurie Moran create a reality show chasing down leads in cold cases. The first show was a success and she's hoping to duplicate her e...