Reading by the water

Wicked Lil Pixie Shares The Book Review Process

After all of their preparation and hard work in the comfort of their creative space, it is easy for young authors to get caught up in the excitement of producing a new book and spending some time on the promotional circuit with book signings and speaking engagements. The publicity can, however, cause some authors to overlook or neglect some important aspects of their book that are of great importance to potential readers. While publicity can be important for marketing a book, it may not necessarily be the most important facet of a book’s success. Young authors who are not paying attention to some of these aspects may discover that their efforts to promote their new book may have little impact and that they may be wasting money and time.

The book review should not only provide readers with information about the new book, but also give context about its overall merit as a literary work. A literary review isn’t an unbiased assessment of the book. Rather, a literary review considers the book’s theme, style, plot, character development, dialogue, character motivation, and themes and ideas. Most importantly, a literary review considers the message the author is trying to convey. The book review doesn’t “praise” the book; rather, the book review criticizes the book based on its merits as a literary work.

Reading on a tablet.

Many times, a book review will focus on a single aspect of a book without considering other aspects. For instance, many book reviews fail to consider how the author defines his or her themes or the themes expressed in the text. Without these other elements, a reviewer tends to review the plot or the mechanical aspects of the plot. This leads the reviewer to overlook the author’s broader points about the theme, plot, character, and so on. In short, a critical review doesn’t review the book based on whether the author made valid criticisms in regards to literary devices or on how the author responded to criticism of literary devices in his or her previous works.

Another mistake that many reviewers make is failing to read book reviews in the same manner as critics. Authors who have published their first books may not be aware of the many ways that critics evaluate their work. By reading book reviews in the same way as critics, a new author can learn how other readers evaluate their work. For instance, book reviews often talk about how a new writer needs to consider the character’s actions to build the plot, while critics think that the author needs to construct the character’s motivations within the context of the plot. New authors may find it helpful to read book reviews in the same way as other readers do so that they can see how other readers think about a book before purchasing it.

Many authors are intimidated by the sheer number of reviews that are available for their books. One strategy new authors can use to overcome this problem is to interview several critics and writers. By having an interview with a few different critics, a new author will gain insight into different aspects of the writing. Interviewing writers not only gives the author an opportunity to gauge their thoughts about their book but also gives the author the chance to learn new things about their book that they may have otherwise overlooked. Another advantage of interviewing writers is that they often have personal experiences with a particular book. New writers can learn more about the characters in their book by talking to readers who have also purchased the book.

Books at the beach.

Many readers rely heavily on book reviews to help them make their final decision about buying a book. Good book reviews give readers important information about a book and the author. Writing book reviews helps the public understand the strengths and weaknesses of a book and the target audience. Reviews are an invaluable tool for authors, publishers, agents, and retailers.

Finding a good review of a book does not require any extra effort. A book review can be found online when a reader searches for information about a particular book. There are a variety of websites that offer book review templates for writers to use that are easy to customize. Most book review websites offer links to the contact details of the authors who have been reviewed so that readers can request additional information if they do not understand all of the information provided in the review.

Reviewing books before publishing them is important for authors, publishers, retailers, and librarians. When a book is purchased and a person reads it, they might share their thoughts and review it online or in a book review directory. Online book reviews allow readers to compare a book to others and to leave comments about the author, the book’s place in society, and the way the author has written the book. If you have never written book reviews before, it may seem intimidating to compose the review, but once you get started you will find that the work is easy and rewarding. Good book reviews let readers know that a new book is out there, that it is worth reading, and that another writer has written a favorable review of the same book.

Fun Things To Do When It’s Raining

Many times we will make plans for the weekend or break. It is all laid out and ready to be done. But it is a real bummer when the weather did not correspond with it. Sure, there may be weather reports, but the problem at times is when it is unexpected or something planned very ahead of time.

But not to worry. You can still have activities that can be done even with the bad weather.

1. Go to a Mall

Just because it is raining does not mean you cannot go out. You still do although you may not able to do some activities that involve being outdoors. But you can still enjoy some like going to a mall. You can do some shopping or just simply look around. You can have your friends or family with you. What is great about being at a mall is not only about shopping. There are also restaurants or fast food around and you can eat there and consider it as eating out.

2. Binge Watch

This may be one of the popular things to do at home. If you have some show you would like to catch up on, this will be a great time for you. This does not only count TV shows, but you can also do some movie marathons. So, it does not matter if you are going to set up your Netflix or make use of your DVD collection, what matters is you will get to enjoy your day even with the bad weather. You can even invite someone or friends if you want to and share some moments with them.

3. Read a Book

This is another way to pass the time. If you are a wide reader and have a backlog of books you would like to read, this will be a great opportunity. You can definitely do it in the comfort of your own home, but it does not always have to be like that. You can also do it in different places even with the rain because you can have some quiet, alone time in a cafe or a library. 

4. Play Games or Indoor Sports

Surely, when it is raining, you cannot do a lot of sports such as frisbee, football, tennis, etc. unless they will be done indoors. Nowadays, there are indoor courts you can go to and if you really want to break a sweat, this will be a good option. There are also other indoor sports you can do such as badminton, table tennis, or bowling. It will be something you can give a try.

This also includes some games. If you have kids, it will be a great time to bond with them through games. You can have some of your board games. If you are creative, you can even do some other indoor activities.

5. Listen to Music

With the weather, you might also just like to relax with it. A great way to do it is to sit, have some coffee or tea then have some music. You may even have a playlist for a rainy day to set the mood, and it will be a good time to play it.

How To Make Reading Fun

Reading is one of the things you can do to pass time. What is good about it is that it is relaxing and can get your mind off things. It can also activate your imagination.

The problem at times is that you can easily get bored with it. It would be said that this problem is only for kids, but it is for adults too. So, how would one enjoy reading and make it more fun?

1. Choose the Right Time

You would want to do reading when your mind is really clear and relaxed. You also will not choose the time that you are sleepy or else you will just sleep on with your reading. It does not matter if it is night or day. There are some studies that said it would be during the day, but it will be up to you in the end. 

If reading is not really your thing but would like to have a start with it, you can start with short times like having 15 to 30 minutes then see how you will get from there.

2. Choose the Right Place

Another important thing to choose is where will you read. You would want someplace quiet like your room or study or home office. You can even do it in public places such as a library or cafe or at a park. You will also like to choose something that you are comfortable like in a good couch or your own bed. It will be in a place where it will be not bad for your posture. Make sure that the place you will read will be able to make you focused and concentrated. If not, you may lose interest in it altogether.

3. Choose the Right Book

For you to be sure that you would do something for a long time, it should interest you. So, if you are going to start reading a book, be sure to pick something that you know interests you. It is like picking a movie you would like to watch or a playlist that will keep you going rather than irritate you. That is the same for reading. 

There is a variety of genres and types available. Maybe you would like something fictional to escape. Then there are types that love non-fictional or historical to learn. If you want to get started, there are short stories or articles that you can read to begin. As long as what you are reading is motivating for you, it does not matter what.

4. Choose the Right Image

This means having your imagination enhanced. One of the reasons why some people did not like the movie counterparts of books is because it does not meet their expectations or it is not something they imagined. The reason for that is because doing films has its limitations, unlike our brain and imagination which is limitless in a way. 

So, if you want to really enjoy what you are reading, you will need to widen your imagination. You may choose something with images on it or look some of them online. You can also start with a book that has a film based on it, so you could do the comparison yourself.

What To Make For A Thanksgiving Potluck

It is fall. You can feel it with the changing of the temperature. You can also see it with all the seasonal products that are sold in stores whether it be flavors of coffee and pastries or displays and decors for the upcoming holidays. 

One of those anticipated holidays is Thanksgiving. It is the time wherein family and friends gather together to give their gratitude. And of course, with this gathering, there will be food (lots of it). There are people that host it and invite family and some of the friends. But there are also some that do not have the time to do all the cooking and the solution for that is to invite guests and have their own share.

If you are one that got an invite for this, here are tips on what you will bring:

1. Something Easy

One of the reasons why you might not host a Thanksgiving dinner yourself is because of busyness. Going to a potluck is a nice way for you to not be pressured and stressed in cooking yet still giving a share. With your busyness, you might want to do something easy. You can do some salads or other appetizers such as soup and finger food. There are also desserts that are easy to do. It does not also mean you will have to only bring food. You can also bring in drinks that are either pre-made or something you mix yourself.

2. Something Light

If you are not the one hosting the dinner, you might want to bring something that is not that heavy on the stomach. Because in this case, the host might be the one who gets to prepare the heavier ones or the main course unless you were requested for something. Also, another thing to keep in mind is that there will surely be a lot of food, so it would be nice to have something that will not make you and other guests not too full and can still try other food. 

If you will need to travel a long distance and also has a problem with transportation then another definition for something light is having something easy to carry. 

3. Something Seasonal

Because it is autumn, there are flavors and products that are available this season. Because of that, it will be a lot easier for you to get them and also to have ideas about what you will prepare. What is also great is that they can be desserts, appetizers, drinks, and even sides for the main course. The most popular would be pumpkins, and they have can be a soup or a pie. Another is apple which can be either for pie or you can come up with a drink with it. With this food available, you will not be stressed out in preparing.

4. Something Tasty

Of course, even with the variety of food available, you will need to have something that is delicious and memorable. With that, even in a small way, you will make an impact through their taste buds and stomach. 

How To Host A Dinner Party In A Small Apartment

A great way to spend time with friends or family is through food. You will be able to catch up and exchange stories really well with food as your company. That is why many would go out to restaurants or any other food places to eat and hangout. A great alternative would be doing it in a home. That way, it will be cheaper and also cozier than a public place.

It would be a hassle if your home is small and seems to have no space for it. But it can be possible, and here are some solutions you can do:

1. Rearrange the Furniture

One of the solutions is to make space for your guests. You can achieve this by rearranging your furniture. Keep in mind that this will be temporary, so do not worry about it much. The one thing you should think about is how will your guests fit in your room? You can repurpose some of your furniture. Some of your tables can serve as food tables. You can also move some of the furniture in other rooms for the meantime. You can also rearrange your seats on the side so that there will be more space and mobility.

2. Think About the Decor

Just because you do not have enough space does not mean you will not make your home look good. You are going to rearrange your furniture, why not take advantage of it? You can have a theme and can even use it as a reason to not use a table or even seats. Lights can also improve the mood of the party. You can have those mood lighting that will also help have their attention away from the lack of space.

3. Choose Food Wisely

Because of the lack of space, it would be better to have the food served in buffet-style. This way, you will not have problems with space for the dinner table. Your guests will also easily mingle this way. But of course, the food should be easily served and also easy to be eaten with minimal utensils. Finger foods are one of the best examples of this, so it is a must-have for the party. They are not only good as appetizers, but the main course can also be cut into parts too. Tacos and burgers are also examples that can be served and eaten easily. This is also the same for your drinks. Make sure to have something that is ready.

4. Just Relax

Hosting a party is really a hard job. But always remember your reason for throwing it in the first place, and that is to have fun. There might be imperfections such as food or drinks being not enough or some spillage, but do not worry about that. Instead, enjoy your time with your friends. Remember that it is all about making memories and catching up. And if you want your guests to enjoy, you should too and do not miss out because of the busyness.

What Should You Look For In Studio Headphones For Your Young Guitarist?

It is nice to see a child that has ambitions and dreams even at a young age. And the good thing about this is that they are not only talking about their ambitions but also starting to work on them in their own simple ways. Do they want to be an astronaut? They will surely be always looking up the stars and asking for trips at the planetarium or looking through telescopes. A scientist? They are the ones always interested in what is happening in the world around them and observing. They are the ones that should be watched out for because they just might conduct an experiment. An athlete? They sure play their preferred sport out there. Then some would like to be a musician and maybe be in a band as a guitarist, and they may even already have their own guitar. It is never too early to start.

The problem with practicing the guitar is that it can be a disturbance. It could be a disturbance for you, your spouse, your other children, your pets, or even your neighbors. A nice solution to this is for them to use headphones. By doing this, they will be able to practice and play their hearts out without the fear of disturbing others. Having headphones will also be helpful for them to learn and develop their sound. 

How can you find the right headphones for them? Help them reach their dreams with the following tips.

1. Headphones should be comfortable

Practicing will surely take a lot of time especially if they really get into it and enjoy. It could go on for hours. You do not want them to have aching ears or a headache that would stop them from using their headphones or just stop altogether. So that is why when choosing a pair headphones, comfort is a must. When looking for the perfect pair consider the materials that they are made with, particularly the padding around the ears. Another factor is the weight. If the headphones are heavier, it is likely that they will be less comfortable after extended periods of use.

2. They should also be durable

A nice pair of headphones is no small investment, and you want a pair that will last a long time. Not only it will be nice for your young one, but it is also nice for your budget. Having a pair that will be easily broken can be really expensive in the long run. You can also consider having a set of headphones that has replaceable parts. That way, if some part gets broken and needs to be changed, it will be less expensive than buying a whole new set.

3. Headphones should have a great sound

Of course, you do not want your young musician to have a pair of headphones that will produce sounds like they are coming from a tin can. For your rock start to be a great musician, they should know their own sound and develop it. As a growing musician, it would be better for them to have a high-quality pair of studio headphones than a consumer-grade set of headphones. Consumer-grade headphones often boost the pleasant frequencies, artificially enhancing the sound coming from your instrument. On the other hand, studio headphones offer more accurate tones, and this is important when they are developing their own sound and technique.

For The Layman: How To Write Your First Poem

Poetry is so many things. It’s a source of self expression, an opportunity to say something wonderful and an exercise in precise word control. If you’ve never written a poem before, the very idea of writing one can seem quite scary. However, you’ll quickly realize that writing a poem is a terrific way to reveal your thoughts to everyone else. Writing a poem is a highly specific form of writing. Every single word has to count. When you write a poem, you’ll find that you’re free to do all sorts of things including use wild metaphors, experiment with word forms and get very personal. You’ll also realize that writing a poem can open doors and make easier to write a second poem and another poem after that one. When you tap into your inner creative person, you’ll find a whole new source of satisfaction.

Finding a Type

One of the most amazing things about poems is that there are so many forms of poetry. From limericks to sonnets and haikus, poetic forms are varied and fascinating. It helps to think about your message when you want to write the poem. If you’re aiming for humor, limericks are a traditional way to convey it. If you like to stick to poems that require careful structure and attention to detail, a sonnet might be the form that suits you best. Many poetic forms do not use rhymes while others require them. It’s a good idea to look up some examples of the kind of poem you have in mind. Read them aloud and get a feel for how the writer conveys their thoughts. This will help you decide what works best for your own planned poem.

Your Planned Theme

Most poems have a theme and an overall idea. Your should as well. Think about what inspires you the most. If you love nature, think about specific experiences and what you like about them. Perhaps you love being outside on a snowy day or walking through the changing leaves in early autumn. Now is the time to think about the details that will make your poem come alive. Think about word choices such as the kind of colors you saw and the way you felt as you saw the world around you.

Start Writing

Once you’ve decided on a vision for your poem, you can begin to write it. Many writers sit down and let the words flow. It’s a good idea to review the rules of the type of poem you want to write. This way, you’ll write a real haiku and not one that just looks like a haiku but isn’t. It’s a good idea to set aside a specific time frame to write. A late afternoon day when you’ll feeling alert or early on a Sunday morning work for many people.

A Final Draft

After the initial draft, it’s a good idea to think looking at it more closely. Read it out loud. Check for any grammatical errors as well as spots that may not quite rhyme or may be awkward. A second draft makes it easier to see where the polished poem will come from and how you’re going to get there. You might decide to rewrite the poem entirely or realize that you’re happy with the end result.