Writing lessons with Miles, part 5

Last week's writing class homework was to develop both a plot and characters. When Miles got to class today we reviewed his homework, discovered plot holes and got to work addressing the problems. While we were addressing problems we talked about the difference appropriate character development can make for a story — including things like name choice, delving into psyche of characters and why they do what they do, etc. We also talked a lot about tone and how tone affects how the reader interprets the plot and characters.

A part of Miles' character sketch...complete with an illustration!

Salon de Cruz

My dear friend Kathleen came down from Tulsa for the day to have a "hair party." We sat around talking, ate lots and lots of fruit and pretzels with hummus and did hair — well, Kathleen did hair! It was good to have her down and I had a blast being girly and visiting with her.

Always,

Writing lessons with Miles, part 4

We had our fourth writing class today after Miles had been away on vacation for a while. During vacation, Miles' homework was to observe and write at least three times during his trip — like what we had done during the last class. When Miles got to class today he told me he had done the homework. The only problem was his 5-year-old sister threw a tantrum and tore up his homework. He said he did attempt to redo his homework but I couldn't help but laugh. It sounded like a dog had eaten his homework.

During our lesson today, we talked about keeping a journal. I told him to write about whatever — his observations, what he did, what girl he thought was cute. When I said that last part he wrinkled his nose.

Lake House

We had the pleasure of spending the weekend with our friends in Tulsa at their family's lake house. We drove up Friday night to meet Kathleen, Brandon and their family. We stayed up until 2 a.m. just visiting with them and their family. I felt so satisfied just from our visit we could have turned right around and come home and I would have been content.

All day Saturday we spent the day off and on the lake. We cruised around in the boat. Tubed. Swam. It was simple and perfect. The whole family invited us back...we took it as a good sign. Definitely grateful to have wonderful people in our lives!

Always,