Characters, humor and the writing life

The Other Hamilton Story (Book Recommendation)

8/4/2018

I just finished reading My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. It's a well written, fictionalized account of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's strong, capable and intelligent wife. The book is a veritable who's who of the revolution and early years of the nation. It was delightful to read about the lives that touched hers -- like the Marquis de Lafayette, George and Martha Washington, James and Dolley Madison, Aaron Burr and more.

Reading the book makes that time period come alive, revealing insights into the challenges faced and the character of this extraordinary woman and her family.
I highly recommend reading this book!

Have you read it? If so, what did you think about it? Feel free to leave comments.

Thanks,

Nancy

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Do you remember teachers that inspired you?

5/10/2018

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It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Somehow that got me reminiscing about the handful of teachers that inspired and fueled my love of learning.

Sometimes we don’t like the teachers that challenge you – like the English composition teacher that forced me to fix my backward sentences.
Or the US History Teacher that challenged a quiet introvert to crawl out of her shell and debate historical impacts on current events.
And last but not least, the writing professor who said it wasn’t crazy if your characters followed you around and sometimes took charge of your stories. (Okay, it still sounds a bit crazy, but it's a common writing phenomena .)

Anyway, I wanted to thank them and all the dedicated teachers out there. A good teacher can really make a difference!

A big thank you to you all – wherever you are!

Do you have a favorite teacher that inspired you? Thank them in the comments!

Thanks for reading!

Nancy

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Did You Miss Any of These?

1/1/2017

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Happy New Year !

First, a big thank you for reading! I really appreciate it when you read my books, join my Facebook page or subscribe to the newsletter.
To sum up my first full year of blogging, here are my top blog posts of 2016 as ranked by Facebook "likes".

See if you agree with the rankings:

1 ) What Makes a Memorable Hero?

2 ) Have you been bitten by the Jane Austen bug?

3 ) Quirky Character Names – from an unusual source

4 ) Words of Inspiration

If I missed one you liked, or if you have suggestions for topics you'd like to read about, please comment!

If you are interested in new books, I am targeting to have one out in the first half of 2017. Watch for updates in the newsletter or join the conversation on Facebook!

Wishing you a great 2017!

Nancy

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Words of Inspiration

8/17/2016

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Every once in a while, I run across a bit of text that captures a thought in an inspiring way. This quote is from The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers. It is from a letter to Washington, DC from Chief Seattle responding to the government's request to buy their land. I had to stop and read it twice, finally writing it down.

I hope it gives you a sense of awe as well.

“The President in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. But how can you buy or sell the sky? The land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?

Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every Sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people.

We know the sap which courses through the trees as we know the blood that courses through our veins. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The bear, the deer, the great Eagle, these are our brothers. The Rocky crest, the juices in the meadow, the body heat of the pony, and man, all belong to the same family.

The shining water that flows in the streams in the rivers is not just water, but the blood of our ancestors. If we sell you our land, you must remember that it is sacred.

The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst. They carry our canoes hand feed our children. So you must give to the rivers the kindness you would give any brother.

. . . One thing we know: our God is also your god. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator.

Preserve the land for all children and love it, as God loves us all."

Letter to Washington, DC from Chief Seattle, 1852