Because I spent two days doing this
with the awesome kids of Pine Ridge Middle School. We had a lot of fun talking about the books that have an impact on us, then practiced techniques for having that kind of impact on our reader. The kids were bright and engaged and really bought in. They also produced some very effective writing.
Speaking of which, I stumbled on these two gems while researching for a new book this week:
Dead competitors sell no beer.
That’s ballistics expert Calvin Goddard on the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Only my profound respect for the illustrious and learned author of these lines prevents me from pronouncing them at once obscure, ambiguous, and a trifle puerile.
And that’s Edmond Locard, forensic pioneer and master of the passive aggressive insult!
I love it when I not only learn new things, but get to snicker while doing it.
Back to the book manuscript. I hope you’re all having a busy/awesome week, too.