How to Write a Sentence by Stanley Fish

I'm reading the book "How to Write a Sentence" by New York Times columnist and professor Stanley Fish. The subtitle is "And How to Read One."

Fish's book demands more than reading; it requires study and contemplation. In his book, Fish analyzes sentences by breaking them down into their basic elements and gives examples of those memorable ones--those that draw readers in, hinting at plot and character, and making them want more.

"Call me Ishmael" from Moby-Dick is a sentence Fish cites, and one that tops several memorable first sentence lists.

Speaking of which: Did you know there are several websites devoted to sentences? Fish mentions several in his book. I found a couple on my own. Here's the American Book Review site with the Best First 100 Lines from Novels. And another one with the best last sentences.

One of my favorite first lines is from a children's book -- Kate DiCamillo's "Because of Winn-Dixie." The opening line introduces the character, conflict, setting, and voice. "My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog."

Another is from the O. Henry's short story, "The Gift of the Magi," which begins, "One dollar and eighty-seven cents."

My hope is that by reading and analyzing memorable sentences I can make my own sentences more appealing.

How about you? Do you have any favorite opening (or ending) sentences?

My Friend Alice and Chicken Soup for the Soul

Yesterday at critique group, my writing friend Alice Muschany gave me a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers, which will be released next month. Alice has three true stories in the Chicken Soup Grandmothers issue.

Her inscription at the front of the book brought tears to my eyes. Despite many hardships she has suffered, she is a generous, thoughtful, and funny woman--full of life and joy.

She is a wonderful writer who manages to touch your heart while putting a smile on your face. Even the guys in our group love Alice's stories--and they are tough critics.

Yesterday she also gave me a print copy of call-outs for possible CS book titles, and she read a humorous true story about her Vegas wedding for the CS Brides and Weddings call-out. With all these submission opportunities, I thought surely my blog visitors have stories to submit.

So, if you're looking for a market for your true stories, the editors at Chicken Soup have several call-outs. Here are a few with deadlines coming up soon:

* Devotional Stories in Times of Troubles - Feb 28 (a 500-words limit--but hurry, hurry)

* Canada - Feb 28 (another quick deadline for our neighbors up North)

* Brides and Weddings - Apr 30

Check out the Chicken Soup for the Soul website for submission guidelines and additional possible book titles.

Congratulations--and thank you--Alice!

FRESH BLOOD - Saturday Centus on Tuesday

After a busy extended weekend, it's back to writing.

Over on Jenny Matlock's blog, she posted her Saturday Centus challenge. Participants are to use the words "I'd catch a grenade for ya" and write a story of no more than 100 words (not counting the prompt).

If you don't recognize these words, they're part of the lyrics from a popular Bruno Mars song.

Here's my attempt.

FRESH BLOOD

Digging through a dumpster, Rudy’s stomach growled.

Heck of a way to celebrate his eighteenth birthday. Parents killed last summer by a drunk driver, Rudy ran away rather than live in foster care.

Humming a Bruno Mars song, he read an ad while nibbling a half-eaten pizza.

“HELP WANTED. Free: Housing. Meals. Training.”

After memorizing the address he cleaned up in a gas station restroom.

Later that day, the man in green asked, “How badly you want to join us?”

Remembering the song, Rudy answered, “I’d catch a grenade for ya.”

The Army recruiter extended a hand. “You’re just what we’re looking for.”

Weekend Update, A Belated Birthday Wish, and A Question

This weekend was crazy-busy, but lots of fun!

I drove a lot and waited even more. On Friday, my granddaughter was Sophomore class female representative at her high school dance for the Winter Coronation court. I slipped in and out to take photos. Saturday and Sunday she competed in Irish dance competitions in downtown St. Louis. Rather than make an 80-mile round-trip each day, we stayed in a hotel with a magnificient view of the St. Louis skyline. Still, it was a hectic and stressful few days.

After school on Friday, my grandson and Walt and Harley (of course), headed out to our place in the country until Saturday night. Oh, and Walt accidentally took my keys with him, which I needed to drive my granddaughter to the dance on Friday, so that made for some hectic moments. I drove Walt's truck then later found his spare set of keys.

My grandson had an interesting tale about their visit to our farm: Harley chased him around on his four-wheeler and he also chased a baby calf in the farm across the road--until the momma cow arrived and Harley ran back across the road to our place. Sunday my grandson had a soccer game and a basketball game. We made it back in time to see the basketball game.

Yesterday would've been my dad's 95th birthday. It seemed appropriate that I was at an Irish event on Sunday, Dad's birthday. James Patrick Duly was proud of his Irish-American heritage. He was one of 11 children--only five made it to adulthood. His grandfather came to America during the "Great Famine." His grandmother's maiden name was O'Donnell (which also is the last name of my grandchildren).

Over the weekend I shared some of Dad's favorite sayings and ditties with my granddaughter, in hopes that she will remember them some day. She thought they were strange, but it was my way to remember Dad and pass along family memories. When I talked with my sister Kathleen last night, we had a few laughs and shared some of our memories of Dad.

Today I visited a blog that posed the question if you could go back and change something in the past, what would it be.

The first one that came to mind is: I wish I would've paid more attention when my dad and mom and other relatives talked about our family history and "the good old days."

How about you? What would you change?

February Giveaway for My Followers

My regular readers know that I am a book reviewer for Bookreporter, Teenreads, and Kidsreads. After finishing my reviews, I often give away books to family or friends or donate them to local libraries.

Sometimes rather than receiving copies of books, I am sent Uncorrected Proofs and Advance Reader's Copies (ARCs), which I can't really donate to a library, so I keep them in a stack that has been growing larger.

To shorten my stack and show my appreciation to my blog followers, I'm giving away two ARCs this month.

In honor of February, with St. Valentine's Day and healthy-heart month, I'm giving away an ARC of THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE, written by National Book Award Nominee Beth Kephart and published by HarperTeen.

The gracefully written book is about two friends who travel to Juarez, Mexico, as part of a mission to help improve a community. The story is about courage, loyalty, and the responsibilities of friendship. You can read my entire review of Kephart's novel on the Teensreads.com site.



The second ARC giveaway is HIGHWAY ROBBERY written by Irish author Kate Thompson, published by Greenwillow Books. This is a middle-grade novel intended for ages 10 and up. It's a story of danger and suspense and an infamous horse.

You can read my entire review by visiting the Kidsreads site.

If you are a children's writer, these books are great to read to study the craft of writing. They also make great gifts for children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students.

To sign up for the February ARC giveaway:
* Be a follower of my blog
* If you aren't a follower, just sign up before Feb 28
* Leave a comment by Feb 28 and let me know which ARC you would like
* If you would like both ARCs, leave two separate comments
* Be sure to include an e-mail address so I can contact you

I will separate comments by titles requested then randomly select the names of two followers who have left comments. Winners' names will be announced the first week of March.

Good luck to all who enter. If this giveaway receives a fair amount of response, I will repeat the process next month with similar giveaways.

News to Share and Welcome

Yesterday was a day for good news.

My granddaughter Cari participated in the regional competitions with her high school's Future Business Leaders of America team. Cari received a first-place trophy in the Introduction to Business Communications category.

By placing first, she qualifies for Missouri State competitions next month. If she wins in the state competition, she will qualify to compete in the nationals in Orlando, Florida, in the spring.

Congratulations and good luck, Cari! We are so proud of you.

Earlier in the day our critique group crackled with good news.

* Paul told us that his book signing at Big Sleep Books on Saturday went well. His interview by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch appeared in the A&E section of the weekend edition.

* Claudia reported that an agent has requested a full manuscript of her latest romantic suspense novel. The request for a full is a result of Claudia winning a Romance Writers of America competition.

* On Monday, Alice received 30 contributor copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers, which will be released soon. The reason Alice received so many copies is because she has three stories in the anthology. Way to go, Alice!

* Tommie brought along as a guest her lovely daughter Cameron, who is a marvelous critiquer--but more impressively--she's going to have a baby girl on Friday.

Talk about a busy and an exciting day!

But wait, there's more.

I'm extcited and pleased to WELCOME my three newest followers:

Val Thevictorian
Ann Best
and
Kathy Holmes

Thanks for following Donna's Book Pub. Feel free to leave comments or e-mail me if you have any questions. Hope you visit often and stay long!

My Squirrely Valentine

Last night a little after 7 p.m. the phone rang. It was my grandkiddos’ other grandmother, who lives close by.

From her voice I knew something was wrong.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said.

“What happened?” I asked, thinking something happened to her mom--the kid’s great-grandmother--who is 90, and lives in a nursing home.

“A squirrel is stuck in my fireplace.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and repeated. “A squirrel in your fireplace?”

Michael, who was sitting nearby getting out his books to do homework, perked up immediately.

She said, “I called for someone to get it out but they want almost three-hundred dollars to come tonight or one hundred if I wait till tomorrow. Do you think Michael can bring his b-b-gun and shoot it?

"Michael's b-b-gun?" I asked, thinking I didn't hear her right.

Woa! Wait a minute. That wasn’t going to happen. First, you don’t shoot a gun in the house—not even a b.b. gun, but I didn’t want to make things worse by lecturing her on gun safety.

Instead, I asked her to hold on, and I gave the phone to Walt, squirrel hunter extraordinare.

It was déjà vu all over.

Several years ago, right around Christmas time, my sister Kathleen had a squirrel stuck in her fireplace. Kathleen’s husband Jim was at work, so she called her daughter Angie then me, and it was Walt to the rescue.

My niece Angie tried to help Walt catch the squirrel, which darted from the fireplace when Walt opened the door. The squirrel sprinted between Angie's legs and hid in the Christmas tree. The squirrel jumped from branch to branch, knocking down ornaments. My sister freaked out because it was her “Irish” tree--the one with several Waterford collectible ornaments.

Long story short: Walt caught the squirrel, but the little guy gave up a fight, biting Walt all he way out the door. As blood dripped from his hand, Walt squeezed, hoping the squirrel would stop biting. But the harder he squeezed, the harder the squirrel bit down. Walt survived, although at my sister's insistence he visited the ER to make sure he didn't get rabies. A few ornaments (thankfully none of the Waterfords) and the squirrel were not as lucky. For Christmas that year, my sister gave Walt a stuffed toy squirrel. It was the hit during the gift exchange.

Back to last night. Before he left the house, Walt found a pair of leather work gloves. He didn't want to get bit this time. Michael put on his hoodie, and when Cari heard what was going on, she rushed out of her bedroom and asked them to wait for her. Michael’s b-b gun, our dog Harley, and I all stayed home.

Less than an hour later, Walt and the grandkiddos came back. They were exicted and couldn't wait to tell me what happened. Walt had caught the squirrel in a towel and released him out the front door, unharmed. And this time Walt didn't shed any blood.

Not exactly a romantic Valentine's night, but definitely a squirrely one, and the makings of a good story.