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In a writing workshop I once took, the literary novelist Ethan Canin told us that reading is "about connecting with a sensibility." This resonated with me as a writer because I know that when something I read compels me, it's because I feel like I'm connecting to a certain world view in a piece of writing, a specific take on a timeless theme, a fresh, original voice. A teacher I had in college used to like to say "there are no new plots, just new characters" - and I'd like to take that one step further. New sensibilities. Lucky for all of us writers - each of our sensibilities is truly individual. No one else in the wide world sees the way we see - through our unique experience, through our distinctive eyes.
And that's the heart of point of view.
Not just who's telling the story or how it's being told but the entire world view that an author translates through a piece of writing to a reader.
Different readers connect to different point of views, to different sensibilities. It's why I can read something and think "Wow, this engages me. I'm hooked." And the guy sitting next to me in the café can tell me he couldn't get through it. It's two sensibilities connecting - or not.
So that's why I think Point of View is essential as a writer and a reader.
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 The holiday season is upon us. Yes it gets busy, yes it gets stressful, but I love the holiday season because it reminds me to believe. Whether that belief is religious, magical, or just your common love-based variety, belief moves all around us during this time of year and it fills me. One of my central beliefs is the power of stories to move us, change us, shape us. So I'd like to share a few of the YA novels I'll be giving people for the holidays in the hope that they'll read them and remember to believe:
1. Moonglass by Jessi Kirby
2. Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe
3. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
4. Bunheads by Sophie Flack
5. Amplified by Tara Kelly
With these, I like to give a copy of The Polar Express because believing is the heart of that book - for kids or grown-ups.
Happy Holidays, all!
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 Writing Exercise
What is belief? What power does it have over us? Write about it: a poem, a story, a song. Title it, Believe. |
 Outside Reading School Project
Chose one of the novels listed above and write about what the main character believes. Include quotes from the book to support your argument.
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 Instructions for a Broken Heart
by Kim Culbertson
IFABH was named a Booklist Online Top Ten Romance Fiction for Youth: 2011: check it out!
I appreciate any other great reviews you'd like to add to Amazon, goodreads, etc.
And I thank you in advance - it means a lot! "Culbertson balances the story between teen angst and a nice Italian travelogue. The author has a flair for evocative descriptions. . . The major strength here is in the literary quality of the writing, although teens may be more interested in the characters' relationship." -- Kirkus Reviews Sourcebooks Fire (May 1, 2011) Also, check out the official trailer!!  | | "Instructions for a Broken Heart" by Kim Culbertson - *Official Trailer* |
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 Need a gift?
Inspire the special people in your life to keep a song journal chronicling the soundtrack of their lives.
Bundle any combination of the following:
a Writing Journal, a CD, and/or an iPod
with Songs for a Teenage Nomad
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