(From The Savvy Reader:)

The 40 Things Blog Tour

Here’s an update on the 40 Things Reviews & Writing Tips Tour!

The Reviews…

1. “Dear Alice Kuipers, where have you been all my life?” – Wendy at A Cupcake and a Latte. Read her full review here.

2. “I was utterly impressed by this touching and remarkable story, and I honestly believe that it’s one of those rare ones that will really stick with you and leave a lasting impression.” – Brenna at Esther’s Ever After. Read her full review here.

3. “40 Things I Want to Tell You, is an captivating and hard hitting read, that contemporary fans are sure to enjoy.” – Christa at Christa’s Hooked on Books. Read her full review here.

4. “When I read a book that touches me, really touches me, I always finish it, close the cover, lay my hand over it, and just sit.  Sometimes I just re-immerse myself in the story, sometimes I weep, sometimes I wonder how the characters managed, sometimes I ponder the title and the cover.  With 40 Things I Want To Tell You by Alice Kuipers, I did it all.” – Helen at CanLit for LittleCanadians. Read her full review here.

… And the Writing Tips from Alice Kuipers!

1. Writing What You Know, at A Cupcake and a Latte

2. Reasons to Write, at Esther’s Ever After

3. Writing Character Names, at Christa’s Hooked on Books

4. Writer’s Block, at CanLit for LittleCanadians

5. Just Write, at Stuck in YA Books

Enjoy!

For more information on 40 Things I Want to Tell You, click here.

I just finished teaching a group of teens at the Sage Hill Saskatoon experience.  Great group.  Great writing.  Great to be surprised by their work as the week went on. 

Here’s one simple exercise I used (modified) with the group for you to try – we did it on the first day to get words flowing:

DON”T LET YOURSELF STOP WRITING UNTIL THE TIME IS UP – even if you’re writing the same word over and over. 

Go: Freewrite for 10 minutes on your earliest memory.  Stop.  Freewrite for 10 minutes on someone you admire.  Stop.  Freewrite for 10 minutes on the word window.  Stop.

That’s 30 minutes writing all together.  Somewhere in the words you’ve got down there will be ideas and maybe even sentences that you can use later on.  Freewriting helps you discipline yourself to pour words out and stops you editing yourself before you’ve got something to work with.  Try it.