et ceteras
Welcome to et ceteras, a blog featuring posts about Joann, animals, childhood, The Mollys B. (her latest book coming out soon!), and writing in general. An insight to her writing, Joann shares thoughts on topics regarding her inspiration, ethics, companionship with animals, and imagination. Check back often, or subscribe to receive the latest updates by email!
What Would Writers Do Without Erasers?
Erasers! What a magical tool for writers, not to mention composers, bookkeepers, and crossword puzzle aficionados. They’ve always existed in some form, but the rubber eraser as we know it today didn’t really come into fashion until the early 1800s when Charles Goodyear of tire fame, figured out the process for stabilizing it called “vulcanization.”
Winnie-the-Pooh
November was National Picture Month – thirty days of celebrating that magical art form. One of my favorites is “Finding Winnie” by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. It’s the true story of the bear that served as the model for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the first written in the 1924 by A. A. Milne.
The Value of Fairy Tales Part 3
Where do fairy tales come from and what has been their importance in the scheme of anthropology. Do fairy tales have relevance in today's society?
The Value of Fairy Tales Part 2
Beginning with the ancient tradition of oral storytelling, fairy tales have been around for centuries. But they didn't become a genre of their own until a fellow named Aesop started using them as moral guidelines for adults, not children. It wasn't until roughly the 19th and 20th centuries that fairy tales started to be written for children initiated by authors like Hans Christian Andersen.
Winning FIRST PLACE in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Competition
Winning First Place in the Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Competition for my book SOMETIMES has unveiled some interesting emotions: I am unabashedly proud! I'm also gratified that people are beginning to see its merit. My intention was to help children living in difficult situations. I hoped to give them courage & permission to speak up - this award has validated that intention.
The Value of Fairy Tales Part 1
Is the faculty of wonder and imagination alive and well – are young readers able to discern the difference between the fantasy worlds of fairy tales and realty? Have we lost faith that they can detect the boundaries? Felicita Sala, author and illustrator, addresses these questions in her keynote speech for The Society of Children’s Writer’s and Illustrators annual summer conference.
Picture Books I Wish I Had Written
Plain and simple, it’s a characteristic of our species – we compare ourselves to others. In what ways do I play this game? Well . . . There are some picture books out there that I dearly wish had my name on them.
I have a healthy collection of manuscripts in my file cabinet – from half-scribbled ideas to finished and critiqued – just waiting. And even though the activity of writing is satisfying all by itself, a great deal of the effort I expend is driven by the aspiration to write a picture book as wonderful as some of my favorites. Here are a few.