No Secrets. No Lies. Part One

Photo taken from this site

Life in a Telepathic Society

What would life be like in a society where your thoughts and feelings were an open book for all to read? Where nothing is kept secret and concealing was a sin beyond any forgiveness? Would you feel free, safe, hindered or confined? What kind of laws would govern such a society, where lies are unheard of and crimes are but few and frivolous? Would there even be a need for laws? I would say yes, wouldn't you? You see every society needs laws to govern it, to run smoothly, to maintain order and stability and to avoid civil unrest and anarchy. Even the most ideal and utopian worlds would crumble without defined rules and regulations.

Take the sky communities of Naqaba. Their cities are high in the sky protected by atmospheric cloud fields. They are home to the Naqabashi clans; tribes of bold, fearless winged female warriors who were once members of the traveling nomads who crashed onto the planet many centuries ago. A severe mutation from the Naqaban atmosphere caused them to transform into the creatures they are today. Though they appear alien to their Naqaban land dwelling relatives, they still have unique humanoid features that allow them to still inter-marry and interbreed with the male dwellers. Twice the size of an average female, they stand over seven and half feet with a wing span of over four feet. The Naqabashi are vicious when provoked. Five sharp talons grace each hand strong enough to rip through flesh and crush the skull of any beast or man. They are the Amazonian warriors of their galaxy, feared and for the most part, avoided at all cost. Brutality wasn't the only thing the Naqabashi acquired from their mutation; they inherited telepathic abilities. Telepathy allows a telepathist to communicate to one another by means other than speaking with their mouths or hands. They are also capable of reading and interpreting the thoughts and feelings of other telepathists and non-telepathists. This alone gives the Naqabashi a greater advantage over their enemies.

Despite their brute size and fierce nature, they run a highly efficient and self-sustaining community. Their cities are filled with peace, harmony and vibrancy. While every Naqabashi is considered equal to one another, a well-defined hierarchy of authority is observed . A queen warrior is counseled by a group of elder Naqabashi warrior priestesses from each sky community. Naqabashi elite guards protect the cities and train future warriors. Newly crowned Naqabashi guard the low grounds and serve as apprentices to elite guards. Young Naqabashi grow the food and tend to the livestock while injured or pregnant Naqabashi produce the weapons used by the Naqabashi warriors. The elderly Naqabashi who can no longer fight or fly spend their final days in peace, teaching and grooming the young. Every Naqabashi has a role in her society. The laws of their world are instilled at birth. Every Naqabashi toddler can recite the laws by heart when her babbling thoughts become coherent and intelligible. While they have many laws and rules to regulate their society, one motto stands above all else, "NO SECRETS. NO LIES." This motto alone will prove why even in utopian societies, every one needs some sort of rule or regulation to retain law and order.

Next week, we will rendezvous with Nusa, a Naqabashi warrior currently traveling aboard the ship, Hablas. She will enlighten us more on what life is really like in a telepathic society.

Until then......... What kind of laws do you think govern a telepathic society?

Copyright © 2011 SN Taylor, All Rights Reserved

SCBWI Conference Treasures

Here is a peak at one of my many treasures acquired at the SCBWI conference! :D This cute rendition of the "Wheels on the Bus," is authored by a local Seattlite! I am going to love reading this to my little ones as the song is their favorite circle time song! Check out her website here.

Why write? Why publish?

I recently attended the best conference ever! The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference was held in Redmond Wa, this year. I learned so much over the course of the weekend. So much that I am still digesting it all! I seriously had a headache the following Monday! LOL But the conference was everything I could ever imagine it to be. Everyone was so nice, helpful and supportive of each other. The keynote speakers were for the most part all very talented and very motivating. One of the speakers was the creator of the cartoon, The Replacements! One of my favorite cartoons of all times! (Yes, I still watch cartoons <.<. don't judge me :p) Dan Santat's story along with Deborah Wiles' story proved that with hard work, dedication and true love for what you believe in, you will succeed.

One of the speakers posed a question, why do you write and said that if the only reason you are writing is to simply get published, then you are writing for the wrong reason. That struck a chord in my heart. Why do I write. Honestly, I really don't care whether I get published or not. Fame and fortune are not a high priority for me. Truthfully, I love my day job. I love working with young children. I love that I am a part of shaping the lives and early education of these young children. So why do I write. Why do I want to be a published author of children's books? I write so that my stories can touch the lives of children everywhere. As much as I would love to meet every child, love every child, care for every child and educate every child, I physically can not do it. But if my stories can enter their homes, schools, childcare centers or libraries, then I feel like my role as a loving teacher and caregiver will be fulfilled.

So why do YOU write? What is your motivation for being a published author?

Favorite Poem #3

This fun poem was read at one of sessions at the SCBWI conference I attended this past weekend. It is by George Ella Lyon, Where I'm From. Enjoy! One of these days, I will try my hand at a 'where I'm from' poem. :D

Where I'm From

I am from clothespins,

from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.

I am from the dirt under the back porch.

(Black, glistening,

it tasted like beets.)

I am from the forsythia bush

the Dutch elm

whose long-gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I'm from fudge and eyeglasses,

from Imogene and Alafair.

I'm from the know-it-alls

and the pass-it-ons,

from Perk up! and Pipe down!

I'm from He restoreth my soul

with a cottonball lamb

and ten verses I can say myself.

I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch,

fried corn and strong coffee.

From the finger my grandfather lost

to the auger,

the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dress box

spilling old pictures,

a sift of lost faces

to drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments--

snapped before I budded --

leaf-fall from the family tree.

Listen to the poem read by George Ella Lyon, here.

Favorite Poem #2

Have you ever wondered what things might have been if you had made certain choices that were different from the ones you made in the past? I often wonder where would I be now, what would I be doing now, how different would my life be IF I HAD TAKEN THAT OTHER ROAD? This poem really hit home and got me to thinking. Growing up, I wanted to explore the ocean floor, then I wanted to be a computer scientist and at one point, I wanted to be an astronomer and work for NASA. Don't get me wrong, I love where my life has taken me, the things I have done, the places I have visited and the friendships I have made. But I do still wonder about the road not taken.....

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Taken from http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/robert_frost/poems/528

Great Motto to Live by.....

Cherish yesterday, Dream tomorrow. Live today.

I found some really great post today surfing my usual channels, twitter, favorite blogs and websites.

With internet and social media becoming a big target of bullying and abuse of young children, tweens and teens, it is so important that parents train their children to be better digital citizens. Check out Annie Fox's blog as she encourages parent's to pledge to raise a responsible digital citizen. Follwer Annie Fox on twitter and via her blog, lots of great stuff there. :)

I have always found a lot of great tweets from @editorialdept and today read a really nice and fun article on editing and becoming an editor. Go over to their website to read, "So....you wanna be an editor?" Pt 1 I personally would like to become better at editing my own work before submitting for professional editing. This post gave me lots of hope and optimism. :)

I only recently found the website and blog of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Western Washington. I found out about the upcoming conference they are having here in Washington and now I follow them on twitter and check out their blog post daily. I love it that they are slowly introducing us to the speakers and faculty of the upcoming conference. Today I read a Q&A about Tina Wexler it was fun a fun read. For more updates and info on all the exciting happenings and events in Western Washington, go to Chinook Update blog.

Here is a new website I found that is super awesome and chock full of tidbits, morsels and down right mouthfuls of info for aspiring authors, like myself! It is the website of Cynthia Leitich Smith and YA Literature Resources.

It's Spring!

You know its spring

when little birds sing,

and the morning dew is new.

Spring is here

when blossoms appear,

and the rising sun brings cheer.

Spring has definitely arrived

when bees buzz in their hive,

and winter's frost is all but lost.

Copyright © 2011 SN Taylor, All Rights Reserved

*Inspired by a little bird chirping at my window :)

Favorite Poem #1

Here is a poem by a fabulous poetess Maya Angelou, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." I love her poems. They are strong and full of emotion. As I read this poem something in me clicked. I connected right away to it. There are days, when I am at my lowest that I am that caged bird.

I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps on the back

Of the wind and floats downstream

Till the current ends and dips his wing

In the orange suns rays

And dares to claim the sky.

But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage

Can seldom see through his bars of rage

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill

Of things unknown but longed for still

And his tune is heard on the distant hill for

The caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

And the trade winds soft through

The sighing trees

And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright

Lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams

His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with

A fearful trill of things unknown

But longed for still and his

Tune is heard on the distant hill

For the caged bird sings of freedom.

taken from Famous Poets and Poems . com

Little Bird

pic taken from Bird Clipart.com

A little bird sat on my tree branch.

It ruffled its feather and fluttered its wings,

It lifted its head and began to sing.

Night is done and the sun is arise,

Wake up, wake up, rub your sleepy eyes.

(c) April 2011

Birthday Blog Bash!!!!!

Break out the streamers, pop open the fun.... Let's all give my amazing blogger buddy and inspiration, Karen Strong, a GREAT BIG.....

Hope you have an awesome weekend of celebrations Karen!!! :D

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”

~Sophia Loren

April Showers bring May flowers.

Though April Showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May,

So if it's raining have no regrets; it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets...

Al Jolsen, April Showers

How true this poem rings, especial in the region where I live. It feels like it rains almost everyday. As I work in childcare, going outside is a MUST for the health and well-being of the children and teachers. But when it's soggy and wet outside it means 15 minutes putting on rain gear and 25 minutes taking them off and possibly changing into dry clothes. But then I have to remember, it is the rain that we are blessed with which makes the Northwest region so pretty and green. Spring out here is so beautiful with it's variety of colors and blooms. So yes, Al Jolsen, it is not just raining water (the very life source of all things living), it is raining violets, pansies, roses, tulips, daffodils, daisies, lilies and more!

In the News:National Poetry Month!

April marks National Poetry Month!!! It also marks the 7th annual Islamic Writers Alliance Poetry Contest. Starting from April 1st to the 30th, send in your submission to poetrycontest@islamicwritersalliance.net The theme for this year is open and contest guidelines can be viewed here please be sure to follow the submission guidelines on the site.

Also in celebration of National Poetry Month, I will showcase a variety of my fave poems and poets, quotations about poetry, I will also include both my own poems and perhaps a few guest poems from some incredible poet friends. :)

April will be,

a time to write,

a time to share,

a time to feel,

a time to motivate.

April will be,

a time to dream,

a time to live,

a time to create,

a time to achieve.

I Love.....

I love the smell of wet earth and fresh air after it rains.,

I love the sounds of sweet chatter of birds singing to the rising sun.

I love the feeling of soft warm sandy beach under my feet and between my toes.

I love the beautiful red glow of a fading day.

I love the taste of nature and all her culinary seasons.

I love the heartfelt embrace at the end of each journey.

I was Inspired....

After a long and stressful work week, my weekend got off to a great start! I went to my first slumber party (in aaaggeeesss!!! :D) A group of friends got to gather at another friend's house for a farewell sleep-over for a friend leaving to study abroad. We spent the night eating, dancing (off the food), movie watching and talking, talking, talking until the wee hours of the night. I was actually the first one to drop off to sleep! The next morning we had a big breakfast and skyped with the hostess's sister. I found out she co-authored a book at the age of 10 with published author, Robert Munsch, called "From Far Away." I was so amazed with her story of how and why the story book came about. She is also in the process of finding a publisher for her second manuscript. I was inspired to keep up my own love of writing and reaching out to realize my dreams. :)

Later that day, my family and I went to see Tangled. It was a great twist of a favorite fairy tale. :) As I watched the movie, I began to notice the secondary characters in the story. I loved the chameleon, Rapunzel's little sidekick. After the movie was finish, my sister and I got to talking about our favorite sidekicks of all the movies we loved; Aladdin and Abu, Mulan and Mushu (and cricket), Shrek and donkey, and now Rapunzel and Pascal. I love the dynamic relationship between of the hero/heroine and their sidekick. Even though the sidekicks role in the story was usually not center staged, their role and relationship was extremely important. I was inspired by the character, Pascal, to go back and look at my book characters, especially the sidekicks and secondary characters. Not so much to give them a bigger role in the story but to strengthen their relationship with the main character and the story.

During the short few hours between my morning breakfast with friends and Tangled fun, I got online to check mail and blog hop. I read Karen's Operation 50/50 success. I was inspired. I decided it was time to get back into the habit of writing. Five hundred words a day. Whether towards a story or simply blogging, I would write five hundred words a day.

Is it April yet?

I am sooooo excited. I will be attending this conference (God-willing) in April. Thanks to Heather Mccorkle, I found out this was happening in my state of residence! I have wanted to go to an SCBWI conference for a very long time, but they were always out of state which meant not only money for the conference but for airfare, food and lodging as well. It was an expense I could not afford at the time. But now it is happening write (yes, I meant to write that) here in my backyard! :D I'm so excited!!!!!!

To Read a Book....

To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend;

to read it for a second time is to meet an old one.

~Chinese Saying~

When I go back and read the books I read as a child, there is always a flood of fond memories of summer, reading with my mom and being in the library. :)

Flower Song

clear blue skies,

soft gentle breeze,

fresh scented petals,

lazy daydreams fly away,

he loves me, he loves me not....

flower song.

Calvin on Writing!!!

I love Calvin and Hobbs!!! I saw this while googling for a pic and found this. :D He is too cute. :D

The Write Kind of Relationship.

I learned recently, without a shadow of a doubt, there is a relationship between a writer and his/her characters. This relationship is all about compromise. At least it is for my and my characters. All this time, I thought I was the head honcho, the queen of the roost, the one who called all the shots and scene calls. Ha! Shows how much I know about the wonderful world of writing. My characters have a way of getting what they want and when they want without me being the wiser.

When I begin a story, it usually starts off as an idea, a whim or from an experience that happened in my daily life. After the idea, I jot down a brief (very brief) paragraph of what the story will be about and then from there, the story sort of takes off. Most of the time, I get from a to b without too many problems from my characters. But I guess sometimes they get restless and start trying to take over my story. But they do it in a very sneaky way, with hints, whispers and some times outright mutiny! For example, I have my story all plotted out and have a certain scene planned but as I get to the climax, my characters just don’t go with the flow. Now, more often than not, I love the direction they take my story. To give them credit, they are often subtle in their take-over, which is probably why I never see it coming! AND, they never brag how they made my story better or ever try to take credit. So, I always think I created a fun/great/wonderful story.

And then there are those times when a story seeks me out. Now these characters are usually less subtle than the others. They have a story they want to tell and they hardly ever take no for an answer and they make sure I understand that. Again, don’t get me wrong; they aren’t arrogant, just determined. I don’t get these intrusions on a regular basis (thank God!), as you will understand from the example I give below.

A couple nights ago, I got home really late from a lecture. I checked my email, ate a little snack, said my prayers and went to bed. Just as I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths and thanked God for the wonderful day (and week) he blessed me with, I began to hear a soft voice, the voice of a character trying to tell a story. I was so tired and had no energy to hear another story that night (heard quite a few good ones at the lecture J) so I tried to hush the story-teller. “Go away,” I try to tell her, “We can discuss your story tomorrow.” As docile as many of my characters are, they can be a bit intrusive and annoying when I am trying to sleep! They don’t like being hushed, ignored or pushed away. When they have a story, they want my full, undivided attention right away. Because let’s face it, my memory is not what it used to be. I have been known to forget my promise of “writing their stories in the morning,” upon waking up the next day. I am forgetful and they know it! You have no idea how bad I would feel for forgetting their stories and breaking a promise. So the voice of the story-teller got louder. Then this young woman holding a baby appeared in my thoughts. I was not going to get any sleep any time soon. Between looks of hurt, fear and desperation, she forced me to listen to her. She convinced me her story was important and demanded my attention. That and she made it clear she was not leaving until her voice was heard. So I cut out a deal with her just as her baby started to get fussy and her eyes dilated as she focused on something behind me. The deal was, I jot some notes to help me remember her story and she would leave (with her strange baby) and let me sleep. She seemed a little hesitant at first but seeing as I was half sleep and getting more tired, she agreed. I really needed my pillow but I got up with my pen and paper and wrote down about two paragraphs. So this is what I got from her…(remember, I was half sleep when I jotted this all down!)

Hida’s home world is ravaged by INFANTry Wars. The government is using the brains of infants to hide secret codes of war and destruction. Recently widowed, Hida finds that everywhere she goes with her infant, death and destruction follows them. She is not sure what is going on but she senses a dark presence around her family and home, especially after she comes home one day to find her father unconscious and her home ransacked and burning. Her father’s secret lab had been set on fire when the intruders did not find what they were looking for. Hida’s nightmare all started after her husband mysteriously died after he defected from the oppressive and corrupt military of the Cyberbotic League and her baby went missing for two days only to be returned to her unharmed. The daughter of a disposed government scientist and the wife of a defector, Hida is on the run. Someone is after them. She has many times caught the glimpse of a shadowy figure following her. But the scary thing is, wherever she goes, there is an explosion of cataclysmic results. Trails of death seem to lay in their wake. City after city she runs with her family barely staying ten steps ahead of the secret forces after her. She receives help from the underground, rebels fighting for justice and eradication of the cyberbotics, intelligent robots used to replace human government and military officials and soldiers. But as their hideouts are being wiped out, the rebels begin to suspect Hida and her family. Soon she is running from the rebels who think she is a spy and the Cyberbotics who want her infant and what is contained in her baby’s brain, secrets that could tip the tide of war in their favor.

Well, that is what I can remember of that evening. She left and I got my much-needed sleep. I am actually rather lucky. My characters are quite reasonable and easy to work with. Our relationship is all about helping, cooperation, respect and compromise. That is what makes us great together. (Unless of course they are determined to keep me awake at night! :/ )

So tell me, what kind of relationship do you have with YOUR characters? :)

Happy Writing!

Quote of the Day: A house without books...

Photo taken from here

A house without books is like a room without windows.

~Heinrich Mann~