As we wind down into 2014, I'm once again pondering a few writing things.
Isn't today a good day to think about ENDINGS?
Those perfect final sentences that make readers go Ahhhhh.
I've pulled out my favorite books to how some of the best authors pull it off. Not just what they say, but the way they say it. How the words look on the page, how they sound.
Listen to a few. Try reading them aloud. Last sentences are often magical and poetic.
BEHOLDING BEE by Kimberly Newton Fusco.
(I'm secretly pulling for this one to win the Newbery next month.)
Chapter 126. Yes, you read that right. 126 chapters.
Only 329 pages. A lot of short chapters, including the final one which is not quite two pages long.
"And then, in the blink of an eye, they are gone. Just like they said they would be."
PINNED by Sharon Flake.
"At the fountain by the bridge, drinking at the same time. Our lips ice-cold and warm. I think I hear him say, 'I love you, Autumn Knight.'"
FLORA & ULYSSES. by Kate DiCamillo
The very last lines are from the Epilogue.
Here's part of the poem Ulysses the squirrel has type-written: Words for Flora.
you are the ever-expanding universe to me
Finally, another new favorite of mine.
The entire last chapter reflects back to the first chapter in OUT OF MY MIND, by Sharon Draper.
(I know, I know. Late to this party. I may be the only person who's just now reading this one.
I liked this story so much. Such a perfect book on many levels. Kidlike. Great voice. Surprising plot twist.)
The last sentence unexpectedly took my breath away. What a perfect way to end, as she began:
"I have never spoken one single word. I am almost eleven years old..."
It's a grey day in Florida.
No, I don't especially love that. But I love hunkering down with a pot of tea and a great book.
Such a good book- PINNED by Sharon Flake. I'm rereading it today and loving it all over again.
Fast-paced story, female wrestler, two strong character voices.
And my tea?
I discovered a box of MariageFrères Earl Grey, hiding in the back of my cupboard. I am in heaven.
Thanks, Julie, for sending me to the Mariage Frères teashop in Paris for their yummy Marco Polo tea.
Thank you, Kate, for finding the tea in your Dean and Deluca!
Thank you, Sharon Flake, for writing such a fabulous book.
All's right with the world.
Happy weekend, everybody.
I blame it on Anita Silvey and Mr. Schu, librarian.
I'd spent some recent time pondering Point of View, the vantage point for telling the story.
Just for fun.
Then those two brought up Betsy Byars. A favorite from my early days of librarianing. (Hey, everybody's inventing verbs, why can't I?)
I took to the shelves, so to speak, in search of Summer of the Swans and The Pinballs.
(What a great voice, that Carlie. )
Alas, I was confounded. Newbery-winning Byars is all over the place with Point of View. Do we call this omniscient? Not really. The protagonist in each book is a strong voice. But the author slips into the heads of the other players. And you know what? It works. I loved rereading them both.
But what about new books? Just published Middle-grade novels.
Does the all-knowing single narrator still rule?
I took count, and hmmmm- what's that you say?
Several of my absolute favorite really new books didn't stick to "first" or "third," in a single character's head. They branched out, spread their narrator wings, so to speak.
ON THE ROAD TO MR. MINEO'S. 8 different characters, woven into one fabulous story.
PINNED. Two classmates, different voices. Phenomenal writing, lovely book.
WONDER. What more can be said of this that hasn't been said? Not much. Superlative.
THE GREAT UNEXPECTED. Those funny, mysterious old ladies in Ireland keep sneaking in!
See what I mean? There's more to Middle Grade than one viewpoint.
For an in-depth discussion about Point of View in kids' books, check out Nathan Bransford's blog, linked HERE.
Since I'm on a Betsy Byars kick this week, here's her writing advice. Timeless.
Even if the word processor and the trip to the mailbox aren't...
