A place to read and comment about books, writing, and things like that http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:47:00 -0600 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:47:00 -0600 I'd like to thank the people who responded to my last post. The opening lines you submitted were great! Here are the ones I liked most: "Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. This is a story about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London because of the air-raids." - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis "There are dragons in the twins' vegetable garden." - A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen And this one is particularly appropriate for this time of year: "Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail." - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens I didn't put any of my own favourite opening lines in the last post, because I didn't want them to have the same effect on you as WORLD's sample closing lines did on me. However, I just couldn't resist posting this one: "Once there was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis I don't think opening lines get much better than that.   Anyway, thanks for participating! If anyone else has a great beginning that they'd like to share (whether from a novel or a nonfiction book), feel free to let me know! I'm willing to keep on posting them for as long as you keep thinking of them. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/746743/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:47:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/746743/ This summer WORLD magazine (my only news source) asked readers to send in their favourite last lines of books so that they could print them in an upcoming issue. I was thinking about sending something in, but my favourite book ending of all time ('"Well, I'm back," he said' - last line of The Return of the King) was used as an example, and I couldn't think of anything better than that. I kept on thinking of good first lines, though. I can remember the first and last sentences of books, especially good ones. Sometimes, when I'm trying to decide whether or not to read a book, I'll look at the first sentence, flip to the last sentence, and then see if I'm intrigued or not. Really good beginnings and endings can stay in my mind for a long time, but sometimes it's my first impression of a book that stays with me the longest. So, just for fun, I've decided to hold a little contest of my own. What are some of your favourite book beginnings? If you can think of any, please share them in the comments section. They can be single sentences or whole paragraphs, and they can be from fiction or non-fiction books. I'll post my favourite submissions in future blog entries. Or, if there are only two or three submissions, maybe I'll post all of them.  I look forward to reading some great opening lines!     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/738065/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/738065/ Wow, I have not posted in a long time! Sorry about that. I have the usual excuse: life was crazy, and I was lazy. A few months ago I spent about four bumpy hours in a van with a girl I had never met before. Fortunately she was good at making conversation, and she had read many of the same books I had read (which always helps when I'm trying to be friendly). As might be expected, we got on the subject of The Lord of the Rings. I was delighted to learn that she had read it too, since I don't often meet other people willing to plod all the way through that enormous three-volume book. However, she did say that she didn't like The Lord of the Rings as much as The Chronicles of Narnia because, among other things, The Lord of the Rings "had so much evil in it". Now, the Tolkien fanatic in me wanted to have a long debate about the purpose of evil in stories right there in the van. But I restrained myself, and since then I've come to realize that the girl had a point. The Lord of the Rings does involve a lot of evil. Balrogs, Black Riders, orcs, giant spiders, Saruman, the Dark Lord - there are a lot of scary creatures in that book. The main characters are often put into terrible situations, and not every plot thread ends with "happily ever after". There's more violence in Tolkien's masterpiece than in the whole Narnia series put together. And that leads me to the question: How much is too much? How much evil should we tolerate in the stories we read and write? Since it's impossible to write a story with no evil in it, I think the answer to that question depends partly on the target audience of the book you're reading or writing. If The Lord of the Rings were meant for children (which it's not), then there would definitely be something wrong with having an army of orcs catapult the severed heads of Gondor's soldiers over the walls of Minas Tirith. But since it was written for adults, I consider that an acceptable way to show what our heroes are up against. The villains in books targeted towards kids (such as The Chronicles of Narnia) are, rightly, more subtle. But even in adult books, we have to draw the line somewhere. Most Christians don't want to read a book full of detailed descriptions of sin, violence, and death, without any redemptive themes. I certainly wouldn't want to write one! So where should the line be drawn? I don't think there's a simple answer to that question. There are some things, of course, that don't need to be included in any story - descriptions of sex, for example, or unnecessarily gruesome violence. We need to keep in mind Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." But beyond that, I don't think there's a certain standard that everyone needs to follow. Everyone has different convictions, different temptations. Just don't read or write anything that would be harmful to your soul. Personally, I don't have a particular limit of how much language or violence I'll tolerate in a book. For me it's more a question of whether the book is glorifying evil or merely portraying evil. I  won't read a book that is trying to make me admire the person who's sinning. But if the sin is shown to be wrong, if good is exalted over evil, then I don't care as much about the number of swear words or the intensity of the battle scenes. As I've said before, I believe that our stories are meant to reflect the true Story - the one God has been writing since the beginning of time. In order to do that, I think we need to be honest about the reality of evil. Let's face it - God's story is not "nice". The Bible contains a story about a Man who was stripped naked and nailed to an upright piece of wood to die slowly while crowds looked on and mocked Him - to name only one of its disturbing episodes. Why would God put something so gruesome and uncomfortable in His story? Well, obviously it was the only way to save us from His wrath. But I think He also did it in order to display more of His glory. God is the Hero of this story, after all. And, as I said a couple of posts ago, the best heroes are the ones who sacrifice the most. I think that, in the crucifixion, God was displaying evil in all its hideousness - and He was also displaying His love and power in all its beauty and majesty. And he was setting the stage for the happiest ending ever written. Honestly, would Easter be as joyful if Good Friday had not preceded it? I'm not sure if any of that makes sense or not. But my point is something one of my favourite preachers has said: A diamond shines brightest against a black background. God chose a very black background so that the diamond of His glory would shine all the brighter. And I think we can do the same. By portraying evil honestly in our stories, by sending our heroes into danger and darkness, we can make them look all the more admirable and worthy of imitation - and hopefully we can give our readers a glimpse of the hope found in the gospel. So, in answer to my car-trip friend's objection, I say: Yes, The Lord of the Rings does have lots of evil in it. That's why I love it. If Gandalf didn't have to fight the Balrog, he wouldn't be the heroic, Christ-like figure he is. If Frodo and Sam didn't have to go through Mordor, I wouldn't shed tears of joy when they woke up in Ithilien. In this way, The Lord of the Rings imitates the ultimate Story. So it is with all great stories - and so may it be with ours.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/715549/ Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/715549/ One of the reasons why I think my dad is the best dad in the world is that he's always reading books aloud to me and my siblings. He's very good at it, and I've met some of my favourite books that way. One of my favourite things to do with my family is to sit around our living room on dark evenings while my dad reads some exciting book. I have also been reading aloud to other people ever since I learned to read, and I enjoy it immensely. I think that reading aloud is important, for a couple of reasons. One  is that I've found I can sometimes enjoy a book more when I read it aloud. Maybe hearing the words, instead of just seeing them, helps me understand them better. Reading aloud can also be a good way to strengthen relationships. For example, before my family moved, my next-door neighbor was a non-Christian widow in her eighties. I became her friend by reading books to her, and that provided an opportunity for my whole family to serve and witness to her. Books, like most things, are best when shared, and reading aloud gives us an opportunity to share them. So how's this for a summer project: Pick a friend or family member that you see regularly, and start reading a book to them. It can be especially fun to do this with your younger siblings (or children, if there are any parents reading this blog). Not all great books make great read-alouds, though, so choose carefully. Here are some read-alouds that my family has enjoyed over the years. Hopefully you'll enjoy them as well. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - Obviously. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - Obviously, again; although I found it rather embarrassing to try to do Gollum's voice. The Brethren by H. Rider Haggard - An exciting adventure in the time of the Crusades. My dad read two other great Haggard books to us, but this was our favourite. The Cat of Bubastes by G.A. Henty - My second favourite Henty book. VERY slow at the beginning - I would recommend skipping the chapters about the Egyptian methods of hunting - but the pace really picks up after that. The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne - I suppose I should say this is for the younger kids, but I think I enjoyed reading it more than my four-year-old sister enjoyed hearing it. It's hilarious, sweet, extremely well-written, and gives some rather profound insights into human nature. Definitely a classic. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - A must-read for young girls. Much better than the movie, naturally. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate diCamillo - A beautiful fairy-tale type of book. Most of Kate diCamillo's books make good read-alouds, but this is my favourite. She's so good at making a story funny and sad at the same time. This book is INFINITELY better than the movie. Piccadilly Jim by P.G. Wodehouse - The funniest book I've ever read, as I believe I explained in my review last year. Wodehouse was a genius. The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse - Our most recent read-aloud. Perhaps not quite as funny as Piccadilly Jim, but it still had us gasping for breath a couple of times. Ah, how I love British humour. The Penderwicks and The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall - These are both wonderful books. They're a huge hit among ten-year-old girls, but my brothers enjoyed them too (they just don't want to admit it). There's some silly nonsense about crushes and dating in both of them, but nothing "offensive"; their virtues outweigh their faults. Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson - A great survival adventure based on Homer's Odyssey. In my opinion, N.D. Wilson is simply the greatest living writer on earth. Is it a trend among amazing writers to use their first initials in their names? The 100 Cupboards trilogy by N.D. Wilson - An amazing fantasy trilogy. The third book, Chestnut King, hasn't come out yet, but I'm sure it'll be worth recommending. As for the other two, 100 Cupboards and Dandelion Fire, you can read my ravings about them elsewhere. For now, I'll sum up in two words: Read them! My dad has also read some non-fiction books to us, such as The Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney and A Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel. Those are great books, too, but younger kids might have a hard time sitting through them. I hope these suggestions were helpful. Have fun reading! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/703605/ Sun, 5 Jul 2009 16:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/703605/ I've been thinking lately about what makes a hero. Most stories have heroes (or heroines), in the sense that they each have a protagonist, someone who is at the centre of the action and is the character we sympathize with the most. But how many of our stories have real heroes in them - in the sense that the Bible defines a hero? I know from my own experience that it's a lot harder to create a convincing hero than a convincing villain. Maybe because there aren't as many examples from real life.  I have to confess that I haven't created many good heroic characters in my stories (I'm working on that). But based on the books I've read and the principles I've learned from the Bible, I can think of at least one very important thing that I'd like to see more of in my own heroes and in those of other writers. I think that the most important characteristic that a hero can have is self-sacrifice. In real life, the greatest heroes are the ones who followed the example of Jesus Christ, and our fictional heroes should be the same way. Although Jesus obeyed God's will perfectly in every way, what really defined His life on earth was self-sacrifice. Even before He went to the cross, He was constantly sacrificing His own comfort in order to serve people who never came close to fully appreciating what He did for them. We should follow this example in our own lives - and in the lives of the good characters we create. Of course our heroes should have other good qualities like honesty, courage, and integrity, but it's most important that they be willing to sacrifice themselves for others. This could mean having a hero actually lay down his life for someone else, but it could also mean simply portraying a mother who gives up her career and sacrifices her time and energy to help her children. If you think about it, all the greatest heroes - in real life and in literature - were heroes because they gave up something they loved in order to do what was right. I believe that is the definition of true heroism. Now, fictional heroes must not only be admirable, they must also be somewhat realistic. This means that, unless you're attempting to write an allegory with a character representing God, it's good to give your hero some flaws. I've read a few books where the heroes were so angelically good that I couldn't relate to them at all. I never read any of those books twice. Even the best heroes are still people. They should have personalities - with talents, quirks, fears, and besetting sins, just like in real life. Of course, if a person is really the hero of a story, his good traits should outshine his bad ones, but he should have just enough bad traits to make him seem real. In today's culture, which likes to pretend that life is "all about YOU!", it can be hard to find self-sacrificing heroes, either in real life or in literature. I think that makes it even more important that we include them in our stories. My ultimate goal in writing fiction is that my readers will be blessed and encouraged to pursue a better relationship with God; and I think one way to do that is by giving them Christ-like heroes that will help point them to the cross, which is the ultimate act of heroism. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/684611/ Wed, 27 May 2009 20:17:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/684611/ I'm sorry this post has been so late in coming. The last few weeks have been the busiest of this year so far, and it's hard to find time to get on the computer. But anyhow, my family finished reading Dandelion Fire, Book 2 in the 100 Cupboards series, over two weeks ago now, and I think it's the best fantasy by a living author that I've ever read. Once again, N.D. Wilson surprised me, enchanted me, enthralled me, and generally blew away all my expectations. Why can't all modern authors be like that? *Caution: This review may contain spoilers from the first book in the series, 100 Cupboards. If you haven't read it yet, I would suggest that you exit this blog immediately, go to the nearest library or bookstore, acquire the book, and read it as soon as possible. I would hate to be guilty of spoiling the end for you.* The story begins about a week or so after 100 Cupboards left off. Henry's adopted parents have returned, and he has only two weeks before one of them comes to take him back to Boston. He is desperate to get away - preferably to Badon Hill - before that can happen. But soon going back to Boston is the least of his worries. An encounter with a flaming dandelion leaves Henry blind and with a strange scar on his palm. He starts having unsettling dreams about a huge man called Darius. Naturally it isn't long before Henry is back inside the cupboards - only this time, he's caught up in the fight against an evil that he helped unleash. Along the way, he learns the secrets of his own past - and what it means to be a "pauper-son". If you were a little bored with 100 Cupboards, I can guarantee you won't have the same problem with the sequel. The plot in Dandelion Fire is extremely fast-paced and exciting, with surprises in almost every chapter. In fact, if it has a fault, it's that there are too many twists and turns to keep up with. I'm going to have to read it again before the next book comes out, just to make sure I understood everything. But in spite of that, this book is just plain fun. It has everything I want in a fantasy story: adventure, magic, imaginative new worlds, a strong hero (actually there were several of those), and an exciting battle between good and evil. What I really love about it, though, is the characters. In addition to the ones I came to love in the first book, in this one I was introduced to a host of new and interesting characters from beyond the cupboards. But the person I really came to love in this book is Henry. In Dandelion Fire he finally pulls away from his old, timid self and becomes a true hero. He's brave, determined, and loyal, with an excellent sense of the difference between good and evil. And, yes, those dandelion tricks are pretty cool. Dandelion Fire is, I think, the most overtly Christian out of the N.D. Wilson books I've read. There were some subtle references to the Bible in 100 Cupboards, but they become much more obvious in this book. Many of the "good guys" from the cupboards talk and act surprisingly like Christians, and virtues like courage and honesty are valued throughout the story. I think the overall message, though, is that we really can't explain how the world works the same way we can explain how a machine works. The world isn't "tame". One of the amazing things about the 100 Cupboards series so far is that it makes the real world seem almost as magical as - well, the magical ones. Honey bees are just as amazing as raggants; baseball is just as fascinating as a magic cupboard; and even dandelions have a special power. The "ordinary" things that surround us are really so complex that only God knows exactly how they work, and I think that's what N.D. Wilson is trying to show us in his books. He certainly makes the world seem more interesting! I realize that if you're in your late teens, like I am, or older, you might not be too enthusiastic about reading a kid's book like the ones N.D. Wilson writes. Well, I think the best kid's books are the ones that can be enjoyed by older people; but I don't think Dandelion Fire is necessarily for kids. There are some pretty intense (even violent) scenes, the villains are genuinely creepy, and the world where most of the action takes place is closer to Middle Earth than Narnia. Plus, young children will probably have a hard time keeping up with all the names and plot twists. My nine-year-old sister certainly did. No, in spite of the twelve-year-old hero and the fact that it's on the "young readers" shelf at Barnes & Noble, I think Dandelion Fire will be enjoyed most by teens, or even young adults - especially those who are somewhat familiar with Herodotus, Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the Bible. Long story short: go buy Dandelion Fire! If you like fantasy at all, I can almost guarantee that you'll like this one. I'm going to have a hard time finding another recent novel to equal it. And one thing's for sure - I'll never look at a dandelion the same way again. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/672640/ Sat, 4 Apr 2009 21:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/672640/ Well, I don't really have much to write about today, but I feel like I should write something, so I'm posting another poem on here. I hope you're not too sick of my poetry yet. Wonder The sky's clouds were pregnant with the rain; My heart's clouds helped to dull the pain. A golden sword rent the clouds in two, Bringing me my first thought that was new. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why Each child that is born must one day die. I looked into a pond on one black night, When neither moon nor man offered me light. I saw reflected in black sky deep down Three piercing stars, like Durin's crown. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why Stars can still light up empty sky. In the aftermath of each great fall We become children, one and all. We look at each other with tearful eyes, We ask each other, we ask the sky: I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why We do our best, and still we cry. They taught us well, this world's great minds: How to stop our ears, shut our eyes. They taught me well, those heroes of mine: How to live for now, leave courage behind. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why We still want truth, who tell the lies. My body is full; there is nothing it lacks. But, ah! my soul with hunger is wracked! Only something bigger than earth is wide Could fill this lake of longing inside. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why We can have all and be unsatisfied. He came to me in darkest night When nothing on earth could give me light. His golden sword rent my clouds in two; That day I knew that I was new. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why This one clean man for the filthy would die. He is bigger than earth is wide; He filled my lake of longing inside. He embraced me with red-stained hands; Then, at last, He made me understand. The reason, the reason, the reason why Is that I love you, and I am I. That's probably the best poem I've ever written (it's certainly the longest). I hope you enjoy it! Stay tuned for a review of Dandelion Fire, N. D. Wilson's newest book, coming soon! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/661231/ Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:29:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/661231/ I'm sorry to say that, starting this month, I won't be doing any more authors of the month. Apparently I haven't read well enough lately, for I have run out of good authors to mention. I regret to announce that this is THE END. The authors are going. They're leaving NOW. Goodbye! Sorry about that. I just couldn't resist.  Anyway, I'm taking a break from "author of the month" until I have sufficiently increased my author repertoire. I may start doing a book of the month soon, but I haven't decided yet. So if, in May, you wonder why there hasn't been an author of the month for months, it's because I'm not doing them anymore. Just wanted to let you all know. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/658605/ Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:56:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/658605/ Wow. I just finished A Tale of Two Cities for the second time, and I think "wow" is the best way to describe it. This book was always my favorite by Charles Dickens, and now it's officially my favorite classic ever. You've probably all heard of A Tale of Two Cities. It's one of Dickens' most famous books, and its first and last lines might be his most famous quotes. For those of you who aren't familiar with the story, though, I'll try to summarize it as briefly as possible. The book begins with a kindly banker, Mr. Lorry, traveling to France to rescue a man who was unjustly held prisoner in the Bastille for 18 years, and to reunite him with his daughter. The man has lost his mind, but his daughter, Lucie Manette, is eventually able to bring him to his senses, and they come to live happily in England together. After a few years they meet two new characters, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, who look alike but have seemingly opposite personalities. Their lives become entwined with the Manettes when both men fall in love with Lucie. Meanwhile, a couple called the Defarges and their army of "Jaques" are preparing for a revolution in France. My family has owned A Tale of Two Cities for a long time, but it took me a while before I could work up the courage to read past that daunting first sentence ("It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of reason, it was the age of foolishness", and on and on). But once I got beyond that, the rest of the book was well worth it. I read it once on my own, and just recently my dad read it to me and my brothers. One of the signs of a truly great book is that it's just as good the second time you read it. I enjoyed this book even better the second time around, so it must be good! First of all, A Tale of Two Cities is incredibly well-written. Did I mention that Charles Dickens was a genius? He uses metaphors and foreshadowing brilliantly, especially in the first half of the book. He has a way of describing a scene that puts the reader right there, in the courtrooms of London or the wild streets of Paris. The characters are also extremely vivid. How can anyone forget someone like Miss Pross, or Madame Defarge, or Sydney Carton once they've met them? It's not just the way the characters are portrayed that makes me love them, though. It's what Charles Dickens does with those characters. A Tale of Two Cities is a story about redemption and resurrection. It is not a pretty book. There wasn't much good in the French Revolution - it was all about hatred and revenge. The aristocrats were incredibly cruel to the people, and when the people struck back, they were just as cruel to the aristocrats. Dickens describes the evil of both sides very vividly sometimes. However, in the midst of this vicious cycle, the nobility of the good characters shines all the more. The wickedness and hate of people like Madame Defarge, the Vengeance, and Jaques Three only makes people like Mr. Lorry, Dr. Manette, and even Miss Pross, look better. I don't know whether or not Charles Dickens was a Christian. I've certainly never heard that he was. But, whether he intended it or not, there are some decidedly Christian themes in this book. John 11:25-26 (the verse that says "I am the resurrection and the life") is quoted several times toward the end, and resurrection is a powerful theme throughout the story. As I've said before, I believe a story is only good so far as it reflects the Story of the gospel, and I think A Tale of Two Cities does that. It shows evil for what it is, but it also shows that there is something stronger than evil. Love conquers hate. Selflessness triumphs over vengeance. Courage is stronger than fear. Combine this worldview with a Christ-like hero and some very moving writing, and you have a wonderful classic. A Tale of Two Cities is another difficult, but rewarding, book. I know that there are some awfully long sentences in there, but I promise that the story is worth reading those dry passages for. I highly recommend this book to any teenager or adult who is willing to tackle "the best of times and the worst of times". http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/649126/ Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:12:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/649126/   The Roar on the Other Side Today I want to recommend a book to all my fellow poets out there. It's called The Roar on the Other Side: A Guide for Student Poets by Suzanne U. Clark, and I think it's a must-read for everyone who likes writing poetry. I've read a lot of books about writing, read a lot of articles on the Internet and elsewhere, taken a few classes, and gone through at least four different writing programs in school. A lot of those books, classes, and curricula had something to say about writing poetry, but it was never very helpful because the people who taught it weren't poets. I've often wished for a book about how to write poetry that was written by a good, experienced poet. The Roar on the Other Side is that book. Mrs. Clark is obviously a poet, and a good one, too, if the little snippets she includes as examples are any indication. Even more importantly, she's a Christian, and she teaches poetry as a way to glorify God. That's what made this book so helpful and encouraging to me. It covers just about everything in poetry, from the best kinds of words to use, to the different kinds of form and meter, to using metaphors and imagery, to publishing a poem. But throughout the book there are examples from the Bible, gospel connections, and biblical exhortations to praise God with our words. Roar is written for poets, but I think a lot of its advice, particularly in the first few chapters, could apply to any kind of writing. And, since I believe all writing should have a little poetry in it, I think it would be worthwhile for any aspiring writer to read this book. I personally would buy it just for the collection of great poems in the back. But I would especially encourage those who love poetry to read this book slowly, do as many of the exercises as possible, and try to apply all the lessons. The Roar on the Other Side is the most helpful book on writing that I've read in a long time. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/646104/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gatekeeperspen/646104/