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Renee Writes Now!

~ Observations from a Writer-in-Residence

Renee Writes Now!

Tag Archives: arts

Let the light in

08 Thursday Sep 2022

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arts, author, book, entertainment, publishers, read, Writer

In the foreword of his book, The Place of Books in the Life We Live (copyright 1923), author William L. Stidger writes, “Books are like the windows of a tower. They let light in. Every life is a growing tower. It is put stone by stone. The higher it grows, the darker it gets if we do not put in a window here and there to give light. That is what a book does to a life. It lets light into that life.”

Well said, indeed.

Stidger believed that a book could frequently be the turning point in the life of a boy or girl, man or woman. It can change the course of a human life, awakening the soul like nothing else. In addition, he believed that books would keep the soul and the world alive, raising people to greater heights.

One of the greatest things we can do is to encourage others to be eager readers. We can give books for gifts and urge others to expand their horizons through the creation of excellent reading habits.

Keep reading, my friends, and inspire others to do the same!

Renee Garrison is the award-winning author of two Young Adult books, “The Anchor Clankers,” and “Anchored Together.” She is Past President of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

Under Cover

21 Thursday May 2020

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arts, author, books, Design, inspiration, Writer

AT_ 1

The ideal book cover gives away just enough to persuade the reader and capture the story inside – without revealing too much. It’s the reason you pick up a book from the shelf (or order it online.)

During the pandemic, I’ve been working with a terrific artist at Babski Creative Studios, who also designed the cover of my award-winning first book, The Anchor Clankers. (Some of the first idea boards for the new book appear above.)

I know it’s important to make a good first impression on potential readers, who often assume that a poorly-designed cover indicates a poorly-written book. The design is one of the most important aspects of marketing, because we’re all drawn to items that are attractive. Wish me luck!

Renee interviews author Mark Wayne Adams

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

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arts, books, children, inspiration, school, Writer

Mark Wayne Adams

Author and illustrator for 50+ books for children in grades K-12, Mark Wayne Adams is President-Elect of the Florida Authors & Publishers Association. However, his greatest talent may be his willingness to share his knowledge of the publishing industry with other authors – like me! Whenever we meet for coffee, I learn something new from Mark.

Tell me about your background. Where you grew up, where you live now, education, work experience? Share some interesting things about yourself that we should know about.

Dawson Springs, Kentucky is my hometown, however our family’s home is eight miles outta town, near Pennyrile Resort State Park entrance. Most residents called this mile marker “the middle of nowhere.”

What inspired you to write this book? What is the story behind the story?

OUTBACK: Bothers & Sinisters inspiration came from pet names. A brother is a bother, and sisters have sinister plans for sibling life. While researching this book during my book tours, I realized that most siblings had similar feelings about their own brothers and sisters. I also discovered almost every parent requires kids to play “out back” because it was safer than playing “out front” of their homes. This was the case for me as well. The gently sloping Highway 109 at the end of our driveway enticed drivers to speed past. Many a country dog lost its life playing tire tag in that quarter of a mile stretch.

What has been your biggest challenge or obstacle?

Filtering story facts from fiction was one of the biggest challenges. I finally came to terms that Driew, the protagonist, had to live his own life in Dawson Springs—fiction. The environments he lives within is a compilation of the environments any resident or tourist would experience—fact. By doing this, Driew’s character has become a part of the community history.

What has been your biggest “aha” moment or success?

My biggest “aha moment” for OUTBACK: Bothers & Sinisters came while attending the Amelia Island Authors in Schools program where the students received the book prior to my visit. Most students ask where I’m from, which I reply, “Dawson Springs, Kentucky, does anyone know where that is?” Every hand in the room raised. They knew my middle of nowhere town, because Driew lived there too.

What authors do you like to read? What books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

As an illustrator, I refine my skills practicing with drawing books like The Animator’s Survival Kit. I do the same for my writing using editor guides like Fire Up Your Fiction. At any experience level in drawing and writing, I’ve found room for improvement. Most of my reference books have dog eared pages, penciled notes, and highlighted phrases for quick reference.

Do you write every single day? Any writing rituals?

A resounding yes! Writing has become a 24/7 exercise. From correspondence with clients, social media posts, texting, and writing for work, writing is a craft I should have mastered in elementary school. Then I wouldn’t spend most of my day editing the above.

What are your interests outside of writing?

Some people may not know, my full-time career is K–12 Book Illustrator. I’ve incorporated my love of writing by compiling my ideas and inspiration within my Best Sketchbook. In the past decade, I’ve filled 52 sketchbooks with ideas—11,648 pages.

Share some tips for other Authors or Aspiring Authors: What would you do differently? What would you do the same? Please share anything you think would be beneficial to those reading this.

One tip for authors writing for K–12 readers would be to implement techniques from Schools: A Niche Market for Authors. Including educational resources within your books, helps them become classroom-friendly reads.

 

To suggest an author interview, email rgarrison@bestversionmedia.com

No sunscreen necessary

03 Thursday Mar 2016

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Tags

arts, Community, Construction, Florida, Florida architecture

cici and hyatt entrance

Water, wildlife and magnificent palm trees…I spent an afternoon admiring the most extensive collection of Florida art in the world.
When the collection they started in the late 1990s mushroomed to the thousands, Cici and Hyatt Brown decided they wanted to share with the public 2,600 oil-and-watercolor paintings that cover a 200-year span of Florida dating back to the 1700s.
Hyatt is Chairman of the Board of Brown & Brown Insurance Agency and former speaker of the Florida House. His wife, Cici, is an avid volunteer and supporter of the arts. That support may be even more impressive than the canvases hanging inside their museum.
Working with local government leaders, the couple was able to put the new building on a wooded piece of land in Daytona Beach that the city donated. The Browns, in turn, donated $14 million for construction of a Florida Cracker-style structure which is owned and run by the Museum of Arts & Sciences. (Ever generous, the couple contributed another $10 million toward an endowment to cover operating expenses.)
I’m one of 23,000 visitors who enjoyed the collection during its first year. But the museum doesn’t only attract local residents. Art enthusiasts and scholars mingle with tourists who want to add a bit of culture to their beach travels. With Bike Week roaring to a start tomorrow, it’s nice to know that visitors can participate in cultural activities, along with traditional tourism offerings, here.
Who says you can’t mix some Wyeth with your waves?

Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, 352 South Nova Road, Daytona Beach, FL is open Monday-Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday: 11:00 AM-5:00 PM

Building a home

24 Tuesday Jul 2012

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Tags

Architecture, arts, Build, Home, Louis Kahn, new creation

  • Not only find the quality of materials but also discover the personality of materials. This notion has never been more poetically explained than by architect Louis Kahn when he said, ”I asked a brick what it wanted to be and it replied, an arch.”

 

 

  • Don’t squander your housing money on architectural fashion. Buy clothes instead. Concentrate on timeless elements for your home.

  

  • ” My precept to all who build is, that the owner should be an ornament to the house, and not the house to the owner.” Cicero

 

  • Consider the travels you’ve loved, the homes that have entranced you and the objects, rich in detail and character, that express your most essential self.  In these experiences are the memories, images, and  words that can spawn a new creation. Convert those feelings into a form.

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