Paula Blais Gorgas » My World

No More Free Internet?

Paula — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:27:03 +0000

Here’s an excellent article on “net neutrality.” It’s good to be informed: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/?p=1398

And this is why I write YA novels

Paula — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:56:34 +0000

I just came across a great article on aduts reading kids books. Maryann Yin references an essay by Pamela Paul. Here’s the link: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/trends/_in_defense_of_yareading_adults_170159.asp?c=rss . Enjoy!

Character Emotions

Paula — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:11:51 +0000

A quick post just to share an amazing resource I recently discovered: THE EMOTION THESAURUS. I found this little gem in a post on one of my favorite blogs, http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/ . THE EMOTION THESAURUS is mentioned in a different post about getting inside your characters, i.e., letting readers feel the characters’ emotions, also a great post. Here’s the link: http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/2008/01/introducing-thesaurus-thursdays.html .

July Jump Start

Paula — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:55:59 +0000

Lazy, hazy summer days…It’s so easy to get in Summer Mode: work, but not too hard; play, but not too hard; relax–I really work at this one. In fact, if I keep working this hard, summer will be over and I won’t have anything accomplished. So, I decided it’s time for a Jump Start, and what better place than my Work In Progress.

WIP is a YA fantasy novel about dragons. Why dragons? I have no idea. I’ve never had any interest in these creatures, but one day a couple of months ago, the idea just popped into my head and I started making notes and doing research. I do have a granddaughter who is a dragonology expert, which has made the research a lot easier, but my imagination is still my biggest source–as usual. I’m having a great time writing this one with three chapters already finished and a synopsis in progress. I promise to post updates in my monthly blog, but I won’t talk about the book. You’ll have to wait and read it .

Here’s a bit of dragon fun though to get you in the mood. Go to Dragon Quiz and find out a bit of your own dragon history. Don’t forget to post a comment and let us know what kind of dragons are visiting my website! Happy July!

How Smart Are You?

Paula — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:20:51 +0000

Here’s a fun quiz for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Be sure and post and let us know how smart you are. And be sure and believe them when they say it’s FAST. Have fun!

Happy Writer

Paula — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:43:34 +0000

I did it! Three pages in one day! Now, I know this isn’t a major accomplishment for many writers, but for me, Queen of the Slowpokes, it’s BIG! What’s really great though is that my WIP is working. I’m enjoying the writing, having fun with it. After a five-year drought, no wonder I’m a happy writer.

“Between the dark and the daylight…”

Paula — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:05:42 +0000

Very early this morning–between 1 and 6 AM–I managed to get more writing done than I have in many days. For some reason, I woke up at 1 wide awake, so I started thinking about my current WIP, a middle grade fantasy novel. I’ll bet I made six trips into the next room to write down the ideas that kept pouring through. In fact, I discovered most of the major plot points for the book, including who is the real antagonist, clarifying a couple of names, and the all-important conclusion. What a gift! I’m tired today, but who cares? Now I can get some serious writing done. And…as if that wasn’t enough, in the middle of all this information flow, a completely different thought came to me. The words, “Chet’s wrist” popped into my head, and I suddenly realized that the reason my golfer husband’s wrist has been bothering him is because of a change he made in his left hand grip. Talk about tapping into the subconscious, or universal consciousness, or whatever. Something happened during those wee hours, and all I can say is, “Thank you!”

Leprechaun Time

Paula — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:08:08 +0000

March is the month of windy weather, flying kites, Easter baskets…and LEPRECHAUNS! March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing a story about leprechauns? Check out Little Lost Leprechaun, my St. Patrick’s Day picture book about a little girl who decides to direct her family’s Shamrock Pageant.

How Very Convenient!

Paula — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:06:49 +0000

Have you heard the latest about the Stephenville, TX, UFO sightings? The mystery may be solved! Here’s the story

Now, I may be gullible, but give me a break! The Air Force has suddenly found their fighters that were flying in the area on January 8? Here’s the official version:

I can hardly wait for the next installment of this USAF fairytale saga.

Those Pesky UFO’s

Paula — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:47:34 +0000

Those pesky UFO’s–you know, flying saucers, unidentified flying objects, etc., etc.–just won’t go away no matter how much the government denies them and the media laughs at them. And I’m glad! OK, now you all know one of my deepest, darkest secrets: I BELIEVE IN UFO’S! I’ve even written a book about them: Dreamtime I’m so sure they exist and they’re right here with us that my question isn’t, “Are they real?” but rather, “Why are they here?”

What got me going on this subject was last night’s Larry King Live show. Anyone familiar with Larry’s show knows that he has more than a passing interest in UFO’s and has aired a number of shows on the subject in the past few years. I, like many other UFO buffs, believe this is a positive trend because of Larry’s credibility and the worldwide audience he enjoys. So, why another UFO show now? That’s easy: People in Stephenville, Texas, have been seeing unidentified objects in their skies. Credible people are having sightings. Down-to-earth, everyday, honest folks from the heart of the Bible Belt are looking up and seeing…something, something huge, silent, and inexplicable. And the word has spread all over the world. Here’s the CNN account: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/14/ufo.sightings.ap/index.html .And here’s a link to some video clips from last night’s show:

http://dandare.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/stephenville-ufo-discussed-on-larry-king-vide

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Pretty interesting stuff, and since I live in southern Oklahoma, these things, whatever they may be, are practically in my front yard! You can be sure I’m watching the skies closely these days. Maybe, if I ever see one, I’ll figure out what those pesky UFO’s are.