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Archive for November, 2017
Don’t be a Perfectionist & Other Advice for Young Writers with Millie Florence
Millie Florence is an enthusiastic homeschooler and a published author – and she’s only 14-years-old! Her debut novel, Honey Butter, was published in August 2017, and she’s currently working on two more books: a collection of poems and a fantasy novel.
Participating in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, was a life-changing experience for Millie. It gave her permission to write the first draft of her novel without worrying about perfection, and that’s an incredibly freeing.
Listen to the Podcast
Show Notes
Millie’s Tips for Young Writers
- The most important part of writing is getting the words out of your head and onto paper.
- A lot (if not most) of what you write will get left on the cutting room floor.
- Although revision isn’t always the most exciting part of writing, it’s necessary and it’s where a story comes together – and that can be really satisfying!
- Feedback is critical. Millie solicits feedback from beta readers, who are other writers and friends willing to provide constructive criticism. She actually finds many of her beta readers online, and she says beta reading with people you don’t know as well “will change your life and will change your story.”
- It took Millie a long time to find a supportive community of young writers, but she eventually stumbled onto a strong community of diverse writers.
- Homeschooling can give young writers unprecedented freedom to write when inspiration strikes and focus their education on other things that benefit their writing.
- If you want to get better at writing, you just have to keep doing it – even if you don’t realize it, you’re always getting better.
- Think about stories! Don’t be afraid to dream, wonder, or come up with wild ideas. “Your mind is more powerful than you can imagine. You can affect so much of the world around you just by thinking. Your own thoughts can teach you, without you even realizing!”
Resources
- Millie’s website
- Millie’s novel Honey Butter
Connect with Julie
- Website: bravewriter.com
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Twitter: @bravewriter
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Movie Wednesday: The Book Thief
by Amy Frantz, Brave Writer alum
Liesel Meminger is sent to live with foster parents on Himmel (Heaven) Street in the time just prior to World War II in Germany. Her brother dies on the journey and Liesel arrives shaken and traumatized…and with a book which might not be hers. Things worsen when she is sent to school and it is discovered that Liesel cannot read.
But her new foster ‘Papa’ begins teaching Liesel to read one night and she soon enters a world of words and maybe a few stolen books. However, the real world outside of Liesel’s books is churning towards cruelty and war, and one day the reality of that war arrives at her new family’s door in the form of a Jewish young man seeking shelter.
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Published in 2005, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak follows the young life of Liesel Meminger through the spectral eyes of Death as the book’s narrator, who chronicles her growing pains and book thievery amidst the backdrop of Nazi Germany. Inspired partially by the stories told to him as a child by his parents about the war, Zusak’s novel has gained widespread acclaim.
In 2013, The Book Thief was adapted into a film directed by Brian Percival and starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse as the book thief, with an Oscar nominated and Grammy Award winning score by John Williams. Amidst lavish cinematography and gripping acting performances from the cast, the movie explores both the extreme light and darkness held in contradiction within humanity as seen through the eyes of a child whose burgeoning literacy becomes the lens through which she processes and makes sense of the turbulent world around her.
A note to parents: The Book Thief is rated PG-13 and contains some highly disturbing content for younger audiences. We recommend looking up the film on sites like Commonsense Media before deciding if it is appropriate for your family.
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about the choice to have Death narrate the story? Do you think it adds or detracts from the emotional impact of the events that unfold?
- In the book Rosa physically beats Liesel multiple times. This is largely omitted from the film. Why do you think the filmmakers made that choice? Does it change the relationship between Rosa and Liesel?
- Throughout the course of the story, Liesel famously steals several books. What might the story be saying about literacy as something to be taken when it is not given?
- At the end of the film, Death says that he is haunted by humans. What do you think he means by this?
Additional Resources
Markus Zusak discusses the inspiration, themes, and writing process of the Book Thief (parents should be aware that violence and the Holocaust are discussed in this video)
Learn language arts with the Book Thief Boomerang!
The Boomerang is a monthly digital downloadable product that features copywork and dictation passages from a specific read aloud novel. It is geared toward 8th to 10th graders (ages 12—advanced, 13-15) and is the indispensable tool for Brave Writer parents who want to teach language arts in a natural, literature-bathed context.
The Writer’s Jungle Giveaway
It’s my birthday! In Morocco, you give gifts to your friends on your birthday (other way around to how we do it). In that spirit, I’m giving away 2 print copies of The Writer’s Jungle!
The Writer’s Jungle is the core product in Brave Writer that has transformed thousands of families and their writing programs. I wrote it from my heart: me to you, homeschool parent.
No purchase is necessary to enter the giveaway. 2 winners will be chosen by weighted draw. Entrants may increase their number of entries by sharing the contest via social media and email!
Note: Any winner outside of the continental U.S will receive a digital copy. If winners do not respond after 24 hours after notification, a redraw will occur.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Nov. 8 at midnight Eastern.
[UPDATE] Congrats to our winners: Jeni Gongwer and Tisha Frost!
Coping with Unimaginable Loss with Brian and Tywana Smith
Today’s episode is sure to tug at your heart strings. I welcome personal friends to the podcast who share the story of their strength in the face of unimaginable loss. They offer their pain and healing to help us understand how to treasure our families, and to support each other when suffering invariably hits.
Thank you for honoring them by listening—a gift to them.
Episode 8: Brian & Tywana Smith
Brian and Tywana homeschooled their two darling daughters until high school. They tell the story of what homeschooling has meant to their family and how they’ve transcended one of life’s most challenging experiences. I have been friends with them together and individually for nearly 20 years. They are solid gold and I love the conversation we had. I know you will, too.
Listen to the Podcast
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Help a homeschooler like you find more joy in the journey. Thanks!
