A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

“He was mastered by the sheer surging of life, the tidal wave of being, the perfect joy of each separate muscle, joint, and sinew in that it was everything that was not death, that it was aglow and rampant, expressing itself in movement, flying exultantly under the stars.” ―Jack London, The Call of the Wild

“Fear urged him to go back, but growth drove him on.” ―Jack London, White Fang

Renowned author, Jack London, was born on January 12, 1876, and in celebration of his birthday we’re making a special offer! The Boomerang for The Call of the Wild and White Fang is:

Half price until January 14: $4.95! OFFER HAS EXPIRED

Both books are considered classic adventure novels, and both are set in Yukon Territory during the Gold Rush. The first story’s main character is a dog named Buck. From the publisher:

Stolen from his home and sold into the brutal existence of an Alaskan sled dog, [Buck] reverts to atavistic traits. Buck is forced to adjust and survive cruel treatments, fight to dominate other dogs, and survive in a harsh climate. (Sparrow Bell)

The second is about the wolfdog, White Fang, and his “journey to domestication”:

White Fang examines the violent world of wild animals and the equally violent world of humans. The book also explores complex themes including morality and redemption. (Pioneer Books)

So, celebrate Jack London’s birthday and take advantage of this special offer!

Image by Caninest

The Boomerang is a monthly digital downloadable product that features copywork and dictation passages from a specific read aloud novel. It is geared toward 7th 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.

William Goldman turned 82 years old this month. On the 12th day to be precise. Brave Writer is celebrating this great author by offering the Boomerang based on his delightful book, The Princess Bride.

Half price for one day only: $4.95! OFFER HAS EXPIRED

The Princess Bride is an adventurous fiction within a fiction. It’s presented as an abridgment of fairytale purportedly written by a S. Morgenstern, with Goldman’s “commentary” sprinkled throughout. The book has a bit of everything: romance, comedy, pirates, giants, sword fights, poison, a princess. Plus “rodents of unusual size.”

Princess Bride fans are famed for their knowledge of the book and movie, and many can quote from both extensively. See if you can answer the trivia questions below. The answers are underneath each in white. Highlight with your cursor and you’ll see them.

What was the name of Buttercup’s beloved horse?
Horse. “Buttercup was never long on imagination.”

Which part of America was Westley’s ship near when captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts?
The Carolinas.

What were Vizzini’s instructions for when a plan went wrong?
Go back to the beginning. “Fool! Fool! Back to the beginning is the rule!”

In what country was Fezzik fired from the circus?
Greenland. “With one person for every twenty square miles of real estate.”

Inigo Montoya says to Vizzini: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” What word?
Inconceivable!

So, celebrate William Goldman and take advantage of this special Boomerang offer!

The Boomerang is a monthly digital downloadable product that features copywork and dictation passages from a specific read aloud novel. It is the indispensable tool for Brave Writer parents who want to teach language arts in a natural, literature-bathed context.

“Happiness consists in getting enough sleep.”  ~Robert Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Robert A. Heinlein, the “dean of science fiction writers,” was born July 7, 1907 (he passed away in 1988). Brave Writer is celebrating the work of this great author by offering the Boomerang based on his book, Starship Troopers:

Half price for one day only (July 15-16, 2013): $4.95! OFFER HAS EXPIRED

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960, Starship Troopers is thought by some to be one of Heinlein’s finest works. It’s a futuristic science fiction story, which contains interesting characters, thrilling action scenes, and an in depth portrayal of military life. Plus its thought-provoking political and social themes make for excellent discussion material!

MR. HEINLEIN’S RULES FOR WRITERS (paraphrased):

RULE ONE: Write! Seems a given, doesn’t it? But, sometimes we need the reminder!

RULE TWO: Finish what you started. Here at Brave Writer we don’t recommend finishing every piece of writing, but from time to time it is important to complete a project, especially if it’s something we’re passionate about.

RULE THREE: Don’t revise…too much. We tweaked this one a bit. After making major changes to a number of his books, Heinlein decided it was wasted effort and his motto became “don’t revise, except to edit.” We believe, though, that revising or “revisioning” one’s writing can be highly productive, and we definitely encourage it. Still, Heinlein has a point. Sometimes enough is enough, and it’s good to know when to move on.

RULE FOUR: Publish your work. For young writers this might simply be reading their story or essay to family and friends. They could also create a cover and illustrations then bind their work and share it that way. Or they might send it off for to a children’s magazine or other publications. There are lots of possibilities.

RULE FIVE: Never give up! When we do want to professionally publish our work then we mustn’t let a few (or a starship-load!) of rejections stop us. Madeleine L’Engle’s novel, A Wrinkle in Time, was turned down over thirty times before finally finding a publisher. And Heinlein’s own Starship Troopers was rejected by Scribner’s before being picked up by Putnam. Published authors keep trying.

So, celebrate Robert Heinlein’s birthday and take advantage of this special Boomerang offer!

The Boomerang is a monthly digital downloadable product that features copywork and dictation passages from a specific read aloud novel. It is the indispensable tool for Brave Writer parents who want to teach language arts in a natural, literature-bathed context.