Writers Unbound

Happy Thursday. Read these blogs. (Short and to the point, right?)

• Writer Beware: “Literary scams, schemes and pitfalls.” Got a question about a publisher or agent? Wondering if you’ve been scammed? This is a great place to start looking.
• Grammar Girl: Study up! My personal recommendation for better grammar? Add a second language to you repertoire.
• MFABitch: “A litblog for all those bitches who survived their MFA.” I’m guessing if you weren’t a bitch going in, you’ll become one before you get out?
• GalleyCat: Rhymes with allycat (which is mynickname, no stealing!) Keep up with the ups and downs and superdowns of the publishing industry.
• Workerette. I read this blog but don’t communicate in it much, but don’t let that fool ya- it’s really a good read for working mothers (ie writing mums like myself).
• Well, let’s not leave off working men- check out Men With Pens. They recently dived into Why Your Novel Isn’t Written Yet. 
• Indigenous Issues Today. Ok, so this is a personal interest of mine. Simply replace this suggestion with your own personal interest. The point here is to read a blog about something that interests you- not having to do with your work!
• Meagan Francis. This is a local(ish) writer whose columns I tend to read. She also has a book out.
• Inkthinker. Follow this freelance writer’s quest for 100,000 in one year. (My husband, the tax accountant, is frowning over there at her goal. Hope she doesn’t let ‘the man’ take too much of it!).
• Plagiarism Today. If you’re a writer, you need to have a clue what plagiarism is (and what it’s not, which comes a little harder for some apparently).
• The author of Write For Cash has a PhD in feminism. Sounds GREAT to me!
• Here’s one that will make you LOL: Nice Mommy, Evil Editor.
• Last, but certainly not least, Mom Writers Lit Mag.
• Bonus Blog: Like books? Who doesn’t? Visit The Bookstacks.

Happy reading, don’t forget to bookmark!

Ahh, I love Thursday Thirteen lists, I love talking about books, and I like blogging. Let’s get on with the Thursday 13 list o’ the day!

• Lady Chatterleys Lover by DH Lawrence: Whew. Have I read it? Mutiple times. Why I recommend it? Well, it’s racy. It’s a good time…er, I mean..read ;}
• Twelfth Night by Shakespeare. Ok, so it’s a play, but Twelfth Night has been banned in at least one school because one of the main characters disguided herself as a man. (Oh the carnage! geez) Have I read it? Yes, in college I studied it extensively. Would I recommend it? Yes, although if you’re not up to the challenge, you may prefer the movie with Helena Bonham Carter.
• Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya was banned in one school in Arkansas because of its depiction of paganism. I would especially recommend it to those interested in Latino literature. 
• The Awkening by Kate Chopin. I haven’t read it, I’m sorry! But it is very much on my list. It is banned due to…you guessed it…sex. Oh my. <–Note sarcasm here.
• The Bluest Eye and
• Beloved both by Toni Morrison were two of the most alarming books I’ve ever read. More sex, and again being hcallenged in Arkansas. Who else is picking up on this pattern?
• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I can’t recall if this is a book or a short story, as I read it in an anthology and I recall devouring it all in one sitting. Best read with
• Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. I adored this book, too.
• The Satanic Verses. Ok, so I haven’t yet read this famous banned book, but it is most definitely on my list.
• How is this for irony? Read Farenheit 451, a baned book with themes about banning books! Oh, the hilarity.
• A couple to read with your kidlings: A Series of Unfortuante Events and
• Harry Potter series and
• The Lorax.

Happy Reading to you!