Hello Readers –
I have been wanting to share some takeaways from Ana Linden’s (2020) book, Frames. The last time I did a book review, it was Jill Weatherholt’s book, here, and I decided to follow the same format for today’s – it two parts: Takeaways from the book and resources forauthors.
Takeaways from Ana Linden’s book
Ana’s latest book is called Frames, which has four short stories.
I think most readers know that I am more of a “non-fiction” reader, but I do make time for some fiction. And when the author is someone I have worked with and developed a friendship with, well it is my pleasure to share some takeaways from their latest book. In fact, when Ana reviewed Avian Friends (here) earlier this year, she said there was something about the timing of that for her; similarly, the timing of Ana’s book for me come at a good time. After I had my mind immersed in research and stats work – it was nice to switch gears with Ana Linden’s exploration the social world, attitudes, perceptions, and human fallibility. Speaking of switching gears, Ana’s book smoothly moves the gears as the book features four short stories. Each story allows the character to develop through dialogue changes in relationships, response to life conflict, and self-awareness growth. And reminds us that life comes with MAJOR ups and downs and we
Here are my top three takeaways
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RESOURCES FOR AUTHORS
1) Whispers and Echoes is an online journal featuring short writing: poems in less than 10 lines and flash fiction in 100 words or less. To submit to the journal, click here. Thanks to Ju-Lyn Tan for introducing us to this journal. Ju-Lyn is the host of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and she was recently featured on Whispers & Echoes with her poem, Out of Order.
2) The Common accepts stories, essays, and poems for publication.
3) The Drabble is a online journal that features original fiction, non-fiction, and poetic works of 100 words or fewer. Thanks to the awesome Kelvin Knight for introducing us to The Drabble a few years ago. Kelvin’s latest book is Flashes of Weather and more info about it can be found here. I will post abut his book in 2021.
4) Chris, The Story Reading Ape, continues to do what he does on his awesome site as he feature authors, humor, and provides hearty resources for writers here.
5) Want some fresh ideas for doing your own book reviews? Check out author D. Wallace Peach’s blog here. I have been following this author for a while and recently had the chance to connect more. This author has read and reviewed 60 books this fall (Yup – pretty cool, hh?) – and this post shows how she breaks it down.
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So…. What’s in your frame? Do you like to write or read about people adapting and responding to life’s ups and downs?
Thanks for dropping by and another review of Frames is here by Carol Balawyder.
…. wishing you a great day
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What a creative and different way to review. I enjoyed the glimpses into what made the book memorable for you. I love short stories and may have to dive into these. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and recommendation. And thanks again for linking to my reviews. Here’s to a new year of reading. ❤
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Hi – thanks for the nice comment and as noted – I really like the way you found a system for reading and reviewing – and appreciate you sharing so we can all glean and get ideas.
I noticed you are taking a few weeks off and hope you have a refreshing break and wonderful holiday season
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Thank you! Enjoy your holidays and find some time to relax and enjoy the many blessings around you. 🙂
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yes ma’am – let us all heed your advice on that
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Thank you, Ana, for linking to my review of Frames. May your holidays be joyful and filled with love. ❤
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😊📚✍️💕
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I love the reviews in the frames! Very clever, you are. I also liked the info about the descriptions and alliteration. I’m a fan of both so I’ll check out this work!
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Hi Tara – thanks so much for the feedback – my goal was to keep it short – I know there are times for length – but other times for short – and then with the frame – I was “winging it” – well not Buffalo wigs with some of your homemade banana muffins on the side (ha) – but just going with an idea and so appreciator that little note about them 🙂
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I’d take some wings, too. One of my faves! I make a chicken buffalo dip, too… having that tomorrow…. I’m a little hungry right now. 🙂
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Oh I know , and this might sound terrible – but my spouse was practicing a song for a funeral and it had a line about “asking to give me wings” – and yup = kept thinking buffalo wongs (but shhhhh)
and speaking of food and treats – I noticed on your blog you have the new single serve Keurig tea and hot chocolate maker- did you get one of those colored machines? teal, burgundy?
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You take the good with the bad so I see no reason to feel bad about thinking of wings. hee And yes, my Keurig is dusty rose, a very pretty pink. Bright and spring-y for winter writing nights.
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well that rose color sounds good and thanks again for leaving some comments on Frames takeaways – and hope your week is off a to a nice start
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Love the way you reviewed this book. So creative and fun!
Thank you so much for the shout out, and for this wonderful list of resources. I will definitely check them out.
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My pleasure and wishing you a great new year
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Thank you for your amazing words, Yvette! ❤ ❤ ❤
I love the way your frames turned out (I didn't mention this, but one of my cover ideas was an empty frame, so this fit my vision perfectly), and am thrilled those details from the book resonated with you.
Also, sharing resources with other authors, is a very thoughtful idea.
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Hi Ana, I did not realize that you thought of a frame for the cover – and I bet a few ideas came and went for the cover (it can be so hard)
and when I see your cover it has such a calming feel – with the purple and green – almost French Provincial – but subtle and smooth.
And the resources for authors was an idea when I featured Jill’s book and just trying to find my own approach to the blogosphere that has so many book reviews – more for the reading and we need them – but it can be a flood of them at times – 🙂 and Colleen from Toronto does her book reviews very well – she adds a custom photo and keep sit short – and I almost featured her but also wanted to keep this reasonable in length (ha)
anyhow, glad you approve and TTYS
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I usually go through a few cover versions before one feels right 😀 The frame one and one with yellow flowers – which felt too bright for my taste – didn’t make the cut.
I’m all for keeping it short when it comes to reviews… though I don’t always manage to stick to that rule 😀 . Once again, thank you for reading and sharing, Y! ❤
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It was my pleasure – and you now I am not a big fiction reader – but I do like some -and your characters have a way of sticking with me (and I also do not like risqué stuff in writing – but do feel you do it in a minor way that I can skip over or get through without feeling stained – so you do it tastefully and in an adult manner – in a way to enhance the story and not necessarily rouse the reader – it fits the character and their plight)
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and wishing you a great day
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I know you’re not that into fiction, this is why on one hand it means a lot to me when you decide to read and review mine, and on the other hand I always try to emphasize I don’t want you to feel obligated to do so just because we’ve become friends.
I’m glad you appreciated the non-risqué writing, I don’t see how that could have fit the “Frames” stories 😀 . It has been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that if I sexualized/sensualized my writing more, then perhaps I would sell more books… and this was in the case of Parallel Lives, which wasn’t exactly pristine…
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what a creative way to share your reviews. It is such a gift for all of us! ❤️
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thanks you Cindy
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You’re so welcome Yvette!!!
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Hi Yvette, your upfront comments paragraph about this book is cut off. I don’t know if its just my WP. This book and the four stories sound very interesting. I agree that Diana Peach writes brilliant reviews.
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oh shoot – thanks for letting me know – I will go and check out the intro
and author Robbie, really appreciate you chiming in – the four stories is a clever idea for a book – separate yet connected providing more exploration of social dynamics and human fallibility
ttys
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I like the way you framed your takeaways from Frames. 🙂
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Hahah you are such a great wordsmith
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I try. 🙂
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