R.I.P. Post-Its From A Parallel Universe

I have put Post-Its to A Parallel Universe to rest. R.I.P.

I cannot review anymore books. I have been there and done that and need a new challenge in my life.

Here are some things I learned from reviewing books:

• I can write a synopsis now. Every writer should review at least twenty books and write the review to be read by others. It will change the way you feel about the dreaded synopsis task when querying editors and agents. Summing up a story in a sentence or two will eventually feel like putting on your best pair of jeans, if you review enough books.
• My eyes have been opened to what is still really going on in children’s literature. I am speaking about the prevalent use of negative/demeaning and inaccurate/romanticized stereotypes of American Indians. Thank you especially to Debbie Reese and Oyate for this education.
• For the most part, Americans are apathetic about the issues of American Indians. The racism that still exists today against American Indians does not seem to rouse a single bit of even minor irritation- except amongst my cousins of Native American ancestry. This is very depressing to me. It is as if we cannot see these other people who are living right next door.
• Children still love to read books.
• Never offer to review a book for someone you know until after you have read it. You cannot be honest without destroying the relationship if the book is flawed, so when the relationship is more valuable than producing the review, you will have a struggle as to what to say. Unless you are the smooth salesperson, and then I have my doubts about you.
• Stories have universal value and are far more important to us than we are willing to say. Keep writing. 

And speaking of writing, I need to get back to finishing my novel and reading books for review is time consuming. I want to keep writing my blog, and so I needed to come up with a theme. What will my blog be about?  How about my blog being about my life?

Do I care if anyone reads it? Yes, but I can’t write for anyone but myself.

Goodbye, Post-Its From A Parallel Universe.

Hello, Life on Misfit Acres.