Guest Post: Ten Tools for Writing & Giveaway

Today I have Elizabeth Parkinson-Belows on my blog with a Tens List of tools she uses for writing. She is the author of the Alexander Drake's book series. For more information on these great books, click here. Also be sure to read to the end of the post for the $25 Amazon or Paypal giveaway. You can click here for the rest of the tour schedule.

Now here's Elizabeth Parkinson-Belows with her list:

We all have methods for our daily tasks and tools to use. Here is a list of my tools for writing in random order. This was so much fun; thank you for having me!

Ten tools I use for writing…

1. My clunky old desk – so old I can’t remember where it came from

2. Extra cushion for my chair to prevent my backside from getting sore

3. My laptop with the faded “L” key

4. Caffeine - Starbucks Carmel Coffee and herbal tea

5. Cookies… or anything chocolate

6. Yoga pants

7. Books on CD – anything from Wayne Dyer to The Hobbit

8. My kids (for inspirational purposes)

9. A tablet for when I’m out and have an idea – If fifteen minutes passes the likelihood of me forgetting the details goes way up.

10. My wandering mind… the best time to jot stuff down is when the mind wanders

Author Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows

Being the frizzy-haired tomboy with buck teeth gave me a slight case of shyness as a kid. A colorful imagination meant escape and adventure at the drop of a hat.
Over the years I learned that the insecurities I carried around were a waste of time. I still prefer a football game to a manicure any day of the week. That indispensable imagination has found its way into my writing providing a sense of joy and a true purpose.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

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10 Pieces of Advice for (Aspiring) Authors from Wendy S. Russo + Giveaway

Today I am very excited to have Wendy S. Russo on my blog, the author of January Black, as part of her book tour. Don't forget to read down to the end of the post for a $25 Amazon or Paypal giveaway. For the rest of the blog tour, click here.

First, a bit about her exciting new book:

Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He's been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost...or call the king’s bluff.

And now for Ten Pieces of Great Advice for Aspiring Authors from Wendy S. Russo:

1. Bookmark "Author! Author!" (http://annemini.com). She's has an writing/submitting/marketing guidance archive dating back seven years. Her posts are tagged and searchable. It may be the closest you'll ever get to picking an industry professional's brain, and it's FREE. Schedule time for it, though. She's verbose. Also, several times per year, she invites readers to send her queries that she'll pick apart on her site. She also posts her articles to Facebook, so like her and they'll show up in your news feed.

2. Make friends. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of blogs kept by authors, readers, and reviewers. They have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. You can find beta readers and critique partners. You can win free books and get cool author swag ideas. If the secret to success is knowing people, the next best thing is knowing people who know people, so...go meet some people.

3. Before you submit to an agent/publisher, print out your entire manuscript and read it. Out loud. (From Anne Mini's site. If you take none of her other advice, DO THIS.)

4. I do my edits on hard copy, too. I get a couple of red pens and I bleed them dry. (When I'm done, I use the paper in my flowerbeds as weed cover.) I find it much easier to flip through pages than scroll through a file. I can use sticky notes. I can highlight. Scribble. Draw pictures. And Facebook isn't tempting me from another open window.

5. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest can be awfully distracting. I find that social media eats away at my writing time. (I mean, like months on end.) Set a goal...a number of words you want to accomplish in a day, and then schedule a time to write. Close your web browser. Turn off your WIFI if you have to.

6. Rejection is hard, but it's important. I recommend sending your manuscript to agents/publishers that you're certain will reject you. (In your genre, please, because wasting someone's time is rude.) Set up the initial disappointments and get them out of the way. Meanwhile, keep researching your dream agents and publishers and treat yourself after rejections. Spoonful of sugar, as Mary Poppins said.

7. Don't let other people discourage you. Well meaning though they may be, if they are not helping you reach your goals, they're not helping you.

8. Criticism is only helpful if you can use it to make your story better. Editors are people, too. Many are writers, and all have an opinion about how to tell a story. Listen when you should. Ignore when you must.

9. The only right way to tell a story is your way. Figure out what yours is.

10. Add "aspiring" to your list of curse words. If you write, you're a writer.

FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * TWITTER

GOODREADS * AUTHORGRAPH

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Guest Post, Review & Giveaway! The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser

Today I have a big post with lots going on for a fun, inspirational and beautiful new children's book called The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser.  Today is my stop on the WOW Blog tour, which includes a review, guest post, treasure hunt and giveaway!!!  So, read on.

Book:  The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser, Random House Children's Books, March 2012, 32 pages.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
This unique hardcover, which grew out of the popular website Spontaneous Smiley, will appeal to kids and adults. Who can resist the wacky, cute smiley faces to be spied in photos of colorful found objects? Young readers will enjoy learning their colors as they're identifying what the smileys are made from—an electrical outlet, a hubcap, even a piece of toast—and readers of all ages will appreciate the witty rhyming text, and its inspirational message about choosing happiness.

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was adorable!  What a fun idea to find smiley faces in every day things.

This is kind of two books in one, a book of colors, but there is also a cute, rhyming text about choosing to be happy.  This is such an important message, one which I try to teach my children, and try to remember myself!  The text of choosing our thoughts fits in perfectly with the idea of finding smiley faces all around us - we look for and find what we want in our lives.

I think parents and children will like this twist on a book of colors.  Having read many such books to my kids over the years, it is nice to find one with an engaging rhyming text with an uplifting message to go along with the basics of learning colors.  Also the pictures that will have kids scouring the pages, and their world, for smiley faces.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author for review.

Guest Post:
What if life was one experiment after another? by Ruth Kaiser

Latex Gloves Smiley

Remember doing science experiments in school? Remember how the teacher cheered you on regardless of the outcome? You know, the pep talk about how what failed this time is simply data to help you design the next experiment.

What if life was one experiment after another? Wouldn’t it be great to allow yourself to accept that the screw ups we all make are valuable data for next time. But, isn’t that actually accurate?  Life is an experiment. We surely learn as much from things going wrong as we do from their going well. “There is no failure, only feedback.” (author unknown)

Lab Equipment Smiley

Since life is an experiment, as a good scientist you’ve got to evaluate the screw ups. No head in the sand behavior if you’re the scientist. Look at the data and make changes. Modify what you do next time, using what you learned this time.

And here’s the coolest thing of all: Give yourself permission to be more experimental. Be a little daring. Experiment with being vulnerable. Be the one to take the first step. Be the one to say, “I’m sorry.” or “I love you.” first. I bet you’ll be amazed at how OK it really is. Use one experiment’s it was OK data to help you design other experiments.

Telephone Smiley

Might this idea help you to call that friend you’ve been meaning to call? Could experimenting help you to reach out a hand in affection, a gentle touch, in the middle of an argument? How about experiment by not criticizing a behavior that’s driving you nuts. The data might come back that your criticizing hasn’t been helping the behavior diminish.

Hand Smiley

I love this idea. I was never good at science when I was in school. But these kinds of experiments hold my interest because they have the pay off of a better life. I’m going to be a diligent scientist.

Smile. Be happy, and experimental.
Ruth

Thanks so much, Ruth!  What a great post.

Treasure Hunt Time!

Now it's time to start searching for Smileys in your neighborhood! When you find one snap a pic and upload it to Spontaneous Smiley (http://spontaneoussmiley.com/) on the "Share Your Smiley" page (http://spontaneoussmiley.com/shareyoursmileys.php)  using "WOW" in your Smiley title.

Just one Smiley makes you a Smiley Captain! Not only will you brighten people's day with your Smiley AND help raise money for Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that helps children with facial deformity receive the surgery they need, but you'll be entered in a contest just for Ruth's WOW friends to win a copy of The Smiley Book of Colors. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 17! Now grab your camera and start searching for Smileys!

Giveaway! (Another way to win this book)
If you would like to win a copy of Ruth's book and you live in the US or Canada, you can leave a comment on this post with your email address and be entered to win!  The deadline is Thursday, April 17 at midnight.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will have 2 days to respond to my email or a new winner will be chosen.

Info about the Spontaneous Smiley Project:

ABOUT www.spontaneoussmiley.com

KIDS' BOOK: www.tinyurl.com/smileybook

KIDS' SONG: www.spontaneoussmiley.com/themesong.htm

TED Talk: www.vimeo.com/26190208 

BLOG: www.blog.spontaneoussmiley.com/?cat=4 

FBk: www.facebook.com/ruth.kaiser 

FBk group: www.facebook.com/groups/SpontaneousSmiley/

SMILE-A-THON: www.spontaneoussmiley.com/smileathon.htm

TWITTER: SpontaneSmiley

XmasSong youtu.be/LAKZfZ5BZtU

A Video from a Smiley Fan: http://youtu.be/gHcOUBXHqsU

Guest Post and Giveaway: Barking Mad

Today is my stop on the Barking Mad book tour put together by Kismet Book Touring.  I am lucky enough to have a guest post, a review and a giveaway!!

About Barking Mad - goodreads, Amazon, Typecast Publishing
The year is 1931. The scene is werewolfishly classic English fare. And tonight the moon hangs as full as a royal pie plate in this inaugural Reginald Spiffington mystery when the none too obsequious playboy, Reggie, sets out for a delectably long weekend at Huffsworthy Hall to assist his dear friend, Moony, in his failing endeavor to take the hand of his lady-love and to partake in the culinary talents of the genius chef running the kitchen. With no one reason more important than the next, he'll be off straight after breakfast. Reggie's itinerary for the weekend turns abruptly less toothsome when he decides to solve the unexpected murder of another of the Hall's guests, a guest whose luggage is secretly packed full of nefarious plans. Soon, all Huffsworthy's inhabitants are potential suspects, including Reggie s saucy, quick-witted love-interest, Mimsy Borogrove. Aided by his invaluable valet, Pelham, and armed only with his knowledge of detective novels and a newly acquired set of keener, canine senses, Reggie sets out to find the killer before another meal falls to ruin.

Guest Post: Emlyn Chan, Farsighted

Today is Black Friday in the US and also the celebration for the print release of the exciting new novel Farsighted by Emlyn Chan (read my review here).

Today I'd like to share an excerpt from Emlyn Chand's hot new paranormal novel, Farsighted (it just released on 10/24). Before diving in, check out this teaser for the book:

Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Guest Post: M. J. Rose

I am excited to have a guest post today from the Internationally Bestselling author M. J. Rose, the author of the innovative and cutting edge new book, In Session, the first fan fiction ever to be published by an accomplished author.

First, a synopsis of the book:  How do you get a stoic drifter, a former covert agent and an international assassin to see a sex therapist? That was the challenge faced by international bestselling author M.J. Rose when she proposed setting up appointments for Jack Reacher, Cotton Malone and John Rain with Dr. Morgan Snow of the Butterfield Institute in her new e-book IN SESSION (October 17, 2011, Kindle e-book, $1.99).

Entrapped Author Barbara Kyle Guest Post + Giveaway (Int)

Today I am pleased to have Barabra Kyle, author of the exciting new book Entrapped, guest post on my blog as her stop on the Nurture Virtual Book Tour (click on the link to see the other stops in this tour)!!!  She has also generously offered on ecopy of her book to giveway (see Rafflecopter entery below). 

First off, the Goodreads synopsis of Entrapped: 

Entrapped is a thriller of high stakes: life and death, love, and oil. 

Guest Post by Jeff Horton + ebook Giveaway (int)

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Dark Age by Jeff Horton.  Mr Horton has kindly agreed to write a guest post and to give away an ebook version of his exciting new book, The Dark Age.  To enter to win a eversion (pdf, epub or mobi) of this book, simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry below (international giveaway).  The contest ends Oct. 16, when the winner will be announced.

Synopsis:
Suppose you learned that an ancient prophecy about an artifact, said to be powerful enough to dramatically change the world, was true. Would you risk everything to find it?

It has been five-hundred years since the Pulse caused the Great Collapse, ending the Golden Age, and civilization on planet Earth. Humanity has waited ever since for a long-anticipated sign from God, which has finally appeared in the night sky. The time has come for Ferrell Young, the Warrior Clan, and the Church to risk everything in an effort to restore civilization, and bring hope to a world full of despair. Alex Montgomery is an archaeologist who has spent many years looking for a mysterious book on behalf of the Holy Christian Church. The book is said to contain the location of the Great Oracle which, according to legend, can endow the one who finds it with great power and wealth. Of much greater importance to the Clan and the Church however, is the fact that it may also enable the world to emerge from five centuries of darkness and suffering. When a powerful, intelligent, but sadistic barbarian leader named Kraken learns of the Oracle, he plans to destroy the Warrior Clan and the Church, take the Oracle for himself, and enslave the rest of humanity. Join Ferrell and his companions as they set out on a desperate journey to find the Great Oracle, and rescue humanity from The Dark Age.

Guest Post by Jeff Horton:
Please permit me to begin by saying thank-you for allowing me to be a guest author on Books and Other Creative Adventures, and for giving me an opportunity to discuss my novel, THE DARK AGE!

Have you watched, as I have, the many post-apocalyptic movies that have come out of Hollywood over the past several decades? During the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century, apocalyptic stories became increasingly popular, particularly at the box office. Movies like Mad Max, The Day After, Independence Day, Armageddon, Deep Impact, and 2012, just to name a few, have captured and held our imagination. I know that I've always been fascinated by apocalyptic thrillers, and I suppose many other people have as well. Apocalyptic stories in which the world is threatened and the unlikely hero finds himself in the right place at the right time to make a difference, and post-apocalyptic thrillers in which the protagonist is in a position to change the world for the better, have always inspired me, and helped me to realize how so very small many of my everyday concerns in life really are.

There have been a number of programs on television over the last few years, which examine possible outcomes should a specific global, catastrophic event occur, and how humanity might recover. There have also been experiments where people attempt to live as prehistoric man did, without the benefit of modern conveniences. While it certainly would be difficult to thrive or even survive under such conditions, one of the experiments I saw offered hope that humanity would be able to survive. 

I didn't necessarily set out to write a post-apocalyptic thriller when I started writing The Dark Age, but it soon turned into one. As I did research for my first novel, The Great Collapse, and my second novel, The Dark Age, I was astonished to learn how vulnerable our national infrastructure and our civilization itself are to powerful electromagnetic pulses and solar flares. In 2008 a report requested by Congress and was completed by the EMP Commission. It confirmed that the threat of a single nuclear warhead detonated high in the atmosphere somewhere around Kansas was real, and that it could potentially take out the United States' national power grid.

In The Great Collapse, it is an EMP attack and a solar flare that together knock out power worldwide, causing civilization to collapse within months. Unlike an EMP generated by a nuclear detonation, however, the EMP attack and the solar flare renders it impossible for anyone anywhere on the planet to rebuild the technology so vital to our society. With most of humanity no longer possessing the know-how to safely live off of the land, it is a struggle just to survive.  Now fast forward five-hundred years and you'll find yourself in The Dark Age, which is set in a world where humanity survives by the sword, the bow, and the arrow, while secretly hoping that a legend about the Great Oracle is true and that civilization will one day return to the Earth. The Dark Age is a story about self-discovery, perseverance, and self-sacrifice, all in an effort to save the world from a fate worse than death.

Hopefully, you will find as I did that The Dark Age paints a stark, yet intriguing and hopeful vision of the future, where heroes must work together in order to offer mankind a brighter tomorrow.



Find Jeff Horton on the internet:
Website: http://www.hortonlibrary.com.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Author.Jeff.Horton,
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Jeff_Horton
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4478744.Jeff_W_Horton!
Buy his books at amazon.com: The Dark Age (Survivors of the Pulse)

Guest Post: A Few Tips for Balancing Writing and Parenting

To find out more about the contest go to Megan's Blog.

Today I have a guest blog post from novelist Melissa Foster as part of her blog tour with WOW-Women on Writing.  Last week I reviewed Melissa's critically acclaimed book, Megan's Way (you can read my review here).  This week, Melissa is going to share with us her tips for writing and parenting.


A Few Tips for Balancing Writing and Parenting
by Melissa Foster

How many times have you sat down to complete a project, only to hear, “Mom”? Although four of my six children have now graduated high school and moved on from that stage, for many years, we had six children who constantly needed something.

I found that completing any task, much less writing, was near impossible. I said, “near impossible”, which means, it is completely doable.

Here are a few strategies that I employed to carve out my writing time. I hope you find at least one or two of them helpful.

1. Make writing a priority.

Writing, for me, is an act of solitude—most days, anyway. I need to be alone in a room with music playing in the background. Life, though, seems to often get in the way. I found that making writing as much of a priority as eating meals and exercising, worked for me. I schedule my time to write, just as I schedule my time to cook dinners for my family. Play dates and Mommy’s helpers come in very handy when you’d like an hour or two of writing time. Schedule them.

2. Reprioritize housework

Does your laundry talk? Mine sure doesn’t. How about your vacuum? Nope, mine doesn’t either. The wonderful thing about housework is that it doesn’t talk back. It cannot tell you that you’ve waited too long to fold the clothes or dust the cabinets. During my writing time, I throw in laundry and change it over from washer to dryer, but then I throw it on a bed and fold it later, when the kids are milling around and playing in the house—in other words, I do my everyday chores when the kids are doing they’re everyday play. The kids don’t miss out on my time, and I don’t miss out on my writing time.

3. Carve out time for yourself

Just as your spouse might need weekends off from his/her job, you will need time off from writing. As a creative person, it’s very important to rejuvenate your mind, let new ideas form, and flesh out your plots. Carving out a little me-time is a great way to accomplish that time off. Me-time can actually be time spent playing with your children, going to dinner with your spouse, or laying in the sun. However you choose to spend your me-time, remember, it’s just as important as the act of writing.

4. Sometimes, electronic babysitters are not all bad.

Everyone knows that letting your children play video games and watch television for several hours each day is not the healthiest thing for them. There are times, though, when you’re wrapping up a scene, or absolutely must outline a chapter, when thirty minutes of watching a parent-approved DVD isn’t a bad thing. Choose your electronic babysitters carefully, but don’t knock them all to the curb. You need your sanity, too.

5. Make writing time a family activity

While most of my writing time is spent in solitude, there are many times that I make writing a family activity with my children. I’ll give them a setting or character and ask them to come up with a story line. While they’re crafting theirs, I craft mine.

6. Beg, plead, and bribe.

I prefer to spend the time when the children are at school writing, but when this cannot happen and I have a deadline, sometimes this shameful ploy comes into play. Not often, and only in times of utter desperation, I will promise something in exchange for 20 minutes of writing time.  Shameful, I know, but sometimes a promise of a trip to the park goes a long way.

I hope you can carve out your writing time painlessly, without your family losing out on their time with you, but when those instances occur that simply cannot be avoided, whip out this list and perhaps you’ll find one of these tips helpful.

If you’d like to chat about writing, send me an email: thinkhappygirl (at) yahoo (dot) com


About Melissa Foster:

Melissa Foster is the author of two novels, Megan’s Way and Chasing Amanda. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, and is currently collaborating with Director Wendy Crouse, Dream Real Pictures, in the film production of Megan’s Way. Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, she's written a column featured in Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa is currently working on her next novel, and lives in Maryland with her family. Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping women see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Awards:
Megan's Way
2011 Beach Book Award Winner (Spirituality)
2010 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist (Spirituality)
Nominated Dan Poynter's Global eBook Award 2011 (Winners TBD summer 2011)
Chasing Amanda
Nominated Dan Poynter's Global eBook Award 2011 (Winners TBD summer 2011)

Her Website

Follow her, Facebook, Twitter, FB Fanpage

Chat on The Women's Nest

Guest Post: Five Ways to Become a Better Writer

Writing is quite possibly the easiest thing in the world; writing with some level of skill is much harder for the average person. Since there are simple rules that come into play for writing, most people can do the basics, but the English language gets more complicated than that. At this point, millions of people run into trouble as they try to write well but ultimately fail. Luckily for those that have trouble as a writer, there are five ways that can help anyone and everyone become a better writer.

5. Learn Grammar and Spelling

First of all, many writers believe that they know their grammar and spelling. More often than not, however, writers are still basing their grammar on lessons they learned years ago. It's important to keep up with grammar rules by checking upon them through various sources. As for spelling, it usually doesn't change, but millions of writers continually misspell words and rarely are corrected by others. A writer can't make up their own words - writing doesn't work like that, except in fantasy and science-fiction! Check out Lynne Truss' 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' book for a funny and interesting take on proper grammar.

4. Change Things up a Little

It's easy for writers to fall into the trap of using the same sentance structure over and over again, particularly if they don't feel confident enough to try out new phrases. Don't be afraid to use different types of sentences and openers for them - sometimes changing things around can give new meaning or depth. Messing with the sentence structure throughout a piece of writing can make it more interesting and enjoyable to read.

3. Avoid Textspeak and Leetspeak

These days, you only need to look at Facebook to see examples of Internet shorthand - textspeak or leetspeak - that are irritating at best and incomprehensible at worst. Although it might be acceptable to send messages in shorthand, never be tempted to use it in your writing! A writer should always write clearly and concisely.

2. Let the Words Flow

In music, lyrics and sound have to flow in order to have a great song. The same applies for writing - words are nothing without some sort of flow to them. This might seem hard to achieve, but it's worth it. Good writing flows from one part of the story to the next, keeping the reader's attention and keeping the narrative moving.

1. Practice, practice, practice!

The biggest and best way to write better is simply to practice. Sadly, most writers don't practice - they simply write poorly over and over. It's important to practice nearly every day in order for one's writing to improve and flourish. Without practice, a person's writing can never become as good as it should be. Some literary agents recommend that aspiring authors write at least one book as practice before moving on to their real work!

Writing professionally is a very hard but rewarding job, and these tips should get any writer started on the road to bestsellerdom.

Steven Farrell is the administrator of ReversePhoneLookup.org.

Book Review: My Lobotomy by Howard Dully and Charles Fleming

Today I am very excited to announce that my blog is being written by Maggie Thistleton, a guest blogger.  She has written a book review of the memoir My Lobotomy by Howard Dully and Charles Fleming.

My thoughts
I once saw My Lobotomy, by Howard Dully and Charles Fleming, while browsing a used book store.  It was in the staff picks section, so I assumed it must be worth the read.  But after just finishing college, I really didn’t feel like sticking my nose in a heavy book for quite some time, even though I’ve spent most of my life in books.

Fast forward about a year and a half later - I randomly received My Lobotomy as a birthday gift.  It was time to pick up my first book to be read for pleasure since I moved away for college.

Howard’s story
Whether one can really call this a pleasurable read is debatable. My Lobotomy is Howard Dully’s personal memoir of his life before and after receiving a lobotomy at age 12. The story is interesting, inspiring, and very well told. Throughout the book, I often had the feeling that Howard was sitting next to me, giving his incredible life story to me, and no one else.
Howard’s story begins with a history of his life. It seems he had a pretty normal childhood. One of several children, Howard lost his mother when he was young, and his father re-married a tomboy woman named Lou who had a few children of her own.  From the beginning, it’s obvious Lou has something against Howard. It isn’t because he’s not biologically hers; she acts motherly towards Howard’s natural siblings. She makes Howard out to be the ultimate problem child, while he remembers being a fairly normal kid.

Lou had been convinced that there was something wrong with Howard. She took him to various doctors and psychologists, who informed her that he was just a normal, rambunctious young boy. After exhausting all options, Lou brought Howard to see Dr. Walter Freeman. After several interviews with everyone but Howard, Dr. Freeman decided that the boy was schizophrenic. He finally briefly met with Howard, then convinced Howard’s parents that he needed a lobotomy.
In 1960, at 12 years old, Howard became one of the youngest patients to receive a transorbital lobotomy.  Dr. Freeman had performed these on a number of patients - some were successful, but most weren’t. After a short recovery, Howard left the hospital and bounced between family members.  Lou felt he was unfit to have around their other children; she seemed almost scared of him.

Howard’s teen years were spent being shuffled between his own home and those of various family members, until eventually he became a ward of the state and lived in mental asylums. He had almost no side effects from the lobotomy and seemed quite normal, so he quickly became one of the popular kids in each asylum he visited. In his late teens, he lived in halfway houses and got in trouble for writing bad checks to fund his carefree and drug-addicted lifestyle. He spent some years homeless and lived in various apartments with other addicts.

In the end
Howard eventually started to tame his ways after having a child. He married Barbara, and they helped each other clean up their lives. As an adult, he began to question his past and why he was given a lobotomy. Dr. Freeman and Lou had died, and his father wasn’t the type to open up about the past. A documentary crew heard about his search and offered to help, in exchange for a documentary. As a patient of Dr. Freeman’s, Howard was given full access to Dr. Freeman’s lobotomy records. As most people either died or became brain dead after the procedure, Howard was the first person to request to see his file.
              
His file was full of photos, some of his actual procedure, as well as transcripts from every interview Dr. Freeman conducted with his family. Hearing the way Lou talked about Howard as a child makes the reader feel very sympathetic towards Howard, and also incredibly angry at Lou. Howard takes the reader along his personal struggle, and the reader shares how he received his closure after his bold, popular interview crashed the NPR servers.
Given the nature of the subject and the hard, compromising life Howard has lived, you can’t help but have a sense of peace at the end of his story.  It’s a story of survival, and Howard Dully definitely came out ahead.

As a writer
My Lobotomy is a very easy book to read. It reads more like a conversation between Howard and the reader than an actual book. Howard uses his own language, no fancy terms or heavy medical terminology, so you always understand what he is telling you. He has a good, clear writing style that is appropriate for someone writing their first memoir, so don’t be expecting to read an in depth literary novel. Overall, this is a great and easy read for anyone, but because of drug use and promiscuous behaviors, I’d recommend high school age and up.

Bio
New to the world of SEO, I traded in museum studies and caring for snakes for blog writing and organic marketing. I like to mix the marketing with fashion.
Maggie@oneclickventures.com
twitter: gret_herself