I've moved my blog

Dear friends and followers,

I have moved my blog to http://www.patsyanntaylor.com

A Napa Writer's Open Door welcomes you.

I hope you will follow me to the new site where I have more topics and more content.

Thank you for your patience.

Patsy Ann Taylor

Fourth of July Remember 1776

Here it is again. Fourth of July, a holiday that for many of us means hot dogs and burgers on the grill, potato salad, maybe a watermelon sliced and cold. A parade and fireworks worked in sometime during the day, and hot weather. I wonder if our founding fathers imagined their efforts would bring about such traditions.

In his book 1776, David McCullough gives readers a stirring look at the events leading up to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the battles fought to win freedom for all of us.

Reading about the trials our troops endured and the leadership of George Washington during the conflict brought me a new understanding of the men and women of that time. And with it a new pride in our country and its people. 1776 gives some insight to the British point of view as well. Something I'd never really considered.

I've read a few of McCullough's books: The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, and The Path Between the Seas. Each of these books is filled with the characters and events of our country's history presented in a way that makes everything real and relevant. Still waiting on my night stand are: Mornings on Horseback, Brave Companions, Truman, and John Adams. McCullough received the Pulitzer Prize for Truman and for John Adams.

The Fourth of July is a perfect time to read any one of these bites of history AND wave a flag.

Read for Novel Structure

I just finished rereading Martin Cruz Smith's novel set in pre world war two Japan. "December Sixth" is a novel writing workshop in a few hundred pages. Aside from being an excellent read, this book is a how-to on just about every aspect of novel writing. From showing how all the sub-plots must connect to the main character, to making an unsympathetic protagonist endear himself to the reader, this author has done that and more. And though it was probably not his intent, he makes me want to rush to the computer for a go at my own writing.

You may have guessed I like this writer and you would be right. Gorky Park, Red Square, Rose, and Havana Bay are a few of his books. Havana Bay and Rose won the Hammett Award. The author writes characters to root for and plots to keep the pages turning.

Try one of Mr. Smith's books, you will learn something about writing.