Pop-up Books

Who Says Books Are Outdated?

Ever notice that whenever a politician or a world leader wants to give his constituents the impression of being scholarly, smart and well read that he has his photograph taken or interview conducted in a library? Not in a computer room or before a Smart Board but in a room lined with lots and lots of those friendly, low tech books. And if he really wants to give the impression that he's literate, he'll actually hold a book in his lap. Not a laptop or a blackberry or some other electronic gizmo but a solid, rectangular book with a spine, a title page and all those famous, mundane bookish trappings.

And why is it that when people want to honor a former president, they build a library in his name? Again, not a computer lab but a library? Is it true that building a library in somebody's honor is the highest form of flattery? The best way possible to pay tribute to somebody's leadership and intellectual superiority?

So, I must ask myself, why is it schools are so willing to pump thousands of dollars into the latest technological marvels at the expense of their libraries? I don't get it.

Anyhow, here's one type of book that takes some engineering smarts. Check out the video above featuring pop-up master Robert Sabuda.

The Murky Middle and Other Stuff

I'm sloshing around in the murky middle of my novel. I wish I were one of those writers who could plot each chapter carefully and knew exactly what was going to happen next. But, that's just not the way I write. I like to make discoveries as I go along. And I like the surprise of those aha moments that send goose pimples up and down my back.

Often, writing is not that way. I write a little, then sit back and wonder if I'm making sense. Sometimes I like what I've written, but more often than not, I wind up revising and revising my latest installment. Long ago, my mom taught me how to knit. As long as I paid attention and remembered to count my stitches, my rows came out nice and neat and, if I stuck to the pattern, eventually everything would come together and I'd wind up with a scarf or a pair of mittens or even a hat. For me, writing is a little like knitting but without the pattern. So, I expect I'll wind up with a rather lumpy first novel that may not hang together all that well. If that's the case, I guess I can always pull out the stitches and redo things.

While I'm blogging, I just want to wish Megan Holden (from our Monday night running group) good luck today in the Boston Marathon. Last year, she qualified for the Olympic time trials with a blistering 2:44 and Boston is the race from which the women's Olympic marathon team will be selected. She's self coached, by the way. So, go Megan! We know it's an outside shot, but we're rooting for you.

Writing Award

Yesterday, my son, Derek, got a call from the editor of The Suffolk County News, the local newspaper he wrote a series of articles for about his experiences along the Appalachian Trail. He won second place in the NY Press Association's feature story division. Hooray!

In the beginning, he wasn't sure he wanted to write the articles. He didn't know if he'd have ready access to a computer or if he'd have enough to say every other week for five months or so. As it turned out, the people in the little towns along the AT were more than willing to share a computer with him and the people he met, the scenery, weather, moments of joy and frustration provided him with a wealth of writing material.

I know it's not the Pulitzer Prize but we are so enormously proud of Derek.