My Blog has MOVED!

Hello everyone!

I've decided to switch all my blogs to Wordpress.  I find it more user-friendly, plus they have a much better mobile application than Blogger, which is especially necessary for my travel blog.  Rather than trying to manage blogs on two platforms, I'm combining them all onto Wordpress.

My NEW blog address from now onward is: https://shelbymoore.wordpress.com/

Make sure you subscribe there to keep up with all my new posts!

Meeting Orson Scott Card

Hey everyone!  I know it's been a loooong time... I'm just busy making music.

Anyway, on October 18, 2013, Orson Scott Card visited my school for a book signing soon after the movie release of "Ender's Game".  He's actually an adjunct professor here and even teaches a summer writing course.   (Too bad I'm never here over the summer!)

I met him and he signed my (as yet unread - it's still on my list!) copy of "Ender's Game".  I had about 30 seconds to ask him a few questions.  I wish I had written our conversation down earlier, as it's not quite word-for-word in my memory anymore.  But I think he made some really good comments so I thought I'd share. Keep in mind this is me paraphrasing while trying to remain as accurate as possible.



Me: What's your favorite story out of ones you've written?
Card: Ender has been very good to me. (I sensed that perhaps another book is secrely his favorite, but due to all the monetary gain and publicity he's gotten from "Ender's Game" I can understand why he might be reluctant to say it's something else.)

Me: What's the best part of being a writer?
Card: Getting a check when I'm finished! (laughs)

Me: What advice do you have for amateur writers, even people like me who might not ever get their work published?
Card: Always try to make your writing the best it can be.  Even if you only write for yourself, someday, someone else will read your work and you want it to be a good representation of you and your voice as a writer.  If you write for yourself only, you should still be able to take pride in the material you produce.  

Me: Do you have any other writing tips?
Card: Always remember: people make any one decision for more than one reason.  And every decision has several consequences. 

There have been some very unkind things about him in the news, but for the little while I was with him, he and his wife were very nice, engaging to speak with, and seemed very genuine. Even though is now quite famous, he struck me as very down-to-earth and fun.

Me (with the big white bow) waiting with my friends Kira and Geri.

Thursday Fun: English teachers vs. Authors

I saw this while scrolling through Pinterest today and thought you all would appreciate it.  (I also just want to celebrate how nice it is being out of college for the summer!)  I think this is so true! 

My Guest Post on Julia's Blog

Hey everybody!  I didn't mean to go so long without posting.  I woke up today and realized I hadn't written anything on my blog in over a week!  I've been studying and practicing hard lately.  Anyway, my guest post on my friend Julia's blog is now live! 

You can click HERE to read it.

Please give your opinions and comments on it.  I'd love to hear what you all think!  

My (belated) Monday Musings report on my "novel in nine weeks" project: