Welcome to the November 27, 2009, 2nd Anniversary, edition of Just Write. As promised, we have a couple special additions this week…

In celebration of our two-year anniversary, we’re giving away a copy of The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren.
Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. From dressing the tree to her traditional Christmas dinner, it’s all about creating memories for her family. But when her children begin to leave home—and their traditions—behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.
Unfortunately, she’s soon in over her head, and one impulsive decision leads to a string of events that will change the way her family—even her small Minnesota town—sees the Christmas season.
Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of more than twenty novels. She spent eight years as a missionary in Russia with her husband and four children before returning to Minnesota’s north shore to write full-time. Visit her web site at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Congratulations to Livia for winning the copy of this book! A special thanks to Vicky Lynch of Tyndale Publishing for providing the book.
Now, back to the carnival. Thanks to the submitters and readers who’ve made this carnival a success. Remember to show the blog owners we appreciate their efforts by commenting and socially bookmarking.
Authors/Poets-Interviews/Bios
Tiffany Colter presents Interview with Grace Bridges at posted at Writing Career Coach, saying, “This article is an interview with author Grace Bridges.” Tiffany Colter presents Interview with Fred Waren posted at The Writing Examiner, saying, “This article is an interview with author Fred Waren.” Greg Laden presents An Interview with Jason Page, Film Maker, about White Man’s World posted at Greg Laden’s Blog.
Books/Book Reviews
Stas Voras presents Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving posted at Best Book, saying, “John Irving’s, who is author of “The World According to Garp” and “The Cider House Rules”, recent novel Last Night in Twisted River is frequently as turbulent as the river that supplies its name. It involves dog fights, drowning, shotgun blasts, lethal car accidents, severed limbs, babies in danger, and the risk of bear attacks. Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving, 20 years in the making, is his most autobiographical yet, says Stephanie Merritt (The Observer)” A.F. Heart presents Review: Murder Inside the Beltway by Margaret Truman posted at Mysteries and My Musings, saying, “Margaret Truman was the only daughter of President Harry Truman. She used her knowledge of national politics and Washington D.C. to write the Capital Crimes novel series. Ms. Truman died January of 2008 and this is her twenty-fourth and last book in the series.” Jim Murdoch presents Death of a Superhero by Anthony McCarten posted at The Truth About Lies, saying, “Donald Delpe is your typical 14 year-old, obsessed by sex and not getting any. He’s also not your typical 14 year-old in that he’s dying of cancer. How he copes with this is by drawing superhero comics but like nothing DC or Marvel would touch with a bargepole. An odd book – part narrative, part script, part comic-book outline – but also a painfully funny book when it’s not being tragic. Donald’s main concern is not his impending death but whether or not he’ll get laid before he goes. Currently being made into a film, due for release in 2010 starring Freddie Highmore.” A.F. Heart presents Review: Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy posted at Mysteries and My Musings, saying, “Amidst the flurry of activity that is the holidays at the White House, there is murder ruining the festivities. Join the new Executive Chef Olivia (Ollie) as she juggles the harried preparations for Thanksgiving and the following holiday season in the White House kitchen peppered with bomb scares and a splash of murder. Mix in some personality conflicts among the staff and you have the recipe for this original second entry in the series.”
Encouragement for Writers
Thursday Bram presents The Real Value of NaNoWriMo posted at thursdaybram.com. Mark David Gerson presents Dare to Create. Dare to Write. posted at The Voice of Your Muse, saying, “Don’t write what you think you should. Write what you must.”
Freelance
Thursday Bram presents 7 Things Every Freelance Writer Should Do Before The End of the Year posted at thursdaybram.com. Allison Whitehead presents Is it really possible to get writing jobs on Twitter? | My Online Freelance Writing Career posted at My Online Freelance Writing Career, saying, “I have done it, and I can assure you it IS possible to use Twitter in this way. Do you do it?” Thursday Bram presents Sometimes, You Just Can’t Catch Up… posted at thursdaybram.com.
Love Affair with Words
Jim Murdoch presents English in its underwear posted at The Truth About Lies, saying, “What’s the difference between an accent and a dialect and why not write in standard English so everyone can understand you? An examination of the work of a number of Scottish writers and poets who have decided more is to be gained than lost by this approach. That article also includes examples from Caribbean writers to show this is something many people the world over feel strongly about. There are some entertaining videos including a very moving song about Glasgow by Billy Connolly.”

Poetry/Short Stories

Madeleine Begun Kane presents The Vibrator Play on Broadway (Review and Limerick) posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog, saying, “Broadway play review”

Patti Lecron presents SCREEN DOOR POETRY posted at That Defining Moment, saying, “We were young, spoiled, had cars and gas and drove everywhere just for the fun of it. Wapanucka Love Song is a poem set in what was a near ghost town in south Central Oklahoma in the 1970’s.”
The Writing Life

Livia Blackburne presents Writing Advice from a Neuroscientist Part 3: Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin posted at Livia Blackburne.
Writing Mechanics/Tips

Ginny Wiehardt presents Stephenie Meyer — What Can We Learn from Stephenie Meyer? posted at Fiction Writing on About.com, saying, “With New Moon in theaters and Stephenie Meyer in the spotlight again, we take a look at what writers can learn from her success.”

Mike presents Get Rid of “It” (and other vague words) posted at Writers Anonymous, saying, “Ever had trouble getting your message across? Try getting rid of vagueness by getting rid of “it”!”
Writing Prompts

Tiffany Colter presents Practice your scenes at posted at Writing Career Coach, saying, “This article is a writing exercise to help you with your craft.”

Click here to buy Holiday Posters

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Just Write using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
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