Susurration: A Poem

Susurration of waves

Lapping against shore

Turquoise lungs

Breathing

While a reverent hush

Blows in.

(Photo by David Stroup)

Laurie Woodward is the author of several novels including Forest Secrets, and the fantasy series The Artania Chronicles. She also cowrote Dean and JoJo: The Dolphin Legacy and was a collaborator on the popular anti-bullying DVD Resolutions. Bullied as a child, Laurie is now an award-winning peace consultant, poet, and blogger who helps teach children how to avoid arguments, stop bullying, and maintain healthy friendships. She writes her novels on the Central Coast of California.

We Won the National Video Contest!

“Dear Laurie,

We are delighted to inform you that you are a Winner in the Take A Stand Against Bullying Video Contest sponsored by Oxy Skin Care. The Scholastic and Oxy teams were so impressed with the caliber of work; your students should be very proud!” I read the other morning as my fifth-grade students were getting out their homework.

“Yahoo! We won! We won!” I crowed jumping up and down in front of my astonished class.

“What, Ms. Woodward?”

“The video we made won the national contest!”

There was silence for a moment then a roar of cheers, applause and desk pounding so deafening I was sure the principal would come in any second and tell us to quiet down. Kids leapt into the air, high-fiving each-other while I did a victory Salsa dance across the room.

When I first heard about the contest, I thought it’d be a great way to teach my kids about how to deal with bullying. So I wrote a script, had some auditions, and started filming the munchkins in imaginary bullying situations. I was lucky to have such good actors this year who were open to retakes, but still it was pretty tough to try and fit filming into our already busy schedule. Most of it occurred during recesses.

And the due date was fast approaching.

One of the greatest challenges was finding a quiet place at school to film the scenes. We don’t have any special equipment like muff-covered microphones or special lights. Just an IPad. We’d be in the middle of one with the kids rocking their acting and the bell would ring or a ball would roll our way with a second-grader right behind.

So with a groan I’d delete that take and try again.

On the last day before all entries were due, I tried taking the kids to behind the school, thinking that would be quiet and protected from the blustery winds of Santa Maria. And it worked, sort-of. But then there was another announcement while filming.

With recess over, what choice did I have? We were out of time so I had to use the scene.

And was surprised as heck with how good the video came out.

The Poetry Foundation invites you to record a poem on Soundcloud — Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog

Originally posted on newauthoronline: The Poetry Foundation invites you to record a poem, tag your verse and have it appear in their listings on Soundcloud. You can choose from the poems on the Foundation’s website, or choose a poem of your own. For further details please visit this link, https://soundcloud.com/poetryfoundation/welcome-to-record-a-poem. You can find examples of…

via The Poetry Foundation invites you to record a poem on Soundcloud — Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog

My First Audio Book!

A few months back I was out to lunch with some author friends of mine talking shop. I’m always interested in new ways my colleagues might be sharing their work and was excited when several told me that Audible is not only easy, but affordable. And it helped to get a wider audience for books.

So I decided to give it a try.

I was surprised how pain free the process was. All I had to do was create a script, post a job on the ACX website, and wait for the audition tapes to come in.

And I tell you that when the auditions began to arrive I was a giddy kid. It was thrilling to hear the different ways that various actors interpreted Artania. One man made if very goofy and silly, a bit like Dr. Seuss. Another had a raspy voice, nearly whispering each word.

But the actor I liked the best was K. C. Wayman. His deep rich voice reminded me of classically trained actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Stewart, or Lawrence Oliver. I approached him with an offer, which he soon accepted.

And we were off.

Within weeks I was able to sit back, close my eyes, and experience Artania: The Pharaoh’s Cry in a whole new way. For me it was an unmatched thrill.

How did he do? Give this sample a listen and decide for yourself.