 For Authors: November 28, 2018 Issue [#9245] |
This week: Still a Kid Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI back on Jan 4  
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Thank you, Lilli  , for the question you asked on Nov. 20, 2018. It gave me food for thought for this newsletter.
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Dear Reader,
On Nov. 20, Lilli asked the visitors to her forum "Question of the Day!" the following question:
"What childish things do you still do, as an adult?"
"Invalid Post"
This triggered a flood or responses, most of them beginning with something along the lines of 'many'! and going on to give some examples.
I'm going to copy-paste Jayngle Bells  's list below, because copy-pasting nice, long lists is a coolly childish thing to do. 
Watch Scooby-doo for no reason, even if I'm alone (scrappy-doo does not exist in my world)
Make up new names for Mr. J
Chase the cat
Wrestle the dog when he's here (dog wins. I'm not very strong)
Paint stuff (which, let's be real, is my version of colouring because I can't hold a pencil)
Complain about taking my medicine
Talk to random people like a 4-year would (Hi. I like your jacket.)
Play with makeup with disastrous results
Bubbles
Candy/cake
Play in the dirt. Track dirt in the house.
Build lame sandcastles. Dig holes at the beach until you hit the water table. Catch tadpoles. Take a beach rock for literally no reason other than 'it's my rock'. Track sand in the house.
Fight with my sisters because they're too close to me.
Put my hand in my sister's personal space and say "I'm not touching you, you can't do anything."
Play with inchworms
...and stuff.
So yeah.
Some common aspects to everyone's responses.
Everyone said they do more than one childish thing. When given the permission to admit it, they admitted it freely. Even seemed proud of it. (I am.)
There are some particular things that seem to be common in childhoods in all cultures. Playing on a swing in the playground. Sibling rivalry. (Many more!)
So -- what is it about childhood memories that makes for good material for authors?
1. It is universal -- we were all kids once, and still are.
2. But it goes deeper than that. We're all people, too, and still are.
But KIDS are more similar to each other, across cultures, than adults are. Because kids haven't been conditioned yet. Kids don't already have a 'favourite' band or author, they don't know what's done or not done in their society, they don't consider differences in looks or beliefs to be a bad thing. They just are. Wherever they are, they just are.
And I guess that's why a childhood memory, like playing on a swing, or eating a cookie, or playing with a toy is such a universal experience. It takes us back to a time when we just WERE. Back to the bliss of an uncomplicated existence.
If you can evoke that in your writing, you'll have the reader hooked for sure.
Thanks for listening, and thanks, again, Lilli , for the inspiration!
- 
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By our authors!
| | | Last First Time [E] #2135936
They've shared these moments before w/ others, but a couple hopes they no longer have to.
by Fivesixer  |
I came across this poem while reviewing, and learnt, via a reply to my review from the poet, that it was actually inspired by a child's question.
This is pretty interesting -- the story of an item and its hosts, on WDC.
All-time favourites!
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Thank you for the responses to "Communicate, Create Integrate, Celebrate"
How interesting! I am Finnish myself, but the school years taught me English. And I have picked up a word here and there after that. But Finnish is and stays as my own language. English is the one I use abroad in most cases, and in most cases people get my point just fine. Well written! Lucinda Lynx 
I'm not good with languages so I can relate. Unfortunately I haven't figured out why this is or how to remedy this situation. I am interested unlearning several languages especially sign language, but it seems to be an exercise in futility for the moment. It is enough for now that I'm learning more about English and writing. When I get my head wrapped around this project, then I might embark on an adventure into another language. Sign language would be most likely the first language I would work on learning because it would assist me in communicating better. dogpack saving 4premium 
That's good writing. Gives hints of a whole new world we never thought existed. There being different types and sub types of mangoes and different types of snow is interesting. Master Sergent M
Hi Sonali! I thought your newsletter on language was really interesting  - to be fair, as you say you already speak essentially 5 languages, that is pretty impressive - I think that makes sense that you don't learn the local dialect when you get along fine with your other languages. It does get me in the UK though - people come here from other countries (which I have absolutely NO problem with, I voted REMAIN and love the fact the UK is muticultural!)....and they find and mix with people from their own culture and often don't bother to learn English. I'm not even kidding - I meet people who have lived here for a decade and even have a British passport but they can't hold a conversation in English!! I think that's sad. If I lived in another country, I would certainly want to learn the language (and I have done). Even when I go on holiday I try to speak a bit!!   Jellyfish Merry In Morocco! 
When I was a youth, I got stuck in China for a year. I learned the essentials in Mandarin basically because I didn't want to starve to death. (Guess what "qiao ke li" means in English?!  Christopher Roy Denton 
Editor's note: Let's make that a 'Question' for this newsletter, shall we? What does "qiao ke li" mean, in English? No googling, and those who already know the answer, please keep the secret! (I don't know the answer!) Respond in the 'feedback' section of this newsletter - where it says 'send a comment or question'. The most creative response gets an MB from me. Pl. respond by Dec. 9, to be eligible for the judging, in the comment section only. (I'm not looking for the actual meaning. I'm looking for a creative (wacky!) interpretation of the phrase.)
And the winner is runoffscribe , with:
"qiao ke li" is a restaurant scam. The scammer orders the biggest bowl of fish and rice on offer. Almost done, he drops to the floor, rolls from side and clutches at his throat. A kind patron pounds him on the back and he "coughs up" a fish bone. Hei ha, and out.
In English, "Chokey Lee". With the game on the line, you go to anyone else.
Received on Facebook, in response to: "Why do we learn a new language?"
Mike Dalton Because we are not the insular beings we convince ourselves we are. At our core we are compassionate beings that desire communication, understanding and unity.
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