Writerly Life Recap
Newsletter #45
All About the Process
For the last four weeks of the year, I’ll be compiling a recap of links to newsletter posts that fall under one of four categories. It’s a great time for you to catch up on what you’ve missed or re-read a favorite or two. This week it’s the WRITERLY LIFE topic!
Really, the main focus of my newsletter is all about my writing journey, and there are so many parts of this journey that I’m happy to have a platform for me to explain the industry, share my experiences, express gratitude for the warm and supportive people I’ve met, and give insights into the work that I do.
Glossary of Writing Industry Terms
Filipino American International Book Festival
The Slowness of the Writing Industry
Is there anything in the writing realm that you’d like to see in the coming year? Please leave a comment.
Book Report: IN MY MOSQUE
Written by M. O. Yuksel
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Whenever I read this book, I love the feeling of peace and joy that it leaves me with. Told in a child’s point of view, readers explore what it’s like to spend a day at a mosque for worship, community, celebration, and play. Each spread begins with, “In my mosque,” and we are invited to experience customs such as removing shoes, hearing prayers, helping prepare mats for service, sharing beliefs of interconnectedness and generosity, and spending time with each other. The author M. O. includes extensive back matter so readers can learn about mosques, definitions in a glossary, plus a long list of famous mosques and their features across every continent. The bright colors and intricate details that the illustrator Hatem has drawn creates beautiful scenes of a variety of architecture, textures, and patterns that are compelling to look at.
Themes: community, religion, beliefs and traditions, love and acceptance, joy, peace
Discussion Ideas:
How do the descriptions of the mosque make you feel when thinking about what it’s like to spend time there?
What are the messages this book conveys and how can you apply those in your own life?
Mentor Text For:
author’s message
descriptive language
sensory details
Link to Teacher Resources: STEM Invitation, Reader's Guide, Coloring Page, Word Search, Watercolor Resist Mosque, Paper Bag Mosques, K-2 Anti-Islamophobia Teaching Resource, Grades 3-5 Anti-Islamophobia Teaching Resource
Buy the book!
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Weekly Progress Report
This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.
critiqued a story
continued revising the biography (for many days)
sent an application
met Diana Farid at a storytime for Already All the Love
Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,
Susan