The below blog was a combination of an assignment given to me by my Hi-Lo writing coach (a Hi-Lo series is for struggling readers in K-12 grade levels meaning high-interest, low readability). I was tasked to write anything tongue-in-cheek with a tad of sarcasm while also keeping it real. I decided to combine this assignment with this blog postโI love writing that works on multiple levels! At this point, we arenโt looking for readability levelโjust content on if itโs tongue-in-cheek enough. Iโll let all of you decide!
Written word keeping time
Always meant to unwind
Taken aback from his last breath
Dread it allโif I have to, I MUST say Death.
Any of you may read the above and call it a poem, a joke, philosophy, fortune cookie fortune, wisdom, cynicism, meditative chant turned wrong, comedy, drama, or tragedy. I mean, it all is determined by your background, your outlook on life, as well as all those no-no topics we try to stay away from (i.e., politics, religion, raceโthat which divides us unlike our humanity unites usโI digress as that leans too leftโbeing a little too like Kennedyesqueโinsert winky-face emoji here for the youth).
See what I did there? Words can do many things and evoke many emotions and reactions. Some of you may have felt a pull within finding some of that written word offensiveโit hit home to you and created anger or even a red-colored fury to rise within your pupils. While others may be sitting tongue-in-cheek with that smart-alec-y grin pasted on your faces (like Fiona Apple much?) Others could be grumbling, โDonโt quit your day job, lady!โ as they click the X mark to close this . . . (โthey are gone,โ she says, staring straight into the darkness โโCUT End Scene!โ cried the panicked director glancing furiously at his watch making sure they donโt go overtime again! It will be his job this time, and he canโt afford that. Not with the child support he owes to four wives, the five debts he carries, and the cool five grand he just lost on that last horse raceโhow could he have known Lucky 7 was full-on ironyโno, really, it was a horse called Full On Irony).
See what I did there? I took you on another trip through a tunnel of thoughts and imagery with words. Some people wonder what I write. That title up there. The one in the
Center margin
Varietyโthatโs what I write. Educational blogs, articles, booksโworking on a K-12 book on teaching writing for a press while also writing a Hi-Lo series while working on culinary cozy series and psych thriller scriptโmy first time learning the full ins-and-outs of screenwritingโIโm about eight months in and Iโm still stumpedโeveryone pray, chant, meditate, or nothing for meโthat is seriousโnot sarcasticโI donโt judgeโwhoever, whatever, nothing you believe is great with meโas long as you find peace and happiness.
Hereโs hoping some of you enjoyed the tunnel of my writing mind!
Writing to Market
What do I write? Is that the right question? Why do I write? That seems good. Waxing philosophical. How do I write? Hmmmโฆ so the chicken does come before the egg. I knew it all along.
I hope this audience loves cheezy (as in Cheez-Its) jokesโif not, then maybe something a bit darkerโmoodier even. Light from the sunrays bore down into her Vantablackiest of souls. This cast the neon creature from her cells into motion causing a disco ball of lights bouncing throughout her now soothing, comforting soul. Wow-that turned from dark to light mood ring colors immediately.
Now, thatโs what I call A Variety in Writing.
A Little About Me:
Moving into her second decade working in education, Jodi Rath has decided to begin a life of crime in her The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series. Her passion for mysteries and education led her to combine the two to create her business MYS ED. She splits her time working as an adjunct for Ohio teachers and creating mischief in her fictional writing. She currently resides in a small, cozy village in Ohio with her husband and her eight cats. Learn more at https://www.jodirath.com/.
Punkin Strudel Mayhem โ The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series
It is a Spooktacular time for Jolie and Ava as they have their handsโ full catering Leavensportโs annual Halloween Pumpkin Bash. When Ava convinces Jolie to get their fortunes told by a visiting psychic, they receive an ominous prediction.
โMasksโliteral and figurative, chaos, deceit, betrayal, death. The cards have spoken.โ
Madame Esme Emeraldโs fortunes are looking more like premonitions of doom. It seems that someone in Leavensport received a reading that did not sit well because Madame Emerald is found dead, and it looks like her crystal ball is the murder weaponโor is something more supernatural going on?
Bounty-Full Investigative Services is on the case, or is it more of a paranormal manifestation? This could be a first for the girls as they take on the underworldโs spirits.
Welcome to Leavensport, Ohio, where DEATH takes a DELICIOUS turn!
Release Date: 10/29/21
Links to purchase book:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Punkin-Strudel-Mayhem-Skillet-Mystery-ebook/dp/B08MBGVFQS/ref=pd_sim_2?pd_rd_w=nucXg&pf_rd_p=495b84a8-4624-4096-8e20-27b4882c0d09&pf_rd_r=FYMV6E8G1VGTBVXBGA59&pd_rd_r=9ea3e9cd-0eb9-4e35-b6d0-2daea43525a4&pd_rd_wg=sfUAK&pd_rd_i=B08MBGVFQS&psc=1
All other e-platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mZaL15
FB Author page: @authorjodirath or https://www.facebook.com/authorjodirath/
Twitter: @jodirath
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodi-rath
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Jodi,
Thanks for stopping by. Variety is the spice of life. Debra
Thanks so much for having me here today, Debra!
Jodi Rath