You

When writing you need to be careful of the word you. In a non-fiction piece this can be a call to action for the reader. If you are writing a fiction piece too many yous can make it seem like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel. When the narrator, first or third person, uses you it can pull the reader out of the story. You may think it is a clever and funny, but in all actually it is breaking the fourth wall.

Jessica bought a green Christmas sweater. You know the kind. They often show up in family holiday pictures and you later mock them relentlessly on the internet.

While this statement is funny the you draws the reader out of the story. Instead try writing it another way.

Jessica bought a green Christmas sweater. She knew the risk. It looked like one from a family holiday picture that is later mocked relentlessly on the internet.

As I mentioned earlier when writing non-fiction articles or essays using the word you can be a way to engage the reader in a call to action.

*The Art of Conversation

Intro: I loved the idea of two people speaking the same language without actually speaking the same language.

Orifel felt someone tap her shoulder and looked up. A tall man with white hair stood there, a grin plastering his face

"Xewdan, I'm glad you made it," Orifel said. She always loved signing his name a combination of silver and distinguished. When she finished she scooted over making room on the bench.

"Did you wait long?" His long fingers danced in a way that no one else's did.

"I have a good book."

Xewdan took the tablet from her and flipped through a few screens. He handed it back. "Nice pictures."

Orifel laughed and tucked it in her bag. "Are you ready for our date?"

"Date? I didn't realize this was a date."

"What would you call it?"

"A social execution."

Orifel laughed. "I think you meant excursion."

Xewdan frowned and formed both signs mouthing the words. He asked, "What did I say?"

She explained it and he laughed.

"I hope it doesn't turn into an execution," he said. "But it would be exciting."

She stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder. As they walked down the sidewalk they continued the conversation. Orifel talked about her experience at her new job cataloging at the library while Xewdan explained his research at the college. They laughed about the last year's experiences as she taught Xewdan to sign. They passed a few people on the streets who eyed them. Orifel knew it was because people didn't often see someone from Vexanar walking with someone from Puliry. She only came to his shoulder and her pink hair and pale complexion was a stark contrast to his orange eyes and reddish complexion. Their races lived on opposite sides of the galaxy from each other.

Xewdan held the door for her. Once inside the aquarium Xewdan led the way to the first display. Never before had an aquatic exhibit of this nature been to the moon base.

"I've never seen a whale before," Orifel said.

"Did you know they sing? Some of them do, anyway."

Another exhibit.

"Look at the penguins," Xewdan stepped closer to the glass.

"They keep their eggs on their feet away from the cold."

The last exhibit left them both breathless.

"This is what a garteous looks like?"

Xewdan stepped closer to her his eyes flashing between her hands and the exhibit.

"I had no idea they were so small."

The dark room made it hard to see his reply and she stepped closer as she replied.

"Do you think I can take one home?"

"I'll help you get one if you let me come and visit her," Xewdan said.

"Why not get two and then we can breed them."

"I like your thinking."

He tapped her shoulder. "They just announced the exhibit is closing."

She nodded and glanced at her watch. "I need to be getting to work anyway. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Orifel had to run to make it on time to the library. The head librarian frowned. "You're late."

"Sorry," Orifel didn't know what she sounded like. She had been deaf since birth and used her voice as little as possible, one reason why she appreciated Xewdan's friendship. He didn't require her to speak and had made an effort to learn how to sign. She paid close attention to the librarian's mouth as he continued.

"I need you to do some translation for me if you have time. We just got some Vexanar documents in and if you could catalog them."

"I don't speak Vexanarist," Orifel replied.

"But your friend, isn't he a Vexanar? I've seen you with him."

"Yes, but we only sign to one another. He doesn't know Puliranian."

"But he signs to you." The librarian frowned and Orifel shrugged.

"What does that have to do with what language he speaks?"

The librarian rubbed his forehead. "What did you do today?"

"Social execution."

He paused. "Never mind. Forget I asked."

Orifel laughed and logged it away in her mind to tell Xewdan when she saw him later.

A World Without Heroes (Beyonders #1)

by Brandon Mull

Where do I start? I loved the FABLEHAVEN series and have been looking forward to A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES for months. This is the first book in Brandon Mull's new BEYONDERS series. I got my audio copy from the library the day it came out (last year) and started listening to it on my drive to and from work. I would even sneak a few minutes in here and there to listen to it. This book really made my day. The basic story is about Jason and Rachel who are transported from our Earth to another dimension. There they learn of the evil infesting the land and choose to go up against the evil overlord when few will.

One of my few complaints of the FABLEHAVEN series was in the beginning Seth was too rebellious and seemed to be disobeying orders because he could and that Kendra has no backbone. In BEYONDERS, however, I really liked the main character, Jason. I saw his reasoning what he did and agreed with him even when he made his decisions against the advice of others. The other main character in this story is Rachel. I wasn't sure how I felt about her at first, since she had this strong feminist attitude about life, but as the story went on, I really grew to appreciate her cleverness and understanding of the situation.

A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES kept my attention through the whole thing. I also really enjoyed the voice actor in the audio version. I liked the various voices he used and thought he brought the characters and setting to live. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but I will also add that it is a little more violent than what I expected but nothing too descriptive to be off putting. Once again Brandon Mull has drawn me into another great world and situation and I can't wait for the next one. I am counting down the weeks until March 13th. I posted this review in preparation to reading the next one in a month and a half. I'll post the review to SEEDS OF REBELLION when I finish it.

Younker vs. Yonkers

I have a fairly unusual last name. It isn't one of a kind, but not a lot of people have heard of it where I live. My husband's family pronounces it "yonker" though traditionally it is suppose to be "yunker" and it at one point in history was probably spelled with a "j" instead of a "y." Because of how it is pronounced, most people don't know how to spell it when we just say it. Most people assume that it is "Yonkers" as in the city in New York. I don't know if I want to admit it but I had no idea that Yonkers, New York existed until I got married. Part of this can be traced back to how my husband tend to introduce us "Hi, we're the Younkers." I try and make an effort to say "Hi I'm E Younker and this is my husband Moose Younker." This seems to help until the next time we are introduced and when they try to remember who we are the only thing that comes to mind is Yonkers.

The other day I went to writing group. A new fellow was there and was introduced to everyone. I introduced myself as "E Younker." The man looked at me for a moment. "How do you spell that?" I spelled it out for him. He nodded. "I see. Like the city." I am sure I stared at him dumbfounded for a moment before saying. "No. Not like the city." This is the first time that I have spelled it out and the person still says it is like the city.