I've always been a bit envious of the "artsy" types.
I figured that painting, dance, and writing skills came naturally...
To Others.
Now I know better.
There are others out there willing and able to guide us on our journey to creativity.
Kate Hopper is one of these people, and I am happy to have discovered her!
A Resource to Help you Document Your Experiences.
Kate Hopper is an award-winning writer, teacher, editor, and mother, among other things. She writes primarily about the many sides of motherhood, and when she began in this direction found that some people did not take her writing seriously because of the subject matter. Her solution was to create a place in the world for women to give creative expression to their own motherhood experiences.
In her book "Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers" Kate teaches some great techniques to help us document our journeys in ways that will capture the moments and give depth to the subject at hand.
Use Your Words is a book for both beginning mother writers and more advanced writers who want to improve their writing ability as they process the gritty, mundane, often-funny, and sometimes heartbreaking nature of parenthood.
The book layout is ideal for me. I really enjoyed reading the excerpts in each chapter, which were followed by specific exercises for the reader to follow. The writing exercises were easy to understand and although some of them were difficult for me personally to complete, others were really valuable. The chapters ranged from 10-20 pages, a perfect length for a busy Mother with little "me" time.
Turn the phrase on yourself - "Use Your Words!"
I am not yet ready to share the pieces I have written (perhaps in a future post?) but I am excited to continue on with the exploration and expression of my own journey. This book will continue to be a resource for me as I document the ever-changing landscape that is parenthood.
If you like what you read, Kate has kindly offered to giveaway a copy to one of you! But wait, there's more. Kate is working on another book "Ready for Air" about prematurity due out October 1. Stay tuned to Journeys of The Zoo for more information.
You can order Kate's book "Use Your Words" off her Website (it's also available as an audiobook) and connect with her via Her Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Win a Copy of "Use Your Words" below!
| Prize: | Enter prize here |
| Eligibility: | USA and CANADA. Age 18+ |
| Duration: | The contest will run from Friday, May 3 until Friday, May 24, 2013, inclusive. |
| Shipping: | Included in the prize. |
| Entry Method: | Rafflecopter Form. |
| Disclosure: | Journeys of The Zoo received a copy of this product that enabled us to complete this review. |
| Note: | Several social media avenues restrict me from making a "Like or Follow" action as a contest entry. If you're interested in following me, my links are as follows: Facebook | Pinterest | Google+. If you already follow me, thank you. |
This giveaway was posted to Blog Giveaways, Contest Canada, I Love Giveaways, Linkies Contest Linkies, Canadian Free Stuff and Strictly Canadian Coupons & Contests.
Besos, The Zoo
A book sounds nice as a giveaway. I've received 7 free books. Would do this one but i'm trying to stay clear of giveaways esp if it's add this person and so forth. sorry
ReplyDeleteI learned that Kate puts on special workshops - details can be found on her site!
ReplyDeleteI learned she is a writer, teacher, editor, and mother
ReplyDeleteTeresa@ Freebies 4 My Family :D Come Visit!
http://freebies4myfamily.blogspot.com
I learned that Kate Hopper is a teacher, editor and most of all a mother, who knows her stuff. I would love to read more of this book, its sounds very interesting and helpful in writing.
ReplyDeleteshe is having a workshop for mothers
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ReplyDeleteI learned she is a writer, teacher, editor, and mother
ReplyDeleteI learned that she writes mostly about motherhood :) I like that.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Kate is a Fullbright scholar! (AND that I'm really interested in her online teaching).
ReplyDelete-Cristyl @ www.mychillthoughts.com
She received her degree from the University of Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteshe wrires in a way that people of varying writing backgrounds and styles can understand
ReplyDeletewhat a writer!
ReplyDeleteI learned that I'm very much in need of this book! All too often I fall into the trap of using words, as opposed to using words well. :) Oh, plus she was super-smart!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely, challenging, yet inspiring book!
ReplyDeleteI learned that she teaches multiple courses and one is available online that is the version of Motherhood & Words®.
ReplyDeleteI learned that she is a Fullbright scholar - very impressive.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Kate Harper has an MFA in creative writing.
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to win this book. It has been on my to-read list for a while!
I learned that Use Your Words is a book for both beginning mother writers and more advanced writers who want to improve their writing ability.
ReplyDeletepatricia(dot)pickett(at)gmail(dot)com
Bailey Dexter She been the recipient of a Fulbright Grant, a Gesell Summer Fellowship at the Anderson Center in Red Wing, Minnesota, a University of Minnesota English Department Outstanding Teacher Award for Graduate Assistants, a 2008 MN State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant, and a 2011 Sustainable Arts Foundation Grant. She is co-editor for Literary Reflections at Literary Mama.
ReplyDeletei learned that she has alot of titles! ;)
ReplyDeleterafflecopter name nicole krutz
I learned that she charges $50/hour for manuscript critique services.
ReplyDeleteI learned that she received her degree from the University of Minnesota.
ReplyDeletekayla_93@hotmail.ca
I learned that she went to the University of Minnesota!
ReplyDeleteI learned that we have two things in common...a mother of a preemie and the love of writing! I totally get the world of uncertainty in nicu
ReplyDeleteI learned she also teach an online version of Motherhood & Words®.
ReplyDelete@plumerea
ReplyDeleteI found out that Kate is a loves finding good writing that combats the myths of motherhood still perpetuated in our society and speaks honestly about what it’s really like to be a mother. This is so amazing to me because it is exactly the sort of information I need, as I expecting our very first little bundle of joy this Fall. Thanks for the chance to win a great book.
The book includes excerpts of quality writing about motherhood and teaches readers how to find the heart of their writing, learn to use motherhood as a lens through which to write the world, and turn their motherhood stories into art.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Kate is very inspiring as a teacher, editor and mother/
ReplyDeleteKate used to teach creative writing and literature!
ReplyDeleteKate teaches an online version of Motherhood & Words®. Visit my teaching page to learn more about my upcoming classes.
ReplyDeleteI learned that she received her degree from the University of Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteI learned that she writes about motherhood: the dark side, the humorous side, the places where these two intersect.
ReplyDeleteI learned that there are excerises in the book for each chapter.
ReplyDeleteI learned she is a writer, teacher, editor, and mother
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.journeysofthezoo.com/2013/05/use-your-words-writing-guide-kate-hopper-giveaway.html#ixzz2TtIJhXVY
Kate did stuff at my old school - U of MN!
ReplyDeletei learned that she has a MFA in creative writing
ReplyDeleteshe went to the University of Minnesota
ReplyDeleteI learned that Kate has tailored workshops.
ReplyDeleteshe has an MFA in creative writing from the University of Minnesota
ReplyDeletelearned that she is a Fullbright scholar
ReplyDeleteShe has teaching creative writing for a decade
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book! Kate teachers a variety of courses or classes and I think her one about teaching mothers to write about motherhood would be really fascinating. Thanks for this opportunity Sara!
ReplyDeleteSuz
She is co-editor for Literary Reflections at Literary Mama.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the author has an MFA in creative writing from the University of Minnesota.
ReplyDelete