RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

Monday (Afternoon) Musings

Here I sit, running late once again, but with a good excuse.  I just finished the classic, Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody, and I am filled with things I would like to say to the young protagonist of this memoir.  Because of this feeling of a need/desire to communicate with a character in something I’ve read, I would like to provide the venue for you to do the same.

Post here by typing in the reply box a letter, e-mail, or simply address the protagonist of the book you are currently reading.  I am going to set a deadline of January 20th for posting your communication here. If you cannot maneuver the necessities for posting yourself, click on “contact me” and type in your letter/note there, which I will copy and attach to this post.

I am looking forward to you thinking about what you would say to your book’s character in writing.

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6 responses to “Monday (Afternoon) Musings”

  1. literature2guy Avatar
    literature2guy

    Lord Peter Wimsey, do you realize you are the archetypal good guy of so many novels? You’re multi-talented, independent, self-motivated, beyond the rat race kind of life, and you do good within reasonable limits. Your author, Dorothy Sayers, does well with you in character and plot. On the other hand, when Sayers writes about her female detective, Harriett Vane, Vane seems more real than you do until you come into the stories and take over as the female detective recedes. I supposed that’s the way it was, for many. But I wish you had truly encouraged her to keep the lead.

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Love this! And you are a dear for participating! I should have known this little “game” would tempt you!

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  2. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    I’m delighted you are starting to value yourself, Laura – but I would counsel you to just be a bit more wary around Will… I really can’t believe he is being so profoundly punished for being a bit of an idiot… Either he actually murdered the other guy OR said other guy is very well connected. I’m still waiting to find out, of course… (TERMINAL REGRESSION by Mallory Hill)

    I think this is cracking idea, by the way:)

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Thank you, Dear Friend, for participating! I can always count on you. I was going through some old writing prompts, with my Advanced Writing and Kiddie Classes both in mind, and I thought, “Why not?” I am hoping for more and will add my own before the deadline of the 20th. I am so busy I am bumping into myself on my way to places!

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      1. sjhigbee Avatar
        sjhigbee

        lol… “so busy I’m bumping into myself on my way to places!” what a lovely way to put it – and I can SO relate:).

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    Reblogged this on blogging807.

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