Will Write For Chocolate, Andy's award, Nancy Drew nostalgia

My weekly comic strip for freelance writers, Will Write For Chocolate, has been updated. This week's column topic: "Bad Writing At Its Best: The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest."

A belated congrats to our friend, Andy Beaton, for winning the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Bertram J. Topham Observer of the Year award. From a recent RASC newsletter:

"Awarded to Andy Beaton for his contribution to the science of variable star observing. During the past year, Andy has led all Toronto Centre members with a total of 378 variable star observations. These totals are all the more impressive in that his primary instrument did not have computer-assisted pointing. In addition to his excellent work in variable star observations, Andy has also made significant contributions to the observing pro- grams of the Centre both by being a regular volunteer at star parties and other public education events and by contributing to the Toronto Centre's first-ever Variable Star Workshop at the Carr Astronomical Observatory in October 2005."



I'm continuing to gradually unpack some long-stored boxes of books, and trying to exert some self-discipline in deciding what to keep and what to give to Goodwill. It's tough; I'm not good at book-purging. But the fact is that my basement office is far too small to house all the books I want to keep, and there is limited room on shelves elsewhere in the house. So far, I've managed to get rid of about 7 boxes of books.

I know I could probably sell some of them or give away specific books online or via Freecycle, but unfortunately I just don't have the time or arm points...I have to do this in bulk or I likely won't get around to it at all.



Here's my criteria: I only keep books that I honestly think I'll want to look at again, or that have sentimental value. Like the Nancy Drew book pictured to the left. I still have a fondness for that "titian-haired" teenage detective which was never quite surpassed by my enjoyment of the Hardy Boy series. I also remember Trixie Belden and vaguely recall a series about some twins. And of course numerous fantasy series like Edward Eager's Half-Magic books and Enid Blyton's "four kids do something magical" series.

How about the rest of you? Were you a fan of Nancy Drew and/or the Hardy Boys? Any other favourite childhood book series you're willing to share?

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