Linda's Writing Desk

LUDOVICO EINAUDI - Nefeli (Only song) Video by GORDON CHIARI - MySpace Video

2010-02-28T22:57:00.001-05:00

This is fast becoming my favorite piano piece and I am just beginning to learn how to play it. Listen and enjoy.

LUDOVICO EINAUDI - Nefeli (Only song) Video by GORDON CHIARI - MySpace Video

Meet Kathy Stemke: a wonderful author with brilliant ideas!

2010-01-16T23:28:00.007-05:00

This month I am proud to host another wonderful author.

Kathy Stemke has a passion for writing, the arts and all things creative. She has a B.S. from Southern Connecticut State University and Covenant Life Seminary, as well as graduate coursework from New York Institute of Technology and Columbia University. Hanging her hat in the North Georgia Mountains, she has been a dancer, choreographer, teacher, tutor, writer and an antiques dealer for many years.

Now where was she when I was going to school? She sounds like the kind of teacher I would have enjoyed immensely!

She has published a book called Moving Through All Seven Days and has another one called Trouble on Earth Day soon to be released. Let's get to know more about Kathy and her writing through this interview.

Q: Did you always want to be a writer?
Kathy: Yes, I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I write poetry for self-expression. I’m working on a book of poems about life from a dancer’s point of view. Here’s an example:

An Empty Stage

Coiled torso frozen on an empty stage,
a living sculpture trapped in place
with no gown of tulle to hide her age
only weeping knees below her waist.

Framed in light, her insides groan
with pent up passion poised for release,
she now waits long and alone
for rhythm to carry her to peace.

But I remember her unencumbered
prance, so light for one held down
by unfulfilled dreams remembered,
floating above her tattered gown.

Q: Tell us about your children's books.
Kathy: My first book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was an outgrowth of a blog post. This book inspires movement as children learn about the days of the week. The lyrical rhymes also teach them how to spell each day! The activities at the end of the book are designed to reinforce the concepts as well as give impetus to movement exploration.

Q: What books do you plan to write next?
Kathy: I plan to write a series of picture books with environmental themes. Trouble on Earth Day is almost ready to be released. This is a fun and educational story about a Squirrel who helps a new friend while learning to recycle. This book is full of great recycling ideas, craft projects, and worksheet pages.
I recently completed the second book in this series titled, Wonderful Water Explorers. This book opens up conversation about water preservation with a story of a thirsty bluebird named Charlie, who has lost his ability to sing due to a lack of water. When he meets up with his squirrel friend, Shelby, they set out on an adventure to find fresh drinking water and to bring back singing to the forest.
Guardian Angel Publishers will publish my book titled Sh, Sh, Sh, Will the Baby Sleep? In this action packed story a boy named Zachary must keep his new baby sister asleep. In the process he finds out that he loves her very much. This book and the activities included in the back focus on teaching children about consonant blends. Teachers will love it.

Q: What are you working on now?
Kathy: I’m working on my third book of the environmental series, which is about air pollution, as well as a picture book about dancing wood fairies.
I’ve also started my first YA fantasy novel. Although I’m still fleshing out my characters and plot, I’m very excited about this story.

Q: What type of book promotion works for you? Any special strategies you’d like to share?
Kathy: Because my books have teacher activities in them, I belong to several teacher groups online. This is a great way to keep in touch with what teachers are looking for in the books they buy for school, as well as develop friendships.
My free Movement and Rhythm Newsletter reaches over 350 teachers and parents each month. I continue to add subscribers everyday.

I belong to a wonderful virtual book tour group, Writers on the Move. This is a good way to develop an online presence, and develop friendships with other authors.
I do library and school visits in my community. I plan on writing a teacher tips column in my regional newspaper. While giving away great educational activities to the community, I will let them know about my books.

Q: What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
Kathy: Take an online course on writing, which will teach you the basics of writing, and give you support. There are several great authors who offer coaching clubs and even critique your work as you learn. There are also week-long online conferences with several brilliant teachers to inspire you.
Read good books in the genre you want to write. Explore what makes those books so special. Take what you like from these successful authors and develop your own voice.

Thank you for visiting with us, Kathy.

You can visit Kathy at her website and blogs by going to the following:

Educationtipster blog (used most) http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/

Moving Through all Seven Days ebook purchace on lulu: http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#

Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html

Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html

Website: http://kathystemke.weebly.com/

Introducing one heck of an interesting author!

2009-12-01T00:23:00.010-05:00

Marvin D. Wilson is no ordinary author (but then, who is?) writing ordinary, run-of-the-mill type of books. Just the titles alone make one want to crack open the books.

Before we have a look at these books, however, lets learn a bit more about Marvin through his Bio.

Marvin D. Wilson is the author of three published books, I Romanced the Stone (Memoirs of a Recovering Hippie), Owen Fiddler, and Between the Storm and the Rainbow.

Owen Fiddler has been awarded the prestigious AVATAR award for excellence in spiritual books. Wilson has had articles published in several Ezines, and has been interviewed on hundreds of blogs, radio and TV shows, both over the internet and on the airwaves. A prolific blogger, his internationally popular blog, Free Spirit, was voted first place in the 2008 Book Blogger Appreciation Week award contest, in the Christian/Inspirational Fiction category. His other blog, Tie Dyed Tirades, is also growing in global popularity.

Wilson is a family man, married for thirty-three years, with three adult children and six grandchildren. He has been around the block of life several times, through the ups and downs, and has survived in good enough spirits to desire to write about life, to write about living life on purpose. Wilson is a self-described “non-religious, dogma-free, Maverick spiritualist Christian.” He writes books that deliver spiritual and inspirational messages in an engaging, thought provoking, often times humorous, more than often irreverent, sometimes sexy and even ribald way, through the spinning of an entertaining tale.

Marvin D Wilson is an editor with All Things That Matter Press, and also does freelance editing.

Although he has written 3 books, let's take a look at just one of them. Owen Fiddler, the book that won the AVATAR award. Here is a brief description.

Book Description:
(Sing along to the tune of the Beatles' "Nowhere Man")
Has a selfish point of view, why he's such a fool, no clue. Isn't he a bit like me and you?
Owen, man, please listen. You don't know what you're missing. Owen, man, your world is at your command!
He's no role model for you or your kids, but reading his story will learn ya a thing or two, and that's a fact. This is an entertaining, thought-provoking, humorous and spiritually insightful book which will surely have you thinking about your own life. Hey you – yeah, you! Do you like to dance? Don’t forget to pay the fiddler!

And for more details click on this link to a trailer on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVRkDSmwSjE

To buy this fascinating book, you can go to the Book Website: www.owenfiddler.com or it is available for purchase at:
www.amazon.com
www.cambridgebooks.us
or at your favorite bookstore.
Email the author at: marvwilson2010@gmail.com
Phone: (989) 780-1302

Contact information:

E-mail: marvwilson2010@gmail.com

Primary Blog: http://theoldsilly.com

Twitter page: http://twitter.com/Paize_Fiddler

Thank you for paying us a visit Marvin!

Let's visit with Mayra Calvani, author of The Magic Violin

2009-11-15T05:51:00.000-05:00

Mayra has written many books for children as well as for adults and has won awards for her writing. Let's pay her a visit in this interview.

Q. When did you start writing?
I started writing stories when I was about 12 years old. I used to write in a 'secret' notebook during history or ethics class and cover up what I was doing with a big textbook. Of course, I got caught a few times! But the teachers soon realized, I guess, that I was a consummate storyteller, and that those stories I had in my head had to come out somehow.

Q. Did you write stories for children at that point in time?
No. It was not until I had children and I was in my thirties that I began to fall in love with children's literature.

Q. How did you do with your first book?
My first try at a picture book earned me a Honorable Mention Award at the 78th Writer's Digest Writing Competition and a Finalist place at the ABC's Children's Picture Book Competition. I've been continuously writing children's books since then.

Q. Did you ever get into writing adult stories or nonfiction?
Yes, my Muse also takes me into the world of nonfiction, women's fiction and paranormal thrillers for adults. For these books, I have a separate website at www.MayraCalvani.com.

Q. What other activities have you done besides write?
I've been a book reviewer for the past 12 years and my nonfiction book, co-authored with Anne K. Edwards, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing,just won a Foreword Best Book of the Year Award under the Writing Category.

In addition, once in a while I enjoy doing freelance journalism for various publications such as Suite101 and Blogcritics Magazine, and I'm also the National Latino Books Examiner for Examiner.com. Together with Anne K. Edwards, I also co-edit Voice in the Dark newsletter.

Q. How do you find the time to write?
I never sleep! No, seriously, it takes a lot of organization, persistence and commitment (as well as a certain kind of madness!).

Q. Do you belong to any writing clubs or organizations?
I'm a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Children's Writing Coaching Club, and the Children's Book Insider Clubhouse.

Q. What do you do when you're not writing?
When I'm not writing, I love reading (duh!), listening to audio writing workshops, watching old series like I Dream of Jeannie and Charlie's Angels, traveling, walking with my golden retriever, Amigo, and just sharing and spending time with my family.

Sounds like you have a very interesting life, Mayra. Thank you for visiting with us.

I am curious about her book, The Magic Violin. How about you? So here is a peek into the book.

The Magic Violin is set in the late 1800’s in Brussels, Belgium and combines elements of reality and magic. It is the story of a young girl who is learning the violin and who suffers a lack of self confidence along the way. But with the help of her Romanian teacher (who happens to be a good witch!), a virtuoso Russian hamster and a shooting Christmas star, she’s able to regain her self trust and succeed.

Reviews:

"... The Magic Violin is an inspiring and uplifting book about a young girl and her realization that believing in oneself can have a very magical outcome... Mayra’s book definitely has a strong message, one that is important and everlasting. For children and jaded adults alike, The Magic Violin will lift spirits and just may give you and your child the boost to believe in your power to reach your goals."
--Mama Divas

"This is a lovely tale to snuggle with family and hot cocoa, in front of a cozy fire, on Christmas Eve." ---Beverly Stowe McClure, YA novelist

You can get her book and hop on Mayra's blog here.

My website: www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com
My blog: www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Find out about another fabulous author

2009-11-13T18:43:00.001-05:00

On November 15th I will be hosting another wonderful author, Mayra Calvani. Be sure to come back to read about the author of The Magic Violin. This author has won awards for her writing. How does she do it? Come back and find out.

Let's get to know more about Gayle Trent!

2009-10-05T09:32:00.000-04:00

If you read my last post, you will undoubtedly be interested in learning more about this author. Thus I have posted an interview with her that I think will catch your eye.

Q: What inspired you to write Dead Pan?
Gayle: "I was reading an article in Wired magazine about clinical drug tests. I did some further investigation, and I came across some fascinating stuff."

Q: What would you like to overhear people saying about your book?
Gayle: "'I laughed so hard when--.' A local book club selected Murder Takes the Cake as one of their books; and when I attended the meeting, I was delighted to hear that they thought this or that part was funny. I also love it when people say, 'I never guessed ______ was the villain.' Also, there was a review where a woman said she loved the main character's relationships with various members of her family--that they were beautifully or realistically drawn. I felt like, 'Oooh, she got it!' Actually, I'll take anything that's not negative. :-)"

Q: What do you advise new writers to do?
Gayle: "Read the genre they're interested in writing. For instance, when my agent pitched my first three chapters of the embroidery mystery to the editor, the editor said she liked it but didn't love it. I needed to revise it to make her love it in order for her to buy the book. I asked my agent who the editor had published recently. With two names in hand, I went to the bookstore and bought two books. I read them and found they were more descriptive than my own books. I went back, added more description and gave the heroine a bit more spunk, and the book sold. Sometimes you have to be flexible."

Q: Tell us three interesting/crazy things about you.
Gayle: "One, There is a feral cat who comes to visit us on holidays. We’re pretty sure he belongs to somebody because he’s always well fed. We think we’re his 'other family.' We first realized his penchant for visiting on holidays when he came and cried at our door on Mother’s Day. He came back for Memorial Day and Father’s Day, and so on. Sometimes, he’ll drop by for a visit, and we have to check the calendar to see what holiday it is.
"Two, I have an adorable cartoon Debbie Ridpath Ohi did of me with a cake (for 'Murder Takes the Cake') when her blog InkyGirl hosted me on my blog tour. The cartoon is framed and hanging above my desk. I figure I’ll never look that good in a picture again!
"Three, I once got to interview the famous criminalist Dr. Henry Lee via telephone for an article which appeared in Law and Order Magazine."

Q: What is your Favorite quote?

Gayle: "It’s not enough to stare up the steps. You must step up the stairs." – Vance Havner

Q: Do you have any funny writing stories to share?
Gayle: "I once tried to 'write' using my laptop's voice recognition feature while baking brownies and peeling potatoes. Great multi-tasking, right? BUT, there is a drawback to using voice technology gadgets when you have a Southern drawl. Although, the exercise helped me get unblocked and continue on through the chapter I was struggling with, the computer misunderstood most of what I said. AND, to add insult to injury, when I read back over what it said and laughed, the computer translated that as 'a a a a a a a a.'"

Q: The books you wrote are called cozy mysteries. What exactly is a cozy mystery?
Gayle: "Cozy mysteries usually take place in a small community and involve a relatively small number of people. The reader knows that someone within the intimate group will turn out to be the killer. Think Desperate Housewives with one of the cast turning out to be the killer as opposed to Criminal Minds or CSI. Cozy mysteries also feature an amateur sleuth as opposed to a professional detective, and the heroine has an interesting profession or hobby."

Thank you, Gayle for letting us get to know you better.

***********

I also include a biography of Gayle that makes her more real to most of us.

Gayle Trent is a full-time author. She is currently at work on a new cozy mystery series involving her hobby, cake decorating. The series features Daphne Martin, a 40-year-old divorcee who has begun the second phase of her life with a new home and a new business venture—Daphne’s Delectable Cakes. Gayle lives in Bristol, Virginia with her husband, daughter and son.

She previously worked in the accounting and legal fields, and her last such job was as secretary to a Deputy Commissioner in the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Though she enjoyed the work, it was a long daily commute and she felt she wasn’t spending enough time with her family. Now she writes while her children are at school; and thanks to a crock pot and a bread machine, can often have dinner ready when everyone gets home.

"I think it’s important to be here for my children…to take part in school functions and to be an active part of their lives," Gayle says. "I can certainly sympathize with moms who work outside the home—been there, done that—but I would encourage everyone to make time to visit their children’s schools, to have lunch with them [at school] occasionally, to get a feel for who their friends are…little things like that."

Gayle loves to hear from readers who can contact her:

e-mail: gd830@hotmail.com

Web sites: http://www.gayletrent.com/

http://gayle24202.tripod.com/.

If you share an interest in cake decorating, please visit Daphne’s Web site, available via click-through from either of Gayle’s sites or at http://www.gayle24202.tripod.com/id9.html .
　
　
　
　

Here you have two great stories by Gayle Trent

2009-10-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

Gayle Trent is a full-time author who has successfully combined her passions for cake decorating and writing mysteries. How does she do it?

Well, she has been writing books for the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery series put out by Bell Bridge Books.

Just take a look at the title of her first book.

Her first book, Murder Takes the Cake, tells the story of Daphne Martin, a forty-year-old divorcee who returns to her fictional hometown of Brea Ridge, Virginia to start her life over. She has left behind an ex-husband who is in prison for an attempt on Daphne's life, a dingy apartment and a stale career. She has started fresh in a new home with a new career, Daphne's Delectable Cakes, a cake-decorating company Daphne runs out of her home. She is thrilled to be living closer to her beloved niece and nephew, although being close to other family members brings up lifelong resentments and more than a couple complications. Daphne is also reunited with childhood friend, Ben Jacobs, a full-fledged HAG (hot, available guy). Then Daphne finds her first client dead.

This has got to be a most deliciously exciting mystery!

Then you’ve got her second book, Dead Pan. When the book opens, a police officer is questioning Daphne about a cake she took to the Brea Ridge Pharmaceutical Company Christmas party. Many people at the party got sick, but most recovered after being treated with a vaccine manufactured by the company. Only one, Fred Duncan, went into a coma and died. Coincidence? Or did somebody have it in for Fred?

So there you have it! Two mysteries loaded with murder and cake decorating! Can you get any sweeter than that?

For a great video introducing the book and some great reviews plus read an excerpt from the book to:
http://www.bellebooks.com/BellBridge/books/MurderTakestheCake.asp

Here is the data on where you can get either of these two books.

Purchasing Information: Books bought from Bell Bridge Books will be personalized. They can be purchased through the website at http://www.bellbridgebooks.com/. Amazon page is http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Takes-Cake-Gayle-Trent/dp/0980245362/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237845598&sr=8-1 ; Amazon reviews are available at this page.

Additional Reviews:

http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/murder-takes-cake-daphne-matin-mystery.html

http://medialiteracy.suite101.com/article.cfm/book_review_of_murder_takes_the_cake
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2008/11/reviewl-murder-takes-cake-by-gayle.html

http://genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/murder-takes-cake-gayle-trent.html

Gayles posting

2009-10-01T08:42:00.000-04:00

This should be posted shortly.

Introducing Gayle Trent, a full time author with a fascinating hobby

2009-09-29T22:16:00.000-04:00

Who would imagine a full-time author combining a mystery series with her hobby of cake decorating? Come back to my blog on Oct 1 and 3 to find out more!

2009-09-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Helena has also written another book called "Family & More, Enemies or Friends," which is a delightful collection of free verse poetry; some will make you smile and others draw upon similar remembrances of your own.

Why such a title? That is a good question.

Who influences us in our lives? Whom do we call a friend? And why? Why do we have relationships at all? These are the questions Helena Harper eloquently asks in her collection of poems that examines the relationships in her own life. She has had to rethink her definition of 'enemy', not least because her father was English and her mother German and they met in the aftermath of World War II in Germany. She has also been forced to rethink her definition of 'friend'. If we learn something from someone that helps us to grow and develop as human beings, becoming more understanding and compassionate in the process, then surely most people we meet in life will be our 'friends'? Through the memories and experiences of the people in Helena's life, others can hopefully reflect on their own and maybe come to understand themselves and their relationships better.

I would like to include here an interview with Ms Harper.

Q. Have you always been interested in writing poetry?
Helena: Actually, no! I've always loved to write, but my first love has always been writing fantasy stories for young children. I wrote poetry at school, of course, and every so often when I was on holiday, but it wasn't a regular thing.

Q. So, what prompted you to write your first book “It's a Teacher's Life...!”
Helena: Well, I've been a teacher for 20 years and about three years ago, when I was having a lovely holiday at a beautiful place in the country, I was inspired to write some poetry, and when I came home, I then had the idea to write some more poems about my life as a teacher. Each poem would concentrate on a different aspect of school life, such as the lessons, what went on in the staffroom, school trips, exams, report writing, and so on. I also wanted to pay tribute to some of the support staff who do so much to keep a school running, but are often forgotten about e.g. the cook, the caretaker/janitor, the nurse, the school secretary – the unsung heroes of life is what I call them.

Q. Do you have a favourite poem?
Helena: No, I can't say I've got a favourite. Each one is written from the heart and it's impossible for me to single one out in particular.

Q. What prompted you to write your book “Family and More – Enemies or Friends?”

Helena: I had the idea one day whilst driving to work. I was just thinking about my family and other people in my life who've had a big influence on me, one way or the other, and suddenly the idea popped into my head that I could write a second collection of poems about them and the lessons I've learnt from them.

Q. Why is it called “Enemies or Friends?”

Helena: That's got a lot to do with the fact that my mother is German and my father was English, and I just couldn't get my head round the fact that, had I been born a few years earlier, all my German relatives would have been my 'enemies'. To me they could never have been 'enemies', just 'family'. It got me thinking about how futile it is to talk about so-called national divisions.

Q. What did you find the hardest about writing your book(s)?
Helena: Finding the time to finish them and then the editing, the endless checking and re-reading – it drove me crazy!

Q. What was the easiest part?
Helena: Just writing the poems – I was totally absorbed by the process and really enjoyed it.

Q. How do you describe your style of poetry?
Helena: Easy-to-read, easily accessible free verse. I want people to be able to read and understand what I'm writing about from the word go. I don't like things to be hidden in obscurity. I write simply as I'm inspired to write. The poems I've had published in my two collections are really stories and character sketches that just happen to be in verse. One of the reviews on Amazon talks about me developing a new form of poetry, called the 'anecdotal poem', and I think that describes my style of poetry very well.

Q. What's the attraction of writing poetry as opposed to writing children's stories?
Helena: When I write poetry, I can concentrate on the rhythm and sound of the words and use vocabulary I wouldn't be able to use in my children's stories. It's a marvellous linguistic challenge - the sound of words has always been something that's fascinated me. It's one of the reasons I studied modern languages. When I write my children's stories, it's more about escaping into a wonderful world of fantasy, leaving the mundane 'real' world behind – I find it wonderfully exciting and liberating.

Q. When you're not writing, what are you doing?
Helena: Tutoring, translating, reading, walking, playing tennis or dancing, doing Pilates, spending time with my niece and nephew.

Q. What are your future writing goals?
Helena: The illustrations for my first children's picture book are being done at the moment and my aim is to have the book published before the end of the year.

Q. What 3 words do you think describe you best as a human being?
Helena: Open-minded, curious, seeking.

Q. How do you think others would describe you?
Helena: Hardworking, focused, tolerant.

Q. What is your most precious memory?
Helena: My most precious memory? That's really difficult – I have so many. Any of the memories I have of my father, perhaps, who is no longer alive. He was a truly remarkable person.

Q. What is your most embarrassing memory?
Helena: When I was at primary school, holding onto a door handle to prevent my friends from coming into the classroom (this was a game we were playing during the lunch break), only to find out that it wasn't any of my friends who were wanting to come into the classroom, but a teacher!

Q. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
Helena: Well, I still teach languages and give private tuition. If I weren't doing that? Hard to say – something where I could be creative and that would be stimulating and challenging.

Q. In one sentence – what do you want people to say about your writing in 50 years?

Helena: Helena Harper's writing made people laugh and cry and think.

Q. What writer most inspires you – why?
Helena: As far as fiction is concerned, I very much admire Jane Austen's style of writing, it's so clever, subtle and amusing, and she's a wonderful storyteller. But there are non-fiction authors whom I also find inspirational, such as Neale Donald Walsch and Michael Talbot.

Q. For new readers, what can they expect when they read your books?
Helena: I hope they will find something to make them smile or cry or think. I hope they will be able to take something positive from what they've read.

Q. What would you like your readers to know about you and your writing?
Helena: My poetry books have been drawn from my professional and personal life, but my children's stories are pure fantasy. The latter give me a wonderful chance to escape so-called 'reality'.

Q. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? What was the first story or article you remember writing?

Helena: I've always loved writing. Even before I went to school and could write, I sat at a desk and wrote line after squiggly line on blank sheets of paper. The first story I remember writing was a story about pots and pans and other kitchen appliances who were having a competition to see who could be the cleanest. I really enjoyed writing that story.

Q. You have a degree in modern languages and are a qualified teacher. Has this helped your writing? And if so, in what way?
Helena: Yes, definitely. My language studies have helped me appreciate the sound, rhythm and meaning of words and my teaching has taught me a great deal about what makes people tick.

Q. What is your writing process like? Do you write every day?
Helena: I fit my writing round my other commitments and write whenever I have the opportunity to write, which could be any time of the day or night.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Helena: Yes - if you want to write, just give it a go! You have to be willing to step into the unknown, but if you don't try, you'll never know and you may end up regretting that. All you need is an idea. It doesn't have to be fully developed, just sit down and start writing something and it will develop as you go along. You never know, it may be the best thing you ever do!

Here is an excerpt from one of the poems to give you an example of the treats you will find in this book:

The Mother

...

A remarkable woman
who laughs at the conduct expected
of old fogies aged eighty and more;
the pursuit of her passions
infusing energy into her days
and cementing the resolve
to vanquish all problems,
events that serve merely
to engage mind and body,
extracting solutions
of admirable resource and
great ingenuity.
How many of us follow
our passion in life?
How many of us grow old
in grayness and lethargy
because we never
listen to the heart’s joy,
destined to fill our soul with
rainbow-like vitality?

...

Contact details/more info.
Email: webmaster@helenaharper.com
My author's website: http://www.helenaharper.com/
My authorsden website: http://www.authorsden.com/helenaharper
My blog: http://helenaharpersblog.blogspot.com/
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/helenaharper

Introducing Helena Harper, author of "It's a Teacher's Life...!"

2009-09-01T09:02:00.000-04:00

Helena has lived an exciting life as a teacher and there is much to write about, even to introduce her. But I find the following article says more about her viewpoint than I could even begin to describe. This will give us plenty to think about whether you have been a teacher or a student, or even a parent of a student.

Does our education system delight both teacher and taught?

My overriding impression after having been a high school teacher in the U.K. for the past twenty years is that I've been on a merry-go-round. I've seen things being introduced, then abolished, then introduced again. I've seen more and more exams and tests being introduced and now some of those new exams and tests are being abolished -- and, perhaps, in the future they'll be reintroduced again; who knows? I've had to cut interesting discussions short in class because otherwise I wouldn't have completed the syllabus and been able to do past paper practice with students before the all-important exams. The students have been fixated on getting the highest grades they could because otherwise they wouldn't be able to get into university or do whatever else they wanted to do and would be deemed failures.

The paperwork for teachers has increased substantially because of the increase in the number of examinations and all kinds of other regulations that politicians have seen fit to introduce. Don't politicians just love to interfere with education even though they don't have a clue what teaching actually involves? Expressions of thanks from parents and pupils have grown fewer and fewer whilst complaints have grown ever greater.

The 'aha' moments I've seen in my pupils' faces and the strong bonds I've developed with my colleagues, most of whom are remarkable human beings -- intelligent, caring, very hardworking and often showing a much needed sense of humour -- have been rewarding. However, the system as it exists at the moment is far from ideal and the longer one is in it, the more aware one becomes of its failings. If teachers could get on with their jobs without interference from politicians; if we could get rid of restrictive syllabuses and fact-based exams that do nothing to promote independent, creative thought; and if we could stress cooperation rather than competition, then perhaps – as I say in my book It's a Teacher's Life...!, which is an amusing, often ironic and not uncritical collection of 'anecdotal' poems relating to the teaching profession - it will be possible to

'create another
indisputable reality
where education delights
both teacher and taught
and restrictions and syllabuses
are but a long, distant memory.'

My ideal would be an education system where teachers are much more facilitators than instructors. Pupils would be able to choose what they want to study and how they want to study, aided by their teachers, and because they would be learning what they want to learn, there wouldn't be any motivational or behavioural issues. Classes would be much smaller than they are today and prescriptive syllabuses and exams would be a thing of the past. Such a system would produce creative, independent thinking adults, which is what our world desperately needs if it is to find creative solutions to the problems that are facing us today.

Helena Harper
http://www.helenaharper.com/

Having now read the article above, you most likely would enjoy Helena's book of poetry written as only a teacher would put it, "It's a Teacher's Life ...! A Collection of Poems Set in a Girls' Private School."

No doubt you remember your life at school as a pupil - the long lessons, stringent rules and chaotic classrooms - but what was it like from the teacher's perspective? Did they savour the experience of setting and marking our homework? Did they get a kick out of writing our reports? And, most intriguingly, what did they get up to in the staffroom?

If you've never been there yourself, you need to follow Helena Harper into this alternative world of coffee addiction, frantic marking, lesson-planning and inspections. She answers all of your questions and more, and her insightful, evocative and often sardonic descriptions leave you more appreciative of the trials and tribulations (and the occasional pleasures) of being the dragon in front of the whiteboard.

It's a Teacher's Life...! will open the eyes of the pupils who always thought that teachers didn't exist outside of school hours... On the other hand, with such a long roll-call of meetings, assessments and after-hours activities, perhaps they were right all along!

Here is a delightfully honest poem from her collection:

The New School Year
The staff meeting first,
then departmental meetings,
sectional meetings,
Staff Association,
Staff Consultative Committee,
Health and Safety,
Catering Forum -
What else?
Oh yes, General Studies
and PSHE.
Musn't forget the extras...
Teachers' Pensions,
whiteboard training -
oh, it's all so draining!

New timetables,
new syllabuses,
new pupils...
Rude, early morning awakenings
by alarm clocks
grown rusty after weeks of disuse.
Got to prepare lessons -
but it's such an effort!
'Why is it taking so long, brain?
Brain, you've got to get going!
Come on - do you hear?'
It protests with groans
and dragging of feet,
and sluggishly creaks
back into gear...

The holiday's a century ago now,
yet, finally, the first week ends.
That was a feat -
only two days teaching
but everyone's beat!
Now it's home post-haste,
hurry, hurry, hurry,
for God's sake!
It's rest we all seek,
some precious R&R,
before the onslaught,
campaign and manoeuvres
of a full school week!

Copyright © 2008 Helena Harper

Here is where you can get this book:

Available in paperback from all major online retailers. Can be ordered through any bookstore. Stocked by Haslemere Bookshop and Weybridge Books in the UK.

http://www.amazon.com/Teachers-Collection-Poems-Private-School/dp/1847481825/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Teachers-Life-Collection-Private/dp/1847481825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230149878&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.ca/Teachers-Collection-Poems-Private-School/dp/1847481825/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239391752&sr=8-2
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Its-a-Teachers-Life-a-Collection-of-Poems-Set-in-a-Girls-Private-School/Helena-Harper/e/9781847481825/?itm=1

http://www.google.com/products?q=1847481825

Here's links to her website, blog, and email:

Email: webmaster@helenaharper.com

My author's website: http://www.helenaharper.com/

My authorsden website: http://www.authorsden.com/helenaharper

My blog: http://helenaharpersblog.blogspot.com/

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/helenaharper

African thunderstorm

2009-08-28T02:05:00.001-04:00

African thunderstorm

Shared via AddThis

Hosting a new author

2009-08-22T23:58:00.000-04:00

If you have ever been a teacher, you will love my next guest. And even if you have been a student (and who hasn't been?), you will still love my next guest author. Return on the first of September, for an exciting read!

2009-08-03T07:28:00.000-04:00

Vivian Zabel, author of Midnight Hours, has led an eventful life and one from which she can draw for her writing. I present her biography.

Vivian Gilbert Zabel (V. Gilbert Zabel)
Biography

Born to Raymond and Dolly Gilbert July 28, 1943, Vivian followed her father as he transferred from military base to military base from Randolph AFB, Texas to Loring AFB, Maine.

People’s fears of polio became one of Vivian’s first memories. Her brother Ricky, two years younger than she, was taken to a hospital at a base near Shevesport, Louisiana. When the doctors diagnosed the boy as having polio and decided to fly the three-year-old to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Raymond had to pack his wife’s and son’s clothes and take the suitcases to the Air Base before the two flew to Texas. He left his two daughters, Kathy aged four and Vivian aged five, with neighbors. The woman put the girls in a fenced area and left them in the August sun without any shade or water. When Kathy started to cry because she was thirsty, and no one came to help, Vivian climbed over the fence, trotted to the door, and beat on it. The woman peeked out the window.

“We’re thirsty,” Vivian yelled. “My sister’s crying. We need to go to the bathroom.”

The woman backed away without opening the door. Vivian climbed back over the fence and held her sister. When their father finally came to get the girls, Vivian told him how they had been treated. The furious father beat on the door, but no one answered. About eighteen months later, Kathy’s heart quit.

Vivian started kindergarten at Randolph AFB, but by the time she graduated from Limestone High School, Limestone, Maine, she had changed schools twenty-two times. Only four years did she attend a school the whole year: first grade at Sam Houston Elementary in San Antonio; seventh grade at Star School in Oklahoma City; tenth grade at Star-Spencer High School in Oklahoma City; and her senior year at Limestone High School. Other times her father was transferred during a school year, sometimes more than once. She attended some schools more than one time: Lincoln Elementary in Ponca City, Oklahoma; Ponca City Junior High; Jefferson Elementary in Enid, Oklahoma. Other schools were mainly stop-gaps in her education from Guam to Morocco, from Texas to Maine.

During her school years, Vivian, always a reader and story teller, discovered a love of writing.

She wrote her first poetry in third grade. By the time she was in junior high, she wrote stories and knew that some day she would write a book.

Finally Vivian returned to Oklahoma from Maine to attend college at Bethany Nazarene College, now Southern Nazarene University. While there, she met Pat Zabel, a classmate in music appreciation. One of Pat’s brothers stopped by to visit as he looked for a job. Robert planned on earning enough money to travel to Oregon, but he and Vivian met. Robert finally made his way to Oregon about thirty-five years later when the couple took a trip to Washington to visit their older son and his wife.

February 18, 1962, Robert and Vivian married in Midwest City.

During the years that followed, Vivian and Robert had four children, three who lived and one who only visited a short time. Rene became the mother of five children, two of whom were taken by their father in 1996 and not seen since. Rene’s two oldest daughters married and had children. Rene’s youngest is younger than two of Vivian’s great-grandchildren. Bob has two daughters. Randy has three sons. All manage to find their ways into Vivian’s poetry or stories.

After working in the business world, Vivian’s rheumatoid arthritis decided to make its presence not only noticed but the center of attention. Since her stiffened fingers made typing and writing extremely difficult, she went back to college and became a teacher. For twenty-seven years she taught mainly at the high school level.

While teaching, Vivian honed her own writing skills and had some poetry, short stories, articles, and essays published in various magazines, papers, and anthologies. After retirement, she wrote full time. Vivian contributed a percentage of the short stories in Hidden Lies and Other Stories, written with Holly Jahangiri. One of the editors and a contributor, she oversaw Walking the Earth: Life’s perspectives in Poetry, a collection of poems from eight authors, including her. Her three juvenile books include The Base Stealers Club, a sports/mystery novel for readers aged eight through 13 or 14, and a sequel, Case of the Missing Coach, as well as a juvenile historical book Prairie Dog Cowboy.

These books, as well as Midnight Cowboy can be purchased by going to: http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

Her website: http://viviangilbertzabel.com/

Her Blog: http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com/ Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap

http://vzabel.multiply.com/ Vivian’s Site

http://viviansmystery.blogspot.com/ Vivian’s Mysteries

Meet This Terrific Author and Friend

2009-08-01T16:54:00.000-04:00

Introducing author and publisher, Vivian Zabel.

Here is a novel that will keep your eyes glued to the page!

Once you start to read Midnight Hours, you will not be able to put it down. It is so apropos to today's society with computers, and predators and murder mysteries all rolled up together. But need I say more? Here is a description that speaks for itself. Read it and tell me if it doesn't whet your appetite.

Martin Rogers, a homicide lieutenant, positions his power chair at the end of the parallel bars in the therapy room. Over the past months, those bars have become an enemy that cannot be conquered, but which creates agony and despair. He glares at his enemy as they silently wait to conquer him again. An orderly in white stands beside the left side of the bars. Martin fights to overcome the damage caused by a bullet in his back.

After Martin returns from another “wasted” therapy session, the whish of the power chair’s wheels on the carpet and the low hum of the computer create the only sounds in the room as he positions himself at the desk. He closes his eyes before laying his fingers on the keys to type in the code which would connect him to the refuge he so needed. The Internet and the game room give him an escape from constant pain. The woman he met and visits nightly adds to the ability to flee.

Midnight always appears around midnight each night. She tantalizes him, giving him little information about herself; although, she finally tells him her name, Norma Fields. After Martin threatens to cut off the months-long cyber relationship, she offers to send him a picture of herself. She sends an email attachment: a picture of a beautiful woman.

Martin’s interest changes to one that’s professional. An identical copy had been found, folded in the pocket of a paraplegic who had gone over the rail of a hotel room balcony. As soon as he sees the picture, he calls his friends and fellow detectives, Kyle Stone and Frank Thomas.

The three men meet at Martin’s for breakfast and discuss the photo. Kyle mentions that the woman looks familiar. The men decide to find what information they can about the case and about Midnight, Norma Fields.
After Kyle and Frank return to Martin’s house after their shift, the doorbell rings. Kyle answers the door and invites a young woman to join them. Martin gasps as Midnight walks into the room. Kyle introduces Assistant District Attorney Lisa Harris, telling the others, “I told you the picture reminded me of someone.”

Lisa studies the photo and agrees the head and face are hers but not the rest of the body. She joins the investigation.

In the days that follow, the “Midnight team” discover that several men with large accidental death insurance policies, all with Norma Fields as the beneficiary, have “accidentally” died. The search for Midnight intensifies.

Buy the book at: http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

Links for Vivian are:

Website: http://viviangilbertzabel.com/

Blogs: http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com/ Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap

http://viviansmystery.blogspot.com/ Vivian’s Mysteries

Stay in touch for more that I will post for Vivian in my next blog.

Coming soon to my Blog

2009-07-23T22:57:00.000-04:00

Stay posted for my new guest author coming up in August. You won't want to miss exerpts from the book Midnight Hours. It is thrilling and chilling!

Story by Margaret Fieland

2009-07-03T08:10:00.000-04:00

Chapter 1: At Grandma's House

Alvin’s eyes burned and his chest felt tight. The last time he'd visited Grandma he'd driven there with Mom and Dad. Now Mom was dead and Dad still in the hospital. Alvin peered out the window of Grandma's car as they passed through Millbank and down the tree-lined road leading to Pine Crest Point. As Grandma drove past the lake with the community beach, down the street, and into her driveway, Sam, Alvin's collie mix, put his front paws on Alvin's lap and barked.

"Yes, Sam, we're here," Alvin said, ruffling Sam's soft ears as they all climbed out of the car. He turned and noticed how thin and frail his grandma looked from the last visit. Her once vibrant gray curls were now faded and wispy looking.

Sam bounded down the hill ahead of Alvin and Grandma. They followed him down the flagstone path, down the hill, past the rock garden. The marigolds, petunias, and geraniums lifted their faces to the sun. Alvin's nose tickled as he breathed in the spicy scent of the flowers, and remembered how Mom loved to work in the garden whenever they'd visit.

The stained brown ranch came into view once they'd cleared the large trees. Sam waited by the porch.

Grandma unlocked the door, and Alvin followed her into the big living room. Paneled in pine, it had windows on both ends, a dining table to the left, couches and chairs on the other side, and a large fireplace in the middle.
Sam trotted up and dropped a ball at Alvin's feet.

"Grandma, Sam found a ball."

"Sam always manages to find a ball." Grandma stared at Sam, who opened his jaws and grinned a doggy grin. "You two go outside if you want to play catch. No playing ball in the house."

"That's what Mom always said." Alvin's throat felt tight. He frowned and rubbed his eyes.

Alvin pushed open the door and went outside. Standing on a flat spot in front of the house, Alvin threw the ball up the hill and Sam chased after it.

An hour later, Grandma called, "Alvin, time for dinner. Come in and wash your hands." By that time the now deep red sun hung just over the horizon.

"Grandma, when will me and Dad have our own house again?" Alvin said, when seated at the dining table.

Read more of this story by getting the book at: http://www.margaretfieland.com/.

More on Margaret Fieland

2009-07-03T07:48:00.000-04:00

As promised here is an interview with Margaret Fieland.

Q: Tell us about what you write:
A: I'm a professional Computer Software engineer – BA in mathematics, MS in computer science, but I've written poetry as far back as I can remember, though not with publication in mind and not with any level of dedication.

Q: What got you writing for publication?
A: What really propelled me into writing for publication was organizing my poetry. I used to keep the poems, when I kept them, in notebooks. They were totally unorganized, and I could never find anything. Then I wrote a poem I wanted to keep, so I got off the stick and put them up, first on my computer, and after that online, originally in Yahoo briefcase, and later in Google Documents.

Q: Why was the organization such a key factor in moving your writing forward?
A: Once I had the poems organized and findable, I could finally submit, and I could look them over and gain perspective on how I was doing. What ended up happening was that I submitted a poem to a contest on a whim and ended up a finalist. This was so encouraging that I started writing more, working more seriously on growing as a writer, joined critique groups, etc.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: Well, there's my chapter book, The Angry Little Boy. I'm also working on a rhymed picture book and a series of math poems.

Q: Almost every writer is inspired by someone else. Does anyone inspire you?
A: Lewis Carroll. My all time favorite book is “Alice in Wonderland,” which I reread every exam time when I was in college, as I made it a habit to avoid the library during exams. I'm also very fond of Carroll's poetry. I've got several stanzas of Jabberwocky and You Are Old, Father William memorized.

Q: How long have you been writing?
A: I've been writing poetry since my teens, but only with publication in mind for the past three or four years. As a story writer I'm pretty much of a novice, as I only started writing stories after I hooked up with Linda Barnett Johnson after the first Muse online writer's conference three years ago and joined her writing forums. I'm 62 now, so that's a lot of years of writing.

Q: What made you want to start writing?
A: Good question – I started and became addicted. I really love writing -- and I just plain enjoy writing poetry, rhymed and unrhymed. I've developed my own algorithm for generating rhymes, which means that I often don't have to use a rhyming dictionary at all. Besides, if I don't write it down it stays stuck in my head.

Q: When did you start writing?
A: Like many teens, I started writing (bad) poetry in my teens as an outlet for my teenage angst. Then later on I started writing poetry for the people I was dating, and after that for family birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, -- basically everything.

Q: What's the strangest thing you've ever written? Why
A: I don't think anything I write is strange {looks innocently up at ceiling}. I have written several surreal poems, and I have one I really like called “Machine A Ecrire” (French for typewriter), unpublished, in the shape of a typewriter. The sentences are “variations” on the stuff they had us all typing when we were in school.

Q: Some authors have said that their parents were supportive of their efforts whenyoung, and some have said they had to sneak around and hide. What was the casewith you?
A: When I was young I was studying music, not writing – I play the flute and the piccolo. My mother was an artist and while she was supportive of my music, her advice was “Always be able to support yourself,” so for that and other reasons I didn't become a professional musician.

Q: Who proofreads and critiques your work?
A: I belong to a couple of (online) critique groups and I also exchange manuscripts with other writers.

Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A: Darned if I know. Some of the poetry is “inspired,” some is in response to exercises or prompts I dig up, some is from lines that come to me as I'm falling asleep, some from events in my life. Lots of places. One poem I wrote this week was inspired by some words in the comments in the "spam" folder on my website {grin}.

Q: Where do you write?
A: Wherever I happen to be. I have pads and pens everywhere. I even write in the car. At home, my two favorite spots are the dining room table and my bed.

Q: When do you write – set times or as the mood moves you?
A: Since I have a full time job, whenever the spirit moves me, and I have (or can make) the time. The nice thing about poetry is that a lot of it is short and taking a couple of minutes to jot down poetry is pretty easy to do. Waiting for appointments is a favorite time to write. I've had good luck being "inspired" by those articles you find in waiting rooms.

Q: If you could take a character from someone else's book on a date, who wouldit be and where would you take him/her/it?
A: Oh, good question. Some of the characters from Marion Zimmer Bradley's darkover series come to mind. If I could take them anywhere, I think I'd opt for the San Diego Museum of Science (as opposed to the one here in Boston). I was there once for a conference and fell in love with the place.

Q: If you could invite any other writer to dinner who would ask and why?
A: Lewis Carroll, because I have a soft spot for his poetry, or James M. Barrie, because my favorite book as a kid was Peter Pan.

Q: Do you use the Internet to check facts, or the library?
A: Are you kidding? The internet. I'm an online kind of gal. My favorite resource is http://www.dictionary.com, which has an online dictionary and thesauraus. I make heavy use of the thesauraus when writing poetry, even rhymed poetry. Though I do occasionally resort to a rhyming dictionary, I usually generate the rhymes myself.

Q: When you're not writing, what do you like to do?
A: Read, listen to music, play my flute and my piccolo, walk our dogs, do crossword puzzles.

Q: Do you ever have a problem with writer's block?
A: Not so far, thank goodness {pauses to knock wood}.

Q: Who's your favorite author (other than yourself)? Why?
A: My favorite author for a long time was Robert Heinlein. I am a 'way back sci fi fan. I picked out his “Farmer in the Sky” as my tenth birthday present.

Q: What's your favorite book (other than one of your own)? Why?
A: Alice in Wonderland, which I reread every exam time in college.

Introducing a Wonderful Author

2009-07-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

This month I am introducing a fabulous author and her poetry. On July 1st (today) we will look at her bio and one of her poems (that I think is so cute) and on the 3rd of July, come back to visit again and I will put up an interview with her that you may find very interesting. Plus I will give you a taste of part of a chapter in her book The Angry Little Boy.

Meet Margaret Fieland!

Born and raised in New York City, Margaret Fieland has been around art and music all her life. Daughter of a painter, she is the mother of three grown sons and an accomplished flute and piccolo player. She is an avid science fiction fan, and selected Robert A. Heinlein's “Farmer in the Sky” for her tenth birthday, now long past. She lives in the suburbs west of Boston, MA with her partner and seven dogs. Her poems, articles and stories have appeared in journals and anthologies such as Main Channel Voices, Echolocation, and Twisted Tongue. In spite of making her living as a computer software engineer, she turned to one of her sons to format the initial version of her website, a clear illustration of the computer generation gap. You may visit her website, http://www.margaretfieland.com/.

Here is one of her delightful poems:

Prices Reduced by Fifteen Percent
by Margaret Fieland

There's a giant price reduction,
it says prices are a fraction
just a teeny, tiny fraction
of the price they were before,

but I don't know how to figure
what the price is and how big your
really really big reduction
from the price it was before.

Since I didn't pay attention
when my teacher came to mention
how to figure a percent on
any item in the store,

now I do not know my fractions,
so I don't resist attractions
of the really big reductions
on the items in the store.

I succumb to the seduction
of their really big reduction,
but I wish I'd paid attention
--then I wouldn't be so poor.

More on VS Grenier, author of Babysitting Sugarpaw

2009-06-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

VS Grenier

About the author:

Virginia learned how to hone her writing skills at the Institute of Children’s Literature, and her works include: the Best of Stories for Children Magazine Volume 1 anthology and over 30 short stories, articles, and crafts for children along with newsletter articles for writers. A California girl at heart, she currently lives in Utah with her husband, their two children, and the family’s big fat cat Speed Bump and miniature schnauzer Taz.

About the book, Babysitting Sugarpaw:

A little bear named SugarPaw hopes to get rid of his babysitter, Bonnie Whiskers, by getting her into trouble after making changes to his rules chart. As the story unfolders SugarPaw learns about honesty and friendship, in this fun loving story. Babysitting SugarPaw, with its child-centered plot on getting to know others, is the perfect book for little ones scared of being left alone with a babysitter for the first time. This book will delight three-to-eight-year-old readers, especially those who like to create mischief.

Babysitting SugarPaw release date July 2009! Presales begin June 1, 2009 at Halo Publishing, Amazon.com, Stories for Children Magazine, and at http://vsgrenier.com
Babysitting SugarPaw $13.95
ISBN: 978-1-9352-6806-2

Reviews - what others have to say:

Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine:
Have you ever babysat a child, and if so do you remember the very first time? Bonnie Whiskers has never babysat SugarPaw for the Bear family before. While standing ready to knock on the door, she hears SugarPaw cry out, "Don't Go," and it makes her worry. SugarPaw does not want a babysitter and is very unhappy. When Bonnie goes into the kitchen to see Mother Bear, she notices a rule chart for SugarPaw on the wall and thinks that maybe it won't be too hard. But when Mama Bear and Bonnie leave the kitchen, SugarPaw sneaks into the kitchen and changes some of the rules. What is going to happen? Will SugarPaws and Bonnie hit it off or not?

Anyone who has ever done babysitting will be able to empathize with Bonnie and her plight. For that matter, so will anyone who has ever been babysat! Author VS Grenier has created a tender, heartwarming story that children will enjoy having read to them and that parents will enjoy reading to them. Babysitting SugarPaw should bring back a lot of fond, and perhaps a few not-so-fond, memories for both former babysitters and former children who were babysat. After all, what would we parents do without babysitters?

Donna Shepherd, Author of Chizzy's Topsy Tale:
In Babysitting Sugarpaw by VS Grenier, children will love to read about the mischievous antics of Sugarpaw who doesn't want to be babysat. Will Bonnie, a first-time babysitter, be able to keep Sugarpaw out of mischief until his parents return? Bonnie Whiskers finds she is up to the task, teaching Sugarpaw about patience along the way. Sweet illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier perfectly capture Bonnie's babysitting challenges.

To see more of her books go to http://vsgrenier.com/picturebooks.aspx .

Introducing a marvelous author - VS Grenier

2009-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

As a member of a Virtual Book Tour group called VBT - Writers on the Move, I am hosting a marvelous author of children's books, VS Grenier.

She has written many books and is the award-winning author and Editor-in-Chief of Stories for Children Magazine.

Today I am sponsoring one of her books, Babysitting Sugarpaw,
a book that will delight any child who has ever been babysat. This book is coming out in July 2009 but presales are happening today, June 1st.

In this blog, I would like to post an interview with the author and on June 6th, I will tell you more about the book and about the author as well. Here is the interview:

Q: Congratulations on your exciting publishing announcement of your first children’s book, “Babysitting Sugarpaw,” for July 2009. “Babysitting Sugarpaw,” started out as a short story and won 15th place for Fiction in the P&E Readers Poll. What prompted you to submit further to a publisher?

VS: After I wrote SugarPaw and the Babysitter, I could see the various illustrations of this little bear creating mayhem for his babysitter. Therefore, I set to work on the picture book version of this story entitled Babysitting SugarPaw. I knew this could be a really, fun story for babysitters to read when tucking in all those little pranksters to bed at night while mommy and daddy are out.

Q: Did you need to expand the story further for a picture book submission? If yes, what did you add? If no, did you always envision this particular story as a picture book?

VS: I actually ended up cutting the story up, with a lot of red ink and sleepless nights, down to the bare bones. In other words, into a picture book outline. Writing a picture book is very different from writing a short story, so it took some reworking. After seeing the guts of the story on page, I knew Babysitting SugarPaw was ready to be written as a picture book.
I had always hoped to take SugarPaw and the Babysitter and turn it into a picture book. After all, a picture inspired the story to begin with.

Q: Were you a babysitter at one time? If yes, did you incorporate any of your experiences into your story?

VS: I only babysat once for a family outside my own family that is. Man was that a total mistake for both parties. I was never cut out for babysitting being an only child until the age of fifteen. LOL. Of course, I wouldn’t say I was much better once my sister was around either. It takes a certain type of girl to be a babysitter and I wasn’t it. I was more a tomboy growing up.
However, Babysitting SugarPaw does reflect a lot about how I was when babysat by others. Now that I’m a mom, I can relate to Bonnie Whiskers, too.

Q: When researching publishers, did you seek out at least three possibilities or did you focus solely on one publishing house?

VS: Actually, I’m a Freelance Editor for Halo Publishing, so no; I didn’t look into other publishers for Babysitting SugarPaw. However, writers should have a list of at least three publishers in mind for any book they are getting ready to submit.
But don’t think I didn’t have to go through the same process as any other writer submitting to Halo Publishing. My submission had to be reviewed by many editors before I got my acceptance. After that, it had to go through the editing process and believe it of not, the editor cut more out of my story and tightened up a bit more. The only difference for me was I knew most of the illustrators personally and was able to work closer with the illustrator, too.

Q: From your experience, what has been the greatest obstacle you needed to overcome to achieve publication?

VS: Sitting down and finishing my book. No, really! I’m so busy with running Stories for Children Publishing and its many divisions: Stories for Children Magazine, SFC Newsletter for Writers, and SFC Blog Families Matter, that finding time to sit down . . . writer . . . research publishers . . . and so on, just isn’t on my mind. But I’m glad I took the time to get Babysitting SugarPaw in the shape it needed to become a published book. Now to make the time for my other manuscripts.

Q: Please share what current works-in-progress you have in the fire.

VS: Oh, there are so many. Well besides Stories for Children Magazine, which is always a work-in-process, I have four other picture book manuscripts I’ve been working on for about a year now. I also have the first four chapters of a fantasy YA novel and an outline of another book that is more of a mystery/crime novel for teens based on true events from my high school years.
Lastly, I am currently in the process of putting together the second Best of Stories for Children anthology.

On June 6th I will post more about the author and more about this delightful picture book. See you then.

2009-04-18T21:37:00.000-04:00

Come visit my new website. http://lindaswritingweb.synthasite.com

My website

2009-04-16T21:39:00.000-04:00

Just in case you did not know, I have created a website showing the cover of my new children's book. Also have a page there of books that I have had a large hand in editing. You can even order them there!

New book now published

2009-04-05T22:20:00.000-04:00

Spider in Our Mailbox has now been published and is available at my website

http://lindaswritingweb.yolasite.com/.

Filled with entertaining illustrations by Ryan Shaw, this young child's picture book will delight children as they learn to count, name the days of the week, learn their colors, as well as learn about different items on the way to the family mailbox.