I read a wonderful quote in my writer's calendar this morning.  It speaks to what draws me as both a writer and reader.  Gustave Flaubert says...

"It's a delicious thing to write.  To be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating."

I was an avid reader as a child (and still am) and loved being pulled into the world created by whatever book I was reading at the time.  It lit a fire in me to strive to create similar excitement in kids reading my own books one day.  There is nothing quite like entering a whole new world when opening a book and turning to the first page.  I still love that feeling and know I always will.

While my books thus far are children's picture books (book signing for the first tomorrow--WOO HOO!), I hope to foster excitement in both the kids and parents reading to them as they turn the page, and someday for the older readers in the chapter books floating around in my head begging to be written.

How do you go about creating your new universe for the reader?

Without further ado...

The May issue of Guardian Angel Kids eZine is available for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.Guardian-Angel-Kids.com

  SPECIAL FEATURES

Feather Art GAK reporting

Elephant Paints Video

 

POEM

Patchwork Art by Debra Mayhew

 

FICTION SHORT STORIES

Maya, the Elephant Who Loved to Paint by Shari L Klase

 

NON-FICTION ARTICLE

Trash No More by Trisha Faye

The Oldest Art in the World by Donna Marie West

 

ACTIVITY

Leaf it to me by Trisha Faye

Book Release

 

 

I am so excited to announce my picture book, Bedtime Kisses, is now available for purchase at 4RV Publishing.  You can find it here:  http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/karin-larson.php.

Thank you to Vivian, Aidana, Marsha and Harry for your hard work and belief in Bedtime Kisses and to Ginger for bringing my story to life with such wonderful illustrations!  I thank you all!

Book Trailer

I am so excited to announce the book trailer for my children's picture book, Bedtime Kisses, has been completed. 

You can see the wonderful illustrations by Ginger Nielson and view it here:

http://youtu.be/3Ga5i-L9MKA

Feel free to share your thoughts.  Thanks, in advance, for your time.

Voice

Cecil Murphey continues to speak to me in UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN.  The chapters I read today were discussing honoring one's voice and staying true to it. 

Murphey suggests, "each of us has a distinct tone and manner of speaking or writing."  He talks of an experiment he did with readers at a conference whereby he had attendees read paragraphs aloud and try to determine which he wrote.  All guessed correctly which affirmed the importance that, "your voice is your voice."  I found this an interesting experiment.  Do you think others would be able to find consistency in your writing when read aloud? To hear your voice in all of your work?  I'm not sure I am truly honoring my "voice" that consistently yet.

Murphey further suggests too many writers feel they need to imitate others rather than honoring their own voice.  I found myself thinking of this...as writers, we want to touch others, to speak to their hearts, make them want to keep reading our work and know our voice.  How does one do this? According to Murphey, it is by, "writing with your true voice...write with honesty, vulnerability, and with risk."  This can't be taught, he goes on to say.  We, as writers, must listen and work to hear our inner voice and then use it in our writing.  For, "the true voice is the heart of good writing.  It's more than techniques or the ability to write in more than one genre.  It's the ability to accept your voice as valuable and to use it." 

I believe finding one's voice as valuable is crucial to this equation.  It is in finding value and taking the risk to share that value with others that allows us to celebrate our voice and let it speak to other's in our writing.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on honoring one's voice if you are inclined to share!

Happy Easter

I will return after the long holiday weekend with new posts.  But, in the meantime, may you all have a blessed and happy Easter!

Cover Release

I am beyond excited to announce my first picture book, Bedtime Kisses, will be released soon by 4RV Publishing.  Thank you to all at 4RV and the very talented Ginger Nielson for bringing my story to life.