Author Visit

Thank you L.B. Williams Elementary! I had a wonderful time visiting with you all today and appreciate being part of your Read Across America festivities.

You kids rock! Keep reading and follow your dreams.

Announcing January 2016 Guardian Angel Releases

Read all the newest Guardian Angel releases.  Congratulations all!

I HAVE A VOICE
Health & Hygiene
Authors: Joni Klein-Higger and Dr. Flora Zaken-Greenberg, Illustrator: Eileen Goldenberg
Jamie, a soon-to-be kindergartener, meets Dr. Faye, a feelings doctor, who helps her
overcome her fear of speaking.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/voice.htm

 

KISSES FROM HEAVEN
Wings of Faith
Author and illustrator Nancy Rogers Schacht
A must-have heartwarming children’s devotional for the little ones in your life. Each page is filled with precious rhymes, whimsical illustrations, and Bible verses.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/kisses-heaven.hm

BARRY SWEETS AND THE CANDY CANE FACTORY: A Children’s Christmas Musical
Angelic Harmony
Author: Dixie Phillips, Sharon Phillips, Lucy Robbins, Leslie Trettin
Even though business is booming at the candy cane factory, Barry Sweets isn’t satisfied. Greed has robbed him of a “sweet” disposition, but Granddad refuses to give up on him.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/barry-sweets.htm

Listen

Do you listen to the voices around you? Or to the ones in your head? And, yes, I have voices in my head spewing ideas for stories or lines or characters, etc.  Do you?

The quote in my planner this week is from Ernest Hemingway.  It says...

"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen."

How true that is.  I find this especially necessary for those of us writing for children--whatever their age.  The language used for little ones is different than that for elementary kids, those in middle school or even those in high school.  Paying attention to the children around and how they speak to peers, parents and their siblings can help inspire and write stories that feel true and authentic.  I know for myself that I tend to gravitate to writing for the age range in which I either am involved work wise or at home with my kids and their friends and drawing on the language and interactions I see and hear helps tremendously. 

For you kid lit authors out there, do you listen and use what you hear? From where do you draw your inspiration and best ideas? I love to hear what works for others if you are so inclined to share your thoughts.

May your day be filled with love, laughter, happiness, peace and joy whether celebrating with loved ones or snuggled up with a great book alone.  Enjoy!

Hola

As you read this, I will be basking in the sun and sand of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Hopefully,  I will also be generating some new ideas for books and/or stories.  The lively Mexican children, beautiful scenery, whales spouting in the distance and just plain rest and relaxation of vacation tend to foster my imagination.  I will be checking in post vacation.

Happy writing!

Keep Your Date

In the midst of crazy times, my writing always suffers and now is no exception.  I need to be reminded again and again to use the little snippets of time here and there and not wait for the big chunk of time that never materializes.  While I've not been good at sitting down, butt in chair, and actually working on a manuscript as of late, I have been knocking off several things, writing related, such as listening to replays from the PB Summit and a 12 x 12 webinar I missed.  I've also not been very good lately at posting consistently here on my blog.  I aim to do better going forward.

Today, I was reading a chapter in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers and was reminded it is possible to find time in the chaos and use that time effectively and efficiently. I read a chapter by Linda S. Clare.  She talked about finding time to write during years of running a daycare.  One thing she wrote that really stuck with me is to keep a date with your writing.  She did so by setting a timer and writing during the 90 minutes her day care kids rested/napped. I so agree that one must get creative in battling the challenge of finding time in a tight schedule, but it can be done. And I will do it.

Remember...

"Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein." ~ H. Jackson Brown

Well, then...back to work I go!

Commitment

Here dawns a new year, filled with new commitments, new resolutions, new hopes and dreams, new chances.  I haven't so much made resolutions for the new year but have made new commitments to myself.  I've kept my goals general but with more specific steps..."write more" but specifically with the intention to "write at least 15 minutes a day;" "improve my marketing skills," but specifically with the intention to "research new markets," "explore the better use of social media," "create a better author visit program;" and "read more" but specifically "read at least 10 PBs a month," "read something for fun every day," etc.  You get the idea! We shall see how it goes, and I will be reporting in along the way.

I saw a picture on FB today that re-affirmed my commitment to making better changes and adjustments in my life to better serve my writing. 

Isn't this a great reminder to forge ahead in life, whether it is in one's writing or any other life situation.  We have the control to commit, to work hard and to keep striving for a better end, whatever that may be.  This might just be my new mantra for 2016:)

What are your goals, hopes, dreams, commitments (whatever term you use) for 2016? I'd love to hear them!