Beverly Stowe McClure's Blog: Enter Beverly's World of Writing, page 30
October 14, 2009
Contest Update!
Hurry, hurry! Only one more day left to enter my contest for a signed copy of Just Breeze, along with other prizes. See details at http://justbreeze.wordpress.com
Winners will be announced Friday, Oct. 16.
Best of luck to you.
Breeze Brannigan
Winners will be announced Friday, Oct. 16.
Best of luck to you.
Breeze Brannigan
October 1, 2009
Contest! Fun! Prizes!
Hi, Everyone,
Breeze is having a contest to launch her new novel, Just Breeze. For details, stop by her blog, http://justbreeze.wordpress.com, and meet Breeze and friends. You might win a prize. Hope to see you there.
Breeze is having a contest to launch her new novel, Just Breeze. For details, stop by her blog, http://justbreeze.wordpress.com, and meet Breeze and friends. You might win a prize. Hope to see you there.
August 29, 2009
Read Anything Good Lately?
Hi, I'm Patches. My mom's busy today, so she asked me to be her guest blogger. I can talk about anything I want, as long as it's books and reading.
Did you know I like to read?
What? Cats can't read. Nobody told me that. Mmm, maybe the pictures are what I enjoy looking at. As you can see, the sports page of the local paper is my favorite. I'm pretty athletic, myself. You should see me leap high in the air to catch a moth. Like those guys who jump those little fences at the track meets, hurdles I think they call it. I run fast too. Short distances, though. I wouldn't last in the long races. And I love to play ball, kicking it with my feet, the way soccer players do.
Sometimes I read books, as well as the newspaper. My favorites have animals in them. Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer made me hungry. All those chickens looked yummy. I'm reading a picture book now called Janoose the Goose by J. D. Holiday. It has all kinds of farm animals. Haven't finished it yet.
Rebel in Blue Jeans by my mom has a cat, Siamese, along with dogs and horses. I'd like to catch the red-tailed hawk in the story, but it looks tough, and it's pretty big. It might want me for lunch, and not as a guest. My mom's other book, Secrets I Have Kept, has a dog. Now, I'm not very fond of most dogs, but Chopin (the dog) is okay. He tries to round me up, cause he's an Australian blue heeler, and that's what they do.
OK. Time to go. Thanks for reading my blog. What are your favorite animal books? I'd like to read them, too.
To see my picture follow this link: http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
Yup. That's me.
Did you know I like to read?
What? Cats can't read. Nobody told me that. Mmm, maybe the pictures are what I enjoy looking at. As you can see, the sports page of the local paper is my favorite. I'm pretty athletic, myself. You should see me leap high in the air to catch a moth. Like those guys who jump those little fences at the track meets, hurdles I think they call it. I run fast too. Short distances, though. I wouldn't last in the long races. And I love to play ball, kicking it with my feet, the way soccer players do.
Sometimes I read books, as well as the newspaper. My favorites have animals in them. Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer made me hungry. All those chickens looked yummy. I'm reading a picture book now called Janoose the Goose by J. D. Holiday. It has all kinds of farm animals. Haven't finished it yet.
Rebel in Blue Jeans by my mom has a cat, Siamese, along with dogs and horses. I'd like to catch the red-tailed hawk in the story, but it looks tough, and it's pretty big. It might want me for lunch, and not as a guest. My mom's other book, Secrets I Have Kept, has a dog. Now, I'm not very fond of most dogs, but Chopin (the dog) is okay. He tries to round me up, cause he's an Australian blue heeler, and that's what they do.
OK. Time to go. Thanks for reading my blog. What are your favorite animal books? I'd like to read them, too.
To see my picture follow this link: http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
Yup. That's me.
August 1, 2009
Review Afterthoughts by Lynn Tincher
Mystery, romance, secrets, suspense. Author Lynn Tincher’s book, the first of her Mind Bending Series, is a page turner that has it all. Paige Aldridge is a detective who sees her family and friends dying, one by one, under mysterious circumstances: Suicide? Murder? Accidents? Paige, herself, has disturbing dreams, and hears voices talking to her. She keeps seeing someone in the shadows, watching her, and thinks she’s going crazy.
Paige also is torn between her boyfriend, David, and her detective partner, Jay. David isn’t there to support her when she needs him the most. Jay works with her to solve the mysteries. I found myself wanting to read one more chapter then one more to see what happened next. Along the way, the author plants some surprises that add to the plot, and the reader discovers that nothing is what it seems.
The story could have used a bit more editing, but it is a satisfying read that will hold you spellbound until the end. I recommend Afterthoughts to everyone who enjoys a good mystery, thriller, and characters that you either love or hate. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.
Paige also is torn between her boyfriend, David, and her detective partner, Jay. David isn’t there to support her when she needs him the most. Jay works with her to solve the mysteries. I found myself wanting to read one more chapter then one more to see what happened next. Along the way, the author plants some surprises that add to the plot, and the reader discovers that nothing is what it seems.
The story could have used a bit more editing, but it is a satisfying read that will hold you spellbound until the end. I recommend Afterthoughts to everyone who enjoys a good mystery, thriller, and characters that you either love or hate. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.
July 30, 2009
Good News!
I love September, the coming one especially. Why? Let me tell you.
Besides the family birthdays that occur every year, my story, "Traveler," has been selected to appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog. The book is scheduled for September 22, 2009.
Also, my ya novel, Just Breeze, will be published in late September. And my ya historical novel, Caves, Cannons and Crinolines, will be out in Sept. or sometimes this fall/winter.
Can you tell I'm excited?
Happy Reading, All
Besides the family birthdays that occur every year, my story, "Traveler," has been selected to appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog. The book is scheduled for September 22, 2009.
Also, my ya novel, Just Breeze, will be published in late September. And my ya historical novel, Caves, Cannons and Crinolines, will be out in Sept. or sometimes this fall/winter.
Can you tell I'm excited?
Happy Reading, All
June 22, 2009
Cheryl Malandrinos Interview
I have the pleasure of interviewing Cheryl Malandrinos, a lady with many talents. Cheryl is a staff member for Writer2Writer and writes articles on time management and organization for writers, as well as on many other subjects. She is a member of Musing Our Children and is also a virtual book tour coordinator for Pump Up Your Book Promotion. Recently, she received some very good news, but I’ll let her tell you about that. Thank you, Cheryl, for taking time out of your busy life to visit with us today.
Bev: When did you discover you wanted to be a writer?
Cheryl: Growing up I knew I wanted to be one of two things: a teacher or a writer. I’ve always been an avid reader and English was a strong subject for me in school, so I enjoyed writing book reports, poetry, and my own stories. I have a manila folder tucked away in my hope chest of stories I wrote as a teenager.
Writing also helped me deal with the loss of my mother when I was fourteen. She had cancer for two years before she passed away. My writings during those times, as expected, dealt with death and loss. I usually write about much happier topics these days, but I know letting my feelings flow onto paper allowed me to move forward after my mother’s death.
Bev: You recently signed a contract for your first book. Tell us about your journey to this exciting moment.
Cheryl: Yes, God has been good to me. I had written off and on since my teenage years, but life got in the way. When I became a stay-at-home mom five years ago, I decided to follow my dreams of becoming a writer.
I entered into Long Ridge Writing Group’s Breaking into Print program and learned a great deal about writing articles. At the time I was reading non-fiction books exclusively and knew this was my strong point.
While I was attending the first Muse Online Writers Conference in 2006, the conversation shifted to whether or not writers should work pro-bono to secure clips. I believe in doing this at the beginning, and I mentioned how I wrote several time management articles for a now defunct eZine. Cheryl Wright from Writer2Writer contacted me and asked to see them and I soon began working for her on a regular basis.
I had written some fiction pieces, but showing instead of telling has never been my strong suit, so I continued to attend the Muse conferences, kept writing fiction, and took advantage of all the critiques I could get. The hard work paid off. Lynda Burch from Guardian Angel Publishing presented at the 2008 Muse Online Writers Conference and offered the attendees of her weekly forum a chance to submit their manuscript. After some additional revisions, Lynda offered me my first book contract. The Little Shepherd Boy should be out sometime in the fall of next year.
[To read the entire interview go to my blog:
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
You'll be glad you did.
Bev: When did you discover you wanted to be a writer?
Cheryl: Growing up I knew I wanted to be one of two things: a teacher or a writer. I’ve always been an avid reader and English was a strong subject for me in school, so I enjoyed writing book reports, poetry, and my own stories. I have a manila folder tucked away in my hope chest of stories I wrote as a teenager.
Writing also helped me deal with the loss of my mother when I was fourteen. She had cancer for two years before she passed away. My writings during those times, as expected, dealt with death and loss. I usually write about much happier topics these days, but I know letting my feelings flow onto paper allowed me to move forward after my mother’s death.
Bev: You recently signed a contract for your first book. Tell us about your journey to this exciting moment.
Cheryl: Yes, God has been good to me. I had written off and on since my teenage years, but life got in the way. When I became a stay-at-home mom five years ago, I decided to follow my dreams of becoming a writer.
I entered into Long Ridge Writing Group’s Breaking into Print program and learned a great deal about writing articles. At the time I was reading non-fiction books exclusively and knew this was my strong point.
While I was attending the first Muse Online Writers Conference in 2006, the conversation shifted to whether or not writers should work pro-bono to secure clips. I believe in doing this at the beginning, and I mentioned how I wrote several time management articles for a now defunct eZine. Cheryl Wright from Writer2Writer contacted me and asked to see them and I soon began working for her on a regular basis.
I had written some fiction pieces, but showing instead of telling has never been my strong suit, so I continued to attend the Muse conferences, kept writing fiction, and took advantage of all the critiques I could get. The hard work paid off. Lynda Burch from Guardian Angel Publishing presented at the 2008 Muse Online Writers Conference and offered the attendees of her weekly forum a chance to submit their manuscript. After some additional revisions, Lynda offered me my first book contract. The Little Shepherd Boy should be out sometime in the fall of next year.
[To read the entire interview go to my blog:
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
You'll be glad you did.
June 2, 2009
Memorable Characters
Think about all the books you've read over the years. Do you have a favorite character, one whose name is etched in your mind forever? When you think of her, you picture the way she walks, or hear a word she uses that is uniquely hers. Have you read a book that the minute you finish the last page, you've forgotten the main character's name? What's more, you don't recall a thing he did that makes you care whether he got what he wanted or not. What makes the difference? Why does one character stay with you and make you smile, or frown, or cry, but another character leaves you indifferent to his/her fate?
One of my favorite heroines is Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. Why does she stay with me, after all these years? She's selfish, self-centered, cares only about herself (and Ashley), and delights in breaking young men's hearts. She uses friendships to her advantage. Her goal in life is to make Scarlett happy. What she achieves, however, is anything but happiness. And I think, to me, this is why I remember her. As I read, I hope she'll change. I hope she'll have compassion for those around her. That she'll turn out to be a decent young woman. She suffers hardships, hunger, and loss of children, but to the very end, she's still Scarlett. Her goals change when she makes an amazing discovery. I like to think that she learned something and in her future, she might turn into a daughter her mother and father would be proud of. So I left the story with hope for her.
This week I'd love to hear your comments on your favorite characters, why a particular one stays with you when others are soon distant memories. I'm thinking now of some modern day heroes and heroines to see which ones I'll remember, the way I do Katie Scarlett O'Hara.
Come on over to http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com and tell us about characters you love and hate. See you there.
One of my favorite heroines is Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. Why does she stay with me, after all these years? She's selfish, self-centered, cares only about herself (and Ashley), and delights in breaking young men's hearts. She uses friendships to her advantage. Her goal in life is to make Scarlett happy. What she achieves, however, is anything but happiness. And I think, to me, this is why I remember her. As I read, I hope she'll change. I hope she'll have compassion for those around her. That she'll turn out to be a decent young woman. She suffers hardships, hunger, and loss of children, but to the very end, she's still Scarlett. Her goals change when she makes an amazing discovery. I like to think that she learned something and in her future, she might turn into a daughter her mother and father would be proud of. So I left the story with hope for her.
This week I'd love to hear your comments on your favorite characters, why a particular one stays with you when others are soon distant memories. I'm thinking now of some modern day heroes and heroines to see which ones I'll remember, the way I do Katie Scarlett O'Hara.
Come on over to http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com and tell us about characters you love and hate. See you there.
April 28, 2009
Interview with N. A. (Nancy) Sharpe
N.A. Sharpe was born in Wilmington, Delaware and attended the University of Delaware studying Psychology and Elementary Education. She is a single mom and currently lives in central Florida with her teen-aged son and dogs, Scooter (a Yorkie), NaNu-NaNu (a Morkie) and Gryffindor (a Husky).
Throughout her high school and college years, she volunteered in the elementary school system, and, after receiving her degree, she taught autistic and schizophrenic children in a private school in Pennsylvania before moving on to an administrative career.
Thank you so much for being with us today, Nancy.
B: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer, or have you always wanted to write?
NA: I’ve always enjoyed writing. I remember writing “books” as a child – you know the kind – with the brightly colored construction paper covers… Creative writing classes were always my favorite, right through high school, but in college I became a bit more pragmatic, and followed a different path. Happily, I am now finding myself gravitating back to writing. I love totally immersing myself in a story.
B: You have a book out, The Destineers’ Journal of Fantasy Nations, that is a “field guide” for the YA fantasy novel series you’re working on. Tell us about your book and also what was your inspiration for writing this fantasy series?
NA: The Destineers’ Journal of Fantasy Nations is, indeed, a field guide to the world of fantasy. It is an encyclopedic-like handbook of many of the fantasy creatures that exist in the realm of the Netherscape. It is told from the view-point of 15-year old Kylie O’Connor, one of the protagonists of our forthcoming novel. Her entries are based on facts she has learned in class. (I probably should mention that her teacher is a renowned expert in the field…and a goblin that lives in the realm of the Netherscape.) Kylie also bases her entries on personal experiences and encounters that she and the other Destineers have had with these beings in their visits to the fantasy realm. Some of these visits are under the guidance of Wiliam Derrnz (headmaster and professor of the interactive history class), others happen when they are called to fulfill the prophecy and save the realm from annihilation.
Inspiration for the fantasy series? I have had the great privilege of working on this project with my son, Bobby, and we’re both huge fantasy [genre:] fans. We started developing this story and its characters and it really took on a life of its own. It’s been a lot of fun!
B: Your first picture book, If Wishes Were Fishes, is forthcoming in 2010. Where did you get the idea for this story?
NA: There is a children’s book that I always enjoyed called Olaf Reads. It is the story of a very precocious child who states “I can read – they just can’t spell” as he mails his mother’s letter in a basket marked “litter”. It seems to me there are many such opportunities for misunderstandings for children in the world we live in. In If Wishes Were Fishes, JT Trumanowski is a lovable 6-year old boy that adores his grandparents and when he gets invited to spend the weekend with them, he tries very hard to “behave and do exactly what they say”. This sounds like a great plan, but it actually leads to a whole lot of funny misadventures and trouble. JT takes what his grandparents say very literally and learns that people don’t always say what they mean…clearly.
B: Do you find it quite different writing a picture book as opposed to a young adult novel?
NA: I think it is very different, yes. I try to see the story through the eyes of the age group I’m writing for. Young children tend to see and understand things very differently than the older groups. Young children tend to take things quite literally and it’s exciting when you see and hear that understanding actually click in when they “get” what you are trying to say – the English language is so complicated: when to follow which rules, then there are slang phrases and idioms that totally throw the rules out the window and words take on an entirely different meaning.
B: What is a typical writing day like for you? Are you a morning person, evening, or anytime works for you writer?
NA: I do most of my more creative writing at night and edits, marketing, updating the websites and blogs during the day.
B: Tell us about your forthcoming projects.
NA: The priority right now is completing The Destineers and the Legend of the Netherscape and [hopefully:] getting it picked up by a publishing house. Bobby and I have three books plotted out so far for the Destineers filled with adventure, mystery, and wonderfully exotic settings. There are also two additional Journals we have talked about publishing – one filled with legends and the true stories behind them, the other about the adventures the Destineers have in their classes like Interactive History where they can travel via the incarnation chamber to any time in any of the Realms’ histories. And, as we learn in the first book, there are countless realms out there – you just have to know how to find them.
B: Now for some fun stuff: If you could live in any other time period, when would you choose and why?
NA: (**Huge grin**) The days of Camelot and King Arthur and his knights of the round table. I love the time period and the fictional realm embodies that era.
B: What kind of music do you listen to? Your favorite movies? TV shows? Authors?
NA: I have pretty eclectic tastes in music – classic rock and oldies at the foundation, layered with contemporary. I enjoy classical music sometimes, especially for writing certain scenes. Movies: I am a fantasy buff – from the Wizard of Oz to Harry Potter, Timeline, Dragonheart, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and Neverending Story. I also like just about anything from Hitchcock, Spielberg, or Ron Howard. Authors – wow, this is a long list but some of my favorites are: JK Rowling, Stephen King, Michael Crichton, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Jim Butcher, Dean Koontz, Sue Grafton, Christopher Paolini, TA Barron, classics like Charles Dickens…that list really goes on and on.
B: Where can your fans learn more about you? Web site? Blogs?
NA: My personal website is http://NASharpe.com For the Destineers we have the site http://Destineers.com and a forum where you can interact with the characters, or just hang out and have fun (there are book blurbs about new books coming out, book reviews, a virtual game room…all kinds of things) at http://Cybrarie.com I’m also on MySpace, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter and I’ve recently started a new blog called Ask the Cybrarian: Book Reviews
B: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring writers?
NA: Enjoy what you are writing. When you are enjoying the story, you bring your reader with you to experience and enjoy the story too. I’ve had several young people ask me if I think they are too young to write. The answer is absolutely not – whatever your passion, sports, music, acting, writing…I think you should follow that passion wherever it leads you.
Thank you, Nancy, for giving us a glimpse into your very busy life.
Thank you, Beverly! I really appreciate the opportunity to do this!
Throughout her high school and college years, she volunteered in the elementary school system, and, after receiving her degree, she taught autistic and schizophrenic children in a private school in Pennsylvania before moving on to an administrative career.
Thank you so much for being with us today, Nancy.
B: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer, or have you always wanted to write?
NA: I’ve always enjoyed writing. I remember writing “books” as a child – you know the kind – with the brightly colored construction paper covers… Creative writing classes were always my favorite, right through high school, but in college I became a bit more pragmatic, and followed a different path. Happily, I am now finding myself gravitating back to writing. I love totally immersing myself in a story.
B: You have a book out, The Destineers’ Journal of Fantasy Nations, that is a “field guide” for the YA fantasy novel series you’re working on. Tell us about your book and also what was your inspiration for writing this fantasy series?
NA: The Destineers’ Journal of Fantasy Nations is, indeed, a field guide to the world of fantasy. It is an encyclopedic-like handbook of many of the fantasy creatures that exist in the realm of the Netherscape. It is told from the view-point of 15-year old Kylie O’Connor, one of the protagonists of our forthcoming novel. Her entries are based on facts she has learned in class. (I probably should mention that her teacher is a renowned expert in the field…and a goblin that lives in the realm of the Netherscape.) Kylie also bases her entries on personal experiences and encounters that she and the other Destineers have had with these beings in their visits to the fantasy realm. Some of these visits are under the guidance of Wiliam Derrnz (headmaster and professor of the interactive history class), others happen when they are called to fulfill the prophecy and save the realm from annihilation.
Inspiration for the fantasy series? I have had the great privilege of working on this project with my son, Bobby, and we’re both huge fantasy [genre:] fans. We started developing this story and its characters and it really took on a life of its own. It’s been a lot of fun!
B: Your first picture book, If Wishes Were Fishes, is forthcoming in 2010. Where did you get the idea for this story?
NA: There is a children’s book that I always enjoyed called Olaf Reads. It is the story of a very precocious child who states “I can read – they just can’t spell” as he mails his mother’s letter in a basket marked “litter”. It seems to me there are many such opportunities for misunderstandings for children in the world we live in. In If Wishes Were Fishes, JT Trumanowski is a lovable 6-year old boy that adores his grandparents and when he gets invited to spend the weekend with them, he tries very hard to “behave and do exactly what they say”. This sounds like a great plan, but it actually leads to a whole lot of funny misadventures and trouble. JT takes what his grandparents say very literally and learns that people don’t always say what they mean…clearly.
B: Do you find it quite different writing a picture book as opposed to a young adult novel?
NA: I think it is very different, yes. I try to see the story through the eyes of the age group I’m writing for. Young children tend to see and understand things very differently than the older groups. Young children tend to take things quite literally and it’s exciting when you see and hear that understanding actually click in when they “get” what you are trying to say – the English language is so complicated: when to follow which rules, then there are slang phrases and idioms that totally throw the rules out the window and words take on an entirely different meaning.
B: What is a typical writing day like for you? Are you a morning person, evening, or anytime works for you writer?
NA: I do most of my more creative writing at night and edits, marketing, updating the websites and blogs during the day.
B: Tell us about your forthcoming projects.
NA: The priority right now is completing The Destineers and the Legend of the Netherscape and [hopefully:] getting it picked up by a publishing house. Bobby and I have three books plotted out so far for the Destineers filled with adventure, mystery, and wonderfully exotic settings. There are also two additional Journals we have talked about publishing – one filled with legends and the true stories behind them, the other about the adventures the Destineers have in their classes like Interactive History where they can travel via the incarnation chamber to any time in any of the Realms’ histories. And, as we learn in the first book, there are countless realms out there – you just have to know how to find them.
B: Now for some fun stuff: If you could live in any other time period, when would you choose and why?
NA: (**Huge grin**) The days of Camelot and King Arthur and his knights of the round table. I love the time period and the fictional realm embodies that era.
B: What kind of music do you listen to? Your favorite movies? TV shows? Authors?
NA: I have pretty eclectic tastes in music – classic rock and oldies at the foundation, layered with contemporary. I enjoy classical music sometimes, especially for writing certain scenes. Movies: I am a fantasy buff – from the Wizard of Oz to Harry Potter, Timeline, Dragonheart, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and Neverending Story. I also like just about anything from Hitchcock, Spielberg, or Ron Howard. Authors – wow, this is a long list but some of my favorites are: JK Rowling, Stephen King, Michael Crichton, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Jim Butcher, Dean Koontz, Sue Grafton, Christopher Paolini, TA Barron, classics like Charles Dickens…that list really goes on and on.
B: Where can your fans learn more about you? Web site? Blogs?
NA: My personal website is http://NASharpe.com For the Destineers we have the site http://Destineers.com and a forum where you can interact with the characters, or just hang out and have fun (there are book blurbs about new books coming out, book reviews, a virtual game room…all kinds of things) at http://Cybrarie.com I’m also on MySpace, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter and I’ve recently started a new blog called Ask the Cybrarian: Book Reviews
B: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring writers?
NA: Enjoy what you are writing. When you are enjoying the story, you bring your reader with you to experience and enjoy the story too. I’ve had several young people ask me if I think they are too young to write. The answer is absolutely not – whatever your passion, sports, music, acting, writing…I think you should follow that passion wherever it leads you.
Thank you, Nancy, for giving us a glimpse into your very busy life.
Thank you, Beverly! I really appreciate the opportunity to do this!
Enter Beverly's World of Writing
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