Dianne Bright's Blog, page 2
October 20, 2017
Never Give Up!
Most people haven't heard of me as a mainstream author yet, and I'm okay with being an indie gal. But sometimes, it's just nice to feel noticed.
This happened after one of my Barnes & Noble book signing events for my first novel, SOUL READER. A lady came up to me in the bathroom asking, "Aren't you the lady from that book signing event?" I almost died from shock, giving a shy, "Yeah, that was me."
Occasionally someone who isn't from my extended family or my local friend-base will bump into me, sharing, "I really liked your book," which is cool too. But, the truth is, for the most part, I'm just that gal who blends in with the crowd.
Are you connecting with me now? Do you ever feel small and insignificant, like "What big accomplishment can I even do/make before I die?"
But hold on, what was the title again? Oh yeah... my point for fellow readers and authors: NEVER GIVE UP! Whatever you're doing in life. Regardless of what you earn. No matter where you live. Or what you look like. Or how smart you feel. Or what you believe other people think about you.
This especially applies to moms--EXCLAMATION MARK! I love to remind us that our lives matter too. Just for bringing little people into this world and raising them with a smile most days.
Sometimes, amidst the piles of laundry and dishes, our dreams get set on the back-burner. We get behind on our to-do lists and our reading piles as well.
As a line from my upcoming young adult novel says, "Dreams fuel the world." The mom tells her son those words to remind him she believes in him. So, don't let your dreams fade too far away. Sure, it's okay to put them off for a while. But if you wait too long, they might never resurface.
What if they could have been possible, if you simply hadn't given up? It's a message we need to pass along to our kids as well. But, is ANYTHING actually possible, or is that an unrealistic message to pass on to the little ones we love? "Here, kids-- drink the Kool Aid," even as chaos and destruction seem the only constants in our world.
Well, even if some things may not feel possible, I'd rather teach them to reach for the stars, instead of doing nothing to make it a better place. Seeking the impossible could be the very thing each one of us needs to get started on the right path.
We can even shoot for the stars by starting off small; then, we can reach for the next one; then the one after that. All of a sudden, we might just see a sky full of wishes, lighting our way.
"But, writing a whole book?" you might ask. "That's so many words." My upcoming young adult novel is 68,470 words, but it never felt too overwhelming, because I simply wrote one word at a time.
One more thing--NEVER GIVE UP! Oh wait, I think I said that already. :0)
*Dianne Bright is the author of SOUL READER and SOUL JUMPER. She has written for a variety of magazines, including Scholastic's Parent and Child. For similar essays, check out her digital parenting book: MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE (With a Glass of Merlot).
Soul Reader
This happened after one of my Barnes & Noble book signing events for my first novel, SOUL READER. A lady came up to me in the bathroom asking, "Aren't you the lady from that book signing event?" I almost died from shock, giving a shy, "Yeah, that was me."
Occasionally someone who isn't from my extended family or my local friend-base will bump into me, sharing, "I really liked your book," which is cool too. But, the truth is, for the most part, I'm just that gal who blends in with the crowd.
Are you connecting with me now? Do you ever feel small and insignificant, like "What big accomplishment can I even do/make before I die?"
But hold on, what was the title again? Oh yeah... my point for fellow readers and authors: NEVER GIVE UP! Whatever you're doing in life. Regardless of what you earn. No matter where you live. Or what you look like. Or how smart you feel. Or what you believe other people think about you.
This especially applies to moms--EXCLAMATION MARK! I love to remind us that our lives matter too. Just for bringing little people into this world and raising them with a smile most days.
Sometimes, amidst the piles of laundry and dishes, our dreams get set on the back-burner. We get behind on our to-do lists and our reading piles as well.
As a line from my upcoming young adult novel says, "Dreams fuel the world." The mom tells her son those words to remind him she believes in him. So, don't let your dreams fade too far away. Sure, it's okay to put them off for a while. But if you wait too long, they might never resurface.
What if they could have been possible, if you simply hadn't given up? It's a message we need to pass along to our kids as well. But, is ANYTHING actually possible, or is that an unrealistic message to pass on to the little ones we love? "Here, kids-- drink the Kool Aid," even as chaos and destruction seem the only constants in our world.
Well, even if some things may not feel possible, I'd rather teach them to reach for the stars, instead of doing nothing to make it a better place. Seeking the impossible could be the very thing each one of us needs to get started on the right path.
We can even shoot for the stars by starting off small; then, we can reach for the next one; then the one after that. All of a sudden, we might just see a sky full of wishes, lighting our way.
"But, writing a whole book?" you might ask. "That's so many words." My upcoming young adult novel is 68,470 words, but it never felt too overwhelming, because I simply wrote one word at a time.
One more thing--NEVER GIVE UP! Oh wait, I think I said that already. :0)
*Dianne Bright is the author of SOUL READER and SOUL JUMPER. She has written for a variety of magazines, including Scholastic's Parent and Child. For similar essays, check out her digital parenting book: MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE (With a Glass of Merlot).
Soul Reader
April 22, 2017
SOUL JUMPER
Author Update:
SOUL JUMPER, book #2 in my SOUL READER Trilogy is now available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Even without reading book #1 (to be re-released in early June), this one does well as a stand-alone, since the preface provides a summary.
If you're interested in writing a review, please message me on goodreads or Twitter (@dibright).
BACK COVER:
She's been playing with bad blood. After discovering a world full of angels and demons, Jennifer Mills explains to her husband, Hunter, that Jadan is her guardian angel.
She is a human: A rescue mission to save her dad and Jadan from the Dark Realm causes Jennifer to question her earthly identity. She tries to stay focused on her everyday tasks, but feels pulled toward her spiritual role even more.
She is a half-angel: Jadan adds two mystical gems to Jennifer's growing collection from the Realm Beyond and helps her navigate the flying part of her training. He also reveals an intimate part of her past, creating an even stronger connection between them. Will she make the right choice?
She is a trap: When Jadan is forced to leave the earthly realm, Zalia is sent to guard over Jennifer. A host of angels arrives on the beach, before a mysterious navy blue gem finds its way into Jennifer's house. Will she be able to let this one go, before it leads to her demise?
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-...
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. She is also a reviewer for James Patterson books, via his assistant, Sean Comstock. Her second edition of book #1, SOUL READER, came out in the spring of 2017. She has a new young adult fantasy duology coming out soon.
SOUL JUMPER, book #2 in my SOUL READER Trilogy is now available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Even without reading book #1 (to be re-released in early June), this one does well as a stand-alone, since the preface provides a summary.
If you're interested in writing a review, please message me on goodreads or Twitter (@dibright).
BACK COVER:
She's been playing with bad blood. After discovering a world full of angels and demons, Jennifer Mills explains to her husband, Hunter, that Jadan is her guardian angel.
She is a human: A rescue mission to save her dad and Jadan from the Dark Realm causes Jennifer to question her earthly identity. She tries to stay focused on her everyday tasks, but feels pulled toward her spiritual role even more.
She is a half-angel: Jadan adds two mystical gems to Jennifer's growing collection from the Realm Beyond and helps her navigate the flying part of her training. He also reveals an intimate part of her past, creating an even stronger connection between them. Will she make the right choice?
She is a trap: When Jadan is forced to leave the earthly realm, Zalia is sent to guard over Jennifer. A host of angels arrives on the beach, before a mysterious navy blue gem finds its way into Jennifer's house. Will she be able to let this one go, before it leads to her demise?
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-...
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. She is also a reviewer for James Patterson books, via his assistant, Sean Comstock. Her second edition of book #1, SOUL READER, came out in the spring of 2017. She has a new young adult fantasy duology coming out soon.
April 15, 2017
Marvel, DC, or Jesus?
So many great movies are coming out this summer/fall (Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on May 5th, Wonder Woman on June 2nd, Spider-Man: Homecoming on July 7th, Thor: Ragnarok on Nov 3rd, and Justic League on Nov 17th). I can hardly wait.
Often times, the question for fantasy/sci-fi fans is, "Which is better, Marvel or DC?" which is basically impossible to answer, though Chris Hemsworth is pretty dreamy. But, I'll take my chances and throw in a third option. A better option: Jesus!
Too offensive? Definitely. Jesus offends, for sure.
For starters, He defends prostitutes, like the one at that awkward dinner with the Pharisee, where she washes Jesus' feet with her tears, massaging them with expensive perfume (used to seduce men), and dries them with her own hair (that was probably covered in sweat from a scandalous affair just hours before). The Pharisee gets upset at Jesus for letting her hang out there, so Jesus shares a story about two people owing money.
Let's say one owes five grand and another owes fifty grand. Neither has money to pay the guy back, but both debts are cancelled. Which will love him more? Clearly the one who owes more money. Jesus tells the prostitute, not the Pharisee, "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48).
Jesus may not wear a super hero suit, but he's into cool tech, aka, miracles and supernatural stuff. Here are some examples from the book of John.
ONE: Jesus, the WORD, becomes flesh (John 1:1).
TWO: Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding--such an amazing party trick--using six stone water jars, each holding 20-30 gallons (John 2).
THREE: Jesus heals a father's son, who is basically left for dead (John 4:43).
FOUR: Jesus heals a paralyzed guy by a pool, just by saying "Get up!" (John 5:8).
FIVE: Jesus feeds five thousand people using five small loaves of bread and two small fish. After everyone had eaten, the disciples "filled 12 baskets with the pieces of the 5 barley loaves left over..." (John 6:13).
SIX: Jesus walks on water (John 6:16).
SEVEN: Jesus heals a blind man (John 9).
EIGHT: Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead, saying, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43).
NINE: He helps the disciples catch 153 fish after a long night of empty nets and no cool Marvel or DC trailers (John 21:10+11).
TEN: He even talks to demons. Remember when he comes upon the two demon possessed men walking by the tombs? No one can go near them, because they're so violent. The demons know they are screwed and beg Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. "Jesus said 'Go!' and the demons came out and went into the pigs" (from Matthew 8:31-32).
For those who doubt the Bible, just look for His fingerprint by studying the complexity of the human eye, the depth of a black hole, or the amazing transformation a caterpillar undergoes on its way to becoming a butterfly. There's just too much proof not to investigate HIS claims.
Revelations 3:20 says, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
As you break from the new DC and Marvel trailers, take a minute to check your heart. Make sure you're right with JESUS, the one who participated in making the whole universe and everything in it.
1John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
The coolest superhero in all of history offers you eternal life, freely, so take the gift.
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, is being re-released this spring. Book #2, SOUL JUMPER, comes out in late April. Look for BLOOD TOWERS this summer, her young adult fantasy novel about core temperaments and the pharmaceutical industry.
Often times, the question for fantasy/sci-fi fans is, "Which is better, Marvel or DC?" which is basically impossible to answer, though Chris Hemsworth is pretty dreamy. But, I'll take my chances and throw in a third option. A better option: Jesus!
Too offensive? Definitely. Jesus offends, for sure.
For starters, He defends prostitutes, like the one at that awkward dinner with the Pharisee, where she washes Jesus' feet with her tears, massaging them with expensive perfume (used to seduce men), and dries them with her own hair (that was probably covered in sweat from a scandalous affair just hours before). The Pharisee gets upset at Jesus for letting her hang out there, so Jesus shares a story about two people owing money.
Let's say one owes five grand and another owes fifty grand. Neither has money to pay the guy back, but both debts are cancelled. Which will love him more? Clearly the one who owes more money. Jesus tells the prostitute, not the Pharisee, "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48).
Jesus may not wear a super hero suit, but he's into cool tech, aka, miracles and supernatural stuff. Here are some examples from the book of John.
ONE: Jesus, the WORD, becomes flesh (John 1:1).
TWO: Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding--such an amazing party trick--using six stone water jars, each holding 20-30 gallons (John 2).
THREE: Jesus heals a father's son, who is basically left for dead (John 4:43).
FOUR: Jesus heals a paralyzed guy by a pool, just by saying "Get up!" (John 5:8).
FIVE: Jesus feeds five thousand people using five small loaves of bread and two small fish. After everyone had eaten, the disciples "filled 12 baskets with the pieces of the 5 barley loaves left over..." (John 6:13).
SIX: Jesus walks on water (John 6:16).
SEVEN: Jesus heals a blind man (John 9).
EIGHT: Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead, saying, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43).
NINE: He helps the disciples catch 153 fish after a long night of empty nets and no cool Marvel or DC trailers (John 21:10+11).
TEN: He even talks to demons. Remember when he comes upon the two demon possessed men walking by the tombs? No one can go near them, because they're so violent. The demons know they are screwed and beg Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. "Jesus said 'Go!' and the demons came out and went into the pigs" (from Matthew 8:31-32).
For those who doubt the Bible, just look for His fingerprint by studying the complexity of the human eye, the depth of a black hole, or the amazing transformation a caterpillar undergoes on its way to becoming a butterfly. There's just too much proof not to investigate HIS claims.
Revelations 3:20 says, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
As you break from the new DC and Marvel trailers, take a minute to check your heart. Make sure you're right with JESUS, the one who participated in making the whole universe and everything in it.
1John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
The coolest superhero in all of history offers you eternal life, freely, so take the gift.
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, is being re-released this spring. Book #2, SOUL JUMPER, comes out in late April. Look for BLOOD TOWERS this summer, her young adult fantasy novel about core temperaments and the pharmaceutical industry.
January 11, 2017
Almost...
Some days, the condition of "almost" can pull us down to the depths of the sea. Not by actual iron shackles, of course.
But metaphorically speaking, as writers trying to make it in the world of publishing and marketing, it gets tough. A numbers game, where the odds are never in our favor.
If you've been at the game for a while, you get what I mean. After questioning my purpose as a writer recently, I asked myself, "Should I just go back to teaching?" But, I've come to realize I'm okay with a pocketful of "almost" adventures compared to never having tried in the first place.
Here are a plethora of "almost" moments you might relate to:
1) I almost drowned during that killer set of waves surfing in San Diego before a dolphin saved me;
2) I almost died falling down that boulder face upside down while repelling out at Joshua Tree;
3) I almost died of thirst climbing the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City;
4) I almost got attacked by a host of wild monkeys in the southern part of Japan while trying to get my camera to work;
5) I almost got eaten by a thresher shark in Puerto Rico out scuba diving off St. Thomas;
6) I almost crashed into my husband while parasailing off the coast of Maui (we were actually just trying to make out in the clouds);
7) I almost lost a limb after a jellyfish stung me in Oahu (kidding--just my dignity after a surfer told my husband to pee on my leg);
8) I almost crashed in the Atlantic Ocean on my way home from the Ukraine;
9) I almost lost my return ticket looking at all the cool artwork in Paris (I could seriously move there tomorrow);
10) and last but not least-- I almost gave up on my writing dreams after interminable rejection emails/letters.
But if I hadn't endured the trek to the bottom of the sea, I wouldn't be writing this now or formatting book #2 of my Soul Reader Trilogy, or pitching my #ya fantasy/novel: Blood Towers to a gazillion agents and publishers.
The point of this somewhat exaggerated post (though I did actually visit all those places) is to NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!
Keep writing!
--Dianne :)
Soul Reader
But metaphorically speaking, as writers trying to make it in the world of publishing and marketing, it gets tough. A numbers game, where the odds are never in our favor.
If you've been at the game for a while, you get what I mean. After questioning my purpose as a writer recently, I asked myself, "Should I just go back to teaching?" But, I've come to realize I'm okay with a pocketful of "almost" adventures compared to never having tried in the first place.
Here are a plethora of "almost" moments you might relate to:
1) I almost drowned during that killer set of waves surfing in San Diego before a dolphin saved me;
2) I almost died falling down that boulder face upside down while repelling out at Joshua Tree;
3) I almost died of thirst climbing the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City;
4) I almost got attacked by a host of wild monkeys in the southern part of Japan while trying to get my camera to work;
5) I almost got eaten by a thresher shark in Puerto Rico out scuba diving off St. Thomas;
6) I almost crashed into my husband while parasailing off the coast of Maui (we were actually just trying to make out in the clouds);
7) I almost lost a limb after a jellyfish stung me in Oahu (kidding--just my dignity after a surfer told my husband to pee on my leg);
8) I almost crashed in the Atlantic Ocean on my way home from the Ukraine;
9) I almost lost my return ticket looking at all the cool artwork in Paris (I could seriously move there tomorrow);
10) and last but not least-- I almost gave up on my writing dreams after interminable rejection emails/letters.
But if I hadn't endured the trek to the bottom of the sea, I wouldn't be writing this now or formatting book #2 of my Soul Reader Trilogy, or pitching my #ya fantasy/novel: Blood Towers to a gazillion agents and publishers.
The point of this somewhat exaggerated post (though I did actually visit all those places) is to NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!
Keep writing!
--Dianne :)
Soul Reader
September 11, 2016
There's Always Time for One More Kiss
Parenting/Marriage Tip: Never turn down a hug or kiss from a loved one.
As I raced off to my step class, already ten minutes late, my husband allowed the kids to run out to my car for one more kiss. I begrudgingly puckered up my lips as each one of my three kids excitedly craned their necks up to my window (this was back when they were little; now my son is taller than I am). My youngest could hardly reach my lips, as I giraffed my neck out to meet hers.
After driving off one minute later, I realized how silly my attitude had been. I was ashamed that I'd felt too busy to accept enthusiastic kisses from my kids. Life is way too short to postpone hugs or kisses from anyone important to us. There's always time for one more kiss.
If your spouse wants to snuggle for ten more minutes, the other stuff can wait. If your kids want to kick the soccer ball out in the backyard for five more minutes, it's worth holding off on dinner for a little while. Even if your dog just wants to extend playing fetch in the morning before you head off to work, try to indulge her with the meaningful attention.
Love. Family. Laughter. These are the things we need to invest in—and what better way than through a hug or a kiss? They sort of just happen during serendipitous moments throughout the day. So if we don't slow down long enough to capture them, they disappear like time itself.
Some moments are priceless. When a butterfly floats by and we're too focused on the red light in front of us, we miss seeing the miracle that the caterpillar underwent. Or if we can’t make time for five-second kisses and one-minute hugs, especially with plump and expressive two-year-old lips, we miss out. The moment is gone!
As moms, we juggle so much that it's impossible to embrace every single special moment. Otherwise, tons of stuff wouldn't get done.
However, it's important to make time for one more kiss or one more special hug because someday, we may not get as many unsolicited offers. Let’s capture them now, so we can store them up in our treasure trove of memories.
*This essay is from Bright's book of parenting essays: Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse (With a Glass of Merlot). She wrote for Scholastic for 2 years and published her first novel, SOUL READER, in 2015. She recently finished writing her second novel, BLOOD TOWERS (coming soon), and enjoys reviewing James Patterson books, via his assistant, Sean.
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
As I raced off to my step class, already ten minutes late, my husband allowed the kids to run out to my car for one more kiss. I begrudgingly puckered up my lips as each one of my three kids excitedly craned their necks up to my window (this was back when they were little; now my son is taller than I am). My youngest could hardly reach my lips, as I giraffed my neck out to meet hers.
After driving off one minute later, I realized how silly my attitude had been. I was ashamed that I'd felt too busy to accept enthusiastic kisses from my kids. Life is way too short to postpone hugs or kisses from anyone important to us. There's always time for one more kiss.
If your spouse wants to snuggle for ten more minutes, the other stuff can wait. If your kids want to kick the soccer ball out in the backyard for five more minutes, it's worth holding off on dinner for a little while. Even if your dog just wants to extend playing fetch in the morning before you head off to work, try to indulge her with the meaningful attention.
Love. Family. Laughter. These are the things we need to invest in—and what better way than through a hug or a kiss? They sort of just happen during serendipitous moments throughout the day. So if we don't slow down long enough to capture them, they disappear like time itself.
Some moments are priceless. When a butterfly floats by and we're too focused on the red light in front of us, we miss seeing the miracle that the caterpillar underwent. Or if we can’t make time for five-second kisses and one-minute hugs, especially with plump and expressive two-year-old lips, we miss out. The moment is gone!
As moms, we juggle so much that it's impossible to embrace every single special moment. Otherwise, tons of stuff wouldn't get done.
However, it's important to make time for one more kiss or one more special hug because someday, we may not get as many unsolicited offers. Let’s capture them now, so we can store them up in our treasure trove of memories.
*This essay is from Bright's book of parenting essays: Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse (With a Glass of Merlot). She wrote for Scholastic for 2 years and published her first novel, SOUL READER, in 2015. She recently finished writing her second novel, BLOOD TOWERS (coming soon), and enjoys reviewing James Patterson books, via his assistant, Sean.
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
May 13, 2016
To Caff or Not to Caff?
Parenting Tip: Do what it takes to get the job done. Coffee helps.
"To be, or not to be, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles..." and yadda-yadda-yadda. Shakespeare was going somewhere deep with his existentialist quandary in Hamlet.
But my question as a mom of three school-aged kids is way more simplistic: "To caff or not to caff?" I've gone back and forth you know, switching between caffeinated coffee and decaf.
And I've concluded that I really do need at least one big mug of strong caffeinated coffee to make it through the morning. By the afternoon, I'm pretty good with a tall glass of ice-filled Coke (which my dentist dissuades me from drinking) or unsweetened iced tea.
Let's face it Moms and Dads, how else are we supposed to get through the day without the caffeine? When I try to switch back to decaf, I feel like my brain goes on vacay to some tropical island, which sounds pretty pleasant except for the fact that I actually have to stay awake to do laundry, taxi-cab, create snacks, and help my kiddos with homework.
Oddly, my husband noticed a personality change when I stopped drinking so much coffee between graduate programs. I think he liked the decaf-me better, but like I said, it's pretty much a non-negotiable.
My doctor encourages me to limit my caffeine intake as well, since too much caffeine adds a lot of stress to our bodies, as evidenced by the low that hits around eleven o'clock when the body and brain cry out for a refill.
Plus caffeine can of course make you a bit jittery too, which has personality changing implications. Then again, if it makes you more animated and enthusiastic, that could be a good thing, right?
For some of the active thinkers out there, also known as "worriers," also known as “moms” (dads are off the hook on this one and could stand to worry a little bit more), caffeine can keep you awake at night, if you drink coffee too late in the day. But, if you're like most parents of younger kids, you're so tired that you can hardly even keep your eyes open by the time you collapse into bed around midnight.
The real question is whether or not caffeine makes you happy. For me, it's not possible to quit drinking caffeinated coffee at this point in my life. I'm happier when I drink it because I feel more normal. For example, it helps me to keep my checkbook up to date and keeps my mind going so I can actually finish editing a plethora of current writing projects.
Coffee's bold aroma makes me sing a joyful tune as I hear the drum beat of my coffee maker in the morning. Those first few sips of hot brew are gentle reminders that each new day starts with a clean slate, so I can let go of yesterday’s shortcomings.
Just like most things in life, you have to weigh the pros and cons. For me the pros for drinking caffeinated coffee outweigh the cons, so I'm going to keep on brewing the caff. “To caff or not to caff?” is up to you, but for me, it's a no-brainer.
Dianne Bright spent two years writing for Scholastic's Parent & Child mag and blog and published SOUL READER in April, 2015. For more essays like this one, check out
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
"To be, or not to be, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles..." and yadda-yadda-yadda. Shakespeare was going somewhere deep with his existentialist quandary in Hamlet.
But my question as a mom of three school-aged kids is way more simplistic: "To caff or not to caff?" I've gone back and forth you know, switching between caffeinated coffee and decaf.
And I've concluded that I really do need at least one big mug of strong caffeinated coffee to make it through the morning. By the afternoon, I'm pretty good with a tall glass of ice-filled Coke (which my dentist dissuades me from drinking) or unsweetened iced tea.
Let's face it Moms and Dads, how else are we supposed to get through the day without the caffeine? When I try to switch back to decaf, I feel like my brain goes on vacay to some tropical island, which sounds pretty pleasant except for the fact that I actually have to stay awake to do laundry, taxi-cab, create snacks, and help my kiddos with homework.
Oddly, my husband noticed a personality change when I stopped drinking so much coffee between graduate programs. I think he liked the decaf-me better, but like I said, it's pretty much a non-negotiable.
My doctor encourages me to limit my caffeine intake as well, since too much caffeine adds a lot of stress to our bodies, as evidenced by the low that hits around eleven o'clock when the body and brain cry out for a refill.
Plus caffeine can of course make you a bit jittery too, which has personality changing implications. Then again, if it makes you more animated and enthusiastic, that could be a good thing, right?
For some of the active thinkers out there, also known as "worriers," also known as “moms” (dads are off the hook on this one and could stand to worry a little bit more), caffeine can keep you awake at night, if you drink coffee too late in the day. But, if you're like most parents of younger kids, you're so tired that you can hardly even keep your eyes open by the time you collapse into bed around midnight.
The real question is whether or not caffeine makes you happy. For me, it's not possible to quit drinking caffeinated coffee at this point in my life. I'm happier when I drink it because I feel more normal. For example, it helps me to keep my checkbook up to date and keeps my mind going so I can actually finish editing a plethora of current writing projects.
Coffee's bold aroma makes me sing a joyful tune as I hear the drum beat of my coffee maker in the morning. Those first few sips of hot brew are gentle reminders that each new day starts with a clean slate, so I can let go of yesterday’s shortcomings.
Just like most things in life, you have to weigh the pros and cons. For me the pros for drinking caffeinated coffee outweigh the cons, so I'm going to keep on brewing the caff. “To caff or not to caff?” is up to you, but for me, it's a no-brainer.
Dianne Bright spent two years writing for Scholastic's Parent & Child mag and blog and published SOUL READER in April, 2015. For more essays like this one, check out
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
April 6, 2016
Sexy Mamas
Parenting Tip: Accentuate the positives because you are pretty hot, Girlfriend!
Sexy mamas are those who know themselves well and who like what they see in the mirror. Sexiness is a subjective trait. To one person, bigger breasts would be the ultimate goal. However, to another woman, she'd feel sexy if she could just get down to a size seven. Maybe for you, it's your teeth; if you just had straighter and whiter teeth, you'd feel amazing.
Since sexiness is in the eye of the beholder, it's important to focus on what's already in the cards. Maybe you have fantastic abs or a sixteen-year-old butt. Could it be your naturally dark and glowing skin tone?
The goal should be to lower your own unattainable standard, so you can focus on what’s already great. You’ve heard of the adage, “Don’t miss the forest for the trees,” so don’t get lost focusing on the things you don’t have. Instead, try to see the bigger picture.
The sexiest moms are those who are confident. They radiate a sense of calm about who they are on the outside, but even more so, by knowing who they are from the inside. One way to exude self-assurance is to be proud of who you are and of what you've accomplished.
If you've given birth, then you know there's basically nothing you can't do. Furthermore, think of the miracle– that you created a human being. To me, that's the coolest thing I'll ever be able to post onto my list of credentials.
Will my stomach ever return to its natural sleek shape, as in my college days? I don't think so... because even though I frequent the gym and am at a healthy weight for my height, it just feels different (you totally know what I mean, right?). Do I still feel sexy in light of this bodily change? Absolutely! And you should value your body too, in spite of its changes over the years.
Moms have the potential of being some of the hottest women out there. If you believe that you are sexy, other people will see it too. In college, I remember a very average looking girl in my photo class. She was so enamored with a self-portrait she'd taken. She expressed to the class how she loved the picture simply because it was of herself.
It seemed odd to me back then, but several years later, I've forgotten her name, but still remember what she looks like, glasses and all. Her self-confidence made me believe she was special. We as moms need to believe we're special too. When we own that belief, sexiness follows. Own it, Ladies! Believe you’re okay just the way you are!
Excerpt from: Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot *new cover on Amazon
Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out April, 2015.
Sexy mamas are those who know themselves well and who like what they see in the mirror. Sexiness is a subjective trait. To one person, bigger breasts would be the ultimate goal. However, to another woman, she'd feel sexy if she could just get down to a size seven. Maybe for you, it's your teeth; if you just had straighter and whiter teeth, you'd feel amazing.
Since sexiness is in the eye of the beholder, it's important to focus on what's already in the cards. Maybe you have fantastic abs or a sixteen-year-old butt. Could it be your naturally dark and glowing skin tone?
The goal should be to lower your own unattainable standard, so you can focus on what’s already great. You’ve heard of the adage, “Don’t miss the forest for the trees,” so don’t get lost focusing on the things you don’t have. Instead, try to see the bigger picture.
The sexiest moms are those who are confident. They radiate a sense of calm about who they are on the outside, but even more so, by knowing who they are from the inside. One way to exude self-assurance is to be proud of who you are and of what you've accomplished.
If you've given birth, then you know there's basically nothing you can't do. Furthermore, think of the miracle– that you created a human being. To me, that's the coolest thing I'll ever be able to post onto my list of credentials.
Will my stomach ever return to its natural sleek shape, as in my college days? I don't think so... because even though I frequent the gym and am at a healthy weight for my height, it just feels different (you totally know what I mean, right?). Do I still feel sexy in light of this bodily change? Absolutely! And you should value your body too, in spite of its changes over the years.
Moms have the potential of being some of the hottest women out there. If you believe that you are sexy, other people will see it too. In college, I remember a very average looking girl in my photo class. She was so enamored with a self-portrait she'd taken. She expressed to the class how she loved the picture simply because it was of herself.
It seemed odd to me back then, but several years later, I've forgotten her name, but still remember what she looks like, glasses and all. Her self-confidence made me believe she was special. We as moms need to believe we're special too. When we own that belief, sexiness follows. Own it, Ladies! Believe you’re okay just the way you are!
Excerpt from: Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot *new cover on Amazon
Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out April, 2015.
March 31, 2016
Moms Mysteriously Gone Missing
Parenting Tip: Your hard work will pay off; someday your kids will take care of you.
Sometimes it feels that your own identity has gone missing, like you’re one of those puppies on the mailboxes shouting out “Reward, $150.” You know your life is moving forward on the calendar, but you question what you’re actually accomplishing during this busy season.
The mortgage slowly gets paid down, the cars are both running, and most of your basic needs and wants are met. But caring for everyone else around the clock 24-7 leaves you feeling a bit lost in the midst of the chaos.
In spite of your best efforts to juggle it all, it can feel like you're getting a busy signal or an out-of-office auto email response. As moms, our lives have been put on hold, and we can't seem to reconcile the fact that another year has just flown by.
Most moms can relate to the automated operator who plays that annoying music after giving you twelve prompts to choose from five different languages. You’ve been waiting for twenty minutes before realizing you’ve chosen the wrong prompt. It’s not that you planned to lose yourself in so many ways; it just sort of happened.
Here are three ways that moms feel their lives have been temporarily suspended.
First, moms lose a sense of their calendars. It seems unbelievable that school starts at the same time every year and before you know it, everyone is attending the year-end luau party. Included in this super time warp is the involuntary donation of your own personal schedule.
This includes a variety of activities from taxi-cabbing the kids all over town, volunteering at school(s), doing non-stop laundry (especially during baseball season), and grocery shopping, etc. You may not remember what it feels like to eat your toast and to drink your coffee while they’re still hot because your schedule doesn’t really include time for "just you" anymore.
Second, you no longer have any personal privacy. I thought it sounded funny when other moms would talk about how they couldn't even go to the bathroom by themselves anymore. But with three kids of my own now, I totally understand what that means.
Then, there's the family bed where the little ones run in with nightmares, hunger pains, a bloody nose, a request for help with potty-duties, and a plethora of other excuses. Taking a bath has become a limited luxury as well. As soon as they see me in the tub, they launch over the side like little seals (*this was written when mine were little). Then I end up getting out so they can play with the bubbles, LOL.
The third way that life has changed is by the loss of your own farfetched dreams. Wanting to attend culinary school, to visit fabulous gardens in Versailles, or the goal of running a marathon can all get pushed to the sidelines. Now, it’s all about supporting their future aspirations.
Is there really any way you could fit in French lessons or a fancy trip to Paris just for yourself? What about that dream to write a book or to start your own business? In between helping the kids with art projects and packing lunches and snacks for the day's outings, it seems there isn’t really any time for your own dreamy objectives.
But don’t despair. The amazing thing about moms (and dads) is that despite these seemingly large losses, we see them as huge gains. Our crazy little thieves of space and time are the most valuable people in our lives, so we press on and stay the course even when quitting sometimes feels like the easiest response.
Instead of being angry and hostile at what we've put on hold, we plan more meals and give out more hugs. We buy more Band-Aids and more chocolate milk. We're selfless servants, even though our jobs are really hard and underappreciated.
Remember that this is just a season and someday we’ll get back to putting ourselves first. Besides, one day in the not too distant future, our kids will be taking care of us.
Excerpt from: Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out in April, 2015. Her second novel, BLOOD TOWERS, comes out at the end of this year.
Sometimes it feels that your own identity has gone missing, like you’re one of those puppies on the mailboxes shouting out “Reward, $150.” You know your life is moving forward on the calendar, but you question what you’re actually accomplishing during this busy season.
The mortgage slowly gets paid down, the cars are both running, and most of your basic needs and wants are met. But caring for everyone else around the clock 24-7 leaves you feeling a bit lost in the midst of the chaos.
In spite of your best efforts to juggle it all, it can feel like you're getting a busy signal or an out-of-office auto email response. As moms, our lives have been put on hold, and we can't seem to reconcile the fact that another year has just flown by.
Most moms can relate to the automated operator who plays that annoying music after giving you twelve prompts to choose from five different languages. You’ve been waiting for twenty minutes before realizing you’ve chosen the wrong prompt. It’s not that you planned to lose yourself in so many ways; it just sort of happened.
Here are three ways that moms feel their lives have been temporarily suspended.
First, moms lose a sense of their calendars. It seems unbelievable that school starts at the same time every year and before you know it, everyone is attending the year-end luau party. Included in this super time warp is the involuntary donation of your own personal schedule.
This includes a variety of activities from taxi-cabbing the kids all over town, volunteering at school(s), doing non-stop laundry (especially during baseball season), and grocery shopping, etc. You may not remember what it feels like to eat your toast and to drink your coffee while they’re still hot because your schedule doesn’t really include time for "just you" anymore.
Second, you no longer have any personal privacy. I thought it sounded funny when other moms would talk about how they couldn't even go to the bathroom by themselves anymore. But with three kids of my own now, I totally understand what that means.
Then, there's the family bed where the little ones run in with nightmares, hunger pains, a bloody nose, a request for help with potty-duties, and a plethora of other excuses. Taking a bath has become a limited luxury as well. As soon as they see me in the tub, they launch over the side like little seals (*this was written when mine were little). Then I end up getting out so they can play with the bubbles, LOL.
The third way that life has changed is by the loss of your own farfetched dreams. Wanting to attend culinary school, to visit fabulous gardens in Versailles, or the goal of running a marathon can all get pushed to the sidelines. Now, it’s all about supporting their future aspirations.
Is there really any way you could fit in French lessons or a fancy trip to Paris just for yourself? What about that dream to write a book or to start your own business? In between helping the kids with art projects and packing lunches and snacks for the day's outings, it seems there isn’t really any time for your own dreamy objectives.
But don’t despair. The amazing thing about moms (and dads) is that despite these seemingly large losses, we see them as huge gains. Our crazy little thieves of space and time are the most valuable people in our lives, so we press on and stay the course even when quitting sometimes feels like the easiest response.
Instead of being angry and hostile at what we've put on hold, we plan more meals and give out more hugs. We buy more Band-Aids and more chocolate milk. We're selfless servants, even though our jobs are really hard and underappreciated.
Remember that this is just a season and someday we’ll get back to putting ourselves first. Besides, one day in the not too distant future, our kids will be taking care of us.
Excerpt from: Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out in April, 2015. Her second novel, BLOOD TOWERS, comes out at the end of this year.
February 20, 2016
Just Go For It!
Parenting Tip: Take risks to keep life edgy.
Life is short, so there's no reason to hold back from your dreams, passions, and God-given talents. If you were to die tomorrow, wouldn't you want to know you had given this life your best shot in every area?
If you’ve had Psychology 101, you’ve heard of the term "fight or flight." Put simply, when faced with a threatening situation, you either stay there to fight or you run like hell. I experienced this with surfing a while back.
When a huge set of waves surged in, the response was either to fight it and catch one of the big gnarly waves or to duck-dive under it at the calm point, escaping the thunderous crash. Since I'm not a very good surfer, when faced with a really big wave, I usually just dive under– to be on the safe side. The smaller waves just feel safer to me.
In life though, you sometimes have to stay and fight. Obviously, avoiding imminent danger is a rational choice. But the truth is that many of us shy away from really good opportunities– because they make us nervous or afraid. Running away can feel safer sometimes. But what if by fleeing the scene all the time, you begin to suppress a big part of who you are?
You can't always be an observer. Sometimes you just have to go for it! Those medium-sized waves I do catch make me feel energetic and brave. I’ve had similar feelings while soaring up in a hot air balloon in San Diego, parasailing in Maui, rappelling from boulders in Joshua Tree Park, trekking through the Pyramids in Mexico City, and squeezing through some very strange underground monastery tunnels in Russia.
Taking risks doesn't have to involve life-threatening measures or even take you far from home. Thankfully, you can feel thrilled by playing the drums in a local band. Or taking an online course on the stock exchange. DAY TRADING DIVA has a cool ring to it! But you're too washed up, right? Just a mom who puts diapers on the baby and decides between mac-and-cheese and Hamburger Helper? Whatever! Just go for it, Girl!
What about that beautiful butterfly tattoo you've contemplated for the last decade? Why not now? You could slip on a banana peel or die of an ice cream overdose next week. You never know. So it's time to get a little bit crazy, now, TODAY!
Why not dance your heart out at that upcoming wedding where most people will be too intoxicated to care what you look like anyway? Or even simpler, just give a compliment to that nice person at the drive-through for handing you your coffee with a smile.
Write your best friend a card telling her why you love having her in your life. Leave a note with rose petals telling your spouse that he’s hot. Give your mail carrier a Starbucks gift card on a summer day so she can go and get a Frappuccino during her break. But you’re not really that type– to just give, for no reason. So what, change that today!
Sometimes people just need to be inspired. Your best friend longs to go sky diving but panics at the thought of her parachute not opening. Just text her some local sky diving ads every day for a month until she finally goes, along with some actual statistics about how safe it really is. But that freaks you out… what if she dies and leaves her family? Then you’d be responsible.
All right… give her the schedule for the French cooking class at the junior college instead so she’ll mesh with the locals when she visits Paris someday. Or to mix things up, sign her up for a couple’s massage class to spice up her marriage. Tell her to wrap the schedule in a new pair of thong undies. A trip to the mall anyone?
Next, write out a cool eulogy (ahead of time, obviously). I want my family to describe me as brave, adventurous, and funny. I hope they’ll write something about how I encouraged them to pursue their own dreams too. That’s why I encourage my kids to write their own books, design new game-boards, search the night-sky for new unnamed stars, and invent new gadgets that will someday save moms lots of time and energy.
I hope people remember me as someone who ate gloriously too. Of course as moms, we are usually on a tighter budget than some. Plus we tend to put our kids ahead of ourselves. But that doesn’t mean we can’t head out for Indian or Thai food every once in a while. The kids can eat some white rice with plain chicken and veggies while we devour our favorite curry dish!
Try to live outside the box. Why not run through the rain in your swimsuit to walk down the street to get the mail (at 2Am when no one is up watching you)? Or you could try your hand at property investments because you happen to be great at math– plus, you’re already home a good bit, with time to research.
And another thing, wear what makes you feel amazing! Sometimes we opt for the t-shirt and jeans routine because it's coziest; however, that blue and black shirt with the ruffles adds a bounce to your step. So grab some fun jewelry and some sizzling lip gloss as well.
Now when it comes to hanging out with your significant other, kiss him like you really mean it. Don't make him guess how you feel about him. Even if the kids are freaking out screaming and there’s barely any time for sex, find a little hide-out and smooch– for real, not just a lame kiss on the cheek.
Life is short. As moms, we know this better than anyone, as we observe our kids outgrowing their pants and shoes way too fast. We also see the war wounds of newly present wrinkles and sun-marks on our face. So why wait? Let's GO FOR IT now and encourage others to do the same!
Do one thing for yourself today that celebrates your beauty, giftedness, and passion. One more thing and then I’ll shut up, I swear. Eat your favorite dessert for breakfast tomorrow! Why not? After all, as my middle child likes to say, “YOLO!"
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
For more parenting tips, check out MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE, a compilation of humorous parenting essays by Author Dianne Bright. Before delving into fiction, she wrote for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out April, 2015.
Life is short, so there's no reason to hold back from your dreams, passions, and God-given talents. If you were to die tomorrow, wouldn't you want to know you had given this life your best shot in every area?
If you’ve had Psychology 101, you’ve heard of the term "fight or flight." Put simply, when faced with a threatening situation, you either stay there to fight or you run like hell. I experienced this with surfing a while back.
When a huge set of waves surged in, the response was either to fight it and catch one of the big gnarly waves or to duck-dive under it at the calm point, escaping the thunderous crash. Since I'm not a very good surfer, when faced with a really big wave, I usually just dive under– to be on the safe side. The smaller waves just feel safer to me.
In life though, you sometimes have to stay and fight. Obviously, avoiding imminent danger is a rational choice. But the truth is that many of us shy away from really good opportunities– because they make us nervous or afraid. Running away can feel safer sometimes. But what if by fleeing the scene all the time, you begin to suppress a big part of who you are?
You can't always be an observer. Sometimes you just have to go for it! Those medium-sized waves I do catch make me feel energetic and brave. I’ve had similar feelings while soaring up in a hot air balloon in San Diego, parasailing in Maui, rappelling from boulders in Joshua Tree Park, trekking through the Pyramids in Mexico City, and squeezing through some very strange underground monastery tunnels in Russia.
Taking risks doesn't have to involve life-threatening measures or even take you far from home. Thankfully, you can feel thrilled by playing the drums in a local band. Or taking an online course on the stock exchange. DAY TRADING DIVA has a cool ring to it! But you're too washed up, right? Just a mom who puts diapers on the baby and decides between mac-and-cheese and Hamburger Helper? Whatever! Just go for it, Girl!
What about that beautiful butterfly tattoo you've contemplated for the last decade? Why not now? You could slip on a banana peel or die of an ice cream overdose next week. You never know. So it's time to get a little bit crazy, now, TODAY!
Why not dance your heart out at that upcoming wedding where most people will be too intoxicated to care what you look like anyway? Or even simpler, just give a compliment to that nice person at the drive-through for handing you your coffee with a smile.
Write your best friend a card telling her why you love having her in your life. Leave a note with rose petals telling your spouse that he’s hot. Give your mail carrier a Starbucks gift card on a summer day so she can go and get a Frappuccino during her break. But you’re not really that type– to just give, for no reason. So what, change that today!
Sometimes people just need to be inspired. Your best friend longs to go sky diving but panics at the thought of her parachute not opening. Just text her some local sky diving ads every day for a month until she finally goes, along with some actual statistics about how safe it really is. But that freaks you out… what if she dies and leaves her family? Then you’d be responsible.
All right… give her the schedule for the French cooking class at the junior college instead so she’ll mesh with the locals when she visits Paris someday. Or to mix things up, sign her up for a couple’s massage class to spice up her marriage. Tell her to wrap the schedule in a new pair of thong undies. A trip to the mall anyone?
Next, write out a cool eulogy (ahead of time, obviously). I want my family to describe me as brave, adventurous, and funny. I hope they’ll write something about how I encouraged them to pursue their own dreams too. That’s why I encourage my kids to write their own books, design new game-boards, search the night-sky for new unnamed stars, and invent new gadgets that will someday save moms lots of time and energy.
I hope people remember me as someone who ate gloriously too. Of course as moms, we are usually on a tighter budget than some. Plus we tend to put our kids ahead of ourselves. But that doesn’t mean we can’t head out for Indian or Thai food every once in a while. The kids can eat some white rice with plain chicken and veggies while we devour our favorite curry dish!
Try to live outside the box. Why not run through the rain in your swimsuit to walk down the street to get the mail (at 2Am when no one is up watching you)? Or you could try your hand at property investments because you happen to be great at math– plus, you’re already home a good bit, with time to research.
And another thing, wear what makes you feel amazing! Sometimes we opt for the t-shirt and jeans routine because it's coziest; however, that blue and black shirt with the ruffles adds a bounce to your step. So grab some fun jewelry and some sizzling lip gloss as well.
Now when it comes to hanging out with your significant other, kiss him like you really mean it. Don't make him guess how you feel about him. Even if the kids are freaking out screaming and there’s barely any time for sex, find a little hide-out and smooch– for real, not just a lame kiss on the cheek.
Life is short. As moms, we know this better than anyone, as we observe our kids outgrowing their pants and shoes way too fast. We also see the war wounds of newly present wrinkles and sun-marks on our face. So why wait? Let's GO FOR IT now and encourage others to do the same!
Do one thing for yourself today that celebrates your beauty, giftedness, and passion. One more thing and then I’ll shut up, I swear. Eat your favorite dessert for breakfast tomorrow! Why not? After all, as my middle child likes to say, “YOLO!"
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
For more parenting tips, check out MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE, a compilation of humorous parenting essays by Author Dianne Bright. Before delving into fiction, she wrote for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out April, 2015.
February 10, 2016
Starting a Book Club?
Have you been thinking about starting a book club in your neighborhood? It's simple because all you need are a few friends or family members to get started.
1. SEARCH: Just look for a few titles here on goodreads based on genre and the length of book that best suits your group. Some people feel intimidated by longer books, so for Book #1, aim for something shorter.
2. REVIEW: If you include younger readers, make sure to check out some reader-reviews ahead of time; this way you'll ensure the content is age appropriate.
3. SCHEDULE: Set a time for when and where you'll meet, either virtually or in person. It doesn't have to be once a week. If you're busy, aim for once a month instead. If people can't make it every time, that's okay too; keep it low-pressure.
THREE MORE TIPS to get you moving in the right direction:
4. CREATE: Set up a virtual place to connect between meetings, such as goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, etc. People can ask questions or post comments for people to think about.
5. GO CASUAL: For the first meeting, just review your list of book titles with some simple snacks. Figure out Book #1.
6. WRITE UP: Jot down a few basic discussion questions on paper or on your tablet. Which character do you identify with and why? Which passage sticks out to you the most? What feelings does this book evoke and why?
Author Dianne Bright is a freelance writer and novelist. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out 4/15. Her parenting essays: MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE, are available on Amazon.
*For more book club tips by Author Dianne Bright, go to Scholastic's Parent & Child link below.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/res...
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
1. SEARCH: Just look for a few titles here on goodreads based on genre and the length of book that best suits your group. Some people feel intimidated by longer books, so for Book #1, aim for something shorter.
2. REVIEW: If you include younger readers, make sure to check out some reader-reviews ahead of time; this way you'll ensure the content is age appropriate.
3. SCHEDULE: Set a time for when and where you'll meet, either virtually or in person. It doesn't have to be once a week. If you're busy, aim for once a month instead. If people can't make it every time, that's okay too; keep it low-pressure.
THREE MORE TIPS to get you moving in the right direction:
4. CREATE: Set up a virtual place to connect between meetings, such as goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, etc. People can ask questions or post comments for people to think about.
5. GO CASUAL: For the first meeting, just review your list of book titles with some simple snacks. Figure out Book #1.
6. WRITE UP: Jot down a few basic discussion questions on paper or on your tablet. Which character do you identify with and why? Which passage sticks out to you the most? What feelings does this book evoke and why?
Author Dianne Bright is a freelance writer and novelist. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out 4/15. Her parenting essays: MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE, are available on Amazon.
*For more book club tips by Author Dianne Bright, go to Scholastic's Parent & Child link below.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/res...
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
