Chelsea Dyreng's Blog, page 4
September 28, 2016
The Song of the Accompanist
What pleasure it is to not benumber 1.
No one is watching me, but everyone would feel the loss if I wereabsent.
My role is vital yet no one gives mea second thought.
Like air or water.
I have to be watchful and observant. Even though I am following, in my own way I lead.
The confidence in my notes brings confidence in their voices, and when I am unsure, they falter.
It gives me a sense of power.
Humble power, if there is such a thing.
September 13, 2016
Writing Without Regret
Today is the release day of my second book, and according to all marketing logic, this is the day I should be posting some big announcement about how awesome my book is and how you need to buy it because it will forever change your life. I should besmothering you with photos of me opening up my newly minted novels,saying things like “here is my sixth baby!”while I lift up the book, pose, and give it a kiss for the cameras.
But today I am going to break all rules of book promotion and tell you...
September 1, 2016
Arthur Ashe & Me
When I was a teenager I came across a quote that made a profound impression on me. It came at a moment in my life that, when I read it, it leapedout at meand landedright in myheart.
At the time I was competing in several local and statewide scholarship programs, and this quotegot me through many shaky moments. I would think of it before I went out on stage, I would think of it before I had an interview, I would even think of it before I entered a new social situation. I probably repeated it h...
August 21, 2016
Looking for God
This afternoon I was sitting on my porch watching the prelude of an August storm bend the tree trunks in my front yard. The wind tossed the leaves and snapped the Americanflag hanging from the eaves so hard that my dog tucked his tail between his legs and pawed the front door. Thunder rumbled overhead and I leaned back in my rockerand soaked it in. This is my favorite weather. The only air that feels better than the air right before the storm is the air that comes right after. New air. Swift...
August 19, 2016
Goodreads Giveaway: The Last Messenger
Things are getting serious now!
It is still a couple weeks before my book is officially out there, so let’s have some fun while we wait! I have 10 FREE, SIGNED COPIES up for grabs with this month-long giveaway on Goodreads. If you win I will mail a free copy, no strings attached! Just click the link below and follow the instructions. You will not be put on a mailing list or have to pay anything for entering (although you do have to be a member of Goodreads). Good luck, and I hope you win!!
G...August 15, 2016
The Last Messenger: FAQs
It is one month until my book The Last Messenger of Zitol will be released. I’ve been getting questions from people about the book so I thought it was time to make sure everyone knew what was up. Here isare my best answers to the most frequently asked questions:
I ordered the book a month ago, why hasn’t it come?
Because youare an early bird! The official release date is September 13th. You will probably get the book earlier than that if you pre-ordered it, but probably not until at least Aug...
June 30, 2016
Rowing Off Into the Sunset
So there once was a mom who was jealous of her kids.
She was jealous because they got to have piano lessons and violin lessons and swimming lessons and soccer and tennis and etcetera. The mom watchedthem learning all of these wonderful things and she wanted to learn something, too. So she decided to sign up for lessons of her own.
She had had her eye on rowing for a long time, and finally a friend told her about a nearby masters crew clubthat had lessons for novices. The only requirements wer...
May 25, 2016
Book Review: The Sacred Gift of Childbirth
I was asked to review this book for a very good friend. First I will give my review, and then, if you want to read on, I will tell you a birth story of my own and why this book really made an impression on me.
Every woman who delivers her childnaturally gets to the point in her labor where she believes she can’t do itanymore. As miserable as that sounds, this is a wonderful event becausesoon thereafter she will prove herself wrong. –Marie-Ange Bigelow
Written by an experienced doula, The Sac...
May 15, 2016
Giveaway! Contest! Win! Win!
Hi everyone! Over the next two weeks I will be having a Goodreads Giveaway! (For real, this time!)
Five lucky people will receive a FREE, SIGNED copy of The Cenote, no strings attached. All you have to do is click on “Enter Giveaway” in thewidget below and follow the instructions. That is it!
After June 4 five random winners will be selected and I will mail you a signed copy of The Cenote. But wait–you alreadyhave a copy? No problem! Just forward this to a friend or family member so they can...
April 23, 2016
Teaching Children Obedience and Other Great Mysteries
If there is one thing that gives me panic attacks it is reading parenting books.
Once I read one aboutraising sons. In it the author encouraged mothers to develop a Look. Some kind of glance, some sort of frown, some frigid, I-am-this-close-to-mailing-you-to-Australia facialexpressionthat would strike instant repentancein the heart of even the most mischievous boy. I practiced TheLook in the mirror until I scared myself, and thenvowedto incorporate The Lookinto my parenting as soon as the opp...
