Natasha Wing's Blog, page 6

Free Reading of my Christmas Story

This Christmas story couldn't be more appropriate for 2020! I mean, what else could go wrong this year? Well, I recorded a reading of The Night Before the Night Before Christmas and made a few flubs. But I decided since it's 2020 that I will leave them in. I'm human afterall! 

Enoy this Christmas Eve chaos where mom has the flu, cookies are burnt, lights don't light up and on and on. But through it all, this family finds the love and meaning of Christmas (much like we are trying to do this year). This is my tribute to the original Night Before Christmas, the story that inspired my series. 

Have a better 2021, my friends!

 

New Facebook Author Page

I did something stupid on my old Facebook page that accidentally removed me from my page role as Admin. So now my author page is floating around in cyberspace without anyone able to get back on board again and make it active. So, I had to start a new author page and try to rebuild my audience. 

If you're interested in staying up to date on new releases, communicating with me about virtual visits and such, finding out writing and teaching tips, or sharing your experiences with my books, please follow me at this new author page. 

 

Day of the Dead: Tribute to My Dad

Today would have been my dad's 84th birthday...if it weren't for Covid stealing his life too soon. Alex Lazutin passed away August 14, 2020 after a 2-month fight with the virus which resulted in a fall in the rehab center he didn't recover from. Since his birthday is near Day of the Dead, I am paying tribute to him via an altar in hopes that his spirit will return through the portal to earth for one night. 

The altar is almost complete. I need to add a candle, salt, fruit and water, and flowers perhaps. I wish the flowers from Chris, Teresa, Jen and PenguinRandomHouse were still fresh and blooming. They were all incredibly gorgeous and brightened my days of grief. 

When Dad's spirit comes back there is vodka and tequila waiting for him. My brother said his favorite drink of late was a Moscow Mule. Fitting for a Russian! I included photos of his family who passed before him: his sister, Irene, his mother, Maria, and father, Paul. They were immigrants from Russia after WWII so I painted a set of nesting dolls and included President Harry S. Truman who allowed immigrants to come to America after the war. I'm currently writing up his story for publication and finding it to be difficult since he passed away before we were done exchanging story details and edits. But I will create something from what I do have, and most likely self-publish so his story can be out in the world among other immigrant stories.

There is also a golf ball I found on Riddle Street near me that appeared shortly after he passed. I asked Dad to send me a sign that he was okay, and not just any common sign like a butterfly you always hear about people seeing. But a golf ball in a random place. A few days later I found one in the gutter and we don't live near a golf course! I also placed a ceramic skeleton golfer in the center, a hand-painted piece of art I purchased from an artist in San Miguel, Mexico. To the right is the calavera I drew which incorporates Russian Orthodox crosses over the skull's eyes, another nod to Dad's heritage. In the front is the stack of sympathy cards I received from friends, my publisher, and businesses, all of them thoughtful and touching. I cried when I opened each one. So thank you, kind folks. 

My at-home altar will be ready to receive him on Dia de los Muertos. And in case he wants to hang around a bit longer, his photo and bio are placed on the community altar at Global Village Museum which is up until November 6 (my brother's birthday). Here Dad can see who else he might run into in The Above, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

Until you visit, Dad, I'll continue to work on your story, and have a drink to toast you on your 84th birthday! Nostrovia!

I sure miss you. 

Win the Election Day Book for Kids

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Night Before Election Day


by Natasha Wing

Giveaway ends October 11, 2020.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Giveaway for Kids Book

The Night Before Election Day

My The Night Before Election Day giveaway started today, Sept. 25 and will go through Oct. 11. Two signed copies are up for grabs. Plus one second chance entry when you send an email to me@natashawing.com with "second chance" in the subject line.

Natasha Wing

Keep the Little Goblins Busy for Halloween

If your kids are like I was, I couldn't wait for Halloween! The costumes! The carved pumpkins! The candy!

Here's a new companion book to my The Night Before Halloween that will keep the kids busy as they get ready for trick-or-treat night.

There's a variety of Halloween-inspired activities like this one:

Get yours today by ordering here! 

 

New Item

Day of the Dead Skull Art

I've been drawing mandalas and adding haiku to them as one way to work through my grief of losing my dad to Covid. I was wearing my skull shirt I got in Mexico during one of my grief counseling sessions and my counselor said the design looked like a mandala. I could see the patterns in the skull and was so inspired to recreate one of my own that I drew this skull! I put a tribute to my dad in the design and the art now is the center piece of a Day of the Dead altar I am assembling for him. The art came out good so I decided to put it on T-shirts and mugs and computer skins and masks! (Could this be my pandemic pivot?)

I've got a baseball-style shirt on its way along with a mask, which I thought was appropriate for many reasons. The skull looks really cool on iPhone cases. 

If you want to check out my Redbubble online shop, they are offering a 20% off coupon. Items should arrive before Day of the Dead, November 2.

Baseball shirt with Skull. Model not included.

 

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Looking for some pirate jokes for Talk Like a Pirate Day?

Here's a few from Saltwater Sillies:

What did the pirate say to the girl when she asked him how old he was?

"Aye matey!" (I'm 80, get it?)

Why are pirates good singers?

Because they can hit the high sea note. 

 

If you didn't chuckle, walk the plank! Arrrr!

For more ocean-themed jokes, purchase a copy of Saltwater Sillies here. 

 

New Election Day Book for Kids & Giveaway!

November 3, 2020 is Election Day where we decide who our next president will be. Whatever your political party, this book introduces kids to the concept of voting and why it's important for our country to have a democratic voting system, and for people to have a voice via casting a vote. This non-partisan book ends on election night so you can discuss with your kids who you hope will win. There are stickers for your future voter, too!

Here's a link to purchase. As always, thank you for your support, especially during these trying pandemic times. Book sales keep authors in business. 

I'm also running a Goodreads Giveway until Oct. 11. Enter here.

And if you haven't registered to vote yet, please do. Here's a government link to guide you.

A State-by-State Guide to Voting

https://www.mymove.com/moving/guides/voter-registration-by-state/

Then don't just register. Vote so our country can build back. Better and greater!