Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 15

Writing Sample Wednesday ~ Friendship in Award-Winning Dark Water

In keeping with our friendship theme for this week, I was trying to think of a good sample of real friendship in one of my works. The one I'm currently working on right now has perfect examples of true friendship, however, I have a personal rule against sharing stuff before it's reader-ready. So, you'll have to wait for samples from that one (::evil laugh::).

I chose to share a scene from the newly award-winning book, Dark Water. Although there aren't a lot of characters in this book, the ones...

Talk About It Tuesday ~ The Blessing of True Friendship

Usually on our Talk About It segments, we focus on topics or issues of concern that we think need a bit of a boost. After all, knowledge and the courage to discuss certain things that aren't always comfortable talking about are ways to eliminate misunderstanding.

This week, though, we want to do a special tribute on friendship. What is a true friend? To me, a friend is a person who is there for you no matter what hard times may come up on either side. They don't judge you, or try to manip...

Music Mantra Monday ~ Celebrating Friendship With Ringo

Well, this is the end of our Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend and this is the first time I've had all day to do my post.

I've decided that this week's theme is going to be on friendship. Best friends, school friends, live-long friends, long distance friends...ALL scenario of friends.

I don't have a tremendous amount of people that I actually call true 'friends'. I have acquaintances. I have people I'm connected with through my work. I have a lot of people I know well, but don't meet up with v...

Writing Prompt Saturday ~ Celebrating Teens

We usually have our prompt up much earlier than this but I've literally been running around all day since I woke up. Not that I'm not usually, but today was special.

My daughter turned 14 on Monday and today, we planned for her party with her friends. Well, it was more of a get together, but we'll call it a Birthday Party. She chose to go to a place called InTrap, where you're essentially locked in a room for about 45 minutes (unless you're crafty enough to get through it sooner) and given clu...

Foodie Friday ~ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side > Risotto With Lentils

Well, it's the beginning of the most food and treat indulgence time of year starting with Thanksgiving, Halloween in the middle, and ending sometime around New Year's (and why a lot of us start to make promises of cutting calories, getting into shape, etc.). I'm stuffed just thinking about it.

During this time, it's a great idea to slip a few guilt-free and healthy dishes among all the ooey, gooey, calories-don't-count-this-time-of-year meals.

Today's recipe can be used both as a main with meat...

Writing Sample Wednesday ~ YA Science Fiction/Action/Adventure Series (WIP)

Hi everyone. I'm sorry we missed our 'Talk About It' segment yesterday. Being able to work from home is both a blessing as well as frustrating at times when one has to leave work to put out mini-fires around the house.

Ahh, life.

Okay, so for today's segment I thought I'd go for something completely different than we usually do. As many of you know, I have several books in progress to be dusted off and finished. This is one of them.

When I started this one, I wanted to reach in and do something...

Music Mantra Monday ~ A Tribute to Children and Families With Special Needs (Karen Taylor-Good)

Today kicks off a month-long campaign to help raise awareness for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and conditions stemming from it. Although I have personal insight into this disorder, which effects thousands of children and families worldwide, I'd like to keep the focus on those seeking help in their own situations.

SPD is a highly misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition. It is also considered more of an 'invisible' disorder because we can't physically see it. We can't see what's going on i...

Writing Prompt Saturday ~ Finding Balance

"I pride myself on finding balance. I love making music, and I love raising my boys. I find time to make both a priority." ~ Sheryl Crow
It sounds pretty simplistic, doesn't it? But it's so true. The key to finding balance in life is figuring out what makes you the happiest, feel the most fulfilled and causes the least amount of stress and anxiety.
Let's face it. In this hustle and bustle world where we're constantly being pulled in many different directions, by people or situations having diff...

Foodie Friday ~ Product Review For the Awesome ActiFry

Alright, let's all admit it. Each of us has at least one weakness for fried goodness. It's okay to indulge once in awhile, but, no. It isn't something that should be consumed at every meal, or even on a daily basis.

My weakness is french fries. Yummy, crispy, mega-salty sticks of unrecognizable potatoes. And if you create a poutine with them...well. Let's just say if you make them right, we'll be friends for life. Unfortunately, due to a special diet I now have to be on (high protein, high cal...

Writing Sample Wednesday - Dark Water Is A First Place Winner!

Sorry for the delay in getting today's post out. I thought it would be easier having all the kids back at school so I could get more work done faster. Oh, how wrong I was.

Although it still gives me a bit of solitude here and there, I still have had kids' appointments to deal with, house chores to fight through PLUS dealing with two crazy furballs ripping around the house and getting into crap they shouldn't. I even threatened the cat this morning, who walked proudly out of my daughter's room...