Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 31

Talk About It Tuesday: Bullying

This is actually a subject very close to my heart because I was bullied when I was young. And all four of my kids have experienced it on different levels. So I tend to step right up when I hear children are being bullied.

We don't realize it but there are different types of bullying. It isn't always that big kid stealing people's lunch money or beating kids up in the yard after school. There are many subtle ways that kids are being bullied these days that rip away at the very fiber of their be...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Family

Family.

My sense of family is very different than other people's because of how I was raised.

I didn't have the typical white-picket fence and Beaver Cleaver type of lifestyle. As many of you know, it was often shrouded in anger and violence, but I was surrounded by love by special people who taught me the values of life.

These values come from those who care and reach out. You don't have to be blood related to someone to feel these things. Family are those people who love, care, nurture and giv...

Chynna's Kids Speak: Celebrating National Sibling Day!

Me and my four babies. I have always encouraged closeness
among them.
Well, this is going to post a little later than we'd hoped, but we're still going to put it up.

Sunday was National Sibling Day. I never knew this day existed until recently. I wish I had.

I am the oldest of six, and even though we aren't all from the same parents, we are close...or try to be. Distance causes some issues with staying close but still...we always have stuck up for each other.

This picture on the left means the wo...

Writing Sample Day: A Snippet From A WIP 'Passing Loop'

As alot of you know, I have several books in progress that I work simultaneously among.

I know. I am a self-slave driver. lol

This is one close to my heart. I call it my 'Jodi Picoult' inspired piece. It is a story about three very strong women, from different eras. What they don't realize is that they have a very connected history, and are more alike than they realize...being from a strong Scottish heritage.

Chrisella, a feisty seventeen-year old, is being moved to a small town in Saskatchewan...

Food For Thought Friday: Restaurant Review ~ Tutti Frutti

Well, I don't do many restaurant reviews anymore, but when I'm impressed I must give a shout out.

My husband took me to a restaurant that had just opened up last month called Tutti Frutti. This place focuses on breakfast and lunch, but their menu is amazing. Not being a breakfast-type of person, I was skeptical at first, especially since I can't eat most dairy products or eggs. But I was pleasantly surprised.

My egg white omelet and potatoes.We were their first costumers so we were treated like...

Food For Thought Fridays: Greek Pasta

Hi everyone! Okay, this is one of my favorite dishes. As you all know, I am a huge Jamie Oliver fan (as is my Jaimie) and this is one dish that has been a huge hit with everyone. If you are seeking a meat-free night once in awhile, this is a great option.

And for those of you, like me, who are going the gluten-free route, you can always switch the pasta up to gluten-free. I tried some and it isn't too bad. ;)

INGREDIENTS:

1 can sliced black olives
tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garl...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Inner Calm

Inner calmness.

It can be a difficult thing to achieve at times, especially when the world throws us curve balls to deal with occasionally.

What you have to remember is that no matter what goes on around us, it is important to maintain that connection to who we are...our inner calmness...in order to have the strength to keep moving forward. Yes, it does sound a bit 'fortune cookie' like but it's true. We can't have the energy to be who we're supposed to be if we are allowing the negative energy...

It's Re-Release Day for Blackbird Flies!

Well, today is the big day for my first young adult book, Blackbird Flies. It has been re-released with additional scenes and a brand new cover.

As I mentioned yesterday, this book took me a very short time to write. The idea came from a young person I know who was going through a very rough time and thought about taking the easiest way out possible, even though she was so talented.

It is my belief that if you have that one positive thing to turn to...the thing that is the core of who you are.....

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Celebrating the Re-Release of "Blackbird Flies"

My brand new beautiful cover. In anticipation of the re-release of my first Young Adult novella, "Blackbird Flies", I thought we could dig deeper in our writing prompts today.

I wrote this novel in less than a week. I'd had an experience with a young person who'd been struggling, as I had when I was her age. I was fortunate enough to have been able to turn to positive people who saved me from a life of self-destruction.

I honestly wouldn't be here without them.

This is a story very close to...

Writing Sample Saturday: A Snippet from the next book in the Watcher series

It's been awhile since I've shared my stuff but things have been a bit crazy around here.

I'm almost finished the next book in our Watcher series and very excited about it (and I'm sure my publisher is as well. lol). So in celebration of this, I am going to share a snippet from the next book in the series.

I hope you all enjoy it.

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PrologueMay 2011
She is out on her nightly walk, tapping her cane in front of her every few steps so she isn’t surprised by a protruding tre...