Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 33

Writing Sample Saturday - Re-Release of Blackbird Flies!

Hello! Long time, no write!

I apologize for that. Our family has been going through a lot over here so I haven't had the time to keep up with my blogging, but that's going to change.

My special needs kidlets have been going through a great deal. Jaimie started Junior High this year (can you BELIEVE that??) and Xander Grade Four. I have already found him rocking and comforting himself in the school library because those around him don't know how to help him. But that's another blog post...

Today...

Celebrating the NEW RELEASE of DARK WATER

Well, it's official! The re-release of DARK WATER is now on! I'm very excited about this as the story is very close to my heart and the first in a series.

Thank you to Stephanie and all the people at ASTRAEA PRESS for giving the series a chance. I hope to make this a huge success. Writing for young people is my passion and I believe that strong messages can be given to them without preaching. This book not only tackles the issues of SPD and PTSD, but also instills a strong sense of family with...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Earthy Inspiration

Happy Hump Day, everyone!

For me, water has always been a comfort. I don't know what it is...the sound of it licking the shore...the sound of waterfalls...even when it's really choppy and the waves are raging, water is my comfort zone.

It has helped me calm down, to mourn and has been a HUGE inspiration in my writing, in case you haven't noticed.  My recent series, "The Watcher", is totally focused on water and the Native view of its importance in our lives.

What is YOUR inspiration? Where...

Food For Thought Fridays: Polenta Gnocchi

Welcome to Friday's Food for Thought!

I have been thinking alot lately about comfort...with family, friends and food. So today I am sharing a favorite family comfort food recipe. Yes, it is vegetarian but it is SO GOOD! If you wanted to, you could add some ground chicken or beef but I think it is good the way it is.

Here ya go. And share if you try and like!

1/4 cup olive oil
Either fresh made polenta or cut up premade
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 parmesan
1/4 cup fresh or ground parsley
freshly ground bla...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Writing With Music

Music is a powerful force. It sets the tone in movies, television shows and in our everyday lives. It makes memories, relives memories and stamps periods in time for us.

I was born surrounded by music. My mom was a music teacher, as was my Godmother, so I knew Mozart, Chopin and everything in between before I could walk. I started playing the piano when I was two, I was in all the choirs and I can play pretty much any stringed instrument you hand over to me. That's where I developed the main c...

Music Mantra Monday: Celebrating 'Blackbird Flies'

Happy Monday to you ALL!! Well...as happy as you can be on a Monday.

Okay, so as I told you all, March is the celebratory month for my novella, 'Blackbird Flies' and we are going to be doing a focus on it all week, according to theme. ;) We'll have interviews with characters, quotes, etc. We are very excited about this because this is my first YA focused book and it was very well received.

Okay, so what I also want to do is give a FREE copy of it away to two lucky people.

It isn't an easy read,...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: A picture for words

How is everyone on this fine, beautiful, spring-like Wednesday? I actually have my windows open today, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and warm weather. How are things in YOUR neck of the woods.

Speaking of woods, I have a more visual writing prompt for today. Some of my most powerful stories have stemmed from dreams and black and white photos. I know know what it is about those kinds of pictures but they just emit a sense of...peace...almost eerie-like.

So, for today, I am sharing this beautif...

Writing Sample Saturday: A Snippet from my Work-In-Progress...Passing Loop

Welcome to our Saturday segment where I share snippets of my published work, works-in-progress and other fun stuff.

Today, I will be sharing a sample from my story, 'Passing Loop', which I hope to have finished very soon (...along with two other works-in-progress that are sequels...oy...).

This is what I call my Jodi Picoult. It will still be geared to the New Adult audience so that everyone can enjoy it but it will be longer, deeper and more emotionally involved that my other works have been....

Food For Thought Friday: Rustic Spinach and Feta Gallete

Okay, not everyone in my house is a fan of spinach. Well...no one is. lol BUT when it's put into dishes in the right way, it will be eaten.

One of my favorite recipes for spinach, next to pesto, is gallete. Essentially, this is spinach pie with alot of yummy extras. It's actually really easy to make, has very few ingredients and tastes great fresh from the oven AND as leftovers.

So I'm going to share this with you and hope that it gets your family to love eating spinach too...hopefully. lol

(And...

Food For Thought Friday!!! Greek Pasta

Welcome to Food For Thought!This is actually a Friday post but it's going up on Saturday. Weird.

As you all know, I love cooking. I find it relaxing, actually. And I love experimenting with different ingredients and different cuisines from different cultures. Greek and Italian are two of my favourites. Today, I'm going to share my favourite Greek vegetarian recipe.

My kids are mini-carnivores but I try to give them at least two nights a week where we are meatless. I even bought Paul McCartney's...