Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 34

Author Spotlight: Hartley Steiner

If you 'Google' me, you'll see that I am very closely related to the subject of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). And, honestly? I didn't even realize how 'Google-able' I am until my kids told me the other day. lol

This subject is one that is very close to my heart because I have four children affected by this disorder, two to the point where they needed therapy just to be able to function. SPD is a condition that interferes with how the brain processes and interprets sensory information. If...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: A Tribute to Inspiration

How CUTE are baby toes? Seriously! These are my four kids' mini feet...obviously a few years ago but still. Awwww!!!

As you all know, my #1 inspiration is my kidlets. Good, bad, happy or sad they inspire my work, my day-to-day activities and my life in general. Every book I write, every article I research every thing I DO is because and for them.

What inspires YOU? What gets you going, moves you forward, helps you through each day?

Let's let today's writing prompt be a story or article that insp...

TALK ABOUT IT Tuesday: Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem, Self-Love

All the 'selfs' - confidence, esteem and love - aren't traits we are born with. We learn them and are taught to nurture them so they can grow. For many of us, we either never get to learn these things or they are taken from us in one way or another.

I know.

I've been there.

But it's time we start taking them back. The reason I decided to 'talk about' these things today is because I have a couple of wonderful women I know, one who is very VERY close to me, who have allowed someone to steal their...

Food For Thought Friday: PIZZA NIGHT!!!

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope your weekend is starting off with a BANG!

Well, on this Food For Thought, I wanted to share my recipe for our pizza dough. Every since the kids were little, Friday has been deemed 'Pizza Night'. I used to buy a frozen one from M&M's but once I learned that what my kids eat effects their behaviour (especially when there are preservatives and other yucky stuff in the food), I decided to start making alot of my own stuff. So I make pasta, pizza dough, bread and...

Music Mantra Monday: The Powerful Meaning of "Blackbird" to Me and My Family

WELCOME to our first Music Mantra post of 2015. A little embarassing but I've been crazy busy. I digress.
Alrighty, for those who remember our award-winning blog, The Gift, my family are HUGE Beatles fans. Jaimie loves John, Jordy loves Paul, Xander loves George and little SophSoph is a Ringo fan, like her Mama. I may have had a slight influence on them since they've each been listening to the group since utero. hehehe
This post, in celebration of Jaimie's 12th birthday, is going to highlight t...

Saturday Writing Samples: A Tiny Snippet From Still Water

Okay. You've asked for it, you got it! I've had several people contact me and ask when I'll have the next book after Dark Water out. Now that it is with a new 'home', I can resume working on the rest of the series.

Today, I am going to share a few paragraphs from the sequel to Dark Water that I have titled 'Still Water'. I'm not going to give too much away but the main character is blind. ;)

I truly hope you enjoy this Saturday snippet. Your input, as always, is welcomed.

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PrologueMay...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Pictures Are Thousands of Words!

Hello and welcome to another Writing Prompt Wednesday.

I have several short stories, and two of my books, that have been stemmed from a single photo.  Maybe it's an artistic thing but when I look at a picture, I don't just see what's there. I try to see what's not...what others can't see (or don't want to).

So, for today we are going to give a writing prompt using a beautiful picture that just jumped right out at me. I have always loved black and white pictures so much. Not only do they hi...

Writing Sample Day: A Snippet From Passing Loop

Welcome to our first Sample Day in a long time.

I have learned a lot of things lately. Some personal...some professional. On a personal note, I've learned that knowing when things are 'too much' is a good thing. It's OKAY to take a time out once in awhile. It's OKAY to cry if and when you need to. It's OKAY to admit defeat as long as you remember to pick yourself up and go on. Those are very humbling things, I have to say. I consider myself a very strong person but I've learned that it takes a...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Beating January Blues

January can be a super tough time for many people. We're trying to recover from the costly Christmas expenses, we miss family and friends we only get to see around that time and, well, it's just dang cold! But January has always been a happier time for me, even with money struggles and what not, because it is my daughter, Jaimie's birthday month.

Don't get me wrong. I get down too. I mean, geez! Who likes to have to worry about all those bills we racked up over Christmas (unless you're one of...

Celebrating the Anniversary of White Elephants!

Yes, okay. I know that it's been quite awhile since I have been blogging. My BAD! But I have been going through alot personally and professionally and had to focus my energy on those things. There comes a time in life when one must re-negotiate what's most important and do a life shuffle. And that's what I've been doing.
I've had to do this a few times in my life...re-negotiating what's important. Or, what some folks call, 're-prioritizing''. Practically at the end of every decade of my life s...