Terry Lynn Johnson's Blog, page 10

April 27, 2011

Winner of Ice-out contest!

 winter didn't want to end this year
Today at the lake, we finally have a winner for the ice-out contest thanks to the dump of rain last night. The ice has been holding out in one corner of the lake for the last four days

stubborn ice in the bays
But today - YAY! Ice-free and ready for summer!




Just in time for our canoe instructor course this weekend! Went paddling two days ago and gingerly tested the temperatures. Let's just say I hope the canoe rescue portion will be quick since I'll be IN THE LAKE.

So.

We have a winner!  Winning guess of April 27 at 12:34.  (can I borrow your crystal ball?)

VIVIEN!!

And the prize is....


Thanks to everyone for playing along!

note: I guessed the 25 so I lost our family bet this year.
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Published on April 27, 2011 12:29

April 21, 2011

Dead things my dog brings home

Images from our hike today:





And here's our lake during the snowstorm and after





As you can see - the lake is half open!  Guesses for the ice-out contest are now closed. I'll be posting the exact date and time soon I think - and the winner!




Dead things


Today on our hike, my dog found a half a rabbit. The bottom half. This led me to ponder the events that would have taken place for a half a rabbit to be left in the bush. Tragic and dramatic stories tossed around in my head until I could write them down when I got back. Inspiration for writing is all around me.

A half a rabbit isn't the only thing my dog has found lately. This winter she was obsessed with a chickadee that had unfortunately broken its neck on our window. Tanzer sat with it in the snow - even brought it on our walks for three days.
I'm never surprised to see her trotting out of the bush, head held high, with a deer leg danging from her mouth. We live in the middle of a winter deer yard, and where there are deer, there are wolves.
Dead frogs, dead ruffed grouse, stinky dead things I didn't even recognize.
What has your dog brought home lately?
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Published on April 21, 2011 10:12

April 14, 2011

Guess ice-out contest

An annual tradition at my house is to guess the date that the lake will break free from its long winter nap. This year I thought I'd invite everyone to join for a chance to win a mystery prize.  (It involves a book.)

Leave a comment with your best guess of date and time for ice-out.  Good luck!



ALSO: happiness is... finding your book listed in THE BIGGEST HITS OF THE YEAR  in Trends in MG at the Write Angle! 
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Published on April 14, 2011 07:19

April 7, 2011

Beavers

Busy writing!

To entertain you while I'm away, here's a very cool vid of a couple of animals in Alberta that know what it's like to be busy.

Little known fact:
I'm not sure I would have noticed if it had not been pointed out to me, that all three of my manuscripts have beavers in them. Hmmm...


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Published on April 07, 2011 08:15

March 31, 2011

Good books and a writing conference

random photo from last summer because I've started counting down days till kayak season
Each year around this time I start hearing about amazing writing conferences, and writers getting together and partying and having FUN and I get a little jealous. Well, I've just signed up for the SCBWI Canada East conference in Niagra Falls, Ontario. The price is amazing and I've never been to Niagra Falls. I'm so excited!

Is anyone else going? I'd love to hear from you!

I'm hoping this will inspire me again to do more writing. I have been on a hiatus, but doing lots of READING. I'd like to recommend some fabulous books:


Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. 

Blew my mind with brilliant writing. This story is an important one and Ruta does it beautifully with characters that are so memorable, they feel like family. I was mesmerized from page one. And have I mentioned the WRITING? This author can WRITE!











Illegal by Bettina Restrepo.

A story of struggle and desperate times, but somehow written with a feeling of hope. I'm left with a deep gratitude for all that I have. Beautifully written.


















How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen.

Such a delightful read! Lamar is charming and vulnerable and tough and sensitive and hilarious. Crystal managed to make me laugh, then cry, sometimes on the same page. Loved it.
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Published on March 31, 2011 06:16

March 28, 2011

A few of my sled dogs

Today I woke to find Susan Fields had reviewed my book, DOGSLED DREAMS on her blog. WOW! I'm so happy that she enjoyed the book. And so did her kids! Susan mentioned how much she liked it when I posted a picture of one of my real dogs from the book. Here's a few more.

Doppler with some admirerers Tarzan - unfortunately I don't have any pictures with him smiling Doppler (bottom), Ulu, (left) and Orbit (smiling) as pups in the dog truck On the stake out line at camp. Denali is the big white guy carefully not sitting on his straw giving rides. Apollo and Soho in lead Fall training. Blaze in lead. Doppler and Tarzan in point. Ulu and Apollo in Swing (or Team position). Orbit and Belle in Team. Elsie and Denali in Wheel
Elsie
dogs howling on the stake out line




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Published on March 28, 2011 04:34

March 23, 2011

Amazing dogs - amazing race


Must watch videos of Iditarod dogs in action from the official Iditarod Insider site.

Montage ONE

Montage TWO

Do these videos bring a lump to your throat? For some reason, I get very emotional watching how gorgeous and true the dogs are. And the dramatic music caps it.
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Published on March 23, 2011 14:34

March 17, 2011

ELEVENSIE BOOK GIVEAWAY winners!

WOW! I'm thrilled at how popular this contest was. ELEVENSIE BOOKS are feeling the love.

I'll be doing another mega contest for Elevensie books in the summer as I continue my pay-it-forward project.

And now I have even more reason to be thankful - my publisher has just informed me that DOGSLED DREAMS is the best selling title the company has had!  THANK YOU to everyone who has helped support me!


The following people have won



Jackie White has won a copy of UNEARTHLY

 Pamela Green has won a copy of THE IRON WITCH

Donna Earnhardt has won a copy of HEAD GAMES

Bethany has won a copy of SO SHELLY

Deb Marshall has won a copy of HAVEN

Mindy Crump has won a copy of RIVAL

YAY to the winners!

and the bonus books:


Rose Green has won a copy of A TRUE AND FAITHFUL NARRATIVE

Meredith Miller has won a copy of DOG GONE

Sherrie Peterson has won a copy of PERILOUS


Congratulations everyone. Make sure you check back for more contests and outdoor fun and photos!

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Published on March 17, 2011 21:12

March 15, 2011

Congratulations Amy Fellner Dominy!

My beautiful and talented friend, fellow Elevensie, and agent sister, Amy Fellner Dominy author of the upcoming OyMG, Walker and Company, May 2011, has sold her second teen novel!












Publisher's Marketplace announcement:

Author of the forthcoming OyMG, Amy Fellner Dominy's AUDITION AND SUBTRACTION, in which a 14-year-old girl faces competition in her school band from the new boy, who could take away not only her spot in District Honor Band, but also her best friend in a story of shifting friendships, divided loyalties and unexpected romance, again to Stacy Cantor Abrams at Walker, for publication in Fall 2012, by Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).


YAY AMY!!!!
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Published on March 15, 2011 17:21

March 12, 2011

SNOW! and other things almost as awesome


We've been hit with snow this week - little late for the two dogsled races that had to be cancelled, but just in time for March Break. Tanzer on watch


 "would you get off the blog and come snowshoeing already!"
about 30 cm more yesterday!

GOOD BOOKSI haven't been writing as much recently, but I call this time in between "percolating". I'm also doing lots of reading. GREAT books lately. Here's a few paranormal suggestions:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White Haven by Kristi CookUnearthly by Cynthia Hand Captivate by Carrie JonesDelirium by Lauren OliverForgive my Fins by Tera Lynn ChildsWarped by Maurissa Guibord
And a story that I LOVED - one of my absolute favourite reads - I can't even talk about. It's a manuscript by my fabulous critique partner, Paul Greci. 
 Have you ever read a manuscript that you were so excited about you just wanted to tell the world?

BOOK TOUR
Lastly, I will be in CHAPTERS bookstore in Sudbury this Wednesday for a presentation and signing. Please come by and  say hello if you can!

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Published on March 12, 2011 07:50