Kathleen J. Shields's Blog, page 16

EmPower Children and Watch them Shine

[image error]The other day I came across an 80’s cartoon on Netflix that I used to watch as a child.  She-Ra

She-Ra – Princess of Power was the twin sister of He-Man – Master of the Universe and not only was she beautiful but she was strong and smart as well.

This was important to me as a child because She-Ra showed me that girls can take care of themselves (first of the feminists – I guess) as well as help others.  Unlike her simplistic alter-ego Princess Adora who hardly ever occupied time on the show even though she was the leader of the Great Rebellion; She-Ra always took care of business.

To me, this is important to mention because it shows that I and just about every other child out there, wants to be special, stand out and be powerful. I don’t need to be a hero anymore but I do like the idea of being a mentor, and encourager.

Whether they want to fly, have super-human strength or shoot lasers from their eyes (as a child at a school reading I did last week mentioned) the fact of the matter is, they want the Power.[image error]

I know from personal experience that you CAN give children power.  Simply being there for them, meeting an author (or simply the right person) can spark an incredible desire to explore their curiosity and creativity. Encouragement is something every child wants.

I’ve said it before, but I enjoy talking with children about writing; exploring their dreams – their desire for power – and showing them how they can do just that.

She-Ra was the first female character (in my youth) that showed me I wasn’t going to be tied to the proverbial railroad tracks always waiting for the hero to save her. I could save myself. As an author, I also now know I can be She-Ra for others. I may not go around saving them from the evil Horde, but I do ignite their imagination which opens up all sorts of worlds for them.

They can do anything they can imagine; and while at their age that includes flying; as they mature that can include making the team, going to college, or helping others.

One of the most important things you can give a child is encouragement.

Encouragement and knowledge can give a child confidence.

Confidence can lead a child to Success.

She-Ra gave me the confidence as a child to keep fighting, keep trying. That is what I still do today. I will always keep trying until I succeed.  I hope you do the same.

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Have Children Read Your Children’s Book Before You Publish!

A recent comment from a LinkedIn member reminded me of a story that I felt would be really great to share, especially for those authors who are self publishing and even more so for those thinking to print in bulk to save money.

[image error]When I was first starting out, regarding self publishing, I was still learning. The books interior was pre-watercolor-illustrations-by-Carol. The really first book that I now call the Limited Edition: “Hamilton Troll meets Pink Light Sprite” I was having it printed in bulk.  I had just received the proof for the printing. It looked gorgeous (I thought).  I read through it again. I had many people (adults) read through it, we thought we had found all of the errors. Everyone had given their thumbs-up.

I was having breakfast with my late mother’s best friend and had just pulled the proof out to show her.  I was so proud. I was hours away from sending the proceed-with-printing-the-books email when a higher power put an inkling in my head.

I looked across the table and saw a father with two young girls sitting at the next table over.  The girls looked bored! Heads on the table, hands sprawled out across it, dangling feet swinging back and forth… just plain bored and an idea came to me.[image error]

They were children, the exact age group I had intended the book for and I had a book that they could read. The idea of getting them to read it, seeing their expressions, witnessing for the first time an actual child’s perspective on my story, was suddenly and for the first time, exactly what I needed.

I excused myself from my friend and walked over to the father. I introduced myself as a new children’s book author. That I had here my proof for my very first book and I would really love it if the girls wanted to read the story and let me know what they thought of it.

They agreed. Joyfully!

[image error]My friend and I watched with smiles as Colleen, the eldest young girl read aloud to her father and sister.  We loved watching it, but eventually turned back to our conversation and our breakfast when it was delivered.

About 10 minutes later, the father returned the book to us with a message. “I don’t think many American children will know what Cricket is.” I was stumped.  I hadn’t mentioned the game of Cricket in my story. “You did, here, it says “He’s as fun as cricket…”

Oh my gosh! I forgot to type the a. He’s as fun as a cricket (like the bug, not the game) and I was about to have these printed in bulk! And worse yet, he brought me down one more level and said “we also found a typo.” My jaw dropped to the table.

[image error]“When my daughter was reading she said “he titled his head” at first I told her she meant tilted (which is exactly what every other adult had read and overlooked) I transposed the t and the l on a word that should have read tilted, he tilted his head!  Only a child still learning how to sound out words, would have caught that mistake!

At first I was embarrassed but that only lasted about 2.3 seconds. After that I was so incredibly relieved that this little girl had caught those errors that I gave her the biggest hug ever. I told her she was my hero! Which she was. I went back to the office and fixed the errors and rechecked it again word for word and sent up a new version to the printers and had the book printed flawlessly and I have Colleen to thank for that.[image error]

I can’t imagine what I would have done with a pallet of books that had errors in them.  I couldn’t have sold them. I wouldn’t have dared! Not to children!  That higher power (whom I believe had to have been my mother, since I was having breakfast with her best friend) saved my bacon and it’s a good thing! That book is dedicated to her, she would have wanted it to be perfect.

Additionally, Colleen and her sister loved the story. The images to the right and left are drawings and notes they made to me on their napkins.  Colleen is another child who taught me something and that lesson was a strong one!  Have children read the book BEFORE you go to print!!!

The post Have Children Read Your Children’s Book Before You Publish! appeared first on Kathleen's Blog.

Nomination: Very Inspiring Blog Award

What a wonderful surprise!

[image error]Apparently my Mothers Day blog was nominated for the “Very Inspiring Blog Award”. This is a wonderful treat as I had no idea blogging could be so rewarding.

I have always intended this blog be inspirational and educational, and am thrilled to know that my heartfelt post about my late mother has the potential to receive an award.  Thank you to all of my followers who have read and keep reading what I post.

The Rules: Display logo, link back, share 7 things, nominate and notify.

And the nominees are:

Chris the Story Reading Ape’s Blog
Kathleen Shields
Angela Jordan
Helen Valentina
JZ Bingham
Jennifer Writingsofamrs
Chelsea Brown
Megan (Ask Meg)
Julie Green
Sabine Chennault
The Big Sheep Blog
Catherine Caffeinated
Imagineer-ing
23thorns
Brook Monforts’ Weblog

7 more things about myself:

1. I am an only child

2. I have 4 dogs

3. The Chatterton Book was inspired by true events that happened in my front yard

4. My favorite color is pink

5. My car is a mobile advertisement for Hamilton Troll

6. I love Italian food

7. I love ice cream

Thank you again! This is really great!

The post Nomination: Very Inspiring Blog Award appeared first on Kathleen's Blog.

Honoring Mom on Mother’s Day

What do you get mom on such an important day? A card? Flowers? Candy?  How about a book written by you, illustrated with love and given with the smile only pride could bring out.  That is exactly what I did to honor my mother, even though my mom is no longer with me…

Thinking back to my youth, I remember many times I hand-drew a card, wrote a rhyming poem or created a crayon masterpiece on computer paper that my mother promptly framed and hung on the wall.  Always allowing my creativity to guide me, and my mother always there to cheer me along, I sat back in recent years on Mother’s Day filled with an emptiness I would never be able to fill again.

Having lost the joy for the day after my mom died, it became increasingly difficult to celebrate. Sure I would do my part for the card companies and purchase a nice frilly keepsake for step-mom, mother-in-law and even grandmother, but the creativity was gone. Without my mom, Mother’s Day just felt dark.

Lost in a day-dream, I recalled quite the unique story my mom once told, about a troll and a sprite with a fear that they built a friendship upon.  Feeling the creativity bubbling up, I decided to take that story and run with it. I created more characters, more stories, and came up with more ideas that this adorable young troll could experience.  I teamed up with two very talented illustrators, and put together four books so far; with a dozen more in wait – the first dedicated to my mother.

I wish my mom could have seen the finished product. I know she would have been proud. But I know my mom is looking down from heaven smiling at me and wishing me all the best in this venture to share these stories. There is even a little piece of heaven trickling out from the rhythmic words of the sprite that I’ll admit feels like mom talking to me.

Pink Light Sprite is there for Hamilton Troll when he is afraid, she guides him into solving his problem and then before she leaves she even admits to him that, “I’ll be around but I will be out of sight…” I know my mom is an angel watching over me.  I feel her presence everywhere, even though I can’t see her.

In Pink Light Sprite’s final words she comforts with the phrase, “I will be with you in dreamland my tot, I never shall leave you when you’re caught up in thought, and when you are frightened think of me in the dew, and remember my friend that I do love you.”

I know my mother loved me.

Honoring my mom’s creativity with my own, I am now able to smile on Mother’s Day feeling within my soul that what I am doing to share these stories with others is like the ultimate Mother’s Day gift.

What better way is there to say Happy Mother’s Day?

The post Honoring Mom on Mother’s Day appeared first on Kathleen's Blog.

Some Major Changes & Additions

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I have redesigned my book website: www.KathleensBooks.com

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I have published on Smashwords my Christian children’s story “Dandy Lion – A Legend of Love & Loss”

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

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I have published on Smashwords my Children’s chapter book “A Rainbow of Thanks”

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Both e-books are available for FREE for a limited time so I can get some Reviews.

The paperback versions will be out in about a month.

I know that this is a lot in a short amount of time but I have been so busy on other projects that I just haven’t had time to get this done!  I am very excited to announce that these are now available as they have been in my repertoire for a very long time.  The Dandy Lion story has scripture and and the Rainbow story covers cultural beliefs about rainbows which many center around God or gods. To learn more about the books visit my newly updated website at www.KathleensBooks.com

Thank you!

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Read. Get Smart. Make Good Choices. Become a Strong Individual.

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The more you read,

The more you know.

The more you know,

The smarter you grow.

The smarter you grow,

The stronger your voice

When speaking your mind

Or making a choice.

–

I saw this poster in an elementary school library and I LOVED IT!

What a great message!

Read – Get Smart – Make Good Choices

Be a Strong Individual

 

Don’t be a follower. Don’t do everything you are told. Ask questions.

Be knowledgeable. Don’t take things at face value. Ask questions. Read.  Learn more.

Never stop learning is the message I receive.  I am ALWAYS learning. Whether it be website code, graphic elements, video tricks, book galley layout, publishing tips and tricks, search engine optimization techniques, marketing ideas, new programs, new features, new music… there is so much out there in the world to learn!

So when you speak your mind you know what you are talking about. You don’t have to be an expert but you don’t have to accept what you are told as gospel.  Make a choice to learn more each day.  Be the best YOU, you can be and be a productive, knowledgeable, useful addition to society.

The post Read. Get Smart. Make Good Choices. Become a Strong Individual. appeared first on Kathleen's Blog.

Thank You To My Friends

Someone posted a meme the other day that really resonated with me. It said:



“You don’t realize how antisocial you are
until there’s a pandemic and nothing much changes in your life.”

With this stay-at-home order in various cities around me and across the country, everyone is seemingly going stir-crazy. They aren’t used to being stuck at home, having nothing to do… but for weeks – nothing much has changed in MY life.  I am still working from home like I’ve always done. My schedule hasn’t changed. I still drink my coffee, get to my computer no later than 8am, still put in about 9 hours per day, still eat lunch at my desk… ironically, everyone else’ free time benefits me because NOW they have time to focus on the work their websites needed. I am incredibly grateful for the work! I have money in the bank to cover bills for a couple of months.  Thank you Lord!

But I have to admit, this schedule doesn’t do ANYTHING for my non-existent social life. I am really missing the tradeshows and book events right now, not being able to go out and sell and promote my books is a real bummer. I have a new book out that I can’t sell and that is disappointing because it’s the kind of story that will benefit the down-hearten right now. The Painting 3 e-book   The Painting 3 Paperback

I also still don’t have time to work on jigsaw puzzles, play board games or get creative with crafts like I keep seeing on social media. I am actually quite grateful to everyone who posts the craziness they are doing to occupy their time because we ALL could use a nice laugh. With everyone being forced to stay home, social media has become more social. I think that is a very pleasant change.

At the end of the day, I “get off of work” and walk into the living room where my husband has the news on. I immediately get inundated with what is happening in the world and between dinner and other evening chores, I’m not getting many phone calls made, either. I’ve always been of the mindset that if I call someone and they are busy, then I am disturbing them and they are only pity talking to me. Sometimes I can hear it in their voice, how they’d rather be focusing on something else (or maybe that’s just my impression). I don’t like to call others without having a REAL reason – and then I tend to get right to the point and forego the regular banter. That’s why I’m called a workaholic.

But I DO cherish my friends! So I want to thank all those friends, who call, text, email or tag me on social media – Thank you for remembering me. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. You all are always on my heart, even if I am working too much, and seem antisocial by not calling. Just know, I will always gladly take your phone call. I will always listen, and I will always be there if you need me.

My friends mean the world to me and I want you all to know that.



Take care all and God Bless!

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Dream World Defenders – Trailer Videos

New Book By Award-Winning Author, Kathleen J. Shields

Curious about Dream World Defenders?
Watch the book trailers below:


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Can’t wait to read the book?
You can buy the book at any of these fine retailers:

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Also, don’t forget the Challenge!

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The post Dream World Defenders – Trailer Videos appeared first on Kathleen's Blog.

Do the Right Thing – Do it All the Time

The other day, driving down my street, I stopped at the stop sign and caught sight of a black bag sitting on the corner.  I knew that the school bus picked up there so I figured it was a lunch kit. I went to investigate, and found it was a $1000+ Nikon camera.  I knew who ever lost this would be beside themselves, but I had to get to a meeting. I grabbed it, so it wouldn’t get permanently lost, and decided as I drove I would create a FOUND sign to put on the mailboxes in hopes of finding the proper owner. That evening, after two meetings and choir practice I finally get back to my office and open the bag properly to investigate it. That’s when I was relieved to see their name printed on the inside in marker (they MUST have children) it’s so a mommy thing to do.  Thankful I had a name, I called my neighbor (who seems to know everyone) and lo and behold, she had a phone number for them.

She was so relieved.

“Who does that?” She asks after receiving my message.  “It must have fallen off my motorcycle.”

It made me proud to do the right thing. How many people would be able to do that? Honestly? This was a nice camera. 42x zoom, all the bells and whistles, cables, SD cards… I could have kept it, many people would have. I could have sold it on ebay… but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. I can’t imagine loosing something like that. It would be like me loosing my laptop – my livelihood! My books, my graphics, my websites… I’d be so sick to my stomach. I couldn’t afford to replace it and I would PRAY that someone would return it, if it were ever found. But I’ve been robbed (two home break-ins – in Houston). I’ve had things stolen from me at shows. My husband has had tools stolen right off his truck. I definitely have the stigma of not wanting to trust people… but if everyone did the right thing, all the time, our world would be a much better place.

I wanted to share a song with you. Maybe if you get this catchy tune stuck in your head it will help – it helps me – all the time!

Ages & Ages – Divisionary (Do the Right Thing) Lyrics

Do the right thing, do the right thing

do it all the time, do it all the time

make yourself right, never mind them

don’t you know you’re not the only one suffering

I see you up again wandering so diligent

crossing your t’s as though it weren’t irrelevant

they say formality, this is what they really meant:

they can be the walk and we can be the pavement

Do the right thing, do the right thing

do it all the time, do it all the time

make yourself right, never mind them

don’t you know you’re not the only one suffering

So what you’re up against all the disingenuous

They wave you along and say there’s always room for us

But we know better than that to take’em serious.

Still don’t let’em make you bitter in the process

And when the light is up, this is how oughta be

We’ll make it alright, they’ll come around eventually

They say it’s nothing but, that ain’t the reality

They may take us on but they can never take us easy

Cuz they ain’t moving, they’re just moving around

So if you love yourself, you better get out, get out now

Play it again – you know you want to!

From Heaven my Mom still makes things happen!

One of mom’s favorite poems that I wrote for Mother’s Day has again made it’s showcase…
in a most miraculous way.

A few months ago a child called me out of the blue from Detroit. She found this poem and decided I was worth calling to find out how to write poetry.  So of course, with an honor and blessing like that, I had to post a message about it on my blog.

Then a couple weeks ago, I was again contacted out of the blue, by a reporter with the Carlisle Sentinel out of Pennsylvania who came across my Mother’s Day poem and decided it was what they wanted to use in their publication and asked permission to print it. I was again honored!

Then yesterday, a large envelope arrived in the mail. It was from the Sentinel and it contained four copies of a most beautifully done advertising magazine with a Mother’s Day theme and my poem was a beautifully laid out two-page spread smack dab in the middle of the publication. I was overjoyed by the experience and then I had a sweet cry thinking about how much my mom would have loved seeing this…

Then I realized, she is not only seeing this from above, she had a hand in making it happen…

because now she truly is an Angel and I truly am blessed!

Happy Mother’s Day to All
– including all of those Angels who look upon us from above!

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