Sarah Butland's Blog, page 12

Celebrate the Ordinary

Our days are filled with miracles though it’s easy to miss them. A smile from a loved one, a shared experience with a family member or a new story told that makes you smile or feel warm inside. But we miss them, too often, looking for something greater.

An ordinary moment that has become so dear to me involves my dog. Lumen, our Dogo Argentino, has a tendency to be on my side of the bed each night after work. I stumble in, ready for slumber, and she’s sprawled out, very much awake but pretending to sleep. When I ask her to get down she looks at me with such a knowing sarcastic look it makes me laugh. I then proceed to laugh and drag her off, while she continues to resist. The process is comical and so elaborate it wakes my husband who is sound asleep.

It’s these nightly brief moments that cheer me up, distract me and have me giggling while I fall asleep. It acts as a distraction from a not so stellar day and shifts my mood. An ordinary moment, one I have learned to expect, but a tiny miracle if looked at it the right away.

I would love to know what your mood altering ordinary moment of today was.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

It’s Elf Time…

In the houses of many, December 1st doesn’t just mean it’s closer to Christmas, winter, or the change of the month it’s Elf Arrival time. While I adore the creativity behind each story and it gets people talking about traditions which is lovely, who has the time?!

My son, now 10, has been asking for it for years. Teachers even had him visit the school last year yet I continue to refuse but I can’t even tell him why! A lot of his friends are completely enamored by the idea of a month long little guy watching them. It’s brilliant with regards to marketing and selling the idea through a book, I applaud the author for the phenomenon created but it sure does put me in a bind.

My son wants to buy the Elf on the Shelf with his own money yet I still refuse to let him. He asks for all of the extras, and once again needs to know the why behind the no. I don’t blame him but I really don’t have time to devote the amount of time I would to being creative with it. So instead, I continue to refuse to adopt the Elf and simply tell him I’ll explain later why I keep saying no.

Do I feel like the mean mom? Absolutely, always. Do I feel I have time to make suppers and some time for my own sanity… sometimes. And I guess that matters, too… it will just take years for him to realize that, and maybe when he has a kid himself he’ll appreciate all the other ways I’ve been creative.

No Elf on the Shelf in my house,

Sarah

One for the Rock by Kevin Major

A murder mystery I finished Halloween night as it better set the mood for the conclusion of the well-written story published by Breakwater Books.

Set in Newfoundland, fitting for the title, the story takes Sebastian through a journey like no other and none he ever expected. A former teacher, he now makes his money as a tour guide but lives for his son. The tale takes the reader through popular parts of the most eastern province of Canada as his registered attendees for the first tour of his season drop in numbers.

I’ve been to Newfoundland and this cleverly told mystery took me back and I know it will take you there, too. Just be sure you don’t fall!

Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland

Another Question from the Series

Wait for a publisher or self-publish?

That will all depend on you and how long you want to wait. Both have perks, all have drawbacks.

I’m independently published which is grouped with self-publishing. It’s an uphill battle with regards to getting respect and recognition. For example, I was welcomed to the Writers in the Schools Program with open arms (they even approached me!) in New Brunswick. Now, in Nova Scotia, because I’m not “published” I’m not “qualified” for their current Writers in the School Program. Not even if I jump through their hoops and pay necessary fees which is tough as there are good writers who are simply too impatient and busy to pitch, get accepted and follow the rules of the publisher.

Don’t get me wrong though, I’m still pitching and eager to get something accepted by a mainstream publisher. So when I have an idea I feel fits a publishers image I quickly send it off. Yes, it’s likely I should spend more time working on it and stressing about it but why? I have so many other things to do and avenues to explore. So yes, I pitch and cross my fingers and really desperately hope a new door opens for me which will in turn have me qualify for so many other things but while I wait I promote, I write, I think and get distracted.

I think a huge aspect of making your dream become reality is planting many seeds knowing that eventually something will grow the more you attend to it. Not all will take root right away or ever but once you have some sprouting those will blossom and plant new seeds without you taking a lot more time to do plant them yourself.

So yes, both mainstream publishing and self-publishing are good. Don’t let “no’s” or “people don’t make money as a writer” stop you, find a way that works for you and keep practicing plus exploring to figure out what is best. Your dream will come true if you take the steps to get there.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

Questions I Love to Be Asked

Recently I have connected with so many new writers it’s convinced me I’m on the brink of a major tipping point in my writing career. It’s been overwhelming but so enjoyable and confidence boosting.

With each connection comes a question or two (or more) so I thought I would start sharing them here as I know others would have the same questions, like I did and do.

Disclosure: I am not an expert.

Yes, I have an ever-growing list of freelance pieces published, books published, won a contest, worked with Writers in Schools, etc, but I don’t feel one ever becomes an expert at writing or being an author. Along with all the successes I also have (and be sure to celebrated) lost contests, been rejected by publishers, received bad reviews and hear “No” more times than I’d like but that all led me here. Every closed door motivated (and still motivates) me to keep going.

So on to the first question:

How do you promote children’s books?
This one is very challenging as there is not a right or wrong way, there’s not just one way and I’m still treading the waters trying to get Sending You Sammy in the hands of more families so I can continue the Banana Boy series.

Currently my efforts include a newsletter, websites, Facebook Group(s), offering freebies such as colouring pages, bookmarks, BananaBoy Fans certificates. I have read in schools, given away copies with “health food” initiatives, held Food Revolution Day events, dressed up as a banana, played basketball as a banana. All activities have been fun and educational but it’s been 12 years and there’s still just one book in the intended series. It’s ranked over 2 million on Amazon.ca – this is not a picture perfect idea of success.

I have begged for reviews and some I got, some I’m still begging for.
I particularly love my son’s review as Wild Willie.

I’m still proud, I still feel successful, I still feel giddy when I see it and more so when someone reads it. My original readers are in their teens now, well beyond the years of my target audience but yes, I still feel like I’m a children’s book writer and that this book has a place on your shelf.

This all to say, marketing is always tricky especially when your audience is children as you first still have to market to the parents and children at the same time but differently. I’m still a big supporter of having books in the hands of children, not in a gadget for them to read electronically, so bright colours of a paperback is best. Then you need to get them in stores or where children can see them to show their parents and beg for the bright and colourful book among all the others.

And connect. Always connect with other authors as we’re all on the same team (mostly) and you can learn from each other or co-host events to promote one another. The more times you have your book seen the more chance you have to sell it.

I’ll leave you with this for now and invite you to comment and ask your own question for my next post answering the questions I’m being asked.

Happy days ahead,

Sarah Butland

author of, yes, you guessed it, Sending You Sammy and so much more!

A Review of: Send More Tourists… The Last Ones Were Delicious

A collection of short stories by Tracey Waddleton I hoped was a novel. Each story grabbed me and sucked me in then ended, letting me decide if she made it to Russia, if the driver survived, or who killed the lady in the lake but I guess that makes for a good story – leaving it to simmer long after it’s read.

Riding With Maurice, one of the stories, struck me the most in its truth and hardship in the simplest form. For many it’s a struggle to get out of bed each morning and Waddleton’s account of a person who is dealing with depression was heartbreaking, making me wonder if she had first hand experience to be able to tell the tale so well. “Write what you know” can be healing and such a challenge.

My favourite line in the whole collection, however, was from Mr. Moriarity:
but when you are dirty you fantasize clean. An account of a man who has loved and lost, discovered who he was and left it all behind in younger years. Once again, I was brought in to the world of an aged man and wondered how the young lady could capture such experience when she didn’t personally live through it.

Published by Breakwater Books, her first, and I hope not the last, collection of short stories, Waddleton includes 25 stories to ensure the book contains something for everyone (about the age of 19, in my opinion), even if not all are for all.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

Making Connections

Life isn’t always easy, filled with parties and great friends. Sometimes it means sitting alone and pondering your existence and that’s ok, too.

A lot of people I talk to have been wondering where all the good friends have gone lately. A childhood friend staying connected through social media but never really sharing their life anymore a new friend adding to your collection on Facebook but doesn’t bother making eye contact when you see them in person.

We are always connecting on some level, though. For instance, as a writer I am often writing articles on people and events, meeting new friends and then trying to ensure my article does their story justice. Then the article is printed and more connections are made. People comment on it, sending me positive feedback and having a conversation with me about it.

Not all connections or conversations lead to heart felt moments though we need to recognize when they do. Next time you go to the grocery store look the cashier in the eye, ask how they are doing and if they say they are tired, wish them energy for the rest of their shift.

Make conversation as you never know what will come from one moment of connection.

Tell me about the last time you met someone knew and found yourself eager to meet with them again.

Thanks for reading and connecting,
Sarah Butland
author of Being Grateful, Being Thankful and more!

Book Lovers Day!

Would I even be an author if I didn’t post about books on Book Lovers Day? There are so many books I love and also want to write but today I do want to learn about books and authors you love.

Do you remember the book that inspired your love of reading? I can’t recall that first one but do remember being addicted to the Chronicles of Narnia serious and being heartbroken when the last book was lost. Of course, as an adult, I needed to get the series as an adult and have started re-reading it to my son who loves it, too.

Since then, I’ve filled four massive bookshelves and have bags more. I try to refrain from buying more but just can’t…and my Amazon Kindle is full, too. It’s a hobby of mine and I wish I had more time to read all the books.

So tell me, what did you read today to celebrate Book Lovers Day?

Thanks for reading my blog,

Sarah

How Did I Do It?

The other day I was asked the question “how did I do it?” in relation to becoming a successful writer and it made me pause.

I modestly said “it just happened” but, much like overnight successes, it never just happens and my journey has been a trying one. Trying because I was impatient, persistent and too often told it wouldn’t happen for me and then, somehow, it did!

Though I’m not yet a best selling author like I envisioned, and am still eager to be, I am measuring my success by having readers and lots of them. I know I had made it because when I answered the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and at the age of five answered “a writer and a teacher” I was write.

Some teachers encouraged me throughout school though I have had teachers who discouraged, too, saying no one writes for a living anymore and saying they didn’t understand my poetry or essays but that added fuel to my fire. I found other ways to enter into contests and while that particular poem didn’t win, years later a short story did.

What was also interesting is when I applied for a journalist job with a Moncton newspaper I was told no because I didn’t have the credentials of a journalist. Then I applied for a free paper, not requiring a degree, I was told my writing was more in line with the newspaper. Like applying for your first job, what do you put on your resume for experience, I struggled to find my place but kept writing.

I now have several books that people read and enjoy, articles in business magazines, an article in the upcoming Maritime [EDIT] issue, getting paid for writing book reviews (in books and money) for AH! At Home on the North Shore and now I am a regular contributor to our local newspaper, The Pictou Advocate.

All this to say, I just kept asking, writing, practicing, and trying. The plenty of times I heard the word “no” only made me eager to hear a yes and you can only hear that if you keep asking.

So my advice to everyone, no matter the passion, is to keep going. Let your rejections make you fight harder to prove those who passed on you regret doing so as you will make it if it’s what you were born to do.

Thanks for reading and continuing,

Sarah Butland

Balancing Acts

With dreams coming true and opportunities being presented, and I have recently decided to just say yes to it all. As scary as some projects can be, the lights are shining down on the path before me to help me gain the confidence to know I’m right where I need to be.

There are still disappointments for sure, and it’s not all spotlights and pots of gold but those obstacles are much more telling and motivating, encouraging me to keep going and do more.

Most recently I said yes to attending the Metro Moncton Book Festival (https://www.facebook.com/MetroMoncton...) on June 8, 2019. I already know the majority of the organizers and authors attending and trust I’ll meet many others I will adore along with many readers that attend to meet an author and buy a book or more.

I still hear “no”, I still make mistakes and my schedule can be overwhelming but if I don’t stay busy I don’t thrive.

Not to mention, I feel like I’m now my son’s manager of sorts as I take care of his Wild Willie’s Book Reviews YouTube Channel and Amazon affiliate links. He’s a reader who makes me so proud to be a part of his success and life in general.

If you’re here reading this I want to know what you’ll be saying yes to today.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Blood Day, Being Grateful, Being Thankful, Life Imitated and so many more