Kai Strand's Blog, page 37

Even Pantsers Need Goals

Pantser – noun/verb hybrid.             Author who does not plan, plot or outline before sitting down to a blank page. One who writes by the seat of his/her pants.
By definition a pantser might be thought of as a whimsical creature. I imagine she frolics through fields of daisies communing with rabbits and all the while arranging copious amounts of very fine words that make up lovely, lyrical stories.
A plotter (one who mulls, plans and outlines) probably imag...

Writer's Rebel Creed - February Check-In

Word Count            Submissions              Rejections        Acceptances  

30,700+                          12                           6                        0

A number of years back, a friend of mine took up I...

TEXT ME Authors Share Their First Love Stories

Today we have a special treat. To celebrate their story bundle TEXT ME: 8 Novels of First Love , the authors are sharing their own first love stories. It is sort of like a box of chocolates. You never know what might be inside until you take the bite.

Be sure to read about the deal they have on their bundle too!

Shana Norris (author of Surfacing)Hi, I'm Shana Norris. My first love was my cousin's friend, who I met at my cousin's eighth birthday party. We skated together, he bought me a little pl...

My Writing Process - Blog Hop

Beverly Stowe McClure invited me to participate in the My Writing Process blog hop. I'm so glad she did. I think it's fun for readers and other writers to learn about a writer's process. So, thank you Beverly for the invite and here goes: 

Step 1: Acknowledge the person and the blog site that invited me to take part. 

Please visit Beverly's blog and browse her expanding selection of middle grade and young adult books. She's a lovely writer:  http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.co...

Three Times A Charm with Christina Weigand

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love introducing my readers to new authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the children’s publishing industry.
Today’s guest is author, Christina Weigand. Chris, tell us a little about you, please.
Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle school daughter. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Pennsylvania, returning there after a short s...

When the Monsters Are Quiet by Alicia Lloyd

I’m excited to be the host for a stop on the World of Ink tour for Alicia Lloyd’s book When The Monsters Are Quiet.


Welcome Alicia. Congratulations on your book. What age range is your book for?
Alicia: My book ranges from a first to second grade reading level. However, I work with three and four year olds on a daily basis and they comprehend the book and its meaning as well….it is awesome!
Kai: Can you share a memory of yours or a story of you from when you were within the age range of your ta...

Celebrating the Launch of PARIS CRAVINGS by Kimberley Montpetit

I'm excited to be a part of the cover reveal and release day for the young adult novel PARIS CRAVINGS by Kimberley Montpetit. I happen to be a huge fan of the woman and her writing.

About PARIS CRAVINGS: Can life really turn on a dime—
a missed bus— 
or a stuck pastry shop door?

Chloe Dillard’s life has always been complicated. She has a mother who is a neurotic romance novelist and a boyfriend who’s been pressuring her to go all the way. After The Worst Night of Her Life Chloe escapes on a...

Building Character with Prince Broderick and Princess Gabrielle from Different Kind of Knight

It’s Friday! Time for my blog feature, Building Character in which you get to meet characters from a book. Talking to a character outside of their book is fun! Huge. Amounts. Of fun. 
This week Strands of Thought is excited to host royalty! As part of the OH WHAT A KNIGHT book tour. Please help me welcome Prince Broderick and Princess Gabrielle from DIFFERENT KIND OF KNIGHT, which released today! (There is also has a generous giveaway going, be sure to enter at the bottom of the pos...

Three Times A Charm with LRW Lee

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love meeting new authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the children’s publishing industry and sharing their careers with my readers.
Today I'm happy to be hosting a stop on LRW Lee's book release tour. LRW, please tell us a little about you.
As early as 8 years old, after reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis, I wanted to write a book. My family didn’t have a lot of money and my older brother and I were encouraged...

Herr Silverman For President! Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

My husband and I share cooking detail, which I love – btw. He'll cook one night. I'll cook the next. We both have the habit of popping in our earbuds and tucking our phone in our back pocket and listening to our latest audio book while we chop and mix and sear.
The other night I decided to make some burgers. I sautéed chopped carrot and garlic to add to the ground beef before I broiled the patties and while the burgers cooked, I sautéed bell pepper, onion and mushroom to pile on top. I preppe...