Kai Strand's Blog, page 38

Use Your Words - What You Can Learn From Inspirational Orators

My children are old enough that if I were to tell them to, “Use your words,” they would most likely pull out a few I had to look up in the dictionary, or maybe even one or two that would make me blush. However, “Use your words” is a popular way for today’s parents to help their young children focus when they are too excited or upset to express themselves well.
Do you suppose Nancy Lincoln said, “Use thee words, Abraham.” Or, Alberta King had to scold, “Your words, Martin! Use your words, son.”...

Three Times A Charm with Sharon Stanley

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’s guest is author, Sharon Stanley. Sharon can you tell us a little about you, please?
I live in rural Virginia, with 5 chickens, 4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 boys, one husband and lots of cows in a crop circle of craziness called White Oak Farm.  It’s a working, family-owned farm which has been in my h...

Why You Should Commit to the Writers Rebel Creed

In general, writing is a singular activity. You sit alone in front of a laptop with your only companions being those inside your mind. Facebook calls your name, flashy blog posts draw your attention, next thing you know, the day is waning and you’re imaginary friends are heading out to dinner without you. How can you keep yourself focused?
Commit to the 2014 Writers Rebel Creed


By following the suggested idea to post a monthly blog update you keep your eye on your target of getting new wor...

Building Character with Kelly from Down Under Calling

It’s Friday! Time for my blog feature, Building Character in which you get to meet a character 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 Kelly from Down Under Calling.  It’s nice to meet you Kelly. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Kelly, Andy’s friend. Andy lives in a tiny condo down the street from my house.  His parents are still married, but his dad got downsized – hence the condo. ...

Three Times A Charm with Terry Cook

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’s guest is author, Terry Cook. Terry can you tell us a little about you, please?
I grew up in Omaha, NE in an Irish Catholic neighborhood where I never had to be afraid someone would try to abduct me or any of my friends. I had a no frills education by today’s standards (graphic design, shop, jaz...

If You See This In Your Facebook News Feed, Hit Like!

Happy New Year Boys and Girls!
Sorry the blog has been on radio silence. I’ve been contemplating its future. I still haven’t come to a decision, so I guess things will continue on—as is—until I have some sort of blog epiphany. Those happen, right?
Today I want to talk about Facebook. There are many social networks out there and I’m active on several of them. Regardless of their seeming self-sabotage, I prefer Facebook to any others.
What do I mean by self-sabotage? I’m referring to their need t...

Cover Reveal for Star of the Team by Beverly Stowe McClure

Coming in January from 4RV Publishing:

STAR OF THE TEAM by Beverly Stowe McClure

A girl.
A dream.
An accident.
A dream shattered. Ten-year-old Kate Taylor wants to be the star of her basketball team, Angels, but when her tooth is knocked out at one of the games, her goal is in jeopardy. Even though the dentist replants the tooth, her mother, who is also her coach, refuses to let Kate play unless she can come up with a way to protect the tooth.  With the encouragement of her friends...

Enter to Win Before Dec 20th

My KING OF BAD Standard Virtual Tour comes to an end in just two days. Hurry to enter to win a signed bookmark and a $25 Amazon gift card. You only have through December 20th, so don't delay.

Two simple ways to help me spread the news of the tour during these last two days:

Visit my Facebook page and click like and/or share on the links to the stops. Click the social media buttons in the blog posts to post to your Twitter, Google+ or Facebook account.
Here are a list of my tour stops:

Decemb...

Enter to Win by Dec 16th

The reviews are in, but the giveaway isn't over. However you only have a few days to enter to win a signed bookmark and a $25 Amazon gift card. 

November 22: Love is a Mystery

November 29: Unabridged Andra

December 6: Books in the Hall 

December 13: Dalene's Book Reviews
December 13: 
Plenty of ways to enter - but HURRY, giveaway ends December 16th!

For a chance to win second prize, follow my Standard Virtu...

Three Times A Charm with Jennifer Gladen

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’s guest is a fellow GAP author, Jennifer Gladen.
Jennifer Gladen is a children’s author who lives and writes in Pennsylvania. She is the author of A Star in the Night, Teresa’s Shadow, and Angel Donor through Guardian Angel Publishing. She contributes as a columnist at Catholic Mom and is a memb...