Kai Strand's Blog, page 70

Three Times a Charm with Author Denise Jaden

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.
This week we are joined by Denise Jaden, author of Losing Faith.
Denise Jaden is, or has been, everything from a professional Polynesian dancer and fitness competitor to a mushroom farmer and church secretary. Most of her time now is spent homeschooling or playing with her seven year old son or in front of her computer writing.

Denise Jaden's...

First Spring by Margaret Rose

Springtime. Fresh sprigs of grass poke through last year's thatch. The flapping of wings fills our ears as birds build nests. The first whiff of summer's warmth on top of a cool spring breeze. These are familiar signs of spring to us. What if this was your first spring?  You'd wonder where the snow had disappeared and why you don't have to bundle up in your winter jacket and mittens. You'd smell your first flower and it might make you sneeze.
I love the fresh, new perspective of Margaret...

Nancy Stewart and One Pelican At A Time

One Pelican At a Time
About the book:  One Pelican at a Time is the story of two girls--Bella and her best friend, Britt--and their valiant struggle to save the life of the old crooked-beaked pelican. Along the way, they help other endangered pelicans as well
Nancy, just from the description of One Pelican at a Time, I can hear the seagulls calling. What inspired this particular story?
Nancy:  My husband and I bought a condo on the water in Clearwater Beach, Florida, three years ago.  Although I...

Three Times A Charm with Jen Daiker

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.
This week I'm so excited about welcoming Jen Daiker. I met Jen through Twitter and when I clicked over to her blog I was hooked. She is more fun than should be allowed in one place.
Jen can you tell us a little about yourself?
I is a 25 year old (as of March 29th  J) Adult and Young Adult writer. I'm currently querying to agents for my Adult Chick l...

Recents

Recent Reads
The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki– humble rating: Golf Clap (minus) –Such a great title.  Walked around saying it aloud, often. I'm sorry to report that this story never managed to captivate me like the title did. As a matter of fact, after plodding through the story it came to what I felt was its natural end and then kept going. I never, ever do this, but I flipped to the last page, saw the ending and returned the book to the library. I tried to like it. I really did. The writing...

How To Help Your Favorite Authors/Books

You reluctantly closed the back cover on the book. A sense of loss and longing washes over you. You don't want to be finished. How can you walk away from the storyline or the characters who you think you've seen downtown, they're so real?
But wait. Maybe the author has more books. Maybe this is a series. You jump online and GoodSearch her name. You find her website and see that she doesn't. WHY?????? Well, probably because her writing hasn't taken off yet and she has to earn a living with a d...

Three Times a Charm with Katrina Lantz

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. I'm having so much fun getting to know knew people. Wish I had started this feature a year ago!
This week Three Times introduces you to, Katrina Lantz.
Katrina Lantz is an aspiring novelist and blogger extraordinaire who reads like it's going out of style (heaven forbid), and writes YA/MG novels in her 'spare' time. She contributes to The Best Damn ...

Unwanted Visitors...In the Shower!

I'm entrenched in writing a middle grade novel steeped in love, friendship, jealousy, bravery, cowardice, insecurities and loss.  If I try to read, instead my mind is doing character development. When I try to write a letter, my characters sit on the paper like a cat does on your keyboard.
I do my best thinking in the shower and I needed one, so I decided in order to straighten out my thoughts, I'd just go ahead and take one. So, was it slumber parties and body insecurities that show up in...

Persuasive Writing

I attended my first local writer's guild meeting this week. Yes, I'm a bit slow to only now be joining a writers' group, but that would be another post entirely.
The speaker discussed persuasive writing. Being a bit thick in the head, I sat and wondered, "How does this apply to a writer of children's fiction?" Well, I've figured it out. Behold my persuasive writing:
Write. Write often. Write all the words in your head. Fix them later. Write.
§         A prolific writer has more chances of...

Three Times A Charm with Author Medeia Sharif

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.
For my debut Three Times post, I am thrilled to welcome young adult author Medeia Sharif to Strands of Thought.
Medeia can you tell us a little about yourself?
I'm a Kurdish-American author who was born in New York City, and I presently call Miami Beach my home. I received my master's degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to...