Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 131
May 2, 2011
Monday Mishmash 5/2
It's the first Mishmash of May! Here's what's on my mind:
MAY THE BEST DOG WIN My picture book is officially available! It released on Saturday. Now I keep stalking my Amazon ranking. I'm giving away a copy and other goodies on my previous post. Or you can check it out on Amazon.Sammy Keyes series I just finished another Sammy Keyes book and I immediately started another. I love Sammy. I wish I was that cool at 13.Weddings Between the royal wedding and the one I attended yesterday, I'm all weddinged out. (Yes, I know that's not a real word.)Falling in love with my characters I'm working on a middle grade trilogy, and one of my characters (not my MC) made me see him in a completely different way--to the point that I cried. Love when characters come alive like this.Spring It finally feels like spring! My daughter and I go for a walk everyday now. We got a little wet once when it started to rain, but it's been so nice being outside again.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
April 29, 2011
Release Day Giveaway!
My release day is tomorrow!!! April 30, 2011. MAY THE BEST DOG WIN is about to be officially released to the world. So what am I doing--besides jumping up and down? I'm hosting a giveaway! Since I don't post on Saturday's, I'm starting the giveaway today!
But before I tell you about it, here's a little bit about my book.
"Dash has the perfect life until the Super Sweeper 5000 shows up. Sweeper runs all over the house sucking up the leftover food scraps, and he even gets his own room! But Dash won't give up his place as the favorite dog without a fight."
Want to know what reviewers are saying about it?
"This is a fun story young children will love to read."--V.S. Grenier, Editor-in-Chief of Stories for Children Magazine
"Dog lovers of all ages will smile all the way through this dog's eye view of the dog-sweeper conflict in May the Best Dog Win, a delightful new picture book by Kelly Hashway."--Rebecca Fjelland Davis, author of Chasing Alliecat.
Here's what you can win:
A signed copy of my book and a doggie bag!
What's inside the doggie bag? A bookmark, pencil, magnet, sticker, bracelet, and candy. And the pencils come in every color!
Here's how to enter:
Be a follower of my blog--either through Google Friend Connect or as a VIP member. (If you sign up through my blog itself, you must complete your profile to be a VIP member.)Leave a comment with your email address and favorite color. Why your favorite color? So I know what color doggie bag to send you.
Want an extra entry? Mention my giveaway on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter. Just include a link in the comment so I can verify.
You have until 11:59pm Tuesday, May 3 to enter. I'll draw a winner at random on Wednesday, May 4.
That's it! So go comment. And tell your friends.
(Want more chances to win my book? Visit Beth Consugar's blog, Books 4 Learning, and Radiant Light.)
April 27, 2011
Yard Lines, Trees, and Rocks
I know you're wondering about this title. Well, as most of you know, I recently attended my regional SCBWI conference. It was nothing short of amazing, so I have some things I want to share from it.
First, one of the speakers--I want to say it was Donna Gephart--said she almost quit without realizing she was on the one yard line. What does that mean? She was so close to publication, and she didn't even know it. Imagine where we would be today if great writers quit just moments before they got their big breaks. It really gives you something to think about when you're feeling down about rejections. What if you are on the one yard line and don't even know it? Don't give up.
The other thing that really stood out to me was something Jennifer Rofe told us in a workshop. She said, "Chase your character up a tree, throw rocks at him, and then help him down." I thought that was amazing! We have to remember to put our characters in tough situations and then, make things even worse. Only then should you help them out of it. As Ms. Rofe said, things must get worse before they can get better.
What do you think about these two pieces of advice? Could you be on the one yard line? Do you make your beloved MC suffer before you help him/her resolve their problems?
April 25, 2011
Monday Mishmash 4/25
It's Mishmash time! I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Here's what's on my mind today:
100 pages This weekend, I hit page 100 in my WIP. I like to celebrate little steps along the way.Easter My daughter gets so excited about dying and find eggs. She had a blast, and it was so much fun watching her excitement.Too many books It actually hurt to type that. I have been buying way too many books lately. I can't seem to stop myself. I have an order arriving from Amazon this week.April 30 My picture book release day! It's this week!! I'm so excited!Dark chocolate smidgens Thanks to my in-laws, I'm indulging in these tasty little bunnies. Hope my dentist doesn't notice on Friday!That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
*My blog tour is in full swing. Check out my schedule here for giveaways.*
April 22, 2011
Stylish Blogger Award
I'm blushing because this is my second award this week! Thank you very much to Judy Evans of http://innerhomestead.wordpress.com. If you aren't already following Judy, head over and check out her blog.
For this award I have to share 7 things about myself. You guys are going to know me so well after both these awards this week! Here it goes:
My first vacation ever was in the Bahamas when I was five. I've also been to St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Aruba. (Yes, I have the best parents ever!)Right now my house has a moat around it! Yup, a moat. No I don't have a castle. We had a water line leak. No fun!When I was in elementary school, I told my mom I was going to be a bus driver.My daughter and I sing and dance everyday before I sit down to write.My nails grow so quickly it's freakish.I'm only 5'2", even though my license says 5'3".I've secretly been hoping to get this blog award because I love the way it looks.Okay, so it's time to pass on the award. Here are the Stylish Bloggers I'm awarding:
http://writersally.blogspot.com/ http://critically-yours.blogspot.com/ http://tdmcfrost.blogspot.com/ http://tabithaolson.blogspot.com/ http://www.out-of-the-wordwork.blogspot.com/ http://megwaiteclayton.com/1stbooks/ http://sleepyangelcat.blogspot.com/ http://karenwojcikberner.blogspot.com/ http://www.ctnyrene.blogspot.com/ http://www.terriehope.com/apps/blog/
There you have it. Go check out these amazing blogs if you aren't already following them. And thanks again, Judy!*I'm giiving away SWAG for MAY THE BEST DOG WIN on Allyn Stotz's blog . Just comment on her post to enter.*
April 20, 2011
The Versatile Blogger Award
Today I am the very appreciative recipient of The Versatile Blogger Award. Huge thanks to TG Ayer for giving me this award. If you aren't already following TG, so should. Head on over to http://tgayer.wordpress.com.
With this award, I have to admit seven things about myself. Yeah, another opportunity to embarrass myself!
I actually like to embarrass myself. Weird, right?Dolls creep me out! Especially ones with eyelids that close. Eeesh!I was proposed to in kindergarten. My answer was a horrified scream.I was a huge tomboy when I was little. I could do more pull-ups than the boys, and I won the Most Outstanding Physical Education Award in 8th grade. I still have it.My first job was teaching gymnastics.I only wear a watch at night. During the day, I don't care what time it is. But I check my watch (indiglo) several times throughout the night.When I was little, I insisted I could fly. I had flying dreams all the time and they seemed so real!
Okay, time to pay it forward. I'm awarding the following blogs with The Versatile Blogger Award:
http://theslightdetour.blogspot.com/
http://katrinadelallo.blogspot.com
http://adriennegelbart.blogspot.com
Okay, now I shared seven things about myself, so it's your turn to share something at least semi-embarrassing. Ready? Spill.
April 18, 2011
Monday Mishmash 4/18
It's Monday, and I'm getting back on schedule after being away last week. Here's my Monday Mishmash:
Home improvement While I was away, my husband repainted my daughter's playroom. He also restained the molding and cleaned out the closet to give her more room. Somehow, I have a bigger mess now!Bookstores In Myrtle Beach I went to a bookstore that was having a sale on hardcover books! 4 for $15. I was in heaven.Overwhelming To Do List I have so much to do now that I'm home again. Ugh! It's stressing me out.Merry-go-rounds My daughter rode nine merry-go-rounds in Myrtle Beach! She loves them. I got to ride a few, too!Flip flops I miss them! I wore nothing but flip flops all last week, and now I'm back home in the cold.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
April 14, 2011
Cliffhangers
(Since I'll be on the road early in the morning, heading home, I'm posting this a few hours early.)
I read a lot of books in series. I'm just drawn to them. But books in series can be done in very different ways. Some make each book a stand alone of sorts--meaning while the story definitely continues, you feel like the book is complete in its own way. Other series leave you with big cliffhangers that continue into the next book in the series.
I've read a few books that have left me completely on the edge of my seat and dreading the months ahead waiting for the next book to come out. It nearly kills me. I can see why the author would do this though. l'm dying to read the next book. I'm going to order it the minute it comes out. And I'm going to devour the book as soon as it's in my hands. So the tactic works.
But...like I said, it kills me to wait. Let's face it, most people aren't patient. We want things when we want them. So I can see why people wouldn't like these kinds of endings.
I'm opening the floor up to you. Which ending do you prefer, the almost stand alone completeness or the cliffhanger?
April 13, 2011
Reviews: The Good and the Bad
Since my picture book is currently being reviewed, I thought I'd talk about book reviews today. Here's my philosophy on reviews:
From the Reviewer's Standpoint:
Identify strengths and weaknesses I think a good review does both. You can love one thing about a book and feel lukewarm about something else.Be honest while still being respectful to the author It's perfectly okay to be honest. If you didn't like a book, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it. Just keep in mind that someone poured a lot of him/herself into that book. Respect that. And remember that even if a book wasn't your personal taste, it will be someone else's.
From the Author's Standpoint:
Never lash out at a reviewer I hate when authors do this. It just makes the author look bad. Remember you are a professional. It's important to act like one.Try not to stress out over reviews It's easy to drive yourself crazy over checking your book's page on Amazon to see if anyone's posted a new review. Of course we want good reviews, but all five stars are not realistic. Even best selling authors get their share of low ratings.Now, someone remind me of these when my reviews come in!
How do you feel about reviews? Are you an only-review-books-you-love reviewer? Are you an author who worries about being reviewed? Share your tips and concerns.
April 10, 2011
Monday Mishmash 4/11
Happy Monday! It's Mishmash from Myrtle Beach. Yes, I'm on vacation, so if I'm not as quick to respond to comments this week, you know why. I'm not ignoring you. I'm just basking in the sun between computer sessions.
So here's what's on my mind today:
Vacation I'm so happy to be on vacation this week. Myrtle Beach is beautiful, and I'm thankful to be here for the third year in a row.Tourists I live in the Poconos, so I'm used to tourists. This week, I am one, so I'm wondering if the people who live here get annoyed by tourist season. I know all the tourist shops with the big giant shark mouths you walk through to enter are loving us.Living out of a suitcase When I travel, I live out of my suitcase. I never put my clothes in the closet or drawers in the hotels. Is that weird? Do you use the hotel drawers and closets?Walking on the beach I could do this for hours. I love the feel of sand between my toes--until I get off the beach. Then it needs to go.Packing books Yes, I got a Kindle for Christmas, but I didn't bring it. I was terrified to travel with it because knowing me it would break. Instead I packed one book. I know, right? One book. Eeek!
That's my Mishmash from Myrtle Beach. What's on your mind today?
