Robyn Opie Parnell's Blog, page 3
October 6, 2014
Snap Magic Blog Tour Starts Next Monday
About Snap Magic
Something weird is going on...very weird.
Long black hairs keep sprouting from Lily’s chin and her dad is looking more and more like a Yeti. Just what’s behind this fuzz fest? And is Lily really turning into a witch like her neighbor, Mrs Swan?
Now the prettiest and meanest girl in class is threatening to tell the whole school, including the cute new boy. Can Lily put her desperate plan into action before the school bully strikes?
And will the magical solution Mrs Swan offers work?
After all, what’s the worst that could happen?
A bewitchingly funny coming-‐‑of-‐‑age story about secrets, bullies and pumpkin soup – ideal for 9-‐‑12 year olds.
“Snap Magic began while recalling embarrassing tween memories one Sunday morning amidst laughter and aha moments.” Angela Sunde
Edited by Catherine McCredie – former senior editor with Penguin Group Australia, specializing in children’s and young adult books.
About the Author
Angela Sunde is a Gold Coast based author who spent her childhood jumping puddles and climbing trees in her family’s vast orchard. Awarded a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellowship in 2013, Angela is the author of Pond Magic (Penguin Group Australia), and illustrator of The Coral Sea Monster – winner of the Write-‐‑a-‐‑Book-‐‑in-‐‑a-‐‑Day Award 2011. Formerly an award-‐‑winning language and literacy teacher, Angela enjoys helping others uncover the magic and humor in daily life through school and library workshops.
And she can still climb trees…
Angela Sunde is available for interview. Please contact her directly at angelasunde@live.com.au
Blog Tour Details
Monday 13 October
Kids Book Review – Writing a sequel, how the two books are alike and different, working with the same editor
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/
Tuesday 14 October
Sheryl Gwyther – The pros and cons of independent publishing
http://sherylgwyther.wordpress.com/Wednesday 15 October
Robyn Opie Parnell – Interview about characters and/or themes
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au/
Karen Tyrell – A book review
http://www.karentyrrell.com/Thursday 16 October
Alison Reynolds – Interview about the creative process
http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au/Friday 17 October
Chris Bell – Story vs character interview
http://www.chrisbell.com.au/Saturday 18 October
Dimity Powell and Boomerang Books – A book review
http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com.au/
http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/Sunday 19 October
Sandy Fussell & The Reading Stack – A book review & Questions http://www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.thereadingstack.blogspot.com.au/ Monday 20 October
Aussiereviews – Meet My Book Interview
http://aussiereviews.com/Tuesday 21 October
Dee White – 5 tips on writing a sequel you’re independently publishing and a book review
http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/
November Robyn Opie Parnell – A book review
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au/
www.robynopie.com
October 1, 2014
A New Interactive Book - From My New Tap and See Series - Now Available From Amazon
I'm excited to announce my latest release What Am I? is now available from Amazon. What Am I? is the first book in a new interactive series called First Reader.
What Am I? is a book of riddles perfect for the First Reader. Children look at a picture. They tap the screen to read a question. They try to solve the riddle of What Am I? before they go to the next page for the answer.
What Am I? makes reading fun.
What is the publisher saying about What Am I?
Bestselling children's author, Robyn Opie Parnell, has created this delightful interactive Tap and See e-book for kids.
Specially designed for the Fire HD Kids Edition Tablet, this First Reader will captivate preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students with its colorful, fun, and interactive riddles.
What Am I? will teach your little loved ones the joys of reading by allowing them to tap and see the answers to simple questions.
Robyn Opie Parnell is an acknowledged educational author with over one hundred kids books available in various languages worldwide.
The English text to this e-book has been specifically leveled for First Readers by international educational facilities - so we can guarantee there aren't any words or concepts beyond your child's understanding.
What Am I? is the first in a series for the Fire HD.
Treat your kids to their very own First Reader today!
www.robynopie.com
What Am I? is a book of riddles perfect for the First Reader. Children look at a picture. They tap the screen to read a question. They try to solve the riddle of What Am I? before they go to the next page for the answer.
What Am I? makes reading fun.
What is the publisher saying about What Am I?
Bestselling children's author, Robyn Opie Parnell, has created this delightful interactive Tap and See e-book for kids.
Specially designed for the Fire HD Kids Edition Tablet, this First Reader will captivate preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students with its colorful, fun, and interactive riddles.
What Am I? will teach your little loved ones the joys of reading by allowing them to tap and see the answers to simple questions.
Robyn Opie Parnell is an acknowledged educational author with over one hundred kids books available in various languages worldwide.
The English text to this e-book has been specifically leveled for First Readers by international educational facilities - so we can guarantee there aren't any words or concepts beyond your child's understanding.
What Am I? is the first in a series for the Fire HD.
Treat your kids to their very own First Reader today!
www.robynopie.com
September 18, 2014
An Interview With Royce Bond Author of The Summoning of The One
We're fortunate to have Royce Bond visiting my blog today as part of his blog tour for his latest book The Summoning of The One published by Morris Publishing Australia. Thank you, Royce, for the following interview.Did you have the manuscript professionally edited before it went to the publisher?
I am a part of a writing group in Rockhampton. We meet once a week and edit each another’s work.
My publisher was the head of this group, so in a sense I had about half a dozen editors make suggestions about my book before it was submitted.
Did you submit your manuscript to many publishers before you had an offer to publish?
No, I was fortunate. My publisher asked if she could publish the series.
How did you become a writer?
I watched a television program called The A Team. At the end of each show, the writer of the show was shown at a type writer, where he pulled a sheet of paper from it and it floated into the air. It may sound funny, but that image inspired me.
I had so many stories inside my head that I just wanted to get them out and onto paper. I didn’t care at that time about publishing. I just wanted to write.
My first attempts were terrible, but the more I wrote and read the better I became. I read a lot of “How to Write” books and magazines, so I could learn the techniques of writing.
BOOK INFORMATION:Title: The Summoning of The One – Book 2 in The Knights of Katesch
AUTHOR: Royce Bond
ISBN: 978-0-9925052-0-2
FORMATS: eBook and Paperback
PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia
CATEGORY: Fantasy/adventure
AUDIENCE: 12 +
SYNOPSIS:
Andrew Weatherby, a bullied computer nerd from Central Queensland is ripped from his world to lead The Knights of Katesch in their direct attack on Maligor the Destroyer. In the midst of the battle in Mountain City, he rescues princess Katarin to find he has been betrothed to her since birth.
This feisty young lady risks her life to save Andrew. The Knights believe that have finally defeated Maligor after ten thousand years of conflict. In an attempt to escape the fanatic red guards seeking revenge for the death of their god, Agmar accidentally releases a monster army: the Kazdoom.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS:
Dennis Jones and Associates – http://dennisjones.com.au
James Bennett library suppliers
Peter Pal library suppliers
http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com
eBook available on Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores.
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Rockhampton resident, Royce Bond, published his first book, Kitchen Science, with Ashton Scholastic after he won the prestigious National B.H.P. /C.S.I.R.O. Science Teacher's Award. This book was used in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, and in some schools in South America. Many books in the science field followed.
Since his retirement, he has changed his writing to young adult fantasy novels. The Princess and The Pirate, the first in the series The Knights of Katesch was published by Morris Publishing Australia in 2013.
Royce is available for school visits. Please phone Elaine on 07 54 981 332 or email info@morrispublishingaustralia.com
BLOG TOUR:
Follow the blog tour by selecting the link below. Each day you will learn a little more about this exciting book and its unique author.
Sept. 14th http://helenrosswrites.com Sept. 15th http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au Sept. 16th http://writingclassesforkids.com Sept. 17th http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com Sept. 18th http://morrispublishingaustralia.com Sept. 19th http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com Sept. 20th http://diannedibates.blogspot.com.au Sept. 21st http://www.kids-bookreview.com Sept. 22nd http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine Sept. 23rd http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au Sept. 24th http://elaineoustonauthor.com Sept. 25th http://roycebondauthor.com Sept. 26th http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com
www.robynopie.com
September 9, 2014
Blog Tour With Author Royce Bond THE SUMMONING OF THE ONE - Coming Soon!
Blog Tour Royce Bond The Summoning of the One - September 14th to 26th 2014Visit the sites below to find out more about this exciting book and its unique author.
Sept. 14th
http://helenrosswrites.com
Sept. 15th
http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au
Sept. 16th http://writingclassesforkids.com Sept. 17th http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com Sept. 18th http://morrispublishingaustralia.com Sept. 19th http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com Sept. 20th http://diannedibates.blogspot.com.au Sept. 21st http://www.kids-bookreview.com Sept. 22nd http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine Sept. 23rd http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au Sept. 24th http://elaineoustonauthor.com Sept. 25th http://roycebondauthor.com
Sept. 26th http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com
Author Information:
Rockhampton resident, Royce Bond, published his first book, Kitchen Science, with Ashton Scholastic after he won the prestigious National B.H.P. /C.S.I.R.O. Science Teacher's Award. This book was used in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, and in some schools in South America. Many books in the science field followed.
Since his retirement, he has changed his writing to young adult fantasy novels. The Princess and The Pirate , the first in the series The Knights of Katesch was published by Morris Publishing Australia in 2013.
Royce is available for school visits. Please phone Elaine on 07 54 981 332 or email info@morrispublishingaustralia.com
Wholesale and Retail Orders:Dennis Jones and Associates – http://dennisjones.com.auJames Bennett library suppliersPeter Pal library suppliershttp://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com eBook available on Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores.
www.robynopie.com
Sept. 14th
http://helenrosswrites.com
Sept. 15th
http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au
Sept. 16th http://writingclassesforkids.com Sept. 17th http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com Sept. 18th http://morrispublishingaustralia.com Sept. 19th http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com Sept. 20th http://diannedibates.blogspot.com.au Sept. 21st http://www.kids-bookreview.com Sept. 22nd http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine Sept. 23rd http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au Sept. 24th http://elaineoustonauthor.com Sept. 25th http://roycebondauthor.com
Sept. 26th http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com
Author Information:
Rockhampton resident, Royce Bond, published his first book, Kitchen Science, with Ashton Scholastic after he won the prestigious National B.H.P. /C.S.I.R.O. Science Teacher's Award. This book was used in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, and in some schools in South America. Many books in the science field followed.
Since his retirement, he has changed his writing to young adult fantasy novels. The Princess and The Pirate , the first in the series The Knights of Katesch was published by Morris Publishing Australia in 2013.
Royce is available for school visits. Please phone Elaine on 07 54 981 332 or email info@morrispublishingaustralia.com
Wholesale and Retail Orders:Dennis Jones and Associates – http://dennisjones.com.auJames Bennett library suppliersPeter Pal library suppliershttp://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com eBook available on Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores.
www.robynopie.com
June 8, 2014
STOP the Bully Blog Tour & Book Give Away
Welcome to
STOP the Bully
Blog Tour & Book Give Away with children's author Karen Tyrrell.
Karen Tyrrell is a passionate Australian award winning mental health author, teacher, motivational speaker and workshop presenter. Seen on TV Today Tonight, in the Courier Mail, heard on ABC and 4BC radio.Thank you, Karen, for visiting my blog today. I'm thrilled to have you here.
Before we get into Karen's interview, let's talk book giveaways! Empower KIDs with assertive anti-bullying strategies!
WIN: Signed copies and eBooks of STOP the Bully.
Leave a comment on any of the 15 hops June 2 - 11
The MORE comments you leave the MORE chances you have to WIN.
WINNERS announced on June 16 http:// www.karentyrrell.com
And now to Karen's interview. Thanks, Karen.
How to Prevent Bullying and improve Mental Health1. Karen, you talk about how bullying triggered your mental illness. How are you able to write about bullying without creating stress in yourself?Writing is so cathartic for me. Especially when I develop strategies to help adults and children cope with bullying or build their resilience. When I write down a positive plan, my pressure valve releases, creating great satisfaction within me.
2. Who is STOP the Bully for? Just for Bullied children?
Stop the Bully is for all children from six to twelve, empowering them with strategies to cope with bullying. STOP the Bully is not just for children who are being bullied but for everyone, teaching prevention techniques. My mission is to change the culture in schools and the community. The strategies will help children, parents, teachers and counselors. Parents and teachers can read STOP the Bully to children following up with discussions and completing activities from my website. Independent readers can read STOP the Bully reflecting on both the victim and the bully to develop empathy and understanding.
3. Bullying is a very serious topic. How will you entice children to read your book?
The cover entices children to read, especially designed to captivate them. All kids who have read STOP the Bully so far have been caught up in the action adventure book. I've added physical humor to the story to counterbalance the drama and intrigue, to create empathy.
REVIEW: ‘My kids couldn't put this book down! Clever characterization and compelling story-line gives ample opportunity for in-depth discussions on bullying and most importantly the strategies needed to tackle it.'Michael Hardie – Children’s mental health promotion specialist.
4. Your last book was Baily Beats the Blah a picture book. Why did you swap age levels to a junior book?
Both books are mental health books empowering children with pro-active strategies and coping skills. Baily Beats the Blah is for kids 4-8. STOP the Bully is for kids 6-12. I developed two sets of FREE teacher notes and FREE kids activities to download from my website. www.karentyrrell.com
5. How will you be spreading the positive message of STOP the Bully?
As widely as possible. I’m going out into schools, libraries and festivals to present STOP the Bully to children. Radio and newspapers are interviewing me on STOP the Bully . My junior novel is available on Amazon and at selected book shops.
STOP the Bully is endorsed by Kids Helpline and aligned with Kids Matter, Australian curriculum.
Download FREE children's activities and FREE teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com
ISBN: 9780987274069 STOP the Bully is now available from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00KMFZM42
Blog Tour June 2-11
2 June 2014
STOP the Bully Release Party & Reviews
http:// www.karentyrrell.com
Sally Odgers Interview
http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au
3 June 2014
Jill Smith Review
http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com
Charmaine Clancy Interview
http://clancytales.blogspot.com.au
4 June 2014
Sally Murphy QUICK Questions http://aussiereviews.com/2014/06/karen-tyrell-blog-tour
5 June 2014
Melissa Wray Interview
http://www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au
Yvonne Mes Interview http://www.yvonnemes.com
6 June 2014Ali Stegert Interview http://ali-stegert.com
7 June 2014Kids Book Review CURLY Questions http://www.kids-bookreview.com
9 June 2014Bug in a Book Review http://buginabook.org/category/childrens-books
Jackie Hosking Interview http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine
10 June 2014June Perkins Interview http://pearlz.wordpress.com
Robyn Opie Parnell Interview http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com
11 June 2014Nicky Johnson Review http://www.nickyjohnston.com.au/blog
Literati Radio Interview 9am AEST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laliteraticarpelibrum
www.robynopie.com
Karen Tyrrell is a passionate Australian award winning mental health author, teacher, motivational speaker and workshop presenter. Seen on TV Today Tonight, in the Courier Mail, heard on ABC and 4BC radio.Thank you, Karen, for visiting my blog today. I'm thrilled to have you here.
Before we get into Karen's interview, let's talk book giveaways! Empower KIDs with assertive anti-bullying strategies!
WIN: Signed copies and eBooks of STOP the Bully.
Leave a comment on any of the 15 hops June 2 - 11
The MORE comments you leave the MORE chances you have to WIN.
WINNERS announced on June 16 http:// www.karentyrrell.com
And now to Karen's interview. Thanks, Karen.
How to Prevent Bullying and improve Mental Health1. Karen, you talk about how bullying triggered your mental illness. How are you able to write about bullying without creating stress in yourself?Writing is so cathartic for me. Especially when I develop strategies to help adults and children cope with bullying or build their resilience. When I write down a positive plan, my pressure valve releases, creating great satisfaction within me.
2. Who is STOP the Bully for? Just for Bullied children?
Stop the Bully is for all children from six to twelve, empowering them with strategies to cope with bullying. STOP the Bully is not just for children who are being bullied but for everyone, teaching prevention techniques. My mission is to change the culture in schools and the community. The strategies will help children, parents, teachers and counselors. Parents and teachers can read STOP the Bully to children following up with discussions and completing activities from my website. Independent readers can read STOP the Bully reflecting on both the victim and the bully to develop empathy and understanding.
3. Bullying is a very serious topic. How will you entice children to read your book?
The cover entices children to read, especially designed to captivate them. All kids who have read STOP the Bully so far have been caught up in the action adventure book. I've added physical humor to the story to counterbalance the drama and intrigue, to create empathy.
REVIEW: ‘My kids couldn't put this book down! Clever characterization and compelling story-line gives ample opportunity for in-depth discussions on bullying and most importantly the strategies needed to tackle it.'Michael Hardie – Children’s mental health promotion specialist.
4. Your last book was Baily Beats the Blah a picture book. Why did you swap age levels to a junior book?
Both books are mental health books empowering children with pro-active strategies and coping skills. Baily Beats the Blah is for kids 4-8. STOP the Bully is for kids 6-12. I developed two sets of FREE teacher notes and FREE kids activities to download from my website. www.karentyrrell.com
5. How will you be spreading the positive message of STOP the Bully?
As widely as possible. I’m going out into schools, libraries and festivals to present STOP the Bully to children. Radio and newspapers are interviewing me on STOP the Bully . My junior novel is available on Amazon and at selected book shops.
STOP the Bully is endorsed by Kids Helpline and aligned with Kids Matter, Australian curriculum.
Download FREE children's activities and FREE teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com
ISBN: 9780987274069 STOP the Bully is now available from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00KMFZM42
Blog Tour June 2-11
2 June 2014
STOP the Bully Release Party & Reviews
http:// www.karentyrrell.com
Sally Odgers Interview
http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au
3 June 2014
Jill Smith Review
http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com
Charmaine Clancy Interview
http://clancytales.blogspot.com.au
4 June 2014
Sally Murphy QUICK Questions http://aussiereviews.com/2014/06/karen-tyrell-blog-tour
5 June 2014
Melissa Wray Interview
http://www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au
Yvonne Mes Interview http://www.yvonnemes.com
6 June 2014Ali Stegert Interview http://ali-stegert.com
7 June 2014Kids Book Review CURLY Questions http://www.kids-bookreview.com
9 June 2014Bug in a Book Review http://buginabook.org/category/childrens-books
Jackie Hosking Interview http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine
10 June 2014June Perkins Interview http://pearlz.wordpress.com
Robyn Opie Parnell Interview http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com
11 June 2014Nicky Johnson Review http://www.nickyjohnston.com.au/blog
Literati Radio Interview 9am AEST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laliteraticarpelibrum
www.robynopie.com
June 2, 2014
Stop the Bully Blog Tour - Now On!
Stop the Bully by Karen Tyrrell
Eleven year old Brian is hiding something. His life is falling apart. Dad abandoned the family. Brian hates his new school. And now an aggressive bully attacks him every day.
Can Brian STOP the Bully without revealing his shameful secret?
STOP the Bully is a riveting junior novel to empower girls and boys with assertive solutions. The mystery reveals the bullying dilemma from all perspectives.
Endorsed by Kids Helpline to Help Kids in Crisis 1800 55 1800
'STOP the Bully offers specific strategies for dealing with bullying at school.'
— Kids Book Review
Download FREE teacher notes and FREE kids activities. www.karentyrrell.com
Blog Tour June 2-112 June 2014
STOP the Bully Release Party and Reviews
http:// www.karentyrrell.com
Sally Odgers' Blog (Interview)
http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au
3 June 2014
Jill Smith's Blog (Review)
http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com
Charmaine Clancy's Blog (Interview)
http://clancytales.blogspot.com.au
4 June 2014
Sally Murphy's Blog (QUICK Questions)
http://aussiereviews.com/2014/06/karen-tyrell-blog-tour
5 June 2014
Melissa Wray's Blog (Interview)
http://www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au
Yvonne Mes' Blog (Interview)
http://www.yvonnemes.com
6 June 2014Ali Stegert's Blog (Interview)
http://ali-stegert.com
7 June 2014 Kids Book Review (CURLY Questions)
http://www.kids-bookreview.com
9 June 2014
Bug in a Book (Review)
http://buginabook.org/category/childrens-books
Jackie Hosking's Blog (Interview)
http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine
10 June 2014
June Perkins' Blog (Interview)
http://pearlz.wordpress.com
Robyn Opie Parnell's Blog (Interview)
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au
11 June 2014
Nicky Johnston's Blog (Review)
http://www.nickyjohnston.com.au/blog
Literati Radio Interview 9am AEST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laliteraticarpelibrum
STOP the Bully is endorsed by Kids Helpline and aligned with Kids Matter, Australian curriculum. Download FREE children's activities and FREE teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com
ISBN: 9780987274069STOP the Bully is now available from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KMFZM42
www.robynopie.com
April 6, 2014
Big Hug Books Blog Tour With Author Shona Innes
Today, I'd like to welcome picture book author Shona Innes to my blog. Shona is here, with a guest post, as part of her Big Hug Books Blog Tour. I love this idea! I'm thinking of writing a letter to myself. Thank you, Shona.
A Letter for Shona Innes By Shona Innes
I’m a clinical and forensic psychologist working in a busy private practice in regional Victoria. The Big Hug series evolved from letters that I write to my younger clients after each session. The letters help them to remember what we talked about and the things they should be thinking about, noticing or practicing. The letters also let their parents, carers or teachers know what they are working on as well. I guess it’s okay to say the letters are supposed to help everyone to (pun alert!) ...“be on the same page”.I thought it only fitting that I set aside some time to practice what I preach....
Here’s my letter to me.
Dear Shona
This is a note to you from me to remind you of the things we have been working on.
It has been an amazing time for you with the Big Hug books set to launch. Who would have thought that your work with children would become so exposed? It’s no wonder that you’re a little anxious about the whole process. What started out as intimate letters to some of your little clients have now evolved into beautiful picture books – a much bigger audience than you intended. How lovely that your words can help reach so many more children, school and families!
The illustrations in “Life is Like the Wind” and “Friendship is Like a Seesaw” are truly beautiful. Yes, and they are much better than your attempts at drawing. It’s fun to look back and laugh at the children’s reactions to your pictures in sessions. It’s probably good that you show them that some people are good at some things, but not so good at others.
I know that the publishing world is not your usual pond, Shona-fish.The terminology is a little different, the peaks and troughs of busy-ness are a bit rough to plan around, and you don’t have many solid connections to anchor you. I also know that you can find people to help you to swim in this big new pond, too. Just give yourself time, ask for the help that you need and it will soon feel like you have always swum out this deep.
I’m glad that you are feeling proud and excited. Pride is the feeling where you want to say, “Hey, look at me and look what I managed to do – yey”. I know you are sometimes scared to have this feeling because you worry someone will tell you that you are boasting or “getting too big for your boots”. Excitement is the feeling where you are thinking about what is happening and getting prepared for it in a good way. It’s very similar to anxiety, except it’s about expecting good things rather than expecting bad things. Remember, you don’t need to travel in time with your mind to avoid new feelings. Time travel is best left to Dr Who. Be sure you embrace and breathe in these new feelings and this moment, right now.
I know that you are very grateful for all of the special people that you have in your life. These people are the ones who know you and love you, even if you don’t get your bed made, cook a nutritious meal from scratch or phone them every week.
Take care of yourself – eat well, exercise, sleep and laugh.....and don’t work too hard.
Shona
X
shonainnes.blogspot.com
Facebook – Shona Innes – Psychologist
twitter.com/Shona_Innes
Blog Tour Dates:
Mon 14th April
Writing Children's Books with Robyn Opie Parnell
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au/
Tues 15th April
Booktopia
http://blog.booktopia.com.au/
Weds 16th April
Children's Books Daily
http://childrensbooksdaily.com/
Thurs 17th April
Kids Book Review
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/
Fri 18th April
Buzz Words
http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/
Further Big Hug Books Links:
Big Hug Book - Friendship is Like a Seesaw
http://www.fivemile.com.au/catalog/new-releases/big-hug-book-friendship-seesaw
Big Hug Book - Life Is Like The Wind
http://www.fivemile.com.au/catalog/new-releases/big-hug-book-life-wind
www.robynopie.com
April 1, 2014
Big Hug Books Blog Tour With Author Shona Innes - Coming Soon!
Blog Tour Dates:
Mon 14th April
Writing Children's Books with Robyn Opie Parnell
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au/
Tues 15th April
Booktopia
http://blog.booktopia.com.au/
Weds 16th April
Children's Books Daily
http://childrensbooksdaily.com/
Thurs 17th April
Kids Book Review
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/
Fri 18th April
Buzz Words
http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/
If you'd like a sneak peek of the Big Hug Books, please visit the following links:
Big Hug Book - Friendship is Like a Seesaw
http://www.fivemile.com.au/catalog/new-releases/big-hug-book-friendship-seesaw
Big Hug Book - Life Is Like The Wind
http://www.fivemile.com.au/catalog/new-releases/big-hug-book-life-wind
I especially like Life Is Like the Wind.
You'll find out more next Monday. See you then.
Love and Light,
Robyn Opie Parnell
www.robynopie.com
February 23, 2014
I've Been Tagged!
I remember playing tag when I was a kid. I remember trying to not get tagged. When someone's fingers reached out to tag me, I'd try to get away or try to bend my body so the tagger couldn't touch me. Times have changed. This time, I didn't mind being tagged at all. This time, the kind of tag I’m talking about involves authors sitting at their computers tagging each other to answer 4 questions.
Thank you, Sally Murphy, my lovely and talented writer friend who tagged me. Sally Murphy is an Australian children’s author and poet, who has had thirty books published, including verse novels, picture books and educational titles. You can read Sally's Tagged! post here.
At the end of my post today, I'll tag two other authors who will answer the same four questions next Monday. Then they'll tag two or three more authors. And so on...
Thanks again, Sally, for tagging me. Good luck with your books and work in progress (historical novel for upper primary aged readers). See I read your post!
Now it's my turn to answer the questions.
Q1: What am I working on?
This blog post. Seriously, I'm always working on something. Last Friday, I finished editing a chapter book for children aged 7+. As far as I'm concerned the story is ready for submission. But first I want to read the story through from start to finish to make sure it is really ready for submission. I want to check for any previously unnoticed typos or errors. Sometimes typos or errors sneak through from draft to draft because we have a tendency to read what we think is there, rather than what is actually there. I hope to spot any mistake. I also want to make sure I'm absolutely happy with the story. Then, I'll submit the manuscript to a publisher.
I confess that this manuscript is my silliest story and one of my favorites. It's fun, humorous, action-packed... After all, the title is My Mum's An Apple. I will self-publish this story with illustrations through Amazon Kindle if a publisher doesn't bite. One way or another, Noah will declare to the world, My Mum's An Apple.
After that, I'll probably submit a picture book to a publisher. Then... Who knows?
Q2: How does my work differ from others in its genre?
Most people aren't mad enough to write a children's book called My Mum's An Apple.
My crazy sense of humor makes some of my work different.
Best Book Ever
and
Best Joke Ever
are both humorous stories. Firstly, I write for my own fun. I don't mean to sound selfish. I'm not. I believe if I write for my own fun, if I enjoy a story, my readers will enjoy the story too.
At other times, I can be quite serious in a book, like with Maya and the Crystal Skull . My Maya series includes many of my interests, such as spiritualism, quantum physics and the Ancient Maya.
All of my main characters are a bit like me. All of my main characters draw from my experience. Best Joke Ever is based on a true event, which involved my two brothers. Like all authors, what makes me different is me. I am what I bring to a story. I am what makes my stories different. There is no one else quite like me.
Q3: Why do I write what I write?
I write to instil a love of reading in children. If children grow up to love reading, at any time during their lives, they will be able to escape into books and be happy. That's why I like to write humorous stories. I want to create fun, joy, happiness.
I also write to make the world a better place. My stories are always positive. At least with my books, I only add positive energy to the world. For example, in my books, I promote a love of animals and the environment, good always wins, and my characters learn and grow. Children can learn new things from my books. (So can adults too.) Most importantly, my stories are fun, entertaining, interesting.
You'll have to read my books to find out more. If I keep explaining here, this could be a very long post.
Q4: How does my writing process work?
Every story starts with an idea. So an idea pops into my head. I think about the idea for a while to see if the idea inspires a story. At this stage, I don't sit down to write. I let my mind mull over the idea until, like magic, my mind gives me skeletons of the characters and plot.
With longer stories, like Maya and the Crystal Skull and Maya and the Daring Heist , I sat down and plotted the entire stories before I began to write the novels. Maya and the Crystal Skull was my first attempt at a long novel, around 40,000 words. I plotted first to make sure I would be able to complete a full length novel. Plotting first also meant that I wrote the first draft of Maya and the Crystal Skull in 6 weeks. I never got stuck. I always knew where I was going.
Every morning, I have a cup of tea, then I meditate for 30 minutes. After meditation, I make another cup of tea and sit down to start writing. By this time, it's about 8.30 am. I usually write until lunch time. Some days, I continue until about 2 pm. The rest of my day is spent on emails, social media, promoting, marketing, housework and other chores.
I hope you enjoyed my answers. I enjoyed being involved in this game of tag. Now I get to tag three other authors, who’ll answer the same four questions next Monday. I'm looking forward to reading their answers. I love to learn about other writers, how they come up with their ideas, how they work and so forth.
Firstly, I'm tagging DC Green, who is the funny, brilliant author of Monster School. I had the privilege of assessing/editing Monster School and I loved it from the first word to the last. Thankfully, DC is currently writing the second book in the series, so the last word won't actually be the last. Okay, let's get back to DC.
Surf journalist DC Green has won multiple big awards, had thousands of articles published in over forty countries and roamed the world’s greatest surf spots with the likes of eleven-times world champion, Kelly Slater. Children’s author DC Green has won two very small awards, had six children’s novels published in one country and Kelly Slater no longer returns his calls. His latest novel, Monster School, has been described as ‘Hogwarts for monsters’, ‘gloriously grotesque’ and ‘hilarious’. It features a vampire with attitude, a socially-challenged zombie and a giant spider called Bruce!
For more DC stuff, check out: www.dcgreenyarns.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/DCGreenAuthor.
Secondly, but only because of alphabetical order, is Karen Tyrrell, the amazing, talented author of Bailey Beats the Blah. Karen is an inspiration. She turned a bad experience in her life into a golden opportunity to fulfill her dream of being an author. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. So, with no further ado, I'm tagging Karen Tyrrell.
Karen Tyrrell, award-winning Brisbane author is passionate about mental health for kids and grown-ups. In a previous life Karen taught primary school both in Sydney and Brisbane including Gifted & Talented classes. Now Karen goes out to schools and libraries as an author-teacher delivering interactive pantomimes, story-telling sessions and creative writing workshops. Karen has appeared on TV and ABC radio.
Her picture book, Bailey Beats the Blah (2013) won ★★★★★ reviews from child psychologists, mental health CEOs and school counselors. Karen’s junior novel empowers kids with resilience skills, launches in May, 2014.
Download FREE kids activities and teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com
Next Monday, DC and Karen will be answering the same four questions and tagging more authors. But, for now, I wish everyone a wonderful week. May your week be filled with much love and blessings.
Out now!
Robyn's #1 best-seller Show Don't Tell: The Ultimate Writers' Guide
www.robynopie.com
Thank you, Sally Murphy, my lovely and talented writer friend who tagged me. Sally Murphy is an Australian children’s author and poet, who has had thirty books published, including verse novels, picture books and educational titles. You can read Sally's Tagged! post here. At the end of my post today, I'll tag two other authors who will answer the same four questions next Monday. Then they'll tag two or three more authors. And so on...
Thanks again, Sally, for tagging me. Good luck with your books and work in progress (historical novel for upper primary aged readers). See I read your post!
Now it's my turn to answer the questions.
Q1: What am I working on?
This blog post. Seriously, I'm always working on something. Last Friday, I finished editing a chapter book for children aged 7+. As far as I'm concerned the story is ready for submission. But first I want to read the story through from start to finish to make sure it is really ready for submission. I want to check for any previously unnoticed typos or errors. Sometimes typos or errors sneak through from draft to draft because we have a tendency to read what we think is there, rather than what is actually there. I hope to spot any mistake. I also want to make sure I'm absolutely happy with the story. Then, I'll submit the manuscript to a publisher.
I confess that this manuscript is my silliest story and one of my favorites. It's fun, humorous, action-packed... After all, the title is My Mum's An Apple. I will self-publish this story with illustrations through Amazon Kindle if a publisher doesn't bite. One way or another, Noah will declare to the world, My Mum's An Apple.
After that, I'll probably submit a picture book to a publisher. Then... Who knows?
Q2: How does my work differ from others in its genre?
Most people aren't mad enough to write a children's book called My Mum's An Apple.
.jpg)
My crazy sense of humor makes some of my work different.
Best Book Ever
and
Best Joke Ever
are both humorous stories. Firstly, I write for my own fun. I don't mean to sound selfish. I'm not. I believe if I write for my own fun, if I enjoy a story, my readers will enjoy the story too.At other times, I can be quite serious in a book, like with Maya and the Crystal Skull . My Maya series includes many of my interests, such as spiritualism, quantum physics and the Ancient Maya.
All of my main characters are a bit like me. All of my main characters draw from my experience. Best Joke Ever is based on a true event, which involved my two brothers. Like all authors, what makes me different is me. I am what I bring to a story. I am what makes my stories different. There is no one else quite like me.
Q3: Why do I write what I write?
I write to instil a love of reading in children. If children grow up to love reading, at any time during their lives, they will be able to escape into books and be happy. That's why I like to write humorous stories. I want to create fun, joy, happiness.
I also write to make the world a better place. My stories are always positive. At least with my books, I only add positive energy to the world. For example, in my books, I promote a love of animals and the environment, good always wins, and my characters learn and grow. Children can learn new things from my books. (So can adults too.) Most importantly, my stories are fun, entertaining, interesting.
You'll have to read my books to find out more. If I keep explaining here, this could be a very long post.
Q4: How does my writing process work?
.jpg)
Every story starts with an idea. So an idea pops into my head. I think about the idea for a while to see if the idea inspires a story. At this stage, I don't sit down to write. I let my mind mull over the idea until, like magic, my mind gives me skeletons of the characters and plot. With longer stories, like Maya and the Crystal Skull and Maya and the Daring Heist , I sat down and plotted the entire stories before I began to write the novels. Maya and the Crystal Skull was my first attempt at a long novel, around 40,000 words. I plotted first to make sure I would be able to complete a full length novel. Plotting first also meant that I wrote the first draft of Maya and the Crystal Skull in 6 weeks. I never got stuck. I always knew where I was going.
Every morning, I have a cup of tea, then I meditate for 30 minutes. After meditation, I make another cup of tea and sit down to start writing. By this time, it's about 8.30 am. I usually write until lunch time. Some days, I continue until about 2 pm. The rest of my day is spent on emails, social media, promoting, marketing, housework and other chores.
I hope you enjoyed my answers. I enjoyed being involved in this game of tag. Now I get to tag three other authors, who’ll answer the same four questions next Monday. I'm looking forward to reading their answers. I love to learn about other writers, how they come up with their ideas, how they work and so forth.
Firstly, I'm tagging DC Green, who is the funny, brilliant author of Monster School. I had the privilege of assessing/editing Monster School and I loved it from the first word to the last. Thankfully, DC is currently writing the second book in the series, so the last word won't actually be the last. Okay, let's get back to DC.
Surf journalist DC Green has won multiple big awards, had thousands of articles published in over forty countries and roamed the world’s greatest surf spots with the likes of eleven-times world champion, Kelly Slater. Children’s author DC Green has won two very small awards, had six children’s novels published in one country and Kelly Slater no longer returns his calls. His latest novel, Monster School, has been described as ‘Hogwarts for monsters’, ‘gloriously grotesque’ and ‘hilarious’. It features a vampire with attitude, a socially-challenged zombie and a giant spider called Bruce! For more DC stuff, check out: www.dcgreenyarns.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/DCGreenAuthor.
Secondly, but only because of alphabetical order, is Karen Tyrrell, the amazing, talented author of Bailey Beats the Blah. Karen is an inspiration. She turned a bad experience in her life into a golden opportunity to fulfill her dream of being an author. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. So, with no further ado, I'm tagging Karen Tyrrell.
Karen Tyrrell, award-winning Brisbane author is passionate about mental health for kids and grown-ups. In a previous life Karen taught primary school both in Sydney and Brisbane including Gifted & Talented classes. Now Karen goes out to schools and libraries as an author-teacher delivering interactive pantomimes, story-telling sessions and creative writing workshops. Karen has appeared on TV and ABC radio. Her picture book, Bailey Beats the Blah (2013) won ★★★★★ reviews from child psychologists, mental health CEOs and school counselors. Karen’s junior novel empowers kids with resilience skills, launches in May, 2014.
Download FREE kids activities and teacher notes from www.karentyrrell.com
Next Monday, DC and Karen will be answering the same four questions and tagging more authors. But, for now, I wish everyone a wonderful week. May your week be filled with much love and blessings.
Out now!
Robyn's #1 best-seller Show Don't Tell: The Ultimate Writers' Guide
www.robynopie.com
January 27, 2014
Almost Dead Blog Tour Starring Children's Author Kaz Delaney
Tour Dates: Wednesday January 22nd
Karen Tyrrell
http://www.karentyrrell.com/write-ya-books-kaz-delaney-book-giveaway/
Saturday January 25th
Ebony McKenna
http://ejmckennablog.blogspot.com.au/
Sunday January 26th
The Never Ending Bookshelf
http://theneverendingbookshelf.blog.com/
Monday January 27th
Aussie Book Reviews
http://aussiereviews.com
Thursday January 30th
Spinning Pearls
http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/
Thursday January 30th
Aussie Owned and Read
http://www.aussieownedandread.com
Friday February 7th
Dale Harcombe
http://orangedale.livejournal.com/
Tuesday February 11th
Dee White
http://www.deescribe.com.au/blog.html
Thursday February 13th
Robyn Opie Parnell
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/
Amanda Ashby
http://amandaashby.blogspot.com/
Dream Big - Read Often
http://www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au/
About Almost Dead
A glitzy whodunit set amongst the Gold Coast elite and a hilarious romance between Macey Pentecost, the privileged teenager with a social conscience who just happens to see ghosts, and the good-looking surf champion Finn.
Description
Macey was normally immune to cute, but this guy had it down. It was that killer-watt smile. He knew how to work it. Pity he was also dead.
Macey's life has been turned upside down. Her mother has left, her father is absent and her two best friends are MIA. On top of that Macey is being visited by ghosts who need her help to 'move on'. But as wild as all that sounds, she has it all under control until a cheeky, good-looking spirit called Nick turns up ... in her bedroom!
Nick's a spirit with spirit, who insists he's not dead, he's astral travelling and has a message for Macey: someone is out to get her. Macey's biting wit has got her in trouble before, so she's not surprised but when the threatening notes start turning up, she's seriously shaken. Does someone want her dead?
It's all pretty disturbing but she's finding it hard to focus on who could mean her harm with the annoyingly handsome surf god Finn turning up at the most inopportune times and a father with a major surprise of his own.
Is it a case of bad timing? Or are these things somehow connected? And if they are, what on earth should she wear when she's solving the mystery?
Kaz Delaney is the author of the award-winning young adult novel Dead, Actually and the pseudonym of author Kerri Lane. Under both names she has written and published over 60 books incorporating readers, chapter books, novels, a romantic novella and young adult novels, My Life as a Snow Bunny and Princesses Don't Sweat.For many years Kaz has tutored creative writing students at a local university and has written courses for the Australian College of Journalism. She lives at beautiful Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, is a self-confessed bling tragic and believes a smile will take you way further than a frown. And save you a fortune in cosmetic interventions later on.
ISBN: 9781743313268 Pub Date: January 2014 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Imprint: A & U Children Subject: Young adult fiction Edition Number:
Suitable for ages: 14-18
http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=655&book=9781743313268
www.robynopie.com
