Heather Hamel's Blog, page 7

Literacy Week Reflections

What a week! Last week was Literacy Week here in Florida and I was fortunate enough to speak to over 300 children about reading, writing, and of course, my books. So many amazing things happen when you share a passion – any passion! One student even wrote a note telling me they want to be just like me when they grow up…I hope I was able to inspire at least one of those 300 into writing. If I can do it – anyone can!

On that note – The Vortex is currently being reviewed by an editor in LA. It’s pretty exciting to think that something I wrote is being reviewed and edited in the movie capital! Of course, this is the first step of many…like the quote by Lao Tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

I’m hoping my journey won’t be a thousand miles – but I’ve already taken the first step!

This keeps me going when I want to stop…

 

With a Little Help From My Friends…

I feel as if I’m channeling that amazing Beatles Song: With a Little Help From My Friends today.

I held the first reading of the screenplay for The Vortex today, based on the first 3 books of the cryptozoology series.

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There were six readers while I took notes (mostly on my misuse of apostrophes!). There was much wine, much pizza and much fun to be had!

I was nervous at first, sending my story out into the world to be read. Thankfully I had planned ahead and invited kind, gentle people who want to see me and this screenplay succeed. After my first glass of wine and the first 30 pages, all of my anxieties were set aside.

It was fun! It was such an amazing experience having my words, my thoughts brought to life through the voice of others. It’s difficult to explain the feeling of having other people laughing at the jokes and little comments I included. They got it!

I had intended to take pictures of this great event, but became too caught up in the moment (and misused apostrophes) to take a break for pix. Know that it was amazing and I wouldn’t be where I was now, except with a little help from my friends!

Thank you all!!

Les Clements, Lila Sleeper, Sandra Oja-Dunaway, Jodi Lanford, Brenda Bennett, Debbie Wicker and Katelyn Maloney (here in spirit and edited before it made it to this point)

The Vortex

The screenplay has an official working title: The Vortex!

It’s based on the first 3 books of the cryptozoology series: Within Emerald Forests, Under Sapphire Skies, and Beneath Diamond Waters. The story lines are inter-woven again as Addeline attempts to reunite her siblings when Ian is found by the Florida Skunk Ape who wants to raise him as her own and Fiona is given to the underwater land of Mer as a gift from a kelpie, all the while from keeping the goblins from taking over the entrance to the Vortex.

The screenplay is written and edits have begun…If you haven’t had a chance to read the books yet, now is your chance before the movie comes out! We all know that books are better than movies!

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2016 Reflections

What a year…Between Christmas and New Years is the time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. What an amazing year 2016 has been.It started off nearly the same as any other year – working full time for the school system, but I was also finishing up Yoga Teacher Training and decided to work on an adult novel and a screenplay.

So what happened??

I am now a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher (&  teaching several classes a week), only working part-time for the school system as a 4th/5th grade teacher for students with special needs, teach Chinese students English from home, released two Middle Grade novels, am in edits for both the screenplay (based on the first three books of the Crypto series) and the adult historical romance, and have started giving riding lessons here at the Triple H.

WOW! I’m so fortunate and blessed to have such an amazing support team to keep things running.I’m thankful that everyone here (human and animal alike) have been healthy and happy. We were incredibly lucky when Hurricane Matthew tore up the East Coast, we were far enough from the destruction and were able to help out several other families (and their furry friends) escape the storm.

What will 2017 hold? Who knows – but you’ll have to check back next week to at least see what the plans will be!

Twas Kobi’s Night Before Christmas

A favorite and a classic here at the Triple H!

This is an adaptation of Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore to fit Kobi and the Triple H Ranch:

Kobi’s Night Before Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the barn

All the creatures were stirring, but they meant us no harm.

The stockings were hung on the stall boards with care,

In hopes that Santa Horse soon would be there.

Daisy was nestled all snug in her bed,

While visions of horse trailers danced in her head.

Midnight’s snug in his blanket, and I’m in mine too,

We settled down for a short winter’s snooze.

When out in the pasture there arose a great fuss,

I sprang to my feet to see what was up.

Away to the wall I flew in rush,

Went on alert looking towards the brush.

The moon on the breast of the newly grown rye

Gave the illusion of summer to my wandering eye.

When, what to my startled eyes should I know,

But a miniature sleigh and eight mini burros.

With a little old driver, so lively of course,

I knew in a moment it was Santa Horse.

More rapid than hawks his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Blossom! now, Bloomer! now, Sugar and Achey!

On, Cricket! On, Cuzzin! on Jasper and Jakey!

To the top of the barn! to the top of the stall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the barn-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of treats, and Santa Horse too.

And then, a twinkling, I heard up on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I spun in my stall, and was looking around,

Down the barn isle Santa Horse came with a bound.

He was dressed in all red, from his head to his toe,

And his clothes were all rumpled from being on the go.

A bucket of treats he carried in his hand,

Looking just like a beach dweller carrying sand.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His quaint little mouth was drawn up in a grin,

As he dropped some alfalfa in the bottom of my bin.

The stump of a toothpick he held tight in his teeth,

And wiggled it around in some amazing feat.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I nickered when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Filled both our stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up to the rooftop he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

“Merry Christmas all horses, and to all a good-night!”

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Last Hurrah of 2016 and Looking Forward to 2017

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to be in Lake Wales, Florida  selling books and talking with the wonderful people there. The turnout and sales were great for the two latest books: Destruction of Wild Cats and Into Amethyst Mists.

Reflecting back is bitter-sweet as I realize it’s the last big book event of 2016. So what’s next? Believe it or not, I’m not 100% sure. I’ve got some irons in the fire: editing the screenplay for The Vortex (based on the first 3 books of the crypto series) and editing/releasing my first adult (gasp!) book, Rebel Yell. But only two projects in the works – does this mean I’m slowing down? Again, I don’t know…

Maybe if I’m a good girl, Santa will give me a clue to what 2017 will hold!

 

Impermanence of Life

Impermanence of life, or the lack of anything remaining permanent, has been at the forefront of my mind since I took an amazing yoga workshop with Christopher Baxter last year. When he first mentioned the idea – I was nearly paralyzed by fear. I wanted to run home to my happy place (the front porch) and hold my loved ones close (Les and the horses).

Then my world shifted – while I was in the class battling my fears. Instead of being afraid of change, I needed to embrace it. Life WILL change, the good times as well as the bad time – NOTHING will be the exact same today as it will be tomorrow or even as it was yesterday.

I became liberated. If life is on an upswing enjoy the moment – it will change. If life is on a downturn, don’t despair, it will change.

It’s been months since I’ve taken that class and apparently I fell back into my same rut and needed a refresher. My life has changed tremendously in the past year (some for better – some for worse), but the negative way of thinking had returned. Until yesterday…

I heard that a friend and co-worker had died suddenly. She was only in her early 60’s, she ate well, exercised 3-4 days a week, and had been coming to yoga. No one saw it coming.

What had she left undone, thinking she had all the time left in the world? What was still on her bucket list? I’m sure it wasn’t teaching at a public school two days a week (we job shared). What would she have made sure she did – for the first time or the last time?

Who wants regrets?

I’m going to try to get back to a more positive and proactive way of thinking – life is by no means permanent…we gotta make the most of this very minute…who knows if the next minute won’t arrive.

In loving memory of Debbie Hoefer…

Book Brigade – Help Wanted!

Ever wondered how to help out your favorite author? Become a part of the Book Brigade. It doesn’t cost you a thing – and imagine the satisfaction you have from knowing you helped launch a book!

All you need to do is be willing to share images and posts with your friends via e-mail or social media – that’s it! If you’re interested in helping out  – let me know…you can just comment on this post. I’ll take care of the rest!

The next book release is Cyber Monday, November 28th, for Into Amethyst Mists – Book 5 of the Crypto Series.

Be a part of the Brigade and help launch this book into success!

Can’t Stop – Won’t Stop!

Ahhh, fall is finally here – the temperatures have cooled slightly and the time change has happened. So, what do I do with an extra hour? Sleep? No, Cuzzin wouldn’t allow that! How about release a new book trailer? That’s more like it!

A little over a week ago, I released the latest ghost story: Destruction of Wild Cats. It’s a sort sequel to Murder of Crows, but this one takes place in St. Augustine during the 450th birthday celebration as well as the Second Seminole War.

Not able to slow down one bit – the 5th (and I believe FINAL) book in the crypto series, Into Amethyst Mists, will be released on November 28th – Cyber Monday! This one takes all the kids back into the fairy realm to rescue Aunt Tabitha! Check out the trailer!

Inspiration

What a funny word – inspiration…it’s even a little awkward to say. Inspiration – it means so many things to so many people. You find your source of inspiration from many different areas and different walks of life.

I am inspired daily by thoughts of my grandmother. She was the kindest, hardest working woman I know. If I can be half the woman she was, I’m happy.

I’m inspired when I see talented horses and their riders, read good books or even watch a good move. I’m inspired when I see people pick themselves up day after day to push themselves through another tough time. I’m inspired by – well, you get the idea.

But to BE an inspiration? Never! Or so I thought…

Last week I released my 8th novel, Destruction of Wild Cats,  and was working hard at pushing the release. I talked to numerous classes of students, posted on social media all of the release happenings, and generally pushed myself to a new limit. Was it worth it? You betcha!

Within a 24-hour period, I had four people tell me that I was THEIR inspiration! What?!

The first was a 5th grade girl (and not one of my students) who when all the other kids were raising their hands to ask about Destruction, she raised hers to tell me that I was her inspiration to write – it brought my heart to my throat and tears to my eyes to hear that.

#2 and #3 were at the book release/launch party. One was a fellow author who told me that my perseverance and drive to put out 8 books has helped her keep writing when she wants to quit. Another was a ‘wanna be’ writer who hadn’t found her angle until we talked about where I draw ideas from.

#4…Another writer…I’ve been close friends with her for years. She gets up the same time I do, writes just as much, just as hard as I do – someone I look to in my darkest writing hours for that push to keep going…told me I was her inspiration to write more and just get it out there!

Ahhh, inspiration…you never know where it will come from or who it will go to. Like everything (positive and negative) inspiration can take on a life all its own. People can be inspired by you every day, even without you knowing.

Take a deep breath and keep going – be that inspiration…who knows where it will lead?