Patrick Jones's Blog, page 60
January 18, 2013
The Library
Years ago when my son was moving from kindergarten to the first grade there was a summer reading program. The program covered all students in St. Louis, Missouri. If a student read five books over the summer, the reader received a certificate for an ice cream cone from the St. Louis Public Library. The fast food chain, McDonald’s, sponsored the program.
That summer my son, Pat, was six years of age. Even at six his bright mind was quick and always looking to find the things that would benefit him. Simply reading five books to acquire an ice cream cone was easy. Pat had been in tow with me for years going to the local branch library. That year on summer vacation my son attained his first library card.
My daughter, Rachel, was two years old and she, too, wanted free ice cream cones. So while Pat was looking for books, I told Rachel she could get books on my card. She had also learned to count. Five books was a number for her to count.
Once, sometimes twice per week, the three of us were at the library returning books and getting another certificate.
Rachel would sit on my lap and we read each book together. She learned her alphabet and was sounding out words over that summer.
While at the library returning books, Rachel asked in her soft, sweet voice, “Daddy, when can I get my own “libraby” card?”
The ladies working at the library heard her question and told her she had to sign her name. That was all that was needed.
Those two bright, brown eyes looked to me for the answer. I asked the younger of the two ladies for a sheet of paper, then we sat at a table. Starting with large block letters, we reduced the size each time until she wrote the letters. Pat stopped looking for new books to read and was cheering Rachel on. Soon I noticed the crowd of adults and other children watching.
Finally Rachel signed her name twice, the same size, to go on the back of the “libraby” card.
It was time.
I filled out the card, the one that told the librarians where the book that was not returned was located.
Rachel took the pen from the librarian and signed her name in the block letters. When she finished, it seemed Rachel had drawn a crowd - everyone applauded her!
My daughter was not just happy but proud of herself.
Now she was able to earn her ice cream cones on her own and Pat was every bit as proud of her.
A few decades later, Pat is Director of Informational Technology for a school district. He is currently working on his PhD and Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree as a Geological Engineer. All from reading at a local branch library.
One other thing, I have always been proud of both!
Copyright © 2013 Patrick Jones, All Rights Reserved.
Ink Blot Test
BUY NOW
Let’s Do an Ink Blot Test for those of us who are HAPPY it is the brand new HOWL FOR FRIDAY event!! It just seems an appropriate activity for the day! I think it looks like two wolves dancing in the moonlight.
What do you think?
Readers Meet Authors And Bloggers - One On One
Reblogged from africolonialstories:
These days, when I want to do something and I don’t know how, I generally just wade on in and have a go anyway. This leads to mistakes and quite often, breakages. Having wandered through life totally focused on one thing or another, I miss quite a lot of other things going on around me, and often come across so dim that I probably should be embarrassed.
A fantastic new group with great purpose!!
January 17, 2013
Are You a Good Party Guest?
Reblogged from Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
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When Thinking of Social Media, Think of a Big Party!
Imagine you are invited to a big party. You are entering the room, you say hello to everyone, you small-talk a bit, you participate in a discussion, you listen what others say, you make some compliments or praise someone, you have fun and you show yourself from your best side – or at least that's what it is supposed to be.
This is great information on the nature of social networking. It puts the social back in the equation!
Guest Blogging Etiquette
Reblogged from Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
Guest blogging brings lots of benefits, from building authority to generating back-links to your book sales site and attracting new readers on your own blog. However, before you start offering guest blogs, your own blog should be around at least for a year, with a minimum of between one and two-hundred entries.
Make sure your own blog or website is ready for the new readers that you will get by guest blogging.
Excellent post on blogging content that is targeted to the specific audience that you hope to engage as readers.
Guest Blogging Etikette
Reblogged from Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
Guest blogging brings lots of benefits, from building authority to generating back-links to your book sales site and attracting new readers on your own blog. However, before you start offering guest blogs, your own blog should be around at least for a year, with a minimum of between one and two-hundred entries.
Make sure your own blog or website is ready for the new readers that you will get by guest blogging.
Excellent post on blogging content that is targeted to the specific audience that you hope to engage as readers.
2 More Reasons to Have a Blog for Book PR
Reblogged from Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
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In one of my recent articles I have written about Content Marketing via your blog and how to write for the web. Another article encouraged writers to "Start a blog today!" as a New Years resolution.
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Jeff Bullas has written a fantastic article (well, blog) about Content Marketing (for authors, I call it blogging) and the benefits (for the author).
Blogging is becoming more and more visible to the consumer and is strategic in any marketing plan.
January 16, 2013
Dancing Gangham Style with the Author of the BEST SELLING THRILLER, “The Wolf’s Moon” by Patrick Jones
My wife and publicist, Sandy Jones, had more fun doing this. Hope this gives you a good laugh for the day! If I were to dance like this in reality, I would really hurt myself!!!
January 15, 2013
7 Tips to Become a Better Writer from Stephen King
Reblogged from Meyer Lane's Short Attention Span Press:
* Advice from the King of Creepy
Stephen King
1. Get to the point.
Don’t waste your reader’s time with too much back-story, long intros or longer anecdotes about your life. Reduce the noise. Reduce the babbling. In On Writing King gets to his points quickly. Get to your point quickly too before your reader loses patience and moves on.
These are some great ideas for writing.
7 Things joining KDP Select Can and Can't do for you
Reblogged from M. Louisa Locke:
I have no problem with authors deciding not to put (or keep) their books in KDP Select because there are a number of good reasons not to sell an ebook exclusively through Amazon. What does bother me is when people put a book into KDP Select with unrealistic expectations, or don't do their homework about how KDP Select works, or blame Amazon when their books don't sell, and then announce that KDP Select is not a good strategy to follow for independent authors.
