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This week has been an interesting week - amazing weather, Game of Thrones finale, and we were adopted by a lil kitty - you know, important stuff.  =D

The weather this past weekend was phenomenal! I tossed aside all thoughts of work and enjoyed it completely. Went to the park on Saturday and tweeted all about it. What fun!

Game of Thrones finale this past Sunday was soooooo awesome! I love that show. How do they expect me to wait until spring 2012! Is this some kind of archaic torture! Ugh! ....well, at least I got the books, so there. =P

We were officially adopted by a lil kitty that wandered into our yard about a month ago. We kept telling it to 'go home', but apparently it was home. She is now my son's kitty and he named her Phoenix. She is the most snugly cat I have ever met.

For my writing exercise, I did something a little different. I know I usually write dark fantasy genre stuff, but I felt light, so I wanted to share that. Enjoy!

















Do you know love?
Has it found you?
Has it shaped you?
Has it made you more than you thought you could be?

Do you dream of love?
That goal that drives you,
That face that haunts you,
It's yours already.

Do you see the love?
In the eyes of children,
In acts of kindness,
In friendship.

Do you hear the love?
In laughter,
In a whisper,
In your heart.

Can you feel the love?
It surrounds you,
It changes you,
It is you.

I believe true happiness begins within; then radiates outward. And, it's contagious! <3

Welcome to the pet project of a great group of authors from Echelon Press!

We have gotten together and are interviewing one another or writing essays that we are posting weekly to our numerous websites and blogs, creating exposure for us all! I will post the links to the interviews conducted on yours truly, just as soon as they are available.

My first interviewee is Kerul Kassel.
Kerul is a non-fiction author of the book: http://www.stopprocrastinatingnow.com/
And, the soon-to-be-released book called: Productive Procrastination (Echelon Press, 2007)

I am very excited to welcome Kerul to my Blog!
Check out our interview below:

Tell us a bit about yourself and the genre you write.

I'm a fairly new author, and my writing was inspired by my clients and workshop participants. I found so many people beating themselves up about what they hadn't accomplished in life, and it was weighing them down, draining them of energy, and that was so unnecessary! I wanted to help them let go of that punishing perspective and replace it with a new lively, fun, experimental, forward-thinking one, and I could reach more people by writing a book. You guessed it, I write non-fiction, specifically about procrastination: www.StopProcrastinatingNow.com/book.

Did you choose your present genre; or did the genre choose you?

It definitely chose me. But I’ve always been a non-fiction sort. I do love fiction, but the books I’ve collected tend to be reference oriented, such as field guides, how-to’s, photographic essays, books on psychology, philosophy, literature compendiums, animal behavior, and more recently, self-help. Have you always wanted to write?Not in any definite way – I’ve always just wanted to be happy! At times in my life, writing has been a path to that, sometimes through journaling, at other times through telling a personal story or documenting a situation or event, and more recently, to help me get clear on and communicate good ways of mastering one’s goals, dreams, and time.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If yes, what have you done to overcome it?

Writer’s block was a frequent companion during the writing of my first book. The block was usually doubts about the value and originality of what I was writing, what other people would think of it, the quality of the style, grammar and voice, etc. At that time I had a coach who suggested that whenever I made an appointment with myself to write and found no words forthcoming, that I make a diary of sorts, just to spill out of my brain whatever was in it to free up some “RAM”, so to speak. It worked, and in my next book, Productive Procrastination, The Procrastination Diary is included – an almost daily account of the struggle with writer’s block. I hope it helps give people a sense of humor and ideas for options when they’re putting something off because it feels uncomfortable, scary, overwhelming, or difficult.

Do you have any advice for the young writer just starting out?

Write, write, and write some more, and write for yourself first, for fun next, and for others last. I know that you’re supposed to write for your “target market”, but your voice will be truer if it’s really you, and you care about what you’re writing about and are enjoying the process. Some people write for the joy of it, some people write for pleasure, some people write because they want to inspire or entertain or educate, and some write for money. What fun if you can do all of those things!

And just for fun, if you could be a Transformer, which would you be? An Autobot (the good bots) or a Decepticon (the evil bots)? =D

I’d definitely be a good bot, but I can’t pretend to know anything about Transformers. If there’s a transformer that empowers people, has purple and pink in it, loves animals, and is a protector of the environment, that’d be me.

Thank you so much Kerul!

Stay tuned! And check back each week for a new interview!

The Gauteng region of the SCBWI had a meeting on 12 July at Brescia House School. The hostess and school librarian, Sharon Rogers, gave some background information about the school. All the participants were most impressed with the library and the school’s facilities. It was a really convenient venue for travellers from the north as well as the south.

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The meeting was chaired by <?xml:namespace prefix = st2 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas:contacts" />Jenny Hatton and attended by sixteen interested writers, illustrators and other children’s book people. Jenny invited a number of authors to talk about their books, namely Rob Marsh, LeAnne Hardy and Agueda Nunes.

Rob Marsh is an ex-teacher who came from England to South Africa via Zambia in 1979. He confesses to being addicted to writing. Even though he didn’t get anything published for the first ten years, he continued to write each day. Initially he wrote in long hand, then on a manual typewriter and next on an electric typewriter. Today he relies on his laptop.

Rob has always written fiction but has found this harder to get published. Therefore, he wrote non-fiction to get recognised. To date he has had 22 books published. His first book Karate S.A. is a detailed study of the origins, history and development of karate in South Africa. After completing this book, he was commissioned to write a number of other books.

Rob has a special interest in matters crime-related, and is the author of both Famous South African Crimes (Struik) and With Criminal Intent: the changing face of crime in South Africa (Ampersand Press).

While non-fiction pays his salary, Rob’s first love is writing fiction. The audience could have listened to him for hours as he shared experiences. One manuscript was accepted by an overseas publisher, edited and set and then never published! Tales of Mystery and Suspense was followed by Ghost stories in 1994. This Struik publication is a collection of fictional stories about ghosts, ghouls and phantoms. The serpent under was published by Jacana in 2003. This is the story of a couple who work together to commit a crime. Inevitably things suddenly start to go disastrously wrong. Rob has also written a series of seven books for children in the 7-0 age group, namely The Incredible Adventures of Zak and Zoey.

Rob’s hard work over the years has paid off. Some of his books have done very well on the market. In addition others have received recognition. Nature in the balance: ecology for Southern African children (Struik) was nominated by Bookchat as one of Southern Africa’s Children’s Books of the year in 1991. His children’s novel Trapped (Juta), set in a South African gold mine, was designated a prescribed reader for grade 5 by the Bophuthatswana Department of Education in 1990.

Rob also writes radio programmes. Although these don’t pay well, he writes them for the experience and because he enjoys writing them. Rob was open about contracts and royalties for his books. He pointed out that the more experienced you become, the more able you are to negotiate these.

Some tips from Rob include:

• Write each day. You have to prove that you have written a book. You can’t just say that you want to be a writer.
• Initially you may have to accept a range of writing projects. Later you can choose what you want and do not want to write.
• Be thorough in your research.
• Negotiate the contract with the publisher.
• Check your contract with the publisher. Delete clauses with which you disagree.
• Tell the publisher if you think that you need more time than what is allocated. Explain that you can do the work but it may not be up to standard if you’re not given enough time.
• Calculate how many words you write a month. This will help you to indicate how long you need to complete a project.
• Meet every deadline.
• Remember that you have a reputation to maintain. Check the manuscript and the cover before the book is published.
• Ask the publisher to have your manuscript reviewed by an expert if the content needs to be checked.
• Write non-fiction to get published. This may lead you into having your fiction titles published.
• Try to work with an illustrator whose work you admire.
• A book isn’t a book until it is published. Contracts mean nothing.
• Ask for an upfront payment. Payment of this shows the publisher’s commitment.
• Draw on your own experiences when you’re writing. These help to make descriptions authentic.
• Phone publishers up and make appointments to see them. Show them the work you have done. Promote yourself.

LeAnne Hardy grew up in Indiana in the United States but has lived in six countries on four continents. LeAnne spoke about living in so many different places has influenced her writing. She drew on her experience of living in Mozambique when she wrote her novel The Wooden Ox. Living in a war zone was an unforgettable experience. She illustrated this by reading from the story and spoke about the fear she experienced and about anticipating disaster.

Each of LeAnne’s books tries to capture the unique feel of the country in which it is set. Another novel Between two worlds is set in the United States and is about a girl who grew up in Brazil having trouble coping with cultural change. LeAnne bases characters on people she meets and on her own children. However, she hastened to point out that each character develops its own life as the book progresses.

LeAnne mentioned the importance of her Critique Group who helped her to understand that she didn’t have to include every detail of her experiences. In fact, they suggested that she cut out a lot of material in order to focus on plot.

Currently, LeAnne is living in Kempton Park and writing for children affected by HIV/AIDS. She showed the audience a beautiful little book called Beads and Braids which is about coping with loss. LeAnne speaks to school groups about being a writer and conducts writers’ workshops.

Some tips from LeAnne include:

• Join a good critique group.
• Adapt real experiences and include them in fictional writing.
• Remember that fiction is not a memoir of your own life.
• Put boys and girls into stories to cater for both genders.
• Use strong girl models.

Agueda Nunes spoke about growing up as the child of Portuguese immigrants to South Africa. Interestingly, both her own and Rob’s parents were greengrocers.

Agueda wrote her first book Gombi in Fairyland for her daughter, drawing on a lifelong dream that she and her brother shared as children. Firstly, she approached a number of South African publishers before going overseas. Agueda was not prepared to give up her dream of publishing a children’s book. In addition to writing the story, she carried out market research, put the book onto a storyboard, found her own illustrator, composed and recorded lyrics for the book.

Agueda spoke about Passion, Perseverance and Self-actualisation. She mentioned how necessary it was to receive encouragement and support from a friend. Based on this, she made a promise to pen Gombi in Fairyland. Agueda has already planned the next books in the Gombi series - all dealing with various aspects of Emotional Intelligence in children, e.g. bullying, sibling rivalry, the value of believing in yourself etc. The messages conveyed in her books carry a universal theme and are introduced through the non-threatening and lovable character, Gombi.

Some tips from Agueda include:

• Ask friends to read your story to their children and listen to their feedback.
• Children need emotional well-being and stories that address this assist them in coping with everyday life pressures.
• Try overseas publishers.
• Believe in yourself and NEVER give up on your dream.

Agueda with Sharon Rogers, librarian at Brescia House School

Date: 12 July 2007<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Time: 9:00—13:00Where: <?xml:namespace prefix = st2 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Brescia House School, 14 Sloane Street off <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas:contacts" />William Nicol, with parking off Pytcheley Rd, Bryanston.Cost: For Non-members R80 per person (

SCBWI had a stand at the Cape Town Book Fair where members of SCBWI displayed examples of their work.

LeAnne Hardy from Jo'burg was one writer who took advantage of the opportunity to display her books. Other authors included Wendy Hartman and Reviva Schermbrucker.

Illustrators also displayed their books as well as examples of their work. Gauteng illustrators whose work was on display included Joan Rankin and Yvette de Beer. Other illustrators who displayed their work included Marjorie van Heerden and Paddy Bouma.

The stand was very busy throughout the fair. Many people went through portfolios and looked at the books published by SCBWI members. They took down names of writers and illustrators whose work they could commission. A popular attraction were the beautiful posters for sale. These were done by renowned artists such as Piet Grobler and were snapped up by eager teachers and librarians.

The SCBWI stand was next to the IBBY stand which displayed some wonderful examples of South African books. A large number of exciting children's events were also organised.

All in all, children's books were prominent at the Cape Town Book Fair.

Date: 12 July 2007 Time: 9:00—13:00 Where: Brescia House School Cost: For Non-members R80 per person (includes tea & lunch) For SCBWI members R40 per person (includes tea & lunch) RSVP: [email protected] by 5 July at the latest. Please use “Illustrators and writers share their books” in the subject line. Description: Children’s book illustrators and writers share their books. Programme 9:00