Greetings, All!

Can you believe it has been almost 4 years since we spoke last? Where did the time go? (Seriously, Raychelle. Where have you been?)

The easy answer is that life happened -- in a big way. We writers have to keep a day job, right? More specifically, I went to work in the sales and marketing department for a nationwide home builder. I managed and wrote copy for their website, created and executed social media campaigns, and worked with prospective buyers among a host of other things. Gratefully, that tour of duty ended in March (more on that later). However, I am really proud of the work I did over there and I learned a bunch.

On a personal level, I got divorced, moved to Katy, and homeschooled Halima through high school and SAT's. Life is a lot simpler now since we downsized and have since moved on from the drama. I can feel my feet on the ground again and I am just trying to figure out my next moves.

Hopefully you will get/stay tuned into this space as I have some cool projects in the making that I would love to share with you all! At some point, I plan to resurrect "The Writer's Block", do some book reviews and editing, etc. For now, I just gotta do me.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Yes, you can write a novel in 30 days! Throw out your internal editor and commit to putting 1,667 words on paper between now and November 30, 2012. Your very rough first draft could lead to the next big thing in publishing--or at least enable you to check another item off your bucket list. Either way, it will be a great challenge with even greater rewards!

For more details on how to get started, visit NaNoWriMo.org. Children may participate in the Young Writers Program at ywp.NaNoWriMo.org. My daughter, Halima, has been a winner for the last two years and self-published her second novel!

I am using this month to finish three projects, so I will see you all at the finish line!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

It is possible to have many interests, pursue them all, and be great at each of them. Sometimes simultaneously. But, it takes focus, hard work, and courage. We live in a world that teaches us to be a society of "one-trick Nellies", when in fact we are citizens of the universe. The universe is a vastly unlimited realm of possibility. Our accomplishments are only limited by our fears and what we think about ourselves.

Declare who and what you are. Stand in it and apologize for none of it. I am certain that my gifts are from Allah (God) himself, and I would not have them if His intent was that I not use them. My mission in life is to demonstrate my gratitude by being a vessel. I am constantly seeking ways to do better, live better, and help as many people as I can along the way. I encourage you to embrace your bold, bad selves and consider that knowing one thing, doing one job, and being a single-minded robot just isn't enough. The world would be better off if you were unchained in it. The universe has already called you. To whom will you answer?

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

My name is Sharon Griffin, from Houston, TX, and I work as an adjunct professor, teaching General Psychology. Previously, I worked as a Program Coordinator in NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Education Office, placing high school and college students on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) internships and planning conferences, workshops and events, as well as supporting outreach events in the community.

2) Describe your journey to becoming an author.

I've always been good at writing, but oddly enough, I didn't like doing it for enjoyment, that is until recently. While working at JSC, I had the opportunity to meet many amazing, smart and talented women, both in technical and non-technical positions; however, they were still the minority in comparison to their male counterparts. Last April, while on a work trip in El Paso, TX, I had this light bulb go off in my head for a great idea. I did some internet research on children's book pertaining to male dominated fields. The only items that populated were articles about the small percentages of women in male dominated fields, hence why those career fields are still called that. After conducting the research, that's when I came up with the premise of my children's book. I wanted to write a children’s book that showcased the different career paths a little girl can pursue, all the while portraying different ethnicities for the various careers. I wanted little girls everywhere to be able to relate with the book and envision themselves doing those jobs. When I was a child, I never felt I connected with the characters in the books I read because I never saw any that looked like me. Having four biracial daughters of my own has inspired me to want to shed light on this issue and the desire to see more diversity in children's books.

3) Who is your ideal reader?

Although the book caters more so to early childhood to 5th grader, the ideal reader for my book is ANYONE and EVERYONE! The great thing about my book is that even though it is geared for little girls, it is teaching little boys that we as females are equal and can do the same jobs as males. I believe the sooner boys are exposed to this type of thinking, the more open minded they will be as adult males. This book allows mommies and daddies to let their daughters know, at a very young age, that girls can do anything boys can and that we should be treated equally.

4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

I knew I had a great concept for a children’s book, but didn’t want to wait around for a publishing company to pick me up. Instead, I decided to pursue publication through an established self-publication company; however, after speaking to several company representatives and the fact that I would lose creative control by using one of their illustrators, I made the executive decision to publish the book through my own publishing company. Thanks to the Houston chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, one member took me under her wing and provided me step by step instructions on how to launch my own publishing company. A coworker at JSC also suggested a mutual friend of his wife’s to do my illustrations. After viewing samples she created for one or two of the professions in the book, the ethnicities I wanted portrayed and my vision for the illustrations, I knew she was the right individual to do the job. Veronica Sepulveda did an amazing job bring my words and vision to life with her illustrations.

This experience has by far exceeded my expectations because it taught me to not accept anything until I was 100% sure of the results and that it had my approval. Thinking in hindsight, I know I made the right decision in my path to publication and wouldn’t have changed it if I was ever given the opportunity.

5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

Currently I am promoting my work through the use of social media, such as: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and my blog. I am in the process of scheduling author signings at local elementary schools in the Houston and surrounding areas. I participate in local author events that I find out about through the Houston chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Another avenue I use to promote my work is LinkedIn groups, where I have opportunities like this, and the ability to do interviews and have my book reviewed to generate interest and book sales.

So far the method that has worked for me has been Facebook and the creation of a fan page for my book. I’ve held a contest where the individual who brings the most “likes” to my page wins an autographed copy of my book. Now I am seeing that using the LinkedIn groups is generating more interest and support of my book, as well as helping me build a network with people in the same profession.

6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

My favorite authors are Jhumpa Lahiri, Robin Cook and Stephen King. I’ve loved the Harry Potter movies, but haven’t had a chance to read the books yet. Currently, my reading list consists of what my daughter is reading for school. She’s fallen in love with my Shel Silverstein books and has been reading them to me. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to some of my all-time favorite books as a child.

7) Describe a typical day in your life.

On a typical day, I drop off and pick up my eldest from school. In between, when I am not taking care of my daughters or taking care of my household, I am usually on LinkedIn promoting my book or finding ways to promote my book through different outlets. Also, I am currently looking for full time employment. Also, I am in the process of schedule school visits, where I will read the book and do some activities with the children in elementary schools.

8) What projects do you have in the works?

I am in the process of creating a YouTube channel, where I will be interviewing women who hold positions in male dominated careers and give them the opportunity to talk about their path and the struggles they dealt with and had to overcome. In conjunction with the YouTube interviews, I will be posting those interviews, in detail, on my blog. I am also coming up with lesson plans to go with the book so that teachers can implement the book into their classroom curriculum.

9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up on your dreams of getting published. If you feel your story is worth sharing with the world, take initiative into your own hands and make your dreams come true. Always have faith in your abilities, trust your instincts and never let anyone tell you any different. That is what is going to distinguish you from others who don’t strive to make their dreams a reality.

About the Author

I was born in Muscat, Oman and lived in India until I was 5 years old. On December 24, 1986, my family and I made the journey to the United States. For the past 26 years, I have been living in the Houston, TX area. My parents have been married for 31 years and I am the oldest of three daughters. I hold both a Bachelors and Masters in Psychology, and graduated with both my degrees from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Of all the grandchildren on my dad’s side of the family, I am the only college graduate. I have been with my husband for the past 10 years (married for 5 of those years). We have four beautiful daughters: Mackenzie, 7 ½ years old, Madison, almost 5 years old, Makayla, 3 ½ years old, and Malia, 4 months old. Previously I worked at NASA Johnson Space Center, in the Education Office, and as an adjunct professor, teaching General Psychology. Some of my hobbies include: spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, photography, scrapbook and planning social gatherings/events.



Contact Sharon

Website: http://www.griffingirlspublishing.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SharonVGriffin

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sharonvgriffin

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/GriffinGirlsPublishing

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/SharonVGriffin

One of the most common pieces of advice that is given to writers is to never quit your day job. Since I left the retail world 9 years ago, I have pursued several entrepreneurial ventures, finished a degree, obtained a professional certification, been accepted into graduate school,  homeschooled my 12 year-old daughter, helped her publish her first novel, published seven books of my own in addition to several freelance articles, started a garden, decorated my homes, built websites, created 3 blogs, started a line of greeting cards, designed a line of fabrics and home accessories, and a bunch of other stuff I can't recall at the moment. When did I have the time to even consider a "day job"?

I have a lot of interests and I pursue them all. Sue me. But, a writer still has to eat (and there are two writers in my house!). This past summer, I designed and taught a course entitled, "The Science of Nutrition", for a group of high school students at Workshop Houston's Summer Leadership Institute. It was incredibly rewarding (shout out to Co-Director Reginald Dwayne Hatter and High School Program Director Jalyn Smith) and led me to find other ways to get out of the house and monetize my passions. Adding to the long list of personal and professional pursuits, I now have a position in sales working with homebuilders--and I love it! I am meeting all kinds of interesting people which should one day make for some pretty intriguing stories.


Needless to say, there hasn't been as much activity on the blogging/writing end over the last couple of months while in transition. Had to pump the brakes a bit as I started the new gig when the school year began. I have found a fulfilling way to do what I have to do now in order to do what I want to do later.

I want to thank all of the guest bloggers who have helped me with some of the "heavy lifting" as well as those of you who follow me and support my work. Smart Girls Like You is nearly finished with Smart Boys Like You coming soon. The Living Well is taking on a life of its own and will be finished by the year's end. Here's to finding many ways to get paid for doing what you love. Absolutely none of it feels like work!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Natasha Yim is a children’s book author, freelance writer, and playwright. She is the author of three picture books: Otto’s Rainy Day (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2000), which was a Kids' Pick of the Lists selection, Cixi, The Dragon Empress (Goosebottom Books, 2011), and the just released Sacajawea of the Shoshone (Goosebottom Books, 2012), the biography of the Shoshone teenager who traveled the American West with Lewis and Clark. Sacajawea of the Shoshone is an addition to Goosebottom Books’ award-winning first series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses. Natasha has also published articles in Highlights for Children, Appleseeds, Faces, Vibrant Life, Mendocino Arts, and other local and regional magazines. Her ten-minute plays have been performed at Mendocino Community College in Ukiah, Pegasus Theatre in Guerneville, Secret Rose Theatre in Los Angeles, and at the Short and Sweet Ten Minute Theatre Festivals in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.

Contact Natasha

Website: www.natashayim.com

Blog: www.writerslife2.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/natashayim.author

www.facebook.com/sacajaweaoftheshoshone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/natashayim

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/natashayim

1) Tell us a bit about who you are, and where you live and work.

I've been an illustrator for 25 years now, grew up in Chicago and now live in Tempe, Arizona.


2) Describe your journey to becoming an illustrator.

My natural talent took me to art school, my love for art in Pop Culture inspired me to pursue the field. It's been a rocky road, but I love what I do. It's not for everyone.


3) What mediums do you prefer?

I like watercolor with pencil or pen and ink, I also love pastels and chalk pencils. But creating vector art is also becoming very fun for me. I'm now practicing painting in Photoshop, and while it doesn't feel organic yet, there's no mess to clean up.


4) Tell us about your latest projects.

I recently worked on some watercolor paintings for floor plans and elevations of resort properties. I also did a watercolor/pencil of a frog for a wildlife magazine.


5) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

Larry McMurtry, Erik Larson, Wayne Sallee...currently reading The Book of Drugs by Mike Doughty, one of my favorite musicians. I love reading musicians' biographies or memoirs.


 6) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

Online, printed postcards, and my agent. I think my agent is getting me the most work these days.


7) What are your upcoming plans for the rest of 2012?

Keep plugging away, learn some new techniques, and revive some old ones.


8) What is your definition of success?

Happiness in what you do. If you're doing what you love for a living, you have no regrets.


9) What advice would you offer to aspiring illustrators?

Always look at what others are doing, keep abreast of trends while maintaining your own style. Become as versatile as possible, yet show your best style up front.

About Gary
 
Gary Krejca has over 20 years experience in advertising, design and children’s publishing. To see more of his work, visit the links below:

http://www.garykrejca.com/childrens.html
http://www.zazzle.com/gareman*/
https://twitter.com/gareman
http://www.garykrejca.com
http://gareman.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/gareman.design

1) Tell us a bit about who you are, and where you live and work.

I am a retired teacher that is an author and a co-illustrator for Hug-A-Bug Travel series and the president Mighty Lion Ventures Pub. LLP. I live in Houston, Texas with my husband and two Schnauzers. I have two married children and am a proud grandparent with four grandchildren. Two of my grandchildren are adorable twin girls!

2) Describe your journey to becoming an author/ illustrator. Which came first?

I have always doodled as a child creating critters in my sketches. I became an author after my 2 children went to high school. My husband and my two children encouraged me to publish my stories I used to tell my students when I was an elementary teacher, especially when I taught overseas. There are many children out there that need hugs in this world. When I taught in Indonesia is when Hug-A-Bug became a tool in my classroom.

3) Do you prefer to write for children? Why?

Yes, I do. I feel that their needs to be less wordy books for children to enjoy but learn from the same time about other cultures and be sensitive to others needs.


4) What mediums do you prefer to use in your artistry? 

I draw using pencil sketches and than my co-partner, Nicole Taylor, utilizes the Illustrator software program to embellish it. Also, for the background, I use my own photos from when I lived or visited that country.


5) Tell us about your latest project.

Our second book to our Hug-A-Bug Travels series, Hug-A-Bug Travels to Greece is the one we will be launching before December 2012. The goal for the book is for children to discover Greece, language phrases, and meet a rare animal that needs a hug.


6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now? 

E.B.White for children’s book- She is very creative in telling her story about a pig and a spider’s venture on a farm. Virginia Brown’s Diva series for adult books- She uses humor and mystery at the same time in her stories. Also, John Grisham- He is well researched and a detailer telling his stories. It is one of those books you can’t put down until you finish it. For recent ones, I just finished reading The Dog Prince, so I could write a short review for the author, Fun London. I am also reading The Wake Up and Dream Challenge by Barbara Lavi.


7) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you? 

Active social media for marketing. I have found that if someone picks up our book or goes to our website to look at it, they always ask where can they purchase it. I am not a hard salesperson. The book sells itself because of its vivid illustrations and it is not wordy. As a teacher I have discovered that children always reach for the books that have lots of colorful illustrations and less words and interact with them.



8) What are your upcoming plans for the rest of 2012? 

Our next book my partner and I will be creating is the third of the series, Hug-A-Bug Travels to Peru.

9) What is your definition of success? 

Never give up on your dreams. Just keep chugging along like the book, The Little Engine That Could. I always tell myself and my students to memorize this saying, “I can do it; I will do it; I did it!

10) What advice would you offer to aspiring illustrators? 

Find your style and embellish on it. Most importantly, set up a website and a Facebook page to get known.


About the Author



0 Comments on The Writer's Block Interviews: Anna Church as of 10/3/2012 9:44:00 AM

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

John Alexander Priest - born in the West Midlands, UK. One of seven children - four boys, three girls. I'm married and have two daughters now grown and settled in their own homes.

I've done many, many jobs in the past, from Glazier, Factory work, Additional Needs Assistant, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) trained. Currently I'm a qualified Internal Verifier, NVQ Assessor/Trainer/Tutor covering Employability, Business Administration and Customer Service amongst other things. I'm still living in the West Midlands but taking time off my Tutor/Training work to concentrate on the marketing and publicity of my latest children's novel Jay-Pea-Eyes aka Junior Private Investigators.


2) Describe your journey to becoming an author.

A bad injury at work left me unable to walk for a long time and so I started writing magazine articles initially which were published by national magazines. The first children's books were accepted and published by educational publishers Ginn & Co., Heinemann & Rigby USA. The titles were:

Naughty Nigel Runs Away, Tom's Birthday Treat, Answer The Phone Fiona!


3) Who is your ideal reader?

This is a tricky one! My current book is for good readers, boys and girls aged 8 years to 9 years. I hope that they would enjoy the book and come over to my website www.johnpriest.co.uk to leave a little note about how they found the book, what they did and didn't enjoy about it so that I can improve the next one.


4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

I have been published by traditional publishers and have also self -published. Both have their 'for's and against'. I feel that the self-publishing route is very interesting and although you can be pulling your hair out most of the time, you do get to meet some very good people along the way. The artist who designed the cover of Jay-Pea-Eyes for example, Doriano Strologo, who lives in Italy but we arranged everything via emails.


5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I currently use the website above, newspaper articles, school visits and also social networking sites such as Twitter and Face book but I'm new to these so can't really judge which is the best way to go yet. I think there will always be some old-fashioned ground work, walking/driving/telephoning and seeing people as well as the on-line work.


6) Who are your favourite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

I always enjoyed James Herbert and have just finished reading a book by Dean Koontz. Roald Dahl's books are brilliant too for studying. I don't really have a favourite as I try to read all different types/genres by female and male authors. I think it's the only way to learn your craft.


7) Describe a typical day in your life.

A typical day? Right ... start at 8.30am, I always have a good 20 tasks on my 'to do' list, so I read emails first, do the replies if necessary and then get down to the tasks. These can be anything from a visit to a bookstore and looking at new/popular titles, designing or updating my website, learning how to format e-books for the various e-readers and studying the writing craft itself through reading books or going to workshops.

Recently I've been tied up with marketing so I'm on Twitter and Face book briefly otherwise there isn't any time left to do other things. I then start on my actual writing. This is something we all have to be careful of now that self-promoting is such a big part of our lives - we still have to find time to write!

I usually try and finish around 2pm in the afternoon but will start again around 5pm and sometimes still be at the PC or laptop at 9pm at night.


8) What projects do you have in the works?

I have three children's stories completed and I'm looking for an illustrator as I want to publish these as e-books.

I'm also currently researching the second book of the Jay-Pea-Eyes adventure series.


9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Believe in yourself and don't get disheartened. It's a tough world out there but if you work at your craft you will break through eventually. There's always something to learn from another author, so read, read, read and write, write, write! Turn any criticism you receive into positive criticism you can use to improve your work. The last bit of advice would be - don't make excuses! If you want to write then do it!


Jay-Pea-Eyes aka Junior Private Investigators

The Boomerang Mystery is just the right case for the Junior Private Investigators or Jay-Pea-Eyes (J.P.I.’s) to sink their teeth into. Such a strange and unusual set of circumstances have baffled the local police. Children are reported missing but re-appear after a number of hours. They are unhurt, not harmed whatsoever and refuse to say where they’ve been. Can these young detectives solve the mystery before the police can? Will they find out who is behind the mystery or are they just getting further and further into danger? Can they link the clues and put an end to the mystery once and for all? The Jay-Pea-Eyes think they’ve found the ‘why’, ‘where’, ‘who’ and ‘how’. Now they need to show just how good at this detective work they really are...A detective/whodunit of some 235 pages (fiction)

Jay -Pea -Eyes was released in paperback June 2012 by FeedARead.com and distributed via all good bookstores and on-line at: http://www.FeedARead.com

Released for Amazon (.com and .co.uk) eKindle

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006F6360Y

Paperback from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Jay-Pea-Eyes-aka-Junior-Private-Investigators/dp/1781764751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342468461&sr=8-1

Twitter @JohnAPriest

Website http://www.johnpriest.co.uk

Blog http://authorjohnpriest.blogspot.co.uk

Google+ John Priest

Other books described above:

Naughty Nigel Runs Away

Tom's Birthday Treat

Answer The Phone Fiona!

Peter Challenge - Time Surfer eBook is at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005WKLWC8/


Author Bio:

John Alexander Priest was born in a town called Netherton in the West Midlands.He is one of seven children (three girls, four boys). He started writing seriously in 1985 and had several articles published in national magazines. His first children's book was published by Ginn & Co, Ltd..entitled Naughty Nigel Runs Away. This was followed by Tom's Birthday Treat and Answer The Phone Fiona! John has recently published two books for Amazon e-Kindle: Peter Challenge - Time Surfer, a fantasy book for children aged 7-10 years old. Jay-Pea-Eyes aka Junior Private Investigators, a mystery book for children aged 8-9 years old. In this book a group of children play detective and solve a ‘whodunit’ mystery faster than the grown-ups! John enjoys school visits and demonstrating the writing processes.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I live in the Big Apple and walk around town with my husband, Bob, where I take in the scenes that eventually land in my writing and digital art illustrations. New York City is like living in an open canvas of cultural events. I work at home near a park by the East River; grateful to see the trees, river, and kids with smiles, for inspiration.


2. Describe your journey to becoming an author.

I had the advantage of being born into a creative family; I’d watch my grandfather sketch his murals; my father brush stroke his canvas with magic colors and wished to enter his world; my uncle, a TV writer, inspired my word count. In high school--a reporter for the school’s newspaper--eventually led to a byline for a feature article in my high school’s yearbook magazine. As an independent study in college my professor suggested I retell the Orpheus myth, with a happy ending. I wrote and illustrated Prince Orfeo: awarded the Alpha Chi Honors Colloquium. Although an English major, the door to illustrating opened in college, with art classes in painting and computer graphics.


3. Who is your ideal reader?

My ideal reader is the child, young adult, adult, who reads my story and is transported to another world; where he/she can gain insight into their own world, wherever and whatever, that may be. The reader who delights in my digital art; colors and lines and loops.


4. Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

My first path to publication was in print and online magazines. In both cases before I had written one word, research was prime. Gathering information for my articles, I became more passionate about my subject. The writing became an adventure where I learned facts about the subject and happy to tell the tale. My iBook, The Myth of Cyber City, began with text and images on my iWeb page. Out of sheer interest in the marriage of art and technology the roots of my book was born. Who knew? I read Macworld and Mac/Life and have gained insight into the goings on of cyberspace. One day sparkling images flew on my iMac. “Is there a city inside my Mac?” I placed the text and images in my iWeb page into Keynote and found the story. I submitted my story idea to a publisher with a background in technology. My manuscript and illustrations were accepted for publication. Two weeks later I’d gotten an email stating closure of his company. The publisher said to go with Apple’s iBookstore. I did. After submissions to Apple, my book was finally accepted. Got that magic email that stated my book was in the iBookstore. The publication of my book exceeded my expectations.


5. How do your promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I have a blog, Windblown Journals, where I post and update any event happenings. I plan to have my book reviewed; and do believe that it’s the best step to promote. I submit my illustrations and feature writing to print and online journals.


6. Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

My favorite author is Jack Kerouac. On The Road. I referenced Kerouac in an online article, http://fmwriters.com/Visionback/Vision39/visualarts.htm
Madeleine L’Engle, Charlotte Bronte’s, Jane Eyre, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. On my reading list. Nine Stories, J. D. Salinger; The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac, The Time In Between, Maria Duenas.


7. Describe a typical day in your life.

Every day is set with different priorities. Must finish the next chapter. Final touches on graphic. Go to Barnes & Noble. Research this and that; online and in library. Go to Fairway. What’s for dinner? Take-out? Cook? Go to Sephora for a lipstick fix. Must see that event at MoMA.


8. What projects do you have in the works?

My main project is writing “The End” to my novel, Starstruck Girl; an aspiring actor in search of her father who vanished on her sixth birthday. My manuscript had been accepted by Houghton Mifflin, then returned when a new editor came on board. I left my novel in the back burner. After participating in NaNoWriMo, I decided to work on revising Starstruck Girl. My independent study, Prince Orfeo, is in edits to turn into an iBook, with up-dated text and graphics. My novel, Oliver Pindar, the descendant of Orpheus, "so his mother says," builds the Orpheus myth into the 21st century.


9. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Listen to your heart and your passion and what makes you feel magic is happening. READ. READ. READ. Even the back of the cereal box. Believe what you have to write is worthwhile.


Author/Artist Bio

Nanette grew up surrounded by cans of oil paint and brushes and assorted materials; what with a father and grandfather who drew and painted in the corners of the home front. Published feature in her Senior High School Year Book. Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Marymount Manhattan College. Attended the School of Visual Arts. Exhibited at ACM SIGGRAPH, SCBWI; Computer Art Shows, The Marymount Manhattan Review.

After the finish line in the of 2010 National Novel Writing Month, I’d decided revise Starstruck Girl, a novel of an aspiring actor which had been under consideration for publication at Houghton Mifflin. On her revise list is Oliver Pindar and the Mystical Chords based on the Orpheus myth in the guise of mystical realism. Her recent published book, The Myth of Cyber City, "A journey into cyberspace, into the phenomena of Information Art--where cyber robots build mysterious complex structures--on the back roads of Cyber City", is in the iBookstore FREE for download.


Contact Nanette

[email protected]

Website: http:www.nanettepurcigliotti.com

Twitter: @starstruck13

Facebook: Facebook.com/nanette,j,purcigliotti

SCBWI: http://www.scbwi.org/My-Portfolio.aspx

1. Tell a story from your heart, let go of perfection and be fully present in the moment.

2. Use descriptive language to engage your child - what does it look like? sound like? smell like? feel like? taste like?

3. Draw parallels that your child can understand. For example, if the character in your story is excited, how excited is she? Maybe she's excited as if she's going to Disneyland tomorrow.

4. Make it fun - use a storyteller's voice to embody the characters and give them unique voices to entertain your child.

5. Keep it short - 15 minutes or less is perfect.

6. Leave them with something positive or hopeful, a feeling of well-being before they go to sleep.

About Sheri Fink


Sheri Fink is the #1 best-selling, award-winning children’s author of The Little Rose and The Little Gnome, the creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” children’s brand, and an international speaker. Sheri writes books that inspire and delight children while planting seeds of self-esteem.

Sheri’s next book, Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose, debuts on October 2, 2012 and takes 2-5 year olds on an educational adventure through the garden. Along the way, kids will have fun and learn the names of the plants and animals in the garden. Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose retails for $14.95 and is available on Amazon.com at: http://tinyurl.com/exploringthegarden.

Discover more about The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink at http://www.WhimsicalWorldofSheriFink.com.

Photo courtesy of coloringpages7.com

With the prevalence of increasing standards at young ages in schools, are basic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics being pushed to the side? Well, it's hard to give an answer that works across the board. Whether or not it's true, children need to be encouraged to write.

1. College Level Problems


Talk to a number of educators at the college level, and you'll find that many of them report the same problems. The students simply do not know how to write. They do not understand basic rules of grammar, they cannot spell and they don't know how to format a paper.

2. Developing Creativity


Children should be encouraged to write so that they retain this basic skill; however, they also can use their creativity when it comes to short stories, poems and other free writing activities. They might express some of their own emotions and inner thoughts in the writing, or they may completely look outside of themselves for inspiration. Creativity is an important skill because it transcends the disciplines. No matter what field you're in, there are times when thinking outside the box a little bit is certainly helpful.

3. Developing Interests


When children are never asked to write anything, they don't have the ability to learn about and enjoy this hobby. Not all writing has to be formal and in class. They might be inspired to start a journal where they write when they are feeling down. As they age, they could feel a strong pull toward the writing profession. They may decide to choose a study and career path that allows them to be an English teacher, college professor, writing center consultant or a freelance writing. Instilling a love for writing early on can significantly impact them down the line.

4. Preparation for Careers


No matter what field you're in, you likely need to know how to write and read. If you're a lawyer, you often write up legal briefs. If you're in real estate, you have to prepare documents. If you're a doctor, you need to be literate to read your books and understand various conditions. When children grow up and enter the work force without knowing how to write, they are setting themselves up for a future of problems. Writing is connected to the field of communication. When people have trouble writing, they sometimes have issues expressing themselves in words. Writing is one of the beautiful tools that helps to keep people connected in jobs, at school and in their personal lives.

Whether you simply want your child or students to have basic skills or you are preparing them for future endeavors, teaching them how to write properly is a step that should not be skipped.

Author Byline:

Ken Myers is an expert advisor on multiple household help issues to many organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance. He is a regular contributor of “www.gonannies.com/”. You can get in touch with him at [email protected].

Raychelle Writes has been nominated for the Best Book Blog in the Black Weblog Awards (sponsored this year by Blogging While Brown). Voting in the semi-final round (9/15-10/1/2012) has commenced and I would really appreciate your support. The top five vote-getters advance to the finals.

Here is the link: http://www.blackweblogawards.com/blog/2012/9/15/black-weblog-award-voting-is-now-open-yay.html

Be sure to peruse all of the categories as some pretty fantastic bloggers have been nominated. I will be sure to keep you apprised of my progress.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...