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News from Teresa Nordheim, a children's literature writer.
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Hitting stores on September 15, 2014 is Tacoma’s Haunted History, co-authored with my dear friend and ghost hunter, Ross Allison. Special thanks to Ross for believing in me enough to work with him on this project. We had several fun hours spent together pouring through history at the library!
Book Description:
Tacoma hides in the shadows of Seattle, but what hides in the shadows of Tacoma? The city’s paranormal history is riddled with Native American culture, spiritualists, mysterious deaths, tragedy, and curses that dwell in the dark. Much of Tacoma is built directly on top of sacred lands, and many natives to the area can attest that the city is haunted by its past. Desecration of graves can leave troubling results. Hexed citizens can perish. An untimely death can leave behind a soul. These unfortunate circumstances bring forth tales of the strange and unexplainable. Are we alone in Tacoma or accompanied by ghosts of the past?
Author Bio:
A.G.H.O.S.T. was founded in 2000 by Ross Allison. With more than 25 years of worldwide investigative experience, Ross shares his knowledge by writing books, appearing on national television, and teaching classes. He can also be found wandering the streets of Seattle as a tour guide for his business, Spooked in Seattle Ghost Tours. Teresa Nordheim is the director of research for A.G.H.O.S.T. and is a self-proclaimed research addict with a passion for the paranormal field. She has written more than 30 articles for various publications and conducted interviews with celebrities and distinguished professionals in the paranormal and scientific fields.
Pre-Order today from Amazon and see a free preview!
Reflecting back to 2012, I see a lot of red on my tracking. However, it was a successful year. I didn’t submit nearly as much as I should have. In fact, my goal was 240 submissions and I actually completed around 100. My goal was to have one article released per month, and I reached 1/2 of this goal. As far as income, I made $200.00 more than my projected goal. I also accepted a position with Spider Magazine writing monthly teacher’s guides in September. So, while I didn’t meet all of my goal, I did reasonably well and plan to work even harder in 2013.
1. I will submit to agents and publisher at monthly.
2. I will increase my writing income by twice the 2012 amount.
3. I will allow myself to get 1 rejection per month. They are going to come, so I might as well embrace them.
4. I will attract an agent!!
5. I will start the publishing process with at least 1 book.
6. I will continue to freelance for Examiner.com and write at least 4 articles per month.
7. I will complete my 3 current works in progress.
8. I will continue writing teacher’s guides for Spider.
9. I will continue to build my writer’s platform.
10. I will do 5 speaking presentations to children on the topic of writing.
Today’s movies and television can present challenges for parents. Is it too violent? Is there nudity or bad language? The good news is most movies and even a few television programs now come with ratings and warning labels. If the movie is rated R, it’s best not to allow young children to watch it alone.
What about books? They don’t come with ratings and warning labels? If it’s in the children’s category, does that make it safe to read? Not always. The best way to ensure a book is appropriate for your child is to read the book yourself and educate yourself on well-known authors and illustrators. That is why I have decided to interview a few illustrators and authors to give parents an insider look on some of the books your child might be interested in reading.
First up, is the brilliantly talented Rick Spears the illustrator, not to be confused with Rick Spears the comic book writer. His work has appeared in many children’s publications including, but not limited to: ‘Alien Investigations’, ‘In Search of Sasquatch’, ‘Dinosaur Parade’, ‘Dinosaur Mummies’, and my personal favorite ‘Tales of the Cryptids.’
Q: Which do you prefer: working in 3D or flat illustration?
A: I like the 3D stuff better than 2D, because with drawing, you have to figure out the shading. With 3D stuff, it’s kind of built in!
Q: When did you first start drawing?
A: June 27th, 1965. Actually, I don’t know for sure, but I do remember being around 4, and my dad giving me paper from his office to draw on.
Q: For your illustrations, what materials do you use?
A: I prefer drawing with pencil or Sharpie on a nice Bristol board paper, then scanning it into and coloring it with my computer.
Q: Do you have a specific process when starting an illustration project or does each project come to life on its own?
A: I’ll get an initial image in my head, and then sketch it out to see if it really works. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it leads to a better idea.
Q: What recommendations would you have for young people interested in working in an art career?
A: It depends on what kind of art you want to do, but as far as my kind of art (natural history-related), say it’s important to be a good observer. Study science, especially animal anatomy. Techniques change all the time, but artists still need to learn to “see” the world. However, with any kind of art (or anything else, really) just do it! Draw all the time! Sketch! Doodle! Practice!
Q: Do you have a favorite scale-model? If so, why is it your favorite?
A: My favorite ‘scale’ to work in is 1:1, or life-size So, my fave so far is a life-size T. rex. On a smaller scale, my fave was a model of an albertosaurus feasting on a duck-billed dinosaur. It was about 1 ft. long.
Q: How do you decide on the designs for your models?
A: Each model’s design is determined by many factors, including: what animal it is, how big it is, what pose it’s in, and where it’ll be displayed.
Q: What materials do you use?
A: If it’s a small model, I might use a self-hardening epoxy clay. Larger models may be carved foam with an epoxy clay skin. Big life-sized animals are sculpted foam with a paper-mache-like skin, to make the more light-weight.
Q: I see on your webpage a picture of a creature you were working on just outside of your house. So I have to ask, what do your neighbors think?
A: Ha! That was in the Winter, so most people weren’t outside much. I did get a few stares, but no one really said anything.
Q: You’ve done a lot in the field of cryptids. Do you have an opinion on their existence?
A: Despite the wonders of technology and global connectivity, the world is still a big place with many places for mysterious species to inhabit. I have no doubt there are animals that remain unknown to science.
Q: When choosing a project, are there certain items which catch your interest before others? Dinosaurs? Submarines?
A: Dinosaurs, of course! Any prehistoric animals, actually. Then cryptids. Then space stuff. Submarines are still cool, I just haven’t had the pleasure of dealing with any as of late.
Q: The Planetarium shows sound like they are both fun and educational. Which planetarium show has been your favorite so far?
A: Wow… that’s a tough question, because I have many faves. I think, though, it would have to be one called “The Amazing Space Race”. It’s about intergalactic contenders flying their spaceships in a – well – a space race. I designed the show to have 3 separate endings, so a different racer can win each time the program is shown.
Q: Which movie did you most enjoy working on? Why?
A: Probably when I made some fake rocks for “Eight-Legged Freaks”, a movie about giant spiders that attack a desert town. I liked working on it, because I got to make the rocks at home and then ship them out to the set. The movie was produced by one of the guys that made the American Godzilla movie, so I carved one of the rocks to look like a Godzilla head. I don’t know if it made it into the movie, because the “rock scene” goes by pretty fast.
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
A: Just updating some dinosaur exhibits at work right now. I may be making a life-sized mastodon and calf later next year for a museum.
Time for a few silly questions to keep my readers on their toes…
Q: How much money did you win on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
A: Not enough. Actually I did all right. I got a check for $250,000.00 which I shared with the IRS.
Q: What’s your favorite dinosaur?
A: Allosaurus. My favorite non-dinosaur that some people think is a dinosaur: Dimetrodon.
Q: If you were a dinosaur, which would you be?
A: One that was still alive… so probably a bird.
Q: If there was a Jurassic Park opening in the USA, what role would you play in the building, designing, or running of the business?
A: I would like to be involved with designing interpretive exhibits, probably… Why? What have you heard?
Q: Who would win an arm wrestling match: Bigfoot or Abdominal Snowman?
A: I’d have to go with Bigfoot, because it uses its arms more on a daily basis. But, I assume the Abdominal Snowman has great abs.
Q: Which would you fear the most: Meeting the Jersey Devil alone on a dark night or an alien abduction?
A: I’m gonna say the Jersey Devil, because it does not exist, so if I met up with it that would be REALLY scary! An alien abduction? What’s with these probing questions?
To learn more about Rick Spears please visit his website: http://www.rickspearsart.com
With over 120 locations featured in my WIP titled Abandoned, I have been searching for photos to highlight my writing on each abandoned location. The internet is a fountain of talent. As I complete my pre-draft of each chapter, I would like to highlight the photographers who have graciously contributed their work/time/photos. Keep in mind, at this point there is no guaranteeing payment for photos and each of these very talented people have agreed to donate their work for free. (Fingers crossed the publisher will offer payment to each of them.)
Please take a moment to browse through their Flickr sites and see their beautiful work! If you happen to leave a comment on their photos, feel free to let them know where you found this link. Without these wonderful people, I could not complete this project. I’ blessed!
Amusement Parks:
Logen: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22491509@N07/
Roberto: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9385421@N08/
Ann-Marie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annnmarie/
gtotiger68: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtotiger/
Esteban: http://www.flickr.com/photos/buddha1098/
Claire: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockinfree/
Juliet: http://www.flickr.com/photos/71737123@N05/
Will: http://www.flickr.com/photos/willcrusta/
Nic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1980nic/
‘Deathscape’ introduces readers to two strangers who met by fate and find exactly what they need.
Ashley Price nearly lost her life in a tragic accident. While ice skating with her young daughter and a neighbor boy, they fell into the depths of the cold, icy water. Ashley rescued her daughter and went back under to save the boy, but lost her own life instead. In fact, she was legally dead before paramedics brought her back to life. The boy died. Filled with regret and guilt, her world is turned upside down and she can’t seem to shake the nasty visions which haunt her. The only way to stop the visions is to utilize her artistic talents and paint what she sees. The trouble is she keeps painting dead people. Until one day she paint Detective Jack Sullivan and something is different. Not only is he not yet dead but his body is buried on her property.
Ashley is afraid of Jack. Since the accident, most people in the small town think she is a complete mental case. Ashley avoids him but he keeps coming back into her life. Her focus is stopping the visions and regaining her life. She must grow strong in order to keep her daughter in her life. There isn’t time for love or a man.
Jack is a cop and suspicious of her already, but he is also drop dead sexy and head strong. He’s after the man who tried to kill him, a serial killer who has already taken the life of his sister. He’s certain Ashley is connected to the killer and maybe even working with him. When he discovers her macabre paintings, he is even more certain. Why does he get a stir inside his stomach every time he sees her? She’s off limits. Why does he enjoy spending time with her five year old daughter? Jack isn’t the fatherly type or even the marrying man.
Will Ashley go crazy or will she allow her heart to fall for Jack? Will Jack figure out there is more to life then catching his sister’s murderer? There is only one way to find out, read the book.
Dana Marton is an award winning author and ultra-talented. Her characters are strong and believable. There is a perfect mix of romance and suspense that holds readers on the edge of their seat and keeps them flipping the pages.
To purchase a copy of ‘Deathscape’ by Dana Marton, visit: Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Deathscape-ebook/dp/B009YMJ2AO
To learn more about Dana Marton and her writing, visit: http://danamarton.com/
Started making some “ghosties in a jar” to help build up my writer’s platform in the world of paranormal peeps. This should help me when it comes time to promoting my newest WIP, ‘Abandoned’. https://www.facebook.com/teresa.nordheim.9?fref=ts
I’m also pleased to announce that I have obtained over 90% of the photo permissions needed for my book. I have met many generous photographers via Flickr and hope to be sharing their talents with you on my blog. I would like to blog about each and every one of them to help promote their photos. I can’t believe the talent out there that is hidden from the world. I hope my book will sell and promote all of them as well as me.
More to come…
My current project is titled: Abandoned. The book will highlight 100 abandoned locations from around the world, including but not limited to:Amusement Parks, Churches, Hospitals, Hotels, Industrial Buildings, Jails, Skyscrapers, Towns, Zoos, Malls, Banks, Railways, Residences, Schools, and Theaters. Each location will tell a brief history, show a photo or two, describe the current status, reason for abandonment, and interesting facts.
I’m currently seeking photo donations for these locations. Due to the volume of the locations, I can’t offer payment at this time but can advertise you websites, and list your name and copyright by your photo. Thanks to several wonderful people I have found on Flickr, I already have 36% of the locations! I will blog about each of the wonderful photographers as soon as I get the photos selected.
I’m also open to quotes, stories or interviews which the photographers might have on their location.
Here is the TOC for Abandoned:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Amusement Parks
Chapter 3: Churches
Chapter 4: Hospitals
Chapter 5: Hotels
Chapter 6: Industrial
Chapter 7: Jails
Chapter 8: Railways
Chapter 9: Residential
Chapter 10: Schools
Chapter 11: Skyscrapers
Chapter 12: Towns
Chapter 13: Zoos
Chapter 14: Everything Else (Malls, Theaters, Banks, Libraries)
Chapter 15: Renovation, Recycling, and Restoring
I’m back to writing a non-fiction piece. It was inspired by my ten year old daughter, who I hold as an expert on what a reluctant reader might enjoy. In today’s society we have a chance to explore the modern ruins of the world. What will we do with them? Will abandoned hotels be demolished or renovated to home the growing number of homeless people? There is horror, terror, and fear in the search of the abandoned, but there is also discovery, hope, and possibilities.
Now I just need to figure out how to gather information on all 300 abandoned places which I am writing about. And then, cut a few of the least interesting places. The cutting will be difficult, as I am only nine locations into this project and intrigued by everyone!
More info to come…
Q: Please share you bio with us and anything else you would like readers to know.
A: I was born in New York City in 1939 and moved to Greensboro, NC, two years later. Except for schools and some months in California, I never left. I didn’t finish tenth grade, but got into our state university by the back door. I have two advanced degrees, two children, and two Saint Bernards.
Q: Can you share some writing experiences with us?
A: Gosh, I wish I could, but do you really want to hear about the old chaise and the green clipboard I use? And the Cross ballpoint pen?
Q: Tell us briefly about your book and what you feel is the most important topic/sub-message you share.
A: ‘Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare’ is about a city kid named John who isn’t ready to go to bed yet, and a bright-red crocodile named Crosley who shows up to rescue him and sneak him out on an adventure. The part I like best is the reason Crosley is red. He is red because he is allergic to water. In a roundabout way, that is. If he gets wet, he has to do the Black Bottom dance for hours and hours. Unless he takes his antidote pills. The pills stop the Black Bottoming, but (yeah, you got it!) they turn him red.
Q: What comes easily to you and what do you find more difficult?
A: I have some facility for dialogue and dialect. I probably should have gone into playwriting. I struggle more setting scenes. Titles are easy. You just have to finish the things first to see what you have.
Q: Please describe to us your relationship between you and your editor. What makes an author/editor relationship a success?
A: My editor is very competent and usually correct. (She isn’t correct when we squabble over my freewheeling punctuation.) She keeps a lid on my flights of dialect and has made any number of detail textual improvements.
Q: What inspired you to write?
A: It was tenth grade. I handed in a sappy poetical piece in English class and this very cute student teacher gushed over it. Her name was Ellen and she was spoken for, but that did it for me right there.
Q: Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If yes, how did you ‘cure’ it?
A: Not full-blown “writer’s block” where you sit there and stare at the paper and nothing comes for days. But I’ve gotten into plenty of plot situations that I didn’t know how to squirm out of, and I’ve come to places and just not known what to say next. When this happened to Dickens, he took late night walks around London. I do think walking helps.
Q: Have you had any training to become a writer?
A: I have an M.A. in English and an M.F.A. in creative writing. That, and I’ve been around for a lot of years.
Q: Is there anything you’d go back and do differently now that you have been published, in regards to your writing career?
A: Get there sooner.
Q: How do you see the future of book publishing, both traditional, electronic, and print on demand?
A: Sorry, I have no idea. I’m just a storyteller.
Q: What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?
A: I try to do what Hemingway suggested. He said stop for the day at a place it will be easy to start from the next day. Then the next day read over what’s already there so everything will be a piece.
Q: Do you have any book signings, tours, or special events planned to promote your book that readers might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?
A: These are in the works. The book only came out June 1st.
Book Trailer
Night Buddies Website
Become a fan and win a book! Starting today 8/23/09 and ending 8/30/09. All you need to do, is become a fan. At the end of the week, all names will be entered in a hat and my daughter will draw a winner. The winner will receive a free copy of, Bite of Washington. Check it out on Amazon.com.
Payment came today for a short article. A small step, but still a good day in the my writing World.
I received the go ahead for my article "The Body Farm" in their Dirty/Messy Jobs issue. I can't wait. Now I need to dig out my interview and do some revisions. Currently it is about 1500 words and needs to be 450. Who cares! It's another small success.
I just received the official email from Rebecca Thompson, chief editor at Learning Through History. They were in negotiations with another company who wanted to take over the magazine, but the negotiations failed. Their last issue will be "The Great Space Race". Very sad news. I have subbed many articles and made it through the final read on one. I never did get published before the closure.
My mailbox brought me another small surprise. I received a check from Highlights for Children Magazine. In my list of goals, Highlights was due next year. So I skipped a step and moved on up. I'm very excited to see what the year will bring now.
I'm currently working on another submission for Highlights and revising with suggestions from the editor.
I enjoy writing non-fiction for children, but I have had even more fun doing these pieces which highlights kids who are making a difference in the world. It surprises me each time I do the research. The kids today are smart, innovative, and goal oriented!
I almost fainted in front of the mailbox. I pulled a huge stack of work mail for my hubby and hidden inside was one small envelope for me. Inside was a contract from Highlights Magazine requesting to purchase my story about Sydney Martin for the Gallant Kids section.
Highlights!? SCREAM!!! Beware publishing World...I've reached another goal and this mean the book goal is next in line.
May 17th celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day. The Pacific Northwest shows off it's Scandinavian heritage with a huge parade and day of celebration in Ballard, WA.
Rice Cream (Riskrem)
A Heavenly rice cream pudding with an almond hidden inside.
By Ingeborg Nordheim from Grytting, Norway (translated by Sverre Nordheim)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup white rice (not Minute Rice)
1 tsp salt
1 qt. milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups heavy cream, whipped and sweetened to taste
1/2 cup almonds, chopped
1 whole almond
Directions:
Bring milk to boil. Wash rice and add to hot milk, with sugar to taste. Simmer over med heat until well cooked (25 to 35 min). Remove from heat and stir in gelatin which has been dissolved in a little hot water. Add raisins, sugar and butter. Allow to cool well. Whip the cream and fold into rice pudding.
Wacky Dream Story Contest
Entry Fee: $10 for adults. Young authors (17 and under) free
Deadline: May 30, 2009
Send Stories for Children Magazine a short story for children ages 12 and under about a wacky dream. You can either write about a dream you've actually had or about a dream one of your characters has. It's up to you, but remember the story has to be for children ages 12 and under. This means no sexual content, violence, or anything related to drugs.
Submissions are due: March 1, 2009 thru May 30, 2009
Who can enter? Adults and Children (17 and under)
Contest Fees: Adults $10
Children 17 & under FREE
Contest Prizes:
The Top Three stories for both categories will be published in the following months-
1st place in the July 2009 SFC issue
2nd place in the August 2009 SFC issue
3rd place in the September 2009 SFC issue
On top of being published in Stories for Children Magazine our Top Three Winners in both categories will also receive-
For Adults -
1st Place: A year subscription to Children's Writers put out by The Institute of Children’s Literature.
2nd Place: Writer's Little Instruction Book: Craft & Technique by Paul Raymond Martin published by Writer's Digest
3rd Place: Writer's Little Instruction Book: Getting Published by Paul Raymond Martin published by Writer's Digest
For Youth (17 and under)- a $10 gift certificate to a store of their choice.
To find out more visit http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/WackyDreamStoryContest.aspx
In case you haven't heard, I made it through three interviews and was offered the job as proofreader at Stories for Children Magazine.
I've followed this magazine online, since it's start and even contributed a story or two. The growth of this once small e-zine is incredible. I look forward to working with the great people at SFC and can't wait to see what and where the magazine will lead all of us.
Writers: Check my blog on occasion and whenever possible I will pass on information about submission needs.
Readers: This monthly magazine for 3-12 year olds has a little something for everyone.
Haven't heard of SFC Magazine? We'd love for you to stop by and check it out. CHECK IT OUT
Love beautiful jewelry? Love seeing kids who totally rock! Here is the link to my amazing WIP star:
SYD ROCKS NECKLACES
Finish The Sentence.... With a relation to writing
1. My ex is...eating crow from when he told me I couldn't be a writer.
2. Maybe I should... start a new romantic suspense.
3. I love... writing non-fiction for children.
4. People would say that I am...devoted to success in my field.
5. I don't understand...why celebrities can publish children's books.
6. When I wake up in the morning...I think about writing.
7. I lost...a contract due to an editor leaving the company.
8. Life is full of...rejections, consider them badges of courage.
9. The past taught me...to submit to the correct publishers the first time.
10. I get annoyed when...I wait months for a generic rejection.
11. Parties are...are best when your editor is footing the bill.
12. I wish I was...arranging a book signing for myself.
13. Dogs...are a poor substitute for cats.
14. Cats...are best when they come from Thailand.
15. Tomorrow...I will start a new writing project.
16. I have a low tolerance for...people who look down on others.
17. If I had a million dollars...buy a yacht and sail the Caribbean with a laptop to write.
18. I'm totally terrified of....never getting a book published.
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Wahoo and congrats, again. You deserve this. So, which book goal will you go for? I'm so wondering
Well non-fiction seems to be the seller, but you know me and my love for fiction. I really want to hone in on Bart and his adventures. I still think he could be a winner.