Friday, May 31, 2013

Believe in Yourself

     Congratulations to Jacky Pett, the winner of my children's book, The Time Travel Storm.

 “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." -Maya Angelou

    I love to write. Even when I'm not writing, I'm writing. No matter what I'm doing, my mind drifts to a story. I make sure I'm prepared for my mind drifts by carrying a small notebook with me to jot down my ideas.
     There are times though, when my writing doesn't flow or feels forced. It's easy to give up or doubt myself.  I just finished reading a book called You Are a Writer So Start Acting Like One by Jeff Goins. In his book Jeff talks about being true to your voice. I recognize that those times when my writing feels forced is when I'm not being true to who I am as a writer. The story that I have to tell comes from within me. No matter what is "hot" at the moment, I need to stick to my voice and my story.
    
      This book has inspired my to write what I know and believe in myself.

                                                                                                       

Monday, May 27, 2013

Kiss in the Dark

“A short story is a different thing all together - a short story is like a kiss in the dark from a stranger.”
Stephen King, Skeleton Crew

       I love quotes from Stephen King. His quotes put writing in perspective for me.

  I'm working on a  young adult novella now dealing with the topic of death. I know..... not fun. The reader experiences the grief process through young Gabby's eyes but also has glimpses of her humor throughout the story.
  My story is almost finished and will need to go through some polishing yet. Maybe it will be someone's kiss in the dark when it's all said and done.



Update: It's polished and finished......Beyond Vica.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday Faves Children's Literature




Happy Friday everybody! My Friday Fave Children's book this week come from the same author as last week, Beverly Cleary. Yes, she is my favorite childhood author. Her stories had a way of pulling me in. I remember not being able to wait to hear my teacher read Ramona Quimby stories to us. Ramona's character was so identifiable in that she thought all the things about adults that children think. Her actions are comical.
                                        
Link up to tell about your favorite children's book, present or past, or  you can comment below.


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Who Hurts the Most From Alcohol Abuse?

 Alcoholism doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor. It doesn't matter what color your skin is or if you are a male or female. Can it hurt some more than others? Yes. The children of  alcoholics are hurt the most. It is estimated that 7.5 million children live in a home with a parent that has some type of alcohol disorder. Children are the helpless victims of this disease.
   This is a subject that I feel passionate about. I've seen what living with a alcohol dependent parent can do to a child. Uncertainty, embarrassment, and guilt are some of the feelings these children experience.
  Tegan Taylor is a middle class teenager with educated parents She is also a child of an alcoholic. This is the main character of  the young adult novel I'm currently writing. Writing this novel through the eyes of Tegan has been rewarded and challenging. She leads me tell her story with a touch of humor, but the consequences of her what she lives with are serious.
   I hope to do her justice through this novel, as well as all of the children who live it. I will post again soon with an update on this project.

                            

Monday, May 13, 2013

It's All In the Voice Contest

Hello all. I'm participating in the Heather Webb's It's All in the Voice Blog Hop and Contest.  Here are the first 250 words of a young adult novel I'm currently writing. Thank you for your feedback and I will "hop" around to your blogs to offer advice as well.


   "You should've stayed away from the preacher dude, Hester." I say to the adulterous heroine in the book I'm reading for class. A robin answers me from the top branches of the old oak. The swing under me sways covered by the shade of the oak. A woman's shriek from next door jolts me off the swing and onto my feet sending The Scarlett Letter to tumble from my lap. It lands spine up in the thick grass. Monstrous hedges guard the property line of my yard and that of my neighbor's, blocking my view from what lies beyond them. I search until I find a space in the hedge monsters and am able see into the yard next door. My eyes widen at the scene playing out before them.

  A woman stands inside a bed of daisies swinging a garden hoe. With each swing, a hot pink ribbon bobs from her brimmed hat.

  "Drop it, you evil thing," she cries. "Get out of here." 

  I want to call out to see if she needs my help, but I'm not sure what her name is. My mom took her a "welcome to the  neighborhood" gift basket and a pie when she moved in over the winter, but I didn't pay attention when mom told me her name.

  The woman inches a step forward, pokes at something with the hoe, and shrieks.

 "Oh my lands!"  A huge tomcat dashes to the opposite side of the yard and turns to bare it's teeth. It gives the woman a hiss before disappearing in the hedges. "Oh good Lord!" 


Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday Faves

 Welcome to my first Friday Faves for Children's Literature.  Book lovers and writers all started somewhere. More than likely the love of stories developed as a child. I invite parents, teachers, authors, and all book lovers to share their favorite children's literature.



   I'll start by sharing one my favorite childhood authors, Beverly Clearly. I'm currently reading her story Runaway Ralph.  Her ability to bring Ralph's character to life is amazing. Even though Ralph is a mouse, he has the thoughts, feelings, and interests of a child making him a character children can connect with. What child hasn't thought his parents unfair or siblings annoying?  This is a classic story that continues to be a favorite of mine.


Please link up a favorite children's book. Be sure to link from a blog post telling about the story and why it's a good book for children. Author, parents, teachers, and all book lovers may link up.







Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Children's Book Week Giveaway

   Children's Book Week is May 13-19. In honor of this book reading celebration, Mother and Daughter Book Reviews, and Youth Literature Book Reviews are having a Kid Lit Blog Hop Giveaway.
 I'm proudly participating in this event honoring two things dear to my heart, children and books.  You may enter to win a signed copy of my story The Time Travel Storm.  You can enter each day from May 13-19.
Click on the Kid Lit Blog Hop button below to find other wonderful book giveaways. Good Luck!


                                                          a Rafflecopter giveaway





Kid Lit Giveaway Hop Sign-Ups




Saturday, May 4, 2013

Welcome

 If you don't have time to read, you don't have time (or tools) to write. Simple as that. -Stephen King
   
 Welcome to A Writer's Devotion. I believe the love of reading is the foundation upon which a writer develops.  The desire inside to tell a story or express an idea pours out of a writer's hand. Beyond that it takes hard work to continue to grow and cultivate the craft. Dedication to write each day is a must.
   Join me on this journey as I explore great books to read, share tips from other writers, and share my own trials and triumphs.


     Keep Writing,