Brave Bailee



Those of you who have read  To Be Honest know that Chase gives Star a bracelet engraved with the word brave to signify how she faces diversity and overcomes the many obstacles in her life. Even though I love my characters and the story line, the fact is they are fictional characters.




 I want to tell you about a real life brave little girl named Bailee. She is eight years old and recently diagnosed with leukemia. Bailee faces treatments beginning next week. I'm posting links below to order a Be Brave bracelet as well as other fundraiser links to help the family with medical costs.


Please support  her and keep brave little Bailee in your prayers.


$10 from every item sold will go directly to Bailee and her medical expenses
https://www.bravelets.com/bravepage/like-brave-bailee


https://www.booster.com/nlvfdbaileebrave

http://www.gofundme.com/zqj3jc

To Be Honest Book Release

 Today is the day! I'm so excited about the release of my first teen/ya adult novel, To Be Honest. You finally get to meet Star and Chase.  To celebrate the release, Lola Blog Tours organized a week long Book Blitz and Giveaway.  You may enter below to win a signed digital copy of the story or an Amazon gift card. The full blitz schedule can be found on Lola's Website.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spolight Author Gwendolyn M Plano

  You have asked me, "Who or what inspires me?"

  May Angelou will always hold a special place in my heart, because she gave me permission to write about the struggles that I held secretly within my soul. She opened the doors behind which sexual abuse and domestic violence thrive, and with her courage she paved a path of monumental change. Though I was not fortunate to meet her, she will always be my mentor.

  Poet Mary Oliver's verses speak to my spirit. Her ponderings draw me into mystery, where I am brought to a deeper level of understanding. Inevitably her choice of words guides my own. For instance this comment left me speechless: "Someone I once loved gave me a boxful of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift." How extraordinary!

   Oriah Mountain's Dreamers is of similar quality to that of Mary Oliver--it is honest, pure. loving, and transformative. She knows pain and sorrow and yet found joy. She is like the sister I have never met, a friend who by her life teaches me how to live.

    In addition to the works of the authors mentioned above, there are many other writers who are  part of my life. Authors Nonnie Jules, Nicholas Rossis, and Robin Chambers are just few of who crowd my bookcases and inspire me to write. They open the doors of the heart through their choice of words and their characters. And, they help to reframe the worlds both seen and unseen.



 Author Bio

Gwendolyn M Plano spent her professional life in higher education. She taught and served as an administrator in colleges in New York, Connecticut and California. She has multiple academic degrees, including on in Theology, and one in Counseling. Recently Gwen retired, and she now devotes herself to writing, travel, her volunteer work, and her beautiful grandchildren.

Book Link

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7WYTW6/
Gwen online!
Twitter: @gmplano
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GwendolynMPlano
Website: www.gwenplano.com

Five Things I Learned From my Character Part II



Tomorrow is the cover reveal for my debut young adult novel, To Be Honest. To say I'm excited is an understatement.  I've been bursting inside to introduce to you Starla and Chase.  You learned a little about Chase in my first post of Five Things I Learned From my Character. Now I'd like to tell you what I learned through the main character, Starla.




Starla lacks self-confidence due to a deformity in her hand. Teens in general fear embarrassment in front of their peers, so the physical difference compounds this fear for Starla. She suffers from anxiety at a level that exceeds the norm and has had to learn ways to cope. The list below is what I learned through Star's character.




1. Tapping is a technique to lower anxiety. This method operates much like Chinese acupuncture without the needles. You use your fingers to locate tapping points on your body that trigger emotional balance along with focusing on words to bring you back in balance. I found it interesting and much more involved than my brief little snip of information here. Starla uses this technique in the story when her anxiety rises.




2. Photography is another outlet for Star that she enjoys. I learned about different types of lenses used in photography. The coolest thing I found out was that night vision lenses use infared light not visible to the naked eye in order to illuminate an area.




3. Starla loves to quote classic literature and apply it to her life. I added some classic literature titles to my 'want to read' list as a result of the quotes. I admit to never having read "Little Women". After reading some quotes from this classic, my interest is piqued.




4. Internet bullying is a means to target a victim in today's technology world. I've posted on this topic while writing the book. The information I learned was too valuable not to share. You can read my posts on this topic by clicking the titles: Big Hair and Bullies  & Her Hair is Full of Secrets


5. I learned to let Starla lead the story. Of course I started this story with an outline of where I wanted it to go. As Starla's character developed and she experienced things in the story, I allowed her to take over and lead. She turned into a much stronger girl than the one from the beginning of the story. I hope you enjoy her journey!

• Cover Reveal is July 7th with Lola's Blog Tours.
• Book Trailer Reveal is July 14th with Double Decker Books.
• Book Release is July 21st with a Book Blitz event through Lola's Blog Tours.
• Fire Side Mocha Book Blast starts on July 30 with Double Decker Books.