Teachers Use Tales of Adventure & Discovery

Teachers mention they like to read my stories from Tales of Adventure & Discovery (an anthology for children) to their students. It's gratifying to know teachers and their students find the stories enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. A coloring book, with illustrations and excerpts from the anthology was a logical next step for me.

The first story in the book, Sarah Jane's Daring Deed, has been very popular with youngsters when I read them stories and teach writing workshops. I often use it as a springboard for their own writing. Because this story set in pioneer days, I often tie the story in with history they may be learning at school. I'm currently in the process of developing a picture book version of this story.

One teacher purchased my book when I taught a writing workshop for educators. Other teachers in her school wanted to know where she had obtained it. So the school ordered a dozen books for the teachers to use.

Another teacher mentioned she'd borrowed a copy of the book from a colleague long enough so thought she should purchase her own.

Christmas Short Story at Alzheimer's Notes.com

I've posted one of my short stories, with a Christmas theme, Laura's New Home for Christmas, at my blog, Alzheimer's Notes. I'm hoping this will provide encouragement to families who find they can't bring their loved one home from the nursing home for the holidays.

The story is based loosely on my experiences and what I learned when I could no longer bring my mom home. We learned to enjoy her where she was and provide her happiness as well.

Creative Writing Challenge from Cathy's Blog

Cathy, from Cathy's Rants and Ramblin's, issued a challenge for creative writing....a story, essay, a poem... ending with Ian Fleming's quote "I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them."

A number of bloggers and authors decided to participate. You'll find the links here and below to their creations.

"What should I write?" I wondered. Then a poem came to mind as I pondered on Ian Fleming's quote and it's meaning to my life.

TIME

By Mary Emma Allen

When time passes quickly,
I wish for more hours;
I've often said I need
Forty-eight in my day.

Would I accomplish more
With the added time?
Would I find more to do
Or stretch the present?

A pondering on time could
Take up so much time
That I don't have time to do
What I want to do
With that time!

Such as writing more, sketching more,
reading more, walking more,
praying more,
being with family more.

So...I've decided to enjoy
the twenty-four hours I have and
"I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them!"

To read Cathy's delightful story about Spooner and find, at the end, the links to all the other participants' blogs and responses to this challenge, check it out here....

Virtual Book/Blog Tour Is "Wave of the Future"

Recently I hosted Dorothy Thompson and Shelia Goss on blog tours for their new books. These authors are getting involved in what is being called the "wave of the future."

As I browse the Internet, visit book promotion web sites, I see blog tours recommended as a way to get name recognition and sell books. It's amazing the way the Internet is changing so many aspects of our lives.

If you haven't considered a blog/book tour, you may want to look into it. I had fun hosting Dorothy and Shelia and learning more about them and their writing.