October - A Time for Spider Month, Books & Activities

October seems to be "Spider Month," when people are searching the Internet for information about spiders. Perhaps it has to do with Halloween.

Marcie Pickelsimer, my co-blogger at One Book Two Book, has done a great deal of research on this topic as it applies to children's books and activities. You might enjoy visiting our blog, especially the following posts:

October is Spider Month
Spider Activities for Kids: Young & Old
Spiders!
10 Best Spider Books
Spiders, Spiders Everywhere

Enjoy! Then you might want to leave Marcie a message telling her how much you appreciate all the research she has done on this topic and the books and spider activities she's found.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Writing Workshops for Tots Through Teens & Adults

I love encouraging young and beginning writers. So I'm often invited to schools and libraries to present writing workshops in various types of this art form....fiction, non-fiction, poetry. Since I've also illustrated some of my books, I'll include art in these presentations, too.

For more information about my writing workshops, check them out at my Children's Author Tales blog. (Contact information is there, too.)

Discover Weekly Writing Tips at One Book Two Book

If you or your family entertain thoughts of writing...for pure fun, to write stories for school lessons, or to record your thoughts in journals, you might enjoy the series I've begun at One Book Two Book, Mary Emma's Writing Tips. Although the weekly tips, prompts and activities are slated for young writers, they will work for anyone.

These will appear at One Book Two Book each Sunday. I also will suggest books and web sites where you can find help and inspiration, too.

One of my joys is sharing my writing with others and encouraging them in theirs, whether they're children or adults.

Related Posts:
Mary Emma's Writing Tips for Young Writers
Mary Emma's Writing Activities for Young Writers
Mary Emma's Weekly Writing Tips -Scary Stories

(c)Mary Emma Allen

Daily Giveaways at One Book Two Book beginning August 24

Giveaways at OneBookTwoBook.com

You’ll find them daily for several days (August 24 - Sept. 6) for the Back-to-School Blast. Some days there even two drawings!

Among the prizes are many items to get the youngsters ready for school from snacks, lunch boxes/kits, back packs, books, and other supplies.

Stay tuned and have a blast! Visit One Book Two Book often.

Get One Book, Two Book’s Feed!

GIVEAWAY for HARRY POTTER PHENOMENON BOOK

At my Home Biz Notes blog, I'm offering a random drawing giveaway of Susan Gunelius's new book:

"To celebrate the U.S. release of Harry Potter, The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon by Susan Gunelius, we’re conducting a random drawing giveaway of a copy of the book. (See my interview of Susan at Home Biz Notes for more information about the book and why Susan wrote it.)"

Check out the giveaway, especially if you're a Harry Potter fan or are interested in phenomenal marketing strategies.

One Book Two Book - Book Blog for Kids of All Ages

I'm having great fun co-blogging with Marcie Pickelsimer at the b5media blog, One Book Two Book which features books and information for kids of all ages. You might want to check it out. Even become a regular reader!

We feature: reviews, interviews, giveaways, theme weeks, book news, word of the week, book quotes, reading related activities, and much, much more.

Come join us!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Check Out the Giveaways on Four of My Blogs

I'm running giveaways on 4 of my b5media blogs. How about checking them out? You may want to enter the random drawings.

http://www.onebooktwobook.com/monkey-trouble-book-giveaway-at-one-book-two-book/

http://www.quiltingandpatchwork.com/2008/07/28/bloggy-giveway-at-quilting-patchwork/

http://www.alzheimersnotes.com/a-glass-full-of-tears-giveaway-at-alzheimers-notes/

http://www.homebiznotes.com/a-drawinggiveaway-for-mary-emma-allens-anthology/

The giveaway at Quilting and Patchwork expires Aug. 1, 11:59 PM (Eastern). The expiration date on the others is Aug. 5, 11:59 PM (Eastern).

Writing & Publishing Month at Home Biz Notes

Want to learn more about writing and publishing? Also working at it from home?

Check out the exciting features this month at my b5media blog, Home Biz Notes. My coblogger, Yvonne Russell, and I are interviewing writers, featuring self-publishing businesses, talking to tax experts. We're hosting authors, doing book reviews, and posting guest articles as well as mentioning our own experiences in the writing/publishing field.

*Tim Bete with 10 book promotion tips
*Susan Gunelius and her new book about the Harry Potter phenomenon.
*Anne Wayman, blogger and writer
*Lois Collins and the Spencer Family Books
*Janie Lancaster and running serials in newspapers
*Kathleen Walls and GAP

This is only a sampling of what Yvonne and I have planned.

Come join us!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Debbie Yost Writes About What She Knows

"Write about what you know," has been the age-old advice for writers. Sometimes this works and sometimes writers choose a different path.

However, for daycare provider, blogger and writer, Debbie Yost, this advice is paving the way for her writing. Debbie appeared as a guest blogger on Home Biz Notes, a blog I co-author with Yvonne Russell at b5media. In a four-part series, Debbie provided information and suggestions for anyone who is considering a home daycare or currently is operating one.

Most of Debbie's suggestions also work well for owners of other businesses. Check out the post, In Home Daycare Business Series Roundup. Here you'lll find the links to all of Debbie's posts at Home Biz Notes.

What are you doing in your life that you can expand upon and write about...either for the print media or online? Make a list of "what you know" and see what will come from it.

I'd enjoy hearing how you make out.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Karin Abarbanel & Birthing the Elephant Visit Home Biz Notes

Karin Abarbanel stopped by my b5 media blog, Home Biz Notes, during her April author tour of the blogosphere. In my post, A “Birthing The Elephant” Strategy To Business Success, you'll learn about this unique and very helpful book for women entrepreneurs. However, much of the information has general application for men and women and their businesses.

Subtitled, The woman’s go-for-it! guide to overcoming the big challenges of launching a business, Birthing the Elephant, encourages women to design their destinies and gives stories from real people who have become successful in business. In fact Bobbi Brown, owner of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, writes the foreword.

If you have questions for Karin, about her book and business, leave them in the comments section of my post at Home Biz Notes. Also, post a comment and become eligible to win a free copy of Birthing the Elephant at the end of her tour! One lucky winner will be announced on April 30!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

A Visit With Allison Bottke, Author of Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children

Allison Bottke, author of Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children, stops by Potpourri of Writing during her April Blog Tour. She's spreading the word about a topic she feels desperately needs to be addressed and leaves a message already striking a chord in hearts around the nation about adult children whose lives are out of control and who often come home to live.

MARY EMMA: Welcome, Allison, to Potpourri of Writing. Thank you for coming to share with us. Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children comes out of your own personal experience with your son. Please tell us about that.

ALLISON: For years I really thought I was helping my son. I wanted him to have the things I never had growing up. I love my son, and I didn’t want him to hurt—but sometimes pain is a natural result of the choices we make. For a long time I didn’t understand the part I was playing in the ongoing drama that had become my son’s life—I didn’t understand that I didn’t have to live in constant chaos and crisis because of his choices. When I chose to stop the insanity and start living a life of hope and healing my life changed. It’s a feeling I want other struggling parents and grandparents to experience. I want other parents to know that change is possible when we choose to stop the destructive cycle of enabling. And we can stop it. I know, because I’ve done it.

MARY EMMA: Why do you think so many parents struggle with enabling their adult children?

ALLISON: We don’t understand the difference between helping and enabling, that one heals and the other hurts. We don’t realize that we handicap our adult children when we don’t allow them to experience the consequences of their actions.

MARY EMMA: How can we determine whether we are helping versus enabling our children?

ALLISON: Helping is doing something for someone that he is not capable of doing himself.
Enabling is doing for someone things that he could and should be doing himself.
An enabler is a person who recognizes that a negative circumstance is occurring on a regular basis and yet continues to enable the person with the problem to persist with his detrimental behaviors. Simply, enabling creates an atmosphere in which our adult children can comfortably continue their unacceptable behavior.

MARY EMMA: What are some of the most common ways that parents enable their children?

ALLISON: Being the Bank of Mom and Dad, or the Bank of Grandma and Grandpa. Loaning money that is never repaid, buying things they can’t afford and don’t really need. Continually coming to their rescue so they don’t feel the pain—the consequences—of their actions and choices. Accepting excuses that we know are excuses—and in some instances are downright lies. Blaming ourselves for their problems. We have given too much and expected too little.

MARY EMMA: What are some things that parents can do to break the cycle of enabling?

ALLISON: Follow the six steps to S.A.N.I.T.Y.: Stop blaming yourself and stop the flow of money. Stop continually rescuing your adult children from one mess after another. Assemble a support group of other parents in the same situation. Nip excuses in the bud. Implement rules and boundaries. Trust your instincts. Yield everything to God, because you’re not in control. These six things can start a parent on the road to S.A.N.I.T.Y. in an insane situation that is spinning out of control. However, a key issue in breaking the cycle of enabling is to understand whose problem it really is.

MARY EMMA: What does this book accomplish that other books on the topic do not?

ALLISON: Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children will empower readers with a no holds barred six step S.A.N.I.T.Y. format, stating in black and white the parental behaviors that must STOP, along with identifying new habits to implement if change is to occur. Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children will identify the false conceptions parents believe about themselves and their adult children and will counter each lie of captivity with the truth that setting boundaries is not only a good thing—but a vital part of hope and healing. True stories from other enabling parents and grandparents are woven throughout the chapters. Discussions with and observations from licensed psychologists and psychiatrists are also included.

MARY EMMA: Tell us about the S.A.N.I.T.Y. Support Group Network you founded. How can people get involved?

ALLISON: The “A” step in S.A.N.I.T.Y. is to ASSEMBLE a support group. This is a vital component in being able to look at our situations more objectively. We have developed a powerful Companion Study Guide that can be read individually or in a group setting. This Companion Study Guide contains all the information you need to conduct a S.A.N.I.T.Y. Support group in your neighborhood or community. Visit our web site here to find out more: http://www.sanitysupport.com/blogtourguests.htm.

MARY EMMA: Thank you, Allison, for visiting Potpourri of Writing during your blog tour. Is there anything you'd like to add?

ALLISON: I encourage your readers to tell me what they think about Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children. I really do want to hear reader feedback. They can reach me at: SettingBoundaries@SanitySupport.com. Please be sure to visit our web site at http://www.sanitysupport.com/blogtourguests.htm where they will find additional resources for helping them on their road to S.A.N.I.T.Y. Remember to tell a friend in need and help save a life!

Fact or Fiction? How Can We Be Sure?

I found an interesting post, More Literary Hoaxes, on Heather Goldsmith's blog, A Creative Journal. She discusses some of the current literary hoaxes, whereby writers have tried to pass off fictionalized accounts as memoir or autobiography.

I left a comment at Heather's blog, but thought I'd include my thoughts here. Since I write a great deal of memoir in my "Country Kitchen" newspaper column, I began to wonder if my readers would think I made all this up. I attended a writers' group the other evening, and when the discussion turned to memoir as a genre, many were shaking their heads, wondering what to believe anymore.

We begin to wonder what's true and what isn't, don't we? Of course, when you write about your life, you may find you don't recall incidents exactly like others who experienced them with you. But these usually are minor things. If you fictionalize too much, you'll be caught up on it sometime.

When I was taking a children's writing workshop, we had to write about an incident in our childhood. The instructor liked mine but gave suggestions for making it more exciting. Since those details were fabricated, I was uncomfortable about writing it this way. So he suggested I make it a fiction story, incorporating the fact with fabrication. This turned out very well and sold to several children's magazines and appeared in an anthology. (I retained the rights so I could sell reprint and anthology rights.) Fiction based upon fact can be fun to write, but it should be labeled as such.

What do you think?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Author Dyan Garris Tours Home Biz Notes

Author Dyan Garris stopped by Home Biz Notes today on her blog tour as she promotes her book, Money and Manifesting. She has a unique way of approaching the topic of making money.

"It is not enough to think positively, repeat affirmations, and attract positive energy. We must implement and integrate this learning into our daily lives. This is the real secret of manifesting money. It is the real secret of manifesting anything."

Learn more about Dyan's evolution as a businesswoman to author. She has an interesting story to tell and shares her ideas at Home Biz Notes and in her book.

Blog Writing - For Fun, For Profit, For Promotion, For a Cause

Blog writing has taken off in the past few years and is used for various reasons. I'll mention a few of the reasons bloggers blog. Some of them interrelate.

FUN - Some bloggers write purely for fun, using their blog as an online journal. They may base much of their blogging around a particular theme, as my daughter does with her fabric art at Meandering Threads.

PROFIT - Bloggers write for pay, some for blogging networks, as I do for b5media, others for companies that need someone to maintain their blogs that provide information for customers.
If you'd like to see what it's like to blog for a network, check out my blogs at b5media (Alzheimer's Notes, Quilting and Patchwork, and Home Biz Notes).

PROMOTION - Authors are using blogs to promote their books and workshops; crafters promote their products on their web sites; businesses call attention to themselves and their products/services. You might not have a "store" on your blog, but you provide interesting information that will lead customers to your online and offline places of business.

A CAUSE - Bloggers write about topics that fire them up whether political, environmental, health, business, religious, as well as presumed and real slights and injuries. The blogosphere has become a powerful tool for people to voice their opinions and get their views across. Sometimes the power is used negatively, as well as positively.

I enjoy blogging, whether my personal blogs here at Blogger or those at b5media, so much that I teach workshops and give talks about Blog Writing so others can learn about this, too.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Highlighting Gary Maccagnone and St. John of the Midfield

As he tours the blogosphere this month to promote his book, St. John of the Midfield, Garasamo "Gary" Maccagnone stops off at Potpourri of Writing today. He also is the author of the children's book, The Suburban Dragon and the collection of short stores entitled, The Affliction of Dreams.

After pursuing a college baseball career, business and marketing careers, coaching youth soccer and writing, Gary has combined soccer and writing in St. John of the Midfield. The idea for this book came about after Gary met former Bulgarian national soccer player, Jordan Mitkov.

In a synopsis of the book, we learn this book is:
An almost mystical story of Bobo Stoikov, one of the world's greatest soccer players, who escaptes death in communist Bulgaria to find the American Dream. Due to severe injury during Bobo's escape, he is unable to play once he arrives in America.
Though he finds peace and happiness in simply coaching soccer to youth travel teams, his eccentric ways of teaching and his success lead to a hate-filled rivalry, and eventually, his death.

To read an excerpt, visit Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours.

You can visit his website at http://www.garasamomaccagnone.com/.

Thomnpson also conducted an interview with Gary at The Writer's Life, February 15 posting.

May you have much success with your tour, Gary, and your book.

HOW ABOUT ENTERING THE "ALL ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S CARNIVAL?"

The second the All About Alzheimer’s Carnivals is open for entries at Alzheimer's Notes, a blog I write with Liz Lewis at b5media. Here is a platform for you to write your thoughts and feelings about Alzheimer’s and caregiving.

Entering carnivals (collections of articles about particular topics hosted at one blog) proves to be very enjoyable, I’ve found. If you’ve never entered one, simply follow the directions by clicking on the link above.

I’ve also posted some suggestions for carnivals at my Home Biz Notes blog that I write with Yvonne Russell. You may like to take a look at these.

Tweak Your Topic for Carnivals
Home Biz Owners - Join the Carnival!
Participating in Showcases and Carnivals
Entering Your Home Business Post in a Showcase

Reading the numerous entries at a carnival also provides enjoyment. So if you don’t enter (and if you do), come over to Liz’s post at Alzheimer's Notes on January 19, when she’ll publish all the entries.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Achieve Your Dreams - Judi Moreo's Virtual Book Tour '08

Repeat this passage: "Every step I take brings me closer to the realization of my dreams” until you understand its powerful message. (from Judi Moreo's You Are More Than Enough Achievement Journal)

Writing this Achieve Your Dreams post for Judi Moreo's Virtual Book Tour '08 seems to fall right in line with previous posts on my blogs the past week or so:

* Writing & Blogging Goals for 2008, here on Potpourri of Writing for The Blog Writing Project: 78 Blogging Goals for 2008, at Daily Blog Tips.

*Goals for my children's writing, Specific Children's Book Writing Goals for 2008, published on Tales of a Children's Author.

* I've also posted something on my Home Biz Notes blog,suggesting you Enjoy the Journey as you pursue your dreams.

So what are my dreams for the coming year?

*I still want my castle where I can write in the tower and have secret rooms to discover with the grandchildren.
*I want to do more speaking to Alzheimer's caregivers.
*Teaching workshops and sharing my stories with children comes in there, too.

How do we go about achieving our dreams?

*Focusing
*Doing instead of simply dreaming
*Believing (Repeating: "Every step I take brings me closer to the realization of my dreams.")
*Setting a plan of action
*Get input whenever we feel we're going off track.

Then: GO FOR IT!

Judi's Tour Page: http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

SHOWCASING AUTHOR HOLLY FRETWELL

As Holly Fretwell makes her virtual tour around the blogosphere this month for her book, The Sky's NOT Falling, Why It's OK to Chill About Global Warming, she's stopping at Potpourri of Writing.


Holly concern about global warming and the environment puts her in league with other writers and speakers in today's world. However, Holly has a "different" view from many who are getting their names in the news and making a "big splash" in the sea of world media. She uses a common sense, well researched approach in her book for youngsters (but of interest to adults, too), The Sky's NOT Falling.


Yes, there are environmental situations to be concerned about, but Holly encourages optimism about the future of our planet and the solutions we can find with human innovation and creativity, along with individual choice, not political agendas. She shows kids 8-12 (and adults, too) that "It's human ingenuity and adaptability...not mindless fear of change...that is most likely to guanantee the Earth a healthy future."


Holly doesn't just spout her facts and reasons without valid background. She's a professor of natural resources policy at Montana State University and mother of two, who has a well researched view about global warming and the hype...a view with which other scientists now are beginning to concur.

For additional information about Holly's book and the topic of global warming, Controversy Sells for Holly Fretwell, Author of The Sky's NOT Falling at Book Marketing Buzz.

For a review of Holly's book, read: Book Review- A Different View on Global Warming.

(Published by World Ahead Media, Los Angeles, CA.; ISBN #9780976726944. The book includes fun facts and reading for ages 8 and above.)

MY AUTHOR PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

I teach a variety of writing workshops and author presentations for youngsters and adults.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: I adapt my programs to the age group and requests of the teachers. These range from reading and discussing my stories, illustrating stories, conducting writing workshops, and helping teachers develop lessons.

I also share the research and writing process of my works in progress:

Papa Goes To War, inspired by my ancestors during the Civil War

Uncle "Buffalo Bill" Mathewson - a picture book about my great great Uncle William Mathewson who operated trading posts on the Santa Fe Trail

Danger In The Mountains - a mystery set in the West

Sarah Jane's Daring Deed, a picture book about a pioneer girl.

(These often tie in with Social Studies classes)

Journalism and/or Writing on the Internet draw upon my experience as a professional journalist/newspaper columnist and blogger for a network


Poetry workshops also are popular.

AUDIENCE LEVELS - Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School. High School and Adult Education

TRAVEL - Yes - anywhere in the United States, with client paying travel costs and accommodations, unless I'm in that area for other business.

PUBLISHED WORKS:

Tales of Adventure & Discovery, a children's anthology which I also illustrated (An accompanying coloring book is also available.)

The Magic of Patchwork, a book about quiltmaking and its history with projects for young people and beginners

When We Become the Parent to Our Parents, the story of my mother's journey through Alzheimer'

More than 200 stories in children's magazines

Writing in Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont, a resource book for writers (out of print)


FEES: $100/1 HR; $200/1/2 day; $300/day, plus mileage beyond 50 miles from Plymouth, NH and accommodations if an overnight stay is involved.

CONTACT INFORMATION: me.allen@juno.com

Specific Writing Goals for 2008

Maybe if I write them down in my blog, I'll be more accountable.

I have one friend who is always asking me, "Have you finished your Uncle Buffalo Bill book yet? What about the children's picture book?"

I continually tell her, with a sheepish grin, "I'm working on them."

Sooooo......

1. Finish the book about my Uncle Buffalo Bill Mathewson, the original Buffalo Bill in the West.

2. Finish my Sarah Jane's Daring Deed picture book.

3. Finish the rough draft to Papa Goes to War, a Civil War era middle reader book based on my ancestors.

4. Develop the activities for these books and place them on my web sites.

5. Draft some of my other writing projects, but concentrate on them minimally until I have the above finished.