Because of Winn-Dixie - A Review

Because of Winn-Dixie - A Review

Reviewed by Aleya (4th grader)

Title: Because of Winn-Dixie
Written By: Kate DiCamillo

Do you want to listen to a review of Winn-Dixie? Well then, keep listening and I'll tell you all about it!

My name is Aleya and I think this book is fabulous! It is so popular that The New York Times says, "This book deserves a two-thumbs up."

I also think this book should be rated 5 STARS. I also recommend all children to read all of this author's books. They are thrilling.

This book is about an ugly dog wandering about in a supermarket called Winn Dixie. A girl named Opal decided to keep this dog and call him Winn-Dixie. I hope you enjoy this book when you read it because I did!

We're Adding A New Feature: Kid's Pick Reviews

This is a new feature to our blog: we will be featuring a Children's Book Review segment - The reviewers will be CHILDREN. We're not sure yet if this will be a weekly or bi-monthly segment.

We'd love to add your child's, grandchild's, student's, neice's, nephew's - whatever the relationship is - review to the segment. Just have them read a book and give a book review (1 or 2 paragraphs) and email it to me. Please make sure they include the title and author/s name/s. My address is: karenrcfv@yahoo.com

I'll be doing it with my 3-year-old grandson and 8-year-old great nephew. I'll also have some other grade school children submitting reviews.

Kid's seem to love the idea of having their reviews on an author/writer's site - they should be very willing participants!

This is also a wonderful avenue for letting others know about some wonderful children's books out there!

Tomorrow will be our first review - please be sure to stop by and leave a comment.

See you in blog world,
Karen

VBT - Writers on the Move

May 1st is just a few days away and VBT - Writers on the Move's new schedule is posted at the group's blogsite:

VBT - Writers on the Move

We have a couple of new members and a NEW monthly Viewpoint feature starting May 10th.

Like the weather, things are heating up at VBT - Writers on the Move - make sure to check it out!

If you're a writer, take that leap and join the ongoing cross promotion we are known for.

See you in blog world,
Karen

Lori Z. Scott, Author and Writer

It's my pleasure to host Lori Z. Scott. Lori and I are members of the Facebook Red River Writers group. Lori is the author of the Meghan Rose series of children's books. In a wonderful interview, Lori gives us some insight into how she got started, writing tips, and her sources of inspiration.

Without any further delay, here we go:

How did you get started in writing?

My writing journey is somewhat atypical. I taught elementary school for nine years before retiring to raise my kids. During this hiatus from teaching, I got into writing. It started when I saw a flyer for an amateur science fiction/ fantasy writing contest. I entered and won second place. Encouraged by my success, I tried MOPS International story writing contest…and WON! After that, I tried most anything that caught my fancy—short story fiction contests, personal essays, poetry, and devotions. When I wrote my first children’s story for a contest, I discovered my true love. Plus, all my years of teaching gave me an edge in the children’s market. Many poems, puzzles, and short stories later, I penned my first full children’s chapter book, which eventually led me to a contract with Standard Publishing for the Meghan Rose series.

Where did Meghan Rose come from and how has her series impacted your writing?

This is a long story I have told many times. When my daughter was in first grade, her teacher started reading the Junie B. Jones books in class. Since my daughter liked them, I picked up a few copies.

I enjoyed the humor in those books, but didn’t like the name calling, grammar slips, and bad attitudes. Then Meghan started acting and talking like Junie B., and I started looking elsewhere. I thought there had to something better—a book that was just as funny, but had a better role model. I simply SCOURED the Christian bookstores and talked to MANY store managers begging to find THAT BOOK. They carried Bible stories, devotional books, and picture books for that age group, but no chapter books.

At the time I did all this searching, I had already started publishing children’s stories, poems, and puzzles for magazines that I mentioned above. So when my daughter finally got fed up with my hunting and said, "Mom, you're a writer. If you can't find what you want, then YOU write it for me!!!!!!!!!" I did. I wrote the book I couldn’t find—a book just for her. I put in everything she wanted—an interesting story filled with giggles and characters worth rooting for—and everything I wanted—good moral values (but with nothing preachy about the story at all). (I hate preachy, I love amusing.)

I was preparing a VBS program to pitch at a writing conference when my bookstore conversations came back to mind. Almost on a whim, I wrote up a proposal for a whole series based on the book I wrote for my daughter. After all, I knew there had to be an untapped market because I WAS part of that untapped market.

How does your experience as a teacher help your writing?

One big advantage to being a teacher is that I’ve worked extensively with my target audience. I understand the challenges they face, the jokes they enjoy, the way they talk and act, and how they play. I believe that understanding gives my writing authenticity. I know the kids I’m writing for…and that better equips me to reach and entertain them.

The Meghan Rose series is geared for an age group that has shared a huge part of my life. I taught primary grades (K, 1, 2) for nine years before retiring to raise my own kids, and now I’m back in the classroom full time. I’ve also worked with kids this age on a volunteer basis as a leader for VBS, Sunday school, AWANAS, Pioneer Club, and Team Kids at church. In addition, I helped with an Outdoor Education camp, worked at a children’s museum, and ran an after school art club.

The teacher in me also enjoys extending my stories. That’s one reason why I included activities and discussion questions at the end of each book. I put even more ideas, games, and jokes on my web site, www.MeghanRoseSeries.com .

Please, tell us more about those extensions.

Those came about as a desire to bring the lessons home. I mean, how many times have you as a mother read a book and thought, “There’s a good lesson in here” but didn’t know how to draw your child into a discussion about it? That’s why I included questions for parents or teachers to use after they read the story, so they can capitalize on each book’s underlying message. And the activities are all for the kids. They love extending the story experience by creating their own volcanoes or whatever. I also put a ton of other ideas for parents and kids on my website under the BLAM (Brilliant Little Activities to Make) link.

So each book has an underlying message? Tell us about that.

I wanted the stories to do more than entertain. I wanted them to have takeaway value. Each book’s message is very subtle but still evident throughout the book. While Meghan Rose on Stage! talks about discovering your talents, it’s ultimately about friendship. Meghan Rose Has Ants in Her Pants explores the idea of patience. Meghan Rose All Dressed Up and Meghan Rose Has a Secret address inner beauty and kind words. But none of it is preachy. It’s heavy on the humor and very, VERY light on the lesson…yet neither quality is lost on the child.

As an author who has written for both adults and children, what can you tell us about the similarities and differences between writing for the two groups?

All good stories share certain elements. No matter what the target audience age, stories must have a compelling (or at least entertaining) plot with believable characters. In addition, writing must be tight, well-crafted, and engaging. Dialogue has to move the story forward. And humor almost always sells.

Also, the takeaway value of a story is important. I have seen both adult and children’s stories tackle complex topics, such as death. Writers may use different words, images, or viewpoints, but both help their readers empathize or cope with the issue.

One difference between writing for children and writing for adults is the complexity of the story. Simply stated, an adult novel can tackle a major plot and several subplots whereas a story for young children works best with one central focus.

Another area of difference can be found in writing technique. Children’s authors often employ tricks not often found in adult writing, including writing in rhyme (like Chicken Soup with Rice), using alliteration (as in A my Name is Alice), writing in patterns (as in Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) writing a circle story (as in If you Give a Mouse a Cookie) and grouping events in sets of three (as in Goldilocks and the Three Bears).

In some sense children’s stories hold an edge over adult stories, for a well written children’s story transcends age. Many adults regularly read (and treasure) books geared for children. C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia is a prime example. In fact, I regularly choose to read YA novels over adult novels.

What resources have you used over the years to help hone your writing skills? What resources do you use now?

The best move I made as a new writer was to join a local writing group. That group not only gave me support and encouragement, it pointed me to potential markets, helped me critique my work, and kept me motivated. I also took a free online writing course, which proved helpful, and joined an online writing group.
Writing for magazines is great for honing skills. It forces you to write tight, meet deadlines, and (often) address a theme. I also enjoy short writing exercises. You can often find these challenges online for free. It’s a great way to wake up the muse...and fun! Sometimes these exercises will even lead to a publishable piece of writing.

Can you give us some insights into your childhood?

Sure. My favorite childhood activity (besides sports—I especially loved volleyball) was drawing. Though I never took formal art lessons, I devoured those “How to Draw” books. I still love to doodle. In fact, I can draw with both hands at the same time! (It’s a cool trick kids love.)

I grew up with three sisters. Our television only got two channels—maybe three on a good day—so we spent a lot of time playing together. They are still my favorite people, and I used the names of their children for characters in the Meghan Rose books.

My mom said I had an imaginary dog that sat on top of the refrigerator, although I don’t remember it. However, my own daughter has a roomful of imaginary friends, so it’s possible! My character Meghan Rose carries that same strong imagination with her.

In second grade, I colored the entire surface of my desk at school. My teacher didn’t appreciate my stunning artwork and made me clean all the desks in the room. That’s just the type of thing my character Meghan Rose might do…and the exact thing Mrs. Arnold (Meghan Rose’s teacher) would do.

In high school, I wrote “The Adventures of Super Cat” cartoon up and down the margins of my science notebook. Super Cat still inspires me…he turned up in my winning MOPS entry, in my first children’s short story publication, and in the Meghan Rose series. Maybe someday my illustrator, Stacy Curtis, will make Super Cat (and the villainous Poultry Gang) into a comic book series! Wouldn’t that be something?

As a kid, I was always making up lame jokes. In the Meghan Rose series, my character Ryan reflects that joking side of me. I also make up the jokes on my web site and explain to kids how they can make up their own jokes.

I love fun words! My dad used to recite “Jabberwocky” to us, as well as other crazy songs and rhymes. You see some of that word play reflected in the jump rope chants Meghan Rose makes up.

What suggestions would you give to a seven or eight year old who was interested in writing their own story?

Simply put, GO FOR IT!!
On a more practical note, here are some ideas to get you going:

First, THINK LIKE A WRITER. Writing is simply telling something. So lists, emails, poems, jokes, a report, a birthday card—these are all forms of writing. Some forms help us keep track of our thoughts. Others help us express our feelings, entertain, or learn new things. If you view writing as a valuable activity, you’re on the right track!

Second, COME UP WITH IDEAS to write about. The best ideas come from your own life. What is a regular day like for you? What foods do you like or dislike? What frightens you? These things can all serve as story starters. I would love to write a story sometime about all the different flavors of gum at a store, and what one flavor I would really like to try (chocolate)! Be funny too. Everyone loves to laugh.

Third, USE YOUR COMMON SENSES. You know…sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Including such details in a story makes a difference. For example, which do you find more interesting? “We ate cake” verses “We ate chocolate cake covered with creamy frosting and those brown sprinkles that crunch in your mouth (taste/sight/touch). Michael’s mom plopped a big scoop of soft vanilla-scented ice cream on top of my cake, so my first bite tasted icy cold and warm-crumbly all mixed together (smell/touch/taste).”

Fourth, HAVE FUN with it! My children and their cousins like making up stories during long car rides. Each kid has a notebook and pencil; each starts a story, writing about three sentences. When everyone is ready, each passes his story to the person on his right, who reads the story and then adds three new sentences. The process continues until someone writes THE END. Each story is then read out loud. The kids laugh A LOT at all their crazy creations. (You can actually tell when someone stopped their part of the tale and another started.)

Fifth, SHARE your writing. Half the fun of writing is sharing your thoughts with someone else. Read your story to a stuffed animal, your dog, the fish, your parents, the piano, an old shoe…whatever handy thing you can pin down long enough to hear your tale.

Which brings me to the final point…READ, READ, READ! The more you read, the better writer you are likely to be!

Where do you get the inspiration for the humorous parts of the books?

Most of that comes from my upbringing. My dad was always coming up with puns and jokes. He made them up on the spot, and they were hilarious! I can’t tell you how many hours we spent laughing around the dinner table. I think dad influenced all my sisters. Plus I grew up on a steady diet of comic books. Peanuts and Garfield were my favorites, and later Calvin and Hobbes. And we’d also watch comedy on television, especially The Carol Brunette Show.

That said, some of my inspiration just comes from everyday life. My kids crack me up. They both have a great sense of humor.

Where can readers learn more about you and the Meghan Rose books?

They can visit my website Meghan Rose Series. My award-winning illustrator, Stacy Curtis, designed it. It offers jokes, puzzles, and activities for kids and great ideas for teacher and parents (on Mrs. Arnold’s BLAM page). It also introduces the books and characters, provides links to book reviews, and gives ordering information. I posted a retold fairy tale reader’s theater that gives visitors a good feel for the style of humor found in the books at www.meghanroseseries.com/teachers_LittleRed.asp .

The books have been on the market for a year. How have they fared? And are there more on the way?

I think they’ve been well received. All four have consistently stayed on Amazon’s top 25 bestsellers for Standard Publishing. Plus I was recently invited to showcase them at the Christian Book Expo in Dallas, Texas. I got to be on stage opposite Michael Berenstain! (And all I can say about that is WOW. My books were in good company and I feel very humbled!)

As far as more books goes, I can’t tell you too much because they are not under contract yet! That’s up to God and the editors at Standard. But I will tell you this…I drafted the next three books in the series…and as much as I enjoy the first four books in the series, I like the next three even better! The characters’ personalities shine stronger than ever. Meghan’s friend Kayla is a complete side-stitching HOOT. I laugh even thinking about the punch lines she delivers. And I introduce a new character named Sophie, a perfect foil to all of Meghan’s clever plans.

Boy, you have your work cut out for you finishing up three more in the series. Thanks so much for visiting with us - it's been great!

Thank you, Karen, for letting me visit with you.

Go to Lori's site and be sure to check out the Meghan Rose series.

Stayed tuned, in a few days I'll post the May 1st touring schedule for VBT - Writers on the Move.

See you in blog world,
Karen

EARTH DAY - Some Energy Saving Tips

It's here and in line with this important day here is some environmental information from Get Energy Active:

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Your “carbon footprint” refers to the approximate amount of greenhouse gases produced—either directly or indirectly—as a result of your lifestyle. Everything from your home energy usage to the distance of your daily commute to the type of food that you eat affects the size of your carbon footprint.

Use Electricity Wisely

Attic

• Door or Hatch
Weather-strip or insulate your attic door or hatch to prevent air from escaping from the top of your house.
• Insulation
Check current insulation levels, and properly insulate a new or existing home. Insulate ceilings, walls, and floors over unconditioned crawl spaces.
• Vents
Attics must be ventilated to relieve heat buildup caused by the sun. If necessary, improve attic airflow by adding or enlarging vents.

Basement

• Heating Unit
As much as half of your household energy use goes to heating and cooling. Replacing older equipment with more efficient equipment will help reduce your carbon footprint and your energy costs.

Tune up your heating system in the fall to make sure that it will operate at maximum efficiency during the cold winter.

• Air Conditioning Unit

Check and clean or replace air filters every month. Clean the outside condenser coil once a year.

Schedule periodic maintenance of cooling equipment by a licensed service representative. A "tune up" in the spring will help the air conditioner run at maximum efficiency during the hot weather.

• Water Heater
Decrease your carbon footprint and reduce your water heating bill by 10 percent by lowering the water heater temperature from 140°F to 120F°. (Keep the temperature at 140°F if you use an older dishwasher without a temperature booster.)

Once a year, drain a bucket of water from the bottom of the water heater tank. This gets rid of sediment, which can waste energy by "blocking" the water in the tank from the heating element.

Locate water heaters as close to the points of hot water usage as possible. The longer the supply pipe, the more heat thatis lost.

Insulate your hot water supply pipes to reduce heat loss. (Hardware stores sell pipe insulation kits.) For older water heaters, consider buying a water heater insulation kit, which reduces the amount of heat lost through the walls of the tank.

Bathroom

• Sink
To conserve water, use sink stoppers instead of letting water run while shaving.

• Vanity Lights
Bathroom vanity lights are one of the most used fixtures in the average home. Use energy-efficient lighting, which can provide bright, warm light while using less energy and generating less heat than standard bulbs.

• Shower
Taking an 8-minute shower every day can indirectly create as much as 1,368 pounds of CO2 each year. By reducing your shower time to 6 minutes, you can eliminate 342 pounds of CO2 from your annual total.

Install a new low-flow shower head to help you conserve water and save energy—and save more than $75 each year on energy costs.

• Toilet
A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Be sure to repair all toilet and faucet leaks promptly.

• Vent Fan
An ENERGY STAR® qualified ventilation fan will control moisture in the air while saving energy. These fans are much quieter than standard models. Fans with efficient lighting and fan motors use 65 percent less energy on average than standard models, saving $120 in electricity costs over the life of the fan.

Bedroom

• Humidifier
In the winter, the air is normally dry inside your house, which is a disadvantage because people typically require a higher temperature to be comfortable than they would in a humid environment. Therefore, efficient humidifiers are a good investment for energy conservation.

• Lighting
Provide task lighting over desks, tool benches, etc., so that activities can be carried on without illuminating entire rooms. Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lighting.

• Outlets
Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when electronics are fully charged or disconnected from the charger.

• Cordless Phone
ENERGY STAR® qualified cordless phones that feature switch-mode power supplies and "smart" chargers will reduce your carbon footprint and add to your energy savings.

Dining Room

• Light Switch
Remember to always turn off the lights when leaving a room. Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb that would otherwise be on for eight hours a day can save about $15 per year.

• Thermostat
Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature when you're away or sleeping.

• Heating
Locate the heating thermostat on an inside wall and away from windows and doors. Cold drafts will cause the thermostat to keep the system running even when the rest of the house is warm enough. Set the thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree over 68° F can add 2-3 percent to the amount of energy needed for heating.

• Air conditioner
Set your thermostat to 78° F, or as high as comfort permits. When the weather is mild, turn off the AC and open the windows.

• Vents
Close heating vents and radiator valves in unused rooms. Make sure that drapes, plants, or furniture do not block registers for supply or return air.

Exterior

• Front Door
Install storm doors at all entrances of the house.

Weather-strip and caulk around all entrance doors and windows to limit air leaks that could account for 15-30 percent of heating and cooling energy requirements.

• Garage
Keep the overhead door of an attached garage closed to block cold winds from infiltrating the connecting door between the house and garage.

• Outdoor Lights
Install photoelectric controls or timers to make sure that outdoor lighting is turned off during the day. If using energy-efficient light bulbs, make sure that they are compatible with the controls.

• Porch Light
Install energy-efficient lighting in the front porch light—one of the most-used lighting fixtures in a home. If your porch light is connected to a timer or photocell, make sure the new light bulbs are compatible with the controls.

• Car
A vehicle emits 12,100 pounds of CO2per year on average. You can reduce your carbon footprint by combining trips and using mass transit, and walking or biking when possible. Also keep your car well-maintained to maximize its fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability.Schedule regular tune-ups, change the oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and make sure the tires are properly inflated.

Vehicles in the United States average 231 miles per week. There are many ways to reduce your weekly mileage and shrink your carbon footprint. Try carpooling, using public transportation, and combining errands.

To have a big impact, consider purchasing a hybrid car. A 4-cylinder hybrid with automatic transmission and 2-wheel drive emits nearly 40 percent less CO2 per mile than a sports utility vehicle with automatic transmission, an 8-cylinder gasoline engine, and 2-wheel drive.

• Windows
Double-glazed windows (two panes of glass separated by a sealed air space) cut heat transfer by 40-50 percent. In extremely cold regions, triple glazing could be economically justified.

Single-glazed windows should have storm windows. A wood or metal frame storm window provides a second thickness of glass and a layer of still air that reduces heat transmission markedly.

Kitchen

• Dishwasher
Appliances account for as much as 20 percent of your energy bill. Newer, more efficient models save energy and water. If replacing your dishwasher, an ENERGY STAR® model can reduce your carbon footprint and save more than $25 a year in energy costs.

• Sink
To conserve water, repair any leaky faucets promptly. Hot water leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water in one year—and wastes up to $35 in electricity or natural gas.

• Refrigerator/Freezer
If your current refrigerator was made before 1993, it uses twice as much energy as an ENERGY STAR® model. A 1992 top-freezer model with 19-21 cubic feet indirectly emits as much as 754 pounds of CO2per year. A 2002 side-by-side model with 19-21 cubic feet indirectly emits as much as 442 pounds of CO2per year.

Replacing an older model with a new ENERGY STAR® model can eliminate hundreds of pounds of CO2each year and save $45-$65 per year on your electric bills.

Other tips:
Keep your refrigerator at 37°- 40°F and your freezer at 5°F.

Vacuum the condenser coils (underneath or behind the unit) every three months.

Check the condition of door gaskets by placing a dollar bill against the frame and closing the door. If the bill can be pulled out with a very gentle tug, the door should be adjusted or the gasket replaced.

Do not put uncovered liquids in the refrigerator. The liquids give off vapors that add to the compressor workload.

• Microwave
Use your microwave oven whenever possible. It draws less than half the power of its conventional oven counterpart and cooks for a much shorter amount of time.

• Range/Oven
Only use pots and pans with flat bottoms on the stove. Use the right-sized pot on stove burners. A six-inch pot on an eight-inch burner wastes more than 40 percent of the burner's heat.

Develop the habit of "lids-on" cooking to permit lower temperature settings. Keep reflector pans beneath stovetop heating elements bright and clean.

Begin cooking on highest heat until liquid begins to boil. Then lower the heat control settings and allow food to simmer until fully cooked.

Cook as much of the meal in the oven at one time as possible. Variations of 25°F still produce good results and save energy.

Rearrange oven shelves before turning your oven on—and don't peek at food in the oven! Every time you open the oven door, 25° to 50°F is lost.

• Trash
Recycle your newspapers, plastic and glass containers, and paper products. By cutting the amount of waste you produce in half, and doubling the amount of recycling in your household, you can save about 1,200 pounds of CO2per year.

Laundry Room

• Clothes Dryer
Using your dryer 10 times a week indirectly creates more than 800 pounds of CO2. Use the moisture sensor option so that the dryer turns off automatically when clothes are dry. This can help you reduce indirect dryer CO2 emissions by 15 percent. Or, dry your clothes on a clothesline outside.

• Clothes Washer
Follow detergent instructions carefully. Adding too much detergent actually hampers effective washing action and may require more energy in the form of extra rinses.

Wash only full loads of laundry. Wash clothes in cold water. Sort laundry and schedule washes so that a complete job can be done with a few cycles of the machine carrying its full capacity, rather than a greater number of cycles with light loads.

If you're looking to buy a new washing machine, consider using a front-loading or horizontal axis machine. These new units use 30 percent less water and 50 percent less energy to make hot water and wash clothes than regular washing machines.

Living Room

• Ceiling Fan
In the winter: If your ceiling fan has a switch that allows you to reverse the motor, you can operate the fan at a low speed in the opposite direction. This produces a gentle updraft, forcing warm air near the ceiling down into the living space.

In the summer: Run the blades counter-clockwise (downward) to cool more efficiently. Turning up the thermostat by just two degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC costs by up to 4-6 percent over the course of the cooling season. Don't forget to turn the ceiling fan off when you leave the room.

• Fireplace
Make sure your fireplace has tightly fitting dampers that can be closed when the fireplace is not in use. Seal hidden air leaks in your chimney. If you have a gas fireplace, turn off the pilot light when not in use.

• Lamps
Put lamps in corners of rooms where they can reflect light from two wall surfaces instead of one. Use compact fluorescent bulbs in fixtures that are on for more than two hours a day. Compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 75 percent less electricity. They also last about 10 times longer.

• Entertainment Center
The average home uses 25 electronic products, accounting for up to 15 percent of household electricity use. TVs, DVD players, video games, and cable boxes can create more than 1,600 pounds of CO2each year. Turning these products off when they're not being used can save 240 pounds of CO2.

Better still, switching to electronic equipment with the ENERGY STAR® label will help save additional energy even when the device is turned off.

• Windows
In warm weather, close your blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day. During cold weather, keep curtains open during the daylight hours to take advantage of the sun's warmth.

Office

• Computer and Monitor
Computers indirectly create nearly 500 pounds of CO2 per year. Turning them off when not in use will save 43 pounds.

Do not use a screen saver when your computer monitor is active. Instead, let it switch to sleep mode or turn the monitor off.

• Printer, Fax, Copier
Save energy and space with a multi-function device that combines several capabilities—such as print, fax, copy, and scan. Enable power management features for additional savings. Turn off machines when not in use.

Set office equipment to automatically switch to sleep mode. This will help equipment to save energy, to run cooler, and to last longer.

When purchasing new home office products, look for the ENERGY STAR® label to save energy.

• Power Strip
Use a power strip as a central "turn off" point when you are finished using equipment. This will help eliminate the standby power consumption used by office equipment even when it is turned off.

I know it's long, but hey, it's our planet!

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." (M. Gandhi)

Karen

Lori Z. Scott will be here Friday, April 24th

Hi, Everyone,

Lori Z. Scott, writer and author of the Meghan Rose Series, will be here on Friday. Be sure to stop by - Lori offers some writing advice in a questions and answers interview. And, learn how this multi-published author got started.

See you in blog world,
Karen

Fantasy Author, Karina Fabian

Karina Fabian is having a whirl wind tour with Magic, Mensa & Mayhem. And, it is my pleasure to take part by hosting this talented author today.

To start, I'll give you the lowdown on Magic, Mensa & Mayhem:

Title: Magic, Mensa & Mayhem
Author: Karina Fabian
Publisher: Swimming Kangaroo
dindy@swimmingkangaroo.com
Tel: 817-717-5375
Fax: 817-548-1473
Genre: Fantasy
Released: Marc h 2009
Retail Price: $13.99 (print- US) 11.99 pounds (print – UK)
$3.99 (electronic)
ISBN: 978-1-934041-78-9

Available soon from Ingrams, Amazon and Kindle

Publisher's Weekly: Religion and humor suffuse this well-imagined and densely plotted comedic mystery, based on a short story of the same title. Cursed by St. George to serve the Faerie Catholic Church, dragon detective Vern now sleuths in the mundane world. His latest (unpaid) assignment is to babysit a group of faeries attending a Mensa meeting. Vern quickly has his claws full juggling crises, from invisible brownies to two elves whose rivalry threatens to become interdimensional war. Distinctly memorable and occasionally silly supporting characters, from Brunhilde the Valkyrie to Native American trickster Coyote, steer the action. While the conclusion sticks perilously close to genre formula and the narrative is jumpy throughout, most readers will forgive the clichés (and Vern’s groan-worthy puns) and chuckle all the way through.

Magic, Mensa & Mayhem made me laugh, everything from quiet chuckles to outright snorts. A quick read and an enjoyable one. --Jody Lynn Nye, author of An Unexpected Apprentice and the Myth, Inc series

…."Wisdom of the Ages, Knowledge of Eternity, and I end up a babysitter at the Smart Humans' Convention."--Vern

Now, we'll learn a bit about Karina Fabian:

Although a Mensan, KARINA FABIAN lives a life of "F’s" — Family, Faith, Fiction & Fun. Winner of an EPPIE award for best sci-fi (Infinite Space, Infinite God) and a Mensa Owl for best fiction ("World Gathering: Magic, Mensa and Mayhem"), Karina’s writing takes quirky twists that amuse her — and her readers. A fan of comedy improv, she came up with Dragon Eye, PI, started after watching a film noir skit on Whose Line Is It, Anyway? and it has grown into one of her favorite worlds to write in. Learn more about Karina at Fabian Space and more about Vern and Grace at Dragoneye PI. Karina lives with her husband and children at Minot AFB, North Dakota.

As an added bonus, Karina has graciously answered a couple of questions for us:

I know you present workshops on "worldbuilding" at a number of online conferences, what do attendees find the most difficult about creating worlds? And, what do you think is the most difficult?

Keeping a consistent logic is one of the biggest challenges, I think. There's a temptation to toss in whatever seems cool without following the effects through. If everyone is psychic, how does politics differ? Do you really need telephones--or any kind of communication device?

For example, if you set up a world where natural disasters have destroyed most of the world, then you need to consider how that affects the number of survivors, the technological backsteps, the government structures, etc. By the same token, is it logical to assume we'd revert back to a feudal society, totally disregarding centuries of socio-political change? It's up to the author, but it should be a reasoned, not flip, decision.

I believe when you think these things through, you get a better book, too.

Do you think it takes a certain type of writer to grasp world building?

No. Each will come at it his or her own way, however. Some will research and adapt; others will daydream and seat-of-the-pants write. It's easier for some than others, of course. Also, the needs of the story or book determine the level of worldbuilding. Even some science fiction and fantasy stories really don't need to go beyond the ray-gun or wizard level. The world is unimportant to the story.

Have you ever started a world and then just realized it wasn't working?

Yes and no. I have a world, Barin, that I (in my inexperience) just tossed out because it sounded cool. Now I'm having to go back and think about all the effects of the things I decided--the regular catastrophe that leaves most of their world uninhabitable above ground, the fanatical cult that's taken over one country and influences the others. Of course, the things I'm discovering have taken it from "cool" to "Way Cool," but it's also like putting together a puzzle when the pieces don’t quite want to match. It's on hold for now while I work other projects.

Thanks so much, Karina. This is great information for those writers who are thinking of venturing into the unknown of worldbuilding. And, thank you for spending the day with us.

Be sure to get yourself a copy of Karina's Magic, Mensa & Mayhem!

See you in blog world,
Karen

How to Improve Your Website 3

I’m back with Part 3 of How to Improve Your Website. I know this was suppose to be posted a week or so ago, but we’ve been implementing new and improved strategies at VBT – Writers on the Move and time just slipped away.

Since your ultimate goal is to sell your product or service I’ll start with the Call to Action. Every page of your website should have a call to action with ‘buy now’ buttons. And, when it comes to ‘buy now’ buttons, classy beats flashy every time. These buttons should be at the top and left of your pages since readers usually start reading there. Remember, you don’t have to hit your readers over the head; you need to draw them in by providing valuable information, something they need or want. You can also draw in readers by providing freebees, possibly an ebook. And, don’t forget, good action colors are red, orange and yellow.

Another aspect of your site is imagery. I know in the first post of this series I mentioned the importance of creating a desired affect, well the use of 3D imagery should be included. In the myriad of research and studies that are done, it’s been determined that a 3D image is more effective for selling than flat imagery. To see if there was any validity to this determination, I did my own test. I have been promoting my book with a flat image, but after learning about this new information I took a picture of my book with it standing up and open. Well, this new data is correct; the 3D image is much more appealing than the flat image. So, when able use 3D imagery.

Now that you’ve improved your site, how do you bring traffic to it? One marketing strategy is viral marketing. Viral marketing is an internet term taken from the old ‘word of mouth’ strategy. With the computer age, the ‘word of mouth’ term needed to take on a global quality and be more descriptive of the results it can afford, thus viral marketing.

So, how does viral marketing work. This is very simple: I have a product or offer a service that others need or want. I write informative articles on the topic and offer freebees – this peaks my readers’ interest. They think it’s worthwhile and tell their friends via the internet. Their friends tell their friends and so on and so forth. Allowing reprint permission on my articles and including an Email a Friend button on my posts this information can spread like wild fire! With the click of a button my articles can travel the world. This is what makes viral marketing so effective.

An excellent example of viral marketing in action is Penny Sansevieri’s articles. I’m a huge fan of Penny’s marketing articles. She is the creator of Author Marketing Experts. When I read one of Penny’s articles I usually find it so informative I want to pass it on to the readers on my sites. This is viral marketing. By allowing reprint permission Penny not only reaches me, she reaches my readers and their readers (if they chose to reprint it also). This ultimately leads visitors seeking the kind of information Penny is providing back to her site. So, she’s not just getting visitors, she’s getting visitors who are interested in her products and services.

This type of viral marketing is just one of many. Other forms of viral marketing can be video clips, flash games, ebooks and so on. The amount of marketing information available seems to be unending. The time needed to read it all seems to be unending also. I’ll periodically provide posts sorting some of this information out.

Se1e you in blog world,
Karen Cioffi

BONUS: Jill Osborne Give Away!

I have exciting news: Jill Osborne has generously offered to give away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter.

Take advantage of this great chance and leave a comment on the post about Jill.

Karen

Jill Osborne, Children's Author

It’s my pleasure to have Jill Osborne as a guest today. Jill and I are members of the Facebook group Red River Writers. The group recently initiated tour events and Jill and I are participants.

Jill Osborne is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. She holds a Specialist in Education in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA (2007). She is currently working counseling to families and children for Pathways Transition Programs, located in Decatur, GA. During her graduate studies she interned with a domestic violence agency for two years, and provided counseling for women and children whom were survivors of domestic violence. There she began using play therapy, and leading a support group for child survivors of domestic violence.

Jill became interested in writing for children during her internship where she often read children’s books to her clients. “Sam Feels Better Now: An Interactive Story for Children” is her first children’s writing project. It began as a project for a Traumatology class taken during her graduate studies.
Boy, Jill, that’s so interesting and what a great purpose for children’s books – to help children.

Can you tell us a little bit more about your decision to become a writer?

I decided to write children's books after reading books to my child therapy clients when I was interning at a domestic violence survivors' program. I started my first book, Sam Feels Better Now: An Interactive Story for Children, as a project during a graduate course about working with trauma survivors.

What are you currently working on?

I have been writing children's stories for about a year and a half. My other projects include non-fiction about topics related to child therapy. I am currently working on a manual on how to run a support group for child survivors of domestic violence.

What do you find is the toughest part of writing for children?

I find the toughest part of writing for children is starting the story, and also finding time to focus on writing and marketing more stories.

Now, here is a wonderful review by Stories for Children's Magazine Editor-in-chief, Virginia S. Grenier:

Sam Feels Better Now!
By: Jill Osborne
Illustrated by: Kevin Scott Collier
Published by: Loving Healing Press, 2008
ISBN: 9781932690606
Ages: 4 to 10
Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Editor-in-Chief

“Sam Feels Better Now!” is an interactive story for children. The format is very much like a picture book, but this book is geared towards helping children who have experienced trauma, psychological injury, or any form of abuse. The goal of this book is to help assist therapists or other caregivers who help children in these crisis situations. The interactive components such as drawings or story telling help children express the pain and suffering they are in or have been put through. With the story being told through Sam’s perspective, the main character, children who read this book will become a part of helping Sam to heal.

The character Sam is described as having gone through a bad experience. However, the problem Sam is trying to deal with is left unsaid. This allows children using this book to either make up a situation for Sam to heal from or place their own crisis on Sam to fix. The story begins with Sam meeting his counselor and getting comfortable with her. The interactive exercises throughout the story help Sam move forward to fix his problem and the child participates by drawing pictures that relate to the story. Sam also gets to talk about his emotions. The story continues with the child helping Sam. There are also exercises to help the child identify their own emotions and to help them get started with telling their own story.

In addition, there is a therapist guide in the back to provide adults background information and suggestions for using “Sam Feels Better Now!”

Jill Osborne’s book is an excellent resource for therapists and counselors. The illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier are encouraging with their simple kid friendly style and colorful appeal. I also feel this book would be a good tool in schools and at home because the exercises help to empower children to actively identify their own personal environment and find comfort in expressing themselves and the world around them.

Here's how to learn more about Jill or contact her:

Jill Osborne, EdS, LAPC
Covington, GA
www.jillosborne.org
Jill's Writing Page

Thanks so much, Jill, for visiting with us today. Your writing is sure to have an impact on many children's lives.

Karen Cioffi

Stayed Tuned for More About Websites

On Tuesday, April 14th, I'll post Part 3 of How to Improve Your Websites. It will include Call to Action, 3D Imagery and Viral Marketing.Don't forget to drop by.

Karen Cioffi

Jill Osborne, Children's Author

Tomorrow Jill Osborne will be our guest. Jill and I are members of the Red River Writers Facebook Group. Please be sure to stop by for a visit!

Karen Cioffi

VBT - New Name, Logo and Address

Great and exciting news! VBT - Virtual Book Tours is now:

VBT - Writers on the Move!

The new url is: http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com

We're moving the group onward and upward so needed a better fitting name. Stop on by the VBT site tomorrow to find out about a couple of the new features we will be putting in place.

See you in blog world,

Karen

More With Suzanne Lieurance

We're back again with Suzanne Lieurance. Suzanne wrote an informative article about coaching and instructing. Being both an instructor and a coach she has inside knowledge of what the difference is between the two. Well, let me have Suzanne explain the rest:

Writing Instructor vs. Writing Coach - Which Do You Really Need?
by Suzanne Lieurance

Since I'm both a writing instructor and a writing coach, people are always asking me, "What's the difference between a writing instructor and a writing coach?" Here's what I tell them. A writing instructor is someone who teaches a person (or persons) HOW to write. A writing instructor can teach various types of writing such as technical writing, writing for children, resume writing, writing screenplays, etc. Generally, a writing instructor or teacher is needed when someone wants to learn the craft of writing in one genre or another.

A writing coach can also teach the mechanics, or the "how-to" of writing, from time to time. But generally, a writing coach works with a person (or persons) who knows the mechanics of the type of writing he wants to write, but he has trouble staying on track. The writing coach's client needs help with specific strategies to develop a focus for his writing (and perhaps even for his writing career) and then comes to the coach seeking additional help maintaining that focus.

Both writing instructors and writing coaches can help motivate the writing student or client. But a writing instructor develops the focus for the instruction he or she is presenting to the student(s), while, with a writing coach, the client is directly or indirectly responsible for setting the focus of each coaching session.

Think of it this way. If you know the kind of writing you would like to do, but you don't have the skills, education, and training required for this type of writing, then you probably need a writing teacher or instructor. On the other hand, if you HAVE taken courses, workshops, and other training and are skilled at the type of writing you wish to pursue, yet you can't seem to stay motivated or focused long enough to complete that book you've always wanted to write, or you can't figure out how to use your skills to develop a full-time writing career, then you probably need a coach.

For more helpful tips for writers, visit www.workingwriterscoach.com and sign up for the mailing list. When you do, you'll receive a free ebook for writers, plus the weekly newsletter, Build Your Business Write with tips to help you build your freelance writing career.

Visit the National Writing for Children Center at www.writingforchildrencenter.com and find out how you can learn to write for kids. Suzanne Lieurance is a fulltime freelance writer, children's author, and founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center.

Thank you for being my guest, Suzanne. I enjoyed hosting you.
And, to our visitors, please let us know how you enjoyed the article.

See you in blog world,
Karen Cioffi

Suzanne Lieurance - Author, Writer, Coach and More

It is such a pleasure to host Suzanne Lieurance today and tomorrow. Suzanne is a member of VBT - Virtual Book Tours and is the epitome of an entrepreneur. Working as a school teacher, she longed to be able to work from home. Suzanne didn’t keep her dream in a side pocket, she put it into motion. Leaving her teaching job, she jumped in with both feet. Suzanne fulfilled her desire to work from home by becoming an author and writer. Then she kept the momentum moving forwarded and created multiple services that offer instruction, coaching and guidance for children's writers, freelance writers and much more.

About Suzanne Lieurance:

Suzanne Lieurance is a fulltime children’s author, freelance writer, and The Working Writer’s Coach. She teaches children’s writing for the Institute of Children’s Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut, and is the founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center.Lieurance is the author of 20 published books and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children’s Writer, and many others. She hosts a talk show about children’s books, called Book Bites for Kids, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio.com.Lieurance offers a variety of coaching programs via private phone calls, teleclasses, listserv, and private email for writers who want to turn their love of writing (for children and/or adults)into a part-time or full-time career.

To visit or contact Suzanne:

http://www.suzannelieurance.com
The Writing for Children Center
The Working Writer's Coach

I belong to the Children's Writers Coaching Club and I have to say it is a great club. It delves into writing children’s books as well as children’s articles for magazines. Members are given monthly assignments geared to get your work published. There is also a monthly critique session in which you submit a manuscript or article along with weekly teleclasses. This along with Suzanne’s knack for motivating and encouraging her members helps you learn and hone your craft. I am benefiting a great deal from this club. I also take advantage of Suzanne’s Build Your Business Write teleclasses which are geared toward marketing and creating a career.

Please make sure to stop by tomorrow, April 6th, to read Suzanne’s article:
Writing Instructor vs. Writing Coach - Which Do You Really Need?

Do you know the difference? You’ll find out tomorrow!

See you in blog world,
Karen Cioffi

Extra, Extra: Suzanne Lieurance

Suzanne is a multi-faceted writer and business woman. She is a member of VBT - Virtual Book Tours and she'll be here tomorrow! Please be sure to stop by - this is a woman you can learn something from.

Suzanne will be here on Monday, April 6th, also. She has a great article about the difference between a coach and instructor.

Come on by!

Karen Cioffi

Mark Bradley, Author - Part 2

We’re back with Virtual Book Tours Member, Mark Bradley. This gifted young poet will answer a few questions for us:

1. What was your self-publishing experience?

I feel a little ambiguous about self-publishing after my experience. I was pleased with the production, but because I'm not a good self-promoter, I haven't gotten the results I was hoping to get. For example, I've really only sold books to my friends and acquaintances, and their friends.

2. What steps have you taken to promote your books?

Other than the website and passing word through my creative writing groups I belong to, I personally haven't done much in promoting. If I could do it over again, I would have gotten an agent to help me with that.

3. I really like your poem, "I Lost My Appetite." It seems like it would come from someone who has been in a very long relationship. What prompted you to write it?

The inspiration is a funny one. In a writing class I took, we had to write a poem in which two people communicate without even speaking. I wanted to put a humorous spin on it and have the man just not get it.

4. I also like the poem, "The Last Chivalrist." What prompted you to write about chivalry?

I've always been a fan of chivalry, having grown up reading tales about chivalrous knights and such. At some point I thought about how it's not common today to see behavior like that, so that inspired the poem.

And, now for the two wonderful poems mentioned above:

I Lost My Appetite
copyright 2008 Mark C. Bradley

No words have been spoken,
since the waiter left our table,
but among the din of
forks and knives clattering against plates
and the silence between,
an entire conversation ensues.
Her foot whispers to my ankle,
asking it to pass along a message to my hand
so it would sneak under the table to return the favor.
She must be drowsy;
her eyelashes keep fluttering, and
she leans into her hand, gazing at me,
dream-like, as when I first met her years ago.
The sauce from her pasta must be sticking to her lips,
for she licks them every so often,
so I hand her a napkin,
not looking her back in the eye.
She tugs her neckline downward, her face aflush.
The candles are giving off too much heat,
so I douse them with my spoon.
The air reeks of burnt wax.
I need some fresh air,
so I drop my napkin onto my plate and
leave my wife alone.


The Last Chivalrist
copyright 2006 Mark C. Bradley

Nobody ever throws their coat
over a puddle anymore,
nor do moonlit serenades reach a woman's ear.
Who champions a lady and defends her honor now?
The armor, kept long locked away
in closets hidden from sight,
doesn't shine like it used to.
Besides, maidens don't like to see tarnish anyway,
so I go off to rescue my damsel
in plain clothes, unlike the suitors that woo her
with their fancy vestments and shiny adornments.
I know the real valor lies in the heart underneath
where true chivalry is not dead after all.

You can learn more about this talented author and his books at:

Mark Bradley

A Parody of Myself Blogsite Blog:

Barnes and Noble

Thank you, Mark. It's been a pleasure hosting you this tour. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work.

Please leave a comment and let us know how you like Mark's poems.

See you in blog world,
Karen

Virtual Book Tours' April 1st Tour Update

Even in the world of reminders and scheduling options things can go awry when working in a group. We seem to have had a couple of problems with our recent tour and three of our members did not get hosted on the 1st. Those members are Nancy Famolari, Virginia S. Grenier, and Vivian Zabel.

Not to worry though, these amazing authors/writers will be hosted some time this coming week.

Nancy Famolari will be hosted by Dorothy Massey on Friday, April 3rd.

Virginia Grenier will be hosted by Margaret Fieland on Sunday, April 5th.

When I know the other dates I will post them here.

I want to thank the wonderful members who stepped forward and offered to host their co-members.

Sorry for the inconvenience to our readers.

Karen

Aspiring Author, Mark Bradley

It's my pleasure to have Mark Bradley (a member of Virtual Book Tours) as my guest today and April 3rd. We'll start with a little about Mark and his book, Writing Poems in the Rain. I have to say, as a young author, Mark has wonderful insight into many things.

Mark Christopher Bradley is an aspiring writer from Baltimore, Maryland, where he is currently studying as an English major in pursuit of a career as a writing teacher. Ever since he was young, Mark has had a vivid imagination, as well as a creative mind. Though he had no thoughts of becoming a writer at this time, it was in the cards for him already, as he was reading and writing at a grade level three years ahead of those his age. His introduction to literature were books such as The Hobbit, Alice in Wonderland, and King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

It wasn't until high school, though, that Mark had delved in writing poetry. Having taken a Creative Writing class in his junior year, Mark's imagination was fueled with inspiration as began launching a barrage of poems from heart and soul, taken from the experiences of his life, as he how had an outlet to express himself that he was comfortable with. The next year of school, however, would prove to be more successful. He submitted several poems to the high school literary magazine, Impressions, and all of which (a total of 8) were unanimously accepted into the publication. That was the most that any student in one year had ever been featured in the magazine in its history. Mark was given an outstanding introduction before his performance at a poetry reading the magazine staff had put on as well.

In the beginning of 2002, Mark found his dream website, where we could post his writing online and receive reviews and comments about it while interacting with fellow authors. The site, known as Writing.com, further jump-started Mark's interest and enthusiasm.

Mark has published two books of poetry to date, his first being "A Parody of Myself" in January 2003 and "Writing Poems in the Rain" in May 2007. He is currently working on two novels as well and seeking publication of several of his short stories.

Now about Mark's book:

Writing Poems in the Rain

"Words fall from the sky like raindrops . . . " That is the first line in one of the poems in this book. Rain can be looked at in different ways, taken in different moods, and bring about different changes. While it has given life to the world since its beginning, the rain also has given life and inspiration to many writers through the ages. It can be happy or sad, beautiful yet depressing, and sometimes you can see the wide spectrum behind it, if you look close enough. Poetry, like the rain, has refreshing qualities and brings life to those who absorb it. Writing Poems in the Rain is a collection of poems that contain a spectrum of emotions and experiences from life, broken down while writing poems in the rain.

To learn more about Mark Bradley or to contact him go to:
Mark Bradley

A Parody of Myself Blog

To order Mark Bradley's Writing Poems in the Rain go to:

Barnes and Noble

Please come back on April 3rd for more with Mark Bradley. We'll have an interview as well as two of Mark's poems.

See you in blog world,
Karen