How did March get here so quickly? The great thing is that Spring is coming too, gotta love that! Time for rejuvenation!
I set a goal for myself in December '09 to read more this year. So far I have kept up that decision, having completed 22 books so far, children's books included in that list. I enjoy reading. I like to write. In my opinion, reading broadens one's horizons, either in understanding more of the world around us on so many levels or in increasing one's ideas for stories - or both.
February 15 I heard from a publisher interested in my children's picture book. Exciting news! We discussed it at length, but after much thought, prayer, and discussion with my husband, I decided against publishing with them since they are the type of publisher whom the writer has to pay for printing of his/her book. That, combined with having to do much of my own promoting and sales, added up to too much for me. I know I would not be able to keep at it effectively in order to sell all my books to make a profit. It was disappointing to have to say no thank you, but I realized that that approach is not for me. It is fine for some people, though, and this publisher would be great to work with judging by our communications. Her goal is to help new and yet unpublished authors get published. But, oh well, perhaps waiting will pay off for me at some point down the road.
Now I am working on Valley Sunshine publication again, and then it is back to business on the website. And I do plan to squeeze some story writing into my time somewhere, too.
On March 1 I decided to start doing Pilates again - you know the exercise program? - to get more fit. Not going for my daily walks in the winter is not a good thing for me. I got off to a great beginning yesterday doing the 20 minute workout, but when I moved to get out of bed this morning I discovered my abs - which I had not thought much about until then. owwww :) I guess it's working already! I will continue with the workout as long as I can. Tomorrow morning could be quite interesting, though, since we have our grandson overnight tonight. I wonder if he will join in or just sit back and giggle at Grandma.
So ... What do you do for exercise? and ... How do you spend your 'rejuvenating time'?
Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day! :)
Showing posts with label children's book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children's book. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
memories - old & new
A flurry of thoughts ...
I hope you enjoyed a very Merry CHRISTMAS and made sweet memories. Already that busyness is past as fast approaches another new year. Can you believe 2010 is nearly here? 2 0 1 0 !
Christmas day was not as sad as I had thought it would be. I guess I used up my teary time before then. That, or someone was praying for me. With only the two of us in this house most of the morning it was so quiet around here with the absence of my sniffling. Our second daughter, with a friend, arrived around 11:00, and later we all went to my Dad's to meet the rest of the family (including our oldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson) for our celebratory feast and gifts. Another friend had been invited to join us, so we had twelve at dinner. Just before mealtime our two youngest daughters called from Alberta, so that made it even better.
I really think my mum would be proud of her family. By the afternoon of December 30, she will have been gone from us for twelve years. Twelve years! How can that be possible? :(
On December 31 I hope to be able to attend our New Year's Eve service at church .. weather permitting. Tonight there is a snowstorm happening in my part of the world, but the weather report does not say there will be more snow coming on Thursday.
Well, the author I met a month ago is a kind, generous soul. Yesterday she sent me the link to a publisher I did not know about in BC, so this afternoon I sent off my manuscript once again thinking it would be my last attempt this year. Then today - bless her! - she sent me information about a new publisher here in NS! I am considering sending the manuscript of another of my stories to them and see what transpires, although I am not sure it will be mailed this week/year. It is rather fun to finish off 2009 sending out manuscripts, though. Something started for the new year.
Oh, I must say that when one reads an author's work it may not always be what one expects. I have read some of Sheree Fitch's children's books and they are fabulous! Recently her first adult novel was published and it was promoted as being 'laugh out loud funny'. I was excited to read it so my husband gave it to me for Christmas. Okay, to be fair here .. have you read it? What did you think of it? Me? wellllll .... no offense to Sheree, but somehow I missed the humour! It just ... I'm just ... hmmm ... I am sure many people reading Kiss The Joy As It Flies will enjoy it but for me the humour was lost somewhere between its pages and my sense of what is funny. (Sorry, Sheree!) But ... I guess that is how my brain works. Now, that is not to say it was not a well written novel. Of course it was! she is an amazing writer, and I did read the whole book, even her interview at the end. It's just that its point was lost on me throughout, BUT .. did I say .. I love Sheree's children's books! I guess that is where my heart is ... for now.
In closing, I will leave you with some questions that I would love to read your answers for if you would kindly oblige me. Thinking back over your childhood reading:
Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day! :)
I hope you enjoyed a very Merry CHRISTMAS and made sweet memories. Already that busyness is past as fast approaches another new year. Can you believe 2010 is nearly here? 2 0 1 0 !
Christmas day was not as sad as I had thought it would be. I guess I used up my teary time before then. That, or someone was praying for me. With only the two of us in this house most of the morning it was so quiet around here with the absence of my sniffling. Our second daughter, with a friend, arrived around 11:00, and later we all went to my Dad's to meet the rest of the family (including our oldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson) for our celebratory feast and gifts. Another friend had been invited to join us, so we had twelve at dinner. Just before mealtime our two youngest daughters called from Alberta, so that made it even better.
I really think my mum would be proud of her family. By the afternoon of December 30, she will have been gone from us for twelve years. Twelve years! How can that be possible? :(
On December 31 I hope to be able to attend our New Year's Eve service at church .. weather permitting. Tonight there is a snowstorm happening in my part of the world, but the weather report does not say there will be more snow coming on Thursday.
Well, the author I met a month ago is a kind, generous soul. Yesterday she sent me the link to a publisher I did not know about in BC, so this afternoon I sent off my manuscript once again thinking it would be my last attempt this year. Then today - bless her! - she sent me information about a new publisher here in NS! I am considering sending the manuscript of another of my stories to them and see what transpires, although I am not sure it will be mailed this week/year. It is rather fun to finish off 2009 sending out manuscripts, though. Something started for the new year.
Oh, I must say that when one reads an author's work it may not always be what one expects. I have read some of Sheree Fitch's children's books and they are fabulous! Recently her first adult novel was published and it was promoted as being 'laugh out loud funny'. I was excited to read it so my husband gave it to me for Christmas. Okay, to be fair here .. have you read it? What did you think of it? Me? wellllll .... no offense to Sheree, but somehow I missed the humour! It just ... I'm just ... hmmm ... I am sure many people reading Kiss The Joy As It Flies will enjoy it but for me the humour was lost somewhere between its pages and my sense of what is funny. (Sorry, Sheree!) But ... I guess that is how my brain works. Now, that is not to say it was not a well written novel. Of course it was! she is an amazing writer, and I did read the whole book, even her interview at the end. It's just that its point was lost on me throughout, BUT .. did I say .. I love Sheree's children's books! I guess that is where my heart is ... for now.
In closing, I will leave you with some questions that I would love to read your answers for if you would kindly oblige me. Thinking back over your childhood reading:
- what was/were your favourite children's book(s), and why? .. and/or ..
- who was/were your favourite author(s), and why?
Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day! :)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Spring projects
Welcome Spring weather! Warmer days and nights. March winds, April showers .. and mayflowers; love those sweet bouquets of Nova Scotia!
Since I last wrote we have celebrated the meaningful Easter season. On Easter Sunday I attended a combined service, some of the members of four fellowships all together in one church. It is always special to meet with others and worship the Lord together, rejoicing in Who He is and what He has done.
Later my family and a couple of guests met at Dad's for Easter dinner, but we missed two daughters and a son-in-law who had to work or were too far away (in Alberta) to be with us. Even so, there were eleven of us there for a great meal and family togetherness.
In April a second copy of my manuscript for a children's book was rejected. :( I am not sure right now if I should spend time pursuing that dream as my business website is ready to be fully launched, as far as its construction is concerned. My designer had the work done in four weeks, earlier than he had expected! There will be some touch-ups later, and I have yet to load my items on there and get the site ready to my own satisfaction. There is so much to learn, but my designer is patient and willing to help me when I need it, even after all his personal instruction. It is a challenge for me to remember everything. Hopefully, I very soon will have it to the place where I will take down the Under Construction sign and welcome customers and visitors. (Actually, I am already getting visitors even though there is not much there to see as yet.) So, I guess the writing has to wait again, the business takes priority right now.
My husband is going to start building shelves for my business so that I can have better storage for fabric and books and things I will be selling on my web site. He is such a great guy, my husband. :)
Further to the above projects it is soon time for mailing of another issue of Valley Sunshine publication, the Christian newsletter I publish, so that is also on the proverbial drawing board. There is a lot of activity going on in my life, anyway. :)
Do you have any interesting Spring projects on the go? I would enjoy hearing about them.
Thanks for reading, and .. Blessings on your day. :)
Since I last wrote we have celebrated the meaningful Easter season. On Easter Sunday I attended a combined service, some of the members of four fellowships all together in one church. It is always special to meet with others and worship the Lord together, rejoicing in Who He is and what He has done.
Later my family and a couple of guests met at Dad's for Easter dinner, but we missed two daughters and a son-in-law who had to work or were too far away (in Alberta) to be with us. Even so, there were eleven of us there for a great meal and family togetherness.
In April a second copy of my manuscript for a children's book was rejected. :( I am not sure right now if I should spend time pursuing that dream as my business website is ready to be fully launched, as far as its construction is concerned. My designer had the work done in four weeks, earlier than he had expected! There will be some touch-ups later, and I have yet to load my items on there and get the site ready to my own satisfaction. There is so much to learn, but my designer is patient and willing to help me when I need it, even after all his personal instruction. It is a challenge for me to remember everything. Hopefully, I very soon will have it to the place where I will take down the Under Construction sign and welcome customers and visitors. (Actually, I am already getting visitors even though there is not much there to see as yet.) So, I guess the writing has to wait again, the business takes priority right now.
My husband is going to start building shelves for my business so that I can have better storage for fabric and books and things I will be selling on my web site. He is such a great guy, my husband. :)
Further to the above projects it is soon time for mailing of another issue of Valley Sunshine publication, the Christian newsletter I publish, so that is also on the proverbial drawing board. There is a lot of activity going on in my life, anyway. :)
Do you have any interesting Spring projects on the go? I would enjoy hearing about them.
Thanks for reading, and .. Blessings on your day. :)
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