Hello everyone! I hope all is well with you. I’m back today with a quick announcement. I am going to be participating in a Twitter chat this Thursday at 9 PM EST. We’ll be using the hashtag #Leafypages.
We’ll be discussing trends in the YA genre and anything else that comes to mind. I’d love to see you all there, so if you’re another author, or reader, or just love twitter chats, come join the fun! You’ll be glad you did!
Can’t wait to see you there!
Lisa
Happy Easter everyone. I hope you’re enjoying your holiday. Here are some photos of some decorated Easter eggs to help you celebrate!
I don’t know about you, but to me, Easter is the beginning of Spring. It’s that milestone that means the bitter cold days of winter are over and the spring thaw has started. It’s a festive day for my family. We go over to my mother’s for a big ham dinner and then we play cards or just sit around the table and chat. It’s a great time to reminisce. Sadly, my dad isn’t there to share in the festivities and neither is my sister-in-law, Mindy. Both passed away before their time. Even though, they’re no longer with us, we have many great memories of both of them and they come up in the stories we tell. I believe that even though we can’t see them, they’re with us, celebrating and laughing right along with us.
So enjoy your family while you still can and make those memories count! 🙂
Photo credit: Maia C via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND
Thanks for stopping by and reading this short, celebratory post! Now, go have fun with your family! 🙂
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you. Have you ever wanted to run off to the circus? I know when I was younger I wanted to join. That’s why when I was thinking about what to write for today’s post, I googled “what happened on March 22nd in history” and found out about Karl Wallenda. He was a high wire artist and reading about him brought back some great memories of trips to the circus with my dad.
Karl Wallenda was the founder of the Flying Wallendas, and he died on March 22nd, 1978 after falling ten stories from a tight rope during a promotional appearance in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Photo credit: UpNorth Memories – Donald (Don) Harrison via Visual hunt /CC BY-NC-ND
That day, Karl perched on a wire stretched between the two towers of the Condado Plaza Hotel. He worked without a safety net. I find this utterly amazing. What a daredevil. He was seventy three when he fell.
He was born into an old circus family and began performing at the age of six. His love for the high wire continued to grow as he matured, and he created a family business that traveled throughout Europe performing some incredible feats.
In 1928 John Ringling saw them performing in Cuba and quickly hired them for the Ringling Brothers Barnham and Bailey Circus. They debuted at Madison Square Garden without a safety net. It had been lost in transit.
In the years to come, Karl would develop some incredible acts, one of these being the seven person chair pyramid. The Flying Wallendas continued performing these feats until 1962, when, while at the Shrine Circus at Detroit’s State Fair Coliseum, the front man on the wire faltered, and the pyramid collapsed resulting in various injuries and deaths.
In 1970 He crossed the Tallulah Gorge on a high wire and did two headstands in the process.
Photo credit: roystonford via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
I’ve always been fascinated by the skill and concentration of the high wire acts I’ve seen throughout my life. It would’ve been nice to see Karl Wallenda perform. I know some of his descendants still perform today. What an amazing family.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my post today. I wanted to share some history with you just for a change of pace. Have you ever seen the Flying Wallendas? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you. I’m back today and I’m talking about how writing isn’t for sissies. Why do I say this? Because not only after slaving over our masterpiece for hours and days on end (sometimes years), we have to face that notorious foe, rejection. If we’re lucky enough to get published, we then have to market our books and network with other authors. I know we’re introverts. We like to be in our writing caves tapping away at that keyboard, creating our next masterpiece. Networking and hawking our wares takes a lot out of us. We cringe.
Photo credit: Shiny Things via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC
But here’s the thing. Marketing your book once it’s published is in our hands. We have to get out there and let the world know it exists. I was doing just that this weekend. I participated as a vendor in an Expo that my town does every year, and this year they had an author’s corner. I was the only YA author there, and when there were lulls in the traffic, I chatted with the authors beside me. We started talking about marketing our books, and I received a great idea from another author who wrote his book on leadership. His target market was companies, while mine was young readers.
Not only did I get a great idea from him, (I can’t tell you what it is yet, because I want to see if it works) but I developed a relationship with him. So, if anyone asks him if he knows a great YA series for their child, he’s going to remember me and recommend my books. This is how that infamous word of mouth everyone talks about gets started.
Now the downside of doing expos, craft shows, and book fairs is that we don’t know what kind of traffic we’re going to get, and we don’t know if our target market is going to be there. So pick these with care. I sold quite a few books at this expo and I’m doing another one in June that’s geared toward kids.
These expos can be a lot of work, but once you get the routine down, it’s fairly easy to set up your booth and take it down. I always bring my computer, too. So if it is slow, I can work on my current WIP. That way I don’t feel like I wasted my day.
I believe we must do these physical appearances as well as have a presence online. So pick a social media forum that works for you. Preferably one that your target market also uses and try and build relationships with your followers.
Photo credit: Anne Helmond via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND
It’s important to build relationships with book bloggers as well, or blog tour hosts who have relationships with bloggers. In my opinion, blog tours are essential to getting the word out about your books. They not only provide reviews which every author needs, but they provide exposure as well. This means you’ll have to do some research to find out which blog tour will work best for you. Now, I’ve organized my own tours, done free tours, and paid for tours. The one that has worked best for me is “The Magic of Books Promotions.”
Not only did I get awesome exposure, but I sold the most books I’ve ever sold during a blog tour. This gal works hard for her authors and she’s worth every penny I paid. I strongly recommend her. Here’s the link if you want to check out her prices.
http://magicofbookspromo.blogspot.com/
Finding a good tour company can save an author a lot of time. Precious time we could be spending in our writing cave. That’s where we really want to be, isn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by and reading my post, if you have any ideas you’d like to share with other authors please leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you! I’m back today and I thought I’d touch on a lighter subject because my last few posts have been about some pretty heavy topics, so today, I thought I’d talk about something a little more fun.
Spring break is coming up and I know many people travel during this time, so I thought I’d write a blog post about one of my best vacations. It was probably twenty years ago when I went, so I’m sure some things have changed. (It was that time before kids.) 🙂 It was the time I traveled to Cancun.
I don’t know about you, but waking to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore is an incredible experience for me. I automatically relax whenever I’m by the water, so being that close to the ocean was a special treat.
I loved sitting in those chaise lounges and reading on the beach. It’s so relaxing, but that’s not the only thing I did, although it would’ve been enough. I also visited Chichen Itza. I was awestruck.
The sophistication of the architecture was astounding. I climbed the steps of the largest structure, El Castillo or “The Castle.” It rises from the pale dust and looms above the other structures in the area. It’s also called the Pyramid of Kulkultan and stands seventy nine feet tall. It embodies Mayan myth along with natural astronomical cycles.
Photo credit: kangotraveler via Visual Hunt / CC BY
The phenomenon that El Castillo is famous for happens twice a year, at the spring and fall equinoxes. I haven’t seen this, but I bet it’s amazing. What happens is as the equinox sun sets the play of light and shadow create the appearance of a serpent slithering down the pyramid. I don’t know about you, but I think that would be a spectacular sight to see.
This type of sophisticated architecture suggests a highly intelligent people. Historians haven’t found any stone cutting tools among the ruins which has them scratching their heads. They can’t figure out how they created these structures without them.
There are other structures to explore also. El Caracol is sometimes referred to as “the observatory.” There is plenty of evidence that suggests this cylindrical building was used to observe the heavens. El Caracol seems to be aligned with the movements of Venus. This planet had tremendous significance to the Mayans. They used its movements to plan raids and battles.
Studying these structures made me want to research the Mayan people and find out more about them. I’d love to find out how they disappeared. Many historians theorize that the downfall was brought about by a natural disaster or war. Still others believe there was civil strife, an environmental change, or a famine.
Photo credit: Cornell University Library via Visualhunt.com / No known copyright restrictions
The cause of their downfall remains a mystery to this day. I hope historians uncover the truth and let the world know what happened. Visiting the ruins was one of the highlights of my trip, and I’d strongly recommend stopping by and checking them out while you’re in Cancun. You’ll be glad you did.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my post. Do you have any favorite places you’d recommend for spring break? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you. I’m back today and I’m talking about Ostracization. Did you know rejecting, ostracizing, or dissing one of your peers can have major effects on their immune system? If sustained, these changes can increase risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, mental illness, and some cancers.
This worries me as a parent. How do we combat the effects of this behavior? I’m sure everyone has faced this type of rejection before. It is very painful and can create depression and anxiety in our child.
Did you know that chronic ostracization can lead to violent behavior? According to a study performed of fifteen school shootings, eight seven percent of them were a direct result of ongoing exclusion. This is alarming. (For more information click this link: http://www.alternet.org/culture/social-death-penalty-why-being-ostracized-hurts-even-more-bullying)
Photo credit: danielfoster437 via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Since school shootings are on the rise, we need to combat or deal with this problem. Not only to help end violence, but to maintain the mental and physical well-being of our children.
Why are certain people ostracized?
That is a good question. Ostracization expresses a group fear. It can be either physical or spiritual. The person being ostracized is considered a threat in some way.
The problem is the communication between the group and the individual ceases. The individual may not even know how he’s threatening the group, so there is no possibility of recourse.
What can you do if your teen is ostracized?
Photo credit: Ed Yourdon via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Well, the first thing we need to do as parents is realize there is a cycle your child will go through. Click the link below for more information:
http://ostracism-awareness.com/recovery/
Ways to help your teen deal with Ostracization:
For more information click the link below:
http://bullying.about.com/od/Victims/a/How-To-Help-Your-Child-Deal-With-Being-Ostracized.htm
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope I’ve given you some good information on ways to help your teen deal with rejection. It’s painful, but they can recover. If you’d like to share your ideas leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!
Related Articles:
Can We Prevent Mass Shootings?
Volunteering: Another Solution to Teen Angst
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you! Since I’ve been writing some pretty heavy blog posts lately, I thought I’d talk about something a little bit lighter today and that is the Scholastic 20 for 20 reading challenge.
Photo credit: Ed Yourdon via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
That’s right. I’m going to read for twenty minutes a day right along with my kids. I just did a post a few weeks ago about how improving literacy starts at home. You can read the post by clicking here if you’re interested. https://lisaorchard.wordpress.com/2016/02/21/improving-literacy-starts-at-home/
I’m going to use this time to bond with my kids. They’re growing up so fast! Sniff. I’m treasuring these moments with them, and I hope I’m creating good memories for them. My youngest is turning into quite a reader, too.
My son has gotten into the Percy Jackson series. Thank you Rick Riordan for creating that series. I know now my son is becoming a life-long reader. Now to get my oldest on board and I’ll have accomplished my goal. 🙂
Did you know reading for pleasure improves critical thinking? Critical thinking is on the decline in the US as a result of the increase in video game usage. According to this article,
http://library.poly.edu/news/2009/03/03/develop-your-critical-thinking-skills-read
Studies show that reading develops imagination, induction, reflection, and critical thinking as well as vocabulary. So if you’d like to join me in the 20 for 20 reading challenge, please do. I’ve listed the books below that my sons’ are reading along with the book I’m reading. What are you reading? Do you have any books you’d recommend?
Here’s the book I’m reading right now. It was written by a friend of mine. 🙂
When Katherine Dennard is selected to become a “Creation Specialist” in Sector 4, the opportunity sounds like a dream come true. But Kate soon discovers the darker side of her profession – the disposal of fetal organs and destruction of human life. It makes sense, really. In a society where disease and malformations don’t exist, human perfection demands that no genetic “mutants” be allowed to live. For Sector 4, “survival of the fittest” is not just a theory – it’s The Institute’s main mission.
When Kate discovers that The Institute is using her DNA to create new life, her work gets personal. In order to save her unviable son, she’ll have to trust Micah and his band of underground Natural Born Rebels. The problem is, if The Institute discovers her betrayal, the next body being disposed of could be hers.
“This is a powerful story about the meaning and value of life–we don’t have enough of those.” ~ Terry Trueman, Printz Honor author, Stuck in Neutral
And now fiction becomes fact: BBC News: UK scientists are seeking permission to genetically modify human embryos …
Here’s what my oldest is reading. Isn’t this the sweetest?
This book opens in a small town in Michigan where Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are now living with their Aunt and Uncle. Still reeling from the fact her parents have disappeared, Sarah starts the school year with her new friend Jackie Jenkins. When Sarah learns the school has been bombed, she’s filled with dread. Uncle Walt is a teacher, and he was in the school when the bomb exploded. Taking matters into her own hands, Sarah decides to search for him. The rest of the Super Spies are right behind her. When a fireman chases them away from the school, Sarah becomes suspicious. She decides to investigate. The FBI arrives on the scene. Sarah realizes this bombing could have even bigger implications. Searching for the bombers, Sarah is introduced to the world of terrorism. She fears that the bombing and her parents’ disappearance are connected and terrorists are involved. To make matters worse, the bombers are determined to finish the job. Can the Super Spies find the bombers before it’s too late?
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him.
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you. I’m back today with a review. The Slice of Lifers are participating in a March challenge that I’ve decided to not be a part of, so I’ll pick up those posts again in April.
Since March is reading month. I’m going to try and post a review of a book once a week. This is a lofty goal since I’m so busy with my writing, but I’m going to give it a shot.
I just finished the book “Wonder.” It was a very good story and I grew to love Auggie as much as his friends and family did. He was quite a strong “little dude,” and he impressed me. It’s a story about friendship and overcoming obstacles.
It’s a great book for middle schoolers to read. The message is quite clear, above all else be kind.
The cover and blurb are below.
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
“Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year,” said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
