Words and Works

A Royal Elf of Abalon by Anna del C. Dye

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:44 +0000

Anna del C Dye has just released a new fantasy:A Royal Elf of Abalon. Amathis, the queen in the story forced Anna to write this story. She is a selfish, demanding, and cruel woman. Her inspiration for writing her Elf Series fantasies is J. R. R. Tolkien. She loves Lord of the Rings.

Anna will take her books and have fun being a princess for three weeks in May at the Utah Renaissance Faire & Fantasy Festival.

Not Everything That Looks Royal Is…

The deep relationship between Amaria, the princess of Abalon and Marken, the chancellor’s son, comes to a halting stop after their kingdom is almost annihilated. However, death isn’t the only thing this battle brings. Elfs come to their rescue and, as a souvenir, take the princess home with them.

Blinded by fury, the overprotecting queen orders the extermination of the mighty elfs. Her captains know they can never win, so they are pleased when Amaria intervenes so desperately that she loses her mother. The unprepared princess is left to care for a kingdom that will demand her true love.

A Royal Elf of Abalon is the stand-alone continuation of Anna’s Elf series. Once again she has crafted an exciting new tale full of jealousy, betrayals, and death. A Royal Elf of Abalon is a masterpiece created in the genre of Tolkien that you’ll love to the end.

Other Books by Anna del C. Dye include:

The Elf and the Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy – Book One

Trouble in the Elf City: The Silent Warrior Trilogy – Book Two

Elfs in a Conquered Realm: The Silent Warrior Trilogy – Book Three

Curse of the Elfs

Emerine’s Nightmare

A Silence of Mockingbirds by Karen Spears Zacharias

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:11:11 +0000

Karen Spears Zacharias has a new book called: A Silence of Mockingbirds. The book reports on the investigation of a young girl’s murder in Oregon, shows why child abuse continues to slip through the cracks in our country, and how a season journalist finds herself caught up in a headline story. Transcript of Karen Spears Zacharias: “A Silence of Mockingbirds: The Memoir of a Murder“ interview on the Diane Rehm Show.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Karen Spears Zacharias is a journalist and author. She knew the victim’s mother and father personally and courageously reveals the this true crime story from an insider point of view.

On June 5th, 2005 in an small Oregon college town thought to be a ‘good place to raise kids’ a three year old girl was tortured and killed. Her name was Karly Sheehan. The boyfriend of Karly’s mother is serving time for the murder. Investigative journalist Karen Spears Zacharias tells the story of Karly’s life and death, She questions why others who could have and should have protected the little girl didn’t. The story of Karly Sheehan and the urgent need to better protect all children from abuse.

Karen Spears Zacharias writes about real people and the issues that really matter to them. While serving as the writer-in-residence at the Fairhope Center for the Writing Arts, Fairhope, Al., Karen wrote A Silence of Mockingbirds: The Memoir of a Murder (MacAdam/Cage, April, 2012). It is the true crime tale of the murder of Karly Sheehan of Corvallis, Oregon. Karen’s work has been featured in the Huffington Post, New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Newsweek, National Public Radio, Relevant Magazine, Christianity Today, and CNN.

I have not yet had a chance to read this book – but plan to do so in the near future. Here are some other titles on the issue of child abuse.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse by Beverly Engel, M.F.C.C.

The Right to Innocence: Healing the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Beverly Engel, M.F.C.C.

Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse by Mic Hunter

Dear Sister, Once Abused by Victoria Lynn

“If the Gospel is True: Why Do I Hurt so Much?” by Carroll Hofeling Morris

I Must Be Dreaming by Louise Laughlin (A memoir about the author’s husband who survived sexual abuse from a Catholic Priest, is a Vietnam War Veteran and an Esophageal Cancer Survivor..)

No Angel by Theresa Sneed Book Review

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:00:01 +0000

No Angel by Theresa Sneed is a vivid story with a large dose of Lehi’s Dream and a bit of Dante’s Inferno thrown into the mix. This novel provides interesting speculation on our pre-mortal, mortal and post-mortal existence.

Blurbs by other authors:

No Angel is a powerful story with captivating characters. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and my fingers turning the pages. . . . A must read! –Krista Darrach, author of Riley s Gift

Rib-tickling humor, a cantankerous yet somehow charming hero, and the most unique story ever written about how the spirit world and ours intertwine. . . . No Angel has it all! –Shawnette Nielson, author

Theresa Sneed creates an inspiring world of theological fantasy in the epic battle between the ultimate good and evil. –Deirdra Eden

An angel with an attitude ~ Jonathan Stewart is not at all happy about having to return to earth as a guardian angel, but its required of all post-mortal spirits to fulfill at least one angel guardianship. Fortunately, on the Guardians Unlimited application, he had the good sense to request a client with early-marked-death status, so he believes that while his stay on earth will be most unpleasant, at least it will be short. What he doesn’t know is that a spirit with EMD status can choose his or her time of death! Jonathan’s client, Celeste Knight, has a mind of her own and refuses death at every turn, leaving him stuck as her guardian angel–in a place he only wanted to forget.

Growing up in the woodlands of Maine and spending most of her time climbing trees and looking for snakes under rocks, author Theresa Sneed has a wealth of childhood experiences and a lively imagination from which she creates her magical stories. As a mother of six, a grandmother of four and an elementary school teacher, she enjoys weaving stories of fantasy and adventure that bring about moments of wonder and reflection.

Interview on Sweet Peas in a Writer Podcast hosted by Theresa Sneed and Betsy Love 4/18/12

First Annual WUFC Charity Writing Contest Announced

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:00:33 +0000

First Annual WUFC Writing Contest: Courage to Thrive opens April 16^th, 2012.

Writers Unite to Fight Cancer has partnered with the Virginia G. Piper Creative Writing Center* at Arizona State University to hold the first annual WUFC writing contest starting April 16^th 2012 through midnight on August 15^th 2012. Then fee of $30.00 per entry will be donated to the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Community Outreach and Research Programs. Winners and Finalist will be published in the WUFC Writing Contest Anthology.

We are accepting entries in all genres except horror and erotica. Limit is 4000 words in all categories. All entries should incorporate the theme:

Courage to Thrive.

Distinguished and award winning authors who have volunteered to judge include:

Kerry Blair, Larry Brooks, Joyce DiPastena, Pamela R. Goodfellow, Cynthia Hogue*, Cecily Markland, Ethel Lee Miller, Heather B. Moore, Rev. Beverly Jane Phillips, Jewel Parker Rhodes*, Holly Robinson, Conrad Storad.

The Awards ceremony will be held at Changing Hands Bookstore on Thursday Evening, September 27^th, 2012 at 6:30 pm. Judges will read from their published works and hold a book signing after the event.

Categories accepted for this contest include:

Women’s Fiction /Chic Lit / Romance

Literary Fiction / Inspirational / Mystery / Westerns / Young Adult
Science Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal
Non-Fiction / Inspirational / How to / Editorials / Text
Memoirs / Essays / Biographies
Poetry / Lyrics
Non-Fiction Children’s Literature (Picture Books – Middle Grade)
Children’s Literature – Fiction (Picture Books – Middle Grade)

Writers Unite to Fight Cancer (WUFC) is a philanthropic group of authors who raise money for Cancer Research and other cancer related causes. One in three people will develop Cancer sometime during their life. Fifteen hundred people die of cancer every day.

Send entries with fee, and or questions to contact given below.

Margaret L. Turley, administrator Writers Unite to Fight Cancer

1146 N. Mesa Dr. #102-233 Mesa, AZ 85201 480-773-7087 (phone)

http://writersunitetofightcancer.com writersunitetofightcancer@gmail.com

Interview on Sweet Peas in a Writer Podcast hosted by Betsy Love and Theresa Sneed that talks about Writers Unite to Fight Cancer and this Charity Writing Contest.

Book Review of Identity and Author Interview with Betsy Love

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:01:34 +0000

IDENTITY by Betsy Love is an intriguing LDS novel. She says: “When The Muse Strikes—She better find you hard at work!” She is the winner of the 2011 NANOWRIMO. Betsy graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in secondary education and English literature. After 13 years of teaching (where she wrote and directed plays her students performed) she is now a full-time writer. Identity is Betsy’s debut novel.

Identity is an action filled mystery with romantic suspense. It grabbed my interest from the front cover through the very last word. I loved the crisp characterization of the all players. I also liked that even though this is an LDS novel it wasn’t preachy. Betsy Love wrote with such skill I was guessing all the way through the narrative and pleasantly surprised with the directions in the twists and turns of the plot. I felt as if I was part of Savannah’s family by the time I was finished and yet rooted for Amelia also.

Below I share Betsy’s interview:

Margaret: Why do you write?

Betsy: I can’t help it. Every comment, every face, every phrase becomes a book title, an idea, a story line. The voices in my head keep me company and they scream at me to tell their story. No, I’m really not insane, just a writer.

Margaret: Do you have a particular goal you aim to achieve with your writing?

Betsy: My goal is always to tell a great story the best way I know how, and then go back and revise it to make it even better.

Margaret: Are the goals different for other projects?

Betsy: Definitely. For instance, I have one story, what I call a “Spiritual Paranormal,” I feel is so sacred that I have to be careful and not write anything that would offend my Heavenly Father. For another story, Mystic’s Tale-a fantasy, my goal is to thrill, entertain, and provide a fun escape. Along with each story is a theme which is important to me and usually has to do with what the Lord would have me write.

Margaret: Was there a particular person or event that inspired you to write this story?

Betsy: When I was about ten years old, my mother began reading me a book with a similar scenario. For some reason she only got a few chapters into it and then returned it to the library. Years later I tried to find it and learn what happened to the look-alike girls. I never did find it. My daughter (who at the time was about 10) said to me, “Why don’t you write your own ending.” That child is brilliant!

Margaret: How do you discover the characteristics of your characters? Please elaborate on one or two of those.

Betsy: My favorite what to get to know my characters is through an interview. In Identity, I would often have a chat on paper with one of my characters just so that he/she would tell me what is going to happen next. I think I’ve done this with just about every story I’ve written, especially if I get stuck. Another thing I like to do is imagine all of my characters sitting around my kitchen table discussing the story and I listen and take notes about what they are saying to each other. Then I go to the story and write what I heard them say.

Margaret: Do you write your book from beginning to end, or start with the end or in the middle? Why?

Betsy: I always know how the book is going to end when I start. However, when I was writing Identity I was pretty much flying by the seat of my pants. I thought I knew who the bad guy was, but then as I was writing the story, BAM there was another character that I had originally thought was on the good guys’ side suddenly showed his/her true colors and I had so much fun writing this other characters “badness”.

Margaret: After you wrote the book/s how long did it take you to get it published?

Betsy: I finished the book in Sept of 2004 and spent another year or so editing/revising. When one of my 10th grade English students learned that I’d written a novel he asked me every day, “Did you send it in?” Then in February of 2006 I set a mail receipt on his desk showing him that I’d actually sent it off. After several rejections and revisions, I sent it to Walnut Springs Press who picked it up after only four weeks.

Margaret: How long from the time the publisher let you know your book/s was being published until it was available on the market?

Betsy: I signed my contract in March of 2011 and had a book in hand by the end of July of the same year! Walnut Springs does things FAST! I like that.

Margaret: Who was the first person you told when you found out your book was being published?

Betsy: My husband, DeWalt. He has been my biggest cheerleader!

Margaret: Tell us about the next book that is coming out.

Betsy: My book Soulfire-A Book of Mormon Novel went to press on Thursday of last week and should be available through Deseret Book and Amazon within the next couple of weeks.

Margaret: What are you writing now?

Betsy: I am almost finished writing The Penny Project-a novel based very loosely on a story I heard. Jake’s rude behavior toward an unattractive young woman sets about a change of heart and a very unlikely friendship as two hearts are healed through the power of Christlike love and forgiveness. Of all my stories, I’m really excited to get back to finishing this one. The rough draft is finished. I just need to clean, polish and send it out to some readers who are willing to rip it to shreds.

Margaret: Thank you for telling us all about your writing experiences. Best wishes for your continued success.

Interview on Sweet Peas in a Writer Podcast hosted by Betsy Love and Theresa Sneed 4/18/12

Spirit of Women Writing Retreats

admin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 05:30:43 +0000

As a writer, I understand being frozen in time. I wanted to write, I ached to write, but I could not pick up the pen. That is why I want to share with you ways to become unstuck and look forward to writing.

As a writer, I had wondered how to expand my characters on the page, how to heighten the conflict, how to…. That is why I want to share with you ways to work through such quandaries. Link to Writing Retreat Brochure: Get Away to Write

As a writer, I have slogged through the rewriting process, not necessarily improving what I have written. I just fussed with the words—added and changed and moved them around. That is why I want to share with you ways to shortcut that process and make the changes more meaningful.

As a writer, I have seen the benefits of someone holding up a mirror, letting me see more clearly what I had been missing in my writing. As a writer, I yearn and appreciate hearing another perspective and the chance to toss around ideas. That is why I have put together a retreat to give you those opportunities.

As a member of a writing group, I was often puzzled as to what would be appropriate feedback. As someone who received feedback, I once wondered whether to follow that advice. That is why I would like to share with you ways to give yourself feedback about your own work and how to give and receive feedback from others, without criticizing.

As an educator, I am passionate about helping other writers move through their writing journey with less difficulty—giving them techniques and tools to keep the fire burning in the belly!

As a participant in a writing workshop, I know what it is like to be one of 15-100 in a room. I know what it is like to write something I want to share, but time for reading is limited or I’m too slow to raise my hand or I’m afraid that what I have written may not be good enough to share. That is why I have limited the number of participants to four and placed it in a comfortable, supportive, and motivating setting.

My hope for you during this time is that you will grow as a writer and leave with a renewed spirit. I will do my best to ensure that. You might also receive another gift—given this small group of writers—someone who can share some of your writing journey into the future.

Spirit of Women Writing Retreats August 5-12 September 9-16 October 7-14

Guest Post by: Elizabeth Rodenz, Ph.D. author of Odd Ducks and Birds of a Feather: A Mystery of Type

For more information and/or travel plans, contact: Elizabeth Rodenz 45 Green Street Bath, ME 04530 207 443-6084 erodenz@att.net

Elizabeth Rodenz, perhaps like many of you, has reinvented herself many times. While working at a bank as a secretary (the name used then), she saved enough money—going without nice clothes and a car—and enrolled at the local university where I got a B.S. degree in Education. While teaching she went to school in the evenings and summers to obtain a Master’s Degree and then a Ph.D.

She was then hired by McGraw-Hill Publishing Company as an editor. After five years she decided to leave the corporate world and and start her own management and executive coaching company in 1991. During this time she wrote and wrote—not the book that was burning inside initially—but teaching materials, handouts, keynote speeches, and a short love story.

One day she decided to had to write, she ached to write, and decided to concentrate on writing. It was then that she started conducting writing workshops and coaching individual writers. At the same she began writing a fictional tale, Odd Ducks and Birds of a Feather, to teach others about personality types.

Currently, she is a writer and workshop facilitator. She is also writing a book about her great-grandmother and mother set amid the history of the western Pennsylvania coal-mining patches, which she hopes to complete this year.

Writing Workshop Instructor / Published Author: Ethel Lee-Miller

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:00:05 +0000

Ethel Lee-Miller utilizes over three decades of educational and counseling training in presenting her “Words Are Powerful” Writing Workshops. Ethel’s vision is to assist people so they may move through stages of life independently, confidently, and serenely. I attended her workshop last year and came away rejuvenated and prepared with tools to improve my writing,. I also found supportive writing friends.

She is the author of the memoir: Thinking of Miller Place - A Memoir of Summer Comfort. Ethel Lee Miller shares the bond identical twins experience during a family summer vacation.

My aunts are identical twins. Many of the stories they tell of bantering about with their identities as children are similar to those shared in Thinking of Miller Place. It was a delightful read and my aunts thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as well.

Enhance Your Writing! 2012 Events ELMCalendar 2012

MEMORIES INTO MEMOIR II: A ‘WORDS ARE POWERFUL’ WORKSHOP

Saturday, April 21, 2012 9:30 AM-3:30 PM

The Five Necessary Elements for Your Memoir: Your Truth; Your Theme; Your Unique Voice; Your Musings, told in First Person Narrative.
A Powerful Theme to bind the pattern of your memories: Which thread of your life’s pattern will you follow? How does that choice affect your story?
How to Use Layers of a Story to make your memoir compelling: Using the senses, research, setting, character development with those little telling details; and dialogue.

DISTILLING THE STORY OR…HOW TO PUT THE MOONSHINE IN YOUR WRITING

Saturday, July 21, 2012 9:30 AM-3:30 PM

What is the Essence of your story? Choose ingredients for the best vintage.
What is the Yeast of your story? What moves it forward and keeps it cookin.’
What is the Sweetness and/or Sour Mash? What to add. What to leave out.
Bottling Your ‘Shine’: Story mapping and word splashes to help you refine your story in a compelling (but legal) way!

WORDS ARE POWERFUL: UNLEASHING CREATIVITY IN YOUR WRITING

Saturday, October 6, 2012 9:30 AM-3:30 PM

Make your writing a ‘want to’ rather than a ‘have to’ experience.
Recognize and remove roadblocks.
Recognize and include enhancing delicious experiences and people in your life.
Writing exercises: Writing prompts, free writes, read like a writer, sharing, feedback.

Join Ethel Lee-Miller and Beth Lane’s collaborative writing workshops. Ethel and Beth have worked and played with words for over a decade, honing their craft. Ethel has her MA in Counseling and Beth decades of experience in the coaching field. Both are published authors and actively writing. Together they bring their writing and counseling skills to provide the best in how-to, content, and seminar environment.

For each seminar: Delicious morning coffee, lunch and all writing materialsincluded. The seminar will be held in a private home in Tucson. Directions providedupon registration. Seating is limited. Advanced registration is required. Fee:$30.00. Contact Ethel or Beth to register. Ethel: etheleemiller@me.com Beth: bethlanewrites@gmail.com

Ethel Lee-Miller
Enhanced Life Management- Life Skills, Essays, Seminars
cell 973 460 4192

520 638 7343
www.etheleemiller.com
Author, Thinking of Miller Place: A Memoir of Summer Comfort

International Women’s Writing Guild- AZ Regional Representative

Society of Southwestern Authors

Arizona Authors Association

Tapestry Writers- AZ

Toastmasters Int’l – DTM

New Jersey Associations: Scriveners; The Write Group; Memoir and Muffins

http://www.linkedin.com/in/etheleemiller

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:26:40 +0000

Dangerous Favor is Joyce DiPastena’s third published novel of medieval romance. Each one is great and this one tops them all. Joyce’s research fills the story with gripping intrigue and page turning heart yearnings.

“Mathilde’s violet eyes turned misty again. Etienne imagined she longed for some man to be thus stricken over her. No doubt it was of Therri she dreamed. What had she called him? The Vision? Etienne’s mouth quirked up in rare envy of his friend.”

She sighed and forced her gaze—reluctantly, he thought—to refocus on his face.

“Pray, sir, it is most unchivalrous of you to tease me this way. If you are a true knight, you will honor my request and give me back the ribbon.”

“Etienne hesitated. He wanted to wear her favor, but he realized it was equally important to him that she should think well of him. If he continued to refuse her request, she would think him a churlish brute.”

Before he could decide how to answer, Hermaline swept through her half-circle of mounted attendants, apparently tired of waiting for her would-be champion to return. She bore down upon Etienne and Mathilde with sparkling eyes, her veil fluttering in her hand like a banner of war. If he were to surrender Mathilde’s ribbon, he told himself, then he must at least arm himself with some other shield in its place.

“If I give it back to you,” he said quickly to Mathilde, “what will you give me in exchange?”

“In exchange?”

“You agreed last night to grant me your favor for the tournament today. If you insist that I behave as a ‘true knight’ and return the ribbon you gave me, then I demand you keep your word as a ‘lady’ and grant me some other favor in its stead.”

“But I told you last night that I have nothing else to give you.”

“Hermaline was nearly upon them.”

“Then,” he murmured to Mathilde, “I hope you will forgive me, for I am about to behave most unchivalrously.”

Mathilde nor Etienne had any idea of the danger involved in having the ribbon in their possession. DiPastena artfully weaves that ribbon of danger through the narrative with skill revealing many plot twists. This is the most fun I’ve had while learning more about medieval England and France. I recommend this book as a great read.

Dangerous Favor is available at:

Amazon.com (trade copies available now; Kindle version coming soon!)

Barnes&Noble.com
DeseretBook.com

Deseret Bookstores

or order from your local bookstore

Sleeping Tigers by Holly Robinson – Book Review

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:00:37 +0000

When Jordan’s life unravels after a breast cancer scare, she decides to join her wildest childhood friend in San Francisco and track down her drifter brother, Cam. Jordan leaves behind a job she loves, a beautiful home, and a dependable boyfriend – everything she thought she always wanted.

Cam suddenly flees the country, and Jordan follows, determined to bring him home. Her journey takes her to the farthest reaches of majestic Nepal, where she encounters tests—and truths—about love and family that she never could have imagined. Funny, heartbreaking, and suspenseful, Sleeping Tigers reminds us all that sometimes it’s better to follow your heart instead of a plan.

Holly Robinson, author of Sleeping Tigers, has been writing feature articles, essays and advice columns on health, parenting and psychology topics for national magazines since 1995. She has been a contributing editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and Parents magazines. Her work has appeared in The Boston Globe, Family Circle, FamilyFun, Fitness, Good Housekeeping, More, Parenting, Parents Expecting, Shape, andWorkingMother.

Robinson’s writing style is engaging. She brings the reader inside the character’s soul with superior craft. Her poignant scenes made me feel intimately involved in Jordan’s life. Like a blossoming flower, all aspects of the word and actions of love are defined in tender detail.

Jordan’s friend Karin adds a whole new scope to the story opening vistas and filling in the hidden corners Jordan has kept hidden. I loved the twists with the antagonists that created knew understanding. Jordan and Cam’s brother-sister bond is so real I felt their joys, their failures, their struggles and triumphs. They grew up protecting each other as children of an unpredictable, often violent alcoholic father. Watching them cope with the aftermath lends hope to others that it can be accomplished.

As much as I enjoyed the skill Robinson displays, I personally had a problem with the explicit sex throughout the story. As a warning to those who do not like to have every graphic detail revealed – this book leaves nothing to the imagination.

Holly’s Website.

Link to recent author interview.

Holly’s Facebook Page

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:15:01 +0000

Because this month is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this post will feature books that focus on different aspects of these disabilities.

I Just Am by Bryan and Tom Lambke is about Bryan a Down syndrome child. It is heart warming and shows how he just wants to be who he is.

The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley is an uplifting story about her experience with having a Down syndrome child.

http://upsideofdown.org/ is a non-profit by the same name – to assist families coping with Down syndrome.

Books about other disabilities:

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel

Tic Talk by Dylan Peters tells what is like living with Tourette Syndrome - a neurological disorder.

When Life Throws You a Curve by Elizabeth Golden is full of helpful tips written in the author’s journal bas she navigated her way through diagnosis, surgery and triumph over Scoliosis.

National Best Selling Author Jodi Picoult wrote My Sister’s Keeper - Campbell Alexander, the attorney has seizure disorder. Campbell is assisted by a seizure assist/seizure alert dog. The book was made into a Major Motion Picture.

Radio, released October 2003, is a film directed by Mike Tollin that is based on the true story of T. L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) and a mentally challenged young man James Robert “Radio” Kennedy (Cuba Gooding, Jr.)

Here is a link to 25 award winning children’s books where the author incorporated characters with disabilities: http://fjuhsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Booklist-Disabilities.pdf