Guest Post: From Cassia's Camera

From Cassia's Camera

by Cassia Schaar

Hey there! I'm Cassia, I'm a high school student from Canada and I've been doing photography for about three years now.

To be perfectly honest, getting into photography was a fluke. I signed up for a class that was supposed to be for film but I was mistaken. I hated it at first but pushed through it, not wanting to be a quitter. At the end of the class, I won an award for 'best female photographer' and thought that maybe I was ignoring a gift God had given me.

So I took it up. The below photos are a result.

This one is from my first paid job. Candid shots with kids are nothing like the studio set ups with fake smiles. Photos like these capture the essence of the child, and that's why I love them!

Sometimes to get good pictures, I actually have to go looking for them. I'm not one of those people who can just see something and imagine it in a frame, all edited and pretty. This one, I got because I knew I wanted something with a lot of texture in it. The minute I saw the pile of wood, I knew I found the perfect subject. If I hadn't gone into my shoot with this mentality, I wouldn't have gotten the shot I did.

Creepy old buildings have never ceased to fascinate me. I drove past this one everyday on the way to school for three years. One day, I got fed up with dealing with curiosity and just went to explore it, taking my trusty camera with me.

Sometimes though, pictures do just come to me at the weirdest moments. Sometimes the best ones aren't planned. I was actually doing a different shoot when I took this one and my necklace kept getting in the way. I took it off and set it down beside me. Laying on my stomach, I looked over at it and was like, "This is an amazing shot!"

Author Interview: Oliver Dahl

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I spend a lot (definitely too much) of time on the internet. YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit... you name it. I also love to play piano and read. Homework from school also takes up some time.

I think the internet thing comes with the job. ;)

What inspired your book? How did it all start?
Well, I talk enough about what inspired my first book, The Dreamers, so maybe I’ll talk about my upcoming book, Lies. In my American History class last year, we were reading in our textbooks about pre-colonial America, the 1600’s or so. While reading, I was appalled to see that the Salem Witch Trials were mentioned once. The textbook summarized the events and moved on in one paragraph. I had always been kinda fascinated and horrified by the Salem Witch Trials, and to see them almost blown off in a class textbook was... shocking. We’re talking about an event that hugely inspired our modern judicial system--an event that speaks boldly about human nature, and the affect of extremist religion on people’s lives. So I decided to write a book. It’s a fictional novella, a firsthand account by Ann Putnam Jr., one of the leading accusers of the Salem Witch Trials. I would like to think it will shed much more light to people on that fascinating time than the brief paragraph in my history textbook.


Wow. That's something different. While I've found certain statements in textbooks to strike my interest, I don't think I've ever heard of a whole book inspired by something like that.

What is your goal in writing and publishing this book?
Having published two books before, I want this one to be different. It’s not only about different things -- but in an entirely different genre as well! (My two previous books are modern YA/MG scifi/fantasy). But at the
same time, there are similarities, like the possible existence of fantasy elements in real life, which I absolutely love. This book will be the best quality book that I have ever written, let alone released. The quality and professionalism will be like the best of traditionally published books, and will hopefully compete as well in the marketplace.

Can you tell us about the publishing process? Was there anything that was easier/harder than you expected?
Self-publishing is so incredibly easy. It’s almost scary. Unfortunately, people abuse the ease with which you can use this amazing opportunity, and give it a bad name. But in the end, I was very surprised to see that after a few steps, it all ends with the click of a mouse over the “publish button.”

I'm learning about that firsthand this month!

What are a few interesting things you’ve researched for your latest novel?
I learned so much about the Salem Witch Trials, and think they’re so much more interesting now than I did before. For one, did you know two dogs were shot after they were accused of being witches? Or another, a four year old girl was accused as well! A blacksmith had to fashion new cuffs because the ones meant for adults just slid off her tiny hands.

Man... that's awful.

What’s your outlook on fanfiction?
I don’t really read fanfiction. I don’t know that I ever have. (Aside from my given exposure on Tumblr). But I would totally read any fanfiction people wrote based on my books! There’s a challenge/writing prompt for y’all. Send it on in!

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
I really love the publishing industry. If I couldn’t be an author or writer, I would still want to have a role in the industry. (Whether that’s cover designing, editing, reviewing, formatting...) Maybe I’m thinking too small here. Who am I kidding? I would love to be someone who can be paid to be on the internet all day. Maybe a YouTuber. (I’ve got a head start on this, too! -- www.youtube.com/user/MrSuperliver). Maybe a book blogger, or TV show reviewer. Can I just be a professional fangirl? Do people get paid to do that?

Various links:
Website: www.oliverdahl.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedreamersbook
Twitter: www.twitter.com/oliverwdahl
Tumblr: www.oliverwdahl.tumblr.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/MrSuperliver
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/OliverDahl

One Word 365: 2014

It's that time again, my lovely readers. Time to pack up the tree and toss out the wrapping paper. Time to find homes for all those Christmas presents. Time to get ready for New Year's Eve!

Along with a new year comes new year resolutions. After a whole year of honing in on just one little word, dream, I've decided to keep up OneWord365 as a tradition. So for this year, my one word will be...

What to Do With Your One Word

Originally posted December 30, 2012

Claim your word - with free blog buttons made by Melanie, personalized with your word to match your blog design (the images above? those are buttons she made for me!).  You  can also share your word on www.myoneword.org, and link up a post about it on Melanie's blog here.

Wear your word - on personalized jewelry from Etsy!  You might know of an Etsy shop that makes personalized, hand-stamped jewelry.  If not, here are a few I've found: Tiny Tokens Designs; Bee Baubles Jewelry; WSayle Silver and Stone.  I think this particular necklace would be perfect: personalized mini tag necklace.

Write your word - with ink, pencil, crayons, paint, markers, tape, in dust, in sand, in dirt, in the steam on your mirror, on your computer, on a typewriter, on a wipe board, with magazine letters, with newspaper cutouts, in a letter to your future self, in letters to friends and family, and any other way you come up with.

Find your word - on billboards, in television ads, in a magazine, in a newspaper, in books, in movies, in daily conversations, at work, at home, at school, in brand names.  Just keep your eyes and ears open; you'll find it.

Journal your word - why did you choose this word?  What do you want to get from this year?  How do you want to change, to grow, to learn?  Activities, overheard conversations, realizations and lessons, magazine and newspaper clip outs, Pinterest images - it can all go in the journal.  A blog or other online journal works just as well.  If you're not a blogger but you want to share your word with others, email me at newyorksnowflake @ gmail.com.  I'll be considering OneWord365 guest posts throughout the year, although I don't promise anything.

Share your word - let those around you know about your word.  Have them join you in the journey.  They can each choose their own words, and you can all stay on the lookout for the words in daily life.  When they hear your word in a song, they will share that song with you.  When you find their word in a magazine article, you can clip the article and mail it to them.  And on it goes!  Even if they don't join you, they can still help you with your journey this year.

Post your word - around your house.  Use post-its, bulletin boards, dry erase boards, computer backgrounds, refrigerator magnets, and anything else you can find to display your word and keep it in the forefront of your mind.

Quote your word - maybe you sit down one day and find a few random quotes on the internet, or maybe you keep a one word quotes journal through the whole year.  Regardless, seek out the inspiration that others have found through this word and take hold of it yourself.

Study your word - find book(s) and/or blog(s) that talk about or focus on your word.  Set out to learn as much as you can about your word.  Look into its origin, etymology, uses, synonyms, and antonyms.  Find out how this word has changed, grown, or taught others.  Learn what it means to other cultures.  Memorize it in as many languages as possible.

Create your word - write, paint, draw, photograph, collage, compose.  Take advantage of the freedom in art, whether or not you're a creative person, to capture your word and what it means to you.  You know that wall art where photographers write a name with images of things that resemble letters?  Make one - or several! - that spell out your word.  Have fun with it!  Another idea can be to write your word - on an index card, in the dust and dirt on your car, on a handmade banner or shirt, etc. - and then take a picture of you with your word.  Do this with friends or family and their words.  Just be creative!

Sources:

http://oneword365.com/what-to-do-with-your-word/

http://alwayswellwithin.com/2011/12/12/one-powerful-word-2012-a-simple-approach-to-new-years-resolutions/

http://aliedwards.com/2010/02/one-little-word-february-2010.html

http://melbreeland.wordpress.com/

Blog Tour: Bold by Hannah Stewart {+ Giveaways!}

Tell us a little about yourself first.

Well, let's see. I am a Christian, and was a pastor's daughter for the first 15 years of my life. I'm now a student at the University of Akron, working toward an English major and Political Science minor with an end goal of teaching high school English. I've lived all over the country, including a five year stint in New York City where my family planted a church. I'm currently working as a cook at my parents' ice cream and BBQ shop and as an English tutor. British literature is my passion, especially Charles Dickens and Shakespeare - definitely Shakespeare. In my "spare time," I'm also an equestrian in the process of retraining my exracehorse, Moose, and have recently taken up acting as well. In other words, I'm a very busy person, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Who or what has had the most influence on you as a writer?

I would have to say my faith in our Savior has had the greatest influence on me as a writer, as well as every other part of my life. He's at the base of all of my stories, short and long. My writing is first and foremost to remind myself of His promises, and His truths are what I hope to convey. Without my faith, I would have nothing to say.

How much research do you usually put into your books?

It really depends on how much each book needs. If I'm writing about something I'm unfamiliar with, I'll do as much research as it takes to familiarize myself with it, often to great excess. Bold didn't require too much research outside of some revolving around injuries, most of which ended up being first hand in an unfortunate turn of events. As a side note, watch yourself around butchers' knives. They aren't very nice.


Do you base events or people in your books off of your life, or your friends' and family's lives?

Not off of their lives, per say, but you can definitely see evidence of them woven between the lines. I watch people a lot, and one of my favorite ways of making a character unique is by giving them a hash of the different mannerisms, speech patterns, and so on of the people around me. A character isn't really a character until they have their own style, their own way of doing things, and they almost always draw from
family and friends to get to that point.

What is your writing process? Do you write regularly at certain times or just when inspiration hits?

My writing process is all over the place. I typically have 2-3 works I'm rotating between at once to help ward off the heinous writers' block, and I try to do at least a little every day to keep myself from getting stuck in a rut, but what a "little" looks like varies broadly. Some days, it might be staring at a blank page for a few hours before penning a sentence or two and calling it a night, other days it could be plotting and filling out character webs, and on days when I'm really moving, a "little" could consist of a couple thousand words. It all depends on how tired I am, how much time I can set aside, and how inspired I am. I typically aim for about 7,000-10,000 words a week, unless I'm editing. Editing goes much faster, but I only do it a few times a year.

What keeps you motivated?

A couple of things, really. The biggest motivator is always my BETA readers - I typically have 20-50 for each of my projects, and they will throw a fit if I take too long to get an update sent out. It's always awesome reading their feedback, too, so that keeps me going. Almost equal to the pressure of my BETAs is my own drive to see where my characters take me next. I get extremely close to my characters, and it kills me to be away from them for too long. When a big scene is coming up, especially new character reveals, my typing speed will go up by a couple dozen words a minute.

What inspired your book?  How did it all start?

There are a couple of answers to this one. In many ways, it was inspired by my need for hope. My family and I were going though one of the hardest seasons of our lives, and I was desperate to remember God's promises, to see the light in the darkness even when it seemed like it wasn't there. But that would have been the base of any inspiration I had at the time. In a more direct way, Bold was inspired by the musical Les Miserables - it was the spark that lit the flame. But the way it all started is really quite... strange. I used to do some butchering work for my parents at our BBQ and ice cream shop, which was fine, but there was one thing I truly detested - cleaning ribs. One day, after I'd been suffering from a 6 month long bout of writers' block, while it was raining outside (perfect writing weather for me), I was stuck with a table of 40 racks of ribs to clean and prep. I had Les Miserables playing to help keep my mind off my work, when "A Little Fall of Rain" came on just as I was looking up through the rain-streaked windows. And just like that, I had a picture in my head. Inspiration. I hardly had time to rip my bloody gloves off before I was scribbling the thought down in my notebook for later. That night, I sat down to write what I thought would be a single scene short story... and it just kept going. Five years later, Bold is complete, and I'm still not entirely sure where it came from.

 Who is your favorite character in your book? Why?

Well, I hate picking favorites. Really, I do. I get so attached to all of them. But if I have to pick one, I'd have to say it's Ben. I've always loved him dearly, and I dare say I always will. He can be distant sometimes, but he really cares about everyone, especially Jesse. Their relationship is really something special. And I found out things about him over the course of Bold, things you readers will learn soon enough, that really broke my heart. Seeing him take the pain of his past and let it drive him forward was huge for my own recovery, and he'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Is there any part of writing that you don't like?

I loathe writing the painful scenes. Most of my readers don't believe me when I say this, but it's true. Writing the scenes with "feels," where characters are hurt and damaged often leads me to such a point of distress that I consider giving writing up all together. My closest friends have helped me through the roughest scenes, and at times they've been so worried at how hard I've taken these scenes that they've tried to talk me out of writing any more. The scenes are always very important, and I won't be giving writing up any time soon, but it takes a lot for me to get past them.

Where can I find you online?

 You can find me at the Breaking Shadows blog, at my personal writing blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Thank you so much for being my guest today!

Thank you for having me!

Holy Apple Crisps! Giveaway

Prizes: Two winners will receive a copy of Breaking Shadows: Bold for 70% off.
To Enter: All you have to do is post about the Bold release on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #HolyAppleCrisps. There is no limit to the number of entries per person, so share away! All entries must be in by midnight, December 29th to be counted.
Winners: The winners will be drawn at random on December 30th and announced on The Breaking Shadows Project.

You And Your BOLD Self Contest

Prize: One winner will receive a signed copy of Breaking Shadows: Bold free of charge.
To Enter: Read this popular scene from Chapter 2 of Breaking Shadows: Bold, and create your own artistic interpretation. Drawings, videos, audio recordings, written responses – whatever your form of art is, let’s see it! Entries must be sent to breakingshadowsproject@gmail.com by midnight, December 29th to be counted. Once again, there is no limit to the number of entries per person, so get creative!
Winners: My top ten entries will be posted on The Breaking Shadows Project on the final day of the release party tour, December 30th, for voting. The entry with the most votes the following week, January 6th, will be announced winner.

Author Interview: Brian McBride

Tell us a little about yourself first.
First and foremost, I am a Christian. There, now that we have that settled, we can move on. ;) I am seventeen years old (almost eighteen!) and I write mostly fantasy, but a little bit of dystopian and sci-fi. I published my debut young-adult novel in June of 2013 and am working on many more ideas. I am a musician; I play the piano (10 years), the drums (5 years), and the bass guitar (2 years). I LOVE – as in, I’m obsessed with – iced tea. Like, seriously, I have to have it EVERYDAY. I am currently unemployed and searching for a job. Right now, my only source of income is from my book, Paradox, and the drum lessons I provide to a member of my church.

How long have you been writing? 
Since I was about 11, I believe. I started with short stories and poems. Then it grew into my first novel, which I realized had little potential. Now, it is permanently shelved, but I can’t say I’ll ever forget it.


Who or what has had the most influence on you as a writer?
I think my biggest influence as a writer would have to be C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. I always strive to make my writing as good as theirs.

What was the biggest obstacle to getting published for the first time, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle, for me, was time and money. I was so busy with school and work, and the package I chose with Outskirts Press was quite spendy. But I got there! And now my novel is available on online retailers such as Amazon and B&N! I’m working on getting it in stores too.

What keeps you motivated?
Music and reading. Plus, the prodding of fellow writers and readers keeps me motivated most of the time.

Are there any books you wish you'd written?
Oh, definitely! I wish I’d had the idea for The Hunger Games trilogy. I also would have loved to have written the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

What inspired your book?
How did it all start? Honestly, I’m not really sure. I think it was a flicker, a spark, and a whim. Then through much thought it grew into my own personal “Narnia”, an escape from reality.

What was your favorite book or author as a teen? What's your favorite now?
As a teen, my favorite book was The Dragonkeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul. Now, it’s Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes.

What is your book about? Target age range?
Paradox is about destiny and hope. Four teens stumble through a portal and into a strange new world known as Paragon. They discover that they are the descendants of an extraordinary race, Starcrafters, and that Paragon’s only hope of salvation from the Dark Prince rests squarely on the shoulders of the young, rebellious Starcrafters. My target age range is probably 13 – 20. You can purchase Paradox here.

Are you planning any other books?
Most definitely!

If you could only share one piece of advice with aspiring authors, what would it be?
Stick with it. Don’t give up. There will be times when you feel like you’re writing nothing but dirt, but always remember that among your story’s rough points, there will be gold. Just hold on to the gold and keep pushing through the grime. Oh, and save the editing for after you’ve finished the first draft.

And finally, some extras: where can we find you online?
You can find me on Facebook, Goodreads, and my blog.

Thank you so much for being my guest today!
Thank you! It’s been an honor!

A Change of Plans

I was supposed to have a guest post in for you today, but a few of my guest bloggers this year have been behind schedule. Therefore, my lovely readers, today you get lucky. I felt it wouldn't be right to just leave you with nothing today, so piggybacking off yesterday's cover reveal for Sixteen, today I have for you...

the back cover copy!

Yes, here it is! The official summary/blurb for my debut Christian novella, Sixteen:

Nicole "Nikki" Johnson has never gotten along with her mother, so when she meets a great new guy, it's no surprise that Matt's age is all her mom sees. Just because he's twenty-four and she's sixteen doesn't mean he's a creeper! Thankfully, Nikki's dad allows Nikki and Matt to be together and see how things work out. Their relationship is fantastic and Nikki is on cloud nine... 

Until the Fourth of July picnic, when things go too far. Now a very changed Nikki has to make choices that will affect her every relationship - with Matt, her parents, her best friend, and most importantly, God.

Merry Christmas! Plus My Surprise for You

Today we're taking a break from the party to celebrate Christmas. However, before you go back to opening presents and sipping hot chocolate, I have a gift for you, my lovely readers....

SURPRISE!

It's cover reveal day!

This, friends, is the beauty that is my first book cover. All credit for the lovelies goes to Melody Simmons at http://ebookindiecovers.com/. I can't wait for you all to see the book when it releases in January!

Merry Christmas!

Author Interview: C.F. Barrows {+ Giveaway!}

Tell us a little about yourself first.
Well, I'm nineteen years old and a former homeschooler. I come from a family of five kids (I'm the fourth), and we're all pretty much nuts in our own ways. I'm a Christian, and plan to publish only books with Christian themes and messages, as I see very little point in writing if what I produce does not bring glory to God, who gave me my ability to write in the first place. I also possess some OCD tendencies, which have earned me the nickname 'Monk' with my family members. I am a first degree black belt in Taekwondo, but am inactive due to Lyme disease. And I am a Grammar Geek. Not a Nazi, but I may go insane if grammar has been mistreated and I'm powerless to do anything about it.

Okay, now for questions! How long have you been writing?
I've been writing for as long as I can remember. Poetry was big for several years, and I've been coming up with stories (however ridiculous) since I was quite young. The oldest story I've managed to dig up is from when I was eight or nine, but I'm sure it's not the first thing I ever wrote. I only got serious about writing in high school, though.

Why did you start writing? Did you always want to be a writer?
I've always been overly imaginative and loved books and stories. I can't remember any particular reason for it. I just have always been a storyteller in one way or another. And no – when I was little, some of my desired careers included: archaeologist, astronaut, singer, actress, and veterinarian. Even in high school, I was torn between becoming a writer and becoming a concert pianist.


What do you do when you're not writing?
I love to play the piano, and often compose pieces or arrangements for it. I also love to sketch, especially when the subjects are my characters. I play the harmonica, as well, and love to play around with photo editing sometimes, which helps me practice for creating my book covers.

Man, everyone in our writers' group seems so creative. People ask me what I do in my free time and I'm like, "Um, what everyone between 15 and 25 does - Netflix!" Nothing wrong with it, of course... haha.

What is your writing process? Do you write regularly at certain times or just when inspiration hits?
I tend to write mostly when inspiration hits, but there are times when I will sit myself down, open my computer, and force myself to write something, often with the help of Write or Die. Most of my writing happens at night, but as I said, there are times when I force myself to write at times that are outside my comfort zone.

What genres have you written?
Since The Sehret Chronicles and the books therein are non-magical fantasy, and I've never published any other books, people might think I'm solely a fantasy writer. But that's not true at all. In fact, my primary genre – the one I've read most, and the one I originally thought I would write – is suspense. I also love science-fiction and dystopian, and as of now, most of my plot bunnies – my story ideas that nag at me whenever I'm trying to work on something else – are science-fiction, and a couple are dystopian. When I was younger, I also dabbled in inspirational fiction, and I attempted a mystery once. Almost everything has been geared towards a YA audience. So I've been all over the place, in terms of genres.

Which are you - pantser or plotter?
I think I'm a hybrid. As near as I can tell, this is my writing process:

1. Get an idea for an intriguing story and work through the plot in my head a bit
2. Start writing, sure this will be great, and I'll have so much fun writing it
3. Get a chapter or two in and realize that I have no idea what I'm doing
4. Try to push through for a couple of months until I can't take the frustration anymore
5. Sit down and write out the plot, usually a list of key scenes with maybe some filler material in-between
6. Go back to the story with renewed vigor and get a lot of writing done
7. Watch as deviations occur and realize halfway through that the plot has gone out the window, except for some basic elements

It's pretty predictable, and it seems to be what I do every time. So it's rather funny to me that I always get stuck on step 3 or 4 and think I'll never finish whatever project I've started until I remember step 5.

What is your book about? Target age range?
This book, The Merchant's Son, is a prequel to my first novel, The Follower, and thus tells the backstories of a few of the major characters from the first. However, I've been told that it stands well enough on its own, and it's not necessary to read 'The Follower' to understand 'The Merchant's Son'. I'd suppose the target audience is teenagers, but those in other age groups should enjoy it, as well, and two of the major characters are far, far out of that age range, so adults might relate well to them. Here is the blurb:

Sheth Terrem is the son of traveling merchants, making one last stop in the bordertown of Lans before they return home with their newly-acquired merchandise. But then tragedy strikes, and a simple promise sends Sheth to live with a man he's barely met, who seems as though the last thing he wants is an orphaned teenager to look after. 
Sern Jesyn expected to look after the boy for a day, perhaps a week or two at the most. With unrest in the streets and among those who walk them, living alone is trial enough. Now that their time together has been termed indefinite, and long-suppressed memories come back to haunt him, he is uneasy at the thought of following through on his word. 
But what neither of them knows is that their trouble did not end with the riot. Rather, it lives on in the surviving rioters, and in a boy called Siran, who has begun to find keeping his nose out of his older brother's business both difficult and increasingly dangerous.

Who is your favorite character in your book? Why?
I'm terrible at picking favorites, as I tend to love almost all of my characters, including the antagonists. (Well, I loathe the Saethen with every fiber of my being, but they don't count here.) But if I had to pick someone, it would probably be either Gaevra or Sern. Gaevra is the first mother I've ever followed in a story, and I love how she's such a sweetheart, and a mama bear at the same time. You touch her baby – or anyone else's baby in her presence, for that matter – you had better get yourself right with God. In a similar way, Sern is the first protagonist I've created who was over the age of twenty-five. I love his personality, how he tries so hard to keep himself in check, but also is not easily subdued or outwitted. He's such a strong person, but at the same time finds his strength in Yahveh, and sticks to his guns no matter how the odds are stacked against him. I admire him, and think of him almost as a role model. Of course, Siran is also my baby, and I want to squeeze him. He makes me cry (no joke). But I think Gaevra and Sern are my favorites.

Are you planning any other books?
Oh, goodness, yes. The Sehret Chronicles alone will consist of probably six or seven books, give or take a book. And I have so many ideas chasing one another around in my head, several of which I think could work. If I wrote all of my ideas into individual novels, I would end up with well over a dozen, not counting the two I've already written and published. I'm always confused by the question, “How do you come up with all these ideas?” To me, it seems like there's an idea factory running inside my head, which is occasionally stimulated by outside sources, and if I don't use the ideas it churns out, the factory will explode. There's no real work involved in coming up with my ideas. They just come. The work is in wrangling and developing them into something worthwhile.

I can relate! Anyway, thanks for coming today!

One lucky (USA address) winner will receive a signed copy of C.F.'s new book, The Merchant's Son!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

C. F. Barrows writes not only to entertain, but to share with her generation the good news of Jesus Christ. She is a homeschool graduate, and lives in Northern Indiana with her family, a hyperactive dog, and hundreds of fictional characters birthed by her own over-active imagination. She is the self-published author of The Sehret Chronicles: The Follower and its prequel, The Sehret Chronicles: The Merchant's Son. To find out more about C. F. Barrows, visit her on Facebook.

Guest Post: Hannah Stewart on Christmas in Raven Falls

Christmas in Raven Falls
By Hannah Stewart

Raven Falls is the fictitious town in upstate New York that acts as the backdrop for my Breaking Shadows series. It was based off of Thornton Wilder’s Grover’s Corners… that is, if Grover’s Corners were dropped into a filthy, dystopian future with parallels to the French Revolutionary Era. The world of Breaking Shadows is a dark one, a harsh one, governed with a militaristic mindset. Raven Falls is a place where only the strong survive, and good people have to do bad things. But Raven Falls is also a place of hope. It’s a place to rise up from the ashes of oppression and begin again.

This dystopian future is bleak, and very different from the world we live in now, but there are some things that remain. Christmas is one of them, though it, too, is very different. Most holidays have been banned, along with music, in an attempt to subdue the people. Christmas was the exception, as it has always been a huge staple of our country’s economy every year… at least, that was the original reason. December 25th is also the only day music is allowed anywhere, which makes it a very special day for my characters. It’s a day of hope, in the midst of desolation – which, really, has always been the purpose of Christmas.

In the first book, Bold, we do not get to see what Christmas looks like in Raven Falls. However, in the next three there will be a handful of examples from various levels of society, some of which I am happy to be sharing here today!


The first picture of Christmas in Raven Falls is that of the Resnik Rebels… the old Resnik Rebels, that is. Ben and Jesse, their parents, and the small army their parents raised. For most poor commoners of Raven Falls, Christmas is a sparse and private affair. But for the Resnik Rebels hidden away in the woods of an abandoned ranch just beyond the town’s borders, Christmas is a real party. Much of the town is buried in deep, icy snow this time of year, but Jack and Sylvia Resnik keep much of their camp clear, working hard to keep preparations from halting altogether. Christmas day is nothing too special, but Christmas night culminates with a giant bonfire. The rebels are poor, and have little to give but what they’re already sacrificing in order to save their town – but that won’t keep them from having a good time. With stomachs rumbling, they dance around the fire until the light of morning comes again, singing to their hearts' content, holding hands and worshiping in their hearts. It’s simple, but it’s beautiful – and these Christmas celebrations are one of the few things Jesse can remember from before her parents and their army were stolen away.

The second picture of Christmas comes to us from Jude and his family, again when he was very young. They, too, lived on a ranch just outside of town, but they were better off than the rebels. Christmas was a day of rest, a day for Jude and his parents to come together. His father was a distant man, but on Christmas mornings he pulled out his beloved guitar and played for them. They weren’t a rich family, but each of them had at least a little something to unwrap, and Jude’s mother always prepared a wonderful dinner, complete with all of their favorites. Christmas night, however, is always one of Jude’s favorite memories. His father would hook his horse, Jethro, to their small sleigh, and the family would go for a ride beneath the stars, curled up under as many blankets as they could find, singing all the way.

Perhaps the most familiar Christmas scene is the one we find with Dr. Jon Mullen and his family, before they joined the Resnik Rebels. Until they gave up everything to join the rebels in the slums, the Mullens were your typical example of the Raven Falls well-to-do. Every Christmas, their townhouse would be lit with warm, flickering candles in every window, a roaring fireplace, and a small tree in one corner. Presents were abundant for each of them, especially little Charlie, and dinner was a feast of the highest quality. A few carols were traditional, but not many.

Finally, the most common Raven Falls Christmas is exemplified by Colleen and Mason’s family. Their mother has been out of the picture for years – she died in childbirth. They’re your typical street rats, living in a ramshackle shelter propped up between two crumbling townhouses. The lyrics of a certain Aladdin song come to mind when they’re involved. Their father is a jack of all trades, working any odd job he can find, while Colleen and Mason work the streets, begging and stealing when necessary. But their father always sets aside a little something for the special day, and surprises them each with a little pastry from the market. They spend the day in their cold little shelter, singing and dancing along to their father’s violin – their one prized possession.

Raven Falls isn’t a fun place, but on Christmas day, it comes alive with its people, all clinging to the little spark of hope they hold so dear. Christmas in this dystopian world isn’t the big affair we make it these days, but it’s special, and full of hope. Even with the little they have, its residents are full of faith and cheer come Christmas morning and on through the night, because they have each other, and they have music. It’s the simple things that make the heart sing, and perhaps we could all use a reminder of that going into our own various styles of Christmas celebration.

From myself and all the residents of Raven Falls, have a very Merry Christmas!

Author Interview: Zara Hoffman

Tell us a little about yourself first.

My name is Zara Hoffman. I’m sixteen going on seventeen, (Emily starts humming The Sound of Music) a junior in high school, and self-published my debut novel on November 13, 2013. It’s a fantasy romance novel, and the first in The Belgrave Legacy Trilogy.

I love The Sound of Music! Oh, wait... getting back on track here. Who or what has had the most influence on you as a writer?

My grandma and mom, both of whom strongly encouraged my love of reading and writing. And authors who inspired me are Philip Pullman, JK Rowling, and James Patterson.

What do you do when you're not writing?

Lots of homework, singing, and playing with my puppy.

Ugh. Homework. It's the one thing adult authors have over teens: no homework.

What is your writing process? Do you write regularly at certain times or just when inspiration hits?

I get an inspirational dream, then write it down, then I go back and do a loose outline for the book. I try and write at least 100-300 words a day. When it's a good day, I can do around 1k-2k.

Hey, I start off with dreams too! :)


What inspired your book?  How did it all start?

It actually started out as two different books. One a realistic fiction romance, and the other a spy novel where the main character has to betray her best friend. Both morphed together, and a lot of things changed to create The Belgrave Daughter.

What was your favorite book or author as a teen? What's your favorite now?

The Giver by Lois Lowry. Now it’s either Fire by Kristin Cashore or Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. It’s hard for me to choose just one.

Oh, I can relate! Can you tell us about the publishing process? Was there anything in particular that surprised you or that was easier (or harder) than you expected?

Editing was harder than I anticipated. By a lot. (Emily: Truth!) Every time I went through the book (8 drafts), I found more mistakes. It got tedious, but I always improved the story, so it was worth it. Working on the cover was surprisingly less stressful than I thought it would be, especially since I was collaborating with an artist. He was very receptive to my feedback and timely in sending in his drafts. So that was a relief.

I have to say, my favorite part of self-publishing is the great team with me - editor, cover designer, formatter. They help keep me sane.

Are you planning any other books?

Yes, I am. Two more in The Belgrave Legacy trilogy, and a fairytale retelling series of four standalone novels called Fearful Fairytales.

How does your real life interact/play a role in/interfere with your writing life?

Well, homework takes up most of my time, so does family events. Usually I find time to write despite both of those, but Junior Year is constantly leaving me short on time.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but senior year... is not better. At all. I'm right there with you.

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?

I think I’d be a teacher. I love working with kids and have enjoyed tutoring little kids.

And finally, some extras: where can I find you online?

You can find me on my website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Giveaway Time! Etsy Watercolor Print

Guys. You guys.

I totally scored the jackpot for you today.

Our Etsy sponsor for this year's blog party is an absolutely stunning artist: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtbyJessBuhman She paints animals in watercolor, and let me tell you, I envy whoever wins this beauty.

One lucky winner will receive an 18" x 24" print of that darling. Open to US only - again, sorry, my international readers, but shipping outside the US gets kinda steep.

I'd say more about Jess and her art, but really, it speaks for itself. A photo is worth a thousand words. I'd say her paintings are worth five thousand each, at least. I'm not kidding. Whoever wins this, I will be jealous. I have never wanted to win my own giveaways this badly!

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Guest Post: C.F. Barrows, Failure, and Fear

Overcoming Atychiphobia Regarding Our Work... And Ourselves
By C. F. Barrows

Note from Emily: C.F.'s original title read "Failure-Phobia," not "Atychiphobia." I thought it'd be cool to use the actual word that means a failure phobia. So there you have it.

Anyone who has ever published a book and is honest about it will tell you this: it is a terrifying experience. We take great care to ensure that the characters are relatable and realistic, and that the plot flows well and makes sense. We polish our prose so as to make things clear and understandable for the reader. We pound our heads against our desks and struggle for half an eternity with our work, until we reach a point where there is little else to do but to take a couple of aspirin and declare the project "Finished."

But even after all this work and agony, we are afraid. Petrified, even.

Whether we like to admit it or not, each of us weaves a bit of his or her soul throughout the pages of each book, and as such, publication means baring our souls to you, the reader, and awaiting your judgment on whether or not we have succeeded. I know I am not alone in this, because I have heard the echoes of many an author's terror as they throw their "babies" out for others to read. Even best-selling authors, whose works are read and loved by millions, struggle with fear to at least some extent. And although this fear is, of course, terrible with the first novel (or poetry collection, screenplay, short story, etc.), it does not disappear quickly, if ever.

One might think that after the first book has been published -- and especially after the author has gained a loyal following and received many positive written and oral reviews of their work -- the second one would be no problem. We should be able to ride the wave of excitement from the first book through the next, right? We've proven ourselves already, so what can be left to worry about?

The simple answer? Everything, and then some.


Speaking from personal experience, I broke what some may consider to be one of the first rules of publication: I self-published the first novel I ever completed.  This only added to my terror, as not only was I tossing my "baby" -- my novel -- out there for only goodness knows how many people to read and judge, but I was also "breaking the rules." Add to this perfectionism, insecurity and the fact that people tend not to expect much of teenaged authors, stir it all up, and you have a recipe for an instant ulcer. I was sure that my efforts would tank, and my reputation as an author would be irredeemably tarnished.

Miraculously, though -- or at least it seemed so to me -- nothing tanked. I didn't make the NYT Bestsellers List or even become a well-known author, but my readers on the whole enjoyed the book, even with its imperfections. Where I saw only a 360-page mess, unfit for human eyes, much less human enjoyment, my readers saw something worthwhile. They saw the good in my work, where I -- as a perfectionistic, paranoid author -- could only see every flaw I had failed to correct before publication.

To a certain extent, being a perfectionist aids my work. It helps me to get past the "my work is perfect" syndrome and cut to the nitty-gritty of fixing it to make it readable. It helps me to edit more easily and effectively, and dissolves any illusions I have of coming up with a perfect first draft or producing a best-seller within my first few years of serious writing.

But there is a flip-side to every coin. There is a difference between being realistic about one's work and constructing doomsday scenarios based on everything that has even a remote chance of happening. (For example, it is unlikely that if my readers don't like something I've written, they'll drag me out and burn me at the stake using my own books for kindling... unless I kill a favorite character. In that case, I might make tracks for Antarctica before they have a chance to gang up on me.)

I can talk all day about how you shouldn't put yourself down, how focusing on the negative only brings you and your work down. And all that is important to remember, too. You can be critical of your work without making yourself feel like a failure, and it's important to find that balance. Ultimately, the old saying is true: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

But what I've found is that my own insecurity regarding my work stems not from a lack of confidence in my own ability, but from a feeling of inadequacy regarding my efforts in general. I fear making a mess of things. I fear offending someone. I fear facing another person and hearing them tell me, "You are not good enough. You are a failure. You should just give up."

This fear, my friends, is not healthy.

My self-worth should not be found in how well or badly I am received by others. It should not depend upon the tone of that most recent review, or upon another person's judgment of whether I've worked hard enough, whether I am too vocal in my opinions or something about my appearance doesn't match with their concepts of perfection. Other people do not define me. And my work, as much as I love it, and as much I hope it will be well-received by others, does not define me, either.

I am an author. But I am also God's child. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, loved by the God who created me. I am worth something not because of my own efforts, but merely because He loves me. In fact, I am worth so much to Him that He was willing to send His only Son to die for me. He knows me better than I know myself, far better than anyone else will ever know me. He knows what I am, and what I am not. Every shortcoming, every failure I have ever made or ever will make is known intimately by Him, but still He loves me for who I am. And even if that first book tanks, or the second one fails to live up to my readers' expectations (or even if I take a sudden trip to Antarctica to escape an angry mob), He will never stop loving me.

In short, dear reader, go ahead and edit that manuscript. Submit it to critique partners. Take their feedback for what it is and thank them, then turn a discerning eye on the piece and implement changes as necessary. There is nothing wrong with improving yourself and your work. And indeed, we are told to do whatever we do heartily. But we should also remember to always do it for God, and not for men. Because ultimately, if we do it for the approval of others or to prove our own worth, we will always fall short of others' expectations. And if you are a perfectionist like me, it is unlikely that you will ever live up to your own expectations, either.

But if you commit yourself and your work to God, and remember that you don't have to be perfect to be worth something, everything will change. The stress of baring your soul to a reader will not go away, but your own worth will not be tied up in whether your efforts succeed or fail. People will still say things that hurt, but their words will not cut so deeply, because in the end, it is God's word that counts. And you can feel confident in the fact that, if you focus on God and pleasing Him, it will be worth it. Even if it doesn't go the way you planned, trust Him. He will strengthen you, and He will always love you.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." - Psalm 139:14

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24

C. F. Barrows writes not only to entertain, but to share with her generation the good news of Jesus Christ. She is a homeschool graduate, and lives in Northern Indiana with her family, a hyperactive dog, and hundreds of fictional characters birthed by her own over-active imagination. She is the self-published author of The Sehret Chronicles: The Follower and its prequel, The Sehret Chronicles: The Merchant's Son. To find out more about C. F. Barrows, visit her on Facebook.

Author Interview: Frances Hardinge

Who or what has had the most influence on you as a writer?
I was lucky enough to have a childhood surrounded by books. Both my parents read to me and my sister, so I absorbed a love of the written word very early.

In terms of inspiration, I also need to mention my late grandfather, H Mills West. He belonged to a poor farming family, and was one of many children who had to leave school early so that he could work and help make ends meet. He was extremely intelligent, however, so he used books to educate himself, to the point where he was able to get a place in a teacher training college. Not only did he become a teacher, he went on to write about a dozen books which were accepted by a local publisher. I'm very proud of him for achieving so much despite the odds stacked against him.

How much research do you usually put into your books?
I tend to do a lot of research, and as far as I'm concerned it's one of the fun parts! It's also helpful in terms of accuracy and realism, and can often give an author new plot ideas.

Volcanoes play an important part in my third book, so part of my research involved running around volcanic landscapes. I watched giant geysers erupt, wandered around inside the craters of active volcanoes, saw multi-coloured silica plains and peered into giant bubbling mud cauldrons.


My fifth book was set underground, so I visited a lot of underground places – crypts, buried streets, caves, etc. Since my heroine in that book was apprenticed to a cheesemaker, I also went on a day-long cheese-making course. Reading about making cheese is all very well, but I wanted to know how the curds actually looked, felt and smelt.

The book I am working on at the moment is set in the 1920s, so I have to do a lot of research so that I can try to avoid historical inaccuracies. Sometimes this involves getting in touch with people and asking weird questions. The staff at the London Transport Museum were very patient with my questions about 1920s trams, even when I was asking them how easily people could climb out of the windows...

What do you do when you're not writing?
I love travelling, scuba diving, games of all sorts, reading and spending time with my friends. I enjoy hiking, and try to go for a ten mile hike at least once a week. I'm also incurably curious, and addicted to trying new things.

I have taken part in some historical re-enactment, and so I have a wardrobe packed with period costume and other oddities. This does at least mean that I have first hand experience of wearing a lot of the clothes I describe in historic settings. I know which corsets are more constricting, which dresses trip you when you run, and which bonnets tend to blow off in the wind.

What keeps you motivated?
There are some authors who manage to keep to the same rigid schedule every day, and are scarily self-disciplined. I'm afraid I'm not one of those! I find I work better if there is a deadline looming, so I belong to two different writers' groups, each of which meet weekly. If I turned up to the meeting without having written anything, everyone would laugh at me, so the meetings give me a regular deadline.

My writers' groups are very useful to me in other ways as well. Writing is a very odd job, and a lot of the time you feel as though you're working in a void. It can be really helpful to get feedback, and get a sense of whether you're taking your book in the right direction. The other members of the group also provide support, solidarity and advice.

When did you first realize that you wanted to write books?
I have wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. I was scrawling down stories almost as soon as I could wield a pencil, and I used to make up serialized stories for my sister when  we were both trying to get to sleep. When I was thirteen I gradually wrote a novella-length story, which was a mish-mash of all the spy thrillers and murder mysteries I enjoyed. I still have that story in a drawer somewhere, and to be honest the drawer is the best place for it. It wasn't very good.

What is your book about? Target age range?
Most of my books are marketed at age 10+, but in reality readers range from 10 to about 100. The books are read by a lot of teenagers and an increasing number of adults. This may be because I don't believe in treating younger readers like idiots, so my novels tend to have plenty of plot twists, and language that isn't 'dumbed down'.

My latest book is A Face Like Glass, a curious tale set in a subterranean world.

In the underground city of Caverna, the babies do not smile. Expressions must be learnt one at a time, and never become second nature. There are no natural smiles, no genuine frowns, only countenances donned deliberately, like hats. In Caverna lying is an art and everybody is an artist.

Everybody except one. Into the limelight of Caverna's venomous Court stumbles Neverfell, an amnesiac child with a face that shows her every thought, a girl that cannot lie surrounded by perfect liars. In this city of exquisite and esoteric luxuries, she is the ultimate novelty. Neverfell is surrounded by those who wish to use her, own her, deceive her and display her, even kill her...

Which are you - panster or plotter?
I always plot out my books before I write them. Sometimes I only establish the over-arching plot and all the main incidents, but for some books I create a full chapter-by-chapter plan.

Even when I am writing to a plan, however, there is still plenty of room for making things up as I go. A book should be a journey of discovery for the writer as well as the reader, and often I am surprised by the way a tale will work itself out. Sometimes certain characters develop in unexpected ways. Occasionally I even change my mind about the the plot structure, and end up altering it. It's still good to have the initial plan, though, even if I do end up rethinking it.

What is your outlook on fan fiction?
I have no problem with it at all. Creativity is a wonderful thing, and people should be encouraged to express it. Whenever I discover that somebody has created fan fiction (or fan art) based on my books, I feel very flattered.

If you could have time travel abilities and could meet anyone from any time, who would you like to meet?
There are many figures from history that I would want to visit! I would love to drop in on the wily Elizabeth I, though I am a little worried that she might out-fox me and steal my time machine.

Another person I would very much like to meet is Mary Kingsley, the Victorian explorer who canoed around unknown parts of West Africa, climbed Mount Cameroon, discovered new species of fish, befriended cannibals, survived a fall into a spiked pit trap due to her copious petticoats, cuffed a crocodile across the nose when it tried to eat her, and wrote witty, no nonsense accounts of all her adventures.

Frances grew up in an old house in rural Kent, England where the wind wuthered. She has always liked dark stories – when she was six, she wrote a short story that included an attempted poisoning, a faked death and a villain being thrown off a cliff – all in just one page! Later she read English at Oxford University amid medieval towers and gargoyle-strung chapels. You can find out more about Frances and her many books and awards at her website, www.franceshardinge.com.

Guest Post: Jillian Haggard, Keeping Christ in Christmas

Keeping Christ in Christmas
by Jillian Haggard

Holiday music drifts from hidden speakers in department stores. Lines wrap around the local mall, filled with bright-eyed children who have waited all year to see Santa Claus. Women bustle from store to store with large shopping bags tucked under their arms, as they fumble with coupons and Christmas lists. This is Christmas.

There's nothing wrong with the annual Christmas traditions that have become so prevalent in society. In fact, I love Christmas trees, presents, and chocolate advent calendars! However, I think that we often get caught up in the middle of these traditions and lose sight of what this season is truly about: Jesus.

This Christmas, let's try not to forget about Christ. In the midst of the busy season, don't forget this is a crucial time to volunteer and make a difference in someone's life. Is there someone on the street who won't be able to afford a Christmas dinner? Do you know of a family who has recently lost a loved one? Is there an organization in need of volunteers this season? Look around and see if you can help someone out. Even if all you do is smile at a stranger, you can help brighten someone's day.

Here are some other things you can do to keep Christ in Christmas:

-Open the Bible on Christmas Day. Sometimes with all the excitement on Christmas morning and the presents under the tree, it's easy to forget about His Word. Read Luke 2 for the Nativity story.
-Sing Christmas carols that focus on Jesus. We all have favorite Christmas songs (my favorites include "What Child is This" and "Silent Night"). Sing with your family and friends to share the Christmas spirit and reflect on your faith. Even better, see if you can get a group together to go caroling!
-Set up a Nativity scene in your house.
-Keep an advent wreath or calendar.
-Remember the gift of giving. This is one of the most special things at Christmastime. Give something to a stranger who can't pay you back. Do something from your heart with no benefits for yourself.

So. When you leave your house today, live like Jesus would. Brighten someone's day. Make this Christmas special. No matter what you're going through this Christmas season, do your best to live as Christ would. Remember, we are the light of the world and this is a perfect time to let your light shine (Matthew 5:14).

And to get you in the mood of Christmas, here's one of my favorite songs from Francesca Battistelli, called "Christmas Is." Have a blessed holiday!

 

Jillian Haggard is a teenage girl, dreamer, and adventure-seeker. She dabbles in a variety of genres, but especially loves writing historical fiction and suspense. When she's not writing, Jillian is often reading, dancing, or singing. She adores dark chocolate, typewriters, tea, and God's beautiful world. Jillian blogs about books, writing, and life over at www.coversandink.blogspot.com.

Blog Tour: Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl + Giveaway!

Answer to the True or False question from the last stop:  False! 

About the Book:

Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl:Traveling with her parents brings Lydia, daughter of explorer and singer Buddy Davis, plenty of adventure and mystery - from hidden clues in bookstores to cave paintings deep underground.

About the Author: 

Whether she’s building life-sized models of dinosaurs with her adopted family, trying her hand at cooking at a private retreat, or living in a barn, author Aidyl Ewoh (aka Lydia Howe) seems to have adventures follow her wherever she goes. Check out her book, Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl and find out more about her at her Blog, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Signing a book for my brother at the Creation Museum the night my book was released

My Introduction to Answers in Genesis, Part One: 

I’m not even sure when or how or even why exactly I started liking Answers in Genesis (referred to as ‘AiG’ from now on) in the first place. I know the first thing I remember watching from them was Dinosaurs, Genesis and the Gospel which was a DVD for kids. It was of a speaking engagement Ken Ham had in front of a live audience of mostly children. Buddy Davis sang four songs throughout the presentation, and I fell in love. I would set our mini DVD player up on our kitchen counter and play the songs over and over again. 

Then came the day when our family got a reliable fifteen-passenger van so we didn’t have to travel with the constant fear of the brakes on our current van suddenly stopping mid-hill and a crash occurring. As a celebration, we headed to Cincinnati for the weekend where we planned on going to the zoo and the then-recently-opened Creation Museum. 

I was sick with a cold and had lost my voice. Feeling quite miserable, I asked to stay home. Since I was only 14 at the time, Mom informed me if I didn’t feel well enough to go, that was fine, but she would stay home with me. Not wanting my sweet mommy to miss out on the family’s fun, I opted to go after all. Despite barely being able to rasp out anything the first half of our trip and only being able to mutely point and occasionally whisper for the second half, it remains as one of my favorite family trips ever. (Ok, favorite anything ever!)

The Creation Museum was more than spectacular. It was more than amazing. It was more, more, more than anything I could have imagined or described or wished for. It was (and still is) one of the coolest places I have ever been. If I would have known then that I would one day walk down the halls in the Staff Only areas with people calling out to me by name and my own VIP lanyard with an access key on, I probably would have fainted. If I would have known that I would be Buddy and Kay Davis’s adopted daughter and have my book, published by AiG, being sold in the Museum bookstore, I probably would have died for pure joy. Even now I am overwhelmed beyond belief at how dreams come true. 

When we were done going through the Museum, we were in the bookstore, looking around. And there, low and behold, I saw... Buddy Davis CD’s! I was so thrilled and excited and of course asked Mom right away if we could buy some. She said she would have to ask Daddy (who had already gone out to the van). So I eagerly waited until we could ask him and he said yes! So, Mom and Dad went back into the Museum and bought the three Buddy Davis CD’s that were in there. Picture me perfectly contented, listening to a full Buddy Davis CD for the first time ever. Oh, happy days! Part two coming soon to a blog near you... 

For a chance to read the second half of this story and get the answer to the True or False question, check out THIS blog, tomorrow!

Giveaway time!

One winner will receive a copy of Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl, as well as A Pocket Guide to Dinosaurs! Since the prizes are physical books, not ebooks, open to US addresses only. Sorry, international readers! You guys can still enter Caitlin Hensley's giveaway.

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