Summertime and the reading is easy...la la la and the reading is fun. What are you reading this summer? Many are reading about ancient Egypt, magic, the Kane family, and the Serpent's Shadow. Learn about Ancient Egypt in the Kane Chronicles. The on-line world of Rick Riordan is fun aplenty with Chaos threatening to overtake the world, and two teens and some trainees using magic to restore the World order. Will they succeed? Of course, but how?

Check out Rick's blog, see the British Museum's website for fun and games about ancient Egypt. 

If the Kane Chronicles was a movie cast...who would you choose to play the lead roles? This was uploaded by The Muzbo in August 2010. Thank you for the opportunity to download these interesting drawings. Can anyone else do as well? Comments?

 

Interesting blog by Natasha Wing, who's published 22 books and is still dancing with the keyboard.

She wrote the Night Before series, such as The Night Before Kindergarten, a twist on The Night Before Christmas.

Natasha is Picture Book Expert Guide for Children's Book Insider (CBI). Visit them on Facebook and perhaps win a prize for a short story!


Swim around obstacles, join writer's groups, network on Facebook and Twitter, email fans, get an agent, submit, read marketing and writing books, never give up. Write, write, write and you'll outlast your competition.



"Sometimes it's about skill...sometimes it's about luck."

It's stacking the odds in your favor. In the words of Winston Churchill, "never give up, never give up, never give up."

I tried for almost 30 years to publish a book, so I totally "get it." I submitted and polished and submitted again, I let my books gather mothballs and dust bunnies in drawers for years, and then - I learned to write!

I started with articles, gave some poetry and a few articles away for free, began to build a portfolio, started a  blog called The Scribe.

I matured, I found a publisher who was a mentor, I followed advice, she saw something in my work worth coddling and I signed two contracts last year and another two this year.

My ebook called Discovery - An Anthology of Poetry, is presently offered on Kindle Select by Authors for a Cause, and received marvelous help with formatting and promotion from Mark and Allison.


Write because you love it and don't be in a hurry to get published. Keep your day job at least part-time, put your eggs in several baskets, write poetry, articles, nonfiction, fiction, short stories, ghost write, write, write because you LOVE IT.

Make sure your grammar and spelling are perfect. No typos please. Show don't tell. Leave lots of white space. Cut and hire a professional editor. Have a couple of people proofread it. Take constructive criticism and learn from it. Make changes. Go with the smaller publishers, not everyone makes the Big 6 right away.

Consider self publishing but be prepared to put in the effort. Make sure it's as perfect as you can make it. Make sure it's your best work. Be patient.

Develop a fan base. It's not all about you.

One day it will happen. You'll be on your way.


What do you do to stay positive on this writing journey?

CELEBRATE WITH A FIREWORKS VIDEO!!!

Do you have some great ideas? Put them on paper.

1. Write a diary
2. Or journal and copy it to a blog
3. Use writing prompts such as this one
4. For example, "Why I didn't work today..."
5. Or write from the viewpoint of an old car that has just gotten a new paint job
6. Find pictures for writing prompts
7. Write about this...

1. ...or your day

✺✺✺✺ Happy 4th of July to my American friends. Independence Day. Never forget your freedoms fought and died for by your forebears and ours.

1. A location
2. A clever line of dialogue
3. A character
4. A fun title...
5. Every good writing idea comes from a process
6. Most of all, just sit down and WRITE! The ideas will come.
7. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't write
8. That's like telling you that you can't think
9. ...or dream
10. ...or imagine
11. ...or create!
12. Most of all, have fun

Question: Brian Littleroller, what was your first impression of Oprah and why did she inspire you to return?

Brian: Well, Oprah is a beautiful big black broad with...how could I not be inspired? Ask Nicolas Cartwheels. He told me let's listen to the guru of gestalt.

Question: Mr. Cartwheels? Does Scottie McLean agree with you boys?

Nicolas: As new kids on the block, we were blown away.

Question: Howie Doughboys and Keith...er...Mr. Richardson, to what do you attribute your amazing success?

Howie and Keith (together): Pop, pop rock, R&B, teen pop, adult contemporary. We've been active since 1993 with a break from 2002 - 2003. I see you've narrowed that down to our Oprah Ah-Hah Moment.

Question: Did you answer the question?

Backstreet Boys: Sure. Anything else, Elton?

Question: You're set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. Are you excited?

Backstreet Boys: Yes, we're excited. We're Unbreakable and This is Us. Over and out.

Question: Classical soul, Ninja Turtle, you're named after Orlando's former Backstreet flea market. Any relation to the Izmaylovo?

Backstreet Boys: Definitely.

 

Want to know where to get a good ol' Russian propaganda teen idol poster?

Go to the Izmaylovo Flea Market in Moscow and don't take any more rubles than you plan to spend. Because this will have you dazzled with its variety of wares.

Any teens living in Moscow or planning to visit Moscow or Russia this summer? Check out this world famous flea market conveniently located near the Izmaylovo Park. Get your souvenirs here. Homemade goods, antiques on the third floor, art and war memorabilia.

Teen idol posters? Look no further.

Forgive me if my spelling is wrong. I found several different spellings of Izmaylovo and Izmaylovo Park.

Where's your favorite spot to buy cool retro clothes, posters and memorabilia?

Value Village? Goodwill? Or Moscow?

Is Justin Bieber maturing with his "bubblegum" slide from "Baby" to the more R&B "Boyfriend"? Similar to the other Justin (Timberlake) who wailed from "Bye Bye Bye" to "Cry me a River".

"Boyfriend" is Canadian Hot #1 in Justin's native country (Canada) but #2 in the USA.

"We are Young" by Janelle Monae is #1 in the USA for the fifth straight week, due partly to streaming and radio air time, not only digital buys.

Justin may be maturing along with his fans, one would hope. Way to go, Justin Bieber, our Canadian native boy!