Coming Soon to a School Near You ...

It's 2017 and time to set goals and declare resolutions. To be very honest, I am not the most focused person. In fact, my husband calls me "squirrel!" as I'll be in the middle of doing something, see something that distracts me, and I go off pursuing it like a dog chasing a squirrel before my original task is complete. Not a good trait to have when you need focus, but despite my tendency to get off track I still like to set goals and work towards them. And this year my goal in 2017 (besides finishing the third installment to my Kibblestan series) is to do some Author Visits at schools! I have already done a few and am having a total blast with the kids and hopefully they are having a blast with me! I have updated my website with the presentations I offer, so please check out the Author Visits tab on my website and give me a shout. If you live locally, I can come visit. If you don't, we can Skype! And have a very Happy 2017!

Music to an Author's Ears

I've been a little busy lately. Learning the whole author gig, while fun, can be a bit overwhelming. For awhile, I was doing really well. I had my nose to the grindstone every day, revising the last five chapters of my upcoming book, The Chronicles of Kibblestan: Canines. I attended my first book festival, and I attended my second school visit. Things were chugging along . . .

Until . . .

(insert dramatic music)

I decided to do my own taxes.

Couldn't be too hard, could it? Doesn't Turbo Tax walk you through all the questions? Well, yes. But as a new author with a new publishing company, there was definitely a learning curve to navigate.

And that took time. Away from writing, away from blogging, away from social media.

Now that the taxes are filed, I can get back to the business of writing, and what better motivation than to share with you a message I received from a friend . . . A message that is music to any author's ears.

My friend bought one of my books a little while ago to give to her friend's eleven-year-old daughter. I received a message the other day that said:

"Just wanted to let you know that I was finally able to give my little friend Danielle your book on Thursday evening. (I know that took a while) And the reviews are in....she is enthralled! Her mom told me she isn't usually a reader but cannot put the book down. She is really excited to know there will be more to come. Congratulations!!!!

Music to an author's ears? That's an understatement!

Why Tomorrow's a BIG DAY

Today has been a long day. Tonight I'm feeling like this. Tomorrow . . . the pressure is on. I will be conducting my first school visit to talk to the kids about being an author, and I am PSYCHED! Still, it's a little nerve-wracking. I've never done this before, and I've got to keep it interesting.

I've put together a Power Point that includes Katniss, a dachshund and a crocodile about to bite off a guy's head.

I will share how a bout with the stomach flu can influence your writing.

And I will reveal the two words that are needed for any story to exist . . . and warn the students of an  enemy to these words that could have kept one of the most famous fictional characters in recent history from ever existing.

Wish me luck! :)