Well, Miss Winnie Lilly's Extraordinary House is at the printer and should be here for sale within a week. She is such a sweet little lady who has this most unusual house. All the children love to come and play here but their parents can't figure out why they like it so much. They try to look in the windows to see but they can't see anything.
Miss Winnie Lilly's house has so many rooms and she just keeps adding on because more children keep coming. Finally, the people find out the secret and ....what a surprise. They like it so much that they come back, too. Now, Miss Winnie Lilly will have to keep building on new rooms to her house since she will have so many more visitors.
Remember when we didn't have all these electronic things and tv and DVDs? Remember when we used to play outside and make up games to play under the table. Remember when the blanket draped over the chairs made a tent and we could hide inside from all the creatures roaming around outside? Those were the days when children used their imaginations. Toys didn't talk and move with remote controls. Cartoons didn't take up all Saturday mornings. Children played and made magical things out of paper and boxes.
Miss Winnie Lilly's house takes us back to those days and will teach children to treasure the precious gift of imagination. http://www.carolynfindlaydavisbooks.com/
Carolyn
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Prisoner of Chillon
I sent an article to a magazine about the oldest place I had ever visited. The article was about the castle at Chillon, Switzerland. It was that place that inspired Lord Byron to write his famous poem, The Prisoner of Chillon.
Visiting this historic place in Switzerland was one of the most feeling-generating experiences I have had. The castle, whose oldest historical documents go back to 1005, belonged to the bishops of Sion. They confided its care to the d'Alinge family. The castle sits on the rocky cliff overlooking Lake Geneva, or Lake Leman, and was considered an impenetrable fortress. Chillon's walls have tales to tell which are of far greater torture and agony than Lord Byron wrote.
Lord Byron chose one of the prisoners, Francois Bonivard, as the subject for his poem. Bonivard was born about 1493 and died about 1571. It was said that he took part on the side of Geneva in the conflict against the Duke of Savoy. In 1530 he was imprisoned in the tower and then later moved to the dungeon where he spent another four years chained to the post that bears his name. It is not known how long Bonivard would have been imprisoned if the castle had not been captured by the Bernese on March 29, 1536.
Here, in the castle of Chillon, towers and chambers above ground are furnished lavishly and restored to the days when prisoners were held in the dungeons below ground. In these dungeons one can still see the columns to which the prisoners were chained. It is with disbelief and pain that one witnesses these columns today, knowing that Byron wrote only a small portion of the torture and cruelty these walls once held.
Chillon has tales to tell that will never be spoken, but in reading Byron's poem we can count our blessings that these chains will never again be put to use. Our world holds other chains now and although cruelty continues in its crudest form, as Christians there is a light at the end of our tunnel leading to eternity with our loving Father. May He forgive all those who did, and continue to, inflict unjust punishment on others.
I have yet to hear whether my article was accepted or not but I will let you know, my faithful followers. I also hope this will inspire you to find Lord Byron's Prisoner of Chillon and read it if you have not already done so. And, if you have, read it again. It is no wonder that Byron brought world wide notoriety to Chillon.
Visiting this historic place in Switzerland was one of the most feeling-generating experiences I have had. The castle, whose oldest historical documents go back to 1005, belonged to the bishops of Sion. They confided its care to the d'Alinge family. The castle sits on the rocky cliff overlooking Lake Geneva, or Lake Leman, and was considered an impenetrable fortress. Chillon's walls have tales to tell which are of far greater torture and agony than Lord Byron wrote.
Lord Byron chose one of the prisoners, Francois Bonivard, as the subject for his poem. Bonivard was born about 1493 and died about 1571. It was said that he took part on the side of Geneva in the conflict against the Duke of Savoy. In 1530 he was imprisoned in the tower and then later moved to the dungeon where he spent another four years chained to the post that bears his name. It is not known how long Bonivard would have been imprisoned if the castle had not been captured by the Bernese on March 29, 1536.
Here, in the castle of Chillon, towers and chambers above ground are furnished lavishly and restored to the days when prisoners were held in the dungeons below ground. In these dungeons one can still see the columns to which the prisoners were chained. It is with disbelief and pain that one witnesses these columns today, knowing that Byron wrote only a small portion of the torture and cruelty these walls once held.
Chillon has tales to tell that will never be spoken, but in reading Byron's poem we can count our blessings that these chains will never again be put to use. Our world holds other chains now and although cruelty continues in its crudest form, as Christians there is a light at the end of our tunnel leading to eternity with our loving Father. May He forgive all those who did, and continue to, inflict unjust punishment on others.
I have yet to hear whether my article was accepted or not but I will let you know, my faithful followers. I also hope this will inspire you to find Lord Byron's Prisoner of Chillon and read it if you have not already done so. And, if you have, read it again. It is no wonder that Byron brought world wide notoriety to Chillon.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Another rejection.....oh, no!
Well, I am about to get one wall fully papered with rejection slips. But, don't for one minute think that I am discouraged. Oh, no....I am really just getting started.
After shoveling the driveway three times today, and two of my neighbor's driveways, I brought in the mail. I deserved some good news, I thought, as I sifted through the stack of junk stuff. There it was! The perfect rejection slip...it just fit into the empty spot on my wall. Now, the wall is almost covered. You know what that means if you are a writer...it means you are persistent and on a roll! One day someone is going to accept Moon-Faced Gollywampus and think it is the best children's book he or she has ever read! Then, all the poor companies who rejected it will be hitting their foreheads and saying "We could have had a V-8..I mean, a Very good book!" So sad...they will be feeling so bad.
I, on the other hand, am just getting started...no stone, I mean "company", will be left unturned as I look the world over for the perfect match....Moon-Faced Gollywampus and the publisher who will bring him to life.
Wait and watch.....
After shoveling the driveway three times today, and two of my neighbor's driveways, I brought in the mail. I deserved some good news, I thought, as I sifted through the stack of junk stuff. There it was! The perfect rejection slip...it just fit into the empty spot on my wall. Now, the wall is almost covered. You know what that means if you are a writer...it means you are persistent and on a roll! One day someone is going to accept Moon-Faced Gollywampus and think it is the best children's book he or she has ever read! Then, all the poor companies who rejected it will be hitting their foreheads and saying "We could have had a V-8..I mean, a Very good book!" So sad...they will be feeling so bad.
I, on the other hand, am just getting started...no stone, I mean "company", will be left unturned as I look the world over for the perfect match....Moon-Faced Gollywampus and the publisher who will bring him to life.
Wait and watch.....
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Miss Winnie Lilly's Extraordinary House
Miss Winnie is in the works. She is on her way to becoming my third published book. Miss Winnie has a very extraordinary house. Children love to come there; of course nobody knows why.
Have you ever watched a child alone with his or her imagination? It runs wild and watching and listening to them will make you wonder why they ever needed tv or video games, etc. A child's imagination is a gift, waiting to be used and needing to be exercised. Like all muscles, if not used they atrophy. The imagination muscle is no different. So, let's see what's waiting at Miss Winnie Lilly's house...whatever it is, it must be EXTRAORDINARY!
Have you ever watched a child alone with his or her imagination? It runs wild and watching and listening to them will make you wonder why they ever needed tv or video games, etc. A child's imagination is a gift, waiting to be used and needing to be exercised. Like all muscles, if not used they atrophy. The imagination muscle is no different. So, let's see what's waiting at Miss Winnie Lilly's house...whatever it is, it must be EXTRAORDINARY!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Kimmy's birthday...
Today is my granddaughter's birthday and I am reminded how much my family means to me. I am also reminded just how quickly everyone ages, including myself. Today is the time to enjoy each other and make memories that nobody can ever take away. We can carry those memories with us wherever we go and whatever we do. They are God's special gift to us and let us not forget to count that in our blessings when we thank Him. All of my grandchldren have brought me so much joy. They are all so different and teach me things in so many different ways. Now I have great grandchildren and I will learn from them, also. I pray I will see them grow up and come to know their children. If that is not God's plan, then I will know that I have stored up enough memories all these years to last me my lifetime. Thank you, Lord for this special birthday today.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Miss Winnie Lilly's Extraordinary House
Just a few more days and Miss Winnie Lilly's Extraordinary House will be ready for its first review.. This has been fun and I have enjoyed working with the young lady who did the illustrating. Every time I work with the publisher I learn something new. She has taught me so much and I know that when we rush things we just pay for it in the long run. This time I will be waiting for the proof in the mail before I okay the printing.
My experience with What Is Your Name? was a learning experience. I didn't wait for the hard proof from the printer and assumed that it would be printed perfectly. Wrong! That was my mistake. I was in a hurry....lesson learned. It had two errors, which I didn't catch when I read it as I printed it out. So, because of that I have had to wait for another printing and that has caused people to have to wait on their books. But, I have just had good news that the books will be at the publisher's today Of course, the delivery was supposed to come to me directly, but the printer decided to save money and ship things together. That is fine with me. I am impatient but I know they are on their way and that is what counts.
When I read books written by other authors and I see errors I now know that it is probably not the printer's fault, at all, or even the editor's. When the author receives the final proof and signs off on it, that is what will be printed. It is a mistake to read your proof quickly or not to have input from others. We are so used to reading what we wrote that we gloss over errors and our eyes are not looking for letters...just words. So, a word to the wise: Read, read, read and then read backwards to make sure all the words are spelled correctly. Spellcheck on a computer is just not enough. Ask several of your friends to read it, also. You can never have too many eyes!!!
Why is it that the older we get we find that we still don't know everything? I keep thinking that I can't have that much more to learn, but I find myself proved wrong every single day. Thanks for staying with me through all my trials. I know that it is going to get better but that there will be another trial soon. That is how God keeps me humble and right now I am very humble!
My experience with What Is Your Name? was a learning experience. I didn't wait for the hard proof from the printer and assumed that it would be printed perfectly. Wrong! That was my mistake. I was in a hurry....lesson learned. It had two errors, which I didn't catch when I read it as I printed it out. So, because of that I have had to wait for another printing and that has caused people to have to wait on their books. But, I have just had good news that the books will be at the publisher's today Of course, the delivery was supposed to come to me directly, but the printer decided to save money and ship things together. That is fine with me. I am impatient but I know they are on their way and that is what counts.
When I read books written by other authors and I see errors I now know that it is probably not the printer's fault, at all, or even the editor's. When the author receives the final proof and signs off on it, that is what will be printed. It is a mistake to read your proof quickly or not to have input from others. We are so used to reading what we wrote that we gloss over errors and our eyes are not looking for letters...just words. So, a word to the wise: Read, read, read and then read backwards to make sure all the words are spelled correctly. Spellcheck on a computer is just not enough. Ask several of your friends to read it, also. You can never have too many eyes!!!
Why is it that the older we get we find that we still don't know everything? I keep thinking that I can't have that much more to learn, but I find myself proved wrong every single day. Thanks for staying with me through all my trials. I know that it is going to get better but that there will be another trial soon. That is how God keeps me humble and right now I am very humble!
Friday, January 7, 2011
End of the week...
It's Friday and the end of the week...what have I accomplished??? Well, I did a lot of nothing; wrote an article for AAA magazine and waited for more rejections. The good news is that I didn't receive any rejections but neither did I receive any acceptances. However, I did practice my writing skills and that is the important thing. For those of you who are feeling a bit "rejected" at the end of this week, there is always tomorrow.
I have had a few friends who have recently published books and I have enjoyed reading them. One of them in particular is a book about domestic violence. It is written by Kathy Goodhew and she stepped forward with great courage to write about a subject that is so often kept in the background. It amazes me, like the elephant in the living room, how this abuse can go on and on and people still avoid talking about it. The book, A Vision Beyond Abuse, tells Kathy's personal story. You can find it at her website at http://home.comcast.net/~kathy-goodhew/site/?/home/. I wish her the best in her endeavor to bring this subject the front and applaud her effort in courage.
For those of us who have been subjected to this abuse at some time or other in our lives it is a good feeling to have more and more people educated about the lasting effects this has on a family. When I was a nurse I used to give the required classes in domestic violence to student nurses as well as the annual updates required for many professional licensing agencies. There were always people who would approach me after class with personal questions, reminding me how widespread this epidemic really is. It is surprising to some to find out that 20% of dating couples experience this in some form and still go on to marriage with that same partner, thinking he or she will change.
Domestic violence is not perpetrated only on women. Men are also the victims in many cases. No one is exempt and until the subject is talked about openly, more and more victims will remain quietly at home, hoping nobody will notice what goes on behind the closed doors.
Congratulations, Kathy, on your new book and I pray that you will enjoy many sales and enlighten the lives of so many. Prayers are with you and all the victims out there.
I have had a few friends who have recently published books and I have enjoyed reading them. One of them in particular is a book about domestic violence. It is written by Kathy Goodhew and she stepped forward with great courage to write about a subject that is so often kept in the background. It amazes me, like the elephant in the living room, how this abuse can go on and on and people still avoid talking about it. The book, A Vision Beyond Abuse, tells Kathy's personal story. You can find it at her website at http://home.comcast.net/~kathy-goodhew/site/?/home/. I wish her the best in her endeavor to bring this subject the front and applaud her effort in courage.
For those of us who have been subjected to this abuse at some time or other in our lives it is a good feeling to have more and more people educated about the lasting effects this has on a family. When I was a nurse I used to give the required classes in domestic violence to student nurses as well as the annual updates required for many professional licensing agencies. There were always people who would approach me after class with personal questions, reminding me how widespread this epidemic really is. It is surprising to some to find out that 20% of dating couples experience this in some form and still go on to marriage with that same partner, thinking he or she will change.
Domestic violence is not perpetrated only on women. Men are also the victims in many cases. No one is exempt and until the subject is talked about openly, more and more victims will remain quietly at home, hoping nobody will notice what goes on behind the closed doors.
Congratulations, Kathy, on your new book and I pray that you will enjoy many sales and enlighten the lives of so many. Prayers are with you and all the victims out there.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Coming from Tate Publishing
My book, A Star for Anana, is in its illustrations phase at Tate and the illustrator is a delightful young woman. I say "young" because she sounds young and everyone is younger than I am at this point. Her first draft was great and little Anana has truly come to life. I will be waiting patiently for this book to come out but I am very excited and can't wait to share her with the rest of the world. So, follow along with me and see what the Lord has in store.
Today was really exciting. The dishwasher broke and the magic man who came to fix it said it didn't need any new parts. So, with some kind words and TLC it is running again. Yipee! Now I can quit thinking about that and move on to other important things.
I love my friends and thank you all if you happen to read my blogs...my heart is missing all of you.
Today was really exciting. The dishwasher broke and the magic man who came to fix it said it didn't need any new parts. So, with some kind words and TLC it is running again. Yipee! Now I can quit thinking about that and move on to other important things.
I love my friends and thank you all if you happen to read my blogs...my heart is missing all of you.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Something new is just around the corner....
Miss Winnie Lilly's Extraordinary House is coming out soon. This is a story about children using their imaginations to create wonderful experiences. I look forward to introducing you to this delightful lady and her interesting house.
Time is moving on so quickly that it is almost the end of the first week in this new year. There are so many blessings to count and so many friends to thank....I appreciate all of the support everyone has given me with my first two books and it has given me much encouragement to continue to go where some of you have gone before....my rejections in hand, I walk proudly down the path.
I am having some health problems at this time and will be having some tests done. I know that prayers are there for me and I praise God for all my friends. I know that whatever happens it is for my good and for His glory and, therefore, will be just fine. I will do what has to be done and get on with life.
It was a wonderful holiday season with birthdays, Christmas, New Year's, etc. I wish I could have spent all the time with all my family but everyone lives so far away anymore. That is something that I will never get used to...having everyone so spread out. That is the way of the world anymore, but one thing for sure is that we are never far away from our Lord and that is the important thing. If I could have whatever I wanted it would be for all my loved ones to be in one place at one time. I know one thing, they are all in my heart.
For those of you who read my tiny blog, thank you and I appreciate the fact that you take your time to travel my path with me. As uninteresting as my life seems to be at times, it is still unique and I enjoy sharing some of it with other people who have nothing better to do. I love you all.
Time is moving on so quickly that it is almost the end of the first week in this new year. There are so many blessings to count and so many friends to thank....I appreciate all of the support everyone has given me with my first two books and it has given me much encouragement to continue to go where some of you have gone before....my rejections in hand, I walk proudly down the path.
I am having some health problems at this time and will be having some tests done. I know that prayers are there for me and I praise God for all my friends. I know that whatever happens it is for my good and for His glory and, therefore, will be just fine. I will do what has to be done and get on with life.
It was a wonderful holiday season with birthdays, Christmas, New Year's, etc. I wish I could have spent all the time with all my family but everyone lives so far away anymore. That is something that I will never get used to...having everyone so spread out. That is the way of the world anymore, but one thing for sure is that we are never far away from our Lord and that is the important thing. If I could have whatever I wanted it would be for all my loved ones to be in one place at one time. I know one thing, they are all in my heart.
For those of you who read my tiny blog, thank you and I appreciate the fact that you take your time to travel my path with me. As uninteresting as my life seems to be at times, it is still unique and I enjoy sharing some of it with other people who have nothing better to do. I love you all.
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