tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73824270316310271452024-03-14T05:16:52.778-04:00Donna L Martin's THE STORY CATCHERThink Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.comBlogger992125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-10922036812709266982018-04-02T00:00:00.000-04:002018-04-02T00:00:15.667-04:00Where, Oh Where Did I Go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5a76vUV4_C3Grdfe2sHcJN6odCuPz3AH1VMkWaEdyBVXRbpIBZQ6ZO6cQawNVBy9sfKS1mRFeRcYBuR_OcSlFNu2AuLhLSNtte834ygjtmcJ9-rzSCR6KXo2BcTqDSAfYmBkrT7R7mjk/s1600/success.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="960" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5a76vUV4_C3Grdfe2sHcJN6odCuPz3AH1VMkWaEdyBVXRbpIBZQ6ZO6cQawNVBy9sfKS1mRFeRcYBuR_OcSlFNu2AuLhLSNtte834ygjtmcJ9-rzSCR6KXo2BcTqDSAfYmBkrT7R7mjk/s400/success.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b></b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Remember, dear readers, all my blog posts will now come from my Story Catcher Publishing website. Click on this <a href="https://storycatcherpublishing.com/blog/" target="_blank">link</a> and start following my journey to indie publishing my young adult fantasy novel LUNADAR: HOMEWARD BOUND. And if you like what you see, be sure to click on the FOLLOW BLOG link so you won't miss out on all the fun! </span></b><br />
<b></b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">See you over there!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: &quot; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: &quot; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong style="border-bottom-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: &quot; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Author Profile Pic" class=" wp-image-162 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="162" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Author Profile Pic" data-large-file="https://storycatcherpublishing.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/author-profile-pic1.jpg?w=214&h=301?w=152" data-medium-file="https://storycatcherpublishing.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/author-profile-pic1.jpg?w=214&h=301?w=152" data-orig-file="https://storycatcherpublishing.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/author-profile-pic1.jpg?w=214&h=301" data-orig-size="152,214" data-permalink="https://storycatcherpublishing.com/2018/03/26/my-house-that-books-built/author-profile-pic-2/" height="301" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" src="https://storycatcherpublishing.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/author-profile-pic1.jpg" style="clear: both; display: block; height: 301px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 277.12px; margin-right: 277.12px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 768.24px;" width="214" /></strong></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: &quot; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<strong style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(68, 68, 68); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">International best selling, award winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.</span></strong></div>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b></b><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-81908173032328702922018-03-26T00:00:00.000-04:002018-03-26T00:00:03.322-04:00Caution: Dead End Ahead...<div>
<b><u><span style="color: #000032; font-size: large;"></span></u></b><u><span style="color: #000032; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: #000050; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6_usvsJsBUuA5bjGcX-C2GayB0eco-Q73aBrzJ4DvkL-_imQnazTka-Ecv8ciRvn7ro5ZkWQOMdQkIQZI-WWBFSI8B05RcGWODA9PfMMNI_kroGINlCiiT8JNqWZ3SB1XkWIUCbH8Wfj/s1600/dead+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6_usvsJsBUuA5bjGcX-C2GayB0eco-Q73aBrzJ4DvkL-_imQnazTka-Ecv8ciRvn7ro5ZkWQOMdQkIQZI-WWBFSI8B05RcGWODA9PfMMNI_kroGINlCiiT8JNqWZ3SB1XkWIUCbH8Wfj/s320/dead+end.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>By dead end, I don't mean the kind where I fall off the face of the earth and you never hear from me again.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The kind of dead end I'm talking about is where I no longer load my blog posts here. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Starting Monday, April 2nd, there will be a new place for all of my followers to hang out...</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A7fS5d0PWwDnM8rrLq1x9e0d9wa4xrLFdqP1qzVg6a6jTRJTlIWghvLMlyuESRhUA8MHex31NXit0vRzjTKyRVPJFXdUsXQeYxfXvKdRbNuH44LVe5n8YWpnflPH8Oc8LvZarsAAZo4O/s1600/Story+Catcher+Publishing+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A7fS5d0PWwDnM8rrLq1x9e0d9wa4xrLFdqP1qzVg6a6jTRJTlIWghvLMlyuESRhUA8MHex31NXit0vRzjTKyRVPJFXdUsXQeYxfXvKdRbNuH44LVe5n8YWpnflPH8Oc8LvZarsAAZo4O/s320/Story+Catcher+Publishing+Logo.jpg" width="226" /></b></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is the logo for my new website, <a href="https://www.storycatcherpublishing.com/" target="_blank">STORY CATCHER PUBLISHING</a> . I would love for you to check it out and tell me what you think!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Also starting, Monday, April 2nd, I will begin my new series, "Journey To Self-Publishing: where I talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly during the months leading up to the release of my young adult fantasy novel LUNADAR: HOMEWARD BOUND in early 2019. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I will share all the tips, tricks, and products I am using to make this new writing venture a success. I'm also revising and updating the info on my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. The posts written by authors, agents, editors, and publishers are still pertinent to all writers today and covers everything from WHY even become a writer, all the way to HOW to market your published books. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please make sure to enter your email address on my new website to follow me because that's going to be the best way to get the latest updates of everything going on in my busy, busy life.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Will you join the ride with me on my new venture?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBiuE9hD2-bYu26gtjTb4hwxGDSq-KFjuLfqmXA1kn8F6063JsCeKj6QV-FSNFFlGDJ581Grror_o7V66YObOQ_13VihOa8V3HqVmdhcRIrW80DmQnXWcLTNPPkrMvKK-z2bni27Zg0Jj/s1600/venture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBiuE9hD2-bYu26gtjTb4hwxGDSq-KFjuLfqmXA1kn8F6063JsCeKj6QV-FSNFFlGDJ581Grror_o7V66YObOQ_13VihOa8V3HqVmdhcRIrW80DmQnXWcLTNPPkrMvKK-z2bni27Zg0Jj/s320/venture.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyY7VLijUJYBDx0J0oFJemqq8ItNM66UY5l3RfFfGPn3WUqF1fJZPqTzLa-iI7Oyv76SJKcV0-uECV3OB33HENUSTT2iN4u_cO1pvcxZuQ-T7mUswYBNVHR3OdbuGW5ewS6VSA-v6N2Sr/s1600/Author+Profile+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyY7VLijUJYBDx0J0oFJemqq8ItNM66UY5l3RfFfGPn3WUqF1fJZPqTzLa-iI7Oyv76SJKcV0-uECV3OB33HENUSTT2iN4u_cO1pvcxZuQ-T7mUswYBNVHR3OdbuGW5ewS6VSA-v6N2Sr/s320/Author+Profile+Pic.jpg" width="227" /></b></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<header class="entry-header" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #444444; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(68, 68, 68); clear: both; color: #444444; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 48px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All About Me</span></h1>
</header><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #444444; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather",Georgia,serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="entry-content" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(68, 68, 68); clear: none; color: #444444; display: block; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin: 24px 0px 0px; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>International best selling, award winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-14954686204746919622018-03-19T00:00:00.000-04:002018-03-19T00:00:13.702-04:00Old Books Are Finding A New Home...<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUisAqUCYoZxu_Ibb-VUYqb73p3FusCn_k0xtF3ukBj5SJ2_JAHUFpPqKKdoSaS84SYZwyHHjKHFvATdtrqkmmIh4HpYskwBBpkj0wglxZ2NeqHdHLL86eXz1mCdmbEC1S8dHLfcuJhlo/s1600/old+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUisAqUCYoZxu_Ibb-VUYqb73p3FusCn_k0xtF3ukBj5SJ2_JAHUFpPqKKdoSaS84SYZwyHHjKHFvATdtrqkmmIh4HpYskwBBpkj0wglxZ2NeqHdHLL86eXz1mCdmbEC1S8dHLfcuJhlo/s1600/old+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUisAqUCYoZxu_Ibb-VUYqb73p3FusCn_k0xtF3ukBj5SJ2_JAHUFpPqKKdoSaS84SYZwyHHjKHFvATdtrqkmmIh4HpYskwBBpkj0wglxZ2NeqHdHLL86eXz1mCdmbEC1S8dHLfcuJhlo/s320/old+books.jpg" width="320" /></a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
I'm a firm believer that every story can find it's way into a forever home. Not necessarily in MY home, but somewhere out in the great beyond, all those books I discover in the nooks and crannies of a used bookstore are like those puppies at the pound. Pages wagging with excitement, all those little titles look at me with those well-loved covers and seem to whisper, "Are YOU the one to take us home today?"</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
I'm addicted to the written word and I discovered a new booky playground in Knoxville.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zhYiv2mBVpEUfVYn9ZW12kRvlMMy9EtP_OsKJLG3OHrxF6DQyyDZXCwQ_kp_EfibjeR2_1imLIoAsNJTHDmypcU3TEchDe3q6wW4XEoH2JAhDoHWba_dA1l6BygWZFMUmIaiUjMzpZg7/s1600/Scruffy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="960" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zhYiv2mBVpEUfVYn9ZW12kRvlMMy9EtP_OsKJLG3OHrxF6DQyyDZXCwQ_kp_EfibjeR2_1imLIoAsNJTHDmypcU3TEchDe3q6wW4XEoH2JAhDoHWba_dA1l6BygWZFMUmIaiUjMzpZg7/s320/Scruffy+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 align="left" class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
After meeting Heather Hamilton (what a cool name), manager of Scruffy City Books, located at 2700 Hoitt Ave, I knew I wanted to interview her and find out more about this cool lady who seems to love books nearly as much as I do!</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: Considering our
struggling economy, what made you want to open up a second hand bookstore?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: We're
a small and flexible business with our hands in both e-commerce and retail.
We've seen e-books plateau and slightly decline while physical books have
grown in popularity over the past year or so. People love books and are
going to continue to buy books in whatever market conditions exist. While
retail, in general, has had its struggles over the past few years, we believe
that niche markets that offer real value to customers will always have a place
at the table. Moreover, we believe that low prices and great customer
service are strong points that we can provide no matter the economic
conditions</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8p38uq0nmi20tqDgjwEQsoi6EjSR6MJTJfX5oT40Mqh1GCxLNmSC3e_J0I7SNsB9yExvFh8S75DO5Ocxwy-74KIjTFNpAJkRK-MlWyO0yA6uQ5OKGrKdOJVilYl0vUVLcMSCZKo6hKYC/s1600/Scruffy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8p38uq0nmi20tqDgjwEQsoi6EjSR6MJTJfX5oT40Mqh1GCxLNmSC3e_J0I7SNsB9yExvFh8S75DO5Ocxwy-74KIjTFNpAJkRK-MlWyO0yA6uQ5OKGrKdOJVilYl0vUVLcMSCZKo6hKYC/s320/Scruffy5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: I noticed you have
an expansive inventory in a lot of genres. Where do you go to find the books
you stock?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: Thank
you, we are always working to expand and better organize them. Our
sources for books are always changing, but have included recyclers, auctions,
and books brought to the store for trade-in. Usually, when we receive
books in our warehouse they arrive in large pallets, which are then sorted
through. We organize them by genre and then bring them into the store to
shelve. Whatever we are unable to use, we recycle.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MGtYatuq5HvLYKgjO5biHGb7T5wa9IVH18mP3nM7hJEn7uSO5jqtFHAzQliRkPTQYS07D1-bmbXzrBEQxBdJcMj_wKGLtkuW-w_6DbDHKrLqcPjaDvf8Rn4lMuKRxaKIU8fmsiVvYs_v/s1600/Scruffy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="960" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MGtYatuq5HvLYKgjO5biHGb7T5wa9IVH18mP3nM7hJEn7uSO5jqtFHAzQliRkPTQYS07D1-bmbXzrBEQxBdJcMj_wKGLtkuW-w_6DbDHKrLqcPjaDvf8Rn4lMuKRxaKIU8fmsiVvYs_v/s320/Scruffy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: Tell us a little
bit about your store...i.e. pricing, genres covered, any specials my readers
need to know about?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: The
great thing about our store is the affordability. The majority of our
kid's books are $1, and standard books are $3 with the exception of some
popular titles which are priced as marked. We also have a growing
selection of CD's and audiobooks for $3 each. Another popular deal are
our bulk bins, where customers can fill a bag (which we provide) of kid's books
from our bulk bins for $10. We love to see how many books people are able
to fit in the bags...I think the current record is 110 books.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVS39E6YAOsZAX4ZKIWaNdRfKnITWFjmdJmTwzpPkQwATndjwp4fEnDhq8sWkCEl3DlhJYb6cp2sPvclQGgJ8A7iumyyjT2YqAzXlMQ4fouYIroyrW5gbxpM6nVRRQ3nG2v_ZlgnJbGv9/s1600/Scruffy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVS39E6YAOsZAX4ZKIWaNdRfKnITWFjmdJmTwzpPkQwATndjwp4fEnDhq8sWkCEl3DlhJYb6cp2sPvclQGgJ8A7iumyyjT2YqAzXlMQ4fouYIroyrW5gbxpM6nVRRQ3nG2v_ZlgnJbGv9/s320/Scruffy6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
We are
also excited about the loyalty program we just launched, which allows customers
to earn points for in store coupons. Customers are able to enroll in this
program at check out.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
We have
books of many different genres, but one of my personal favorites is the vintage
section. The books are just so pretty and unique, they really don't make
them like that anymore.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4vXMsu2bjU-OAdo_1EVV1tmP8-R6FkbhNDdS2RlggaRhfNG66gXnAkVgvP7nc_qDqA_WYezmaB3Hqz3r4M_rmDHqq83uZ-0xYDV7Mf1wHeWLusIB088s6dm851F0Qho9_BlVmRIDhRJ_/s1600/Scruffy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4vXMsu2bjU-OAdo_1EVV1tmP8-R6FkbhNDdS2RlggaRhfNG66gXnAkVgvP7nc_qDqA_WYezmaB3Hqz3r4M_rmDHqq83uZ-0xYDV7Mf1wHeWLusIB088s6dm851F0Qho9_BlVmRIDhRJ_/s1600/Scruffy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4vXMsu2bjU-OAdo_1EVV1tmP8-R6FkbhNDdS2RlggaRhfNG66gXnAkVgvP7nc_qDqA_WYezmaB3Hqz3r4M_rmDHqq83uZ-0xYDV7Mf1wHeWLusIB088s6dm851F0Qho9_BlVmRIDhRJ_/s320/Scruffy7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: Do you have any
upcoming events we need to know about?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #500050; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4vXMsu2bjU-OAdo_1EVV1tmP8-R6FkbhNDdS2RlggaRhfNG66gXnAkVgvP7nc_qDqA_WYezmaB3Hqz3r4M_rmDHqq83uZ-0xYDV7Mf1wHeWLusIB088s6dm851F0Qho9_BlVmRIDhRJ_/s1600/Scruffy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: Since
we are such a new business, we do not have any events on our calendar yet,
although we are floating several ideas around and I'm certain we will plan
something special for our anniversary in August as well as Small Business
Saturday in November. </h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssjm_YJSuLC5fd_7hxpYQf1a368crm0uOxi3Wn6EEgn3WKqrlP_5_jd3LWIfzAQG7otZDw0Bfeg6Afft2kFsXWSt9VIS0EUQFP065kCuanZX2yX7V8g8shPsAOjZaAY4_guH4VuJrzMw3/s1600/Scruffy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssjm_YJSuLC5fd_7hxpYQf1a368crm0uOxi3Wn6EEgn3WKqrlP_5_jd3LWIfzAQG7otZDw0Bfeg6Afft2kFsXWSt9VIS0EUQFP065kCuanZX2yX7V8g8shPsAOjZaAY4_guH4VuJrzMw3/s1600/Scruffy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="960" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssjm_YJSuLC5fd_7hxpYQf1a368crm0uOxi3Wn6EEgn3WKqrlP_5_jd3LWIfzAQG7otZDw0Bfeg6Afft2kFsXWSt9VIS0EUQFP065kCuanZX2yX7V8g8shPsAOjZaAY4_guH4VuJrzMw3/s320/Scruffy3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4vXMsu2bjU-OAdo_1EVV1tmP8-R6FkbhNDdS2RlggaRhfNG66gXnAkVgvP7nc_qDqA_WYezmaB3Hqz3r4M_rmDHqq83uZ-0xYDV7Mf1wHeWLusIB088s6dm851F0Qho9_BlVmRIDhRJ_/s1600/Scruffy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><h3>
<br /></h3>
</a>Me: If a customer is
looking for something in particular you might not have in stock, are you able
to locate it for them? How about shipping options if someone wanted to order
direct and have the books sent to them?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: While we
don't control which particular new titles we recieve, we bring in and sort
through thousands of books a week, so we are often able to locate titles for
customers that we do not currently have in stock, although we cannot guarantee
it. Even if we are unable to find a book for a customer, we appreciate
these requests as they help us have a better idea of how to stock our shelves
and what titles readers are looking for. </h3>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4vXMsu2bjU-OAdo_1EVV1tmP8-R6FkbhNDdS2RlggaRhfNG66gXnAkVgvP7nc_qDqA_WYezmaB3Hqz3r4M_rmDHqq83uZ-0xYDV7Mf1wHeWLusIB088s6dm851F0Qho9_BlVmRIDhRJ_/s1600/Scruffy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><h3>
<br /></h3>
</a>We
don't have many requests to ship books, but the handful of times we have it is
simply the price of the items plus standard shipping costs.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwvoDtL9h7P5Xvz_mUfC3Zewj-W1d54wVblFMfQxRAMD5cCeRADUubFSSkoQCaxX2yOBt7-Aah4w5rMyhRyo5ItaTavrWQTvadVc0b6XIt0V7itwalMCsiZumvRSfqJHl_t3XSbYfHyko/s1600/Scruffy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwvoDtL9h7P5Xvz_mUfC3Zewj-W1d54wVblFMfQxRAMD5cCeRADUubFSSkoQCaxX2yOBt7-Aah4w5rMyhRyo5ItaTavrWQTvadVc0b6XIt0V7itwalMCsiZumvRSfqJHl_t3XSbYfHyko/s320/Scruffy4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: What genres of
books do you or your partner read? Favorite books?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: Really,
I enjoy reading a little bit of everything, but I probably read more science
fiction and fantasy. Right now I'm reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper
Fforde and it's been a lot of fun so far. As far as favorite books, there
are so many and with the list always growing, it's difficult to know where to
begin. </h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnMdrE5oYPmMclYKIFrnaICuJPVHp5s6cW7YaxLbebXtEuFF3EhlSOAE3L7tqtYO2hm1x9qccIVnfuSxCoO8L9lEK9JYHMMdMkKrZleaX3jhwKIarAU3wl3JvQb3I98PAqGi-7CXn0ssp/s1600/Scruffy9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnMdrE5oYPmMclYKIFrnaICuJPVHp5s6cW7YaxLbebXtEuFF3EhlSOAE3L7tqtYO2hm1x9qccIVnfuSxCoO8L9lEK9JYHMMdMkKrZleaX3jhwKIarAU3wl3JvQb3I98PAqGi-7CXn0ssp/s320/Scruffy9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: What's the best way
for new customers to reach you? Are you on social sites like Facebook? Twitter?
Pinterest?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: We
are on Facebook and Instagram as Scruffy City Books, and we try to be as
responsive as possible on each of those, whether it be via comment or direct
message.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehfBZa9QsD1LWHdisFPeBUwDy8rlqBD5P8lpmY-wCjxC7Q5mI7rI6keV2UR2XVBVS2Qt_AwFc8ZJWbDa23UgIpAD4bALn-AJHeoFlWL1zM8caz347ip-chhgYm0MG6uUYIF-WouKiTfJh/s1600/scb+books3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehfBZa9QsD1LWHdisFPeBUwDy8rlqBD5P8lpmY-wCjxC7Q5mI7rI6keV2UR2XVBVS2Qt_AwFc8ZJWbDa23UgIpAD4bALn-AJHeoFlWL1zM8caz347ip-chhgYm0MG6uUYIF-WouKiTfJh/s320/scb+books3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: What are your
hours? What's something
unique or special about you that my readers would find interesting?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: Saturday
9:00-5:00 and Sunday 1:00-5:00. Scruffy
City Books gives back to our community through our work with Title 1 schools
via the Knoxville Dream Center. This has included everything from
donating books, donating a portion of our sales, and providing teachers with
coupons for free books for their classrooms.</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqb5ZdVVR9sQt5q7FLe-si86zhFpjqMPrNnsP0beOhuPL5FrK3ict4cO2LVgf-4-_LrbRj0FKugI4h3lMmRoqfpfJb6srxWRHY6ggbckhq4gGpsHEhttVZ_qYhN-Fd2cDhyphenhyphenei4Nh_1yTO/s1600/scb+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqb5ZdVVR9sQt5q7FLe-si86zhFpjqMPrNnsP0beOhuPL5FrK3ict4cO2LVgf-4-_LrbRj0FKugI4h3lMmRoqfpfJb6srxWRHY6ggbckhq4gGpsHEhttVZ_qYhN-Fd2cDhyphenhyphenei4Nh_1yTO/s320/scb+books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Me: Do you have any
local author events scheduled in the future like book signings, reading to
kids, mini workshops, etc?</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Heather: Not
at this time, but that is certainly something we would love to look into.
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGe2v3-wsg6V80Hyhl6njG_pFEUqPtijn15BvMXu1GWM78_plqVAoufj1Cgfu9C-WCS_821eMSHDQ7og0J9wi9aOAmNoHeUf4cur4Z-Pk3Rho2LJ7iOpYuxcEbDLhpm-AbRjYTSxBHcQtW/s1600/scb+books+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGe2v3-wsg6V80Hyhl6njG_pFEUqPtijn15BvMXu1GWM78_plqVAoufj1Cgfu9C-WCS_821eMSHDQ7og0J9wi9aOAmNoHeUf4cur4Z-Pk3Rho2LJ7iOpYuxcEbDLhpm-AbRjYTSxBHcQtW/s320/scb+books+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
There were so many lovely books to choose from, I was disappointed that I couldn't bring them all with me to a forever home. And I imagine, so were they...</h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 8.86px; margin-right: 8.86px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); cursor: move; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="227" /></strong></a><strong> </strong></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "arial","tahoma","helvetica","freesans",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></h3>
</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></b>Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-49486152710123686722018-03-12T00:00:00.000-04:002018-03-12T00:00:04.213-04:00My Special Interview With Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey (Part Two)<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy8xIgGseD4q6g_qT4-jYr3Rd5aw6ua9B81PQoT_A_Z2lNbDmr_rd0r1Q18YSwb0MNBN7F9Ls-HnLl8Bey-wsoIUIs3JgioVPeyTBM0xEqwiPVJfMVb3MhW3-ppx7AXpEWdBlV8x1tR3N/s1600/Debbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="96" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy8xIgGseD4q6g_qT4-jYr3Rd5aw6ua9B81PQoT_A_Z2lNbDmr_rd0r1Q18YSwb0MNBN7F9Ls-HnLl8Bey-wsoIUIs3JgioVPeyTBM0xEqwiPVJfMVb3MhW3-ppx7AXpEWdBlV8x1tR3N/s320/Debbie.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>(Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Last week I shared Part One of my interview with best selling children's author Debbie Dadey. If you missed it, you can click on this link (<a href="http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2018/03/my-special-interview-with-best-selling.html">http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2018/03/my-special-interview-with-best-selling.html</a>).</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I was lucky enough to meet Debbie when I attended her ABC's of Writing For Children workshop at the Rose Glen Literary Festival a couple of weekends ago. I have read many of her 166 authored and co-authored books, including those from her ADVENTURES OF THE BAILY SCHOOL KIDS series, and GHOSTVILLE ELEMENTARY.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img alt="See the source image" data-reactid="21" height="168" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499340491i/34228258._SR1200,630_.jpg" style="height: 410px; width: 780px;" width="320" /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Her latest series, MERMAID TALES, are already winning her new fans with READY, SET, GOAL being released later this year. Now, keep on reading to learn more about the writerly processes of the amazing Debbie Dadey...</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. What has been some of the best ways to market your books?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>Ha, if only I knew the secret! Here are some things I do:</i></b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Scheduling book signings (I've had ones where tumbleweed rolled through and where kids were literally lined up around the block).</i></b></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Visiting libraries and schools (libraries are usually free if they are close, but unless it is my 'home' school I charge). There's nothing more fun than sharing your stories with kids!</i></b></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I produce a teaching unit for each new book now. I wish I'd done this from the beginning, but life got in the way. Each MERMAID TALES book has a complete teaching unit to go with it on my website teacher's page. I am a former teacher and librarian, but you can model yours after existing ones or ask a teaching professional for assistance. I also have started making mini trailers for my new books-what a learning process that is.</i></b></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Attending writing conferences and offering programs.</i></b></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I am late to the social media party, but I do try. I think the key is not to harp on your books constantly. I'm at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey">www.Facebook.com/debbiedadey</a>. You can always contact me through my contact page at <a href="http://www.debbiedadey.com/Contact/index.php">http://www.debbiedadey.com/Contact/index.php.</a></i></b></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. How do you select the names of your characters? </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>Very rarely a character's name will just come to me. Most of the time I select them out of a baby name book and/or the phone book. Sometimes I look for a name that 'goes' with my story. For instance, how could I not use Shelly as a mermaid name in TROUBE AT TRIDENT ACADEMY?</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. How long on average does it take you to write each book?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>There isn't an average. For books that are under contract there is always a time limit. For instance, there was a period of several years where Marcia Thornton-Jones and I wrote a book a month. Whew!</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. What's one thing your fans might not know about you?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>I can still do a cartwheel! I found this out the other day and was rather surprised myself.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. What's your latest book about and where can readers get a copy?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>My newest book is READY, SET, GOAL! When the team at Trident Academy gets to go to the Championship games, they have high hopes to win. But that's before Shelly sees a cursed fish. Can they break the curse before it's too late? Hope you'll buy the story to see how I tried to weave in my research about Atlantis and sports curses into the story. Then I hope you'll share it with your favorite young reader!</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to leave a comment below and share a little love with Debbie by telling her which one of her books is your favorite!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i></i><i></i> </b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks, Debbie, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for my readers. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For more about Debbie, check out her website (</span><a href="http://www.debbiedadey.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">www.debbiedadey.com</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">), find her on Facebook (</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey/?ref=page_internal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey/?ref=page_internal</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">), hanging out on Twitter (</span><a href="https://twitter.com/DebbieDadey" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">https://twitter.com/DebbieDadey</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">), and even on Pinterest (</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedadey/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedadey/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">).</span></span></b><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 24px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 24px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 13.53px; margin-right: 13.53px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 47, 68); box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); cursor: move; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="211" /></b></span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 24px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><b><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b></b><br /></div>
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.86px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: &quot; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"> </span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 8.86px; margin-right: 8.86px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 47, 68); box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); cursor: move; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="227" /></strong></a></span><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span><strong style="margin: 0px;"> </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black;">International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" style="background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</strong></span></a><br style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" style="background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</strong></span></a><br style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" style="background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</strong></span></a><br style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" style="background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Goodreads</strong></span></a><br style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Linkedin</strong></span></a><br style="background-color: transparent; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: &quot; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Amazon</strong></span></a></span></div>
</div>
</span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-11432760178442140262018-03-05T00:00:00.000-05:002018-03-05T00:00:42.187-05:00My Special Interview With Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey (Part One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6r5hnEkakF8NYxf321UD-wMW5b2j6bx-wKrPGhh-70Nuuy0YT4-AJT9fzfsstRzasb6S1VqKBxgWIH2wYDMhhqdtb2e86F0G2_m3_preJLIJxfcogd2JHeOhZ931CuX8mUxuR-6Uojh_/s1600/Debbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6r5hnEkakF8NYxf321UD-wMW5b2j6bx-wKrPGhh-70Nuuy0YT4-AJT9fzfsstRzasb6S1VqKBxgWIH2wYDMhhqdtb2e86F0G2_m3_preJLIJxfcogd2JHeOhZ931CuX8mUxuR-6Uojh_/s1600/Debbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6r5hnEkakF8NYxf321UD-wMW5b2j6bx-wKrPGhh-70Nuuy0YT4-AJT9fzfsstRzasb6S1VqKBxgWIH2wYDMhhqdtb2e86F0G2_m3_preJLIJxfcogd2JHeOhZ931CuX8mUxuR-6Uojh_/s1600/Debbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy8xIgGseD4q6g_qT4-jYr3Rd5aw6ua9B81PQoT_A_Z2lNbDmr_rd0r1Q18YSwb0MNBN7F9Ls-HnLl8Bey-wsoIUIs3JgioVPeyTBM0xEqwiPVJfMVb3MhW3-ppx7AXpEWdBlV8x1tR3N/s1600/Debbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="96" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy8xIgGseD4q6g_qT4-jYr3Rd5aw6ua9B81PQoT_A_Z2lNbDmr_rd0r1Q18YSwb0MNBN7F9Ls-HnLl8Bey-wsoIUIs3JgioVPeyTBM0xEqwiPVJfMVb3MhW3-ppx7AXpEWdBlV8x1tR3N/s320/Debbie.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>(Best Selling Author Debbie Dadey)</b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I consider myself a connoisseur of the written word...anything from picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels to adult fiction, self-help, and inspirational/motivational essays.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I've been writing for almost forty years...eight of those professionally...while being blessed to meet and make friends with many authors all around the world. But last weekend, I managed to meet someone whose writing I have followed and admired for many years.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>While attending the Rose Glen Literary Festival, I met best selling author Debbie Dadey who was hosting her ABC's of Writing For Children workshop. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br />
<div align="center">
<span id="goog_1973269818"></span><span id="goog_1973269819"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img alt="See the source image" data-reactid="21" height="168" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499340491i/34228258._SR1200,630_.jpg" style="height: 410px; width: 780px;" width="320" /></b></span><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
<i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>She was very approachable, somewhat surprising considering she is the author or co-author of 166 children's books, including the extremely popular chapter book series ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS<i> </i>(42 MILLION copies sold so far!), GHOSTVILLE ELEMENTARY, and her latest series MERMAID TALES.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>After a very informative workshop, I took a chance, requesting an interview with Debbie and she graciously accepted. Below is Part One of some of the burning questions inquiring minds, myself included, wanted to know...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. What is your writing Kryptonite?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i> I laughed when I read that question. I'd love to be superman-make that super writer! My writing Kryptonite has to be a bit of a catch 22. It's reading! I love to read and believe reading helps me to be a better writer, but the danger comes when I put off writing to read. I usually keep regular office hours to avoid that.</i></b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. What are some common traps for aspiring writers?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i> Writing clichés was my first trap-I wrote the giraffe with the too short neck and the Christmas tree that no one wanted. It's not that they are bad ideas, they have just been overdone and are difficult to sell. Another trap that I've been guilty of is researching, researching, and more researching. I think research is important. I do know many ways to become a werewolf, thanks to writing books like WEREWOLVES DON'T GO TO SUMMER CAMP and WEREWOLVES DON'T RUN FOR PRESIDENT, but continuing to research when I should begin writing is definitely a trap. I researched for eight years for CHEROKEE SISTER. Another thing to avoid is putting too much of your research into your fiction book. It has to fit naturally with the story and can't just be thrown in because you learned this fabulous fact.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you research before beginning a book?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>The research I do definitely depends on the story. Currently I am researching the Wild West, saints, oxen, covered wagons, bioluminescence, and the porpoise. What a strange mix!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. What was your first published book and how did it change your writing process?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>VAMPIRES DON'T WEAR POLKA DOTS, which I co-authored with Marcia Thornton-Jones, was my first book. I was very interested in writing books for reluctant readers and for students needing something between a picture book and a novel (I still am), but I hadn't even thought about writing a series. I found out how fun it is to get to know your characters through many adventures. That first book turned into a series of 51 numbered books in THE ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS, Super Specials and Holiday Specials, and two spin-off series.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. What is your favorite childhood book?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>There was a series called CHERRY AMES, STUDEN NURSE that was a favorite.</i></b></span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Be sure to leave a comment below and share a little love with Debbie by telling her which one of her books is your favorite!</span></span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stop by next week for Part Two of my interview with best selling Kidlit author, Debbie Dadey. And thanks, Debbie, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help my readers learn more about the life of a best selling author. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>For more about Debbie, check out her website (<a href="http://www.debbiedadey.com/">www.debbiedadey.com</a>), find her on Facebook (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey/?ref=page_internal">https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey/?ref=page_internal</a>), hanging out on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/DebbieDadey">https://twitter.com/DebbieDadey</a>), and even on Pinterest (<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedadey/" target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedadey/</a>).</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 818px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="font-size: 13.53px; line-height: 20.29px; position: static; width: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18.06px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 818px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 13.53px; margin-right: 13.53px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px rgb(0, 47, 68); box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="211" /></span></strong></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><br /></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></span></strong></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.86px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span></strong></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"> </span></strong></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 8.86px; margin-right: 8.86px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="227" /></strong></a></span><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span><strong> </strong></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: black;">International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Goodreads</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Linkedin</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Amazon</strong></span></a></span></div>
</span></span></span></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><br /></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-88957553951489635732018-02-26T23:57:00.000-05:002018-02-26T23:57:41.000-05:00Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler... Let The Good Times Roll! <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa7dVNsWHAhv35ig0VY1a4u7u5Grsz3_VA-iLC5NtX7YTrerQ8VkRMepqvVajtdDRVURWjWOfEwDbMcB4dcXqc7HcHJ_60N-DqwlaP1zSs93hjaPlNcusVgWlZTmCczzrN1K7vVB76Hei/s1600/duck+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa7dVNsWHAhv35ig0VY1a4u7u5Grsz3_VA-iLC5NtX7YTrerQ8VkRMepqvVajtdDRVURWjWOfEwDbMcB4dcXqc7HcHJ_60N-DqwlaP1zSs93hjaPlNcusVgWlZTmCczzrN1K7vVB76Hei/s1600/duck+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 18.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 18.06px; margin-right: 18.06px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa7dVNsWHAhv35ig0VY1a4u7u5Grsz3_VA-iLC5NtX7YTrerQ8VkRMepqvVajtdDRVURWjWOfEwDbMcB4dcXqc7HcHJ_60N-DqwlaP1zSs93hjaPlNcusVgWlZTmCczzrN1K7vVB76Hei/s320/duck+festival.jpg" width="240" /></b></a></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa7dVNsWHAhv35ig0VY1a4u7u5Grsz3_VA-iLC5NtX7YTrerQ8VkRMepqvVajtdDRVURWjWOfEwDbMcB4dcXqc7HcHJ_60N-DqwlaP1zSs93hjaPlNcusVgWlZTmCczzrN1K7vVB76Hei/s1600/duck+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 18.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><br /></b></a><b></b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 818px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.06px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</b></span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 818px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></strike></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">FESTIVALS</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sometime during my early childhood years, my hometown got the urge to create a festival. I'm sure whoever was on that committee looked around and after seeing the multitude of water fowl migrating and living in the surrounding marshland, decided the best idea they could come up with is the annual Duck Festival. Over the years it expanded to such a level that my hometown became officially known as the Duck Capital of America, but in my mind it will always be just a one horse town stuck in the middle of nowhere...</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Writers are naturally drawn to anywhere other writers congregate. Drawn to the energy of creativity and the possibility that new knowledge about the craft of writing will somehow be passed onto them. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I had the chance to attend the Rose Glen Literary Festival this past weekend and came away infused with a renewed passion to continue on my publication journey. Some of the people I came across included...</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf1ii7PLXY1-vWC3IHLubSV_7MwfA17QwMkp0gpu8toDCymeho9ZMbjrsO4pQS5IoQb1-LVaozihtQejnfG9kR97viojtYTbaBCo_gGwCqslo71-1NaI760SCamr7Hgs9MkfnkQTz6D72/s1600/Glen+Rose+Festival+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf1ii7PLXY1-vWC3IHLubSV_7MwfA17QwMkp0gpu8toDCymeho9ZMbjrsO4pQS5IoQb1-LVaozihtQejnfG9kR97viojtYTbaBCo_gGwCqslo71-1NaI760SCamr7Hgs9MkfnkQTz6D72/s320/Glen+Rose+Festival+3.jpg" width="240" /></b></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sam Venable...a retired journalist whose down home style of writing exudes such warmth that this extreme introvert felt comfortable enough to have a twenty minute conversation with him, including asking him to autograph one of his books for my sister.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoPT51cb-GyFO49K4kSiXmLwdrbukMYiIJOTQvYM6oiuPhKYy9bDrnY9CudKs5cjGHWqyTvfpeDs3Cb57i9RqQYKzA-36fenoNrzLl-P_s5oZXQFy8d9EdQrT1xBn4Re21pb7q72F4vFV/s1600/Glen+Rose+Festival+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoPT51cb-GyFO49K4kSiXmLwdrbukMYiIJOTQvYM6oiuPhKYy9bDrnY9CudKs5cjGHWqyTvfpeDs3Cb57i9RqQYKzA-36fenoNrzLl-P_s5oZXQFy8d9EdQrT1xBn4Re21pb7q72F4vFV/s320/Glen+Rose+Festival+2.jpg" width="240" /></b></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxeUBOX5c99vlpGRu0DTK0alW8nWIr0iFrWUhSPWp7jT1fJXi4sc5wtqAa8usRt-rEkZYmQsXRo14jENHWkro4sOKZJcInPJErZjyxp6riP9NGLHPC6LJFst3fwyf_X__eA61n9tdRL3_/s1600/Glen+Rose+Festival+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wiley Cash...New York Times best selling author and keynote speaker at the luncheon. The food was delicious, the atmosphere open and inviting, and the speaker telling of an intriguing tale of murder and mayhem in a small town not unlike my own.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>But my absolute favorite time was during the ABC's of Writing for Children workshop I attended. It was hosted by Rick Starkey, (www.rickstarkey.com), author of BLUES BONES, and the amazing Debbie Dadey, (www.debbiedadey.com), author of the ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS and her latest series, MERMAID TALES.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekZMw8MLUgcB7eyuryNkoklwkTNAdqMT7AFlzxV3yf3s-qwZ-zHF76OGSZ-fAiHOfZwZtgUEa6dQGTq_IkYtukiJbgAeopQEOlODptP56BWXee3OQF4fyUJ78geNSfPkWwZIow6n7e-hC/s1600/Glen+Rose+Festival+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekZMw8MLUgcB7eyuryNkoklwkTNAdqMT7AFlzxV3yf3s-qwZ-zHF76OGSZ-fAiHOfZwZtgUEa6dQGTq_IkYtukiJbgAeopQEOlODptP56BWXee3OQF4fyUJ78geNSfPkWwZIow6n7e-hC/s320/Glen+Rose+Festival+4.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxeUBOX5c99vlpGRu0DTK0alW8nWIr0iFrWUhSPWp7jT1fJXi4sc5wtqAa8usRt-rEkZYmQsXRo14jENHWkro4sOKZJcInPJErZjyxp6riP9NGLHPC6LJFst3fwyf_X__eA61n9tdRL3_/s1600/Glen+Rose+Festival+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxeUBOX5c99vlpGRu0DTK0alW8nWIr0iFrWUhSPWp7jT1fJXi4sc5wtqAa8usRt-rEkZYmQsXRo14jENHWkro4sOKZJcInPJErZjyxp6riP9NGLHPC6LJFst3fwyf_X__eA61n9tdRL3_/s320/Glen+Rose+Festival+5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I came away with lovely attendance prizes like a cool tote bag, a neat writing journal, a beautiful piece of art, and a hand crafted souvenir pottery jar I'm going to use to hold my drawing pencils. Oh yeah, and a few autographed books...</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S6h7tQScJ4AgBbmWiUQS7sux5JeOZWWwhyphenhyphenPTRAti7I2qnYlOzrTFI33ZJyKBJpNQ-nfR3EaDenCagBEGPzhwKMV56r-u-S3uJiYJ-M_Cl8C0BIafqp65EPorphFXbPW0ijdsqmV5sZ7a/s1600/Glen+Rose+Festival+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="765" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S6h7tQScJ4AgBbmWiUQS7sux5JeOZWWwhyphenhyphenPTRAti7I2qnYlOzrTFI33ZJyKBJpNQ-nfR3EaDenCagBEGPzhwKMV56r-u-S3uJiYJ-M_Cl8C0BIafqp65EPorphFXbPW0ijdsqmV5sZ7a/s320/Glen+Rose+Festival+1.jpg" width="255" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 818px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="line-height: 20.29px; position: static; width: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 818px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 13.53px; margin-right: 13.53px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="211" /></span></span></strong></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <br /> <em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></span></strong></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 8.86px; margin-right: 8.86px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="227" /></strong></a><strong> </strong></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: black;">International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Goodreads</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Linkedin</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #002f44; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;">Amazon</strong></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b></b></div>
</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-17492922399174181782018-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-12T00:00:34.426-05:00Sharing Your Love With Others...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUUbXMaC963aiPg0m3kxdbwnmXFP05Dg_rVzEFcOp0zKRmAG94K7EnNoKlMgWJdvVJCVCC0Ju7LZiLubQNQqDYE0BPl7ZlN_SJiMCTLQcbK5HnrqVWKiXrosZMLpWCppXcZUrvDDcFYZp/s1600/valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUUbXMaC963aiPg0m3kxdbwnmXFP05Dg_rVzEFcOp0zKRmAG94K7EnNoKlMgWJdvVJCVCC0Ju7LZiLubQNQqDYE0BPl7ZlN_SJiMCTLQcbK5HnrqVWKiXrosZMLpWCppXcZUrvDDcFYZp/s320/valentine.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">PASSION</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">This week will mark the age old tradition of sharing a bit of friendship...and maybe some secret love...with some special people in our lives. I can remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of Valentine's Day with all the PASSION of your typical third grader back in the day.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I would spend time drawing on and decorating my paper bag with all the usual hearts, cupids, and doves; hoping among the many homemade cards I would receive, I would get a coveted store bought card and maybe even a piece or two of candy if I was lucky. There was even a boy or two I had my heart set on, and I took special care to infuse a little puppy love PASSION into those special cards...</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Writers fall in love with their own manuscripts all the time....creating those special worlds with such PASSION...and are sometimes surprised when agents or publishers don't share their PASSION over a particular story. </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sometimes it's </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">hard to figure out if your main character will tug at the heart strings of the publishing gatekeepers. If the world you create is strong enough to stir the PASSIONS of an extremely subjective audience. But just like the kids in my third grade class, there are readers out there waiting to share a little readerly love...you just have to have the PASSION to keep at it...</span></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 13.53px; margin-right: 13.53px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="211" /></span></strong></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.29px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><br /> <br /> <em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></strong></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 400 13.53px/20.29px Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 8.86px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span></strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"> </span></strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 8.86px; margin-right: 8.86px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="227" /></strong></a></span><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span><strong> </strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: black;">International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>Facebook</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>Twitter</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>Pinterest</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>Goodreads</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>Linkedin</strong></span></a><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><strong>Amazon</strong></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-44533108252282610142018-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-05T00:00:05.149-05:00Riding The Ferry To Nowhere...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe45lQB7EbKJf1eZ3ZVWgqg76q-XN0W9IK28gKFfInVKtKXnbRRszWil1eqaNB-FUQQZrVBLx2dLy0WBnGc0s2TWCyEcox3cNiZYzJyF1CGL5CHw66BIxhFhvd3QaVAWJ9yqWSJeYlB7W/s1600/ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe45lQB7EbKJf1eZ3ZVWgqg76q-XN0W9IK28gKFfInVKtKXnbRRszWil1eqaNB-FUQQZrVBLx2dLy0WBnGc0s2TWCyEcox3cNiZYzJyF1CGL5CHw66BIxhFhvd3QaVAWJ9yqWSJeYlB7W/s1600/ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe45lQB7EbKJf1eZ3ZVWgqg76q-XN0W9IK28gKFfInVKtKXnbRRszWil1eqaNB-FUQQZrVBLx2dLy0WBnGc0s2TWCyEcox3cNiZYzJyF1CGL5CHw66BIxhFhvd3QaVAWJ9yqWSJeYlB7W/s320/ferry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>FERRY</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My hometown was surrounded by rice fields and swamps. Canals ran everywhere and sometimes there was literally no other way to get from one place to the other than by boat. </strong></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Once a month, my siblings and I would pile into our old car and my father would drive north to the FERRY. The only way we would get to the next biggest town was to float across the boggy swamps on an ancient boat pulled across the murky waters along steel cables laid across the bayou. My mother could be seen with her feet peeking out the passenger window as she patiently waited for the sluggish FERRY to reach the other shore.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I, on the other hand, was terrified to be on that FERRY. I always imagined some freakish accident happening; the cables breaking, and being swept down the canal to some mysterious place where the "gris gris" or Cajun swamp monster lurked.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Writers sometimes find themselves bogged down by writer's block, self-doubts, and insecurities when it comes to their writing. They impatiently wait for muses who sometimes never show up while deadlines rush to meet them. They need that FERRY to pull them along a river of creativity, carrying them to the other shore and setting them on the path to publication...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 13.53px; margin-right: 13.53px; text-decoration: none;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="211" /></span></strong></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <br /> <em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></strong></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 8.86px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> <span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span></strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="color: #002f44; margin-left: 8.86px; margin-right: 8.86px; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 47, 68); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="227" /></strong></a></span><strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 8.86px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 8.86px;"></span><strong> </strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.53px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 8.86px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #002f44;"><strong>Facebook</strong></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #002f44;"><strong>Twitter</strong></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #002f44;"><strong>Pinterest</strong></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #002f44;"><strong>Goodreads</strong></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #002f44;"><strong>Linkedin</strong></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002f44; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #002f44;"><strong>Amazon</strong></span></span></a></span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b></b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-15766576850511856942018-01-29T12:04:00.001-05:002018-01-31T13:57:30.829-05:00Someone Throw Me A Lifesaver...<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JVUb7koPQxNFHGUASi17gEKMyUxFpJ7WPfrvtTwA7hJPjKO9XL2vQ-OczUOaWlgoewFUQcYjI31oRiOyrHBb05Nw-G0645x4GY95Q2LTGftUZDwD92nLfO5pajwKj_sC9-sO0x5ESFp5/s320/drowning.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</strong></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>DROWNING</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>You would think a gal who was raised in and around the swamps of southern Louisiana would know how to swim like a snapping turtle, but that was one life skill I never quite learned how to master.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When I was seventeen I traveled to San Diego to spend some time with my older brother. He was in the Navy and stationed on the battleship USS Enterprise. I thought I would have the time of my life, romping on the beach and cultivating a tan.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I was wrong.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My first day at the beach, my brother and one of his Navy buddies decided it would be funny to grab me, drag me out to water over my head and dump me in the Pacific Ocean to see if I could get back to shore. What they didn't bargain on was my getting disoriented and nearly DROWNING before they realized what was going on and had to drag me back to dry land.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>That is one memory I've carried with me for almost forty years, coloring my fear of water I can't see through and preventing me from enjoying the local pool each summer.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>As writers, we sometimes allow all the daily tasks and writerly deadlines weighing down our plates to try to DROWN us to the point of immobility. We can't seem to see a light at the end of the tunnel and allow our fears to DROWN us in a sea of overwhelming uncertainty and lack of confidence in our ability to achieve our daily goals.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Since my faithful computer died last month, I have been DROWNING in a never ending pile of writerly deadlines inching closer and closer toward me. Here are some of the things I have done to help keep my head above water...</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1. Use other computers whenever possible. My boss generously allows me to use the school's computer to write my weekly blog posts so I won't get behind. My local library also allows access to their computers in two hour blocks for quick tasks I can do there. It also gives me a chance to check out the books...and was a great resource for story ideas during Tara's Lazar's STORYSTORM this month!</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>2. Set priorities. There were a couple of submission opportunities with January deadlines so I had to make sure I found a way to meet those deadlines in time. Some of my other writing projects will have to wait until next month after I get my tax refund and can purchase my new computer.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>3. Take this "down time" to work on either generating new stories or revising/cleaning up old manuscripts that I have hard copies on hand. I can always transfer the info to my files and databases later, but for now, I'm staying productive.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>4. Use my smartphone for keeping in touch with my social sites so my friends and other connections won't begin to think I really have DROWNED.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>5. Take this time to make sure I'm getting extra rest and ready to hit the ground running next month when I am fully, technologically functioning again. I've been going to bed well before my usual midnight lights out, and have actually found time to do some leisure reading this weekend that I NEVER get the chance to do anymore!</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Some of these ideas might work for you, and maybe you will come up with some ideas of your own to prevent you from DROWNING under the weight of revisions, submissions, manuscripts, and other writerly deadlines this year.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>If you come up with something that really works for you, please share in the comments below. You never know when you might be saving another writer needing a helping hand!</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></strong></span></a></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></strong></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></strong></a></span><strong> </strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><strong> </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> </strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><strong> </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong> </strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Facebook</strong></span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Twitter</strong></span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Pinterest</strong></span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Goodreads</strong></span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Linkedin</strong></span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Amazon</strong></span></span></span></a></div>
</span><strong></strong><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-2871402877854272782018-01-22T12:04:00.000-05:002018-01-22T12:04:00.609-05:00Is There A Computer Heaven?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KxsYNQT0Z-8qD4rsqNpZQMZcE2mli-0XGHUC_jEVdl5eC5ys_RPw3-gisXiNhF3dnVF-3GX_9HBr38czvsFT8OBJy_lTQ27jN1ThigSGMkFUShi-7f24hGSvZwbEgZ4bKvD9N8NRxm9U/s1600/computer+crash.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="525" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KxsYNQT0Z-8qD4rsqNpZQMZcE2mli-0XGHUC_jEVdl5eC5ys_RPw3-gisXiNhF3dnVF-3GX_9HBr38czvsFT8OBJy_lTQ27jN1ThigSGMkFUShi-7f24hGSvZwbEgZ4bKvD9N8NRxm9U/s320/computer+crash.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I think I have been extremely fortunate over the years when it comes to computers. My first couple of computers were given to me by my techy son who liked to change computers almost as often as he changed his underwear.</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">After the last one he gave me finally died a few years ago, a techy friend of my boss gave me a used school computer for free. It wasn't as versatile as I would have liked but how could I not be grateful when it was FREE?</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">When that one died in 2016, the same techy friend gave me a second used school computer and I thought I was destined to plug away at my writerly career on cast off computers salvaged from the local high school.</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Two weeks ago my current computer decided to do something REALLY hinky and forget it's own server! Then came it's confusion on figuring out what the internet was and what it was used for. Finally it decided it was having so much fun swirling around in a vortex of bouncing around between the missing server and trying to figure out what the internet was used for, it stopped even attempting to close down itself at all!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Being a non-techy person in a highly techy world, I have tried to figure out what type of computer I need that will fit within my poor gal's budget. I've finally figured out what RAM means, and I'm pretty sure I've deciphered gigabytes and processor capacity. I've even gone to places like Staples and Best Buy in search of a new computer but my eyes started to glaze over staring at all those pretty computers with all their pretty price tags.</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">WHO needs a computer that costs $3000? A secret agent? The government of some poor, obscure third world country who wouldn't even know what the internet was, much less how to turn the darn thing on?</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Which makes me wonder...</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Is there a computer heaven out there where faithful units get to go at the end of their usefulness, trolling the internet all day and playing endless rounds of online games? Or are they simply cast off like unwanted trash to pile up in a corner somewhere...fried and forgotten?</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye old computer. We had fun working together to create many a manuscript and blog post over the years. Thanks for the tireless hours of research you provided in our mutual pursuit of the next writerly idea. You will be missed, but I must move on and forge a new bond with my next best friend just waiting for me to discover it somewhere out there in that great big techy world just beyond my door...</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfF0VyIvxTs-5JtwyPXCe5ipdM-ewh89yO6jt-CdhZyjRqRt5pyv1QwnOn3rBeUG6yGpmP1ipdMXAxd4Lz0l-oB1vErdAro5zsn9c3uVfcWOZmg8tT2fDkxngaDo7gm2yd3yqUtP6p1ue/s1600/computer+trash+dump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfF0VyIvxTs-5JtwyPXCe5ipdM-ewh89yO6jt-CdhZyjRqRt5pyv1QwnOn3rBeUG6yGpmP1ipdMXAxd4Lz0l-oB1vErdAro5zsn9c3uVfcWOZmg8tT2fDkxngaDo7gm2yd3yqUtP6p1ue/s320/computer+trash+dump.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></b><br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b> </b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<b> </b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and past book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Facebook</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Twitter</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Pinterest</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Goodreads</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Linkedin</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Amazon</span></span></a></div>
</b><div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-87930269716890028882018-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-17T13:00:18.582-05:00BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Susanna Leonard Hill<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80pzyJyxR-tpRiyxckpPaV5FC83tkkGDR2IQjwiSSfWgmz5Lt4O8YZidmqJky699IwTGumT7eMy48OmYaH7wMIKgcUPUg8iuyNdiyKgLke_fQ3-ilBpiN6TNyeqpgFBqa-UWeUiUjRagh/s1600/Susanne+Hille+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80pzyJyxR-tpRiyxckpPaV5FC83tkkGDR2IQjwiSSfWgmz5Lt4O8YZidmqJky699IwTGumT7eMy48OmYaH7wMIKgcUPUg8iuyNdiyKgLke_fQ3-ilBpiN6TNyeqpgFBqa-UWeUiUjRagh/s320/Susanne+Hille+1.jpg" width="289" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Title: When Your Llama Needs A Haircut</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Author: Susanna Leonard Hill</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publishers</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Ages: 0-4 </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Synopsis:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Does your llama need a haircut? When your llama needs a haircut, you'll first need to pick the perfect style...</b><br /><b><em><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"></span></em><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Why you should get it:</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b> <b>When I found out my friend, author Susanna Leonard Hill, was releasing a new series of board books, I offered to review one. My friends know I'm not likely to give a favorable BOOK NOOK REVIEW unless I sincerely like the book I've been given. </b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The day WHEN YOUR LLAMA NEEDS A HAIRCUT came in the mail, I was having a very rough time at work. I thought I would give Susanna's book a quick read and then delve deeper into it at a later time. I found myself actually chuckling out loud at some of the adorable illustrations Daniel Wiseman created to compliment Susanna's cute story, like this one...</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hXeb6yT0SVWjeA2cefUzFQGlvz0aGU7BIBCt0KVGnrIvas1vIvKbQml9W5qcxjoapsZuzvRaHX8iNabErSNRDawJSGtFJdVoTCmsvv5ZlT-9Z0EgseQ-9ixKkKJMBoAKhyphenhyphen3FJEyEnzpW/s1600/Susanne+Hill+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hXeb6yT0SVWjeA2cefUzFQGlvz0aGU7BIBCt0KVGnrIvas1vIvKbQml9W5qcxjoapsZuzvRaHX8iNabErSNRDawJSGtFJdVoTCmsvv5ZlT-9Z0EgseQ-9ixKkKJMBoAKhyphenhyphen3FJEyEnzpW/s320/Susanne+Hill+2.jpg" width="264" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
It brougt me back to the days of my own youth when I tried wearing a perm myself, as well as those days of trying to tame my own son's curly locks. It is also written in a similar vein as author Laura Numeroff's "If You Give..." series which makes WHEN YOUR LLAMA NEEDS A HAIRCUT a very enjoyable read. I can't wait to read other books in the series like WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH and WHEN YOUR ELEPHANT HAS THE SNIFFLES.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Young readers will laugh at the whimsical artwork and parents will find their own little ones asking to hear this delightful story "just one more time!" A great addition to any home library...</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like-O-Meter Rating: 5 out of 5...grab it.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />**Rating scale**</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> <br /> 5 out of 5...grab it! <br /> 4 out of 5...think about it. <br /> 3 out of 5...take it or leave it.<br /> 2 out of 5...maybe not for you. <br /> 1 out of 5...forget about it!</span></span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<b>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span></b>
</div>
<b>
<br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em>
is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and
other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the
UK, and the US earlier this month. </span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">International
best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was
eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by
day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and
young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and past book
reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of
Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider.
Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written
stories.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Facebook</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Twitter</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Pinterest</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Goodreads</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Linkedin</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Amazon</span></span></a></span></div>
</b><br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-48436702783605184112018-01-15T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-15T00:00:00.234-05:00Recycling Vacations...<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2aKn_E7JxaRtvF3fDTNWTVVl6gX86eArN5vRVxnajJt0JPoUu8pVmehnrrfx6oGbVIdDFHgXV364nsaEttR91RnPLV4Hfj945ZdY67JNWPnfAwG9WCdLso5ZUEJRh6b-KOkBED04Y9mn/s1600/Trash+can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2aKn_E7JxaRtvF3fDTNWTVVl6gX86eArN5vRVxnajJt0JPoUu8pVmehnrrfx6oGbVIdDFHgXV364nsaEttR91RnPLV4Hfj945ZdY67JNWPnfAwG9WCdLso5ZUEJRh6b-KOkBED04Y9mn/s320/Trash+can.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">To
all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome
to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and
entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it
might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my
childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back,
put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">RECYCLE</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Growing up, my mother was the queen of RECYCLE. It didn't matter if it was food, clothes, furniture, etc. With six in the family and one poor man's salary, my mother had to be extremely resourceful to keep all of us clothed and fed.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Being the youngest of four, I resigned myself to wearing the RECYLED hand me downs of my older siblings, but the ultimate humilation to living the poor life came when I was about nine years old. My mother was a proficient sewer so most of our school clothes were home made which stood out in a small town fueled by rich rice barons and the upper "nobility" who certainly didn't include any of my family. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">But the icing on the cake came on the day my mother thought the best way to get new material for dresses to start the new school year should come from the estate of a very elderly neighbor who had gone to meet her maker.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">My mother carefully undid the seams of all those "old lady" dresses and RECYCLED them down to our size, but no amount of lacy trim could hide the fact I had to attend school in geriatric attire. Food for the bullies, but it was in my nature to simply endure what couldn't be changed and wait for the next growth spurt.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Writers RECYCLE all the time...in fact, some of us can consider ourselves the KINGS & QUEENS of RECYCLE. A revised manuscript until it rises like a pheonix from the ashes of multiple drafts...a hurridly scrawled story idea born of participating in Tara Lazar's <a href="https://taralazar.com/" target="_blank">Storystorm</a>...or even reworking a plot written out during Julie Hedlund's <a href="http://12x12challenge.com/" target="_blank">12X12</a>. Look around in any serious writer's study and you will find snippets of ideas and partial manuscripts just waiting to be RECYCLED into that next treasure to share with their readers... </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">On a funnier RECYCLE note...this past Christmas, I went on a writer's retreat to the beach where I hoped to get a lot of writing done while recharging my physical and emotional batteries. The day before I was scheduled to leave my home, someone decided to steal my trash can I had been assigned by the city.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">It made no sense to me who would want my trash, but I gave it little thought while away. Unfortunately I became very ill during my vacation and was unable to participate in almost all of the activities I had planned. Upon returning home I got ready to return from work one day to discover what I thought was my replacement trash can sitting in my back yard. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I was mistaken about my "new" RECYCLE bin.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The following day I received a call from the city. I thought they were following up to make sure I had received my new trash can, but they were actually calling me to say when they attempted to deliver the new trash can, they found my original RECYCLE bin waiting for them.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">What I thought was a NEW trash can was in fact my OLD trash can, all cleaned up and returned to me. All I want to know is, how can my RECYCLE bin end up taking a better vacation than ME??? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em>
is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and
other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the
UK, and the US last fall. </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span> <b> </b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span> </span></span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>International
best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was
eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by
day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and
young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book
reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of
Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider.
Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written
stories.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></b><br />
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-79745136416900965992018-01-08T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-08T00:00:44.244-05:00A New Year's Blessings...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C-RcXJ2oiRMrXDe4v3RN2LNPRnOCiJOSrEgUaFvw5DvE6FEqPPTYn_uLELMsOz0FaRvzIJ6Oem4RYJLV46EYrTm5vtb2LooOs1GEI1Ze3mmlS1HZ2dhLyZlN1WOdCMil_KBNx_0_j_Ft/s1600/King+Neptune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C-RcXJ2oiRMrXDe4v3RN2LNPRnOCiJOSrEgUaFvw5DvE6FEqPPTYn_uLELMsOz0FaRvzIJ6Oem4RYJLV46EYrTm5vtb2LooOs1GEI1Ze3mmlS1HZ2dhLyZlN1WOdCMil_KBNx_0_j_Ft/s1600/King+Neptune.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">BLESSINGS</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When a new year rolls in, it can be a good time to look back on the BLESSINGS of the previous year...</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">All my Christmas' have always been spent at home. Growing up, it included things like decorating a real tree my father cut down from land we owned, baking cookies to send to my older brother and sister who were both serving in the Navy, and getting to choose one gift to open on Christmas Eve.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">This year, I was given a chance to spend my holidays returning to a place I hadn't seen in over 25 years. I eagerly anticipated indulging in everything from whale watching and lighthouse climbing to seafood buffets. Instead, Mother Nature and Karma decided I was to spend my entire vacation struggling with everything from multiple illnesses which kept me in my room most of the time to buffeting winds and freezing temperatures to keep me away from my beautiful waters. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Of course I could have sat around and moped, but instead I took that time to think about the year gone by and the BLESSINGS I had been given...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. I started 2017 with both a home and a job. With so many homeless and jobless, how could I NOT be grateful for such gifts?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Despite my current illness, I have been able to look after my own health and well-being this past year without becoming bogged down in the complications of participating in a poorly executed health reform program. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. I've met and made many new friends over the past twelve months...each of them becoming a part of the fabric of my life and I cherish each new connection.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. My third book, an inspirational anthology called <i>Are YOU The Missing Piece</i><i>?,</i>was released in October last year and immediately became a #1 International Best Selling book and continued my streak of releasing a new book once every two years since 2013. It makes me wonder what will happen in 2019?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">As a writer, we are all challenged to continually question the <i>What If's </i>of our world and use the answers we uncover to breathe life into our manuscripts. While reflecting on past accomplishments, don't forget to also look forward to this new year of possibilities. I'm currently participating in Tara Lazar's <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://taralazar.com/" target="_blank">STORYSTORM</a> <span style="color: black;">where I will read inspiring posts to help me generate 30 story ideas in 30 days. I've already generated six promising ideas so this new year has already been a BLESSING to me!</span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">And, I was BLESSED enough to get out of town before a winter storm rolled in...</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMR3I4QLxazLgnStE0TNfV4rFqaEEd_tX0BnMxZftT_90hgV-E0_SfdtfMZLzsovVb_Cty_Jhpv2Z7giBk54K7KfFvGmjw_Z8RvFa1U_GjAZy0mujJpOYhjvGk-r2mN93BQfnd528_Z2T/s1600/Neptune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMR3I4QLxazLgnStE0TNfV4rFqaEEd_tX0BnMxZftT_90hgV-E0_SfdtfMZLzsovVb_Cty_Jhpv2Z7giBk54K7KfFvGmjw_Z8RvFa1U_GjAZy0mujJpOYhjvGk-r2mN93BQfnd528_Z2T/s320/Neptune.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></b><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall. </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <b> </b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> </span></span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-60148274820297095442017-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-25T00:00:25.319-05:00My Christmas Wish...<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="post-header">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF1AjaJN-pXUOGzTtAinc7eSEFFEXSVqXGF3oezJI_pTpyEFp7pqGEUjiXwRpcMDhEJrkqxeUZ5u_46IV1QCFKJGr73wpN1OJY_6NUXo6XDsFa_R-qBCKs11ZstU4-ARrXqMmunLi-_2d/s1600/561px-Wikipe-tan_holding_sign_Season's_Greetings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF1AjaJN-pXUOGzTtAinc7eSEFFEXSVqXGF3oezJI_pTpyEFp7pqGEUjiXwRpcMDhEJrkqxeUZ5u_46IV1QCFKJGr73wpN1OJY_6NUXo6XDsFa_R-qBCKs11ZstU4-ARrXqMmunLi-_2d/s1600/561px-Wikipe-tan_holding_sign_Season's_Greetings.png" width="299" /></b></span></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Just in case I hadn't mentioned it before, I'm officially on vacation this week for a much needed rest from the every day stresses of trying to juggle two full time careers at the same time. It's been a hectic and extremely busy year. Some of the things on my plate were good, others bad, and all dealt with in a timely manner.</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Now it's time to stop, take a breath, and look around at all the blessing showered on me this year: My family is still intact and reasonably healthy. My newly married son sports a lovely wife who makes him very happy which in turn makes ME happy for him. My sister and I have enjoyed some quality time together lately and God willing, for many more years to come. My friends are still by my side and I've even managed to connect with some new friends. I look forward to getting to know them better in the coming year.</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>I was blessed this year with another book release, the reality that my mortgage will be paid off this time next year, and the encouragement to return to my sketching which brings me much joy.</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>All that is left is my Christmas Wish for you, my readers:</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>May your blessing be many,</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>May your worries be few,</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>May the true meaning of the season stay with you </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>long after the decorations are put away,</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>And may all your heart's desires come your way </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>in the New Year!</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Take care,</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Donna</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b> </b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><b><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US earlier this month. </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span> <b> </b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span> </span></span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></b></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-62299022642472172712017-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-13T00:00:26.717-05:00BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Donna Gibbs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUrM8mt7-ymlBTHCXdbwyHFrcpNlGH8GkbRYtCaf-sKu5Ci0vHJ7_hTcEGgUMmkLwAt3XwaKkL-625OCfkqUng7XHgpPB6LqBkCFH9rTMzDdEOkd3hYFjmg4Y6xa0HlE_Q2jmI0_IWA0-/s1600/Donna+Gibbs+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUrM8mt7-ymlBTHCXdbwyHFrcpNlGH8GkbRYtCaf-sKu5Ci0vHJ7_hTcEGgUMmkLwAt3XwaKkL-625OCfkqUng7XHgpPB6LqBkCFH9rTMzDdEOkd3hYFjmg4Y6xa0HlE_Q2jmI0_IWA0-/s320/Donna+Gibbs+image.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><b> </b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Title: When The Cat’s Away</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Author: Donna Gibbs</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Illustrator: Lionel King <br />Publisher: Moshpit Publishing</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Ages: 4-8 </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Synopsis:</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">When The Cat's Away</span></em>, a picture book for young children, is set in Paris. A family of mice move into their new home beneath the CafE des Chats. Gussie and her twin brother, Pierre, are keen to explore their new surroundings. It is not long before Pierre's nose for adventure puts his life at risk and takes them far away. It takes some luck and all of Gussie's bravery and ingenuity to stage his rescue. Their triumphant journey through the streets of Paris back to their home almost comes unstuck. And then at the very last minute they realise they have another problem - the resident cat is not quite as far away as they had hoped!<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">What I Think About It:</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I was given a copy of this children’s book in exchange for my honest review. </span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I grew up devouring picture books…ones read to me until I could read them on my own. Then I dove into the written word and beauty of the illustrations to help take me on an adventure of the spirit.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Children’s author Donna Gibbs has published more than 35 books which is a testament to her devotion to children's book. Lionel King’s illustrations support the plot and the concept of two mice, new to Paris, going on a grand adventure is a good one.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Unfortunately, I felt the execution of the story line hit some bumps along the way. Today’s picture books should be full of the art of “showing”, while I found <i>When The Cat’s Away</i> is heavier on the “telling”. I was also a bit confused how easily Pierre and Gussie were able to find their way home when earlier in the story we discover they’ve just recently moved into their new home which implies the two main characters would not be familiar with their surroundings. Especially if viewed from a mouse's eye on top of a van speeding away from their doorstep. </span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Despite my struggle with the execution and flow of the story itself, I feel there is still an audience of young readers out there who might find this particular <span> </span>picture book a delightful read.</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Like-O-Meter Rating: 3 out of 5...take it or leave it.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><br />**Rating scale**</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"> <br /> 5 out of 5...grab it! <br /> 4 out of 5...think about it. <br /> 3 out of 5...take it or leave it.<br /> 2 out of 5...maybe not for you. <br /> 1 out of 5...forget about it!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"> </span></b></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><b><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US earlier this month. </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <b> </b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> </span></span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-47867182233158316642017-12-11T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-11T00:00:10.567-05:00A Time For Celebrating...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimr26OS5mNdF6rZu4qusoNe8lWAX7yT0mJTA0m0lQJXarZm_fDGggOlWXyAt_g4xO6lCSydSxi0dzQEDrcZwiNR4w_ZJFKggkAN_pauuiUSYaB6cj5zk7KsKkHFWkSGvFYE1_lStdCGgVK/s1600/church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimr26OS5mNdF6rZu4qusoNe8lWAX7yT0mJTA0m0lQJXarZm_fDGggOlWXyAt_g4xO6lCSydSxi0dzQEDrcZwiNR4w_ZJFKggkAN_pauuiUSYaB6cj5zk7KsKkHFWkSGvFYE1_lStdCGgVK/s320/church.jpg" width="205" /></a></b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>CELEBRATING</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Growing up, there were some things I could always count on during Christmas. Traditions carried over from year to year...like strings of popcorn and hollyberry draped around the live Christmas tree. Or Mother's wintery scenes stuck into a styrofoam base. But what I remember the most is how we CELEBRATED the holiday season with the music from a family heirloom.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>The wind up church would play Silent Night as the doors slowly opened to reveal the illuminated Virgin Mary and baby Jesus waiting inside. Every night I would beg my mother permission to wind up the church. Carefully I would set the church down on the floor and lie down in front of it...nearly holding my breath in anticipation of catching a glimpse of what lay in wait behind those doors.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Even though the doors no longer move on their own, I still CELEBRATE each holiday season by listening to the beautiful, tinkling sounds of that Christmas carol and I'm transported back to my childhood where, for a moment in time, all is right with the world.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>As a writer, I'm CELEBRATING my seventh year blogging. Back in Decemberr 2010, I decided to start sharing a part of myself with the rest of the world, and THE STORY CATCHER blog was born. I've met many wonderful people over the years that I'm proud to call my friends and have CELEBRATED many writerly victories with different authors from all around the world.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>I've written more than one thousand posts and almost three quarters of a million visitors have stopped by to say hello and stay a spell. I'm proud of what I have accomplished, with the help and loving support from this writer community, and can't wait to CELEBRATE another year of sharing some words with all of you!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em>
is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and
other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the
UK, and the US earlier this month. </span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> <b> </b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> </span></span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span>International
best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was
eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by
day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and
young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book
reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of
Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider.
Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written
stories.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span>Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-15675296332952341752017-12-04T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-04T00:00:31.655-05:00In The Eye Of The Beholder<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZiL_LqlhMUgDFkwTj8GinnBS8PNJ6jauRhRok-2m8lrr0xY0Jw-aMK7-FTNaX2qaSzBhee_xB1ZouQznC9VdeGdarAR_3zsoGzLCPjYmy821GTLtZq8QvZkXtinEWKtJjFeA6d5gd7V-/s1600/Change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZiL_LqlhMUgDFkwTj8GinnBS8PNJ6jauRhRok-2m8lrr0xY0Jw-aMK7-FTNaX2qaSzBhee_xB1ZouQznC9VdeGdarAR_3zsoGzLCPjYmy821GTLtZq8QvZkXtinEWKtJjFeA6d5gd7V-/s320/Change.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>CHANGE</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Christmas time was always fun at my house growing up. After my father would take us out to the country to cut down our Christmas tree, Mother would go into high gear making our house very festive for the holidays.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>She would also save back spare CHANGE all year long and then divide it amongst us four kids so we could do our Christmas shopping. Trying to buy for five other people when I only had a handful of CHANGE to begin with was challenging so I had to be really creative. </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>I will never forget what I gave my mother one year. I liked the bowl of plastic vegetables which always sat on the dining room table, and the holiday dioramas my mother always created every Christmas, so I knew EXACTLY what to get her with my CHANGE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>My brother and sisters laughed when she opened her presents from me...one was a wax cucumber and the other one was a small velvet covered plastic reindeer...but Mother just acted like there were no better gifts to receive. She could have CHANGED them for something else but the cucumber was immediately placed on top of those plastic vegetables and that reindeer found its way into every Christmas diorama for many years to come.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Writers deal with CHANGE all the time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Their ideas begin as a passing thought, sometimes CHANGING into a first draft, then CHANGING many more times into their latest revision, until finally CHANGING into the polished manuscript they send out into the world. If they are lucky, an agent or editor will ask them to CHANGE a story some more with the hope that one day a publisher will care enough for their submission to put a little CHANGE in their bank account...;~)</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US earlier this month. </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <b> </b></span></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span> </span></span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></b>Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-34434817176061537282017-11-29T10:30:00.000-05:002017-11-29T10:30:51.945-05:00Book Nook Reviews: Jessi Colter<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKXp6-6BPwNk2Q1ehGkUehdS2cMl1vMPjoDlbLNLyo26EszLF9BKFfWvMsVsGUMf66MH4Xnu116PXudIVU-RGVBgvXkKwy0CO8V567d0Se_icULqZ9KGnDBV9n04lV4x_TtZdt7mS2MNl/s1600/jessi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKXp6-6BPwNk2Q1ehGkUehdS2cMl1vMPjoDlbLNLyo26EszLF9BKFfWvMsVsGUMf66MH4Xnu116PXudIVU-RGVBgvXkKwy0CO8V567d0Se_icULqZ9KGnDBV9n04lV4x_TtZdt7mS2MNl/s200/jessi.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span">Title: An Outlaw and a Lady</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span">Author: Jessi Colter </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Publisher: Thomas Nelson</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span">Ages: Adult </span> </span><span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span></span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span>Synopsis:</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span> </span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> <span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span></span></span></b><strong>Renowned songwriter, singer, and wife of Waylon Jennings writes an intimate, enormously entertaining memoir of American music, of life with Waylon and the Outlaws, and of faith lost and found.</strong><b><span></span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span><strong><span> </span></strong></span> <span><strong><span></span></strong></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> </span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><strong><span></span></strong></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> </span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><strong><span></span></strong></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> </span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><strong><span><br /></span></strong></span></span></b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><strong><span>What I Think About It:</span></strong></span></span></span></span> <span><strong><span></span></strong></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> </span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><strong><span><br /></span></strong></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> </span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><strong><span><br /></span></strong></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span></span></b> </span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Growing up with a mother who didn’t recognize ANY other genre of music other than Country, I was very familiar with the musical talents of both Jessi Colter and husband, Waylon Jennings. When I had the opportunity to read this tell all biography, I eagerly awaited the book’s arrival, which is why I was rather surprised how disappointed I was after reading Jessi’s story.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It wasn’t that the story wasn’t well written, because each chapter obviously was well thought out as it chronicled Jessi’s life from growing up as Miriam Johnson to her own success as a country music artist and her eventual, somewhat tumultuous, marriage to country music icon Waylon Jennings.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">For me, there was something missing in the overall “voice” and “hook” of this story that had me struggling to turn the next page in each chapter. Fans of Jessi or Waylon may find the book the perfect read, but for the rest of us, you may want to think twice before adding this one to your home library…</span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span><span><br />
</span><br />
</span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span">Like-O-Meter Rating: </span></span></span></span></b><b><span><span><span> 3 out of 5...take it or leave it.</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><br />**Rating scale**</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> <span></span><br />
</span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> <span> <br /> 5 out of 5...grab it! <br /> 4 out of 5...think about it. <br /> 3 out of 5...take it or leave it.<br /> 2 out of 5...maybe not for you. <br /> 1 out of 5...forget about it!</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span></span><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS035A7z3XtgMdETOLVDEx7BYiwk9y9RanJvN8SaAglBj1_3quA1Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Image result for book look blogger" border="0" class="irc_mut idwkUw49lHb4-HwpH6ZlgJaI" height="240" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS035A7z3XtgMdETOLVDEx7BYiwk9y9RanJvN8SaAglBj1_3quA1Q" style="margin-top: 131px;" width="320" /></span></a></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b2244; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span>(Disclaimer:</span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial","sans-serif";"><b><span>Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <</span></b></span></i><a href="http://booklookbloggers.com/"><i><span style="color: #1055b1; font-family: "arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none;"><b><span>http://booklookbloggers.com</span></b></span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "arial","sans-serif";"><b><span>> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <</span></b></span></i><a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html"><i><span style="color: #1055b1; font-family: "arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none;"><b><span>http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html</span></b></span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "arial","sans-serif";"><b><span>> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)</span></b></span></i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-52106525313897206252017-11-27T23:44:00.000-05:002017-11-27T23:44:24.248-05:00Killing My Little Darlings...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhcbiyM9AQa3ljxHkHZUC48m-izJqtNFwkC8vEE_n_c8aJUNZ70V-AWTCeeHJnGYrDoU62aO-E4E9-46usYaUqOJXh2xiHI8XHX0pUiyjzCs8Os_cGgySg3rRIwgM2UONQPy9cEUKx3KJ/s1600/armadillo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="960" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhcbiyM9AQa3ljxHkHZUC48m-izJqtNFwkC8vEE_n_c8aJUNZ70V-AWTCeeHJnGYrDoU62aO-E4E9-46usYaUqOJXh2xiHI8XHX0pUiyjzCs8Os_cGgySg3rRIwgM2UONQPy9cEUKx3KJ/s320/armadillo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>KILL</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Some people think the stories I tell about my childhood HAS to be made up. I swear they are all true and just goes to show how resiliant my mother was to raise four children on a poor man's salary. Mother supplemented all our meals with produce from a homegrown garden, and even an occasional roadKILL offering.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>One Sunday after church, my siblings and I were making our way home when we had the fortunate opportunity (or misfortune as the case may be) to see a car hit and KILL an armadillo in front of us. This was before armadillos started carrying diseases that could KILL you, so the only thing we saw was our next meal being hand delivered to us. All we had to do is get it home.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>The four of us took turns dragging the beast down main street and back alleys. Imagine my mother's surprise when I walked into the house tugging on the tail of that roadKILL like I was the founder of the feast!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span>Writers also have a warped sense of what needs killing. We spend countless hours, if not days, searching for just the right words to share the characters in our heads with the world...only to KILL off those little darlings if they don't serve the better purpose of our stories. And in the end, our words and our worlds are the stronger for it...</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span> <span> </span></span></b></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US earlier this month. </span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b> </b></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></div>
</span></b>Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-61966371822311329822017-11-20T00:00:00.000-05:002017-11-20T00:00:05.116-05:00My Thanksgiving Wish...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHYwcY7zXzNwABRyzbxhdsSL7k5xsrCiRK8aO6fttG68pmxL5AdUY9eEt5pm_Ruf4sJ3Qqpj1gGyPuDqAiO6HEWr1S_K6IZ1YrWliqGJ1uKkzbLa53hWv7jbDl14rp3JRgokqDtYxWRUT/s1600/Doodle+Day+%252310+Turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHYwcY7zXzNwABRyzbxhdsSL7k5xsrCiRK8aO6fttG68pmxL5AdUY9eEt5pm_Ruf4sJ3Qqpj1gGyPuDqAiO6HEWr1S_K6IZ1YrWliqGJ1uKkzbLa53hWv7jbDl14rp3JRgokqDtYxWRUT/s320/Doodle+Day+%252310+Turkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">For all my friends preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends this week, I thought I would share my Thanksgiving Doodle Day #10 along with a few turkey jokes and a heartfelt Thanksgiving wish...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>JOKES</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why can't you take a turkey to church? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">They use FOWL language. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What happened when the turkey got into a fight? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">He got the stuffing knocked out of him! </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a banjo? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A turkey that can pluck itself! </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What do you call an evil turkey? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Poultry-Geist </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What sound does a space turkey make? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hubble, Hubble, Hubble! </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What did the turkey say to the computer? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Google, google, google! </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What was the turkey looking for at ToysRus? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Gobbleheads. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">If you call a large turkey a gobbler what do you call a small one? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Goblet. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MY THANKSGIVING WISH</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">by Donna L Martin</span> </b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">To loved ones near or far,</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And those dear to my heart.</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">For family staying at home,</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And friends living miles apart. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">From my house to yours,</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">My heartfelt wish for you,</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Is lots of love and laughter,</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Now and the whole year through.</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃</span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> </span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> </span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> </span></span></b><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It became a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. </span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b> </b></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><b><br /></b></div>
<b> </b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span><span><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></span></div>
<span> <span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span> <span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span> <span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span> <span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></div>
</span></b>
</div>
<br />
</div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-47805525296372013762017-11-13T00:00:00.000-05:002017-11-13T00:00:11.113-05:00TURKEY TAILS AND WRITERLY WISHES...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIK6oq2xp0E-tQoUMpZhuAfI4hyi-Dp7PcleMCYpy5W8vyPh7Hu0VlOBojI5fnnnbhmIlBPufvIk6QXhVXTB1IVykjqi_e2rRGFTj8Y3jX9EGuH-93g_mbvm4u3qWFHCcstqGGxwBS6P9/s1600/turkey+tails.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIK6oq2xp0E-tQoUMpZhuAfI4hyi-Dp7PcleMCYpy5W8vyPh7Hu0VlOBojI5fnnnbhmIlBPufvIk6QXhVXTB1IVykjqi_e2rRGFTj8Y3jX9EGuH-93g_mbvm4u3qWFHCcstqGGxwBS6P9/s320/turkey+tails.JPG" width="319" /></a></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my
new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain
you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply
to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing
up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up,
and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">WISHES</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">My childhood stories revolve mainly around my mother who worked hard to take care of four growing children on a poor man's salary. My father was a chef on an offshore oil rig. His work took him away from home for weeks, sometimes months at a time, but he always managed to make it home for the holidays. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with it come memories of two turkey traditions that happened every year while I was growing up. The first one involved the annual fight over who got the turkey tail. I know most people might think the end of the bird was best thrown out, but at our house my father and I would royally battle over it and I usually won.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The second tradition involved the turkey's WISHbone. Sometimes I would pit my WISHbone pulling talents against my sister and sometimes my mother. I don't remember what I WISHED for every year, but it was more the excitement of the tug-a-war than the WISH itself.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When they're not working on their latest manuscripts, writers are adding to their own WISH lists...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. A WISH to become a published author.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. A WISH to find that perfect critique partner or group.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. A WISH to receive an offer from an agent or publisher.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. A WISH to win a prestigious award and make their mark on a writerly world.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">While we're WISHING, I WISH for all my literary friends a holiday season full of writerly accomplishments and many a published manuscript...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
<span>
</span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
<span>
</span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
<span>
</span></span></b><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><em>?</em> is now available
through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine
retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the
US earlier this month. </span></span></b></div>
<b>
</b><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
</b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </b><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>International best selling author,
Donna L Martin,
has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree
Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of
children’s
picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a
BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is
also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers &
Illustrators and Children's Book Insider.
Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written
stories.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></span></span></div>
</span></b><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-37869403758298919092017-11-06T00:00:00.000-05:002017-11-06T00:00:17.888-05:00A...A...A...ACHOO...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Allergy, Cold, Disease, Flu, Girl, Handkerchief, Ill" height="320" itemprop="contentURL" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2012/02/29/11/53/allergy-18656_960_720.jpg" width="213" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if my computer gave me the bug it's been fighting for this past week, but now I'M not fully functional and fighting my own bug. I promise I will get back to posting on a regular schedule just as soon as I get rid of a few bugs...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Germ, Cartoon, Frown, Sick, Nasty" data-lazy-srcset="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/02/10/36/germ-303979__340.png 1x, https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/02/10/36/germ-303979__480.png 2x" data-lazy="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/02/10/36/germ-303979__340.png" height="305" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/02/10/36/germ-303979__340.png" title="Germ, Cartoon, Frown, Sick, Nasty" width="320" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><b><em>?</em> is now available
through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine
retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the
US earlier this month. </b></b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> </b><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></b></a></span> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>International best selling author, Donna L Martin,
has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree
Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s
picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a
BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider.
Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><b><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span>Amazon</span></span></span></a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></b></div>
</span></div>
Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-90559078472480354882017-10-23T12:30:00.000-04:002017-10-23T12:30:20.314-04:00Not Your Normal Zen Garden...<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnLrOGCFXhNUHDaUFjZBV4AbFYhOKllBPKNP01yJ_Yfn8LnrbCKU06bFmDvX7oysCns2MZPW_3N8VpoCQ4iGJS7n677nfXNI7pSMJZQxigihbTmMz7zALR4CGsYxjWSOGHtyGE_wM_s1e/s1600/bamboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="960" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnLrOGCFXhNUHDaUFjZBV4AbFYhOKllBPKNP01yJ_Yfn8LnrbCKU06bFmDvX7oysCns2MZPW_3N8VpoCQ4iGJS7n677nfXNI7pSMJZQxigihbTmMz7zALR4CGsYxjWSOGHtyGE_wM_s1e/s320/bamboo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<br /><br />
<span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECID</b><b>E, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my</b><b> new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">HACK</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">One of the houses I lived in as a child had a rather large area at the back of the house filled with tall bamboo trees, giving it (at first glance) a rather Zen feel to that corner of yard. I could stand next to those trees towering over me and dream myself away to some far away land where anything was possible.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">My mother, on the other hand, lived a very practical existence and all those trees meant to her was another back breaking chore to be done by HACKING the branches back into some resemblance of order instead of the wild array of branches they typically displayed.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The only problem with trimming those wild trees, is the fact we never knew of the multitudes of hornets who called those plants their home.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is, until the day Mother decided to HACK into their nest and unleash their outraged fury on my poor head and shoulders. I remember there was a lot of screaming on my part and numerous lumps left all over my head on the part of the hornets. </span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">While the pain subsided eventually and the bumps finally healed, the memory of that horrible day is etched into my soul forever. Even to this day, if any winged creature ventures too close to my head, I will still do the dance of the deranged to try to escape another possible attack.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think HACKING is such a good thing for a writer either. A few years ago my own computer was HACKED by a gentleman out of South Africa, posing as an author trying to be a part of my WRITERLY WISDOM series at the time. While I chose not to allow him to participate, he decided to HACK into my yahoo email account at the time, as well as my Facebook account, and delete two years of detailed research I had been doing for a project I was working on at the time.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">My computer was very old and really didn't allow much back up capabilities. There was nothing I could do to recover from being HACKED.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes things happen to our writing that devastates us. The pain to our writerly spirit is as real as the pain caused by those hornets so long ago.</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">But we have to remember it's not the end of the world. Some of our work may no longer be around, but the spark that chose to take on a particular project is still there...deep within us...leading us to even bigger dreams than we might have first imagined. I know, because my latest book is a dream come true...</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><em>ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE</em><b><em>?</em> is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US earlier this month. </b></b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> </b><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></b></a></span> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Children's book author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books. She is also a book reviewer for Harper Collins, and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and good stories.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
</b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <b></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facebook</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twitter</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pinterest</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goodreads</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linkedin</span></span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amazon</span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></b><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span><span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
</span></div>
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-27178300911127139212017-10-16T00:00:00.000-04:002017-10-16T00:00:14.002-04:00Waves Upon Waves of Stories...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sNkca7ALMjCbqzjt-IYktdvdhhrtj7VZbseqbSgfX8deCoDjBYatz-cgffNhF0rWJ_eWrjFwv_suLVE7Q5aj5JPPlZ0xzqTpRNVdfumIlKr6abWO8kUmji75V5XqMvvmrmPPX2JLKYaP/s1600/misty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="186" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sNkca7ALMjCbqzjt-IYktdvdhhrtj7VZbseqbSgfX8deCoDjBYatz-cgffNhF0rWJ_eWrjFwv_suLVE7Q5aj5JPPlZ0xzqTpRNVdfumIlKr6abWO8kUmji75V5XqMvvmrmPPX2JLKYaP/s320/misty.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><b>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECID</b><b>E, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my</b><b> new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b>STORIES</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">I feel like I've been writing all my life. I have copies of poetry I wrote beginning at age 8. Even then, voices whispered in my head...calling to me and wanting to spill out onto paper. By age 11 I was entering writing contests, and even won a contest sponsored by my hometown library to receive a copy of MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE. It even had a book plate on the inside with my name inscribed on it and I thought I had won the lottery.</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I've written snippets and full manuscripts of hundreds of stories...picture books, chapter books, young adult fantasy, essays...stories swirling and dancing through my mind when there was no one else around to keep me company. </span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Writers ALWAYS have another story waiting to be told. It might go into hiding and we have to work hard at enticing the muse to show themselves. And sometimes the stories tumble out of us so quickly, we stumble over them, just trying to write all of them down before they fade from our memory.</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">But there is one thing that ALL writers have in common. It is "written" in our DNA to gather words together in the hopes we can create a strong enough picture to leave our imprint on the world...</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s1600/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbagR7DHuies5OaSG9YYqSiqAtu8reipWBTPcXhQKkZ4fno8QrPWVcDKfgivLQLQd5XdszST1i9CaH-nuGETnFl-8FBw85Sjqb4fst7F1bFRjzFUQQw9OaCd4teO84IHsap5QA1fAFVjS/s320/Are+YOU+The+Missing+Piece+Book+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">My latest book, Are YOU The Missing Piece?, is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. Last week, it became a #1 bestseller in Austrailia, Canada, the UK, and the US. All those stories now flowing out into the universe like waves in the ocean...and maybe one day, flowing back to me...</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></b></a></span> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>Children's book author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books. She is also a book reviewer for Harper Collins, and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and good stories.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><b> <a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Facebook</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Twitter</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Pinterest</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Goodreads</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Linkedin</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Amazon</span></span></a></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
</span>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382427031631027145.post-85244114204014291862017-10-09T00:00:00.000-04:002017-10-09T00:00:00.174-04:00DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnGRekduPmQR54ZmM9Ai976LnLKyTQYixd4158hCNPW52pVHLr_ger2T0lpNC6Pbs5quF3FG5MTzkntCuoN957b6B2edLf8Vzg_CsWyRqoiCHoA3RCzZYYSTYAPM7f3XGxvo_id3yeq75/s1600/Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnGRekduPmQR54ZmM9Ai976LnLKyTQYixd4158hCNPW52pVHLr_ger2T0lpNC6Pbs5quF3FG5MTzkntCuoN957b6B2edLf8Vzg_CsWyRqoiCHoA3RCzZYYSTYAPM7f3XGxvo_id3yeq75/s320/Dog.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><b>To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECID</b><b>E, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my</b><b> new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b>COMFORTABLE</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">When I was growing up, my family moved around a lot. With extreme poverty came the constant need to find living arrangements that matched my paren'ts dwindling financial funds. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">My father worked every type of job from construction to offshore cook, but it was hard to get COMFORTABLE when you never knew if next month you would be moving again.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Finally my parents saved up enough money to put a downpayment on a century old home and we could put down roots. Their mortgage was $50 per month, but it could have easily been $5000 as I watched my mother struggle each month to come up with enough money to keep her children COMFORTABLE in their "forever" home.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Being COMFORTABLE and knowing the wolves are no longer at the door is okay when you're a kid, but as a writer, the worst thing we can get is too COMFORTABLE with our stories.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">When we stop striving to challenge our characters...stop throwing obstacles in their way to overcome...we short change ourselves and fall short of the stronger writers we can become.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">And what's the fun in that?</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0kAxkHejLSGdD9r-eWlSDewxk26pJWHqgM7xUmCrs7qMfjXjj5d8Etk1S77ER0VQoNGchXMtDf5oi64u7wF-qofFjHjqsAxkDWk1FM1FhD0cXcE2kPUQ-rJnDXDMfA94GsI7NSKXwU/s1600/2659_1099132964524_1412656154_30287298_7039866_n.jpg" width="227" /></b></a></span> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></b><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Children's book author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books. She is also a book reviewer for Harper Collins, and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and good stories.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> </span></span></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span> <span> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><b> <a href="http://facebook.com/Donasdays?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Facebook</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donasdays" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Twitter</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/martidl" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Pinterest</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna-martin" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Goodreads</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Linkedin</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;">Amazon</span></span></a></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #002f44;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b> </b></span></span></div>
<br />Think Positive, Be Positivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981805086599633473noreply@blogger.com0