In a plastic bucket beside the counter sat a dozen roses, each one individually wrapped, slightly faded, but with their heads held firmly erect in the stiff plastic. Each one would doubtless be bought and, given their garage location probably as an afterthought, along with the milk and petrol, and taken home to a loved […]

Beheading the Rose – The Mystery of St Valentine — France & Vincent

on Just Publishing Advice: If you don’t have money to burn, can you get by with free things all writers need to publish today? There are lots of premium tools available now for writers. But how much do you need to spend to write better? Writing and publishing take time and energy. Yet, it is […]

Free Things All Writers Need And Want To Write Better – by Derek Haines… — Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog

From Amazon:

Charlene the Star was born into a family of famous racehorses. Unlike her big brother, Charlie, Charlene decides she doesn’t like racing. How will she explain this to her mom? How does she show her trainers she doesn’t like racing? Will she become a model instead? Will Charlene discover her natural gift? Her career path takes many twists and turns before she finds her place to shine.  She may surprise you with her unusual talent.

Charlene the Star is second in the series of  Charlie Charlene the Star books.  It is related to Charlie the Horse because Charlie is Charlene’s big brother.This tale demonstrates that it’s okay to have different skills than your friends. Every child is unique and their skills should be applauded.

My Review:

What a lovely story, by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne, teaching children that they first must try something before they will know if they like it and are good at it. The story encourages kids to try other things such as sports and to find out what they love to and that they can be the best at some of the time. Children are encouraged to remember what they learned with questions at the end followed by answers. Great way to get kids talking. Cute illustrations. Five stars.

on Writing Forward: A common piece of writing advice is write what you know. When I first heard this advice, I thought it was odd. I don’t remember where I first heard it, but I remember thinking that as far as writing tips went, it was absurd. What about writing from your imagination or your feelings? […]

Writing Tips: Write What You Know – by Melissa Donovan… — Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog

on Just Publishing Advice: Should you add a comma before and in a list of three or more items? Yes, because it eliminates confusion in a sentence. The comma before the word and in a list of three or more things is the Oxford comma. It’s also called the Serial comma. Writers use it to […]

The Comma Before And In A List Avoids Misunderstandings – by Derek Haines… — Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog

This is a guest post by Bella Williams. As an Assignment Expert, Bella delivers online sessions at Expert Assignment Help, helping students with writing essays and assignments. She is the co-founder and education consultant at Top My Grades. Beyond work, you can find her baking a fresh batch of cookies in her kitchen. 7 Easy […]

7 Easy Tips to Craft the Perfect Story — Nicholas C. Rossis

From Amazon: Babblin Brooks is a story of a man who overcame several tough barriers in his personal and professional life to become successful. Despite making history and knocking down the Heavyweight boxing champ of the world, he got knocked down by life, but kept getting up. I hope you enjoy reading about the Rollercoaster life of former Television Newscaster Ron “Bab-blin” Brooks. He wound up being a Broadcaster, Deputy Sheriff, Corrections Officer, and Preacher before retiring.

My Review: What a wonderful short story memoir with a complete Christian feel to it throughout. Amazing what life can throw at a person and how things can be overcome with work and faith. The people who come in and out of our lives enrich us in many ways, and I am impressed with Brooks’ challenge to men.

Please welcome Kirsten Welsh to my blog. Hello Kirsten! Welcome to my blog. Shal we have a chat about your first book, Phantom Dog Show?

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hello, this is Kirsten, I’m 16 years old. I enjoy writing, playing the violin, music, dance, art, cooking, reading, learning and much more. I love dogs, wolves, and animals. I am fond of adventures and mysteries and find them both to be very exciting.

• Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

Writing I haven’t always been interested in, however, I have had an enjoyment with storytelling, though in seventh grade, I think, it was when I got interested in writing. I wanted to start writing this book after seeing the play The Phantom of the Opera, which I enjoyed, with its super cool special effects.

• How difficult was it writing your first book?

I don’t think it was difficult, I do know though that it was fun.

• Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

No, I just took it nice and easy, taking breaks here and there.

• Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

God and my best friend Jesus, for God gives each one of us special gifts and talents and He encourages us to use what He’s given us, for not just ourselves, but for others and for Him. And my mom and sister have helped me during writing and through getting my book published, and my friends for also helping me with ideas, and Mary Schmidt for helping me greatly with getting my book published.

• Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

That God loves you greatly, He’s very fond of you, and no matter how many times you mess up or what you mess up with, He loves you, and He wants to be your friend.

• What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

I’ll have to say that all the people I have met, all the people I know, or have seen and heard all have had an effect on who I am, and what I have experienced also makes me who I am, for God places you and people in certain places and at certain times so that we can all learn something. And this is also how we’re all special, because we all have a different story, we all have different experiences.

• What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

When I wrote this book, I didn’t really think about who would be reading this. This book I think can be read by people through the ages of 8-13, however I think this book can be for everyone.

• Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

I came up with the pictures by myself after looking up different breeds of dogs and the way they look.

1. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

Awesome ideas, here are just a few little peeks at my ideas:

            Theater Holiday

            Sickness of Fear

            The Prince and the Phantom

            Superheroes and Supervillians

What do these words mean?  Find out in the books where these ideas are connected to.

1. Any last words before we wrap things up?

God loves you, and all that truly matters is having a relationship/friendship with Jesus.

I’m a 16-year-old writer and illustrator from the USA, and this is my first published book. I enjoy
mysteries and adventures. I love learning about who Jesus is, and the love that He has for me, and even if I doubt His love, it always feels great when He reminds me that He loves me, even when I mess up and do wrong. I enjoy writing, playing the violin, music, dance, art, cooking, weather, reading, and more. I love dogs, wolves and animals.