Shawn's Writing News

Writing A Great Book For Children: A Little Imagination Goes A Long Way

Have you ever considered filling you time by writing? There may never be a better time.

I don’t need to tell you about the phenomenal success of J.K. Rowling (Joanne Murray) and her Harry Potter Books. She ranks as the 12th person richest in Great Britain with her 400 million copies in print.

What an imagination! And there seemed to be no end to it.But is Ms. Rowling more imaginative than the rest of us? Probably not.

As children we possess an innate, vivid imagination. We had imaginary friends, we day-dreamed of imaginary places, we created our own secret worlds. But then we grew up and reality set in–the reality of school and careers; husbands or wives; children and eventually grandchildren.

So where did our dreams disappear to? Did they simply fade into oblivion? No … dear friend–I don’t believe they are gone at all. Our dreams live on in the electrical impulses of our inner brain–like electrons stored in a capacitor, waiting for a connection to allow their current to flow once again.

We don’t mean for it to happen–it just does over time. Our thoughts are redirected to everyday life: The mortgage is due, the automobile needs new tires, the furnace is worn out, the roof leaks and little Sandy needs braces. At the end of our day our minds are like a thick, overcooked vegetable soup–everything in it tastes the same!

What is your passion in life? I mean if you could change your situation, your lifestyle, the way you fill your days–what would you do? Are there moments during your day when you just want to plop down in a chair, take a long, deep breath and let out a sigh? Well take comfort then, because you are not alone.

In addition to my belief that imagination just doesn’t shrivel up and die, I also believe that every human being–with at least average intelligence–has a creative streak mixed in with those neurons drifiting aound inside our head.

Think about it! Creativity is given to each of us at birth, It’s the fuel that helps us to learn how to eat with a spoon and then a fork. Creativity helps us to tie our own shoes and to find our way to the playground.

Creativity strengthens our adulthood in more ways than I can list. So why don’t we use it? Some of us do. How are you putting your creativity to some good purpose? Without some sort of creative outlet, we become stale, bored, boring, uninterested and uninteresting. Do you paint with water colors or oils; do you knit or crochet; do you create beautiful flower arrangements from the garden you tend. Do you just vegetate?

Writing has long been my passion. But for most of my adult life I shoved this desire aside:Too busy with work, with family, with home projects, civic clubs, volunteer work–you name it. I had one excuse following another for not to unfetter my passion.

Back in 1986 I had a flash of imagination–a storyline crept into my consciousness. The idea of a spy thriller took shape and I began to scribble words onto the pages of a spiral notebook.

The following year I bought my first computer and pecked out several chapters. But I lost interest and only returned every so often to those fading pages. It took a divorce and a second marriage to revitalize my writing. With the help of a very patient wife I added more and more content to my novel. For nearly two years we tried to find a Publisher. That failing we tried to interest Literary Agents. And finally we just gave up.

But in 2007 I stumbled across a Book Publisher–not a very well known one–but a real publisher none the less. My novel, “Surrogate Warrior,” is now available from most major booksellers.

My point here is that creativity needs to be exposed to the fresh air. Do you have a story, maybe even a novel, drifting around you gray matter? Or is the thought of Writing A Book too intimidating?

I wanted desperately to find a publisher. That quest clouded my judgement. My advice to you is to write for your own satisfaction. Write A Story for you kids. Write a story for your family. To hell with the Publishers–just get it written.

Ever heard of Robyn Opie. Robn is a bestselling author of 76 children’s books with six more due to be published this year. She has written two screenplays and is negotiating with two Australian producers for movie rights. What you may not know is that Robyn has written a comprehensive How-To-Guide for new authors. Her book, “How To Write a Great Children’s Book” is available for immediate download.

So if you are serious about wanting to write children’s books then make the effort to learn from an expert. Drop in on Robyn right now.

Click HERE

About the Author

Don Penven/Brandywine is a freelance writer and commercial photographer based in Raleigh and Morehead City, NC He works part time as a technical writer for a manufacturer of criminal investigation equipment.

Writing Children’s Books: What Should I Write About?

Baby Beluga $7.98 Baby Beluga is a fun-filled collection of favorite children’s songs and Raffi originals, all performed in the singer’s folksy, expressive style. Beluga begins with the sounds of whales communicating in their high-pitch squeaks (which presented here come across as cute and sweet) and features melodic lines that evoke vivid pictures of gentle waves and a frolicking whale. An illustrated sing-along b…

Raffi’s Christmas Album $8.81 RAFFIS CHRISTMAS ALBUM CD…

The Birth of The Constitution:This is America Charlie Brown [VHS] $9.95 …

Hans Christian Andersen $14.98 Of all the Danny Kaye movies, this musical biography of the legendary vagabond storyteller is definitely the most poignant, extending the performer’s range far beyond his usual comic shtick. It may not be as funny as Wonder Man, but it has so much more going for it. In fact, the film is really more about Kaye than Andersen, providing rare insight into his humanitarian ideals and rapport with child…

Night Creature $3.17 NIGHT CREATURE – DVD Movie…

Rory’s Story Cubes $3.25 Rory’s Story Cubes is a pocket-sized creative story generator, providing hours of imaginative play for all ages. There are infinite ways to play with Rory’s Story Cubes – Try them as a party game or ice-breaker, for literacy development, speaking and listening skills, creative inspiration, a mental workout or problem solving. Anyone can become a great storyteller and there are no wrong answers. Si…

My Very Own Pirate Tale Storybook $29.95 In My Very Own® Pirate Tale, entertaining sea creatures bring letters one by one to spell out your child’s name, and they describe why he or she is the perfect candidate to be the captain’s first mate. The sawshark brings the S, the octopus brings the O, and so on. At the end of this adventurous pirate story, your child’s name is revealed as the secret to opening the treasure. Includes an illustrated encyclopedia of 62 sea creatures with fun facts about each. Filled with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations, this hardcover book is a unique keepsake that will be cherished for a lifetime.

My Very Own Pirate Tale and Personalized Bandana Gift Set $39.95 This swashbucklin’ gift set includes the My Very Own® Pirate Tale personalized storybook and a personalized pirate bandana embroidered with the words ‘Cap’n [Your Child's First Name.]‘ Boys and girls love the pirate bandana that lets them live out their very own pirate adventure! In My Very Own Pirate Tale, entertaining sea creatures bring letters to spell out the name of the child whom they’ve chosen as the perfect first mate for the pirate ship. The sawshark brings the S, the octopus brings the O, and so on. At the end, your child’s name is revealed as the secret to opening the treasure. Includes a dedication from you and an illustrated encyclopedia of 62 sea creatures with fun facts about each. Filled with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations, this hardcover book is a unique keepsake that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Personalized Floor Puzzle $29.95 Children love to find the pieces that spell out their name and birth date in this giant 24in x 28in personalized puzzle! For boys and girls ages 3-10.

God Loves You! Personalized Book $24.95 The God Loves You! personalized children’s book tells your child just how much God loves them… and that they are God’s special creations! It comes personalized with a child’s name on the cover and throughout the text. God Loves You! features beautiful poetry by award-winning children’s author Jennifer Dewing and colorful, whimsical illustrations by award-winning artist Maria Carluccio. The book is perfect for the birth of a baby, baptism, naming ceremony, first communion, Easter, Passover or everyday occasion. It makes a perfect gift for children of the Christian, Jewish or Muslim faith.

Who Loves Me? Personalized Book $24.95 It is often said that there is no better gift that you can give a child than love. Who Loves Me? features the names of family members and friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked ‘how much’ each of one of them loves him or her. This beautifully illustrated book reassures the child that he or she is loved ‘so much’ by each person, with melodious rhymes describing the depth of each individual’s love. Written by Jennifer Dewing, with colorful, whimsical illustrations by Maria Carluccio, this 8.5 inch x 8.5 inch hardcover book has 20 tear-free pages that are made for babies and young children to read every day!

Who Loves Me? for siblings $24.95 It is often said that there is no better gift that you can give a child than love. Who Loves Me? features the names of family members and friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked ‘how much’ each of one of them loves him or her. This beautifully illustrated book reassures the child that he or she is loved ‘so much’ by each person, with melodious rhymes describing the depth of each individual’s love. Written by Jennifer Dewing, with colorful, whimsical illustrations by Maria Carluccio, this 8.5 inch x 8.5 inch hardcover book has 20 tear-free pages that are made for babies and young children to read every day!

SUS, the latest Unified Script $62.99 Shorttitle “SUS” (Sarma’s Unified Script), invented in November 2009 is the latest Unified Script. Unified Script is the dream script of the experts, through which they believe, inventors in which the specially designed scripts can substitute the alphabet of any language in chronological order. The scripts are written by using minimum number of strokes (mostly 4), these are ‘self-generating’ (such that children themselves can recreate those by following some principles) and create absolutely no change in the speaking sound or style of the language. The scripts are so easy to identify and write that it is possible for the children to learn within 25%-50% of that required for the traditional script. This may save huge time, resources and energy now required in children’s education. “SUS” can be used as second or alternate script of any language. Programs can be made for substituting the traditional scripts of any language by SUS scripts just by pressing a key. Using one script in writing many languages may be highly advantageous for the internet / mobile communications and the printing industries.

. . . And His Lovely Wife: A Memoir from the Woman Beside the Man $0.99 The first time I heard it, I laughed.Oh, come on, I thought. He didn’t just say that.We were at a restaurant in southern Ohio, where a hundred or so Democrats and a handful of young campaign workers had gathered to hear my husband, Sherrod Brown, announce for the seventh time in two days why he was running for the United States Senate. The party chairman of the county stood up at the lectern and in a loud, booming voice, introduced “Congressman Sherrod Brown–and his lovely wife.”By Week 40 of the campaign, I had been introduced that way nearly a hundred times. I stopped counting once we hit the 50 marker. I knew I was not the point at these gatherings, and I was so proud of the man who was.Also, I realized I was getting cranky about something I could not change. If I couldn’t rely on a sense of humor, I was in for one long year on the campaign trail.Writing with her trademark warmth, wit, and common sense, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz reveals the rigors, adrenaline joys, and absolute madness of a new marriage at midlife and campaigning with her husband, now the junior senator from Ohio. She describes the chain of events leading up to Sherrod’s decision to campaign for Senate (he would not run without his wife’s unequivocal support) in a state where no Democrat had won statewide office for twelve years. She writes about the moment her friends in the press became not so friendly; the constant campaign demands on her marriage and family life; a personal tragedy that came out of the blue. She gives us a candid behind-the-scenes look at the often ludicrous trials and tribulations of being an opinionated columnist, a political wife, and a newly married woman in her forties, and the rigors of political life: audacious bloggers, ruthless adversaries, campaign fatigue, political divas, the no-small-planes agreement, and staffers young enough to be her children suddenly directing her and

..And This Is My Adopted Daughter $17.99 By Marie BergerISBN: 978-1-84747-189-5Published: 2007Pages: 184Key Themes: DescriptionThis emotional turbulent and poignant book tells the story of Marie Berger’s dicovery that she was adopted. Marie only discovered this fact when her mother passed away and she cuaght a glimpse of hert birth certificate. The book decribes Marie’s childhood and chronicles how she felt in finding that she was adopted. This is an intensely moving and excellently written book.About the AuthorMarie Berger was born in May 1945 in Reading, Berkshire. She trained to become a teacher and is also a qualified masseuse. She is now an author by profession and lives with her husband and her children in Lincoln. She is fond of travelling, foreign languages, pastel drawing and of course her writing.Book ExtractOn the doormat is a letter. I pick it up. I don’t recognise the handwriting. It’s postmarked New York, United States of America.I only know of one person who lives there. And it couldn’t possibly be from her.could it?Feverishly I tear open the envelope, unfold the notepaper.My mind’s in a whirl. It’s impossible to take in the words. They swim across my line of vision. The bits I manage to read here and there don’t make sense.I don’t know how long I’ve been standing here mesmerised. My mind’s blank. The neat script is dancing before my eyes.This can’t be happening. It must be a dream.I blink rapidly, shake my head, and try to focus on reality. But there’s no way I can get a grip on myself standing like a zombie here in the hallway. I must get out.I put on my coat, wanderbewildered into the first café I come to. I sit in a corner, order a coffee, sip the hot liquid. I can’t stop shivering.I hold my breath, force myself to start at the beginning, concentrate on each word. I begin to read.Dear Marie Teresa,I really don’t know how to begin.

100 Skill-Building Lessons Using to Favorite Books: A Teacher’s Treasury of Irresistible Lessons and Activities That Help Children Meet Important Learning Goals in Reading, Writing Math and More $1.99 Susan Lunsford,Paperback, English-language edition,Pub by Scholastic, Inc.

1000 Questions and Answers from Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine $27.82 • What causes hypertension in children? • Is it common for epileptic patients to have post-ictal vomiting? If so, how often does this occur? • Why is the incidence of parkinsonism less common in smokers? • What is the role of urine examination in diabetic control? Where do you turn to when you have a difficult medical question that needs answering? The ‘Ask the Author’ online feature from the best-selling textbook Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine has collected a wealth of questions and comments directly from medical students and doctors about topics that are of particular interest or difficulty to them. Kumar and Clark have brought together over 1000 of the questions they have been asked along with their answers. It will appeal to the many fans of Kumar & Clark, from first-year students to practising doctors, and will provide a useful and interesting sounding board to help ensure best practice.This unique book will provide you with a quick and easy way to discover the answers to your own medical questions…!• The writing style is appealing and conversational, designed to entertain as well as instruct. • Carries the ‘Kumar & Clark’ stamp of authority. • All questions fully indexed for ease of reference. • Covers topics that are easily misunderstood in medicine – good preparation for medical students, senior house officers/interns and specialists in training/residents preparing for written or oral exams.

1000 Questions and Answers from Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine $33.95 • What causes hypertension in children? • Is it common for epileptic patients to have post-ictal vomiting? If so, how often does this occur? • Why is the incidence of parkinsonism less common in smokers? • What is the role of urine examination in diabetic control? Where do you turn to when you have a difficult medical question that needs answering? The ‘Ask the Author’ online feature from the best-selling textbook Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine has collected a wealth of questions and comments directly from medical students and doctors about topics that are of particular interest or difficulty to them. Kumar and Clark have brought together over 1000 of the questions they have been asked along with their answers. It will appeal to the many fans of Kumar & Clark, from first-year students to practising doctors, and will provide a useful and interesting sounding board to help ensure best practice.This unique book will provide you with a quick and easy way to discover the answers to your own medical questions…!• The writing style is appealing and conversational, designed to entertain as well as instruct. • Carries the ‘Kumar & Clark’ stamp of authority. • All questions fully indexed for ease of reference. • Covers topics that are easily misunderstood in medicine – good preparation for medical students, senior house officers/interns and specialists in training/residents preparing for written or oral exams.

101 Activities to Help Preschoolers Excel in Reading, Writing, and Speaking $55 101 Activities to Help Preschoolers Excel in Reading, Writing, and Speaking gives preschoolers valuable practice in reading, writing, and speaking skills by engaging them in a series of enjoyable activities. All of the activities address values important to children’s growth and development: cooperation, friendship, respect for others’ opinions, intergenerational closeness, generosity, and gratitude.

101 Poetic Collectibles $7.02 MARTHA PAULINE GERBER BROWN is of German-Swiss parentage. Her father was a Bible Teacher in Pandora, OH. And MARTHA became a Bible Teacher after her education at Moody and at Taylor University. Her specialty is to analyze and apply the Bible for teaching children and women. A second gift is to write Bible-truth poetry.MARTHA with her husband, O. Carl, count twenty-one years on the field of Haiti, W.I. They also count sixty-six married years. And have two sons, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.MARTHA is known for composing a new Bible-inspired Christmas poem each December, sixty-six of them. She calls them Christmas Musings in this book.MARTHA also wrote other casual poems, thirty-five of them, of random inspiration she calls Various Mementos.So, MARTHA calls her book 101 POETIC COLLECTIBLES: – In The Chain of Years.Behold the gems of inspiration, as sparkling jewels, in101 POETIC COLLECTIBLES: – In The Chain of Years.This two-part book of poems takes us into the joy MARTHA PAULINE BROWN had across the chain of years in writing poems, now, first to be read by others besides the friends and family who received a poem each December – 66 poems called Christmas Musings.In them we may observe prophetic Scripture fulfilled in the angelic announcement of God’s “IMPRINT.” Read how “a Savior is born for you, Christ the Lord!” See God’s Son rejected by man, crowned with thorns and wrapped in blood. In His transfer from the cross to the throne, He is Savior, Death’s Conqueror, Intercessor, Advocate to God and Coming King – for your receptive heart bringing “gems” of eternal value. Also, 101 POETICCOLLECTIBLES brings Martha’s 35 random poems as Various Mementos of casual souvenirs, each ending in climax coming from the soul of Martha’s poetic pen.

1646 Establishments: Settlements Established in 1646, States and Territories Established in 1646, Yonkers, New York, New London, Connecticut $19.99 Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Settlements Established in 1646, States and Territories Established in 1646, Yonkers, New York, New London, Connecticut, Bremen, East Marion, New York, Reading Blue Coat School, Arizpe, Saugus Iron Works. Excerpt: Reading Blue Coat School, Sonning-on-Thames Reading Blue Coat School is a boys’ independent school (and co-educational in the 6th form) in Holme Park in the village of Sonning , in the English county of Berkshire . It is situated beside the River Thames, and was established in 1646 by Richard Aldworth, who named it “Aldworth’s Hospital”.History Established in 1646 at the height of the English Civil War , a wealthy London merchant, Richard Aldworth of Stanlake Park , left the Corporation of Reading the sum of £4,000, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to “the education and upbringing of twenty poor male children, being the children of honest, religious poor men in the town of Reading.” From this bequest, which in 17th century terms was quite substantial, originated the Aldworth’s Hospital charity school now better known as the Reading Blue Coat School.Aldworth, who had been a governor of Christ’s Hospital in London, modelled the new foundation on his former school, the boys being required to wear the Bluecoat attire of gown, yellow stockings, and buckled shoes. Aldworth s Will further stipulated that the Master of the new school should be “an honest, Godly and learned man” who for his “paines” would receive a stipend of £30 a year. His duties were to include the instruction of reading, writing and ciphering and to “teach the Catechism in the points of Christian Religion.”The Talbot The School was originally accommodated in an old building situated at the corner of Silver Street and London Street known as ‘The Talbot’ in one of the oldest parts

1934 in Theatre: 1934 Musicals, 1934 Plays, Merrily We Roll Along, Anything Goes, the Children’s Hour, Love on the Dole, Conversation Piece $19.99 Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: 1934 Musicals, 1934 Plays, Merrily We Roll Along, Anything Goes, the Children’s Hour, Love on the Dole, Conversation Piece, Life Begins at 8:40, Personal Appearance, the Great Waltz, the Farmer Takes a Wife, Yerma, Revenge With Music, Dodsworth, Yellow Jack, Accent on Youth, Even Stephen, the Infernal Machine, Not for Children, the Rock, Say When, Valley Forge, Sporting Love. Excerpt: Anything Goes Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter . The book was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse . The story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. Billy Crocker is a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy #13 Moonface Martin aid Billy in his quest to win Hope. The musical introduced such songs as “Anything Goes ,” “You’re the Top ,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You .”Since its 1934 debut at the Neil Simon Theatre (at the time known as the Alvin ) on Broadway , the musical has been revived several times in the United States and Britain and has been filmed twice. The musical has long been a popular choice for school and community productions. History Anything Goes is a farce set below decks on an ocean liner bound for London from New York. The original idea came from producer Vinton Freedley, who was living on a boat, having left the US to avoid his creditors. He selected the writing team, and the star, Ethel Merman . The first draft of the show was called Crazy Week, which became Hard to Get, and finally Anything Goes. Hard to Get was set on a mid-ocean liner that was in danger, but, just a few weeks before the show was due to open, a fire on board the passenger ship SS Morro Castle caused the deaths of 137