What better way to begin February and usher in the month of love, than with a special heartfelt giveaway. Giveaway details below: Win a signed copy of my children’s book, Birdy Brave, a Tutu Elephant Big Lovey Blanket to match and a $100.00 Milkbarn Gift Card. EASY TO ENTER: Follow Shaylene King + @milkbarnkids Like this post + tag a friend (every tag = an entry) Bonus entry if shared to your story! Giveaway ends February 4th (11:59 pm PST). One lucky winner will be selected at random and announced on February 5th. This giveaway is not affiliated with or sponsored…
Check Out My Interview on Award Winning Author Kia Strands Blog!
I love writing. It excites me! When I sit down to write every day, I always think, I wonder what’s going to happen today? I usually have an idea where I am going but once I start pounding on the keys of my laptop, ideas and dialogue begin to flow. It’s so fun. But the writing life can be pretty lonely too, so it’s important for me to connect with other authors. I met Kai Strand on a Facebook group for Middle Grade authors and she was kind enough to invite me to do an interview for her book blog….
A Modern Retelling, Eunuch to Talent Scout, meet Hawk
Standing in front of me, blocking the sun with his silhouette, was this—man-boy. A man-boy is what Calliope and I call guys we think are cute and totally too old for us but not really old—old, like our parents. Take for example, Matt Damon, who did all of the Bourne Identity movies. Cute. But no Zac Efron! As I was creating Hawk’s character, I pictured him in his mid to late twenties, with a certain mystery about him. He is not a man of many words. He does his job and then fades into the background. Every so often Liberty does…
What Do Your Book Characters Look Like To Your Target Audience?
Curious what your book characters look like to your target audience? I have often wondered myself how others might see my characters. Do they picture them the way I visualize them? Have I done a good job describing my characters physical traits, style and personality? I teach fifth grade and recently began to think, hummm…fifth grade is middle grade, my first novel, Liberty Lane and the One-Girl Rebelution is a middle grade book…sooo, I wonder how these students (who just happen to be my target audience) would see my characters. Maybe I should read them my book! After I was several chapters…
Experiencing The Places My Novel’s Charecters Explore
Almost as much fun as writing my first novel was recently visiting the places I have brought to life. In Liberty Layne and the One-Girl Rebelution, my middle grade fiction novel, Liberty and her bff Calliope and cousin Lincoln head to San Francisco to audition for a singing competition. Familiar places to me are used to create my character’s stories, a scene at Pier 39 is one such example. I experienced Pier 39 for the first time my senior year in High School with some of my best friends, Michelle and Caroline. The following year, I drove from California Baptist University…