Lynn Van Meter's Blog

What are your memories from Thanksgiving?

Hmmmm probably a tie for the most memorable – but not because it was very thanksgiving themed….

I broke my collar bone in a freak paddle board mishap a few years ago – Thankful it could have been worse; it could have been my face!

The next year my daughter broke her collar bone and her wrist in a Dirt Bike Mishap – it could have been much worse. But she had to have 2 surgeries and finish out her collage semester in a sling on one arm and a pin in her wrist on the other arm!

Be careful on Thanksgiving Day!!!!!!!!

But other less traumatic memories were with family and friends, good food, laughter and time spent. It’s a day to be grateful and thankful and of course that is different for everyone. I am truly grateful for so much and there will be more on that coming soon!

happy thanksgiving – may your holiday be injury free (that’s my wish every year now), drama free (it could happen) calorie free (not really, enjoy your food and go for a walk) and most of all, full of Gratitude!

To quote Dr. Seuss – The Lorax “I speak for the trees”. I was mesmerized to see the beautiful aspen trees on a recent visit to New Mexico. The mountains were glowing with the iconic yellow leaves of these amazing trees. Even the slightest breeze caused the leaves to flutter and create what is referred to as a quaking or whispering sound.

The uniqueness of these trees is they are connected thru an extensive underground root system called a clone and are Essentially a single living Organisms. Rising from 50 to 80 feet in the air these giants Captivated my attention and got me thinking.

Thinking about how and what we connect over, and the power of many and what a beautiful impact we can make! My book BOO BOO QUEEN – although it’s a visually appealing book and story for kids, the underlying themes are; friendship, empathy, and kindness.

What if we kept empathy and kindness at the forefront of our friendships, our connections in the work place, interactions in every day life – our collective impact would be like a clone of goodness like the aspen trees.

You can bet your aspen Trees, I am going to strive to have a bigger impact like these towering giants in nature!

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3rd Annual Lake County Literary Festival – Harvest Festival – Clermont

There is something so simplistic, yet so powerful, to be in nature and truly immerse yourself in your surroundings. Awakening all your senses.

The sound of falling water crashing onto the rocks.

The smell of the woods and the flowers in bloom.

The cool shade from the towering trees above.

The vivid colors of green as you look in every direction. you as you take it all in.

The taste of cool water (from my hydration backpack).

You close your eyes and listen and exist in the moment.

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Of course I don’t live near this beautiful waterfall. But, when I am visiting the georgia mountains it is Definitely on the list of things I must do. If you are in the area, I highly recommend a visit to Amicalola Falls State Park. You can thank me later.

An if you don’t have a waterfall nearby, find your own little sliver of nature.

Here are some of my other places to go to recharge;

Do you immerse yourself in nature to recharge? Do you have a favorite place? where do you go?

This morning I was enjoying my coffee on my front porch and who should wander by…what we affectionately call the “yard bunny”, because we used to have a pet bunny.

Nothing special about the day. Nothing special about the bunny. Think of how many Children’s books have been written drawing inspiration from this unlikely subject; The Tales Peter Rabbit, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight moon, and I could go on and on and on.

Your idea could become a “tipping Point” – Thanks Malcolm Gladwell. (love that book). Often that spark, that inspiration could come when you least expect it. While at this time I won’t be working on a children’s book with a bunny Rabbit as my main character, I believe that nature; animals, plants, locations are great sources for inspiration.

So be on the lookout for the magic in the mundane…it could be the start of something big!

where do you like to write?

Are you a person who has a head full of story ideas? A journal full of story ideas? A Backed up flash drive of manuscripts waiting to be released in the reading Universe?

Don’t wait! I double dog dare you to publish. Your ideas and stories are as unique as your fingerprint. Characters, places, plots are yours to share.

Like any creative act – painting, sculpting, playing an instrument or with a band, and of course writing, you have to move past the fact of critics may or may not come out in response of what you craft.

Well it wasn’t a typical Monday! I received an email that my book was approved (because specs matter) for publishing on 4/14/2025. WOW! It’s finally here! It’s available on Amazon and will soon be in other outlets!

It’s been a journey. The story was inspired by my youngest daughter who was always chasing after her older siblings. Boo Boo’s were an everyday occurrence, and she still has the scars to prove it!

So many people have been a part of journey to publication. I’m sure there are some who are thinking “finally”, and others who joined me later in my journey…but everyone who knows me whether their involvement was direct or indirect, is celebrating with me today! Thank you for your encouragement and friendship!

I can’t wait to read Boo Boo Queen to kids!

Jack of all trades master of none pretty well sums of the reality of a self published author. If all you had to do was write your book, sometimes that is the easier part. But no, there is a laundry list of things to complete before you get your book out there to the consumer.

Thankfully I belong to a wonderful writing group with several members who are published several times over. They’ve learned thru trial and error and have graciously imparted their wisdom to me.

New words and their meanings have become part of my everyday vernacular; Amazon KDP, Bowker, IngramSpark ISBN to name a few.

Then there’s the social media aspect of book promotion; Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and the list continues to grow. Creating an online presence is key.

And don’t forget about the professional organization of writers who are also a great resources; Florida Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators are the two I belong to. Which you don’t have to belong to but I find having a bigger writing community can be beneficial.

But back to that book; write, edit, rewrite, have someone else edit you. Hire and illustrator (unless you have that skill) for cover art, or illustrations if a picture book. Wait, and perhaps wait some more.

In anticipation of your book release you sign up for local events (fee/non-fee) to launch your book. You ready yourself with the things necessary to create an aesthetic vending site to include but not limited to; a tent (don’t forget the weights), table ( and covering) ways to display your newly published book, giveaways, signage, ways to collect for sales (cash and card) and recruiting family/friends to help with your event.

While to some who have already completed the self-publishing journey, this is familiar and routine. For those just starting out or who are mid process as I am, don’t lose heart be the hero in your self-publishing journey!

(p.s. the image is a photo I took at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota and doesn’t really anything to do with my post – I just thought it looked cool!)

While the idea came to me on a trip of a lifetime to The Netherlands in 2023, the story behind the story really began nearly 23 years prior. But I will save that for another post!

Sense of place really is where my ideas are born. I drink in my surroundings, which ignite all my senses!

On a lovely canal ride thru Haarlem, The Netherlands, with dear friends and my youngest daughter, came an idea for a children’s picture book.

On the plane ride home I composed the story on my phone.

While I still have a few things to sort out before this book is released into the wild, I mean world, I am in search an an illustrator to truly capture my vision for this story. If that illustrator is you please use the contact form on my site.

Let your imagination run free where ever you are because you never know when an idea my grab you!