S.A. Larsen's Blog

Hi Everyone! I've been away for a bit. Nothing new to share other than our fourth kiddo graduated from high school. YAY! We can finally put his high school Covid experience behind him. He had a tough time. Other kids had a tough time. I'm sure someone you know of or maybe your kids had a tough time. 
When you step back for a minute to get a better view of the past 2 1/2 years, it's not hard to see that we really were all in this together. I hope we never, ever forget that.

Okay, moving on to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group's (optional) question: 

If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

Narnia.

Need I say more???

No, seriously. When I was really little, I was a night owl. Okay, so I still am. I loved staying up late because that was when my imagination came to life. I'd imagine my bed being a car speeding along the track at a NASCAR race. Or a ship sailing the ocean blue to some far off land yet to be discovered. And, of course, my bed became a magic carpet, where I picked up a dancing monkey, a kangaroo that played poker, and a horse that sang. But the best make believe always came with whatever rested behind my closet door. So when I found out about the wardrobe in Narnia . . . yup, I was done. And then there was all the amazing landscapes and characters and conflicts, not to mention all the Christian metaphors and parallels - this, without a doubt, would be my ideal book world to live in.

*My second would be WHERE THE WILD THINGS LIVE 

Please join me in thanking our July co-hosts: J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando,

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Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton! You all are amazing! For more IWSG posts or to join in every month, click on the image. 

What about you? Please share. I'd love to chat! (Been missing everyone.)

 

Sheri~

This next Insecure Writers Support Group optional subject to discuss - basically, a question - is one that I've grown softer on over the last couple of years. 
Let's preface the discussion by saying this: Without a doubt, I am an in-the-hand, must-feel-paper, and bask-in-the-scent of a physical book kind of gal. Can't help it. It is what it is. Just like the fact that my eyes are dark blue. But unlike the fact that my eyes are blue, my need of 'feel' for physical reading can expand and grow.

Audio books can be super convenient. Like when I'm trying to do two things at once like read and walk the dogs or fold the laundry and get some reading done; listening/reading is pretty handy in the car, too. But again, that's not my preferred way to read a book. We can leave it at I've grown to appreciate the versatility audio books provide. Now saying that leads me into today's optional question:
Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook? Yes, my young adult book Marked Beauty was made into an audio book. I have to say that the process was absolutely fascinating to me. My publisher allowed me to search for possible voice readers from a couple huge databases. So, from an author's POV, I'd have to say that the endless list of voices I listened to began sounding the same after a while. That was the biggest challenge for me. Haha... My publisher's biggest challenge? I'm not sure. I'd have to ask them, which would probably make for an interesting article. I just might do that. 
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A huge round of applause goes out to our April co-hosts: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

  What about all of you? Like audio books better than physical books? Doesn't matter? And you authors out there: has one of your books been made into an audio book?  Sheri~ 

Much gratitude goes out to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group co-hosts:  Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre and Shannon Lawrence! Make sure to hop over to their sites to see what they have to say!   MORE PARTICIPANTS This month's IWSG (optional) question is: Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not? Although this might seem like an easy question to answer, I really had to think about this one. I don't think I've ever been conflicted about writing a scene in a story; more like should I include such and such in a scene and if I should, when to do it. But that's part of story development, so I don't look at it like a conflict.  I might categorize my current middle grade WIP as a conflict in itself, though. Most of my stories contain some level of spookiness. My current WIP is/was no exception. I say was because I haven't worked on it in months.  Why? Conflict. Not within the story, but within myself. The story still cries out in all spookiness, but the thread of a faith-based theme began to weave its way through the six chapters I'd written. I tried to fight it and rewrite the chapters, but to no avail. God wants to be heard in this book. This left me conflicted because of all the spooky elements I'd already included. What's appropriate? Is there a conflict with Church doctrine? Where is the audience for such a story?  I suppose I could keep the chapters and keep on truckin' forward. The spooky elements do add to tension, mood, and suspense. I'm just unsure how far to go with the spookiness mingled with ponderings about God.
 Sorry to leave you with such a cliff hanger. Such has been my life since the vid. :) How have all you been doing? Any news you'd like to share here? I'd love to hear it!
 Happy Writing & Reading to you all! Sheri~ 

Dun-Dun-DA! Happy New Year! Here we are at a brand new year with the first Insecure Writers Support Group's monthly question. Let me dive right in.
This month's (optional) question:

What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

What do I regret the most about my writing career? Hmm . . . this is really a hard one for me. You're actually catching me during a valley in my writing - a time where I've been questioning my writing, why I write, but more over what I write. I'll always write for children, but I might be moving from spooky tales to more faith-based story journeys that focus on trying to apply goodness to this crazy world we're currently living in.

But regret . . . if I have to give an answer, I'd probably say that I would have listened to my gut and believed in my work sooner than I did. That lack of 'faith' and 'trust' in my abilities sent me running around in circles for some time. It took me until after both my books were published to see that. Maybe this has something to do with the valley of self-bookish reflection I'm currently occupying. 

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 A huge thank you goes out to our January co-hosts:  Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken! Want to participate in the IWSG? Click on the link to the right. 

So, writer friends, what's your major regret? Non-writing readers, any regrets in your state of life?

 

Sheri~ 

I'm late! I'm late! For two very important IWSG dates!

What's IWSG, you ask? (Feel free to skip to the next bold text if you've read this part before.) 

It's a group of writers who lend support, encouragement, and guidance to each other. Once a month, we share our insecurities about writing, marketing, and the publishing industry. On occasion, we also share insecurities or struggles from our daily lives. Want to take part? Click on the image at the end of my post. We'd love to have you join us!

I won't bore you with why I missed November's post or why I'm late for December. I will, however, leave you a clue or two at the end of this post.  So . . . here we go:

November's question - What's harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?  That's easy - the blurb! I tend to want to include too much information.

December's question – In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you? Hmmm . . . I guess what stresses me out the most is that I want to be done with whatever part I'm working on to move on to the next scene (or whatever). I need to enjoy each moment I'm writing instead of wanting to rush. 
Most delightful? When I unintentionally tie part of the story to an earlier part of the story and then I'm like 'Yes!'
  MORE PARTICIPANTS      A huge thank you goes out to our November co-hosts: Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery & to our December co-hosts: PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray! 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!🎄

May God bless you abundantly throughout the New Year!

Okay, here are my clues:  Drywall, no kitchen sink, blanket-covered furniture, complete overhaul.  Leave your guess in the comments! Sheri~ 

When I began writing and developing stories I leaned on what I knew best, what was most familiar to me, and what I was most knowledgeable about. In my case, that was children. With four of them, I had plenty of material to work with. Thus I began writing picture books - poorly, I might add. But it was a start. I didn't set limits on what themes or topics I chose to write about because I literally was writing from my experiences with my kiddos. Pretty innocent stuff.
But as I improved as a writer and became more read, I moved up the age scale into middle grade and young adult literature. That broadened, not only the age of my characters, but what could affect them in life, what problems they might encounter, and what goals they might develop.  Here's where I'll address today's optional IWSG question:  In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?
Keeping in mind my writing age group, my red line in the sand isn't as close or close-minded as you might think. I would welcome writing about many topics and themes, but I would only continue with a story if I felt well-informed on said topic/theme. My drawn line as far as language is another story. I'm not a fan of using slurs, demonizing or foul language for the sake of spiffing up a scene. However, if (and only IF) the story or character calls for it in reference to development and deepening then I will stretch my consideration some. But even then, I will only use what is essential and not a word more. Feel free to answer this question in the comments. I'd love to know what your opinion is as both writers and readers.  MORE PARTICIPANTS  A huge 'thank you' to our co-hosts for this month: 
Jemima Pett, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!   And if you'd like to read more answers to this question, feel free to click on this image.
Thank you for stopping by! Sheri~

Here we are at another IWSG discussion to start our month. Can you believe it's September??? Crazy, huh? And our fourth and last child entering his senior year in high school, this is a big year for our family.
On that note, wishing all teachers, librarians, parents, and educators alike a wonderful 2021-22 school year!
So this month's optional question is as follows: 
How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?
Good question. Hmm . . . I'd have to say that over my writing journey this answer has changed. Initially, it was submitting my work, receiving an acceptance, and then seeing my words and thoughts (and my byline) in print. Short story, community-based article, or a recipe in a collection, it really didn't matter. From there I'd have to say it was going through the entire process of receiving offers on my manuscripts, working with editors, creating all the marketing/promo goods, and then receiving my publisher copies in a big box from my favorite UPS or FED-EX peeps! Having an authentic book release party at a library helped that feeling of "I've finally made it as an author!" helped a bit, too. 😁 But now, after lots of articles, short stories, and a few novels under my belt, my opinion has changed. The finished project is not where the definition of a successful writer comes. It is in the journey taken, the processes adhered to, and the faith to keep forging ahead. It is also in the wisdom to stop and examine if we're on the right path; if we find we are not, it's in the humility to turn around. C.S. Lewis says it best here:

"I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand."

So I currently define being a successful writer as one who stays the course, seeking knowledge and wisdom and the human condition, in humble ambition to share and explore that through the world of fiction.
MORE PARTICIPANTS Thank you so much to our amazing co-hosts this month!
Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie! Click on this image to find other participating writers or to join our group!    

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to another edition of IWSG!
What's IWSG, you ask? It's a group of writers who lend support, encouragement, and guidance to each other. Once a month, we share our insecurities about writing, marketing, and the publishing industry. On occasion, we also share insecurities or struggles from our daily lives. Want to take part? Click on the image at the end of my post. We'd love to have you join us! This month's question:   What would make you quit writing?

Hmm . . .  Honestly, despite the fact that I haven't written a whole heck of a lot since Covid began, I don't think I'll ever fully toss in the towel where writing is concerned. Writing grounds me. It's a way for me to sort through emotions and life's happenings - call it my personal therapy.

Saying that, this is a good opportunity to come clean about the reality of my writing. When my middle grade publisher closed back in April of 2019, saying I was bummed is putting it lightly. But, I picked myself up and forged ahead. Thankfully, my MG book and the sequel were picked up by another publisher. And then Covid hit. Most of us experienced a lot of similar emotions and issues during that time; it's all kind of self-explanatory. For me, it was also a time of self-(re)evaluation. The three major deaths my family experienced in 2019 just prior to Covid, my MG pub closing, my mom's failing health (MS & dementia), and the stresses of owning our own business began to line up like lights on a runway. I found myself asking "Why am I writing? No, really? Is there a greater purpose for my stories and for what I have to say?"
This question led me back down the spiritual road that God had set me on years ago. I've always loved my faith as a Catholic, but this whole Covid ordeal made me look deeper, made me seriously search for God, for purposes, for lessons I needed to learn to become who He wanted me to be as opposed to the 'who' I thought I should be. I'm not here to talk about faith, but to express the need to find and reinvent my purpose for keeping pen to paper and fingers to the keys instead of quitting. (I mean, I do still have another MG book coming out late this year and a short story in an anthology, and I am working on a new middle grade novel. So no, I'm not quitting. LOL) It's my focus and kind of stories I feel I should be writing that's changed.

Writers, throughout your writing journey have you discovered the need to reinvent your purpose(s) for writing?
 MORE PARTICIPANTS Thank you to all our co-hosts for this month! Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, and Louise – Fundy Blue! Click on this image to find other participating writers or to join our group!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Here we are at yet another passing month, which means another Insecure Writers Support Group monthly question. 
What's IWSG, you ask? It's a group of writers who lend support, encouragement, and guidance to each other. Once a month, we share our insecurities about writing, marketing, and the publishing industry. On occasion, we also share insecurities or struggles from our daily lives. Want to take part? Click on the image at the end of my post. We'd love to have you join us! This month's question is:  For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?  
I remember when I first began writing. The thought of 'shelving' a manuscript was almost as offensive to me as was eating liver when I was five years old. 
Unthinkable.
But as with all things in life, once we gain experience and experiences wisdom abounds . . .

Now, with a few published novels under my belt and a couple on deck to be released, I've come to appreciate the clarity distance provides from a drafted manuscript.  Distance gives me new eyes. Sometimes I find it's also given me a new attitude about a scene, character, or setting I've written about. I'm always amazed at my altered perspective when I read a piece I've allowed to sit for a while. It's kind of like cooking. Over the years, I learned that allowing some dishes to set and simmer, adding spices and other ingredients in time, makes them more flavorful and potent to the pallet.

Other Cool Stuff I Was Talking About:
I might not be posting here often anymore, but I still am a current contributor to a few other sites. Here are a few of my most recent author interviews and even a spooky MG post.
 I chatted over on @MixedUpFiles with the lovely Marie Arnold about her latest middle grade book THE YEAR I FLEW AWAY.  In this magical middle-grade novel, ten-year-old Gabrielle finds out that America isn’t the perfect place she imagined when she moves from Haiti to Brooklyn. With the help of a clever witch, Gabrielle becomes the perfect American — but will she lose herself in the process? Perfect for fans of HURRICANE CHILD and FRONT DESK     
And then there's my conversation with author Cliff Burke about his MG book AN OCCASIONALLY HAPPY FAMILY over on @MixedUpFiles. Gordon Korman meets The Great Outdoors in this funny and moving debut about a boy who goes on a disastrous family vacation (sweltering heat! bear chases!) that ends with a terrible surprise: his dad’s new girlfriend.
Author & Cartoonist Michael Fry shared his book GHOSTED with me over on @MixedUpFiles, too! From the best-selling author of the How to Be a Supervillain series comes this laugh-out-loud, heavily illustrated story of a shy boy, his best-friend-turned-ghost, and their bucket list of adventures and dares. Perfect for fans of the Timmy Failure and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Psst . . . and if Michael's name looks familiar that's because he's the successful cartoonist of the internationally syndicated comic strip OVER THE HEDGE.

 Lastly, here's my article where I explored Poetry in Middle Grade literature. It was a really fun exercise to research how much poetry is used in MG books! 

MORE PARTICIPANTS  Thank you to this month's co-hosts! J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria! Click on this image to find other participating writers or to join our group!

 SHERI 💖

Happy Monday Morning!
It's been a while since I spotlighted a new middle grade release on my blog. So today is a special day because I have Elaine Kaye's next book to share with you! And make sure to scroll to the bottom to enter for your chance to WIN her GIVEAWAY!
***NEW RELEASE***99 CENTS***

BAD FAIRY STRIKES AGAIN by Elaine Kaye 

Series: A Bad Fairy Adventure (Book 2)
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 60
Ages: 7-12 

BLURB:

Will Thistle ever escape the nickname Bad Fairy?

Thistle Greenbud thought the nickname Bad Fairy was behind her, but she can't escape it. Someone is spreading a rumor about her that just isn't true and can ruin all of her hard work in getting into Advanced School. What fairy would do such a thing?

As if that's not bad enough, Thistle's dad goes missing. Not a single fairy in Tinselville has seen him. He's vanished like pixie dust. Her mom is distraught, and Thistle is worried. Where could he be?

Thistle and the Flutters, along with Dusty and Moss, are on both cases. Can they find out what happened to her dad and solve the Bad Fairy rumor? Thistle hopes so!

BOOK LINKS:

Amazon / Nook / iBooks / Goodreads

MEET ORLA:

Name – Orla

Role – Thistle’s mom

Hair Color – Golden-brown

Eye Color – Honey

Wing Colors – Yellow and gold

Favorite Food – Dandelion salad

Favorite Drink – Herbal tea with lots of honey

Personality – Gentle, caring, sentimental, sensitive

Likes – Knitting, baking cookies, gardening, helping others

Dislikes – A messy kitchen and when Thistle zooms through the house

MEET HERB:

Name – Needles

School – Level F (Fairy Failure)

Hair Color – Green

Eye Color – Hazel

Wing Color – Dark Green

Favorite Snack – Pistachio ice-cream

Personality – Follower, doesn’t really want to be a bad fairy but doesn’t want to leave his best friend Viner

Likes – Skipping rocks, racing fairy pets

Dislikes – Being a bad example for his younger brothers and sisters

 

EXCERPT:

We are nearing the edge our village limits when we see the abandoned house hidden in tall weeds. The night grows darker as we huddle in a fern thicket. “It sure is spooky out here,” Lacey whispers and shifts closer to Moss.

“Let's move in closer,” Dusty says. “Moss and Lacey, you go to the other side of the house. Find a crack in the wall to see inside. Thistle and Rose follow me.” He looks back at Moss. “If you see anything strange, flick your flashlight on and off three times.”

“Then what?” Rose asks, munching on another berry.

“We’ll meet…um…” Dusty looks around and then points. “Over by that fern thicket. Is everyone clear?”

We nod and fly as low to the ground as we can. Once we reach our positions, we hunker down and wait. Time goes by as slow as a worm while we wait. It gets darker. After a while, boredom creeps in.

“What's that?” Rose points behind us.

Dusty and I turn to see a shadow coming out of the woods, heading straight for us. Boogles! No, wait. There are two shadows!

Get Book 1 for 99 CENTS!

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BAD FAIRY: Amazon / Nook / iBooks / Kobo

 

***GIVEAWAY*** 

 

PRIZES: 3 signed paperback picture books (Pea Soup Disaster, The Missing Alphabet, Slow Poke), three handmade bookmarks, plus a goodie bag and worksheets.

Eligibility: International

GIVEAWAY LINK: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/76132e0224/?

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elaine Kaye is the author of A Bad Fairy Adventure series AND A Gregory Green Adventure series. She first created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup, thus inspiring the story Pea Soup Disaster.

Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher’s assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home. She is a grandmother of three boys.

Amazon / Goodreads / BookBub / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter
Thank you so much for sharing Thistle's continuing story with us! Wishing you much success, Elaine.
SHERI~💖