tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46826539628776214952024-03-13T19:08:33.677-07:00Fuelled by Hot ChocolateBlog by author Lynne GarnerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-60090898729914020412017-12-01T03:53:00.000-08:002017-12-01T03:53:00.157-08:00When I submitted my first picture book manuscript I knew nothing about the industry, I just knew I wanted to write picture books. I'd proved I could write non-fiction as I'd had features and non-fiction books published. However picture books was one of those bucket list things, so I decided to give it a go. Not surprisingly I received a lot of rejections and along with some of those rejections I received a little advice from editors (which is uncommon, they simply don't have the time, so their comments were much appreciated). So I decided to study and signed up for a distance writing course. I started to submit my work and although I received positive feedback I also received notes, similar to those I'd received from editors.<br />
<br />
So in the spirit of sharing here are the five rules I've drawn up based on the feedback I've received over the years.<br />
<br />
<b>Rule one:</b><br />
Don't write about inanimate objects, especially those that talk. Talking and thinking inanimate objects is old fashioned. Children don't like to be 'talked down' to so they won't believe that inanimate objects can have a life of their own. So talking socks - oh no talking socks would never make a good story.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3oSRDqggEMu75yWRYptU8ojckDgEH4_4qLaZIF96OlLSMyvactrOyyunYXHnL5HnBE_dnxmsi4wphKMLwz61KZF4033dW4sQCuLjPw671kd9rKZ40xdWL0kSLVDUI4UI7PziQ_3UQZEs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-10+at+14.39.15.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3oSRDqggEMu75yWRYptU8ojckDgEH4_4qLaZIF96OlLSMyvactrOyyunYXHnL5HnBE_dnxmsi4wphKMLwz61KZF4033dW4sQCuLjPw671kd9rKZ40xdWL0kSLVDUI4UI7PziQ_3UQZEs/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-04-10+at+14.39.15.png" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">An epic adventure that starts<br />
in a sock drawer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Rule two:</b><br />
<div>
Don't write about things considered to be 'adult' topics things like death, disability, bullying etc. So nothing like Gilbert the Great which deals with the lose of a friend - that'd never reach the shelves. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5vBXKETfCVilFZDAoCkOKBumSZDKrjPaxPIUcC1lX79v2fN1OE1VtIu-pJivmpWaM5hnh69_mRdXw0nkIC2K3NaLASZjEt1rKM_SzK8xiAerGhLwNDiGgXloKfHYXyJAWowZxDXUUVj_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-10+at+14.56.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5vBXKETfCVilFZDAoCkOKBumSZDKrjPaxPIUcC1lX79v2fN1OE1VtIu-pJivmpWaM5hnh69_mRdXw0nkIC2K3NaLASZjEt1rKM_SzK8xiAerGhLwNDiGgXloKfHYXyJAWowZxDXUUVj_/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-04-10+at+14.56.06.png" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Gilbert The Great White Shark<br />
loses a friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Rule three:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Never ever write about a character that is not cute. Children and adults can't bond with un-cute characters, they want a character that has the arrr! factor.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslrjNOMTew0LfiTtZEvkey8dwZhTsYgK0HQPbqGprvsxyXtSsHryVFXW97Gw-BiBDkD6tzeXvELRLm_jwQJ8gJryrkt7DFHeLmRMfpQecRi1LC0HCLRGoaSw_019A19VpXNZ_w1zwt7E7/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslrjNOMTew0LfiTtZEvkey8dwZhTsYgK0HQPbqGprvsxyXtSsHryVFXW97Gw-BiBDkD6tzeXvELRLm_jwQJ8gJryrkt7DFHeLmRMfpQecRi1LC0HCLRGoaSw_019A19VpXNZ_w1zwt7E7/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Trolls aren't cute but I think I got away with it because<br />
this story relies on humour. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Rule four:</b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you want your story to be published then it should have a 'proper' story arch with a beginning, middle and end. One where your character changes, gains or learns something. So a book where you make choices on behalf of the character would never get published.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp7BAB7lEKVXKZfWlYtVS6HfbXLNpakkj8_ok_KuTJVNtnTXoRqtcFxcbJNa6J1zSRtICYl5W0LFRt98PbdSYhO4dZVgBUWma7ZERtlGGqEgGyXRcn-ooCby0UrPiYStVKnGIv3VJWzZk/s1600/You+Choose+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp7BAB7lEKVXKZfWlYtVS6HfbXLNpakkj8_ok_KuTJVNtnTXoRqtcFxcbJNa6J1zSRtICYl5W0LFRt98PbdSYhO4dZVgBUWma7ZERtlGGqEgGyXRcn-ooCby0UrPiYStVKnGIv3VJWzZk/s1600/You+Choose+cover.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Well it does work and so well that this title has been<br />
followed by another including colouring books.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Rule five:</b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Your story should always have a happy ending. Leave your reader feeling positive. There's enough sadness in the world, so you don't have to introduce it to young readers in a book.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEZrRCq8tLvhT5smOyz_xyL0dBymcmK8ntJ16GEYbBwFTVb7H_NGZUfkJQn2mxSd9eMxZyJQdZjLxLkHe4-QKzXkqpt-Gz41WJt5stZg5ixf37o5V9AnWoyKmGsVGGT-dt89dtNB_m1YK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-06+at+08.41.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEZrRCq8tLvhT5smOyz_xyL0dBymcmK8ntJ16GEYbBwFTVb7H_NGZUfkJQn2mxSd9eMxZyJQdZjLxLkHe4-QKzXkqpt-Gz41WJt5stZg5ixf37o5V9AnWoyKmGsVGGT-dt89dtNB_m1YK/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-02-06+at+08.41.22.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">You'd never think a picture book where one of the main<br />
characters eats the other would work, but it does. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So now you know the rules guess what? Go on break them! If it worked for these authors then it might work for you. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mmmm what rule can I go and break? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Regards<br />
<br />
Lynne</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now for a blatant plug:</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s1600/indie+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s320/indie+book+cover.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014743&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014679&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meet the Trickers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US- ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brer Rabbit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank">UK - ebook</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coyote Rales Retold</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836434&sr=1-1&keywords=coyote+lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anansi the Trickster Spider (Volumes 1 & 2)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - paperback</span></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-36796839298156065632017-11-03T03:49:00.000-07:002017-11-03T03:49:01.056-07:00My Writing Tips<div class="MsoNormal">
I look back to when I was an aspiring author, smile and ask myself "how did I ever manage to get published?" Apart from being able to string a few words together I knew nothing about the business of becoming published. Yet somehow I managed to become a published picture book writer. However if I knew then what I know now my journey would have been a shorter one. So to reduce the length of your journey here are my top ten tips for writing a story a commissioning editor will hopefully love.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM1edJ1brC8qX5pXCfspI7QBOWRKGb55ltIBq7WE1fuABhmP47Ce91ATbGwViE9gViMG_0uo2UFg9XyHQ2VEDtaGb1S06xZyCYJ5PXSCevnUxoFFhyphenhyphen6tKOyJAfYcNcXdhgG5CBb49Ipme/s1600/bramble+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM1edJ1brC8qX5pXCfspI7QBOWRKGb55ltIBq7WE1fuABhmP47Ce91ATbGwViE9gViMG_0uo2UFg9XyHQ2VEDtaGb1S06xZyCYJ5PXSCevnUxoFFhyphenhyphen6tKOyJAfYcNcXdhgG5CBb49Ipme/s320/bramble+web.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">All about a little mouse missing his best friend</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
One:</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Listen to how children speak, what they talk about, the worries they have etc. All of this can be used to fuel your work and ensure you're writing stories children will enjoy and relate to.</span> </div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Two:</span></h4>
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<span lang="EN-GB">If you get the chance to study poetry, even a short workshop, then go for it. A picture book writer can learn a lot from studying poetry and use that knowledge to add that little extra to their stories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Three:</span></h4>
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<span lang="EN-GB">When writing be aware of your audience and use appropriate words. Don't use 'grown up' or long words when short will do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Four:</span></h4>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Learn from published authors by reading, reading and reading some more. As you read question how the author has constructed the story, how they make you want to turn the pages, how they use words etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Five:</h4>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Break down your story into spreads and think of them as <a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thinking-in-scenes-lynne-garner.html" target="_blank">scenes in a play</a>. Ask yourself is there something new happening on every page? Have you given the illustrator something to work with? Does the new scene move the story forward? If the answer to any of these is no then you need to have a rethink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Six:</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Get your characters talking as soon as possible. Let them tell the story in their own words. It is there story after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Seven:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbpTFUsGdRdkRBgAYxp8xbC1wXrKrvWndIj7oHnqg8mLEmJTdeGa1bYZSpnddWTBFTWhOpWYnfmW10JgErhFWBIHETcGJKwKgd2mMzs5XkH2dlw8qhNNyB2Aweame2tRn4NGK3ZZwJdpX/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbpTFUsGdRdkRBgAYxp8xbC1wXrKrvWndIj7oHnqg8mLEmJTdeGa1bYZSpnddWTBFTWhOpWYnfmW10JgErhFWBIHETcGJKwKgd2mMzs5XkH2dlw8qhNNyB2Aweame2tRn4NGK3ZZwJdpX/s320/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Focuses on smell in a humorous way </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Try using repetition in your story. Repetition provides a hook, something for your readers to listen out for, to anticipate. Repetition allows them to join in with the story and become part of your characters journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Eight:</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Try to include the five senses in your descriptions. What does something smell like, feel like, sound like, look like and taste like? This will allow your reader to connect with the action on the page.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Nine:</span></h4>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Everyone loves to laugh, so if appropriate include a little humour. This can be in your use of words, the illustrations or perhaps even both. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h4>
<span lang="EN-GB">Ten:</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Have a go at using the magic number three in your story. Think Goldilocks and The Three Bears, The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Three Little Pigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I hope these tips help and good luck with your writing. If you're a published author and you have your own tips please do add them to the comments below. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lynne</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now for a blatant plug - don't say I didn't warn you:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s1600/indie+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s320/indie+book+cover.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014743&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014679&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meet the Trickers</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US- ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brer Rabbit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank">UK - ebook</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coyote Rales Retold</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836434&sr=1-1&keywords=coyote+lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anansi the Trickster Spider (Volumes 1 & 2)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - paperback</span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-52484664607651790202017-10-06T03:44:00.000-07:002017-10-06T03:44:00.160-07:00Apps To InspireAs a writer and teacher I'm always looking for new ways to fuel my own writing and ways to inspire my students. So earlier this year I decided to discover what writing related apps were available. After some time researching apps for iPhones and Android I downloaded a dozen or so. After much 'playing' I whittled my favourites down to the following three apps. <br />
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<b>Story Lines</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kNj2tXcX8PgqJHUW6J3A5PWINvvVaWnT_npQjqOvlUWsxkI5FnziZB-m8ZwbmhPH8KsAh0cNCkLoLgpeC7MDr4wBttBECcZnjbHdeInplsGtqLAP_kizCOSWKwfydGdv4EbepeFjWI8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-07+at+12.52.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kNj2tXcX8PgqJHUW6J3A5PWINvvVaWnT_npQjqOvlUWsxkI5FnziZB-m8ZwbmhPH8KsAh0cNCkLoLgpeC7MDr4wBttBECcZnjbHdeInplsGtqLAP_kizCOSWKwfydGdv4EbepeFjWI8/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-02-07+at+12.52.58.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Screens from 'Story Lines' </td></tr>
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Designed by: <a href="http://www.magostech.com/index.html" target="_blank">Magostech</a><br />
Free to download from the following:<br />
Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magostech-Story-Lines/dp/B012TIEBSM/ref=sr_1_4?s=mobile-apps&ie=UTF8&qid=1459930616&sr=1-4&keywords=Magostech" target="_blank">click here</a><br />
iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/story-lines/id1052997835?mt=8" target="_blank">click here</a><br />
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I love using story cubes and regularly use them to exercise my 'writing muscle' and in class to help inspire my students. The physical cubes I use in class come in packs of nine giving you 54 images. However these nine dice have ten images each, therefore offering more combinations.<br />
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To use you simply shake your phone or tablet and the dice scatter. You can then drag them into some order and lock the image. The one small issue I've found is if you don't lock the screen sometimes the dice roll so you lose the image the dice landed on for that roll. I've only used the app as a 'guest' however if you sign up you can also use the 'write story' facility.<br />
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This is a great app to have on you when you're sitting in that waiting room or on the train and want to exercise your imagination. Also after using a few times in class it's a great one to introduce to your students.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF6oDgFso39MvcgeIjfp2Bul1D3HcCpbOmqbTI59k4G6OU1XknP4JoE3zVwBDLJFEmkEFVvRoveV70LGX-YkMCqIuoZmg_0X6rgQI0j9FAqxEtw4kvIrlKK9cc81Y68hY1PlchtnrsNc/s1600/poetry+creator.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF6oDgFso39MvcgeIjfp2Bul1D3HcCpbOmqbTI59k4G6OU1XknP4JoE3zVwBDLJFEmkEFVvRoveV70LGX-YkMCqIuoZmg_0X6rgQI0j9FAqxEtw4kvIrlKK9cc81Y68hY1PlchtnrsNc/s400/poetry+creator.png" /></a><br />
<b>Poetry Creator</b><br />
Developer: <a href="http://tiny-mobile.com/" target="_blank">Tiny Mobile Inc.</a><br />
Free to download with in app purchases<br />
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This app is fun, easy to use and really pushes the creative process. Think fridge magnet or rip it poetry. When you open the app you are supplied with a number of words on a 'board' which provides you with the starting point for your poem. These words you simply drag into place to create your poem. If you struggle there is a pull out 'drawer' (found on the right hand side of the screen) which contains additional words that you can pull into play. You can increase the number of words by going into the 'mix-tionary' and sliding the selectors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMKmV8ZhP9mFCGz1r-VCTXgm7lWVhaSBEYLYnaTqgXGfBEz4Rd2HzwQW2jzHaFOY03kmj3NvbXZGgSi-ry298z9-tnXunJi7C6undGPtYQqlxd8TKGBnTvIRzZpnyt6soGetzueyPNl4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-03+at+10.40.59.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMKmV8ZhP9mFCGz1r-VCTXgm7lWVhaSBEYLYnaTqgXGfBEz4Rd2HzwQW2jzHaFOY03kmj3NvbXZGgSi-ry298z9-tnXunJi7C6undGPtYQqlxd8TKGBnTvIRzZpnyt6soGetzueyPNl4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-03-03+at+10.40.59.png" width="320" /></a> You can download additional dictionaries (shown as installed on the image on the left) from here or download eight dictionaries for a special price from the menu page.<br />
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Once you've written your poem you can upload to Facebook to show off your skills, email to yourself or save to the photo album on your device. Do remember if you don't do any of these before you press the double arrow button (second icon from the right along the bottom of the screen) you lose your poem.<br />
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Unfortunately this app is only available for download onto iPhone and iPad - <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/poetry-creator-verses-poetry/id371925480?mt=8" target="_blank">click here if you want to download</a> which means I won't be able to use in class but it's definitely one I'll be adding to my handouts.<br />
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<b>Acrostic Poems</b><br />
Developer: International Reading Association<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVSM0p__vign_VqSObWY4FR0IyI_iKsPu2BvSUSzxMDY63yi1FN8Gb2FTin-fjl_ulUK-r_XVsFCpmIerYJpnpuu06lDDVz6vVy4Y8M1rp3-PrD3rCjQrP-HWPrxPgd_XeeHqTQzFN2Y/s1600/Acrostic+peoms+2016-03-03+at+11.06.32.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVSM0p__vign_VqSObWY4FR0IyI_iKsPu2BvSUSzxMDY63yi1FN8Gb2FTin-fjl_ulUK-r_XVsFCpmIerYJpnpuu06lDDVz6vVy4Y8M1rp3-PrD3rCjQrP-HWPrxPgd_XeeHqTQzFN2Y/s1600/Acrostic+peoms+2016-03-03+at+11.06.32.png" /></a></div>
Free to download from the following:<br />
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<ul>
<li>To play online <a href="http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/acrostic/" target="_blank">click here</a> </li>
<li>To download to your iPad <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/acrostic-poem/id724841119?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">click here</a></li>
<li>To download to your Android device <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.org.reading.acrostic" target="_blank">click here</a></li>
</ul>
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Definition of an acrostic poem (just in case it's not one you've come across before): <i>Is a type of poem where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a word or phrase. The most common is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.<span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><br />
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As with many of the apps I've downloaded over the last couple of months I did so because I wanted to use in my creative writing sessions. So far I've used this one in three sessions. Two were with year 4 and 5 kids whilst the third session was with a group of students who were 60 plus. All three sessions were (thankfully) a success. </div>
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The first screen asks you to enter your name and then the theme/word you wish to use as the basis for your acrostic poem. When you pick your theme you're limited to 14 characters which includes any spaces and it doesn't include a spell checker, so take care as you type. Your next step is to brainstorm ten words that link with your theme.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeuSYbns_1p78Glf945144YBJAk1W2tYPle8zjxVfmcC5lIjknmjbrOlxLgEH84L5Tofcx1UhMG4IRZoJSa2PUVpnztl3iMmaeQSzbLH1-c1IngaSl7Cue5_G6Dke81KmvXyh5HxBoqE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-07+at+10.14.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeuSYbns_1p78Glf945144YBJAk1W2tYPle8zjxVfmcC5lIjknmjbrOlxLgEH84L5Tofcx1UhMG4IRZoJSa2PUVpnztl3iMmaeQSzbLH1-c1IngaSl7Cue5_G6Dke81KmvXyh5HxBoqE/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-03-07+at+10.14.53.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Once you've completed this step simply start to create your poem using the words generated during your brainstorming session. When you've completed your poem, checked your spelling you can save it, share via email or print it off. If you forget to do any of these and click on 'new poem' you are told that the poem will be lost and you're given the chance to save your work.<br />
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Having seen students use this app in class it's another I'll be adding to my handouts when I update them next. It's also given me a few ideas for new stories which are now safely stored in OneNote. <br />
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I hope you've found these reviews helpful.<br />
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Regards<br />
<br />
Lynne<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now for a blatant plug:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s1600/indie+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s400/indie+book+cover.jpg" width="226" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014743&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014679&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meet the Trickers</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US- ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brer Rabbit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank">UK - ebook</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coyote Rales Retold</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836434&sr=1-1&keywords=coyote+lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anansi the Trickster Spider (Volumes 1 &amp; 2)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - paperback</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - paperback</span></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-2442561181925911912017-09-04T07:30:00.000-07:002017-09-04T07:30:04.914-07:00Researching To Get It Right <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started writing non-fiction 20 years ago and I continue to write non-fiction magazine features to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've always strived to write features that are as accurate as possible. Even though I know (I heard it on the TV programme QI, so it must be true) that facts normally have a shelf life of five years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This desire to get facts correct crosses over into my picture book and short story writing. I've had many a discussion with editors on getting the 'facts' right. I understand in my picture and short story collections we're dealing with talking animals or creatures that don't exist. However, having studied environmental geography at university I prefer to try to ensure the life science elements of a story are as real as possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For example in my first picture book (<i>A Book For Bramble</i>) Bramble the hedgehog is hibernating under an upturned wheel barrow. This is based on real life. You see in between 'life' stuff I rescue hedgehogs (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hertshogline/" target="_blank">Herts Hogline</a>) and two carers I work with lost the use of their wheelbarrow to hedgehogs hibernating under them. However I did have to concede to the editors decision that Bramble slept with his family. Typically hedgehogs hibernate on their own. I say typically because we've had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>autumn hoglets in our care hibernate late in the season curled up beside their siblings, even though we provided a hibunacula each.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oNzGp0RjOeaX2AWGyRou_GYyF8vaJexlgnKtHsiSe4dyfMOXkJMWJZiTSZNdD87FxvnWHWG68Ab5qvHlKoVg0Hhh7eXrrXBbbn1owA09WP6qDDi0lcHuQbJ-FqYpbaaOAgPRJgkutgI/s1600/harveys+big+sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oNzGp0RjOeaX2AWGyRou_GYyF8vaJexlgnKtHsiSe4dyfMOXkJMWJZiTSZNdD87FxvnWHWG68Ab5qvHlKoVg0Hhh7eXrrXBbbn1owA09WP6qDDi0lcHuQbJ-FqYpbaaOAgPRJgkutgI/s320/harveys+big+sleep.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year I've worked on two books that feature a hedgehog as the main character. The first was a picture called '<i>Harveys Big Sleep' </i>written as co-author with hypnotist <a href="http://www.christophercaress.com/" target="_blank">Chris Caress</a>. The second book (Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm) is a collection of re-told short stories obviously staring a hedgehog. It was important to me that although I was dealing with talking animals that I kept the stories as natural as possible and that the facts were correct. So in both books I have Harvey and Hedgehog eating the right food, only rambling at night and living on their own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm now working on a follow on collection of short stories (Fox of Moon Meadow Farm) that stars a Fox. As with my previous books it's important to me to keep to the facts as much as I can. So because I don't know anywhere near as much about our other wildlife (foxes, badgers, starlings etc.) I've had the pleasure in having to do some research (it's the geek in me, I love a bit of research). So I've researched a range of things including:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">What times foxes are most active</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When they have their cubs and what calls they make </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When leatherjackets (crane fly) are in season</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">How wild animals deal with parasites, mainly fleas</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">What starlings eat and their natural behaviour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When damson fruit come into season</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Armed with this research I'm now working up the roughed out stories and I'm hoping by this time next month I'll have the first draft completed. As I've been writing this post I've been asking myself if I'm the only one who likes to keep to the facts or is that just 'so yesterday?' What with fake news appearing to be the thing to write at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So what do you prefer to write or read fact or fake? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lynne </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now for a blatant plug:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s1600/indie+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMjPM0uUKxxvgfxig-6qfYbjisTCPIs6zyfJOrAs_1GcfYycrpq4VMfhKRWXzbwWATdLXXD5HqnU3QX1CXVWn7biKB6JiSJ-yg-SRpb7o4dOLZi8qNJ6TpMoYzg6E7WxoTBYb189DAk4/s400/indie+book+cover.jpg" width="226" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014743&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014679&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meet the Trickers</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US- ebook and paperback</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brer Rabbit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank">UK - ebook</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coyote Rales Retold</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - ebook</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836434&sr=1-1&keywords=coyote+lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - ebook</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anansi the Trickster Spider (Volumes 1 &amp; 2)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK - paperback</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anansi-Trickster-Spider-Volumes-One/dp/1494946319/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1496836466&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US - paperback</span></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-71512649643981547612017-08-02T07:30:00.000-07:002017-08-02T07:30:00.215-07:00Researching online <div class="MsoNormal">
In my last post <i>'I used to go to the library'</i> I shared a few online libraries that enabled me to research for my latest book <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495013579&sr=8-1&keywords=lynne+garner" target="_blank">‘Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm’</a> without visiting a physical library. This time I wanted to share aa few more I've used and found really helpful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDIp8jOe8jZ9fcPjkzAwUb4ZRKVJthYg4LUpqRZ8u5MP0dfb5gx2CMlLO-dCrU5Au_hGcO389rYtDqr68qW1_s9mshmjnmXronv05RF104sF04KMJOt4b3SchyIG73efpquF8WiAOz_I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-15+at+13.01.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDIp8jOe8jZ9fcPjkzAwUb4ZRKVJthYg4LUpqRZ8u5MP0dfb5gx2CMlLO-dCrU5Au_hGcO389rYtDqr68qW1_s9mshmjnmXronv05RF104sF04KMJOt4b3SchyIG73efpquF8WiAOz_I/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-05-15+at+13.01.01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pantheon.org/" target="_blank">Encyclopedia Mythica</a> (thank you for the suggestion Fran B) holds 7,000 plus articles. It contains a mythology sections that is divided into six geographical regions. These being Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Oceania. I’ve already bookmarked their folktales section. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIoLgEh6CDwKcIn4QssiyCUiaAtyIosM-vwtcMqxNvRvLX0hb0Y8biEiIemigbiuAL87Ovtnj_v-J5s10MkRb54XRxaSypZIO6Mxo8Do2fjwsNlrG-u-agHDb_g9Hkzg90-Eaqnr9wfg/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIoLgEh6CDwKcIn4QssiyCUiaAtyIosM-vwtcMqxNvRvLX0hb0Y8biEiIemigbiuAL87Ovtnj_v-J5s10MkRb54XRxaSypZIO6Mxo8Do2fjwsNlrG-u-agHDb_g9Hkzg90-Eaqnr9wfg/s1600/Picture1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://scribd./">Scribd.</a> has built a library of books, audiobooks, documents, magazines and sheet music. At the time of writing this they were running a read free for 30 days special. Unfortunately, I couldn’t track down how much the charge is once that 30 days expires but I understand it’s a “single small payment.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrfeGgQvxVRvbP6YZMr1m01IXBpF98X1scf3YtM_KocC9fC9rmzvX0tTkCAQzPzYnD5mbamEJMvRFkFBVCN1AlptYZV723Zz7PX9T1oe95g7WzaHUDrKjmh-ybe9OeEXmwi1thlIMwHQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-15+at+13.21.44.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrfeGgQvxVRvbP6YZMr1m01IXBpF98X1scf3YtM_KocC9fC9rmzvX0tTkCAQzPzYnD5mbamEJMvRFkFBVCN1AlptYZV723Zz7PX9T1oe95g7WzaHUDrKjmh-ybe9OeEXmwi1thlIMwHQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-05-15+at+13.21.44.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://academia.edu/">Academia.edu</a> is a platform for academics to share research papers. It claims to be the easier way to share papers with millions of people across the wold for fee. To use you must caret an account but once you do you have access to over 18 million papers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraZslKEvXC0_YJPJR3C9Q4DCLrR0JDA2KiNDa6JdQ6aSr_tVS5EBpqs2qWd8uNHCUSx3WVcxQRf_eqL6P6BeJvdLOdjNT-zSmhT635zD0N7FsF6-PaCeibyzJKfXCzky23f7h9qYIpo4/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraZslKEvXC0_YJPJR3C9Q4DCLrR0JDA2KiNDa6JdQ6aSr_tVS5EBpqs2qWd8uNHCUSx3WVcxQRf_eqL6P6BeJvdLOdjNT-zSmhT635zD0N7FsF6-PaCeibyzJKfXCzky23f7h9qYIpo4/s1600/Picture1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://librivox.org/" target="_blank">LibriVox</a> has the mission statement of <i>“to make all books in the public domain available, for free, in audio format on the internet.” </i>This site is a non-commercial, non-profit and is run by volunteers. The volunteers record public domain books (mostly sourced from the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/" target="_blank">Project Gutenberg</a> and the <a href="https://archive.org/" target="_blank">Internet Archive</a>) and makes them available to download free. They are always in need of volunteers to read and record books in all languages.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxRKGtAehIzY7XT_sEOIvB0F2k5QcrLCsNgznsn9fpOr19adtSf3YTlXgfhHypEjtBzqTD04mceJCf1IRTUsSiljJ6o4KITKMo5N8sAVDkdOCQHhsuHxa187h-u82uxANU57xTyv7Hxs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-17+at+10.22.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxRKGtAehIzY7XT_sEOIvB0F2k5QcrLCsNgznsn9fpOr19adtSf3YTlXgfhHypEjtBzqTD04mceJCf1IRTUsSiljJ6o4KITKMo5N8sAVDkdOCQHhsuHxa187h-u82uxANU57xTyv7Hxs/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-05-17+at+10.22.09.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://books.google.co.uk/" target="_blank">Google Books</a> is a searchable data base of books in print and in the public domain. A good starting point for any research. You can search by term, title or author. When clicking on the link for a book it will tell you if a book is available in eBook format and supply links to places you can purchase the physical format of the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Enjoy that research. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Regards<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR35iq-qmSHoekdiaG3-birgq2w5UkfAna2yY6fiqpOZsQNXMm-kfsrrApge3FGyU3tO_jIlw9zsj4zumLNQPnzwZmA-B5pOZF9lphIJcdnrBOTr4wBUsEFCDgbXlxN5FpSnzny05i7o/s1600/moon_meadow_kindle_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR35iq-qmSHoekdiaG3-birgq2w5UkfAna2yY6fiqpOZsQNXMm-kfsrrApge3FGyU3tO_jIlw9zsj4zumLNQPnzwZmA-B5pOZF9lphIJcdnrBOTr4wBUsEFCDgbXlxN5FpSnzny05i7o/s320/moon_meadow_kindle_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">A collection of 8 traditional stories retold</td></tr>
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Lynne<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now for a blatant plug:<o:p></o:p></div>
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My latest collection of short stories featuring my favourite animal the hedgehog is available on Amazon in eBook format and as a paperback.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014743&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank">UK - ebook and paperback</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014679&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank">US - ebook and paperback</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-1507615302421115702017-07-08T07:00:00.000-07:002017-07-08T07:00:09.228-07:00I used to go to the libraryI've recently been enjoying carrying out a lot of research for a non-fiction work. Now once upon a time I used to go to the library to do my research. Searching shelves for those elusive books and ordering books from other libraries. That's no longer the case. Over the last few weeks I haven't left my desk but have visited libraries all over the world and found everything I've needed. So in the spirit of sharing I've decided to share my top five online digital libraries. They are in no particular order:<br />
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<a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/" target="_blank">Perseus Digital Library</a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekLiYndG7z4BjmSXfglS5gWnZzlLLbHOh10PIorxy0feIcDMAxHViYPPer6l24XzK4yIhF1fjtM1Vs_wQZ3zuTxbc-HTFFOVU0uuI7n2P8eoP00fbqEAk8UQTLbsAPfO67blx34c_fw8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+08.54.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekLiYndG7z4BjmSXfglS5gWnZzlLLbHOh10PIorxy0feIcDMAxHViYPPer6l24XzK4yIhF1fjtM1Vs_wQZ3zuTxbc-HTFFOVU0uuI7n2P8eoP00fbqEAk8UQTLbsAPfO67blx34c_fw8/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+08.54.01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This easy to use online library contains primary and secondary sources for the study of ancient Greece and Rome. Perseus is a non-profit located in the Department of the Classic, Tufts University - Medford, Massachusetts.<br />
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<a href="https://archive.org/index.php" target="_blank">Archive</a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK3PH24TTaTwY1bDuBFgCr6p1FHMvy1wtSaps6jGxL8_vAeQvFCw7SHyNtKBjAalmY8fFtTn4iEyIQHkAM1VGzez-8yE7NrH8vX8NpKHkcxNYLjx2EzWS4XPWVvMJ-mk-FhSA26avqUw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+08.56.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK3PH24TTaTwY1bDuBFgCr6p1FHMvy1wtSaps6jGxL8_vAeQvFCw7SHyNtKBjAalmY8fFtTn4iEyIQHkAM1VGzez-8yE7NrH8vX8NpKHkcxNYLjx2EzWS4XPWVvMJ-mk-FhSA26avqUw/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+08.56.25.png" width="180" /></a></h3>
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This non-profit library contains millions of free books, movies, software, music, website and more. It is easy to use and to support the great work it does just click on the present icon near the top right hand corner.<br />
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<h3>
<a href="https://www.hathitrust.org/" target="_blank">Hathi Trust Digital Library</a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-K2aWy5VdleELdaPKceMCK6nSiE_74-3Z9voDClTl1sSskm0hyIjx_c0YwKZYGO07pSybZYcYDuLYYWPjfDc5frBinPXRb2UNredWmJZt4cB9_0bi8Z6PLG5kEtGyfsJ8w0_8Eu9sHg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+09.00.43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-K2aWy5VdleELdaPKceMCK6nSiE_74-3Z9voDClTl1sSskm0hyIjx_c0YwKZYGO07pSybZYcYDuLYYWPjfDc5frBinPXRb2UNredWmJZt4cB9_0bi8Z6PLG5kEtGyfsJ8w0_8Eu9sHg/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+09.00.43.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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A fantastic resource which is provided by the HathiTrust in partnership with a huge number of academic and research institutions. If you're unsure about fair use of anything on the site <a href="https://www.hathitrust.org/access_use" target="_blank">click here</a> to find out how you can ensure you don't infringe copyright.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/" target="_blank">Gutenberg Project</a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb0zXXbGO1_o-mLV927opktMgIa1DYVWffnsbKj5WRuxrua1_xIllyGzwTz7nuGHFy3mOfoJ883x0PolCEsh7pOZn80m_FmPOOK8NRxznRj7J0LLlk_fYqeZzQV4rWIR1L_XWKJo3K9U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+09.26.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb0zXXbGO1_o-mLV927opktMgIa1DYVWffnsbKj5WRuxrua1_xIllyGzwTz7nuGHFy3mOfoJ883x0PolCEsh7pOZn80m_FmPOOK8NRxznRj7J0LLlk_fYqeZzQV4rWIR1L_XWKJo3K9U/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+09.26.37.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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A huge library of free ebooks containing a wealth of knowledge. It's easy to use and many of the books I found on there are now part of my Kindle library. If you'd like to support them there is an orange 'donate' button in the left hand side bar.<br />
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<a href="https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en" target="_blank">Forgotten Books</a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T-qFJHZoKZCwBflFcZCkwY3I54-dKOVFfg3uFcWTEdPRUSbxbi3dMqkX9tESTNnwz4vH6r7Iok1WPBmPIk7uXl79T43Qd5YxrKsBylC_t4cKvbpSyxX7fuAhb_ZOOheX1UzfKth5AzY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+09.32.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T-qFJHZoKZCwBflFcZCkwY3I54-dKOVFfg3uFcWTEdPRUSbxbi3dMqkX9tESTNnwz4vH6r7Iok1WPBmPIk7uXl79T43Qd5YxrKsBylC_t4cKvbpSyxX7fuAhb_ZOOheX1UzfKth5AzY/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-04-25+at+09.32.06.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Unlike those I've previously mentioned this is not free. They're a London-based publisher who specialises in the restoration of old books. For £5.99 per month you can have full access to over 600,000 books (read online or download). If you love the book you can purchase a printed version, which I've done and been pleased with the quality.<br />
<br />
<b>Note:</b><br />
When using such libraries be aware some of the content may not be in the public domain, so always check and if needed ensure you mention where the information was obtained from.<br />
<br />
If you've discovered any other online libraries please share below and if enough are suggested I thank you now, as I'll use for my next blog post. <br />
<br />
Regards<br />
<br />
Lynne<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now for a blatant plug:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPgrmpzDMx13q6wpP9_omb7j0QIohikMHUlOfWITVlRg1EaeoF0ZQOhQ7KVxewiVFZ5TBE1L1SRjgiQWm4ISdwozO1QIfTAj212BsKnUJFPyokBm2X-31Px4wDRxTI-rHLScoM5AYsKg/s1600/Trrickster+Cover+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPgrmpzDMx13q6wpP9_omb7j0QIohikMHUlOfWITVlRg1EaeoF0ZQOhQ7KVxewiVFZ5TBE1L1SRjgiQWm4ISdwozO1QIfTAj212BsKnUJFPyokBm2X-31Px4wDRxTI-rHLScoM5AYsKg/s200/Trrickster+Cover+small.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My latest short story collection <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445702688&sr=8-1&keywords=coyote+lynne+garner+kindle"><span style="color: #0000e9;">Coyote Tales Retold</span></a> is available on Amazon in ebook format. Also available </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meet-The-Tricksters-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B017PJON4M" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0000e9;">Meet The Tricksters</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> a collection of 18 short stories featuring Anansi the Trickster Spider, Brer Rabbit and Coyote is available as a paper back and an ebook. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-89659102508811111322017-06-24T03:12:00.001-07:002017-06-24T03:12:48.238-07:00My Love of Hedgehogs <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8MbGG1ziNyOZ7ZLyD2k_DDmT3AqXzZRAn7BIPJBYMKqCYd9l2exjyqvs2OJFTiZv1sJQul3uRqGsjG-My0NVqHCz5jsOcLACfXjtwvsGITkDNIC057q4SnfaMZDEZKD27kSOo1Ka2v4o/s1600/bramble+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8MbGG1ziNyOZ7ZLyD2k_DDmT3AqXzZRAn7BIPJBYMKqCYd9l2exjyqvs2OJFTiZv1sJQul3uRqGsjG-My0NVqHCz5jsOcLACfXjtwvsGITkDNIC057q4SnfaMZDEZKD27kSOo1Ka2v4o/s320/bramble+web.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A book about the friendship between a<br />
mouse and a hedgehog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you're a long-term follower of The Picture Book Den then you'll know I love hedgehogs. So much so that I've been rescuing them (on a very small scale from a 6' x 8' shed in my back garden) for the last 25 years (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hertshogline/" target="_blank">Herts Hogline</a>). They're so much a part of my life that they even creep into my writing. In fact my first picture book <i>'A Book For Bramble' </i>was inspired by them. I've also written a great many non-fiction magazine features about hedgehogs and this year they star in my latest collect of 8 retold traditional tales (<i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072F49V86/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1" target="_blank">Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</a></i>) and my latest picture book written as co-author with hypnotist <a href="http://www.christophercaress.com/" target="_blank">Chris Caress</a> called '<i>Harvey's Big Sleep.' </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJfGRlhcWUcK38m6pFlnzBY9L9hNg_s5ag-DFtBl14eDVCwFZwWCg7mPBGw_HmK9o3Vg1Yh7BKLEUAlTmq_pcjJSxOd6sQ8GJ50INYqj8CxFwSdR39M7SadrMjMDuDSAjY7pyeFDMSPup/s1600/harveys+big+sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJfGRlhcWUcK38m6pFlnzBY9L9hNg_s5ag-DFtBl14eDVCwFZwWCg7mPBGw_HmK9o3Vg1Yh7BKLEUAlTmq_pcjJSxOd6sQ8GJ50INYqj8CxFwSdR39M7SadrMjMDuDSAjY7pyeFDMSPup/s320/harveys+big+sleep.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">A picture booked aimed at helping<br />
children to sleep</td></tr>
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As I write this post and if you're reading this within a couple of weeks of my pressing the publish button, I'm hand rearing six hoglets. So rather than tell you something about picture books I've decided to do something a little different. I'm going to turn you all into hedgehog geeks, so you'll know exactly what to do to help our dwindling hedgehog population. Quick fact: hedgehog numbers in the 1950s-60s were an estimated 30 million. Today that has plummeted to 1 million (a faster loss than the loss of the world's tigers). So here are a few ways you can help our hogs:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few days old. For scale<br />
that's a fifty pence under one of them. </td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>If you have a pond with steep sides then fit a ramp.</li>
<li>Keep netting at least 15cm (6") off the ground.</li>
<li>Leave out food and water. This can be special hedgehog food, tinned cat/dog food (non-fishy flavours) but NEVER bread and milk. To avoid cats eating the food buy or make a <a href="https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/help-hedgehogs/feed-hedgehogs/" target="_blank">feeding station</a>.</li>
<li>Always check under hedges and in long grass before cutting.</li>
<li>Pick up elastic bands or hair bands, cut up and put into a bin. These and prickles don't mix well.</li>
<li>To avoid hedgehogs making a nest in your shed/garage, stable or tack room keep the door closed at all times.</li>
<li>Do not use slug pellets; find safer alternatives.</li>
<li>Always check a bonfire before you light it.</li>
<li>Provide shelter by buying or making a <a href="https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/help-hedgehogs/hedgehog-homes/" target="_blank">hog home</a>. </li>
<li>Hedgehogs out during the day are highly likely to need medical help a.s.a.p. so contact <a href="http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/" target="_blank">British Hedgehog Preservation Society</a> for advice.</li>
<li>Never treat for fleas; pet flea solutions are lethal to hedgehogs.</li>
<li>During autumn and winter small hedgehogs (under 600 grams) are too small to hibernate, so need to be rescued.</li>
</ul>
As this is the height of the breeding season the BHPS provide the following advice on nesting females and hoglets:<o:p></o:p><br />
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If you accidentally disturb a nest, try to restore it quickly and without too much fuss. Check with a piece of screwed up piece of paper to see whether mum is returning, they all react differently, some move the babies over several days, a few have been known to kill them whilst others just abandon them. If the nest is in a place where it cannot be left, catch the mother before the babies as she will be the most mobile. Place her in high-sided box with some of the bedding from the nest and then slip her babies in with her. Contact the BHPS to find a local contact who can advise and if necessary take in the family. Do not release them somewhere yourself as the mum is very likely to abandon them, given the amount of disturbance she has endured.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz5vFIM-fG1nz1dgvzwXeOA9lCrO4kf90Qs6f4rnDl2-3htfew7HFcJmbA7_D7KB_MClNp6rlDVRnYCrWOS48IJNLVCdh9adZms_HVARqBQAjp-smAEe6xqAUEcwYpVIdOwgd5gadNv6W/s1600/20170621_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz5vFIM-fG1nz1dgvzwXeOA9lCrO4kf90Qs6f4rnDl2-3htfew7HFcJmbA7_D7KB_MClNp6rlDVRnYCrWOS48IJNLVCdh9adZms_HVARqBQAjp-smAEe6xqAUEcwYpVIdOwgd5gadNv6W/s320/20170621_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First taste of puppy food</td></tr>
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Last but not least if you're concerned about your local visiting hedgehog, need advice or find an orphaned, sick or injured hedgehog, contact the BHPS (01584 890801) they can give general advice and perhaps details of a local hedgehog rehabilitator that you can contact.<br />
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If you've reached this far, thanks for reading and please do share this far and wide. Hedgehogs need as many friends as they can get. <br />
<br />
Regards<br />
<br />
Lynne<br />
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Now for a blatant plug:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAvbyC0O_XYcLUE3_xaFpvgrP477VC9XBJI-3ljGcpTnMZmL6DR7YlFg-tkH2pQ4oikHJIn9LiiB1QzWkeD8Kkh8STqcMTxNVGpdh7I8vjEnRC4fbYwxhQGanpa4CTdgPgMwvVwDbpXwr/s1600/moon_meadow_kindle_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAvbyC0O_XYcLUE3_xaFpvgrP477VC9XBJI-3ljGcpTnMZmL6DR7YlFg-tkH2pQ4oikHJIn9LiiB1QzWkeD8Kkh8STqcMTxNVGpdh7I8vjEnRC4fbYwxhQGanpa4CTdgPgMwvVwDbpXwr/s200/moon_meadow_kindle_cover.jpg" width="125" /></a>My latest collection of short stories featuring Hedgehog is available on Amazon in eBook format and as a paperback.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Hedgehog of Moon Meadow Farm</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hedgehog-Moon-Meadow-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B072F49V86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495014743&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+meadow+farm" target="_blank">UK - ebook and paperback</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-11232320790913639012015-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-31T05:34:42.569-07:00At Last My New Book - Coyote Tales Retold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswPkXU4IYLXWjltCyOi8oDD4yyUcDZ6WcYwyZgs9h1wfdCi9mmkvMqu4_pZR8o9AilbKsB8gfTpOul_ov66Vst3_cjvfrhFcqjmy9q46rTmMasvZuy9Pg0b4X5844epz2o8OkFSj04bsd/s1600/coyote+tales+1+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswPkXU4IYLXWjltCyOi8oDD4yyUcDZ6WcYwyZgs9h1wfdCi9mmkvMqu4_pZR8o9AilbKsB8gfTpOul_ov66Vst3_cjvfrhFcqjmy9q46rTmMasvZuy9Pg0b4X5844epz2o8OkFSj04bsd/s320/coyote+tales+1+small.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
I don't normally plug a book but that's exactly what I'm doing today. The reason is I've been working on this book for over a year and it's just so nice to see it up and selling on Amazon. It features a traditonal trickster character, Coyote. Unlike my picture books <i>'Coyote Tales Retold'</i> is aimed at the older reader and at the moment is only available as an ebook. However you don't have to have an ereader (Kindle) to read it. By simply downloading a free app (the link for this app can be found on the right hand side of this page) you can still download and read on your PC or Mac.<br />
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The book contains eight retold traditional Coyote tales which have been enjoyed for generations by the first peoples of America. Whilst researching these stories I discovered that it was traditional to enjoy them during the winter months only, hence its release in October.<br />
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The book contains the following stories:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Coyote, Bear and the Four Seasons</li>
<li>Coyote Places the Stars</li>
<li>Coyote, the Dancing Mice and the Old Elk Skull</li>
<li>Coyote, Mouse and Elk</li>
<li>Coyote Helps Mouse Fool Owl</li>
<li>Coyote, Fox and the Fishing Hole</li>
<li>Coyote and Turtle Outwit Beaver</li>
<li>Coyote and the Stranger</li>
</ul>
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To purchase from the UK Amazon site <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446294718&sr=8-1&keywords=coyote+lynne" target="_blank">click here</a>. </div>
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To purchase from the US Amazon site <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coyote-Tales-Retold-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B016YOCMLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446294778&sr=8-1&keywords=coyote+lynne" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
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I hope you enjoy!</div>
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Lynne </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-25916607424144928382015-08-28T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-31T05:10:27.248-07:00Book Authors Resale Rights (BARR)<div class="MsoNormal">
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I recently stumbled across an o<a href="http://www.alcs.co.uk/ALCS-News/2014/June-2014/ALCS-News-Bulletin-June-2014/First-Book-Resale-Right-Initiative-Launched" target="_blank">ld news piece (16/06/14)</a> released by the ALCS (<a href="http://www.alcs.co.uk/" target="_blank">Authors Licensing and Collecting Society</a>) stating they had teamed up with <a href="http://www.bookbarninternational.com/" target="_blank">Book Barn International </a>(a second hand book seller) were launching a pilot scheme that would compensate authors when a second-hand version of their book was sold. This system is known as the Book Authors Resale Rights (BARR) and basically pays a small percentage of the sale price to the original author.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At present authors receive nothing on the resale of their book even if the book is still in print, which obviously means they're losing income from sales of their books when sold new. This collaboration between the ALCS and BBI will mean authors will receive an income from second-hand books sales alongside their regular payments from the ALCS.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I must admit it has always been a niggle of mine that under certain circumstances film makers earn when their film is watched, actors receive repeat fees, composers and musicians earn when their work is sold. Yet the hundreds of thousands of second-hand books sold each year earn the writer nothing, even though the copyright on these books is often still owned by the author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibarHQ5ODdrd5WC7MBWgbYktmkN3-e9u7A42sBD9LhpEknzCsjqgHYHSsdjGVApv0nJFCh1FesAkOWQVxfLQ1VkGEt2brYv5_4X70c_73PPW9zFHtG9WQ4mZyg8WdYamf2e423iUUmC468/s1600/BMB+cover+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibarHQ5ODdrd5WC7MBWgbYktmkN3-e9u7A42sBD9LhpEknzCsjqgHYHSsdjGVApv0nJFCh1FesAkOWQVxfLQ1VkGEt2brYv5_4X70c_73PPW9zFHtG9WQ4mZyg8WdYamf2e423iUUmC468/s320/BMB+cover+small.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Out of curiosity I visited Amazon to see how many second-hand copies of my last two picture books were available. I discover there were 5 paperback copies and 4 hardback copies of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dog-Did-p-Lynne-Garner/dp/1848120737/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439882676&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+did+it" target="_blank">Dog Did It </a> for sale and 7 paperbacks and 1 hardback of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Manners-Benjie-Lynne-Ga%20rner/dp/1848122349/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439882809&sr=8-1&keywords=bad+manners+benjie" target="_blank">Bad Manners Benjie</a> for sale. I know we’re not talking huge numbers here. However many authors including myself have seen income drop by 29% since 2005. It is also a stark reality that only <i><a href="http://www.alcs.co.uk/documents/authors-earning-2015-download_version.aspx" target="_blank">“a handful of highly successful authors make a very good living; for the majority, earning from writing falls well below subsistence levels" </a></i>and nearly 90% of writers now need to earn money from other sources other than writing. Unfortunately I’m one of those 90% so every penny earned from the sale of my books really does count.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a <a href="https://alcs.co.uk/ALCS-News/2015/July-2015/Homeless-Books" target="_blank">recent update</a> (30/07/15) William Prior, founder of <a href="http://www.bookbarninternational.com/" target="_blank">Book Barn International</a> states <i>"<span style="color: #1c1c1c;">I have tried to persuade Book Barn International’s competitors to adopt BARR. They all tell me they see the justice and point of the scheme, but either their accountants or their commerciality won’t sanction it." </span></i><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Come on folks without us you wouldn't have a product to sell and without our small slice of the pie many of us may have to give up writing in a bid to find an alternate way of making a living. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1c1c;">To round off this post I urge everyone to source (when ever possible) their second-hand books from Book Barn International and show your support for the BARR system. Also if you have any family or friends who have sway with any second-hand book sellers support the cause and have a chat with them, see if you can talk them into putting 'justice' before profit. </span><i style="color: #1c1c1c;"> </i></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Last but not least I'd like to thank William Prior for his continued fight on our behalf. </span></div>
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Lynne Garner</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-78318297435884777592015-04-20T05:19:00.000-07:002015-04-20T05:19:22.618-07:00Mixing Story Sacks With Picture Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtMHSpD1cBSfqw0zySQC-CAV4LsZHVOmYcmxjMJlb3XsAY1U8lDSVPFD7BKRppydihetDtva2z6mthi6wGH8ivF6CCRx9YxMH1qXxx2EYFlruKLVJCXnST8_3wl5TcWSofyXXx2wIJCFu/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtMHSpD1cBSfqw0zySQC-CAV4LsZHVOmYcmxjMJlb3XsAY1U8lDSVPFD7BKRppydihetDtva2z6mthi6wGH8ivF6CCRx9YxMH1qXxx2EYFlruKLVJCXnST8_3wl5TcWSofyXXx2wIJCFu/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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We all know (I hope) that reading stories is an invaluable experience for young children. It helps them develop a wide range of important skills including developing their listening and communication skills. But many people seem to stop there with picture books but introduce a story sack to the equation and the learning opportunities expand hugely. A story sack offers opportunities for active, involved, cross-curricular learning. They help bring stories to life and offers practical ideas that support the differing interests and learning styles of young children.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">So what is a story sack? </strong><br style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;" />It's a large cloth bag containing a picture book with supporting materials that stimulate language activities and make reading a memorable and enjoyable experience.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">How do you make a story sack? </strong><br style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;" />Simply find a cloth bag to serve as the sack (even an old pillow case will do) and fill with some or all of the following materials (remember to keep appropriate for the needs and abilities of your child).</div>
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<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">A copy of the book</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">A CD or DVD of the story, if you can find one (link below to my first picture book A Book For Bramble</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Related non-fiction books e.g. for my book A Book For Bramble you could explore the life of mice and the other creatures that appear in it - rabbits, squirrels, owls and various bugs etc.</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Models of characters (soft toys are ideal) and objects from the story for example from my book The Best Jumper you could include (for older children) chunky child friendly knitting needles and wool</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Activities or games relating to the story - often renaming a favourite traditional game will help you achieve this for example a noughts and crosses game can be easily changed if you use images of the characters as counters</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Themed art and craft items - Pinterest can you your friend here</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Linked activity cards - see below</li>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Activity cards</strong>An activity card lists ideas for things to do based on the book, this could include questions, for example using my book Bad Manners, Benjie! you could ask:</div>
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<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">What was your favourite bit?</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">What bad manners did Boris have?</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">What good manners did Benjie have?</li>
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Or why not write a single activity on a piece of paper, fold it up and place in a jar or small cloth bag. Mix the ideas up then encourage your child to close their eyes, pick one, unfold the paper and read what the activity is. Then complete the task or activity it suggests. Your child can suggest these ideas or you could create your own as a surprise. Activities could include:</div>
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<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Enjoy a themed crafting session</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Make up a song or poem based on something that happens in the story</li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">Enjoy the same activity the character did in the story for example go to the park just like Boris, Benjie and Dog did in Bad Manners, Benjie!</li>
</ul>
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I hope you can see what fun you can have with a story sack and this post has given you a few ideas. If you have a few ideas I've not included above please do share.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-42578523848930131202015-02-10T04:35:00.001-08:002015-02-10T04:35:28.505-08:00A Few Blogging Tips<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP1upQIQjoJeOijG1gFeaeIN9iIKV93W9buCAt2MPsnTD4OdM5hXxOT5plyxAoBCF3FkbsNZPGRDqiZfbyaxGHMDFqZBdnZwCe5bCY4_cLesxo3JRb1wp6FSOWVXwSAQ29cL4gYtnL9oo/s1600/Brer+Rabbit+cover+V1b_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP1upQIQjoJeOijG1gFeaeIN9iIKV93W9buCAt2MPsnTD4OdM5hXxOT5plyxAoBCF3FkbsNZPGRDqiZfbyaxGHMDFqZBdnZwCe5bCY4_cLesxo3JRb1wp6FSOWVXwSAQ29cL4gYtnL9oo/s1600/Brer+Rabbit+cover+V1b_small.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I teach a number of writing courses that encourage students to earn money from their writing. As part of their marketing campaign I always suggest that writing a blog can be a good option. The reasons I give are the very reasons I blog. They include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">It provides you with the opportunity to exercise your writing ‘muscle’</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Blogging doesn’t cost you anything apart from time – so can be a cost effective marketing tool</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">It allows you to create your USP by proving you know your subject – great if you want to impress an editor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">It enables you to reach a worldwide audience and market yourself and your work, even when you're asleep</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now when blogging there are things you should do and things you shouldn’t. What follows are a few tips that will hopefully help you create a blog people will want to visit plus a few tips on blogging etiquette.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What you should do when blogging:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Don’t just use it to sell, sell, sell. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Write something of interest; create a blog that is useful and provides information, just as I’m hopefully doing with these tips. However remember a blog can be used as a marketing tool and include a link here and there. Be honest you don’t get anything for nothing. As a reader I’m more than happy to gain from someone’s knowledge with the only cost to me being the odd link here and there (which I don't have to follow if I don't want to).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Two:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Include images of anything related to the blog content, you or your work. It makes the page look more enticing and allows you to ‘hide’ a little advert - hence the picture of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423242754&sr=8-1&keywords=brer+rabbit+lynne+garner" target="_blank">my latest book</a> – see point one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Three:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t moan about your in-grown toenail, how bad your day has been or what you plan to have to lunch, people don’t care. I refer you back to point one, so write something of interest or of use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Four:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ensure you proofread and edit, make the work the best you make it. This will prove you care about your work and hopefully encourage an editor to contact you and offer that book contract you’re looking for. As someone who is an Indie publisher it also proves to possible readers of my work that I can string a sentence together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">What you shouldn't do when blogging:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Use it as a tool to send spam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Two:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Steal someone’s copyright (words and or images). You’d be annoyed if it were to happen to you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Three:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t be rude, cruel, incite hatred, say anything that can be considered libellous, encourage someone to break the law or say something you know is untrue. It damages your reputation, will lose you readers and may lose you work. This also goes if you're leaving comments on a blog post. What you write reflects on you and once your reputation is damaged it can take a long time (if ever) to repair that damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Four:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t share information that is personal to you or anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Five:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don't claim to have done something you haven't or be something you’re not. There will be at least one person who will know you're stretching the truth and will let the world know. As with point three it will simply damage your reputation and people remember. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although writing a blog may not directly earn you money you may find you get commissions based upon your on-line presence. I know a couple of my writing friends have and I gained a commission from a US magazine from one of my crafting themed posts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope you’ve learned a little from this post and I’d love to know why you blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lynne <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I’ve mentioned I teach a few writing courses I thought just in case anyone was interested I'd included links to three of my courses that start on the 7<sup>th</sup> March 2015:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How to Write a Picture Book And Get Published </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">5 Picture Books in 5 Weeks (Advanced Course)</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How to Write a Hobby-based How to Book </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">See what I did there? </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-2727412007226384852014-09-08T01:27:00.000-07:002015-01-05T07:13:02.677-08:00My seven tips for marketing your ebook <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41uuxQuy0j-QxVEO0G97ZsEQa2oA0JvvkEGxupeEsoASbUmb8roTR9N_LIdE-0NVyBB4ZiYnBEHUkrcv6jRGzv27dSKf9KtnCr2tGH24J_jRTQbgrtS6toDpWHMxOLcRqWbdfO49DySFw/s1600/Brer+Rabbit+cover+V1b_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41uuxQuy0j-QxVEO0G97ZsEQa2oA0JvvkEGxupeEsoASbUmb8roTR9N_LIdE-0NVyBB4ZiYnBEHUkrcv6jRGzv27dSKf9KtnCr2tGH24J_jRTQbgrtS6toDpWHMxOLcRqWbdfO49DySFw/s1600/Brer+Rabbit+cover+V1b_small.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
In a blog post I wrote for Authors Electric last month (<a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/retelling-tales-its-been-done-before.html" target="_blank">Retelling Tales - It's Been Done Before</a>) I hinted at my latest book. This month I'm pleased to announce my latest ebook featuring the rogue that is Brer Rabbit is now available for download from Amazon (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1409243207&sr=8-14&keywords=brer+rabbit" target="_blank">UK</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brer-Rabbit-Traditional-Tales-Retold-ebook/dp/B00N265JUK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=brer+rabbit+lynne+garner" target="_blank">USA</a>). The book contains eight retold tales all based on the original tales collected and retold by Joel Chandler Harris.<br />
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You may be wondering why I'm telling you this. Well using my monthly slot on <a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Authors Electric</a> was one of the ideas I had to help me market my new book. I also had other ideas and wanted to share them with you (so I wasn't just marketing at you). So here they are:<br />
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One:<br />
I've placed a blatant plug on my personal Facebook page and my author Facebook page.<br />
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Two:<br />
I've decided to give <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/" target="_blank">Wattpad</a> a go. If you've not heard of it basically it's a library you upload your work on to and people can download and read for free. Some people choose to place entire books on there, a chapter at a time. Some like myself upload part of their work (in my case just one of my short stories) in the hopes someone enjoys their work so much that they are then willing to pay to read further work. I have no idea if it'll work but I'm happy to give it a go. In the first 24 hours my Brer Rabbit story was read by six people. I've also uploaded a story from my Anansi the Trickster Spider collection so I can see if the sales increase - I'll let you know in a few months if Wattpad appears to pays off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyD558CG-N7p0HtpDITOq817c7-zN6xIOy4X0qxYLn7_szyJ0CDVtnQMNU3zgjcRrT4PSma88P0iRFGBIy8mmxqfdX-W2uwZvQKHf6Lm_WDWNl5fuYsjPN4YgSfzBfr1D8CD6CJuFUqM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-28+at+17.35.02.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyD558CG-N7p0HtpDITOq817c7-zN6xIOy4X0qxYLn7_szyJ0CDVtnQMNU3zgjcRrT4PSma88P0iRFGBIy8mmxqfdX-W2uwZvQKHf6Lm_WDWNl5fuYsjPN4YgSfzBfr1D8CD6CJuFUqM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-28+at+17.35.02.png" /></a></div>
Three:<br />
I've let the 449 people on my LinkedIn network know my book is now available to purchase. I also intend to let a few of the groups I'm a member of know about my new book. One of the groups has 3,774 members - so a quick mention can't hurt.<br />
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Four:<br />
As you can see I've also blogged here and intend on blogging on my website and post on our company website (all my ebooks are written under the banner of <a href="http://www.madmomentmedia.com/" target="_blank">Mad Moment Media</a>).<br />
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Five:<br />
I read somewhere that Pinterest has 70 million users, with 80% of those being women and apparently 70% of Pinterest members using the site as inspiration for their next purchase. So I'm going to create a Brer Rabbit themed board which will hopefully raise the profile of my ebook and even create a sale or two.<br />
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Six:<br />
I've added the book to my author page on Goodreads. I'll be honest I've done very little with Goodreads, so over the next couple of months I'm going to learn as much about it as I can and try to discover if it can be used as a marketing tool. If you have a Goodreads author account and also wish to experiment then here is their <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/program" target="_blank">official link</a> that provides information on how you can use it to market yourself and book.<br />
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Seven:<br />
Last but not least I'm going to create a 'proper' email signature. It's something I've never done (I've just been lazy) but I send 100s of emails per month. Apparently it shouldn't take long and I never know it may lead to a sale or two.<br />
<br />
If you have any other ideas about marketing then I'd love to hear them, so please do share.<br />
<br />
Regards<br />
<br />
Lynne<br />
P.S. If you fancy reading a <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/68101274-brer-rabbit-and-the-vegetable-patch" target="_blank">Brer Rabbit</a> story or an <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/67247574-anansi-and-the-witch-named-five" target="_blank">Anansi the Trickster Spider</a> story then just follow the links.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-17600971455529270702014-06-09T03:36:00.002-07:002014-06-09T03:39:23.659-07:00How Teaching Is Helping My Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TEFbjsu3pCsgrrOIxQv5rDdKjybhUD5nr1pdPTY1vs0cnVCdB_vNMRLjvCwPElBYVIux-NoREu2RvxmLBJ3i4fVHBdZWzZRKzvnHaCSINixl3DVLVoHFyduN1GxOUlXYyUfH_sTF88CX/s1600/dead+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TEFbjsu3pCsgrrOIxQv5rDdKjybhUD5nr1pdPTY1vs0cnVCdB_vNMRLjvCwPElBYVIux-NoREu2RvxmLBJ3i4fVHBdZWzZRKzvnHaCSINixl3DVLVoHFyduN1GxOUlXYyUfH_sTF88CX/s1600/dead+end.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The few days ago I was talking to a friend who has just started a new job, which she's loving. She'd come to the conclusion that in her previous job she reached a dead end, hence the move. Once we'd talked about her new job she asked me how my writing was going. "I just don't have time," was my reply.<br />
<br />
She was surprised and asked me why. So I explained that at the moment I'm teaching so many writing courses that I only have time to scribble ideas in my note books. She then asked if I felt my old 'job' of writing had reached a dead end. After thinking for a moment I realised that teaching is an extension to my writing. I love to teach new writers the tricks I use and they often teach me a few new tricks. I also realised that although I'm not writing the teaching provides me with the opportunity to bounce ideas off of people I would never normally come into contact with. So my teaching is laying down the fuel for the writing I will do during the periods I don't teach, namely the holidays. <br />
<br />
So rather than my writing reaching a dead end I feel a little time away from it is giving me the chance to build on my library of ideas, which I can then use to fuel my writing when I return to it.<br />
<br />
So my advice is if you feel you've reached a dead end with your writing take time away from it and refresh your writing battery. It's working for me.<br />
<br />
Regards<br />
<br />
Lynne<br />
<br />
P.S. If you want to hone your writing skills check out my on-line writing courses (and the others) run by <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">Women On Writing</a>:<br />
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Children's Picture Book And Get Published</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">Five Picture Books In Five Weeks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby-Based How To Book</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-37899233365983523752014-03-27T10:46:00.000-07:002014-03-27T10:46:03.763-07:00Turning a book character into a toy <div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">
I was recently handed a sheet of paper and told by him-in-doors "this is for you to fill out." When I looked down I saw the words 'bucket list.' So over the last couple of weeks I've been adding things as they've occurred to me. Now I've always wanted to have one of my book characters turned into a toy. Knowing this was unlikely to happen with my traditionally published picture books I decided I'd do it myself. So I looked at the picture books that have been published as an eBook or an app. As soon as I saw the rabbit that appears in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clever-Rabbit-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B006M2U3PM/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395505250&sr=1-2&keywords=clever+rabbit" target="_blank">'Clever Rabbit'</a> and <a href="http://http//www.amazon.co.uk/The-Best-Rabbit-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B006M2TPZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395505174&sr=8-1&keywords=best+rabbit+lynne+garner" target="_blank">'The Best Rabbit'</a> I knew I may just be able to make him work.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjdv_TRz5RGsUbCnkyQyZYwIBi-So8GkSC0Se8Z-WAXoZRisPY_pwv2DP-7EK9On6d_kzk0LBNpDslP7C-k2K5yJZiAYhkUayMsEg9ccbXCV-3pj3il7IdKyDw84hjtrlvoxWj9C7V1N0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-22+at+16.20.27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjdv_TRz5RGsUbCnkyQyZYwIBi-So8GkSC0Se8Z-WAXoZRisPY_pwv2DP-7EK9On6d_kzk0LBNpDslP7C-k2K5yJZiAYhkUayMsEg9ccbXCV-3pj3il7IdKyDw84hjtrlvoxWj9C7V1N0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-22+at+16.20.27.png" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A page from 'The Best Rabbit'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I grabbed my crochet hook, some orange, yellow and red yarn and got crocheting. I'll admit I've surprised myself as I've never turned an image into a 3-D object. I'm now hooked - sorry for the pun. I'm now looking at my other characters to see if I can repeat the process. I'm going to allow my brain to cogitate on it and hopefully that brain cell will work out what I need to do. I"m thinking Captain from Captain and Nugget (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Nugget-Lynne-Garner-ebook/dp/B006M2E04C/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395942258&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=captain+and+nugget+lynne+gardner" target="_blank">eBook</a> - <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/captain-nugget-childrens-narrated/id385467911?mt=8" target="_blank">app for iPhone/iPad</a> ) at the moment - I know I have just the right colour wall in my stash. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbyacYo16DjZQ0WpOyxFjI9Gs_gRDUlXtllFSN-Od1vv6qyQxc8WvbSzoPEpNiq3EO_voy8Hb4Zl11u6a6DU4KzzlZLOH5HoTaXU1X8eNWgGvkC1om-bkhwb4zwUfLLCz0Z-QqgAx7K8B/s1600/compelted+rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbyacYo16DjZQ0WpOyxFjI9Gs_gRDUlXtllFSN-Od1vv6qyQxc8WvbSzoPEpNiq3EO_voy8Hb4Zl11u6a6DU4KzzlZLOH5HoTaXU1X8eNWgGvkC1om-bkhwb4zwUfLLCz0Z-QqgAx7K8B/s1600/compelted+rabbit.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My crocheted version of Rabbit </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you'd like to have a go a creating your own Rabbit then a free crochet pattern can be <a href="http://thecraftark.com/crocheted-easter-rabbit/" target="_blank">found here</a>.<br />
<br />
Regards<br />
<br />
<i>Lynne </i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-21824293515883245262014-02-28T07:48:00.003-08:002014-03-01T05:02:28.051-08:00Wearing Two Hats at The Same Time <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqSZdv7eoIjQ2lIbvWvhy2W5zR7aF_QyFFnh62O1_pfbntR3IRgWESA9U1niayftF7mKoQUTuwC2-RBQZVH8_1W947LcSR3pmIADIWdBx5H2Bcy55IJxk01h6R1hLsEmCzX1kzneNtcND/s1600/bramble+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="lynne garner author visit" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqSZdv7eoIjQ2lIbvWvhy2W5zR7aF_QyFFnh62O1_pfbntR3IRgWESA9U1niayftF7mKoQUTuwC2-RBQZVH8_1W947LcSR3pmIADIWdBx5H2Bcy55IJxk01h6R1hLsEmCzX1kzneNtcND/s1600/bramble+web.jpg" height="320" title="" width="261" /></a></div>
I was recently contacted by a teacher who had set hedgehogs as the theme for a class project. She asked if I could visit the children and talk to them about hedgehogs and the volunteer work I do rescuing them. I suggested as part of my visit I also put my author hat on and read my picture book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Book-Bramble-Lynne-Garner/dp/1853408492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393591607&sr=8-1&keywords=a+book+for+bramble" target="_blank">'A Book For Bramble.'</a></i><br />
<br />
As I spoke to the children I was amazed at the number of facts they already knew. These included:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>They are nocturnal</li>
<li>Their main defence is to roll into a ball</li>
<li>They eat slugs, snails, caterpillars, bugs etc. but you can also feed them <a href="http://wildlifewelcome.co.uk/product-category/mammals/hedgehog/" target="_blank">hedgehog food</a> or cat/dog food</li>
<li>It's good to leave water out for them during hot weather </li>
<li>There are different types of hedgehogs</li>
<li>Hedgehogs are quite good swimmers</li>
<li>A hedgehog can run up to 4 miles per hour (although I know they are fast, as I've had to chase escapees, I didn't know it was that fast)</li>
</ul>
<div>
Although I enjoyed the visit what arrived in the post really made the visit special, an envelope containing hedgehog themed thank you cards. These cards will go onto the hedgehog shed wall but before this happens I wanted to share them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0r9J5Ur7CYA7OvTKe5imtmAz5fN-wGbjz1nk4SMR2YmiSc3GUuwcN4t01_uOHssQB9b2cv3-TzGoVUraVCuWPy9UxVQ9DDBMNtnUj8sksKdIa5D8RrOo3j3BCjt09QU9cAnMbx9qSlcu/s1600/cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0r9J5Ur7CYA7OvTKe5imtmAz5fN-wGbjz1nk4SMR2YmiSc3GUuwcN4t01_uOHssQB9b2cv3-TzGoVUraVCuWPy9UxVQ9DDBMNtnUj8sksKdIa5D8RrOo3j3BCjt09QU9cAnMbx9qSlcu/s1600/cards.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The hedgehog themed thank you cards kindly sent to me after my school visit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6tOFfxuUHyNytmDKX0e2DK2PlkIGhwZd_-_I2LIWqunkahz7sER_81207ddM9A2Qdfq14G1S7hemNO00oRrO5GCjs0iBEv6ZfdpPtVvwSair_d2kI26S0rhJTHokUurTtojYOQChhpgA/s1600/montage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6tOFfxuUHyNytmDKX0e2DK2PlkIGhwZd_-_I2LIWqunkahz7sER_81207ddM9A2Qdfq14G1S7hemNO00oRrO5GCjs0iBEv6ZfdpPtVvwSair_d2kI26S0rhJTHokUurTtojYOQChhpgA/s1600/montage.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hedgehogs galore!<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY2RHgARyqvD0AndjC6akMGQvjbHumKwqH3Lvu5qTztYpndaUj-k5rZyQVkUUtvGw6yeJghs5uF3n_GAuGK-mHuGHzddUYeJgPRJibxDtqWCDu-yWxBX3XbqM1w0cDLvXMd3T62mz1oIx/s1600/set+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY2RHgARyqvD0AndjC6akMGQvjbHumKwqH3Lvu5qTztYpndaUj-k5rZyQVkUUtvGw6yeJghs5uF3n_GAuGK-mHuGHzddUYeJgPRJibxDtqWCDu-yWxBX3XbqM1w0cDLvXMd3T62mz1oIx/s1600/set+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More hedgehogs plus a little mouse called Teasel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you've enjoyed seeing these images. </div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Note to teachers:</h3>
If you're a teacher about to cover the theme of hedgehogs and would like me to visit please click on the 'support us' button for more details.<br />
<h3>
<br />P.S.</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div>
Sadly many hedgehogs may have died in the floods this year, so those that have survived will need our help more than ever. So if you have a hedgehog who visits your garden then you may wish to <a href="http://wildlifewelcome.co.uk/product-category/mammals/hedgehog/" target="_blank">supply it with a new home or perhaps leave some food out.</a> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-41491152177226728342014-02-16T07:44:00.000-08:002015-01-05T07:26:14.700-08:00Picture Books Aren't Just For Kids<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqM36hrL0hTlORc3nyqEua37RRDYf0cOPmEtmhSOqGVkDdmu4dQRIPaLiIWK_gPeu04VLJd5OI5PG_jZMTwd0KvVmO0UsEnPpt-86sZaP86TW-KibHt1tGnyqYESAG_X0rYbiOVxs_fH6/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqM36hrL0hTlORc3nyqEua37RRDYf0cOPmEtmhSOqGVkDdmu4dQRIPaLiIWK_gPeu04VLJd5OI5PG_jZMTwd0KvVmO0UsEnPpt-86sZaP86TW-KibHt1tGnyqYESAG_X0rYbiOVxs_fH6/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When working on a new picture book I'm not just writing
it for children, I'm writing it for a list of people. This list
consists of:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Commissioning</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> editor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Marketing </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">department</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Bookseller</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Purchaser</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">That is a lot of people to get my book passed before
it lands in front of the eyes of a child. I therefore have to ensure my story fulfils the criteria each one of the above has. I therefore have to consider many different things as I work on a new title. These are: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For the commissioning editor I have to try and produce a </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">story that is often character led. So I need a strong character that has to overcome a conflict or one that 'grows.' This means I have to have a plot with a strong
start, an interesting middle and a satisfying end. Editors often like a lesson
to be learnt, even if this is subtle as in my picture book </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'Dog Did It'</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> where the message is not to blame others for your own actions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The marketing department are looking for a </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">book that can be sold globally and will
sell year round. This is why some publishers prefer animals as main
characters because they can cross most borders. The marketing department also wants a book that will sell well
to a parent or grandparent but also someone buying for an institution such as a
school or library. Lastly they want a book that has something they can use to
help sell the title for example it has a clever twist to the ending as in </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'Tadpoles Promise' </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Tony Ross.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A bookseller has similar needs to the </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">marketing department. They want a book
they can place on their shelves and sell
itself. This is why humour often works well. If the adult who picks up the book smiles
as they are reading it they are more likely to buy it. A bookseller not only
needs a book that looks good but also one a child will want read to them time
and again.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Although a picture book is aimed a children it is an
adult who purchases it. They are not just looking for value for
money but also something they won't mind reading 10, 20, 30 or more times.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So next time you pick up a picture book remember it's been written with you in mind, not just the child you'll be reading it to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>
<br />
P.S.<br />
I have three new distance learning courses commencing soon via <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">Women On Writing</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">Five Picture Books In Five Weeks - Advanced Course</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby Based How To Book </a></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-41673839226920853372014-02-08T03:41:00.000-08:002015-01-05T07:14:58.752-08:00Seven Tips For Improving the SEO of Your Blog<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXs8nO5oSRp9OwbAZBZ8wOCdfAzSD8NeEuWVn3OBr6aGiSpN06h3ZFmGuVCzYbcvfOEnZ5Y4U4DI55M4x1rI4iAwPt5L-Gag0D-4NY5FJOZGZNyp13MEUSc1ipdgWGWzd4Xqw5senoywi/s1600/IMG_2151bwcrop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Just so I can tick I've followed tip four" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXs8nO5oSRp9OwbAZBZ8wOCdfAzSD8NeEuWVn3OBr6aGiSpN06h3ZFmGuVCzYbcvfOEnZ5Y4U4DI55M4x1rI4iAwPt5L-Gag0D-4NY5FJOZGZNyp13MEUSc1ipdgWGWzd4Xqw5senoywi/s1600/IMG_2151bwcrop2.jpg" height="200" title="Just so I can tick I've followed tip four" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just so I can tick I've followed tip four</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those of us who blog do so for different reasons. Some just for the pleasure of it, some to increase our exposure, some to build our USP and others like myself for all of the above. Now over the last couple of months my partner and I have started a little sideline (building websites that sell product). Part of our marketing strategy is to blog about the subject and sometimes the product we're selling. As I'm the writer the blogging has fallen firmly in my lap. This has meant a steep learning curve because for the first time this SEO stuff if quite important.<br />
<br />
Now whilst I was trying to decide what to blog about this month I decided what I've learned might be of interest to fellow self-published authors. So here's what I've discovered.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Tip one: sub-headings</h3>
You should try and include sub-headings in your blog post. These are included by clicking on the box labelled 'normal' and choosing sub-heading. In Wordpress it's 'Heading 2.' I don't 100% understand the logic but apparently it's something to do with how the Internet and how SEO works. Also it helps the reader following your text, as people like small chunks.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Tip two: word count</h3>
<div>
Word count should be more than 300. This apparently is the ideal length for the modern reader and gives those algorithms looking for good content something to work with.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tip three: external links</h3>
<div>
Where ever possible you should try to include some external links. So as I'm trying to follow my own tips I've added some of these at the bottom of this post - they are a blatant plug for my new venture but at least at the bottom you can just ignore.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tip four: images</h3>
<div>
Include an image or two and make sure they have captions plus ensure you also fill in the alt tag. This is done by clicking on the image and choosing 'properties.' Then fill in the alt tag space with some relevant text.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tip five: focus word</h3>
<div>
Pick a focus word and use it in your title (near to the beginning of the title if you can) and a few times in your post. Do try not to use it just for the sake of it. In Wordpress you can set this in the SEO section at the bottom of the page.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tip six: title</h3>
<div>
The title length in search engines is limited to 70 characters so try to keep under 70. Also try to pick a title that will catch peoples interest. For example top tips, how to, discover the secret etc. etc. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tip seven: labels or tags </h3>
<div>
People place terms and words into their chosen search engine to find information related to the subject they are interested in. So pick appropriate tags or labels for your blog post and ensure you include these in the relevant box. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I hope this has been of some help to those who blog and want to make their blog posts more SEO friendly.</div>
<div>
<br />
Regards</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lynne<br />
P.S. As I need to include some external links here is a link to one of my e-courses<br />
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How to Write a Picture Book </a> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-77299579054969380582014-01-06T06:00:00.001-08:002015-01-05T07:17:47.478-08:00A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words<div class="MsoNormal">
A friend recently posted a cute animal photo on my Facebook page. As soon as I saw it I just knew I had to use it as a basis for a picture book story. So I grabbed a sheet of A4 paper and divided into 12 sections (I tend to write the traditional 12 double page spreads). I started to plot my story, which started well. However when I reached the last page I stalled. I had the image in my minds eye, I knew what action was taking place but I just couldn't put it into words. I decided to put the story to one side and allow my subconscious solve the issue for me. However a week or so went by and I was still stuck. Suddenly it hit me. The page didn't need words, the picture could show the reader what I wanted them to know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not the only author to let the picture tell the story. In the hands of the right illustrator the story can be told successfully without a single word on the page. For example in one of my favourite pictures books <i><a href="http://the big bad moles coming" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">The Big Bad Mole's Coming!</span></a></i> written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello there are two pages that contain no words (part of one page below). The action needs no words, I can tell exactly how the animals are feeling from their body language.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP3dvgY2MmHy8eXKISbMZoBShz29ZIsx8l_6oDpWZhJppoxg2jyTjrdLGxabf-WrMfgU9psDdru6Zm0Km_nRVawRh7UJnsyj4bKGZaMxd_d5vFWWXV5q7yBBy50RJ8xwri74Fvdh3_Ho/s1600/mole+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP3dvgY2MmHy8eXKISbMZoBShz29ZIsx8l_6oDpWZhJppoxg2jyTjrdLGxabf-WrMfgU9psDdru6Zm0Km_nRVawRh7UJnsyj4bKGZaMxd_d5vFWWXV5q7yBBy50RJ8xwri74Fvdh3_Ho/s1600/mole+page.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Another book that uses this device is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knight-Time-Jane-Clarke/dp/1862305366/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389014683&sr=1-1&keywords=knight+time" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Knight Time</span></a></i> written by Jane Clarke and illustrated by Jane Massey. The page is a fold out page which opens to reveal a second page with text. Jane informs me the idea was that as the reader turned the page they would feel they were entering the forest where Little Knight and Little Dragon are lost. As you can see from the page below you don't need words to feel the tingle run up your spine and to start to worry about the main characters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qtan2oU4jjHUeIjAoK-C2jMP_yQFJTUwdKlouE77nyqoZEWADecl4aUDUrhR6WJ8vn6MH0WNN3uniFAxwMKwQLjZ7Q9STXK1GSeHXnJDg-PkF3KWesI3f74VsA9a27gP8D4rqY6Osrw/s1600/forest+spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qtan2oU4jjHUeIjAoK-C2jMP_yQFJTUwdKlouE77nyqoZEWADecl4aUDUrhR6WJ8vn6MH0WNN3uniFAxwMKwQLjZ7Q9STXK1GSeHXnJDg-PkF3KWesI3f74VsA9a27gP8D4rqY6Osrw/s1600/forest+spread.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></div>
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So to all those picture book writers out there. If you're working on a new picture book story and stall ask yourself <i>"can a picture paint the words I need?"</i> If the answer is yes then don't be afraid to allow the illustrations to tell the story for you.<br />
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Lynne Garner<o:p></o:p></div>
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www.lynnegarner.com</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I have the following online classes with <span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">WOW</span></a> </span>starting soon:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">How To Write A Children's Picture Book And Get Published</span></a> </span>(beginners)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">5 Picture Books In 5 Weeks</span></a> (advanced)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">How To Write A Hobby-based How To</span><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;"> Book </span></a><span style="color: yellow;"> </span> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-9981854413142911922013-10-09T09:23:00.003-07:002013-10-09T09:23:56.212-07:00Writing and Publishing Seasonal Picture eBooks and Apps<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM4-Yfjng6PqdTeQlMAYA4KFQTaeLSkL17-DzgYKZKuocCDyI87nsA79ZOkb01D3M7GOjsMYqqUalR1Pwx35oeb2aha-Px4ahCuvOPsUI2ETgY_qTG19iQwOPYtxWa5k29v9VikrJrWr7/s1600/snowman-and-tree-covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM4-Yfjng6PqdTeQlMAYA4KFQTaeLSkL17-DzgYKZKuocCDyI87nsA79ZOkb01D3M7GOjsMYqqUalR1Pwx35oeb2aha-Px4ahCuvOPsUI2ETgY_qTG19iQwOPYtxWa5k29v9VikrJrWr7/s320/snowman-and-tree-covers.jpg" width="320" /></a>A few of years ago I wrote two picture book stories 'Where It's Always Winter' and 'The Perfect Christmas Tree.' As the titles suggest they both have a festive or seasonal link. Once I'd completed them I sent to various publishers who I believed (because I'd researched their previously published titles) might be interested in them. Again and again they were rejected, which is something you sort of get used to as a professional writer. However a couple of the publishers didn't send me the standard rejection letter. They told me they'd enjoyed the stories but were withdrawing from seasonal books so weren't in a position to take.<br />
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This is where my journey into becoming a publisher started. <a href="http://www.madmomentmedia.com/" target="_blank">MadMoment Media Ltd</a> was set up and with a very limited budget we had these two picture stories (plus a few others I'd received good feedback on) into apps for the iPhone and iPad. This meant a steep learning curve and a fair few hours spent in a recording studio, as yours truly narrated them. By the end of 2010 they were ready and uploaded onto the <a href="http://www.madmomentmedia.com/" target="_blank">iTunes store</a>. A few months later we converted all of the stories into picture eBooks and uploaded onto Amazon (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mad+moment+media+lynne+garner" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mad+moment+media+lynne+garner" target="_blank">Amazon US</a>). Our non-seasonal stories sell a few copies all year round. However although 'Where It's Always Winter' and 'The Perfect Christmas Tree' are seasonal we sell as many if not more of them than our non-seasonal titles.</div>
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Now you may be wondering why I'm sharing this with you. Well I wanted to demonstrate that just because a large publishing house doesn't see the point of selling seasonal picture books it doesn't mean there isn't a market for them. So if you have a book that's received good feedback but isn't marketable all year round why not give it a go yourself. It's worked for me it could work for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Lynne Garner <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I also write for:</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Picture Book Den</a> </span>- all things picture book<br />
<a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Authors Electric</a> - covers digital self-publishing<br />
<a href="http://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Awfully Big Blogging Adventure</a> - subjects connected with writing<br />
<a href="http://thehedgehogshed.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Hedgehog Shed</a> - concerned with hedgehog rescue<br />
<a href="http://www.thecraftark.com/" target="_blank">The Craft Ark</a> - craft how-to blog</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My online classes with <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">WOW</a> starting January 2014:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #0000e9;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Children's Picture Book And Get Published</a></span> (beginners)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #0000e9;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">5 Picture Books In 5 Weeks</a></span> (advanced)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby-based How To Book </a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-27943456653087578562013-10-05T07:46:00.000-07:002015-01-05T07:33:12.105-08:00How To Pace A Picture Book <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It doesn’t matter if you're writing a 70,000-word novel or a 600-word picture book you have to create a story with a good plot and that's well paced. Unlike a novel when writing a picture book you know how many pages you are working with as there are industry standards.The picture books I write normally adhere to the traditional 12 double-page spread formula. So when I start to work on a new story I take a piece of A4 paper and fold it to create 12 sections. To show you how I use this piece of paper to pace a story I'll describe how I wrote Captain and Nugget.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I knew the story was going to be about two dogs, Captain and Nugget. I had decided the theme was going to be about learning to share and I knew how this lesson was going to be learnt. So all I had to do was pace the scenes on my piece of paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">On the first page I introduced one of the characters, being Captain. The next page I used to introduce both the second character, Nugget and the problem, Captain learning to share. I then skipped to the last page because I knew I wanted a happy ending with Captain realising that sharing has its benefits.<span style="color: #262626;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">S</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">o by plotting the first two pages and the last I was left with nine. Having nine pages meant I was able to use the magic number three. Basically for an interesting story you can't have your character solve the problem on the first attempt, this would be boring. You shouldn't allow them solve the problem on the second go, you've not built up enough tension. Having them continue to fail would frustrate the reader so you need them succeed on the third. So I was able to split the nine pages into three sets of three, which allowed me to evenly pace the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I've used this method of pacing in many of my books and I'm sure I'll continue to use it, as it appears to work for me. In fact just this afternoon I grabbed my A4 note pad, created 12 sections and started to plot and pace out a new story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Footnote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When I'd finished this story I used it as part of an illustration course I was studying and at that time I also decided to turn it into an eBook (<a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> - <a href="http://amazon.co.uk/">Amazon.co.uk</a>). As I no longer had to stick to the rigid 12 double-page spreads I increased the pages to 23 and was still able to create a story I felt was well paced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I also write for: <a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Electric Authors</a>, <a href="http://thehedgehogshed.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Hedgehog Shed</a> and <a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Picture Book Den </a><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">I have three new distance learning courses commencing soon via </span><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Women On Writing</a><span style="text-align: left;">:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">Five Picture Books In Five Weeks - Advanced Course</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby Based How To Book </a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-3711078806917404932013-09-03T08:05:00.001-07:002013-09-03T08:05:43.496-07:00Introducing My New WebsiteDrum roll please...<br />
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After months of planning, designing, drawing, scanning, you get the picture, my new website is now live. It's been designed to support my two collections of Anansi stories (volume one <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anansi-The-Trickster-Spider-ebook/dp/B00629VR7S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378219481&sr=8-2&keywords=anansi+lynne+garner" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anansi-The-Trickster-Spider-ebook/dp/B00629VR7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378219559&sr=8-1&keywords=anansi+lynne+garner" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> and volume two <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007WSV1W4/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1ZDN44D6BS4QCBXB7NBG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=418448347&pf_rd_i=468294" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anansi-The-Trickster-Spider-ebook/dp/B007WSV1W4/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1" target="_blank">Amazon US</a>).</div>
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<a href="http://www.anansi-spider.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.anansi-spider.com</span></a> </div>
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It's aimed at parents, guardians, teachers and after school organisers who wish to share my Anansi stories during story time then enjoy activities based on the stories afterwards. At the moment it contains exclusive FREE to download colouring sheets, finger puppets and puppets based on the many animal characters. Over the next few months I plan to add word searches, cross word puzzles, information sheets, quizzes and craft makes etc. </div>
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So please do visit, download and enjoy. If you know anyone who might be interested in some free activities for the kids please do share my website details. </div>
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Lynne Garner</div>
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Visit me on: <a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Authors Electric</a> - <a href="http://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">An Awfully Big Blog Adventure</a> - <a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Picture Book Den</a> - <a href="http://thehedgehogshed.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Hedgehog Shed</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-39497842036334742712013-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:002015-01-05T07:23:12.854-08:00Plotting a Picture Book<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It doesn’t matter if you're writing a 70,000-word novel or a 600-word picture book, creating an interesting story is simply a task of asking yourself some questions. Perhaps the most helpful source for what to ask yourself was penned by </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rudyard Kipling (30<sup>th</sup> December </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">1865 – 18th January 1936),</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“I keep six honest serving-men<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">(They taught me all I knew);<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Their names are What and Why and When<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And How and Where and Who.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The four lines above have helped me on many an occasion to solve plotting issues. So what follows is how I use the above to help me construct a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Who?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The who is obviously your main character or characters. Unlike adult fiction keep your character numbers small. So it is easier for a child to follow the story.</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2j6bcdD_ITv9EoBv5KmyE2dwDhwg2GTSu6xpW5Vr3GDnTF8YzxC-hVSV5qpqQiZ6iI_R6eJLn51rf9IO_GzjA4vmq6C3CNMxjJG0Fy3CMZP0EdMSqgdNHtZV3gV6-X9K2Wd3F_IUF140/s1600/bramble+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2j6bcdD_ITv9EoBv5KmyE2dwDhwg2GTSu6xpW5Vr3GDnTF8YzxC-hVSV5qpqQiZ6iI_R6eJLn51rf9IO_GzjA4vmq6C3CNMxjJG0Fy3CMZP0EdMSqgdNHtZV3gV6-X9K2Wd3F_IUF140/s200/bramble+web.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><i><span lang="EN-US">What?</span></i></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">For a picture
book writer there are two what’s to think about. Firstly what is your
character? Are they animal, human, mythical create (fairy, wizard, witch etc.)
or inanimate object. However many will tell you to keep away from these. Yet
Disney still appears to create characters from cars, toys, gnomes etc. that
children love. The second what is what happen or perhaps what is your theme? For
example the theme for my story <i>‘A Book
For Bramble’</i> is loneliness and missing a friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03A3vh4KJiBbTf7vfIj6DuqTzKQMLSQyVTedUh-cJNz0ep17uSruewmdQ8IMxzTWjksU9Oz5RfEhFD0Td5PMGt4DDhlX0aGVy0ieZYmG06Nb7YNx8OpGyA1zSl1ZTaIq_K47psM6-v07J/s1600/the+best+jumper+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03A3vh4KJiBbTf7vfIj6DuqTzKQMLSQyVTedUh-cJNz0ep17uSruewmdQ8IMxzTWjksU9Oz5RfEhFD0Td5PMGt4DDhlX0aGVy0ieZYmG06Nb7YNx8OpGyA1zSl1ZTaIq_K47psM6-v07J/s200/the+best+jumper+web.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why is linked
into the what, so you ask yourself what happens and why. For example in my book
<i>‘The Best Jumper’</i> the what happens is
my character Spindle the mouse has a jumper that appears to be shrinking
however the why it is shrinking is because he is growing, something all
children will be able to relate to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In picture book
this is perhaps one of the less important questions. Novels for any age tend to
be anchored in a time period. However many picture books are timeless. That is
to say when reading them they could be set in any time period. A book about fairies
inhabiting a different world could be now or it could be 100 years ago, there
is no real relation to ‘our’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlQhUTq4xrl1BBy6ZfuqfzorND5H8ytmLQqNVUtgHmg3n0aPN-6u6pOXXeo_9rggohcot8keBvBBG3mZWb-WbDMWjVqU5uFY7qoNVvBQvKhBcRsTfh4emKPLHnExfN_0FqCYd-gBdVqD1/s1600/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlQhUTq4xrl1BBy6ZfuqfzorND5H8ytmLQqNVUtgHmg3n0aPN-6u6pOXXeo_9rggohcot8keBvBBG3mZWb-WbDMWjVqU5uFY7qoNVvBQvKhBcRsTfh4emKPLHnExfN_0FqCYd-gBdVqD1/s200/new+dog+did+it+small.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many picture
books are set within their own world as in my book <i>‘Dog Did It’</i> which is a mythical world populated by trolls or in a world
that sits along side our own. For example in my book <i>‘A Book For Bramble’</i> the place it is taking place could be almost
anywhere in the world where a mouse lives in a hole under a hedge. As the
author I see Teasel and his family living in the English countryside however he
would be just at home in many countries in Europe or even in some parts of the
US. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">How?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is quite a
big question. However I normally use it to answer the question of how my
character overcomes the problem I have given them to resolve. If you are a
reader of picture books (something I would urge you to do as often as you can)
you will notice the how to overcome the problem is not just used once but at
least three times to give layers to your plotting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m hoping you
can now see how you can use these questions to help you plot your story and
create one children will love and adult will be willing to read time and time
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
I also write for: <a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Electric Authors</a>, <a href="http://thehedgehogshed.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Hedgehog Shed</a> and <a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Picture Book Den</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: left;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">I have three new distance learning courses commencing soon via </span><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Women On Writing</a><span style="text-align: left;">:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">Five Picture Books In Five Weeks - Advanced Course</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby Based How To Book </a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-15805107991283767602013-06-19T08:50:00.000-07:002015-01-05T07:20:10.954-08:00Five Fab Tips for Picture Book Writing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW7nx0azetKGBe3LZc2wAMwEH6w4dSzMQ_WuKbbYbr1FZ8fMVfrOJg4R_dSyQSiYr4l1238FP66mLxK0wnqg_VI9dBCkkdbhUOuClGE2Iifn3qVKADq8uohKB-8XewoVbnKmNCXkhmCtL/s1600/research+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW7nx0azetKGBe3LZc2wAMwEH6w4dSzMQ_WuKbbYbr1FZ8fMVfrOJg4R_dSyQSiYr4l1238FP66mLxK0wnqg_VI9dBCkkdbhUOuClGE2Iifn3qVKADq8uohKB-8XewoVbnKmNCXkhmCtL/s320/research+books.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a>If writing a picture book is something you'd like to try
then take a look at the following tips which will hopefully help you on your
way.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>One:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you write try to think visually. Attempt to ensure every
page can be illustrated with a different scene or picture. This will allow the
illustrator to 'play' with your words and create a book that is visually
pleasing as well as exciting to read.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Two:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Break your story down into sections and ensure you have a
strong start, middle and end. If your character doesn't go on a journey
(physical or emotional) why will the reader want to turn to the next page?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Three:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A picture book is a mixture of words and images. So you
don't have to include great chunks of description. If it's important your
character looks a certain way or they are carrying something then add notes for the
illustrator. As the saying goes a picture can say a thousand words. So let the
pictures tell half the story whilst your words tell the other half. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Four:</i></div>
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Picture books are written to be read out aloud. So when it
comes to editing do just this. Stand up and read your words out. Then edit as needed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Five:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to get your book published remember publishers
want to sell worldwide. So you have to think globally. For example in my first
picture book (A Book For Bramble) I'd mentioned Guy Fawkes Night. Now every
child in the UK knows what this celebration is but children from other parts of
the world will not. I therefore had to find an alternate celebration. So thinking globally will make your book more viable to a
publisher. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope these tips have helped. Now find some paper and a pen
and get writing! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also write for: <a href="http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Electric Authors</a>, <a href="http://thehedgehogshed.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Hedgehog Shed</a> and <a href="http://picturebookden.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Picture Book Den</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: left;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">I have three new distance learning courses commencing in September via </span><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Women On Writing</a><span style="text-align: left;">:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">Five Picture Books In Five Weeks - Advanced Course</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby Based How To Book </a></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-89283269933808541232013-05-24T04:07:00.000-07:002013-05-24T04:07:06.852-07:00Using Your Observations To Improve Your Writing
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTORYdFRIFuWn6L60lay74J97yCkhrX7LpxtFYdgWr7OSavEmllGYxTLbVDIge6BhROND4H9RgQr9MrNLupJWKL4RdKbFu5Tsf-RxGarEidwi33hjEIKiC1n9NhxeHDI86YvsYclNB5JUl/s1600/diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTORYdFRIFuWn6L60lay74J97yCkhrX7LpxtFYdgWr7OSavEmllGYxTLbVDIge6BhROND4H9RgQr9MrNLupJWKL4RdKbFu5Tsf-RxGarEidwi33hjEIKiC1n9NhxeHDI86YvsYclNB5JUl/s320/diary.jpg" width="239" /></a>A few months ago I decided to treat myself to a book. So I popped along to the local book shop. Yes a book shop, they do still exist. I scrutinised the shelves and finally chose <i>Your Creative Writing Masterclass</i> by Jurgen Wolff.</div>
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As I read I marked sections with small slips of paper. By the time I'd finished reading there were a large number of such pieces of paper - a sign of a good book. In chapter 24 - <i>It's in the details</i> the author posed two questions:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Have you appealed to a variety of senses, described not only
what things look like but also how they sound, smell and taste?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Have you selected details beyond the obvious?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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These two questions urged me into action. I decided to start writing an observation diary. Basically I decided to record something 'beyond the
obvious' every day. Here are just a few of my observations:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>A steep hill, covered in old gnarled trees. At the base of the hill is a newly ploughed field. Almost motionless in the air, on the boundary line of wood and field a bird of prey searches for a meal. So still it looks as though an artist has added it with a quick flick of his brush. </i></div>
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<i>Four small birds (LBJ's - little brown jobs) sitting in a tree. Two of them produce long warbling chirps the other two quickly follow with short sharp chirps. They repeat themselves and I'm reminded of some boy band singing a repetitive pop song.<br />
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<o:p><i>Humans wrapped against the cold, heads down and hands firmly shoved in pockets. Whilst canine companions ignore the damp and the cold. They eagerly sniff fence, grass and base of tree searching for the messages left for them. </i></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Now I know the above isn't my best work. However if I'd not
forced myself to notice and make a note these observations
would have been lost. In the short time I've been writing my diary I've already had two new picture book story ideas. I also have a growing library
of observations that hopefully one day I can use to add a little depth to my writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So if you're a writer I'd like to offer the above as a tip. Perhaps your own observations will allow you to include in your writing 'details beyond the obvious.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Blatant plug for my distance writing courses that start 6th July 2013:</div>
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<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php" target="_blank">Write 5 Picture Books In 5 Weeks - Advanced Course</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php" target="_blank">How To Write A Hobby-Based How To Book</a> </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682653962877621495.post-6134438377585982342013-03-06T04:39:00.002-08:002015-01-05T07:18:41.285-08:00Using Twitter to Improve Your Writing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKe2Pjb6amXZTB0OAU-pQlC0d9XxG0cUaYFjQkrz4LzUB4xaIZtBCBf2Nwqzm-OqCrf8ivwWiHRAB4Gj71tIFubN1mpHWRpdKY6cR27tsTQaRS08qv7epAHfNk9psRirZvx-aVfbl8ilt/s1600/twitter-bird-white-on-blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKe2Pjb6amXZTB0OAU-pQlC0d9XxG0cUaYFjQkrz4LzUB4xaIZtBCBf2Nwqzm-OqCrf8ivwWiHRAB4Gj71tIFubN1mpHWRpdKY6cR27tsTQaRS08qv7epAHfNk9psRirZvx-aVfbl8ilt/s320/twitter-bird-white-on-blue.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is an old saying that states, 'practice makes perfect.'
I'm a great believer in this and feel it's also true with writing. But practice
doesn't have to be boring. This practice time can be used to have fun with your
writing and hopefully inspire a few new ideas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here is a challenge for you. Next time you have ten
minutes free choose a fairy tale and become one of the characters. Create a
series of tweets that tell that characters side of the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A tweet is a message using just 140 characters, including the
spaces. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To demonstrate what I mean here is my retelling of <i>'The Three Billy Goats Gruff'</i> from the
point of view of the troll. If you've never read the story then follow <a href="http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html" target="_blank">this link</a>: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Woken
this morning by a small goat trying to cross my bridge without paying a toll
#angrytroll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
morning caught a second goat trying to sneak across my bridge without paying
toll. Can't believe how rude goats can be. #angrytroll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Discovered
a third goat attempting to cross bridge without paying toll. He even head butted
me! #angrytroll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How do
these goats expect me to stay in business? No toll, no bridge, no way to cross
river to eat delicious grass! #angrytroll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Reluctant
sale of bridge, been in family for generations. License to charge toll. High
daily foot fall. #angrytroll #businessforsale
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Note:
using a hash tag before a term allows other Twitter users to find your tweets
by using the same term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I'm
hoping you can see how you can have fun with a well-known story, make it your
own and practice your craft. This process may not lead to a published book but it
does give you the opportunity to exercise your writing muscle in a fun and you
never know a productive way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">So go on give it a go, it's fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I have the following online classes with <span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">WOW</span></a> </span>starting in March 2014:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteChildrensPictureBooks.php"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">How To Write A Children's Picture Book And Get Published</span></a> </span>(beginners)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_PictureBooksAdvancedCourse.php"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">5 Picture Books In 5 Weeks</span></a> (advanced)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LynneGarner_WriteHobbyBasedHowToBook.php"><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;">How To Write A Hobby-based How To</span><span style="color: yellow; text-decoration: none;"> Book </span></a><span style="color: yellow;"> </span> </span></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1