The Legend of Tiny Tails Release!

I’m thrilled to announce that The Legend of Tiny Tails paperback is OFFICIALLY available! Ahhhhh! And the eBook pre-order is LIVE. The Legend of Tiny Tails will show up on your device on Friday, 9/9!

Visit Amazon and snag your paperback or digital copy NOW!

Enjoy this adorable, action-packed prairie adventure!

“The Legend of Tiny Tails is a nod to my rural childhood,
a gift for my daughter and students,
and a love letter to my pets.”
~K.J. Backer

“What age range is The Legend of Tiny Tails for? What is Middle Grade?” These are a few of the questions I’ve had recently… and I thought it’d be good to share a bit since The Legend of Tiny Tails is NOW AVAILABLE.

As you know, I’ve written Adult Fantasy for years…. Nav’Aria, though enjoyed by many teens, is intended for a mature audience due to the “rape, pillage, and plunder” that we see play out in the Nav’Arian War. I always recommend parent discretion with the trilogy and have talked many potential “buyers” out of getting it at events for their “seven-year-old granddaughter” or “grandson who is at higher reading level though in second grade”, etc. People see the unicorn and think “kids”… which if you’re familiar with the series, you know it’s not a fairytale/children’s series. That said, I’m very proud of the world I created with EPIC unicorns at the forefront for grownups (that’s what makes it so cool), but I found myself wanting something that my daughter, friends’ kids, and students COULD read without a disclaimer.

So, I launched into Pet Legends! The Legend of Tiny Tails is considered Middle Grade, like the bookstack photo above. Think Narnia, Harry Potter, Wings of Fire, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. These books are typically intended for ages 8-12…. but loved by many teens and adults just the same! They vary as you know. Take Narnia and Diary of a Wimpy Kid for example. While both being “Middle Grade” they are very different reading experiences and levels. That’s why these are such FUN books for kids, families, and adults!

With Middle Grade you can still get a lot of action and adventure, and even some fighting/killing (think Voldemort and his evil ways in HP, *spoiler* Aslan killing the White Witch in the final battle of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and dragons fighting to the death in an arena in Wings of Fire)… but it’s more implied rather than graphically “shown.” There’s usually an emphasis on friendship and adventure, clean language, no sexual situations, and no gore. You might get a few fart jokes too.

The Legend of Tiny Tails is a lighter read than some mentioned here, though there’s still some fighting… and adoption themes. It is written by me, after all. This is the cutest and cleanest book I’ve ever written, and I will no longer have to dissuade families from purchasing my work.

I hope this post helped. And if you’re an adult & up for an EPIC adventure try Nav’Aria.

Dream BIG. Be EPIC. SHINE on.

October 23, 2021September 6, 2022

“I’ve Been Everywhere, Man”

HELLO! I really do feel like I’ve been everywhere except posting here… sorry about that! 2020 #amiright?!

If you’re not following me on social, here’s a quick recap!

I went back to teaching for the 2020-2021 school year (World & U.S. History). It was a fabulous experience (all things considered)…. I absolutely ADORE high schoolers.

Nav’Aria: The Winged Crescent released Fall 2020. And I’m thrilled to have the entire trilogy completed and available for readers.

I also spontaneously decided to sign up for a marathon, and successfully participated (and FINISHED!) the Sept. 19th Montana Marathon.

Besides that, we got a chihuahua puppy who’s keeping us busy… and SO HAPPY. We’re obsessed with the little guy.

In August, I was asked to write a monthly Education column for Simply Local Magazine which allows me to still keep a toe in the teaching world.

Lastly, I’m working on my latest writing project: The Legend of Tiny Tails (a pet adventure story). My goal is to have (at least) the first draft completed before the end of 2021.

So, there you go! I’m happy you stopped by. I plan to be much more active here and on social, as well as, at Author Events (I have book merch, ya’ll!!). I look forward to connecting with you more. Here’s to finishing 2021 STRONG.

Dream Big. Be EPIC. SHINE on.

May 6, 2020

Raise Readers

It will probably come as no surprise that I was a HUGE reader as a kid. I’ve always loved books, since my early years when my Dad took me to the public library. He fostered my love of reading for which I’m so grateful.

What about you? Do you enjoy reading? Have you always? Was there a parent, teacher, or adult influence that furthered your passion for reading? Do you have kids? Do they read?

***

Once I became a teacher, I quickly realized that not all kids grew up being encouraged to read like me. Because I find it so important, I incorporated it into my classroom any chance I could get! (We even read a book in class for our WWII Case Study).

At the start of every school year, I took my students to the school library to select historical fiction or non-fiction books to read at the start of my class each day. I had read about SSR (Sustained Silent Reading), and the wonderful benefits of getting kids interested in reading and also warming them up to focus on the lesson. I shared with them that I believed that HISTORY WAS AWESOME! If you’re not passionate about it, why teach it!?

But I knew that a lot of kids came into a high school history class expecting a boring, droning teacher at a podium. That’s not me. I wanted kids to see that history is everywhere.

Think of your favorite movies, TV shows, video games, books… are they set in a historical period? Covering a historical event? Historical Theme? See? Then history can be “cool.”

If I gave kids a little power to choose what they wanted to read that was “historical-ish” for 10-15 minutes at the start of each class, then they were much happier, more focused, and more willing to see what I had in store for them during the next 45 minutes. You might not be interested in the Aztecs, Greeks, Romans, Soviets… and that’s why you can read about whatever group or time period you want during your (SSR) time, before we dive into our lesson.

It completely changed the environment in my classes. I was able to observe many students come to find that they LOVED to read, they just didn’t love the books that had been assigned in school. That’s fine, I told them. You don’t have to love every book, but that also doesn’t have to mean that you hate reading. Steve Gardiner wrote a book on SSR-check it out here.

I had so many students tell me every year that SSR was their favorite part of the school day… getting to read whatever they wanted (within reason). Oftentimes I’d have at least five or more students arrive early intent on escaping the noisy halls and getting a jump on reading. I remember complaining to a mentor teacher that a few of my students were insistent on reading graphic novels or truck magazines, refusing to read “real” books. And my mentor just laughed and said warmly, “you can guide them into the content you want, but never put down what a student reads. They may choose a graphic novel or a manual about trucks and you meet them right where they’re at with encouragement. You show them that everyone can enjoy reading, it’s just a matter of finding something that they want to read. That’s the point of SSR.” I’ll always remember that conversation… and have since becoming a parent.

I always hoped I’d have a child that liked to read, and yet when you adopt an older kid, they come to you with their own hobbies, passions, opinions, likes and dislikes. We didn’t meet our daughter until she was nine-years-old. But upon getting to know her, I’ve found that reading and STORIES are a huge part of her life. Isn’t that fantastic!? I can’t take credit for it at all, she is a reader all on her own. What I can do though is make sure to support her love for reading, as I tried to encourage with my students.

My daughter and I visit our public library weekly (when we’re not in quarantine). She loves comics and graphic novels, and I look back on my experience as a teacher and can only smile. I fully support her love of comics and memorization of jokes from joke books. If that’s what she wants to read, then we will scour every shelf in the library in search of new books! Minecraft manuals? Why not? The fact is, she’s reading… and that’s all a parent really wants. By supporting her rather than dictating what is and is not considered a “real” book, she has begun to broaden her reading and now reads many chapter books too.

***

So, if you’re a parent, a teacher, or a role-model in a child’s life, I’d encourage you to think on these tips for raising a reader.

-Libraries are where readers are born.

*How are you going to get reading material in front of the child? Letting them choose a book is a huge bonus, and they feel more connected already. Take kids to a public library and let them grab what they want (or find a Little Free Library near you!). You might be surprised with what they choose… then take note of their favorite authors and continue adding more books in when you can. Of course, if you can afford to buy a lot of books and have the desire, bringing kids to a book store is a great activity too. Or give them a Barnes & Noble gift card for their birthday, for example, so that they can still pick out their own book(s).

-Provide/Create Reading Time.

*Kids may not always gravitate toward a book over a video game, but if the expectation is that they must read before they play, or that every day they get “reading time” before bed, they may just begin to look forward to it. Many of my students who laughed when I said they’d be reading in class for fun, ended up excitedly telling me after they finished one that it was the first book they’d ever finished reading, asking for more book recommendations.

And at home, many times a bedtime story with your child can prove to be a very wonderful bonding activity. Reading is an excellent activity especially during this season of distance learning (see my article here).

-Model the behavior.

*While first teaching I knew that SSR would be a nice way to begin my classes, getting them focused, and allowing me time to get organized: Pass out papers, grade, respond to an email, take attendance, etc. But the kids seemed squirmy and it never was as peaceful and focused as I’d like. My mentor called me out and said that’s because I was being disruptive and that kids look to authority figures. If I’m not reading or taking it seriously, why should they?

It totally changed everything. From them on for the next few years, I’d read a historical fiction or non-fiction book during that time as well. I modeled the behavior, and we’d talk a few minutes about our books, and swap titles. All of a sudden, I saw my classes go from only being able to read for 4 sustained quiet minutes, to them begging me to let them keep reading after 15 minutes. I had felt guilty about sitting and reading (especially on the job!), but my Mentor emphasized that if I truly believed that it was important for my students than I must be willing to make that point by modeling it. And thus, many wonderful books were read, and many students became avid readers—some for the first time in their lives. (And, I truly did find that they seemed more engaged for our lessons).

As a parent, my daughter knows that I’m an avid reader, and read every single morning and night. She likes to ask about what I’m reading, and I ask her what she’s reading about. We may not read the same stories all the time, but we feel connected from our love for books.

-Audiobooks-

*Hear me out… I know not all adults like audiobooks, but if you have a kid who is super whiny in the car, for example, why not try a kid-friendly audiobook as a distraction? This worked wonders for my daughter to ease her before-school anxiety (see my article here). Many libraries have Audiobook CD’s available for checkout. We’ve listened to all sorts of things by C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Chris Colfer, Rick Riordan. Find something that you want to listen too, and it makes for a great bonding activity.

***

Are you a reader? How did you fall in love with reading? Let me know what you think, and what you do in your home to build readers!

There is great power in raising a reader… and it starts at home and in the classroom.

March 23, 2020

Stuck at home? Write a book!

This month I had the privilege of meeting with aspiring writers in my community for the second session of “Writing Tips” at our local Mall. I’d like to share a bit of what I shared with them.

If you’re finding yourself with more time on your hands during this “quarantine” season or feeling a bit anxious while social distancing, I’d like to encourage you to consider this as an opportunity to put down the device, remove the distractions, and use this time for good… to write the book you’ve always dreamed of.

If you’ve always longed to write but never *actually* done it… what are you waiting for? Let’s write a dang book this Spring!

A couple of things…

While you could worry and research and argue about writing basics and must-do steps all day, I think the biggest thing is just narrowing down the following and then getting your butt in the chair and ACTUALLY WRITING! *I have another post on the Writing Process here.

So, my advice… identify these criteria and then get to work!

What is your story idea? (Do you have one? If not, get brainstorming. Here’s how Nav’Aria came about).
What genre will your book be? (This will affect the content, intended audience age, and direction your writing will take so choose… click here and here for more info).
Once you know your genre and intended audience age (at minimum), you can get a better idea of your target word count. (Writers talk more about word count than page count so get used to the lingo. You can visit here and here to learn more).
Who is talking? Who is your Main Character? Whose POV are we reading from? First-Person? Third-Person? (Choose your “tense” before you write).
THEN… Start writing… and don’t look back! This isn’t the time for stressing, researching, and revisions. This is the time for FUN, a release, an escape, a FIRST DRAFT. (Just write it…. It will not be perfect. Know that, and let it go in order to enjoy the ride. Think of this as the bare bones of your story… the second (and third!) draft is where you can shine)!

I think a lot of good stories can come out of this season if we allow ourselves to go for it.

Repeat after me: “PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION.”

Happy Writing!

A couple other great sources to check out (but don’t spend all your time researching and miss out on writing time) are: Jane Friedman’s blog AND Writer’s Digest articles.

*My Tip- Use whatever motivation you need! See my note to myself below!*

February 18, 2020

A Tribute to The Wheel of Time

“In my head, I’m an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. Thank the Light… and blame The Wheel of Time.”

There’s just no getting around it. The Wheel of Time is my most favorite series OF ALL TIME. I’ve yet to encounter anything else that even compares to how I feel about these books (though Brandon Sanderson is onto something with his Stormlight Archive series).

What Robert Jordan did is much more than write a fantasy book. He set the beacon for true, thorough, fantastical storytelling. He allowed for me (and many others) to connect with his well-crafted characters. After thousands of pages spent together, they’ve become friends. These fictional friends’ EPIC adventures allow readers to examine the power of honor, loyalty, duty, friendship, love, betrayal, and sacrifice, with the overarching theme of good versus evil. It doesn’t get any better than that!

**What The Wheel of Time has taught me:**

Magic and Historical Themes: The recipe for great storytelling.

I began reading the series when I was 12-years-old, when my dad gave me his copy of Eye of the World. Never before had I encountered such a fantastical tale that held just the perfect amount of action, suspense, magic, strong characters, humor, and friendship. I fell in love with the genre and learned quickly that this is a natural space to explore historical themes.

In WoT, the world is at war, and governed by various leaders. Through that you’re able to experience it from the various perspectives, and explore themes of tyranny, war, espionage, empire-building, cultural diffusion, and so on. Reading these books 100% enhanced my appreciation for Fantasy (which I now write) and History (which I went on to teach).

Forget Damsels in Distress…. This is where the strong female characters hang out!

Being a strong, intimidating, smart, brave female is not crazy, or unheard of, it’s the norm in Robert Jordan’s works. It’s the Aes Sedai way… and it’s COOL. He crafted an entire series—his fantasy world—that is ruled by powerful, magic-wielding women. When I was growing up, many stories featured “damsels in distress” or female sidekicks. And though I think there are stronger female characters in many works today, it still rarely compares to Wheel of Time for me. There are just sooooo many amazing characters to look to in this series (Egwene, Aviendha, Nynaeve, Elayne, Siuan, Cadsuane, Faile, Min, Tuon…. to name a few). In WoT, the females are at the forefront of the story, and in the action throughout. I grew up thinking that was normal, and I think I’m a stronger, better individual for it.

“Good things come to those who wait…” and persevere.

Reading a 14-book series (15 if you count the prequel) is not for the faint of heart. I know a lot of people who have started the series, but never stuck it out. HOW SAD!?! It’s completely worth it, and I honestly feel proud of myself for being one of the dedicated, true WoT fans having read the series twice.

And that said, it reminds me of how important it is to stick with my own goals and disciplines. It takes perseverance to achieve things, which I learned *in part* from these characters and this drawn out series. I feel inspired to take on my own writing, and goals, after finishing up my WoT re-read.

FANTASY IS FREAKING AWESOME!

This series, my most favorite ever, has led to the best reading of my life… but it also set me on a path for writing as well. I wanted to explore fantasy with my own take on it. With friendship, honor, valor, love, and sacrifice at the forefront of the story too. Though I will never create anything as spectacular as Robert Jordan, I do feel a thrill to create more… and go after what I want to see in a story just as he did. Nav’Aria is definitely inspired by my years spent lost in Robert Jordan’s words and world. He is a true legend, and I will be forever grateful to him, his wife, and Brandon Sanderson for this masterpiece of a journey.

If you can’t tell… I LOVE THESE BOOKS! This series has my highest recommendation, and I hope you give them a chance. Also, stay tuned for “The Wheel of Time” show (*in production now*) coming to Amazon!!! I can’t wait!

***

Have you read these books? Do you have a book or book series that is your ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!? Share in the comments! I’m always up for #bookrecommendations.

January 4, 2020

Have Courage and Be the Hero

There’s just something awesome about a valiant hero, right?!

Recently, my brother, husband, and I joined the #Witcher craze. (Have you seen the Netflix series yet?? Oh man, I love it… and I’m already re-watching it AND reading the books. SO GOOD.) That night as we discussed the show, my younger brother was going on and on about the Bard. How great he is, the songs, etc... (which he is, for sure. I’m obsessed with his “Toss a Coin to your Witcher” song. Listen here.) That said, I laughed, “Yeah, he’s great… but what about Geralt? He’s the EPIC hero. He’s awesome!”

My brother agreed that he’s cool too, but said his favorite is the Bard.

I blurted, “that’s crazy. You always go for the sidekicks in stories, like Samwise Gamgee. What about the main hero? Those are the characters I love and want to be like [for example, when we were kids I always wanted to be Leonardo from TMNT, Aragorn from LOTR, or be like Rand or an Aes Sedai from WOT.] Don’t you love the heroes?”

He snorted, grinning at me, and added, “Well that’s because you’ve always been in an authoritative role as the oldest and as a teacher. You’re always the leader of the group or in charge.”

I joked later with my husband that maybe my bro wasn’t really kidding… was that a little jab I sensed? Maybe I had been a bit too stubborn and bossy in our childhood games… (but seriously, if we were playing TMNT I was going to be Leonardo!) Maybe it was arrogance that drew me to the heroes, I questioned. (I am a firstborn and Leo after all!)

Before my husband could even reply though, a sweet little voice said, “No, Mom. It’s because you have courage. You like the heroes because they’re brave like you.” *goosebumps*

To have your kid see you as courageous… man, there’s nothing better. I was blown away by her interjection to our conversation, and the fact that she sees me that way. As a brave hero in her life.

It reminded me of why I do love a good hero in a story. Yes, some may be arrogant, showy, or self-serving, but many protagonists are selfless, driven, and they sacrifice for the greater good. That’s what I’m drawn to, and what I’d like to see more of in the news.

Even with Nav’Aria, I can relate to the Unicorns, King Vikaris, Queen Lyrianna, and even Antonis. There are elements of strength and ferocity woven through the pages, and though no one character is based off of me, I like to think that I relate to them, and would fight for the greater good if our world was submerged into darkness by Narco and his evil minions. (Read more of why I love a good Fantasy tale here.)

***

**A few years back I interviewed my husband Keil on his favorite fictional hero: Master Chief (from Halo books/videogames). I’ll share a portion of that blog interview below.**

*Why is “Master Chief” your favorite hero? (*SPOILERS*):

John-117 is the ultimate video game protagonist. His back story is kind of somber as he was abducted when he was 6-years-old by the government to enter the Spartan II program (which meant he would live a life as a “Super Soldier”). Even when he learns the background of the program he doesn’t feel sorry for himself or his fellow squad mates, he simply states that he is glad to serve a greater purpose. When alien forces known as the “Covenant” show up and start destroying worlds, Master Chief knows that he and his Spartans are humanity’s best chance to fend off the merciless enemies. He has trained his whole life with the other Spartans and he would sacrifice himself if needed to save them or to complete his mission.

I remember getting goosebumps at the very last cut scene in the first “Halo” game as he and Cortana are flying off in a ship as the halo ring is exploding in the background, and Cortana says, “Halo- it’s finished” and Chief replies, “No. It is just getting started”. Only a true badass can go through what he did without taking a minute to fixate on what just happened, but instead is already looking ahead toward his next mission.

*What life lessons can be found in Halo?

Self-sacrifice, patience, teamwork, and determination are the biggest life lessons that come out of the “Halo” franchise. As I mentioned, John would do anything he could for his teammates who are like family to him. They’ve trained together since they were kids, been on countless missions together, and lost a handful of friends in combat. Master Chief helped save millions of people on various planets through his discipline and determination, but he doesn’t care or need the recognition; he’s just doing his duty…. But I’ll take the glory as I live the stories out when I play the games – who doesn’t love being the hero?!

And that’s exactly my point HERE today, WHO DOESN’T LOVE BEING THE HERO???????

We can all learn something from Master Chief’s selfless acts of service and duty. He is the hero every day in the “Halo” realm (well except that whole part where he goes rogue to save rampant Cortana… but just stay with me here), not because he HAS TO BE, not because he necessarily even WANTS TO BE, but because he NEEDS TO BE. If he doesn’t do it, who else will?

The same could go for your life presently. If you’re not going to step up and be the hero, who will? Is there someone in your life that you can help? Is there a cause worth researching and supporting? Do you need to quit waiting around for someone to save the day, and instead, do it yourself!? Like Master Chief, be the hero in your own life. Don’t wait helplessly, apathetically, or naively expecting for someone to save you… ACT! MOVE! BE! DO SOMETHING!

BE THE HERO BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE.

***

So, there you have it. Apparently I’ve always been a big fan of the heroic protagonists. Even when considering Halloween costumes and my husband joked that we should go as Witcher and Yennifer this year… I scoffed, “No way. I don’t want to be Yennifer, I want to be the Witcher.” *eye roll*

You know, that’s just me. I have a thing for heroes….

And even in the stories going back to my brother liking the “sidekicks”… I’ve come to find that even though, perhaps at first glance, one might not think of Samwise–Frodo’s companion–as the hero of LOTR since we hear about Frodo and the others so much. Yet when you see that scene in “Return of the King” when Sam, who has always been there for Frodo despite everything, freaking carries him up a mountain, now that’s heroism. Beast mode. Or what about in Game of Thrones? All along we’re drawn to the brave Jon Snow and the powerful Daenerys… but seriously, how awesome is Tyrion? (As you can guess, he’s my brother’s favorite.) He is brave throughout and stands up for himself and others time and time again.

And so I think it’s important to note, especially when thinking of our own courage and valor… Heroes come in ALL shapes and sizes, from all backgrounds, skill sets, and careers. They are as diverse as the people who fill this earth. At the end of the day, being a hero is more about one’s MENTAL versus PHYSICAL state. In the stories, some are destined, some are reluctant, some are successful, and some are perseverant. We can learn from them, and become the heroes of our own lives… even when it’s hard, and even when it’s scary.

Would you consider yourself a hero?

Would you use the word “courageous” to describe yourself?

If not, I have two thoughts on that:

1. The way to be courageous, is to start acting like it. Be the hero in your own life. Be brave.

2. You may not see it, but I bet someone else does. Your kids see you sacrifice or stand up for them… and they also see when you stand up for yourself or others. I bet if we asked people close to you they could list examples of brave things you’ve done.

-Lost the weight.
-Kicked the addiction.
-Graduated.
-Got a promotion.
-Stood up to peer pressure.
-Walked away from an abusive relationship.
-Took in foster kids knowing the eventual goodbye would break your heart.

You do brave things everyday. Remember that. And let people know when you see them being brave.

My brother and daughter see me as a courageous leader. And you know what, I believe they are two of the strongest and bravest people I know. When I think of heroes, those two come to mind… they have each had their own bouts of adversity, and come out stronger on the other side. They inspire me daily (though I’ll never stop teasing my bro for his affinity for sidekicks and unlikely heroes! Seriously, Spiderman over Thor!?).

So, while it’s good to be the hero, it’s even better when you can have heroes in your life too. ❤️

***

Who are some of your literary–or real life–heroes?

**Are you a fan of Witcher, Halo, LOTR, GOT or any other books/shows mentioned here?**

And remember: You have what it takes to be the hero… all you need is a little courage. I believe in you.

…and I FREAKING love Geralt of Rivia (he’s my kind of hero).

December 17, 2019October 23, 2021

What I’ve Learned After 13 Author Events!

This year has been a fantastic blur! My dream of becoming an author came true in 2019 as I published not one but two books in my fantasy series, (click here to learn about Nav’Aria). When first setting out, I knew I wanted to have a #booklaunchparty and that my dream would be to do a Book Signing or two throughout the year (and like, my biggest dream ever would be to have a signing at Barnes & Noble… which I did in August).

Continue reading “What I’ve Learned After 13 Author Events!”

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019

My Second Book Baby

Nav’Aria: The Pyre of Tarsin is only days away from publishing!

I am extremely proud of both of my novels, but in different ways. If you have connected with me before, you know that book one was an arduous process, but if you’re new to Nav’Aria here’s a little more about my #writingjourney.

Taken from a recent Facebook & Instagram post:

I’ve met some wonderful new readers at events recently, and the same questions keep popping up. “How long have you been writing?” or “How long did it take you to write this book?”

I always laugh (and if you’re familiar with my story you know why). Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir took me 8 YEARS, while Nav’Aria: The Pyre of Tarsin took me just 3 MONTHS!!!

Initially writing was “JUST my hobby”. I started the book on a whim in 2011… but it wasn’t serious. It was a fun outlet, and I secretly hoped that “someday” it could be something. Yet I didn’t really think much of it… at least not at first. I was a recent college grad, newlywed, and new teacher. I was traveling internationally. I was chasing after the life I thought I wanted. Now hear me, I did want it. I loved it! Teaching high school history was one of my greatest joys, and I believe it shaped me as an individual, and now as a parent. But the dream of writing and publishing Darion’s story was always there too hidden away.

Once we met our daughter in 2017 everything changed. I took a break from teaching to help her acclimate to her new home/life/family and realized that I now related to some of my characters. You see, Nav’Aria has a lot of adoption themes. I’ve always loved older kids and adoption and that is felt in my writing, so to see it then playing out in my home was truly inspiring.

As many of you know, I pumped out the rest of the novel in a 2-week span in 2017 (NUTS!), and then began exploring the world of query letters, traditional vs indie publishing, and all that good stuff. Fast forward, Nav’Aria: The Marked Heirpublished on Jan 1st, 2019. So, there you go. The journey has given me an interesting perspective and story on its own.

Book two though, is a whole different beast. 😊 Rachel Hollis, author and influencer, often says, “Go all in!” I decided to do just that. And I did it. THIS YEAR while riding the publishing/promotional waves, and unexpectedly having to homeschool my daughter, I wrote the sequel… in 3 months!

By March, I had finished the first draft of Nav’Aria: The Pyre of Tarsin and began my revisions, then it headed to my early beta readers, then to my editor, back to me for rewrites, back to the editor for proofreading, then to another beta reader, then to the formatter. That’s allllll been approved, and now we’re awaiting the paperback “author copy”. Once I get the greenlight on that, we’re in business!

So, this novel was written, edited, and WILL PUBLISH ALL IN 2019. Like… what?! For 8 years I trudged along with a manuscript, thinking I’d never finish it, or be able to do it again. And now I’ve done it. I’ve completed two books.

I’m telling you all of this for a couple of reasons….

First, I am darn proud of my #writingjourney.

I learned SO much during the writing/publishing process with book one. And with book two, I was able to put what I had learned to the test. And you know what, it’s a better product. It’s better writing. It’s been a smoother process. All of it is BETTER. But it couldn’t have happened without the painstakingly slow and bumpy ride I had with book one. This is what we call GROWTH.

Second, you may not be a writer but I hope you can still take it from me, “GOING ALL IN” and believing in a dream is worth it!

It probably won’t be easy, but if you want something bad enough, I have a feeling you’ll keep after it as many other DREAMERS have. Think of your favorite musician, athlete, writer, public speaker… rarely does someone get handed their dream on a silver platter. Those dreamers had to put in the time and learn from each set-back along the way. So try… and know that you’ll fail or mess up, but that’s okay. Because the next time you go to do something, it will be a little bit better. Just as Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” so too can we learn from every mistake and crush those goals.

I hope you enjoy my second book baby Nav’Aria: The Pyre of Tarsin. I am excited to share much more with my upcoming novel (the conclusion of the Nav’Aria trilogy), and to see where this book leads me next on my writing journey.

“A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” -John Maxwell

May 20, 2019May 27, 2019

Why Fantasy?

The fantasy genre is THRIVING, and definitely resonating with readers and viewers in 2019. We have superheroes, dragons, wizards, fighting polar bears, Aes Sedai, and hobbits coming at us from every direction!

Have you seen all the announcements of upcoming shows coming to HBO and Amazon!? #GOT set the stage for epic television. Here’s to a new era!

So, let’s break it down

What is it about Fantasy that draws people in? What is it about Fantasy that connects with people?

Fantasy is my FAVORITE genre. I have always loved the wonder and magic of various realms, while I have also always been fascinated by World History and other cultures. What you’ll find so often in Fantasy books/television, is that many of the themes, ideas, and settings are based off of history.

• Take Wings of Fire, for example (a popular MG dragon series that I’m reading with my daughter), the dragons are at war, and POWs are used for entertainment as they fight to the death in a stadium. Umm…. hello, Roman history!

• Or what about The Chronicles of Narnia? Mr. Lewis set The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe during World War II, and we read how the children face dire circumstances that parallel the war in a foreign land. Edmond falls preys to the tyrannical witch’s schemes, Peter challenges her dominance of Narnia in battle, and Lucy symbolizes all that’s worth fighting for.

• And then there’s “Game of Thrones” (A Song of Ice and Fire) who’s devoted viewers have blazed to the forefront of Reddit threads and social media with new theories, criticisms, and obsessive fandom. You could liken much in the series to the powerful, wealthy Egyptians, Romans, or even Tudors, the desperation and poverty to the “Dark Ages”, and inner-house rivalry to the “War of Roses”.

Another beautiful element of Fantasy is the reinforcement of valuable lessons, as we see in Harry Potter, for instance. As a MG, YA, or Adult reader, we can read the series purely for fun, and yet, also be reminded of the value of love, family, friendship, redemption, and staying true to our beliefs. We see enough of our day-to-day lives, that we sometimes miss what is right in front of us. By following Harry’s journey into Hogwarts and beyond, we can learn from his selfless mother’s love and Harry’s courage, revealing how we are tempted in our own daily lives to look the other way or live apathetically.

The momentary lapse into fantasy, gives us a new lens to look at our reality.

***

Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir

“What’s it about?” A woman asked at a recent book signing.

“It’s fantasy…”

The woman batted her hand, saying, “bleh… I hate that stuff. It’s not real.”

Though I didn’t take offense, it did make me ponder on what is “real”, especially in my own writing.

Identity

Book- More than anything Darion longs to know where he came from, who his birthparents are, and discover his “purpose”. He wants to feel like he belongs.

Life- As an individual, an educator, and now as an adoptive mom, I have seen this very real longing to know one’s identity—and purpose, and I believe it will connect with readers of all backgrounds.

Family Love

Book- In Nav’Aria, we follow two families closely: Darion’s and the First Horn’s family (unicorns). In these families we see sacrifice, loss, jealousy, the duality of love, loyalty, and more.

Life- In our daily lives we experience (or witness), sibling rivalry, family feuds, a mother’s love, adoption, grief, forgiveness, anger, infertility… we see it all. We feel these things, and therefore, can empathize with the character’s in a very real way.

History

Book- As a History teacher, you know I’m going to include historical themes! Narco is a tyrant; Vikaris is a valiant war hero; the Stenlen captives are enslaved and treated abominably; the Callers are puppets of propaganda and indoctrination…. We see war, tyranny, nomadic clans, the making of a civilization, alliances, treason….

Life- As we’ve learned from the World Wars, tyranny is terrible, war isn’t glamorous, and the lasting effects of a massive conflict linger for generations. We presently live in a world battling human trafficking, corruption, terror, poverty… we know what reality can hold.

“Fantasy is a natural human activity. It certainly does not destroy or even insult Reason; and it does not either blunt the appetite for, nor obscure the perception of, scientific verity. On the contrary. The keener and the clearer is the reason, the better fantasy will it make. If men were ever in a state in which they did not want to know or could not perceive truth (facts or evidence), then Fantasy would languish until they were cured. If they ever get into that state (it would not seem at all impossible), Fantasy will perish, and become Morbid Delusion. For creative Fantasy is founded upon the hard recognition that things are so in the world as it appears under the sun; on a recognition of fact, but not a slavery to it. So upon logic was founded the nonsense that displays itself in the tales and rhymes of Lewis Carroll. If men really could not distinguish between frogs and men, fairy-stories about frog-kings would not have arisen.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, Tolkien on Fairy-stories

By reading Fantasy we can still tap into reality, exploring real-world issues, but in a fresh way. And these examples are only the “tip of the iceberg”… but for now, I’ll conclude with this:

If you haven’t read much Fantasy (or Sci-Fi), I’d encourage you to try it. There is truly something so unique and profound about reading issues that we face today, set in a mythical or fantastical realm.

Many of our greatest thinkers have taught in the fantastical, the satirical, the mythological, and/or in parables to challenge our current political systems, social injustices, and ways of thinking.

If you want some book recommendations, check out the fantasy section in my recent blog post “My First Love”.

I hope you enjoy Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir, and can learn from the Marked Royals and Unicorns of Kaulter… I know, I have. The novel is available on Amazon, and locally at This House of Books (in MT).

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019

A Glimpse into My Writing Space

My Writing Nook

It’s all about the ambiance.

When I first started writing (see earlier posts My Why or Two cents), I had a composition notebook and an idea.

As I thought about it, I began jotting things down. I wouldn’t even say it was a book yet. I just had thoughts that I wanted to get to paper immediately, so I did. I drew; I scribbled; I brainstormed; I wrote. When I had the time, I’d then copy what I had written to a Word document.

Since I wrote Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir over the years, I took it all over the world. With my notebook or laptop, I could write essentially anywhere! Though I am easily distracted, especially at coffee shops. I love going there for chats with my girlfriends, but not for writing.

That is why I declared recently to my husband, “I NEED A WRITING SPACE.” And so here I am, sitting in my new office, feeling tremendously thankful, excited, and FOCUSED. This room radiates inspiration for me.

Build a Space that Breeds Creativity

Décor—

I wanted an area where I could have my books, knickknacks, and travel memorabilia around me. And I truly believe that it helps! Since claiming this space, I have already hammered out thousands of words. The creative juices are flowing!!

Music—

I have a passion for music, yet often it diverts my attention. As a vocalist, I like to hear other singers, listen to the lyrics, or sing along. I can’t write and sing at the same time, so I listen to classical music while I write. I love it… and so do my Pomeranians! They always have a good rest during writing time. Presently, they’re snoozing to Franz Schubert on Spotify.

Company—

Speaking of Pomeranians, it must be said, that they make for the best writing companions. Drogo and Nala love to rest in my office (I have beds available for them!), and this also brings comfort knowing they’re with me.

Lighting—

And lastly, I am a lamp girl all the way! I have two lamps in my office and am considering a third. I like having the nice lighting and a diffuser going. Again, it is all about the ambiance.

All of these together, create the perfect writing environment for ME personally. You may be reading this and thinking, NONE of that sounds appealing, and that is alright. We each have our own tendencies, and as a writer, it is important to find what works for you.

You Need Your Own Work Space (A Space that Works for You!)

I am not one to run out of ideas or words typically, but the motivation to actually sit down and write is another matter. By creating a designated, and welcoming space, I have now created an area that I want to frequent daily, and thus, I am creating at a much higher, and more consistent level than ever before.

“Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you.” — Zadie Smith

If you are considering writing, my best advice to you is (see my Two Cents post) to identify what space you create best in and try to accomplish that if/when possible.

Eliminate whatever distractions necessary to achieve your writing goals.

Having my own office has been incredible, but I realize that it was something that I had to work toward over the years. I hope that the designated space pays off, and you’re able to read the many works created in this very room.

***

And what about you? Where do you like to write? Do you have a designated space? What is your preferred “ambiance” while writing? Let me know in the comments!

Most importantly, JUST KEEP WRITING. Speaking of which, I better get back to my manuscript!

Until next time!

January 25, 2019January 26, 2019

My two cents on the writing process!

Write it Down

There may be a story bouncing around in your head right now, that needs to get out on paper! WRITE IT DOWN. TYPE IT OUT. Plot, if you must. Whatever and however you can get that story written out is the key. It’s all part of the writing process— and to be clear, I mean YOUR writing process.

Now, yes, you may be thinking that is not what your professor, teacher, parent, favorite author told you, and that is fine. That is not what I was told either. And while sure, there is a method to writing compelling prose, and engaging readers with fascinating characters and settings which fit your specified genre and age group, you shouldn’t fixate solely on that- at least not initially, or else you run the risk of missing out on the creative journey.

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader” – Robert Frost

I spent countless hours researching the “how to’s” of plotting, worldbuilding, character development, editing, publishing, marketing- all of it. I think research is good, and ESPECIALLY important if you plan on trying to publish this beast, but don’t get overwhelmed over the next steps before even taking the first step!

The first critical step is to WRITE IT DOWN. You can’t do any of the above until you get the project started. Too often, we read about someone else’s process or work, and then compare it to our own. I don’t have an office like he does. I don’t have time to write like she does. I don’t have an English degree. I can’t afford to go to writing conferences. I can’t turn a phrase like _________. Sanderson is a writing machine; “I’m not worthy” (ok maybe that last one is just me… Brandon Sanderson is my hero).

The truth is: We all write in our own way.

If you can write what you want—even if that breaks from the norm—your passion will shine, and with it, your authenticity as a writer.

“So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.” — Neil Gaiman

That is what makes new works so refreshing. I’ve read interviews where J.K. Rowling shared how she wrote the ending of Book 7 first–on napkins!–and then unraveled the story back to the beginning. I watched an interview with Nicholas Sparks who explained that he writes every day. I read that George R.R. Martin is more of a free-flowing writer, while Brandon Sanderson is an advocate for outlining. (He’d have to be, to make his whole Cosmere universe make sense!)

Though it is important to remember, that what worked for them, may or may not work for you.

Despite their differences, these writers do share one commonality however—they wrote their stories down. Their process, timeline and overall writing journey may vary, but they did it. They didn’t vacillate and let the fear of the unknown or the fear of rejection deter them from putting words on the page. Their ideas made it to the page and were then shaped into great stories.

“Focus more on your desire than on your doubt, and the dream will take care of itself.” —Mark Twain

You have to start with page one. Word one. No title? So what?! It will come. Start writing. Don’t think about if and how you can get to page twenty, or if you could ever reach 50,000 words or 100,000 words. Don’t even worry about the ending, or if it all flows together! Just start with one word. Form a sentence, create characters, and build a story. Eventually, your words will flow into chapters, and soon you will have a first draft. Way to go!

***

Not the Traditional Way—And That’s OKAY!

I have learned a lot throughout my writing process. I started Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir eight years ago (see former blog post My “Why”) and did everything wrong according to most “writing tips”.

» I started writing/creating without an outline one day while working as a substitute teacher.
» I shared it all with my dad chapter by chapter.
» I took huge breaks in between writing, sometimes years while teaching.
» I edited and revised each chunk of content before moving on to write more.
» I hand-wrote large portions of it in a notebook, before typing. You see my point….

I didn’t write this book in a traditional way, and that is ok with me. Honestly, that is better than ok with me, because now when I look back at this book, I can honestly say, “look how far we’ve come!”

Honing My Craft

Moving forward however, I can use what I have learned to better improve my craft… and process.

» I have a new home office dedicated to writing. (It sure beats a composition notebook in a classroom full of teenagers!)
» I am keeping this project (sequel) more private by writing the first draft BEFORE sharing it with anyone… my dad included! Read some great writing advice here.
» I have an end goal, but I still do not use a traditional outline or know exactly where I’m headed chapter to chapter. (I write the first draft and then go back through to make the connections, make an outline, then add rewrites/revisions).

As I said, what works for me or other writers, may or may not work for you. That’s alright. That’s the beauty of being the one doing the creating.

I can’t wait to see what works you come up with! Happy Writing.

December 12, 2018January 2, 2019

Origin

When I was nine-years-old, my family moved from the beautiful state of Oregon, to the foreign land of Eastern Montana. Alright, so maybe its not “foreign” but in my child-like mind, it seemed anything but “home”, “beautiful”, or “exciting”. I had gone from having a HUGE extended family, a great circle of friends, a nice house, and room to roam in the Oregon forests, to a rental home in Billings, MT with no friends, no nearby relatives, and a lack of expectations for the future. My brothers became (and still are!) my greatest companions as we navigated the next chapter of our lives.

My parents bought 20 acres and built a log-home that we lived in until I was a Junior in high school. Though I would have NEVER admitted it at the time, that period- that simple, rural upbringing, was fundamentally the BEST possible scenario for my imagination to thrive. You see, we didn’t have much in the form of money, toys, or sources of entertainment- so we made it up! My brothers and I wandered the countryside pretending to be Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, cowboys, archaeologists, explorers- you name it.

Another way I occupied my time, was with books from the library. From an early age, I had always loved stories- especially ones including different cultures or magical elements. My Dad, an avid reader himself, introduced me to historical fiction and Fantasy early on (my two favorite genres to this day!). Together we read, the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the Belgariad series by David Eddings. By 7^th Grade, I was reading Eye of the World (Book 1 of The Wheel of Time) by the late, great Robert Jordan. By high school, I was reading anything by Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind, and by college, I read Brandon Sanderson and George R.R. Martin. My love for Fantasy influenced my aspiration to travel- to observe and appreciate the wonder and beauty of peoples unlike myself, to identify and learn about more historical/political themes, and to search for the good in others.

My obsession with reading was an escape-yes, but it grew beyond that. Stories became a part of me.

Epic tales are what fuel me, motivate me, and impact my teaching and parenting. We can learn so much from stories- fiction AND non-fiction. The universal good vs. evil themes, or the idea of overcoming great obstacles, perseverance, hope, faith, honesty, integrity, love, standing up for others, courage- there are boundless themes that shape us and impact our lives.

So, here I am a 32-year-old woman in Billings, MT publishing my first novel, Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir (Adult Fantasy). That confused, bitter, hurt kid would have never guessed that through that move- that simple country life- would have led her to this particular moment in adulthood when she was THANKFUL to have grown up in rural Montana, where her imagination roamed across the wild prairies of the Big Sky State