Write On! Your World with Dallas Woodburn

Today please welcome my guest Dallas Woodburn.  I am so impressed with this young lady,  and I think you will be too.  She is doing amazing things all in the name of Literacy.  Please be sure to check out her site as well so you can see what all she is accomplishing as she helps children across the nation.  Welcome Dallas and thank you so much for stopping in.

BIO: Dallas Woodburn is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has appeared in Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, The Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. For her volunteer work, she has been honored with a national Jackie Kennedy Onassis/Jefferson Award, a Congressional Award Gold Medal, and most recently a “Best of You” Award from Glamour Magazine. Learn more about Write On! For Literacy at www.writeonbooks.org. 

I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, when I was in fifth grade. The teachers in my elementary school asked me to speak to their classes about how I pursued my dream of publishing a book. At the beginning of my talk, I asked the kids if any of them were interested in writing, and a few shy hands raised. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I asked the same question, nearly all the hands in the class shot up. The students told me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They didn’t think of writing as something that could be fun or empowering.
      

Writing and reading have opened the doors to so many amazing opportunities in my life: a scholarship to attend college, a semester studying abroad in England, a trip to New York City to be a guest on The CBS Early Show. Not only that, but writing gives me a healthy outlet to express my feelings and connect to other people.

I started "Write On! For Literacy" in 2001 to encourage kids to discover confidence, joy, a means of self-expression, and connection to others through reading and writing. My website www.writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I still frequently visit classrooms to speak to kids about my writing journey (another published collection of short stories and a novel followed There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose) and I teach a Youth Summer Writing Camp every year in my hometown of Ventura, California. 

Perhaps my most rewarding project is an annual Holiday Book Drive that I started to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids who do not have many books of their own. More than 11,000 books have been donated to date.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that it is okay to start small. The first year, my Holiday Book Drive only donated 125 books to the local Boys & Girls Club. Still, even small acts make a difference, and small acts often snowball into amazing contributions bigger than you ever dreamed.

What is your passion? How can you use what you love to help others? Get friends involved. Spread the word to your community. Overwhelmingly, I have discovered that people very much want to help, but they don’t always know what they can do. If you can supply a meaningful avenue for people to help, they will join your cause. 

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to the late, great basketball coach John Wooden: “Make each day your masterpiece.” Don’t wait until next week or month or year to make a difference. Start small. Start today. The most important thing you can do is begin! 

Thank you so much for stopping in and sharing with us Dallas.  I think you are doing such a wonderful job!  You would make any parent proud,  and I wish you much success in the future! 

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***** Review by Daniel Dietz at BK Walker Books of Cyber Writers by Karen Kostlivy

Reviewed by Daniel Dietz

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Mason Witt is an average kid who loves skateboarding.  He had been grounded for a week for riding his skateboard in the neighbors empty pool,  and today was his first day of freedom.  He was anxious to get off the bus to ride his board.

When he got home his mother made him his favorite snack of apples and peanut butter,  so he ate quickly to be able to ride his board before they had to run errands.  Before going to play,  he ran to his room to put his backpack away and checked his email.

Being a pen pal on Cyber Writers,  he found an email from Africa.  Before he was able to read it,  his mother yelled that they had to leave sooner than anticipated so they could get his brother Jamie at Karate,  then go get hair cuts.

While getting their hair cuts Mason was so excited to get that email he asked the barber if he knew anything about Africa.  When asked why,  Mason told all about being a pen pal with Cyber Writers.

Finally home,  Mason grabs a slice of pizza and runs upstairs to check his email.  He starts reading and the introduction of Lutalo begins.  Lutalo is in desperate need of help to return a Zebra and his missing father.  "The Zebra is what brings prosperity to farmers crops and harmony to all villagers".  The Zebra is known as the "Zebra of Life". 

Getting ready for bed Mason crawls under the covers to finish reading his email.  Suddenly he feels vines,  jumping out of bed he realizes that his bedroom is changing into a jungle.  Mason has been virtually transported to Africa.

Follow Mason and Lutalo during their adventures through Africa,  as they begin the chase in hopes to safely return the Zebra of Life and Lutalo's father,  Mwamba.

Kostlivy did a great job with her first book in the Cyber Writer Series.  I found myself anxious to find out what happened next,  and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.  I was amazed with the plot and she kept my attention from beginning to end.

I give Cyber Writers and The Zebra of Life ***** (5) Stars,  Daniel Dietz,  children's book reviewer for BK Walker Books.  http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com

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Learn more about this author - Karen Kostlivy

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BK Walker Books - All Rights Reserved

I would just like to thank Karen for sending Daniel a signed copy of this book,  along with posters.  She also sent books for Daniel to donate to his school and he was just thrilled!  Fantastic job Karen and Daniel hasn't stopped talking about this book as he anxiously awaits your next installment in the series.  Thanks again for all you have done.

 

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VBT Pit Stop with Karen Kostlivy with her Series Cyber Writers

Karen is the author of Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life.  


Karen's book is the first of a series of children's adventure books geared to children who are in the middle grades:  Please give her a warm welcome as she takes time to stop in on her virtual book tour.  Welcome Karen and thank you so much for joining us today.

Bio:

Karen Kostlivy was born and raised in Northern California. She graduated from the University of California Davis with a degree in Rhetoric and Communication. She enjoys spending time with her family and listening to her two sons Camron and Masson play guitar. After a successful career in the private and public sector, Karen decided to return to a former passion, writing and creating stories for readers of all ages. She is currently happily residing in Yuba City California with her husband Davis and son.
 

Synopsis:

Mason Witt, a skateboarding American teenager, catapults himself into the greatest adventure of his life after reading the plight of a new Cyber Writer from Africa. Lutalo knew he would come so he sent Mason an urgent plea for help. His village has lost its precious Zebra of Life — and his father has gone missing in the pursuit of the evil men who stole it. Here begins this thrilling adventure of two boys, a smart-talking panther, and an amazing zebra that sustains life. Come and join Mason and Lutalo on this fantasy adventure.

Blog:

Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life is geared to all middle grade readers and creates a bridge for the early young adult readers too.   Also the novel is modeled on researched techniques to attract reluctant readers. In 2006 Scholastic Magazine did a study, The Kids and Family Reading Report, and found that the amount of reading kids did for fun decreased from the time they were 8 through the teen years. Kids said the number-one reason for not reading more was that they couldn't find books that interested them. The study also revealed that kids look to their parents for ideas on what to read.


 

Here are 5 ways to get kids reading four or more books:

1. 
   
   
   
   
   Get comical: A new generation of  graphic novels (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3745810)are getting today's kids to read. Comic books are coming back in a big way. The state school superintendent for Maryland, Nancy S. Grasmick, is adding graphic novels and comics strips to the curriculum in addition to the regular reading program. Some of us met the classics through the comics and they motivated us to read the real books.
2. 
   
   
   
   
   Find a series: Remember Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, the Babysitter's Club, Goosebumps, and so on? The great thing about getting kids hooked on series (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7949) is that they really can't read just one and it makes choosing the next book to read easy. Mysteries, suspense, horror (a little goes a long way), fantasy, ( http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7220) and romance (as age-appropriate) are genres that attract many kids. Also, many young readers prefer non-fiction, like biographies (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7818. ) Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life is a novel that is the first of a series that has fantasy and adventure set in Africa. Other books in the series will be set in other exotic geographic areas of the world.
3. 
   
   
   
   
   Learn how to: Kids really like to do things that end up in a finished product or with a new skill. Many kids play computer games, so offer special-interest game magazines to help them find strategies for improvement. Summer is also a great time for arts and crafts so find books for making model airplanes, cooking a meal, (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7959) or any topic that holds their interest. The kids learn things in the Cyber Writer series. In Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life they learn the value of Courage, Family, Friendship, Trust, Loyalty and Faith. Eventually on http://www.cyberwriters.net there will be directions to make projects that are connected to the books in some way.
4. 
   
   
   
   
   Yuck it up: Humor (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7734)  is good for reading and having a good laugh, too. Joke books and really silly stories are fun to read and having a sense of humor helps kids have a good time at whatever they are doing. Cyber Writers and the Zebra of Life has humor infused throughout. It also has other effects that draw reluctant readers including age appropriate popular interests such as computers and skate-boarding.
5. 
   
   
   
   
   Think outside the book: Reading on kid-friendly social networking sites,  (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11374 )playing word games, (http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flashlightreaders/main.asp?bookpass=7&s=1)and subscribing to magazines ( http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7948)are fun ways to keep reading fresh. Just be sure kids are doing enough of it to equal a book. On http://www.cyberwriters.net the are some puzzles right now. Games, lesson plans and webquests for kids and teachers will soon will soon be included at no cost.
6. 
   
   
   
   
   Here is a listmania list link to Amazon of popular books for boys:

http://www.amazon.com/Books-Attract-Middle-Grade-Reading/lm/R31MV3UEIQR4VS

Here's another reason to keep kids reading: the volume of reading accomplished has a direct and positive impact on reading fluency, vocabulary development and establishing the reading habit. As kids' competence and confidence grows, so will their interest in reading for pleasure, including "good books." For tons of reading suggestions and motivators, don't miss the Summer Reading BUZZ! Program. Happy reading!

 

Source: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3746177
 

Thank you so much for stopping in Karen.  It's been a pleasure.  Please be sure to leave a comment for Karen for your chance to win a copy of this fantastic book.  Wishing you much success Karen.

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Literary Words with author Fiona Ingram

Please give a warm welcome to Fiona Ingram,  Author of Children's Book The Secret of the Sacred Scarab.  Fiona is big on literary advocacy.  She believes no child should go withoout,  creating this fabulous tale.  She has always had a love for reading and she states: 

"Naturally, I am a voracious reader and have been from early childhood. I can remember sitting on the bus going home from school, reading, and then missing my stop because I was so caught up in the book. I also went to boarding school at Durban Girls' College and the boarders' section was separate from the school. I used to walk down to College House with one foot in the gutter of the path, so that I could continue reading and not walk into a tree or something. I love all kinds of books, art, theatre, antiques, animals (5 cats, 2 dogs and a ferocious duck called Charlemagne), music, and films. Travel is another passion and I have been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). I have travelled widely and fulfilled many of my travel goals."

Thank you so much for being with us today.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself....
 
I live in South Africa; I became a children’s author almost by accident, even though I have been a journalist forever and ever. I love books, travel, books, movies, books and more books. I have an adopted African daughter. I live with my disabled Mom and lots of interesting animals including a duck called Charlemagne. (he is in the book too!)


What inspired you to pen your first novel?
 
I went to Egypt with my two nephews and my Mom a few years ago. I decided to write the boys a short story as a memento. I called it The Secret of the Sacred Scarab – the next minute I had a whole book on my hands and lots of sequel ideas jumping around in my head.

Why choose children’s books?
 
As I said, it was accidental, or more serendipitous. I didn’t consciously plan it. It was only afterwards I read about all the things I should NEVER have done. For authors planning a children’s book series…  NEVER try to break into the children’s market first. NEVER start your book with a journey. NEVER write sequels until you have a publisher that says it’s a good idea… the list goes on. Alas, I broke every rule.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to listen to either classical music or film track music very loudly.


When did you write your first book and how old were you?

My first book was Gruesome Gables, an ongoing horror saga involving intrepid kids and a haunted house. It seemed to go on forever. I was ten and had younger brothers to entertain.









Do you write in any other genre?
 
I wrote a Regency Romance for fun a few years ago. It languished in a folder on my computer until I read about a literary agency that was looking for this style of historical romance. I now have a writing contract. Rather nice. I have just finished an historical Viking action novel with another writer as well. Also a departure from my usual genre.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Imagination. My historical romance came about because I was running a dating agency. My children’s book came about after a family trip to Egypt. I read a lot about earth mysteries, foreign countries, ancient history, theories of pre-civilization etc, and that has given me the basis for my children’s series.



What was the hardest thing about writing this particular novel?
 
The marketing. I read an article that began, “So you’ve written a book? Ha! Ha! That was the easy part, now for the hard part.” I thought to myself, “What could be harder than actually writing a book?” Yep, the marketing. There are so many books produced now, with the advent of POD and online publishing companies, that we’re overwhelmed by numbers. An author has to fight to get their book recognized.


Can you tell us a little bit about your book, and your trip to Egypt?
 
It’s a thrilling adventure for two young boys, whose fun trip to Egypt turns into a dangerously exciting quest to uncover an ancient and mysterious secret. A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives two young tourists, Adam and Justin Sinclair, an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. I traced our actual footsteps and included a lot of the interesting things that happened to us. Of course, I would have loved to have experienced the adventure I later wrote about!

What do you hope readers will take away from your books?
 
I hope readers will experience the sense of wonder and awe that an ancient civilization such as Egypt inspires; a sense that here are more enduring factors in life than just the next gossip page, the latest cell phone, the ultimate in fashion etc. My young heroes are challenged in many ways and they rise to the occasions. They survive using their wits, their common sense, and their beliefs that their parents have ingrained in them. They learn about the value of life.


Are you working on anything right now?
 
Yes, I am trying to finish the next book in the series. It’s a wonderful adventure, of course linked to the first book. The title is The Search for the Stone of Excalibur. So look out, King Arthur fans, this one’s for you.


What do you like to do outside of writing?
 
I am a very culturally inclined person – anything to do with the arts appeals to me. Music, art, travel to interesting places where I can visit museums and crumbling old piles of ruins, ancient civilization, books (of course), and helping my adopted daughter with an appreciation of the finer elements in life, such as literature, poetry etc.


You are a big advocate on literacy, are there any programs that you are involved with?
 
It’s difficult to do anything outside of government agencies here in South Africa so I tend to write a lot of articles, and do readings at schools and libraries. I donate my books if I do a reading, and also chat to the kids about the importance of literacy.


What would be the one thing your readers may be most surprised to know about you?
 
I am completely terrified of needles and if I have to have an injection I usually faint long before the needle gets anywhere near me.

What advice can you give to new and aspiring writers/authors?
 
Don’t give up; make sure your work meets the industry’s stringent standards; learn all you can from the publishing industry’s marketing gurus by subscribing to newsletters and e-zines; get your work out there any way you can; enter as many book contests as possible. Last and most important piece of advice: TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR BOOK and do something to market your work every day.


How may readers connect with you?  Website, social network sites, etc?
 
fiona.ingram@telkomsa.net
http://www.twitter.com/FionaRobyn
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
http://www.FionaIngram.com
http://www.secretofthesacredscarab.com
I also have some great “How To Do it” articles on my author site – media room


Do you have a parting comment?  Upcoming events?
 
Blog tours are an incredible way to spread the word about your work. I did one last year and found myself, my interviews and book reviews all over the Internet.


Thank you again for chatting with us today.  It has been such a pleasure.

Don't forget to follow Fiona on her virtual book tour,  leaving a comment at her pit stops,  including here,  for your entry to win a copy of her book,  The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. 
 

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