A Word Please

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to author Elysabeth Eldering. I recently read her YA novel Finally Home, which is a fun blend of mystery and paranormal. But before we talk about the book, here’s a little about Elysabeth:

Ms. Eldering is the award winning author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS), 50-state, mystery, trivia series. Her stories “Train of Clues”, “The Proposal” (available as an ebook), “Tulip Kiss” (available as an ebook), and “Butterfly Halves”, all placed first, second, or runner up in various contests to include two for Armchair Interviews and two for Echelon Press (Fast and … themed type contests). Her story “Bride-and-Seek” (available as an ebook) was selected for the South Carolina Writers’ Workshop (SCWW) anthology, the Petigru Review. Ms. Eldering makes her home in upper state South Carolina and loves to travel, read, cross stitch and crochet. When she’s not busy with teenaged children still at home, working her full-time job as a medical transcriptionist or participating in virtual classroom visits, she can be found at various homeschool or book events promoting her writing.

For more information about the JGDS series, please visit the JGDS blog at http://jgdssseries.blogspot.com or the JGDS website at http://jgdsseries.weebly.com.

For more information about Elysabeth’s other writings, please visit her general writing and family blog at http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com or her website at http://eeldering.weebly.com.

You can also connect with Elysabeth in the following places:

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/elysabeth42 or @elysabeth42
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=714420476, also elysabeth42

Here’s a look at her YA novel Finally Home:

It isn’t just history against progress – it’s daughter against father, or is it? Find out what secrets Kelly learns as she works to preserve an historic house in a small town that will help her bring her father Finally Home.

Now on to my favorite part, where I get to ask Elysabeth lots of questions:

What inspired you to write Finally Home?

I had a vision one day while working of an old house. I work at home and have no idea why this vision came to me, but I had to stop working for about half an hour and just write this house. I put it aside for a couple of years and when I returned to it, I tried to make it a past lives story and the house was a bit different. I went through months of creating secret messages and codes that were discovered by Kelly (who at that writing was a 20 or 30 something year-old woman whose job was to preserve the houses). I sent to my editors and both of them nixed the story, saying that I needed to write it as a children’s story or young adult novel. So a while later, I decided to participate in NaNo (that’s National Novel Writing Month) as a writer (I’d already been participating prior to 2008 when I wrote Finally Home but as a spectator and cheerleader for my friends and acquaintances) but that was the first year my JGDS series was published and I was wicked busy during November so, I started the story the middle of November and completed it the middle of December – technically I did my 30 days and 50,000 words but just not during the month of November – lol. Anyway – after I wrote it, I let it sit for a long time before thinking about doing anything with it. I finally sent to my editors and a couple of other persons to edit it, and again putting it aside. I finally decided in 2011 that it was time to take Kelly off the back burner and really do my revisions and rewritings, leading to me publishing late in the year.

Kelly has a fascination with old houses and preserving them for history. Is this an interest you share?

No. I am not a history buff at all, although I do like the Victorian style houses and the look and feel of old houses as they do have so many stories to tell us.

Because of Kelly’s father’s job, the family is forced to move around a lot. Despite this, I found Kelly’s character well-grounded. Many kids would feel lost in her situation. What keeps Kelly feeling secure in her new environments?

I haven’t ever thought of what kept her secure with all the moves. I guess part of that comes from personal experience in that my father was in the service and we moved something like 7 or 8 times from the year I was born until I started high school. I also think that the house pulling her might have had something to do with it, especially since there was no indication prior to her family moving to this town that it would be any different than previous moves.

Finally Home has a paranormal twist that I won’t give away, and also talks a bit about destiny. Do you believe we each have a destiny to fulfill?

I think so. I also believe that we have all had previous lives that are intertwined and that we all have mapped out destinies that will somehow get fulfilled.

What is it about the YA genre that attracts you as a writer?

lol – See my answer to question #1 about writing for children or young adults – I just write whatever is in order for the day. I’ve written several short stories that are not young adult as well as children’s stories – so I’m game to whatever contest is calling me on a particular day, although I’ve not written anything for a contest in a while.

You’ve undertaken a big writing project with your Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS), 50-state mystery trivia series. Tell us a little about this series and what inspired you to write it.

This was actually inspired from my first ever writing and contest entry. I took second place with my story “Train of Clues” and it ended up being a children’s story with a mystery destination. I took that ms and sent to an editor with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and asked her to give me some guidance on how to make it a series with each state being the mystery destination or puzzle piece. She sent me some great information and from that I just played around until the right combination of story and game came around and worked perfectly for what I needed to do. I need to get back to writing more state stories but have put them on a hiatus for a bit because I’ve got a new idea brewing for the stories. More on that as the idea develops and formulates.

What is your writing environment like? Neat or messy? Silent or noisy?

Messy and quiet – I really should organize my desk but it is my catchall for work related and other things, but I can’t stand for anyone to rummage around on my desk looking for anything because I know where all my junk is and what is in the pile and if it’s messed with it I kind of get out of synch. I have to listen to doctors in my head all day long on my regular job so I totally like writing in silence. I seem to do better if I don’t have other distractions when writing (some days – lol; I can write more when I’m just concentrating on the writing and not listening to music or anything).

I have that same issue with my desk. It’s an organized mess!

Do you have a favorite author and/or book that helped inspire you to become a writer?

Not really. I used to read whenever I could when I was younger, mostly mysteries – Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys – but never really developed a favorite author. When I was in my 20s, I did enjoy V.C. Andrews very much but when I found out she had passed away and her books were being ghost written and weren’t of the same quality, I stopped reading her. In my late 30s and early 40s, I was getting into Jonathan Kellerman but haven’t picked up any of his books in a while either. I think at present, Jim and Joyce Lavene do have a couple of series that I’m into and really like but as far as inspiring me to become a writer – no, since I really didn’t start writing until I was in my early 40s. I was challenged to enter that first contest and that was it.

When you’re not writing or reading, what might we find you doing?

Working my day job as a medical transcriptionist, playing spider solitaire, crocheting or watching TV.

Favorite TV program?

I have too many “favorites” – lol – Survivor (the earlier seasons were the best), Dancing With the Stars, Rizzoli & Isles, The Closer, Criminal Minds, Top Chef (any and all of their series), Paranormal Kids: Children with Psychic Abilities, The Voice, SMASH, The Millionaire Matchmaker, Castle. Those are pretty much what I watch now, some not so much as others because I tend to forget when they are on.

Favorite food?

Any American chicken dish, noodle type dishes but of course most anything Chocolate – lol – seriously, I don’t have a favorite food, I just like to eat – don’t like super spicy foods (or they don’t like me). I also can’t have certain foods due to allergies but crave them so much – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

One word or sentence that describes your current mood?

My current mood is content.

Thanks, Darcia for having me on your blog. I hope you enjoyed Finally Home and that readers out there will be discovering Kelly and her adventure in finding out about the house across the street.

Having you here has been my pleasure, Elysabeth!

Here’s a look at Elysabeth’s books on Amazon:

Thanks for reading.

My guest today is the talented author Sandra McLeod Humphrey. Sandra’s work is both educational and inspirational. If you have children in your life, I highly recommend her books. In fact, I think they should be in all schools and on every child’s bookshelf.

Sandra has written an article to share with us today, with helpful information for all parents, grandparents and caretakers. But, first, a brief introduction:

Sandra McLeod Humphrey is a retired clinical psychologist, a character education consultant, and an award-winning author of seven middle-grade and young adult books. She’s also the recipient of the National Character Education Center’s Award for Exemplary Leadership in Ethics Education (2000) and the 2005 Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Literature. You can learn more about her books by visiting her Web site at www.KidsCanDoIt.com.

Now on to Sandra’s article:

In working with young people, both as a clinical psychologist and as a volunteer, I have noticed that many of them are lacking a sense of direction to their lives and have no strong set of personal values or belief system.

Our character is an integral part of who we are and having a strong set of values helps us define our character.

Strong character is not instinctive. It’s learned and it’s never too early to begin talking with our young people about personal values and helping them define and develop their own code of moral conduct.

As society’s moral guidelines become increasingly more ambiguous, it’s more essential than ever that we all have our basic code of ethics well crystallized in our own minds.

Just as bodybuilding builds strong physical muscle through “sets” and “reps,” we also need to help our kids build good moral muscle. And we can do this by dialoguing with our kids about choices. Moral Choices.

Life is all about choices. The choices we make determine not only our character but also the quality of our lives. As they say, practice makes perfect and one way we can help our children is to help them practice or rehearse what they would do in different situations before they are actually confronted by those situations in real life.

Our ultimate objective for our children is to empower them to make their own choices–good choices. And we can help them do this if we can get them THINKING and TALKING about moral issues. Kids love to talk and we just have to give them the opportunity to do so.

Here are a few ideas and questions to facilitate some great discussions:

“Honor” is an old-fashioned word. What does it mean and has it gone out of style? (I have found that some kids have no clue what “honor” or “reputation” really means).

We all need a “moral compass.” What does this mean to you? Do you have a “moral compass?” If so, how would you describe it? (I have found that kids like the concept of a “moral compass” and can relate quite easily to this question).

How do you test the choices that you make? One good test is the test of time. How will you feel about this choice a month from now? One year from now? (You will probably be amazed at how dramatically our kids’ concepts of time differ from our own).

Is your speech a reflection of your character? Is your speech different in the locker room than it is at home or at church? Do you have more than one language–a different language for different occasions? (This question usually provokes a lot of discussion and disagreement between kids about what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable).

What does “being cool” really mean to you? (This one can stimulate some great discussions with a lot of varied and spontaneous feedback).

How do you decide whether something is right or wrong? Is it just a question of whether anyone else will get hurt? (This one will really get kids thinking and hopefully talking).

How important is winning? Does it really matter how we win? (This one can frequently provoke some unexpected personal revelations by the kids).

Do you think that these days just about everyone cheats to get what they want? (You may or may not be surprised by just how prevalent cheating is and by how many kids admit to doing it).

How much is “trust” worth? If it’s a choice between missing out on a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity or dishonestly exploiting a situation to your own personal advantage, how would you decide what to do? (The kids themselves will come up with dozens of hypothetical situations for this one).

Do you think it is ever okay to break a promise? (This can lead into some great discussions about our responsibility to other people when they are in trouble–e.g. when they are using drugs, hiding an eating disorder, etc.).

Would you choose character over conformity? (This one will stimulate some great discussions about peer pressure).

These are just a few of the conversation-starters I use when I visit classes to talk to students about moral choices. The important thing is to get our kids thinking and talking. Remember that strong moral character does not come instinctively. It is learned.

Hopefully, these discussions about moral choices will help our young people develop a sense of direction and purpose to their lives which will result in more rewarding and more fulfilling experiences not only for them but also for those whose lives they may touch.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is help in developing a strong sense of self, so that they will not be unduly influenced by peer pressure. To stand firm for what they believe, they will need strong character, and we can help them develop strong character by helping them define their values and code of ethics when they are young, so that regardless of what others around them do and say, they will act according to their own conscience–even if sometimes this may mean standing alone.

And the stronger their character, the better for all of us!

This is some excellent advice. On the surface, it might sound simple. But, sadly, these topics are rarely, if ever, brought up in most homes. We’re all busy and often parents don’t think about bringing up these issues. A little conversation every now and then can go a long way to leading our kids in the right direction.

Here’s a look at all of Sandra’s books on Amazon:

I hope that you’ll take the time to look at Sandra’s books, as well as her website – www.KidsCanDoIt.com. In the meantime, Sandra and I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and questions with us here.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome to another Quirky Question Monday feature! Joining me today are authors Joe Schwartz and Claire Atherton. Their answers made me laugh. I hope you enjoy them, as well!

First up is Claire:

For one week, you will be either the richest person in the world or the smartest person in the world. Which do you choose and why?

Well, I thought this was going to be really straight-forward to answer. How wrong was I?

In conclusion, after my rant and inward arguments, I have decided that I would prefer to be rich for a week…no smart….no rich…..arghhh damn!! I’m just too indecisive!

Claire Atherton is a wife and mum of three. You can either find her reading, writing, on film sets or doing things with her family.

You can learn more about Claire and her work on her website: www.claireatherton.webs.com

Next up is Joe:

You are now in charge of the dictionary and need to remove five unwanted, overused or otherwise irritating words from our language. Which do you choose and why?

So in conclusion, irregardless what I think, a very good writer could just use these five words if only to really piss people like me off.

Joe Schwartz is a writer living in St. Louis area. The subject of all his stories are the unique people who live here, the blatant sexism and racism they demonstrate, and the weird affection they have for their city.

Read Joe for free at:

http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?fListingClass=0&fSearch=jbts2
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23714680/Joe-s-Black-T-Shirt-Short-Stories-About-St-Louis

I’m excited to have my good friend Stacy Juba here today to discuss her new children’s book The Flag Keeper! Stacy has also generously offered to provide a free e-book download of her mystery novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today to one lucky commenter! Read on for the details!

Before we talk about Stacy’s new book, I should introduce you:

Award-winning writer Stacy Juba has published books for all ages, including the brand new patriotic children’s book The Flag Keeper. Her recent mystery novels for adults include Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and the upcoming Sink or Swim. Stacy has written more than 2,000 articles and won over a dozen writing awards. Her young adult novel Face-Off was published by Avon Books when she was 18 years old. After years of working as a reporter, Stacy now concentrates on writing fiction and freelancing.

Here’s a look at The Flag Keeper:

Elizabeth may be a little bear, but she treats the American flag with big respect. After Dad leaves for a trip, Elizabeth pledges to raise the flag all by herself and create her own Independence Day. This patriotic picture book is designed to teach children about U.S. flag etiquette through an educational fiction story. It includes discussion questions, flag facts, and an activity. The Flag Keeper is ideal for military families, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, classroom and library use, and for anyone who wishes to teach a special child about American flag etiquette. It is a perfect complement to patriotic holidays.
***

Stacy took time out of her crazy schedule to chat with me about The Flag Keeper and her foray into writing for children. Here’s what she had to say:

What prompted you to write this particular book?

I wrote this story about seven years ago and got the idea after seeing how patriotic my husband was. He has always loved flags, and after we moved into our house, I encouraged him to buy a flag pole. Once we had the pole installed, I was intrigued by how he always carried the flag outside every morning and brought it inside at night. I didn’t understand why we couldn’t just leave the flag outside in the dark. That would have been a lot easier. He explained to me about U.S. flag etiquette and how the American flag should be brought in at night unless it’s under a spotlight. I never realized that and asked him about other aspects of U.S. flag etiquette. I found out, for example, that if your flag gets worn out, you should give it a proper retirement and get a new one. Every couple years, my husband purchases a new flag and brings the worn one to the local VFW as the post properly retires worn-out flags in a special Flag Day ceremony. I remembered learning about Betsy Ross and the history of the flag in elementary school, but I’d never heard about any of these flag etiquette rules before. I don’t think this is something that’s taught in most schools and decided to fill a niche by writing a children’s book about it. The overall theme is that while you won’t go to jail for breaking these rules, following them displays your respect and makes us all better Americans.

The artwork was done by your father. Is this the first picture book he has seen his work published in?

Yes. Initially, I submitted the story to children’s book publishers, just the text of the book, before he ever did illustrations. Publishers want to use their own illustrators for picture books. I was frustrated that all I got were form rejection letters on the story. With my young adult and adult manuscripts at that time, I had an agent and had some close calls. Even before that, I’d get some personal rejection letters from publishers on my novels, but with The Flag Keeper, it was 100 percent form letters. There was absolutely no interest in a fiction book about flag etiquette. Eventually, I gave up and it became a family project. I had envisioned Elizabeth as a young girl, but my father likes drawing animals and made her into a bear. I thought that added a dimension of sweetness and gentleness to the story. I never intended to independently publish the book, but then I found out how easy it was, especially because my husband is a talented graphic designer.

How do your children feel about being able to sit and read one of mom’s books?

They aren’t that curious about my adult books, but they thought the picture book was neat. I have a college friend with two children and they were fascinated when my first adult mystery novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today was published. They were asking her questions about the cover and the book trailer video, but she didn’t want to give them much detail since it is a murder mystery. I recently sent them a copy of The Flag Keeper in the mail with a note that said “Here’s a book from Auntie Stacy that you don’t have to wait 10 years to read!” So, it’s nice to share a published book with young readers.

Any plans to write another children’s book?

My father and I did another children’s picture book for fun, but I’m not sure whether I will publish it or not. I don’t foresee myself writing more picture books as I want to focus on launching an adult mystery series. I initially wrote the picture book manuscripts around the time I discovered that I had hypothyroidism. I was absolutely exhausted and was in a brain fog much of the time, and couldn’t focus on writing a novel. Once I finally went on the medication, it took awhile to feel back to normal, but I missed writing. I decided to write a couple of picture book manuscripts as I had several friends who were children’s book authors and it seemed more manageable as I’d be focusing on a much shorter story. I shared the manuscripts with them in online critique groups and they worked with me to make the stories stronger.

I do have a young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn which I expect to be published within the next couple of years, and within the next five years I plan to reissue an updated version of my 1992 young adult hockey novel Face-Off and possibly publish its never-before seen sequel Offsides. So, I will have future books coming out for a junior high and high school audience.

You typically write in the mystery genre. What did you enjoy most about breaking out of that mold and writing for kids? What did you find the hardest?

I enjoyed analyzing a lot of picture books to get a feel for the genre. It was fun sharing The Flag Keeper manuscript with my critique partners and using my journalistic skills to convey factual information about the flag code into a fiction story. I enjoyed doing the research and compiling the flag facts at the end of the book. My published children’s author friends believed the book was strong enough to be published, so even though I put it on the shelf for a few years, I never forgot about the manuscript. The most rewarding part for me was seeing it brought to life with illustrations, then seeing the terrific job my husband did with the graphic design. He used whimsical stars and stripes lettering and really dressed up the book with small touches here and there.

Even though it was easier for me to focus on a short manuscript at that fatigued time of my life, writing a picture book manuscript was far from easy. The hard parts were using a vocabulary at a child’s level, making sure every paragraph or so gave enough visuals to inspire an illustration, and cutting, cutting, cutting so the story didn’t get too long. I love describing characters and scenery in novels, but in a picture book, it’s the illustrator’s job to convey those details. I had to cut most of my descriptions as they bogged down the story. It’s challenging to write tight, yet give the illustrator enough detail to create the pictures. I also wanted to make sure that the book would be a valuable teaching tool for teachers, school librarians and troop leaders, so that they could read the story to their group and then have a discussion about flag etiquette to help reinforce the information. An educator friend tested the pre-published version on an elementary school class and gave me input on the topics they discussed and a flag-folding activity that the class did. I used her feedback to create discussion questions and include a suggested activity in the book. So, a variety of people lent their feedback to The Flag Keeper to make it as strong as possible. I am excited to finally share the published book with young readers!
***

I’ve read The Flag Keeper and it is truly both fun and educational (for kids and adults)! You can check it out on Amazon:

Curious? Here’s a glimpse at both the print copy and Kindle version:

For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson’s killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, she must fight to stay off the obituary page herself.

Leave a comment here before midnight EST on Saturday, October 23. I’ll randomly pick the winner and announce it here. Be sure to use a valid email address and watch your spam folder. I’ll pass the winner’s email address on to Stacy and she’ll provide that lucky person with a free download code!

Now go ahead an leave a comment! Happy reading.

Author Janet Ann Collins joins me today in my little corner of the world! Janet is a wonderful, giving person and fabulous author. Let’s learn a little about the woman behind the books:

Janet Ann Collins used to write feature articles for a newspaper in the Bay Area, is a columnist for the Antique Auction Explorer and her work has appeared in many other publications. She is the author of three fiction books for children. The Peril of the Sinister ScientistSecret Service Saint is about a middle school boy who thinks he was cloned from the blood on the Shroud of Turin because a scientist who had worked on that experiment is stalking him. Secret Service Saint is a picture book about Nicholas, who discovers the fun of doing secret good deeds and eventually becomes known as Santa Claus. Signs of Trouble, her third, will be released soon.

Collins is a retired teacher, enjoys public speaking and often teaches workshops at conferences. With her husband she raised three deaf foster sons with special needs in addition to their birth daughter, and has one grandson. They live in the beautiful Sierra foothills of Northern California. To learn more about her please visit her website, www.janetanncollins.com.

Here’s a look at Janet’s upcoming release:

Signs of Trouble is a book for young readers about kids with learning disabilities who get separated from their class on a field trip. Janet wrote the book based on her own experiences working with Special Education classes. The activities included are appropriate for children from preschool through the early elementary grades and can help them learn safety rules, basic reading skills, understanding of people with special needs, and creative writing skills.

I love the cover! And what a great book to help teach kids understanding and tolerance.

Why do you write?

I guess because I want to repay some of what all the books I’ve read have given to me. I just can’t imagine not being a writer. Otherwise, what would I do with all the ideas begging to be released and shared?

What can readers new to your work expect when they pick up your book(s)?

My current books and any I write in the future will be fun to read and will probably all have something to do with helping people deal with difficulties.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing with your life?

Since I’m officially retired I could just sit around and read, but, much as I love books, that would get old fast. I’d probably do some part time teaching and maybe get involved in a drama group in addition to the volunteering I already do. But it’s hard to imagine a life without writing.

In one sentence, what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?

It touched many people’s lives in ways that encouraged them to help make the world a better place.

What would you like people to know about you and your writing?

I’d like them to know I’m a real person with hopes and dreams that may be like their own.

When I attended a high school reunion several years ago several people remembered me as brave. I found that amazing since I’d been scared of everything, but later I remembered times when I’d stood up for what was right. Since the protagonists in all the books I read always did that it never occurred to me that there was any alternative.

Also there have been many times when books or articles I read gave me insight or information that helped me through difficult times in my own life.

Writing is fun (mostly) and I enjoy being creative, but my dream is to touch and help others as the things I’ve read have touched and helped me.
***

Janet has a blog about special needs – http://janetanncollins.blogspot.net and another blog about kids, books, and words – http://onwordsblog.blogspot.net. You can learn more about her on her website – www.janetanncollins.com.

Thanks for reading.

I’m excited to introduce children’s author Fiona Ingram. Fiona has a unique story to share with us today. I hope you’ll all enjoy it as much as I did.

I asked Fiona to tell us about herself:

I am a South African children’s author. Up until a few years ago I was a journalist and editor. Something rather unexpected sparked my new career as an author—a family trip to Egypt with my mother and two young nephews. We had a great time and I thought I’d write them a short story as a different kind of souvenir…. Well, one book and a planned book series later, I had changed careers.

It has been an incredible journey and not without its dark and dreary moments. Living in South Africa affords very few good opportunities for publishing. Hence my decision to find a publisher in the USA. That too has its drawbacks—I can’t do as much as I would like with book readings etc. But the benefit of the Internet has proved itself! I have found that through blogging, tweeting, Facebook, and other online means, I have been able to build up a good author profile.

My book has also done me proud in Book Awards and various contests.
• Finalist in the Children’s/Juvenile Fiction category of the 2009 USA Next Generation Indie Book Awards
• Finalist in the Children’s Fiction section of the USA National Best Books 2009 Awards.
• Winner in the Preteen category of the 2009 Readers’ Favorites 2009 Awards.
• Nominated Number 2 in the Top 10 Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens and Teens in The Children’s & Teens Book Connection.
• Silver medal in the Teen Fiction category of the 2010 Nautilus Book Awards.
• Finalist in the 2010 International Book Awards.

Writing for children, it was inevitable that the subject of child literacy would interest me. I fostered and then later adopted a disadvantaged African child. I hope you’ll read her story from ignorance to literacy here as well. As a result, I now give creative writing classes with my book readings at schools, and write articles on how parents can help their kids to enjoy reading more. You can visit my website www.FionaIngram.com and look at a variety of articles in the Media Room. For those who are still adventurers at heart, please visit the book site www.secretofthesacredscarab.com. If you’re clever enough to crack the Curse of Thoth at the end of The Journey, you can read Chapter One of the next book in my series The Chronicles of the Stone.

About Fiona’s book – The Secret of the Sacred Scarab:

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is a middle grade children’s adventure, filled with action, mystery, history (yes!), geography, archaeology, and all the kind of hands-on/solving clues stuff kids love. The story is 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 South African tourists, Adam and Justin Sinclair, an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!
***

Fiona has written a moving piece about her personal experience with children’s literacy:

The Wonderful World of Words and One Child’s Journey There

I don’t remember actually learning to read; it’s as if I always did. Although we grew up poor (five children to feed, clothe, and educate), my parents always had books in the house. And then of course, there were the books we inherited from my grandparents. My very old copy of The Wind in the Willows, with those simple yet beautiful illustrations, is still on my bookshelf. Ratty and Mole were my heroes (and still are!). Other old friends are The Secret Garden, with exquisite color plates, The Water Babies, Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series, my collection of the Lucy Fitch Perkins’ twin series, with her poignant stories of children of all eras and places around the world. I particularly loved Anne of Avonlea, The Little Princess, and many others.

The list of children’s classics is endless and not so long ago I read them all over again. I ‘inherited’ an African foster child from a disadvantaged background. This little girl came to me at age eleven, practically illiterate, scoring only 19% for English at school. Opening the doors into the wonderful world of books seemed insurmountable because she simply did not understand the connection between the written and spoken word. What to do? Begin at the beginning seemed a good idea.

I started off with my old favorites and Mabel loved them. Suddenly, the words were not frightening because she was hearing about places and people she’d never imagined. She’d lean over my shoulder, breathing down my neck as I read, my finger tracing the words as I sounded them out. The pages began to surrender the magical words, and she found them enchanting! Fired with success, we moved onto the rest of the library, slowly devouring my children’s classic book collection in very tiny bite-sized pieces. I was still doing most of the reading.

One day, Mabel decided she’d help out with the words, and began reading to me. It was still incredibly slow but I began to see the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We got movies of books, watched them, and then read the books, just in case the moviemakers had left out some important bits. We expanded our repertoire book by book. I found other ways to sneak words into her day, not just when we were doing ‘serious’ reading. She read recipes with me when we baked; she read the instructions on the packaging to me while we prepared dinner; she read advertisements to me when we shopped. Suddenly words were a constant part of her life.

Mabel also began to show her imaginative side at school. Her poems and creative writing pieces began to change, reflecting more color, bigger words, more complex themes and emotions. What a breakthrough! The final moment of success came when just recently she turned to my mother and said, “Gran, will you buy me a book?”

My mother nearly fell off her chair and replied, “You can have as many as you like, darling.”

Mabel grinned. “Oh, then can you buy me all the Twilight books please?”

Thank you Stephenie Meyer for being the first author Mabel ‘owns.’ (Apparently vampires rock.)

Her latest ‘own’ books? Inkheart, and The Golden Compass.

Her latest marks for English? A magnificent 75%.

“I can do much better,” she said, frowning. “I’m going to have to improve on this if I want to be a writer.”

I have now adopted Mabel legally, not having my own children, and I can say the greatest compliment is that she has decided to become a journalist or a novelist (just like me).

Recently I called her and, hearing her voice coming from her bedroom, asked, “What are you doing?”

Reply: “I’m reading!”

Music to any parent’s ears!
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This is Mabel, Fiona’s beautiful adopted daughter, who has been blessed with the love of words and a mother’s unconditional love.

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You can learn more about Fiona and her work in the following places:
Her Website: www.FionaIngram.com
Her Book: www.secretofthesacredscarab.com
Her Blog: http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FionaRobyn