Tag: writing life

World Water Day

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

Today, we celebrate World Water Day, an annual United Nations Observance that started in 1993. This day focuses on the importance of water, celebrates water, and raises awareness of the 2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.

Each year, the UN changes the theme related to water. The theme for this year is groundwater – making the invisible visible. I like how simple this theme is as groundwater isn’t seen, but has an impact everywhere.

Their site had several children’s activities posted online. I am attaching two documents for children to do. First, enjoy a cool word search. In addition, you can try out this fun maze.

You can also try to reduce your water usage at home. It all adds up and makes a difference.

from worldwaterday.org

Copperfish Books

Published on by Kathy Cherry1 Comment

After months of writing, more months of editing, more months of publishing, and a few more months of marketing, there’s nothing like seeing your book in a bookstore!

Pinch me!!

A huge thank you to Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida for carrying Turtle Tube: An Erutuf National Park Novel! I am so honored to have my book in this beautiful store! Love the staff, book selections, and store layout here!

Check out their adorable children’s section:

I highly recommend checking out this awesome bookstore if you’re in the area in Florida and you also can visit their website and order online.

Names

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

We all know the names of Pippi, Ramona, Winnie, Sherlock, Charlie Bucket, Harry Potter, and many more.

Character names represent more than a word on a piece of paper. The name of the character comes to life and becomes a real person throughout a novel.

Authors take great care in naming their characters. The ideas can come from many sources and places of inspiration.

In my children’s book, Turtle Tube: An Erutuf National Park Novel, I selected the names of Reese and Dean by using my children’s middle names. Reese and Dean fit their characters really well.

I based other characters’ names on their personalities and characteristics. I even changed a name at one point. Olivia was originally named Eva. In the editing process, I discovered that Eva and Emma were too similar of names to have in this book. I couldn’t imagine changing Emma, so opted to change Eva to Olivia.

I’m working on the second book in this series and need a name for a 5 year old boy character. I decided to ask for some help and who else best to help than a class of children. 🙂 A local fourth grade class agreed to help and all wrote down name suggestions on pieces of paper for me to review.

I love the suggestions! I am really impressed how serious the students took this task and wanted to help.

Thank you to Mrs. Anderson’s class for all these thoughtful and creative suggestions!

Signs and Stickers

Published on by Kathy Cherry3 Comments

National parks all have iconic signs such as these two examples below from Yellowstone National and Yosemite National Park.

It came to my attention recently that my national park needed a sign. To explain, I created a fictional national park as the setting in my children’s book, Turtle Tube: An Erutuf National Park Novel, called Erutuf National Park. I have a map of the national park, but no sign.

I really love the idea of creating this sign as a visual for children. In particular, I like the idea of creating it to use as stickers. Stickers are the rage right now covering water bottles, laptops, and more. So, I started the process of working with a designer (as I am definitely not an artist).

Here are the first few draft designs:

We went back and forth with ideas and came up with this final design:

I love it! And I’m having it made into stickers! Yay!

Just thought I’d share a bit of author life and work today. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Happy National Handwriting Day

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

Happy National Handwriting Day!

It is observed today on January 23 which celebrates the birthday of John Hancock. As you probably know, he’s the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence. His autograph became so famous that we now commonly use ‘John Hancock’ as another term for ‘signature.’

To celebrate this fun day, write a letter to someone; start a journal; try out calligraphy; or buy yourself a fancy pen to use.

Edits and Treats

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

I’m working hard on my book edits right now. I’m dreaming about commas, hyphens, and semi-colons these days. 🙂 I am getting excited about the progress and really can’t wait for it to come out!

To stay focused on my manuscript and the edits, I indulge in a fun candy. Cinnamon red hots! Yes, the little red round candies often associated with Valentine’s Day. I pour out a few on my desk. I eat the candies one at a time while reviewing paragraph by paragraph. I only allow myself to eat these goodies during my writing time. It’s my own little reward.

What treats do you enjoy to stay focused at work? We all deserve a treat for working hard.

Back to my edits.