Author Nancy Stewart On Muses And Breaks

I’m delighted to welcome author Nancy Stewart back to Thoughts in Progress as she makes a stop on her Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tour with her latest release, KATRINA AND WINTER: PARTNERS IN COURAGE.

The book is a delight and very inspiring. If you haven’t read my review, you can check it out here.

Today Nancy joins us to talk about, “Come on, Muse! Give Me a Break.”

What is it about muses? I know they take their work seriously, and yet conjuring up mine can be quite a chore at times.

I almost always search for her at the computer. She’s usually there, but not today.  Sometimes she hides in my Favorites List. But not today. How about the Homepage? Nope. One more try my lists of guest posts. Occasionally she will transform herself into a bright new post from an old one. Today, no such luck.

Not one to give up, I go to the gym. Strangely enough, she hangs out there. And usually her gym ideas are good ones, full of life and vigor. She particularly likes the elliptical. Actually, so do I. But after 25 minutes of trying to coax her to visit, I give up and move to other machines where I’ve never seen her ply her magic.

On the way home, I stop by the bookstore. I congratulate myself on a stroke of genius. She can’t not be there, I tell myself. It’s a muse kind of place, after all. She’s not there. Not even in the kids’ books section. She’s always in the kids’ books section. Copying ideas, I tell her, but she rejects that notion.

Ah, well. I give up. I’ve learned there’s no future in sleuthing after a muse that does not want to be detected. So, home I go.

I consider the computer a lost cause, so I opt for a glass of iced tea and a comfy chair. And then, like a tiny bee buzzing in my brain, she’s here. She speaks of Bella and Britt and dolphins, of a middle grade novel set in Africa, of a chapter book series. 

My muse is such a tease. But when she gets down to business, there’s no stopping her! Today, I’m just happy she visited, threw out a couple of notions then left me to ruminate.  

What is it about muses? I still haven’t figured out that answer. But I’m happy I have one!

Nancy, thanks so much for guest blogging again. A muse can be quite unpredictable at times but I’m glad yours brings you such intriguing stories.

Now here’s a bit of background on Nancy. She is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children: One Pelican at a Time (18 weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, Bella Saves the Beach and Mystery at Manatee Key. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing.  

One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch. Pelican has won the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite Five Star Award and was nominated for a Global eBook Award.

Her travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education. Nancy is a frequent speaker at conferences, including the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis. For more on Nancy and her writing, visit her website at http://www.nancystewartbooks.com

Do you have a muse? Is it unpredictable or always there when you need it? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great Monday and remember to share a good book with a friend.

Katrina And Winter by Nancy Stewart

Stories by author Nancy Stewart are always inspiring, motivating, and give you hope.

 

KATRINA AND WINTER: PARTNERS IN COURAGE fits this bill and to add to the impact - it’s the true story.

Katrina Simpkins was born with a birth defect that resulted in her having to use a prosthetic leg. Because of her ‘helper’ leg, she never felt normal and wasn’t very outgoing.

On their way to Disney World, Katrina’s family made a stop at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It was a stop that changed Katrina’s life and helped restore her self-confidence. She encountered Winter, a dolphin with a stump instead of a tail. Winter also wore a prosthetic - her tail. Winter had lost her tail in a crab trap line when she was a few months old.

After Katrina’s meeting with Winter, her attitude changed and her self-confidence began to build. From that chance meeting Katrina grew into a young lady of pose and confidence. She has helped others overcome what she had suffered and learned that she is a normal girl despite her ‘helper’ leg.

Once again Stewart has presented a story that will inspire and motive. KATRINA AND WINTER will tug at your heartstrings. It’s a wonderful reminder that we can overcome most things with the right attitude.

The book is illustrated with beautiful photos of Katrina as she grow from that shy child into an outgoing young lady. There are also numerous photos of her and Winter. The book is suggested for children ages 8 to 12, but all ages will enjoy it.

Author Nancy Stewart’s website is www.nancystewartbooks.com

Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage by Nancy Stewart, Guardian Angel Publishing, @2012, ISBN: 978-1616332433, Paperback, 22 Pages   

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author as part of her blog tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

Do you enjoy books that inspire and motivate? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Please be sure to stop back by Monday, June 4, when author Nancy Stewart will be visiting on her blog tour.

One Pelican At A Time by Nancy Stewart

Do you try to explain nation and international events to your young children, grandchildren or other young family members?

Sometimes it’s difficult to explain to youngsters what actually is going on in the world even though they see reports on the news each day. Sometimes they ask questions that you may not have answers to. Author Nancy Stewart recently released a children’s book during with such an issue.

One Pelican At A Time by Nancy Stewart

Author Nancy Stewart has created an inspiring and educational book for youngsters (and old alike) that deals with the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill.

The story features Bella and Britt, two young girls who enjoy the beach along the Gulf Coast and its inhabitants. When they discover oil washing up on shore, they are eager to help. The ranger explains that there’s nothing they can do as adults have to clean up the oil.

When their friend, the old crooked beak pelican, becomes covered in oil, the girls’ quick action saves his life. This proves to them that everyone can do something in their own way to help.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Samantha Bell. The book is suggested for readers ages 7 to 12.

Author Nancy Stewart’s website is http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/

Illustrator Samantha Bell’s website is http://www.samantha-bell.com/

One Pelican At A Time by Nancy Stewart, Guardian Angel Publishing, @2011, ISBN: 9781616331399, Paperback, 26 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book as part of the author’s blog tour and it was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Do you think it’s good to explain environmental issues like the oil spill to youngsters?

Author Nancy Stewart Talks About Narcissism

It’s my pleasure to welcome author Nancy Stewart as the special guest blogger today as she virtually tours blogdom with her latest children’s picture book.

Nancy’s book, ONE PELICAN AT A TIME, is a timely read for youngsters who have been watching the news about the gulf oil spill. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: Bella and Britt love living by the beach.  When they find oil washing to shore from a gulf spill, they want to help but are told there is nothing for kids to do.  But when their old friend, the pelican, becomes covered with oil, they help save his life by their quick thinking and action.

Nancy joins us today to talk about “Narcissism?  Let Me Check My Blog Stats…”

I’ve been thinking lots about narcissism and blogging and attention to one’s website. Is that the very definition of narcissism? Maybe.

Picture books are a passion of mine, and I’ve been writing them for five years. My first one in a series of three, ONE PELICAN AT A TIME, was published by Guardian Angel Publishing last week. All three of them took much time, thought, critiquing from my writer’s group and self-doubt right up to the end.

Never, though, during that process, did I run to the computer after having been away for an hour to look for comments or pour over stats. This realization may say something to, or perhaps, about me. Oops. There goes that narcissism word again…

The shift from creative writing to blogging/website production may carry with it the need to be more personal, more introspective, more in tune with one’s own psyche to convey who we are to our readers and, perhaps, to define our own worthiness to ourselves. And with that may come some narcissism by task default. I certainly hope that’s what it is.

In the meantime, I’ll continue writing picture books, consult with my publisher, meet with my writing group, revise, edit, use my Thesaurus endlessly and only occasionally be deeply introspective. That is, until it’s time to write another entry for my blog. Oh, yes.

And even when it’s posted, I’ll pour over it from every angle, perhaps move a photo a centimeter or two, recheck links to be sure they’re working, read my witty words for the zillionth time and be, well, narcissistic.

Please excuse me now. I have to check my stats.

Nancy, thanks for guest blogging today. I guess when it comes to blogging, writers and non-writers alike tend to be a bit narcissistic about our post but then, that’s part of the fun.

Let me tell you a little bit about Nancy now. After having been an elementary school teacher, a management consultant with New Options, Inc. in New York City and a university professor of education, Nancy now writes children’s books full time. She, her husband and three sons, lived in London for eight years, where she was a consultant to several universities, including Cambridge. Nancy travels extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is the US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

Nancy is the author of ONE PELICAN AT A TIME and two other Bella books:  BELLA SAVES THE BEACH and SEA TURTLE SUMMER.  All three are published by Guardian Angel Publishers.

She and her family live in St. Louis and Clearwater Beach, Florida. For more on Nancy and her writing, visit her online at www.nancystewartbooks.com or at her blog www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com.

Here's a cute book trailer for ONE PELICAN AT A TIME, enjoy.


What are your thoughts on narcissism? Do you check your stats often? Is that something that should be done monthly, weekly or daily?