The smell of Christmas #familytraditions #ThankfulThisHoliday

We all have our special family traditions. Something that sparks deep within us and makes us smile at the memory. For me, it is Christmas morning. The tradition stretches back to the time of being a little girl. The excitement of the morning, and the smell of Christmas.

The smell of Christmas. That is an odd phrase, but if you think upon it for a moment, I am sure you will agree. Christmas does have a smell. It may be different for you than for me, but it is there. 

I loved Christmas as a child. I still do. The excitement of the evening and waiting for jolly old St. Nick; the anticipation was palpable. My Christmas morning started the same every year. I would wake up in the middle of the night, sneak out to see what Santa left, and play with my toys until my parents awoke...or the phone would ring. If my parents overslept, I could always count on my dear grandmother to call at 6:00 a.m. I would race to the phone and happily answer it to hear my grandmother's cheery voice greeting me with Merry Christmas and assuring me breakfast was ready. 

Once that call was received, I knew it was safe to pounce on my parents. Sometimes they would stretch it out another half hour while I would anxiously bob up and down waiting. I was ready to start the day! Finally, they'd head toward the door and I was gone. I would race down our walkway, out the front gate, up the sidewalk---all the way next door---and arrive at my grandparents' doorstep. I wouldn't bother with the doorbell, knowing my grandfather would have already unlocked it. As I burst into their home, the smell of Christmas would hit me. Hot fresh blueberry muffins and bacon. It was the same every year, and it was my favorite. This was Christmas to me. This was love. It was the prequel to my grandparents' waiting arms. 

The good thing about family traditions is that they stick with us, even into adulthood. Gone are the days of Christmas morning at my grandparents' home as they passed long ago. But the tradition remains. Not one Christmas has passed that the aroma of blueberry muffins and bacon hasn't filled my home. And there is always one extra plate dished with a warm muffin. It stands alone, uneaten. It serves only as a memory and tribute to two very special people that meant the world to me. To a woman whose voice is embedded in my mind and my heart and still whispers Merry Christmas to me with each passing year.

God bless everyone. May your Christmas be rich with tradition.

K. Lamb

In Between by Jenny B. Jones #YA #bookreview #kidlit

I must say that I truly enjoyed this book. I instantly felt connected to the storyline.

In Between by Jenny B, Jones is the story of one girl's journey in learning to trust in adults when all she has known in the past is disappointment. With a mom in prison, Katie Parker is shipped off from her group home to her new foster parents. Not only is she thrust into a new household, but when she finds out that her "foster father" is a preacher, she all but goes off the rails. She pushes the boundaries continually in an effort to test their limits and expects to be shipped back to Sunny Haven Home for Girls at any moment.

Katie's wit and reactions are full of realism. More than a time or two did I find myself outright laughing, chuckling, or smiling. I truly found myself connecting with the character as I watched her progress through the book and the life changes that helped her accept her position, and importance, in her new home.

Although religion and God were brought up many times throughout the book, I never felt it became heavy handed or presented in such a way as to turn off young adult readers. In truth, I found just the opposite to be true. I think it will open up, or strengthen, young minds to the concept of God. Religion can be such a touchy subject, and I love when an author can present it in a responsible manner.

Ultimately, I think I felt such a connection to this book because over the years I have volunteered hundreds of hours working with children in my community. Not all of them have been fortunate in their circumstances in life and this book reminded me of those special moments working with some of the children that had a natural distrust of adults. These children were always the ones to capture my heart, and make me work even harder to insure they had a fantastic summer. The only thing a child truly needs in life is to know someone cares about their well-being. In my opinion, In Between reinforces this statement.

I would definitely give this book 5 stars. I look forward to reading more in the Katie Parker Production series, and to many more laughs ahead. Very well done, Jenny B. Jones!

Wishing you all an amazing adventure, and reminding you to never pass up the opportunity to help a child,

K. Lamb

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Writing Software - Is it for you? #authors #writers #software

Today in the Author's Corner, I thought we would talk about writing software. I use several different programs, all of which we will discuss. 

I want to send out a strong caution of what writing software will not do:

• Replace an editor or proofreader
• Will not read human emotion
• Will not catch dropped words, wrong word use, etc.
• Will not guarantee you success as a writer

What can writing software do?

• Help you to better prepare your manuscript for an editor and proofreader
• Teach you how to strengthen your writing
• Make you more confident in your writing

The three writing programs, which I will again further discuss in detail, are:

• Office 365
• StyleWriter 4
• ProWriting Aid

Microsoft Office 365:

We are all familiar with Microsoft Word. If we don't use, we've at least heard of it. The reason I upgraded to the subscription service is two-fold:

• You get all the newest Office upgrades
• The subscription service includes the text-to-speech feature, which previous versions have done away with

The most important feature in this version of Word is the text-to-speech. What your eyes see on paper can sometimes deceive you. Hearing your manuscript read back to you by the program, tedious as it may be, will allow you to catch those little nuances that your eyes bypass. This is a key factor! Your manuscript must "read aloud" well, especially if you are writing for children.

Stylewriter 4:

I have heard pros and cons about this software. I will tell you that I love it and use it constantly! It does get a little buggy at times with Windows 8, but if you check your document chapter-by-chapter, it usually runs fine. I have found it gives me trouble when I have it review the whole manuscript.

I like this program because I find it to be more intensive than Microsoft Word's grammar check. Now this is strictly my opinion. Since this is a UK company, you will find there are a few differences between American English and British English. Despite that, I find it useful. It will grade your writing style as dreadful, fair, poor, good, and excellent. I always strive for an excellent rating, and will keep re-structuring my paragraphs until I achieve that goal. It also gives you different format styles from which to choose based on what you are writing, i.e. fiction, business letters, etc.

The more you use the program, the stronger your writing becomes. Think of it the same as exercising your muscles. The more you work out the easier your routines gets. This is the same principle.

The software is expensive, but they do offer a free trial download. I suggest you see how it works for you. If you don't like it, nothing lost. The software ranges from $90-$190.00 depending on the version you purchase. I have the pro edition and use it almost daily.

ProWritingAid:

This is a web-based grammar program. It also comes with a plug-in, if you prefer, but I found the web works best for me. I don't use this software program until the end of the writing phase when I am editing. This program is great for picking up redundancies, which is my most used report.

This is a subscription program, which is $35.00 a year—definitely worth the price! If you purchase more than one year at a time they offer a discounted rate.

There is another program similar to this one that I have tried, but will not mention by name. I preferred the other program a little bit better, but not enough to warrant the steep price difference—$35.00 vs. $144.00.

Why use software?

As I mentioned before, I believe it helps you stay in tune with your writing and improves it over time by letting you see your weak spots.

Another important aspect that I feel strongly about is the cleaner you make your manuscript before handing it off to an editor to do their job, the more they will be able to help you. Make your manuscript the best so your editor can give you their best.

Cautionary Word:

Software will never be able to read emotion and feel your words. It gives you recommendations based on programming, but it is up to you, the writer, to be sure the sentence ultimately moves your reader. Do not let any program strip your voice. For example, I write for children. In my dialog, I am constantly using the word/fragment, really? The program is not happy with me when I do. However, this is a child's voice, this is how they speak, which is why I need to follow my instincts and be able to put aside what the program is telling me.

Finally, do not make the mistake of thinking any of these programs replace a good editor. An editor offers what no program can:  the human eye, feeling, and experience.

I hope you found this article helpful and it has given you a couple more tools in your arsenal. It is our job as authors to put forth our best efforts. Remember, the world needs quality literature.

Wishing you success,

K. Lamb

Twitter Talk

If you're an author, chances are you belong to the Twitter world. Now if you've come here for some sage advice on mastering the world of tweets, I will warn you, you are going to be sadly disappointed. I don't have the answers. This is a world that has a life of its own, and the recommendations on how to have a successful Twitter feed are as varied as the people who use it.

I've read a lot of different articles, downloaded books, and I still haven't a clue. I've tried different formulas. To me, IMHO, it all comes down to being true to yourself and the amount of time you have to devote to this mysterious world.

A while back when I found myself getting lost for hours on end as I happily tweeted along, I found I was enjoying the human interaction, but losing valuable writing time. I knew I couldn't sustain that if I ever wanted to get my next book out. So I decided to implement a plan. I would devote one whole day to interacting with my friends and followers each week. I called it Thankful Thursdays. The idea was to give shout-outs to my followers and enjoy a good old-fashioned gab fest. Only I discovered it was a major fail for two reasons:

• First, one day wasn't enough. I missed the daily interaction, and whereas my followers didn't decrease, they stopped increasing at the same rate as before. This proved one thing to me: my followers needed the interaction just as much as I did. I am now back to tweeting daily, although I try to limit myself.
• Secondly, my all-day shout-out list proved to be annoying to some followers. They appreciated the mention, but the continual list was a bit too much. Being grateful and saying thank you to my followers is important to me, however. Therefore, I now send out a small daily batch of "Grateful 4:" to express my appreciation and litter my posts throughout the week.

Then of course there is the whole topic of WHAT to tweet about. Do we keep it strictly personal or is it okay to promote our books? Again, the advice offered is extremely varied. As writers, we all want to introduce ourselves to new individuals and expand our reader base. Although I do believe it is important to do so in a genuine manner so as not to be obnoxious about it, and sometimes, it can be difficult to know when we are being obnoxious as it is difficult to "read" our friends and followers in the cyber world. What is too much? I really enjoyed the explanation put forth on this topic by Benjamin Wallace, the author of Giving the Bird: The Indie Author's Guide to Twitter, as he describes a scenario of a man at a party.  (You'll have to buy the book to find out what he says...)

What is my "tweet formula?" Honestly, I don't have one. It is ever-changing as I find what works for me and what doesn't. Not to confuse you any more than what you might already be on the subject, here is what I currently tweet in the twitter world:

• I post socially just because I enjoy it. I love interacting with my friends and those I've met online. We can act like big kids. Is it always professional? No, but it's fun and it is genuine. Being true to yourself and who you are has to be at the forefront of everything you do. The key is honesty. Let others see the real you. You can be both the consummate writer and the goofball joking with your friends. 
• Quotes are one of my favorites. The wisdom that can be found within a few short words can touch the soul. 
• Projects my friends are working on. I am one of those individuals that believe in promoting the success of others. We all win when one of us succeeds. You cannot be afraid to support others in their goals. 
• Words. I love posting a "word of the day" when a good one comes along. 
• My blog postings. Where my tweets can sometimes show the silly side of me, my blog shows my heart. I talk about all kinds of things from children's literacy to cherished memories, and even my experiences as a writer. 
• Book reviews I've posted. I'm always looking for quality children's literature to recommend to my readers and nieces and nephew. 
• Interesting articles. Although one of the books I read said this was a definite no-no as you shouldn't direct traffic away from your site. However, the "helpful" side of me wants to share interesting articles when I find them so I doubt that is going to change. 
• Snippets from my books and links. Yes, I do send out the dreaded promotional tweets. It is always in the hope my followers will forgive this transgression and even take a peek! 

As I said in the beginning, what people tweet about is as varied as they are themselves. I don't know if there will ever be any "set formula" as things are forever changing, expanding, and going in new directions. All any of us can do is hope to wade through all the advice and find a solution that works best for us as individuals.  

Wishing you all success,

K. Lamb

Eligibility in the Local Context #college #education #students

If you are the parent of a high school student in California you may or may not be aware of Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). I will admit, I was not. It wasn't until I attended an informational college night at our daughter's high school that I first found out about this program. 

Being the parent of a very goal-oriented child/young adult can be a challenge. You have to try and help balance the time they spend on school work, and their over-achieving nature, with being sure they experience life. At the same time, you truly have to appreciate that determination. Well, in California, that determination pays off in a big way and it is something every parent should know!

California has a program called Eligibility in the Local Context. Basically, if your child meets all the course requirements to enter college, and is within the top percentage of their high school, they are guaranteed admission into the UC school system. (I believe the only two schools exempt from automatic acceptance are UC Berkeley and UCLA, however ELC status will improve your child's chances.) From their website:

"To be designated as ELC, a student must have attended an eligible, participating California high school, satisfactorily completed a specific pattern of 11 UC-approved courses prior to the start of senior year, and have a UC-calculated GPA that meets or exceeds the top 9 percent GPA benchmark established by UC for their school. To maintain the ELC status, the student must satisfy the general admissions requirements including the successful completion of the 15 required “a-g” courses, maintain a 3.0 GPA and submit an official copy of ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test scores."

Before you get too excited, be sure to read the fine print. It says, "the top 9 percent GPA benchmark established by UC for their school." Unless the overall GPA is extremely low for your child's high school, a 3.0 is not going to give them automatic entrance. That is the reality of the situation. Gaining entrance into college is extremely competitive. I know for a fact that GPAs ranged well over 4.0 in my daughter's school. 

How can you help your child? If they are up to the challenge, you can encourage them to:

• Take honors courses in their Freshman year to acquaint them with a more demanding course load
• Take AP courses in their sophomore, junior, and senior years (which will also give them college credit and get some of those general education courses out of the way)
• DO NOT push your child beyond their capabilities; it will only damage their self-esteem and lower their GPA if they cannot keep up
• Provide the necessary tools and a good working environment for them to study
• Be supportive, check in daily, and make sure they are balancing life

Find out if your child is on track for the ELC program in their junior year. Taking away the added pressure of worrying about whether or not they will be accepted into a 4-year college will allow them to focus on their studies and enjoy their final year, which should be full of memories and camaraderie with friends.

For more information, please go to: Eligibility in the Local Context

Now, if you really want to help get your child on track---start with them when they are young. Early readers become better students. Give them a head start in life. Read to your child today!

Wishing your child every success,

K. Lamb

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A Ghost went Trick or Treating #kidlit #bookreview #free

I picked up A Ghost Went Trick or Treating by A.J. Cosmo (written under the penname Gene Wilikers) on Amazon.com. As of the date of this blog, it is available for a free download. My best recommendation is to grab a copy while it is still available―otherwise, it will run you $1.99, which is still a bargain!

At only 22 pages and 12 illustrations, it is a short read, but one your child will delight in. It is the perfect tale to get young ones excited about the upcoming holiday, read after a long night of trick-or-treating or as a classroom read aloud on Halloween day. 

What I enjoyed about this story is that I thought I had it all figured out, until nearly the end, when the author threw in a twist that made me smile. How many times can you say that as an adult, a child's book throws you a curve? It goes to prove that a well-written children's book can surprise us all.

The best part is that I love stories that have a message or lesson within them. This one is presented so perfectly, your child will not recognize it for what it is, but will find themselves engaged and immersed in the unfolding events. 

This book teaches children about:

• friendship
• bullying
• not to judge a "book" by its cover
• helping others

This is a book that I look forward to sharing with my young nieces. I have no doubt it will win their seal of approval as well.

Wishing you all a safe and hauntingly good time,

K. Lamb

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Just in time for Halloween! #free #kindle #kidlit

How about sharing with your little ghost or goblin a different type of Halloween treat this year? Perhaps you're trying to find a way to quiet your little princess or pirate down after arriving home from a long night of trick or treating. Is your buzzing bee or fireman coming down off their sugar-high? You can settle them in by cozying up together and reading, Dani and the Haunted House! 

Since kids shouldn't be the only one getting a treat this Halloween, I'm offering a free Kindle download on Thursday, October 16th!

Wishing you all a safe and hauntingly good time,

K. Lamb

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