Guest Post Author Janet Love Morrison

“In order to write about life first you must live it.”

Ernest Hemingway

Janet Love Morrison was born in Toronto, Canada and grew up in Port Coquitlam, near Vancouver, BC. She spent a lot of her life travelling around the world doing a variety of jobs while living in Switzerland, Israel, India, Japan and Malaysia.

Travelling inspired Love Morrison to document was she felt, what she saw and what she heard. Her writing has appeared in the Pique Newsmagazine, which is published in Whistler, BC, one of Canada’s famed ski resorts, the Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s two national newspapers and several other publications.

“Refugees, children, taxi drivers, fellow travellers, work colleagues, family, friends, Dhyan Vimal, founder of Friends to Mankind, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and so many, many more remarkable people have been my teachers.

From the Himalayas, to the Alps; from the Andes to the Rocky Mountains; I have encountered this planet and I write to honour the courage of those who have met life challenges and rose to be the best they can be. They have sparked the belief in me that when we all rise to be the best we can be humanity will rise to be the best it can be.”

Love Morrison first started editing in 2004 for Masters’ World magazine in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since that tenure she has embraced a wide variety of editing assignments including: websites, brochures, resumes, magazine articles, real estate advertisements and so much more. Those creative experiences, combined with teaching English grammar as an ESL teacher for 11 years, are what make Love Morrison a well-rounded editor today.

In addition, Love Morrison is available for speaking engagements for she has appeared on television, radio and various other platforms to speak on different subject matters.

And finally, Love Morrison is an Ambassador for Friends to Mankind, an international non-profit foundation that works with individuals, corporation and philanthropic organizations towards the betterment of humanity.

www.friendstomankind.org

“If your work is just work, then you haven’t found your work, but if your work is your life, then you have found your life.”

Dhyan Vimal, Founder, Friends to Mankind

How/why did you start to write?

From the Himalayas, to the Alps; from the Andes to the Rocky Mountains; I have encountered this planet and I write to honour the courage of those who have met life challenges and rose to be the best they can be. They have sparked the belief in me that when we all rise to be the best we can be humanity will rise to be the best it can be.

What was your first published piece?

My first article was published in The Whistler Question in 1992.

Sponsored by a local pizza parlour, the paper offered to publish travel stories in exchange for extra-large pizzas. The article was titled, Cabbie a Cultural Oasis at Border Crossing, and chronicled my journey across the Sinai Desert into the Gaza Strip in 1985. I was pretty excited about the pizza!

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

I’ve spent many, many years outside of Canada and my intent has been to honour and celebrate people who have met their challenges, for I believe they inspire others to rise too.

What inspires you?

This quote:

“If your work is just work, then you haven’t found your work, but  if your work is your life, then you have found your life.” Dhyan Vimal, Founder, Friends to Mankind

Please share one of your successful author platform building technique

For me, I try to always be conscious of my beliefs and intent before I write.

Parting words

What are you creating? What are you moving towards? What is the vision you are holding for your writing and yourself? What are you willing to do?

Radar the Rescue Dog

Author: Janet Love Morrison

Illustrator: Zuzana Riha Driediger

Foreword: Justin Trudeau

Released: October 2013

        Categories:   Juvenile Fiction, Animals Dogs

                                     Juvenile Fiction, Sports & Recreation

                                     Juvenile Fiction, Winter Sports

                                  

ISBN Numbers:

Paperback: 978-1-4602-2575-2

eBook: 978-1-4602-2576-9

Friesen Press, Inc.

Suite 300 – 852 Fort Street

Victoria, BC

V8W 1H8

CANADA

Tel: 1.888.378.6793

Email: publishing@friesenpress.com

Bookstore: http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000011498168

Radar the Rescue Dog is a fictitious children’s story based on a real dog. Three adventurous young skiers venture beyond the ski area boundary and find themselves lost on Whistler Mountain. Radar is their hero. It’s a simple plot to teach young skiers and snowboarders mountain safety awareness.

In 1978 Radar was Whistler’s first avalanche rescue dog. His home was Whistler and his owner was Bruce Watt, one of the original founders of the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association (CARDA).

The safety of mountain guests is critical in all ski areas. Much like we are taught about the hazards of water, electricity and fire, we must also teach young people about the fundamentals of mountain safety. This is the intent of Radar the Rescue Dog.

Justin Trudeau has written the foreword. His brother Michel was tragically killed in an avalanche in November 1998. Since then the Trudeau family has participated in mountain awareness.

Radar is endorsed by the Canadian Avalanche Foundation; the Canadian National Ski Patrol; the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association; Whistler Search and Rescue; and Dave Irwin and Steve Podborski of the famed Crazy Canucks.

 About the Illustrator:

Zuzana Riha Driediger lives in Revelstoke BC, and has been a member of CARDA since 1993. She currently sits on the board of directors for the organization and helps instruct rescue teams when required. She is presently training her third avalanche rescue dog who looks a lot like Radar.

For information about Janet Love Morrison's other books, please visit this site

Janet Love Morrison's video about her book Friends: Six Women, Six Cultures, One Humanity

Writers' Circle (poem) by Amber Harvey

Writers’ Circle

by Amber Harvey

Papers, notebooks, laptops

Cast nets

To capture thoughts

            that swim

            in the rivers of our souls

But not all.

Our souls’ divers spiral downward

            into a maelstrom

Where image, feeling, story,

            like cells in primeval mud

Attire themselves in life

            and become language

Then all spiral upward

            through a vortex

            where meaning

            is caught and held

Letters form words

Words form phrases

To wrap and hold the meaning

            in booklets, pages and laptops

Beyond the bounds

            of books, papers and laptops,

Swim the thoughts

            that can’t be captured.

Guest Post Author Darlene Foster

How/why did you start to write?

I have always written.  When I was a child growing up on a prairie farm, I would make up stories in my head.  In grade three, my teacher encouraged me to write my stories down.  She also encouraged me to travel and see the world.  This special woman made a huge difference in my life.  Through the wonders of social media, I was able to locate her a couple of years ago and thank her.

How did you become an author?

I became an author by writing short stories and sending them out to contests and anthologies.  Writing short stories gave me good practice.  Once I started to win prizes and had a couple of stories published in anthologies, I gained confidence.

What was your first published piece?

I had my first article, called Stretch Your Food Dollar, published in a prairie newspaper when I was twelve years old.

Where was it published?

It was published in The Winnipeg Free Press

How long ago?

Now that would be telling.  I can only say it was quite some time ago.

However, my first short story chosen for an anthology, Country Roads, Memoirs from Rural Canada, called The Day Dief Came to Town, was published three years ago.  Sometimes it takes a long time to become a published author.

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

I have worked in retail sales and human resources. I still work full-time as an Employment Counsellor and part-time as an English as a Second Language Teacher, and I write whenever I get a spare moment.  Working with the public is a huge asset to me as a writer, as people provide me with ideas everyday.  I often tutor children in ESL. It’s great to meet children from other cultures and learn from them.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by my travels and by the interesting people I meet everyday.

What made you decide to write children’s books?

After returning from an amazing trip to the United Arab Emirates, I decided to write about my experiences.  The result was a bit boring and lacked the enthusiasm I felt while there.  So I started writing about my experiences from the point of view of a twelve year old, tossing in an adventure and some interesting characters which resulted in my first book, Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask, published in 2010.  I was happy with the result and realized Amanda wanted to continue to travel so I wrote Amanda in Spain – The Girl in the Painting (2011) and Amanda in England – The Missing Novel (2012) I love writing for children, perhaps I have never grown up myself.

Please share one of your successful author platform building technique

Once I had my first book published I became very active on social media sites such as Face Book, Twitter and LinkedIn.  I made sure I had a professional profile and made great connections.  I also started a blog which I believe has been the most successful platform builder of all.  I have met the most amazing individuals through my blog who have provided much encouragement. It keeps me writing and has connected me to the  world of writers and readers.

Parting words

When I was a child I dreamt of travelling to interesting places.  I also dreamt of becoming a published author.  Many times these dreams seemed out of reach but I persevered.  It took awhile but my dreams came true. So my parting word to people of all ages is, never give up on your dreams!

Book blurb:

Amanda Ross is an average twelve year old Canadian girl. So what is she doing thousands of kilometres from home in the United Arab Emirates? It's her own fault really, she wished for adventure and travel when she blew out those candles on her last birthday cake. Little did she know that a whole different world awaited her on the other side of the globe, one full of intrigue, mystery and folklore. A world with a beautiful princess, a dangerous desert and wonderful friends. Join Amanda on her first adventure as she discovers the secrets behind The Perfume Flask.

Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Arabia-Perfume-Darlene-Foster/dp/1926760360

www.darlenefoster.ca

http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

Thank you so  much for the interview and opportunity to promote my books.  If there is anything else you need, let me know.

Author Links

Darlene Foster
dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

www.darlenefoster.ca
Blog: http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman
facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter

Guest Post Author Donna Shepherd

Ava’s Secret Tea Party

BLURB:

Has your child dreamed of meeting Tooth Fairy, Santa, Sandman, or Easter Bunny? Ava wants to invite them to tea, but how? The answer lies with one special character who knows them ALL! In the style of classic fairy tales, Donna Shepherd has written "Ava's Secret Tea Party." Enjoy the tale, look for hidden teacups and chocolate chip cookies in the Bella Sinclair’s sweet illustrations, and have fun making the recipes and crafts included in the book!

How/why did you start to write?

I started writing devotionals and inspirational articles in 2003. One day a silly poem came to mind, and then another. I started submitting and had several poems published in places like Wee Ones and Guideposts for Kids. I joined a couple of critique groups and began my journey into writing picture books, Hidden Pictures Publishing released my first book for children, Topsy Turvy Land in 2005.

What inspires you?

I thank God every day for the joy of writing, and for allowing me the pleasure of seeing my words come to life with the help of many talented illustrators. Each time I finish a book or article or poem, I think I don’t have one more idea, but sure enough, the ideas come. I’m inspired by a picture, a phrase, something I hear a child say, and in so many other unexpected ways. I love writing for both children and grownups, and feel it’s a blessing to write. And as a children's writer, sometimes I'm really blessed, and the words I write are illustrated with wonderful, whimsical, beautiful pictures.

Please share one of your successful author platform building techniques.

I teach a workshop called “The Seven Planks of Your Platform.” I stress that it’s not enough to simply toot your own horn, but to offer to those with whom you connect something of value. Help someone. Offer freebies. Be generous with advice. Then you’ve earned trust and the credibility to offer something to buy.

Parting words

I hope everyone will visit the blog for my latest book at A Secret Party where you will find coloring pages, puzzles, more recipes, and of course, information on how you can purchase your own copy of Ava’s Secret Tea Party. 

On the Facebook Fan Page, I post helpful information, tips, links to freebies, and updates about my books for children and grownups. 

Thanks so much! 

Thank you for visiting with us, Donna.