tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65879533848592777222024-02-06T18:27:54.666-08:00Goddess of the CornWriter, Farmer, Mother of 5Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-16639013913637125552021-11-06T15:24:00.001-07:002021-11-06T15:24:31.600-07:00Strong Like The Sea <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2e63ZwDJi3S4-5RBKiQ6qTO1P7Vz2E50j-NA-8sm3sxDD_DOnj1KThW8g8YoOb36tTIMNgPZz_WvcWxVEjuALualrS3tNjG3LzfbOT8Sp0w8sgyFWad5XRZ7MiJ8VHdTE_1Ed-zNfdx8/s4032/IMG_2688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2e63ZwDJi3S4-5RBKiQ6qTO1P7Vz2E50j-NA-8sm3sxDD_DOnj1KThW8g8YoOb36tTIMNgPZz_WvcWxVEjuALualrS3tNjG3LzfbOT8Sp0w8sgyFWad5XRZ7MiJ8VHdTE_1Ed-zNfdx8/w300-h400/IMG_2688.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My third novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Like-Sea-Wendy-Swore/dp/1629729027/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">STRONG LIKE THE SEA</a>, is one of my favorites for many reasons. If you've got an adventurous kid in your life that likes secret codes, treasure, geckos, sea turtles, Hawaii, ocean life, or who deals with anxiety, this might be a good fit for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the cover:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">"Even though twelve-year-old Alexis was born in Hawaii, she won't surf or swim with her friends-not since the ocean and its hidden creatures swept her out to sea. Instead, she grabs her best detective hat and decodes her mom's latest challenge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Alex's mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a "treasure" at the end. It's a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom's puzzles-especially the tricky ones-but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom's challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><br /></div> What good books have you read lately?<p></p>Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-22462429215830411782020-04-20T15:02:00.000-07:002020-04-20T15:02:35.490-07:00Wendy is reading chapters of The Wish And The Peacock FREE for quarantined kids!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byG0lhHqmbg&list=PLxdWwB1khpjKAH_RI505GLZZyQtzyZX2-" target="_blank"><img alt="Chapter Read alouds" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR9C1gQyhY3x3VyShticuThpoYNNu_LIOdQCWmY5gvXvUtYWNoDd55WfuomsV2yh2NUJYkQ249YAMT3HO2ETv2YBPd1DbHwhSWw2haAU9CmPbr9R5225JRKpyYrv8qKLjCHIu49oOIMo/s400/The+Wish++The+Peacock+2.PNG" title="The Wish And The Peacock" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Shadow Mountain Publishing has given permission for Wendy to read chapters from The Wish And The Peacock online for FREE for everyone who is stuck in quarantine! These chapters will ONLY be up until June 30th 2020, so be sure to watch them before then.</div>
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Wendy includes a little about her farm with every video </div>
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(at the start for chapters 1 & 2, and at the end for chapters 3 on) </div>
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The peacock in the picture above is Wendy's REAL live peacock, named Royal--and you get to see him and other animals and machinery as the chapters progress. </div>
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Wendy will update each chapter video <a href="https://wendyswore.com/parents-%26-teachers#c01ed150-32cd-4697-8db7-f0a6dc6feab1" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GVetU-2CXyx2iV7zpQh_g" target="_blank">Wendy's youtube channel </a>has other videos up with Author Q&A's and a really funny video where she and her kids explain "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn8EuWK6my8&t=10s" target="_blank">How (not) To Drive A Tractor."</a></div>
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Stay safe out there! </div>
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What are you reading right now?</div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-71045887565819972722019-09-25T06:02:00.001-07:002019-09-25T10:35:52.424-07:00Cover Reveal for THE WISH AND THE PEACOCK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Wish and The Peacock</h2>
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Coming February 5th, 2020!</h2>
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I feel so fortunate to work with Shadow Mountain. I loved the cover for A Monster Like Me and I love this cover too! I love how sneaky Paige looks here. In this story, Paige doesn't want her farm to sell, and she wants time enough to save a wounded peacock, so she's going to war with the real estate agent. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePpaU70rcwmjiypo-HBPQi61UVlCVEQD4XQk4SMZUfF4oMnbKXQeTuMVk6h_wfdYZ6K3GQ4thMWwLU615H2lejBIQCRS8AP58EAw4fqqngG_d0UP46rdlMoKhkCT48dtsP7VA76yw-_g/s1600/Wish+and+the+Peacock-new+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePpaU70rcwmjiypo-HBPQi61UVlCVEQD4XQk4SMZUfF4oMnbKXQeTuMVk6h_wfdYZ6K3GQ4thMWwLU615H2lejBIQCRS8AP58EAw4fqqngG_d0UP46rdlMoKhkCT48dtsP7VA76yw-_g/s640/Wish+and+the+Peacock-new+cover.jpg" width="423" /></a></div>
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<i><u>From the cover:</u></i></div>
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Paige's family has faced tough times before, but nine months after the loss of her father, her mom is overwhelmed by the financial challenges and reluctantly agrees to sell their family farm.</div>
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Paige believes she can use her "farm smarts" to try to stop the sale: she puts Vaseline on the cows so they look sickly to potential buyers and pranks the real estate agent by releasing a jar of grasshoppers in her car. </div>
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With the arrival of a wounded peacock and a city journalist looking for a good human interest story, Paige sees a way to make the farm a solution that will help everyone. </div>
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With all the changes she faces, Paige learns that sometimes the idea of home is less about a place and more about the people you call family. </div>
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Please consider ordering from your local book store:</div>
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<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781629725550">http://bit.ly/PeacockIndibound</a></div>
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Barnes & Noble:</div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/PeacockBarnesandN">http://bit.ly/PeacockBarnesandN</a></div>
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Amazon:</div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/WishandthePeacock">http://bit.ly/WishandthePeacock</a></div>
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Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-66190217375997965392019-01-27T23:18:00.002-08:002019-01-29T11:17:43.746-08:00My Home on the ShoBan Reservation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ-HpnPwJLOZj3BQJYOhhrX2Xtwzja10QZp2XqsyKp9Gebw0bRL-6WkTduIamH0mK76WUTlWkemLQeduGZQRWBOvc6uDJq4bxg7MnZR0syEwqbclvtsQ5MJfKcPrUAjALofvqUwJFRyo/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1497" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ-HpnPwJLOZj3BQJYOhhrX2Xtwzja10QZp2XqsyKp9Gebw0bRL-6WkTduIamH0mK76WUTlWkemLQeduGZQRWBOvc6uDJq4bxg7MnZR0syEwqbclvtsQ5MJfKcPrUAjALofvqUwJFRyo/s200/IMG_4010.JPG" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Feather Dancer<br />
Hunter Osborne</td></tr>
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I went to the 5th Annual American Falls High School Powwow yesterday and was wowed by the dancers' talent, the splendor of their regalia, and the kindness people showed me. It occurred to me that many of you have not had the chance we've had to experience things like powwows, and I thought you might like a look at ways that living here, surrounded by the Native American culture, has touched my family's lives.<br />
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I have lived on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation for the last twenty years. My husband grew up here, and my children were<span style="font-family: inherit;"> born and raised here on the Rez. Native Americans are our neighbors, our customers, and our friends. In short, we're surrounded by good people, and we love it here.</span><br />
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At the bottom of this post, I share how the legends and beliefs are part of our lives, but first, the dancers! It's almost impossible to get a good picture with just my phone because it can't focus on everything at once. My favorite dance is <span style="font-family: inherit;">the f</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">ancy feather dance in this video. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hJAB1wCp_lY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hJAB1wCp_lY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">The young man in this video is Wrendon</span><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Osborne, son of the Hunter & Karen Osborne (they served as the head man/lady dancer for our Pow-wow) and is an 8th grader attending William Thomas Middle School.</span></div>
<u><b>Traditional Crafts and Celebrations</b></u> -<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9iaoz-FGsJWSET0JenbH2z9iJlLH_0M2XlPM6OEA7_9_mx6ALMhw2hIHKkWJr88WgknfZQsbcbL5B5bYinnalV_UIiUbKtgM0FYGiwurgMILy1Yj81nI9HanLskJvrddBNuvoz3bLeA/s1600/IMG_5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1600" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9iaoz-FGsJWSET0JenbH2z9iJlLH_0M2XlPM6OEA7_9_mx6ALMhw2hIHKkWJr88WgknfZQsbcbL5B5bYinnalV_UIiUbKtgM0FYGiwurgMILy1Yj81nI9HanLskJvrddBNuvoz3bLeA/s200/IMG_5795.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> 5th AFHS Powwow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62oNPxJeVUSMCK9RUrqfOtCiI3O8P5GNhfIuUeL7kw60g3Wd_NvUG1GqYnUF2hcu5L53gKtO3bIoHPVRaFrW1j-sGaHVWwA_N3xR1c37O7Slp9cthKJoIalVHkt5DSDy56DLoBbuPreY/s1600/IMG_9367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62oNPxJeVUSMCK9RUrqfOtCiI3O8P5GNhfIuUeL7kw60g3Wd_NvUG1GqYnUF2hcu5L53gKtO3bIoHPVRaFrW1j-sGaHVWwA_N3xR1c37O7Slp9cthKJoIalVHkt5DSDy56DLoBbuPreY/s200/IMG_9367.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levi Running Eagle & family</td></tr>
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* <b>Powwows</b> - The Shoshone-Bannock Indian festival is one of the biggest tribal celebrations with Native Americans of from many different nations participating. They have bareback Indian relay races, a parade, softball tournament, art show competitions, a pageant, crafts, excellent food, singing, and of course, dancing! The regalia these talented people wear is magnificent. Bells jingle around their ankles and hang from belts. Copenhagen tobacco lids rolled up into cones hang from jingle dresses as beautiful, musical decorations. Angora wool, porcupine hair, and a multitude of feathers make impressive headdresses. While you can buy traditional dress, usually a dancer's family helps them make their regalia. Special dances mean different things and young and old alike compete in many categories, but the round dance, also known as the friendship dance, is welcome to everyone. * The pictures with this post are from the 5th Annual AFHS Powwow which was a senior project for Levi Running Eagle who did an excellent job. (Note, I asked permission before taking pics of people not performing)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nukVZ9yEh205FJSF9q7BzVtFquYlxt59F6X8sdqnqD9idd2Ijj-8enoF1PiCZQig-msuA1DjPZMVIfYjtBqJ6HA82dYybL8TZntNvKDzAGf9luYj51cHguKqtOuiH4unrNjkPdJFO48/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nukVZ9yEh205FJSF9q7BzVtFquYlxt59F6X8sdqnqD9idd2Ijj-8enoF1PiCZQig-msuA1DjPZMVIfYjtBqJ6HA82dYybL8TZntNvKDzAGf9luYj51cHguKqtOuiH4unrNjkPdJFO48/s200/IMG_4438.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawl Dancer</td></tr>
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<i>--Storytime --</i> Once a cousin of mine from California (blond, long haired, lanky surfer dude) came with us to the Sho-Ban Festival. When I explained that everyone was welcome to dance the round dance, he grabbed my 4-year-old daughter's hand, ran right out in the middle of everyone, and started dancing his heart out. He had zero rhythm, flailing his arms and legs around all over the place. (Imagine Chicken Joe from Surf's Up dancing to drums) The crowd loved it. Everyone pointed and laughed--not mocking--just sharing the joy of the moment. When the song was over and my daughter and he came back all smiles, the people around us patted his shoulder and said he did great. It's one of my favorite memories.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixli2QUeENWvCgkQsb8JguayyDXwkbPsD7IuZxaEMcAy0jku2UP-pPSV028AtmuzajVulDIEH2aghA8F15bFTKPp-E1eC4ksVj9TNwgjTnn7KFi5QjJMpTisf73mnTBOHlBJHhNA-O3bI/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixli2QUeENWvCgkQsb8JguayyDXwkbPsD7IuZxaEMcAy0jku2UP-pPSV028AtmuzajVulDIEH2aghA8F15bFTKPp-E1eC4ksVj9TNwgjTnn7KFi5QjJMpTisf73mnTBOHlBJHhNA-O3bI/s200/IMG_1678.JPG" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Feather Dancer<br />
Hunter Osborne</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">- Fancy Feather Dance (or fancy dance)- The dancers wear two bustles, one on their back and one on their waist, is believed to be originated from the Oklahoma tribes and has been one of the most popular dance styles across the plains. It is flashy, colorful and very highly energetic! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWnEgdKnYM79gFN704vfVL-IjsfIczvE3Snd8gaZRN4KABJZ4usfGquT7k_wnBu6NMtN_ljC437h2s54NkQSSOHiuN_3yupJ6uGkzrWSUsor9t8Qxk-jNsvMmi_qZ1LQR5mu79JrhyNE/s1600/IMG_3421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1107" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWnEgdKnYM79gFN704vfVL-IjsfIczvE3Snd8gaZRN4KABJZ4usfGquT7k_wnBu6NMtN_ljC437h2s54NkQSSOHiuN_3yupJ6uGkzrWSUsor9t8Qxk-jNsvMmi_qZ1LQR5mu79JrhyNE/s200/IMG_3421.JPG" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Grass Dancer </td></tr>
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- Stomp dan<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">cer- <span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">This picture (the boy and his dad) is of a grass dancer or stomp dancer, this style of dance does not consisted of bustles, besides the feathers that may be worn on the porcupine roach. It consists of bright fringes primarily made from ribbons, yard or sometimes leather, or cloth. It has been told that the origin of the dance is, prior to a celebration (Pow-Wow) the grass dancers would stomp down and bless the grass, flattening it for the celebration. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* <b>Medicine Bags - </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Medicine bags are also believed to be a "Protection" of bad thoughts and evil. It is not uncommon to have medicine bags blessed, and each medicine bag is made only for that particular individual, and may contain various items.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Feather Dancer</td></tr>
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<i>-- Storytime-- </i>Once one of my children went up to a tall, muscular man in full regalia with the porcupine-mohawk head-roach, a tall splay of feathers sprouting from his shoulders, and another from his waist, ribbons, bells, everything--one of the coolest regalia I'd seen. My little daughter was awed by him and asked about the leather pouch hanging on his chest. He crouched down and explained that it was his special medicine bag--that the things inside were special and just for him. (of course she asked to see, but he gently explained that only <i>he</i> could look inside) He advised her to make her own medicine bag with her own special things. I bought her a beaded pouch at the powwow that night, and for weeks afterward, she ferreted shiny stones, beads, feathers and things into her little pouch. I will always be grateful for how kind he and others were to my children. **This interaction was inspiration for some of the conversations my character Sophie has in my novel, <u>A Monster Like Me</u>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seymore Eagle Speaker<br />
(Traditional Dancer)</td></tr>
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* <b>Drums around the Farm </b>- about four times a year, we'll hear drums and singing. I'll often do extra farm work to keep busy outside just because I like the sound. One of our nearest neighbors takes turns with others to host a Native American religious prayer ceremony; so he cuts a perfect circle in his lawn and smooths the dirt. Then they erect a teepee over it and people gather to pray. Inside the teepee to pray to the holy sacrament, peyote, and sing and beat drums--all as part of their traditional prayer ceremony. I love it when he hosts the event because then we hear singing and drums <i>inside</i> our house. It's very cool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jingle Dress</td></tr>
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* <b>Trading </b>- Several times a year --especially during corn season-- folks will stop by with handmade, beaded jewelry to sell or trade for fresh produce. The beadwork is A-MAZE-ING. It takes real patience and skill to turn leather pieces into beautiful works of art. Last year, a gal traded a beautiful bone necklace and my daughter loves it with a capital L. When I asked some neighbors what they thought would be cool to have portrayed in a book with a 12-yr-old Shoshone girl character, they said beading and dancing for sure. ** In my new book, <u>Wishes and Wings</u>, (coming Jan 2020) one of the main characters, Kimana, does beadwork to raise money for her regalia--a very common practice here as regalia dress can be quite expensive.<br />
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* <b>Funerals </b>- Our farm is quite active with helping the community, and one of<br />
the ways we can give back is to give them last-year's straw for funerals. The tradition is that the loved one will lay on ice in a tent for several days. (Sometimes a teepee, sometimes a normal tent) The direction the deceased faces is important and the long observance gives family and friends a chance to say goodbye. But when the weather turns cold, chill wind blows under the tent and they need straw as a wind block. Not everyone does this kind of funeral. It's up to the family to decide how to honor their loved ones.<br />
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<u><b>Local legends are Awesome</b></u>: My kids have grown up with stories of water babies, coyote, wolf, owls, and more. It's not all myth and legend here. It's real to some of our neighbors and sometimes feels real to us too.</div>
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<b>* Water Babies</b> -- Our friends describe them as water spirits who can mimic the sound of babies or<br />
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women crying to lure people into the water. The advice is to be respectful and give offerings if a water baby frequents the canals by your house.<br />
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<i>-- StoryTime--</i> Being young and stupid kids, we once drove to bridge here at night and rolled down the windows to see if we could hear any water babies. There were no other cars or anyone that we could see. We listened to the water lapping at the bridge below, and then--I kid you not--the most blood-curdling scream I've ever heard blasted from what sounded like right beside the car. It was like a woman had her face right next to the open window and screamed like a banshee. We saw no one. But the screaming was almost right on top of us. It scared the driver so bad, she stomped on the gas (which flooded and almost stalled the engine) and we raced away, never-ever to return at night again. </div>
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We tried to come up with some logical explanations for what we experienced, like, maybe the water made a weird suction sound on the bridge, or maybe a panther screamed nearby, or maybe some teens were hiding and wanted to scare us. None of that really explained what we heard. Another inexplicable detail: most of us in the car heard the scream at the exact same time and reacted accordingly, but two didn't hear a thing. Regardless, I'm content to never, ever go back and try again. I still get goosebumps when I talk about it. </div>
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* <b> Owls </b>- Are believed to be messengers of bad news and can be the harbinger of death so it's considered bad luck to hear them hoot, and especially bad to have them land on your house. One of our neighbors came home to find an owl sitting on their roof and the father wouldn't let his family enter the house again until after he'd cleansed the house with sage smudge sticks.<br />
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<i>--storytime-- </i>we have huge tall trees around our house that owls love. Once during corn season, a pair of them were roosting in a tree by our corn stand and were hooting like crazy back and forth. An Elder customer pulled pulled me aside and advised I go check all my kids right away because the owls were restless which means someone might die. Happily, the kids were fine, but I did keep them closer the rest of the day.<br />
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* <b>Spirits - </b>Spirits are believed to be quite active in many areas of the reservation.<br />
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<b> </b>--<i>Storytime</i>-- One of the roads here is Cemetery road, which has a --you guessed it-- cemetery. When I was in high school, I was visiting one of my best friends who lived on Cemetery and I suggested going for a night walk over to a different friend's place not too far away. He refused and said, "If you walk Cemetary at night, you'll hear footsteps behind you. The spirits follow you at night." Since then, I've asked other friends if they'd heard of it, and most have heard of it, though not everyone believes it.<br />
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* <b><u>Coyote</u></b> - with a capital C, as in The Coyote. But we usually only hear people talk about him after something malfunctioned on a day when the person happened to see a coyote. It seems the trickster is around, but subtly and on the sly.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Fancy Dancer<br />
Cambri Buckskin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Tonia</td></tr>
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<b style="text-decoration: underline;">Diversity is the norm:</b> Besides Shoshone-Bannock, Navajo, and other tribal members who stop by, we also have a lot of folks with hispanic heritage. I speak Spanish, so I love visiting with everyone. When my kids were younger, they would talk about this great new friend they met, or so & so they played with, and when I'd ask which kid it was, they would say something like, "The boy with the blue shirt," and not use skin tone to describe them. Friends are just friends. Our neighbors are just neighbors. We are all people. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CUTEST dancer</td></tr>
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I could go on, but hopefully you get the idea. It's not surprising that Native American characters and ideas sometimes end up in my stories because my life is enriched by the people all around me, and Native Americans make up a huge part of my world.<br />
If you ever have the opportunity to go to a powwow, do it! If you ever are driving through Fort Hall, or any other reservation, stop! Go to the stores, explore the museums, talk to the people, and experience what you can.<br />
Kindness and compassion is universal to all nationalities and cultures. Offer a smile, be respectful, and don't be afraid to say hello. You just might make a new friend.<br />
**HUGE thanks to Georgette Running Eagle for proofreading this post for me. You're the best!<br />
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Here's the littles doing dance in the "Tiny-Tots" category. SO DANG CUTE!<br />
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Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-56887163202454879432019-01-17T15:01:00.004-08:002019-01-28T09:32:15.353-08:00Podcast & Video Recordings and Book Trailer Storyboards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I went to Salt Lake City for a meeting with my publisher, Shadow Mountain to record some promo spots and a podcast. </div>
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My awesome dad drove me down through a blizzard with jackknifed semi trucks and emergency vehicles all over the place. He's a good sport.</div>
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For the podcast, we were in a little room at the top of KSL broadcasting station. It was awkward at first but they say I didn't sound too much like an idiot, so that's good. The video clips were harder. I was so nervous, but we did it so, Yay!</div>
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When we finished with that, we went back to Shadow Mountain where Chris showed me storyboards for A Monster Like Me's book trailer! They will be filming on Monday. The same director that did Brandon Mull's book trailer will be directing mine. <span style="text-align: start;">There will be special effects and everything!</span></div>
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He also said that they are working on my poster with Brandon Dorman (artist from Fablehaven books!) doing the art, and will have bookmarks to hand out to all the kids at the school assemblies I'll be doing in March. So, hopefully in a couple weeks, I'll have a book trailer to share with you.<br />
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It's all pretty exciting. I can't wait!<br />
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<br />Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-60521402635431509712019-01-07T16:36:00.000-08:002019-01-24T09:52:25.560-08:00An Agent, A Book Deal, and A Monster Like Me ARC Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: start;">
WOW what a year!</div>
<br />
<br />
2018 Was MY year for miracles and big changes.<br />
<br />
I am now represented by fabulous Agent Stacey Glick, Vice President of Dystel, Goderich and Bouret.<br />
<br />
And I signed a 2 book deal with Shadow Mountain last summer which means......<br />
<br />
*Drum roll*<br />
<br />
.....That my first full length novel, A Monster Like Me, is coming out March 5th, 2019! My second book is due to come out in January of 2020. **ALL THE HAPPY DANCES!!**<br />
(<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Like-Me-Wendy-Swore/dp/1629725552/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1547755829&sr=8-2&keywords=a+monster+like+me" target="_blank">You can preorder A Monster Like Me HERE</a>)<br />
<br />
I have a pretty new website <a href="http://www.wendyswore.com/">www.wendyswore.com</a> that comes with a blog, but it seems to be incompatible with THIS blog. So, we'll see how my efforts to use both go.<br />
<br />
I also have an author page on Facebook where I'll have giveaways, book tour dates, and fun things from my writing career. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorwendyswore/">https://www.facebook.com/authorwendyswore/</a> I hope to see you over there.<br />
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<br />
**UPDATE! Winner of the ARC is Jessica L Johnson! Congratulations!<br />
<br />
AND NOW for the giveaway info:<span style="text-align: center;"> We took and ARC of A Monster Like Me to CHINA and took pictures with it all over China like a Flat Stanley. You can see all the cool pictures of it all over China<a href="https://wendyswore.com/books#cdc8161d-64f6-45c6-81b5-c84d0c7f9cce" target="_blank"> HERE.</a></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I will be giving that book away (along with a styling' wooden bookmark from the Great Wall of China) </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">Giveaway ends January 21st, 2019.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">(No purchase necessary. Not affiliated with Facebook or any other company. US residents only.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">You can enter by: </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">* Commenting on this post (1 entry)</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">* Everyone who Likes my the contest on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorwendyswore/" target="_blank">Author Page </a>will automatically be entered. (2 entries)</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">* Follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wendyswore/" target="_blank">Instagram </a> or </span><span data-offset-key="9nn9m-0-0" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a class="LinkEditor__link___3Hyne" data-aid="mte_link_editor_link" href="https://twitter.com/WendySwore" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1976d2; display: inline; font-family: gdsherpa, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="9nn9m-1-0" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Twitter</span></a><span data-offset-key="9nn9m-2-0" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (2 entries each)</span><br />
<span data-offset-key="9nn9m-2-0" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span data-offset-key="30m4t-0-0" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Or sign up for my quarterly (possibly biannually) newsletter </span><a class="LinkEditor__link___3Hyne" data-aid="mte_link_editor_link" href="https://wendyswore.com/news-%26-events" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1976d2; display: inline; font-family: gdsherpa, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="30m4t-1-0" style="box-sizing: inherit;">HERE </span></a><span data-offset-key="30m4t-2-0" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">for 4 entries.</span><br />
<span data-offset-key="30m4t-2-0" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Get an additional entry for each place (Twitter, instagram) you share the contest. Just use hashtag #WendySworeARC So I can find your entry. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "gdsherpa" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span data-offset-key="6a76s-0-0" style="box-sizing: inherit;">I wish you luck! Maybe this world traveling book can find a forever home with you!</span><br />
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Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-54665541692910178782016-06-05T21:36:00.001-07:002016-06-05T21:36:32.496-07:00A Visit With The Awesome Jessica Day George!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My friend, Jessica Day George, was presenting at a local elementary (Gate City) and we treated her to dinner while she treated us to some writing tips.<br />
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She is super talented and writes middle grade & YA. She spilled the beans about her meanest teacher ever and how she decided to become a writer!<br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jessica Day George –</span></b><br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">School
presentation given to kids at Gate City Elementary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jessica
read 165 books in 2015. Her goal is to read 170 books by new years eve this
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Books
were a big deal in her family. Her dad holds a book while watching TV so he can
read during the commercials. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She
was so excited to learn to read and see what all the fuss was about. So she
learned…and it was awful. Run Pug, run! Seriously? Who cares if pug runs? She
hated to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> When
she was little, there was no such thing as Harry Potter or Maze Runner. No
Percy Jackson. No fun books. We had Hardy Boys and the Babysitters club. Always
boys were getting to find treasure—but they gave it back! They don’t even keep
1 doubloon. Also, we had horse and dog books—but the only point to reading
these books was to teach people to be responsible animal owners, so all the
animals died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Her
meanest teacher ever made her do a book report. She decided to reuse her old
book report and wrote a fake report. Her made-up author was named after the kid
in front of her (very sneaky). When she was caught, her teacher made her do it
again and gave her one night to read a book and write a report. (Or else she’d
call Jessica’s mom) She chose Robin McKinley’s The Hero of the Crown—which
changed everything. Dragons! A girl with long red hair! Adventure! (And no
stupid babysitting.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Her
next project was to do a report on a real person. She chose the author Robin
McKinley. That was when she learned that writing about dragons was a job you
could have. She decided then in 5<sup>th</sup> grade that she wanted to be a
writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She
went to college and had amazing teachers…except for one professor. (Fred
Finnegar, a red head with mustache who was the #1 expert in the world on Moby
Dick) Seriously, the meanest teacher in the world. He asked them to go home and
write a story and bring it back the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> After
class, he asked her to stay. She was excited at first, thinking he liked her
story, but after a long, awkward pause, he said, <br />
“You have a little bit of writing talent. I don’t want you to throw it away
writing trash for children.” She spent the rest of the semester writing
serious, hard core stories, and got straight A’s. She graduated and continued
writing all those serious books. She hated it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She
sent her serious grown up masterpiece to a literary agency and 220 rejection
letters later, some were nice and said her writing is good but the story is
awful. Some were mean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 5
books later, a friend told her, “Anyone can write a romance novel. So write one
and get it published.” She wrote romance novels, but was rejected because she
didn’t have enough kissing in the books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Her
oldest child (now 11) didn’t sleep through the night till he was 4 years old.
She got the 220<sup>th</sup> rejection letter at this time. It said something
like, “I really hate your writing please never bother me again.” She began to
doubt whether or not she could be an author. She told her husband that she
wanted to quit. He said, “Oh, thank heavens!” He said, “You’re funny, but your
books are not. You cry over the books and over the mail with the rejections.”
Reluctantly, she agreed. Time to quit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When
she went to close her laptop, she started to cry because the line popped into
her head, “It was my aunt who gave me to the dragon.” And this whole storyline
popped into her head. What if you went into the dragon’s cave and it was all
full of shoes, and another dragon collected only stained glass, and another
collected dogs?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Her
husband was confused, “What? Why are you crying?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “I
just came up with a story, and I want to write the book!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “No!
We’re quitters, we’re quitting, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “But
if I don’t write it down, I’m so tired, I’ll forget!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “Fine.
You can write one more book.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">She
decided to write this book for HER SON. It had everything fun in it: her
candy-eating dog, fancy ball gowns, etc. She put everything she’s ever loved in
it, and told no one. She was afraid to tell people and have them hate the book
that even had her own dog in it. She was so excited! She loved it! She laughed
and loved writing it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Finally,
she sent her first chapter and a description of the story to a friend. Unbeknownst
to Jessica, that friend sent her chapter to a New York editor (who also did
Shannon Hale’s books).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> That
editor wanted to meet Jessica so, Jessica’s friend tricked her into coming to
meet her. Suddenly, the editor pulls out Jessica’s story and said she loved the
books and wanted to talk contract. Afterwards, Jessica grabbed her friend and
said something like “I love you so much and hate you at the same time!” while
shaking her affectionately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Suddenly
someone was giving her money for her books!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Then
editing time! She got the manuscript back, and it was all red. Circled, loads
of lines, and whole chapters X’ed out. She was shocked. She didn’t know what
editors did and wondered if the pages bleeding all over the place meant that
the editor hated her work, but nope. This is part of the process. They worked
on it back and forth for a year. She had to read Dragon Slippers 16 times while
editing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Finally,
she was finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Her
editor wanted to see the other 8 books and Jessica wouldn’t even tell her about
them. “Don’t even worry about them. They don’t exist!” She felt confident
saying this because she had found the key; write about things you love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> By
the time Dragon Slippers came out, she had written three more books, and she
wanted to write about her favorite fairytale. It had The North Pole, Norway,
and Polar bears. She speaks German, Norwegian, and Old Norse. When you study
those things, fairy tales are a big part of learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> So
she began writing improved versions of fairytales—without the brutal things,
like decapitating 25 princes who couldn’t figure out where the princesses were
dancing at night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She
found out that you can write about whatever you like to think about. What is it
like to have a secret pet? What’s better than a hidden little thing? How about
a griffin hidden in the castle?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> If
you don’t like to read, or if you do like to read, the book is out there that
is right for you! When you find it, “I promise it will be awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Later at dinner, Jessica said that she
doesn’t actually outline her books. She usually has the beginning and end in
mind and might jot down a few things in between, but big outlines are not her
thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In short, I’m happy to report that
Jessica is every bit as funny, kind, talented, and awesome as the heroines in
her novels. Maybe cooler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Thank you, Jessica!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-55494774251509748852016-02-12T19:31:00.002-08:002016-02-12T19:35:07.325-08:00Writer Friends Are Awesome! (A quick peek back at 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you should know by now, the name of my blog isn't just a catchy line; I'm really a farmer. Here's some corn the kidlets and I picked. (This is one of many loads every day.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzVYDSMEGYedTtbjc4h8AZ3Ml6wsCbw5wj-3SHYqPszEttvEvylEUJzogM7S37657T6X3zdwuPpWDpba6xUyz2-F6ZN-g98nzowRTc9l7BFb4QplAvRSv4lgu7g0cVDWw-w7vVujkso0/s1600/Sweet+corn+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzVYDSMEGYedTtbjc4h8AZ3Ml6wsCbw5wj-3SHYqPszEttvEvylEUJzogM7S37657T6X3zdwuPpWDpba6xUyz2-F6ZN-g98nzowRTc9l7BFb4QplAvRSv4lgu7g0cVDWw-w7vVujkso0/s400/Sweet+corn+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here's my maze. It's 1.5 miles if you take zero wrong turns. Most people take almost an hour to get through it.</div>
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(Remember, I make it all with a weed wacker.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoQ8ZLMLP3vmUblqKcqRWkAYCswjsk3DfIai97_p9XnM6V5LEgiSNvlpe7GHR965jVMdDE5ttmYqWiOcc1VWU3b5i9T-99_vEvi3zBrV7jzgP5hF15nbu1_y9YK70pRleEaRGI-Kacd8/s1600/Corn+Maze+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoQ8ZLMLP3vmUblqKcqRWkAYCswjsk3DfIai97_p9XnM6V5LEgiSNvlpe7GHR965jVMdDE5ttmYqWiOcc1VWU3b5i9T-99_vEvi3zBrV7jzgP5hF15nbu1_y9YK70pRleEaRGI-Kacd8/s640/Corn+Maze+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to give things away to people who need a lift, so we created the Pumpkin Fairy--a mischievous sprite who drops loads of pumpkins off to people who are struggling. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdYKh9Q-IUIaGpc2hr48y7t1oMpiE7UM7hxwakesBfpcm5uZavR9yCRUbL3KEd3LuvT744qeMh4aINSYswyvrTT3VFPcye0V5W-2bjOnE2FJ8shvCNJAKcrPkB-4KebFhnCDMPfpZbSQ/s1600/Pumpkin+fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdYKh9Q-IUIaGpc2hr48y7t1oMpiE7UM7hxwakesBfpcm5uZavR9yCRUbL3KEd3LuvT744qeMh4aINSYswyvrTT3VFPcye0V5W-2bjOnE2FJ8shvCNJAKcrPkB-4KebFhnCDMPfpZbSQ/s320/Pumpkin+fairy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You get the idea. The farm can be fun, but it's also a LOT of work. Writing and visiting with my writer buddies is the highlight of my year. First, I attended the iWrite Network writer's retreat in March. Donna Weaver, Candace Mortenson, Cindy Hogan, & a bunch more did an excellent job.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNcJfE3HWNDTFrox7lyAcanjDtKA5XKMuA9yR8kG5Wc_YEvhfGCr-pLRGJA64IL0phylj-KFW3G9gBUndK6H6M_u8qssMgBVxuWGUEItpvPDSm1TVI4-VcWaMVwy5dI9ly72eDFVn24U/s1600/Wendy%2527s+phone+4-22-15+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNcJfE3HWNDTFrox7lyAcanjDtKA5XKMuA9yR8kG5Wc_YEvhfGCr-pLRGJA64IL0phylj-KFW3G9gBUndK6H6M_u8qssMgBVxuWGUEItpvPDSm1TVI4-VcWaMVwy5dI9ly72eDFVn24U/s320/Wendy%2527s+phone+4-22-15+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then of course there was the LDStorymakers Conference--hands down my favorite event of the year. Here's two of my favorite guys, James Dashner & J Scott Savage. Seriously, these guys are awesome. James talked about wanting to give up, and how his friends were the motivation that kept him going. Totally made me teary-eyed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4DSIXrtuXzs6qkTzXWPtXD000VvwTI8bmiLASvqjXTrl2FSU6dpHl93bfYJQkoQxHmpgMMRUD83-e3oKsHj73YI6J_guwqT01tgwoEy5Dlh_UiQvmrb0nMQ0d_ChiHNdqUgZoAEJDUw/s1600/Wendy%2527s+phone+6-2-15+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4DSIXrtuXzs6qkTzXWPtXD000VvwTI8bmiLASvqjXTrl2FSU6dpHl93bfYJQkoQxHmpgMMRUD83-e3oKsHj73YI6J_guwqT01tgwoEy5Dlh_UiQvmrb0nMQ0d_ChiHNdqUgZoAEJDUw/s320/Wendy%2527s+phone+6-2-15+088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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My writing group at home meets twice a month, so we keep each other motivated and accountable. (but alas, I have no pictures of our little group)</div>
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In December, Jeff Savage and his wife, Jennifer, came up to Idaho Falls for a dinner with a bunch of us. He explained his outlining strategy for us. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5fBQOsP9I-PdlX2MRprMLfQ8ZjoKAocL4uqB4z9GxhG20n-YkGQa25jKKBzkKaRWgBLujKlcYUTJTvZukioIJqNMsYfmtW_YxA7_oKn_YcAdPlMH0uabCKjT2XqfMS_oai_mriexPL8/s1600/Jeff+Savage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5fBQOsP9I-PdlX2MRprMLfQ8ZjoKAocL4uqB4z9GxhG20n-YkGQa25jKKBzkKaRWgBLujKlcYUTJTvZukioIJqNMsYfmtW_YxA7_oKn_YcAdPlMH0uabCKjT2XqfMS_oai_mriexPL8/s320/Jeff+Savage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am the Activities Director of Author's Incognito, the sister group to LDStorymakers. This year, our group underwent a huge change including a name change. AI is now Storymakers Tribe! My good friend, Marcy Curr, took my initial sketch and computerized it into this new logo for the group. I think it turned out pretty cool.</div>
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In November, I hosted the Storymakers Tribe writer's retreat with a special guest, Kevin J Anderson! We were very excited to listen to his advice and tips on writing. Everyone had an extremely productive and rejuvenating weekend.</div>
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Tada! So now you're caught up with my 2015. What was your favorite part of last year?</div>
<br />Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-70284717480629178712015-03-29T03:38:00.000-07:002015-03-29T03:38:24.609-07:00Writer Retreats. Are they worth it?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a word? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">YES!</span></div>
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Retreats vary according to who organizes them, but usually, the best parts are universal:<br />
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* Time to write. -- Away from your family, friends, job, house, chores, farm, pet dinosaur, and anything else that interferes with your writing time.<br />
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* Little or no responsibility for meal preparations -- As a mother of five children, let me just say how awesome it is to have people make food and feed me. Not mac and cheese either. We're talking crepes, Hawaiian haystacks, salads, fruit, roasted chicken. Heavenly.<br />
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* New friends! -- even the most introverted of writers comes away from retreats with a few new friends. Writers usually get along famously when tossed in a room together. Don't be surprised if you hear snippets of conversation like, "Would a body be harder to find in a lake or in the ocean?" Plotting murders make for great bonding time.<br />
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* Free help. -- With a house full of writers, it's no biggie if you get to the end of your novel and can't figure out how Joe rescues Fifi from the White Lord, because you've got a captive audience that loves to brainstorm! With all these brilliant minds bouncing ideas off each other, there's bound to be something that sparks the idea to get you over the block. (this feature is also extremely helpful for spelling and punctuation advice. Don't fear the Grammar Nazi's, they are harmless as long as the chocolate doesn't run out.)<br />
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* Nice rooms -- Most retreats offer nice accommodations, though you might be expected to share a bed. If that is a deal breaker for you, consider bringing your own cot and/or mattress.<br />
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* Bonus Prizes! -- At many retreats, there are door prizes or swag and awards for the highest word count, early birds, night owls, best quotes, or most pages edited.<br />
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* Classes and/or Workshops. -- Sometimes they offer classes on marketing, brainstorming, or any number of other subjects. They can even watch and analyze movies and discuss plot points as they come up.<br />
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As I write, it's the last night of the iWrite retreat in Heber, Utah, and we're all up late to savor the last of our freedom here. I won the award for being most cheerful (I think it's probably my funny writer shirts). It might be silly, but I almost teared up that people enjoyed being with me as much as I loved being with all of them. Alas, it's time to go, but I'm already looking forward to the next one in the fall.<br />
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If you can swing it, GO. Retreats are wonderful!<br />
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I'm in the hat next to Canda Mortenson, as we roast marshmallows over the fire. Cindy Hogan is the one photo-bombing in the back. This was taken during a break the last night. So. Much. Fun!<br />
<br />Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-70616564980711379832014-04-18T11:32:00.002-07:002014-04-18T11:32:17.240-07:00Funny Writer Shirts--it's an Addiction. <ul class="uiList body contentListWidth _4kg" style="background-color: white; list-style-type: none; margin: 2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">
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So, why the shirts? Well, I blame it on Lisa Mangum and Dan Wells who made me laugh with their funny writer shirts. I spend half the year running around in cowboy boots, man clothes, and a wide brimmed hat--not the best outfit for feeling like a girl. Shirts that make me smile are my own little rebellion--sort of like the name of this blog. I may have to farm, but dangit, I can do it with my own flair.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14.079999923706055px;">Last year I organised a writers retreat in Heber, Utah for Authors Incognito. Just for fun, I gathered a bunch of my favorite shirt sayings and had them all made into shirts for the attendees. It was awesome how well the shirts fit the personalities of writers who got them. Here's a few of those sayings:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeA48-Lgsv30smwk54DQKMsehfi7x-TtJYHSVCCF7WkEIjoSe_QSDx0X636IC2QqVj-dBgwuheLgMbbIdkJBYlGZ1tJFKyA8-oYqcMKoLvX11gOTyMgnB2pAKkN2v7htmxOjzW3xMB1w/s1600/funny+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeA48-Lgsv30smwk54DQKMsehfi7x-TtJYHSVCCF7WkEIjoSe_QSDx0X636IC2QqVj-dBgwuheLgMbbIdkJBYlGZ1tJFKyA8-oYqcMKoLvX11gOTyMgnB2pAKkN2v7htmxOjzW3xMB1w/s1600/funny+shirt.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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I’M PLOTTING AGAINST YOU. (I’m a writer. It’s what I do.)</div>
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WRITER’S BLOCK: when your imaginary friends won’t talk to you.</div>
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If you were in my novel, I’d have killed you off by now.</div>
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Writers get the last word.</div>
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Some of my best friends are fictional.</div>
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I never got my acceptance letter from Hogwarts so I’m leaving the Shire to become a Jedi.</div>
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WARNING! I’m a writer. Anything you say or do may be used in a story.</div>
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Protagonist</div>
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Be nice to me. (Or I’ll put you in my novel.)</div>
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This is my Writer’s costume.</div>
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There. Their. They’re. Get it right. </div>
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I’m not daydreaming. I’m Plotting!</div>
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I’m not quiet. I’m plotting.</div>
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There are only two rules: #1 Butt goes in chair. #2 Words go on page. (Chair is optional)</div>
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Save a writer. Buy a book.</div>
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Shut up and Write.</div>
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I read past my bedtime. </div>
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I write. Therefore I rewrite. </div>
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Reading Ninja! No book is safe. </div>
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If a book is well written, I always find it too short. –Jane Austin</div>
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Never wrong a writer. They get their revenge in print. </div>
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Not all those who wander are lost. –Tolkien</div>
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Irony. The opposite of wrinkly. </div>
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LET’S EAT GRANDMA. LET’S EAT, GRANDMA. COMMAS SAVE LIVES!</div>
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I like big books and I cannot lie.</div>
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Only YOU can prevent comma splices.</div>
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Book Junkie</div>
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WRITER</div>
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Go Away. I’m writing.</div>
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Here's a few of my shirts. A Charlotte that says "Meh" cracks me up. My Irony shirt got a gigglesnort out of Brandon Sanderson when I met in last summer at a signing. Shirt.woot.com and teefury.com feed my addiction with daily deals, but I hold out for shirts that really make me smile--usually about once a month.</div>
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Do you have any little writer quirks? Favorite pens? A closet stash of action figures? What's your secret addiction?</div>
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Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-47345928377504440062013-12-06T14:15:00.001-08:002013-12-06T14:15:18.439-08:00How to Lose Fans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have an infestation of
Fans? Have no fear. Follow this simple guide and you’ll be rid of those pesky Fans in no time! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fans find you in many ways...</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">TIP #1 </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure that your website is very hard to find. Don't use tags or labels that people might think of to search for your stuff.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tbqq9Rqx9EchtH4rTwOzqCzCFKZJCp7O6n7vuA58ZGRCMId2F4rxm47UzT1vOLAEL6XxGLaEi3M8E3HmPDZucCPCe1VDgBFi954uDOskwMIXSvyjDkMZpULzITQSIrdCg2-mqAxz8Yc/s1600/Crazy+artist+%232.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tbqq9Rqx9EchtH4rTwOzqCzCFKZJCp7O6n7vuA58ZGRCMId2F4rxm47UzT1vOLAEL6XxGLaEi3M8E3HmPDZucCPCe1VDgBFi954uDOskwMIXSvyjDkMZpULzITQSIrdCg2-mqAxz8Yc/s1600/Crazy+artist+%232.png" height="640" width="632" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blast! They found you? Don't worry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That first moment of contact is easily broken.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjZv0NvevcZkwwROJbIkbvw5QsbODNrmL856EIFyjU-gjhdkgssGi2OivZ_EudZ6_0PNgovck7_r0UIT3pEzCh_kXlT8r7rDW0fr1SwK61IxDWyie1QY6dwOLF5zsM3g_aA4IXRBo5o0/s1600/crazy+artist+a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjZv0NvevcZkwwROJbIkbvw5QsbODNrmL856EIFyjU-gjhdkgssGi2OivZ_EudZ6_0PNgovck7_r0UIT3pEzCh_kXlT8r7rDW0fr1SwK61IxDWyie1QY6dwOLF5zsM3g_aA4IXRBo5o0/s1600/crazy+artist+a.png" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tip #2 Be Paranoid and Accusatory.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwuVva9zI9h9hQkU8qyGvvj2c8kBY-0f8e4pUcWLXiIU0H5dbLdelVxTv6ORsYsyiMOEQbBkJRvf663IlbcTaEGJ1GYZBMKoY84S4yUqky4p-rraXBxsiYNO2QeYvwD8b_hjB0BPaUHQ/s1600/crazy+artist+b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwuVva9zI9h9hQkU8qyGvvj2c8kBY-0f8e4pUcWLXiIU0H5dbLdelVxTv6ORsYsyiMOEQbBkJRvf663IlbcTaEGJ1GYZBMKoY84S4yUqky4p-rraXBxsiYNO2QeYvwD8b_hjB0BPaUHQ/s1600/crazy+artist+b.png" height="522" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still a fan? No worries. Tip #3</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Become a cyber-stalker. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr6c5duAcyQTYsWBxtBFINK5Dj7uDNrlsCQARXwjvkGLRSzQKBwscN5vdqRnifqcQcMBioFN9iA_JZ9A_YFdgq0QLh4p_W8xYVXDbgFiw66ETg4yxz9Fw-PB5dDsGdRn_TTLI-khLfgk/s1600/crazy+artist+d.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr6c5duAcyQTYsWBxtBFINK5Dj7uDNrlsCQARXwjvkGLRSzQKBwscN5vdqRnifqcQcMBioFN9iA_JZ9A_YFdgq0QLh4p_W8xYVXDbgFiw66ETg4yxz9Fw-PB5dDsGdRn_TTLI-khLfgk/s1600/crazy+artist+d.png" height="508" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TIP #4:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Publicly argue with them over their opinions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXhO7ctmC513NL4xXBEmbZxriGLLzinRVV4BXdihjhmnSSgTpkZsTSkSCAADHndq3vqM3VMZRe7BIEKOm08GQy3-U1DkBWX_4_esR_TLD3uQBweSrxpuxAZ2U4UAK2igpNEE2tzxd8qo/s1600/crazy+artist+c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXhO7ctmC513NL4xXBEmbZxriGLLzinRVV4BXdihjhmnSSgTpkZsTSkSCAADHndq3vqM3VMZRe7BIEKOm08GQy3-U1DkBWX_4_esR_TLD3uQBweSrxpuxAZ2U4UAK2igpNEE2tzxd8qo/s1600/crazy+artist+c.png" height="592" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TIP #5</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be Really, Really, Really Negative.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ISBUD9I8H3Cjm8GVjYYgpD-c9FXc92D_mDAOfr6T5THNdHaJM7IvhXVVYJtf9ILrOlQaOxFPhUTiwyDSR8CvgQl20rlzXIUuVAwn4hXWbhV-5isZnzrGqZWam1hEBxWetHV1h9LhcYE/s1600/Crazy+artist+e.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ISBUD9I8H3Cjm8GVjYYgpD-c9FXc92D_mDAOfr6T5THNdHaJM7IvhXVVYJtf9ILrOlQaOxFPhUTiwyDSR8CvgQl20rlzXIUuVAwn4hXWbhV-5isZnzrGqZWam1hEBxWetHV1h9LhcYE/s1600/Crazy+artist+e.png" height="610" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tip #6:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ignore ALL Deadlines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Keep them waiting as long as possible!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NPSrTkINnWodlbJK3k1_zkayoZmAsQCeLZvGZMqWLput6PefYxk0zmD0MTevnjK-9cf7UiEWpfuMvVxUmNI8bxdg6j90AQIWXAW2FDhiEIiTmYuEoAfI4KMzmwlFW_67lIDCm3LCIjU/s1600/Crazy+artist+f.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NPSrTkINnWodlbJK3k1_zkayoZmAsQCeLZvGZMqWLput6PefYxk0zmD0MTevnjK-9cf7UiEWpfuMvVxUmNI8bxdg6j90AQIWXAW2FDhiEIiTmYuEoAfI4KMzmwlFW_67lIDCm3LCIjU/s1600/Crazy+artist+f.png" height="522" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TIP #7:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't Deliver What You Promised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plot lines? Pfft. Just make it up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4tVDLZAh3P9gjegluax9o0dx8vC-Sw9HWbySfVdxwu30OyX3t5df7ZsOp6Y3C7u1lHTlWIUvR9vLMnZ0HJfJU4rsDDddcrP-MwldCah7Qm_6ub6uFj9ZUAOFY5qJkJXGzD4lSaewY-o/s1600/Crazy+artist+g.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4tVDLZAh3P9gjegluax9o0dx8vC-Sw9HWbySfVdxwu30OyX3t5df7ZsOp6Y3C7u1lHTlWIUvR9vLMnZ0HJfJU4rsDDddcrP-MwldCah7Qm_6ub6uFj9ZUAOFY5qJkJXGzD4lSaewY-o/s1600/Crazy+artist+g.png" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tip #8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Follow Trends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to crank out the same stuff everyone else is doing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUsSevvu8Q7ZRjsbtjTxFCdn9Vidvvy4vVhYlWcCzkPdM249-Ew88jzgwrENF67-Y8yovNNHk5Odk7oT5lZG34dcWb1IG-pu1inlg1dgh9Y6ecaMi2lUMKSgvLG5AL4S5wS6uwjb66co/s1600/Crazy+artist+p.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUsSevvu8Q7ZRjsbtjTxFCdn9Vidvvy4vVhYlWcCzkPdM249-Ew88jzgwrENF67-Y8yovNNHk5Odk7oT5lZG34dcWb1IG-pu1inlg1dgh9Y6ecaMi2lUMKSgvLG5AL4S5wS6uwjb66co/s1600/Crazy+artist+p.png" height="571" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TIP #9</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make Sure Your Fans Feel Unappreciated!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fans are a dime a dozen. Make sure they know it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXslpRVjY99x_6Kk0FsEBAJsfiN6UmPpGh0Ak2MoofWRIEFCVtStI8V95tVPRNhaz_7VYs7tI32BW9swY3Nvaik38-n4D8XePSaKNbh7jvezJuC2i_V5K899fT9JIcZVDp15ZEAzqlgg/s1600/Crazy+artist+h.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXslpRVjY99x_6Kk0FsEBAJsfiN6UmPpGh0Ak2MoofWRIEFCVtStI8V95tVPRNhaz_7VYs7tI32BW9swY3Nvaik38-n4D8XePSaKNbh7jvezJuC2i_V5K899fT9JIcZVDp15ZEAzqlgg/s1600/Crazy+artist+h.png" height="528" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tip #10</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(This is crucial!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you've been rude to a fan, or hurt their feelings, NEVER say you're sorry! Let them wallow in their own little world of miserable disillusionment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGeEQ5tL92n0Lia10fvLRQNSNYTn2z5fjZTdHq9UxBTsAbPs_jmVFWk__jw4GgNEMBPipO0T1-g_Jg7pQwtJmeqGbyZBgs-Z_RHKEPgMNFz5wvK3T4XhfVnqZ6Jzc61aF-g5towTlDGc/s1600/Crazy+artist+j.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGeEQ5tL92n0Lia10fvLRQNSNYTn2z5fjZTdHq9UxBTsAbPs_jmVFWk__jw4GgNEMBPipO0T1-g_Jg7pQwtJmeqGbyZBgs-Z_RHKEPgMNFz5wvK3T4XhfVnqZ6Jzc61aF-g5towTlDGc/s1600/Crazy+artist+j.png" height="400" width="372" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wait for it... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Success! You've officially lost a FAN. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFqKP3ytr0ku46yTntcvV34umW2kbK214C6n43d17_IaKrJt_qYVaAyv9aHr4UQ6mNxaGyNPviT3Dyo0b7ozfT-pEDUrqP3JsVIOhzNFw__d_1KzoO_jJuIGIpoX9VkEYjZdeiGMjRpI/s1600/Crazy+artist+%25235.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFqKP3ytr0ku46yTntcvV34umW2kbK214C6n43d17_IaKrJt_qYVaAyv9aHr4UQ6mNxaGyNPviT3Dyo0b7ozfT-pEDUrqP3JsVIOhzNFw__d_1KzoO_jJuIGIpoX9VkEYjZdeiGMjRpI/s1600/Crazy+artist+%25235.png" height="640" width="616" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whew! That was close. Fans can breed like cockroaches, spreading their fan-ness from one to another by word of mouth until a whole mess of them clamor for your attention and--I shudder to think--purchase your stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just follow these ten simple steps and you will never have to worry about Fans again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Good luck!</span></div>
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*Have you ever seen/experienced a meltdown from an artist/writer? What's the fastest way people can lose you as a fan?*</div>
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<br />Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-91722973070240333292013-11-23T21:10:00.000-08:002013-11-23T21:10:16.414-08:00When the Setting is Your Hometown.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvuK2RQYhIXYWJd3Oqps8yVWJ4SWkojqHzmwlhxQeaobCEuemjtt7v95AWD27K0KOvPDuVyx8fmgRBay_Zrqi-pZYkYldzD2oYDqpuQSHrYH4l1w-v6Ncd-xpF9iNwSI1aY0geN3Ry9I/s1600/pocatello+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvuK2RQYhIXYWJd3Oqps8yVWJ4SWkojqHzmwlhxQeaobCEuemjtt7v95AWD27K0KOvPDuVyx8fmgRBay_Zrqi-pZYkYldzD2oYDqpuQSHrYH4l1w-v6Ncd-xpF9iNwSI1aY0geN3Ry9I/s1600/pocatello+map.jpg" /></a></div>
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My latest completed novel is a dark YA suspense called FIREBUG which takes
place in my hometown. I chose to use my town as the setting for a couple
reasons. First of all, there had been several cases of arsonists here over the
last several years. One summer about three years ago, we got a call in the
night because the haystacks on both sides of the farm were burning. It turns
out that an arsonist was walking across country and setting fire to any stacks he
ran into. Fortunately for us, he missed our stack, though many of our neighbors
lost their supply of feed for their cattle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A bonus to setting the story in your hometown is that people
who live there often know things that an outsider might not. It’s easy to set
the scene at a high school where I walked the halls as a student. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It surprises me that I've had several beta readers say
that they would never write a story about their hometown—that the bad things
that happen to the characters feels too close and too real when the setting is
just down the road. </div>
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They also worry about offending people. If the story calls
for a dirty cop or an unethical mayor, then they worry that the real mayor or
police of the town will be bothered by a story written about them. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Here’s the part that intrigues me: Why does it make a
difference if the crooked cop is in your town or another town? Whatever town
the story is set in will have things made up about the people living there, be
it bad or good. Does distance from the made-up corruption make it easier to handle?</div>
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Sometimes our stories require the setting to be somewhere
far from where we live, but if your story COULD happen in a place like your
town, would you set the story there? Why or why not? Does writing about your
hometown bring things too close to home?</div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-27334913959003852722013-08-26T22:03:00.001-07:002013-08-26T22:03:26.321-07:00Plot Twist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoOlMiOypTd47gUriw735QKcmlRXpIpnytYnKucCmBS4iJxt95HCw6YWJxeIyL8Id78on1higppI6wtMAOcyffRyyJjkTcIBQoH94rufXaMdgePwk6F_6jbQK1NcjKo2ax6dkLtAwjt0/s320/plot+twist.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Truth. </div>
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</div>
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In my world, harvest is in full swing, but I'm working with one eye to the future. More specifically, November 1st, my most favorite day of the year. Winter is my writing season. Bring it on. </div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-66969514401615280222013-06-21T08:28:00.000-07:002013-06-21T08:28:44.557-07:00Trying to Cope<div class="MsoNormal">
Why the delay on posting the reviews? Well, we had a tragedy
in the family. An uncle died suddenly at the end of April and it has thrown my
world for a loop. He was the one who farmed the neighboring farms with great
grandpa. Our regular plans for running our farm were tossed aside as we went
into crisis mode trying to farm two farms instead of one. We’re getting used to
the long hours and learning curve, but everything is harder this year. I use
the precious few minutes I get at the computer to work on prepping Firebug for
submission. Any blog posts or reviews are on hold until the current crisis is
under control. </div>
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We’ll be okay, but for now this is a tough time for us. The
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Hopefully I’ll have time to sit and blog before then. </div>
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Have you ever had a tragedy that changed your life at a moment’s
notice?</div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-87418509406159999882013-04-10T12:25:00.001-07:002013-05-05T21:08:33.703-07:00Upcoming Book Reviews & Interviews<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy spring everyone! I’ve spent the winter months
furiously writing my current novel, FIREBUG. I’m really pleased with the
results and hope to be deep in queries for it by mid-summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the meantime, I’ve fallen way behind on book reviews
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soon are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Diva-Money-Millionaire/dp/097943405X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365620614&sr=1-1&keywords=million+dollar+diva" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Million Dollar Diva</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <em>by Tristi Pinkston, Brett Kitchen, & Ethan Kap</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rumplestiltskin-Faerie-Collection-Jenni-James/dp/1624820492/ref=la_B003H0J9DE_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1365620574&sr=1-3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rumplestiltskin</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <em>by Jenni James</em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp0-cana9on5lHMP71LUdvKm68hgystI__yYdQVQ0hPbMLxLdDzPN6H5wc-esxazna_nmOjtGqPfb1oMYOFEwjPVzvt12XJc7fDMtSIFqT8YiolEKZFLhdQDCMU_tRYcBvymAm80hoVU/s1600/Rumple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp0-cana9on5lHMP71LUdvKm68hgystI__yYdQVQ0hPbMLxLdDzPN6H5wc-esxazna_nmOjtGqPfb1oMYOFEwjPVzvt12XJc7fDMtSIFqT8YiolEKZFLhdQDCMU_tRYcBvymAm80hoVU/s320/Rumple.jpg" width="182" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Renee-Miller/e/B00BL36Y0U/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365620512&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In The Bones</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <em>by Renee Miller</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/Daughter%20of%20the%20Goddess,%20by%20Rita%20J%20Webb%20%20http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-of-the-Goddess-ebook/dp/B008NZY6J0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365620476&sr=8-1&keywords=Rita+j+Webb" target="_blank">Daughter Of The Goddess</a> by Rita J Webb</span></div>
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I'll get the first up in the next day or so. What was your favorite part of this last winter? Or are you more of a summer flower?</div>
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Happy Writing!</div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-48004713391145232272013-02-28T20:19:00.001-08:002013-02-28T20:19:11.800-08:00Share the Love contestThe first year I went to Storymakers, I won the Share the LOVE contest run by the <a href="http://ldstorymakerauthors.blogspot.com/2013/02/ldstorymakers-2013-show-your-love.html" target="_blank">storymaker's blog.</a> This turned out to be a wonderful with James Dashner, Jessica Day George, David Farland, and Krista Marino. I blogged about <a href="http://wendyswore.blogspot.com/2010/04/author-david-wolvertonfarland.html" target="_blank">David here</a>. This year, I'm entering again in hopes that luck might shine on me again. <br />
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So, share the love! And good luck to everyone who is going to conference! I'll see you there. Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-57298029127403089602013-02-28T19:59:00.000-08:002013-02-28T20:10:09.296-08:00Storymakers 2013<br />
This year <a href="http://ldstorymakers.com/conferences/2013-conference/" target="_blank">Storymaker's writer's conference</a> (May 10-11th) will have international best seller, Ann Perry, as a Keynote speaker. Here's her bio from the storymaker's website:<br />
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<strong>"KEYNOTE: Anne Perry</strong>Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including “Dark Assassin” and “The Shifting Tide,” and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including “The Cater Street Hangman,” “Calandar Square,” “Buckingham Palace Gardens” and “Long Spoon Lane.” She is also the author of the World War I novels “No Graves As Yet,” “Shoulder the Sky,” “Angels in the Gloom,” “At Some Disputed Barricade,” and “We Shall Not Sleep,” as well as six holiday novels, most recently “A Christmas Grace.” Anne Perry lives in Scotland."<br />
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This year, they are offering tickets to the keynote speach even if you don't want to go to the entire conference (which is awesome BTW, you should totally go).<br />
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There are just under 70 days till the conference. I'm so excited!<br />
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Storymakers have a fun blog and do a contest every year to share the love. You can find the <a href="http://ldstorymakerauthors.blogspot.com/2013/02/ldstorymakers-2013-show-your-love.html" target="_blank">blog here.</a>Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-18144373213026437092012-12-23T14:58:00.000-08:002012-12-23T15:04:51.328-08:00Do You Remember?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquH8R9CRih-ixEZo7F8pnBfNik0m3L4-JGqTVlRdNi6drdbYxreR614ZCfSWYrEwX4EFfbjn0NugMgJZlsQ0C-28ofs9RurC1zAyVuc_TnjJk-BYMOJittpXLQhlPPRMvet9Sn_0m4Rw/s1600/GRandma+Barr+&+Wendy's+family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquH8R9CRih-ixEZo7F8pnBfNik0m3L4-JGqTVlRdNi6drdbYxreR614ZCfSWYrEwX4EFfbjn0NugMgJZlsQ0C-28ofs9RurC1zAyVuc_TnjJk-BYMOJittpXLQhlPPRMvet9Sn_0m4Rw/s320/GRandma+Barr+&+Wendy's+family.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christmas is a time of family and tradition, of love, laughter and memories. Like many of you, I'm missing someone this year and I keep thinking it's been too long since I've called--that I should call. . . . But then I remember why I haven't and that little piece of my heart breaks again. My mother's project this year was sort all the photos grandmother kept and divide them into 6 Tupperware boxes (one for each of her siblings). She asked for my help in writing a poem that would help her brothers and sisters remember their parents and the good times they shared. I thought I'd share my poem with you.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Do You Remember?</strong></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you remember sweet caramel corn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And donuts by the bag full,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mom perched on Dad’s lap like newlyweds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Embarrassed kids, loving fools. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you remember Fall country drives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And lazy days by the lake</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love shared with bear hugs and BBQ’s</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Coffee cake and rolls she baked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you remember making snowmen</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When snow fell on our lashes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The hunt of fresh snow for donut spins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Those days, our fun was matchless.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you remember joy and laughter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As cards piled o’er the table</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We played, Demon, Spoons, and Hearts all night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Together when ‘ere able. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you remember she loved us all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our children, her life’s treasures</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She saved each child’s card and little note,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her love, too great to measure.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You remember how she’d wait for us,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Count the hours till our next visit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A smile, a touch, just holding your hand,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She ne’er wanted to miss it.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please do remember to share their love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With those in your lives today</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tell them a story of times gone by</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of our family’s joys those days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Remember, though Mom and Dad are gone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They gave us all they could give.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our lives, each other, kind hearts and souls</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our memories, they both live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then Someday when we meet again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh the joys and sweet laughter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We’ll share new memories of times they missed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And have our own happily ever after.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>By Wendy Swore, Dec 6th 2012</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Some of our traditions are silly. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Each year, my dad reads the Night Before Christmas . . . wrong. (Away to the windows I threw up on the sash...made a terrible mess) And the grandchildren protest and make him read the correct words. "No Grandpa! Not like that!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTeQr62RDJmTM3bc2tzRDsJstvs071tcy1bHWmhJr2xcxx4m6mVLtXrJyejblrxbnqEa1tUNuaV0AWdZ4u-XEK7mj_5zMS7H7VZ8OybTjH92NHp7lSgL-1-ZKLlJI6uI98QmoDDz0FwY/s1600/night+before+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTeQr62RDJmTM3bc2tzRDsJstvs071tcy1bHWmhJr2xcxx4m6mVLtXrJyejblrxbnqEa1tUNuaV0AWdZ4u-XEK7mj_5zMS7H7VZ8OybTjH92NHp7lSgL-1-ZKLlJI6uI98QmoDDz0FwY/s1600/night+before+christmas.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We open PJ's on Christmas Eve, and trek across the field for breakfast Christmas morning at my husband's parents. One year we were snowed in and they sent snowmobiles to fetch us through the blowing snow. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In short, in quiet moments, I miss the ones we've lost, but I focus on the here and now so my children will have many happy memories as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My friends, this year, I wish you many happy memories. May you be surrounded by friends and family. Presents are a dime a dozen, often broken or discarded within the week, but family traditions keep you warm long after the fire burns down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Do you have any special memories or traditions in your family? What do you love most about the holidays?</span>Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-56608429004235088122012-12-02T13:31:00.000-08:002012-12-02T21:16:01.388-08:00The Desolation series Finale: Destined<script src="http://cdn.widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('47e05982-a109-4f0c-a92c-61278a929c2a');</script>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you heard of Ali Cross’s Desolation series, if not, you
are missing out. I was lucky enough to read a copy of her newest book, Destined, last month and I'm happy to say that it was awesome!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCH6JFPO6fvgfQKXddiRV9qSpCVn7obY-OAbbok6nzGcHqsYYydkeFyzjTY5Rf4GmYj4hGXtJHvyz4DZ2axTmcpq4mdWmgQ_dMEXCMwO0wNLZo6NeOdw3gzSSYpAYnSHzE-45hhvw5Os/s1600/ali+cross+sidebyside2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCH6JFPO6fvgfQKXddiRV9qSpCVn7obY-OAbbok6nzGcHqsYYydkeFyzjTY5Rf4GmYj4hGXtJHvyz4DZ2axTmcpq4mdWmgQ_dMEXCMwO0wNLZo6NeOdw3gzSSYpAYnSHzE-45hhvw5Os/s400/ali+cross+sidebyside2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Become, we follow Desi (Lucifer’s daughter) as she leaves
the comfortable familiarity of Hell and travels to the real world on a mission
for her father. Once there, she finds that even the Devil’s daughter can choose
to become something more than what she is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Desolate, Desi is haunted by choices she made in the
first book and dreams of her loved one being tormented in the same Hell she
used to call home. When a strange demon injures her, she starts to see that
choices are not as permanent as she thought—and that the power of choice is
that you can make a new one every day. In order to save her friends, she must
grasp them from the jaws of Hell, even if it means losing herself. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Destined is the thrilling conclusion where Desi’s friends move
heaven and earth to save her. She has lived her whole life with two warring
powers, darkness and light, inside her—both fighting for her loyalty. In
Destined she embraces them both, recognizing that none of us are all bad or
good—that our abilities do not rule our destiny, but rather our choices define
us. In great battle for Asgard, involving all nine worlds, Desi finds her
purpose and makes her final choice. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All three books use myths like Asgard, Loki, Valkyrie, and the
Rainbow Bridge. These fantastic elements are part of her everyday life—they are
family after all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you enjoy a series with some deep soul searching and a
constant struggle between the pull of darkness and light, then this is it. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first read Become, I had my daughter wait a year or
two because one of the challenges Desi faces is the lure of seduction. She
feels the desire and wants it, but still has a choice. I think this series is
more suited to 14 years and up rather than the young YA market. My daughter
loves it, but understands why I had her wait a couple years. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The author is <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5188441.Ali_Cross" target="_blank">Ali Cross,</a> excellent writer and blog expert extraordinaire.
You can check out her writers dojo<a href="http://www.alicross.com/" target="_blank"> here.</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Notice her covers are all original work? I think they are pretty cool. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So in celebration of winter, (my most favorite time of the
year because there is no farming to do) I’m giving away a kindle copy of the
first two books, Become and Desolate. You can read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ali-cross/e/B006U47A9Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1354483196&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">sample pages on Amazon.</a> </span></div>
Don't forget to put Destined on your <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16147006-destined" target="_blank">to-read list on goodreads</a>. And snag it when it becomes available on December 12th, 2012. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
How to enter:<br />
Just leave a comment with your email (Like: myemail AT wherever DOT com) saying which book you want! (Though I'm sure loads of good Karma will follow you if you share this to FB or Twitter or goodreads, please do, but it's not required) We'll choose a winner on Wednesday, December 12th because that's release day for Destined! </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-59706041672137818302012-08-27T12:34:00.001-07:002012-08-27T12:50:06.134-07:00The Writer's REAL JourneyHi all, I hope you are having a wonderful summer. I'm in full farm mode right now (picking corn everyday, picking other vegi's, weeding, watering, preparing the corn maze, selling produce at two markets and out of the garage). But I'm still reading everyday and working on my latest WIP. <br />
<br />
I saw this awesome post from Nathan Bransford which is the perfect depiction of a writer's journey. My daughter and I laughed so hard. I love it. Check it out, and you can thank me later. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2012/08/the-publishing-process-in-gif-form.html" target="_blank">The Publishing Process In GIF Form.</a><br />
<br />
On a totally different note, here's a picture that made me laugh. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQyDjJrFqbDucBAZCAeWRW6EpYBfAlO6k2UWKXc_gN0449sdtb0mnlXXlYmpBpZjM6rXkDFAOZ8I3NKqM5JF2LnEv_SwrOOsVQnznC-3W0bgdSqwn8fBtVbYL9CbXHwPIG-lLlwYuJNI/s1600/Zombie+joke+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQyDjJrFqbDucBAZCAeWRW6EpYBfAlO6k2UWKXc_gN0449sdtb0mnlXXlYmpBpZjM6rXkDFAOZ8I3NKqM5JF2LnEv_SwrOOsVQnznC-3W0bgdSqwn8fBtVbYL9CbXHwPIG-lLlwYuJNI/s400/Zombie+joke+001.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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Anything fun or exciting happen in your life this summer? Tell me. </div>
Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-7789365722670329202012-07-19T22:48:00.003-07:002012-07-19T22:49:14.997-07:00Summer and writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes Summer is a trying time for me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVN8Kgqf3_7YfIEnjnsaSFU9-MIERiCRDoL7bGVuvryDQ5hxdFKGRtSfVa4Cn5q9LKOwDACZI3Ip2ZUHjcrF2wK8_Q37Iw0PDfYU3kjdJBsRPemBlRgb-eYU5BpCyJDFMyvrLsqKaTZgo/s1600/slave+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVN8Kgqf3_7YfIEnjnsaSFU9-MIERiCRDoL7bGVuvryDQ5hxdFKGRtSfVa4Cn5q9LKOwDACZI3Ip2ZUHjcrF2wK8_Q37Iw0PDfYU3kjdJBsRPemBlRgb-eYU5BpCyJDFMyvrLsqKaTZgo/s1600/slave+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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It starts out rough....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezxA3ZgzO49AWQwkIJvHAngUglorx8eQYM8qSo7aqS9vgIcmIt5k3hOMsYmDH8Wm8fgqxGibk86vl4nSIPqu2YQJKk__bYHHd0YkxeMkXScJ034SoSPeosPXUb6h4-OylLFOwQR9-o8A/s1600/slave+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezxA3ZgzO49AWQwkIJvHAngUglorx8eQYM8qSo7aqS9vgIcmIt5k3hOMsYmDH8Wm8fgqxGibk86vl4nSIPqu2YQJKk__bYHHd0YkxeMkXScJ034SoSPeosPXUb6h4-OylLFOwQR9-o8A/s1600/slave+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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And usually gets worse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT5rezmd4aNgPxCaapLatdPexazB_rHaoue-xXAc-Lxk4mJW3QiACgDiOmkS2hJ1k6zNftNbm_ayTdA_UOp9NWkQPaxqDtCTHVgby7AJ2Oc6rxxsTUPMMd2Ff_8UvkwKbfub_knZpRnM/s1600/slave+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT5rezmd4aNgPxCaapLatdPexazB_rHaoue-xXAc-Lxk4mJW3QiACgDiOmkS2hJ1k6zNftNbm_ayTdA_UOp9NWkQPaxqDtCTHVgby7AJ2Oc6rxxsTUPMMd2Ff_8UvkwKbfub_knZpRnM/s1600/slave+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
That said, I always find/sneak time for books. I have a book in the car, one in the throne room (AKA bathroom), one in my purse, and a bunch on my phone. If I'm waiting for anything, I read. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NMg9-lM6PUdN0-XpsKRm4I8Yk8dhU-PvUu2Wk6eAOfF8tf-8AHUzH0SstrU6YXhrXCEbMJxIXTJv2RYkKdQlLf-mWxSk429x7SjtAkTmV4ftlo_JeezBX0K-AbotP6VGAGhITT-QCcY/s1600/reading+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NMg9-lM6PUdN0-XpsKRm4I8Yk8dhU-PvUu2Wk6eAOfF8tf-8AHUzH0SstrU6YXhrXCEbMJxIXTJv2RYkKdQlLf-mWxSk429x7SjtAkTmV4ftlo_JeezBX0K-AbotP6VGAGhITT-QCcY/s1600/reading+girl.jpg" /></a></div>
Reading is great, but my favorite days are when I get the outside chores done and have nothing else to do! That's when I read and critique pages from my critique group and write/work on my own writing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TbBdwoqZC2sCxBRwS9jz05lh5GEfc_8HMu-q-_6C-dkChjD8oAuLXsLCS68o4rTobZ9EErkl0MKkehYeul_bYdV5WiMsooppwsR9UiL2T7omq6M3tvhcijEh3FwsUTzE93ghEfqIjo0/s1600/happy+writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TbBdwoqZC2sCxBRwS9jz05lh5GEfc_8HMu-q-_6C-dkChjD8oAuLXsLCS68o4rTobZ9EErkl0MKkehYeul_bYdV5WiMsooppwsR9UiL2T7omq6M3tvhcijEh3FwsUTzE93ghEfqIjo0/s1600/happy+writer.jpg" /></a></div>
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So, that's what I'm up to this summer. Working, working working, with a little bit of play and writing in there.</div>
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How are you spending your summer? Getting any writing or reading done?</div>Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-76866856883432701002012-05-10T13:19:00.001-07:002012-05-10T13:19:40.361-07:00Storymakers Writers Conference = Awesomesauce<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvFFPTuanvhXHs5MiCyZmmfLVs3Mqnz7vvjGqaifWwQyiJCX2UVoywCmS-ClzpJ08YdAFDnc8LHGd0OTKTIq3lG9I60JZQEzoLFGDVIqOcvaLFz_UIrCFFKW76gWzy4yWctdOHCIK7LA/s1600/Kiersten+White.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvFFPTuanvhXHs5MiCyZmmfLVs3Mqnz7vvjGqaifWwQyiJCX2UVoywCmS-ClzpJ08YdAFDnc8LHGd0OTKTIq3lG9I60JZQEzoLFGDVIqOcvaLFz_UIrCFFKW76gWzy4yWctdOHCIK7LA/s320/Kiersten+White.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agent Michelle Wolfson, me, & author Kiersten White<br />
Kiersten later told me, "You have the coolest name! <br />
It's a sentence. That is just awesome." She signed my book,<br />
to "Wendy, of the cool name!" Haha. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hello, Cyberbuddies<br />
<br />
For those of you who saw my last post, you know that I was having a rough time, but I'm happy to report that last weekend rocked. <br />
<br />
First of all, the classes and breakouts were superb. I loved hearing from many of my favorite authors and was really thrilled when many of them knew me by name! <br />
<br />
I also had the opportunity to meet several agents and take a photo with a few. I tried not to be too star-struck. I don't think I slobbered or anything. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4dQr7L1em0OU58G4FagMzOsOTJdcJq4DVW5gxIzujWRiYD58pouEIW07FUUo2-_Ttfwppqcq3Kfg7kfMEHYw6ZXcjIqWQ_r4K5nXhm9oCPNIoyiekAzs7IRElQ7zNb5CEbnZa_G-y9g/s1600/Holly+Root.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4dQr7L1em0OU58G4FagMzOsOTJdcJq4DVW5gxIzujWRiYD58pouEIW07FUUo2-_Ttfwppqcq3Kfg7kfMEHYw6ZXcjIqWQ_r4K5nXhm9oCPNIoyiekAzs7IRElQ7zNb5CEbnZa_G-y9g/s320/Holly+Root.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Agent Holly Root</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Saturday, my pitch session went well. Here's my pitch:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"In an empire where dark
skinned people rule over pale slaves, sixteen-year-old Anya is an albino.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When she defies the
Gods by spitting on the Queen, she is sentenced to death, but a mute boy frees
her and she escapes to find the Mix, a band of rebels that live together in
peace regardless of skin color.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There, she agrees to
help Galen, the young rebel leader, in a daring plot to force social change,
but things go terribly wrong and the king dies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Queen blames Anya
for his death and orders her entire village culled in retribution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now Anya must fight to
save her home from the Queen’s wrath, but a steam powered empire with lethal
tracking cats and the God’s favor is not easily thwarted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Complete at 59,000
words, COLORLESS would appeal to fans of Birthmarked and Incarceron.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Its first chapter won
3<sup>rd</sup> place in the YA fantasy category at this conference last year. Do you have any questions for me?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 101.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tada! What do you think? So after that, I was already excited, and then came the first chapter contest. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFWMNlM0WJcu9gZQNJRCzdkw_aRvrc5e-BuLhAzPTtSkZrgmI0pF-yeyB1dQp1AXBSXUC1l77TPCrBb2pHz6HlSfYG530PrBQSTecJ4SKC6C3W63oz1fsJaVNU3lKtrsiiukF8687iAQ/s1600/Wendy+First+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFWMNlM0WJcu9gZQNJRCzdkw_aRvrc5e-BuLhAzPTtSkZrgmI0pF-yeyB1dQp1AXBSXUC1l77TPCrBb2pHz6HlSfYG530PrBQSTecJ4SKC6C3W63oz1fsJaVNU3lKtrsiiukF8687iAQ/s320/Wendy+First+place.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first place prize box! (I think I was still hyperventilating <br />
and shaking at this moment)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My story, FIREBUG took 1st place in the YA General Fiction category! How cool is that? When I read Firebug up there on the screen, a jolt went right through me! Oh boy! One of the gals in charge, who happens to be my daughter's favorite author (the awesome Karen Hoover), said that her judges said it was disturbing, but really powerful. Hehehe. *evil laugh* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">James Dashner came up to me after the win and teased, "Hey Wendy, when you win a bunch of awards for all these good books someday, you'll have to say, 'it all started with that fateful dinner in 2010 when James Dashner sat at my table and bestowed his greatness upon me." We laughed--but I'm totally going to say that someday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you for being with me on this writing journey. I wouldn't trade it for the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What would you ask your favorite author if you could meet him or her in person? (or would you just stutter and grin foolishly?)</span></div>Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-47538242054505944132012-04-29T20:57:00.000-07:002012-04-29T21:04:24.541-07:00May The Fourth Be With You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUSspfFTAGsfhu_G5yYCxkDmEH9FCt3TFn6uvAqM6_hmxUL4ocanr_gUpAylEboLRdfeBSwqB4Yux_sRNITLJSrZk41ylwgezrE0Amyl1Vd43ICpso0f-R5hK1xYk2XZHrZ2I-Kqy_MQ/s1600/stone+angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUSspfFTAGsfhu_G5yYCxkDmEH9FCt3TFn6uvAqM6_hmxUL4ocanr_gUpAylEboLRdfeBSwqB4Yux_sRNITLJSrZk41ylwgezrE0Amyl1Vd43ICpso0f-R5hK1xYk2XZHrZ2I-Kqy_MQ/s320/stone+angel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Or at least the fourth can be nicer to me--at least that's what I'm hoping.<br />
As some of you know, I've had a rough few weeks:<br />
<br />
Three weeks ago, my six-year-old step-nephew was beaten to death by his biological father. It was a horrible tragedy and we drove to Primary Children's Medical Center in SLC to say goodbye before he was taken off life support. His father claimed he only hit him once, but I saw the numerous bruises all over his little body and that's bull. He's charged with 1st degree murder and I hope justice is served. I've never experienced such anger inside as I have with this experience. I'm working through it.<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago, my Grandma Barr died. This is my mother's mother. I was extremely close to her. She was brilliant, selfless, loving, and wonderful--everything I aspire to be when I "grow up." We knew it was coming, but it's still hard.<br />
<br />
Last Saturday was her funeral. I sang with my cousins a medley of Coming Home, and we celebrated her life. It comes in waves for me. I'll be fine, then suddenly be ticked about something random, and end up crying because I heard, saw, or smelled something that reminds me of her. This mourning cycle thing is the pits. <br />
<br />
I'm sharing this with you because this next weekend is Storymakers writers conference. After three weeks of tears and sadness, I'm hoping against hope that this fourth weekend will be a good one.<br />
Once again, I have a pitch session. This time, I'm pitching Colorless, my alternate history. So far, only my two cyber BFF's (Renee, & Rita) have read it, but with their comments and editorial catches, I think it's ready for queries.<br />
<br />
In other news,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transcendent-Tales-Paranormal-Lani-Woodland/dp/0615572324/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335758140&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> Transcendent</a> is doing really well and has a 4.33 stars on Goodreads with over 36 ratings. Woo! On Amazon, it has 19 ratings for an average of 4 stars. Either way, our little paranormal anthology is doing well!<br />
<br />
I hope to be back next week with loads of happy, writerly good news for you all. <br />
<br />
So, have you ever had something really bad happen to you that was followed by something really good?Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-82625268520202865072012-04-05T23:05:00.001-07:002012-04-05T23:05:32.540-07:00The Happiest Place on Earth... and a Winner!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymo7YaBGnNJ_9VNXt6zGLg7YHken-kMHlgKxGcwIKojg97rTvmInWC9YsC0UAPIjsJ0-Qvp-g6W0aVZM3RWv_lBs7dasD0jaZOAVbeQ7_940Lu5oLxWQl3BrAt70NiatY9Nr46rQH3l0/s1600/Ariel's+GRotto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymo7YaBGnNJ_9VNXt6zGLg7YHken-kMHlgKxGcwIKojg97rTvmInWC9YsC0UAPIjsJ0-Qvp-g6W0aVZM3RWv_lBs7dasD0jaZOAVbeQ7_940Lu5oLxWQl3BrAt70NiatY9Nr46rQH3l0/s200/Ariel's+GRotto.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 5 Kidlets with my parents. <br />
Princess celebrated her birthday in <br />
Disneyland!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qSs7B378Pukqt7xTIXCQKHa-f1xyjL-LJA6rXv2-fjQ-Br4SnBMuj8iBsyVbpetKAcl1_np9A8Hta_bX8yZU2wo3ZOk2AWzB_scPONLY8Dhg_-WZd7vYK1RV7Js1nAvalGGH_62lGKw/s1600/Splash+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qSs7B378Pukqt7xTIXCQKHa-f1xyjL-LJA6rXv2-fjQ-Br4SnBMuj8iBsyVbpetKAcl1_np9A8Hta_bX8yZU2wo3ZOk2AWzB_scPONLY8Dhg_-WZd7vYK1RV7Js1nAvalGGH_62lGKw/s320/Splash+1.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love all the faces, especially <br />
my littlest one's. So funny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been notably absent from the blog for a few weeks, but I've got a better than average reason why. I went to Disneyland! Yahoo! We packed up our five kids and my awesome parents (extreme good sports) and drove the 16 hours to the Magic Kingdom. Some people can make it there faster, but we drive a 12 seater old Ford van that protests mightily at anything over 65mph. <br />
<br />
What made it especially fun is that the kids had NO IDEA it was coming until the day we left. I told them that their ailing great grandmother wanted them to wash every tombstone in the cemetary behind her house because she loved to walk there and wanted it clean. My awesome kids were not only willing to do this huge task, but kidlet #4 even packed pink washcloths so she could wash with her favorite color. They thought it would take the whole week. *Evil laughter*<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kx90Z43JbiOpx2Jiud6or90HCth4udeMlq87wLxWw6FZJL7soZ9nx9wmdD0T6x1iGaycAh3bOUNLS2TB3416-ULwlTlYxhbtzbzNMYQfcetKIHJpzVoqBNiiWy9EHlU6L3EJsQwJLno/s1600/Star+wars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kx90Z43JbiOpx2Jiud6or90HCth4udeMlq87wLxWw6FZJL7soZ9nx9wmdD0T6x1iGaycAh3bOUNLS2TB3416-ULwlTlYxhbtzbzNMYQfcetKIHJpzVoqBNiiWy9EHlU6L3EJsQwJLno/s320/Star+wars.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 of the 5 Kidlets used the force to fend off <br />
Darth Vador and Darth Maul. <br />
The Force is strong in our family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlZIpOI3vydb_vj8srXaJNSSS92o0K1pVDPWY-GOdI8iTrmNkqeuU3k_nvCl6eaHGHzsIc2C8SZ8cCjsjDlOVthxnkGz6gZbqV-LYBgN7pAwc9lb8qLiqljfGY95Mbv_z1YAFORcd7Pw/s1600/Splash+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlZIpOI3vydb_vj8srXaJNSSS92o0K1pVDPWY-GOdI8iTrmNkqeuU3k_nvCl6eaHGHzsIc2C8SZ8cCjsjDlOVthxnkGz6gZbqV-LYBgN7pAwc9lb8qLiqljfGY95Mbv_z1YAFORcd7Pw/s200/Splash+2.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kidlet#3 cracks me up! And yes, <br />
Splash Mountain is my favorite ride!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WpFUqjYTvE3eA0l8zPWVUhvtxoubSvEmbeLWfj3VvtmGYndmH748cyoelPjoBXDILrRn1MszEGui6eWEAzeAL5GAxmCLi70-5OyMyAPIFXdk15VDLzyqJLIFP0yIE_dnJ98__sC7DMo/s1600/Toy+Story+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WpFUqjYTvE3eA0l8zPWVUhvtxoubSvEmbeLWfj3VvtmGYndmH748cyoelPjoBXDILrRn1MszEGui6eWEAzeAL5GAxmCLi70-5OyMyAPIFXdk15VDLzyqJLIFP0yIE_dnJ98__sC7DMo/s200/Toy+Story+box.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The answer to that age old question: <br />
"Where did I come from?" <br />
From the store of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So that morning, we drove to my parents for breakfast and told them we wanted a picture in the driveway with grandma's poster, but as they unrolled this long scroll, it said, "Swore Kids, You Are Not Going To Logan. You Are Going To . . . . " and then the garage door behind them opened to reveal a big poster "DISNEYLAND!" with fun little things and balloons that I got from the dollar store. They were so shocked they stood there dumbfounded. "What? Really? What?"<br />
<br />
When it sunk in, Kidlet #4 started screaming and running all over the place while Kidlet #2 just hugged me and cried. It really took most of the trip there before they really could wrap their brains around the fact that they really, really were going. I'll post the video later. <br />
<br />
We put the Disneyland poster in the back window of the van and wrote "Or Bust!" on it and all the way there, people honked and waved--some even hung out the window of their cars with their hands clasped together yelling, "Take me with you!" It was so much fun. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, I'm remiss on announcing the winner of my last giveaway!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And the winner is . .</span> . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="mailto:sarah.setar@gmail.com" target="_blank">Sarah</a> (AKA IdentitySeeker)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations! Let me know what book you'd like and it's yours!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you've enjoyed these few glimpses of our fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>What was the best vacation you've ever taken?</em></span></div>Wendy Sworehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02348745344259509113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587953384859277722.post-290810702513224872012-03-14T13:25:00.001-07:002012-03-14T13:32:53.136-07:00March Blog Hop and Hunger Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-KvRCA1HP4M9KgUqY06TQ_xfBv_yoyOwr8w7_M3n5xtIiD0Yx25WzBbj3WGdEgTyeEND8LINFLuap9WG3hUjl0qBAPlrTI33FBBbjU0aPdaj26-HJ1Pht4LS0gjnyFwdPLa3BtAwbpw/s1600/Hunger-Games-Poster-HQ-630x933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-KvRCA1HP4M9KgUqY06TQ_xfBv_yoyOwr8w7_M3n5xtIiD0Yx25WzBbj3WGdEgTyeEND8LINFLuap9WG3hUjl0qBAPlrTI33FBBbjU0aPdaj26-HJ1Pht4LS0gjnyFwdPLa3BtAwbpw/s320/Hunger-Games-Poster-HQ-630x933.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
Okay, so is anyone excited about The Hunger Games movie coming out next week? We are counting down the days at our house and Kidlet#1 has finally convinced Kidlet#2 to read it. <br />
<br />
Can I just say that I'm thankful for awesome books and for Hollywood people who decide to make movies out of them? I've watched the previews and I think they've got a great cast.<br />
<br />
Are any of you going to the midnight movie? We, alas, must wait till the next day because the kids simply can't stay up till 2am and remember anything they've seen, but we'll be there bright and early for the matinee! <br />
<br />
In celebration, I've decided to do a giveaway. <br />
<br />
The winner will get to choose from the following ebook choices:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NJSxyj3cfy4L9SDgO8KdBMhrvyJyeVYlSJ2JbL-ng6w0kecPaep8pVAUme-HJPQ1mQlhVnkLW8yfb3uqkDmgCcHPtxjh2FR2OgOXI6M-31b7WpUYIk4G8f_VvaEOncBbXXTae_nAH_8/s1600/hunger+games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NJSxyj3cfy4L9SDgO8KdBMhrvyJyeVYlSJ2JbL-ng6w0kecPaep8pVAUme-HJPQ1mQlhVnkLW8yfb3uqkDmgCcHPtxjh2FR2OgOXI6M-31b7WpUYIk4G8f_VvaEOncBbXXTae_nAH_8/s1600/hunger+games.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hunger-Games-ebook/dp/B002MQYOFW/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331752237&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Book 1</a> of the Hunger Games</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSifiUFPEj8kIs60kHPNDyZt4CL-Wk6TOkz5D5FSmF9b5VkfXtttZc8vJcduheBNLA5OYVCAH2pC0tYiTCyUUVWzkqXpNXm1wgujUBptOtvz3AmvwAj-2_78YESyjohDl8mo6U8vkHLzE/s1600/transcendent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSifiUFPEj8kIs60kHPNDyZt4CL-Wk6TOkz5D5FSmF9b5VkfXtttZc8vJcduheBNLA5OYVCAH2pC0tYiTCyUUVWzkqXpNXm1wgujUBptOtvz3AmvwAj-2_78YESyjohDl8mo6U8vkHLzE/s320/transcendent.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transcendent-Tales-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B006JV1NM8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331755938&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Sweet YA Paranormal anthology. Have you read it yet?</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSoLWrHH4R6AM6IujL80Qeu0gHvgZhPFgPdsYH7hca2KtH2Xl5jvh9L_sUdUgYiLyi0CvVJN2vvnSZC5awMeBfGTFVLenqsycU-js3PzuL8qwPObL_f6ZsggoS_hYBxW3NfLxXT9lng0/s1600/Moon+called.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSoLWrHH4R6AM6IujL80Qeu0gHvgZhPFgPdsYH7hca2KtH2Xl5jvh9L_sUdUgYiLyi0CvVJN2vvnSZC5awMeBfGTFVLenqsycU-js3PzuL8qwPObL_f6ZsggoS_hYBxW3NfLxXT9lng0/s1600/Moon+called.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_551516245">My kids always raise their eyebrows at this one, but despite the cover, it's not a romance. It's an awesome urban fantasy. </a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Called-Mercy-Thompson-ebook/dp/B000OCXHTK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331753371&sr=1-1" target="_blank">This is the 1st in the Mercy series, one of my all time favorites.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1Ifi_Pr3ZhtGs6-BQqcZVbTXZiRM8h0HmMGSUickTZM2p3vrhl87UaJCuH3WLybqVtL_RDgVVSc7M2Q_0oRIFncy194NDGgtN-cQTJGEw-O2dL8kH492emnivnnPjts-7bbdJV0wls8/s1600/hunger+games+essaybook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1Ifi_Pr3ZhtGs6-BQqcZVbTXZiRM8h0HmMGSUickTZM2p3vrhl87UaJCuH3WLybqVtL_RDgVVSc7M2Q_0oRIFncy194NDGgtN-cQTJGEw-O2dL8kH492emnivnnPjts-7bbdJV0wls8/s1600/hunger+games+essaybook.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P1JE6Q/ref=s9_simh_bw_p351_d0_g351_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=1ABA4FPRPE0MWW11BCC1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1342337002&pf_rd_i=1286228011#_" target="_blank">A collection of essays discussing the deeper implications of the Hunger Games</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><strong>How to enter:</strong></u> Make sure you follow this blog, then leave a comment with your name and email. Tada! You're entered. <br />
<br />
You can earn extra entries if you post about this elsewhere, just let me know where. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll draw a winner April 2nd. </div>
<br />
<br />
Want more prizes? How about Amazon gift cards and a Kindle Fire? Check out the <a href="http://afantasyfiction.blogspot.com/2012/03/ritas-happy-day-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">March Blog Hop</a>! You can jump in anytime you want!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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