Blisscraft Life With Christina Katz

Happy Mother’s Day Month (Take Three)!

Welcome to The Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway, where I will be highlighting the literary contributions of over thirty author mamas and giving away at least one book a day throughout May.

To become eligible for the drawing, all you have to do is participate. I’ll give a prompt every day at the end of each post. Each person who answers will be entered to win a drawing for that day’s book or one of that day’s books. Please read the complete rules here.

You can see what we have already given away in weeks one and two, if you like.

And now here are our fabulous author mamas for week three:

Day 15. Wendy Burt-Thomas, The Writer’s Digest Guide To Query Letters

Day 16. Heather Sharfeddin, Damaged Goods

Day 17. Literary Mama Day (featuring Caroline Grant‘s Mama Ph.D. and Suzanna Kamata‘s The Beautiful One Has Come)

Day 18. Christina Katz: Get Known Before the Book Deal (Are you seeing a pattern here? Have you figured out what it means?)

Day 19. Laura Whitcomb, The Fetch

Day 20. Lisa Harper, A Double Life

Day 21. Pamela Jane, A Vampire Is Coming To Dinner

Go to our participant’s websites and check them out before they are featured here, if you like. I’m sure they won’t mind.

In the meantime, hope you are enjoying the giveaway. I know I am!

Here are ten reasons I love platform development and building that I want to share with you. These are also the reasons why I never tire of platform development/building and will never stop doing it.

I dedicate this post to all of my students who work in such a holistic, integrated, joyful manner towards profitable self-expression, continually learning and discovering things about themselves and their readers along the way.

Love platform-building because:

1. There is nobody else like you, who is passionate about what you are passionate about, and who expresses what you express in the world the way you express it.

2. You never stop joyfully growing your platform, even after you get published,  even after you hit the New York Times Bestseller List, even after you are famous, and even after you are a household name. It’s just a part of any genuinely creative person’s life.

3. You are a creative person, who gets to do creative work and share creative work with the world. What’s wrong with that?

4. Even when you are over-tired, over-wrought, and creatively exhausted, you will have the satisfaction that you did your best creative work and shared it with the world. And this is an extremely empowering feeling, which often leads to future creative work.

5. There are no rules! No one person has the secret platform-building formula. I spend most of my energy encouraging my students to find their unique note and sing it more loudly, expressively, and confidently. I encourage creatives to tap into what makes them uniquely powerful not become a clone of me.

6. You are not done yet. You are never done. You are a work-in-progress living in a world-in-progress. You get to realize your full potential on a daily basis. Not too many day jobs expect this of you.

7. Just as anything can be elevated to an art form, platform-building can also be elevated to an art form. And why wouldn’t you do it in your own particular kind of signature style? I call this social artistry. You should try it.

8. If platform development/building is uncomfortable or you hate it, you might be following bum advice. Even in the early stages, platform development should be expressive, creative, and empowering. If it doesn’t feel this way for you, take a step back and consider starting over with fresh priorities.

9. Platform busywork is not a replacement for your core creative work. Your writing, art, singing, acting, or whatever is your primary form of expression must be your first priority. At the end of a typical creative work day, platform development and building should probably not take up more than 20% of your energy. Or devote one day out of five to platform maintenance.

10. You still have other important things to do besides creating and platform-building, like selling, specializing, learning, and growing. Platform should accentuate your professional strengths and the beauty your work brings to the world. But you should not become a slave to your platform. You should not let platform squelch your creativity or self-expression. You should keep platform in perspective.

Putting platform before creative self-expression is always going to create tension because platform is an extension of creative self-expression, not a substitute for it.

If platform isn’t an extension of your creative joy, then there has been a major mis-communication.

Your platform is an extension of your creativity. And your creativity, I hope, is connected directly to your joy.

So, back to work, people. First on your creative work…and then on your platform.

~ Photo by Peter Nijenhuis

I have been watching Christine Fonseca’s writing career progress rapidly over the past few years. She has worked hard with a smile on her face and a kind word for fellow writers along the way. It is my great pleasure to welcome her to the giveaway today. Please say hello…

Christine Fonseca is the author of Emotional Intensity In Gifted Students (Prufrock Press, Oct. 2010) and 101 Success Secrets For Gifted Kids (Prufrock Press, April, 2011). In addition to writing books related to giftedness, she writes Gothic romance and contemporary novels for teens. If you would like to learn more about Christine, please visit: www.christinefonseca.com.

101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids: The Ultimate Handbook is a must-read for gifted kids ages 8 to 12 who want to find success in school and life. If you know gifted kids, they will love the 101 awesome secrets, tips, and tricks included in this book! Chock full of fun suggestions and practical strategies, 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids covers topics including bullying, school performance, perfectionism, friendships, and sibling rivalries.

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

Every time I finish a novel, write up a proposal, or turn in a nonfiction book, my confidence is bolstered. There is just something validating about completing something you may not fully believe that you can complete successfully. As each books get completed, I begin to believe that maybe I can write. Maybe I do have something to say. And as I get reader feedback, the confidence increases even more—all of which helps when the nay-sayers come forward and express their dislike of the books content or of me.

2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

Oh, tough one – Visionary, persistent, and artistic

3. What good has your book created in the world?

I believe my nonfiction books, especially 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids, has served to teach kids a better way of functioning in the world—a way of harnessing their own potential and redefining “normal” in a way that celebrates their intensities—their passions. My fiction brings different worlds to readers, while contemplating some of the more difficult emotions in life enabling a type of self evaluation and questioning—all good things.

• • •

Emotional intensity is an interesting topic. I have always described myself as intense.  What are you intense about and how do you channel any intensity you might have into your writing career? And if intense is not a word that would describe you then share a word that does describe you and how you channel that quality into your writing career. Have fun!

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Please bring a gaggle of friends next time you come.

Elizabeth Rusch was very generous with me with her time when I was new in town and working on Writer Mama. Liz is a freelance journalist and prolific children’s book author, most recently of a book called, For The Love of Music. Thanks for helping me welcome, Liz…

Elizabeth Rusch writes both fiction and nonfiction in the areas of science, art, sports, waves, jokes, crayons, and mud — anything that catches her fancy. She has published more than 100 articles in magazines such as Muse, Read, American Girl, Smithsonian, Harper’s, Mother Jones, and Backpacker. Her children’s books — Generation Fix, A Day with No Crayons, The Planet Hunter, and Will it Blow? — have been honored by Smithsonian magazine, the International Reading Association, Natural History magazine and the Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award in Children’s Literature.  Upcoming titles include The Mighty Mars Rovers, Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives, Volcano Rising, and Electrical Wizard.

About For the Love of Music: The remarkable story of Maria Anna Mozart:
By the time she was 12, she was considered one of the finest pianists in Europe, but today few people know her name. Maria Anna Mozart, like her famous brother Wolfgang, was a musical prodigy. The talented siblings toured Europe, playing before kings and empresses, were showered with gifts and favors, and lived in a whirlwind life of music and travel. They were best friends, collaborators, and confidantes. As they grew older, Wolfgang was encouraged to pursue his musical ambitions, while Maria had to stop performing and, ultimately, marry. But she was determined to continue playing the piano every day, for the love of music.  Her newest release is For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart. Publishers Weekly’s starred review describes this nonfiction picture book as “a moving portrait of an unsung musician.” In its starred review, Kirkus calls the book “an elegantly constructed work.”

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

For the Love of Music began more than six years ago as simple curiosity about Wolfgang Mozart’s musical sister, turned into a bit of an obsession, and on publication has become something that I’m really proud to have done. I think perhaps the most challenging projects can be the most rewarding. Now I know I can take an inkling of an idea and through sweat, love and even some tears, turn it into something beautiful.

2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

Joyful. Challenging. Enlightening.

3. What good has your book created in the world?

I hope For the Love of Music draws attention to a forgotten musical genius, Maria Anna Mozart, while also inspiring children to make music their whole lives no matter what challenges confront them.

• • •

If a book was written about you it would be called: For the love of… (what?). Remember that it’s a story about something that was big in your life. This could either be since you were a child or the story could still be to come. Make it up if you want or imagine your future.

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Please bring a small crowd next time you come.

April Henry and I had crossed paths a couple of times at literary events and I knew I wanted to invite her to the Northwest Author Series. So, I did and she was terrific when she came this last fall. I am a sucker for a presenter who can a slew of great writing tips, and April turns out to be the queen of tips. She packed more helpful tips into her presentation than I have ever heard before. In fact, they were so good that I will link to them here. Please help me welcome, April!

When April Henry was 12, she sent a short story about a six-foot tall frog who loved peanut butter to noted children’s author Roald Dahl. He liked it so much he arranged to have it published in an international children’s magazine. Her dream of writing went dormant until she was in her 30s, working at a corporate job, and started writing books on the side.  Now she’s a New York Times bestselling author who makes a living doing what she loves. She has written 11 mysteries and thrillers for adults and teens.

Novel Description:

Elizabeth Avery could easily be the girl next door. But what she has planned will make your blood run cold. At first glance, the crimes appear random. Arson. Theft. Fraud. Murder. But these are more than random crimes. They’re moves in an increasingly deadly game. And the one element they have in common: a woman who is gorgeous, clever . . . and lethal. When Elizabeth ruthlessly disposes of an inquisitive young reporter, her crime catches the attention of Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. They know they’re dealing with a cold-blooded murderer who could strike at any time. What they don’t know is that they’re already on a first-name basis with the killer.

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

It took me years to identify myself as a writer and not feel like a fraud. Even when I had a few books published, it felt like someone was going to catch on and say it had all been a mistake.  I am finally more confident and believe that I actually am a writer.
2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

Dogged.  Determined. And occasionally, Delighted.
3. What good has your book created in the world?

I give people a few hours where they can forget their workaday lives.

• • •

Roald Dahl arranged to have April’s piece published. What’s the nicest gesture someone else has made to support your writing? Or share a memorable response to your work that has stayed with you over the years.

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Please bring a small crowd next time you come.

Jen Hallissy is a former student of mine who went and got herself a book deal. Already an expert, Jen saw a need on the shelves and filled it with her words and professional insights. The result is The Write Start from Trumpeter Books. Please help me welcome, Jen!

Jennifer Hallissy is a mom and a pediatric occupational therapist who has a happy preoccupation with the art and science of child development. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy and a bachelor’s degree in English from New York University. A champion of childhood, Jennifer shares her enthusiasm for the big ideas of little people in national parenting magazines and on her blog, thewritestart.typepad.com. She lives in Port Washington, New York with her husband and two little writers-in-residence.

How do you raise children who love to write?

Jennifer Hallissy believes that if you give children a solid foundation of writing basics, they will develop a love of writing that lasts a lifetime. From teaching your child how to hold a pencil and form the letters of the alphabet, to creating writing spaces and meaningful writing rituals at home, The Write Start gives you all of the information and inspiration you need to raise a confident writer. With fifty-two playful activities for all ages and stages, this book is a treasure trove of irresistible ideas that will help you introduce your child to the wonderful world of writing, now, and for years to come.

1.  How has writing impacted your self-confidence?

Writing is a wonderful exercise in finding your own voice. This is something that not only improves your work, but all aspects of your life. There is no better confidence boost than learning to be yourself.

2.   What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

“Windows of opportunity.” Writing can fit into tiny little gaps of time throughout your day, and can be done in the unlikeliest of places. Add up all of those little bits and pieces and you can actually write a book. I’m living proof.

3.   What good has your book created in the world?

The Write Start empowers parents to take an active role in supporting young writers, from their first scribbles onward. It reminds them that every child has a story to tell, and that story begins at home.

• • •

Tell us about your write start. What are some of your earliest memories of putting thoughts on paper? What was the experience like for you then? Has your experience of writing changed or is it still the same as it was?

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Please bring a couple friends next time you come.