Sopala’s image brought to mind those unrelenting winters in Maine when we’re praying for and dreaming of an early spring. Diana Peach inspired me to write a haiku for the occasion. Hope you enjoy it! ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Pixabay image by Marianne Sopala
So Long Sweet Dreams
Haiku by Bette A. Stevens
Beast of a blizzard
Tromping in to surprise us
Sweet dreams disrupted
Myths of the Mirror blog has given writers and readers this fantastic Pixabay image by Marianne Sopala to respond to this month. The challenge includes stories, poems and artwork. Check out Diana’sFebruary Writing Challenge and come join in on fun!
“During February and March, I’ll be getting my first poetry collection—MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons—ready for publication. I invite you to take a peek at a sampling of haiku from the Winter Tales chapter. I’m looking for a few ARC reader/reviewers for pre-publication blurbs by month’s end. You can let me know in the comments section below. Thanks so much for your continued support”
So you have written your short story and cannot wait to release it into the world. But before doing that, it is important to take some extra time to make sure your story is properly edited, despite the fact that editing is nowhere near as fun as writing.
As Bloggers, we must be aware of the vast competition that is out there from New to well-established Blogs. Self-publishing authors face this as well, everyone wants to get noticed in hopes of walking to the bank one day and or the hopes of that 15-minute slot on a talk show. Perhaps have a following of 10k plus. What can we do to better promote our Blogs?
When it comes to self-promoting your Blog, there are no secrets a fast Google search and there will be many articles on the subject. Here are some important guidelines to adhere to.
Content should be top notched: I know you heard it before and probably more than you like, Yet, this is a crucial aspect pertaining to Blogs that climb the latter and those that fall off. Delivering solid content that your readers want to come back for.
I am a writer inspired by nature and human nature.
I love people, nature, art, music and literature.
I advocate for kids and families, childhood literacy and for the protection of monarch butterflies and their threatened habitat in my books, my poetry and on my blog. My blog supports Indie and traditional authors, features great books and poetry and provides tips for writers and readers as well. Be sure to check out the tabs at the top of my blog and leave a comment or two. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. I look forward to chatting with you. — Bette A. Stevens
Brief Bio: Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies—an endangered species (and milkweed, the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).
Stevens is the author of AMAZING MATILDA, an award-winning picture book; The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!, a home/school resource incorporating hands-on math and writing; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to her début novel, DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming of age novel. MY MAINE, inspired by The Pine Tree State —Maine’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, rural communities, and independent people—the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with her photographs, reflect the Maine she knows and loves.
BOOK BLURBS:
“My Maine, Haiku through the Seasons takes readers on a poetic journey through the state’s four distinct seasons. Whether you’re a native Mainer or from away, Stevens’s short story poems and photographs will resonate. The collection opens with Maine Pines and People. The journey continues with the rejuvenating spirit of Spring Awakenings and Summer Songs; then on to more of Maine’s extraordinary places and people in Autumn Leaves and Winter Tales. In addition to its poems and photographs, My Maine includes state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State.”
“DOG BONE SOUP is not only a fabulous title for a novel, it’s also the staple diet of the young hero, Shawn Daniels . But it takes more than an impoverished family life, exacerbated by a drunken father, to keep our Shawn and his brothers and sisters down.” Survival, struggle and the human spirit rising above it all—a 1950s and ’60 coming of age adventure.
“PURE TRASH is an emotional and soul-searching short story read. Compassion is a beautiful thing.” A single day—a lifetime of lessons.
Inspire the kids to follow their dreams with AMAZING MATILDA, an award-winning Monarch Butterfly picture book adventure! (ages 4-11).
CLICK, LOOK & LISTEN as author Pamela Beckford reads AMAZING MATILDA for United Way’s Childhood Literacy Program:
Encourage the kids (elementary and middle-graders) with THE TANGRAM ZOO & Word Puzzles Too!—a great resource for home or school. Puzzles, poetry, reading, research, writing and projects too!
I would love to hear from you (comments below).
Find out more about author Bette A. Stevens and take a “Look inside” her books atYOUR AMAZON.
You probably remember author Charles E. Yallowitz, who’s become a regular visitor to this blog and fast friend. He graciously agreed to a guest post on the things he has learned since self-publishing his first book of his Legends of Windemere series. Take it, Charles!
So, Nicholas and I were talking a while back and I said something that caught his attention. It was a simple comment about stuff I learned since I published my first book of Legends of Windemere back in February of 2013.
I’m gearing up for the 7th book of the series, Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue, and Nicholas suggested I write about what I’ve learned over the last two years — that happen to feel like a decade.
Statistics are the eternal mystery of blogging. I’ve been blogging 2 years, 9 months and I’m pretty happy with where I am these days. I’m popular enough to feel my voice is heard, but not so busy I don’t have time to answer comments and interact with the people I enjoy on the big wide web.
I keep hearing about the “cool kids,” popular bloggers with large followings. Compared to the really big blogs, I’m not even a drop in the bucket, but for my own purposes, I’m in a good place. Last week, my “followers” — whatever and whoever they are — exceeded 7,000. So — does that make me one of the cool kids?
Me and Bette Stevens. Two veteran bloggers enjoying lunch in Skowhegan
That would be funny because never in my life have I been a cool kid. At this point, I’m no kind of kid. Senior citizen. Retired writer. Amateur photographer. I use my…
Readers and bloggers: Don’t miss out on this giveaway!
SIMPLY ADORE HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVELS?
Don’t miss out on author Scarlett Rains’s Sisters of the Heartseries GIVEAWAY. There are great giveaway prizes for bloggers and for readers!
I’ll be featuring Scarlett and the three books featured in this fantastic GIVEAWAY right here on my blog January 18-20 (one book each day). You’ll find out more about each novel and get to know author Scarlett Rains, too. Meanwhile, stop by Artemis Books to find out more about this fantastic Book Blast and Valentine’s Day Giveaway at http://artemisbooksblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/artemis-books-is-launching-sisters-of.html
Here’s what one of Scarlett Rains’s readers has to say about the first book in the author’s Sisters of the Heart series:
PULLS YOU IN!
“Promises of the Heart is an eighteenth century tale of a young girl’s coming of age. The first thing I really liked about this book was the lovely graphics reflecting the time period in London, England. The reader is also pulled into the story at once with carefully crafted prose appealing to all five senses. For example: ‘watching the fluffy clouds lazily form shapes that quickly swirled into other shapes in the gentle breeze…a cacophony of sounds bombarded the weary coachman: the hue and cry of merchants and street people rose up above the clopping of the horses hooves in a relentlessly forlorn lament’. Scarlett Rains does a masterful job on style continuity throughout the entire novel. Somewhat like Charles Dickens, but more like the Victoria Holt novels I read profusely at one time in my life, ‘Promises of the Heart’ resonates with cleverly woven intrigue surrounded by authentic characters of the day. Historical novels should inform about the life and times of the era–‘Promises of the Heart’ did not disappoint! The segue to her second novel ‘Seduction of a Bluestocking’ was a perfect cliffhanger, enticing the reader to find out what happens next. Well done, Scarlett Rains! Five Stars!” ~ Nancy Jill Thames
Thank you Catherine Townsend-Lyon, my dear author friend at Recovery Ramblings Blog for nominating me for this lovely award. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and to follow you in the blogosphere this year. Thank you for finding and following me.
Catherine is a blogger who is always reaching out to help others. I value her friendship and support and invite you to stop by one of her blogs for a visit. You can also find Catherine at her new blog http://CatherineLyonaddictedtodimes.wordpress.com You can find Catherine’s book Addicted to Dimes (Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984478485
Here are the rules for accepting The Versatile Blogger Award
Thank the person who gave you this award
Include a link to their blog
Next, select 8 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly
Nominate those 8 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award
Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself
I am a retired teacher (grades 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) and I enjoy visiting schools and libraries and reading to kids.
I live on a 37-acre farm in Central Maine with my amazing husband of 48 years.
Our kitty child MIDNIGHT adopted us in 2008. She was wild and living in our barn from June to December that year. My grandson helped me lure her into the house with a can of tuna fish. She’s our girl!
My computer is going crazy… I think I’ll have to save everything and start from ground zero. Prayers, please.
I love nature, people and literature and advocate for children at every opportunity.
I am very thankful for my family and for all of my wonderful friends in the blogosphere and beyond. You have all helped me in more ways than I could ever repay. THANK YOU!
I love writing and reading. I’m currently rereading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It’s even better the second time around. I’m also working on my first novel. The draft was completed in November and I’m making a New Year’s resolution to have it ready to publish in 2014.
Thank you again, Catherine. It is an honor to receive this award, and a delight to pass it on.
Thank you, JR Barker, author of The Adventures of the Frog Prince http://jrbarker101.wordpress.com/the-blog/ for nominating me for A Super Sweet Blogger Award. May your Sweetest Dreams come true!
Please stop by to visit children’s author J.R. Barker and all of my Super Sweet Blogger nominees. These outstanding bloggers have inspired me with their own blogs and faithfully continue to support me at 4writersandreaders. Here are my Super Sweet nominees:
Welcome to 4writersandreaders
I’m a writer inspired by nature and human nature. You’ll find great books, authors, writing tips and more right here. I advocate for kids & families, childhood literacy and the protection of monarch butterflies and their habitat.Happy reading & writing!~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 01/21/2017