Category Archives: Inspiration

Maeve Binchy’s Writing Advice

Maeve Binchy’s Writing Advice

Maeve Binchy, an entertaining Irish author, passed away recently and I wondered how many people around the world were touched by this woman through her books. Whenever I was on holidays and had a chance to pick up a book for an extended time, Maeve Binchy novels were always my first choice.  One could count on the story being set in Ireland, memorable  characters, and it would be an enjoyable, light read.

Before starting my second career as an author of Middle Years novels, I purchased Maeve Binchy’s ‘how to’ book, entitled, The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club.  This book is a collaborative effort (like guest blogging) with contributions from authors, poets, editors and publishers.  It served as a road … Read the rest

Winner of Blog Comment Contest

Winner of Blog Comment Contest

What a great time we had together last week at the  Nanaimo Wellington Branch!  It was great fun sharing the first two books of the Frenchie Series with the participants of the Summer Reading Club. Nothing is more enjoyable for an author of juvenile fiction to have the participants laughing during the readings and commenting on how they can personally relate to the novels.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to leave a comment about your experience with me or your recommendations to others to read Frenchie’s Best Friend-Follow the Blog and Frenchie X2-Follow the Blog. It made my day to hear that some of you are inspired to start your own blogs about your … Read the rest

Blog Comment Contest, Discounted Books, Frenchie Give-Aways!

Blog Comment Contest, Discounted Books, Frenchie Give-Aways!

LOCAL AUTHOR has a BLAST Sharing her Frenchie Novels during Nanaimo Wellington Library Summer Reading Club

Local Nanoose Bay author, Mary Laudien, a retired principal from West Vancouver is having a blast writing humorous, contemporary novels that make a fun read for anyone who loves their pet or is a “pet-owner wannabe”.  She is currently writing the third book in her Frenchie series to share with 9-12 year olds in libraries and schools. If you like hilarious, realistic novels that give you belly laughs, then Laudien’s Author Visit during the Wellington Library Summer Reading Club is a great summer activity choice.  Laudien will be presenting on Thursday, July 5th at 2:00 (45 minutes) to all who have pre-registered for … Read the rest

Frenchie Series a Hit with Surrey Students

Frenchie Series a Hit with Surrey Students


What a blast Mary Laudien had at Hazelgrove School in Surrey  last week!  The students must have read her Author Visit flyer because the Grade 4’s, 5’s and 6’s (all 300 of them!) arrived at the sessions ready to have fun.  They laughed during the blog readings, they related to the pet owner wanna-be Ethan, and they enjoyed hearing about the chaotic mis-adventures that the thirteen year old main character and his quirky and conniving grandmother get themselves into.

Sharing what inspired the author to write the Frenchie series and exploring the elements of creating powerful blogs set them up for a Give-Away Contest.  Four signed copies of Frenchie’s Best Friend-Follow the Blog were left with the teacher-librarian … Read the rest

Dog Sitting Inspirational

Dog Sitting Inspirational

If you’ve read the first two books of my Frenchie series, you’ll know that Ethan ( the 13 year old main character) gets into some crazy and hilarious predicaments in his quest to become a Frenchie dog owner. The inspiration for the first novel in the series came from dog sitting my Frenchie grand-dogs and trying to convince my son to write a blog about his misadventures as a dog groomer. This didn’t happen, so my imagination took over and the story evolved as Ethan plotted with his quirky, conniving Grandma to  gain ownership of a Frenchie without his overworked, single mom suspecting a thing. He entertains his friends and Frenchie followers on his nightly blog, “Frenchie’s Best Friend.”

My … Read the rest