Tag Archives: Frenchie series

Apr13

AUTHOR VOICE

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AUTHOR VOICE

(Catalogue Article Submission to Red Tuque Books)

 WRITING with VOICE

by Mary Laudien

During my career as an educator/principal, I was innovative in structuring and implementing Writers’ Workshop in West Vancouver schools. The success that the students experienced by taking risks and realizing their potential as writers was brought home years later, when one of my earlier Grade One classes held a Grade 12 graduation party with their parents, and invited my former teaching partner and I to attend. The families wanted to acknowledge that they recognized how their confident children/learners had been so successfully launched in their school careers and were all anticipating exciting post secondary plans for their future. Writers’ Workshop was a powerful tool to bring … Read the rest

Feb22

Say Your Name

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Say Your Name

Say Your Name

One is constantly barraged with requests to “SAY YOUR NAME”. The problem is that some of us have had a few name changes over the years, and on a distracted day, one could inadvertently blurt out one of those previous names… I’m saving those stories for another post!

My first “change of name” experience happened on the first day of school.  The teacher was confronted with 2 MARY LYNNE students.  She made an on the spot judgement call, announcing that I would be MARY from that day forth, and the other little girl would be LYNNE.  It stuck.  I lost my dual name that day and never looked back. Albeit, my mom continued … Read the rest

Feb8

Why Enrol in Blogging 101?

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Why Enrol in Blogging 101?

Why Did I Start Blogging?

Everyone enrolled in BLOGGING 101 will have different reasons for getting a blog underway. I am a purposeful retired educator/administrator who found that I was unprepared for “retirement”.  What did I do?  I wrote a middle years series of  3 humorous novels, entitled the Frenchie Series (Frenchie referring to French Bulldogs). Interesting, the MG novels are about a 13 year old boy who blogs each night to all the Frenchie lovers… Most of all, the writing kept me engaged and excited about creating something that I hoped families would get some chuckles from reading.  As well, it kept me learning new skills, such as setting up an author platform and coordinating one’s promotion and marketing … Read the rest

Aug26

OKANAGAN TWEENS READ

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OKANAGAN TWEENS READ

PeachfestKiddieParade

Okanagan TWEENS are readers. The  THE CHILDREN’S PARADE at PEACH FEST  this summer highlighted the array of wonderful, rich stories and novels that Canadian authors have currently published. This picture of TWEENS sharing my 3 Frenchie novels in the KIDS PARADE, made me realize that there are so many Middle Grade readers (ages 9-13) who don’t even know that these titles are available in paperback or ebook format. Red Tuque Books distribute the paperbacks of the three novels in the series in Canada. Just click on: http://www.redtuquebooks.ca

Amazon Stores/Book Links

You only have to click on the country you live and you will have access to Kindle formats or paperback of Frenchie Diva (Book #3) If you want Book #1 … Read the rest

May3

Dog Friendly Travel Ideas

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Dog Friendly Travel Ideas

Summer holidays are fast approaching and we all seek great ideas for traveling with our families (human kids and fur kids, alike). What you may not know is that http://www.themetrip.com/-dog-friendly.html is a site that offers Travel Tips for everyone, including FUR KIDS.  In fact, the site is so popular that Lorraine Hawley has published a book jammed pack with great ideas for the entire family: Product Details

Explore theme-style activities and adventures. “Themetrips,” are activity ideas that you can use to create your own memorable and interactive family fun while at home or on vacation.

Check out her recent Dog Friendly Post, as there is an AWESOME  SURPRISE!  Frenchie’s Best Friend- Follow the Blog is recommended  (BK. #1 of the Frenchie Series)… Read the rest

Apr2

Grand Prize: KINDLE FIRE or NOOK

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Grand Prize: KINDLE FIRE or NOOK

Books - it is our memory concept

Get ready for some fun, tips, and prizes!  You’re invited to participate in an Author Blog Hop.  The tour begins on April 7th at 6:00 am EST and finishes on the 16th at midnight EST, so mark your calendars!

Readers will have 10 days to enter each author’s individual contest (giveaways) and submit their entry for the GRAND PRIZE (a KINDLE FIRE or NOOK and a 25 dollar gift certificate for eBooks). Visiting 7-8 author sites per day and leaving comments and your email address will enter you in author site give-aways and also provide you with 79 chances to win the Grand Prize and Second Prize (a 25 dollar gift certificate for eBooks). Only those visitors who … Read the rest

Mar24

AUTHORS IN BLOOM BLOG HOP

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AUTHORS IN BLOOM BLOG HOP

Books - it is our memory concept

 

 

                                                REMEMBER

The annual Author’s in Bloom Blog Hop is coming soon (April 7-16).

 

 

With 80 authors and bloggers participating, you will have the opportunity to visit each site and collect a gardening tip or recipe. As well, by leaving a comment, you are eligible for a site draw at the end of the Blog Hop (I’m not telling what my site prize will be… but you will want to enter the draw; I know you will!). Those that visit each and every stop will be registered for the GRAND PRIZE: an eReader (a Kindle Fire or a Nook – winner’s choice and $25. gift card). A 2nd PRIZE of a $25 … Read the rest

Nov30

Amazing Characters @Penticton Authors and Artists Faire

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Amazing Characters @Penticton Authors and Artists Faire

Penticton Author Artist Faire Poster-23

The trek to the PENTICTON AUTHORS and ARTISTS FAIRE started by taking a 6:30 am ferry from Nanaimo across to Horseshoe Bay.  Of course this was supposed to give us a head start on the drive to the Okanagan. NOT!  As expected, there was nothing but gridlock in the lower mainland. A couple of collisions had occurred. Surprise?  NOT!  Just the usual, when you live in Vancouver!  It always reinforces our decision to move to the ISLAND! Husband Ryan had gone out to purchase chains, certain we would end up in a snow storm. Thankfully, they weren’t needed! We drove in summer road conditions, except for the colder temperature. Island life is quite a bit milder … Are you getting … Read the rest

Nov27

New Mantra: TNT

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New Mantra: TNT

I devote time daily to read Kristen Lamb’s blog (Kristen Lamb@wordpress.com). She is a writer who dedicates her energy teaching others how to improve their craft.  This author’s writing tips grab your attention. One of her recent blogs was about “TNT”.  What is this, you ask?  It’s basic, but oh so succinct- “TODAY, NOT TOMORROW”.  This caught my attention, while awaiting the proof of my third book of the Middle Grade Frenchie Series.  It shook me out of that pleasurable reverie of thinking I was almost finished and deserved a break.  Not so! Authors continue to grow and develop their skills by writing daily. And with a new book, it is time to prepare for its launch-contacting reviewers, … Read the rest

Nov27

RAISE A READER @ OKANAGAN FALLS ELEMENTARY

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RAISE A READER @ OKANAGAN FALLS ELEMENTARY

                          Image

OKANAGAN FALLS  hosted a RAISE A READER visit on Friday, Nov. 22nd. This was the first class to be introduced to  the recently published novel, FRENCHIE DIVA- FOLLOW the BLOG. The students were entertained by some of Ethan’s (the 13 year old main character) blog entries to FBF (Frenchie’s Best Friend). Stories were shared explaining what inspired the Frenchie series, as well as a YouTube video that encouraged the writing of FRENCHIE DIVA. The students shared how they personally related to Ethan and his Frenchie, friend, school and family drama, as well as his teen-age angst. Everyone understood why blogs are written and what essential ingredients are crucial to writing a powerful blog. It was a … Read the rest