Coming Soon: a contest to win a newly released book!

I am so excited to be having my first drawing on my blog. Details will be coming soon for your chance to win a book by a great author. This is a recent release that will be wanted by most writers, professional and those not so professional. Check back here soon so you can see what you can win and what you will need to do to win!

I also wanted to tell you about a wonderful article, in this past Sunday's Deseret News, in the Life Etc. arts section.(May 31, 2009) The article features Jessica Day George, Shannon Hale and Mette Ivie Harrison. The article states,"Three local authors are gaining far-reaching reputations with their fantasy novels" This is a great article with some super interviews. Of course I was thrilled to see one of my favorite authors Jessica day George there (BTW fabulous picture of you Jessica!!)

Jessica in the article, said about writing for Young Adults,"You have to have a lot more action and a tighter story line." But she also likes weaving in "moral issues. The heroes are always honest, courageous, good to their friends. There are amazing moral lessons, but you learn them in a good way."

Shannon Hale said something that I totally agree with, "Fantasy has always been popular, "she says,"I do think we are in a golden age of children's literature. Some of the most talented writers around are writing it...So much of fantasy is about adventure, about confronting the unknown, about learning what is possible and conquering fears and hoping for a positive, happy ending."

Another quote, by Mettie Ivie Harrison, speaks to my heart and how I feel about reading, "Whatever else series like Harry Potter and Twilight have done, "she says,"they started the tradition of adults and children reading the same books and talking about them, We've been missing that in families."

I know I have mentioned before, but I grew up in a family where my Mom would read to all of us at night. We would be gathered somewhere around the living room, before bedtime, while my Mom would be reading classics to us. Did this bring us closer to our Mom? Yes, we grew to love the intimate setting our mother created, along with establishing the love of reading in all of us. I have been so proud to continue this tradition with my own children. What did we do for fun on Saturday afternoon? I took them to the book launch for Jessica Day George's new book, "Dragon Spear". Did they have a good time? I believe they did and there isn't a better place I would rather hang out in than a book store.

To read more of the article in the Deseret News go to:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705307330/Dream-makers-3-local-authors-gaining-far-reaching-reputations-as-fantasy-writers.html

I also want to thank Carma Wadley, of the Deseret News, for her outstanding interviews and article. E-mail Carma to let her know what you thought and if you want to read more interviews with the superb local authors living in Utah. carma@desnews.com

I also want to give credit to Stuart Johnson, Deseret News photographer, for taking such a fantastic picture of Jessica!