Today I´m a guest of Colleen Chesebro where we have a great conversation about doing research, the importance of grammar and retirement. Please check it out.
Hello everyone! This week I’m thrilled to bring you one of my favorite award-winning children’s authors, Darlene Foster. I asked her to pick three or four questions from my huge list HERE. This is Darlene’s second visit to my blog. We had so much fun last time, she couldn’t wait to stop around again! Darlene Foster…
I was missing in action for the last month as I went to Canada to promote the latest Amanda Travels book as well as visit friends and family. It was a very successful trip, although a bit tiring. Here’s a sample of what I was up to.
I visited four schools in Alberta and BC, consisting of a variety of class sizes and students. All delightful with many questions and comments. My favourite part of being a published author is visiting schools and reading to the children. When I walked into one class, a young boy shouted, “She´s here! She´s here! I can´t believe she´s here!” For a moment I felt like a rock star.
Amanda Travels fans in Okotoks, Alberta
“Any questions?” Look at all those hands in Airdrie, Alberta
Reading to students in the comfy chair in Sunrise Ridge, BC. It doesn´t get any better.
Eager students in Stirling, Alberta
I launched my latest book, Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action, at Albany Books in Tsawwassen, BC, a community I lived in for fifteen years. I love this friendly, locally-owned, independant bookstore that has supported my books since the start.
With my amazing publisher at Albany Books
I also held a book signing at Chapters Indigo in Coquitlam, on the other side of the city, which was also well attended. Chapters is a large Canadian chain, with each store run like a local independent store. The staff and atmosphere at Pine Tree Village couldn’t have been more friendly and welcoming.
At Chapters/Indigo in Pine Tree Village, Coquitlam, BC
I also had a table at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference where I sold books and met other wonderful writers including Diana Gabaldon, the creator of the Outlander series. I love her books and her.
My table at SiWC, one of the largest writers´ conferences in North AmericaA favourite author, Diana Gabaldon. A fabulous writer and a lovely person.
In Medicine Hat, my home town, I held a reading and signing at the charming Inspire Art Cafe. It was awesome to see so many folks come out and support my writing. I had a sweet young helper too.
At Inspire Art Cafe with a special helper
It wasn’t all about books though. I spent wonderful times with family and friends.
I visited my great aunt and great uncle in their new home. My great aunt is the last of my grandparents’ siblings and doing very well in spite of breaking her hip earlier this year at ninety-five years old.
And later I met their great-grandaughter, Anika, at a library presentation in Calgary.
Anika is my fourth cousin.
I stopped in to have a cup of tea with my Aunt Peggy and she made an apple pie, from scratch, just for me!
The best apple pie ever, warm from the oven!
Of course, I spent some good times with mom and my son and his family
Mom loves her Tim Horton’s ice caps! Mom with my grandsons and great-granddaughtersMy son and his granddaughter
I took a floatplane to Gabriola Island to spend three glorious days with my potter daughterOn the floatplane to Gabriola IslandThe little green and yellow rowboat is how I got to her island
I watched her make horsehair raku pottery. Fascinating.
Creating horsehair rakuSharing Ethiopian food with my brother
There were many visits with other family members and friends, shared meals, coffees, and sleepovers. Everyone had pets so I had lots of fur babies to cuddle. I may share those pictures on another post.
I encountered rain, snow, sunshine, strong winds and more rain, sometimes all on the same day! I traveled by plane, train, car, bus, truck, taxi, floatplane, and rowboat. It was a busy time with never a dull moment but I loved every minute!
While I was away in Canada, Dot was a busy dog. She was a guest on Victoria Ziglar’s blog where she was interviewed by Lilie the Westie. I think she did a great job and I’m so proud of her. Here is the post, check it out and leave Dot a comment.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Friends Of #FurkidFriday: Dot
Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.
I’ve got another friend for you to meet today. Her name is Dot. So, let’s meet her, shall we?
Hi Dot. Nice name… Short and simple. So, Dot, how did you get your name?
My name is Dot because I have a large dot on my back. I was called Dottie when mom and dad adopted me, but mom didn’t like it so she shortened it to Dot.
That makes sense. What species and breed are you?
I am a Bodeguero, a Spanish breed. I’m part Jack Russell and part Fox Terrier. We were bred initially to keep the vermin out of the bodegas (wine cellars). Now we just chase cats.
You sound like an interesting dog. Mummy says she bets you’re adorable. So, can you please describe your appearance. I know you also sent a photo – which I’ll share in a moment – but please describe yourself too, for the benefit of those who can’t see the photo, like my Mummy.
I’m adorable, at least that’s what mom says. I have short white hair, with a few black dots. My face is white, black and brown, my eyes are chocolate brown and I have brown velvety floppy ears. I have long legs and have the shape of a whippet but not quite as skinny. I can run very fast and jump over walls and fences like a gazelle.
I’m back from a fabulous time in Canada just in time for Halloween. So it’s fitting that Amanda in New Mexico – Ghosts in the Wind is featured on Teri Polen’s Bad Moon Rising blog today. Check out what I think my spirit animal is.
Today’s author brings a book (a whole series!) for the younger crowd. I think her spirit animal describes her perfectly, and these questions may have sparked ideas for two more books. Welcome Darlene Foster!
Would you rather boogie down to Monster Mash or get your groove on to Thriller?
Although Thriller is a great song, I prefer dancing to Monster Mash. It’s from my youth and makes me think of high school dances and all the fun we had. Whenever I hear it, especially around Halloween, I always bop around the house, much to hubby’s embarrassment. I love the line, “Tell them Boris sent you.”
Would you rather be abducted by aliens or a serial killer?
Aliens for sure. They wouldn’t be quite as scary, at least I don’t think so. I imagine they would be friendly and not want to do me harm. They would probably just want to…
I am delighted to be a guest on Debra Purdy Kong’s blog featuring a wonderful 5 star review. I am off to Canada to do a book tour and visit family and friends. Debra has listed a couple of events in the Vancouver area. If you are nearby, please do drop in and say Hello. Would love to meet some of my blogging buddies.
Welcome Guest Blogger, Darlene Foster
My guest today is author Darlene Foster, the creator of the popular Amanda Travels series featuring Amanda Ross, a twelve-year-old Canadian girl who loves to travel to interesting places. The seventh book in the series, Amanda in Holland – Missing in Action, has just been released by Central Avenue Publishing and is available through most bookstores.
This is my entry into Stevie Turner’s short story competition for the month of October. The story was inspired by this photo I took during my travels n Spain. It was suggested I write a story about this scene when I posted it recently. Let me know what you think. And why not enter a story yourself.
Stan woke with a terrible taste in his mouth. Trying to stand up, his head spun and he slumped down beside a large container. “I swear, I´ll never drink again.” He wanted to retch. “My God, what is that awful smell.” He rubbed his eyes. Through the dim early morning light, he could make out he was in a back alley leaning on a barrel filled with rotten vegetables. He glanced down. “What the hell am I wearing?” Instead of jeans and a T-shirt, he wore a baggy pair of pants that stopped at his knees, a wide sash and a loose shirt. He couldn´t remember being at a costume party. Two heavy-set men appeared out of the mist. “Here´s another one,” said one fellow with a heavy accent, wearing a similar outfit. They picked him up under his arms, dragging him along the cobblestones. “Captain said we should collect as many able bodied men as we can. We ship out tomorrow and need more crew.” “What the…?” Stan struggled. They tightened their grasp. “Shut up your mouth. You are now in the service of the Queen.” *** He lay in his bunk feeling seasick as the boat left the dock. Perhaps it wasn’t the motion of the ship, but maybe the putrid smell of boiled cabbage, urine and stale air that was making his stomach churn. He wandered over to the porthole. Looking out he saw two other ships. On the side of the one closest, he made out the name, Nino. “What is going on? It must be a re-enactment of some kind, or a film set.”
He thought back to the previous day, the start of a holiday in Seville, Spain, where he was taking in all the sites. He met some other young guys and they had a few drinks at what used to be an old tavern. But that´s all he remembered. A knock on the door took him out of his thoughts. “Time to swab the decks.” The boat lurched as he climbed the stairs. He stumbled. “You best get your sea legs.” The sailor behind him slapped him on the back and presented a toothless grin. Even though he spoke English, it wasn’t any dialect Stan was familiar with. “These guys are really taking this serious,” he thought. The rest of the motley crew sported beards, eye patches and even the occasional peg leg. He thought they did a good job with the costumes but why was he still clean-shaven and all in one piece? A bearded sailor handed him a mop and a bucket. Stan shook his head. “Excuse me. I think there has been a mistake.” The sailor stared at him and walked away. He shrugged and began scrubbing.
“Wait ‘til I tell them back home that I ended up on a replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship.” He stopped and looked around as the land disappeared behind him.
“At least – I think it´s a replica.” *** A dazed and disoriented fifteenth-century sailor wandered the streets of Seville. Everything appeared strange to him. “Perhaps this is the afterlife,” he thought. “Probably hell.” Large metal objects hurtled down the streets. Should a horse and rider happened along, they would both be killed. People dressed in a very odd manner. Men and women wore tight trousers and tiny tops that didn´t cover their arms and stopped at the waist. Just like the ones he found in the alcove by the cathedral. He glanced away when women walked by looking immodest. He had to put something on as he had lost his clothes sometime the night before. It was his last night before going with Captain Columbus to find India. He had been promised riches if he survived the journey. A humble sailor, he could only dream of wealth. After many drinks and fun with the whores, he stumbled out of the tavern and fell asleep in an alleyway. He woke up stark naked. After a wander up to the cathedral, he found clothes neatly rolled up in an alcove. They fit but he felt strange in them, until he saw everyone else wearing the same uniform. He had to get to the ship or he would miss his chance. He noticed a man with long hair and tattoos approaching. “Pardon, kind sir. Where is the port the Santa Maria is sailing from?” “You mean, where did it sail from? It sailed from Palos de la Frontera.” The sailor had trouble understanding the man as his accent was strange. But he understood the words, Palos de la Frontera. “I must make haste and get there before it leaves.” “I´m sorry mate, but you are 500 years too late.” The man laughed and walked down the street shaking his head. The sailor ran his hands through his hair. “This must be hell, but when and how did I die? I should not drink ale again.” He tugged at his shirt hoping to cover more of his torso.
Welcome to the Sunday Interview series, exclusive to the authors in the Cafe and Bookstore.. details of how you can participate and join the other authors in the cafe can be found at the end of the interview.
My guest this week is regular guest to the blog, author Darlene Foster who has recently released another book in her successful Amanda Travel Series.Later in the post she shares an excerpt from Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action
Welcome back Darlene and congratulations on the latest book.. and to start perhaps you could tell us where you drew the inspiration for the character of Amanda?
I draw inspiration for my characters from the young people in my life and somewhat from the child inside me. Amanda simply evolved as I wrote and in some ways is the twelve-year-old I would have liked to be. I created her almost twenty years…
