Literary Greats

Our summer has been an adventure. My husband and I set off for Scotland and Ireland, my first trip ever abroad. And it did not disappoint. And if you struggle with finding time to write, arriving extra early for international flights and then the length of those flights affords you with plenty of time to put pen to paper.

I now have great admiration and respect for those who wrote with pencil and paper long ago. Three of the five chapters I have written for my current work in progress were by hand. It is indeed a daunting task. Remembering that you need to add three or four lines to explain your character is much easier with my Dell than it is with my pen and paper.

Our trip was a literary themed tour, well suited for us author-geek types. We visited Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. We stood in the dining room where he dined with Jane Austen, engaging in heated debates. We traveled on the Jacobite Express, the train used as Hogwart’s Express, making our way over the viaduct, just as they did in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. We visited the home of Robert Burns, The Writer’s Museum, the battlefields of Culloden and the split stone of fame from Outlander.  I stood on the banks of Loch Ness with the water lapping at my feet just as Maddie did in At The Water’s Edge. I saw Spoon Cafe, where J.K. Rowling penned her first Harry Potter book. I made my way carefully along the Cliffs of Moher or, perhaps as you know them, “The Cliffs of Insanity” from Princess Bride. We strolled along the Literary Parade at St. Patrick’s Park acknowledging many Irish literary greats such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, William Butler Yeats, and Samuel Beckett.

And as my husband and I visited these sites and walked where these authors had walked, we were inspired. Inspired to write and not just write, but to dig down deep and write from our hearts and soul, writing to inspire others.

This trip will be one of the treasures I keep that reminds me how words affect our lives, of how books can live on in others, inspiring them to do more, be more, laugh, cry, sigh, and feel, yes, feel the words deep in their soul. I pray my writing does just that.

May you be inspired as you pick up the next book to read or perhaps as you pick up your pen to write the next word. K

 

Book Launch!

I know what you are saying. Why did she wait this long to launch her book? It is true my book came out shortly after Christmas. However, due to public demand for my awesome book programs, I have been booked solid from mid January through this week. May 20th was the first available date for an official book launch.

The launch will be at Yo Mama’s in Columbus, Indiana on May 20th from 3-5 p.m. Three additional authors from my publisher, Pen It! Publications, will be on hand to read either their children’s books or excerpts from their books. There will be giveaways as well as books available for purchase. You will need to purchase your own frozen yogurt if  you come, but that is a small price to pay for such a wonderful event.

Paul Hoffman, my husband and author of two awesome books, will be my master of ceremonies. My guest authors will be Jen Selinsky, Betty Kelley and Blake Chambers.

So come to Yo Mama’s, purchase a yummy bowl of froyo, top it with all the fantastic toppings you desire, sit back and listen to some great children’s stories, perhaps win a prize, and maybe even purchase a book or two or three to take home with you. Hope to see you there!

My Heart is Blessed

I did not set out to be an author, but God gave me a story to write. I did not dream where this little story would take me. I have been a guest at preschools, elementary schools, a retirement village, libraries and retail stores since early January. At each and every event, I have encountered people who need encouragement to persevere. Life can throw a lot at you sometimes and you may need a little encouragement to push you up and over the fence. Emma’s Dancing Day has provided that push for many.

I have encountered children who needed the encouragement to continue writing their stories. One young lady talked to my husband and I about her home life. She needed someone to listen and hear her. I have received hugs from children and smiles & sighs from adults who were touched by the story. I was able to share my talk on overcoming obstacles with so many children and adults who need to know they can still reach for their dreams. I have danced with so many children who needed to smile, laugh and enjoy the moment.

I never ceased to be amazed at how God opened up a huge door for me to reach so many people through one little story. My prayer through this adventure has been “God expand my borders and let me bless others through my book.” He has done just that. He has allowed me to talk to so many people and be an encouragement to them.

It is tiring at times as I still continue to work 40 hours a week besides my author events, but it is worth it. My brother always encouraged me to store up my treasure in heaven and that is what I am doing. I may not become rich from my books, but I am rich in so many other ways. ~ Kimberly

Book Launch

The book launch has been scheduled! While the book came out shortly after Christmas, I have had non-stop events since early January and it has been difficult to schedule a launch.  This promises to be a fun event! May 20th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. I will be at Yo MaMa’s with two additional authors from Pen It! Publications,  Jen Selinsky and Blake Chambers. Jen will read her book, Bunny’s Song and Blake will read a selection from his book, which contains stories about his children.  The proceedings will be emceed by Paul Hoffman, author of Murder in Wauwatosa and Wicked Columbus, Indiana. There will be give-aways and the authors will have copies of their books available for purchase.

Come, enjoy some froyo, listen to the stories, and purchase a book!

Imaginarium

This will be my second year attending Imaginarium, a three-day creative writing conference in Louisville, Kentucky in early October. Last year I accompanied my husband, Paul Hoffman, who was a guest panelist. I had just completed my book, “Emma’s Dancing Day”. The conference was amazing with so many workshops we could attend.

This year, I was selected to be a guest panelist along with Paul. I am thrilled and honored to be chosen to participate. If you are interested in creative writing in literature, films, comics, music, or gaming, consider attending this year’s conference, October 6-8, at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Links to the event and hotel are on my events page. The cost is reasonable and it is definitely worth the trip.