Coffee in the Bottle

Speaking of flashes of insight ... I was driving home yesterday when my 4 year old asked for a bit of my coffee.  When I got home, I jotted out a children's picture book called ' Coffee in the Bottle'.  I could see the whimsical little book gracing the counter at any Starbucks, showing Grandma at her finest! 
 

Coffee in the Bottle

By: Donna D. McCartney

Grandma slipped a little coffee in the baby’s bottle –

Just to see what it would do

It gave him super powers, super strength and super speed –

It’s true!

When Mom told me to watch him – I just watched him go

Running after his dusty cape, as he tried to escape

Grandma says next week he’ll enter the diaper derby

Crawling in record time, crossing the finish line

He’s a pooper trooper dropping bombs here and there

Mom changed his dirty diaper in despair

We all covered our noses as the stink hit the air

Grandma laughed when the baby climbed the tree

I didn’t because everyone thought it was me!

It wasn’t funny when the fire marshal came

I’m the one who always gets the blame

With a baby so strong, something must be terribly wrong

Finally when it was time for bed

He went down without the usual fight

Mom kissed his cheek and turned out the light

Before I go, there is one thing you should know …

Whatever you do, DON’T let Grandma put coffee in the baby’s bottle!

Ok, so I don't know if it will ever become a picture book because I can't draw worth a lick.  And I don't know any illustrators.  But I thought it was a cute idea. 

From The Mouth of Babes

I was fretting this morning about writing a synopsis for my book series in response to an agent request - when my 17 year old son, wrapped his arm around me and said 'chance favors the prepared mind'.  I was dumbstruck.  Of course, those were not his words.  They were the words of famous Frenchman Louis Pasteur, over a century ago.  But Kevin's timely sounding was so perfectly unexpected. 

I don't think I can express how proud it makes me in being his mother.  Kevin - I love you, sweetie.  You're right.  Now there's a flash of insight, seeing my little boy on the verge of manhood - giving me advice! 

Preparation is the key to success in any endeavor.   

Success for the Obsessed Writer

The digital age has given birth to a new kind of life, renewed hopes and dreams that the little guy can still make it in this world.  There has never been a better time than right now to enter the writing industry.  The landscape is changing quickly.  The Internet and e-readers have opened the door to the vast unknown writers of the world. 

That's right, e-readers are one of the FEW businesses to grow and thrive!  Projections show continued growth in the e-reader market until 2015, when sales are expected to plateau.   

If you've got a story to tell, get it out there - do not wait another minute!  For all the behind the scenes action, continue to follow my blog.    

Perseverance

Perseverance is continuing in a course of action without regard to obstacles, difficulties or nay sayers.  I think I will add my name to the meaning of perseverance - you can do the same. 

I, insert your name here, will never give up in my pursuit of happiness, fulfillment or acknowledgement.  The more I remember it is up to me - the clearer my success will be!

Here's to undieing, unrelenting passion in pursuing life's little dreams.   

Cover Design

I redesigned the book cover for Fishy Fall.  I can do it for about $5.  Just purchase a royalty free picture from a site online.  I use bigstockphoto.com, drop the photo into my word document - using the insert photo tab.  Add my text - then take a picture of what's on my computer screen with a little gadget I got for free, an app through snapa shot.  Voila!  Instant cover. 

Granted it's not like Salty Summer, but it's the best I can do right now. 

The covers I create work great on Amazon.com so long as they are 500w x 800h (pixels).  For some reason when I take a snapa shot it reduces the number of pixels.  Barnes and Noble has higher resolution requirements.  I just talked to a local print shop, Roxy told me she could increase the digital resolution of all four book covers for $30 by using her special software.  So I will have that done and get my book covers posted on Barnes and Noble.  You can manipulate pictures at home if you have the right software  ... which I don't.  Barnes and Noble requires 750w x 1000h with a resolution of 72 dpi. 

All that techno mumbo jumbo means you're better off buying a good quality picture to start with, probably medium size.  On bigstock that's $4.99.  Play around with different text options until you've developed your own personal style for your cover.

Christmas Special

I will be running a 'Christmas Special' on Wild Winter, Book 3.  From today until the end of winter that book will be on sale through amazon as an e-reader for only .99!  I decided it was fitting for the season.  I've included a letter from inside Wild Winter to give readers an idea of what the book is all about.       

Dear Reader,

Wild Winter has you discovering friends, family, and fun.  Tag along with the McCartney boys as the sailing season comes to an end, as boatyard blues turn into Christmas bliss, and find out how Capt. Black Bear loses an eye to the fearsome silver claw, Calico Jack. 

Sail around with Kyle to Blueberry Ridge and meet Lone Feather, a ghostly Indian with a mysterious warning.  Come along for the ride, but watch out for a pirate’s revenge.  Be sure to pick up your adventure pack and start dreaming of a bubbly paradise.  Join the McCartney’s with a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle under a blanket as you relive the fantastic tales with your crew.

Catch up with Kevin, Triston, and Kyle in the fourth book, Secret Spring, as the mystery of Grammy deepens and the boys discover a piece of their heritage.  Travel to the depths of Aquatica and meet a real king.  Take a seat around the Circle of Trust and become an Aqua Defender.  If you think you’ve tamed the sea and conquered the wind, then you’re in for a surprise!  Every magical, salty adventure will keep the pages turning. 

Happy Reading!

Spit and Polish

With a bit of elbow grease, I have polished up the home page of my website to reflect a more diverse flavor.  I've made a few changes here and there to give the site broader appeal.  I still have a few more changes in the works to get the site properly dressed up.  Trying to keep my eye on the BIG picture.  Little details really do make a big difference! 

I found a stamp from the 1950's showing the Chesapeake Bay and posted in the upper right corner of my home page.  I think that 'Nautical Mile' has a bit of duality in the name.  It refers to the journey that my readers and characters must make, so the stamp fits on many levels.  Come along on my magical journey, you'll find yourself sailing away with the McCartneys.     

International Delight

My website at  http://www.nauticalmilebooks.com/ has seen pretty steady traffic.  It's been up and running now for about 2 weeks.  Already - visitors from 7 countries around the world have stopped in for a peek.  I've also had visitors from 18 states, right here in the good ole USA!  That's fairly impressive, considering it's with almost no advertising to speak of.  I think the wonderful results are due to my online friends and family.  In fact, this blog regularly has visitors from 13 different countries!

Did you know that France and Russia are having a secret battle?  Every day when I check my stats for this blog ... the leaders change place.  The United States is first with Russia and France running neck and neck!  I have been rooting for France.  C'est la vie.  While my husband has been rooting for Russia.  Hey Roman, Brent says "hi".

Never underestimate the power of the internet ... it has the power of a pen at the touch of a button.

The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! - Edward Bulwer Lytton, 1839

Aqua Defenders Unveiled

I just added a new tab to my website for Aqua Defenders, unveiling the connection to water conservation and my stories.  Imagine ... an elite conservation force of tens of thousands of children spreading the word and doing good!  That's my vision.  I posted several really cool pictures on my site of creatures from the Chesapeake Bay.

Remember every book purchased helps the environment.  I am donating a portion of the proceeds to the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  Be sure to pick up your copy of Salty Summer or download any of my books as an e-reader - so you too can join in the fun!

Unique Critique

When everything has already been done, from inter-planetary travel to exploring ancient cities - both real and mythical, from martians to mammoths, kings with possessed rings, a boy wonder with a wand, and so many other things. 

What do author's do that really makes their story one of a kind, when every story imaginable has already been told? 

A great author writes their story connecting the dots in a unique way, adding their own original flavor to everything they say.