Mayra, my pleasure and thank you for visiting today through your Working Writer's Club virtual book tour and to celebrate even further it's Children's Book Week!
The Internet has made it possible for us to get to know people, especially authors, we normally would not have had the opportunity to meet through intimate conversations through social media. I am delighted to host award-winning children's author, Mayra Calvani as she discusses her typical writing life. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy getting to know Mayra.
So, let’s
see, a typical writing day for me...
I work best in the mornings. That’s when I’m rested and my
mind feels fresh. After the kids are off to school and my hubby to work, I get
a cup of coffee and sit at the computer with my golden retriever, Amigo, at my
feet. Often, I do a short meditation. Next, I write my goals and objectives for
that day. This is extremely important for me. Writing down my goals and
objectives keeps me focused and productive—most importantly, it keeps me away
from ‘bright shiny objects’ that can stir me away from my major goals. Then I
start writing. I’ll usually write for 2-3 hours from Monday to Friday (I take
weekends off to be with my family). After my writing session I have lunch and
take a short walk with Amigo. Afternoons and evenings are for other
work-related stuff such as promotion and publicity, networking, reviewing,
blogging, etc.
I started adopting this system this January and it has
worked wonders for me. The key points here are to write down my goals and
objectives, then work on my work-in-progress before I do anything else.
For me, the hardest part about being an author is showing up
on the page every day and completing a book. Inspiration isn’t always there, so
I have to push myself and force myself to write even on those days when I don’t
feel like it or my prose doesn’t seem exciting. Writing is hard work! At least,
it is for me. It is immensely satisfying and I couldn’t live without it, but it
can be maddening and frustrating and exhausting.
As far as the actual writing craft goes, the most difficult part
is being able to closely, honestly and clearly articulate into words what I see
and hear in my mind. I’d say, without a doubt, this is the greatest challenge.
The best thing about being an author?
So many things!
Creating fantastic fictional worlds and sharing those
visions with readers in such a way that, if only for a moment, they’ll be
suspended in space and time.
And who doesn’t like to be their own boss and work on their
pajamas with free access to the fridge all day? J
About the book:
What reviewers are saying…
“Written in Calvani’s delightful prose,
“Huddle inside the CLOUD high up in the
sky, the water droplets are excited,” While also complemented by the
imaginative artwork of Alexander Morris’ fun illustrations, makes this book
both easy to read and informative. The
author also includes for her young readers a word search and glossary learning
activity—a great addition to every teacher and homeschool parents’
teaching library.” –Carol Fraser Hagen, reading specialist and special
education teacher.
You
can read the complete review at http://www.carolfraserhagen.com/2012/04/30/reading-about-science-book-recommendation
Purchase The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book 1 from Guardian Angel
Publishing: http://guardianangelpublishing.com/water-cycle.htm
Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616332379/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
About the author:
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. and has authored over a dozen books, some of
which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have
appeared on numerous publications such as The
Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others.
Visit her website at www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com
and get the first two lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow Picture Book Workshop free!
Book information:Title: The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book 1
Author: Mayra Calvani
Illustrations: Alexander Morris
Genre: Children 4-8
Print ISBN: 9781616332372; 1616332379
eBook ISBN: 9781616332389; 1616332387
Published: March 15, 2012
Pages: 20
Price: $10.95 print; $5.00 e-Book
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/water-cycle.htm
Learn more about Mayra when she visits with Karen Cioffi on Wednesday, May 9th: http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com.
I invite you to visit with my fellow Guardian Angel
Publishing authors at their blogs during Children’s Book Week 2012 and beyond:
Don’t forget to enter our contest:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
Hi Mayra,
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to host you today and learn more about your writing life. Yes, writing first thing works for me today. Otherwise I never get back to it. Great photo!
All the best,
Donna
Wonderful interview, Ladies! It's fun to compare authors' days, I must say. I'm wishing you every success with the book series, Mayra. Oh, and I love Amigo!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna!
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy! Amigo is the sweetest, most intelligent dog ever--but I guess all dog owners say that, right?
Thanks for your good wishes, ladies! I really appreciate it!
Mayra
Hi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by. I always enjoy reading about other writers days too.
Hi Mayra,
But of course a dog owners dog is the best!
Best regards,
Donna
Congratulations on the new book, it looks like one that kids will love and read over again.
ReplyDeleteI love poking in people's heads to find out how they write...thanks for doing that for me this time Donna! I am now inspired to do better Mayra...but first things first...LOVE Amigo! Pretty pretty boy. I always work best when I think there is a reward at the end and a walk with such a nice looking fellow would make work easier! Thanks for the interview.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book, Mayra. It is always lovely to learn more about you, your writing process, and when you do it best.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit puzzled until I came to the end of the post. I expected a heading about Children's Book Week. Got it at the end instead!!
BOOKS for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
Water Cycle sounds wonderful. I may have to buy another GAP book this month. (I just spent my royalty check on Nancy's wonderful new book.)
ReplyDeleteI can't like any of you on Facebook or follow you cause I already do.
But I am enjoying the tour.