Prodding #Inspiration Along by Cheryl Malandrinos

Welcome! I'm delighted to host fellow children's author, Cheryl Malandrinos. I always enjoy hearing how fellow authors find their inspiration. Today, Cheryl is doing just that has she tours cyberspace along with her latest children's book, Amos Faces His Bully. 

Welcome Cheryl! 

Prodding Inspiration Along

It’s hard to talk about writing without bringing up inspiration. Almost every interviewer asks where the idea for your latest book came from. There are articles to inspire your writing; books are written to provide inspiration and encouragement; and you’ll often find conferences that hold panels dedicated to inspiring your writing.

Some writers only put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) when inspired to do so, while others discipline themselves to write even when inspiration is elusive. William Faulkner once said, “I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o'clock every morning.” I guess we know where he stands on this topic.

My personal relationship with inspiration is one where I prod it along in the hopes of producing results.

My first book, Little Shepherd, was inspired by a Christmas carol. At bedtime, I would sing The Little Drummer Boy to my daughter as a lullaby. Each time I sang it, the image of a shepherd boy meeting the Holy Family on the night of the first Christmas would come to me. It took two years, but eventually I was able to plot out Obed’s story…though the end result was very different than I originally intended.

A Christmas Kindness was inspired by a desire to focus my children’s attention on others during the holiday season. Because the story takes place in the mall around Christmas, I spent a few hours at the mall sitting in the food court watching the kids line up to meet Santa. Sounds really tough, doesn’t it?

Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving and my latest picture book, Amos Faces His Bully, were completed thanks to the Picture Book Idea Month/STORYSTORM challenge I participate in each year. Originally only for picture book authors, this event challenges writers to come up with 30 story ideas over 30 days. I also have a recently written picture book that is ready to submit thanks to Picture Book Idea Month in 2012 (sometimes my inspiration needs a lot of prodding).

Now that I’ve talked about my inspiration, I hope you’ll share yours. Do you have any tips or tricks to share? I’m always open to suggestions. Writers can never have too much inspiration.

About the Author

 Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd, A Christmas Kindness, Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving and the recently released, Amos Faces His Bully. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married. 

Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com/ and her children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/

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About the Book:

Title: AMOS FACES HIS BULLY

Author: Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing

Pages: 20

Genre: Christian children's picture book

BOOK BLURB:

Amos is targeted by the town bully because he is so small. When word reaches Amos of his friend David's battle with Goliath, he thinks back to what David told him about putting his faith in God's protection. Perhaps the same God can help Amos face his bully too.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Guardian Angel | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Indiebound.org 

Book Excerpt:

Amos clutched his knees to his chest. Sitting in the dirt, he blinked to keep the tears from spilling down his cheeks.

Nathaniel and the other neighborhood boys marched around, taunting him.

“Are you going to cry now, baby?” Nathaniel balled his hands into fists and pretended to rub his eyes.

“I’m not crying,” ten-year-old Amos said with a sniffle. He stood and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

“I bet you’re the biggest cry baby in all of Bethlehem,” said Nathaniel.

The boys pushed him back and forth chanting, “Cry baby, cry baby.”

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/qj4-5M2cgrg

We appreciate your time! Thank you for visiting! 

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author


Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

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A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
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