Introducing Book Highlight of the Week - Donna McDine

With my intention to change things up, I'm delighted to share with you the weekly (Wednesday's) debut post of the... Book Highlight of the Week.

Drum roll please...

Going back to one of my first purchases of a writer's help book when I embarked on my writing career in 2007...wow has it been 11 years...phew! Where does the time go?! I'm pleased to present...

Writer's First Aid ~ 
Getting Organized, Getting Inspired, and Sticking to It

by Kristi Holl

Divided into four sections...

I. Getting Started
II. Work Habits That Work For You

III. Money and Other Practical Matters

IV. Create the Writing Life You love

Writer's First Aid is a go to guide of guidance in every stage of your writing career. 

When I first purchased Writer's First Aid I read it in it's entirety with the excitement of unwrapping a gift. I was immediately drawn into the writing world of Kristi Holl through her expert knack of making you feel as if she is speaking to you directly. My book is earmarked and highlighted to the hilt and I refer back to it often when in the need of steadfast and clear advice. 

Check out reviews of Writer's First Aid and if you are so inclined treat yourself to this never ending resource.  

Kristi Holl's first middle-grade novel was published by Atheneum (1983). To date, Kristi has sold 42 books: 40 middle-grade books (30 fiction and 10 nonfiction) and Writer's First Aid and More Writer's First Aid, adult books to help writers survive the writing life. (Eleven of her books are mysteries; her Haunting of Cabin 13 won the Maryland Children's Book Award).

Learn more about Kristi and her writing world at https://www.kristiholl.com/blog/ 

What writer's book(s) do you keep at your fingertips and why? 

I look forward to our conversation. 

Thank you for visiting!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved
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. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: Boarding School Mysteries ~ Pick Your Poison

Title:                Boarding School Mysteries ~ Pick Your Poison

Written by:      Kristi Holl

Soft cover:      134 pages

Ages:               9-12

Publisher:        Zonderkidz

ISBN:              978-03105-67998

Published:       June 2009

Price:               $6.99

Pick Your Poison is not only the title of this edition of the Board School Mysteries it is a long time saying when not knowing what to choose in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, the girls at the private Landmark School for Girls don’t have a choice. While enjoying the delicious meal prepared by Abby for her home-ec project, several girls become severely ill. At first it is believed the meal was prepared with spoiled food until more girls become ill eating different food. Setting the wheels in motion of suspicions and accusations.

Determined to take the attention off Abby and herself, 12-year-old Jeri McKane begins her own investigation to reveal the truth. What she uncovers is unthinkable for many. Throw in the threat of competition and several individuals look guilty. Will Jeri be able to discover the truth before the food poisoning goes too far and someone dies?

Immerse yourself into the setting at the private Landmark School for girls and learn for yourself the true meaning of friendship. And beyond outward appearances all may not be what it seems with determined ambitions bubbling below the surface.

Children’s author, Kristi Holl has done it again. The twists and turns arise at every corner, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and quickly turning each page with suspense to the end.

To learn more about Kristi Holl’s accomplished writing career visit her at:

Kristi's web site at www.KristiHoll.com
Writer's First Aid blog at http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog
New mystery series at www.BoardingSchoolMysteries.com
Girls Connecting with God web site at www.devotions4girls.com
What's a Girl To Do? blog at www.devotions4girls.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Margie Lawson's ~ Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors Online Class

Thanks to Jan Fields at the Institute of Children's Literature I have been following Kristi Holl's blog and to my pure delight one of Kristi's recent posts was about Margie Lawson’s “Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors” online class for writers. Early on in my writing career, Kristi's book Writer's First Aid was one of the first books I read and I knew her blog would be of great interest to me.

I have known for quite some time that I make my To Do lists way to long and then get frustrated when I can't accomplish all on my list. At times I seem to back pedal and have the feeling of never getting anywhere.

What most intrigued me about Margie's online class was the no pressure - the amount of participation by the student was left up to them. At first I thought I would be lurker and learn from the lectures and assignments. However, after positive encouragement from Margie I became more active I decided that participation would be beneficial to me.

One of the most important aspects of the on-line course is to team up with a "Change Coach" - which is someone that you are held accountable to. This may sound scary at first...but believe me this is what makes this course such a huge success. Since there are people from a variety of backgrounds I wanted to connect with someone that writes for children and to my absolute pure delight, Kristi Holl, reached out to me to partner up with. We immediately bonded and continue to be a supportive and direct with each another.

Margie's course is a must and you don't even have to leave home to attend.

Good luck with your inspiration for 2009!