K is for Katrina and Winter by Nancy Stewart - A to Z 2015 Challenge

Title:                           Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage

Written by:                 Nancy Stewart

Hard cover:                 26 pages

Ages:                           8-12

Publisher:                    Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hard cover ISBN 13:  9781616332426

Published:                   April 2012

Pages:                          26

Print Price:                  $19.94

Connection between living creatures is essential to our soul and well being. Love, understanding, empathy, and a purpose for one’s life certainly helps a person flourish; especially in the face of adversity.

Meet Katrina Simpkins, a special young lady, who strives to be “so called normal” but because of her prosthesis leg she is anything but. That is until the day she meets Winter, a tailless dolphin who resides at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. From the moment Katrina and Winter meet there is an instant bond, which neither time nor distance can break. Inspired by Winter’s own adversity, Katrina’s life is transformed into triumphs to be celebrated.

Visit with Katrina Simpkins and Winter the dolphin in this heartwarming and awe inspiring true life story of how acceptance and love exceeds all.

Visit with Amazon best-selling and award-winning author, Nancy Stewart to learn more about her illustrious writing career and background bringing her passions full circle www.nancystewartbooks.com and www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com.

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

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

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

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, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 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

The September 2014 issue of Guardian Angel Kids celebrates “Extraordinary Animals.” In this month’s issue, our special feature is Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage by award-winning author Nancy Stewart.

You’ll find the poem “Tail Tales” by Ellen Javernick inside, as well as a ton of non-fiction articles about a variety of animals including bats, the Mountain Beaver, and the platypus. This month’s kid’s activity has to do with manatees.

As always, you’ll find links to free coloring pages, videos, and games. Visit http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/ to read your issue of GAK.

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

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine

Multi Award-winning Children's Author



Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

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, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved, Reader's Farvorite 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

My Writing Process - Blog Tour

I was invited by the lovely and talented C. Lee McKenzie to join in the fun for The Writing Process Blog Hop, so here we go…

What am I working on?  

With the urging of my critique group (thanks Karin and Marilyn) I have dusted off a middle grade manuscript that I've been working on and off for several years now (yes, I'm embarrassed to say so, but exhilarated that I'm back in the saddle again of fine tuning this manuscript). Thanks ladies! 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Thus far my children's books have ended up in the theme of overcoming obstacles without preaching to the reader. 

Why do I write what I do? 

I enjoy writing for children and watching the expressions on their faces of joy and wonder of escaping into an exciting book. 

How does my writing process work?

I always write my first draft in long hand with my favorite pen, Graf von Faber-Castell away from my computer and email distraction and of course my cell phone off. I then put it to the side and read through for the first time at least several hours to a day or so later giving myself a fresh set of eyes and perspective. Then I get down to task of typing it into my computer. Yes, I'm old fashioned, I then print it out for my next round of proofreading. 

I'm delighted to have tagged the following talented writers in The Writing Process and visit them May 5th...

Penelope Cole - Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew and Magical Mea  and Mágico Mateo (Spanish Version of Magical Matthew)

Nancy Stewart - Amazon Best-selling author and award-winning author - Sea Turtle Summer and One Pelican at a Time 

Wishing you an inspirational day! 

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

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


A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

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

Amazon Best-selling author, Nancy Stewart reviews Hockey Agony by Donna McDine

I invite you to visit Amazon best-selling author, Nancy Stewart as she shares her review of my children's book, Hockey Agony http://nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-of-hockey-agony-by-donna-mcdine.html.

Thanks Nancy! You captured the true essence of Hockey Agony through your review!

Be sure to stick around to explore Nancy's blog of informative articles and to learn about her fascinating writing career through her books…

One Pelican at a Time: A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill, 18 weeks on Amazon Bestseller in Children's Books, Amazon Hot New Releases, Amazon Most Wished for in Children's Books, The Literary Classics Silver Award, 2012, Literary Classics Seal of Approval, Global eBook Award Nominee, Readers Favorite 5 Star Award (Guardian Angel Publishing, 2011)

Sea Turtle Summer: Amazon Bestseller in Children's Books, The Literary Classics Gold Award, 2012, Literary Classics Seal of Approval, 2011 (Guardian Angel Publishing, December, 2011)

Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage: Amazon Bestseller in Children’s Books, International Literary Classics Silver Award, 2013 (Guardian Angel Publishing, May, 2012)

Bella Saves the Beach:  International Literary Classics Seal of Approval, 2013 (Guardian Angel Publishing, March, 2013)

Forthcoming:

Mystery at Manatee Key: (Guardian Angel Publishing, October, 2014)

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

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

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

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

Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey by Donna McDine - Book Review Endorsements

Book reviews are essential in promoting your book, but before your book is published don't forget to reach out to fellow author's to obtain an endorsement to include on your back cover. Several of my colleagues bestowed me the honor of endorsing my two latest children's books, Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey.

“Hockey Agony is a great lessoned learned for kids, really of all ages. I love the illustrations and love the message.”

~ Debra Beck, Empowered Teens and Parents ~ www.empoweredteensandparents.com

“Hockey. What can be more exciting than that? And the agony starts right away. Larry’s leg is broken and he can’t play. Will he get a chance to join in the game? Not if Peter shows off his fast skate moves when he takes over Larry’s position. And what about Coach Brennan? Is he on Larry’s side…or against him? The action is fast-paced. The drama is real. Every reader will relate. Author Donna M. McDine’s new chapbook for tweens, Hockey Agony, is sure to deliver. Just in time to provide a great read for boys and hockey fans everywhere!”

~ Nancy I. Sanders, bestselling and award-winning children’s author of Challenge on the Hill of Fire and Frederick Douglass for Kids ~ www.nancyisanders.com

“Danger. Hardship. Cannon blasts. And whips. Stolen violently into service as a boy who delivers powder to the cannons during a battle, young Tommy never sees his parents again. What adventures await him? Donna M. McDine’s book, Powder Monkey, moves quickly through tense action scenes to portray realistic life during this dangerous era on the high seas.”

~ Nancy I. Sanders, bestselling and award-winning children’s author of Challenge on the Hill of Fire and Frederick Douglass for Kids ~ www.nancyisanders.com

“The saga of an age gone by, Donna McDine’s Powder Monkey, ably captures the essence of what some young boys endured as impressed sailors. With pathos and honesty, this historically accurate account of Tommy Kitt’s struggle to stay alive at sea, is a testimony to the author’s prowess as a storyteller.”

~ Nancy Stewart, Award-winning and Amazon best-selling children’s author ~ www.nancystewartbooks.com

Debra Beck, Nancy Sanders, and Nancy Stewart... thank you...I am eternally grateful for your time and endorsements!

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

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

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

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

Children's Writer Newsletter -

Several months ago I was approached by Katherine Swarts for an interview of an article she was writing for the Children's Writer August Newsletter. Never missing the opportunity to discuss writing for children I happily accepted. I'm in amazing and talented company throughout the article with Nancy Stewart, Marissa Widdison, Kelli Gilmore, and Marcia Frost.

The featured article is entitled, "Someone Worth Meeting - Writing Profiles for Magazines"
by Katherine Swarts

Visit Children's Writer today to subscribe and obtain back issues http://www.childrenswriter.com/.

Thank you Katherine for this terrific opportunity.

Wishing you continued success!

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

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

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hockey Agony ~ March 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

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

Best-selling Children's Author, Nancy Stewart Visits Write What Inspires You

Welcome to Write What Inspires You! 

I'm delighted to host Best-selling and Award-winning children's author, Nancy Stewart on her latest virtual book. I had the honor of meeting Nancy in person in the fall of 2010, I can hardly believe how much time has past since our first meeting! I was unable to travel to Florida for the February 2013 Guardian Angel Publishing gathering and hope to meet up with my fellow "Angels" at the next gathering.

Without further ado, I present to you Nancy's guest post and be sure to follow Nancy throughout cyberspace during her latest virtual book tour. Welcome Nancy! 

You Have a Great Idea for a MG or YA Book? Now What Do You Do?
by Nancy Stewart

So you have a wonderful idea for a book.  How can you turn that fabulous idea into a great book?  And how do other authors do it?  Certainly middle grade novels require a bit of amping down, but with young adult, all bets are off.  You can create the creepiest, meanest, or most selfless and heroic characters you want without fear of doing so.  In fact, young adult novels have become known as “crossovers,” appropriate for teens and adults alike!

Let’s start with characters—protagonists and antagonists.  Immediately move them out of the ordinary but not too slant.  By that I mean, keep them a little bit “everyman” while making them non-ordinary.  Most of us write characters with which we can identify—those within our comfort zone.  Get rid of that notion.  Try writing about the hapless, the flawed, those who are different than you but, of course, are still human with many of the same desires and wishes.  Hard to do?  Yes, but so worthwhile in creating a complex and memorable character.  (Think Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemmingway, Margaret Atwood.) In The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood gives the Cinderella protagonist no quarter—and no handsome prince to save the day.  She’s on her own, and the readers love it!

Have your characters do—not describe, or talk the reader to death, or kill them with boredom.  In other words (and I hate to say it again but will) show, don’t tell.  Let the people you’ve brought to life on the page live, betray, love, and hate—all the time showing what they do instead of describing how they do it.

Think of gestures you or others do.  Things we’re not really aware of many times on a conscious level. A look, a non-look when one should occur, a gesture, a speech hesitation, too much speech, a realization that one knows s/he has said too much, and s/he knows you (and perhaps the whole table) knows…I could go on forever.  These human markers drive fiction, they drive the story, heck—they drive life!  Use them to your advantage.  But remember, don’t describe them, make your characters live them.

If we (and I place myself first here) can infuse our writing with such techniques, our stories will improve. They will stand out.  They will shine. They will be art imitating life.  And who knows?  They may be as true to life as life itself.

About the book:

Bella and Britt are worried about all the trash appearing on their beautiful beach.  But what can they do?  Britt is leaving on vacation, and Bella can’t solve the problem alone.  Without  adults to lend a hand, can they possibly save their beach?

Excerpt:

Bella, Britt and all their friends built sand castles and filled moats with salty sea. But this summer, the girls were worried.

“Look at all this trash, Britt,” said Bella.

She nodded. “Yeah, and I leave on vacation tomorrow. I can’t help pick it up!”

Next morning, Bella walked along the beach alone. “Hello.” Bella said to the old crooked beak pelican, perched on his piling. “Somebody has to help, and I guess it’s me.”

Purchase from:

NANCYSTEWARTBOOKS.COM
GUARDIAN ANGEL PUBLISHING 
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

Nancy Stewart Bio:

Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children:  One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, (which won the Children’s Literary Classic Gold Award), Bella Saves the  Beach (which won the Gold)  and Mystery at Manatee Key.  The authorized biography, Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage, is the story of Katrina Simpkins and Winter, the dolphin. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch.   All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. 

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writer’s conferences throughout the United States.  She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet.  A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to children’s literature.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education. She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

Visit her online at www.nancystewartbooks.com and her blog at http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Bella Saves the Beach Tour Schedule

Monday, April 22^nd

Guest post at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Tuesday, April 23^rd

Book trailer feature at If Books Could Talk

Wednesday, April 24^th

Book review at On Words - Opening Eyes, Opening Hearts

Thursday, April 25^th

Book spotlight and giveaway at The Busy Mom’s Daily

Book review at Shannon Hitchcock Pen and Prose

Monday, April 29^th

Book review at Hook Kids on Reading

Guest post at The Pen and Ink

Tuesday, April 30^th

Guest post at Write What Inspires You

Wednesday, May 1^st

Book review at LadyD Books

Thursday, May 2^nd

Book review at Kid Lit Reviews

Friday, May 3^rd

Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner

Monday, May 6^th

Interview at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Tuesday, May 7^th

Book reviewed at The Picture Book Review

Wednesday, May 8^th

Book reviewed at My Devotional Thoughts

Thursday, May 9^th

Book review at It’s About Time Mamaw

Friday, May 10^th

Book review at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Monday, May 13^th

Book review at 4 the Love of Books

Tuesday, May 14^th

Book spotlight at Review from Here

Book review at The Jenny Revolution

Wednesday, May 15^th

Guest post at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, May 16^th

Book review at Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Reviews

Friday, May 17^th

Book spotlight at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer

Nancy, congratulations on your latest release! It's always a pleasure to host you!

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

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

Guest Blogger, Nancy Stewart Visits Write What Inspires You!

A full month into 2013 Nancy Stewart and I are back into the swing of exchanging monthly guest posts. Nancy visits with today to share her tips and expertise on "Deep Point of View: What is It?" 

Welcome Nancy! 

Deep Point of View:  What is It?

by Nancy Stewart

Deep Point of View?  What is it?  Never heard of it. 

These are the kinds of answers I get many times when I mention this technique of writing. I thought it just may be time to discuss this effective way of truly getting into one's character's head and staying there.  It's time to give the pesky narrator the boot!  Goodbye author intrusion.

Deep Point of View, sometimes called Close Third Person, can be used with First Person as well and is a writing style in great demand these days.

The reader climbs into their protagonist's skin—tasting, feeling, hearing, smelling what they do.  Deep POV is a skill that must be learned, like anything else. But the four tips below are a great place to start.

Tip 1: Delete the phrase "s/he saw.

Obviously not every use of the word saw (observed, noticed, wondered etc.) will be slashed. But go through your manuscript looking for lines like these:

Olivia smiled at her uncle. She saw that he was really into it now. 

And change to:

Olivia smiled at her uncle. He was really into it now. 

State the action only. Saw always distance the reader. Bring the reader up close instantly.

Tip 2: What words would you say in the manuscript?

Use realistic internal dialogue. What you would say to yourself if you were living the scene, then replace the pronouns with "s/he" (unless you're writing in first person, of course.)

The knife’s blade rubbed her throat. The metal felt so cold.  She had to stay still and keep from blinking. She was panicked. 

Deep Point of View:  The knife's blade rubbed her throat.  Why was the metal so cold?  Sweat dripped into her eyes, burning them.  What does it feel like to die?

Tip 3: Don't label emotions

This is classic show vs. tell but is vital to Deep POV. Delete from your mind the name we give to an emotion and force yourself to describe it.  What physical movements would show the emotion without naming it?

Example: Anger 

Olivia was angry.

Becomes:   Olivia's eyes became slits. 

Tip 4: Physiological responses     
                                                            

Once you lay out some strong internal dialogue and remove emotion labels, follow up with physiological responses. Depending on the situation, these might be:  knees buckling, chest tightening, throat clamping, an adrenaline rush, goose bumps, nausea, dizziness, sweating, etc. Describe them! This will really pull the reader deep into the story, particularly in high-intensity moments.

Example:  Excessively hot

Olivia was too hot.

Becomes:  If only Olivia could remove the enormous blanket of heat bearing down on her.  Breathing hard, sweat poured from her body and dried quickly.  "We all have to drink, or we're not gonna make it."  A frog's croak.  Was that her voice?

I hope this post has encouraged you to throw out all the distance-making words in your manuscript.  Let yourself be invisible. Allow your protagonist to shine through those pages. You'll be happy and so will your readers!  

I invite you to visit Nancy at to learn more about her personally and her illustrious writing career - http://nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/.

Nancy, thank you for visiting with me today and my readers. It is always a true pleasure and wonderful learning experience.

Warmest regards,
Donna

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

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