Dreams to Grow On by Christine Hurley Deriso, Illustrated by Matthew Archambault

Dreams to Grow On by Christine Hurley Deriso, Illustrated by Matthew Archambault

Where does the time go?

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time passes. It's been almost a month since my last posting, but I can use the excuse that I've been busy, can't I?

I've read and reviewed more than ten books since I last posted a comment, but that's always a pleasure, for I can never read enough.

My WIP is limping along and I really need the incentive to sit at the computer undisturbed and write, write, write. Fat chance for that!! But from the nagging of my wonderful friends, I'm able to eke out a little more here and there and maybe one of these days I'll finish this book and then I'll agonize about starting number three in the series.

If only I didn't have to spend so much time marketing and promoting, and doing all the other daily things that need to be done, I'd maybe get more accomplished, but all the other authors I know have to deal with this too, so it feels good to know I'm not alone!

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and leave a comment. It's the beginning of another weekend and though we're not going to another classic car show, we're going to visit our dear daughter and spend Saturday with her. Just hope the rain holds off and we have a nice day.

Next week we're looking forward to the Ronnie Milsap concert as I'm sure that will be totally delightful.

So, until we "meet" again, blessings to all!

Can't believe it's March already!

I can't believe that it's already March. Wherever does the time go? In two weeks I'll be commemorating the year anniversary of my dear mother's passing. How I miss that feisty, little old lady, but I know she's more than likely livening things up in Heaven and that all her relatives and friends who have gone before her have welcomed her with loving arms.

Meanwhile, I've been keeping busy reading and working on many reviews. I just received several wonderful children's books to review from the New York Journal of Books and I'm eager to delve into them. As for my own writing... I've just joined a wonderful critique group with three other Guardian Angel Publishing authors and thoroughly enjoying reading their submissions and having them give me constructive and much welcomed advice about my work. We make a wonderful team. Anyway, I think I have the first two chapters of "Tommy's Angel" polished and about ready to get on to the rest of the story.

Still getting some great feedback about "Tiny Angel" and the last time I checked Amazon.com, they only had one copy left in stock, so I'm thrilled about that.

As I sit here at my home office, glancing out the window at the still-brown grass and see by the thermometer the still-chilly temperatures, I anxiously await the spring and warmer weather. Usually by this time of year, my central NC area is warming up, but one can only hope now. I guess Mother Nature is confused as is evidenced by what is happening all over the world, and I hope she gets back to where she's supposed to be.

Time to quit my musings and get back to work, so I wish you all a wonderful day and lots of happiness.

Touching Base

It's been a few days since I've written, so I thought I'd post something now before this blog got stale.

There's not really too much to post. I've been working on my newest book...both on the computer and in my mind. You know how you have those nights where you can't sleep? Well, that's the best time for me to brainstorm and decide what changes I'm going to make on my book. It's going a lot slower than I hoped, but between doing laundry, cooking and "taking care" of darling hubby, I get sidetracked easily. Not to mention when friends call or email and I have to answer right away, right?

The weather is still crappy here in central North Carolina. Where the heck is spring? I know it's technically still winter, but geesh, this is the south!

I've managed to read and write a few more reviews since my last entry on this blog. I've done "Between Friends" by Kristy Kiernan for "Affaire de Coeur's" March/April issue. Gave the book three stars...

Also read and reviewed "Remember Me" by Laura Moore for ReaderToReader.com. This is her first of the "Rosewood Trilogy" and a delightful read.

Then I've also done a private review for marketing purposes of Jill Bryne's memoir, "Step on a Crack" which reveals her life-long struggle with abuse and depression and how she managed to overcome her problems and lead a fulfilling life.

I have two more books to read and review for ReaderTo Reader.com, then I will submit a review for the New York Journal of Books...this one will be a children's book. Hopefully with all these things going on, I'll be able to concentrate more on my writing and get more accomplished.

PHEW....

I haven't written in a while, but have been busy, though I don't feel like I've accomplished much.


I completed five chapters on my next book...my sequel to "Tiny Angel" but the other night while lying in bed, I decided to redo it and change it completely. Argh, the joys of being a writer...

Thank God for computers. If I had to write using a typewriter, I would have given up a long time ago.


My exciting new is that I have just recently been accepted as a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books and I'm so excited about that. After being a reviewer for several years for "Affaire de Coeur" magazine as well as ReaderToReader.com, this is another feather in my cap. NYJB is more widespread, so I'm thrilled. My first review with NYJB is for one of my favorite author's debut book: "The Sweet By and By" written by Todd Johnson. I met Todd when he was at the Literary Fair at UNC Chapel Hill and bawled throughout his reading. His book touched my heart and soul, and if you want to know more about it, check out my review.


I also had the privilege of chatting with Todd privately during the holidays. Amelia, a neighbor and a dear friend, and Todd's cousin came to her Christmas party while he was back home in NC. What a joy it was to pick his brain and discuss books with him. I am truly blessed.

Sue Hornbach's blog with reviews for "Tiny Angel"

My dear friend Sue has just posted reviews for my book, "Tiny Angel" on her blog. Check them out at: Http://Bagfullofbooks4kids.blogspot.com

Thanks, Sue!

Interview Regarding "Tiny Angel"

Interview of Nancy Carty Lepri
Children's Author of "Tiny Angel"
with J. Aday Kennedy

Nancy Carty Lepri
Blog Address: http://nancycl.webs.com/apps/blog/
Website Address: http://nancycl.webs.com/
Email: nancy.lepri@yahoo.com

Bio:
Nancy Carty Lepri is a North Carolina transplant having been born and raised in Massachusetts. Two years after her marriage to Art Lepri, they, along with their three-month-old daughter, Danielle, moved to FL where they lived for six years until transferring to LA for five years. Moving back to MA, they settled on Cape Cod where Nancy worked as an editorial assistant for a publisher, and continued her studies.
Nancy earned an AA degree in Visual Art from Cape Cod Community College, and a BA in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in writing, from Western New England College.
She is also a certified editor.
Before completing her degrees, she freelanced as a reporter for several local newspapers.
After moving to NC in 1995, Nancy continued freelancing for local, national and international trade magazines, taught online writing and art courses, illustrated children’s books, started, but not completed, four mainstream novels, and wrote her children’s chapter book, “Tiny Angel.”

... Interview ...

Aday: How long have you been writing and submitting picture books?

Nancy: This is actually the first children’s book I have written. I have illustrated several over the years, though I started writing “Tiny Angel” before I left MA in 1995, but other things got in the way of completing and submitting this manuscript.

Aday: I read at your site that you are hoping this will evolve into a series. Will each book follow the same theme or will they change? How many books are you planning on writing?

Nancy: I plan to write a book for each child characterized in “Tiny Angel” giving me three additional books, which I may expand on further if I find the books are well accepted. Each child has their own differences and problems, and I want to touch on all of them. And, each child will also have their own guardian angel to guide them as well as maybe frustrate them, but they will learn a valuable lesson from them as well as gain much-needed confidence.
Aday: What will be your method(s) for promoting/marketing Tiny Angel?

Nancy: I have set up three blogs to promote my book, and they are mentioned on Facebook, Goodreads, JacketFlap and MySpace. I plan to contact a few local schools as well as my library to promote Macy’s story.
Truthfully, having mostly been on the other end of publishing dealing with editing and such, I never realized marketing and promoting was so much work!
My main focus is on writing my next book in the series, and I’ll need to carve out some time to do in-depth research, but if you have any suggestions, I’m open to them!
Aday: Do you plan to illustrate all the books you write? How would you react to a publisher that wanted to use a different artist?

Nancy: I would like to illustrate all my books if possible. I had a bit of a challenge with “Tiny Angel” for I went through an emotionally hard time, having just lost my dear mother, and it seemed like I had an “artist block”.
But my main concern is getting my story out there, so if a publisher suggested another artist for my book, I’d say, “Go for it.”
While I find illustrations are helpful, they have to enhance the text, not detract from it, and I’d want the best illustrations possible. If I was to go with another artist, I’d be thrilled to work with and meet someone else.
Aday: Where besides your blog and website can we see your illustrations?

Nancy: At this point the only other places my illustrations are available are on my Facebook page and JacketFlap.com. I’d be more than happy to submit to other venues, but I’d need to research to find where they would be accepted.
Aday: What advice would you give someone that writes and illustrates their own work?

Nancy: I’d say NEVER GIVE UP! Believe in yourself too. Find a good critique group. I have been working with several authors for many years and they have helped me get through the writing angst. I couldn’t have accomplished all I have without their guidance and candor, and I am very thankful for their advice.
Also, you have to develop a thick skin. Writing and illustrating is so personal—you’re trying to sell a part of your heart and soul—and not everyone is going to like or accept what you do. Try not to take it personally, and realize everyone has different tastes, likes and ideas. If you get rejected, keep trying. There IS a publisher out there who will take a chance on you and give you the break you’re looking for. I could paper my office with all the rejection slips I’ve gotten, but you only need one acceptance.
Aday: How does your writing and illustrating process unfold? (do you write the entire book first? Draw and write simultaneously? Draw enough to get a visual of the characters?)

Nancy: I started writing “Tiny Angel” many years ago, as I mentioned above, and left it and went back to it many times. I’ve also rewritten it many times, which drove me crazy, but I remember one of my college professors commenting, “It’s not the writing that’s hard, it’s the rewriting and rewriting and rewriting.” You get the picture.
I also made the mistake of writing by the “seat of my pants” …sitting down and writing without any plan or outline, which caused a lot of chaos in my work. My first draft was too long and too involved and I could have made several books out of that draft, but I’ve since acknowledged I need to plot out my story before I sit down to write it.
With regard to illustrating…my wonderful publisher had seen my previous work and gave me the go-ahead to illustrate “Tiny Angel”. As I mentioned, it was a difficult time for me and I came up with several illustrations, none of which satisfied me, but we finally decided on a finished product. If I hadn’t been filled with grief, I probably would have completed an illustration for every chapter. Hopefully with my next book, I will have gotten my drawing muse back!
But to answer your question…the writing come first, then the illustrations are completed after the text is done and approved.

Aday: Good luck with Tiny Angel. I wish you success with the series.

Nancy: Thank you so very much! I am excited to have had the opportunity to have this book published. The story is very close to my heart, and I have dedicated this book to my mother, Emily Carty. She instilled the love of reading in me at a very young age as well as the desire to write. This is my tribute to her.