Changing Blogs

Hi,
I wanted to say that this will be my last time to post on this blog.  I have been writing for another blog at Wordpress.com and will continue my post on that site.  Please join me at: http://tracykauffman.wordpress.com. I hope this will be an easy transition for you for it will make things much easier for me.  Thanks again,
Tracy Kauffman

Great Blog Hop of 2013

Today a group of us are participating in a Blog Hop.  After reading about my book: Southern Attraction, visit the other links below to see some fantastic blogs and learn more about some great books.

 

Would you tell the readers a little bit about the book your promoting?  My book, Southern Attraction is a young adult book about a girl who faces tragedy and learns to cope with changes in her life amongst total strangers.

How did you come up with the idea for this book? I wanted to write a young adult romance book and this one just came to me. 

What can you tell us about your main characters? Heather is a self-centered spoiled girl who is faced with trials and a terrible tragedy.  She has to rediscover who she really is in a southern town with an uncle she barely knows. Shawn and Jake are two boys she meets in Huckleburg, Alabama.  They both fight for her attention.  They are complete opposites of each other but both have fantastic qualities.

What actors or actresses would you play your characters if it were made into a movie? Ian Somerhalder to play Shawn. Selena Gomez to play Heather. Taylor Lautner to play Jake.

Heather

Shawn



Jake

 

Give us a brief synopsis of your book.

Heather has everything she ever wanted; money, clothes, friends, popularity and parents that adored her. One terrible day, she is uprooted to a small town in Alabama with a uncle she doesn’t know. The small town of Huckleburg was nothing like Manhattan. Country rednecks owned the town and no one accepted Yankees from New York. Heather didn’t think things could get worse until a tornado comes and blast through the small town. Heather has to lose herself to rediscover what life is all about. She meets two guys that she can’t decide between who she really wants. Join Heather as she discovers that there is more to life than money and fame. Will Heather ever fit in and find true love or will she stay an outsider living in the south. 
Click here to see the book trailer:  

Now for a little fun, here are some things that the readers might want to know about you.

1. If you could live anywhere, would you rather live:

a. mountains xxx
b. beach
c. in the country

2. What would you prefer?
a. salty foods
b. sweets xxxx
c. both

3. If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without?

_clothes_

4. Choose one of these books.

a. Pride and Prejudice xxxx
b. Alex Cross
c. Twilight
d. Snow White and the Huntsman
e. The Shining

5. Which word most suits you.
a. crazy
b. funny
c. carefree
d. studious
e. anxious xxxx

6. Tell me something about yourself that might be funny to others? (other than writing)

Can't tell you, it's too embarrasing.  OK but keep this to yourselves please.  I like to pluck eyebrows or any wild hair growing on my face.

7. Which group of words explain what you are like the most?

a. fly by the seat of your pants
b. drama queen
c. don't sweat the small stuff
d. footloose and fancy free.
e. Too tightly wound xxxx

 

Other Blogs participating:

 

Divon Delgado- http://www.divonville.com 

 

Cinta García de la Rosa-  http://authorsyouwanttoread.wordpress.com
 

Katie McKnight- http://www.writergirlkatie.wordpress.com/

 

Bonnie D Tharp-  http://bdtharp.com

Christine Rice- http://christinerice-author.com/blog/

 
Julianne Grider- http://www.jpgrider.com/jps-blog.html

Ruthie Derby- http://www.madisonpost.wordpress.com

Catalina Egan- http://4covert2overt.blogspot.com/    
 
 Jack Strandburg- http://jstrandburg.wordpress.com
 
Kathryn Williams-Platt- http://kathrynwilliamsplatt.blogspot.com

Writing- Instant Gratification

What brings inspiration to an author? Is it simply need for gratification or could it be much more.  To me, a writer enjoys every part of writing itself even if the work is never read.  In the Wikipedia, online encyclopedia,"Gratification is the pleasurable emotional reaction of happiness in response to a fulfillment of a desire or goal." To look at this much further, one must define what the fulfillment aspect of the desire or goal is.  What fulfills us and brings satisfaction?  Is writing itself instant gratification or is it the completed work- the book that brings it? 

I look around as I sit at my desktop writing this blog post and think about writing and what it means to me.  I really can't explain it in one simple blog post.  All I can say is writing has meant more to me over the last year than it has ever meant.  Yes, I wanted to be a writer when I was younger and wrote short stories, poetry, etc.. The desire of writing is not the fulfillment of having a completed work that others look at and buy.  If it were, I wouldn't take time to write a blog because it takes time away from writing my manuscript.  I believe this year I have learned more about the writing process and how to make the words flow much easier.     

As a young child, I was really quiet.  I didn't speak a lot in school and never had lots of friends.  It wasn't because I didn't like people or they didn't like me.  It was simply that I enjoyed my thoughts.  I would get lost in my own thoughts and it made it hard to focus on schoolwork or time needed to make new friends.  As an adult, I would say that I am a lot like I was as a child.  I am married and have two children.  That is where any extra time is spent.  I have met lots of other authors along the way and they have been more of a friend to me than people I see everyday.  I guess the concept of having something in common is what I enjoy talking to them about. 

To get back to the discussion, each writer has their own reasons for writing.  Some may look at it as a means of escape, others as a way to express themselves, or to complete a work of art.  I agree with all of these reasons but to me I see it as a gift.  A gift is usually shared with others instead of hidden in a closet.  So I want to share my gift with you and hopefully you will enjoy my writing.  To see my books or to learn more about me, visit my website at: http://Tracykauffman.com.

My latest work is Southern Attraction. A YA romance.

To read an excerpt, click here.

To order from Amazon, Click Here. 

Poem: Virtuous Mother

Who can find an honorable and loving woman,
for her price is far above rubies.
She is kind and offers a lending hand.
Her children come first, before her own needs.
She rises yet early while it is night,
to prepare her household for the day to come.
She makes sure everything is perfect and right.
Her children are blessed by who she is.
Her mission is to provide a good home,
protection is her main focus and goal.
For her children have no need to roam,
for they rest well in their beds each night.
She is a teacher of what is honest and right.
She leads and offers herself a role model.
Her beliefs and faith are always in sight,
for she is a virtuous mother.

 

Written by Tracy Kauffman

Tracykauffman.com

Copyright 2013

 

Richard.Stephenson.Author: AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Tracy Kauffman

Richard.Stephenson.Author: AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Tracy Kauffman: Name: Tracy Kauffman Book: Southern Attraction Genre: Young Adult Romance 1.  Tell us about yourself.  Where are you from and...

Nothing Harder To Swallow

There is nothing harder in life than swallowing our pride.  Asking someone to forgive us when we have wronged them in one way or another.  I looked up Pride in different dictionaries and it is talked about it two ways.  One is a positive type of pride and the other is negative.  A positive type is when one is honored by one's accomplishments whether it is themself or their children.  The negative aspect is feeling a high regard or self esteem for oneself which makes them have an ego or thoughts of self entitlement making them appear arrogant.  A sentence that shows this is: I had to swallow my pride and admit I was at fault.
Pride will keep us from humility which is the complete opposite.  Humility is a quality of being modest, lacking pretense, not thinking oneself is superior to others.  Some look at humilty as being timid and lacking self esteem.  Humilty is an honorable trait that can help everyone in all aspects of their lives.  Whether in our personal lives or in our business lives, humility is something that will help us to maintain our customers, drive more sales, and build lasting friendships.  Without humility it is impossible to love others the way they should be loved.  We cannot love others because we care only for our own happiness and not the happiness of others.  Pride can be a stumbling block to others if we use it to overpass someone else's worth.

Religious scholars tell how Pride is written as a deadly sin throughout the Bible. 

Examples are:
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:17-19

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 6:16

Other links that talk about Pride and humility.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_69.htm
http://www.unification.net/ws/theme128.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Pride---Corrupting-Your-Own-Success&id=7316950

Does Our Success and Happiness Depend on Others

Does our success and happiness depend on others? Think about this question carefully. Some might say yes because if people aren't interested in buying our product then we fail. Some say no because you are only as successful as you choose to be.

Really there are two ways to look at this. You might say success is happiness and living a fulfilled life. Others say success depends on how well their business is going and by how much money they have in the bank.

Now let me ask the question again. Does our success depend on others? Do you still have to think about the question or have you made an observation already? I am going to talk about success with businesses verus success with contentment.

In Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, a person develops a sense of pride in their accomplishments in the fourth stage called: Industry Versus Inferiority. Social interaction is key and important in this time of development. Children will become more and more capable of performing increasingly complex tasks. As a result of this, they strive to master new skills. After completing one task they are able to move on. When they are encouraged by parents and teachers they develop a feeling of competence and belief in their skills. They feel acceptance by others and helps them build self esteem. Without self esteem it is more difficult for an individual to become successful. Those who receive little or no encouragement feel incapable and doubt their ability. Each individual needs to be able to deal with new social and academic demands. If they are doubtful of their abilities they cannot master any new task. Often they might trying for fear of failure. They might think it is easier to give up than to complete their objective.

Now some view success as having contentment in one's life. The same theory applies. When a child is negatively influenced by others it affects their self esteem. Some might rise above negative thoughts of others but some dwell on it for years. I am not a Psychiatrist but have observed people in different scenerios in life. Many dwell on past experiences and they are usually negative experiences. Some say if, "If I was treated better growin up, I...." The fact is that people care about what others think of them. One can choose to live life to the fullest and forget those past experiences or one can dwell on it and never succeed.

Children- An Impressionable Age

The joy and innocence of a child is something beautiful and such a blessing to witness. We can all aspire to be like them in many ways. Children are innocent but are at an impresssionable age.  They absorb information like a sponge.  They are easily influenced and do things that they observe.  If a child sees someone stealing, they will think it is perfectly acceptable until someone tells them that it is wrong.  Innocence of a child is precious and many can learn from them.  They do not judge, love others without question and do not try to hurt or defraud others.  But innocence doesn't remain in a child forever. They become older, and their innocence is lost.

Many parents strive to help their child to be a successful, productive citizen with a good career and a happy family. I want to teach mine to respect authority, love others, and give to others. The only way to insure this is to teach them the right path that they should take. So when they are older, they will not depart from this. Please keep in mind the condition our world is in. Everything in today's society is an influence.  Either an influence of things that are right or things that impact us negatively.

One day our children will grow up to be lawyers, presidents and doctors. Physicians have to make life and death decisions everyday.  There are many that are decent but some are in the medical field just for filthy lucre. Look at some of our past presidents.  We have had only a select few that you could say had moral standards.

Parents, now is the time to take notice of what your child is looking at on the internet and television or listening to on the radio.  What type of children's books is your child reading. Reading plays a big role in learning and therefore influences your child.  Children might read an inspirational book about giving and it might encourage them to be more giving.  A child's characteristics are shaped by their surroundings and other outside influences.

Now is the time to set the example and help mold your child into an honorable individual.   I am urging you to be involved in your  child's life. A child left to his own, will bring his parents to shame.

Check out my books at: Tracykauffman.com.

Other related articles:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-Of-Home-Reading-For-Children&id=7557928

http://ezinearticles.com/?Teaching-Morals-to-Children&id=6150465

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Teach-Strong-Moral-Values&id=7424109

http://ezinearticles.com/?Teaching-Morals-by-Living-Morals&id=544663

Altors by Nastasia Peters

Author Biography

Nastasia Peters was born on February 14th in the Netherlands, 198. Her mother is French and her father Dutch, they met when her father, then part of the marines, docked in a little harbor somewhere along the coast line of Brittany. At fourteen she and her family moved to France.

It's once she cooled down and realized her world wasn't ending just because she had been dragged across Europe, that she picked up a book and read. Since then she never stopped and started to write her own stories that, at first, accompanied her illustrations until the day Zinc came to be and the illustrations accompany it.

Altors Synopsis:

Following the murder of their legal guardian, two best friends suffer the thing they fear most, separation. Solenum and Calycanthus must take the adventurous paths of finding their way back to one another, and as they do so, they will uncover the secrets their land has been hiding beneath a carefully constructed facade for centuries.

An underground war is taking place, kept hidden from the public eye by those called the Altors and Regius. Although unaware at first of what their involvement brings to the people of Zinc, Calycanthus Esquivel's close proximity to the Altors allows him to uncover parts of the truth, creating an important turning point that may just be the kick the Altors need to beat the Regius. But it is Solenum Everhart who will find the possible key that can lead to a peaceful future. Is Galax Kaminski an exception to the rule that says all Regius are cruel at the core? Will Solenum be able to show him that he may just be the example everyone needs in order to end the hidden turmoil?

While Solenum and Calycanthus change the lives of so many, their new environments forces them to grow, come face to face with danger, death, family connections and just a touch of magic. New friendships are made and love is found as the two best friends work hard on finding their way back to one another throughout a world they always lived in, but was a mystery up until now.

Excerpt:

Zinc was a world shaped out of three islands; a small one, a medium one, and a large one. The sea, called Zinc Sea, surrounding these three islands was so vast, it led the population to believe Zinc was a world of its own, not questioning what lay beyond the horizon as those who had left, never came back. They were assumed to have lost their lives in the dangers that lived under the surface of the turquoise colored waters. Although Zinc was definitely not impressive in size, its problems were. This world had issues so grand, three of the four types of people felt the need to keep the other clueless.

It all began when the people now known as the Regius, were granted the gift of blue blood. It is said they lied to those who created Zinc in order to obtain this power. Now, stronger than all others that resided in this world, they conquered Zinc’s regions and overthrew its peacefulness. As their blood was now blue, it poisoned their compassion and many aspects of their humanity. Cruelty was what the Civilians living under the Regius’ rule had to face. Had the Regius not lied to obtain the gift of strength, maybe it would not have come to stab them in their backs. And it was not how their inner systems had changed that was considered to be the punishment, but instead it was the new species that came into being. Children, part Regius and part Civilian, were born. Although not as strong as the Blue Bloods themselves, these hybrids had not lost their compassion or humanity, thus gaining the respect and love of those weaker.

The hybrids sought one another out, creating a rebellion to remove the Regius leader, the King of Zinc, from his throne. They wished to restore this world to its former glory, regaining peace, and installing a lifestyle where the Civilians would not have to fear bringing new children into the world. Did the war between the Regius and the hybrids start because the rebellion tried to remove the Blue Blood ruler from his throne, pushing out the cruelty that he harbored within even further? Or did the war between the two clans begin because the Regius King lied in the first place, creating the rebellion by accident as a consequence to his bad deed? While the second, of course, seemed more likely, another question needed to be asked. Who or what had dangled such great power before the eyes of a man, who’s greed for more was so overwhelming, it compelled him to lie and obtain said strength?

Maybe the entity who’d enticed the people now known as Regius was the one to blame. Of course, those three questions weren’t asked among the people of Zinc any longer. The war’s origin had fallen into the category of ‘unknown’ throughout history. It did not matter who had started it and why; what was of importance now, was who was going to win.

Never Sell A Product!

     As a new business owner, I've heard from several people that I should never try to sell a product.  Let me explain this a little further.  One time at a book signing a guy came up to my table and started browsing.  I went on to tell him what my books were about.  He looked at me and said how will these books help me.  Well at first I didn't understand what he was asking.  His English was not perfect for he was from a different country.  I went on to tell him how great the books were and he went on to ask the question again.  See, he wasn't looking for a synopsis of the book.  He was wanting to know how he would benefit in reading my books.  Suddenly, I had an "Ah Ha" moment.  I understood what he was asking.  Even though he asked the question, he was wanting me to take a look for myself at how I was trying to "Sell" the book.
     Most people don't want a salesman approaching them and shoving something into their faces.  They want to gain something from their purchase.  If one goes to the store for shoes, they go because they need them.  If a lady goes to a dress shop for a dress, they might look at how appealing it is or how great it makes them look, but indeed they need it.  Whether it is to help them with their personal esteem or simply because they need something to wear.  Every purchase is usually bought for a reason.
     Book readers might buy a book because they enjoy reading.  Why?  It relaxes them, helps them feel good about themselves, teaches them something or interest them somehow.  Whether it is a nonfiction book about health or a romance novel.  Each serves a purpose for the reader.
     From that moment at the book signing, I took a moment to reflect on how my books might help others.  Lets look at Southern Adventures.  Southern Adventures was written about my life, but it is a book of reflection on things that have inspired me and taught me throughout my life.  How can it benefit the reader?  The reader can walk away realizing that their life is just a vapor. That no one has a perfect life without trials or tribulations.  It helps the reader feel a sense of relief because they are here on this earth for a reason.  That things do not happen by chance alone. 
     I hope this shows you that a person shouldn't try to sell their book but tell the potential buyer what they will be missing if they don't buy the book.  Tell them the benefits they will receive; whether it is relaxation, comfort, reflection, inspiration or entertainment.

Written by Tracy Kauffman
Tracykauffman.com