VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

A Good Story is A Good Story has moved from Monday nights to Tuesday afternoons starting today! I won't be on the show today because my 5 year old daughter is having a hard time breathing due to a cold that just isn't going away. I can't tell you how bummed I am about, not only my daughter's illness, but about missing the show. It's going to be a good one so I hope you'll try and listen today at NOON CDT (10am PST, 11am MST & 1EST). If you can't make the show then you can listen on demand at the link below. Actually the link below the info will let you listen live or on demand . . . depending when you tune in. SPECIAL GUEST John Kremer  Fran Lewis, a frequent guest book reviewer, will be joining the discussion. The very first show on Tuesday the 9th of November will be just as much fun as the evening show. Virginia Grenier will be on the show but in January she will be the host of her own show. John Kremer is an expert in book marketing ,publishi...

Have you written or illustrated a children's book and you need to get the word out about it? Are you an author or illustrator working on building your platform? Or are you trying to get the word out about workshops or services you offer writers, illustrators, parents and teachers?  I'm happy to announce Stories for Children Publishing is offering services to help you build your platform and get the word out about your book(s) and services. I've really enjoyed doing the "Interview Firdays" here at The Writing Mama. I've also enjoyed doing interviews and book reviews through Stories for Children Magazine and the Families Matter blog. Now with Stories for Children Publishing, I want to take it one step further and really help make writing/illustrating dreams come true. Below I have pasted a little blurb on these two services we're now offering at Stories for Children Publishing; along with the other services we offer. You’ll find our World of Ink Tour o...

Rachelle's fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children have appeared in Highlights, Scholastic Scope, Pockets, and other magazines. She is also the author of the picture book TREE HOUSE IN A STORM (Stemmer House Publishers, 2009). Rachelle visits schools and libraries as an author and storyteller, and provides critique and editing services to other children's writers.  As a children's entertainer, Rachelle performs at parties, schools, and other events. In a parallel universe, she is a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in crisis intervention, and a member of her local Rescue Squad. She resides with her family in New Jersey. VS: I want to thank you Rachelle for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. I am sure you have been in my shoes from time to time where you find yourself running around trying to get everything done. So to start here is the first question, what do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life?  Rachelle: I...

The SFC blog Families Matter is hosting Cheryl Malandrinos on her book "Little Shepherd" as it makes it way along its two month blog tour. Please swing by and learn a bit more about this amazing woman and read an excerpt from her book, too! About the Author: Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. A regular contributor for Writer2Writer , her articles focus on increasing productivity through time management and organization. A founding member of Musing Our Children , Ms. Malandrinos is also Editor in Chief of the group’s quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens .     Little Shepherd Synopsis: Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior's birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?   You can visit the Little Shepherd blog tour at  http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/2010/11/little-shepherd-blog-tour-with-author.html

There are several writing strategies that online authors use to help gain the interest of their readers. When publishing anything online you want it to make for interesting reading so that people will be more incline to view any additional works of yours in the future. There are various styles of writing that appeal to people online but there are a few that are more effective than the rest and for good reason. They all attempt to make readers more 'actively' involved in the content. Here are 3 guidelines for writing any type of content online that will help to improve your writing so that you may more fully engage your readers. Speak Directly to Them One way to improve your writing and make your content more intriguing is to address the readers directly when discussing your topic. Mentioning to them that 'they know what it feels like' or 'we have all been there before' draws people deeper into your discussion of the content. It is quite natural for some...

Posting a little late tonight, but I wanted to share two great blog posts with you. I think as writers you'll find them insightful. An Unexpected Benefit from Self-Publishing with Nancy Famolari  Author Q&A: Writer and Teacher Janet Ann Collins  Now to go work on my novel for NaNo. Wish me luck. I typed just over 3,000 words last night.

The 3 questions I usually receive from fellow writers, who have recently discovered writing are:       => Do I need to write every day?     => Is it better to use an outline when writing?     => What is the best time to write and how long should I write?   I often share with them that there is no right or wrong way when it comes to writing. One writer is different from the next. What writers must do is find what fits their life and writing style. What works for me won't necessarily work for them. My writing schedule may not be another writer's ideal schedule. Let’s face it . . . I don’t get to block out hours of writing time. I tend to write in short bursts throughout the day. And each day if very different from the day before.   As a writer, you may have productive early mornings or like to write late at night. I know a few writers who prefer writing after 10pm because the house is still and everyone is asl...

The key to success when working online ultimately is your ability to connect with others. Online relationships are difficult to develop when marketing on the internet due to the lack of physical contact. Special effort must therefore first be put into developing trust which can be achieved by having a positive impact over those you come in contact with. Here is a simple 5 step strategy one should consider adopting when marketing on the internet if you hope to become successful working online. Know Tour 'Target' Audience What makes them tick or why are they even looking around online! You cannot expect to 'forge' a relationship with anyone without first knowing a little about them. If you intend to be of help to them and make a positive impact upon them in some way it is best to be familiar with their needs. Heck you may discover that what you have to offer is no benefit to your audience thereby you are wasting both your time and theirs. Share Your Best Kno...