August | 2010 | Crystalee Calderwood, Children's Author

I really don’t believe in “writer’s block.” I don’t usually go for months at a time without writing anything at all. I don’t think I would be a very good writer if I didn’t at least practice writing when my “real” projects aren’t going very well for me. There are always blog posts to write, if nothing else, which is exactly what I’m doing now.

After months of flying by the seat of my pants and writing anything and everything I could think of (including several for themed anthologies, in genres I normally don’t write in) I am stuck. I don’t attribute being stuck to a lack of ideas or creativity, however. I have plenty of ideas. It’s my circumstances that have changed.

I recently moved back to Pittsburgh to attend grad school for Secondary Education (woot!). I’ve only been here a little over a week, but already my schedule is all off and my body feels all out of whack. While I’m readjusting, my writing has been suffering. I even have so many things started that I just can’t seem to find the time or energy to finish. I hope things start picking up soon!

In other news, I’d really appreciate an acceptance letter for a short story sometime soon.

Please enjoy this guest appearance by Stephanie Burkhart, author of “The Giving Meadow” available from 4RV Publishing!

Author Stephanie Burkhart

I just want to thank Crystalee for having me today on my blog tour for my children’s book, “The Giving Meadow.”

Just a little about me: I was born in Manchester, NH but live in Castaic, California with my husband, Brent, and two sons, Andrew and Joseph. I have fond memories of Manchester, but have made California my home. I earned a BS in political science from California Baptist University in 1995.

I have been writing since I was 5, first making homemade comic books. Now, I work on creating short stories and novels. I spent 11 years in the US Army and over 7 years in Germany. Writing is a passion that still challenges me. The Giving Meadow is my first children’s book and my first book with 4RV Publishing.

THE BLURB:

The Giving Meadow is about a caterpillar who hatches from his egg in the middle of a meadow. As he travels through the meadow, he meets new friends who learn the value of sharing.

THE INSPIRATION

I go to Blessed Kateri Catholic Church (in Santa Clarita, CA) and I’m involved in our Sunday Preschool program. We call it Little Church. The program works with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. I help to teach the 3′s along with 3 other talented ladies, Shirley Chang, Maureen Dunahoo, and Mary Tesselaar. Every year I help to write the Easter play for the children. In 2009, “The Giving Meadow” was our Easter play.

After I wrote it, I showed Vivian at 4RV. She’s also a moderator at Writing.com and I wanted her feedback on the story. She offered it a contract! I was tickled pink. It was a nice, unexpected surprise. I can’t thank Vivian (Gilbert Zabel, publisher, 4RV Publishing) for believing in the story and wanting to bring it to life.

Illustrator Stephen Macquignon

“The Giving Meadow” is wonderfully illustrated by Stephen Macquignon. Stephen primarily works in the medium of pen and ink and color digitally. He has had the privilege to work with Director Michael Sporn of Michael Sporn Animation Inc. He is also a monthly contributor for Stories for Children’s magazine.

Stephen’s children’s books with 4RV Publishing include Angeline Jellybean by Crystalee Calderwood and Colors by Dana Warren.

“The First Flag of New Hampshire,” by Stephanie, will be released by 4RV Publishing next year. It is a TW/Young Adult story.

GOODIE TIME: Leave a post here on the blog. I’ll pick two lucky winners to receive an autographed postcard of the cover. Winners will be drawn out of a hat, and I’ll return on 14 AUG to announce them.

BUY LINKS:
4RV PUBLISHING:

http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Childrens_Books.html

AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Meadow-Stephanie-Burkhart/dp/0982588690/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279556653&sr=1-1

BARNES & NOBLE:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Giving-Meadow/Stephanie-Burkhart/e/9780982588697/?itm=1&USRI=The+giving+Meadow

STEPHANIE ON THE WEB:

BLOG:

http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

WEBSITE:

http://sgcardin.tripod.com

FACEBOOK: