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Debut children’s author, Doris Bowers, introduces us to her first book, “Santa’s Magical Christmas Tree”: Terrance and Velda Powers get to help mom pick out their special Christmas Tree. When they get it home, they find it is Magical! They find something Special and Magical in their Christmas Tree! What can it be? Keep reading to find out, and all the fun Velda and Terrance have with their discovery. This is such a cute book; children will love reading this or having it read to them. The joy and excitement captured in this story is quite contagious and will leave you feeling wonderful. I have cut many Christmas trees in my life, my family owns a wholesale Christmas tree farm, and I have never found one like this tree. I didn’t know what I was missing! The action and dialogue are great fun, from a nice, old man selling the trees to a mystery guest. I award “Santa’s Magical Christmas Tree” a score of 5.0 stars. You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Santas-Magical-Christmas-Tree-Book-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-santa-s-magical-christmas-tree You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/DorisKoalaGirl http://www.instagram.com/dkoalagirl/ facebook.com/doris.jarrett.52 Copyright © 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
26 Comments
11/19/2019 03:42:12 pm
This is the first of, hopefully, many books of Terrance and Velda and their fun adventures.
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Mark
11/19/2019 04:22:23 pm
You are welcome, Doris. We enjoyed your book. I read it aloud and Grizz wagged his tail.
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11/19/2019 10:32:00 pm
A little fact about my book is the little girl's name, Velda, was my mother's name. I always liked her name so decided to carry on her name in my book. I started writing the book a couple of years after she passed so it's nice to finally get the book out for all to read and enjoy.
Rocco Spanò
4/29/2024 05:28:16 am
Would you like to read my book?
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Mark
11/19/2019 10:46:00 pm
No wonder that name means so much to you. That is a nice tribute to your mother.
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11/19/2019 11:08:07 pm
I believe this genre picked me. The story was in my mind for a while and then I just had to start writing the story down on paper...well, typing it rather! Same with my second book, it's in my mind and stays there until I start putting it down on paper. I actually already have ideas for other fun adventures for Velda and Terrance in my head just waiting to get written down! Never ending.
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Mark
11/19/2019 11:23:55 pm
It's a nice looking tree. I like the Santa bear figures at the bottom of the tree. 11/20/2019 03:37:56 pm
The title was easy. Not really sure how but the story is a magical tree with a surprise + Christmas + Santa = Santa's Magical Christmas Tree! The name Terrance I made up. I don't even know anyone by that name, but I knew I needed a specific name to go with Velda. I made up all the names but Velda. I'm so creative! 😄
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Mark
11/20/2019 03:55:27 pm
The title is just right for a children's book, no doubt.
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11/20/2019 04:08:59 pm
I did one query but they failed to state they were only taking 5 manuscripts. Over 5,000 were submitted. So I'm more cautious now. I like the self-published way because you can get your book out there at least. Sure, maybe it won't get discovered but I can take pride in that I finished and am trying.
Mark
11/20/2019 04:34:17 pm
Tons of blogs have been written on how to query, how to find an agent and land a publisher. I think it's far tougher than it was before Amazon. Jeff Bezos turned the publishing world upside-down! It has never recovered. So many publishers have left the stage.
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11/20/2019 09:53:15 pm
Yes I did do a lot of research. I've been in the legal field 30 years so I know a little something about not letting go of my copyright.
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Mark
11/20/2019 10:10:11 pm
Wonderful. If you ever want to write a blog about copyright for authors I would love to offer you a spot as a guest blogger. I think a lot of authors need help in that area of knowledge. There is so much at stake. 11/20/2019 11:00:50 pm
Oh Mark, I am totally an over-writer!! I tend to go back through a chapter once finished and cut even before the book is done. However, I keep anything I cut just in case I change my mind! Would I be alone if I admit that I actually laugh at my own writing?? Haha. I feel the characters while I write so when I actually find time to sit and write it is very enjoyable.
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Mark
11/20/2019 11:14:10 pm
Excellent! I am very pleased to have you write a blog for my website. This is such an important area, along with Intellectual Property rights.
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11/23/2019 11:05:45 am
I don't use any real people in my books. All the characteristics are made up as I write. When I write I write in order of what's happening in my story. I can't jump ahead and then go back and fill in. No, I have to write in a straight line. I do tend to sometimes read over my book from the beginning just to double check my story. That is when I may add or delete portions. It isn't easy writing so a child will love the story. I know once I start writing it takes over and I don't want to stop!
Mark
11/23/2019 12:12:51 pm
I am not surprised you write in a straight line. Many authors do, that can get complicated when an author is pantsing the story, not developing an outline before or during the writing of the story.
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11/24/2019 12:36:53 pm
I would hope the readers just get enjoyment out of my book and that they read it many times. I want to spread happiness and cheer and I believe my story does that. My goal is to put many smiles on faces all through the world. Children of all ages can enjoy my story, even if they are reading it to their four legged furry family member!
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11/24/2019 01:55:59 pm
I am currently working on my second book for Terrance and Velda. They have a new addition to their family and mischief abounds! I had hoped to get the book done so I could publish it this Christmas but life got in the way and there are so many different chapters forming as I write this book that it is taking longer to finish. My goal now is to finish it by next Christmas. But, as you know, sometimes the story takes over and we can't help but write away! This book will definitely be longer than my first, but it will be just as much fun to read.
Mark
11/24/2019 02:37:25 pm
Well that sounds very nice a new book and hopefully ready for next Christmas excellent.
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11/24/2019 04:03:07 pm
Lots if questions to answer. I would say my writing is pantster. I started with two characters in my first book knowing how they would appear and started from there. I would write and let the story sort of take me to the end. I always enjoyed writing children's stories. I enjoyed the homework I had in school when it was writing stories. I never really thought about publishing but when self-publishing came along I decided to do that route. I'm a no name author so I knew I wouldn't be able to get a publisher but Kindle Direct was getting really popular so I thought I'd try it. I at least could get my book out there. I feel like my book can have many stories so I can add to it as many stories as I can get written so I will probably always stick with Terrance and Velda and Santa's Magical Christmas Tree, with who knows how many volumes.
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Mark
11/24/2019 05:18:03 pm
Writing a series for children is a nice thing. Kids love a good story, but they like it best in small bites. 11/24/2019 09:42:56 pm
To me the hardest part about writing children's stories is making sure it is mostly written in their vocabulary. Even if it is an adult reading to them it should be so the children understand. Doing that is not exactly easy. I think the biggest surprise is me actually feeling like the book is done. I think in want I g to make sure the book is ready to publish I kept thinking maybe I should say this or that or have this happen, on and on. So, the fact I managed to get an ending to it was a surprise.
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Mark
11/24/2019 11:29:30 pm
I hadn't thought about making sure the vocabulary is age appropriate. That makes a lot of sense.
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11/25/2019 04:22:34 pm
I haven't started keeping a note of all of my ideas yet. I guess I should. At my age I'll probably forget what they are by the time I'm ready to start writing a new book. I don't have a strong ego but that wasn't an issue for me writing so I can say not having a strong ego was an asset. I don't believe I have ever read a book that changed how I look at writing, but I have looked at other children's books to make sure I am keeping the language "small" so-to-speak. Yes, it is difficult keeping the language so that children will understand but not too childish so that it is hard for the adult to enjoy. I just hope when people read my book it is one that they can re-read over and over. A new Christmas tradition for them to read at Christmas! I'm a big dreamer...but I'm sure that helps with the writing! Thank you SO much Mark for taking the time to present interview questions so that people will be able to get to know me more. And of course, thank Grizz for me! I hope he gave the story 5 Paws! Doris
Mark
11/25/2019 05:14:30 pm
Grizz loved the story. He told me he sees elves all the time. He is getting old.
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Who am I?An avid reader, typobuster, and the Hyper-Speller. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. Archives
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