Update on the Spring Vegetable Garden, New Beginnings on the Focused on Story Blog

JQ's Books

Hello and Welcome 

to the Focused on Story Blog!

Spring has arrived!
Photo of Arboretum Park

What a wonderful feeling to have spring arrive. My son-in-law tilled up the garden last night. So GT has been out there most of the day. He's happy the soil turned up beautifully this year. According to our local weatherman, our county is in drought mode at this time, so the soil is pretty dry.

Garden in spring 2018

So far, GT has planted cabbage, broccoli and lettuce plants he started in Florida, the beet and radish seeds pasted on toilet paper, yes toilet paper, onions and peas. The new plants in the strawberry bed he planted last year are looking good.

I love gardeners. No matter how good or bad the previous garden was, they are always optimists, believing this year will be the best garden ever. Believe it!

"The garden is growth and change and that means loss as well as constant new treasures to make up for a few disasters."  May Sarton

Our sure sign spring is on the way--the blooming forsythia!

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With spring comes new beginnings, so I feel like freshening up my blog and adding a schedule of blog postings. Below is the plan for the next few months.

The IWSG Blog Hop is always the first Wednesday of the month. #IWSG Blog Hop

At one time, I participated in the Author Toolbox blog hop, but the hop has ended. So I added the topic, Tools for Writers, to my schedule for the second Wednesday of the month. I hope it will be helpful to authors to keep up on finding new tools for writing and using the evolving technology.

Third Wednesday will include a post from one of these topics--Marketing for Romance Writers Book Hooks, #MFRWhooks, Guest Authors/ Bloggers/Influencers

 

Fourth Wednesday will cover memoirs/life stories with guests who have a published memoir to share with you, tips on writing memoirs and reviews of memoirs I have read and enjoyed.

Fifth Wednesday, if the month has one, will be my writing updates or a topic I share about writing, publishing or marketing, travel and fun. I titled it Serendipity. According to the dictionary, Serendipity happens "when someone accidentally finds something good." I hope you will find something good on this blog!!

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PLEASE NOTE: In July, Blogger will no longer be sending emails from bloggers to their subscribers to notify them when a new blog article has been posted. I post every Wednesday on this blog, so if you don't get a notification from me, it's not because I have not posted. Please check-in on Wednesdays. I will also use Instagram and Facebook to announce new posts. (If I can figure out IG soon!!!) 

You may receive an email from me if you are a subscriber asking you to subscribe to the once-a-month edition of the Rose Courier.

You can keep up to date with me when you subscribe. It will arrive in your inbox automatically if you sign-up below. Thank you for your continuing support.

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Girls Succeed!
Empowering girls to dream big!

GOOD NEWS--The re-release of Girls Succeed! was April 15. The e-Book launched with a big bang, even making it into amazon's top 100 bestseller list in its category! I am driven to get this book into the hands of young readers. The fifteen amazing women who tell their stories of how they achieved their childhood dreams can inspire girls to work to make their dreams come true.

Click here to download your copy of Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women.

Click here to sign up to receive the updates, articles, freebies, photos and fun in the Rose Courier. 

Thank you.

Twenty-fifth Year of National Poetry Month, #Nationalpoetrymonth, #Earthday

 

Happy Earth Day!!
Photo courtesy of canva.com

Even the smallest act of picking up trash, turning off the light in a room when noone is there

and/or recycling helps our world. The Earth thanks you.

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of National Poetry Month

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story blog!

According to the poets.org website, "Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters."

The month has inspired me to get back to writing poetry. At least scribbling my deep, inner thoughts on paper or maybe a journal. How about you? 

Just for fun, I made up this image-A Poem from my Mom

A Spring Poem--by my mother every spring!

"Spring has sprung.

This grass is riz.

I wonder where the flowers iz."

Okay, granted it's kinda corny and fun, but I delight in remembering her with her blue eyes sparkling as she recited it.

Let me introduce you to a real poet, my friend Sue Werner.

Sue has released a series of poetry books accompanied by beautiful images. She describes her poems as "A journey in verse to discover the presence of God in our lives by seeing the ordinary as extraordinary." She began by writing her own poems every day and then felt the call to record them in these beautiful eBooks and print book. Celebrate Poetry month with Sue Werner's inspirational poems.

Click here to download the eBook or order the print book.

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PLEASE NOTE: As I understand it, Blogger will no longer be sending emails from bloggers to their subscribers to notify them when a new blog article has been posted. I post every Wednesday on this blog, so if you don't get a notification from me, it's not because I have not posted. Check-in on Wednesdays. I will also use Instagram and Facebook to announce new posts. (If I can figure out IG soon!!!) 

You can keep up to date with me when you subscribe to my once-a-month newsletter. It will arrive in your inbox automatically if you sign-up below. Thank you for your continuing support.

Click here to download your copy of Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women now during the special 99 cent sale during Launch Week! Thursday, April 22 is the last day for the sale. Time is running out!!

Click here to sign up to receive the articles, freebies, photos and fun in the Rose Courier.

THANK YOU for your kind words, reviews and shouting about the 2, yes 2, new releases this year! You are the best!!

 

Both books are available for download at major online booksellers. 

Arranging a Dream is available in print at amazon and bn.com. 

 

Sue has released a series of poetry books accompanied by beautiful images. She describes her poems as "A journey in verse to discover the presence of God in our lives by seeing the ordinary as extraordinary."

She began by writing her own poems every day and then felt the call to record them in these beautiful eBooks and print book.

Celebrate Poetry month with Sue Werner's inspirational poems.

Announcing: Book Launch is This Week for Girls Succeed! a Non-fiction eBook for Girls by J.Q. Rose

Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
by J.Q.Rose
Non-fiction eBook for Girls 10-13 years old
Empowering Girls to Dream Big!!

Hello and WELCOME to the Focused on Story Blog!

If I stop myself from shouting today, I will explode!!

Graphic courtesy of Pixabay by GraphicMamaTeam

I am announcing "The re-release of Girls Succeed! launches on Wednesday, April 14!" 

Yes! Yes! Yes!

My dream was to interview amazing women for Girls Succeed! and share their stories with  MG  girls. Working with girls and young women at a girls' summer camp in 2003-2007 gave me the opportunity to meet outstanding, talented campers and camp counselors. They made me realize the bright promise for their future was within reach if the girls could pursue their passion to make their aspirations happen. They needed to know women who had done that.

The contemporary role models in the book were young girls with dreams for their future. Today these women share their stories that will inspire girls to work toward turning their childhood dreams into reality.

Amazing role models for girls.

The original version of Girls Succeed! was written in 2010 with updates through the years. 

This 2021 edition includes new content and a new interview. 

Stacy Prescott, Attorney

Because of a request from one of my readers, I added a story about an attorney. Stacy Prescott wanted to be a lawyer eversince she cuddled up on the couch with her grandmother to watch Matlock when she was five years old. This same girl is the best friend of my daughter. When I was a Brownie troop leader, Stacy told me she was going to be a lawyer when she grew up. And she is! Of course, becoming a lawyer isn't that simple. But you'll have to read her story to see how she became the successful attorney she is today.

An inspiring quote accompanies each chapter in the eBook.  Having live links in the resource section of the chapter adds more to the reading with videos about the woman and her career as well as books and magazines.

Pati Pierucci, Horse Trainer
Photo courtesy of Judy Woodruff

Pati Pierucci is a horse trainer and teacher of dressage, graceful movements performed with horse and rider that remind spectators of a lovely dance performance. A live link to a dressage performance and to Pati's business is included in the resource section.

Below is a list of the women and their careers.

Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women

Table of Contents

Chapter 1--Horse Trainer/Competitive Dressage Rider, Pati Pierucci

Chapter 2--Bike Racer, Mackenzie Woodring

Chapter 3--Children’s Book Author and Illustrator, Jane Stroschin

Chapter 4--Medical Doctor, Cate Bradley

Chapter 5--Chef, Sue Chef, 

Chapter 6--Technology Expert, Diana Stoneberg 

Chapter 7--Christian Minister, Laurie Haller

Chapter 8--Horticulturalist, Sharon Loving

Chapter 9--Medical Scientist, Juanita Merchant

Chapter 10-Olympic Gold Medalist in Women’s Ice Hockey, Angela Ruggiero

Chapter 11-Semi-Truck Driver, Barbara Totten

Chapter 12-Teacher/Coach/Athletic Director, Barbara “Chili” Chiles

Chapter 13-Social Worker, Lenair Correll           

Chapter 14-Entrepreneur/Product Developer, Veronica Bosgraaf

Chapter 15-Professional Clown, Brenda Marshall

 Chapter 16-Attorney, Stacy Prescott

Reader's Guide

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The eBook is available at major digital booksellers today!

Click here to purchase Girls Succeed! for 99 cents during launch week!

Thank you! 

The Rose Courier delivered once a month to your inbox filled with news, freebies and fun!
Click here to get your copy next week!!

 

#IWSGbloghop Controversial Topics in Your Writing?

 

Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog 
AND the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

Always on the first Wednesday of the month.

#IWSGbloghop

Happy IWSG Blog Hop Day and Happy Springtime!

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group is 

* to share and encourage. 

* Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 

* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 

*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. Click here to sign-up and join.

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April 7 question - Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?

I don't do anything "radically" different in my mysteries, but I do like to set the locations (funeral home) and characters (the daughter of a funeral director)in peculiar places. LOL. 

When I wrote my memoir, I touched on the debate between working

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir

moms vs stay-at-home moms. How does this affect a child? How does juggling a job and a home affect the mother?  In the 70s, the discussion could get pretty heated. Nowadays, lots of moms work from home.  

I also mentioned in the 70s, AT&T had to hire minority and female workers to meet a quota set by the government in order to win contracts. My husband, a white male, decided to quit working at the company because he saw no future for him. That was the situation that spurred us on to pursue our dream of becoming entrepreneurs by owning and operating a greenhouse. The flower shop was not a dream but came with the business. 50 years later we are still trying to figure out how to achieve equality and diversity.

I look forward to reading your comments below and answers in your blogs.

Click here to visit the participants in today's blog hop.

Thank you for stopping in today!

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WRITING UPDATES:

Last month I asked for some book titles for the update on my MG non-fiction book for girls, Girls Succeed! I appreciate everyone who suggested a title.

Click here for last month's blog post. 

When I asked for advice on whether I should create a new book with a new title, the Draft2Digital rep suggested I upload the new file to my existing page rather than make it a new book. They don't do second editions. So I uploaded yesterday after working out a few quirks with the ms. 

So, I did not change the name of the book. Do you think I should add a note in my book description about the updates and new content?

Have you published second editions for your books or published an "older" book under a new title? 

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you!!

Here's the new book cover. 

Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
by J.Q. Rose
Pre-order and Book Launch Special Price--99 cents!!
Click here to pre-order from your favorite online bookseller. 
The official release day is April 14!!

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Do you know Smashwords is having a HALF-PRICE SALE THIS MONTH?

J.Q.'s Mysteries on Sale at Smashwords

My publisher has put the books from BWL Publishing on sale for half price. You can pick up my mysteries AND my new release, Arranging a Dream, for $1.49!! 

Click here to grab some wonderful reads while sitting on the beach or in the AC this summer!!!

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The Rose Courier

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