Give Thanks || Give Books

Happy Thanksgiving. We're giving thanks and giving books this week! That's right- it's an Adventures of the Brothers Brave & Noble give away!

Head over to http://tinyurl.com/braveandnoblegiveaway and click the link to follow me on Twitter. It's that easy! All new followers will be entered for a chance to win a FREE copy of The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble: The Existence.

It's awesome to me that this year one of the things I have to be thankful for is this book being out in the world, and for you taking it in and entering this story with me and my family. Thank you, dear reader.


From under the kitchen table,
clh xo

All Saints' Day {the Richmond's Orchard Party}

It's All Saint's Day. This picture is from an article entitled "All Saints' Day and All Souls" over at Local-life.com, highlighting the tradition of beautiful displays of lights in glass jars that are put out at cemeteries, specifically in Poland, remembering the lives of those buried there.

Traditions are important to the Hewlett's, and so are friends. This is why November 1st is one of their favorite days of the year; November 1st is All Saints Day, and their best family-friend's annual Orchard Party. Every year on November 1st, Roxanne Richmond makes all her best treats, and Tessa is in charge of making the property look magical and cozy in such a way no one else can. Friends, family, and neighbors all gather in the Richmond's orchard to enjoy the bonfire, the company, and the food, as they welcome in the approaching Holiday Season, celebrating the beauty and comfort of being a part of a body of believers that traces back thousands of years.

At the end of The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble, we find the Hewletts at the Richmond's Annual Orchard Party, but this year's proves to be a very special one, for reasons I cannot disclose in this blogpost so as not to ruin a wonderful ending if I do say so myself. So in honor of a very important November 1st in the lives of our friends (capital F and otherwise), I've decided to bring to you a little treat of my own. The following are 728 words, unpublished until now, on my understanding of how the Fort in the woods came to be. This was part of the original rough draft manuscript, which was basically colossal and full of all kinds of stuff the readers didn't particularly care about or need to know. But I needed to know these things. Because I needed to get to know Peter and Tessa, and their woods. So here's that little backstory, in honor of belonging to a Greater backstory myself.

From under the kitchen table,
clh

The Fort

He’d been working on it secretly for a while and the day he finished he came into the house giddy with the glimmer of youth in his eyes. He breathlessly accosted Contessa, who was lounging in her chair with the newspaper,

“Hey, come with me to the woods.” At the time, she was incredibly pregnant; Brave was due any day. She just chuckled, honestly thinking Peter was joking. When she noticed he remained standing in front of her with his hand held out, nearly leaping out of his skin with excitement, she peered over the paper at him,

“What’s going on?”

“C’mon, I have to show you something.” She took his hand, setting down the paper, and he helped her up. As she walked over to the door and slid into her sandals she asked Peter,

“Should we bring hot water and blankets incase I deliver on the way back?”

“Ha…Ha,” Peter answered sarcastically.

“You’ll be fine. I’m not sure if flip flops are the best choice though.”

“Oh please, don’t make me bend over to put on real shoes.” She was leaning against the open doorway with her hands resting on her big belly. Click. Peter snapped a mental photograph. It was one of those moments he wanted to capture in his mind forever. She looked adorable in his old cable knit sweater (one of the only things still fitting her these days) and the rest of her body seemed completely overtaken by her swollen middle. Yet there she stood, willing to humor her husband by hiking through the woods in her flip flops. After gazing long enough to let the imaginary film develop into his permanent subconscious, he took Tessa’s hand and closed the door behind him, grinning like a little boy on his way to the ice cream shop.

Tessa couldn’t even waddle at a normal pace and so it was slow-going towards Peter’s surprise in the woods. The Fort wasn’t but just four or five minutes from their backyard, but being pregnant, a five minute walk through a forest was a major undertaking for her. Peter noticed that her waddle was slowing . and promised,

“We’re almost there.”

“Where are we going again?”

“It’s a surprise, I can’t tell you, then it’d be ruined. Besides, you can nearly see it now anyway.” Peter peered through the woods and Contessa tried to aim her eyes in the same direction. At first she noticed nothing out of the ordinary, but then the twinkling candles in old jelly jars caught her attention. The candles marked the path up to the Fort and were also lined up against the front wall of the structure. If they hadn’t been there the Fort would have blended right in with its surroundings since Peter used mostly the branches and materials from felled trees to construct the front of the large lean to style fort. Noticing the candles and following their trail up to the new structure in their woods, Contessa froze still.

“OH!” She lifted one hand to her open mouth and let the other steady herself against Peter’s chest. Tears came into her eyes as she smiled and whispered,

“Peter...NO WAY!”

He laughed at her reaction. As her hands went up to her forehead in amazement and surprise she quietly said,

“It’s perfect. It’s beautiful.” She had newly discovered energy and was walking briskly now, but since she had to watch where she was putting her flimsy flip flops, and at the same time hated to miss the breathtaking view before her, her gaze darted back and forth between the twinkling Fort and the ground. Peter laughed at her excitement.

“Careful!” Tessa began giggling too, she had worked herself up to enough of a trot that she had to hold up under her belly bracing it against her bouncing up the path. The couple looked like little kids as the trotted towards the Fort. They stayed inside their secret hiding place a long time. The sun had just started setting when they’d begun their journey and now it had gone down completely. Except for the candles decorating the inside and outside of the Fort, Peter and Tessa were surrounded by dark. They laughed as Peter recounted how ridiculous Tessa looked romping toward the Fort and watched her big belly bounce and move with the rolls and kicks of Brave inside her.

“He’ll love this,” she said, patting her stomach, “I mean, it’ll be hard sharing, but...”

“Oh we’ll have a good three or four years before he has to know about it.”  Peter teased back, "For now it's ours."

Happy Meme Monday!

I do love The Existence's motto.

Where I Write

Today a wonderful thing happened: I found a perfect place. There are perfect places in the world. I believe strongly that under the kitchen table is one of them, along with the Mulberry Riverwalk in Braselton, Georgia, just to name a couple. Today, I add to my list the coffee shop I rediscovered in my hometown area of the Quad Cities. We’ve lived back in the Midwest for two years now, and I had not yet found my writing place. Today, it has been found.

I’m so sentimental about where I do my writing. Then again, I’m sentimental about most things. My personality likes things to stay the same. I like what I like. I like traditions, routines, and am highly affected by my environment. I began writing about the Hewletts and the Existence when we lived in Georgia. That was a long time ago. You know, way back when Borders was still a place you could go into and buy a book (or, in my more often instance, a place you could go into and write a book). So, from the beginning, I wrote at the kitchen table, and at the Borders. I tried other places, but couldn’t do it. A lot happened there at the Buford Borders. Not to be dramatic, but it’s where I got to know the Hewletts, and one time I even sat with someone while they died in the parking lot. Borders was important and dear to me. That’s why when we moved from Georgia to Colorado, one of my top priority tasks was to locate the Borders. Unfortunately this Borders was inside a shopping mall. Not my favorite thing. But it was still a Borders; the tables were the same, the chairs were the same, the drinks were the same, it was Borders Bookstore and I was able to be at home there. I finished the first installment of The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble there. I remember so clearly the night I finished. When the last scene and sentence came into my head I felt so many things. I loved it and new it was wonderful, but I also was so nervous that I had to get up and walk away from my Borders-brand table and my Borders-brand chair before I could type that last sentence. My hands were shaking and I actually took a detour towards the restrooms because in a flash of nerves I considered getting sick. It was the end. The big “The End” end. And I did it all at the Borders and the kitchen table.

Then, news broke that Borders wasn’t doing so well and would be permanently closing their doors- everywhere. I was angry. I “liked” all the Facebook articles about why Kindles and Amazon were from the Devil and what Jesus would do is shop at a storefront bookstore and read a book with real pages you could turn and fold the corners on (even though Jesus would never dog ear the corner of a page in a book. Never ever.) I’ve changed my tune since then, but to this day I miss Borders Bookstore. I still have the Borders Rewards key FOB on my key ring, and my Goodman (who I’ve told you about before) actually surprised me by taking us to the Borders the week they were closing, and had me pick out two Borders-brand chairs and purchased them for me. “You can still write at the kitchen table you started at and the chair you finished in.” I know getting sentimental over a bookstore chair is silly. But I never have minded much that I'm silly.

So as summer is ending and I’m getting back to work, I’m glad to be sitting here at this new place, knowing that later I’ll go home and sit at my kitchen table in my Borders-brand chair, and from these perfect places I’ll keep telling the stories of those friends that keep us company in all the places, especially the not-so-perfect ones.

From under the kitchen table,

clh

New Kindle Edition is HERE!

When The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble first became available on Amazon, a lot of readers were asking if there would be a Kindle edition, and I'm excited to announce that the wait is over; you can now get your Kindle version here for $2.99!

I'll admit, when it came to e-versions of books, I used to be more like Deemle Finnick than Ash. And when I think about the trends and future of e-publishing, I still hold fast to my hopes that as we forge ahead in the advancements of technology, we'll still see that a place for libraries and book stores is beneficial and necessary. That being said- I do own a tablet and my Books folder contains some of my favorite apps like Kindle, Oyster, Goodreads, and Holy Bible. The convenience and accessibility of e-versions is awesome, and I'm a fan of people reading, whether you're doing it on a tablet, computer, smart phone, or from the real life pages of a printed book doesn't need to always matter. Just get reading!

From under the kitchen table,
clh xo

The Adventure of Writing & Raccoons

This week I was honored to be a guest in Mr. Headley's 5th grade classroom at Matherville Elementary. Each student had their own copy of The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble, and they had already spent a portion of the morning reading the first chapter and discussing it. Hearing their questions and thoughts made my day. Some great questions included, "What's your favorite thing about writing?" and "What made you think to make them raccoons?" I loved sharing with the students, and I thought I'd recap some of our question-and-answer-time here on the blog.

What's your favorite thing about writing?
Before I could answer this question for myself, Liam (with whom I had the pleasure of bringing along) piped up, "I would say, for both me, and for Mom, the best thing about writing is the adventure." I smiled at him. How could I add to this perfect answer. Yes, I agreed, my favorite thing about writing is that the adventures I might not get to really go on in real-life, I am free to take while telling a story. I enjoy getting to know and becoming friends with the characters. I grow fond of spending time in their homes and woods. I cheer for their dreams and aspirations to be reached. All the while being the one lucky enough to make it all wonderful and as I believe it should be. Also, while writing this book in particular, I always had the hopeful motivation in the back of my mind that I was creating an experience for my kids. I remember reading my favorite books when I was a child, and I can see how they've truly shaped me. As some dear family friends, the Clarksons say, we are story-formed. So the possibility of this story sticking with and shaping my kids, and other friends and families, and individuals all over, is a very important and exciting idea to me. It's definitely my other favorite thing about writing.

What made you think to make them raccoons?
This is a testament to why we should ask the questions we have, even if they might sound silly and random after we ask them out loud :) because the reason I made Casper and Ash raccoons was a bit of an author's secret! But she asked it, and quite directly, and so I had to share my secret. Casper and Ash are important characters, and clues to a larger idea within the plot of The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble, but the matter of fact truth is I could have made them anything; humans, monsters, jungle animals, whatever -and that larger idea within the plot would have still happened. But Casper and Ash are raccoons, and I will tell you why: because of Peter Pan. You see, Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie is my most favorite work of fiction, ever. It's original, beautiful, and perfect. And as my homage to Mr. Barrie and the incredible story he told, I made Casper and Ash raccoons, just like the two little raccoon twin boys in Walt Disney's animated rendition of the story. And now my secret is out. It's a fun little personal connect/easter egg within The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble. There are plenty more, too. But you'll never know them if you don't ask questions (that might make you giggle after you ask them out loud in front of your friends).

Visiting the students at Matherville Elementary was so much fun, and I'm excited for Brave and Noble to become friends with all of them. Matherville, Illinois actually reminded me a lot of where the Hewletts are from. So much so, that I stopped along the windy road which leads up to the school in order to capture this beautiful landscape. It could very well be the same scene Brave and Noble pass as they ride the bus to school too.

From under the kitchen table,

clh

All the Way to Muscatine, Iowa

Musser Public Library was buzzing with activity from the moment the doors opened right up until we packed everything up to go home. Families literally were lined up outside waiting for the doors to open. I've never seen such anticipation over a library-event before. 750 people attended! I'd like to think it was because of the local authors, but I'm pretty sure it was the Luchador.

There were so many great moments from Saturday's Author Fair - from compliments on the writing in The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble, to connecting with other authors I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise. The moments that stuck with me the most, though, were those I spent with the younger library goers.

I was delighted with the girl who came up to me saying, "I'm going to have a book published soon, too! Well I'm still writing it. I'm on Chapter Four. It's called..." She went on to share a story with me so original and brilliant I kind of wish I'd thought of it.

The fourth-grade-boy who had at least six Greek Mythology books in his arms, explaining he doesn't usually like fiction, but Greek Mythology is actually like a part of history, "so it's still good."

The little girls and boys who quietly stood at my table for a good long while, perfecting the coloring sheets I made available for their creative pleasure. Every now and then they'd look over at me and giggle, "I forgot to make my pig-tails!"
"I added flowers."
"I made the horse an alien."

Yes Saturday was a good day, and I was proud to be the one representing the Hewletts, and their Friends in the Existence. I'm honored to make sure their important story of imagination, keeping faith, and keeping friends, gets heard. From way out in the galaxy, all the way to Earth. All the way to Muscatine, Iowa.

Whatever is needed, whenever it's needed.


xo from under the kitchen table,
clh

I was invited, and you are too!

I'm very excited to share the news that I've been invited to participate in the 2015 Muscatine Authors Fair! I'll be gathering inspiration from Tessa Hewlett's (aka Brave and Noble's Mom's) style for my station; rag-braided rugs, and magical nooks and crannies will abound. I'll be selling and signing books, and have a few special treats and opportunities planned for all who stop by for a visit, too, so be sure and come check it out!

10am-2pm

Saturday, May 16th

Musser Public Library

304 Iowa Avenue

Muscatine, IA 52761

How To Accidentally Self Publish Your First Novel

You know the feeling when you're just sitting on the porch watching the three-year-old play with dandelions, and your husband texts you that your book might have accidentally gotten published? I'm owning it. This utterly weird feeling.

Let me back up. I finished my manuscript nearly two years ago, having gone through the editing process with my dear editor Jamie Chavez. I had finally started talking with an agent over at Books and Such last August. Then that same month we moved our family of six, and my second oldest son got sick with a life changing virus. He was hospitalized for 7 months. My manuscript took the back burner. So, a couple of weeks ago when that text came, my birthday would be coming up in the next week, and as a gift my Goodman had two copies of my book printed. For us to have. Our family treasure. The week it arrived, he showed it to his friend Dave while eating a GMO-Free Steak and Black Bean Burrito Bowl at Chipotle. He casually mentioned, "Hey man check this out, isn't this cool? I did this for Cyndi; it's a book she wrote." Dave was impressed, and thought it indeed was cool. So cool in fact, that as he and my husband continued their lunch together, Dave searched Google for the book, found it on the printer/seller website, and Amazon, and purchased. The. Book. 

AND THEN! Posted about it on Facebook!

And then! The post got SHARED by someone else!? 

It was at this point that my Goodman realized the need to alert me, via that unbelievable text message, that my book 'might' have accidentally gotten self published.

My nerves made my stomach queasy. I was busy that night. I couldn't stop my world to set facebook straight on what exactly was happening, as people were liking posts and commenting with congratulatory inquisitive remarks.

Wait what exactly was happening?! I could have contacted our two friends and asked them to remove their posts. But I honestly laughed and thought, "You know what? Leave it to me to have this accidentally happen. I've accidentally self published my first book. That sounds about right. That's rather 'Cyndi' of me."

So that's how that all happened. That's how The Adventures of the Brothers Brave and Noble: The Existence was introduced to the world at large, and is now available for your reading pleasure on CreateSpace and Amazon, and why I was about the 26th person to know about it.

I am proud to say that it's a great story, and I'm excited that it's available for others to enjoy. 

Brave and Noble, and their entire family, are near and dear to my heart, and I'm excited for readers to come to love them as I love them.

From under the kitchen table,
Cynthia xo