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Throughout the world people will be celebrating food tomorrow but not just anything “edible”, edible items that are grown, natural and delicious.

May 19th will be about how easy it is to change your habits, improve your health and have fun doing it. Plan a dinner party tomorrow, a lunch date or a picnic where all foods brought are not genetically modified or processed. They are easy to find – they are in your backyard! OR local Farmer’s Market.

Chef Jamie Oliver is taking charge of changing the course of childhood obesity and focusing on England, Australia and America but BananaBoy is focused on Atlantic Canada.

While every day is Food Revolution Day for BananaBoy, May 19th will be a day full of education, promotion and highlight throughout Greater Moncton and no matter where you are I trust you’ll be thinking of what you’re eating.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

Join me in working for the betterment of food through our Facebook group that will be available permanently.

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Last week we met Angella Jacob from Mysterious Ink and now we meet the bet…er… other? half of this duo.

Meet Pierre C Arseneault, artist and writer extraordinaire:

1) Last week Angella told us something about you she thought you wouldn’t be so quick to reveal yourself. It’s your turn! Please share with something about Angella and tell us why you wouldn’t have wanted us to know that about you.
Angella likes to dress up in a Spiderman costume and hide in the local parks trapping squirrels. Once she has the squirrels she then likes to skin them alive collecting all the fur to make things from it. So far she has made herself a hat, scarf and mittens. She has recently become very ambitious and is now planning on a full length fur coat. Also she cooks the meat and feeds it to unsuspecting guests telling them it’s really deer meat and that’s why its taste gamey.
Oh, and when someone trusts you enough to reveal their true self to you, my advice is don’t betray their trust for the sake of a juicy interview.
But I will tell that even though she now owns an E-reader she is still very passionate about the physical book.

2) You’re a cartoonist as well. Do you find writing and drawing work well together or are they developing separately?
It’s a combination of both because unless I am only working on cartoon puzzles like I did in the beginning there is writing involved in cartooning. When one writes a panel or a strip cartoon, unless you are like one of my idols Sergio Aragones one can’t only rely on the pic itself to relay the humor of the situation. There are many forms of writing and all stem from the same place and that’s the imagination. The ability to tell it in a way that will be fun to read or look at is a different thing altogether. With that said to answer your question; whatever my imagination comes up with whether it be combining the two or not is what I do.

3) You’ve been working for newspapers since 2004. Do you feel your imagination is challenged enough with them or do you feel the need to think beyond the political pages and create something new?
I started cartooning by making cartoon puzzles back in 2004 (see my cartoon web site www.pcatoons.com for samples) with the idea of using these to learn about the newspaper publishing industry. What I did learn since is that the newspaper industry is a hard nut to crack. For the most part I have met people in the industry that are extremely supportive and very helpful. But I’ve also met some that were not willing to publish my puzzles because I would have the power to decide what they run in their paper each week. I also learned that the newspaper industry will need to evolve or it will die. Today we live in a society that has access to instant news online and so waiting for the next day’s newspaper that may have news that has come and gone in the world of cyber news is looking like a thing of the past.
Most newspapers are online now and are finding ways to evolve and the reason I mention this is that cutting cost is one of those ways. Why pay for a cartoon when you can sell an ad instead and make money. And another hurdle I’ve encountered with newspapers is that many are not willing to support the small (local or not) cartoonist instead opting to buy from larger syndicates. In Canada most of the cartoons published in newspapers are American which really shows at Thanksgiving, theirs and ours. Our Thanksgiving holiday going mostly unnoticed while theirs is plastered in the Canadian newspapers on a day that is not a holiday in Canada. Don’t get me wrong as I am a fan of most of those American cartoonist, many of which I admire the work they do.

4) You wrote an article last year about following dreams and started a writing prompt with a play on a well-used phrase “On a Dark Tuesday Night”. Do you enjoy using cliches in a cliché manner when it comes to a first draft? Do you cringe when you find them in what you read or do you find most of them so true it’s fine?

The cliché “On a Dark Tuesday Night” was used as a slice of humor in something that was written as a simple piece of satire I call “Jimmy Crack Corn”. If you take the time to read this mini tale that was later turned into an article about a writing exercise on the Mysterious Ink site, you will get the idea that most of it was not meant to be serious. Even though it is a dark tale it was written to be humorous.
But that brings me to a point I like to make which is that I don’t believe in rules. If everyone always followed the same rules when writing, painting, drawing or anything artistic then we would always churn out the same stuff over and over. I often tell people to make up their own minds whether they like something or not. Yes I value people’s opinions but I don’t live and die by them. I often remind myself that not every piece I ever make will be considered a masterpiece and to take the work in whatever direction I feel like. People are allowed to like or not like what I or we do. We ourselves don’t always like everything we ever experience so why should they like everything we do.
Clichés are not an evil thing and they do exist for a reason. Should one stay away from them… maybe… but that I believe should always be up to the artist to decide. I say be daring and carve out your work and take pride in it (humble pride) but don’t be afraid to take chances.

5) What do you read?
At the moment I am reading a Stephen King book called “Everything’s Eventual” which is a book of 14 short stories. But like most people there are not enough hours in a day to read more.

6) What scares you?
Oddly enough not much scares me and that is not said as a macho man thing either. What stresses me out would be a whole different conversation but what scares me the most in life is my imagination. Your imagination can create monsters in the dark or under the bed if you let it. It can create scenarios out of everyday life that are simply not real.
I mean I might soil my trousers if I was to accidentally fall into a lions cage at the zoo mind you as I am no Tarzan. I might get a scare if my car brakes fail me at a breakneck speed coming down a mountain side in a Volvo… speaking of clichés.
I guess what I fear most is not trying to accomplish my dreams even though I may never achieve them. I won’t sit back wondering if I could have. I had to grow older, wiser and live some to realize that one.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

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Mysterious Ink is a collection of stories written by a pair of, well, of characters who are trying to be found and, fortunately, I found them. They bring you tales of intrigue, suspense, mystery and horror through their site. Some of these short stories are stand alone tales while others may be part of a mini series.

As I’ve only ever worked alone this couple intrigues me so I’ve interviewed them in three parts – the first, today’s, introducing you to Angella Jacob. Be sure to come back on the 15th to meet Pierre C Arseneault and then on the 22nd to put them together.

The Mystress in Mysterious Ink

Thanks for coming, Angella:

1) On your site, www.mysteriousink.ca, you state “naturally takes its place and forms the essence of who I am and of who I am becoming”. What else influences your being and your writing itself?

That’s a pretty big question, as there are many things that influence my being and my writing. My being, as I would suspect everyone’s, is mostly influenced by my environment, both physical and emotional. What we see, hear, feel and experience always corresponds to what we become as individuals. It is my goal to interpret my environment as best I can in order to find the positive to ensure I am growing as an individual. My writing is of course influenced by the books and magazines I read, as well as the entertainment I often indulge in, such as tv series or movies. I love a good story that will make me think and imagine different scenarios. Often times I catch myself thinking of how I would have taken the story in another direction. This tells me that what I read and watch definitely has a direct impact and influence on my writing process.

2) How do you feel when your living life/ existing gets in the way of your finding time to write?

I sometimes feel a bit disappointed when I can’t seem to find the time to sit down and write out even one page because I need to tend to life’s responsibilities. However, I do try to remember that everyone has responsibilities of some kind, but some people still find success with their creative endeavors. Disappointment then gives way to fuel to motivate the thought that even though I have other ‘stuff’ that needs my time and attention, nothing and nobody can stop me from doing what it is that I love doing on my own time. Finding a balance is not easy but it is a necessity for those who strive to reach their goals. The time is there, however big or small the amounts. I just try to make the most of the time I do have when I have it.

3) Do you write on a strict schedule or whenever the mood and time strikes?

Being a single mother and having a full time job (with a graveyard shift nonetheless) means not having the ability to live a scheduled life. I would love having the ability to write on a fixed scheduled, but that’s simply not possible with the life I have. Children do grow up though, and situations change. I hope that one day I can have the luxury of scheduling writing time. As for now however, I try to write one page a day, minimum. It’s not always possible, and I am forgiving of myself if I don’t reach that goal, as I accept my life for the crazy and unpredictable roller coaster ride that it is.

4) Have you always written about the unknown? Have you tried other genres?

As a teen I used to read a lot of young adult romance books as well as horror and thrillers. I have written a great deal of poetry, especially during my teens and early twenties. As my reading interest focused more and more on darker, paranormal fiction, so did my poetry. My poems were always my means of escaping and especially of expressing what and how I was feeling. They were my diary, my journal and my time capsule. Today I go back and read poems I wrote when I was at different ages and I can relive what I was feeling when I wrote it. I still write the occasional poem, but they are mostly interspersed here and there while the chunk of my writing is focused on the horror and mystery genre. I do have a few ideas for stories geared more towards the drama genre that I may eventually dabble in, but that’s not for a while yet.

5 What scares you?

Clowns. I have Pennywise from Stephen King’s IT to blame for that. Ever since I watched that movie when I was but a kid, clowns have me uneasy and paranoid. I also get very, very uncomfortable in total darkness when I’m alone. Go figure, says the horror writer…

6 Tell us something about your writing partner, Pierre, that he wouldn’t be so quick to reveal.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but Pierre is Batman. I trust you and your readers to keep this secret. If you don’t and he finds out I told you, I’ll have to wash the Batmobile for a month. So please, shhhhh….

Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

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The Man of the Day

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. George H. Elder has a Ph.D. from Penn State in Speech Communication and a Masters Degree in nonfiction Writing from UNH. He also has a very eclectic work and personal history. He has been a college teacher, custodian, upper-level scholar, drug addict, weight lifting coach, bouncer, and much more. He has authored numerous articles in the popular press and even a scientific text book that examines the neuropsychological basis of human communication. He has also addressed subjects such as philosophy, free speech, weight training, drug use, nutrient effects, street life, and a wide range of other issues.

His varied life experiences and education give him a unique and interesting perspective, and he often weaves philosophical insights and pathos into his texts. His books are action-oriented, but they do not have simplistic plots wherein good vs. evil or some other hackneyed approach is used. Instead, Elder employs plot shifts that allow the characters and readers to question the relationships we often take for granted. For example, a hero may do great wrongs while a species once perceived as malicious can be revealed to be honorable and wise. This offers refreshing and exciting perspectives for readers as they delve into Elder’s texts, for one never knows what to expect.

SYNOPSIS

Child of Destiny (The Genesis Continuum trilogy #1) by Dr. George H. Elder

The universe is nearing its inevitable end, everything is being rapidly devoured. The last hope of a dying universe is to awaken the Seeker, a legendary metaphysical being known only through ancient tales. The Seeker has the capacity to link the entire universe; they alone may be able to spark the rebirth of the universe.

Many of those that remain desperately want existence to continue. As the remaining races struggle to survive and fight over saving existence, lofty ideals give way to brutal pragmatism. Missions are sent out in search of the Seeker. One such mission encounters Kara an outcast noblewoman of the Labateen, a Stone-Age warrior culture. Kara is well versed in the Seeker’s litany, beyond what would be considered coincidence –to Kara the litany is simply the ways of God. Will Kara be able to help locate the Seeker?

Those who wish the universe to end in disorder, with no more than a whimper are not willing to sit by as others race to alter the end universe. As these opposing forces mount their defenses, racing to see their goals are achieved one question stands out…

Is Kara the key?

EXCERPT

Child of Destiny (The Genesis Continuum trilogy #1) by Dr. George H. Elder

Edited by Julie Tryboski & Illustrated by Randall Drew

THE ANCIENTS BELIEVED THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO EVOLVE SPECIES THAT CAN PERPETUATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUED EXISTANCE THROUGH THEIR THOUGHTS AND DEEDS — WITH THOUGHT BEING A SEMINAL POWER THAT CAN OVERCOME THE DARK FORCES THAT DRIVE ALL THAT IS TOWARD NOTHINGNESS (“NOTLOH THE OLDER” OF HARKAD PRIME).

CHAPTER 1: ISHTAR’S CHILD

Kara had worked tirelessly piling heavy boulders around her hillside cave’s entrance, leaving a thistle-covered opening on the mound’s top that was barely wide enough for her to squeeze through. Over the years, successive layers of soil and jagged rocks were heaped on the boulders, and the humble shelter could now resist the fiercest storm and harshest winter. Long razor grass, thorny briars, and shrubs flourished on the stout construction, providing Kara’s home with a camouflaged barrier that served well against both four- and two-legged predators. The only drawbacks were meager lighting, invading spiders and centipedes, and the poor ventilation provided by the narrow entrance. Yet these were relatively small prices to pay for security. Moreover, the shelter was adjacent to a spring-fed stream that froze for only part of the winter. Of course, there was a constant need to collect firewood, gather fruits, nuts, and berries, and hunt, but Kara was proficient in these arts. She had to be, for such is an outcast’s lot.

She sat cross-legged on the cave’s floor, bathed in a shaft of sunlight that poured through the entrance. The flint tip of her spear needed sharpening, and she deftly chipped away tiny flecks of stone with a hard rock. Kara’s father had taught her the ancient art of blade-making, not that Torok ever envisioned his daughter would depend on such a skill to sustain a solitary existence. No, he had felt she was destined for great things within the tribe, which was only appropriate for the child of a Labateen chieftain such as Torok. And Kara grew to be a most unusual girl, a precocious child who tagged along behind hunting parties and played violent war games with the tribe’s boys.

By her fifth season Kara’s deftly thrown spear was regularly taking down prey that was nearly as large as she, all of which were proudly dragged back to the great cave. She even learned the old storyteller’s sacred litanies, repeating without error the lengthy and complex tales to the delight of family and friends. Torok was proud of Kara’s intelligence, strength, and courage, and considered her an ideal daughter. Never a man of many words, he once told her, “Blood of my blood, you are a very special child. God has blessed you in many ways and you make my heart proud.” Kara basked in the warmth of his approving smile, and found confidence in the tribe’s universal acknowledgment of her rare talents.

Yet neither Torok nor Kara knew about the awful mark she bore high on her scalp, the one her mother had worked tirelessly to conceal since Kara’s birth. The Labateen were the true Children of God, and only the most perfect in form could be accepted into the tribe. And to all appearances Kara’s long, thick, red hair, green eyes, hazel skin, and lithe athletic body were ideal, the quintessential elements of a Labateen woman. Indeed, all was perfect, except for a dark brown birthmark that hid underneath a luxurious mane of hair.

Leah, her mother, was horrified when she first saw the blight, although there was no one to share her shock in the isolated birthing cave. Her labor was long and difficult, and there were times Leah thought death would be a welcome reprieve. And a lonely, painful demise for mother and child was the inevitable penalty for a failed childbirth. This most sacred process was overseen only by God –- and God alone would dictate if both mother and child survived. But survival was only the first step, for then came the mother’s responsibility of ensuring that the child’s body was perfect in all ways. This was God’s test of a mother’s will to abide by the sacred laws that guided the Labateen for countless generations. These were the same laws Torok was sworn to uphold as the tribe’s Dorma, and thus Leah felt particularly driven to follow the ancient codes.

The birthmark’s grotesquery compelled Leah to contemplate bashing Kara’s tiny head against the jagged walls of the birthing cave, the floor of which was richly littered with tiny bony reminders of Labateen mother who had done their duty. Every Labateen woman knew that allowing an unfit or marked child to live would introduce impurity into what were God’s chosen people. The only right and merciful thing was to end such a star-crossed life swiftly. Leah roughly grabbed her writhing daughter, who still wore the blood and slippery wetness of a new life. She stared into the infant’s eyes, and suddenly her will to follow the old ways evaporated. Perhaps it was the long torment of giving birth, or maybe it was the blood loss, but Leah felt that God was guiding her thoughts and deeds. ‘Yes, God must want this infant to live,’ she thought, ‘And to live for a divine purpose.’

Leah deftly severed the umbilical cord with an obsidian blade and suckled the crying infant. With every passing moment the bond between mother and child grew stronger, as did Leah’s conviction that she was doing God’s work. But Leah’s convictions were the stuff of sacrilege, and that would lead to a dreadful fate for any Labateen. However, it was customary for a new mother to remain away from the tribe for ten suns after giving birth, which was yet another trial to help ensure that only the most able would walk amongst the Labateen. Leah took the time to make dyes from nearby plants and berries, being well versed in the art of marking. Indeed, as the daughter of an Elder and wife of the tribe’s Dorma, Leah was expected to be an exemplary marker and healer.

She carefully dyed her infant’s head, hands, and feet deep black, all signs that the child was one with God’s earth by thought and deed. She repeated the procedure over the coming days until the rich dyes were absorbed by Kara’s skin, hiding any sign of the blemish. When the day came to rejoin the tribe, friends and relatives saw the baby’s markings and she was quickly dubbed “Kara,” meaning, “Companion of God.” Many in the tribe thought it odd that Leah didn’t change Kara’s markings as the child matured, but few dared question a Labateen aristocrat. The query might be seen as an insult, and only blood could assuage such folly. The ploy served well in giving Leah’s daughter time to grow a thick and luxurious mane of dark red locks that hid the sin, at least until the age of ascension.

The spear’s tip was nearly ready, and Kara examined it in detail. A good spear and sharp knife were as essential as stealth, speed, and strength when hunting. Yet the hunt had gone poorly for seven suns, and Kara did not know why. Normally, late spring provided ample game, although one had to be ever watchful for the swift grenlobs that followed the migratory herds. The large, bipedal reptiles were armed with sickle-shaped claws and serrated teeth that turned many hunters into prey. However, a hunting party of Labateen was more than a match for any animal. Even a small party could bring down a tork, a hulking, wooly, four-legged brute with a nasal horn taller than a man. Yet tribal lore aptly described a lone hunter as the personification of a “sad thing,” and Kara was reduced to stalking relatively small rodents and marsupials, with an occasional fish supplementing a meager vegetarian diet.

She preferred hunting in the nude. But it was a chilly morning, so Kara donned a pair of well-worn moccasins and the long rawhide tunic her mother once wore. Although much-patched, the tunic was one of Kara’s prized keepsakes, and as she put it on thoughts of that terrible day wafted anew. The Right of Ascension takes place during the 14th springtime of every Labateen’s life, and the ritual is overseen by the tribe’s Elders. For women, Ascension entails having the head shaved with dull blades, being tattooed with sacred symbols, and silently enduring purification via the excruciatingly slow application of steaming hot water to the clitoris. The unremitting pain often caused visions, and these were a blessing from God if their meaning could be divined.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

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Although I normally don’t use this blog for a vote I want to ask you to do New Brunswick, and Sussex Elementary School in particular, a huge favour and best of all it’s free to you!

Sussex Elementary is in the running for an outdoor classroom valued at $20000 through Majesta Trees of Knowledge 2012 Campaign and they have been consistently #1 but would appreciate your vote to keep them there.

I visited this school for <a href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0981159206/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=monezine-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0981159206″>Brain Tales – Volume One</a><img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=monezine-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0981159206″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”" style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” /> and the students were so polite, eager and ready to learn. The teachers were welcoming, interested and invested in their student who stand out in my mind among the many schools I’ve visited.

Helping dedicated students enjoy the outdoors as they continue to learn makes voting daily worth it and I hope you’ll think so too. You just need to enter your email address, check that you agree with the terms and “Vote”. You can even enter the contest to win $10000 for a school of your choice!

Please visit Majesta Trees of Knowledge 2012 Campaign today and every day to vote!

Thanks for reading and voting,

Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

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Kelly is on tour with her newest book which is new to her in very many ways. Kelly Moran typically writes romance and features Man Candy on her site but this story takes on a more serious note and a lot of research. For more insight on this book please see my review of You Never Have to Remember the Truth or just buy the book!

How has writing You Never Have to Remember the Truth compared to writing romance?

Very, very different. With romance, if I don’t like the direction, or if something’s not working, I can change it. And where research and reality is needed in romance, there are no limits. With writing a memoir, you need to stick to that person’s story and the facts surrounding what happened. A ton of research was needed for this book.

When you began your writing career did you ever imagine you’d be approached by a criminal to write their story? How did being selected make you feel?

LOL. I guess I just don’t view him as a criminal. But to answer your question, no. I knew from my teenage years I wanted to write romance. To be honest, had this been anyone else, I wouldn’t have done it. I think he chose me because of a mutual friend he trusted, and because I write romance. He did what he did for love, after all. It was an honor working with Dominic

This story isn’t even officially published yet and you’re getting rave reviews. What’s your secret?

Hm. Bribes? LOL. Seriously, I think the case is interesting and that draws people. This is one of those cases I think will never go away. I think the positive feedback so far is because the book is told in a conversational tone–like he’s sitting right there telling his story. It makes for a strong connection. I tried to get as much exposure as I could to reviewers presale.

While interviewing Dominic did you have any questions for him he refused to answer? Did you swallow back any of the questions you personally wanted answers to in order to keep the book flowing?

No and no. I told Dominic from the start how hard this would be on him, and I needed honest answers, no matter how gritty or unfavorable. I asked everything I needed to know, and he answered.

I know when I started reading this, (unfamiliar with the case), and seeing Dominic plead or imply Lawrencia Bembenek’s innocence, I was skeptical based on Dominic helping her escape and becoming a fugitive for so long. Was that the impression you wanted the reader to have? Did you go in with any assumptions of the truth?

I went in with no assumptions other than he was involved. Dominic believing in Lawrencia’s innocence was not a fable told to readers to justify his actions. If nothing else, Dominic is honorable. He owns up to his mistakes. I believe most everything he said, and I believe he believes it.

Was there, at any point after you decided to write this story, a time you wanted out for reasons pertaining to the truth Dominic told?

No, not out. At one point I may have been worried about lawsuits, but to be honest, this is a memoir, told from his point of view, and it should be taken in that manner. We put up notices in the book and clearly marked what was rumor versus what could be proven as true–especially about the murder.

Romance was still an underlying theme in this. Do you feel your history of writing romance and your love of it helped you highlight the love/ hate relationship so evident in these “characters”?

Oh yeah, and again, I think that’s why he chose me. Love/hate is so accurate too. He did what he did for love, and the only way the reader will connect with that was to show them how it started, how he felt, and why.

Was it difficult having characters already in existence when you were telling this story?

Yes and no. Their physical descriptions were set, their personalities set. I just had to interpret them. That was the hard part. I’d go to write a scene, and had to triple think what they would have done and what they did do.

How do you think this will help improve your writing fiction overall?

To be honest, these are so separate in my head, I’m not sure. I think, in a way, it really helped me understand the male psyche, and that we all have the potential to do something out of character if blinded by love.

If Dominic was a character in one of your fictional novels do you think you’d make him any different? And Lawrencia?

If I were to write this book as fiction, things would have gone a lot differently. I’m trained to write “happily ever afters.” Aside from the beauty of her youth, Lawrencia did not have the characteristics of a good heroine. Her public facade was very different from her private one. People defend her to this day I think because of the railroaded conviction and injustice, not because they liked her. Dominic, on the other hand, is one of those what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guys, making him likeable. He has a great sense of humor and is a people person. His actions are ruled by his feelings. In saying that, that’s also his weakness and what got him into trouble. Funny thing about this whole scenario, though he regrets a lot of things, he doesn’t take them back. That says something about his character, and definitely has the foundation for a hero.

Do you want to know if Christine Schultz’s children read this book and what they think of it?

Ooh. Good question. Tough one. I suppose I would, yes. Christine’s murder set about a chain-reaction which still has ripples to this day. Dominic and I agree that the most tragic thing in all this is that those boys were not only there when it happened, but that they had to live without their mother. At the time of trial, they were adamant it was not Lawrencia who did this. But they were young, and I often wonder if their views and memories have changed through the years based off what their father told them. I hope they find their own truth someday, and that they know this was not their fault.

Thank you very much for answering these questions, Kelly. I wish you all the best with whatever writing paths you chose and may your family continue to support you in all of your awesome creative endeavours.

And thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm
 

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There are so many Canadian authors to celebrate that I really don’t have time to list them all so I want you to help. Let me know who your favourite is and comment who you think mine is/are for a chance to win a free ebook.

A few I can think of include:

Farley Mowat
Lee Thompson
Eileen Schuh
Chad Pelley
Margaret Atwood
Jennifer McGrath Kent
Robert Munsch
Alexander McLeod

The list goes on and on and and will never be complete as I know so many emerging writers/ soon-to-be authors.

Who do you love to read?

Thanks for reading,
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

Sarah Butland

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Although I haven’t done the research others have been able to, I realize how awful this whole scenario is but figure everyone has been sharing an opinion of this stunt so I would blanket the world with mine today.

Honestly, I fell hook line and little boy into the video. Not only was it shared on Facebook first (that I saw) by a trusted advisor of mine who I look up to (and still do, as hey, I shared it too) but it was a kind and loving father and his adoring son. As a new-ish mom myself of course I saw my William and my husband as the characters and was blinded by all else.

I immediately shared after almost weeping by the end of the video. Feeling empowered to blanket the world with awareness (although I had no desire to purchase the kit) and set things right. I’m just now struggling with what is right and what I can do about it.

Kony is just one example of what is wrong with the world. Apparently, a lot of people think Invisible Children is another.

What all this hype did, however, is make innocent people realize their is corruption in the world – either through governments or people trying to pull at our heart strings and doing it so well and easily. There are invisible children in this world, in our own community and this video made us talk about it like Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code had as thinking religion. Do I compare Jason Russell, the director and essentially the man behind the video to Dan Brown – absolutely not as one was portrayed and declared as fiction while the other as the absolute truth.

Therein lies my frustration as I know there are three sides to every truth – what you believe, what they believe and what is. And where I am today is not anywhere close to where I was yesterday or my almost 30 years before today. So where do I stand? Very good question but I do know I’ll help every invisible child I can through awareness and all I have left.

What are you doing on this day of April 20, 2012?

Thanks for reading and thinking,

Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

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And now, on this glorious release day for A Deeper Darkness (Samantha Owens, Book 1), I give you part two of my interview with the fabulous J.T. Ellison!

1. What it your favourite JT Ellison novel? And who is your favourite author outside of yourself and what’s your favourite book by him/her or someone else?

That is so difficult to answer. Whatever book I’ve just finished is always my favorite. Each of them has something incredibly special associated with it. I loved THE COLD ROOM, and SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH. And THE IMMORTALS. AND JUDAS KISS, because I felt like I had a big breakthrough as a writer on that one. I will say this, generally the worse I think a book is, the better it’s received. I’m a bit hard on my darlings.

My favorite author list is long and varied, from folks like JK Rowling and Diana Gabaldon to Ayn Rand and Vladimir Nabokov. Anthem and Lolita are two of my all-time favorites. In crime fiction, I’m big on Greg Rucka, Alex Kava, Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child, John Connolly, Jeff Abbott, Lisa Gardner, Erica Spindler, Laura Benedict, Allison Brennan… it goes on and on.

2.  I first met you and Dr. Sam in SLICES OF NIGHT. How was it working with two other authors where you’ve been so accustomed to working solo?

It was an easy challenge. Erica and Alex and I are good friends, and we knew we’d work well together, because we’re all type A creatives who really care about character and story. I was amazed at how seamlessly we were able to build SLICES OF NIGHT, with the help of our editor, Deb Carlin. It was so much fun we’re thinking about doing it again.

3. What does your writing room look like?

Silver, with a little black QWERTY keyboard… I write on my laptop everywhere, all over the house, but my “office” is grey-walled with a chair and lamp and huge diagonal desk with a hutch. Gorgeous but overpowering. I’m getting ready to redecorate, a smaller desk and the walls lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves. Everything is in its place – I’m a neat freak. It feels good to have things organized and together, and I have to have things just so to work comfortably. Hello, OCD!

4. Is there anything unusual you do to get your writing started?

I usually have a theme song for each book, so I listen to that. But no, outside of a cup of tea, I just sit down and start letting the words fly. I do use Freedom, a great program that turns off my Internet, in 120-minute chunks of time, a variation of the Pomodoro method, to keep me on track. I can get lost in Internet land too easily – there’s just so much to learn in this world!

5. And last but certainly not the most boring – Is there a question that you’re asked with every interview that you hate?

Not really. It’s more the live, in person questions that throw me. Especially the one from total strangers about how much money I make. You’d be astounded how often people ask me that. I always turn it around and ask what their gross income was for the past year. That usually stops them in their tracks. Or how for the first several years I was writing, before I was published, when people assumed I was writing children’s books! Drove me mad.

Thanks so much for having me, Sarah!

Thank you for joining me, J.T.
and thank you for reading!

Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

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What do arts, entertainment, culture and Moncton have in common? Q, of course!

Jian Ghomeshi graced us with his presence at the Capitol and I was fortunate enough to be in attendance, all because of a jingle.

During the live radio show, and after, I discovered that Q’s host is much more than a smooth voice and presenter of intelligent questions. He’s a improve master, who is prompt, courteous and humourous. Not to mentioned terrified of the bubble man an audience member created for him (first the odd/ rude Howie Mandel audience member, now balloon voodoo – hopefully we will continue to get visitors despite this odd show of affection.

Although I wasn’t able to stay for the meet and greet I was already so very impressed with Jian’s ability to maintain professionalism throughout his interviews and talks without lacking comedy. A stellar showman on stage as well as behind the scenes, this man seems to be a grand example of overcoming obstacles and, despite some uncooperative interviews in the past, Jian rises above to increase his following no matter where he goes.

The audience was filled with so many (sold out) admirers from all different walks of life and each walked away talking about how great of show it was.

I agree. And next time he’s close by my plan is to meet him and be interviewed by him for being a local author paving the way for so many writers like me.

Thanks for reading and listening,

Sarah Butland

Jingle that got me there!

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