Sunday Goodness: it's a small world

Together with his brother Richard, Robert B. Sherman wrote, “it’s a small world” - possibly my favorite song. I’ve only been to Disney World once when I was very little. I don’t remember much of it, but I do remember begging to ride “it’s a small world” again and again. Robert Sherman wrote some of the greatest songs of my childhood including, “a spoonful of sugar” – a Marry Poppins classic that still brings a smile to my face. Mr. Sherman passed away on March 5^th. I thought it was fitting to post his song that he hoped would inspire peace and brotherhood amongst children across the world.   

it's a world of laughter, a world or tears
its a world of hopes, its a world of fear
theres so much that we share
that its time we're aware 

its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small, small world 

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small small world

RIP Robert B. Sherman. You will be missed but your music will live on forever.

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle 

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss’s birthday was on March 2. It’s only fitting today’s post features one of his most remarkable books, The Lorax:

“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the tress have no tongues… I’m the Lorax who speaks for the trees which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please. But I’m also in charge of the Brown Bar-ba-loots who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits and happily lived, eating Truffula Fruits. NOW … thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground, there’s not enough Truffula Fruit to go ‘round. And my poor Bar-ba-loots are all getting the crummies because they have gas, and no food in their tummies!”

The Guardians of Nature in The Ancient Realm speak for the Forests, the seas, the oceans, the rivers… You too have a voice – Nature gave you one of the greatest powers on Earth: the ability to speak, and with your words you can make a difference. The only question is what will you speak for?

“Catch!” calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
“It’s a Truffula Seed.
It’s the last one of all!
You’re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax and all his friends
may come back.” By Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1971

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle 

Monthly Goodness: Saying Thank you

Over the last five days over 7,500 people downloaded The Ancient Realm!

The Ancient Realm was ranked #1 in Children's Nature for ALL five days!

The Ancient Realm was ranked #1 in Children's Action and Action almost ALL five days (it never dropped out of the top 5)!

This is a HUGE feat for my little book. I want to dedicate this blog posting to all my family, friends and the Hood River Library that helped spread the word about The Ancient Realm. I might not have a big publishing firm that is backing me, but I've got a ton of supporters that have gone out of their way to spread the word. I could not have reached this incredible number of downloads without ALL of my supporters. Below I've included an outstanding book report written by Kayla - I am truly honored that Kayla choose The Ancient Realm for her book report! And I am very impressed by what she wrote.

Thank you again to all of my readers - I am truly honored to have The Ancient Realm on your shelf or in your e-reader.

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle 

#1 Children's Action and Adventure Book on Kindle!

The Ancient Realm is ranked #1 today in Children's Action and Adventure! My little book is featured next to the Hunger Games! Crazy! I am so honored and thankful to have so many readers reading my book - thank you all so much. Check it out, # 1 Action and Adventure

The Ancient Realm will be free on Kindle till February 28th!

THANK YOU ALL!!!!

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle 

WhippleHill's Skype Interview: Dyslexia and Writing

I was honored to do an interview with WhippleHill Communications  about my years at Proctor Academy and being a dyslexic writer. Please click here to see it!

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle 

Sunday Goodness: THE MUSTN'TS

You cannot go wrong with Shel Silverstein, especially this one:

LISTEN TO THE MUSTN’TS

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me –
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.
Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Harper and Row 1974 

When I set out to write The Ancient Realm there were so many “MUSTN’TS” in my mind:

Dyslexics “DON’T” write…

So when I went to college, I studied Accounting—a major that requires a minimum amount of writing.

It’s next to “IMPOSSIBLE” to become a successful author…

So I gave up my dreams of wanting to write a book and went to work at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You “WON’T” get published in this market…

So I let my book that I poured my heart and soul into sit on my desk and collect dust for five years.

I am guilty of listening to, and much worse, believing in the “MUSTN’TS.”

So many times we blame society for creating the “MUSTN’TS,” or even our parents, teachers, or peers. But more times than not, we have created the “MUSTN’TS” in our own heads. The “MUSTN’TS” are our own fears that act as roadblocks on our pursuit of our true passions.

When I decided to publish The Ancient Realm I made the choice to shove the “MUSTN’TS” out of mind. It is still yet to be determined if I am any good at writing. I am not a successful author yet. And to get published, I had to do everything myself. But for one of the first times in my life, I didn’t listen to the “MUSTN’TS” and instead created the “ANYTHING” is possible if you believe it is—a much happier mindset.

I still get scared that I’ve made a fool of myself – that The Ancient Realm will never become a successful book – that I have wasted years of my life pursing a dream I have no chance of ever succeeding at. But being scared is a far better feeling than being frustrated every time I saw The Ancient Realm collecting dust on my desk.

Do me a favor, listen to the ANYTHINGS and together with me we can work our butts off at trying to succeed. 

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle 

Another Great Review!

I am so honored to receive reviews like this. To all my readers, thank you so much!

I would love to know how you got the idea and how you thought of Agnes, who is just perfect for the job.  The nature descriptions and the feeling of connection between various areas of our world are so necessary these days.  We all should be aware of what Nature can do and what we can do to help it, both the good and the bad, as Agnes explained to Torin.  I actually felt a bit sorry for him, he reminded me of the NY Times article about 8 year old kids who are attached to suicide bombs and then are told that they will not be hurt and that they will save their country. 

I hope for more stories to come.  The combination of Princes and Princesses and the message is brilliant! 

Lucy Bollman, Huletts Landing, NY

To view Sarah's middle grade fiction book click here: Paperback and Kindle