Carol Baldwin's Blog
Carol Baldwin is an author and presenter of writing workshop curriculum. She is currently writing a middle grade historical novel.
Catch of the Day
Gretchen Griffith records stories about Pilot Mountain Schoolhouse during the 1940s-1960s.
From the Mixed-up Files
Middle grade authors post book reviews, interviews, and have giveaways.
Never Give Up
Enjoy tips and encouragement for writers by Joan Y. Edwards
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A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“Middle Grade Novels Tackle Tough Stuff” by Linda Martin Andersen
Read all about it
on Facebook and register to win a set of great middle grade novels.
Read all about and help spread the word! Readers need to know!
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment. Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“Who’s Coming to Town?” by Linda Martin Andersen
In summer, many families travel to visit relatives or vacation out-of-town. This summer, an author friend is coming to town. She was invited to do a book signing at Ft. Bragg, NC. I hope you can stop by to see her and check out her latest book, as well as some short stories.
Who is this author who is coming to town?
Sandra Warren.
When is Sandra Warren’s book signing?
Friday, August 5, 2016 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and
Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 9:00 am – 12:00 am.
Where is Sandra Warren’s book signing?
At the PX
5050 Butner Rd, Fort Bragg, NC 28307
Sandra Warren will be signing copies of We Bought A WWII Bomber, Hidden Casualties: Battles On The Home Front and When Duty Called: Even Grandma Had To GO. Watch a book trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUmxqhIpadI
Hidden Casualties and When Duty Called are nurses stories about serving in Desert Storm.
Sandra Warren didn’t stop here. She found a way to turn her research and photos into another format. See here:
Come out and meet Sandra Warren. You’ll be glad you did. If you don’t live in the area, Amazon carries these and more titles in various genres. See here:
Everyone knows that one of teachers’ favorite back-to-school writing prompts is: What did you do over summer vacation?
If I were writing in response to this prompt, I’d tell about Sandra Warren, the author who came to town. Here are other prompts for you to consider.
Writing Prompts:
Who came to visit you this summer or who did you visit?
Write interview questions for a favorite relative. Ask the person to respond.
What family projects did you do this summer?
What tips can you pass along on how to keep cool?
What books did you read for pleasure? Tell about them.
How would you organize a book review panel?
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment. Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“The Last Cherry Blossom–Coming Very Soon!” by Linda Martin Andersen
NO, there’s no real danger to cherry trees that provide us so much beauty. No threat to them in that way.
So what is this post about? A new book called THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw.
Photos used with permission.
THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM is a book you don’t want to miss. What have you heard about it? If you don’t know about this debut book due to launch on August 2, read more here.
Earlier posts I hope you’ll choose to visit/revisit include…
I’m so happy for my writer friend and her writing journey! What a great gift to readers everywhere.
Readers, I hope you’ll try some writing of your own..
Writing Prompts:
Tell about a time your life changed for the better.
Tell about a time your life changed for the worse.
What helps you to handle things when life turns worse?
How do you like to celebrate when life changes for the better?
Who helps you through life events when you face changes?
I hope you’ll look for and read THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw.
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment. Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart “Blog Blitz” by Linda Martin Andersen
Over at the playground…it was a warm, breezy spring day. Kites soared above, people hurried along the walking track, and children played.
Jamison waved and ran up to his friend Bradley when he and his family entered the park…
“Come meet my grandma,” Bradley called. “She lives with us, now.”
Jamison hurried over and spoke to Bradley’s Grandma, who pushed a walker. Then he and Bradley rushed off to the swings.
“How does your mom know what to do for your Grandma?” Jamison asked.
“She’s reads lots of books. There’s one she carries with her. She says everybody should read it.”
Bradley looked back at his mom. “I think it’s her new favorite book.”
Jamison nodded. “Let’s go play some of our favorites.”
“I’ll race you,” Bradley said.
Writing Prompt:
What is one of your favorite guide books? What is one of your favorite how to books?
Check your bookcase for other books. Ask your parents to name some of their favorites.
To learn more about the book Bradley’s mom was reading at the playground, see here:
Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive by Joan Y. Edwards
AVAILABLE ONLINE TODAY!
Copyright 2016 Aidana WillowRaven and 4RV Publishing
SYNOPSIS
Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive gives you, the caregiver, ways to meet your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social needs and those of your elder to promote healing, well-being, and survival. Based on the author’s research and fourteen years of experience caring for her mother, this book provides many resources to find the right place for your elder to live, explains ways to improve communication to help find solutions to problems, and gives organization ideas for medical, financial, insurance, and legal documents. It offers ways for a caregiver to get time away from caregiving responsibilities and contains information substitute caregivers must have to keep their elders safe. Along with all this, the book explains the signs of the end of life, ways to celebrate an elder’s life, and gives duties of an executor of an estate. It also includes ten useful charts to assist in assessing and recording an elder’s needs and capabilities.
“There are several charts in the appendix for the reader to utilize by filling in related information, making it a truly useful, everyday tool for everything from organizational tips to emergency needs that will slide right into a purse or overnight bag. Certainly not one of those books you half-read then sit on a shelf to collect dust.”
“It provides links to online applications and phone numbers, ideas and resources as a starting place to brainstorm easy, meaningful ways to assist you in maintaining your elder’s health and your own…I wish that I had known of it when I was a caregiver. I know that I would have been prepared for everything and possibly paid for it too! If you have a family member who needs your help, don’t hesitate to buy this book. It is a valuable tool for every family, organization, or caregiver.
“This book is a no-frills, very well-researched self-help guide on how to help. The language is simple, saying what Joan wants to say and no more…What is particularly impressive is the logical, step by step way Joan analyzes each problem, so that without talking down to the reader, she presents a guide even a kid could understand and follow…I have worked both as a psychotherapist and as a nurse in nursing homes. My wife cared for her mother for many years, with me on the sidelines. From this personal experience, I can recommend Joan’s Elder Care Guide as accurate, helpful and even inspiring.”
Official Video Trailer for Joan’s Elder Care Guide
Joan’s Elder Care Guide
PURCHASE ONLINE NOW (Thanks) (Prices may change. Find the best deal for you!)
Joan Y. Edwards is an author, illustrator, and retired teacher in North Carolina. Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive is published by 4RV Publishing. She wrote and illustrated picture book, Flip Flap Floodle, and self-published it with BookSurge in 2004. She is currently working on illustrations for her chapter book, Larry, the Terrifying Turkey.
Her Never Give Up blog, http://www.joanyedwards.wordpress.com has over 340,000 views and 350 subscribers. She encourages writers, illustrators, and others to never to give up. Her website, http://www.joanyedwards.com has a multitude of Gospel-based devotionals, puzzles, and skits.
Joan is a member of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her article, “Find Your Creative Edge,” appeared in the July-August 2011 SCBWI Bulletin.
Edwards thrives on spending time with her family and friends. She presents interactive writing and motivational talks and workshops for children and adults. She reads humorous and self-help books. For inspiration and self-acceptance, she heeds the wise teachings of Robert Schuller, Joel Osteen, Maxwell Maltz, and Tony Robbins.
If you would like to have Joan Y. Edwards as a guest on your blog, please contact her at joanyedwards1@gmail.com/.
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment. Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart “Happy Birthday, Blog” by Linda Martin Andersen
My blog’s name is “A Writer’s Playground,” but he recently informed me that he prefers to be called Blog. Today, is all about Blog.
Here is how Blog has celebrated each birthday: (Archived here, like any proud Mama would do.)
Blog wants to tell all about his adventures and he wants to start at the beginning.
(so I’ll help)
In 2012, my good friend, Joan Y. Edwards, helped me set up Blog which I named “A Writer’s Playground.” I thank her for that! Blog thanks her too! Without her, he wouldn’t exist. And now, it’s Joan’s turn to receive some help. On May 13, 2016 some of Joan’s followers will participate in a Blog Blitz for her new book: Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive. I’m excited; so I know she has to be!
Used with permission.
For purchasing information for Joan’s Elder Care Guide, see here:
4RV Publishing: the price includes shipping anywhere in the USA.
Get your copy soon. Consider giving this guide book to anyone you know who is a caregiver, or leads a group for caregivers, or works with the elderly, or has a grandparent, or… (in other words, just about everyone)
Blog wants to tell about his growing pains.
Blog has decided to change things up a bit. Since May 2012, Blog has begun each calendar month with a list of ways to celebrate special days.
Blog will no longer provide a list of calendar events on the first of each month. Resources for monthly calendar events are available in many places. See some examples here:
Recommended lists of monthly calendar events:
Chase’s Calendar of Events 2016: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months– a resource available to use on site at many public libraries.
Search Archives at this site. Search by key words. A good place to start would be with the name of the month.
Blog wishes to add more flexibility to his posts to provide his voice (that’s me) with more time for writing stories and books, while encouraging followers to search out their own monthly activities. Please provide feedback so Blog knows how that’s going for you.
One example of Blog’s recent growth: In 2016, “A Writer’s Playground” participated in two blogging challenges. ” Just Jot It January” and in April: “A-Z Blogging Challenge.” Blog has visited many blogs unknown to him and has gained some new followers. Will Blog decide to do more blog challenges in the future? Wait and see.
Thanks for playing along with me as Blog continues to grow. Maybe next year Blog will be old enough to start school. 😉
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment. Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart. “Each Book Has Its Own Family Tree”–quoted from Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s blog by Linda Martin Andersen.
Wishing Amy Ludwig VanDerwater all the best with her book launch of Every Day Birds on February 23, 2016.
I love this statement by Amy: “Each book has its own family tree.” Read more of her thoughts at Kirby Larson’s blog, where Amy was a guest.
I read another profound quote by a visiting writer at “Sharing Our Notebooks,” one of Amy’s blogs:
Jenna Kersten stated: “I firmly believe that we can find the most beautiful moments of wisdom and insight in the minute of the everyday.” For more visit this post:
I hope you enjoyed these shares. Maybe one will lead you to write something special about birds or a family tree. If you’d like other writing ideas, try one of these:
Writing Prompts:
What do you think this quote means: Birds of a feather flock together?
What is your favorite “every day bird?” Name a person an every day bird reminds you of and tell why.
There is a famous writing skill book by Anne Lamott called Bird by Bird. Do you know what the author meant by that comment? How can this advice help you?
Name a favorite book about birds or one with birds mentioned in it. Reread it or tell someone else about it. What made this book special to you?
Have you ever researched your family tree? What did you learn?
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment about birds, a book’s family tree or your own family tree. Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
![Birds Party 2016[1]](https://lindamartinandersen.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/birds-party-20161.png?w=332&h=208)
A Writer's Playground 