Enthralled Magazine Vol 1 Issue 4 - Think

Volume 1 Issue 4 May 2018

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e n t h r a l l e d
Editor: Susan Day
Contributors: RJ Simon, Barbara Avon,
Linda Cowen, Jennifer Irwin, Emily Williams,
Lana Woolf, Tienny, Kristin Martin, Nanci Lee
Woody, Michelle Wanasundera, Jill Smith,
Janet Fix, Susan Day
Layout & Graphic Design: RJ Simon &
Susan Day
Images: Stock Photo Secrets
Editorial enquires:
Susan Day:
enthralledmag@gmail.com
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Published In: Dunolly, Victoria, Australia,
May 2018
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“think”
This month’s theme is think.
“to reason, contemplate, reflect, ponder and cogitate.”
We hope this issue of enthralled gets you ‘thinking’
A word or two about words…
Contributions made to this publication came from all over
the world. So as not to get bogged down or begin a trans-
Pacific war on words, the editor has made the decision to
leave each article in its original format. You will see
different forms of English used in different articles. This may
to some seem inconsistent, but we believe in the
universality of the written form, and wish to engender a
wider tolerance of its use.

enthralled magazine
enthralled magazine creates a place for authors and w
they can speak and be heard. It will be the role of enth
writers and authors with articles, news, tips, advice and
people, each issue will be a collaboration of ideas

mission statement
riters to share their ideas and journeys. A place where
ralled to empower, educate, inspire and challenge all
more. While its initial creation was the idea of a few
from writers and authors from across the globe.

from the editor
Welcome to the latest issue of enthralled
magazine.
It’s been a hectic month in my household, and I
imagine the same goes for you too. It’s always
good to be busy, but it puts us under stress.
I find that I work best in these times, and I hope
that this reflects in this month’s issue.
There are so many interesting and diverse articles
- literally, something for everyone. You will
discover some great poems and stories, and
articles that will make you think about where you
are on your writing journey.
Our theme this issue is “think”. The cover image was chosen to do just that - to
make you think, and wonder about images that don’t normally go together.
As authors and creative souls we are always thinking, hatching and finding
inspiration from a myriad of sources. Many of us spend hours thinking about
our characters, our plot, and our publishing goals. We do this while we are
driving, walking the dog, and perhaps, even sleeping.
A good story tells a tale, a great story enables its readers think - that too is an
author’s aim.
What issues have made you think this month? Were they compelling enough to
write about? I’m sure you will find that thinking is a large part of what we
authors do best.
In order to make this magazine free forever, we are asking for donations. You
can donate as much as you can afford, as every bit helps.
So, if you find this issue joyful, useful, interesting, and it has made you think
then please consider supporting it. We can’t do it without your help.
Well, that’s enough from me; stay enthralled and enjoy.
- Susan Day, Editor

may
contents
feature article
14 One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Art
Do we need more of an open mind about some subjects
when reading books or even writing them?
articles
22 Photo Rights and Social Media
What one author did to avoid copyright penalties will
inspire you.
32 We Live in a World Shaped by Stories
Meet the first winner of the SAV Storytellers Scholarship Program.
36 Can Children Learn More from Fairy tales than we
realise?
66 Get Blogging Today with These Great Content Ideas
66 The Latest in Self-Help Books for Authors
21 Cartoon: Authors, are you strengthening and exercising your
muscles in ways you never imagined?

28 Lost Without Writing
One author’s thoughts on illness and what writing means
to her health.
58 Silver Lining: A Children’s Poem
42 A Writer’s Movie Night
Films to inspire and delight authors.
book of the month
62 Book of the Month -
The Sun Sword Trilogy, Voyage of the Owl
poetry & short stories
46 Check out this month’s
collection of poems and
stories from our talented
readers.
74 What Did Our Readers Make of Last Month’s Cover?
72 Word of the Month - You are going to love this one!
80 Your Turn to Write - This Month’s Cover.
82 Writers for Hire. Advertise Your Skills

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One Person's Trash is
Another Person's Art

feature article
One Person's Trash is Another Perso
I look at art as I do history. Neither fall
under the rigid categories of
mathematics, law or science. (Thank
goodness.) Each require an open
heart, and a mind willing to see things
differently.
By Barbara Avon
"Nothing sexist, racist, homophobic
or ageist will be considered."
Such is the warning I recently came
across when reading art blogs. The
question, however, is who can gauge
what is sexist, racist, homophobic or
ageist? The beauty of art is directly
related to how each onlooker
interprets it. (Save for the very
graphic, immoral and blatantly unjust
ramblings of a psychopath, not all art
is meant to spark controversy.)
In my opinion, "art" is almost
synonymous with “freedom". Freedom
of speech, (or song, or dance, or
design), can be best exemplified in the
art community.
Censoring art is like trying to speak
with a gag in your mouth: the
message is being conveyed but it's
not quite being received.
I feel that you simply cannot appoint
the same rules to artists as you would
non-artists. You can censor the media,
but disallowing a major newspaper to
use profanity is not at all like
condemning Michelangelo for
painting and sculpting nudes.

n's Art
Artists are usually free spirits. Or
maybe it's really the opposite and
you must have a free spirit to be
artistic. Either way, it becomes clear
that the term "art censorship" is an
oxymoron.
There may be some modern issues
wanting to be expressed through
art. Personally, I can't think of a better
means to convey opinions on
controversial subjects. Opinions
which might otherwise become
misinterpreted because of rigid,
impersonal approaches.
I find it intriguing that society has
become so uptight about these socalled
moral issues. The problem
should not be HOW we say it but
WHY we feel the need to have to say
it at all.
If disease, poverty and war didn't
exist, then perhaps John Doe could
busy himself painting pastoral scenes
and leave images related to grief and
sadness where they belong: in his
nightmares.
Perhaps the next Shakespeare could
finally emerge and the self-help aisle
in the bookstore could remain
untouched; dusty and forgotten.
An aspiring poet once said to me,
"Sometimes, I feel the need to curse
in one of my poems but I just don't
feel right about it."
My verbal response to him had
nothing to do with what I was really
thinking, which was: You may want to
be a poet, but right now, thinking
about the repercussions of your work
before it even exists, is not only
lacking spontaneity, but it's inviting
failure. "Express yourself any way you
want," I said.

It's enticing, isn't it? To think that
artists and authors enjoy a freedom
that no one else does in quite the
same way?
"The only prerequisite is talent," a
friend offers. I disagree. Talent is
subjective. All you really need is
motivation, a belief in yourself and
some guts.
"No guts, no glory," as the saying
goes. True cowardice lies in shying
away from what you believe in, or, to
be more in tune with the topic at
hand - if you are afraid to create, you
are not an artist.
Welcome the naysayers, address their
concerns but don't deny yourself the
freedom that comes naturally
with your craft.
Be BOLD, is my last piece of advice.
By the way, the oldest author
published was 102 years and 8
months old. F*ck, now that's
inspirational!
Barbara Avon is a Canadian author and
regular contributor to enthralled
magazine.
Meet Barbara Avon Online - Barbara
Avon On Twitter - Barbara Avon On
Facebook - Barbara Avon
Barbara was awarded FACES Magazine -
Female Author of the Year 2018
Do you feel as passionately about censorship or have we gone too
far? Join us to discuss this further.
Facebook or Blog

Linda Cowen is an illustrator / cartoonist and author of children’s books.
She currently lives in Mt. Mee Queensland, Australia.
Check out her great work -
Linda Cowen

Photo Rights and Social Media

Photo Rights and Social Media
By Jennifer Irwin
I was about to
start dominating
social media to
get the word out
about my soon to
be published
debut novel
when a friend got sued for using a
photo that didn’t belong to him.
It turned out to be a big deal and I
opted to learn from his mistake. I
pondered how I would promote a
book without a finalized cover
design, and an underlying concern
that posting only book cover photos
might get boring.
What I decided to do ended up being
exactly the right thing while incurring
zero risks of being sued for using a
photo in which I hadn’t acquired the
proper rights.
I wish I could say that I’m a genius
and it was all in my master plan, but
fear motivated me and it worked out
in my favor.
What I decided to do was use
personal photos to promote my book
on social media.
Since my book is about a woman in
rehab for sex addiction, it proved
somewhat hard not to make
everyone believe the book was about
me.
I used sunset photos for the more
sensitive material which was well
received. After all, who doesn’t
appreciate a good sunset?
Since I only have sons, I utilized
photos of their darling girlfriends and
paid them a modelling fee, which
they gratefully accepted.

After all, most college students
appreciate an extra hundred bucks in
their pocket.
With quite a few excellent advance
copy reviews, I used snippets
combined with personal photos and
posted on my social media. The
audience got to know me as a
mother, writer, and friend while
learning about my book.
The combination of book reviews and
family photos added a personal
touch to my feed. I became human,
and they got to know me as a person
not just, Jennifer Irwin, the author.
My audience learned about my
family, my life, travels, trials, and
tribulations. They even learned about
who my boys were dating.
Over time, it became clear that I had
done something special and touched
lives by sharing my own. I take pride
in personally thanking people,
answering private messages, and
reciprocating with retweets and shout
outs.
I’ve been amazed by how supportive
the author community is on social
media, especially Twitter and
Instagram. We all want to help each
other and to see our perspective
books succeed. It does take a village.
Connect with Jennifer:
Jennifer Irwin Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter

Avoid Getting Nasty Letters, and Only Use Royalty Free Images.
Enthralled Magazine Uses and Supports
STOCK PHOTO SECRETS

Lost Without Writing

By Emily Williams
The writing process was hard enough when I was trying to
pen my first novel ‘Letters to Eloise’.
I had the usual dilemmas: writer’s block, restless nights with
ideas tumbling out at inappropriate hours and the
monotonous editing process to grapple with.
Little did I know that it would only get harder; much harder.
I have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It began in 2007
when I was hit by a stolen car when walking my border collie, Tia. I developed
hip problems and swelling in my wrists.
After several operations on my wrists and then elbows, I was finally diagnosed
with RA. I have daily chronic pain in all joints. Typing became futile and my
newly found passion for novel writing waned.

Lost Without Writing
Not to be put off, I was determined to find a way to continue with my love of
writing novels. Writing is my escape from chronic pain. This creative output
temporarily whisks me off into another world; a world where I am someone else.
Without this escape, I’d be lost.
With the aid of speech software, I was able to get my passion back on track. I
can write, albeit in a different way and the story ideas again tumbled back down
onto the blank screen. I am back home writing; amongst the characters from my
head where I belong.
My latest young adult novel, ‘Rafferty Lincoln Loves…’ was published in
February. The novel was written for the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre
charity and with the foreword by the charity's ambassador, champion jockey
Frankie Dettori. I’m back where I belong and, hopefully, nothing else will be
thrown at me to stop those stories dying to burst from my head.
Connect with Emily: Amazon Twitter @EmilyRMWilliams

We live

in a world shaped by stories:
SAV Scholarship Program

We live in a world shaped by stories
Republished with Permission from
SAV-See the original article here.
By Storytelling Australia Victoria,
March 20, 2018
We live in a world shaped by stories.
Stories are the threads of our lives
and the fabric of human cultures. A
story can unite or divide people,
obscure issues, or spotlight new
perspectives.
A story can inform, deceive, enlighten
or entertain, or even do all of the
above. Personally as a story worker,
I think stories are the building blocks
of our world.
Our SAV vision is one where
storytelling is valued as a skill and
practice in the same way as reading,
writing, arithmetic and art.
Our purpose is to nurture the art of
storytelling.
Our Storytelling Australia Victoria
committee offered a scholarship to
the to Sydney International
Storytelling Conference to support
the building of storytelling skills in
our community.
We want those skills to be taken our
into the world to participate in our
vision of seeing storytelling as a
valued skill and practice.
We see this scholarship as a way to
nurture members of our community
in their art of storytelling.
We had a few very strong
applications that shared with us their
using of storytelling to create a better
world: Using stories to connect with
(young) people, to introduce ideas of
love, and justice and equality.
The SAV committee is very happy to
announce that Daniela Bücheler-Scott

Dani in the RAW Garden September 2016 (photo: Jackie Kerin)
has been awarded the 2018
scholarship that includes attendance
to the Sydney International
Storytelling Conference, covering the
cost of registration for the event and
$200 cash to go towards
accommodation and travel.
It was a really hard decision to make -
to decide who to award the place to,
as the applications were so strong.
But what we know is that we have
amazing storytellers who value
storytelling in the same way the
committee does, and that SAV is
excited to nurture the art of
storytelling by offering this
scholarship.
Many on the committee hope that
the scholarship is something that
becomes an annual event - and a
lasting legacy of the current
committee.
We wish to thank everyone who
applied, and to congratulate Daniela
on this scholarship - we know that
she will get an extraordinary amount
out of attending the conference!
Yours In Story,
Lana Woolf
Secretary & Memberships of the SAV
committee.
If you would like more info about
SAV please visit Storytelling
Association Victoria, or your state’s
storytelling group.

Can Your Children Learn More
From Fairy Tales Than Realistic
Books?
by Susan Day
In a fascinating report, Deena
Weisberg, from the University of
Pennsylvania, has been studying how
imagination can boost a children’s
ability to learn.
In fact, she claims that children can
absorb new material much better if it
is offered to them in a fairy tale or a
similar fanciful method.
Weisberg points out that while many
children spend their time playing,
there is more to this than just having
fun.
She says that new research shows
that children are more than capable
of separating fact from fiction, but
prefer to play because it helps them
learn better.
In her study, Deena Weisberg, taught
two groups of children new words in
a shared book reading program. The
children, who came from a wide and
varying socio-economic
backgrounds, were given new words
to learn.
The first group studied realistic
stories and the words associated with
them. One type of book used in the
first group was cookbooks, for
example.
The second group studied words
from fantasy books that included
dragons and magic, all that kind of
fun stuff.

The children in the second group
were faced with more complicated
words, which hindered their progress
at first.
However, in time they not only
caught up, but gained more
knowledge than the children in the
first group overall.
An interesting point Weisberg raises
is that further studies have shown
that children learn more about
animals from fantasy stories, than
they do from fact books, too.
So, there is no reason why this can’t
be true of other subjects as well.
One basis for this, Weisberg reasons,
is that young children seem to learn
better when the information
presented to them surprises them,
and shakes their belief or
assumptions in what they already
know.
Another theory is that fantasy type
stories are more engaging, and will
hold the child’s interest for longer,
thus allowing him or her to absorb
more facts.
Authors could keep this in mind
when they are creating their next
story. Remembering that the more
fanciful story will, in fact, have a
greater impact on their young
readers’ minds. And, this information
will be retained for longer.

Parents and grandparents can help
by providing a wide variety of books
for their children to read.
This goes beyond reading a bedtime
story. Books need to be a part of
every child’s day, from the moment
they wake up until that important
bedtime story.
For more great ideas see this article –
10 Ways You Can Help Children Learn
To Read Chapter Books.
Storytellers might also consider
telling a story that involves some
fantasy elements if you need to get a
point across.
You grew up learning how not to
behave with Aesop’s tales.
For that reason, maybe they are
worthwhile revisiting, and sharing
them again.
The other important thing parents,
grandparents and teachers can do is
to allow your children to play.
This will help strengthen their
imagination, and help them explore
their curiosity.
Curiosity is one of the corner stones
of intelligence. And an intelligent
child, is one who can easily
differentiate fact from fiction.
Susan Day is an author, editor, radio
host, dog trainer, artist and
grandmother; clearly she doesn’t get
much sleep.

A Writer's Movie Night
By RJ Simon
With all the “Write What You Know” advice for writers out there it’s not
surprising that we end up with books and movies featuring writers. After all,
Writers KNOW writers – right? Hehe.
Anyway, here in Australia Summer has faded into Autumn, and the nights have
turned fabulously crisp. It's excellent weather to start thinking about cosy movie
nights at home.
And, if you have children you might like to go all out and plan a special family
movie night with snacks and movie tickets (Hint – Pinterest is the place to go to
find free printable “movie ticket” templates).
If you have a fancy out door projector you could possibly even make your own
drive-in movie night! Amazon has plenty of them for under $100 here’s an
example:
https://amzn.to/2KqEYai
They also have also sorts of amazing retractable, inflatable, screens – we really
do live in incredible times!

After you plot out the finer details of your movie night, you’ll need to pick out
some movies. So here’s a list of 5 movies that feature historical or fictitious
characters who write – these are all rated PG.
At some point I might write a review for each of these on my website – in the
meantime I’m adding the Amazon links – they have plenty of reviews.
And here they are in no particular order.
Goodbye Christopher Robin
Domhnall Gleeson (Actor), Margot Robbie (Actor), Simon Curtis (Director)
Rated: PG - https://amzn.to/2KqF1Tw
Anne of Green Gables
Megan Follows (Actor), Jonathan Crombie (Actor), Kevin Sullivan (Director)
Rated: PG - https://amzn.to/2HB3ZSc
Miss Potter
Renée Zellweger (Actor), Ewan McGregor (Actor), Chris Noonan (Director)
Rated: PG - https://amzn.to/2jh3QVF

Nim’s Island
Jodie Foster (Actor), Gerard Butler (Actor), Jennifer Flackett (Director, Writer),
Mark Levin (Director, Writer) Rated: PG - https://amzn.to/2HI6le2
Romancing the Stone
Michael Douglas (Actor, Producer), Kathleen Turner (Actor), Robert Zemeckis
(Director) Rated: PG - https://amzn.to/2HIjR1r
What about you? Can think of any other movies or television series that feature
writers? Did you love them hate them, find them relatable or unrelatable?
Please tell us all about it in the comments. Also, if you plan an amazing movie
night we’d love to hear all about it!
Although, the movies above are all rated PG as a parent I always recommend
doing your own research and using your own discretion in regards to what is
suitable and appropriate viewing for the children in your care.
(After all, the editor of this magazine was traumatised by Bambi as a child! -
editor)
RJ Simon occasionally describes herself as an artist, writer, nature lover,
cat whisperer, and an average cook. She is a regular contributor to
enthralled. Read about her fantastic books here Books by RJ Simon

poetry

Light in the Dark
There is light
In the dark of the night
Many lights
Win against the dark sky
By Tienny Website

Grounded
I stare out the window
at the pink cotton-candy
of this morning’s pre-breakfast sky.
My meal lies forgotten
as my hunger flies, yearning,
through windows, to settle up high.
To be like the clouds
and the birds that fly freely
through the heavens, now that is my
dream.
But I know the sky’s cold
and it would be quite lonely
to play out this morningtide scheme.
So, I bring my mind down
to my pen and my paper
and scribble these words down with ease.
And then I feel grounded
and ready for breakfast,
while my dreams float around as they
please.
Copyright @ Kristin Martin 2018
Kristen Martin Website

LOSS
A Short Story by Nanci Lee Woody
Pushing aside the tubes leading to bags of fluids, she climbed into the small,
cool bed with him. She wrapped her arms around his pitifully thin body,
whispered, “Davey, son. I love you so.” Julie pulled him closer, whispered, “You
can go now. Don’t worry about us. I’ll be right here with you.” Within minutes,
she felt his last breath. Her mother’s tears flowed unceasingly onto his chest.
Brad arrived at the hospital shortly after, too late, aggrieved. Julie comforted
him, made the arrangements for their only son’s burial and memorial service.
Now, nearly two years later, the image of David, as white as the hospital sheets
he lay on, never left Julie’s mind. The numbness, gone, was replaced with a
searing, ever-present ache that made it painful to be touched. She slept in the
guest bedroom, her loss filling her consciousness.
Brad reached for Julie when his dreams were unbearable. He awakened with
empty arms, bereft, his heart breaking nightly at the loss of his son and his wife.
Driving home after one of their weekly visits with a grief counselor, Brad pulled
onto the country lane leading to their house, too big now. Without warning, he
slammed his foot on the brakes and screeched to a stop, jerking Julie into the
present. Her seatbelt tight against her chest, she spotted a doe as it leapt to the
side of the road.
“Thank God you didn’t hit her,” she cried.
Brad accelerated, eager to be home, but again stepped hard on the brakes right
before they felt the impact, heard a thud. Julie’s scream pierced the cool night
air.

She jerked open the door, ran to the front of the car, knelt, put her hands on the
warm, furry neck. “She had a fawn, Brad. Look what you’ve done,” she sobbed.
Julie pressed her head to the fawn’s chest, trying to find a heartbeat. “I think
he’s dead,” she cried.
“I’m sorry, Jule . . . ,” he began. “We hit him pretty hard. Come. Help me move
him.” They each grabbed a front leg and pulled, the fawn’s neck flopping
backwards, to the side of the road.
Julie spotted the doe they had barely missed earlier standing in an oak grove
nearby. “Look, Brad. She’s here. She knows.” Tears streaming down her cheeks,
she held out her hands to the doe, beckoning. “Don’t worry about us,” she said.

She felt Brad’s hand on her arm. “Julie. Get control of yourself. I couldn’t help it.
Come on now.”
She recoiled from his touch, knelt again. She noticed the fawn’s leg twitch. “Did
you see that?”
“I’m sure he’s hurt bad, Jule. You stay here with him. I’ll be right back.”
“You’re going for your gun.”
“You don’t want him to suffer. Do you?”
“I don’t want him to die. That’s what I don’t want.”
“Okay. I’m going now. I’ll be right back.”
He pulled onto the lane, leaving Julie kneeling by the fawn, stroking his neck.
Unwanted thoughts of loss filled her mind. Of David as a young boy, joyful,
riding his new bike down this same lane. Of her mother, who died suddenly just
months before her son. Her high school friend who, with no explanation, drove
her car into the river. She saw herself, just nine years old, her arms tight around
her collie’s neck, her face close to his, a bullet hole in his side. The neighbor boy
who hanged himself when he was fifteen.
Julie focused again on the doe, venturing ever closer, watching, waiting. Brad’s
headlights illuminated the fawn. He pulled to the side of the road, parked the
car, reached for his gun.

Julie sat upright, whispered to the fawn. “You can go now.”
The fawn’s front legs jerked a little. He tried to raise his head, laid it down again,
and then, with what seemed to Julie a valiant effort, he stood, wobbly, weak,
then stronger, then stronger yet, until his mother was beside him, nudging him,
and when she knew it was time, she leapt into the woods, her fawn close
behind.
Brad dropped the gun, took Julie’s hands, helped her stand. She didn’t resist
when he pulled her close, stroked her hair. Her heart poured out its grief onto
his chest.
“How I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Julie put her arms around her husband, clasped her hands behind his back, held
him tight.
“Bittersweet as it is, Jule, we still have each other. Let’s
go home now.”
You can discover more about Nanci Lee Woody on her
website - Nanci Lee Woody and on Facebook

Silver Lining by Mic

helle Wanasundera

Silver Lining
Imagine a stretching sandy beach,
with waves rolling in then out of reach.
You find a stick and begin to draw,
the greatest picture anyone ever saw!
A castle! With windows, turrets and towers,
a moat, a drawbridge, surrounded by flowers!
You’ve been so busy drawing your masterpiece,
you didn’t notice the wave’s gradual increase.
Oh no! Suddenly some flowers are erased!
Wiped unknowingly away by encroaching waves.
Your masterpiece is ruined! The turrets and towers gone too,
only the door and flowers remain, and windows — only two!
As the waves ebb back, you breathe in and out slowly —
then see what’s left of your once-perfect drawing.

You’re great at finding, disappointment’s silver lining,
and once again you see it shining!
Though the turrets and towers were sadly gone,
there remained a structure that stood and shone.
A house surrounded by flowers sweetly,
a home just right — for your family!
Michelle Wanasundera
Bubbles and Puddles
Facebook

ook of the month

ook of the month
Book 2: Voyage of the Owl
Five travellers true, a treacherous journey to take
A princeling to save, a kingdom at stake,
Fire, plague, sea and snow must test,
To the ends of the land they make their quest,
To fetch sun and moon and blade
so the bright magic is whole again made.
The sun is dimmed under Tira to seek
The blade is hidden in the caverns deep,
The moon and stars under sea lost their power.
The princeling imprisoned in a snowy tower.
When all is done the five may rest
When ice is conquered to win their quest.
This month’s book review is brought to you by Jill Smith. Discover Jill’s work on
her website Jill Smith or follow her on Facebook - Jill Smith
The Sun Sword Trilogy – Book 2 Voyage of the Owl
Author: Belinda Murrell
Publisher: Random House Australia

Ethan, Lily, Saxon and Roana have
already faced dangers during their
journey. They have cleverly solved a
riddle to discover their next task.
The Moon Pearl they must recover is
being sent by ship to Sedah, the land
of their invaders and they must
follow.
The fisherfolk can help and so can
Saxon’s mysterious seagoing friend
Fox. He takes them on his ship the
Owl to ambush the Sedah ship and
recover the gem.
I loved that even facing peril the
children still find moments to be
themselves. They discover each
other’s talents and strengths and
come to rely on each other.
I enjoyed this second instalment in
this series. As I’ve said before, I love
this genre and it was a real (virtual)
page turner for me.
I bought this series because as a
writer I wanted to see how the series
would be recapped in each book to
make them stand-alone works.
They discover the sea is a dangerous
place too. The children escape sea
monsters, wild storms, and the deadly
warship that they must sneak aboard
to find the gem.
Will Fox’s cunning and stealth help
them or will the Moon Pearl remain in
enemy hands?
Belinda wove important reminders of
the previous instalment throughout,
but not so much as it detracted from
the story.
Jill Smith Blog
Facebook - Jill Smith
Enjoyed a book so much you just have to tell everyone?
Write a review for next month’s issue,
and we’ll help you share it with the world!

Blog Post Ideas for Authors
This article was created by Get Online Fast
Inspire your site’s visitors with content that matters. Content that will have them
coming back time and time again, and content that inspires them to want to
purchase your book.
Educating and engaging your visitors is one thing, but blogging day in day out
on a regular basis is another, and usually means a lot of commitment and hard
work.
If you have been blogging for a while and feel stuck, don’t despair. You can take
your blog posts to a whole new level, read on.
Authors have a tough gig getting their books noticed. There are literally
thousands of books published each day, and you need to be able to stand out
and be noticed.
One way to do this is to provide great content that attracts the right kind of
visitors and turns them into buyers, fans, and then maybe friends.
When you start out blogging it seems easy enough. You just begin writing
about your books and the writing process, right? But, after awhile your
inspiration and ideas wane and it becomes more and more difficult.
So, to help you as much as possible we have put together 101 Blog Post ideas
for authors which we will be sharing with you over the next few issues.
Here are the first 25 to get you started:

1. Share Your Reviews
2. Discuss Plot outlines
3. Chapter titles – What inspired them?
4. Choose one of your characters and create a police profile
5. Interview another author
6. Share websites you like
7. Share websites you’ve been a guest on
8. Where can readers find your book online
9. Where can readers find your book in a physical store
10. The writing process – what habits or rituals do you perform before
you begin to write?
11. UK or US spelling – does it matter?
12. What inspired you to write your book?
13. Interview one your characters for a news broadcast
14. Write the movie spiel for your book
15. Create a profile for each of your characters highlighting what they
like or dislike (much like a dating site)
16. News events which link or are reflected in your book
17. Animals mentioned in your book
18. Historical aspects of your book
19. What colours inspired your book cover?
20. Who did your illustrations? Interview this person or if it was you talk
about the creative process
21. What public appearances have you made? Share snippets and pics
22. School visits? Talk about the preparation involved
23. How did you create your website? Why did you choose the theme
or layout design?
24. Talk about your book trailers
25. What themes does your book cover? Write about each one in detail

What’s the latest in books for a
Are you an established author or just starting out?
Writing and getting published can be an exciting and invigorating process.
This month we have searched through the Amazon listings and come up with the
latest in self-help books for authors.
Check them out, and let us know what you think. Do these kinds of books offer
help or just add to the confusion? Are they too much of a distraction from writing?
What do you think?
Learn how to publish your work like a pro and start building
your audience with the most comprehensive and up-to-date
self-publishing guide on the market today. Packed with
practical, actionable advice, Let's Get Digital delivers the very
latest best practices on publishing your work and finding
readers. Click Here to Read More
A comprehensive guide to preparing your manuscript,
creating your publishing business, formatting, producing,
distributing, selling, and marketing your books by one of the
most trusted experts in self-publishing. With an extensive
table of contents and index plus a consumer's guide to
publishing tools and services. Click Here to Read More

uthors?
Are you under the impression that self-publishing is just to
technical a task for writers to do themselves? Is your lack of
understanding holding you back from self-publishing your
book?
The self-publishing world can be overwhelming if you don’t
take the time to plan the steps needed to successfully publish
your book. Click Here to Read More
This guide, compiled by the Watchdog team at The Alliance of
Independent Authors (ALLi), tells you all you need to know in
order to choose the self-publishing pathway that’s right for
you.
Drawing on recommendations from ALLi members, warnings
from our Watchdog Services, other community word-ofmouth
and in-depth research, the book compares the most
significant self-publishing services, from single service
suppliers to package providers; from large big brand names
to smaller sole traders; from off-the shelf providers to
bespoke services. Click Here to Read More

Definition:
- government by the worst people
Origin:
Greek kakistos (superlative of kakos bad) + English -cracy
Examples:
Whether this partakes more of an aristocracy, or caucocracy, or rather
Kakistocracy, is a problem, in the solution of which, he may find some
amusement and employment of his genius.
— The Weekly Aurora, (Philadelphia, PA), 31 Oct. 1815
Your kakistocracy is collapsing after its lamentable journey. As the greatest
Nation history has known, we have the opportunity to emerge from this
nightmare stronger & more committed to ensuring a better life for all
Americans, including those you have so tragically deceived. John O. Brennan
(Twitter) 14 April 2018
Your Turn:
Our challenge to you is to insert the word ‘Kakistocracy’ into your next piece of
writing or randomly use it in a post and share it with us - Facebook Page.
WORD OF THE MONTH WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Merriam Webster - Kakistocracy!

Write about our cover photo
The theme for last month’s issue of enthralled was ‘journey’. Our cover
photo inspired some interesting responses. Here are two of our favourites:

The worn-out car...
The worn-out car, the snow, the incongruous floaties on the roof, as if the
owners were ready for a ride on the ocean . . . it brings out the hippy feeling in
me. That 1 plus 2 doesn’t equal 3. That colors and smells and textures can be
blended in a photograph just like they are in our very souls. We are not one
regular thing. We are a journey. Janet Fix, Publisher
October 1985
It was one of those perfect fall mornings when the sun is peeking through the
clouds and the colours of the leaves remind you that God must surely be an
artist. It was cool and crisp outside and Briana just suddenly jumped out of bed
very self-assured and said, “Let’s go on a road trip!”
We packed a picnic of deviled eggs, smoked salmon and fresh croissants, along
with a bottle of Chardonnay, and we headed out without a care in the world. We
were driving my Chevy and singing along to the Rolling Stones, windows wide,
our hair blowing in the wind. At the time, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect
scenario. I stole glances at B as she sang, her face half hidden by her windblown
hair. I remember thinking then that she looked like my mother did in old photos
of herself that were taken in the 50's on a beach somewhere, her dreams as
endless as there were grains of sand. We made it as far as we could before the
sun disappeared behind storm clouds, but not even the weather could spoil our
mood. We were young and in love and we had everything we needed in each
other.

“Are you happy?”
“Um, duh!”
“I take that as a no?” I said, teasing her.
“As if, silly! Don’t make me come over there,” she told me, squeezing my hand
to further her declaration.
We stopped at a place called “Yesterday” – an antique shop that was more like a
place to store someone’s personal junk; the dilapidated building looking in
serious need of repair. We entered the shop to the sound of a cow bell on the
door. A man in overalls and a baseball cap welcomed us through clenched
teeth. We later determined he must have been chewing tobacco.
“Howdy”, I said, and Briana started giggling as she put her arm around my waist
and pulled me away from the man and took me down the aisles of the store. It
was 1985, but somehow, the owner of this antique shop thought it appropriate
to purvey Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia. I was studying a small replica of the
General Lee when I heard Briana scream with glee.
“Peter, look at this! It’s hilarious! I’m buying it for you!” She exclaimed holding a
yellow mug, printed with the words right out of Taxi Driver, “You talkin’ to me?”
and a caricature of Robert De Niro’s head on a midget’s body.

Briana was wearing a floral scarf in her hair as a headband, blue jeans, fitting
tight across her hips, and a white tank and white sneakers. The sleeves of her
blouse were about an inch wide and one kept slipping off. She reached for it
every so often to fix it again upon her shoulder and I remember I found the
gesture incredibly sexy.
“Uh, gee, thanks. It would look great next to my grandmother’s china teacups in
the hutch.” Although I was just as much into antiquing as Briana, I somehow
didn’t consider Robert De Niro a classic.
B was incredulous, “Come on, it’s De Niro!”, as if she couldn’t believe that there
was someone alive who didn’t share her enthusiasm for the actor. She ended
up purchasing the mug and gave the fellow in overalls a salute on her way out.
She handed me the mug and pecked me quickly on the cheek.
Outside, in the parking lot, I pretended to juggle with it, throwing the cup up in
the air and pretending to struggle with it before catching it strategically from
its handle.
“Stop that! I’m serious Peter!” She stood a few feet away from me, her hands on
her hips and a stern look on her face. Briana had a way of getting what she
wanted so I was enjoying trying to get a rise out of her.

“Come on, don’t you trust me, B?”
I spread my legs in a lunging position and threw the mug underneath one leg,
catching it just seconds upon its apparent descent to the ground. I had a lot of
practice playing these types of games. When Tania and I were kids, I used to
bury her favourite doll in our back yard. It’s kind of sad now, to think of the pain
I must have caused her as a four year old, but back then, I found my sense of
empowerment as intoxicating as it was hilarious. It wasn’t until our mother
intervened that I dug up poor Betty Lou and thrust her into the welcoming arms
of my sister.
“I’m not buying you anything ever again!”
Briana turned on her heel and headed for the car, intending I suppose, to
pretend that she didn’t care anymore and therefore possibly forcing me to
abandon my little game. I knew something about psychology and I wasn’t about
to budge yet. In my most nonchalant voice, I said, “Well, that’s a relief.”
Despite the fact that I really was joking with her, I saw that I hurt her, because
suddenly, Briana became very quiet and started to stroll away from the car. I
could often be insensitive like this, taking games too far, and I felt ashamed for
seeming ungrateful. I remember trying to catch up to her, but she picked up her

pace and started to jog into the woods. I had chased her, all the while hanging
on to the De Niro mug for dear life.
The trees were pretty dense, but it was beautiful as we crunched red, orange
and yellow leaves under our feet. All of a sudden, Briana was on her stomach.
She tripped on the root of a tree and just lied there silently. I crouched down to
her in a panic thinking she had hit her head on a rock. When I gently turned her
over, she was smiling mischievously.
“What would you ever do without me?” Her eyes were twinkling and she
breathed heavily as one hand was placed seductively above her breast.
I frowned at her with a sigh of relief and said with no hint of sarcasm, “I’d have
better looking dinnerware, love.”
The rain was more of a mist that afternoon and, and shrouded by trees, we
made love right there in nature until De Niro was filled up to his midget waist
with rainwater.
Copyright Barbara Avon, Author

your turn...

Write about our cover photo...
It’s a tough one this month. This image is a strange combination of
two household items we rarely see together, never mind
attempting to use in the same sentence.
What thoughts or ideas does it evoke? Is it inspiring or confusing?
Send your entry to our Facebook Page. A selection will be chosen
for next month’s publication.
Enter Here

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