A Time For Thanks

Like many I have been blessed this year.

I’m thankful for…

…my families constant support. For my husband who always sees my potential and tells me all the time how proud he is of me. To my children who inspire me. There have been so many times lately when they do without me. They understand when I cannot be there because of my weekend book signings and events. For their unconditional love I am thankful.

…my critique group who have been in my life for almost a decade. They are my weekly support system when I am in doubt of my work. I can count on them for encouragement, to listen and make me a better writer. They are like my extended family. I don’t know what I’d do without them. For their dedication I am thankful.

….my social media connections and friends. It’s my forum to vent, laugh and share. When I’m having a horrible day there is a word of encouragement. When I have something terrific to share someone is adding an emoji or a word of kudos. I don’t know 34,000 people and yet they still connect at one time or another. For my friends on these sites. You are consistent supporters of my work. I know some days you must hate seeing me once again in your feed. For their friendship and tolerance I am thankful.

…for my publisher who took a chance on me. Who believed my stories needed to be published. Who takes the time to answer my million and one emails. With that I hope to make Clear Fork Publishing rich someday! For their patience and open-mindedness I am thankful.

…for my illustrators who brought life to my characters. Andreea who made the characters of Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four memorable. Bailey’s darling drawings in My Big Tree delights me every time I read the book. She even made a snakes lovable. Sunny’s adorable penguin. Iggy Loo warms my heart every time I look at him. He’s going to be on my Christmas card this year! For their wonderful talent I am thankful.

…for my faith that gives me the strength to overcome my struggles and help me see my worth. For this I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Tiny Talk Tuesday with . . . Sean Fay Wolfe

While Sean may look like the average teenage, he has a lot more hidden behind that face. I learned of Sean’s early success through my weekly email from Publishers Weekly. I read the amazing story about this Seventeen-year-old, a senior in Rhode Island, who is now an experienced, sought out writer.  Wolfe is the self-published author of the Elementia Chronicles, a fan fiction trilogy based on the popular game, Minecraft, and he is about to release book two.

Wolfe’s trilogy is set in the world of the Minecraft where it focuses on three new Minecraft users who become friends: Stan, Charlie, and Kat. When the trio stands up to the prejudice that they see against new players on the server, they end up in a race against the perils of Minecraft, the forces of Elementia’s king, and the mysterious Mr. A. He was in ninth grade when he worked on his first novel, Quest for Justice. The second volume, Noctem Ascension, will debut in December or early next year. The trilogy closes with Herobrine’s Message, slated for late 2015.

His parents had a lot of faith in his work and helped get his books in the hands of Minecraft fanatics. They helped with editing, book trailer, website and publishing.

Sean is a four-time All-State viola player, who holds a second-degree black belt in karate. You can check Sean out at www.sfaywolfe.com.

Let’s get to know a “tiny” bit more about Sean.

ME: Tell us something that has been in the vault. Something hardly anyone knows about you.

SEAN: Besides writing full-time, my second career choice is elementary education.
ME: Hey, I was an elementary teacher. These kids need more great male teachers. And an author also. The kids will love you!

Me: Finish this sentence. A perfect day would involve . . .

SEAN: A perfect day would involve a day at home, able to write all day with no distractions and no difficulty with the writing process.
ME: Now I would’ve thought you would’ve said, at home playing Minecraft.

ME: Who influenced your writing? A family member? Something you were born with?

SEAN: I’ve always been a very creative person, both coming up with original ideas and coming up with my own content based on existing things. When I was in Elementary School, I would write stories in the back of my notebooks, and draw original Pokemon cards of my own (I was really into the trading card game back then). I did have encouragement from my teachers and especially my parents over the years, but love of creativity and writing is something I always have had.

ME: If you could spend the day with another author who would it be and why?

SEAN: If I could, I would spend the day with J.K. Rowling. I have a lot of respect and admiration for her as an author, as I find that her style of writing is very similar to mine.
ME: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?

SEAN: Ten years from now, I hope to have published various successful series including and outside of the Elementia Chronicles, and be able to write full time.

ME: Every authors dream!

Thank you so much, Sean for giving me the opportunity to interview. While I’m not a Minecraft fanatic, I’m sure my kids and others alike will eat your series up. Keep up the great work. You have plenty more years ahead of you which will bring you oodles of more ideas for more stories. Keep living your dream.