March Madness Writing Contest Entry – Singerella: Soprano for the Met

Posted on March 20, 2014 by viviankirkfield

When I was five years old, I had to go into the hospital to have my tonsils removed. Back in the 1950s, that was the most popular operation for kids. My parents came to visit me and brought me a book…Cinderella…one of my favorite fairy tales.

These days, there’s a new tale in town…the fractured fairy tale.

The incomparable Susanna Leonard Hill is having another of her infamous writing contests – a fractured fairy tale writing contest, that is…and here are the rules.

The March Madness Writing Contest!

The Contest: Write a children’s story, in poetry or prose, maximum 400 words, that is a fractured fairy tale. Feel free to add a theme of spring, or mix in one of the spring holidays if you like – St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools Day, Easter or Passover, Arbor Day, Earth Day… Have fun with it ! The madder* the better! 🙂
*as in wild and wacky, not angry 🙂

You do not have to include spring – that is optional.

The story can be a picture book or a short story – whatever you like.

So, here is my entry.. Continue reading →

Fear of Public Speaking: Tips That Really Help

Posted on July 15, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Attention authors: For many of you, writing the book is the easy part. The hard job starts after your book is published. These days, whether you are traditionally published or self-published, the task of marketing and promoting your book falls to…you.

Marketing and promoting a book can be done in many ways. Press releases and platforms such as blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Google+…with new social media channels popping up every day…are the more passive – and possibly the avenues that introverted writers feel more comfortable in. Book events, interviews, workshops and other public speaking opportunities can be very effective…but often neglected by many authors…because of a fear of public speaking.

Fear of public speaking is incredibly common, and not just in those with anxiety. Public speaking anxiety is one of the most common fears shared by most of the general population. Most people would rather go to the dentist rather than stand up and speak!

What causes fear of public speaking?

Fear of public speaking is also known as Glossophobia. It comes from the fear of being judged.

How to reduce public speaking anxiety? Continue reading →

Sunday Post: Perspective…#2013AFCC…Traveling Around the World

Posted on June 9, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge…a recent theme was PERSPECTIVE.

Night-time in Singapore! What a perspective! Don’t you want to be there?

Traveling definitely gives a person a whole new perspective on the world.

My trip to the 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content was my first international trip ever. I connected in Tokyo and was impressed with the extreme cleanliness and calm atmosphere. I found the same conditions at Singapore Airport…it was beautiful! (Sad to say that connecting through Houston Airport on my way back home was not as pleasant…in fact, it was appalling) I got my luggage, followed the signs (in both English and Chinese) and was greeted at the exit door by a lovely lady who indicated which taxi was for me. The driver put my bag in the trunk and took me to my hotel. He was courteous and friendly and his cab was so clean.

Although I didn’t get to see much of Singapore because the conference was so filled with activities and sessions, I know I will return. The people of Singapore are welcoming and kind, the city is beautiful, the hotel I stayed at (Hotel Grand Pacific) was all you could hope for…robe and slippers provided and all the amenities like hair products and sewing kit as well as a dental kit (yes, a toothbrush and little tube of toothpaste) and shaving kit (razor and little tube of shaving cream) provided fresh EVERY day! The hotel staff were attentive and Continue reading →