Author   Jodi Desautels
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Jodi Desautels Asks for Your Help with Corny… Um Cute Image and Everything

5/21/2014

2 Comments

 
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     Hello everyone!  This may sound strange to you, but authors, bloggers, and educators do not have all the answers.  Yes, I thought it was strange the first time I heard it too.  But, I know that it is true.  How do I know?  Well, I am an author, blogger, and educator… and I don’t have all the answers.  So, what do you do when you don’t have all the answers?  You start asking questions!  By the way, do you like my corny… um, cute image?

     Anyway, I have many questions.  I need YOUR help!  (That is the reason for the corny… um, cute image.)  Here are some of my questions.  Can you help me?  (Please, leave a comment.)

1. What motivates you to share or comment on a post?  Controversy? Being asked for your opinion? Promises of “likes,” “comments,” or “shares” in return?  Free gifts?  The topic, product, or service being something that you can truly endorse?  What is your answer?

2.  If free gifts were offered for shares and comments, what would you suggest?  Among what I have to offer are a free hour of online tutoring, a free book (one of mine), or… anything that I can create or buy on a very limited budget.  What are your thoughts?  And, for those of you who may be new to me and my work, “shares” and “comments” usually have to do with my writing of children’s books, my selling of children’s books, my desire to possibly make or have made merchandise related to my children’s books, my websites, my illustrating, and my education pursuits.

3.  I am looking for ways to create products the compliment my writing and my educational site on a limited budget.  I want to start looking into branding my work.  Do you have any ideas?  Do you have any helpful resources?  Do you have any helpful links? 

4.  Do you have an educational topic/skill/subject that you or a loved one finds difficult?  If so, what?  Fractions?  Percents?  Pre-Algebra? Spelling? Writing?  Reading?  Grammar? History?  Keeping historical dates straight in your head?  

4a.  What do you need to help you learn these difficult skills?  Tutoring?  Worksheets?  Activity Ideas?  Workbooks?  Learning tips?  Learning aids?  What are your thoughts?

5.  Is there a children’s book or workbook/activity book for any age that you think someone should write?  If so, what is it about?  Do you want a book on bullying?  Do you want one on animals?  Do you want one that helps you keep your life organized?  Do you want a spelling activity book?  Do you want a word search book?  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear your ideas and topics!

6.  I need help brainstorming a list of specific woes/problems that a young child might have.  I mean ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.  It can be something as simple as a stubbed toe that hurts or as drastic as abuse and neglect, etc.  What are your thoughts?  I need specifics, please.

7.  I am always looking for new ways to publish my books and ideas… mainly paper/card stock printing.  I want to ensure the lowest cost and greatest value for my customers/readers/learners.  If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.  What are your thoughts?

8.  I am always looking for new ways to market my books, my websites, my services, etc.  If you have sites, links, resources, ideas, tips, etc., I would love to hear them.  This is your time to shine and share your work or the work of someone else.  What are your thoughts?

9.  I am always looking for ideas, suggestions, questions, and comments that will help me in improving my work, my services, my websites, etc. to make them more appealing, more effective, and more marketable.  I need new ways to get noticed and new ways to get my products bought and services used.  Do you have an ideas, resources, tips, links, etc. that would help?  (You can find my sites at www.AuthorJodiDesautels.com, www.ClarindaCloud.com, and www.DUOEducation.com.  Thank you.)   


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     One last question, lol:  Did you know that I am running a contest for a chance to win a copy of one of my children's books or one of online tutoring free?  Yes.  I am!  It is on my educational sites, DUO Education.  You can find details here.

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Author Bill Hillman and his Movie; "Quigley's Christmas Adventure"

10/30/2013

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     Hi everyone!  I would like you to meet Bill Hillman!  Bill has an impressive background as actor, writer, producer, director, songwriter, filmmaker, and author.  I hope I didn't miss anything, Bill.  LOL!  I told you it was impressive.
     Let me show you the fundraising site that Bill has going to raise money in order to create his movie, "Quigley's Christmas Adventure."


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     I saw this poster come across my Facebook page!  Well, I like Christmas and I am all for cute animals, so I had to check it out!
     I researched about Bill.  Then, I researched about "Quigley's Christmas Adventure,"  which is also a book and the book is available on Amazon.

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     Aw!  Here is a picture of the doggie auditions.  Isn't it such a cute doggie!?!  If the dog looks this cute for the audition, you can only imagine how cute it will be in the movie!
     Okay.  This movie isn't just a movie with a cute dog.  No... and... it isn't a big business movie that we won't know anything about until after it is out.  No, this is a movie with which we all can be involved.  
     I had never heard of such a thing.  Maybe that is what caught my eye about this movie.  So, check out this video clip about "Quigley's Christmas Adventure."  If it is something you would like to help fund and be involved with... you can follow this link to Kicktarter.  I know times are hard... but Bill will even tell you that the minimum donation of $5.00 will get you involved and keep you connected with this film.  Every little bit helps.

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     I mentioned some of Bill's impressive background in the beginning of this blog post.  And, from the picture, you can tell that Bill loves dogs.  Yet, when I said that I wanted to post about Bill's film, I told him that I wanted him to share something that is not on his website.  This is what he shared with me:


     When I was in the Military Academy, we vowed not to lie, steal or cheat, but I fudged in journalism and took a shortcut. Instead of reading a few books and writing reports, I made up my own books and then review them. Of course I got caught, but the end result was a promise I made to my professor .. to become a writer. It took work to regain his trust, but I made a promise and never broke it.

     If you want to read more about Bill Hillman, please visit his site at www.williamhillman.com.  Please feel free to leave Bill or me a comment here.


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     Please remember that you still have a chance to win a free copy of "Clarinda Cloud" for the month.  Do you know where this photograph was taken?  You could win a free copy of "Clarinda Cloud" if you do.  Yes... it is on a tractor.  It is in Franklin County, Vermont.  It is at a place that sells pumpkins!  What is your guess?
     Don't know?  That is okay.  You can comment anyway.  If nobody guesses, I will still donate a copy at an elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counsellor in the U.S.  Please comment recommending a place for me to donate a copy of "Clarinda Cloud."  Thank you.

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My First TV Interview!

9/18/2013

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     Hi everyone!  I have some exciting news!!!  I had my first television interview on Sunday night!  I was on my local access channel, VCAM, channel 15.
     I was interviewed by Cathy Hartley on her program, Art Break.  We are both kind of beginners at the whole TV scene.  But... we had fun and we look forward to doing it again!  I have been told that it was pretty good!
     It was strange.  I wasn't nervous all week prior to the interview.  Then, that night, I was really nervous.  I am thankful that Cathy did a great job at calming me down.  I appreciate it!  Yes... I was still a little nervous, but not nearly as much!
     On the show, I talked about my children's books:  "Clarinda Cloud," "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book," and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun." Our discussion led to their educational and psychological value.  I also
talked about my passion for education and my educational site, DUO Education.  And, of course, I talked about some of my pages and services on the DUO Education site, such as:  "The Storyteller's Tale webinar series," "Online Tutoring," and the "DUO Education Learning Blog."
     If you are local to Vermont and happened to see it, please leave me a comment or contact me!  If you didn't see it, I am hoping to get a DVD copy and then figuring out a way to post a copy or a blip of it on some of my sites.  So...stay tuned on more information on that!

     I want to thank Cathy for having me on her show!  Also... if you are a local artist, author, musician, etc.  you can contact Cathy about being on her show by emailing her at artbreakvt@gmail.com.

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A Little About Me and My Progress 8/7/13

8/7/2013

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     Hello!  I hope everyone is well.  This week, I don't have any interviews or book reviews for you.   Well, it isn't that I have any.  It is more that I thought that I would share a little about me and my writing.  I think it is cool to share a little.  I hope that you all take the time to comment.
     First of all, I didn't like to write much as a child.  I don't remember why I didn't.  Maybe it was a low self-esteem and the feeling that I didn't have much to say.    Or, maybe it was that most of the feedback was general and not specific, so I didn't know if it was good writing or not.  
     "Very good" or "Nice work" is not specific.  Sometimes it feels good at the time.  But, it doesn't tell you why it is good or how to continue.
     Now, I enjoy writing and creating!  I find the writing community very supportive.  I also ask for and receive more specific feedback.
     Currently, I am working on two other books about feelings.  They are similar to "Clarinda Cloud."  Who knows?  Maybe I will have an entire line of books about feelings.  I have had a few beta readers read the two first drafts with some positive feedback.

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     The other thing that has been keeping me busy is my educational site, DUO Education.  Education, as well as writing and creating, is one of my passions!  
     Not long ago, I told you that I got myself a Bamboo tablet.  Well, I have been practicing with it.  I have drawn some simple objects.  The more I practice with it, the more comfortable I feel with it.  (Drawing is something I enjoyed as a child.  But, until this year, I hadn't drawn in quite a while.)  I look forward to practicing more with it and improving my illustrating skills.
     I hope you will hop over and explore the site.  I have some educational and strategy games in "the game room," an educational blog, an online tutoring page, and a page for the Storyteller's Tale webinar series.  The latter is a great program for authors and illustrators to have an author visit via the internet.
     

Now I need your help.  I have some questions for you:


1.  Not that I don't have my own ideas, but... what are some subjects about which your children would like to read?


2.  What kinds of books would you like to see more of?


3.  What sort of marketing ideas do you have to share?


4.  What sort of activity books would you like to see?


5.  Do you have an author or illustrator that you would like to see interviewed?  Or, is there an author or illustrator that you would like to see virtually visit your school or library?


I look forward to your answers.  Please feel free to contact me or to leave a comment.  Thank you!
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Author Blog Hop for Children's Authors, MG Authors, and YA Authors

7/17/2013

4 Comments

 
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     Hi everyone.  I have been asked and tagged to participate in a blog hop for children's authors, MG authors, and YA authors.  I have been tagged by children's author and illustrator Virginia Wright.  In order to participate, I answer some interview questions and tag three other authors.  You can find Virginia's blog and answers at http://virginiawright.com/blog/.


Here are the interview questions and my answers:


1. What are you working on right now?
     I seem to have "many pots in the fire" right now.  I just had my first author visit at a local library, which I will post about at another time.  So, that has kept me busy.  I am also looking for other libraries and for bookstores who would like an author visit from me.  I have been working on my education site, DUO Education, at www.DUOEducation.com.  I also have other children's books to illustrate and some ideas to write more.  On top of all that, I am trying something new and working on a YA novel.  I have been busy and excited!


2.  How does it differ from other works in it's genre?
     The YA novel I am working on is about a girl who gets emotionally abused from her parents.  I believe it is an important subject as people do not usually take it as seriously as other forms of abuse, because there are often no outward lying scars.  I haven't seen any books like this out.


3.  Why do you write what you do?
     I write, because I enjoy it!  I write the "things I write" because, I either find them to be educational or relatable in some way...as well as enjoyable or interesting.  Education is another one of my passions, so some of my books will have an educational component.  Others, are things that are relatable, which I feel is very important in a book.

4.  How does your writing process work?
     I guess I do not have a specific writing process.  I write when I have an idea or feel like writing.  I illustrate as I build skills and feel like illustrating...or have something to illustrate.  I try to market, network, promote, and learn new strategies always!  It is difficult sometimes to find a healthy balance of all that writers do.  But.... I am learning and working on it!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


     I would like to thank Virginia for tagging me and thank all of you for stopping by.  Please stop by her blog, the blogs of the people I tag (Lisa Cole Orchard, Laura Wintczak Eckroat, and Wendy Nystrom), and the blog of other people in the hop.  (The people I have tagged will post theirs next week.)  Please show your support by leaving a comment as you hop from site to site!  Thank you.
     You can find the websites of the people I have tagged by either pressing their names above or by going to the following websites:
*Lisa Cole Orchard's site: lisaorchard.wordpress.com
*Laura Wintczak Eckroat's site: http://lauraeckroat.blogspot.com
*Wendy's site: http://wendysbookcase.com/


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


     While you are here, please explore the site!  You can read more about my books here.    They are available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and other online retailers.  Please search:  "Clarinda Cloud," "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun," and "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book."  You can buy all of these books from this page on my site.  Also, please check out my education site, DUO Education at www.DUOEducation.com.  Thank you!


*Notice:  I am always interested in giving new and talented artists a chance to illustrate one of my books for their portfolio.  If you are interested, please contact me.  I cannot pay anything at this moment, but will do what I can to promote your work and help get you exposure.


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    Jodi Desautels

         Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother.  She is a life-long learner who has two rules to live by:  "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love."  She loves family, friends, and nature.  Passions include caring for people, education, writing, illustrating, and photography.

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Jodi Desautels… bringing you books that are inspirational, educational, and relatable!