Author   Jodi Desautels
  • *Home
    • *Contact Me
  • *Books by Jodi Desautels
    • *The Story Behind the Story
  • *Events
    • *Interviews of Jodi Desautels
  • *What is New with Jodi Desautels?
  • *Author/Illustrator Interviews and Book Promotions Blog
    • *About Author/Illustrator Interviews and Book Promotions

Reflections, Ponderings, Giveaways, and Announcements

12/11/2013

0 Comments

 
“This above all: to thine own self be true, 
And it must follow, as the night the day, 
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

~William Shakespeare
Picture
     Hi everyone!  I have been doing some reflecting and pondering lately.  Maybe it is because I have been answering interview questions for a few people who will be interviewing me on their blogs.  More than likely, it is just the way I am.  I like to reflect and ponder.
     I have thought about how I have grown as a writer, illustrator, formatter, marketer, and person from when I first started a little over a year ago.  (Well, I started as a person a little longer ago than that.)
     I have met quite a few kind people along the way who have been willing to help me, encourage me, advise me, promote me, etc.  We have shared, chatted, brainstormed, and helped each other.  I have truly built friendships along the way.
     In the beginning I was a beginner in all of it.  Today, I still consider myself a beginner as I am still fairly new to the field.  Yet, I am feeling more confident in the field and more experienced.  Maybe, I could even consider myself in the intermediate level!
    I have made quite a few changes along the way.  Recently, I changed the cover to one of my books, "Clarinda Cloud," to make it more eye catching.  I didn't think of that as much in the beginning.  Yet, the importance of cover designs means more to me now and my illustrating skills have improved.
     In the beginning, I also "liked" pages and shared things by other authors without considering my target audience, the family friendliness of my sites, or the quality of the things I was liking and sharing in hopes that other authors would return the favor.  Yet, I have decided to be more discriminate in what I share or like.  I want to "know" more about the things I like or share, so I can really stand behind them.  I try not to say anything I don't mean or know about a book or author any more.  
     I still hope to be able to share, like, and promote books and authors.  There are many wonderful books and authors out there.  I just want to make sure that I am being honest with my shares, likes, and promotions.  And, just because I don't recommend a book, it may not be that it is a great story.  It may be that it has some errors in it.  Sometimes if there errors were fixed, I would happily give a glowing review!
     I am currently thinking of ways I could help encourage quality work in 2014 and beyond.  I have thought about possibly offering a proofreading service for children's/MG/YA authors.  If I don't do it myself, I have thought about creating a network and offering referrals to other wonderful people who do author friendly services such as editing, proofreading, formatting, PR work, illustrating, cover creations, etc. I have also thought about creating a "write and publish your own children's book" class or mentoring program.  (Yes, I am only at the intermediate level with this, however I am an experienced educator.  And, often times people will choose people just a little ahead of them in the progress to support them, so that they feel the supporter "knows how they feel and what they are going through" because he or she was there not long ago.) 
     Research and considerations are in progress for these things now.  I would like to get your feedback and ideas.  Also, if you would be interested in joining the network, please feel free to contact me.

Notes and Announcements

*Please check out the latest interview of me.  It is by Fiona McVie and she did a wonderful job!  Thank you, Fiona!
*Along with all of this reflecting and pondering, I have been thinking about how I could make my sites better.  I would like your help there as well.  For mainly that reason, I am offering a giveaway contest on my blogs.  For more information and a chance to enter, please follow the links the posts on the following sites.  I am hoping this chance for you to win a copy of "Clarinda Cloud" will be a win/win for both of us.
~DUO Education Learning Blog
~Clarinda Cloud's Feeling Blog
~What is New with Jodi Desautels?
Good luck!
*I am having a giveaway for my ebooks on Kindle on December 17th and 18th.  That means you will be able to get the Kindle edition of "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" will be free on those days. Taking advantage of free giveaways on Kindle is a great way to decide if you want to buy the softcover, give the author a review on the book, or have it for trips and in the car.  (I don't particularly like the idea of ebooks for children, but they do have their uses.)
*Also, I am going to be co-hosting (with Virginia Wright) the "2nd Annual Author Christmas Giveaway" event on Facebook on December 17th.  You are all invited!  It is a great way to "mingle" with authors online, ask questions, get answers, play games, win books, etc.  Many authors are expected to show up.
0 Comments

Sandra L. Portman Guest Posts about How to Make Interactive Ebooks

11/27/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
     Hello everyone!  I would like to introduce to you, children's author, Sandra Portman!  She has some interesting information on how to make e-books interactive for children.  I can't wait to try this out!  Thank you, Sandra!

 
   Now that I am retired, I get to play and do things I couldn't do while I was raising a family and working.  I guess it's not so much that I couldn't do them, but there never seemed to be enough time and I really wanted to concentrate on my children and my husband.  I worked long hours and I spent most of my free time cooking and baking fresh food for the family.

     Now that I have "all the time in the world," I wanted to explore my childhood love of reading and writing.  Back then, I spent a lot of time with friends making up stories and games for our never-ending list of clubs.  I don't remember why this was so important to us, but we always had a new club for some new adventure or hobby.  We even made invitations for the new club and went through the neighborhood inviting other kids to join.

     My second venture into writing for children came with a new series for pre-school children.  I wanted to explore the use of interactive functions within digital books.  I could just imagine the fun kids would have choosing the correct answer and clicking on a button.  All I needed was bright, colorful pictures ad buttons.  Starting from birth, these books could start out with just the pictures from which the kids would learn subliminally. 

     This would have been a nice series of books for each stage of learning up to kindergarten, but I thought it would be much more fun to have all the books in one volume.  Each of my children had a favorite book during those years that they wanted to read all the time.  As parents, we quickly become bored and tired of the favorite book, but they don't. 

     To take advantage of this favorite reading habit of young children, all I did was extend the early concepts to take advantage of the levels of learning from birth to age four.  This meant children would have their favorite book with all their favorite pictures that grows with them.

     There are two books in the series to learn the numbers and the alphabet.  Each book has four levels of learning:

  1. Birth to age one: The goal is to respond to pictures by copying sounds and pointing and patting the pictures.
  2. Up to age three: Answer questions, identify pictures, and attempt to read with "pretend reading."
  3. At age three, children are ready to read by themselves, and perform activities for longer periods of time.
  4. Age four is when children begin to recognize familiar signs and labels, and make up silly phrases and rhymes.  At this age, most children can count to ten.



Developing the Books

     I don't use fancy software or tools when writing my books.  All my books are written using Microsoft Word.  In this series, the first two levels mainly use pictures and pointing to introduce children to the concept of numbers and the alphabet.  In "Learn the Numbers," level 3 is used to teach children to point to each number in a collage of numbers and say the number. 

     In level 4, children are introduced to counting.  They are presented with multiple pictures on a page and given a multiple choice answer.  To answer the question, they press the correct button that corresponds to the number of pictures.  If the correct button is pressed to answer the question, they proceed to the next question.  If the answer is not correct, they are given the opportunity to answer the question again.

     To create this type of book, it's easiest to create a data flow showing where you will take the reader when a button is used.  You have two choices, a correct and an incorrect answer.  These will be defined in the document with the Insert: Bookmark feature and the Insert: Hyperlink feature.  These features are added after your book is completed.  Whether you're creating an interactive fiction book or an interactive non-fiction book, create the appropriate headings for the functions.  These headings will be used for linking.

Bookmark Feature

     The bookmark feature will be used as the target - it's where you want to link to.  It's the destination for the reader after they click on a link in the book.  The first step is to tag the chapter or section headings in the body as bookmarks.  The links are added later.

     In my "Learn the Numbers" book, each multiple choice answer must lead the reader to a function; either the answer is correct or it is not.  One answer will take the reader to a new section for the next question; the other two buttons will take the reader to the error message section.

     Go to each chapter or section in your document, highlight the title, and click on Insert: Bookmark.  Give your chapter/section a name and click add.  Bookmarks cannot have spaces or odd characters.  As an example, if you are adding a bookmark for the title, "This is Question 3," you can create a bookmark for "ThisIsQuestion3," or "this_is_question_3." 

Linking to Bookmarks

     In my example above, I have a multiple choice answer with three buttons.  For each button, highlight the button, right click and select Hyperlink.  When a new box opens, click on "Place in Document" on the left menu.  You will now see your bookmarks listed in the main window.  Select the bookmark to be used and click OK.  Repeat this process for all the bookmarked chapters/sections in the document.

Testing Your Links

     This is the tedious part, but must be completed to ensure all the links work.  Click on each link and make sure it goes to the correct location.  If it jumps to the top of your document, it means you are not linking to a valid bookmark.  Make sure you're not linking above or below the target destination.

     The last step is to test for hidden bookmarks, which can corrupt your document.  To locate them, click on Insert: Bookmark and click on the Hidden bookmarks option.  Try turning it off and on look for any bookmarks that start with an underline, such as "_Hlt30xxxx"  Click the name of the hidden bookmark, then click the delete button on the right to permanently delete it.

Interactive Fiction Books

     My new series, "Nathan, Family & Friends" are fiction stories around 2K words. In 2014 I am going to explore the use of interaction to have the reader decide where the story should go.  For example, what happens to a character when different choices are made?  This simulates real life and will help children learn to think before taking actions which could negatively affect their life. 

Sandra's blog:
www.sandralportman.com

You can also find her on her social media sites at:

Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter
Pinterest
   


Here are images of Sandra's books.  You can press on the images to see them listed on Amazon.  You can read the reviews, read the descriptions, see the rankings, and even purchase your own copies.
                                                                                                        



Picture
Picture

Notes, Announcements, and Shout Outs

*There is still time to win a copy of the "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book."  You can find out more information on how to win on this post.  Also, Clarinda Cloud reveals more hints as to where the waterfall is on her new "Clarinda Cloud's Feelings Blog."


*I forgot to tell you, Clarinda Cloud has her own blog now!  She is going to blog every Wednesday, just like me!  Her blog is about feelings.  Some of her blogs will be children's books promotions by talking about the character's feelings.  If you are interested in having your children's book promoted, please contact me.


*I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Hanukkah this week!




Shout Outs

*My friend, Virginia Wright, has a book titled, "The Chrismas Secret."  It is a wonderful children's story with a great Christmas message.  Press the link to see the book on Amazon.  Maybe I can even get her to guest blog for me here, so you can get to know her better.

*This shout out is for someone who can greatly help authors.  It goes out about Choice Social Media Management.  Marie Anne is very helpful!  She has helped me quite a bit this week!


*My friend, Joyce Van Kirk, has an adorable little book titled, "The Six Forest Friends."  The little animals are so cute!  And... the message of friendship is a breath of fresh air!



1 Comment

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    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.

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    $10 Amazon Gift Card Prize
    1 John 2:25
    50's And 60's
    Activity
    Activity That Hurts
    Actor
    Addison Independent
    Adele Crouch
    Advice
    After Labor Day Giveaway
    Ages 2-6
    Ali Dent
    Angie Harris
    Anti Bullying
    Anti-bullying
    Antique Cars
    Antique Car Show
    Art
    Art Break Vermont
    Author
    Author Concern
    Author Event
    Author Interviews
    Author Mentoring Program
    Authors
    Author Site
    Author Visit
    Awareness
    Ax Throwing Competition
    Ayana Sala Baugh
    Bad Dreams
    Bamboo Tablet
    Barbara Ann Mojica
    Basic Skills
    Bathroom Renovation
    Bedtime
    Bible Verse
    Bill Hillman
    Bixby Memorial Library
    Blog
    Blog Hop
    Blog Hops
    Book Promotions
    Book Reading
    Book Release
    Book Review
    Books Featuring Clarinda Cloud
    Book Signing
    Books Over Breakfast
    Bookstore
    Book Stores
    Bo The Crow
    Brag
    B.R.A.G.
    Brag Medallion Winner
    Bullying Prevention
    Camaraderie
    Cancer Story
    Cards
    Car Show
    Cathy Hartley
    Cbs
    Centered Text
    Channel 15
    Channel 3
    Cheater
    Chester Mcdaniel
    Childhood Experiences
    Children's Author
    Children's Book
    Children's Counselor
    Children's Story
    Choice Social Media Management
    Christmas Movie
    Christmas Ornaments
    Clarinda Cloud
    Clarinda Cloud Activity Book
    Colorful Illustrations
    Coloring
    Comment
    Commissioned Art
    Compassionate Tale
    Confidence
    Contest
    Counting
    Country Girl
    Courage
    Create Space
    Creating Book Promotion Posters
    Croak Orleans
    Daycare
    Daydreaming
    Death
    Deborah Heal
    Deep In The Heart
    Developing Characters
    Different Time Period
    Director
    Directory Of Illustrators
    Display
    Donate
    Double Pinochle
    Down The Chimney Penguin Joe
    Drawing
    Duo Education
    DUO Inspirations
    Dyland And The Croak Orleans Gang
    Easter
    Ebooks
    Edited
    Editing
    Educational Site
    Educator Concern
    Elementary School
    Enjoyable Day
    Eternal Life
    Exciting News
    Facebook
    Facebook Event
    Family Reunion
    Fan
    Fan Page
    Fantasy
    Favorite Songs
    Feelings
    Filmmaker
    First Flower Garden
    First Little Fan
    Flower Garden
    Flowers
    Following Dream
    Follow Your Heart
    Font Fetish
    Fonts
    Food For Thought
    Formatted
    Formatter
    Formatting
    For Sale
    Franklin County
    Freddy The White Flamingo
    Free
    Fundraising
    Gardener
    Gifts
    Giveaway
    Give Away
    God
    God's Promise
    Good News Coming Soon
    Granted
    Guest Post
    Guitar
    Guitar Music
    Guitar Playing
    Handcrafted Necklaces
    Handcrafted Ornaments
    Hand Painted
    Happiness
    Happy New Year
    Harmful
    Harper Valley PTA
    Hartman's Farm Stand
    Having Fun
    Header Images
    Heart Is In It
    Help
    Here I Am Lord
    Historical Fiction
    History
    Hobby
    Hubby
    Humor
    Hymns
    I Am Not Afraid
    Ideas
    Illustrating
    Illustrating Skills
    Illustrator
    Indie Author
    Innocent
    Insight
    Inspiration
    Inspirational Journeys
    Interactive Books
    Interview
    Jam With Jodi
    Jennifer Whitecrane
    Jill And Jill Competition
    Jodi Desautels
    Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun
    Journey To Jazzland
    Joyce Van Kirk
    Jpeg
    Karen Deming
    Kathy Mashburn
    Kelly Hagen
    Kindle
    Lamoille County Field Days
    Laura Wintczak Eckroat
    Learning Blog
    Learn The Alphabet
    Learn The Numbers
    Levi's Book Party And Fundraiser
    Libraries
    Library
    Life
    Life Changes
    Lifelong Learner
    Lisa Orchard Cole
    Lizzie T. Leaf
    Local
    Local Fairground
    Local Nursing Home
    Lorieen D. Henry
    Lucky
    Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
    Marie Anne St. Jean
    Marketing
    Marketing Posters
    Marketing Questions
    Mechanical Ins And Outs
    Merry Christmas
    Momma's Little Helpers
    Monthly Newsletter
    More Appealing Website
    Most Genres
    Movie
    Museum
    Music
    My Books
    My Plan
    Nanlie Sealy
    Network
    Networking
    New Beginnings
    New Board On Pinterest
    New Business
    New Directions
    New Options
    New Plan
    Nice People
    Non-vacation
    Now Available
    Old Cars
    Old Vehicles
    Online Tutoring
    Ornaments
    Paragraph Form
    Perennial Garden
    Persistence
    Pet Peeves
    Photos
    Photoshop
    Pictures
    Planting
    Plants
    Playing
    Poetry
    Posters
    Practice
    Predator
    Presentation
    Prioritizing
    Producer
    Promoting
    Promoting Questions
    Promotion
    Promotion Packages
    Promotion Posters
    Proofreading
    Prose
    Proverbs 16:9
    Purchase
    Questions
    Quigley
    Quigley's Chriistmas Adventure
    Quite A Week
    Reading
    Reflection
    Release
    Resource
    Review
    Reviews
    Rewarding Experience
    Rhonda Patton
    Rhyming Book
    Rock Around The Clock
    Rodica Iova
    Sale
    Sandra L. Portman
    Scary Things In The Night
    Schools
    Scroll Saw
    Self-confidence
    Self-esteem
    Self Publishing
    Self-publishing
    Set
    Share And Win Party
    Share Feelings
    Shelburne Museum
    Snakes
    Social Media Activity
    Social Media Sites
    Something New
    Songwriter
    Specific Feedback
    Spokescloud
    Staci Stallings
    Story
    Story Starters And Writing Prompts
    Story Starters & Writing Prompts
    Storyteller's Tale
    Style
    Successful Giveaway
    Talent
    Team Levi
    Television Interview
    Thankful
    The Christmas Story
    The Clue Of The Unclaimed Legacy
    The Game Room
    The Litclub
    The Six Forest Friends
    Thoughts And Whims
    Ticonderoga
    Time
    Time And Again
    Tracing
    Tractor
    Trilogy
    True Nature
    Unclaimed Legacy
    USBorne Books
    USBorne Books & More
    Vcam
    Vergennes
    Vermont
    Virginia Wright
    Virtual Party
    Visual Arts Projects
    Volunteering
    Waterfall
    Wcax
    Webinar Series
    Website
    Wendy Nystrom
    What A Project
    What Would It Be Like
    Where In The World Is Clarinda Cloud?
    Wiggy Wanda
    William Hillman
    Win
    Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
    Wood Burned
    Wooden Ornaments
    Word Document
    Work Smarter Not Harder
    Write And Publish Your Own Children's Book
    Writing
    Writing Class
    Writing Program
    Www.ClarindaCloud.com
    Www.DUOEducation.com
    Www.thecroak500.com

    RSS Feed

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