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A Christmas Story-‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
A compelling and redemptive story of a runaway and his encounter on Christmas eve with a kind and mysterious old man. Based on an actual event .
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Fireside Reads for Book Lovers
Christmas, books and gift-giving go together like a cozy fire and a cup of hot chocolate. Being a book lover/storyteller/writer, I’ve got a few fireside book suggestions. Like me, you probably have a bookworm or two in your life. You can’t go wrong with the gift of a good book. Beware, you are about to […]
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The Hayloft
Grandpa’s barn and entry where one finds the stairs that lead to the loft. Cats and kittens are welcome on the farm. They even have their own ladder and window entry for their safety and convenience.
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Outhouses I Have Known
It may not have Wi-Fi, but it gets the job done. Outhouses are interesting. Mostly, they are interesting because they bring back memories. The most interesting of memories would be the ones connected to 30 degrees below weather, dead of winter, 8:30 PM…and it’s not only “cold outside” it’s dark outside. My siblings and I […]
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Set the Scene and You Set the Mood
Why is the setting in your story important? Your characters need a time and place in which to move. The setting answers the when and the where of your story, giving it a frame of reference. This adds authenticity and credibility to your storytelling. When you set the scene, you set the mood, the atmosphere. Spooky scene […]
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Book Illustrations from Children’s Book on Asthma
I had a lot of fun creating some 20+ illustrations for an educational book on Asthma. Below are some of my illustrations. I sketched first, scanned my sketches and colored and created on Photoshop Elements. Sofia, the husky in proof #10, 2nd row, middle – the stages of drawing Carrie Wachsmann © Other samples of […]
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An “In Light of Eternity” Story
His name was John We first met one afternoon when my husband and I stopped to shop for fresh vegetables at our local Fruiticana. He sat slouched on the sidewalk, wearing a dark hoodie covering most of his eyes, a small bag beside him and his back to the wall. He waved as we entered […]
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Heroic Newfoundland Dog on the Titanic
(If you enjoy dog stories, you might enjoy my book – Newfies to the Rescue on Amazon.) The great Titanic’s demise – April 14, 1912 Did you know the captain of the Titanic, William McMaster Murdoch, had his Newfoundland dog, Rigel, on board the Titanic? Did you know Rigel was responsible for rescuing the passengers on […]
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Are Dragons Real?
http://www.mytinyphone.com/wallpaper/94553/ Dragons Why are we so fascinated by these mythological, fire-breathing, mysterious, treasure-hording, cunning, terrifying, monster creatures? Wait. I think I just answered that question. But could dragons be real? Did you know the Bible has a lot to say about dragons? Isaiah 27: 1 (NASB) says: “In that day the Lord will punish Leviathan the […]
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Where do you go when waiting in line?
In my other world – storytelling Some time ago, I was waiting in line at the TD bank, deep in thought, when the person behind me kindly let me know teller #3 was trying to get my attention. I jolted back into reality, then smiled and offhandedly said, “Thank you… I was in my other […]
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A Cup of Tea While We Discuss Your Antagonist?
Welcome… Come, sit by the fire and I’ll pour you a special cup of tea – Midnight Fog, it’s called. Recipe for MIDNIGHT FOG… Steep a bag of Red Rooibos or Honeybush tea in 1/2 cup of boiling water. Whip 1/2 cup of chocolate milk (or substitute like chocolate almond milk) in blender Pour into […]
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Treasure Trap – “You’re not too young to read it… you’re not too old.”
Treasure Trap is the sequel to my first novel called The RYDER. ( visit theryder.wordpress.com for the background story to the series) As one grade 6 student who enjoyed The Ryder said … “You’re not too young to read it and you’re not too old to read it.” The same goes for Treasure Trap. Let’s take […]
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For the Love of Books
Just a few of the books on my bookshelf. Do you love books? I am not talking about just any kind of books. I’m talking about the kind of books you can hold in your hand – with a cover and pages that you can feel and turn. The kind of book you can put […]
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Time to Play in the Dirt – How to Plant Outdoor Potted Flowers
Growing up in a small farming community in southern Manitoba meant one had to learn how to grow a garden. I am blessed… my mother (and grandmother and great-grandmother) excelled in gardening, growing both vegetables and flowers – naturally and organically. Our yard was the flower showcase of the town. The older I get, the […]
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Read & Write by Candle Light to Step-up Your Writing
So…how will reading and writing by candlelight step-up my writing? There was a time when this antiquated practice was the one and only option. But today??!! Is this really necessary? Certainly not. But why not humor me? Something doesn’t have to be necessary, to be effective. Doesn’t simply the thought – the visual, translate you […]
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Why Do We Love Fairy Tales ?
My rendition of “Little Red Riding Hood” © – Pencil sketch & colored in Photoshop Good Fairy tales are DANGEROUS and often FRIGHTENING!! So why then, do we love fairy tales so much? The TV show – Once Upon A Time, has captured many a fairy tale/fantasy fan’s time and attention. I admit I am […]
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Writing your Memoirs Leaves a Legacy
Novelist Stephen King once said, “I write to find out what I think.” Your memoirs are a LEGACY. Putting them on paper gives friends and family (as well as yourself) the opportunity to FULLY appreciate these valuable, interesting and “uniquely yours,” experiences. Writing your memoirs is different from writing your autobiography. An autobiography is the […]
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A Funny Memory Worth Remembering
This funny happening, happened several years ago – and still makes me laugh. I went to my local House of Fine Art (HOFA) store for some Alizarin, Crimson artists’ oil paint. At the time of this humorous occurrence, I was a frequent visitor to this fine little art store. The owner was the president of our […]
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Newfies to the Rescue – Tales of the Newfoundland dog
52 page book – NEWFIES to the RESCUE – Tales of the Newfoundland dog is now available on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/295a7PJ Visit Newfies to the Rescue FACEBOOK page here. Back in March, 2016… I am putting the finishing touches on the cover of: NEWFIES to the RESCUE In this 52 page book, you will find […]
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Heroes of Isle aux Morts – a 17-year-old girl and her Newfoundland dog
Have you heard of Ann Harvey? Have you heard of her Newfoundland Dog, Hairy Man? Have you heard of George Harvey or the Harvey family? If you live in Newfoundland, you will have this story in your back pocket. The remarkable story of a 17-year-old girl, whose selfless acts of heroism and bravery earned her […]
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Elizabeth (Chandler) McDougall – Canadian Frontier Woman – More Than a Survivor
A few facts to begin with: Elizabeth (Chandler) McDougall – 1818 – 1903 Raised in England as a Quaker. Married to Rev. George McDougall in 1842. (Wesleyan Methodist minister.) Moved to Saskatchewan in 1862 where Rev. McDougall established Victoria Mission along the North Saskatchewan River. Raised six children. A woman with exemplary courage and strength. […]
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Was Madeleine (Hamilton) Smith Guilty? 1857 Trial
Was Madeleine Smith guilty? A fascinating piece of historical non-fiction…by Ann Swinfen – one of The History Girls – (A group of best-selling, award-winning writers of historical fiction and non-fiction.) What do you think?…Was Madeleine Smith guilty of murdering her husband? Here’s a quote from Ann Swinfen’s January 20th post… “In the words of John […]
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MGM Roar – What’s the Story?
A little bit of movie making history… “Jackie’s ROAR (recorded in 1928) being recorded for use at the beginning of MGM talking movies. A sound stage was built around his cage to make the recording.” (Wikipedia) Jackie was the second lion used for the MGM logo. He died in 1952. The first lion trained for […]
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Horse Whisperer Who Rescues Percherons
Horse whisperer, Mel and his wife Irene, live on a farm in Southern Manitoba. This is the story of the Percheron draft horses they rescue. The Rush’s farm is a sanctuary for these large magnificent draft horses. There is little use for these horses in our day and age, and so they are often left […]
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ROADBLOCKS to HELL Trailer
Welcome to my Storyteller author’s site ROADBLOCKS to HELL – categorized as fictional/biographical – True Crime A “riveting tale of redemption” What are people saying? Find out here – The REVIEWS are in… Check out the trailer to ROADBLOCKS to HELL NOW Available on Amazon.com on Kindle on Amazon.ca for our Canadian friends on CreateSpace ROADBLOCKS to […]
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Background Story to ROADBLOCKS to HELL
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? Good question. I’m glad you asked. Here’s the story… Pertinent Information (Documented 40 Years Ago) Discovered Days Before Roadblocks to Hell was to Hit the Presses! February 27, 2008, Walt’s funeral – the day I realized I was to write Walt’s story. Five years later, one fine day in January, 2013, […]
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About ROADBLOCKS to HELL
Roadblocks to Hell is available on Amazon.com and on Kindle. click here to read the reviews Fiction, based on a true story, Roadblocks to Hell is an arresting, drama filled, and redemptive narrative Author’s Notes Roadblocks to Hell is based on a true story. Convicted of trying to kill the police chief at 15, Walt […]