April 2020 – Page 3 – Sonja Danielson

Did you know-

Did you know that Guinness the Therapy Dog is drawn by an artist in England?

He is.

Isn’t she talented???

I’ve always wanted to be able to draw, but the best I can do are lopsided trees and animals that look like they’re melting. It’s always the nose-and proportion-and the eyes-basically everything.

My great aunt was a talented artist and was world-renowned for her florals on super-thin porcelain and China. I don’t have any of her work, but her daughters have lots of pieces.

I plan to gather her books, which are available on eBay, to enjoy her work. I wish her talent had jumped into my genes! (Even just a drop!)

Her daughters are talented, as well. Their homes are torn from the best interior decorating magazines. I’m always jealous about how effortless their homes and decorating are. My sister has the decorating gene, too. I am NOT that way. My house is clean and comfy, but the decorating finesse has bypassed me.

Hmm. Maybe they feel the same way about my writing. I love it. Lots of people don’t. I can spend hours plotting and writing at my laptop. I love the research, too.

I hope you find that thing that sparks your inner fire. Sonja

What one thing do you hope to accomplish this week?

I plan to finish editing one manuscript and start on another.

Staying home hasn’t really changed my writing schedule. Since writing is a solitary activity, I sit at the same table and work on my plots and dialogue.

The difference is that my family is home, too. (Which is wonderful!)

I am also a healthcare worker, but can’t work due to issues with my wrist. I want to work, but can’t. I am thankful for those who continue to work, especially those in healthcare and related fields.

I’m thankful for the First Responders who remain on the job to keep us safe and healthy.

I’m thankful for the restaurants that continue to provide take-out meals.

I”m thankful for the businesses who are creatively keeping their doors ‘open’ and some employees on the payroll.

I’m thankful for anyone else I missed!

Tell me how you are creatively getting through the pandemic! Sonja

Book Sale!

From time to time I put my ebooks on sale. If you’re in the market for an ebook, check this website for announcements. I don’t have a specific schedule, but I do announce the sales here and on my Instagram (@author_sonja_danielson).

The Fairies of Carlow series is filled with middle grade books. That means chapters, no illustrations, and a more complex plot. These aren’t Young Adult books, so the subject matter should be appropriate for those readers of any age who are advanced enough to handle chapters.

The Voyage and the Guinness the Therapy Dog series are illustrated books. They are meant to be easy-to-read books, suitable for those learning how to read.

The Voyage is based on historical fact. It is set in the 1600s and looks at English history and how a preacher travels through Europe in search of religious freedom.

Guinness is a real therapy dog, and Lucy is his real-life older sister. They live with me. The books are based on Guinness’s adventures and his relationship with Lucy.

I hope you enjoy them. Sonja

A Guinness Quiz

How long has Guinness been a therapy dog?
Is a therapy dog and a service dog the same thing?
How old is Guinness the Therapy Dog?
How much does Guinness the Therapy Dog weigh?
Is Guinness the Therapy Dog always a good boy? Does he misbehave?

The answers are below. Don’t look until you’re ready!

Don’t look yet!

Not yet!

Getting closer!

And–look! But only if you want to see the answers!

Answers:

Almost two years
No
4 years old
95 pounds
Nope, he misbehaves every day and is always sorry.

Do you have any other questions about Guinness the Therapy Dog? Sonja

Unboxing the books!

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+fairies+of+carlow — (c) 2019 Available on Amazon.com

One of the most fun things is to get a box of books in the mail. From the covers to the pages, I love getting books.

These days, it takes a long time to get stuff shipped–since the shipping sources have been affected, as well as the supply lines. Order what you want and have the patience to wait. The people working to get it to you are battling a lot of negativity and unhappiness from the scarcity of several things as well.

Make sure you thank your delivery drivers–and wave when they drive by. It’s a good way to bridge the gap of social distancing!

I was out walking Guinness the Therapy Dog and waited for the Fed Ex truck to pass by before we crossed a side street. It wasn’t a big deal for me or Guinness, but it meant a lot to the driver and he called out a thank you. It was nice to show caring in such a simple way.

Tell me your ideas for bridging the social distancing gap! Sonja

#TBT

It’s Throwback Thursday and I’m looking back at my first book series: The Fairies of Carlow.

These middle-grade books have chapters and are based on a fairy kingdom. They come from Ireland and now are in the United States. With magic, they find their way through their teen years. Not only do they grapple with the angst that accompanies that time, but the Red Caps are causing trouble.

These wicked creatures bring chaos and fear to the kingdom and cause trouble throughout the series.

Each book stands alone, but you get to revisit the characters from previous books and can see what they’ve been up to since their story was told in their book.

One of the benefits of staying home these days is the ability to read more. Ebooks are always available while print books may take a while to ship, depending on where they are coming from and how well the shipping lines are doing to your town.

Personally, I love ebooks and carry my Kindle around in my purse. That way, when I’m stuck in a line I can take out my book instead of standing around getting bored or irritated.

Bonus: all of my books are available as ebooks!!! Just for you! Sonja

Hey, It’s April First!

And that’s no joke!

Why is April 1st the day to pull pranks? This worldwide ‘holiday’ is enjoyed by individuals and corporate entities alike. You can find news sources, magazines, and newspapers publishing prank stories.

But why????

It could be traced back to Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ in 1392, but there’s some dispute about that. Maybe it’s because of French poet Eloy d’Amerval in 1508.

The Netherlands attribute the day to a victory over Spain in 1572. And the British origin goes way back to 1698 when people were tricked to “see the Lions washed” at the Tower of London.

In some countries, particularly those associated with the United Kingdom, the jokes end at noon.

Since ‘laughter is the best medicine’ and a good laugh can boost your health, it’s a good time to laugh at yourself and those around you.

Just make sure the joke is funny to everyone. Sonja

Month: April 2020

True Happiness