Fairies – Page 3 – Sonja Danielson

#TBT

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

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

It’s the Day to Wear Green!

It’s because of massive emigration to the United States that the “wearing of the green”, dying drinks green, and shamrocks (the national plant of Ireland) became synonymous with all things Irish.

Prior to that, Saint Patrick was associated with the color blue. But Ireland has celebrated his date of death for more than one thousand years.

Saint Patrick was born in Britain under Roman rule. He was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave when he was sixteen years old. He escaped that situation but returned to Ireland in 432 AD to convert the masses to Christianity.

Saint Patrick died on March 17, 461 AD after establishing monasteries, churches, and schools.

In Ireland, March 17th is typically a day of morning church services and afternoon feasting. This day falls within the season of Lent, but the prohibition on meat is lifted and the traditional Irish meal of Irish bacon and cabbage usually grace the table.

Today, more than one hundred cities host parades in honor of Saint Patrick. In New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is watched by almost three million people. The parade typically takes more than five hours to travel the 1.5 miles. Chicago dyes its river green. Most of the population of the U.S. wears a bit of green, delivers pinches to those who don’t, and claim Irish descent-warranted or not.

Erin go Bragh-Éire go Brách-Ireland until the end of time! Sonja

Just Twenty Days–!!!

The Tucson Festival of Books is just around the corner! I can’t wait and I hope you plan to attend. There will be so many authors and books available!

It’s a well-run festival and I hope you come to the University of Arizona to see what it’s all about!

I’ll be in the children’s section on Saturday morning (until noon) and I hope you come by my booth to see me. I’ve been stocking up on giveaways and will have all my books for sale at special festival prices!

I hope to see you there! Sonja

Tucson Festival of Books

Come to the Tucson Festival of Books on Saturday, March 14, 2020 to see me. I’ll be in the children’s section during the morning hours.

I would love to meet you, sign your book, etc.

I expect to have all the above titles available for purchase, along with some special treats!

Come by and see me! Sonja

How I Do It

When I write longer chapter books, as opposed to the illustrated easy-to-read books, I need to keep track of characters, settings, and scenes. The ‘Fairies of Carlow’ series v. ‘The Voyage’ or the ‘Guinness the Therapy Dog’ series is a good example.

I keep a journal for each book with sections for characters, settings, chapter summaries, and events. This way I can map out rooms, homes, gardens, etc. to make sure my writing is consistent.

Since I like to write series’, I keep notes on the characters so when I revisit them in another title I can stay consistent with who they are and what they look like.

Consistency is the key when creating a world, which is what each book does.

I don’t have journals for the Guinness the Therapy Dog series since they are shorter and less complex. Also, I have the real thing laying at my feet so I don’t need to go far for inspiration or to see exactly how the white blaze goes from nose to the top of his head.

Let me know your tips and tricks for keeping track of details! Sonja

Tucson Festival of Books

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be appearing at the Tucson Festival of Books this year on Saturday, March 14!

I’m so excited to have this opportunity to meet you, dear reader. I’ll be in the children’s section for the first few hours of the festival.

I plan to have copies of my Fairies of Carlow series, including The Gilding, The Outsider, and The Commoner. I’ll also have The Voyage available, with all the pretty pictures.

I’m planning to debut my new series about Guinness the Therapy Dog, including Guinness Becomes a Therapy Dog and Guinness Goes to the Library.

I hope to see you there! Sonja

Writing 101

Are you a plotter or a pantser? I’ve asked this question before, but it bears repeating.

A plotter (of which I am) know the direction of the story. A pantser writes and allows the story to unfold before them. I tried to be a pantser, but it’s not me. I like to know my mile markers when I write, otherwise, the story meanders and gets boring.

That doesn’t mean that I plot out every single moment. I do like my characters and the story to surprise me, but the plot has a goal. Take, for example, The Fairies of Carlow: The Gilding. I knew that Fern would become a Gilded, but I didn’t know about the Gilding event itself. The character and the plot told me she would be engulfed in a cloud of gold glitter and would transform.

That it was before all the students of her school just added to her angst.

Decide how you want to write your story and then follow through. You can’t publish what you haven’t written.

Go for it! Sonja

Did You Get My Gift?

For the winter holidays, I arranged for special pricing for the three above books. Available exclusively on Amazon.com, the ebooks for The Gilding and The Voyage were free worldwide–The Commoner ebook was available for free to my friends in the UK.

I hope you were able to take advantage of this special pricing!

Keep an eye on this website or my Instagram page @author_Sonja_Danielson for special pricing alerts!

Enjoy the second day of the new year! Sonja

Happy Christmas Eve!

Tonight is the night when Christians observe the birth of Jesus Christ.

It’s also the night that Santa Claus comes down the chimney. He fills stockings and leaves gifts under the Christmas tree.

Santa’s ride is immortalized in the poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. It’s one of my favorite things to read. I’m a sucker for a good story written poetically, which is why I love Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.

As a gift to you, dear reader, I have put together some deals for the next two days. Effective immediately, The Fairies of Carlow: The Gilding ebook and The Voyage ebook are available for no charge. That’s right. They’re free only until the night of Christmas.

I also scheduled special pricing on The Fairies of Carlow: The Commoner for today and tomorrow only.

Click the links on the left-hand margin of this website, or search for my name, Sonja Danielson, on Amazon.com and you will automatically get the free ebooks or the specially-priced ebook for The Commoner.

I wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas with all the glad tidings of the season.

I wish you a peaceful and happy Hannukah, also, with all the amazing things the holiday brings.

Have a wonderful fun-filled day. Sonja

Big News Coming Soon!

I’m working on a wonderful holiday gift for you, my dear reader. Keep an eye on this page for the grand reveal!

I will give you one hint: it involves books!!!

Meanwhile, enjoy reading while cuddled in a blanket with your slippers and a steaming cup of tea!

I can’t wait to share my surprise with you! Sonja