Look at those eyes! They express the love Guinness the Therapy Dog has for every person he meets. As a therapy dog, Guinness meets a lot of people and he is happy to say hello to everyone.
The people he meets like to dig their fingers into his thick fur, stroke the soft fur on his chest and back, and fall into his expressive brown eyes.
Happiness is the biggest part of his personality and everyone who meets him finds an inner well of happiness.
I hope you get to meet Guinness the Therapy Dog either in person or in the books that will be published soon! Sonja
It’s different when you write the text for a chapter book that doesn’t include pictures and writing for an illustrated book. The illustrations help the reader visualize what you’re writing about.
I didn’t have to describe the clothing in ‘The Voyage’ because the artist did such a phenomenal job with her research to show the clothing and the colors that were true to the period.
For ‘The Fairies of Carlow’ series, I took literary license to use clothing that was suggested by the Victorian period and was able to modify it as necessary for the stories.
The ‘Guinness the Therapy Dogs’ stories will be modern-day and the dress of the people he interacts with will be easily drawn. I probably won’t mention the clothing unless it directly affects the plot of the book.
And dogs don’t wear pants! Hey, that’s a good idea for a story!
The illustrations in ‘The Voyage’ also show the world occupied by John Wing as he traveled through Europe as a preacher. It helps the reader see where he stood in The Hague, Oxfordshire, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts (for his family).
Take a look at the beautiful illustrations of ‘The Voyage’. The illustrations for the first two books of the ‘Guinness the Therapy Dog’ series are being drawn by the artist right now!
I can’t wait to show you. Keep a lookout for the logo that will appear on the front cover of every ‘Guinness the Therapy Dog’ book. It’s spectacular and I will unveil it here on this website soon!
Giving doesn’t have to mean spending money. The best gifts come from you or ARE you. The people who are happy to see you, who are happy to accept a gift from you, are the people who merely want to spend time with you.
The time this season to give yourself as a gift to someone special. Visit a friend or relative at their home, wherever they may live. Guinness the Therapy Dog and I like to visit people at the library, the hospital, and a transition home.
Wherever they are, that is home–at least, for them. Help them feel special and visit them where they are. Do they need a candle or a wreath? Bring them one. Every time they look at it, they will think of you and it will be another warm and happy memory.
It’s time to have fun! Play with your dog (like Guinness the Therapy Dog), dance, or play under the blue sky. I hope those of you who are digging out of the winter weather are able to spend some time playing in the snow.
I hope for good weather and good times for you and yours. Sonja
Today is a day to remember your favorite things. Since it’s the day after Thanksgiving, I like to remember watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Dog Show.
What’s interesting is today is Square Dance Day, which melds nicely with the parade memories! You can try all those moves you saw on T.V., or, if you’re lucky enough, live while in New York City!
Guinness likes the dog show, too. A Bernese Mountain Dog has yet to win Best In Show, but I think Guinness has a shot at the title–especially if they score big points for lovability!
We spent Monday evening at the library and Guinness listened to some good books–read by some good readers! Those kids really know their words and even acted out the dialogue. It was fun! Guinness likes to lie right alongside the kids as they read. He rolls onto his back and hopes for a belly rub. He always gets one.
The Fairies of Carlow: The Commoner ebook is still under special pricing until midnight tonight. Hurry to the amazon.com page and order your copy! You can also use the link in the left margin of this website.
If you’ve been reading my posts you know I’m a big proponent of going outside. Reading outside is different than reading inside, hiking, going to a festival. It doesn’t matter what you do.
I have spent so many hours laying on the ground and watching the clouds. I watch how fast they are moving, the shapes I see in them, rainbows, the shadows they cast on the ground. There is so much to see.
Take this weekend to spend some time outside. Do what you want. Have a friend over, play with your dog, go for a hike, ride your bike.
This tag represents a lot of work by Guinness the Therapy Dog. It shows that he can be a good boy when meeting people. After a month of visits, Guinness told me he would prefer to visit the hospital less.
That was difficult for me since I love bringing him to the hospital to visit with the nurses, doctors, and patients. The sessions weren’t as much fun for him–and he’s the one who needs to enjoy himself the most. He is the therapy dog after all. My job is to make sure he is happy and treated well.
We have been taking a break from the hospital as he continues to visit with the kids at the library and the domestic violence shelter–which he loves and looks forward to.
The above quote really described my writing process. In a previous post, I wrote about being a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’. I’m a ‘plotter’ and need to know the direction of my story.
That doesn’t mean I am strict or regimented in my writing. I like to see where my characters want to take me–and often they surprise me–but I can gently lead them in the direction of my plot. Otherwise, my stories tend to wander around too much.
When I write my fairy stories, you can be sure that I have pictures of Ireland on my computer and a nice cup of tea steaming at the side of my laptop.
When I write about Guinness the Therapy Dog, I like to watch him as he plays with his sister, Lucy. A lot of the time, he’s laying on the floor at my feet or resting his chin on my leg as he begs for a nice petting session.
I get inspiration from everything that’s around me. Hopefully, that flavors my writing and helps with the general mood and descriptions for you, the reader.
There are certain things that trigger us to smile. They are unique to each person. Mine are above, including Guinness the Therapy Dog, balloons, and dogs I meet around town.
What makes you smile?
It’s important to smile. It not only help you feel better, but lightens and elevates the moods of those around you.
Today is a fun holiday that is close to my heart. I love my young readers and enjoy hearing from them. I write my chapter and picture books with them in mind.
