It’s here!  As a proud co-author of The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude, I’m writing to share my appreciation and happiness for the opportunity to participate in The Gratitude Book Project^® series.

This book is full of inspirational stories and appreciation, not only for the things and people we sometimes take for granted, but for challenging circumstances and often less than desirable events.

I have two entries in the book, and hope you enjoy them:

- WHY THE SKY DESERVES OUR GRATITUDE

- THE TYPING TEST 

The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude makes a great holiday gift for friends and family and is a book they can enjoy every day of the year. The 365 day layout is a perfect way to remember to count our blessings every day.

You can buy the book here: http://amzn.to/365dlm

We’re having a “Big Splash Day” on Amazon today, Wednesday, December 14.  All net proceeds from retail sales are proudly donated to:

• Feeding America
• Women for Women International
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.)

Working together, we can generate much needed funds for these worthwhile charities. I would be delighted to have your support on today and for you to share this opportunity with your friends and family.  To help out, all you have to do is simply buy one or two copies of the book for yourself or others from Amazon.com today, Dec. 14.

To make it easy, here is a direct link to the book’s page on Amazon:

http://amzn.to/365dlm

Additionally, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you for being who you are, for being a part of my life, and for supporting me in my quest to keep gratitude in motion for us all throughout the year.

For more information about The Gratitude Book Project^®, visit the website at http://www.TheGratitudeBookProject.com.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!

No doubt, every writing instructor has their favorite books to recommend. My own bookshelf of writing related books sags from the weight of books I love. Every one of them holds a significant message for the writer and her craft, but few capture a set of basics as well as Margaret Lucke’s basic how-to for creating compelling stories. Whether you’re new to writing, or a seasoned pro, whether you write novels, short stories, flash fiction or memoir, this one book packs the best of the basics in a slim volume of 160 pages.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

1.  Writing A Short Story–Getting Started

2.  Characters–How to Create People Who Live and Breathe On the Page

3.  Conflict–How to Devise A Story That Readers Won’t Want to Put Down

4.  Plot and Structure–How To Shape Your Story and Keep It Moving Forward

5.  Setting and Atmosphere–How To Bring Readers Into A Vivid Story World

6.  Narrative Voice–How To Develop Your Individual Voice As a Writer

Includes: extensive reading list, quick guide to submitting manuscripts for publication, how to format your manuscript

BUY IT!

When it comes to this writing tool, I’m a rabid proponent that EVERY writer MUST have the J.I. Rodale Synonym Finder on his or her bookshelf.

You’ll see why when you watch this video.

Don’t wait another minute to add this book to your Writer’s Essential Bookshelf. Frankly, I don’t know how anyone writes without a plethora of word choices right there at their fingertips. Do you?

How old is your dictionary? Do you even HAVE a good dictionary? Is it the one you used in college or before?

Make sure you have up-to-date writing resources on your Writer’s Essential Bookshelf.