#WriteWed The Next Generation

It’s always exciting to see the next generation of writers at work and know that you’ve somehow inspired them. Over the years, I’ve worked with a number of young authors to help them learn more about the publishing industry and to hone their writing craft.

I love seeing the enthusiasm they have and even more, I love seeing when they are successful in achieving their goals. Today’s post is dedicated to one of those young writers – my daughter!

As you may know, she self-published her first book, FOLLOWING JANE, a story about a young woman who is pursuing the adventure of a lifetime by trying to solve a scavenger hunt left by none other than Jane Austen!

Now she has finished a new novel and is getting it ready to submit. Here she is, hard at work on the dreaded synopsis! I am so so proud of her.
SamAuthor1

#FunFriday Create Something Magical Conference & First Day of Spring

Woo hoo spring is here . . . oh wait, snow is on the way. Sigh. Just a little longer and maybe it will warm up!

In the meantime, I’ll warm up with some friends at the Create Something Magical Conference this weekend. I can’t wait to hear some of the panels, rub elbows with the readers and other authors, and spend time with my best friend, my daughter. Besides owning a fabulous surf and skate shop, she’s also an aspiring author. She self-published FOLLOWING JANE and she’ll be pitching her new book this weekend to some editors.

Very exciting.

To try and keep us optimistic that spring really is here, I’m sharing some flowers with you!

upload_-1

#WriteWed FOLLOWING JANE Inspiration

Following JaneToday’s Write Wednesday is dedicated to my fabulous daughter and her debut novel, FOLLOWING JANE.

Samantha was lucky enough to spend a semester in London and when combined with her love of Jane Austen and an assortment of boy bands, it was only natural that she mix up all three loves into a fun and emotionally compelling story.

FOLLOWING JANE is a young adult romance that combines a scavenger hunt left behind by none other than Jane Austen with a young woman’s desire to fulfill her dying mother’s last words: to take up an adventure that is “just around the corner.”

The heroine, Lizzie (of course), sets off to London and along the way meets a young boy band member who will soon assist her in her quest and also present another challenge: romance.

Congratulations Samantha on this debut novel! I am so proud of you! What do others have to say about this novel? Here’s just one of the many 5 star reviews:

“I literally could not put this book down. It follows a young woman around England in such a way, you feel as if you are there yourself. With a little love, lots of laughs, tears, and mystery, this book is a must read. For the 20-somethings, the 30-somethings, and beyond, Jane will show you how to be independent, brave, and true to yourself. Kudos to the author for taking us on this journey!” Meaghan Abell, Reader

samauthorAbout the Author: Debut author Samantha Scordato has been penning stories in her journals for many years. She fell in love with Jane Austen at an early age and kept up with her love through an undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising and an MBA from Philadelphia University. After graduating, Samantha turned her attention to her two loves: Running a surf and skate shop and writing. FOLLOWING JANE is Samantha’s first novel, but she has already finished another novel. For more information, please visit www.lifemythlegend.com.

Travel Tuesday – Westminster Abbey and Parliament Area

Yet more photos from England for you, this time of the area around Westminster Abbey and Parliament (aka the Palace of Westminster)!

We had a great time strolling around this historic area. The only bummer was that you couldn’t take photos inside Westminster Abbey. There was so much to see there and that I wanted to share with you. But the good news is that Westminster Abbey has some great information and photos. You can click here to see some of the sights and get an idea for yourself of the immensity of this cathedral which was built in 960 and holds hundreds of tombs and monuments.

My favorite was the Poet’s Corner where many famous writers are honored, starting with Chaucer. Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Rudyard Kipling are buried in the Abbey and there are monuments to Jane Austen, William Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot just to name a few you might know! We also took a moment to check out where Charles Darwin was buried beside a number of other famous scientists because the geek in me just couldn’t resist.

Big Ben (apparently the name of the big hour bell and not the clock!) is nearby as are the Houses of Parliament. Unfortunately Parliament was closed due to the “bank holiday”, so we missed seeing the House of Commons and House of Lords, but the outside is quite impressive and we had the treat of getting a glimpse at English politics at work when the Prime Minister asked the Queen to disband Parliament and set a date for new elections.

In Britain they only have a month to campaign. What a grand idea! Too bad we can’t do that here!

Almost directly across the way from the Westminster area is the London Eye — a giant ferris wheel of sorts. I wanted to go for a ride, but the lines were very long and my family – knowing my fear of heights – feared I’d freak out since it takes at least 45 minutes to make a complete loop on the Eye.

I hope you enjoy the sites of this part of London! If you can’t see the slide show below, you can also visit my Facebook Page to see the photos of Westminster and Parliament!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2058803&id=1130005412&l=a5a6721ca7