Category: Tasman
Last Tasman Review Winner
Susanne Bacon is the final winner of a VISA gift card for reviews written in 2018 for Tasman. She’s a writer from south Puget Sound who writes cozy mysteries that also share her love of cooking. Meeting her is a gift of cheerfulness wrapped in her lovely smile and kindness. Her books reflect her love of story as well as her love of creating delicious food. You may find her stories on Amazon and at book sellers everywhere. Congrats Susanne! Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews for Tasman during 2018. They truly matter and provide a boost in interest from...
Tasman Review Winner
It’s always fun to read what readers think about the books they read, especially when they share their views about my books with me. Last Sunday I drew the third quarter winner of a $20 VISA card. The winner is Karen Bruck, a retired teacher, book clubber, community good neighbor and a Stephen Ministry lay person. She has faithfully written reviews and supported by other publications and I appreciate her taking the time to write a review of Tasman: An Innocent Convict’s Struggle for Freedom. Knowing her thoughts and your thoughts help me as I look forward to future writings....
Event Reminders
Happy May Day! You now have so many options of what to celebrate: May Day with maypoles and secret flowers to kind neighbors, Hawaii’s Lei Day, Law Day, International Workers Day, and even Mother Goose Day. I also celebrate my birthday. Whatever you celebrate, make your best effort to enjoy the month as we immerse ourselves with spring in full bloom. April 23rd I had the privilege of being interview by Laura Moe on her Young Adult Authors Cafe. She is an exciting teen author (Breakfast with Neruda) as well as a great interviewer. The hour of conversation flew by...
Adjectives
Writing is a tricky business. Those in the know say adjectives should be used sparingly. The trick is to select the best ones, the adjective phrases that best move the story along. Here are a few from Kristin Hannah books that I feel make excellent use of a few, well-chosen ones to set the mood or introduce settings. Let me know if you agree. ** Pinprick streams of sunlight spilled down through the evergreen ceiling, danced in golden patches on the brown-needled forest floor. Waiting for the Moon p.58 ** The drizzling February days melted into one another, forming a...
My Book Launch
A book launch is always a great opportunity to meet with old and new reading friends who might enjoy Tasman-An Innocent Convict’s Struggle for Freedom. The kindness of Mary Kay, David, Michelle and the others at the Edmonds Bookshop to open their doors to authors is heartening. Coupled with the Third Thursday evening during the Edmonds Art Event, it was a chance to introduce myself and my books to a wide variety of people. Thanks one and all who stopped in to visit and stayed to play my game,Prisoner’s Fate! A few guests were safe and returned to their homes;...
Tasman Game – A Prisoner’s Fate
I love to create games. I made dozens when I taught school and I continue to make math games for my Educating America blog and as free online teacher resources (links here). Since Tasman is a different kind of story, I decided to create a game to use with guests at my book events. It’s easy. Roll a die. Even numbers select from one set of cards; odd numbers select from another. Some make a quick journey through London and maybe the court system of 1850; others will make the long journey from London to Port Arthur and learn their...
Tasman Event and Contact Reminder
I’m beginning my local book events for Tasman this month. Here’s my list so far: ** Edmonds Bookshop, Thursday, March 15 from drop-in between 5-8 PM http://www.edmondsbookshop.com ** Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Thursday, May 10 from 7-8 PM ** University Book Store in Towne Center, Friday, May 18 from 6-7 Also: If you have a book club or organization that would like me to speak, please do not hesitate to contact me (425-420-5161). I enjoy talking about writing, my books, and my upcoming projects. I can meet with local groups in person and with others via Skype....
Tasman Background – Life in the Penal Colony
Port Arthur’s convicts lived in barracks and were sent out to work various jobs: quarrying stone to build roads, working for settlers, digging coal, and harvesting trees for further development and for export. Many worked in centipede gangs carrying immense logs while wearing leg irons. A few earned privileges and worked for the commander and the military as scribes. The military managed the island. Soldiers maintained tight control and punishments were often severe: 10 lashes for stealing a potato, 50 lashes for taking a shovel, 100 lashes or execution for attempting an escape. After all, how can a prisoner truly...
Tasman Background – Port Arthur
The trek to Port Arthur took many months under the best conditions. The voyage crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic, sailed beyond the Indian Ocean, and ended up at the southern tip of Tasmania. The quaint-looking village was actually a penal colony where the British sent convicts to work as slaves to help The Crown produce saleable products (timber, coal). It also kept control of the southern most trade route between the Spice Islands and Europe, a location of world importance in the 1850s. Settlers as well as released convicts were encouraged to remain on the island to establish British control...