Sparkin Is On His Way!

Hi all,

Thank you for checking in with me now and again. Good news. My writer, Cindy, presented my story to several agents and publishers last week. WOOHOO! They are interested. This makes me just that much closer to flying in for you to read about me.

World . . . here I come!

Sparkin, the Wind Rider.

Hey all in human land. Sparkin here.

I just did a before bed fly over, sorry, not over human lands, just within the protective shield dome that covers all of New Dragon Land However, I did see something you may want to know about.

There are a horde, herd, gaggle, pack, oh . . . I do not know what you humans call it. There is a group--that works--of cyclops now living in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona. Their main village is near Goblin Mountain, which is also in the Superstition Mountains. However, you may have even seen one, because a few of them have put on "glamour" and venture into the valley to spy on you all.

What is "glamour", you might be asking right about now? Well, it is the simplest, and easiest of all magics that any good or evil magic folk can use to disguise what they look like. Kind of like a shape-shifter. Glamour can make you look like whatever you want. A cyclops just shrinks his size from the usual 12 to 20 feet, yes, kind of like giants, and yes, giants are real too. They also use the illusion that they have two eyes and two eyebrows. This is good because this makes them see double, which is your only clue that the person you are looking at is really a cyclops. They tend to bump into things, and often go cross-eyed.

Be very chary of anyone that tends to be extra clumsy and crosses their eyes quite often. They most likely won't bother you, because their job is to observe humans and to find out what is going on your world. But make no mistake, they are D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S!

If you do come across one of them, please let me know. How do you do that? You leave a comment here on this blog.

That is it for tonight. Time to climb into my spun gold cloud bed. I hope I wake up with my dull grey scales polished this time. That is what the gold is supposed to do, but alas, it does not seem to work on me.

Someday . . . someday . . . I will shine.  

Humans in Danger in the Superstition Mountains.

by Sparkin

Hi Friends of Dragons,

Okay, we have a dangerous situation going on. My Da was out on a fly around today, and saw a disturbing sight.  Goblins and several Cyclops had rounded up some human hikers and were herding them into a cavern in the Superstition Mountains.

Da alerted the rest of the Danchun and the Ancient Ones. I will update you as soon as I find out what they are going to do about it.

In the meantime, I think I will sneak out and do my own fly around. I want to make sure the humans are safe.

Wish me dragon luck!

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS!

by Sparkin Stoneloch

Did you know my clan name is Stoneloch? Well, it is, but that is not what I am writing about today. I want to tell you how excited I am about Christmas. I have been invited this year to help Santa. Yes, you read that right. Each year dragons help pull sleighs, hundreds of them. Santa's helper elves deliver presents on Christmas Eve along with Santa. I mean, how do you think Santa gets the whole world covered? Dragons pull many of the sleighs because there are only so many reindeer.

Back to this year though. I get to help Santa,not just one of the elves, deliver toys. How did this happen you ask? I am just the one to tell you.

Rudolph had an accident during flight training. He broke his nose. Now don't worry. He is fine, and so is is nose, but it will take some time for it to heal and in the meantime, his nose will not light up. That won't stop him from leading the team of course, but it does mean that Santa needs a dragon to use his fire to light the way when we get into fog, or blizzards.

That dragon is me! Sparkin of the Stoneloch dragon clan. So, watch out your window Christmas Eve, and you just might catch a glance of me flying alongside Santa, and his sleigh being pulled by Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixin, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and of course Rudolph.

Merry Christmas to all you nice humans. If you are not a nice one, Merry Christmas to you too, but it would be good for you if you were nice because Santa is watching.

Sparkin Is Taking The Day Off From Flying

Hi Dragon Believers Around the World,

Today is 117 degrees. For real! So, I am floating around Tamarask Lake today. Yes, we dragons can swim. We actually swim almost as good as we fly. In fact I just finished-and almost won-a race with Morena. She's a mermaid. She can really fly in the water.

It gets this hot in Arizona a number of times each summer and the best thing to do is to get all your lads together and have a frolicking water fight. Fenton and Doornoch, showed up about an hour ago, and we had a fireblast, I mean a waterblast.

One of the most amazerful thing dragons can do is fill up our fire-shooters with water then blast it out. Fire follows so you get a huge column of WARM water followed by a flames. Not many humans have seen a dragon do this. In fact, I am not sure that any human has seen a dragon shoot water flames.

Maybe someday, you will see me do it in your minds eye when you read about me in my book.

That is . . . if my silly writer gets me out soon.

Sparkin

It Is a Hot Summer and . . . Watch out of Freaky Fog Eye!

By Sparkin of the Stoneloch Dragon Clan

Hi All My Dragon Friends!

Things are HOT here in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. No matter though, we dragons are blessed to have the ability to fly through cool clouds, and I mean cool from water collecting high in the sky. We also LOVE water and there is an amazerful lake in Dalrimple (Dragon Land). We swim almost daily with Morena, a mermaid of course. We dragons have great lungs so I can stay under water for almost a half hour. You should see the bottom of the lake. The mermaids live in shell homes decorated by pearls and some incredibly colorful water plant life. The pearls glow, so it is actually quite bright near the bottom.

So . . . no worries about the Arizona heat for dragons! We are all having a fantabulist time.

However . . . the other day, I flew over to visit "Chief" the Noodle --remember a "Noodle" is the go between humans and magical creatures. Anyway, Chief rode his flying painted pony along side me. He told me that Freaky Fog Eye, the local school janitor has created a dragon catching cage. It is often set up on the roof of the local swimming pool. I will avoid flying by it like a plague of gibbering giblets or a gang of goblins.

If you see Freaky Fog Eye, or any of the other Gatekeepers of Shadows, please let me know!

Your flying friend,

Sparkin

Sparkin of the Stoneloch Dragon Clan

Sparkin Needs a Vacation

Hi Friends,

I need what you humans call a vacation. We refer to it as a fly-away. My family, the Stoneloch Clan, is planning on going to Rocky Point in Mexico this Spring. We fly side by side with Mum and Da on the outsides and me, and the triplets in between. My two little sisters, Starlee and Skylee ride on my parents backs. They aren't big enough to fly yet. Da said there have been signs of dragons near Rocky Point, so he will check it out while we float in the lovely wave-waters and chat with the mermaids.

Oh, Mum just said it is time to turn off the lights and climb into my golden cloud bed. Talk to you soon,

Your friend,

Sparkin the dragon

It is cooling off in the atmosphere!

Hi Dragon Friends,

I took a late circle around New Dragon Land this evening and I do believe the weather is finally changing here in Arizona. It was cold, crisp and clear as far as the eye could see, and dragon eyes can see incredibly far. When I am up near the top of the Shield Dome, you know, the protective dome that surrounds all of our land, I can see all the way up to Flagstaff to the north, Thatcher to the east, Tucson to the south, and a whole lot of desert to the west.

Not too many days from now, my scales will frost up while flying. I don't mind though. My Mum always has an amazerful fire burning in our family lair. The fireplace is big enough for me to plop right in the coals and warm up. No worries. My scales are fire proof. They have to be because I am a fire blazing dragon. Cool right? I mean hot right?

Well good night for now. See you in dragon dreams.

Sparkin is on the move!

Hi Mortals,

Hmmmmmmm, that is weird. We dragons are immortal, unless of course something unusual happens. But alas, that is not the way of it today for today is a beautiful day for flying.

My mermaid friend, Merana, was floating in Azure Lake. She asked me what it is like to fly. As I circled around her in the air, I realized it is most like swimming around in the water, other than air is not as thick, and so my movements can be faster.

Merana did a amazerful surface dive, flipping her tail and a stream of water into the air. Which hit me square in the face--the water--not her tail. After about a minute, she resurfaced and said she agrees. She can imagine gliding along in the sky on wind currants as she slices in and out of the water currents.

This brings me to you mortals. Do you swim? If so, imagine yourself flying in the sky while you are swishing all around in the water. I think you will get an idea of how wonderful it is to fly.

Maybe someday you can go for a ride on my back . . . maybe.

Be a Dragon

We dragons think this should say . . . 

ALWAYS BE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU CAN BE A DRAGON. 

THEN ALWAYS BE A DRAGON!

Yes, I am not afraid to say it! 

Sparkin, your dragon friend.

Squiggy Time

By Sparkin

Not sure what Squiggy Time is?  It is when you have the wiggles and nothing, and I mean NOTHING will help you stop wiggling until you get up and dance around.  Does this ever happen to you? It happens pretty much every day to me. No worries though, we dragons are good dancers! How about you?

Sparkin, the dragon here. I love to fly. I do tons of thinking while I am flying. Flying frees up my mind.  Today, I realized that I am the only one stopping myself from doing good and even great things. So I made this up in my head . . .

DARE TO BE MY POSSIBILITY!

Do you dare to be your possibility?

See you in the clouds!!!!

Some "Happy" Ideas

Hi Friends,

Busy times right?  Here are some nuggets about happiness. I wish I could tell you who said these. Hey, if you know, write it in the comments.

"Life is good, if we live in such a way to make it so."  I agree. "If it is to be . . . it is up to me."

"True happiness is a conscious decision."  So true. I don't think you could make the decision to be happy, or any decision if you are unconscious.

"Happiness is a condition of the soul. This joyous state comes as a result of righteous living."  Too true! Are you ever happy when you do bad things? Not me.

"A good life comes as a result of the way we do things, of the words we choose to say, and even of the kind of thoughts we choose to have."  Looks like it all boils down to our choices. I work hard on making good choices. Sometimes I just need to slow down and look at the whole picture. I get myself in trouble sometimes when I rush into stuff before I really think about it.

"Be good to yourself. You are all you have got."  Not sure about the grammar, but this is true. I like to be kind to others so why not be kind to myself. I mean, I am my toughest critique.

"I am worthy of respect.  I don't have to do anything special to deserve it."  Wow!  That is an eye opener. Being the only dull grey dragon on this planet, I h ave always felt I need to prove myself. Hmmmmm . . . this is one I am going to work on.

Do you have a good quote about HAPPINESS? If so, write me a note in the comments section.

HAPPY FLYING!!!! (Flying makes me happy.)

Sparkin

SCREECH, SCRATCH, SCRABBLE, SCRAMBLE

by Sparkin, the Dragon

SCREECH, SCRATCH, SCRABBLE, SCRAMBLE
Sorry you had to wait until this week to find out what those four scrappy words meant.

I was in the middle of a battle, yes, a real battle with the horrible Gatekeepers of Shadows. I did all of those things and in just that order. You see, that evil society let loose a bunch of "Black Shiners." (You may know them as black widows.)  They are horrific, and that is putting it mildly. Those creepy crawlers wiggle under my scales and try to bite me. Not much luck on the biting though since my skin under my scales is pretty tough. But no matter, those little black things with their spindly, jiggly legs are just flat out frightening. (Yes, even we strong and amazerful dragons find some things scary.)

Well, as you can tell, I escaped the Gatekeepers of  Shadows, or I wouldn't be able to write to you this week. Sure, there is a ton more to the story, but I have to take off right now. There is a storm blowing in, and I want to be back in the Stoneloch Lair before it hits. It is tough to ride the winds of a storm.

See you soon,

Your friend in the sky,

Sparkin, the Dragon

SCREECH!

by Sparkin, the Dragon

SCREECH! SCRATCH! SCRABBLE! SCRAMBLE!
Check back next week to find out what this means.

A Great Day in the Superstition Mountains

by Sparkin - the dragon

Hi Guys, Yes, I know, it's about time I visited Dragon Dreamer again. Sorry, summer is one of the best times to be a dragon, well . . . any time is great to be a dragon really, but summer is amazerful. No school, you know. That is enough right? I get up fairly early, although it really is a bit of a sleep in, since I don't get up as early as when there is school. It is kind of like every day is Saturday. I get my morning chores done, and help me Mum with whatever she needs. Sometimes I even get to do "fly arounds" with me Da. Fly arounds are my favorite.

First, Da and I check to make sure the Dome is holding, you know, no goblins, Cyclops or humans breaching its magic protection. Then Da and I usually fly through the Shield Dome taking us out of New Dragonland, and into your world. I LOVE YOUR WORLD! Sure, it is pretty dry outside of my home in the Superstition Mountains, but it is still way amazerful. I mean you have those cool cacti –the plural for cactus, we learned that in Humanology- with the arms that reach out and try to catch my feet when I fly by. It is a game I like to play with them. They do not move very quickly, but still try to snag me anyway, and when I whoosh by, it makes their cactus needles shiver and they actually giggle. I bet you did not know that cactus move let alone giggle. Well they do.

The other day I saw a rattle snake. A real live and ANGRY rattle snake! I know it was mad because the front half was weaving in the air, and its jaws were wide open with these mega fangs flashing. I heard it first. It was about as long as my tail . . . ummm which is about five feet in human talk. Big rattle snake right? Da and I were just soaring along minding our own business and I heard it. It really did have a rattle on the end of its tail and it shook it fast. I asked Da what it was and he told me to catch the next wind draft up out of the snake’s way and he would tell me. So we circled high above it as me Da told me that it is a poisonous snake, but it only bites when startled or frightened. Sounds good to me. Rattle snakes shake their rattle to warn you that you are getting too close, you know, in their territory or something. It was mostly beige and brown, with diamond shapes all along its back, which Da said that means it is a Diamond Back Rattle snake. Amazerful right?

Well, Fenton is yapping for me to practice some Brackle Bramble games so bye for now. Oh, and I hope an agent takes a liking to me soon, so I can come visit you soon.

Flyer of the Sky,

Sparkin

Tonight's Flight

Hi, it is me, Sparkin.

It is quite late by human time, but not so much for dragons. I just landed on my balcony from my usual night fly-around. I am happy to report that I didn't see any goblins out and about near any homes tonight. In fact, the best news is that they have been building a new tunnel in Goblin Mountain so we propably will not be bothered by them for a long while. You see, goblins are not the brightest beasts of the bunch. They use their hands to dig. Yes, they have long, sharp claw-like fingernails, and toe nails, (they use their feet to dig also) but this is not the most efficient way to dig a tunnel through what is mostly black onyx. So . . . you see, it could even be years before they bother any of us. Good news right? 

Now before you get too comfortable, let me remind you that there are always a few rascal goblins that will sneak out to do some toe twizzling to let off some steam, so do be a bit chary. (Chary is a real dragon word. You will read more about it in my book, THUNDERTAI'S TAIL: THE LEGEND soon I hope.)

Don't let this picture scare you. It is only a picture. Real goblins are much furrier than this fellow, but it is pretty close to how they really look.

Time for a quick run through the waterfall then nestle in my golden-spun cloud bed.

Your amazerful flying friend,

Sparkin.

The air around the Superstition Mountains is getting warm once again!

Hi all,

Sparkin here.
Just a quick one to let you know I am enjoying the warm Arizona winds while I keep an eye out on the evil Gatekeepers of Shadows.  So far . . . so good. The Powerstones are hidden and safe.
I will keep you posted.

Your friend,

Sparkin

Magic Books to Grow Up On

by Cindy R. Williams

A new year begins and we tend to reminisce right? My reminiscing this year went clear back to my childhood and the magical times when my mother would lay a blanket down on the lush green grass in the backyard in the middle of the day and read to my sister and I. She read most of the Dr. Seuss books which we soon had memorized then went on to Wizard of Oz, Shadow Castle, Mary Poppins, Pippi Longstockings and many more. When summers ended, she spread the blanket out on the front room carpet and continued the magical "quiet reading" time.

Thanks to Mom, I learned to love books and stories. Whenever time permitted in Jr. and Sr. High, I snuggled in the stuffed rocking chair reading the entire Wizard of Oz series, all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys and all the Grimm's Fairy Tales and Hans Christian Andersen Tales I could get my hands on.

To this day, I love to curl up on a rocking chair or on a cuddly feather bed and read fairy tales and fantasies.

Thank you Mom for my love of magical stories. The magical world is just a book away.

What are your childhood stories and books and memories?

Stormy Day

Today is a precarious day for flying with massive, chunky thunderheads flattening out the roof of the sky. Sparkin landed gently, he is a soft lander, and waited patiently for Chase to see him in the back yard by the waterfall, which is rather tough since Sparkin is dull grey, the waterfall is dull grey, and the day is dull grey. Chase crashed out the back door in a hurry to feed Copper Candy trying to beat the storm, but alas, too late . . . rain sloshed from the sky in glops as big as pancakes. Sparkin roared with laughter as Chase slid around on the grass then plopped on his rump. Chase jumped to his feet smiling. Any day was a good day when Sparkin came to play.

Sparkin is floating around in the sky as he awaits his next journey.

Sparkin is soaring high around the United States as he awaits news from a very capable agent. Good thing Sparkin is a patient dragon because the waiting is killing Sparkin's mentor.

Sparkin

There's a foreboding tingle in the air as Sparkin swoops in and out of the clouds tonight. A dark vortex is moving closer to the Superstition Mountains and the Diamond Citadel. Light and dark magic creatures are preparing for the best and the worst. Hide under the covers in the night. It is the safest place to be.

Where is Sparkin While He Waits

Cindy R. Williams

Children question where Sparkin the dragon is right now while they are waiting for his book. What a great question. How wonderful the mind of children. Well . . . I just happen to know the answer.

Sparkin is attending the Academy for Magical Creatures on school days, learning more about the human world, air currents, magic creature history and chilling with the lads and lasses; Fenton, Dundas, Dornoch, Melville, Kastle and Ciara of course. They pretty much spend most of their time in New Dragonland hidden in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. Yup, the same mountains where the Lost Dutchman's Mine is . . . well lost.

Sparkin goes on fly-arounds with his Da, and sometimes stops in to visit. Whenever I hear Scooby Wonka and Pippen (also known as Putz) barking, I glance outside to see if Sparkin is around or if it's just a gaggle of Arizona Grackles causing a ruckus.

He's a smart dragon so when he visits he Dizzes. I hope you remember that Dizzing is where magical creatures vibrate super fast, refracting light rays--which is bending light. It makes them invisible to the normal human eye. However, I don't have normal human eyes so I can always make out his outline and his startling golden eyes.

Children also ask me why they can't see him. The answer to that is simple. Just like fairies, you have to believe in order to see them. And even then, they are only seen when they want to show themselves.

Have you ever been outside and felt the wind whoosh by and looked around? You realize there isn't even a breeze going on. Well, most likely a dragon just did a fly-by and buzzed you. They do that you know, just to tease you.

Tell me about your dragon or fairy visits. Hopefully no one has a story to tell about visits from Chill Shadows, also known as Bodochs, or goblins. Actually, I have a few goblin stories, but I will save those for another time. Right now as I write this, it is pitch black outside, and if I tell you now, I will have nightmares myself.

What's Up With Sparkin?

By Cindy R. Williams
A quick update on when Sparkin will be flying around on books shelves:

I spent the day updating edits, and preparing the first four chapters, along with a synopsis and my top five or six query letters to send to Elana Johnson, the query guru. I have written over 60 query letters for the book, and they all look like mush, or maybe it's my brain that has turned to mush. I need some fresh eyes to help me make heads, tails or maybe it's dragon scales of the query letter. No matter, the point is, Sparkin is still circling the unseasonably warm Gilbert sky.

Why I Write

by Cindy R. Williams

I received the ultimate compliment at my last ANWA Chapter meeting. My heart is full just writing about it. Pamela Reynolds shared with me that her little boy with Autism has a special book he loves. It's the first book he has ever read all by himself. That book was Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today, my little children's picture book I wrote a few years ago. If I never hear another nice word about my writing I'm pretty much good forever. I wrote that book out of love for my own little boy, Chase McKay, and it brings me joy to share it with other little girls and boys. Check this one off my bucket list Pam, and give your little son an extra hug for me.

I could pretty much call it good in the writing department, except characters keep waking me up at night demanding that I tell their story, so . . . I shall do my best to get them out of my head and trapped in the computer for now. Having said that, I will probably start having nightmares about my characters being cramped and smashing into each other in my computer. Dragons will step on faeries. Evil Shadows will smother angels. Goblins will steal ice cream from back yard picnics. Cyclopes will shoot lasers from their one eye at the nice little old grandma. They will all come alive and escape my computer. Alas, the reality or insanity of being a writer.

Sparkin Travels the Roads of Arizona

by Cindy R. Williams

I took the big plunge into vanity, vanity license plates that is. When it came time to renew my plates, I did it online, which by the way was awesomely easy. (Yeah, I did just use an "ly" word here, but you know how they say you have to know the rule to break it. Well, I know the rule and I chose to break it cause that is pretty much how I talk.) Now back to my vanity plate.

When you renew online, there's a place where you can click to personalize your license plate. On an impulse, I clicked it and decided to see if a few things were available. I tried stuff like "WilliamsFamily", but of course that was way too long, so I tried "Williams" and also Willsfam", but both were still too long. ADOT only allows seven characters. Then I got thinking about having a plate with something to do with my writing on it. "Author" was taken and so was "Writer". I didn't like the idea of using either one of them with some random number, so I moved on.

My middle grade fantasy, Thundertail's Tales, has occupied the main recesses of my mind for the past three years so I tried "Sparkin" the name of the dragon that takes the young hero on some pretty wild adventures. It could be a good marketing tactic.

Voila, it was available. I thought long and hard --at least for one minute that is --about any possible connections to something unsavory or untoward, but figured the worst thing "Sparkin" could be linked to was going into a dark closet and chomping down on wintergreen lifesavers to make them flash and spark when I was younger. Sparkin was also used on dates by the same couples that ran off into the woods to snipe hunt. Not me of course, but I did witness some pretty slobbery kissing going on do to sparkin and snipe hunting, but that is fodder for another blog or story.

It took about four weeks for my new license plates to arrive. When they did, I felt like a kid on Christmas. I opened the yellow packing envelope and gazed down lovingly, yup another "ly". It was almost like seeing my book in print as I admired the Arizona sunset behind the big capital letters S P A R K I N. Almost like seeing the name in lights.

My sweet husband was delighted for me and promptly replaced my old plate. ADOT sent me two of the same plate so I put the second one in my writing place where I can admire it and dream of how maybe someday I will be driving around in my mommy-mobile-mini-van and someone will point at my license plate and say . . . "Hey, that's the name of the dragon in the book I'm reading."

Here's hoping that dreams come true.

BETA READERS

THUNDERTAIL'S TALES: THE LEGEND now flying free outside of my computer files! Three copies are now in existence and are in the hands of the Beta Readers --readers that will catch any typos and glitches. Once they are back in my hands, I will use them to finish polishing it, then Thundertail flies to New York and California. Easy flights for dragons. Pretty tickled around here. Stay tuned for the next update.

I DID IT!

This post is by the author of the book about me, the humble yet noble Sparkin of the Stoneloch Dragon Clan. She has some exciting news about what is happening to my story.

THE QUERY LETTER IS DONE!

What's a query letter you say? It's a letter that is meant to convince an editor that your story is the greatest story ever told and that they absolutley have to have it even more than chocolate. A query letter is your proposal of sorts, your calling card, you're desperate plea to "PICK ME! PICK ME!" without sounding the least bit whiny or desperate.

I have been flying on Sparkin's back over Arizona for three years now and yet found the query letter about as much work. Wait a minute, hold the phone, and your horses or whatever it is you hold. I actually found the book an absolute delight to write. I love the characters, even the sinister ones and many times had to be called back to this planet to fix dinner, and attend to the worldy needs of my wonderful family. The query letter was more of a tear out your hair exercise that lasted through several months of research and 42 different versions, one to please each query letter expert. I studied the blurbs on the back of a gazillion books, and finally had an epiphany. Why not do the exercise outlined by one of my most favorite agents that I was blessed to attend her presentation last April at the LDStorymakers Writers Conference?

So after the "why did it take you so long to figure it out," moment, I finally hit upon what the heart of this book is about and what makes it unique --yes Sparkin, I know it's really you that makes it unique. I realized it is a story of youth learning that they can do hard things, and learning that it is okay to be yourself even if you are different than others.

As the amazerful Sparkin the dragon would say, "It is ever so sweet" to have it complete.

2nd Annual SUMMER TREASURE HUNT

Books and other treasure won by ye worthy Treasure Hunters!

June 1
SPONSOR: Donna Hatch
WINNER: Amber Nielson, Vermont, USA
June 2
SPONSOR: Laurie Lewis
WINNER:  Barbara Stilwell
June 3
SPONSOR: E.A. West
WINNER:  Judy Cox, Louisiana, USA
June 4
SPONSOR: Jenna Dawlish
WINNER: Ginny Romney Arizona, USA
 June 5
SPONSOR: Rachael Renee Anderson
WINNER:  Karin Tillotson Pennsylvania, USA
June 6
SPONSOR: Linda Kay Garner
WINNER:  Laura Lewis North Carolina, USA
June 7
SPONSOR: Danielle Thorne
WINNER: Carol Rainbolt Arizona, USA
June 8
SPONSOR: Larry Hammersley
WINNER:  Minna Gerhart
June 9
SPONSOR: Linda Weaver Clarke
WINNER: Cassandra Cantrell Utah, USA
June 10
SPONSOR: Angela Morrison
WINNER: Diana Donahoo Illinois, USA
June 11
SPONSOR: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
WINNER: Amanda Isbell Utah, USA
June 12
SPONSOR: Anne Patrick
WINNER:  Cindy Schuerr Wisconsin, USA
June 13
SPONSOR: Rebecca Talley
WINNER: Rachel Staqnley California, USA
June 14
SPONSOR: David J. West
WINNER: Tawn;ya Mayo Utah, USA
June 15
SPONSOR: Jennifer Stewart Griffith, author of Choosing Mr. Right and Delicious Conversation
WINNER: Tracy Astle California, USA
June 16
SPONSOR: Rebecca Irvine
WINNER: Tracy Travis California, USA
June 17
SPONSOR: Marilyn Bunderson
WINNER: Karen Haas North Carolina, USA
June 18
SPONSOR: Heather Justesen
WINNER: Colleen Conklin Arizona, USA
June 19
SPONSOR: Nichole Giles
WINNER: Taffy Love Utah, USA
June 20
SPONSOR: Karen Adair
WINNER: Becky Drew Arizona, USA
June 21
SPONSOR: Lynn Parsons, co-author of the soon-to-be-released (dis)Abilities and the Gospel (nonfiction)
WINNER: Karen Tillotson Pennsylvania, USA
June 22
SPONSOR: Kinzie Monroe
WINNER: Paige Child Utah, USA
June 23
SPONSOR: Michele Ashman Bell
WINNER: Sharlina Mata Costa Rica
June 24
SPONSOR: Jaimey Grant and JaysDesign Jewelry
WINNER: Cydni Tonguish Utah, USA
June 25
SPONSOR: Christine Thackeray
WINNER: Carissa Cantell Utah, USA
June 26
SPONSOR: Bonnie Harris
WINNER: Cheryl Snyder Pennsylvania, USA
June 27
SPONSOR: Teralee Deighton
WINNER: Susan Arroyo Utah, USA
June 28
SPONSOR: C. LaRene Hall
WINNER:  Chris Okelberry Utah, USA
June 29
SPONSOR: Sarah M. Eden
WINNER: Teryyn Ercnbrack Utah, USA
June 30
SPONSOR: Marcia Mickelson
WINNER: Paticia Cochran Texas, USA
July 1
SPONSOR: Kimberly Job
WINNER: Archana Subramaniam Georgia, USA
July 2
SPONSOR: Joan Sowards
WINNER: Jobie Marshall Ogden
July 3
SPONSOR: Margaret L. Turley RN
WINNER: Heather Perry Utah, USA
July 4
SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena
WINNER: Lexie Hogan Utah, USA
July 5
SPONSOR: Cindy R. Williams
PRIZE: Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today (Arizona Glyph Award Finalist and Southwest Book Awards Finalist), a snuggle, giggle children’s picture book
QUESTION: There is a picture of Cindy holding two dragons on her website, www.cindyrwilliams.com. The names of the dragons are in the caption below the picture. What are their names? (Hint: Look on the “Book” page)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.cindyrwilliams.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER: Diane Pollack Iowa, USA
ANSWER: Thundertail & Sparkin
July 6
SPONSOR: Gail Pallotta
WINNER: Jeanette Jackson, Canada
July 7
SPONSOR: Danyelle Ferguson, co author of the soon-to-be-released non-fiction book: (dis)Abilities and WINNER:  Jacque Stevends Maryland, USA
July 8
SPONSOR: Karen E. Hoover
WINNER: Paige Ray California, USA

Sparkin Is Back Home Again!

Sparkin flew back home on his own. Never did get the long awaited email he was to arrive in, but his wings are strong, and it's all good. He is going out to visit four beta readers and getting all spruced up for his big query to agents. Hours and hours have gone into polishing his scales, but they are still dull, drab grey. But that's okay because his heart shines golden!

Thundertail is now circling around the editor's house.

Christmas day, I pushed the send button, and Thundertail left the Superstition Mountains to visit the editor. It was tough to let him go, but also very liberating for us both.  Now the faeries are settling in around the house, whispering their story into my ears.  Writing is so much fun. Fly high Thundertail!

Sparkin Bests the Grand Master.

Sparkin just finished besting the Grand Master. It was pretty iffy for awhile.  He is on his final journey out the door and into the world.  I wish you well my friend!

Thundertail visits Highland Park Elementary

November 20th, 2009.  Thundertail hid in Cindy's bag and made a surprise visit at Highland Park Elementary.  Cindy was visiting with the students and reading her book, "Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today," when the big fellow stuck his head out. A ripple of excitement greeted the friendly dragon.  Thundertail just may decide to visit school children more often. He found them quite delectable, I mean quite delightful.

Thundertail's Tales: The Legend

Sparkin in in a holding pattern, gliding high over the Superstition Mountains right now. My great editor is unable to get to him until after the Holidays. I just hope a zephyr doesn't blow him away!

I left in a hurry today to help my son's school class sell boo grams during lunch time.  I love, I mean absolutely LOVE to be with the children. There is so much energy and smiles everywhere.  Children are so real.  There was only one problem today.  I left home in the middle of revising the climax to Thundertail.  Sparkin was flying like a zig zagging bat to out run the Gatekeepers of Shadows. He, Chase, Cheif and three Warrior Fairies were literally flying for their lives!  Can you even imagine how heartless I felt leaving them all up in the air with the Gatekeepers and the Shibber Goyls closing in on them.  Okay, I'm home now, so hold on Sparkin.  Here I come!

Sparkin is on the move

Sparkin is in the air and in trouble. 

There are Cyclops everywhere. 
The Gatekeepers of Shadows are determined not to let the young dragon get back home to the Superstition Mountains. 

This is very serious stuff!!

Sparkin is getting twitchy!

Hi all my dragon loving friends! The Arizona dragons, which is where Sparkin lives are getting twitchy. They have been waiting for near 350 years to step into the human world once again. Are you ready for them? I sure am. Keep your eye on the sky!

Visit with the Dragons and Fairies

My son wants to fly with me to Castleland. I'm not sure if it is the right time yet to share the family secret of how we do this. Hmmm, I will fly there tonight and consult with the Dragons and the Fairies. My other four children have been quite often, but have now forgotten since they are well into their teen and "dolt" years.  I'm not worried that he can handle it, I'm worried that he will be too excited to be able to keep it secret.  What to do?  What to do?

The End

by Cindy R. Williams

I did it! I just wrote the two magic words I have been waiting to write for just shy of three, YES THREE YEARS! What two words am I talking about? Thanks for asking. They are, "THE END".

I sat on my love seat in my bedroom with my computer on my lap when I wrote those two incredible words. I looked around my room at the bazillion dragons and fairies smiling down on me.

I leaned back on the sofa in shock wondering what a writer is supposed to do at this monumental juncture in the journey of their first 170,000 word novel.

"Wishing You Were Here" by Chicago was playing on my favorite writing TV music channel. I love Chicago and thought how great it was that I finished with their music playing.

Good things seem to happen that coincide with Chicago.

In fact, I owe my marriage to Chicago. My husband and I met buying tickets to attend their concert at BYU.

Now if you're asking in the back of your mind, "What is she doing writing a 170,000 word novel? Middle Grade fanatasies should only be around 60-70,000 words." Let me explain.

The idea for Thundertail came way back in November of 2007 as a bed time story to my then six year old Chase McKay. Yes, the same Chase McKay that inspired the children's book. I felt it was the right time to learn how to take my stories to the next level and get them written down.

This led to meeting a woman that would change my life, Dr. Pamela Goodfellow. She recently relocated from Seattle, where she taught Creative Writing at the University of Seattle. She also owns Goodfellow Publishing Services. She was offering classes through Gilbert Parks and Recreation. I felt that I could afford this, and one night a week away from the family would not destroy them so I signed up.

Now, almost three years later, I have completed all nine college writing courses and graduated from Dr. Goodfellow's program. My first published book, Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today, has been named a finalist in the Arizona Glyph Awards. I have several other awards from short stories, essays, and first chapters contest. And now, finally, I have finished Book One of the four book series of Thundertail.

Thundertail was originally going to be three books, but I split the first book in half so instead of 170,000 words, it is now around 80,000 words. Yeah, I know, still a bit long and my editor will probably make me tighten it some. Also,with a few revisions the remaining 90,000 words will become Book Two of the series.

When I finished the last chapter, I realized that it brought the closure needed, loose ends tied up, a hook for the next book and that I really, really was done. I just looked at my computer dumbfounded, then had to mentally nudge myself to type the official words, "The End".

I called my good friend and writing buddy, Melinda, and shared my news. She was delighted and of course this calls for a QT (Quick Trip - soda) or DQ (Dairy Queen - Blizzard) run to celebrate. Then I called my husband. Sorry sweetie, no offense. I think the idea of celebrating with ice cream tempted me.

My sweet husband has been editing for me. He has a great eye for content flow, grammar, punctuation, spelling and typos. Lucky me, I know. Actually, if you knew my husband, you would realize I am one of the luckiest ladies to have ever lived on this or any planet.

When I called my sweetie, I read the last twenty sentences or so to him, then waited to see if he understood what it meant. He let out a huge burst of laughter and said, "You did it! You finished the book!" We laughed and I beamed so bright I am sure he could see it even through the phone.

After I hung up, I jumped up and down and ran around the upstairs of my house doing the "I finished the book" jig. I didn't know how to do this jig before now. It is something that comes from deep inside and just flows out every muscle. I'm sure I looked quite goofy, probably like someone who snorts jello, but I don't mind. No one was home but the cats, dogs, fish, and the hamster and what do they care? In fact I am feeling another jig coming on. So this is "The End" of this blog. Oh . . . this feels so good! I can't believe I am saying this, but this is even better than chocolate!!!!!!!!

Also posted on ANWA Founder and Friends and Dragons Dreamer

Sparkin Stoneloch

Sparkin is trapped in a dungeon. The Gatekeepers of Shadows have him in a metal cage. It is common knowledge that magic doesn't work on iron, and naturally the cage is made of iron. Sparkin is in a heap of trouble.

Goblins in the Night?

NO WAY!!! The dogs were barking late last night so I quietly opened the balcony door and stepped out to see what was up. I saw a small black shadow like thing about the size of an eight year old hunched down and running, yes running, along the top of the back wall of the house behind me. (Behind our back fence is an 18 SRP Easement, then the neighbors fence.)

Chills sped up and down my spine. I squinted my eyes and leaned over the edge of the balcony trying to try to get a better look, and the thing continued scurrying along the wall until it was out of site under the overhanging branches of a tree.

It was way larger than a black cat, and didn't have the grace of a cat. It was way to small for one of the many lizards I see daily on the fences. I really don't think it could have been a person because it was scrambling too fast and was all hunched down. It would have to have been a child, and what child is out at about 2:00 in the morning.

I surmise it was a goblin. Anyone else have a guess?

Cyberspace

Sparkin just flew through cyberspace and is going to appear in print. I'm not sure who is more excited. The only worry is if his wings will fit on the page.

Sad Dragon

Kastle is sad tonight, and so alone. She has gone for a fly about which always cheers her up. Gilding in the breeze brings so much peace like floating on shimmering clouds. Seeing the world from the sky gives a completely different perspective and soon, all is not lost. A change of scenery often helps the heart through tough times.

Dragon Scales

Dragon scales. Some say that dragon's skin is leathery, others say it is a much like a snakes. I know it is a bit of both. The scales are real scales, but they differ in size. The largest, along the back, can lift up to allow air in to keep the dragon cool. The smaller ones can do the same, but they are not only smaller, but thinner, and can snap quite easily.

One of the wisest of all dragons, Ancient Birkwood lost an ear in a battle with a knight in shining armor, a dragon slayer no less. There were quite a few scales on that ear, some big, some small. The dragon slayer was a member of the Gatekeepers of Shadows, and he created talismans out of the scales. This was a bad thing, because any part of a dragon, any little bit or piece has great magic. So now the bad dudes have something of value from the dragons. The only good thing is that they are not the smartest earthlings on the planet, so they have yet to figure out all the magic the scales can do.

You can read more about these dragons in the Book Tab on cindyrwilliams.com. Thundertail is the book, and you will see it out and about in the near future.

Dragon Ears

I was thinking about dragon ears today. Are they soft and leathery, or are they covered with scales. The more I thought about it, the more I realized they are actually both. They have a soft leather like skin as a framework, but the are also covered with scales---scales that are much smaller than the others covering the rest of their bodies.

I also know they are very keen of hearing. Delightfully so. This skill is very useful and thought to be magic, but it isn't.

Take this situation that happened today. I was voicing my concerns about dragon ears aloud, in the privacy of my writing love seat in my very own bedroom, when a gaggle, flock, gang, herd, swarm, school, . . . of dragons flew by and overheard me through closed windows. That is how I received the answer about their ears.

However, now I have another question. What is the term for a group of dragons flying together? Oh, I shouldn't have read this out loud unless I really wanted the answer. They are called a clan. Thank you Sparkin, my fine dragon friend, now go home to bed in your Lair. It is late!

Dragons

By Cindy R. Williams

If you haven't yet seen a dragon, it is because of one of two things. You either don't believe in them, or they have chosen to remain invisible around you. Same goes for fairies. The only difference is the way they become invisible. Fairies can just "Wink Out" dragons must "Dizz." What is Dizzing you ask? Dizzing is when a dragon vibrates so rapidly that they actually bend light rays. In doing so, they are no longer visible to the human eye.

You may have heard that a fairy dies every time someone says they don't believe in fairies. Hog wash. They just ignore you or consider you another human idiot. Dragons are the same way. They don't die just because many people consider them a myth or legend. They like it that way. Then we nosy humans don't bother them.

We have a great clan here in Arizona. To read more about them, check out my "Book" tab on my website,

Now what do you think? Just be careful if you go looking for them in the Superstition Mountains. They protect the gold, so no one will ever find the Lost Dutchman's mine. They do enjoy watching people trapse all around the desert mountain searching. It is one of their favorite pastimes.

Finish this THING!

by Cindy R. Williams, the author and dreamer.

It is time to work on the editing and final put together to send Thundertail on his way. I find I freeze up because of fear. Is it fear of failure or fear of success? Hmm . . . I will have to examine this a little closer. I see 42 dragons, 16 fairies, a turtle, a Wild Thing, my Cindy Doll, a BYU bear, a pink poodle music box, an octopus, and Nessy, the Loch Ness Monster, all quietly watching me. They seem to be waiting for me to finish, urging me on, with patience and acceptance in their grins. Pressure from the magic world along with the human world. Alrighty then, it is time to sink or swim.

Dragons are real. If you don't believe, please go to another site. This magical place is for believers only. Long story short, a large clan now lives in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. They came here around 350 years ago to escape the dragon slayers in Europe. More later

Dragons

Several more dragons visited in hopes that their story can come forward sooner than later. They have been hated and hunted for far too long.

Today

Today was used up. Part was used wisely, and part was wasted. What will I make of tomorrow?