INK Sisters Write

Dear Kim, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! We had fun with Bomi Park's gorgeous FIRST SNOW last week. We used the book as a mentor text to explore personal narratives and poetry.  We also explored watercolor resist techniques. (We also made a mess-- which is kind of my modus operandi during writing workshop. Sorry, Kelley! ) I used the sentence starter from the jacket copy: Look up. One flake falls, then another. And just like that—it's __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . The kids worked cooperatively at their table groups to discuss what word might fill in the blank. I love hearing them chat.  "Well it is a snowflake because 'one flake'."  Followed by: "No. It has seven letters, snowflake has nine."  And: "It is an action. A-- what's that called-- a verb because it is something falling."  Eventually we filled in the blank by using spelling clues to check our thinking, which might not sound like a whole lot of fun, but spell...

Dear Alison, Thank you for my letter on Friday. I was teaching and didn't get to read it until late Friday night, but oh the memories of our time at the Writing Barn...so wonderful, so peaceful, so inspiring. The retreat was a much needed break from the insane fall I've had, and though we worked our butts off, it was a different kind of work, a good kind of work, my favorite kind of work, and sharing that work with you and Donna? Yeah, that was awesome. I, too, was really able to dig into my WIP and find Gigi's voice. She's so different from Starr and with so much prep work on Starr Lost (Book Two) and Starr Gone (Book Three), I had a hard time recapturing Gigi's voice, but Texas changed all that. Her 'in your face' style sets the tone for the entire young adult urban fantasy series, and I can't get her defiant nature out of my head. (People, you've been warned.) Alison, you and I get to share the writing love every Monday and Thursday. Today, ...

Dear Kim, THE WRITING BARN Do you still feel it? I do. The restorative effects of Bethany's Writing Barn will take me far into the New Year. For our readers who don't know,  The Writing Barn is a retreat center established by author Bethany Hegedus and her family located on her homestead, just outside the city of Austin, Texas. The grounds are a writer’s paradise; tranquil, wood-lined paths lead you from The Book House to The Cabin to the grand meeting space found in the property’s original horse barn. Bethany’s motto: Retreat, Create, and Celebrate. We did all three. Bethany shows us the latest book in her Grandfather Gandhi series, BE THE CHANGE. Donna's writing den. I thought I snapped a picture of her inside. I guess I was too busy writing. I think we all found what we needed at The Writing Barn. You found Gigi's voice. Donna found a new mystery for Hound Dog to solve (and inspiration for her own writing den, see above)...

Dear Alison, A little Friday treat for you.  Hi everyone! Today, I'm excited to share the wonderful cover for Ever in the After: 13 Fantasy Tales . This anthology of fantasy/SFF short stories has been put together in aid of Lift 4 Autism, and releases April 1st, 2017. 100% of the proceeds will go to Lift 4 Autism. So, let's take a look at the gorgeous cover!  Isn't it beautiful? The cover was designed and created by Stephanie Keyes (my Writer Buddy), and it fits the stories in the anthology perfectly. About the anthology...  In  Ever in the After , 13 authors come together to explore fantastical realms full of supernatural creatures, dark intrigue, and spells that may--or may not--be curses. This anthology features work by: Melle Amade Miracle Austin J. A. Culican Madeline Dyer Jessica Hawke Alaina Hebert Elizabetta Holcomb Stephanie Keyes Christopher D. Morgan Mandy Peterson Alice Rachel Cadence Rae Jaqueline E. Smith ...

Dear Alison, Today I get to reveal the cover of Starr Lost, Book Two of the Starr Fall Series with Inkspell Publishing . Najla Qamber Designs  has done it AGAIN. I've shared pre-order buy links, and I want the world to meet Di because she is freaking amazing. She's an ass kicking Goth--what's not to love? Heeeeeerrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeee's Starr Lost!! Starr Lost Book Two of the Starr Fall Series By Kim Briggs ISBN: 978-0-9976212-9-7 GORGEOUS RIGHT?!?! I am sooooooo in love with it! Here's the Buy Links. Pre-order so you don't miss Book Two.  BUY LINKS: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5389ER Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/starr-lost What's Starr Lost about? Well, here's the blurb: A Starr falls, and a family is found. On the run from the Organization, Starr and Christian find safety on the Qualla Boundary with their friends, Ben and Coda, but Starr needs answers. She owes her dear dead frie...