Is it instinct as humans to fight for our life…to have a will to live?

We all try to find that happy place in our life…don’t we? Isn’t it our instinct as humans to fight for our life, and have a will to live? There are days in life, when something is a bother, and it isn’t easy to shake off,  right? But, the truth is–if we don’t, it can eat at us like a corrosive agent in our bodies and our mind.

Valerie Harper, who played Rhoda,  a comedy that aired back in the seventies on American TV, is a good example of this. A woman with inoperable brain cancer, who while not liking the news she has been given– chooses to find happiness in each and every day. What an inspiration to those with illnesses that are terminal, and an inspiration to all of us… as she is a living example of finding her “happy place.” She is living life to the fullest, staying positive, and according to the TV news report I listened to this morning, she originally was told she may only have three months to live, and has surpassed that, six months now I believe. And she has just been told she may be in remission. Precious life, granted to a woman with a mindset to live! What wonderful news…and I sure wish her well!

Cancer is no stranger to me…some of you know, as I have spoken about this before, that I too have had the dreaded C-word. But, for those of you who don’t know…I have had Thyroid Cancer, as well as Skin Cancer, both operable. It is not easy sitting across the desk from the doctor when they deliver that news. But I believe in most all of us, there is an instinct as humans–a will to live and fight for our life. In my instance, I immediately started researching to see what I could do to build up my immune system. I started juicing carrots, and making juice recipes that were delicious, and with every sip I drank, I thanked God for the time I had been given, but I asked God to give me some more time. That will to live, the instinct inside of us, took over in my fight for Cancer. I’ve been cancer free for a number of years now, and my doctors have now let me go longer between cancer check-ups! My surgeon years ago told me that the type of thyroid cancer I had can return as many as twenty, and I have read forty years down the road, though it is highly unlikely. Again, I’m hopeful, and continue to eat well and find my happy place in life! Writing, for me, is one of those places….I think you all know that tidbit about me!!  :-)

Today on a BookGorilla update, I found a book for free that I wanted to share as I felt that it is talking to what I speak of:

HEAVEN ON EARTH Simple Ways to Be Happy by Timothy McKinney is FREE today on Amazon…go grab your copy now!

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Earth-Simple-Happy-ebook/dp/B008RKEGD2/

Have you signed up for BookGorilla updates yet? They send a list of books to you based on your likes. Many are FREE that you can get at Amazon, and some with discounts. Love my daily update from them! You can sign up here: http://www.bookgorilla.com, it is free to join just by going to their website and entering your email address.

Have a wonderful Thursday…now go find your happy place!

-Virginia Wright

Release Party For “The Christmas Secret by Virginia Wright” & Giveaways

December 16, 2012 Welcome! Thanks for joining me for my release party! Grab your coffee or tea and sit a spell. Before I get to how you enter for your chance of winning my giveaways today, I wanted to include a few questions and answers from an interview that Author Sherry Ellis did with me over on her blog Mama Diaries. Please read through it and then I will tell you how I’d like to have you comment for your entry in my giveaway. I’d also like to invite you all to subscribe to my blog via email, you will get updates when I’ve published a new update. The subscribe box is in the right side bar.

About Me:
Born and raised in Belfast, ME, children’s author Virginia Wright began her writing career at an early age in a diary with lock and key given as a gift by her mother. After graduation from high school in 1976, she took coursework in journalism and writing. Later, as a mother and homemaker, her writings were published in local publications and newspapers, as well as online. A military family, the Wrights have lived in countries all over the world and in seven different states. Her five grandchildren and being a preschool teacher in Mississippi gave her inspiration to write children’s book.
Books to check out:

The Christmas Secret (2012)


• CryingBear (2011)


 

I asked Virginia some questions about her writing career. Here’s what she had to say:
1. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became a children’s book author.

Ever since I was a young girl― I put words to paper. I can remember sitting on the veranda of my parent’s house writing, first it was a little diary with a lock and key, later, as I started growing up it was a pen and pad in hand—back then, I wrote mostly Poetry and Haiku’s. My excitement for writing was realized in 1981, when I sold my first writing to a regional publication Washington County Magazine, but the excitement for writing didn’t stop there, it continued to grow!

That is so cool that you started writing when you were a kid, and that you’re still doing it and love it!

2. What do you like most about writing for children?
While I consider myself a mixed genre writer, children’s writing has definitely taken front and center the last couple of years. What I like most about children’s writing is the reactions from children when they listen to my stories and turn the pages of my books. If I see their smiling faces, it was all worthwhile to me.
Aren’t kids the best? I love that, too!

 

3. Do you have any other works in progress? Can you share a little about them?

I’m looking forward to the release of my next children’s book, The Christmas Secret, in late fall 2012. It feels like it is working into a Christmas classic to me—it is about two little boys, Mikey and Charlie, who learn the real meaning of giving through one boy’s selfless act.

The Christmas Secret was released November 17, 2012

I’m not sure where my writing will take me after that, I have given some thought to writing a Young-Adult (YA) fiction; perhaps, a cookbook, or maybe a romance novel is in the works too. Stay tuned…

I can’t wait to see your new book. Good luck with your other writing endeavors!

The reasoning behind this event was a way to give back to viewers of my blog with a giveaway, and also to introduce readers to many different genres of writing. My interviews won’t stop at this event, the second week in January, I will pick back up interviewing authors and having book giveaways but not as frequently as in this event. However, the first authors I will be introducing you to in 2013 are Author Joe McCarthy, author/illustrator Tracy Campbell, and author/illustrator Jodi Desautels.

Today is my BIG RELEASE PARTY for my newest book, The Christmas Secret. All you have to do when commenting is tell me what your favorite childhood memory of Christmas is. Once you do, it will enter you in my giveaways today.

Commenters I will be giving away to (one) person, a signed copy of The Christmas Secret and there is no better way to read a book, than to read a book while eating chocolate! Therefore, I’m including a bar of my favorite Organic chocolate when I send your book.

My book, The Christmas Secret, is “FREE” on Kindle …Ten Days To Christmas #Giveaway Free – Promotion Dec 15, 2012 -Dec 17, 2012. Details: get your copy of “The Christmas Secret” #Free on Kindle. Please Share This Message with Friends and Family. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download Kindle for PC free.

My other books The Princess and the Castle, The Prince and the Dragon, Crying Bear, and Buzzzzzzzz What Honeybees Do, are all available Free on Kindle December 16, 2012 – December 17, 2012.

If you don’t have a Kindle- Download Kindle for PC “FREE.”

Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy my books…

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The Grand Prize Winner will win this:

 

A copy of The Christmas Secret  by Virginia Wright (me), a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com to buy whatever you wish, and two Merck Family’s Old World Christmas Ornaments. The reason I have chosen these two Christmas ornaments will remain clear after you read the story. :-) It is a $75 value swag pack that I’m giving away. I will send it out Priority mail so that you will receive it by Christmas.

Old World Christmas Ornaments are my favorite type ornaments, they are simply beautiful. They glisten in the boughs of he Christmas tree among the lights.  Cindy, an old friend of mine, many years ago gave me an Old World Christmas ornament (actually she gave me a few different OWC) and I have been very fond of this particular style ornament ever since, and just bought myself three different ornaments this year. It reminds me of the type of ornaments we would have put on my tree as a little girl.

Each glass ornament produced for The Merck Family’s Old World Christmas is hand crafted in age-old tradition using the same techniques that originated in the 1800′s.

For more information about Merck Family Old Word Christmas Ornaments CLICK HERE.But come back as I have to announce the winners yet of week 6!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Comments are now open!

All you have to do when commenting is tell me what your “favorite” childhood memory of Christmas is. Let yourself go way back…Once you do, it will enter you in my giveaway. Good luck. Don’t forget to download my books for FREE on KINDLE today!

The Christmas Secret is also available in Paperback!