Author Claudia Ware believes she was born to write.
"I cannot remember a time when I was not writing," said Claudia, who grew up on Long island, New York, moved to Florida in 1973, and to Tennessee in 2007.
"My mother read to me often, and I identified with Jo, the would-be author in "Little Women," one of my favorite childhood books.
"While quite young, I wrote little stories that I read to my dolls. At age eleven, I wrote a three-act play that was performed in my church. In high school, I won an essay contest sponsored by a civic association. My English professor in college encouraged me to write more.
"When my boys played Little League football, I was asked to write a weekly sports column for our local newspaper. To find creative ways to describe football action became a challenge. I loved to read books to my seven children, however when the grandchildren came I began to write my own stories to read to them.
"We would climb into my king size bed and snuggle in amongst the many pillows and we would read for hours. Their giggles inspired me to write more stories. I would have to say I have always had a fascination with words."
Claudia has an MS degree in Psychology, and taught at several colleges and universities. Two of her short stories were printed in a section called My Word – Orlando Sentinel. After several short story contest wins, she decided to take the stories she had written for her grandchildren and get them into print.
"With two novels, three children’s books, many short stories, and poetry in my portfolio I wonder what will come next!" she said.
"I cannot remember a time when I was not writing," said Claudia, who grew up on Long island, New York, moved to Florida in 1973, and to Tennessee in 2007.
"My mother read to me often, and I identified with Jo, the would-be author in "Little Women," one of my favorite childhood books.
"While quite young, I wrote little stories that I read to my dolls. At age eleven, I wrote a three-act play that was performed in my church. In high school, I won an essay contest sponsored by a civic association. My English professor in college encouraged me to write more.
"When my boys played Little League football, I was asked to write a weekly sports column for our local newspaper. To find creative ways to describe football action became a challenge. I loved to read books to my seven children, however when the grandchildren came I began to write my own stories to read to them.
"We would climb into my king size bed and snuggle in amongst the many pillows and we would read for hours. Their giggles inspired me to write more stories. I would have to say I have always had a fascination with words."
Claudia has an MS degree in Psychology, and taught at several colleges and universities. Two of her short stories were printed in a section called My Word – Orlando Sentinel. After several short story contest wins, she decided to take the stories she had written for her grandchildren and get them into print.
"With two novels, three children’s books, many short stories, and poetry in my portfolio I wonder what will come next!" she said.
One of her children’s books is called Butterscotch and Chocolate Fudge.
"Children will adore these two sassy cats with their very different personalities," she said. "Butterscotch and Chocolate Fudge use their time together to learn to accept their differences and become caring friends. Here is a universal lesson for us all to ponder."
Claudia was inspired to write the book after she was asked if she could become an animal, which animal would she choose.
"Without hesitation I chose a giraffe because I would like to stand out from the crowd," she said. "My books would have to be a stand outs. This book was inspired by the fact that as my children were growing we had many pets. I encouraged them to choose unusual names for their pets. We chose weather as a theme. Over the years, we had a Thunder, a Storm, a Lightning, a Snow, and so on – a creative way to match the name to the pet’s personality.
"One of my children rebelled and he named his cat Barbara. We laugh about that to this day."
This is Claudia’s second year as President of Appalachian Authors Guild, Abingdon, VA. She also belongs to American Pen Women and Lost State Writer’s Guild.
She believes it takes a creative mind to write.
"Writers see things others may not, or see them in ways others do not," she said. "As I pondered on a title for my book about a country and city cat, I wanted one that would appeal to both the adult and the child.
"What is more universal than ice cream I thought? No particular flavor fit, but the toppings did. The orange tomcat therefore became Butterscotch, and the slinky brown and cream cat became Chocolate Fudge. Their names matched their personalities. I envisioned a book cover that would capture attention by linking the cats with ice cream toppings. It worked purrfectly."
Claudia’s other children’s books are The Day the Alphabet Rebelled; The Flat People and the Round People.
Amazon and other book retailers carry her books, which also come in e-book format.
For a signed copy, visit her web page www.forhimpress.com
Her web page has links to Facebook, and her blog
www.forhimpress.wordpress.com
"Children will adore these two sassy cats with their very different personalities," she said. "Butterscotch and Chocolate Fudge use their time together to learn to accept their differences and become caring friends. Here is a universal lesson for us all to ponder."
Claudia was inspired to write the book after she was asked if she could become an animal, which animal would she choose.
"Without hesitation I chose a giraffe because I would like to stand out from the crowd," she said. "My books would have to be a stand outs. This book was inspired by the fact that as my children were growing we had many pets. I encouraged them to choose unusual names for their pets. We chose weather as a theme. Over the years, we had a Thunder, a Storm, a Lightning, a Snow, and so on – a creative way to match the name to the pet’s personality.
"One of my children rebelled and he named his cat Barbara. We laugh about that to this day."
This is Claudia’s second year as President of Appalachian Authors Guild, Abingdon, VA. She also belongs to American Pen Women and Lost State Writer’s Guild.
She believes it takes a creative mind to write.
"Writers see things others may not, or see them in ways others do not," she said. "As I pondered on a title for my book about a country and city cat, I wanted one that would appeal to both the adult and the child.
"What is more universal than ice cream I thought? No particular flavor fit, but the toppings did. The orange tomcat therefore became Butterscotch, and the slinky brown and cream cat became Chocolate Fudge. Their names matched their personalities. I envisioned a book cover that would capture attention by linking the cats with ice cream toppings. It worked purrfectly."
Claudia’s other children’s books are The Day the Alphabet Rebelled; The Flat People and the Round People.
Amazon and other book retailers carry her books, which also come in e-book format.
For a signed copy, visit her web page www.forhimpress.com
Her web page has links to Facebook, and her blog
www.forhimpress.wordpress.com
Bye for now. But wherever you are on your Earth Walk, always try to Reach For The Stars.
You'll be surprised just what you can achieve!
You'll be surprised just what you can achieve!
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