Tag Archives: Family

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!

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I don’t know about y’all, but I’m so ready for a new year. GOODBYE 2020! I’m hoping this year brings brighter things for all of us and that we are nearing the end of this crazy pandemic. Though things have looked different, one thing is still common…making a New Year’s Day resolution. Here are some popular ones:

  • Exercise
  • Lose Weight
  • Pay off debt
  • Stress Less
  • Donate to a good cause
  • Quit an addiction
  • Eat healthier
  • Sleep more
  • Take a vacation
  • Buy a car
  • Get organized
  • Visit family and friends…finally!
  • Overcome a fear
  • Learn something new

Whatever your resolution is, embrace it to find success. If you stumble on any particular day, remember to keep going because the only way to positively fail is to just give up trying. I believe in you! HAPPY NEW YEAR and best of luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

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Merry Christmas!

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Santa

This year has been rough for many. Most never thought they’d live to experience a pandemic, yet here they are still clenched in it’s jaws with relief just out of reach. Many won’t be gathering with family members to keep themselves and those they love safe. That’s perfectly okay. Christmas looks different this year. It will come and go like any other crazy 2020 day, and we will still love each other when it’s over.

Safe travels to anyone braving the gathering experience. I hope everyone has plenty of food to stuff their bellies and joy to fill their hearts. And if it’s within your power, remember those less fortunate. Christmas should be about giving and less about taking. Also, remember to call those you know are alone to check on them and remind them how much you care, and to see if they need anything.

I send prayers out to those whom are ill this Christmas and fighting diseases. May God touch you with his grace, heal you, and bless this day and every day for your future.

Christmas my not be super merry this year, but it’s still Christmas. Have a blessed day!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a designated time to remember what we are thankful for in life. For many, it’s having our health to spend time with family and friends while gorging on amazing meals until our stomach feels like it will explode. But there are others who might be joyful they survived a fatal illness to be here celebrating with people they love. Or maybe, there are those thrilled to still have a job, maybe paid a mortgage off, or even happy because they got that iPhone they’ve always wanted.

All of this still holds true amongst this horrible pandemic. We all want to get back to the way life was before this virus, but it sometimes feels like a fantasy with cases starting to soar this season. So, for those that are still having family gatherings, small or large, I pray you stay safe. Wear a mask when required, keep your distance, and taken cautioun before kissing on loved one. (I vote for elbow bumps to be the new kiss!)

As for me, I’d like to thank:

  • My family and friends who’ve supported me with my writing.
  • My readers. (Because without y’all, I’d have no reason to have a blog!)
  • All my critique partners, beta readers, and anyone who has ever glanced at a few pitches/pages/chapters and offered feedback (The list is SUPER long and I LOVE you guys!).
  • Contest hosts for supplying fabulous opportunities with agents and mentoring, and for selecting me at some point in the past for one thing or another. (For example: Brenda Drake, Authoress, Micelle Hauck, and Jessa Russo.)
  • Slush readers. (I know your eyes cross and we don’t send enough chocolate!)
  • The creator’s of Preditors & Editors, Writer’s Beware  and Absolute Write Forums. (Trust me when I say they’ll save you from agent and publishing scams.)
  • And finally (but not last), to God for giving me the strength to get through each day, especially for 2020! (For numerous reasons, but especially my health.)

I’m sure there are many things and other people I may have forgotten, and ask forgiveness if I have. Everyone in my physical and virtual life are very important to me. Y’all give me strength to become the best me. And yes, you complete me! (Go ahead, grab a tissue.)

Whatever your reason for being thankful today, I wish you the Happiest of Thanksgivings!

XOXO

P.D. Pabst
Writer and blogger of MG/YA Fiction

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Santa

Wishing all my family, friends, wonderful critique partners, virtual friends, and readers of this blog a Merry Christmas! Safe travels to everyone going out of town. I hope everyone has plenty of food to stuff their bellies and joy to fill their hearts. And if it’s within your power, remember those less fortunate. Christmas should be about giving and less about taking.

Also, I send prayers out to those whom are ill this Christmas and fighting diseases. May God touch you with his grace, heal you, and bless this day and every day for your future.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

HAPPY EASTER

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Image result for free easter clip art

Yay, it’s Easter! Time for religious celebrations, eggs, chocolate, and family gatherings! Some folks celebrate for different reasons, and this is okay. Whether you’re a church goer, or not, I hope everyone has time for some egg hunting, eating, and time to hang with your friends or family.

Here are some fun facts I found about Easter on Bing and other searches:

  • Did you realize that Easter’s date often changes? Easter Sunday can fall anywhere between March 22 to April 25. Easter is based on the lunar calendar (moon) rather than our more well-known solar one, thus the variation in the date.
  • Why the name Easter? The most popular answer is that the name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe.
  • How does Easter translate in religion? The Greek word translated “Easter” in Acts 12:4 is pascha, and refers to Passover, which was always kept on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (Abib). It was Passover, not Easter, that God commanded His people to observe, and they did so throughout early New Testament time.
  • Christian’s Celebrate: The resurrection of Jesus Christ which occurred on the third day after he was crucified on the cross. Back in the day, decorating Easter eggs was traditionally a symbol of the empty tomb. This tradition is called Pysanka. Christians believe that Easter eggs symbolize new life and resurrection.
  • The week before Easter has a couple names: Holy Week and Passion Week. This week contains Palm Sunday, Maudy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Passover (Wednesday).
  • How much money is spent on Easter? According to Statistic Brain in 2017, the total monies spent on Easter candies was $2.1 billion and total amount on Easter related goods $14.6 billion!

 

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

P.D. Pabst

Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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Although St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday in Ireland, people across many nations now celebrate March 17, the day believed to be Patrick’s death. Here are some noted facts:

  • St. Patrick was not Irish.
  • Born a nobleman in Britain about 400 A.D.
  • An atheist in his early years
  • Kidnapped by Irish pirates at age 16
  • A slave in Ireland for 17 years
  • Rediscovered his faith while in Ireland
  • Returned to Ireland as a missionary
  • Legend states St. Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain Christian Holy Trinity. (But it’s said no evidence proves he ever did.)
  • Still unclear if St. Patrick died in Ireland

And for those who are Irish, know someone who is Irish, or just want to help celebrate for their own pleasure, put on your green clothes, green hats, green glasses, green everything, and have some green beer, or green cake, or green potatoes, or anything drinkable/edible green…but pah-lease don’t call me later when you are feeling oh-so green!

Be safe and have fun! And again, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Santa

Wishing all my family, friends, wonderful critique partners, virtual friends, and readers of this blog a Merry Christmas! Safe travels to everyone going out of town. I hope everyone has plenty of food to stuff their bellies and joy to fill their hearts. And if it’s within your power, remember those less fortunate. Christmas should be about giving and less about taking.

Also, I send prayers out to those whom are ill this Christmas and fighting diseases. May God touch you with his grace, heal you, and bless this day and every day for your future.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving is a designated time to remember what we are thankful for in life. For many, it’s having our health to spend time with family and friends while gorging on amazing meals until our stomach feels like it will explode. But there are others who might be joyful they survived a fatal illness to be here celebrating with people they love. Or maybe, there are those thrilled to still have a job, maybe paid off a mortgage, or even happy because they got that iPhone they’ve always wanted.

As for me, I’d like to thank:

  • My family and friends who’ve supported me with my writing. I LOVE you guys!
  • My daughter and grandson for bringing me joy in my life with their adventurous spirit.
  • My readers. (Because without y’all, I’d have no reason to have a blog!)
  • All my past and current critique partners (especially Diana DeBolt Johnson, Kathleen S. Allen. and G.Z Schmidt!). This includes anyone who has ever glanced at a few pitches/pages/chapters and offered feedback (the list is long).
  • Contest hosts for supplying fabulous opportunities with agents and mentoring, and for those who selected me at some point in the past, for one thing or another. (For example: Brenda Drake, Authoress (Jillian Boehme), and Michelle Hauck.)
  • The mentors that participated in contests. Your feedback was completely awesome!
  • All slush readers (agents, editors, mentors, etc.) are the bomb. We don’t send enough chocolate, and I apologize!
  • The creator’s of Preditors & Editors (linky still down), Writer’s Beware , Absolute Write Forums, Publishers Marketplace, QueryTracker and Manuscript Wish List. (I use them often.)
  • All the authors that allowed me to participate in their book releases or cover reveals!
  • For all the ARCs I received, because FREE BOOKS before they’re published is AWESOME!
  • I have a job and I adore working with all my coworkers!
  • And finally (but not last), to God for giving me the strength to get through each day.

I’m sure there are many things and other people I may have forgotten, and ask forgiveness if I have. Everyone in my physical and virtual life are very important to me. Y’all give me strength to become the best me. Thank you for being a part of my life!

Whatever your reason for being thankful today, I wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings!

XOXO

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

 

New Voices Award

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Lee & Low Books

TU BOOKS, the middle grade and young adult imprint of LEE & LOW BOOKS, is open for submissions to their New Voices Award. This contest is given annually to an unpublished author of color (in the contest age category, other categories okay). Previous winners include award-winning titles such as Ink and Ashes, Rebel Seoul, As Fast As Words Could Fly, Juna’s Jar, It Jes’ Happened, and Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds.

Manuscripts may be any genre for children ages 5-12, or young adult ages 12-18. Manuscripts should address the needs of children of color or native children by providing stories they can identify with and which promote greater understanding of one another. Themes relating to non-traditional family structures, gender identity, or disabilities are also of interest.

Contestants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

  • Self-identify as a person of color or a Native/indigenous person.
  • Be at least 18 years old at the time of entry.
  • Be a resident of the United States.
  • Must not be agented.

The Award winner receives a cash prize of $2000 and their standard publication contract, including their basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash prize of $1000.

But the window for submission is closing soon! All manuscripts must be submitted no later than August 31, 2018. Be sure to read their entire guidelines before submitting. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction

Happy Easter and, um, Happy April Fools’ Day!

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Image result for free easter clip art

Yay, it’s Easter! Time for religious celebrations, eggs, chocolate, and family gatherings! Some folks celebrate for different reasons, and this is okay. Whether you’re a church goer, or not, I hope everyone has time for some egg hunting, eating, or just plain foolery! Yep, I aid foolery! Because…it is also April Fools Day!

So while you’re scheming your next trick, here are some fun facts I found about Easter and April Fool’s Day on Bing and other searches today:

  • Did you realize that Easter’s date often changes? Easter Sunday can fall anywhere between March 22 to April 25. Easter is based on the lunar calendar (moon) rather than our more well-known solar one, thus the variation in the date.
  • Why the name Easter? The most popular answer is that the name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe.
  • How does Easter translate in religion? The Greek word translated “Easter” in Acts 12:4 is pascha, and refers to Passover, which was always kept on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (Abib). It was Passover, not Easter, that God commanded His people to observe, and they did so throughout early New Testament time.
  • Christian’s Celebrate: The resurrection of Jesus Christ which occurred on the third day after he was crucified on the cross. Back in the day, decorating Easter eggs was traditionally a symbol of the empty tomb. This tradition is called Pysanka. Christians believe that Easter eggs symbolize new life and resurrection.
  • The week before Easter has a couple names: Holy Week and Passion Week. This week contains Palm Sunday, Maudy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Passover (Wednesday).
  • How much money is spent on Easter? According to Statistic Brain in 2017, the total monies spent on Easter candies was $2.1 billion and total amount on Easter related goods $14.6 billion!
  • How did April Fool’s Day Begin? The true origins of April Fools’ Day are uncertain, but one theory is that it began in 1582, when France adopted the Gregorian calendar. Before then, New Year’s Day fell on March 25, not January 1. And those who continued to celebrate the old New Year (at the beginning of April) were called “fools” by their early adopting peers.
  • Be careful what you read! Some newspapers, magazines and other published media report fake stories on April Fool’s Day, which are usually explained the next day or below the news section in smaller letters. Sometimes they involve elaborate pranks, such as this one in Copenhagan Metro in 2001.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day! And as you’re eating, watch out for all the tricksters!

P.D. Pabst

Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.