"Magical Maiden" by Cillyart

"Magical Maiden" by Cillyart
"Magical Maiden and A Troubador/Minstrel" by Cillyart/CMB

Thursday, June 20, 2013

My Entry into the ‘WRITING CONTEST: You Are A Writer' sponsored by POSITIVE WRITER...



http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/


I guess I will have to begin at the beginning.  My earliest recollection of my creating stories originated in my preschool years while watching MIGHTY MOUSE cartoons.  I loved how this super mouse came singing to save the day, rescuing many, especially damsels in distress!  Inspired, I would sit and draw my own MIGHTY MOUSE stories following each episode!  My mother soon found me creating and drawing stories inspired by many delightful books from library, or shows and movies that I loved.  I was particularly fond on magical stories, such as Cinderella, Superman, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and oh, so many more!  I always delighted in wonderful stories and, impassioned, I’d draw, tell or write out the vivid stories my own imagination would create!  In my childish heart, I was thrilled with the possibility of my secret wish…to write and illustrate children's books!

Seeing my artistic passion, my mother sought out scrap paper from local businesses.  She kept our game closet stocked with paper and kept a cup full of pencils for my use.  She made sure I learned early on how to sharpen my own pencils and encouraged me to create to my hearts' content after chores and homework.  Mother placed my creations in a file folder.  After a few years, she had to start weeding out many drawings into the trash as she simply did not have enough room to store them all!  My siblings had similar creative talents, but only two of us were passionate.

As my schooling grew intense and opportunities to work, perform vocally, and serve in my local communities took hold in my teenage years, my time to draw and create was almost nil.  However, I continued telling bedtime stories to my nieces, nephews and babysitting charges, drawing them pictures of these stories to color.  One summer, my sister’s family came to Arizona for the summer.  We had so much fun together, but when it was time for them to go home, I drew little story booklets to read and color on their long drive back to Utah.  My parents were so amazed at the coloring booklets, that they made hundreds of copies of my original work. Giving their grandchildren back the originals, they proceeded to put the coloring booklets in local businesses of friends.  Since these were just photocopy booklets with no real marketing plan, they did not sell well.  Eventually, the majority of them came back home and were given away as freebies to any children we met.  Still reading a lot of fiction, children's books included, I began to doubt my ability to ever create anything so amazing!  My imagination kept creating, I wrote down these stories to appease the demand of my mind to get them on paper.

I continued to create posters, fliers, bulletin boards, coloring pictures, etc. for church, community and school.  I studied art and elementary education in college, thinking that as a teacher, I could use my passion in reading, writing and drawing for students and my own children when I married.  The hope of writing and illustrating children's books hovered secretly in my heart.  After our sixth child was born, I worked with an author from an educational company on her new project, a children's book on the life of Jesus Christ.  I was thrilled at the opportunity and worked diligently illustrating this book for many months.  As we finished, the company decided to not publish it.  We were saddened that it never went to print.  The company never paid the $3,000 balance owed on my illustrations.  However, I’m grateful to have color photocopies of each painting in my portfolio.  This project encouraged me to submit a couple of my own simple stories I had done for my children.  I received polite rejection letters, again feeling very doubtful of my abilities.  Perhaps another day I could fulfill my dream to write and illustrate children's books.

 I finished my teacher studies and began teaching school.  My creativity expanded as I taught and tutored children.  I told my students, "I want to be a children's book author-illustrator" when we would discuss the topic of 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'  They’d laugh and tell me, “You are already a grown-up and a teacher!”  I would then ask them, "Don't you think I could write and illustrate children's stories too?"  They all agreed that I could.  I loved their young votes of confidence!  As a teacher, I found that chapter books for early readers in schools and libraries were very limited.  I desired to create more chapter books for first, second and third grade students to enjoy.

In September of 2011, I developed a pulmonary embolism while teaching my dual language second grade-third grade combo class.  I ended up in the hospital and my teaching career came to a halt.  Within the next year, while under treatment, doing part-time tutoring, and helping to care for my father-in-law, I decided to write and illustrate my version of Cinderella.  I would sit and sketch and paint my illustrations after I made sure his needs were met.  I posted my Cinderella story, chapter by chapter, on my blog and invited family and friends to read it.  I was encouraged in their expressions of delight as they read each chapter to their children. Within a few months, I was ready to work with createspace.com to publish my first children's book, SOOTYcinders...A Cinderella Tale.  It came out in August 2012 and I felt, “I am an author-illustrator for children!”  Having enjoyed this process immensely, I decided to self-publish my second children's book, A MAGICAL MAIDEN and A MINSTREL, recently published in May 2013.

 With my imagination still flowing, I’ve written my third chapter book for young readers and begun sketches for the illustrations.  I’m so thankful for all that I am learning and enjoying in this new career.  I continue to work with children and enjoy the creative stories of others...these are my muses!





When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf

How to enter:
  1. Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
  2. Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
  3. Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf
How to enter:
  1. Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
  2. Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
  3. Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf
How to enter:
  1. Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
  2. Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
  3. Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf

Writing Contest: You Are A Writer!

When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
PW-you-are-a-writer-writing-contest
You Are A Writer – Writing Contest
This contest will run from 19 June until 30 August 2013.
The prizes are Amazon gift cards: 1st $75, 2nd $50, and 3rd $25.
Your entry will be an essay that shares your story about when you finally knew that YES, you are a writer!
I am running this contest to find out where that spark started for others, because it was a major watershed moment in my life.
I’ll be looking for how well you share your story in an inspiring way.
I’m not looking for technically perfect stories. I am looking for real stories that touch and move me, and I believe will inspire others to take up the craft.
Writing is your calling, but when did you know, and how did you come to this realization and acceptance?
Maybe it was very difficult for you to finally admit that writing is what you were meant to do, or, perhaps you had to overcome doubts and fears that you could ever write well enough.
Perhaps you feared others would laugh at you or ridicule you for calling yourself a writer.
Maybe someone convinced you that writing was not worth doing because it doesn’t pay or another reason, so you gave up the dream, but eventually came back to it because that’s what you are: A Writer!
Maybe you’ve always known that you were meant to be a writer.
Each of us has a story to tell and we can use our stories to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers.
Share your story. 
Most bloggers are looking for a fresh topic to write about, so here you go. You just happen to also be able to enter it into a fun contest, too.
How to enter:
  1. Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
  2. Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
  3. Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf

Writing Contest: You Are A Writer!

When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
PW-you-are-a-writer-writing-contest
You Are A Writer – Writing Contest
This contest will run from 19 June until 30 August 2013.
The prizes are Amazon gift cards: 1st $75, 2nd $50, and 3rd $25.
Your entry will be an essay that shares your story about when you finally knew that YES, you are a writer!
I am running this contest to find out where that spark started for others, because it was a major watershed moment in my life.
I’ll be looking for how well you share your story in an inspiring way.
I’m not looking for technically perfect stories. I am looking for real stories that touch and move me, and I believe will inspire others to take up the craft.
Writing is your calling, but when did you know, and how did you come to this realization and acceptance?
Maybe it was very difficult for you to finally admit that writing is what you were meant to do, or, perhaps you had to overcome doubts and fears that you could ever write well enough.
Perhaps you feared others would laugh at you or ridicule you for calling yourself a writer.
Maybe someone convinced you that writing was not worth doing because it doesn’t pay or another reason, so you gave up the dream, but eventually came back to it because that’s what you are: A Writer!
Maybe you’ve always known that you were meant to be a writer.
Each of us has a story to tell and we can use our stories to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers.
Share your story. 
Most bloggers are looking for a fresh topic to write about, so here you go. You just happen to also be able to enter it into a fun contest, too.
How to enter:
  1. Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
  2. Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
  3. Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

CILLYart's BOOK GIVE-A-WAY Contest: June 18 - July 1, 2013! Join the fun today!



CILLYart4U’s
book give-a-way contest
for children
and K-3 teachers!

Featuring:

         
                
             The chapter book for Young readers ............The Coloring Book      

First prize
The Chapter Book:
A MAGICAL MAIDEN and A MINSTREL is an original fairytale written and illustrated by CILLYart in a chapter book format for young readers (ages 6 -12, grades 1 - 5).  It is a creative, fun and engaging story about what happens when a young minstrel boy meets up with a faerie girl in an enchanted forest!  A glossary is included in the back of the book to help young readers/students in their vocabulary development.  Whether read by a child independently, during a story time with family, friends, in the classroom, or in reading groups...this enchanting tale of minstrels, faeries, magic, music and gypsies grasps the interest of readers and listeners alike!

Second prize
The coloring Book:
A MAGICAL MAIDEN and a MINSTREL...An Original Fairytale to Color is a companion book to A MAGICAL MAIDEN and a MINSTREL chapter book for young readers (ages 7 to 12 years old / Grades 2 - 5), their families and also for teachers to share with their students in the classroom!  This book, also by CILLYart , has the original story and additional illustrations, with limited text, to simply depict this enchanting story of minstrels, faeries, magic, music and gypsies! 

How to enter:

If you have a child or grandchild or between the ages of 6 – 12, you can enter for them today.  You may also enter this contest if you are a contracted K-3 teacher in a public or private school. To enter, just follow the below steps:


  •    Go to...


www.facebook.com/pages/Cillyart4u


  •       If you are on facebook, just “LIKE” my CILLYart4Upage to connect with me!  If you are not yet on facebook with family and friends, just sign up today, then “LIKE” my CILLYart4U page to connect with me.
  •   Send me a private message on my CIILYart4U facebook page with the following information:

o   Your full name as a parent/grandparent of a child (ages 6-12) or contracted  K-3 teacher:

o   Your current email address (for prize notification to the winners!):

o   If a K-3 teacher, the name and location of the school where you teach:

o   Write a complete sentence as to why you would like to read this book:

o   Write the name of the site (facebook page, blog, website, twitter, etc.) where you first learned about this book give-a-way contest:

 PLEASE NOTE:  Your private information will only be used for verification of contestants in this book give-a-way contest and to notify the winners.  Be assured that it will not be used or sold to any other business whatsoever!  When winners are contacted, a mailing address for receipt of the prize will be needed and requested.



CONTEST GUIDELINES:
·       *Only one entry per household.
·       *Incomplete FB message entries will not be considered.
·       *This author’s book give-a-way contest runs from June 18 to July 1, 2013
·       *Two first place winners will be selected.
·       *Two second place winners will be selected.
·       *Winners will be notified by July 15, 2013 by email.
·       *Winners of this contest will be posted by July 15, 2013 on the author’s website:  http://cillyart4u.webs.com/
·       *Book prizes will be shipped to winners’ addresses upon their response              to the contest’s winner notification email deadline.
·       *Any questions concerning this CILLYart4u Book Give-a-way Contest, please email CILLYart at: cillyart4u@yahoo.com
·       *Any non-factual entry will not be considered.

 IMPORTANT NOTE:  Comments on Facebook post, to a blog, or via email do not count as entries.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.  All entrants must be 18 years of age.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Creating THUMBNAIL Sketches for my newest BOOK Project has begun...

I have begun creating thumbnail sketches for my newest book project.  My grandson, Blade, is amazed and asks how I can draw like that from nothing.  I tell him, "I picture it in my head, then try to put it down on paper.  I am using my imagination like you do when you play!"

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

UPDATE: Initial Edit done on my current book project...now to illustrate!

A "Book Daily" promotion for my chapter book for young readers, A MAGICAL MAIDEN and A MINSTREL, begins tomorrow! I also just finished the initial editing of my current book project...which is inspiring me to begin my illustrations! WOO HOO! Good things happening from CILLYart4U! :o)

Monday, June 10, 2013

PROGRESS UPDATE: What's happening with the new book project?

Just finished the initial editing process through to chapter 12! Only 6 more chapters to go, then I get to work on the illustrations for my newest book project! WOO HOO! :oD  Can't wait until I can start giving "sneek peeks!"

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

MY NEWEST BOOK...An Update!

I just finished writing my next children's chapter book and will soon begin now the deep editing process...and then I can illustrate it! I am so excited to see it unfold...and share it with all of you! :o)