Positive Feedback

Hello all,

Being an author is a somewhat solitary job. It only takes one person to write a good book. (Unless the book is written with a co-author) Some authors thrive on the alone time to crank out page after page of good ideas. However, some authors do tend to get lonely. They might often wonder if anyone is actually reading, listening, and understanding to the words you worked so hard to write. What do readers think of an author's work?

With that being said, I have received some really nice feedback this week about my work. Great things are fixing to happen with Penny Brown. According to one e-mail, "I Sit In A Wheelchair...But I Will Be Okay sounds fantastic." I have been also recognized as "a great example." However, I am not a example by any means. I still have much to learn about writing, publishing and life in general. Thank-you so much for the comments.

Positive feedback makes me feel empowered and inspired to do more. It makes me happy I Sit In A Wheelchair...But I Will Be Okay" is making a difference in the lives of others. Don't be afraid to leave me an e-mail or leave me a facebook message with comments about the book. Even if the comments are negative, that is okay. Negative comments will help me focus and do better next time.

As always, Michelle and I thank-you for the support of "I Sit in A Wheelchair...But I Will Be Okay." We appreciate you!

Happy Birthday Penny Brown

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday Penny Brown
Happy Birthday to you!

On Feburary 20, 2010, Stragetic Publishing Company published "i Sit In A Wheelchair...But I Will Be Okay" It was a day that I will remember for the rest of my life. Many people do not realize exactly how much work goes into becoming an author. We don't only write the books. We work with the publishing comany to make sure the book is fit to be printed. Authors work with illustrators, cover artists, and editors to make sure the book is the best it can be.

I signed the contract with Stragetic in September 2009. I was so excited, and for those that know me well, I am an impatient person. Six months was a long time, but it was worth the wait. There is nothing better to an author than holding the finished product in their hands.

Penny is five years old in "I Sit In A Wheelchair...But I Will Be Okay" She faces struggles from being in the wheelchair. She feels angry sometimes that she cannot walk, run, or jump rope like her classmates. I hope that if you have read the book, Penny has taught parents, children, teachers, and others one thing about life. "It is Okay" to be "different"

I wanted to say a great big THANK-YOU to my friends and family for supporting this endeavor. Penny Brown means a lot to me. You all mean a lot to me. I am most generally an upbeat person, but, No matter how fustrated, sad, or angry that I may get in any situation, my friends and family remind me that it will all truly be okay.

I would like to thank God. I owe Him for Penny Brown too. I have prayed for my Penny Brown dream to become a reality, and it did. He walked with me every step of the way.

I would also like to thank my illustrator and best friend Michelle Oakley, her parents, Ronnie, and Deanna and her entire family for all of their support. Michelle and I are best friends. The Oakley's have helped me out quite a bit. Thanks for believing in Penny and I. I love you all!

Overall, it's been a fantastic first year for Penny. We have sold 184 books through online retailers such as www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.booksamillion.com We have also sold to date around 100 books thanks to signings.

Those numbers may be a little low to some people. However, I do believe good things are in store for Penny Brown Thank you all for helping Michelle and I promote this. Penny has her struggles, Michelle and I do too, but we are working on overcoming them.

I hope to see you all at my upcoming signings in Tulsa and Fort Smith. I love to do them. We are also working on Book #2, and if you liked "I Sit In A Wheelchair.......You will love this stay tunned Happy birthday sweet Penny girl! May all your wishes and dreams come true.

"I Am Snowed In........But I Am Okay"

This latest book title about sums it up. What do you think? The idea came to me last week as the one of the biggest blizzards in the history of Oklahoma arrived. The entire state was shut down for days. As I write this, a number of area schools are still closed, and people are stuck at home. Michelle and her family are slowly digging out from under 21 inches of snow......and more is on the way.

This got me thinking. What are people doing with this extended vacation? An unexpected snow day is always nice........but not six of them! (Fortunately, this part of Arkansas has not seen near the amount of snow Oklahoma has, but I have a feeling our turn is coming)

How would Penny cope with this situation in the wheelchair? Her options seem to be limited,being confined to the chair, but will that stop her? Can she play in the snow like her little brother Peter?

What other ways can penny keep herself busy being confined to the house? Will she ever go back to school and see her teacher, Amy, and Josh? I am going to paly around with this. Ideas would be welcome as far as what you do to relieve cabin fever? Please leave me some comments. I will let you know how this turns out.

Stay warm. The latest book will be dedicated to all of my Oklahoma friends in the blizzard of 2011.

Until next time.......Brittany