The Scarlet Stockings Trilogy

Young Writers Conference
Posted 2/28/11 at 2:49 AM

Photograph by Louise Palanker

Hi Everyone,

One of my favorite things to do when I'm not writing is to volunteer with the Young Writers Conference, (ywc@youngwritersconference.org). With other professional writers we visit elementary and middle schools to work with groups of up to 20 kids in a variety of workshops; everything from poetry to screenwriting. My particular course, based on the Scarlet Stockings, is called ENCHANTED WORLDS: Writing Magical Fiction. Starting with key words such as 'danger, mystery, adventure, weird creatures, strange happenings', etc., and with me giving a few basic 'musts' for writing fiction, such as 'you must have a good guy and a bad guy, what is the challenge they face, what happens, what happens next' the participants write their own short stories.

We read out as many as we have time for, and the time ALWAYS goes too quickly. We laugh, we make up crazy situations, we stretch our imaginations. It's amazing some of the ideas, the characters and the dialogue the kids come up with - I wish I'd thought of a lot of it! So even if you don't want to be a professional writer it's still fun to get your mind going making up your own stories. I suggest you get 2 or 3 friends together and try it! Good luck.

Charlotte

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Horrible Ova Andova
Posted 1/31/11 at 4:25 AM

Hi Everyone,

A wonderful artist friend of mine called Desmond Heeley just sent me this drawing of the mean, horrible Ova Andova. I love it because I think Desmond just captured her toxic blend of glamour and evil. I'm so happy to share the drawing with you. Let me know if Ova is how YOU imagined her! Meanwhile, I'm having a lot of fun writing about Ova's mad badness in Daphne in Danger. She's getting even crazier and more dangerous in the new book (and she's got a tame leopard to help her!). Poor Daphne! I hope the Scarlet Stockings can keep our heroine safe!

Charlotte

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News of 'Daphne in Danger'
Posted 1/12/11 at 4:49 AM

Indian eyes.jpg Hi Everyone,

In Book Two of The Scarlet Stockings trilogy, DAPHNE IN DANGER, coming soon, you'll meet a new BFF friend for Daphne, the bewitchingly irresistible and talented Princess Naraya, who arrives from magical India (with her bodyguards and her magnificent horses) to join the Ballet Splendide.

I'm so excited to report that I'm off to India in a few weeks to research all the fabulous palaces, jewels and painted elephants of that exotic continent to put into the book and share with you. More news soon.

Charlotte

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This Holiday Season
Posted 10/28/09 at 6:41 AM

Hi Everyone,

The holidays are coming. It’s the time when we all search for the perfect gift for the people we love. A gift to bring magic and excitement, like the first snowfall of the season! If you’ve already discovered THE SCARLET STOCKINGS: The Enchanted Riddle, these holidays might be the perfect time to share that magic with a friend. If you haven’t read it yet, do check out Chapter One online here, and discover Daphne’s thrilling quest for love and fame.

GIVE A BOOK, THE PERFECT GIFT!

Oh, and by the way, I’m happy to tell you that the magic is going international this year, when Puffin, the most popular children’s book publishers in the U.K., releases THE ENCHANTED RIDDLE these holidays to delight a whole new audience of English readers. If you have friends or family in England, they can find out more at www.puffin.co.uk

I hope your holidays are filled with fun, warmth, good times and the magic of reading.

Charlotte

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Kids' Book Clubs!
Posted 1/31/09 at 5:43 AM

Hi Everyone,

Kids’ Book Clubs! Hooray! Every week there are more and more and more of them, as kids discover how terrific it is to get together or meet online to read and discuss books they love.

One of the greatest online sites for new book recommendations and exciting giveaway contests is kidsbookclubbook.com. On the 1st and 15th of each month they post a chosen book in their Book Blast section.

AND ON FEBRUARY 1ST, 2009, THE EDITORS’ CHOICE IS THE SCARLET STOCKINGS! They’re giving away 50 copies of the book in a contest that closes on February 28th.

And do check out kids’ book clubs at your school or library. OR START ONE YOURSELF WITH YOUR FRIENDS! (Hint: Mother/daughter groups are booming.)

Check it out!

Charlotte

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Thank You
Posted 9/29/08 at 6:01 PM

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to write to say you are following Daphne’s career with interest!

I am so grateful that you are spreading the word on Daphne to family and friends. Your encouragement and support really do mean a lot to me.

Warm regards,

Charlotte

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Welcome to Author's Blog
Posted 5/21/08 at 4:07 PM

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my blog for ‘The Enchanted Riddle’, Book One of the magical, mysterious SCARLET STOCKINGS book trilogy.

I’m so glad you found the blog and look forward to replying to your messages. Write me! And of course, I hope you’ll read Chapter One online, get the book and post your comments.

When I began the book, I thought really hard about what KIND of a book I wanted to write. I knew right away it had to be the sort of book I loved when I was your age, and used to stay up all night reading, because I HAD to find out what happened next!

Hmmmm,., what would it be like? It had to have MAGIC, MYSTERY, ADVENTURE, GLAMOUR, FUN and EXCITEMENT.

Harry Potter hadn’t been written then, so my favorite books were The Chronicles of Narnia and Anne of Green Gables. Have you read those? The greatest!

In my book I wanted an adventurous heroine and a TOTALLY evil meanie, even WORSE than Cruella DeVil!

I hope I created them. I know I sure had fun writing the book.

I hope you have fun reading it.

Talk to you again soon.

Charlotte

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