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Tina Powell

Author, StoryTeller, Oakville, GTA, Canada

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It is a Wonderful Life!

November 11, 2019 / by tina / Leave a Comment

Despite all the new Hallmark holiday movies that get released every year, my all-time favourite Christmas movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Frank Capra’s holiday classic, it’s about down-on-his-luck George Bailey who discovers what the world would be like if he had never been born. Thanks to a helpful angel named Clarence, George learns that “Each man’s life touches so many other lives.”

I recently had my own “Wonderful Life” moment. My angel’s name is Vanessa and she appeared before me at the Reading For the Love of It Conference in Toronto. Well, she actually came running into my life screaming, “Tina Powell! Tina Powell! It’s really you!”

I first met Vanessa when she was 12 years old. While conducting an author visit at her school, I encouraged Vanessa and her classmates to submit stories, illustrations or poems to an online magazine I used to publish called My Big Fat Inspiration. Little Vanessa demonstrated incredible courage and faith in herself and submitted one of her poems.

Unfortunately, our peers are not always supportive of our bravery, our talent, or our efforts and unbeknownst to me Vanessa was teased by her ‘friends’ for her desire to be a published writer.

Luckily, I know talent when I see it and Vanessa’s beautiful and poignant poem was published in my magazine. That day at the conference (so many years later) Vanessa confided that her early success as a published poet not only silenced her critics, it inspired her to continue writing and become a teacher. It brought tears to my eyes to know that I had played a small role in the life of this vibrant woman standing before me. Although Vanessa thanked me for my support of her, it was I who received the greatest gift — as will the many children Vanessa will inspire throughout her career.

Make ’em Laugh!

January 15, 2019 / by tina / Leave a Comment

Make ‘em Laugh!

Make ’em laugh, make ’em laugh,

Don’t you know ev’ry kid wants to laugh?

Writing children’s books is fun, it’s true.

But it’s even better when kids giggle at you!

Make ’em laugh, make ’em laugh, make ’em laugh!

Last week I sat down and watched the classic film Singin’ in the Rain for the very first time. I’m a huge movie fan and was quite embarrassed that I had never seen Gene Kelly’s iconic performance. What surprised me, however, was that the musical number I absolutely fell in love with was Donald O’Connor’s Make ‘em Laugh.  

Of course, O’Connor was incredibly talented and the timing of the choreography was flawless. But the real reason I loved O’Connor’s performance was that he made me laugh out loud. His facial expressions and slapstick comedy were hilarious!

 

I also realized that the sentiments in the song are not far off from my own philosophy as a children’s author.

Aspiring children’s authors often have the view that when you write for children you need to teach them a lesson. The truth is that the primary reason children’s authors write stories is to entertain kids.  Think about the last novel you enjoyed reading. Chances are you enjoyed it because the characters had depth, the plot was intriguing, and the writing was powerful. Yes, you may have found the story to be relatable and thanks to the author’s words you may have learned something about yourself… but more than likely, you loved the book because it was so entertaining you couldn’t put it down!

The same stands true for young readers!

That’s why my philosophy is always to entertain first. I believe that when I entertain a child, I then open the possibility to inspiring and educating that child.

ENTERTAIN * INSPIRE * EDUCATE

For example, I wanted to write a book for children about being a good pet owner. Imagine how boring a book would be if my mission was to teach first:

One day Peter got a pet poodle.

He fed his pet. He walked his pet.

He played with his pet.

He cleaned up after his pet.

Peter and his pet lived happily ever after.

Pretty boring, right?

Imagine instead a story about a boy who wants a pet, but his parents say, “No,” because pet’s poo.

They exclaim, “Poo is stinky. Poo is messy. Poo will not do!”

So Peter and his friends set out to find a pet that doesn’t poo.

Im-poo-sible? You’ll have to read the book to find out. 🙂

Since I wrote Peter’s Poofect Pet, I’ve had parents tell me that their child never once asked for a book until they heard my poofect pet story at school.

I’ve had librarians write reviews:

“Funny and down-to-earth with engaging illustrations and a smooth-reading, rhythmic text. Plenty of poo-appeal!”  Sarah Watts, Lorne Park Public Library

“Children laugh out loud when they hear this story of Peter’s ‘not-so-perfect pet.’ The boys, in particular, found the subject matter appealing and Peter’s problem solving skills empowering.”  Terry Miller, Teacher Librarian, Elmcrest Public School

Moreover, I’ve had the absolute privilege to hear the chortles, the chuckles, the giggles, and the guffaws of children when I’ve read my story at schools and libraries across Canada.

(It’s not my fault if they also take away what it means to be a good pet owner.)

Your poofect pal,

Tina

Get your own autographed copy of Peter’s Poofect Pet here:

https://bookboutique.tinapowell.com/products/peters-poofect-pet

Tina’s Top 10 Sales Tips from the Holiday Market Circuit

November 19, 2018 / by tina / Leave a Comment

When I was an aspiring author, I made a promise to myself that I would leave no rock unturned when it came to getting my books into the hands of the reading public. It is for this reason that I signed up as a vendor for some holiday markets. After all, the holidays are traditionally the time of year when most books are sold. Little did I know I would receive a crash course on the dos and don’ts of market sales. So here are my top ten sales tips for those brave enough to book a vendor table:

  1. Regardless of what you are selling, people will physically dive over you to get at a baked goods table. (That reminds me. Bring water, coffee, and a snack. You’ll sell more if you’re not hangry.)
  2. Most married men at markets need someone to talk to while their spouse shops. Married men will not buy anything without the permission of their wife.
  3. Other vendors are your greatest allies and potential customers. They will also share with you the names of the best markets to attend. Offer fellow vendors a special discount.
  4. People will be delighted to share with you all the reasons they can’t buy your product. I personally heard… No pets. No babies. Don’t eat sandwiches. The kids don’t play video games. (Seriously?) Don’t like picnics. (Come on, now! Who doesn’t like a good picnic?!)
  5. Shoppers love FREE stuff. I often offer a gift with purchase, free candies to passersby, and free bookmarks. Fun fact: One lady took the bookmark I gave her and proceeded to smell it. (Note to self… Poofect Pet Scratch ‘n Sniff Bookmarks!)
  6. The people you think are going to buy something, don’t. Those who do are the sweetest, most genuine people you are ever going to meet.
  7. There are a lot of aspiring grandmothers out there hoping for grandchildren. Get busy, adult children! I could use the sales.
  8. Cash may be king, but credit cards rule. A credit card reader saves sales!
  9. Don’t take it personally when people walk by without making eye contact. Just display some good signage that they can read out of the corner of their eyes.
  10. Don’t close down early. Not only is it bad market etiquette, you may lose some last minute sales. I made three sales in the last three minutes at the last market I attended.

Most of all, have fun! Holiday markets are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. My biggest personal challenge is to make sure that I sell more than I buy!

Tina Powell is a bestselling Canadian author. Discover her books at https://bookboutique.tinapowell.com/

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Coming Soon! A New Chapter Book!

A new chapter book by Tina Powell:  R.P. and the Karate Caper Ten year old Josh is having a tough time at home and at school. His older stepbrother …

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Sneak Peek – Debut Novel

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