Christian Author Patti Wolf here to share a bit about what’s happening in my world.
In a few days, it will be 3 years since I published the first book of the series “Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures”! Happy Birthday “Stormy Seas”.
Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures
Most of you aren’t reading books for children anymore, but you may have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew or a neighborhood child who would be perfect for this my early reader series “Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures”!
Here’s a self-interview:
How did “Alexis Ann’s Amazing Adventures” happen?
I had just finished my adult debut book, “Jemi’s Noble Quest “, and my 9 year old granddaughter wanted to read it. Since she was a little too young for my new book I told her I would write a series with her as the main character. Isn’t that what an author who is a Nana would do?
What are the stories about?
Each of the three books have a different biblical theme and character quality which I tried to instill into the reader’s lives. There’s a lot of dramatic play. Kids love that. I included lessons from the Bible shared by Alexis to her younger brother, Ollie, and you. More to come about each book later this week.
Why write Christian Women’s Fiction and Christian based children’s books?
Well, it takes a lot for an author to create a book, even more for an indie author (self published). I just needed a breather between writing styles so I mixed up my audiences. I’ve worked with children for over 40 years and have a teacher’s heart. I hope to help them in their life journey and draw them to Jesus.
What’s next in my children’s world of books?
I just finished the first book in my new series “Teddy’s Tails”. We won’t meet Alexis, but will fall in love with an adorable dog. This series is also an early reader and best for children under 10. I expect it to be released this summer.
Also, Alexis will return in a four book series as a super sleuth! She will be much older, but her passion to live her faith will shine through each story. Since I’m new to writing a mystery, I would appreciate your prayers.
As a writer, I want to stretch my abilities despite my age. I just turned 70! Wow, that went fast. Come back to hear more about each Alexis Ann book!
Teddy’s Tales Children’s Series
Pondering Poetry
As promised, I will continue sharing my writing process this week. Today, I’d like to focus on poetry.
Poetry is an expression of emotions regarding the world around the writer. It can be inspired during joyful times or times of loss. As an artist paints a picture with a brush, a poet uses a toolbox filled with words to paint a different type of picture in the minds of their readers. Poetry can be free flowing or very structured. Though there are rules, a poet has the freedom of expression as they see the world.
Book One of Scribbling Spiritual Sand was released last autumn. My book “Nature Poetry” is written to reflect the created world. This book is a collection of my recent poems. It follows through the four seasons here in Wisconsin. Each poems strives to also bring encouragement from the Bible with a thoughtful verse.
Poetry comes to me at many times of the day, but usually while I’m in nature. The changing of seasons, a sunset in winter or critters in the woodland all help for words to emerge. I love to expand my vocabulary and find it fun working in rhythms. Poetry is a weekly exercise for me. I also love finding scripture to work with my poetry.
Below is an example of a photograph which inspires my poetic writing.
NEW DAY, NEW WAY
The owl’s hoot draws loooong,
it fills chilled air with skillful song;
for the hands of time are strong
under darkness, nothing’s wrong.
His music drifts drowsily in morning air,
sleepy eyes blink without a single care;
new notes linger long with fussy flare.
Now two, a handsome feathered pair.
Day’s arrived, advanced along its way,
morning breeze stirs trees to sway,
forest friends awake, it’s time to play
for no longer it the owl a threat, it’s day.
as thoughts of day fill restless mind
ponder ways to sacrifice, seek to find
ways to hinder what you want; bind
your desires and ambitions to be kind.
Spring in my backyard:
Still there’s a slice of ice
encasing the marsh as glass;
stiff, sharp becomes a screen
protecting you from prey.
Visions of rich, dense duck weed
and brown, earthy tuffs of
marsh grass huddle
waiting for cloudless sky.
But morning chill tells
another story of early spring.
Buried deep you rest. While scent
of spring plays a game of
hide and seek; you find no
aroma of wild rose only unscented
seeds from brown, barefaced
bundled of reeds and cat-tails
spinning, dancing atop silvery
layer of ice; your roof-top sky light.
Your throaty call echoes beneath;
stiff in the icy entrapment.
Yet, this is your woodland nest
here life and death linger in stiff pools
of decaying waters with microscopic
bacteria; so minuscule even your bulgy
protruding eyes unable to find them.
Your passion overriding all, your
mission drives you forward as your
need to seek a mate becomes all;
this is why you were created and it
consumes your very existence.
A warning, when the ice melts
cranes and geese are waiting
to have you as a tasty meal.
Sing quickly, call out rhythmic
chips, chatter and chants;
for somewhere she waits past
all still danger to dance awhile as
it has been written in the book
of “Spring Peepers Logs of Love”;
for now the image in ice is only you!
“These all wait for You, You may give them their food in due season. You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.” Psalm 104:27-29
Spring’s Night Call
Calling, calling chirps and whistles
muffled in weeds, muffled in messy mud
in stillness of night under a cloudless sky;
sneaks passed a sly scarlet fox fixed on
his next prey loitering under empty trees;
hooty owl now speechless staring down
thoughtlessly, drowsily as head bobs
against prickly pine in still of murky night.
A single voice echos in kettled March marsh,
knowing a choir of spring peepers will come
to add vibrate voices in a springtime victory
P. Wolf
May we be vibrant for the Lord,
“The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty
Psalm 29:3-4
Update on Apron Strings Series
Book three, “Priscilla”, came out in March. Here is my review: “Many might not be able to relate to growing up on a farm. In the story of Priscilla we experience the struggle of a farming family. A lot hasn’t changed since farming in the 1940’s, families still work together as they struggle against odds. Jenny has done a lovely job of presenting Priscilla in a real and believable way.”
Book four, “Beatrice”, will be released on April 9th. I loved writing this story which took me into 1950 to do my research. Much of it was from the memories of my mother’s recollection of those years. I hope each of you will enjoy the story of Beatrice.
My March Photographs
Patti Wolf 