Are You Getting Back into Music Practice? (or do you have a student who is?)

Next week is back-to-teaching for me after a crazy, hectic summer. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of my kiddos again! But I have to admit, even though I love my little virtuosos, it isn't the easiest thing to get them back into the routine of practice. So, I created a coloring chart for my students that will hopefully help them get from summer break back into music. I uploaded the files on WAJN's website. You can access here:http://www.withajoyfulnoise.com/free-teaching-resources.html

I just sent out my WAJN newsletter, and some have some music-related questions.

Are you...

     - a musician (What instrument[s]?)

     - music listener (who's your favorite artist?)

     - music teacher (What do you teach? When did you resume lessons after summer break?)

     - parent of a musician (What do they play?)

Me? I'm most of the above. Piano is my primary instrument, though I also love the violin and have piddled some with bass guitar and mandolin. I love listening to music! My current favorite artists are The Ball Brothers (for singing) and... a plethora of pianists and other instrumentalists. Actually, you can see my playlist on Spotify. And, added to all of that, my passion is teaching music (piano and violin).

What are some music questions that you've had that you've been trying to find someone to ask? If there was one website that could be your go-to source, what all would it contain?

Needed: Beta Readers for "Protecting the Poor"

Who likes a good Robin Hood story? I have both hands in the air! I have loved Robin Hood since I was little. When I was praying about book three in the Tales of Faith series, I decided to veer away from fairytales and go with good ol' Robin Hood. My character who plays this role is none other than Dumphey, from "The Secret Slipper."

Before "Protecting the Poor" can be published though, I need a few beta readers (or pre-readers).

What are beta readers? I'm glad you asked. ;) The technical beta-reading "responsibility" is to monitor the flow of the story and let me know the "feel" of character development. However, I don't mind if beta readers point out typos or things that just don't make sense (E.g. Does it bring up any questions you feel unanswered? Does it feel like there are any gaps in the story? Something that wasn't clearly explained? Something that seems too repetitive?)

Now that you know what a beta reader is, you know what you might be getting yourself into. ;) There is a slight hitch, though. I work best with a team of about ten beta readers. This means that I have to pick and choose. :P I hate having to do that, but... if you don't make it for the beta reading team, there is always the review team coming up in the future, Lord willing!

Sign up for the beta reading team here.

Have you read my summer releases yet?

I am still ecstatic that the Lord allowed me to release two short stories this summer! (AND finish writing the rough draft of "Protecting the Poor"--it's been a great summer of writing!)

I am open to five more reviewers for both "Finding Christmas Joy" and "Quest for Leviathan." If you'd like to review either of these (click on the titles to read their blurb and what reviewers already have to say), just email me at amandaterobooks(at)gmail(dot)com! First five will get a free e-copy to review!

Progress Report | "Protecting the Poor"

I just finished my first complete draft of "Protecting the Poor!" I am so excited, but I also realize that there is still a lot of work to be done! I'm hoping to polish up this draft in the next week or two and send it off to some beta readers. Then, Lord willing in December I'll have some steady writing time again where I can finalize the edits and get it ready for publication!! It's been a long eight months waiting for the draft to reach a solid foundation, so I'm very, very grateful to be at this point right now!