Hey there, my name is Chloe, and I’m from South Africa. I have a problem here. I have a few friendships going with some people and feel that they are all wrong. Sure, they comfort me and help me when I’m down, but most of the time they make me feel sad or upset, for no real reason, something I can’t explain. It’s so bad that I can’t even use social networks anymore because they’re always on there teasing me and putting me down. What is happening to me?
Natalie said: I see a few things happening here. One thing that concerns me is cyber bullying. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, on social networks, first print out any proof of things that have been said to you, then avoid the setting completely. You aren’t required to check in on Facebook or anywhere else online, so if you don’t want to, don’t. Or, weed through your online friendships and make your corner of the cyber world a safe place for you to be by only surrounding yourself with people who will build you up, not tear you down.
The other concern I have is that you’re feeling down a lot.… continue reading
Haley Patterson is having a great year hanging out with her friends and making a name for herself as the only freshman reporter for her high school newspaper, The Raider Review. But when she reveals one too many details in a gossip column, superdiva Camilla Quinn turns Haley’s life upside down. Completely ostracized and abandoned by even her closest friends, Haley finds herself alone and miserable. A summer job at a mountain resort brings Haley a new set of friends, romance with two cute guys, and an unexpected confrontation with Camilla that forces her to choose whether to back down, or find the courage to stand her ground.
“ Skillfully captures the painful reality of teen bullying while also telling Haley’s humorous and sincere story of growing up.”Kirkus Reviews
“The love story is sweet, and readers will root for Haley to admit what’s been going on and finally give herself a chance to be happy.” Booklist
On why she wrote Defying the Diva, Dorothy said:
… continue reading“I’m a bully because I enjoy pushing people around and making them do what I say. It’s my thing. If you mess with me, I will shove you into your locker, and it will hurt.” This unabashed admission from a fifteen year old girl led me to my novel about a high school student who finds herself the target of a popular and attractive classmate known for pushing people around and getting her own way.
Starting on the second Friday in March, the monthly column, On Reinventing Yourself, will be hosted by the talented and adorable Stephanie Morrill. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say on the subject of reinventing yourself. I know there were plenty of times I wished I could do that when I was a teenager. Now, looking back, I see that actually DID, but didn’t know that’s what I was doing.
How about you? Did you ever arrive at apoint when you wished you could reinvent the way people saw you or change their expectations of you?
How old were you?
Were you successful? … continue reading
“All on one show?” you ask.
Uh huh. That makes five total guests, tonight. My producer is gonna kill me! 
First, I’ll be chatting with Dean Briggs, author of the fantasy series The Legend of Karac Tor. He started writing the books after his wife of 16 years passed away. He wanted to help his sons find a way to deal with the loss of their mother. Thus a fantasy world of adventure was born. In the books, the boys have to face challenges together.
We’ll be touching on the subject of teens dealing with grief
Then, double Christy-award winner, Cathy Gohlke, will be sharing about her latest release, Promise Me This.
Michael Dunnagan was never supposed to sail on the Titanic, nor would he have survived if not for the courage of Owen Allen. Determined to carry out his promise to care for Owen’s relatives in America and his younger sister, Annie, in England, Michael works hard to strengthen the family’s New Jersey garden and landscaping business.
Annie Allen doesn’t care what Michael promised Owen. She only knows that her brother is gone—like their mother and father—and the grief is enough to swallow her whole. As Annie struggles to navigate life without Owen, Michael reaches out to her through letters.
… continue reading
Nat, Em and I totally miss answering your questions these past two weeks, but we are so bowled over by the Girl Talk buzz, we wanted to take one more opportunity to let you all know about some current book reviews and giveaway opportunities so you can all run and enter to win! I’m so grateful to the bloggers and my writer friends who have so graciously hosted us in an interview or posted a guest post or review of the book.
THANK you!
Today found Girl Talk at the top of Amazon’s How New Releases list for its category. That’s thanks to you all and the buzz you’re creating about our book and this column. Thank you!
Here’s the list so far:
Valerie Comer: Super FUN interview with me and the girls.
Chambana Mom to Know: Guest post with Giveaway
Jill Williamson: Review and Interview with Giveaway
Precarious Yates: Guest Post and Giveaway
Stephanie Morrill, Go Teen Writers: Review and giveaway
K Down Byrd: Interview and Giveaway
Upcoming reviews:
Multiples and More: 2/8
Armed and Virtuous: 2/10
Laura Kurk: 2/14
Sherry Kyle: 2/15
Well, this is cool! I’m thrilled that Nicole asked me to be part of Choose NOW Ministries with a monthly column. She’s told me how loyal and brilliant her readers are and I’m ready to sign on and join you in this noble quest of figuring out how to choose what God wants for our lives.
Even better, I get to talk about all the crazy, bizarre, stultifying, irresistible things that go on with celebrities. You get to help me decide whether the celebrity behavior of the week is worthy or unworthy of your time and valuable brain cells.
I admit I chuckled a little when I settled on this topic for my column. I can hear all our mothers lining up to say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” With that adage in mind, a column about the lives of celebrities written by a Christian could potentially be a huge, yawning black hole where I say nothing at all.
But that would be boring, and a complete waste of space in Nicole’s Choose NOW Ministries website.
So here’s the deal, I’ll discuss a timely celebrity issue (positive or negative) in my column, but…(the part of the column in which I make a solemn pledge to you is coming)—
In the tradition of Hollywood, I will hand out an award each month to a celebrity who has gone above and beyond to get it right.… continue reading
The King’s castle stands alone atop Grand Ur Mountain, but even that does not match the solitude surrounding Princess Ally. With a carrot-shaped nose, she trudges through her princess duties with the most unfortunate face. With her pet greybar (a creature with the head of a greyhound, body of a polar bear, and wings of an eagle) as her only friend, Ally dreams of becoming a beautiful princess.
When Cory, a ninja-in-training, drops through the royal chimney, he does not intend to enlist the help of anyone, much less a girl, but she holds the key to the Creator’s map. The ancient map marks the secret hiding place of the magic Wishing Ring, a ring that grants the wearer one wish.
Cory’s mysterious need for the ring and Ally’s dream of beauty send the pair to a forgotten land. Only the war ravaged clan of Odana can translate the map’s key. But even if they manage to find a translator, the question remains—can they beat the Ogre who guards the ring?
Check out Shellie Neumeier on Teen Talk Radio talking about THE WISHING RING. The story of how she and her kids wrote this together is awesome!
So excited!!! Not only has Girl Talk released, but Natalie and Emily are going to be my guests on Teen Talk Radio tonight!
We’re going to be fielding some reader’s questions on the spot! I have a small stack set aside already, but you can also call in with your questions. You’ll want to call between 10-10:45pm EST at 877-864-4869.
Some samples of tonight’s questions are:
“My BFF is after my boyfriend. . .”
“I don’t like the church my parents drag me to. . .”
“I think I might be anorexic. . .”
Tuesdays, I post in my Girl Talk column.
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