Writaz is Back! Interview with John Holt

I'm so happy to be part of Writaz book tours, once again. If you haven't checked them out, you should. As part of their tour for author John Holt, I will be sharing an interview.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in your books?

Well I have to say that there is a bit of me in Tom Kendall, my private detective. We both have a sense of humour, and we are both a little bit stubborn. When we get a thought in our heads it takes a lot of shifting, especially if we think we are right, which, of course is most of the time. We are both methodical and think things out. Act in haste, repent at .... you know. And neither of us are great believers in co-incidence.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing?

That’s a difficult one, and I don’t think there’s a “one size fits all” answer. Certainly with my private detective stories I know three things to start with. I know the villain, I know the victim, or victims, and I know that Kendall will solve the crime, and it grows from there. With “Epidemic” I knew the whole story from start to finish before I actually started to write. With my latest book “The Thackery Journal” the first thing I wrote was the final chapter. It was an exercise into how a hunted man felt as his pursuers got closer and closer. Then I decided who the hunted man was, and why he was being hunted. Generally, I might suddenly have an idea that might work and I fit it into my outline. That might mean changing something that I had already written, but so be it. Of course it might not fit at all, in which case it will be discarded.

Can you tell us about the genres you write?

The first novel that I wrote, “The Kammersee Affair” is about hidden nazi gold. But it is far more than that. It is a story of two men, an American GI, and an SS Major. It is a story of murder, blackmail, and revenge. It is classified as an Adventure story. My latest “The Thackery Journal” is Historical Fiction. My main genre, however, is Crime, and I have written four novels featuring Kendall.

How do you cope with writer's block?

I don’t have set targets for my writing. I don’t sit down to write at a specific time of the day, and I don’t set myself any targets as far as word count is concerned. I only sit down to write when I actually have something that I want to write, so writer’s block doesn’t really occur. I might think of an idea, or a whole section, while I’m out doing mundane things like shopping, or I might wake up in the middle of the night with something in mind. I quickly scribble it down. The next day I’ll type it up, in the appropriate position in the manuscript. When I’ve finished I leave the writing, and get on with some other activity – gardening, or helping with the housework, or doing the family accounts. Or, of course, there is always publicising and promoting to be done.

How do you develop and differentiate your characters?

Generally I only have a handful of main characters in one of my novels. In the Kendall stories there are three regulars – Tom Kendall, his business partner Mollie, and Detective Terrence Devaney from the Miami Police Department. Featured in four novels now they are fairly well developed, and I know them quite well. The only other main characters are the villain, usually larger than life, powerful, ambitious, and ruthless. And then there is the victim, or victims. Maybe an innocent bystander who saw something they shouldn’t have, or a reporter asking too many questions, or, well I can’t divulge everything can I.

Do you have specific techniques you use to develop the plot and stay on track?

Although I might start with a basic outline for a story, it is quite likely for that plot to alter as things develop, or I get another idea which changes things I’ve already written. “The Mackenzie Dossier”, my second novel, started out as a straight forward political corruption story. Then about a third of the way through somebody gets murdered, followed soon after by a second murder. I then needed somebody to solve the crime. I could not rely on the police, because the Police Chief was involved in the corruption. So along came Tom Kendall, private detective. He hasn’t gone away since.

How (or when) do you decide that you are finished writing a story?

When I’ve said all I need to say – the crime is solved, the culprit in custody. All loose ends are tied up. All points fully explained. Then, of course, comes the dreaded editing. That in itself might result in some additional work being required, apart from typing errors. After the third read through that’s it I’m happy with it, the end.

Is there a message in your writing you want readers to grasp?

Message? No. There’s nothing profound, no great meaningful revelation, or thought provoking statement. I write for basically one reason only, for people to be entertained, and for my works to be enjoyed. All right that’s two reasons I know.

What are you working on right now?

“The Thackery Journal” has only just been issued, so I’m spending a lot of time trying to publicise and promote the book. I am also working on three other novels at various stages of progress. Two are Tom Kendall novels, and the third is another adventure story based loosely (very loosely) on a true story. One of the Kendall’s, a prequel, is about 50% complete; the second is about 25%; and the adventure story no more than 10%. The “Thackery” novel was a ‘What If’ story. Although a long way out of my comfort zone I really enjoyed writing it. I would now like to do another ‘What If’, so trying desperately to think of something suitable. Any suggestions anyone?

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Truthful answer would be probably not. To want to be a writer suggests that you at least thought that you were capable of writing something. I don’t think I ever thought about it in that way. Of course we wrote lots of things at school which were quite enjoyable. When i was a young teen I wrote a story about a small town in Australia, and how it developed. I think I covered 100 years in about a dozen pages of hand writing. In the early sixties I was very interested in Blues, and I wrote several articles for a couple of blues magazines, both sadly no longer around. Certainly I have wanted to write a novel for quite some time, but could never think of an interesting, and original plot. I can’t say it was ever a burning ambition, but just a nice idea, if only. Then whilst on holiday in Austria in 2005 the idea for a story was presented to me.

At what age did you discover your love of writing?

Let’s just say it was very late in life. Whether I discovered a love of writing is not the issue. I discovered a plot that was the important thing. We were staying at a lakeside village, Grundle, in the Austrian Lake district. Grundlesee was the first of three lakes. During the war the second lake, Toplitz, was used by the German Navy to test torpedoes, and rockets. As the war came to an end documents, weapons, and jewellery were hidden in the lake. There were rumours that gold bullion was also hidden in the lake. Extensive searches after the war never found anything. However in my book “The Kammersee Affair” gold bullion is discovered.

 

What was the first story that you wrote?

“The Kammersee Affair”

When were you first published?

When I wrote “The Kammersee Affair” I thought I was bound to be published, I would make a lot of money and ... Well, I very quickly realised that there weren’t that many traditional publishers seeking submissions; many agents already had more than enough clients; and because I wasn’t an A-lister, or a celebrity chef, the chances of getting published were slim to say the least. Then I discovered the Vanity publishers, the ones you pay for the privilege of getting published. Not the same as a mainstream publisher, but at least it would get your work in front of the public. After some investigation I found Raider Publishing International, in New York. They still charged a fee but they were considerably cheaper than many others. They published “The Kammersee Affair” in 2006.

How were you discovered?

I’ll tell you as soon as it happens. You’ll be the first to know.

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

Well assuming you have thought of that elusive, original, interesting plot, and you have spent about a year of your life writing it all down, and you’ve completed the endless editing, where you constantly miss that same typing error over and over again, it’s time to get it published. With self publishing being so easy these days this part of the process is simplicity itself. So it’s written, edited, published, and available to purchase. Now what? Oh no, publicising and promoting it, endless postings to Facebook, tweeting, blogs. Yes I think I can safely say that promoting is the most difficult part, but it has to be done.

What do you like to read?

As an Indie author I like to support Independent authors. Being a crime writer I tend to read crime novels. Authors like Babs Morton, and Alfie Robins. I have recently read “Parallax View” by Allan Leverone, a cold war spy thriller. Currently reading “Angel in Belfast” by Gerry McCullough.

What writer influences you the most?

Authors that I used to read include Alistair Maclean, Hammond Innes, and Wilbur Smith. All from the fifties, sixties or seventies, which must date me. I also enjoy Agatha Christie, the crime writer of all time. I was actually reared on Enid Blyton – The Secret Seven, and the Famous Five – sadly no longer fashionable. My all time favourite book is “The Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. But did any of these diverse authors influence me? Maybe indirectly, but certainly not directly, I like to think that I have my own style, and I don’t copy anyone.

If your books were made into a TV series or Movie, which actors would you like to see playing your characters?

That’s a difficult one for me. I’m not a great fan of many of the modern TV series – I can’t stand the endless zombie, and vampire programmes. Modern films tend to have too much swearing, and too much graphic content, and to find one that I like is quite rare. I tend to prefer movies from earlier times. Stars who were around in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Stars like Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck. 

As for Kendall and Mollie, I actually see them more from another cinematic time, particularly as their relationship is platonic, although Mollie does hold a bit of  torch for Kendall, rather like Miss Moneypenny does for Bond. Kendall is aged in his late thirties, Mollie is a bit younger. And, of course, they are American. So, maybe David Duchovny (Agent Fox Mulder), and Gillian Anderson (Agent Dr. Dana Scully), from the X Files from the 1990/s might fit nicely. They have a platonic relationship, and Scully constantly keeps Mulder on the right track, and between the two of them they solve cases.

Where can people learn more about you and your books?

My Amazon Author page – the link is http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Holt/e/B003ERI7SI/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

I do have a web page although I don’t really use it that much – but the link is http://johnholt1943.blogspot.co.uk/

I have several pages on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thackery-Journal/583932428307932

https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Holt-Author/553064201380567

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kendall/524023174290695

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kammersee-Affair/141374892672877

The first chapters of some of my books can be read on Wattpad – the link is http://www.wattpad.com/user/JohnHolt1943

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself and your books?

Last August I decided to go down the Self Publishing route. I formed a company, PHOENIX. It was easy and very informal. I now have six novels available.

John Holt Biography

I was born in 1943 in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. I currently live in Essex with my wife, Margaret, and my daughter Elizabeth. And not forgetting Missy, the cat who adopted us, and considered that we were worthy enough to live with her. For many years I was a Chartered Surveyor in local government. I was a Senior Project Manager with the Greater London Council from 1971 until it was closed down in 1986. I then set up my own surveying practice, retiring in 2008.

I suppose like many others I had always thought how good it would be to write a novel, but I could never think of a good enough plot. My first novel, “The Kammersee Affair”, published in 2006, was inspired by a holiday in the Austrian lake district. We were staying in Grundlsee. The next lake, Toplitzsee, was used by the German Navy during the war to test rockets, and torpedoes. As the war came to an end many items were hidden in the lake – millions of UK pounds, and US dollars, in counterfeit currency; jewellery stolen from the holocaust victims; and weapons. There were also rumours of gold bullion being hidden in that lake. Despite extensive searches the gold was never found. In my book, however, it is found, only in the next lake, Kammersee.

The books that followed, The Mackenzie File, The Marinski Affair, and Epidemic, all feature Tom Kendall, a down to earth private detective, and were originally published by Raider Publishing in New York. My fifth book, A Killing In The City, another featuring Tom Kendall, was originally published by Night Publishing. In August 2012 I decided to go down the self published route, and formed my own publishing brand PHOENIX. All five novels have now been published on PHOENIX. A sixth novel “The Thackery Journal” was published on 8 August 2013.

I am currently working on two other novels featuring Tom Kendall, and I have made a tentative start on an Adventure novel.

Inside the Writer's Mind - Interview with Kirthi Jayakumar

Synopsis: Stories of Hope is a collection of short stories. Each tale narrates the journey of a thin red line of hope that fights through adversity. Right from the heart of Nazi Germany in the thick of the holocaust to the collapse of the regime in Egypt in 2011, from the story of hunger in the core of Africa to the tale of Palestine's recognition as a state, there are stories that celebrate the resilience of the Human Spirit. From stories of a mother turned out of her house by her son, to a mother who loses her newborn, to the young wife who must face a baffling truth, and the little girls who face adversities tied to their identity, these are stories that can be anyone's narrative. Stories of Hope is a celebration of Hope and a celebration of the undying human spirit of resilience.

Same DiNamics: Writing can be a daunting prospect, what made you decide to share your story with the world?
Kirthi Jayakumar: Writing was more cathartic for me than daunting. Truth be told, I haven’t shared my story with the world – I shared the stories of every character that came alive to me in my mind’s eye.

SD: Who has influenced you as an author?
KJ: Every person I’ve met! We’re all rolling stones, gathering moss like nobody’s business. Being a product of all the things I’ve seen, heard, met, known, felt and experienced, I’d say that every moving picture I saw through the window of my life train has been a huge influence on who, where and what I am.

SD: What is your writing method? Do you outline first or do you purge your brain on paper until your story is told?
KJ: I like the sound of your phrase – “purge your brain on paper until your story is told”. I believe that’s what I did. Purged my brain and summoned every word of the story that lived on silently inside my brain until it was coaxed out.

SD: How long does it take you to write your story, from getting it down on paper to publishing?
KJ: I took four years to write it – mostly because there were long gaps between each story. But when you come down to calculating the actual time it took – putting the time taken for all the 28 stories together – it took nothing more than a day. Publishing it was a breeze – my publishers were super awesome in getting the book out with lightning speed.

SD: Can you tell me a little bit about your book(s) without giving away too much? Why should I read it?
KJ: Well, it’s a bunch of short stories that highlight one thing: Hope. Some stories are downright dark, some stories are easily relatable, and some seem different – at least to me. Why you should read it is because these stories were written for you. As much as they were written for me, and for everyone else.

SD: How much of yourself is in your character(s)?
KJ: I think a fair amount of it. All the flaws you see in the characters are mine. All the good things you see in the characters are those that I liked in other people around me.

SD: What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
KJ: If I could do it, so can you.

SD: Is there anything else that you'd like to share?
KJ: Just that I’m thankful to you for thinking of me as worthy enough of this space in your website J And to every person who has, and who will read the book: Thank You! J

OTHER INFORMATION:


Author Bio: 
Kirthi is a legal researcher and lawyer. A Peace and Conflict studies enthusiast, Kirthi is a volunteer with the UN. She is presently a Senior Commissioning Editor with e-IR, an online International Relations portal, the Logistics and Constituents Head at The Channel Initiative, working for post-conflict reconstruction in the DR Congo, specifically targeting women. Kirthi works with DeltaWomen, as the Head of Digital Campaigns and Social Media, and as a writer. She also holds a position with CAAGLOP, as the Editor-in-Chief of the eJournals, and as a writer on African Policy. Recently, Kirthi was part of the UNICEF-UN Women Global Thematic Consultation on Addressing Inequalities through her paper titled The Rule of Law to combat Sexual Violence in a Conflict Environment. Kirthi dabbles with Intelligence and Security Analysis with Open Briefing, as an Associate Researcher, at the Asia-Pacific Desk, and runs an International Law Consultancy and Academic Journal called A38. Kirthi has written ad-hoc features for forums that include Insight on Conflict, TransConflict, WorldPulse and PeaceXPeace and is a member of the TrustLaw Network. Her interest and experience over all lie in Peace and Conflict, Public International Law, Gender issues, International Humanitarian Law, and in terms of a regional focus, in Afghanistan, the Middle East, DR Congo and South-Asia. ‘Stories of Hope’ is her first book.




Link to Facebook fan page:  www.facebook.com/storiesofhopebykirthijayakumar
Link to blog: www.kirthijayakumar.blogspot.com
Link to website:  www.kirthijayakumar.blogspot.com
Link to twitter: www.twitter.com/kirthijayakumar
Link to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7144995.Kirthi_Jayakumar
LinkedIN: in.linkedin.com/in/kirthijayakumar/
Buy links:
Infibeam

Undivided Mom Book Review

Recently, I joined a Facebook group called (in)terrupted - Work at Home Moms. This group is for mom who work at home in whatever capacity they work in. It's a group for Christian women encouraging and engaging with each other in a positive and Christian way.

I've always believed that I'm placed exactly where I need to be for a reason. Whether I seek out these placements or I come across them, accidentally, on my journey in life. This is another instance of being in the right place at the right time.

One of the leaders of the group, Kayse Pratt, wrote a book called Undivided Mom. I was interested in reading it and reached out to her. Being that I also do book reviews, we agreed an exchange of the book for an honest review.

Synopsis: 

Undivided Mom is a devotional for moms who feel distracted, pulled in a million different directions, and really just desperately need Jesus to keep them from losing their ever-loving minds. It’s about mothering with a vision, with a purpose, for His glory, and through His strength.

This is a book for anyone who is longing to find a glimpse of Christ in the chaos of everyday motherhood.

It’s for you. For me. For all of us.

You can purchase a copy here. You can also visit Kayse Pratt for more information on the book. 

At times, we all feel undivided, no matter how organized we are, in trying to prioritize our lives. We all feel it. We sometimes struggle with what's important and what needs to get done when and how quickly. Undivided Mom is a 14 day devotional book that talks about real life experiences and how we can feel undivided as a mom. Most importantly it talks about what we can do to center our selves and bring back to focus what's important, motherhood. 

In the midst of my current journey, Undivided Mom was exactly what I needed to read. Undivided Mom can be read in one sitting. I did more than one because at times when I felt I had a moment to read, that is when my children needed me. So, in the spirit of trying to not be undivided, I set the book down and spent those few moments with my children when they needed me. The book can also be read on a daily basis, reading one chapter per day and reflecting on what each chapter touched upon.

I like that Mrs. Pratt used verses from the Bible to help bring across a message to us and also used her real life experiences. Knowing that there is someone else out there who feels as undivided as you but still perseveres and carries on with what's important, is reassuring. 

Do I recommend this book? You bet I do. If you need motivation, understanding, guidance, answers and the knowledge that someone else out there knows exactly how you feel, pick this book up. Once finished you will feel lighter and more confident in your knowledge of knowing that you are doing what's best for your children and striving to be an Undivided Mom. 

Sand and Clay Book Tour & Giveaway - Interview with Sarah Robinson

As part of the book blog tour with For the Love of Books, I'm pretty excited to share an Inside the Writer's Mind interview with author Sarah James.

Sarah James is the author of Sand and Clay (Her Stolen Rock Star). There's something sexy and inviting about a rock star story. It's like that piece of candy you know you shouldn't have but really want.

Cover Design: Mayhem Cover Creations

Synopsis:
Young New York socialite Caroline falls for a rock star bad boy Logan Clay, he's bad for her and she's bad for him (he has a fiancée after all). Against all reason and sanity, they know they belong together, but how can they make it work when time and fate seem to be completely against them? She was ready for love when he wasn't, but she moves on only to find that real love can't be replaced. Happy endings might not be for everyone...

Where are you from?
I was born in the Washington, DC area but moved around a lot including some time in Southern Virginia and New Jersey. 


Tell us your latest news?
I am recently engaged and working on planning a wedding!


When and why did you begin writing?
I have been writing poetry since high school and slowly branched into short stories which were sold through a publisher.  That publisher then suggested that I write a book so I decided to give it a shot!  Sand & Clay is my first book and I am currently working on a second. 


When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I got my first royalties check!

What inspired you to write your first book?
It was never something I had really considered because it seemed like such a large task until a publisher told me it would be a good idea to give it a try.  I am a hopeless romantic and the story came easily to me, although I did get stuck at a few points.  I used my own experiences and emotions with love and put those into the characters in my book, Sand & Clay.

Do you have a specific writing style?
I think I have mainly been a poet for so long, published quite a few times doing that as well.  So, adjusting to thinking of myself as an author now is taking some getting used to so I don’t think I have a style yet.  Maybe after a few books, some sort of theme will appear. 

How did you come up with the title?
Part of it was based off of the names of the characters, Logan Clay and Caroline Sanders.  However, it was also meant to be symbolic of two elements that are so different and divided but still find a way to live in harmony.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The only message is that love isn’t simple and that love is pain.  If your heart doesn’t ache when you are apart from your significant other, than you haven’t experienced true love.  The pain of true love is somehow also the greatest pleasure of all.

How much of the book is realistic?
The book is entirely made up but there are characteristics taken from people I know or situations I have seen or experienced.  Writers pull inspiration from all kinds of strange places!

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
While I would love to say that I had a love affair with a rock star, I think we can all guess that that probably isn’t true.  Instead, I fell in love with a police officer- because who can resist a man in uniform?

What books have most influenced your life most?
The Notebook.  Yes, that might sound cliché but I cry every time I read the book or watch the movie.  My favorite book as a child was called The Cay, which very few people have ever heard of but is the first book that ever emotionally moved me. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
To be honest, I would choose the writers I have worked with, mainly professors.  In high school, Mr. Frank Wagenblast was a great writing inspiration and then in college both Dr. Holly Karapetkova and Kathleen McCauley helped hone my writing skills. 

What book are you reading now?
None! Isn’t that awful?  Life is so busy wedding planning that I have only had time to read wedding magazines!  This needs to change soon, any good book recommendations?

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Gillian Flynn.  I definitely want to read all of her books. 

What are your current projects?
I am currently working on a book that combines several different genres including romance, drama, mystery, crime, and psychological healing.  I think it will be a book that is much more relatable to people, women especially, and hopefully helpful to those who need it. 

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I don’t think there was ever an entity supporting me.  Most of my family didn’t even know I wrote until the book came out, I am a private person mostly.  My writing has been very self driven. 

Do you see writing as a career?
I don’t know if I would ever be able to support myself 100% on it which is why I have a full time job now but that would be a dream come true if I could. 

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Sometimes I think that I should have added this or that, but when I look back at it, I know that it was the best of what I had in me at the time and it is a great story.  It has lines that still send chills down my spine even though I am the one who wrote them! 

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Since I was a child, it was always a way I used to express myself.  It’s been something I have done ever since whether it was journaling, writing poetry, or writing stories. 

Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I wish but I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise!!  All I can say is it is a love triangle and a coming of age story where a young woman is forced to see the world in an entirely new way and figure out her path from there. 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Every once in awhile, you will hit a writer’s block period that you just seem to be stuck and don’t know what to say.  When that happens, I just put it away for awhile, sometimes even weeks, until inspiration hits me again. 

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Honestly, I think I have too many favorites to pick just one.  I love memoirs and biographies and stories that grip your heart.  I love books that make me forget where I am and bring me into the story. I can only hope that my novel does the same for my readers. 

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No, maybe one day when I make it big (if I ever do!). 

Who designed the covers?
Mayhem Cover Creations, they did a wonderful job!  Their website is http://www.mayhemcovercreations.com/

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Letting go of it at the end!  Finally saying okay, it is ready for the entire world to see and judge.  Especially with your first book, that was absolutely terrifying but I think it has turned out pretty well.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
That writing a novel isn’t easy!  200+ pages is a LOT of words and a LOT of time.  You really have to create complex characters and true situations in order to be able to do it. 

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Just keep writing and trying to get published and stay true to what you want and what you love.  I never deviated from my personality or myself in this book and kept true to my style. 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Your support of my first book has been so inspiring and encouraging!  It makes me so excited to be able to write more and bring more stories and characters to you!  I really hope you will return and purchase my next books as well!

~End Interview~

About Sarah Robinson:

Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degree in psychology while working as a mental health therapist with poor and homeless populations with severe mental illnesses.

Writing has been her hobby since high school and she has been published several times from poetry to short stories. Her blog features her latest poetic accomplishments at http://www.smallvoiceslargehearts.com/

Her writing often concentrates on the complexity of love and emotions and the struggles of finding your destined path through life. Much of her inspirations come from the intense and beautiful love she shares with her future husband and the emotions around falling head over heels in love with your soulmate  This is her first full length novel and will definitely be followed up by more, so stay tuned for more new releases!

You can find more information on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/BooksbySarahRobinson and reach her directly with questions. Don't forget to add your review to amazons website once you read the book!

Buy Links: Amazon; Barnes and Noble; iTunes; Goodreads

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Through My Boys' Eyes

Any parent out there knows that it is near impossible to keep a neat and tidy home 24/7. There are dishes to be washed, counters to wipe, clothes to wash (and not to mention the dreaded folding), bathrooms to clean, floors to clean and rooms to declutter (not sure if this is an accurate word as it has the red strike underneath it but I'm going with it).

However, I don't want to talk about the everyday housekeeping that needs to be done. I want to talk about the  messes creations that kids make when playing and creating things using their imaginations.

I see pieces of paper cluttering my floors.

My boys see paper folded in intricate aerodynamic folds to create the 

ultimate gliding paper airplane.

I see blankets, pillows and sofa cushions strewn and spread across my living room.

My boys see the most awesome, solid and strongest fort or castle to defeat the dragons and bad guys.

I see pillows dotting my hallway (cleaning my floors).

My boys see the hot, red lava and the only way safely across to their destination 

is by jumping on the "stones".

I see a huge puddle of water on my bathroom floor after a bath.

My boys just had an epic sea adventure that will rival 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I see boxes, plastic containers and egg cartoons littering my deck.

My boys see the coolest city for their green army men. 

Everywhere I go in my home, I see some clutter, some mess, something that exasperates me but my boys see something more. They see beyond the clutter, beyond the mess... they see the many different ways a regular everyday item can be used and purposed into a plaything for them.

What this has taught me (and will continue to teach me) is when there are children playing and there is a "mess", it's okay. They are using their imagination. They are creating an amazing world for themselves where they play, learn and explore. They are developing their minds and preparing themselves (unbeknownst to them) for their future. I will continue to let them learn and explore and develop. I will also teach them that it's okay to do all these things however they also have to learn to clean up after themselves. Because let's face it, a clean and tidy place is way more fun to mess up than an already untidy place. :-) A clean canvas, if you will.