My new novel and how you can participate!

I've been away for a while...

Not really away, just:

1.adopted a puppy named Chanel (a Chihuahua mix probably terrier, maybe Jack Russell, who loves to jump, run, and play tug of war with one of my old socks. Chanel even appears in my latest YA novel),

2.trying to do final revisions for my latest YA novel, SECRETS TO FOREVER.

This is a picture of one of the spots sixteen-year-old biker/ Native American Lulu and Olivia visit on their cross-country motorcycle tour of the U.S. as they come of age, solve family dilemmas, face romance, nearly go to jail, and meet up with some pretty shifty critters.

This picture portrays one of the trails they follow. Can you name it and tell what city it's in? If you can, I'll gift you a copy of one of my e-books.

Even if you have no idea what city this trail is in or don't care, go to my website at http://www.carolynchambersclark.com to become one of Chanel's Cheerleaders and get current updates on what happens with my novel. Or just to cheer me on as I hunt for an agent!!

What Makes You Cry? What would Wordsworth say?

“Fill your paper with the
breathings o f your heart.”
~William Wordsworth

Whether you're a writer or a reader--or both, emotion is what you're going for. As a writer, most of the time you want to make people smile or laugh, or be scared, but sometimes everyone needs to cry. It's a great release of tension, cleans out your eye channels, and just feels good to let it all out.

What makes me cry?

Animals, especially moms with their pups (or whatever) or sibling animals. I have a picture of baby elephants holding onto each other's trunks and strolling along in front of watchful Mom.

Romance. I'm a sucker for a lot of those romances on the Hallmark Movie Channel. At the end, when the two lovers kiss after being through the wringer, I always sigh and wipe away a tear or two.

Ballet. When I lived in NYC, I used to go to the ballet with my roommate. I will forever be indebted to Susan. She was the one who introduced me to Lincoln Center. The beauty. The precision, The emotion of the dance. It's so beautiful, I have to cry at that.

Puppies. All kinds, but especially cockers (because we had one when I was a kid), Swedish Elkhounds (because one lived with us thirty years ago and I still miss her), Maltese, and Terriers, and mixed breeds with sad faces.

Old boyfriends. I wonder what would have been if....

Regrets about scenes with my parents. There are a few I'd like to rewrite. Writing gives me the chance to do that.

That's pretty much my list. For today. What about you? What makes you cry?