Thursday, April 30, 2020

Beverly Stowe McClure & Gabe's Guardian Angel


I've invited the lovely Beverly Stowe McClure to the blog today to answer some interesting questions. Gabe's Guardian Angel is her latest release!

1. Gabe sounds like a fascinating young man. How did you create the character?

It's really more like Gabe created himself. I kept reading and hearing about the problems in some schools and towns about bullying. Had never thought about it much, until one day I remembered something that happened in our town. Some boys had been bullying another boy in middle school, and one day they told him to just go and kill himself. I did not know them personally, but he did it. I can only imagine the pain that family went through. Ad then, the writer in me took control. I had to write a story about bullying and hopefully help students see there are ways out of the situation. Gabe's story was born.

Wow - that's such a powerful story! As a teacher, I've seen the impact of bullying. It can be devastating.

2. Do you prefer writing first drafts or revising? Why?

I prefer to revise. The reason: when I have an idea in my head, I need to write it as soon as possible. If I wait too long my brain might travel somewhere else and I've lost the main idea. Then there are lots of revisions. The reason I'm so slow in writing a book.

I am learning to like revisions, but I adore that first draft!!

3. If you had your own Guardian Angel, what would you want help with? (I'm with Gabe and would appreciate a boost in the confidence area!)

Like you, I think I'd want help to be braver, bolder, and more outgoing. Not be afraid to follow my thoughts and ideas, even if they sometimes were not the best. I'd learn from my mistakes.

That sounds great, although I'm okay with being an introvert - and I can pass for an extrovert when necessary!

4. I see you play the piano, too. I've picked it up again in the past couple of years. I'm enjoying learning all kinds of Broadway music. What's your favourite type of music to play?

I don't play the piano often, but when I do I prefer the "Oldies" that I grew up with. Okay, I'm giving away my age now, but that's okay. I am what I am. The Fabulous Fifties like Sixteen Candles, Sincea MOBI rely, Magic Touch, Too Beautiful to Last, I Believe. You see.

The oldies are such fun!! I'm learning music from the 20s t0 50s for my mom (in a nursing home with dementia). I like music from all the eras!

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Beverly is offering a tour-wide giveaway. More information on the giveaway is listed below.

GABE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL
by Beverly Stowe McClure
* Paperback: 214 pages
* Publisher: Freedom Fox Press
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1939844665
* ISBN-13: 978-1939844668

Gabe Montana is clumsy. He's overweight, and he's dyslexic. Worse yet, the bullies make his fifteen-year-old life even more miserable-so miserable he wants to die.

Charley, his guardian angel, says no to that idea and comes up with a different plan. He'll give Gabe self-confidence so he can solve his problems, not run away from them. But Gabe wonders why the angel doesn't just help with the bullies. What's with this self-confidence stuff?

Can Charley help Gabe stand on his own two feet? Will Gabe give up hope life can improve for him? Or will he finally listen to the angel's advice?

GABE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL is available at the following sites:
AMAZON PAPERBACK
AMAZON KINDLE
BARNES AND NOBLE PAPERBACK
BARNES AND NOBLE NOOK BOOK
KOBO

For those who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her.

Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds.

She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.

Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Author Beverly Stowe McClure is giving away one print copy of GABE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL to a lucky US winner.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. If the widget doesn’t show up, just click HERE and you’ll be directed to the widget.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to follow Beverly on her week-long tour HERE. You never know what you might find out. Do you think Guardian Angels come in all shapes and sizes?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks Beverly for playing along with the questions!

How about you? How would your guardian angel help you out? First drafts or revisions? Any other piano players out there?

22 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I definitely prefer revising as well.
Big congratulations to Beverly!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I envy anyone who can play an instrument or sing. I can do neither! Thank you so much for hosting Beverly.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,

I like revisions too. I find my stories start to evolve and receive life when I start revising them. It also starts to flow together. That your story stems from real life incident gives it so much meaning in my opinion.
It is also good to learn you play the piano. I do too. I don‘t play it as often as I would like to these days because I have so many other pressing matters, but I love music,.
Thanks for writing a great book that can apply to any age.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia

Mason Canyon said...

I'm with Diane. I can't play an instrument or sing but I enjoy listening to others that love to do it.

Jemi, thanks so much for being a part of Beverly's tour and sharing these interesting questions with your readers.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm learning to enjoy editing more but I love drafting!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm so glad my parents bought the piano when I was young!

Jemi Fraser said...

I should be getting all you people to do the revising for me!
I'm not surprised you play as well - I remember hearing you sing on a video and you have great musicality!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome! Glad to help Beverly out!!

Elephant's Child said...

Hooray for the very creative 'Bug Lady' and for seeing her book splashed across the blogosphere. I hope it does really, really well.
And yes, the confidence boosting guardian angel would be very welcome here too.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm like you, Beverly. I much prefer to revise. Congrats on your book!

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Jemi. I love that you're learning to play the piano for your mom. That's so sweet. (Sorry I'm so late getting here but had doctor appointment and you know how those go. You have a great blog.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I understand, Natalie. The story starts making sense to me on that second writing and third and so on.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Ah, Elephant's Child, thank you. Yes Bug Lady has been seeing bugs lately. Must be spring. My favorite bugs are butterflies. Thanks for your kind words about my story. I hope it does too. Fingers crossed. I think your angel is telling you something.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I thank you, too, Jemi.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

every one writes what suits her/him better, Jemi. That's what makes writing such fun. We can do it our way.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I can't sing either, Diane. But I do play the piano, Jemi, and really enjoy it. I'm thankful my parent bought me a piano too, and I took lessons for a long time. I don't have that piano any more but have a later model. It calms me to tickle the ivories. I also played the clarinet in the school band. Not so good at that. Fun anyway.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Thank you, Alex. Looks like a lot of us enjoy the revising/editing best.

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome Beverly. You're welcome here any time!! I do know how those go - it's never easy!!

Yolanda Renée said...

Wonderful interview. We all learning new things about the authors we read. I wish I could play piano, but drums are on my bucket list!

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

It is a great interview, Yolanda. And I am enjoying learning more about such great authors. I feel like we're all friends. Oh drums would be fun to play. Enjoy.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I'm happy you enjoyed the article, Aqur. I will try to visit your website this afternoon. Thank you.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I enjoyed writing the book, Pat, and wish it was great. It does work for all ages. Thanks for your kind words.