Survival from Breast Cancer Motivates Author

Author does scavenger hunt and writing contest at Fire Island Lighthouse

MY STORY

I often ask myself, why I cannot retire as other women in my position do. Play bridge or golf, do a little volunteering, go to Florida for the winter. Why have I chosen to spend my days chasing around the Internet finding ways to promote my Annie Tillery Mystery series? The second time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I did a psychological whoa, and looked at my life. If my life were to end tomorrow, would I be satisfied with what I had accomplished? I never was one to be satisfied with just “being”. My life had to mean more to me than that.

I could see a whole world of possibilities out there. Based on how I’ve spent my life, it seemed natural to turn to the same population as my students, and to women in general. Having been part of the feminist movement that started in the sixties, I wanted to leave some inspiration to the young women who would follow me. I also wanted the women of my generation to see that the girls of my books reflected the hopes and dreams of my contemporaries, taking on the challenges traditionally thought of as belonging to males.

As a science teacher, I wanted to inspire young women to see science as interesting, and as something females would be good at. My heroine, Annie Tillery, is smart not nerdy, attractive not gorgeous, doesn’t use magic or necromancy to divine the world around her. She uses her brain, her sense of humor, and just pure guts.

At first, I just wanted to write the stories and put them in a loose-leaf binder for my grand-nieces and nephews, and possible grandchildren. Then I realized that these stories are my DNA. They have grown out of my life’s work as an educator, and my life experiences as a girl, and then a woman. It’s very feminine to share. That’s part of the DNA we share with other mammals. Baby elephants have mothers, and many aunties (other adult females) to watch over them. Baby whales, born under water are buoyed to the surface by the female whales attending their birth. And so, share I did. I can only hope that my efforts to get teachers to use my books and lesson plans will come to fruition. I hope my attempts to reach out to authors, with advice from the guests on my local access show, “The Writer’s Dream”; and my workshops will help someone along the way.

I can’t believe eighteen years have gone by. In 1994 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 1. I was lucky. It was caught early. I’m the poster child for early detection. One lumpectomy and thirty radiation treatments later, I was able to get on with my life.
But, life did not go on as usual. Cancer is a diagnosis that puts a different lens in your rose-colored glasses. With some folks, it means, slow down and smell the roses. For me, it was speed up and get done every bloomin’ thing I ever wanted to do. I plunged into life like never before. And while I was living life in the fast-lane, the cancer was growing back. In late 2008 I was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer in the same breast.
Another thing a cancer diagnosis does is to take you out of the main stream of life. It feels like you are suspended above the earth watching everyone living their stories while you are in limbo waiting, waiting for the verdict; chemo, surgery, radiation, six weeks to live, maybe two months.
Again, I was lucky. Because of the previous cancer, my wonderful doctors checked me every six months. Again, I am the poster child for early detection. I decided to have a double mastectomy, no radiation, no chemo. As far as they could tell the cancer had not spread.
This was three years ago. I am a lot older and much more aware of the fragility of life. Friends and family have had their own diagnoses. Some have died. Some I share a bond with that is like that shared by soldiers who’ve shared combat. And, we fight on.
I am so grateful for whatever time the early detection of my cancers has given me. Every day is a gift from God, a day to be used in the best way I know how. Thanks for reading my story. I have a great deal more to say about how to cope with cancer, and how that ugly negative thing has been the motivation to give back.

Linda Maria Frank

Linda Maria Frank Collaborates with Lois W. Stern to Promote a Contest for Authors: Tales2Inspire

Lois W. Stern, author of “Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery” and “Tick, Tock, Stop the Clock”, is reaching out to authors through her website,Tales2Inspire.com. As the title suggests, she is urging authors to submit short stories for the contest on her website that inspire through humor or pathos, and are up-lifting.

Linda Maria Frank, author of Annie Tillery Mysteries, has created and produced The Writer’s Dream, a TV show for authors. The finalists from Tales2Inspire will be afforded a half-hour interview on the show.

The authors who are finalists will have their ‘tale’ published in a Tales2Inspire™ anthology/ collection with their mini-biography, photo and link to their website included.

A personal, live recorded interview on the Tales2Inspire™ blog radio show, posted for six months, will be linked from their photo on the Author Tales screen.

An opportunity to appear on The Writer’s Dream, a rapidly growing Cablevision Long Island TV show is the other perk. Authors may record a video from the comfort of their home. Send it to Stern and Frank, and they will do the rest.

Finalists will be able to use the DVD from the show on all social media and their websites. The aim of both authors is to encourage the publication of up-lifting stories on the web, and to give authors a venue for showcasing their work.

VISIT THE WEBSITE: http://www.Tales2Inspire.com

A NEAT WAY TO NETWORK WITH YOUR FELLOW AUTHORS

THIS GREAT IDEA COMES FROM DINA SANTORELLI,  http://makingbabygrand.com/

All you would have to do would be to follow the instructions below:

Here are the details:

The basic idea is to respond to ten questions (included below) about something you’re currently writing or a book or story just published or to be published soon. You’d post your responses either on your own blog or as a guest blog, and you’d also “tag” five other writers (note: “five” is a loose number—sometimes people seem to do fewer) you’ve invited to participate. Each of them would then “tag” five more writers, and so on and so on.
In step form:
1.     You write a blog answering the ten questions and post it the week of January 7, and include links to the blogs of the five writers you invite. You also credit me as your inviter and include a link to the blog I post.
2.     The five writers you invite answer the questions; each one puts that blog up the week after yours goes up, and each one credits you as the inviter and includes a link to your blog.
3.     They, in turn, tag five other writers, and the cycle continues.
The posts follow a standard format. Here’s a sample:
http://myfanwycollins.com/2012/12/17/the-next-big-thing-whats-up-next-for-me/
THE QUESTION APPEAR BELOW, WITH MY ANSWERS.

Take the magic carpet ride of your imagination to Turkey. Join Annie and Ty in the caves of mysterious Cappadocia for another thrilling adventure.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:
> What is your working title of your book (or story)?

My books are a YA mystery series called Annie Tillery Mysteries. The first two books are “The Madonna Ghost” and “Girl with Pencil, Drawing”. I am writing the third, “Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys”. Today I would like to introduce you to “Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys”.
> Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea for the series in general comes from my background. I am a retired science teacher, and my favorite subject to teach was forensic science. As a kid, I loved Nancy Drew. I decided to marry the two ideas, and I use the line, “Nancy Drew meets CSI” to market the books.
> What genre does your book fall under?

They are YA, but my friends enjoy them.
> Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Since Taylor Swift seems to be launching her acting career, I think she would make a neat Annie Tillery.
> What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Annie Tillery travels to fabulous Istanbul and surreal Cappadocia, Turkey with her boyfriend, Ty Egan, to work at an archeological dig, where she finds herself involved in danger and intrigue at the hands of thieves who are pilfering the site of the oldest known town in the world.
> Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My books are self-published through iUniverse.
> How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Two years and counting. I hope to finish this spring.
> What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

They are most like the Jackie Tempo series by Suzanne Litrel.
> Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My desire to create an engaging sharp, female character for young girls was an inspiration based on the fact that Nancy Drew inspired me to seek adventure and try new things when I was a girl.
> What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

They are pure fun, with intriguing plots, and just enough forensic science to make you feel like a smart amateur detective.

Don’t forget to add at least 5 more authors to the network by tagging them on your blog. You can also use my blog by contacting me at lmf217@hotmail.com

Read the First Few Pages of “Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys”!

SECRETS IN THE FAIRY CHIMNEYS

Take the magic carpet ride of your imagination to Turkey. Join Annie and Ty in the caves of mysterious Cappadocia for another thrilling adventure.

PROLOGUE (July 10)

A Cave in Nevshehir, Turkey

“I’m afraid, Ahmet. I don’t want to go any further.” The girl stamped her foot, the sound echoing through the stillness of the cave.

“Oh, you little silly wussycat! I told you, it is like the story of Hansom and Greta. I left a trail of bread crumbs for us to follow out of this cave.”

“That’s Hansel and Gretel, you great fool,” his sister shot back, momentarily distracted from her panic. Looking up at her brother, and noticing the shadow of a mustache under his nose, she thought, Can I really trust this twelve year old brother to save us?

Her eyes took in the expanse of the chamber they were in, water dripping from some place their flashlights could not illuminate. The stone was irregular and gray. The light beam revealed only a small swath, leaving the rest of the cave in menacing shadows and deep black voids, leading away into a terrifying unknown. Yelda’s voice hitched as she tugged on Ahmet’s sleeve. “Let’s get out of here,” she implored once more.

Changing his tone to a more cajoling one, Ahmet reasoned, “Please, just a few more feet, Yelda. I’m running out of bread crumbs.”

“What!” she said through quivering lips, her voice a shrill peep. “You said this would be an adventure. You didn’t say anything about death traps.” She pulled more insistently at his arm.

Undeterred, Ahmet surged on. “Just over there. See, at the end of this cave.” He grabbed her hand and Yelda followed, sniveling, her body tense with apprehension.

Ahmet stumbled over a lip in the floor, pitching forward and dragging his sister with him. He did not let go of her hand in case she would give into her fear and bolt for the entrance to the cave.

“What if your breadcrumbs don’t help us?” Yelda said, the quiver in her voice giving way to fear.

Carefully picking their way, the two fell against a boulder which shielded a rocky ledge that fell off into an abyss which they could not see. Ahmet clutched his flashlight like a lifesaver while he tested for footholds, making his way around the boulder. As he did so, the boulder, which teetered precariously on the ledge, began to slide away from them. Before they could comprehend what that meant, the thin ledge they were standing on cracked and Yelda and Ahmet began to slide downward along with the boulder and the broken ledge.

The sound was deafening in the cave. The fall could have only taken a few seconds, but the sudden stop at the bottom raised a cloud of choking dust leaving the explorers in a daze.

Yelda was too stunned to cry. Ahmet never let go of either his twin sister or the flashlight.

“Stand up, Yelda!” demanded her brother, as he did so himself. “Can you walk? I seem to be okay.”

“Ahmet, if we ever get out of here,” hissed Yelda through gritted teeth, “I will kill you. Why, I say, why do I ever listen to you?’

“This is no time for us to argue. We are in big trouble. We must find our way out of here.”

“Even so smart, you are,” Yelda sneered. “In all of Turkey, there is not a more stupid boy!”

“Stop that! This is no time for your sarcastic poking at me, sister.” Ahmet sounded far more confident than he felt. “We need to think like the amateur archeologists we are.”

“Hah! You said it! Amateur! Yelda was choking back a sob.

“Get up,” Ahmet demanded. Their terrible situation was taking a firm hold on his gut, and he had to muster all his machismo to push down his own panic. They had fallen through the floor of an unexplored cave and no one back at the camp knew where they were.

Yelda got up feeling the seat of her pants. “I am either bleeding, or there is water here,” she said. “Did you lose the flashlight?”

“No,” he replied, realizing how tightly he was gripping it. “And it is still working.”

He played the beam around their new cave. They could see they were standing in a high-ceilinged cavern with a large puddle or small pond in front of them. There was no telling how deep the water might be.

Take the magic carpet ride of your imagination to Turkey. Join Annie and Ty in the caves of mysterious Cappadocia for another thrilling adventure.

LET ANNIE TILLERY TELL YOU ABOUT SOLVING THE CRIME OF ARSON

The Brooklyn Bridge leads to the mysterious brownstone in Brooklyn where Annie and friends must find the clues to solve the murder of John DiCristiani.

 

WHAT ANNIE TILLERY KNOWS ABOUT FORENSIC SCIENCE

In “Girl with Pencil, Drawing”, a fire does extensive damage to the brownstone building where one of the main characters is hiding some important information that becomes important in solving the murder of John DiCristiani. The fire is set as a diversionary tactic, and is an essential catalyst toward exposing the story’s most fascinating surprises. The fire is proven to be arson. Lt. Red, Aunt Jill’s NYPD colleague explains how the police identify the elements of the crime of arson.

HOW DO CRIME INVESTIGATORS SUSPECT A FIRE TO BE THE CRIME OF ARSON?

Fires in commercial establishments are always suspect, because of the insurance money involved.

• When the fire marshal discovers another crime at the scene of the fire, it is possible that fire was set to cover the crime. It can be an efficient way to dispose of a murder victim.
• When several fires exhibiting the same pattern or M.O. (modus operandi) occur in an area, investigators examine links between the cases to see if serial crimes are being committed.

The evidence uncovered that indicates arson include:

1. 1.      The presence of accelerants like gasoline, which leave a residue on the debris resulting from a fire. This residue can be chemically analyzed and identified with a high degree of validity.
2. 2.      The use of ignition devices such as frayed electric wires, or smoldering cigarettes.
3. 3.      Remnants of materials used to start a fire which have been left at the scene, such as gas cans and flammable materials.

NOVEMBER EVENTS – BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS
GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS FOR YOUR FAVORITE MYSTERY READER
Please join me at these events where I will be selling my books. These books are wonderful stocking stuffers and gifts for mystery lovers and girls of all ages. See you there!

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR EXTRAVAGANZA
NOV. 24, 10AM – 6PM
ST. JAMES RC CHURCH, 80 Hicksville Rd., Seaford

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE, hosted by COMPLETE WOMEN’S IMAGING, PC
NOV. 30, 7PM – 10PM
990 Stewart Ave., Garden City, Suite 100

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FAIR
DEC.1, 10AM – 4PM
3945 Jerusalem Ave., Seaford

HELPING TEACHERS: Using Works of Fiction As Motivational Pieces for the Teaching of Social Studies and Science

TITLE: EXCITING LITERATURE INSPIRES INTEREST IN AMERICA’S EARLY HISTORY
INTRODUCTION: The Madonna Ghost is a mystery novel revolving around a local ghost on Fire Island, New York. As the mystery evolves, a terrorist plot is uncovered by the two main characters. Investigation of the back story of the ghost and the terrorist plot reveal some of Fire Island history, which can be used to motivate an understanding:
• the colonial history of the New York colony
• the history of East Coast lighthouses
• shipping on the East Coast in the early history of the United States including the effects of piracy, hurricanes, and shipwrecks on the local economy, and
• the geographic location and geological formations of Fire Island in relation to its role in crimes, especially smuggling.
The work is a fast moving adventure involving two main characters who are teens, appealing to middle school students. As the adventure unfolds, so do references and hits to the bulleted topics above, offering splendid opportunities to pose questions about the local history of Fire Island and its relationship to the colonial history of New York (8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum). The lesson plans provide a window into not only history, but the nature of historical research as well, referenced in the Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects.
• My rationale for the lessons I have created include:
1. The reading of materials that cause students to ask question pertinent to a curriculum area supports the teaching model, “Understanding by Design”. http://ubdexchange.org/
2. Reading for research is a skill necessary for the investigation of any curriculum topic, and is a skill that needs to be guided, practiced and reinforced. It can be best done when interest in the subject at hand has been stimulated by pertinent interesting media, in this case a mystery/adventure novel. See Filkin above.
3. Introducing students to curriculum/content knowledge through the reading of popular fiction exposes them to the value of having the ability to, not only garner knowledge from the fiction they read, fit the story they are reading into a broader context of science, history and the prevailing culture, but also to develop their interests as far as the type of literature they would like to read.
In “Alternative Book Reports” by Michael J. Vokoun, he quotes Busching and Slesinger.
“Students need to see their own lives interpreted and validated in the books they read, and they also need to see the wide panoply of humanity, not just to watch these characters enact their lives, but also to see into their lives, but also to see into their lives. Through books, students can develop strong bonds with diverse individuals they would be unlikely to meet in their actual lives, or could never know well” (146-7). Busching,B., & Slesinger, B.A. (2002). “It’s Our World Too”: Socially Responsive Learners in Middle School Language Arts. Urbans, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
4. Although popular fiction is not the source of content knowledge, students can appreciate that general knowledge can be increased by reading all kinds of literature.
5. Lessons which spring from readings which provoke student questions are student-centered, thus giving students that sense of ownership which may lead to an interest in reading that lives long after the lesson.
6. Including Reading in any lesson reinforces vocabulary and reasoning skills as borne out by a correlation between habitual reading skills and SAT scores.
7. Lessons that use computer skills, not as the focus of the lesson, but as the tool to answer students’ questions foster good research skills.
From Wading Through the Web: Teaching Internet Research Strategies by Sarah Dennis-Shaw.
“Communication and comprehension are two of the most important aspects of using technology.
In order for technology to be an effective enhancement for literacy instruction, students must first master the basics of using computers so that students can concentrate more on literacy tasks than on technology.”
8. The lessons I propose are designed to work best with cooperative learning groups.
9. The lessons provide a variety of approaches for researching the questions arising from the books.
10. I am a great believer in the interdisciplinary approach to learning. History made science come alive for my students. Linda Maria Frank

Make Sure to Visit My Author’s Page on Amazon

I now have an Author’s Page on Amazon. Go to https://www.amazon.com/author/lindamariafrank. 

See events, videos and book sales information. Hope you enjoyed the chapters to be found on this site. See a list of the posts.