Official Blog of Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, a bestselling Canadian author

Cheryl Kaye Tardif's 'Deadly' Blog

Writer Member — Fri, 22 May 2020 17:09:13 +0000

Welcome to my blog on Deadly Prose. I hope you'll stay awhile, read some of my posts and leave a few comments behind.

I am a Canadian suspense author with 3 published novels, soon to be 4. I invite you to check out my website at: http://www.cherylktardif.com.

Want to review books for WritersReaders.com?

Writer Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:47:24 +0000

Want some free books in exchange for writing a review?

WritersReaders.com is looking for people who love reading to review the stacks of books that are pouring in to a new book review program.

If you enjoy reading, don't mind getting a free book (or 2...or 5) and like to write reviews, then this is for you!

From the newsletter TIPS for WRITERS:

We have tons of books and not enough readers to review them...if you know someone that would love to read and review books please send them my way. It’s easy, they can pick what they want, there is no timeline, the book is free, all we need are interested readers. Your help is appreciated.

For more information, please contact Jerry D. Simmons.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
Canadian suspense author

Divine Intervention and Random Acts of Kindness

Writer Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:48:41 +0000

Over the past few months I've been participating in small Random Acts of Kindness. I love leaving behind a novel for someone, and I've found my favorite RAK place at the new Starbucks at 39th Ave and 17th St in Edmonton, AB.

I go there often to write. I sit in the far corner with my laptop.

It was after my trip to Mexico last February that I realized how much fun it can be to leave a book for someone. So I started occasionally leaving a book on the table by the cream/lid/stir stick display table at Starbucks.

I have left a copy of each of my books, each on a different day over a period of a couple of months. Sometimes I put it on the table as soon as I get there to write. Sometimes I have left a copy right before I leave.

I started off writing a note inside the cover that explained to the finder that it was a gift--to take it and read it. Every now and then I'd look up from what I was writing and check the table. Darn! The book's still there! I'd go back to work.

I found that the novel was sometimes there over night and that people were too timid to open the book, so they missed reading my message.

Recently, I tried a new tactic. I put a copy (I think of Divine Intervention) on the table, with a post-it note right on the cover. Throughout the day, I glanced at the table. Sometimes I held my breath when I saw someone standing nearby.

Ironically, I have NEVER actually seen the people who have accepted my gifts. Never seen them, and never heard from them--until a few days ago...

Moe gave me permission to post this email online:

Hi Cheryl,

I walked into a Starbucks one day and as I was stirring my tall dark roast I noticed a novel sitting on the table next to me with a note on it. I read the note and you know what it said. I was with my brother and we were both moved by it. Needless to say I took the book home with me. I have read about half of it now and am enjoying it very much. I would like to thank you for your kindness and would like to know where I could get a copy of Whale Song and any other works that you have published. Again thank you for your generosity and I will pass the word along that you tell a great yarn.

sincerely Moe

I have to say that receiving this email made me smile. (Thanks, Moe! You made my day!) Although the idea behind Random Acts of Kindness is to give, not receive, I have to admit that it is really nice to know that the person who accepted my gift actually enjoyed it. It also felt great to know that the right person had found my novel.

Now that's what you call...Divine Intervention!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Divine Intervention, Whale Song and The River

Red Hat Society & Storycasting & Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Writer Member — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:06:40 +0000

I just love days like today--days when I open my email and find all sorts of lovely emails and bits of "gold". (It sure beats the other days when I get 500 bits of junk mail and sp-m.)

Today, I received an email from Queen Ursula. Okay, she's not a real queen--well, not in the true sense of the word, but she's a queen at heart. Ursula is a member of the Red Hat Society; that's that wonderful group of women found sporting red and purple hats and scarves and pins...

Queen Ursula (okay, I just really like calling her that) is organizing an authors' event in November, and I'm quite honored to be one of the authors invited to attend. She asked me to sign my novels and tell the ladies what great Christmas gifts they make. And they do! I am sure that Whale Song, in particular, will do very well since it's the perfect gift for any woman, 8-108. So her emails today were all very exciting to read, and I can't wait.

Then the next email I opened was from Jeff Reid at Storycasting.com. He has given me permission to post part of it here:

You've helped us create a new way to discuss books (and potential movies), and we appreciate it. We'd especially like to thank those who told friends and relatives about the fun we're having, including the individuals and authors who promoted the site on websites and blogs. In the first 6 weeks of public operation, we had over 20,000 page views by 4,000 people from 72 countries, speaking 32 different languages - and they're still coming!

As I'm sure you can tell, several people have "join dates" from back in February. These were our original beta testers, and the most active and helpful of all was "Dano". We're getting some nice shirts made with the Storycasting.com logo on it, and Dano is getting one for his early, frequent, and useful comments. Thanks Dano!

Catherine Ryan Hyde was the first author to come on the site - on opening day, there she was, providing an "author's storycast" and then adding us to her MySpace page. Thanks, and a shirt, Catherine! Authors Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Tristi Pinkston, plus Stella and Audra Price, have also done a great job of advertising the site, and in bringing other authors to our attention. Ladies, a shirt to each of you!...
Again, we really thank you for your support and positive reaction to the
site...

Jeff Reid and the staff at Storycasting.com
"for the movie in your mind"

You can imagine my surprise to be thanked by Jeff, and to be awarded a t-shirt. Thanks, Jeff!

Now for those who haven't checked out this site yet, 'just do it'. :) It's a lot of fun. The concept is easy and one I identified with as soon as I heard of the site. You know how when you read a book you sometimes picture an actor in the lead role? Maybe you picture actors for all the lead roles. Well, with Storycasting, you can have some fun selecting real life actors you think would fit the roles in your favorite books.

Go check it out! Whale Song is listed there. Did I select good actors? Do you have someone else in mind? Jasi and the team from Divine Intervention are on there too. And just look who I see playing Brandon Walsh or Ben Roberts. And the gang from The River are there--probably my most favorite casting. Any Johnny Depp Fans out there?

Check out http://www.storycasting.com/, sign up as a member (it's free!) and feel free to cast all my books and others with your favorite actors. I'd love to see who you envision!

Now I'll just check my emails, blog on my gazillion blogs, work on my next novel, and wait for my t-shirt...

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Whale Song is Dan Janal's Cool Book of the Day!

Writer Member — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:14:49 +0000

Read Dan Janal's interview of Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of the critically acclaimed novel Whale Song, and find out what makes Whale Song the 'Cool Book of the Day'.

Click on the blue button now.

Whale Song changes a young woman's life and inspires her to paint

Writer Member — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:43:05 +0000

I first heard of Aynsley Nisbet when an acquaintance of hers came up to me during the 2008 CAA CanWrite! Conference in Edmonton, Alberta. This friend told me that Aynsley had created a painting after reading Whale Song and being inspired. I hadn't seen the painting until today. I tracked Aynsley down online and the story she told gave me goosebumps, and I'm not too embarrassed to say that I had to wipe away the tears. She has given me permission to share this story with you, in her words. This is Aynlsey's story...how Whale Song "changed my life...forever"

"It was I think last summer, or maybe spring ( I really hate keeping track of time) and I was on my way home the morning after a really long night. It was windy and I felt miserable... I got off the bus downtown and walked past Audrey's bookstore. Something in the window made me stop... it was the cover of your book. Orcas are a symbol of my childhood.
I was born in Vancouver, and every weekend my father ( who had always wanted to be a marine biologist, but settled for a banker...why do some people, not do what they dream!?!!) would take me to the Aquarium. These were my favorite animals for the longest time, and still are now. They are so intimidating, fearsome but elegant... and I admit to even having a fear for them, even though I love them... I took note of the title of the book, and said to myself, "I think I need to read this book..." and then continued walking down Jasper Ave, to continue onward, down my so-called destructive life path.
The summer went by, and I was still miserable. Bitter with anger and resentment of my past, and the people in it. Me even. I hated myself... who I was every second...and was so unsure of my future. One night, after my birthday in October, I thought of the cover of Whale Song, and decided to google it. Read what it was about... I fell more in love with what it's meaning could be to me.
I decided to take my biggest canvas, which stands 5 feet tall, and 4 feet wide, and put it aside... I wrote on the side... "Whale Song". I started drawing ideas, but nothing was complete...obviously, because I needed to read the book. I then got a job at Chapters, and the first thing I did with my first paycheck was buy it. I also worked at a photolab in St. Albert, and it was the type of job, where it was so slow, and all we really did was read... and I always worked alone. I worked there that day after I got the book, and I started reading...
When I was little, and we moved from Vancouver up to Fort Nelson, BC, and the long roadtrip up the Alaska Highway, and all the tall trees... were exactly how you described the initial part of Sarah's journey. My father always wanted to name me Sarah, but my mom liked Aynsley better...haha, which is alright because I feel more special to have the unique name! :) Anyways, I spent a lot of time indulging in native culture when I lived in the north and became very connected to the Wolf and Raven... I found some sort of peace, and place in my world, at which I always had a hard time finding because I was always the weird kid...
Well the further I read into this book that night in the lab, I couldn't stop. I actually told the electronics department that the machines were broken and I was fixing them, just so I could finish it. I cried the whole time I read it... Don't worry, these were tears of self- realization and happiness... a sort of passion and emotion I needed. A sense of forgiveness, ultimately leading to my freedom... My life over just a year ago, was not so great. I was not myself... I didn't paint. It was awful.
You're book changed my life, in ways I can't even explain... If it wasn't your gift, the idea that forgiveness sets you free... I would still be angry, hateful, resentful... all that is negative. I have learned to forgive everything that has happened in life, and now, I have become what I have always dreamed... Happy, a successful artist... at peace with myself... determined...the list could go on. I then finished drawing and painting "Whale Song"... which sits, well hangs on my wall in my Mother's basement...
Well, I think I lied when I said it was going to be a relatively short message... but I needed you to know that your wisdom and your talent as an author is greatly appreciated, and I just want to thank you for all you have done for me... helping setting me free, like a whale... in a deep and endless sea ♥ ... Thank you so much, for writing the book that changed my life... forever. Sincerely, Aynsley :)"

I will be giving away a matted and framed print of her painting..."Whale Song" (see below) so be sure to check back here for contest rules. Stay tuned!

Please go to Aynsley's "Whale Song" painting and leave her a comment beneath the pic: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1580061&id=589230626

To view all of Aynsley's paintings, please visit her photo album on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45869&id=589230626

You can also learn more about Aynsley Nisbet at: http://aynz.livejournal.com/ http://www.myspace.com/aynsleynisbet

Thank you, Aynsley, for allowing me to share this. I am sure the Universe will repay you threefold.

And now...Aynsley's painting inspired by my novel Whale Song...

"Whale Song" by Aynsley Nisbet

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif http://www.whalesongbook.com/

Using Online Social Networks

Writer Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:17:07 +0000

In July 2008, I presented on a panel at the 2008 CanWrite! Conference in Edmonton, Alberta. The topic of the panel was Hot Trends, Hot Markets. As an author, I was looking at this topic from the perspective of aspiring and published authors.

As someone who's been nicknamed "Shameless Promoter" because I promote my books with everything I've got, utilizing everything I can think of or learn about, I want to share what I've learned. This information will help writers and authors connect with readers and fans, which can lead to sales once a book has been published.

The question I asked myself was: "Which hot trend or market is really on fire today, one that actually benefits writers and authors?"

The answer I came up with?

SOCIAL NETWORKING!

Read my article: How Can Authors Use Online Social Networks?

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif (aka 'Shameless Promoter')

http://www.cherylktardif.com

Check out my 'work-in-progress' - Remote Control

Writer Member — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:25:38 +0000

I've added a "work-in-progress" to my site. I'll be posting additional paragraphs to it as I have time, up to the conclusion. I hope you check back every week or so.

Ironically, a TV game show came out in '87. It was called 'Remote Control'. I never heard about it until today when I did some research. Also, in 1988, a movie was released with the same title. I never saw that either. There's also another movie--one that is more current and probably better known. I'm sure you'll think of the title when you read my story. Keep in mind, I had this concept and wrote about it in 1987.

The story you're about to read was originally written in early 1987 by Cheryl Y. Kaye, in the small town of Chatham, New Brunswick, now known as the Miramichi. It was written as a 2700 word short story. However, it looks as if it will be closer to a novelette, about 10,000 words, when finished. This story was never published.

I am cleaning it up now, adding to it, changing the tense and tone and I quite like where it's going. It's not the exact original--I think now it's even better. I welcome your thoughts, so feel free to leave me a comment.

I can't recall what made me write the original story, but it has always been a favorite of mine. Perhaps it was inspired by that old saying...

"Be careful what you wish for."

And now....

Remote Control

Do Book Trailers Sell Books?

Writer Member — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:59:32 +0000

There’s been a lot of discussion about book trailers on this blog and elsewhere on the ‘Net, and the question is: Do book trailers sell books?

As an author who has no access to knowing where book buyers come from or whether they bought because of a trailer, I am very interested in the answer to this question...

To read my article on book trailers, please visit Books on the Brain.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, suspense author

James Patterson inspires me

Writer Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:31:10 +0000

I'm a Canadian author and long time fan of James Patterson's work. I've been reading his novels since I was a teen. I'd like to say that was only a few years ago...but I can't.

As an avid reader, I've always enjoyed the thrill of suspense--from following the clues, to uncovering the 'red herrings' and the yearning to know just who did it and why. I've been drawn into criminal minds, wondering what motivates people to do things, and I've loved some of the characters that authors have given birth to--the ones that I can't forget--like Max and Lindsay Boxer.

As an author, I've admired James Patterson--his vision, story plots, writing techniques and his success. His stories are usually character driven, and he is well-known by authors for his short chapters--something I experimented with in my novel The River.

I've been extremely impressed by James' willingness to partner with other authors, usually ones who are up-and-coming success stories in their own right--authors like Andrew Gross, whom I've chatted with via email. I can only imagine what Andrew learned from James Patterson, and I hope one day to be one of the lucky authors selected to pair up with him. His willingness to share what he's learned over the years and to inspire other authors makes me determined to be 'just like him, when I grow up'. :)

I think most of all, he's taught me that there is longevity in the writing world if you can find the right 'groove' or genre. He's taught me by example to persevere, never give up and keep writing.

Thank you, James!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, suspense author