Surprise, Surprise!

Author's Update

December and January were active months for me as I had the privilege of discussing Curiosity With a Capital S in several elementary schools in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area. The first stop at John B. Dey Elementary back in mid-December allowed me to focus on the creative writing process and the path one takes to publish a book with the bright, eager fourth graders in attendance. By the end of our all too short time together, it was evident the school is meeting the educational commitment to empower each student “with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence necessary to meet the challenges of the future.” The Seagulls of John B. Dey are certainly flying high!

 Right on the heels of the John B. Dey visit, I received a request from Hermitage Elementary to provide a similar discussion for two of the fifth grade classes. Home of the Vikings, I received a welcome as warm and inviting as any I’ve experienced. Once again the students were a thoughtful, energetic group as curious as Stan! Educating this group of “students to become responsible and productive members of the global community” as Hermitage’s mission statement proclaims must be a true joy for the faculty.

Following the holiday season, Linkhorn Park Elementary scheduled two amazing days with six of their fourth grade classes and seven groups of their fifth graders. “The pride of the beach” welcomed me with a personalized marquee out front and an exhilarating experience inside their doors. Home of the Lions, the children once again amazed me with their insightful, probing questions. I was truly humbled once again at the remarkable work yet another faculty of dedicated professionals is doing “to promote academic, physical and social excellence by providing a challenging educational environment.”

I can only hope my visit to each of these schools will lead to some future authors! It certainly reaffirmed the raw curiosity animated in the series of tales contained within the cover of Curiosity With a Capital S is alive and well in the next generation. Fortunately for all of us, there also appears to be an overwhelming number of educational professionals who encourage questioning attitudes and are willing to arrange unique educational experiences. I certainly enjoyed being permitted these wonderful opportunities!

A Former Student Finds 'Curiosity' - finally!

Big Blend Radio Show

Join Nancy Reid & Lisa Smith - publishers of BigBlendMagazines.com, with a glass of bubbly, for Big Blend Radio's variety show!
Featured guests:
- Bobbi DePorter - Co-Founder of SuperCamp & President of Quantum Learning Network
- Tonya Trimble - Author 'Curiosity with a Capital S'
- Victoria Chick - Artist, Silver City, NM
- Dustin Van Wechel - Wildlife Artist
- Chef Ivan Flowers - Fournos Restaurant, Sedona, AZ
- Chris Perrin 'The Party Food Dude' - BlogWellDone.com
- Ruth Milstein - Author 'Cooking  With Love: Ventures into the New Israeli Cuisine'
- Judith Gallindo - Homemade Confections

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/big-blend-radio/2011/11/13/champagne-sundays

Within 2 weeks after the show, the interview with article/press release will be featured on www.QualityofLifeMagazine.com and in the Big Blend e-Newsletter!

A chat with Tonya Trimble, author of Curiosity With a Capital S

Click on the title above or paste the link below into our browser to view an interview recorded by Keith Flippen, Owner, The Actors' Place, Inc., www.BeAnActor.com. I talk about the motivation and source of the book!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-omsBwCejWE

Virginian-Pilot Beacon article of September 4, 2011

Write what you know, they say – and that’s exactly what she did

By Danielle N. Coley

Correspondent

_______

LYNNHAVEN

            It’s been said that an author’s best material comes from the experiences of his or her own life. True to form, Deerwood Trace resident Tonya Trimble compiled the tales from her own life and developed her first novel, “Curiosity With a Capital S.”

            Released in early August, the book tells the adventures and mishaps of the principal character, Stan, and his little sister, Tracy. Each chapter begins with a sketch drawing of a character or scene that foreshadows what is to come, giving particular detail to the look and feel of life in America circa World War II.

            Trimble, a retired teacher from John B. Dey Elementary School, initially had no intention to write a novel. The Tulsa native just loved to tell a great story, she said.

            “In Oklahoma, I was asked to teach a creative writing course. In order to teach the skills needed in creative writing, I would use adventure stories from my own childhood. Eventually, I had come up with a full manuscript.”

            For years, Trimble’s manuscript was met with several rejection slips. She postponed her dreams, moved to Virginia to care for her ailing parents and went back to teaching. Rebecca Nielsen, a parent of one of her students, prompted Trimble to try her hand once more.

            “My daughter Brianna was a student of Ms. Trimble’s, and I remember her coming home and telling me about these adventures she had heard about in class, “ Nielsen said. “That’s when I reached out.”

            Nielsen, also a former educator, used the manuscript as a study tool for her students at Star of the Sea Parish for seven years. Through the connection of a friend of hers, Nielsen was able to get Trimble’s book published.

            “The publishers loved the book,” Trimble said. “They wanted it to have an old-fashioned look and feel, so they helped me hire the illustrator, Ted Enik, who is most known for his work on the Magic School Bus series. I feel quite blessed that he liked the book enough to work with us.”

            Since the book’s release, Trimble has had two book signings, with three more planned for her hometown, Tulsa, this month. Reviews have been favorable as well.

            One from 10-year-old Christa Van Geluwe was particularly heartwarming to Trimble:

            “In one work to describe this book I would say ‘descriptive.’ Because this book was so descriptive, I felt as if I were on the adventures with Stan and Tracy.”

            These days, Trimble is busy writing a sequel, “Curiosity With a Capital T,” after the book’s other character, Tracey.

            “When I read these stories to my students, I’d always encourage them to write the author about what they thought of the book,” Nielsen said. “Almost all of my students would suggest that she write a sequel, and now she’s finally writing one.”

Danielle N. Coley, daniellecoley88@gmail.com

Facebook Link

Click on this link or the title above to follow what everyone is saying about the book on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curiosity-with--a-Capital-S-by-Tonya-Trimble/171307622936082

Description of Curiosity with a Capital S

Ten-year-old Tracy worships her big brother, Stan, even though his insatiable curiosity often leads him—and Tracy—into unexpected, eye-opening, and sometimes frightening adventures. When Tracy's family moves to a beautiful South Carolina island during World War II, whole new opportunities for exploration and adventure unfold. Tracy watches with adm...iration as her brother grows up and learns to channel his curiosity to find his life's passion and pursue his dreams.

This sweet, poignant story of youthful inquisitiveness conveys the texture of life on a South Carolina island during a unique time in United States history. It's perfect for children, parents, and adults.

http://www.tellmepress.com/pub_cwacs.php  Use this link to visit the publisher's website and order the book today! A comprehensive reader's and teacher's guide is also available for downloading.