Seven Tears Into the Sea
Phantom Stallion Series
Bio
Weblog
Q&A
Schedule
Media
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Rough Journey with a Happy Ending
Dear Readers,
Included in my website update today is a birthday celebration for the orphan mustang many of you have followed through a rocky colthood. On my home page, click on the birthday cake to see photos of My Cheyenne Sweetheart Dreamer (Sweetie) as she's grown into a lovely yearling!
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:40 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 30, 2006
HarperTeenFanLit.com
Dear Reader/Writers,
Even if you're not interested in entering HarperTeen's fanlit contest, you might want to check out their website. On the lower left side, there's a link to daily blogs by teen authors & editors. There's a forum, too!
Have fun,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:15 PM 0 comments
Wild Horse Spirit
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoy this article my journalist husband wrote about a nearby wild horse sanctuary:
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/LIV/610290311
If you're interested in how to train mustangs, don't miss the second article (found at the same link) about wild horse mentors.
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:50 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Flicka Movie
Dear Readers,
There are lots of rumors going around about the horses which died during the making of the new Flicka movie. The most credible information I can find is here:
http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=faqs_filmFlicka
Best,
Terri
p.s. Have you made your phone call to ask your Senator to save horses yet? If not, what are you waiting for?
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 11:23 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Call in for Horses
Wednesday is National Call In Day
Dear Readers,
Just over a month ago the U.S. House of Representatives voted to ban horse slaughter. Now the same bill is up for a vote in the Senate. Horses won in the House largely because of your phone calls. That's the good news.
Now, for the bad news: Senators are reporting they are hearing equally from people who support horses and and those in favor of slaughter.
How can you help?
Call your two U.S. Senators today:
To find your Senators' phone numbers, go to the following link and enter your zip code in the box in the upper left column: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
Ask them to "please cosponsor S.1915 the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and protect horses from slaughter."
Spread the word: one phone call is not enough. We need hundreds. Tell your friends, family, people at Halloween parties --everyone to call their Senators.
October 25 (Wednesday) and November 14 (Tuesday) are national call-in days for horses.
Don't quit. Call this week, call next week, and call the following week. Let's keep up the pressure!
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 6:40 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Marksmen in Helicopters Target Horses
Dear Readers,
I've had bad news from PHANTOM STALLION readers in Australia.
If you've seen the amazing movie THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER, you've had a peek at Brumbies, the wild horses of Australia.
Hundreds of wild horses have been identified as pests in national parks in north Queensland, Australia and they will be shot by marksmen firing from helicopters.
1300 horses were shot last month by snipers firing from helicopters, but this time it is foaling season.
To read a news story about this plan:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20620138-3102,00.html
To see photographs of these beautiful horses and learn more about the fight to save them, check out :
savethebrumbies.org As always, if these links don't work for you, just copy & paste them in your browser window and click GO!
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 9:23 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
2 Tidbits
HI!
First --I'm working with my website designer to welcome the new series and I'd love to hear what you've been longing to see on my sites. My designer is brilliant and could create an online Disneyland, but because my readers are all ages, I want to keep things pretty simple. Still, it would be fun to see your ideas.
Next -- Booksellers tell me that advance orders (like reserved copies) of RUNAWAY HOME, the last book in the original PHANTOM STALLION series, are stupendous. Of course my publisher will print books until almost everyone who'd like a copy has one, but you might have to wait a little while or get on your library's request list. Just thought I'd give you a heads-up!
Happy trails,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 1:05 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 16, 2006
Good Questions
Dear Readers,
One of you emailed me a copy of a great letter to a Congressman. Sadly, he didn't respond well, but her letter was so good, I wanted to share it with you.
Dear Terri,
I emailed one of the Congressmen, Mike Ross, and he said he was against the horses and wanted them to be sold for meat. His excuse was, "there are so many unwanted equines in the USA each year", so instead of finding them homes he wants to torture and murder them? I just don't understand people like him and there are so many of them in this world how are we going to save the horses? America wouldn't be the same with our mustangs and other horses. Do they not remember what Paul Revere rode to warn the Americans that the British were coming, what was are transportation for so many years and who takes us to the Olympics and give us joy each and every day? What are we going to do?
Caitlin
One thing we can do is pay attention! Caitlin's parents, her parents' friends, etc. are voters ; I wonder if they'll reconsider voting for this man? If he's still in office when Caitlin is old enough to vote, I bet she won't support him.
Do you know how your Congressman is voting on wild horse issues?
An easy way to stay on top of wild horse news is to set up a Google News Alert for your email account. Check with your parents, first, of course. Then, you go to Google's main page, click on the NEWS tab and when that page comes up, check the left side, by the little envelope and click on News Alert. This will take you to a page where you type in a search term for news stories. I put in "wild horses" ; if I were you, I'd use quotation marks, or you might receive updates on any newsstory with the words wild or horses and that could clog up your mailbox, big time.
How will this help? You will know what's going on -- sometimes within an hour of the time it happens!
Happy trails all you caring horse lovers,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 9:42 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 13, 2006
Amazing WRITING CONTEST
Dear Writing Readers,
HarperCollins editors (one is MY editor) and four bestselling HarperTeen authors (not me, sorry, I'm working on the new series!) invite you to join thousands of fans online to create an original short story—one chapter at a time. Each week:
Fans submit, rate, and discuss all the new chapters
The top-rated submission becomes part of an official "HarperTeen Short Story"
Everyone has the chance to win fabulous prizes, including not-yet-published books, gift certificates, and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet publishing executives and have lunch with a HarperCollins author!
It starts Oct. 17th!
Be the first to gain access to this exciting event—sign up now for your email alert!
http://www.harperteen.com/fanlit
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:39 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 06, 2006
HE'S HURTING ; SHE'S HELPING
CONRAD BURNS: in December 2004, Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) added wording to a spending bill that demands the sale for any purpose, including slaughter, of wild horses older than 10 years or any horse which fails to find a family after three tries at adoption. Since then, many wild horses have been slaughtered.
The bad news: Sen. Conrad Burns said yesterday that $ for adequate body armor for soldiers he helped send into battle would “just bust the budget,” but he voted for a $20 million post-war party!
The good news: Burns' chance of re-election in Nov. is slipping. His opponent is slightly ahead!
SEVEN TEARS fans & friends of sea creatures -- I just thought you might like to read about a young Canadian marine biologist doing her part to save sea lions! www.vanaqua.org/aquanew/fullnews.php?id=2028
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:14 PM 0 comments
Thursday, October 05, 2006
MORE THAN SEVEN TEARS FOR SEA CREATURES
Dear Readers,
Last week I spent a few days in Monterey, California. I saw whales and dolphins and loads of sea lions. Their voices make me smile and their grace is incredible! I love them all and they reminded of the time I spent at a Marine Mammal Rescue Center while researching SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA. (http://terrifarley.com/authoring_change.shtml)
One injured sea lion made a life-long impact on me.
This coffee-colored male -- a top of the line sea predator -- had been brought to the verge of death by a plastic six-pack holder for drinks.
Let me show you how it happened.
Try this: make all four of your fingers touch, side-by-side. Then, bring the pad of your thumb up to touch the pad of your index finger. That's something like a sea lion's nose and mouth. Next, slip the points of your fingers through one opening in a plastic drink holder. Now, try to pull your thumb apart, like a jaw, wide enough to swallow a fish.
Not easy, is it? Try harder and it hurts. Struggle even more and the plastic cuts you.
The male sea lion I saw had starved. His nose was cut to the bone and infected. Bloody slashes covered his sides because he could only protect himself by swimming away, but he'd lost his speed to starvation and sickness.
In sea water, plastic six-pack holders last 400 years. They have a long time to find a victim!
So, EVERY time I see a plastic six-pack holder, I snip or pull apart (careful, it can cut your skin, too) the rings. I do this at home, at friends' parties or picnics, in rubbish I see while I'm out walking. Always.
Of course I recycle plastic, too, but no drink ring that comes into my sight is going to muzzle and kill.
Join me, okay?
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:39 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
If you can dream it, you can write it!
Dear Readers,
Every day, I hear from readers who love to write. Your letters tell me you have what it takes in imagination, but you need a little nudge to sit down and do it! So, my first writing job of the day is to supply you with three nudges to get going. I hope one of them works for you!
Nudge #1: Ask yourself - "Would I rather be known as a kid who watched TV for hours after homework is finished, or as the young author of a story people loved?
Nudge #2
The Young Writers' Program of National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a novel by midnight, November 30.
You can encourage your teacher to participate (teachers are sent a starter kit with goodies for students who really get into writing, students work together to pick a word count goal, etc.) For more information --
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2
Nudge #3
WRITER'S DIGEST WRITING CONTEST FOR KIDS
http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/your_assignment_kids_display.asp?id=251 ---
Writers 13 OR YOUNGER e-mail entries using the online submission form. You get to email your (by 10/10/2006). Winners will be published online and there are prizes!
Of course you need to go to the website, but here's a preview:
Your Assignment: Falling Into Autumn
Just because it's the end of summer, doesn't mean the end of fun. Imagine you have a giant pile of leaves and are getting ready to jump into them. THUD! As you land, you discover . . .what? Did you find a hidden treasure buried beneath the leaves? Is there a tunnel entrance that begs for your exploration? Write about your unique experience in the pile o' leaves, being as descriptive and creative as possible without exceeding 75 words.
GO FOR IT!
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:48 AM 0 comments
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Q & A of the day
Q: I have an idea for a story in which three loyal friends are shapeshifters, but I can't decide on a title. Can you help?
A: Of course the title has to be something that rings true for you, but do you know about oxymorons? Just in case you don't, oxymorons seem to be contradictions, but they really aren't. My favorite example of this is from "Romeo and Juliet" -- Romeo says "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Okay, so how can SORROW be sweet? That's the seeming contradiction, but since they're kissing and hugging as they say good bye, is IS sweet.
In your story, though the characters are always changing physically, they're always loyal to each other...So there's change and yet they're steadfast best friends. Maybe you could base your title on that idea.
That's what I did with Dark Sunshine!
Q: When are you going to be able to come to Texas?
A:I'll be there in April and I can hardly wait!
Q: Which states in the U.S. have wild horses?
A:Wild horses are mostly in the ten western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. Six states have already lost their entire wild horse populations. A few southern states have wild ponies or small bands of horses like those in Hawaii. A controversial term applied to wild horses is FERAL -- meaning once tame & now gone wild. Sadly, it's applied in many ways, so the protection or lack of protection is random.
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 12:19 PM 0 comments
Rough Journey with a Happy Ending
Dear Readers,
Included in my website update today is a birthday celebration for the orphan mustang many of you have followed through a rocky colthood. On my home page, click on the birthday cake to see photos of My Cheyenne Sweetheart Dreamer (Sweetie) as she's grown into a lovely yearling!
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:40 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 30, 2006
HarperTeenFanLit.com
Dear Reader/Writers,
Even if you're not interested in entering HarperTeen's fanlit contest, you might want to check out their website. On the lower left side, there's a link to daily blogs by teen authors & editors. There's a forum, too!
Have fun,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:15 PM 0 comments
Wild Horse Spirit
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoy this article my journalist husband wrote about a nearby wild horse sanctuary:
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/LIV/610290311
If you're interested in how to train mustangs, don't miss the second article (found at the same link) about wild horse mentors.
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:50 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Flicka Movie
Dear Readers,
There are lots of rumors going around about the horses which died during the making of the new Flicka movie. The most credible information I can find is here:
http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=faqs_filmFlicka
Best,
Terri
p.s. Have you made your phone call to ask your Senator to save horses yet? If not, what are you waiting for?
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 11:23 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Call in for Horses
Wednesday is National Call In Day
Dear Readers,
Just over a month ago the U.S. House of Representatives voted to ban horse slaughter. Now the same bill is up for a vote in the Senate. Horses won in the House largely because of your phone calls. That's the good news.
Now, for the bad news: Senators are reporting they are hearing equally from people who support horses and and those in favor of slaughter.
How can you help?
Call your two U.S. Senators today:
To find your Senators' phone numbers, go to the following link and enter your zip code in the box in the upper left column: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
Ask them to "please cosponsor S.1915 the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and protect horses from slaughter."
Spread the word: one phone call is not enough. We need hundreds. Tell your friends, family, people at Halloween parties --everyone to call their Senators.
October 25 (Wednesday) and November 14 (Tuesday) are national call-in days for horses.
Don't quit. Call this week, call next week, and call the following week. Let's keep up the pressure!
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 6:40 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Marksmen in Helicopters Target Horses
Dear Readers,
I've had bad news from PHANTOM STALLION readers in Australia.
If you've seen the amazing movie THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER, you've had a peek at Brumbies, the wild horses of Australia.
Hundreds of wild horses have been identified as pests in national parks in north Queensland, Australia and they will be shot by marksmen firing from helicopters.
1300 horses were shot last month by snipers firing from helicopters, but this time it is foaling season.
To read a news story about this plan:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20620138-3102,00.html
To see photographs of these beautiful horses and learn more about the fight to save them, check out :
savethebrumbies.org As always, if these links don't work for you, just copy & paste them in your browser window and click GO!
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 9:23 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
2 Tidbits
HI!
First --I'm working with my website designer to welcome the new series and I'd love to hear what you've been longing to see on my sites. My designer is brilliant and could create an online Disneyland, but because my readers are all ages, I want to keep things pretty simple. Still, it would be fun to see your ideas.
Next -- Booksellers tell me that advance orders (like reserved copies) of RUNAWAY HOME, the last book in the original PHANTOM STALLION series, are stupendous. Of course my publisher will print books until almost everyone who'd like a copy has one, but you might have to wait a little while or get on your library's request list. Just thought I'd give you a heads-up!
Happy trails,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 1:05 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 16, 2006
Good Questions
Dear Readers,
One of you emailed me a copy of a great letter to a Congressman. Sadly, he didn't respond well, but her letter was so good, I wanted to share it with you.
Dear Terri,
I emailed one of the Congressmen, Mike Ross, and he said he was against the horses and wanted them to be sold for meat. His excuse was, "there are so many unwanted equines in the USA each year", so instead of finding them homes he wants to torture and murder them? I just don't understand people like him and there are so many of them in this world how are we going to save the horses? America wouldn't be the same with our mustangs and other horses. Do they not remember what Paul Revere rode to warn the Americans that the British were coming, what was are transportation for so many years and who takes us to the Olympics and give us joy each and every day? What are we going to do?
Caitlin
One thing we can do is pay attention! Caitlin's parents, her parents' friends, etc. are voters ; I wonder if they'll reconsider voting for this man? If he's still in office when Caitlin is old enough to vote, I bet she won't support him.
Do you know how your Congressman is voting on wild horse issues?
An easy way to stay on top of wild horse news is to set up a Google News Alert for your email account. Check with your parents, first, of course. Then, you go to Google's main page, click on the NEWS tab and when that page comes up, check the left side, by the little envelope and click on News Alert. This will take you to a page where you type in a search term for news stories. I put in "wild horses" ; if I were you, I'd use quotation marks, or you might receive updates on any newsstory with the words wild or horses and that could clog up your mailbox, big time.
How will this help? You will know what's going on -- sometimes within an hour of the time it happens!
Happy trails all you caring horse lovers,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 9:42 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 13, 2006
Amazing WRITING CONTEST
Dear Writing Readers,
HarperCollins editors (one is MY editor) and four bestselling HarperTeen authors (not me, sorry, I'm working on the new series!) invite you to join thousands of fans online to create an original short story—one chapter at a time. Each week:
Fans submit, rate, and discuss all the new chapters
The top-rated submission becomes part of an official "HarperTeen Short Story"
Everyone has the chance to win fabulous prizes, including not-yet-published books, gift certificates, and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet publishing executives and have lunch with a HarperCollins author!
It starts Oct. 17th!
Be the first to gain access to this exciting event—sign up now for your email alert!
http://www.harperteen.com/fanlit
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:39 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 06, 2006
HE'S HURTING ; SHE'S HELPING
CONRAD BURNS: in December 2004, Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) added wording to a spending bill that demands the sale for any purpose, including slaughter, of wild horses older than 10 years or any horse which fails to find a family after three tries at adoption. Since then, many wild horses have been slaughtered.
The bad news: Sen. Conrad Burns said yesterday that $ for adequate body armor for soldiers he helped send into battle would “just bust the budget,” but he voted for a $20 million post-war party!
The good news: Burns' chance of re-election in Nov. is slipping. His opponent is slightly ahead!
SEVEN TEARS fans & friends of sea creatures -- I just thought you might like to read about a young Canadian marine biologist doing her part to save sea lions! www.vanaqua.org/aquanew/fullnews.php?id=2028
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:14 PM 0 comments
Thursday, October 05, 2006
MORE THAN SEVEN TEARS FOR SEA CREATURES
Dear Readers,
Last week I spent a few days in Monterey, California. I saw whales and dolphins and loads of sea lions. Their voices make me smile and their grace is incredible! I love them all and they reminded of the time I spent at a Marine Mammal Rescue Center while researching SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA. (http://terrifarley.com/authoring_change.shtml)
One injured sea lion made a life-long impact on me.
This coffee-colored male -- a top of the line sea predator -- had been brought to the verge of death by a plastic six-pack holder for drinks.
Let me show you how it happened.
Try this: make all four of your fingers touch, side-by-side. Then, bring the pad of your thumb up to touch the pad of your index finger. That's something like a sea lion's nose and mouth. Next, slip the points of your fingers through one opening in a plastic drink holder. Now, try to pull your thumb apart, like a jaw, wide enough to swallow a fish.
Not easy, is it? Try harder and it hurts. Struggle even more and the plastic cuts you.
The male sea lion I saw had starved. His nose was cut to the bone and infected. Bloody slashes covered his sides because he could only protect himself by swimming away, but he'd lost his speed to starvation and sickness.
In sea water, plastic six-pack holders last 400 years. They have a long time to find a victim!
So, EVERY time I see a plastic six-pack holder, I snip or pull apart (careful, it can cut your skin, too) the rings. I do this at home, at friends' parties or picnics, in rubbish I see while I'm out walking. Always.
Of course I recycle plastic, too, but no drink ring that comes into my sight is going to muzzle and kill.
Join me, okay?
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:39 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
If you can dream it, you can write it!
Dear Readers,
Every day, I hear from readers who love to write. Your letters tell me you have what it takes in imagination, but you need a little nudge to sit down and do it! So, my first writing job of the day is to supply you with three nudges to get going. I hope one of them works for you!
Nudge #1: Ask yourself - "Would I rather be known as a kid who watched TV for hours after homework is finished, or as the young author of a story people loved?
Nudge #2
The Young Writers' Program of National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a novel by midnight, November 30.
You can encourage your teacher to participate (teachers are sent a starter kit with goodies for students who really get into writing, students work together to pick a word count goal, etc.) For more information --
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2
Nudge #3
WRITER'S DIGEST WRITING CONTEST FOR KIDS
http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/your_assignment_kids_display.asp?id=251 ---
Writers 13 OR YOUNGER e-mail entries using the online submission form. You get to email your (by 10/10/2006). Winners will be published online and there are prizes!
Of course you need to go to the website, but here's a preview:
Your Assignment: Falling Into Autumn
Just because it's the end of summer, doesn't mean the end of fun. Imagine you have a giant pile of leaves and are getting ready to jump into them. THUD! As you land, you discover . . .what? Did you find a hidden treasure buried beneath the leaves? Is there a tunnel entrance that begs for your exploration? Write about your unique experience in the pile o' leaves, being as descriptive and creative as possible without exceeding 75 words.
GO FOR IT!
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 8:48 AM 0 comments
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Q & A of the day
Q: I have an idea for a story in which three loyal friends are shapeshifters, but I can't decide on a title. Can you help?
A: Of course the title has to be something that rings true for you, but do you know about oxymorons? Just in case you don't, oxymorons seem to be contradictions, but they really aren't. My favorite example of this is from "Romeo and Juliet" -- Romeo says "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Okay, so how can SORROW be sweet? That's the seeming contradiction, but since they're kissing and hugging as they say good bye, is IS sweet.
In your story, though the characters are always changing physically, they're always loyal to each other...So there's change and yet they're steadfast best friends. Maybe you could base your title on that idea.
That's what I did with Dark Sunshine!
Q: When are you going to be able to come to Texas?
A:I'll be there in April and I can hardly wait!
Q: Which states in the U.S. have wild horses?
A:Wild horses are mostly in the ten western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. Six states have already lost their entire wild horse populations. A few southern states have wild ponies or small bands of horses like those in Hawaii. A controversial term applied to wild horses is FERAL -- meaning once tame & now gone wild. Sadly, it's applied in many ways, so the protection or lack of protection is random.
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 12:19 PM 0 comments