#138 Origin of Lucky Alana

     Welcome to our newest reading audience from Israel.  You represent the forty-second individual country listed on the combined stats from my two blogs, this one and my other at  www.ebooks4kids.blogspot.com.

     Our world is full of young readers and those who encourage them.

     Lucky Alana (Agent C Series) by Lynda ($3.99) has recently joined my other ebooks for sale on Barnes&Noble for their Nook.  All of seven are also sold on Amazon for their Kindle devices.


     In this story, ten-year-old Alana tries to control her difficult life by using "lucky systems" such as finger snaps.  She eventually learns that luck is not very dependable when compared to her collection of personal powers such as home and people, hard work, health, and a positive attitude.


     At ten-years-old, I was Lucky Lynda.  I entered my drawing in a contest and won a doll buggy.  Shortly after that, I won $5.00 for my original costume ("a modern artist") in the Kids' Day parade, and then was recognized publicly for my Veteran's Day poster.  My mother was fond of saying, "Lynda, you are always so lucky."  


     I continued to win contests and awards in high school--my poem was published in an anthology of student work, I was selected to be drum majorette, I was elected state president of our church youth group, offered scholarships to three colleges and universities, and on and on...


     I was so lucky.


     But was it all due to my luck?  Film producer Samuel Goldwyn is often quoted as having said, "The harder I work, the luckier I get."


     My daughter introduced me to Tom Rath's earth-shaking little book called Strength Finder 2.0.  Its premise is that we spend too much time and effort trying to fix our weaknesses when we should be making more use of our strengths.


     Using a short computer test, I was able to identify five out of a possible thirty-four strengths that were natural personal "powers" for me, and I continue to use this information to drive my efforts every day.


     In Lucky Alana, I have used my writing, art and knowledge about ebook publishing to interpret Rath's Strengths Finder concept for kids.


     Next time I will discuss the origins of a second one of my ebooks.  Will it be...?


     Circles in the Wind by Lynda
     Monkey Tales by Lynda
     Margaret's Christmas Cookies by Lynda
     Tiny Others (Agent C Series) by Lynda
     White Rabbit Time (Agent C Series) by Lynda
     Pomegranate (Agent C Series) by Lynda


     Please join me.