Spell Check Supports Foster Teens

My thanks to all who purchased my teen novel, Spell Check. 100% of my 2012 royalties will be donated to my favorite charitable organization,VESTIA, Volunteer Emergency Team In Action. http://www.vestiainc.org/Services.html

Each year, through VESTIA, I provide backpacks filled with school supplies for Foster Children, and scholarships for Foster Teens. Every day is a struggle for these kids. Think of how hard it would be to get into college, find a place to live, and manage expenses with no parental help.

Thanks for being part of my village.

Happy reading,
Ariella Moon

My Favorite Reader

Asked Beautiful Brilliant Daughter to check my new manuscript.
Daughter: How many pages do you want me to read?
Me: The first two chapters. I want to make sure people will like the hero.
She read well into the manuscript, way past the opening chapters, then said, "When did you become such a good writer?"

Be the light.

~Ariella

Oz The Great and Powerful

I love when classic stories are retold from a different character's point of view. First, there was the ingenious Wicked. In March, we'll be able to experience the Wizard of Oz from the wizard's viewpoint.
I was hooked the moment I heard the line, "You don't know much about witches, do you?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NdeuYgRoTI

~Ariella

Kindle Fire Giveaway Contest

Deadline is December 15, 2012

Take a picture of the most creative way to say "I Love Astraea Press!" and win a Kindle Fire. Email entries to stephanietaylor@astraeapress.com on or before December 15th to be considered. Only a few entries so far, so chances of winning are huge!

~Ariella

December News From Ariella Moon

The December www.ariellamoon.com updates are up, including a front page photo of some of my posse, Workshop and Event photos of my latest school visits, and The Monthly Muse story about a recent Goddess Night and dropping the tug-o-war. Enjoy!
~Ariella

Stanley Students Interviewed by Ariella Moon

Want to know what the boys' school bathroom looks like? What girls do to gross out boys? I learned the answers to these and other provocative questions while interviewing students at Stanley Middle School. My heartfelt thanks to the fabulous girls and one awesome boy who shared their lunch break and their stories with me. We laughed. We were horrified. I took lots of notes. And I can't wait to weave these delicious details into Spell Struck and my other upcoming teen novels. My thanks to English teacher Debbie Valvur for her warm hospitality.

~Ariella

Stanley Middle School Hosted Ariella Moon

Stanley Middle School students crowded the library for my two author presentations. Stanley was the real setting for my novel, Spell Check. Thanks, Debbie Valvur for letting me invade your 6th Grade English Core classes! And thanks, kids, for the excellent questions!

Will Work For Cupcakes!

JM Book Club Hosted Ariella Moon

Avid 7th and 8th grade student readers. An advisor who bakes gourmet cupcakes. All I can say is, please invite me back!

Thank you, Lisa, for the beyond yummy cupcakes! My critique partners and I gobbled them up while editing a local student's college application essays. 

Congratulations to all the students who won signed copies of my teen novel, Spell Check. Happy reading!

~Ariella Moon

Joaquin Moraga hosts Ariella Moon

Huge thanks to the English teachers, librarians, and students at Joaquin Moraga for their wonderful reception during my author visit on November 28, 2012. It was great to be back in the hood! I met so many terrific sixth graders during my presentations. English Core students packed the auditorium throughout the morning. Great questions everyone!

Thank you Vicki Crum and Laura Beaty for arranging this fabulous author event!

Read, read, read! Write, write, write!

~Ariella Moon

Encinitas Parents Protest Yoga

Bullying. Childhood obesity. Anger management issues. Intolerance. Poor school attendance. Teaching yoga in schools can help eliminate these ills and more. Yet, some parents in Encinitas, California want to oust yoga from their children’s curriculum. Why? Because they fear the program teaches Hinduism.

Yoga is a regimen of postures and breathing exercises that builds core strength, and physical and emotional balance. It is currently taught at Camp Pendleton to help Marines who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Encinitas schools received a $533,000 grant from the Jois Foundation to teach Ashtanga yoga in five elementary schools. The yoga instructors use kid-friendly names for the poses instead of Sanskrit. Parents may choose to excuse their children from yoga, but to some that isn’t enough. They want to shut down the program.

I am a firm believer in the separation of Church and State, but fail to see the “church” part of this equation. As Penny Peyser stated in her letter to the LA Times, “Yoga is a practice, not a religion.” To read Tony Perry’s LA Times article, use this link:

 LA Times article: Parents distressed by yoga

Namaste.

Ariella

Johnny Depp as Tonto

While waiting for the smog check to be run on my car, I flipped through a magazine on Native American art. An article on Native Americans on the silver screen caught my eye, especially this first glimpse at Johnny Depp as Tonto, and Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger.

In my upcoming sequel to my teen novel, Spell Check, I based the hero's appearance on a young Johnny Depp. Must get this picture out of my head for Spell Struck. But good luck to Johnny Depp. I can't wait to see what cinematic magic he conjures up for the role.

~Ariella

Samhain Song

Happy Samhain/ Happy Halloween!

Here's a haunting song from Lisa Thiel's Circle of the Seasons CD.
Listen to it while you remember loved ones you have lost.

Love and Light,
Ariella

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC-H9gYFWGc

The Witches’ New Year ~ Happy Samhain!

The Samhain Season is upon us, a time to honor loved ones who have passed and to mend old hurts so we do not carry them forward into the coming year.

Now when, the veil between worlds is thinnest, our thoughts turn to those we have lost. It is not unusual for those who have passed to try to communicate with us at this time. Within one week, just before I moved, many of my neighbors told me they had been thinking of Honey, my retriever mix, who had been a beloved fixture in the neighborhood before her death her three years ago.

For Christina and Cristina

Memorial Altars for Loved Ones who have passed

When I do book signings for my young adult novel, Spell Check, most of my readers ask about love and love spells, a major theme in the book. But others are in mourning and ask about loved ones who have died. Samhain is the perfect time to create a memorial for a relative, friend, or pet. In Mexico and Latin America, people celebrate El Dia de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead in November by creating special altars to honor the dead. If you are missing your grandfather, like my fan Christina, or your dog, like my niece Cristina, then create a memorial to honor them. Include a photograph, or items that remind you of them. You may want to light a candle in their honor, for Samhain is about fire. Smoke sends our blessing, thoughts, and prayers to the heavens, and fire illuminates and purifies.   

Love and Light,

Ariella

Malala Yousafzai: A Teen Voice For Equality

Fourteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai had good reason to be afraid. The Taliban in Pakistan considered her a threat because she dared defy them by publicly championing education for girls. Masked Taliban gunman targeted Malala on October 9. She sustained grave head, neck, and shoulder injuries, and two other schoolgirls were wounded. All three survived. Malala was flown to Britain for life-saving medical care. The New York Times and other news sources reported that the Taliban have vowed to try to kill her again.

According to Declan Walsh, who posted his own article and contributed from Islamabad to the NY Times article, a Taliban spokesman called Malala's "crusade for education rights an 'obscenity'."

Walsh's statement said it all:

"That Ms. Yousafzai’s voice could be deemed a threat to the Taliban — that they could see a schoolgirl’s death as desirable and justifiable — was seen as evidence of both the militants’ brutality and her courage."

Such bravery deserves our support. I am a strong believer in the power of collective prayer, intention, and healing energy. Take a moment to send healing and protective thoughts to Malala Yousafzai. Light a candle for her and add light to this teen beacon of courage.

~Ariella

Sixth Grade Girls Rock!

My writing career began in the sixth grade when I won a national essay contest. So I was thrilled to do a book signing for a roomful of sixth graders and a few parents.  Fairy energy abounded, and my dragon made a sly appearance to the delight and fright of all. Thanks to my amazing hostesses for creating a stellar event! Happy reading, everyone!

May all your days be magical,
~Ariella

Back to School Do Well Spell

Back to School Magic for Students

“Where attention goes, power flows.” If I told you, “Think of anything but a pink elephant,” then all you’d be able to think about is – a pink elephant! Make the power of attraction work for you. Imagine what you’d like to accomplish this school year. Play that movie inside your head, not the movie filled with worry or self-doubt. Walk taller. Prepare to the best of your ability. Ask for help when you need it. You can so totally do this!  

Do Well Spell for Back to School

Once again, school begins.

Teachers, classes, tests anew.

I am the Weaver of my Life’s Story,

And I weave a year of success and glory.

Purple threads for help when needed.

For great grades, gold, beaded.

Threads of Apple Green,

Alert me to threats unseen.  

Silver ribbons for setting boundaries,

Attract Spirit guides, totem animals, and fairies.

Self Respect and Love I thread.

Ease and grace, I spread.

I am the Weaver of my Life’s Story,

And I weave a year of success and glory.

Copyright ©2012 Ariella Moon