Guest Post and Book Giveaway for Thoughts in Progress: Come On, Muse! Give Me a Break

Every author has a muse.  Really, it's difficult to function without one.  Actually, it's difficult to function with one as well.  Why?  The best synonym I can think of for muse is capricious.  To a muse, that describes each one of them.

For over 2,500 years and throughout western civilization, it is largely acknowledged by artists of every sort that their inspirations, creativity and talent come from them. Yet, in this day and age of scientific thought, one would think this would be a preposterous concept for intelligent people to believe yet it remains the case.   It certainly does!

Visit the Thoughts in Progress Blog today, and learn all about mine.  She visits me at the most inconvenient times and places.  She never gives me warning that she's about to appear. She's rude that way.

But given the choice, could I do without her?  Wouldn't even want to try.  When she's with me, every word floats on its own.  Every page is a poem.  Every chapter has its own brilliance.  I could go on, but then you'd think my muse had left me...

Oh, and by the way, my muse reminds me there is a book giveaway.  One person will win a copy of Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage by visiting the blog!  Perhaps your muse will be good to you!

Katrina Simpkins--All Grown Up--and Interacting with Hope at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Katrina Simpkins,  the very real heroine of the biography, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, had quite a busy day yesterday. 

Her first stop was at Hanger Prosthetics in Sarasota, Florida.  She had a new prosthesis fitted and then was interviewed by the fabulous and oh, so kind, Ginger Gadsden of the CBS affiliate, Channel 10, Tampa. 

Katrina and Ginger Gadsden

Katrina then made an appearance at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  She, of course, said hello to her friend, Winter, the dolphin.  And then she helped the trainers work with another special dolphin during the demonstration for a large audience.

Hope is an 18 month old bottle nose dolphin (as is Winter) who was rescued near Cape Canaveral, on Florida's east coast, as was Winter.  She took to Katrina immediately, and she followed her hand signals well. 

Katrina and Hope, the dolphin

The feature will be aired from 5 to 7 AM on Friday, June 8. The film will include Katrina speaking on how and why she has emerged from a special needs child to a fully functioning young adult. A young adult who today does gymnastics, models, speaks to groups of people about her life and rides her horse, Jade, on a regular basis. Katrina is truly a young lady for all seasons.

I just want to be a normal somebody,” Katrina once said.  She was that and so much more. She was courageous in ways most people

never have to be. Every hour. Every day.  A hero's courage.  A hero's heart.  A normal girl called Katrina.

Katrina and Winter at 'This Little Book of Mine'

Please come on over to the lovely blog, This Little Book of Mine.   My new book, Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage, will be reviewed at the blog today.

Our story is the biography of Katrina Simpkins and her relationship with Winter, the dolphin.  Katrina wanted to be a normal girl, but she has to wear a prosthesis in able to walk, and she felt anything but normal. 

 When she met Winter, who has to wear a prosthetic tail because hers was caught in a crab trap, Katrina's whole life began to change.  Today, Katrina is a normal girl just as Winter is a normal dolphin.

We are hoping the review will be a good one.  Only one way to find out.  Come visit!

Katrina and I hope to see you there, and please leave a comment!

Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage

Katrina Simpkins is an All American Hero.  She is a role model to thousands of kids and adults, those with special needs and those without. 

(Please see the video of Katrina and Winter at the bottom of this post.)

Katrina at age 8

When Katrina's journey to become a "normal girl" began, she was eight years old, a birth defect survivor of a condition called Proximal femoral focal deficiency and a victim of constant vicious bullying by schoolmates.  Even with her parents' love and support, her life was a misery, and Katrina was depressed and despondent.

Then she met Winter. Winter, the dolphin.  Winter lost her tail to a crab trap and almost died.  Instead, she was rescued by a fisherman named James Savage and taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where she lives safely and happily today, helping others like her to adjust and ultimately live fulfilling lives.

To that end, I've written the authorized biography of Katrina.  The book, which will be launched within the next month, is called Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage, published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Katrina's first look at Winter

Here is an excerpt:

Hi, I’m Katrina Simpkins and am here to see Winter,” she said to the lady behind the ticket counter.

The woman came around the desk and gave Katrina a hug. “It’s nice to see you again, dear. You’re expected upstairs.”

Katrina grinned and pushed a curl off her face. “Thanks. I’m so excited to be here. See you later.” She walked toward the stairs, the thought of her prosthetic leg struggling up the steps bothering her not a bit.

 Katrina put her hands to her mouth when she saw the dolphin. “Winter,” she half whispered. “I’m back.”

Katrina and "Winter"
in
Shriners Van (New Prosthesis)

“Hey, Katrina,” the trainer called. “Get into a wet suit, and come on in. Our girl’s waiting.”

“Okay,” she said, watching Winter watch her.

After Katrina changed into a wet suit, she lowered herself into the tank and waited. The trainer said, “Here comes Winter. Wow. Does she know you, or what?”

“She’s swimming right into my arms,” a tearful Katrina said. And the young dolphin stayed there while her friend whispered to her and stroked her head. “I’ve missed you so much,” Katrina said softly.

The trainer smiled. “You guys are a lot alike. No wonder you’re such good friends.”

“Video crew’s here!” the grey haired volunteered shouted, breaking the spell.

“I have to go now, but I’ll be back soon,” Katrina told the dolphin. “We’re doing a film together.” I can’t believe any of this is happening, she thought, slowly lifting herself out of the water.

It is my hope you will read Katrina and Winter.  It is a tribute to Katrina, Winter and all others who must live with a special needs problem and rises above the handicap until it is not a handicap any longer.  It's a badge of honor and a badge of courage.  Katrina and Winter.  Winter and Katrina.  Heros both.

H is for Hope (Thriving at Clearwater Marine Aquarium)

Hope.  The word speaks for itself.  In this case, though, Hope is a baby dolphin. 

She was rescued by caring people in the Indian River Lagoon near Titusville, Florida last year and was brought to the Clearwater Marine
Aquarium, the very place where her "big sister," Winter, the dolphin, now lives and thrives.

Her story is similar to Winter's, yet different.  She had not been injured but her mother had died, and she was attempting to nurse in vain.  She, as with Winter, was just a few months old, and she weighed only fifty eight pounds. Today, she is given a formula that consists of fish, powdered milk substitute and water blended together to create a tasty fish milkshake. 

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Hope could not have survived in the wild even with rehabilitation, as she had not learned survival skills from her mother, skills such as hunting for food and fleeing from predators.  Because of this, the National Marine Fisheries Service made the determination that she would maintain permanent resident status at CMA.

Hope, as with Winter, is living proof that these intelligent and sensitive mammals can live productive lives with humans. 

Visit Hope and Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  You won't regret you did!

A is for Author in A to Z Challenge!

I love a challenge, and this is a good one!

On this first day of the A to Z Challenge, let me introduce myself.  I'm Nancy Stewart, a children's author.  My Bella and Britt Series (Guardian Angel Publishing), are children's picture books.  One of the books in the series, One Pelican at a Time:  A Story of the Gulf oil Spill, was on Amazon's Bestselling List for Children for 18 weeks and won a Children's Classics Seal of Approval.

Winter and Katrina
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater, Florida

The newest book, to be released in May, is Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage.  It is a chapter book and the authorized biography of Katrina Simpkins, a girl who has to use a prosthetic leg and Winter, the dolphin, of Dolphin Tale fame. 

(Please have a look at video about Katrina and Winter below.)

After having met and befriended Winter, Katrina went from being an introverted and bullied girl to one who now rides horses, models and speaks before large crowds, never failing to mention Winter.  It's a heartwarming children's chapter book about both brave "girls!"

I'm looking forward to the challenge in April and hope you visit my blog again and again and will become a follower--as I will, of course, with yours.
Happy blogging!

Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage (My New Chapter Book Biography of Katrina Simpkins with Winter, the Dolphin)

Katrina Simpkins is a hero to everyone who meets her.  She is certainly a hero to me.


(Please see video about Katrina and Winter, the dolphin of the Dolphin Tale film at the bottom of this post.)

I heard about Katrina three years ago at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida, where we had gone to see Winter the young dolphin who had lost her tail in a crab trap line.  She had been fitted with a prosthetic tail to help her swim the way a dolphin does. 

A video had been produced by the aquarium about Winter's meeting children fitted with prosthetic limbs who found strength and solace in this amazing dolphin.  Katrina, whose life had been profoundly changed by meeting Winter, was featured in the video. 

Two and a half years later, I received a phone call from a woman who identified herself as Martie Simpkins.  I immediately thought, "I've heard of this woman."  And I had.  

Martie is Katrina's mom.  She'd seen what I'd written about Winter on my blog and wanted me to write the authorized biography of Katrina, as it related to her relationship with Winter.

Katrina's first look at Winter, the dolphin

I was excited and apprehensive about doing the book.  I'd never done a biography, and it was instantly crucial to me to do the best job I could for Katrina.  It was both frightening and exhilarating.

And then I met Katrina.  She and her family, who live in Indiana, visited us one weekend.  That's all it took.  She captured my heart as she does everyone's.  The book is important for Katrina.  For me, it is serious, and it has become personal.


Katrina Simpkins, who was born with Proximal femoral focal deficiency , is the bravest person I've ever met.   She is kind, loving, expansive and wise.  And she's only twelve.  It is my honor to have written her biography.  The book will be released in May, 2012 by Guardian Angel Publishing. 

Katrina and Nancy at the author's home.

The story of Katrina and Winter is inspiring.  Her life is remarkable, as is Winter's.  These two youngsters are forever inextricably connected.  Each has a formidable story.  Each is a hero of the first water.  Put them together with the help of Guardian Angel Publishing, and you have Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage.

Dolphin Tale Opens in the UK to Great Reviews

Winter the dolphin danced in delight while her trainer looked on approvingly in the marine aquarium at Clearwater, Florida. Made from plastic and silicone, the artificial tail was specially designed for the little bottlenose dolphin after she lost her own in a crab trap.

(Please see video of Winter at bottom of post.)

Winter with her Prosthetic Tail

The inspiring story of how Winter defied death and turned tragedy into triumph by learning to swim normally again is told in the 3D film Dolphin Tale, released in the UK this past weekend.

The Warner Bros blockbuster was shot over three months at Clearwater with a cast led by Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr and Kris Kristofferson.


Not surprisingly, tourists are flocking to the aquarium to see the dolphin diva with her magical "inbuilt" smile, white flashing teeth and, of course, that 30-inch prosthetic tale.

Winter's courage has inspired Americans everywhere. One war veteran who lost an arm and leg turned his life around after meeting Winter, declaring: "If that damned dolphin can do it, I can do it."

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium can be found on Island Way, Clearwater.  It is undergoing a huge expansion at the moment.  The facility will be able to care for many more sick and/or wounded marine animals than previously.

The facility will also provide stadium seating for demonstrations by the resident dolphins, including Winter and the recently rescued, eight month old orphaned bottlenose dolphin, Hope.

A Story of Hope

Last week, I met a miracle at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida.  She is appropriately named Hope, and she is seven months old.  Hope is happy, healthy and brimming with life.  (See the You Tube video of Hope playing below.)

Hope at six months
Clearwater Marine Aquarium

On December 11, 2010, Hope was found in the Indian River Lagoon on the east coast of Florida. Staff from Hubbs-Seaworld Research mobilized quickly and located the infant dolphin.  She was attempting to nurse her dead mother.

The dolphin was evaluated and in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service, it was determined that she would be transported to CMA for rehabilitation.

Hope at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Photo:  Nancy Stewart
July 28, 2011

Hope is non-releasable, as she cannot gain the proper survival skills necessary for a life in the wild.  In February, National Marine Fisheries made the determination that the dolphin would maintain a permanent resident status at CMA.

She will soon be introduced to and placed with her "big sister," Winter, who was rescued five years ago from approximately the same area on the east coast of Florida.  She will also live with Panama, who has become Winter's, and hopefully, Hope's adoptive mom.