Writer, blogger, friend, Katrena Allison
Connecting through Writing
While it’s true we should be thankful all year long, Thanksgiving provides the opportunity to reflect on our many blessings, surrounded by family and friends.
I’m especially thankful for friends like Katrena Allison, who are always looking for ways to help others. As a little girl, Katrena was one of my piano students. Losing touch until several years ago, Katrena and I reconnected when I published my first children’s book, Tired of My Bath. Seeing me at the Daniel Boone festival in Mocksville, NC, Katrena was one of the first to buy my book. Since then she has been one of my biggest fans, with her daughter, Abigail, even having a quote in my latest book, Tired of Being Little.
Excited to reconnect at the festival, I soon learned Katrena is not only a freelance writer, but maintains several blogs, teaches online classes, and in her spare time, teaches group fitness classes at the YMCA. If that’s not enough, she’s a single mom to three beautiful daughters.
When I began writing my blog, Katrena was kind enough to give advice, even volunteering to be a guest blogger. Submitting four guest blogs in 2012, she wrote about the similarities between writing and playing the piano. To check out those blog posts, click here.
Katrena says her journey as a writer actually started with journaling when she was just a child. Although this type of writing might never be shared with the world, she believes it could lead to a written work of art that may inspire others. Taking a quote from one of her guest blogs, she said, “Those who have found a way to re-sew the pieces that have become the patchwork of life may find a beautiful and inspiring new quilt pattern through the written word.”
There’s no doubt Katrena has the gift of the written word and especially has the gift of inspiring children through her educational games. Working with her own children, Katrena has learned to mesh together many ideas that led to creating fun interactive games designed to help with learning concepts for school. Those ideas and games eventually became part of her educational blog.
Noticing her talent at writing games for children, I asked Katrena if she could do the same for me. I was amazed at the quality of not only the interactive games, but also the word searches and printables she developed for each of my five books.
After Katrena developed the programs, my web designer, Will Gordon, incorporated them onto the home page of my website. I’m truly thankful for the expertise of both Katrena and Will because now those games and activities are more than just a dream, they are a reality.
Katrena, because of your gift of writing and your willingness to use that gift in making this world a better place, you are my favorite person of the week.
Check out Katrena’s blogs at the following links:
http://travelncwithkids.blogspot.com/
http://www.wildflowerbouquets.blogspot.com
http://love2travelwithkids.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
