I got zapped with the flu two weeks ago. Really walloped me, like being endlessly pummeled with pillows at a sleepover party. Just when I thought I was getting better—PHHHHHHUMPT! Down I went. Cold compresses, hot tea, lukewarm toast. Sleepless nights, endless days. What a funk!
Now I’m happy to be back in the land of the living. Did you know there’s a sun out there? And trees budding? Birds singing?
There’s also winners waiting to be announced!
Natalie Lynn Tanner, c’mon down! You won a copy of Pat Zietlow Miller’s THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE!
Hey, Pat! PJHollow, that is! You won a Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard!
And Rimna! PEEP & EGG is yours!
I will be emailing the winners shortly. Thanks to everyone who entered.
Didn’t win? Here’s another chance!
In celebration of being well again, and in celebration of my first-born’s 13th birthday TODAY (OMG, I’m the mother of a teenager!!!), and in celebration of my fourth book, NORMAL NORMAN, I’m giving away an extended classroom Skype session. I’ll teach a writing lesson that fits in with your current curriculum. Yes, a custom half-hour lesson just for your class or your child’s class…or your homeschool group. All you have to do is leave a comment below. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.
And now I shall get back to writing. I took an extra-long break while I was sick, although I think I missed an opportunity to capture hilarity that only 103-degree-fever hallucinations can create!
77 comments
Comments feed for this article
March 28, 2016 at 1:33 pm
sabrinafedel
Tara, I’m glad you are feeling better. Happy spring, Sabrina
March 28, 2016 at 1:35 pm
Kelly Rice Schmitt
Thanks Tara! This is a generous celebratory gift! Congratulations on Normal Norman– it’s such a fun read with a fantastic message!
March 28, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Franziska
This is the coolest give away ever!!! We’d love to have you for a little longer :-)))
March 28, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Teresa Robeson
Congratulations to everyone! Glad you’re starting to feel human again, Tara!
March 28, 2016 at 1:42 pm
erikammon
103 degree fever writing is the best! Even better than late night scribbling without a light. 13! Yikes…we hit that with our son in 362 days and then our daughter the year after that…
March 28, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Lori Alexander
Glad you’re on the up and up. And what a nice prize you’re offering. Thanks, Tara!
March 28, 2016 at 1:45 pm
viviankirkfield
Sorry you weren’t well, Tara…but glad the sun is shining again and the birds are singing. π
What a generous prize…some lucky class is going to be smiling!
March 28, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Gabi Snyder
There’s nothing like being sick to make you appreciate sunshine and singing birds! I’m glad you’re on the mend and good luck with that mother of a teenager thing. I’m not looking forward to that!
Thanks for the very generous prize offering!
March 28, 2016 at 1:50 pm
mariagianferrari
So glad you’re on the mend, Tara! I hope you continue to feel better!
~Maria xo
March 28, 2016 at 1:50 pm
Kathy Doherty
Shame on that flu bug for biting you, Tara. Glad you’re feeling better . . . and back to writing!
March 28, 2016 at 1:50 pm
Lynne Marie
Such a fun giveaway! My little one is in 6th grade but I would be glad to recommend an elementary school class down here to further your exposure π
March 28, 2016 at 1:50 pm
alexiamandoni
Glad you are feeling better. What an amazing prize…keeping my fingers crossed!
March 28, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Darlene
Happy that you’re feeling better! What a great prize!!!
March 28, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Rebecca E. Guzinski
Happy to hear you’re feeling “normal”! And, happy birthday to your daughter! π Good luck to the future winner of such a grand prize!!
March 28, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Heather Pierce Stigall
Glad you’re feeling better! Mom’s always get it the worst!
March 28, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Sarah Skolfield
Glad you are feeling better!
March 28, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Stephanie Fitzpatrick
Glad you’re feeling better…the flu is the worst! Thanks for offering such an incredible prize…I know some of my teachers (I’m an AP) would be thrilled for this opportunity!
March 28, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Robyn Campbell
Super glad you’re feeling better. That funky crud is bad, bad, bad. Spring forth with beautiful words. π
March 28, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Robyn Campbell
P.S. Happy birthday to your girl. Mine turned 18 in December and heads to college in August. WAHAAAAAAAAAAAA.
March 28, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Johanna
Glad your feeling better! Wonderful opportunity! Thank you!
March 28, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Laura
Feeling human again is a good feeling, huh? Glad you are better. π
March 28, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Toni Guy
Love your blog.
March 28, 2016 at 2:11 pm
JEN
Having a teenager kind of smacks you in the face, doesn’t it? That’s what happened when mine turned 13. And now I’ve got to think about high school? SAY WHAT??? π
March 28, 2016 at 2:12 pm
helenajuhasz
Fantastic Tara! Glad you’re feeling better!! π
March 28, 2016 at 2:18 pm
lindamartinandersen
Glad you’re well again, Tara. Congrats to the winners!
March 28, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Kristen Picone
So glad you are feeling better! Normal Norman is a new favorite picture boon and I can’t wait to share it with my 5th graders! We are doing lessons on how “labels” impact our judgement of others and your book is absolutely perfect! My students would love to win a Skype session with you! Are we entered just by commenting?
March 28, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Tara Lazar
Yes! You’re in!
March 28, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Juliana Lee
Great prizes! Congratulations winners!
March 28, 2016 at 2:34 pm
polly renner
Glad you are feeling better. Can’t wait to read your next great creation!
March 28, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Lorraine Leo
Tara, I’m glad to hear that you are feeling better.
March 28, 2016 at 2:37 pm
raine22
I’m glad that you are feeling better Tara!
March 28, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Sharlin Craig
Welcome back to the land of the living! I can relate as I’m just returning myself (minus the 103 degree fever-yikes!) My 9-year-old daughter and her class would love a session with you. What a great gift to whoever wins! Sharlin
March 28, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Lori Dubbin
So glad you’re feeling better, Tara. Happy birthday and Bat Mitzvah to your daughter and mazel tov to your family. You have been going through a lot of grappling, but now spring has sprung and the sun is shinning – just like a plot in a picture book! What a great prize. I know just the classroom that would love this skype session.
March 28, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Erin the Librarian (Erin Preder)
Glad you are feeling better! I’m on medical leave from work because I had my sinuses fixed. I can’t wait until I’m back to feeling “normal”. Also, my kiddo turned 13 this year, too! Welcome to the club! Love your books and would love to win! π
March 28, 2016 at 2:56 pm
jdewdropsofink
So glad you included homeschoolers. That’s us now. Glad you’re feeling recovered.
March 28, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Deb Dunn
Welcome back to feeling human again! What a treat it would be to have you do a skype visit in our school! Thank you so much for the opportunity.
March 28, 2016 at 3:15 pm
Brenda Davis Harsham
Glad you’re feeling better.
March 28, 2016 at 3:27 pm
laura516
Glad you’re back in good health. Can’t wait to read Normal Norman!
March 28, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
So glad you are better! The flu is no joke!
March 28, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Congratulations to the winners! What great prizes!
Tara, Congratulations to you for: #1 – surviving the flu; #2 – now parenting a teenage daughter (we did it four times and I can assure you … you WILL survive that too), #3 – Normal Norman. YAY! for you!
March 28, 2016 at 3:52 pm
setwiggs
glad you are feeling well once again! Happy Spring! read Normal Norman and I really enjoyed it! the purple gorilla is purfect!
March 28, 2016 at 3:55 pm
shiela fuller
Hi Tara! Thank you for offering such incredible prizes. Glad you’re feeling better!
March 28, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Anna Smith
Glad your better. Congratulations on Normal Norman!
March 28, 2016 at 4:03 pm
yangmommy
Eck, the flu stinks!! Especially the rollercoaster kinds that don’t completely go away & keep clawing their way back to you. Glad you’re feeling better & hopefully able to enjoy your daughter’s birthday! And may I say, what a great prize giveaway of you to offer your services to a classroom via Skype–awesome!! Whoever wins will have an amazing experience π
March 28, 2016 at 4:19 pm
janebuttery
Tara I am so sorry you had the worse flu going. Get the shot next year! Anyway I am enjoying reading your blog and I have shared on my facebook page about your bookshttp://www.facebook.com/Truebooks All the best for good health and even better book sales.Blessings,jane
From: Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) To: jsbuttery@yahoo.ca Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 1:30 PM Subject: [New post] Winnersβ¦and Another Contest! #yiv7853876586 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv7853876586 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv7853876586 a.yiv7853876586primaryactionlink:link, #yiv7853876586 a.yiv7853876586primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv7853876586 a.yiv7853876586primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv7853876586 a.yiv7853876586primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv7853876586 WordPress.com | Tara Lazar posted: “I got zapped with the flu two weeks ago. Really walloped me, like being endlessly pummeled with pillows at a sleepover party. Just when I thought I was getting better—PHHHHHHUMPT! Down I went. Cold compresses, hot tea, lukewarm toast. Sleepless nights, ” | |
March 28, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Charlotte Dixon
Tara-Happy you are better and feeling the spring! Sunshine, birds, and blossoms are happy, too. Thank your offering another great prize. Sending positive vibes for your continued recovery.
March 28, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Lisa Charlebois
Happy to hear you are feeling better.
Now that is an incredible prize that my kindergartners would never forget⦠keeping my fingers crossed!
March 28, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Danielle Dufayet
Glad you’re back to “Normal”…I have bronchitis/ laryngitis so I know how you feel. The sun still seems far away. Thanks again for all that you do! xoxo
March 28, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Ali Earle Pichardo
Congratulations to all the winners! Glad you are feeling better Tara!
March 28, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Sandy Jones
So glad you’re feeling better! Thanks for another great contest.
March 28, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Amanda
Glad you are feeling better! Happy writing.
March 28, 2016 at 5:51 pm
Erin Varley
So glad you’re feeling better! This is such a generous opportunity- how kind of you!
March 28, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Lindsay Hanson Metcalf
I had the weeklong crud, too! Glad you are better. I have a kindergartener whose teacher would probably love this opportunity. π
March 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Erin
Happy healthy spring to you! Thank you for the chance to win!
March 28, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Susan Cabael
Welcome back–yes, it’s spring time! Congrats, Mom of a teenager for surviving so far & good luck in the coming years.
March 28, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Dina McClellan
I would love to have you teach a writing lesson with my 3rd grade students.
March 28, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Cinzia
Welcome back! Don’t worry, sick writing is overrated. I wrote an entire book once while delirious with the flu only to discovered I had basically rewritten someone else’s book. Oops.. Take care!
March 28, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Emily Kilgore
What an amazing giveaway opportunity! Glad to read you’re feeling better.
March 28, 2016 at 9:04 pm
Cathy
Hi Tara. Glad you’re feeling better. This is a generous gift. My fingers are crossed.
March 28, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Angie
Hope you get totally well very soon! I’m impressed that you are back to writing! Maybe you need a book about fever-induced hallucinations! That could be promising. π
March 29, 2016 at 8:10 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
I’m so happy you are feeling better. Yay!! SPRING!! I’m loving Normal Norman! Thanks for the fantastic giveaways.
March 29, 2016 at 9:10 am
Dee Knabb
Feel better, Tara. So kind of you to do the giveaways.
March 29, 2016 at 9:25 am
Mary Warth
So glad you are on the mend Tara! Thank you for the generous giveaway.
March 29, 2016 at 9:52 am
christinerodenbour
Congrats prize-winners! And glad you’re on the mend from that darn flu.
March 29, 2016 at 10:01 am
Mary Neville
Happy Spring, glad you are feeling better!
March 29, 2016 at 10:19 am
Liz steffenson
Thanks for always making me smile!
March 29, 2016 at 10:45 am
rupalimulge
Ho ho! Never win anything but reading is always fun. Congratulations on coming back to the world of living π and being a mom of a teenager. The fourth book oh my gosh!!! So exciting! Your books are fun can’t wait for this one !
March 29, 2016 at 11:39 am
Kassy Keppol
My writing club at the Elementary school would love that!
March 29, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Cathy Biggerstaff
Sorry to hear you’ve been so sick, Tara. Blessings to you as you fully recover and get your energy back.
March 29, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Jim Chaize
Glad you are better, but I think you are right that you could have written a fever fueled doozy.
March 30, 2016 at 7:25 am
Kristi
Great post! Glad you are feeling better!!
April 1, 2016 at 10:37 am
writersideup
Tara, so sorry you were sick! Glad it wasn’t at conference time though π I’m always nervous about that!
Congrats to all the winners AND—I’m commenting on behalf of my daughter-in-law’s school. Go Skype!
April 1, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Zach Roush
Thanks for the opportunity π
April 3, 2016 at 1:32 pm
librarylisa2
Spring flus are the worst! Glad you’re feeling better. I am an elementary school librarian and my kids would LOVE to Skype with you. Thanks for the chance!
April 4, 2016 at 1:35 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Glad you are feeling better!
April 4, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Dorothy Wiese
I’m sorry that you were very sick, and I’m glad that you are bouncing back!
April 12, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Cassie Bentley
I’m glad you’re feeling better. Being sick sucks.