I'm the author of Whale Song, a novel that New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice calls "a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel." I hope you enjoy my blog.
You can also find out more about me at http://www.cherylktardif.com
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Shall I start?
Want to know my story? This is it. Many moons ago, I was born into a military family. I saw various towns and many islands. I had a solid upbringing. “Strict” was my dad’s motto.
My mind is full of words. Always. My goal as a child was always to turn my writing into books. As an author, I want to shock my fans with horrific plots, scary things that could actually subsist in our world.
I’m waiting for a book contract for my fourth book. It’ll occur soon. I know it. This book is most thrilling, I think. I’m working on my fifth book, which is kind of my sixth book. My first and fourth―similar books? Almost matching. Do you grasp what I’m saying? Probably not.
Anyway, I’m living my vision. And I’m awfully happy.
My wish is that you find your vision. Accomplish it by doing anything you can to obtain it. Having a vision is autonomy. It allows you to crush what panics you and attain what you want from this world. Wanting is natural. Accomplish it by motion.
Stay in motion, always moving, always striving, always hoping. Action and visualization draws good things toward you. Soon all your visions will grow into actuality.
Okay. That’s it. That’s all I can possibly post on this topic.
P.S. Did you find any? You know what I’m talking about. Good luck!
For now, while you wait, I invite you to check out Remote Control. This is a novelette (about 10,000 words) based on a short story I wrote back in 1987. It has always been one of my favorites.
First, meet Harold Fielding--plumber by part of the day, slacker/tv addict the rest of the day and night. Harry believes that fame and fortune will come to him if he wishes hard enough. God forbid if he should actually work for it.
Beatrice Fielding is Harry's hardworking wife. She holds down multiple jobs so her husband can laze about on his recliner, eating popcorn and drinking cola while watching his favorite shows. She has many wishes--some aren't so nice.
In this dark, suspenseful and somewhat comical look at one man's desires, Remote Control delivers a strong message:
Be careful what you wish for!
I am serializing this novelette, adding one scene each week. I hope you enjoy. If so, please leave me a comment.
~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif
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TeensReadToo.com awarded Cheryl Kaye Tardif's acclaimed novel Whale Song with a Gold Star for Excellence.
According to the Hall of Fame page on their website:
"These titles have earned the coveted Gold Star Award for Excellence! These aren't just books you just read. These are books you read over and over again--because they're that great!"
Breanna F., a reviewer for TeensReadToo.com, has this to say about Whale Song:
"Just go read the book and you'll find out how wonderful it is! It's completely heart wrenching...the whole book is just amazing...My heartstrings were being pulled the entire time and I absolutely loved it."]]>
"5 plus stars, amazing read...Just go read the book and you'll find out how amazing it is! It's completely heart wrenching...the whole book is just amazing. I seriously never wanted to put it down. Cheryl's use of words is amazing, like when she's talking about the killer whales or describing scenery. They just flow so easily across every page. My heart strings were being pulled the entire time and I absolutely loved it...I seriously recommend getting yourself a copy. You seriously won't be disappointed."
A few months ago, I wrote about the sad passing of our miniature American Eskimo dog, Royale. We had her for 13 years; she was a great dog and not too demanding. R.I.P. Royale. We miss you.
We have a new puppy now. Chai-Chan is a Pomeranian, almost 6 months old. Almost from day one, she has found her special spot--right under my chin--to lay. The first few weeks I'd get up with her early in the morning and lie down on the couch. She'd lay across my neck, just like a scarf or neckwarmer. 
In the evenings we have our "cuddle time" on my bed. Chai usually curls up next to my face or against my back. She loves contact, that's for sure.
Shortly after we got her and after we started allowing her on the bed, she'd come into our room and bark. Once. I'd say, "Up?" and she'd bark once more. Within a few days I noticed her bark's tone started to change. It now actually sounds like she's saying "up!" She barks "Up!" and waits for me to pick her up and put her on the bed. She has other barks for other things, but this one is consistent and distinct. 
Lately, Chai's gotten into the habit of wanting cuddle time while I'm writing. She'll jump at my legs while I'm sitting at my desk. Most times I give her a chewie. Occasionally I'll pick her up.
Today, after her first bath and after she was dry, she came into my office and barked "up!" She was obviously feeling a bit out of sorts after her bath (which she was very good for). So up she went. And now she's draped across my neck.
She thinks she's helping me write, but I won't tell her about all the typos I've had to fix or how awkward it is trying to type while balancing a dog across your neck.
She's now climbed up to my shoulder for a more secure spot. Apparently my typing is annoying her. And my face needs washing...and I smell like wet dog. Gotta love her though! :)
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song
Photo credit: Jessy Marie; used with permission
This is one of my daughter's first attempts a few years back at the art of photgraphy, and it happens to be one of my all-time favorites. This photo says something to me. It tells a story--one about a solitary journey.
Looking down these old wooden stairs makes me realize that some journeys follow a fairly straight path, but although the path is without detours, we must still use effort to climb each step to reach the top. We might skip up these stairs, or climb them slowly, carefully. We may or may not use the hand rail for support, but we know it's there. And many have gone before us and many will travel these worn stairs long after we're gone.
Life's journey is much like this. Sometimes we're given an obvious path to follow. We must reach up--higher!--to obtain our goals. To reach the top we must want to. So we push on. But many of us climb our stairs and never take a moment to pause, turn and reflect on just how far we've come. When we do this, we acknowledge our solitary journey.
I invite you to take a solitary journey and look back down these steps. What steps did you climb to get where you are today? Acknowledge each of them. These are your footprints, ones you left while climbing. Have you reached your destination? Are you at "the top"? Or are there more steps to climb? Focus only on the positive. Look how far you've come!
When I look at this photo, I envision that I'm standing a few steps from the top. There are still more steps for me to climb, and I'm so excited about where they'll take me. I wonder where I'll be next year...another step higher? Two? The suspense is killing me!
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
A plumber by trade, Harry spends most of his time parked in front of the television; his only exercise is reaching for food or the remote control.
His life seemingly has no direction, and no matter how hard he wishes, the law of attraction just doesn't work for poor Harry.
Until one stormy evening when something unexpected happens.
Be careful what you wish for, Harry.
Read Remote Control and be sure to leave a comment.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Whale Song
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