Testimonials for Maya and the Crystal Skull

I'm thrilled that my latest novel Maya and the Crystal Skull is being well received. Maya and the Crystal Skull is my 85th book and a new direction for me, as I focus on longer novels for children and young adults. 

Here is what people are saying about Maya and the Crystal Skull.

...action-packed adventure...for readers aged 10+ who love history, great characters and plenty of plot twists.

Dee White, Kids' Book Capers

This a wholly enjoyable page turner with a wonderful, modern heroine on a classical hero journey. Maya's beliefs and bravery help her to overcome her hurt and not only seize the day but save it too. Any reader, young or old, will want more of her and her adventures.
John Dawson, artist and screenwriter

...the teen voices are realistic, it is easy to read and there is enough action and plenty of dialogue to keep the story moving. Readers will love to hate Sophia, Maya’s minder and enjoy the thrill of the chase through jungles and Mayan ruins...

Zoya Nojin, Buzz Words Books 

A book I recommend all children read. 
Warren Thurston, reviewer

The suspense is great throughout the book right until the end. 
Dianne, reader

So what is the story of Maya and the Crystal Skull? Naturally, I can't give you all the details but here is a little taste:

Move over Indiana Jones...

Maya's life has changed.
 
Her mother is dead, killed in a car accident; she's befriended by Ethan, a boy who claims he's from the spirit world; and now her father is missing.

What does the legend of the crystal skulls have to do with her father's disappearance? Will Maya travel to Mexico to save him? How can Maya's destiny have anything to do with the future of humankind?

The Mexican jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, dangerous bounty hunters and evil kidnappers...

Yes, Maya's life has changed.

The fate of the world now depends on her.

Please visit the following websites to purchase Maya and the Crystal Skull:

R & R Books Film Music
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321834871&sr=1-1

The adventure continues in July 2012 with Maya and the Daring Heist.

With Love and Light,
Robyn Opie Parnell

An Exciting New Trailer for Maya and the Crystal Skull

I'm excited to share the trailer for my latest novel Maya and the Crystal Skull. The trailer was written and directed by my talented husband Rob Parnell. Please take a minute to enjoy our creativity. We believe you won't be disappointed. 

In case you want the URL for any reason, here it is. The "Maya and the Crystal Skull" trailer now showing at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NwL7zjB6kM 

Enjoy your day.

Wishing you much happiness and success,
Robyn Opie Parnell

http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321834871&sr=1-1

Coming soon!

Maya and the Daring Heist (R & R Books, July 2012)

Another Review of Maya and the Crystal Skull

Maya and the Crystal Skull by Robyn Opie Parnell 

Publisher: R&R Books Film Music

PB RRP: $19.95

ISBN: 9780975609675

Reviewed by Zoya Nojin of Buzz Words Books http://buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/11/maya-and-crystal-skull_21.html

Although Robyn Opie Parnell has had over eighty books published, this is her first foray into a longer novel for middle grade readers and it displays a ‘new direction’ to her writing. Her enthusiasm for her thoughts on the ‘spiritual connectedness with reality’ pervades this story which starts with the main character, Maya learning about ‘universal consciousness’ from a spirit boy as she deals with the loss of her mother.

When Maya discovers that her father is in danger in Mexico, she must travel there with her spirit guide to rescue him while trying to elude a mysterious villain and recover ancient crystal skulls. She soon learns of the skulls’ significance to the future of humankind and that her destiny is intertwined with them.

Written in the first person, Maya’s thoughts and discussions of the spiritual can slow the pace a little while her guide explains how ‘everything in the world is connected’. But the teen voices are realistic, it is easy to read and there is enough action and plenty of dialogue to keep the story moving. Readers will love to hate Sophia, Maya’s minder and enjoy the thrill of the chase through jungles and Mayan ruins.

The cover will whet the appetite for adventure with its gleaming crystal skull staring out over a fiery ancient temple. As this book is the first in a series, one can presume there will be more adventures to come in seeking crystal skulls, with further insights into how Maya’s future is linked to them.

Maya and the Crystal Skull is being marketed as a ‘paranormal thriller for children aged 8+’.

© Zoya Nojin of Buzz Words Books http://buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/11/maya-and-crystal-skull_21.html

Please visit the following websites to purchase Maya and the Crystal Skull:
R & R Books Film Music
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321834871&sr=1-1

Booktopia and other online bookstores
http://www.booktopia.com.au/maya-and-the-crystal-skull/prod9781873671009.html 

Coming in March 2012 Maya and the Ancient Legend - start collecting the series now!

 

A Review of Maya and The Crystal Skull

Review of Maya and the Crystal Skull
Author: Robyn Opie Parnell
Publisher: R&R Books Film Music
ISBN: 978-0-9756096-7-5
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

Maya and the Crystal Skull is the latest book from best-selling children’s author, Robyn Opie Parnell. The book follows the fortunes of fifteen year old Maya King after the death of her mother in a car accident. Maya’s father took the death of his wife hard. In his grief he travels to Mexico in search of the legendary Crystal Skulls. He believed that the Mayan Indians did possess these skulls before their culture vanished. This self exile of her father sees Maya stranded at home with Sophia, a housekeeper hired by him.

Sophia is every child’s nightmare, bossy, grumpy and no sense of fun. Maya has her routine of chores strictly controlled by Sophia. Each of her tasks, of which there are many, must adhere to Sophia’s strict code of practice. The fact that Maya is the child of a client does not deter Sophia. Having the run of Maya’s house and no one to answer to is the perfect world for Sophia to exploit. Maya finds herself no more than a slave in her own house, to a domineering woman.

One ray of light that comes into Maya’s life is Ethan. He is a spirit who has come to warn her that her father is in danger. Ethan also tells Maya that in a past life he was a Shaman priest with the Mayan Indians. Maya finds it hard to accept Ethan at first but then realizes that he is not a product of the stress she is under while living with Sophia.

Maya is quite concerned about her father and contacts her Uncle Peter. She is dismayed to discover that his fear of flying prevents him from going to Mexico. So instead of Uncle Peter, Maya and Sophia take the flight from Sydney to Mexico.

In Mexico she finds her father and discovers the power of the skulls. Kidnapped and in danger of losing her life, Maya finds that life is a precious gift no to be wasted. She also discovers that if you are prepared to help yourself, others will help you too.

I found Robyn Opie Parnell’s book a delight to read. The portrayal of the characters was realistic, and the story flowed quite well. Young readers will find this adventure a riveting read and easily empathise with Maya. Maya’s term for Sophia, witch-dragon, is an apt description of the lady. At times I felt like tearing Sophia from the pages and punishing her severely.

Maya and the Crystal Skull is a book I highly recommend all children read.

Review by Warren Thurston
Children’s Author
http://www.puddlywuddly.com

Maya and the Crystal Skull by Robyn Opie Parnell is available from leading booksellers, on- and off-line and by visiting the publisher - http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

Coming Soon - Maya and the Crystal Skull by Robyn Opie Parnell

Move over Indiana Jones...

Maya's life has changed.

Her mother is dead, killed in a car accident; she's befriended by Ethan, a boy who claims he's from the spirit world; and now her father is missing.

What does the legend of the crystal skulls have to do with her father's disappearance? Will Maya travel to Mexico to save him? How can Maya's destiny have anything to do with the future of humankind?

The Mexican jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, dangerous bounty hunters and evil kidnappers...

Yes, Maya's life has changed.

The fate of the world now depends on her.

Coming in November 2011!

Title: Maya and the Crystal Skull
Author: Robyn Opie Parnell
ISBN: 9780975609675
Publisher: R & R Books Film Music
RRP: $19.95
Genre: Paranormal thriller for children aged 8+
Website: http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au

Research for a Children's Book Part Two

Welcome to 'Part Two' on researching a children's book.

To recap from my previous blog entry, my partner and I sat down to watch a documentary. After the documentary, my interest in the Maya of the Classic Period (250 to 900 AD) was reignited. I was inspired and knew I wanted to write a children's book about...

That was it. All I had. An inkling. A smoldering. Something lurking in my mind. But what?

I went to the library and borrowed the book the documentary was based on. I sat down and read. I didn't know if reading the book would help me write a children's book. But what did I have to lose? Hopefully I had plenty to gain.

The book I read was non-fiction and definitely for adults. My idea needed to be suitable for children.

I knew I wanted to write a children's book. So my intention was set in my mind as I read the adult non-fiction.

From the start, I enjoyed the non-fiction book. Still, I had no ideas for a children's book. I kept reading.

As the weeks went by, slowly, bit by bit, a brief plot outline came to me. The character came first, like she appeared in my mind. Initially, I didn't know her story. She stayed with me as I kept reading the non-fiction book. Perhaps, as time went on, she realized I was serious and began to allow me snippets of her story.

At one stage, I doubted a plot would eventuate. The bits I had weren't enough. But by the time I finished reading the non-fiction book I was ready to start a detailed plot outline. I could scarcely believe it. How had I managed to conjure a plot idea from reading a non-fiction book? I'd had nothing, then I had a morsel, a crumb, then another piece, until finally I had a main character and a plot idea in my head.

The only way I can explain it is that the non-fiction book inspired the bits and pieces, until they came together into some form of story - my children's book. If I hadn't been reading the non-fiction book, then I wouldn't have been thinking about the subject and I wouldn't have come up with the little morsels. They were all mine, conjured from my imagination, based on my interests. Still, inspiration must come from somewhere.

Please note, I didn't begin writing until I'd finished the non-fiction book. I felt as if I needed to complete my reading, at least of this one book, before I started writing my own.

I sat down at my computer and worked on a detailed plot outline. I needed to do more research on the internet because the story required a secondary location in Mexico.

Okay, after about two days, I had my story outlined on approximately four sheets of computer paper - single-spaced. Naturally, the Maya of the Classic Period featured in my story. After all, my original inkling was inspired by a documentary that involved the Maya.

The next step was to read more about the Maya, so I could include a little of this research in my story. I didn't want to bog readers down with research material but I needed some information to give the story credibility, add to realism and, in a way, make me an authority - that is, the best person to write my book.

I've learned a lot more about the Maya than has appeared in my manuscript. I only slipped in snippets that were necessary to the story - or added to the story. The rest of my research was for me. First, because I'm interested in the subject. Second, because I find writing a story easier if I can immerse myself in the subject, theme or location.

However, as I mentioned in previous blog posts, my story doesn't just include the Maya. The story drew on several of my interests. That's what makes it a unique story - unique to me.

More on that later. For now, I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences in researching a children's book. If you'd like to read further information about my latest manuscript, please visit again.

All the best,
Robyn Opie
http://www.robynopie.com

Common Advice - Write About What You Know

If you're a writer, I'm sure you've heard the advice to write about what you know. Makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, how do you write about things you don't know?

I've been fascinated by various subjects for many years. In the last six months, my favorite interests and a new discovery came together to form my latest manuscript - a 42,000 word novel for young people aged 10 to 14. I don't claim to know everything about these subjects but I'm reading, experiencing and learning.

Therefore I'd like to add my own modification to the above advice.

Write about your passions!

When I wrote my latest manuscript, I didn't draw on great personal experience or first hand knowledge. I had to spend a month reading and researching the gaps in my knowledge - and there were plenty - before I started writing. I wanted to learn as much as possible, so I could write about what I know. The more I learned, the more passionate I became about these subjects. I'm still devouring these subjects through books, television and the internet.

Passion inspired me. I found things I didn't know and turned them into things I know, and I became passionate about them. What I lack in personal experience and first hand knowledge, I make up for with passion to learn and explore.

You can write about what you know but if you're not passionate about it, who cares?

To me, passion is the extra ingredient. Passion can help you turn what you don't know into what you know and then into a manuscript.

I'll share more about my passions and my latest manuscript over the coming months. Here is the first taste, a prophecy from the great Mayan ruler Lord Pacal Votan:

O Children of the people of the dawn,
O children of the people of the book,
I come to you as the special witness of time
to remind you, especially on the day of truth,
that in your origin you are one,
and on the day of truth
you are to make yourselves one again.

Pacal Votan 603 - 683 AD