Writing Interactive Fiction with Twine: Play Inside a Story If you’ve ever dreamed about walking through the pages of a book, fighting dragons, or exploring planets then Twine is for you. This interactive fiction program enables you to create computer games where worlds are constructed out of words and simple scripts can allow the player to pick up or drop objects, use items collected in the game to solve puzzles, or track injury in battle by reducing hit points. If you’ve clicked your way through 80 Days, trekked through the underground Zork kingdom, or attempted to save an astronaut with Lifeline, you’re already familiar with interactive fiction. If not, get ready to have your imagination stretched as you learn how to direct a story path. The best part about interactive fiction stories is that they are simple to make and can serve as a gateway into the world of coding for the nonprogrammer or new programmer. You’ll find expert advice on everything from creating vivid characters to building settings that come alive. Ford’s easy writing prompts help you get started, so you’ll never face a blank screen. Her “Try It Out” exercises go way beyond the basics, helping you bring personal creativity and passion to every story you create! <ul>
<li> Get familiar with the popular Twine scripting program </li> <li> Learn how to design puzzles </li> <li> Build your own role-playing game with stat systems </li> <li> Maintain an inventory of objects </li> <li> Learn game design and writing basics </li> <li> Change the look of your story using CSS and HTML </li> <li> Discover where you can upload your finished games and find players </li> </ul>

Writing Interactive Fiction With Twine

Computers & Technology

Ford, Melissa

Programming

Que Pub

Uncovering the social revolution led by Black women in the heartland\nIn this first study of Black radicalism in midwestern cities before the civil rights movement, Melissa Ford connects the activism of Black women who championed justice during the Great Depression to those involved in the Ferguson Uprising and the Black Lives Matter movement. A Brick and a Bible examines how African American working-class women, many of whom had just migrated to “the promised land” only to find hunger, cold, and unemployment, forged a region of revolutionary potential.\nA Brick and a Bible theorizes a tradition of Midwestern Black radicalism, a praxis-based ideology informed by but divergent from American Communism. Midwestern Black radicalism that contests that interlocking systems of oppression directly relates the distinct racial, political, geographic, economic, and gendered characteristics that make up the American heartland. This volume illustrates how, at the risk of their careers, their reputations, and even their lives, African American working-class women in the Midwest used their position to shape a unique form of social activism.\nCase studies of Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago, and Cleveland—hotbeds of radical activism—follow African American women across the Midwest as they participated in the Ford Hunger March, organized the Funsten Nut Pickers’ strike, led the Sopkin Dressmakers’ strike, and supported the Unemployed Councils and the Scottsboro Boys’ defense. Ford profoundly reimagines how we remember and interpret these “ordinary” women doing extraordinary things across the heartland. Once overlooked, their activism shaped a radical tradition in midwestern cities that continues to be seen in cities like Ferguson and Minneapolis today.

A Brick and a Bible: Black Women's Radical Activism in the Midwest during the Great Depression

History

Americas

Southern Illinois University Press

Amazing coaches have amazing teachers, because success in the coaching profession is open to anyone willing to learn. When All Boats Rise takes this idea of apprenticeship to its core, inviting the reader to look over the shoulders of 12 field-leading coaches, so ANYONE - whether new to the profession or a fifty-year veteran - has that chance to learn. Through their open-hearted stories, practical tips, insights, reflections, explanations, and easy-to-apply tools, these authors add to the landmark concept that the best predictor of income is actionable commitment to service. What's more is that they show how taking on service as a way of being leads to many forms of prosperity, impacting life beyond the bank account. In these pages, you'll see this approach is foundational for anyone wanting to create a top-tier business, raving customers, prosperous practices, wonderful clients, and a life full of meaning and purpose. And, by taking on service as a way of being, any coach has access to powerful feelings of contribution, lasting relationships, spiritual fulfillment, personal growth, profound love, purpose-driven days, and the ability to make a real difference in people's personal and professional lives. In this book, learn how the world's top coaches place this way of being at the heart of their work, and understand for yourself how service truly is the 'rising tide that lifts all boats.'

When All Boats Rise: 12 Coaches on Service as the Heart of a Thriving Practice

Chandler, Steve

Lyons, Jack

Davis, Karen

Gerber, David

Appleby, Helen

Dorris, Chris

Hill, Nelson

Mahler, Gary

Palmucci, Anthony

Business & Money

B.C. Allen Publishing

I Have a Purpose" is for many of us who are looking for something to fill the emptiness inside our hearts. The enemy wants to attack us with thoughts that we aren't good enough, that no one loves us, or that happiness will come from approval of others. But materialism and approval of others will just lead to more discomfort. Instead, this book will teach you how to pursue God's purpose for your life. If you find yourself asking what is my purpose? How do I find my purpose? Or even, have I missed my purpose? This book is for you. Fulfillment and purpose are always attainable using the scripture and message of God's unwavering love for you.

I Have a Purpose

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

BookBaby

Author of the extremely successful blog Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters, Melissa Ford presents readers with a guide for navigating the complex world of infertility. The Land of If got its name not only because IF” is the abbreviation for infertility” in the online world, but also because there are so many ifs” inherent in being here. No stranger to the Land of If herself, Ford shares her hard-earned knowledge and insights, helping couples struggling with infertility understand the lingo, learn the details doctors tend to leave out, and keep their emotional sanity despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Navigating the Land of If gives the nitty-gritty on injections, rejections, biting your tongue during happy parent-to-be conversations, and trying not to cry over baby shower invitations. With chapters that include how-to’s for same-sex couples, and present adoption or remaining child-free as plausible alternatives, Ford tells you exactly what you need to know, from one infertile to another.

Navigating the Land of If: Understanding Infertility and Exploring Your Options

Self-Help

Happiness

Seal Press

Are you ready to turn Pro?Living Service: The Journey of a Prosperous Coach tells the story of Melissa Ford’s rise from struggling coach to thriving professional. Raw, honest and full of humor, Living Service details Melissa’s insecurities and stumbles along the way, as well as the powerful insights and actions that transformed her practice—and her life. Do you struggle to find clients? To know what to charge? To lead as a strong, compassionate professional? To truly serve? Living Service offers priceless wisdom and practical tools to help you address these and other essential questions along the coaching path to prosperity. Wherever you are on your journey, you’ll find that Living Service is the perfect traveling companion. "The journey shared here is as honest and real as it gets. Living Service is for coaches who want better business results, deeper friendships, more genuine and loving family relationships, and an all-around great life. Melissa’s heartfelt stories in Living Serviceare beautifully illustrated with humor, candor and light-heartedness." 
~ Sherry Welsh, leadership coach and author of Slowing Down: Unexpected Ways to Thrive as a Female Leader
"As a coach, you cannot take your clients where you have never been yourself. Melissa offers a brutally honest and vulnerable account of her own journey of struggle, failure, success, failure, and ultimate success—not as arriving, but as an ongoing journey. This book offers great lessons for any coach who wants to serve clients in the most powerful way." 
~ Ron Wilder, creator of CEO Jiu-Jitsu and author of Aligned Action: The Key to CEO 
"Melissa Ford’s insightful journey on her path to prosperous coaching is a MUST READ for everyone in the world of coaching!" 
~ Steve Chandler, Author of Time Warrior:How to defeat procrastination, people-pleasing, self-doubt, over-commitment, broken promises and chaos
"Melissa Ford is a brilliant coach, and in Living Service she takes us through her personal experiences with humor and clarity so we can learn from her wisdom firsthand. I am a better, more relaxed, and compassionate coach because of this book. One of the best books I’ve ever read on coaching." 
~ Tina Quinn, Life Leadership Consultant, coach, speaker and author of Invisible Things: The Most Important Things in Life Are the Ones You Can’t See
"Melissa is a teacher, a compassionate guide, and someone who will always stand behind you and champion you. This book is a doorway to transforming your life and the lives of those you serve." 
~ Gary L Mahler, Mahler International Coaching Inc. Life, Business, Relationships, Leadership
"A raw, honest look at what it takes to go from beginner to master. Melissa reminds us that coaching and service are not about systems, strategies and schemes. They are about being human and discovering a deeper connection with yourself, others and the world."
~ William Giruzzi, coach and author of A Life Worth Living 
"Service—true service—is the key to a prosperous coaching practice. However, while this word is often used in the world of coaching, it is rare to find a coach who truly understands what it means to live as service. In her wonderful new book, Mellissa Ford shows us just how to do this, and how to build a full practice from this place." 
~ David Schwendiman, coach, King of the Unicorns and author of Selling from the Top of the Ladder: The Ultimate Sales Playbook

Living Service: The Journey of a Prosperous Coach

Professionals & Academics

Maurice Bassett

“. . . characters I can relate to, who make me laugh out loud and hungry for dinner.”-Mary Alice, co-star of Food Network's Ace of Cakes, about Melissa Ford's Life from Scratch She had Mr. Right all sewn up . . . until Mr. Wonderful came along. Ethan is smart, funny, kind, gentle, great with Beckett, Arianna Quinn's toddler son, a fantastic lover, and finally ready to settle down to a teaching job in Manhattan after years of nomadic work as a freelance photographer. Plus he's the brother of Arianna's matchmaking best friend, Rachel. He's a truly special man, and the time seems right for him to move in to Arianna's apartment. But then he utters the “m” word . . . marriage. Even knowing that Arianna never wants to walk down the aisle. Arianna is on the verge of a promotion at her fashion industry job. Suddenly her career is the central focus of her life-and into that focus walks Noah, a worldly, funny, sophisticated, and very successful writer for an award-winning television show. Their instant rapport leads to a design opportunity for Arianna and a friendship that slowly threatens the bonds she and Ethan hold dear. Melissa Ford is the author of the award-winning website, Stirrup Queens. She is also a section editor at BlogHer. Ford lives outside of Washington, Dc with her writer husband, Joshua, and their twins. Visit her at melissafordauthor.com.

Apart at the Seams

Romance

Contemporary

Bell Bridge Books

Summary Hello, Scratch! is a how-to book that helps parents and kids work together to learn programming skills by creating new versions of old retro-style arcade games with Scratch. Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the Technology Can 8-year-olds write computer programs? You bet they can! In Scratch, young coders use colorful blocks and a rich graphical environment to create programs. They can easily explore ideas like input and output, looping, branching, and conditionals. Scratch is a kid-friendly language created by MIT that is a safe and fun way to begin thinking like a programmer, without the complexity of a traditional programming language. About the Book Hello Scratch! guides young readers through five exciting games to help them take their first steps in programming. They'll experiment with key ideas about how a computer program works and enjoy the satisfaction of immediate success. These carefully designed projects give readers plenty of room to explore by imagining, tinkering, and personalizing as they learn. What's Inside <ul>
<li>Learn by experimentation</li>
<li>Learn to think like a programmer</li>
<li>Build five exciting, retro-style games</li>
<li>Visualize the organization of a program</li>
</ul>
 About the Readers Written for kids 8-14. Perfect for independent learning or working with a parent or teacher. About the Authors Kids know how kids learn. Sadie and Gabriel Ford, 12-year-old twins and a formidable art and coding team, wrote this book with editing help from their mother, author Melissa Ford! Table of Contents <ol>PART 1 - SETTING UP THE ARCADE<li>Getting to know your way around Scratch</li>
<li>Becoming familiar with the Art Editor</li>
<li>Meeting Scratch's key blocks through important coding concepts</li>PART 2 - TURNING ON THE MACHINES<li>Designing a two-player ball-and-paddle game</li>
<li>Using conditionals to build a two-player ball-and-paddle game</li>PART 3 - CODING AND PLAYING GAMES<li>Designing a fixed shooter</li>
<li>Using conditionals to build your fixed shooter</li>
<li>Designing a one-player ball-and-paddle game</li>
<li>Using variables to build your one-player ball-and-paddle game</li>
<li>Designing a simple platformer</li>
<li>Using X and Y coordinates to make a simple platformer</li>
<li>Making a single-screen platformer</li>
<li>Using arrays and simulating gravity in a single-screen platformer</li>
<li>Becoming a game maker</li>
</ol>

Hello Scratch!: Learn to Program by Making Arcade Games

Ford, Gabriel

Ford, Sadie

Computer Science

Manning

It is with great pleasure that the National Aphasia Association makes this book on caregiving available to the aphasia community. It is our mission to serve families living with aphasia, with an emphasis on the word family. We know that aphasia affects the whole family, indeed, the person’s whole sphere of influence. When an individual experiences a stroke or other brain trauma that leads to aphasia, life changes in an instant.We recognize that the road to a future with aphasia can be a rocky one, with many twists and turns. Aphasia is a life-long condition. No one is prepared for all the adaptations that will need to be made. It is our intent that this book will provide some help navigating the path which leads to a “new normal.” This document was prepared by the NAA team and reviewed by caregivers who gave us their expert input. Not all the information will apply to every family and not every family will be in a position to use all of the suggestions. Take from it what you find most helpful and what makes the most sense foryour situation.Most importantly, this should be a dynamic book. We’ve compiled our thoughts, but you’ll see in the final chapter that we welcome your thoughts. Please use the linked form in the final chapter to give us your helpful hints and suggestions. If you share what worked best for you, we can include the information in the next version to provide a much more comprehensive guide for all caregivers.The NAA has a proud history of service to the aphasia community. We hope you enjoy this latest initiative, we hope you share the information, and we hope you continue to engage with and support the NAA.

The Aphasia Caregiver Guide: Advice for navigating aphasia and your love one's care without losing yourself on the journey.

Medical Books

Association, National Aphasia

Allied Health Professions

Independently published

Her life's a mess. And so is her kitchen. Divorced, heartbroken and living in a lonely New York apartment with a tiny kitchen, Rachel Goldman realizes she doesn't even know how to cook the simplest meal for herself. Can learning to fry an egg help her understand where her life went wrong? She dives into the culinary basics. Then she launches a blog to vent her misery about life, love and her goal of an unburnt casserole. To her amazement, the blog's a hit. She becomes a minor celebrity. Next, a sexy Spaniard enters her life. Will her souffles stop falling? Will she finally forget about the husband she still loves? And how can she explain to her readers that she still hasn't learned how to cook up a happy life from scratch? The Wall Street Journal named Melissa Ford one of the country's top ten "mommy bloggers" for her acclaimed commentary on infertility at her blog, Stirrip Queens. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and son. Life From Scratch is her debut novel. All journeys worthy of anything begin with wine and end with a meal. Life From Scratch does just that, adding heart and laughter to the recipe. ¬¬-Stephanie Klein, author of Straight Up And Dirty and Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp

Life from Scratch

Literature & Fiction

Humor & Satire

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ford, Melissa. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Ford, Melissa