Posted by Christine on Oct 25, 2010 in General, Kudos, Randomness, Updates |
I know I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but just for that ever elusive “record†I love the Surrey International Writers Conference (SiWC). If there is a better conference put on by a more wonderful group of amazing and talented people, I’m not aware of it. SiWC is the perfect size, not so big you get lost in the crowd not so small that no one with a big name comes. Kathy Chung the conference coordinator this year did a spectacular job. All the presenters were amazing and in each session I learned some tidbit that will help me along as a writer, or a person. So yes, I love SiWC. In addition to all that, it was fantastic to see my writer friends and catch up with them, Rose, Elissa, Tyner, Pam, Peggy, and Angela (P.S. there is an interview with me on her site – more on that tomorrow) of the Book Broads not to mention the countless others I don’t have the space to name. Then there are all the new people I got to meet this year at Surrey. Allow me at this point to take a quick moment to say congratulations to Tyner for his story placing second in the Annual Surrey International Storytellers Award Contest. Excellent job. 🙂 Plus this year I got to meet in person two of my Tweeps who I have been conversing with all year on Twitter but never set eyes on(@natgreyangel and @LornaSuzuki) . That was way cool. Amidst all the wonderful, and there is so much wonderful, there are always a few moment or a few speakers that stand out. For me this year there are four people I would like to mention/thank in particular. kc dyer : I can’t begin to say what an awesome and inspirational person kc is. She has been so important to me as I’ve progressed as a writer. I’m not sure I would have gone past my first year of writing if not for her belief, encouragement, and support. This year sitting in her panel on steam punk and having a blue pencil with her was fantastic. – kc – thank you so much for our words of advise on how to strengthen my manuscript and for providing them in such an optimistic and encouraging way. I came home eager to get started and excited about the possibilities this year held. Arthur Slade: I’ve never stalked anyone before, this past weekend Arthur Slade was generous enough to allow me to stalk him around the conference. Meaning I attended each session he gave or sat on a panel in and even got behind – or in front –of him in line to eat a couple of times. Not too shocking given the size of the conference and my interest in the steam punk genre. 🙂 In all...
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Posted by Christine on Jun 25, 2010 in Follow Friday, General, Kudos |
Today is the BEST Follow Friday. (For me anyway 🙂 ) The man I’m following today I would follow anywhere and everywhere. In fact I have. Why? Well, there are many varied reason. I could give you some platitude like he’s the love of my life or something. But I want you to know about him, not me. So why follow Jason? Jason Douros loves people, in fact he is one of the few people I’ve met in my life who looks at the people around him with eyes of equality and love. Jason believes that there is something beautiful and lovable in everyone. Not only that but he loves to serve people. I’m not talking about waiting on people hand and foot, Jason is one of those observant people who you’ll be walking around with and will notice the woman with five kids and 8 grocery bags and just walk up and help her in the parking lot – because that’s Jason. He’s the guy who opens the door for people with their hands full, no matter what their gender or age – because that’s Jason. He’s the guy who will buy lunch for a homeless person and eat with them as often as possible just to sit and learn their story – because he’s Jason. He’s the guy who always has a compliment for everyone, and somehow it’s always exactly what that person needs to hear that day – because that’s Jason. He’s the guys who finds out the name of the hotdog vendor on the corner – Tula – by the way – and makes sure he uses it – and this makes both their days – because he’s Jason. He’s the guy who will take time out of his life to help his friends pursue their dreams, no matter what they are – because he’s Jason. I have never known a human being with a heart more called or more committed to serving people than this man. If he could do it 24/7/365 he would. Pesky day jobs. It’s funny, I believe he has the power to change the world. Not by being a politician, (Thank GOD) but because he loves people enough to inspire them to reach higher, do better, believe in themselves, and the goodness of others. Ultimately, I believe it is love that will change the world (that and forgiveness). Jason happens to be very good at both those things. So thank you Jason – for being worthy of my Follow Friday today....
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Posted by Christine on May 28, 2010 in Follow Friday, General, Kudos |
This week my Follow Friday goes to an entity and all the people who create and run that entity on a regular basis. I know it has to take more than one. That entity is the West Seattle Blog. Blogs are fantastic social media tools, there is no doubt about it. Heck, I’m using one right now. The West Seattle Blog, in my opinion, takes this tool to a whole new level of awesome. My husband and I have been reading the West Seattle Blog for years. Its part of what convinced us we chose the right neighborhood of Seattle to move into. (We also considered Freemont, but really, who wants to live in the center of the universe?) The West Seattle Blog covers everything from hard news, such as the SWAT standoff, to local interest stories that help members of the community stay connected to each other, local businesses and even nature, such as this piece on some orca’s. Not only that but check out these stories about a local Young Authors day, and the West Seattle Bookshelf from West Seattle’s own neighborhood bookstore (yup we have one 🙂 ) So as a resident of West Seattle, a writer, and user of social networking tools I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the West Seattle Blog and the people who make it such a wonderful community resource. Thank you West Seattle Blog for being so helpful and worthy of my Follow Friday this...
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Posted by Christine on Apr 2, 2010 in Follow Friday, Kudos |
Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I am borrowing a concept from Twitter. Each Friday I will share with you someone’s Blog who I read and I think is worth following and reading. It might be another author, an agent, a conference Blog, or just a random person who does good in the world or whose blog I enjoy. If this person also happens to be on Twitter they will be my getting my Follow Friday there as well. To start things out I want to share with you the blog of my fellow writer and competitor for the Crown of Rejection Queen: Deb Anderson. Deb writes historical fiction and I have really been enjoying reading her blog lately. In addition she gets congrats today for getting a request for her first 30 pages from an agent. YAY Deb. She has obviously written a kick @ss query letter. 😉 Still she is currently leading in the competition for the crown, so I need to send some more queries. So go enjoy her...
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Posted by Christine on Mar 27, 2010 in General, Kudos, Randomness |
I wanted to offer my congratulations to my friend Elissa Vann Struth. She is a fellow SiWC attendee and Storyteller award winner. Elissa’s short story ‘Down to the Roots’ won second prize in the Short Story (English) category of the CBC Literary Awards. You can read about it here. WAY TO GO ELISSA!!!! I am so excited for...
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