My friend Dana, who is also a writer, gave a speech in our Toastmasters group Thursday on the importance of writing everyday. She urged the audience to write daily for four different reasons. Her first reason included the art of recognizing astonishment. She told a fabulous, descriptive story. Dana detailed a scene she witnessed in the park …
A strange, surprising thrill has taken over me the past several weeks. I do it in the shower. I do it in the car on my morning and evening commute. I’m even doing it while washing dishes and folding laundry. By “it” I mean practicing and writing speeches for my Toastmasters club. I joined the …
Dear Pumpkin, I can’t get you out of my head From spiced lattes and pies to freshly, baked bread You make us all crazy with the promise of fall Stuffed in pancakes or chili, I want them all From candles to casseroles, I smell you everywhere You tempt me with your bright orange flare A muffin, a torte or divine cheesecake …
The phrase, “Expect for your Mind to be Blown,” were the words that stuck within my head after an all-day graduate studies workshop on Saturday. This was my biggest takeaway from the session. Our day was filled with paper writing tips, examples on APA style, open discussion with other students and professors in the program but …
Yesterday my family and I enjoyed a late Sunday brunch. Then we shopped at an antiques and flea market style place. I had my eye on purchasing a used chair for the corner of my bedroom – to design a small area for me to sit, read, write and study in peace. Two weekends ago I had spotted …
Recently I interviewed a mental health counselor for an article. We discussed some of the main reasons people benefit from attending therapy sessions. The counselor revealed that a common misconception the general public has is that asking for help is often seen as a weakness. People may want to have it all in life and …
Another wonderful surprise – I am one of the winners for the 2015 Summer Magnolia Quarterly Writing Contest. I received this certificate in the mail today along with prize money and a gift card toward receiving an author’s book in the Gulf Coast Writers Association. What an honor! This contest was a short, short (only …
When I witnessed my seven year old yell at her younger sister during a routine bath, I blurted these words out: “When did Anger take control of you? Can we try to find Joy again?” I could not help myself. The summer release of the Disney Pixar film Inside Out has caused my brain to …
July has been an incredible month for me and for my writing endeavors. So far August is shaping up nicely too. I received word on Saturday, August 1st that I was the contest winner for the Omniverse Short Story Contest. Over 150 stories were submitted but my piece, “Spit Tour” won. This story (although fiction) …
July has been an excellent writing month for me. I am once again appearing in the Pensacola News Journal for an editorial I wrote on encouraging parents to talk to children early about sex, consent and inappropriate behavior. The story also appeared in the Alabama online news media too. I’m thrilled that attention to this issue …