tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324074914254489692024-03-18T13:42:51.202-07:00Writing In WonderlandSylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.comBlogger1198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-23018088646498938662024-03-18T00:30:00.000-07:002024-03-18T00:30:00.133-07:00Reminder of A to Z and Twitter Pitch<p> I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: 13.2px;">t's nearly time for the 2024 "Twitter Pitch" as well as he 2024 "A to Z Blogging Challenge". If you're interested in either:</span></p><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>#IWSGPit Twitter Party</b><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil11XPgL_1i3UDLCNThvEyRqs56_xbMnWSObW-W12umPoxR_uulTKqUOVREMPq5S8y9AvY7x5X8T5Dg5bSrwSPdyQ26bqJzlB_acT0ktdfeobhDg1H-9liDYCqnx44C0h8Vi0WnMa8Fkk5Xwi6MaogzS_i4EdFLqDwmnnGoyngKie9tatPWoKZ_D-PvbiV/s360/IWSG_pitch%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #0b0bc3; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="360" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil11XPgL_1i3UDLCNThvEyRqs56_xbMnWSObW-W12umPoxR_uulTKqUOVREMPq5S8y9AvY7x5X8T5Dg5bSrwSPdyQ26bqJzlB_acT0ktdfeobhDg1H-9liDYCqnx44C0h8Vi0WnMa8Fkk5Xwi6MaogzS_i4EdFLqDwmnnGoyngKie9tatPWoKZ_D-PvbiV/s320/IWSG_pitch%202024.jpg" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br />The next #IWSGPit will be March 27, 2024.<br />10:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.<br /><br />Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Tweet your pitch using #IWSGPit. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.<br /><br />Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents.<br /><br />For hashtags and guidelines, visit our <b><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-twitter-pitch.html" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">#IWSGPit page.</a></b><br /><br />Do authors really find agents and publishers through a Twitter pitch party? Yes they do! <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.</a> has found FIVE authors from this event, including one of our best sellers, <a href="https://www.damienlarkinbooks.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Damien Larkin.</a><br /><br />So, get your pitches ready for March!</span></div><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">It's also almost time for the annual <b>"A to Z" blogging challenge</b>. Most repeat participants have already begun planning their posts for this April and will soon be posting theme reveals. Are there any themes you would particularly care to see, or learn about in April?</span><p style="background-color: white;"></p><p style="background-color: white;"></p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sign-ups usually begin in March. Followed by a schedule similar to below:</span></span><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />Theme reveal sign up: March 8<br />Theme reveal closes: March 20<br />Master list opens: March 29<br />Master list closes: April 7<br />After-survey: May 1-8<br />Reflections: May 3-8<br />Road-trip: May 10</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">To learn more about this challenge, or what you can expect to see this April, be sure to follow their website <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a> <br /></span><div><br /></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"> Will you be participating in #IWSGPit? Have you had success with a Twitter pitch party? </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: times;">Have you ever participated in the "A to Z" challenge? Will you be taking part this year? What other hops or challenges do you enjoy? </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">Are you attending any this year? Do you have a favorite that we haven't listed here?</span></b></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-55897403456921276432024-03-11T00:30:00.000-07:002024-03-11T00:30:00.124-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNSIWmswxOYwp1EK9Tyz6SE57vhCgaQdVoq6r0m14UgX2dHfIQpmTMXrc_T4ySYzKd3ZiKWT01bi4Ljazva_QkVyZeAr5EUhEKjW7vGaxDuDOINcX65Wtej5qJB65m_CdnM3Mj5qT3aAYSHTLsucl3kPmKvfEst_rOWVZ4Y7rrvcnyQp2PDrVengcWRg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="474" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNSIWmswxOYwp1EK9Tyz6SE57vhCgaQdVoq6r0m14UgX2dHfIQpmTMXrc_T4ySYzKd3ZiKWT01bi4Ljazva_QkVyZeAr5EUhEKjW7vGaxDuDOINcX65Wtej5qJB65m_CdnM3Mj5qT3aAYSHTLsucl3kPmKvfEst_rOWVZ4Y7rrvcnyQp2PDrVengcWRg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">March 17 is the traditional day to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">If you're interested in participating, but not quite sure how, check out this article I shared a couple of years ago: </span><a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2019/03/irish-classics-prompts-and-party-tips.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Irish Classics, Prompts, and Party Tips</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Feeling Lucky? Check out the post about where I and a few other writers get their inspiration: <a href="https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2022/03/feeling-lucky.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2022/03/feeling-lucky.html</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Some additional educational and fun holiday ideas include:<br /></span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 2.5em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.47em;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Streaming Irish jigs and songs.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watching traditional Irish dance on YouTube or chrome cast to your TV.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Adding green food dye to your short bread cookie recipes.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sewing or gluing crazy Green Irish hats, ties or belts using felt, ribbons, or fabrics.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Cooking Irish Stew, scones and clotted cream or butter from scratch or from cans. </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Telling Irish fables about leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold, or gnomes.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reminding your children about the “<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">kiss of the blarney</em>” and the folkloric tradition known today as “the gift of the gab”.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Research the real St. Patrick.</span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">How about you? Are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day? How are you spending this time?</span></b></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-67153345779703042052024-03-04T00:30:00.000-08:002024-03-04T00:30:00.245-08:00IWSG: AI Use<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK2N1_brCVDtv9QC0hjsIaP2uHtyYTVvhiyqQMti6V_AShLjCYiXPLy7Wvd_5TCH8t7532YCuQC35evba9AHSXYJKxK5wuSdGk8eUvswUoE5QBUh9ttvy8QaSAMMXnep3PJJwACJ7bFV45CBdZSGJbAUtMjIE6bMy4Tq4zdeDUg1n4tK5hpmUxpmnnw/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK2N1_brCVDtv9QC0hjsIaP2uHtyYTVvhiyqQMti6V_AShLjCYiXPLy7Wvd_5TCH8t7532YCuQC35evba9AHSXYJKxK5wuSdGk8eUvswUoE5QBUh9ttvy8QaSAMMXnep3PJJwACJ7bFV45CBdZSGJbAUtMjIE6bMy4Tq4zdeDUg1n4tK5hpmUxpmnnw/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">t’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">founded by </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Alex J. Cavanaugh</strong></a>. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab ab</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">ove and sign up. </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Facebook page</strong></a>.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sign-up List.</a></span></span></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><b>MARCH 6 QUESTION -</b> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>MY ANSWER - </b>We had a similar discussion in our October posting if you'd like to look back at those. My only interaction with AI as a writer has been to address using it in the classroom. As soon as ChatGPT released more than a year ago, I saw a huge use of it by students to attempt writing assignments. We spent time actually looking at instances where you could use it, but the software was creating sadly horrible and oftentimes completely incorrectly factual writing. This helped to dissuade plagiarism in that first year. However, as AI software increase in reliability so too does it's use, not just by students but also by teachers and writers. Some only use it as a means to see examples (a learning or confidence building tool). However, I believe we may see an increase in reliance on this technology, and an outright substitution for individual authentic creation. In response, more schools and legal systems will attempt to define what is allowable and what is not (refer back to Hollywood/writers/actors strikes last year).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">What about you? </span></b><span style="font-family: times; text-align: center;"><b>Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?</b></span></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-25697801142158590812024-02-26T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-26T00:30:00.136-08:00A to Z Challenge and Other Blog Hops<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeD5WbRDDoNbnJ3GHGZ-c9XA54min9lieeLOjJK10QW9yjE8GW1NgMxgQASysqYeuGgEwqkWg0MG-WGuz1T1YL1mGEegvkQQgbaxbDHdMciYe2QgwrySiSpK48vdq-QefCEnSg2RIi144aMEusPnrDiyCqgqnaoN5lCOp-MwpvHd02o8Jt6cRhLYyXWw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeD5WbRDDoNbnJ3GHGZ-c9XA54min9lieeLOjJK10QW9yjE8GW1NgMxgQASysqYeuGgEwqkWg0MG-WGuz1T1YL1mGEegvkQQgbaxbDHdMciYe2QgwrySiSpK48vdq-QefCEnSg2RIi144aMEusPnrDiyCqgqnaoN5lCOp-MwpvHd02o8Jt6cRhLYyXWw" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">It's almost time for the annual "A to Z" blogging challenge. Most repeat participants have already begun planning their posts for this April and will soon be posting theme reveals. Are there any themes you would particularly care to see, or learn about in April?</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sign-ups usually begin in March. Followed by a schedule similar to below:</span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />Theme reveal sign up: March 8<br />Theme reveal closes: March 20<br />Master list opens: March 29<br />Master list closes: April 7<br />After-survey: May 1-8<br />Reflections: May 3-8<br />Road-trip: May 10</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">To learn more about this challenge, or what you can expect to see this April, be sure to follow their website <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a> <br /></span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;">Have you ever participated in this challenge? Will you be taking part this year? What other hops or challenges do you enjoy?</span></b></div></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-74816063395252764732024-02-19T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-19T00:30:00.142-08:007 Fast Approaching Submission Deadlines<p>Seven fast approaching deadlines...</p><p><a href="https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/">Chicken Soup for the Soul</a>: <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Miracles, messages from
heaven, angels - </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The deadline for submissions is FEBRUARY 28, 2024. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven,
premonitions, amazing coincidences and other unexplainable but good events! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are looking for powerful, astounding, stories that will
make people say "wow" or give them chills. This book is for everyone,
whether religious or non-religious.</span></p><p><span class="mainheadline"><a href="https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/">Chicken Soup for the Soul</a>: <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The power of thinking
positive - </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span class="mainbody">The deadline for submission is FEBRUARY 28, 2024. </span><span class="mainbody">We know that using the power of thinking positive helps
you to achieve your goals and lead a happy, purposeful, and productive life.
Almost anything is possible if you think you can. You can dream big, overcome
challenges, create the best life possible for yourself, and turn adversity into
opportunity. </span><span class="mainbody">What do you do to think positive and how did it change
your life? Tell us your success story about using the power of thinking
positive!</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">GRAYWOLF
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<p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">SEJONG
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<a href="https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=CC5TQ&m=JtK9RpDtfhYbK5&b=nxDMrUtEmj5bi.6qgXZmyQ" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3c3aa0; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">https://www.sejongculturalsociety.org/writing/current/sijo.php?fbclid=IwAR3dsNgV_I0yqv-oCp4MFqmMihAVk6cwHbmBCsihV0iPfrSQIjIDtbDwdKU</span></a><br />
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and younger). Write one sijo in English on a topic of your choice. Only one
entry per applicant. Adult division: First ($1,000), Second ($750), Third
($500). Pre-college division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300). Must
be a resident of USA or Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">LITTLE TOKYO HISTORICAL
SOCIETY SHORT STORY CONTEST</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<a href="https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=CC5TQ&m=J.sQ3j_uzhYbK5&b=REWQVrI6euqgJZgF5aqELQ" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #3c3aa0; padding: 0in;">https://www.littletokyohs.org/</span></a><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline <strong>February 29,
2024</strong>. The Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) seeks fictional short
stories for its 11th annual Imagine Little Tokyo short story contest in the
categories of English language, Japanese language and youth (18 and younger).
The purpose of the contest is to raise awareness of Little Tokyo through a
creative story that takes place in Little Tokyo. Each category winner will be
awarded $500 in cash with their short story being published in The Rafu Shimpo,
Discover Nikkei and Little Tokyo Historical Society website.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">ALPINE POETRY PRIZE</span><br aria-hidden="true" />
<a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="45" href="https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=CC5TQ&m=ItWyI1aTfhYbK5&b=_EzV2f4auyUJDa5b.U9qtg" style="word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3c3aa0; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">https://alpinefellowship.com/poetry-prize</span></span></a><br aria-hidden="true" />
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 1, 2024. Theme: Language. You may
submit one poem or a collection of poems as long as ALL the poems in the
collection speak to the theme. There is a maximum of 500 words per entry. There
is no minimum required word count. First place: £3,000. Second place: £1,000.
Third place: £1,000. The winner and runners-up will be invited to the annual
symposium. Up to £500 travel expenses to help with travel to the event and
meals and accommodation.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p aria-hidden="true" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</p><p style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">ALPINE WRITING PRIZE</span><br aria-hidden="true" />
<a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="46" href="https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=CC5TQ&m=ItWyI1aTfhYbK5&b=jQVlK9jduwFIaPRM8BCMlg" style="word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3c3aa0; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">https://alpinefellowship.com/writing-prize</span></a><br aria-hidden="true" />
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 1, 2024. Theme: Language. All
genres of writing are permitted, including fiction, non-fiction, and
non-academic essays. Open to all nationalities. First place: £3,000. Second
place: £1,000. Third place: £1,000. The winner and runners-up will be invited
to the annual symposium. Up to £500 travel expenses to help with travel to the
event and meals and accommodation. A maximum of 2,500 words per entry.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-44877707910267802822024-02-12T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-12T00:30:00.131-08:00For Love of...<p>Last month, I shared a couple of posts on Love (to celebrate any form of love) and upcoming conferences, workshops, and festivals for readers and writers. Today, I thought I would share more opportunities for lovers of the written and illustrated word.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">February 17 - Hickory Con is a one day, in person comic con event in North Carolina. To learn more, check out: <a href="http://www.hickorycon.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Home (hickorycon.com)</a></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">March 15-17 - Galaxycon is a 4-Day <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">FESTIVAL OF FANDOM</span> with celebrities, creators, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, fan groups, gamers, panelists, streamers, and wrestlers in Richmond, VA. To learn more: <a href="https://galaxycon.com/pages/richmond" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Galaxycon Richmond</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">March 27 - see the TWITTER PITCH info below.</p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2100700320497801215" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #201f1e;">April 5-7 - CyPhaCon: <a href="https://www.cyphacon.org/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.cyphacon.org/</a> - t</span><span style="color: #303745;">aking place in the Lake Charles Civic Center Complex, CYPHACON 2024 is the largest fan run Pop Culture Convention in the State of Louisiana!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #201f1e;">July 12-14 - ConGregate is a </span><span style="color: #333333;">speculative fiction convention held in the </span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: 700;"><a class="navigation_external_link" href="http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/piedmont-triad-nc.php" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0a689a; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Piedmont Triad</a></span><span style="color: #333333;"> region of North Carolina. To learn more: </span><a href="http://con-gregate.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">ConGregate 7 / DeepSouthCon 59 (con-gregate.com)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;">July 25 - 28 and OTHERS- Galaxycon is a 4-Day <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">FESTIVAL OF FANDOM</span> with celebrities, creators, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, fan groups, gamers, panelists, streamers, and wrestlers in Raleigh, NC. To learn more: <a href="https://galaxycon.com/pages/raleigh" style="background-color: transparent; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">GalaxyCon Raleigh</a> This group actually offers multiple events virtually at at multiple locations throughout the year so be sure to follow for more news.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;">August - Wake Forest mini Comic Con - WakeForest, NC - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WFComiCon/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.facebook.com/WFComiCon/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;">If you'd like to see an even longer list of opportunities, check out the IWSG page here: <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/publications.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/publications.html</a></span></p></div><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>#IWSGPit Twitter Party</b><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil11XPgL_1i3UDLCNThvEyRqs56_xbMnWSObW-W12umPoxR_uulTKqUOVREMPq5S8y9AvY7x5X8T5Dg5bSrwSPdyQ26bqJzlB_acT0ktdfeobhDg1H-9liDYCqnx44C0h8Vi0WnMa8Fkk5Xwi6MaogzS_i4EdFLqDwmnnGoyngKie9tatPWoKZ_D-PvbiV/s360/IWSG_pitch%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #0b0bc3; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="360" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil11XPgL_1i3UDLCNThvEyRqs56_xbMnWSObW-W12umPoxR_uulTKqUOVREMPq5S8y9AvY7x5X8T5Dg5bSrwSPdyQ26bqJzlB_acT0ktdfeobhDg1H-9liDYCqnx44C0h8Vi0WnMa8Fkk5Xwi6MaogzS_i4EdFLqDwmnnGoyngKie9tatPWoKZ_D-PvbiV/s320/IWSG_pitch%202024.jpg" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br />The next #IWSGPit will be March 27, 2024.<br />10:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.<br /><br />Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Tweet your pitch using #IWSGPit. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.<br /><br />Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents.<br /><br />For hashtags and guidelines, visit our <b><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-twitter-pitch.html" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">#IWSGPit page.</a></b><br /><br />Do authors really find agents and publishers through a Twitter pitch party? Yes they do! <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.</a> has found FIVE authors from this event, including one of our best sellers, <a href="https://www.damienlarkinbooks.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Damien Larkin.</a><br /><br />So, get your pitches ready for March!</span></div><div style="background-color: #f4f2f8;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"> Will you be participating in #IWSGPit? Have you had success with a Twitter pitch party? </span></b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">How about you? Are you attending any this year? Do you have a favorite that we haven't listed here?</span></b></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-75537050838365300432024-02-07T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-07T00:30:00.128-08:00IWSG: Author Turn Offs<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t4gTqUsmUntVX8pllqpQ8FwYBebD9NpjR6RdtJQ1VxO_-vPk3gvwFmYsU44dYG4mCV0FsyBzGr4rNdl80sshJ5ACUqVWcNCUueg_AlIEqqvIFk1am81CVYehe_f9MwuSnCVgYcbaOj0x7y3HK161E5g5fIZPjLcCwbhh1vy4UH7KIsvEO9vpPC5Byg/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t4gTqUsmUntVX8pllqpQ8FwYBebD9NpjR6RdtJQ1VxO_-vPk3gvwFmYsU44dYG4mCV0FsyBzGr4rNdl80sshJ5ACUqVWcNCUueg_AlIEqqvIFk1am81CVYehe_f9MwuSnCVgYcbaOj0x7y3HK161E5g5fIZPjLcCwbhh1vy4UH7KIsvEO9vpPC5Byg/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">t’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">founded by </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Alex J. Cavanaugh</strong></a>. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab ab</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">ove and sign up. </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Facebook page</strong></a>.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sign-up List.</a></span></span></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><b>FEBRUARY 7 QUESTION -</b> </span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author's books? Constant mention of books?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>MY ANSWER - </b>Information overload turns me off immediately. If I click on a site and there is a ton of text and images (the entire screen), flashing ads, or constantly moving images then I'm done. I prefer simple design and layout that lets me know who the author is, their platform or genre, and how to access more information if I want it. Don't try to cram it all down my throat at once.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>What about you? <span style="font-family: times; text-align: center;">What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author's books? Constant mention of books?</span></b></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-30884321224698897802024-01-29T00:30:00.000-08:002024-01-29T00:30:00.135-08:00Planning for a Week of Love<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">Many are already making plans for the next holiday, but d</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">id you know there is actually an entire week of love that thousands celebrate? Most of the people I know only celebrate, or dread, the most famous day which is Valentine's. However, according to multiple sites, there is an entire week of love and each day leading up to Valentine's has a significant meaning or purpose.</span></span></p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">According to those love experts, the days are as follows:</span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE02SNBEnvusPQY7ZO3qRa6-HSdebJ6LsMzYYzHuhlQHoUaQSRWa-nTY8uumHPOvPBozOspFDdy4sW5z0hGgHR0I3GUa9jKuO3KFj-U28WtnMPOwSW786IP3D6zhpDgbCQcHrcoLeog6h2qr6EsY4omiZ3oE-t9SqvHiuLcHWzKFCOg9vuJ10mfQ/s1600/Valentines-Day-Week-List-2019-Date-Sheet-List-Of-Februarys-Days-Of-Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE02SNBEnvusPQY7ZO3qRa6-HSdebJ6LsMzYYzHuhlQHoUaQSRWa-nTY8uumHPOvPBozOspFDdy4sW5z0hGgHR0I3GUa9jKuO3KFj-U28WtnMPOwSW786IP3D6zhpDgbCQcHrcoLeog6h2qr6EsY4omiZ3oE-t9SqvHiuLcHWzKFCOg9vuJ10mfQ/w400-h266/Valentines-Day-Week-List-2019-Date-Sheet-List-Of-Februarys-Days-Of-Love.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">While I love flowers and jewelry, my family and friends know my favorite gifts are a good book and chocolate.</span></p><p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;">Interested in a few FREE romantic flash fiction pieces? Try my stories:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;"><strong><u><a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2017/11/thankful-every-day.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Thankful Every Day</a></u></strong><br /><strong><u><a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2016/10/madame-tooshkas-spell.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Madame Tooshkas Spell</a></u></strong><br /><a href="http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2015/05/masters-in-love.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Masters in Love</a><br /><a href="http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2013/07/loves-new-beginning.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Love's New Beginning</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;">Or order the last IWSG anthology on the right - First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts.</span></div><p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not sure what to get the writer in your life? Check out this list of suggested <a href="https://thewritelife.com/valentines-day-gifts-for-writers/?utm_source=The+Write+Life&utm_campaign=80fa761b49-Dedicated_elance_8_1_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ae07a22b59-80fa761b49-120858961&mc_cid=80fa761b49&mc_eid=d586aa8fd8" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">Valentines day gifts for writers</a> or check out these <span style="color: #888888;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/816-turn-it-on-six-ways-authors-can-participate-in-romance-week" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">Six Ways to Participate in Romance Week</a> at </span>Goodreads.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;">Want to share the theme of love with children? Check out these <a href="http://www.momentsaday.com/best-childrens-books-about-love/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">10 Best Children's Books About Love</a>.<br /><br />So many of us love reading and writing. We have favorites that we return to again and again. How about you? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;">I am especially grateful for a warm home full of books as I've been seeing the massive freezes and storms sweeping parts of the world. I hope you all stay safe, warm, and loved. Happy Valentine's!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Will you be participating in the week of love? What is your favorite genre? Favorite author? Favorite book from childhood? Are you doing something special that week, or for Valentine's Day?</span></b></div></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-45176625337502469702024-01-22T00:30:00.000-08:002024-01-22T00:30:00.135-08:00National Polka Dot Day and Writers<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Today is National Polka Dot Day!</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5211451366276428382" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.52px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq8r4y2DQ7uiAaO4bEcGYRKP_af2hl7zThMsWqzPADkT0JXBkX4vNYdvSE4yMeY9us470TzEKgALK65KqcaH1M-oEkoAquEoKHkvtW5uar5fiy3R0x2EEShh-5-yHUUrY9Xtr4OaMdQ/s1600/STUDIO_HBKEYSTO_20171214_407146868433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #2288bb; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq8r4y2DQ7uiAaO4bEcGYRKP_af2hl7zThMsWqzPADkT0JXBkX4vNYdvSE4yMeY9us470TzEKgALK65KqcaH1M-oEkoAquEoKHkvtW5uar5fiy3R0x2EEShh-5-yHUUrY9Xtr4OaMdQ/s320/STUDIO_HBKEYSTO_20171214_407146868433.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="213" /></span></a><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">It's also the day Minnie Mouse finally received her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame six years ago - a mere 40 years after her counterpart, Mickey. You can find out more about that <a href="https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Minnie-Mouse-Walk-of-Fame-Hollywood-Star-Mickey-Disney-470146573.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">here.</a> <br /><br />Many of my family members are Disney fans. I'm from Southern California, and even though I live in Texas, we head back as often as possible to visit family and friends. We also visit Hollywood and The Walk of Fame from time to time. You can see pictures <a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2017/08/vestiges-of-summer.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">here.</a> W</span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">e also visit the Florida Parks.</span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /><br />Another reason I mention all of this is because the original article I read announcing Minnie's big day, as well as a visit to Hollywood this past summer, led me down a rabbit hole of reading. I became curious about writers who have earned a star on that famous walkway. I knew of a few, but I was surprised at the number. Some of these authors I know have brought joy to many and will be immediately recognized: Raymond Chandler, Ray Bradbury, Stephen J. Cannell, Frank Capra, quite a few others I recognized, and a few I didn't. <a href="http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/tag/writer/page/1/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Here</a> is a list the <i>Los Angeles Times </i>has comprised of all the writers who've earned that coveted star.<br /><br /><b>Have you been to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or a Disney Park? Which authors are your favorites? Who would you like to see earn a star? Are you celebrating National Polka Dot Day?</b></span></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-52811386620209045172024-01-08T00:30:00.000-08:002024-01-20T15:55:40.205-08:002024 Conferences, Workshops, and Literary Festivals<div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">UPDATED: 1/20/24</span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>This list started out mostly focus on</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 15.18px;"> Texas </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;">(where I am)</span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 15.18px;"> and Louisiana. However, there are some others listed here for you. Also, keep in mind, many are virtual now, so your own location may not matter. Please let me know if you would like to recommend any others to be added to the list. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;">The list below is what I know of as of today.</span><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">First, please let me recommend MASTERCLASS. This is an online set of instructional and motivational videos given by some of the industry's top professionals and gathered together in one location. These are very reasonably priced, and you can read about my personal experiences with it by clicking on the link in the labels below. There are other genres besides just writing that are extremely beneficial and interesting as well. They just added quite a few more options this past month. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">There is also a similar site called SKILLSHARE, but I have not personal experience with it. Let us know in the comments if you have, and what you think of them.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Any Time: More than a dozen authors - <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/homepage" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.masterclass.com/homepage</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Any Time: <a href="https://join.skillshare.com/learn/?coupon=BINGEN30DAYSFREE&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=Croud_Search_Bing_US_US_EN_BOF_Brand&utm_term=skillshare&matchtype=e&msclkid=05c5f0d22587104c88be954409f71c73">Skill Share</a></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2/9-11 - Austin SCBWI In-Person Conference in New York - <a href="https://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-in-person-winter-conference-2024">https://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-in-person-winter-conference-2024</a></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">February 11-14 - <a href="https://www.bookweb.org/aba-events">American Booksellers Association Winter Institute</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">February 15-18 <a href="https://www.sfwriters.org/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">San Francisco Writers Conference</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">February 18-20 - <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Social Media Marketing Conference</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">2/23-24 - Austin SCBWI Virtual Conference - </span><a href="https://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-virtual-winter-conference"><span style="font-family: times;">htt</span>ps://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-virtual-winter-conference</a></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">3/8-16 - SXSW Film and writers festival in Austin - </span><span style="color: #888888; font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.sxsw.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.sxsw.com/</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">3/14-16 - New Orleans Book Festival - <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/event/new-orleans-book-festival/3219/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">New Orleans Book Festival</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">3/22-24 -Writer's Digest 10th Virtual Mystery and Thriller Convention - <a href="https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/wdu-mystery-and-thriller-virtual-conference">https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/wdu-mystery-and-thriller-virtual-conference</a></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">3/20-24 - New Orleans Literary Festival - <span style="color: #888888;"><a href="http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">4/11-14 - Left Coast Crime in Seattle Washington - <a href="https://leftcoastcrime.org/">https://leftcoastcrime.org/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">4/20 - The Pre-Quill Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah - <a href="https://www.leagueofutahwriters.com/pre-quill-preview">The Pre-Quill Conference | League of Utah Writers</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">5/4-5</span><span style="font-family: times; line-height: 15.18px;">- Austin Writer's and Illustrators Conference - <a href="https://www.scbwi.org/events/texas-writers-and-illustrators-conference">https://www.scbwi.org/events/texas-writers-and-illustrators-conference</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="line-height: 15.18px;">6/1 - Lone Star Book Festival - <a href="https://www.lonestarfestival.fun/">https://www.lonestarfestival.fun/</a></span><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6/1 - </span><a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="37" href="https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=CC5TQ&m=Jgi.knILzhYbK5&b=pj7NbT_aEkZWmvKPytCoag" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: #3c3aa0; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">The Gutsy Great Novelist Retreat</a><span style="color: black;">, Bar Harbor, Maine </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">6/5-8 - <a href="https://readerauthorgettogether.com/#:~:text=RAGT23%20will%20be%20held%20June%207-10%2C%202023%20at,Page.%20Be%20sure%20to%20join%20our%20Facebook%20Group%21" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Reader Author Get Together</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">6/7-9 - in Dallas, Texa<span style="font-family: times;">s - <a href="https://www.inkerscon.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Inkerscon</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">6/19-23 - Florida - <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/space-coast-book-lovers-2024-tickets-670407134787?aff=erelexpmlt">Space Coast Book Lovers</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">6/26-28 - Historical Novel Society - <a href="https://hns-conference.com/">https://hns-conference.com/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">8/8-11 - Quills Conference in Utah - <a href="https://www.leagueofutahwriters.com/quills-conference-preview">https://www.leagueofutahwriters.com/quills-conference-preview</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">8/28 - 9/1 - World Mystery Convention - Nashville - <a href="http://www.bouchercon.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.bouchercon.com/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">9/18-22 - <a href="https://ninc.com/conferences/future-conferences/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">NINC Conference</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">9/27-28 - in Flor</span>ida - <a href="https://www.onceuponabookauthorsigning.com/">Once Upon a Book Author Signing</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">10/5-6 - Dallas Writer's Conference - <span style="color: #888888;"><a href="http://dfwcon.org/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://dfwcon.org/</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">10/16-19 - In-Person - Houston, Texas - <a href="https://romanceauthormastermind.com/">https://romanceauthormastermind.com/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">10/25-26 - Las Vegas - <a href="https://lovenbooks.com/lovenvegas">https://lovenbooks.com/lovenvegas</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">10/24-31 - Austin Film Festival - <span style="color: #888888;"><a href="https://austinfilmfestival.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://austinfilmfestival.com/</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">11/4-8 - (Tentative) - <a href="https://20booksvegas.com/about/">https://20booksvegas.com/about/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">11/7-9 - <span style="font-family: times;">(Tentative) - <a href="https://hamptonroadswriters.org/">https://hamptonroadswriters.org/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">11/13-16 - Virtual - <a href="https://romanceauthormastermind.com/">Romance Author Mastermind</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">11/16-17 <span style="color: #888888;">- </span>Austin Book Festival - <a href="https://www.texasbookfestival.org/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #888888;">https://www.texasbookfestival.org/</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2247526453331240130" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><div><span style="font-family: times;">Year Round - Interested in a more expansive list of national and international options? Checkout this list: <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/publications.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Insecure Writer's Support Group: Conferences, Workshops, etc. / Publications (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>OR: <a href="https://blog.kotobee.com/writing-conferences-2024/">Writing Conferences 2024</a></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Please feel free to comment with any you would like to see added to this list even if it's not happening in the USA. You never know when an opportunity will arise. Right? :-)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Also, if you are looking for a writer's group in Texas, check out: <a href="https://www.lonestarliterary.com/content/writers-groups" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Writers' Groups | Lone Star Literary Life</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">HAPPY WRITING!</span> </span></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-38837422961545755222024-01-03T00:30:00.000-08:002024-01-03T00:30:00.134-08:00IWSG: BookBub<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmuiehAK3lNRXH7uZhyyQlBDHY_UtrM-rYiujf82K85ghZOzb25to57XfTU0M2fJw21IIFf_Ch1Othifp44gAznd6Jn41RdoEBv5KtqExZJayE6hI8rWFCmBeo-E4xQkRU1EOxtm1Z2NT08dTIVPYlgLYZuznuVaTcXE-2zC9iUf0R1f_wG0v85srAg/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmuiehAK3lNRXH7uZhyyQlBDHY_UtrM-rYiujf82K85ghZOzb25to57XfTU0M2fJw21IIFf_Ch1Othifp44gAznd6Jn41RdoEBv5KtqExZJayE6hI8rWFCmBeo-E4xQkRU1EOxtm1Z2NT08dTIVPYlgLYZuznuVaTcXE-2zC9iUf0R1f_wG0v85srAg/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">t’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">founded by </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Alex J. Cavanaugh</strong></a>. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab ab</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">ove and sign up. </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Facebook page</strong></a>.</span></span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sign-up List.</a></span></span></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><b>JANUARY 3 QUESTION -</b> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>MY ANSWER - </b>I've never actually used BookBub. This question was my first introduction to the site. I'm curious to learn what you think of the site and its benefits or drawbacks. So...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><strong style="color: black; text-align: center;">Do you use BookBub? Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?</strong></span></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-76354912994039861282023-12-27T11:05:00.000-08:002023-12-27T11:05:10.527-08:00New Year...<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi-KsZ9J_x3_119NlgiK3cHcBKs_b519Poo9bB4Q1TmRJSjSFg6qqj_Zt4oEmp-uleV0EVNs1a4Z-CnFc_jz6ZQ2-N57sPefTfBW_2IOG2rDK30C_5ATiIjTZSkmXFB9xO8mp4tz2bx4e2A3uUnZcOSf8MwcYUS-xiPfjPAsoUmE5oAiSRn-Sz8nIWw/s400/NYE%202021-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi-KsZ9J_x3_119NlgiK3cHcBKs_b519Poo9bB4Q1TmRJSjSFg6qqj_Zt4oEmp-uleV0EVNs1a4Z-CnFc_jz6ZQ2-N57sPefTfBW_2IOG2rDK30C_5ATiIjTZSkmXFB9xO8mp4tz2bx4e2A3uUnZcOSf8MwcYUS-xiPfjPAsoUmE5oAiSRn-Sz8nIWw/w400-h266/NYE%202021-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Happy New Year Wishes - praying 2024 is a year of health, happiness, peace, and love for all - stay safe. See you in January!</span></span></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-51627975284378995122023-12-18T00:30:00.000-08:002023-12-18T00:30:00.263-08:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadPPE8gDd6hNi4eoUGFyAFyHX0xLe8mXZg5Z_Pn3JPhSS-23emoaTD6MN7rgEx1TV0UpzD1fi51hfpaJpC1D4TZjQ_Xkoxw9eaYh-wlSlOomCbAH0ey-efpDoTwFEFVeOAd-VJrg9IAYkiS1bNqbeNyuncmozXI0aNMOehX2pxuMDGKc57itG06c/s960/Manger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; font-family: times; font-size: 13.2px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadPPE8gDd6hNi4eoUGFyAFyHX0xLe8mXZg5Z_Pn3JPhSS-23emoaTD6MN7rgEx1TV0UpzD1fi51hfpaJpC1D4TZjQ_Xkoxw9eaYh-wlSlOomCbAH0ey-efpDoTwFEFVeOAd-VJrg9IAYkiS1bNqbeNyuncmozXI0aNMOehX2pxuMDGKc57itG06c/w400-h225/Manger.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><p> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">This picture was taken in the front yard of my old house some years ago. The figures were inherited from my grandmother. The manger was built by my husband and oldest daughter.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">So far this year, we haven't had any freezes or snow. I'm sure we are due some.</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Wherever you are, whatever your situation, I pray you all enjoy a beautiful holiday season full of your favorite traditions. May your best wishes come true.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Merry Christmas!</span></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-75423826593378750942023-12-11T00:30:00.000-08:002023-12-11T00:30:00.140-08:00Christmas Freebies and Traditions<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdEIErxbRiGtpu3KsfVrumFPAty3tn2nYM-QmzMOuTp5eOqr5r7ifmE_TN7CwnzOnKnEnRkznkfi-MFFwxQJtnWcxx0SN9zszMiOd1k8CksCwtYmv_d9RPWLMk7n4Gh3Yy-w2wupohvPbrlkWWLYTzcTTb4zubU7bxYc97Z7cURGmOHeF_qwM7msGug/s1200/christmas-presents-under-tree-royalty-free-image-1669912543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1200" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdEIErxbRiGtpu3KsfVrumFPAty3tn2nYM-QmzMOuTp5eOqr5r7ifmE_TN7CwnzOnKnEnRkznkfi-MFFwxQJtnWcxx0SN9zszMiOd1k8CksCwtYmv_d9RPWLMk7n4Gh3Yy-w2wupohvPbrlkWWLYTzcTTb4zubU7bxYc97Z7cURGmOHeF_qwM7msGug/s320/christmas-presents-under-tree-royalty-free-image-1669912543.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">There are only two weeks left until Christmas. Have you already finished your shopping, or do you wait until the last minute? If you tend to procrastinate, and you find yourself scrambling to find that perfect gift for someone - or even if you just want to treat yourself - this list of 25 ideas might help.</span><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Whether you're shopping for yourself, a loved one, or just for some basic holiday ideas - this list has a little something for everyone!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">1) FOR KIDS - If you have the Amazon app, you can download some children's Christmas books for FREE. While this link in specific to Christmas reads, there are some out there for non-holiday themed reads as well. To learn more: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/iMarvel-Christmas-Story-Books-Free/dp/B0062NFLBM" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.amazon.com/iMarvel-Christmas-Story-Books-Free/dp/B0062NFLBM</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4003954959171450519" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">2) FOR KIDS - Interested in more free books for kids? This site offers both holiday and other popular reads for free: <a href="http://www.kcedventures.com/blog/free-kids-holiday-and-christmas-books-online" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.kcedventures.com/blog/free-kids-holiday-and-christmas-books-online</a></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">3) FOR MUSIC LOVERS - iHeartChristmas Classics offers a free variety of traditional and contemprary tunes to get you in the holiday spirit: <a href="https://www.iheart.com/live/iheartchristmas-classics-6137/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.iheart.com/live/iheartchristmas-classics-6137/</a></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">4) MOVIES FOR ALL AGES - 28 of the best Christmas movies on Youtube in time for the 2018 season: <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/watch-christmas-movies-on-youtube-3486071" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.lifewire.com/watch-christmas-movies-on-youtube-3486071</a></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">5) 10 SHORT CLASSICS - some of my favorites are in this list: <a href="https://ebookfriendly.com/christmas-stories-free-download/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://ebookfriendly.com/christmas-stories-free-download/</a></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">6) 31 BEST CHRISTMAS READS - Classics most everyone will recognize and love: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2017/11/21/classic-christmas-books-to-read" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2017/11/21/classic-christmas-books-to-read</a></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="font-family: times;">7) CHRISTMAS RECIPES - nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit faster than some of my favorite holiday foods. Check out these free recipes: <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/187/holidays-and-events/christmas/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/187/holidays-and-events/christmas/</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">8) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-printable-christmas-gift-tags-1356290" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Free, Printable Christmas Gift Tags</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">9) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-card-templates-1356280" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 100% 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008fb9; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Free Christmas Card Templates</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">10) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thespruce.com/send-free-letters-from-santa-claus-to-your-child-1356262" style="background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 100% 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008fb9; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;">Free Letter From Santa</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">11) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-coloring-pages-1357368" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 100% 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008fb9; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Printable Christmas Coloring Pages</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">12) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-party-invitations-you-can-print-from-home-1356286" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 100% 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008fb9; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Free Christmas Party Invitations</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">13) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thespruce.com/adult-christmas-party-games-1356271" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;">Christmas Party Games That Won't Cost You a Cent</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">14) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-word-search-puzzles-1356278" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Christmas Word Search Puzzles</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">15) <span style="color: #333333;">Free Christmas Sheet Music</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #333333;">16) </span><a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-clip-art-1356282" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Free Christmas Clip Art</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">17) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-tree-templates-1356277" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 100% 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008fb9; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Printable Christmas Tree Templates</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">18) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/beautiful-free-christmas-fonts-1356283" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Free Christmas Fonts</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">19) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-stationery-1356288" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 100% 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008fb9; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Printable Christmas Stationery</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">20) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thespruce.com/free-printable-christmas-wish-lists-1356254" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;">Printable Christmas Wish Lists</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">21) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-letter-to-santa-templates-1356255" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Letter to Santa Templates</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">22) <a class="mntl-sc-block-heading__link" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-christmas-letter-templates-1356285" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(0, 143, 185) 0px, rgb(0, 143, 185) 50%, transparent 50%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 8px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-image 0.15s ease 0s, color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Christmas Newsletter Templates</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">23) Gifts Needs: <a href="https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/christmas-freebies" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">13 Can't-Miss Christmas Freebies You Didn't Know - The Krazy Coupon Lady</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">24) MORE MISCELLANEOUS - <a href="https://www.thefreesite.com/Seasonal_Freebies/Christmas/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.thefreesite.com/Seasonal_Freebies/Christmas/</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">25) <a href="https://moneypantry.com/christmas-freebies/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">121 Christmas Freebies: Amazing Free Stuff to Celebrate the Season With - MoneyPantry</a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Are there any freebies out there that you want to recommend? What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?</span> </span></p></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-42665962856446359712023-12-06T00:30:00.000-08:002023-12-27T10:55:14.221-08:00IWSG: Book Reviews<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolJ4arxi9CkkcEoBRGd0XbzVK_4wZx9dvBitdoltX4lVU1pKJH-HJ0wfCCEKbsBVXY1ODw0CE4OVB4Ia1o6b0VnN3t3EOlfdZEW8jy4jClFrlC8KVk1yPNlyyr1fjtDZn0E04kBG3hnmlY9J5EupOefRzqylERsGGfEOMqHHzbHmJYP0D4s0KF1z3Xw/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolJ4arxi9CkkcEoBRGd0XbzVK_4wZx9dvBitdoltX4lVU1pKJH-HJ0wfCCEKbsBVXY1ODw0CE4OVB4Ia1o6b0VnN3t3EOlfdZEW8jy4jClFrlC8KVk1yPNlyyr1fjtDZn0E04kBG3hnmlY9J5EupOefRzqylERsGGfEOMqHHzbHmJYP0D4s0KF1z3Xw/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;">t’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;">founded by </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Alex J. Cavanaugh</strong></a>. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab ab</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;">ove and sign up. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;">We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Facebook page</strong></a>.</span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sign-up List.</a></span></span></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><b>DECEMBER 6 QUESTION -</b> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave book reviews do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>MY ANSWER - </b>I've done both - left a review for the book itself and as a favor to author friends. I believe in supporting authors and works you like.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>How about you? </b></span><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">When you leave book reviews do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?</span></strong></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-83795555084010743532023-11-20T00:30:00.010-08:002023-11-20T00:30:00.134-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotAADZYAqgrl5zW5osF2gJ1i9KAd0JmTlUkSlpjsQu6JbmsThHurzdQhYco9dusv4oH8mX0LXKoGkNpWEe8Bc_LDx3yVYMIvxKdrye2x0uSV8x-kl8ogqBEyqNaCxWtKCwmaWAWUGKDr6rIWH3rzQ5kaLU5ksFpSJ2t1bVpf2uTJpIewtIviJ-dM5dQ/s320/post-what-are-you-thankful-for-thanksgiving-contest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotAADZYAqgrl5zW5osF2gJ1i9KAd0JmTlUkSlpjsQu6JbmsThHurzdQhYco9dusv4oH8mX0LXKoGkNpWEe8Bc_LDx3yVYMIvxKdrye2x0uSV8x-kl8ogqBEyqNaCxWtKCwmaWAWUGKDr6rIWH3rzQ5kaLU5ksFpSJ2t1bVpf2uTJpIewtIviJ-dM5dQ/w400-h266/post-what-are-you-thankful-for-thanksgiving-contest1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i style="color: #222222;">Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.</i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: times;"> -Psalm 107:1 NIV<br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">We are heading toward the week of Thanksgiving in the United States. I’ll be spending time with family, and hopefully doing very little actual work :-). I also plan to enjoy some of my favorite foods, reading, and writing time! </span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; line-height: 20.7px;">I feel so very blessed. Despite the craziness of this year (working full time, attending college full time, and running my kids to all of their activities) I have so much for which to be thankful. Just as many of you probably do, this is the time of year </span></span>I enter a particularly reflective mood. My heart is full of gratitude for so many things: <span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; line-height: 20.7px;">I still have a job I enjoy, a home I love, and a family I adore. </span></span></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; line-height: 20.7px;">For some fun reading, here are </span><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2288bb;"><a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2010/11/thankful-writer.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">ten reasons I'm thankful to be a writer.</a></span></span></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">I'm also extremely thankful for my online family. As a thank-you to my readers and fellow bloggers, I wanted to share a short Thanksgiving romantic fiction piece I wrote a few years ago (it's about 800 words long). I hope you enjoy! <a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2017/11/thankful-every-day.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2017/11/thankful-every-day.html</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Want to impress your dinner guests? Try: <a href="https://parade.com/1072705/jessicasager/thanksgiving-trivia/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://parade.com/1072705/jessicasager/thanksgiving-trivia/</a><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">I pray you all enjoy a wonderful week full of what you need.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> Happy Thanksgiving!</span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /><b>What are you thankful for having in your life?</b></span></span></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-46616602461961830412023-11-14T00:30:00.019-08:002023-11-14T00:30:00.133-08:00Win NaNoWriMo in Just 9 Days!<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2caa2uhBlxyy5WYy1NTbCpQp9mf1HWi8tsM5Te7Ie_g9vQe4xciWxHXs5GGdr4RIN5NtY7XjpsScNO7nEYvEJaEHrTx02pfVH_btuwzOu73Mga20ICYMF4Y7CVXmyHxLS_BfdtbxEl024Z13s7eZbE1j-p1-tYbgJDtUqveN9rhFKb7vDCRzJo7SRw/s441/Screenie-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="441" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2caa2uhBlxyy5WYy1NTbCpQp9mf1HWi8tsM5Te7Ie_g9vQe4xciWxHXs5GGdr4RIN5NtY7XjpsScNO7nEYvEJaEHrTx02pfVH_btuwzOu73Mga20ICYMF4Y7CVXmyHxLS_BfdtbxEl024Z13s7eZbE1j-p1-tYbgJDtUqveN9rhFKb7vDCRzJo7SRw/s320/Screenie-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">As most of you know, I chose not to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. I won't bother recapping my reasons now. </span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">However, if you are struggling to finish, or if you find yourself wishing you had joined in - it's not too late. <span style="line-height: 16.8px;">There are two weeks left to November, and thanks to </span><a href="http://melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/2013/11/speed-writing-eleventh-hour-help-for.html#comment-form" style="color: #888888; line-height: 16.8px; text-decoration-line: none;">Melissa Maygrove</a><span style="line-height: 16.8px;"> I found the article </span><a href="http://avajae.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-i-won-nanowrimo-in-9-days.html" style="color: #888888; line-height: 16.8px; text-decoration-line: none;">How I Won NaNoWriMo in 9 Days.</a><span style="line-height: 16.8px;"> </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br style="line-height: 16.8px;" /><span style="line-height: 16.8px;">That's right - nine days! The author, Ava Jae, shares her tips to completing her work in such a short amount of time. She also offers statistics to show you how she achieved her goal. It's worth a look.</span><br style="line-height: 16.8px;" /><br style="line-height: 16.8px;" /><span style="line-height: 16.8px;">Best of luck and HAPPY WRITING!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.8px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.8px;"><b>Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? How are you doing?</b></span></span></span>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-74409166158053885232023-11-07T00:30:00.015-08:002023-11-07T00:30:00.134-08:00Veteran Writing: Submissions Open<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS06amjuH827zwtKKfZKOTHJ8aMdeUDOavhMPY2eMqvlumpC6yl4VXbxs6yHsRors49EADa5WDYF2etWPJFUVS6K_JAt4QG9OwDmxEbX5HU1R6o6CYMwY-8BScDBcI0s1IArrkeZg8MuPYW0QKhsUzwdSpJtEakhYq0GOkevZT_t_hUzwAtU_PLcIjOQ/s709/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS06amjuH827zwtKKfZKOTHJ8aMdeUDOavhMPY2eMqvlumpC6yl4VXbxs6yHsRors49EADa5WDYF2etWPJFUVS6K_JAt4QG9OwDmxEbX5HU1R6o6CYMwY-8BScDBcI0s1IArrkeZg8MuPYW0QKhsUzwdSpJtEakhYq0GOkevZT_t_hUzwAtU_PLcIjOQ/s320/OIP.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">Happy Veterans Day (Week)!</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thank-you to all veterans and active military. We may not show it enough, but you are so very appreciated!<br /><br />Ten years ago, my interview of Vietnam War Veteran and author Tim O’Brien appeared in <i>Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors, Volume 2. </i></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">The publishers have since continued the tradition of supporting our troops. </span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">This yearly anthology presents essays, fiction, poetry, interviews, and photography by military-service personnel, veterans, and their families. It is an annual series published by <i>Southeast Missouri State University Press</i> in cooperation with the <i>Missouri Humanities Council's Veterans Projects</i> and the <i>Warriors Arts Alliance</i>.</span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br />"The stories and poems of service and sacrifice are essential in understanding what has so broadly been termed 'the American experience.' For me,<i> Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors</i> is required reading and worthy of a thousand tears." ―St. Leger Monty Joynes, veteran, Vietnam<br /><br />Books can now be ordered from the Southeast Missouri State University Press and Amazon.<br /><br />Interested in submitting to<b> Volume 13</b>? They are already accepting submissions which are due by April 26, 2024. Contests and prizes will be awarded in each of the five categories. To learn more, please visit: <a href="http://www.semopress.com/events/proud-to-be-writing-by-american-warriors/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.semopress.com/events/proud-to-be-writing-by-american-warriors/</a><br /><br />Want to check out more "support America" reads? <i>Chicken Soup for the Soul </i>publishers have several books honoring veterans and their families as well. Try some of their titles such as: <i>Military Families </i>and<i> The Spirit of America.</i><br /><br />How about reading more veteran related material? Try <a href="http://www.sleuthsayers.org/2015/09/noir-and-returning-war-vet-sub-genre.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">Noir and Returning War Vet Sub-Genre</a>, or <a href="http://www.sleuthsayers.org/2015/10/being-veteran.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">Being a Veteran</a>.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Have you thanked a Veteran for their service? Have you written with our military in mind? What military reads would you recommend?</b></span></div></div></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-36293279769492251072023-11-01T00:30:00.020-07:002023-11-01T00:30:00.148-07:00IWSG: NaNoWriMo<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdGf1oSQofHvokyNg1kAfuqVpcxaM6v943JX02yOinsANtQGTlzZ3AunMl24eWot-8ssZ2-dYW15-qLMYlWbNcx-DSpu8KzGs8qQpkhwokkCB0vBBtOBJrKDJ77Blm697YK0-rMx1uzJ1MfFRJ0wVC1po5f8yxqJuaVg2cY4NETMVcrw_gO43uFDxQg/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdGf1oSQofHvokyNg1kAfuqVpcxaM6v943JX02yOinsANtQGTlzZ3AunMl24eWot-8ssZ2-dYW15-qLMYlWbNcx-DSpu8KzGs8qQpkhwokkCB0vBBtOBJrKDJ77Blm697YK0-rMx1uzJ1MfFRJ0wVC1po5f8yxqJuaVg2cY4NETMVcrw_gO43uFDxQg/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;">t’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;">founded by </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Alex J. Cavanaugh</strong></a>. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab ab</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;">ove and sign up. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times; line-height: 18.4px;">We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Facebook page</strong></a>.</span><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sign-up List.</a></span></span></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><b>NOVEMBER 1 QUESTION -</b> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>MY ANSWER - </b></span><span style="font-family: times;">I participated a couple of times several years ago. While the process is interesting and I believe it's beneficial to some, the process just never worked out for me. I always seem to have a family emergency in November. Four years in a row now an immediate family member ended up in the hospital in November. So, NaNoWriMo fell by the wayside each time. Right now, it's not feasible for me to try again. I'm working full-time (two jobs) so I cannot dedicate the time this month.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>How about you? </b></span><b><span style="font-family: times;">Have you ever participated. Are you this year? Why?</span></b></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-53198662719584508002023-10-27T00:30:00.007-07:002023-10-27T00:30:00.145-07:00The Next Fall Step<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU6BXAVrL5Atr315Q_oabjFpY5mkvngFvq-MSRjv7dj0khOq1RR2-s5t8ABTl4PRwS-Fe8X7tlEAXgLByU9MwZH5BzBcPJY2cabR1LwuxligSQd8lr3X6_KOjp-6fN_glMrQakFSAcDmI8ol0X-FaY2wsU8Dq6BUDHF8_SD7l6kWCSTyrK5y_wWJjDA/s275/Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU6BXAVrL5Atr315Q_oabjFpY5mkvngFvq-MSRjv7dj0khOq1RR2-s5t8ABTl4PRwS-Fe8X7tlEAXgLByU9MwZH5BzBcPJY2cabR1LwuxligSQd8lr3X6_KOjp-6fN_glMrQakFSAcDmI8ol0X-FaY2wsU8Dq6BUDHF8_SD7l6kWCSTyrK5y_wWJjDA/s1600/Fall.jpg" width="275" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">It's the last weekend of October and while many of you will be celebrating Halloween or Dia de los Muertos, others are preparing for NaNoWriMo and/or the next step.</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;">No matter where you are in your planning, writing, or publishing journey, I thought you might be in need of some inspiration and advice.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">https://nanowrimo.org/</a><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150927133155/http://www.creativenonfiction.org:80/brevity/craft/craft_heynen1_10.htm" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Becoming Your Own Best Critic</a><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://lithub.com/interview-with-a-gatekeeper-riverheads-rebecca-saletan/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Interview With a Gatekeeper: Riverheads Rebecca Saletan</a><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://columbiajournal.org/ask-the-editor-an-interview-with-sarah-cantin-of-st-martins-press/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Ask the Editor: An Interview With Sarah Cantin of St. Martins Press</a><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://creativenonfiction.org/writing/picturing-the-personal-essay-a-visual-guide/#author-biography" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Picturing the Personal Essay</a><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">How about you? What is your next step?<br /></span></b></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-57480831496588577602023-10-22T00:30:00.000-07:002023-10-22T00:30:00.145-07:00Fall Fun 2023<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg819QZmetRv1GeOFpB5kAHx_v3kbcqBAR0ZVdm9Cmz5XnOGejEF6DMBgJu2JYt2xkbaFdq01aCISdWND0g2RJp8MnTwGW5_0_M3LICsF5Q_T0hOtKwg921bEWyAtTIYWr9ZaYKQmK4E1VrkNDk0_VpEjjY-qvgvmxBZC_U25l9MIXlPJp2w2jeqPR0og/s1000/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="628" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg819QZmetRv1GeOFpB5kAHx_v3kbcqBAR0ZVdm9Cmz5XnOGejEF6DMBgJu2JYt2xkbaFdq01aCISdWND0g2RJp8MnTwGW5_0_M3LICsF5Q_T0hOtKwg921bEWyAtTIYWr9ZaYKQmK4E1VrkNDk0_VpEjjY-qvgvmxBZC_U25l9MIXlPJp2w2jeqPR0og/s320/halloween.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">Fall temperatures have finally arrived in our area.<span style="color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> Orange decorations, and pumpkin everything, seem to be surrounding us. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">We usually stay busy all month long with many seasonal activities: marching contests, Fall festivals, the Texas Renaissance Festival, etc. We also enjoy visiting the local pumpkin patches and Scarecrow Festivals.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">If you prefer to stay home cuddled up with a good read instead of heading out to crowds celebrating seasonal festivals, try one of my suggestions from <a href="http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/10/scary-reads-to-terrify-your-inner-child.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">10 Scary Reads to Terrify Your Inner Child</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">I also recommend<span style="color: #0b0118;"> my short story "Lights Out" which can be found in<i> Road Kill, Texas Horror Volume 4</i> from<i> Hellbound Books Publishing: <a href="http://www.hellboundbookspublishing.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">here.</a></i></span></span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">If you're looking for something a little lighter, try my romantic Halloween short story (about 800 words): <a href="http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2016/10/madame-tooshkas-spell.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Madame Tooshkas Spell</a>.</span><br /><br />Interested in <b>FREE</b> scary books? <a href="http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/free-scary-books-for-halloween/80294" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;">Try one of these!</a><br /><br />Need a few scary good costume ideas? Try one of these <a href="https://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/10-minute-literary-halloween-costumes-dress-like-your-favorite-character" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">10 Minute Literary Halloween Costumes</a> and dress like your favorite characters.<br /><br /><b>How are you celebrating this season?</b></span></span></span>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-7756200341005200962023-10-16T00:30:00.009-07:002023-10-16T00:30:00.143-07:00#WEP - October #FlashFiction Challenge - The Phantom of the Opera - Post October 18 - 20<p> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #5d4828; font-family: times; font-size: 13.2px;">Welcome writers! Are you ready for a spooky challenge? For more specifics than I have listed here, or to visit the source: </span><a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2023/10/wep-october-flashfiction-challenge.html">Write...Edit...Publish -- Online Writing Community: #WEP - October #FlashFiction Challenge - The Phantom of the Opera - Post October 18 - 20 (writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com)</a></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgUVETRyvBHSLn6iz5LkYXbly2CAZywM1XWKtSzfamtWTPY7WbCjCnthaVhX_HFS0e26tuG9Nuwcq6G8agqBNtT7pAQ2H-tBsyQrIRBdGMAwLWnaUPLfEN44lgMop0fL113IPuHL7Ox7tZ1eweTVyPBuH1JqvleA-2BVbcmdZgg-Rex8Qk3zQhpIlfxp3/s5921/Ghost%20mask.jpg" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="5921" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgUVETRyvBHSLn6iz5LkYXbly2CAZywM1XWKtSzfamtWTPY7WbCjCnthaVhX_HFS0e26tuG9Nuwcq6G8agqBNtT7pAQ2H-tBsyQrIRBdGMAwLWnaUPLfEN44lgMop0fL113IPuHL7Ox7tZ1eweTVyPBuH1JqvleA-2BVbcmdZgg-Rex8Qk3zQhpIlfxp3/w368-h48/Ghost%20mask.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="368" /></a></b></div><b><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 16.478px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.478px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.478px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome to the October Challenge </span></span></b></p></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 16.478px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">for WEP - Write...Edit...Publish,</span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 16.478px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Phantom of the Opera!</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 17.12px;">Hey writers, </span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 17.12px;">Ren</span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 17.12px;">é</span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 17.12px;">e</span></b><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 19.26px;"> here with our next challenge. We chose the movie The Phantom of the O</span></b><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot", serif; line-height: 19.26px;">pera to inspire your writing for this month's WEP Challenge. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #333333; line-height: 16.478px;">Post October 18th to 20th, 2023<o:p style="font-size: 15pt;"></o:p></span></b></p><div class="inlinkzDiv_1" id="_1" style="display: table;"><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMY6d8cQVnSrNywogRx_IMtiPWl3FJ1GvWFWLS3w1on9DMCAMLmoLrXphVJh0KJi55lt9Isd1F_TNajJdPf9bAnwtO3BA8TfsPuX_g6DMD_xG20PNucw9RPXVCiyWXufJLmmSTPpzX4PZqq_ojnaG0vDupkt9_p6FIO61l0Wlk8ohGE-8Vwu00_VC3A/s320/the-phantom-of-the-opera-movie-poster.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px;" width="293" /><br /><strong>FLASH FICTION, POETRY, NON-FICTION, PHOTO ESSAYS...<br />POST OCTOBER 18th - 20th</strong></p><ol style="background-color: #dbe0e1; color: #444444; font-family: "Droid Serif"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong>SUBMIT</strong> your name and URL to the list below starting <strong>October 18th to the 20th</strong></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong>POST</strong> your entry according to October's prompt <strong>"PHANTOM OF THE OPERA"</strong></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong>USE WEP</strong> in your <strong>Title</strong> and the <strong>Poster</strong> on your page. Post your word count.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong>STATE</strong> feedback preferences and give positive feedback as requested. See <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/the-critique.html" style="color: #884704; text-decoration-line: none;">WEP Critique Pag</a>e.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong>SHARE THE CHALLENGE</strong> on social media. Tweets are ready on the WEP blog.</li></ol><div>Open to all genres - 1000 words maximum <br /><br /></div><div>Email Denise or another team member if you have more questions:</div><div><strong>den.covey@gmail.com yolandarenee@hotmail.com nilabose@gmail.com</strong></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="_inlinkzLinksTable"><tbody><tr><td class="_inlinkzA" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot"; font-size: 15.4px; font-weight: 700;">1. </td><td style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot"; font-size: 15.4px; font-weight: 700;"><a class="_inlinkzA" href="https://www.inlinkz.com/displayurl.php?id=38582680" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Go to dencovey.blogspot.com/2023/10/wep-october2023-my-flashfiction-ghost.html ">Denise Covey</a> </td><td class="_inlinkzA" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot"; font-size: 15.4px; font-weight: 700;">2. </td><td style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot"; font-size: 15.4px; font-weight: 700;"><a class="_inlinkzA" href="https://www.inlinkz.com/displayurl.php?id=38582716" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Go to yolandarenee.blogspot.com/2023/10/wep-phantom-of-opera.html ">Yolanda Renee</a> </td><td class="_inlinkzA" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot"; font-size: 15.4px; font-weight: 700;">3. </td><td style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: "GFS Didot"; font-size: 15.4px; font-weight: 700;"><a class="_inlinkzA" href="https://www.inlinkz.com/displayurl.php?id=38582717" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Go to olgagodim.wordpress.com/2023/10/17/wep-oct-2023-the-phantom-of-the-opera/ ">Olga Godim</a> </td></tr></tbody></table></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-64556630957502029452023-10-09T00:30:00.001-07:002023-10-09T00:30:00.133-07:00Autumn Writing<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha_Jzbx-nCYSo0L5N-luUi44_K367YBMn_SZVo7RlteWpPfFLcDbwAK6JHUWDqsQyM2OaBo9A5DRRqDw52tCLffFm12fcXg6dnlDReafRmhf9qGeUNU1jlgNsD7V2J_9cpJMScvG8G6lz8YnlJhBu4UuWKMZ2plib1suUE9ye7UbAqcmD0NpnU8h-XQ/s275/Fall%20posts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha_Jzbx-nCYSo0L5N-luUi44_K367YBMn_SZVo7RlteWpPfFLcDbwAK6JHUWDqsQyM2OaBo9A5DRRqDw52tCLffFm12fcXg6dnlDReafRmhf9qGeUNU1jlgNsD7V2J_9cpJMScvG8G6lz8YnlJhBu4UuWKMZ2plib1suUE9ye7UbAqcmD0NpnU8h-XQ/s1600/Fall%20posts.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>It's finally Fall, and we just had our first big cool front here in southeast Texas. Although, highs are still near 80, we are getting into the 50's at night. Just a few weeks ago temperatures were still hitting near 100 degrees. I'm glad to see the changing season. <p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times;">I'm also hoping to change and increase my writing output as I've been too busy to write as much as I would like lately. I'm teaching both high school and college classes, and my kids are involved in a lot of extracurriculars which require a lot of travel. Don't get me wrong - I'm grateful for everything we have and share. It can all just be overwhelming at times and writing continually takes a backseat when it isn't directly related to work. In that vein, I thought I would share some writing prompts - not all of them are season related, but you can make them such if you wish. I hope they inspire some wickedly wonderful Autumn tales!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">1) Write a Fall or Halloween special for your favorite television show.</span></p><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">2) Design your own school of magic: what does it look like? what subjects are taught? Who are the teachers? What are some of the back-to-school traditions?</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">3) Create a legend about your city.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">4) Write an acrostic poem.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">5) Write about a Thanksgiving dinner attended by your favorite fictional character.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">6) Write a scene from the POV of Alexa or Siri.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">7) Create a fake news report.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">8) Write a retelling of your favorite Shakespeare play.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">9) Write a scene that takes place in your favorite bookstore or coffee shop.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">10) Write about a character who has terrible luck.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">11) Write a Fall scene without using the word pumpkin.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">12) Write about the worst possible break up you could imagine.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">13) Make up your own conspiracy theory.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">14) Write a story that takes place in a corn maze.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">15) Write a ghost story.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;">16) Take a favorite Christmas song and rewrite the words to be about Halloween, or Thanksgiving.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">What are you writing? Are you trying any of these? Any other prompts you want to share?</span></b></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-42935538587402339702023-10-04T00:30:00.038-07:002023-10-04T00:30:00.142-07:00IWSG:AI<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93bXZyrXQSk4Okdw6Kad7CvoQBHQC3te8k81tpmw_bbvHhopAJuWykptmvUa6OQNV_mEeEBsbzNxYPf1wHersKfD9_SnN4sqEWR8WBKa4IYyiTDwkXiSTMVZZ5dlcjp_k8CEXpazQL7xz9SP9XjS6TUaBVx_VNe6RFqqYIOns7pj5q7w7lUa-fbqF3w/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93bXZyrXQSk4Okdw6Kad7CvoQBHQC3te8k81tpmw_bbvHhopAJuWykptmvUa6OQNV_mEeEBsbzNxYPf1wHersKfD9_SnN4sqEWR8WBKa4IYyiTDwkXiSTMVZZ5dlcjp_k8CEXpazQL7xz9SP9XjS6TUaBVx_VNe6RFqqYIOns7pj5q7w7lUa-fbqF3w/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">I<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">t’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">founded by </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Alex J. Cavanaugh</strong></a>. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab ab</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">ove and sign up. </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.4px;">We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong>Facebook page</strong></a>.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #2288bb; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sign-up List.</a></span></span></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><b>OCTOBER 4 QUESTION -</b> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>MY ANSWER - </b>A lot of people are worrying about AI writing. If you'll remember, many worried electronic devices would replace physical copies, self-publishing would be the downfall of all publishers, etc. I think AI will cause changes, but not replace all writers. As we've seen from the writer's strikes already, many want laws put into place to prevent loss of jobs and identities. I believe society will grapple with this concept for quite a while.</span></p>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32407491425448969.post-65417173753423799702023-09-27T15:32:00.002-07:002023-09-27T15:32:19.166-07:002023 Banned Books Week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5BWL1HYmPIsyusPz-aOSnonLxdrZY-eAJvlQCFilmVgXDubHpVhIafZpMlobTL_bc6dN5AabfW21Laa5N2ohRqSfeAP5Vt0-SA3ek9zlRFsJV41-raIFX2bwsEXNaArqHrLfEOTV-cJz7nwe2L0PB1sna1MS36wJo0CvOQ5bxuFk7yT7bZFZ96DgGMA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="393" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5BWL1HYmPIsyusPz-aOSnonLxdrZY-eAJvlQCFilmVgXDubHpVhIafZpMlobTL_bc6dN5AabfW21Laa5N2ohRqSfeAP5Vt0-SA3ek9zlRFsJV41-raIFX2bwsEXNaArqHrLfEOTV-cJz7nwe2L0PB1sna1MS36wJo0CvOQ5bxuFk7yT7bZFZ96DgGMA=w400-h184" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">October 1 is the beginning of "</span><strong style="color: #222222;">BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2023". </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Below is a couple of lists of the most frequently challenged books.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.</span><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">The Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged books list is compiled by the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and is based on or derived from communities across the United States. However, this year (2022) they increased their list to the 13 most challenged. See that list <a href="http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Levar Burton is the Honorary Chair of this year's </span></span><span style="font-family: times;">"</span><strong style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times;">BANNED BOOKS WEEK"</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times;">. You can learn more about him and this activities this week at:</span><strong style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times;"> </strong><a href="https://bannedbooksweek.org/" style="background-color: transparent;">Banned Books Week | October 1 – 7, 2023</a></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-family: times;">You can also view previous lists by year as well at OIF. The list of the most banned books for 2023 will be available in April of 2024. However, if you're curious about the most frequently banned books of all time in America:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9158472850742908295" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>TEN OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY CHALLENGED BOOKS IN AMERICAN HISTORY:</b><br /><br /></span><div class=" clearfix" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Some books have been repeatedly banned or challenged throughout history. This is a list of books that appear the most often on THE UNITED STATES banned books lists.</span></span></div><div class=" clearfix" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" id="s-lg-link-list-1311116" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/9944718" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219970" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTrY5QED5CAO_1xIiRk97zbVDOfEwWm311317GfDaYwLoEBpzr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219970" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">1984 </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219970" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219970" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">George Orwell</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PR6029.R8 N49 1984</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 1984</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219970" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reason: pro-communism ideas, sexuality</span></div></li></ul></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/47009949" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219972" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=0585363447/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219972" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219972" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219972" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Mark Twain (Performed by); Emory Elliott</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS1305 .A1 1996</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 0585363447</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 1999-01-01</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219972" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reason: racism</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/58794069" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219973" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=0316769533/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219973" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Catcher in the Rye </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219973" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219973" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">J. D. Salinger</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS3537.A426 C3 1979</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 0316769533</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 1951-07-16</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219973" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reasons: offensive language, unsuited for certain age groups</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/8221433" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219974" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=0156028352/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219974" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Color Purple </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219974" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219974" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Alice Walker</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS3573.A425 C6 1982</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 0156028352</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 2003-05-28</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219974" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for certain age groups</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/53476312" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219976" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780684830421/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219976" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The Great Gatsby </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219976" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219976" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">F. Scott Fitzgerald; Matthew J. Bruccoli (Preface by)</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS3511.I9 G7 2000</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 9780684830421</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 1996-06-01</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219976" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reasons: reference to drugs, sexuality, and profanity</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/32879002" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219978" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780394429861/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219978" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219978" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219978" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Maya Angelou</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS3551.N464 Z466 1997</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 9780394429861</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 1970-01-12</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219978" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reason: sexually explicit</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/52623558" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219979" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780399529207/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219979" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Lord of the Flies </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219979" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219979" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">William Golding; E. M. Forster (Introduction by)</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PR6013.O35 L63 2003</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 9780399529207</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 2003-10-28</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219979" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reason: profanity, sexuality, racial slurs, and excessive violence</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/48397677" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219981" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780142000670/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219981" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Of Mice and Men </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219981" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219981" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">John Steinbeck</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS3537.T3234 O2 2002</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 9780142000670</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 2002-01-08</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219981" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reasons: offensive language, racism, violence</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/48171243" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219983" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780670030583/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219983" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219983" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219983" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Ken kesey</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: PS3561.E667 O5 2002</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 9780670030583</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 2002-01-28</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219983" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reasons: profanity, unsavory theme, sexuality, and racism</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><ul class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 2.5em 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 5px 0px 0px;"><div class="s-lg-book-props" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://butler.on.worldcat.org/oclc/276976" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><span class="s-lg-book-cover" id="s-lg-book-cover-1219985" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" src="https://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780061743528/LC.GIF&client=springshare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 90px;" /></span><span class="s-lg-book-title" id="s-lg-book-title-1219985" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">To Kill a Mockingbird </span><span class="s-lg-book-by" id="s-lg-book-by-1219985" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="s-lg-book-author" id="s-lg-book-author-1219985" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Harper Lee</span></span></a></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Call Number: Adult PS3562.E353 T6 1982</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">ISBN: 9780061743528</span></div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Publication Date: 2010-05-11</span></div><div class="s-lg-link-desc" id="s-lg-link-desc-1219985" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reasons: offensive language; racism</span></div></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: times;">If you would like more information about banned and challenged books, contact the Office for Intellectual Freedom at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4220, or <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="text-decoration-line: none;">oif@ala.org</a>. Another god source of information on banned books is the "Libraries and Center for Academic Technology" site by Butler University: <a href="https://libguides.butler.edu/c.php?g=34189&p=217684" style="text-decoration-line: none;">https://libguides.butler.edu/c.php?g=34189&p=217684</a></span></div></div></div></div>Sylvia Neyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09700149683391617521noreply@blogger.com0