Thursday, February 2, 2012

Where Gilligan?


I used to think I was stranded on this writer island alone.    I didn't even have Gilligan, Mary Ann, or the Professor to keep me company.  Just me and my little ol' computer meandering our way through manuscripts and rewrites while we wait to be rescued from the solitary writer's life.



Then came...THE BLOG!  What I thought would be a little endeavor on my way to building an "author platform" has now become an award winning event!  I honestly don't know why all writers don't have a blog.  After all, it IS what we do...we write...and for me Blogland is the perfect place for me to allow my creativity to run wild.  I'm not restricted to any particular art form and I get the chance to let really cool pictures inspire me to write.


There are a few websites and blogs out there that actually TALK about blogging, but for the most part I had to learn as I go along.  My blog had only been up and running for a couple of months but I quickly got into the rhythm of my blogging voice and my followers seem to enjoy my posts.  But this past week has been amazing for me!


First it was the Versatile Blogger Award.  Now it's the Liebster Blog Award.  I received THREE of these little babies from my new writer friends Cheryl Wilson Velasquez (http://www.cherylvelasquez.blogspot.com ),  Louise Nottingham (http://www.louisesblogtoday.blogspot.com ), and Marcie Colleen (http://www.writeroutine.blogspot.com ).  I am touched by these ladies' generosity of spirit for awarding me this prize!

Acceptance of the Liebster Blog Award demands that I reveal 5 things about myself so here goes:

1.  I was told almost 11 years ago I would be in a wheelchair shortly due to an inoperable degenerative disc that was crumbling quickly.  I was also told to quit training in TaeKwonDo because it would be detrimental to my health and quicken my immobility.  I didn't buy in to either prediction and today I am a 4th Degree Black Belt in TKD and still kicking.

2.  When I was younger, I could wrap my right leg around my left leg...twice.  Don't ask me how I could do it...it's one of the mysteries of life.  Needless to say, I can't do it now to save my soul.

3.  Despite running a martial arts facility where I am in front of crowds for more than 25 classes each week...not to mention judging testings and tournaments...I am an EXTREME INTROVERT and really dislike the spotlight...

4.  My first published piece of work was a poem in a vanity press publication because I was young and didn't know any better.  Ahhh, we all live and learn.

5.  When I was in my 20's I saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time.  Then I saw it again...every weekend...for the next 52 weeks...for the audience participation as much as for the movie itself.  


Now it's my turn to hand the torch to other deserving bloggers out there.  Even though these blog sites might not have a lot of followers...yet, they are mighty in their messages and worth checking out!

5.  Brenda Harris (http://www.drawacircle.net )

Congrats to all these winners.  Why not take a moment and check out their blogs?  

Well, I don't need to search for Gilligan and the crew any more.  I'm no longer alone on my writer island.  There is a world of wonderful new writer friends for me to meet.  And what about all those awards waiting out there for us to win?  For myself, I'm pretty sure the Oscar committee will be calling me next and I have to figure out what am I going to wear!





16 comments:

  1. Congrats on another award. I have no doubt you will be getting many more. Just remember, I was good to you once.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And no doubt, Janet, you will be good to me again in the future...it just might be AFTER I win the lottery! ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  2. Congrats on your Liebster Award! (And when you accept your Oscar, I'll be cheering you on!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to write about the wonderful Kreativ Blog award you have given me as well, Beth, but I have to come up with 10 interesting things to say first! Lol

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  3. #1 = You are my hero!!

    #5 - I am the opposite. I've NEVER seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show

    Fun to learn more about you! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol...thanks, Julie...I don't know about the "hero" thing, but my students do think it's impressive that I'm still walking...;0)

      Beth gave me the Kreativ Blog award and now I have to think up 10 more tidbits about me to tell the world...lol

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. Thank you for the award and blog mention! You are too kind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nopie, Russ...well deserved! I hope more people "follow" you soon...

      Delete
  5. TaeKwon Sabunim Martin! I am honored that you chose my blog for the Leibster award! I am currently a red belt with a black stripe in TaeKwonDo. I enjoyed reading about how TKD has helped you in your life! It has really helped me too :) I am going to check out the other blogs you nominated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erik, I am so proud of you! At my school we would call you a Senior Red Belt which is the last belt before Probationary Black Belt in our ranking system. Is the next rank you test for going to be your first black belt? I knew you were an impressive young man but didn't realize you were a martial artist as well!

      I have even written a middle grade novel based on the martial arts and our school. The title is The Warriors Three and it's about these three young men, about your age, that want to attend a tournament but they can't afford the entry fees. The novel is about the challenges they face not only earning the tournament fees, but in also having the confidence to compete in the first place. I have thrown in some twists and turns and a surprise ending at the tournament. I think you would appreciate the story..;0)

      Take care...

      Delete
  6. Thank you Sabunim! Yes I am (hopefully) going to test for my junior blackbelt in the next couple of months. I will let you know when I do. I will check your book out! It sounds good :) I competed in a couple of tournaments and it is a lot of fun!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erik, you are too kind. My novel is written, but as of yet unpublished...still in the revision stages but I will let you know if it ever becomes a published reality! Good luck on your black belt testing...I have NO DOUBT that you will do a fabulous job and make both your parents and your chief instructor proud!

      Delete
  7. Congrats on all the awards. You deserve every one! Now what you didn't reveal is this: do you have an outfit like Cher's?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HAHAHA, Hannah! If I had a body like Cher's I'd probably buy one in every color!

      Thanks for stopping by and giving me a chuckle to start my morning! Come back any time!

      Delete
  8. Oh Wow! Congrats on the award Donna.... now if you are going to be wearing an outfit like Cher's I will certainly be attending the Oscars to see you recieve it...LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too funny, Diane! Forget the dress, I just would love to have a body like Cher's! Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete