To all my current and future #DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check out my story about TODAY'S WORD:
FESTIVALS
Sometime during my early childhood years, my hometown got the urge to create a festival. I'm sure whoever was on that committee looked around and after seeing the multitude of water fowl migrating and living in the surrounding marshland, decided the best idea they could come up with is the annual Duck Festival. Over the years it expanded to such a level that my hometown became officially known as the Duck Capital of America, but in my mind it will always be just a one horse town stuck in the middle of nowhere...
Writers are naturally drawn to anywhere other writers congregate. Drawn to the energy of creativity and the possibility that new knowledge about the craft of writing will somehow be passed onto them.
I had the chance to attend the Rose Glen Literary Festival this past weekend and came away infused with a renewed passion to continue on my publication journey. Some of the people I came across included...
Sam Venable...a retired journalist whose down home style of writing exudes such warmth that this extreme introvert felt comfortable enough to have a twenty minute conversation with him, including asking him to autograph one of his books for my sister.
Wiley Cash...New York Times best selling author and keynote speaker at the luncheon. The food was delicious, the atmosphere open and inviting, and the speaker telling of an intriguing tale of murder and mayhem in a small town not unlike my own.
But my absolute favorite time was during the ABC's of Writing for Children workshop I attended. It was hosted by Rick Starkey, (www.rickstarkey.com), author of BLUES BONES, and the amazing Debbie Dadey, (www.debbiedadey.com), author of the ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS and her latest series, MERMAID TALES.
I came away with lovely attendance prizes like a cool tote bag, a neat writing journal, a beautiful piece of art, and a hand crafted souvenir pottery jar I'm going to use to hold my drawing pencils. Oh yeah, and a few autographed books...
ARE YOU THE MISSING PIECE? is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and other fine retailers. It was a #1 international bestseller in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US last fall.
International best selling author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host and book reviewer for Harper Collins, She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and Children's Book Insider. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, time at the beach, and well written stories.
I love Sam Venable and I was/am thrilled with the book he signed for me. I had the privilege of speaking to him briefly once about one of his columns. He was very gracious in listening to my tale of a similar experience my sister had. Thank you for the book, Donna and Sam.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed chatting with him, Janet, and had to chuckle at how he personalized his message to you...;~)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
What an awesome time! It was also nice to put a face behind the blogger. :D Great post as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erik! How’s your own writing and blogging coming along?
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!