Wordless Wednesday with Linky

Would anyone help your child?

This is called the Bystander effect, where strangers don't act when it comes to helping someone in trouble. Amidst all the tragedies lately, it's nice to know some people out there in the world do care and will help. I actually cried at the end when someone did come to the 7 year old's rescue.

Don't forget to add your Wordless Wednesday post to the Linky below.

Have a truly blessed holiday and Merry Christmas!!!

Writing, Whether You're Inspired or Not by Karey White

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

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There are few things better than working on a book when you're inspired. It's almost like a high school crush. You can hardly breathe while you're writing, you think about it all the time, you're a little like a stalker and will do whatever you can to be close to it, and you can't wait until the next time you get to be with it. Remember when your whole day would be better because you passed him in the hall and he said hi? or smiled at you? or maybe just looked at you? The whole day was a success. That's how it is when you're in a good groove with your writing. You get that great scene and the rest of the day is good. Then there were the disappointing days, You were looking forward to seeing your crush and you put on your cutest outfit and you'd figured out how you were going to sit close enough to him during lunch that he'd have to notice you. But then you get to school and discover he's home sick, or he's gone with the basketball team for the day. It kinda stunk and it was hard to keep slogging through the day. Those days happen in writing, too. You're all ready to kill it, but then you can't get in the groove? Maybe you've had a few too many interruptions or distractions. You had to help someone with homework or you had to fix dinner or the bills had to be paid. Those can really kill the euphoria, right? In my experience, those disappointing days are the days that require the most guts. Just as it wasn't fun to go to science if HE wasn't there, it isn't fun to write when the inspiration isn't there. The answer is to gut through it anyway. You couldn't just check out of school (although maybe you tried) and if you want to write, you can't let distractions and lack of inspiration make you check out. You have to gut through it and write anyway. Usually when I do that, it doesn't take too long before I've forgotten about the distractions and the inspiration starts coming. I find when I write, even when I didn't feel like writing, I usually end up with something I can use. And just like the crush, who will probably be back at school the next day, the inspiration will show up again, too. And if you're lucky, it'll smile at you and make your heart race.

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For What It's Worth: 
Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Links

Website * Twitter * Facebook 

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card + A Copy of For What It's Worth
Paperback available to US only, Ebook Available Internationally



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Wordless Wednesday with Linky

I've been recuperating from one of many surgeries I've had this year and I apologize for not responding to comments. I'm going to go through all of them this week....promise.

This week my thirteen year old daughter was inducted into the Theta Theta Sigma Rhoer Club of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, along with eight other beautiful and intelligent young girls. I'm the advisor of this youth program for the local chapter and I was truly delighted to see them all become a part of this community service program.

I was sent a video about two young ladies belonging to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc at the undergraduate college level. They created the video for a project for one of their college classes. It was very moving to me because so many of our young people are facing challenges and one issue that rarely gets discuss is suicide. It also touched me because they are a part of the organization that I belong to. So for this not so Wordless Wednesday, watch the video and tell me what you think. If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone please call 1-800-273-TALK for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Remember...Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. You are loved!

Happy Wordless Wednesday and 

Don't forget to add your photo the linky list below!

For What It's Worth by Karey White

For What It's Worth by Karey White


Twenty-four year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.

Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?

Praise for For What It's Worth


Reading Karey White’s books, like eating chocolate cake, is always satisfying and brings a smile to my face. For What It’s Worth is light, romantic, and delicious. It’s a great pleasure read. Sit down and get lost in the charming world of wedding cakes and love. As an added bonus, each chapter  starts with a recipe, so it’s a novel and cookbook all in one. A fun read!
—Teri Harman, KSL columnist, Studio 5 contributor, and author of Blood Moon, available June 22, 2013

I just loved the book – loved it. Hated putting it down and hated finishing it. Karey White is my new Maeve Binchy, her writing as warm as the bakery her novel is set in. For What It’s Worth surprised me, made me smile, say “no” out loud in a public place. I love when a character feels like my sister. I didn’t want to finish it, so now I may try the recipes that began every chapter.
—Amanda Dickson, author and radio personality

This book oozes charm, romance, and mouth-watering recipes. If you want to escape reality and curl up with a darling story, For What It’s Worth is the perfect fit. Thank you, Karey White!
—Rachael Anderson, author

This is a book worth every penny of the price. In the business of baking wedding cakes, every detail must be perfection, but this story remembers that real life is oh-so-messy. White’s clear and honest writing left me hungry for good food, a close family, and a little romance. A beautiful marriage of food, family, and faith.
—Regina Sirois, author of On Little Wings, 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Book Trailer

Author Karey White


Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

Links

Website * Twitter * Facebook 

Blog Tour December 2012

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash from Author Karey White
Ends 12/14/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Karey and leave the others blank.


Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Wordless Wednesday with Linky

Here are two ribbon pearl bracelets I made as gifts for some young girls in my youth organization. They were really simple to make. I made eighteen bracelets. Nine blue, nine yellow. It took me about 2 hours to make them all. Below is the YouTube tutorial I used.

                                       Are you making any handmade gifts for Christmas?

Don't forget to add you Wordless Wednesday photo to the Linky below.

Wordless Wednesday with Linky

Here are a few of my Do it Yourself Projects for Christmas. They are pretty simple and easy to make. I have the flu..coupled with a sinus infection so I can't get any sleep which is a major bummer, but I was still able to make the the following three items today. I used a tutorial on YouTube. You can check them out below. Happy Wordless Wednesday!

A butterfly pin for the girls in the Rhoer Club of Sigma Gamma Rho.

My version of a cobra style bracelet with chain

My version of a helloberry bracelet.

Hello berry bracelet tutorial

Helloberry bracelet tutorial

Don't forget to add your Wordless Wednesday photo to the Linky below.

10 Do it Yourself Gift Ideas w/ Wordless Wednesday

Make a trip to the dollar store to make these post it note frames:
Click for tutorial

Have some mismatch earrings? Make some bookmarks:
Click for Tutorial

DIY Journal: Click for tutorial

Tea Wreath: Click for tutorial

Doughnuts and Milk: Click for tutorial

Caramel Apple: Click for tutorial

Take a visit to the hardware store to make some free gift tags:
Click for tutorial

Newspaper Gift Bags: Click for tutorial

When you don't know what to do with all your Christmas cards:
Christmas Card Booklet: Click for tutorial

Gift Card Snow Globe: Click for tutorial

Don't forget to add your Wordless Wednesday photo to the Linky below!

Wordless Wednesday with Linky

Do It Yourself Bookmarks




Don't forget to add your photo to the Linky list below!

The Do's and Don'ts of a Literary Journey by Vickie Hall

Vickie is the author of Secrets of the Red Box. She is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Nebraska. When she is not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant. She is also the author of the book, All That Was Promised.

Secrets of the Red Box
Bonnie has secrets to keep- secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing sh has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she's ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940's, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense- sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

5 Do's

1. Keep writing, no matter what.

2. Marketing is essential to your success, but find what works for you.

3. Continue to hone your craft - you can always learn something new that will make you a better writer.

4. Seek honest critiques of your work - family and friends are too nice.

5. Always keep a supply of your favorite snacks handy when writing.

5 Don'ts

1. Don't go to a book signing and just sit - you have to engage your potential readers with conversation and interaction.

2. You don't need an agent or a publisher to be a successful writer in today's world.

3. Don't be shy about your writing - tell everyone you meet to check out your work.

4. Don't let a publisher take advantage of you - read a contract very carefully and seek legal advise if necessary to fully understand what you're signing.

5. Don't self-edit your writing - by that I mean, write as freely as you can, without too much interjection of your; inner critic. You can always go back and revise, edit, and change, but doing so while you're writing can sometimes diminish the impact.

5 Books every aspiring author should have on their bookshelf and why?

1. The Power of Point of View by Alicia Rasley

This is a great resource for discovering what perspective works best for you, or for the genre you write.

2. Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
This book really helps define what makes a great character, how to raise the emotional stakes, transformations and why your characters need to change.

3. A copy of the book that made you want to be a writer

4. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
Still a useful resource, with usage and composition rules, commonly misused words and expressions, and the Approach to Style section is great.

5. Writing on Both Sides of the Brain: Breakthrough Techniques for People Who Write by Henriette Anne Klauser PhD
Left brain is analytical, mathematical, straight line thinking. Right brain is creative, uncensored and free.Tapping into the right brain can open avenues of writing you might never have considered.

You can continue to follow Vickie's journey at the following:

Blog

Website

Facebook

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Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop

If I listed all the people and things I'm grateful for, I would never shut up or stop typing because I am one blessed and highly favored child of God. One of the things I'm most grateful for is the written word. I've been fortunate enough to become an award winning author and now I can add award winning blog to the list of things I'm thankful for (I won two Black Weblog Awards; one for best personal blog and one for best blog post series). A very special thank you to all the blogaholics and book gangstas that voted for me. 

In gratitude to the written word, I'm participating in the Thankful for Books Giveaway. Books have been an important part of my life since I was a child. It was one of the ways I escaped reality and ventured into unknown worlds. Every time I write or read a book it leaves an imprint on me as a creative human being. I will forever be a writer and a reader, it is who I am.

Rules:

The Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop runs from November 8-13, 2012. 

To Enter: 

Fill out the Rafflecopter form

Giveaway is open to U.S. and International participants.

What's up for grabs?

$20 Gift card from Amazon or up to $20 in purchases from the Book Depository.

There are over 150 blogs participating in this hop, please take time to visit the other blogs and enter their giveaways. You could end up winning a great prize for the coming holiday season. For a complete list of blogs participating in this hop, click HERE. Thanks to Trista Pinkston and I am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting this hop.

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Wordless Wednesday with Linky

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his re-election! 

Did you exercise your right to vote today?

Don't forget to add your Wordless Wednesday photo to the Linky List below

A blog with book reviews, author interviews, book related info, events, conferences, tips and advice for readers and writers.

Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

Grace Doll had everything a girl could want: Fame. Fortune. Beauty.

Everything except, of course, her freedom. So when a powerful movie producer forces an experimental treatment on Grace--one that's purported to make beauty immortal--she stages her own death to escape him.

With the help of trusted friends, Grace slips into hiding. She's forever flawless, forever young and forever pursued by her past.

But when a stranger arrives on her doorstep, holding the key to a life she thought she'd left behind, Grace must decide between the safety she's known... and embracing the role she was born to play.

Purchase:

Barnes & Noble * Amazon * Book Depository

Goodreads

About the Author:


I write YA books. Whatever my heart desires, I write. I don't have someone over my shoulder, in some office somewhere telling me what I can and cannot write. Or should and shouldn't write. I listen to my heart, the center of my muse, and trust my instincts.

I've written since junior high school. An only child, I grew up writing big stories about big families. I also write YA under the name of JM Warwick. My hometown of Palos Verdes, California figures in much of my work, as does my current home of Pleasant Grove, Utah and other favorite places. I love to travel.

They say "write what you know" and I do. I am a mother, I have six children, five cats and a huge doberman/dane dog. I have a supportive husband and we've been married 25 years. Our lives, though challenging with a handicapped child who has autism, are centered in our family.

My life experiences have worked into all of my novels. Some more heavily than others, but parts of me are in each story. I love stories rich in family drama, where family members overcome obstacles through love and miracles.

Links:

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

Tour Giveaway:

$10 Amazon Gift Card + Copy of Grace Doll & Swag
Copy of Grace Doll
(Paperback open to US only, Ebook Internationally)

Ends 11/15/12

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Vote!

Wordless Wednesday w/ Linky

Toni Morrison at the interview session at the Sheer Good Fortune event

Maya Angelou at the reception for the Sheer Good Fortune event.

The drill field at Virginia Tech

We are sitting on the steps outside Burruss Auditorium at Virginia Tech, taking in the view of the drill field in the above photo.
Three ladies from Alabama as we called ourselves that day.
Poet Kimeko Farrar, Joneia P. Brown and myself, Lena Sledge

Don't forget to add your Wordless Wednesday photo to the Linky below so we can check it out!

Reading is Fundamental

In 1966, former teacher Margaret McNamara brought a bag of used books to four boys in Washington, D.C., whom she tutored in reading. When she told the children they could each select a book to keep, their astonishment and delight led her to discover that these children, and many of their classmates, had never owned any books. By that summer, McNamara had gathered a group of school volunteers, and on November 3, 1966, they launched the book distribution and reading motivation program they called Reading is FUNdamental. From November 1966 through the early 1970s, RIF expanded from a pilot project at three elementary schools in Washington, D.C., to a program reaching children in 60 of the city's public schools. Its well-known slogan during those times was "Reading is FUNdamental". In 1975, the U.S. Congress created the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program (IBDP) which provides federal matching funds to sites that qualify for RIF's national book program. Today, through its contract with the United States Department of Education to operate the IBDP, now supplemented with private funds, RIF programs operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. RIF is also affiliated with programs in Argentina and the United Kingdom.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the largest children’s literacy nonprofit in the United States. They prepare and motivate children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. They inspire children to be lifelong readers through the power of choice. RIF provides new, free books for children to choose from and make their own. The seeds of inspiration in these books have motivated children to follow their dreams and achieve their potential. Yes, it seems incredible for a book to launch a life, but it happens every day as hungry, inquisitive young minds reach out and grab hold of the new people, places, and ideas that books bring them.

Nearly two-thirds of low income families in the United States own no books. I wanted to highlight reading today because so many children are labeled as lazy in school. But I honestly think with today's technology they are over stimulated and are just tuning out. I remember days as a child, spending hours in the library debating over which books to check out. My family was poor so it wasn't until I was a teenager that I owned a book, which is probably why I won't loan out a book today. But I will buy you one. :-) And I perhaps if more kids had access or were encouraged to read in order to decompress from the outside noise and technology, maybe their grades from school would improve and the effort demonstrated by these students would increase.

My nine year old niece often ask me for books. Last night, she asked me for a book and a new bible. When she asks me, I get excited. I told my brother-in-law, you know if she asks me for books, I'm compelled to get them. Plus, I get to let out my book buying demon. Joy, joy and win-win for me.

So if you're out one day buying yourself a book, buy an extra one for a school classroom, library or family member or donate to RIF. Give back some of what you love, and the world may just be a little more productive because of it.

(Sources: RIF, Wikipedia and Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund)

Do you donate books or buy books as gifts?

The Waiting Booth by Brinda Berry

The Waiting Booth by Brinda Berry

A missing boy, government agents, an interdimensional portal... Mia has one goal for her senior year at Whispering Woods High-find her missing older brother. But when her science project reveals a portal into another dimension, she learns that travelers are moving in and out of her woods in the most alarming way and government agents Regulus and Arizona are policing their immigration. Mia's drawn to the mysterious, aloof Regulus, but it's no time for a crush. She needs to find out what they know about her brother, while the agents fight to save the world from viral contamination. But when Regulus reveals that he knows Mia's secrets, she begins to wonder if there's more going on than she thought...and if she was wrong to trust him...

Purchase:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Praise for The Waiting Booth:
"The book kept me on the edge of my seat with its perfect balance of teenaged angst, interdimensional portals, and a fractured family."
~ Author Christine Ashworth

"The description was so good I could easily see things as they happened...like a movie playing in my mind as I read. I just love Regulus. He's my kind of hero for sure."
~ Author Lynn Rush

Author Brinda Berry

Brinda Berry lives in the southern US with her family and two spunky cairn terriers. She has a BSE in English and French and a MEd in Learning Systems Technology. She's terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality. She doesn't mind being called a geek or “crazy dog lady”. When she's not working the day job or writing a novel, she's guilty of surfing the internet for no good reason.

Links:

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter 

Goodreads * Youtube * Google+

The Waiting Booth Book Trailer:

Book Blast Giveaway Details:
$100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 PayPal Cash from Author Brinda Berry
Ends 11/1/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Brinda and leave the others blank.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Wordless Wednesday with Linky

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday. I recently attended the Sheer Good Fortune event celebrating Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize author Toni Morrison. There were so many acclaimed authors, poets and professors in attendance. To read more about my experience check out My Sheer Good Fortune post. In the meantime, enjoy some of the photos taken while I was there. Don't forget to add your Wordless Wednesday photo to the Linky list below.

Toni Morrison at the Sheer Good Fortune event.

India Arie performing at the Sheer Good Fortune Celebration

Nikki Giovanni at the reception before the Sheer Good Fortune celebration

Me and Nikki Giovanni after the press conference.

My Sheer Good Fortune with Toni Morrison

This past week has been extraordinary. It took several days for me to come down off my adrenaline high. I left Alabama headed to Virginia Tech with two of my girlfriends on October 14, 2012. We drove to Blacksburg, Virginia in foggy, rainy, gloomy weather Sunday night. It took us a little over eight hours to make arrive to our destination. We arrived tired, but too anxious to sleep. We only had two hours to get prepared before the press conference anyway, so I decided to get dressed and go over my interview questions for Toni Morrison.

We arrived fairly early and secured front row seats. The room was intimate, maybe with thirty people eventually being in the room. There was of course other press and media outlets there, but not as many as I expected or felt should have been there for such an auspicious occasion. They wheeled Dr. Morrison in and she looked vibrant and cheerful. After a few reporters asked questions, I knew if I wanted to ask my own, I would need to just jump in there and so I went for it. I asked about seven questions. My girlfriends were with me and they were able to ask her each a question as well. After the conference, they quickly wheeled Dr. Morrison away. I went and introduced myself to Nikki Giovanni thinking she probably didn't remember me. Surprisingly she did. She said, "I know who you are." Then she gave me a hug. I introduced my friends and we all took pictures.

Angela Davis, Maya Angelou and Sonia Sanchez

After Ms. Giovanni left, a documentary producer approached us about being in a documentary honoring Nikki Giovanni. We graciously accepted. We were led to this private library where camera and video had been set up, along with TV monitors. The monitors allowed us to see how we looked while we were being filmed. The three of us were interviewed individually, I went last. I honestly can't tell you what I said during my interview, I was so nervous. I don't even remember the questions the interviewer asked me. It was a surreal experience. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and as soon as the documentary becomes available, you know I'll post it any and everywhere.

Next we were invited to the reception the following day before the actual Sheer Good Fortune event. This is where it really gets good because I left Alabama having no expectation other than to get to the press conference and to attend the event. But so far I was able to get to the press conference and have my friends experience it with me. Not only that, but then be asked to participate in a documentary for Nikki Giovanni and then invited to the reception was a blessing. Every step of the way, things kept getting better and better.

Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou holding hands while
a tribute was being song to them

So we arrive at the reception, early as usual. We get so close that we are standing in front of the microphone where the presenters would speak. We see the attendees arriving and they are coming down the stairs in small groups. I glance up towards the stairs and nudge my friend, Joneia P. Brown. "It is Angela Davis and Sonia Sanchez." I repeat it again as if I need to hear it for myself to ring true. At this point, I'm giddy. We wanted to leave our spots and go over to both ladies, but our spots were too damn good and we hadn't seen Maya Angelou yet. A few moments later, Toni Morrison arrives and she is wheeled directly in front of us. Angela Davis and Sonia Sanchez go to her and they take pictures. Joneia sits on the floor in front of them and starts to take photos, the media is snapping away and recording and it's all pure magic. Then shortly thereafter, Maya Angelou is wheeled in next to Toni Morrison. Time basically stopped for me, I'm literally standing five feet directly in front of Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. Everything becomes a blur at this moment. I'm trying to digest it and I think my cup is so full from delight, I can't process what's happening. After the reception, I am able to speak with Angela Davis and Sonia Sanchez. They are truly gracious and kind women. We were able to meet several Pulitzer Prize winners, Poet Laureates and distinguished authors and professors. I can't wait to tell you about all the talented gifted and extraordinary men and women we met while at the event. I indeed experienced sheer good fortune.

I have to personally thank Ms. Nikki Giovanni for being so gracious and  generous in accommodating our presence. The event was beyond spectacular and most people tasked with putting on such a splendid affair would be short or slightly stressed, but she never once appeared that way and was very kind to us every step of the way.

There is lots more to tell you and I'll give you all the details in the next post.

Poet and Blogger Kimeko Farrar, Television Producer and Speaker Joneia P. Brown , Nikki Giovanni and me :) Lena Sledge taken right after the press conference.

Next up....How I Made it to the VIP Room and the Actual Sheer Good Fortune Celebration. Stay Tuned.