tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85187685333455735012023-06-25T01:23:14.990-07:00From the Mind of SuziThis is my life - my stories, my experiences, my thoughts and opinions, maybe even my art. It's kind of self-indulgent but it's also for your entertainment. Enjoy!Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-49693312462991016062013-01-13T21:55:00.006-08:002013-06-12T15:20:48.381-07:00Lights... Camera...The release of <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://centralavenuepublishing.com/Books/styled-3/">SAPPHIRE SUN</a></span></strong>, Book Three of <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">The Lost Magic</span></strong> series is getting closer - <strong><span style="color: purple;">FEBRUARY 28th</span></strong>! I'm very excited. I had so much fun writing this book and I am very happy with the product so far (it is still having all the last minute fine-tunes and edits done but I think/hope you will love it!). As the release date creeps closer, I will be doing more and more preparation - organizing some <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">promotional events</span></strong>, sending out early <strong><span style="color: magenta;">review copies</span></strong>, updating my website and blog, and I finally got some new headshots done the other week.<br />
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I was lucky enough to have a photo shoot with Jodie of<strong><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/Jodie%20Gallant%20Photography.html"> <span style="color: red;">Jodie Gallant Photography</span></a></span></strong> last week. She has done some amazing new headshots for me and I thought I would share some of the pictures with you and blog a little bit about the experience.<br />
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First off, Jodie is amazing! I am not a person who naturally feels <strong><span style="color: orange;">comfortable</span></strong> in front of a camera but she definitely set me at ease. We did the photos in her <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">studio</span></strong>, chatting about our boys (who are almost the same ages), some of the other fun <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">projects</span></strong> she's been doing lately and listening to City and Colour, who I now have to download on iTunes. I am by no means a great subject to photograph - Jodie was patient with my dry contacts, tooth ache that I kept complaining about and the fact that I closed my eyes every-other time the <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">flashes</span></strong> went off. Things I learned during this experience: I have horrible posture, the most awkward-feeling poses seem to translate the best onto film (or "digital" film, I should say), and I would never win Next Top Model. Ever. (And I'm perfectly ok with this). <br />
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As I've talked about in previous <strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.readnowasklater.com/2012/06/family-photography-music-and-mommyhood.html">posts</a></span></strong>, anyone with a camera (or phone) can take a picture. If you have the right equipment and take the time to learn how to use it, just about anyone can take high-quality photos but it takes a certain person and a specific <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">talent</span></strong> to be a good, <strong><span style="color: purple;">professional</span></strong> photographer. Photography is a combination of technical talent and artistic vision & creativity, and Jodie has all of these. Jodie gave me specific directions (which I needed!) to get all the best <strong><span style="color: magenta;">angles</span></strong>, to try different poses and <strong><span style="color: red;">shots</span></strong>, to use the <strong><span style="color: orange;">lighting</span></strong> to my best advantage and to make me feel comfortable in front of the camera. She was able to not only capture some of my <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">personality</span></strong> on film but to also create dramatic, myserious and artistic <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">portraits</span></strong> that convey a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">mood</span></strong> consistent with <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">The Lost Magic</span></strong> books. It's a LOT to try to accomplish but Jodie did a fantastic job. <br />
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Here are a few of my <strong><span style="color: magenta;">favorites</span></strong> from our shoot:<br />
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I think I'm squinting a bit in this one from my dry contacts. But it worked out!</div>
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In this one, I am looking directly into a large, white light, waiting for it to flash into my face and hoping I won't see the red insides of my eyelids as the flash goes off, again. Hopefully, you can't tell that's what's going on in my head.</div>
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In this one I think I was following some directions like, "chin up, not that far, back a bit, ok good, now look down, back at the camera, ok, again but a little happier... no, not that happy, ok... got it!" Once again, thank you for your patience Jodie!</div>
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I don't think I was ready for her to take my picture here, I was smiling about something we had been talking about and she caught me! Hence, the funny expression.</div>
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I think I was channelling my inner-paranormal-romance-author here.</div>
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My favorite shot of the day. Love the lighting.</div>
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Thanks again Jodie! Go check out Jodie's <strong><a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/Jodie%20Gallant%20Photography.html"><span style="color: red;">website</span></a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jodie-Gallant-Photography/218907111462306"><span style="color: orange;">Facebook page</span></a></strong>. You will LOVE her photos just as much as I do.</div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></em></strong>.</div>
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Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-5506992006257987052012-06-26T21:31:00.004-07:002012-06-26T21:38:45.746-07:00Sapphire Sun (The Lost Magic, Book Three)I am SO excited about my new book, <strong><span style="color: orange;">Sapphire Sun</span></strong>, coming out this <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Winter 2012/2013</span></strong> through <strong><a href="http://www.centralavenuepublishing.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Central Avenue Publishing</span></a></strong>! In case you missed it, here is a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">sneak peak</span></strong> of the cover:<br />
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I will share the exact release date as soon as it has been finalized but until then, here's another little <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">teaser</span></strong> from <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Sapphire Sun</span></strong>, the sequel to<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> Silver Dew</span></strong> and the third book in <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Lost Magic</span></strong> series: <br />
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<span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">You can't escape the past. You can try to forget but it never truly leaves you. It is a part of</span></strong></span></span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">who are you are; it has shaped you, it will shape your future. It is the shadow behind you.</span></strong></div>
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You can't outrun it, you can't hide from it or deny it - the past will always exist. Who you</span></strong></div>
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once were is still a part of who you are today. This, I now understand.</span></strong></div>
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My name is Gracelynn Stevenson. I tried to destroy The Lost Magic. I tried to erase the</span></strong></div>
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past. I tried to make things go back to the way that they once were. I failed. And now all</span></strong></div>
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the happiness I thought I had found, has been lost to the shadows...</span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Suzi</strong></span></em></div>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-36213632280456994822012-06-10T22:11:00.001-07:002012-06-12T22:55:28.032-07:00Adventures in Kindergarten: Rubber Boots & Elf ShoesThis week I thought I would feature a <strong><span style="color: red;">fun</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: orange;">unique</span></strong> blog by a colleague (and friend!) of mine that shares the adventures, learning, creativity and fun from her <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">Kindergarten</span></strong> classroom. <strong><span id="goog_154355106"></span><a href="http://www.rubbersbootsandelfshoes.blogspot.ca/"><span style="color: lime;">Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes<span id="goog_154355107"></span></span></a></strong> is a fantastic blog by <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sandi</span></strong> (or Mrs. Sandi), friend and teacher to many a charming munchkin, brilliant educator and Masters degree holder, and wearer of both rubber boots and elf shoes (I have also seen her in the classroom dressed as a pirate, an 1880's school ma'am and a "west-coast" Cinderella, to name a few!).<br />
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Sandi describes her <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">blog</span></strong> as...<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: purple;">"Kindergarten adventures: inside, outside, creating, exploring, building, imagining, growing, usually messy, rarely quiet, always fun."</span></strong></em><br />
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Sandi's <strong><span style="color: magenta;">classroom</span></strong> is a fun and welcoming place full of <strong><span style="color: red;">learning</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: orange;">exploration</span></strong>. What I love about her blog is the huge <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">variety</span></strong> of posts in such a friendly, fun and accessible format. Not only does Sandi share her classroom's adventures, activities and <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">creations</span></strong> through <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">photos</span></strong> and short, entertaining posts but she also offers <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">free printables</span></strong>, shares <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">videos</span></strong>, introduces us to<strong><span style="color: magenta;"> new books</span></strong> to find and <strong><span style="color: red;">new blogs</span></strong> to follow, and a ton of great <strong><span style="color: orange;">craft</span></strong> and activity ideas (that fellow <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">educators</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: lime;">parents</span></strong> will both love). Not to mention the occasional <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">giveaway</span></strong> and guest blog posts! At <a href="http://www.rubberbootsandelfshoes.blogspot.ca/"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes</span></strong></a> you will not only share in the joy, spontaneity and creativity of a <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Kindergarten classroom</span></strong>, you will also <strong><span style="color: magenta;">learn</span></strong> new things and might even make some new <strong><span style="color: red;">friends</span></strong> - and isn't that what Kindergarten is all about?<br />
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Go check out <strong><span style="color: orange;">Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes</span></strong> <a href="http://www.rubberbootsandelfshoes.blogspot.ca/"><strong>HERE</strong></a> and please "like" this fantastic blog on <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">Facebook</span></strong> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rubber-boots-and-elf-shoes/140747629381415"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.<br />
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Thanks!<br />
More <strong><span style="color: lime;">fun</span></strong> features yet to come.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>Suzi</em></span>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-21794816612298090852012-06-01T21:14:00.000-07:002012-06-01T21:14:29.775-07:00Family, Photography, Music and Mommyhood: Jodie Gallant PhotographyThe next blog I've chosen to feature is from <strong><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/">Jodie Gallant Photography</a></span></strong>.<br />
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Jodie is a friend of mine who has two young <strong><span style="color: orange;">sons</span></strong>, is a very talented <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">artist</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">musician</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">teaches</span></strong> music, and is also a professional (and successful!) <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">photographer</span></strong>. Jodie's <strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/Blog/Blog.html">blog</a></span></strong> documents her photo sessions (both formal sessions with clients and her informal <span style="color: magenta;"><strong>adventures</strong> </span><span style="color: black;">in photography</span>), keeps people informed about her recent <strong><span style="color: red;">artshowings</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: orange;">publications</span></strong>, and showcases her <span style="background-color: white; color: lime;"><strong>current works</strong></span>.<br />
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You can see from Jodie's <a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/Blog/Blog.html"><strong>blog</strong></a> the amazing and fun <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">balance</span></strong> she has found between raising two little boys, being a <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">mother</span></strong> and wife, working hard, expressing herself artistically and living a music-filled and inspired <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">life</span></strong>. She goes to <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>awesome outdoor locations </strong></span><span style="color: black;">all over Vancouver Island</span>, photographs <span style="color: magenta;"><strong>kick-ass bands</strong> </span><span style="color: black;">and musicians</span>, captures breath-taking <strong><span style="color: red;">nature stills</span></strong> and stunning <strong><span style="color: orange;">candid shots</span></strong>, not to mention the <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">high-quality</span></strong> and professionalism of her more formal studio sessions. There is a fresh and expressive <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">edginess</span></strong> to her <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">artistic</span></strong> style that is reflective of the music, art and joy in her life. I find all of Jodie's photos to be bright and <strong><span style="color: orange;">beautiful</span></strong> - there is just a really good <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">energy</span></strong> to all of her shots that isn't filtered out by the lens. Some people take photographs, Jodie captures <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>moments </strong></span><span style="color: black;">(wow, that sounded cheesy - but I stand behind it!).</span><br />
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As soon as Jodie picked up her first DSLR camera (in just 2008!) and started learning more about <strong><span style="color: red;">photography</span></strong>, she knew this was something she wanted to pursue as a <strong><span style="color: orange;">career</span></strong>. And it's a good thing she listened to her heart as she is pretty darn talented and has already found success and recognition for her skills. Her photos have been recently <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">published</span></strong> in magazines such as <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Fernie Fix</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">showcased</span></strong> at events such as <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The 2012 Coconut Bangers Ball</span></strong>. Jodie has expanded her business to offer a huge <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">range</span></strong> of sessions to her clients, from weddings, to business/corporate shoots, to pets and family photos, to bands and musicians (see the full list <a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/Info%20%26%20Rates.html">here</a>)! <br />
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Go check out Jodie's <a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/">website</a> and <a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/Blog/Blog.html">blog</a>. And "like" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jodie-Gallant-Photography/218907111462306"><strong><span style="color: red;">Jodie Gallant Photography on Facebook</span></strong></a> to stay up-to-date with her recent events, specials and the occasional giveaway! <br />
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I'll end this featurette with a quote of a quote from Jodie's <a href="http://www.jodiegallantphotography.com/"><strong><span style="color: orange;">website</span></strong></a> that is definitely well-said:<br />
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<em><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>"Like a kick in the butt, the force of events wakes slumberous talents..."</strong></span></em> <br />
<em>Edward Hoagland</em><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Still more features to come! Thanks for reading.</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Suzi</strong></span></em><br />
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<br />Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-25749107156841942022012-05-30T20:39:00.001-07:002012-05-30T20:39:09.457-07:00Book Three of The Lost Magicdo-do-do-doooo! (Imagine trumpets sounding! Ok, maybe that's too dramatic.)<br />
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So anyway, here's my announcement: <br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Book Three of The Lost Magic</span></strong> will be published by <strong><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.centralavenuepublishing.com/">Central Avenue Publishing</a></span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">Winter 2012/13</span></strong> (the exact date hasn't been set as of yet but I'll let you know as soon as I can). <br />
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Want to know what Book Three is about? View the <a href="http://www.centralavenuepublishing.com/About/">Central Avenue Publishing Summer Catalogue</a> for a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">synopsis</span></strong>, available <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">July 1st, 2012</span></strong> from their <a href="http://www.centralavenuepublishing.com/About/">website</a>. Don't worry, I'll remind you.<br />
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And what is the third book in the series going to be called? (I am SO happy to have chosen a title - it is such a grueling process for me! So here it is...)<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><em>SAPPHIRE SUN</em></span></strong><br />
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Choosing a title is always a tricky <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">process</span></strong> for me (I find it easier to write the whole book than to actually title it!) and involves a lot of thought, consideration, and emails and text messages with my close family, friends and my publisher. I am very happy with the final result! In case you're interested, this is <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">how I got there</span></strong>...<br />
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I was drawn to the word "<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">sapphire</span></strong>" right from the start. I have described <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Grace's eyes</span></strong> as "sapphire blue" several times in my books and I also love the sound of "<strong><span style="color: red;">fire</span></strong>" in "<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">sapphire</span></strong>". There is a new <strong><span style="color: orange;">ferocity </span></strong>and <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">strength</span></strong> to Grace that I wanted to be reflected in the title (this is also one of the reasons I wanted to use the word "<strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">sun</span></strong>") and I feel that "<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">sapphire</span></strong>" conveys both <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">beauty</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">strength</span></strong>. I did some research on <strong><span style="color: cyan;">sapphires</span></strong> and what sold me was an <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">article</span></strong> I found on the International Coloured Gemstone Association site (<a href="http://www.gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:sapphire&catid=1:gem-by-gem&Itemid=14">article HERE</a>). Basically, it says that <strong><span style="color: #073763;">sapphires</span></strong> come in many different colours including <strong><span style="color: blue;">blue</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">yellow</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: magenta;">pink</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: orange;">orange</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: lime;">green</span></strong> and even <strong><span style="color: red;">red</span></strong> (rubies are actually red <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">sapphires</span></strong>). This article also describes <strong><span style="color: cyan;">sapphires</span></strong> as "<a href="http://www.gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:sapphire&catid=1:gem-by-gem&Itemid=14">gems of the sky</a>" and states how for hundreds of years, all over the world they have been considered symbols of <strong><span style="color: red;">love</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">loyalty,</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: purple;">longing</span></strong> and "<a href="http://www.gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:sapphire&catid=1:gem-by-gem&Itemid=14">indestructible trust</a>". "<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sapphire</span></strong>" was the perfect choice.<br />
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And as for the "<strong><span style="color: orange;">S</span><span style="color: orange;">un</span></strong>" part? I actually began the title-brainstorming proces by writing a descriptive paragraph about the transition of frost at dawn (<strong><span style="color: orange;">Amber Frost</span></strong>) warming and transforming into dew (<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Silver Dew</span></strong>) as the sun rises higher in the sky (and that's also how I got to <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sapphire Sun</span></strong>). This progression makes sense to me anyway and it is symbolic of the <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">journey</span></strong> that Grace's character has undergone through out the series.<br />
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So this winter, look out for <strong><span style="color: blue;">SAPPHIRE SUN</span></strong>: Book Three in The Lost Magic series. <br />
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As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope you love the title as much as I do! And, by the way, I have really enjoyed reading your guesses up until this point.<br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></strong></em>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-64119071944150630622012-05-29T12:56:00.000-07:002012-05-29T13:00:05.199-07:00Baby Bloggin' with Cara and ThorinI just love things that rhyme.<br />
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So my second featured blog is <strong><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.thorinsfirstyear.blogspot.ca/">Thorin's First Year</a></span></strong> ! This is an adorable <strong><span style="color: orange;">blog</span></strong> written by Thorin's mommy, <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">Cara</span></strong>. When I asked Cara to <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">describe</span></strong> what her blog <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">is all about</span></strong>, she said...<br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">"My blog is basically my journal - a way to document all Thorin's milestones and achievements over his first year, I don't want to forget anything!"</span></strong></em><br />
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I look forward to reading Cara's <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">posts each month</span></strong> for several reasons. The most obvious reason is because Thorin was born just days after my second son. It's fun to read about <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>what Thorin's up to </strong></span><span style="color: black;">as</span> I can DEFINITELY <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>relate </strong></span><span style="color: black;">and I'm sure other moms can too</span>. And I love personal blogs that give their readers a glimpse into the writer's life - I find it fascinating (I'm a reality-TV fan, can you tell?). Thorin is Cara's<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"> first child</span></strong> and her obvious <strong><span style="color: red;">enthusiasm</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: orange;">pride</span></strong> in all that he does is both <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">heartwarming</span></strong> and <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>inspiring</strong></span><span style="color: black;">. Cara's posts</span> remind me to <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">appreciate</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">acknowledge</span></strong> how much our little ones <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">change</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: red;">grow</span></strong> each day. And, of course, to <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">cherish</span></strong> every minute.<br />
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Cara is also a <strong><span style="color: orange;">talented amateur photographer</span></strong> and her beautiful <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">photos</span></strong> document Thorin's <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">adventures</span></strong> and compliment her posts perfectly. He is such an adorable little guy; it's pretty hard not to smile back at the screen! Here are just a few of Cara's photos - you'll find lots more on her <a href="http://www.thorinsfirstyear.blogspot.ca/">blog</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-tV5RgWEWw/T17Fhei1G_I/AAAAAAAAAWM/eQFjuMMKxRM/s1600/6months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_46l057="20" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-tV5RgWEWw/T17Fhei1G_I/AAAAAAAAAWM/eQFjuMMKxRM/s640/6months.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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I think all parents can <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">enjoy</span></strong> and appreciate this blog, along with Cara's family and friends. I hope you'll <strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.thorinsfirstyear.blogspot.ca/">check it out</a>! And just in case you missed the link - go <a href="http://www.thorinsfirstyear.blogspot.ca/">HERE</a>.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Stay tuned for the next feature and a new blog post with an exciting announcement, coming soon! :)</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></em></span></strong></div>
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<br />Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-45230392728353788472012-05-23T21:12:00.000-07:002012-05-23T21:16:31.199-07:00Sewing, Cooking, Crafting and Being Awesome: Lil Duckie ArtsWoo-hoo! Welcome to the first <strong><span style="color: red;">feature</span></strong> on my blog! I thought I'd start off this "<strong><span style="color: orange;">feature series</span></strong>" with <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/">Lil Duckie Arts</a>, a <strong><span style="color: yellow;">fun</span></strong> blog by my friend Shauna, that has a lil' something for everyone (haha, see what I did there? Sorry, I'll stop.).<br />
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Shauna describes <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Lil Duckie Arts</span></strong> as:<br />
"...where I share my adventures and ideas in <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">paper crafting</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: blue;">sewing</span></strong>, and <strong><span style="color: purple;">cooking</span></strong>, with a dash of life sprinkled on top."<br />
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I love reading Shauna's blog. I am jealous of her <strong><span style="color: magenta;">mad sewing skills</span></strong> (because I have none!) and inspired by her <strong><span style="color: red;">delicious recipes</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: orange;">creative projects</span></strong>. Shauna is also a new mom and you'll notice there's a bit of a baby theme to her projects lately - from sewing your own <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?p=630">sling</a>, creating beautiful <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?p=344">cards</a> and <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?p=600">gift boxes</a>, a fabulous<a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?p=602"> nursing wrap</a> design (aka. a "hooter-hider"), to recipes for yummy <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?p=545">treats</a> and <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?p=563">desserts</a>, these are just a few of her recent posts. You'll see why I love <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Lil Duckie Arts</span></strong> - be prepared to be impressed (and maybe a tad envious).<br />
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Shauna also has a store on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LilDuckieArts">Etsy</a> and runs <strong><span style="color: blue;">classes</span></strong> out of her home - check her site for a <a href="http://www.lilduckiearts.com/?page_id=469">schedule</a>. And if you like <strong><span style="color: purple;">Twitter</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: magenta;">Facebook</span></strong> (like I do!) you can follow <strong><span style="color: red;">Lil Duckie Arts</span></strong> on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/LilDuckieArts">Twitter here</a>. Let's all harass Shauna about creating a Facebook page because obviously she is just sitting at home doing nothing. Come on lady! Time to get on that. (I really hope you know I'm joking! I'm in awe of how much you're able to accomplish.).<br />
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So go check out <strong><span style="color: purple;">Lil Duckie Arts</span></strong> and stayed tuned for <strong><span style="color: orange;">more featured blogs</span></strong> (coming soon: <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">sharks</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: #38761d;">crafts</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">photography</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: #674ea7;">music</span><span style="color: black;">, and </span><span style="color: magenta;">life experiences!</span></strong>).<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><em>Suzi</em></span></strong>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-66880369872147369732012-05-18T23:03:00.001-07:002012-05-18T23:10:30.859-07:00What's NewOh, my badly-<strong><span style="color: red;">neglected</span></strong> blog. I'm so sorry I've been ignoring you! This blog is where I first started "sharing" my <strong><span style="color: orange;">writing</span></strong>. It began as a way to get my writing out into the world and to search for an <strong><span style="color: yellow;">audience</span></strong> - and to get <strong><span style="color: lime;">feedback</span></strong>. I love <strong><span style="color: blue;">blogging</span></strong>. I haven't had much time for it lately though. In the past three years I've had two children, two books published, we sold our home and moved into a new one, and then there's also my "day-job" with the school district that I've worked in between babies! <strong><span style="color: purple;">Life</span></strong> has been busy. I'm not complaining - I've been <strong><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">loving</span></strong> every minute of it, but I have been struggling to find time to <strong><span style="color: red;">write</span></strong>. Which leads me to my first <strong><span style="color: orange;">announcement</span></strong>...<br />
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<strong><span style="color: yellow;">BOOK </span><span style="color: lime;">THREE</span></strong> in <strong><span style="color: cyan;">THE LOST MAGIC SERIES</span></strong> will be released by <strong><span style="color: blue;">Central Avenue Publishing</span></strong> sometime in late 2012/early 2013!! It depends on a few variables and I will share the exact release date with you as soon as it's decided upon. But the <strong><span style="color: purple;">third book</span></strong> is in the works! <strong><span style="color: magenta;">Title and synopsis</span></strong> will be announced soon - look for it in the Central Avenue <strong><span style="color: red;">summer catalogue</span></strong> (available July 1, 2012). <br />
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And my second <strong><span style="color: orange;">announcement</span></strong>, that I'm quite excited about :) I've decided to <strong><span style="color: yellow;">restart</span></strong> my blog and to run a short series of "<strong><span style="color: lime;">features</span></strong>" to <strong><span style="color: cyan;">connect</span></strong> with and <strong><span style="color: blue;">support</span></strong> other artists, writers, musicians, etc. in my community. I'm lucky enough to know quite a few<strong><span style="color: purple;"> talented individuals</span></strong> and to live in a supportive and close-knit <strong><span style="color: magenta;">community</span></strong>. I thought running these features would be a neat way to show people what I'm into, the unique businesses in my community and the creative and talented people I know. So<strong><span style="color: red;"> stay tuned...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></em></strong><br />
<br />Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-14400399779498846572011-11-01T16:17:00.002-07:002011-11-07T14:36:06.317-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">SILVER DEW is Coming Soon...</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>SILVER DEW</strong></span>, my second novel and the second book in my YA, paranormal romance series <strong>The Lost Magic</strong>, now has a release date - <strong>December 1st</strong>! I'm very excited for the launch of both the ebook and paperback, and hopefully if you're reading this you are too. If you review Young Adult books and are interested in reviewing an advanced readers copy of the ebook (<strong>eARC</strong>), please contact <a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/">ireadiwrite Publishing</a> (<strong>eARC</strong>s available November 7th).</div>
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To celebrate the upcoming release of <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>SILVER DEW</strong></span>, my publisher is offering <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>AMBER FROST</strong></span> (the first book in the series) on sale for just 99 cents for the month of November only! Now is the perfect time to re-read the first book or to get a friend hooked on <strong>The Lost Magic </strong>books :)<br />
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My publisher is also offering a giveaway of <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">SILVER DEW</span></strong> on Goodreads! There's a link below to check out the details and enter to win. There are 2 copies available I believe - good luck!</div>
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Thanks for all your support. Can't wait for<strong> December 1st</strong>!</div>
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<em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Suzi</strong></span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">Purchase</span><strong> AMBER FROST</strong></span> on Amazon for 99 cents <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Frost-Lost-Magic-ebook/dp/B004FGMUU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316497281&sr=8-1">HERE</a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">Purchase</span><strong> AMBER FROST</strong></span> on Smashwords for 99 cents <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12963406-silver-dew">HERE</a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">Learn more about</span><strong> SILVER DEW </strong></span><span style="color: black;">and enter to win a copy</span> on Goodreads <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12963406-silver-dew">HERE</a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">Watch the</span><strong> AMBER FROST</strong></span> video trailer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NyTmWg1WE0">HERE</a><br />
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<br /></div>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-42872703264543946952011-10-22T21:25:00.002-07:002011-10-22T21:25:33.285-07:00AMBER FROST in PRINT!<div align="center">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Frost-Lost-Magic-ebook/dp/B004FGMUU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316497281&sr=8-1">AMBER FROST</a></strong></span>, Book One of The Lost Magic series is now available in paperback! To celebrate its release and to thank all of my wonderful supporters, I've decided to offer a free, signed paperback copy of <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Frost-Lost-Magic-ebook/dp/B004FGMUU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316497281&sr=8-1">AMBER FROST</a></strong></span> to one of my fans. All you need to do to enter this contest is to COMMENT on this post. I will draw the winner on Friday, October 28th and announce the winner Saturday, October 29th here and on my <span style="color: orange;"><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorsuzidavis">Facebook</a></strong></span> page. Make sure you "like" my <strong><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorsuzidavis">Facebook</a></span></strong> page too - there are lots of exciting events and giveaways coming up as we prepare for the release of<a href="http://www.authorsuzidavis.com/silverdew.htm"> <span style="color: #274e13;"><strong>SILVER DEW</strong></span></a>, Book Two in the Lost Magic series and my <span style="color: orange;"><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorsuzidavis">Facebook</a></strong></span> page is generally more up-to-date than my website.</div>
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Thank you all so much for your support!</div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span></div>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-74260004899612417342011-09-27T23:33:00.000-07:002011-09-27T23:40:30.828-07:00I'm Back - I ThinkIt’s been a long time, I know and I apologize. As I’m typing right now, I have my almost-three week old baby asleep on me and my two year old napping in the next room. Yes, life has been busy (insanely so!) but in the best possible way. Things are finally starting to settle down. I’m getting myself into a new routine and part of that includes making time for my writing, again.<br />
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Lots of exciting things are happening in my life right now – my first book, Amber Frost, is being released in PRINT (a “real” book as my Gran would say, but that’s a whole ‘nother discussion). I’ve finished writing my second book, Silver Dew, (the sequel to Amber Frost) and it is currently going through the editing process in preparation for its release this December (in both print and e-formats!). And we have recently welcomed a new member to our family! Our beautiful little boy was born at the beginning of September. He’s my second child and thankfully, he sleeps more than his older brother ever did!<br />
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Having a newborn in the house again has brought a lot of changes and differences from the first time around. I laugh as I remember how much time we spent quietly gazing at our first child and murmuring in soft voices over how beautiful he was. Our second child is a little angel too (don’t get me wrong) but there’s little time for sitting and gazing in awe these days. We have our occasional quiet moments but most of our day is “go-go-go”. My two year old operates at one speed – turbo! And we all have to try to keep up. I’ve also realized since my second child was born just how LOUD my toddler is. His favorite game seems to be “wake-up baby” right now. My step-Dad laughed when I commented that I just realized how loud my older child is the other night and he informed me “we could have told you that a long time ago”. <br />
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I’m dealing with the inevitable Mummy-guilt too. No matter how hard I try, I feel like someone or something is getting neglected whether it’s my toddler, my new baby, my husband, my writing, my friends and even myself (mostly myself!). As a wise friend pointed out, we (as mothers) always seem to focus on what we aren’t doing “right” and we tend to overlook all of the things that we are. My main accomplishments these days are showering, getting laundry done (how does one tiny baby create three times as much laundry as a grown man?) and remembering to feed myself. But I’m also getting out of the house more each day, cooking, cleaning, playing and cuddling with my boys, writing, visiting with family and friends and also trying to find time for myself and my husband (who’s about to turn 30!!). I’m trying to celebrate the small victories, like finally updating my blog and going to the grocery store, alone, with my two boys – and surviving! It’s been said before but I’ll say it again, being a Mom is the greatest and hardest job on Earth.<br />
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I will try and post again soon; it’s on my never-ending “To-Do” list. In the meantime, check my <a href="http://www.authorsuzidavis.com/">website</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/SuziD_">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorsuzidavis">Facebook</a> pages for news on upcoming events. I’ll be doing a live chat with The Long and Short of It,<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews/"> Yahoo chat group</a> tomorrow (read my recent interview with The Long and Short of It <a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/interviews.htm">HERE</a>). Keep your eyes on the <a href="http://www.amaterasureads.blogspot.com/">Amaterasu Reads</a> site for an upcoming review and giveaway of Amber Frost too.<a href="http://booksinthespotlight.blogspot.com/"> Books in the Spotlight</a> will also be featuring a review of Amber Frost this Fall.<br />
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Thanks again for reading what I write. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Suzi</em></span><br />
<br />Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-84584164350255126352011-03-14T15:42:00.000-07:002011-03-14T15:42:54.887-07:00Let's Get Personal... Or Not.I haven’t blogged in a while. There has been a lot going on in my life - which is really no excuse at all. You would think that all the drama would have made for some great blog posts… or does it? <br />
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December 25th I found out I was <strong><span style="color: red;">pregnant</span></strong>. Early February, before I’d reached the security of the twelve week mark, I started having some indications of a <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">miscarriage</span></strong>. <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">Tests</span></strong> were run, <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">ultrasounds</span></strong> took place, results came back (not all good). I was eventually told everything appeared to be ok and that my <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">symptoms</span></strong> may have been from losing a twin early on but there was still one healthy <span style="color: black;">baby</span>. <br />
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In the midst of all this, I wrote a three-part blog series about my experience facing the possibility of another <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">pregnancy loss</span></strong>. It was extremely <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">personal</span></strong>. I cried while I wrote and poured my heart out on each page. But then once I had finished my work, I found myself strangely <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">reluctant</span></strong> to post it on my blog. I usually enjoy sharing <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">personal</span></strong> stories and experiences – it’s therapeutic to write them, it’s a liberating rush to share them, and I think it can also be quite fascinating for others to read these type of stories; we all sometimes enjoy a glimpse into other peoples’ personal-lives, minds and hearts – a walk in someone else’s shoes. But for me, this experience was unexpectedly <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">too personal</span></strong> to share.<br />
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Perhaps my <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">emotions</span></strong> were and are too fresh still. Or perhaps it’s because the details of this story are not just mine to share, but they also belong to my husband, my family, my unborn child. Maybe it seems wrong to entertain others with such a<strong><span style="color: #351c75;"> near-tragedy</span></strong>. Or perhaps, I am not as strong and honest a person as I attempt to project myself to be. Is it possible that a small part of me is <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">ashamed</span></strong> to discuss the challenges I have faced with conception and carrying pregnancies to term? I don't think so but I’m not entirely sure. Haven’t I taken some pride in my willingness to share these <strong><span style="color: red;">personal</span></strong> stories? Isn’t that what my blog has been about? Sharing what goes on in my mind with the world?<br />
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I think my blog is about to embark in a <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">new direction</span></strong>. I still want to tell <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">fun</span></strong> stories, I still want to write <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">entertaining</span></strong> posts that will sometimes make my readers <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">laugh</span></strong> and at other times make them <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">think</span></strong>, question or reexamine their beliefs, and I still want to <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">share</span></strong> as much of myself and my life with my readers as possible. But I have become increasingly aware of my audience and a sense of responsibility towards them. I want to write more about my writing, about my projects, about my experiences as an author. As much fun as it is to write just for myself, I am not the only one reading my blog and I need to write for my readers too (even though I hope a lot of you have enjoyed what I've written/posted so far). Lately I’ve found myself thinking about how a blog should be <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">different</span></strong> than a journal or a diary – or at least I would like this one to be. And I’ve reached the decision that some things may just be too <strong><span style="color: #990000;">personal</span></strong> to share. My posts will still be coming "<em><strong><span style="color: magenta;">From the Mind of Suzi</span></strong></em>" but... they may be filtered a bit more during the process of transforming my thoughts and opinions to words on a page.<br />
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This feels a little “<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">heavy</span></strong>” so let’s end on a positive note. After all the ups and downs I’ve faced since finding out I’m pregnant again, I’m finally ready to announce it - <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">I’m pregnant</span></strong>! I’m due September 5th, 2011 and am about… 15/16 weeks? I’ve seen my <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">baby</span></strong> wiggling away on an ultrasound screen and I’ve heard his/her <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">heartbeat</span></strong>, the most beautiful and precious sound in the world. <br />
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<em><strong>Life is good.</strong></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><strong>Suzi</strong></span></em></span>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-72842713724466515422011-01-01T13:33:00.000-08:002011-01-01T13:33:02.674-08:00Getting my Christmas Cheer On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TR-dAwXYAAI/AAAAAAAAADo/udPCZs8yWHo/s1600/AFcoversml.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have really enjoyed my time off work over Christmas. I’ve been busy promoting my new ebook, <a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html">AMBER FROST</a>, writing the sequel to it, and even finding some time to blog, read and take a few photo’s. We’ve visited friends, visited Santa, taken a family trip on the local “Christmas Train”, and even been to Church (for the first time in… umm… 7 years?).<br />
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I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend lots of time with you families and friends. That is exactly what I did this year and I couldn’t have imagined a more special time – or more hilarious. Because that’s what happens when the crazy-people-who-I-call-family all gather together. <br />
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This was my son’s second Christmas but it will probably be the first that he’ll really remember (we think but who really knows!). It was amazing how quickly he grasped the concept of opening presents – this is the same child who frequently walks around with a bucket on his head and eats sand while saying “yum-yum” - my special Little Man. He caught on to the idea of opening presents very fast, but he definitely did not “get” the idea of giving presents. When we tried to encourage him to hand out the presents that were from him (he loves to hand out pictures of himself, modest little man) he freaked. There was a lot of “noooooo!” and “miiiiiiine!” and trying to open other peoples’ presents and run away with them. He’s not even 2 yet so he deserves a little bit of a break. But still – it was a little embarrassing. He did remember to use his “peas” and “dank-doos” appropriately though, so there was that at least!<br />
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My son’s Grandparents all went a little overboard this year in the "giving" department. The Little Man is the only grandchild on the hubbie’s side of the family and the only one in the country on my side. Our little monster actually got so tired of opening gifts at my in-laws that he started to say “no-no” when offered a present and would run and hide. He just wanted to play with his new, toy car on the kitchen floor and chase the in-laws’ dog. At my folks’ place his favorite toys were a fly swatter he found out on the deck and a penguin magnet he stole off their fridge. Isn’t that always the way? <br />
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As for myself, I was quite spoiled too. I especially enjoyed the Amazon gift card from my folks so I could load-up my Kindle (check <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/SuziD">Goodreads</a> to see what I’m reading now) and also the Paderno cookware set from my in-laws. I never thought I would hear myself squeal in delight over a set of shiny, new pots and pans. My eighteen year-old self was definitely rolling her eyes. <br />
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The best gift this Christmas though was the arrangement made between the hubbie and I, and his sister and brother (and their respective partners). Instead of each couple buying gifts for the others, we each took the money we would have spent and donated it to our local food banks. It was a great idea; kudos to my sister-in-law and her fiancé (still haven’t forgotten about the <a href="http://www.readnowasklater.com/2010/10/scariest-halloween-ever.html">Giant Evil Bunny</a> incident) for coming up with it. To be perfectly honest – it was fast, convenient, there was no wasteful spending and it felt SO good! The lady at the food bank was almost in tears when we dropped off our cheque. She thanked us profusely when really, all we were doing was dropping off a cheque – she was the one who was volunteering her time and effort! It still felt good.<br />
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The absolute best part of Christmas though was all the time spent with my loved ones; waking up Christmas morning, warm and happy in my husband’s arms, watching the joy on the Little Man’s face as he pulled a little train out of his stocking and starting yelling “CHOO-CHOO! Mumma! Dadda! CHOO-CHOO!” And all the good food and hugs and laughter – oh, it’s so corny but it’s true. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!<br />
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No matter where you were, what you were doing and how you did (or didn’t) celebrate the Holidays, I hope you had a perfect time.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-69336607149917161852010-12-10T11:33:00.006-08:002010-12-10T11:45:52.660-08:00"The Rest is Still Unwritten"Sound familiar? It’s from a Natasha Bedingfield song, “Unwritten”. I included it in the <a href="http://www.authorsuzidavis.com/amberfrost.htm"><strong><span style="color: purple;">playlist</span></strong></a> I created to accompany (or compliment, rather) my recently published book, <a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html"><strong>Amber</strong> <strong>Frost</strong></a>. Why? Because it’s a great song that will be stuck in your head all day now, and the lyrics are surprisingly insightful and well-suited to the mood of my book. <br />
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“Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.” <br />
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I haven’t blogged in a while; I could barely find the time to complain about how little time I’ve had recently! In other words, a lot has been left unwritten. Anyway, I’m back, and since my novel was released this week, I thought a fitting topic to blog about would be to discuss how I write and what the process looks like for me. So here we go…<br />
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Every story starts with an idea (shocking, I know). For me, the idea can come in many different forms – an image, a sentence, a character, a scene. I think about my “idea” for a long time before I actually begin writing anything down. This may sound like procrastination but the majority of my writing is honestly done in my head. I develop characters, work on story lines and plan out dialogues while I’m out on walks, or trying to fall asleep at night, or even when I’m driving (no worries, I’m a great multi-tasker). It was for this reason that I bought a digital voice recorder – because I often have these great ideas but I’m not able to write them down when they occur (not because I love the sound of my own voice as my husband may try to tell you).<br />
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Once I’ve developed enough of an outline, I begin writing. I write straight through from Chapter One until “The End”. I don’t go back and re-read or edit until I’ve finished, for fear of becoming too caught up in making changes (I’ll admit, I can be a bit of an anal perfectionist). Typically, I’ll spend anywhere from 1-6 hrs a day writing. Some days, I’ll write as much as 50 pages, others I’ll write only a paragraph or two. If I sit down to write and nothing comes to me, I’ll put my work away until the next day, and do a lot of “writing in my head” in the meantime. I find if I force myself to write, the writing comes out forced (I know, another brilliant insight).<br />
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Moving on, once I’ve completed the story, I go back through and do an edit based solely on grammar and punctuation. While I work, I make a list of “problems” – inconsistencies in the story line, areas I’m not completely satisfied with, details that I feel need to be added in or taken out or clarified – and I go back and rework these areas on my second read through. When I was working on <a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html"><strong>Amber Frost</strong></a>, I actually had the manuscript printed and spiral-bound after the second read-through and re-read the physical copy with a pencil in hand for the third edit. I wrote all over my manuscript – it looked like I had practically rewritten my novel. It was just what I needed. <br />
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The fourth edit was all about removing extraneous material and getting my word count and chapter lengths to a workable level. For <a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html"><strong>Amber Frost</strong></a>, I think I dropped about 100 pages. The fifth and final read-through was my last chance to make any more changes before submitting my manuscript to publishers.<br />
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Submissions are a process in and of themselves. You must first spend HOURS researching potential publishers, deciding which might be appropriate to query, and then preparing a submission package based upon each publishers’ individual requirements (sample chapters, outlines, synopsis’s of varying lengths, cover letters, queries, etc.). Not to mention all the emails, stamps and envelopes to send out. It’s a nightmare but well worth the effort… if it pays off which most likely, it will not. Great motivation, right? But when you’ve already put this much work into something and when you’re passionate about the work you have done, it’s all just part of the fun.<br />
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Once I finally found a home for <a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html"><strong>Amber Frost</strong></a> (at<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/"><strong><span style="color: purple;">ireadiwrite Publishing</span></strong></a>), the process was far from over. I was to read-through my manuscript again, make more changes, have my manuscript professionally edited, make more changes, and then do two more read-through’s and make the final changes before its release date.<br />
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It has been a journey and a half. Two years ago was when my book began. Three days ago was when my book was published. The rest is still unwritten.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Suzi</em></span><br />
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<em>*<strong><a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html"><span style="color: purple;">Amber Frost</span></a></strong> is available now, anywhere that ebooks are sold. Purchase half-price ($2.50) from ireadiwrite Publishing's website until Christmas. </em><br />
<em>Click <strong><a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/Amber-Frost.html">HERE</a></strong> to purchase now.</em><br />
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<em>~</em>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-54144761745048104962010-11-14T22:08:00.001-08:002010-11-14T22:08:46.207-08:00My DarknessAs my YA novel,<span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong> AMBER FROST </strong></span><span style="color: black;">'s</span> release date is approaching (Dec.7), my days are getting busier and busier. Lately it feels like each day is becoming a little more stressful. The pressure on my shoulders weighs me down a fraction more. It’s nothing I can’t handle; pressure has always brought out the best in me but it is causing the <strong><em>shadows</em></strong> in my past to stir…<br />
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This week I’ve decided to write something a little <strong>different</strong> than what you may have come to expect from me. I think some of my best writing comes out through the more honest, expressive and ultimately, more <strong>frightening</strong> pieces to write and to share. <br />
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And so I begin.<br />
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I’ve suffered from <strong>anxiety</strong> and <strong>panic</strong> <strong>attacks</strong> for most of my life. The first time I can clearly remember dealing with <strong>anxiety</strong> was when I was about six. I was terrified to be left alone at night time. I would become overwhelmed by <strong>anxiety</strong> and <strong>fear</strong> when I was trying to fall asleep. This manifested in several ways; a fear of the <strong>dark</strong>, <strong>night terrors</strong>, to some extent <strong>insomnia</strong>. At the age of six, my <strong>anxiety</strong> was lessened by a very special teddy bear that my Mummy gave me to sleep with – I still believed in the power of my Mummy’s magic and took comfort from the companionship of a cuddly, stuffed friend. This <strong>reprise</strong> wouldn’t last forever though.<br />
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For the first eighteen years of my life, I also suffered from <strong>social anxiety disorder</strong>; in other words, I was excessively, almost debilitatingly, shy. I was terrified of looking stupid in front of other people. I imagined that no one liked me, and the idea of having to speak up in front of a group of my peers was a real, living <strong>nightmare</strong> to me. In my teenaged years, my <strong>social-anxiety</strong> slowly lessened. I never got completely past it until I was about 21 though, and that was because I finally started taking <strong>medication</strong> for my disorder.<br />
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And then there were my <strong>panic attacks</strong> too. I started having<strong> panic attacks</strong> when I was thirteen years old. There was no definable trigger for me. I would suddenly start to feel dizzy or “strange”. My pulse would start rapidly increasing and I’d find it hard to catch my breath. A wave of terrifying fear and the certainty that I was about to die would hit me. I would struggle to <strong>breathe</strong>. My hands would start to tingle, then fill with painful pins-and-needles pricks and finally would curl into rigid claws as I <strong>hyperventilated</strong>. I would feel like I was about to pass out and would sometimes become so dizzy that black spots would appear in front of my eyes and the world would suddenly feel distant and far away, fuzzy even. It could happen anywhere at anytime; the fear of it alone was enough to cause a <strong>panic attack</strong> if I thought on it too long. My <strong>panic attacks</strong> lasted anywhere from less than a minute to half an hour and at the worst point, they occurred several times a day.<br />
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Eventually (when I was about 21) I began taking <strong>medication</strong> for my <strong>anxiety disorder</strong>. I was amazed with the results. I hadn’t even realized how bad I’d become; I had forgotten what it was like to live “<strong>normally</strong>”. Having said that, after taking <strong>medication</strong> for about 4 years, it was very difficult to come off it and I suffered through some pretty strenuous <strong>withdrawals</strong> when I did eventually wean myself off. <br />
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I made the decision to stop taking <strong>medication</strong> when the Hubbie and I wanted to start trying for a family. Amazingly, I never once suffered a <strong>panic attack</strong> while <strong>pregnant</strong>. I was very concerned about the possibility of <strong>post-partum anxiety</strong> but that wasn’t an issue for me either. In fact, I haven’t taken any <strong>medication</strong> in over three years now and this is the least amount of <strong>anxiety</strong> I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. <br />
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It doesn’t mean I’m completely better. Likely, this is something I will always deal with to some extent but right now it is more than <strong>manageable</strong> and I’m feeling pretty good about how things are going. <br />
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So that’s my experience with <strong>anxiety</strong> and <strong>panic attacks</strong>, and <strong>medication</strong> too for that matter. This <strong>disorder</strong> is a lot more common than you think (I’ve met dozens of people in the past few years who at some point have suffered from similar conditions) and it’s also often <strong>misunderstood</strong>. <strong>Anxiety</strong> can manifest in many different ways. It is often (as it was for me) a quiet and private <strong>struggle</strong> that many people dismiss though at times, my disorder was quite <strong>serious</strong> and without a doubt, affected every part of my life. <br />
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The Hubbie likes to joke that I’m “<strong>crazy</strong>” and I’m ok with that. We both know I have <strong>issues</strong> – who doesn’t? In all seriousness though, I’d love to take away just a little of the <strong>stigma</strong> associated with <strong>mental health conditions</strong>, <strong>medication</strong> and <strong>therapy</strong>. So here I am, throwing my own <strong>experience</strong> out there, as frightening as it might be. I just hope that you might gain something from hearing a little about it and will maybe <strong>understand</strong> who I am, just a little bit more. <br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><em>Suzi</em></span>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-86530864053651093532010-10-31T22:02:00.002-07:002010-10-31T22:45:58.961-07:00The Scariest Halloween Ever<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was <span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong>Halloween</strong> </span>morning and I was in my son’s room, changing his diaper. The <strong>Little Man</strong> was in a pleasant mood having had a good night’s sleep and a big breakfast. He was smiling, babbling, and being all kinds of cute, <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">distracting</span></strong> me completely from everything else that was going on.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If I’d just been paying a little more attention, I might have thought longer about the fact that my <strong>sister-in-law</strong> had just pulled up outside our house and she had come from the wrong direction. When she came inside, I overheard <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Hubbie</span></strong> mention that he’d thought she’d said her <strong>fiancé</strong> (hahaha, I know how much she’ll hate me using that word) was coming too – but strangely, she had arrived alone. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I didn’t think about it though, I didn’t <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">question</span></strong> what was going on. I was just happily doing my own thing, tickling my Little Man and making him laugh as I finished cleaning him up and redressing him. Sometimes I am so naïve and much too <strong>trusting</strong>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My head was down as I walked out of his bedroom, dirty diaper in hand. My Hubbie (yes, he was involved by now in the <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">conspiracy</span></strong> too) casually asked if I’d seen what was outside? He sounded so excited, I thought for sure I was about to see something pretty or funny or cool. I was sooooo <strong>wrong</strong>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TM5JUTedJUI/AAAAAAAAADc/tImAhdXjOQc/s1600/DSC04697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TM5JUTedJUI/AAAAAAAAADc/tImAhdXjOQc/s320/DSC04697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Peering through my living room window, its giant, distorted head just above the level of my couch, was an <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">evil bunny</span></strong>. Have you seen the movie, <strong>Donnie Darko</strong>? Remember <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Frank the Bunny</span></strong>? Well, he was standing right outside my house, staring straight at me. You might be starting to make some connections here between this incident and the<strong> Evil Bunny</strong> statue <a href="http://www.readnowasklater.com/2010/09/sometimes-i-wonder-about-myself.html">(click here for a refresher)</a> that my sister-in-law likes to move around the outside of my house and position so that he’s peering in my windows (yes, same sister-in-law). That Evil Bunny figurine is only about 9 inches tall though. What I was now looking at was a full-size, <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">7 foot</span></strong>, psychotic-looking bunny who had definitely caught me by surprise.<br />
<br />
None of us were prepared for my <strong>reaction</strong>. <br />
<br />
I <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">screamed</span></strong> bloody-murder; the sound even scared me a little. I don’t remember doing this, but my traitor-of-a-husband and sadistic-sister-in-law assure me that I launched the dirty diaper in my hand into the air (narrowly missing my poor Little Man) and <strong>dove</strong> back into his bedroom like I was being <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">shot</span></strong> at. I curled up into a <strong>ball</strong> on the ground beside the change-table and my whole body instantly started <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">shaking</span></strong>. Even though I already realized that <strong>Frank the Bunny</strong> must really be my sister-in-law’s <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">FIANCE</span></strong> in his Halloween costume and that this was all some kind of <strong>prank</strong>, I was still scared $hitless. I tried really hard to laugh but I was so <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">scared</span></strong> I could hardly move or talk and <strong>tears</strong> were already uncontrollably sliding down my face. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My sister-in-law was <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">horrified</span></strong>, I think they all were. It obviously wasn’t very funny. I have to admit though, it became funnier later once I saw the <strong>Frank the Bunny</strong> costume from a distance and was prepared for it. Watching my Hubbie organize a little <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">photo shoot</span></strong> with Frank the Bunny peering through our windows and posing in our front yard even made me crack a smile too. I even laughed a bit when Hubbie described how he’d looked out the window when his sister first arrived and had seen Frank the Bunny walking slowly down the street towards our house along the neat sidewalk in a fairly quiet <strong>neighborhood</strong> at ten in the morning. I wonder what our neighbors think of us now?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TM5IaRTgH2I/AAAAAAAAADU/Y0W3ByXE9bQ/s1600/DSC04695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TM5IaRTgH2I/AAAAAAAAADU/Y0W3ByXE9bQ/s320/DSC04695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyway, today was a <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Halloween</span></strong> I will <strong>NEVER</strong> forget. I guess the prank ended up working out because we’re all laughing about it now and not only did they manage to scare me but I got to scare all of them too!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hope you all had a safe and happy <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Halloween</span></strong>!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span></div>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-5238956461577072692010-10-17T20:55:00.001-07:002010-10-30T12:33:17.668-07:0010 Things I Wouldn't do AgainI’ve been incredibly busy lately with work and getting ready for the launch of my Young Adult/Teen paranormal-romance novel, <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amber Frost</span></strong> (available <span style="color: #bf9000;">Dec. 7, 2010</span> through all major <span style="color: #38761d;">ebook</span> sellers!). I apologize for the lack of recent posts. I’ve been thinking about writing a lot lately – it’s just finding the time that is the challenge. Anyway, at some point over the past week or so I realized I started creating a list in my head of <span style="color: #741b47;">Things I Wouldn’t do Again</span> and I had to write it down. I decided to cut it off at <span style="color: #351c75;">10</span> because… well, why not?<br />
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1. <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Setting-up Friends</span></strong><br />
Who doesn’t love the idea of taking credit for someone else’s successful relationship? On some small level, don’t we all want to be pimps? Or at least just wear a pimp hat? No? Just me? Anyway, setting-up your friends is a horrible idea because ultimately, most couples break up. And when they do you’ll have to take a side – it’s unavoidable. I thought I was a genius for setting up two of my friends in University. They were so obviously perfect for one another and dated quite happily for several months; I couldn’t have been more smug. Then the messy breakup happened and things got awkward fast. I lost my bragging rights and ended up losing one of my friends. I will never set-up friends again. <br />
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2. <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Work at a Fast-Food Chain</span></strong><br />
I got paid minimum wage to work the most stressful, unpleasant and demanding job I’ve ever had which (as a bonus) also happened to be accompanied with the least amount of respect. I had to deal with rude and obnoxious customers on a daily basis, an unintelligent manager on a power trip, and for the ultimate humiliation, I had to wear tapered pants made out of fire-resistant material. Never again.<br />
By the way, I admire the people who can work in these stressful and fast-paced restaurants because I certainly wasn’t cut out for it! It really was the hardest job I’ve ever had and we should all respect the people who do it. I definitely do.<br />
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3. <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">Go to Art School</span></strong><br />
Why not? Because I only met three cool people who I still talk to (in 4 yrs), I use my degree in Visual Arts for… well, just about nothing, I racked up a student loan in excess of $30,000 and I really didn’t become that much of a better artist – just more cynical. I wouldn’t go back and change it if I could though, I’m glad with how my life’s worked out. I just wouldn’t do it again!<br />
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4. <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Party too Hard</span></strong><br />
We all say “never again” the next morning but I’m hoping the last time I said that really was the truth. After completely avoiding alcohol while trying to conceive for a year, then being pregnant for nine months, then nursing my child for 14 months after that – I haven’t uttered this phrase in well over 3 years. To some the extent of your hangover the next day may be the main defining quality of how much fun you had the night before but Momma’s don’t have the option of staying in bed all day to nurse a hangover. My Little Alarm clock goes off somewhere between 5:30 and 6:30 am every morning – “mommmmmmm-mmmmaaaaa!” and I’d rather wake up ready to play than to puke.<br />
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5.<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;"> Smoke</span></strong><br />
I just wanted to point out I quit about… 4 yrs ago now! Woo hoo!<br />
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6. <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Bake a Double Batch of Double-Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></strong> (when I know the only one who is going to eat them is me!)<br />
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7. <span style="color: #674ea7;"><strong>Buy Halloween Candy Long Before Halloween</strong> </span>(same reason as the cookies)<br />
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8. <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Give Birth</span></strong><br />
Just one of the many stupid things I have done and will do for my child. Ok, it wasn’t stupid and it really wasn’t that bad but I would LOVE not to have to do this again. And even as I say it, I know eventually, I probably will. I really am stupid.<br />
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9. <strong><span style="color: #990000;">Shop with the Hubbie</span></strong><br />
Sometimes I get these images in my mind and I become so obsessed with the perfection of these little imaginary scenes that I convince myself reality will be just as magical. It isn’t. Shopping with the Hubbie is not a fun, relaxed, bonding experience – it is excruciatingly painful for both of us. The main issue is that Hubbie does not (like many other men) understand the concept of “browsing”. <br />
Hubbie – “What are you looking for?”<br />
Me – “I don’t know.”<br />
Hubbie – “Why are we in here then?”<br />
Me – “In case I see something.”<br />
Hubbie – “Like what?”<br />
Me – *irritated* “I don’t know yet.”<br />
Hubbie – *just as irritated* “I’m waiting outside.”<br />
Hubbie approaches shopping like a military operation. There are ETA’s and EDT’s and specific mission objectives. There are meeting points and hydration breaks but no other unscheduled stops and absolutely no “browsing”. There is also no slow-paced strolling or hand-holding though sometimes I can slip my hand into his before he notices. Naturally when this happens, I make fun of how lame he is for walking around a mall on a Sunday afternoon, holding hands with his wife! This is our relationship in a nutshell. (Hubbie is objecting that he is not the shopping-Nazi that I’m making him out to be. In his defense, he tries his best to grin and bear it and still takes me shopping every year for my birthday – I’m really a very lucky gal.)<br />
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10. <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Have my Hair Cut into a Mullet</span></strong><br />
I was nine, my Mom convinced me it would be a good look for me. A nice short, easy-style for a nine year old to take care of while still long enough in the back that it would look feminine. Momma lied. Until the mullet grew out, my older sister was able to convince people I was her younger brother, Steve. I’m not entirely convinced that Mullets are for anyone, but they are definitely not for girls. <br />
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<em><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></em>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-62122879827053545712010-10-07T20:26:00.001-07:002010-10-07T20:31:19.196-07:00A Review of David Nicholls' "One Day"Let me start off by saying, I want you to read this novel but only so you can tell me what you thought of it because as far as my <span style="color: #073763;">reaction</span> goes… I’m <span style="color: #0b5394;">undecided</span>. I’m not using my usual format for this <span style="color: #134f5c;">review</span> because it is quite an <span style="color: #0c343d;">unusual</span> book. And (since I’m starting off with all these side notes) I’d also like to apologize for the lateness of this post (it’s been a <em>crazy</em> week) and I also want to take a moment to announce the official <span style="color: #274e13;">launch date</span> of my novel (<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amber Frost</span></strong>) which will be made available <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Dec. 7</span></strong> through <strong><span style="color: #0c343d;">ireadiwrite Publishing</span></strong>!!<br />
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Ok, back to business.<br />
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So I was pretty excited about reading <span style="color: #741b47;">One Day</span> – I’d heard great things. It’s an International <span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">bestseller</span>, the <span style="color: #073763;">film</span> adaptation has already completed filming, it’s been getting some amazing reviews and I’ve always had a weakness for an interesting <span style="color: #3d85c6;">love-story</span> (not to mention the author, <span style="color: #45818e;">David Nicholls</span>, just looks like a really cool, interesting guy) but this… was not what I <span style="color: #134f5c;">expected</span>.<br />
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I think my main <span style="color: #0c343d;">issue</span> with this novel is the <span style="color: #134f5c;">characters</span>. I didn’t love them, for the most part I didn’t even like them but through it all, I was completely <span style="color: #274e13;">fascinated</span> by them. The protagonist, Emma (Em) Morley, is an <span style="color: #6aa84f;">idiot</span> – there’s no avoiding that fact. No matter how badly I wanted her to be clever and confident and secure in herself, she was not. Though I enjoyed her sense of <span style="color: #45818e;">humor</span> and inner <span style="color: #3d85c6;">dialogue</span>, I was so <span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">frustrated</span> by the poor choices she made that I frequently found myself wincing and groaning out loud. And then there’s Dexter – the <span style="color: #073763;">douche bag</span>. He really is a <span style="color: #073763;">douche bag</span>; he takes his friendship with Em (and just about everything else in his life) for granted, he’s self-possessed, disrespectful, egotistical and arrogant, and despite it all, Em loves him and you will too (and you may even hate yourself a little bit for it). Why? Because for some strange, <span style="color: #0c343d;">inexplicable</span> reason, we are often <span style="color: #134f5c;">attracted</span> to the people who are the least worthy of our love. That’s just the way it is and this is certainly the case with Dexter Mayhew.<br />
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The <span style="color: #38761d;">timeline</span> of <span style="color: #741b47;">One Day</span>, though unique, only added to my <span style="color: #6aa84f;">frustration</span> with this novel. The <span style="color: #45818e;">plot</span> moves at an unusual <span style="color: #3d85c6;">pace</span> and leaves many <span style="color: #3d85c6;">gaps</span> as the story leaps forward a year at a time, revisiting Em and Dexter’s <span style="color: #0b5394;">relationship</span> every July 15th, starting in 1988 and ending July 15th, 2007. Many of the events and <span style="color: #073763;">details</span> that you will <span style="color: #0c343d;">crave</span> to read the most are only hinted at because they do not fall on this specific, <span style="color: #274e13;">crucial</span> day. July 15th is the only day that <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Nicholls</span> provides us access to though he does follow his characters through 20 years of their relationship; it’s <span style="color: #45818e;">contradictory</span> and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">frustrating</span> and because of this, you may not be able to put it down. The entire novel (characters, plot and all the details in-between) was <span style="color: #134f5c;">unsatisfying</span> as a whole but that was ultimately what kept me turning the pages and left me craving more.<br />
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On the book’s cover <span style="color: #0c343d;">The Guardian</span> proclaims this novel to be “roaringly <span style="color: #274e13;">funny</span>”. Apparently “<span style="color: #38761d;">The Guardian</span>” is easily excited or at least prone to exaggeration. Obviously my sense of humor is on a whole different plane (good or bad who knows!?) or maybe I just didn’t “get it”. Either way, I don’t know how anyone could consider this a “<span style="color: #134f5c;">funny</span>” book; it’s actually quite a <span style="color: #073763;">sad</span> book. I think Tony Parsons’s endorsement was more <span style="color: #3d85c6;">honest</span> when he described <span style="color: #741b47;">One Day</span> to be “about the <span style="color: #45818e;">heartbreaking</span> gap between the way we were and the way we are”. I wish I said that – let’s pretend I did as it sums up <span style="color: #741b47;">One Day</span> quite well.<br />
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So while I can’t really decide how I <span style="color: #6aa84f;">feel</span> about this book, and I definitely won’t read it again, I will say that it is still, for some <span style="color: #38761d;">indefinable</span> reason, worth reading. One Day is interesting, <span style="color: #274e13;">unique</span> and completely <span style="color: #0c343d;">irritating</span>. I hated it, then I loved it, then I hated it some more but I think, just like Dexter and Em’s relationship, that was sort of the <span style="color: #073763;">point</span>. <br />
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Would love to know your <span style="color: #0b5394;">thoughts</span> if you’ve read it. If you haven’t, you can borrow my copy because there’s one thing I’m certain of - it was not worth the $17.95 cover <span style="color: #134f5c;">price</span> I paid. I think I’ll have to stick with <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">ebooks</span></strong> from now on. Hey… did I mention there’s this really great <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">ebook</span></strong> (<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amber Frost</span></strong>) coming out on <strong><span style="color: #990000;">Dec.7th</span></strong>? Mark your calendars...<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-86783058222428524642010-09-26T11:45:00.001-07:002010-09-26T11:47:41.318-07:00The Craziest ThingI can pinpoint the moment I decided I wanted to <span style="color: #990000;">write</span> a <span style="color: #b45f06;">book</span>. It was almost two years ago now, I was sitting on the couch in my living room and had just finished <span style="color: #bf9000;">reading</span> a really crappy <span style="color: #38761d;">novel</span> that, for reasons I couldn’t (and still can’t) comprehend, had sold hundreds of thousands of copies. <br />
<br />
“What a piece of <span style="color: #134f5c;">crap</span>!” I announced to my <span style="color: #0b5394;">husband</span> as I finished the last page. He patiently tore his eyes away from the <span style="color: #351c75;">Canucks</span> game on <span style="color: #741b47;">TV</span> with only a slight sigh (this, my friends, is true <span style="color: #990000;">love</span>) and he settled in to listen to the obvious <span style="color: #b45f06;">rant</span> I was about to embark on. <br />
<br />
I have always been a passionate and over-enthusiastic <span style="color: #bf9000;">reader</span>, and I feel personally offended when <span style="color: #38761d;">books</span> don’t live up to my expectations. <span style="color: #134f5c;">Hubbie</span> was aware of this – he knew what was coming but still listened attentively. <br />
<br />
“Seriously, how did this get <span style="color: #0b5394;">published</span>? Who reads this stuff?” I demanded.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Hubbie</span> raised an eyebrow but was wise enough not to comment. After seven years together, he’d learned that if he wanted to get back to the <span style="color: #741b47;">hockey</span> game before the next power play, it would be best to keep quiet, nod in agreement and only let his eyes stray back to the <span style="color: #990000;">TV</span> when I wasn’t looking. <br />
<br />
“I mean, even I could do better. I could <span style="color: #b45f06;">write</span> a <span style="color: #bf9000;">book</span> way better than this!” I declared, tossing said-<span style="color: #38761d;">book</span> onto the glass coffee table and missing. I glared at the <span style="color: #134f5c;">book</span> as it was obviously such a piece of junk that it wouldn’t even make a good projectile (this, of course, had nothing to do with my lack or coordination or athletic <span style="color: #0b5394;">ability</span>).<br />
<br />
And what does my other and at times (ok, a lot of the time) <span style="color: #351c75;">better-half</span> say? <br />
<br />
“Then do it.”<br />
<br />
His eyes went back to the <span style="color: #741b47;">TV</span> but I didn’t object because I knew he was right – I should do it. <span style="color: #990000;">Hubbie</span> had no idea what he’d started.<br />
<br />
Why not? I thought. I loved <span style="color: #b45f06;">reading</span>, I loved <span style="color: #bf9000;">writing</span>. I used to begin <span style="color: #38761d;">writing</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">novels</span> all the time when I was a teenager but back then I didn’t have the focus or the drive to get past the first fifty pages (I was too busy smoking cigarettes and falling in <span style="color: #0b5394;">love</span>). I’d written many a lengthy, University paper since then; my vocabulary, life experience and confidence had all improved since those confused teenaged days… so why not? <br />
<br />
And so I began to <span style="color: #351c75;">write</span>.<br />
<br />
A year and a bit later I have completed two, full length <span style="color: #741b47;">novels</span> (currently I’m nearing completion of my third and have a killer idea for my fourth). The first <span style="color: #990000;">book</span> never really took off – it was my first attempt at <span style="color: #b45f06;">writing</span> a <span style="color: #bf9000;">novel</span> and it was <span style="color: #38761d;">written</span> largely for my own enjoyment; I never really expected that one to get <span style="color: #134f5c;">published</span>. But the second… this one I’d invested a lot more time and <span style="color: #0b5394;">emotion</span> into. This one I had hopes for but after the first few <span style="color: #351c75;">rejection</span> letters came in (positive but still “no’s” – remember the “<strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><em>shit sandwich</em></span></strong>”? <a href="http://www.readnowasklater.com/2010/08/day-that-kicked-my-ass.html">LINK</a>) my optimism began to fade.<br />
<br />
I still loved <span style="color: #990000;">writing</span> but I was starting to realize there was something missing from the experience for me. What was it? What do you call that thing….? Oh right – an <span style="color: #b45f06;">audience</span>. No one was <span style="color: #bf9000;">reading</span> my work except for me and though I was thoroughly enjoying <span style="color: #38761d;">writing</span> and was frequently impressed by my own brilliance (I know, I’m ridiculously egotistical in the privacy of my own home) – it wasn’t enough. And that’s when this <span style="color: #134f5c;">blog</span> was born.<br />
<br />
Anyone remember my first post, <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong><em>Exposing Myself </em></strong></span><span style="color: black;">(<a href="http://www.readnowasklater.com/2010/05/exposing-myself_13.html">LINK</a></span>)?. I was so nervous to share my <span style="color: #351c75;">writing</span> with anyone, even the limited <span style="color: #741b47;">audience</span> I imagined that might view my <span style="color: #990000;">blog</span>. I did it though and I’m so glad I did. Now I barely think twice before hitting the “PUBLISH” button, even knowing that somewhere around 100 people (and counting!) are now viewing my <span style="color: #b45f06;">blog</span> every week. To you <span style="color: #bf9000;">blog</span> veterans, these numbers might not seem so impressive but to me it’s HUGE. It still blows my mind that people are interested in and entertained by what I have to say. The people I’ve met through my <span style="color: #38761d;">blog</span>, the contacts and connections I’ve made and the <span style="color: #134f5c;">recognition</span> I’m starting to gain are <span style="color: #0b5394;">priceless</span>. <br />
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And now the <span style="color: #351c75;">craziest</span> thing has happened – I’m getting <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">published</span></strong>!<br />
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The second <span style="color: #990000;">novel</span> I wrote (which is currently titled “<em><strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amber Frost</span></strong></em>” but fondly referred to as “Book #2” in my house) will be made available to the <span style="color: #bf9000;">ebook</span> world through <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>ireadiwrite Publishing </strong></span><span style="color: black;">(<a href="http://www.ireadiwrite.com/">LINK</a></span>) some time later this year. I hope you’ll understand what a huge understatement it is to say that I’m a little bit excited and kinda proud. Just a little bit.<br />
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I’ll be keeping you all updated as things move along but for now I’d just to say a quick <span style="color: #134f5c;">thanks</span> to all the wonderful people who read my <span style="color: #0b5394;">blog</span> each week, to my amazing family and friends who <span style="color: #351c75;">inspire</span> me, and to my incredible <span style="color: #741b47;">husband</span> who may at times be a “man of few words” but when he does speak, you’d be stupid not to listen. Thanks for letting me interrupt your <span style="color: #990000;">hockey</span> games honey, and sorry for all the nights I’ve made you watch “Glee” and “Gossip Girl” (no apologies for “Dating in the Dark” – you know you <span style="color: #b45f06;">love</span> that crap as much as I do). <br />
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Thanks everyone! Your <span style="color: #bf9000;">support</span> means the world to me.<br />
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And on that note… <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #38761d;">GO</span> CANUCKS</span></strong>!<br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></strong></em>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-32134043266913871442010-09-19T14:02:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:02:54.777-07:00The Mad Skills of a Workin' GalAfter a year and a half of being a <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">stay-at-home-mom</span></strong> and toying around with the <strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">idea</span></strong> (ok, <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">dream</span></strong>) of being a professional <strong><span style="color: purple;">writer</span></strong>, it is time to go back to the “<strong>real</strong>” world. The <strong>real</strong> world has some <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">pro’s</span></strong> like paydays, for example. The <strong>real</strong> world has a few <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">con’s</span></strong> too though – schedules, commutes, packed lunches and alarm clocks, workplace expectations that involve dressing in something other than yoga pants and styling my hair by some other method than a hair-tie. The <strong>real</strong> world kinda <strong><span style="color: #990000;">sucks</span></strong>. <br />
<br />
For the past year, I have mostly avoided the subject of returning to <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong>, assuring myself that one of my <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">books</span></strong> would get picked up and <strong><span style="color: purple;">published</span></strong> before I’d ever have to really consider things like job postings and daycare applications. I even timed my last round of queries and submissions so that I would receive my acceptances and have enough time to choose a publishing company to represent me before needing to commit to return to <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong>, therefore avoiding an encounter with the “<strong>real</strong>” world entirely… sometimes I am so good at <strong><span style="color: #990000;">lying</span></strong> to myself.<br />
<br />
Don’t get me wrong – I like my job; most days I would even go so far as to say I <strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">love</span></strong> it. I get paid fairly, the hours I work are great, my coworkers are fantastic and the actual “<strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong>” itself ranges from challenging to rewarding to just plain fun which are all good things <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">a mon avis</span></strong> (quietly groans at how pretentious French can sometimes sound). I don’t actually mind going back to <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong> that much; sometimes it’s just fun to complain. Who doesn’t <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">love</span></strong> the sound of their own voice? But since I have gone back to <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong>, there is one challenge I’ve faced that, in all seriousness, has caused me some <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">stress</span></strong> and <span style="background-color: white;">anxiety</span> - transitioning from <strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;">stay-at-home-mom</span></strong> to <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">working-mom</span></strong>. I’m finding myself in a very different role than what I’ve become used to and it’s taking some adjustment.<br />
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I hate to admit to this <strong><span style="color: #c27ba0;">weakness</span></strong> but on my first day back at <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong>, I was definitely feeling out of my element. Schools were so much noisier and busier than I remembered (especially in the first week of the school year), the kids were bigger and not as cute as they were in my memories, the buildings were more crowded and easier to get lost in. I totally felt like I’d <strong><span style="color: #990000;">lost</span></strong> my edge. <br />
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I began to <strong><span style="color: #990000;">doubt</span></strong> myself. I felt like I’d grown “rusty” from my year “off” (as if that year of maternity/parental leave was anything remotely comparable to a vacation). I wondered how my new <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">mom-skills</span></strong> would translate into the workplace and began to realize that there would be no opportunity to demonstrate my mad laundry-skills, or my ability to soothe a crying baby while sautéing onions, or how I could pick up my son’s toys with one foot while balancing him on the other hip and using my remaining free limb to hold the phone so I could finish scheduling his next Doctor’s checkup (seriously – I can do that). There was no place for these <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">skills</span></strong> (no matter how freakin’ fantastic they are) on a resume… or was there?<br />
<br />
And that’s when I realized just how valuable and translatable my <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">mom-skills</span></strong> are. <br />
<br />
The past year and a half of leave has (in many ways) been like a <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">boot camp</span></strong> of intensive mommy-training led by the unforgiving, unyielding and determined force of my beautiful baby boy. He has been my drill-sergeant and he has taught me well. My sweet little <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">son</span></strong> has taught me to multi-task on a whole new level. I am more <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">organized</span></strong> than I (or my mother) had ever thought possible. My thinking is broader as I have been trained to constantly think-ahead and plan for every possible scenario. My <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">natural instincts</span></strong> of empathy, intuition and even my ability to understand and interpret non-verbal communication have reached a whole new level. And, as specifically relates to my field of <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong>, my understanding of basic child development milestones, my patience, my nurturing <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">skills</span></strong> and even my speedy and efficient diapering abilities have become incomparable. Full of myself much? I know. But honestly, when it comes to <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">mom-skills</span></strong>, I have become a freakin’, unstoppable machine and I’m a little bit <strong><span style="color: purple;">proud</span></strong> (why not?).<br />
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Which brings me to a <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">point</span></strong> I have made before and will continue making time and time again because it is so very true. Being a Mom (or a Dad for that matter) is one of the hardest and most amazing jobs I, or anyone else, will ever do. Being a <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">parent</span></strong> changes your whole life, every single aspect of it, in the most positive way. It brings some <strong><span style="color: #990000;">changes</span></strong> that you expect and about a million that you don’t but it affects absolutely everything you do. It has changed my outlook on life, my philosophies, my priorities, my skills and my abilities – even my sense of humor. I feel like my son is <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">preparing</span></strong> me not just to support and care for him for the next 17 years of his life but to face the rest of my <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">life</span></strong> also. I am more than ready to face the “<strong>real</strong>” world, it turns out I never actually left it.<br />
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So while I won’t be picking up any toys in the classroom with my feet any time soon and I can’t imagine singing all the verses of “<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;"><em>Baby Beluga</em></span></strong>” at a staff meeting is going to impress anyone (though you never know!) I am still returning to <strong><span style="color: blue;">work</span></strong> as a more capable and more highly-skilled employee. My employers have my son to thank. He likes <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">bananas</span></strong> and things that make loud noises – he’ll be waiting for the gift basket.<br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></strong></em>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-16310160135956192792010-09-12T11:59:00.001-07:002010-09-12T19:42:09.178-07:00The Goodness*There's nothing particularly <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">funny</span></strong> about this post but I think it's an interesting topic and since it's been stuck in my thoughts all week, I feel I must discuss. I promise you something more light-hearted next week that will make you laugh - I'll try my best to even make you pee a bit. But in the meantime, I give you this to think about...<br />
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What is your definition of a “<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">good</span></strong>” person? I think we’d all use a lot of the same words to describe the <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">good</span></strong> people in our lives: loyal, caring, kind, generous, etc. Now think about yourself; what qualities do you possess that make you <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">good</span></strong>? You must think that in some ways you are a <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">good</span></strong> person – I’m sure everyone does. We can always <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">justify</span></strong> our actions somehow to convince ourselves that we made the “right” choice or did the “right” thing, that our <strong><span style="color: purple;">motivations</span></strong> weren’t selfish and that we were thinking of others. But are we really just lying to ourselves? <br />
<br />
Recently I’ve been thinking about whether or not I am really a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">good</span></strong> person – and I’m not sure if I am. I can say without a doubt that I’m a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">good</span></strong> mother and I try to be a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">good</span></strong> friend, wife, employee, etc. but am I a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">good</span></strong> person? I don’t know. I’m not presenting this question so that you can rush to <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">reassure</span></strong> me that I am indeed <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">good</span></strong> – this is not an attempt to fish for compliments because I’m not really sure if you’re a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">good</span></strong> person either. Ha, didn't see that coming, did you? Anyway, let me explain:<br />
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I’ve come to decide that it is our <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">actions</span></strong> and what <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">motivates</span></strong> these actions that measure a person’s “<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">goodness</span></strong>”. I think the selfish, vain, petty people have the same <strong><span style="color: black;">potential</span></strong> for <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">goodness</span></strong> that the caring, generous, loyal people do. Having said this, what have I really done that makes me “<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">good</span></strong>”? What <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">motivates</span></strong> my actions? How often will I do something just because it feels <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">good</span></strong>, and right, and for no other reason? <br />
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If I really am a <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">good</span></strong> person, shouldn’t I be out <strong><span style="color: blue;">donating</span></strong> all my free time and money to charities and volunteer organizations? Shouldn’t I be focusing my efforts on making the world that we live in a better place and solving global issues? And shouldn’t I be doing all of this quietly, with no expectation or desire to be <strong><span style="color: purple;">acknowledged</span></strong> or <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">rewarded</span></strong> for my generosity and dedication? Isn’t that what the truly “<strong><span style="color: #274e13;">good</span></strong>” people do?<br />
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I don’t know. What I do know is this – I can do more, I can do better and I think it’s time to <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">start</span></strong>. I’m <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">challenging</span></strong> myself, and you, to show how <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">good</span></strong> of a person you are. Start small but make a <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">start</span></strong>. We need time to ourselves, we need time with our friends and families and time to relax, but it only takes a little time to make a <strong><span style="color: magenta;">difference</span></strong>. Find that time and use it. Let your actions speak for you and find an answer to that tricky question – what makes me “<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">good</span></strong>”? Ah... sounding a bit too much like an infomercial motivational speaker now. I get carried away sometimes. Regardless, I think you got my point or at least I hope so.<br />
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On a <strong><span style="color: #f1c232;">brighter</span></strong> note, I think we all have the <strong>potential</strong> to be <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">good</span></strong>, and I think we all are <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">good</span></strong> at times. I'm sure we all <strong><span style="color: blue;">love</span></strong> someone who we think is "<strong><span style="color: #e69138;">good</span></strong>" and that person <strong><span style="color: purple;">inspires</span></strong> us and helps to bring out our own "<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">goodness</span></strong>". I think we are all that "<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">good</span></strong>" person in someone else's life too and without knowing it, we <strong><span style="color: purple;">inspire</span></strong> others. I also think that even if we do so unaware, we can still make our world a better place through our small everyday choices and actions. Imagine how much you could do though if you tried, if you <em><strong>really</strong></em> tried, to be "<strong><span style="color: #990000;">good</span></strong>".<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;"><em>Suzi</em></span></strong>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-10123218424146147342010-09-07T11:57:00.001-07:002010-09-07T11:59:36.676-07:00Sometimes I Wonder About MyselfDid my <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">mother</span></strong> make as many <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">mistakes</span></strong> as I did and do? Do my friends? Do people just not want to talk about the stupid and embarrassing things they have done? I guess we’re all afraid of looking dumb or irresponsible but we all make <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">mistakes</span></strong> sometimes, don’t we?<br />
<br />
Over the past year and a bit, I have come to realize that <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">parenting</span></strong>, like so many other things, is a trial and error process that you won’t necessarily get right the first time. I’m starting to wonder now about the “eldest children” out there that I know, aka. the <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">parenting</span></strong> guinea pigs. Forget 'middle-child syndrome'!<br />
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But seriously, I think I am doing a pretty good job raising my <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> but like I said, it’s harder than it looks. And though I’d like to blame lack of sleep and changing hormones and all those fabulous <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">excuses</span></strong>, my child sleeps through the night and is nearly 1 ½ so I’ve got nothing. Guess I’ll just have to admit that sometimes, I’m just not that perfect - <em>sometimes</em>.<br />
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<strong>Here are just some of the things that make me question my ability to ‘<span style="color: #bf9000;">parent</span><span style="color: black;">’</span>:</strong><br />
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I have literally spoken the phrase: “No, this is Mummy’s <strong><span style="color: #660000;">chocolate</span></strong> and I don’t have to share.” I have also tried to sneak <strong><span style="color: #660000;">chocolate</span></strong> past the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> . You don’t even have to say it – I know.<br />
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Similarly, I have seriously considered raising my child to believe that he is allergic to <strong><span style="color: #660000;">chocolate</span></strong>. I’d love to say this would be for his benefit but really…<br />
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When I have run out of things to entertain my son (if we’re stuck waiting somewhere) I have let him play with such non-Daddy-approved “toys” from my purse as lip gloss, tampons and make up.<br />
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Instead of nursery rhymes, since my son was a newborn I have been singing <strong><span style="color: magenta;">songs</span></strong> like “All the Single Babies” (Beyonce), “Shake, Shake, Shake – Don’t Shake the Baby” (Shake Your Booty) and “Push it” (Salt n’ Peppa – usually when he’s pooping).<br />
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I laugh when my son <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">farts</span></strong>. I know this only encourages him but he looks so surprised and then cheeky… how do you not laugh?<br />
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Whenever the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> sees an empty <strong><span style="color: blue;">beer</span></strong> can he runs to pick it up. He will either pretend to drink from it and then go “ahhhh” or he will take it straight to his Daddy. We have no idea where he picked up these habits.<br />
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I may have once <strong>forgotten</strong> to properly close the backdoor to my car after buckling my son in. I was pulling out of my spot in the Walmart parking lot and the door flew open – the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> laughed and started waving at the shocked people he could now clearly see. I stopped and closed the door. It may have actually happened twice.<br />
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Whenever the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> hears a loud <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">truck</span></strong>, he points and yells, “Daddy!” When we’re in a parking lot, I find myself repeating over and over, “No, that’s not your Daddy. No, he’s not your Daddy either. Nope, not baby’s Daddy, try again.” I love it when the guys driving the big <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">trucks</span></strong> have their windows down though and hear him. That “deer-in-headlights” look is priceless. It’s even funnier if there’s a girl sitting next to them. The <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> will usually smile and wave like he really does recognize them too.<br />
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It’s bad enough that the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> already recognizes a <strong><span style="color: #660000;">Tim Horton’s</span></strong> (the source of the occasional cookie ) and claps his hands and points from the backseat of a car going 90 km/hr, but it’s even worse that the girls in the <strong><span style="color: #660000;">Tim Horton’s</span></strong> drive thru by my house know not just me but also my son by name!<br />
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I bought the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> his own little <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">baseball</span></strong> bat. I don’t know what I was thinking with that one. Our cat still hasn’t forgiven me.<br />
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And finally, I’m wondering whether I really should be saying things to my son like:<br />
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- “No, we don’t <strong><span style="color: magenta;">hit</span></strong> Daddy. Only Mummy can do that.”<br />
<br />
- “Get the cat!” <br />
(He runs after it screaming. It’s pretty funny until he does it to other people’s cats.)<br />
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- Daddy – “What does Mummy say?”, <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> – “Mooo!”<br />
(My husband thought that was a pretty clever thing to teach him.)<br />
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- “Ouch! <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mother Ducker</span></strong>!”<br />
(If he repeats that one at daycare, I think I’m still going to look pretty bad.)<br />
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- “Look – there goes Big Fat Baby!”<br />
(Baby who lives down the street whose name I always forget. This has the potential to be quite embarrassing once the <strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Little Man</span></strong> can talk more.)<br />
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- “Pick it up quickly, it’s still good. Five second rule… Ten second rule… Thirty second rule… Here, let me get that for you.”<br />
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- “Baby, be careful! Don’t go near the <strong><em>Evil Bunny</em></strong>!” <br />
(My sister-in-law bought me this as a joke. I suppose I shouldn’t perpetuate the idea that the bunny is<strong> “<em>evil</em>”</strong>. I’ll include a picture so then you’ll have a better idea of what I’m talking about. Actually, in this case, it might be an example of <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><em>good</em></span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">parenting</span></strong> – you decide!)<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TIaLIGZAP1I/AAAAAAAAADM/_f0iWenkt2k/s1600/DSC04461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IawEGTobLto/TIaLIGZAP1I/AAAAAAAAADM/_f0iWenkt2k/s320/DSC04461.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-87517070458054457462010-08-27T13:30:00.003-07:002010-09-04T12:23:19.851-07:00Readers vs. WritersI started reading <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Suzanne Collins’</span></strong>, <strong><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">Hunger Games</span></em></strong> trilogy last week and, as predicted by Lainey <a href="http://www.laineygossip.com/intro_23aug10.aspx?CatID=0&CelID=0">(link)</a> became obsessed. I tore through the first two books in three days and then read the third, <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong>, within 24 hrs of it being released. Yes, it’s safe to assume I’m a bit of a <span style="color: red;">bookworm</span>, but this was bad even for me. These books were like crack to me – I couldn’t get enough. They had all the right elements; fast-paced plot, descriptive but not overly so, an intense love triangle that was trying to resolve itself under the shadow of the darker themes of distrust, corruption and instability. The plot kept me guessing to; I had no idea how it would all resolve and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the third and final installment, <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong>. My hopes were set so high…. and they all came crashing down. <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> was good, but the ending <span style="color: red;">SUCKED!</span><br />
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I had some bad dreams that first night after I finished reading <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> (that’s how crazy, my <span style="color: red;">book-crazy</span> is). <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> left me so unsatisfied, with so many questions left unanswered, that even my subconscious couldn’t let it go. No one else I knew had even finished reading it, so I had no one to discuss it with (by the way – who wants to start a bookclub because I am SO in?). And so my brain became stuck on the <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> <span style="color: red;">disappointment</span>. I mulled my issues with <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Collins</span></strong> over and over in my mind until I came up with a justification for the ending that I could, at least partially and as a writer myself, accept. It took me a few days to come to terms with <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> but eventually I did. And it was all because of this one realization: even though the ending was not what I wanted it to be, it was the only possible ending for the writer.<br />
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As readers, we often have completely different <span style="color: red;">expectations</span> than writers do, and for writers, it is not always possible to reconcile the differences between the two. As a reader and fan of the <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;"><em>Hunger Games</em></span></strong> trilogy, I wanted a happy ending. I loved the characters, I’d seen them fight and struggle and conquer all odds and I wanted my happy freakin’ ending. I wanted all the loose ends neatly tied up. I wanted all my questions answered, all mysteries to be revealed. I wanted a happily-ever-after but I didn’t get one, at least not the one I wanted. At first that was a huge disappointment but as I moved on and let it go, I realized that perhaps I was left with something more important than what I had originally thought I wanted. Perhaps <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> had <span style="color: red;">accomplished</span> something more than just entertaining and pleasing its readers. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> really <span style="color: red;">haunted</span> me – days later it’s still prominent in my thoughts (enough so that I had to blog). I’m still thinking about the characters and replaying in my head how it “all went down” in the end. And I’m coming to realize that to tie it all up into a neat and perfect little package would have been <span style="color: red;">unfaithful</span> to the work, because a writer has to be true to their vision, to their inspirations and their themes. This was not a happy story, it was obviously never meant to be, so why was I wanting (so badly) for it to be something other than what it was?<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Collins</span></strong> stayed true to her characters, dedicated to her themes and was disturbingly honest with the reality of her story. I’m willing to accept now that there aren’t always happy endings – and that’s ok. Sometimes, you have to find the happiness you can and accept it for what it is. <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockingjay</span></em></strong> also guides readers to <span style="color: red;">appreciate</span> the power of the <span style="color: red;">unspoken word</span> - the things that can be left unsaid yet despite and because of this, they are still so clearly heard. <br />
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The truth is, we don’t always get our happy endings. Things don’t always play out as you expect but you heal, you move on and you find what happiness you can and you take it. I will argue though that there is A LOT of opportunity for character exploration, growth and development <span style="color: red;">in-between-the-lines</span> but <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Collins</span></strong> chose to leave these moments untouched and in that way, I am still disappointed with <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mockinjay’s</span></em></strong> ending. On the other hand, it makes me hope that one day she may eventually “go there” and tell us the rest of <strong><em><span style="color: #38761d;">Katniss Everdeen’s</span></em></strong> story because I am not the only book-crazy, <span style="color: red;">obsessive</span> reader who would be all over that. This may be another case though, where the readers’ hopes and desires differ greatly from those which influence the writer.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span><br />
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PS - if you haven't read the <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;"><em>Hunger Games</em></span></strong>, you should. They are starting production on the movie soon and you definitely want to read the book first.Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-21688480999657822502010-08-22T15:08:00.003-07:002010-08-22T15:16:01.095-07:00The Best of the WorstOne of the greatest challenges I’ve found in ‘<span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong>blogging</strong></span><span style="color: black;">’</span> is creating interesting and entertaining posts on an (almost) weekly-basis. If I don’t have anything to write about, I refuse to force myself to <span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>write</strong></span>. The end result is always that my readers must force themselves to read; it doesn’t work out for anyone. I will only <strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">write</span></strong> if I’m excited about something, if I’m inspired or interested enough by the subject matter that the story (or in this case, the post) writes itself. But I have made a commitment to my readers to post as regularly as possible and so at times, I do find myself stretching for new ideas. This has resulted in some really bad and embarrassing posts that fortunately, were <span style="color: #a64d79;"><strong>abandoned</strong></span> before they were ever published.<br />
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I try to keep in mind that the best <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ideas</span></strong> often plant their roots within the worst. They rise up from the manure that has fertilized their roots and blossom into a wonderful creation that can stand tall on its own. Excuse my bluntness, but I also feel it’s important not to forget the shit you had to get through to reach your eventual goal. And, in my case, sometimes “<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">the shit</span></strong>” turns out to be even more entertaining than the actual end result. Or at least it can be once you’ve gained enough perspective to look back and laugh at yourself (re: <a href="http://www.readnowasklater.com/2010/05/cake-that-everyone-ate-but-no-one-ever.html"><em><span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>The Cake That Everybody Ate but No One Ever Saw</strong></span></em></a>)<br />
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And with that being said, here are some of the best of my worst <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ideas</span></strong> for blog entries. I encourage you to laugh:<br />
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“<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>The Sugar Cleanse</strong></span>”<br />
An overview of journal entries from a sugar addict/chocoholic’s (my) experience on a self-imposed (and husband-suggested) sugar-free diet for ten days. I thought it might be funny/interesting to record my experiences… it wasn’t. It basically ended up being three days of me complaining how hungry I was and then pathetically abandoning the whole thing so I could devour unsightly amounts of chocolate. Not pretty and not funny – not in the way it was supposed to be anyway.<br />
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“<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Ode to my Baby Daddy</span></strong>”<br />
This one was a poem I wrote for my husband for Father’s Day. He never saw it – no one ever did. The “Ode” may make an appearance next year on Father’s Day; I’ll admit it had some potential hilarity mixed into its short, rhyming lines. There were some awful parts too though. I may have rhymed “dear” with “beer”, and “happily” with “pee” – I don’t think I need to explain why this one never saw the light of day.<br />
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“<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">The Portrait Project</span></strong>”<br />
A photographic investigation of portraiture as I attempted to capture my subjects’ “true beauty” through a series of bad shots (poor lighting, unflattering angles, badly-timed moments, etc.). The end result was a series of fugly photos (oh, how I enjoy that word!) that though hilarious, were certainly not what they were meant to be. Maybe one day these photos will resurface for your enjoyment, or for future blackmail purposes.<br />
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“<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>The Right Lyrics</strong></span>”<br />
You know how sometimes you think you know all the lyrics to a song, and then one day you’re singing along to your car radio and your passenger enlightens you on the fact that you are actually singing the words completely wrong (by laughing hysterically at you)? Well... this happens to me a lot. I started writing a post about all the song lyrics I’ve gotten wrong over the years but to be perfectly honest – it was just too ridiculous. I mean, how did I think Nelly saying, “Hey… must be the money!” sounded like “Hey… fuck you buddy!”? And then why would I decide to sing along so loudly… in public…?<br />
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Oh there are so many more embarrassing <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ideas</span></strong> to tell you about but you’ll have to be satisfied with these gems for now. And to thank you all for your support of my <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">blog</span></strong>… here’s a teaser from the “<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Portrait Project</span></strong>”. It’s a self-portrait of me and my son. You’re welcome.<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Suzi</strong></em></span>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518768533345573501.post-40733242445149380552010-08-16T21:59:00.003-07:002010-08-17T13:29:54.555-07:00The Best IntentionsI have a few friends right now who are <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><strong>pregnant</strong></span> - including my sister (love you!). It's been nearly a year and a half since my days of waddling around town and rubbing my budda belly, and though I still don't really miss it, I have been somewhat fondly reminscing about my pregnancy lately.<br />
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I didn't really enjoy being pregnant; it was ok but not the lovey-dovey, cherished time in my life that I was told it was supposed to be. I didn't feel like a "sacred vessel of life". I felt like a bloated whale who was always hot, hungry, thirsty and tired (sounds attractive, right?). My darling <span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><strong>baby</strong></span> was a wiggler right from the start and he loved to wedge his little, pokey feet in underneath my ribs and push... (shudder) my ribs creak at the memory. Don't get me wrong - there were good parts too and I suppose a small part of me may one day miss being pregnant... a little. The hardest part for me though was all the <strong><span style="color: #45818e;">unwanted attention</span></strong> that went along with it.<br />
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Pregnancy, for me, was a personal, private and emotional experience. But I suppose since it's such an obvious, public condition everyone else feels like they are involved in your pregnancy too. I hated how people would always look at my ever-expanding waist line before they looked at my face. I felt violated whenever someone would (without asking permission) start<span style="color: #f6b26b;"> <strong>rubbing my belly</strong></span> (something that you would never <em>dare</em> do to anyone else). I detested being asked the same questions over and over again, usually by people I didn't even know - "how far along are you?" or "do you know what you're having?" and "when's your due date?" And it annoyed me how people expected me to share every <strong><span style="color: #93c47d;">personal and intimate detail</span></strong> of my pregnancy when I so obviously did not want to. I'm just not the kinda girl who can have a conversation about her cervix, especially at a work function.<br />
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Being pregnant is a bizarre and often hilarious time though. I thought I'd share with you some of the random things people asked me and the questionable (not to mention unsolicited) advice I was given while pregnant. <br />
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People REALLY said these things to me, though some may be hard to believe! Sorry if you recognize a statement here as one you may have made. Please note that I love my family and friends and know that all advice was given in love and all comments were made with <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">the best of intentions</span></strong> at heart. That being said... what were you thinking?<br />
ENJOY!<br />
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- "You're glowing!" <br />
This one I heard a lot and always new it was complete BS. Pregnant women don't glow, they sweat.)<br />
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- "I bet your husband likes how 'well-endowed' you've become."<br />
This one was said to me at the work place (did I mention I worked in an <em>Elementary</em> <em>school</em> at the time? A little inappropriate, non?)<br />
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- "Is your Doctor worried about how small you are?"<br />
I think maybe there's a compliment hidden in that one... maybe? A note to the wise - never comment on a pregnant woman's size or shape in any way other than to tell her that she's "all baby" (I couldn't hear that one enough!).<br />
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- "Has your Doctor said anything about how much weight you've gained?"<br />
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- "You look great... for being pregnant."<br />
In my opinion, qualifiers negate the compliment.<br />
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- "You're huge!" And also, "Look how big and fat you're getting!"<br />
To which I pointed out, 'I'm not huge or fat - I'm pregnant! There's a BIG difference - it's called a <strong><em>baby</em></strong>!'<br />
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- "You're so lucky - you're not even <em>that</em> bloated."<br />
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- "You can't be seven months pregnant! Are you sure you've got your dates right?"<br />
No, you're right. Myself, my healthcare providers, the 3 ultrasounds I've had - we're all wrong. This question was followed up by the ever-appropriate:<br />
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- "Do you know which night you conceived?" <br />
And I was similarly asked...<br />
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- "Did you know the moment you got pregnant? Was it a special night? When was it?" <br />
These very personal questions were asked by two separate people, one at a family function and another at a child's birthday party. Both people had very loud voices. You can cringe for me if you like.<br />
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- "Babies are a lot more work than puppies!"<br />
An old woman told me this when I commented that her puppy was cute... She was one of the few people who found me, in all my pregnant glory, offensive. I turned 26 while I was pregnant but was often told I looked a few years younger. A few seniors shot me some scandalized glances - it was sorta fun. What was also fun was when people asked...<br />
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- "How far along are you?" <br />
The only reply to that was, 'Far along with what? Oh... did you think...?' and then watch them try to backpedal. This is especially fun when you are in your ninth month of pregnancy. It really confuses people.<br />
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- "Childbirth is the most painful thing you've ever experienced." <br />
Really... why tell a pregnant woman that?<br />
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- "You'll be cursing your husband's name once you're in labor!"<br />
I didn't. I cursed the name of that lady who wrote the Hypnobirthing (painfree labor) book - for selling me a lie that I wanted so badly to believe!<br />
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- "Are you scared about giving birth?"<br />
Does it matter? It's obviously too late for second thoughts.<br />
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- "When your water breaks, you'll be overwhelmed by a peaceful wave of tranquility. Your body's biologically programmed that way." <br />
When my water broke, I was in the "Transition Phase" - aka. most intense part. It was not peaceful. And finally...<br />
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- "Does it bother you that your baby looks nothing like you?<br />
No, I'm ok with it. I remember quite clearly how he was born and am pretty sure he's mine regardless. It would bother me if he didn't look like my husband. That would be awkward.<br />
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And then the <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">old-wives tales</span></strong> that people insisted were true. None of these were:<br />
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"Your cat will try and smother your baby."<br />
Which was not quite as silly as...<br />
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"Your cat will be jealous of the baby because he'll be able to smell your milk and not want the baby to drink it." (A mother of 3 told me that one but I'm pretty sure she was stoned.)<br />
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"Because you don't have heartburn, your baby will be bald." (He was born with a full head of hair.)<br />
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"Because your baby moves a lot, it will be a girl."<br />
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"You'll go at least a week past your due date because it's your first baby." (He was born a day early.)<br />
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"Spicy food will make you go into early labor." (We eat a lot of Indian food, I was fine.)<br />
"You're belly is too oval-shaped so you're going to have a girl." (Definitely not a girl.)<br />
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"They'll give you an enema as soon as you get to the hospital." (I assure you, they certainly did not.)<br />
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"Episiotomies are routine." (Don't know what that is? Look it up - you'll be scared.)<br />
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And despite all this helpful advice, I made it through my pregnancy and labor experience ok, and I may even, possibly, do it all over again one day. Maybe. <br />
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I'll end this post with a pic of me when I was 34 wks pregnant:<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Suzi</span></em></strong>Suzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926199438259208962noreply@blogger.com5