Author Sarah Weathersby on Being a Female Writer

For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is spotlighting FEMALE WRITERS!

During our final week, we are featuring Sarah Weathersby, author of the memoir, Motherless Child, stories from a life!




About the book: Imagine you gave a baby up for adoption forty years ago, and after years of trying to find her, she finds you. Now come the hard questions. She's healthy, beautiful, and successful, but she wants to know why you gave her away and why you didn't marry her father. And there is also the unspoken question of "What kind of black woman gives her baby away?" How do you explain to her that giving her away was the best gift you could offer? This is Sarah Weathersby's first published work, a coming-of-age-in-the-sixties-single-black-pregnant and on the way to Germany, memoir.



The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written. What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write? How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?

To begin her response, Sarah wrote, "I write about the things that keep me awake at night, as well as the things that bring me joy. If you follow my blogs, the topics can be the trivial how to work my new camera or the gut-wrenching mental breakdown of a family member. I started writing poems as a little girl when my oldest brother went off to the Korean War."


Head to All the Blog's a Page to read the rest of Sarah's response to November's question...and to read a wonderful excerpt from her memoir!


ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Author Annette Fix Talks about Being a Female Writer!

For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is featuring FEMALE WRITERS!




This week, we feature Annette Fix, author of the memoir, The Break-Up Diet!










About the book: Annette Fix always believed in happily-ever-after and was busy working her Five-Year Plan: marry her golf-pro boyfriend, homeschool her preteen son, become a famous writer, and retire to Fiji. When her live-in boyfriend calls it quits, Annette finds herself on The Break-Up Diet, consuming vast amounts of chocolate and exercising by diving blindly into the shallow end of the dating pool.

Working as an exotic dancer to bankroll her aspiring writing career and support her son alone, Annette uses her blue-collar instinct to survive in the plastic jungle of The OC.

Annette’s adventures take her on a wild ride as she attempts find the perfect balance between her dreams and her day-to-day life as Supermom.




The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written. What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write? How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?



In replying to the question above, Annette said, "This interview question really made me think about my purpose and intention with my writing—something I feel at a gut level, but never actually articulated until now."




What does Annette articulate about being female writer? Head to All the Blog's a Page now to find out!




ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing


[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

CLG Talks with Writer, Educator, and Entrepreneur Zulmara Cline!

ChickLitGurrl Talks to writer, educator, and entrepreneur Zulmara Cline!




INTERVIEW EXCERPT



CLG: I read that you co-write bilingual children's books; what moved you to write in this genre?


ZULMARA: I have been working with educating children all my life and I have such a strong place in my heart for bilingual and biliterate children because I feel they bring life skills with them to the educational arena that are not admired, appreciated, and nurtured. I want to change all that.

CLG: You are, indeed, an EVERYWOMAN. You're working on children's books. You've written and published short stories. And you also run your own company, EZ Bilingual. What was the inspiration that led to this company's inception?


ZULMARA: The inspiration was the desire to make a difference in the world of dual language education. I realized that both parents and teachers needed more support to help their children learn a second language and I wanted to use original tales that children could listen to over and over again in both languages. When I met Eduardo, a writer in Nicaragua, our partnership was born. We started chatting and realized we shared similar interests as writers and he became my Spanish support.

CLG: What first attracted me to you were your "Journaling for the Creative Mind: Discovering Your Inner Diva" blogs at your page on Art by Latina Artists. Where did the idea for the blogs come from?


I have always journaled and have always taught it as a way of helping students become better writers and to get in touch with their essence. I feel that journaling is a powerful outlet for anger, healing, love, and positive karma. It is through our writing that we can get in touch with our spirits and be connected to our purpose and give our lives meaning. That is why I stress that journaling does not have to be original writing, but can be pictures, quotes, lyrics, or poems--whatever moves you, will help you get in touch with that inner core that drives you.

The idea from the blogs came from the journaling workshops I have conducted where I work with getting participants to free themselves up and start having a conversation with themselves.

Check out the rest of Zulmara Cline's interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]




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Bestselling Author J. D. Mason & Being a Female Writer

For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is featuring FEMALE WRITERS!


This week, we feature bestselling author J.D. Mason!







The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written. What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write? How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?



J. D. begins her response by stating, "I think I’m psychic! LOL Or, maybe just very intuitive. I seem to find myself pursuing the story within the story, meaning, the story of turmoil or revelation going on inside the characters, in addition to the turmoil and revelations going on around them. I don’t know if anyone else would agree, but that’s the heart of the story to me. I look at it like this, five totally unrelated people could be going through the exact same problem (or pretty similar); they could all be broke, or sick, or having problems in their romantic relationships. But those five people will each have a different perspective of their issues, and they’ll each approach their solutions to those issues differently. For instance, one woman might discover that her husband is cheating on her, and go ballistic beating him with a broomstick. Whereas another woman could have the same discovery, but ends up throwing his clothes on the front lawn, sets them on fire, changes all the locks on the house and files for divorce."




J.D. has a lot more to say and you can read it and learn more about her latest novel YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED by heading to All the Blog's a Page now!




ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Why Do You Love Chick Lit - Contest Winners Announced!

ChickLitGurrl™ and author Brenda Janowitz asked, "Why do you love Chick Lit?"

Several entered, but only THREE were chosen to win an autographed copy of Brenda's latest novel, JACK WITH A TWIST!

**********

So, who won? *drum roll*

Penny Venable from Colorado, who wrote:

I love Chick Lit because I can relate to the characters. Also you get romance, but it's more true to life romance. Not like the traditional romance novels where he sweeps her off her feet and carries her off to the bedroom to introduce her to his "member" and all that phoney baloney silly stuff. The Chick Lit that I enjoy has characters I can relate to, laugh at or with, and just enjoy a good down to Earth story without all of the fancy dresses, balls, and jewels. I often feel like I could have been that character, or else think it sounds like my sister, daughter, friend or Mom. Chick Lit is just more realistic and more like my life or what my life could have been like.

Lydia Heath from Wisconsin, who wrote:

Chick Lit has a way of making life seem more bearable. You know that others out there are dealing with the same issues or even worse ones. I feel like I always have a friend near when I have a good girly book. Chick lit gives us a way of bonding with other girls and gives us a peek into lives that we either wish we could lead or do lead. It makes me feel like I belong to a special group that only girls belong to.

And our favorite piece came from Carlie Sherwood from Louisiana, who wrote:

There’s nothing like sitting down with some Starbucks, coffee cake, and a good piece of chick lit. It’s one of the most relaxing ways I spend my free time. I can get into another person’s shoes and live a different story other than my own.

Chick lit pieces almost always end with the beautiful girl kicking the antagonist’s butt. One of my favorite books, “The Devil Wears Prada,” is a perfect example of this type of story that just sweeps me away. Personally, I don’t live the most sophisticated lifestyle. I don’t have the money, or the guts for that matter, to move to a big city and take on the world in the fearless way the character does in this book. So, I simply let her do it for me. And of course, there is the L word. The girls in my favorite chick lit books have to live happily ever after with their oh-so-gorgeous man candy, or else I won’t read it. It’s okay to live in this fantasy of perfection for just a little while, right?

Now, you may think I’m a pathetic wannabe who lives her life vicariously through these gutsy women in my books. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. But one thing’s for sure- anytime a sticky situation comes my way, all I have to do is channel one of my beloved chick lit characters and think, “What would Andy do?” Then maybe I can have the courage to conquer the devil- even if they are wearing really great shoes.

Congratulations to all who participated and to Penny, Lydia, and Carlie for winning and receiving a really great book from Brenda Janowitz!

Keep reading CHICK LIT! There's always something new, hilarious, sweet, funny, sexy, real that is revealed between the pages!

Get Your LIFE @ SisterDivas Magazine!

Over @ SisterDivas Magazine's LIFE column, we're talking about beauty secrets, fall wines, job searches, and modeling and music!





Fall and winter seasons lead to several holidays. Beauty expert Debora Routhe joins ALL THAT GLITTERS columnist Melodye Shore with her latest article, BEAUTY SECRETS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON!






Many people love fall - the colors of nature grow vibrant, and the weather gets cooler. What better time to sit some place warm and take in a glass of wine? L. Denise Jackson, better known as The Sipping Sommelier here @ SisterDivas, gives us her choice wine selections in her latest column, Fall Wine Tips during the Recession—Part 1!






This issue, SD welcomes Roxanne Ravenel - author, podcast host, and job search coach. Take a lot inside Roxanne's life, and read her article, How Working Mothers Can Prepare for a Successful Job Search.






Everywoman Nicole M. Stevenson interviews another everywoman - singer, model, writer, inspiration Sharon Quinn who talks about her career and her passion!




Head to SISTERDIVAS now (at LIFE) to check out our interviews and articles!



SisterDivas Magazine - Where REAL Women Congregate!
[www.sisterdivasmagazine.net]

Annette Marie Hyder on Being a Female Writer

For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is featuring FEMALE WRITERS!

First up, freelance journalist/editor, artist and author Annette Marie Hyder!











The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written. What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write? How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?



In her response, Annette said, "I am drawn to stories about passion, exploration and discovery. Adversity captures my imagination as well. Myths, fairytales and legends are woven throughout my work as reference, allusion, retelling, and mirror. My heroine’s grow wings – are forbidden to fly – but flaunt their feathers anyway, lose their voices to Winter but find new ways to speak, meet the Big Bad Wolf and tell his tale with sympathy, pluck truths like fruits from fairytale trees and sink their teeth in. They fill their aprons and offer these fruits to others, make delicious dishes of them, preserve them, candied and canned but always with the essence remaining. My heroines, whether walking through the shadows of adversity, running through avenues of fear, or pausing at intersections of indecision, have shod their feet with winged sandals and wear passion as a blade to pierce mysteries and conundrums alike. They search for the bridge that spans a void which has, on the one side fear, and on the other side discovery."



To read the rest of Annette's response and read more about this EVERYWOMAN, head to All the Blog's a Page now!




ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]