I'm Just Sayin'...

Social Media for Small Business

2012-01-02T15:28:00.005-05:00

Check me out on Business Fan Pages' new masthead - markettoyourfans.com - and read more about growing your Facebook fan base as well as how consumers are using social media to investigate brands before they buy. To view my complete fan page, visit facebook.com/KristyStevensonWriter.

With the introduction of Timeline to Facebook's personal profiles, it will be interesting to see what the coming months bring for business pages. What form(s) of social media do you use to reach your target audience? What do/don't tips do you recommend, and are you tracking your results?

Quotable Gems

2012-01-02T15:17:00.001-05:00

“A good writer is someone who can translate a cool idea into something you can communicate to others. This is interesting to me, now I’m going to make it interesting to you.” -Damon Lindelof

Resolutions and Milestones

2012-01-01T23:10:00.006-05:00

Happy 2012 everyone! Can you believe it’s January already? I have definitely fallen off the blogging bandwagon. Deadlines and bigger projects shifted my focus – and truth be told, time just got away from me. But it’s my New Year’s resolution to post here regularly, sharing useful information about writing and writing-related industries. Here’s the link to Katie’s story that I promised.

Since my last visit, I spent time with my family while the boys were out of school, hubby started a new job, and I took on some new commercial clients (click the “Corporate” tab on this page for more). I am also happy to report that my professional website has been revamped to better serve the editors and clients I work with. Please take a look and let me know what you think!

I’ve established a stronger social media presence and have incorporated Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn into my every day schedule. I’ve generated client web content, done some guest blogging, and am open to suggestions of things you’d like to see here as well as the occasional guest post from some of you! I’ll also be telling you more about the Triangle Area Freelancers’ 5th annual nonfiction writers’ conference coming up on April 21. We’ve been busy putting together a great panel of presenters – details are coming soon and registration opens Feb. 1.

R2-KT: Katie's Legacy

2011-07-12T20:21:00.002-04:00

I recently completed a new piece for Med Monthly magazine. The story revolves around precious 6-year-old Katie Johnson who died from brain cancer – and the legacy she left behind. As a parent, I was moved by the details of her life and how she is now remembered every day through a little pink droid that gives hope to other sick children. I hope you’ll come back in August to read all about her.

My First National Clip!

2011-06-09T22:31:00.012-04:00

I recently had my first Rapid Fire article published in Military Officer magazine. Interviewing veteran/actor JR Martinez who currently stars on daytime's All My Children, I was humbled by his story. At just 300 words or less, however, Rapid Fire pieces are quite short ... so I thought I would post my full submission before it was edited. (My editor did a great job, but I think more of JR's story needs to be heard as his ability to overcome is an inspiration.)

Here is a link to the printed piece.

And here is the original; I hope you like it:

IRAQ VET’S COMPELLING STORY RAISES AWARENESS
Daytime television’s All My Children has been historically committed to social issues. It’s therefore not surprising that in an effort to raise awareness among audience members, they brought a wounded warrior character – specifically one who fought in the ongoing struggles in Iraq – to the show’s canvas. “We wanted to inspire by integrating the story of an actual veteran, someone who brought an element of reality to the story we were telling,” says Executive Producer Julie Hanan Carruthers.

The show issued a nationwide casting call citing the need to bring validity to the performance and partnering with organizations for technical accuracy. Over 600 applicants were narrowed to a handful who camera-tested. Twenty-six year old retired US Army Corporal J.R. Martinez eventually landed the role.

Cast as Brot Monroe, a soldier whose extensive injuries prompt him to let everyone believe he perished in combat, Martinez was initially offered a 13-week cycle. AMC never anticipated he would earn a pre-Emmy nomination for his portrayal and the character would be moving into his third year on the show.

What makes this tale unique is that Martinez brings so much of his own story to the set each day. Enlisting after 9-11, he was less than one month into his service and on a last minute course change escorting a convoy through the desert when the Humvee he was driving hit a landmine – and he was trapped inside. “I remember laughing at something my Sergeant said, and turning away just as it happened. The landmine was under my front left tire, so it literally exploded right under my feet,” says Martinez. With severe burns on more than forty percent of his body, he spent thirty-four months in the hospital and has undergone thirty-three surgeries to date including skin grafts and cosmetic reconstruction. Eventually transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Martinez says, “That’s where the real war began.”

“He brings so much of his experiences, and the things that made him turn the corner – and we were able to tap into that when he allowed himself to show that emotion on camera,” says Carruthers. “It’s been very powerful.”

The road back was not an easy one, but Martinez began using his account to help others through education and motivational speaking. “It’s important for us all to be a voice. I want to help people; it’s what drives me,” he says. Troops are receptive to his message – thanking him for telling ‘their’ story. Martinez credits his mother with making him realize that the world would ultimately embrace him for who he was rather than what he looked like. Still happy in daytime, today Martinez continues making personal appearances and is writing a book chronicling his journey.

Watch for Martinez to continue with All My Children through their final air date in September 2011.

Calling All Writers...

2011-03-24T13:37:00.011-04:00

It's that time of year again -- the TAF Conference is coming up next weekend!

Triangle Area Freelancers (TAF) presents WRITE NOW! 2011, its annual nonfiction symposium hosted by Wake Tech Community College's Northern Campus, Building D, on Saturday, April 2, from 8:00-4:00 in Raleigh, NC.

Philip Gerard, chair of the Department of Creative Writing at UNCW, will deliver the keynote address: "Cultivating the Successful Writer Within." New York literary agent Rita Rosenkranz will also discuss The Author/Agent Relationship. Conference classes, taught by nationally published writers and journalists, are presented in two concurrent tracks for both beginning and experienced writers. Online registration (which includes breakfast and lunch) is available through March 31: www.triangleareafreelancers.org/WriteNow.html.

Quotable Gems

2010-08-05T15:07:00.002-04:00

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. -Norbet Platt

Proofreading: Always a Good Idea

2010-07-16T15:06:00.005-04:00

Everyone knows to proofread their own work. After all, spellcheck won't catch everything. But here's another reason it's important to read things back to yourself: when you receive a proof of your work, re-reading it carefully may help you reword something to provide clearer understanding.

For example, I recently received an article proof from a magazine designer. My part of the job was done -- I had researched, interviewed, written and submitted the article. Now I was proofing for typos and to add photo captions. But when I saw the finished product and re-read it aloud, I suddenly found a better way to say something I had already said. A cleaner, more succinct sentence never hurt anyone. And this was my chance to change it, and to make the article better.

Blogging for Celebrities

2010-07-16T14:18:00.004-04:00

Okay, so I'm selling some items on eBay, and this interesting ad shows up on my dashboard: "Alicia Keys is Hiring." Yeah right, sure she is. I think I'll just pack my family up and move to LA to be a personal assistant for her and her new baby daddy. But wait, it seems that Miss Keys is actually looking for a blogger ... and she's posted her needs on Monster ... who knew?

Of course when you click through, you get the "This job is no longer available" schtick. Wonder if it ever was? (Monster then wants me to look at other job openings. I need to know how they automatically know what area I live in, but can't provide me with a list of jobs that are actually in my field? But I digress...)

Would you blog for a celebrity? I'm guessing people like Britney Spears and Kate Gosselin don't really do their own blogging or website posts (read them sometime and you'll see what I mean). So they must have somebody to do it for them. Why not you or me?

New Contests from Writer's Digest

2010-07-14T16:02:00.002-04:00

Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards
Deadline: 11/1/2010
Writer's Digest is accepting entries in the Popular Fiction Awards. Compete and Win in All 5 Categories! The Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City, $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2011 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.
http://writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards

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Writer's Digest 11th Annual Short Short Story Writing Competition
Deadline: 12/1/2010
Writer's Digest is now accepting entries in the 11th Annual Short Short Story Competition. First prize is $3,000 and a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City! Winners will appear in our June 2011 issue.
http://writersdigest.com/short

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Writer's Digest 6th Annual Poetry Awards Competition
Deadline: 12/15/2010
The 6th Annual Writer's Digest Poetry Awards is now accepting entries. First place wins $500 and a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City, plus exposure in our August 2011 issue.
http://writersdigest.com/poetryawards

Quotable Gems

2010-07-09T15:18:00.001-04:00

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials. -Lin Yu Tang

Quotable Gems

2010-06-17T19:55:00.004-04:00

Every moment of each day counts. Our best recourse is to live life with intensity and exhilaration - in thought, experience, action, and deed. -Paul Kurtz

Christmas book opp and writing contest

2010-06-16T15:03:00.005-04:00

Story call out for a potential Christmas book - short deadline:

Here's a potential new title from the folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul, a potential add-on to Christmas Magic being released in October 2010. All submissions must be "Santa Safe," and the deadline is July 13. Visit this link for more: http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books

Garden & Gun, a magazine with a circulation of 200,000, is soliciting entries for their “Made in the South” contest:

Searching for entrepreneurs whose products use local ingredients or the touch of their own hands to create something special in small batches, the pub wants to discover the product that the world doesn’t know exists – and to tell the story of the people behind it.

The five entry categories include Food (think pickled okra or artisanal cheese), Home (fabrics, furniture or lighting with a different point of view), Style (editors see a huge new movement in the world of fashion as it relates to Southern couture), Sporting (like bamboo fly rods or handmade boats), and Etc. (luthiers, letterpress stationary or birdhouses – it’s a deliberately vague category that scoops up what doesn’t fall into the others).

Five winning entries in each category will be published in the Dec/Jan issue of the magazine, and one overall winner will receive a trip to Charleston, SC, for a business consultation with Leapfrog Public Relations Co. and Stitch Graphic Design. Deadline is August 1. https://www.gardenandgunclub.com/madeinthesouth/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Recently published and what I'm working on...

2010-06-03T23:49:00.007-04:00

Yes friends, I've fallen off the blogging wagon. It's been a while since I've posted here, so allow me to catch you up. Here are some recent works and things currently in print (special thanks to the graphic designers who make me look so good):

Letting go at 'The End' of LOST

Second Time Around: Get the inside scoop on the consignment and resale of everything from clothing to home furnishings and jewelry
Midtown Magazine version
Cary Living Magazine version

Oh So Charming: Taking a look back at the history of the charm bracelet and its resurgence in today's jewelry market

Cary Living Magazine version

Pinehurst Magazine version

Exciting Changes for the Village of Pinehurst: Razook's Building embraces new look

Doctoring By The Decades: Preventative care for optimum women's health

In addition, I have a reunion piece coming out in the summer edition of Triangle Style. And I'm currently working on new stories about private schools and couponing! A big thanks to those of you who worked with me on these assignments ... watch for more on these soon.

Tax Form for the Marginally Employed

2010-04-13T15:10:00.003-04:00

This is too funny:

TAFs’ 2010 Nonfiction Conference

2010-01-30T15:54:00.006-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Triangle Area Freelancers
www.triangleareafreelancers.org
Donald Vaughan 919.873.9833

WRAL’s Amanda Lamb to be Keynote at
Triangle Area Freelancers’ Annual Nonfiction Conference

RALEIGH, NC—February 1, 2010—Triangle Area Freelancers announces Write Now! 2010, its third annual nonfiction writing symposium, to be held at Wake Technical Community College’s Main Campus on Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local television personality Amanda Lamb, WRAL crime beat reporter and author of several books, will deliver the keynote address. Her latest true-crime book, Evil Next Door, scheduled for release April 6, 2010, chronicles the efforts of a dedicated team of detectives to track down a suspected serial killer. Lamb’s previous books include Smotherhood, a humorous look at parenting, and Deadly Dose, about the inner workings of a murder investigation.

Triangle Area Freelancers (TAF) is an organization of professional writers located primarily in North Carolina’s Triangle region. TAF members have been published in numerous local and national magazines and newspapers, including The News & Observer, The Cary News, Our State, North Carolina Signature, Midtown magazine, Parade, Good Housekeeping, Reader’s Digest, Mad Magazine, Military Officer, and others. Many TAF members have also published or contributed to an eclectic array of books, including the group’s 2008 anthology A Taste of TAFFY and the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

The theme for Write Now! 2010 is “Making Your Freelance Dreams Come True.” The classes, which are taught by nationally published writers and journalists, will be presented in two tracks. Track A, for novice writers, will include topics such as Crafting the Perfect Query Letter, Nurturing the Writer/Editor Relationship, Technology for Beginning Freelancers, and Five-Minute Mentoring. Track B, for more experienced writers, will focus on Podcasting For Success, Moving Up to the Major Markets, Chasing the Human Interest Story, and Niche Writing.

In response to feedback from previous conferences, a new inclusion, Five-minute Mentoring, will offer beginning writers a chance to briefly discuss their career goals with an experienced freelancer. The mentoring session, along with the always-popular panel discussion “Ask the Freelancers!”, will allow participants to experience the support and exchange of ideas that is characteristic of TAF’s monthly meetings.

Molly Wyman, the managing editor of Military Officer magazine, a monthly publication which reaches more than 360,000 members of the Military Officers Association of America (www.moaa.org), will be one of this year’s presenters. Mark Cantrell, a conference planner, says he is “excited about offering attendees the opportunity to interact with the editor of a national publication, particularly one as well-respected as Military Officer.”

Registration information is available on the TAF website: www.triangleareafreelancers.org. Again this year the organization is holding advance registration to just $59 ($49 for students with a valid ID and seniors 65 and over). Walk-in registration will be $69. Only 100 seats are available. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, catered box lunch, and beverages.

Contact:
Donald Vaughan
919.873.9833
dvaughan@mindspring.com

# # #

My Kellie Pickler piece is out

2009-12-04T12:30:00.003-05:00

Here are links to two new published articles. Both appear in the Winter 2009 issue of Triangle Style Magazine.

New Year, New You?
The scoop on the latest cosmetic procedures

Being Kellie Pickler
Talking with the Carolina girl, herself

Hope you enjoy, and feel free to comment.

Today is National Writing Day

2009-10-20T14:41:00.007-04:00

Washington DC -- As good writing touches all spheres of our lives, the US Senate has declared Oct. 20, 2009 as the inaugural National Day on Writing.

This day was created to recognize how important writing is to our lives -- drawing attention to the remarkable varieties of writing, and acknowledging professional and freelance writers alike.

The National Day on Writing will:

Celebrate the foundation of writing in personal, professional, and civic lives;
Point to the importance of writing instruction and practice at every grade level, for every student, and in every subject area from preschool through college;
Emphasize the lifelong process of learning in composing for different audiences, purposes, and occasions;
Recognize and honor the scope and range of writing done; and
Encourage Americans to enjoy writing and to learn from the writing of others.

(From THAINDIAN NEWS)

Quotable Gems

2009-10-16T11:58:00.004-04:00

Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive ... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
-Howard Thurman

New Articles, Projects...

2009-09-17T18:42:00.004-04:00

Hello friends and fellow writers,

I feel like I’ve been so preoccupied with the LOST blog that I have neglected this one and promise to get back on track.

I have two new articles in print right now … Your Fall Style: Wardrobe Essentials for the Season (in Triangle Style) and Going Green: Organic Community Gardening is Good for the Soul, the Environment, & You! (in Pinehurst Magazine). Check them out. Can’t believe I missed the Good Housekeeping contest … did any of you enter? I have two other irons in the fire and am querying new work all the time. If you are a writer, how often do you query vs. accept assigned work?

Speaking of writing, the Triangle Area Freelancers have already announced their 2010 Conference. Author Amanda Lamb (Smotherhood, Deadly Dose, and the forthcoming Evil Next Door) will be the keynote speaker. Yes, this is the same Amanda Lamb from WRAL-TV 5. Visit her website or this Event link on Facebook for more: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161446446958&ref=mf.

Our family has settled into the “back to school” routine and D is really enjoying being a middle-schooler. C is potty training (ugh) and getting ready to go back to playgroup. We were excited about the possibility of a half-day preschool – but, alas, need to master the potty first. More fodder for articles, right? (lol)

I have been expanding my photography portfolio and will share a brand new link soon! This is very exciting for me and I hope it is well received. As always, comments are welcome.

Remembering 9-11

2009-09-10T23:30:00.003-04:00

What were you doing when time seemed to stand still on this day in 2001?

LOST Blog Migrating To Examiner.com

2009-08-10T00:40:00.005-04:00

For those of you who may also be following my LOST blog, please check out new LOST posts here: http://www.examiner.com/x-18971-LOST-Examiner (this is a link to my LOST Examiner homepage where you can then click-thru to individual articles).

I get paid by the click-thru, so subscribe to emails letting you know when I post new material and please tell your LOST friends where to find me.

Quotable Gems

2009-07-28T00:04:00.003-04:00

Kindness may be described in many ways. It is the poetry of the heart, the music of the world. It is a golden chain that binds society together. It is a fountain of gladness. Kind hearts are more than coronets. Kind words produce their own beautiful image in man's soul. Everyone knows the pleasure of receiving a kind look, a warm greeting, a hand held out in time of need. Such gestures can be made at so little expense, yet they bring such dividends to the investor. -Author Unknown

Back In The Saddle

2009-07-21T14:20:00.006-04:00

I've got some new assignments coming to me now, instead of having to query every idea. Mama like!

More Writing & Educational Opps

2009-07-14T22:07:00.011-04:00

From Dewey:

Editor-in-Chief, Society for Public Health Education (SOPHEE),

see attached JPG.

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From Facebook:

Writing Gigs Community - Freelancers helping freelancers find jobs,

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9787230737

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Freelance Writers,

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2351373470

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Journalists and Facebook,

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2544570126

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The Official Facebook Public Relations Group,

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2215015652

SparkCon Call For Talent

2009-07-09T22:51:00.009-04:00

From Cal:

poetrySPARK is a series of events 9/18-20 in Downtown Raleigh - part of SparkCon. Please check out online page and let Cal Nordt know if you want to help organize, read at the events, get more info, or participate in any way!

www.sparkcon.com (and click on poetrySPARK's icon).

Good Housekeeping Short Story Contest

2009-07-07T23:27:00.005-04:00

Thanks to Nan for the heads-up:

Enter at http://goodhousekeeping.com/shortstory by submitting a short story no longer than 3,500 words, on a theme that focuses on the lives of women today.

Submission must be original, not previously published or
a finalist in another contest. Please include your full name, address,
daytime phone number and email address with the submission. Manuscripts will be accepted June 5, 2009 to September 15, 2009. Only one entry per person.

One grand prize winner will get $3,000 and published in the May 2010 issue. 2 runners up will get $750 and may be published. Winners will be notified by the judges in December.

Happy 4th, Lady Liberty

2009-07-04T18:32:00.003-04:00

The Statue of Liberty’s crown re-opened today after being closed by the September 11th attacks nearly eight years ago.

The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck re-opened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. (The torch has been closed since 1916 when it was damaged by a saboteur's bomb.)

So while you’re grilling out and watching fireworks, chalk one up for personal freedom being restored, and remember how lucky we are to live in this great country.

Call For Submissions

2009-07-02T13:12:00.009-04:00

Attention writers:

The Southern Women's Review is an online literary journal which was inspired by the biennial Berry College Southern Women Writer's Conference - a conference whose theme we share: "showcasing the works of well known and emerging southern women writers, expanding the literary canon, and developing critical and theoretical understandings of traditions and innovations in southern women's writing."

Whether you are a born and bred Southerner, a Southern transplant, or merely a frequent visitor, we welcome you to submit your poetry/prose, fiction, creative nonfiction/memoirs, and photography. Submissions should be from women who were born in or grew up in the US South; currently live in the US South; or write about the US South. For editorial purposes, we consider the US South to be a region comprised of the following areas: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Maryland, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

Beginning August 1st, the Southern Women's Review will take submissions for our next issue to be posted on-line beginning January, 2010. Please submit your poetry/prose, fiction, creative nonfiction/memoirs, or photography along with contributor's notes beginning August 1st to southernwomensreview@gmail.com. Allow 4-6 weeks for response and please include type of submission in the subject line. Call for submissions will end October 31st.

Note: Your submission gives us permission to use your work extensively online. At this time, we do not pay upon publication.

The End of an Era

2009-06-28T16:02:00.012-04:00

I debated whether to blog about the celebrity deaths that occurred this week. So much has already been written. But both Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett were such iconic symbols of the time in which I grew up, that I felt compelled to put something here.

Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett became known to the world simply as Farrah. From toothpaste and shampoo commercials -- everyone knew Farrah, her toothy smile and gorgeous blond mane of hair. She was one of Charlie’s original Angels, an identity she found both a blessing and a curse. Struggling to be recognized as more than just another pretty face, later projects grew gritty and included Extremities and The Burning Bed. But I will always remember her as the tortured wife of Sam Elliott in the 1981 mini-series Murder in Texas. Based on a true story, it chronicles the twisted path of a prominent plastic surgeon suspected of causing the death of his first wife. The creep factor is high and this is a must-TiVo for those of you who enjoy crime dramas. Farrah is unpretentious and well cast as the daughter of a wealthy member of Houston society who marries the wrong man.

“The Gloved One” – Michael Jackson – became an American superstar with albums like Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad. He was an undeniable talent, cranking out hits and dance moves like no other. His presence was magical and his career meteoric. Back in the day, cheerleaders rocked the house to Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough, we spent weekends at Sportsworld roller skating to Rock With You, and experienced the Thriller video on big screens at a new teen haven called Julian’s. Later personal MJ favorites include Smooth Criminal, Who Is It, Will You Be There (from the Free Willy soundtrack), and Scream (with sister, Janet). For the sake of Jackson’s children, here’s hoping the negativity that dogged him in later years will finally be put to rest. Despite the craziness that his life became, Michael Jackson was a talent who deserves respect and remembrance.

Celebrity deaths have a way of affecting us differently than losing someone we actually knew. Perhaps they remind us of a special time in our lives, or an event that we haven’t thought about in years. Sometimes they represent a tangible item, other times just a feeling. Back in Jackson’s heyday, who would have thought that we’d see “the death of Michael Jackson” just 20-some-odd years later? Now I know how my grandparents felt every time they were taken aback at the passing of an icon from their own era. The loss makes me feel sad and old at the same time.

Rest in peace Michael and Farrah.

Website Updated

2009-06-20T23:25:00.007-04:00

Hello Friends,

Have updated my Clippings page with the recently published Triangle Style link. More changes coming with a new host for my photos, lots of photo additions, and a Testimonials page that will replace my Guestbook.

Thanks for staying in touch ... and happy Dad's Day!

Date Night!

2009-06-10T13:35:00.004-04:00

It’s here: the one evening in a blue moon that my husband and I actually get to go out with no diaper bag … eat a meal with no chaos … complete two sentences with no interruptions … and relax in a sea of anonymity without fear of what our kids are doing in a public setting. Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh. To be honest, we really have very good children. But every parent needs a break now and then. And this is definitely one of those times.

This date night includes dinner (on the run, but I’ll take what I can get) and then a concert! Grandmama and Granddaddy are in town for graduation, so they will be caring for our monkeys while we get some alone time. Well, alone amongst thousands of concert-goers, but you get the idea. When our first child was little, we’d make grandiose plans for date nights and Grandma weekends … then end up falling asleep early. Ah, the best laid plans. With a new two-year-old in the house -- and one who doesn’t rest well at all -- we are more sleep-deprived than ever, but have learned to take time for ourselves. That means leaving the house and spending quality time together doing grown-up things and trying not to talk about the kids for a few hours.

We met some great folks on our evening out, including a restaurant owner and his wife, a shoe store manager and his sis, and even a local morning DJ out on a date night of her own. My husband took my hand as we milled around the amphitheater in search of a cool drink. These days, my hands are usually holding sticky, wiggling little fingers rather than clasped around my husband. It was nice to be me for just a little while, as an alternative to Mom.

The show was hot and loud! We danced, we shouted, we sang along. No sippy cups, bathroom trips, spilled fries, or pacifiers. It was a wonderful evening, and we had great fun. But then it slipped in -- “The boys would have loved it when…” Yes, the stroke of midnight had come, our carriage turned back into a pumpkin, and my glass slippers back into flip-flops. But, ya know, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Well is overflowing; building to be sold | Destination Wake Forest

2009-06-04T14:26:00.008-04:00

The Well is overflowing; building to be sold Destination Wake Forest

Shared via AddThis

Familiar Faces on Jon & Kate Tonight!

2009-06-01T23:04:00.006-04:00

Hannah, a friend I met at Kate Gosselin's appearance at the Southern Women's Show, showed up on one of the two new episodes of Jon & Kate Plus 8 tonight! As cameras panned through crowds at various Gosselin appearances, I recognized Raleigh -- then Hannah -- and, alas, then me. I knew Hannah would eventually appear because she was interviewed by TLC, but I had no idea I was caught on camera as well. LOL.

As J&K are now basically doing solo spots, I'm hoping TLC will use more snip-its in the coming weeks and we'll get to see some of Hannah's interview. :)

Womens Social Media Summit 2009

2009-06-01T22:36:00.015-04:00

Here’s a little something from my friends at inSide919 that fellow professional women might be interested in:

Women network differently from men. Find out what works and what doesn't when it comes to networking on places like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Inside919, etc.

For the first-time ever, there will be an All Women's Social Media Summit in NC. Join fellow Inside919ers Olalah Njenga, Heather O, Deidre Hughey -- along with Heidi Richards from Florida and Wendy Y Bailey from Atlanta -- who will lead a lively discussion on How to Get the Most out of Social Media. You'll also learn about marketing and branding yourself and your business. Find out what some of the no-no's are when it comes to online networking.

Our very special guest will be NBC17 Executive Producer Kim Greene, who will tell us how they use social media to find US for interviews. Yes--they do read blogs, folks!

Seating is limited. You also have a chance to win a pair of tickets in our Social Media Summit Ticket Giveaway. Go to the website for details.

October 17, 2009 (all day event)
Raleigh Marriott
Fayetteville Street Mall

http://www.womenssocialmediasummit2009.com/

SPAM Hurts Your Reputation

2009-06-01T16:30:00.011-04:00

As someone who lives on the computer, I surprisingly never realized how strict the definition of “Spam” really is. You may not either.

The following detailed information from inSide919, a local business and social network, is highly applicable to all business relationships and good enough to share:

Sending Spam or Bulk email using the Internal Email System... Hurts Your Reputation

One of the things we would like inSiders to know is that this is NOT the place for Bulk email or Spam.The main reason for this is that YOU will end up hurting YOUR Reputation and Brand Message.

So... Do not use the Internal Email system to send Bulk email, promotions, deals, notices, thoughts for the day or solicitations of any kind. Basically... ANY email that is not Personalized may well be considered Spam by the receiving party. When a person accepts your 'Friend Request' they are not agreeing to 'RECEIVE' anything from you - they are simply agreeing to be open to forming a business relationship with you.

Here are a few examples that may help:

1. If you send me a one-time individual solicitation for a product, service or business (meaning that it includes a personal message to me, not a cut-and-pasted canned message), I don't consider that spam. If I don't respond and you solicit me more than twice, it's spam.

2. If you send me a solicitation, promotion, or notice in a bulk e-mail that's simultaneously going to a number of other people, that's spam.

3. If you post solicitations on my comment wall, that's spam (unless that solicitation is a RELEVANT response to something I "inquired about" somewhere on the Network or "requested" in my Profile).

4. If you send me a one-time invitation to an event that's designed to benefit me (whether I buy anything from you or not) that's NOT spam. If your "free event" is a thinly disguised sales pitch or "business opportunity meeting," that's spam.

Most messages sent to more than 5 people at the same time will most likely fall into the questionable area. When in doubt ... don't send it out!

Attention Writers: N&O Seeks Community Columnists

2009-05-27T10:55:00.010-04:00

From the Lifestyles section, Mon., May 25. It's a tight turnaround, but great opportunity!

JOIN THE OUR LIVES FAMILY

Do you want to see your words published on these pages?

We need more community writers for the Our Lives column to share stories about life around here.

Send a 50-word essay -- yes, 50 -- on a topic of your choice. It could be what you'd like to write about if chosen, it could be a little about yourself, it could be what's on your mind. Just make it good.

E-mail your essay to adrienne.johnson@newsobserver.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Late entries will not be accepted.

Sorry, but you will be contacted only if you are chosen to write a longer essay to be considered as one of the new writers.

Good luck and good writing!

At A Crossroads With Jon & Kate Gosselin: Is “Jon Minus 9” Really Where This Family Is Headed?

2009-05-16T16:02:00.013-04:00

[I have a story and photos of Kate Gosselin slated for the summer issue of a local magazine. It may never see the light of day based on recent headlines. But no one’s looking at the bigger picture…]

The details of the Jon & Kate Gosselin story are getting uglier by the day. The wholesome Pennsylvania family blessed with eight gorgeous kids (a set of twins and sextuplets) and a reality show documenting their lives seems to have been derailed by fame, the media, or their own sense of entitlement – depending upon who you ask.

Clip shows like The Soup have been targeting the Gosselins and their TLC show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, for months. But it was business as usual at TLC. And mom Kate continued to make appearances promoting books about the family. There was a big “will they or won’t they” media blitz when Kate wanted to continue with a fifth season of the show and Jon most definitely did not. TLC announced the show would return, and everything in the Gosselin household hit the fan.

First there were rumors of infidelity on Jon’s part … followed shortly thereafter by the same against Kate. Kate spoke with The Today Show and said she was “hesitant to believe” the accusations against Jon and that they were handling it privately. Not so privately, it seems, as less than one week later she appeared on the cover of People magazine saying, "I don't know that we're in the same place anymore, that we want the same thing … I've been struggling with the question of 'Who is this person?' for a while."

The media blitz surrounding the family is larger than ever, and everybody’s got an opinion. Up until now, sources supposedly “close” to the couple have been cashing in. But now we’re even hearing that the marriage is over from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jodi, Kate’s brother and sister-in-law. Viewers will remember Jodi from earlier seasons of J&K. Is this payback from Jodi for being cut out of the show and the children’s lives? Is this a publicity stunt by TLC to boost ratings for the May 25th summer season premier of Jon & Kate Plus 8?

It just doesn’t matter. Whether the headlines are true or not, who’s considering how all of this nonsense is affecting the children? I’m tired of hearing how much the Gosselin home is worth and how much they earn per episode. How can you put a price tag on what this controversy is doing to the kids? At ages eight and five, these children are heavily influenced by what they see and hear in the media – and in everyday places like school and the grocery store.

"Watching this family self-destruct should not be used as a form of entertainment," said Jodi.

If you love your kids as much as you profess to, Jon & Kate, please stop doing interviews and start going to counseling instead.

Quotable Gems

2009-02-20T10:43:00.004-05:00

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart, there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young. -Douglas MacArthur

2009 Writers' Conference

2009-01-10T14:05:00.010-05:00

Registration is now open for the Triangle Area Freelancers (TAF) 2009 Writers' Conference.

"Write Now: The Craft and Business of Freelance Writing" will be held Saturday, April 18, 2009 on the North Campus of Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh. Local novelist, nonfiction writer, and private editorial consultant Peggy Payne will deliver the keynote address. Her most recent novel Sister India is a New York Times Notable Book.

Reserve your seat by visiting http://www.triangleareafreelancers.org/, or call 919/873-9833 for more information.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-01T22:27:00.018-05:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of interviewing a woman with whom I have a lot in common. We were both born within a few years of each other and raised in the Badger state, chose similar professional fields, got what we hoped would be stepping-stone jobs after college, moved around a bit, got married, and had children.

The major differences between us are that she is more well-known and has made more money … subsequently by working full-time through most of her children’s lives. But despite all her successes, this woman is now taking ‘early retirement’ and leaving the daily grind. She is stepping down from a job she loves, where she is well-compensated, respected, and admired – to be at home with her kids. I applaud her decision as it is one I made a long time ago.

Although she seems to be following my lead, in truth, I can learn a lot from this woman. To go from a nine-to-five environment into a world where you work just as hard but don’t get paid, are only sometimes respected, and admired only by those who do what you do – is a form of culture shock to say the least. But family is important, and those of us lucky enough to be home with our children sometimes lose sight of that in the grand scheme of things.

I love my family and also my occupation. For me, freelancing is the best of both worlds. As my second job (the first being CEO of a busy household), it allows me to keep my professional skills sharp while working with editors and business associates nationwide. I have to dress for work every day, multi-task my brains out, return phone calls, meet deadlines, and deliver a finished product that makes everyone happy. My family is starting to see how important it is for Mom to have a creative outlet and a paycheck made up of more than sticky-sweet kisses. Little do they know that they are often the inspiration for many of my essays and all of my successes. Wearing two hats is a challenge, but all jobs have their pluses and minuses. On most days, my office is better equipped than my pantry, but I am learning to expand my super- and writer’s-markets.

With this in mind, I’ve written measurable and attainable goals for 2009. Resolutions include exceeding editor/client expectations (the old “under promise – over deliver” adage), showing more patience with my children, and demonstrating the confidence and fortitude to help my business and personal relationships soar. It’s a tall order, but one I am eager to engage. What are your resolutions for the new year?

Quotable Gems

2008-12-07T01:04:00.007-05:00

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. -Stanley Horowitz

In Loving Memory

2008-11-02T14:16:00.020-05:00

Lloyd M. Burke
August 1916 - October 2008

My Papa. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. The "L" of L&M. The time-study man with the Shaklee charts, a garden of ripe tomatoes, 100-year-old jokes, and a smile & a jig for every occasion. Congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's took much of Papa from us long before his actual death. But his presense is still what held the family together. His passing has not only made me aware of my own mortality, but it is now what drives me to make every day worthwhile and important.

I miss you, Papa.

Pizza Dough, Anyone?

2008-09-23T21:17:00.007-04:00

Ah fundraising. The time of year every parent dreads as after all family members have been hit, children need to be escorted from door to door. Such is the case with my fifth grader who is trying to raise money for a class trip to Washington, DC.

The grade takes this trip every year, so we’ve known our turn at basically begging for cash would come ever since we moved to this school district back in the first grade. The kids did it year after year, so it seemed as if it would be easy enough. But somewhere over the course of the past five years, the same folks must have been approached over and over again as they’re not as eager to buy now that my kid is out selling. They’re certainly not as generous as Aunt Kim or Granddaddy Leroy – go figure.

No, my son is learning the valuable lesson that “work” is just that – work. And not everything is handed to you on a silver platter. It’s a life lesson, but a bitter pill to swallow just the same.

And it’s dangerous to be friends with me this year because in addition to class fundraising, my son will also be selling popcorn for the Cub Scouts. Neighbors are beginning to cringe when they see us out. :) When the PTA comes calling for us to sell holiday wrap, I think we will have to decline (insert friends and family rejoicing and breathing a sigh of relief here).

It's The Elmo That Counts, Right?

2008-09-18T22:10:00.010-04:00

Why you should never send your husband for birthday balloons:

Oversharing At The Pump

2008-09-16T21:54:00.010-04:00

It was a gorgeous summer day. The humidity was noticeably lower and there was a breeze. Far from the computer and the cell phone, I was enjoying the quiet of a leisurely drive. I had my car windows open for the first time in a long while as I stopped for gas.

The station was quite busy; many people were out enjoying the weather. As I pulled in, I noticed the deafening sound of someone's car stereo cranked up beyond the limits of most eardrums. The vulgarities being broadcast from that stereo were so offensive -- and so frequent -- that I couldn't believe anyone would listen to that (no to mention inflict their choice of "entertainment" on everyone else).

I had my baby in the car and was grateful that he slept through the ordeal. Others weren't as lucky: an elderly gentleman cleaning his windshield was clearly taken aback by the language, and the woman pumping gas next to me had a carload full of children (she was NOT pleased). Everyone was turning to see what kind of person would cause such a stir, only to learn that there was no one even in the vehicle! The driver was apparently in the store, but left his million-decibel gansta' tunes for all to enjoy. How thoughtful.

Now I'm the first to defend your right to watch or listen to whatever you want -- but when it involves "slappin' your b___" around, "puttin' a cap" in their posterior, or "f___in'" someone up, I tend to draw the line. If you want to listen to that kind of crap, please do so within the comforts of your own home, with earphones, or at least have the courtesy to turn the volume down and your windows up. I'm just sayin' ...

Quotable Gems

2008-08-27T22:37:00.004-04:00

"No race can prosper until it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling the field as in writing a poem." -Booker T. Washington

Quotable Gems

2008-07-31T22:04:00.004-04:00

"With a clear and meaningful purpose will come the motivation and the energy to follow that purpose. When you're sure of the what and the why, you'll find everything necessary to handle the how." -Ralph Marston

Quotable Gems

2008-07-21T13:51:00.009-04:00

"Don't aim at success - the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue ... as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a course greater than oneself." -Viktor Frankl

Love Letters From The 4th Grade

2008-07-06T01:07:00.012-04:00

[From 6/10/08] On this, the last day of school, my son’s heart was broken by a flippant 10-year-old little minx named Kiley. Joe (a pseudonym) has had a crush on this girl almost the entire school year, and he’d finally gotten up the courage to let her know. “She’s pretty and smart, mom,” he beamed. And they were friends. Then Kiley found out that Joe liked her in a boy-girl kind of way, and suddenly everything was different.

At first, she didn’t know what to say, and then she told Joe she thought he was “weird.” Oh, the look on his face. It was as if someone had just slapped all the happy out of him. He didn’t know how to react. “Sorry, I like someone else,” would have been an unfavorable response, but it was preferable to, “You’re just weird.”

Joe’s friend came up and put an arm over his shoulder. “It gets easier, dude,” the boy nodded in a stud-ly fashion. “It’s hard when they turn you down, though,” he offered. The wisdom of this child’s years told me that he had broken many a heart. I secretly giggled as his bravado, but was glad that he could be there for Joe.

I hated to see my boy hurt, but this was all part of growing up, and it certainly wasn’t anything that the rest of us had not been through at one time or another. Still, Joe had other wonderful girls interested in him over his vast tenure at the local elementary school. They saw something special in him that Kiley just didn’t see. Perhaps she was overwhelmed by the attention of Joe’s feelings suddenly becoming so public; he hadn’t been too weird to be her friend before that. But isn’t that always the way it works – the one you love (or, for 4th grade purposes, the one you are in “serious like” with) is never the one that loves you? Until you get married, that is, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog entry.

Joe says he’s not ready to move on and now consoles himself with cold Yoo-Hoos and his new Wii. But something tells me that there’s a 5th grade girl out there just waiting for my little weirdo. And she will be very lucky to have found him.

What I Learned From The Oceanic Six

2008-06-24T22:06:00.023-04:00

“Sayid is staring at me,” my husband says. A LOST calendar hangs in our kitchen, and the character of Sayid is ‘Mr. June.’ It’s one of those photos where the eyes follow you wherever you go and it creeps my husband out. February was fun: LOST returned for season number 4 and the character of Sawyer was the calendar model. Yum.

Being forced to wait another eight months for the LOST saga to continue makes me sigh ... heavily. After the Writer’s Strike, LOST’s season was cut short -- and for a myriad of reasons I can neither understand nor explain, new episodes will not air until January 2009.

Now there is a threatened Actor’s Strike which could delay all fall programming. (Of course you can’t really count LOST as fall programming when they don’t return until after New Year’s, but who’s talking semantics?) Where will the madness end? I support those who are not being compensated for an honest day’s work, and in the case of the writers, it was not fair for the networks to profit from online advertising while the writers who created the programming got short-changed. Last time I checked, however, actors were some of the highest paid people in the land. Can anyone justify why they are holding out for more money?

Speaking of the writers, LOST is very well-crafted, and unlike its predecessors (offbeat shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files), it goes back and ties up loose ends. Well, so far, anyway. There are so many loose ends at this point, however, that I’m beginning to wonder if those eight-month lags between seasons are purposefully implemented to give us time to forget that all the i’s are not dotted and t’s are not crossed. Remember when TV was a relaxing escape? There’s not much relaxing about this show. I don’t mean to complain -- seriously, I love, love, love LOST. With a story is this intricate, you get pretty invested in the overlapping plotline- and character-development. And with so much crap on TV (Celebracadabra, I’m talking to you), that’s a hard nugget to let go of. LOST is the one stimulating hour of television per week where I don’t have kids, bills, or deadlines looming. And for that hour, it’s all about the island.

I wouldn’t care if the network decided to air LOST at 4am every other Sunday -- I would still watch (or, rather, my TiVo would). They killed Boone, and I stayed. They killed Charlie, and I stayed. They kept Kate, and still I stayed. Those of us who have tuned-in from the beginning have too much invested in this wild story to pack it in now.

The best part about LOST? For me, the answer varies. But in season 4, it was standout Yunjin Kim as Sun. If you didn’t cry when she went to Jin’s grave, man you’re made of stone. Oh, and I’d be slapped if I didn’t mention the long-awaited reunion of Desmond & Penny.

There are two seasons left … 34 total hours of programming … and if someone doesn’t tell me why that foot statue on the island has only four toes, there’s going to be hell to pay! But no matter how long we have to wait, no matter how much we bemoan the fact that there always seem to be more questions than answers, we have to go back! Yes, LOSTies, you heard me right. You don’t think the writers came up with that mantra by accident, do you?

Quotable Gems

2008-06-19T10:40:00.006-04:00

"A cliche is only something well said in the first place." -Bill Granger

Freelancin' Blues

2008-06-19T10:20:00.007-04:00

Freelance writers: your world is an up and down mixed bag of responses from pubs nationwide. There will be rejection, but as I’ve been told many, many times, “Don’t take it personally.” If you are producing quality work, have queried regularly, and followed all publication submission guidelines, your time WILL come. But editors, please do writers the courtesy of at least being upfront about things. I once queried an editor who was not interested in my story idea. He sent me a very nice email saying something to the effect of, “Thank you … not at this time … but please query again.”

And so for months, I continued to send story ideas his way. When one really great idea came across my desk, I immediately queried this editor, certain in my heart and soul that this story could not be turned down. His reply? “Thank you for the offer. Unfortunately, we don't have it in our budget to pay freelancers. That said, I'd welcome anything you'd like to submit but am unable to reimburse you for it.”

It was an unexpected speed bump. That’s the kind of information that should have been put forth upfront. And unfortunately, it’s not in my budget (or anyone else’s I know) to work for free.

But I didn’t take it personally. I pitched the same story idea to an online publication and they were thrilled. Being in the right place at the right time really does have its benefits. And in this business, perseverance is everything.

Quotable Gems

2008-06-18T22:40:00.005-04:00

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else." -Gloria Steinem

Another Writer In The House

2008-06-18T22:21:00.016-04:00

While visiting my son’s school one lazy afternoon in late May, I met the Principal in the hallway. It was a particularly hot day, and the man’s face was very red. His hair looked wet –- I couldn’t be sure if that was from perspiration or an overzealous glob of hair gel. He promptly pulled me aside and said, “Do you know what your son has done?”

These are words you never want to hear from an authority figure.

I knew what he was talking about, though, and it wasn’t bad news. The NC Writing Assessment is given to all 4th, 7th, and 10th grade students and is a make-or-break score for going on to the next grade level. The test is similar to an EOG (end-of-grade) exam, but administered in March because each test must be hand-scored.

Educators don’t give old fashioned A’s and B’s anymore. When report cards come home, they’ve got newly defined achievement levels:
4 - superior (performance considered above grade level);
3 - mastery (performance considered at grade level);
2 - inconsistent mastery (performance considered below grade level); and
1 - insufficient mastery (considered failing).

The Principal was taking the opportunity to congratulate us as my kiddo did very well –- making the highest score in the school and the only Level 4.

I’ve always been proud of my kids, but being a writer, this moment was especially gratifying. Now if I could only get my oldest to turn off the video games long enough to hear me say that ...

To Blog Or Not To Blog

2008-06-18T21:41:00.013-04:00

To blog, or not to blog: that is the question. Will this be a good fit for the rest of my site? Will I have the time to commit to quality entries? And do people really want to know what I think? After evaluating the pros and cons, I decided that blogging would be an excellent creative outlet for thoughts that really have nowhere else to go. Mini essays, if you will. I could ramble to myself -- or keep a diary, I guess -- but putting words into print keeps them organized and accountable. And there is certainly professional benefit to keeping my writing skills sharp. I take inspiration from other bloggers who make it look so easy!

Feel free to chime in with your comments, but remember that this is a forum that will live online forever, so please be courteous of all thoughts and opinions.

Enjoy. Contribute. Or just lurk. I look forward to hearing from many of you and hope that all readers are able to find something of merit or satisfaction. So here we go.