Sept. 14-15: Writing, Creativity, and Soul -- Sophia Institute

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September 14-15, 2012
Writing, Creativity, and Soul
Sophia Institute
297 East Bay St., Charleston, SC 29401
Mary Alice Monroe, Josephine Humphreys, Debra Moffitt, Stephanie Hunt, Susan Finch Stevens, Susan Laughter Meyers, Nina Bruhns


Beamong the unique gathering of writers who will engage in intimate conversationswith authors Mary Alice Monroe, Josephine Humphreys, Debra Moffitt, StephanieHunt, Nina Bruhns, and poet Susan Finch Stevens about writing, the creativelife, and publishing.

FridaySchedule:
Evening session 6:30-8:30: TheWriter’s Life: Creativity, Soul, and Survival. Mary Alice Monroe, Debra Moffitt,Josephine Humphreys.  Carolyn Rivers to moderate. Bestselling authors discuss theirpersonal stories in an open fashion.  Topics  include: keys for motivation, sources ofinspiration, maintaining a healthy mind and body, overcoming rejection, themuse vs writer's block. Q&A from audience for a very special, intimatediscussion.

Booksof authors available for sale and autograph. Reception to follow.

Optional: Friday, 2:00-4:00: Debra Moffitt. Master Class. Preparing book proposals and developingplatforms $40.
Saturday Schedule:Morningsession - 9:30-11:00:MaryAlice Monroe
Morningsession - 11:30-1:00: JosephineHumphreys

Lunch1-2:30: Catered lunch. Working session:Nina Bruhns,  How to PublishOnline.

Afternoon sessions options– 2:30-4:00with break – focus on genre: Nonfictionand Memoir - Debra Moffitt; Personal essay, blog, nonfiction- StephanieHunt; Poetry - Susan Finch Stevens, Susan Laughter Meyers.Methods of Critique, Mary Alice Monroe, Nina Bruhns

BigConversation - 4:20-5:00: Dialogue with entire group and audience— final questions. Reflections
______________Authors:Mary AliceMonroe, NYTimes author of 16 novels, including BeachHouse Memories, The Butterfly's Daughter
JosephineHumphreys, authorof NY Times Notable Rich in Love, The Fireman’s Fair,  Dreams of Sleep, Nowhere Else on Earth. DebraMoffitt,author of Gold Medal award winner Awakein the World. StephanieHunt,  writer and editor published in Charleston Mag,Skirt, HOME, she writes personal essays, profiles features, blogs.SusanFinch Stevens, author of chapbook LetteredBones. Her poems appear in publications and invitational book artsexhibitions.SusanLaughter Meyers,  author of award winning  Keep andGive AwayNinaBruhns, awardwinning author of 40 novels and Editor at Entangled Publishing                          Tuition: $195 by August 20, $225 afterward.                          Go to The Sophia Institute for details of workshops and authors.

Keep and Give Away -- now on Kindle

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My book of poems Keep and Give Away is now on Kindle, good news--and yet news that leaves me with an odd mix of feelings. Joy, of course, for its new life in a different format. But what this news also says to me, in a mocking tone, is that I'm old fashioned. I don't own a Kindle. Or an iPad or any kind of tablet. So it feels as if Keep and Give Away has moved to another planet. 

Yes, this Kindle news is good news. It's also encouragement to catch up--so I can read the electronic version of my own book, so I can visit it on Mars. Somehow, though, I think I'll still prefer holding the old-fashioned print book in my hands, turning one paper page after another. Pure nostalgia--for paper.

The rewards of working with poets on their manuscripts

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Congratulations to North Dakota poet Madelyn Camrud, whose poetry book manuscript was recently accepted for publication. Oddly Beautiful will be released in the fall of 2013. (I'll wait to name the press, so I won't steal its thunder.) I had the pleasure of working with Madelyn this past spring, when she hired me to help with the editing and sequencing of her manuscript. A talented poet, she's the author of This House Is Filled With Cracks, as well as the chapbook The Light We Go After.

Finalists for the Cider Press Review Editor's Prize

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For the inaugural Cider Press Review Editor's Prize, eight finalists were selected in August from the hundreds of manuscripts submitted. Here is the list, alphabetically, and I'm pleased that my manuscript My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass was included:

     After Jay
     The Green Cup
     My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass
     On the Desire to Levitate
     Planetary Nights
     The Principle of Flickering
     Significant Others
     Snow White, When No One Was Looking


I'm grateful, too, that my manuscript has been a finalist in several other book contests during the three years that I've circulated it. During that time it has also been a semifinalist for The Washington Prize (Word Works) and the Elixir Press Antivenom Poetry Award, as well as a finalist for these:

     The National Poetry Series
     Prairie Schooner Prize in Poetry
     Robert Dana-Anhinga Prize for Poetry
     Cider Press Book Award

Circulating a manuscript is hard work, and I want to thank these presses/contests for their encouragement along the way.

Cider Press Review Editor's Prize

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I'm pleased to announce--no, actually I'm ecstatic--that my manuscript "My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass" will be published by Cider Press Review after winning their inaugural Editor's Prize. The day that Ruth Foley, managing editor of the press, called me with the news I was speechless, stunned with joy. And I'm still celebrating.

Congratulations, too, to the runner-up and honorable mentions:

      Runner-Up:
           Snow White, When No One Was Looking, Donna Prinzmetal

      Honorable Mentions:
           The Green Cup, V. P. Loggins
           The Principle of Flickering, Laura Donnelly
           Planetary Nights, Jeanne J. LeVasseur

My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass will be released in the fall of 2013.

I've followed the recent history of the press and admire so much the work that they're doing, the authors that they are publishing. I had the pleasure of hearing Landon Godfrey, author of Second-Skin Rhinestone-Spangled Nude Souffle Choffon Gown, read last fall; I've enjoyed reading Liz Robbins's Play Button; and I fell for the poetry of Joseph Fasano, author of Fugue for Other Hands, when he won the Rattle Poetry Prize a few years ago. Landon, Liz, and Joseph are all past winners of the Cider Press Book Award.

If you're not familiar with this press, please do check it out:

Cider Press Review website

Boho Beach House

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Happy Friday ! I hope you all have had a great week. It has been so rainy here it has been a bit depressing., so when I saw this  cottage it made me smile. A tiny cottage Packed with so much color and personality. Aqua Blues and pops of Orange make this such a happy place!
 
 You would think it is in Southern California, but it sits on Lake Earie, Ontario.The owner Teresa Wiwcha,, inspiration came from a Vanity Fair Magazine spread she’d seen years ago of actor Dennis Hopper’s Malibu home. The vibe....... 1970s surfer/boho chic. I thinks she captured the look well.

                                                                          Images via Style at Home

The Surf Lodge

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 Happy Saturday! My goodness can you believe it is  Labor Day weekend? Where has the time gone?? Is it me.....  the older I get the time seems to pass faster?  It was just Memorial Day! This morning I was thinking about where I would really like to be this weekend, and I seem to find myself drifting back to Montauk. If you follow my blog you know my history and  love for it!

I know many people have written about the Montauk Surf Lodge before, but I haven't.  I would LOVE to stay here!! The beachy, boho vibe is right up my ally. Super hip !  Wait, did I just age myself by saying "Hip" ? Do people still say it? Oh well whatever, the place is just cool..Here is why I love it! I think you will "dig" it also. :).

                                            How perfect does this look to just chill?

                   Image sources, Casa Sugar, Food Republic, Surf Lodge and   Grazia.It                                    


Isn't it just the cutest place? I hope my husband and myself will find our way back  there someday.

Just a piece of nostalgia, this is me with my 2nd born son in 1985. I had my favorite Montauk T shirt on, from my favorite store there. Bird on A Roof. It is still there! It says Surf Montauk. This sweet baby boy in the picture is my son Matthew who is turning 28 next Saturday! My oldest is 29 today! Yes, I had them a year and 1 week apart, and had two more "little darlings"...

If you like boho beachy jewelry you can check out my Etsy shop Sea Chic. or check out my Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/SeaChicJewelry

Wherever you are or whatever you are doing make it a great Labor Day weekend!


Linda

Make Your Own Honey Oatmeal Facial Scrub

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  If you are like me and most women, you are  always looking for something to make your face look and feel great! I have tried all sorts of exfoliates, scrubs, and of course the spa facials. One does need some pampering you know.
 This is a PERFECT natural scrub and exfoliate! I know.. it has been around forever, I am just getting to it! It is perfect for the end of Summer!  I started doing this once a week for the last month. I can't tell you the difference in my skin! It adds a glow to my face that lasts for 48 to 72 hours. My husband has noticed the difference in my skin as well!
Honey has been valued for its healing properties for thousands of years  and who doesn't love it's sweet flavor? Honey also draws out blackheads from the face and is a natural humectent  .The Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliate as is the Sugar.

So lets get to it. It is very simple.




                                   You are going to take just a small fistful of Oatmeal.


  This is what I use, I am sure any kind will work. You can leave the Oatmeal whole or grind it up. I have done both. I have put it in the Cuisinart, and have just ground it with my fingers, It works just as well either way.

       I add a couple tablespoons of Honey. I used the organic kind.. That's just how I roll. :)

Add a couple tablespoons of Sugar and mix. The consistency  should be thick. You can also use Brown Sugar, or you can substitute the  Sugar for Sea Salt. I have stayed with the sugar just because I am 52 and I am trying to be as gentle on my face as I can.
                           
I leave it on my face for 20 mins. and rinse with warm,(Not Hot) water. I finish it with a moisturizer. I do use a high end one.:)

While it is on my face, I scrub some onto my hands and let it sit as well. It makes my hands so soft. Face it our hands age also! I use Neutrogena hand creme after I take it off. They feel great. This mixture can be used just about anywhere on your body!

Enjoy!

Linda

What I'm Loving Now

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I LOVE the knitted coffee cozies I am seeing all over Etsy right now! Not only are they so cute, but they are great for the environment instead of the cardboard holders and will keep your coffee or tea warmer longer. I really like this one shop Natalya's Studio. 


 She makes these adorable cozies in several colors.

She also has patterns you can purchase to make your own. So maybe it is time for me to get the old knitting needles out and make one for myself.  Check out her shop for knitted cowls also.. I have really wanted one, but it hasn't been that cold here in the South the last two Winters. Hopefully it will be this year so I can buy, or make one for myself.


Have a wonderful day!





Linda

Halloween Events at Kiawah and Charleston - 2012

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Now that autumn is here and the dust is settling from the PGA Championship, there are still plenty of fun things to do down in the low country. Fall is probably one of the best times to visit coastal Carolinas with the cooler temperatures which are a welcomed break from another humid summer. My first two visits to Kiawah were in the month of October. This month is a great way to take advantage of cooler temperatures as well as enjoy a swimming in the Atlantic that carries forward warm water temperatures from the hot summer. Are you planning on visiting Kiawah, Seabrook, or the Charleston area during October? If so, please consider these fun activities while in the area. Aside from these fun Halloween activities, Charleston will once again be hosting the Annual Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens through October 28th as well as a downtown pub crawl. Both of those events require tickets to be purchased in advance.

Legare Farms in Johns Island will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October. Activities at the farm include pumpkin picking, scarecrow decorating, hayrides, mazes, farm animals and much more. For hours and more information please contact (843) 559 – 0788.

 Summerville’s October events include the Low Country Nightmare which is a long haunted nature trail with spooky scenes. This attraction will be open every Friday night in October and is located at 18033 Round O Road, Round O (Summerville). There is an admission charged for this event. For more information, please contact (843) 538 – 6795.

 Hollywood, South Carolina will be the scene of St. Paul’s Academy Halloween Extravaganza during October 6, 13, 19, and the 20th. The festivities include a haunted hayride, a haunted house, petting zoo, games and concessions. The Halloween extravaganza is located at 5139 Gibson Road, Hollywood. For more information, please contact (843) 889-2702.

Come out to Kiawah’s Freshfield’s green on October 20th to enjoy Dogtoberfest. The event starts at 1 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. Please bring your canine dressed in costume for a day of contests, pet blessings, pet products, and much more. There will be pet adoption services also available for those interested in rescuing a needy pet.

A Beach Side Cottage

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Weather worn surfaces, wicker and beachy accents make this adorable 1912 beach side cottage in California a perfect place to call home! The only thing separating this family from the beach is the sidewalk in front of the house.. It is  an easy breezy carefree home that uses fabrics and rugs that are durable and chic that will hold up to the beach chic lifestyle.Mix in some vintage pieces, and some antiques and you have a perfect cottage.









                                            The Dutch front door is charming!!
      The white washed brick mellows the mood. I really like the coral placed in the planter      on the fireplace.                                  Such a cozy bedroom! Can't you just hear the ocean?



                                                      A beautiful waterfront view!



I love the planters above the sink, with the numbers on them. I have been wanting to do this, and put the dates of each one of my kids birthdays on them!
The tray by the stove is a great space saving idea, especially in a small cottage kitchen,holding  all your kitchen "goodies" together. I just recently did this.
                          No beach side cottage would be complete with out White bead boarding.


                               The relaxed dining room table with the wicker chairs, Soo great!

 Images Via  BHG.com

Have a great Monday!

Linda