Category Archives: Writing Contests

Harvest Home and Heart

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“All freezes again – among the pines, winds whispering a prayer” ~ Rieki, 18th Century Japanese Poet

Last  night I had a strong reminder that winter is not too far away. As I stepped into the chill of the evening air, I was all but overcome by the pungent smells of autumn – rotting leaves and woodstove smoke.  Our sense of smell is heightened in the darkness of the night.

At this time of year, with every drop of precipitation, I say a prayer that the gorgeous guest of winter will decide not to arrive too early and stay too long.  I appreciate her presence when she first appears. She is white, pristine and new. But as she over stays her welcome every spring, she turns brown, dingy and old. I grow tiresome! As I age, the gap between fall and spring seems to be extended and the glamourous guest of winter, snow, does not quite fulfill me the way it used to. Rather than bemoan the fact that winter will have her way with me again this year, I think I will savor the sublime provisions of autumn and have a grateful heart that remembers the gift of life in all seasons.

Mysteries, such as the routine changing of the seasons, are profound. Thirteenth century mystic,  Dame Julian of Norwich, must have been thinking of nature as he declared “all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all matter of things shall be well.”

During this autumn season, be thankful for all matters of the heart, health, home and harvest.

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Weekend Indie Filmmaker News!

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There is a great opportunity coming up the last weekend of October for all of you independent filmmakers! The Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA will be the site of the Film Independents 2010 Filmmaker Forum on October 29 -31, 2010. This worthy event will help fulfill your need for information regarding how to become successful in the industry of  independent filmmaking. To give a brief overview of  just some of the weekend events:

  • Keynote Address – Joe Drake, Co-Chief Operating Director of Lionsgate Film Production Company
  • Workshop- Evaluating your film for the marketplace
  • Workshop-  Finding funding for your documentary project
  • Workshop – Realizing your vision on a budget
  • Workshop – Distribution strategies, tools and business models
  • Workshop – Packaging and financial and legal issues

“Film Independent is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry.”

For the full story on this forum brought to you. by a non-profit dedicated to independent filmmakers, including ticket information, schedule, sponsors and more, please visit http://empower.filmindependent.org.

Absorbing Culture and Climate

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“Attending there let us absorb all the culture of nations and dissolve into our judgment all their codes.” ~ William Empson 

About 20 years ago, my interest in Native American history and lore began. As I read book after book of all things Indian to our young son, I became as absorbed in the culture as he did. I learned right along with him.  Never did I dream this East coast native, would get the opportunity to fulfill her dreams by climbing up the ladders and into the caves of the cliff dwellings at Bandolier National Monument. This weekend, I saw it all for myself first hand, along with our son who has gone from toddler to filmmaker, in what seems like a blink of the eye! 

While in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, we stopped and saw the site of the New Mexico International Film Festival. The venue will be as unique as the mission of the film fest itself.  Come February 2011, the  town of Jemez Springs, will be filled to the brim with like-minded artists, whose films have been selected for excellence in independent filmmaking. The community is inhabited with residents who are fulfilling their lives with their passion for the arts. Writers, potters, musicians, jewelers, photographers  and other independent minded people draw inspiration from their surroundings in this town,  removed from city living. For more information on this film festival, and to get a peak on video at it’s awe inspiring surroundings, http://bit.ly/abaSuQ.

Thanks to our host, Marc Leonard, Associate Director of the New Mexico Film Festival for taking this weekend to show us the sights of the area. I even came away with a little pocket change from my 15 minute winning streak at the Sandia Casino. Our quick trip, unfortunately, left no time to visit the galleries in nearby Santa Fe, but it gives me one more reason to return!

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Get Behind Them, Encourage!

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“There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come through encouragement..” ~ George Matthews Adams 

Yes! I have finally found a cause that all sides of the political spectrum can agree upon. It is the importance of art and humanities in the lives of children. 

Since 1998, Presidential First Ladies, Republican and Democrat alike, have been Honorary Chairman (chairwomen, to be P.C.) of the Coming Up Taller Awards.  The National Endowment for the Arts has selected their list of 2010 finalists that fulfill the requirements to be considered for this award. All of them exhibit excellence in arts programs for children. 

There are three primary partners in this award:

  • The National Endowment for the Arts
  • The National Endowment for the Humanities
  • Institute of Museum and Library Services

 This award is not limited to organizations within the United States. There is an international component to this award as well. These awards recognize the good work arts and humanities programs do in providing outstanding opportunities for children to learn their craft, understand the discipline and commitment it takes to become artists and scholars in their fields of accomplishment. 

The deadline of January 29, 2010 is quickly approaching for selecting the award winners.To see the list of finalists for this year, please visit:  http://bit.ly/bVGkZv. 

Meeting the needs of children who thrive in the Arts is so important! When children are supported by parents and organizations in what they love to do, they do stand tall and they thrive!

 

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Have you written a book designed to improve daily living? The Living Now Book Awards are coming up and the first deadline has gone by. The sooner you submit your book, the lower the cost to enter your book into the competition, so all of you enter now!

Basic Information:

This contest is designed to reward authors for new publications that helps improve quality of life and how to live fulfilling lifestyles. 

Categories include:

  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Cooking
  • Entertaining
  • Self Improvement
  • Animals/Pets
  • Green Living
  • Spirituality/Enlightment
  • Family    
  • AND MORE!! 

Next submission deadline and fee – now until November 20,  $85 per title,   After November 21st , $95 per title

                                                          Final Deadline February 21st. 

For more information – please visit http://www.livingnowawards.com/index.php 

Good Luck! Book awards are a sure -fire way to increase your visibility as an author and for your book!

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An Invitation Awaits You!

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“..the basis of all excellence is truth..” ~ Samuel Johnson

Do you love watching films? Do you love producing films? Then you are cordially invited! That is right, all of you can come to the New Mexico International Film Festival and submit your film, too!  Marc Leonard, Assistant Director of the New Mexico International Film Festival has extended an invitation to the world at large.  For more information on this film festival that is expected to be different than all the rest, visit www.newmexicointernationalfilmfestival.com.

See what the Land of Enchantment has to offer for high quality, thought-provoking film entertainment. The organizers of this festival promise all good things – a great audience experience, compensation for filmmakers whose films qualify for the festival’s excellence in standards, superior customer service and after the film parties that really will be after the screenings you won’t miss one moment of what you came to the film festival for!

Kickstart this event right now, by going to http://bit.ly/abaSuQ. Outstanding screens and outstanding scenes in the beautiful New Mexican landscape awaits you!  See you in Jemez Springs, New Mexico in February!

 

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Nurturing Potential

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“It helps us to all work together, because its the parent and the teacher and the child – its that triangle..”

Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools has stated that the potential is there for students to become super men and super women, if given the opportunity for a great education. Our children’s inability to progress is due to the educators ineffectiveness in fulfilling the needs of the children in the classroom. It is the adults who are failing the children. This is a blanket statement, however, we all know that there are as many good teachers as there are inadequate teachers.

Every child deserves and needs a great education. They are the future of our country and students need to be taught in a way that recognizes and builds upon their strengths and gifts,so they can become global leaders as adults.

David Guggenheim’s new film “Waiting for Superman” will be premiering in New York and L.A. on September 24. This documentary film provides an inside look at education in America, our need for equal opportunity, America’s teachers and some answers to saving schools.

As highlighted in the film, the opportunity to obtain an excellent education should not be dependent upon the chance of winning a lottery to be admitted into one of the new high performing charter public schools.

Obviously, educational institutions can not be entirely held responsible for the success of a child. Parents need to do their part, too. Expose your child to the arts, to museums, to athletics, to faith and to groups of empowering people. A child has the potential to achieve what is set before them – so set the bar high! That way, your child will know you have confidence in their abililities and that you know they can succeed! It is all about nuturing potential.

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Common Clarity

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  “Almost all new ideas have a certain aspect of foolishness, when they are first produced.” ~Alfred North Whitehead

Having good language and writing skills is important for all of us. It helps us to communicate in our jobs, with family, friends and through social media, too! But using lofty, big words that no one else understands can be frustrating and a turn-off for the reader. A book or film with a message that is clearly communicated, is the most fulfilling to me.

If you visited this blogsite yesterday, I am glad you returned today! Yesterday’s blog writing was filled with archaic words that may have left you feeling the need for a reference book on weird, wacky words. It takes time that few readers have, to continually look up words you do not quite understand. I will spare you and provide you with a clear interpretation, right here and now!

The internet is a sciniary( keeper of archives), so it should be able to rally to the task of helping me find the right words. So useful is the worldwide web to writers in so many ways. Without it, I would need to practice the art of scoteography (writing in the dark).  Poets seem to find words that work in the context of their writing, so very easily that I have become a musophobist (person who regards poetry with suspicious dislike). I believe that poets can’t possibly come up with all those magnificent, creative words without extra God- given gifts for language. A gift that was not given to all individuals.

This blog is becoming somewhat naufrageous (in danger of a ship wreck)! If I continue, it will end up a capilotade (hashed together story).You will call me a cumber-ground (someone who is useless in their job) and suggest that I become a bouquinist(a dealer of second hand books).

Does it sound like morology (foolish talking) to you? Well, PLEASE do not discerp (tear it to shreds) unless you have linguipotence (mastery of the languages).

Enough of being inaniloguous (full of idle talk). These words are not drogulus (not able to be verified). They can be verified. I will deliciate (make myself happy) by ending this blog.

In the meantime, I will go try to open some boxes of books, that are hard to get into because they have segilbond (encircling plastic bands that hold shipping cartons shut – you know- the kind that are so hard to remove until you use them as a handle).

A girl just wants to have fun on her new computer, and use a lighthearted start. In coming days this blog will be more recognizable with fulfilling content!

 

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The Lady with the Red Pen

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“Learn to laugh at your troubles and you’ll never run out of things to laugh at”  ~ Lyn Karol  

The Red Hat Society has become visible in cities and towns across America! Don’t know who they are? It is a bond of women who have chosen to have fun, experience life and not be too serious about life over 50! They are “forged by common life experiences.” Whenever they are cavorting together, they wear red hats and purple clothes.  

There is another lady who belongs to a society called virtual authors assistants and she totes a red pen! She is in a class all by herself – the Red Pen Editor, and can she ever make her mark! Her mission to is help writers with the proper use (or is it usage?) of words. Yea, (or is it Yeah), she knows just what she is doing when it comes the correct use (or is it usage?) of punctuation, too.  She can get down deep and dirty, when it comes to that!  What seems like little knit-picking details, really are important to the overall success of your book. It matters and she will tell you that!  

Ever wonder whether to use a colon or semi-colon? Whether to use a lot or alot; or wondering about whether to write a who or a whom? Is it correct to say him and me, or she and I, or me and you?  

Award winning (or is it award-winning?) Red Pen Editor, Karen Reddick, has published two books on the subject of grammar. Check them out! These books are great resources for all independent publishers. Perfect for those moments when grammar has you in a quandary and for when you are filled with self doubt (or is it self-doubt)?  http://www.grammardoneright.com/ 

P.S.  I hope the lady with the red pen has the day off today. I could be in a heap of trouble, when she reads this blog. Give me a break, Red Pen Editor, we all can’t be perfect, all of the time!  And I may just be a member of the Red Hat Society – you know, women who just want to have fun!

 

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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ATTENTION INDIE FILMMAKERS!!! There is an all new film festival on the calendar beginning, February 2011. The New Mexico International Film Festival being held in Jemez Springs, NM in the Land of Enchantment! Read the mission statement of this festival to find out how they strive to be the best film festival you have ever experienced! http://newmexicointernationalfilmfestival.com/mission/

Submission Catagories:

  • Short Films: Documentaries (15 minutes or less)
  • Short Films: Narrative (15 minutes or less)
  • Feature Films: Documentaries (80 min or longer)
  • Feature Films: Narratives (80 min or longer)
  • Screenplays (90 to 120 pages  .pdf only)

Enter Early! Beginning October 29, 2010 submissions will be accepted. The earlier you submit, the more you will save.

The best part we have saved till the last – if your film is accepted, you will become a partner, and receive a portion of the box office take!  Assistance with travel expenses will be available and your submission fee will be returned! New concept, new attitudes and an exciting group of people to showcase your film with.  Submit now!

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