One Lovely Blog Award

Last week I was a guest blogger on Ginger Simpson's blog. I sat wondering what to post when the stress of it brought me to emotions I was feeling at the moment: STRESS. So naturally I wrote about the Stress Factor in writers. Click here to read it but finish this blog posting first.

Just a short while ago I opened my email box and found a nice surprise to lift my spirits. Ginger honored me and two other ladies the One Lovely Blog Award. The best part is reading why she chose these ladies. It's truly touching when someone acknowledges your work, and Ginger simply made my day brighter.

The rules are simple:

1) Accept the award, and don’t forget to post a link back to the awarding person.
2) Pass the award on.
3) Notify the award winners.

First off I would have chosen Ginger immediately with no doubt or hesitation only because this woman's character possesses qualities I adore: honesty, humor, and no bull shit. You know where you stand with her and she won't hesitate to open herself up to you or lend an ear as she has on many occasions with me. Thank you, sweetie.

For my choices these women each inspire and motivate me in some way:

Donna McDine: what I love about Donna is her consistency in promoting whatever she does. Although she may not know this many times I've wished that I possessed Donna's natural ability to post all over the place, promoting SFC, her book reviews, and whatever else she's got going in her career. She has grown as a writer and presence in the writing field from the first time I met her and like a proud mama I can't help but smile and brag about her.

Katie Hines: Katie is another fellow writer I have had the privilege of watching over the years and blossom to a savvy promoter and writer. I remember when Katie first started her blog, unsure what to post, how often, etc...just check out her blog and you'll see she's been a very busy bee. As always, Katie, you never cease to amaze me.

The next ladies all possess the same qualities I mention above. They work endlessly with the same passion I possess to help fellow authors.

Karen Cioffi
Karen spends a lot of time organizing the VBT - Writers on the Move group and blog. Again, no gain other than to help fellow authors garner some recognition along with their books by scheduling blog tours. This may sound simple but having had to organize and still organize quite a few things I can tell you it's not as easy as one thinks. Unless you possess the passion and love for what you're doing, you'll end up quitting...and quitting doesn't seem to be in her vocabulary.

Nancy Famolari:
Okay, this may sound wierd to some but Nancy will understand why I'm honoring her with this award: because she followed my butt-kicking sermon and submitted books. LOL! Believe me, I've butt-kicked quite a few writers but Nancy was the very first writer who didn't hesitate to take my advice. Nancy, stop reading and start writing more stuff! LOL!

and although I would love to go on and on because there are so many writers who I believe deserve this award. I know some of the ladies I have chosen will choose them. But before I leave there is one final writer I owe a lot to:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson:
I cyber met Carolyn early on in my writing career and I still can't figure out at times whether I want to hug her, slap her upside down when she piles on more 'thank you' notes I need to send out for introducing and bringing in more people to our Muse Conference, or tell her how much her friendship means to me. I guess there's no need because I've just said it. That woman is so spunky and 'frugal' -hehehehehe play on words for those who know Carolyn's book - I'm hoping to bottle and sell some of it and make a million.

To those I didn't mention, like Vivian Zabel, my 4RV publisher, Rob Preece, and so many more including all of my Musers, awards are not necesary for me to say how much I appreciate and love each and every one of you.