Tina's Project: Until They Have Faces

When do you get to call yourself a writer? My tagline at Life is Good says, “wanna be writer”. I've had readers leave comments to the effect of, “You are a writer! Don't be so hard on yourself!” It is true that I've been writing my whole life, because it's been an important life goal to write a novel. I have confidence I'll reach that goal one day.  Meanwhile, I'm sharing my first by-line.

I've been blogging for a while now, and am enjoying this world immensely. The community that we build and the support we give each other is incredible. For example, I'm getting the chance to borrow this blog to tell you about this project!

I wrote a piece for a coffee table book called, “Until They Have Faces.” It's a fundraiser for the joint benefit of The Bridge House in Boulder, CO, and BOHO:Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow, which are both organizations that minister to the homeless community. All the work to produce the book was done by volunteers. The photographer took professional portraits of each subject. Lights, camera, smile, the whole thing. He used the setting each was most comfortable with. Some were taken to his studio, others shot “on location” The goal was to give them a face, and a voice as the writers turned interviews into word portraits.

It took a lot more volunteers than just those taking pictures and writing words. The editing, book design, lay-out, proof-reading and other such tasks were also donated to the project by professionals willing to help. I'm honored to be part of such an endeavor.

If you'd like to learn more about this project, you can visit the photographer's blog dedicated to this project: Faces For The Homeless. You can also can learn more at the blog, BOHO: Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow. This particular post I'm sending you to is from November, but I thought it gave the most info in a short read.

I'm very pleased to say that 100% of the sale price of the book goes to BOHO and The Bridge House. I'm thinking these books will sell quickly since Boulder, CO, is a very active community working creatively to serve the homeless population. The book is meant to open eyes and break down stereotypes. I can't wait to see the finished product at the reception/dedication tonight!

Tina @ Life is Good

#atozchallenge: Write What You Love says Guest Lynn Rush

         Our guest today is Lynn Rush who blogs at Catch the Rush.  The 2012 Challenge will be a first for her but she's ready to go.  In this post she explains her strategy.

Hey there, everyone. Lynn Rush here.

I’ve never participated in an A to Z challenge, but I tell ya, it sounds SUPER FUN!

When I saw a blogging/writing friend of mine participate in this last year, I was like, “Holy Cow, how do they think of something to write every day like that?”

That was back when I was posting only four to five days a week, and the thought of adding a couple of days kind of freaked me out.

But deep down, it must have inspired me, because I started posting daily shortly after.  

I’m often asked how I think of topics for blogging seven days a week. The main thing is: Themes.

I have Movie Quotes, This Writer’s Journey, Throwback Thursday, Photos (sunsets, angels, etc) and we occasionally do a Debate This discussion and Cinema Sound Off. The rest of the days I just do whatever comes to mind.

So, when I decided to jump into the A to Z blog adventure, I decided I’d do something with music. Besides movies, music is WAY up there on the scale of things that motivate & inspire me, so what better topic to blog about?

Writing about things I love is fun. I think that’s really important, because if not, then blogging is more like a chore than an exciting, interactive adventure with your readers.

Now, I have to admit, I might sneak in a few non-music related posts since my next novel is releasing May 1^st (I kind of need to mention that, right? LOL) but other than that, I’m stoked to write about music each and every day of this awesome blog event. I’ve even started finding musicians to feature.

X and Z…those will be a bit challenging, but I already have a few ideas! **LOL**

What are some of the things you guys are thinking of writing about during your A to Z adventure?

 


         Lynn Rush's newest book Awaited will be released in May 2012.  For more information be sure to visit Lynn's site.  

Related articles

• Inspiration for your posts (a-to-zchallenge.com)
• A to Z The Writercize Way: Helpful Tips from Alana Garrigues (a-to-zchallenge.com)
• A to Z Challenge--How to Wing It in Style: guest from Jamie at Mithril Wisdom (a-to-zchallenge.com)

Getting to Know the #atozchallenge Hosts- Damyanti

One of the things I hate doing the most is talking about myself---I never respond to tags in memes. I'm happiest asking questions, not answering them. I'm not the most interesting of people, (nor very lovable, some would say, lol)--I'd rather people read my fiction than my autobiography.

Not that anyone has forced me to be part of this "Introduce the hosts" series...but I thought I must make some changes in my attitude towards talking about myself, so here goes! My responses are going to be...brief.




Name: Damyanti Biswas
Blog: Amlokiblogs
Twitter :@damyantig
Publications: Various Stories

GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUESTIONS

1. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Gone white water rafting when I couldn't swim.


2. What is your favorite article of clothing? 
My denims 

3. What is your favorite monster? 
Hannibal Lecter

4. If you had to dress up as your favorite literary character, who would it be? 
 Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm way too old though.
 
5. What is your favorite fairy tale, urban legend or nursery rhyme?
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star--those were my first words in English.

 
6. What is a cause near and dear to your heart?  
Taking care of our environment. 
 
7. What's the strangest item you've used as a bookmark?
A toothbrush 

 
8. Name one habit you want to change in yourself: 
 Procrastination


SOME A-to-Z QUESTIONS

1. What was your favorite A-to-Z post from 2011?
This  was on of the first posts I visited, and haven't forgotten it--the author got married on that day:

A is for April 1st 
 
2. What brought you to the A-to-Z originally?  Tell us about your first A-to-Z
I signed up at random last year, without much thought. I was the 15th participant. I forgot all about it till I heard some A to Z buzz at the end of March. By then it was too late to withdraw, so I just jumped in.

3. Are you doing a theme?
I wrote flash fiction last year, which I then collected into an e-book, A to Z Stories of Life and Death . This year, I'm doing fiction again, based on prompts from readers.

Please drop me some prompts in the comments on this post (am desperate, cos I need a whole bunch to choose from!). Of course, when I post each prompt during April, I'll link to you and explain why I chose it. You may also mail me the pictures and story prompts at atozstories at gmail dot com.You need not be participating in the A to Z Challenge to challenge me with either a story starter, or a picture, or both. The more the merrier! 

Here's an example of the sort of stories I intend to do: You must not use scissors to cut out hearts

4. Are you writing & scheduling posts in advance?
As co-host, I intend to visit as many blogs as possible this year, so yes, I'll be scheduling at least some of the posts.
 
5. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet, and why?  What letter do you like least?
I like A a whole lot. It talks of beginnings. I hate X-- I can never relate to it, and it seems like a big cross-out, a negation of everything.