Janet Sumner Johnson
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Laurel’s Leaves

Pay It Forward

Feb

02, 2011 |

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Shelli, over at Market My Words, is having a Pay-It-Forward Contest. One of the requirements to enter is that you recognize in a blog post (or on Facebook) someone who has helped you in some way.

I love the idea of paying it forward, and I am an advocate of giving thanks, so I am excited to share. And I didn’t have to think long about who I wanted to thank.

Back when I was first introduced to the writing blogosphere by my fabulous CP Vicki, before I even kept a writing blog, I read a post about a writing contest over at Laurel’s Leaves. It was her Eleventy-one Celebration Writing Contest where she wanted a scene showing negotiation and persuasion.

I decided to enter, and lo and behold, I won! I was astonished . . . and even more astonished when she gave the break down on her blog of why she chose my piece.

I can’t express what it meant to me to have a complete stranger (at the time) say such kind things about my writing. It was just what I needed to hear right then. It boosted my confidence, and it was the catalyst that led to my starting a writing blog and to the drive to finally finish editing my book.

I just wanted to tell Laurel thank you for your contest and for your kind words. It all meant much more to me than I’m sure you could have guessed.

THANK YOU!

And in the spirit of thanks, feel free to give a shout out to someone who influenced your life for the better. 🙂

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Awards and a Call for Opinions

Jun

01, 2010 |

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Hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend (or not for my non-US friends). I didn’t get to visit any gravesides (they’re on the other side of the country), but we had fun swimming and doing a barbecue with friends.

So I am honored to have received a couple of awards. I’m always tickled pink when someone thinks of me.

Laurel at Laurel’s Leaves gave me the Sweet Blogger award. If you haven’t seen her blog, I highly recommend it. I learn so much from her.

I wanted to pass it on to Bethany Elizabeth at Ink-Splattered. Her posts are always so upbeat. I always leave her blog feeling lifted.

And the other person I wanted to pass it on to is Kasie West. She shares all her useless advice. Seriously hilarious. And a lot of really good stuff like what she’s learned about agents. Go check both these blogs out!

I was also given the Sunshine Blog Award by Lynn at Place to Create. She has so much heart in her posts. You can’t help feeling like you just visited your best friend when you stop by.

I wanted to pass this on to Lola Sharp at Sharp Pen/Dull Sword. Her blog is helpful and full of uplifting thoughts like the 5 random things she loves (including cupcakes!).

Also to Sandy Shin who obviously has great taste in books since she just reviewed one of my favorites, and who is not only a talented writer, but an artist, AND in the process of working toward Med School (definitely capitalized)

And also to Reb at Reb’s Photos. Okay, okay, she’s my sister, but she has some great photos of the southern Utah area, and she is one of the sunniest people I know.

As for these awards, I’m with Laurel. These are low stress awards. Pass them on or don’t. But just wanted to share some of the sites I like to visit. And thank you again to Lynn and Laurel for thinking of me. 🙂

So, I’m slowly crawling towards the 101-follower mark (woo hoo!), and of course who needs any better excuse for a contest? I’m still in the planning stages, and I’d love to hear from all of you what you most like to win in these contests. Obviously I won’t be giving away a car, or whatever, but I’d love to hear your ideas. And do you prefer the sign-up and be done? Or do you prefer that some effort be involved . . . i.e. writing? 🙂

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My Happy News!

Apr

17, 2010 |

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So I entered the Eleventy-one Celebration Writing Contest over at Laurel’s Leaves (I’m a sucker for a good contest), and can you believe it? I won Grand Prize!

Woo hoo!!

I’m seriously honored (and humbled) to have won the Grand Prize, especially after reading the runner-up entries. The contest asked for a dialogue-driven scene or story which showed an instance of negotiation and persuasion, “like the post-party scene in Fellowship of the Ring in which Gandalf convinces Bilbo to leave the ring of power in the Shire.”

Laurel is posting my excerpt on her site, along with her comments. She is excellent at what she does and her comments have been extremely insightful —well worth the time to check it out. I’ve been learning a lot from her. Thank you, Laurel, for holding such a fun contest and for giving my writer’s ego a gi-normous boost!

Without further ado, here’s my winning excerpt from “The Other Prince”:

Briann studied Bob for a moment before speaking. “Do you think you’ll be appointed?”
Bob shook his head. “I don’t know. Before, I would have said yes—you know my father. But with war looming? Even he can’t be that blind. I’m hopeless on a horse and even worse with a sword. He must realize
that.”
Briann flipped over a bucket and sat. “Well, what do you hope happens?”
Bob appreciated that she hadn’t just agreed with him about being so terrible. “I can’t go to war,” he said. “Not and live to see my sixteenth birthday.”
“So you don’t want to be captain,” Briann said.
“I didn’t say that,” Bob hedged. “We both know how much I hate cavalry drills and sword fighting class, but wouldn’t it be great to shut everyone up . . .”
“Like Friederick,” Briann teased.
Bob scowled. “Yes! Like Friederick. Prove I can do it—to them and to me. And just once, I’d like to earn my father’s good opinion.”
“Then do it,” Briann said simply.
Bob laughed. “Like it’s that easy.”
“It is!” Briann stood. “You could do as well as anyone if you decided to. I’m certain of it.”
“Yeah?” Bob asked skeptically. “Have you found some magic charm that will transform me into a warrior? Or maybe a magic sword! That would work.” Though Bob knew it was impossible, he couldn’t help picturing
himself, the noble warrior, atop his steed. Crowds pressed forward to get a glimpse of the noble Prince Robert William II.
“Right, with the ban on magic.” Briann rolled her eyes. “Just this once, be serious.”
Bob sighed. “I’m sorry, but we both know it’s hopeless. I’m hopeless.”
Briann cleared her throat. “I could teach you.”
“You’d only be my, like, twenty-seventh teacher,” Bob huffed. “I’ve tried learning, Briann. I have! It’s just no use.”
Briann stood tall, hands on her hips. Anger flashed from her eyes. Bob noticed her right eye twitch ever so slightly. From years of experience, Bob knew that meant trouble. “You’ve never tried to learn from me. I’m better than any of those ‘experts’ they hire to teach. But fine! Be like that. Keep your pride. Just don’t complain to me about feeling helpless.” She turned to leave with an icy, disdainful look. “See you at supper.”
Stunned, Bob watched Briann march towards the doors. What had just happened? “Wait! Briann! You really think I can learn?”
Briann paused and coolly examined him. “Don’t be a ninny. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t think you could do it.”
Bob stared at Briann, astonished. She believed in him. And she really wanted to help. “Won’t you get teased for trying to teach the ‘hopeless prince’?”
Briann softened at Bob’s tone. “If I cared what they thought, I wouldn’t even be able to teach you because I’d never have learned. Besides, friends help each other.”
Bob met her gaze. He felt his feet lifting off the ground. She was so beautiful, so kind, so funny, so talented, . . . and so engaged to his brother. He came back to reality with a thud.
Still, he smiled and stuck out his hand. “How could I refuse that?”
Briann took his hand, clearly pleased. “You’ve got yourself a teacher then!”

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