Well, that was a nice surprise!

Jennifer is a gem. If you are not familiar with Jennifer Brown Banks you should be. She features guest bloggers, delivers the goods on writing and provides writing services. My introduction to Jennifer was through a writer's magazine. When I picked it up and read about breaking all the rules, I thought, "Wow! I've been doing that and didn't even know it." Writing and submitting is all about connecting first with your first reader, the editor. Check out Jennifer's blog, Pen and Prosper. I did, and my poem won her contest. My prize came in the mail yesterday, a book on writing, a daily purse planner, other little goodies and CHOCOLATE!

Help! I'm overdosing on chocolate

First of all, welcome to my newest blog followers. I appreciate each and everyone of you. I'm coming up on 200, and I can't wait for that to happen.

I am so excited to announce that my "chocolate" entry won first place at Pen and Prosper, Jennifer Brown Banks' BLOG. Every writer worth his or her chocolate knows that flavinoids induce good writing.

I've been a follower of this brilliant writer since I read her first article in a writer's magazine about breaking the rules. I knew then, that we were kindred spirits. Please visit her site and peruse the articles.

Writer's Inspiration

M&Ms three at a time ... colorful ellipses for my writer's mind.

Melted exclamation point on my tongue, a puddled Kiss.

Dark chocolate covered coconut, Mounds of happiness.

Chocolate, solidified or liquified, a writer's Bliss.

Dedicated to her craft!

Jennifer Brown Banks at Pen and Prosper dedicated her post today to ME. I am so honored, but more than that I am inspired and want to share her article with all of you. When I first read it a few years ago it made me sit up and take notice. I always knew I had writing ability, but I lacked self-confidence. Yes! After reading Jennifer's article, I stepped out in faith and earnestly submitted. That year I received several acceptances from a variety of publications, along with rejections. I crossed genres and compressed long essays into one page poems which were published, much to my amazement.

I am a believer. I believe in positive energy, I believe in myself, I believe in helping others, and I believe the worst that can happen when I step out in faith is an editor may reject my work. I believe that there is a power greater than mine at work in this universe, and when I send my work on its way, I ask for blessings.

I am blessed to have so many supportive and wonderful writer friends in my life. I would like to encourage you to write something before you go to sleep this day, anything, even if it is a note.

One of my students gave me a stack of three note pads, by Lady Jayne, Ltd. Each has an inspirational message printed on it. I want to encourage you to do just this



Please post the first line of your work in progress and inspire all of us. My email is billin7@yahoo.com, so if you do not wish to post on my blog, feel free to share privately.