Just a reminder. The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is all about posting every day of the month except Sunday, visiting as many of the participating bloggers as possible during the month and leaving comments. Bloggers make lots of new friends (and it helps to connect on Facebook and Twitter as well, so participants should have easily-seen links to their social media sites of choice).
If you’d like to see the list of 2,266 A to Z participants for 2014, hop on over to the official A to Z website and blog.
Now on to the Letter D.
Featured Author: Karen Duvall
Karen is a former Coloradoan who joined Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers a few years ago and credits that organization and the annual Colorado Gold Conference for teaching her how to write. She is currently a regular monthly contributor on the RMFW Blog (second Friday of the month if you want to check out her posts).
Author of the Knight’s Curse novels, Knight’s Curse, Desert Guardian, and her new release Darkest Knight, Karen also has her own graphic design business, Duvall Design. Yes, my friends, Karen designs bookcovers and much more.
Karen now lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband Jim, an over-zealous border-bully dog named Kinsey, and three spoiled cats that run their household.
Special Note: Karen is teaching an online class for RMFW starting Monday. It’s called: ‘The Connection Between POV and Your Storyteller’s Voice.” More information and the link to registration can be found on the RMFW website Online Class page under Events.
Featured Book: Dance of the Electric Hummingbird: An Ordinary Woman’s Accidental Journey to Enlightenment, the Supernatural, and Rock Star Sammy Hagar by Patricia Walker
One of the very first manuscripts I read after I joined Northern Colorado Writers was a very early draft of Dance of the Electric Hummingbird, an entertaining memoir of enlightenment and spiritual awakening at one of the most unlikely venues ever–a bar in Cabo San Lucas that featured rock icon Sammy Hagar (former lead singer of Van Halen), free-flowing tequila, and more than likely a smoky atmosphere slightly deficient in oxygen.
No bearded, robed guru in a secluded ashram. No quiet retreat in a convent where the occupants have taken a vow of silence. That’s what makes the book unique.
There’s a lot more to the story than the smoky bar. Check out Patricia’s website and blog. And take a look at this recommendation from Sammy Hagar.
Word of the Day: Drum
I want a drum. I want a drum so much that I’m going to go shopping for one very soon.
My husband is going to think I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. But I’m going to buy a drum anyway. And that’s that!
This photo is from a drumming workshop I attended a couple of years ago. I was reminded last weekend of how much fun drumming can be when one of the presenters at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference, Ilan Shamir, used a drum along with poetry for his readings. It was very, very cool!
I think the desire to drum must come from some primitive instinct we as writers have to bang on a keyboard. In the old days we had manual typewriters to satisfy the itch.
Dean, Oregon is one of few states I’ve never visited yet. It’s on my bucket list.
Hi Damyanti, and thanks for serving as one of the A to Z co-hosts this year. Drumming is a lot of fun.
Yolanda, let’s both go for it. It will be a blast.
I have always wanted to be a drummer!
It’s on my bucket list – go for it!
That’s such a lovely name for a book.
A friend of mine has started a music school, so I’ve been hearing a fair bit about drums, lately.
Damyanti Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2014
Twitter: @damyantig
#atozchallenge
Go idea with the drum. Pat drums, the other Pat dances with electric vitality!
I love where Karen has put down her roots. A beautiful part of OR and one we love to visit. Almost ended up there, ourselves! May it continue to drum up success for her writing!
Karen, you’re so welcome. In addition to naming your other accomplishments, it was perfect for slipping in mention of your upcoming online class.
David, go for it. Two of my boys played drums when they were young, both in marching band and on a full drum set at home. All I want, however, is one little drum like in the photo. Of course, if they’re too expensive, I have a big bucket I can turn upside down and beat on with drumsticks. 😀
Susan, as the mom of drummers, I wonder if you’re looking forward to torturing your offspring by giving their kids drums? 😀
I waiting to have some grandchildren so I can buy them drums.
I’ve always wanted a drum. Nice to meet Karen! 🙂
Aww, thanks, Pat! *blushes* I’m honored to be one of the authors you chose to highlight this month! I’m also exceptionally please to be a part of RMFW, the organization that launched me on my writing path when I joined 20 years ago. It’s been 2 decades of great discoveries and solid education. Thanks again for mentioning me on your blog! 🙂
Alex, I would be so in awe of your ninja qualities I wouldn’t be able to keep a good beat going. 😀
Margot, now that I’ve put it in writing, I have to follow through. Yay!
Hi Rachna. I like drums also, but not when the neighbor teen plays in his garage right under my office window. Makes it hard to focus.
Trisha, if you went to even one drumming workshop, you’d be hooked.
Madeline, it would be interesting, that’s for sure!
I so think you should get a drum! And I think a jam session with Alex would be awesome. 🙂
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex’s Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
I’ve never drummed. I should give it a go! I think drummers are awesome!
Though I have never played the drum, I like drum music a lot.
Pat – I love it that you’re going to get a drum! So terrific! We all need to indulge ourselves that way sometimes. And thanks for introducing us to Karen Duvall and Dance….
Go get a drum! Then we can jam together.