Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
Happy October! It's the First Wednesday of the month, the
day we celebrate IWSG Day, in the form of a blog hop
featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer's
Support Group. Founded
by Alex Cavanaugh and
fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place to share the fabulous views
and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating writing journeys. So pull
up a chair and join
us!
Our awesome co-hosts for
this month's posting of the IWSG are:
Jemima Pett, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!
In
observance of American Libraries Day, I didn't
have to look very far for one with a sizeable distinction:
McAllen,
Texas, is the home of the largest single-story library in the United States!
Since 2011 a former Walmart Big Box store has served as headquarters for
McAllen's (3-branch) Library System. It features a computer lab, a café, a
spacious auditorium –and even a used book store - in addition to 376,310
system-wide items and books for use or sale.
If on your
way to an interview you suddenly feel unprepared, you can always duck into the
New York Public Library and borrow just the right necktie or briefcase to
complement your professional ensemble.
There are
roughly 116,867 public and academic libraries across America today. There are
more public libraries than Starbucks (can you believe it?) in the country,
nearly 100% of which offer free computer access and WiFi.
"The only thing you absolutely
have to know is the location of the library" ~ Albert Einstein
One of my
personal favorite offerings for Random Acts of
Poetry Day:
"Only
lovers
see the fall
a signal end to endings
a gruffish gesture alerting
those who will not be alarmed
that we begin to stop
in order to begin
again."
~ Maya Angelou
As to this
month's IWSG optional question: In
your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?
You may
recall I was once a Swing Singer before I learned to write. Through trials and
many errors (grin), I learned from a young age the power of words, the
reactions they could elicit. What I realized in writing is an opportunity to
influence those reactions with carefully chosen words. That being said, I don't
draw lines, but I do make decisions, much like choosing an outfit for a special
occasion. Do I want to entertain or compel? Regale or repel? Desired reactions
determine which words I choose to wear out in public (or on paper). I don't
always hit the mark ;-)
Does anyone
else feel this way? Have you ever been surprised by reactions to something you've
written?
Happy Writing!
