I could feel the air changing so I seized the moment to capture more snow scuptures near where I live. The other day I showed the ‘Snow Dog.’ It was resting on the pavement in a parking lot and I photographed it as the dog was sleeping.  Tell me what you see – a dog, a mountain lion, a cheetah…..I would love to know!  Thank you for dropping by and I always look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.  Susan

A friend of mine asked me if I would like to be part of a women’s writers group and I said, “sure.” Well, this past Monday we met for the first time. One of the four women decided to back out. I did write to encourage her to discuss her feelings about leaving.

I also had intense trepidations about being part of this writers’ group. The three other women have published stories and my friend just signed a six figure contract with a New York publisher to finish her book in 2008. She’s been told Hollywood is interested in making a feature film about my friend’s experiences in Africa as a peace core worker during the 1970′s. Then there’s me, never took a writing course, no advanced degrees – needless to say, lots of feelings of inferiority has welled up.

During our first meeting it was decided that we each send ten pages of something we’ve written for critique purposes. Well! You can imagine how shaky I felt as I chose the first scene of my screen play to send off to my friends of this newly formed “writers’ group.” I could barely complete the action – but I did. All they can say is, “go back to your writer’s chamber and begin again.” Not so bad. Rewriting, re-tweaking and repeat the process can only improve the play. Right?

I’m profoundly devoted to writing this screen play to its completion. I won’t stop there – the play will not be put in a drawer and forgotten about. I will do everything in my power to have this screen play produced. I appear shy and quiet to people but there is a side to me that is quietly persistent and charmingly assertive.

~~ Susan Elkin

Whately Diner © Susan Elkin

Awhile ago I received an award for being a courageous blogger and I never passed on the honors. Please check out the Writer’s Review where you will find the rules, see how to on this gift and also pick up a banner to display on your site. These last few months I have had reason to know people’s character on a deeper level and thus would like to bestow these awards.

First, The Thoughtful Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping others bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.” This award goes to Neda Doany‘s thoughtfulness to me in this time that has been so difficult.

The Creative Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those who bring unique and creative elements to their blogs. For those who incorporate art, music, creative writing, photo’s, and other beautiful visual effects into their website. For those who put a unique spin on things and come up with new ideas. This award is for the artsy, the funky, the inventor, and even the rebel. This award is for those creative individuals who stand out from the crowd.” This award goes to Diane Clancy at her blog for being creative and having fantastic artwork and to Sue O’Kieffe for her creativity in tutorials and mandalas.

The Inspirational Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others.” This award goes to Diane and Neda for their art and words that lift others’ spirits. This award also goes to Rima Koleilat for her work on Blog Action Day.

Finally, The Courageous Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those bloggers who are battling or have battled with physical and mental illness, those who are survivors of abuse, poverty, or who have overcome other challenges in life. Those who serve in the military or work/volunteer in dangerous situations in order to provide a service or to help others. This award is for the strong, the brave, and the courageous.” This award goes to Diane, Neda, Rima and Sue for the struggles they deal with as they walk through life and the blogosphere.

Thank you for helping me award these women awards and hopefully I will write more soon!!

~~Susan Elkin

Thank you for continuing to give me feedback. I feel quite supported by each of you. Often times I feel shy about writing on my blog because I’m not sure about what I have to offer you. I feel, as time passes, I’ll come to realize what I can give.

It would be helpful to me, to know what would be interesting to you to read. Let me know.

Sue O’Kieffe – asked to hear more about my screen play – I’ll start there. I’ve written quite a lot during the last three months – the entire first scene has been tweaked numerous times and continues to be tweaked. A retired English teacher was taken by the idea of the story and has become my mentor and encourager to continue to write. Her very helpful comments I’ve incorporated into the most tweaked, up-to-date first scene version. I am currently working on creating conflict and character development. There are days I write a lot and then I put it aside – then return to see how it feels. The process seems to work for me – as long as I don’t let too many days go by. Admittedly, three weeks have passed since my last writing.  Not good.

The first scene is the two female protagonists meeting. This has been so challenging for me to write so that it’s interesting and exciting to the viewer. You know the adage, “if it doesn’t hold the attention of the viewer during the first ten minutes, they’ll walk out.” I certainly don’t want them to walk out. It’s a fear I have.

Fear will not stop me. My internal landscape holds an emotional map as to how I want this beautiful story to unfold and be told.

~~ Susan Elkin

Reflections VI © Susan Elkin

I was indoors shooting through double paneled glass windows that helped give an austere effect along with all the other elements of nature.

~~ Susan Elkin

Technorati Tags: reflections, abstract, landscape, portraits

Reflections XVIII © Susan Elkin

I asked Diane to hold the edge of the door with her right hand. For me, it gave an inside/outside quality. When she completed that gesture, I knew the composition came fully together.

I’ve been told by a woman who purchased this photograph that it encompassed the aging experience in this culture. She put the photograph on the front door to her office. At that time she was working with the elderly in her community. She felt this image dignified the aging process.

~~ Susan Elkin

Technorati Tags: reflections, creative process, portraits, abstract

Luck Nails V © Susan Elkin

The mirror reflections of the woman’s face creates an intriguing illusion of beauty which remains. As we know, there’s nothing more constant than change and one’s physical appearance will always be changing. During each stage of physical maturity, I feel beauty remains a constant, but it is not defined by Madison Avenue. Beauty is defined by the eyes of the beholder.

~~ Susan Elkin

Technorati Tags: Night Lights, creative process

- Susan Elkin