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

As always, I look forward to your responses and love hearing about what’s going on in your lives. Thank you for coming by – 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

~~ Susan Elkin

It’s been my experience making sure the person who wants to spend their hard earned money on whatever your selling is more pampered. I just thought I would lend a helping hand in sharing some pointers that may possibly help increase their do, re, mi.

How are you doing, Sue?

~~ 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

Thank you all for all the feedback and help you have given me online and off … onblog and off. You helped me create a card I am very pleased with!! Please try to look past the border … it doesn’t truly exist … it is in another dimension and has reappeared uninvited.

I will try to continue to post more often. I am making a commitment to post at least once a week. I hope you will check me out and raise the roof if I don’t keep my word.

Thank you again!

~~ Susan Elkin

~~ Susan Elkin

My buddy, J.C. wanted to make sure we printed these out to see how they look. The version one looked more in my face than I’m comfortable with – I just wanted to share that with you.

Then there are two more versions of my business card with different sizes of the photographs. Including the first two business cards there are actually three different sizes of the photographs. If version four is the one you or the one we choose – whoever chooses these things anyway…….if version four is it then the images can be slightly widened. Thank you for helping me everybody – I’m overwhelmed because I’m physically in a lot of arthritic pain because I can’t take my anti-inflammatory for the next ten days. I just really appreciate your patience and your terrific help.

I have come back and edited this post a little. Diane made another version with the longer images (#5) so that you could see what it looks like. Hope this is helpful in deciding. Thank you again!!

Most of you know that we’re trying to get these business cards finished and done so that we have them to distribute. I realize folks that I’ve been the biggest hang-up in this process. Sooooo, please help me move along.

Susan’s Business Card © Susan Elkin

Chris, does this work as a USP? What do other people think about the words, choice of images and the layout? Thank you for all your requests about me on Diane’s Blog. I do exist.

Susan’s Business Card Back © Susan Elkin

Did you notice that I have my own domain name, now? Your old links will still work – they will be redirected over here. Thank you for any feedback you’re able to give me.

~~ Susan Elkin

It’s an idea I’ve had for thirty years and have decided to take the plunge and write it. Initially, I found it difficult but once the process began, it took on a life of its own. In the words of director, David Lynch, “It always goes by in fragments and then the whole thing starts revealing itself.” Basically, J.K.Rowling – the Potter author- said the same thing in an interview I heard her give.

_ Susan Elkin

Streetscape IV © Susan Elkin

After a heavy rain storm I went searching in my car for an interesting photograph. As I drove by the nail store I noticed this purple glowing reflection splashed onto the sidewalk.

- Susan Elkin

- Susan Elkin