The Return of Susan

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Setting Sun I

Setting Sun I © Susan Elkin

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder” – I realize it’s been a very long time since I’ve posted and to be quite up front I was greatly nudged by my west coast buddy, Sue. Blogging doesn’t come naturally to me – yet.

These last few months have been focused on dealing with a ‘cancer scare’ that was inappropriately, prematurely diagnosed by an oncology gynecologist.  After four weeks of incommunicado from the doctor’s office I started telephoning to talk with the doctor – eventually, the nurse offered some information prefacing it with “I can’t speak for the doctor.” Never did the doctor herself call me.  A very short version of this rather scarey saga is, I don’t have cancer.  I’m very, very happy that things are so far well.

I’v been working passionately on my screen play and it’s going quite well.  My cousin in Connecticut has volunteered her editorial services to me – I send her various scenes and Ev sends me her input.  She tells me she can’t wait to know what happens next.  I take that as a positive sign. Ev doesn’t sound like she’s finding it boring.  If I may say so myself, I feel it’s quite a well written script.  The play is about half way to completion. I take great joy in writing it and look forward to it being produced.  When it’s just a leap away from being shown at your neighborhood cinema I’ll definitely give you a head’s up. The story is about about a thirty-four year old woman named Sarah whose life is mired in chaos. She gets a job as a ‘homemaker’ and befriends one of her clients who is eighty-six years old, named Mary, whose life is the total opposite of hers. Mary’s life is serene and content. Two women from opposite world views and experiences come together to create a beautifully poignant, charming friendship. It’s an exciting story.

 After the screen play is written I’m off to three additional ideas I have in mind – two of which I’ve already started but found difficult juggling writing one thing, then a book about customer service to a children’s television series.  I decided to concentrate on the screen play to it’s completion.

I’ve just recently became part of a women’s writing group and our first meeting is November 19th.  My inner landscape is quite excited about this opportunity.  Will keep you posted about how things are going in that arena.

Let me know how all of you are doing.  I may be appearingly invisible, but you’re always in my heart and often in my thoughts.

~~ Susan Elkin

 

Awards for Others

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Whately Diner

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

Looking for Stories

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Hey, everybody, I have a request! I’m writing a book about negative experiences customers/clients have had in restaurants or retail shops. Particularly treated shabbily by either the employees and owners of the establishment themselves. For example, I’ve had MANY experiences where I entered a retail shop and felt that I ought to ‘thank the employees for allowing me to enter the store’. How’s this one – Several employees are just standing around behind the counter and there’s ONE customer (you) WAITING to be asked ‘can I help you?’ After five or ten minutes an employee turns to you, not saying anything (no greeting, nothing) waits for YOU THE CUSTOMER to respond to his/her silence. Your response is greatly appreciated and I shall add it as fodder to my book.

~~ Susan Elkin

AWE Window Display

Needing a Nudge

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Thank you Sue, I do need a nudge. I’ve been working on my screen play and have begun writing a book about my experiences as a customer/client in businesses where servicing the customer/client is a bit lacking. It’s sort of a primer for people who are interested in improving their “bottom line.” I believe that’s a corporate term, money – you know, increasing profits.

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
Susan’s AWE Window

Thematic Vision – Phase I

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KoKo VI

KoKo VI © Susan Elkin

Today, I received my new business cards. I’m quite delighted in how they came out – thank all of you in participating in this journey together. I can hear the applause all the way over here in my living room.

Sue, you posted a most intriguing question to me the other day – what vision do you hold for your photography? I’ve been ruminating for days – that’s why you haven’t heard from me earlier. Decisions and revisions a moment will reverse. Sorry for the delay.

I’ve been thinking, how do I answer that now? A thematic vision is one piece of my strategy. I have these ‘Night Light’ series. You’ve seen several of these photographs on my blog. Periodically, I leave the comfort of my home and go into the night as a hunter looking for its prey.

One night after a beautiful rainstorm I jumped into my car and drove around my hometown searching for potential magical images. There before me I saw a marvelous glitter of blue splashing onto the sidewalk. A nail shop magically transformed into a gorgeous reflection. What is now Streetscape IV is that very same mundane nail shop by day. My specialty is magic out of the ordinary and revealing its depths.

More another day. Please share your comments with me. Thank you.

~~ Susan Elkin

“And Here She Is….”

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The Tunnel I

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

And the Winner is …

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Susan Biz Card Final

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

Without Borders …

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Here are the two winners so far – without borders – Now, it is possibly clearer as to which choice you’ll choose. In between the second or third hot dog that just came off the grill (or hamburger or tofu dog) feel free to send me a comment. This has been a difficult process for me – your kind patience during this time has meant very much to me. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

~~ Susan Elkin

Susan Biz Card #1
Susan Biz Card #2

More on My Business Card

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These are two versions of my business card. The title font is the same but the body text is different. Some of you mentioned that the font is the same as Diane’s font. I tried a whole bunch of other fonts. These are the only two I felt represented me. On the font like Diane’s (Gill Sans) I made the font size bigger. You can see the smaller size in the last post. I’m really curious to know your responses to the different fonts.

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.

Biz Card #1

 

Biz Card #2

 

Biz Card #3

Biz Card #4

 

Biz Card #5

 

Biz Card Back

 

Susan’s Business Card

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This is Susan emerging from my long Spring hibernation – here is my very newly designed business card. Would you indulge me with your response? I look forward to your input.

Susan's Business Card

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’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