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NaBloPoMo #3– The Place Where I Create…..My Writing Space

November 5, 2013 By Elaine Gray

NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee
I have a nice large writing space in my home.   It is actually a home office that is open and bright.  The walls of my office are a beige color and I have dark mahogany wood blinds on the window to block the evening sunset.   The floor is mahogany hardwood with a large blue multi-colored Persian rug.   On one wall is a large white built-in bookcase and it is home to hard copies of my favorite books and some of my writing books that pre-date Kindle.   Also, on my bookcase is a television with cable/DVR hookup (which I really need to remove) and an IHOME to dock my IPOD to listen to Native American flute music or smooth jazz while I am writing.

In one corner of the office, I have a medium-sized computer stand with a desktop computer/printer setup and pullout keyboard.   This computer is used for all of my non-writing life needs.   My office desk is glass-topped on a wrought-iron base with a wrought iron/leather chair.   I love this desk and purchased it before I started on my writer’s journey but now I realize it is no longer functional.  I desperately need storage and my beautiful desk does not have drawers.    Also, the desk is too high ergonomically for me to use my designated writing laptop so I have to use it on a plastic tablemate stand which I keep near my desk.    I know at some point I will need to replace this desk as the only purpose it serves now is to hold all of my notebooks and writing class notes.

Overall, I am content with my writing space but it is in need of some mission organization and a makeover.   Sometimes when I take a short break from my writing sessions I jot down ideas so I do have the start of plans for a makeover.   However, at the moment, I am productive in my writing space and working to a self-imposed deadline to finish my novel.    Perhaps when that is done I will take a break and enhance my writing space.

I would love to share a picture of my writing space but today it is just a little too cluttered to show.

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Filed Under: Blog News, Cultural Tagged With: blogging, Creativity, The Writing Life, Writing

Girlfriends on the Road – BlogHer ’13 Conference

August 4, 2013 By Elaine Gray

Woman with travel cases.

Last week, from July 25 -27, I had the pleasure of joining one of my writing friends/colleagues in Chicago for the BlogHer ’13 conference.  This conference is the meeting place for 5,000+ female bloggers who, cumulatively, have a connection to 93 million blog readers globally.   The power of the female voice is awesome!

BlogHer 13

It was the first time I attended this conference and I was amazed at the women I met there.    Dynamic, opinionated, confident and fearless, these women shared the experience of the blogging life with one another in a collaborative effort.    We gained invaluable insight on striving to be successful women from our keynote speakers:

Ree Drummond – The Pioneer Woman – Food Network Star

http://www.thepioneerwoman.com

Guy Kawasaki – (the first male keynote speaker in the history of BlogHer)   http://www.guykawasaki.com

Sheryl Sandberg –  COO of Facebook and author of Lean In     http://www.leanin.org

Marjora Carter – New York Urban Revitalization Strategist

http://www.majoracartergroup.com

Lisa Donovan – Actress

http://www.lisadonovan.com

Brit Morin – CEO of Brit & Co.  – DIY online community

http://www.britmorin.com

Randi Zuckerberg – CEO of Zuckerberg Media, former Marketing Director of Facebook and sister of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg

http://zuckerbergmedia.com

Gale Anne Hurd – Film Producer – (currently “The Walking Dead)

http://www.valhallamotionpictures.com

One of the most memorable events was the “The Voices of the Year Reception” in which Queen Latifah was the Mistress of Ceremonies.  This event showcased several bloggers and their contest-winning blog post.   Each one read to us and the power of their words moved us to laughter, joy, triumphant, and tears.  Another event I enjoyed was the “Speed Dating” Ice Breaker exercise where we did introductions with one another to make connections with other bloggers.

Queen Latifah

I learned new information to enhance my blog in the panel sessions, presentations offered, and interacting with the other attendees.   Overall, this conference was a great experience.

Here are some of the blogs that had interesting titles:

http://www.baddestmotherever.com

http://www.bigcurvylove.com

http://www.partiesforpennies.com

http://www.sunbonnetsmart.com

http://www.robynshealthyliving.com

http://www.muchneededcoaching.com

http://www.thestir.com

http://www.cafemom.com

http://thebitchinwivesclub.com

http://www.creatingmotherhood.com

http://www.blackdiabeticinfo.com

http://www.teachgoodstuff.com

http://www.elephantsoap.com

http://www.slowcookeradventures.com

http://www.mahoganymommy.com

http://www.eatflowsweat.com

http://www.happyhoureffect.com

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Filed Under: Blog News Tagged With: blogging, BlogHer, female bloggers, female networking

A Girlfriend Gathering – The 1st Blog Reader “Meet & Greet” Mixer

November 7, 2011 By Elaine Gray

This past weekend I hosted my first “meet & greet” mixer for readers of my blog – Gossip from the Girlfriend Gatherings.   We had a BLAST!

The event was held at “The Tasting Room at River Oaks” in Houston – www.tastingroomwines.com – which is conveniently centrally located and in one of my favorite areas of my hometown.    The Tasting Room had the perfect atmosphere and ambiance that I wanted for the event so that we could relax, have a glass or two of wine, munch on some tasty goodies, and chit chat.

The attendees were a little surprised at the ice-breaker introduction I composed for them to complete and read aloud but their full participation made it a fun and candid moment.   We really opened up with one another.  We learned about each other and about ourselves.  (You can find the ice-breaker introduction document at the end of the post).   Also, I compiled a list of “jinxed” words that could not be used during the event that prompted the attendees to only talk about what they do for themselves and not for others.   It was a challenge for a couple of them.

We played a couple of games for prizes and we all enjoyed the “Girls Night Out Pink – Table Topics” game where we pulled a card and had to respond to the question on the card, (i.e., Would you go topless on a topless beach?).   The questions were surprising and thought-provoking.   Our answers were candid and even hilarious.

I asked the attendees to bring their favorite blog posts.   We read a couple and discussed them all.   Some of the selections surprised me and I was humbled that  my words touched others.  I really appreciated the active participation from everyone.

I was somewhat nervous because I was unaware of a “format” for such an event.  So, I created my own format and I believe it was a success.   Everyone told me how much they enjoyed it and how much fun was had by all.   We laughed a lot and it made some women in the public area of the café curious as to our activity.   I gave them one of my blog cards and they promised to check it out.

So,  based on this outcome, I will plan to make this an annual event to provide an opportunity for women to come together, bond, share, and make new friends.

For those of you that attended – I TRULY THANK YOU.   I would appreciate any feedback you can post here on the blog site.   For those of you that were unable to attend, I will keep you in the loop on future events.

 

ICE BREAKER INTRODUCTION

My name is ___________________________ and I am a (an) _________________________________.    In one word I would describe myself as _______________________________________.                                                       One of the things I like to do during my ME time is _______________________________________________________________.

I have discovered the work I love and it is _________________________________.

If I was single and available, I would take these three men (1)____________________ (2) __________________________(3) ___________________________ to create my ideal mate.  (Please describe one characteristic from each man).

If I had an open ticket to go anywhere in the world, I would go to __________________________ and I would take ________________________ with me.

One of the things that my girlfriends and I do when we “gather” is ___________________________________________________________________.

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Filed Under: Blog News, Girl's Night Out

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