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Authors and Writing,Chances,Choices,Learning

What Comes Next?

Note to reader: This is a story with no end . . . yet. You can finish this story however you would like. How does the sentence end? What will happen? Who comes in the room? Who leaves the room? Would you like this kind of chance? Can you relate? Enjoy! The principal of the school sat in her office pondering the student— a girl who had been referred to the office for yet another dress-code violation. It was Thursday morning. “What?” the girl said in a slouching stand, her hand on one hip as attitude permeated her skinny little...
About Me,Authors and Writing,Speaker

Kathryn Atkins — Short Bio

Kathryn Atkins is a native Californian. She is a writer, mom, wife, and a flamenco dancer. She loves to play the piano, read, and do yoga. She has published two books and has been featured in online and print magazines for over fourteen years as the owner and creative director of Writing World, LLC, a professional business writing company. In the early years of Writing World, Kathryn published a column in the Orange County (California) Register. Her Berkeley BS and MBA have served her freelance business writing company. Her eight-year membership in the California Writers Club has fulfilled her desire...
Authors and Writing,Learning

Writing Terms

Do you need to know what the following terms mean to call yourself a Writer (with a capital 'W')? Not really, but if you want to extend your knowledge around your craft, you might want to have at least heard or seen these words.  Besides, "Practice Makes Perfect," and learning your trade is practicing. Here you go. Oh. And keep writing! Litotes: \ ˈlī-tə-ˌtēz -- Understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary (as in "not a bad singer" or "not unhappy") Ablaut:  \ ˈä-ˌblau̇t -- a systematic variation of vowels in the same root or affix or in related roots...
Authors and Writing,Happy

Open Responses

HELLO FELLOW WRITERS! I am tickled to announce the obvious: Writers write! We love an open space, a challenge to play with words and to evoke a reaction from our musings. And so, I throw down this gauntlet and invite you to see what you would respond to these "openings." I guess you could copy paste this worksheet into your computer and play. Then keep it for yourself, or share, or return it. Whatever makes you happy as a writer, and as a person. Enjoy. I see an . . . My Response is to Your response is to…? Open wound. Sew...
Authors and Writing,Finishing,Publishing

Book Launch Photos!

[gallery ids="594,593,592,591" type="rectangular"]   What a lovely book launch! I had so much fun, and my friends Dave and Carmel Fleck took great pictures that I'm excited to share with you. The top left --  c'est moi. The second from the top on the left is a photo of my brother Bob and me. Bob flew in from Utah to attend. YAY! The bottom left photo is of my husband, Don and my son Ted with me at the Gatsby Books signing. My talk on the Challenge and Joy of Finishing was also received well, I think. The photo below is Dave Fleck....
Authors and Writing,Bucket Lists,Death,Finishing,Love Yourself

FINISH IT!

You: "Who me? Are you talking to me?" Your conscience: "YES. You. You have started a lot of things. Let's finish one." You: "How?" Your conscience: "I am SO glad you asked. Take a moment and write down all the reasons you can't finish. If you need help, I have a short source for you to check out":   Challenge and Joy of Finishing [caption id="attachment_231" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Whoa! I meant to finish that...[/caption] You: "Wait. That's not me in the photo!" Your conscience: "It could be. It's time to finish your thing -- whatever it is before, well, you know." You: "That's...
Authors and Writing,Life,Poetry

Piano Hands

Looking down, my hands are young. Little nails. Little fingers. Skipping on the keys. Smooth, dainty skin. I am six. From farther up I'm looking down at my hands upon the keys. Bigger reach, longer nails. A little polish Dancing on the keys. Taut, youthful skin. I am sixteen. Looking down, my hands are shopworn. They play the music that comes through me. My fingers waltz on the keys now. Drying, aging skin. I am fifty. My gaze descends to my hands resting on the keys. As I lift and lower, music emerges, But alas, my fingers lumber on the...
Authors and Writing,Life

I Wish You Enough

   I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. 
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
 I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I wish you enough pain so even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
 I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
 I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. Note: this poem and others can be found  in my...
Authors and Writing,Choices,Fear,Life

Give Your Self to the Wind

. . . AND RECEIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE How do you give your self (it's two words, on purpose) to the wind? Finish your stuff, I tell you. And be willing to be vulnerable! When you finish, though, you are very likely to fail. In fact, you can really suck! Your art, your book, your music, your crocheted or knitted piece, or even your book report for school, if you're still in school -- can really be awful. But, finishing it is important. We could fail. We can get an "F" or we can have no one buy our...
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