Saturday, December 13, 2008

An Introverted Writer’s Twelve Days of Christmas

Guess what, violets? We have a special Christmas treat for our dedicated readers. We are going to post every day for the next twelve days to try and give each of you a little calm during this frantic holiday season. As we introduce you to the Introverted Writer’s Twelve Days of Christmas (something we’re pretty sure most of you will identify with) we’ll also be giving away prizes! We’ll have books and soothing drinks and more books and all sorts of writerly stuff.

And here’s the good news: because we’d like to create one little spot in your holiday world where no exhausting social energy is required, you don’t even have to comment to enter! If you’ve commented in the last three months, you’re already entered!

However, if you haven’t commented before don’t despair. Just go ahead and comment during the twelve days of Christmas and you’ll be eligible. So without further ado, The Introverted Writer’s Twelve Days of Christmas:


On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
A nice quiet place to just be…



Don’t forget to find a quiet spot in your day, even if it is just for five minutes, and allow yourselves to just be…still, calm, centered. At least for five minutes. A true gift to yourself.

And today’s winner* is…Barbara Shoup!

Barbara, today's prize is a copy of Clarissa Pinkola Estes' Women Who Run With the Wolves. This is one of my new favorite books that I think every writer should read; a terrific guide through the thorny thicket that is creativity and helping us learn how to dare BEing a creative person. It's also a terrific source for new internal arcs and journeys for our characters. Email me and I will get it right out to you.

Love and holiday blessings to you all! Be sure and check back tomorrow...

Robin and Mary

*I've made a list of all those who've commented since 9/1/08, in the order in which their comments appeared, then the day's winner is selected by a random number generator. However, if your comment was anonymous and there is no way for me to contact you, I did not include your name.

14 comments:

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

On the first day of Christmas, myself gave to thee, no one to talk to but me.

Dharma Kelleher said...

"Women Who Run With the Wolves" is a wonderful book! My women's group used to read from it every week. The "Seal Skin, Soul Skin" story was a frequent favorite.

Anonymous said...

Throwing my name in the hat as I haven't commented before. (I usually read by RSS.)

WWRWW really is a fantastic book. I used it in an online class with author Barbara Samuel. It's the kind of book that's really best to pick up and read what appeals to you at random--maybe easier to do that instead of cover to cover as it's rather deep. It strangely meets you where you are.

Anonymous said...

Oh, all RIGHT, I'll COMMENT. :-)

Mary Hershey said...

"It strangely meets you where you are." That is EXACTLY what my experience was with WWRWW, Julie! Nicely put. :-) Robin and I took Barbara's class, too. ;-)

What fun we'll have with this, Robin! Can't wait to watch all this unfold.

And, to all those out there that don't celebrate Christmas, but do celebrate Hanukkah, Kwaanza and Solstice-- here's to YOU and yours. We are wishing you each a light-filled holidays!

Mary Hershey

Anonymous said...

I am loving this rain! I want to do nothing today but read and write and then stop and stop again to listen to the rain.

Mim said...

What a nice idea. As I've read your blog over the past few weeks, it's nice to realize that I'm not as strange as most people think I am--meaning all the extroverts in my life. I really am surrounded. Quiet is what I craze.

Thanks for all the suggestions and marketing tips

Anonymous said...

You two wonderful violets totally rock -- I hope you know that! Looking forward to visiting here each day....

Anonymous said...

I've only recently discovered your blog and I have to say as one violet to another, THANK YOU! You're now on my automatic read list. It's great to hear from others like me.

Anonymous said...

I'm all about an introvert's Christmas :) But, but, a Christmas giveaway is so extroverted!

Barbara Shoup said...

This is so cool. I was in a Christmas funk, and now I'm out of it. There's nothing I needed more than "a nice quiet place just to be."

Thanks so much!

The book sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read it.

Barbara Shoup said...

This is so cool. I was in a Christmas funk, and now I'm out of it. There's nothing I needed more than "a nice quiet place just to be."

Thanks so much!

The book sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read it.

Wendy said...

I commented above, but didn't leave any way to contact me. I hope I'm still in the running!

I love your blog, and my kids LOVE the Theodosia Throckmorton books and wish you would write LOTS MORE RIGHT AWAY (they aren't very patient!)

R.L. LaFevers said...

Yes Wendy. You're absolutely still in the running! (And not just because your kids like the Theodosia books--although knowing that makes me VERY happy!!)