AUTHOR INTERVIEW: JANET GURTLER

The fabulous Janet Gurtler who’s book, I’m Not Her, just hit shelves May 1! She was kind enough to stop by and answer a few questions. Describe I’m Not Her in five words or less. Emotional journey of self-discovery. What inspired you to write I’m Not Her? I wanted to look at what would happen when someone who is perfect and has everything and#40;on the outsideand#41; suddenly has it drastically taken away. And what happens when family roles are suddenly altered or reversed. I remember envying others when I was a teen and wanted to look beneath the illusion of “perfect”. I’m Not Her is about two sisters finding their way through a tragic event. Did you draw from experience with Tracey and#40;your sisterand#41; the dynamic between Tess and Kristina? I was kind of shy around Tracey when we were teens. She was three years older than me and so much more sophisticated back then. THAT changes drastically ha ha just kidding. Tracey was taller and thinner and#40;still isand#41; and I en [Read More]

published May 11, 2011 at 2:45pm CDT

FIVE WRITING EXERCISES TO GET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

Looking for a way to kill time on your lunch break? Need something occupy your time on a long car, train or plane ride? Want to do something that will stimulate your mind and be fun at the same time? Tap into your creative side and try your hand at writing exercises. Whether you’re trying to write your first novel or not, writing exercises can be a fun outlet for your imagination to run wild. According to an article on http://www.rousingyourmuse.com/, writing exercises help to loosen your creative muscles and build them up to make them stronger in the same way physical exercise loosens and strengthens your body’s muscles. Since creativity plays a role in almost every aspect of our lives, the more we put our creative muscles to use, the better we will be able to use them when solving a problem at work, developing dynamic topics for school papers, etc.     To help get you started, we’ve provided a list of some exercises created just for ChickSpeak for you to try. Grab your no [Read More]

published July 20, 2010 at 2:52pm CDT

OUR GAME MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY WOMEN SOCCER PLAYERS

A new women’s soccer pub, Our Game Magazine, was launched with some fanfare this week. Founded by Khaled El-Ahmad, Our Game is a women’s soccer magazine created by current and past players for players and fans all around the world. With the mission of providing a wealth of women’s soccer knowledge that “no magazine has done before,” Our Game is another avenue towards enhancing the popularity of women’s soccer worldwide. The mag’s title comes from the fact that players are involved in producing the magazine – they love the game, they play it and they want to bring readers closer to it. El-Ahmad.  the founder of sports agency Connect World Football, brought the magazine’s concept to Boston Breakers striker Tiffany Weimer, who studied journalism at at Penn State,  and the two decided to go for it with Weimer taking the editorial lead. The rest of the writing staff is comprised of current and former players, a number of whom are Weimer’s teammates. Breakers mid [Read More]

published June 4, 2010 at 6:25pm CDT

THE WELL-SPENT LIFE IS LONG

L’acqua che tochi de fiumi, è l’ultima di quella che andò, e la prima di quelle che viene; così il tempo presente. La vita bene spesa lunga è. Leonardo da Vinci, Note 1174 here’s my translation [eager for improvements from my Italian-speaking friends] The water you touch in a river is the last that has passed and the first that is coming; so with the present moment. The well-spent life is long. [Read More]

published April 18, 2010 at 3:27pm CDT

POETRY TO INSPIRE, EMPOWER AND ENCOURAGE

“Golden butterflies embedded in gregarious hearts,” writes Zenith Eliot in his poem “Golden Butterflies”. Such a succinct and eloquent line perfectly exemplifies the flawless inspiration that only poetry can convey. A good poem can make you feel a certain emotion, provoke your thoughts, and/or give you the encouragement you need to get through a rough time. Whether you are a chick looking for inspiration, something to think about, or empowerment, here are three interesting poems to brighten your day and get your creative juices moving:  “Golden Butterflies” by Zenith Eliot  The poem “Golden Butterflies” uses delicate language and nature imagery to create an uplifting and hopeful tone. Throughout the thirteen short lines, the poem conveys the message that the golden butterflies, which represent nature and human souls, rise above life’s melancholies and have the potential to create laughter and beauty.   The last lines of the poem, which read, “Satin wings/ lig [Read More]

published April 18, 2010 at 3:22pm CDT

MY TOXIC ASSETS

Toxic Assets are not just about finances. They’re about family, lovers, friends, maybe even pets.  I’ve had them all, although I suppose you could say I’ve had more than my share.  There was the Balinese rock star, who was not a rock star despite dressing like a drag queen, and was into climaxing by asphyxiation—my asphyxiation. Then there was the guy who was married, fell in love with me, left his wife, had another affair, got her pregnant, married her but wanted to keep having an affair with me… And that was just the men.  The women were much better, at least at first. My first girlfriend was a rageaholic who would greet me at the door with a glint in her eye that said we were going to have a fight, whether I liked it or not. My second was an alcoholic who would not greet me at the door at all unless it was at the local watering hole; we got through that hurdle and made a lives for ourselves amid 12 step programs and then she fell in love with one of my former students. [Read More]

published November 13, 2009 at 7:50pm CST

DEAR SOON TO BE GRADUATES OF MS. VAN ALSTYNE’S ENGLISH CLASS:

and#40;Ed. Note: Writer Heather Dune Macadam is the author of Rena's Promise, a non-fiction account of the first transport of women into Auschwitz. The book is required reading in many high schools and colleges and this blog is devoted to some of the many questions she receives from students who have read the bookand#41; Thank you so much for such insightful and provocative letters about Rena’s Promise.  I was very moved this morning, as I opened the package your teacher sent and perused your epistles while sitting on the couch, dog at my feet, a cup of coffee steaming by my side. One of the truly meaningful moments in an author’s life is receiving responses like yours—fresh, energetic, emotional and honest. Rena and I wrote her story with young people like you in mind and that we are reaching you, still, reminds me that our journey together has not ended but continues, despite the fact that she has left us. So, you asked me a number of questions, which I hope to respond to as I [Read More]

published October 2, 2009 at 6:58pm CDT