I'm going to be published!!!!

There are times in our lives when everything seems like it's heading downhill and then, unexpectedly, you are handed a piece of good news or a great experience that makes everything so much better. That has just happened to me.
I am holding in my hands a contract from Aspen Mountain Press for the publication of my short story, Fired or Fired Up, to be included in the GOIN' DOWN Anthology that I have been involved in with a group of six other wonderful and talented women.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!! My dream is coming true! When the query letter was sent out on February 14th, never did we expect to have such a quick response from two publishers. The group decided together on Aspen and here we are now with contracts to be mailed and cover art to be decided upon.
I'm so happy. I want to jump up and down like a giddy school-girl. Even though it's a short story that I wrote, I'm still being published. It's the best feeling in the world to know that I wrote something worth publishing - me! Shannon Robinson! I did it! Yippeee!!
Sorry - I had to toot my own horn there. I don't get accomplishments like this that I can pat myself on the back for. Of course, there's several people that I owe tremendous thanks to for helping me get this piece ready: My best friend and critique partner Holly Weeden, the fabulous ladies of the GOIN' DOWN Anthology group who I simply adore: Collette Thomas, Jane Leopold Quinn, Mallory Hall, Karma Jones, Tambra Kendall, and Renee Michaels, and the ladies from our online critique group, Writer Buddies. You all were a wonderful help and I appreciate all of the advice.
I've got to go for now - but I'll tell you all about the anthology soon!!

Forever Friends

As a young girl, one of my yearly traditions was to have a slumber party on my birthday. From my thirteenth birthday until my eighteenth birthday, I had the same 6 girls to my house for these slumber parties. We went roller-skating a few times, to the movies once or twice, and even quite the road trip to the Drum - interesting story there!

Anyways, these girls were the ones that I considered my closest friends and I still consider them that. They will always be dear to my heart and I never want to lose touch with them. They are special to me and I will always be here for them if they ever need me, as I know they would be for me.

Regardless of how much time has passed, I know that I can still count on these girls to bring back the good ol' days. These girls know the "real" me, inside and out - without any judgement against me. They were there with me through my teenage experiences, through the laughter and tears, the parties and boys, even my high school pregnancy.

We were able to get together after 9 years of being apart. Some of us see each other more than the others, but it was nice to have lunch and catch up with each other. We talked and reminisced just like old times. While I thought things might have been awkward at first, it wasn't. It was wonderful. So, here we are:

From Left to Right: Holly, Me, Heather, Lindsey, and Suzie - (missing is Tara - she couldn't make it unfortunately)

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Libby Lu's

My daughter, Alexis, just had her 6th birthday this past Saturday. I took her and her cousin, Katie, to Libby Lu's for make-overs. I never even knew this type of store existed until running across it in the mall. It caters to young girls and is absolutely amazing!! For anyone who has a young daughter, this is a perfect treat for them!

They changed into DIVA outfits, then had their hair done up in Celebrity DJ styles - (you can choose one style out of 5 different ones) - got their nails and make-up done, then even did a dance at the front of the store with the girls who work there. They also made their own body spray and face mask stuff - then got a large bag that they stuffed with goodies like make-up, jewelry, and other stuff.

It was a wonderful visit and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

CNYRW X-mas Party

Our local RWA chapter, Central NY Romance Writers, had our December meeting this past Saturday - which consisted of our annual Christmas party. This was my 2nd party with this group and once again, it was a blast. We have a wonderful group of men and women who are extremely friendly and fun. Christmas carols were sung, gifts exchanged, and our hilarious Rose Queens did a wonderful job at the Rose Ceremony this year!

(For those of you who don't know what that is - as writers we keep a year long tally of all of our writing accomplishments, and depending on what those were, we get a specific color "rose" for each accomplishment. The "roses" are tallied and awards are given out.)

And for the 2nd year in a row - I have received the "Rose Cup" Award for the one with the least amount of roses. Here's a pic of my award:

Isn't it just lovely? Can you tell what it is? Hint: the girls got it from a nurse. I laughed so hard when they whipped this little baby out as my award! Gotta love Kari and Barb for this one!!

But on a more serious note, when I got home and was looking at this little cup, it made me realize exactly how little I've accomplished as a writer this past year. I received the same award last year - and that was fine as I'd only just started with my writing career in October 2006. But now after having a full year go by, I really haven't done much. I haven't even finished a full ms yet and that depresses me. I won't beat myself up on this, I know most writers spend years working before they are published, so I don't expect to be an overnight success. I know I have much to learn and probably more rejections to face along the way. My main hurdle to get over is time - I've got to get in more time to write and get the writing done. It's very hard with the full time job and my responsibilities towards my family, but I've got to get it done.

So, I'm going to hang my rose cup at my desk where I can look at it everyday, and by golly! I'm going to get writing!!

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Season!

The time has come. Christmas quickly approaches and along with that, all the joys and beauty of the season.
I love this time of year. It is absolutely my favorite. From the day before Thanksgiving until that wonderful, happy morning on Christmas, there is a huge smile on my face (except when I'm at the day job, of course! LOL!) and songs singing through my spirit. Christmas is a time for joy amongst all people, but also a reflection of the spirit within yourself. Time to spend with friends and family, exchanging not only gifts but bonds of love that will last a whole lifetime.
My joy at this time of year mainly stems from the happiness that lights my children's faces whenever they see colored lights stringing from neighbor houses, or blown up X-mas decorations sitting outside on lawns - and the best time: Christmas morning when they discover all the wonderful presents Santa and Mom & Dad have given them. I cherish this time of year and try to capture as much of it as possible on camera, so that we will never forget the happiness we experienced together.
I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. Lift your spirit and be happy. Have a very Merry Christmas!!
Shannon