SIWC - it’s all about CREATIVITY and ABUSING TWITTER.

I’ve decided to abuse* Twitter - okay, maybe that’s way too strong of a word. So… how does “utilize” sound - so utilitarian, but hey, anything to not look like the abuser I am!  :P  *make excessive and habitual use of (according to Mac’s Dictionary)

I am taking advantage of my creative juices, that are freely flowing thanks to Brenda Ueland’s book, If You Want To Write, whereby I am not thinking (easier than I thought) just typing what comes to mind.

My copy - but you can get yours HERE.

Back on May 26th, in light of discovering the SIWC twitter site, I tweeted this:

Johnny asked, “How many more sleeps till Christmas, mommy?” Mommy smiled, “153 dear, just 153!” #siwc14 My gift to me.

When I got a reply from the SIWC Board I thought, “Hmmm, let’s play with this a little.”

And so it went…  

I found Johnny and Mommy taking on a life of their own through my tweets. It got me thinking how much fun it would be, given this is a Writers’ Conference’s twitter feed, to use (or abuse) Twitter shamelessly and write a story, in 140 character bits, as a way of partaking in the world of social media. 

If you want to see the story unfold… it’s HERE!

Given my love of social media (if you know me well, you’ll see I’ve lodged my tongue in my left cheek as I type this) I figured, hey, what the heck, give it a whirl - really, what can happen? I might even get a few extra followers to keep my stalwart 37 in good company. 

In fact, I’ve been toying with attending a Master Class, at the SIWC, given by Sean Cranbury on Owning Your Online Space. Talk about a lot of links...

I imagine he will be supportive of my using (or abusing - see earlier definition) Twitter in this shameless fashion. If not… oh well, can’t fault me for finding the teats and milking them on the old Twitter cow, now can you.

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On to the conference… which can be found at SIWC.ca

I have decided to book myself into the conference hotel, up on the Club floor no less - really, go big or stay at home. 

Staying at home was not an option as I plan on consuming the occasional adult beverage (it’ll be noon at some point throughout the day) - and driving would not fit that plan. (I might borrow Drake’s costume if I go the route of imbibing too much. If you read comments you’ll get the reference if not - you know; you snooze, you lose.)

I’m springing for the whole enchilada - not just one of those taco things - no siree - I’m going for the beans and the beef! 

In other words, for you that don’t get my humour (so sad, isn’t it - you not getting it) I treated myself to the 3-Day full conference package - listed as the best value. I’m all about the best… value!

Now, if you’ve made it this far, and actually read most of it, Tex would say I’ve done something right in the layout, colour choice, picture selection etc… ‘cause she knows all about this stuff.

Now, back to some spontaneous writing… oh wait, that’s what this was… silly me!

I think I’ll lace up my new runners and head outside - sunny and warm, with a little breeze - just how I like it!

Cheers, Jenny

Well, how are you in the social media department - twitter much?

Or is Facebook your bent?

SIWC - cute picture - EPIC BLOGGER - your blog's status!

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho it’s home from work I go…

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All right.

Seems like HAPPY is joining me this evening!

Why?

Because I’ve signed on for the SIWC. In October I’ll be rubbing shoulders with fellow writers, published authors, agents and publishers.

The last time I attended the SIWC was back in 2006 - and, dare I say, it was epic. (yes, yes… gotta love epic!)

SIWC has been around a long time - this LINK will take you to their ‘History’ page if you’re inclined to want a little more meat on this bare bone. Suffice it to say it’s year 22 and they are still going strong.

If you want to see what I've been doing to help promote the SIWC check THIS out.

But, there’s more to the Why?

Happiness is:

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a blog out here for over four years; a blog that runs the writing gambit from posts on gardening (which are colourful and educational); to posts with snippets of works in progress; to posts bearing the tragic tales of life’s cruel and unforgiving hand.

The blog I speak of recently reached the 500 post milestone and is still as entertaining and full of great writing as it was back when I started reading it.

I am pleased to call the writer of this blog my friend and writing buddy. His compassionate, kind words have bolstered my spirits, as of late, as I journey uncharted roads. He is epic - in every sense of the word.

He is also embarking on a journey, a writing adventure, on which he has posted his thoughts HERE, eloquently and as he often does, in a short story to set the stage. Worth taking a moment to pay him a visit, you'll be glad you did. 

I give you

BUSHMAN 

the creative force behind

The High Cost of this Low Living 

blog. 

Thanks to Bushman I have not given up completely on my blog and have found the passion deep within me to fire it up again and continue what I started. 

There is no mistaking the journey I am now on is a different one, filled with a reality that is disconcerting yet, in its own way, enlightening. In the midst of my hurricane lives the calm eye, it is in this calm I presently find myself taking up residence. 

For how long? 

All we ever have is today so it is a pointless question. Not worth the asking, not worth searching the endless tomorrows for answers that may never come.  

I will be here, now and then, mostly then… as for now I am busy dancing on my keypads with wily fingers itching to tell a tale of long ago and far away… in the world of dreams, and nightmares, where I have know the cast of many that make up the uncharted realm of my mind.

Well… it’s off to sleep I go… Heigh, Ho!   Maybe what I really need is a map-maker!

Cheers, Jenny

Have you ever attended a writers’ conference? Share the details - any suggestions - any insights?

Footnote: A special thanks goes out to Tex, over at the The Tex Files, for inspiring this post with her own witty and extremely informative (giggle) post on the topic of “10 Reasons Your Blog Sucks”. A must read for every blogger! Thanks Tex.