Quote of the Day: Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind. Virginia Woolf
Yesterday, I had a power lunch date with all these fabulous writers! We met at the Prairie Bay Restaurant in Baxter, MN. Most of us ordered the chopped wedge salad with apple, bacon, and a mild blue cheese dressing. Yum! Several of these women have quit “regular” jobs to become freelance (elance) writers. Some are poets and bloggers. Some are interested in writing genealogy, and more than one person has a book either out, in the works, or percolating in her mind. These are my peeps, and I am so grateful to have found them (or maybe they found me). Either way, what I know is that everyone needs to feel like she belongs somewhere and to feel the support of others like her.
My sister and I are offering Theatre Classes for Kids in the Brainerd area. As far as we know, nothing like this exists anywhere near us. Kids in our area have few opportunities to try acting, and in this case, writing, or helping to write, the script. I felt encouragement from this group to pursue this type of class offering.
I’m reading Nancy Koester’s book on Harriet Beecher Stowe, A Spiritual Life, and I am impressed with how successful she was as a writer in a time when some people thought that only boys deserved a good education. Her dad is quoted as saying, “Harriet is a genius…I would give a hundred dollars if she was a boy…She is odd – as she is intelligent and studious.”
My boys and I were discussing this topic the other day. They wondered why women have been treated so poorly in the past, thought of as property, and not deserving of education. My Charlie (he’s always one to say it like it is) said, “I don’t get it, Mom. Girls are as smart as boys, sometimes ever smarter.”
And, there I sat, enjoying my delicious salad with several smart, talented writers who are also beautiful women inside and out. Kathleen Krueger is on the maps as an elancer and is featuring some of these local writers. Check out her site and ebook. Krista is bringing in editors, authors, teachers, and publishers to our area. Check out the next offering through The Crossing Arts.
Go. Create. Inspire!
And, stop back tomorrow because it is the Great Theme Reveal for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge in April. Hint: It will be on the Dine off the Page blog. I’m so hungry, I mean, excited! (bring a fork and some recipe cards)
Journaling Prompt: Look into history, either the textbook kind or your own family, and write about someone who has forged the way for you.
That does look like a great gathering of minds and soul.