Friday, May 14, 2010

Happiness is...And a contest!

There's a lot of cool stuff going on for writers in the blogosphere these days. Fabulous networking. Mind blowing contests. And awards galore.

Like the one below, passed on to me by the fabulous Slushpile Slut - whose blog name alone speaks volumes about her very fabulous-ness. Seriously, SS, you rock.


In acceptance of this beautiful award, I'm required to list 10 things that make me happy. Well, okay then. (This is not an exclusive list, because to be honest, my life is pretty freaking amazing...)

1. My handsome husband and beautiful stepdaughter. I love them with all my heart - and they both have the power to turn my frown upside down with a simple embrace. 

2. My pets - who fall into the family category because I love them with a fierceness that is hard to explain. Unless of course you have these *kids* of your own - then you know just what I'm talking about. So, much love to Kona and Jynxy, a...few...fish, and even my stepdaughter's pet mouse, Casper. 

3. My friends. I couldn't ask for a more supportive, amazing network of people who put up with  support me. I'm truly lucky to have *besties* (to steal a term from the awesome Tahareh) from around the world.

4. Writing. Nuff said?

5. Donna. My CP is the best, but what makes me happiest is watching her discover her amazing writing voice. Her transformation is like the butterfly pictured in this award - stunning.

6. Fast cars. Not that I have one (anymore) but I still dream of Eleanor.

7. My family - my own, and the ones I was gifted when I married handsome hubby. They may not always *get* me, but I know I'm loved. I miss you all!

8. Ice cream. It's a family addiction - thanks Grandpa. Pretty much any flavour makes me happy, but I'd have to say Rolo and Tiger have the ability to stretch my grin from ear to ear. (And wow, I am cliche queen tonight!)

9. Christina Lake, BC. Our family has had a cabin there for as long as I can remember. I spent summers there as a kid, my husband proposed to me in a rowboat in front of our cabin, and I married him on the sandy beach of my favourite place in the world. Yes, definitely happy-inspiring.

10. My blogging buddies. I've met some amazing writers and friends through this blog. My favourite time of day is first thing in the morning when I sit back with my coffee and read the witty, inspiring, and amazingly-written blogs in my list. For your daily smiles, I encourage you to check them out.

And now I pass the happiness torch to five fabulous blogging pals (only 5? Gulp. Hard to choose):

Rocky (Congrats on your new blog, Rockstar)
Crimogenic
Adventures in Candyland
Suzanne Casamento
B. Miller

But wait! There's more.

B.Miller has chosen *me* as one of the blogs to highlight in her "Pay It Forward" post - which accounts for the spike in my followers today ;-) Thanks B - and I want to pay it forward. So, to steal (no, literally, I'm stealing quite a few) of B's words, I offer my first contest.

If you're a writer with published work available for purchase, I will buy your novel/story collection/etc up to a value of $25. I'll read it and plug it on my Twitter and Facebook pages, as well. (And not that my review means much, but if you want that, I'll do that as well.)

Not a writer? Ok, I'll send you a $25 GC for the bookstore of your choice.

Here's the rules (which are pretty standard in the blogosphere right now):

1. Comment on this post (+1)
2. New follower (+1)
3. Old follower (+2)
4. Tweet or post on Facebook about this contest (+2)
5. Follow me on Twitter (@dawnmius) (+2)

But this is called "Pay it Forward" - so here's the addendum. I want to support my fellow bloggers/writers anyway I can. So, for every one of the following blogs you follow, add an additional 7 points to your tally.

Creepy Query Girl
I know, write?
Rambles and Randomness
Hilary Wagner

Note: Be sure to add up your points and note it in the comments section.


But wait, there's MORE!

I mentioned there are some killer contests going on out there. If you write, these prizes will ROCK YOUR WORLD. Check them out. Fast!

Tahereh
Jaydee Morgan
Creepy Query Girl
B. Miller
Misadventures in Candyland
The Alliterative Allamorph

Whew. If you stuck this post out until the end, I REALLY hope you score on one of the amazing prizes offered by the fabulous bloggers above.

The Book In My Bag Today: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson





15 comments:

  1. Here's something that makes me happy, when I come home from work my neighbours (who are four and two years old) greet me at the garage door with a bouquet of dandelions! Too cute!

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  2. AWWW! I used to bring my Mom dandelions - she was the only Mom who accepted them without pointing out they are weeds. Consequently, we had many dandelion bouquets in our house, all of the kids brought them to her.

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  3. (Gasp!)

    I made your list?! Awww.....Me luvs you too! I look so forward to our meetings every week. I'm proud of our growing friendship, our growth as writers and our ability to create and brainstorm with unbridled honesty and enthusiasm.

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  4. Great list.

    Mmm, we're big fans of ice cream over here too.

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  5. Congrats on the award! And you've got much to be happy about! 'Pay if Forward' is an awesome concept and thanks for sending people over to my neck of the woods!

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  6. Congrats on the award! I was just catching up on my reading this morning and stumbled across the plug for my blog. How sweet was that? THANKS! I'm compiling a list of contests I've been running into, so I will add yours to the mix.

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  7. OK, here it goes:
    Old Follower (I joined a couple days ago through B. Miller, who is a guy BTW) = 2
    Comment here = 1
    FB post (will do immediately after this) = 2
    Twitter follower (Will do immed) = 2
    already follow Rambles & Randomness = 7

    Excited!

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  8. Donna - LYaWBPuFY <3

    Whispering - Thanks! What's your favourite flavour?

    CQG - anytime, sugar.

    Miss V - you rock. Thanks.

    Wendy - whoops! You should get an extra point for pointing out my gender faux pas. Thanks for entering and following. Checking out yours now :-)

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  9. great contest!
    and thanks for listing my blog!

    i only add up to 3 points at the moment - can i come back and try again? haha!

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  10. I like this idea of pay it forward. Very cool!

    New follower (+1)
    Already follow Rambles and Randomness, Creepy Query Girl, Hilary Wagner (+21), And comment (+1)

    =23

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  11. Thanks Janet! I'd love to take credit for it but that goes to the awesome B. Good luck ;-)

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  12. You are DA BOMB! I can't believe I missed this- what a great idea. i'll be back to tally up and thanks for including me!

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  13. Ok, I must have, like amnesia- I just saw that I already read this and commented. Sorry- its been one hell of a week! lol.

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  14. CQG - sending you virtual hugs.

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