New Learning

It has been a crazy long time since my last post. For part of that time, I've been working on a new project that I am (as of now) envisioning as a picture book.

I started writing my heart out, but had to put on the brakes (*skids to a stop, red high-tops smoking*) to learn more about writing this particular genre. Which was an eye-opener for me, since as a Literacy Coach and Reading Specialist, I have read hundreds of picture books. I read them all the time. I read them to myself. I read them to teachers. I read them to students. I can quote them. I like to quote them. I'm a huge fan of picture books for all ages. I know many ways they can be used instructionally. I like the way they feel. I like the way they smell. I love picture books.

But I don't know how to write them. Huge difference. So I have been learning. Big, BIG shout out to my fellow Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) members for giving me their thoughts, suggestions, tips and resources for learning more about picture books and more importantly, the publishing of picture books, which is a learning curve unto itself.

There has been a great deal of chocolate involved in this process since I no longer drink coffee, but today, I did finally compile the steps, resources and suggestions in the way I think will work best for me: a 3 ring binder. Also in this binder, I have made a dummy storyboard (a mock up of a 32 page picture book) for my project so that I can more easily map out the flow of the story.

I am excited! What fun learning!

Poetry Break!

In the style of the awesome Maya Angelou, whom I have always admired.

My Ground

You can call me names,

You can trash me down,

You can say my world is wrong and wrapped up in my own point.

You can shoot me down,

You can play me off.

You can do all this

But mister,

I know my ground.

I know my ground.

My ground stands still under me,

My ground is open and strong.

I know my ground.

You can beat around the bush,

You can hem and haw,

You can hide yourself away like Fort Knox under quarantine.

You can spout anger,

You can cry “Foul!”

You can do all this

But mister,

I know my ground.

I know my ground.

My ground communicates,

My ground shares and returns in both good and bad.

I know my ground.

You can accuse me with that finger,

You can shove me in that box,

You can close your ears and heart to what I say.

You can wait for any excuse,

You can paint that whole picture if it makes you feel better.

You can do all this,

But mister,

I know my ground.

I know my ground.

 My ground says it like it is.

My ground is flat out with no games.

I know my ground.

Running through the earth,

Running through me,

My ground steadies and holds.

Heals and grows. 

Breaks

and once again flows.

I know my ground.

Kara Stewart, 2009

Poetry Soothes The Beast

Woods Slake

My eyes hunger

for

the sky and

trees;

my ears, ravenous

for

the hawks and

crickets.

My skin longs

for the kiss

of rain

and wind.

The scent of pine needles

and

moss

pulls at my soul.

I take it in,

open wide,

sucking it down

like

one on the edge

of

starvation,

like an addict denied a fix,

then

savor it,

Replete.

 --Kara Stewart, 2013

Indian 101 for Writers, Part Five: Walking In Two Worlds

Indian 101 for Writers, a five-part traveling blog series is hosted today on Alison DeLuca's blog, Fresh Pot of Tea.

This series looks at writing about American Indians and gives resources to accurately and respectfully do so.

So hop on over to Fresh Pot of Tea for this last post in our series,
Indian 101 for Writers, Part Five: Walking In Two Worlds.

Indian 101 for Writers, Part 1: Know Thyself
Indian 101 for Writers, Part 2: Know Whereof You Speak (a.k.a. Don't Make It Up or Rely On What You *Think* You Know)
Indian 101 for Writers, Part 3: Keep It Real, People
Indian 101 for Writers, Part 4: Aargh!
Indian 101 for Writers, Part 5: Walking In Two Worlds

This series has truly been a pleasure to create and I hope it will be of value.

Feather Shield Medallion by Kara Stewart

Indian 101 for Writers. Part Four: Aargh!

Alison DeLuca, purveyor of Fresh Pot of Tea, and Kara Stewart, part-time post pusher at Kara Stewart Art in Photography, have collaborated on a new five-part traveling blog series! This series takes a look at writing about American Indians and gives resources to accurately and respectfully do so.

Alison DeLuca is the author of several YA steampunk books. She is committed to adding characters with different ethnic backgrounds to her works, and is always looking for authentic, realistic ways to do so. 

Kara Stewart is Native, an enrolled member of the Sappony, and white, and is a full-time Literacy Coach in the public schools, as well as serves in several Indian organizations, and has a passion for art, writing and Indian education. Her disclaimer for this series, "The views I express in this are my personal views, brought about by my own experiences and many years in literacy and education. I do not claim to represent the views of all Indians, but I do hope writers will find helpful resources and perspectives."

Today we host Indian 101 for Writers, Part Four: Aargh! 
See Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

Alison DeLuca: As someone who has visited Ireland quite a bit, I see misrepresentations and stereotypes about that country. What stereotypes about your culture make you cringe, and how can writers educate themselves about them?

Kara Stewart: The article Myths and Stereotypes About Native Americans by Walter C. Fleming speaks to a few of them. And be sure to check out this awesome list of Basic Indian Stereotypes from Blue Corn Comics. But what makes me cringe the most in books is what I said previously - stereotypes of the noble, nature-loving, ritualistic, spiritual Indian. Hey, I love nature as much as the next guy, but the portrayal and assumption that that somehow is an inherent characteristic because I am Indian is what rubs me the wrong way. The same with the spiritual and ritualistic things. Fair enough, some Indians do practice those things. And many do not. Assuming, as a writer, that those things are inherent because a person is Indian is the mistake.

Tobacco Spicify by Kara Stewart. Don't know why this
picture is here? Research time! Use the resources in Part Two

General stereotypes that many Indians find offensive (again, I say many, not all - I do not pretend to speak for all Indians, what I offer here are my personal views and the views of a number of Natives I hang with - and thank you to Randi Byrd and others for these contributions):

• Indian-themed sports mascots (noooooo, you are NOT honoring us! And if you don't realize that, you shouldn't be writing a book about us).
• Calling a female a squaw.
• Calling Indian women exotic. Compared to what? We don't think we are unusual or 'exotic'. We think we're pretty normal. It's the uncomfortable Eurocentric viewpoint again.
• Dressing up as Indians for Halloween.
• Wearing feather 'headdresses' at sporting events, concerts and the like.
• "Christopher Columbus discovered..."  No, he was lost. If anyone discovered anything, it was Indians discovering this lost person. If you took Part One seriously, you probably have an inkling that written "Indian history" is Eurocentric. Even the first-hand accounts listed in Part Two that are standardly accepted were written by Europeans, and therefore from a Eurocentric perspective.
• Having ingrained thoughts that Indians are lazy and that there must be a reason for that stereotype. Challenge yourself. There are many average weight people who are happy. Many Hispanic people like watermelon. Many white people cheat on their taxes or eat meatloaf or whatever. Why aren't those the stereotypes? It's not a numbers game. Stereotypes aren't accurate representations; they are simply inaccurate labels applied in brushstrokes. Stereotypes maintain an 'otherness' to distinguish from the 'norm'.
• Lumping all "Indians" together instead of realizing that there are as many different Native cultures as there are tribes, each with their own particular culture. Don't refer to "Indians", but to Kiowa, Tohono O'Odham, Penobscot, just as you wouldn't refer to "Europeans" but to Germans, Italians, Swiss, etc. The same applies to teaching about 'Plains' Indians or 'Eastern Woodlands' Indians. There are  no such tribes. Those are geographic regions that hold within them very different cultures from tribe to tribe. 
• Shaman. For many indigenous societies, such an individual is referred to as a person of medicine (may be man or woman). A person who is valued and respected by their community as a person of medicine does not market themselves as such. A true medicine person is known by the community, with no need to advertise or receive money for their services. Anyone claiming to be a shaman or medicine man should be questioned, especially if they are requesting money. This is exploitation. Cultural traditions and spiritual practices are also sacred and specific to the members of those tribes and are not for sale or for open adoption by non-Indians seeking a new experience. Thousands of Indians have died so that their descendants today may have their cultural practices and ways. Respect present day Indians and the blood that has been shed by appreciating our culture, but not by trying to adopt it as your own.
• Just because your great-grandmother was 1/4 Cherokee 'princess', that doesn't make you Indian. Everyone says the "my grandmother was 1/4 Cherokee" line to us. but what do you do for your tribe? What committees do you serve on? How do you give back to your Indian community? What Indian issues are you passionate about and do you give to with your time and effort? In other words, what do you do about being part Indian? Or is it just lore you repeat?
• Thinking of Indians as something of the past instead of being aware of the people who make up the thriving, contemporary Indian Country (which is not a geographic location but a nod to race) in America today.
• Thinking that you don't know any Indians or there aren't any around you. You'd be surprised.
• And I have to say it again, ix-nay on the noble, nature-loving, ritualistic, spiritual Indian. 

Another big stereotype about Indians centers around physical appearance. American Indians can look all different ways, just like other races. You shouldn't assume an Indian has long, straight black hair. Your high cheekbones aren't necessarily proof that an ancestor was Indian any more than my wavy, curly hair is proof that an ancestor wasn't  Indian. In my personal case, my mother's side of the family (white) is the side with stick-straight hair. My father's side (Native) is the side with wavy, curly hair. 

Stereotypes wrongly apply labels and treat all individuals of a group the same. Stereotypes can be both negative ("lazy Indian" "cheap Jew") or positive ("Asians are good at math", "Mother Earth attuned Indian" "happy fat people") but the effect on the individual is the same - a wrongly applied label stings and has further repercussions such as identity issues, anxiety, frustration and anger that carry over into social, academic and professional arenas. Writers can buy into the stereotypes or they can rethink their characters to create real individuals - your Indian or Irish character doesn't have to be drunk, your Asian boy doesn't have to be good at math, your overweight character can be smart and brooding, your Mexican character can hate beans, your gay woman character can be feminine, not butch. Being a person of color or a member of another sidelined group is complex. You can choose to have your characters reflect that. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for the final post in the series, Indian 101 for Writers, Part Five: Walking in Two Worlds! 

Powwow Bustle by Kara Stewart

Indian 101 for Writers. Part Three: Keep it Real, People

Indian 101 for Writers, a five-part traveling blog series, is hosted today on Alison DeLuca's blog, Fresh Pot of Tea.

This series takes a look at writing about American Indians and gives resources to accurately and respectfully do so.

So hop on over to Fresh Pot of Tea for Indian 101 for Writers. Part Three: Keep it Real, People! You'll love it!  

Indian 101 for Writers. Part Two: Know Whereof You Speak (a.k.a. Don't Make It Up or Rely on What You *Think* You Know)

Alison DeLuca, purveyor of Fresh Pot of Tea, and Kara Stewart, part-time post pusher at Kara Stewart Art in Photography, have collaborated on a new five part traveling blog series. This series takes a look at writing about Native Americans and gives resources to accurately and respectfully do so.

Alison DeLuca is the author of several YA steampunk books. She is committed to adding characters with different ethnic backgrounds to her works, and is always looking for authentic, realistic ways to do so.

Kara Stewart is Native, an enrolled member of the Sappony, and white, and is a full-time Literacy Coach in the public schools, as well as serves in several Indian organizations, and has a passion for art, writing and Indian education. Her disclaimer for this series, "The views I express in this series are my personal views, brought about by my own experiences and many years in literacy and education. I do not claim to represent the views of all Indians, but I do hope writers will find helpful resources and perspectives."

Today we host Indian 101 for Writers, Part Two: Know Whereof You Speak.
Look here for Part One.

Alison DeLuca: What advice would you give to writers who wish to include Native Americans in their books? For example, suppose someone wishes to set a book in pre-Columbian society in the Northeast. How should they begin? How about someone writing about present-day Native life?

Kara Stewart: My advice would be to educate yourselves about the culture you wish to write about and to also interview people of that culture. Just as you would research detective work and

Dog and Cabin by Kara Stewart. This cabin is similar
 to those inhabited by many rural residents of all races in the
 Southeastern U.S. in the 18th and 19th centuries.

forensics if you were writing a crime novel, you should research (beyond the normal media) the particular Indian culture you want to write about (realizing that there is no such thing as 'Indians' per se - there are the Hopi, the Choctaw, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the Sappony. "I'm from the Indian tribe," said no Indian ever. We say, "I am Sappony" or "I am Hidatsa"). And then also, you should take the extra step of actually speaking with people of that culture. You can only gain so much from reading and research, and if you are not intimately familiar with the culture you are writing about , you will have no way of knowing if what you read is accurate, or if it is inaccurate and offensive or something that tribes may take exception to.

Ruta Sepetys, author of the phenomenal Between Shades of Gray, talks about the importance to her book of actually interviewing survivors of Stalin's assault on the people of Lithuania instead of just writing from her research. If she had not taken the time to speak personally with survivors, she would not have captured much of the emotional impact of the events in a way that those survivors feel is accurate and respectful. By interviewing them, she was able to portray their strength and resiliency with powerful impact, and in a way they agreed with. The same is true of writing about Indians.

As far as where to start, after you educate yourself about your place in race in America, one of the best articles I have read that I'd recommend for writers, teachers, and anybody really, is Myths and Stereotypes About Native Americans by Walter C. Fleming (2006). Although written for an education audience, all of the points are salient to writers and good general information. This article addresses a number of general misconceptions and is not tribally specific. An update to this article is that in 2010, 22% of American Indians and Alaska Natives lived in American Indian areas or Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas. This means that the commonly held belief that today's Indians live mostly on reservations is untrue. We're all around you. Don't blink. 

I'd also recommend reading the online Native newspaper Indian Country Today as well as subscribing to Native Peoples magazine and reading things like Urban Native Magazine and

Men's Fancy Dance Colors by Kara Stewart

her blog. These are all ways to educate yourself about contemporary Indian life so that you are able to write in a way that is accurate and respectful. You should come away with a sense of the issues that are 'hot topics' today in Indian Country (such as the mascot issue, the Indian Child Welfare Act and cultural appropriation, for example). You don't have to become experts on these issues, but you should be aware of why they are issues.

And then, obviously, you need to determine what specific tribe and time period you are interested in writing about. The caveat here is that I would strongly encourage writers to choose a tribe that is either federally or state-recognized for the purpose of accuracy since there are many (not all) non-recognized tribes whose representatives are generally what Indians refer to as 'wannabees' and your chance of getting accurate information is far less. Many states have a commission or department of Indian Affairs which has a listing of the state's recognized tribes and federally recognized tribes. In North Carolina, it is the NC Commission of Indian Affairs. In Montana, it is the Office of Indian Affairs.

North Carolina is also fortunate to have an online curriculum guide, Teaching About North Carolina Indians with the tribal information written and/or contributed by the tribes (which is a rarity - usually a non-Indian cobbles together information, many times to the chagrin of the tribes). The curriculum guide, a product of LearnNC and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's American Indian Center, has a lot of good information on North Carolina tribes. Most universities have some sort of outreach to Indian people or organizations to help Indian students that can also be sources of information.

Once you know the recognized tribes, you can contact the tribe you are interested in or browse their official website where there may be some history listed. Using that information, you will then need to do a good amount of research to learn about the particular time period you are interested in writing about in order to make tribal politics, interactions and daily living accurate. These research sources will, then, obviously be location and tribe specific. For my geographic area of Virginia and North Carolina, some accepted first-hand accounts are William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North Carolina and John Lawson's A New Voyage to Carolina.

If you intend to write about Indians in a contemporary setting, I would

National Museum of the American Indian by Kara Stewart

absolutely recommend accessing all the resources I listed above to acclimate yourself to contemporary Indian culture in general (hopefully also picking up on what is acceptable/offensive/controversial) and then doing further research on the particular tribe you'd like to write about and their current day status - what are their main concerns as far as education of their children, care of their elderly, jobs, housing, how they are represented in mainstream society? What other issues are at the forefront of their culture? Talk with their young people, their elders.

In sum, my best advice to writers who wish to write about or include Native people in their books is to narrow down the specific tribe and time period you wish to write about and then research, research and research some more. This includes speaking with people in the tribe about whom you are writing, whether you are writing in a historic time or contemporary. Many times, contemporary people in tribes will have opinions on historic events or time periods which will give added depth and perspective to your writing. Remember, while you are striving for accuracy and respect, respect doesn't necessarily mean taking the stereotypical 'noble Indian' route or assuming we're out smoking a peace pipe somewhere. Respect also means telling it like it is. 

More on telling it like it is with great examples of Native characters in the next installment of Indian 101 for Writers, Part 3: Keep It Real, People, coming to Fresh Pot of Tea tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Dance Fan by Kara Stewart

Indian 101 for Writers Begins Today!

Indian 101 for Writers, a five-part traveling blog series begins today on Alison DeLuca's blog Fresh Pot of Tea!

This series will take a look at writing about American Indians and give resources to accurately and respectfully do so. 

Hop on over to Fresh Pot of Tea for Indian 101 for Writers, Part 1: Know Thyself.

Tips, resources, thoughts and perspectives for writers, teachers and everyone. So exciting!

Coming Soon! Indian 101 for Writers

I am crazy excited to announce the five-part traveling blog series, Indian 101 for Writers, coming up next week! My friend, Alison DeLuca, author of the Crown Phoenix Series, which includes The Night Watchman Express, The Devil's Kitchen and Lamplighter's Special, suggested this blog series last summer and we've been working on it since. If you love steampunk, adventure, mystery and fantasy, you'll love  Alison DeLuca's books. Alison was previously a teacher, is an editor and author at Myrddin Publishing and happens to be a fabulous mom. 

If you don't know, I am a Literacy Coach for my 'real' (i.e., paying) job. The school district I work for has a very active district equity team geared toward the success of all students, but focusing on students of color, and I am thrilled to be a part of that since it is one of my passions (along with art, photography and writing). Conversations about race are the norm in our school district and these discussions, while tricky, can be enlightening. Additionally, I have been active in Indian education for about a decade or so and have tried to do my part both at the state and national level to educate about Indians and to improve our stance toward educating Indian youth. I am an enrolled member of the Sappony tribe.

Indian 101 for Writers is (obviously) geared toward writers. However, teachers, school administrators, and really, anyone interested, should be able to get a glimpse of Indian Country and broaden understanding through our series and the resources and tips in it. We plan to load it up to begin next Wednesday starting with Part 1 on Alison's blog, Fresh Pot of Tea, and then popping back here to my blog for Part 2, and so on. I am so grateful to Alison for suggesting this topic, for collaborating with me to implement our concept, and for being my 'traveling host'. My hope is that we will be able to reach many authors, educators and readers in general with accurate information about American Indians, broaden horizons and deepen understanding.

Stay tuned, and remember to check in at Fresh Pot of Tea Wednesday, October 9 for Part 1: Know Thyself!

Basketry Wheel by Kara Stewart

Independence Day

Don't Give Away Your Power!


This week I found an amazing blog post, Rachelle Gardner's 7 Ways You Give Away Your Power - and How to Avoid It.  It is geared towards writing and publishing; however, as she points out, these same principals apply so well in other life situations too. Her post helped me tremendously this week and I have nothing more to add to it, but simply wanted to share it. Click on the link up there to her post and read it. You'll be glad you did.


Happy Independence Day, everyone.

Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

Lethargy

I am seized with lethargy. On this gorgeous, low humidity, breezy, sunny day, it is all I can do this afternoon to curl up on the sofa with a book or three. If I were a cat or a dog, I'd be lying on the floor snoring in a sliver of sunshine.

I admit I got a few hours of work done this morning. But then . . . nothing. Why this lethargic malaise that has hit me like a cement mixer full of thick, wet cement gushed over me, seeping into every pore? Maybe a human has a limit to how much they can keep pushing. Maybe chronic worry and stress works like wet cement in your brain and body after a time. Maybe this slightly sore throat I'm trying to simultaneously deny and treat has a hand in it. I don't know.

Sleepy Puppy Labrador Retriever Greeting Cards by artinphotography
Shop for a greeting card on zazzle.com

All I know is that I feel like I can hardly move. And it has been months since the last time I curled up on the sofa and read some good books. Today I read some middle grades books I've been meaning to:  

I LOVE Avi's books

and

What super writing

And I enjoyed it. Wonderful writing both inspires me and makes me feel that all is right with the world. Maybe tomorrow I will have more energy.

My Samson - not a high energy dog. I'm at his pace today.

 

Sleeping Dogs French Bulldog Mousepad by artinphotography
Browse Dogs Mousepads

Then again, I DID just get a blog post written . . . 

Now back to the sofa with another book.

Replay: Is Anger Killing Your Art?

Today, because I think it is an idea so worthy of considering, I am hitting 'replay' on Seth Godin's blog post of August 2011.  Sometimes we need to revisit and keep thoughts cycling.


Here is his post:


Is your anger killing your art?


It's rare to find a consistently creative or insightful person who is also an angry person.*


They can't occupy the same space, and if your anger moves in, generosity and creativity often move out. It's difficult to use revenge or animus to fuel great work.


Ironically, when you decide to teach someone a lesson they richly deserve, you often end up strangling the very source you were counting on.


(*Angry is not the same as being a jerk. For some reason, there are plenty of creative jerks--I think because they mistakenly believe that being a jerk is a useful way for some people to wrestle with their lizard brains).


There are a number of responses to his blog post that you can google, but one that I thought was particularly helpful in unpacking what Seth says is that of Becky Blanton, writer and photographer. 


I think that about sums it up. I intend to think about how anger and other taxing emotions such as jealousy, and franticness (I made that word up) affect my art. And then I intend to clear my head and make more art in my Zazzle store, Art in Photography.


I encourage you to visit Seth Godin's blog and Becky Blanton's blog. 

Zinnia Pop Poster by artinphotography
Browse for more wall art on Zazzle

Two Questions for 2012

Woo Hooo!!! Can you hear my cheers of joy around the world?  I have just finished my project (that I thought would take one month but took four) of retagging, recategorizing and rewriting descriptions for all my products on Zazzle!

Why, you ask, would I do such a thing?  Mostly because I didn't know what I was doing as far as the best ways to tag, describe and categorize products last April when I opened Art in Photography with Zazzle. And too, Zazzle has changed some of their set up and requirements.

What is Zazzle, you ask?  Faithful blog followers, you know. But for those of you new to my (just now resurrected) blog, Zazzle is a print on demand company where you can buy tons of different products with whatever art on it you want, customize it, or sell your own art on products there, which is what many artists do.

But back to the point. I found out over the last four long months, during which time all else like promoting, friendship and showers fell by the wayside, that the words art, photography, photograph, gift, gifts, clothing, and all product names (necklace, etc.) are stripped out of the tags, so no point using them. I retagged so that my tags were in order of priority, with the first ten being the vital ones for Zazzle. I rewrote and revamped my product descriptions so that the all important search engines would have more words to choose from and people could find my art.  I recategorized as best I could in hopes that that would help people find my art.  And I remade products that I wasn't satisfied with. I did this for all 1,349 products. Which isn't many. I think most people on Zazzle have more products.  But the point is - I'm done!

I can now focus on creating again. On promoting again.  I can read the newspapers and magazines that are stacked up on my coffee table from October.  I might actually get dressed on the weekends and step away from the laptop. I can read the books that talented author friends have written. Or I could even pick up that black thing with a big round lens-looking cylinder on it and point it at something.  What is this "kahm-rah" of which you speak?  I know nothing of this "kahm-rah".

I can now focus on creating again. Except for one thing. I am tapped out.  Spent. I have an innate desire to create, which I think is simply human. We all create. Whether our creativity is writing, photography, soap-making, jewelry-making, music, cooking, sewing, gardening, quilting, architecture, pottery, beading or painting - we all have an innate creativity.

When that desire is thwarted (I'm talking chronically here), usually by time constraints, how do we respond so that we continue to bring out the best in ourselves creatively?  When my ability to be creative in my teaching (my full time job) is taken over by paperwork and red tape for weeks at a time, I know I get out of sorts, irritable and cross. I can't do what I want to do, what I need to do (and most importantly bring the best of what the students need from me) because of the restraints being placed on my time and my teaching.

Now that my retagging, recategorizing, and rewriting Zazzle project is finished for the time being, how do I look out to this new year, knowing the chronic time restraints that will be placed on my writing and photography, and integrate those restraints with the ability to fulfill my creative needs?  I say needs, because I do believe creativity is a need in humans.  How do I bring out the best in myself creatively?  And then how do I integrate that sanely into the necessities of my life, which rightfully include a (more than) full time paying job, getting the groceries, vacuuming every month or so, walking the dog, doing the taxes and hopefully showering. Talking and spending time with my children and friends would be an added plus there.

These are the questions I'll be pondering in upcoming blog posts:  How do I bring out the best in myself creatively?  What is the thought process that would best allow me to integrate that sanely into the necessities of my life?

And I did reward myself last night for finishing my retagging project by making some awesomely fun products (hey, maybe that's a clue to those questions . .. )

Flame Sphere MacBook Pro 15" Sleeve by artinphotography
View more MacBook Pro sleeves.

Swallowtail Redux Wrapped Canvas Print by artinphotography
See other Abstract Canvas Prints

Red Lens Pattern Tiled by artinphotography
Browse more Men Ties

The Learning Curve

Last spring, I first heard about zazzle and decided to try it out. I opened my online store, artinphotography (it's free!) to sell my photography on products that zazzle offers, and yes, I admit I love being called a 'shopkeeper'.  I think of Dickenesque London every time I hear the term.

Creating products using my photo images is addictive - I love it. But like anything else you do seriously and as a business, you have to put in the time and the learning curve (for me, anyway) is steep.

Here's an example of one of the products you can create with your own images:

Cupcake iphone4 Case by artinphotography
Browse iPod touch cases

I came to this knowing nothing about the nitty gritty end of things - promotion and how to sell your own products. Selling your own product(s) is a fact of life now whether you are an artist or a writer. It is necessary to learn how to use the internet for marketing - and some of us have gone kicking and screaming into this brave new world.

My long time friend and author, Alison DeLuca, was coincidentally at the same time working on the release and promotion of her book, The Night Watchman Express (which by the way you should definitely read).  I am not sure how she learned all she did about online marketing, search engine optimization and tags as quickly as she did, but she tried to pass some of that knowledge on to me.

The long and short of it is that I am still learning about tags and search engine optimization and online promotion. All else, like my dailies and adding to my photo galleries has been put on hold while I re-tag and re-categorize and revamp my existing products on artinphotography (well, okay, not all else - I still go to work every day and have been working 10-14 hour days and then trying to do these things).

Another addictive product creation:

Golden Retriever Bliss Necklace by artinphotography
Browse more Dogs Necklaces

I have come to learn that on zazzle tags, the first 10 tags are the only ones that count and that I needed to have them in order of importance/relevance/priority (hence my re-tagging). I also learned that you can use the tag "jewelry", but not "necklace". You can use the tag "photograph" but not "photography", nor can you use the tag "gift".  Who knew? Well, maybe some did, but not me, the noob.

I have no doubt there are reasons and logical order to what you can and can't tag on zazzle and it all has to do with search engine optimization.  But for now, I'm still plugging away slowly and trying to figure all this out.

And I'm still  having a marvelous time creating products on zazzle to sell my art.  As a matter of fact, my dirty little secret is that I have broken my "never listen to Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving rule" and played festive Christmas music while I had a blast creating a few holiday items.

Christmas Swirls Greeting Card by artinphotography
make your own greeting cards online with zazzle

Spilled Ornaments Doodle Speakers by artinphotography
See more little speakers for the pc

I encourage and invite you to browse zazzle and either create some products of your own or enjoy those of zazzle shopkeepers!

Night Camellia Flower Initials Bag by artinphotography
Create a bag at zazzle.com

Red Arrow Medallion Men's High Tops by artinphotography
View other High top Shoes

Happy creating!

We Have A Winner!

Ladies and Gentlemen!  The First Place Winner of the Fall 2011 Write That Photo Contest is . . . (drumroll, please)


Melinda Mcguire!  Melinda is the author of several short stories available on Amazon and Smashwords and the upcoming debut novel, Josephine: Red Dirt and Whiskey.  

I asked Melinda about her thought process when she created her winning story, We Brave Seven (scroll down, her awesome story is posted today!).  I wanted to know how in the world she thought of her story.  

Melinda's answer:   "I stared at the picture, stared at the picture and stared at the picture some more. I tried to pick up on the colors and the impression from the photo. The pumpkins are almost supernaturally bright and the rest of the photo's colors were ominous. To me, the colors were foreboding. So, I thought, what would be a tragedy for a pumpkin? And, We Brave Seven came from there."

For her prize, Melinda will receive an 8x10 print from Kara Stewart, Art in Photography. She has selected The Old Store as her print of choice!

Aaaaand . . . as if all of that and having Melinda's story below were not exciting enough, we have a Second Place Winner!  Yes, that's right. Didn't know that was going to happen, but there you have it.

Second Place in the Fall 2011 Write That Photo Contest is Deborah Miller!  Deborah is Artist & Owner of Visages Gift Store at Zazzle.com.  Deborah will receive a 5x7 print of her choice from Kara Stewart, Art in Photography as her prize.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH MELINDA AND DEBORAH!  

Thanks to all the wonderful entrants! Please continue to watch this blog and enter the next contest!

And now, the winning story:

We Brave Seven

Fear clings to us, like the dew did this morning. We brave seven. Alone now on this porch, cut off from communicating with our kin, we sit.

We see them sitting on porches and steps, just like us, all the way down the street. Orange blotches nestled next to houses everywhere you look.

How could we have known this morning that this is how our day would go, how our lives would turn and twist? We heard the rumbling of the tractor at sunrise. A new, strange sound accompanied the rumbling of the tractor’s engine - laughter.

The tractor pulled a wagon loaded with people and their cameras right into the patch, and out piled the people, one after the other, all walking over us and around us, pointing fingers, snapping pictures with their cameras.

And then, before we understood what was happening, out came the man’s axe, and we were cut, each of us, one after the other, from the vines.

It was horrendous! All of us, old, young, big and small, cut off from the vines, toted by these laughing people, held in their laps as they rode the wagon back to the barn.

I think I blacked out at this point. I know that I was loaded with these six others into the bed of a pickup. I don’t remember much of the ride, but the old man who lifted us out of the truck and placed us on these steps was careful. He was gentle with us, and it was welcomed after the rough ride from the farm.

But now, here we sit. We are weak and tired and growing more so as the day wears on. We seven, we brave seven, just waiting, but we don’t know for what. The sun is high overhead; all is quiet up and down the street. It is so strange to see all of our family members all around us but too far away for us to talk to them, to find out what they know about what is happening.

Soon there is movement at the houses across the street. People are coming out on their porches carrying black tarps and trash bags. There is lots of laughter. The people are picking up our friends and setting them on top of the tarps. What is happening?

I don’t feel well. I continue to grow weaker and all the hustle and bustle on the porches across the street is makes me nervous. What are those people doing to our friends? They’ve gone back in their houses now, leaving our friends on top of the black tarps. The trash bags are lying next to them. What are they going to do with those trash bags?

Out they all come, banging through their screen doors, what are they carrying? They sit down, surrounding our friends. I can see something long and glinting in the light. What is happening now? I see quick, sharp movements. I hear the most horrible sound I’ve ever heard, a sloshing, wet, swishing sound. I can’t see what is happening. The people are blocking my view, but I see the long, sharp glinting object moving back and forth in their hands and I continue to hear that awful sound.

One of the people moves away and picks up the trash bag. I can’t bear to look but I can’t look away. One of the littlest people is holding something wet and stringy in her hands; the top of my friend is cut completely off.

I can’t stand it. I can’t take it. I don’t want to see anymore. I don’t want to know anymore about what is happening.

We brave seven remain. Our friends and family across the street, all up and down the road, are gone now.

It’s growing dark now. We are all so tired and weak. I feel life ebbing away more quickly now. I have nothing left. There’s been no sign of the old man since he placed us here.

I wonder what has happened to all our loved ones. It is night now and the people come back on the porches. It is hard to see them, but I can hear them laughing and talking.

And then, all along the street, bright lights glow from inside round objects, smiling carved faces shining out at everyone. What are those things? They look familiar, so familiar, but my sight has dimmed and I can’t see that far.

I hear the footsteps of the man as he opens the front door of the house. I feel that the end is near for us, we brave seven.