Patricia Sands

Author

follow your dreams

Meet Claire McAlpine, Reviewer Extraordinaire

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

From the Office of Tourism website

Last Friday we spent some time in beautiful Aix-En-Provence. Today I want to introduce you to a young writer and reviewer living there. I’ve been following her blog, Word By Word, for a while now and I’m sure you are going to want to add it to your list too!

Claire McAlpine writes book reviews that are a pleasure to read as much for her own literary style as for the book. She has a fine way with words … truly magnifique!

In her own words – About Me. I am originally from New Zealand, leaving when I was 26 to travel the world, basing myself in London, England. I met my husband in Aix en Provence on my way from London to a small fishing village in Italy (where my first novel is set) and when my daughter was born we went to NZ for a few years before deciding to live in France.

 Despite a career in Marketing, I’ve always had other passions and desired a lifestyle that could include them. I studied Aromatherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine in London which I now practice as well as teaching english as a second language to adults. I also write a monthly travel guide on the city of Marseille. I love to write fiction and continue practicing and I adore reading.

Word by Word (http://clairemca.wordpress.com) is part of my journey and where currently my reading and writing meet not just each other but that wonderful community of others like us out there.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the French government was removing the term “mademoiselle” from all of the official forms and documents. Around the same time, Claire wrote a super-interesting post about the French language. Click here to read what she had to say.

*Drum roll and fireworks* Claire recently received The Versatile Blogger Award and posted these seven random facts about herself:

  1. I am an Aquarian.
  2. The 1600-acre hill country sheep farm where I spent my childhood was one of the Middle Earth locations in the film ‘Lord of the Rings’.
  3. 
I once worked on the 104 foot (30m) tall ship ‘The Golden Plover”. I was employed as a hydro ceramic engineer (dishwasher), except when the Captain or 1stmate shouted “all hands on deck”.
  4. I have visited more than 30 countries.
  5. I was a bridesmaid at a traditional African wedding in Lagos, Nigeria.
  6. I am married to a man who was born in a manger refugee camp in Bethlehem whose name starts with J.
  7. I like to read Buddhist philosophy.
How’s that for a good story?  Find some time to spend on Claire’s website and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire, and letting the gentle readers here have a peek into your world. I’ve got to dash over to your place now and see what you are reviewing – wouldn’t miss it!
Don’t you love the opportunities we have in the blogosphere to hear stories like Claire’s? It’s such a pleasure to share them with you and I know you’ve got some to shout out too. Go ahead. Share them. 
A big thank you and cyber-hug to awesome blogger Amber West, once again, for the reblog of her post here last Tuesday.

Spend a few minutes in Aix-En-Provence…

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Today I’m fantasizing about the beautiful, historical centre of Aix-En-Provence, since the main character in my new novel is hanging out there at the moment. I’m curious to see what’s going to play out there for her so can’t stay on the blog too long …

That’s one of the surprises of writing … you just never know for sure exactly what’s coming next!

I’ve been to Aix a few times and just want to say this. Even though it may not look terribly appealing from your first approach in the post-war urban areas, the heart of this town is a treasure trove of things architectural, cultural and … ah, oui … gastronomique! Plan your day and you won’t be disappointed.

Known for its water source since Roman times (Aquae Sextiae), Aix is also an important cultural, educational and political town. The capital of Provence, it also is home to the Faculties of Law and Letters of the University of Aix-Marseille.

Water is at the heart of the town and its history, channelled and distributed since antiquity and supplied by a wealth of underground springs. Fountains abound along beautiful, tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, where shops, restaurants and frequent visits by sidewalk artists make it easy to while away an afternoon. One of our favourite paintings was purchased from such an artist and I’m easily distracted by it right now as I sit across from it.

Cours Mirabeau

Paul Cezanne is the most famous son of Aix. Born there in 1839, he spent much of his life in Aix and the surrounding countryside, for a time working in a studio just off the Cours Mirabeau. A contemporary of Pissaro, Monet, and Renoir, few today are not familiar with his prolific work heralding his beloved Provence, which often featured Mont Sainte Victoire.

Mont Sainte Victoire – one of those “on the go” shots from the car!

Today there are footsteps imprinted in the sidewalks of the town which you can follow to Cezanne’s favourite haunts. When we were there in 2006 a wonderful retrospective exhibition, “Cezanne En Provence”  honouring the 100th anniversary of his passing, was being held. This is one of the posters displayed which I loved! It was hanging in the window of a wine shop.

I hope you’ve enjoyed a brief look at Aix. If you are planning to visit the area, it’s well worth a stop. Here’s the link to the wonderful Festival D’Aix-En-Provence in July. Order your tickets early for the renowned music festival as they tend to sell out quickly.

Two weeks ago I shared a poster in French and most of you e-mailed me with perfect translations. Bravo!

Forget your past, whether simple or complicated, and participate in  your present so your future will be better than perfect.

(As well as being an inspirational saying, it’s actually a poster used in teaching some of the tenses in French grammar.)

 

Gotta get back to work! I had so much more to share, my friends, particularly about a wonderful blogger I have gotten to know who lives in Aix. You’re going to want to know her too! I’ll save that for next week and see you here then. Bon weekend!

The party’s at Bridgette’s …

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Okay, a few weeks ago I promised I was only going to post on my blog twice a week and since then I’ve broken that promise several times. I’m sorry … I’m a big believer in promises so this does not make me feel good. With your permission I’ll retract that promise and simply say I’ll TRY not to blog more than twice a week. I know how busy y’all are and you don’t need me popping up in your mailbox every day.

It’s just that there’s SO much great stuff to talk about!

Like this, for example – Today I’m hanging out over at Bridgette Booth’s blog again and we would love it if you would pop in and see what’s going on. We’re still recovering from the brunch she slaved over  threw together for us yesterday. That lady knows how to deliver a party – sharpies, paper plates and jalapeno kolaches – all served up with that special brand of Texan hospitality! We did have more than a few laughs!

Bridgette is one of my fabulous WANA sisters from Kristen Lamb’s Blogging For Your Author Brand course last summer. On the surface she seems kind of shy but underneath that quiet exterior is a real firecracker and a fine human being whose writing simply breathes energy.

In spite of the fact she is busy working on her own manuscript and homeschooling her children, Bridgette – avid reader that she is – pulled The Bridge Club off her TBR pile and decided we needed to chat. She always finds time for her friends and we’re glad she does. Come on over … click right here … there may even be a few of those delicious kolaches left!

 

Spring has sprung! And other good things …

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Really? It’s Tuesday again? Already? I was hoping Daylight Saving Time would fool me into thinking I had more time for everything. Just. Not. Happening.

Never mind! It’s the first day of spring and that’s always good news.

Before I introduce today’s guest, website founder Kathy Scott, (already known by many of you, I’m sure) here are two important quick bits of info.

First, Calgary author Steena Holmes’ gripping novel Finding Emma has just been released on Amazon. Hurry on over to order your copy! Proceeds are being donated to the Missing Children’s Society of Canada.

Second, the guest speaker at our monthly Writers & Editors Network meeting on Saturday was Ian Hamilton, author of the hot new Ava Lee thriller series. This looks like the next big thing in the mystery/detective genre and Hamilton’s personal story is a good one so click on the link and check out his website.

OMG! I just noticed my good friend Bridgette Booth has invited me to her blog for a fab brunch today. I thought it was tomorrow! See what I mean? WAY too much going on here … but it’s all good, good, good! So when you finish up here, please pop on over to Bridgette’s blog and join us. If the party is with Bridgette, you are guaranteed it’s going to be fun, delicious, and full of surprises – whatever it is! See you there!

And now … heeeeeeeeeere’s Kathy!

Kathy Scott is the award-winning creator of Me and My 1000 Girlfriends, That’s Who! and the Women’s Party of America. She has published more than 100 articles in various business magazines and newspapers. Her focus on women’s issues has earned her accolades from many organizations and she is currently working with Moms Clean Air Force, advocating limits on poisonous chemicals released by coal and power plants.

Kathy has spent the past two decades working in public relations and marketing and, as well as maintaining her very active website, presently serves as head of public relations and social media strategist for a B2B media company. She is a member of the Atlanta Press Club and has served on the boards of several local charities.

Kathy, welcome! Would you tell our readers how the idea developed for this website? I think it’s a great story and demonstrates how you found an innovative solution to a problem which in turn became a site that is helpful for everyone.

I was on the board of a local botanical garden, which at the time had 5 members, and was asked to head up their fundraising and membership efforts. As I began building membership levels and crafting fundraising programs, the man that oversaw the gardens would get irate and send me emails like, “Adhere to the chain of command.” He was a bully and he had the ear and support of the local city councilman that oversaw the property (which was owned by the city).

I started an email campaign and noticed that my sorority sisters and girlfriends were always willing to send emails and post info. I thought about the concept and created a Facebook page where women could post issues of concern, stories, petitions, etc.

The year we started, teachers in Florida were under fire and a movement by government wanted to tie their salaries to children’s grades, which would have hurt the kids. We got involved and provided information. The governor later vetoed the bill. One GIRLFRIEND posted, ‘we need to tie the politician’s salaries to performance of their district.’ I loved that.

I recall you telling me that the “bully” at one point challenged you asking “You and who else?” when you said you would continue to defend your position and that’s how the name of your website came to be. I love that story!

The number of followers of the website is growing rapidly. What has been the most difficult aspect of building such a powerful voice for women?

Not all women want a voice. Even with the recent issue of Rush Limbaugh’s comments, some women were posting praise for him. Other times, women really go after vocal women like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman. I don’t agree with either of their politics, but when Bachman won the Iowa straw poll, that was a big deal for women. In fact, one of my favorite quotes by Maureen Reagan is, “I will feel equality has arrived when we can elect to office women who are as incompetent as some of the men who are already there.”

Also, women who are powerful politically follow the party line. For the Women’s Party of America, our motto is: Women First. Party Second.

What are your goals for the future of this site?

I would like to add more interaction to the website and get more involved with other organizations.

I am also working on starting a non-profit called ‘1-3 Just for Me.’ The idea is to try to get girls to spend the first 13 years working on themselves. So many have boyfriends in elementary school! I have a daughter and I see how so many judge themselves by the boys who like them.I have encouraged her girl friendships.

My mother was from County Cork, Ireland and my grandmother was French Canadian and German. I come from a long line of strong women who speak their mind. You can’t control your children, but you can let them know where you stand, and I think that’s important for them. I know it was for me.

Thanks for dropping by Kathy, and continued good luck! I always look forward to seeing what issues your website is highlighting. Keep up the great work.

Who has your back? Have you ever mobilized a group of people to fight for a specific issue? How did it go? Take a minute to tell us about it in the comment section below.