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Proud of My Travel Writers
* * * The semester is over, and now the students are taking final exams. I have completed teaching a Special Topics in Local Travel Writing course in our Business Communication department at Stevenson University, and I have one thing to say. I loved it. As any form of travel is wont to do, a true travel experience tends to have the ability to open our minds—and our hearts. My students were posed the task of traveling like a travel writer, spending two days in their selected place of choice, and then writing about it. I have to say, the topics were varied and interesting. Each student put his or…
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Wednesday Wisdom From A Pro
First: Today’s Wednesday Wisdom comes from a pro. Pablo Picasso’s work has been emulated and revered. Picasso was a sculptor and a printmaker, but was known for his talents as a painter. It has been noted that he created over 50,000 works of art in his lifetime, living to the ripe old age of 91. Moreover, he was responsible for creating innovative styles of painting, and his works have traveled the world, in addition to being featured in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. I’ve selected Picasso’s quote today because it applies to those of you working in a craft, whether it be art, acting, painting, writing, or whatever…
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Baseball, An Airplane, And A Writer=”One Summer”
On the eve of the release of Bill Bryson’s latest book, he stood before a crowd at Stevenson University—humbled, excited, and pleased—to talk to students, faculty, and staff members about his works, of which there are many. So gracious was he, that he didn’t even begin his talk by speaking about himself; after being introduced, he simply opened up the floor for questions. The audience had many. The anticipation for his new book entitled “One Summer: America 1927” is something that readers of history, sports, and discoveries will more than likely relish. The discussion of this book harkens back to the summer of 1927, when things were changing. What brought…
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Taking A Hiatus
Dear Readers, I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I’ve decided to do it. I’m not a quitter; in fact, I’ve rarely given up on anything that matters to me during my (insert your Satchel Paige age here) years on this dear planet, but I feel I’ve got to make an exception. At least for a little while. Blogging has been such a great release for me. It’s helped me stay current; it’s kept me thinking; it’s kept me writing; and it’s kept me in touch with you. However, at this juncture in my life, as I sit in the throes of writing a second novel and desperately…
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Why I Write, Part III, The Finale
One of my favorite authors is Kate DiCamillo. She writes beautiful, lyrical stories that you generally find in the young adult section of book stores. Her stories are somewhat mystical, and despite that her stories are geared to children through young teens, I believe they are wonderful stories for all ages. I recently watched a video of her where she was talking about becoming a writer. She mentions that she walked around for 10 years wearing the uniform of a writer—a black turtleneck and jeans—saying she was going to be a writer, but she never did anything about it. Then, she said, she got off her duff and wrote her…
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Why I Write, Part II
“The rain was beating down hard, hitting the awnings over the kitchen windows. The leaves of our old magnolia tree were drenched and wilting. I wished I could afford a place of my own. My parents had been kind enough to let me stay with them until I save enough money to buy something, but I was beginning to feel anxious. But this I knew for sure—that my house would be just as cozy as my parents, and in the backyard there would be a sprawling mimosa tree like the one in Michael Contelli’s backyard.” ~ From my short story entitled, Contelli’s Mimosa. 1992. This is how the short story…
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Beneath the Mimosa Tree Makes THE LIST on ABC2
Nice feature on BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE on ABC2’s THE LIST. So grateful! Here’s the link courtesy of THE LIST. Very thankful to my husband, Suzette Desser (ABC2), Steven Chupnick & Nicki Mayo (THE LIST) for setting this up for me. http://www.thelistshow.tv/the-list/localist/baltimore-localist/4-steps-to-writing-a-book
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5 Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving
~ ~ ~ Steph’s Scribe wishes all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving, and is extremely thankful for the following this year: 5. Wow! 50,000+ hits on Steph’s Scribe, and 25,000 + hits on Paperblog. 4. Steph’s Scribe’s blog followers…over 2,000! 3. Readers Favorite and the Bronze Medal for Contemporary Romance for my novel “Beneath the Mimosa Tree.” Thanks to all who have read the book. 2. My full-time job as a professor at Stevenson University and my wonderful colleagues and students. 1. My loving family and friends and the wonderful support they always give me 365 days a year. I hope my turkey today comes out as tasty as…
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Hurricane Sandy Postpones Walls and Her Glass Castle
* * * Weather can take its toll on things; it can knock out boardwalks, destroy homes, cause boats to drift out to sea, flood apartment buildings in Manhattan and elsewhere, and leave millions of people without power. Hurricane Sandy dumped on the East Coast, and now we’re trying to rebound. I sit here thankful that the only damage my property suffered was a tree that’s now leaning across my front living room picture window. Jeannette Walls’ appearance at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall tonight as part of Stevenson University presents The Baltimore Speakers Series has been postponed. I was so looking forward to not only hearing her speak, but also…
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Why Journaling Can Be Important
* * * Yesterday, my colleague, Leeanne, was asking me questions about London and the places I enjoyed visiting during a trip my husband I took there many years ago. She and our department chair, Chip, are taking a group of our students on a Business Communication trip in January to London and the Cotswolds. Am I ever jealous! This is going to be something rather special, and I’m so excited that the students have an opportunity like this…to travel abroad…and to take in…some…culture. Culture. Arts. Literature. Museums. Historic landmarks & sights. It’s important to add a little variety to your life and open your mind to all that travel…
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Ironic Twists & Turns of Fate
*** Looking back on my life thus far, I’m lucky: I’ve had it pretty good. You will hear very few complaints from me about the path my professional life has taken. As I spoke the other night to the graduating class at Baccalaureate, it was somewhat ironic that I was standing there giving a speech at all. While I’m a professor and have worked hard to be one, it wasn’t always the case. The fact of the matter is I didn’t really want to go to college. It’s true. My boyfriend at the time wasn’t planning on going to college, though he did end up taking some courses at the…
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Talking “Broccoli” at My First Book Talk & Signing
To say I enjoyed every moment of my first book talk and signing last night would be an understatement. I am pretty certain I could make that a habit. It doesn’t get much better than that—talking about writing, reading, books, and broccoli while eating cannolis and biscotti and drinking a good cup of coffee amongst friends. My lovely colleagues in Business Communication at Stevenson University, Chip Rouse, Leeanne Bell, and Deric Greene, hosted my event (we missed our dear colleague Heather Harris who is on sabbatical). I got choked up listening to the kind words Chip said as she introduced me. It was incredibly heartwarming. And then, when I got…
