Vicki Atkinson's Blog, page 17

I’d Like to Thank…

I don’t know how it happened.  One thousand designs?  I mean…I know I’ve been busy creating promo materials for “Surviving Sue” and posting on my personal blog – right here on Victoria Ponders and partnering with my writer friends on Sharing the Heart of the Matter but 1000 designs?  Wow.

I took a gander and I’m glad I did.  Scrolling through my Canva designs and then peeking at Instagram (which, by the way, if you’re not following us there, you should:  @victoria.atkinsongroup and @t...

Podcast Friday: Becoming an Author

Let’s get to it! 

Whether you’re an author or you’re aspirational, our chat with Chris Thelen will inspire. 

Wynne and I are grateful to Chris for his candor and insight as he invites us into his journey as the author of the thriller, “Islands of Deception“. 

From finding the audacity in the first place (ferry rides provide great inspiration) to weaving in adventures from his youth, Chris opens up about the process of writing, the weight of promotion and includes tidbits about how h...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Loving Lisa

Today is my big sister, Lisa’s birthday.  Now that both of our parents are gone, it’s a high holiday that we continue to celebrate, honoring Lisa. One of the most magical humans I know.

Lisa wasn’t expected to thrive or survive, but she did.  She has.  Despite being born premature and with substantial developmental disabilities along with vision and mobility issues, she’s a force of nature. 

Kind readers of “Surviving Sue” have wondered if I’ll write a sequel…or a prequel… with the ti...

Perspective

I’m a bit of a wayward poet.

Writing when the spirit moves me…my practice is unpredictable. This one? It arrived this morning and I’m still working through what it means. Poetry is like that for me – appearing in a flourish. I receive and sometimes share. Making meaning of it – beyond the obvious geometry? A task to engage in today…or tomorrow…assuming there’s a message within. Thanks for taking a look.

I think in right angles

Perpendicular lines and parallel moments
Curv...

Podcast Friday: Skip the “Filigree”

In the second part of our delicious podcast with Jack Canfora, Jack uses a word that made me light up.  Sparks of recognition for having erred in a way he described.  Mistakes made from putting too fine a polish on an unworthy sentence or an entire, misguided paragraph.  Jack’s simple term which encompasses all of the (often) unnecessary and distracting flourish is FILIGREE. 

There could be NO better word to describe what Verlyn Klinkenborg addressed with his pin-point wisdom in one of my...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Intuitive Legacies

When Wynne and I chatted recently in our podcast with Jack Canfora, his anecdote about the Beatles’ song, Eleanor Rigby, was like a lightning rod for readers and listeners. It’s an amazing story – one that I won’t recount here, but feel free to give the episode a listen if you missed it.

Knowing that prolific songwriters like Lennon and McCartney may have been quietly, subconsciously influenced by a headstone in a Liverpool cemetery is a story that strikes awe.  Even for those who are awe...

ICYMI-Monday: Comfort in My Hands

Yes…this is a rewind post, brought to you by a dream. Last night my dad appeared in a goofy romp of an overnight, subconscious interlude where he wore his favorite swim trunks, preparing to dive into his pool, whilst wearing the most unlikely garment up top: the sweater his beloved sister knitted for him, decades ago. It was almost as if the knitwear demanded a little more ‘airtime’, so I bring you my favorite post ever about connecting threads, apparel and family. I hope you enjoy it – e...

Podcast Friday: Just Jack

For the love of Jack. Just Jack.

No, no.  Not THAT Jack. Although I’m a fan of “Will and Grace” and of Sean Hayes. I’ve got another Jack on my mind…

When Wynne and I sat down to chat with our favorite playwright and author, Jack Canfora, we knew we were in for a good time.  What we couldn’t predict was the bounty of insight – bits of brilliance – as a result of an hour well-spent.

Jack?  He’d be the first person to pooh-pooh the superlatives.  He’s just Jack doing his thing…whic...

Sharing a Secret: My Magic Mood Booster

I found a funny Venn diagram online. I’m not sure of the attribution, but for this very visual, coffee-loving girl, it made me smile. I wish I’d created it, honestly.  Sometimes…a picture – a good graphic – says so much.  More than words. See what I mean?

Which brings me to a favorite song that I cannot get out of my mind based on my love of a good visual.  “More than words” isn’t just a keen expression of truth.  It’s one of my all-time favorite songs.  You know the one…the 1990 bea...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Strength Sammie

I love chatting with readers and in a recent encounter, my brain was on fire with loads of terrific input, insight and observations. It’s hard to put into words, the wave of wonder that a writer feels when ‘knowingness’ is conveyed. Message received. I hear you. Even better? Those delicious moments when unexpected praise rolls up.

One of those delights came with some imagery last week.  Metaphorical nourishment.

A ‘strength sammie’ if you will.

If we’re being formal, I suppose I...