S is for Spur

The Quote of the Day that inspired my A to Z Blogging Challenge theme -
A Word for the Day that takes on many meanings.

Quote of the Day: A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you. They pick up flavors and odors like butter in a refrigerator. John Steinbeck


Word of the Day: Spur and Candace Simar

n.

1. A short spike or spiked wheel that attaches to the heel of a rider's boot and is used to urge a horse forward.

2. Something that serves as a goad or incentive.

3. A spurlike attachment or projection, as:

a. A spinelike process on the leg of some birds.

b. A climbing iron; a crampon.

c. A gaff attached to the leg of a gamecock.

d. A short or stunted branch of a tree.

e. A bony outgrowth or protuberance.

4. A lateral ridge projecting from a mountain or mountain range.

5. An oblique reinforcing prop or stay of timber or masonry.

6. Botany A tubular or saclike extension of the corolla or calyx of a flower, as in a columbine or larkspur.

7. An ergot growing on rye.

8. A spur track.

v. spurred, spur·ring, spurs

v.tr.

1. To urge (a horse) on by the use of spurs.

2. To incite or stimulate: "A business tax cut is needed to spur industrial investment" (New York Times).

v.intr.

1. To ride quickly by spurring a horse.

2. To proceed in haste.

 

Candace Simar is a local author of the Abercrombie Trail series. She has the honor of being Krista's first client at Blue Cottage Agency. I love her books. You can check out my reviews and reactions under the Book Review tab. Candace won the Spur Award for Western Fiction in the young adult category. Here are a few words from her to spur you on to your own success.

 

 

 

S IS FOR SPUR AWARD

Simply spoken, I’m shocked and stupefied.  It may sound silly, but spin me a little slack.  Of course, I’m ecstatic.  BIRDIE, my third novel in the ABERCROMBIE TRAIL SERIES, just won the 2012 Spur Award for best western juvenile fiction.

I didn’t see it coming though my sister, Claudia, tells me that BIRDIE is her favorite of my novels.  It should be her favorite since Claudia first suggested that I write about the two little girls from ABERCROMBIE TRAIL. These small sisters, stolen by the Sioux during the uprising, play a prominent role in POMME DE TERRE. BIRDIE continues the sad saga of Ragna Larson growing up as an orphan.  Ragna is the only survivor in her family.  She doesn’t know what happened to her little sister and is obsessed with finding her.

Several have expressed surprise that BIRDIE was given an award for juvenile fiction.  I must confess that I didn’t write the book with a particular age in mind.  I just wrote the story.  It’s stupendous that Birdie is enjoyed by readers of all ages.  I’m ecstatic that it receives the prestigious Spur Award.

So I’ve bought my plane ticket and will travel to Albuquerque in June to receive my award at the Western Writers of AmericaConvention.  The Spur Award is an actual western spur mounted on a plaque with the author’s name and book title inscribed.  How satisfying for my work to be recognized with a national award.

Lest I become sidetracked, I will segue into my next thought.  Writing is a mostly solitary endeavor. The hours spent alone at my computer seem worth it when I see that my writing connects with readers.

 Does this Spur Award spur me on to more writing?  Oh yes.  It certainly does. 

Thank you, Candace Simar, for sharing your success and spurring us on to...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever won an award?

S is for Self-Care

Letter of the Day:  S

S is for Self-Care and Slumdog Millionaire.

If you don't take care of yourself and tend to your needs, how are you going to be healthy enough to create?  You need to claim time for yourself (see tomorrow's guest post by Cher), and you need to nurture your creative soul. 

Have you ever taken yourself on an Artist's Date?  This idea comes from Julia Cameron in her book The Artist's Way.  This book is filled with great ways to unblock your creative spirit and get you to take steps towards building your art.  If you haven't worked your way through it, I recommend you find a creative partner and do it together.  It's great to talk through the ideas and exercises together and you'll always have a cheerleader for your creative endeavors.

This week, I took a much needed Artist's Date.  I drove to a nearby town and visited the locally owned bookstore.  I loved it.  I chatted with the owner, and he said he was interested in bringing books to a Dementia Awareness workshop that's being organized by a group I've recently joined, LAMAA (Lakes Area Memory Awareness Advocates).

Then, I stopped at a cute store called:

It's a coffee/tea shop that also sells loose leaf tea and coffee beans.  I was so excited to see that they carry a few of my favorites.  My best tea lady closed shop in town a few years ago, and I hadn't discovered this place, yet. 

I made myself a cup of Evening in Missoula tonight.  Mmmm. hits the spot.  It has mint and herbs and other soothing plants, which is good, especially during allergy season.

I also picked up some flowers for my mom.  I wrote "Happy Spring" on the card.  It includes her birthday, Easter, and Mother's Day.  She lives a ways away where it is now quite swampy and flooded, but she said the roads should be open by Friday.

One more thing that fed this "starving" artist was listening to Dawn's CD during the drive.  (She wrote the guest post on R Day.)  Her music and voice are gorgeous.

And, a quick review of Slumdog Millionaire.  It's intense.  I was so nervous the first time I watched it.  I was afraid it would be too violent or heart-wrenching for me.  And, yes, there are a few tough scenes, especially with the children.  It depicts a place filled with strife and violence.  But, it's a story of survival.  I am drawn in by those stories.  I had to see it to the end.  I figured it wouldn't have gotten such rave reviews, Oscar nominations and awards, if it wasn't a strong and satisfying story.  It is.  I didn't know it was a love story.  Despite all the struggles, all the ugliness of that place and time, the corruption of some of the people, Good triumphs over evil - with great sacrifice.  I was left feeling hope in the end.

Journaling Prompt:  Where would you like to go on an Artist's Date?