Keep It Real Tuesday

She of the Ermas: Celebrating Stacey Graham!
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If you've been around Something She Wrote for long, you've seen me talk about (and have maybe seen my posts at) the humor blog, An Army of Ermas.
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Today we Ermas are honoring our creator, editor and all-around bossgirl, Stacey Graham. Because she rocks! Our Army wouldn't be the success it is if it weren't for her loyalty and hard work.
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This gal is crazy-busy, multi-talented, and a whole lot of writerly awesome. She's a super mom, writes humor, loves Erma Bombeck (duh) and Austen, and she digs zombies and wee ghosties, who infiltrate many of her projects.
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What's more fantastic? This lady has signed multiple book contracts in the last few months, and she is poised for the success she so well deserves. Coming soon: GIRLS' GHOST HUNTING GUIDE (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, May 2012), ZOMBIE TAROT (Quirk, Spring 2012), and BAD AUSTEN (Adams Media, November 2011). Yay!

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You can visit her site here, and learn so much more about her wide reach in the written world. Please go say hello! Tell her an Erma sent you.

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For a more personal note, and to keep it real, I have to say that I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for Stacey. We connected on MySpace (eons ago!) when I was just getting my true, serious start as a writer, trying to find my way and forge a path. She did the whole taking-under-the-wing thing, and guided me to the writers' forum Absolute Write. From there I grew and learned, began networking, started a foundation, and made some of the strongest bonds ever, with so many writers. All because of Stacey! And I know she's done just as much to help others, because that's the kind of person she is.
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Stacey, we love you! Many thanks and best to you always, dear friend. You deserve every happiness.

Plaid Pants

Want to read about the day my childhood went down in infamy?

Come check out my new humor essay, over at An Army of Ermas.

Just a Quick Post

I've another humor column up at An Army of Ermas today... Won't you join my club? All the cool (lazy) kids are doin' it.

And Thursday is the day I'll be talking to kids about writing. I can't wait! I'll post about my experience on Friday. (Thanks for your tips!)

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It's Monday here in the States, and my week is doomed for (good) busyness. How do your next few days look?

My Parents Taught Me to Share

Today I share links! And virtual hugs. Because who doesn't love hugs?

Author and speaker Kathi Lipp's new book, THE ME PROJECT, a how-to for living the life you desire, is newly released. Visit my other blog, Pursuing Life, to read my review and get the low-down. (You may remember my review of THE MARRIAGE PROJECT from last year. This is part of the same successful series!)

My latest An Army of Ermas column is up today, and don't say I didn't warn you: I've revealed a disturbing secret about my five-year-old...

If you missed my post (here on Something She Wrote) from yesterday, please take a minute to check it out. I'd really love to know your thoughts on life balance.

And, because I don't want to bore you of me with this post, check these out, too!

How do you feel about Random Acts of Kindness? Go here for inspiration.

Check out this AWESOME gal (and her team) who takes RAK's to a whole new, life-changing level... Secret Agent L

Follow the bread crumbs to Your Best You here.

And last, but possibly coolest, Word Hippo. You know you wanna check it out. (Especially if you're particularly wordish.)

Have a wonderful weekend!

I Know I'm Not the Only One

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My latest post is up at the humor blog, An Army of Ermas. Come read about my secret...
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photo courtesy theflowermillflorist

Walkin'

I’d taken to walking by myself, but that day I had an exercise buddy... I knew how lucky I was to have her along with me...

Come to An Army of Ermas to read more of my post, I Go Out Walkin', and find out what propels my walking partner.

Erma

There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck

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My second post, A Mother's Panic (kerSMACK!), is up at An Army of Ermas today. I hope you enjoy it!

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Have a wonderful weekend.

I've Joined the Army...

of Ermas!

This is Erma Bombeck, writer, humorist, wife and mother extraordinaire (RIP). She's inspired many who dream to follow in her funny footsteps.

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She was my own first inspiration. I can't tell you how I became acquainted with her; whether it was with a book my mom owned, something from the library, or something entirely random. But oh, was I taken with her insight, her honesty, and her sense of humor.

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It was writing like hers I first tried to emulate, back when I began taking the craft seriously. I was a young married mom, looking for a creative outlet. And I wanted to pen casual essays and personal anecdotes, much like any found in her famous titles: If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?; Family - The Ties That Bind... and Gag!; The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank. Those books are where I got my fledgling start, tested the writing waters. My first paid and published essay was in the vein of her kind of writing.

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Now, years later, several women writers have banded together to form An Army of Ermas. And I'm one of 'em!

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Visit our new blog, linked above, to see what we're about. Please read my debut post, Gimme a Break (up today!), and leave a comment if so inclined. It's a different side to my writing, so different from my women's fiction, and I'd love your thoughts.

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Three cheers for (and many thanks to) Erma!

*photo from Erma's website