Creole Magnolia Café | Serving Inspiration For The Sassy Sophisticate!
This post feels difficult to write. Not because I shouldn't, but because I feel like there is so much to say. I just don't know where to begin. People often say, "Write from the heart." In fact, I'm one of those people. But what do you write when your heart is overflowing? What do you write when your heart feels emotions that your mind cannot express?
On June 13, 2011, I began this incredible journey here with all of you. It has been a journey of discovery…a journey of unveiling all the secrets in my roux…a journey of perfecting the gumbo that is me.
…the process of turning simple flour and oil into a rich pot of complex flavors and aromas is much like the process of transitioning from a young, naive girl into a strong, confident, and self-assured woman. It takes time, thought, and careful consideration.
Those were some of the first thoughts that I shared with you all.
As I reflect on all the emotions, inspirations and fears that I have shared on this blog with all of you, I see a woman freeing herself… moving away from the young, naive girl she has carried inside and making room for the confident and courageous woman she has become. I see a woman who understands the complex relationship between growth and acceptance. I see a woman who once undervalued her uniqueness but who now has gained the courage to celebrate it.
As I reflect on the ideas shared here, I see themes surrounding love, courage, fear, vulnerability, self doubt, uncertainty, growth and strength. But, above all else, I see the theme of Clarity.
My most insightful assessment regarding Clarity was when I recognized I was Looking for that which I cannot See.
Sometimes We Must Dwell In Darkness In Order To Appreciate The Light!! By darkness, I do not mean despair or gloom. What I mean is the unknown, the uncertain, the unchartered, the absence. Finding Clarity is not like finding a lost hairbrush or your favorite lip gloss. You don't just happen upon it. Clarity is a presence, a knowledge, a breath of fresh air that is Attained! It is not tangible. And it is immeasurable!
I'm not sure I've truly gained Clarity. Some days I believe I've achieved it. And others, it's gone. But I have come to accept that there is a large portion of Chaos that comes with Clarity. And you must work through that chaos, one layer at a time.
Clarity requires action, a continuous moving forward. And that is what I am doing…moving forward, embarking upon a new journey, working through a new layer of chaos.
This post will be last here on Creole Magnolia Cafe. This is last serving of inspiration I have for you. And the truth is, you've inspired me more than I have inspired you.
I will be moving forward, not as The Creole Magnolia, but as Donloyn…Donloyn LeDuff Gadson. I will step out from behind the moniker, and I will be whom I have always been…me. I will embark upon this next phase of my writing career with transparency and vulnerability. And I will take comfort in knowing that Clarity will come.
Clarity is always closer than you think.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. I will keep this site active so we both can reflect when necessary. Because sometimes, you have to remind yourself of where you've been in order to fully appreciate where you are.
I'd love for you to join me at my new website and blog, www.Donloyn.com. I pray my new journey will inspire you to develop, accept and celebrate your own beautiful uniqueness.
Wishing you more Love, Peace and Clarity than your hearts can hold.
I was obedient. I followed what I know God put on my heart (and, oddly enough, in the fortune cookie). I was obedient. I wrote, and I sketched. Ultimately, I created The Giver, and I shared it all with you.
And then…I waited…expecting Clarity to immediately pick me up, dust me off, and position me upright upon my once stable two feet. I waited…impatiently…and nothing happened. At least not immediately.
The day slowly faded and transitioned into the next, and I found my myself, and my thoughts, even more confused and muddied. Clarity, at this point, was a fleeting memory, a story of long ago, something I had possessed at one point in time but somehow lost along the way. Like losing a box in the midst of a move…you remember packing and handling it with care; but somehow, it's vanished.
And so I prayed. I begged God to pour into me. I just needed the answers and I needed them from Him. I needed to know what His plans were for me. I needed to know how He planned to use me. I needed to know what my next steps would be and how I was to use my skills to enhance the lives of Sassy Sophisticates. Sassy, I needed to know what was next for me AND for you.
Remember, I'm The Creole Magnolia, the Inspiration Specialist, leader of the Sassy Sophisticate movement…my job is to inspire. Only one problem…I wasn't feeling so inspirational.
My Sassy Sophisticates need me and I need them. We need inspiration, and they depend on me to find it and to find it from within. So just get out of your head, Donloyn, and get this job done. The Sassy Sophisticate movement needs YOU!
While talking with my dear friend, I shared with her my prayer asking God to fill me up, telling Him I was an open vessel ready to receive. She was confident that by the end of the day not only would God fill me up but also I would be overflowing. If anyone was ready to overflow, it was me.
Moments later, the first testimony came in. My post, The Giver, was speaking to people and in such a profound way, a way that I had never expected.
And then came a testimony so grand it brought tears to my eyes.
Donloyn Gadson, I hope u don't mind but I have put pic of ur tree on my locker next to my "Award for being the greatest Mom" that my son made for me. Your blog ministered to me in a great way. I put the tree on my locker as a reminder of who I am, as a giver to my family, co-workers, patients, friends and everyone else in my life BUT more importantly as a reminder of how great a Giver my Father God is. And that even when I rejected Him, He still loved me in my mess and gave His one and only Son as the best gift ever, for a daughter that He waited on patiently, to return to Him!…This Word that God gave u is going to travel and reach farther than u will ever know! It will be the catalyst God uses to heal, deliver and to set His people free.
And then…a few days later…I won this!
First Runner Up in the 2013 Charleston Multicultural Bridal & Events Association Awards for Best Blogger!
I was humbled, honored and, again, reminded.
After receiving all of the Confirmations, my Trust is being renewed, rebuilt and restored, and I am beginning to ease into a Newfound Clarity. And for that, I am truly thankful.
How has your Clarity recently been restored? Inspire us in the comments below!
Three of the most important attributes of a Sassy Sophisticate are her strength, tenacity and ability to inspire. For the Sassy Sophisticates waging war against breast cancer, these qualities shine brightly. Their unwavering courage, persistent drive and relentless refusal to give up inspire all whom they encounter.
The nation pays tribute to these shining warriors every October, and though we recognize the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and are overjoyed to join the fight, many of us have been touched personally by these women, and thus battle alongside and claim small victories with them year-round. They are wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, grand-daughters, cousins, best friends and co-workers. These stars play leading roles in our lives and are deserving of their moments in the spotlight.
Project SHINE, a unique initiative created by Dana Klein of Photography by Dana, is an annual event held in Charleston, SC that celebrates the beauty of the breast cancer survivor. Its mission…To shine the light on these beautiful warriors. Through the coordinated efforts of hair and makeup talent combined with the photography skills of the project's creator, local breast cancer warriors are treated to a day of beauty and pampering followed by a professional photo shoot to commemorate this special occasion.
Nancy Barnwell, one of the beautiful survivors celebrated during Project SHINE 2013!
This year, Project SHINE is 2 years strong, and I have been blessed to play a small role since its inception.
In 2012, after being asked to help spread the word about this wonderful cause, I was able to sit down in a one-on-one interview with Dana in order to learn more about her as both an artist and a humanitarian (She is extremely humble, and although I may get into loads of trouble for mentioning her too often, I must give credit where credit is due. She is a wonderful woman! Check out our interview from 2012 and see for yourself!).
This year, not only did Dana invite me back, but also she gave me a "backstage pass!" By allowing me behind-the-scenes access to Project SHINE, I was able to see first-hand how it all comes together.
And now here I am sharing it with all of you! I hope the positivity of this event and the strength and beauty of these women inspire you as much as they have me. These women are a true testament to the spirit of the Sassy Sophisticate!
May they continue to SHINE!
Is there a special warrior in your life who you would like to SHINE the light on? If so, I invite you to share in the comments below! Let us join you in celebrating her Strong, Sassy Spirit!
To learn more about Dana and Project SHINE, please visit her online at www.PhotographyByDana.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/danaphotography!
In my twenties, I knew it all! Or so I thought. I was stubborn and strong-willed and convinced I had it all together, despite the crumbling walls that enclosed me. I had no idea who I was, what Life was really about or what my purpose was in it. I was a selfish, hungry caterpillar, whose prime purpose was to feed my EGO. I didn't intentionally set out to be selfish; however, like most "twenty-somethings," it was all about me.
When I reached my thirties, I was swiftly smacked with the realization I actually knew nothing at all! All the truths I held dear began to unravel, and I was thrust into a Decade of Discovery–a time to develop, explore and transform into the real me. During the early years of this decade, I was unsure, doubtful, fearful. I longed for the comfort I had created in my disillusioned twenties. Although that was the time I lacked purpose and was severely misguided, I had created comfort for myself. And even though the security and self-esteem of my twenties was created through immature tactics and lies I told myself, it was still comfort all the same.
Once I entered my thirties and recognized there was much work to be done, I had to become comfortable with the unknown…the unanswered questions…the uncertain outcomes. I had to learn that it was okay to spend time in the dark, uncomfortable places because it is only then that we grow. My thirties can easily be equated with entering a cocoon, where a magical transformation occurred.
When my 40th birthday arrived, I was ready! I had emerged from that metamorphosis knowing exactly who I was, ready to share my newly found sense of purpose and womanhood with the world. I had emerged as a beautiful butterfly, ready to test out my wings.
40 marked my New Beginning…a new decade…a new journey. It was to be one of Enlightenment. There I was on the threshold. Walking through the doorway, away from being a girlish imitation of a woman and into being a fully grown, fully matured woman with a voice.
And at 40, I stood there, gazing out into vast ocean of possibilities, excited by all that lay before me. Dismal clouds of fear, comfort and self-doubt were far in distance. And I stood there, a lovely Butterfly, God's love and light shining upon me, illuminating all that was in store. I spent a year testing the waters, spreading my wings just enough to exercise them, but not quite enough to show that I had truly accepted my Purpose. And I continued to stand there, gazing upon the waters of possibility that made the Decade of Enlightenment so phenomenal…patiently awaiting the day when I would dive right in.
I knew that at 40, I had to continue to reflect, continue to prepare, continue to take it all in. The sun had risen on my new day, but I had to wait for each inspirational ray to fill the sky, warm my skin and illuminate all that was designed for me.
As I approached my 41st birthday, I had an epiphany. I realized why I had been waiting…why I had moments of forward momentum followed by long periods of rest. In that realization, I discovered the difference between being 40 and being in your 40s. Being 40 means having the wings and testing them out. Being 41, means having the confidence to spread them far and wide. Being 40 means standing on the side…standing in the doorway…standing at the threshold, watching, waiting patiently. 41 symbolizes the jumping right in.
Diving completely and gracefully into my Purpose. Embracing all that my 40s have in store.
On Tuesday, October 1, 2013, I jumped right in. With complete trust, faith, hope and love, I jumped into all that God has prepared for me. I am committed to my purpose with no fear of the future.
And I have the promise that with each passing year, my Purpose will continue to become clearer and clearer, and my Decade of Enlightenment will become more fruitful and more gratifying than ever.
How will you live life on Purpose?
Remember…Inspiration is a dish best served with coffee!
The last 2 weeks have been filled with marvelous encounters!
I've had the pleasure of being involved in several different activities and functions that have exposed me to some pretty spectacular ladies! And I have been overflowing with inspiration!
I was invited to be a part of the Renew & Restore Expo brought to you by Restoration From Within and even hosted my very first Sassy Sophisticate Social! At both events, all in attendance were able to enter the drawing for the Sassy Sophisticate Inspiration Sampler which is a gorgeous gift basket filled with tons of goodies designed to inspire the crap out of you!
If you have a dream, a goal, an aspiration–anything trapped inside and dying to get out–then pray your name is drawn, because the goodies in this basket were all selected with the purpose of encouraging you to explore your inner most thoughts and feelings.
Giveaways are awesome! Giveaways that inspire…Even Better!
I would like to thank you for taking the time out to enter. I am about to make one Sassy Sophisticate very happy!
So, without further ado, click on over to the video! Could the winner be you?! Find out now! And be sure to congratulate the winner in the comments!
Oh yes, and subscribe, too!
Discover your passions! Create your own identity! And let the world hear your Voice!
Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there was a beautiful valley nestled amidst two hills. There were open meadows filled with Milk Thistle, Shasta Daisies and Purple Cone Flower. There was a stream…wild flowers lined the sides of its banks.
This beautiful valley was the home to a community of butterflies in a wide array of colors and types.
The butterflies flew along the base of the hillside, throughout the meadows and near the stream. However, they never ventured beyond the valley. They never even flew to the top of the hillside to take a peek and what lied beyond this barrier. They were content with what they knew, and had no interest in expanding their horizons. The valley was a beautiful place, and they were just fine with that.
But one butterfly was not okay with this mediocre mindset. The valley was beautiful, indeed, but she wanted to learn new things, see new places and travel as far as her glorious wings could possibly take her.
So each day, Blossom ventured beyond the valley, taking in new sights and expanding her horizons.
But no matter how hard they tried to convince her that she was behaving foolishly, Blossom continued on her quest to discover amazing things. Each morning, after fluttering about in the valley, Blossom would fly high above the meadows and cross over the hillside.
She saw mountains, rivers and the ocean. She saw happy children playing in parks, far more than the few who would occasionally visit the valley to play. She visited the bushes and flower gardens of homes in quiet neighborhoods and frequented city parks surrounded by large buildings and honking horns.
And each day, when Blossom would return to her home in the valley, the other butterflies would laugh, point and stare. Some would whisper, while others would jeer.
Blossom looked around at them all, shook her head at the sadness of this situation, drew in a deep breath and calmly responded, "Bianca, perhaps it is all of you who should look at yourselves." They all looked around at one another, puzzled at the point Blossom was trying to make. "Have you all not noticed how much higher you have to fly before you get to the delicious bud of the Milk Thistle?" A few eyes began to open and expressions began to change. They hadn't thought about it before, but now that Blossom mentioned it, they realized that was true. They quickly shook off any effect this truth had had upon them, and continued to scowl at Blossom. Blossom went on. "And have you all not noticed how long it takes you to flutter from one side of the stream to the other?" Again, their expressions began to change. "And have you all not noticed how large the Purple Cone Flower is when you rest upon it, or how you must steady yourself when drinking from the Shasta Daisies so you don't become stuck in its center or buried within its petals?" By this time, everyone was nodding in agreement. Blossom was correct…these things were true. But until this very moment, it had never occurred to any of them.
Blossom looked around at them all and said, "The flowers in the meadow have not changed. The hillside has not grown, and the stream has not widened." She flew towards and landed upon a Shasta Daisy. "Notice my size compared to this flower. It is quite normal." Everyone looked confused. Blossom did appear to be normal in size next to the daisy. They all looked at one another and then back at Blossom. "Broadening my horizons and spreading my wings has not caused me to become hideously huge," she said.
"Well then what is going on here, Blossom," said Bianca in a flustered tone.
Are you a Blossom or a Bianca? Will you allow your wings to wither and wilt?
Or will you spread them and take flight?
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The past 4 weeks have been a whirlwind! It's been both amazing and overwhelming.
A Red-Carpet Style Interview! Check it out! So chic!
My own reality show in print…Keeping Up With The Crazy!
With many blessings–whether in business or on the home-front–come many responsibilities. And between you and me, sometimes the whirlwind is filled with chaos that ain't so blessed! Yep, I've had to tussle with a bit of that, as well (A husband, 8 kids, aging parents and bills! Need I say more).
But even when the winds have blown in an unexpected element…even when they've stirred fearful emotions or have thrown me so far off balance that I miss a step or two…even when good stuff is all mixed in with a little bad…even when business blessings pile up so high on my plate that it appears to be too much for one person to handle…even then, it has been amazing!
And me…I've been a pinwheel. Twirling. Spinning. Dizzy. One direction. Then the next.
Standing tall in the wind, facing its strong currents head on, allowing its energy to fuel my passions.
The Passion flower bears a stunning resemblance to a Pinwheel.
Dancing during times of challenge, showing off my colors as a celebration of victory…This is how I handle overwhelm.
You know you've had those moments. Moments when the pressure seemed far too great. Moments when you've felt the weight of the world on your shoulders. Moments when you've felt you couldn't possibly get through or hang on. Moments when you wanted to let go, cry and allow the whirlwind to sweep you away.
When the overwhelm is just too darn overwhelming and the winds become too intense, be a Pinwheel.
Hold your head high, tap into your why, and roll with it…one breeze, or gust, at a time!
Remember these 4 key points!
Prioritize! You cannot handle everything at once. Focus on the most important demand, knock it out and move to the next!
Change your outlook! You can't get anything done successfully if you have an attitude of dread, doom and gloom. Think Pinwheel!
Approach your tasks as challenges! How awesome do we feel when we've kicked a problem in the Patooshka or crossed an item off our To Do Lists?! Pretty dang awesome!
Keep your vision at the forefront! By doing this, you'll be inspired to come up with innovative ways to get things done.
Tell me…How do you handle overwhelm? When things have become so intense–whether good, bad or a combination–what techniques do you employ to get through?
Tell me in the comments below! REMEMBER! Your techniques may be the answer that someone else needs to hear! So please, share!
If you love this blog, then please subscribe! And remember! Inspiration is a dish best served with gourmet coffee! Want a complimentary cup? Then click the OG symbol on the column on the right!
Over the course of the last several months, I've learned many invaluable lessons. My journey towards a clearer state of mind has exposed my vulnerabilities and, as a result, has empowered me.
I am Strong because I allow myself time to be Weak.
I am Protected and Secure because I allow myself to be Transparent and Open.
I am a Success because I allow myself to reflect upon and learn from my Failures.
I am Enlightened because I allow myself time to dwell in the Darkness.
I am always changing, transitioning, developing…I forever will be. This constant state of metamorphosis used to unnerve me. I felt unsteady, unstable, uncertain. I see the beauty in this now. I have realized that this constant need for change shows my love for learning, my unwillingness to remain stagnant and my refusal to conform to a life of disconnect.
The Universe needs learners. Learners must be deep thinkers and feelers, willing to reflect, make connections, arrive at conclusions, change and become new, and share these experiences with others in meaningful ways. I am one of these learners.
At the start of 2013, I had lost momentum…slow to even come out of the gates. In a scramble to catch up, my goals and purpose became clouded. I doubted everything I did or planned to do. Eventually, I allowed that doubt to keep me from fulfilling goals I had set for myself. I momentarily fell into the trap of comparing my journey and achievements to those of others, foolishly thinking their outward appearances (because no one knows what internal struggles someone else may be facing) had become the all-purpose scale by which to weigh my value.
Thankfully, I woke up in time–in time to enjoy my saunter.
I realized that there was (and, still is) beauty and necessity in my slow pace. Slowly journeying…sauntering, strolling…has gifted me with the ability to absorb, reflect, connect and learn.
On tough days, I've been able to see the lessons, appreciate the value of struggle and develop the strength that comes from endurance.
The beautiful days…those are the days I enjoy my miracles…and even stop to pick a few more along the way.
Ironically, today is World Sauntering Day…I hope you'll take a moment today, and everyday, to see the beauty in a slow, steady pace, for this is what makes a true learner.
I've been doing a lot of soul searching recently. Much of it has to do with my writing and taking it to the next level–becoming a published author. As writing has been at the forefront of my mind, fittingly, so have quills and inkwells. I've found myself almost subconsciously, and quite uncontrollably, attracted to them, stumbling upon them in both familiar and unfamiliar places and, truly, taking notice. Each time I gaze upon the pair, the symbolism and the private meaning they hold just for me feels like a secret shared only through a sacred bond. It's become quite a love affair, one that I don't want to end.
Last week, I shared my new obsession with my husband, telling him of my desire to one day own a quill and inkwell set (in addition to an easel, stretched canvas, paint brushes and acrylics…but I'll save that passion for a separate post). I'm certain the gravity of my revelation escaped him, because he nodded, said "uh-huh," and continued about his business on the computer. Despite my school girl need to "blurt it all out," my secret romance had, essentially, remained secret.
Today, Thomas, my no-longer-kindergartener, found a big goose quill by the pond near our house. And he brought it home as a present for me. He was so pleased with his discovery. He was even more elated with his plan to gift it to me. He told me all I needed was some ink and I could write with it. I was amazed. How does a newly turned 6-year-old know what a quill is or how it was used? I don't think I was aware of quills and inkwells at such a tender age.
Both my father and my oldest son tried to discourage his sweet offering, telling him this lovely plume was filled with germs. But, I, for once, saw beyond the possible salmonella contamination, and saw only the beauty in this kind, heart-felt gesture of a child. After saving him from all the insensitivity that men can sometimes bring, Thomas and I took the feather to the bathroom and we washed it, over and over again. While we carefully lathered it, we discussed what a lovely pen it would make. I never asked him how he knew these large feathers were once used as writing instruments. I never even asked him how he knew ink could be purchased in a container. I just let the moment flow…just as the sudsy water flowed over this perfect gift.
And as we talked, washed and dried the feather, here was this imagery again…only this time in a familiar place, a more personal setting…intimate surroundings. The object of my secret love affair was, again, staring me in the face, and I couldn't help but wonder what it all meant. The timing of his precious gift couldn't have been more meaningful. I've been struggling internally…really struggling. I've been tussling with my purpose, reevaluating my dreams, reexamining my approach. All this searching, redefining, transitioning…it has caught me completely off guard.
As I gazed upon his precious face, filled with so much excitement and innocence, I found myself thinking, "Is this a sign? Could this be the answer I've so desperately been looking for?" Because, in reality, I have been awaiting a sign, some miraculous epiphany, some mystical answer to my questions and confusion.
Why am I confused, you ask? Well, I've been thinking of packing up my floral designing tools and pushing Creole Magnolia Creations to the side, at least long enough to focus on the next phase of my writing. Did I just type that out loud? Yes. I did, and it's true. However, I've been struggling with this possibility. I don't like the thought of accepting this answer. You see, I dream of flowers everyday. I study the arrangements of floral artists I admire; I create new designs in my head; I toy with a myriad of design concepts. My passion for floral artistry is very present—each and everyday, it is present…that has not changed. But what also has not changed is my shortage of time, my large family and the demands and responsibilities that come with marriage and motherhood.
My crazy life doesn't leave a whole lot free time, and when there are a few extra moments at the end of long day, I feel the need to fill them with family, quiet, and some much needed relaxation.
Some might ask, "Why can't you continue to do both?" Well, the aforementioned gives the answer to that. Furthermore, I've been attempting to do both all along, and look where it's gotten me.
And so here I am with a still-on-the-ground floral design business, an unpublished children's book manuscript and a bitter pill labeled "Focus." Yes…Focus. I've been resisting that for, well, forever. I've had many well meaning individuals advise me. And their advice all sounds the same. "Yada yada…blah blah…Focus on one thing…wonk wonk…blah-zay bland." It feels too confining for me. Like a loss of freedoms. Like I'm being told that I can't soar to unknown heights…that if I fly, then I have to do so cautiously low. Like I'm only capable of doing one thing well…something I know is completely untrue.
My husband and kids are the longest things I've ever done. Marinate on that. I've always spread my wings far and wide…allowed myself to experience a multitude of things. I love to learn and grow, and when I feel stagnant and unchallenged, I move on. I dig deeper, explore new interests and add another layer to the complex woman that is before you today.
Some call that fickle, flighty or uncommitted. I call it passion…desire…living! I am passionate about and in love with so many things, and I can't wait to do them all! And, when faced with the decision to choose only one, I just can't. How do you choose which passion to pursue? How do you willfully walk away from one, even if only for a short while, without feeling as if you've abandoned it? Especially when it is so strong within you?
Apparently, I was correct in concluding that I feel uncomfortable with shifting my focus onto Self. So uncomfortable, in fact, that it caused me to begin to feel pulled back towards the very thing I am trying to escape…a complicated plate filled with things that don't fuel my passions.
For those who have been following along, this concept of truly putting my goals and aspirations first threw me so off balance that I haven't been able to find the words, yet I have been immersed in thought. I haven't blogged for 9 days, yet I've been drowning in words and lost in emotion. Crazy, right? Surrounded by words, but unable to use them? So much for the 30 day blog challenge.
But, I am not going to allow my failed attempt to blog for 30 days straight cause me to end my journey for Clarity. I am simply going to pick up where I left off and try to make some sense of this confusion. I'm going to try to give myself permission to be selfish.
In addition to being selfless to a fault, I seem to have trouble accepting my limitations. My dear friend Angie, who is also on a similar quest for Clarity, read a quote to me about accepting your limitations. It immediately triggered my control response, and my first thought was if I accept my limitations, then I am no longer in control and must wave the white flag of capitulation. It will be as if I have surrendered…become conquered and defeated. Imagine that…A Selfless Control Freak! Such an oxymoron.
And, now that I'm thinking about it (because, I am completely free-styling this blog post), maybe I did do exactly what I said I would do in my last post. I Sat with Myself in the weird place of Awkwardness & Discomfort. I really did. It's not important that I didn't blog each day. What's important is that I continued to focus on my journey. I continued to focus on gaining Clarity. I wrestled with my thoughts and emotions. I allowed myself to be pulled back and forth, to and fro. And that's truly all that matters.
In the past 9 days, I have come face-to-face with fear, anxiety, emotional turbulence and the like. I have come to grips with what I have to do, and have realized that sometimes there is a distinct difference between what you want to do and what you choose to do. In a way, maybe that is me accepting my limitations. It is also me realizing that in order to grow and move toward something better, you have to be willing to let go of some things in the here and now. You have to be willing to sacrifice the things that can be perceived as good in order to gain that which is great.
There is nothing bad about the freelance jobs and projects that I am involved with…nothing bad about them, at all. They just simply do not serve any purpose when it comes to furthering my dreams and goals for my business. They just happen to not be good for me.
I believe they may also be a crutch, an excuse, a way to hide my fear…Fear of transitioning, transforming, changing and growing.
So, right here, today, I give myself permission…Permission to be selfish. Permission to accept my limitations. Permission to feel out-of-control. Permission to let go and grow. Permission to be fearful without being paralyzed. And, yes, even Permission to skip a blog post.
Embrace your true Self and all the Creativity & Inspiration that lies within.
Sometimes Life isn't about finding your voice, finding yourself, or finding your passion. Sometimes Life is just about giving yourself Permission to use what already Exists Within. However, in order to that, you must Embrace Self and Accept the Permission that has been granted.
I am one week into my journey to find Clarity, Simplicity and the Basics–my theme for my month long Ultimate Blog Challenge. Ironically, this month is National Stress Awareness Month, and I firmly believe in order to conquer stress, we must first have Clarity.
I find myself struggling to grasp and hold onto simplicity as a result of the additional work commitments that I have hoisted upon my already tired and beaten shoulders. These additional obligations–freelance writing jobs and other professional projects–devour my time and leave me feeling overburdened and uninspired. Because they cast me into a role of support for another company, organization or individual's work-related missions and interests, they have become distractions designed to prevent me from actualizing my own dreams, passions and goals.
I realize that in order to do "personal work" and make effective changes "within," I must turn inward…reflect…and, ultimately, take a long hard look at myself. Clearly, if I am sharing a specific, personal journal on a public platform, then, yes, the attention will be directed upon me.
Be selfless and give of yourself, without losing yourself.
However, I am cautious about such things. To me, there is a fine line between self-assurance and self-indulgence. A fine line between selfless and selfish.
I also realize in order to uncover what's hidden, you must sit with the awkwardness and discomfort. You cannot grow and evolve if you are never willing to explore life beyond the boundaries of restrictive comfort zones.
In typing this, I also realize something else…could this strange discomfort I feel when focusing on "I" and "me"…could this be at the heart of my constant battle with putting the dreams of others ahead of my own? Am I too uncomfortable to focus on myself and, thus, push my aspirations aside to help someone else attain theirs? Am I sabotaging myself by piling my plate full of duties designed to support the missions of others in order to avoid shining the light on my talents and efforts? I've always been self-confident, self-assured, with a positive self-image. But could I be too selfless?
Until now, I have always prided myself on my ability to motivate and encourage the collective…to teach and inspire through my own personal experiences and thoughts without making it all about me. Now that I am faced with it being "all about me," I seem to have stumbled upon valuable information…an intuitive gem!
This definitely gives me more to consider when I explore the why's.
Until then, I will continue Sitting with Self, Amidst Awkwardness and Discomfort.
Today, technically yesterday, I kept it low-key. I slept in, fixed breakfast at an hour that is probably considered late even for brunch, went in the back yard with the family, and, even walked to the park with my husband and the kids. We had a blast, and for the second day in a row, I gave myself permission to relax…to keep it simple…to feel the moment…to open the door for clarity!
Oftentimes, we neglect to give ourselves permission. Permission to feel, to think, to say, to do…to live and live happily!
Giving myself permission is like setting my soul free!
Day 7 of my journey to Clarity, Simplicity and the Basics thanks to the Ultimate Blog Challenge!
How we spend these moments are choices…choices that we make. No one else.
Today, I could allow tasking deadlines for projects, that don't speak to my passions, dictate how I spend this day's moments.
Or, I can choose to truly feel my moments…to fill them with meaning and purpose.
As I write this, I am looking out onto the back patio, gazing at the 3 baby Passion Flowers my husband gifted to me. My kids are in the distance playing on the swing set and throwing footballs in the open spaces.
Passion Flower…Fully grown, amazing and unique!
The Passion Flowers remind me to feel, grow, live and love my dreams. They're babies, with no blooms. But with time and care, they will thrive.
My kids…They remind me to do everything with simplicity, joy, innocence and laughter. They're babies, as well. Naive and immature, but filled with hope for the future. They feel their moments by choosing to see their world with amazement.
As for these freelance writing deadlines looming above–I haven't even begun to give them thought. And today, I don't intend to. In this moment, I'm choosing to push them aside.
Today, I choose to have coffee and great conversation with a wonderful friend while our kids play and create memories together. I choose to allow the relaxation of downtime to replenish, refuel and rejuvenate my passions.
I Choose to Feel This Moment!
As a result of this blog challenge, I am on a quest for Clarity. I'd love for you to join me on my journey! Please subscribe to see how it all unfolds. If you haven't been following, you can catch up by starting here.
Today, I fully expected to pick up where I left off yesterday. For me the next reasonable step was to begin examining my why's.
Why have I put myself in this position? Why do I continue to assist others in reaching their goals and realizing their dreams at the expense of my own? Is it fear? Greed? Competition? Inadequacy?
Instead of facing the Why's, I've gotten all ahead of myself and have fast-forwarded to the How's.
My amazing friend Angie Mizzell, whom I mentioned in my last post, asked my advice today on a completely unrelated topic. She asked, "How do you find the courage…?" I had all the answers as they pertained to the topic we were discussing. Ironically, as it pertains to clearing my plate of all projects that distract me from my dreams, I don't seem to have a clue.
All day, I've tussled with this.
This evening, around 9:30 pm, my family and I popped The Karate Kid (the remake with Jaden Smith) into the DVD player. The kids were spread out on the floor and couches with blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. I sat here, on my corner of the couch, laptop open, staring at a blank "Add New Post" screen.
As the movie began, I couldn't help notice how this mother and son were in the midst of making life changes that would inevitably lead to Clarity. Within the first 15 minutes of the movie, this mother and son arrive in a new place…China. And as they are taking in their new surroundings–uncertainty all around–a song is playing in the background.
That song spoke to me. It brought everything I've been feeling today into focus, and it answered my new question of How.
The answer is: I may never find the courage.
How do I end these relationships with my freelance clients?
By Saying What I Need to Say…whether I'm courageous or not.
Thank you, Angie. Thank you, kids for wanting to watch The Karate Kid. And Thank you, John Mayer.
"I gotta" meet this deadline. "I gotta" meet that deadline. "I gotta" deadline approaching next week. "I gotta" get that project done. "I gotta," at least, brainstorm on the other.
Every "I gotta"–each having absolutely nothing to do with my current business and career goals–left me filled with angst, turmoil and breathlessness.
When you find yourself sighing, huffing, puffing, gasping for air at the very thought of a task or tasks at hand, then that is a sure indicator that it should be removed from your list of obligations.
You see, Time is so precious, valuable and, in my case, limited. I only have so much with which to work. My sweet friend and fellow writer, Angie Mizzell, says it best…"Working in between the cracks!" Any woman who juggles marriage, motherhood, career and individuality knows exactly what that means. Sometimes, we only have small shreds of time to channel our creativity and talents into something productive and meaningful. Sometimes, it's 20 minutes…Sometimes, you're fortunate enough to get an hour…Sometimes, only a mere fraction of that.
When my tiny slivers of time are filled with "I gotta's" that solely benefit someone else, then "I gotta" problem with that.
It feels like I'm flying down the tracks on a runaway train that's sure to crash and burn.
Chaos is like a Runaway Train. If you don't get off, you're doomed!
You've seen the movies and cartoons. Some damsel in distress is trapped on board a train car with no engineer, no conductor, no brakes and the track abruptly ends at the cliff of a mountain. She's yelling for help, and her hero risks it all to bravely save her just in the nick of time.
In my story, my only hero is me. If I want to be saved, I'll have to do it myself.
But before I can even begin to devise a plan of escape, I must first understand why. Why did I re-board this same train? And why did I do so after I had already claimed and embraced my Clarity?
Am I placing the dreams of others ahead of my own out of fear? Fear of what? Fear of failure? Fear of success?
Am I piling more and more on my plate out of greed? An insatiable thirst to be seen as some type of Superwoman?
Is it out of competition? Or a need to prove myself?
I need the answers! I fully intend to explore all of these questions and more, because the only thing "I Gotta" do is Get Off of this Runaway Train!
This is day 3 of my 30 day journey to find Clarity, embrace Simplicity and get back to the Basics.
In my last 2 posts, I have tiptoed around what truly lies behind my quest. Perhaps that's part of the process. I've been in denial for so long, that now I'm almost fearful to publicly admit the truth. So here it is…in a "not-so" nut shell.
I have been blessed with a husband, 8 children, artistic talent, career goals and aspirations. (Yes…I did just say eight children!) As a result, I wear many hats. I am a wife, a mother, a floral designer, a writer, a business owner, a daughter, a sister and a friend. Regardless of how much I long for one, there's never a still moment.
I've never been one to use marriage and motherhood as an excuse to place my personal dreams on hold. In fact, I've always used it to fuel my passions…to ignite my creative spark. I want my children to see their mother as a woman who is loyal, strong, driven and passionate–A woman who can be fully present for them, as well as continue to develop as an individual. And I want my husband to be proud of my accomplishments and rejoice in my endeavors, knowing that he has a wife who lives life on purpose. After all, he married me for the person I am, and I'm certain he would want me to be true to my uniqueness, always.
My plate is larger than most, and it is always full. And there are certain things that just cannot be removed. My husband and children have a permanent position on my platter; they're supposed to, and I like it that way. My floral design business, this blog and my quest to move from being a writer to a published author all take prime real estate on that platter, as well. Anything else that requires my time and talents but does not assist me in moving forward in developing my brand is Chaos…sheer CHAOS!
At this stage of my business, I have diagnosed myself as having Starving Artist Syndrome. The treatment…freelance writing work, and lots of it. Honestly, too much of it. So much, in fact, that it consumes my time and talents, and I find myself laboring over obligations that have me feeling disconnected and uninspired. Let's face it; these freelance jobs are designed to catapult the successes of the individuals for whom I do the work–not for my business.
I also seem to have this uncanny inability to say "No." New projects and ventures are presented to me and I cannot, for the life of me, seem to say, "Thanks for thinking of me, but no." And it's not like they're horrible mistakes…they're actually wonderful opportunities…for someone else. For me, they are distractions that will only serve to deter me from my goals, steer me off course, and drown out my purpose.
Clarity is no new concept for me. I had recently moved away from doing all freelance work so that I could focus, intently, on growing my brand, Creole Magnolia Creations. Then slowly, I began adding more and more and more to my once manageable plate. Now, deadlines for the projects of others have taken precedence over my own commitments, and my mind has become bogged down and overloaded with the impossible burden of juggling it all.
This Chaos is paralyzing, as I have become stagnant in my purpose, and my ability to move forward has waned.
As someone with the need to always be in control, it takes courage for me to admit that I am overburdened and stressed. But I realize that a sliver of Simplicity is far more appetizing than a plate full of uncontrolled bedlam.
So this is me…fearlessly Recognizing the Chaos and Calling It Out!
Children understand the importance of clarity, simplicity and keeping ideas and concepts basic. They want clear answers without the layers of garbled muck.
We can learn a great deal from children.
Recently, I've been in a state of confusion. The Clarity I once, so victoriously, claimed seems to have slipped just out of my reach. The Simplicity I created for myself has become convoluted and complex. And I now find myself desperately trying to return to the Basics.
What are my basics, you ask? Growing my floral design business and becoming a published author…as simple as that.
Yet, everything I've done as of late has been designed to catapult someone else's business or endeavor toward success. I have filled my plate with tasks and obligations that assist others and have, once again, allowed my dreams and goals to take a back seat.
I had, at one point, moved away from taking on any new projects that were unrelated to my specific career goals. I had made a decision to make precious use of my time and to focus on certain aspirations that required specific action to become realized. But, now, my Time is filled with deadlines that serve another's purpose…deadlines that take me farther and farther away from the simplicity…from the basics…from me.
Then I found the Ultimate Blog Challenge–a challenge to write a fresh blog post everyday for 30 days. I thought this would not only be a wonderful opportunity to breathe new life into my blog, but also would afford me the opportunity to truly delve into why I continue to allow distractions to steer me off course and why I continue to place the dreams of others ahead of my own. This blog challenge will force me to sit face-to-face with this issue. And hopefully, at the closing of 30 days, I will have regained the Clarity that I once knew.
My theme for this challenge is Clarity, Simplicity and the Basics. During the next 30 days, I plan to ask myself a series of questions. When all is said and done, I intend to have clearer focus. Decisions will be made and my plate will only contain items that are good and healthy for my personal goals.
I hope you'll join me. Perhaps there's something in your life that has you wading in murky waters. Or perhaps there's so much noise swirling about that you are unable to hear the symphony in the silence. Whatever has you feeling confused, stifled and bogged down, know that we can claim clarity together.
How do you plan to get back to the basics? Tell me in the comments below.
Using the Ultimate Blog Challenge to find Clarity, Simplicity and the Basics!
Many thanks to Jeffrey Scott Villafane for his talented eye and for inspiring me, through his work, to consider the possibilities.
Some may see what appears to be obvious…2 birds on a limb, in the fall, facing opposite directions. Some may delve slightly deeper and see 2 quarreling lovers, unable to compromise, challenged by the uncertainty of the future of their relationship.
While those interpretations seem quite possible, they're not at all what I see.
What if I agitated your intelligence by disputing the one thing that appears to be factual in this photograph? What if I told you there is, in fact, only one bird and that the one farthest away is, simply, an illusion?
The bird closest to the lens is real. The camera is focused on her and her beauty. WE are focused on her and her beauty. Her full, plush feathers in delicate hues of brown capture the gazes of all who come her way. Her head and neck, dipped in a vivacious shade of red, speak volumes of her fiery personality. And when she speaks, she sings a song that dazzles and inspires even the hardest of hearts.
However, despite her unparalleled beauty and unique gifts, her confidence has become clouded by fear. As she peers into the blurry beyond, she hears the voices of self doubt. The voices become so loud they materialize. They are given breath, and they take shape. This negative energy, that has taken on a life of its own, happily escorts her to a crossroads. And, it nudges her, again and again, toward the path of despair.
You see, the second bird–the illusion that sits quietly, yet ever present in the background–is the manifestation of her fear and self-doubt. It resembles her, slightly. But, only because it's a parasite that feeds off of a small part of her…an undesirable part of her. Its plumes are no where near as plush. And that vibrant, crimson headdress, that could only be worn by one who exudes boldness…nonexistent. It is no match for her. It just seems stronger right now.
Though she dwells atop the highest tree, on the highest bough, overlooking the grandest view, this beautiful creature is caged. She is caged by her own fears, afraid to grant herself permission to fly.
I have invested a large amount of time in my personal journey of discovery, a decade, in fact. So, I KNOW who I am. I KNOW what my passions are…what I dream to be…how I view the world…and, most importantly, how I view myself. But even after 10 years of truly getting to know myself…accepting myself, flaws and all…exploring the dark spaces of my soul…even after emerging more confident, sassy and courageous than ever, I am currently experiencing a profound moment of uncertainty.
Initially, this uncertainty threw me for a loop.
If you've been keeping up with me, then you know that turning 40 was a monumental occasion for me. It was symbolic of my successful completion of my Decade of Discovery and marked the beginning of my Decade of Enlightenment. This uncertainty caused me to doubt the success of my journey to personal discovery. Fortunately, I quickly abandoned that destructive thought. You see, this is NOT uncertainty of WHO I AM, WHAT I STAND FOR or WHAT MY HOPES and DREAMS ARE. It is uncertainty of HOW I will USE who I am, my gifts and my passions to ACHIEVE these hopes and dreams.
After banishing that thought, I have found myself exactly where I need to be. This uncertainty is necessary on my new road to ENLIGHTENMENT. It is not a set back, as I originally deemed it to be. It is a sign of progress. This uncertainty is challenging me to connect the dots. It is challenging me to take a spiritual journey. After all, my Decade of Enlightenment is all about attaining spiritual knowledge. Without it, I cannot fulfill my purpose of inspiring others.
One vital lesson that I have learned is when I am in the midst of uncertainty, doubt and fear, I must allow myself to dwell there for a period of time. Not because I am giving in to those voices of self-doubt. Not because I am allowing the fear to take control. But because I allow myself time to sit in that uncomfortable place in order to come face-to-face with its cause, I conquer it and emerge stronger.
That is where I have been. I've been in a place of darkness and stillness. I have had to RETREAT, regroup, RETHINK, refresh, RENEW, reaffirm, REFORM, rekindle, REASSEMBLE, replenish, REALIZE, reassess, RESTRUCTURE, re-dream, RE-DRAW, recondition, REORGANIZE, reawaken, RESUSCITATE, revive, REJUVENATE, restore, REPAIR…and, most importantly, prepare to RE-ATTACK!
I have said it before…Sometimes We Must Dwell In Darkness In Order To Appreciate The Light!! Likewise, we must exist within that same uncertainty before we can be Enlightened.
My current state has been marked by much meditation and reflection, and a significant truth has been revealed to me. I have often accused others of caging me, hoarding my beauty and talents. They were my scapegoats…my excuse for not setting myself free…my excuse for not granting myself permission to fly. Truth be told, I am the only one guilty of hiding my beauty from the world.
Look at the picture again…Do you see me? Yes, I am the bird…filled with self-doubt…at a crossroads.
Can I ever believe…believe in myself? Can I ever find freedom in the fall, knowing I will spread my wings and take flight? Can you? Can you believe…believe in yourself?
In fact, I know we can.
Thank you for sharing in my first lesson of my Decade of Enlightenment. Join me on my journey…SUBSCRIBE.


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SMU School of Law
Singapore Management University School of Law
The law school building at the corner of Armenian Street and Stamford Road with the city skyline in the background. Between 2007 to 2016, the law school shared its premises with the School of Accountancy and School of Business at Stamford Road.
Private autonomous national university
Goh Yihan
55 Armenian Street
1°17′44″N 103°51′00″E / 1.29556°N 103.85012°E / 1.29556; 103.85012Coordinates: 1°17′44″N 103°51′00″E / 1.29556°N 103.85012°E / 1.29556; 103.85012
www.law.smu.edu.sg
The Singapore Management University School of Law (SMU School of Law) is one of the six schools of Singapore Management University. It was set up as Singapore's second law school in 2007, 50 years after the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law and 10 years before Singapore University of Social Sciences School of Law. Before becoming a law school, the school was a Law Department within the School of Business between 2000 and 2007.
The school offers a four-year undergraduate single Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programme and a double degree programme combining the law degree programme with one of SMU's existing non-law programmes. The school also offers a graduate Juris Doctor (JD) programme as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) programme. The Dual LLM in Commercial Law, which confers LLM degrees from Queen Mary University of London and SMU, was launched in 2015.
Admission to the law programme is competitive: in the 2015 University Admissions Exercise, both the 10th and 90th percentile had an Indicative Grade Profile (of Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level qualifications) of AAA/A; approximately 1,300 applicants were shortlisted for an interview and a written test.[1][2]
Since the launch of its international moots programme in 2010, the school has been to the championship final of the largest and most established international moot court competitions and holds the world records for most number of international moot championship finals in a season and most number of international moot championships in a season.
2 Programmes
2.1 Undergraduate and postgraduate
2.2 Professional
3 Student life
3.1 International moot competitions
3.2 Law reform
4 Research impact
Inside the Kwa Geok Choo Law Library
A segregated third of the function hall in the basement
The School of Law was preceded by the Law Department, which was created in 2000 and part of the university's Lee Kong Chian School of Business, and headed by Professor Andrew Phang (now Judge of Appeal, Supreme Court of Singapore).[3] A full-fledged law school was established in 2007 – 50 years after the establishment of the first and then-only law school in Singapore, National University of Singapore Faculty of Law — following a review by the government that concluded there was a shortage of qualified legal personnel in Singapore.[4][5]
The school's first dean was Professor Michael Furmston, a leading authority on contracts and commercial law in the Commonwealth.[6] He headed the school from its inception in 2007 to 2012. Professor Yeo Tiong Min SC was then the dean from 2012 to 2017.[7][8] Associate Professor Goh Yihan has been the dean since 2017.[9]
On 18 March 2009, the Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) programme was launched.[10] In May 2010, the Continuing Legal Education programme (since re-branded as SMU Law Academy) was launched.[11]
In March 2013, the school became the first Asian law school to join the THEMIS network[12] and in November that year a partnership was set up with Yonsei University for a dual JD programme.[13]
The Applied Research Centre for Intellectual Assets and the Law in Asia (ARCIALA) was launched in May 2015[14] and in June that year the school signed a sponsorship and training agreement with WongPartnership.[15] In August, it launched a dual LLM with Queen Mary, University of London.[16]
The law school building relocated in December 2016 to Armenian Street[17] and in October 2017, a Pro Bono Centre was launched.[18]
In June 2018, the school received a $4.5m grant from the NRF and IMDA to helm a research programme on AI and data use.[19] In July that year it launched the LLM in Judicial Studies[20] and in September a Centre for AI and Data Governance.[21]
Former Judge of Appeal VK Rajah giving a speech at SMU School of Law in 2017. He was on the school's advisory board between 2008 and 2012 and has been chairman of the board since 2017.
There is an Advisory Board which provides advisory assistance to the School of Law; it routinely includes Supreme Court judges, senior litigators, corporate lawyers, managing partners of law firms, and partners of foreign law firms. The Advisory Board is currently chaired by former Judge of Appeal and Attorney-General VK Rajah SC.[22] Rajah, together with former Supreme Court judges Yong Pung How and Chao Hick Tin, serve as Distinguished Fellows.[23]
Programmes[edit]
A seminar room
Undergraduate and postgraduate[edit]
To be admitted to the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme, applicants should have good passes in their respective GCE A-Level subjects and also at minimum an A or a B for H1 General Paper or H2 Knowledge and Inquiry. In the 2015 University Admissions Exercise, both the 10th and 90th percentile had an Indicative Grade Profile (of 3H2/1H1 content-based subjects) of AAA/A.[1] Potential candidates are called for a short written test and a group interview.
The LLB programme is a four-year programme; it is also possible to enroll in the double degree programme (combining law with accountancy, business, economics, information systems, or social sciences). Students must also complete ten weeks of internship and 80 hours of community service to graduate. The law school is partnered with law schools including Peking University, University of New South Wales, University of San Diego, and University of St Gallen for direct law-to-law exchange.[24]
Based on the 2017 Graduate Employment Survey, 97.6% of the school's graduates found employment; the school's graduates also commanded the highest mean basic monthly salary among all schools in the university.[25] In the 2018 survey, the overall rate was 92.7%.[26] Alumni of the school are well-represented in the major law firms, the Supreme Court Justices' Law Clerk scheme.[27]
The SMU Juris Doctor programme is an additional route for persons who already have a degree in another discipline or a law degree not recognised for the purpose of admission to the Singapore Bar to become members of the Singapore legal profession. Applicants must have completed at least three years of full-time undergraduate education and show proficiency in the English language. SMU's JD curriculum is a mix of compulsory law courses and electives. Similar to all SMU undergraduates, six weeks of internship and 50 hours of community service are required for graduation. Students are required to complete a total of 25 Credit Units of law courses. Although students are expected to complete the programme within three years, the programme may be accelerated.[28]
Completion of the either the LLB or JD allows a student to apply to do the bar examination and be called as a lawyer.[29]
There are three Master of Laws (LLM) options: the LLM in Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia, the Dual LLM in Commercial Law (Singapore and London), and the LLM in Judicial Studies (which is offered jointly with the Supreme Court). The first two options are one-year programmes while the dual LLM is a 15-month programme where students split their time between SMU and Queen Mary University of London.[30]
Professional[edit]
The SMU Law Academy or SMULA runs seminars on developments in the law for the legal profession; attendees receive Continuing Professional Development points. Courses taught to the LLB, JD, and LLM students may also be audited.[31]
Student life[edit]
International moot competitions[edit]
Moot court training session in progress at the David Marshall Moot Court
Since the launch of its international moots programme in 2010, the school has been to the championship final of the largest and most established international moot court competitions: Jessup (2013 and 2014), Vis (2015 and 2016), Vis East (2015 and 2016), Price (2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018), ICC (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018), Frankfurt (2015 and 2017), IHL (2016 and 2019), and International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot (2016). As of June 2019, SMU has emerged champions 23 times, 1st-runner-up 23 times, and 2nd-runner-up 26 times in international moot competitions, in addition to winning hundreds of Best Oralist and Best Memorial prizes and 14 national round championships (including five Jessup national titles in the last seven years).[32][33] It set a world record of eight international moot finals in a single season in 2014/15 (winning a world record five), a feat it bettered in 2015/16 when it reached nine international moot finals.[32][34][35] It also became the first university in the history of international moots to successfully defend a major moot international title when it won back-to-back championships in the ICC moot in 2015 and 2016; it became the second university to do the same when it won back-to-back championships in the Price moot in 2016 and 2017.[34][35]
Law reform[edit]
SMU students have given representations at various law reform efforts, including during the Constitutional Commission's hearing on the elected presidency[36] and the Select Committee's hearing on deliberate online falsehoods.[37]
Research impact[edit]
The faculty have appeared as amicus curiae before courts in Singapore and overseas.[38][39] The faculty have also authored various leading texts regularly cited by the courts, such as The Law of Torts in Singapore by Gary Chan and The Law of Contract in Singapore by Goh Yihan et al.
In the QS World University Rankings by subject, the school was ranked 101–150 for Law and Legal Studies from 2013 to 2016 and 2019.[40]
^ a b "SMU Admission Requirements" (PDF). Singapore Management University. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
^ "Indicative Grade Profiles and Number of Course Places Guidance Information for 2015 University Admissions Exercise" (PDF). Retrieved 14 September 2016.
^ "NewsReleases - New book on contract law written from a local..."
^ "Establishment of the Singapore Management University School of Law". Archived from the original on 25 October 2012.
^ "Microsoft Word - 4th Committee Final Report.docx (FINAL GL)(PF)(tracked) - Copy (2).docx" (PDF). Retrieved 12 May 2017.
^ "Asiaone - S'pore firm offers". Archived from the original on 16 September 2016.
^ "SMU law school reviewing intake, Training & Development, Singapore Jobs, Job Resources - STJobs".
^ "NewsReleases - YEO Tiong Min receives top honours as the..."
^ "Goh Yihan will be youngest dean to head SMU law school from July". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ "US-style law degree at SMU". Archived from the original on 17 February 2016.
^ "NewsReleases - Continuing Professional Development will..."
^ Post Magazine. "SMU reinvents tertiary learning and teaching for the Asian century | South China Morning Post". Scmp.com. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
^ "SMU-Yonsei to start joint law programme".
^ "Opening Address by Senior Minister of State for Law, Indranee Rajah at Launch Seminar of the Applied Research Centre for Intellectual Assets and the Law in Asia". Ministry of Law. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
^ "SMU bags 2nd place in two moot court contests". The Straits Times. 30 March 2016.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016. CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ migration (20 January 2014). "SMU's new School of Law building to be ready by 2017".
^ "SMU law students to help empower the elderly". Today. 6 October 2017.
^ "New council to advise Singapore Government on ethical use of AI, data". Channel NewsAsia.
^ "Legal community can play role in Asean integration". The Straits Times. 27 July 2018.
^ "SMU launches AI research centre; will look at ethics and impact on Singapore's workforce". Channel NewsAsia. 24 September 2018.
^ "Advisory Board | School of Law". Singapore Management University. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
^ https://law.smu.edu.sg/law/about/distinguished-fellow
^ https://law.smu.edu.sg/programmes/bachelor-laws/international-exchange-programme-law
^ https://www.moe.gov.sg/docs/default-source/document/education/post-secondary/files/smu.pdf
^ https://www.moe.gov.sg/docs/default-source/document/education/post-secondary/files/web-publication-smu-ges-2018.pdf
^ "The SMU School of Law Groundbreaking Event" (PDF). Attorney-General's Chambers. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
^ https://law.smu.edu.sg/jd/programme-structure
^ http://www.sile.edu.sg/Singapore-Approved-Universities
^ https://www.qmul.ac.uk/law/postgraduate/singapore/
^ https://law.smu.edu.sg/smula/audit_llb
^ a b "Some Thoughts on a Record-breaking 2014/15 Season for Singapore's International Mooters". Law Gazette. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016.
^ "NUS achievements". NUS Mooting and Debating Club. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
^ a b "More Thoughts on Another Record-breaking Season for Singapore's International Mooters". Law Gazette. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ a b "Another Season of Record-Breaking International Moot Court Achievements (SMU)". Law Gazette. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ "Constitutional Commission on elected presidency: SMU students' submission". The Straits Times. 22 April 2016.
^ "Social media platforms can be ordered to remove content, say law students". The Straits Times. 29 March 2018.
^ "Apex court ends a 40-year battle, dismissing developer's compensation claims against Grange Heights condo". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ "IVF mix-up: Awarding damages 'would not belittle child's value'". Today. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ "Singapore Management University Rankings". Top Universities. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to School of Law, Singapore Management University.
Michael Furmston (2007–2012)
Yeo Tiong Min (2012–2017)
Goh Yihan (2017–)
Andrew Phang
Gary Chan
Chan Wing Cheong
Mark Findlay
Locknie Hsu
David Llewelyn
Kelvin Low
Eugene Tan
Tang Hang Wu
Tham Chee Ho
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Fabrizio Lapiana x Amotik with FIGURE JAMS 1 on FIGURE JAMS, FIGUREJAMS001. FIGURE JAMS is a new FIGURE sublabel, read below what it's all about.
Arriving as the first release of the new sublabel series FIGURE JAMS, this split EP by Fabrizio Lapiana and Amotik serves not only as a crafty cut in its own right but also showcases a particular type of package Figure Jams will be facilitating from now on – bringing together artists from a wider network whose music engages in a special kind of dialogue and has a joint artistic vision.
The A-side of 001 is taken up by a pair of Lapiana's irresistably dense grooves that unmistakebly tread in the footsteps of his homeland's highly emotional techno, unafraid of big melodies but also injecting just the right amount of twisted acid to set the floor ablaze.
This sense of grandeur and space is also reflected in the work of fast-rising producer Amotik. Painting with his very own colours as an equally epic scenery, its bleak and post-apocalyptic landscape dominated by broken industrial beats and hypnotically swirling synths.
After bringing the SPC series to a close, Figure is now ready to present the launch of a new sublabel.
FIGURE JAMS is all about bringing together artists whose work the label has already been following closely and feels to have a joint artistic vision with.
Each record on FIGURE JAMS will be shared by two producers whose music engage in a special kind of dialogue. An open-minded and playful approach both in terms of musical selection and even in the possible pairings of artists will bring about a new light in which to present their ideas.
FIGURE JAMS offers great freedom in stylistic expression, in ways of interaction and connection, facilitating symbiotic relationships that push artists beyond their individual limitations and into assuming their full creative spectrum.
The circular logo with its two halves not only reflects the concept of EPs split between the artists, but also incorporates the thought of FIGURE JAMS playing host to the countless synergies that have sprung from a wider network. A three-dimensional sphere with its connecting lines continuing endlessly, the graphic represents a universe of infinite possible interactions within.
The first EPs not only hold some exceptional club weapons but also serve as a showcase of the particular type of package that FIGURE JAMS will have in store from now on, bringing artists together who use different means but whose music is channeling a mutual idea.


Michelle Rodriguez probably wouldn't get kicked off a nudist beach for wearing this flesh-coloured, cut-out bikini. Her breakout role was as a troubled boxer in the movie Girlfight in , which earned her several awards, like the Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award for Best Debut Performance. I feel like my growth is a progression. Michelle has also appeared on popular television shows like Lost and Immortal Grand Prix.


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Home / Headlines / 3 More Senior Lawyers Doubt Martin Amidu
3 More Senior Lawyers Doubt Martin Amidu
Posted on January 15, 2018 by Josephine Nettey in Headlines
His NDC Membership Card To Be Revoked Soon
Several people, including three top lawyers, have painted a gloomy picture for the office of the Special Prosecutor(SP) with the appointment of Martin Amidu, as its first boss.
While former Lands Minister, Inusah Fuseini, says President Nana Akufo-Addo, is in a fix with Amidu's nomination likening it to holding onto the tail of a lion which he cannot let go, but continues to hold on to at his own peril, astute private legal practitioner, John Ndebugre, predicts he can see Martin Amidu walking out of office as the SP soon, due to certain provisions in the law establishing his office that might frustrate the effective discharge of his mandate.
Yet another renowned lawyer and Lecturer at the Ghana School of Law, Moses Foh-Amoaning, has said President Akufo-Addo has taken a political risk that might in the future cost his own New Patriotic Party (NPP), following his appointment of Martin Amidu, a staunch member of the National Democratic Congress ( NDC) party as the SP
President Akufo-Addo last week Thursday, named the former Attorney General as the Special Prosecutor, subject to Parliamentary approval.
This comes after the President assented to five Acts, including that of the Special Prosecutor on January 2, 2017, which were passed by Parliament last year.
Parliament passed the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill in November last year, which allows for the establishment of an independent anti-corruption institution to deal with public officials, who have been deemed or found liable to corrupt dealings.
Mr. Amidu's office, will have the mandate to investigate and prosecute cases of alleged corruption under the Public Procurement Act 203 Act 63 and other corruption-related offences implicating public officers, political office holders and their accomplices.
But Inusah Fuseini, who is a lawyer by profession on Joy FM's news analysis show Newsfile, last Saturday, cautioned "Martin Amidu will go after anybody…he will even fight an empty room, if he believes the air in the room is associated to corrupt practice."
According to him, the former Attorney General, always has his reasons to fight when he is convinced that something wrong has been done.
The Tamale North MP, said the appointment was not a political masterstroke as people are alluding to, because the newly appointed Special Prosecutor, will not do any political party's bidding.
Mr. Fuseini believes it is misplaced to look at the appointment of Mr. Amidu with political colours, since the law relating to his nomination does not recognize that.
He explained his unwillingness to accept the appointment of Akoto Ampaw and Phillip Addison from the government for the Special Prosecutor's job.
"I said that he [Ampaw] was very qualified, but he was a victim of association as people will see a further entrenchment of the family and friends government…he has done very good cases in court, but he is a victim.
"For Addison, I could not say same for him, because he has been very partisan," he added.
Mr. Fuseini also warned that Ghanaians should be careful of their expectation of Mr. Amidu when he is approved by Parliament, because there are different parts of the person.
"Clearly, Martin Amidu as the political activist, Amidu as a lawyer doing cases in court and Amidu as the anti-corruption crusader as different persons unless you don't know him," he noted.
According to Ndebugre who is a former MP for Zebilla, he identified certain provisions in the law establishing the office of the Special Prosecutor that will create a conflict situation in the work of the latter.
He noted that knowing Mr Amidu for well over forty years and having worked with him, he sees the former Attorney General exiting his office because his work is going to be frustrated by the Board of the Office of Special Prosecutor.
"…There is at once a conflict situation, the mandate has been given to the office and some sanctions have been given to the Special Prosecutor, there's a sub-section which claims that notwithstanding the fact that the Special Prosecutor accountable to the board, he has full control of bla bla bla, it's a conflict situation. The Board is going to insist on its authority and the Special Prosecutor is going to insist on his independence. Knowing the person who has been nominated, the first few cases will have problems I can predict, and then Martin will simply walk out and then we'll go back to square one. If you look through the Act the conflict situations are many," Ndebugre said on News File on Joy FM Saturday.
The former PNDC Secretary (Regional Minister) for Upper East Region was confident Mr. Amidu whom he describes as fiercely independent will be neutral in the discharge of his work and pursue persons engaged in corruption no matter whose ox is gored.
According to Moses Foh-Amoaning, Martin Amidu, in the future could likely become a NDC Presidential candidate if he is able to deliver his mandate to the admiration of Ghanaians and wins their trust, adding that, that is why some NPP people might be opposing his (Amidu) selection.
Commenting on the subject on 'Boiling Point' on Oman FM, Lawyer Foh-Amoaning, said the true NDC members and supporters will rather be happy with Mr. Amidu's appointment as he represents the core NDC party tradition and values of probity and accountability.
"Martin Amidu who stands for probity and accountability in the NDC, if he comes and does a good job by prosecuting those who have stolen state monies and wins the trust and admiration of Ghanaians, being a political animal and with his history as a former vice Presidential candidate, he could be a likely NDC Presidential candidate.
In fact that is why some NPP people will oppose his choice. If you're NDC member and a deep thinker, you'll not be worried by the choice. It is only NDC officials who engaged in corruption while in office who will be bothered by Amidu's appointment.
"Any deep political thinker will say Akufo-Addo is risking the political future of his own political party. But even with that, if Amidu succeeds as a Special Prosecutor, the question will also be asked, who appointed him? the obvious answer is President Akufo Addo who belongs to the NPP tradition. So if you think about this, ultimately the nation Ghana wins."
Meanwhile, The Herald, has picked up signals that some NDC members are in the process of petitioning the party leadership to revoke Mr. Amidu's membership card or have it returned to the party, since he is supposed to be apolitical per the terms of his appointment as the Special Prosecutor.
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Katyn Movies Wallpapers. Picture Gallerry Katyn Movies Wallpers.
Plot Summary: Based on Andrzej Mularczyk's novel Post Mortem. "Katyn" is the name of the forest where the Soviets secretly murdered 15,000 Polish officers, intellectuals and professionals over a 3-day period in 1940 (during which a 14-year-old Wajda lost his own father). Stalin's purpose was to destroy those elements of the population who would be most resistant to Soviet control following WWII. For decades the truth was obfuscated, with the Nazis often blamed for the atrocity. Half a century later, in 1990, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev admitted his nation's responsibility. In this elegant production, Wajda recreates war-torn Poland and the stories of both the perpetrators and their victims.
© 2003 - 2019 by SkinBase. Katyn Wallpapers @ CoolWallpapers (US Nastja Edition) : Browsing 64 user(s) : 24.4.2019 :.


The Who? That's right, The Who! The English rock band with the confusing name created an album titled "Tommy" in 1968. Tommy helped The Who's rise to fame and eventually earned a movie title of the same name, followed by a rock opera, all based off the original story contained within the album. A production of the opera will be performed at the UC Davis Main Theatre in Wright Hall beginning May 19th. I was able to sit down with the director of the production, Mindy Cooper, as well as Graham Sobelman, the music director of the play, and ask them a few questions.
Mindy: Me. I'm directing and choreographing this. I'm the current Granada Artist-In-Residence. I am here to direct The Who's: Tommy. It's actually my 4th time directing at UC Davis. I've done Oklahoma!, Spelling Bee, and Urinetown before this. It's great, because I have a handle of how I can get to the finished product I want. I've been in the Broadway community for 30 years now. I was a performer first, and then followed that by becoming a choreographer and then a director. I started as a performer, which lead to me choreographing, which lead to me directing. I started my professional career at 18 and I was in dance companies for many many years. I made my Broadway debut at age 26. And I'm turning 50 now. I didn't stop performing until a couple years ago, though I have been drecting for a long time.
Graham: I'm the one in charge of music for the production. I help play the music for the rehearsals. And I'll be rehearsing the band and playing during the musical. I'll be the one bobbing my head along to the music.
What can you say about the Rock Opera?
Mindy: Oh, it's fun! It's going to be a blast. It appealed to me to direct because I felt it was appropriate for the school, the students, and the community. For me, it's fun because it is an opera. It melds my theater and dance worlds. When you're staging an opera, I think it stages very much like a dance. I've gone about this almost from a dance visual perspective. I'm not saying I've created a million dances in it, but the pictures I've painted on stage are very dance orientated. It's sung through music. I have about a page and a half of dialogue, unlike other rock musicals where there's three pages of dialogue between each song. It's just song, song, song, song. The show was taken from the concept album that The Who produced in the late '60s. Which had a narrative, a storyline. It was kind of non-liner, and then it was made into a movie, which was very non-liner and very wacky. The Who's: Tommy, the album, catapulted them to Stardom and they became very famous. And then the movie and the play came out. It's kind of different, an album being the source of a musical. It was the grandfather of Rock Opera, in a way, leading the way for musicals like Rent or American Idiot.
So, I heard you were a part of the staff during the original Broadway show?
Mindy: I ran the dance auditions for the original Broadway show, so I basically assisted on hiring for the broadway show. I didn't direct the original, I didn't choreograph it, I didn't even see it. I think I was busy during the 2 years it was running.
How is it working with the UC Davis students?
Mindy: It is different. I approach things different when I'm creating things with students versus working with professionals. One of the good things about working here is that I kind of know the strength and weakness of this department because I've worked with them before. It is different from working with professionals in that it takes longer; I like to level the playing field. I'll get people very talented in certain aspects, like singing, and then I'll get some better dancers or actors than others. In order to get a finished product, I need to level the playing field, which is kind of different when I work on professionals, because I don't have to get everyone on the same level. I just hire them at that level. For me it fun and can be very creative. There's an energy and passion you don't get from professionals. It's very open and free and exciting. It's not a job for them. They just have energy and enthusiasm and that's fantastic!
How has it come along?
Mindy: It's coming to fruition. This is the week we get to see the lights and the costumes and we're getting the band, which is going to be kickass! It's going to blow the roof off. We have a good sound team.
Have there been any technical issues?
Mindy: Of course. There always is. Everything always falls apart during rehearsals and then they'll come together. It's right on schedule. It's the magic of the theater.
Mindy: It's a big musical and there's a desire for it.
Graham: It's definitely a generational thing. Everyone above a certain age when you mention it say they love that album.
Mindy: It's iconic. The musical never gets done. And so we're doing these junior high school performances today. One of the actors was asked a question today and she answered "My father went nuts when he found out that I was doing this. He gave me his album to listen to and everything," and there's a generation of people in that were raised by this music. And it's very prevalent in Davis. It's very rare to hear this music and show done. It's for all audiences. Well, maybe not for the very young. There are some innate sexual abuse in the story. And there are some overtones. There's one curse word. From everybody I've ever met in Davis, it should be fine and it shouldn't scar anyone. It's gonna be a crowd pleasing show.
26 or 27 so. 5 people in the band. And all the extras that nobody hears about.
I love the response I get from people. There's a universality to the music and the message. It's a story about hope, rebirth, and belief. It can be very uplifting.
The production will occur, as I stated earlier, in the Main Theatre of Wright Hall in UC Davis. It will be on May 19th-22st and May 26th-29th. The play will begin at 8:00P.M. except for the ones schedule for Sunday, which will start at 2:00P.M. Tickets will be $18/22 for General Admission and $15/20 for Students, Children, and Seniors.


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About Harley
The Wollie Series
Keeper of the Moon
Narrating
Where's Harley?
New York Times best-selling author of ten genre-bending novels Jonathan Lethem helms this collection of the year's best mystery short fiction.
For Jonathan Lethem, "crime stories are deep species gossip." He writes in his introduction that "they're fundamentally stories of power, of its exercise, both spontaneous and conspiratorial; stories of impulse and desire, and of the turning of tables." The Best American Mystery Stories 2019 has its full share of salacious intrigue, guilt, and retribution. The twists and bad decisions pile up when a thief picks the wrong target or a simple scavenger hunt takes a terrible turn. What happens when you befriend a death row inmate, or just how does writing Internet clickbait became a decidedly dangerous occupation? "How can we not hang on their outcomes?" asks Lethem. "Are we innocent ourselves, or complicit?" Read on to find out.
The Best American Mystery Stories 2019 includes Sharon Hunt, Harley Jane Kozak, Mark Mayer, Jennifer McMahon, Joyce Carol Oates, Brian Panowich, Tonya D. Price, Ron Rash, Robb T. White, and others.
For the Sake of the Game
Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon
In a sensational follow-up to Echoes of Sherlock Holmes and In the Company of Sherlock Holmes, a brand-new anthology of stories inspired by the Arthur Conan Doyle canon.
For the Sake of the Game is the latest volume in the award-winning series from New York Times bestselling editors Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger, with stories of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and friends in a variety of eras and forms. King and Klinger have a simple formula: ask some of the world's greatest writers—regardless of genre—to be inspired by the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle.
The results are surprising and joyous. Some tales are pastiches, featuring the recognizable figures of Holmes and Watson; others step away in time or place to describe characters and stories influenced by the Holmes world. Some of the authors spin whimsical tales of fancy; others tell hard-core thrillers or puzzling mysteries. One beloved author writes a song; two others craft a melancholy graphic tale of insectoid analysis.
This is not a volume for readers who crave a steady diet of stories about Holmes and Watson on Baker Street. Rather, it is for the generations of readers who were themselves inspired by the classic tales, and who are prepared to let their imaginations roam freely.
Featuring Stories by: Peter S. Beagle, Rhys Bowen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jamie Freveletti, Alan Gordon, Gregg Hurwitz, Toni L. P. Kelner, William Kotzwinkle and Joe Servello, Harley Jane Kozak, D. P. Lyle, Weston Ochse, Zoe Sharp, Duane Swierczynski, and F. Paul Wilson.
Adventures on the Writer's Journey
Compassion, Connection, and Inspiration...
The path of a writing career can be rocky and twisty and full of dead ends. But it's also well-traveled-and in Writes of Passage, fifty-eight mystery authors offer the secrets that helped them navigate their success.
When you're in need of an author's roadmap, "pick up this book," as Hank Phillippi Ryan says in the introduction. "Open it to any page. The sisters of SinC have shared their personal journeys-and they have many tales to tell."
These tales reveal the "Writes of Passage" every author encounters, and Sisters in Crime hopes these beautifully told experiences will guide you along your way.
Now Write! Mysteries
Suspense, Crime, Thriller, and Other Mystery Fiction Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers
The essential handbook for writers of whodunits, techno- thrillers, cozies, and everything in between-featuring never-before- published personal writing exercises from some of today's bestselling and award-winning mystery writers.
Now Write! Mysteries, the fourth volume in the acclaimed Now Write! writing guide series, brings together numerous bestselling authors-including winners of and nominees for the Edgar, Hugo, and Shamus awards,-for the definitive guide to writing mysteries, thrillers, and suspense stories. Now Write! Mysteries teaches you everything you've ever wanted to know about crafting a page-turning mystery-from creating a believable detective hero (or terrifying villain), to using real-life cutting-edge investigative techniques to bring your story to life-with practical exercises taken directly from the pros.
The Rich and the Dead
The truly wealthy live in another world. From their multi-national businesses to their palatial mansions to their exotic vacations at glamorous places all around the world, they do everything in a big way. And sometimes, that even includes crime. In this anthology, you'll read about a wealthy writer who plots murder his hopeless agent, an aging actress who clings to her past of wealth and fame, and a spoiled rich boy who steps into dangerous territory with his mean antics, among others. The Rich and the Dead features mystery and crime stories set among the upper crust of society, going behind the scenes of the lifestyles of the two percent of the world that controls sixty percent of its riches—and just how far they'll go to stay on top.
Butcher Knives & Body Counts
Essays on the Formula, Frights, and Fun of the Slasher Film
He warned you not to go out tonight...
From meat cleavers and machetes to summer camp carnage and sorority house massacres, from final girls and scream queens to demented deviants and dead teenagers, slasher films have turned body counts into box office gold. It s the oft-maligned but surprisingly durable sub-genre of horror films that uses a Freudian rulebook and bases the survival rates of its characters on vice and virtue.
From the earliest black-and-white forerunners of the slasher to the low-budget aesthetics of the 70s, from the 80s golden age to the self-referential gloss of the 90s and beyond, Butcher Knives & Body Counts brings together over 70 filmmakers, editors, actors, and writers to explore the archetype of the slasher film and trace its evolution from formula to franchise.
From the inventive kills and the gory intestine spills right down to the last tagline and toe tag, Butcher Knives & Body Counts celebrates the enduring formula, frights, and fun of slasher movies.
Write Good or Die
Survival tips for 21st century writers, from best-selling authors Kevin J. Anderson, M.J. Rose, Heather Graham, J.A. Konrath, Gayle Lynds, Alexandra Sokoloff, Jonathan Maberry, and more. How to develop your craft, improve your writing, get an agent, promote your work, embrace the digital age, and prepare yourself for the coming changes in the publishing industry. Edited by Scott Nicholson.
Other contributors include Elizabeth Massie, Harley Jane Kozak, Douglas Clegg, Brandon Massey, Mur Lafferty, Dean Wesley Smith, David J. Montgomery, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Robert Kroese, and Adrienne Jones. Covering art, craft, and business.
All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization Literacy Inc., which promotes reading among teens.
Crimes by Moonlight
Mysteries from the Dark Side
An all-new mystery anthology edited and featuring a new story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
Nighttime is the perfect time for the perfect crime. #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris edits and contributes an all-new story-set in her Sookie Stackhouse universe-to this anthology from the Mystery Writers of America.
A Hell of a Woman
An Anthology of Female Noir
An original anthology.
A collection of twenty-five original female noir stories by some of today's top crime writers, including Vicki Hendricks, Sara Gran, Christa Faust, Naomi Hirahara, Charlie Huston, and more. Includes a special fifty-page appendix of essays on female noir pioneers.
This Is Chick-lit
The genre of fiction known as "chick-lit" has been a lightning rod for debate in the world of literature, raising questions such as Is chick-lit really literature or just harmless fluff? Is this really an accurate portrayal of the lives of modern women? Eighteen renowned authors—including Jennifer Coburn, Raelynn Hillhouse, Harley Jane Kozak, Cara Lockwood, and Rachel Pine—weigh in with the best of chick-lit, proving that this genre deserves as much, or more, respect as any other. In addition to their story, each author elaborates on her feelings about the "chick-lit" label and recommends literary fiction writers that have inspired them.
Mystery Muses
100 Classics That Inspire Today's Mystery Writers
What inspires a mystery writer?
We asked 100 published writers: "Did a mystery set you on your path to being a writer? Is there a classic mystery that remains important to you today?" This book, a follow-up to our two previous collections of essays, 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century (2000) and They Died in Vain: Overlooked, Underappreciated and Forgotten Mystery Novels (2002), is the result.
The writers we contacted represent the entire spectrum of the mystery genre, from cozy to hardboiled, from acclaimed veterans to some of the field's most intriguing newcomers. Young or old, each of these writers reminds us of a basic truism: great writers are great readers first. Their essays reveal the extent to which the discovery of these seminal texts was not just literary inspiration but a life-altering event.
Landmarked for Murder
There is far more to the city of Los Angeles than can be discovered through the ordinary guide books, much of it dark, dangerous, even deadly. To find those hidden, shadowy corners of the L.A., wherein reside the less-than-angelic denizens of the City of Angels, you need LAndmarked for Murder, the new anthology by members of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles. LAndmarked for Murder is a fictional travelogue through some of L.A. most notable natural and manmade landmarks, each of which serves as the setting for ten tales of dark passions and murder.
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