Lady by the River- Author Spotlights (November 30, 2020)

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One of my goals for November 2020 was to feature spotlights about the contributing authors from the “Lady by the River” book. 

This month is a bit of an anniversary — it was four years ago today (November 30, 2016) when we met our first “hard deadline” for chapter drafts.  For those that do not know, Lady by the River is a book that offers stories of encouragement and tips for persevering. 

Here are the authors and a brief note about what they contributed to the book:

  • Mabel Kwong allowed us to join her pursuit of writing with reminders to embrace our passions and uniqueness. 
  • Kristin Rybrandt shared about addiction and living life with purpose and grace for improvement. 
  • Ana Linden brought us into the realm of family disappointments and overcoming letdown.
  • Sherri Matthews allowed us to grow with her through the powerful story that connected to her father.
  • Mahesh Nair provided humanitarian glimpses and insights about courage and maturity. 
  • Mark Bialczak shared about persevering through divorce, death, and other setbacks.
  • Jeff Simmons shared thoughts about faith, drugs, living in America, and maturing. 
  • Chad used fiction to give us an adventure with topics like trust and companionship. 

Now.

Here are the Priorhouse Author Spotlights – not the formal notes that accompany a book – but the personal notes that give you a little behind the scenes glimpse.

Ready? 

Kristin Rybrandt (here). I met Kristin as she adeptly wrote about her sobriety and living with intention. I admire her recent milestone, nine-years of sobriety, but what I have aways appreciated about Kristin is her relaxed approach and genuine side. This was and is refreshing after filtering through so much BS in the world.  It is the real deal with Kristin. Oh, and she has a children’s book, Saved by a Whisker, coming in 2021.

Ana Linden (here).
Ana and I connected through various blog posts and she has a social psychologist side that is rich – like velvet. As noted, today is the four-year anniversary of the Lady by the River meeting the first major deadline. Many thanks to Ana because she dropped all of what she was doing to help us make the deadline and then helped with little extras. It was already fun working with her on the project, and then to have her support at that crucial time was a sweet memory. Ana’s latest book, Frames, is awesome and I will be reviewing it in December – so stay tuned. 

Sherri Matthews (here). Sherri and I met doing blog challenges and for some reason, I think of her with the “Lingering Look at Windows” posts – which Dawn used to host. A top memory with Sherri was when she (virtually) joined me for a student recital. It was one of those rare times when we were online at the same time. I was attending the recital because my spouse was playing some live music for two of the pieces, and as I sat way in the back – mon amie was with me and it was a shared experience. Sherri is currently working on some final drafts of her Memoir, Stranger in a White Dress. 

Mabel Kwong (here).  Mabel has such a “discussion kind of style” when she writes post and leaves comment. Years ago, when we first connected, it was nice to soak up her comments. I think it is a gift to be able to read a post and then provide succinct commentary and that is the first thought that comes to mind with Mabel.  The second thought is “culture and social behavior” – because that tends to be what Mabel blogs about. For example, this post about reasons to not wear shoes in the home shows us her areas of interest and passion for current attitudes and actions.

Mahesh Nair (here)Mahesh was a special support for me when my dog, Cody, passed away in 2016 (which is also when I met Bushboy – that rooster photo!). Mahesh reminds me of a group of blog friends who were active in the blogosphere during 2014. (Ah, good times, good times.) The blog world changes the way that other social circles change. Mahesh and I have had seasons of staying in touch (smoothies, parenting, writing  goals, etc) and even though that has waned, I have realized that blogger updates – even if biannual or quarterly – can still keep us in the know. So keep that in mind if you are a blogger – our pacing can and will change and it is okay to slow down – but maybe you could still find ways to keep readers updated.  Mahesh has been busy writing and here you can read about his most recent accomplishment. 

Mark Bialczak (here). Connecting with Mark happened when we casually met on other blogs. Then, one day, he left this amazing comment on one of my posts. Let me tell you – it sure was a nice way to break the ice and really get to know someone. It was a catalyst for connection. That reminds me (again) about some of the fruits of blogging – we make friends and connections here. It takes time – but they unfold if we are patient. Mark’s blog mode has also changed greatly over the years, as a lot of our modes continue to morph. What I find most interesting is how consistently Mark has kept posting every day on his blog – — he has found ways to do what works for him. That is the secret to blog success, eh? Blog in ways that work for you. 

Jeffrey D. Simmons (here).  I met Jeff Simmons through dissertation forums around 2011-2012 (we were students at the same time). We had a bit of a study group going and our first phone call was at 2:00 a.m. (I was east coast time and he was central). I was up late finishing an assignment and I will never forget that first phone call. Two very diverse students connecting in the wee hours of the night. Instant friends and we still keep in touch throughout the year. Jeff’s chapter in Lady by the River came from a book he is finishing up, which is called “Voices and Choices” – and should be released in 2021. 

Chad Prior (here). Chad is my son and he had the first draft for Lady by the River to me in a snap. At the time, he was writing a lot every day while working on a fiction book – and so a short story was something he whipped out quickly. Later, he made various changes (thanks again to Randy) but then ended up back to mainly what he had in the first drafts. The creative process can be so circular. I also enjoyed working with my son because I really do like his writing style. As a teenager, he wrote a lot of short pieces and his poem about cranberries is a fav. Also, his “Legos” poem took first place in a local library poetry contest. That was fun. His writing projects are paused right now – he is living life and maybe getting those experiences that give fodder to write about later.

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Thanks for reading! Have any author takeaways? 

What about you – are you working on any writing projects? 

And thanks to each of the authors that contributed to make this book happen. 

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If you want to read more about Lady by the River, check out this post here or this post with “snippets” from each author’s chapter – and it is available on Amazon.

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52 thoughts on “Lady by the River- Author Spotlights (November 30, 2020)”

  2. I just love the settings on each of the blocks Yvette 🙂 Thanks for the shout out, maybe someone will drop by and have a look at Flaming Prince and stay for a random wander in bushboys world 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Thank you so much for honoring the fourth anniversary ‘hard deadline drafts’ for Lady by the River. How time flies and it only seemed like yesterday that we all finished our drafts – and you are a great editor guiding us all the way. I also really enjoyed acquainting with the other writers and contributors all over again. The way you described each of us is so thoughtful, so succinct. I also liked how you used letters as images for the each of us…each one is coloured and shaded differently, each giving off a different personality. I really like my one lol 😀 Interesting to read how you connected with each of us and here we all are today.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Mabel – so glad you liked the “m” I selected for your little snippet
      I was not sure how I was going to do this post – and wanted it to also nkt be super long — and the letter blocks were last minute idea
      –
      It was also so nice working with you. In fact, the word delightful comes to mind – because you love words and care so much about sentences and flow – also – we really clicked and it was a project that unfolded beyond my expectations
      Ha e a nice day and be I touch again soon 📚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You really did very well on the little ‘m’ snippet…I felt like all of these snippets were well thought out. This post felt just the right length and well-focused too – focusing on the authors, how we all came connected to this project.

        Thanks for your nice words, Y. You are very kind. Delightful is a delightful word 😀

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Dear Yvette,

      I have to whole-heartedly agree with Mabel Kwong, who has summed up what you did so well. You have indeed amassed quite an impressive team of Priorhouse Authors!

      Also, thank you for visiting my latest post and complimenting me at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2020/11/11/strong-wind-knows-tough-grass/

      I shall reply to your comment with a bespoke animated poem composed specifically for you. Please stay tuned. In addition, I would like to inform you that the said post has been greatly expanded since you last visited it. There are now not just extra stories and analyses but also some appealing animations.

      May both of you and Mabel find this winter and the rest of the year very much to your liking and highly conducive to your writing, thinking and blogging!

      Have a wonderful festive season as we approach 2021!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi sound eagle! 🦅🎶
        Thanks for the visit and comment – and looking forward to checkout the enrichments you made the post – “see” you soon and hope your month of December is off a to good start 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Dear Yvette,

          In addition to the aforementioned improvements on the post, I have just finished composing the special poem for you in replying to your comment that you submitted at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2020/11/11/strong-wind-knows-tough-grass/

          I have installed special features into this poem. Hovering your mouse cursor over any of the stylized dark magenta words in the said poem will bring up a tooltip showing additional information. Clicking any one of such words will take you (or any reader for that matter) to the corresponding important pages on your blog.

          Moreover, the first line of the poem contains your name and Gravatar, which can also be hovered over or clicked. Please enjoy these special features and connections in the poem!

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Congratulations on a great collection of writers coming together. How wonderful you and your son are featured together. So awesome to read about all of the authors as well!
    👏👏👏👏❤️ Cindy

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Robbie – I am going to run a free giveaway after the holidays and let’s see if we can a cooy if this your way!
      Also – I really enjoyed your “muse” post and might need to join in to D Wallace Peach’s challenge – that was so enjoyable

      Liked by 2 people

        1. I joined in with the
          Use challenge and now I can’t wait to read some of the other ones that came in
          – I also need to ask you something – it relates to a writing challenge in 2021 – I’ll be over later to ask

          Liked by 1 person

  9. Wow… four years already! Happy Anniversary, LBTR!!! This project was a surprisingly positive experience for me, from all points of view.
    A very nice celebration of our work, Yvette! I love the way you personalized the Author Spotlights, you did a wonderful job. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks so much Ana!
      I ha e something special brewing in my thighs to do for the next LBTR celebration –
      It will definitely involve some hard cover give away sand my neighbor does screen printing and offered to make me some goodies – so next spring I am going to do something fun with it – also – the book is timeless and maybe has pandemic reprieve
      —
      And will be reviewing Frames downtime in December –
      Thanks for the nice comment and good day

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Sounds like a fun plan for the next anniversary 🙂 and I agree, it is timeless. Many issues remain the same at their core, even if they may appear somewhat different because of changes in exterior context. Plus, the pandemic has amplified so many problems…
        Take your time with the review, if/when you feel like it, it’s not a must. 😉

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Oh I know never a “must” and in this case – it is my pleasure – and the other day I took some photos of frames to use for quotes from the book — hahah 🖼

          Liked by 1 person

  12. Hi mon amie, and what a delight to read, how generously you share each author’s ‘spotlight’. I can’t believe it’s been four years…but what a wonderful encouragement to know that ‘Lady’ and her stories continue to encourage. I am honoured to take part in such a meaningful collaberation with ‘old’ friends. It’s great seeing all our pics together, you and your son look so much alike, love it! What a wonderful way to celebrate Lady’s 4th anniversary. I will link to this post in my forthcoming Christmas post and thrilled and proud to do so. I am so glad I met you here…and yes, I remember Lingering Windows, I used to so much enjoy those photo challenges. The memoir has absorbed so much of me…I hope to soon return to lighter creativity! Thank for the reminder of such times…love this post, thank you, so proud of you, Yvette, loved sharing the recital with you 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hello! I have shared that recital stay with many students ((as we discuss virtual friendships and how so many are more than superficial)) and looking forward to your Christmas post – thank for making a visit to this post and enjoyed so much working with on LBTR
      and regarding your memoir – I know you know this but a reminder that books have their own timeline and we must keep that “open fist” approach as we let them breathe and flow at their own pace – and once it is done — ahhhh – bells will ring — Hallelujah “book is done” bells will ring 🙂
      🙂 ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  14. I have never heard of this anthology but the stories the authors tell look powerful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing on the anniversary date. I will have to give it a look!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Laurie – in the spring I am going to run a free giveaway for threee days and will let you know when I set it up – thanks for the comment and good day to you 😊📚

      Like

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