Cindy La Ferle
If you’ve followed my Sunday columns in The Daily Tribune and Michigan Prime (in the Sunday Detroit Free Press), you might enjoy my personal blog. Featuring my photography, inspirational quotes, discoveries, and weekend columns, Things that make me happy is updated almost daily. I started the blog after I deactivated my Facebook account, and use it in lieu of other social media in addition to LinkedIn. Subscribe to the blog and you’ll get daily inspirational posts in your email.
I’ve never been comfortable with self-promotion — despite the fact that social media sites have turned boasting into an art form. So, I’d like to point out that this post isn’t solely about buying my book as a holiday gift this year. I’m also hoping you’ll buy dozens of other books, or at least consider the gift of reading for the folks on your list.
Books deliver information and entertainment. They introduce us to different worlds, expand our viewpoints, increase our understanding of others and ourselves, and even provide stress relief. Anyone who’s ever curled up with a riveting novel on a wintery afternoon knows that reading is the next best thing to a real vacation.
Photo by Cindy La Ferle
Autumn is the perfect time of year to get serious about writing — and there’s nothing like a day-long conference to recharge your creative batteries. On October 20, I’ll be joining a terrific group of Michigan authors, speakers, and educators at the 11th Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference at Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
*Top 25 publishing trends
*How to prepare for a reading of your own work
*Twitter for writers
*How to determine your genre
*Tips for producing a podcast
*What to do before you publish your book
*Literary agent panel
*Magazine editor panel …. and more.
For complete details and to reserve your space, please visit The Rochester Writers’ Conference site here.
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Among the things that make me happy: helping other women find their voices and hearing their stories. That’s why I’m excited about my upcoming workshop, “Your Story, Your Power,” which is based on the book, Your Story Is Your Power: Free Your Feminine Voice, by Elle Luna and Susie Herrick. The free, one-night workshop will be held at the Royal Oak Public Library on Monday, September 24 at 7pm.
I discovered this guide several months ago — and was immediately struck by its timeliness. The authors invite women of all ages to take a closer look at their family history as well as the cultural myths and personal experiences that have inspired, defined, changed, or even limited their life choices.
“If we can truly understand the stories that made us the women we are, including the motivations behind our actions and thoughts, we can take charge of how our future unfolds,” the authors write.
In this informal class, we’ll identify and explore our own key stories. No writing experience is necessary — but please bring your favorite notebook or journal. The workshop is free to the public but space is limited and advance registration is required. For additional details and to register for the class, please visit www.ropl.org
Celebrating the magic and wonder of our favorite season in the Great Lakes State, the June issue of Michigan BLUE is now available in bookstores and on newsstands. Whether you’re mapping out a weekend road trip or spending an afternoon in your favorite lawn chair, this issue will inspire your summer plans. In addition to a gorgeous photo story on stargazing by Howard Meyerson and a piece on national wildlife refuges by Leslie Mertz, it features an essay I wrote on the art of collecting beach stones — one of my favorite summer pastimes. I’m always proud to have my work published in this beautiful magazine. ~CL