Thursday, November 11, 2010

Boot Camp & A Nifty Giveaway



Basic Boot Camp for Writers


Starting November 15, I will be teaching another session of Basic Boot Camp for Writers over at the Coffeehouse for Writers. Basic Boot Camp is a four week workshop that reviews helpful basics, such as sticky grammar issues and keeping things sharp. Hop over and check it out. I'd love to have you along!

Other Coffeehouse workshop offerings include historical fiction, blogging for profit, fiction and non-fiction, and lots more. These workshops begin November 15 as well. Their site also hosts critique groups, offers writing resources and links, has cool gifts for writers and other fun stuff.


Celebrating Followers With a Giveaway

Finally! I think I've been chattering about celebrating reaching 150 followers since August. And now I have nearly 200! Hooray! Thanks for your patience. My apologies - multiple projects, book reviews, birthdays, anniversaries and other things were the culprits that detained me. Oh, and sleep too. I'm funny about that; I like my rest.

I appreciate my followers. Without you, Write Now would just be a blip on the Blogspot screen. I am especially grateful when you are able to stop and comment. I understand when you can't; believe me, I do. My commenting has slacked off due to the above mentioned events - but it means a lot to me when you are able to slide by and say hello. Thank you!

The Prize Is...

A writer's package that contains a handy journal, a package of cute post it notes (or, for you guy followers they're convenient travel size), a set of pens, two highlighters, a copy of In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer (read my review here), and of course, chocolate. What's a follower giveaway prize without chocolate? :)


Giveaway Details - Please read carefully. 

Giveaway is open to followers only. I am grateful to everyone who stops by, follower or not, but it's my followers who provide support and keep me going. That's why we're celebrating with a giveaway, after all! Here are the rest of the details:

  • Leave a comment to this post, include your email address. Entries without email address are not eligible.
  • Receive a bonus entry by posting about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook and/or Twitter. Please be sure and comment telling me so.
  • Deadline to enter is noon Eastern Standard Time, Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Winner will be  notified via email and announced in Thursday's post.
  • Open to followers everywhere; allow extra mailing time if you live overseas.         

What are my happy followers doing this weekend? Thanks and blessings to you all! :)

Happy weekend,
Karen

Photo credit: merlin1075  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1318723

52 comments :

  1. Sleep or no sleep, you're pretty much always on top of things! We look forward to working with you again at the Coffehouse, Karen. Thanks for the mention. :-)

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  2. OOPS! Should have had coffee before I posted that comment. :-) That should be spelled "Coffeehouse".

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  3. Jennifer,
    LOL! I do that too, actually, leaving the extra 'e' off Coffeehouse. I don't know why but apparently it's a common mistake. Or great minds abbreviate alike or something...:)
    Thanks for coming by,
    Karen

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  4. Your workshops sound awesome. I think I've been to the coffeehouse once, but will go check it out again.

    Congrats on nearing 200! Makes a girl feel good, doesn't it? :)

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  5. I could sure benefit from a boot camp. This will have to wait until next year as the holidays kinda shut everything down for the rest of the year. Are you going to be doing any in 2011? I need to start scheduling events like this. Thanks!

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  6. I'm heading over to check this boot camp out. I sure could use a swift kick in the.... right now. :D
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  7. This is a great idea, Karen. I can't attend or believe me I would. Hope you're enjoying a safe and peaceful Remembrance Day. God Bless.

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  8. Yeah, Karen! Nice writer's giveaway package. Sign me up, okay? Congrats on 188 followers! Susan

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  9. Janna,
    Thank you! The Coffeehouse has some nice offerings. Yes, it does makeme feel good:)

    Stephen,
    I think we can all benefit from a refresher now and then; I know I can! Yes, the Boot Camp workshop will continue into 2011.

    Jules,
    I think it's a good thing for us to keep learning. The older I get the more I realize I don't know!

    Joylene,
    Thanks so much, you're sweet! Happy Veterans Day to you too!

    Susan,
    Thank you! Do me a favor and comment again with your email address? That way you can have an entry!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  10. This weekend I'm finishing my WIP!!! And I love all the things you've collected for your prize bag!

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  11. Wow, congrats on so many followers, I didn't even realize I wasn't signed up with GFC too, but only by feed :) Fixed that now.

    You're a very generous person, that prize pack looks awesome. I'd love to be signed up for the drawing.

    My e-mail is:
    estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  12. Hey sweet friend. CONGRATS on the followers. Super contest! I'll blog, twitter and facebook this tomorrow. I'm pooped tonight. (Took Ivy riding the horses)

    robyn(at)robyncampbell(dot)com

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  13. Congrats on your followers! Wonderful! I'm going to put your contest on my sidebar.
    lydiakang (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  14. Anne,
    Hooray, finishing the WIP! :) You're going to celebrate, right?

    Estrella,
    Thank you. Good to see you! Added you to the list. :)

    Robyn,
    Hey to you too:) Thank you, was wanting to thank my gang of followers. Thanks for spreading the word!

    Lydia,
    Thanks so much! Appreciate you putting it on your sidebar! :)

    Blessings to all,
    Karen

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  15. Hi Karen -

    Love the pic! There was a covered bridge near my school with a picnic/park area on the other side. This brings back many memories.

    I'll have to check out the links. Hmm, gifts for writers?

    Kim Vogel Sawyer is one of my favorite authors. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I'm a Follower. susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  16. Hi Karen - Put my name in the hat (I'm a follower)! I've got a thing about sleep, too, although NaNo has me coming up short. Zzzzz.... I already posted to my blog today, but I'll remember you and link back on my next one, and I'll let you know that I did. My email is: writinginthebuff(at)hotmail(dot)com.

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  17. I am a follower:) Would love to be entered in this giveaway. Thanks!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  18. Susan,
    I loved this picture too. Reminds me of visiting my grandparents in PA when I was young. Added you to the list! ;)

    Lisa,
    And you have a giveaway going as well. Thanks for posting about this! Got your name on the list. :)

    Charity,
    You are welcome! Added your name as well!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  19. What a great giveaway! Please include me. Thanks!
    And, I am a follower.

    debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

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  20. You had me at chocolate. LOL

    jennifer at jennifershirk dot com

    I'm having a garage sale this weekend. Exciting... LOL

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  21. Put my name in the hat, Karen. everythinghomewithcarol at yahoo dot com.
    I appreciate you, too!

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  22. Hi again, Karen. I tweeted your giveaway. Have a great weekend!

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  23. Debra,
    Nice to meet you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Jennifer,
    I know, chocolate gets me too! You do live life on the edge! :)

    Carol,
    Got you on the list! Thanks too, for Tweeting it! Appreciate it so much.

    Blessings and Happy Weekend all,
    Karen

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  24. Wow I love coffee, writing and books. What a fab giveaway and congrats on your almost 200 followers.
    I have a guest author interview over at mine for those who have or haven't heard of Annie Sanders :O)

    madeleine.maddocks at gmail.com

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  25. Hi Karen, thanks for leaving the comment about your giveaway. I even turned it into a clickable link in my own comment to encourage folks to come on over. You don't need to enter me in the giveaway, even though the chocolate looks really good. I'm busily trying to de-clutter my house by getting rid of books, so buying or winning new ones is a no-no until I have recovered some space.

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  26. Congratulations, Karen! I predict you'll blow past the 200 mark and be on to the 2-5-0 before I can say, "I'd like to win!"

    THis weekend? It's drama, drama, drama. For real. Boy Two will be performing Shakespeare on stage all three days. Tomorrow morning, there's a fundraiser 5K and fun walk at church. Somewhere in there, I have to fit in a trip to the grocery store or the peasants will revolt and I'll have to don my riot suppression gear.

    If you're ever bored and lack excitement, I have a couple of boys, used with a little dirt, around here that I can send. For free, 'cause I'm generous like that.

    Waving and grinning like always,

    Rhonda

    P.S. - I follow. I email. Right here (rschrockmt@yahoo.com).

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  27. Congrats on the giveaway. The Basic Boot Camp sounds wonderful. Have a great weekend!

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  28. Hey Karen,
    Thanks for explaining why no visit @ my blog! LOL, but, I forgive you...You have a lot brewing:) luv the idea of the give-away as well!

    Clara, that's
    clarawriter@att.net

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  29. Madeleine,
    Thanks so much! Got you entered. Very nice to meet you; will check out your blog.

    Patricia,
    Thank you, that was very kind of you! I hear ya, cleaning out here in dribs and drabs. A work in progress...:)

    Rhonda,
    Yes, I think you'd best get that shopping done lest the Natives Get Restless! Lol. :) Thanks so much, and thanks for the offer for the slightly used boys!

    Rachna,
    Thanks so much. BBC refreshes so many things, even for me as the instructor!:)

    Clara,
    Yes, sorry, been having a time getting around to the usual ones even. Will hop over to see you now!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  30. Tweeted and facebooked. Posting on the blog in a few minutes. :) Need links?

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  31. Robyn,
    Nope you're good! Saw them, so thanks a bunch! Happy anniversary:o)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  32. Great giveaway, Karen!

    I'm a follower, I'll post a link in my sidebar, and I'll FB from my home computer.
    mrso_d at yahoo dot com

    Have a wonderful weekend! ;-)

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  33. I have checked out the Coffee House For Writers site before but I need to take a closer look around. It seems like it offeres a lot of great resources for writers!

    BTW, you have some awesome swag in this giveaway! Count me in!

    Alisa
    sanctifiedtogether(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. Blogging for profit... hmmmm.
    Congratulations! Almost to 200.
    wolferock@earthlink.net

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  35. Shannon,
    Thank you! Thanks also for posting and getting the word out. Added your name to the list! :)

    Alisa,
    They do have a bunch of goodies at the Coffeehouse. I think I might need to get a mug or something:) Got you on the list!

    Diane,
    I know, sounds interesting doesn't it? I may need to take that one. Thanks for the congrats! Got you on the list:)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  36. Congrats as you approach 200.
    I too have been slacking off on my commenting as I focus on NaNo.

    jacksonlee51 at aol dot com

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  37. Have a good time at the boot camp! Hope you change a lot of lives :D

    New follower.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  38. Karen,
    I've spent the last hour sifting through a truckload of blogs and just as I was about to give up I found yours. After reading the title I thought FINALLY something I can connect with, so here I am an official new follower.

    What a great 'marketing' idea with the give away Karen - well done!
    e-mail - sally@sallynapthali.com.au

    Look forward to visiting regularly.
    sallynapthali.com.au

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  39. Lee,
    Hope you are making progress with NaNoWriMo. Thanks for taking a minute to stop by! Got you on the list.

    Llehn,
    Thank you! Thanks for stopping by and following, too. Added you to the list. Good to meet you:)

    Sally,
    Thanks for the compliment! Nice to meet you; I appreciate you following. :) Your name is on the list.

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  40. Girl, I can always count on a "happening" here at your blog-home! What fun.

    One of these days I'll be able to drop in on these cyber-conferences. What a remarkable gift are they to aspiring writers, if for no other reason than the sense of community they engender.

    This weekend I'm hanging with Miss Rylie, my 13 year old granddaughter, while her Mom's out-of-town. It just doesn't get much better.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  41. Karen,

    Congrats on the 200! I'm new to the blogging world and I love the fact that everyone is so helpful. It's so nice of you to have this great giveaway. I will certainly post it in my side bar.

    I hope you'll come by and say "HI" when you get the chance. I'll look forward to getting to know you better.

    Michael
    mculi@aol.com

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  42. Hi Karen - I officially entered your contest the other day, but want to let you know that I made mention of your contest on my latest blog post: www.writinginthebuff.net.

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  43. Kathleen,
    You're so sweet! Have a wonderful time with your granddaughter. Sounds like great fun!

    Michael,
    Nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by and following. Thanks, too, for spreading the word on your blog! Added your name to the list.

    Lisa,
    Thank you! Appreciate you spreading the word! You're a sweetheart! :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  44. I want it too!

    I am now a follower, posted in on my most recent blog post, and on twitter and FB! I think I did everything to try and win! Now my fingers are crossed!

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  45. Woops! Thanks for reminding me Karen! Or else I would've forgot and I told myself before writing the comment enter your email! hehe!

    strzemzalski@yahoo.com

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  46. Hi Karen! I'm a follower and will also post about your contest in mere seconds...as soon as I can!! My e-mail: Writergal53(at)aol(dot)com.
    Thanks! Wonderful prizes!!

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  47. i'm here thx to Becky [above]:)
    and i'll happily follow as soon as the widget appears... may have to return for that !
    tea is on at FHC in the meantime.. Welcome :)
    blstef1 at mts dot net

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  48. as to what i'm doing this weekend?
    offering a mission shaped giveaway opp at FHC !

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  49. Wow, what a great giveaway; thanks for your generosity, and congrats on all your followers! I am a follower. Here is my email: jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com.

    Blessings!
    Jen

    P.S. We went to Normal, IL this weekend for Patti Lacy's writers group and out to eat with friends. It was lovely.

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  50. Congratulations on 198 followers, Karen...You are almost there! Great give away! (Symphony bars have to be the best American chocolate bars...)

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  51. Wow!!! So many followers! Congratulations that's amazing! I love this contest... too uber cool! Yay!! Of course I'm joining in the fun, after all I am a follower (even if at times I am distant at times!)

    My email addy is: jenniferdaiker(at)gmail(dot)com

    I will add this to my sidebar!

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  52. Sara,
    Thank you! Got you on the list. I appreciate you spreading the word.:)

    Becky,
    Thanks for passing the info along! Added you to the list.

    Sharon,
    Thank you, will stop by your blog. :) Good to meet you!

    Jeanette,
    Thanks so much! Noted your entry. Sounds like your visit with Patti was a good one!

    Sharon,
    Thank you! I agree, they are among the best chocolate!

    Jen,
    Yes, you are a follower, and I appreciate it! Thanks so much. Got you on the list.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!