tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16938897614544095802024-02-07T14:54:29.120-08:00I'm Just Sayin'STEPHANIE (Olivieri) Bourbon © All Rights Reserved 2021Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-8561066748463171662020-08-17T10:46:00.004-07:002020-08-17T10:46:40.839-07:00It's Been Awhile---Catching Up With Me <p> So much to say and how to say it... so I'll just start with. Wow, what a year it's been. </p><p>I mean, could anyone have predicted all the shite that has hit us in 2020? </p><p>NO way! </p><p>I'm grateful for so much though, and one of them is the freedom to be able to have blogs (yes I have many) and the freedom to say whatever I want ---this is important. </p><p>I'm grateful that I live where I do and even though I'm not rich, I am healthy and live a good life. I do what I can to help others, I also have a loving husband and a Westie who I adore. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiuD0XSnvVZ3vAfofakjHIgoowl6bHGe6-Xf0NB36Ay5ppQSBd-9N4PbFfpWN6BhvzwH-6MCRdiNSnPOE240VUe2afc6fuYNLlZlMyRaLavVRKholZVSSrOJSeNT7JZDa8SlihWCNX8dw/s2048/Newparis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiuD0XSnvVZ3vAfofakjHIgoowl6bHGe6-Xf0NB36Ay5ppQSBd-9N4PbFfpWN6BhvzwH-6MCRdiNSnPOE240VUe2afc6fuYNLlZlMyRaLavVRKholZVSSrOJSeNT7JZDa8SlihWCNX8dw/s640/Newparis1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As many of you know that aside from blogging sporadically on here I'm a writer and an artist AND I work one on one with both artists and writers to help them in their careers. I've been doing this since 2006 (artists) 2010 (writers). The past few years I've focused on coaching writers as I became the queen of writing conferences and people were always hitting me up for free advice. I even started a YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/stephaniebourbon" target="_blank">CHECK IT OUT</a></div><p>This is why I haven't been here. I also have TWO writing blogs--with tips, and all sorts of goodies for writers that you can check out <a href="https://www.stephaniebourbon.com/blog" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="https://stepholivieriwriter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> with the second of these two being my old blog for writers but either one is great if you are a writer. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyQUsOO7af0eIp9n3AiuxVsUnAYQN9RVOeXMU9dNnNDg-rxdMZW-vG7jfIZz5Zakec8tuOJ0diB-wVwEkj8IaGvg_nNC2yk27EOfmK3e8DWpueTtXiJDFzMiXfyWo5vd064Hq4J0NAkWc/s1920/FWSpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyQUsOO7af0eIp9n3AiuxVsUnAYQN9RVOeXMU9dNnNDg-rxdMZW-vG7jfIZz5Zakec8tuOJ0diB-wVwEkj8IaGvg_nNC2yk27EOfmK3e8DWpueTtXiJDFzMiXfyWo5vd064Hq4J0NAkWc/s640/FWSpic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AND I have a new membership for female writers to gather, write, chat, share wine & coffee (virtually for now), get feedback, learn a bit of craft, and change their lives! It will be open to join soon and you can get more information here <a href="https://www.stephaniebourbon.com/the-female-writers-society" target="_blank">THE FEMALE WRITERS SOCIETY</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And everything else is just life. You know. Trying not to argue with people on social media, trying not to let bullies get to me, trying to rise above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How are you doing this year? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out my new website and connect with me on social media! (the links are all on my website) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stephaniebourbon.com/" target="_blank">STEPHANIE BOURBON </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you are there you can grab a new eBook I have as a gift just for swinging by and get on my new email VIP list to find out about courses and stuff coming up AS WELL as get craft tips right into your inbox every week! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy creating!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>XO Stephanie</b></i></div><p><br /></p>Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-90001945615586652902019-06-12T10:44:00.002-07:002019-06-12T10:44:32.424-07:00Writing Books Every Writer NeedsI have a new YouTube channel---which is why I haven't been here too much.<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/Jn4UY7fWqAI">https://youtu.be/Jn4UY7fWqAI</a><br />
Check it out! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLKbwZR_NMH_XCWGcgxKvsCurjI8Wkfg4l8l2rYw8tZQaccGCcqCasaVR08vTAkoFCMtm7RcmnEw55CSt6qPThppEkS9sx9x6teTSU0JH-Jcu7bBLdABuM08PStdSCTcXS6b8iOysBeU7/s1600/craftbooks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLKbwZR_NMH_XCWGcgxKvsCurjI8Wkfg4l8l2rYw8tZQaccGCcqCasaVR08vTAkoFCMtm7RcmnEw55CSt6qPThppEkS9sx9x6teTSU0JH-Jcu7bBLdABuM08PStdSCTcXS6b8iOysBeU7/s320/craftbooks1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-69195846766215257032018-01-29T11:06:00.000-08:002018-01-29T11:06:09.253-08:00I Love Flying--It's My Only Quiet Time <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgcUYtIFr82Qn8BPMETYhyphenhyphen2XXk9LwPSPZIz_bxYqKTX0CGJ3rPwFQuoNk66BjXKC_tj_ikfURfZJqpwvJ2ngH-EvwGr8tKOLKnwHY_HNygXrssHUsbB2XGE1CxawWWloYLBQ9asnxoxmq/s1600/safety1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgcUYtIFr82Qn8BPMETYhyphenhyphen2XXk9LwPSPZIz_bxYqKTX0CGJ3rPwFQuoNk66BjXKC_tj_ikfURfZJqpwvJ2ngH-EvwGr8tKOLKnwHY_HNygXrssHUsbB2XGE1CxawWWloYLBQ9asnxoxmq/s400/safety1.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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Drawing by me, Stephanie Olivieri may not be used without permission. THANKS</div>
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I have several trips coming up this spring and while I don't like the idea of winter weather while flying I do love flying and here is why. </div>
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1. No one can reach me while I'm on a plane so I get that alone time I so desperately need. </div>
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2. I get to do nothing and it's okay. It's okay that I'm not at the gym or doing squats at my house, it's okay that I'm not working on anything-I'm on a plane so yay, it's okay to do nothing. </div>
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3. It's soothing to my soul to be up in the clouds. </div>
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4. You can eat, drink, sleep, and watch TV/movies while getting to your destination. </div>
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5. I love to meet other people so while I'm not that annoying chatty seatmate, I do enjoy meeting others. </div>
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AIRPORTS. I love them. I love everything about them. </div>
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I know I'm strange, but I implore you to enjoy your next flight. Think about the fact that you are just there to relax and get to your next city, or back home. </div>
<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-58804235252530081132017-12-22T16:02:00.001-08:002017-12-22T16:02:58.978-08:00t was Dec 22, 2008, when I decided to jump off the Golden Gate BridgeTruth--it was Dec 22, 2008, when I decided to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. I spent the next 5 months researching it, planning it, and looking for any reason not to do it. At the end of the day me wanting to live outweighed my desperate need for the pain from grief to go away so I learned how to deal with it. That said, I went up TWICE, but as I stood on that beautiful bridge staring out towards the city I realized that life itself was too precious to toss away in just four seconds. I chose life. I still get swept up in grief from all the family losses I had from 2000-2006 but I know that bottling it up inside almost killed me so now if I feel like crying I cry. It doesn't mean that I'm weak in any way. I hope if you are grieving that you will not let it take over. Grief is powerful-way more powerful than most of us know. Also, I'll say this. No one knew that I was planning my suicide. No one. I didn't talk about. I knew that it would hurt people. I didn't care. I knew that I would be missed. I didn't care. If you are hurting like I was please get help.<br />
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255<br />
Here is a good article, but again, no one knew. I hid all the signs, but this is GREAT information. <a href="http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2017/12/22/suicide-warning-signs-and-how-help/976814001/">http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2017/12/22/suicide-warning-signs-and-how-help/976814001/</a>Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-89253789478078146452017-07-13T09:23:00.001-07:002017-07-13T09:33:40.278-07:00Where Has Customer Service Gone? Taos Footwear is HorribleAVOID TAOS FOOTWEAR unless you want to be treated like shit.<br />
Usually I like to take the high road and let things go, but after thinking about this for the last 24 hours, I'm afraid to say that I can't not tell what happened when I returned a pair of shoes that didn't fit me to Taos footwear.<br />
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First of all, I love their shoes. I ordered four pairs at $100 or more in less than a month, but they don't care about that, they just needed to be right and right meant downright abusive and awful to a paying customer.<br />
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Beginning of June, I order a pair of Taos shoes and love them.<br />
End of June, I order a second pair, the Hey Jute because they were on sale for only $100 instead of $130.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy1wa5uBXsXsIzMUZyCcA4FLsM3Xm7Xjfm4bYORQ5kBpdZez4P6zKhpAvs-2uFCiNWSUtBO0h_6_4cbUNeXm7Vz6CV8wQ30-GUO2CxCCOK7o_mvPlQ8modNvPu2G2dpkz0L3pWi2tK0n-/s1600/3868286-p-LARGE_SEARCH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy1wa5uBXsXsIzMUZyCcA4FLsM3Xm7Xjfm4bYORQ5kBpdZez4P6zKhpAvs-2uFCiNWSUtBO0h_6_4cbUNeXm7Vz6CV8wQ30-GUO2CxCCOK7o_mvPlQ8modNvPu2G2dpkz0L3pWi2tK0n-/s1600/3868286-p-LARGE_SEARCH.jpg" /></a></div>
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The canvas is super tight so I call them up and speak to a woman, Lisa I believe is her name, she was amazing BTW, she is the only one who is decent at this company-or at least who I have talked to. </div>
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She said if they were hurting my feet to return them, but they didn't pay for shipping. I wasn't happy about that as most places cover shipping back. I wore them around the house for 20 minutes realizing that they killed my feet and there would be no breaking them in. </div>
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So I emailed them giving feedback on the canvas suggesting that they describe them as tight so people know. </div>
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I got a nasty reply from a man called Robert who works in marketing telling me that they don't take returns and <b>ALL SHOE COMPANIES are the same. He said they would NOT return the shoes. </b></div>
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I had a return slip in the box and Lisa said I could and on the website, it said that I could ***(pasted at the end of this) so I sent him all that info, he maintained that they had a <b>no return policy.</b> I returned them anyhow. I used tracking and sent them off early on a Saturday being told that they would definitely be there Monday, July 3rd.</div>
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Then he told me in an email to not buy from them but to find their shoes 3rd party if I didn't like their policy. UGH what a douche. Sidenote, this guy is the head of marketing, so why is he answering customer service emails? He shouldn't be.<br />
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I LOVE their shoes or I would have been done with them at this point. So I ordered a pair from Amazon of a different style that I love. I posted them on Twitter, Instagram and FB tagging them as amazing shoes---in other words, PROMOTING them.<br />
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On July 5th I checked the status of the shipment and it said it was delivered on Monday, July 3rd. I emailed them politely asking when to expect a refund.<br />
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<b>Robert emailed me straight away saying they never received them.</b> I explained that I had tracking and sent it to him explaining that they arrived on the 3rd and I just wanted to know when about to expect a refund and could I get an email that they had the return and my refund would be on its way.<br />
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Well, that's when he FREAKED out on me saying that they don't give refunds, they didn't get it. etc. And I got about 12 emails from different email address, from him from the main customer service email AND UPS, yes every single email was sent back to me from UPS Quantum something, it was very confusing. I was polite and replied to all-not knowing what else to do and then I got replies saying that my email was blocked. WTF???<br />
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Then one of the owners emailed me saying that his family had the 4th off but since I was in dire straights over the refund they would refund me immediately.<br />
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Again WFT??? I never said I was in dire straights? I wasn't demanding or anything I simply wanted to know when to expect it. As well yelling at me for emailing on July 5th because he gave his employees the 4th off is over the top, but whatever.<br />
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THEY CLEARLY DON'T LIKE RETURNS.<br />
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I thanked him and that was that. <b>Later that day I got an email with a $15 code.</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hello Stephanie Olivieri, </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We wanted to reach out and thank you for your support towards Taos Footwear. The one time use coupon code below is for $15 off your next purchase at TaosFootwear.com. </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Coupon Code: TAOS38276 </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We hope that you will try us out again in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sincerely, </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Team Taos</span><br />
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Yesterday I ordered a new pair with that coupon code they offered me. The important part <b>THEY OFFERED ME</b> so I would come back I assumed.<br />
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The code didn't work. I emailed them and said, I just ordered, this code you sent me didn't come off, here's the order number, will you please take the $15 off my order. Thank you.<br />
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I got a reply back from Robert saying<br />
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<b>"She's back."</b><br />
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WTF????<br />
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First of all, I only asked for a refund by their policy because shoes didn't fit. I only replied to all his emails since he sent tons of them and it was confusing on which email to reply to since I was getting blocked and I had no idea which one would go through.<br />
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I called them and it went to voice mail. Then I called back and my number was blocked. I emailed them from my other email and it was blocked just like the original email.<br />
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So I called from my mobile and talked to Lisa again. I was crying at this point. She kept apologizing saying that they never treat people like that and Robert would be talked to and please hold for her supervisor, who I think was one of the owners. When he got on the phone he started YELLING at me and I was crying. <b>He said it was an internal email warning them that I was back and I wasn't supposed to see it. </b>I asked him what and why? He said because of my emails asking for a refund. He kept yelling at me about how they were closed for 5 days and I was out of line to ask when. I explained that I didn't care when I got it, but I just wanted some receipt or email saying that they received the shoes and that I would be getting a refund, which they never sent me.<br />
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<b>Then he told me that "this isn't going to work" and "we don't want you as a customer". I said, "you sent me the coupon!" He said, "we didn't think you'd use it." </b><br />
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That's why the code didn't work.<br />
Then he continued to tell me that I'm a horrible person and finally he hung up on me after screaming at me for 10 minutes.<br />
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Now I'm out $130.. they have canceled my online account. They blocked me from both FB and Twitter and I don't have the shoes.<br />
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So while I LOVE their shoes and own three pairs of them, I will NEVER buy Taos again and really am disgusted by the behavior as nothing like this has ever happened to me or anyone in real life. Clearly, they don't care about customers and are personally offended if you return their shoes.<br />
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SIGH.. sucks, big time. See their return policy below. I followed it. All I did was ask about it since I didn't receive an email. To recap, when I did, Robert said they never got the shoes--until I provided a tracking # then he got shitty and sent me tons of emails, when I replied I got blocked.<br />
I did finally get a refund on that after the owner freaked out-----usually returns take 7-10 days, sometimes a month.<br />
All I did was ask.. they could have easily said, "we received them on the 3rd, we'll process today or tomorrow and your refund will be there in a week," or "we received them on the 3rd, we will process in the next 7 days and send you an email when it's done." But they had to make it personal attacking me and talking about so-called family values letting their employees have the 4th off---and I found out yesterday they were closed the entire weekend---which again was fine I was in no hurry for the refund, I was simply confirming they got the shoes and I asked when it would be back.<br />
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<a href="http://help.taosfootwear.com/online-store/domestic-orders-usa/returns">http://help.taosfootwear.com/online-store/domestic-orders-usa/returns</a><br />
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No Free Returns</h2>
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Taos is proud to offer free shipping on all orders when getting your footwear to you, however, we don't provide labels or pay return shipping.</div>
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Return Instructions</h2>
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<a href="https://taosfootwear.com/media/wysiwyg/page-images/Return-Form.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b5121b;" target="_blank">Click here to download our Return Form</a>.</div>
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Please feel free to return your order to the address below. Kindly ensure that the shipment is able to be tracked through your chosen carrier. Include the original packing slip inside the box you ship back to us, otherwise please reference your order number on the outside of the box or in the contents of the package.</div>
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<a href="http://taosfootwear.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b5121b;" target="_blank"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">TAOSFOOTWEAR.COM</b></a><b style="box-sizing: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />ATTN: ONLINE STORE<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />2660 COLUMBIA STREET<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />TORRANCE, CA 90503</b></div>
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Once we receive your return at our warehouse, please allow 7 business days for your credit to be processed.<b style="box-sizing: inherit;"> Refunds are only given for unworn products in salable condition and in their original packaging within 30 days from the purchase date. Returns missing original packaging are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Please note the original shipping cost is not refunded when applicable. If footwear is deemed as worn and unsalable, you’re responsible for shipping costs to get the footwear returned to you. If you're unsure if your footwear meets unworn and salable condition, please feel free to send us pictures of your footwear before shipping them back to us.</b> We will notify you via email when your return has been credited.</div>
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<b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please call a customer service associate toll free at 1.844.363.TAOS(8267) or email </b><a href="mailto:support@taosfootwear.com" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b5121b;" target="_blank"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">support@taosfootwear.com</b></a><b style="box-sizing: inherit;"> if you have any questions.</b></div>
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<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-85016835062182617062017-07-06T12:23:00.002-07:002017-07-06T12:23:33.400-07:00Sorry Guys!Well, it's been a long time since I've been here. Sorry about that. After the US Presidental election I kinda went into a tailspin of terror and worry, all the time. I know that I'm not the only one. 62 million of my country didn't feel that way. I've spent months trying to understand them, but I don't. I really don't.<br />
That all said, it messed with me and my schedule big time.<br />
I'm trying to live in our new reality and not be scared.<br />
I'm working on new writing and creative courses while searching for new representation for both my YA and my art.<br />
Please hang in there, I will be back with more opinions soon. I'm going to try to lean this blog towards satire instead of bitching about things I don't like. LOL Because it feels better to laugh and I don't want to be that girl.<br />
Namaste.Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-91050046334187602192016-10-14T09:00:00.001-07:002016-10-14T09:00:27.901-07:00My Article About the SCBWI and Why It's So Amazing<a href="https://scbwikitetales.wordpress.com/2016/10/14/scbwi-community-corner-with-stephanie-olivieri/">https://scbwikitetales.wordpress.com/2016/10/14/scbwi-community-corner-with-stephanie-olivieri/</a><br />
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My article about the SCBWI <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has changed my life for the better in many ways. It’s hard to explain how a group of book writers and illustrators can do that, but they have. I’m not sure where to start, so I’ll start at the beginning: I’m a writer, who also draws. I worked in animation for many years and have recently worked in children’s books both as a writer and an illustrator.</span><br />
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In the summer of 2012 I joined the SCBWI and then, boom, my father died. I was broke and I couldn’t afford to do anything or go to anything. I was not only devastated emotionally, but financially as my job also ended that spring *click the link to read more</div>
Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-10259039745173507502016-09-19T09:12:00.002-07:002016-09-19T09:14:53.274-07:00More on Fitness & Health<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dc3em" data-offset-key="4n60i-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="4n60i-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I have to say something because I love you all and want you to be fit and healthy and not end up in the morgue. Regarding health and fitness-please always always always always check your sources and your doctor before jumping on board with any program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also just because someone has starved themselves and lost weight, that does NOT make them an expert; the same goes for someone who works out every day and is fit. Personal trainers, fitness experts, nutritionists etc., go through YEARS of training. I know when I was a PT and an instructor, it took a lot of hours to get my certifications.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best thing to do is join a gym and or go to a personal trainer. Don't jump on trends like CrossFit-I'm not against CF but it's not for everyone and I'm so sick of people telling others to be Paleo and do CF like it's the only way to be healthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Just do YOUR RESEARCH please, this is YOUR life. </b>There are also GREAT online programs like Michelle Bridges, Tracy Anderson, Denise Austin, Barre3, Ballet Beautiful, and tons of Yoga ones-most of these are for the more advanced or at least intermediate person who knows FORM and what to do correctly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please stop reading your friends' posts about being gluten free or vegan or Paleo and losing all this weight-all of these are different and so is each person. And especially the starvation thing-it's the WORST and most dangerous of all. Sure if you eat a piece of lettuce for lunch, and only protein around it and throw back a juice or smoothie for dinner, you will lose weight, but it's not healthy. PLEASE use logic and reason, again this is YOUR LIFE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And lastly, don't compare yourself to others because you have no idea how fit they are. Skinny isn't always healthy. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="aabu4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">This has been a PSA </span></div>
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Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-18489250499638196602016-09-12T11:11:00.001-07:002016-09-12T11:11:11.693-07:00How to Be Healthy and Fit-Don't Listen To....<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">People often ask me about health & fitness because I was so involved in that industry for so many years and I still post about great programs, blogs, books, trainers, online classes, programs etc. (like Denise Austin-who was the first person I trained with in the late 80s to get certified, Michelle Bridges, Mari Winsor, Tracey Anderson and workouts like Barre3, The Bar Method, Zumba, etc). </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Here is what I'm going to say.</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1) Just because someone has starved themselves and lost a ton of weight, that does NOT make them an expert. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2) Just because someone runs or goes to the gym, that also doesn't make them an expert. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3) People who give sweeping advice like, 'be gluten free, be vegan, only eat 1000 calories a day' etc.. are not qualified to tell you, or anyone else how to be healthy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4) Also, SKINNY does NOT equal healthy, this is a dangerous concept.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>These are important things to remember. </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you want to lose weight or get healthier, please go to your fitness club and speak to a trainer or someone who has been certified. Those certifications exist for a reason. Those of us who went through all that grueling training learned about health, weight loss, exercise programs and how to train others. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm not currently training anyone, but I do plan on opening a Barre3 Studio soon, (within the next 3 years is the plan). This was my life for more than 10 years and I continued while working in animation because I'm passionate about health and fitness and helping others reach their goals. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I get frustrated seeing people self-publish books and or posting on social media on what to do for someone to be healthy, it's VERY DANGEROUS! VERY. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some names that you can Google of people, workouts and places to get information, and there are so many more.<b> Just please always do your research. </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle Bridges</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Denise Austin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mari Winsor </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tracy Anderson </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barre3 </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pilates </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zumba </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bar Method </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Equinox</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">24 Hr Fitness </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Blue Zone Diet </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vegetarian Magazine </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prevention </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do your research. Talk to your doctors and or gym fitness manager. Don't ever follow fads or extreme diets. Listen to your body. Eat healthy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you want to add to this list, please feel free to add into the comments. Thank you so much!! </span></span>Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-13058684030378975702016-09-12T10:48:00.001-07:002016-09-12T10:48:51.955-07:00Land of the Freedom of Speech Colin Kaepernick, I support You!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="db3e6" data-offset-key="fckbe-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="fckbe-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">"You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free". ~ Andrew Sheperd, The American President </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2016/9/11/12869726/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest-seahawks-brandon-marshall-nfl" style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.sbnation.com/2016/9/11/12869726/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest-seahawks-brandon-marshall-nfl</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think he is brave and amazing. People don't often go against the grain for something they believe in like he has. I have friends on FB who are upset by his actions, but for me, I support him 100%. Something in this country needs to change and that doesn't mean that myself or this man are disrespecting the military, it's insulting that anyone would draw that conclusion. Especially because isn't 'freedom of speech' one of the things that the military are fighting for? </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ame11-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">#blacklivesmatter </span></div>
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Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-9573943109909576212016-08-16T09:12:00.002-07:002016-08-16T09:12:22.678-07:00No Posturing, Just Posting <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdSqyRBn9A-LLEB-4ttBMkSp3ZunlZ8IrcMZ9zY8aQSUAUFmlE84fWd4t2VIUZ4PeI0AQr9bQD_TKE_oYRexzk8R15tTiTQq69QzuX70h_OSEnX5NXL0Chm2zPitDsbt-S7eW5CqRzmyD/s1600/edison-quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdSqyRBn9A-LLEB-4ttBMkSp3ZunlZ8IrcMZ9zY8aQSUAUFmlE84fWd4t2VIUZ4PeI0AQr9bQD_TKE_oYRexzk8R15tTiTQq69QzuX70h_OSEnX5NXL0Chm2zPitDsbt-S7eW5CqRzmyD/s320/edison-quote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Keeping it real for a minute. No posturing, just posting. </span><i class="_lew" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yl/r/NtxfCiWWu4q.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px;">:)</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">People always assume that everything is great for everyone on social media-it's not. It's just that it's better to present a positive spin on life, than a negative one.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">I'm keeping it real here today just because why not? Maybe someone out there is struggling and needs to know that we all have it hard at some point. Especially those of us who have a creative career. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">I was explaining to someone at Highlights last w</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">eek that for me there is no backup plan, this is what I do for a living, and this person didn't seem to get it. It's funny to me.<br />I feel like I've been drowning my entire life, but I'm doing what I love and trying to continue to do that.<br />My writing is not where I wanted it to be at this age. I have been paid to write, I have sold stuff, but I wanted to be further, I'm not, but that's okay. I get up every day and I write, or I think about writing, or I don't do anything and then tomorrow is a new day.<br />Money?? Ha, I look around and see everyone with savings accounts, owning houses not living like they are in college still, and again, I thought that would be me, it's not. But I'm okay with it.<br />Marriage, kids? Same.. but it's okay.<br />The point is, that no one is perfect and no matter what it seems like on social media, life is hard a lot of the time.<br />We are all in this together!!!<br />Don't give up. Keep reaching for your goals and don't compare yourself to others-it will make you crazy. <i class="_lew" title="heart emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_62a652" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yl/r/NtxfCiWWu4q.png"); background-position: 0px -204px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px;"><3 span=""></3></span></i></span>Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-89920423994735256802016-08-01T11:38:00.001-07:002016-08-01T11:38:45.621-07:00How is it August??Hi, everyone! So sorry I've been not so active on any of my blogs this year. The reason? I finished and revised two novels and took classes went to conferences and attended workshops.<br />
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That said, I'm going to start a new blog series in Sept.<br />
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I promise, thanks for sticking around!!Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-20043623400853725102016-03-21T11:39:00.002-07:002016-03-21T11:39:15.736-07:00New Business Cards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-78617060999018386372015-12-31T10:02:00.000-08:002015-12-31T10:02:55.992-08:00Goodbye 2015 It's Been Great! Happy New Year!!<br />
2015 has been amazing for me in so many ways.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4FK_LzPYLA680l8vhe7BnA0niEHAg_FxIKJ9IdXESQHbqb5iGKo41fRZhE8J2wb_4gxa-d0lFUnsqJtUqP4xK-xOv8FSH1K4SrGrxoh9iSojP_iK-pjhH644t6KO_VdfBoM4pwIrM7Zx/s1600/10390366_426881744161440_2726810768722390922_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4FK_LzPYLA680l8vhe7BnA0niEHAg_FxIKJ9IdXESQHbqb5iGKo41fRZhE8J2wb_4gxa-d0lFUnsqJtUqP4xK-xOv8FSH1K4SrGrxoh9iSojP_iK-pjhH644t6KO_VdfBoM4pwIrM7Zx/s320/10390366_426881744161440_2726810768722390922_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Mostly because I have put everything on hold and spent thousands, literally around $16,000 on SCBWI events, conferences, workshops, the Highlights Foundation, plane tickets, hotel expenses, online writing classes with top people in the industry, all to make my goal of getting traditionally published in YA.<br />
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With that came working literally every single day on my novel-writing every single day without exception. That sounds easier than it is when you work full time, have a boyfriend, and a dog, and go to the gym, etc., but I did it!<br />
<br />
This year and giving up so much time and money, was/is scary as hell, as I have basically only paid min payments to bills, and not saved a dime for taxes because every extra cent I have is going to my young adult writing.<br />
<br />
When I decided to stop acting and go into animation, this is what I did. Yes I was offered a job by Disney at an audition from doodling on my call sheet-this is true, but I turned that down. I stomped out of the room, "I'm an actress!" ala Miss Piggy-style and forgot about it for two years. Then back in Los Angeles fearful I'd never make it in anything and a friend said, "didn't Disney offer you a job?" I drove over to Disney, and they turned me down flat, but told me how to get in. For almost two years I gave up everything to get in there. I took tons of drawing classes at the animation guild, and animation classes, and I didn't pay any bills. When you are in your twenties, this is way less scary than in your forties. It's like in your twenties people expect it, but in your forties, you get the "why don't you own property?" "You can't pay your taxes?" "get your shit together" and it's a bit harder to give up everything to reach a goal. That said, it's working.<br />
<br />
I know it is. I am such a better writer than I have been in the past, not saying that I'm perfect in any way-just like any creative career we are always learning, but I'm so much stronger because I have sacrificed so much and I will continue to do this forever because it's who I am.<br />
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The plan is to pay off everything someday-hopefully sooner than later, and, of course, continue to grow as a writer.<br />
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Some of you know me and have known me for years since I was writing chick-lit under a pen name and pandering to the "trends" instead of following my heart, which has always been for teen novels. Some of you know me from TV and film writing-which I love both and haven't given that up, but now I'm just concentrating on my novels. I love writing novels, I always have. It's in my body and soul like being alive is.<br />
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I also spent a great deal of 2015 giving back by donating to a different charity every month, and also going to galas, events, dinners, etc. to help raise money for charities. I have donated time, writing and illustrations, and that felt great!<br />
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I don't believe in resolutions in any way-they just set us up to fail, but I do believe in goals, so I am going to share my 2016 goals, and or plans, and themes for the next year.<br />
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1) Continue to go to workshops, retreats and take online classes to become a stronger storyteller<br />
2) Sign with a new agent (yes I'm finally sending out this year to only a few because I want the right agent this time)<br />
3) Sell my first YA<br />
4) Make my next YA stronger and better<br />
5) Work on my personal business plans<br />
6) Continue to give back, and maybe start something myself towards the end of the year<br />
7) Keep drawing and working on my own art projects as well as get more work as the job I'm currently on is ending this summer.<br />
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These are general plans, ideas, hopes, dreams, etc.<br />
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I also plan to KEEP DREAMING! KEEP REACHING! KEEP BEING BRAVE!!!<br />
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On this page on my website, I have listed great resources for writing and drawing<br />
<a href="http://www.stepholivieri.com/#!resources/c1558">http://www.stepholivieri.com/#!resources/c1558</a><br />
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And I will say this. If you are writing for kids (any age) join SCBWI <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/">http://www.scbwi.org/</a><br />
For YA writing, I recommend (in addition to SCBWI events, workshops, conferences)<br />
<br />
A PATH TO PUBLISHING<br />
SARAH ARONSON<br />
THE HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION<br />
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<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-74539058947907449962015-10-20T22:53:00.002-07:002015-10-20T22:53:50.023-07:00Facts and Myths About Suicide <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">There are many resources out there in today's world. Here is just one article with facts and myths about suicide that I found in less than 5 minutes of searching...</span><a href="http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20507781,00.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20507781,00.html</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">I think it's important for people, especially in the days of social media to do some research before getting on the internet and stating things as facts when they are either completely wrong or just opinions. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">Suicide is one of the things that is so often ster</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">eotyped, and that is hurting people not helping them.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"> For example, saying that all suicides are caused by clinical depression is wrong, it also makes people afraid to admit they have thought about it, or gone through a rough patch.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"> The only fact about suicide is that when people do it they are doing it for one reason, and that is, <b>a way out, </b>that's it. A way out of pain, a way out of a situation, a way out of a life they don't want.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"> It's a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and while yes, some suicides are caused by mental illness, not all of them are.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">If you are feeling suicidal PLEASE get help, if someone judges you, go to someone else. You are NOT alone, and people do understand and people will be there for you. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/">http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/</a></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">If you know someone who is struggling, instead of telling them that they are mentally ill, listen to them and then share links or numbers to someone who can help. If you are not a trained suicide specialist/therapist, know that you can't save them, you need help, they need help. Be careful of telling them that they are clinically "depressed" or "bi-polar" or anything like that. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">I recently had a discussion with someone on Facebook who was saying on her page as FACT that everyone who has even thought about it is mentally ill. That is a problem, because it's not true. She sent me private messages saying that she has the right to her opinion, and while that may be true, what if she just made a statement that lead someone to hurt themself because they were just told that they have a mental illness? They may, but they may not. It's dangerous to claim opinions as fact especially if you aren't trained. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">As well, if you have a mental illness, that does not mean that everyone else does. Yes, it's great if you want to share your experiences to help others, but also know that not everyone has the same thing. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">The only facts are that some people who commit/ or attempt suicide have a mental illness and some don't. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">Please think before you judge others, especially those in need. </span>Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-64223834723497163902015-10-16T10:54:00.001-07:002015-10-16T10:54:44.376-07:00AT LAST: *Press Release* RFP to Construct Suicide Deterrent on the Golden Gate Bridge<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.8267px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District requests proposals from qualified bidders to construct a suicide deterrent on the Golden Gate Bridge. The details of the RFP may be found here:<span style="color: #1f497d; line-height: 22.72px;"><a class="" href="http://goldengate.org/contracts/documents/2016-b-01-notice.pdf" style="color: #0563c1; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.72px;" target="_blank">http://goldengate.org/contracts/documents/2016-b-01-notice.pdf</a></span><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">“This is an important and vital step in building the suicide deterrent,” says Chief Engineer Ewa Bauer. “We have been in the planning and design phase of the project for several years, with a lot of work happening behind the scenes. Today signals a change to the construction phase. We are all eager to put this deterrent in place and diminish future tragedy from suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge.”<u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">The bid process will take several months to complete. Interested bidders must sign a non-disclosure agreement, submit identification for background checks, and tour the property with District staff. After the pre-bid, information gathering time passes, the District will begin accepting bids in January. The District will vet vendors based on several factors, including past work experience, current staffing, compliance with DBE and other regulatory programs, cost. Per state regulations, this construction project will be awarded to the qualified vendor with the lowest bid. The bid will be awarded in the spring of 2016, following approvals of the selected vendor by CalTrans, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Bridge District’s Board of Directors.<u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">The suicide deterrent design is a long, stainless steel net along the length of the Golden Gate Bridge, on both sides. The cantilevered net will be located about 20 feet down from the Bridge sidewalk, extending out 20 feet, with a slight upturn at the outside edge. The net is not soft, but rather, will be made of very hard and durable metal. Anyone jumping into the net is likely to experience the sort of significant injury expected from falling two stories onto a steel platform. Since such nets have been installed in various locations over the past decade, they have been very successful in preventing suicide attempts. <u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">The steel net and its supports will be manufactured off<span style="color: #1f497d; line-height: 22.72px;">-</span>site. The public will begin to see installation activity in late 2017. The contractor will install the net first along the east side of the Golden Gate Bridge and then the west side. The project is expected to take three-and-a-half to four years.<u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">The Golden Gate Bridge suicide deterrent project is expected to cost at least $76 million, with $22 million through federal Local Highway Bridge Program (HBP) funds programmed by CalTrans, $27 million in federal Surface Transportation Program funds (STP) programmed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), $7 million of California State Mental Service Health Act Funds (Proposition 63), and $20 million from Bridge District reserves.<u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;">Here are some renderings to show what the suicide deterrent will look like, from two vantage points. Please cite Courtesy of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District in your use of these images.<u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u><u style="line-height: 22.72px;"></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.72px;"><img border="0" height="505" src="https://snt149.afx.ms/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=db341cbe-71e4-11e5-b0c9-00215ad7ab6a&attindex=1&cp=-1&attdepth=1&imgsrc=cid%3aimage007.jpg%4001D1059A.BF12AE30&cid=ba0896b90fb15ffe&hm__login=stepholivieri&hm__domain=hotmail.com&ip=10.148.174.8&d=d4552&mf=0&hm__ts=Fri%2c%2016%20Oct%202015%2017%3a50%3a44%20GMT&st=stepholivieri&hm__ha=01_34f3e8fd71f4f71ac8e9a66eacb6eb14f1ab33fe0c972f35cf50f211087e1bcd&oneredir=1" style="line-height: 22.72px;" width="710" /> <span style="line-height: 22.72px;"> </span></span></div>
Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-25933755364329974412015-09-09T10:46:00.001-07:002015-09-09T10:46:30.842-07:00GREAT YA-NOT AFTER EVERYTHING by Michelle Levy<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23.4px; margin-bottom: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Do you want a GREAT YA novel about a truly sad, messed up kid dealing with overwhelming grief? Read <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NOT AFTER EVERYTHING by Michelle Levy</strong></div>
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<a href="https://stepholivieriwriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/boy-on-steps-400x300.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Boy-on-steps-400x300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1187" height="225" src="https://stepholivieriwriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/boy-on-steps-400x300.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="background: transparent; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(204, 204, 204) rgb(204, 204, 204) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 4px 4px 12px; height: auto; left: -4px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a></div>
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*I chose the above photo because to me, it says everything about the main character in this story. I found it on the internet, but here is the actual cover.</div>
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<a href="https://stepholivieriwriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/18520658.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="18520658" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1188" height="300" src="https://stepholivieriwriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/18520658.jpg?w=200&h=300" style="background: transparent; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(204, 204, 204) rgb(204, 204, 204) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 4px 4px 12px; height: auto; left: -4px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a></div>
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This book is the BEST book with a boy lead that I have read in years. I can say that immediately it reminded me of S.E. Hinton’s THE OUTSIDERS, and J.D. Salinger’s THE CATCHER IN THE RYE. I was obsessed with both of these books as a middle school kid going through more than any kid should-and they are why I became a writer.</div>
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When I opened Michelle’s book I couldn’t stop reading it. Although since I was on a plane headed to a workshop for writers, I had to. I picked it back up on the return flight and finished it. The day I finished it, I started again from page one and read it a second time. I rarely reread a book the same day that I finish it, but I wanted to savor every single word because it’s so authentic, gritty, raw and tragic.</div>
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To say that I love this book is a gross understatement. I beyond loved it. The reason? TYLER-the main character is so REAL that it’s scary. If I didn’t know Michelle personally I would swear this was written by a man because she nails the voice of a teen boy. I even have read passages from it to my boyfriend who agrees wholeheartedly.</div>
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*I also write boy leads from the POV of the boy, so this gives me so much inspiration to know that I can do it. Michelle is my female-writer-boy-POV-guru! <span class="wp-smiley wp-emoji wp-emoji-smile" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: inline-block !important; margin: 0px; min-height: 1.2em; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: static; text-indent: 9999px; vertical-align: bottom; white-space: nowrap; width: 1.35em;" title=":)">:)</span></div>
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This book reminds me of Andrew Smith’s work. Andrew is the author of many teen books with male leads such as GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE, 100 SIDEWAYS MILES, STICK, and my favorite WINGER (and now the sequel STAND-OFF). When I first started reading Andrew’s books, I was taken in immediately by the voice. Michelle Levy does the same thing in NOT AFTER EVERYTHING.</div>
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I don’t like reviews that give away everything in a story or rewrite a synopsis so I will spare you that. But I will say that this is a tremendous look into grief, heartache, pain, addiction, social bullshit that comes in highschool and financial hardship. TYLER has lost his mother to suicide before we even meet him. His plans for college and his future have been undone by the actions of his mother. He is struggling to find his way back throughout the book. He discovers a lot about himself through his new friendship with Jordyn-a goth girl at school, who he used to be friends with before he became popular and she became weird.</div>
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At the beginning of the book, he isn’t playing football anymore, and things with his girlfriend are falling apart. The only time they are together she is using him just to be seen helping the sad, sad, boy. Told in the first person point of view, the reader gets an awesome insight into the mind of this kid going through hell. When they break up, he is even more alone and depressed. Then he reconnects with Jordyn and she is the only one who isn’t pussyfooting around him, feeling sorry for him, or treating him differently. While it takes them a bit to connect when they finally do, it’s amazing.</div>
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There is a part in the book where he hooks up with a random girl who he meets at his job. I especially like this passage because the way he feels when she leaves is HONEST. He feels even more alone than he did before she came over, which is very real, even for guys.</div>
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Now onto the big issue his mother’s death by taking her own life. Suicide is a particularly hard thing to deal with, especially for a teen. Whenever we lose anyone in life, it’s hard. When the person is a family member, it’s really hard. When the person is a family member, and they kill themselves, it’s devastating. How we react is everything about who we are. How Tyler reacts to his mother’s death is tragic, hard to watch and yet beautifully sad at the same time.</div>
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This book was compared with a couple other books that I just don’t understand. If I were to say anything about where this belongs on the shelves, besides the TEEN BEST SELLER list, it would be with Jay Asher’s THIRTEEN REASONS WHY and Jennifer Niven’s ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES. Not just because they are books that involve suicide and death because they are books that deal with the way characters handle suicide and death.</div>
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Or I would say, and am saying this. If you like Andrew Smith’s WINGER, and you like Jay Asher’s THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, you’ll LOVE Michelle Levy’s new book NOT AFTER EVERYTHING.</div>
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If it were a few decades back, I would say the same but replace the above books with S.E. Hinton’s THE OUTSIDES and J.D. Salinger’s THE CATCHER IN THE RYE.</div>
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Buy this book, tell your friends about it, because it’s deserving of it, and you will love it. If you really want to get inside the head of someone going through some tough times, read this book.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18520658-not-after-everything" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">GOODREADS</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O2BKLK2/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00O2BKLK2&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">AMAZON</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-after-everything-michelle-levy/1120422121" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BARNES AND NOBLE</a></div>
Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-17671189441209914972015-08-17T07:57:00.001-07:002015-08-17T08:11:00.881-07:00Yup, You Know You're A Southern Californian When....(I am) I have been fighting, and not sure why, the idea that I have become a true Californian, and more importantly, a Southern Californian. I guess stereotypes exist for a reason, and that doesn't mean that I, or anyone, walks around saying "dude" or "like" all day long-that said, many do, and sometimes I do say like, but I rarely say dude.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4Tko-p_tEBdvsHyw8uw2NBd_j4OlObFvxzAjnKKMBiml_ejtxDQS2LK9IZTYey2JNFpK4HgF-A4mjiX9O8Re5_i9H8XwX2JsuF-ZI_Ohliv8jLdrxCYR-oR_o6QjnxNXsuyjvMuNxR6D/s1600/laskyline2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4Tko-p_tEBdvsHyw8uw2NBd_j4OlObFvxzAjnKKMBiml_ejtxDQS2LK9IZTYey2JNFpK4HgF-A4mjiX9O8Re5_i9H8XwX2JsuF-ZI_Ohliv8jLdrxCYR-oR_o6QjnxNXsuyjvMuNxR6D/s320/laskyline2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It means that I have lived here so long that things that seem normal to me in everyday life, really aren't in the rest of the country.<br />
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I do belong to two gyms, yes TWO, most of my friends belong to at least one, and then go to a specialized yoga, zumba, piloxing, cardio barre or something. I belong to two that covers all that. OMG I am such a stereotype!<br />
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Recently I was at a week long writing workshop in the middle of the country, and not in the middle of America, in the middle of the rural countryside of PA. It was awesome, but Oh. My. God, It was so quiet, that it freaked me out.<br />
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Growing up in New England for the most part, even though I like to call myself a New Yorker, most of my childhood was spent in Southern Vermont. It wasn't that quiet because we were in a town, even in snow you could walk to a store, or something and there were street lights. The countryside was close, but not where we were. In fact the street I grew up on there was much like every suburb here in Los Angeles, except with just a little more land between properties, but even that, it was really like the burbs here, just with a main street full of quaint shops etc.<br />
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So at this workshop-which was awesome-things that made me realize how much of a stereotype I have become started to become apparent.<br />
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The one thing that I don't yet have is that, I don't think it's cold at 70. Oh how I wish that I did because my life would be so much better. I still have all my back eastness there. 40-60 is awesome. 70-80 is hot, 80-90 is nasty, 90-100 is beyond nasty, and 100-120 is evil. I don't like to be hot. I also don't like to be in the sun, and I don't live at the beach. I guess that's two things, but honestly SoCal is divided into two groups, the ones who love the beach & surf, and those of us who still need mountains, hiking and being surrounding by trees, I am the second kind.<br />
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Runyon Canyon</div>
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The San Fernando Valley</div>
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And we walk everywhere. The myth that no one walks here is just that a myth. Everyone walks everywhere, if they can. Meaning not in certain areas with known gangs, etc.. but everywhere else, yes we walk.<br />
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FOOD!! Okay, years and years ago I went to visit my sister in New Orleans, pre Katrina, pre Andrew (or whatever that other big one was in 1998), and pre it becoming one of the trendy culinary cities that it is now. We went out to eat and the choices for salad were "houses" salad and "mixed" greens. Being from L.A. I ordered <i>mixed greens</i>. I was so excited! They brought me; iceberg lettuce, one tomato slice, on slice of cucumber and a carrot. I said, "Sorry I didn't order the house salad" only to be horrified that there a mixed greens salad was iceberg lettuce mixed with one tom, one cucumber and one carrot, and my sister saying, "sorry she's from California". SIGH. (It's much better now, and New Orleans has great local foods, that I basically filled up on when there-most of it blackened and most of it rice and beans).<br />
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So at this workshop, I was really in a state of shock at the food that they thought was healthy. Here's an example. Putting out romaine lettuce and oil & vinegar and calling it a healthy meal is strange to me. That was the salad-the only salad. I CRAVED veggies & beans. It was weird to me. <b>They are awesome at this place and really try to make everyone happy. I realized quickly that it was where I live that was the problem. My issue, not there's. They were GREAT. I just want to make that clear. </b><br />
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People were like, "what do you eat?", and I'd say, "I eat healthy" only to get perplexed expressions of complete and utter confusion back.<br />
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When I said that I ate a lot of rice and beans with veggies, people were really confused.<br />
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Here is what I eat normally: avocados, eggs (they did have eggs for breakfast and sometimes slices at lunch, so I ate a lot of eggs there), cucumbers, tomatoes, red-yellow-orange-green peppers, onions, (at least three or four different kinds) garlic, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, (like three different kinds) black beans, rice, plantains, cashews, broccoli (which they did have once or twice), french green beans, chick peas (as hummus and plain), corn, kale, spinach, arugula, romaine, etc.. all the salad mixes, fresh herbs, sometimes pasta, rice-especially with beans. Salmon, and tuna sometimes. Fruit smoothies, tons of green juices. Meat usually twice a week-sorry vegans, my body needs it. And, this is just off the top of my head. I follow the Blue Zone diet-it's a healthy way to eat. I am not extreme in either direction.<br />
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Oh and like once every two weeks, salad pizza. Which is a pizza base, no sauce, some kind of cheese with fruit, and then a salad on top-I know this is super California, but it's awesome.<br />
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I don't eat, processed cereals, chips, cookies, etc.. that they had out. I found myself starving. Out of desperation, I grabbed a trail mix at Walmart, (cuz a few of us needed things and that was 8 miles away) and ate Kashi cereal in the morning, with whole milk that I had to ask for. I guess back east people still think that low-fat milk is healthy, it's not, it's heavily processed.<br />
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Everyone else loved the food-well there were a few of us who by Thursday talked in our own little group about how starving we were, but since everyone else was happy with it, that was as far as it went.<br />
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The things they had that I did eat, and do eat in real life, just not every day, was cheese, and tuna. They made a great tuna salad with white beans one day at lunch that was amazing, it didn't have mayo or anything and I loved it, but it was only once.<br />
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I lost 8 lbs, and was sick every night on a non planned fast/cleanse, and was craving real food. I lost eight pounds in a week.<br />
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About midweek, I realized. HOLY SHIT I'M A CALIFORNIAN! I guess I thought that everyone eats this way. They don't. I honestly believe that here there are staple foods; red-yellow-green peppers, onions, black beans, red beans, rice, corn, cilantro, tomatoes, etc..and then all the greens, we eat a lot of greens here, and AVOCADOS! Yes I eat them every day, I do. Someone actually said, "you eat those every day??" Like I was from Mars. Yup, I do. I missed them.<br />
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It's okay, I'm embracing my new realization, and I will be more mentally prepared next time I leave my little world here. Unless I go to a city, I will plan to eat differently.<br />
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I am happy that I lost 8 lbs, it's nice to come home to my clothes being a little looser. :)<br />
<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-18573324863516943602015-07-12T16:00:00.000-07:002016-07-19T09:50:30.345-07:00Social Media BlundersSometimes social media can be difficult, mostly because people do a lot of things that they wouldn't do in an office or social event.<br />
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For example:<br />
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Last week a long time FB friend deleted and blocked me, since I have known her for a while, I asked her why via email, and she said. "you posted about the confederate flag and.. yadda yadda."<br />
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I replied <i>"Nope that wasn't me, I never posted about it on my page or replied to a comment on someone else's."</i><br />
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She said that it was on her friend's page-someone I don't even know. I replied back telling her that, and she said, "I don't have time to deal with this, I'm not even reading it." so.. now guess what?<br />
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She deleted the wrong person. It doesn't bother me, but my suggestion for people who do this kind of thing, be sure you are paying attention to who you are deleting etc. This kind of behavior causes unneeded drama. Now I don't care, whatever, it's her life, but what if she did that to someone who is not as nice as I am?<br />
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Another thing to avoid is complaining on your page about your agent, editor, boss or peers. This happens all the time, it's a real problem.<br />
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Cyber bullying or stalking someone.<br />
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Etc.. so just remember DO UNTO OTHERS.<br />
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<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-57801559734176588802015-06-27T04:01:00.001-07:002015-06-27T04:01:56.487-07:00I Posted About Equality Today and What Happened Next Shocked MeToday something amazing happened in this country----yup you know it. <b>Finally equal rights for everyone on marriage</b>. This is a huge and I'm so happy to call myself an American-FINALLY, I can stand up tall and be thrilled with news. I was so excited in fact, that I posted three articles about it on Facebook.<br />
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<b>Little did I know. </b><br />
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Three words often used in literature to lead into something bad... little did I know that..<br />
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I was about to be sent a friggen' ISIS video to "teach me a lesson" from a fellow (aspiring) teen author.<br />
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This person actually deleted me from FB, because I posted the news, but before she did that, she sent me this HORRIFIC video, that I can't ever get out of my mind now to show me what non Christians (<b>her words not mine</b>) do to Christians, and the world needs to be rid of people like me. (again her words.... who does that sound like? WOW--rid of people like me... the words are raw, stale and full of hate.)<br />
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Now, I'm not sure how me posting articles about equal rights makes me the same as a terrorist, but in her eyes we are the same. The video was of a few men being drowned. I wish I could ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND it out of my head. I can't. I wish that I had not opened it. I wish that there wasn't so much hate in the world.<br />
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I also do my best not to judge others for their beliefs, but I don't know what version of the bible she is reading that has taught her that having love for all people is the same as carrying out an act of terrorism. I think that she needs to reread it because I'm sure she has missed the point entirely of what it's teaching.<br />
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She went on to say that people like me (SIGH) shouldn't be allowed to write for kids, and she is going to write a letter to the head of the SCBWI to tell them that all members need to be "Christians" because we need to teach kids this, and it's unsafe to have people like me as members-all because I posted the news today.<br />
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I can't believe that she did this.<br />
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I knew this woman was conservative because she was in a writing group that I was in and she read my first chapter of one of my novels and promptly bitched me out for having the teens at a party drinking and what teens do at parties. Yes she is older, she could be my mother, and yes she is conservative, but today she went too far.<br />
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Instead of teaching teens hate, shouldn't we be teaching them about LOVE, and EQUALITY for everyone? <b>Shouldn't we lead by example? </b><br />
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I don't understand why it matters to anyone who gets married to whom, and who sleeps with who--I don't understand the hate.<br />
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I'm so disturbed by this woman's behavior today.<br />
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I for one, am so happy that we finally have equality in this country. Aren't we supposed to be the leaders in this kind of thing? Other countries, have had equality for years.<br />
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Today I am proud to be an American. It's been a great week, and our president is awesome.Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-83065600607282850562015-06-24T13:20:00.002-07:002015-06-24T13:20:45.542-07:00RIGHT TO WORK Contracts & Copyright, What it Means for Artists<b><br /></b>
<b>RIGHT TO WORK Contracts & Copyright, What it Means for Artists</b><br />
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(mostly in this blog I'm talking about children's books)<br />
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Earlier this week on Facebook, there was a discussion from an artist about taking work for hire work as an illustrator and whether or not she could ask for royalties, it was/is a great discussion, but it did get side tracked and turned into a conversation on copyright.<br />
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I am just sharing information.<br />
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One of the persons in the conversation said that artists automatically keep the copyright and<i> just look in any book on the shelves</i>-those are NOT "work for hire" books, they are from big publishers and yes that is the case, artists do retain the copyright. It is standard for artists to retain copyrights, but if an artist is signing a "work for hire" contract they do need to add in a "right of use" clause or just have a right of use contract instead of the work for hire.<br />
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I am talking specifically about WORK FOR HIRE here, not traditional publishing.<br />
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There are exceptions to every rule, and yes many authors and illustrators pair up and work together for splits, that is their choice, but for illustrators working for flat rates, for hire, etc.. they do need to know that they need to have this clause in there, or they will not hold the copyright.<br />
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It's just like working for a big company like Disney, etc-here is a link about the law-this is worldwide, not just in the USA.<br />
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I am sharing this information not to be a know it all, but just sharing so both authors and illustrators understand.<br />
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I didn't know any of this until about my 5th book and my author said, "you signed a work for hire, so I own all the drawings." I did get credit from her, but she was the first one who told me what "work for hire" meant in that way.<br />
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I posted about it on my FB personal page and about 60 other artists confirmed my worst nightmare, that I did NOT own the copyright anymore.<br />
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So now I do "right to use" so I don't get burned, it works well. If I let the copyright go, then I charge a lot more; unless of course this is work on an existing property.<br />
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All of this information can be found with a little time and Google. The Writers and Illustrator market books are also good, and the SCBWI, and the Graphic Artist Guild. I apologize to anyone if my comments offended anyone, as that is never my intention. I just want to share what I've learned. Thanks so much and I hope this helps clear it up. <a href="http://worksmadeforhire.com/">http://worksmadeforhire.com/</a> I'm in the US so I am posting the US one, but in that other thread I posted one about world wide copyright.<br />
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It's a very tricky thing for artists and we all need to be aware. Just read your contracts thoroughly before you sigh. Most authors have no problems with the "right to use" clause. ;)Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-26741042092163834172015-05-19T10:46:00.001-07:002015-05-19T10:46:53.819-07:00Will Terry on Doing Test (FREE) Illustrations for Jobs<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q2KP0kVNsE&feature=em-subs_digest">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q2KP0kVNsE&feature=em-subs_digest</a><br />
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I am posting this video today because I really like what my colleague-Will Terry has to say.<br />
Some artists get really upset with this kind of thing, but it's part of being an artist.<br />
In animation and illustration it is common and for the most part I don't mind doing a test image.<br />
Sometimes companies, or people will pay for the test and sometimes they don't. It really depends, so before you decide to do it, you really have to ask yourself a few questions.<br />
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1. Do I have time to do a professional test?<br />
2. Is this job worth it for me?<br />
3. What is the likelihood that I will get the job?<br />
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The last one is because sometimes in animation, the studios will give 100+ people the same test and then it really is just a Craps shoot on whether you will get the job or not. Usually, these days, I stay away from those. I used to do them, but one animation studio-who I won't say which-I passed the same test 9 times, yup NINE and they never hired me, so I was wasting a week (40 hours) each time I did it.<br />
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I think as artists we really have to know our own time, strengths and whether it is worth it.<br />
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Have a great day making art everyone and you can find Will via this video or here.<br />
<a href="http://willterry.blogspot.com/">http://willterry.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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and here<br />
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<a href="https://svslearn.com/">https://svslearn.com/</a><br />
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Here are some of my test images that I have done for some jobs<br />
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<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-66999943811853821202015-05-08T07:53:00.000-07:002015-05-08T07:53:16.337-07:00What I Realized at a Book Signing-Teens LOVE Characters Like Real People<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I chose this photo just because the book I am working on now is set in a private school,</div>
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well that and a hospital, and the city of Boston. <span class="wp-smiley wp-emoji wp-emoji-smile" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; display: inline-block !important; margin: 0px; min-height: 1.2em; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: static; text-indent: 9999px; vertical-align: bottom; white-space: nowrap; width: 1.35em;" title=":)">:)</span> I love photos and just like to have them in my posts.</div>
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<a href="https://stepholivieriwriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/belmont.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="belmont" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1165" height="175" src="https://stepholivieriwriter.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/belmont.jpg?w=300&h=175" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 4px 4px 12px; background: transparent; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(204, 204, 204) rgb(204, 204, 204) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 4px 4px 12px; height: auto; left: -4px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a></div>
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I have never thought about killing off my characters more than, this is what I need to tell this story. It has to happen. I don’t sit down and say, “hrm? How can I make people cry?” Or “I want to write a boo-hoo (as a fellow author friend of mine calls them) book.”</div>
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I went to a book signing and talk last night that a friend and fellow author was giving for her book-All The Bright Places- (Jennifer Niven). It was great, and I love supporting my friends, and great books. What was especially cool was sitting in the room with about 100 teenages. Watching their reactions to the book and how the book made them feel really hit home with me.</div>
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I thought.</div>
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Oh. My. God. “They are going to hate me, I kill of characters in every book.”</div>
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They didn’t hate Jennifer, but a lot of them were sad, and some destroyed because of something that happens in the book.</div>
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It’s funny how we as adults feel like we know and love these characters, but for teens, well, I am learning, there is a whole new level of “REAL” when it comes to our work.</div>
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I brought my first 10 pages to a Starbucks a few months ago. I bought all the teens in the room coffee and treats and asked for their opinions on my first chapter. It was amazing, and what was great was that they had totally different reactions than my critique group-who at the time was mostly middle aged and older women-who don’t want to think that their sons would ever do anything wrong. So I had to get teens to weigh in.</div>
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When I then told them what happens in the story, in a clumsy not-the-way-I-would-pitch-it way, they had STRONG reactions. One girl actually teared up-WHY???? why does that character have to die-why??? I could see it in her face. Broke my heart a little, and it excited me at the same time.</div>
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My goal is not to make teens, or anyone cry, but to tell a powerful story. I am trying, learning, revising, reworking, working on my craft daily so I can achieve this. Last night gave me a whole new perspective on just how personal these stories can be to these kids.</div>
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Also helps me be ready to answer these questions when I am up there giving a talk.</div>
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When I used to read my chick lit books at signings-I just hoped for some laughs-the books didn’t mean anything, they were just fluff and fun. Now I have shifted into wanting my work to mean something to kids even if that means I may have to pair up with Kleenex and sell tissues with each copy (just kidding of course).</div>
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If you haven’t read All The Bright Places, I highly recommend it. It’s powerful, beautiful and just great. Finch and Violet will take you ‘wandering’ into their lives, dreams, hopes, despair and love.</div>
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<a href="http://www.jenniferniven.com/books/allthebrightplaces/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="All The Bright Places">http://www.jenniferniven.com/books/allthebrightplaces/</a></div>
Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-62829422728950208742015-04-20T10:21:00.001-07:002015-04-20T10:23:28.943-07:00Yay, It's OKAY to Be CARTOONY and ME! <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">OMG guys, I was just at the SCBWI Houston conference and I am happy to say that I have beeing feeling so insecure (you may not know that I actually am insecure about my work, even if I appear confident due to years as a professional artist) about my "cartoony" style for children's books. Even though I have done many, I still get the "your style won't work for children's books" comments etc, from more "artsy" folks in the industry. Well I received AMAZING comments in my portfo</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">lio which was on display. I always get good comments, and at every conference, including New York and Los Angeles, I have gotten calls about work from them, but I am ALWAYS NERVOUS-because of the aforementioned cartoony-ness of my work. So it was great to talk with a fellow cartoony illustrator, who is doing really well in children's books with her debut book, that just came out this past year, and I had a critique session with, who has a similar background to me and know that it's okay and I can be myself. YAY! </span><br />
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Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693889761454409580.post-73961425667007354402015-04-10T14:43:00.000-07:002015-04-10T14:43:41.111-07:00Da Beers-Blood Diamonds & Engagement Ring Scam<a href="http://www.diamondboycott.com/">http://www.diamondboycott.com/</a><br />
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I rarely am political on social media, but this is something that I really believe in. It's ridiculous-the whole diamond industry. I am shocked at how many people are okay with it, and also argue that no one died so they could wear that big rock on their finger.<br />
Especially my vegan friends! Come on, it's not okay to kill a chicken for food, but it's okay for CHILDREN to constantly be slaughtered, or arms cut off, or forced into slavery so you can wear a diamond? It boils my blood.<br />
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In 2006/2007 I did volunteer work AGAINST Da Beers and the diamond industry.<br />
I can't stand diamonds, I can't stand the ads that run all the time about them and I can't stand that people turn their heads and pretend that what's happening isn't.<br />
Also why should a guy spend so much on a ring? It's stupid. I'd rather go to France or Italy for a week, put a down payment on a condo/house. Seriously I don't get it.<br />
<a href="http://expandedconsciousness.com/2015/04/10/scam-alert-the-awful-truth-about-diamond-engagement-rings/">http://expandedconsciousness.com/2015/04/10/scam-alert-the-awful-truth-about-diamond-engagement-rings/</a><br />
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<br />Stephanie Bourbon: Writer, artist, actress, creative consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624323935907702233noreply@blogger.com0