Hello all! I’m back for another week of sharing the news, and none is more worth sharing for me personally than that of my contest win. I mentioned a while back that I took first place in a contest with my first novel: Silent Witnesses. Well, the conference I went to last weekend was put on by the same writing group that sponsors the contest: Pikes Peak Writers. Congrats to all of my fellow winners! I hope all of us see our manuscripts in print sometime soon. Take a look at the pic below. It was taken by Jared Hagan.
There’s so much to filter through in the news this week, and, unfortunately, a lot of it is devastating and heart-breaking. But I refuse to give up on the resilience of good people to stand strong in the face of incredible pressure and odds. So… a little good news from some of the hardest hit areas.
We can have conversations and still stand together. Their actions matter.
http://qz.com/394232/photos-baltimore-citizens-protecting-police/
You don’t need my words. My heart is with the people in Nepal.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/29/baby-boy-rescued-from-nepal-earthquake-rubble
And in science news, NASA sends words of support to the people of Nepal.
Until next week, keep Baltimore and Nepal in your thoughts. And remember that there’s always something going on. Stay informed of more than just the bad. We’re so much more than that.
kimlajevardi 
I’m so happy for your win and award! You deserved it after all your effort, and you look great in the pics I’ve seen – so it’s a win-win! I’d take the protests more seriously if there wasn’t the inevitable looting and burning of businesses. But it’s lovely to see a few people take a stand against violence. I know about the Nepal miracle baby and I remember the same thing happening after the dreadful quake in Mexico City. Two things struck me about the space station article – I didn’t realize the quake was 7.8. That’s HUGE! Also, there’s an Italian astronaut?? Really??
Thanks, Lex! I had a ton of help from my fabulous CPs. I agree that the looting really taints the whole discussion, but there are serious people who are trying. I wish we’d spend more time talking about them. I remember the baby from Mexico City. Can you imagine surviving something that hugs when you were an infant? It has to shape the is their lives in a significant way. Not only is there an Italian astronaut, but she recently requested and received an espresso machine. 😉
Did you see where some astronaut on the space station was upset that she could only have basic coffee? So some people got together and created a coffee put that would make espresso in space? Yeah… Of course, we can’t say it’s really your tax dollars, since private companies invented the machine and a coffee company provided the coffee. It was shipped to space with a bunch of other supplies they were sending anyway.
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
I get the frustration with spending tax dollars, but I really do understand her desire for good coffee. She must be a writer as well as an astronaut. I think it’s a requirement for us, or is that just me? 🙂
Congratulations. So amazing. 🙂
Those are heartwarming links. I am saddened by recent events, but there are good people out there to make things better.
Thanks!
There really are more good people out there than bad, but they don’t always make the news for their efforts. They should.
Huge congrats… such a massive achievement and very well deserved. Can’t wait to see your story published:)
Thanks, T.F.! I can’t wait to see it published either. Now, I gotta find a publisher that thinks the same thing. 🙂
Congratulations!
Those photos of the men protecting the cops were moving. There are still good people in this world.
Thanks, Alex!
There are good people–a lot of them, I think.