by Tracy Astle
Hello, sisters in faith and creativity!
Since I like to know a little about the person behind any blog post I read, I thought it might be a good idea to use this first post to introduce myself. (Don't worry. I don't find myself so fascinating that this will be a long discourse.)
I live in northern California surrounded by rich agricultural abundance. I mean seriously, we grow almost everything here, and I am fully aware of how completely spoiled I am when it comes to having access to an enormous variety of beautiful fresh produce. I love living in CA - politically, maybe not so much, but in every other way, absolutely!
I am a wife of 29 years - married my best friend from high school. It's a great story, really, considering that even though we knew each other for five years before we got married, we actually only went on one date before we got engaged - senior prom. Like I said, best friend, not boyfriend. I am also a mother of four, ranging in age from 27 to 16. Three boys, then one girl bringing up the rear. Two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren have increased our family circle in the last five years. Gotta love that!
I have been formally involved in creative things since about seventh grade, mostly music and theatre, but started writing seriously in 2008. I have also been working with youth most of my adult life which means, of course, that YA literature is my drug of choice.
One of the most important things I have learned in my life is that people are what matters. For example, ANWA is a great organization not because of it's basic idea of providing a supportive place for LDS women writers, which is a great idea. ANWA is agreat organization because of the women who make up it's ranks, who give of themselves to encourage and support each other. It's my hope that by being part of the blog team I will have the chance to get to know more about more of our sisters, so I can hopefully give them something they need - support, encouragement, a crit of their work, maybe point them in the direction of a good resource for information they want or need, but most of all to let them (you)know that they and their creative efforts are valued.
Now, to lighten things up a bit and to help me get to know you, let's talk about superpowers. Yes, I said superpowers. I know - rather an abrupt turn, but I am positive the bright women here can follow such turns! If I had a superpower based on my personality it would have to be uber-optimism. I am not only a glass half full kind of girl, I am probably more of a glass three quarters full kind of girl. I can find the bright side of anything. Really. Now, if I could choose a superpower it would probably be to be able to heal people - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually - with a single touch. wouldn't that be awesome?
So...what about you? What would your inherent superpower be and what one would you choose if you could? And why?
I love it! You sound like just my personality. I inherited my "glass is 3/4 full" personality from my dad but it is easier to say I am uber-optimistic. Super power? Hmmm, that is tough. I like the healing power, but what about the power to understand people - why they make certain choices, what they are truly feeling but not saying, those types of understandings. I'd make a great RS President if I had that, wouldn't I? Well, glad to meet you. -Stacy Johnson
ReplyDeleteStacy, so funny you would mention the ability to understand people as your superpower of choice. I have a great MC waiting to written and that's exactly what she can do. When she looks into their eyes she can see who they really are, what they are thinking, feeling, what their motivation is in that moment. Needless to say making eye contact isn't her favorite activity. It's all a bit much for a teen to deal with.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we are truly kindred spirits, you and I.
Nice to meetcha!
ReplyDeleteI'm a newbie to posting here too!
Welcome to the ANWA blog team! I enjoyed getting to know you a little bit as I read your delightful post. As far as my own inherent super powers...hmmm...nope, can't think of even one. I liked the idea of the healing one, but then I wondered about healing someone who needs that particular experience for growth so they can fulfill their own measure of creation. would I deny them that? I think I think too much. Is that a super power or weakness?
ReplyDeletehugs~~
Hi,
ReplyDeleteNice post. It's good to learn a bit about you. I didn't catch your name, though.
Marianna
Sorry about forgetting to put a "by" tag at the top of the post. My name is Tracy Astle. Thanks for asking, Marianna.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the super power of being able to see a person's past and future just by touching them and focusing on the right point in time. Wouldn't that be cool?
ReplyDeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It was fun to get to know more about you!
If I had a super power, I would stop time occasionally. Okay, a lot. That way I could actually do all of the things that I really, really want to do.
Kaylee, being able to stop time would be very cool, but I don't think I could be trusted with that power! LOL
ReplyDeleteOh, and Kari, you have very good point. I would also need super human wisdom to accompany a healing power, wouldn't I?
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy! Well, I'm sure my inherent super power would be the ability to make people laugh. Not as in, I'm a comedienne or anything. More like unintentional humor. My superhero moniker would be Mistress Slapstick.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I could choose my superpowers, for a fun one I'd like the power to breathe underwater. For something more meaningful, I'd like to be able to go back in time and fix a mistake.
Great post Tracy and welcome aboard. I'd like several superpowers but I guess the one I'd like the most is the ability to time travel. Wouldn't it be great to arrive at the precise moment in someone's life and said nope that road, take the other one. Wish I could do that to myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the intro Tracy, and welcome to the blogs. Are you coming to the ANWA Writers Conference February 25 - 26 here in Phoenix? I hope to meet you there.
ReplyDeleteKami and Terri - Both of those powers would be very cool. Just imagine the killer historical novels you could write if you could time travel or see a person's past by touching them!
ReplyDeleteKristin - You just crack me up. Curious...why the ability to breathe under water?
What awesome things we could do if we put all our superpowers together, huh?
Cindy - MUCH to my dismay, I won't be able to attend the conference. I work for an accountant whose office is very busy during tax season, of which February is a part. :( I am counting on all of you who attend to fill up your websites and blogs with lots of pictures and details, details, details.
Well, at first I was thinking about the ability to fly, which would be fun, or invisibility, which could provide all kinds of opportunity for mischief and shenanigans, or just plain being able to hide for some me time--but then I remembered I often have dreams where I can breathe underwater, and it's a peaceful and beautiful feeling, being able to swim unhindered with the tropical sea life.
ReplyDeleteIt would be just like flying, and I could hide under the waves for as long as I'd like. And don't get me started on all the mischief I could cause! Does anyone have a shark fin I could borrow, and the Jaws soundtrack?
I like all of the super powers but time travel, flying are my favorites followed by invisibility and breathing underwater. Healing would be wonderfully helpful and selfless. If you start handing out powers I will take any of these.
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