I’m never current on the new music scene, but a Seattle Times interview tipped me off to musician Kaz Nomura of PWRFL Power.  Kaz is headed for the East Coast to perform this summer in addition to his Seattle performances.  Check out the PWRFL Power MySpace page to hear his music and see his tour schedule – I dig his poetry.

Greetings from the Emerald City!  I am settling in to the Pacific Northwest after enjoying a most excellent roadtrip from Philadelphia to Seattle.  I will resume blogging in June with a post frequency of 1 – 2 times per week on each blog: AppleJade, Arboreality, and Brainripples.

At Brainripples we will be sharing methods of creative exploration, successful approaches to working independently, and unique perspectives from featured artists.

At AppleJade we will be discussing healthy, happy lifestyle through attitude, gardening, cooking, and simple, green living.

At Arboreality we will be exploring the woods of Western Washington and other localities within reasonable driving distance.

You will also find me blogging at the Pennwriters Area 6 HQ, a new blog created as a resource for writers living in and around southeastern Pennsylvania.  I will be blogging with other Pennwriters about local news, events, information, and of course – writers!

If you are a writer in the Puget Sound Area (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Kitsap Peninsula, Bellingham) and would like to join my newly forming Seattle Pennwriters Critique Groups, please contact me for more information.

More to follow!

PS - Today’s image of the Yellowstone River in Montana was taken on our road trip at the end of April.  Cold and beautiful!

PPS - Please bear with me as I acclimate to the new WordPress interface, and please let me know when things don’t look *quite right*.

I am returning to Seattle this May, and Brainripples will be on vacation until June 1, 2008 while I pack and travel.

Once I am settled in Seattle I’ll be able to share some of my latest work, my new goals to connect with other writers in Seattle, and of course all our favorites: Monday Morning Muses, Feature Artist Interviews, Show-and-Tell Fridays, and discussions about the act of creating, and the business of working independently.  Until then, I wish you a productive, creative season.

See you in June!

Writing can be a naturally independent and solitary profession.  Even as hobbyists, writers often create their material alone.  Professionals navigate potential writing markets using their own will, initiative, and creativity.

If you are a writer seeking a support, guidance, and networking opportunities, Pennwriters is the organization for you.  Pennwriters’ current goals are as follows:

- Promote excellence in writing;

- Help aspiring authors learn how to become published via traditional, professional venues;

- Advance the careers of published writers;

- Facilitate professional networking between members and representatives of the traditional publishing industry;

- Act as a liaison between authors and booksellers.

Membership is open to all writers at all levels – you do not have to live in Pennsylvania to be a member of Pennwriters.  The Pennwriters organization offers workshops, critique groups, contests, industry news, networking opportunities, and an annual Writers Conference held in a different location in Pennsylvania each year.

I am the new Pennwriters Area 6 Representative which means I work with members in southeastern part of Pennsylvania.  Brainripples readers are familiar with my writing critique group in the Philadelphia Area.  Now that I’m a Rep, I’ll be coordinating workshops, critique groups, and other activities throughout the region.  You’ll hear all about writing activities in my area right here at the Brainripples blog.  Please feel welcome to join us any time!

In May 2008 you will find me in attendance at the Pennwriters Annual Conference, this year hosted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at The Host Resort.  I’ll be blogging about the conference in more detail soon.  You do not have to be a Pennwriters member to attend our conference.  To learn more and register, visit the Pennwriters website.

PS – Our Philadelphia Writers’ Critique Group meeting is tonight!  Check out the Critique Group page for details, and if you’re in or around Philly, come join us!

The Apple Valley Review enters its third year of sharing excellent contemporary literature with the online community.  Apple Valley Review Editor Leah Browning never fails to prepare a unique and thoughtful selection of literary voices offering short fiction, poetry, and essays.

Explore the Apple Valley Review carefully and slowly: Browning affords each voice added depth by regularly publishing multiple works by individual authors, and supplementing each author’s work with a brief, relevant biography.  These final notes usually include the author’s reflection on a given work – a unique opportunity to see the method (and the madness) behind the creative process.

[Remember you can click to enlarge.]