WOW! Women On Writing Blog: Friday Speak Out!: Getting Creative ...

Drivers along the northern stretch of Alabama?s busy I65 met with an eerie and unexpected sight during February of 2012 when a gaping sinkhole appeared before them in the blacktop.

It must have been terrifying.

In a peculiar way, the event reminded me of the potentially devastating effects of writer?s block. How many of us have been swept along by intoxicating whirlwinds of creativity and inspiration, only to be dropped suddenly and unceremoniously at the brink of our own black and cavernous ?sinkhole??

The big question is: how should we react when this happens? Human nature seems to say stare at the looming sinkhole. Think about it. Focus on it, to the exclusion of every good thing around you. And, yes, possibly even begin to spend time researching sinkholes. In other words ?Think SINK?. Until the gnawing blackness grows to an overwhelming, all-consuming size.

Or?take action.

For just a moment, imagine the result if those unlucky February drivers had chosen to simply sit in their vehicles and stare at their obstacle. Not too efficient.

Instead, traffic was detoured and people started thinking. Some enterprising folks chose different modes of transportation for a week or two, a few drivers sought new routes, and still others opted to make phone calls instead of personal visits. People got creative!

To ward off writer?s block, you too, have to be pro-active and creative. One step is by choosing to become proficient in different genres. Though you may prefer to pen Young Adult Fiction, your talent can only improve as you learn to write quality Flash Fiction or try your hand at Poetry or Romance. If you always compose while sitting at the computer, ?unplug? yourself now and then to write long-handed or speak into a voice-recorder. Join a critique group or consider co-writing a piece or story. Or why not consider getting a ?fresh start?, literally, by scribbling some notes while sitting beneath a tree under an expansive blue sky?

Shake things up! Keep the creative juices flowing by daring to challenge yourself and your brain. Do things differently and don?t be afraid to take detours!

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Source: http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2013/06/friday-speak-out-getting-creative-with.html

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Pa. girl who fought for lung transplant now awake

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ? A spokeswoman for the family of a 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl who underwent a double-lung transplant after a national debate over the process of getting the organs says the girl has awakened from a coma and is communicating by nodding to questions.

Tracy Simon says Sarah Murnaghan was awake Friday and responding to simple questions by nodding to indicate yes or no. Two days earlier, she was moved from a heavy-duty breathing machine to a traditional ventilator.

Sarah, of Newtown Square, suffers from severe cystic fibrosis. She underwent a six-hour operation after a judge intervened and gave her a chance at the list of organs from adult donors, not just child donors.

Simon says Sarah's family is optimistic with the latest progress, but Sarah is frustrated because she can't talk yet.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pa-girl-fought-lung-transplant-now-awake-122708877.html

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US government files criminal charges against Edward Snowden over PRISM leaks

The Washington Post reports tonight that, as expected, the US Government has filed criminal charges against Edward Snowden for leaking information about NSA surveillance programs to the Post and Guardian. The charges listed include Theft of Government Property, Unauthorized Communications on National Defense Information and "Willful Communication of Classified Information to an Unauthorized Person." The charges are filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where the headquarters of Snowden's employer, Booz Allen Hamilton, are located. So what's next? According to the paper, the government has asked Hong Kong to detain Snowden on a provisional warrant, however if a fight over extradition or request for asylum could delay the process.

Filed under: Internet

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Source: Washington Post, Official Complaint

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/21/us-government-files-criminal-charges-against-edward-snowden-over/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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Happy Birthday, Marion & Tabitha! See Their Cutest Pics

As the couple celebrates their twins' 4th birthday, look back at how the family has evolved throughout the years.

 

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/sarah-jessica-parker-and-matthew-brodericks-cutest-photos/1-b-536518?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Asarah-jessica-parker-and-matthew-brodericks-cutest-photos-536518

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Senate immigration deal would double number of U.S. border agents (reuters)

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MSSU board approves settlement agreement with fired president

JOPLIN, Mo. ? Bruce Speck, whose contract as president of Missouri Southern State University was terminated last week, will receive the equivalent of a year?s salary as well as housing and health insurance benefits through the end of the year.

Those terms were approved Wednesday by the Board of Governors.

According to the agreement, which also carried Speck?s signature, the university will pay Speck:

? All contract benefits through the end of this month.

? Twelve monthly installments, beginning in July, totaling $185,400, which is the amount of his annual salary.

? His health coverage through December. The agreement also requires the university to make available to Speck?s wife the same health coverage, at her expense, through December.

? A monthly housing allowance of $3,333.33 through December.

? $14,261.53, which represents 160 hours of accrued vacation pay.

The agreement requires Speck to return to the university its leased vehicle as well as other university property such as keys, computers, telephones or credit cards. It also includes a clause that stipulates that Speck may not sue the university.

The board voted unanimously last week to terminate Speck?s contract, which was effective through June 30, 2015. Sherry Buchanan, chairwoman of the board, disclosed the vote earlier this week and said in a statement that the termination was ?by mutual agreement? of the board and Speck.

Ron Mitchell, a Joplin attorney representing the board, said he thinks the agreement is ?amicable? to both parties.

?It was very important that we be fair, that we move forward in a positive fashion, that we not get bogged down with this to the detriment of the future,? Mitchell said after the board?s meeting at his office.

Mitchell said many of the terms of the agreement ? the paying of accrued vacation time and health insurance, for example ? are standard university policy regarding the departure of an employee. The payment of one year?s salary isn?t standard procedure for employees, he said.

?Given the fact that he had two years left on the contract, I think everybody thought that was fair,? he said.

Joy Dworkin, president of the faculty senate, said when contacted by the Globe on Wednesday night that she thinks the settlement is ?going beyond? what is listed in Speck?s contract.

According to his contract, the president would be paid his base salary and health coverage for six additional months in a situation wherein his contract was terminated ?by mutual consent? and initiated by the board. He would not be paid salary or benefits beyond his date of termination in the same situation if he initiated the termination, under the contract.

?I would say that I?m not shocked, but that does seem generous,? Dworkin said of the terms of the settlement. ?I suppose I could say I?m somewhat disappointed that this is an expensive settlement for Missouri Southern, but I feel quite confident that the faculty nevertheless is eager for us to move on to new leadership.?

Speck has been out of his office and unavailable for comment for about three weeks now.

Buchanan has repeatedly declined to comment on his absence. She also has declined to comment on why Speck?s contract was terminated, saying only that it is a personnel matter.

Mitchell said Speck?s last official day as president was Friday, the same day that the board voted to terminate his contract. He said he didn?t know when Speck?s last day on campus was, or why he had been gone.

In Speck?s absence, Mitchell said, the day-to-day operation of the university has fallen to the president?s council, which consists of the university?s four vice presidents and the director of athletics, as well as the leader of the Board of Governors.

What?s next?

AN INTERIM PRESIDENT has not yet been named by the board. The board is to meet at 4 p.m. today in Billingsly Student Center for its regular monthly meeting.

Source: http://www.joplinglobe.com/topstories/x479815988/MSSU-board-approves-settlement-agreement-with-fired-president

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Hepatitis A outbreak linked to Ore. berry farm (The Arizona Republic)

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