Wearing Different Hats & Loving It

As Michelle Monkou, I wear different hats: Wife, mom, writer, TH fan girl, and whatever else is out there that strikes my fancy. For one year, I am wearing the hat of president of Romance Writers of America (RWA). I've been a member for over 10 years, authored over 15 books, and accumulated a vast wealth of information and friends. Here's a sneak peak into this world.

I never thought that I would be a writer, as a professional career choice. I wrote my stories through high school. Wrote my literary criticisms during college. Then came back to writing stories when I landed my first job and my co-worker also happened to be an avid romance reader and strived to be an author.  We joined Washington Romance Writers (WRW) in the DC area and that hobby turned into a passion, which turned into my career goal.  Happily after all these years, I am now writing fulltime.

Through a variety of circumstances, I decided to run for the Region 1 Board of Directors. I won and joined 16 women at the Board table of RWA. The experience has been uplifting, challenging, rewarding and memorable.  Now that I'm coming to the end of my term as president, I look forward to refocusing my time on my writing career.

Recently, we celebrated the organization's 30th anniversary at the Annual Conference in Orlando.  Over 2,100 attendees descended onto Disney's property. We were thankful for this location since we had to change venue from Nashville due to their flooding catastrophe a few months ago.

The conference keynote speaker was Nora Roberts and the luncheon speaker was Jayne Anne Krentz.  No one could possibly leave the conference without being inspired by these women's advice and shared experiences in the "trenches" of the business.

Tons of workshop offerings were available for the unpublished to the published and for the newbie to the veteran. Local and national media arrived to interview attendees and the stars of the romance industry.  Other industry professionals, such as publisher executives, editors, agents, librarians and booksellers joined in the celebration.

I'm proud of this organization. I'm proud that I have contributed to its legacy and continued growth.

Now back to writing.  Back to being a Tokio Hotel fan girl LOL

Celebrate Independence NTO Style

This week starts with July 4 - U.S. Independence Day.  Nothing better describes Tokio Hotel and the women on this blog who enjoy their music. We certainly are independent beings. We will carry the theme of independence, individuality, striving to be your own person for the entire week.  Join us each day to celebrate what makes us unique.

One of our famous quotes is that you're never too old for Tokio Hotel.  Well, you're also never too old to be inspired by or learn from this young band.  Repeatedly they have overcome odds to push forward to success.

Bill Kaulitz started writing songs at seven years old. By 11 years old, he and his twin, Tom, were performing in small clubs, at which time they met Georg and Gustav to form Tokio Hotel. Along the way to achieving their dreams, many obstacles with the record company, throat infection, stalkers, etc., sat like boulders in their path. Sheer determination on Tokio Hotel's side and on their fans' side have helped to blast apart the impediments.

As a teen, one dream that I've had was to be a writer. I didn't plan on writing as a profession, simply as a means of expression.  I wrote poetry and short stories on all angsty issues that teens experience. Now I write stories as my career choice.  The chosen path brings about a certain amount of freedom because I love letting go of my imagination and allowing it to guide my hand as the story unfolds.

Below is a poem I wrote inspired by the first time that I saw Tokio Hotel, specifically Bill. I was intrigued by his appearance. Intrigued that someone so young had the backbone to be sylistically unique and trendsetting. Our society gives a wider latitude to female artists who choose to be extreme.  So I was surprised and pleased that Bill had a streak of stubbornness and indvidiuality to stick with his personal style, which, by the way, changes frequently with dramatic flair. 

One Moment In Time© – Michelle Monkou

One moment in time ignited a change.
A microsecond, an instant connection

Shot straight to my heart,

and into my soul.

O Angel, haunting, graceful, yearning—strange.

You - winged messenger, a voice worth attention

Weave your white magic.

For this is your goal.

Let go fear, escape doubt. Get out of range.
A closed bud unfurls, with my dreams intention
Teach me through your songs.
What is my life’s role?

Dream big. Hold that vision. Is that my challenge?
Magdeburg. Hamburg. Life outside convention.
Breathe. Believe. Born to write.
Freedom-- I'm in control.