#splittingthedifference

[qriousqrmudgeon]

#Cosplay #ComicCon #SplittingTheDifference Happy #Coniversary to the charming & talented @beckpoppins ! We began our IG interaction after meeting at last year's Cleveland #WizardWorld; however, as I searched recently through saved photos for potentially post-worthy ones, I happened upon one of you with #PrinceIanus from two years prior. Which means that you were, in fact, one of the FIRST cosplayers to contribute to my then just-begun #TheQriousQrmudgeon 'enterprise'... such as it is... even now. So THANKS! 😁 belatedly. 😏 (at Cleveland, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMDBCXHDVxQ/?igshid=ezrvqmtog1rt

[goodtattoos]

Working with an existing piece- I told him we should make it into a rad sword! Original is a little off-center, but we made it work. Thanks for looking! 🐍 🐍 🐍 🐍 #workinprogress #snake #sword #splittingthedifference #tattoo #toronto #seatonvillagetoronto #seatonvillage #koreatown #TattoosThisWay #neotatmachines #AlieK (at Tattoos This Way) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0cAXxillV6/?igshid=1nagc6gw1mdgy

[whiteelephantintheroom]

The Effing Magic of Book Clubs

Twice a week all Spring, I’ve been in living rooms from Oregon to New York.

Sometimes I’m physically in the room with a dozen female strangers; sometimes I’m beamed in via Skype.

Most of them have read my book and all of us have a glass of something in our hands.

I break the ice by reading passages I hope their book club will enjoy.

Sometimes I read the right stories.

Sometimes I don’t.

But after talking love, loss, books and Pilates for an hour (or three), the definitions of reader and author become amorphous.

There’s nothing they’re afraid to ask.

Nothing I’m afraid to answer.

We take turns showing and telling.

Crying and laughing.

And by the end of every book club, I’ve met women I’d like to know better and others who it seems I already do.

[whiteelephantintheroom]

I had Barnes & Noble order your book and ship it to me in Rhode Island. Everybody keeps telling me they read it all in one sitting, so I am keeping it in the shipping box until the weekend (otherwise I know I won't go to work tomorrow)! I’ve been so anxious to get the book because I know from following your blog that you paint riveting watercolors with your words. God bless!

— Rachael Anne (thegoodnitemoon)

[whiteelephantintheroom]

I read 'Splitting the Difference' in two days and want to say THANK YOU. I know this will sound odd but after I finished the last page of your book, I went to check my emails and the very first message I opened said 'I'll be there.' It was from an intern that I was interviewing, but still, it gave me chills. Then the very next day, I went to a local watering hole, opened the menu and staring me in the face was a Cubano. A Cubano at a local beer bar. I had to order it. Then, a few days later I was on the phone with a very nice man who was helping me resolve computer issues and at the end of the conversation, I asked for his name and, naturally, it was Alberto. I am probably just reading into all of this but..it was so beautiful that I had to share with you!

— Lori, New York

[whiteelephantintheroom]

What My Bio Daughter Just Saw for the First Time (And What I Now Have the Privilege of Experiencing. Every. Single. Day.) 

[whiteelephantintheroom]

You were one of the first people to follow me when my blog had a lot of my creative writing on it. It meant so much that an anonymous figure had an interest in what I had to write and was willing see more of my random pop up on their dash. I find your story, both personally and as an author, inspirational and unique. Thanks for the boost that little act gave me, and congratulations on your accomplishment!

— A Fellow Tumblr in Virginia (viewfromwatershipdown)

[whiteelephantintheroom]

I’ve often thought about writing you, but I figured ‘she must have so many people contacting her and who am I to think I will make any difference to the success she must feel?’ But then I realized: what if everyone felt that way? All these wonderful people on Tumblr who have been with you every step of the way, what if none of us told you how immensely proud we are of your success? So this is me finally saying that I am so thankful to have come across you on Tumblr, and so sorry for the events that led to you writing your book, and a huge hearty congratulations for getting it published. As soon as it is available this side of the pond, I promise to order it!

— Victoria, Sweden (victoria-l-roberts)