Me – if you are interested in knowing
I am an American living in western Canada as permanent resident. How I came to be here is a long, long story – and I am writing it as you read this – but the short version is I met a man on the Internet – a lot of things happened – and now we are married – pretty happily as it turns out in spite of skeptical predictions.
We live in a tiny hamlet outside a town outside the capital city. Between us we have three girls (27, 24 and 7). I am a former English teacher (20 years) who can write, but can’t spell, and is pursuing a writing career anyway though that hasn’t amounted to much in most people’s estimation: a single published essay, a poem in a Canadian anthology, a lotta nice personalized rejection letters, this blog (my third) and three syndication pick ups of pieces I wrote for the mommy blogging network I write for called 50 Something Moms. I am hopeful. Some very interesting people – who actually write and are published in some pretty amazing places – tell me I have the right stuff. So who knows, eh?
Currently I am writing creative non-fiction and book reviewing, but I have a first draft of my memoir completed and a sci-fi-ish/horror novel nearly completed. I also write flash fiction which can be found here or via the Twitter hash tag #fridayflash.
The memoir was my NanoWriMo project for November ‘08, and I have high hopes for this project based on some reactions it has garnered not the least of which is that some people seem to prefer I didn’t write it at all.
I do the occasional virtual book review tour via TLC Book Tours. I really enjoy reading other writer’s new novels and reviewing them, but currently I am not reviewing due to time constraints. I like to guest blog. If you have opportunities you’d like me to consider, my contact information is written below or leave a comment.
I really like to read comments. I do try to reply when time permits. I screen comments, however, and don’t post anonymous ones. I don’t necessarily delete nasty comments, but I reserve the write to reply and not give you the last word. I don’t take criticism any better than anyone else, but I do accept that sometimes I deserve it. Flaming of me or other commenters is not allowed, and I will remove anything offensive or decline to post it.
If you’ve read this, please leave a comment. I love to hear from people who stop by even if they don’t plan to come back. And I love trading links. Just leave a note here or contact me at the following address: anniegirl1138ATgeemailDOTcom
bimaconcept said
Very Nice….
Nice to meet you here
Tracy said
Dear Annie,
Wishing you very well with your writing career. I visited your blog today and it seems to me you write very well. Bonne chance.
DarcKnyt said
Annie, it was nice to meet you! I hope we talk again soon.
I’m an aspiring writer too, and I’ve published some of my first-drafts on my blog. I hope to read your pieces too, either here or better still, in print.
Best of luck with everything!
Kathi said
Is that you, Annie? It’s me, rrw on the board. I didn’t recall that you had a blog until I saw your name on Alicia’s blog. Good to see you!
Rob said
Let me be the first to congratulate you on reaching the milestone of 10,000 page views!
Way to go sweetie! (Oops, I forgot. You don’t want anyone calling you sweetie. Sorry!)
allison cousins said
I am Lisa Parkers best friend from Ashford Kent.
allison cousins said
u commented and made a blog about lisa parker. she was my best friend from the age of 4 1/2 what would you like to know but i wont tell u her family history as its best left in the past. she came from ashford and was born in scotland but was adopted. what du want to kno
Katy said
Hi Annie,
I see that you are an ex-teacher, and I read your post over on MSU. I am working on a book project called Why Great Teachers Quit, and I thought you might be interested in describing your experiences on my blog http://whygreatteachersquit.wordpress.com.I am collecting responses of teachers who quit or are or were thinking strongly of doing so. I’ve got some strong publisher interest, and now I need to hear from more teachers nationwide. I hope you will visit and share your thoughts! Also, I would love it if you could spread the word to other teachers you know.
Thank you!
Katy
Farron said
I’m glad you sent me that facebook request. I’ve enjoyed reading your last few blogs. Not gonna lie, your blogs read kinda like a douglas coupland…which is a great thing
look forward to reading more my dear. Hopefully i can get out to see you soon! loves ya
anniegirl1138 said
Farron, I am glad you came to read and enjoyed it. Thank you for the compliment too. We’ll be back by the weekend and Grandma Gerry is coming next week – maybe come out then? Thanks for the anniversary wish on my wall as well.
Bob Stein said
Hi! I just saw your comment on http://punditmom1.blogspot.com/2008/07/when-does-political-satire-cross-line.html I have a hard time imagining anyone looking at that New Yorker cover and going further away from voting for Obama. Can you? It is just so over-the-top. But I never seem to meet anyone who is not opinionated.
anniegirl1138 said
Bob, Don’t know your background but like I said. I spent a long time teaching public school. Mostly working class kids with parents who would shock you with their take on something like that cover. Could they be turned from Obama. No. But if they were already inclined to believe any of the wild things already in circulation about him – they wouldn’t bother to read the article because it would give them all the cause they needed to continue with their misconceptions.
Ned said
Hi Annie:
Best of luck with your writing.
You might enjoy Yesterday’s Magazette or The Perspiring Writer online magazines.
Take care,
Ned
donstuff said
Hi. I just dropped in to read a bit. Although I majored in English, I actually taught science – public education… gotta love it!
Jim Thomas said
I was trying to track down wahlert high schhol English teacher mr wojan to thank himfor having us write a journal. I just came across my journal yesterday and it blew me away. The only reference to him was in your blog so I thought I would leave a message to see if you had any ideas. If not best of luck with your writing.
anniegirl1138 said
Was his first name Steve? I could be way wrong, but I thought it was so I googled it and found a Steve Wojan in New Richmond, WI – elementary principal. If that’s not him, have you tried contacting the alumni association? They can find nearly anyone. Thanks for stopping by.
leavingevangeline said
Hi Annie! I saw your comment at Don’s blog and wandered over to see yours. I like your writing style and wish you luck on your goals!
susaneb said
yes, me too, I was born in Chicago and live in Florence, Italy but don’t feel ex-pat, just split. Also am a poet who got stuck because it is all Italian here. Did write in Italian but then came back to my native tongue.
Susan
shonda little said
Hi Annie,
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog. Had I been more driven, I probably would’ve been an English teacher myself. Education, I suppose, is far to self-sacrificing.
I looked for a way to contact you privately, but couldn’t find it. From things you wrote on your last post about not fitting in high school, I thought you might relate to a post I wrote not long ago. It’s written from a comedic stance, but two women didn’t see the joke. You’ll have that. Anyways, I thought it might make you smile. (Oh, and that isn’t me suggesting that you are an “ugly woman.” LOL.)
Here’s the link:
http://mommalittle.blogspot.com/2008/07/things-you-do-for-love.html
Kathi said
Hi Annie, Sally left me my first meme! Tag! You’re it!
Kathi
lisamm said
Hi Anniegirl!
I was looking for your email address but couldn’t find it. I have something I’d like to ask you privately and was wondering if you could email me at LisamunleyATcaDOTrrDOTcom. Thanks!
Cindy L said
I’ve appreciated your comments on my blog, and wanted to stop by and say hi … I’ve never been to Alberta, but I hear it’s beautiful. Good luck with your writing!
bob said
Hi Annie, thanks for stopping by BYU. Looking forward to reading what you’re up to in sunny Alberta.
You’re welcome. Thanks for commenting.
Fran Kuchta said
Hi Ann
I can’t wait to read your memoir!
Fran
tmatta said
just cruising on the various posts listed under marriage! I loved Becoming Jane and I’m not much on chick flicks. I’m a marriage and family therapist and like to look at what people are saying on the blogs about those relationships. thanks.
Reflection said
Enjoyed this, thanks!
Freshwidow said
Annie, I enjoy your blog and your writing. We’re in similar places — I was widowed in 2006, with a young child, and am remarrying (next week!). I’ll keep reading, would be interested in trading ideas with you sometime.
Best,
Supa
Welcome Supa and thank you. Unless you are comfortable with the open forum of comments, you can contact me via my gmail. The address in on my Me if you are interested in knowing page.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.
MamaZeeya said
Dear Annie…
Nice to meet you here. I’m a teacher too.
And I wish I can write like you.
Christie (LP SKATER) said
Good luck on your writing career!
I too aspire to be a writer- a few stories in the works as well as a memoir. I am a competitive figure skater, speed skater, and social entrepreneur, so I have a lot to write about
So nice to meet you- keep up the good work!
Christie
http://www.lakeplacidskater.blogspot.com
Lesley said
Hello, Just read your blog “Is Lisa Kogan dead?” I have to say, I DID laugh at the “time flies in the ever after….second husband joining….” it sounds so much like something I would say to my Husband(I don’t know that he would laugh either)~ I too was an English Major in College, and now am a Starving Artist in the Jewelry field, it’s always interesting what life throws you. I wish you all the best in your career with the Written Word~
Many Blessings,
Lesley
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck to you too, fellow starving artist.
Jessa Slade said
Saw your comment on JA Konrath’s site and thought I’d wave to a fellow writer. Yay on the slate of projects and pthbt on people who think we should stop writing. If you’re ever on Facebook as Konrath suggests look me up. I’m Jessa Slade with the blue eyeball.
christinekirchoff said
Everyone has to start somewhere. Best of luck to you.
watercolour said
I enjoyed reading your blog. You seem to have a way of commenting that connects.
I would also like to read some of your memoir this weekend. ( I did memoir for Nano 07 and am finalising mine during 09. I’m particularly interested in the different approaches people have chosen. )
About to start my first blog (rolls eyes) so I’m also window shopping for blog-appeal: layout, backgrounds etc.
Thank you, but I am only in the first draft and I generally don’t even let my husband read something until it is much farther along. I appreciate your stopping by and commenting though.
Jackie said
Hi,
I read your comment over at Abigail Carter’s blog and just had to see who you were. Thanks! I think you’re great!
Jackie
Thank you. I appreciate your stopping by, commenting and the kind words.
WTG said
Salutations !
While strolling along here in the cyber-wood I stumbled upon your blog. I likened yours to finding a fine walking stick along a flowered path thus decided to pick it up and meander around with it. I’m glad I did as I enjoy the feel and flow of your words. So, I suppose I’ll be hanging around a bit to see what other gems I may find in your blogs …..
Be well & good cheers !
anniegirl1138 said
Thank you. Hope to see you again.
JoeNose said
I stumbled on your site while looking for a review of the book “10-10-10″ by Suzy Welch (Jack’s wife). I generally don’t post to blogs because I abhor leaving electronic footprints in the world-wide woods. But your site intrigued me and I decided to drop in for a cup of e-coffee. I like your writing style and the layout of your site. I’m glad your life seems to be working up north. TTFN
anniegirl1138 said
Thank you so much.
It’s too late for me and digi-prints though. I jumped that shark too many years ago.
lora said
I’ve read this, and I am really enjoying getting to know you.
happyseaurchin said
lovely
Jim Thomas said
Any idea where wojan is now?