Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A is for Authenticity and #IWSG First Wednesday Feature - A to Z 2015 Challenge


Today is a double feature! To kick off the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 Challenge we are featuring the letter "A"
and I'd like to focus on Authenticity.


Definition: noun
1.
the quality of being authentic; genuineness.
To live one's life with authenticity is to be true to one's self and to let your talents bloom. Don't compare yourself to others, for that will certainly stall you in your quest for success. Can we live a life with authenticity beyond the scope of our professional talents? Of course we can. It's important to strive to live a life of pure genuineness in all that we do. From the simplest most mundane tasks to the more complicated tasks in our lives, if we strive for authenticity it will put a spring in our step and our hearts desire will soar. 

 Here's to your authenticity!!

Now on to #IWSG. It's the first Wednesday of the month and I'm delighted to announce the awesome co-hosts for April...
Suzanne Furness, Tonja Drecker, Toi Thomas, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, and Donna Hole 



Be sure to click on their names above to visit with them! 

And to visit with fellow IWSG members:

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html



This month I'm continuing to break out of my shell of isolation and I'm engaging more with visitors to my blog and visiting blogs and commenting. I've been making more connections and it's it an honor to meet so many new people. 



Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for inviting me to be the guest author on March 18th at IWSG - take a gander... 

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2015/03/book-festivals-must-have-for-your-book.html

Thanks Alex!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
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43 comments:

  1. L. Diane WolfeApril 1, 2015 at 8:08 AM

    There are a lot of great people online, but we have to get out there and find them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:12 PM

      We sure do! Thanks for dropping by and remaining connected with me all these years!

      Delete
  2. Cathy ElaineApril 1, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Authenticity rocks! Besides, nobody can truly like us if we don't let them know us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kai Strand, AuthorApril 1, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    I'm so impressed that you are doing the A to Z Challenge. Authenticity is a beautiful start! Thanks for the feature and review in your newsletter! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:12 PM

      Awww, Kai...you are always one of my greatest supporters! Thanks for dropping by and my pleasure to feature you in my newsletter!

      Delete
  4. Rachna ChhabriaApril 1, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    Hi Donna, good luck for the A to Z Challenge. This month I too am breaking out of my shell and doing different things and that is not just in writing (I am writing my first adult novel so different from my MG and PB's) but also online community activities.

    Rachna Chhabria
    Co-host IWSG
    Rachna's Scriptorium

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:13 PM

      So glad you are breaking out of your shell too! It's quite liberating and scary at the same time! Good luck with your W-I-P!

      Delete
  5. Chrys FeyApril 1, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Everyone should strive to be authentic to who they are and what they believe.

    -Chrys Fey
    Tremp’s Troops - A to Z Co-co-host
    Write with Fey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      I truly believe that makes one a happier person, instead of living up to others expectations!

      Delete
  6. nashvillecats2April 1, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    Wonderful post Donna and oh so very true, everyone should be their own self and to their own self be true.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      I echo your sentiment! Thanks for always visiting!

      Delete
  7. Alex J. CavanaughApril 1, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    If you're authentic, you never have to worry.
    Keep breaking out of that shell!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      Thanks Alex for being such a wonderful ongoing support!

      Delete
  8. UnknownApril 1, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Love that, "Uncover your true self." :) I'm learning a lot about Tina in this A-Z blog hop. I think it's a wonderful tribute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:15 PM

      Lovely tribute indeed. Glad you are enjoying the A-Z Challenge!

      Delete
  9. UnknownApril 1, 2015 at 12:45 PM

    Yay! Loved this and here's to being authentic - the best version of one self! Great kick off, and best of luck with the challenge - I will come by for more:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:16 PM

      Glad you like my kick off. My theme for 2015 is authenticity and it's going well! Thanks for your well wishes!

      Delete
  10. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    Awesome post. Breaking out of one's shell is always tough but a great thing.

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

    ReplyDelete
  11. S. L. HennessyApril 1, 2015 at 3:22 PM

    I love it when people are authentic and let you see the real them!

    Good luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
    A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
    http://pensuasion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:17 PM

      Definitely! It's wonderful not to hide behind a mask of how you think others think you should be!

      Delete
  12. AJ LauerApril 1, 2015 at 3:49 PM

    Hi Donna!
    Authenticity is a great word. I sometimes wish more people would focus on it...
    Happy A day. Have fun this month!
    ~AJ Lauer
    an A-Z Cohost
    @ayjaylauer on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:18 PM

      I think people would be much happier if they live life with authenticity.

      Delete
  13. Sonia LalApril 1, 2015 at 6:27 PM

    good advice!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tara TylerApril 1, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    love that word! and love your theme - and you totally reminded me that i forgot iwsg - i think i will surprise everyone with one during the month as an april fools - sh dont tell!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna McDineApril 1, 2015 at 8:20 PM

      Glad you like the word authenticity and my theme! Thanks for dropping by. Good luck with A-Z and IWSG.

      Delete
  15. Karin LarsonApril 1, 2015 at 9:05 PM

    Awesome post, Donna!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:24 AM

      Glad you like it! Thanks for always being my loudest cheerleader!

      Delete
  16. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 1, 2015 at 10:31 PM

    Love it! Being authentic is so important.

    Glad to see you're breaking out of your shell. I have a tendency to climb in and out of mine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:24 AM

      I hear you on climbing in and out. For me it depends on the situation! I hope to keep climbing out and staying out!

      Delete
  17. Stephanie FarisApril 1, 2015 at 10:33 PM

    Authenticity is definitely important. Great theme!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:25 AM

      Glad you like me theme! Thanks for the support!

      Delete
  18. Tammy TheriaultApril 1, 2015 at 11:15 PM

    You go!!! Be you because it's awesome girl!!! From one muffin to another ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:25 AM

      Thanks muffin girl! On my way to work I'm going to treat myself to a muffin!

      Delete
  19. cleemckenzieApril 2, 2015 at 12:08 AM

    You know how to do this, Donna! You're one authentic writer.

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    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:25 AM

      Coming from you Lee, that means the world to me! Thanks a bunch, you've brightened my day!

      Delete
  20. dolorahApril 2, 2015 at 1:51 AM

    Authenticity is a fabulous word. Inspiring. Good luck with the A-Z Challenge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:26 AM

      I'm glad you found my post inspiring! Thanks for your lovely support!

      Delete
  21. Laura ClipsonApril 2, 2015 at 4:27 AM

    I think it's important that we all be authentic, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna McDineApril 2, 2015 at 6:26 AM

      I believe being authentic makes us true to ourselves! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  22. Dr Genevive AngelaApril 2, 2015 at 1:24 PM

    I love the choice of the word, authentic.. it is so important to be true to oneself, thanks for sharing !

    ReplyDelete

Thank for you taking the time out to visit with me and to learn about my writing career.

Please be sure to leave your blog address so I can reciprocate.

I look forward to visiting you too.

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