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 authenticgenuineness.
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

43 comments:

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

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

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

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  3. 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

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

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  4. 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

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    1. 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!

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  5. 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

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

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

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    1. I echo your sentiment! Thanks for always visiting!

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

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    1. Thanks Alex for being such a wonderful ongoing support!

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  8. 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.

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

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  9. 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:-)

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

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  10. 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

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  11. 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

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

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  12. 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

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

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  13. 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!

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

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  14. Replies
    1. Glad you like it! Thanks for always being my loudest cheerleader!

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  15. 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!

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

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  16. Authenticity is definitely important. Great theme!

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    1. Glad you like me theme! Thanks for the support!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I look forward to visiting you too.