Party with CONNIE E.CURRY!

One thing for sure, we KNOW how to party at this BLOG PARTY. I have to quote Roman, the winner of Glyn's book, "You are damn right that it pays to play, but believe me this is just the second time I won anything and it feels jolly good." There! You have it from a winner. The only way to win is to play.

The winners from yesterday are, drumroll - please! Kevin, Shadow Government by Ray Derby; The Little Hobbit, Ned Visits New York by Kip Cosson; Kate, The Desert Has No King, by Fred Baby Aguilar; Mary, The Bully Books by Rita Towes; and name withheld on Why Me? by Rita Towes. Congratulations to each of the winners, email me to arrange to collect your books. NEWS FLASH: Kip has donated a second autographed Ned Visits New York and that one goes to Pesky Kid. (Winners, please email me)


Connie E. Curry is one of the funniest people I know. Boy can she string a yarn. I hope some day all of you get to read her humorous piece on her son's health class assignment. As a mom of three boys, I held my breath as I read that piece, then the 'gotcha moment' at the end, did get me.

I hate to admit it, but I met Connie on Facebook (don't go look to friend me, I was there all of 6 weeks).

Connie wrote a thick book about her knock-down, drag-out, kick boxing win over breast cancer. She is one gutsy lady. A picture of her without hair fills the front cover of her book, Give Me Back My GLORY. The book ends with her picture with hair, the beautiful picture that is on her website. Go look, http://www.givemebackmyglory.com/

Connie is a freelance writer with a background as an emergency medical technician, EMT, the ambulance person who saves your life in an emergency. In four easy pages, Connie brings you from her childhood to the day she knew for certain she had breast cancer. Check this out, it is smooth, "Our innocent, sweet babies had grown into teens and, although born beautiful and healthy, they lacked angel wings."

When it comes to breast cancer, Connie is clear about straight talk - it's the only way to be. I have learned more about breast cancer than I've ever known, and I'm not even finished with her book. I had no idea that after a mastectomy, part of the reconstructive surgery involved tattooing 'pigment' for the new nipple area. Makes perfect sense, I just never thought about it.

Connie's Give Me Back My GLORY makes it okay to be scared, to be brave, to fight for your glory. She includes photos of her journey to glory in her book.

Each day since my very first chemo, I would feel my hair and tug on it, looking for signs of it falling out. When I bathed, I would check the drain as the water washed away, always looking for clumps of hair.

A book this well written doesn't just come out of nowhere, so I ask Connie to share more about her day job.

I won the National James Thurber Humor writing contest with my short story called, "Homework Assignment." My first story was for a magazine called, Women With Wheels. I took on a huge job, rebuilding my 1974 VW Bug. It is a beautiful car and I spent more on my chrome wheels than I ever spent on jewelry. I truly did a lot of the labor on it. I still drive it and love it.

I also write for my local paper. My column is, "Our Neighbors" and it is about ordinary residents here with big stories."Everyone has a interesting story," I've said numerous times. About 5 yrs. ago, I went into our local paper office and asked to speak to the publisher. We'd never met and I had not a lot of writing under my belt (although I have sold many stories to various magazines which has not been included on my web page, yet). Anyway, I boldly walked in, introduced myself and being so outspoken, I said, "You know, our paper needs more. Subscribers do not want to read about a farmer in Iowa, or a story about someone they don't know. They love stories about people right here in Delaware. There are so many interesting people here. Let me write stories about them." As simple as that, he gave me the job. The stories are on my web page. I love meeting people and truly enjoy their unique stories. I get calls from people all the time that want me to write their story. I feel so honored.

I also write for the local Habitat for Humanity which is my way of giving since I never climb on roofs and pound nails on the homes they build for low income people.

Here is Connie's kid!


Party Game: Write a title of a story about a made person in Connie's home town for her column. (It won't really be published, this is just a game.) Also ask Connie any questions about breast cancer. Let the games begin to win an autographed copy of Give Me Back My Glory.

Irene Watson is here tomorrow!

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