Janine Donoho

“The spirit is willing but the flesh weak” translated into Russian, then back to English transmutes into “The vodka is good, but the meat is rotten” (водка хорошая, но мясо протухло).

So goes this writer during each translation into author, then back to writer. For now, when I really want to work on new drafts of novels, I need to transform into Social Beast. To put this into perspective, I’m at best an introverted extrovert and adequate in public—once in a while. The rest of the time? Well, situations matter. Visualize a gazelle outrunning the lion or possibly a woman facing down a cougar. I just never know.

As you may realize from my various biographies, I’m a dancer and choreographer, too, and have been known to dance publicly, so long as I have the right costume. Today I’m outfitted in flannel bottoms proclaiming “Life is Good”, ribbed turtleneck, and wooly socks. Because I’m going for festive, I topped it all off with my favorite earrings, a birthday gift from Intrepid Guy before we launched him to Japan—again.

Getting to the gist, this is about social networking… In today’s electron cloud of a world, that’s where we writers discover our readers—and hopefully develop a relationship with them. With that in mind, consider yourself invited into my alternate universe as an Elemental.

To morph into an Elemental and also qualify for contests, you do need to sign up for my newsletter. Not the loathsome spamalicious kind, but actual noteworthy mentions about the state of the author and her latest opus along with chances to win truly fantabulous stuff. Once you sign up, the gifts begin to flow. You immediately receive my free short story collection Boundary Crossings.

“How do I do that?” you ask, with visions of lavender mint dark chocolate dancing in your head.

Well, to become one of my Elementals, simply click on the link to the top right, fill out pertinent information that will never, ever be shared outside this hallowed electron cloud and wait for the manna to fall from the ether. Really, that’s it.

In the process, you will help make this writer a lot less wobbly in her efforts to reach out to her glorious readership. I love hearing from you, too. Within me resides a fertile place for readers who like my work enough to write a review and even recommend my stories to others.

Now I’m going to switch costumes into my snow trekking gear. I leave you with a self-portrait and more thanks for taking the time to connect with me. Oh, and a puppy. Who doesn’t love a puppy?