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goingtobed · 7 years ago

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advice please? I was wondering what you do as education or as a job and how you found it was right for you choosing a path to specialise in. It is really hard to chose because I have so many interests: maths, physics, arts, film, literature... can you help me ?

So, I’m just working normal retail jobs right now as I finish school. Nothing particularly niche or anything like that. I can talk to you about education though. However, it may only be helpful if you’re living in the US, since all countries are different when it comes to education.

I definitely feel your pain about choosing a path! I was a good student in high school. I was in quite a few clubs, I was a year ahead in math, honors student, etc. But I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I almost didn’t even apply to college. I ended up getting a good scholarship and couldn’t turn it down, and honestly I’m glad I went.

My first semester, I was undeclared. I didn’t choose a major, and took a few different random classes to see what I found easy and liked. Second semester, I decided to major in Sociology, and then in my third semester I picked up another major in Political Science.

1) If you have a university in mind, look into their required general elective courses. Most universities require you to take a few history, math, language, and science classes no matter what your major is. They usually also require an intro to art class. Take an art, math, and science class your first semester!!! This will give you an opportunity to get familiar with all the different buildings for those fields of study, and you’ll get to know how a professor for each field teaches. Your professors can make you love or hate a major, so it’s good to take diverse classes early on.

2) Don’t listen to your parents. Don’t choose a major because of the money. I’ve known a lot of kids who either dropped out of college, or absolutely hate their life because they chose the field of study their parents told them to/ only went into that major because of the money. You’ll be miserable. Do something that you truly like to do. I chose poly-sci and sociology because i genuinely love learning about these things.

3) Don’t worry about your choice being too obscure. My dad hires people at his job, and he’s told me time and time again that having a degree is more important than what the degree is in. He currently has a fine arts major as his accountant, because the dude was really good with numbers. Your degree says more about how you think, and that’s the important part. My dad said when he sees someone with a bachelor’s in English lit, he knows they’ll be good at scanning through works, editing them, and delivering precise reports. With a major in humanities, he knows they’ll be good at responding to customers and working in teams. So your degree will be beneficial, for the most part it’s the fact that you have one that matters.

4) Ask your advisor or professors for help!! That’s what they’re there for! When choosing my majors, I talked to the sociology advisor, the honors program advisor, and various professors to make sure double majoring is what I wanted to do. They know more than you, and they expect you to ask for help and guidance, so take advantage of that.

5) You can always change your mind! I know several people who have changed their major 2-6 times. That’s okay! You can always minor in something, as well. If you love criminology, but also like art, then major in criminology and minor in ceramics. That’ll open up your friend groups, too.

6) Lastly, it’s okay to not know. Seriously, it is. I went into college with no direction for my life, no idea what my future held. I’m still not sure what I want to do career wise, and honestly once I graduate this time next year, I’ll probably join the peace corps to have more time to think. Here’s a secret: no one actually knows what they’re doing. It’s just a game. You figure it out one step at a time. If you don’t know something, you ask. That’s how all adults get by. You ask and ask and ask until you get an answer. It’s okay to not know everything, and really, knowing it all isn’t even expected of you.

I hope this helped you some, if you have any more questions feel free to ask!

#ask #asks #anon

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valhalla-awaitsfor-us · 7 years ago

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Uncommon OC questions 1-11 for my dear, lovely Lottie, Rilley and Eugene :3

1. A little-known talent of your OC?

Riley: She is very good with gardening, actually. His mother taught her to take care of the garden and she was always afraid of killing everything �� so it was a nice surprise. Also, she knows the whole latin alphabet.

Lotte: She is GREAT with kids. She can calm down everysingle toddle with a single smile. Eugene adn Riley say thet porbbaly she is some kind of witch

Eugene: He is the prodigy boy except when it come to the studies, so it’s pretty impressive to everyone that Eugene actually has a obsession with the renaissance period? He knows everything about how the society and especially the art changed and trasnformed.

2. What trait does your OC like best about themself? (Eyes, guitar skills, random bird facts, etc)

Riley: Writing, of course and being able to intimidate every single person with just a glance.

Lotte: Drawing and paiting, and she never say it but she loves her red hair.

Eugene: Guitar skills all the way… also he presumed a little bit about his singer abilities too.

3. How many pillows does your OC sleep with?

Riley: THREE AT LEAST. She lovessss pillows.

Lotte: One or two.

Eugene: One or none at all. In any case, he moves a lot at night, so the pillow alwaYs end up in the floor.

4. Is your OC good at keeping secrets?

Riley: Yes. She is the best.

Lotte: YES…. she has some expections, but you can totally trust in her.

Eugene: It depends. When he is in his hyperactive mode, or when he is drunk, he would tell you ANYTHING. but the normal Gene would keep his mouth shut. (If its a Lottie secret he would NEVER tell it. No matter what)

5. Your OC’s worst habit?

Riley:Bitting her nails, isolate herself.

Lotte: Set goals impossible to achieve.

Eugene: Say “yes” to everyone all the time.

6. Does your OC prefer tennis shoes/sneakers or flip flops?

Riley:sneakers

Lotte:Flip flops, or even better, barefoot

Eugene: Sneakers, but I could see him using crocs

7. What is your OC’s opinion on body modifications?

Riley: She does not care. It is not her favorite thing in the world, though.

Lotte:She would be worried. Why? You dont like yourself? WHY? BUT, If you want to do it for yourself, then she is gonna support the hell out of your decision.But If you are doing it for another person… just no. Is not right. You should love yourself.

Eugene: meh. Dosent care. Just like Riley, you want to do it? Cool!…but he doesn’t love the idea either. Especially because he only can think in the needles and in the operation processes and just nope. He hates all that stuff.

8. Your OC is given a full-ride scholarship to any college they could want to go to. Where do they go and what do they major in?

This required a research hahaha

Riley: English Major wih a minor on Creative writing and maybe Languages and Literature, too. Her options are: Emory University (Atlanta), NYU, Brown or Iowa.

Lottie:Master of Fine Arts with minor in psychology. (WTF Lottie, get you shit together). YALE, Rhode Island School of Design, or Virginia Commonwealth University

Eugene: Oh, this poor baby. He is still pretty confused actually. His options are: Music Performance, Bachelor of Music in Composition, Bachelor of Music in Film Scoring, Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing and Production OR Bachelor of Music in Songwriting…. yes he is SO LOST. But he is sure about his minor: musical theatre. NOW COLLEGES: I mean… Juliard dosent sound bad at all. ALso it could be Berklee College of Music, OR University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. (YALE and NYU are also pretty god)

9. What chore does your OC hate the most?

Riley: She has to cook 3 days at week and she HATES IT.

Lottie: Laundry. Not a big fan of Eugene dirty cloths..

Eugene: Everysingle one of them.

10. Would your OC prefer to live in the city, the suburbs, or the country?

Riley:She is from the suburbs and SHE HATES IT. City would be great… but she would need freash air every now and then.

Lottie: Suburbs or country

Eugene: He would said City right away… but he is a country boy.

11. Is your OC a blanket hog?

Riley and Lottie 100%, and Gene hates them for that.

THANKS STEPH, LOVE YOU! @astralhell

#ocs #oc #the cliff

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factoronto · 8 years ago

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MEET THE ARTISTS FAC 2017: LANA MISSEN

Born and raised in Cobourg, Ontario, Lana Missen is a Toronto-based visual artist working with photography to explore themes of the body, identity and female representation. Through portraiture, she aims to create visibility and a space to share her own and others’ stories to a wider audience. A strong believer in the importance of collaboration and community, Missen’s practice is based on engaging with individuals and her viewers.

In May 2016, she was one of the selected artists for the Feminist Art Conference Residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point. Her body of work “That F Word” was shown at OCAD University’s 100th Graduate Exhibition in Spring 2015, and was part of Toronto’s ‘Contact’ photo festival that May. Her first solo show of “That F Word” was held at OISE through partnership with WIA projects in June 2015. Missen has also displayed works in the juried CLIC Eastern Ontario Photo Show, where she won first place in 2012. She was part of the “Aperture” show at Moniker Gallery in downtown Toronto in 2014. She has an interest in art education and, outside of her fine art practice, Lana enjoys documenting performances of live theatre, dancers, and musicians.

Lana Missen graduated in 2015 from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction in Photography, and a minor in English. She returns to school for 2016/17 to pursue a post-graduate certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management at Humber College.

youtube

at the intersection (2016)

Your video piece at the intersection (2016) is a collaborative project created by yourself and the other artists who participated at the Feminist Art Conference Residency this past May, at Artscape Gibraltar Point in Toronto. It features 17 feminist artists present at the residency—ranging in age, backgrounds and disciplines—and acts as an intersection between every artist's sharing of their story of feminism. Your film does something crucial, which is to create a dialogue between different individual's conception of feminism. How do you reflect on the work now? What do you hope viewers take away from seeing the piece?

Participating in the Feminist Art Conference Residency this past May was an opportunity to have these dialogues around feminism in a more organic way. We all knew we identified with the term in some capacity, but it was exploring each other’s stories over walks, or cups of coffee, or dinner, or even in studio drop-ins, that I wanted to be able to capture some of these ideas, beliefs, and concepts at that moment in time.

Reflecting on the work is twofold—there’s a personal element to it, but also a much larger context. These were artists that I had the privilege to make art and create community with, who were kind and willing to collaborate with me on this film. So personally, this work captures almost everyone who was there and working together, and a bit of what we learned and discussed from spending time on the island. At the same time, it situates different voices, with varying opinions in some cases, and a multitude of experiences, all existing at the same time and place. It acts a bit as a time capsule for what conversations were taking place in 2016, in Toronto, with feminists from varying disciplines and backgrounds. I hope viewers can take away that feminism is a multitude, that there are similarities and differences amongst all of our identities to the word. Ideally, a viewer at least leaves thinking about something new that they hadn’t considered before.

How do you view the current state of feminism and the dialogue that surrounds it—specifically in the context of Toronto, Canada? What's something you wish would change in this conversation?

Personally, I view the current state of feminism to be this amorphous movement. I’m okay with that at the moment. There is still negativity and stigma towards being a feminist, and feminism; there probably always will be with it being a movement for equality. Living in the city, I have found less push back or lack of understanding than in smaller towns I have frequented, and it is refreshing. There are also more communities that are willing to advertise as feminist, so it is not as hard to find dialogues to join, either. The Internet is a double-edged sword for this—it helps make connections and fosters the sharing of ideas, but it also has a lot of trolls and people who feel that feminism is what they see on a meme.

I wish I could change the conversation so that individuals who view feminism as an oppressive movement would be able to consider it as not man-hating or women-shaming, but this all-inclusive radical idea that we should all have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of gender. Even if you can open one person’s mind just a tiny bit more than before, that’s progress. But it means having those difficult dialogues with people you perhaps would not normally invite into your circle.

Are there any upcoming projects we can look forward to seeing from you?

I am currently enrolled at Humber College for their postgraduate program in Arts Administration and Cultural Management, but I am in the process of working through concepts for a couple different projects. The best way to stay up-to-date is through my website or facebook page.

You can find me at:

Website: www.uniquelystrange.com

Facebook: Uniquely Strange Photography

Twitter: @uniquelyLANA

Instagram: @uniquelylana

—

Interview and edits by Valérie Frappier, FAC Blogger

#lana missen #fac2017 #feminist art conference #feminist art #feminist artist #fac residency #artscapegibraltarpoint #artscape #toronto #toronto island #feminism #intersectional feminism #at the intersection

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edc-creations-blog · 6 years ago

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Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel by Bernard L. Dillard

At the center of a fierce, fiery, and invisible battle is Dr. Garnet Gibbs, a history professor, who is considered to be both a guidepost for and a mystery to many on the job. After hours, she often finds herself caught in a vortex of drama surrounding her family, associates, and friends.

Although she tries to offer support as best she can, the shenanigans of all involved may prove to be too much for her, especially given the potpourri of players in her world, including: Jamay, her adopted daughter; R.J., her grandson, whose father is facing challenges as he serves overseas; Kemal and Manuela, a kinky church couple; Tario, a Que Dog, whose frivolity and wry wit lead to his nail-biting confrontation with death, igniting a spirited rally in the city.

Then there’s Nieko, a gay gentleman, who is rethinking his sexuality but whose ex-boyfriend is making it tough; Rusty, an avowed redneck, who makes a shocking decision since he believes President Trump is taking too long to do something about the current state of affairs; and Celeste, her what-comes-up-comes-out co-worker, who has a knack for catching people off guard with her uncanny sense of humor.

Critical interactions reveal key life lessons, but not all interchanges end on an upswing.

Something’s brewing. Someone’s watching. And time is running out! Midnight is fast approaching. What will go down when the clock strikes twelve?!

(Recommended reading for ages 18+ and includes discussion questions at the end for reading groups and book clubs)

Book Reviews: Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel by Bernard L. Dillard

“It’s a cosmic battle royale…Resonates like a live wire…[D]elivers a stunning conclusion that will leave you pondering long after you’ve turned the last page. Five-plus stars to Two ’Til Midnight.” –Publishers Daily Reviews

“In Two ’Til Midnight, author Bernard L. Dillard does an amazing job of storytelling while integrating several of today’s hard-to-discuss topics. . . . This book is not for the faint of heart.” –San Francisco Book Review

“Dillard skillfully weaves each character’s part into the plot…[He] has done an exceptional job creating a novel that will be enjoyed…This is highly recommended reading.” –Reader Views

“Readers who stick with the myriad of characters and [the] blend of supernatural influences, daily life challenges, and confrontations between [two] worlds will find Two ’Til Midnight an engrossing, multifaceted story.” –Midwest Book Review

Read more and watch the book trailer: http://bernarddillard.com/new-author

Chapter Excerpt: Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel by Bernard L. Dillard

“I don’t know. It just seemed wrong to me. I knew Schmidt wasn’t all there sometimes, but I never thought it would come to this.”

“Well, honey, I’m glad you spoke up. That wasn’t right.” She adjusted her nightgown and took one last look at the bathroom mirror before turning in. “You did the right thing.”

George was hesitant to accept her praise. “I hope so. It just didn’t feel like me. It was like I wasn’t myself. It’s hard to explain. At the moment, I just felt like I had to step in and say something. Honestly, Schmidt didn’t seem like himself. Something had to be controlling him. If I hadn’t said anything, I really think he woulda shot the kid.”

“Things were going that bad?”

“Only because Schmidt kept pushing the issue. And the way he looked at me when I told him that was enough. He just had a different face.” He spooned her and placed his arm around her stomach. His breath was a little tart, but she had gotten used to it.

“Imagine if you hadn’t spoken up and said anything. It might be a different story on the television. It may have been one of those stories again. Another one shot dead where the cop claims that he felt threatened.”

“It’s just not right, baby. I’ve seen all kinds of stuff on the beat. I feel sort of in a bubble because I know the violence will never probably happen to me and probably not you either since we’re both lily white.”

She laughed.

He continued. “It just bothers me that things are the way they are now. White cops can pretty much get away with whatever they want. You should hear some of the conversations in the precinct, how the guys talk among themselves about minorities. I’ve even seen Schmidt put up a poster that had a black face with a target on it and a picture of the white cop using it as target practice. Sick.”

“Wow.”

“My gut feeling is that things aren’t gone change until white people start speaking up against it. Sad to say, but seems like it’s true. Seems like the more they protest in the streets, the less stuff gets resolved. I’m not saying we gotta be the ‘Great White Hopes,’ but we gotta make sure our voices are heard right along with theirs.”

“I’d say you made your voice heard loud and clear last night. I’m proud of you, dear.”

“Well, at least that makes one who is. But I’m definitely on the Schmidt Sh** List. I really caught him off guard. He chewed me out when we got back to the precinct, asking me whose side I was on. ‘Right. The side of right,’ was what I told him. He didn’t like that and told me I’d learn soon enough but to never challenge him like that ever again.”

Out of the blue, Nan asked, “So where do Asians and Hispanics fall in this drama?”

“Dunno. There don’t seem to be huge numbers of killings involving Asians or Hispanics. Just seems to be a thing with African-Americans. Just seem to be a lot of tension between whites and Blacks. I’m sure it still has something to do with slavery. I’m sure America is still rather proud of that.”

“Oh, George. Everybody knows slavery was bad.”

“Yeah, but when it’s time to talk about some of the kickback and consequences from slavery, not everyone is willing to talk about. White people seem the most uncomfortable when race matters are addressed. Like people are blaming and accusing them today of it. No one is accusing us of anything, but it would be nice if we could understand our part in helping black people get their footing, economically or otherwise. Nobody’s talkin’ about giving them forty acres and a mule, but we can start with basic treatment with human dignity. There’s a good starting point.”

“So what advice would you give a mother who has to raise a black son in these turbulent times?” She could tell he was getting sleepy, even though he was talking logically.

“Yeah, I’d tell her to make her son pull his pants up and stop wearing hoodies. They need to put on a suit and tie every day and wear glasses, I guess. Walking through these streets in America looking like a bookworm may do the trick and make them look less of a threat. I really think that would work. A suit and glasses.”

Nan chuckled a bit and turned to him face to face and dropped a bombshell on him. “So I guess you’ve never heard of anyone named Malcolm X, huh?”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.”

It was too complicated to solve tonight. All they could do was simply revel in the small victory that had been attained last night. Maybe preventing a possible homicide of another black guy with promise at the hand of an overzealous cop was all that was needed for the moment, for the present, for the here and now.

( Continued… )

© 2019 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Bernard L. Dillard. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.

Intimate Conversation with Bernard L. Dillard

Bernard L. Dillard is an associate professor at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. He graduated from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in English. The author of two text books, he is more known for his book, Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events, which won first place in Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Award (2013) in the memoir category.

He is also the author of Two ‘Til Midnight, this controversial novel is a soap-operatic dramedy, whereby the author tackles sensitive material against the backdrop of a Trumpian society. Select topics include race, diversity, tolerance, terrorism, sexuality, and faith.

Bernard L. Dillard has enjoyed a few acting stints (“The Wire” and “West Wing”) and several modeling assignments (Sean John). More information can be found at his website: http://bernarddillard.com.

BPM: Please, share something our readers wouldn’t know about you. Dillard: I had an acting role on “The Wire” (filmed in Baltimore).

BPM: Is writing your full-time career? How much time do you spend writing? Dillard: No. I am a math professor. On average, I probably spend about an hour a week writing.

BPM: Tell us about your first published book. What was the journey like? Dillard: My first published book is titled Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events. I was a self-published author, so there was a lot of on-the-job training, a lot of pain. I had to learn to fight for my native files once the book was formatted. They did not want to give me the original files, but I won the battle and got them.

BPM: Introduce us to your most recent work, Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel. Available on Nook and Kindle? Dillard: My most recent work is Two ‘Til Midnight. It is my first novel and took 6 years to write, on and off. I had to squeeze it in before “normal” working hours. It is only available in print now but will be available as an eBook around December 2019.

More about Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel and the characters: At the center of a fierce, fiery, and invisible battle is Dr. Garnet Gibbs, a history professor, who is considered to be both a guidepost for and a mystery to many on the job. After hours, she often finds herself caught in a vortex of drama surrounding her family, associates, and friends.

Set in modern times, Two ’Til Midnight is a soap-operatic dramedy that presents two distinct and separate worlds that thrive together, both influencing the other in their own unique way. Ultimately, their coexistence produces a jaw-dropping ending that no one sees coming. Something’s brewing. Someone’s watching. And time is running out! Midnight is fast approaching. What will go down when the clock strikes twelve?!

BPM: Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb? Dillard: One of the interesting parts of the book occurs when a white cop is speaking with his wife and struggling with the actions of his fellow white coworker as it relates to race. It shows the complexity of the race discussion that may exist within the white community. This part of the novel explores how some non-complicit whites may deal with racist situations when their white colleagues are not acting appropriately.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? Dillard: Yes, that writing is a very cathartic process for me.

BPM: Is there a specific place/space/state that you find inspiration in? Dillard: I like writing early in the morning, before most people get up. I joke and tell people I give the rooster his wake-up call.

BPM: When developing a new book, what comes first, the plot or characters? Dillard: For me, the plot generally comes first. I know what I want to get across and develop characters to make the plots a reality.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Dillard: Many of my book ideas come from casually observing. From sitting in meetings to riding on the train, ideas are birthed from anywhere for me. My books are generally plot driven, although characters may experience types of evolution (or not).

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing and developing the characters for this book? Dillard: I always love developing characters who provide some sense of comic relief. Because of the gravity of some of the plots, it’s always good to lighten up and laugh a bit.

BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer during the creative process? Dillard: Writing is very much my happy place. I don’t feel lonely at all when doing so. Other than the gym, it’s the place I go to recharge and energize. It’s relatively easy for me, though I have some moments when I may struggle to get some ideas out.

BPM: Tell us a little about your creative process. Do you use a computer or write out the story by hand? Dillard: I may jot initial ideas down on paper (or a napkin), but I use my laptop to do most of the fleshing out of the details.

BPM: When you’re writing an emotionally draining scene, how do you get in the mood? Dillard: I just go there. I literally put myself in the characters’ position and bar no holds. If I am writing through the eyes of a racist, I have no problems calling somebody a “nigger” because that’s just what some of them do. Afterwards, while reading it, I may feel a little sad that I had to write it, but I try to stay true to how I think the character would have said it.

BPM: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips self-care for creative folks? Dillard: Find a small healthy diversion. Run. Swim. Go for a walk. Get a massage. Watch Game of Thrones. Do something to give your mind the much-needed break it deserves after struggling through with the writing process.

BPM: How do you personally deal with emotional impact of a book as you are writing the story? Dillard: I run a lot to clear my mind. Running helps me escape.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book, Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel? Dillard: Yes, my current novel addresses the struggle of Nieko, a gay gentleman. Often, stories are written about people who think they may be gay. Nieko’s situation is the opposite. He is not satisfied with being gay and thinks he may be happier by giving up that lifestyle. I also try to explore life as a serviceman/servicewoman. There’s always room to feature life in the barracks and get a look at how those in the military are dealing with their reality.

BPM: Share one specific point in your book that resonated with your present situation or journey. Dillard: As a more less radical Christian, I sometimes struggle (like Garnet does) with other, more radical Christians. In the chapter titled “Right vs. Right,” I tried to capture the tension that occurs between two groups of Christians who think their perspective on life is the right one. Both use scripture to back up their positions and both feel that they are “right.”

BPM: What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book? Dillard: The biggest challenge was making sure the storyline remained seamless when I took months off from writing. I had to go back and read what I wrote and make sure to keep the same train of thought as if I hadn’t taken a break from writing.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book? Dillard: A lot of the people were in my professional circle already. I adapted some of the characters’ actions based on things I witnessed. Other times, my international travel provided a sense of globalism that I tried to express while writing about troops.

BPM: How has writing impacted your life? Dillard: It often provides a sense of therapy for me. It is what I do when I need to relax.

BPM: What does literary success look like to you? Dillard: If I hear that someone really enjoyed a book I wrote, it’s satisfying. It’s like cooking. It always tastes good to you, but whether someone else likes it is another thing.

BPM: What are the 3 most effective tools for sharing your book with the world? Dillard: Word of mouth, social media and book marks.

BPM: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing? Dillard: The Bible and Frank Peretti.

BPM: What are your 3 favorite forms of entertainment? Dillard: Broadway shows, independent films and baseball games.

BPM: What was your favorite part and your least favorite part, of the publishing journey? Dillard: I like the feeling of holing the finished product in my hands. I am not particularly a fan of the challenge with language when dealing with freelancers who are designing my cover or doing my website. It’s hard to explain to them in a way they understand, especially since the only interaction is via email.

BPM: Do you have anything special for readers that you’ll focus on this year? Dillard: No, I’m just resting from pushing hard to get this novel out to the world.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? Dillard: They can discover all things related to me at www.bernarddillard.com. It presents me in all of my forms, not just as an author. I have an author page on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AGP43UW.

Email: [email protected] Website: http://bernarddillard.com Dillard: http://bernarddillard.com/the-brand Twitter: https://twitter.com/bl_dillard @bl_dillard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedillardbrand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bl_dillard Cinematic Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/329722801

Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel by Bernard L. Dillard Two 'Til Midnight: A Novel by Bernard L. Dillard At the center of a fierce, fiery, and invisible battle is Dr.

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rebeccacarlson-blog1 · 8 years ago

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By Becca Carlson

This article originally appeared in The Corsair in March 2017

Pensacola State College (PSC) alumni Sydney Stone, not yet 22 years old, is ready to take on some pretty tough subjects such as gender equality. Applying the lessons she learned over the past few years at PSC, the University of West Florida (UWF), and the school of life— she is ready to make lasting change in the community.

Stone graduated in May 2014, from PSC with a General Studies (Liberal Arts) Associate’s degree. In the spring, she will complete her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Minor in Women and Gender Studies at UWF.

Exposure to PSC’s diverse student base contributed to Stone’s openness and acceptance of others. “PSC was a transitioning period of my life,” said Stone. “I liked that I got to learn about all of these students— a myriad of experiences. You have people from all walks of life coming for all different reasons.”

Stone’s first leadership role is as president of UWF’s Women’s Studies Collective (WSC). “I have always had a strong sense that there’s no reason my sex should keep me from doing anything. I was never told otherwise,” said Stone.

Stone feels that her mother is her ultimate female role model. “She is badass, awesome, and inspiring,” said Stone.

“My mom is an incredible woman. She’s witty, hardworking and honest. She has been a devoted professional massage therapist for over 25 years in addition to being a loving and supportive mother. Daily she sets an example for commitment, balancing life gracefully, and above all remembering ‘this too shall pass’ so either enjoy whatever you’re going through while you can or take comfort in knowing it will be behind you eventually,” said Stone.

Stone is also motivated by women such as Assata Shakur and Elizabeth Warren who rank among her strongest influences.

“I like that they also represent two pretty different ways of going about change: through rigmarole and bureaucracy of the system or outside of it in a grassroots revolutionary way. They inspire and embolden me,” said Stone.

Stone credits her father as the founder of her moral compass. “My dad always takes each person as they are. The best in you is the best in them,” said Stone. “I think when you start off with that philosophy, that’s how you make genuine connections.”

She considers herself a cautious listener and a careful observer. These traits will serve her very well as Managing Editor of the student journal Feminist Spaces, sponsored by the WSC.

“Women, gender and sexuality—the emphasis is on what is considered alternative to the dominate discourse and examining why it’s considered alternative. Why it’s not given as much importance,” said Stone.

The WSC also hosts The Feminist Iconography series which is an annual juried art exhibition at the Artel Gallery as well as a summer Feminist Open Mic Night that is open to the public.

A monthly Feminist Theory Reading group discusses topics such as women in the cinema, more specifically women in slasher films. “It’s very common for female characters to get killed after they have sex. There’s that punishing aspect of it,” said Stone.

Coming up on Friday, March 24th, Astronaut Cpt. Wendy B. Lawrence

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will be featured as the keynote speaker at WSC’s 16th Annual Women’s Studies Conference at the UWF Commons Conference Center. This event is open to PSC students and community members.

“My coming out experience in high school caused me to be interested in the gender aspect, sexuality aspect,” said Stone. “It’s the lens through which I like to view the world. It’s more inclusive, it celebrates diversity, and I think that it is predicated on challenging what you know and why you know it. That’s the way I want to live my life.”

Alumni takes stand as president of WSC at UWF By Becca Carlson This article originally appeared in The Corsair in March 2017 Pensacola State College (PSC) alumni Sydney Stone, not yet 22 years old, is ready to take on some pretty tough subjects such as gender equality.

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