What's Been Going On...?

Well, great day to you!

If you've been wondering what's been going on with me, like why I haven't posted anything in a while--thank you for caring. If you haven't wondered or cared...well, okay then, I'll tell you what...

I have been so busy! Some of it I can't tell (maybe ever). See now, you're wrong for that. Why can't it have been something good? I have been doing so much, and today I should be getting some rest, but I wanted to at least do a little catch up. The people in the picture happen to be a book club called: The Society of WBRT--"Women of Beauty Reading Together" or as they told me on the down low--"We Be Reading, Too". I sneaked away from a time I desperately should have been writing, just to visit with them on March 12, 2006. They're in Gadsden, Alabama and yes, I crashed their book club meeting (oh yes, I did!). And I had fried catfish and turnip greens, hot-out-of-the-oven-still-in-the-skillet cornbread, and slaw; all compliments (not compliment free, but prepared by) Top of the River Restaurant.

Okay, so I've been writing like crazy and these characters showed up in this book and held me hostage until I finished. What someone forgot to tell these certain characters is that, this might be their world, but it's still my story, and if they're not careful, well...we all know what just might happen to them. Yes, the pen can be mightier than the sword. When you do finally get to meet them, will you please tell them that little bit of information for me (that's if it's not already too late for them).

Anyway, I didn't come here to talk about my next book--yet! But I will be talking SOON! I just can't...yet.

However, I can tell you about March 26, 2006. I received an award from The Greater Birmingham Millennium Section of the National Council of Negro Women: The Inspiration Award. It's a heavy award (I mean really; this thick, solid glass trophy is very nice and very heavy). But seriously, I am so honored and I truly thank these wonderful women of this organization for thinking about me. Here's a picture of myself and Zashnetta Hollis.

On Friday, March 31, 2006, I traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina where Saturday, April 1, I participated in the First Annual NC Black Book Festival. Joseph C. Dixon is the founder and event coordinator for the event. He really worked hard putting this together, and I personally would like to congratulate him and all those who assisted him on a job well done. I truly enjoyed myself and was blessed by the participants who showed me lots of love (and those who didn't too).




I also met Zane at the festival. She has so much going on. I like her and admire all that's she's accomplishing as an American. Notice I didn't say African American or woman. She's doing her thing and proving that excellence is indeed the best equalizer against racism and sexism especially when it comes to doing "your thing."

I was on the panel with five other Christian authors: (Left to right): Vanessa Davis Griggs (me), Stacy Hawkins Adams, Kendra Norman-Bellamy

(Seated) Jacquelin Thomas (recipient of the NC Black Book Fest Writer's Achievement Award) and Ryan Phillips.

Thanks for checking in with me. I promise, I do plan to do better about updating this blog. It's just there's only one of me and as much as I'd like to, in reality, I can only do but so much. (Please don't tell my children I'm really now superwoman--there's no reason to break their hearts just yet ;-)

Vanessa Davis Griggs http://www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com