18 Comments
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Saalik's avatar

This was such a great read. Have wonderful travels!

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Karena's avatar

Thanks Saalik. How are you enjoying your travels?

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Margaret O'Brien's avatar

What a gorgeous photo of you and your mom Karena - joy, beauty and love all wrapped up together. Thank you for re-introducing us to Ozan Varol and I especially love his signature, 'ad astra' for all the reasons you outline and also as I have begun a monthly writing together initiative that I have called 'The Bag of Stars'. (The title I have taken from the final line of Ursula K Le Guin's magnificent essay, 'The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction' - "Still there are seeds to be gathered and room in the bag of stars.") Have a wonderful time with your family as you travel.

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Karena's avatar

I must have missed that invitation to such a wonderfully named writing initiative, Margaret! Sign me up.

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Margaret O'Brien's avatar

I’ll send you a message with details Karena - we’re in the same time zone!!

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Cris Valerio's avatar

The mom photo made my day 😍 and made me miss my mom 🥹💕

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Karena's avatar

"Don't use that one of me, I didn't have makeup on," Mum said. But I love it. Send a shoutout to your Mum, whichever dimension she is in.

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James Bailey's avatar

Yay for you and your mom!!!

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Karena's avatar

When you live hours away, it is always a joy to be back with our parents, n'est ce pas?

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Becky Isjwara's avatar

What a wonderful photo & hug of you and your mother <3

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Karena's avatar

Thanks, Becky! No attention to framing, just pure joy!

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Miche Priest's avatar

“Dense topics, served with a light side of hope and possibility”

I’d love to write like this too. I’m definitely intrigued and will be adding his book to my reading list.

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Karena's avatar

Miche - start with Ozan's blog. I think you will recognize the elements that draw me to his writing. Let's work together to get more of this into our writing!

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Miche Priest's avatar

Yes, love it!

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Tommy Dixon's avatar

Ahh loved how this turned out Karen :) awesome

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Karena's avatar

I could not have done it without you, Tommy. Simple suggestions like re-ordering paragraphs made a huge difference.

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Alexandra Allen's avatar

Love the photo of you and your mom, Karena! Enjoy London 🇬🇧 ♥️

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Karena's avatar

Thanks, Ali! I haven't been out and about as much this week. But looking forward to indulging in London on my journey back in March.

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