QUICK INTRO: I’ve been mulling over ways to enrich my site with more personal and visual content. One day, while staring at my computer bag with its colorful assortment of buttons and pins, I thought about my post from last September in which I shared one of my old library loan lists. I called it a “Know Me By My” game. It occurred to me I could easily do the same thing with my button collection. And my refrigerator magnets. And my coffee mugs. And my journals. And maybe more. These are all collections of related items that say a bit about who I am without sharing deeply personal or sensitive information. So, if you are game, look for my “KMBM: Know Me By My” posts each third Monday of the month. Or, the fourth Monday in months with five Mondays in them (ick!) And now, KMBM: Buttons!
What do you see? A writer, for sure, and a reader, as well. Three of those buttons–Ruby, Amethyst, and Opal–were preorder giveaways for Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller (I lost Emerald’s button–sorry!) SFF is my preferred genre for reading, writing and watching.
You might also find a Writer’s Digest conference attendee. A fan who stans both epic space operas and Middle Earth fantasies. A space technology geek and launch enthusiast (I collected buttons from six launches). A beach goer. A college grad and honor society member. A lover of peace, equality, and love itself.
The oldest button in my collection–“When the Going Gets Weird”–is also my favorite. It was a gift from my 10th grade English teacher and UIL One-Act Play coach and director. She gave each member of the small cast and crew a different button and a letter of encouragement as a pre-performance gift. I still have the letter as well. I was an awkward, dorky and horribly unpopular teen subjected to hand-me-downs and unfortunate cowlicks. My teacher’s confidence and caring was immensely important, and I still remember her fondly to this day!
D.M. Domosea 