Sonya Elliott’s author interview with Kaci Aitchison – Q13
Author interview on Q13 with Kaci Aitchison
Monday’s Pen to Paper: A Hot Date
If I were a perfect blogger, I’d plan ahead, write my Monday blog Sunday. My Friday blog Thursday. Just like if I were a perfect writer, I’d get up every morning at 6:00am and write. But I’m not perfect, not at all. But I am working to be more consistent in my writing. I have my Thursday morning’s with my friend Jenny and now my Monday/Friday blogging that I have been good about doing, just not always in a timely manner.
This morning as I was about to sit down and write, I made a couple of quick phone calls to see if I could get enough girls for a Junior Varsity game before our Varsity Summer Basketball Practice game that I would be coaching Thursday night. I had contacted the others teams coach two months ago to schedule the game and reserved our gym. On the phone, a parent told me they would be at the middle school 8th grade promotion Thursday night. I was not happy. Not because their daughter wouldn’t be able to play, but because I know where the 8th grade promotion is, the gym where I’m supposed to be having a game. I now had some more calls and emails to make before I could write.
This is why it’s hard to sit down and write, life gets in the way. After writing this blog, I’m going to do some yard work and then I’ve set a “date” with that writer in me for 11:00am (2 hrs minimum). And that’s how I have to work, a bit at a time, between life; walking the dogs, paying the bills, rushing to a casting and chauffeuring the kids. Tucking away bits of time for my pen to hit the paper.
Set a “date” with yourself to write, sing, play. Take some […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Spreading the Love
Years ago I visualized a PeaceLoveBasketball symbol in my mind. I asked my brother, an artist, if he could draw it for me. I explained what I was thinking. He said, “grab a paint brush and go for it.” So I did. Soon after I started my company Full Court Design. I trademarked my logo and found eco-friendly shirts and sweatshirts to compliment the PeaceLoveBasketball logo. I started the business, giving a portion of the profits from Full Court Design’s PeaceLoveBaskeball products to youth organizations in the Seattle area.
Then a year later, I went back to coaching high school basketball while finishing my memoir Back on the Court, and Full Court Design fell to the back burner. But I am excited to announce that a new PeaceLoveBasketball website is up and running, along with new PeaceLoveBasketball shirts (all environmentally friendly), and some great sales.
One of the biggest requests about some of our shirts, that had only symbols across the chest, was, “We would like the words peace, love, basketball too.” So we’ve done it! Our hoodie now has it and both our black and white long sleeved PeaceLoveBasketball Essential Tees have it! (Seen above on my daughter Charli and on Lee, who bought them for his entire team.)
Thanks so much Lee for spreading the love!
See more PeaceLoveBasketball gear at our newly designed website at www.peacelovebasketball.com.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: A Better View
Last Saturday I had plans. I was going to finish building a rock wall in our front yard, weed the back yard, clean the house, walk the dogs, take my son to his baseball game for a couple of hours and then relax and hang out. Then I checked his baseball schedule…a double-header in Maltby?
“There goes my Saturday,” I grumbled. Then I moped for a long while. That’s a good 7 hours with minimal traffic. I couldn’t let it go. But finally I stepped back for a better view.
I had a book to write and a chapter from a friend’s book in progress, to read.
I was “stuck” in Maltby. No responsibilities, nothing. I grabbed my journal and printed out twenty pages of my book. And then added Jenny’s printed out chapter. I packed a cooler with grapes, cheese sticks and crackers, along with some lemonade. And last, but not least, made sure my beach chair was in the Vanagon, a MUST, so I could plop myself near the outfield, where I would have a better view of the game, but also separate myself from the fans and ensure that I would focus, and take full advantage of my day in Maltby.
Take a moment to re-evaluate your schedule so you can find the time to write, or do what you love, mixed in with life’s adventures.
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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Monday’s Pen to Paper: Good Fortune
This weekend we had a foreign exchange student from China. My daughter had asked if we could be a host, (she has been taking Chinese for several years and her teacher told her about this opportunity.) We were supposed to have a fairly quiet weekend, which is not common for our family, so I said sure.
Our exchange student brought us a beautiful red velvet decoration for our home wishing us good fortune but I was wondering if we were to have it, as our quiet schedule changed. My daughter’s basketball tournament got moved to the weekend, my son had one basketball game added to his schedule, so he had three games, I had two basketball games and my husband now had to leave town.
I was worried this would be too much for our guest, but to my surprise, and joy, our […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Badge of Honor
Every day this week, at the end of camp, my high school player/coaches chose a Ms. Hustle for the age group they were working with. In our final meeting each day the player/coach would stand in front of the campers to give the award, but before they awarded the camper with their badge of honor (and a Fruit Punch Gatorade), they would explain why the camper deserved the award.
All of the coaches included much more than simply “hustle” in their speech.
“This camper was an awesome listener...this camper worked extra hard in drills…this camper was alway nice and helped her teammates.”
The young player/coaches saw what I see every day. Hustle is very important, but hustle with a positive attitude…
That’s something to honor.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Good Pride
I’m coaching a girl’s basketball camp this week. They are 3rd though 8th graders. One of the things that we do, along with a lot of basketball, is keep a journal during snack break. I give two or three questions for the girls to write about, and discuss if they like, with their group. Questions like, “What’s your favorite animal?” , “Where would you like to travel?”, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or my favorite, “Write about something that you are proud of…”
I love to watch the girl’s minds spin.
Helping my little sister with homework. My grades. My piano recital. When I sat with my grandma.
What is something that you have done in your life that you are proud of?
WRITING PROMPT: Write about something that you are proud of.
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