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Going on Crusade (or, I Wish I Had Sewing Skills Like Emma Stone)

Salut, madame et monsieur! (Apologies, I've had two French classes and I think I know everything. *wink*) Now we have two fellows to our right today: Saladin (SAH-LA-DINN) and Richard the Lion-heart. So where are we - or, when are we? The Third Crusade! Say whuuuut? Isn't this a writing blog? What's with the history lesson?

Oh, pardon me.

(And secondary apologies if you didn't catch the reference in the title. For enlightenment, see: Easy A.)

See that grey cross emblazoned over Richo's breast? It's meant to be red. Sorry, Google images is colour-impaired. Anywho, back way back when, Crusaders would sew a red cross into their tunics to show that they were on Crusade, also known as "carrying the cross". (Google the Crusades if you're interested - it's bloody brilliant). And the title comes into play as I briefly mention that in a recent film: Easy A, just like in the book: THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, a girl sews a red A onto her shirt (A for 'Adulterer'). Well, guess what? I might just be sewing something red onto my shirt as I join The Writers' Platform-Building Crusade!

The illegitimate brain-child of blogger Rachel Harrie of Rach Writes is on its second round on the ultra-special internet and is open for business, and has been for some time (Though I understand there is some sort of deadline on Friday/Saturday). It runs from the 1st of February to the 3rd of April - and there is no real deadline. (So do it do it do it do it do it do it.)

Go to the link above (Or for lazy folk, right here) to get more information on the Crusade, because we all know how good I am at summarising. But I'll try anyway. So the Crusade is based around the idea that writers nowadays are forced to be more proactive in making contacts and getting their name out there, telling potential agents and publishers that "We are here, we are queer!" (For that phrase to work, you must use the "strange, odd" definition of queer *grins*). But it's not just for aspiring writers or attempting writers, it endeavours to link those writers to published writers, beginner bloggers, industry people and whoever else that will help to "build our online platforms".

So when you join the Crusade, you adopt a new family (also known as a group), meet some new people, get a few new blogs to read, some challenges to participate in, some extra traffic to your site and an awesome button for your sidebar.

I think it's a brilliant idea. I've already thrown my name on down, so you should too! Come on, let's embroider red things on our shirts!
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Comments

  1. Margo BensonFebruary 12, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    I'm rubbish at embroidery but I'll see you on the crusade!

    ReplyDelete
  2. TrishaFebruary 12, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    I'll check this out :D I studied the Crusades at uni, but it's been so long I may have forgotten everything ;) Except the crusade where Christians attacked other Christians. I remember that. Well not LITERALLY, I wasn't there. lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. Angela ScottFebruary 14, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I'm with Margo, I can't embroider, but I'm a master with the no-sew tape (you just use an iron and WAH-LA, I have hemmed pants). That's about it when it comes to sewing (which really isn't sewing anyway, but all the skill I have).

    Welcome to the crusade, crusader.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michael Offutt, Phantom ReaderFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I wish I knew how to say hello in French but I don't. So this is a hello in English and I look forward to networking with you :))

    ReplyDelete
  5. AimeeLSalterFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Hello fellow crusader and group-member...

    I wanted to write something funny and pertinent, but... I'm in New Zealand!

    Look forward to seeing more of you.

    Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kerri CuevFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    And Thanks to the Crusade I met you :) I love French but it comes out sounding Spanish since that is what I learned in school. Maybe I invented a new language combining the two.

    ReplyDelete
  7. M.J. FifieldFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    I'm a Crusader and I loved Easy A but I totally lack even the most fundamental of sewing skills. But maybe I could find some sort of iron-on patch...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Raquel ByrnesFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Stopping by to introduce myself as a new follower and fellow crusader. Did you find out what group you're in yet?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Elizabeth MuellerFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    glad to meet a fellow crusader! You're so cute. I like your art, too. :) I'm in group 1, first time I'm at the top of the list, I'm happy about it, too!

    Have a great weekend!

    ♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥

    ReplyDelete
  10. DanFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Hello, fellow Crusader!

    Dan

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 19, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    Hey there!

    I'm a fellow crusader stopping by just to say hi and follow your blog :-)

    xx Rachel

    PS. Your art is certainly better than mine!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rachael HarrieFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Hey Nina, lovely to meet you (and a fellow Aussie, woot!!!). Welcome on board the Crusade, we're going to have an awesome time! And we're in the same group, woohoo :)

    Hugs,

    Rach

    ReplyDelete

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