{"id":13592,"date":"2019-12-23T08:25:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-22T21:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?p=13592"},"modified":"2024-08-30T10:49:30","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T00:49:30","slug":"its-been-busy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/its-been-busy\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s Been Busy!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13621\" width=\"384\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-113x150.jpg 113w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a passionate creative, I often think out of the box to diversify and monetise my skills. I love discovering how other creatives do it too \u2013 it gives me ideas. A writer&#8217;s life isn&#8217;t just about sitting down in your uggies and opening up a laptop! With that in mind, I present to you my 2019 highlights! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of the year\u2019s lowlights are here,\nbecause they won\u2019t inspire anybody, though be assured they came along and\nchallenged me as they do everyone else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also haven\u2019t included news about my creative support business \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/creative-support\/\">editing and mentoring writers, preparing books for publication with layouts for print and ebook, and teaching creative writing classes<\/a> \u2013\u00a0as that\u2019s all still chugging along nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Publications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was thrilled to have several stories published this year, selected from hundreds of submissions (in one case 450)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\u201cThe Call of the Gypsy Fetcher\u201d \u2013 published, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"WhimsyCon Anthology (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Wit-Whimsy-2-Shiny-Garden\/dp\/1795006633\" target=\"_blank\">WhimsyCon Anthology<\/a> (Denver WhimsyCon 2019) \u2013 Magic can be your downfall as well as your saviour, and when desperation reduces Lucetta\u2019s choices, it becomes a question of life or death.<\/li><li>\u201cA Witch\u2019s Place\u201d \u2013 published, AntipodeanSF Magazine (Issue 250, 2019) \u2013 When Maggie\u2019s aunt is accused of witchcraft, she can\u2019t imagine her day getting any worse\u2026 <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"FREE TO READ (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/webarchive.nla.gov.au\/awa\/20190520205745\/http:\/\/pandora.nla.gov.au\/pan\/10063\/20190521-0502\/www.antisf.com.au\/the-stories\/a-witch-s-place.html\" target=\"_blank\">FREE TO READ<\/a><\/li><li>\u201cShy\u201d\u2013 podcast, Manawaker Studio\u2019s Flash Fiction Podcast (Manawaker 2019) \u2013 Evie is torn between three lives: the life she has, the life she needs, and the life she believes will never come. Trapped in their island village, her brother knows better than she does which life will be hers. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"FREE TO LISTEN (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.manawaker.com\/podcast\/ffp-0408-shy\/\" target=\"_blank\">FREE TO LISTEN<\/a><\/li><li>\u201cThe Family Tradition\u201d \u2013 published, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Untitled: Issue Eight (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.busybird.com.au\/shop\/untitled-issue-8\/\" target=\"_blank\">Untitled: Issue Eight<\/a> Anthology (Busybird, 2019) \u2013 A morning of daydreams has Mia reconsidering her relationship with food.<\/li><li>\u201cSpellbreaker\u201d \u2013 published, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Of Beasts &amp; Butterflies (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/northernbeacheswritersgroup.com\/portfolio\/of-beasts-butterflies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Of Beasts &amp; Butterflies<\/a> Anthology (NBWG 2019) \u2013 Neglected teens Hansel &amp; Gretel find their way to The Sugar House where only fire can save them, a modern Australian adaptation of the fairy tale.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two of those are free to read\/listen \u2013 just click above to access! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/wit-whimsy-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=204 204w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"320\" data-id=\"13593\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13593\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/wit-whimsy-Zena-Shapter.jpg\" data-width=\"204\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/wit-whimsy-Zena-Shapter.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/AntipodeanSF-Zena-Shapter.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=212 212w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"320\" data-id=\"13594\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13594\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/AntipodeanSF-Zena-Shapter.jpeg\" data-width=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/AntipodeanSF-Zena-Shapter.jpeg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Untitled-Issue-8-3D-book-curled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Untitled-Issue-8-3D-book-curled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Untitled-Issue-8-3D-book-curled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Untitled-Issue-8-3D-book-curled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1264 1264w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1575\" data-id=\"13596\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13596\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Untitled-Issue-8-3D-book-curled.jpg\" data-width=\"1264\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Untitled-Issue-8-3D-book-curled.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Of-Beasts-Butterflies-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=500 500w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"750\" data-id=\"13597\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13597\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Of-Beasts-Butterflies-Zena-Shapter.jpg\" data-width=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Of-Beasts-Butterflies-Zena-Shapter.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also participated in a world record attempt, the \u2018most authors to contribute to an anthology\u2019; and was shortlisted for the Marjorie Barnard Short Story Award 2019 \u2013 what an honour! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13601\" width=\"512\" height=\"362\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-1024x724.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-300x212.jpg 300w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-768x543.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-2048x1448.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Guinness-World-Record-ZENA-SHAPTER-150x106.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I attended two writing festivals, the <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/a-changing-world-highlights-from-the-2019-speculative-fiction-festival-writingnsw\/\">Speculative Fiction Festival<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/shirewritersfestival.weebly.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Writers Unleashed (opens in a new tab)\">Writers Unleashed<\/a>, both in Sydney. My novel, <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/portfolio\/towards-white\/\">Towards White<\/a>, is also still selling well, which is amazing! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Towards-White-post-signed-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13602\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Towards-White-post-signed-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Towards-White-post-signed-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Towards-White-post-signed-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Towards-White-post-signed-150x113.jpg 150w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Towards-White-post-signed.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption>Posting a copy to a reader!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And I\u2019m writing a new novel \u2013 watch this space!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Young Adults<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year it\u2019s also been wonderful to read a stack of writing by young adults. I judged the <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/5-tips-for-young-writers-2019-mosmanlibrary\/\">Mosman Literary Awards<\/a>, young adult section; I <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/tutoring\/\">tutored<\/a> about a dozen HSC students in English; I taught <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/young-writers-workshop\/\">school holiday workshops<\/a> for young writers; and went into local schools to <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/talks\/\">teach creative writing<\/a> too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-High-School-Classroom-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-High-School-Classroom-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-High-School-Classroom-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-High-School-Classroom-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1280 1280w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"960\" data-id=\"13604\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13604\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-High-School-Classroom-rotated.jpg\" data-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-High-School-Classroom-rotated.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Award-Judging-Stories-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Award-Judging-Stories-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Award-Judging-Stories-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1024 1024w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"791\" data-id=\"13606\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13606\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Award-Judging-Stories-Zena-Shapter.jpg\" data-width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Award-Judging-Stories-Zena-Shapter.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1993 1993w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"654\" data-id=\"13605\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13605\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg\" data-width=\"1993\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Mosman-Literary-Awards-Zena-Shapter.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best thing about working with young\nadults is discovering what concerns they have in their lives, giving me insight\ninto future generations. As a writer of science fiction, I truly appreciate the\nglimpses I get! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Blog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As well as sharing news on my blog about\nachievements and events, I also wrote about topics that interested a lot of\nonline readers, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/the-importance-of-place\/\">The Importance of Place<\/a> \u2013 all about being an immigrant<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/when-death-snaps-at-our-heels\/\">When Death Snaps at Our Heels<\/a> \u2013 a watery near-death experience<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/about-being-a-book-layout-designer\/\">About Being a Book Layout Designer<\/a> \u2013 an interview about this aspect of my creative support business and how I balance it with being a writer<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/are-you-afraid-of-technology\/\">Are You Afraid of Technology<\/a> \u2013 the cultural importance of science fiction writing<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/kri-ei-tiviti-for-your-childs-future\/\">Kri-ei-tiviti for Your Child\u2019s Future<\/a> \u2013 talking about the power of creativity, children and how it will save their future<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/challenge-stamina-how-to-keep-going-creative-writing-tips\/\">Challenge: Stamina \u2013 How to Keep Going<\/a> \u2013 10 tips on how to keep pursuing your creative endeavours<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/5-tips-for-young-writers-2019-mosmanlibrary\/\">5 Tips for Young Writers<\/a> \u2013 creative writing advice based on my experience judging the Mosman Literary Awards over the years<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/free-critique-guide\/\">FREE Critique Guide<\/a> \u2013 advice for giving writers critiques and receiving them<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More to come in 2020!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inclusive Creativity Advocate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year has also been full of\ncommunity-based highlights, each upscaling the work I do to raise the profile\nof writers and promote writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I appeared on a panel talking about the future of creativity at the Glen Street Theatre. From the enthusiastic feedback I received afterwards, I clearly connected with audience members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1500 1500w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1600 1600w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"944\" data-id=\"13611\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13611\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg\" data-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/audience-by-Karen-Watson-1b.jpeg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-by-Karen-Watson-Northern-Beaches-Council-12b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-by-Karen-Watson-Northern-Beaches-Council-12b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-by-Karen-Watson-Northern-Beaches-Council-12b.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1066 1066w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1600\" data-id=\"13608\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13608\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-by-Karen-Watson-Northern-Beaches-Council-12b.jpeg\" data-width=\"1066\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-by-Karen-Watson-Northern-Beaches-Council-12b.jpeg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next I was a Forest Ambassador for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au\/council\/news\/local-artist-residents-inspires-new-generation-forest-ambassadors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Northern Beaches Council (opens in a new tab)\">Northern Beaches Council<\/a>, helping kids from Cromer Primary School to express their appreciation for the endangered Spotted Gum tree through poetry. Their words created a collaborative poem that was then exhibited at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Eramboo Artist Environment (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/eramboo.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">Eramboo Artist Environment<\/a> with the glorious artwork of <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Gloria Florez (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/gloriaflorez.info\/album.php?s=forest-ambassadors\" target=\"_blank\">Gloria Florez<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"651\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"13307\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/a-poem-for-the-trees-saving-nature-with-art\/arts-and-culture-10\/\" class=\"wp-image-13307\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-15.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-15-300x195.jpg 300w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-15-768x500.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-15-150x98.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"13298\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/a-poem-for-the-trees-saving-nature-with-art\/arts-and-culture\/\" class=\"wp-image-13298\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-11.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-11-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-11-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Zena-Shapter-Writing-Workshop-Class-11-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"13333\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/artistic-collaboration-forest-ambassadors\/forest-ambassador-gloria-florez-zena-shapter-8\/\" class=\"wp-image-13333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-8.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-8-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-8-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-8-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"13330\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/artistic-collaboration-forest-ambassadors\/forest-ambassador-gloria-florez-zena-shapter-4\/\" class=\"wp-image-13330\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-4.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-4-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-4-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Forest-Ambassador-Gloria-Florez-Zena-Shapter-4-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I appeared at the 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au\/services\/seniors\/seniors-festival\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Seniors Festival (opens in a new tab)\">Seniors Festival<\/a> to promote writing to seniors, and taught a creative writing workshop at <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/turning-to-words-when-times-are-tough\/\">Carer\u2019s Day Out<\/a> to promote writing to carers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Seniors-Festival-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Seniors-Festival-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Seniors-Festival-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Seniors-Festival-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1280 1280w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"960\" data-id=\"13615\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13615\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Seniors-Festival-rotated.jpg\" data-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Seniors-Festival-rotated.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1230\" data-id=\"13616\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13616\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg\" data-width=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Carers-Day-out-2019-3-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the 2019 Manly Art Festival, I also taught a workshop the \u2018Hidden Stories in Art\u2019 at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au\/things-to-do\/arts-and-culture\/manly-art-gallery-museum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Manly Art Gallery &amp; Museum (opens in a new tab)\">Manly Art Gallery &amp; Museum<\/a>, to explore the relationship between visual and literary art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500 1500w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800 1800w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1920\" data-id=\"13618\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13618\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg\" data-width=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-2-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-1-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-1-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-1-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-1-rotated.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1280 1280w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"960\" data-id=\"13619\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=13619\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-1-rotated.jpg\" data-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-Hidden-Stories-in-Art-1-rotated.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, my biggest community project of the year was the inaugural <a href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/saltwater-launched-the-first-of-its-kind\/\">Art &amp; Words Project<\/a>. I was thrilled to collaborate with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au\/library\/your-library\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Northern Beaches Council Libraries (opens in a new tab)\">Northern Beaches Council Libraries<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au\/things-to-do\/arts-and-culture\/manly-art-gallery-museum\" target=\"_blank\">Manly Art Gallery &amp; Museum<\/a> to turn my idea of an anthology of twenty-four local writers and artists into reality. As well as all the set-up and organisation, I worked with the library and gallery to judge writing submissions, match writers and artists, edit stories, consult on the anthology\u2019s production and organise a launch to remember. I\u2019m very proud of the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Saltwater-Book.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Saltwater-Book.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Saltwater-Book.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1197 1197w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"894\" data-id=\"13479\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/saltwater-launched-the-first-of-its-kind\/zena-shapter-saltwater-book\/\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Saltwater-Book.jpg\" data-width=\"1197\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Saltwater-Book.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-speech-Art-and-Words-project-Northern-Beaches-Council.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-speech-Art-and-Words-project-Northern-Beaches-Council.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=720 720w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"345\" data-id=\"13491\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/saltwater-launched-the-first-of-its-kind\/zena-shapter-speech-art-and-words-project-northern-beaches-council\/\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-speech-Art-and-Words-project-Northern-Beaches-Council.jpg\" data-width=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-speech-Art-and-Words-project-Northern-Beaches-Council.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Watching-Awards.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Watching-Awards.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Watching-Awards.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1000 1000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"472\" data-id=\"13487\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/saltwater-launched-the-first-of-its-kind\/zena-shapter-watching-awards\/\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Watching-Awards.jpg\" data-width=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Watching-Awards.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Browsing-Artworks.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Browsing-Artworks.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Browsing-Artworks.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1000 1000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"394\" data-id=\"13486\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/saltwater-launched-the-first-of-its-kind\/zena-shapter-browsing-artworks\/\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Browsing-Artworks.jpg\" data-width=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Browsing-Artworks.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-launch.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-launch.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-launch.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-launch.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1229 1229w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"612\" data-id=\"13478\" data-link=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/saltwater-launched-the-first-of-its-kind\/zena-shapter-launch\/\" data-url=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-launch.jpg\" data-width=\"1229\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zena-Shapter-launch.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As you can see, 2019 was an extremely busy year. I\u2019m grateful for every second of it. Yes, even the lowlights. Without them I wouldn\u2019t be the person I am today \u2013 a weaver of words who gets to share that wonderful experience with others: in the community, in schools and at festivals, adults, children and young writers, seniors, carers, and most importantly&#8230; readers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you everyone for your continued support!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a passionate creative, I often think out of the box to diversify and monetise my skills. I love discovering how other creatives do it too \u2013 it gives me ideas. A writer&#8217;s life isn&#8217;t just about sitting down in your uggies and opening up a laptop! With that in\u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"continue-reading-button\"> <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/its-been-busy\/\">Continue reading<i class=\"crycon-right-dir\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"It's Been Busy! I present to you my 2019 highlights...","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[2223,887,2074,2221,2200,1982,2150,1788,1898,2222,1907,2192,2068,974,2224,1586,2538,443,1817,1968,2226,590,666,2218,2220,2219,2225],"class_list":["post-13592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-news","tag-adaptation","tag-antipodeansf","tag-art-words-project","tag-busybird","tag-carers-day-out","tag-creativity","tag-eramboo-artist-environment","tag-glen-street-library","tag-guinness-world-record","tag-hansel-gretel","tag-inclusive","tag-manawaker-studio-flash-fiction","tag-manly-art-gallery-museum","tag-manly-arts-festival","tag-marjorie-barnard-short-story-award","tag-mosman-literary-awards","tag-myal","tag-nbwg","tag-northern-beaches-council","tag-northern-beaches-library","tag-seniors-festival","tag-speculative-fiction-festival","tag-towards-white","tag-uggies","tag-untitled","tag-whimsycon","tag-writers-unleashed"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Zena-Shapter-uggies-laptop-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13592","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13592"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13592\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15414,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13592\/revisions\/15414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13592"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13592"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13592"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}