I have a lot of friends who are very disappointed in the outcome of the elections on the state and national level. I am, too, though I can’t be glum because I know this truth: we are the ones who steer our ships. There’s no doubt that our government has an impact on our daily lives. However, we are the ones in control of most of our routines and choices. We vote every day with our wallets and our actions. Elections, and leaders, come and go. Most of our lives are composed of small moments that we decide to have or not have. What’s important is what we do now, and how much we support others in their pursuit of the lives they want to live.
And with that, here’s the intro to Chapter 3 of my novel which is especially appropriate in this time of elections. Emerson and Skylar make their way through the howling wind to The Crooked Willow Cafe—a bit of shelter in the storm.
Skylar, Emerson, and Friday braced against the wind. The harder the wind blew, the closer Skylar and Friday encircled Emerson.
“Who was that woman, Skylar?” asked Emerson into the wind.
“What?”
“Who was that…”
“I can’t hear you.”
The wind was howling now. Trash cans toppled and rolled into the street. Skylar steered Emerson and Friday toward the golden light in the center of the block. Skylar pulled at the door and several burly men stood up from their tables to help her open it. The wind shoved them all into the warmth of The Crooked Willow Cafe.
“I thought we were going right home,” said Emerson.
“And miss our snack?” said Skylar. Her eyes twinkled and it was easy to see how she and Jasper were related.
They settled into their favorite table in the corner by the immense stone fireplace. Friday laid down in his usual warm spot on the hearth. Emerson looked at Skylar with piercing eyes. Skylar tapped the table; The quote etched into it read, ‘I am a willow of the wilderness, Loving the wind that bent me. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson’
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 