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Danielle Bienvenu

Author, Musician, & More

Life as a Wild Card

Danielle uses her exclusive experiences to write her blog, Life as a Wild Card!

Q: What is a Wild Card?

A: As the luck of the draw would have it, a Wild Card is someone who doesn’t play by the rules and makes his or her own course. Wild Cards are often the explorers who never get enough. They’re the peculiar dreamers living off the beaten path. Maybe you’re a Wild Card.

WILD CARDS:

  • Are creative
  • Have a sense of adventure (i.e. traveling, cultures, willingness to learn)
  • Go against the grain (for the better, of course)
  • Aren’t afraid to be themselves
  • They change the game
  • Seek inspiration and the ability to inspire others

Here’s to your inner Wild Card, gorgeous.

Twin Flames

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Prep Work for Shows

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What do musicians do to get ready for a live show? There is so much that goes into even a short one-hour show that most people never see. I've created a small check list of the blood and sweat that goes into prepping for each performance: Practice each day- In my case, this includes practicing guitar and … [Read more...]

Why I Give Away Feathers

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  Why do I give away feathers at my shows? Let's not forget I also give away my own poetry but back to the feathers. ; ) If you've read my post, Feathers from Heaven, then you know that feathers symbolize a connection between God's love and us. Giving away feathers is my way of saying God bless you … [Read more...]

Singing Without A Voice

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 If you're like I was a few months ago, you have no idea what VCD even is much less what it means. Vocal Chord Dysfunction is essentially  when the vocal chords spastically close your airway. They can strike at any moment. It sounds like your body is trying to kill you, doesn't it? It certainly feels that way.  I … [Read more...]

Why I Don’t Use A Pen Name

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"Use a pen name,"they said. "It will be fun," they said. Despite the assertive assurances that a pen name will make my literary career nothing but rainbows and sunshine, I've decided against using one for the following reasons: Misogynists. Brilliant female authors were forced to hide in the shadows of male pen … [Read more...]

Releasing Negativity

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Hi lovelies, A large part of being who you are has to do with releasing the negativity others have that they push onto you. We all know the family member or coworker who has a disconcerting response to every positive one. Their stares, words, and even presence can weigh you down. You aren't responsible for their … [Read more...]

The Importance of a Support Group

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Hi lovelies, Today I'm going to discuss the importance of having a support group. If you can't find a support group (or even if you can), I highly recommend becoming your own support group. Life can hit hard but the blows don't keep us down if we have a solid group of people who encourage and love us through … [Read more...]

Ways to Piss Off an Indie Author

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I've been an independent author for 16 years now. The name of the game has changed dramatically. The ways to piss off indie authors has not. If you are guilty of any of the following, rest assured, you are on our bad side. Expect Us to Give You Free Books. Would you like it if we went to your job and prattled on … [Read more...]

Things to Know When You Move to Oxford

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I'll admit it: I fell in love with the U.K. before I ever arrived. I was fifteen years old and celebrating my Sweet 16. Twelve years later, I moved to the U.K. to pursue my Master's degree in International Law and International Relations. It's one thing to visit a country and it's quite another to live there. Whilst I … [Read more...]

What Empaths Wish You Knew

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As an empath, it's taken me a long time to come to terms with every day experiences that most would consider oddities. I used to think the term empath was synonymous with sensitive. In a world where sensitive is seen as problematic or weak, it can take a while to own up to being one of these peculiar creatures. What is … [Read more...]

Romancing the Romance Author

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So you want to romance a romance author... Good luck. No really, good luck. We can be cynical or down right mushy--- both of which may be hard to take. There are a wide range of romance authors out there. I'm a dramatic, comedic, sarcastic one which is an odd combination in itself. If you want to impress us, you need … [Read more...]

Unveiling Author Stereotypes

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Hello again, It seems any movie I watch that showcases a writer portrays them as a basket case, socially awkward, drunk, or erratic. So, I thought it was high time to divide the truths from the stereotypes. 1. Drunkards. We aren't all drunks. Actually, at least half the writers I associate with on a regular … [Read more...]

The Truth About Dating A Musician

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  Stereotypes aren't always true. As a musician who has also dated fellow musicians (drummers, lead guitarists, lead singers, songwriters), I felt the need to address some common misconceptions and truths. 1. They Write Songs About You...& Their Exes -The good, bad, and the ugly. It may not be … [Read more...]

Suicide Prevention

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More people commit suicide during the holidays than any other time of year. Reminders of family and friends, something a suicidal individual may lack, often worsen depression. Suicide strikes those we may least expect. The truth is suicidal people are not necessarily going to voice their contemplation of suicide: they … [Read more...]

Ambiverts are Golden

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Carl Jung-- renowned psychotherapist and psychiatrist-- popularized the concepts of introversion and extroversion as early as the 1920s and with it he identified a third group that would later be known as *drum roll, please* ambiverts. Little was known about ambiverts until the 1940s . According to Oxford University … [Read more...]

Travel Like a Pro

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As a self-professed globetrotter, I’ve learned my fair share of traveling do’s and don’ts. My mother was a travel agent so much of the advice below was introduced to me at a young age. I’ve traveled to 20 countries and counting. Learn from my lessons as an international relations and international law … [Read more...]

Feathers from Heaven

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The past several months I find feathers on a daily basis. Multiple feathers. Some are small and white, others are large black and brown feathers mixed with white. I may find them in my hair when I wake up in the morning, in the parking lot, on the side walk, by the pool, basically in every random place you could think … [Read more...]

Novel Locations for Authors

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As an author, I tend to put Southern charm in my books. There have even been instances when I use British or French characters because of my background. This is a subconscious thing most of the time. Why do authors tend to keep to the same location when they write? Simply put, we know that area well and it is usually a … [Read more...]

Groupies & Alanis Morsette

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Hi lovelies, As a female singer-songwriter, people usually have 2 thoughts when I'm at a gig: 1. "She must be the groupie." Riiight because my boyfriend is carrying the guitar? (FYI, I insisted on carrying the guitar case myself from then on) and 2. "Oh look, an Alanis Morsette cover artist." I've … [Read more...]

R&R

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Down time. Rest. Relaxation. You should try it. *Breathe.* Maybe for most people, rest comes easily. In my case, I've hit the floor running since I was old enough to and I haven't looked back. Most of us are busy with our full time jobs that take up the daylight hours and when we aren't at work, we're tending to … [Read more...]

A Writer’s Life

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  For some reason, readers have this glorious visual in their heads of authors receiving awards at pristine parties, signing novels at the local BM, and jet setting to write their latest creation. As much as I'd love for that to be true, the simple fact is most authors like myself live normal lives...with a … [Read more...]

Sciatic Nerve Remedies

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Chances are if you are an active person, like myself, you've probably suffered from one injury or another. Damage to the sciatic nerve can occur doing the most trivial and mundane of tasks. Case in point: my injury derived from lifting a decent sized box  (properly, I might add). If you are suffering from a damaged … [Read more...]

Writing Inspirations

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  Undoubtedly, when introduced to a new circle the topic of conversation approaches what I "do" for a living. I live. I breathe. Next question. In all seriousness, I am a writer. Cue the eyebrow raise. There are generally two kinds of people: one feigns interest and possibly inquires the details of my career. … [Read more...]

Oh, Bloody Hell!

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*insert British accent here* I've been waiting to do that. Without further ado let's address ... Earth & Health Conscious Feminine Products Let's face it. "The curse" keeps on giving whether we want it to or not. Even before learning about the health side effects using tampons and disposable pads (i.e. … [Read more...]

Himmy This (Himalayan Salt & Essential Oils Update)

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Well friends, the essential oils have blown me away with how much they have improved my life style. For those of you who do not know or are too lazy to read my bio (it is rather lengthy), I was born and raised in Southeast Texas. I still live here. My area is known for its horrible pollens and the humidity causing … [Read more...]

Attention Allergy & Asthma Sufferers!

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If you're like me, you've gone through a host of self-help treatments to tame your allergies and asthma. Allergens can be seasonal or unfortunately, a regional issue. They can also be circumstantial (i.e. Fido and his beautiful shaggy fur), a food allergy, or the dusty corner office you have yet to vacate. If you've … [Read more...]

Not Your Average Lady

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When you think of ladies you probably think of women who grew up with silver spoons in their mouths and jewels dripping from their fingers. While I did lead a somewhat charmed life as a child, I was raised to be industrious and never received an inheritance as opposed to the common misconception. As a matter of fact, I … [Read more...]