I met Mary Zisk at a SCBWI NJ conference two years ago where I critiqued her manuscript. She struck me right away as a rare breed: A writer who truly embraced criticism — a writer who wanted to hear the worst, and learn from it. I liked her right away. After that, Mary started following Nerdy Chicks Rule, and later Sudipta critiqued her work. Sudipta saw that same quality in Mary, so when we looked to expand our blog by adding a contributing author in September of 2013, we agreed that Mary would be the perfect fit. We knew she’d bring something new and different to the table, and she did!
She gave us new perspectives on Motherhood.

Mary’s mother as a baby, passing with her family through Ellis Island. From: 99 Years—A Picture of My Mother

Mary’s beautiful photography highlighted this post. From: Mother Nature: The Ultimate Nerdy Chick?

Mary shares her own motherhood journey, which included a special trip to Russia. From: Oprah, Carpe Diem, and Motherhood
Mary’s artistic eyes, brought new sight to our own.

Mary created the great drawing to prove her point! From : The His-Story of Art

Mary Cassatt, one of Mary’s inspirations. From: The Quotable Nerdy Chick: Mary Cassatt
She also shared her writing dreams!

Mary’s dream tree. From: A Winter Dream Tree Grows in Jersey
And brought us many great quotables, including Caroline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and Diana Nyad.
In fact, to see all of Mary’s contributions, you can just click on her name below the title of any of her posts!
Because she has started some new writing projects, Mary is going to take a break from blogging. She hopes to rejoin Nerdy Chicks Rule when she has seen these through. Mary, we wish you all the best! We celebrate your journey with us today so our readers will know where you’re going, and have another chance to see where you’ve been. We hope you will be back soon!
Mary, I have so often felt compelled to comment on your marvelous posts!
I wish you all the best with your writing projects, and hope that you will share your wonderful words and observations with us again soon!
Thanks, Cathy! It’s so nice to connect on the blogosphere. 🙂
Kami, I am so touched!! I don’t want to cry first thing in the morning. I’m honored that you and Sudipta welcomed me into the Nerdy Chicks. You gave me a chance to stretch my writing wings and I’m so appreciative. Because of your great teaching skills, I’ll be able to improve my current projects. But I hope I’ll be back in the flock in the future.
Sudipta and I wanted to celebrate your talent. We hope you’ll rejoin the chick flock too…. but keep stretching those wings, and soaring! You’ve done a great job, Mary!
Mary, All the very best with your writing projects. Keep us posted on your successes. 🙂
Best of luck be with you. And the Force. OOYL, hmm. (That’s Yoda, in case my accent was, uh, less than good–which, trust me–it was.)
mary, go write that book (books?) and come back! all best, A
Reblogged this on Darlene Beck-Jacobson and commented:
A great post from and about my writer friend Mary Zisk.
Mary! I’ll miss the inspirational Nerdy Chicks posts but look forward to having a signed copy of one of your novels in the near future! : )
Thanks, all you Nerdy Chicks, for your support!
Mary, your posts will be missed! Wishing much inspiration on your new projects and as speedy as possible return!
Mary, I have known of your artistic talents for 25 years but it was a treat to learn of your writing talents. Loved the blogs!
Susie