Story endings, story beginnings

Our Christmas tree, 2009

Dismantling Christmas.  Ugh.

It’s a time of the year I dread.  Gone are the Christmas carols, the parties, the heady visions of dancing sugar plums.  The mysteries of the presents have been revealed, and it’s time to take down the tree.

Intentionally or coincidentally, my daughters are most often busy when this time arrives.  Alone, I bravely ascend the stairs to our “Christmas room” with the storage boxes.

I prefer working with Christmas music.  This year, my selections were “Cast in Bronze: The Bells of Christmas” (Frank DellaPenna) and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.” I bought the bell CD after hearing this amazing music in the clear summer air and mountains at the Renaissance Festival, so it brought cheer to the dreary chore.

The Rudolph CD features children’s voices and reminds me of the many concerts and shows we attended, hearing our daughters sing when they were younger. These songs made me smile.

Halfway through this task, it occurred to me that I was not dismantling Christmas. In reality, I was placing the ornaments carefully and lovingly into their storage containers, tying the light cords neatly, all in preparation of *next* Christmas.  Come December, 2010, the “future me” will appreciate the “present me”for all the love and thoughtfulness I invested in storing everything so, come that distant December night when the whole family gathers with egg nog and Christmas songs to decorate the tree, it will be a pleasant, uncomplicated experience.

I wasn’t dismantling.  I was actually preparing for Christmas.

Life is amazing.  Just when we think we’re ending, we’re beginning.

This is a good story idea to add to my file.

Wishing you a new year of fresh story ideas and happy beginnings.

Do you know the secret to getting published?

Is the secret so simple? Dr. Seuss thinks so.

The holidays are over and editors and agents are bracing themselves for the deluge of queries that follow the holidays.  What strategies can help make 2010 the year you get published, or published again?

Many say The Secret, Rhonda Byrne’s motivational book, can change your world for the better. Byrne suggests that, by thinking positively and changing the way you see the world, the world will change for you.  Publisher’s Weekly calls the book a “New Age self-help book on the law of attraction … that one’s positive thoughts are powerful magnets that attract wealth, health, happiness…and did we mention wealth?”

Can positive thoughts trigger the law of attraction and make us published authors without any toil on our part ?  Hmm.  Perhaps the “secret” is that positive thinking is so powerful that everything falls into place once we start changing the way we think.

The concept of changing our lives by changing our thinking has been around for centuries, in many cultures.  Dr. Dwayne Dyer used the teachings of an ancient Chinese philosopher to hone in on thoughts in his July release, Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life – Living the Wisdom of the Tao. Dyer shows us that better thoughts can lead to richer, fuller, more joyous  lives.

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale was first published in 1952, and it stayed on the NYT best-selling list for 186 consecutive weeks. Similar books have followed.   Even Dr. Seuss explored the topic in Oh, the Thinks You Can Think.

Eventually the self-help books made a connection between the Law of Attraction and Creating Affluence, as in Deepak Chopra’s 1998 release, Creating Affluence, and again in 2002 with his Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

Can we really “think” ourselves published?  “Think” ourselves rich?  Are Chopra and Byrne talking about the same kind of “affluence?”  Perhaps we are “thinking” the wrong way, and some thought adjustments can bring joy and affluence to our lives … and a publishing contract.

What we focus on becomes our reality. Over 50,000 thoughts ping through our minds every day.  Think about this: we all have choices, and what we think is a choice.  Do you really like that nagging inner voice, complaining about everything, being judgmental and bitter, criticizing your friends, your family, you?  This, I think, is the spirit behind these “positive thinking” books.

We can change what we think, make it more positive, be more grateful and hopeful.   That will create a new joy in us, a new excitement, a new energy to develop work habits and strategies that increase our odds for success.  What a terrific way to start the new year!

What strategies work best for you?  Please share with us.  Meanwhile, I’m wishing you New Year Joy filled with promising, supportive thoughts.

Top Ten Gifts for Grandma, Grandpa, Seniors, Aunt Pearlie

The best gifts for active seniors say "I love you" and "I'm thinking of you."

I’m glad you found my list from last year useful.  I’m back from my on-line shopping trip with some old favorites and some new gift giving ideas for that creatively aging  person in your life.  Be sure to select the shipping method that offers the most value. As we get nearer to Christmas, that may mean upgrading to a faster delivery service.  Happy holidays!

 

Under $100

HappyLite Mini Ultra Sunshine Supplement Light – - HappyLite Mini Ultra sunshine supplement light system helps fight SAD seasonal affective disorder and winter blues. Available through http://www.comforthouse.com/healsmarairc.html

The Sonic Boom Alarm Clock and Bed Shaker. The Sonic Boom, designed for heavy sleepers or people with hearing loss, wakes you with a loud alarm, bed shaker, or flashing lights. The Sonic Boom can be placed under a pillow, or you can plug a lamp into te back of the clock so the light flashes when the alarm goes off. http://tinyurl.com/yc6wqpc

 

$50 and up

Jewelry for Seniors – a marvelous web site with a category of gifts for senior men and senior women.  Nice, tasteful, clever ideas make for fun gift-giving. http://tinyurl.com/yber8z3

Under $50The Handybar Vehicle Exit Device. Spare your loved one the embarrassment of those slipping disks. This discreet bar does not require permanent installation so it can be used on multiple cars, on both driver and passenger doors, and front and back seats.  Also features an emergency seatbelt cutter and window breaker.  http://www.wellhaven.com/Handybar?sc=12&category=199 The Easi Grip Arm Support Cuff and Set of Garden Tools. For the gardener in your life.  The garden tools and support cuff work together to assist avid gardeners whose grip has slipped a little due to time, injury or arthritis.  Cuff easily plugs into the rear of any Easi Grip tool. http://www.wrightstuff.biz/eagrarmsucu.html Dr. Scholl’s Shoes – ah yes, those ugly but practical shoes, right?  Very wrong!  I visited their site and was most surprised with theselection.  Cute boots!  Cute sandals!  Click on the link below and see some of the fun, smart styles.  A gift certificate sure to please. Monalo Blaniks are fine for the twenty- and thirty-somethings, but feet wizened by a few more years seek comfort in addition to style. Nice selection of shoes designed for style as well as comfort. http://www.drschollsshoes.com/Shopping/Results.aspx

 

Under $10

 

UN-SKRU Jar and Bottle Opener – S/he will think of you every time they effortlessly open screw top lids. The UN-SKRU’s been around for three decades –– a simple design that works better than any other for opening all sizes of screw-top lids, from tiny nail polish lids all the way up to the big car wax, peanut butter and warehouse-sized wood glue and pickle jars. Eco-friendly, too –– no batteries to wear out and dispose of, and it’s under the cabinet, not junking up her kitchen drawer

This easy to install and use opener opens all sizes of lids, from ½” to 5″ in diameter. It’s so effective that Good Housekeeping kitchens tested it and deemed it “best we’ve used.”  Company also offers the UN-SKRU in a festive gift basket with other hand-helping products.  http://unskru.com

Hand Key-per 8-way Household Opener – Clever opener has internal keys for easier turning of car ignition or home locks. Internally stored bag slitter is handy for envelopes, stubborn plastic bags, and numerous tasks where you “wish I could cut that.”  Also features a small jar opener, an emery board and a magnet so your keys can be stored on fridge or dash board – in easy sight so you won’t lose your keys.   Available on-line  http://tinyurl.com/y8blnwz

DOORNUTS Door knob and Faucet Turners. These simple little polymer O’s install over door knobs in about two seconds and allow folks with limited or no finger grip to open doors. They also fit over water faucets, and come with free DOORNUT HOLES that fit over pens, crochet hooks or art brushes. Go to http://tinyurl.com/y8blnwz

#1 Gift Idea! The best gift you can give is one that involves you.  This from Dear Abby, and too good not to repeat. Visit your loved one and help them set up their tree and decorations. Clean up after yourself, and remember to *complete* the gift after the holidays by returning to take *down* all the decorations and neatly pack them for storage until next year. Isn’’t this a great idea! Happy holidays to all! -Janet

More posts on RWA and Harlequin Horizons

MWA’s (Mystery Writers of America) response to Harlequin’s new line …

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/208752/4a27450be0/347001009/7edbb5ca68/

Excellent points from Ashley Grayson …

http://graysonagency.com/blog/publishing/harlequin-horizons-a-mugs-game/

Nora Roberts shares her thoughts on it ..

http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/

RWA revokes Harlequin’s approved-publisher status

Is Harlequin's new line a new profit center that takes advantage of author hopefuls, or is this, as Harlequin says, a new way writers can reach their goal of being published? RWA's stand is clear.

Harlequin Enterprises’ new venture, Harlequin Horizons, steps over the line and makes them ineligible as an RWA-approved publisher.

RWA bases this on the fact that the new Horizons line requires hopeful authors to pay for commonly provided publisher services.

Here are some interesting links where you can learn more.

http://www.annaguirre.com/archives/2009/11/18/rwa-has-stones/

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2009/11/harlequin-horizons-another-major.html

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2009/11/17/harlequin-horizons-shortsighted-or-fa\

rseeing/#more-15308

Agents are also watching this closely — see http://pubrants.blogspot.com/

Writer’s, artist’s affirmation in trying times

Keep your creative fires burning with faith and affirmations

Bad economy, shrinking markets, dismal sales – these external events fall like cold rain, dashing our creativity.  Affirmations help, and I’m sending a “thank you” to Cher Gorman for this inspiring quote.  I’ve seen the last sentence quoted, but the entire message is powerful.  May it encourage you in trying times… Janet

“It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
—Theodore Roosevelt

Critique group fun

Halloween critique - and a ghostly good time was had by all

I love my critique group. We’ve been together for over a decade, and respect each other’s writing and comments on our own writing.  Our session fell on Halloween this year, and since all of us possess a playful side, we decided to critique in costume. By the looks of the dagger poised over my head, it appears I might not survive this session, LOL.

Halloween – pleasantly haunted by creative memories

Halloween has evolved into a celebration of creativity

It’s snowing this morning. Under a grey sky, the snow coats the bright colors of autumn like white icing.  I’m safe and warm inside, though, sipping my coffee, enjoying my Halloween display.
It’s a collection of memories that pleasantly “haunt” me.  I wore the witch’s hat many years ago when I greeted the trick-or-treaters. There are four mini-pumpkins in the display, representing my husband, me and our two daughters.

The ghost, broom and bat hold special Girl Scout memories

Those little floating creatures are memorabilia from my Girl Scout troop’s last camping trip. I had been a Girl Scout leader for eight years for my two daughters.  My older daughter had left years before, and the girls from my younger daughter’s troop had reached middle school, thrilled to enter that new chapter of their lives and not so thrilled to continue with scouting. They moved on and grew up, and I took the path of pursuing publication in the fiction market.
Each troop made a Halloween-related item to give to other troops.  Our troop made the little ghosts.  Other troops were clever and made “ghost” puzzle pieces, or tiny witch’s brooms, or scary trees.

We are far from the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).  We have also come far since the fifteenth century, when Tabor and Stephen and my other characters joined in the Druid celebrations of  “All Hallow’s Eve”(Hallow Evening, Hallow Even, Hallow E’en, Halloween).

New traditions have evolved– seductive costumes in addition to frightening ones, trick or treating for “children” of all ages, and elaborate haunted houses.  It’s a riot of creativity that inspires me, and several billion more people.

Have fun with your little ghosts and goblins, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

To learn more click here – Celtic Samhain celebration All Hallow’s Eve

Author Fest of the Rockies – a writer’s feast

Me with my author friends, Linda Berry, Mike Befeler and Michael Madigan on the sunny, welcoming porch of the Cliff House. Thanks to photog Bill Donavan

It’s hard to pinpoint what made Author Fest so enjoyable. After several uncharacteristically gloomy weather days, the Colorado sun, blue sky and majesty of Pikes Peak and golden aspen leaves played a large part.  Meeting with fellow writers and authors is always a joy.  Presenting a workshop on the writing craft to those currently writing novel-length fiction always brings a satisfying connectedness and pleasure.  And I certainly couldn’t overlook the history of the Cliff House, a Victorian charmer of a hotel built in 1853.

A Victorian treasure, the Cliff House was built in 1853 and hosted the 3rd annual Author Fest of the Rockies

From my first glance at the hotel I was charmed. The wide porch with comfortable, overstuffed chairs welcomed me. My second impression was equally rich, that of approaching the stained glass entrance doors and seeing them opened with aplomb by the door men. It reminded me of the scene from Titanic when Rose entered the dining room.  All that was missing was the strain of violins, and I understand that, too, occurs on weekends.

Fifty authors participated in this, the third annual Author Fest.  Hosted by the Manitou Springs Public Library, the schedule offered much more than nineteenth century ambience.  In addition to my workshop about using “Free Range Characters” in your novels, Linda Berry offered advice about “Liposuction for your Overweight Manuscript,” and Esri Rose gave some helpful insights into “High Concept-Built-in Marketing for Your Books.”  Radio personality and on-line marketing guru Michelle Vandepas joined me on a panel about social networking, and Connie Martin was among others that appeared on my panel about plotting.

Another RMFW friend, Betsy Dornbusch, presented a workshop on “Exploring Critique.”  Other topics included memoirs, self-publishing, freelance writing, and Mike Befeler shared tips on “Humor in Geezer Lit.” Former Rocky Mountain News editor Michael Madigan spoke of “Heroes, Villains, Dames and Disasters.”

The concluding luncheon speaker, Alec Greven, wowed everyone in the room.  He showed a video of his appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ television show.  He spoke of his New York Times best-seller, his series, and plans to publish his books in Europe.  He was informative, charming, laugh-out-loud funny, poised, and willing to take questions from everyone about anything. What made this all the more impressive? Master Alec Greven is just ten years old.  You can see his *amazing* interview with Ellen at http://tv.rightcelebrity.com/?p=657

But all good must end, and the Author Fest is now beginning its slow fade to history.  The energy and dreams shared, however, will linger.

Thanks to Jan Pratt, who chaired the Authors Committee, for her fine organization and warm welcome, and to all the many volunteers who contributed to this event’s success.  I was pleased to be part of it.

Write consistently – “Steady Eddy!”

Develop a safety net of strategies to keep your writing and marketing efforts focused and consistent

I’m running on two few cylinders today.  It could be I’m just recovering from an ear and throat infection.  It could also be my hectic schedule, all the hustle and bustle of our annual conference, then relatives visiting from out of town, a big chunk of positive stress as we try to force 30 hours of fun into 24.  Whatever the reasons, I’m dragging.

I have two safety nets against “drag.”  One is my weekly soup writing session, which keeps me in position to write new material.  The other is my bi-monthly goal group.  Two times a month, we agree to “meet” daily for ten days in a row.  We set Winner Goals, based on Margie Lawson’s Defeating Self-Defeating Behavior course material.

The key to success is consistency.  Cecil B. DeMille said this:
“Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That’s dedication.”

This message reminds me of Alice, a tennis player I know.  She’s a level above me in skill, and it’s always fun to play with her, on HER side of the net, LOL.  Her mantra when she’s getting behind in the score:  she chants, “Steady Eddy.  Steady Eddy.”  To her, that means not whaling on the ball, trying to force a point by winning on brilliance, because she’s currently not connecting with those shots and is instead losing the point by trying for too much.  Her “Steady Eddy” chant tells her to calm down, get the ball in, and play consistently, instead of fitfully.

I think Alice and Cecil are saying the same thing.

What helps you stay consistent with your writing?  What strategy/ies work best for you?