Feb 22, 2016 |
Here’s a not-so-secret: I love social media. It’s where I connect with others, share my life, promote authors and their projects, and yes, play my fair amount of Candy Crush. I know. Gaming isn’t the same as social media. But when all you have to offer is candy life, it counts, okay?
But not everyone feels the same. I can’t quite get my head around what I’m about to say, but I hear tell there are actually people out there who dislike social media.
Can you imagine? People who would rather get a tooth pulled than post a status update, or swallow castor oil rather than share a photo. Yes, there are actually people like this out there. I’m not naming names, but I’ve met them.
Of course, by no means do I even pretend to fully understand them, but I try.
Then, of course, you have your people who want to wade into the water but aren’t sure how. Do they dive in? How deep? Which pool? Do they know how to swim, or at least stay afloat? Can they survive in the treacherous seas of social media?
Folks, I’m so glad you asked. That’s where I come in. For the better part of a year, I’ve been slowly developing a platform to assist others develop their social media presence, as well as managing media for other people.
How To Do Social Media for People Who Are Antisocial
It was going to be a blog post but I realized it’s so much bigger than that. I currently run a semi-monthly column for the newsletter of the California Writers Club, High Desert Branch. I offer one-on-one consultations to help local writers start their internet experience. And now it’s turning into a platform, presentation, and potential book!
Last week I was given a monthly contributing blogger spot on Edie Melson’s blog, The Write Conversation. [Check me out the third Monday of each month, starting in March.] As the social media diva herself, she’s one of my go-to girls whenever I have a social media question. We met last year at Blue Ridge and I was so thrilled to participate in her social media course.
Edie Melson, Social Media Steampunk, and Molly Jo Realy, Woman of Mystery, at BRMCWC
She told me
“I hope you’ll stay in touch. We’re cut from the same cloth, and you’re going places.”
Now how could I not share that with my social media world?
And since when it rains it pours here in the desert, I was also given the opportunity to lead this week’s Firsts in Fiction podcast. The theme? You guessed it: Social Media. I’m typically the heckler of the group, the one who keeps the chat room chatting and throws “shut up!”s to Aaron and Al as we converse on the art of writing fiction.
Last week we had a few questions on how to develop social media so Aaron suggested I take the next episode and run with it. Right when I’d gotten used to thinking of myself as just another pretty face . . .
How do you do social media? Join Firsts in Fiction this Tuesday at 6:30 PST and let’s have some fun.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Feb 20, 2016 |
This is my new Samsonite carry-on suitcase. I picked it up last week during Kohl’s super sale.
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
I was so excited I posted the photo to my NOLA Facebook group. As I started keying in the description, the realization of why this suitcase is so important became clear.
At the store, I thought it was just a nice suitcase, in a nice color. But I didn’t really need it. It wasn’t really necessary.
But I was wrong. So very wrong.
I have a suitcase set. Remember my red Disney suitcase? The one that the airport lost on the way to Blue Ridge last year?
Luggage UnLost
I still have it. I still love it.
But once I took Green home, it spoke to me. “I’m never empty. I’m always full of promise. Adventure. A future. Dreams. Success. Something Good. Trust me.””New,” it says. “Look forward, not behind,” it beckons. “Change is good,” it offers. “It’s okay to let go,” it comforts. “I’ll protect,” it promises. It was half price, and I had a 20%-off coupon, plus I received $20 back in Kohl’s Cash. This $240 suitcase cost me less than $90, and it’s already worth the investment.Because it’s an investment in me. In my dreams, hopes, excursions. It makes it okay to think about the future. It tells me there are places out there I’m going to, and it fills me with a sense of adventure. I’m going to soar, and Green is coming with me.
As I write this post, when I first shared the photo on Facebook and Instagram, when I wrapped my hand around the handle and took it off the store shelf, and all the times in between when I think of it, I hear Dr. Seuss telling me “Oh, the places you’ll go!”
I didn’t know how much I needed the promise this suitcase could give. I can’t explain why I’m so full of gratitude and longing and thankfulness and excitement and anticipation and confidence. I just know I am. And it feels marvelous. There’s a world out there waiting for me to embrace it. And I’m on my way.
This is my suitcase. This is my green suitcase. This is the color of my company. My lucky bamboo. Frogs. My writing chair. Lizzie Cat’s eyes. My Narnia room.
This is my new green suitcase.
And we’re going places.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Jan 2, 2016 |
When I joined the Jamberry Nails team last spring, my intent was to use the consultant discount to my benefit. Selfish, I know. Or so it sounds.
JamWithMojo – Jamberry Consultant
The truth is, I want to share Jamberry with everyone around me. Using my fingertips as an artist’s canvas is so fun and individual. I say it’s like scrapbooking on your hands. No two Jamicures are the same, even if I’m the one doing them.
Sure, I have my favorites:
My Mother’s Day Jamberry Nails
Jamberry Nails: Mad Hatter and Word to the Wise
But Jamberry is much more than pretty fingers. It’s also healthy hands.
After a month of wrapping and unwrapping and decorating and cleaning and undecorating and more cleaning ~ you get the picture ~ after all that, my hands were ready for some pampering.
So today, I indulged. In less than ten minutes, I went from post-holiday-damaged grossness to bring-in-the-New-Year beautiful.
Before and After my Jamberry Indulgence and cuticle oil treatment.
Indulgence is a three-piece set:
- Buff: Sugar scrub made with coconut oil.
- Nourish: Lotion absorbs into your skin without leaving a greasy residue on top.
- Quench: Balm for those rougher areas like knuckles and elbows.
- BONUS: Cleanser with a refreshing citrus fragrance.
Because of recurring eczema, winter is hard on my skin. I keep Nourish in my bag wherever I go, and use Quench as a lip balm. Cleanser is great to use just before bed.
With each of these products, a little goes a long way which is good because I love love love each and want them to last.
One of my New Year’s goals is increasing my Jamberry business. I mean, I get paid to sit around with the girls, drink wine, and pamper. How fun is that?
If you’d like to learn more about Jamberry Nail Wraps, earn free product through hostessing, or join the Marvellous MoJo Team, please contact me through my Jamberry website.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
