Dec 17, 2013 |
It’s been a month since I’ve posted. I’ve never gone this long before; and I apologize. I hope you didn’t think I’d forgotten you. No, far from it. But I really have been Just.That.Busy.
I turned my focus to amplifying my Amazon Author’s Page as well as finishing The Penny Parable for eBook publication. I’ve been attending my monthly Writer’s Club meetings, and I’ve joined a critique group. Every other week, nine of us gather to review our works. We email them out a week before each meeting and go over notes and suggestions in the group. It’s quite a great experience, and if you are a serious writer I strongly suggest you find such a group.
Last weekend, the High Desert chapter of the California Writer’s Club was honored to hear Aura Imbarus speak. I was lucky enough to meet with her during the break. She is someone I want to know: She is inspirational, comical, truthful, adventurous, enduring and most of all, a writer.
Aura and MJ
Her story is captivating and thrilling. And she’s nice. She’s one of those people who make you feel you’ve been friends forever, even if you’ve just met. Her energy is just so positive! Yeah. I want to know her.
And yes, that’s me on crutches. I have no dramatic story to tell. I got into my car. I got out of my car. I couldn’t walk. Okay, it’s not quite that simple. But it is. You’ll remember I’ve been in ten car accidents and hit once as a pedestrian? Never my fault, honest. But still. A knee can only stand so much trauma before it starts to fail. And every once in a while, my knee likes to remind me. Which it did last week. Normally I can just ice it and kick back in the recliner for the weekend, but there was no way I was going to miss my Writer’s Club meeting and subsequent Christmas party. So I did the only logical thing. I hobbled into CVS and bought a pair of crutches!
You would think with my prior injury history I’d have a pair around here somewhere. Well I did for a while. But then I got cocky and figured I wouldn’t need them again, so out they went. That’ll teach me.
As each day passes, I find myself wanting more. More time. More energy. More money to do/fix/buy/go. My wish list is getting greater, yet simpler. I want to be a writer. A well accepted, published, known, respected author. I want to have a beautiful yard. A healthy, colorful, desert-enduring yard. I want to fix my house. Bedford Manor is lovely, but in need of some repairs. I want better health for me and those around me. Too many people are suffering with so much. My heart aches every day to see it.
I’m not sure what the New Year will bring. But I already have my word picked out, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Just today a dear friend reminded me that whatever comes, whether it’s in my plans or not, it’s going to be okay. All I can do, is all I can do. She reminded me to hold firm to what I already know, which is my Faith. It was one of those Kismet things, thrown in my face from many angles. I was reminded of what I have often reminded others. That God is in control and it’s okay that I’m not. As long as I still have Faith, Hope, and Love.
Jeremiah 29:11
And someone else gave me this tidbit of wisdom a week or so ago. I asked if I could share it, and he said yes. So here’s a great thought to get you through those times that we’re all going through:
Sitting Around
And it hurts. And it feels like failure. And it doesn’t work.
So I try again. To make ends meet. To write something blockbustery. To breathe.
And it still hurts. And it looks like failure. And it doesn’t always work.
But sometimes it does.
So I keep moving. And working. And writing. And breathing.
And living.
And smiling.
Because I’m alive. And breathing. And working. And writing. And feeling.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
More or Less: 29 Words
What’s Your Writing Style? Creatively Overcoming Writer’s Block
Why I Write. Every Day.
Doing Something. Good.
Poverty: My Story
TGIF
Nov 17, 2013 |
I’m starting a new project. Of course I am. I always have projects in the works, in the back of my mind, on the pages of my notebook.
But this one, I’ve actually started.
If all goes well, at the beginning of the New Year (or perhaps sooner), I’ll be broadcasting a weekly podcast called “Five Minute Faith”.
Five Minute Faith
I’m learning so much about what makes a podcast: How to format a recording. When to edit sound.
I’m also learning about Faith.
Because a person can’t seriously start a project like this and not be thrown to the wolves now and then for a bit of training, right?!
I’m not yet well-versed in behind-the-scenes editing. So I beg your forgiveness if the first few episodes aren’t perfect. What’s that saying?
Please be patient.
God isn’t finished with me yet.
Yeah. That’s it.
Most of the time, the podcast will be around five minutes. I’m not perfect. I’m not a theologian or a Pastor. But I definitely have a heart for God and desire to share Him with you, one moment at a time.
Now and then the podcast will run longer as special guests share their stories of Faith.
This isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, either. There are hard questions about Faith. I’m not here to tell you if you believe in God all your problems will go away. I’m here to tell you that He is here, even when it doesn’t seem like it. And He is here, shining through as you example Him to the world around you.
Shortly after the podcast begins broadcasting, BROKEN GIRL should be available as well.
Broken Girl and Other Tales of Redemption: A Collection of Parables, Poetry & Prose
Both of these projects have been in the works for a long time and it’s nice to see the finish line.
This is what I’ve been working on. These are the first steps. These are the Somethings I’ve been doing.
Do Something
Why am I doing these? Because we all need encouragement. We all need to know we’re not alone. We’re individual, but we’re not unique. We’re together. In this life, on this planet, we’re together. And I need you.
This is just another way for me to tell you how important you are.
I hope you’ll stick around and share your own stories and questions about Faith.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
TGIF: One
The Penny Parable – Part I
“Be Not Afraid”. Yes, I’m talking to YOU.
What I Learned on Women’s Retreat [The Big Whammy!]
Oct 29, 2013 |
Consider this your nudge.
It’s time to get moving.
One way or another, it’s time to get moving.
Get out of your own way, and just step. Just once. And then once more.
Do it. Do it and you’ll be amazed.
Do it.
Take that first step.
This is your nudge.
Know how I know? I’ve been nudged myself lately.
I’m familiar with the comfortable. Comfortable with the familiar. But it’s time to get moving.
Whatever it is, take that first step.
Success stories don’t just happen. Those scars are earned. These badges are claimed. People don’t just hand them to you. Failures aren’t failures. They’re the successful attempts of finding out what doesn’t work.
I’ve a few projects in the works, and one I’m not sure how to start.
What if it really is just that simple?
What if starting this project means just doing it?
Putting aside my doubts, insecurities, preparations and pre-planning. What if doing what I’m supposed to do means just doing it?
What would I be doing if this project were ready to go? I’d be working it. Not thinking about it. Not scheduling it. Planning it. Contemplating it. Worrying about it. Structuring it.
I’d be working it. Not letting it work me over.
It really is just that simple.
Take the first step.
I’m on a path that I can’t see the end of. Maybe I’m not supposed to. Maybe this is part of stepping out in faith. Maybe an unforeseen part of this project is that some of it is still unforeseen. Maybe I just need to stop saying “maybe…” and instead say
“Yes!”
And everywhere I look, I’m being nudged onto the path. Pushed to participate.
I’m no longer on the sidelines, waiting for direction.
I’m doing it.
One baby step at a time.
Do Something
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Doing Something. Good.
TGIF: A-P-P-R-E-C-I-A-T-I-V-E-L-Y
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: Everything Old is NEW Again
Oct 13, 2013 |
Y’all know how I love-love-love the idea of Something Good: those little tidbits in life that make it worthwhile. Smiling at a stranger, getting an unexpected hug from my daughter, sitting with a friend at church.
The New Inklings
It’s no surprise that I’ve been less-than-stellar for a few months. For reasons that aren’t necessarily unique but are often personal, I’ve felt, for lack of a better description, run over and run down. We all have them: those moments when the world seems to push, pull, and crush us into submission. Those days when all you can do is breathe in, breathe out, and do it again. Those times when others are so consumed by their own trials and terrors that it makes reaching out seem selfish.
Yeah. Been there, done that, as the song goes.
But if I don’t change, then nothing ever changes. Right? What’s that quote?
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” ~Henry Ford
Yeah. That’s it.
Have you ever heard of the butterfly effect? That theory that, in essence, says one flap of a butterfly’s wing, under certain conditions, can result in a hurricane across the globe?
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all were a butterfly? If you knew, if you were conscious of every thing you did, and how it affected others, what kind of impact would you have on your world, and the ever-growing circle of life around you? People who you don’t even know who know people you still don’t know who might be acquainted with someone who met someone who talked to someone else who was a neighbor of a friend of a relative of someone you hold dear… What if you knew without a doubt that you could have that kind of impact on the world?
What would you do? And how would you do it? What if the answer lies not in the goal, but in the idea. What if, by taking that first step, that’s all you needed to do? What if, just by flapping your wings once, you could cause a hurricane across the globe?
I decided since something needed to change for the good, that meant I’d better do the changing.
And on the flip side, that also meant to continue doing the things I didn’t necessarily want to do even though I knew I should do them. Like eating brussel sprouts. (Hey, wait a minute! I love brussel sprouts!)
So yesterday I went to my monthly Writer’s Club meeting. I was tired. I had a lot on my mind. And I wanted to spend time with Dot before she went off to work and out with her Guy.
But since history has proven that the meetings are beneficial, I put on my big girl pants and headed out. And, of course, I loved it. So very glad I went.
We were gifted with two speakers: Lynne Spreen and CJ Hernley who spoke less on writing and more on marketing. Which is just what This Girl needed to hear.
Learning How to Market
I’ve also personally been nudged, aggressively, to listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos of some exceptional speakers. Andy Andrews and Dan Miller to name two.
If you’ve never heard these men speak, I strongly encourage you to do so. They are phenomenal. Influential. Brilliant. And down to earth. They don’t throw pie-in-the-sky ideas at you. They don’t ask you to do anything the common public isn’t willing or able to do. But they do have some amazing resources available to help you reach your personal goals.
So as it seems the pieces of this puzzle are coming together for me, I took another two leaps (yes, I feel like SuperWoman right now!).
The first is I finally drafted the title piece for Broken Girl and Other Stories of Redemption: A Collection of Parables, Poetry & Prose.
Broken Girl cover
I realized after yesterday’s meeting that I’ve just been sitting on this project, waiting. Waiting for what? Nothing, really. Just waiting.
Waiting for a reason to finish compiling my stories and essays. Waiting to feel like I could do it. Waiting to get it done. But waiting doesn’t get it done. Waiting is… well, waiting.
So today I drafted the title piece, and worked more on curating my writings for this Project into one computer folder. Throughout this week, I’ll review and edit and format. And pray for a way to get published. Again. But that’s next week’s problem. This week, my goal is to assemble the book. And see where it takes me. One story at a time.
The second Something Good I accomplished today was to set up my Author’s Page at Amazon. Did you know such a thing existed? I sure didn’t. Not until yesterday’s meeting! [It’d be a big help if y’all could click on over and give me a “like”, as well as leave a review for either of the books you have on your shelf.]
So I did these things. And I’m hoping to do more, and reap more. I’ve a huge Faith-based project in the works so I hope you’ll stick around for that.
But even with all these great career-momentous movements on my horizon, I have to let you know the best moment I had lately was coming home last week while Dot was finishing up a college presentation. And I found this waiting for me:
She’s a Keeper!
Before I get back to flapping my wings, I leave you with this inspiration:
Do Something
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sep 30, 2013 |
A month ago, I shared with you a few suggestions for stocking up the pantry to easily provide for your family and company without having to go to the store at the last minute. These tips are also great for those times when inclement weather or lack of transportation interferes with your daily schedule.
But what about those non-food needs? A well-stocked cabinet not only covers emergency moments, but can also provide some fun family time. Pretend you’re going camping: turn off the lights, the TV, the computers and see what you can do without electronics.
Batteries for flashlights and portable radios are essential. If you don’t have a gas stove, you may want to invest in a small outdoor grill. But if the weather’s too cold, there are alternatives for indoor cooking. A fireplace can be a great gathering place for roasting S’mores (with adult supervision, of course!).
Water and personal care products are essential. One of my favorite fun moments is stocking up at the local store in the Travel-Size section. One small plastic box holds all the shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste a person needs for two weeks. Don’t forget body wash and deodorant! Face and body wipes are also great.
Aside from the necessary items, how do you pass the time when there’s no electricity? Cards and board games are great!
Family Fun Time
Are your kids creative? When I was a child, our favorite Christmas gift that we could count on each year was our Creation Boxes. Mom and Dad would get a cardboard file box for each of us kids, and fill them to the brim with blank paper, construction paper, notebooks, paper, pens, colored pencils, crayons, glue, scissors… pretty much the ultimate scrapbook kit before there were such things. We built our own kingdoms, created our own games, and wrote our own stories.
I’ve created another PDF Checklist to start you on your way to a well-stocked emergency kit. Not to mention, some unplugged family fun!
Did I forget anything? What are your favorite items to add to the list?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote.
You may also enjoy reading:
Stocking up the Pantry
