What woman in her right (or left) mind doesn't appreciate a heart-felt compliment?
I wondered that as I dismissed yet another kind felicitation. Am I insane? Well, that is debate-able, and on some days I would proudly proclaim "YES."
Okay, so what is this awesome compliment that I felt so unworthy of, you may ask. It was this--I'll try to summarize. Yes, as an author, and according to this compliment, I am very well qualified to do so.
Where was I/ Oh yeah, the summary of the compliment...You (as in I) should write children's books. That is where you excel. You have truly missed your niche in the writing field. Those stories you used to tell your children were riveting, and they still remember them.
I should have smiled demurely and answered "Thank you." But no, not this one. I had to lapse into a full dissertation on the skill required to write a children's book, complete with the value of reading levels and illustrations. Oh, when will I learn that sometimes (and I wonder if this was one of those times) a compliment is meant to lift the troubled soul. To bring a smile. Or to just make one feel good.
Hump...
So, to women everywhere...Next time a compliment comes your way, smile and say "thank you."
(You can always dissect the critter later.)
Life is Too Short Collection Review
This is not the kind of book you will usually find me reading. I'm generally the romance reader, not the sappy Harlequin types but the romance with a touch of humor, inspiration, intrigue or even time-travel. I'm not sure if that is because I'm a professional reviewer of those genres or if I'm a reviewer of those genres because that is what I generally gravitate to. Probably a touch of both.
Whether you are a woman, a wife, or a mother this book is one you will relate to. Actually those who have a significant other in their lives that fits into one or more of these roles will enjoy this book as well. Connie has a way of adding humor to those sometime difficult roles from a personal perspective. The book is broken up into sections for easy referencing although it is an enjoyable read, with more than a few tidbits of wisdom generously sprinkled in, from cover to cover.
What woman (or man) can't benefit from these self-help nuggets? Whether it is learning to find joy in the moments that make up our sometimes bumpy journey in life, learning to appreciate the differences that make men/women relationships what they are, or reaching for the ideal mother that somehow we expect ourselves to be(and never quite managing the miraculous feat.) Connie Sokol puts it all into perspective and manageable bite size pieces to accomplish the goals the reader didn't know they even had. This collection stands as proof that sometimes--life is more entertaining than fiction and certainly worth the effort to make it better. This book undoubtedly deserves a ***** (5 star rating).
Shaunna's professional reviews can be found at http://www.indtale.com/ under Erin Murdock.
In the meantime, I'm thinking it is time to put a few of Connie's tidbits into action...I'll be reporting back...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Life-Too-Short-Collection/dp/0989019659/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368131951&sr=8-2&keywords=life+is+too+short+collection
http://www.amazon.com/The-Life-Too-Short-Collection/dp/0989019659/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368131951&sr=8-2&keywords=life+is+too+short+collection
Take a dip with me, the water's fine.
'Tis the season for judging and contests. Won't you take a dip with me? Who knows, think about all those long posts, emails, text messages, journal entries that you've written... maybe you are an author that just hasn't had the courage to spread your wings and try to fly.
I'm encouraging you to get involved and try. If not in the actual writing, why not visit the RONE Award voting and check to see if that novel you read last week, last month or last year has been nominated. You are invited to cast your vote, and believe me, the RONEs are about what the readers think!
(Of course I would love to have you vote for Dark Days of Promise when the Inspirationals are up for voting in a couple of weeks.)
I'm encouraging you to get involved and try. If not in the actual writing, why not visit the RONE Award voting and check to see if that novel you read last week, last month or last year has been nominated. You are invited to cast your vote, and believe me, the RONEs are about what the readers think!
(Of course I would love to have you vote for Dark Days of Promise when the Inspirationals are up for voting in a couple of weeks.)
Second Annual WUFC Writing Contest
The Second Annual WUFC Writing Contest is open for submissions from April 16th, 2013 - August 15th, 2013.
Writers Unite to Fight Cancer (WUFC) is a group of authors who raise money for cancer research.
This year's theme will be the Drive to Thrive.
Everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to enter. May have been published before, or be a first time writer. Subject matter may be on any topic as long as it follows the theme of the Drive to Thrive.
Entry Fee is $30.00 per submission. There is no limit to the number of submissions allowed. The funds raised from entry fees and sales of books above the cost of production will be donated to the combined cancer research program at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Arizona State University under the Direction of Robert Waters.
Categories / Genres: Word Counts limited to 4000 words.
Fiction - Short Stories or partial novels - all genres middle grade up to adult: Mystery, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Historical, Steam Punk, Inspirational, Paranormal, Speculative, Romance, Suspense, Western
Non-Fiction - Memoir / auto-biography, Self-help, Motivational, Inspirational, Spiritual, Essay or Editorial.
(Partial novels / books must have a resolution within the text submitted.)
Do Not Submit: Horror, Erotica, Poetry, gratuitous violence, Foul or Vulgar language.
Maximum Word Count for all submissions is 4000 words.
Finalists and Winners will be given the opportunity to be published in the 2nd WUFC Writing Contest Anthology if they are willing work with one of our editors – at no charge.
All entries must be received by midnight 8/16/13. Send submissions to:
Margaret L. Turley, Administrator 1146 N. Mesa Dr. #102-233
writersunitetofightcancer@gmail.com Mesa, AZ 85201
Website: http://writersunitetofightcancer.com 480-586-7902 – cell phone
RONE Awards --Round Two--
It is my pleasure to announce that my debut novel, Dark Days of Promise has made it to the second round of judging. Round Two is voted on by readers like you. Please visit the InD'Tales site (link included) and vote. My book is in the Inspiration Genre later in the judging, but it would be awesome if you would vote on all of your favorite categories. Who knows, you might just find some new and exciting reads!
http://www.indtale.com/2012-rone-awards
http://www.indtale.com/2012-rone-awards
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