Clean Romances my darlings and they are free for a limited time. To think, I rub shoulders with some of these authors.
January 23, 2015
January 21, 2015
Finding the Time
How does one find the time for all the worthwhile things in life?
It is an age old question that continually changes. Don't believe me? Consider how your list of things you spend time doing has changed since the advent of the personal computer, the internet, Face Book, Twitter and more electronic tools in cyberspace that I currently don't use. Of course there is the list of things that change just as fast, but on a smaller scale, such as: children/family needs, exercise, diet,'me' time, etc.
It all changes, all the time so how do you find the time?
May I humbly suggest: prioritize.
Yep. One word so easily said but so rarely done. In a way New Year's Resolutions are one way to prioritize. I, for one, refuse to seriously participate in the ancient custom. (I say seriously because I did consider a resolution or two and kinda sorta even mentioned one here that I most likely won't follow through on---so much for accountability.)
I prefer the--(now this is by the Book of Shaunna) method, of prioritizing which is: Friends on Face Book spurning me into action - priority. Thus I get to my point, which has nothing to do with the title above or my general ranting.
Two major changes that I want to be accountable for (or prioritize) are:
1) Write 100 words, or more a day. Okay, I will take the weekends off due to making my family a priority. so far so good, because even writing here on my blog counts--for me at least. You see it spurns my creativity.
And this one is more difficult for me because it involves more facets of my complicated personality.
2) A friend has reached out and cried HELP! I love this friend and don't feel able to deny her that which she asks for; mainly my support. You see, in supporting her, I know from experience that I will be helping myself and who, in their right mind doesn't want that?
This friend has set-up a closed group, tailored to meet her needs and most importantly to her, make her accountable.
The deal is this for me personally; I need to watch what I consume so that I can cheer her on and share with her my current successes on that front. It goes on. I need to find ways to incorporate exercise and 'me' time into my daily routine.
This is where I need to share my commitment to self.
Exercise daily in spite of health barriers and record it for positive self reinforcement. Okay, I cheat because I am already doing this, but life has sent me a beautiful opportunity--curve ball. (Which if you follow me, I hope to share in the future.) I do simple exercise type things due to my health, for example: squats or ballet ple-as (sorry, not sure how to spell that one), push-ups (these are modified as I do them while leaning on the bar), climb stairs (sometimes), and superman flights (these are the ones where you lay on your belly and tense your whole body with your arms out front like you are flying) and record.
I'll be honest, I don't do all of these everyday. If I happen to go to water aerobics on one day, this routine goes by the wayside because I don't give that much time to exercise everyday. Which brings us back to this posts title--Finding the Time.
I refuse to allow time for self-depreciating diatribes when I chose to alter or shift things to fit my life and allow for 'me' time. We are all busy and no matter what you do, you only have twenty-four hours in a day. How many days each of us has is not a personal choice, but a gift from God/Heavenly Father.
I chose to make a better choice each day, and hopefully I, more often than not, make the best choice for myself and in turn give my God, my Heavenly Father, reason to elongate my days and ultimately, when I rejoin Him have Him smile and say well done.
Wishing you the wisdom to Find the Time to make the Best choices.
It is an age old question that continually changes. Don't believe me? Consider how your list of things you spend time doing has changed since the advent of the personal computer, the internet, Face Book, Twitter and more electronic tools in cyberspace that I currently don't use. Of course there is the list of things that change just as fast, but on a smaller scale, such as: children/family needs, exercise, diet,'me' time, etc.
It all changes, all the time so how do you find the time?
May I humbly suggest: prioritize.
Yep. One word so easily said but so rarely done. In a way New Year's Resolutions are one way to prioritize. I, for one, refuse to seriously participate in the ancient custom. (I say seriously because I did consider a resolution or two and kinda sorta even mentioned one here that I most likely won't follow through on---so much for accountability.)
I prefer the--(now this is by the Book of Shaunna) method, of prioritizing which is: Friends on Face Book spurning me into action - priority. Thus I get to my point, which has nothing to do with the title above or my general ranting.
Two major changes that I want to be accountable for (or prioritize) are:
1) Write 100 words, or more a day. Okay, I will take the weekends off due to making my family a priority. so far so good, because even writing here on my blog counts--for me at least. You see it spurns my creativity.
And this one is more difficult for me because it involves more facets of my complicated personality.
2) A friend has reached out and cried HELP! I love this friend and don't feel able to deny her that which she asks for; mainly my support. You see, in supporting her, I know from experience that I will be helping myself and who, in their right mind doesn't want that?
This friend has set-up a closed group, tailored to meet her needs and most importantly to her, make her accountable.
The deal is this for me personally; I need to watch what I consume so that I can cheer her on and share with her my current successes on that front. It goes on. I need to find ways to incorporate exercise and 'me' time into my daily routine.
This is where I need to share my commitment to self.
Exercise daily in spite of health barriers and record it for positive self reinforcement. Okay, I cheat because I am already doing this, but life has sent me a beautiful opportunity--curve ball. (Which if you follow me, I hope to share in the future.) I do simple exercise type things due to my health, for example: squats or ballet ple-as (sorry, not sure how to spell that one), push-ups (these are modified as I do them while leaning on the bar), climb stairs (sometimes), and superman flights (these are the ones where you lay on your belly and tense your whole body with your arms out front like you are flying) and record.
I'll be honest, I don't do all of these everyday. If I happen to go to water aerobics on one day, this routine goes by the wayside because I don't give that much time to exercise everyday. Which brings us back to this posts title--Finding the Time.
I refuse to allow time for self-depreciating diatribes when I chose to alter or shift things to fit my life and allow for 'me' time. We are all busy and no matter what you do, you only have twenty-four hours in a day. How many days each of us has is not a personal choice, but a gift from God/Heavenly Father.
I chose to make a better choice each day, and hopefully I, more often than not, make the best choice for myself and in turn give my God, my Heavenly Father, reason to elongate my days and ultimately, when I rejoin Him have Him smile and say well done.
Wishing you the wisdom to Find the Time to make the Best choices.
January 20, 2015
Cool Book Cover
I'd use this for a cover art if I knew how to find out who owns this photo. Have now idea what the book would be about though.
How to Excel at Constructive Criticism
Marcy McKay in her blog post at http://positivewriter.com/how-to-give-constructive-writing-criticism-that-actually-helps/ recaps her post with the following:
1) Yes, writers need to hear what’s wrong with their work in order to improve it, but there’s a positive way and a negative way to convey that message.
2) It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.
3) Constructive criticism done right, leaves the receiver excited to make revisions to their story, rather than feeling shattered.
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/how-to-give-constructive-writing-criticism-that-actually-helps/#sthash.217kjGOl.OwKSgwGZ.dpufLet's face it folks, I'm not real good at constructive criticism, it is a big reason why I decided to be a reviewer and even landed a job as a professional. (Reviewers don't get to be snarky, but at times being painfully honest is a plus.)
In contrast, critique-rs in the writing world are generally acquaintances of the author and because you are often friends, you need to be nice. Easier said than done at times when the project is something you have little or no interest in. Many published authors have been burned and even abused when offering to help because the new-bie to the writing field assumed the 'pro friend' had a magic pill of sorts. Not so. Getting published, the first time is difficult. So it is the third and fourth time as well as the umpteenth time (unless the author managed to land one of those rare contracts that fits both the writer and the publisher like a glove.)
So, back to constructive critiques (Someone needs to sit on my shoulder and keep me on task.)
The long and the short of it is KISS for want of a better acronym (by-the-by, thank you to my military friends for sharing this with me over the years--the acronym, that is.)
KISS Keep It Simple Stupid (okay, so I softened the language and made it my own.)
So how do you KISS when critiqu-ing a 400 page manuscript? Other than one line at a time, I mean.
Give 'em a knuckle sandwich, and by that I mean...just like when you are breaking-up with that special someone and don't want to hurt their feelings. A sandwich has two sides of bread. The bread is soft and often sweet, might have a little spice in it but the bite is what you put between the soft kindness.
In the case of the critique:
1) Tell the author, and put it in writing because writers need the written word, something nice. For example: I really like this character because... Or I like the overall story line.
2)This is a sandwich so here we generally put a condiment or gentle 'I'm not sure what you are saying here', or the like before slapping a few, if needed, pieces of meaty, but savory, comments on what needs fixing.
Sometimes the fixes are a sweet meat but sometimes even the glaring chunk is easier to put down when sliced thin.
and
3) Don't forget the second slice here. Be sure to top the sandwich with the savory bread that holds it all together (and in the case of the fragile writer, may be what holds them together.) In the case of the critique, an honest compliment that will encourage the writer and exhilarate, or at least inspire, the author to continue writing and creating.
I truely hope this helps...and in my own case, reminds me of how to do a better job at his often painful task, but a very necessary one.
January 19, 2015
Seahawks and Superbowl Sunday
I won't say that Seahawk Football fans are way out there, but I will say those in my family are certainly convinced of the need to convert myself and others in the family to their way of thinking.
So, congratulations Seahawks!
But seriously folks,(please read as: armchair quarterbacks) I didn't see you on the field Sunday, or any other day, with a Seahawk team jersey (mind you, the one you wear with that #12 on it doesn't count.) and IF by chance, you are drawing a paycheck from the team may I say that I will, if bribed, cheer you on come Superbowl Sunday...Just sayin'
Otherwise, I don't think I'll be cheering for the Patriots, but don't tick me off or I will!
(I know, you're really not afraid of me...)
So, congratulations Seahawks!
But seriously folks,(please read as: armchair quarterbacks) I didn't see you on the field Sunday, or any other day, with a Seahawk team jersey (mind you, the one you wear with that #12 on it doesn't count.) and IF by chance, you are drawing a paycheck from the team may I say that I will, if bribed, cheer you on come Superbowl Sunday...Just sayin'
Otherwise, I don't think I'll be cheering for the Patriots, but don't tick me off or I will!
(I know, you're really not afraid of me...)
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