Monday, August 27, 2012
Book Contract
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I share some recent news with you. My debut picture book, THE LITTLE BUG, is under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing. I'm very excited about this next step in my writing career and look forward to sharing with you throughout the development process.
Monday, August 20, 2012
School Starts
Well, the new school year is upon us here in Mitchell, SD. The kids took off this morning, somewhat excited to see friends and get back to school but a little trepidatious as well, especially my Freshman beginning her first year of high school. I took some time this morning to reflect on how I was feeling about the new year and all it brings, both personally and in terms of my writing.
I pulled open my box of Power Thought Cards by Louise L. Hay. I won them some time back and have thoroughly enjoyed reading and pondering their true meanings. I found two this morning that spoke to me and seemed to be a fitting start to a new school year (which will, hopefully, afford me more writing time than the summer months). I thought I'd share with all of you in case you are facing a similar reflective state today.
"It's only a thought, and a thought can be changed. I am not limited by any past thinking. I choose my thoughts with care. I constantly have new insights and new ways of looking at my world. I am willing to change and grow."
And...
"Divine wisdom guides me. I am guided throughout this day in making the right choices. Divine intelligence continuously guides me in the realization of my goals."
I believe these may become a mantra of sorts as I begin each new day. I am not sure if these cards are still being printed, but they are certainly filled with many nuggests of inspiration if you can find them.
I pulled open my box of Power Thought Cards by Louise L. Hay. I won them some time back and have thoroughly enjoyed reading and pondering their true meanings. I found two this morning that spoke to me and seemed to be a fitting start to a new school year (which will, hopefully, afford me more writing time than the summer months). I thought I'd share with all of you in case you are facing a similar reflective state today.
"It's only a thought, and a thought can be changed. I am not limited by any past thinking. I choose my thoughts with care. I constantly have new insights and new ways of looking at my world. I am willing to change and grow."
And...
"Divine wisdom guides me. I am guided throughout this day in making the right choices. Divine intelligence continuously guides me in the realization of my goals."
I believe these may become a mantra of sorts as I begin each new day. I am not sure if these cards are still being printed, but they are certainly filled with many nuggests of inspiration if you can find them.
Highlights Hello
There is a new Highlights magazine coming soon called Highlights Hello for ages 0-2. Here is the link to learn more: http://www.highlights.com/highlights-hello-magazine-for-kids?productId=hhomag. The debut issue will be delivered in December 2012. It looks wonderful!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Simplicity
Firstly, I would like to say thank you for your patience with my very inconsistent blogging this summer. I've now completed all of the continuing education requirements for work that had been taking up so much of my time and am now trying to get back on track.
As such, I was reading a chapter of PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers this morning. I started the book some time ago but never finished. I cracked it open this morning and what I read was like a breath of fresh air.
Sellers was talking about the tools we have to write, not the physical tools so much as the tools within. She says we should use the topics within us, the things only we know, to create and write and states, "write whatever the heck" you want to write about. "This is what we want to know. The tiny things people do. The little things they say."
She further goes on to discuss all we've heard before...write what you and only you know, write what you want to read and suggests we make it all too hard by over-thinking and analyzing everything which really hit home to me. I can frequently think so long and hard about the what and the how that I lose sight of (and time for) the actual doing. Sellers says we have all the tools we need, we just need to sit down and write.
The one thing that really resonated, and I found myself highlighting, is this:
"The single most important tool in your tool kit is to stay simple--truly simple. Stop making this harder than it is."
So, you know everything you need to know...join me in taking Seller's advice and just sit down and write!
As such, I was reading a chapter of PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers this morning. I started the book some time ago but never finished. I cracked it open this morning and what I read was like a breath of fresh air.
Sellers was talking about the tools we have to write, not the physical tools so much as the tools within. She says we should use the topics within us, the things only we know, to create and write and states, "write whatever the heck" you want to write about. "This is what we want to know. The tiny things people do. The little things they say."
She further goes on to discuss all we've heard before...write what you and only you know, write what you want to read and suggests we make it all too hard by over-thinking and analyzing everything which really hit home to me. I can frequently think so long and hard about the what and the how that I lose sight of (and time for) the actual doing. Sellers says we have all the tools we need, we just need to sit down and write.
The one thing that really resonated, and I found myself highlighting, is this:
"The single most important tool in your tool kit is to stay simple--truly simple. Stop making this harder than it is."
So, you know everything you need to know...join me in taking Seller's advice and just sit down and write!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Goal Setting
My day planner, as I think I have mentioned before, has insight from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Though I don't always, I happened to read the hint for today which is based on Habit 2: Begin With the End In Mind. Covey says (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, pages 135-137):
"Many people jump from goal setting to execution. However, to achieve a goal, you must first define and then master the specific activities, tasks, behaviors, and events required to reach the goal. It is also helpful to clearly define how you will measure success and to proactively think through possible barriers to your success and mitigate them."
This was like a lightbulb for me this morning, a major "duh" moment. So often, I think we set our goals, do our best (or not) to achieve them but really give little consideration to how to go about it specifically or how to fight through or prevent any road blocks. At least, I know that I don't do so. If there is something I want to accomplish, whether it be writing or work related, I often set it as a goal but do not really set up my environment and day-to-day life to foster the completion of the goal.
I'd love to hear any strategies you use to help yourself be successful in goal completion in your life, writing or otherwise. Thanks, in advance, for your insight.
"Many people jump from goal setting to execution. However, to achieve a goal, you must first define and then master the specific activities, tasks, behaviors, and events required to reach the goal. It is also helpful to clearly define how you will measure success and to proactively think through possible barriers to your success and mitigate them."
This was like a lightbulb for me this morning, a major "duh" moment. So often, I think we set our goals, do our best (or not) to achieve them but really give little consideration to how to go about it specifically or how to fight through or prevent any road blocks. At least, I know that I don't do so. If there is something I want to accomplish, whether it be writing or work related, I often set it as a goal but do not really set up my environment and day-to-day life to foster the completion of the goal.
I'd love to hear any strategies you use to help yourself be successful in goal completion in your life, writing or otherwise. Thanks, in advance, for your insight.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Independence Day
Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the holiday and stay safe and cool. Thank you all for fighting for our independence and freedom.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Hiatus
I wanted to touch base briefly rather than disappear with no warning. Despite my inconsistent posting, hopefully someone would notice:-)
I am planning to take a brief blogging hiatus while I tackle a bunch of continuing ed for work that needs to be completed, much of which I can do with a few self-study programs that have been collecting dust on my desk. I just keep procrastinating and am tired of it all hanging over my head so am going to take care of it all in the next few weeks and be finished. I will then get back to regular (or more consistent) blogging.
Thanks for understanding and happy summer!
I am planning to take a brief blogging hiatus while I tackle a bunch of continuing ed for work that needs to be completed, much of which I can do with a few self-study programs that have been collecting dust on my desk. I just keep procrastinating and am tired of it all hanging over my head so am going to take care of it all in the next few weeks and be finished. I will then get back to regular (or more consistent) blogging.
Thanks for understanding and happy summer!
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