Category Archives: Books

Worthiness in Writing

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Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.  ~Francis de Sales 1567 – 1622

A few people have asked me how many books I’ve sold and my response is “I don’t know. I’m not paying much attention.” Truthful statement. Believe it or not.

To me sales figures are irrelevant compared to the fulfilling feelings of accomplishment that have come with knowing I completed what I set out to do – tackle writing a memoir and publishing it independently. No one can relate to the process unless they have been through the paces.

Secondly, when I get feedback from readers, it makes publishing the story all worthwhile. People that I hadn’t heard from in decades, that I thought were gone from my life a long time ago, have come climbing out of the woodwork.

education2For instance, a college math professor from my days at Johnson State College in Vermont sent me an e-mail that I will always treasure. His comments after having read my memoir made me feel that I was not just another one of his thousands of students that passed through the halls of that higher institution during his life-long career of teaching.

Here is some of what he had to say after reading Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected:

Sue, I just finished your book and “shared” it via e-mail.  Of course, it brought many tears to my eyes being exposed to your early, early years.  And, it nearly goes without saying that Fanny has made an indelible mark on my mind, having known both you and Jan.  It is a wonderful story filled with the joy of life and living.

I wish you all the best in whatever writing you undertake in the future.  It surely is not a simple task and I thought this effort very well done!

My very best to you and Terry ~ J. Davis

Since rekindling our teacher/student connection, we have had many meaningful back and forth e-mail discussions on various different blogs about life that I have posted on All Things Fulfilling.

The point of this blog is to say “the  value of writing a story is not in book sales. The true worthiness comes in what writing feels like to the author’s heart.” ~ Sue Batton Leonard

 

Book Covers and Fonts

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Like all forms of design, visual design is about problem solving…~ Bob Baxley

So, an author friend of mine is getting ready to have her next release published. Last week, she posted images of several cover designs that she is considering. I let my opinion be known only because she asked for some feedback and I understand the value of feedback with regard to publishing.

It got me to thinking of the cover design of my 2nd publication, Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul. I decided that it was time to make a change to the cover. I love the cover image but the font of the title has been problematic in a digital format. I didn’t foresee the kinds of problems I am having with it. For the title I had chosen a font that is in script. Esthetically it looked good with the cover image but it was not a good decision on my part because it is not very readable digitally.

So there has been a slight revision to the appearance of the e-book cover of Short Stories: Lessons in Heart & Soul. Here is a before and after.

Below – Initial Font Used in Title on Cover Design

Lessons of Heart V4 Cover

Below: Revised for Better Readability of Title in Small-form Digital Formats

V5 Cover revised font 4 15 15

You’ve gotta love e-books, it’s so easy to make changes. Download a new version of a cover or revised text and you are all set. Not much more than a click of a mouse and very little expense.

Chalk up this necessary revision to lessons learned in digital publishing! Since e-books are still undergoing tweeks in development I’m not the first to encounter this problem. Here is a good article about e-books and fonts. 

See you back here tomorrow. This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

Meet Me at The Movies

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“Healing Art is being born as we speak. The concept is catching fire, is awakening in people’s spirits…Artists, musicians and dancers are realizing their imagery has meaning….that their imagery heals them, others, their neighborhood, or the earth.” ~ Michael Samuels

meet me at the moviesThe Frye Art Museum in Seattle, Washington is partnering with several organizations to bring back classic movies because of their power to connect seniors with memories. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Western and Central Washington Chapter and the University of Washington School of Nursing along with Artists for Alzheimer’s/I’m Still Here Foundation have sponsored Meet Me at the Movies to celebrate film and it’s ability to stir the human emotions. An interesting partnering isn’t it? It speaks to the power of art to heal.

During the great Depression, people flocked to the movies because the entertainment cinema provided gave them relief from every day stresses. The eldest of the eldest of our country’s population, those in their late “renaissance years” remember the Golden Age of Movies and dancing every Saturday night. Alternatively, family and friends sat huddled together in front of the radio engaged in shows that united people and provided diversions to forget the financially difficult times and as ways to uplift their spirits.

Stories through the decades whether by film, book or through audio listening inspire, influence, entertain and change lives.

Do return on Monday. Next week I’ll have a few announcements! Have a great weekend.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Her publications are available in audio, paperback and e-book format.

A Term I Can Live With

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“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us…” ~ Dale E Turner

I don’t know about you, baby boomer, but I dislike the thought of becoming a senior citizen. In fact, according to AARP, they’ve determined that I became a senior citizen five or six years ago when I began getting their publications and mailings regularly. I don’t think of myself anywhere near elderly or aged. In fact, I feel as if I am just beginning to hit my stride. Writing and publishing and a side of business that has come with that has given me a new lease on life. I am very committed and passionate about what I am doing.

People are living longer and more actively into their 70s, 80s and 90s. Research shows that staying active and involved is what keeps people healthy.

As I approach the retirement years, I decided that will not use the phrase “retirement years” when I reach that landmark. I don’t much like it. I’d rather say I am in my renaissance years. I discovered that term in an article.

Renaissance denotes vigor, renewal and interest in life than a decline and giving up. It will much better fit the “next act” wheverever that appears in my life.

If you are on the verge of retirement, have you put any thought into whether you are going to retire from life or continue to live life fully? What will you do in your “renaissance years” to keep you young and healthy? Volunteering, involvement in the arts, caretaking grandchildren, activity through sports such as yoga, hiking, walking, or staying interested in our diverse world though travel?

Whatever you chose, I wish you well. I hope your renaissance years are inspiring and they include creativity.

FIND YOUR CREATIVE SPARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

This blog is brought to you by the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Creative Districts Rock

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“Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right or better.” ~John Updike

Yesterday I blogged about the Yampa Valley Choral Society. It is just one of many art organizations that abound in this town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

boettcher_report_thumbnailDid you know Steamboat Springs, Colorado was recently ranked in the Southern Methodist University’s National Center for Arts Research as #14 on the Arts Vibrancy Index?

The town also has the distinction of holding 4th place in the Small Towns to Visit in 2014 in the Smithsonian Magazine. For the small community of 10,000+ people, art and culture is important to part of everyday living yet it does not always get the attention it deserves. There are changes underway which will change all that.

Steamboat Springs has become an incubator as a Colorado Certified “Creative District.” There is an interesting full article in the Steamboat Pilot Newspaper about what it takes to become a creative district and to obtain funding and support for it.

I, like many others, have found the creatively stimulating environment refreshing. Living  life outloud is a term I associate with the people of Steamboat.

How does one “live life out loud?” Here is an interesting article about what that truly means.

earth without art

That is all for now. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling!

This blog is brought to you by the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Stories in Music

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conducive-to-happiness[5]Every spring and fall the Yampa Valley Choral Society holds a community concert at the United Methodist Church in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This past weekend a group of 41 men and women and 10 young girls presented “I’ve Been Everywhere: It‘s the Journey That Counts.”

This year, the sound of young choral voices added to the concert. Ten young girls sang a few songs taken from film scores and musical theatre productions. Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) and two memorable selections from Annie – Tomorrow and It’s a Hard Knock Life (from Annie) were  included.

As usual, the arrangement of musical compositions sung by the forty-one adults were thoughtfully chosen and diverse. Spirituals included Set Me as A Seal which was paraphrased from the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament and How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place by Johannes Brahms. Words from Psalm 84 of the King James Bible were incorporated in the verses of this composition.

Karl Jenkins composition Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary was not familiar to me, however it was sweet sounding and harmonious.  Jenkins, is a Welsh composer whose album is unintended for words, rather the voices of the chorus made instrument-like noises.

Two songs had nautical backstories to them. Over the Sea to Skye tells of Charles Stuarts escape from Scotland in 1745 via ship, along with Flora MacDonald, who traveled incognito, posing as his maid. His exile took him to France where he spent the rest of his lifetime.

Dry Your Tears, Afrika,  one of my favorite tunes of the afternoon, was taken from the 1997 movie Armistad. The story is about 53 Africans who were transported by ship from Sierra Leone to be sold as slaves. They changed their destiny when they took hold of the ship and navigated it to Long Island. The events of their journey became the subject of a Supreme Court case. If you have not seen the movie, it’s powerful.

You haven’t been anywhere unless you’ve traveled across America. Songs from past Pop Hit Charts included Homeward Bound, Surfin’ USA, I’ve Been Everywhere, and I’ll Fly Away were incorporated into the concert, as well as America from West Side Story.

I never fail to learn something from the interesting backstories of the compositions that the Yampa Valley Choral Society choses to focus the themes of their concerts around. The program notes as well as the choir Director’s commentary help tell the story of each song’s rich history and their composers.

Thank you Yampa Valley Choral Society for yet another delightful hour of music. Look forward to your fall concert.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

Kids on First Things First

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“Let’s remember that our children’s spirit is more important than any material goods. When we do, self esteem and love blossoms and grows more beautifully than any flowers could.” ~ Jack Canfield

On this Film Friday I share with you a video of precious children. They pretend they are married as they communicate their feelings about their “spouses”, marital relationships and how to get through the rough patches. Much of what they say we adults, whether married or not, can learn something from it.

Watch how these young children come to understand about putting family first, how to compromise and how to show appreciation for their mates strengths in the relationship.

Their insight gives one hope that the institution of marriage might survive in future generations through a program called First Things First.

This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

 

All is Ours Day

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Did you know today is All is Ours Day? Don’t believe me?

“What does this mean?” You say.

The mission behind All is Ours Day is up for individual interpretation. In my opinion, it means we can really celebrate this day any time we want because it is all about good news, following dreams and manifesting happiness! These adages speak well to what All is Ours Day is all about:

“Whatever comes, let it come. Whatever stays, let it stay. Whatever goes, let it go.” ~ Unknown

“Whatever you want to do, do it. There are only so many tomorrows.” ~ Michael Landon

“Chase whatever it is that fills your heart with music and make sure it’s a beat you can dance to.” – Matt Baker

“You can choose to live in the third row or the front row.” -Unknown

“If you talk about it and think about it, it will manifest.”~ Unknown

To my way of thinking we know it’s All is Ours Day when ~

At the end of the day

 What ever you do today, make it an extraordinary one!

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Her publications are Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Discussing Eggs and Life

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“Mom,” my 27 year old son said to me during my visit in February, “What kind of eggs do you buy at the grocery store?”

“I don’t know,” I said, “whatever is the least expensive. Usually store brand.”

“You know, I’ve gotten to be an egg snob.”

“You have?”I asked with an element of surprise in my voice. “So, why have you become an egg snob?”

“Eggs aren’t all the same, you know.”

Yes, being a fraternal twin I am aware of that, I thought. But instead I responded, “I’ve bought brown eggs when they are running a special, and I can honestly say, I have noticed a difference. But,” I continued, “I try not to sweat the small stuff in life. That’s why I don’t read every label. Sometimes you have to trust life and ask yourself  is the brand of food I buy really going to significantly change the outcome of my life? I mean, you could drive yourself crazy making decisions like that at the grocery store. I have not been kept on this earth all these years, as healthy as I have been, because God wanted me to spend my time agonizing over every food choice at the grocery store. I’d like to think HIS plans for me were different than that.”

Our egg and life discussion continued a little longer about the pro’s and con’s of evaluating every single item that we put in our stomachs, and whether that is a healthy way to live or not.  When my son and I have thought provoking talks it brings me great happiness because it feels like it draws us closer to understanding one another.

Ok, so, now  two months later I know what the lengthy egg discussion was REALLY all about. My son was using his acumen to get my opinion on something because he was trying decide whether he liked an idea or not.

Guess what? We are back to chicken talk. My son and his gal, a nutritionist, have decided to engage in their own “urban living” chicken project so they can have fresh eggs on their side of the neighborhood.

meghan and chicks April 2015 CROPPED

Do you know what this means? I have become the grandmother of two chickens – what an interesting thought.

Charley Brown on worrying

This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author, Sue Batton Leonard. Her books include Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Life Lessons: Stories of Heart & Soul.

A Joyous Easter Sunday

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“Find a place inside where there is joy.” ~ Joseph Campbell

I was introduced to the writings of Joseph Campbell some years back by someone who I consider to be a mentor.  Many of Campbell’s thoughts, in my opinion, perfectly reflect what all things fulfilling is really all about.

On Easter Sunday, I enjoyed the creative tasks of making a memorable Easter Sunday brunch just for the two of us empty nesters – my husband and me. We had a lovely day including an “Easter Sunday journey,” recalling memories of Easters past.

We laughed about the days when our son indulged us (his mother & father) far longer than he really needed to by continuing to look like he enjoyed searching for the Easter eggs the Easter bunny had hidden, even though he had learned of every possible secret hiding place many years prior.

For me the most meaningful part of Easter Sunday this year was all about finding that inner place where there is contentment and beauty in memories and the delicious food on the table.

Terrys photo1easter table

This blog is brought to you by the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and Short Stories: Lessons of Heart & Soul.