Category Archives: Travel

Spirit of Adventure

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“A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.”                                   ~ Eugene Ionesco

There is a commonality that I have found among all independent publishers. It is the spirit of adventure. This should not be a surprise to anyone! The creative mind knows not where it is going or what the end result will be. It is the sense of the unknown that keeps the creative process going.

Daydreaming, engaging in fantasy, reliving old memories and creating new, are all part of the creative process. The artist does not exist to support the mind, the mind exists to support the artist. Paying attention to the little nuances of life creates the experience that an artist draws from. To the artist, mindfulness is not judging, rather it is simply observing and then letting the creative process take  hold, meander, carry and go with the flow of energy.

Are you a person who is considering joining the ranks of  independent publishers? Don’t let fear and uncertainty hold you back. Take action, jump aboard and embrace the opportunity! Your creativity,  your knowledge, your inspiration and your tales of entertainment will take your readers to places they have never been before. Enjoy the creative travel and welcome to the wonderful world of independent publishing!

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Top of the Morn’ – My Beloved!

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May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside a fire. Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart might desire ~ Irish prayer

How could I ever forget and make a statement to all of you, a few months ago, in my blog writing that my Uncle  John was the only known published author that I knew of in my family? That is so not right!!

From the time I was a little girl, my Dad would sing to us four kids in his oh so awful voice, the words of a song called Kathleen Mavourneen. And now, his eight grandchildren have to suffer through it! It has gotten to the point that we roll our eyes, we grin, we outright laugh when he starts in. He sings the song to remind us of his and our family roots. You see, Frederick Crouch is his namesake and his great-great-great Grandfather. Professor Crouch composed the song Kathleen Mavourneen in 1837. “Mavoureen” is a term of endearment derived from  the Irish Gaelic mo mhuirnin meaning “my beloved.”

Irish soprano Catherine Hayes (1818-1861) was the first Irish woman to sing at La Scala in Milan. She learned the song Kathleen Mavourneen and it became her signature tune during concerts. She, in fact, sang it for Queen Victoria and over 500 royal guests at Buckingham Palace in June 1849. The song, gained popularity with American audiences as a result of the extensive touring of Catherine Hayes.

The song became a popular camp-fire song during the Civil War period and in fact, it plays a prominent role in Michael Shaara’s historical novel the Killer Angels and it’s film adaptation Gettysburg. 

I have never heard the song sung in it’s entirety, only a  few verses in my Dad’s less than outstanding rendition. Perhaps, some day, I will hear the song in a more memorable voice that can do it justice but until then, it is just a family joke, every time my Dad starts in.

Top of the morning to my beloved family! Wish we could all  be together, share a dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Who would bring the green beer? Erin? Kyle? Kara? Devon? Marc Ryan? Holly? Taylor? Maggie – no definitely not Maggie!

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A Reason for Celebration

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“A little consideration, a little thought for Others, makes all the difference.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

American women, you are all missing out on a reason to celebrate! Yesterday, my women friends from Macedonia and Australia wished me Happy International Women’s Day. Little did I know March 8th was a holiday! I felt terribly uninformed. I even felt that  by letting such an event slip by unnoticed, I was not fulfilling my obligation as a friend!

Any excuse for a party is a good one for Americans, but I am not aware of many women in this country that even recognize International Women’s Day. In a number of countries, including Bulgaria, China, Russia, Ukraine and Vietnam, it is even a national holiday. It provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the roles women play within the community.

I am told that women across the globe even give little surprises to one another on this day of celebration. But, Americans being Americans, can’t usually settle for a little token of remembrance. They go way overboard!! It is precisely how Christmas and many other holidays have gotten to be so commercialized. We could perhaps bolster this sagging economy if America got behind the idea of promoting International Women’s Day to it’s population of women. Women love to shop! But, I’d much rather not have one more occasion to buy gifts for. I would much rather follow the words I have heard so often from my mom – “Really, it is just the thought that counts.”

Happy Belated International Women’s Day to all of you who did remember me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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You Can’t Run, You Can’t Hide

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“Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.” ~ C.E.Stowe

How did we ever survive without cellphones, I-pods, laptop computers, I-Phones, Blackberries and all other things that connect us 24/7 to the virtual world? And what makes us think we are so important that our circle of friends, business associates and family must be aware of every ounce of energy that we exert throughout the day?

Several months ago, I stepped out for a meeting for an entire day. I was indisposed! A friend, who knows I do not have a cellphone or blackberry or any of those things, had apoplexy because she could not reach me all day long. She called several of our joint friends, and had them all stirred up because she couldn’t reach me. By late afternoon, she was seriously ready to call the police to report  that I was MIA, all because I did not answer my office phone or return her emails immediately! I appreciated her care and concern. I said that “next time I decided not to be at her beck and call, I would report, to her before I left, my ETD and ETA back in front of my computer . ” Yeah -right!

I applaud Oprah for her declaration of war on texting or talking on the phone while driving. What did we used to do in the olden days when we needed to communicate with someone while in the car? We waited until we found a payphone to make a call or waited until we got to our destination, then we called. What a novel idea!!

There is nothing more valuable in life than a life! That is a no-brainer! So, why would you put yourself and others in jeopardy by texting or talking on the phone while driving? Have we as human beings evolved into such weak creatures that we can not deal with a little inconvenience or some self control?

Of all things, please do not text and talk on the phone while driving!  Are you listening my son? Your life is more precious to us than you can ever, ever imagine! Please, don’t do it!!

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Is This Just for Me?

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“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”~ Albert Einstein

Isn’t it funny how chance and timing lead to opportunity? We all have situations from time to  time that work out perfectly in our favor, in very unexpected ways.

This Saturday (tomorrow) is a perfect example of what I am referring to! My plans were to drive to Denver to drop my son and his college roommate off at the airport so they can  return back to school. My plans got even better when I received a telephone call this morning from a Colorado Independent Publisher Association member asking me if I would like to attend their Saturday meeting. www.cipabooks.com.

Perfect! I will be driving right by the site of the meeting just in time! Any opportunity to network with this group of publishing professionals is a great one! And to make it even more worthwhile, the speaker of the morning will be Brian Jud. The program will be The Buck Starts Here – How You Can Sell More Books in Special Markets!  He is also author of Beyond the Bookstore. Is this not just what I blogged about yesterday???

Turn down the chance to learn all I possibly can about this subject matter? No way!! Not when the timing is this perfect!!

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Cure All

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“All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within” ~ Horace Friess

I have a personal and business Facebook page now, as so many of you do. My Facebook friends include many artists, writers and others that work in all kinds of creative industry. Hardly a day goes  by that someone does not post on Facebook that they are stuck in a rut and are looking for ideas as to how they can set their minds free. Sympathetic friends post things to do to sir up creativity. Suggestions range from go get a massage, do some Tai Chi, go down to the local bar and “tie one on”, take a trip to an exotic, culturally rich city like Ohrid, Macedonia and the ideas go on and on.

This weekend, I hardly went out my backdoor and I saw the most beautiful source of inspiration one could ever find – nature. My husband, son and I spent the afternoon in the Routt County National Forest, showshoeing in Rabbit Ears Pass. For a day that started out at -20 below zero, we picked a winner of a day! By afternoon the sun was radiant and warm on our backs. The deep, powdery snow and the icicles hanging from the trees were glistening in the sunlight. We were surrounded by vistas that become subjects of the most beautiful landscape paintings of all.

Much to my dismay, I had forgotten to bring pen and paper. As I witnessed the beauty, the adjectives that came to my mind were free flowing. I wished I could have written them all down in the heat of the moment. Writers, like plein air painters, get the best results when they interpret what they are seeing right then and there – not afterwards.

The afternoon was nothing but a tease to our wounded warrior son. Spectacular back country skiing abounds for any one who dares go there. Yet our son was restricted to tame snowshoes due to a soccer injury that required surgery late this fall.

I returned from our trek into the forest feeling refreshed, renewed and ready for the week that lies ahead. Inspiration comes to all of us in so many different ways. Whatever floats your boat – “just do it!” It is bound to be a cure all.

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Ripe Retirees

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“It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well.” –Rene Descartes

I am living in a community filled with extremely active retirees. Not only only are they physically active, but their minds don’t miss a step either. They have all chosen to live in an active mountain community so they will continue to stay involved and engaged in life long after the generation before them would have called it quits!

Recently, the Aging Well program of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association independently published a calendar highlighting an amazing group of retirees who lead active lives by continuing to play tennis, ice climb, ski, swim, brand cattle, volunteer and participate in other forms of vigorous sport and hobbies well into their 60s, 70s and 80s. This calendar encourages all older adults to stretch beyond what they feel they are capable of at their ages and to live fully and well at any age. For more information, visist www.agingwelltoday.com.

Within this community, I have met a wealth of highly successful retirees who lead fascinating lives. Their experiences through past careers, parenting, travel and contributions as Board members of non-profit organizations and other associations provide fodder for stories and lessons that should be shared with younger generations. Independent publishing provides an excellent opportunity for all retirees to share knowledge and wisdom with generations that will follow in their footsteps.

Writing and journaling keeps the mind active. Merely through published words, you can become a mentor to others! Think about that! It is never too late to become an aspiring writer!

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Once in a Blue Moon

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“The only thing you live to regret are the risks you didn’t take”~ Unknown

Today, I am feeling very fortunate. Since starting my company, I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible people that I would not have ordinarily met, had I not taken a risk. Among them have been extraordinarily talented artists, filmmakers, and individuals who serve their communities through the non-profit sector – all of them independent publishers. All have had similar goals – to share beauty, kindness and knowledge through their unique and creative talents.  All have been so very committed to changing our world for the better and each person is awe-inspiring in their very own way.

Tonight, as the New Year approaches, I will be taking some time to reflect on these past few years to remember some of the individuals that I have crossed paths with. Many of these individuals I have not met face to face, yet through an e-mail or a telephone conversation, they have left a mark on me. I can recall the discussions we have had about their goals and aspirations for their independent publishing companies. All have inspiring, educational or entertaining stories to tell through their books, films or music or through their commitment to a cause or a mission. All are the kinds of people you meet only once in a blue moon.

We want to hear from more of you! By posting your comments to our blogsite, we can together build a community of like-minded people who have independent thoughts, ideas and dreams to share.

Happy New Year 2010! May this coming year bring publishing success to each and every one of you!

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In the Drivers Seat

“Our dreams can come true…if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney

I had an ephiphany this morning, right when I was in the shower brainstorming what today’s blog would be. Suddenly, the thought came to me that as bloggers, we are all given a clean slate each day to write what we want. We only have to pitch an idea to ourselves!

Contrary to writers who are submitting manuscripts to traditional publishing houses, there is not an editor deciding whether your work is right for the publishing house. Getting in line behind all those other recently submitted manuscripts can be a long wait in itself. With traditional publishing, a manuscript can take years to become a book. Often a manuscript has to be submitted to many publishing houses before you get a nibble of interest from an editor.

A comparison can be made between life and independent publishing. We get to write our own story in life, too! The outcome is determined by the choices we make, our determination, the vision we have for ourselves and whether or not we will let others stand in the way of our goals.

Perhaps in this New Year, you will have  a revelation, too. If you genuinely believe in your manuscript yet have been frustrated in finding a traditional publisher interested in buying the rights, perhaps it is time to take your future, as a writer, into your own hands.  Short run printing, print on demand and The Expresso Book  Machine www.Northshire.com  now make it possible to have your book on the market in very short order and your book can become available globally through the power of e-commerce.  What are you waiting for?

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Worth the Wait

“Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting” ~ William Arthur Ward

Forgiveness comes easier to some than others. I do not get angry very often, but when I do, it passes as quickly as it comes. I have never been one to hold grudges. Life is too short, I have better things to do!

I am practicing forgiveness today and hopefully, there will be others that will join me! My holiday reunion with our son has been delayed from Sunday until Tuesday night due to weather in the East and airlines cancellations. We had gotten a permit to fresh-cut a Christmas tree, and my husband, son and I had planned to cut and decorate our tree on Tuesday. It will have to wait another day,  but, I am not going to spoil my good holiday cheer by getting angry about this uncontrollable snafu!

A few e-mails have arrived from customers who had ordered a certain book for holiday giving and had not yet received it. Hopefully, they will be joining me in forgiveness today, as I have to advise them that there have been delays at the bindery and we can not ship until we receive the product in stock. Although customer satisfaction is always at the top of my list, there are some things in life that we can do little about.

Rather than pout, I am dreaming  about what awaits  me when I finally have the gift of our son home for the holidays. All that really matters is that he arrives safely. Our Christmas tree will be just as beautiful, no matter what day it arrives!

Some things are worth waiting for!!

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