Tag Archives: Independent Publishing

Right Shoes, Right Occasion

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 “Without faith a man can do nothing; with it all things are possible.” ~ Sir William Osler 

How is your day going? Life has it’s up and downs, doesn’t it?  To be able to travel the path of life without getting your shoes dirty and distressed would be a real gift, wouldn’t it? 

More times than not, staying out of the dust of life means making good decisions, thinking before acting impulsively, and not putting self gratification at the top of the list. It also takes changing our shoes and attitudes for the occasion! Then, we are prepared for whatever comes our way. 

Deciding what pair of shoes is appropriate for the occasion can be distressing enough for those who own many pairs. To help get you started, think what your journey will be this day. Do you need:

  • Hiking Shoes to Climb New Heights?
  • Soft Shoes to Deal with Hurt?
  • Strong Shoes to Lead the Way?
  • Tennis Shoes to Court New Clients?
  • Handmade Shoes for Creative Ventures? 

Sometimes we need assistance from higher beings to help us decide what kind of shoes match the mission. There is help available when we call! If you are faced with ambiguity or indecision in your life, there is a book that may help clear the dusty path. Arrive at your destination with shiny shoes! 

For more information on this book, please visit http://shinyshoesondustypaths.wordpress.com or http://www. joannemahar.com.

What am I wearing today? I decided to put on elastic shoes…expanding with trust. Why? I have a lot of work to fit into this day! If  put my nose to the grind, I can get it all done! There is more time in the day then we think, especially if we forge ahead and stay focused. 

We never know what is just around the corner, though do we?  

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Organic Writing?

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“And all writing is creating or spinning dreams for other people so they won’t have to bother doing it themselves” ~  Beth Henley 

I am not so sure  Bowker would concur with Beth Henley! According to Bowker’s April 2009 statistics http://bit.ly/cp3anL, the independent publishing industry which includes small publishing houses, micropublishers and self publishers grew a whopping 181% in 2009. While the traditional publishing industry remained flat! 

This indicates, to me, that people are crazed with creating or spinning their own dreams these days. Many writers are fulfilling their vision of becoming a published writer through independent publishing. Perhaps they don’t care to mess about with the “big guys” who claim there are 17 reasons why most books get rejected.  One of the 17 reasons for rejection is that the writing is “not organic.” Sorry, that only sounds like an inane buzzword to me. 

If you have received rejection time and time again, and you are loosing faith in the publishing game, perhaps knowing why books get rejected could be of value! There must be very valid reasons why Janet Reid says “99.2% of all manuscripts that pass by her desk get rejected!” To learn more about what doesn’t get through the standard response button of “no”, please visit http://bit.ly/VygcF.

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Write or Wrong?

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Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” ~ John Jakes

Writers, have you taken the test? It is called I Write Like.

It goes like this – you enter a short chapter of your unfinished book, several paragraphs of your blog writing, an entry from your journal, a comment you wrote in response to a blog or perhaps, a short letter to an editor. In other words, submit a sample of your writing to http://iwl.me. 

What happens next? Within a matter of moments, your writing is analyzed in terms of your writing style and your word choice.

 How do you get the result? You receive an on-line ‘badge” which indicates which famous author your writing compares with.

 My result?  My writing compares with the writing of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Series! Yeah, right!

 Personally, I think it is only a test to see how many foolish people, like me take it! That’s all!

 What do you think of this test?

Is it a gimmick that leads to false hope for writers?

Does it encourage writers to press on and to continue to hone their craft?

Can statistical analysis based on a sample writing of a few paragraphs be a valid way to assess talent and ability?

Can this writing test really forecast whether or not you have a chance at becoming an accomplished writer like the author your writing has been compared to?

 We would like to hear from you!

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Out of the Valley!

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…all the pleasures prove, that valleys, groves, hills and fields, woods or steepy mountains yields.” ~ Christopher Marlowe  

Boy, do I ever feel better! I had been suffering from some low-lying, lackadaisical fog. It was like I was stuck in the muck! It had been hanging over me for a while.  Ten days ago, I decided I was going to change up my daily walking routine and no longer be at the command of my elderly, sixteen year old dog. My daily walks had gotten slower and shorter, all because I was at the mercy my walking companion’s aging needs. I decided it was time for me to go it alone, and leave her behind, and do what was best for me!

Yesterday, I got a sign from the heavens that my decision, made ten days ago, was a right one!  As I climbed my much more strenuous route from my place down in the valley, to the height of the mountaintop, it began to rain. As I reached my highest destination, I was huffing and puffing, all out of breath. I turned around to look at what was behind me, and across the valley was a magnificent double rainbow! It made the climb all worthwhile! 

A few moments later, I passed by a woman out walking her two dogs. I said to her “did you see the double rainbow ?” She said “I did, indeed! One for each of my dogs.”  I answered back,” yes, and you are the pot of gold. You feed them, love them and walk them. What more could they need?”

Later in the day, I reflected on my morning’s conversation with this woman. I decided I had made a statement, that was perhaps in my case, not true. The rainbow is my husband and son, and at the end, is the dog – teaching us lessons about life and aging, each and every day.

 

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Second Encounters

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“ We all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon”         ~ Konrad Adenauer

Arts in the Parks was one of the featured events this past weekend in Steamboat Springs, CO.  Judging by the attendance, I would say it was a great success. I enjoyed it all! 

I was so happy to see the return of photographer, Kenny Tong! http://www.kennytong.com/ Once again, in my opinion, his photography was a real standout! It seems to me, his images are of places in China, where no ordinary man walks. It is no wonder that his forays into the hidden paradises of China, to capture exquisite scenery, last 2-3 months each year. 

This year at Arts in the Park, I had my son Marc, a recent film student graduate by my side.  Kenny’s professional life started in the film industry. He was able to share some of his experiences with my son, and some of the reasons why he traded in his craft of filmmaking for a career in still photography, which he finds so fulfilling. 

Keep up the great work, Kenny. I was glad to see on the Events calendar of your website www.kennytong.com that you will be sharing your art with the communities of Boulder and Carbondale, Colorado over the next few weeks. 

Thanks for the well wishes to Marc, as he ponders what is ahead on the horizon for him and as he establishes his life as a filmmaker.

 

 Photo – Marc in Ireland.

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Tender is the Night

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“The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind can not understand.” ~ Robert Valett

Tender is the night for tiny, premature babies and those who carefully and delicately nurse them through to another day.  I know all about that, firsthand. 

Premiering this week on Discovery Channel at 10 PM (ET/PT) is a 10-episode docu-drama series that visits behind the scenes of leading neo-natal intensive care units in Baltimore, San Diego and Cleveland. The Discovery Channel’s show NICU Diaries http://health.discovery.com/tv/nicu/   follows the lives of real families as they experience the rollercoaster than comes with giving birth to a premature baby. Watch doctors and nurses, as they work around the clock to serve the needs of their newborn, fragile patients. 

Without these dedicated professionals, neo-natal nurses and doctors, so many children’s lives would be lost and the dreams of parents seeing their child grow into adulthood could not be fulfilled. 

I am so grateful and appreciative of the extraordinary care that was given to me as a newborn many, many years ago, at a time when NICU units, as they are known today, were primitive at best. And for the blessings of God, without which I could never have survived. 

P.S. I am hoping to see my niece at work as a NICU nurse, in this upcoming docu-drama series! She works in the San Diego hospital featured. Thanks, E!! for dedicating your talents and expertise to the lives of teeny, tiny tots!

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Looking to submit your manuscript to book award contests this summer? Poets and Writers Magazine www.pw.org has put together a calendar of contests for all months of the year. To keep informed, please visit http://www.pw.org/submission_calendar/2010/7/all.

 Submit your independent short film into a contest! Submissions are now being accepted for the 4th International Indie Short Film Competition. All submissions must be received by November 15, 2010. This is an on-line short film and short script competition. The ISFC is looking to identify a new generation of talented filmmakers and screenwriters and to create exciting opportunities for outstanding talent. For more information on this contest, please visit http://www.indieshortfilms.net.

Winning awards adds value to your work, and creditability to you as writer, screenwriter or filmmaker. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and more! There are lots of contests and competitions to be found, hunt them down!

Wipe It Out!

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In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.” ~ Alexander the Great 

 Last month at the 2010 Kiwanis International Convention, a historic decision was made to partner with UNICEF in an effort to eliminate all neonatal and maternal tetanus (MNT) around the world.

The $110 million dollar effort has it’s sites set on reaching it’s goals by the year 2015. The project will utilize 600,000 Kiwanis volunteers to help raise resources and awareness about MNT. This project helps in fulfilling the mission statement of Kiwanis International by “changing the world, one child and one community at a time.”  

 The first initiative to wipe out tetanus began in 1989. Kiwanis International contends that in this new century, no child or mother should have to suffer the devastating effects of MNT. This highly fatal disease is preventable.The partnership between Kiwanis and UNICEF will have the power to reach the 40 remaining countries where the disease is still a risk. 

I am proud to be a Kiwaniian! This is a very important project aimed at providing critical health services to some of the world’s most neediest countries. For more information on this important service organization, visit www.kiwanis.org.

  

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Meaningful Morning Menu

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“All people should spend one third of their time in recreation which is rebuilding, voluntary activity, never idleness” ~ Brigham Young

Morning is my cup of tea! As far as I am concerned, it is the most fulfilling time of day. My energy is at it’s peak, and before the world even begins to stir, I walk and ponder.

What glory nature provides in the dawn’s early light. The grass glistens with dew, the wildflowers stand at attention, birds cry out their excitement, the sun rises up from it’s night sleep, and the world comes alive before my very eyes.

Breakfast of nature’s most beautiful provisions feeds my soul, during the hush of the day,when I can appreciate the unfolding of the new dawn. The menu put before me, as I walk and observe, is there to celebrate and enjoy each and every day, as long as I rise to greet it.

Sunrise is the appetizer! The main course of the day for those who reside, work, live and play in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is what God has created for us – the river, the mountains and the scenic vistas. We can recreate till our hearts are content in this wonderous place!

Let’s see – what shall I do today, after the work is done? What ever it is, it is bound to be good!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

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Summer Screens

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“There’s a certain drive in me that won’t allow me to do certain things the easy way.” ~ Johnny Depp

Drive-in movie theatres were at the height of popularity in the 1950s. Since then, almost all have slowly disappeared. Movie goers have traded in their Chevy or Ford bench seat viewing posts for singular, cushy, indoor theatre seats complete with 3D glasses and air conditioning.

Thanks to jumbotron screens, outdoor movies are making a resurgence. There is also a New York non-profit organization www.rooftopfilms.com that is helping to advance this resurgence in their own way. This non-profit’s claim to fame is to screen feature and short “underground” movies outdoors. They also provide youth media education and rent film equipment at low cost to artists.

Interested? You had better be quick! Their summer season runs every weekend from May 14 to August 14. The films screened are as diverse as those shown in movie theatres – everything from documentaries, to fiction to drama, comedy and more!

For more information on outdoor screening locations, the history of the non-profit and films they will be showing during the summer of 2010, please visit www.rooftopfilms.com.

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