Tag Archives: order fulfillment for independent filmmakers

Make the Most of your Post

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 “All those moments written or read together take on movement and architecture of the narrative.” ~ Marilyn Hacker

One of the most frequent complaints that I hear about those who have just entered the blogosphere is that their blogs never get read. Thus, frustration sets in, blog postings become infrequent or non-existent at all. Personally, I find blogging to be extremely fulfilling and like last night, I often find myself lying awake plotting and planning my next post. 

Not understanding the why’s, how’s and when’s of blogging can lead to feelings of “What is the point?” So many bloggers unnecessarily give up on their efforts when all it really takes is a little education and a few tweaks to their approach. Folks, remember blogging is not just an exercise in writing! There is a reason and a methodology behind it that needs to be understood and utilized so that you are not just wasting your time.  

Marketing over the internet is a whole new science. Independent publishers, as business owners, need to understand how to reach communities of people who are looking for their products and services. Before you give up, seek the help of an e-marketing professional who understands the science behind marketing through the internet. Often a little coaching is all it takes to fully understand the nuts and bolts behind marketing in this digital age.

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Artists – All in the Family

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“I don’t paint things.  I only paint the difference between things.”   ~Henri Matisse 

I often think about the things that people find to be fulfilling and why people pursue the career paths that they do. Don’t you?  I suppose I find this subject of interest, because my husband and I are still scratching our heads trying to figure out how we became parents to a filmmaker/visual effects artist son. The influences are not very apparent, that is for sure. 

In attempting to gain some insight into the dynamics of my own family, I recently had an insightful and interesting on-line conversation about this very subject with Gladys Roldan-de-Moras, a very exceptional painter. Gladys and her husband are parents to Rafael http://bit.ly/ec4Bvn , a 23 year old emerging tenor, and semi-finalist with 2010 Metropolitan Opera. He soon will be making his debut performance with the Houston Symphony. Artist (painter) Gladys http://roldandemoras.com/ explained to me that her husband, an engineering professor has always also been a musician, poet, choir director in a church and writes musicals. All three of their children were exposed to mostly classical music, at a very young age, in fact, while still in the womb. As young adults, all are involved in some way in the Arts – as tenor, music educator and sculpture artist. Perhaps this family could be a prime example of the  Mozart effect, which has been said to enhance children’s intellectual development. What do you think? http://bit.ly/f93RAn. 

To see Rafael in the HBO production of Master class with Placido Domingo, please visit http://bit.ly/bkgWiv and to read Rafael’s essay “My Masterclass with Maestro Placido Domingo”, please visit www.youngarts.com. 

As I continue to further explore in my own mind, on this snowy day in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, how our son came to his fulfilling life of creating films, I am going to stare at some magnificent art! I will let you know when I have my answers, which could be strictly sharing my intuition rather than facts.

This painting is by Gladys Roldan-de-Moras. “Song from a Secret Garden” . For more information on the painting go to the artist’s website  http://roldandemoras.com/

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Make ‘Em Laugh, Make ‘Em Laugh

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“Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place.”  ~Josh Billings 

The nation and many individual states choose a deserving poet to be honored with the Poet Laureate Award each year. The Vermont Council on the Arts has just announced they will be honoring their very first Cartoonist Laureate on March 10, 2011. http://bit.ly/gftNdx. It is the second state, behind Alaska, to grant this kind of award. Chosen for the child-like intensity to his work, native Vermonter James Kochalka will been given the award. He is the illustrator of the comic strip American Elf and a number of graphic novels. It is not surprising that Vermont has decided to present a deserving funny-man or woman with the Cartoonist Laureate award each year. The state of Vermont has the distinction of  fulfilling the need for a Center for Cartoon Studies. www.cartonstudies.org. 

 I personally love a daily little chuckle but what I really like is to roar out loud until the tears come to my eyes and roll down my cheeks. Everyone knows that a laugh like that can sometimes hurt our bellies, but it is oh so fulfilling and worth it. The best is when I can share that kind of laughter with my twin sister. Wow – can we get going! It is often difficult to stop. Often the humor is only understood by the two of us. Others, they just don’t get it because it can be over the silliest things. In good times and in bad times, who can’t use a little laugh each and every day? It is good for our hearts. This I whole-heartedly believe! To read about a study from the University of Maryland on the health benefits of laughter, please go to http://bit.ly/qTtai. 

Just listening to the news each day and hearing the politicking is enough to make one laugh, no matter what your political persuasion happens to be. Democrats, Republicans and Independents, alike, often resort to child-like behaviors just to get their way. We could probably hold a debate as to whether it is even necessary to have a Cartoonist Laureate award. But there are too many debates already going on in this country, why add one more?

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Wanted: Historical Fiction about Male Writers

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“The thing that’s between us is fascination, and the fascination resides in our being alike.” ~ Marguerite Duras

Last week, I blogged about how fulfilling it has been to learn more about some of the most prominent painters and composers through the medium of historical art fiction. I mentioned that, in my opinion, historical art fiction written for teens and children could be an effective way reach  the younger generation about culture and art. 

Several times over the past year, in my blog writing, I have attempted with some results, to bring men out from hiding by asking “What Do Men like to Write About?”  I really want to know! Can anyone tell me if there any good reads on the market in the genre of historical fiction about prominent male writers of the past? Perhaps if I go about my quest indirectly, the answer will become even more apparent to my question “What do Men like to Write About?” 

Sometimes by going in the backdoor, we can find out a lot about more about people than by going head-strong in first. Writers and business people, male and female, make sure you know how to use today’s newfangled e-marketing for reaching your customers, readers or clients. With a little coaching, http://bit.ly/e75eVS you could reach communities that you had never thought of before and, very well, get results.

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Melding Recreation with Culture, Art and Religion

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“Art seems to me to be above all a state of soul.”~ Marc Chagall 

Did you happen to see “Chautauque: An American Narrative” on PBS last night? I’ve been aware of this artist colony, located in Western New York, for quite sometime. However, the 60 minute documentary fulfilled my interest in wanting to know all kinds of things about this idyllic, lakeside town, their summer inhabitants and the programs offered by the Chautauque Institute that has existed since the late 1870’s. 

The Chautauque Institute has had it’s struggles over the years, but since the 1980’s a new vision for strengthening it’s programs in science, art, religion and politics has rejuvenated and elevated their institution to new levels. What began as a literary retreat back in 1878 now includes teaching programs, lecture series and live performances of theatre, opera, ballet. Studio experiences abound for painters, sculpture, fiber arts and even more. People come to immerse themselves in the intellectually and culturally stimulating programs for a week or two, or for an entire season. 

The institute’s popular morning lecture event attracts speakers such as Sandra Day O’Connor, David McCollough, Garrison Keiller and Daniel Pink. There are over 2,000 fulfilling programs in a 9 week period for those with a thirst for knowledge on the subjects of art, politics, spirituality and culture. 

Lake Chautauqua provides a setting for recreating in any way you please. Every summer, the town swells from a few hundred full-time residents to a population of 150,000 people. There are families, 5 generations deep, that return annually to enjoy the facilities and the recreation opportunities in this beautiful town and at this culturally-rich institute. For more information on the documentary film about this fulfilling summer hub of recreation, enrichment and intellectual stimulation, please visit http://bit.ly/gh9rTu.

 

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All for the Sake of Learning

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“What we become depends on what we read after the professors are done with us.” ~ Thomas Carlyle

In recent years, I have become a real fan of historical art fiction. Some of my past readings have included books like the Girl with the Pearl Earring, The Painted Kiss, Girl in Hyacinth Blue – all about prominent painters of the past. The latest book I read, turned my attention to one of the finest composers that has ever lived, Vivaldi.  I just finished reading “The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi’s Venice” by Laura Corona. What a fulfilling read! 

The story is about two sisters whose lives begin together in an orphanage.   Both have talent in the arts, but one sister, has a much broader view of the world and of her destiny. This leads her to a path in life, far different than the other sister, who is consumed with thoughts of a priest and maestro and what he can offer her inside the walls of the orphanage. 

The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi’s Venice, like all the other works of historical art fiction I have read, have led me to want to know more about the artist and his life. If we could reach children and teens through books of historical art fiction we might be able to add some balance to their futures. Their futures might contain knowledge about idols from the world of art and culture, rather than idols from the world of misplaced values.

For more information on this charcoal drawing on board “The Book”  by Nancy Guzik, please visit www.WestWindFineArt.com.

That is just my thought from this day of All Things Fulfilling. Much of my time is spent writing blogs and spreading the word on the future of the independent publishing industry. As soon as I get time to squeeze it in, I look forward to “Clara and Mr. Tiffany.” I understand it too, is a worthwhile, educational read.

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Fair Trade

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Of all things,  “Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you. “  H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

“Dulcinea, How I Love You!”  Remember that song from “The Man of La Mancha?” For almost 25 years I was fulfilling my love for musical theatre by ushering, voluntarily, at the Weston Playhouse www.westonplayhouse.org in charming Weston, Vermont. Over those years, “The Man of La Mancha” graced the stage once or twice and I was able to hear this memorable song sung live, by actors from the guild. My first introduction to “Dulcinea” was as a teen when I went to the Paper Mill Summer Theatre in Owings Mills, MD www.papermill.org  and saw the play there too.  Oh, how I adored it! 

I know you all are thinking I have lost my marbles.” How in the world did she get on this subject?” our readers must be asking.  I happened to open the Sunday paper and saw a story about the Dulcimer Shop in Mountain View, Arkansas.  For more information on this company and the history of this instrument, which produces exquisite, ethereal sounds, please visit http://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com.

It was the commonality of the root of the words, dulcinea and dulcimer, that triggered my recall of this memorable song. I’ve about worn out my favorite search engines, so I don’t dare inquire through those channels about the meaning of the root dulci. Next time I see, my friend Vesna, from Macedonia, I’ll ask her, she’ll know! She has her PhD, ABD, in linguistics and perhaps she can help me out. 

They say (whoever they is) you should write down what you want out of life, not just think about it. In this present moment, I would love someone to send me the name of an artist with beautiful rendition of “Dulcinea” being played on a dulcimer. It would be such a beautiful pairing of  instrument and song. Perhaps I could listen to a  little bit of heaven right here in my office, as I work.

Since I have been bemoaning the fact that I have neglected the independent recording artists on this website, I’d like to engage in a little fair trade.  For the first person, from anywhere in the world, to contact me through a kind blogsite comment,  with the name of a dulcimer-playing independent artist whose repertoire includes “Dulcinea,” I will write a blog on the  musician.

This could be alot of fun! I’ll let you know how it all turns out! “Dulcinea…….”

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Using Stepping Stones

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“Being involved in the well-being and advancement of one’s own community is a most natural thing to do.” ~ Clarence Clemons

 Business people, non-profit organizations, companies selling products and services are not the only people who are jumping on the bandwagon to seize the opportunity to use independent publishing as a stepping stone for fulfillment and success. 

Columnist and book critic Cathy Beck was not to be stopped when dreams of having her manuscript acquired and released by a “publishing giant” were turned to dust. She focused her energies on independently publishing her manuscript “Cheap Cabernet” and marketed it inexhaustibly. The result? Success! She sprung open the doors of opportunity through entrepreneurial prowess and drove herself as an author to even greater heights than she dreamed. Please visit http://bit.ly/hE6FY4 to read her complete story of fulfillment. 

The moral of Cathy’s story:

  • Independent publishing opens doors to opportunity in unexpected ways.
  • Never give up
  • There are no problems, only solutions
  • Stepping stones often lead to bigger things

Cathy’s story is only one example of how the shifts in the publishing industry toward non-traditional publishing have brightened the outlook and led ordinary people to do extraordinary things through the power of books, films and music.

Let this be the year to begin to tell your story of success!

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A New Chapter

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“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting.”  ~ Buddha 

A New Year, a fresh start! Puts me in mind of a story I recently heard about truck driver, turned bounty hunter, turned Metropolitan Opera star. Do you know about the transformative life that Carl Tanner has created for himself by finally fulfilling his dream of becoming an opera singer? There are elements to this tale that movies are made of. It is a chronicle of coming out of the darkness and into the light. To read more about this inspiring story of fulfilling one’s aspirations in life, please visit http://nyti.ms/hc4hgc. 

Each and every one of us has a story of longings. The barriers we place upon our selves are the closed doors in our minds. In this New Year, I will be speaking with all sorts of folks who have dreams of propelling their businesses and their careers to new heights through the power of independent publishing and also through new, creative approaches to marketing themselves and their businesses through the internet. We can steer them in fulfilling  those dreams. 

A New Year is a time for new beginnings.  We can begin to fulfill our dreams as soon as we decide it is time to make the star, in us, more visible to others. What have you resolved to do this year to quench your yearnings and begin a new chapter in your life?

 

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Taking Stock of 2010

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“Four things for success: work and pray, think and believe.”~ Norman Vincent Peale

The end of the first decade of 2000 is approximately two weeks away. It is time to take stock of the past year and begin to set a list of priorities for 2011. All in all, I have accomplished the majority of the personal goals that I had set for myself and as a business owner over the past decade.

High on the list of personally fulfilling things I can put on my list this year, are the many more opportunities I have had to share with others, information about the fascinating and growing industry of independent publishing. I have communicated my passion and impressions of the industry through many different avenues. It’s what it takes to be successsul at book markeitng too!

  • e-marketing
  • widespread internet presence
  • networking groups
  • at women’s retreats
  • Kiwanis International www.kiwanis.org
  • the bookstore
  • presentations with University women
  • speaking with church members
  • every day conversation.

I have heard stories of optimism and excitement from people who are just now learning about the shifts in the publishing world. Ordinary people who have stories to tell, through books, films, music and other media, are feeling they now have chance to do so.

What I find to be most satisfying is the vision that those who work in the independent publishing industry have for the future. It is inspiring what a community of people can accomplish, when they work cooperatively and collaboratively for the good of an industry. I am working among a group of professionals who have demonstrated that positive energy can be infectious and can bring great results.

Start the New Year out right. Learn more about how mind power can help you bring personal and independent publishing success to your life. Visit http://bit.ly/YXvS3.

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