Tag Archives: order fulfillment

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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Film Friday

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“…to increase respect for the creative individual, to widen participation by all the processes and fulfillments of art – this is one of the fascinating challenges these days.”  ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy 

The New Mexico International Film Festival is a week away. Festival Director, Justin Eugene Evans and Associate Festival Director, Marc Leonard have on tap a line up of fulfilling and impressive independent films that are sure to support their efforts at making this 1st year film festival, touted at being “not the biggest but the best,” all well worthwhile. 

The Festival Opens on Friday night, February 11th with the screening of “A Lonely Place for Dying,” a 94 minute, award-winning narrative film. This film is not an official selection, and is not eligible for the contest or other perks the official selections will receive.  It is a film associated with the festival staff. Following the screening will be a Q & A session with Writer/Director/Producer Justin Evans and award-winning visual effects artist, Marc Leonard. This film is notable for attracting big name actors, James Cromwell and Michael Wincott to the low-budget film and for it’s great storyline. For more information on this film, visit http://bit.ly/anFK2l. 

Official films selected for the NMIFF that will be screened include:

  • Misdirection
  • Food Stamped
  • I F**ing Hate You   (Please do not  be put off by the title)
  • Heart of Now
  • Kavi

To see the full Festival schedule, including after the screening get-togethers and more Q & A sessions, please visit http://bit.ly/eGqIWo.  

Just as I had promised, Sunshine will be present in Jemez Springs, NM and it’s bound to be a great weekend of celebrating independent films and the filmmakers who produced them. Don’t miss out!

 Jemez Springs, NM – site of New Mexico International Film Festival

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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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Books Inspiring Transformation

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 “The greatest thing you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to them their own.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

In this economy, many people are searching for meaning and answers.  As suggested in the book “Spend Shift: How the Post-Crisis Values Revolution is Changing the Way we Buy, Sell and Live,” personal transformations have begun from a materialistic to a more fulfilling, values-based way of living. Focus has changed from wants vs. needs, from debt and high overhead to living within means, from excessive use of energy to thinking and living in a more sustainable way. Many are searching for answers through inspirational books, so it is a perfect time to give the gift of a book that will inspire creative, problem-solving thinking. 

The following list of books, Evvy Award winners almost all, provide valuable reading for those on your list who want to see change in themselves, their families and their world, beginning now! Consider these when putting together your holiday buying list. 

For the Children:

  • Ophelia’s Oracle
  • Sarah O’Hara: The Gift of Fairy Wings
  • Heart Light Girls: Beauty’s Secret 

For the Dog-Lover:

  • The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer 

For the Parent:

For the Career Minded:

  • Harvest the Bounty of your Career 

For the Historical Fiction Fan:

  • The Macsen Treasure Series 

For the Environmentalist:

  • Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet 

For the Poetry Lover:

  • Have you Ever Held a Mountain 

For  More Inspiration:

  • Waiting for Jack
  • The Messy Buddha
  • Shiny Shoes on Dusty Paths  www.joannemahar.com
  • Let Your Innate Sing 

The economy has inspired the way we publish, buy and sell books too! For more information on these books, the independent presses that published them, and how to order, please visit http://bit.ly/foZ5nE. These books can also be found on the world wide web using your favorite search engine.

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Fits, Starts and Floods

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“Thinking is the enemy of creativity…you can’t try to do things, you simply must do things.” ~ Ray Bradbury 

Ever since I entered into the blogosphere, I have become very cognizant of writing patterns and creativity – my own, that is. What has become apparent is the fact that my ideas for writing comes in fits, starts and floods. The search for fulfilling blogging subjects is perpetual and my creativity, unpredictable! 

The fits start as this:

  • Words and phrases come quickly out of nowhere and then evade me. Just like that. As if someone snaps their fingers and says “be gone with you!” Poof – what was just the right notion flees faster than a flea can jump.

                                 OR

  • An elaborate schematic pops up in my head – clear and concise. Putting pen to paper, suddenly it vanishes into thin air – gone. Never able to be recovered in the exact same state again. 

The starts begin like this:

  • All begins well – words flow, creativity is rolling then suddenly my mind takes a detour and detaches. A real and senseless casualty.

                               OR

  • The ideas arrive like a farm delivering fresh eggs to a bakery – by dozens at a time. Each idea with a rich, central point –  the binding ingredient for many a sweet creation. The ideas overwhelm to the point that is difficult to know which concoction to make first. 

The floods begin when:

  •  An idea starts and runs rampant. The idea unfolds and flows, unfolds and flows, and flows, and flows and flows some more and on and on it goes. With no stopping point in site. Hardly suitable writing for the blogosphere. The result -having to rein my blog writing in. 

What have I learned about my writing from this?

  • To be patient and wait, if the ideas or creativity does not flow.
  •  If I can’t create it today, try tomorrow.
  • Clarity eventually returns and often resumes better than ever.
  • Do not trash anything! Rework!  The result can be unexpected and different.
  • Maintain tough minded optimism that eventually a fulfilling story will come around. 

Let’s see what tomorrow’s writing brings. Will it begin with a fit, a start or a flood? As overwhelming as it may seem, I like when the ideas arrive by the dozen. Through creation, the central point of an idea eventually becomes all things fulfilling!

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A Fulfilling, Worthwhile Trek

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“I know the price of success: dedication, hardwork and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.”~ Frank Lloyd Wright  

Saturday morning at 5:30 am, I began  the long trek over snowy Rabbit Ears pass from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to Denver, CO, three hours away, to attend the monthly Colorado Independent Publishers Association www.cipabooks.com gathering. Snow covered mountain passes were not going to stop me from fulfilling my need for more knowledge about the subject of  independent publishing vs. traditional publishing. Eric Boss, bookseller for the Penguin Group, would be an informative speaker, I was sure. 

As a person who has been involved in bookselling for many, many years, Eric had much to say about what books sell and what do not. He also addressed the issue of “what it takes to be successful” in the traditional publishing industry.  

So, what did I learn? From all that I heard, the chances of “making it” in independent publishing and traditional publishing are one in the same. It helps to have good business acumen, defer to professionals for assistance (especially important if you want to first and foremost be a writer) and be dedicated to the project at hand. 

Tomorrow, I will share some things Eric Boss, professional bookseller, had to say to the crowd about what books sell and what do not. I think you will be surprised!

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A Change in Landscape

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“I think one of our main strengths lies in being adaptable, hitting smart, things like that.” ~ Franklin Brightwater

You are business owner. So, have you noticed how the landscape has changed? If not, you had better take heed! It is not a change in scenery due to seasonal weather. I am referring to the marketing landscape. It has stepped from an old season to a new season. One that now includes focus on e-marketing (internet marketing). 

Did you know that 88% of marketers are now using social media marketing as part of their overall strategy?  It is for good reason! Internet marketing generates increased exposure for business, brings awareness to your brand, improves search engine rankings, and helps to generate qualified leads. 

How about you? You are in business to stay in business, and that means changing with the landscape, too. It doesn’t mean you need to do completely away with the old marketing strategies of print advertising, direct mail and face to face selling, it means adding a new dimension to the landscape. 

The principles of internet marketing are the same whether you are selling a product or service. Visibility on the internet is the name of the game! If your business needs help in becoming more visible, do exactly what you always do in this day and age of the internet when you are looking for information, search it! Look for an e-marketing company for independent publishers. They can paint a new marketing landscape for you. One that includes e-marketing!

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Old Concept, New Location

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“The thing I would encourage you to do is go where your love is. Go where your heart tells you to go.” ~ Bill Billachick 

Are you one of the many who has been traditionally published but for one reason or another wish to do things a little differently this time around? Perhaps you are disillusioned by the way the integrity of your writing can be changed by your publisher. Maybe you are interested in being more directly involved with the sales and marketing aspect of your publication. Is it that you would like to earn a higher percentage on your sales or do you wish to find out for yourself why, according to Bowker, independent publishing grew a whopping 181 percent between 2008 and 2009? All of these are good reasons for making a switch. 

One of the most valuable skills you will need to know as an independent publisher is how to reach communities of people, through social media marketing, who will purchase your book. 

Although the concept of social media marketing may sound “new age”, it really is an old concept, in a new setting. Instead of locating people that share the same interests as you do at church, at PTA meetings, in gyms, in bars, at knitting clubs or through fraternal organizations – you meet them over the internet and communicate with those like minded people. By building relationships, you will locate potential buyers. 

Don’t know where to start? Help is readily available. Search the internet for  e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers. Professionals can assist you in becoming more visible over the internet, which will increase the potential for sales of your independently published book all over the world.

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Do a Nice Thing!

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“It is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception and compassion and hope.” ~ Ursula K LeGuin

How would you like to fulfill a dream of a child who is sick and in the hospital? Well, you can, in a very easy way! If you are a parent whose kids have grown, and you have no longer used children’s DVDs sitting in boxes, or in your basement or garage, you can donate your kid’s flicks to children’s hospitals and pediatric medical units, all over the United States.

This idea came about when four sisters visited a young friend being treated for leukemia in the hospital. Children are distracted and pain is eased when they can watch colorful, fun DVDs from the comfort of their hospital beds.

Rather than selling your children’s  idle DVDs in garage sales and the like, give them away to children who will value them the most. Send them to –

Kid flicks/Barta, 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA  90025

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A Strong Foundation

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“The reward of one duty done is the power to fulfill another” ~ George Eliot 

Last week, the kids started back to school after summer break.  On the first morning of school, I walked by groups of children standing at the bus stops, all up and down the road. I began to think back on the fulfilling and glorious days of raising my child…. 

The days were filled with trying to figure out what made my child tick and what set off temper tantrums, what he was passionate about and how to channel the energy he had. My one child has the energy of 20. Moms with two or three kids would shake their heads and say to me “I don’t know how you do it!” He has always been hard to keep up with, I will admit! 

My daily “to-do” list, was no different than every parent’s list – fixing meals, snacks, monitoring and helping with homework, fetching other kids for play dates, doing laundry, soothing skinned knees, reading at bedtime, picking up socks, shoes and toys. 

 The early years went by, and then our life and was consumed with soccer, soccer, soccer and yes, you guessed it, soccer…..  and on and on it went. Fortunately, I had a willing and devoted husband who did it all too – we tried to work as a team. 

One day I woke up and hardly knew who I was. I had been fulfilling my life for 18 years with the activities of raising a child. Would I go back and do it all over again? You bet, if I had the energy now that I had then! 

The point of this blog is to remind all parents that children are a gift from God. They come with tremendous responsibility. Children emulate what they see. Teach them love, compassion, the value of faith, how to share, a spirit of cooperation, encourage them to follow their dreams, the importance of family and what it means to be a real friend. 

There will be nothing more fulfilling then knowing that you were there when your kids needed you the most. Put your child’s emotional needs first. There will be plenty of time to figure out even more about who you are, after the kids leave home!

 

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