The Writing Process…

Writing is usually done in a private space… as in a cave all by ourselves. We tell no one unless we choose to share with those close. Oft it can even be top secret or shouted from the mountain top as happens when some celebrities write. It’s entirely up to you.

It’s Your Prerogative

Writers commit a month, a year, 2, 3 or more to their Writing process. It’s your prerogative. It all depends on you. No need to attend a retreat, until or unless you’re ready and you can always remain silent in the background listening to others speak. At a writers Retreat, some talk. Some don’t.

Spend time doing what you want to do before, during and after the retreat.

Why Bother?

People approach me to share my knowledge and (writing) experience with them. That’s the whole point of doing a Retreat. Facilitators or Hosts often incur a loss or just barely meet the expense for meals and accommodation for a small group retreat when it’s done for aspiring local authors. Over the years, it becomes more profitable.

But it’s worth it because of the satisfaction it brings. Often though some aspiring authors who actually need the help tend to hesitate to go the extra mile to acquire the knowledge. For me, before I wrote my first book about my phenomenalogical study on leadership and success, I attended a writers event and it helped me a lot. I invested resources to attend and like a sponge was happy to hear from the facilitators on their experiences. Before that I attended many writing events held throughout the industry and on campus to boost my craft.

Personally, I tend… to attend both good and bad’ sessions. Essentially, I love to compare what’s happening in the marketplace. From the ‘bad’ I learn what NOT to do. From the good…well that’s self-explanatory. I want to do better than the best while helping others achieve their best potential, whatever that is.

All in all, Writers have to test what works. Each individual differs. What works for one person may not work for the other.

What works for you? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Register now to attend Writers Retreat and boost your writing project

Life. It’s The Little Things…

Heal the World. Make it a Better Place. ~Michael Jackson

Save a Life. For my Birthday, I Donated. You should too.

7 Top Favs To Change Non-Readers Into Book-Lovers…

When they born we read to them. They played outside. We avoided tech toys. But as they grew my daughters 2 sons were introduced to …yep … tech toys. Beyblade, Fortnite, YouTube games, and more. It’s now proving difficult to get them back-to-the-books.

I decided to search for help. Here’s what I found and particularly liked Grade Power Learning 13 Strategies for them to change to reading love! Here I share those I like:

Back-To-The-Books

  1. Pick the right books
  2. Read aloud
  3. Choose books that he/she is interested in
  4. Encourage all forms of reading
  5. Listen to audio books
  6. Let your reader choose
  7. Start a Series

Those were my top favs to transition non-readers into book-lovers. Any resonate? Are there more you can add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Read. Write. 27 Things I Like…

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As I look over the circus of things I like, I realize that though I enjoy them and they bring me satisfaction, I find myself not doing them as much and in some cases at all. For over two decades I have been caught up in work, work, work. So this prompt helped me pull away and ponder the things I once enjoyed, or get to enjoy on a rare occasion.

But even as I finalize the list I realize that life’s not promised, so I intend to start doing the things I like and stop leaving them for …one day soon.

Watch The Waves By The Sea

That said, the things I like are:

    1. People watch
    2. Explore the world
    3. Simple things
    4. Enjoy a good laugh
    5. Acting | Participating in drama presentations
    6. Wearing a smile
    7. See people mentored achieve their best potential
    8. Watch movies
    9. Write, ponder, reflect
    10. Decorate the house
    11. Go shopping
    12. Watch HGTV | Travel channel
    13. Learn new things
    14. Read
    15. Cook
    16. Enjoy the company of my two young adult kids
    17. Dream of Venice | Alaska
    18. People watch in downtown Disney, Washington DC Parks
    19. Watch the waves by the beach
    20. Nature – stare at birds, squirrels, and circus of trees
    21. Christmas Lights
    22. Look out at the horizon from a hill or mountain
    23. Capturing candid photos (new experience)
    24. Finding a new route after getting lost in a new place (yikes!)
    25. Quiet time
    26. Solving a mystery or a problem
    27. New baby hugs
    28. Listening to that Still Small Voice Of Faith

Any of the above resonate. Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Register now to attend Writers Retreat and boost your writing project.

 

5 Brain Power Boost. I Did 4…

The Entrepreneur business series shared Thai Nguyen’s 5 Daily activities that will boost your brain power. I tried a few of them and it got me…well thinking! Then I thought I’d share!

  1. Do Something with your less dominant hand. You could brush your teeth with your left hand, or do like me and try writing the alphabet with your left hand. And yes, it got me thinking!
  2. Look up in the sky and describe the cloud. It’s a childhood game but it was liberating like not a care in the world… except praise!
  3. To boost focus and concentration, close your eyes and take 10 breaths out, without a thought intercepting your breathing.
  4. Work on memorizing something. It could be your favorite quote, or poem. Memorize one line each day and you will be surprised at the result.
  5. Add a new word to your vocabulary each day.

Immediately, I did 4! How many can you do? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Signup Now to attend Writers Retreat

Why Writers Write…10 Reasons

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I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out.  I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:

10 Reasons Writers Write

  1. They love to write
  2. To express their thoughts
  3. To communicate
  4. To share experiences
  5. To tell about events
  6. To share their feelings
  7. To persuade
  8. To teach
  9. To Ask Questions
  10. They want something

Does any of the above resonate with your reason(s) to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

Register Now to attend Writers Retreat

Write Not Under Stress Or Duress But From Inspiration…

Who are you fooling? Can you write a book in 2 days? Absolutely! But only if you are inspired with  the words just flowing like milk and honey from what’s deep down inside. It might be an experience that tugs at your heart through inspiration, trauma, dreams or more. No edits, just letting the words flow.

The Stress To Write

I was chatting with a fellow author at a recent book festival and he shared that he does not write under stress or duress but by inspiration. Me too! I write best from inspiration and not under the stress-to-write. I share that because at the upcoming 2 Days to Write Retreat, you will find the space to getaway! A mini retreat. This will be more about sharing your writing project with a group of like-minded writers where you can receive feedback on your writing project. After all, your work will be shared by the mass and not just for you only (though some choose to go the me-only route).

The Challenge

Participants are encouraged to challenge themselves to a writing project that can be shared at the event. It might be a cadre of poems, short-stories or excerpts of a longer writing book project. Share. Get critiqued. Append. Share again. It will be well worth your writing project as you push through your goal.

So Register now for early bird rates and book your place to join us on this 2 days to write small group retreat.

Cheers!

Stop. Sharpen The Saw….

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Stop. Sharpen the saw. Then move ahead. What does it mean too sharpen the saw? The concept arose from celebrated Author Steven Covey who wrote the best selling book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He shared this story to clarify his point:

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

 

So the concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.

So stop. Sharpen the saw. So you can move ahead.

Cheers!

Must. Go. Faster…

 

You’ve got to work hard for your success and you’ve got to have a steady presence. That’s the secret. ~Kid Rock

Must. Go. Faster. So said the Ad. But in this case they were talking about getting away from a tyrannosaurus chasing themin the movie Jurassic Park.

But I’m thinking if it from life as we strive towards our goals. Must. Go. Faster.

The Difference

But there’s a difference. Seeking goals is not about speed but steadiness…as in studying to getting an education. Just stick to it. Speed create mistakes as in microwave marriages these days. Jump in before knowing the person. What of education? Would you like a surgeon to operate on you knowing he got his degree in a month? One would question that.

And even a stellar athlete /Olympian. It takes years of practice to achieve the success that lasts.

So today be mindful of your goals. Speed is not the real deal …unless you’re running to save your life from creatures like a tyrannosaurus.

Thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

The Thing About Depression And Suicide: The 10 Signs…

When all seems hopeless

In their careers my friend and her hubby deal with fatalities everyday. She shared an incident of a woman whose car was severely damaged when it crashed into a Guard rail. The woman reported that she was trying to commit Suicide. She survived.

On the other hand my friend’s hubby who is in law enforcement shared reports about a man who after investigation, authorities discovered it was attempted Suicide. He succumbed to his injuries and died.

A Pastor in his message recently shared statistics of the number of police officers who have committed suicide since 2019, in New York. An unbelievable rate of 24% as at mid-year.

Those Who Smile

I share this to ask prayers for those who SMILE or laugh out loud with us outwardly but deep down inside are hurting or depressed due to finances, job loss, relationships, or for one reason or another. Comedian Robin Williams is an example. Anthony Bourdain, celebrity author and travel documentarian is another. Not to mention the silent ones who go crazy with mass shootings of the innocent. All suicides. Sad indeed.

The Signs

WebMD shared these Behavioral warning signs. Read their complete article for further details.

  1. Excessive sadness or moodiness
  2. Hopelessness
  3. Sleep problems
  4. Sudden calmness
  5. Withdrawal
  6. Change in personality or appearance
  7. Dangerous or self harmful behavior
  8. Recent trauma
  9. Making preparations
  10. Threatening suicide

If you are among the depressed, please seek help. Using wisdom, if you recognize the signs in a Friend, relative, or co-worker, don’t wait. Do something. Get the person the professional help they need. Usually they can’t think clearly. Call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK

When All Seems Helpless, Pray

And while you’re doing all of the above Pray. Pray, and pray even more. Prayer changes things. There’s no doubt about that.

Let’s together do what we can in our small corner. But above all, Keep the Faith.

For God has not given us a spirit of Fear but of Power, Love and a sound mind.

When It’s Time For Something New… You Will Feel It.

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When it’s time for something new, you will feel it. You will feel a desire to let go, to shed layers, to move, to re-create. You will know because there will be subtle shifts all around you. You will release the old because you are really clearing the path for what’s ahead. Trust the process. Know that life does not take from us anything unless there is something else imminently awaiting its replacement. ~Brianna Wiest

 

Toni Morrison. Novelist, Essayist, Editor, Professor Emeritus. The Tale…

Inspired. Informed. Educated. An iconic life exceptionally captured in one piece by author and educator Tiffani Knowles.

Excerpt cited. Read Tiffani’s full piece here

It was 1965, after splitting from Harold, when she began her career as an editor at Random House where she was instrumental in publishing American writers and luminaries such as Angela Davis, Henry Dumas and Muhammad Ali.

Yet, she knew there was a story that still needed to be told, one she hadn’t read or seen before.

At first, she was private about her own writing and would do so as a pastime very early in the morning before her boys would wake.

“I remember reading the ‘Bluest Eye’ and thought it was wonderful,” said Robert Gottlieb, a Random House colleague and the chief editor of the Alfred Knopf sub-division.

When Random House got wind of the fact that she was publishing, they wanted to keep her work in house and so, with the exception of one book, Gottlieb got to edit all of her books while they were published through Knopf.

Her first book, as Morrison claimed, intentionally eliminated the white gaze without “codes or notes explaining things to white people,” as she decided to put the entire plot on the first page.

“Quiet as it’s kept, there were no marigolds in the fall of 1941. We thought, at the time, that it was because Pecola was having her father’s baby that the marigolds did not grow.”

It was 1970 and “The Bluest Eye” boasted a story inspired by a conversation Morrison had had with an elementary schoolmate in Lorain many years before.

Her friend told her she had been asking God to give her blue eyes and he never did.

“How painful … can you imagine that kind of pain?” Morrison recounted for filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders in the “The Pieces I Am” documentary. “So, I wanted to say, this kind of racism hurts. This is not lynchings and murders and drownings. This is interior pain. It’s so deep to know that an 11 year old would think that if only she had some characteristic of the white world, she would be OK.”

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