7 Books Every Writer Should Read…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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Readers make writers and writers make readers 
~ Carl McKever

Writers write for many different reasons. Never Meaningless, the reasons are specific to each writer. Naturally writing for ordinary work as in preparing policies, reports, or memos differs from the writing writers do, which often is for their own satisfaction. Some writers write poetry. Some write short stories that ignite passion, joy, or pleasure as in fiction writers. Others write non-fiction sharing their own true stories, those of a loved one, or some about topics they care about as in Success. Whatever your reason for writing it makes sense to read a lot in order to write with finesse that satisfies yourself or your audience.

7 Books To Strengthen Writing

Here are 7 books that will help to strengthen your craft:

  1. Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
  2. Working People Talk About What They do All Day by Studs Terkel

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If You Don’t Go After What You Want You’ll Never Have It…

If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place. ~Nora Roberts

A sure advice I would give to my teenage self and those who are afraid as they start the new year.

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place. ~Nora Roberts

A boost of Motivational Quotes always work for those days when you need a quick pick-me-up. Find yours In Book 101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs.

Cheers!

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Goals. The Power Of The List…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Henry Ford

Goals, write them down. Then work them. In a recent post Yendi shared her 10 Goals.
Years ago when I was expecting, I went to Lamaze class where my only child at the time would play with the instructor’s teen, Yendi.

Big Goals

Recently Yendi reflected how she wrote down her 10-year goals. Many reveal that they cannot even think that far. In Yendi’s case her dream was to enter and win the Miss Jamaica World contest. She worked it and yep, she did it! From the entry to the steps to win it … and that she did.

So make sure that your goals are BIG so you can’t miss them when they come through!

How old are you now? What dreams are you carrying. Take the time to write them…

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The 4 Benefits Of A Holiday Beach Escape As The Cold Descends…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Ever wondered how even the thought of the beach makes you feel relaxed? I reflect on a holiday when my family and I spent some time in the islands with a getaway at the beach enjoying the beautiful sunrise and sunset while avoiding the thought of the icy snow. It was a relaxing feeling that I wished could be brought to many during the Christmas snowy season.

I pondered more and decided to reflect on the reasons the beach is an answered prayer. Here I share 4 benefits as gleaned from Christina Heiser.

  1. The Blue Color

The color blue is associated with feelings of calm and peace while staring at the ocean puts us into a mild meditative state that enhances creativity. The perfect place for me as I write. The book My Safe Place serves as evidence

2. The Sound’s Ebb and Flow

The quiet sounds that the waves…

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2021 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

Ditch It. Switch It.

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire

GreenLight: When God Says Go

Do you think ofretirementas a dead-end road to the Departure Lounge of life? Think again!Retirement, A New Adventureis full of ideas how to live an active, fun and enriching life inretirement. There are things to do, skills to learn, new technologies to embrace, people to meet, places to explore. What sets this book apart is the stories it provides from real life experiences of the author and others; stories that range from silly to serious, revealing how satisfying life inretirementcan be.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

Things…

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Dance Out There Without Fear. An Anthropologist Speaks…

The body says what words cannot

~Martha Graham

Joelle Powe was recognized as one of the Institute of CAribbean Studies, Washington DC, 30 Under 30 honoree in 2021. Take a look at her documentary on Jamaica’s Dance as she studies Anthropology at the University.

Seep in and prepare to be inspired.

Winter Book Signing At The Museum…

Writers write. Readers Read. Together they are one.

Always a pleasure to be invited to participate in Book Signing events. The newly launched Island Space Museum, Florida, boasts artifacts from across the Caribbean.

As winter peeps in 84-year old Reggae music matriarch Patricia Chin kicks off her new found love of writing and sharing her craft. She will be joined by fellow authors David Muir, Hugh Sinclair “0Chef Irie”, Cynthia Verna “Chef Thia” and yours truly – Dr. Shelly C. We will share exciting stories of our author journey, the island way.

Join us.

Cheers!

Your Words Matter. Online Literary Magazine…

Your Words Matter- Your Words Have Power

Dr. Ralph Hogges

YOUR WORDS MATTER – WORDS HAVE POWER

Words can create the Power of Faith and Hope.

Words can create the Power of Love and Compassion.

Words can create the Power of Unity and Cooperation. 

Words can create the Power of Truth, Honesty and Fairness.

Words can create the Power of Freedom, Justice and Equality.

Embracing our Literary Voices,

The Enduring Power, Creative Joy,

And Beauty of Words,

We Unleash Our Infinite

Power of Imagination and Creativity.

— Ralph Hogges

Access the work of Literary Artist in the November, 2021 issue here

Poet’s Defining Moment. The Story Of A Mother As Told By A Daughter…

The Story of a Mother as told by a Daughter.
A Literary Conversation with Author & Poet Susan Lycett Davis (Dr Sue)

A Miami Book Fair annual Author Feature

Living a HIP Life is a Great inspirational stocking stuffer available from Dr Sue and on Amazon

Listen in https://bit.ly/3C1cQ76

GreenLight’s Trunk Or Treat Candy Squeals…

Try New Things

Try new things. That’s what I did. I tried something new. Never did a trunk or treat before. I’m not an artist unlike my daughter. I’m a creator of written work–books, poems, short stories, and an encourager through daily Motivational Quotes on instagram. But my desire to participate in the Calvary’s annual Trunk or Treat event caused me weeks of agony. As I prayed I needed help. I searched the net. The ideas gleaned were generic based on movie characters, celebrity look-alikes and such. As I agonized, I shared my concept with a friend who is a creator of art…of things unique. She joined me in the vision and it emerged into something concrete.

How I Did It

My vision was to share from my book GreenLight: When God Says Go. It’s from a series of writings and I wanted to bring it to life. I got boxes and art supplies from Michaels. Bought tap lights from Amazon to portray all green traffic lights. Painted them with green art paint. Cut holes in the boxes and glued the tap lights into the holes.

I learnt that it was important to make sure your trunk matches the trunk host so I duplicated the above and cut additional holes into the box for my arms. I added my name to a piece of art board and glued it onto a head band to wear as the name of a street, green wig in tow. Remember, I am not an artist but I was pleased with my creation and the kids seemed delighted by the tap lights. I got many kiddie ‘asks’ to tap the lights as I wore them while the adults looked on intrigued. Pictures always tell a story, so here are a few.

How did you spend your time trick or treating? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Stuck In A Rut? Books For Career Changers…

Get a life, not a job! What Color is your parachute? are some of the books that speaks to those who want a change. Yes you! You want the change but are afraid to let go. To go try something new.

Recently I have been thinking about some big names of presidents, vice presidents, CEOs and others who saw themselves through the eyes of their titles. Those grave responsibilities that others who see them approaching decide to literally jump! Jump out of respect or fear that they would be fired.

And yet….these same executives have found themselves on the other side of life pondering what next? Most do not plan for their next steps simply because they so identify with their current roles that when something does arise that through no fault of their own, they find themselves like a fish out of water. They ponder…what to do?

Then there are those who are not at that level (yet) but find themselves hating the very thought of getting out of bed each morning. They tell themselves were it not for the kids college funds, the mortgage, bills, or the thought of what will I tell my friends if I am no longer employed? stay stuck in the mouse trap. Churning. But making no cheese.

Tis sad. But then again, life goes on. Before they know it, 5, 10, 15 years have passed in the same position…no fulfilment from their daily toil.

That’s where my book Ditch It, Switch It comes to the rescue. If you are brave enough this book is for you! Ditch It if you want to change career and take the brave step into entrepreneurship. Or Switch It. Go do something entirely different. A dear colleague made the brave decision to step out of media into a completely new field. Though afraid, she did it anyway and now is enjoying the fruits of something she never thought she could do. Quite refreshing she says with a big grin.

Job DemotivationSigns

Job will make you sick . Signs are

  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Tiredness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of confidence
  • Irritability and other warning signs.

The book Mid-Life Career Rescue will help you:

Discover a job you love, and find your passion and purpose

  • Boost confidence, courage and self-esteem
  • Flame the embers of inspiration and enthusiasm
  • Identify and find your skills, talents, strengths, and point of brilliance
  • Reduce stress, insecurity, anxiety, depression and self-doubt
  • Improve health and well-being
  • Break free of a job you hate and be happy
  • Successfully make a career change after 50

So don’t be afraid to ditch it. Plan it. Try it and for sure with time, you’ll have no regrets.

Cheers!

Show Up. That’s All He Did.…

It’s through curiosity and looking at opportunities in new ways that we’ve always mapped our path. ~Michael Dell

Steve Harvey

Opportunity comes when we are ready for it. Comedian and entertainer Steve Harvey share his story about his writing jokes for a colleague for sometime in exchange for $10. One day the guy didn’t show and he was encouraged to go check out the venue himself. Curiosity got the better of him and he did. He subsequently put his name in the bag for a future show but was called on when another contestant didn’t show. Suffice it to say he won and the rest is history.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs showed up to classes out of curiosity after he was fired from the company he started. His curiosity led to one of the greatest innovations of all times. The iPhone which global users compete daily with its competitor, the android.

Les Brown

I also think of Les Brown who was yearning for an opportunity in radio though he didn’t have training or experience. One day the host didn’t show because he was sick or something and he was invited to fill in with just music on the radio. Les Brown proceeded to be the talk show host. And the rest is history.

Opportunity. It’s Your Turn

What opportunity do you need to show up to? Are you ready for it? What desire(s) do you have? Make sure you are ready because you never know when the opportunity will arise. If you are not prepared then you may miss it.

Always Show up is my mantra. Do it today. Is there any personal story that you can share of an opportunity gleaned just by being there? On the other hand, is there an opportunity you missed because you did not show up? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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