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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Blog Ring of Power Interview with Cole Gibsen part IV

Cole Gibsen has been running a week long interview marathon with the other BRoP members.  So far she has been on these blogs:
T.W. Fendley, Author Historical fantasy & science fiction: BRoP Interview #1 Cole Gibsen

Emily has Part II on her blog Realms of a Fantastical Mind

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan, Speculative Fiction Author has Part III

Tomorrow Terri Bruce will conclude with Part V

However, today she is a guest here at The Write Time where she talks about her current work.  So we'll just sit down here in these two wing back chairs and chat a bit about what you've been up to.



Tell us about your new book and when it is out? 
KATANA is about a seventeen year old girl who, after surviving a mugging in the mall parking lot, finds herself possessed by the spirit of a 15th century samurai. 

It debuts in stores March 8th, 2012.

(Here is the book blurb.)
Kill Bill meets Buffy in this supernatural samurai tale. Rileigh Martin would love to believe that adrenaline gave her the uncanny courage and strength to fend off three muggers. But it doesn't explain her dreams of fifteenth-century Japan, the incredible fighting skills she suddenly possesses, or the strange voice giving her battle tips and danger warnings. While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior. Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her.

What was the hardest part of writing this book? 
Finishing is always the hardest part for me when it comes to writing. I have a very loud, very obnoxious internal editor who likes to scream at me about how much I suck. Some days I can tune him out just fine and others…not so much. 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 
The 15th century Japanese chapters where my favorite to write. I did a lot of research to make sure they were as authentic as possible. 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it? 
 As my debut book, I’ve learned so much about the publishing process. Everything from how slow the publishing industry works (my book sold in 2010 and will be published this year), to how to roll with the punches of a bad review (not always an easy thing.)

What are your current / future project(s)? 
BREATHLESS, a young adult novel about killer mermaids, will be released March 27th through Crescent Moon Press. The sequel to KATANA will be released spring 2013.

(Another book blurb for you)

In a world where death is an ever-present shadow and motives are as dark as the bottom of the ocean, Edith must decide if her life is worth risking for a love that can't survive past the shore. Obituary-reading emo girl Edith Small is broken - the end result of forcing herself inside a mold that doesn't fit. All she wants is to conform to her strict sergeant stepfather's rules long enough to make it to graduation day. But a boat accident threatens to unravel the life Edith has worked so hard to keep. After waking up in a hospital with a lacerated shoulder, Edith fakes amnesia. Because admitting she received her injuries from a blue-haired girl who breathes underwater is all the reason Sir needs to send Edith on the first bus to military school. Safe at home, Edith struggles to put the nightmare behind her. But the mysterious creatures that live in the ocean aren't about to let her forget. After meeting Bastin - a strange boy with silver hair and black eyes - on a secluded dock, Edith learns about the war raging undersea to end human existence. A war that Edith, unwittingly, has become the key to winning.

Find out more about Cole and her books at: www.colegibsen.com


Where can your readers stalk you?
Blog: http://colegibsen.blogspot.com/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cole-Gibsen/189275624454033#!/cole.gibsen
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575326.Cole_Gibsen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/colegibsen
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Katana-Cole-Gibsen/dp/0738730408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329757053&sr=8-1

Other: www.ColeGibsen.com

Is your book in print, ebook or both? 
Both!

When Cole Gibsen isn't writing books for young adults, she can be found rocking out with her band, sewing crazy costumes for the fun of it, picking off her nail polish, or drinking milk straight from the jug--provided no one is looking. She debuts in March with two young adult novels--KATANA on March 8 from Flux and BREATHLESS by March 27 from Crescent Moon Press.

Thank you for your time.  You can read the final section of Cole's interview on Terri Bruce's blog.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

BRoP's first guest: Cole Gibson

The Blog Ring of Power (BRoP) is hosting its first interview with author Cole Gibson.

T.W. Fendley has part one of the interview on her blog.

Part two of the interview is on E. M. LaBonte's blog The Realms of a Fanatical Mind

On Monday, February 27th Sandra's blog will have part three.

Check back here on Tuesday for my section of the BRoP's interview.

Check out the links and follow the interview.


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Three Circles


First of all, thank you for stopping by.  There are so many things that compete for your attention, I’m grateful you take a moment to stop by here and see what is going on.

Along those lines there is so much stuff coming at us all day long.  Advertising, music, news, hobbies, family, work, school, and the list can go on, and on, and on…..

With so much coming in, how do you filter what needs your attention?  The other day I was talking with a friend about what you can control.  He was telling me about three circles.  Picture a target, with a bull’s eye in the center, and another circle outside of it, and a third circle outside of that one.  The outermost circle is worry.  Worry kills productivity and happiness. 

Several years ago two of my Sister-in-Laws got married on the same day.  Needless to say my Mother-in-law was a nervous wreck.  The day of the double reception came and she was worried about all sorts of things.  I pulled her aside and asked her what was wrong.  She told me about this and that, things she had no control.  I asked her what she could control.  She said she wanted to know about the cakes.  So I had her call the cake folks and find out what was going on.  Once I had her focused on things she could check on and control she was able to calm down.

The second inner circle, inside of the worry is concern.

There are a lot of things we are concerned about, but much like worry there may not be a lot we can do about it.  Concern makes us focus more in on the issues, but we cannot always control or change anything that concerns us.  We have to deal with it.

The inner most circle is influence.  Influence are things we can control and deal with. 

Years ago I had a boss who was demanding and wouldn’t listen.  Most of the folks that worked with him would just complain about the situation.  I decided complaining about things didn’t help the situation.  When I was given something to do that had unrealistic expectations I took the assignment and worked on it.  Then I went back to the boss and told him what I had done, and gave him options that could work.  The boss nodded and agreed, and we made a different course to travel.  After a while he would ask my opinion on things.  I began to have influence with him. 

Complaining, worrying, stewing, and the like just spins wheels.  Things don’t get done, and the situation just gets worse.  Focus on what you influence.  Work on how you can influence things.  Then that inner circle grows and the other circles become narrow and not as big of an influence. 

On a target, the bulls eye is what everyone aims at.  Influence in the center is what needs to be aimed at.  What can be controlled should be the focus of activities.  By being positive and looking for ways to get things done, influence grows.

Influence is important.  The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions.

Just read the questions straight through and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.  These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies…

Awards tarnish.  Achievements are forgotten.  Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz.  See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials… the most money...or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most.

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.  It's already tomorrow in Australia!'

''Be Yourself.  Everyone Else Is Taken!"


What can you focus on?  Where and what do you influence?  How can you push worry out of your life?  How can you deal with concerns?
  

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Blog Hopping Meme

A while back I interviewed Amy Jarecki.  We've been in contact from time to time, and retweeted each others tweets.  She tagged me last week for another Meme.  So here are the questions and my answers to her Blog Hopping.  I've listed who I'm taging and I'll let them know they get to participate.  If you're tagged copy the questions and answer them on your blog and tag other folks to do it on their blog.  BTW if you weren't tagged but would like to do this on your own blog, consider yourself tagged!

Blog Hopping Meme

  1.  What is your dream vacation?
Just taking a vacation. I haven’t’ been on one in years.  Okay, I’ll bite.  Since this is a dream money is no option.  I’d love to go to the mountains, tour castles and stay in five star hotels in rooms with grand views, and eat in great restaurants.
  
   2. Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead?
      Both!  I know not a valid answer.  I like to plan things out, and work towards things.  Goals are great, but there are days where the sun is shining and there is a moment when hey, let’s go do something.  There is a lot to be said for spontaneity. 

   3. Tell us one thing you want to do but don’t dare to do.
Skydive

   4. What’s your biggest phobia?
Losing my family to some sort of accident
   
   5.      If you were stranded on a desert island – what 3 things would you want with you (not including laptop, or family).
Okay, I’ll go with a good sharp knife, fishing gear, and a ham radio.
     
   6.      Name three blessings in your life.
      My faith, my family, my friends
 
   7.      What was your nickname in High School?
      Fortunately I didn’t have one.

   8.      If you could meet the President of the United States, what would you say to him?
      The constitution is still in force.  The Government works FOR the people, not the other way around.
    9.      If you could be any literary character for a day, who would you be?
          I'm not sure I want to be a literary character.  Their stories are so full of tragedy I think I'll just stay me and be happy.
   10.  What is your favorite quote?
“When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.” Will Rogers

Tag seven other bloggers

I'll start off with the Blog Ring of Power Members:

Dawn G. Sparrow - Write Away 

TBruce - Terri Bruce Net

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan - Speculative Fiction Author

T.W. Fendley - TW Fendley.com

Next I'll add another friend From AQC who has just started blogging, so to let everyone know her and check out her blog here is Kalinda Knight

Lora Palmer has a nice blog. You should check hers out.

And I'm also going to tag Suzanne Payne a proud member of the goat posse, she loves memes.  Have Fun!



Here are the questions you can cut and copy to use for your own blog:


Blog Hopping Meme

      1. What is your dream vacation?
2. Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead?
3. Tell us one thing you want to do but don’t dare to do.
4.  your biggest phobia?
5. If you were stranded on a desert island – what 3 things would you want with you (not including laptop, or family).
6. Name three blessings in your life.
7. What was your nickname in High School?
8. If you could meet the President of the United States, what would you say to him?
9. If you could be any literary character for a day, who would you be?
10. What is your favorite quote?

Tag seven other bloggers

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Getting Organized


The other day the family was going on a short trip.  I told my son to make sure he had his learners permit so he could drive.  It was time to go and he was looking for his wallet.  He couldn’t find it.  The time to leave approached and it finally got to the point where we had to leave.  He didn’t have his wallet, so he missed an opportunity to drive the family.

The next day I had to run a few errands, I told him to get his permit and he could be my chauffer.  He couldn’t find it.  So I ran my errands, and drove myself.

I dropped my son off at school and asked if he ever found his wallet. 

“Yea, it was under my khaki pants,” he sheepishly replied.

“I thought you put those in your drawer when you put your laundry away.”

“I was going to do that later.”

I then had a teaching moment.  He missed an opportunity to drive the car on several occasions because he didn’t take the time to keep his room clean.  His “lost” wallet was on top of his dresser, where it belonged, but because of other things, it was out of sight.  I don’t think he understood my message. 

In my professional job, I try to keep things organized.  My employees know I want the inventory, and the tools kept in their places.  I keep a box cutter in the top left drawer of my desk.  When someone needs to open a box, they go to that drawer to get the box cutters.  If someone does not put it back when they are finished a lot of time and energy is expended looking for the box cutters.  I refuse to buy several – I keep just one.  It forces my crew to put it back.  When everyone does things go much better.  Everyone knows where to go to get what they need when they need it.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, being organized is a great way to keep productivity up, and saves you time.  You don’t have to spend time looking for things.  I hate looking for things.  I’ve enough stuff going on in my life without having to stop what I’m doing to search for something I need, a tool, a file, an application, my phone, anything.  It is very frustrating to have to stop what I’m doing to look for something I need.

A help for de-cluttering is the kaizen processes the 5-Sprogram. Now this is more than needed for your own work area and home, but the ideas to get organized and stay organized are great.

1.      Sort
2.      Set in Order
3.      Shine
4.      Standardize
5.      Sustain
For me, my garage and office at home the steps of sort, set in order and sustain work for me.
Basically take the area to be organized and pull everything out of the area and sort through the stuff.  Set up four piles
1.      Stuff to be used in the area
2.      Stuff to keep, but used somewhere else
3.      Stuff to give away
4.      Stuff to throw away

I find the trash pile is the biggest pile.

Then take the stuff for the area back in and organize it.  Then that self discipline thing kicks in and keep it clean and organized.

Life becomes easier because looking for things doesn’t happen as often as it does now.  Eliminate clutter from life makes life easer to live.

What areas do you have that need attention?  What have you done to get organized?  What worked for you?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

One Aspect of What Matters Most

I have been receiving Dr. Zimmerman's Tuesday's Tips for years.   He has great insight and has so many thought provoking points. He even gracously permits anyone to resend and use his tips, just include his copywrite at the end.

So once again I have Dr. Zimmerman as a guest on my blog today.  He has some great points this Valentine's Day.

"The true friend is the one that's coming in the door while everyone else is going out."Dr. Phil McGraw, psychologist
Happy Valentine's Day! Across the world, people are remembering the special ones in their lives. And that's wonderful.

But Valentine's Day should encompass a great deal more than a once-a-year REMEMBRANCE. It should serve as a REMINDER that everyone needs to be doing those things that build better relationships at home and on the job ... each and every day.

And truth be told ... many of the things that build great personal friendships are the same things that build great working relationships. But one caution, no matter how good your people skills might be, you're always going to have some people difficulties. As journalist Barbara Grizzuti Harrison (1934-2002) noted, "Kindness and intelligence don't always deliver us from the pitfalls and traps: There are always failures of love, of will, of imagination. There is no way to take the danger out of human relationships."

Nonetheless, with thousands of clients and years of research, I've learned that you can prevent most people problems and resolve the rest of them ... if you start with these keys.

1. Make time for people, even if you don't have the time.

Face it. We're all busy, and many of us overwhelmingly busy. So it's easy to see our customers as an interruption of our work rather than the reason we work. It's easy to see our coworkers as time suckers rather than team members. And it's easy to see our family members as another demand we have to meet rather than a privilege we get to hold.

If you're laboring under the myth that you'll get to all these people when you get all caught up in your work, get over it. It's never going to happen. You're never going to be all caught up, and you're never going to have enough time to fit in everyone and everything.

If someone is important to you, you simply have to MAKE time for them, even if you don't have time.

I had to learn that lesson the hard way. When my daughter was small, I can remember her saying hundreds, maybe thousands of time, "Dad, Dad," to which I would respond "Later ... I'm busy ... Not now ... or ... Wait." Then one day she stopped asking for my attention. Our contact and conversations became few and far between, and it took me several years to repair the damage I had caused by not MAKING time for her.

Interestingly enough, I can remember her saying "Dad, Dad" all those times, but I can't remember one single thing I was working on that was supposedly so much more important than paying attention to her. So make time for the people that are important to you on the job and at home. It will pay off.

A few weeks ago I had a chance to practice that very skill. I was speaking in Edinburgh, Scotland, but made plane reservations to fly back to the States a day later than normal, even though I had a heavy speaking schedule waiting for me. I decided to look up and spend some time with my first boss, Celia Jackson.

When I was 18, I lived and worked in England, working as a waiter at a very upscale resort. And coming from a poor blue collar family, I felt immediately lost when I was introduced to the glamorous dining room, filled with chandeliers, tapestries, and 12 pieces of flatware at every seating. I had never seen such elegance. But Celia took me under her wing, teaching me how to serve our customers, and she took me under her counsel, showing me how to cope when I felt insecure or homesick. In a sense, she was a great deal more than a boss. She was a coach, mentor, teacher, leader, and friend who impacted the rest of my life.

Over the decades since our work together, Celia and I have kept a correspondence. I've gone to see her 3 or 4 times when I've been speaking in the United Kingdom, but now that she is in her late 80's, I knew I had to MAKE the time to see her again. We had a wonderful visit, and as I left, I was reminded of how critically important relationships are. But they can only happen if you MAKE time for them.

And when you do that...

2. Speak words of encouragement.

As John Milne says, "The language of encouragement ... makes schools and workplaces, families and businesses hum." After all, encouragement gives the other person a sense of wellbeing, because it says, "I believe in you, your potential, your ability, and your accomplishments." As Milne says, "It makes their spirits sing."

The good news is ... there is almost always a way to give someone some genuine, heartfelt encouragement.

Try these techniques.
  • Give a compliment.
    It could be as easy as telling somebody, "You look ... are ... give ... or ... make" and fill in your own sincere and positive words. Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Chip Lutz even gives out a list of compliments you can use, including such statements as, "You're the best ... You're fantastic ... You rock ...You are spectacular ... You are incredible ... You are terrific ... You are a team player ... You make me look good ... You are fun to work with ... You're doing a super job ... You're a pro ... You made my day ... You're a joy to work with ... You're right on target ... You're a real trooper ... Way to go ... I couldn't have done it without you ... I'm impressed ... Superb ... Magnificent ... and ... Marvelous."
  • Say thanks.
    As Dr. William James, the father of American psychology, observed, "The deepest craving in human nature is the craving to be appreciated." So don't ever forget to express your thanks and appreciation. You could say something as simple as "Thanks" or "I appreciate you!" and "I appreciate your work!" And if you really want to make your encouragement unforgettable, send a handwritten note, signed by you, in a handwritten envelope, with a real stamp (instead of a metered one). Don't worry about your crummy handwriting; it's the personal touch that counts. You might visit www.photostamps.com to learn how you can put your picture on a stamp to make your note of thanks even more memorable.
  • Praise an action.
    Tell the other person what you admired in his action. Tell him why his action was so helpful. Start out by describing exactly what he did that has earned your praise, and then finish your comments by saying something a bit more general like, "Remarkable job ... You are so creative ... Great job ... or ... Exceptional performance!"
  • Express your belief in the other person.
    Your coworkers and your family members want and need to know that you believe in them. So don't ever fall for the stupid notion that says, "If I don't say anything, you can assume everything is okay." No, no, no! People do not interpret your silence or lack of feedback as encouragement. They see it as disinterest. You've got to tell your people, if it's true, such things as, "I have faith in you ... I believe in you ... I think you're the best one to handle this situation ... I know you can do it ... You're on top of things ... or ... No one holds a candle to you!"
  • Let the other person know his work is valued.
    Everybody wants to feel like a somebody. And if another person is ever going to feel that way, she's got to know that her work is valued. So tell the other person what her work means to your company, your organization, your department, your school, or your family. Say things like, "Your contribution is critical ... You are an important member of the team ... and
    ... Outstanding!"
  • Solicit the other person's ideas.
    When you seek out the other person's ideas and opinions, you're saying she has things to say that are worthy of consideration. It's very encouraging. And it's highly validating. So ask her what she thinks and tell her "That’s a great idea ... or ... Good thinking!"
  • Recognize the other person's challenges.
    Nobody wants to feel like that old gospel song that cries out, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen." Nobody wants to feel alone and misunderstood. Just the opposite. People need to know that you understand the difficulties they're facing. And when you verbalize your understanding of their challenges, they feel relieved as well as encouraged.
3. Create a sense of safety, security and trust.

In other words, whatever you do, personally or professionally, the other person knows that you always have his or her best interests in mind. That point was driven home to me last week when I keynoted a conference for the Sales Stars at American Federal Bank. I spoke about the Purpose, Passion, and Process that turns ordinary people into extraordinary Stars and what they have to do to maintain their Star status.

Then Lon Gulberg, a financial advisor and personal banker in the group, pulled me aside to share his story ... to tell me how he began working with a couple about 10 years who had recently retired. They wanted help in managing their finances so they could truly enjoy their retirement, which included lots of travel to their many children and grandchildren across the country. So Lon spoke to the couple on many occasions, talking about a wide range of topics, many of which did not include financial planning. He just plain liked the couple and wanted to be their friend as well as their advisor.

Some time later, the husband was diagnosed with cancer, and the couple's retirement plans changed quickly. The husband went through months of treatments, some that worked and some that didn't, until he eventually lost his battle with cancer. A few days after the funeral, Lon met with the wife to discuss the financial status of their accounts, and in his words, "The conversation I had with her was one that I will never forget."

The wife explained that a few days before her husband passed away, she told him she was scared. She had never involved herself in the financial matters of the family and didn't know if she could handle those things. Her ailing husband took her by the hand and said, "Everything is in place for you. You don't have to worry about the finances. The only thing you need to do is call Lon; he'll take care of everything. And it will be done in the best interest of you and our family."

Obviously, Lon had given that couple a Valentine's gift that lasted a lifetime ... a relationship they could trust ... a relationship that gave them a sense of safety and security. And they gave him a Valentine's gift in return.

As Lon told me, "That husband's comment and that wife's sense of peace have deeply impacted my life. Their feedback continues to fuel my positive attitude and drive my passion to help people everyday."

Finally, in the process of building quality relationships on and off the job,

4. Stick with the other person.

It's one of the surest signs of a quality relationship. As Dr. Phil McGraw puts it, "The true friend is the one that's coming in the door while everyone else is going out."

You see ... everybody faces challenges, and it means a great deal if somebody else is there to help you go through those challenges. That's why "I'll go with you" or "You are not alone" are amongst the most powerful sentences you can ever speak. Or at work, you might tell somebody "I'd like to partner with you on that." It almost always gives the other person an instant energy boost.

One of my clients, Tastefully Simple, has been extremely effective in "sticking with" their consultants as they build their businesses. That's because it's a value that is practiced and preached by their President, Jill Blashack Strahan.

Jill wrote me, saying, "Alan, I want to share with you this letter that I emailed to eight of my best friends: 'Zach (my 16-year-old son) was watching a movie in the great room a few minutes ago, and I heard something that made me nearly sob out loud. A young woman was told she had an infection and only had 24 hours to live. When the doctor asked her if she had any friends he could call for her, she said, I wouldn't call my friends to help me move. I sure wouldn't call them to watch me die.'"

Jill continued her letter to eight of her best friends by writing, "I'm always grateful to have all of you as friends. I needed a good heart jolt, though, to remind me of how few people are blessed with the intense depth of our love and friendship. We would not only be by one another's death bed, we would nearly follow each other all the way to heaven."

Jill finished by writing, "Thank you, God, for my friends. I would call them to be by my side to help me die. I love you all."

That's what I call a "wow-kind-of-relationship." And if you're willing to stick with people, you're likely to have them in your life at home and on the job. As Milne notes, "Being there for a colleague, friend or family member in their time of need, is the language of encouragement without words."
Action: 

Determine to speak words of encouragement to five different people this week.

©2011 Reprinted with permission from Dr. Alan Zimmerman, a full-time professional speaker who specializes in attitude, motivation, and leadership programs that pay off.

Monday, February 13, 2012

BRoP Joining a Blog Ring

Well, TBruce, a friend from AgentQuery Connect had a great idea, she wanted to form a blog ring.  I thought it would be fun to join with some other bloggers and have cross blog events.  There are six members in this ring.  Myself, aspiring writers Dawn G. Sparrow, E. M. LaBonte, and T. Bruce.  And two published writers Sandra Ulbrich Almazan, and T.W. Fendley.

So here are the other members and their blogs.  I'll format my blog for a ring section a little later, but for my own announcement I thought I'd list the other five blogs with links.  We plan on hosting some fun interviews from Speculative Fiction authors, contests and other fun things to liven our corner of the blog sphere.


Dawn G. Sparrow - Write Away 
She writes Paranormal Romance/horror/suspense.  She will be the first to admit she is working on excatly where she fits, but she is having a ball figuring it out. 


Emily writes fantasy and is a fun person to get to know.  We swapped blog posts for AQC's Spec Fic's January Blog fest.  (BTW I won that contest with the most posts and guest posts on blogs in January)

TBruce - Terri Bruce Net
Another AQC friend, she has given me some great feedback on my own manuscript.  This BRoP is her idea and she has gathered up these fine writers and organizing this particular blog ring.  She writes genre-crossing speculative fiction that defies labels - my first novel has been described as "Bladerunner crossed with The Turn of the Screw" while my second novel has been described as "Bridget Jones goes go the afterlife."

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan - Speculative Fiction Author
Terri introduced us and Sandra has a really cool blog with lots of followers.  Looking forward to getting to know her better as we embark on linking up with our blogs in our blog ring.

T.W. Fendley - TW Fendley.com
Historical Fantasy and Science Fiction Author.  Cool someone who is where I am trying to get to.  Looking forward to linking and blogging with TW.


So check out their blogs and get to know them a little bit.  We will be cooking up some fun in the months to come.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

Focus

A few weeks ago I touched on being productive and mentioned in passing an e-mail. I went back and asked my sister if she still had a copy, and she did, and graciously sent it to me to share with all of you. I laughed and laughed at this. So here is the entire story...

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests: I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full. So I decide to put the bills back on the table & take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Pepsi aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. The Pepsi is getting warm. I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye. They need water. I put the Pepsi on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote someone had left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs. But first I'll water the flowers. I pour some water in the flowers. Quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day: the car isn't washed the bills aren't paid there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter the flowers don't have enough water, there is still only 1 check in my check book, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all darn day, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail..... Do me a favor. Forward this message to everyone you know, because I don't remember who the heck I've sent it to.


 Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

# # #

Isn't that great? I loved it. It is humorous, tongue in cheek, and poking fun at growing old. (I see some of me in this, and if we are all honest with ourselves we can all point out something that reminds us of ourselves.)

To me it is a great illustration of lack of focus and organization. One great time killer is being disorganized. A place for everything and everything in its place. Getting organized is tough. Right now my garage is in shambles. I've got.... never mind, part of being able to be productive and accomplishing things and managing your life and time is staying organized.

Also focus on what you want to accomplish. The person who wrote this did not stick to one task. Set priorities and work through them. Instead just wandered from one task to another, and never finished anything started. So focus. What is the most important thing to be completed. What needs to be done to do it? Don't let anything be a distraction from the goal.

Hope you enjoyed the story. I know I did the first time I read it, and again when my sister sent it to me.

What are you going to focus on? What do you do to stay focused? What works for you? What has been a distraction? What have you done to eliminate that distraction?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A little bit about Perspective

You've heard it before, but I'll say it again, your perspective is your reality.

I can not recall how many times I am in a conversation and things are not making sense.  A few questions to clarify and find out I am not on the same page with the person I'm having the conversation with.  Then there is that Ah, okay moment and things make sense.

There have been so much done with mistaken ideas and things are not as they appear.  The video link is one of my favorites




Now we can discuss the captain attitude, how he doesn't listen.  Lack of understanding.

Perspective matters.  So take a look at what is going on, really going on.  Make sure things are as they appear.

I've noticed my attitudes are affected by my perspective on things.  So yes, your perspective is your reality.

Some steps to take to work on perspective.

1. Listen to people, try and see their point of view.

2.   Check you own attitude.  You may find your own biased or history may be affecting the way things are going.

3. Pay attention to what is going on.  There are clues out there, but if you are so wrapped up in your own world you'll miss what is really going on and you find yourself out in the outfield.

4. Past history, ie. old baggage.  People can change, but it takes a long time for others to notice the change.  Assuming it is the same old same old can perpetuate attitudes etc.

5. Trust yourself.  If you take clues from what everyone else is saying, you are acting on other people's filters.  While friends can help, you have to decide how you are going to respond, and not worry about what everyone else is thinking or doing.  I heard it said, "It is none of your business what other people think about you."  So true. 

What are some other things that affect your perspective?