Motivation Monday

"As long as we are persistence in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow.  We cannot choose the day or time when we fully bloom.  It happens in its own time."

- Denis Waitley

To succeed is to persist

All it takes, often times, is one moment to put things into perspective.  I am in Philadelphia for work and today a few of us walked around the city in hopes of seeing some of the "sights".  As we walked into this park we couldn't help but feel the warmth and love that the city, and those that live here, hold for it.  Nestled in the heart of the city's center sits Rittenhouse Square, and in the very middle of it sits a fountain.

Those of us that were there decided to make a wish.  (Keep in mind I had never heard that you are supposed to throw the penny over your shoulder and into the fountain - so I guess we will see if it works!) Now I am pretty sure that anyone who knows me could guess what I wished for, but what no one could have ever guessed (not even me) is that when I said my wish to myself, somehow it was different.  I wasn't so concerned with the details of my wish - I was calm and ready for it to come true, but I wasn't so concerned with it being RIGHT NOW (which I usually am).  Then as I sat down to do this blog I found this quote:

"As long as we are persistence in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow.  We cannot choose the day or time when we fully bloom.  It happens in its own time."

- Denis Waitley

That's when it finally hit me and the memory of the fountain came back.  In that moment, wishing for something I know will happen - someday, I think I finally got it.   I succeed by not giving up.  The road I am building is one that I pave with my persistence.  My road might be long and uneven but it leads to where I want to be.  It leads to my future, my dreams.

And, as Denis Waitley said, as long as I am persistent in the pursuit of my deepest destiny, I will continue to grow - as an author, a mom, an employee, a wife, a friend - a human being.  My destiny is out there and it will happen in its' own time - there's a penny in a fountain in downtown Philadelphia that says so!

Better with age...

Like most book shelves, we have many loved and cherished books. Some new and some are very old. We have a green leather bond book brought to the US on the Queen Mary and a new favorite:  Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd. 

One particular children's book is looking really shabby. The spine is broken, the cover held together by layers of tape and with tattered and dog eared pages. Most of the torn (but always repaired) pages are soft and fading with fraying edges. 

It's beaten up to say the least.  But it's not beaten up due to abuse or neglect but because the pages have been turned and crumpled by chubby little fingers over and over again. Little ones anxiously reading (or pretending to read) the story again and again. 

Why don't we just get another book you ask? Why keep repairing the really beat up one?

This book is loved and treasured. It's worn and tattered cover has been affectionately and repeatedly repaired.  Every time I see this book or we read it for the umpteenth time, it's a tribute to the author and in this case the illustrator as well. A beat up and worn book is the greatest compliment! To have your book read over and over and enjoyed by all age levels is the ultimate literary achievement! 

Sometimes in the day to day process of writing, we may feel disconnected and caught up in the burden of writing and deadlines. If you're feeling down in the dumps, reconnect with your dreams. Remember the books that influenced you. The books you loved and cherished. Remember the many times you read, absorbed, studied, appreciated those books and then excitingly shared them with your friends and loved ones. Remember why you love reading and writing. 

Thank you Caralyn and Mark Buehner for crafting such an amazing book! We can all hope our writing will be cherished and loved in the same way some day! 

Motivation Monday

"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up."
- Vince Lombardi

Pity Party

IT'S TIME TO PARTY!!!

Now this is no ordinary party - it's a pity party.  So of course the rules have changed.  Go out on the town. Make a root beer float.  Put on some dance, blues, 80's music.  Watch your favorite movie.  Read your favorite book.  Buy a new scented candle (and torture a household full of boys with your new girly, fruity candle)


Do whatever it takes to get you out of your current funk!! (Rejectionitis, writer's block to name a few)




And just why would you want to throw yourself a pity party?  Because we need to take time to acknowledge our emotions - and then we need to get them out of the way.  Often times we get so wrapped up in our emotions that we fail to see that life's greatest gifts are already unwrapped and, often times, right in front of us.

So rather than dwelling, get them out of the way.

Steps for throwing one heck of a Pity Party:

1) Give yourself a time limit - 5 minutes, 2 hours - it's up to you.

2) Send yourself an invitation - make it official, set it up as an event on Facebook (wouldn't that be fun to see who responds!)

3) Get dressed up - it is a party after all!  If, like me, you always wear something comfy when writing (what?  I'm a creature of habit, just ask my jeans and worn out sweatshirt!) then put on a nice pair of slacks and heals!  (Heals are these really annoying shoes that make you tall enough to reach the top shelf in your kitchen while at the same time give you a solid reason to have a pedicure)

4) Invite friends - If you want to go all out have a Rejection Party (Erika and I had one, it was a blast!)

5) And then, party it up!  Take the time you need to get it out of your system - dance in the kitchen, cry in the living room, it doesn't matter, just get it over with!

And then....write, live, love, write - know that someday will come soon enough.  

Onward and Upward

"What's the best advice or words of wisdom you've received?" I asked my kids at the dinner table one day. The little guys responded, "You're cool!", "You're awesome" , "You rock!" which are expressions we ALL like to hear.

It was my daughters response that really got my attention; "You've made so much improvement."

She elaborated by saying she felt a strong sense of pride knowing not only had someone noticed her hard work but also it HAD paid off. She was getting better, making improvements AND giving more bruises! She was referring to her improvements in her roller derby skills.

Won't it be great to hear those words about your writing someday?! Oh, what a pleasant thought! I would LOVE a publisher or editor to said "You've made so much improvement!" to me someday!

In my daydream, the editor continues by saying "Your writing has come such a long way!" This, of course, is from a editor whom has previously sent me a rejection letter. "We're impressed by your brilliant writing skills." Awww… daydreams rock!

Writing is fun but it's also hard work. Most of us have to work really hard at writing and there's also a learning curve. BUT to have validation for all those years of writing, all the late hours, tears, frustrations, shattered dreams…would be worth it to hear "You've made so much improvement!" as you are handed a publishing contract!

So many writers have traveled the road of rejection, learning, improving, perfecting their skills and then success! It's great to hear or read about authors success stories. Someday I hope to write my own success story and you will too!!!

We just need to keep on writing, learning, growing, improving and persevering! So take those writing classes, attend writing conferences, read books on the craft of writing, learn, grow and just keep moving forward!!!

We would love to hear of your words of wisdom or advice! Please comment or contact us!

Motivation Monday

"Adversity draws men together and produces beauty and harmony in life's relationships, just as the cold of winter produces ice-flowers on the windowpanes, which vanish with the warmth."
- Soren Kierkegaard

Can't figure out what to write….READ!

Is your writing lack luster? Are you a little down in the "writing" dumps? Could you use a little boost?

Pick up a book for a little pick-me-up!

Reading could unleash your own creativity or help you tighten up your own writing. Read the top sellers and newly released books in your field. Read stories similar to your own. No, I am not encouraging plagiarism! Just get to know what's out there. Get to know the authors. Read about their road to publishing and success stories. If you're a Middle Grade author, read the Newberry awards winners and honor books. If you are a YA author, read the Printz award winners. You get the idea!

Toni and I love going to Barnes and Noble for our little blog powwows. We discuss blog business for several minutes then excitedly move onto the next item on the agenda….browsing the shelves. I'm always amazed at Toni's knowledge of YA novels and authors. As we work our way down the shelves, Toni can give a brief synopsis and critique of almost every book on the shelf! Her knowledge and enthusiasm is amazing. This is why she is a great author even if her books haven't been published yet!

So if you're struggling with the next chapter, introducing a new character or just need a good excuse: start reading. Reading isn't just good for the soul, it's good for the creative mind too!!

If you need help getting started (yeah right! Most of us have long reading lists!), attached is a link to the American Library Association 2012 award winners announcement:

http://www.ala.org/news/pr?id=9108

Happy writing and reading!

PER-SE-VER-ANCE

It's a big word.  It implies so much.  It's telling us to DO something - to remain persistent in a course, despite the difficulties!
per·se·ver·ance

   [pur-suh-veer-uhns]  Show IPA

noun

1.

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, ordiscouragement.

I found it funny, interesting, intriguing even, that the word perseverance is so closely related to and looks like the word preserver.  For me writing is my preserver.  It is what keeps me afloat.  Something that keeps me steady, despite the difficulties.

pre·serve

   [pri-zurv]  Show IPA verb, pre·served,pre·serv·ing, noun

verb (used with object)

1.

to keep alive or in existence; make lasting: to preserve ourliberties as free citizens.

2.

to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

3.

to keep up; maintain: to preserve historical monuments.

4.

to keep possession of; retain: to preserve one's composure - (sanity).  (Yes I added sanity)

I started writing a long time ago because I loved to write.  I write now because I NEED to write.  It's my personal outlet.  I focus on characters, settings, and plots rather than letting anxiety manhandle my imagination.

So why am I rambling about perseverance and preservers?

I've been spending a lot of time looking at published authors websites, reading devouring their words and advice, and do you know what the top 2 words of advice are?

Write.

Persevere.

Everyday.  All the time.  Always.  Write whatever you can, whenever you can and above all - never, ever give up.  If writing is, like it is for me, a way to keep you afloat, why would you ever give up?  Why would you quit just because someone said it is hard?

Why would you ever give up on yourself?

A little love from author Lia London!

Can you feel it?  A little bit of love was just shared - AND guess what?  It was all about On the Literary Rebound!  (crazy, I know!) Now, I could tell you all about the interview, but what fun would that be?  No, you need to go to Lia London's website and read all about her book, The Circle of Law - and while you are there read the cute little interview she did!!!

Motivation Monday

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have the perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained."
- Marie Curie

Carpe Diem

I was asked to be a guess writer! After doing an elated happy dance (which undoubtedly will find it's way on to YouTube), I thought my journey as a serious writer begins... now!

I had my topic. I searched the internet for hours so I could present a competent and thorough piece. I thought of new and innovative ways I could approach the topic and made my outline. This was my beginning. The start of it all. The BIG time! The website had thousands of register users. It was a little scary but exciting. I could do this. A large audience and maybe several agents or editors. I could feel the rising pressure. My brilliant writing must amaze readers. More pressure rising. It would be an educational, witty, allegorical masterpiece! Even more pressure mounting. Isn't the Pulitzer Prize still up for grabs? People would quote and talk about this piece for years. Panic attack just around the corner! Oh no! Would this be epic writing or colossal FAIL?!

I put off the assignment, a self imposed cooling off period, to come back fresh. When I was ready to tackle the assignment, I went to the website only to discover... someone else had written my article.

Just like that, my big opportunity had been written by someone else. I had failed without even trying. I had let doubt, procrastination, and self imposed pressure cripple my efforts. These are not the actions of the professional writer I aspire to be.

J.K. Rowling said, "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Perhaps you are thinking, "We've all heard it a million times!" Sometimes it's good to just hear it one more time. Choose to live your dream as a writer NOW. Seize the day! Be the writer you want to be right now. Today is your day to make your dreams come true.

This story does have a happy ending. To be continued....

Getting back in the saddle

So you've been rejected.  Who cares?   Well, okay you do.  But that doesn't mean you have to wallow in your sadness.  We've talked about rejection being a state-of-mind,  but now what?  How do you talk yourself into getting back up on a horse that just bucked you off?

Remember, rejection is a state-of-mind.  The horse (submission process) is only a a big, daunting Clydesdale if you think it is.  What if you think of it as something closer to my little red rocking friend?  Now, get back on the horse, that's it.  And now what? Where do you go?  Do you ride south?  North? East?  Into the sunset?

It doesn't matter as long as you are back in the saddle - as long as you are willing to keep riding.  

How you deal with rejection is a lot like writing fantasy - no one can tell you that you're wrong!  For me, getting back on the horse takes a little persuasion.  I need something to get me motivated.

You want a mound of dark chocolate to nibble on while watching The Notebook?  Do it!  You want to run a half-marathon? Do it! (Just don't ask me to join you, I am allergic to running!) You want to buy yourself a new pair of fuzzy, purple stripped socks?  Do it!

Alright, I admit it, I have an embarrassing fascination with fuzzy socks and slippers.  The good news is that I use them as a sort of reward.  After getting my first (ultra-depressing, daunting, and down-right heart-wrenching) rejection letter, I made myself a deal (one of many): after I re-worked my manuscript and sent it out again I would buy myself a new pair of fuzzy socks.

Not much, I know, but it was something to work towards.  I REALLY, REALLY needed a new pair and I worked my butt off to make sure I deserved a new pair.  Now obviously I could have gone out and bought a new pair whenever I felt like it but that wasn't the point.  I knew it was going to be hard submitting my book, but I was ready to work for it - AND more importantly I was ready to reward myself for putting my book (and myself) out there.

So do whatever floats your boat, start small, start with socks if you want - just make sure you are rewarding yourself for all your hard work!  And make sure you are consistent. Recognize every little milestone.  Finally finished your first book?  Go take a walk in a park with your kids.  Just reworked your book for the third time?  Buy yourself a coffee.  Sent your 19th query letter?  Go to the movies with your hubby!

It really doesn't matter what you do, it doesn't even have to cost anything - it's just important to acknowledge all your hard work, treat yourself every now and then, and keep on riding (with or without new fuzzy socks)   

Motivation Monday

"Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result.  Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change."
- Jesse Jackson