This summer I am on a personal journey to lose ten pounds, to exercise on a daily basis, and to generally feel great about my body again so when I saw "Lose Up To 10 Pounds in 2 Weeks" by Alex A. Lluch at Sam's Club for $11, I just had to have it.
Of course, my first reaction was, "Yeah right, another lose ten pounds quick gimmick!" But as I scanned the contents of the book, I realized that it was more about a lifestyle change than a short-term dietary change and that's really what I am trying to achieve this summer.
Will I lose ten pounds in two weeks? Probably not.
I've been out of shape a long time, I was also one of those people who ate one meal a day, and one snack a day… thus starving my body of important nutrients and calories and ultimately putting it into starvation mode.
I've got to retrain my body to burn up calories and not store them as fast. That's going to take some time, I'm not delusional about that. Still… I want to do it the right way, and that's where "Lose Up To 10 Pounds in 2 Weeks" comes in.
The book is filled with no-nonsense information about the importance of…
keeping a food journal;
eating and not skipping meals;
weighing yourself and taking body measurements;
creating a calorie budget for each meal and snack so that you eat just enough to sustain your body, but not so much that you overeat;
creating a calorie deficit by combining the amount of food you eat with the amount of calories you burn through exercise and daily activities;
using healthy ingredient substitutions so that you don't have to give up your favorite meals;
maximizing your workouts and not simply going through the motions;
using little weight loss secrets (tips) to keep trick your mind and stay on the right path; and
choosing healthier food and beverage options when you leave the house.
In essence, "Lose Up To 10 Pounds in 2 Weeks" is like opening up one of your favorite inspirational weight loss success stories and saying, "Just give me the facts please" and then having only the parts that can actually help you succeed with your own journey jump off the pages. Then going to the next success story and doing the same thing until you've gotten every nugget of helpful, useful information you can jotted down into a cheat sheet.
"Lose Up To 10 Pounds in 2 Weeks" truly is the CliffNotes version of weight loss.
It's filled with facts, and is designed to help you develop a plan that's right for you, your body type, and your lifestyle. And though it makes losing weight sound easy with all it's do this and don't do that statements, it also becomes painfully clear that losing weight is no easy task. In fact, Alex says, "Losing weight takes tremendous effort."
And yet, as much effort as it's going to take, I feel like I finally have a good point of reference in which to start.
Ariel Korobacz has been creating art for as long as she can remember. In fact, she can never remember thinking of being anything else, but an artist. Over the years she has discovered that art sometimes comes in stages, but when it's abundant, it's important to "be brave and follow the adventure!"
Lynn Squire, author of "Joab's Fire", is an avid writer who artistically intertwines Biblical truth with colorful narrative. Her childhood farm life, coupled with her equestrian experiences, brings authenticity and heart to her stories.
What was your path towards publication like?
Continual personal and spiritual growth and understanding as God stretched me and molded me...and He's not done yet.
I started out writing for horsemanship periodicals and books, but I wasn't satisfied with that. About the time I started writing horsemanship stuff, I wrote two little chapter books for my nephew and niece. Okay, I admit those were pathetic stories, but I had fun doing it, and the process made me realize I was capable of writing full-length novels.
I've learned so much about life from being a mom. That knowledge enabled me to see the world on a much deeper level. Add to that, moving to California from Canada and joining a fabulous church, and you have the perfect, God-designed elements for what I write: fiction that presents Biblical truths.
When I started taking my fiction writing seriously I had an inkling that it should be a ministry. Little did I know how much God would narrow my focus and turn up my passion for reaching women through story. My writing ministry is taking off, and I pray God will continue direct me as I soar through the storms and blue sky under His wing.
What was the first market you queried and why did you choose that market?
Way back in 1984 I wrote a short story that my English professor read. She loved it, and encouraged me to submit it to a magazine. I honestly don't remember what magazine that would have been, but I do remember being rejected. At the time, I didn't realize rejection was a way of life for a writer. I just assumed it wasn't good enough. Looking back now, I laugh. The editor had kindly made suggestions on how to improve the story. Had I left my foolish pride behind and done so, my writing career may have started years earlier.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a writer and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
That foolish pride that so easily captivates me.
Last November I sat through some tremendous sermons during our church's home missions conference. The last sermon really stuck it to me about not marketing myself to minister to others. I had always said, "This is not about me; It's about God." Putting such a principle into action is very difficult because pride comes in, often disguised as humility. Oy. If only I had recognized that sooner.
I'm learning to, moment by moment, set thoughts of myself and my books aside, and focus on the message God has given me for my readers.
When I keep my focus on meeting the needs of my readers—the need for them to gain a closer relationship with God or even begin a relationship with God through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—then what I write can be used by God.
Truth is, I have no purpose in life if I'm not glorifying God. If I'm glorifying myself to make a sale, then I'm not doing anyone any good. The Apostle Paul had such a heart for people, for his disciples, that he was willing to die to get them the message, and he was willing to live to meet their needs. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain... Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Philippians 1:21,24 (KJV) I want to live with the same passion Paul had to serve the Lord and fellow Christians. Because of that passion, I no longer consider the need to pitch myself. I simply let the passion to share the Gospel, to teach, and to disciple govern how I interact with my readers and my potential readers.
How do you balance your life as a writer with your duties as a parent or spouse?
This is an ongoing battle and because of my task-oriented personality, a source of a great deal of stress. However, I've schooled myself to only work during the hours I've assigned to writing, and I make specific plans to spend time with my family.
I also do as much as I can to include my family in what I do. My husband has traveled with me to events. My children have sat through my readings and my signings. I count my eldest daughter my right hand girl.
However, last summer our new puppy taught me the greatest lesson. A puppy is like a baby and needs lots of attention. I would get so frustrated because the responsibility of carrying for Jasmine, our pup, fell to me—a very busy mother and writer. After many sleepless nights, a destroyed garden, not to mention toys, and a trainer's declaration that our pup was impossible, I finally reached the end of my coping ability. The dog was out of control and had sent my life into a fast spinning downward spiral. Well, that's when I surrendered the controls to God.
When I put my trust in Him, He pulled me out of the spin and set me back on course, this time with Him as the pilot. Control-freak Lynn got demoted and that was the best thing that ever happened to me (except getting saved, of course).
What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
I wish I knew! For me, I go to the Bible and pray. When I dig into God's Word, listen to His Holy Spirit, and worship Him through prayers and singing, I'm refreshed. New ideas come when I turn my focus back on Him.
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
Write what you are passionate about and don't write for the market.
This resonates with me because of my commitment to serve the Lord. If I'm writing only what people want to read (or hear) then the reader becomes my lord and not God. Keeping in mind that my passion must come from Him as He lays it out in His Word, helps me to shut out those who would tell me to write what the publishers want.
I had an agent for awhile. She was a wonderful lady who really believed in me. But I learned a big lesson when she asked me to write a romance novella for a specific publisher. I tried, but my heart isn't in romance writing. That experience taught me that romance is not my genre, even though I often have romantic elements in my work. This experience, as well as others, also taught me that my passion doesn't mesh well with the direction many CBA publishers are heading. What incredible freedom I experienced when I understood I did not need to travel down the road most Christian fiction authors take. Such a peace came when I discovered it was all right to be different.
What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a writer could do to destroy his/her career as a writer?
Leave God behind and live for yourself.
Your character, how you behave, reveals where your faith lies and to whom you are loyal. No one is perfect. We all do and say stupid things, but the consistency of your character comes through and you become known for what you believe. Few people will view a career in light of eternity. Many times a career seems only to last a few years. But in truth, what we do in our careers affects eternity, whether in our lives or the lives of others. If we could grasp the eternal consequences of our daily living, we would be concerned less about the immediate outcome of our actions and seek to provide for the eternal outcome of our lives. That eternal perspective will filter down to how we interact with people. Fifty years from now, what would you want such and such a person to say about how you behaved? When you die, what do you want people to say about how you lived? When you stand before the Great White Throne, what do you want read from the book of your works? If you care only about financial success or fame, then sure, cater to the world and scheme to build a career based on what the world wants. But if you care about how your career affects eternity, then draw closer to God and let Him govern it.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
My latest book, "Joab's Fire", is both a short novel and a Bible study based on the book of Job. Here's the back cover copy:
Joab Black and his wife Sarah overcame the worst of pioneer hardships in order to establish a prosperous farm in Alberta, Canada. But those challenges never prepared them for the tragedy they now faced—a staggering loss and intense pain causing them to doubt everything they had ever believed. In the midst of their sorrow, even their closest friends interpret their sufferings as a result of God’s judgment. Has God abandoned them?
Sergeant Dixon, the local North West Mounted Police officer, investigates the events leading to the Blacks’ plight. While his work gives them a ray of hope, his probing into the activities of a certain stranger possibly connected to the case may cost him his job and even his life.
Inspired by the Biblical book of Job, this novel includes a Bible study exploring the perfection of God’s plan and the bounty of His love even in the most inexplicable and intense sufferings.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I love Job. I've loved it ever since the night I sat by the toilet vomiting and wondering why God let me have these wretched allergies and chemical sensitivities. That night, back in 1985, God told me to read Job. What an incredible source of comfort.
I was attending the University of Lethbridge at the time and had become so sick that I couldn't complete the year. For several years after that I struggled to live a normal life under an immunity illness that separated me from others. Then a doctor at the University of Saskatchewan put me on an experimental program that God used to heal me.
The drugs in that program are not available anymore as they were too risky. However, I believe God gave me a reprieve from my allergies so that I could serve Him in various places. When my third child was born, the allergies returned, though not as severe as they were back in the 80's and 90's. Now I see these allergies as a blessing...a continual reminder of God's provision and as a way to keep me from eating myself into oblivion (I love food).
When I began planning "Joab's Fire", I knew I wanted to base it on the book of Job. I wanted others to know the comfort I found from reading that book. I also love history, and I am very proud of my Albertan heritage. These played into choosing the setting. I never really expected "Joab's Fire" to be published. I actually used it as a way to practice writing techniques. Since I never intended to publish it, I started to post it on my blog for Fiction Friday.
Then a discussion with friends led me to consider writing Bible study questions to accompany it. I started receiving emails from people who were touched by the story. That's when I considered publication. Was it possible that God would use it? After much prayer, I reworked it, included Bible study questions for each chapter, and voila, I have "Joab's Fire".
What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?
Overcoming my insecurities, which kept telling me the story isn't good enough.
Perhaps it will never hit the bestsellers list, but when I realized that it might help someone understand God's plan and God's love, I determined to press on. If even one person finds God's faithfulness and love through my words, that would be a greater reward than the sale of a million copies or fame. If one person came to understand how she can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ and humbled herself to proclaim Jesus as Lord of her life, then every bit of effort in creating this book would be worth it. Eternity is at stake here. Kill my pride. The message of God's plan of salvation, of how God provides shelter in even your darkest hour, is far greater than whether my story is considered a literary work of art or a literary success.
Did you have to do any special research for your book?
Besides the obvious in-depth study of Job and Scripture, I spent time researching the history surrounding the notorious character of Louis Riel.
This man has been lauded as both a hero and a traitor in Canadian history (depending on how you want to interpret history). My main character, Sergeant Dixon, viewed him as a traitor because Louis Riel Dixon was present at the Duck Lake Massacre where, in real history, many volunteers and North West Mounted Police officers lost their lives at the hands of Louis Riel's men. But the book isn't set there.
It is set where my hometown, Arrowwood, Alberta, now exists. At the time of the book, Arrowwood did not exist. The land was a part of the Blackfoot Indian Reserve. So I created a fictitious town, Surbank, to be in the approximate location, near the Blackfoot Indian Reserve. Since this is where I grew up, I used my memories and pictures of landscape, buildings, etc. I also relied on my grandparents' memoirs and other local history books. My mother and father discussed with me various aspects in order to keep it true to the culture of the time and location.
If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?
That someone would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yup, that takes me back to that preachy fiction bit. The naysayers of the Christian fiction world would tell me this was foolish, but God gave us the great commission. I'd better obey God rather than man. I believe the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts and calls a person. Not man. If He chooses to use my words, than I count it an honor and a privilege. I'm merely the messenger. I'll let God take care of the rest.
What’s ahead for your writing?
I have several books lined up to begin the publishing process. Some of these are novels in which I will be including Bible Studies in much the same manner as "Joab's Fire". Some of these are small booklets of short story and devotional collections. I plan to publish at least one book a year, more if the Lord allows.
I don't know about you, but one thing I HATED when my kids were little was the fact that no sooner had I bought them a new wardrobe, were they already outgrowing it!
Now... thanks to MiMi Bug Artful Wear, that is going to be a thing of the past!
They've just designed and created a new clothing line that's sure to get little girls, everywhere, excited...wrap around, adjustable skirts that can be decorated over and over again.
And I must say, having seen the product first hand, that it's a brilliant idea! The materials is sturdy enough to withstand playtime, dress-up time, and imaginative play as young girls weave new looks and snap on new buttons to create looks that coordinate with any top, shoe, accessory, or event.
The Skirt kit comes with 1 wrap around skirt with 2 adjustable sizes, 1 character button, 2 heart buttons, 2 ribbons, and a booklet filled with stories and ideas.
Then you can purchase add-on kits to add new ribbons and buttons, making the design process all the more fun!
You can order a kit for the little girl in your life by visiting MimiBug.com. Enter The "MiMiBug2011" to receive a discount. The skirt kit runs $29 and the add-on kits run $13.
Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary sample to review. Photos compliments of Mimi Bug Artful Wear.
Judith Marshall is a third-generation native Californian. After leaving a successful career in corporate America as a human resources executive, her lifelong dream of writing fiction was realized with the release of "Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever", winner of the Jack London Prize awarded by the California Writers Club. The book was recently optioned for the big screen.
What was your path towards publication like?
Rocky and full of fits and starts. When I won the Jack London Prize awarded by the California Writers Club in 2004, I thought I was on my way. I purchased "Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents" and began querying agents. After more than 200 rejections over five years, I decided to independently publish the book in 2009.
What was the first market you queried and why did you choose that market?
Agents that represent women’s fiction.
How do you balance your life as a writer with your duties as a parent or spouse?
I treat writing as my job. I get up every morning and go to my office. I spend at least two to three hours each day promoting my book, before I turn to writing the first draft of my third novel, “Bitter Acres". My husband is very supportive and understands my commitment.
What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
Writer’s block can strike at any time. If you’re stuck in the middle of a novel, you can write a scene that comes later.
Another tactic I use is to review my list of “leftovers.” When I cut a scene, paragraph, or sentence from a manuscript, I paste it to my leftovers document for possible use later. You’d be surprised how often re-reading something on the list will trigger a spurt of creativity. Another thing that can help is to banish your inner critics; you know, the ones that tell you what you’re writing is crap!
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
When I first decided to write, I consulted a good friend who is a successful author and asked what I should do. Should I take a course on creative writing? Should I attend a writing workshop? My friend said, “just sit down and write.” That was the best advice for me because later, when I began to learn the craft of writing, I realized that if I had known how little I knew about writing a novel, I probably would have been too intimidated to even attempt it.
What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a writer could do to destroy his/her career as a writer?
First, not being willing to send the work out into the world. Second, not being willing to promote it once it’s out there. P.T. Barnum once said, “Without promotion, something terrible will happen. Nothing.”
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
“Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever”, takes place in Northern California in the spring of 2000, when the dot-com boom was at its peak. Elizabeth Reilly-Hayden is a successful executive in her late fifties and a divorced mother of two. Emotionally armored and living alone, she wants only to maintain the status quo: her long-term significant other, her job, and her trusted friends—five feisty women whose high school friendship has carried them through multiple marriages, dramatic divorces, and maddening menopause. Yet in a matter of days, the three anchors that have kept her moored are ripped away.
The group of lifelong pals gathers at Lake Tahoe to attend to the funeral arrangements of their beloved friend, and tries to unravel the mystery of her death. Through their shared tragedy, Liz learns how disappointment and grief can bloom into healing and hope.
If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?
I’d love for the movie option to be sold.
What’s ahead for your writing?
I’ve just finished my second novel, “Staying Afloat,” the story of a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother who morphs into a sex-starved adulteress.
Visit Judith Marshall at http://www.judithmarshall.net
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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.
For more articles geared towards authors and writers, check out DM's Writing Center.
Rosemarie Ashley, a.k.a. 'tude Vox Ro, is an outspoken recording artist, making music to help every day people succeed by combining captivating sound with thought provoking words in an eclectic mix of life changing songs. Ro's brand of Sassy Alternative Music has powerful instrumentation and a passionate deliver of relevant songs to motivate and inspire listeners.
When did you realize you wanted to be a professional musician?
Becoming a professional singer was my dream as a child. I can't remember a time before I was passionate about singing. In fact, my mom told me a story about the first time I sang…
I was an infant, sitting on my grandma's lap when she taught me the song "Happy Talk" from "South Pacific". I couldn't even speak but I got very excited "singing" along with her.
As a young girl, my grandparents took me to see the movie "Jesus Christ Superstar". I wasn't thrilled about going to church or the hymns we sang, but watching this show was a spiritual experience. I connected with the character Mary, of Magdalene. I could feel her passion and immediately, I wanted to play that role. I absolutely loved the show with the rock music, cool dancing and impassioned delivery.
My mom had a copy of the double album and I learned every word. I sang every song over and over in my room after school and dreamed about some day being on stage singing "I don't know how to love him, what to do, how to move him...".
In third grade, my teacher encouraged us to develop an act to perform in the talent show. I didn't know of any particular talent I had so she asked, "What do you love most to do?"
"Singing!" was my immediate reply.
She suggested I prepare a couple of songs to sing.
That was the first time I performed in front of strangers. After that, my confidence grew, I participated in the school choir throughout the years and eventually was invited to sing solo's in the concerts. In my junior year, I was cast in the musical "Godspell", which had a similar effect on me as watching "Superstar". I was in other musicals, but none moved me like that one.
By the time I was entering high school, my father convinced me that "it is very hard to make a living as a singer. You can always sing but it is best for you to go to college and get a job to fall back on".
I buried my desire to be a professional musician for decades, got advanced business degrees and became a successful professional. My business career started in Management and Training Consulting. The 5 day a week travel was grueling so I found local work as an Employee Development Trainer in the mortgage division of a local bank. I really enjoyed training people about the company as well as how to communicate more effectively.
In one of my projects, I met many sales people who all encouraged me to originate residential mortgages. "You'd be great!" they said. Another project put me in a coaching position for the senior managers of sales who felt the same way. My intuition told me to take the leap of faith from a comfortable salary to straight commission.
I did very well by providing exceptional, honest and efficient service, empowering consumers to make wise financial decisions. Although I planned to spend "a couple of years in the field" before returning to corporate life, I enjoyed my work, earned a great living and made friends with professional associates.
I also met my husband and we partnered to eventually open our own office. He hired Shane Capone, a local rapper who later introduced me to my producer/engineer, Scott Sumner. Scott mentored me and gave my work the professional edge I needed to turn it into a career. I began making music in 2004 while I was still working a day job. I closed my mortgage origination office in 2008 and decided to finally get back into Training; at the beginning of the "great recession".
The idea of becoming a professional musician didn't return until a couple of years ago after realizing that the job market in Metro-Detroit was going to take awhile to resuscitate.
That's when I saw this economic crisis as an opportunity to launch my career. It's as if the universe is intentionally giving me the time and inspiration to walk my talk while contributing to the transformation of human consciousness. I opened my mind to creating a new model of success in music. While conventional models require extensive touring or being signed by a big label to sell CDs and merchandise, the business is changing. The internet opened the possibility to collaborate and distribute music globally.
Instead of starting with a band, I started with a concept. The inspiration I felt in "Godspell", "Jesus Christ Superstar" and singing songs that had personal meaning for me led me to understand what I loved most about singing: Uplifting people through spiritual, not religious songs with popular music.
That's when I started researching the power of music to shape thought and incite action. I put that together with my lifelong interest in personal growth and consciousness evolution.
My first song "Heaven On Earth" was surprisingly inspired. Before that, I didn't realize I could write or compose songs. My brand of music for personal growth and global transformation addresses real life emotions, even the politically incorrect ones, and resolves to leave the listener feeling empowered to affect their own lives, society and the world.
How long was it from the time you decided to be a professional musician to the time you got your first paid gig as a musician?
My first paid gig came before my decision to go professional.
I sang as a hobby because I love singing and performing. Friends and family asked me to sing at weddings and parties. I sang in contests and talent shows. Any money I received was icing on the cake. One memorable event was at an outdoor community festival. A fellow singer and I joined together to sing popular love songs. Although he and I never dated, we were both passionate about singing, our voices blended well together and we performed because we loved it. I don't remember what song we sang for that particular contest but I remember it was a windy, sunny summer day. He was wearing a suit, I was wearing a flowing gown. We had to stand in such a way that the wind wouldn't interfere with the microphones. It was hot and if we had not been performing, we would have been seriously overdressed for the occasion. As usual when we performed, the audience was transported into a romantic scene of bliss. They stood up and cheered. Their response demonstrated that we captivated their hearts. The love shared by the audience was payment enough for the hours of rehearsal. When we won first prize, we were surprised and ecstatic. In that moment, we knew we were doing exactly what we were supposed to be doing.
The Internet and home studios opened opportunities for creatively inclined people to produce original work, regardless of their level of talent. On one hand, that's great for expanding entertainment options but on another hand, with free music being widely available, it's difficult for the artist to gain sufficient attention to earn a living.
Every time someone buys a download or CD, I do a happy dance.
My first significant paid gig surprised me. I was led to a play writer in Los Angeles who has produced successful plays before. For this one designed for children, he wanted to include music. He had some melodies and lyrics in his head but needed structure, purpose and meaning. I told him about web cam conferences and we scheduled face to face meetings. I accepted a coaching role to help him pull his great ideas together, contribute to the lyrics and record vocals for the demonstration tape. He was excited to move his project forward and grateful for my help. I was grateful and thanked him thinking "Wow, I get paid to do this?"
What was the most difficult aspect of getting started as a paid musician?
Asking for money to do what I love was the most difficult aspect of being a paid musician. Like many people, I was programmed to believe work is something we have to do. Some people enjoy their job but usually it's not what they love most to do. Artists generally get a world of satisfaction by having people notice them, appreciate their work and share with their friends. Since music has always been a hobby, something I'd do whether or not I got paid, I was reluctant to ask for money.
Originally, I intended to organize a volunteer community program, gathering like-minded people who love what they do so much, they will do it for free. When the group didn't manifest as I envisioned, I launched my own company. I intended to produce and distribute music free, then income from my day job started decreasing.
One day my husband confronted me about the altruistic nature of my work. He pointed out that it costs money to make music and to live and said "Your music is great. Why would you give away a marketable product?"
He was right.
Not only do I produce quality music and visual entertainment, I have a product that changes the way people think about entertainment and empowers them to improve. There is real value to listeners. There are seminars and workshops for personal growth that charge for attendance. They sell CDs, DVDs, books and tee-shirts. Musicians get paid for performing. My engineer/producer charges me for studio time. After thinking about music in the mindset of a business professional and acknowledging how my work affects listeners, I realized I was short-changing myself. I was also short-changing listeners because in this world, I can't create and distribute music without earning a living.
How did you get started recording music professionally?
That was a process of Divine Intervention that started long before my music career. Looking back, I see my decision to move into commission sales as the first step. Then I met my husband and partnered with him. Due to our combined effort, we opened our own office. Then he hired Shane. My husband was impressed because he had the entrepreneurial spirit and ability to produce an album on his own in his 20's. Since we became friends, even though he quit to record an album with a major label in LA, he answered my call for guidance when I wrote my first song.
I was inspired to write my first song by a heated debate with a member of a group informally called "Heaven On Earth". I organized it to create spiritual but not religious community musicals. One guy asked "What would you think about using the word 'God' in the lyrics?". I answered "I'd use it sparingly, if at all because it limits our audience and every religion has music. It's been done and I want to do something different".
The discussion escalated from there. The next morning, I woke up with words in my head that repeated until I wrote them down. "Heaven on Earth. Can it really be true? I only know it's up to me and you". Forty-five minutes later, I had a poem I knew was a song. I invited composers to write music to it but after many attempts, it didn't happen. I gave up on the idea. Then months later, a melody popped up in my head. I intuitively knew it was for "Heaven on Earth". I grabbed a recorder and started singing. Sometime after that, with no instrumental training, I composed it on a keyboard that had pre-programmed styles.
I called Shane and invited him over to listen to the song. When he arrived, I read the song. He said "That is a nice poem but it wouldn't make a good song." I insisted "Poems make good songs!". "Not that one" he replied. Then I played the music I recorded on my keyboard and sang along. He said "You need studio time". I gave him the phone saying "Call your guy". He called but Scott was busy and probably not interested in working with a newbie.
A couple of weeks later, I called Shane to check on the status of my request. He called him again and Scott suggested I come to one of Shane's sessions. I guess Scott took a liking to me and when the session was over I asked "How do I get studio time?" He opened his book and scheduled an appointment. That was the beginning of a strong professional relationship that has helped me learn and grow as an artist.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a musician and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
We're taught not to brag on ourselves. I have many years of experience in Sales and Marketing, pitching a product or service. Although I realize that the reason people wanted to do business with me wasn't just the product my employer offered but also because of me, I pitched the product.
Since my work in music is personal to me, from my heart and soul, I felt like pitching "my" music was bragging on myself. The way I overcame that obstacle was to look it as a business. I have a Master's degree in Business and that taught me to look at return on investment. I've always given service from my heart and provided more than the customer expected. So applying that to music, I charge for my time and expense but put my heart and soul into the work.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest album?
“From Primal to Divine” expresses struggles and joys encountered on a journey of personal growth and awareness, toward enlightenment. It has a nice range of beats that help move listeners through various, honest emotions. It's empowering.
If someone were listening to you for the first time, what song, on your album, would you recommend they listen to?
That usually depends on how people answer the question "What type of music do you like?"
For those who say "I like all types of music", I suggest they listen to "Until the Bliss". That song is in a spoken-word/Alternative Rock style introducing 'tude Vox Ro. There are two templates for selling anything. The first is to figure out what people are buying and sell it to them.
The second is to figure out what your heart is telling you to do and do it - a kind of "Build it and they will come" philosophy. That's what "From Primal to Divine" is based in. Some musicians are into spirituality. Other musicians are into sex, relationships, dance beats, or activism. I'm into it all in moderation, for a balanced life. "Until the Bliss" shows the 'tude behind the Vox.
What are you hoping to accomplish with this album?
I am part of a growing movement to help people wake up and understand that what we are taught in school, through mass distribution and centrally owned media is what controllers of capital want us to believe, fooling us into making choices and taking action that correspond with structured objectives.
This limits us from creating world peace, abundance and individual creativity.
The masses are encouraged to separate into sides, believing their side is "right" and everyone else is "wrong". In truth, we every day people have more in common than different. That goes for religion, political parties, ethnic groups, socio-economic class, employee classifications and every other group you can imagine.
We can right every wrong on the planet by looking deeper into ourselves, resolve buried emotional turmoil and stepping into our divine light. This album is about getting in touch with our commonalities to create tolerance, unity, peace, love and empowerment through right action.
How do you balance your life as a musician with your duties as a parent or spouse?
Just like anyone working diligently, balance takes intentional time for relaxation, family activities and enjoyment. My husband and I have been business partners. He is now the Director of Sales for my record company, Gen-Ray Records. We spend 8 - 10 hours a day, every day working toward our goals. When you work with a spouse, social activities all seem to sprout from business. This gives a false sense of spending quality time together. We end up burned out, tired, ornery. So we sat down to discuss the situation, agreeing to carve out time we don't think we have available to hang out together every week. That doesn't include shopping for groceries or household necessities. That doesn't include business functions. We go to the park, community events, the movies, museums and visit friends.
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received when it comes to writing lyrics?
There's not a "right" way to do it.
Sometimes I start with an event or emotion, creating a poem to express my feelings. Other times, I start with music and listen to emotions it communicates. Sometimes I have hard rhymes in predictable patterns. Other times I throw in an unusual rhyme scheme. Sometimes I don't rhyme. The key is to open the mind and heart to hear inspiration, and allow the work to be a reflection of that inner voice we can only hear when we're peaceful. I can't force it to happen - well I can but it doesn't come out as well. When I get stuck, I take a break. Sometimes I put a song aside for months and work on something else. Sometimes I take a break on song writing to produce videos. Sometimes I divert my attention toward communicating with listeners and growing my base. When I get back to song-writing, I return with a refreshed outlook and revitalized approach.
What influences the type of music you write?
My life experience influences the songs I write.
I write about what is important to me. Since I was 10 years old, I've been interested in personal growth and spirituality. My spiritual development started at Unity Church, learning creative visualization, self hypnosis and personal responsibility. At that time, Unity didn't have any cool music but I went to Catholic church too. My dad was the Music Director and one church had a guitar mass that played contemporary music. I enjoyed that a lot. My experience in the musicals "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" moved that enthusiasts to a new level. But since I've never been connected with traditional church, I knew I had to invent a new way to spread spiritual messages that relate to everyone, not just religious people.
My work is about the transformation of human consciousness. I knew my life purpose had something to do with ushering in this pivotal point in history ever since I was about twelve years old. I didn't learn how to do it until about nine years ago. My mission is to affect the intentional selection of entertainment as a tool for personal growth and global transformation. My passionate interest in co-creating a better world influences the work I do.
What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a musician could do to destroy his/her career?
Sell their soul for fame and the illusion of financial stability.
Everyone needs to understand that the only reason anyone is going to give you money is so they can make more from the investment. That's called exploitation and absolutely necessary for capitalism to thrive. But when people approach you with bright shiny dollar signs, figure out what is in it for them.
With the changes going on in the music industry today, big business finds it more difficult to continue making big profits in the traditional formats. Seemingly small, independent artist sites are often financed by big labels, capitalizing on the hopes and dreams of artists. Promoters guarantee you nothing but demand money saying "We need to get paid for our time". True, but so do you.
Figure out what they will do for you - and there are legitimate services that help distribute your music - but treat it like a business. What will by your return on investment?
Then, READ YOUR CONTRACTS.
You don't have to be an attorney to understand something isn't right. Many contracts/agreements want you to give up ownership rights to your songs for the opportunity to be promoted by them. Many contracts are one sided, automatically renew every year promising you only to be listed on their website but securing your commitment to give them a piece of your action, whether or not they contributed to your success.
When you get to the point of being sought after, approach every offer with a critical eye.
Find out what they are promising and what you have to give in return. How many hours a week are you under their control? How much creative and production freedom do you maintain? What are their marketing plans for your work? Do they want to turn you into a formatted drone or support the creative edge you've established? Who makes the majority of money from your work? How much control do you have over expenses that you, the artist ultimately pays?
Think about what you love about music and make sure every agreement you make furthers YOUR objective.
What do you think music offers to the world, as a whole?
Music transports people anywhere they want to go. Music is a portal to the past and future while being fully present in the now. It transcends space-time. Music brings people together, shapes thought, incites action. Music activates the mind, body and spirit. Music gives humanity a way to express inner emotions, connect with others and celebrate all the aspects of life. Music changes the vibrational frequency of people and therefore, the planet. Music is a universal language of sound energy and changes moods, hearts and minds.
What’s ahead for your music?
I've released 8 new songs since my album and continue working with fantastic composers locally and internationally. In addition, I've been getting more inquiries about custom designed songs to be used by independent film and documentary makers, organizations and causes to help them better connect with the audience, solidify lessons, develop group cohesion and encourage positive action.
With more people actively exposing the wrongs of the world and intentionally creating peace and abundance for everyone, I see myself performing live with speakers and personal growth experts at seminars and special engagements. My music career has been a series of seemingly unrelated steps that have proven to be more rewarding than I ever imagined. I continue to keep myself open for new opportunities to emerge from the most unexpected places.
Scott Thomas Nicol spends his days working in the building and construction industry as a commercial general contractor and his spare time writing entertaining and educational stories for your children. He enjoys the creativity of putting words together to create stories that bring joy to others.
What was your path towards publication like?
Publication was about a two year process for me. I sent my story, with a marketing illustration (that became the cover for my first book), to numerous children's book publishers. Many didn't even bother to send rejection letters.
Then, I got a phone call from my mother telling me about a teacher in Tampa, Florida who gives his classes an assignment to write a story, package it up with marketing items, research publishers for their type of story, and send it to three of these publishers. A publisher in Texas, Creative House Press, received a story from one of the kids and liked it so much they sent a contract to publish it as a children's book.
I figured I couldn't lose, so I sent them my story and illustration. They loved it....I got a contract....and the rest is history.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a writer and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
My first, biggest obstacle was finding a literary agent. I could not get anyone to respond to me....at all.
I almost gave up the dream of being published because of this, but I knew I had a great story concept. I just needed someone to recognize it. So, I decided to forego that route and try to find someone willing to publish the stories without an agent. After that, the biggest obstacle was finding THAT publisher.
How do you balance your life as a writer with your duties as a parent or spouse?
Writing doesn't take up a whole lot of time for me. I spend the most time with the outline. The rest just flows out. My children are between the ages of 13 and 19, so they are self-sustaining. And anything that I need to do for them, I obviously take care of when the situation arises. My wife works full-time, so I try to write when she is not home. That way when we are both off of work we can spend time together.
What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
Walk away from the story for a while. I find it is most helpful when part of the story doesn't seem to flow right. As a writer, you are always so close to the product. Stepping back is the best way to separate yourself and get a fresh perspective.
What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a writer could do to destroy his/her career as a writer?
Get drunk and run around naked with a lamp shade on your head....in public. Oh wait....I think that actually worked as a positive for some people. Surely, I jest.
I think the biggest thing is to keep plugging away. Don't get discouraged when the first, or second, or third publisher doesn't respond positively to your story. There will be someone out there wanting to make sure your story is heard.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
My book is about a young country veterinarian, named Dr. Jim, who has a special stethoscope that can help him to "hear" the thoughts of his animal patients. The first book, "Dr. Jim & the Special Stethoscope", is an introduction to this character and story concept.
The second book, "Dr. Jim & the Polestock Pest", due to be released this fall, is another adventure for Dr. Jim as the people of Polestock are confronted with nightly noises caused by the town's woodland creatures. Our famous vet is called upon to find out the cause of these noises and, just maybe, solve two problems with one house call.
The third book, "Dr. Jim & the Glorious Gift", is a Dr. Jim backstory....how he got the stethoscope, etc.
All of the books have a section in the back, called "Dr. Jim's Word Corner", which takes some of the bigger, harder to understand words in the story and defines them. This can be used by children/parents/teachers as a learning tool. The stories are also written in rhyme. And the illustrations are wonderfully done by my brother-in-law.
If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?
I love that my first book is well received and that the feedback is tremendous. It is bringing smiles to children's (and some parents') faces. My friends' children have been taking their copy of the book to school and talking about how their moms or dads know an author. I love to hear that! In fact, my friend's daughter loved reading the first two stories so much, it inspired her to create a photo book about the birth of a goat (they own three....now four....goats) during a snow storm. It's wonderful to hear. I also believe that this story concept would make for a great animated feature film.
What’s ahead for your writing?
Continuing the Dr. Jim Stories series. I have outlines for four more books. I am also writing a story for my brother-in-law based on a concept he had rattling around in his head. I am constantly working to make sure my books get into as many children's hands as possible.
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in the country? What about on a farm? Well, thanks to "The Adventures of Jimmy and Charlie" you can wonder no more... Jimmy and Charlie are orphaned cats who discover life can be a wonderful adventure when you live on a farm.
The book is 65 pages and intended for young readers. There are black and white drawings to help the story move along and some real life photos of Jimmy and Charlie as they lounge around the house or wonder why they're being detained by the humans.
It really is a cute little story and one your toddlers and young readers will enjoy.
You can order a copy at Amazon.com for just $8, or check to see if your local library has a copy.
Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of this book to review.
Melissa Peacock jokingly calls herself the "Wielder of Watercolor". Though she struggles with the negativity prestigious artists have over artists who don't paint realism, she has discovered that her greatest talent lies not in her ever-growing self-esteem but in her ability to have fun with art… to create art with passion, to create art that brings out the best in the herself and the world around her.
Anne Morgan is the author of seven children's books and one full-length collection of poetry. She has a PhD in Writing and a Master of Education degree and teaches children's writing for the Tasmanian Writers Centre and assesses manuscripts.
How did you get started writing professionally?
In 1995 I was working in the Australian Public Service when one of the managers of my department commended me on a report I had written. He asked me to write a few reports for him, and I was happy to do that. When the temporary job of state journalist came up, I applied and was successful. I worked in education and journalism in a few government departments, before taking a redundancy in 1998 I have been writing, nearly on a daily basis, since then.
What was your path towards publication like?
A number of my early rejection letters contained encouraging words from publishers… just enough to keep me writing and submitting for publication.
There was a time in the late 90s when I wished that publishers would stop encouraging me so I could accept that I had no talent and give up writing, but giving up is not integral to my personality.
My breakthrough came in 1999, when my first children's picture book, "The Glow Worm Cave", was published by Aboriginal Studies Press. It was the fifth children's manuscript I had written.
What was the first market you queried and why did you choose that market?
My first, and still unpublished, children's story was about a rare Australian animal called a platypus, which has many characteristics of a mammal, yet it has a bill like a duck and lays eggs. The story was set in the forest on the slopes of Mount Wellington, close to where my family was living at the time. Because of its subject matter and setting, I decided it would be of more interest to local, rather than international, publishers.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a writer and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
There are many good Australia writers, and competition for places on commercial publishing lists in this country is fierce. My supply of manuscript outstrips demand, so I am now approaching overseas publishers, as well as publishers in Australia.
How do you balance your life as a writer with your duties as a parent or spouse?
Balancing writing and family life is not a problem now that I am in my fifties and my young adult son is living in Western Australia. But my early years of writing were fraught with the conflicting demands of working to support my family, and devoting time to my children as well as to my writing.
What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
Blank notebooks and computer screens are the least inspiring objects in the world. Get some exercise. This will get oxygen flowing through your brain. Chances are, that oxygen will be charged with inspiration.
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
It takes at least ten years to become an overnight success.
What is your advice to new writers?
Put yourself on the other side of the publisher's desk.
Publishers can receive hundreds of unsolicited manuscripts in a month, and have no extra time or financial resources to read and assess these manuscripts. Because publishing is a business, not a charity, publishers will naturally go for authors with a proven sales record. For an unsolicited manuscript to be picked up, it must, metaphorically speaking, leap out of the slush pile and turn somersaults under a publisher's nose.
Remember to be patient and to keep refining your work. The universe does not owe you a book contract, or a living as a writer. View writing as a hobby you write because you want to, because you have to, because it makes you feel good. But don't expect instant remuneration from your writing.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
"The Sky Dreamer" is a sad, tender and achingly beautiful picture story about a young boy, Liam, whose big sister Cassie has just died.
Liam's world has turned grey, and he stares out the window, watching clouds crossing the wintry sky, hoping that Cassie is out there somewhere. The night before Liam's birthday, Cassie sails a boat, the Sky Dreamer, through the night sky and drops anchor in a silver ghost gum tree. She calls out to Liam to climb aboard, and he does. Cassie is sewing a birthday present for him, but she will not tell him what it is until he learns to sail the Sky Dreamer. Liam takes the wheel. But can he keep holding the wheel the challenges ahead, as the Sky Dreamer sails through the dizzying expanse of the Milky Way?
This is the saddest book I ever had to write, for I would never have written it if my gorgeous daughter, Miranda, had not died in a car accident in 2006, a week after her eighteenth birthday. In many ways, Liam's journey through grief, from desolation, despair, depression and passivity, through to taking control of his life and learning to see color in the world again, largely parallels my own psychological journey. The pain of Miranda's loss will never leave me, but the only way I can make meaning of her life is to choose to experience her joy in the beauties of this world.
What do you hope to achieve with this book?
I hope to give consolation to children and adults who are grieving and try to help bring color to their world again.
What's ahead for your writing?
My New Year's resolution for 2011 was no new manuscripts until I finished my old manuscripts. I broke that in February by writing two new picture books in one weekend, but I am refusing to feel guilty about that. I am currently reworking my PhD novel for submission to publishers, and then to work on some children's novels I put aside some time ago while I worked on other projects. I'll have to live until a grand old age to see the publication of all the projects I have planned in children's, young adult and adult literature, as well as in poetry.
I will be the first to admit that I typically scan recipe books and select recipes based upon photos. If the photo of the dish looks appetizing, then I want to try the recipe. If it doesn't appeal to me, I'll never try the recipe. And if you give me a recipe book filled solely with text, there's a 99% chance that you'll have a hard time convincing me to try a recipe.
So when The Lazy Gourmet: Magnificent Meals Made Easy, by Robin Donovan and Juliana Gallin, arrived on my doorsteps without any photographs of the meals inside, I was a little disappointed to say the least.
"How am I going to know what the meal is supposed to look like when done if I don't have an image to compare it to? And better yet, how am I supposed to be enticed to try the recipe without a photograph?" I asked my husband.
Still, I had made a promise to review the book so I set out to give it my undivided and unbiased opinion.
I started out with the introduction, which basically told the story of how the authors met and how one author was a natural in the kitchen where the other had to work at it a bit.
It read like a personal essay and held my interest so I felt a bit more intrigued to delve deeper into the book.
I headed over to "The Basics" section where I discovered some AWESOME tips on stocking my pantry, understanding the relevance of quantities in recipes, what al dente really means, what salt really does to a recipe, and the 8 tools every kitchen should not be without.
I think what I really loved about this section is that the authors didn't dumb down the information and they didn't speak over my head. It was as though I were sitting at the kitchen table with my mother (or a dear, dear, friend), learning her secrets… discovering what ingredients were key and why.
If the whole book had been written like this, I would've been in heaven!
My mother wasn't a fan of having anyone in the kitchen with her when she cooked so I never really learned to cook. And though my husband has purchased several "how-to" cooking books, they're often so dry and boring that I could never wrap my ahead around what the authors were trying to teach.
But here, Robin and Juliana did an excellent job of engaging the reader… of educating and entertaining at the same time.
As for the 125 recipes, I still wish there were photos. I had a hard time selecting recipes to try without the photos.
That being said, I liked the layout of the recipes a lot. They were easy to follow and flowed from beginning to end. There was a brief introduction, an ingredient list, then the steps necessary to make the recipe, including a "make ahead", "serve it with", and "change it up" section.
Two recipes you must try are the "Spicy Crab Cakes" (made inside a muffin tin) and the "Banana Bread Pudding Foster".
Though John M. Sharpe made a comfortable living as an advertising writer and executive, he was a late bloomer in terms of becoming a novelist. He sold his first novel, "One Step From Hell", to Avalon Press, at the age of 79…then his second novel at the age of 80—showing the world that you're never too old to follow your dreams.
How did you get started writing professionally?
The first writing I ever got paid for was as a junior copywriter in the ad department of a pharmaceutical company in New York. This led to a series of increasingly lucrative jobs of a similar nature until I finally started my own advertising agency in Los Angeles.
During the 10 years I had my own business I segued out of advertising copy and into freelance non-fiction and ultimately to fiction.
During the early years of fiction writing I concentrated mostly on screenplays (like everyone else in Los Angeles). I tried my hand at a couple of short stories but never got them to the point where I would even consider trying to submit them to a publisher. (I guess I'm just too long winded.)
What was your path towards publication like?
Slow. In the beginning my path to publication meant trying to sell a spec screenplay, while living and running my own small advertising agency, in Los Angeles. Over a period of about 10 years I wrote 12 feature-length scripts and three or four one-hour TV scripts...all on spec. During that time four of the scripts were optioned by various production companies but nothing ever got produced. In each case some money changed hands so it was not a complete bust.
Back during those years when I was writing scripts that nobody wanted to buy, I figured what the hey, my screenplays aren't going anywhere so maybe I should write a novel. I certainly couldn't be any less successful than I was already. So I wrote a novel. Two of them in fact. I'm still trying to sell them.
But actually, it was the screenplays that turned out to be part of my path to publication. I had written a couple of period westerns in a time when Hollywood had pretty much turned against westerns but there seemed to still be a pretty good market for western novels––anything from longer Larry McMurtry style to shorter Louis L'Amour type stuff.
So I thought, "Why not adapt a couple of screenplays to novels?"
The plots were all worked out and the characters were in place, so all they needed was to fill in a lot of descriptive detail that normally isn't found in a screenplay. I knocked out the novels in fairly short order and started looking for a publisher. Then I stumbled on Avalon Books.
For a change, someone was looking for the kind of books I was writing. So there I was––a 79-year old overnight success.
What was the first market you queried and why did you choose that market?
I don't remember the first one. (It was probably before they had moveable type.) As for selling my novels, I went on the Internet and tried to find publisher who would be a good fit. I queried and/or submitted to several publishers of westerns before I discovered Avalon.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a writer and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
One problem is (was) that I'm not a very pushy guy.
When I was trying to pitch my screenplays I really didn't enjoy making those phone calls and saying "Hi, I'm John Sharpe and I'm a screenwriter and have I got a script for you." (Not really, but something like that.)
Most of the time the development person I was talking to was very nice, even if he or she didn't want to see my script, and I'd tell myself that wasn't so bad. But then I'd have to force myself to make that next call. I never did understand what my hang up was. I never "got over" whatever it was, I just forced myself to do it time after time.
When it came to pitching my novels it was quite easy and painless because it was, for the most part, done by mail. The biggest "obstacle" was the interminable waiting to get a reply. I think the way most writers overcome that is to make your submission then forget about it and concentrate on whatever you're writing next.
Aside from magazine articles and book contracts, how can someone earn money writing?
I have made far more money over the years as a freelance copywriter than I have (or ever will ) made from books or articles. As I use the term "freelance copywriter" it covers a lot of ground (or a multitude of sins for those who don't like advertising). I'm not referring to just writing ads or that kind of thing.
One of my most personally rewarding jobs, and reasonably well paying, was writing appeal letters (over several years) for a major national food bank charity. To know that words that you wrote moved someone to donate money that would help a poor child or family avoid hunger was one of the greatest sources of satisfaction in my life. Of course I had no trouble with writing "hard sell" advertising. It paid a lot of bills in the Sharpe household.
When I segued out of the advertising agency business and into freelancing, I was lucky enough to maintain many of the contacts I had and they became freelance clients. I have been out of the marketplace for a long time but I would suggest to anyone who may be interested to contact their local ad agencies. Many of course have full time copywriters, but others use freelancers at various times and it's a good way for a writer get started.
Another area I always liked was direct mail (letters, post cards, self-mailers, etc., etc., etc.) A truly creative writer can really shine if he or she can find ways to cut through the clutter of the tons of junk that Uncle Sam delivers to our doors every day. I'm not expert (that's putting it mildly) on the electronic markets, so I can only speak from superficial knowledge. But it seems that a simple search for freelance writing on the Internet will turn up numerous writing opportunities. Not all of them first class, but that has always been the case.
How do you balance your life as a writer with your duties as a parent or spouse?
That's not a problem. My wife has always been very supportive of my writing and the time I devoted to it. In return I have always tried to be aware of her needs so as not to leave the burden of running our family solely on her shoulders. This was more important when our son was growing up. But now we both take lots of time to be with one or all of our five grandchildren. As much as I like to write, time with them is more precious.
What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
Fortunately, I haven't had a lot of experience with the problem. Two things have worked for me on occasion: If I'm really stuck at some point (in a book or a non-fiction piece) I just force myself to write something, anything––a few lines, a paragraph, even if it's nonsense. Somehow this seems to help break the log jam. The act of writing is its own stimulus.
Another thing that helps me (and I've read about other writers doing it) is to end your writing for the day at a point at which you know what's coming next––you might even make yourself a little reminder note of what it is. Then when you come back to your writing you don't have to fret about what to write about next.
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
When I first started to write screenplays I read a book by Syd Field called "Screenplay, the foundations of screenwriting".
Syd was the acknowledged guru of screenplay teachers of his day. In his book he said something to the effect that the hardest thing about writing was to know what to write about. That doesn't exactly fit neatly into the "advice"' category but it has helped me over the years. It impressed on me the need to know the "story" at least in very broad terms before I started writing. Not every little detail certainly, but some idea of where you want the story to go. Having said that, I've never been much for outlining––especially when I'm writing fiction. But if I have some idea where I'm going it helps me stay focused while allowing me to take advantage of the fun little surprises that pop as I develop plot and characters.
What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a writer could do to destroy his/her career as a writer?
Not meaning to sound flippant...stop writing. Practice makes perfect in this craft/business. And most of us never get that much practice.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
My latest published book is "One Step From Hell", a rather offbeat western novel that has a somewhat unique twist at the end. But my really latest book, which will be published by Avalon late this year, is another Western called "Hobbs and the Kid".
I like both books but Hobbs is my personal favorite. It's a good, wholesome story but with plenty of action. It's about a crusty black cavalry sergeant who is forced to play nursemaid to a spoiled, racist, white orphan boy amid the Southwest Indian wars. Sparks fly between the two of them in the beginning, but their mutual hatred gradually turns to respect, then love–until finally they risk their lives for each other to escape death at the hands of the Apache chief, Geronimo.
And I have a confession to make: the plot is very similar to that in the movie "Captains Courageous", that was based on Rudyard Kipling's novel of the same name. The movie was made in 1937 and Spencer Tracy won an oscar for his role. I saw it in a theater in Boston when I was a kid. And like the Jack London story I wrote in the seventh grade, I thought it was worth repeating, this time under my name.
If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?
I'd like the book to show an example, even in some small way, of how two people, one white, one black, and from such completely different backgrounds, could overcome their own prejudices and learn to love each other. It's not great literature, but I do think there's a lesson in the book. (Of course if I had a second thing I would like the book to accomplish it would be for it to make me fabulously wealthy before I die. It's got to hurry.)
What’s ahead for your writing?
Lord only knows. At my age I'm not making any long-range plans. As I mentioned, I do have another novel in process, and as time permits I'm working on a non-fiction labor of love dealing with a member of my family. And if the Grim Reaper doesn't get me first I'd like to do some revisions on my first two novels. It's starting to annoy me that I could never sell them.
Dr. Joye Jeffries Pugh has been signing since the age of five and writing music since she was twelve. In 1987 she founded the unified Sunny Dale Ensemble in hopes of giving handicapped singers and musicians the opportunity to perform in non-handicapped groups. Today she spends her days writing and performing her songs; reaching out to whomever will listen…to whomever believes that music can touch the soul.
When did you realize you wanted to be a professional musician?
I was 6 years old when I heard the Beatles. I fell in love with the drums and Ringo became my hero.
My dad bought me my first album “A Hard Days' Night” and I would listen to it over and over. I would upset the dinner table by using the knives and forks as my drumsticks while singing all the songs I memorized from the album.
That prompted Mom and dad to buy me a set of paper play drums from SEARS and Roebucks for Christmas. Within days I had literally played holes into the drums; not through abuse but by playing them over and over. They bought me a set of pink Pearl drums for my birthday and I would play them facing a wall with a play microphone and sing and play for hours on end…as though I were performing before a huge audience.
I always hoped Ringo would get to see me play my drums. Over the years I took lessons or taught myself to play the piano, guitar, keyboard, bass, sax, congas, 12 string guitar, 6 string banjo, a variety of percussion instruments, and singing.
Music makes me so happy. It is a gift from God.
How long was it from the time you decided to be a professional musician to the time you got your first paid gig as a musician?
I have been in the choir at church off and on my entire life so volunteering for many functions allowed more opportunities to perform.
Many of the events I have been blessed to perform at were by invitation and donations were given to me by those attending.
The first event where I played an original song was in college at a social get-together. The song was called: A Man called Jesus. I played my classical guitar and sang.
The most memorable first gig was as lead singer and lead guitarist of the band BLAZE when we performed at the Opening Ceremonies of the State of Georgia’s Summer Special Olympic Games held at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia before thousands of athletes, coaches, family, celebrity attendees and volunteers.
Having people dancing and cheering and wanting your autograph is quite addictive. We performed several songs that were 60’s tunes which I had rewritten for the occasion. From Louie Louie to Burning Love the crowd was on their feet and it was a night to remember.
The first gig as a solo artist was at the Church of Jesus in Douglas, Georgia. I performed several of my original songs. The first being “The Master’s Plan” which is on my album “Before Time Stops.”
What was the most difficult aspect of getting started as a paid musician?
Because I do Christian music most gigs are donations, travel, meals etc. but I have no problem with that. Many times I am also asked to speak about my books and my research so the event can have a lot of facets going on along with my music.
How did you get started recording music professionally?
I started recording myself in my home music room several years ago. After playing keyboards with the band Receptacle and doing studio work on an album I decided to pursue a solo career.
I went into a studio and did several demos and submitted them for review. I was offered a recording contract several months later. By that time I had written a good number of songs and was inspired to do an album where the songs are uniquely different but play around the same theme, like a rock opera. The album “Before Time Stops” has a complete story behind the songs about a little girl who has a dream about the End of Time.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a musician and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
As in all promotions, money is the number one need. If you have the ability to advertise on major stations it pays off. Unfortunately not having that kind of money I do a lot of radio interviews to get the word out about my music. I have also used the Internet to showcase my songs and some are in music videos or interested viewers to watch. I also have a website that is updated as to upcoming appearances so fans can follow my work, etc.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest album?
My album “Before Time Stops” has 12 original songs on it. I play all the instruments on the album so I am the band. This was so much fun putting the album together. I enjoy playing a lot of instruments and used so many in the album. We even have me knocking on a door in one song. Sound effects are fun to record and I used several in the album to set the mood and to enhance the story I write into each song to make it come to life. I had planned to do a mini tour but that was cut short due to my husband becoming totally disabled. It is my hope that in the future I will be able to travel farther away as he recovers and can travel with me.
If someone were listening to you for the first time, what song, on your album, would you recommend they listen to?
ALIVE AGAIN.
Every time I perform that song I get chill bumps and many times cry at the ending. It is a powerful message in song that I believe God gave me as it is written in first person. The video is equally as touching and makes the music come to life for those who do not know the story of Jesus. Resurrection from the dead is our greatest gift and to behold a man do just that is awe inspiring and it leaves me breathless. Many people have proclaimed it had that effect on them whether a believer or not the song will affect you if you really focus on it.
What are you hoping to accomplish with this album?
I want my album to be an inspiration to all those who seek to know the truth about our existence. My album puts the focus of making a choice on to your shoulders and explains those choices. It has songs that are uplifting but also songs for times when one must walk through deep dark valleys.
I hope that a movie could be made from the score or a Broadway play. The story behind the album is one everyone who has ever had a dream which seemed real would love. The album takes you into the spiritual realm of our physical existence and teaches you how to walk in this life. I hope my album will allow me to sing on a world stage like it has allowed me to sing on the World Wide Web.
How do you balance your life as a musician with your duties as a parent or spouse?
Traveling was so easy when my husband was well. After his disabling condition our road trips became impossible. I was devastated and so was he. With mobility through a scooter we have been able to travel overnight as long as everything is handicapped assessable and we are thankful for that.
I practice and write music daily, sometimes for hours on end. I do this along with my research and book writing so I am blessed to be home where I can also see to my husband’s daily needs. Of course having all the chores added to my responsibility that he and I once shared have taken a toll on the hours I can work on my music and books. Sometimes it requires staying up all night without sleep to get everything done. I am not complaining just so thankful I can do what I feel God has given me to do for His glory.
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received when it comes to writing lyrics?
I was told by a seasoned musician and studio owner that the lyrics should get right to the point. He also recommended songs not going over 5 minutes unless there was a story involved. I try to write my lyrics with this in mind.
What influences the type of music you write?
All my life I have written poems about love, life, death, struggles and hope. My songs reflect that folk singer style of lyrics but with the beat of the sounds I first loved from the Beatles.
My music reflects a contemporary Christian folk singer lost in the 60’s but with the flare of Fleetwood Mac and Alison Kraus.
My songs are usually done in first person and have a message. They are innocent and filled with truth. Each one is thought provoking and comes directly from my heart. Our world has lost its innocence and my music tries to give it back to the listener.
What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a musician could do to destroy his/her career?
It seems the more shock musicians these days do, the more they are liked. When I was growing up….in the days of the Beatles, albums were burned after declaring they were greater than God. Most singers in today’s secular market, however, have done all the bad sins and still have huge sales. For a Christian singer if you were to fall victim to such sins your career would be history.
What do you think music offers to the world, as a whole?
Music is the universal language. The music is the same in every country; the words are just pronounced different. Music is the one thing that can literally touch the soul. It will take you to places you once heard that song and give you chills. Music is eternal.
What’s ahead for your music?
I am writing more songs and performing them as opportunities present themselves. I hope to go back into the studio to record another album. It is my hope that more music videos can be done with other songs from my album “Before Time Stops.”
Marcie Lovett is an author and Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant who coaches residential and business clients on goal setti...
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" by Alex A. Lluch at Sam's Club for $11, I just had to have it.
Ariel Korobacz has been creating art for as long as she can remember. In fact, she can never remember thinking of being anything else, but an artist. Over the years she has discovered that art sometimes comes in stages, but when it's abundant, it's important to "be brave and follow the adventure!"
Lynn Squire, author of "
", is an avid writer who artistically intertwines Biblical truth with colorful narrative. Her childhood farm life, coupled with her equestrian experiences, brings authenticity and heart to her stories.
And I must say, having seen the product first hand, that it's a brilliant idea! The materials is sturdy enough to withstand playtime, dress-up time, and imaginative play as young girls weave new looks and snap on new buttons to create looks that coordinate with any top, shoe, accessory, or event.
Judith Marshall is a third-generation native Californian. After leaving a successful career in corporate America as a human resources executive, her lifelong dream of writing fiction was realized with the release of "
", winner of the Jack London Prize awarded by the California Writers Club. The book was recently optioned for the big screen. 
" and began querying agents. After more than 200 rejections over five years, I decided to independently publish the book in 2009.
Rosemarie Ashley, a.k.a. 'tude Vox Ro, is an outspoken recording artist, making music to help every day people succeed by combining captivating sound with thought provoking words in an eclectic mix of life changing songs. Ro's brand of Sassy Alternative Music has powerful instrumentation and a passionate deliver of relevant songs to motivate and inspire listeners.
". I couldn't even speak but I got very excited "singing" along with her. 
" and singing songs that had personal meaning for me led me to understand what I loved most about singing: Uplifting people through spiritual, not religious songs with popular music. 
Scott Thomas Nicol spends his days working in the building and construction industry as a commercial general contractor and his spare time writing entertaining and educational stories for your children. He enjoys the creativity of putting words together to create stories that bring joy to others.
", is an introduction to this character and story concept. 
" you can wonder no more... Jimmy and Charlie are orphaned cats who discover life can be a wonderful adventure when you live on a farm.
Melissa Peacock jokingly calls herself the "Wielder of Watercolor". Though she struggles with the negativity prestigious artists have over artists who don't paint realism, she has discovered that her greatest talent lies not in her ever-growing self-esteem but in her ability to have fun with art… to create art with passion, to create art that brings out the best in the herself and the world around her.
Anne Morgan is the author of seven children's books and one full-length collection of poetry. She has a PhD in Writing and a Master of Education degree and teaches children's writing for the Tasmanian Writers Centre and assesses manuscripts.
", was published by Aboriginal Studies Press. It was the fifth children's manuscript I had written.
" is a sad, tender and achingly beautiful picture story about a young boy, Liam, whose big sister Cassie has just died. 
I will be the first to admit that I typically scan recipe books and select recipes based upon photos. If the photo of the dish looks appetizing, then I want to try the recipe. If it doesn't appeal to me, I'll never try the recipe. And if you give me a recipe book filled solely with text, there's a 99% chance that you'll have a hard time convincing me to try a recipe.
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Though John M. Sharpe made a comfortable living as an advertising writer and executive, he was a late bloomer in terms of becoming a novelist. He sold his first novel, "
", to Avalon Press, at the age of 79…then his second novel at the age of 80—showing the world that you're never too old to follow your dreams.
". 
", that was based on Rudyard Kipling's novel of the same name. The movie was made in 1937 and Spencer Tracy won an oscar for his role. I saw it in a theater in Boston when I was a kid. And like the Jack London story I wrote in the seventh grade, I thought it was worth repeating, this time under my name. 
Dr. Joye Jeffries Pugh has been signing since the age of five and writing music since she was twelve. In 1987 she founded the unified Sunny Dale Ensemble in hopes of giving handicapped singers and musicians the opportunity to perform in non-handicapped groups. Today she spends her days writing and performing her songs; reaching out to whomever will listen…to whomever believes that music can touch the soul. 
. I fell in love with the drums and Ringo became my hero. 
” and I would listen to it over and over. I would upset the dinner table by using the knives and forks as my drumsticks while singing all the songs I memorized from the album. 
