Interview with Caroline Carey

Caroline Carey is the creator of Alchemy In Movement. She has many years of experience in movement, meditation, and healing work (accredited 5 Rhythms, Sacred Trust and Movement Medicine). Her passion is in the exploration of the human soul, to liberate the dancer within us all, and to help others find their own true creative identity.

How did you get started in your line of work?
I loved dancing, but I also knew I was wounded. So I found ways to heal my own life by using what I loved to do most; which was dance!

I did multiple trainings (even though I had six children to look after, often as a single mum), then I created Alchemy In Movement which is now traveling around the UK and Europe helping others heal, be more creative, and follow their own passions in life.


What was your path towards publication like?
It was very scary because I was opening my mouth and using my voice! A voice that had been told to keep horrible secrets and not tell anyone!

"It's our secret," he would tell me. And according to him, I was a big girl now and I should enjoy the things that he did. So the idea of telling my story filled me with dread. But I knew that if I did not tell it now that I had written my book, then the dark secret of my child hood would remain hidden in the darkest recesses of my heart and mind forever.


What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as an author and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
I am not too bad at selling myself. I write a lot and I offer myself as a speaker and as a guide within workshops etc.

It's hard when I'm told its not wanted, then a little part of me feels dismissed and not good enough, but I bounce back because I'm pretty determined to get my voice out somewhere else.

Probably though my biggest obstacle is that this being my first book, I do not really know how to go about it all. I think now that my second book is nearly finished I will have a better idea.





How do you balance your life as an entrepreneur with your duties as a parent or spouse?
My book is full of these type of stories. For instance, an hour before one of the first classes I taught the babysitter phoned to say she could not come, then we had a power cut! I lived in the middle of nowhere, and I was terrified of leaving my little ones. My son was 10 then and he said, "Mum you have to do this, it's really important. I will look after the girls."

He said it with such conviction. I remember thinking, "What will this do to his manhood if I say no?" Of course, all was fine he did a great job. Now he is 25 and dances lots with me and has a great relationship with his sisters.

I juggle endlessly and have done so for 16 years. My children think I am a bit crazy but I see them all following their own passions and being very creative so I feel they have learned a lot from my own process.

My man loves that I work, he is very busy, too. We have a lot of respect for what we both do, so we like to support each other. Sometimes we are like ships in the night, passing by so we make really good use of those moments… lots of passionate talking about what we are doing, great love making, dinners out and cuddles.


What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
Just play some music then dance and shake up... then listen.

Go for a walk in nature to get inspired, or just put the pen to paper and begin with whatever comes to mind; even if you just scribble or write gibberish. If you try to find the right words first it is always tougher.


What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
I had my book edited by a women who was also an astrologer. She said she could see that my book was in two parts and I was going to live the third part and then I would need to write it. I had to put my book away for two years and live that third part, so I did.

My whole life completely took a turn around, I had a whole new episode to write about which brought me to the end of the book with a really beautiful ending. I was so glad I got this advice very early on, if I had ignored it, my book would not be very exciting and certainly would not have the happy ending it has. It has taught me to take my time and to get advice or testimonials very early on.


What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing an entrepreneur could do to destroy his/her career?
Sit back and wait for it to happen! Sorry that's only one sentence but I cannot think of anything worse. I really dislike people who say, "Well if it is meant to happen then it will" or "I am inviting in abundance" then stay in bed all morning or read mantras off the fridge door.


Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
Ms'Guided Angel is an autobiography. It deals with my childhood and sexual abuse, horse riding, dancing, teenage pregnancy, having to leave home, broken abusive relationships, more dancing, poetry, dreams, shamanic experiences, burying myself in the ground, six children and then the lovely ending where I meet my soul mate (who is a cinematographer).

It talks about how I began my business against the odds and lost myself time and time again along the way but never gave up.

It's one woman's story that reflects so many others.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I woke up one morning and began writing.

It was raining. My laptop was there next to me and it seemed like a good idea. I literally thought, "What if I just start writing from the very beginning?"

I had no intention of writing a book then but I saw it come alive and I got excited about the possibility. I had no idea what it was going to be about except it was my story.

The name Ms'Guided Angel came to me in a dream and I liked it, it felt right. I love double meanings to things.


What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?
Sitting for a long time editing, then finding utter rubbish and thinking, "Why on earth would anyone want to read THAT?"


Did you have to do any special research for your book?
No, I have a good memory and lots of old poetry books I had written on the subject. It was great fun going through lots of old cine films at my brother's house for the promo film. I had to re-visit some old haunts, like Witley Court where I grew up. There is a lot more research to do on that for the film.


If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?
To be a best seller, of course. But also to really touch other women and help them to overcome abuse of any kind and keep moving on.


What’s ahead for your writing?
Completing the next book and working on the film version of the first.

I was nominated for a women in business award last month and came out as the winner of "The Sole Trader Of The Year". So I am giving this award some attention and hoping I can use it to help promote the book and my work.

I hope to get my work into as many different countries as possible. And I'd like to get the book translated.

Learn more about Carolina Carey at www.alchemyinmovement.com

Order her book, Ms'Guided Angel, on Amazon.com

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards business owners, check out DM's Business Center.

Broken Wings, the review

Normally, I leave book reviews in the capable hands of my wonderful book reviewer, Dawn Colclasure. But I decided I needed to actively engage my brain more in 2012 so I am going to be reviewing at least one novel a month.

This month’s choice is Broken Wings by Carla Stewart.

I have to say that I was really concerned about how I’d feel reading the book since it is about two subjects I’ve had personal experience with… abuse and Alzheimer’s.

Whether you’re abused emotionally or physically and whether you’re abused by a loved one, or bullied by a stranger, the pain inflicted can cause scars that last a lifetime. (And that’s if you’re lucky to walk away.)

Then there’s Alzheimer’s. Ever since I watched my grandfather—a strong, brilliant man—deteriorate I have been terrified that the same could happen to me.

Still, the moment I received my copy of this book, I knew that I had to be the one to read it… to review it.

Sadly, it sat on my desk far too long before I gained the courage to open the front cover.

I think on some level, I had hoped that it would help me come to terms with my fear of Alzheimer’s but I feared that in the process of doing so, I’d have to relive my grandfather’s demise.

Strangely, that was not the case.

I was so captivated by the characters in the story that not once I had thought about my grandfather losing his memories and turning into someone unrecognizable, or my grandmother dealing with the ugliness of the disease as her heart ached for the man she spent over 50 years of her life with.

And when I finished reading the book, I had this renewed respect for my grandmother… what strength of character she had, what a selfless act of love…how she must have loved my grandfather to keep him home with her until his dying days.

But enough about that; let me tell you about the book…

The main story is about an elderly woman named Mitzi who spent 60 years of her life married to an amazing man, and her partner in the music industry. Then he came down with Alzheimer’s and the man she knew slowly disappeared until there was nothing left but a shell… a shell that she loves and adores, nonetheless.

When Mitzi isn’t caring for her husband she volunteers at the nearby hospital. It’s here that she meets Brooke, a paralegal engaged to a rather dangerous man… a man who could charm the pants off you one minute, and beat you senseless the next.

Once Mitzi gets a glimpse of Brooke, she can’t get her out of her mind. It’s as though she’s being nudged to step outside of her comfort zone and befriend this young woman… and to not take no for an answer.

At first, Brooke is reluctant to befriend Mitzi but when her fiancé nearly takes her life in a fit of rage, and her mother acts so cavalier about the ordeal, she has nowhere to turn but Mitzi.

As their friendship blossoms, and through Mitzi’s storytelling of her personal life experiences, and the whirlwind romance she experienced with her husband, Brooke discovers things about herself that she never knew existed, including the inner-strength to stand on her own two feet and change the circumstances of her life.

And through helping Brooke, Mitzi discovers that she doesn’t ever have to fear being alone once her husband passes.

There are so many things I love about this book… the way Carla interweaves the past with the present, the way she shows the trials and tribulations that come with dealing with Alzheimer’s, how she shows the ugliness of abuse (and the signs to look for), and how she deals with the healing process.

It’s such a captivating tale that I couldn’t put the book down! I read it in just two days… and I could’ve read it one, if I hadn’t started it at 10 at night.

There’s just one thing I wish for… for more of Mitzi’s story. I would seriously love to follow that whirlwind romance from the start of their music career to the day they retired… what a love story that would make!

Order Broken Wings on Amazon.com today!

Disclosure: The reviewer received a copy of the book to review.

Interview with Screenwriter Xander Bennett

Xander Bennett can't remember a time when he didn't want to be a writer. Growing up in Australia, he knew it was a goal he'd have to achieve elsewhere, which he attests is the reason he travelled so much ( Sydney, Saigon, Vancouver, and Los Angeles). To date he's written everything from graphic novels to children's television scripts to books to games, and even blogs. Currently, he develops film and television scripts with Madhouse Entertainment.


What was your path towards publication like?
In 2009, I started my blog, Screenwriting Tips, You Hack, as a place to complain about the crappy spec scripts I was then reading. At that time I was working for a small production company in Los Angeles, and like so many script readers before me I was going slowly mad from reading what we call "the slush pile" -- the stack of incoming screenplays written by aspiring Hollywood scribes.

I saw these guys and girls making the same mistakes over and over again, and recognized those same mistakes in my own material. It was all good fodder for my daily screenwriting tips -- short, snarky blog posts about the craft of screenwriting.

About a year into the blog's life, a writer and screenwriting teacher called Will Akers contacted me. I knew Will as the author of Your Screenplay Suck', which was my absolute favorite book on screenwriting.

He told me, "Dude, you've got a book here". I didn't quite believe him, but he was persistent. He helped me prepare a book proposal and sent it to Focal Press on my behalf. They bought it just like that.

Actually working with Focal Press on the book was a dream.

I couldn't believe the way they'd consult me on every aspect of the book, from content to copyediting to page formatting. As a screenwriter I'm used to the writer being everybody's bitch, but it's not like that in publishing. It's enough to make you want to become a novelist.


What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as an author and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
When pitching myself as a writer, my biggest problem is that I tend to downplay my experience and under-value myself. I think it's some sort of defense mechanism against fear of failure -- I try not to make too big a deal out of anything. Of course, you can't do that when trying to impress new people, so I've learned to be a little more enthusiastic when talking about myself.


How do you balance your life as an entrepreneur with your duties as a parent or spouse?
I'm not actually a parent or spouse, but I've been with my partner for almost eight years now, so I can probably take a shot at this question.

I don't know how anyone else does it, but I do it by having the smartest, wisest, most loving person I know to guide me. She's a freelancer also, and we do everything and travel everywhere together. She gives me the space I need to write, and I try to balance that with pitching in and doing what's needed to get through daily life.

Sometimes I get depressed or worried about the future, and I'll ask her, "Maybe I should stop doing this? Maybe it's time to go get a real job?". She tells me to stop complaining and get back to writing. That's the kind of person you need.


What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?
I don't think writer's block is a real problem -- at least not in the way people use it, which is to say, "My wellspring of creative energy's dried up! The Muses have stopped singing!".

There are no Muses, and writing isn't divinely inspired. It's just ripping words out of your brain and placing them on the page, one after another. It's mundane and unsexy and difficult and boring, and that's just the first draft. If you think getting something down on paper is hard, wait until you get to the rewriting stage.

I think people use "writer's block" as a shorthand for "this isn't as fun as I thought it was going to be, and I can't be bothered doing it". So I suppose my advice for getting past writer's block is: stop feeling sorry for yourself and start writing.


What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
There are so many, but I'm going to have to go with a very simple little screenwriting rule: never let your characters agree with each other.

I think I learned this one in film school. It stuck with me over the years, and the more I learned, the more profound it seemed. This is basically the essence of drama. It's a shorthand way of saying: don't write a scene in which two characters just talk passively to each other. Always give them objectives to accomplish in their conversation: attack, defend, persuade, conceal, bluff, probe, flirt, seduce, etc. This one has helped me spice up (or cut) countless boring scenes.

My runner-up would be: never write an action paragraph longer than three lines. It's an arbitrary rule, but the impact it can have on your scripts is incredible.


What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing an entrepreneur could do to destroy his/her career?
Assuming you're not missing deadlines and you're actually a decent writer, the only thing that could conceivably destroy your career is being an unpleasant person.

If you're rude or bigoted, if you talk way more than you listen, or if you can't take criticism or even suggestions, then you'll get a reputation for being "hard to work with". That's the kiss of death.

This is why Hollywood has what they call "general meetings", by the way. That's when you meet someone and the entire purpose of the meeting is to confirm that they're not a jerk.


Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
Sure! My book's called Screenwriting Tips, You Hack, and it contains over 150 short, sharp pieces of advice to help make you a better screenwriter. Over 70 of these tips have been expanded into chapters, which are like mini-essays covering everything from choosing a concept for your first spec script, to pitching your ideas to producers. It draws on my experiences and perspective as a young writer 'in the trenches' who was also a script reader, and it's pitched at everyone from total amateurs to journeyman screenwriters. It's also written in a conversational, occasionally-snarky tone, so you won't fall asleep reading it.


How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I credit the idea entirely to my friend Will Akers. I didn't know I wanted to write a book until he convinced me that I should.

From there I came up with the idea of taking the tiny, 1-2 sentence tips on my blog as a starting point, and expanding them into short chapters. I also had the idea of structuring the book like a character's arc in a screenplay, with Acts One, Two and Three of the book leading the reader through the process of writing a script. I thought that was pretty clever... until I learned every other screenwriting book author already did that.


What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?
The most difficult aspect of writing the book was probably choosing which tips from the blog to include. I've been writing a tip a day since mid-2009, so there are over 800 of them now. It was a matter of exhaustively going through every tip, categorizing them into potential chapters, and finally choosing the ones I wanted to write more about.

I wish I'd been able to include more advice about television and video game writing, which I love just as much film -- in some ways even more. But the decision was made to stick with the most widely applicable advice. And really, a lot of the film-related advice applies just as well to other media.


Did you have to do any special research for your book?
Since this was such a personal book, it didn't require a lot of traditional research. The contents are really a collection of opinions, tricks and theories which I'd been formulating over the years, and in a way it was good to get them out on paper. I suppose you could say that my experiences over the past few years -- especially reading material for producers and developing scripts with my managers -- constitute a kind of research.

In fact, I deliberately decided not to re-read Your Screenplay Sucks and Save The Cat-- the two books which mine most closely resembles -- because I didn't want to unconsciously repeat too much of what Will Akers and Blake Snyder had already said. I may have inadvertently done so anyway, but hey, there's only so many ways you can explain three-act structure.


If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be?
One desperate, struggling writer gets a break because of something they picked up in my book. If I can help one person improve their screenplay to the level that it sells, or it gets them repped, then I'd consider the book a massive success.


What’s ahead for your writing?
After concentrating on TV pilots for the better part of a year, I'm finally embarking on a new feature screenplay. And it's exactly as daunting and terrifying as it was the first time. It just doesn't get any easier. But eventually I'll make it out the other side with a finished script, and that makes it all worth it.

Learn more about Xander Bennet at http://screenwritingtips.blcklst.com/

And don't forget to pick up a copy of his book, Screenwriting Tips, You Hack from Amazon. I'm currently reading a courtesy copy and I can definitely say it's worth every penny!


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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles like this, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Heiress, the review

This is a guest post by Dawn Colclasure. Dawn is a freelance writer and contributing writer for the SIGNews newspaper. She is also the author of Burning The Midnight Oil and can be reached at http://dmcwriter.tripod.com/

Book Title
Heiress

Book Author
Susan May Warren

The Review
Forced into a marriage arrangement with a man she doesn’t love, Esme Price runs off to be with her true love, Oliver. However, tragedy strikes and Esme is told that Oliver is dead. She refuses to stay in New York and live a life she knows is not her true calling as a debutante, so she heads to Montana to start her own newspaper. Meanwhile, her sister, Jinx, takes her place at the altar, only to discover what monster the man really is and questioning if she did the right thing in stealing what was to be her sister’s hand in marriage.

Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, Susan May Warren’s engrossing novel, Heiress, takes readers to a time when debutantes ruled the social pages of newspapers and newsies sold papers on the streets. August Price is publisher and editor-in-chief of The New York Chronicle, a newspaper his daughter so coveted to be employed by. August may have a lot of power, but it is not enough to stop his oldest daughter from fleeing from the glamorous and wealthy world he built for her and her sister, nor is it enough to help him keep everything from falling away. He tries so hard to make everything right for his second child, Jinx, after losing Esme, and it seems that the harder he tries, the more her world also shatters into pieces.

Reading this novel was like stepping back into time. The characters came so fully to life with their attendance of social events and discussion of current events and historical figures. Readers even get to see Esme’s painstaking, laborious efforts to put a newspaper together before she is able to buy a printing press. It was also interesting to read about what life must have been like in Montana during the early 1900s. And, unfortunately, even as Esme escapes from corruption and political turmoil in New York, she finds it in her new home of Montana. Still, her heart stays fixated on her dream of being a newspaperwoman even as she misses her family dearly, reading her father’s newspaper to see what news of her sister she can glean from its pages. And she misses Oliver, occasionally looking skyward to ask if he would have been proud of her if he was there to see what she finally accomplished.

This story did have some lull in the middle, as so many novels do, but it definitely picks up towards the end. Indeed, this was where I kept grasping at the book, furiously turning the pages to discover what happened next. So much surprise, shock, betrayal and mystery awaits the reader who stays with this book until the last page, and it is on that page where I declared this novel to be masterful, powerful and just a great story to read.

The most important lesson I learned from reading this story is that it is never too late to turn to God for His love and forgiveness. Esme tries to beseech God’s forgiveness for betraying her family and Jinx tries to obtain his forgiveness for accidentally committing adultery and lying for so many years to so many people. In the end, these women realize that God is not only willing to forgive them but He is right there with open arms, ready to receive them again and show them His everlasting love and mercy. God is there, even if we think He is not, and he is ready and willing to forgive the most penitent of hearts.

Order Heiress from Amazon.com today!

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards busy parents, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

The Wizard of Oz, the review

When I was a little girl, we watched "The Wizard of Oz" starring Judy Garland, every Thanksgiving. It was a tradition started by Hollywood, itself, and it stuck... and what wasn't to like?

We had this amazing story about a young girl who wished for a different life, and then a tornado strikes and she gets that different life... only it isn't quite what she wanted because those she loved and held dear aren't there to appreciate it with her so she sets out to find her way back home.

The film is sort of a coming of age story where the characters all learn that they already possess what that want... We have:

• Dorothy growing up and learning to appreciate the life she has,
• the lion discovering that courage comes from within,
• the tinman discovering that a heart needs to be exercised to be felt,
• the scarecrow discovering that using one's brain begins with self-confidence.

There is so much to LOVE about The Wizard of Oz. The set design, the characters, the costumes, the make-up, the acting, the musical numbers, the scriptwriting... it's stood the test of time (over 70 years!) because it's brilliantly put together.

So if you haven't seen the film in awhile, I'd like to encourage you to pick up a copy and watch it with your family...

Read my full review over at The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Or order the 70th Anniversary edition of The Wizard of Oz on Amazon.com

The Help, the Blu-Ray review

When I first watched The Help, in movie theatres, I laughed so hard in some spots, and cried so much in others, that I left the theatre with a bit of a headache. Still, I wondered if the magic I experienced in the first screening would carry over to another viewing…

I am happy to say that YES IT DOES!

Whether Viola Davis is in a starring role, or a supporting role, she always gives a top notch performance… but as Aibileen, the maid from Mississippi, she gives an AMAZING performance.

Then there’s Octavia Spencer… when I first watched the film, I thought “the role of Minny was made for Octavia.” Little did I know how right I was! She is brilliant as Minny and a pure delight, to boot!

And finally, there's Emma Stone as Skeeter… every time those big eyes well up with tears over hearing that her beloved maid and friend has died, I cry right along with her. I think she did an excellent job in her role and I look forward to seeing her in more starring roles.

If you haven’t heard about The Help by now I’d like to encourage you to check it out.

Basically, it’s a story about a young white woman who disagrees with the way the South treats Black Americans; particularly the maids. Through a series of events, she gets up the courage to ask the maids in her hometown to help her tell their stories… and to do so anonymously.

It’s through getting their stories down on paper that strong friendships are formed, old friendships are lost, and the maids discover a voice they never knew they had… and the courage to change the direction of their lives.

It’s a remarkable film that I still believe EVERY elementary school, or at the very least high school, should show their students at least once; especially during Black History month. It's a great reminder of how far we've come as a nation, and how far we have yet to go.

But more importantly, it's a film for anyone who needs to be reminded that people are people... regardless of the color of one's skin, or the amount of their paycheck, or their status in life... and we all deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.



You can read my original post on the film here for more details.

The bonus features include… The Making of the Help, In Their Own Words: A Tribute to the Maids of Mississippi, The Living Proof, and deleted scenes.

The Making of the Help -- I really enjoyed this brief look into how the idea for The Help came to be, the difficulties of getting the book published, and then the fight to get Tate Taylor the backing he needed to make the film. It was edited in such a way that it tells a story without having to spend hours on the nitty-gritty stuff.

In Their Own Words: A Tribute to the Maids of Mississippi –The director goes back to the town where the film was made and speaks to some of the women in a semi-formal setting.

I have to be honest and say that this wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I was hoping to hear some real-life stories, to get first hand accounts about life in Mississippi back then, and now, but that’s not what we get. While I enjoyed the casual chit chat amongst the various women, there just wasn’t any substance here. It’s a bonus feature that could’ve been left off the disc, and we wouldn’t have missed it.



The Living Proof – This is a musical video with Mary J. Blige. It really captures the heart of the film, while showing excerpts from the film.

Deleted Scenes – Tate Taylor gives a brief introduction about the deleted scenes, then shows the scene. I really like it when directors take the time to explain why as much as they liked a scene, it had to be cut. It’s always interesting to see how pulling a certain scene makes the storyline move along faster, or makes it stronger.

Order The Help from Amazon.com today!

Disclosure: The reviewer received a copy of the DVD to review, after having paid to view the theatrical release.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles like this, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, the review

With Thanksgiving just a day away, I thought I'd re-introduce you to "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"... it's funny, but as wonderful a holiday as Thanksgiving is, there just aren't many good films on the subject, are there?

I grew up watching Charlie Brown holiday specials, so this one holds a special place in my heart...

The story opens with the annual Thanksgiving Day football game. Charlie Brown is tricked, once again, by Lucy... she pulls the football right out from under him, and he falls on his butt.

Back home, Charlie Brown gets a call from a friend who invites herself over to Thanksgiving dinner because her dad is away. Charlie Brown, however, had already made other plans. Instead of letting the young lady know of his plans, or the fact that he cannot cook, he agrees to host a Thanksgiving dinner for his friends.

Unfortunately, the dinner turns out to be a complete disaster. And his friend quickly becomes angry, insensitive, and downright mean. Charlie Brown is devastated, but is quickly lifted up by another friend who sticks up for him.

Then Charlie Brown gets a call from his Grandma asking where he is… Charlie Brown explains what happened to his Grandma and she invites everyone over to her house for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Honestly, I have always had mixed feelings about this particular holiday special. I'm used to everyone bashing on poor Charlie Brown, but there seemed to be a bit more violence in this film then I remembered as a child.

How do you feel about the violence in this one?

Order A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving for just $9 on Amazon.com

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of this DVD several years ago, and still watches it every year.

Prep and Landing, the review

If you have small children, you’re going to get a kick out of “Prep and Landing”, Disney’s latest holiday film. It’s about an elf named Wayne who has been a faithful helper on Santa’s team for 227 years.

Every year he works diligently to do his best while hoping to be noticed by Santa… to be given a very coveted promotion. But when Santa gives the promotion to his understudy, Wayne is hurt, disappointed, and just a tad bit bitter; resulting in a loss of enthusiasm for the holiday.

Then he meets Lanny, an idealistic rookie, who is asked to partner with Wayne on a very important mission… prepping little Timmy’s house for Santa’s visit. It’s during this mission that Lanny helps Wayne remember what Christmas is all about.

In the end, Wayne’s love of the holiday season is restored and children everywhere are happy to have Santa’s secret helpers running the show!



Not only will you get the fun, delightful 22 minute holiday special, you’ll also receive some great bonus features like:

Tiny’s Big Adventure: a short story about an elf who ruins the break room by making a simple pot of coffee.

Operation Secret Santa: a short story about Lanny and Wayne’s special assignment for Mrs. Clause.

Training Videos: Fruitcake Factory, Kringle Academy, and Academy Dos and Don’ts



Order Prep and Landing for just $14 on Amazon.com

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of this DVD to review.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For articles geared towards creating art, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

It's That Time Of Year Again...

With Thanksgiving just a few short days away, I'm gearing up for my annual Christmas Movie-a-thon and I am so excited because Netflix has several new-to-me films available to watch via instant stream!

Like....

• Mrs. Miracle with Doris Roberts
• The Happy Elf with Lewis Black
• The Christmas Bunny with Sophie Bolen
• Snowglobe with Christina Milian
• Christmas Cupid with Chad Michael Murray
• Holiday in Handcuffs with Melissa Joan Hart
• The Santa Trap with Shelley Long

And then there are those on my holiday bookshelf. Yep, I plan to watch one film a night until Christmas Eve... it's such a great way to relax after a hard day at work, or to put you in the mood while baking and decorating.

But what I love most about Christmas films is the fact that they make you feel as though anything can happen, if you just BELIEVE!

If you just watch four holiday films this year, I'd like to encourage you to check out these four... Christmas really isn't Christmas without them!

Santa and the Three Bears

When this aired on television, as a child, I knew that Santa was nearby...

This film is about three little bears who learn about Santa and Christmas and decide to stay up all winter just so they can experience their very first Christmas.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can watch this for free, or rent it for just $3 if you aren't a member. Or you can watch it on Netflix instant stream or on Youtube, here.



White Christmas

Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star in this wonderful holiday film about military veterans who travel all over the world to surprise their former commanding officer for the holidays.

You can watch this film on DVD via Netflix, or on instant stream
via Amazon.com for just $3, or you can buy the DVD for $12.



Unlikely Angel

Dolly Parton stars as Ruby Diamond, a lounge singer who dies in a car accident after avoiding a deer. Once in heaven, she's sent back to earth to help a widower and his children find happiness again.

You can watch it on DVD via Netflix or buy it on Amazon for just $8.



A Very Brady Christmas

You either love The Brady Bunch or you hate them. I, am one of those people who love them... and this holiday special is one of my favorite holiday films.

This film is all about family. The Bradys have grown apart, they've moved out of the house, and have scattered across the states. But when they meet up for the holidays, they're reminded what Christmas--and family--is really about.

I own the VHS version... but have been unable to locate a DVD version or the film online to show you, so check your local library or rental store for a copy.

Tea For Two, the review

This is a guest post by Dawn Colclasure. Dawn is a freelance writer and contributing writer for the SIGNews newspaper. She is also the author of Burning The Midnight Oil and can be reached at http://dmcwriter.tripod.com/

Book Title: Tea For Two

Book Author: Trish Perry

Book Review:

If Zack Cooper thought things were bad after his wife left him four years ago, he’s in for a rude awakening after his teenagers start getting in trouble both at school and with the law. Meanwhile, Tina Milano, a counselor, is part of a ladies’ group that meets at Millicent’s Tea Shop and the owner, Milly, who knows Zack, decides that perhaps Tina can help him and maybe his kids through this difficult stage in their lives. At first, Tina and Zack secretly go through the motions of counseling without making it so obvious to his kids that he is enlisting the help of a therapist to keep them from straying too far from their path, but after things go from professional platonic feelings between the two to something more, things take a sharp turn and lead the whole group down a completely different path.

When I picked up Tea For Two by Trish Perry, I wasn’t sure if this was a book for me to read. After all, it is a second book in the Tea with Millicent series, the first book being one which I have not yet read. However, this book does well standing on its own and it seems that one does not need to have read the first book in order to enjoy the second one.

Another thing about this novel’s premise I was unsure of was the whole “counselor falling for a client” type of thing it had going for it. I kept thinking, isn’t that unethical? But I pressed onward to see exactly how that issue was played out, and I was grateful that certain characters ultimately chose to do the right thing.

This type of novel is not just a “warm and cozy” story to enjoy on a cool or summery day, but one that can make readers think. As for me, a parent, I became very nervous reading about the exploits of Zack’s teens, because I, too, will be in his shoes one day. A parent entering their child’s teen years is like someone who is up a creek without a paddle, and while this is how Zack appears to be, he does try his best to work things out with his teens. Being a single parent is very difficult and, like Zack says, it’s even more difficult when they are teenagers.

For this reason, it is a good thing that he has Tina at his side. While Tina does not have any kids of her own, she is involved with her church’s youth group, and she uses this experience to help the teens cope with their problems. I found it amusing that a parent was getting parenting advice from someone who is not a parent, but Tina remedies this issue by counseling the teens based on what she knows about teenagers and also from her own teen years and what she went through. This seems to be sufficient to help the kids with their problems and it was good to see a character working with what they had even though they were not the best person for the job.

The most important lesson I learned from reading this novel is just that: Even if we cannot find the perfect person to help us during our difficult times, we can still receive the help we need from the next best person. Any help and advice is better than none at all and at least this will help us to feel as though we are not alone and there is a shoulder to lean on when needed.

Order Tea For Two on Amazon.com today for just $9.99!

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles like this, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Master Lock Portable Safe Key, the review

Four years ago, my family and I headed out for what was to be a fun day of frolicking when we realized that we'd forgotten something in the house. We headed back in the house, and realized something else… we'd left the house keys inside! After that day, we left a spare key with the neighbor.

But one day, while running errands in another town, I received a phone call from my freezing daughter to inform me that they'd been let out of school early, and the neighbor was nowhere to be found. Talk about freaking out! Nobody wants to hear that their child is left standing outside in 20 degree weather.

We were careful never to leave a key behind again.

Then just two months ago, our teenage daughter got into a car accident. In our worried states, we left the house with the keys and locked ourselves out. We were lucky, friends came to the rescue. But what if they were unavailable?

How would we have gotten back into the house? How much longer would we have had to wait for a locksmith while our child sat by the roadside dealing with the car accident alone?

It wasn't too long after this last ordeal that we received an email from Master Lock asking if we'd like to participate in their "Keep Active Families Safe" campaign.

Not only were they sharing very important tips via articles like this but they were asking certain bloggers to test their Master Lock Shackle Model #5400D, portable key safe.

I have to tell you that I grew up as a latchkey kid. I was shy, quiet, and didn't live in the nicest of neighborhoods. And I was terrified to return home alone, but even more terrified of losing my house key and not being able to get back into the apartment or having someone steal the key and break into the apartment… only to have me interrupt their thievery.

I am not sure having a Master Lock portable key safe would've made me feel any safer, but it would've taken one less stress off my young mind.

Thinking back to my time as a young latchkey kid, I couldn't help but think how a Master Lock Storage device would "advertise" the fact that nobody's home and cause a break-in.

So I asked the experts at Master Lock for a little advice…

Q: When putting the portable key safe on the door, what is the best place to put it so that children don’t fear others knowing they are home alone?

A: To help optimize the security of your key safe, place it on or near a rear main entrance so the child’s entry is not visible from the road or to visitors at your front entrance.

After reading this tip, I thought about our neighbor and thought… "What if we asked to place the portable key safe on their back door? Since they're retired and home all day, the kids might feel safer about grabbing the key." Just a thought.

Then, from a mom standpoint, I asked two more questions:

Q: What is the best type of door/handle to use for the locks so that they can’t easily be removed?

A: Master Lock portable key safes can easily be placed on a locking door knob or a closed loop handle set. To enhance the security of your key safe, use it with high quality door hardware, that is in good condition.

If you're not comfortable with the door handle… Master Lock wall mount key safes can be affixed to the door trim or to the surface of the home near an exterior door.

Q: Will the lock area freeze in winter or rust in the summer? What are some of the care tips for to keep the lock in good shape?

A: Master Lock keys safes perform best when used in outdoor areas that are partially protected from the elements, like on a door or affixed to trim.

However, because it is a mechanical product, it can freeze or develop minimal internal surface rust if directly exposed to freezing weather or if used for a prolonged period during extreme weather conditions.

To help prevent this, always make sure the dial cover on your key safe is fully closed and lubricate your key safe with one of Master Lock’s recommended lock lubricants: 2300D, 2305, or 2311. Master Lock lubricants are specially formulated to prevent corrosion and condensation inside the lock, greatly reducing the likelihood that the lock will freeze during cold weather.

Feeling confident with their answers, I proceeded to test the Master Lock portable key safe out…

Of course the first step was to get my husband to open the packaging. Seriously… why do they make packaging so difficult these days? I am always afraid I might slice a finger or something.

Next I had to read the instructions.

Then came the fun part, setting the key safe up.

After setting the combination to the factory settings, we opened the door to reveal the key compartment.

One thing I liked is that the shackle (the part that holds the lock onto the door handle) doesn't automatically pop open. You have to move the release lever.

After scrambling the combination, it was time to reset the factory installed combination. Coming up with a combination was a bit tricky since we didn't want something too easy to remember, but also didn't want something so difficult that the kids would easily forget it.

To reset the combination, all we had to do was move the reset lever over, rotate the dials to our desired combination, then move the reset lever back to its original position to lock the combination into place.

After setting the combination, we decided to test the key safe on various door handles. And that's when we discovered using the right door handle is important! If you don't have enough of a "handle", the key safe can slip right off the door knob… which doesn't do anybody any good, especially if you have pranksters in town who like to hide things from you.

We also discovered that certain doors cause the key safe to stand out like a sore thumb. So be selective when choosing both the door handle type, and the door placement.

While I find the device a bit bulky, I like that fact that it cannot be easily tampered with. I also like the fact that I can change the combination whenever I want… like when kids blurb out the combination in public!

If you have a spare key hidden in your garden bed, under your doormat, or in a windowsill somewhere, owning a Master Lock key safe is a great alternative.

As for leaving a key with a trusted neighbor, never hurts to have a back up!

Buy the Shackle Model #5400D, portable key safe on Amazon.com for just $19 and gain a little peace of mind!

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the key safe to test out.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles like this, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

An Updated Report

I'm not sure what ever possessed me to finally learn how to do a complete overhaul of The Dabbling Mum's website, but I am LOVING the changes! They're simple and understated. And I love how the pages NO LONGER look crowded and all bunched together.

The only problem is that moving the old pages to the new design is taking FOREVER!

And, taking up all my free time to boot. And the worst part is that I can already see new design changes I'd love to make… if I only knew how.

But I won't go there. I won't!

One thing I'm really excited about is being able to offer sidebar ads and top banner ads on every single page of the website. I couldn't do that before. If someone wanted to advertise on every page, I would have had to manually go into every page and insert the ad and that would've taken weeks!

Now, I just have to go to the main template and insert it… easy peasy!

And since each center has its own CSS template, I can also offer cheaper advertising rates by allowing advertisers to purchase ads for specific centers. So if, for instance, a craft supplier only wanted to advertise on the craft project tutorial, it could!

How great is that?!

I wish I could say I'll be done with the site revamp by January 1st, but it's not looking good and I'm getting really impatient!

Can you believe that I'm still just working my way through the business center? Of course that's after completing the transfer of the main pages and e-store pages, but still…

The thing I find myself enjoying most, however, is the fact that this site overhaul has gotten my creative juices flowing again… I see so much potential for the company now. It had grown stale and I was bored with it. I thought about selling it on many occasions, but it was my baby and I just couldn't let it go.

Now, I am glad I didn't.

I want to create new pay-for projects like special magazine editions in pdf with fun page designs, I want to add more digital products, I want to write more e-books, and I want to hire a few columnists and start the e-zine back up.

And all that can't get started until these darn web design changes have been completed…

How do you handle feeling impatient about a project that requires a ton of time to be done properly?

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards busy parents, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Brother MFC-6490CW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer

I finally got a new printer/scanner last month and I can't tell you how PLEASED I am with my choice. I opted for a Brother MFC-6490CW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer.

I had an Epson Stylus Scanner/Printer, which I loved. But when I upgraded to Windows 7, after a computer crash, it no longer worked and the drive update offered by Epson didn't solve the problem.

So I bought a cheap $35 printer, to tie me over, until I could save up for a new model.

Then the day arrived when I finally had enough. I could no longer live without my scanner. I needed a scanner. But none of the stores in Sioux Falls had a screen area big enough for me... until Office Max!

They were having a clearance sale on a large scanner/printer/office center component and it was the PERFECT size... 11x17.

It's a multi-function inkjet printer and it can print, make copies, scan, and fax!

It prints up to ledger-sized papers and copies up to 35 black and white copies per minute and 28 colored prints per minute. And it has a 6000 x 1200 dpi resolution scanning ability.

So after eyes it for a bit, I talked with the manger and discovered that it was on clearance because a newer model was being made available. The best part is that I would still be able to continue to purchase ink for this model.

Needless-to-say, I walked out of Office Max with a printer that was perfect for my budget and perfect for my needs!

When I got it home, I was a little leery about the scanning abilities because I had heard that Epson was the best for artists, but I had nothing, I mean NOTHING, to worry about.

The scanning features on this bad boy are AMAZING! And dare I say it, better than my Epson?

If you're in the need of a new printer/scanner, check out MFC-6490CW, Professional Series Multi-Function Center, from Brothers--or at the very least, their newer model.

I read that some people trying to use the Wi-Fi feature, or the fax feature, are having nightmares, but I don't have either of those features hooked up (as I don't need them) and I am having absolutely no problems.

The scanner works great. The colors are true to the colors of my artwork, too. With Epson, sometimes thin layered colors would cause issues with scanning so I couldn't get a true representation of my art, but so far, I've scanned over two dozen different types of art and they've all been true to the color/design.

We don't normally print anything at home, other than emails, orders, and test sheets so printer quality isn't a concern for me. But even so, the prints of images/text seem to come out nice... no different from my Epson printer.

The ink is a little expensive, but it's supposed to last twice as long so we shall see.

You can order the printer on Amazon. Brother MFC-6490CW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer is on sale for $250.

Disclosure: The reviewer purchased this product to review.

Finance Without Fear, the review

Have you ever wanted to start your own business but found the books on the market too general in nature? Then you’ll want to check out “Finance Without Fear” by William S. Hettinger, Ph.D. and John Dolan-Heitlinger, MBA.

What makes this book different from the others is that it takes three mock-up companies: retail, manufacturing, or service, and uses them to explain various aspects of running a business. This hands-on approach makes it easier to understand various principles used to succeed in business.

Throughout the book you’ll learn:

• How businesses make money
• Why having a competitive edge is important
• What a cash flow statement is
• How to use a cash flow statement
• What a profit and loss statement is
• How to use a profit and loss statement
• What is a balance sheet
• How to use a balance sheet
• How to evaluate profitability
• How to analyze efficiency
• How to manage collection and payment periods
• How to understand liquidity ratios
• How to measure company growth
• How to set up the business

You’ll also gain a better understanding of what’s actually involved in running a small business and what it’s like to be an entrepreneur.

Read our interview with William (Bill) Hettinger here.

You can order Finance Without Fear on Amazon.com for just $19 or the kindle version for just $10.

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the book to review.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards business owners, check out DM's Business Center.

Storm of the i: An Artobiography, the review

When I was first approached to review “Storm of the i: An Artobiography” I wasn’t sure it was for me. I’m not the type who normally reads biographies, and if I did want to learn about someone’s life, I tend to gravitate towards films based upon their lives because they seem less tedious. So to say I was intrigued by the concept of the book is an understatement.

When I first received the book, I found myself flipping through it and being immersed in the pop-ups, fold-outs, and images. There were so images of memorabilia from the past, drawings, sketches, artwork, personal photographs, and client samples.

Then came the task of reading the book. It’s a very detailed account of Tina Collen’s life as a creative, a business woman, and a human being.

Through reading the book, we get an inside glimpse into her relationship with her father, the emptiness she felt as she tried to fill the void he left in her life, the filling of completeness she felt when she immersed herself in her work, the bouts of depression that made it impossible for her to get out of bed, and the various attempts at seeking therapy in order to heal and move forward.

But it’s not all negative… we also get to see how she fought through these issues to become a stronger, more complete human being. This, of course, makes the book inspirational.

One might wonder what the purpose of such a book is since it doesn’t offer any step-by-step instructions to succeed in the art world or become healed… Is it to glorify the artist herself? Tina wondered that herself, as she was writing the book. In the end, she determined that it was just another creative piece of art in her life… a multi-media self-portrait, if you will.

One thing’s for sure, the book really gets you to think about the dynamics of a parent-child relationship and how utterly vital it is to build a healthy, happy relationship with children… how a parent-child relationship is truly the foundation for all relationships in life.

If you like to read biographies, then Tina’s story will definitely intrigued and entertain you. It’s about “a successful artist who, at the height of her career, confronts a lifetime of rage and rejection from her father”.

You can order Storm of the i: An Artobiography on Amazon.com for just $29.95.

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the book to review.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards creating art, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine, the review

This week I received a renewal notice for one of my favorite artsy magazines, Cloth, Paper, Scissors. Which got me to thinking about why I subscribed in the first place. So I thought I'd share an old review with you... in case you're looking for a little arts and crafts inspiration.

The review...

A little over a year ago, I went to Barnes and Noble—my favorite in-person bookstore—in search of art inspiration. I didn’t know what I was looking for as I wasn’t sure what style or genre or technique I wanted to create with. All I knew was that I wanted to be inspired. I wanted to explore various techniques so that I could play with my art and hopefully combine several techniques to come up with my own style, my own niche. And that’s when it happened...I fell in love with a wonderful magazine called Cloth Paper Scissors.

Read the rest of the review here: http://thedabblingmum.com/reviews/booksart/clothpaperscissors.htm.

If you're already a fan of the magazine, you'll love this bit of news... the best articles have been compiled and placed in a book. Cloth, Paper Scissors, the book retails for just $17 on Amazon.com

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards creating art, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

InnerSpirit Rakus, the review

A few weeks ago, I interviewed an artist for my column over at EmptyEasel. After speaking with the artist's wife and manager, she asked if I'd be willing to work on a project for her… to truly understand what it is about their product that keeps their clientele coming back year after year (for 15+ years), she sent me a few complimentary samples.

To be truthful, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. With a name like InnerSpirit Rakus, anything was game.

One thing I did know… I wanted to understand the phenomena behind the InnerSpirit Rakus. I wanted to see them, touch them, examine them. I wanted to experience what so many recipients experienced through the years… their healing and calming powers.

I am definitely not a "new age" believer, but I do believe that when one focuses his/her attention on an object, it can sooth the soul…

Just think about how calming it feels to stroke a cat's fur, or how soothing the sound of the ocean is when the waves crash against the shore. Heck, doctors even prescribe rubbing one's thumbs along a smooth object to ease anxiety. And what about babies? They're often soothed and calmed by the simple act of shaking a rattle.

When the InnerSpirit Rattles and heart-shaped ornament arrived, I have to admit that I was just a tad bit excited… who doesn't like gifts?

Each raku comes in its very own brown box.

Once the box is opened, there's a small story card that talks about the raku firing process. It also gives tips on how to use the InnerSpirit Rattles to slow down long enough to count the blessings in your life (or to trigger spontaneous gratitude) and calm the soul.

Then the fun part begins, the unboxing of the InnerSpirit Rattle.

I was amazed at how lightweight the InnerSpirit Rattle felt since it looked so sturdy and strong.

It was so pretty to look at that all I really wanted to do was gently set it down and display it.

But instead I held it in my hand, and gave it a gentle shake.

The soft, gentle sound of the beads inside, and the jingle of the bells on the outside, was so soothing that I didn't want put it down.

I found myself running my fingers along the smooth part of the InnerSpirit Rattle and then against the rough part. I found myself examining every nook and cranny, and before I knew it, ten minutes had passed.

When I put it down, I understood.

If just the gentle act of "playing" with the InnerSpirit Rattle could steal time and offer calming effects, imagine what concentrating on the positives in one's life could do!

To learn more about the InnerSpirit Rattle and the J. Davis Studio, visit JDavisStudio.com or stop by Empty Easel, where I had the honor of interviewing them… EmptyEasel.com

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary sample to review. This is her opinion, she was not paid to write this review.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

For more articles geared towards creating art, check out The Dabbling Mum eMagazine.

Interview with Singer-Songwriter Dawnya Clarine

Dawnya Clarine is a veteran singer who has performed with groups and as a solo artist across the country for nearly 20 years. She has opened for top acts including "Tower of Power" and "The 5th Dimension". She has also appeared twice on the National Easter Seals Telethon, was the headline act at the Heartland BrewFest in Des Moines, Iowa, and has entertained throughout Minnesota, Iowa, California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

How long have you been a musician?
I have been singing and performing since Jr. High.

My first solo was I Honestly Love You (originally recorded by Olivia Newton John). I was so nervous I don't remember much about it. I'm an introvert, so being nervous while performing has continued over the years. But, as I focus on the audience, instead of worrying about screwing up, I feel better. I guess that's true in life too - when my focus is out, not in, everything is just fine.


What type of music do you write and perform?
My music is an eclectic mix of pop, jazz and soul.

Sometimes I use an Island or Reggae feel which gives the more jazzy tunes a fun, fresh feel. You can see what I mean on Breathe in Love which I call a ReGazz tune.

Last week I finished my first Techno/Electronica song. It was a collaboration with David Duarte of Chile. My first e-mail/online collaboration. It's called Forever Starts Tonight. I wrote most of the lyrics and did the vocals. David wrote the music and did the arrangement. Was a lot of fun to try the long-distance music development and have it be a success. David is a dream to work with.


When did you realize you wanted to be a professional musician?
As far back as I have memory, I have needed to sing and to move to music.

As a wee girl, I would dance from place to place singing with abandon. I always knew singing and music had to be a part of me. For the most part I have been able to keep singing and performing as part of my world alongside a career and parenthood. There were a couple times when work was too demanding and music went on the back-burner. Without it, I felt my life shrivel.


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 got my first paid gig before I decided to become a professional singer. I was with an old school R&B and Motown group called the "Heaters". We got paid for most of our gigs, but at that point I still thought of performing as a hobby, an outlet.


What was the most difficult aspect of getting started as a paid musician?
I still struggle with how to charge for my music and performances.

It seems like we are in an era when people feel entitled to get music for free. I decided that I can't chase down money if I put my tunes out on the internet. If they get played and heard and someone has a good experience with my music, that is enough for me. I do a lot of performing at upscale wineries, so I have often been paid in cases of wine. If I am increasing someone's bottom line with my performance, I'm not bashful about asking a fair fee for performing.


How did you get started recording music professionally?
I was in a job that demanded all my time. There was little of me left to give to my family, and none for music. I wanted to get some balance in my life. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a calm knowledge that I was going to go to work the next day and resign.

The only things I knew for certain was that I was going to spend more time with my family and get music back. I wanted to record an album, but had no writing experience. I spent 6 months looking for songs, but didn't find any that I connected with. So, I decided to give songwriting a try. It was harder than I expected, but I knew I wanted to have an honest, pure, positive quality to my work so at least I had some guidelines.

Over the following 1 1/2 years, I wrote an albums' worth of tunes, worked with local musicians on arrangements, got some knowledge around recording equipment, and produced my first album, Walking on Water.





What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to pitching yourself as a musician and what steps have you taken to overcome that obstacle?
I have a hard time promoting myself, so I work with a manager who is great at it. He is a former PR guy who helps me ID the qualities I most want people to know about, then he writes releases, one-sheets and pitches me to venues as well.


Can you tell us a little bit about your latest album?
Walking on Water is my first album and it came out in 2008. The songs mostly take a look at the positive in life. The music is a fun blend of jazz, soul, pop and reggae. The vocals are real, vulnerable, sultry.

I am currently working on my 2nd album which I plan to record this winter. While my music was pretty "safe" in the first album, I think I will explore and stretch more in this one.


If someone were listening to you for the first time, what song, on your album, would you recommend they listen to?
I would probably have a first time listener try Walking on Water. The lyrics are fun, the tune is catchy, and they will be singing along with the chorus after one listen.


What are you hoping to accomplish with this album?
With Walking on Water, I just needed to do it. It was a lifelong dream. With the next one, due out next spring, I want to stretch more with the music.


How do you balance your life as a musician with your duties as a parent or spouse?
I am one of the lucky performers who has had total support from my kids and partner. They have experienced first-hand, and know that music is what I am supposed to do.


What was the best writing-related advice you ever received when it comes to writing lyrics (or music)?
The best advice I have gotten around songwriting was to read everything I could get my hands on, go to a few of the conferences, get a coach. Then, throw all of that out and write from intuition.


What influences the type of music you write (or play)?
I want to make people smile, to feel good after hearing my songs. So, my aim is something that makes you tap your toe, sing along, smile.


What do you feel is the single most detrimental thing a musician could do to destroy his/her career?
Try to do it all. I think there is so much opportunity, especially with the Internet. If we feel like we have to be on every site, participate in every blog, go to every conference, compete in every contest, we are drained of our creative juices and spread too thin. I think we need to be very, very selective about the best places to share ourselves and our art.


What do you think music offers to the world, as a whole?
I think music has the opportunity to break down social barriers and bring people together.


What's ahead for your music?
I am hoping to stretch, try new styles and collaborate with people all over the world.
Feel free to add an extra question or two if you feel it will help promote your music better. Just remember to keep it educational, and less of a sales pitch. I'm all for self-promotion, but if your answers are too self-serving, I won't be able to publish them.

You can purchase her latest album, Walking on Water, on Amazon for $22.95 or you can purchase single downloads of her songs for just 99 cents each!

You can learn more about Dawnya Clarine at http://DawnyaClarine.Bandcamp.com or stop by her blog http://SoulAppeal.blogspot.com

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

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