Freelance Writers Corner

If you are a woman freelance writer or an aspiring freelance writer, you might want to check out WOW! Women on Writing’s Premium Green Freelance Writing Market. It is packed with great information on querying and other success tips, as well as lists of writing markets. The other big plus, is that you become a member of a very talented pool of freelance writers who want to help you succeed.

Just in the short time that I have been a member, I have seen my own output increase due to just reading the posts and feeling the positive energy that comes from people who rejoice in successes and support when there is a rejection. It’s wonderful that these special people reach out and take us newbie’s under their wing and guide us into a new writing realm. They have also opened doors to other groups and sites that are really making a difference – people who are working at their craft.

If you love to write and want to pursue it on a more rewarding level, this may be the open door you have been waiting for. You can still move at your own pace, but it has been fantastic to find some new and better tools and have access to people who are successfully making a career from their writing. There is nothing quite like seeing what the page will bring forth.

Stop procrastinating

You can't escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. - Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President

Our home office has become a catch-all for everything that doesn’t have a ready home or we need to file. Receipts, gift bags, bills, our grandson’s toys, extra gifts, and books are all over the place. It’s also where my jewelry-making supplies are located. What a mess. I keep telling myself I have got to get in there and get it straightened out. But, there are always other things that need to be done. Like write. Right?

Well, no. Every time I look into that room or have to go in, I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster awaiting me. However, I need to take my own advice and make the job smaller, therefore more manageable. My oldest daughter stopped by to pick up a couple of things and wanted a couple of music CD’s to take with her on their day trip. I had to burn a copy of one, so while I was waiting, I started organizing. I’m a long ways from being done, but I accomplished a lot just in the short time I was in there.

I notice when I procrastinate on things like that, it infiltrates my subconscious and conscious mind which takes away from my focus, especially when I’m writing. It’s like when the floor needs vacuumed and you can see it staring at you while you look at the screen. Frustrating, to say the least. Often, these annoyances can actually be taken care of in just a few minutes. Once it’s done, I don’t think about it anymore. Of course, there are some things that can and sometimes should wait for a more opportune moment, but if it’s interfering in something more important, stop procrastinating and “Git ‘er done!”

Memorial Day

Most of us have had someone close to us pass away. Depending on the relationship is our reaction to that loss. Memorial Day is that special, designated day to remember those people who have impacted out lives, especially in a positive way.

For me, it was my Grandma Grant. She battled cancer the majority of her life, but despite the toll that awful disease took on her, she was a loving, Christian woman who cared deeply for those in her life. She was one of those women who made you feel special and glad to be in her presence. She was encouraging, guiding, and loving. Generous of heart and hands, she gave while rarely complaining. Was she a saint? No, probably not. Have I put her on a pedestal? Maybe. But, for me, she was that quintessential person I looked up to and try to emulate every day. It’s my hearts desire when I leave this earth, that I will be remembered for the same love, joy, and encouragement I gave to others.

What special memories do you have of people who have touched your life?

Make Life Meaningful

I was talking with my mother, yesterday morning, and she was saying how incredibly busy they are. I mentioned in an earlier post that she plays music. She is a member of numerous groups and loves every minute of it. Her husband loves to listen to her play and sing, too. They live in a wonderful little community where their group of friends go to concerts, go out to dinner, have parties, play music, shop, and just generally have a good time. She loves living there and is truly make the most of her life.

There is this great cartoon that keeps circulating through my email which essentially states that we should spend less time trying to leave this earth in a perfect body having not experienced much, but go sliding in sideways, having lived life to its fullest and given it everything you’ve got. We are only given this one life. Make it meaningful and fun. Live, love, and laugh often. Even dark days brighten in the presence of love and laughter.

Facebook

Oh my gosh. I now have a Facebook page. That was not even on my personal radar. Of course, a couple of months ago, I wouldn’t have imagined that I would have a blog, either. Wow. What a trip. The Facebook page came at a request from a college friend of mine who asked me to join so we could share photos and such. Why not?

The other reason I went ahead and joined was due to comments from many people in my writing group who have them to promote their work. Facebook has been a nice tool to showcase new articles, stories, or books they have written. Many of them have had success using these pages. Again, why not?

I guess I can’t help but be amazed at what or who comes my way. What’s better than opening our arms to opportunities and enjoy the ride. I have been blessed by those who have come into my life, and I hope I am a blessing in return. Better to spread kindness than negativity and dissension.

The day is beautiful, a light breeze is blowing, and I’m writing. What could be better than that? Have a fantastic day.

Making Fear An Opportunity For Change

How we face adversity says a lot about who we are, both as individuals and then as a whole. Have you noticed how some people really rise to the occasion when something serious happens? It can be as devastating as a catastrophe or a short-term challenge. Some people look at these moments as opportunities instead of negativities. They face the fear and turn it around and make it work for them.

Some fears can have a debilitating effect on some people. My oldest daughter has battled a panic disorder for many years. I am impressed by how she deals with it. Sometimes, it does get the better of her, but usually, she’s the one on top. She has made adjustments to make her life as normal as possible, such as shopping at non-peak times and taking her medications. She takes each day and works to make it her own. It’s not easy and her battles can sometimes be moment by moment, but she battles, nevertheless. She faces her adversity and refuses to let it beat her.

We all know people who look adversity in the eye and stare it down. Moments of weakness are inevitable, but setting your resolve to make it positive, gives you the energy, momentum, and creativity to breathe new life into it and turn it from fear to advantage. We all have things we want to turn into an advantage. Identifying is the first step. Second step is to imagine it changed into something good. Third, develop and action plan. What might it take to achieve it? Four, take each line item and break it down further, until it’s something that can be handles one small thing at a time.

It’s like learning to read. You learn the alphabet first, then come the sounds, and soon the letters are connected into words and words into sentences. Wow, what was so hard became so wonderful.

Don’t be afraid of trying or failing. Don’t be afraid of what others may think. Success at anything means taking chances, overcoming those fears and seeing them as opportunities and advantages.

Time For Time

I read an article the other day that started out talking about how quickly time is passing by. If we think that our hours or days or years are running away from us, they probably are. However, the article went on to say that if you are experiencing this, you are probably not very organized with your time. Now, that may be the case for some people, but I and my co-workers agree that it is not a case of organizational skills that is needed, but time. As the economy continues in the current state, and jobs are either being eliminated or cut back, those of us left behind are forced to pick up the work not being done. The article stated that if one is too busy, then they should delegate the work to someone else, but that is impossible when there is no one to pass the work on to.

I think many of us would agree that our lives have more options than we know what to do with. Though some things could be time saving, many are not. Or, something I have noticed recently, if I string enough “time-saving” things together, I theoretically get more done. Reality shows, however, that I may be able to do more, but I lose quality. Take fast food, for instance. Fast food tastes okay, but lacks quality and nutritional value. We do that sometimes with the work we do. We have so many deadlines and things that must get done, many things lose the quality that is necessary.

Maybe, to a small degree, the article was correct regarding some of our time management. But, instead of delegating, maybe we need to step back and reevaluate our work or lives and prioritize those things that require time and quality and those that do not. Possibly, that’s where our organizational skills can come into play. Granted, that too requires time, but possibly could be beneficial to our feeling of accomplishment and well-being. Let me know how it goes.

Annual Flowers

Annual flowers are plants which fulfill their life cycle in one season. In some mild climate locations, many annuals behave like perennials (meaning they come back every year), but usually not without some special care. The wonderful thing about annuals is that they typically have large, brightly colored flowers. Plants such as Petunias, Pansies, Marigolds, and Impatiens are typical varieties of annuals. Of course, there are many more than just these.

Don’t be afraid to plant annuals close together. This “crowding” can give a wonderfully full look that doesn’t harm the plants. Fill containers and flower beds with plants. When working with several varieties of flowers, I like to take the plants and place them while still in their pots, on top of the ground so I can get plant height and colors where I want them before planting. Placing your plants in advance of planting also helps to organize your space effectively, even if you are doing mass plantings.

Once you have your plants in the ground or in the containers, water them in so the soil settles around the roots and fills any open spaces. For best blooms and foliage, use a water soluble feed such as Miracle Gro or Peters every second or third watering. Deadheading is also an important part of maintaining continued blooming of your plants. By keeping the plant from going to seed (developing seed pods), your plant will be forced to make more flowers. If your plants get too leggy or stretched out, feel free to prune them back. This actually promotes branching and will make your plant fuller with more places for flowers to bud.

The biggest thing I see most often is that people neglect to regularly water and feed their plants, especially in hot weather. Container plants, especially, will dry out faster in warm weather, than plants in ground beds. Remember, never feed a wilted plant. The salts in the feed will kill your plants. Water them first until rehydrated, then feed them the following day. Also, never allow plants to sit in a container of water for a long period of time, as this will cause the plant to drown.

A little extra care of your annual plants will make your investment a showstopper for the entire season. There is nothing like annual flowers to add color and brightness to your home or business. Happy planting!

Appreciate

An open mind embraces the wonders of the universe, where nothing is too insignificant.
- Katherine Adair

I am always in a constant state of amazement over how complex the wonders of the world are, how intricately and delicately balanced everything is in this phenomenal world we live. It is especially more poignant as our ecosystem is becoming more fragile because of our poor and often misguided treatment of our planet.

My husband and I have a beautiful drive to and from work, every day. We live out in the country and we have to cross over a mountain. We are often asked about our commute, which is between 22 and 25 miles one way to work (mine is 22). One side of the mountain is very curvy, but we find it just adds interest to the drive. We love it, but clearly other people would have serious trouble with it, especially in the winter. Regardless of the season, we think it’s spectacular.

The elk frequent the field behind out house. Today, I watched a hawk fly low over the tall, grassy field looking for rodents to feed on. Deer walk across the lawn by the house totally unafraid of our worthless watchdog. The orchard provides us fruit, the blackberries make great cobbler and wine, and the garden gives us fresh vegetables. On clear nights, we take the telescope out to look at the stars and constellations.

The community we work in is equally diverse. As it is a university town, we draw people from far and wide. There is a concerted effort to embrace and understand the diversity in our town so that acts of prejudice are eliminated. Though it is a work in progress, it is really wonderful how far we have come. Every culture has so much learn from, if we just open our minds and hearts to the wonders of each other.

Train

I went through a very difficult first marriage. Though my daughters came from this, who I love more than they sometimes know, the marriage was disastrous and abusive. I actually had a drawing I had clipped from a magazine of a tunnel with a light at the end of it. The caption read, “Sometimes, the light at the end of the tunnel IS an oncoming train!” At the time, that was how I really felt about my life.

Despite my faith, I was miserable and felt trapped. I came down with pneumonia during that period and nearly died, but my daughter’s futures caused me to fight for my life. I knew if they were to have any semblance of genuine hope, themselves, I had to survive and get us out of there. I did, and we did. It was not easy, but God is amazing and led me step by step, opening doors of opportunity and understanding along the way. I worked a minimum wage job, so I applied for food stamps and HUD. A small modular home opened up to rent and we moved.

Abuse in any form, is intolerable. It’s easy to see when you aren’t used to it. But, when it comes at you, slowly, insidiously, imperceptibly, you suddenly find yourself trapped in a dark hole, unable to see your way out. It’s frightening beyond belief, and you lose all sense of hope. Your strength is gone, and people don’t understand. They just think you are weak, stupid, or just want to stay there.

You are not weak, not the way they think. You are weakened in your confidence, because this other person has viciously and selfishly stolen it from you. You need something bigger than all of it to lead you out of the situation, where you are not relying on your confidence to be the driving force.

I would urge you to not listen to the lies the world or religion would say that you must stay in situations like this. I listened to that for too many years, until I realized that if I didn’t get out of there when I did, I would likely only leave in a body bag. That is a harsh thing to say, but was the reality of my life, at the time. No one deserves to live with domestic violence. There are agencies designed to help. Please take advantage of them until you can get on your feet. I am a survivor. You can be one, too.

The light at the end of the tunnel does NOT have to be an oncoming train! Follow that light to life and freedom from abuse. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not feared.

Dreams

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great.
- Mark Twain, writer and satirist

Dreams do not have to be some ethereal and ungraspable thing that only happens to other people. They also don’t have to be something to let go of, because some disillusioned person tells you that dreams are just dreams and not something that ever comes true. Don’t listen to that junk.

We just watched the Kentucky Derby. The winner was a 50 – 1 shot named Mine That Bird. The horse was purchased for $9500 and running against other 3 year olds worth upwards of millions. He was driven up by his trainer from New Mexico to Kentucky – a 21 hour drive. The jockey ran this horse in the back of the pack until just coming around the last corner. Then he put him on the rail and drove him to win the race of all races. This horse was a total longshot, but the owners and trainer had a dream. They dreamed of winning the Kentucky Derby, and they did. Hard work and taking a chance paid off. Big.

If you have a dream and when you think about it, it makes you feel right and good, then don’t discount it. Sit down with paper and write it out. Break it down into smaller bits. Then break those bits down until you are able to reposition those bits into a plan of action.

Surround yourself with people who support you. Only listen to people who will help you make your dream come true. Persevere through discouragement. It’s like when I was trying to learn how to play chords on the piano. Other people clearly knew how to do it, why wouldn’t it come for me? Chords just didn’t seem to make sense to me. Then, one day, everything fell into place and made sense. From that time on, I could play chords.

In other words, don’t give up on your dreams. They really can come true.

Happy Mother’s Day!

My mother is a particularly amazing woman. She is generous and thoughtful, artistic and musical. She has always loved to paint and is quite good. She is also rather prolific. Our home is filled with her paintings, as she keeps few for herself. She feels that by the time she gets done with a painting, she’s tired of it and doesn’t want to look at it, anymore. We love it, though, as her diversity and changes in style make each one unique and special. Though she has worked with different mediums, her choice is oil. She paints anything, standing still or not. Landscapes, flowers, seascapes, people, animals, whatever looks interesting and will help her work on her technique.

Her first love, though, has always been music. All genre’s, though she has a softness in her heart for jazz and the classics. Although, she started taking piano lessons while still in high school, and played some on her own as I was growing up, she really didn’t begin her “music career” until she was nearing retirement. She decided to learn to play the violin, again. She met another person learning who was playing with a local Old Time Fiddler’s group. Mom joined and was soon entering competitions and “fiddling” up a storm! Soon after, she decided to pick up the viola, started taking lessons and then played with the local orchestra. Once she retired, she then had the time to really devote to lessons and playing.

She has learned to play numerous instruments, but focused on the piano, violin, viola, and cello. She has become particularly adept at the piano and violin, playing anything from classical to jazz, individually or in a group. She plays in public, doing gigs all over, from coffee houses to concert halls, nursing homes to weddings. This Mother’s Day, she will bring her jazz band to play at a local nursery called the Thyme Gardens, which hosts an annual arts and cuisine event. Mom’s music group is the headliner! Not bad, when you’re an energetic and youthful 72!

Friends

I am very fortunate to have a special group of friends. Regardless of how traumatic a situation is or may seem, this group closes ranks around her, supporting her in a multitude of ways. I have not only been the recipient of this support, but have been honored to give it. We must never underestimate the incredible support our friends can give us during difficult times.

How often do we find ourselves shutting down when something happens in our lives? We tell ourselves we don’t want to bother others by our problems. What we fail to see is it is an honor to give to those around us, whether it’s deemed trivial or too personal. It makes each of us stronger and helps us grow as individuals, which we can’t do unless given the opportunity. Our relationships become more special when we walk hand-in-hand through dark times together.

When we encounter life’s difficulties, our personal perceptions can become skewed. When we allow others into the situation, we get (relatively) unbiased perceptions, which can give us a better perspective upon which to base decisions. I, for one, have a strong tendency to make emotional decisions, if I am unable to stand back to make more logical ones. The “heat of the moment” sorely tempts me to make poor choices based on emotion. Without the more solid guidance of my steady friends, I could end up in a world of hurt.

I wish to thank my sweet friends for being that sound voice. I also thank my friends for allowing me into their lives to be their sound voice and the shoulder to lean on, as we walk hand-in-hand over the hills and into the valleys and back out, again. It is the encouragement and caring spirits of our friends which gives us courage to mount an attack on defeat.

The Art of Listening or I Didn’t Know You Were So Smart!

Yes, listening is an art form. It is something that must be practiced continuously. When we do so, it is amazing how intelligent others become! We, as humans, want to be heard. We love to talk. But, when we stop and listen to others, allowing them to speak and share their thoughts, we bless them and ourselves.

Sometimes, we just need to be heard. We just want someone to listen. We don’t need advice. We just need the opportunity to release what needs to be said. When we have someone who will actually and actively listen, really listen, to what is said, then comes a level of knowing. A gift has been given.

It’s like when someone comes to your place of work and has a complaint. The best way to handle someone’s complaint is to truly listen to what they have to say. Actively hear them. Repeat back what they have said to be sure that what they said was what you heard. Solutions come about when talking culminates into active hearing. Real conversations take place. We learn so much when we stop and listen.

Golden Nuggets and Silver Linings

People are amazing, when we just listen. Once I stopped being so self-centered and absorbed, I was amazed to find how much I could learn from those around me and from the people I encountered on my life’s journey. Each of us has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge, but it is wrong to think we know it all.

A few years ago, I decided to go back to school to finish my Bachelor degrees in Business and Marketing. Many of my fellow classmates came from large corporations such as Intel, Hewlett Packard, Nike, and Columbia. Other’s, like myself, either worked for smaller organizations or was self-employed. Each of these people had a different set of experiences, knowledge, and life history from my own. Everyone would share something special or pertinent in the class – I call them Golden Nuggets – and I felt like I was mining for gold. What a wealth of information could be garnered if you were willing to listen and take it in.

Even though some things were not useful or positive, something could be learned even from that. You will find the silver lining if you are willing to look for it. Sometimes those silver linings come after the fact, like after my first marriage. The key is to look for it. You won’t find it, otherwise.

Look for your golden nuggets and silver linings. You will be richer because of them.

Small Steps

For those of you following my posts, you know that I have been working on my writing, with the goal being eventual publication of my work. I know this doesn’t happen overnight, but requires consistent work at my craft. Much like a painter or sculptor, constant practice is required to perfect my style and adeptness. It requires taking small steps.

One of those small steps was to start this blog site, which gives me the opportunity to share with you a little of who I am. Another small step was to submit two of my stories to two different contests. I am cautiously optimistic and equally realistic. There are a lot of talented writers also submitting work to these contests. But, like this blog, I know without taking steps toward my goal, my goal will never manifest.

I also know the importance of believing in myself. That, too, required small steps. It certainly did, twenty years ago when I was in a bad marriage. Those small steps led me and my two young daughters into a much better life.

Remember, small steps are just that – one step at a time, taken in the direction that will bring the most positive results. One day at a time, or one moment at a time. Allow time. Believe in yourself.

Pine Seeds

Lodgepole Pine seeds are these wonderful little packets protected in a shell that requires the intense heat of fire to bring it to life. Once a fire burns away the resin cover, the seed is able to germinate. Other tree seeds require fire, not to open them up, but to clear away the underbrush and other trees that compete for light. The fire is necessary to clear away excess growth that takes nutrients away from the health of the forest. New life can then generate.

Our own life can sometimes mirror that of nature. Occasionally, a good fire can clear away the unnecessary debris littering and cluttering our lives, getting in the way of healthy growth. Though painful, significant change (fire) can give us an opportunity to take a new direction and reevaluate personal goals. When the change is unexpected, it can be frightening and confusing, but soon, a sense of direction develops. If we explore and embrace it, we often find something really special is the result.

Forest managers often will initiate a “controlled” burn to help create a balanced ecosystem. Sometimes, we can perform that in our own lives, if we see that we are becoming unhealthy in our jobs or personal lives. Creating change can be uncomfortable, but it can improve how we work and live. It gives us new eyes and the ability to break out of the shell we have become accustomed to. Creativity thrives once the debris is gone.

Embrace the pine seed within you and let growth happen.