Transform Your Life

In every moment, not matter what is going on, you have the power within you to transform both you and your life ~ Ed and Deb Shapiro

What are you doing this weekend to transform your life?

You Are Who You Are

 

No self-judgment, no self-criticism, and no self-dislike allowed today! None of it! You are who you are, and who you are is perfect just as it is ~ Ed and Deb Shapiro

There's not much I can add to this quote today, it pretty much speaks for itself. I hope you've got some great plans this weekend, whether you're doing something fun or working on your dream journey (which should be a version of fun, right?).

What are you up to this weekend?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Barnes and Noble today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media! 

Bouncing Back Buoyantly

What was one of the easiest, yet most powerful,strategies for bouncing back buoyantly from adversity? Remembering the mantra, "I must watch the words I use--because they create the world I see!" ~ Karen Salmansohn

Even when things are going well and your dream journey is progressing there can be set backs.  My biggest setback right now is just the time to work on new projects. Energized by the publication of my first novel and the excitement of finishing a second manuscript and starting a third project, I just don't have enough time in my day to work on projects like I want to.

That's as negative as I get these days. It's taken years of practice and adjustment to get to this point. You have to practice not thinking negative.  Even when a negative thought creeps in, you have immediately fix it and fixate on the positive thought that counteracts it.

How do you keep positive on your dream journey?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Amazon today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

This is the Day

This is a day to separate what does work for you from what is no longer needed. Time to toss out old regrets, useless feelings or past resentments ~ Ed and Deb Shapiro

No matter what your dream journey, there will always be advice from those who have gone before you that say you need to this and you need to that to be successful.  As a writer I am told that I need to blog everyday to build my platform.

But that doesn't work for me.  For years I struggled with not only coming up with a topic to post about and also guilt when I didn't get a post published. Then there were days when I got a blog post done, but no writing in the novel. Crazy! 

I finally came to terms with the fact that I am too busy to write a blog post every day of the week. Even when I tried to write more than one post a day for the future dates, those posts quickly dwindled out.

I did figure out I could post four days a week. One on Saturday and Sunday and two during the week.  I struggled for just a bit that I this wasn't every day, but it was a schedule I could work with. Every since I figured out, posting regularly on my blog has not been a problem.

So my advice is this:  it's your dream journey and you are the one that has to take the steps to reach your goals. Even if another expert in your field is telling you to do something, and it doesn't work for you, modify the advice to fit your schedule and your dream. It might take you longer, but it also might make the dream journey much more enjoyable!

What is a routine in your dream journey you modify to fit your schedule?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Each Day is a Wonder

What I know for sure is that every sunrise is like a new page, a chance to right ourselves and receive each day in all its glory. Each day is a wonder ~ Oprah Winfrey

Do you have your routines in place?  The best combat I have against avoiding working on your dream journey is to schedule it in your life. Once I started scheduling it, I knew I had that time available to work and gradually I became excited to work on writing in the mornings.

Now I use the word scheduling loosely.  For me, it simply means after I get up and workout, writing is the next agenda for my day.  I generally have a word count goal or an editing goal and then I'm off to the next portion of my day.

Sometimes, those, I do schedule tasks according to my morning schedule.  I work a job from 1 pm to 9 pm, so that's when I get most of my writing done.  With that work schedule, that also means I have to use that morning time for different appointments. When I have those appointments, I do schedule my week so that I accomplish everything I need to.

Do you schedule your work or just try to fit it in?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from iTunes on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Don't Stop at the Beginning

When it comes to exploring your creative side, it's very easy to think of all the reasons you can't do it--you don't have the time, you don't have the money, etc.--but if you are truly passionate about expressing yourself, you can find a way. When you feel as though you can't do something, the simple antidote is action: Begin doing it. Start the process, even if it's just a simple step, and don't stop at the beginning. Take the next step and the next until what you've dreamed about becomes a reality ~ Marcus Buckingham


When I decided I was going to write a novel, I just sat down and started writing.  I had my characters in mind and I knew generally what the plot would be about (the beginning, the majority of the novel, and how it would end). I had not studied the fiction writing process, I had not studied the world of publishing.  That was 2008 and how times have changed in just five years!

But I had passion and that was to write my story.  Along the way, I learned how to craft my story into an appealing work of fiction.  I also learned (through research and the hard way, LOL) about the world of publishing and changes taking place within it. I didn't stop at the beginning and kept going. It took me four years to complete the first draft and another year to see it published, but it's done.

My advice if you want to do something is just start doing it knowing what you do know. Anything you need to learn can be picked up along the way.

When you jump into a new task or goal, do you jump in and do it or do you research before you start?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Kobo today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

It's Not Forever

Build on your past successes, be grateful for what you have, and know that this, too, shall pass. It's only for the now. Whatever we're facing, it's not forever ~ Dave Pelzer

Can you believe it's August already?  Where has the time gone? 

I love the month of August.  This time of year (August, September) is like a renewal for me.  I've started new jobs, new careers, and some milestone moments in my life during this time.

When I was growing up, my dad was a teacher, so this time of year really did feel more like new year for all of us, more than January ever did.  Now, when August rolls around, I get energized because I know that the end of year is right around the corner.

I set out to complete three goals this year:

1. Get #APTCTO published.
2. Prepare Disappear With Me for submission.
3. Complete the first draft of The Higher Law.

So far I have accomplished 1, and nearly done with 2.  I have gotten started on The Higher Law, but only about ten percent done.

So, as August rolls around this year, I am ready to get this third manuscript written.

How is your year going?  What are your plans for the last five months of the year?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Smashwords today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!