Sunday Inspiration: Living Longer
We live in Sarasota, Florida where we are often surrounded by our elders, one of those politically correct terms for old people. At social gatherings–of which there are many–some of the major topics are knee replacements, physical rehab, and drugs that work. I’m delighted I still feel young, although whether I am or not is completely subjective. I’m…
Read MoreComplications for the Novelist: How Times Have Changed
Crazy week, this one. I bet you have those, too. After spending four days at the Novelist’s Inc. conference, I arrived home in time to wash clothes, repack and fly to Ohio for the Buckeye Book Fair. Three of my Facebook readers came to visit me at the book signing and I loved being with them. (Thanks Joni,…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: The Happiness Ratio
The Happiness Ratio Are you a happy person? Hard to answer, isn’t it? I’m happy one minute and then a little while later I’m sad or angry or frustrated. After reading this excellent article, Here’s the Magic Number That Leads to Happiness by Eric Barker, I realize that happiness is all about the math. He…
Read MoreWhat Are You Waiting For? Vote!
If you don’t vote today, for the next four years you have no right to complain about any aspect of government. Please make time to go to the polls, even if you think your vote is a lone voice crying in the wilderness. Vote your principles. You are the only person who can.
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Day of the Dead, a Time to Celebrate and Mourn
Happy Day of the Dead! Did you know that the Day of the Dead is celebrated all over the world between October 31 and November 2? In Mexico and Central America, where the holiday originated, it is a raucous but meaningful day that gives people the opportunity to remember and be inspired by those who have…
Read MoreHappy Howl-o-ween
I’m on my way to the Buckeye Book Fair in Wooster, OH, where I’ll be signing books all day Saturday, November 1. But before I go Nemo and I wanted to wish you a happy Howl-o-ween. And if you’re not quite in the mood? Here’s an hysterical video (Nemo insisted) to get you ready for all…
Read MoreWhat is Your Future in Publishing?
Okay, I’ll admit it. Zoltan’s question intrigued me. I saw this silly booth at the seafood restaurant where I ate Friday’s lunch during the 2014 Novelist’s Inc. conference this past week, and I knew I’d found my next blog post. Truth is if I had to encapsulate everything I learned at myriad workshops,”What is your future in publishing?” really was…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: 10 Daily Rituals
10 Daily Rituals How do you change your life for the better? Religion, role models, chocolate? How about habits? All of us have a wide variety of habits and rituals, but most of them are not intentional, and too many do us more harm than good — like that chocolate thing. But Janet Bray Attwood…
Read MoreEver Wonder What Writers Do at Writer’s Conferences?
Tomorrow I head across the Sunshine Skyway to the Tradewinds Resort on St. Pete Beach for the Novelist’s Inc. conference. Through the years I’ve been a member of various writer’s organizations but the one I’m still involved in is NINC. Novelist’s Inc. is the only writer’s organization devoted exclusively to the needs of multi-published fiction…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Malala
Malala This 17 year-old Pakistani girl has become one of the most admired people on the planet. In 2009 when she was only 12, she was shot on her school bus because she had the audacity to blog about the terrorism of the Taliban. Two of her friends were killed in that attack, but she…
Read More