Saturday Special: Making Work Less Work

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Whether you work from home or out of the home, it's easier to be efficient when you're organized. Or, so I hear. Right now, I'm in the middle of numerous projects, and if things go on this way much longer....let's just say I'm looking forward to having time to implement these tips from Rice University.

Admittedly, some of them are a little Type A, but many of them are good, especially if you can find a way to style-ize them.

Personally, I'm in favor of anything that makes work easier.

Enjoy your weekend.

Friday Freebie: You Wanna Fight?

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Last week, we started reading Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project in my freshman seminar. Yesterday's chapter focused on the author's goals for improving her communication with her husband. All of my students are traditional students, straight out of high school, so needless to say, none of them is married. Still, they quickly acknowledged that the chapter had much to do with not only romantic entanglements, but relationships in general.

We talked about a lot of things, but one idea I knew I wanted to discuss was the concept of how to resolve a conflict -- or, how to "fight fair." Though I'd spent years teaching this to elementary school students, it's a concept that's much easier to figure out logically than to do in reality. But, as it turns out, a little bit of conflict is good for a relationship, provided it's handled respectfully.

Need a refresher (or just curious)? Check out Fighting Happily Ever After. Someone you love may thank you.

3 Things I Have to Do to Get the Next Book Out There

Twenty-one months ago, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas published my first novel, Casting the First Stone. I never expected to write a sequel.

But then a funny, surprising, and supremely flattering thing happened. People liked my characters. Many readers asked if there'd be a sequel. Actually, what people said was, "You are writing a sequel, aren't you?"

Suffice it to say, little arm twisting was necessary. I mean after all, I love the characters, too (except for Jim). So, I set out to write about what happened to everyone after the first story ended, and I decided that the most fun time to set the story would be Christmas.

The final draft has been finished for a little while now, and my tentative initial release date has come and gone. The combination of busyness, procrastination and sheer terror can be somewhat immobilizing, but, in addition, there are a few details I need to take care of before Chasing a Second Chance can become a reality.

• Enlist help. Beta readers are wonderful people who volunteer to read the final draft and tell you what they really think -- gently, of course. My beta readers read my book over the summer, and then I set out to add their suggestions to the list of changes I needed to make in order to turn the almost-final draft into the final draft. This, of course, took much longer than I expected it to -- for the reasons described above.
• Make the outside pretty. My vastly talented friend, Laurie Edwards, designed the cover for me. Now I have to add the words that go on the outside of the book to the art she has provided. Theoretically, this will be easier than revising the manuscript -- for me, anyway.
• Make the inside pretty. Most writers worth their salt have a decent grasp on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. There is, however, a big difference between a "decent" grasp and the necessary attention to detail that makes a final copy ready to go to print. I'm the global sister with the decent grasp, but fortunately I have a detail-oriented sister (who happens to include "copy editor"among her list of talents) and who's willing to help me clean up the mess that lies between "decent" and "print-ready." I may be able to tell a story, but, as it turns out, I'm pretty stinky when it comes to commas.

With a little luck and a lot of elbow grease, I'm optimistic that the resulting changes and fixes and updates and tweaks will be completed in time for a November release. Meanwhile, you can read about the journey -- and my progress -- right here, or on my Facebook page. 

I figure going public is the best way to ensure that my next release date isn't tentative.

Where to Now, God?

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A few weeks ago, I had one of those jam-packed days where the success of the day depends upon all of the puzzle pieces fitting together. I woke up stressed by all that could go wrong, and I put the day in God's hands. After all, that was the only way I wouldn't end up with pieces all over the floor.

And fit together they did. So much so that several times throughout the day, I found myself smiling and saying, "Okay, God. Where to now?"

I know that probably sounds a little bit crazy, but what's crazy to me is that I don't say it more often. My control, after all, is only an illusion.

And so the next day that felt like that, I tried the same strategy. "Okay, God. Where to now?"

And the pieces lay scattered on the floor.

Maybe I was too tense. Maybe I wasn't being as trusting as I thought I was.

Or maybe that day, it was up to me to figure out how to put the pieces together. The pieces of the day weren't so inextricably linked that one not fitting meant the end of the puzzle, so maybe I was supposed to prioritize.

Maybe God had given me the skills I needed to manage my day and it was up to me to use them.

I don't remember how that day ended, but I don't remember any disasters either. And on the next wacky day that popped up, I remembered to ask for help.

I tell my freshmen that the difference between high school and college is that in college, you have to be the one to make the first move. If you're having trouble in a class, you need to be the one to approach the professor. The professor isn't going to track you down (in most cases) and ask you what's going on. You need to take ownership of the situation and ask for the help you need.

And I think maybe it's like that with God, too. I saw a pillow once that said something like, "I know God will never give me more than I can handle. But sometimes, I wish he didn't trust me so much," a quote which has been attributed to both Mother Teresa and an anonymous source. Either way, I identify with the sentiment.

The thing is, we're supposed to rely on God -- and we're supposed to ask for help when we need it. But, we've also been given gifts and capabilities, and although we can go running to God for help at every turn, he'll often do what a loving parent does and give us the opportunity to solve it for ourselves before he jumps in and handles things.

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At least that's what my takeaway was. And, since I'm sure I'll continue to need assistance, I'm equally sure I'll continue to turn to God.

I know an awesome partnership when I see one.

Saturday Special: Focusing on Fall

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Leave it to Martha Stewart to organize things I never even thought of organizing. In light of the emergence of fall weather here in Pennsylvania, I thought I'd share some fall organizing tips. In honor of the temperate weather, some organize things inside the house, others make suggestions for outdoors.

I hope fall is as lovely where you are today as it is here.

Friday Feature: 10 Things Successful People Do on Weekends

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Something uplifting? Something profitable? Something in the social realm?

As it turns out, successful people do all of these things. Weekends are not simply the chance to catch up on work, but also to catch up on play, relax and take advantage of downtime.

Sounds like a great plan to me.

Four Fun Facts About Chasing a Second Chance

Working copy of the cover.
Still finalizing cover copy,
but I love the design.

(Ornament photo by George Hodan).

If everything goes according to plan, Chasing a Second Chance (the sequel to Casting the First Stone) will be out next month, featuring a cover by my talented friend Laurie J. Edwards. Here are a few things to look forward to inside the book:

Charli speaks. Marita and Angel are back, each with her own point-of-view, but Charli, who's now thirteen, tells us what she thinks, too.

Bets is back. Oh c'mon. You didn't think Marita could continue her adventures without her best friend, did you?

Jim hasn't changed. If you didn't like him in the first book, you probably won't like him in this one either. Sorry, guys.

Look for Laurie. At the Facebook launch party for Casting the First Stone, my friend Laurie Wallace Theisen won the prize of having a character named after her in my next book. It was fun trying to decide who she'd be.

Stay tuned for more details as I get closer to launch!

The York Book Expo Report (In Which I Drop Many Names)

Last Saturday, I participated in the first annual York Book Expo. I spent the afternoon surrounded by authors, books and book lovers. All in all, a great way to spend the day.

The event was put together by Demi Stevens, the mastermind behind the Year of the Book. As I looked around the Expo Center and took in all that was going on around me, I was once again impressed by all Demi managed to do. Not only was she responsible for bringing many of the books the room to life, she also created an event that was a great day for both vendors and attendees -- one that ran smoothly (at least from my perspective), encouraged conversation and left no detail unattended.

What makes an event like this a great day for an author? Answers vary. When a book is new (and maybe even when it's not), the temptation is to judge the day by book sales, and to go away dejected when those numbers don't rise to the double digits. But at an event like this one, where every table offered something for sale, using those parameters would leave many going away disappointed. Over and over again, I heard the "too many books, not enough money" lament.

And so a smart author puts on her comfortable shoes and abandons her ego, thinking about the non-tangible takeaways that make a day like this one great.

• The opportunity to get the word out about her book. There's a reason we come bearing book marks and promotional materials. Maybe you don't need another book to read on that particular day, but if I get the chance to talk with you about my book and you like how it sounds, maybe when you're looking for your next read, you'll pull out that swag and order my book.

• The opportunity to debut the cover of her next book. The ever-amazing Laurie J. Edwards created a beautiful cover for Chasing a Second Chance, the sequel to Casting the First Stone. Stop by this blog on Wednesday to check it out.

• The opportunity to talk to other authors. Writers are some of my favorite people. I shared a table with fellow Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas author Michele McKnight Baker and was beside the prolific Cate Masters, who got me involved with The Susquehanna Writers blog. I got a hug (or two) from fellow Pennwriter Bobbi Carducci and reunited with former Central York colleague-turned-author Donna Ferguson who was around the corner from my friend Judy Wolfman, who's largely responsible for my pursuit of writing happiness. Although I got to meet Carolyn Astfalk (thanks to a well-timed social media post by mutual friend Barb Szyszkiewicz), I did not get to chat with Gloria Bostic, Don Helin or Susan Kelley. Too many authors, not enough time.

• The opportunity to get some more wear out of her very subtle book tee shirt. Enough said.

• The opportunity to have some wonderful conversations, and a few reunions. My goal at any book event is simply to smile and say hello to everyone who makes eye contact with me. That's it. No hard sell. I'd much rather engage in conversation with you and have you walk away empty-handed than miss out on the chance to talk with you. Throughout the day, I connected with former colleagues I hadn't seen in ages, some of my college students who were there to help with the kids' play area, friends from the area and complete strangers. The most rewarding connection was with a friend whose son is my daughter's age -- one who has long wanted to write, and who walked away from this conference inspired to do so. Now that's exciting.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Starbucks gift card to give away to one of the lovely folks who not only stopped to talk to me, but who also signed up for my newsletter. Staying in touch, after all, is one of the best parts of a conference of any kind.

Thanks, Demi, for an amazing job and a wonderful afternoon. 

Saturday Special: Living Small

Photo: Tat via Morguefile

Graham Hill lives in 420 square feet of space -- by choice. In his TED Talk, "Less Stuff, More Happiness," he shares three guidelines, all in under six minutes:

• Edit ruthlessly.
• Small is sexy.
• Make multifunctional.

While this TED Talk may cause palpitations in I love stuff people, it's worth watching if only to see the 420 square foot space, and the cool things he used to make it work. And while it may be hard to edit ruthlessly, the other half of his advice in that area was to stem the inflow, something that many of us find much easier to do.

Organization is important. It's also much easier when the amount of stuff we have fits well into the space we inhabit. Personally, I'm still working on that, but when I watch TED Talks like this one, I'm more motivated to do some of that ruthless editing.

Friday Feature: 9 Ways Introverts Can (Quietly) Outperform all the Loud People Around Them

I should be stepping away from the computer, as everything I've touched that has anything to do with technology today has gone horribly wrong. But it's Friday, and I owe you a post.

Actually, I posted it already. And then, unknowingly, I killed the post. So I'm going to try to recreate it. I'd go back to my notes, but they're in a trash can at Starbucks where I deposited them after actually writing this blog 7 hours ago.

Yeah. That kind of day.

So, here goes.

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I am not an introvert (although right about now, crawling into a hole is sounding pretty good). My sister is, though, as are many of my students, one of whom introduced me to a book by Susan Cain called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking. The tips in today's Friday Feature are Cain's, taken from an "Ask Me Anything" session.

You don't have to be an introvert to enjoy the article, though; it's as much about recognizing your strengths and being true to yourself as it it about introversion.

If you really like the article, you might also enjoy Cain's TED Talk, in which she shares some insight into the soul of an introvert. Introverts may recognize themselves, and extroverts just might learn something.

I'm adding Quiet to my to-be read list, partly because one of my students told me about it, partly because it sounds interesting and partly because I hope it will give me insight into teaching introverts. And today, I'd add one more reason.

A good book is as low-tech as it gets.

Fall Break: 4 Things I'm Looking Forward To

Photo: hercampus.com

Fall break is just around the corner -- or actually, just down the street. It's short, and I'll miss just two days of classes, but it's just enough to give me some breathing time.

Which is exactly what I'm looking forward to...but not exactly what I have planned. I can't wait to:

• Read. I've been close to the end of a book I started at the end of the summer since...the end of the summer. As much as I enjoy reading the books for my classes, I'm looking forward to reading something I don't have to annotate.
• Write. I manage to get my blogs in during the semester, but even that's a challenge some weeks. I'm so close to the final edits on my novel, and this short break should be just long enough to help me clear that hurdle.
• Class planning. Yeah, I know that sounds weird, but planning without deadlines is a whole different experience, especially when the planning revolves around a book I enjoy reading (see bullet #1 above). 
• Organizing. When things get busy, sometimes the only thing I do that pertains to organizing is write about it. I have a few small projects in mind that promise to yield big payoffs in clutter busting and availability of seasonally appropriate clothing and footwear.

I could go on...but I'm trying not to make my list longer than my break -- something that doesn't come easily to me. I see open spaces and they seem so boundless that my lists end up that way, too. So, I'm stopping at four, and if new opportunities arise, perhaps I'll include them as well.

After all, isn't that what breaks are for?

Preparing to Prepare to Launch

First off -- an apology. I'd planned to share a "Junk in the Trunk" feature yesterday, but as it turned out, I misread an email, and discovered too late that I didn't have the information I thought I had. I'm still hoping this feature will reappear in the future, but for now, I'm back to my regular posting schedule, albeit a little late today.

It occurred to me last weekend that if I'm launching a a book, I need to launch a book. Sounds silly, I know, but I've been so focused on checking off the boxes leading to self-publication of the sequel to Casting the First Stone that I nearly forgot about actually selling the book (Chasing a Second Chance) once it's done.

Fortunately, I've done this already. Since Casting the First Stone was published by a small publishing house, I have experience doing some marketing and promotion myself. In fact, all authors, especially if they're savvy and in this for the long-haul, should play a role in getting their book out there, regardless of how much or how little the publisher does.

Though I'd written two nonfiction books for the educational market, Casting the First Stone was my first foray into fiction. The learning curve for promotion was steep in some places. I read a lot, sought advice, made lists and kept notes (along with a calendar) so I didn't have to rebuild the road with every new book. Thanks to that process, I already know what I want to do again and what I want to avoid. While I'm certainly on the lookout for new ideas and venues (like the York Book Expo this weekend!), for the most part, I'm not breaking new ground this time around.

I thought that pulling out the notes and lists and calendar would be the first step, but as I began working on this post, I began formulating a general list:

• Write a press release.
• Take stock of social media and make plans.
• Contact bloggers.
• Make calls.

It was a great start, but the list felt too stifling. I needed room for specifics, so I expanded it into a chart:

Ahh. Much better. Now I have room to write and plan, so instead of feeling overwhelmed by the vagueness of what I need to do, I have a system -- one that took me all of 30 seconds to sketch out on a napkin at Starbucks -- that will allow me to create specifics as I move from random thoughts to notes and to-do lists. Now I'm excited instead of scared and stifled; I see choices and possibilities instead of general guidelines or an endless to-do list. I still have to do the work, but the difference in the layout gives me a sense of mastery over what I choose first and a place to dump ideas, even if they aren't fully formed.

Amazing what a difference the right tool makes.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be revealing the cover of
Chasing a Second Chance at the York Book Expo this weekend!
I hope to see you there!
(Photo lifted from Cate Masters' Facebook page :-)

Saturday Special: What to do with the Junk in the Trunk...and Elsewhere

Photo: Orchid via Morguefile

Last week, I wrote about the junk in my car trunk (stop by tomorrow to read about the junk in another author's trunk :-) If I'm to be honest, there's good stuff in bags in other places in my house, too. Toys and clothes that haven't yet made it to the consignment store. Stuffed animals in good condition that my daughter has outgrown, but I don't know where to send.

And those empty amber prescription bottles.

I figured there had to be a place to recycle them, but had no idea where that might be, so when I found this list at Less is More Organizers, I had to share. Some of the information is specific to the Chicago area, but the stuffed animal information and the prescription bottle information works for anyone willing to clean donations and ship them.

I still haven't found a home for that decorative hat box... but I have a few ideas. I will get the junk out of my trunk!

4 Keys to Happiness in Retirement...or Before

Photo: Mensatic via Morguefile

Three years ago, I took a leap of faith and an early retirement. I didn't intend to fully retire; for one thing, I was too young, and for another, I had a daughter starting high school, which meant college was just around the corner.

It's been an interesting three years. I still worry about money (I don't know any parents with children on the cusp of college who don't), but I don't regret my decision. Though I'm younger than the retirees in 4 Traits of the Happiest Retirees, I think the advice fits not just retirees, but people of all ages. 

So why not start practicing now?

3 Things I Love About Having the House to Myself

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Two Saturdays ago, I polished off a freelance article I'd been wanting to write for a couple of weeks. I'd jotted down notes and had ideas simmering in my head, but I hadn't found time to tackle it. What made that particular Saturday the perfect time?

No one else was home.

I love my family, and I love having them around, but the truth is, I work much better in a quiet house.  Here are a few reasons why.

1. I can think. There are no external distractions -- or very few, anyway. This is a big deal to those of us who are quite good at distracting ourselves with no assistance from others.
2. I don't get interrupted. Even when it's a good day and I can tune out the distractions in a not-so-quiet house, interruptions are a distraction all their own. They require not only attention, but action. By the time I've provided both of these things, I often forget what I was doing in the first place.
3. No one cares how I look. I get my best ideas right before I fall asleep, in the morning before I actually get out of bed and when I'm in the shower. Two of those times, I'm in my pajamas, or whatever pajama-like clothing I changed into when I got out of bed. When no one else is home, I make a beeline from the bedroom to my office to put these ideas on paper before I forget them, and I don't feel the least bit self-conscious about my wardrobe.

Yes, I know I used this before. I love these!
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Really, it's all about balance. A quiet, all-to-one's-self house is like hitting the free time lottery. The possibilities are endless, and there's no tug of war between what I'm doing and what I think I should be doing.

But when I'm ready to wind down, to step away from the computer and characters and blogs, I'm really glad my house isn't quiet all the time. 

After all, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Why a Good Book and a GPS Don't Mix

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It took me a long time to come to the conclusion that I didn't have to finish every book I started, but one day, I simply realized that there are more books out there than I'll ever have time to start, let alone finish. The sad result of that revelation was that some of them just aren't worth my time. Others that are worthwhile still get set down at some point before I finish them, only to collect dust when shiny new reading materials sparkles its way to the top of the pile.

Really, it's not a bad problem to have.

The same is true with television, though I feel less deprived when it comes to shows I haven't watched than with books I haven't read. I am, however, someone who needs to watch something, whether a show or a movie, from the very beginning. I make exceptions when it comes to reruns of favorite shows, but only because I've already seen them once from the very beginning.

A while back, I wrote an email to my sister, in which I was telling her about TV shows and movies I've been watching lately. I found myself dissecting the shows, taking apart their plots and characterizations bit-by-bit. Later in the email, as the topic of studying writing came up, I stopped myself just short of saying I didn't see myself pursuing an MFA because I really didn't enjoy dissecting writing at that level.

But wait -- wasn't that what I'd just been doing with those TV shows?

When I first started attending my writing critique group, other writers talked about how they could no longer look at a book the same way. Gone were the days of reading for pleasure; each new reading experience provided not simply entertainment, but the opportunity to improve one�s craft by learning from others.

I thought that was really sad, and I vowed to avoid it at all costs. I couldn�t imagine not losing myself in a book. I didn�t want to figure out the road map; I wanted to stay lost and revel in the escape. 

Photo: Leon Brooks
via publicdomainpictures.net

And that�s exactly what happens with the books I finish and the television shows I have to watch from the very beginning. I get pulled in, usually by the characters, and I want to know what happens to them. I pay little attention to what highway we might be on, let alone the scenery. I just follow the characters, hoping they�ll do the right thing and ready to yank them back when they don�t.

And that�s what the books I finish and the television shows I have to watch from the very beginning have in common. I�ve been writing long enough now that I can�t help but notice a few landmarks, but if a writer (and an actor) is really good at his or her job, I�m much more interested in what lies ahead than where we are at any given moment.

And I don�t want to miss a single footstep.

Sunday Share: What's in Your Trunk?

Yes, I am a Thirty-One consultant.
No, the trunk of my car does not look like this...yet.
(Photo: thirtyonegifts.com)

No, this is not a regular feature! Between this blog, Organizing by STYLE and my contributions at CatholicMom.com, I'm already blogging most days each week, and sometimes having a little trouble accomplishing that.

But, when my friend and fellow blogger Barb Szyszkiewicz "piggybacked" (her word) on last Wednesday's post ("3 Things You'll Find in My Car...But Not My Husband's"), I had to share her post here.

How about you? What sets the contents of your car apart from your spouse's/sibling's/roommate's?

Saturday Special: Letting it Go, One Category at a Time

Photo: Godserv via Morguefile

Do you have too much stuff? I know I do. Even when we get inspired to downsize, it's sometimes hard to know just where to start.

Family Circle to the rescue! Diana Reese's fabulously visual 18 Things You Can Get Rid of Right Now offers starting points gentle enough to appeal to even those with an I love stuff style. Items are listed by category, and the article is almost completely devoid of the "throw it away!" mentality so painful to many of us who long to de-clutter. Instead, Reese focuses on gentler ways to let go, such as passing your castaways along to someone who'll love and appreciate them. Some of the tips even come with videos to give you organization tips.

If the posts from the past few weeks have you in a project mindset, this article can help you keep up the momentum. If you've been looking for a starting point, you might find that here, too. Every time I scroll through the pictures, I think, "I can do that!"

So go ahead -- take a peek. You've got nothing to lose except a little bit of clutter.

Friday Feature: Is it What we Eat or When we Eat?

Photo: MaxStraeten via Morguefile

Some of my fondest college memories are of late night Bison (snack bar) runs with friends after rehearsing for a show. Back then, I could drink a Diet Coke and go to bed (and to sleep) immediately thereafter. I could also eat at 11pm or later without my body seeking revenge.

Although I knew even back then that those habits weren't good ones, I was young enough to be protected by the magical workings of a twenty-something digestive tract. Now, a bad choice at dinner or simply a dinner that's a little too late in the day reminds me I'm not twenty-something any more. Although I'm not yet ready for a steady diet of early bird specials, late night eating is not my friend.

As it turns out, I'm not alone, and it's not just my age talking. Studies are showing that late-night eating may contribute to the weight issues that plague many Americans. This article from Smithsonian Magazine left me seriously considering the eight to eleven hours idea, and assessing my own eating hours.

Though I know my late night snack bar runs are behind me, I can't help but be intrigued by the idea that something so simple could make a difference.