Cyber Celebration

Today, I am the proud author of two novels. The first, Casting the First Stone, is actually half price this week at the LPC Storefront in honor of Cyber Monday.

The second, Chasing a Second Chance, became available for Kindle last week, and, as of today, is also available in paperback. I'd love to say I planned it that way, but I'm just not that good.

Today, my head is spinning. Classes resumed this morning and real-world responsibilities should be bringing me back to reality. I planned for and taught my class this morning, and then, as soon as I had the opportunity, started making book plans. Sharing the news. Planning another celebration at my favorite Starbucks. Figuring out where and how to share my excitement with the world without simultaneously annoying people.

I'm lucky. I enjoy the promoting and talking just as much as I enjoy the writing, and more than I enjoy revising or trying to figure out why I can't get a file to upload. I had great people helping me, and I am convinced that, if you want a quality product, "self"- publishing takes a village. I've been through this book launch process once before (three times, if you count the non-fiction books, which I don't, since that's completely different) and I have a list of people to contact, things to do and -- this time -- things NOT to do, all of which I'm looking forward to.

And, with each book, I feel more like the word "author" applies. While I firmly believe that all who write are writers, author -- to me -- has come to embody the whole process, from conception to publication and beyond as we simultaneously circle back to conception again.

On Saturday, as I was proofing the interior of the paperback, the what-ifs started to surface -- the ones that trigger a new project, only in this case, the what-ifs surrounded these same characters -- the ones I thought I was finished writing about. What if Marita did this? What if Charli did that? What if this happened and then caused that?

I dutifully jotted down my notes, all the while denying there was another book about these people yet to be written. After all, I have at least two more projects that have been clamoring for my attention, and they were supposed to take center stage once Chasing a Second Chance stepped aside and made room.

I'm not sure what will happen next, or which of my casts will step forward to claim center stage. For now, I'm just taking it all in, grateful to be part of the program.

Saturday Special: Holiday Hubbub

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Perhaps you're one of those folks who Christmas shops all year long. Or maybe you're a serious Black Friday shopper and you spent yesterday making lists and checking them twice.

Maybe you're spending today patronizing local businesses in honor of Small Business Saturday. Or perhaps you're creating lists for Cyber Monday when you can shop from home in your pajamas.

No matter your shopping style, it's the time of year when tracking down gifts becomes a necessity for most of us. And shopping is just the tip of the holiday to-do iceberg.

Fortunately, although the holidays are creeping ever closer (as several of my Facebook friends enjoy pointing out on a regular basis), there's plenty of time to tackle things in an organized fashion. If the mere thought of getting ready for the holidays leaves you in a panic, check out this article by organizing guru Julie Morgenstern, who always manages to make planning seem not just possible, but palatable as well.

Not ready to tackle holiday planning yet? Just below Julie's article on holiday planning is one on organizing your mail.

Whatever you organize today, do it with STYLE. :-)

Friday Freebie: Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday!

Yes, I know I wrote about this on Wednesday, but I did so because I think it's important. Check out this infographic.

Don't feel like going shopping? You can still be a supporter.

• Buy a book from a local author.
• Buy art from a local artisan.
• Order dinner from a local restaurant (not a chain).
• Hire a local contractor.
• Attend a show at a local theatre.
• Browse in an art gallery or antique store.
• Go to the American Express website and find small businesses in your area.
• Create a list of local businesses to visit and patronize in the new year.

Make this Small Business Saturday the start of something good.

Where Are You Shopping this Weekend? 3 Reasons I Love Small Business Saturday

www.americanexpress.com

Black Friday looms. The ads are ubiquitous, and, this year, retailers seem to be proclaiming their fervor to stay closed on Thanksgiving with equal passion. Those ads make me smile.

I'm also seeing a new trend that makes me smile: Small Business Saturday ads. I love the concept of Small Business Saturday for a number of reasons.

• I grew up in a small town, with a beautiful little downtown that provided me with all of my shopping experiences between the time I moved there when I was twelve until the time I got my driver's license at seventeen...and beyond. I felt free to roam and wander fearlessly.  I bought school supplies, Christmas presents and the best cream donuts ever.  I went to college in a small town, too, and lived there for two more years as a graduate student, subsisting on grinders from the local pizza shop.
• I am a small business. Not only do I sell Thirty-One Gifts, but I'm also an author who does the lion's share of her own promotional work. And do you know who was most willing to offer me signings and opportunities? Small, indie bookstores. 
• Small business Saturday encourages community. In a world that's growing increasingly scary, the thought of preserving community seems more important than ever.

True, Small Business Saturday was launched by a decidedly big business: American Express. True, AmEx has skin in the game, but its big business presence and equally big pockets helped spread the word, making the concept grow faster than it would have with merely a grassroots effort. In 2011, the United States Senate officially recognized Small Business Saturday, and in 2012, American Express used its substantial resources to provide free web ads for small businesses, giving them exposure beyond what their budgets made possible. Rather than trying to eat the little guys alive, American Express sees the mutual benefit of working together.

I don't work for American Express. I don't have an AmEx card, and I have no plans to get one.  

But I know a good idea when I see one, and I appreciate the value of cooperation, especially in a time when it feels as though camaraderie and mutual respect are in short supply.

What small business will you patronize this Saturday?  

Feel free to promote your favorite local business by leaving its name and location in the comments.

It's Here!!

My new book is out and I couldn't be more excited! For a variety of reasons, I chose to self-publish this one, so in addition to being excited, I'm also exhausted. As I gear up for the creation of the paperback version, I am, once again, grateful to have friends who are both knowledgeable and supportive, and it's clear to me that "self-publishing," if it's done right, isn't a one-person job.

At least not this one person.

I owe more debts of gratitude than I can possibly enumerate -- from my sister, who copyedited, to my friend Laurie J. Edwards who did the cover art and formatting, to my friend Karen who came up with the log line for the cover (all the way from Paris!), to those who wrote reviews of Casting the First Stone, thus providing back cover copy -- this book would not be a reality without them. I now know how people who accept awards feel. There's no way you'll ever be able to thank everyone who played a role in the process.

If you're interested in reading an excerpt, click here. And if you do read the book, I hope you'll consider writing a review.

Have a wonderful week! If you're looking for me, check Cloud Nine :-)

Saturday Special: Kid Organization Tips from the Experts

Photo: Jessica Gale via Morguefile

As I write this, the detritus of a rapidly dwindling semester surrounds me, with a fine layer of book launch panic sitting on top like a layer of gooey frosting. Meanwhile, my teenage daughter is celebrating her first Saturday off from work by cleaning her room.

Since the big kid in this equation (that would be me) has given up on doing anything more strenuous that treading water in the organizational pool, today seemed like a good day to focus on organization for kids, especially with the holidays coming. The impending influx of material goods is often a big motivator for sorting and taking advantage of the Three Rs that make up the L (Let it Go!) in STYLE.

Though I rarely watch HGTV these days, a show that was on when my daughter was small (Mission: Organization) was a large part of the inspiration for the way I view organizing. Regardless of what is -- or isn't -- on the air, their website remains a great resource, so I wasn't surprised to find that their article, "Get Your Kids Organized at All Ages" offered some great ideas, packaged into an age-by-age  format.

So, while I sit down in my definitely not organized workspace with a large portion of humble pie, enjoy some tips from the experts, whose offices most likely look better than mine does today.

Friday Freebie: Why Be Grateful?

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm finding it easy to be grateful. Though I love my job, three days (plus a weekend) without classes will give me a chance to catch my breath and spend some time with family without feeling as though I should be doing something else. I could just as easily focus on this break as the calm before the storm that is December -- a time when semester conclusions and holiday beginnings collide in a frenzy of opposing forces -- but that would suck the joy out of not only the break itself, but also the anticipation of fun, food and relaxation. No one wants that.

Please understand -- I don't mean to be preachy. I realize that I'm lucky. I don't have to plow through a field of terrible circumstances to find the one grain of happiness that remains. I have nothing but admiration for those who have the fortitude to do just that. Far from being insincere, they know something that many of us don't.

Gratitude reaps rewards of its own. Not only does it make us feel better, even if only temporarily, it carries health benefits as well.

But don't take my word for it. Click here to read about the benefits of gratitude, take a gratitude quiz and find out how to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

'Tis the season, after all.

4 Characters I Met Last Weekend (Plus One it's Good I Didn't)

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Creating characters is my favorite part of writing fiction. I like dreaming them up from scratch, so to speak, but since real life and fiction are intricately connected through the vessel that is the writer, the elements blur and blend. Though I've never used an actual person in one of my books, some of my characters definitely have traits in common with people I know. And sometimes, it's the other way around.

Last weekend, for example, I met Nurse Loretta from my soon-to-be-released novel, Chasing a Second Chance. She was disguised as a clerk at Macy's in New York, but I recognized her as soon as she spoke. Of course the fact that she was coming to my rescue (as Nurse Loretta does for Angel) probably colored my perspective, as did the fact that she was unfailingly kind to me, while refusing to suffer fools (other customers -- you had to be there) gladly.

That got me thinking about other characters I met over the course of the weekend. Here are a few of them -- along with one it's probably good I didn't meet.

The down-on-his-luck sweet talker. We met this man between 11pm and midnight while waiting for our connecting train at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Quick to share his [prior] success and his sad story of the day, he was probably not who he said he was, but the desperation of his situation was most likely real. Though he appeared to appreciate the $7 we gave him "for a train ticket," his eyes lit up at the food I offered. Scammed? Probably. But in the end, we were safe, and I hope he was as well.  He left me wondering how he'd gotten from the success he professed as present truth to the alcohol-infused fast talker standing in front of me.

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The Broadway "show sellers" at TKTS. These young people made a long line at TKTS seem to go faster (we even got to see a snippet of a number from Chicago). Most had the same opening line ("What show are you hoping to see?"), but they were full of energy and enthusiasm, along with a bit of trivia and insight. It was like getting an insider's view from a friend who'd seen everything, and it was fun talking to them. When I did a little research after the fact, I wasn't surprised to find that they're "highly trained working theatre professionals." They definitely had the energy necessary to bring a character to life on stage.

The jerk on the train. The train was "sold out" (more likely overbooked) on the way home, and we got split up. We figured we'd find new seats when people got off in Philly, but more people got on than off. My husband did find us seats with a bit more leg room, and while he retrieved our luggage from the overhead compartment and waited patiently to come back against the traffic of those seeking seats, my carry-on held his seat and I had to refuse many travelers. I felt bad about this in every case except one -- the 20-something guy who walked by (without asking if the seat was taken) loudly saying, "Yeah, that's right. Keep that seat for your bags." As it turned out, I didn't need to respond. Someone sitting nearby who'd heard me explain that the seat was taken called out to him, "Someone's sitting there!" followed by a sound that echoed my own frustration. The jerk on the train was a stock character. The woman who came to my defense is the one I want to write about.

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Though I didn't meet the rude coffee drinker who spilled a substantial portion of his/her latte on the bench in the shoe department at Macy's, I did have a few choice words for him/her. While it's true that I should have looked before I sat, I didn't expect half a latte to be on the bench...or to soak through my pants, turning my solo shopping trip at Macy's Herald Square into a quest for dry clothing. This character may very well show up in a book, because I do, indeed, have a few things to say to her. And yes, she's already morphed into a female character because the bench was, after all, in the women's shoe department.

But without her less-than-desirable tendency to spill and run, unwelcome though it was, I wouldn't have met Nurse Loretta.

And, unlike the latte and the jerk on the train, she was a welcome surprise.

Misty Monday

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I'm a bit bleary as I write this, mired in a combination of culture shock and lack of sleep, thanks to a weekend in New York City, celebrating my daughter's 18th birthday. "The girls" (my daughter and a young lady she's been friends with since elementary school) were easygoing and drama-free, and the weekend (aside from the requisite Broadway show) was similarly low key and go-with-the-flow. I thought I'd write this on the train yesterday and already have it posted, but the train was warm, overbooked and not very conducive to creativity.

Driving down my street this morning, I was struck by the culture shock. Leafy trees outnumbered the people who were out and about -- the norm for 9:30 in the morning in my neighborhood -- but a stark contrast to a weekend full of concrete and crowded sidewalks. While it was a relief to drive my own car rather than jockey for position on a standing-room-only train, and to have room to maneuver on sidewalks, rather than being pushed and pulled by the flow of a crowd that seemed more competitive than cooperative, still, a normal Monday morning in the neighborhood felt somehow strange. And my stark awareness of this strangeness only intensified the feeling. 

Re-establishing my routine felt simultaneously disappointing and satisfying. Instead of roaming the streets of Manhattan, I was walking down manicured paths on a college campus. Rather than leaving wet towels to be exchanged for clean, I was doing laundry, washing away the traces of a weekend I didn't necessarily want to leave behind. No longer checking things off my packing list, I'd returned to checking things off my to-do list.

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By the end of the day, I suspect that things will feel normal again. I'll pick up the threads of last week and tie them to the strings of the week ahead and before I know it, the weekend will be the blur that marked a milestone in my daughter's life, while, elsewhere in the world, it marked something much less celebratory.

But blurry or not, it's a memory I get to keep. And perhaps my hesitation to put it behind me is creating the soft wash that makes the familiar seem misty and strange, while still recognizable. 

Rather like the idea of my baby girl turning 18.

Saturday Special: 52 Things to Keep You Busy

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I'm a big fan of chipping away at jobs that feel oversized, so I was delighted to find this post from She Knows: 52 Ideas to Organize Your Home. Billed (rather logically) as an organizing tip a week, it has ideas for every style. Some are one-and-done and others can form the foundation of a new habit.

So, if you want to dig in, but aren't sure where to start, check it out. Progress is a beautiful thing.

Friday Freebie: What Does Dr. Seuss Have to do with Dick, Jane and Sally?

en.wikipedia.org

Last Saturday, I referenced the Dick and Jane readers in my post. In looking for a picture to accompany the post, I stumbled across this article. While reading about the clashes between educational philosophies was familiar (as long as there are educators, there will be philosophy wars), I'm glad I my elementary school chose to hold on to Dick and Jane. I've often wondered if I'd have learned to read as quickly if I'd had to suffer through phonics. In fact, 35 years later, the whole word approach proved useful with my daughter as well.

If you, like me, grew up on Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot and Puff, I hope you enjoy Mental Floss's fun facts as much as I did.

18 Things I Love About My Daughter

My daughter turns 18 this weekend, and so today's post is about her. She's a modest kid, but since this is my space, where I get to write what I want, I'm indulging myself. Look away if you wish -- bragging moms don't always tell the best stories -- but I couldn't resist the opportunity to celebrate my favorite young woman.

So, here (in no particular order) are 18 things I love about my daughter. No elaborations -- just the list -- because just the list is probably more than she'd want me to post anyway.

It's been a long time since
I was taller than she is.
(Photo: willowtree.com)

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1. She's got a great sense of humor.
2. She's quick with a comeback.
3. She's smart.
4. She's beautiful.
5. She's athletic.
6. She works hard for the things that matter to her.
7. She's true to herself.
8. She practices her faith.
9. Little kids love her.
10. She's conscientious.
11. She can be trusted.
12. She's a loyal friend.
13. She's a kind-hearted grandchild.
14. She lets me into her world.
15. She's musical.
16. She likes Billy Joel almost as much as I do.
17. She gives great hugs.
18. She has the courage of her convictions.

Happy Birthday, Leah. I'm proud to be your mom.

Coloring Outside the Lines

One of the best things about teaching young adult learners is that I learn a lot in the process. Between the books we read and the supplemental information I seek out in order to teach classes, I get an education in the process of giving them one. 

Often, especially in my freshman seminar, our discussions are illuminating as well. I think the shift away from the pressure of content-driven instruction capped off by an exam has something to do with it. We read books (most of us, anyway) outside of class so that in class, we can link concepts to research and other ideas, including their own opinions. A particularly enlightening discussion earlier in the semester, for example, led to the idea for an article I had published in Faculty Focus last week. 

Tomorrow we are coloring -- not for the whole class period, but for a portion of it -- as a means of exploring the balance between work and play discussed in our current chapter of The Happiness Project and a lead-in to a homework assignment on scholarly and credible sources surrounding the current coloring craze sweeping up many adults. I'm excited about this activity, as I have been about so many others this semester, and I can't wait to see what they do with it.

While there's certainly a science to teaching, and many important foundational skills that need to be taught in a freshman seminar (or any class, for that matter), it's the art of teaching that draws so many to the profession and keeps them there. I wasn't as brave as many of my colleagues teaching at the elementary school level; when things began to look bleak, I saw an open door and dashed through it, rather than staying where I was and pushing through. The decision was good for me on so many levels, yet I still second guess it sometimes because, on a practical level, the logic has plenty of holes in it. 

Especially when you consider the fact that I didn't get far, leaving one position in education for another -- one with less security than the one I left, and with a steep learning curve to boot. And I never thought I'd be breaking out the crayons again.

But when I think about it, I can't imagine any better metaphor for the not-quite-retired parenting/writing/teaching life I'm currently leading -- one where I'm working harder than ever, but having fun in the process. 

And if I can pass along a bit of the enthusiasm I have for living life outside the lines, perhaps my crazy exit plan makes sense after all. 

Saturday Special: Too Many Books, Too Little Space

Karen Arnold via freepik.com

I've loved reading since Dick and Jane ran with Spot. I don't remember my book collection overtaking my space when I was a kid, but then again, when I was in middle school, we moved to a house with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, giving me plenty of space for my Nancy Drew collection -- and then some.

In my lifetime, I've worked in three different bookstores, and I trace the origins of my "too many books, too little space" conundrum back to those jobs, which fed my inner book collector -- sometimes at the expense of my bank account.

Our house is a Cape Cod, so when I wanted to find resources about organizing books, I was excited to find posts on the Apartment Therapy site, where they specialize in fun ideas for small spaces. And, in a decision that matches my bookstore behavior, I couldn't decide, so I'm posting both.

The first is an article (with great pictures) that explores various ways to organize books, depending on your style (I had to grab that one!); the second, geared to a weekend project approach has videos. Both provide ideas and maybe even a little motivation for taking control of book overrun.

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While I'll be contributing to book overrun this weekend as I put the finishing touches on my novel, I'm looking forward to putting some of those ideas to work this winter, when I have more time to tackle my list of organizing to-dos.

Happy organizing! And, if you manage to make it through the process without getting sucked into a book you forgot you had, you're stronger than I am.

Friday (evening) Freebie: Shawn Achor on Happiness

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Right now, my freshmen are reading Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, all the while cooking up happiness projects of their own. To supplement this unit, I've been reading a lot on the subject, and one of my favorite resources is Shawn Achor. Even my freshmen found his TED Talk funny; maybe because he has a way of sharing research in a way that sounds more stand-up than science-y.

So, when I find blogs like this one, where he talks about concrete ways to improve our levels of happiness, I just have to share. I mean, easy ways to get happy that don't involve illegal substances? Who can resist?

I hope your weekend is filled with happiness.

3 Reasons I'm Self-Publishing My Next Book (Some Stolen from Scott Berkun)

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Design via canva.com

In January 2014, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas published my first novel, Casting the First Stone. Getting my book from manuscript into print remains one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me. I'd done this before, with books in the education market, but those books were intended for others like me -- school counselors and educators looking for ideas to use at work. Casting the First Stone is a novel -- something I never thought I'd write, let alone get published.

I had no intention of writing any more about these characters, but readers had a different idea. In the next few weeks (I'm aiming for mid-month), Chasing a Second Chance, the continuation of their story, will debut.

This time, I'm doing it myself -- with a little help from my friends.

As I said, getting my book from manuscript into print remains one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me. And, I learned a lot in the process -- enough that I wanted to try my hand at it. Here are a few reasons why.

1. "I expect to write books for a living for the rest of my life. The ore I know about every part of the process, the greater my odds of success." I found that quote in a blog post on Scott Berkun's website, and it resonated with me. He goes on to say, "Even if I never self-publish again, I�ll never look at a book the same way.  I love books. I want to look at them with great understanding of what�s involved in their creation.
         

Yes. What he said.

2. I'm lucky enough to know people willing to help me. The two most common pieces of advice I've read when it comes to self-publishing are to get the book professionally edited and to invest in a professionally designed cover. If I didn't have well-qualified assists in both of those areas, I don't know if I'd have had the nerve to do it. And, an extra added bonus was that both of these wonderful ladies are friends/family, so they've been known to provide some encouragement along the way as well.

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3. I like the idea of being a "hybrid" author. I haven't given up on traditional publishing. In fact, I'm hoping that's exactly where my next novel will land. And, if and when it does, I'll be well-informed, with information from both sides of the table. That said, to borrow from Scott Berkun again, some of what I write might not fit the traditional market. I might not get representation from an agent or a nibble from editor, but I don't necessarily want that to stop me from moving forward. By testing this process with a book that has invested readers already, I'll have a better idea of whether or not that niche book should make it out of the drawer and into public consumption. 

So, if you were wondering why this post was so late...see items 1 through 3 above. :-)

When Angel Met Jim

In the process of editing a book, things get cut. Most of the time, the cuts make the writing tighter and the story stronger.

One of the things that frequently gets cut is backstory. And, although this is usually a good thing, sometimes it's hard for a writer to let go of the backstory she worked so hard to create.

Many readers of Casting the First Stone have voiced their dislike of Angel's husband, Jim, some have even asked how a sweet girl like Angel ended up with someone like Jim.

As I prepare to release Chasing a Second Chance, I can't tell you that you'll like him any better (you probably won't), but I'd like to share a deleted scene: the night Jim and Angel met.

Angel Spencer had met Jim Alessio at a church social -- the only one she'd ever been able to drag her friend Gina to. Gina had told her over and over again to go up to him, start a conversation, ask him to dance, but even from a distance, Jim had a charm and self-confidence that unnerved Angel. He knew he was handsome -- that was obvious from the way he carried himself -- but that didn�t keep the ladies away. At least not the ones with self-confidence.

Church event or not, Gina quickly went on the prowl, but Angel busied herself filling the refreshment table, keeping cups stocked, making sure the wastebaskets were strategically placed so that clean-up at the end of the evening would be easier. She had just returned from the kitchen with a tray of cookies and was placing it on the table when a male voice made her jump.

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�Did you make those?� he asked.

�No,� Angel said, fussing with the napkins before looking up at Jim, who stood nearly a foot taller than she. �They were donated by Carlini�s Bakery.�

�Are they any good?�


�I don�t know,� Angel said. �Would you like to try one?�

Even at that moment, Angel knew their conversation was hardly the stuff of romance novels, but she didn�t care. There were plenty of women swarming around him -- most more polished and sophisticated than she was -- and yet this handsome, charming man had started a conversation with her. It was all she could do to string logical sentences together, so a conversation about cookies was a relief.  

�Are you serving the refreshments, too, or would you like to dance?�

�No. I mean, yes, I�d love to dance,� Angel said.

Jim took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. �I�m Jim, by the way.�

�Angel. Are you active with the men's group? I mean, is that why you�re here?�

�Part of the reason,� Jim said. �How about you? What brings you here this evening?�

Angel smiled. �I volunteered to help with refreshments,� she said. �Actually, you gentlemen secured all the food. All we ladies had to do was set it out.�

�Well, you�ve done a lovely job.�

�Thank you.�

They danced in silence to the out of tune jazz band's rendition of �Someone to Watch Over Me,� and Angel tried not to be nervous about her sudden inability to make witty -- or even intelligent -- conversation. Jim didn�t seem to mind. He drew her closer as the song went on, but when it was over, he thanked her for the dance and put himself back in circulation.

�So?� Gina said, coming up to Angel seconds after the next song started.

Angel shrugged. �I don�t know. We had a nice conversation, and the dance was nice �-�

Gina rolled her eyes. �What a ringing endorsement. Should I even tell you what I found out?�

Angel sighed. �Do I want to know?�

�Of course you do. His name is Jim Alessio. He runs a restaurant supply company, which isn�t surprising, since his parents own Alessio�s Pizza on North Main.�

�How did you -- �

Gina raised one shoulder in a half-shrug and smirked. �Look, I�m usually the one doing the drooling �-�

�I was not drooling!�

"Um, yeah, you were. I�m a cynic, but you�re so completely trusting I wanted to make sure you weren�t getting in over your head. Seems like the coast is clear, though. Nobody I talked to knew anything about any divorces or pending annulments. Seems your Jim is free and clear �- no ties whatsoever.� 

Stay tuned for news on Chasing a Second Chance, due out later this month.