Living the Dream

Yesterday I sat down to write a guest blog post for my pen name. The subject had to be on writing or the writing life. As I wrote about my journey I noticed a common theme – grief or despair fueled the heights of my career.

While I was being abused by my ex-husband I wrote my most intense stories for the Trues. When I lost my son at 6 days old I went on to write 12 novels.

When life was good I continued to write, but that raw emotion wasn’t present. Sure I still wrote compelling stories, just not as emotional.

Now, I’m not saying that life has to be in turmoil to write. I’m only realizing my writing was the strongest during these times. So, now I have to find a way to capture those heights, but not live in the lows.

The bottom line I never gave up. No matter how tough life got, I pushed forward.

I’ve decided to create my persona again. I’ll be taking on a new pen name. This time I’m going to open old wounds and write from the heart. My books are going to be on tough subjects, but true ones. In the end I live by six words:

Never give up on your dreams

I wear many different writers’ hats. I write non-fiction, fiction, newsletters, long, short, it didn’t matter. The writing bug lives inside me and not matter what any naysayers have to say, I will charge forward.

Happy Valentine's Day

The Moment

“It’s all about the moment.” Jamie Anderson's comment after winning the gold in slopestyle at the Sochi Olympics on Sunday.

What more can you say?

The Old Way

Back in the day before email became the standard form of submitting, writer’s had to send queries and stories via snail mail. Most editors required a SASE or self-addressed stamped envelope. There was another option that I took full advantage of – the self-addressed postcard. These were normally hand written and sent along with the query or story. The majority were completed works.

The postcards had two options:

____Yes, we received your submission and it’s under consideration.

____Your submission doesn’t currently meet our needs.           

Easy!

Of course this isn’t as easy as sending an email. The waiting could be painful. Now with email you can get a response the same day - though most likely not.

I’d forgotten about this method until I was reading an article about Copywriting and the author suggested using this method for cold calling.

Sure I’m dating myself with this information, but I’m sure you remember an old way of submitting? Anything you liked or miss? Feel free to share your thoughts.

CVS says NO!

CVS has decided to forgo profits and stop selling cigarettes in their Rhode Island stores. I think this is a smart move; given their a health store on most levels. They could lose billions of dollars in profits. It’s a big statement.

I’m a former smoker, so I know that if I want my cigarettes I’m going to go wherever I can get them. Quitting isn’t easy…I know. But I did it. I haven’t smoked in 21 years and I’m thrilled to be clean.

I’m proud of CVS for standing up and making a bold decision. I wonder if the other pharmacy’s like Walgreens will do the same? Most likely not. Or will this move outside of Rhode Island?

I’ll be watching to see how this plays out.

What are your thoughts?