I am here at the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals and had to share the most precious movie I’ve seen so far.  This is a film that is not pushing an agenda, not promoting a cause or trying to freak you out – it is simply a precious love story that makes you smile.

Heavy Girls

I absolutely loved this movie!  I loved the message, the love story, the music, the sweetness and the overall joy emanating from this film. If you are near a town where it is playing, I highly recommend seeing it.

It is amazing to me how some (okay, a lot) of indie movies push the envelope with things that mainstream does not.  Sometimes the choices indie filmmakers make are awesome. They make you think.  They can point out issues. They are ‘in your face.’  And sometimes, they are very disturbing.

But sometimes, the filmmaker simply sends you on a lovely journey that is so simple and so wonderful that it never would have been funded by a mainstream studio because it’s just a small simple story.

Though the film is small, the love in Heavy Girls is HUGE.

I saw another film that instead of being a lovely ride like Heavy Girls, was a rollercoaster of awkwardness. It had so much nudity I wanted to throw up.  Not that nudity is bad, it was just that the naked scenes of the lead girl, outside of one or maybe two, had nothing to do with the story.

The naked scene in Heavy Girls (in the above trailer too) where the guys run into a lake is so precious because the process of them getting naked is not gratuitous, it is adorable and is a huge part of the story.  You are watching a precious vulnerable moment. There is no sex scene, you don’t have to watch any “action”, they simply run around the lake like little boys.  It is so cute I had this huge smile on my face watching it.  It was innocent and sweet – just like the whole film.

Heavy Girls is one of those indie movies that makes me proud of being a filmmaker and writer.  I hope you get to see it.

My mom sent me this in an email. And if you know my mom’s emails, you expect something funny, but this is quite beautiful and I could not agree more!  This is worth a watch to remind you to release judgements and blaming if you have any lingering and instead be an ambassador of loving silence.

A Reminder to Listen to Yourself

It’s Tuesday!  Amazing how fast the weeks fly by, isn’t it?  Welcome to 2012!  I answer your questions, share your comments and take your requests on Tuesdays as you know if you already read my blog.

This week I had a lot of lovely comments about enjoying my site and “liking” my page, which I really appreciate. I enjoy hearing that what I’m doing in the world is helping you somehow, even if it’s to provide a laugh just when you needed it.  Thank you so much for letting me know!  I heart you too!  (Also, thanks for letting me know the YouTube link was broken!)

I got your questions about publishing your books, making money on your own and your requests for more puppet videos!  I’m on it!  I also received a short list of trauma related questions that were sad, but worthy of a mention.  They were sad because the people asking referred to themselves as damaged goods, losers, never going to amount to anything etc.   That kind of language is not allowed in my camp. So much so, that I’m not even going to repost the questions so you don’t read it and put that idea into your brain either.

But I will use this opportunity to talk about the Misery Back Guarantee. 

Yes, no matter how much you move forward in your life, live joyfully no matter what you’ve been through, rid yourself of toxic people and habits, and start living a life you love – there is always a Misery Back Guarantee!

You can have it back, at anytime.  It’s your choice.

Why would you want a Misery Back Guarantee?

Because Misery can be a hard habit to break.  If you don’t know any better life than one filled with trauma, if you were raised by wolves (and some people really were) and did not have good examples to follow, if all you know is misery – you may just want it back!

Ever met folks who will fight you if you tell them about prosperity, abundance and joy?  They give you that glare, maybe even with a snarl.  If you hand them a happy life on a platter they may just shoot you instead of taking it.  They will protect their unhappiness, fears, doubts and worries with their life!

How do you let go of Misery?

You simply let go.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with a very cool pastor in the Air Force when I went down to the retirement ceremony at Quantico.  He told me an excellent story about this very thing that he shares with his congregation.  It goes like this:

There was a shaman walking through the desert.  He came upon a man curled up on the ground with his arms around a thorn bush. The man was bloody and bruised as he held onto the thorns that dug into his skin.  The shaman asked him if he was comfortable.  The man said that he was in great pain because of this bush.  The shaman asked him why he held on and told him he could just let go.  The man said he would never let go.  The shaman asked him why.  The man said, “Because this is my thorn bush.”

So I ask those of you who still talk poorly of yourselves (and a reminder to those who have stopped that awful habit) – What is that thorn bush worth to you? What are you getting in return for holding onto it?  You can let go and still have your misery back at any time.

Today’s Special: Let go of your misery FOR FREE.  If you are not satisfied with the weight lifted, feel free to return it FOR FREE and you can have your misery back exactly like you had it – FOR FREE.

Next week – let’s talk about how to write your books and get them out there, shall we?

Keep sending in your questions and I’ll keep answering (even if you get an answer you were not expecting!)

It’s 2012 People – Let go of the thorn bush.  Cut the negative speak about yourself and others, that’s too miserable a feeling and there is way too much fun to be had!

I will email you my blog posts (with special private messages) when you sign up below in that blue and red box.  The updates are not automated, I send them out by hand so I can add notes.

It’s Tuesday! I have a long list of questions, comments and requests from you but this one did not fit with others to make a list – It stands all on its own so I’m using it for this week’s request.

Question:

Can you share tips for having fun. I know I’m supposed to have fun, but I’m not exactly sure how.

Answer:

Not sure how to have fun?  That sounds like you need to recreate a childhood to me!  Here’s a list that can help you get started.

1. Be Able to Have Fun Alone 

If you can’t have fun alone, well…  just like you need to put on your oxygen mask before assisting anyone else – you need to be able to have fun alone!

Filmmaker Andrea Dorfman has a beautiful video about this very thing.  Watch it.

2. Watch the movie Hot Rod

If you haven’t seen it, you will laugh. If you’ve seen it 30 times, you will still laugh.  Laughter leads to fun.

3. Skip

It is nearly impossible to skip with a frown on your face.  Try it.  Skip to your car.  Skip around your house.  Skip inside your head.  Skipping makes you smile and smiling is fun.

4. Start a Dance Floor

This is my personal favorite.  Wherever there are people gathered around music, usually sitting, go start the dance floor.  It will take 3-4 songs and you will think you look like a fool but after that third of forth song, everyone will be up dancing. Works every time.  And it is supremely fun!  If you’re afraid of crowds, start a dance floor in your living room.  Your pets will start dancing.  Watch.

5.  Make Up a Song in a Made-up Language

I did this all the time and it’s fun.  Koo boo koo boo, wooo wooo wooo.  Tra teeky teeky la tra la la la.  Now you do one.  It’s fun.

6. Get Birdseed and/or Bread and go Feed the Birds (and squirrels)

Take your seed and bread to the park and feed those little critters. Watch all their silly little mannerisms.  It’s fun.  Plus, you will probably meets some very interesting old people and that’s fun.

7. Play Dress Up

It’s fun.  If you never did it as a kid and don’t have a mother who collects antique clothes and hats, go to a thrift store with a buddy and try on things.  It’s fun.  Who knows, you may even find a treasure for two bucks!

8.  Get a Harmonica

Harmonicas are really cheap and they are fun.  If you play it for your pets, they look at you like you’re crazy and sometimes howl and meow and that’s funny.

9. Get a Hula-Hoop

I got mine from Hoopnotica and it is perfection. There’s an ad over to the right (it says “find yourself in the hoop”).  If you get one from there I get a teeny piece of the purchase – that’s fun!  We can hula-hoop together!

10. Watch a Kung-Fu movie without subtitles

Translate what they are saying while mimicking the fight movies.  Fun!

11. Use Your Opposite Hands All Day

For everything you use your right hand for, use your left and vice versa.  It’s awkward and fun.

12. Make the Choice to Have Fun at Everything

Ah – here’s the catch.  Everything can be fun (within reason), even taking out the trash can be a hoot when you get into the rhythm of having fun.  Daily activities like cooking, cleaning, driving, paying bills (blech), can be fun!  Even the bills – add a smilie face to the one going to the IRS.  It’s fun.

Thank you for sharing your questions, comments and requests with me. I love hearing from you! Over the weekend, I was in DC for an event at Quantico and we had no wifi where we were staying (cue very long scream) so I did not post every day like I have been doing.  But today is Tuesday and I’ve committed to answering questions on Tues and thank goodness I have access to the wonderful world wide web!

Today I’m answering more of a spiritual question that has been asked more than once.  Thanks for asking it!  I love these questions.

Meditation Room

Question:

So, I just had a conversation with a Christian friend of mine who claims that sexual abuse doesn’t define who you are…prayer changes everything! What is your take on this concept?  I do not believe spirituality can change a person’s definition after having been assaulted!  What do you think?  I am way too uptight for meditation to work and who do I pray to if I am not a spiritual person?

Answer:

Well, I actually totally agree with your friend in a spiritual sense.  Abuse does not define you, you get to do that.

But you say you are the person you are due to the abuse in your life.  It defined you as a young person and has carried you this far. Right?  The question I have for you is – What do you want to define you?   If you define yourself as a victim (which is your prerogative) you are still abusing yourself after the trauma and/or your abuser is done and gone.

This is why I like the analogy of trauma being like a sword – because a sword is outside of yourself.  You can remove it and use it to do good.   I wrote a 118 page workbook about it too!  It goes through the 5 Steps of the Sword.

1. Acknowledging the Sword
2. Removing the Sword
3. Healing the Wound
4. Using Your Sword
5. Practicing Sword Play

The reason for the sword analogy is to show how the trauma is not you, it is something that happened to you.

Going back to your friend’s comment about prayer defining you, so does the inner dialog about yourself.  What you think and say about yourself defines you.  Your abuse defines you only if you allow it.  I believe that spirituality can in fact change a person’s definition after being assaulted. I also 100% understand the distain for that term too.

I know how you can get uptight and freaked out by the old Christian ways, rules, dogma and guilt that has been passed down from your trauma and/or your not-so-nice family.   I’ve been there. So many wonderful things about faith, prayer and meditation have been hijacked, contorted and deformed that it can send you running at full speed away from anything using such language.  I get it. I’ve hightailed it too.

But there are many ways to practice prayer and meditation that will greatly affect your life for the better while not having to take the prescribed pill of ignorance, control and fear.

Here some ways I practice that may work for you too –

Many Ways to Pray

Gandhi

• Change the thought patterns in your head.  Prayer does not have to be the typical on your knees, hands together.  Prayer has many forms and one of those is a forumla of words.  By saying to yourself in your head that you are lovely, a divine spark of spirit, loved, wonderful, a Goddess, a Queen and a love spark of God - you are practicing a form of prayer.  Replacing the old negative record in your head of being ugly, worthless, unloved, pathetic, etc with words and phrases that are the complete opposite is practicing a form of prayer.
• Be thankful for what is to come. Many pray by asking for what they don’t have, but by expressing gratitude for what is yet to come, you are practicing a form of prayer.  It’s like making a commitment and wording it as if you already have what you’re asking for.  For example if you say aloud or in your head how you are grateful for the blessings being bestowed onto you, or for how the pain has left you or how the old story no longer affects you – you are speaking as if it already happened.  You are “letting go and letting God”.  You are trusting that it will be taken care of by giving thanks for it instead of asking for something you don’t have. Words are powerful things, even if they are not said aloud and only repeated in your mind.  Just like in the commitment page, the practice of wording it as if you already have it helps form the pathway in your mind for it to exist instead of pleading for something that seems out of reach.
• Be in the presence of greatness.  Put whoever you think is amazing in the room with you or in your car as you drive.  Have Jesus in the passenger seat, or Buddha or Owl Goddess in the hallway.  Use whoever invokes a code of morals for you and inspires you to be a better person in their presence.  This is also a great way to stop negative patterns and habits too.  For example, are you really going to have that cigarette if you’re blowing it in Jesus’s face?  Or making the Buddha cough up a lung?  Probably not.
• Create your own observance.  Is there something that reminds you of a happy time? Something that inspires calm within you?  I have a small smooth rock from a special trip I made.  I have a coin given to me by someone that reminds me of a very inspirational experience.  I also have a pin that means a lot to me.  When you find items that mean a great deal or remind you or a powerful time in your life and keep them either in your pocket or on your desk or any other place where you’ll see them – it reminds you of that time.  A form of prayer happens when you stop for a moment and feel the feeling the item brings up for you.  For example when I reach into my pocket and feel the smooth stone that a special woman gave to me, it sends me back to a meditative place by the lake.
• Create a Sacred Space.  Do you have your own room?  Do you have a special place to sit and pause the play button on life for a bit?  It can be as big as your own room or treehouse or as small as a table with only things that invoke peace and calm within you.  You can also take a room back like I wrote about in Finding Angela Shelton and how I took my bathroom back.  Just like you can rewrite your old story and the definition of yourself, you can reclaim places and make them sacred.  In my book I talked about being uncomfortable in the bathroom due to past abuse.  I reclaimed that room and now I love bathrooms and am having a great time remodeling one now as a matter of fact!

What does prayer and meditation mean to you and how to do practice?

Please share in the comments below on Disqus or on Facebook.
 

On our holiday visits, I visited the rest room at a friend’s house and came face to face with this poem, Desiderata, in front of the toilet. I had never read it before but soon heard that many had and I was the naive one.  So, I’ve missed this all these years but I sure do love it now!

Since I’ve been sharing a slice of life on Saturdays, I wanted to share something that moved me.

The Desiderata of Happiness

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Written by Max Ehrmann

This is one of the things that make me happy.  What makes you happy?  Any favorite poems?

Photo by Xedos4 @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My mom used to work as a psychic on one of the psychic networks (Yes, I know my life is a TV show) and the most common questions she received from the overpaying callers in need were about Love or Money.

The ones I get are mainly about Healing, Love and Money.  Maybe people don’t call the psychic 900 numbers looking for healing.

This week I compiled a few questions I’ve received about love.

Hope you love the answers!

Questions:

• How do I find a safe relationship?
• I’m scared of having a relationship. Are you in a good one?
• How do you have such a healthy happy relationship?

Answers:

Photo from Photostock @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have to say, being in a healthy happy fun relationship myself, that I totally disagree with those comments.  It takes PLAY.  That’s right. To have a great, happy, healthy relationship that’s fun and fulfilling – it takes PLAY!

I’ve asked couples I know who have been together for eons and still hold hands and still kiss how they stayed together too and you know what they said?  You guessed it – play.  They play together.  One of the gentleman, who is one of the men I respect most in the world said, “Darling, we are always five years old.  We play. That keeps you young and keep the romance alive.”  He is also sits across the table from his wife (who he has been married to for 45 years btw) and says, “You are a magnificent woman, dear.”

The best relationship I’ve had in my life (which I am thankfully in now and you should read the last chapter of Will Date 4 Food) is so fun that I totally forgot all about those “work” warnings. We PLAY at everything from cooking to walking the dog to taking the trash out.  As my mother says (and she’s been in a few relationships herself) it’s not about those passionate drive-you-crazy with lust moments that keep you going – it’s about day-to-day living.  I don’t know about you, but I like my day-to-day living to have more play than work!

But your question is how you find that and it makes me think of my mother at the psychic network actually!  She had three questions she asked back to the callers that, though I’m not into calling 900 numbers, I think is the best thing she did for them.  She asked those asking about Love to ask themselves three questions:

1. Are you a better, happy person in their presence?
2. Do they do what they say they’re going to do?
3. Can you be yourself 100% around them?

If you answer No to any of those questions, the relationship is probably not one you want to be in really.  That includes friendships.  Let’s go over the questions.

Number one, are you a better happy person in their presence?  Meaning do you change when you’re around them? Do you “behave” or get really quiet or do things that don’t fit your character?  Your answer then would be no.  But if they lift you up, make you giddy and kinder with yourself and others, your answer is Yes.

Number two, do they do what they say there’re going to do?  Meaning do you trust them?  Are they a lying sack of BS?  Do they make a lot of promises and not fulfill them?  Then your answer is No.  But if you can count on them, if they are honest, if you may not agree on things but they will talk to you about it and are available and reliable, your answer is Yes.  If that is the person you can call when you’re sick, stranded, broken up, down, or in need, then your answer is Yes!

Number three, can you be yourself 100% around them?  This is kind of like number one but so important that it gets its own number.  If you can’t fully be yourself, you will not be happy in the long run.  Meaning, can you talk about the things you really want to talk about?  Can you reveal your inner most dreams and fears?  Can you fart? I’m serious.  Can you be sick and unattractive as well as your lovely self?  Can you play dress up and act like a loon and dance to silly music and not be ridiculed?  Then your answer is Yes!

In the relationships I had to “work” on, I could not be myself, I did not really truly trust them and I clammed up around them.  In the happy relationship, I smile and laugh a lot more, I can count on him more than anyone I’ve ever met and I can dance around like a loon to silly music – and he joins in!

So to answer your questions, I suggest you ask yourself those three questions about the relationships you are in and as you are trying to find a relationship that is a good fit for you – be a Yes answer for yourself first.  Be a better, happy person that is accountable, responsible and good and for crying out loud be yourself and you will attract someone that is a fit for you energetically.  It’s like magic.  And read Will Date 4 Food – it’s actually a self-help book about all of this.

Keep sending me questions and I’ll keep answering them!

Do you like my blog?  Get it to your email Inbox and respond to the email!  They all come to me and I’d love to know what more you’d like me to write about to help you live a happier, healthy, more creative life.

My friend Marci Liroff is producing this movie The Sublime and the Beautiful.

One week before Christmas, the death of their children to a drunk driving accident turns the Conrads’ lives inside out. THE SUBLIME AND BEAUTIFUL will be a raw and authentic movie that deals with fate versus free will, love and grief and ultimately….hope.

If you have ever lost a loved one, now is the time to support a film that brings hope and healing to those who have lost loved ones.  They are raising money via KickStarter – the way many projects nowadays are being funded.

Sublime – Matt’s Story from James Cox on Vimeo.

You asked me this question (in that little black pop-up in the bottom right of this site).  I’ve been answering questions one day a week but I saw this “Perhaps the follow-up should be ” Check please” to some of the not so great dates” pertaining to Will Date 4 Food.  

Chapter 17 is called Weirdoes, Freaks and Creeps and is all about how to get out of their fast. It even gives you pointers on what exactly to say and how to spot a weirdo and avoid them.  Here’s the first page of the Table of Contents to wet your appetite!

But your question also made me think of my conversation with author Angela Martin and her book How to Ruin Your Ex-Husband’s Life One Day at a Time.

I made her brunch and had a conversation with her.  Here is the conversation.  (I’ll post the  making of the yummy pink miracle later.)

Ruin Your Ex with Angela Martin:

Now, now I do not condone being mean but I sure do love Angela’s idea of getting your own wedding dress!!

You can have divorce parties too. Btw, did you see my Polka-Dotted Pedicure Contest? Show me some happy feet!

Get my Blog posts to your email because it’s fun. I personally send them out and never share my email lists. That’s rude.

Will Date 4 Food is being served next month!

I had to share this gorgeous cover designed by Jennifer Welker.  Quiet Owl Books loved her work so much that they not only had her do this cover but they hired her do covers for three more of their books, yay Jennifer!   Yours truly made that connection and I’m quite pleased with myself.   I mean look at the cover!  Gorgeous!  It’s a diner menu, get it?  I am just giddy.

Online Dating expert and best selling author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online, Julie Spira, says this:

“In Will Date 4 Food, Angela Shelton shows you how to cast a wide net with a dose of humor while looking for conversation, a pleasant meal, and even love online.”

Screenwriter, actor and comedian, Rick Overton says this:

“Angela Shelton is a hilarious, insightful and soulful comic force. Her life experiences and lyrical philosophies make for a great read in lean times.”  

Speaking of awesome books I recommend (and I love WillDate4Food btw) I just posted a review on Amazon about Written in the Ashes.  I finally finished it since I was savoring every last bit and I adore it.

It’s a super high recommend on my list. Check out my review and please share this book. It is a gem of a find.

My latest book Will Date 4 Food, an online dating guide for girls who can’t afford to eat out is coming out next month!

I just saw the final layout and am super excited.

Wendy Murphy wrote the forward to it! Wanna read it? Okay, here it is:

FORWARD
BY WENDY MURPHY

If you’ve ever paid the bill at a restaurant, not only for your own meal but also for your date’s, and sometimes for everyone else at the table, too, or if you’ve ever insisted that you should “take care” of things while those around you sit idly by and take advantage of your generous personality, this book will change your life.


Angela Shelton gives you all the tools you need to break free from the habits that ruined your finances, turned you into a sucker and propelled you to date all the hangers-on who dragged you down into a pit of poverty and self-pity.
Too many women waste time, in the real world and on-line, looking for “Prince Charming”. They don’t dedicate nearly enough energy thinking about their own needs and noticing that Prince Charming is actually a slob or a leech.

Will Date 4 Food is a perfect antidote to this craziness. Filled with serious advice, funny stories and even a few good recipes, this book will take you from your laptop to a great dinner with an interesting guy in record time.


Better yet, this book will transform you from a person who puts herself second, third – or last – to a woman who realizes her value and puts herself first for a change. Just sit back and enjoy the ride when all sorts of wonderful things, start landing in your lap when you’re not even trying.


One minute you’re learning about online dating, and before you know it, you’re figuring out your finances, listening to people around you with a whole new perspective, and literally eating healthy food while spending time with really nice, interesting guys!


This liberating, frolic of a read is going to lift your spirits and fill your bank account while loading you up with real nutrition, paid for by the kinds of men who want to feed you because they find you are utterly delightful!

As it should be.

Wendy Murphy
JD Law Professor, Women’s Advocate and Author of And Justice For Some
seen on NBC, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, The O’Reilly Factor and Nancy Grace

What do to when you’re stressed. What to do when you’re bored? What to do when you’re depressed?


First of all I sure hope you’re not bored.  There are plenty of things to.  There is even a dating site called Plenty of Fish (many seniors have met on there). But if you are sincerely bored, maybe it’s time you started writing your book.  I see you.  Yes, I mean you.  I made that page right over to the right. It’s called Writing Books Movies & Memories. Get to it. Go make something like that crazy musically inspired bird bath!

I hope you’re not depressed either.  I post loads of things to bring a smile to your face.  Look around!  If you’re stressed out, I understand. I’ve been there.  There are loads of things you can do to calm yourself and get giddy again. You can tell stress to go take a hike, you’ve had enough of him (or her).

I was going to post something funny today but you know what, based on your questions I thought I’d share ways to move on from boredom, depression and stress instead (while sharing funny videos!)

Breathe

This video may be funny and I may crack up in the middle (listen for it), but it is still the truth!  Take a break.

Go Help Someone

There are plenty of people who need help out there.  Volunteer.  Enchanted Makeovers is a great place to start.

Figure Something Out

Here’s something.  Can you figure out how in the world Kim from Modern Bag Ladies does this with her lips.  There’s hours of fun.  Then go poke around her site. It’s awesome.

Be Healthy About It

Just because you might be depressed, bored or stressed doesn’t mean you should go unlock that liquor cabinet or take up smoking again.  Now now, calm down a second.  There are lots of ways to be happy.  Laugh out loud for no reason.  Try it right now.  That was funny.  You can clean up your desk at work instead of playing solitaire and popping pain pills.  There’s an idea!

Ask Others

I did a search on the Survivor Manual for stress and came up with a lot of ways to move beyond stress and anxiety.  Check out others who have done it and see what they’re doing.  Copy them. It’s okay, they won’t mind if you follow their steps.  It’s like dancing.  Follow along.

Take a Break and Read

I have to work on a new book today.  But when I take a few breaks I’m going to read some blogs on writing. I am also going to continue reading this fantastic book I’m in love with:

Written in the Ashes

What is your favorite way to take a break?  Tell me in the comments or email me when you respond to any of my newsletters.  It all goes to me.  I had someone say that I was a big giant company making millions and if they emailed me they would get a slew of assistants.  I had a big belly laugh over that one.  The most you’ll get is one assistant but even those emails come to me.