Amber Leggette-Aldrich
Painting Pictures with Words
Monday Motivation #1
Monday Motivation #1
What motivates you?
Sometimes motivation is unintentional. I’m sure the fella in the picture was quite motivated to peddle as fast as he could to get away from the bear. His motivation was fear, which can propel us into acts of seemingly super-human ability at times, while at other times makes us freeze up and unable to move.
Motivation is simply an incentive or a reason for doing something, and is generated by our thoughts and emotions. For instance, the fella in the picture was probably thinking something like, “I don’t want to be meals on wheels”.
That type of motivation is instinctual, for self-preservation. It is usually a very quick thought process followed by immediate action.
So, what about the more mundane circumstances of life? Do we jump out of bed on Monday morning and get ready for work with the same kind of enthusiasm? For most folks, the answer is probably “no”, unless perhaps we’ve overslept and are going to be late. Still, there are some that wake up ready for action.
It takes my brother-in-law about 20 minutes from the time his alarm clock goes off to get showered, dressed, and in the car leaving for work. And he does it without any coffee!
I, on the other hand, am an early riser, yet it takes a little time (and a few cups of coffee) before I’m ready to swing into action.
That created a problem for me when I became a self-employed freelance writer.
Since I set my own schedule, it was easy in the beginning to procrastinate in getting started for the day. I work from home, so no one cares what I wear, or if I even bother to get dressed at all. I could even skip brushing my hair and teeth if I wanted, however, I do not recommend that.
I could find all sorts of excuses to do anything but work, and no one will yell at me. Unfortunately, the paychecks are determined by actually doing the work, so I had to get myself organized and motivated.
Can we design and create our own motivation on purpose?
The answer is yes. But how?
Did you know there are 12,500,000 results for motivational conferences on google? Seems there are a lot of folks searching for that spark to move them to action. I have attended a few seminars myself over the years for motivational training in particular areas.
One of the main attributes of the speakers at these seminars was their ability to influence a change in thinking, attitude, and behavior in their audience. The reason to change is primarily to stop a bad habit, something that is preventing you from achieving your desire, and replacing it with a good habit that helps you to attain your goal.
I needed to change my habit of procrastination. So, I started by examining how I thought about myself as an employer verses an employee. It didn’t take me long to realize that as an employer, I would quickly fire me as an employee, because I wasn’t doing the work required on time.
I had to create a schedule and a specific deadline, and treat it with the same attitude as if I were on the clock for an employer. I also had to prioritize my activities and alleviate the distractions that consumed too much of my time.
One thing I discovered about myself in doing this is that I tend to create to-do lists that only Wonder Woman could hope to achieve. This makes prioritizing critical for me, especially in writing.
I also needed to be more effective in my time management. Once I get on a roll in working on something, I don’t like to stop until I’m done. I lose track of time, and other important tasks can end up being neglected. I know it sounds silly, but I actually had to set alarms on my phone to remind me of things like letting the dog out, eating occasionally, and when to stop working for the day. Eventually I was able to create a routine that kept the basic necessities covered.
Pursuing a career in writing can often involve a certain amount of frustration, dealing with rejections, lack of income, and the like. It also requires a lot of patience.
When I first started writing, it was more of a hobby, and there wasn’t much pressure with it. But as a career, it does involve pressure, sometimes enough to make me think about quitting.
So, why don’t I quit? Because I’ve learned to keep myself motivated with passion. I remind myself all the time that I’m doing this because I love it! The reward of satisfaction from sharing encouragement and helping others is greater than the petty irritations that may come.
I learned a long time ago that no matter what job I’m doing, there will be things about it that I don’t like. But it still has to be done. So, then I have a choice. I can do it with a miserable attitude, or I can do it with a pleasant attitude. The one I choose determines how I feel about myself at the end of the day. I can become a bitter person, or I can become a better person.
And for those mornings when I’m having a hard time getting started, I created a little resource of quotes, memes, and sayings that give me the boost I need for that passionate spark to take off. (Maybe I’ll share some of those next Monday).
Until then, I’d love to hear what motivates you? What influences your passion or desire enough to create a change? Share your suggestions and experiences of what works for you. It may the key to helping someone else to grow.
Well, that’s it for today. Make it a good Monday, and I’ll see you tomorrow! -Amber
Friday Fun #2 – Coal
As promised, this week I’ll begin introducing the cat clan.
Meet Kitty Coal…
Also known as Big Ol’ Handsome Boy, or Handsome for short. It doesn’t really matter what he’s called, as he only responds if he feels like it anyway.
As you can see, he is well read and highly intelligent.
Coal is the eldest of the cat clan, taking ownership of the cabin after being rescued in 2007 when he was 5 months old.
Although he is getting older, he is still ruler of the beasts here. In spite of Frodo’s size and weight advantage, even he concedes to Coal when the claws come out in full glory. (He remembers those talons impaling his tongue when he was just a pup.)
Living wild for his first 5 months, Coal never learned how to play gently. His version of playing is like a fight-to-the-death scene from a Bruce Lee movie (and my arms have the scars to prove it). To him, it’s the only way to play, but the other critters always end up running away. There were only 2 exceptions: a little black kitten named Spunky, but he didn’t have a lick of sense anyway; and a wolf named Trocaire who wanted to eat Coal (that is why Coal was at the top of the bookshelves in the picture, to get out of reach of the jaws).
Coal is a large cat, weighing in at 20 pounds, and he walks around with the majesty of a lion full of confidence. His feet make a rhythmic heavy thunking sound on the floor when he walks, so you always know when he enters the room.
One of his favorite activities nowadays is to lay across the top of my chair behind my neck, and smack me in the face with his big fluffy tail. He is as accurate in his strike as Indiana Jones with his whip, sending my glasses flying more than once.
He also likes to pounce into my lap unexpectedly, which feels like having a bowling ball with claws dropped on my gut.
Most of the critters I’ve known over the years have been afraid of vacuums (except a dog I had years ago that would attack them). But not Coal. He actually lays down in front of the vacuum on his back, waiting for the hose to suck his up his fat belly. (I wish the other critters liked being groomed this way.)
As is the nature with most cats, Coal is demanding. He will start with the wide-eyed stare, followed quickly by the squinty-eyed glare. If that does not elicit the desired response, he begins softly poking with the tip of his claws. After 2 or 3 attempts, as a last resort to get his way, he employs the full arsenal of his teeth. This always causes action, though not necessarily the kind he wants.
Another typical cat trait is the love of knocking everything over, and Coal has mastered this ability. It seems to be his favorite way to annoy me when I’m trying to sleep, as he wanders around the house clearing off every horizontal surface he can get to. I watched him once, sitting on the counter, knocking one thing at a time off. After each item hit the floor, he would look me in the eye, almost smiling, and then push something else off. He also lines items up on the edge of the tables and then bombs Frodo with them.
To say that Coal has made my life interesting and filled it with entertainment is an understatement. But he has also filled it with joy and affection. He doesn’t really give kisses, but he drools on me (a lot) as he purrs away in contentment, snuggled up on my shoulder.
I could go on for a lot longer about Coal, but I think I’ll save some for the next book of Crazy Critters.
Next week, I’ll introduce another member of the cat clan, so make sure to come back for a cup of coffee and a few giggles.
Have an awesome weekend, and I’ll see you Monday! – Amber
The Inspiration of Mike Rowe
Inspiration Comes Without Warning…
I actually set out to write a totally different post for today, but through the research, I came across something that altered my direction of thought.
My original idea was about reviewing the success of a few people that I admire, folks that made that long climb up the ladder to the top of their industry. There were 4 names on my list.
As I began the research on their backgrounds, I came across another name, one that I didn’t really know much about. I had seen him on TV, and I remembered seeing something on the internet about a project he was working on that had piqued my interest, but I never got around to checking it out.
Today I looked him up. His name is Mike Rowe, but you may know him as “the dirtiest man on TV” from the show Dirty Jobs.
Aside from the fact that I like his sense of humor and style, there were some things he said regarding work ethics and attitudes that resonated with my beliefs, so I added him to my list of names.
Then, I came across the section involving his scholarship program, which was the project I mentioned earlier.
Part of the application process involves something called “The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge”, which stands for: Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo. There are 12 parts in this pledge, and he put together a series of short videos giving a brief explanation for each with real-life examples.
I found all 12 videos to be informative, encouraging, and inspirational. But #8 actually brought me to tears. There are no additional words that I could give to add any value, so instead, I’d like to share the video. It’s only about 6 minutes long, and well worth the time.
An Attitude of Gratitude
I was left completely humbled and inspired, so I just want to say thank you to Mike Rowe for his efforts in this worthy cause, and a special thank you to Staff Sgt Travis Mills, thank you for your service and sacrifice, along with your efforts in The Travis Mills Foundation. You are a true hero and role model.
Maybe we all need a reminder from time to time, life can change instantly, in the blink of an eye. Instead of whining and complaining about what’s going wrong, lets try being thankful for what’s going right. An attitude of gratitude does make a difference.
Well, that’s it for today. The cats are calling me (in other words, I can hear them all running around, tearing things up in the other room).
So, until tomorrow, have a Happy Thursday! – Amber
(Disclaimer: I am not receiving compensation of any kind, and am not affiliated with Mike Rowe or The Travis Mills Foundation. I just like what they do, and thought you might like it too.)
Becoming a Great Leader Starts With This…
In the beginning…
When I write, I can put the jumbled thoughts that are swirling through my mind into written words that can make sense, even if only to me. Because I must focus to move my fingers on the keyboard, I can take my time and just let the words flow in a more selected way, and then change the thoughts into more organized patterns.
The intent is to imagine these patterns as pieces of a puzzle, and then begin putting them together to form the complete picture. That is the magic of writing.
When I write non-fiction, the pictures often represent the emotions in my heart. But they also represent knowledge learned, which came through seeing, hearing, and doing, my life’s experiences.
One of the books I am working on now came from the experiences I’ve endured on my journey to becoming an author, and I’d like to share a brief excerpt here today. (Though my book is being written primarily for authors, much of it applies to any business or industry.)
From the business end of it, you are promoting yourself as an author (not your books, but you as a person).
Another aspect of the business is based on the idea that an author can be thought of as a leader. You are leading the minds of your readers with your words.
The following excerpt is about building your reputation as a leader with integrity:
Building Leadership Skills: 4 Keys to Becoming a Person of Influence
During a recent study group session regarding leadership skills, the question was asked, “Who are your primary influencers & Why and how do they influence you?” Our answers were varied on “who”, but there was a general pattern in the “why and how”.
What makes a leader stand out from the crowd? It is their ability to be effective in their influence on others, in thought or action, combined with integrity.
In any form of leadership, it is important to connect with those you are leading. Otherwise they won’t follow you for very long. Here are 4 keys to becoming a person of influence, and building connections that have a powerful impact.
1. BE TRUSTWORTHY
People will not listen to you if they don’t trust you. Trust is earned when you demonstrate:
- Honesty – ALWAYS be honest…at home…at work…at play. We build reputations based on what other people see firsthand, and it doesn’t take long for word to get around.
- Fairness – When we gain a reputation for being fair, people are assured they can rely on us in finding agreeable solutions.
- Dependability – ALWAYS do what you say you will! If you can’t be counted on to keep your word, people will not trust you.
2. BE CONSISTENT
Let’s face it, there is nothing outstanding or extraordinary about a McDonald’s hamburger. Yet they have become a known and successful fast-food chain. Why? Because they are consistent. People know they can rely on getting the same food item each time they order it, and they get it quickly (usually).
Being consistent means:
- Doing things in a reliable and predictable manner each time.
- Getting effective results.
- Being dependable.
* This ties in with #1 – when you demonstrate consistency, you build on your reputation of being trustworthy.
3. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE
No one is going to listen to you if you can’t demonstrate a real knowledge of what you’re talking about.
- Do your research. Study everything you can find on your field or subject.
- Gain first-hand experience whenever possible.
- Invest in yourself, invest in your knowledge. Never stop learning.
Remember, nobody likes a “know-it-all”, so be humble. They also don’t like false information, so make sure it’s accurate.
And again, BE HONEST! Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know the answer or have the information if you don’t. Then offer to research it and share it, and make sure to follow through on it. This reinforces confidence in your ability and wisdom, as well as your honesty.
4. BE EMPATHETIC
I’m not talking about some kind of supernatural psychic skills here. To be empathetic means, “to be aware; having knowledge of, and comprehending the needs, feelings, problems, and views of others”.
- Learn to be a good listener.
- Make an effort to understand.
- Don’t judge.
- Create an atmosphere of unity and sincere concern for others.
- Ask people what they need or want
The difference between being a “boss” and a “leader” is that a boss is concerned primarily with his own needs and wants, whereas a leader is concerned with the needs and well-being of those he/she is responsible for. No one is going to willingly follow or support someone if they don’t believe that person cares about them.
People want to feel a real connection with their leaders, and they want to know their needs are understood.
Each one of these skills by itself is a good asset to anyone in leadership. But when you combine all 4 together, you become a powerful influencer, and that is the gateway to changing the world.
And don’t forget…lead by example, in life as well as business. Be the kind of person you would want to follow. – end
I’d like to take a moment in closing today to say THANK YOU to all of my followers here! I truly appreciate your support. It is my hope that you will find encouragement, along with useful information, and a little entertainment as well on the site, and perhaps share it with your friends.
One of the most valuable insights I have gained in my years of writing is the AWESOME generosity of independent authors when it comes to promoting each other. This applies to blogs as well as books, articles, and other works.
So, in the spirit of sharing, if you are interested in having your work promoted here, or a suggestion for someone’s work that you admire, please share a link and a brief description in the reply section. (The only requirement is that it must be free from obscenity and vulgarity. Anything of this nature will be deleted.)
Have a Happy Wednesday, and I’ll see you tomorrow! – Amber
Welcome to the Digi-verse!
Welcome to the Digi-verse!
I am old-school…but thankful for technology…
I am thankful for my cell phone. I remember the times before cell phones even existed. Things like being stranded on the roadside in pouring rain and walking a few miles to find a payphone to call for help. I remember actually pointing a camera to take pictures and having to get the film developed into a print to stuff into an envelope, which then had to go to the post-office and spend days (or weeks coming from Alaska) in the mail, just to share with family and friends. I remember the fold-out paper maps that always managed to tear right across the road I was looking for. (By now you should have a pretty good idea of how ancient I am.) To top it off, yes, I even remember when phones were attached to the wall and the length of the cord on it determined how far you could go from the wall while talking. (OMG…I’m as old as Methuselah!)
I am also thankful for the computer and internet. As an independent author, these tools have opened up doors for me that otherwise would not have existed. The time this technology saves me is invaluable, as it makes quick work of transmitting, copying, editing, and publishing. Now, instead of weeks, months, or even years, I can go from the idea stage to a published book for sale in less than a week (if I really put my mind and fingers to it).
I remember the days of the old typewriters, and changing the ink ribbons (which always managed to leave me with blackened fingertips, no matter how careful I was).
I also remember a teacher from my typing class in high school who removed the screws from the carriage returns on our typewriters before class on the day of our final test for the year. We began the test, pecking away as fast as we could on the keys, racing against the clock timer, eyes focused on the text we were copying, paying careful attention to avoid any mistakes. But suddenly, at the end of the first line, when the carriage returns were pushed (these were old manual typewriters, not electric), instead of stopping at the beginning margin as usual, the whole top of the typewriter fell off onto our desks. As we sat there rather dumbfounded, our teacher was laughing hysterically. As it turned out, our final test for the year was learning how to put our machines back together.
Even for the traditionally published author, the ability to instantly transmit a manuscript and receive correspondence from the publisher or agent is a worthy asset.
I must admit though, I rather miss the sound of the keys clacking on the old typewriters. However, I just recently discovered there is a keyboard that makes the same sound though, and I’m actually considering buying it. Oh, the irony…using modern technology to recreate the things of old.
Those were the days…
I also remember the time spent with family and friends, when we actually enjoyed our time together. There were real conversations, when you actually paid full attention to each other.
I remember the days of childhood, the revelry in jumping on a bike and taking off with your friends to explore, or chasing each other through the neighborhood playing tag. Sometimes we just sat on the porch steps, pondering the mysteries of life from a kid’s point of view.
Another favorite activity in the summer was simply playing in a creek, enjoying childish antics, but more importantly, enjoying the companionship of our friends.
There was no such thing as “constant contact”. If you wanted to talk to someone, you simply called them on the phone. If there was no answer, it meant they weren’t at home, and you either went looking for them in the favorite hangouts, or you called back later (we didn’t have answering machines back then).
On a side note…I was pretty excited when I got my first phone with an answering machine. It meant no more worrying about missed calls, and since I was looking for a job at the time, I was relieved to know that I wouldn’t miss an opportunity for an interview.
However, my German Shepherd apparently did not like the intrusion of a strange voice speaking from the little box (or perhaps she was just trying to rescue the person and free them from their tiny prison?). She destroyed the machine the first time someone left me a message.
In the wintertime, all it took was a fresh snowfall and every kid in the neighborhood joined together to build colossal snowmen and start the epic snowball battles. For the more adventurous (and graceful) folks, there was ice-skating and skiing. For the rest of us, there was sledding.
Year round, we spent our time in building relationships, through talking and doing things together. And we learned about each other’s character in personal ways, through the experiences. We even learned how to solve our own problems and get along with those few that we didn’t really like.
Even into adulthood, though the means and methods changed somewhat, the interactions were still real and of a personal nature with our friends. We still did things together and had meaningful face-to-face conversations. It is only through real life that real friends and relationships are built.
There always have, and always will be, people that come and go in our lives. But there are some, if only one or two, that no amount of time or distance can separate from us. Those are the friends that really make you feel like you are important to them. Those are the real connections, because they are of the heart.
Don’t be a phony…
Is it just me? Or has anyone else noticed how the glorious world of cell phones and digital screens are robbing us of real-life interaction?
I really didn’t intend for this post to be a rant, or to bash technology.
But…in my disgruntled opinion…the all-consuming use of technology, especially cell phones, is hampering the ability to develop and maintain real relationships. I find this both rude and disrespectful.
It gets really irritating when during a conversation, the person you are talking to is continuously distracted with constant texts or calls. I understand the folks trying to contact them may not be aware that they are in the middle of a conversation. However, that does not negate the fact that in total disregard to the person speaking, the other person will immediately stop listening to read and respond to every text or call. Even more disturbing is the constant checking of social media. I mean, seriously? Is the picture of dinner someone just posted on Instagram really more important than the actual person sitting right in front of you? (And by the way, those pictures and posts will still be there later to drool over, but the person you’re with may not be.)
To me, that is the same as saying, “I am more interested in what anyone else might have to say, or pictures they may share, than having a real conversation with you”. It is for this very reason that when I go to visit someone, I usually leave my cell phone in the car, or put the ringer on silent and refuse to check for messages every 5 minutes. I want for my family and friends to know that they have my full attention when we are visiting, because they are important to me. I even went so far as to encourage folks that visit me to leave their phones off while they are visiting, although that hasn’t worked so far. (I guess having conversations with my critters isn’t a bad thing after all. At least they don’t have phones…yet.)
Being old(er) and remembering what life was like before being continuously plugged-in, I still like to enjoy some uninterrupted time to myself, like when I’m trying to sleep or work. I often think about a conversation years ago in which my younger sister was fussing at our Dad about turning the ringer off on his phone and not being able to reach him. He said he didn’t like being bothered when he was busy or napping, to which she replied, “But what if it’s an emergency?” He told her, “Well, if it’s an emergency you better call 911. They’ll get there a lot faster than I will”.
While I’m ranting about this digital age, one alarming attribute is how easy it makes it to be deceitful, even harmful, for those wishing to do so.
A while back, a well-meaning friend suggested that I try online dating as a way to meet folks. My reaction then (and now) was, “Hell no! I might start off with Sam Elliot online, and end up with Ted Bundy in person!
We can literally put whatever we want online and say it is true, while behind the screen it is actually the opposite. Scams are a-dime-a-dozen nowadays, and countless folks fall prey to them every day. We need to approach any kind of online relationship with caution, and keep in mind that even with the best verification methods available, deceit is still always a possibility. (This is true even in the real world, but the ability to manipulate and deceive is far easier online.)
One other gripe I have with the online world is the over-abundance of sharing everything. While I realize that everyone has an opinion, and they have the right to one, I have to ask, “Is it really necessary to share every one of them”? Some of us really don’t care what the Kardashians are doing, or why a confused 17-year-old high school kid thinks our moral convictions are wrong. And the amount of drama and hate that gets stirred up over stupid subjects that have absolutely no important meaning to life simply boggles the mind! I don’t want to waste the precious moments of my life debating stupid crap that serves no beneficial purpose. (Although I must admit, it has increased my finger reflex in speed-scrolling past the junk I don’t want to waste my time on.)
I personally choose to not share certain aspects of my life for global view at will, so the idea that someone could truly know me just from the digi-verse is absurd. While what I do share is honest (or just for entertainment or education purposes), there are personal sides of me that are reserved for my real-life family and friends only.
I think what it really comes down to is this: are you living a real life, or a phony life? Do you spend more time engaged in personal experiences in the real world, or the digital world? I’ve seen first-hand the similarity of screen use and drug use, especially in the younger generations. Most folks just can’t seem to stay away from their screens for very long before they become anxious and go into withdrawal symptoms.
There are now numerous studies showing some dangerous trends and addictive effects on people from the constant use of digital screens. Drugs that are found to be addictive and harmful are banned or heavily regulated. But it is up to us to determine how much and in what way we use technology.
Again, I’m not trying to say that digital technology is bad. We just have to ask ourselves, “Am I using this technology as a tool to enhance my life, or is it consuming my life”?
Well, it’s just my opinion and some food for thought. And I’m hungry for some of yours, so please share.
I’m going to go out and enjoy some sunshine, and play frisbee with my dog.
Happy Tuesday, and I’ll see you tomorrow. – Amber
A Sneak Preview
The Beginning of a Fairytale
Since I first began writing, the majority of my content has been in the non-fiction category. But there have also been moments of creativity when an idea sparked my imagination and a story began to unfold.
As I was cleaning out my office files, I found an old folder with several stories that I had started but never finished. One in particular caught my attention. It was only a basic one paragraph idea, not even to the outline stage, but it stuck in my head. So, over the weekend I took the idea and just let it loose.
This morning I decided to give a little preview of what I have so far. It is designed to be a short fictional story for kids and young teens.
This is the first chapter:
WISDOM’S CHILDREN
Once upon a time there was a beautiful fairy named Wisdom. She carried in her heart all the secrets and knowledge of life. But she lived in a world filled with darkness, pain, terror, and hate. Wisdom knew what was needed to bring light and goodness into the land of mankind, but every time she tried to help, she was rejected and ignored. Finally, with a heavy heart, she created a magical cloak that made her invisible and hid herself away from the world.
After many years of wandering, Wisdom found a new land. This new land had not been infected by the evil darkness, so Wisdom decided to make it her home. She spent centuries creating many beautiful and wondrous things, but she had no one to share them with.
From her loneliness, Wisdom gave birth to 4 children. To each child, she gave unique talents and abilities in order for them to survive the encroachment of the world of man, for she knew it was growing and would soon reach them.
To her firstborn son, Integrity, she gave the gift of honor and loyalty, to always do what was right and good, no matter what the cost.
To Courage, her second son, Wisdom gave the gift of a brave heart, always ready to face any danger or fear.
Wisdom gave her daughter, Hope, a huge heart filled with faith and dreams of glory. She also had a magical voice that sung straight into the heart.
And to her youngest daughter, Freedom, Wisdom gave the gift of unrestrained independence. Freedom did as she pleased, determined to fully enjoy all the goodness that life had to offer.
One day, when they were still young children, they stopped to rest by a stream after a long run through golden fields. As they sat quietly enjoying the cool breeze and listening to the sound of the water gently swirling over the smooth rocks, they heard a raspy voice behind them. As they turned to look, a large bear approached, hobbling on three legs.
He called to them, “Please, help me! My foot is broken, and it hurts so much”.
Integrity said, “We will help you. Lay down here beside us and let us see what we can do”.
Thankful for the offer, the great bear laid down his massive body with a thud and uttered a sigh of relief.
As Hope held the giant paw in her lap examining it, the bear said, “I was eating berries from the bushes over the mountain when a man appeared. I offered him some of the berries, for they were plentiful and very tasty. But he seemed angry, and instead began throwing long pointy sticks at me, so I ran away”.
After a long drink of water that Integrity brought in his hands, the bear continued. “The man chased me over the mountain and as I was running between the rocks, I stepped into a hole and my foot got caught. But the man was very close, and I was afraid. So, I pulled with all my strength to get free and as I did, I heard a loud crack and felt a sharp pain in my foot”.
The children had heard stories of man from their mother, but they had never seen one. Freedom asked the bear, “What does man look like”?
The bear replied, “I never saw one before today, but he looked much like you, except his eyes. His eyes were not kind and gentle like yours”.
Suddenly there was a strange noise, a high-pitched whirring sound. As they were turning to look, a long spear struck the ground right beside them. Then they saw the man. He was running toward them, yelling words they could not quite understand, but they knew he meant to harm the bear.
Without hesitation, Courage jumped to his feet, instinctively taking the spear in his hand. He stood in front of the bear and his sisters, as Integrity joined him.
The young boys were not sure what to do, but they knew they had to protect the bear. As the man came closer, still yelling, Courage raised the spear and shouted, “Stop” in a voice that came out like thunder. It surprised the man, and he did stop.
As he stood there looking at them, Integrity asked him, “Why are you trying to hurt this bear? What evil has he done to you”? The man replied, “It is a bear, it must be killed”.
Freedom stood and joined her brothers, saying, “It is not a crime to be a bear. He has done nothing wrong, and his life does not belong to you. Go away and live your life in your land”.
Courage pointed the spear at the man, and said, “I will not let you kill this bear, and if you do not leave, it is you that will die”.
There was something different about these children, though the man could not tell exactly what it was. But it frightened him. Knowing that he was outnumbered, he said angrily, “When you let down your guard, the bear will eat you. Then you’ll be sorry you didn’t let me kill it” and he turned to leave.
Then Hope spoke. It was the most beautiful and gentle voice the man had ever heard, almost like a sweet lullaby. She said, “The bear was trying to be your friend, even offering to share his breakfast of berries with you. I think you need to learn to love others”, to which Freedom interrupted with, “Even if they are different from you”.
And with that, the man left and the children took the bear home to Wisdom, so that she could heal him.
The man considered their words on the long journey home, and he could not shake the gnawing feeling in his heart. He could not understand why those children had helped the bear. But their words and actions were still in his head when he arrived at his village.
As he shared the story with his people, they listened in amazement, some believing, others laughing at his tale. It was a story that would be talked about for a long time to come. (End of chapter 1)
Well that’s it so far. What do you think? Any thoughts, or suggestions?
I always appreciate feedback (even the negative side…just be gentle), as it helps me to improve my writing skills. So I hope you’ll take a minute and leave a reply.
Thanks for reading! And have a Happy Monday. – Amber
Friday Fun #1
Writing For Fun
I’ve been working hard all week, and now my brain is feeling a little weary and fried. So, I decided to change things up a bit and just have some fun.
I think I’ll start with a little insight into my personal life.
One of my top favorite things to do in life is laugh, and sharing that laughter with others. In my youth I discovered storytelling as a way to inspire such cheeriness, though being labeled a class clown in school earned me no favor with my teachers.
It was in fact, that very same type of storytelling that started me on the path to being a writer 20 years ago.
It all started in an online chat room with me sharing something that one of my kids had done that made me laugh. Several folks gave smiley faces and “liked” it, and then someone asked me a question about kids. That sparked another story which also included one of our pets. From there, the stories and conversations grew and I began receiving quite a few suggestions to consider writing as a career.
So, that’s how I got started. Now onto the good stuff…
I Love Animals!
Currently there are 5 cats and a German Shepherd living in my cabin. (Actually it would be more accurate to say they own the place and just allow me to live here because I feed them and buy them toys.)
Allow me to introduce the crazy critters:
I’ll start with the German Shepherd, since there’s one in the photo above.
His name is Frodo Buggins (and for Lord of the Rings fans, no, that is not a misspelling). It is “Buggins” because he “bugs” everyone.
Frodo is a gorgeous (though slightly chunky) 5 year old. He is totally OCD about playing fetch or catch. It’s what he lives for!
He has the longest tongue I’ve ever seen in a dog, and it doesn’t seem to really fit into his mouth. Quite often his tongue just hangs loosely out of his mouth and sort of jiggles while he pants, flinging spit everywhere, especially right after he’s had a big drink of water. (I know, it’s one of the gross things about dogs.)
Typical of the German Shepherd breed, Frodo is exceptionally intelligent though he often exhibits a stubborn mentality that earned him the nick-name of “Jackass”, which he also now answers to.
Frodo and Spot
One of Frodo’s all-time favorite games to play is chasing the laser light. (The cats are pretty crazy about it as well, but not as zealously as Frodo!) It is absolutely hilarious watching an 80 pound ball of furry fury, bowling over anything in his path as he tries to catch the elusive little red dot. But because of his OCD nature and never wanting to quit, I had to set some boundaries, incorporated as part of the game.
First of all, I named the dot “Spot”. Frodo knows that Spot sleeps in the little pen in the drawer next to my chair, and he will stand there staring at the drawer, waiting for Spot to come out to play.
When I pull the laser pen out, Frodo becomes so tense and focused that at times I worry he will pop-a-gasket in his head and explode! In order to teach him some patience, I make him wait as I release Spot from the pen into my hand (and yes, I talk to it and say, “Hi Spot. Are you ready to play with Frodo?”) Then I “toss” Spot out onto the floor and the chaos and laughter begins.
Though Frodo is quite agile, it is still amazing to watch him try to make a full 90 degree angle turn at full speed. Such attempts have wrecked furniture (or anything else he plows into), and left a few bumps and bruises I’m sure, on his backside from the wipeouts. I’ve also had a few bruises from some of his less-than-graceful attempts at victory.
Once he has created or sustained enough damage, usually in about 10 – 15 minutes, I tell Frodo, “Okay, it’s time for Spot to go night-night”. He immediately stops and watches, as I put my hand down to the floor and Spot returns, and disappears back into his little pen. Frodo gives it a sniff and then rolls his eyes at me in discontent as I put the pen back in the drawer.
In addition to his intelligence and agility, Frodo has achieved mastery over the art of eye-rolling, head-tilts, and facial expressions. While he may not have the power of the human language, he still speaks to me. Sometimes it’s in the way of slinging insults or half-hearted threats at me, such as he is right now, sitting at the door of my office with a toy in his mouth and glaring at me. He is clearly telling me that it is time for our morning romp, and if I don’t go play with him, he will inflict some punishment on me, such as knocking over his water bowl or using one of the cats for a squeaky toy.
Since one of my many masters has spoken, I guess that will be it for today.
I hope the peek into my private world brought a little smile, and didn’t scare you off. Next week I’ll introduce the feline members of the clan. Perhaps I will dedicate Fridays to some light hearted humor if that would be okay. Let me know what you think in the comments, and please feel free to share your own stories too. I’d love to hear from you!
Have a happy, fun-filled, and blessed weekend! – Amber
P.S. To give credit where credit is due…the photo at the beginning of the post was shared by I Love German Shepherds page on Facebook.
Writers and Entrepreneurs
Can You Be Both?
The simple and honest answer is…YES, YOU CAN!
Becoming A Writer
One translation I found of what it means to write is, “To draw (letters or other forms of script) on a surface…”. This description suits me, as I like to say writing is, “Painting pictures with words”.
Writing comes in many forms. Whether it is a book, essay, article, newspaper column, statistical report, or lyrics for a song, it all involves the process of putting something down on paper, (or in this age of technology, into a computer) and it is usually intended to be shared with someone. (Even folks that keep private journals or diaries intend to “share” those words with themselves at some point in the future.)
The opportunities for a career in writing are numerous and varied. In an article from TradeSchools.net it lists 24 types of “jobs” for writers, along with a brief description of each. The site is primarily concerned with helping people to find schools or colleges that suit their area of interest. But I must admit (from a writer’s heart) I felt their mindset of a career in writing as an employee left a little thorn in my side.
I’ve had many jobs earning a paycheck for doing something that a boss told me to do. And I’ll be honest, I actually liked a few of them. At one point, I actually started 2 businesses (at the same time, which I would NOT recommend trying!) Though I liked the idea of being a business owner, both businesses were based on doing a “job” that I was not passionate about.
Even so, in the very core of my being, I wanted to create something of my own, to choose my own way of living, and to be able to share something of value with others. Eventually, this led me into the realm of becoming an Indie (Independent) Author. And this was where I found my passion. I discovered that I love to write!
The problem was figuring out how to create a career path to follow in this profession (and be successful). For many of us, it begins as a lonely journey through a lot of trial, error, and frustration.
The Scenario
In my mind I pictured myself as a writer, sitting at my desk and pecking away on the keyboard. I would finish my masterpiece and call my anxious agent, who would rush over and pick up the weighty envelope containing my soon-to-be best seller. The agent would waste no time in hand-delivering this envelope onto the desk of the publisher who would then shout for joy and rush it off to the printers. (I know, you’re probably roaring with laughter now, but wait, it gets better.)
Once this was done, it was time for a vacation. Perhaps lounging on a sunny beach at some tropical resort, or visiting the ancient ruins of Rome, or the castles of Scotland. Maybe I would be invited to dinner with the President. (Okay, even I’m laughing now.)
When I returned from my vacation, once again, I would sit at my desk, crafting the next best-seller while deciding how I would celebrate its success.
Talk about a fiction story! Statistically speaking, that scenario is about as likely to happen as winning the lottery. At least in the beginning.
In The Real World
In reality, agents and publishers are sometimes difficult to find, especially ones that are interested in your work, even when it’s a brilliant masterpiece.
The concept of Independent Author was just starting to gain in popularity when I first began writing, and still considered to be controversial. Many folks viewed it as “vanity publishing”, or said that the writing must not be any good if a publisher didn’t want it.
Thankfully, that attitude has now changed and the world of self-publishing has opened up many opportunities for the Indie Author.
Most Authors, whether traditional or independent, are aware that nowadays, authors are expected to participate in a majority of the marketing and publicity of their work. This is where the business aspect of being a writer comes in, and it is where most writers fail because they lack the skills to create a professional writing business.
There are many hats to wear in this profession and it will most likely require a lot of blood, sweat, and tears before success is achieved. It demands patience and perseverance, along with a strong passion and dedication to the work.
This is where you will have to decide is your writing going to be a hobby, or will you work as an employee writing for someone else? Or perhaps, like me, you choose to go full-speed-ahead as an Indie Author. If you choose the last one, let me introduce you to a different term…Author Entrepreneur.
What Is An Entrepreneur?
The simplest description of an entrepreneur is, “someone that creates, founds, or originates something, or a person who starts up a business venture and assumes the risk for it”.
Well, the first part of that description already sounds a lot like a writer doesn’t it?
As an Author-Entrepreneur, you are basically taking what you write and creating a business with it. What you write is going to be (most likely) your product, in other words, what you are going to sell. The entrepreneur side is more about how you are going to sell it, and this can be just as creative as the writing itself. There is no hard-set formula to this. But it does require some skill and knowledge, but if you are willing to invest in yourself and learn, you can do it.
When I first started, there was no such thing as a one-stop-shop to find all the resources I needed to learn. I found other Authors that were very generous and willing to share what they knew and did. But it was different with each one, though most were heavily focused on the marketing aspect.
So, I began learning about online marketing. I signed up under a few different “gurus” of the industry, each promising to teach me how to create my own wealth. After years of trying several different methods (and getting scammed by a few), I began to get the idea that the rules of marketing were not really tailored to the needs of writers. There were indeed some that had become successful, but it appeared to be as much luck as skill.
It seemed that the writers that found success were all doing different things from each other, while others following in their footsteps weren’t going anywhere.
It took some time to realize, there is a backbone of a formula for success here. But the really fun part is the ability to change it to suit you personally.
I began to wonder if it was possible to re-write the rules for marketing, to create new ones that would specifically benefit writers. After all, creating new ideas and implementing them are the basic foundation of what entrepreneurs do.
For me, one of the greatest freedoms was in recognizing that I don’t have to follow the advice of “never take no for an answer”, something every marketer and salesperson is taught from the very beginning. I’ve been on the other end of that too many times, and I simply don’t like pushy people. So, I certainly don’t want to be one. The way I look at it, if someone is not interested in what I write about, even if I manage to make a sale, they’re probably never going to read it. So, while it would be a sale, it would be an “empty” sale for me.
Instead, I would rather concentrate my efforts on producing quality work that has some kind of meaning or value, and then offer it to folks that are actually interested in reading it.
The Grand Finale (otherwise known as the conclusion)
In closing this post for today, first, I want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to read it!
As I said above, there is no place that I know of where you can find all the information needed to be successful in this business.
Not knowing where to look or even what exactly to look for was one of the most frustrating aspects for me. But I’m no quitter. Most of my family and friends will tell you I’m stubborn. When I set my mind to doing something, I will usually find a way to do it, even if it’s the hard (and sometimes wrong) way.
That is part of the reason I created this blog. It occurred to me that with everything I have gone through and learned over the years, perhaps I could make things a little easier and help others learn how to achieve their dream of writing too.
With that in mind, I invite you to subscribe to my email list to receive my monthly newsletter where I will be sharing useful tips and resources. (And yes, I’m in the process of producing a “how-to” e-book for writers that will be offered for free only to my subscribers.)
The newsletter is also where I will be sharing reviews and excerpts from books by other authors, in both fiction and non-fiction, along with some sneak-previews of my upcoming work.
So, if that is something that would interest you, I encourage you to go to the top menu and click the “sign up” button to access the form to subscribe.
Well, that’s it for today. As always, I would love to hear from you, so make sure to share your thoughts, ideas, questions in the reply section below. And don’t forget to share.
See you tomorrow! – Amber
The Stranger
A few months before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small Tennessee town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer, and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later.
As I grew up I never questioned his place in our family. Mom taught me to love the Word of God. Dad taught me to obey it. But the stranger was our storyteller. He could weave the most fascinating tales. Adventures, mysteries and comedies were daily conversations. He could hold our whole family spellbound for hours each evening. He was like a friend to the whole family. He took Dad, Bill and me to our first major league baseball game. He was always encouraging us to see the movies and he even made arrangements to introduce us to several movie stars.
The stranger was an incessant talker. Dad didn’t seem to mind, but sometimes Mom would quietly get up – while the rest of us were enthralled with one of his stories of faraway places – and go to her room read her Bible and pray. I wonder now if she ever prayed that the stranger would leave.
You see, my dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions. But this stranger never felt an obligation to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our house – not from us, from our friends, or adults. Our longtime visitor, however, used occasional four-letter words that burned my ears and made Dad squirm. To my knowledge the stranger was never confronted.
My dad was a teetotaler who didn’t permit alcohol in his home – not even for cooking. But the stranger felt he needed exposure and enlightened us to other ways of life. He offered us beer and other alcoholic beverages often. He made cigarettes look tasty, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (too much too freely) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing. I know now that my early concepts of the man/woman relationship were influenced by the stranger.
As I look back, I believe it was the grace of God that the stranger did not influence us more. Time after time he opposed the values of my parents. Yet he was seldom rebuked and never asked to leave.
More than thirty years have passed since the stranger moved in with the young family on Morningside Drive. But if I were to walk into my parents’ den today, you would still see him sitting over in a corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
His name? We always called him “TV”.
He has a sister now. Her name is “computer”, and a cousin named “cell phone”.
(Author Unknown, but seems to have appeared in circulation on the internet around 2007)
Just something to think about: What we allow to consume our minds also consumes our hearts. And from our hearts, our life flows. What’s flowing from you?
Words
When folks ask me what I do, I like to say, “I paint pictures with words”.
When I write, the words seem to flow from my heart (and a little from my brain) and spill out onto the pages without much effort. Once they are on the page, I can make revisions if needed to make sure the picture is clear and true, before anyone else sees it.
It’s when I open my mouth, however, and let the words fall out that I seem to end up in trouble. Unfortunately, once the words have left my lips, there is no turning back, no chance to erase them.
The phrase “think before you speak” comes to mind, and it is a wise saying. But thinking alone is not enough, for our thoughts are generated in the heart.
Many years ago, my heart painted some pretty ugly pictures (both written and spoken) because it was filled with darkness and anger and hatred. What was created was hurtful and destructive and worthless.
When I began a relationship with Jesus, He changed my heart. Instead of ugliness, I began to produce pictures of beauty, encouragement, and laughter. Those are the pictures that have value, and those are the ones that I want to share.
So, just a little food for thought as we go into the weekend…what kind of pictures are you going to paint? I hope they are ones of beauty.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Monday. – Amber
Amber Leggette-Aldrich 