Category: Journey
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Open to Your Path…
I attend writers’ conferences, online classes and zoom groups to learn layers and layers of craft techniques, and to build community. These time-consuming, money-spending, single-focusing events also connect me to my deep, creative soul. Last week I had one conference goal: to clearly discern my next step(s). In one master class, I was encouraged to…
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Agave Agape
Two rhyming words that could be fraternal twins. Agave: the organic sweetness I squirt in my coffee to flavor the real reason behind the steaming cup – caffeine. Agape: unconditional brotherly and sisterly love. Agave Agape: Sweet Love. I’ve been fortunate to experience agape in communities that have landed in my lucky lap throughout my…
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Lalibela…
Lalibela is a tiny pocket of wonder in Ethiopia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We visited these historic monastic churches when our daughter lived in Ethiopia. I can to this day call up the visceral feeling of navigating a very narrow passage to the smallest of the chapels, a mere room carved into the mountain.…
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Driving My Boat…
What floats my boat? I’m very happy to spend the bulk of my mornings writing, but every now and then life’s worries and duties interrupt. I was hit hard last week when a routine oil change turned into major car repairs. Perhaps because I nearly cried at the news, my service advisor felt sorry for…
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Hanging out in the Easy, Fun Zone…
What thrives in your easy, fun zone? Where does your bright beam of inspiration, motivation and enthusiasm naturally land? Back in my public speaking days, I would ask this question: What is the one thing you would do if NO thing, NO person, NO circumstance could hold you back? While we are stepping our toes…
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Quote of the Week…
“I encourage you to reject rejection. If someone says no, just say NEXT!” Jack Canfield
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M is for…
Last week we talked about the upward swing of Ns, even when they stand for NOs. What about a Maybe? In the publishing world, a very crowded pool is filled with debut authors who splash and scream, asking the lifeguard to notice them, see them, respect them, choose them to be pulled from the churning…
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N is for No…
It can be tough to stay golden when you’re told no in a thousand different ways. “It’s not the right fit,” “high volumes of submissions,” “We must pass on fine work.” Even personal rejections can sting: “This is not a reflection of your work.” “There was much to admire…” “Please submit again.” “Don’t give up.”…
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So You Wrote a Book…
Now what? Years ago, I boldly and cluelessly set out to write a novel. Despite frustrations and rejections along the marathon-like training, it was a good decision. The writing has gotten easier. The writing is better. Plodding through to an end is the easy part. I work to transform bulging computer files into the best…
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The WHYs Have It…
On Monday we recognized those who make our world a better place. Why do they do it? Maybe they wouldn’t answer with “It’s what I do!” A more likely answer might be to pay the bills, put food on the table, or it’s what I could find. I have a problem answering the question “What…