Confidence at Conference

Many Christian fiction writers are gearing up to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Denver this September. Some are feeling the pinch of nerves as if their finger were caught in the car door. They want to go, need to go, but don't know how to get through it without serious doubts.

I'd like to share some ideas to help light the path for those feeling less than confident in professional situations. At least I can share what works for me.

Mentally prepare--Imagine yourself at the event. Imagine how happy, fascinated and alert you are to the opportunities around you. Imagine yourself looking confident and comfortable. This is the most important thing you can do in advance of something that worries you.

Dress the part--Wear clothing that makes you feel professional and confident. With time on your side, take note of how you feel in certain outfits ahead of time and pack those. I'm not telling you what to wear, I'm telling you to wear what makes you feel the best. It does reflect in how you hold yourself in public. Don't believe me? Do some people watching over the next few days. Pay attention to yourself in sweats and jeans versus slacks and a jacket.

Practice professional greetings in advance--If you aren't used to shaking hands firmly (but not breaking knuckles) then practice with friends and family. A proper hand shake is gently firm, has eye contact and a smile. The words can be anything comfortable akin to, "Hi, my name is..." That immediately gets a return response. All you have to do is say, "So nice to meet you, Joe." It's that simple. Teach your children and practice as they will need to know that skill too.

Talk to those who have gone before--Learn from their experience either by email, blogs, phone or in person.

Read the ACFW Conference Blog Tour! You'll be stunned by all the information and advice available. It fits for other events as well because good advice is just plain good advice.

Smile--Those that don't look petrified or bored. Those that do look friendly and approachable. Enough said.

Look for others--There will be ribbons for first time attendees. Team up and share what you are learning. You'll feel part of the pack instead of on the outside looking in at strangers.

Take one thing at a time--Don't be so busy that it's a whirlwind. Allow yourself to be present in the moment, at the meal or in the class. Look over the schedule several times in advance. Now a glance at the schedule will just be a confidence builder because you know what's next. By being aware, you'll feel prepared. It's that out of control feeling that zaps confidence.

Act confident--How? Eye contact, a soft and happy smile, allow yourself to sit up front and not hide, talk to people around you, shake hands, compliment people for pleasant things you notice, arrange coffee dates with new friends, ask questions about others, build relationships. Note: Do not keep repeating how nervous or bad or uncomfortable you are. All you are doing is repeating a broken mantra. Do repeat how excited and interested you are to retrain your brain.

Focus on the positive--Things will go wrong. They always do. Get enough rest so you aren't frazzled and that enables you to manage stress better. Things will go wrong. Your job is to focus on the solution not on the problem. Confident people look at the problem long enough to realize they need a solution...and then get to work on it.

Things will go wrong--What? I know, you heard this before. Being solution focused means you aren't micro-focused. When we try to micro-manage or microscopically tear something apart, we do more damage. Since things will go wrong, create self talk that allows you to calm yourself internally while you get creative about solving what went awry. I often use, "Well, that didn't work. What will?" I also use those moments in my writing. Such a wonderful study of plot possibilities. When you look at it from that direction, you might hope something goes wrong so you can use it in a book. It's amazing how creativity comes out of difficulty. Keep a journal of the drama. You'll need to make it worse for your heroine :-)

Ask for help--Don't let your mind get in the way of common sense. You are not bothering anyone to ask for help with something you don't know. Most people are honored to help and tickled to show they know something too.

Watch people you think look and act confident-- Mimicry is an excellent tool. When you note the behavior, vocal tones, and manners of confident people, you realize it is just a set of skills to learn. Did you mimic learning piano, riding a bike, learning to read? Okay then, watch others to learn the skills you want to master.

And when all else fails, breathe deeply and say a prayer. Trust me, that's what I do backstage before any performance or speech. Because it isn't about me after all, it's about the message God has placed in my being and wants to share through me. It's His job, not mine, to bring that message out.

Exodus 4:12 "Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say." Contemporary English Version

Choosing the right gift

Do you have upcoming birthdays, anniversaries or special events that require choosing the right gift? What makes the right gift anyway? The old saying about the thought counting fits for sure, but what if it were also a significant contribution to the lives of children? What if when you buy a gift, you were really making a difference in someone's life? With the Gems of Wisdom line, you can and you are making a significant choice. You are pouring love onto the person you are gifting, but you are also gifting significant love into the orphans of Kenya.



Over at www.MyGemofWisdom.com, there's a store that supports the orphan homes in Kenya. Above, you see the design for Gems of Wisdom necklace 1 and the optional obsidian pendant that stands for courage.

Each necklace already comes with a large treasure chest pendant. But there are more, interchangeable pendants available to not only change the look, but also the significant meaning behind the gems. As the obsidian stands for courage, the amethyst stands for self-care. How many women do you know that pour so much of themselves out that they don't take time to refill their own well?

There's something for every budget too. The pendants can be purchased alone or there are other pieces available. The pendant line will expand to a total of 17 over the next month or so. There will also be purses and silver chains available. What is so significant about that?

The purses will be created by the Taraja Project. This project helps mothers with AIDS work and stay with their children as long as humanly possible. Taraja literally means "giving hope." So yes, I'm telling you about a store and jewelry and purses. But what I'm really sharing is ideas to choose significant gifts. Gifts that change lives and have meaning to the recipient, the giver and a bunch of children all the way across the ocean. Choosing the right gift? I ask you to consider the impact of shopping in a place that touches lives.




Thank you so much for your consideration today,
Angie

Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer

Well this book is timely for me even though my children are all grown. I still have the push and pull of work and family life. I still have those days when I feel, as Tricia puts it, smooshed. My play dough was definitely smooshed today. I didn't even catch on to the date on the calendar until after bedtime! The computer has a financial gremlin messing with both my assistant's brain and mine, the internet couldn't stay up more than a few minutes at a time, and my to-do list just lengthened and stretched...like someone rolled out my play dough with a rolling pin!

Then I sat down to review Blue Like Play Dough thinking my post was for, um, tomorrow the 27th. Happily reading and connecting, I loved the comparison to being the lump in the palm of God's hand. Then I realized that today was the 27th and my review was late!

Sigh. I am Blue like play dough. So glad I have some more pages to turn in a book that has already caught me in its grip.
Thanks, Tricia :-)
Angie

Summary:

In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognizes the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.



Author Bio:

Tricia Goyer is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including Generation NeXt Parenting and the Gold Medallion finalist Life Interrupted. Goyer writes for publications such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family, speaks to women’s groups nationwide and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention. She and her husband, John, live with their family in Montana.

Energy-Competing takes lots of it!

In the beginning...I unpacked in the first hotel room getting ready to compete for Mrs. International. Little did I know how much energy it would take to get through the week! (The above photo has the Gems of Wisdom Necklace #2 with the added Amethyst pendant.)

We had early mornings and some late nights. Lots of rehearsing a dance number and meeting new people. We had personal appearances, interviews and a constant sense of stretching. I had a wonderful week in Chicago even though, no, I didn't win.


Behind the scenes: my feet hurt like crazy! Living on someone else's schedule is hard. I had to switch rooms mid-week when my hubby came. Learning new things outside of my experience kept me in constant fascination but also in constant awareness. That in itself draws on energy supplies. (In the above photo, I'm wearing the Gems of Wisdom Glamour Earrings and Necklace #2 with the moonstone pendant prototype.) I promised to show some of the wardrobe I wore at Mrs. International. I wore this dress for rehearsals on Friday before the preliminary night.

Back at home, I thought it would take a day or two to reacclimatize to my regular schedule. Oh was I wrong!

Although playing with my grandson brought my head and heart right back to reality and how much my family means to me! His smile is so sunny, his joy chasing my exercise ball and just hugging him infuses me with energy.

Today, almost a week later, I'm feeling a bit more back to normal. I started thinking about why it took almost as long to recover as it did to compete. It was the lack of private recovery time. I'm a huge people-person. But one thing I do back at home is take private time to recharge. So home is a very quiet, peaceful place. (Okay, and I woke up at 9 a.m! It was wonderful to sleep in.)

Ah, the energy. One week of constant, non-stop "up" energy. It's totally me, no problem, to visit and enjoy all the people I love meeting. The normal daily life allows time away, time to think, time to sleep! But it also allows down time away from people. No matter how much we love others, we still need our time to refuel and refresh. One week of solid drawing on those reserves depletes them completely. Not because it isn't fun or exciting, but because anytime you deal in non-stop people-it takes a different kind of mental energy.

When you are feeling drained, I'd like to suggest getting away by yourself and refilling your energy reserves with quiet, private time.

Angie
PS Please come visit www.MyGemofWisdom.com and see the jewelry that helps support the Sanctuary of Hope orphan homes in Kenya.

Researching Pirates

Well who knew? I found this fine fellow at The Pirates special feature display when my husband, Mike, and I visited the Field Museum while in Chicago for the Mrs. International competition. (By the way, you can click on the picture and see the Gems of Wisdom necklace and bloodstone pendant a little better. I felt like I had my own special treasures with me while wearing those special pieces in the Pirates display! Afterall, I write about inner pirates and claiming your treasures ;-) )

Then I came home to review The Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey. His work mirrored the research I learned was done recovering the Whydda. (By the way, the only real pirate treasure ever found was in this wreck.)

Something that surprised me...not the gold, not the pirate behavior, not the fact that a huge percentage of pirates were former slaves. Nope. I stood in front of the treasure, displayed in a wooden chest, and saw silver pieces of eight. They looked like weird, dull, misshapen slugs. And yet, it was a priceless chest of silver. There will be a chapter on that coming up in Beauty: Gems of Wisdom, book 2 in the Gems of Wisdom series.

So a sunken chest that looked like it was filled with play coins has now inspired me.

Isn't it interesting that we often view something and don't really see the value?

Tell me what you once thought meant nothing and proved of great value.

Angie
PS I've uploaded the new Gems of Wisdom pieces on www.MyGemofWisdom.com including the Glamour Earrings
I wore at the Mrs. International competition. They caused such a stir that we decided to offer them for sale. Each piece of jewelry purchased helps pay the monthly salaries of the support staff and purchase the needs of the orphans in the Sanctuary of Hope homes in Kenya. So if you are looking for a gift for a birthday, anniversary, or pre-planning Christmas, please consider the Gems of Wisdom line of jewelry and give a gift of significance. Thank you :-)

The Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Pirate Hunter
Bethany House (July 1, 2009)
by
Tom Morrisey


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section.

He has launched, edited or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.

His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of six novels, including Wind River and In High Places. In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOK

High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold West Indies, 18th century Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom.... Key West, 21st century Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he's as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold...The Hunt Is On! Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men's quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE

Angie's Take: Very important to do your research correctly, and Tom sure did! Funny thing happened to me in Chicago last week. I had the blessing to be able to visit a special pirate museum display. All the details and research that went into the Whydah and the recovery of the treasures that sank with it in a a storm.

I had all that information fresh in my head as I began reading The Pirate Hunter. It would have been so easy to lose me as a reader had Tom written without the proper research. He even had the battle and cannon details correct! It made me want to voraciously devour the book.

So if you are looking for something that is a great read, full of historical realism and yet an excellent fiction story--you've found it! I would highly suggest The Pirate Hunter.

Angie

Touring Chicago with Mrs. International Contestants

This is the second day of the pageant. We toured Chicago in an open, double-decker bus. They had us stop a few times for special photo opps. There were 46 women, so we were put in 3 groups for the week. Each group had separate photos during the tour. I was Group B :-)

Many of these ladies and I spent time getting to know each other during the week. I have to say how honored and floored I am by all of them. They are accomplished, intelligent and passionate volunteers. Each one has a beautiful heart and gives of herself so unselfishly. They are amazing!

I'll post more through the week as I'm able to catch up.

Angie

Do you visit day spas?

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Camy Tang, author of Deadly Intent, as a guest blogger. Please enjoy this fun topic on the value of day spas. I hope you one day have the pleasure of hearing Camy laugh too. She has one of the best laughs I've ever heard.
:-D
Angie

Calgon, take me away!

I was first introduced to day spas by my friend, Robyn. At first I was a bit skeptical because I’d always thought spas were only a luxury for the wealthy and famous.

Imagine my amazement when I discovered that day spas aren’t just for going in, getting a massage, and leaving. The entire experience is that of relaxation.

Inside the spa is a lovely sitting area for just relaxing—leaving your problems at the door and having a quiet haven of rest. Clients are typically welcome to arrive early or stay late after their treatment(s), enjoying the soothing atmosphere and the small amenities available (varies depending on the spa).

I love massages because it helps with my old back injury to have the muscles kneaded and soothed. I’m also not too embarrassed about having someone massage my body as long as the massage therapist is a woman.

But if you’re not comfortable with something like that, facials and/or pedicures are wonderful ways to relax just as much as a full body massage or wrap. Facials usually include some shoulder and neck massage, and pedicures also usually involve some calf and leg massage, as well as wonderful massaging of the feet and toes.

The entire experience of getting a treatment can help relieve stress and recharge inner wells of energy. In our modern world, where busyness can cause cracks in our clay vessels, the spa environment and treatments can mend those cracks and help us be whole again.

Our society seems to encourage efficiency and hard work, with no room for relaxation, for recharging, for healing. Women, especially, need a time to force themselves to stop, to focus on bodily healing, which can open the doors for mental and spiritual healing.

Spas and treatments also don’t have to be expensive, depending on where you go. Most cities have several day spa options. And a month of foregoing a daily latte at Starbucks or not going out for lunch one or two times a week will pay for an afternoon of enjoyment at a spa.

After realizing the value to body, mind, and soul that a spa environment can achieve, I naturally wanted to write a story set in a day spa! In California, one of my favorite “small towns” is Sonoma, which still retains its farming roots even as they open their arms wide for tourists. It was the perfect place for my fictional day spa, where clients from all walks of life can come for rejuvenation.

Hopefully your spa experience will NOT involve murder and mayhem like my characters, but I hope you will indulge yourself in an afternoon at a spa to refill the well. Bring along DEADLY INTENT to read while you’re there! LOL
Camy

Angie: I just have to chime in here. I feel renewed and am completely convinced that taking advantage of these relaxing opportunities adds value to my life and stress relief I wouldn't have otherwise. I urge you to take a chance and explore at your earliest free moment. Value yourself enough to fill that well and you will have the ability to keep serving your families, friends and obligations with much more energy and joy.

DEADLY INTENT back cover blurb:
SCENE OF THE CRIME
The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The salon’s reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi’s freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?

Bio:

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every week, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, DEADLY INTENT.

Adventures In Confidence Building

I am on an amazing adventure this week. My very first online class. No, not taking it, teaching it. I have taken so many that I lost count a long time ago. But each one I took I loved so much, I wanted to teach.

My class is titled, Battling Your Inner Pirates--And Winning! It's based on the non-fiction book I wrote called, Insanity Rules: Gems of Wisdom. (Now I'm thinking I need to change the title of the book before it publishes! I hadn't thought of this title before, lol.) It's the first book in my Gems of Wisdom series.

I did all those things a person does the first time on an adventure. Worried, planned, wondered if anyone would take the class, if I had something to offer that someone else really could learn and then dove in cannonball style.

After I hit send, then I worried that I'd sent too much for the first lesson. Silly me, to worry.

As I responded through the day to my students, I gained confidence. Some students even emailed me private notes about how much they appreciated the class and it was relevant to their life now.

I love chocolate, but to hear that something you've never done before, and that you weren't sure you could do, mattered in someone else's life? Pure bliss! There's not enough chocolate in the world to make up for the feeling that something you did mattered.

So tonight I sent off the second lesson to the ACFW Course eloop. Still a little nervous on my new adventure, but gaining confidence like the little engine that could.

It's a steep hill the first time out. I think I can. I think I can.

I'm overjoyed at the reception. I hope to give a much longer class in the fall from my own website. But first, I'll climb this hill and soar down the other side :-)

If you would like to take the free ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) classes, all you have to do is become a member and then sign up for the Course E-Loop.

Do you have an adventure you've been thinking about?

What is it?

Angie
PS I now have a Mrs. Montana International facebook group. Please come join and I will do my best to entertain you with interesting tidbits about the preparation and the competition for Mrs. International. It's next week in Chicago!
You can find out more about Mrs. International and even vote for me at http://www.mrsinternational.com/contestants
Be sure and leave me questions too! I love answering them. I'll keep it updated through the pageant, July 14-18,

Deadly Intent by Camy Tang

I really enjoyed Camy Tang's new book, Deadly Intent, because of the atmosphere and attitude. The characters were fun even though they had some real hurdles to leap when clientele kept dropping around them.

I loved that Camy had enough hints along the way that the perpetrator was a realistic antagonist and yet I did not guess the identity prior to the unveiling.

I also enjoyed the setting being in a day spa. It was fun to feel a part of an unusual setting.

One other thing I enjoyed was that even though the romance unfurled, they weren't magically able to know everything about one another. I liked that they were still learning new things in the relationship all the way to the end. A true life romance is more like that and so it made the romance Camy crafted much more believable.

Good job, Camy!

DEADLY INTENT back cover blurb:
SCENE OF THE CRIME
The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The salon’s reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi’s freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?

Bio:

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every week, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, DEADLY INTENT.
Please join us on July 10th as Camy guest blogs. She's sharing the real benefits of a day spa!

Thank you,
Angie

The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn by Liz Johnson

Summary:

Myles Parsons is just another inmate in Kenzie Thorn’s GED course until he kidnaps her, offering only a feeble explanation–that he’s actually FBI Special Agent Myles Borden. Terrified, Kenzie doesn’t want to believe his story of being undercover to protect her. Moreover, she can’t believe that someone might really want her dead.

But just when Myles thinks he has her out of harm’s way, his plans start to fall apart. He attempts to take Kenzie to a safe house—but the stubborn woman won’t go! So together they must uncover the clues that will reveal a most shocking perpetrator. All the while Myles tries to keep his distance from Kenzie … but finds himself falling in love.


About the Author:

Liz Johnson grew up reading Christian fiction, and always dreamed of being part of the publishing industry. After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, she set out to fulfill her dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-becoming an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she completed the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course and wrote articles for several magazines.
Liz lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she enjoys theater, ice skating, volunteering in her church's bookstore and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nephew and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is her first novel. Keep up with Liz's adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

Battle Your Inner Pirates and win!

Today I sent the class introduction for Battle Your Inner Pirates and win! to the members of the American Christian Fiction Writers free online class.

ACFW offers free courses 10 of the 12 months to its members. We have about 1900 members now and many love to take advantage of this free benefit. If you are not a member, you can join by going to www.acfw.com and then after signing up, you can find the course links on the member home page to join the classes.

I'll be teaching a one week course starting tomorrow so you have time to join ACFW if you want to take it :-)

As a life coach, I help people battle their internal pirates--all those negative attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that hold you back from reaching your goals and dreams.

Our topics this week will be:
Monday - Friday instruction days. Tuesday/Thursday discussion. I teach this in 17 chapters or in life coaching at your personal pace. It's obvious we can't do it all, so we will do our best to do justice to what we can. We'll try for 3 of the topics and a quick wrap up on Saturday.

Consider this as a way to find what is blocking you, yes, but also consider it a study in characterization. If your main character were going through some of these mental/spiritual issues, how would they respond?

Be sure to make notes on a different sheet than your personal journal for your character's responses. By doing this, you allow your character to answer differently and grow or become more complicated.

As you work through those pirates that hold you back from your goals, you will be battling for a gem of wisdom. Our goal this week is to win 3 for your treasure chest!

We will deal with these battles on M-W-F:
1. Reframing-- Our Pirates: Rumination, Destructive Scripts, & Assumptions -- Awarded Gemstone: Garnet
2. Ownership vs. Empathy-- Our Pirates: Ownership-- Awarded Gemstone: Opal
3. Courage-- Our Pirates: Fear & Short term thinking -- Awarded Gemstone: Obsidian

Here's a glimpse our treasure hunt together. You may find some of these landmarks mapping the journey in our class this week. It's based on life coaching from, Insanity Rules: Gems of Wisdom, while we battle those internal pirates that hold us back from reaching our goals:

Pique Points: Thought-provoking questions to discuss.

Ponder Points: Tidbits to entice an open mind.

Personal Places: I may share a tender and true story, from the heart of a research volunteer, shared to help others.

Pirates: Those cutthroat negative attitudes, situations and feelings that get in the way of healthy living and healthy writing presented through fictional allegory. In this one week class, we won't be able to deal with all of them, so we will give our attention to the three listed.

Putting It All Together: Tying all the loose ends together in each lesson so it’s easy to understand and easy to then put into practice.

Polishing Point: Real life options to solve real life dilemmas and suggestions on how to put them into practice.

Gems: Gems of wisdom awarded as new concepts are learned along the treasure hunt route.

Definitions: A little more perspective on some words and ideas.

Tips: Tried and true, these are little gem chips that have worked for others. AND these may very well come from you or your classmates!

Ahoy there, Matey. Welcome aboard.

If you are more interested in personal life coaching rather than the spin towards writers, you can contact me here or go to the www.MyGemofWisdom.com site for more information.

Our Internal Pirates

We all have them. Those negative issues that hold us down as if we are drowning from the anchors tied around our legs as they pull us down, down, down...internal pirates.

Pirates are ruthless. The battle cry is no quarter!

How do we overcome them? We have to take a hard look at them. I did this season.

Sometimes we get on the train heading in one direction only to realize that it takes several changes in station to achieve the destination. That's not getting derailed. I think too many of us think that if we have to change trains that we missed it. No, no, no. You are merely taking a connecting train with an occasional rest stop for an adventure.

My writing has had to take back seat this summer as I build the platform to support it into the future.

Although writing is my first choice, no one person can do it all. I decided in mid-May to wait until after mid-July to continue my writing projects. I have to put a lot of energy into building the business side.

Now my new website is up, the jewelry is online and beginning to sell and I am off to compete for Mrs. International. The business side is important. There are people counting on my ability to bring awareness to the situation many orphans are in around the world.

The energy. I keep coming back to that word. I've loved every bit of it. But energy is something we need to be good stewards of also. I think it's often missed too, to be a good steward of our energy.

Yes, I'll be getting back to writing in just a few weeks. I have a companion journal to finish with my non-fiction book and the second book in the Gems of Wisdom series to write. Then I need to reintroduce myself to a contest winning fiction manuscript that I put away when my mom passed. I put it away for a season. The planned season is ending. I look forward to the new season beginning :-)

Are you feeling drained?

In what way can you be a better steward of your energy?

Are you at the beginning or the ending of a season?

Angie
PS Please come visit www.MyGemofWisdom.com and see all the new stuff!