FOCUS... a lost art

#FiveMinuteFriday

Come join the fun with Lisa-Jo Baker. It's a Friday Flash Mob and there's always room for more. The prompt this week is....

FOCUS.....

Perhaps a lost art in this house. I'm the queen of random thoughts, the diva of daydreaming.... as a writer it's required in the secret handbook that daydreaming is mandatory. However... I am in great need of focus today and this morning I was shown what it means to pause, collect myself and focus for just a moment on the bigger picture. I had my “to do” list for the day. Kids were dropped off at school and I was full speed ahead.... phone is ringing as I write... FOCUS..... that's what the answering machine is for. :P

I was moving right along in my day and I felt the need to stop and pray. REALLY with all I had to do? I prayed already this morning. Couldn't he let me off the hook... just this once?

So I stopped. I walked out to the edge of the mountain and stood there. The fog had settled on the Tennessee river and I watched it's ghostly movement along the water. Peaceful. 

I was not quite that peaceful inside. I needed to slow down. I breathed deep. Breathing in Peace, and then I realized... it's Friday.. full of possibility and full of promise. Time to see the world through peace and get as much out of this day as I possibly can with joy before me.. … and FOCUS.

Share If You Dare Over There With Some Flair!

Today .... it begins.

I'm going to be plastering the link for the eBook of FRIDAY LUNCH all over the place, so friends don't let friends promote alone. Here's what's going on, so you can be a part of the fun!

My fabulously talented cousin, Kelleybrooke Brown is starring in Always...Patsy Cline at The Whole Backstage Theatre in Guntersville, AL beginning the 13th. With the selling of the eBook FRIDAY LUNCH during the performance dates, half the royalties will be donated to The Whole Backstage Children's  Theatre.  This theatre has not only blessed my family with friends and fun, but it has become a place so many go to be a part of something bigger, something special, something uniquely theirs. The stage awaits.....

Always...Patsy Cline performance dates are
  Sept 13, 14, 15, 16
  Sept 20, 21, 22, 23
You can call  (256) 582-7469 to purchase your tickets. These seats are going quick, so all you local family and friends need to make sure you have tickets soon! 


My goal is 1000 books sold in 8 days! I've got people lined up ready to run with this, and if you'd like to help you can share this blog post everywhere! 

This is the link to share. The eBook for FRIDAY LUNCH is at the bottom of that page. Download and enjoy! 

One thing I've discovered about the theatre, it's not that you chose to be a part of a show, it's that the show lives on as a part of you. 


Share! Share! Share! Comment if you share or if you purchase FRIDAY LUNCH, and I'll include you and your link in the post at the end of the promotion. That's about 2000 people seeing your name... so what are you waiting for? 

Thanks to those who are helping. You make this great fun! 

Follow That Author

The number of groups for authors on facebook is alarming. These are a few that actively encourage, promote, and build relationships within the group. We all have our favorites, and you'll find where you fit. Journey through the groups, read what they're about, and join a few. Feel free to add more in the comment section if you have a favorite author or writing group that isn't listed. A lot of these groups are for readers also, so you'll find some great deals on some great works. It's all about putting yourself out there, so writers... get to work. Marketing takes time, but..... it's time well spent when you make a few friends along the way. 

Writers of the South (USA)

Christian Authors Book Marketing Strategies

Supporting Authors One Read At A Time Magazine's Network

Encouragement for Authors

Renaissance Romance Publishing

Adopt an Indie Page

Fellow Writers

Authors with a Purpose

Crazy for books (readers and authors)

Authors, Agents, and Aspiring Writers

Author Friends

Novel Publicity Network

Author Karma by Novel Publicity 

WRITERS AND ARTISTS SHARE!

GMTA LITERARY COMMUNITY

Authors and Book Lovers Discussion Group

Successful Freelance Writer

Author Exchange

Authors, Books and so much more!

Book Marketing Made Easy

Authors Critique Group

Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook

CHRISTIAN AUTHORS AND WRITERS

Author Central 

Author & Their Editors

Are You a Wordaholic?

I finally remembered to post as a part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. So, here I sit, it's midnight when I'm writing this but I won't post it until around 4 am when I wake up from some crazy dream that I think... wouldn't that be a great story?

I have finished the first draft of  the manuscript for my second novel, and I'm finally editing.  Does anyone out there actually enjoy THIS part of the process? I'm not talking about the editing that goes along with finalizing the entire work. I mean, the first read through and making sure your book doesn't sound like the ramblings of a psychotic wordaholic.

Don't you like that... wordaholic. I am so guilty of overstating and overusing words. Here's the perfect example... my first novel, FRIDAY LUNCH is 368 pages. Well, the original manuscript is almost 500 pages with a completely different ending, and there are characters that you'll never meet.

I'm a work in progress, and in my second novel I have tried to create more story in less pages. I like the element of finishing strong and my manuscript not looking like I just purchased refill paper for the copier. I like to have it printed from the computer and in my hand for the final read, because there's just something about turning that last page and closing that notebook that gives me such finality that I instantly want to start creating again.

Are you a wordaholic? My mom reads through my book first before anyone and she has taken her red pen and marked out entire pages. Some would cringe, but not me. I'm all about the strength of the work, so when it's in your hands, it has the ability to hold you until the end.

Can I ever recover from my addiction to words? Not likely. But, what author do you know that can say anything without being a little flamboyant in their descriptions?

Are You Celebrating National Doughnut Day?

Some days shake you for all you're worth. Some days you can ignore and you simply exist. Some days you are the point man taking life by the throat. Some days... it's just all about the doughnuts.

Today, June 1st, is National Doughnut Day. I was reminded of this when Krispy Kreme followed me on twitter. I'm thinking that's a good thing. Everyone needs to be reminded there are free doughnuts out there.

The Kripsy Kreme Cruiser is on their Glaze The Nation Tour. Check it out and see if it's coming to a location near you. June 1st it will be enjoying the streets of NYC, so all you guys up there enjoy! 

We've all been tempted by the HOT NOW sign.

And, there are those moments that simple is best.

So, no matter what your choice... it's always right.

But, just so you know... THIS is my favorite. 

Writing comes easier, and children are happier when a day is filled with doughnuts, don't you think? Perhaps I'll include Krispy Kreme in book #3.... and ask to hold a book signing there. 

The question, however, remains.. which do you prefer... custard or cream filled?

Happy Star Wars Day

May the 4th be with you.... that's the theme of the day. Don't you just love a day when everyone plays along online and has some fun?

Am I a Star Wars geek? Perhaps, but I don't know every amazing detail about the movies. I don't know the names of everyone. I don't know details of all epic battles. However... one thing rings true... I'm of the generation that grew up seeing the very first movies, and yes I was Princess Leah when I was younger. 

It's not about knowing the movies in detail that makes us all Star Wars geeks. It's the feeling you get when you finish such an epic journey from the imagination of others. Lucas, Tolkien, Lewis... we've enjoyed the ride through every twist and turn in the recesses of  their minds. The books we read, the movies we see... they all become a part of our language, a part of our thoughts, a part of our writing. 

So, if it's been a while, make it a Star Wars Weekend! Pop enough popcorn to last, and enjoy! 

Now I like Pinterest, and the people on there are fabulously creative... so would you if you could? 

One last thing.... in the comment section, tell me your favorite Star Wars quote. I have so many, but this one is a favorite:

C3PO: Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1. 

Han Solo: Never tell me the odds.

I Am Defined By Chocolate

So, I didn't make it through the A-Z challenge which was really a giant disappointment. I have tons of chocolate I had collected to share, beautiful places to show, and that flash fiction I was writing would have been an epic adventure after 26 posts. I did write an A post, a B post, and a C post. :)

Well, April has come and gone, but the chocolate continues. In my search for the perfect recipes that would fit into an A-Z category I did come across a fabulous creation....

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Oreo Brownie Bars. 

I intend to walk you through this process and for those on facebook, this is from the picture I posted. Oh, yes... it's just as fantastic as it looks. It will make your coffee stand at attention!

Chocolate chip cookie dough mix..... 

A single layer of oreos.....

One box of brownie mix....

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes....

Add chocolate icing while it's still warm....

Icing becomes fudge-like.....

Be sure to cut a giant piece!