The Memo-Pause Blog

Please pardon the dust

2008-04-14T21:01:00.004-06:00

Please join me at my new blog:

http://karalennox.wordpress.com

Or my website:
www.karalennox.com

Thanks!

The voices in your head

2007-10-20T14:47:00.001-06:00

Recently I was at a hoity-toity author tea where all the authors were encouraged to wear hats, just for fun. An author friend of mine, who came to the event hatless, complimented my rather extravagant, feathered hat and then said, "I wanted to wear a hat, but I don't look good in hats. Once when I was wearing a hat, my mother said I looked like a rabbit under a cabbage leaf."

I laughed politely and then studied her. She's an attractive woman with delicate, classic features and beautiful shoulder-length blond hair. I pictured her with a hat and I said, with total confidence, "You would look beautiful in a hat." But she shook her head adamantly. Her mother had made one careless, not very sensitive, and totally inaccurate comment when she was young, and that voice is forever with her. That has become her truth. I don't look good in hats.

What do the voices in your head say? What harmful "truths" about yourself are you carrying around? Maybe they're not true at all.

When you catch yourself thinking a negative thought about yourself, stop and ask yourself where you got that idea. Whose voice is in your head, saying it? Your mother or father? A teacher? An ex-spouse? A member of the clergy? Ask yourself when you started to believe this about yourself. Was there a specific incident that led you to believe this "truth"?

Chances are, it's not true at all. Or even if it's a little bit true--even if you did once trip over your own two feet--it doesn't mean you're forever, irrevocably clumsy. Even if you made a bad grade in one math class, it doesn't mean you're bad at math.

Don't let those voices in your head--some of them decades old--rule your life today.

Truthfully,
Kara

Sorry for the long absence!

2007-10-01T21:35:00.000-06:00

But I'm working hot and heavy on two books at one time. I've let a lot of things--mostly run-of-the-mill responsibilities--get in the way of finishing my thriller, and I finally decided I needed to buckle down and finish the darn thing. It's been way too long.

So I guess that's my lesson for today. If you let other responsibilties take priority, your dream gets put on the back burner. Don't let it be expendable. Make it a priority. Give it time every day, even if it's only a few minutes. Don't wait until "someday."

I've blogged about this before, but it bears repeating--to myself, if not to you all!

Single-mindedly,
Kara

Treasure Map

2007-09-26T20:45:00.001-06:00

Since I touched on visualization yesterday, I thought today I would talk about one of the most useful tools for picturing your goals, dreams and desires: a treasure map. Basically it's a piece of posterboard onto which you glue pictures and words that represent your dreams.

Mine is pictured here. It's a little bit hard to see, but on it I have a photo of myself and my husband in the middle, to remind me of what's really important--my loved ones. Then each quadrant of the board is related to some aspect of my life. In the upper left I have the New York Times Best Seller list mock-up I mentioned with my book title and my name in the #1 spot, plus a mock-up of the actual book cover. (Okay, I stole a Nora Roberts cover and doctored it up a bit.) I also have some words, like, "What would you do with $20,000?" and a couple of nice pens and a dragon (because the book I was writing at the time was about a dragon). In the upper right hand corner I have pictures of beautiful food and groups of friends socializing, because I want to be a really accomplished cook and to entertain my friends. The lower right has pictures of what I'd like my home to look like, and the lower left represents travel, health (there's a bikini-clad girl in there, a beach, people riding bikes, and women in pretty clothes. There's also some cool jewelry and a Jaguar.)

I put this on the wall near my desk where I see it daily. It was a lot of fun to put it together, and it gives me pleasure every time I look at it. Since then, many of the things I included have come to me, particularly the travel, home improvements, and cooking. Others I'm still expecting!

So give yourself a treat and make your own treasure map. You can update it as often as you want. The important thing is that it makes you feel positive and optimistic about the changes coming into your life.

Visually,
Kara

Law of Attraction Made Easy

2007-09-25T22:17:00.000-06:00

I've heard a lot of people try to explain the Law of Attraction, and sometimes it can get pretty confusing. But here is the cleanest, simplest explanation I've come across. Unfortunately I can't remember who came up with it originally; if you recognize it, please let me know where it came from so I can give proper credit.

The 5 steps:
1. Decide what you want.
This sounds simple, but a lot of people stumble through life, following the path of least resistance, without ever giving this matter any serious thought. Whether it's a new car, a new job or a new lover, figure out specifically what you would like brought into your life. You can experiment with small things at first, but don't be afraid to think big!

2. Visualize.
This has always been easy for me--I was one of those kids who used to get in trouble in school for "day-dreaming" and "wool gathering." But not everyone finds it easy to picture in their minds what they want. It helps to write down the qualities of the thing you want, or cut out pictures from magazines that represent the thing you want. If I want to sell a book, for example, I do a mock-up of the cover and use it as my computer wallpaper, where I'll see it often. I've also downloaded the New York Times Bestseller list, but I substituted my book and my name in the number one spot!

3. Emotionalize
This is probably THE most important step, and the one most people skip. You have to summon up how you would feel if you had that thing you desire. The Universe responds to emotions--your feelings are the fuel it uses to give you what you want. So it's important not to feel anxious or focus on the lack in your life. You'll only draw to yourself more anxiety, more lack. So pretend you already have what you desire, create inside yourself exactly how you would feel, and maintain that state of mind for as long and as often as you can. This takes practice, but it does get easier. Remember, it should be fun, not a chore.

4. Act
The trick is to take only inspired action. If your desire is for a new love in your life, you can help things along by getting out of the house and visiting places where you might meet someone, and letting your friends know you're open to meeting new people. If you want a new job, start polishing up your resume. But it's important not to pursue these activities in any sort of frantic way. Taking actions to bring about your desires should not feel heavy or like a struggle. When you're on the right track with your actions, you'll feel light and joyful. Be open to signs and signals from the Universe that might point you in the right direction.

5. Believe
The stronger your faith in this process, the faster your desires will come to you. I once heard it described like ordering something from a catalog. You put in your order for a new car, then you wait for it to arrive just as you would a book you ordered from Amazon. You don't know exactly when the package will show up on your front porch, but you don't fret about it. You simply expect it to arrive.

Decide, Visualize, Emotionalize, Act and Believe!

Emotionally,
Kara

Let your dreams come to you

2007-09-24T20:17:00.000-06:00

I am just returned from the Big Island of Hawaii, a wonderful place for rest, play and rejuvenation. Because of the five-hour time difference I awoke before dawn every morning and did a series of yoga stretches. I actually did sun salutations as the sun rose and the first rays of warmth washed over the lanai--fabulous.

One of my hobbies is bird watching, and I still had several Hawaii birds to add to my list. So I set out one day for a patch of native forest at a high elevation, where some of Hawaii's rarest native birds can be found. As I hiked through the beautiful woods, I could hear exotic birds calling all around me. But they were elusive little critters. Each time I would hike toward an intriguing call, it would move farther away from me. Or I would catch movement from the corner of my eye, but when I turned or raised my binoculars, I couldn't see anything.

Frustrated, I sat on a fallen tree to rest. I sat very quietly, and after a few minutes, the birds came to me. Just sitting in that one spot I spied several green Hawaii Amakihi and red Apapane. The longer I sat, the closer they came. Then I heard a rustling behind me. Wary in case it was a wild pig, I turned slowly and there was a Kalij Pheasant not five feet from me. (These are not native to Hawaii, nor are they particularly rare, but they are exotic to me!) I sat and watched him for a long time, then finally thought to take a picture, but he was too far away by then. The picture here shows him as a smudge!

Sometimes the dreams we pursue are just as elusive as a rare bird. The harder we push, the farther away it seems our dream recedes. But often if you sit quietly, relax, and allow it to happen--just stop trying so hard--the dream will come to you.

I am a big believer in setting goals and taking action. But if you've been trying and trying, and it seems you're making no progress, try putting it out of your mind for a little while, relaxing, and focusing on something else. You might find your dream sitting right next to you.

Aloha,
Kara

Write them down

2007-09-14T22:07:00.001-06:00

One of the problems with goals is, when we're in the process of goal setting, we're all fired up. But then we promptly forget them.

All of your goals need to be written down. I like to word my goal with "I intend ..." because an intention is stronger than a wish or a desire. So "I intend to submit TITLE OF BOOK by DATE" would be one of my goals. Every two weeks, I write my goals on an index card and post them right by my computer, where I can see them every day.

It really makes a difference. When I forget that step, things don't seem to get done.

So write down your goals and post them were you can see them.

The You-Can-Do-It Blog is taking a break for the next week. I'm heading off to Hawaii. But posts should resume 9/24. Hopefully my week of rest and rejuvenation will generate a whole bunch of new ideas for the blog.

Restfully,
Kara

Think outside the box

2007-09-13T20:33:00.000-06:00

When it comes to goals, a lot of people get stuck in their thinking. They see only one path to a goal, and if they can't figure out how to put themselves on that path, they give up.

But there's always more than one way to get from Point A to Point B.

You should first ask yourself, what is the feeling you're seeking by achieving any goal? Then, figure out if there are other ways to achieve that feeling, maybe by a quicker, easier path.

For example: Say your goal is to be a movie star. Specifically, you want a starring or supporting role in a film from a major producer. Why do you want that goal? Is it because you love to act? Maybe becoming active in community theater would fulfill your desire. Do you want to hobnob with other stars? There are lots of other jobs that would allow you to do that. You could be a personal assistant, a production assistant, a makeup artist, etc. There are hundreds of jobs in the movies.

Do you want to earn big bucks? There are probably lots easier ways to do than than becoming a movie star. (Heck, becoming a neurosurgeon is probably easier!) Do you want to see your name inside a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Do you really, really want to be famous, as if stalked by papparazzi?

If there's really no way to get what you want than to be a famous movie star, then by all means go for it! I am not suggesting you scale down your dreams. Just be very, very sure you've set yourself a goal that represents the easiest, fastest way to create the FEELING you're after.

And if "movie star" is really it, then brainstorm different ways to achieve that goal. Yeah, you can move to Hollywood, take acting classes, get an agent, go on auditions, work as a waitress, take bit parts, etc. etc. etc. Or ... maybe you can collaborate with a screenwriter, raise some money, and make your own movie with you as the star, which you then enter in film festivals.

If you've never read the Robert Rodriguez autobiography, Rebel without a Crew, I highly recommend it. Find out how one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors (Spykids was his first huge hit) broke into the business. It's a lesson in thinking outside the box and it's also hilarious.

Creatively,
Kara

Why affirmations don't work

2007-09-12T21:17:00.001-06:00

Actually, affirmations can work great. But it's all in the technique.

A lot of people create wonderful affirmations, then repeat them by rote, on automatic pilot, while they're doing other things.

Here's the thing: The words aren't magic. The magic comes from how the words make you feel. Feelings and emotions are the power behind the Law of Attraction.

So if you like the whole idea of affirmations, by all means have fun creating good ones, and use them. But forget about saying them a hundred times a day, or writing them a hundred times. (I just get bored--and writer's cramp--when I try this technique, and boredom isn't an emotion I want to encourage.)

Instead, say them five times a day. But really focus when you say them. Say them like you really mean them. And--this is the important part--try to feel the way you would feel if those affirmations were true. Affirmations used in this manner are a lot more fun--and a lot more effective.

Affirmatively,
Kara

Your Lucky Day

2007-09-11T21:18:00.000-06:00

Does it seem everyone else gets the lucky breaks? Are you never in the right place at the right time? How come you haven't been "discovered," the way Lana Turner was, sitting in a drug store?

I think the ancient Roman writer Seneca said it best: "Luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparedness." That means you study up on when and where opportunity might strike, and you plan to be there ready to make an impression. It means you always dress your best for work and keep your desk clean, in case the president of the company makes a surprise visit.

It means you write a lot of books, so that when you hear that such-and-such editor is looking for a meaty Western historical or a sexy alien book, you've got one ready to pop in the mail. It means that when you attend a professional conference, you have a list of who you'd like to talk to, what you're going to say, and what your objectives are so that a chance encounter in an elevator pays off.

Lots of people get lucky breaks. But it's the ones who know what to do with an opportunity that we hear about. You can be just as lucky. Plan for all kinds of eventualities, and be prepared.

As for Lana (whose real name was Julia Jean Mildred Frances), maybe she knew the publisher of the Hollywood Reporter often frequented that drugstore (and it was actually a cafe). Maybe she skipped typing class every week for months, hoping for a chance encounter. Maybe she situated herself on just the right stool, and maybe she watched for him and smiled at him when he showed up.

I'm just guessing, but having read a short biography of Ms. Turner, she sounds like the kind of person who made her own luck.

Fortunately,
Kara

Talent?

2007-09-07T21:22:00.000-06:00

Maybe you feel you simply weren't born with enough talent. And I'll be the first to agree that a few people--a very few--are born with some innate quality that renders them truly gifted.

But there are plenty of people who succeeded on only average talent. You could probably name a dozen right now if you put your mind to it--singers with average voices, writers who are only average wordsmiths, politicians (not naming any names here!) with only average smarts.

Just keep in mind: if they an do it, anyone can. But if you really feel that your abilities in your chosen field to success aren't up to par, do something about it. Take classes. Study. Practice. Ask experts for advice. Get constructive criticism. In five years you can get good at almost anything.

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Great accomplishments depend not so much on ingenuity as on hard work." --Thomas Edison, American inventor

Averagely,
Kara

More on excuses

2007-09-05T15:10:00.000-06:00

Do you use your age as an excuse for not pursuing your dreams? Do you feel like you're too old to start over, that you wished you'd started writing (acting, running a dance studio for children, becoming a landscape architect) in your twenties but you're too entrenched to switch gears now? Do you fear competing with all those young, energetic kids?

Well, I've got good news for you. Lots of people achieve their greatest success after the mid-century birthday. I devoted a whole blog to this (check the archives, July 17, if you're interested). As for feeling like you're too old to start over--how long do you think it will take to achieve some measure of success if you start today working toward your dream? Five years? Ten? How old will you be then?

In ten years, you'll be that old anyway. Might as well have some reward to look forward to!

As for competing with youngsters ... yeah, they have more energy than most of us middle-agers. They have some advantages, like no family to support and the ability to subsist on coffee, cigarettes and three hours of sleep a night. But those of us with a little life experience ... well, we have life experience. Would you ever want to go back to being 22 again? Yeah, I was enthusiastic, but I was incredibly stupid, too.

And if you feel you're too young, that you don't have enough experience, let me tell you about my friend Mary. She was an advertising account exec at the magazine where we both worked, and she consistently sold twice as much advertising as anyone else on the team. She was enthusiastic and very creative, and everyone loved her. When the advertising sales director's position became open, the publisher considered promoting her. But she was only 23 years old. She knew she could do the job better than anyone else, but she was worried that she hadn't "paid her dues." She decided to wait, and told the boss she wasn't ready. Ultimately he promoted someone older and more experienced.

The guy was a disaster and he quit in disgrace after six months, whereupon Mary stepped up and said "I can do it, let me." This time the boss promoted her, and she was the most successful sales manager in the history of the magazine.

Age is only a number, and though it's a cliche, I'll say it anyway: You're as young as you feel!

Youthfully,
Kara

What's your excuse?

2007-09-04T21:33:00.000-06:00

According to David J. Schwartz, author of The Magic of Thinking Big, there are four common excuses people use to explain and justify failure to live their dreams. They are:

1. Health ("I'm not strong enough to do that." or "I just don't feel up to it.")
2. Intelligence or innate ability ("You have to be really smart to work in that field." "I could never hack the grades to become X.")
3. Age ("I'm too old to start over." "You have to be young to start a career in X." "I'm too young to own my own company.")
4. Luck ("I haven't gotten the lucky breaks that other people get.")
5. I would add a fifth excuse--blaming someone else. ("The system's not fair." "My parents didn't raise me right." "My spouse didn't support me.")

Do any of these sound familiar? (I've been guilty of every one of these at one time or another!)

Unless you're dream is to play professional sports or be a prima ballerina, health problems usually are just an excuse. Many people have achieved incredible success despite debilitating health problems. Think Franklin D. Roosevelt, Christopher Reeve and Michael J. Fox. Or V.C. Andrews (best-selling author of Flowers in the Attic and many more). Because of back and spinal injuries, she spent most of her adult life in a wheelchair. But the wheelchair was the wrong height to reach her typewriter, so she wrote standing up on crutches.

I don't mean to make light of health problems. I know a chronic illness can be nightmarish. But often we give our aches and pains more power over us by talking about them endlessly and dwelling on them. So treat your health problems as best you can ... then live your life anyway. Don't accept limitations.

I'll talk about the other excuses in future posts.

Kara

A high tide floats all boats

2007-09-03T20:45:00.000-06:00

I used to be extremely competitive with my writing. Oh, not publicly. When someone I knew sold a book or made a bestseller list or got some perk I didn't get, I would congratulate them and pretend to be totally happy.

But inside I would be a mass of insecurity and envy. I was constantly comparing myself to other writers, and always in my mind there was a pecking order. When I would read any of the romance novel magazines and see the splashy ads and read the five-star reviews, I would feel jealous and frustrated.

Not very attractive, eh?

Somewhere along the line I realized something: There is no finite amount of success out there--there's plenty to go around! Just because one person's book made the bestseller list didn't mean I couldn't make it, too. Just because someone I knew got a 50K advance, that didn't mean I couldn't be paid that, too. When other writers succeeded where I hadn't ... yet ... all it meant was that success was possible, for me and for anyone. Not only that, but I realized that when books in my genre received kudos and attention, when the authors were interviewed in national magazines, it was good for the whole genre, which indirectly helped me to succeed.

Now when a friend or a complete stranger achieves something amazing (like when a book by an author acquaintance of mine was nominated for a Pulitzer, of all things!) I can genuinely feel happy and excited for them, because in a way their victory is my victory. It gives me something to shoot for, something to look forward to.

So next time a friend achieves something you secretly wanted for yourself, avoid that unbecomeing shade of green and know in your heart: If she did it, I can do it. Next time it's my turn.

Formerly green,
Kara

Making time for what's important

2007-08-30T20:34:00.001-06:00

My friend Becky and I meet every two weeks to go over our goals and discuss our progress and where we're meeting resistance (usually in ourselves).

For weeks Becky has resisted doing exercises her physical therapist recommended for her injured shoulder. But recently she decided she was never going to just "have time" because she always has a million things to do. If she wants her shoulder to heal, she has to make the time to do the exercises.

So she scheduled the time in her Daytimer. She views it just like she would an appointment with a doctor. She doesn't schedule anything during her exercise time, and she's made a chart so she can mark her progress. This strategy is so far working very well for her.

So what is it you'll do "when you have time"? (For me, right now, it's yoga and meditation. I was doing both of those things religiously and benefiting so much, and then my schedule got interrupted with a conference, and I simply fell out of the habit.) If it's important, make the time for it. Write it on your calendar. Make an appointment with yourself, and don't stand yourself up!

Punctually,
Kara

Feal the fear, and do it anyway

2007-08-29T21:23:00.000-06:00

"I have often been afraid, but I would not give in to it. I made myself act as though I was not afraid and gradually my fear disappeared."

Theodore Roosevelt
Former American President

Fear makes us do all kinds of counterproductive things. Fear makes us shy away from trying new things. Fear makes us procrastinate. Fear makes us hold back from giving a hundred percent. Fear makes us too timid to speak up when we should. Fear makes us not ask for what we deserve. Fear keeps us from traveling to foreign lands, because we can't get on an airplane. Fear keeps us from loving with our whole heart.

For some people, fear is so crippling they can't even leave the house.

It's easy to look at other people, doing the things we're afraid to do, and assume they have no fear, and that if only we could vanquish our fear, we could do anything. But that's probably not the case. Many great people have admitted they accomplished great deeds while shaking in their shoes.

The key isn't to vanquish fear, because that's nearly impossible to do. You have to feel the fear, acknowledge it ... and learn to live with it.

Franklin Roosevelt had it right. You simply pretend you're not afraid and do the thing that scares you. After you do it a few times, or maybe even just once, the fear gradually fades.

Fearlessly,
Kara

Are you dreams big enough?

2007-08-27T21:19:00.000-06:00

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

Nelson Mandela
Former Prime Minister of South Africa

I love this quote because way too many people--most people, in fact--live too-small lives because they don't realize their true potential.

I remember when I was a young thing, I loved to write. I wrote short stories for my own amusement, and I even noodled around with a novel. It just never occurred to me that I could write books, sell books, and make a living as a novelist. I saw myself as way too average to do something like that. I figured my lot was to get a job that barely paid my rent--even though I was a college graduate--and survive.

Then I met a woman who had actually sold a romance novel, and my eyes were opened. I didn't have to settle. I could not only dream of being a published author, I could do it. Later still, I realized I could go for bigger dreams still. I found passion in my life by living large, and you can, too.

Passionately,
Kara

Do you look successful?

2007-08-26T20:46:00.000-06:00

Did you know you can look successful without driving a Mercedes or draping yourself with diamonds? Studies have shown, however, that our appearance and manner have much to do with whether people perceive us as successful and important.

1. Stand up straight. People with good posture are perceived as successful; people who slouch are not.

2. Walk faster. People who look like they have somewhere to go and something to do give off an aura of success.

3. Stay busy, but don't rush around. People engaged in unhurried activity are perceived as more successful than people who are in a stressed-out frenzy, or those hanging out by the water cooler filing their nails.

4. Pay attention to grooming. People with a neat appearance are seen as more successful than their slovenly counterparts. Hint: You don't have to spend more money on clothes to look better. Simply pay twice as much for your clothes--and buy half as many. High-quality clothes will last longer and remain in fashion longer than cheap clothes. (This is advice I've yet to take myself, since I am queen of the shopping bargains.)

5. Speak up. At meetings, ask questions or make comments and suggestions. Speak confidently and clearly. People who speak up are perceived as more successful than those who hang at the back of a room.

So why do you care whether people THINK you're successful? Because if they think you're successful, they'll treat you that way. And if they treat you as successful, you'll feel successful. And if you feel successful ... you'll soon be successful.

Perceptively,
Kara

How do you measure your worth?

2007-08-23T21:05:00.000-06:00

Many people measure their own value by outward circumstances--their job, their spouse, or how much money is in the bank.

Other people value themselves, irrespective of outward circumstances.

The first group live in fear--fear of losing their jobs, their incomes, their homes or their spouses. They hold on so tightly to these outward "things," because to lose them means they lose themselves. Ironically, the very act of holding on too tightly to something can cloud your judgment and cause you to lose it.

The second group live fearlessly. They aren't afraid to take risks, to go out on a limb, to stand up for what they believe. If they lose a job, they know they can get another. They never twist themselves inside out to make themselves "worthy" of a partner, because they know they are already worthy. If a relationship goes bad, they'll mourn, but then they'll let it go, confident a new love is around the corner.

Which group are you in? Which group would you like to be in?

Maybe you can't let go of fear and worry and attachment to outward circumtances all at once--I certainly don't claim to be there. But you can loosen your grip. Be open to the fact that, no matter what happens, you'll be fine.

Fearlessly (well, sometimes),
Kara

Got yoga?

2007-08-22T20:55:00.000-06:00

One of the greatest discoveries I've ever made is yoga. Unlike other "exercise" classes I've taken over the years, such as aerobics, Pilates or spinning, I actually look forward to yoga class, though it's often a pretty good work-out.

Why do I love it so much? Because practicing yoga leaves me with an incredible sense of well-being, and it lowers my blood pressure naturally. (I've measured my BP before and after class, and both the systolic and diastolic go down by 10-20 points.)

Now a new study has found scientific back-up for that calm, serene feeling many people report that yoga gives them.

The study took brain scans of yoga practitioners before and after a one-hour session and found that after, their brains showed a significant (27%) boost of the neuro-transmitter gamma-aminobutyric (GABA). Low brain levels of GABA are associated with anxiety and depression.

The study is only a first step, and even the study's lead researcher says more research is needed.

But heck, I don't need no stinkin' study to tell me yoga is a great tool to keep depression at bay. I've proved it to myself.

There are lots of different varieties of yoga, so try out a few different classes until you find one you like. Most teachers, if they're good, will modify postures and movements for any ability level. If you're not near a city that offers yoga, videos are available, and you can even find yoga on TV and yoga podcasts. Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

Serenely,
Kara

Some days are just for celebrating!

2007-08-21T21:17:00.001-06:00

Today I got a happy phone call from my agent. I was offered a three-book contract with Harlequin American.

Sometimes it seems like I'm making no progress at all, and then I have a day like today and I realize how far I've come.

When you reach a milestone goal, savor it. Do the happy dance. Celebrate with friends and family. You are wonderful.

Celebratorily,
Kara

Visualization

2007-08-20T20:43:00.000-06:00

I just listened to a wonderful workshop by author Stephanie Bond, all about visualization for the writer, and it was a great refresher course for me.

Visualization is something you probably already know how to do. It's how we prepare our minds for any activity. When you get ready to cook a meatloaf, you visualize in your head how it will turn out, right? When you're at the grocery store, you might even visualize the steps you go through, so you can remember to buy all of the ingredients.

But you can use the technique to prepare for any activity, whether it's a meeting, a task, a phonecall. Simply see in your mind how you want things to turn out. See the meeting going well, with you relaxed and saying just the right thing at the right time, making the sale or whatever the goal is. Imagine your heart's desire in exquisite detail. Imagine how things look, what they sound like, even how they smell. Engaging all your senses makes the visualization more powerful.

So does engaging your emotions. Imagine how you will feel when you get the outcome you're hoping for.

Whenever I start a new book, I try to imagine the finished product. I see it with a title, a beautiful cover with my name displayed prominently. I imagine my agent telling me how wonderful it is. I imagine an editor calling to say she wants to buy it. I imagine that book hitting the bestseller lists. I also imagine how readers will feel after finishing my book--delighted, satisfied, excited, whatever.

Visualization works as an excellent motivator. If you revisit your visualization often, you'll keep your eye on the end product, which motivates you to work hard. But it also works on a subconscious level. Some say the subconscious mind cannot tell imagination from reality. If you see in your mind's eye that you look great in a bikini, your subconscious will get to work reconciling the reality of your body with the "reality" in your mind, and the pounds will melt off. So the more realistic and vivid you can make your mental pictures, the more effective they'll be.

I don't know whether this is true, but it's a nice theory and it seems to work for me. At any rate, it's certainly a pleasant diversion and far more productive than filling your mind with, say, worry and guilt!

Vividly,
Kara

Who do you hang with?

2007-08-17T19:56:00.000-06:00

I read somewhere that your income will be the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I don't know whether it's true or not, but I like to take it a step farther. Your level of success mirrors that of the people around you. So if you hang out with really successful people, you rise to the top with them. And if you hang out with losers, you sink, too.

I'm not suggesting you immediately dump all your less successful friends. But do take a look at who you spend time with. Are they people full of energy and passion who want to make things happen? Or are they whiners and complainers, stuck in dead-end jobs, unemployed, in bad relationships, and not trying hard to change the status quo?

If it's the latter--okay, it wouldn't hurt you to cultivate some new friends. Seek out the people with attractive energy--people who motivate you to do better. As for your old friends, you don't have to cut them off. But you can try to lift the loser mood by being upbeat and optimistic and passionate yourself. They'll either catch your fever and move up with you, or they'll drift away. Yes, sadly, some people deliberately surround themselves with other slackers so they won't look so bad by comparison. So if you adopt a winner attitude, they'll seek out different friends who can wallow with them in misery.

Energetically,
Kara

Smile

2007-08-16T20:47:00.000-06:00

Studies have shown that the act of smiling--even when you feel you have nothing to smile about--releases endorphins in the body, and before you know it, you're actually feeling better.

So make smiling a habit. Smile when you drink your first sip of coffee in the morning. Smile when you take your shower. Smile at each person you meet. Smile for no reason at all. Especially if you're feeling down, discouraged or blue, smile. This really works.

Cheerfully,
Kara

It can't be that easy ...

2007-08-15T21:35:00.000-06:00

Well, no, the path to success is never completely smooth. You will often encounter roadblocks, disappointments, or plans that you make simply won't work.

But sometimes you can't even come up with a plan. You know what you want to do, but you can't figure out how to get there. It seems so far removed from where you are now, and you might even get a little depressed thinking about it.

That's when you call on your friends.

You'll be amazed how people will want to help you when you tell them you have a dream, it's really important to you, and you'd like them to be involved.

Here's an example:
Suppose you have a dream to hike the entire Appalachian trail. Maybe it's something you've thought about since you were a teenager, but every time you brought it up to friends or family, they thought you were crazy and so you dropped it.

So, here's how you do it: "Thanks for coming over, guys. I'm planning to hike the Appalachian Trail end to end, I'd like to do it in the summer of 2009, but I need some help with a few logistical problems, and I naturally knew that you smart people would be able to find the solutions." You then lay out the various tactical problems you've identified--you have no experience with serious hiking, you're out of shape, you don't have the cash for the quality hiking/camping gear you'll need, you can't get the time off from your job, you'll need someone to care for your dog while you're away, and you need a hiking buddy, preferably someone with knowledge and experience, to accompany you.

You will be bombarded with suggestions. Someone might have some old camping gear in their attic you can use for free; someone else might have a cousin who has actually hiked the Trail and loves to talk about it and show his slides; a third person might know of a local Sierra Club chapter that sponsors weekend hikes; yet another person might have a great guidebook on the Appalachian Trail. In fact, if you act excited enough and passionate enough about your plan, you might get someone else so excited about it that they volunteer on the spot to make the trip with you.

People love to be part of a grand scheme. People love a winner, and when you have a dream and a goal and you're making plans, you're a winner.

Thanks to Barbara Sher and her book Wishcraft, from which I have absorbed these ideas and co-opted them for you. (I've read the book twenty times at least!)

Admiringly,
Kara

Working backwards

2007-08-14T20:45:00.000-06:00

One technique for tackling a really big goal is to work backward, step-by-step, until you arrive at a step (or several) that you can do right now.

Here's an example:
Many years ago, I set a goal of being a fulltime, self-supporting writer. At the time I had a fulltime job, I wasn't even working on any fiction (and this was years before I sold my first book). I would know I had reached my goal when I was able to resign from my job.

So I ask myself: Can I quit tomorrow?
Answer: Well, yes, but I would starve to death.
Question: What needs to happen before I can quit my job?
Answer: I need to have some paying freelance clients.
Question: Can I get those clients tomorrow?
Answer: No. First I have to convince some clients to hire me.
Question: Can I acquire freelance clients by tomorrow?
Answer: Well, no. I'm not even sure who to approach, and I'll need to think up ideas for spec articles for the magazines.
Question: Can I come up with a list of possible clients tomorrow?
Answer: YES. I can go to the library and the bookstore and check out magazines I might want to write for, and I can look in the Yellow Pages and make a list of potential clients (ad agencies, PR firms)

Of course, I was already working for a magazine, so my best lead was right under my nose.
Question: Can I write for my magazine tomorrow?
Answer: No, first I'll have to have a frank discussion with the editor about my desire to change directions in my career and write.
Question: Can I talk to her tomorrow?
Answer: YES. Another first step for my list of first steps.

I proceeded this way until I had a long list of first steps I could take, so many that I couldn't do them all in one day. So I scheduled the steps in my calendar. They included those already mentioned as well as working up a budget and a savings plan, brainstorming ideas for magazine stories I'd like to write, calling a few people in advertising I knew and asking if they used freelance copywriters, getting my clip book in order (mostly stories I'd written in college), finding out when the next romance writers meeting was, and dusting off my most recent manuscript, reading it through, and deciding whether it could be saved.

I can't tell you how invigorating it is to have a plan for achieving a dream. To have the steps written down. And to actually start accomplishing those steps.

I was able to quit my job within six months of starting this plan, and one year later I was making more money than my previous salary.

You just never know what you can accomplish until you go out on a limb and give it a try!

Profitably,
Kara

Procrastination

2007-08-13T21:22:00.000-06:00

I know very few people who haven't fallen victim to the procrastination bug. We all have those comforting behaviors we engage in when we don't want to get down to work. Whether it's an evening of TV watching or hours of mindless web surfing--or in my case, sitting on my deck and watching birds.

But the price for those couple of hours is stiff. We wind up with a heavy dose of guilt and self-loathing.

A couple of reasons we procrastinate. One is simply that we push ourselves too hard, and everyone needs, yes NEEDS, some veg time. Your body needs rest, and so does your mind. And if you push yourself too hard, sometimes your mind will go on strike, resulting in a sudden and seemingly inexplicable bout of self-destructive procrastination.

To avoid that scenario, schedule some veg time every week--window shopping, reading your favorite author, or yes, watching reruns of Friends.

The other reason for procrastination is a little more complicated, so I'll save that 'til tomorrow.

Oh, I know I promised more about goals, but this topic seemed much more timely to me seeing as I'm sitting here on the sofa watching Sex and the City reruns. Your You-Can-Do-It guru doesn't always practice what she preaches!

Lazily,
Kara

To inspire you ...

2007-08-10T21:50:00.001-06:00

I've been busy entertaining out-of-town family all day, and it's much too late for me to write a real blog. But I thought I would give you a pretty picture that my brother in Germany took. And I'll see you on Monday!

What's important

2007-08-09T21:55:00.000-06:00

My 19-year-old niece and her boyfriend are visiting from Iowa this week. Now, I love Pam to pieces. She is a very bright, very sweet girl and she's been so excited about visiting her Texas relatives. But I have to admit I was a little ... stressed at the thought of houseguests.

Why? Because I don't want to be distracted from finishing my book.

But when she arrived today and I realized how much she's grown and how little I've seen of her since she and her mom moved away from Texas. I felt guilty for my earlier negative feelings, and I decided to embrace her, her boyfriend, and her visit (figuratively if not literally). Who knows when I might see her again?

The book will just have to wait. We've been planning all of our activities (especially the meals--she has worked as a cook at a country club so she can teach me a few things!) I bought a ton of groceries today, and now I'm wondering why I felt even mild apprehension.

I'm always advocating balance, but sometimes I need to take a step back and take a look at the big picture! Remembering your priorities is important, because it's your loved ones who will be there when you go through difficult times and cheer your successes.

Success is a nice thing, but not if you have to enjoy it all alone!

Familially,
Kara

Be a Goal Glutton

2007-08-08T20:08:00.000-06:00

Here's the fun thing about goals: You don't have to confine them to your job or your work life. Anything can become a goal--a dinner party, a wedding, reaching your ideal weight, acquiring a new car, or vacationing in Spain.

I collect goals the way I collect gaudy pairs of dangly earrings. I have a list of things I want to be, do or have, and I add to it whenever an idea strikes my fancy. Or course I can't pursue every single goal all at the same time. But sometimes something will strike my fancy, and I'll put it on the front burner. For example, I never learned how to cook when I was younger. But now that I am supposed to be eating a low-salt diet, I can't eat out as much as I used to. So it became a priority for me to learn how to cook the foods I love, but with less salt. I created some appropriate goals (like giving a dinner party).

In fact, at the start of every year I make a list of goals for all areas of my life--career, health/fitness, home, relationship, spiritual, and hobbies/just plain fun. Periodically I pick out some areas I want to work on and I create intermediate goals, weekly goals and daily goals based on what I would like to accomplish and when.

It sounds complex and, well, something a control freak would do. But I'm not a control freak. Really.

We'll talk more about how to chart your path toward a goal another time.

Non-freakishly,
Kara

More on Goals

2007-08-07T21:17:00.000-06:00

Once you've chosen a goal for yourself, how in the world do you get there?

You might need to do some research to find out what steps are required. Thank God for Google! You can find out almost anything you need to know on the Internet. If your goal requires some type of degree or certification, you can research schools on the 'Net and find out the admission requirements and costs involved.

A trip to your local library or bookstore might be useful, too. Find and subscribe to trade magazines in whatever subject or industry you're interested in.

You can also research the lives of people who have done the thing that you want to do. Find out how musicians, actors, or politicians started out. What education did they have? Did they have mentors, or sponsors, or did they go it alone? Sometimes you can even contact famous people and ask then questions. I did this with author Janet Evanovich. She started out writing little romance books like me, and I wanted to find out how she made the jump into bestselling mysteries. She was kind enough to reply.

At this point you might get a little overwhelmed by how much work you're going to have to do, or how far you have to travel to reach your goal. Don't let that stop you. Even if it takes ten or twenty years--those ten or twenty years will pass anyway. Might as well have what you want once they're gone.

And here's the secret: It's not all drudgery and sweat while you're working toward your goal, because you're marking your progress and celebrating each completed step along the way.

More about this tomorrow.

Dreamily,
Kara

Dreams vs. Goals

2007-08-06T20:37:00.000-06:00

Let's talk about dreams again. It's one of my favorite subjects.

One of the reasons people don't pursue their dreams is because they simply don't know how. Unfortunately, the American educational system does a lousy job teaching our kids how to set goals and achieve them. So unless some savvy friend or family member teaches us how, we become adults knowing how to run on a treadmill and pass tests. (This in no way is a slam to teachers themselves, for whom I have the greatest admiration and respect. It's a systemic, cultural condition.)

We admire people who come from lowly beginnings to achieve great success, but do we ever study how they did it?

Anyway, I'll get you started. If you have a dream, before you can reach it you must first turn it into a goal. What's the difference?

Dream: "I want to be a rich and famous writer!"
Goal: "I want to write a novel that makes it to the New York Times Bestseller list!"

Dream: "I want to be a doctor."
Goal: "I want to graduate from an accredited medical school."

Dream: "I want to be a famous actor."
Goal: "I want to have a speaking role in a movie from a major studio."

Do you see the difference? A dream is lovely, but how will you know when you've reached it? A goal is concrete. It's achievable. You'll KNOW when you've gotten there.

By the way, many of the concepts I write about in this blog are gleaned from my favorite self-help book of all time, WISHCRAFT: HOW TO GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT by Barbara Sher. I must give credit where credit is due. It's been around for about 30 years and is still in print, which tells you something. I urge you to check it out, as she goes into much more detail than I can do here.

Tomorrow I'll elaborate on goals.

Continually,
Kara

Feeling a bit jaded?

2007-08-03T21:13:00.000-06:00

The Law of Attraction is all about feeling good. We draw to us experiences that match how we're feeling, so my goal is to feel as good as I possibly can in every moment of every day.

But sometimes it's hard to hold on to that happy feeling. Whether something "bad" has happened, or I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, sometimes I catch myself feeling a bit grumpy or dispirited. When that happens, I just go to my "feel good" file on my computer, where I have lists of websites, pictures, jokes and nice e-mails that are guaranteed to lift my mood.

Here is a gem that came into my mailbox today. It's a collection of videos from YouTube sure to make you laugh and feel inspired.

http://www.lawofattractiontools.com/feelgood.html

While you're at it, check out the Law of Attraction Tools website home. Julie and Sydney produce a wonderful talk show on Blog Talk Radio about the Law of Attraction. The archived shows are available.

Have a wonderful weekend--I'm taking the weekend off and I'll be back on Monday.

Cheerfully,
Kara

Revenge

2007-08-02T21:16:00.000-06:00

That old law about "an eye for an eye" leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing --Martin Luther King, Jr.

I hope this lovely quote doesn't need any further explanation.

Cheekily,
Kara

Say, "Yes, thank you!"

2007-08-01T21:44:00.000-06:00

Have you ever tried to do someone a favor, and they wouldn't accept it? Or you tried to pay for a friend's lunch, but they won't hear of it? How does that make you feel?

As human beings we are hard-wired to enjoy giving--our time, our energy, our focus, even our money--to those who can appreciate it. When our gifts go unappreciated, or unaccepted, we feel bad.

Unfortunately our culture has taken the "It's better to give than to receive" advice way too seriously. It's nice to give, and it's nice to receive too. Try to do some of both. Next time someone wants to give you something, say yes, and do it joyfully. Don't say, "You shouldn't have." Just say yes and show your appreciation. You'll make their day. (And yours won't be so bad, either.)

Reciprocally,
Kara

The time is now

2007-07-31T20:50:00.000-06:00

"I have plenty of time for that."
"I'm going to write my book next year."
"I'll start my diet next week."
"My life is too hectic right now. I'll focus on my dreams when things calm down ..."
"... when the kids start school ..."
"... during summer vacation ..."
"... after I lose weight ..."
"... when the my son graduates ..."
"... when I turn thirty ... forty ... fifty ..."

The fact is, your life never settles down. If you don't start working toward your goals today, right now, you never will. You have to make your dreams a priority. You have to carve out the time, because you'll never just magically "have time."

If you aren't living your dream, or working steadily toward it, why not? What's stopping you?

Start today. Take that first small step today.

Urgently,
Kara

Great Expectations

2007-07-30T20:16:00.000-06:00

Here's something to ponder:

Behavioral scientists once did a study on how teacher expectations affect childrens' abilities to learn and perform well. In several different schools, one classroom in each grade was set aside for gifted students. The teachers in these special classes were told they'd been chosen to teach these elite, cream-of-the-crop students, but the students weren't informed of their special designation to avoid jealousy.

At the end of the year, the kids in these special classes outscored their peers on standardized tests, as was expected. But here's the kicker: The children weren't really "gifted and talented." They were chosen at random from the student body. The only difference was that their teachers expected them to excel.

The results of this experiment have wide implications. What expectations do you have of you children? Your subordinates at work, or other colleagues? Your spouse? Your friends?

More importantly, how high are your expectations for yourself?

Expectantly,
Kara

How do you greet the day?

2007-07-29T21:22:00.000-06:00

The way you wake up can set the stage for your entire day.

Do you groan when your alarm does off, hit the snooze button several times, and curse the fact you have to get up? Do you then rush around like crazy, stressed out as you try to get the kids off to school and/or yourself ready for work? Do you moan and groan about aches and pains and search for new wrinkles in the mirror? Do you growl at everyone until you get your second cup of coffee?

How can you expect the day to go well if it starts off like that?

Try this. Set your alarm for ten minutes earlier than usual. Or train yourself to wake up without an alarm. (I never use my alarm clock unless I have an early plane to catch.) Jump right out of bed. Take some deep, cleansing breaths to wake yourself up, and put a smile on your face.

As you shower or put the coffee on to brew, tell yourself over and over that you're going to have a fanstasic day. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Say, out loud, "I feel fantastic! Since you have a few extra minutes, you don't have to rush. Sit down and have a relaxed breakfast. If you commute, you don't have to curse the traffic. Listen to some upbeat music. Talk with others about what everyone wants to accomplish that day.

You will be amazed how much more pleasant your mornings will be--and how it sets the tone for a happy, productive day.

Cheerfully,
Kara

Success is a journey

2007-07-28T22:57:00.000-06:00

In the case of the Tour de France, it's a three-week journey that's about to come to an end. Only one guy can wear the yellow jersey on the podium in Paris.

American Levi Leipheimer was expected to be a contender for the top spot. But his young teammate, Alberto Contador, started shining early in the tour, and Levi switched to a supporting role. He protected Contador, he rode back to the team car and fetched water bottles, and in every interview he said he was happy his teammate was doing so well. Contador moved into first place--partly due to Levi's efforts.

Today was the individual time trial, when each man rides for himself. Levi started the day in third place overall. He rode so well he came within 9 seconds of moving up to second place, ahead of Australian Cadel Evans.

At the finish line, reporters asked Levi if tomorrow, the last day of the race, he would challenge Evans for second place. (Traditionally the last stage of the tour is largely ceremonial.) He just smiled and said he was pleased with his third place, and Evans can rest easy.

In a sport where men have resorted to drugging themselves to win, how refreshing to encounter a man who understands that riding an honorable race is more important than winning. Yup, Levi is a winner no matter what color his jersey.

(And please, dear God, don't let Levi be caught doping or it will ruin my whole point here!)

Don't go it alone

2007-07-27T21:23:00.000-06:00

"I not only use all the brains I have but all that I can borrow." --President Woodrow Wilson

President Wilson had it right. American culture tends to glorify the lone wolf, the maverick who goes out and does the impossible all on his own. But the truth is that most successful people have lots and lots of help. They seek out minds greater than their own and assemble their own private brain trust, to which they can go for help whenever a problem arises that can't be solved by one brain alone.

So don't be afraid to ask for help. Seek out people who have done what you want to do, and find out how they did it. Most people are flattered to be asked questions about themselves, their work or their accomplishments. Gather around you a cadre of supportive chums with whom you can brainstorm through challenges and celebrate successes.

Asking for help can be difficult if you've always been made to feel you should figure things out on your own. (That would be me!) But it gets easier with practice. Heck, you can practice on me!

Kara

How do you eat an elephant?

2007-07-26T21:32:00.000-06:00

Sometimes our goals can seem so huge that they overwhelm us. Maybe you want to become a doctor, but you don't even have a bachelor's degree. Maybe you want to star in a movie, but you haven't acted since high school. Or maybe you want to write a book.

You tackle huge goals the same way you would eat an elephant--one bite at a time. The trick is to break down that larger goal into smaller and smaller bits until you arrive at a first step, something you can do today. If you want to become a doctor, your first step might be to research what you will need to get into medical school. That's not so hard. You can probably do that in ten minutes online.

If you want to be a famous movie star, you might want to research local actors' groups, community theater, or even buy your own video camera so you can make and star in your own film. (Everyone's path is different!) Your first step might be to call a friend, who you know has a sister's brother-in-law's cousin who had a bit part in a Ben Stiller movie.

If you want to write a book, you might want to start by braintorming a story on paper. Or writing a character sketch. Or writing the first sentence of the book.

Once you've completed that first step, you have momentum on your side, and you can plot out your next step. In fact, completing one step almost always suggests what your next step should be.

So grab your fork and start in on that elephant.

How to take criticism

2007-07-25T21:36:00.000-06:00

"If one person calls you an ass, that's his opinion; if two people call you an ass, consider the opinion carefully; if three people call you an ass, go have yourself fitted for a saddle." --Arab proverb

Marian Jones was one of the early leaders of Romance Writers of America, back in the '80s. She was an older lady with a warm personality and a fabulous collection of hats. Every year at the conference, I would look forward to seeing what outrageous headgear she sported.

I'm not sure if Marian is still alive. She faded away from RWA years ago. But she left me with a legacy that will be with me always.

I didn't now her personally, but she was the Golden Heart coordinator way back when. (The Golden Heart, in case you don't know, is RWA's contest for unpublished writers.) I was a young, idealistic writer entering my first contest, and my scores came back very low. One overzealous judge took it upon herself to tell me just exactly how unpublishable my manuscript was. (This was back when entrants received scoresheets with detailed comments from judges.)

Marian handled the situation so delicately. I am sure she thought the judge was too harsh, but she honored that judge's right to air her opinions. Instead of openly criticizing the judge and undermining the contest, she sent me the above quote, in effect saying, "Only one person called you an ass, don't worry about it."

She also sent me a long, hand-typed treatise on how to give and accept criticism. The gist of her message was, criticism should be offered as neutrally as a tree offers fruit. In other words, the critic should not be invested in the advice. She puts it out there, and the writer can accept it or reject it. And the writer should remember that any criticism is not an indictment of her as a person, or even as a writer, but just an opinion about this one piece of writing. Don't defend against the criticism, but simply listen, think about it, use what makes sense to you and discard the rest.

One other thing Marian said has stuck with me. If someone critiques you harshly--even if she is trying to strike out at you in a mean way--don't automatically discard the comments. You can still make use of them. For instance, if a critiquer says something awful like, "This whole chapter is boring, boring, boring!" You can say, "Really? Can you show me where you first started to get bored? Which parts really put you to sleep? Were there any interesting bits at all?" Press the person to be more specific. Maybe you DO need to tighten.

Marian's wonderful advice can be used in any arena, not just for writers. For instance, if a mean boss criticizes you at work, ask her to be as specific as possible about what part of your performance is lacking, so that you can improve. If your spouse doesn't like a meal you've prepared and shows an inappropriate amount of gratitude for the fact you cooked at all, ask for specifics. Too spicy? Too bland?

Taking criticism in this manner serves two purposes: First, it helps you to improve your performance. Second, it will really bug any critic who is trying to get your goat. If you actually thank them for their valued opinion, you'll drive them nuts. (And if they really are trying to be helpful, but perhaps they're not very adept at voicing constructive criticism, you'll be showing them how to do it.)

Constructively yours,
Kara

Never, never give up!

2007-07-24T21:04:00.000-06:00

"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most people succeed because they are determined to."

George E. Allen
Publisher and Author

***

My friend Nancy Haddock didn't know when to quit. After writing steadily for thirteen years, she sold a three-book series to Berkley. (Not that she has mediocre ability, mind you.) Sometimes I suspect I might be a person of mediocre ability. But I'll never quit trying to make the NYT Bestseller List. They'll have to pry my cold, dead fingers from the keyboard.

Briefly,
Kara

Starting is the hardest part

2007-07-23T20:26:00.000-06:00

Procrastination is one of the challenges I face over and over. Whether it's web-surfing, watching stupid TV, or reading endless books in the name of "research," I sometimes have a difficult time getting started with my writing.

I know exactly why--it's because I'm afraid. Afraid the work ahead of me will be too hard, that I won't be able to finish it, or I won't be happy with the results. Or, if I do finish that next step, and I am happy, someone else will judge my work as lacking.

Fear really is a good thing. If you're not afraid, it means you're not stretching and growing and risking enough. But somehow, even knowing that, I still have a hard time getting started sometimes.

One of the tricks I've learned is that, once I get started, I get on a roll and forget all about my fears. I wonder why I wasted so much time.

So I've learned to trick myself. If getting started with the next step on my journey toward my goals seems too hard or too intimidating, I make it as easy as possible. I tell myself, "You don't have to write new pages today; just read over what you wrote yesterday." Usually that's all it takes. I'm off to the races. By the time I finish tinkering with yesterday's pages, I'm back into the story and raring to go.

So if you catch yourself procrastinating, try this trick. Break down your next task into the smallest steps possible, and tell yourself you only have to do one tiny step. If you've decided to go back to school and get your degree, make your first step to simply browse the website of one college. If you've decided to get in shape and lose weight, don't make your first step to join a gym and hire a personal trainer. Take a ten minute walk and do five toe touches. And if you want to write a book, don't think about all those hundreds of pages; think about one paragraph.

Once you've accomplished that one small step, you'll have momentum and you'll want to do more.

Energetically yours,
Kara

Balance

2007-07-22T20:17:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we get so fixated on our goals that we don't think of anything else. I once had a friend--we'll call her Betty--who got involved in a multi-level marketing business (think Avon or Tupperware). Betty was very enthusiastic about selling her products. Every time we got together, she waxed excitedly about her sales goals and her schemes for luring new customers. At first I enjoyed seeing her so happy and animated.

But pretty soon it got old. I could no longer have a normal conversation with Betty about anything other than her business. She constantly badgered me to buy stuff, which I did at first because the products really were good. But eventually I found myself drifting away from her because she just wasn't much fun to be around.

I suspect I was not the only casualty of Betty's single-mindedness. I also would not be surprised to find out that Betty burned out.

Focusing on a goal with purpose and determination is a good thing. Becoming obsessed is not. So yes, work hard, put in the hours. Talk up your goals and plans to your friends and family--but not to the exclusion of everything else. Look for balance in your life. Sometimes it's okay just to forget about your goal for a couple of hours and kick back with people you love.

Your goals will still be there when you get back.

(Besides, you don't want to become so driven and self-involved that you drive away your friends and family. You want them there to applaud when you win your Oscar, your Pulitzer, or your first million dollars.)

Happily sipping my Margarita,
Kara

Patience

2007-07-21T20:58:00.000-06:00

One of the little games my husband, Rob, and I play is to ask the Universe to send us money whenever we take walks. If we see a coin, we pick it up and thank the U out loud. And we do find a LOT of coins.

About two years ago, we decided to put in our request for a dollar coin. Today, we finally found one lying in the street. We stood in the hot sun giggling like maniacs, as if we'd found a winning lottery ticket.

The lesson I took from this is that the Universe does give us what we ask for, but sometimes it takes a while.

Have fun with the whole "create your reality" thing. I have found that the more lighthearted my approach, the better results I get. The minute you start to worry about whether "it's working" or not, you get anxious, you get attached to the results, all of which is counterproductive.

So ask for what you want, then wait patiently for the Universe to deliver. Wait happily, confidently. It will come!

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

Associate with greatness

2007-07-20T21:10:00.000-06:00

I ran across this quote today from Louisa May Alcott:

"Make each day useful and cheerful and prove that you know the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be happy, old age without regret and life a beautiful success."

I liked the quote so much that I decided to find out more about Ms. Alcott, who wrote one of my favorite books of all time (and if you don't know what it is, find out for God's sake!). She was an amazing woman. Her early writing teachers included Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Fuller, who were all family friends. (Is it any wonder she learned how to write so well?) She was an abolitionist and a feminist, and in addition to her wonderful, wholesome novels, she wrote Victorian "potboilers" under a pseudonym featuring strong, willful women relentless in the pursuit of their own aims. They were immensely popular and Wikipedia says they are still highly readable today.

I highly recommend reading biographies or articles about people you admire, people who are succeeding in whatever field you are in. Find out how they did it. See what you have in common with them, or what habits of theirs you can cultivate in yourself. Go to their websites. If they are still alive, write them a fan letter.

Associating with greatness can't hurt, and it certainly beats watching one more story on the news about Paris Hilton.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Kara

Living in the present

2007-07-19T20:29:00.000-06:00

One of the keys to being happy is to live in the present moment.

How much time do you spend ruminating over past events, wishing things had gone differently? How much time do you spend kicking yourself for mistakes you've made? Do you lie awake at night worrying about the future?

I certainly don't advocate living entirely in the present moment. Sometimes we have to look back, so we can learn from our mistakes. And certainly sometimes we have to look forward, so we can set goals and make plans. But most people spend so much time agonizing over the past and the future--pointless worrying--that they forget to enjoy right now.

Remember, the past is over and done with; you can't change it. And "someday" will never get here. Can you stop, right now, to appreciate where you are right now? Close your eyes, take a deep breath, empty your mind of worries, and just be.

Peacefully,
Kara

Stop the negative spiral

2007-07-18T21:36:00.001-06:00

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of the movie and book phenomenon THE SECRET, and perhaps its slightly less famous but no less fascinating cousin, WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?

The concept is pretty easy to understand: We create our own reality with our thoughts and emotions. It's also easy to observe.

Here's a perfect example of how I recently created a chain reaction of negative events. It started with a snafu regarding my burglar alarm. I was suspicious of the person who "upgraded" my alarm from the minute I saw her, and while I don't want to dwell on the story, suffice it to say I let myself get conned into something I didn't want, and it took a great deal of money and time on the telephone to set things right. I tried not to let this series of events bother me, but it did. A lot. I felt victimized, which is one of the most negative feelings in the world.

It didn't end there. A short time later, when I wanted to replace my old cell phone and add my husband to my plan, there was another huge communications error, resulting in me getting charged much more than was promised. More time on the phone.

Just when I thought it was straightened out, confirmation letters came in the mail, again with the wrong price quoted. Bills arrived with erroneous charges. The crowning glory was a letter from the IRS claiming I owed them $1600 plus interest and penalties, resulting from THEIR bookkeeping error, which was supposedly straightened out months ago.

This morning I decided enough was enough. I created the pattern with my victim mentality (and that feeling that big corporations and government entities were out to get me) and I was going to uncreate it. I resolved that these misunderstandings would be easily and pleasantly resolved to everyone's satisfaction by lunchtime. Three short phone calls, and all was taken care of. Even the IRS was friendly and apologetic. And I had a really good day afterward, too--happy and productive.

It's easy to get into a negative spiral, but you can catch yourself and reverse the process. Just say, "Stop. Enough. I am in control." Take a deep breath, smile, and know in your heart everything will turn out fine. At first this might not work for you, but keep trying. Sometimes it takes practice. But the first time you observe it working, you'll remember how you did it, how it felt, and it will be easier next time. You'll be amazed how often this works.

Onward and upward,
Kara

"I'm too old to start ..."

2007-07-17T21:05:00.000-06:00

It seems most famous people started out as child prodigies ... right?

Not necessarily.

When you read biographical information about some person who has achieved great things, remember that famous people have PR firms who emphasize, exaggerate, and downright make things up. You don't have to start learning or practicing something as a child to become an expert at it--famous, even.

Many famous people experienced failure after failure as children and young adults and didn't hit their strides until their 40s, 50s, or beyond. Here are a few examples:

Julia Child didn't learn to cook until her late 30s, and made her first TV appearance at age 50.

Rodney Dangerfield didn't get serious about his comedy until age 42.

Mystery author Raymond Chandler published his first novel, THE BIG SLEEP, at age 51.

Country singer K.T. Oslin released her first album at age 47.

Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first novel when in her 60s.

Colonel Sanders was in his 60s when he franchised his famous fried chicken restaurants.

Oscar Swahn won two Olympic gold medals in his 60s and one silver at age 72, making him the oldest Olympic prize winner ever. (His sport is shooting.)

Grandma Moses began painting when she was in her 70s when arthritis limited other activities.

With a few exceptions, it only takes a few years of focused, dedicated effort and practice to get good at something. Think about it. Yes, "years" sounds like a long time. But the years are going to pass anyway. Wouldn't you like to pursue your passion and be an expert by the time you turn 40, 50, 60, or whatever? You could learn a foreign language or start painting with acrylics, become a massage therapist or a wine expert.

Yes, I was young when I started writing. But I started cooking only last year (in my late 40s) and I'm already getting better. If I keep practicing and learning, I should be a good cook by, say, 2010.

You're not too old. You're never too old. But the time to start is now!

How happy are you?

2007-07-16T20:28:00.000-06:00

The study of happiness is a relatively new discipline in psychology, but it has already yielded some fascinating results. What makes people happy? Is it health or wealth? Does it have anything to do with age, race, or geography?

Turns out that we are all born with a genetic predisposition to be either happy or sad, but that only accounts for about 50% of our state of happiness. So if you had depressed parents, you're more likely to lean toward depression yourself. But that certainly isn't the whole story.

Believe it or not, outward circumstances--where we live, our jobs, our financial status--account for only about ten percent of our happiness. That is because human beings have an incredible ability to adapt. If our outer circumtances change--losing a job or winning a lottery prize, for example--we feel a temporary change in mood. But soon we adapt to the new circumtances and we return to our normal state. That's why lottery winners are statistically no happier than anybody else. Yes, people with health and wealth who live in, say, a beach house in southern California are statistically more likely to be happy than someone chronically ill, struggling to make ends meet, and living in a slum. But only somewhat.

So what makes up the other 40% of our happiness quotient? It's what we do. How we choose to act. Activities that tend to make people happier include exercise, sex (with someone you love), socializing, maintaining relationships with family and friends, trying to see the best in people and circumstances, helping others, devoting effort to meaningful causes, and striving toward personal goals.

In short, people are just about as happy as they decide to be. So today, no matter what your circumstances, take control of your mood. Decide to be happy.

Fake it 'til you make it

2007-07-15T21:00:00.000-06:00

I've read the same advice from countless books and heard it stated in different ways from lots of motivational speakers. If you haven't yet achieved the level of success you desire, just pretend like you have. Behave as if you're already there. Imagine what it would feel like to be the person you aspire to be, then act that way.

I put this advice to good use over the past week, when I attended the Romance Writers of America National Conference. Now, this is the 19th such conference I've attended, and I can remember times in the past when I felt overwhelmed. So many best-selling authors doing what I want to do, achieving the great things I want to achieve. Editors and agents fawn over their big authors; contest finalists proudly wear ribbons on their badges announcing their achievements. Sometimes, I felt invisible.

For this conference, though, I decided to pretend I was some mega-important, household-name author. I figured, if I was making millions of dollars on my books, I would feel ultra secure, and nothing anyone said or did to me, good or bad, would have much of an effect. I wouldn't feel nervous around editors or agents, nor would I feel shy introducing myself to strangers or speaking in front of a group.

I am amazed and pleased to report how well this worked for me. I had a great meeting with my new editor, during which I confidently asked for what I want from my publisher as if I fully expected my needs to be met. I always seemed to be meeting up with groups who welcomed me into their conversation. My workshops felt like some of the best I've ever given. I certainly did not feel invisible or irrelevant or awkward.

Maybe I held myself differently or wore a different expression on my face, and people treated me differently. Or maybe this is all totally my perception. All I can tell you is, I was more relaxed and less anxious than I've ever been at such an event, and when it was over I was ready to go home and get back to work. (I even got some writing done today, unheard of the Sunday after RWA.)

So that's my advice for the day. Next time you have to go out in public, act like the person you're aspiring to be. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Associate with winners who are doing what you want to do. Smile confidently even if you're scared to death inside.

Pretty soon, you really will start to feel like that person you want to be, and from there it's a much shorter trip to actually attaining the success you deserve!

Have a great week,
Kara

Getting my inspiration

2007-07-12T21:42:00.000-06:00

For the rest of this week I will be at the RWA conference, getting inspired!

No matter what your passion, it's important not to burn yourself out. Take time to refill the well. Take a break now and then to network, educate yourself, or mentor others along the way. It keeps you fresh.

I've heard people say they don't go to writer's conferences because they've "heard it all." It's always the same workshops every year, they complain. How many times can you listen to someone telling you how to plot a book or create a compelling character? Yet here's what I've found. Every workshop I attend, even if it is a totally beginner class on how to write a query letter, I always learn something.

The day you believe you've learned it all is the day you start going stale. You're never too old, too experienced, or too much of an expert to learn new tricks!

I probably will not post tomorrow or Saturday, as these will be late nights for me at the conference, but please join me again on Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Kara

Open your mind!

2007-07-11T18:38:00.000-06:00

This week, my husband and I are doing a workshop for romance writers called "Yes, You Can Quit Your Day Job." A casual friend of ours saw our speaker ribbons at the conference hotel, and she asked what we were speaking about, and we told her.

"Oh, I could never do that," she said dismissively.

I wanted to argue with her. I wanted to point out that she hadn't even heard the workshop, which is intended for people just like her who don't see how they could survive without that regular paycheck. But I could already tell her mind was closed. She sees herself and her family members fulfilling certain roles, and she can't flex her mind enough to even consider a different way of doing things. The fact is, in this country, anybody can quit his or her job. We choose to keep working at jobs we don't like because we simply can't see any other way--even though the way is there.

Once upon a time I didn't believe I could quit my job, either. But then someone opened my mind and I discovered, with some planning and forethought, some belt-tightening and compromise, that I could, indeed, resign from the company that was monopolizing 40-60 hours of my week and draining me of all energy. I was able to do it within six months of making the decision to become a full-time, self-employed writer.

What possibilities are you closing your mind to? Catch yourself next time you say or think, "Oh, no, I couldn't possibly do that" or "that would never work for me." Are you sure?

All my best,
Kara

Let yourself dream

2007-07-10T15:54:00.000-06:00

When we were children, we wanted everything and we weren't afraid to ask for it.

"I want ice cream."
"I want to stay up late."
"I want a pony."
"I want to be a ballerina."
"I want to be a pro basketball player."
"I want to go to an Ivy League university."
"I want to act on Broadway."
"I want to live in Paris."

Sometimes grown-ups said yes, and sometimes they said no. But sometimes--and this is what hurt the most--sometimes we were told to stop asking, to stop wanting, to stop dreaming of a better future.

"You can't have everything you want."
"We can't afford it."
"You're being ridiculous."
"Grow up and face reality."
"People like us don't do that kind of thing."
"It can never happen."
"You're better off with a practical career."
"If you want a job, you better learn to type."
"You'll just be disappointed."
"You don't have what it takes to do that."
"You have to be (brilliant, beautiful, whatever) if you want to succeed at (whatever)."

Little by little, we forgot how to dream. We learned to settle for whatever was our lot in life. We put away our dreams in a box with all the other things we gave up when we grew up.

Well, consider me your fairy godmother. Maybe I can't grant your every desire, but I can give you permission to dream. If you could be, do or have anything in the world, what would it be? What work would you do, or what activities would you pursue? Where would you live? What people would be around you? What would you see when you looked in the mirror?

Go ahead, close your eyes and dream. Sink into it. Remember how good it feels.

Dreaming it is the first step to having it. But on this blog we're going to do more than dream. Stay tuned!

Kara

Epiphanies

2007-07-09T21:42:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been reading a self-help book, or a spiritual book--something about the Law of Attraction or Conversations with
God, for example--and suddenly you see the light.

Suddenly you understand everything. Not just the point the author was trying to make, but EVERYTHING. It's as if you can suddenly see the entire Universe and the past, present and future all rolled into one. You feel an incredible high, as if joy is bursting out of your chest.

And just as suddenly, it's gone, and you're left with a pleasant buzz, wondering what THAT was all about.

My theory is, you've just experienced enlightenment. It's a fantastic motivator, yes? You realize that if you understood things once, you can understand them again, and maybe next time hold onto your understanding for an hour, or a day.

My experience has been that the more you seek to understand the world, the more moments like this happen. So during those times of frustration, when you're afraid you'll NEVER get it, or if you get it you can't hold onto it, take a deep breath, relax, and trust.

Enlightenment comes when it comes. Enjoy the ride.

I'm here for you,
Kara

How do you define success?

2007-07-08T09:44:00.000-06:00

No matter what your dream, there are probably all kinds of ways to achieve it.

Take the Tour de France, which becomes my obsession for three weeks each July. The race started with 189 riders, each of them with a different idea of how they'll measure success.

First there are the time-trail specialists. They train all their lives to win a timed race that requires a consistent effort over just a few miles, riding alone with no teammates. They want to stand on the podium for their 15 minutes of glory for themselves and their team sponsors. They have no real interest in winning the overall race.

Then there are the sprinters. These are guys with big thighs, and they train to put on an incredible burst of speed at the very end of a stage. They aren't racing for time, but for points, so they can wear the green jersey. (The above picture is of today's winner, Robbie McEwan, who sprinted for the stage win despite the fact he had a crash only a few miles from the finish line.)

The mountain guys specialize in climbing. They are little and lithe, and they compete for mountain points and a chance to wear the polka-dot jersey.

Some guys are break-away specialists. They like to pull away from the pack and lead the race, maybe only for a while, so they draw attention to themselves and their team.

The "domestiques" have a team mentality. They want to protect their top guys and support them to the finish line, kind of like linebackers on a football team. Many are young guys who want to learn the ropes and develop their skills, so one day they can be in the spotlight.

Then there are the ones who want to wear yellow. They want to win all the marbles by coming in at the end with the shortest cumulative time, and they have to be pretty good at everything.

Not everyone can wear yellow into Paris, but that doesn't mean all the other riders lose. Many of those guys will be successes in their own game. Many will feel elated if they cross the finish line at all.

So whatever your dream, don't feel like there is only one way to get there. Find what you do best, develop your skills, and use your strengths to get across that finish line. You be the one to define success for you.

Mission Accomplished

2007-07-07T22:49:00.000-06:00

My friend Becky wanted something. She figured out how to make it happen, and I love that.

She attended a Mystery Writers of America (MWA) chapter meeting in Houston and had a great time. Of course immediately she wondered why we had nothing like that in the Dallas area. We have an active romance writer group, but the mystery writers are fragmented. Becky asked around, and no one seemed to have any answers. No one knew who to call, who was in charge, who would give permission to set up monthly meetings, etc.

So she just did it.

She found a free meeting room at a restaurant. She found a workshop presenter (my husband, Rob, and his martial arts partner Lisa). And she started advertising the meeting to anyone who would sit still long enough. She came with name badges, a sign-up sheet, flyers for subsequent meetings. And she hoped five people would show up.

About 15 did. We filled up the table. We had a great workshop, we chatted, and we ate lunch. And it was so wonderful to see Becky flush with her first success organizing an event and actually having people show up and enjoy it.

Next month she'll do it again. Her goal is to bring in enough attendees that we can expand into the adjoining space--and she let everyone know that.

So, that's the lesson for today. If you want something, don't wait for someone else to provide it. Go after it yourself. Make it happen. Announce your intentions and full speed ahead. You'll be amazed what will happen.

Until next time,
Kara

Big Changes

2007-07-07T13:23:00.000-06:00

You might have noticed something different about the blog. Like, a new name!

From now on, I want this blog to be a home for people with big dreams. People who want more out of their lives. People who want to grow and change and BECOME.

Each day I'll offer a bit of advice or inspiration. Maybe it will be an inspiring quote or picture, or maybe a lesson I've learned from life. Maybe it will make you think, but I hope it will make you take action, even if it's just one small step toward your dream.

Maybe I will say something that will change your life. But you won't know unless you visit every day. The first post arrives tonight!

May your dreams come true,
Kara

2007-07-06T20:48:00.000-06:00

Still workshopping. I did the last one today. I thought this one would be a snap because I have done synopsis workshops many times before, but it turned out my lecture notes were really outdated, especially the examples I used, so I had to revamp everything. (Plus, hey, I'm smarter now!) I also worked on my spiffy four-color hand-outs for the "Three-Act Structure for Novels" workshop.

If anyone here is interested in attending this workshop, hosted by the ScriptScene Chapter of RWA, it is free and open to all RWA conference attendees. It's on Wednesday afternoon, 3-5 p.m., at the steakhouse near Union Station, Novak's Landmark Grill. I'm worried no one will come, since it's not at the hotel.

Rob and I have gotten very lazy about our meals and so we went to Sonic. I could have had a salad but I had a fried chicken sandwich. Ewwwww. Just couldn't help myself. We stopped at the grocery store on the way home but I couldn't seem to get myself interested in buying much of anything. We got bananas and Silk so we can have breakfast tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, Rob is giving a workshop for the local Mystery Writers of America on writing realistic action scenes. He and his martial arts friend Lisa are demonstrating cool fighting moves, with and without weapons, self-defense, etc. It's a great workshop, and it's free and open to the public. 9:30 a.m. at the Texas Land and Cattle steakhouse at Central Expwy. and Spring Valley.

Have a great weekend,
Kara

Catching Up

2007-07-05T21:03:00.000-06:00

I didn't really blog yesterday because I was exhausted when we got home last night. But we'd gone to my sister's house in Garland for a cook-out on the grill. (Okay, only my brother-in-law actually went outside to cook. The rest of us stayed inside where it was dry, cool and bug-free to watch movies on their wamba HD TV and play with my sister's new kitten.)

Anyway, it was a great meal and fun to see the family, but we stayed out way too late.

Today I went to Wishcraft, but my writer friend Becky was the only one there. We had plenty of time to whine to each other and gossip about anybody who wasn't there. (Just kidding, Martie and Dean!)

Afterward we met for lunch with Vicki, Judy, April and baby Lily, and Rob! We were celebrating Rob's birthday, a little early.

Those were the highlights. I've been working on various stuff at the computer today, finishing up a cover for Rob. Oh, and I joined Mystery Writers of America. I've always wanted to give it a try. A local chapter is forming (Becky is spearheading the effort) so there's a real reason to join! Rob is going to be their first speaker, doing his workshop on writing action scenes.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

Happy Fourth!

2007-07-04T23:04:00.001-06:00

It is late and I am much too tired to blog! More tomorrow.

Kara

They let me out of my cage

2007-07-03T21:07:00.000-06:00

I went and got my hair cut (OMG is it SHORT) and then went shopping. I braved the hoards and found some great bargains, just not enough. I've been shopping for white pants or jeans and a brown skirt for ages and can't seem to find what I want. But I did put together one outfit, bought one dress (maybe for the Harlequin Party?) and one pair of shoes that doesn't go with anything I own, but they were just too cute.

I really need to shop at a department store where outfits are already put together, because I'm not much good at this. After a dinner of popcorn (yes, I've fallen on bad habits) Rob dropped me off at Half Price Books while he went on to his martial arts class. I bought a book on container herb gardening, one on grilling, and a copy of ONE FOR THE MONEY by Janet Evanovich, which I am analyzing for my workshop. I had forgotten how much I love that book.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

Workshop prep

2007-07-02T20:52:00.001-06:00

I've done nothing all day except work on my screenwriting workshop I have to do next week at RWA. Last year, the screenwriting group's main speaker was this famous screenwriting teacher, Michael Hauge. He charges hundreds of dollars to attend his seminars. This year, it's ... me? No pressure!

Anyway, I'm trying to make sure I give them the best workshop I can give, which requires some extra work on my part, analyzing scripts and books.

Rob and I walked to the post office and, while the temperature wasn't all that high, it was so humid it felt like we were swimming. Sweat rolled off both of us, and I collapsed when I got home. I felt really sick and I skipped yoga. I did pull it together enough to go to Norma's for dinner (mostly because I didn't want to cook!)

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

Analyzing "Pirates"

2007-07-01T21:40:00.000-06:00

I am preparing a workshop for the national conference in GULP about ten days. It's on using the three-act structure of screenwriting for writing novels. Part of what I'm doing is analyzing a popular movie for where the plot points fall and using that as a structure for building a novel.

I can't believe how tightly written "Pirates of the Caribbean" (the original) is. There is a plot turn, a twist, a secret revealed on almost every page. There is also conflict on every page. This has been a real learning experience for me, never mind the workshop!

In addition to that little exercise (which took several hours) I built a cover for one of Rob's books, I planted some more herbs, and I OF COURSE ate breakfast at Norma's. I also made an interesting wild rice salad for dinner with toasted nuts, bits of dried fruit, and a bit of orange juice. It turned out pretty tasty--something a little different for a warm summer night.

See you next week,
Kara

Bird Heaven

2007-06-30T19:59:00.001-06:00

Today I drove to Greenville to "volunteer" to help nestbox cam hostess Jen with her nestbox projects. I say "volunteer" because I really wasn't much help. Mostly Jen made her rounds and showed me stuff, and I kept her company while she installed a piece of wood to block glare from one of the nestcams, and also some predator baffles on the bluebird nests.

I was really just curious about how it was all set up, as someday I might like to have my own nestboxes and cameras. I got to add six birds to my list! SIX! They are: Wood duck, Eastern Phoebe, White-breasted nuthatch, great-crested flycatcher, black vulture and blue-gray gnatcatcher. (There were two more specie that I heard but did not see.) Altogether I saw 26 kinds of birds today, counting all the ones in my yard and hers. Jen has been birding for about a dozen years so she was a font of useful information and advice.

If you would like to see pictures of my day at her place, click here. There are no actual pictures of birds as I don't have a camera that good, but you can see the nestboxes and Jen's beautiful property.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend,
Kara

Writing? What's that?

2007-06-29T21:13:00.000-06:00

It was one of those busy days when I couldn't get much done. The alarm guy came to reinstall our old alarm. Apparently this was not an easy job as it took him more than two hours (and I couldn't take my shower until he was done. But I now have a working security system, yay!

After lunch I went to the eye doctor, just for a check-up. He took pictures of the inside of my eyeball (kind of freaks me out) and he tried some new contacts on me in our never-ending quest to find a pair that will allow me to read AND see far away without glasses. I'm not sure I like this pair, but we'll see. My eyes were itching like crazy today so not the best day to fit contacts, anyway.

When I came home my new phone had arrived! It's very pink. Very cute. I spent a lot of time today programming everything but I'm still a bit mystified by it.

We ate dinner at Norma's but since I'd consumed an enormous bag of Cheetos earlier (bad, bad) I wasn't very hungry so I had a salad and a hamburger patty.

Oh, writing? Did I get any done? I provided some materials to my editor (reader letter, page-proof corrections). I posted my Harlequin American Blog (hope you checked it out) and read some more of my plotting book, but clearly I am dragging my feet on these revisions. What I need is a deadline!

Tomorrow I'm off to volunteer with a bird nextbox person--I hope to see some new species to add to my list!

Best,
Kara

Frogs

2007-06-28T21:22:00.000-06:00

I am sitting here listening to frogs croaking outside. Frogs. I honestly haven't heard them in years.

Yes, I'm in Dallas where it's flooding. I am only about three miles from the Trinity River, but I don't think the banks have risen that much! Where did these frogs come from? Have they been lying dormant, buried until the rains brought them back to life? If anyone knows, please tell me. I don't even know what kind of frogs they are except they have very high pitched croaks, almost cricket-like.

It rained again almost all day, at times a torrential downpour. Every time I went to get in my car, it started up! I drove to critique group in the rain, lunch, home from lunch, yoga, home from yoga. I love the rain, I really do, but this is a bit much. A few weeks ago we were in such serious drought that they were saying it would take years to recover. Now? The lakes are so high that most will be closed for July 4.

We ate at Cafe Brazil for lunch--one of my old favorites. Yoga was lovely. Between times I finished proofreading my galleys and folding laundry. Tomorrow I get my security system re-installed, and I get to go to the eye doctor. Yippee. Probably another day I won't get to write very much. I need some long, uninterrupted days to get a handle on these revisions.

Oh, I have a blog on the Harlequin American Blog on Friday, June 29 (tomorrow or today or yesterday, depending on when you read this!) I hope you'll cruise over there (http://HARauthors.blogspot.com) and give me a read.

All best,
Kara

Cell Phone Troubles

2007-06-27T21:13:00.000-06:00

Our new phones arrived today. They came in separate packages. One of them (Rob's, the blue one) seemed fine. The other arrived in a box soaked with gasoline, smushed, and taped up after obviously having been opened. Strangely, when I opened it, the contents seemed fine, no damage--except the phone was not the pink one I ordered but another blue one.

I spent most of the afternoon straightening out the mess. I have to say the Sprint people were more than gracious, though we went round and round about how much my new plan is. I was quoted one number over the phone, and now they were telling me it was a LOT higher. But they made everything right in the end. We'll see if I ever get my pink phone! Meanwhile I've been playing with Rob's. He now has some rather interesting memos and tasks, a sexy-voiced voice-mail recording, wallpaper and ringers. (He TOLD me to set everything up for him!) When he takes a picture, instead of making a shutter noise, the camera says "Say Cheese!"

I did get some work done today. I'm proofreading galleys for my February '08 book, GOOD HUSBAND MATERIAL. I got more than half done today, so that's not so bad. Took a nice long walk (in the rain!), had Mexican food for date night and went to Lowe's to buy suet for the birds and citronella candles.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

Claws

2007-06-26T22:25:00.000-06:00

I broke down today and got acrylic nails. I used to have them years ago, but probably when I was belt-tightening my budget I gave them up, thinking I would grow my own fingernails. Now, I've never, ever been able to grow my own nails before, so why I thought I could is beyond me. But after years of putting up with my horrible nails, which not only look bad but which crack and break in various painful ways, I've decided to go fake.

There's a place just a few blocks from my house, run by a Vietnamese couple (of course). The man, Hung, did my nails. He seems to know only a few words of English: "Full set fifteen dollars," "Pick color," "Square or round?" and "Put hands on table dry fifteen minutes!" But he does lovely work, and I got to watch a Vietnamese soccer movie while he did.

We had more huge storms today. Rained and rained. I just can't get over this weather. Highly strange but very welcome. I finished one of my workshops for RWA and I did some more reading/taking notes on my plot book. Also watched crime shows while I worked on my mosaic tabletop (not so easy with the new nails!) and folded laundry.

I heard a Western kingbird outside my window for the first time ever today. I've seen them in the neighborhood, but about eight or ten blocks away. I like them, with their lemmon-yellow tummies. Also, they're a kind of flycatcher so they'll eat bugs. Hope they stay around.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

Lube it up!

2007-06-25T20:56:00.000-06:00

Rob and I took our cars in to the Starkey brothers, who run our neighborhood garage, for oil changes. While we waited, we had breakfast at Norma's (that's two days in a row!).

I worked hard today on my revisions and finished the second pass through the ms. Now comes the big revisions, which I can't do until I make some decisions. I'm reading a great book on plot to analyze what I have and figure out if I need to add more twists and turns and red herrings. (I would tell you the name of this book, but it's in the other room. But the author's last name is Bell. I think it's a Writer's Digest book.)

Nice walk to the post office, nice yoga class. We had a big fire in downtown Dallas today. Rob and I could see the smoke on our walk, and we wondered if it was just really black clouds or an actual fire. Found out later it was the latter.

Thanks for reading,
Kara

Yard Work

2007-06-24T19:26:00.000-06:00

I started out just wanting to do a little edging with the weed whacker, but I got carried away. By the time I was done I had edged the whole front yard, trimmed the shrubs, weeded the flower bed (which has no flowers), pulled out several armloads of this noxious vine that takes the paint off my house, bagged and hauled the debris to the street, and swept the porch, walkway and sidewalk. I also picked up sticks and branches from the back yard--a wheelbarrow full--and hauled those to the street. And swept the deck.

This pretty much took all day. I've been exhausted ever since--dehydrated, arms and legs all scratched and insect-bit, muscles aching and a headache from the heat. I've been guzzling water all day and can't seem to get enough. But, oh, does my yard look better. It was starting to be something of an embarrassment.

Next weekend, maybe I'll plant flowers.

I'm going to bed now. It's 8:30. I'm going to try to read (I'm reading an advance copy of Jane Graves's HOT WHEELS AND HIGH HEELS and loving it!). But I fear I'll just pass out!

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

What to Expect ...

2007-06-23T20:37:00.000-06:00

... after "The Call." That was the subject of today's workshop at Dallas Area Romance Authors, presented by my buddy Jane Graves. As usual she did a fabulous job of amusing us while getting into the nitty-gritty of life as a published author.

Afterward some of us authors listened to practice pitches from people who have appointments with editors and agents at the national RWA conference. I remember how nerve-wracking it was the first few times I pitched to a real-live editor. Sometimes it still is. New authors make the same mistake almost every time--they focus on plot rather than character, conflict, setting and theme. Hey, you have five minutes at most to tell the editor what your book is about. You can't waste it saying, "... and then this happened, and then this happened ..."

Once writers figure this out it's like a lightbulb going on over their heads.

After the meeting Rob and I went grocery shopping. Then it was too hot to do much of anything except flop. I caught up on e-mail and read some from a writing book that I'm sure is going to tell me how to fix my plot (in the MOB book) which is suffering from a lack of twists and turns.

Rob cooked dinner--he makes a mean spaghetti sauce, made meaner still by fresh herbs from my little herb garden. (something is eating my basil--eek.)

After dinner we worked on the workshop we're doing for RWA on how to quit your day job. We have way too much to say in an hour.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

New Phones

2007-06-22T20:34:00.001-06:00

I have finally convinced Rob to enter the new millenium and get a cell phone. Sprint called and offered us humongous discounts on new phones just because they like us. Yes, okay, I know this is how I got into trouble with the alarm company (still not completely resolved). It sounds too good to be true. But so far I haven't spotted the catch. The deal they are offering us is pretty much what's on their website for new customers.

Between that (researching phones and stuff) and more alarm company stuff, I didn't get as much revising as I would like. I am on p. 253 of 400 on this second pass.

Nothing else going on, really. We went to the library. Tonight we walked out to Norma's for dinner--seems to be our Friday-night pattern now. It's so yummy but not very healthy! Most everything is fried.

Have a great weekend,
Kara

Critique Day

2007-06-21T20:35:00.000-06:00

I got quite a bit of feedback on my book today, more than I've been getting. But all of the comments were about small, easily fixable problems. So, fingers crossed, the MOB book survives another session.

The undesirable alarm company came today to remove their equipment. Re-installing my old system is turning out to be complex, but that's okay. One step at a time.

No one showed up for yoga class today, including my teacher. She was sick earlier in the week, but usually she e-mails if she's going to miss and I didn't see any messages from her. I sat in the parking lot for twenty minutes all alone, so apparently others got the word. I came home and did some yoga while watching a bird video, then road my trainer (bike) for, like, five minutes before I tuckered out. I haven't been on it in a while, so I will have to build up my stamina again.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

More revising

2007-06-20T21:25:00.000-06:00

I am going to sound like a broken record for a while, I fear. So much to be done. But this first, tedious part goes well. I'm on p. 186 of my second pass, inputting changes and "margin notes" from my hard copy. Doing some light revising but nothing heavy-duty yet. I am contemplating combining two characters and axing out an entire subplot and substituting another. I'm afraid I don't have enough red herrings.

Date night we walked to Grill 400, where I had Caesar salad and tortilla soup. A not-too-imaginative choice, but really, really good. I love soup, even in the summer.

Nothing else shaking. Quiet day, perfect for writing.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

Uneventful

2007-06-19T20:22:00.000-06:00

Very, VERY quiet day. Rob was gone all day teaching bridge and T'ai Kwon Do, which means he didn't drag me out for a walk. The phone did not ring.

All of which means I got a lot of work done. I am making the first of what will be many passes through my manuscript, making the most insignificant changes first, and I am already at p. 232. That's a lot of work. Feeling kind of blobbish, though, what with no exercise except TV yoga. But I guess that's not nothing. It's about 40 minutes, since I do some warm-up before the show starts.

Hope all is well with you,
Kara

Done with Read-Thru

2007-06-18T21:17:00.001-06:00

Finally. Maybe I have a book here. I'm not sure, but I know it needs work!

After lunch, Rob and I walked to Kidd Springs Park, where we saw the yellow-crowned night heron again. (Not sure why he's a night heron since I've only seen him during the day, walking around in plain sight.) There was a great egret, too, hanging out with all the ducks and turtles. But it was a hot walk. We were scurrying from shade spot to shade spot.

Not much else going on. I cooked a nice pasta with broccoli and red bell pepper and I gave the kitchen a good clean, but beyond that I was pretty much a couch potato. There wasn't anything good on TV and yet, I watched.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

Father's Day

2007-06-17T21:38:00.000-06:00

My dad died in 2001. (He always said he wanted to live long enough to see that year, as the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey intrigued him.

Well, anyway, since I can't visit my dad in person, I thought I would offer a small tribute to the man who, to a large degree, made me who I am.

My dad was a brilliant man, an engineer who had thirty-something patents in his name. He was a key player in the early years of Texas Instruments. But he also had a goofy sense of humor. Some of his favorite TV shows were Gomer Pyle, Hogan's Heroes, McHale's Navy and the Beverly Hillbillies. He also liked Popeye cartoons.

My dad loved animals of any kind. When I was little he and I were always conniving ways to get my mother to agree to more pets. When my parents retired to a lake house, he learned to fish but had a terrible time cleaning fish--he hated to kill them and probably would have made pets out of them if not for my mother's objections.

He taught me how to fly a kite, ride a bicycle, drive a car and change a flat tire. He taught me how to paint a fence and how to hammer a nail straight.

I like to think I inherited my father's sense of adventure. When he was a young man, he lived in a Venezuelan jungle for a year, testing out the portable gravity meter he helped to invent. He loved to travel, and when I was a little girl he took six of his seven children and my mom to Europe for three months. We traveled all over in a Volkswagen bus.

My dad had quite a temper but he never raised a hand to any of his children or to my mom. He sent us to good schools and he took lots of home movies to document our childhoods. He never openly criticized the boyfriends my sisters and I brought home, though some of them were pretty scary. He loved my mom's cooking and would do just about anything for hot peach cobbler with ice cream. He also loved to cook hamburgers on the grill every Saturday night. He loved old movies. He bought a VCR back when they cost about $800, and he recorded hundreds of old movies off the TV and meticulously labeled them, with an index and everything.

He was extremely neat (and I most certainly did NOT inherit that tendency, I'm afraid to say!). My mom says that if he got up to go to the bathroom during the night, he combed his hair before he came back to bed. He read about one book per day and kept a record of every book he read.

I love you, Daddy, wherever you are.

Kara

Winnetka Winos Night

2007-06-16T21:58:00.000-06:00

Tonight was our monthly neighborhood wine-tasting. I brought a French wine that I knew nothing about--it was a "Corbierre" which I've never heard of. But it seemed to go over pretty well. I served it with some meatballs. They mostly disappeared, so I guess that's good.

Earlier I got a massage from one of my fellow yoga students. It was the best massage I've ever had. She used hot rocks, trigger-point therapy, accupressure, Reiki, aroma therapy, you name it! I was a wet noodle when she was done with me.

Later we went to vote in the runoff election. Unfortunately our efforts were for naught; both of our candidates lost. Rats.

See you tomorrow,
Kara

The Read-Through Continues ...

2007-06-15T21:11:00.000-06:00

Like a bad dream. Oh, I knew this manuscript was rough, but I had no idea ...

On the other hand, there are scenes that I truly love. Really good scenes. But a bunch of really good scenes strung together don't make a good book. This is going to take some work. ::sigh:: I've made it past p. 300 on the read-through so I should be ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work soon.

The weather was cooler today. It looked like rain, but in the end we didn't get any precip. Still, walking to the library was pleasant. And on the way we saw a fledgling Western Kingbird sitting on a line while its parent fluttered all around catching bugs and feeding them to the baby. It was so cute, even Rob (who usually rolls his eyes at my bird obsession) found it charming.

We ate dinner at Norma's. Pam, the manager, said they were getting new tables, and that they would be red. Eek, that's scary. Norma's is one of those places that we count on to always be the same. I'm used to cheap Formica woodgrain-pattern tables.

We ordered bacon-and-egg sandwiches, but they came without the egg. The waitress was very embarrassed. She said she accidentally put the orders in as BLT. She quickly procured some fried eggs for the sandwiches. It turns out the price is the same, whether you get an egg with your bacon or not.

Have a great weekend,
Kara

Chocolate Angel

2007-06-14T21:08:00.000-06:00

That's the name of the tea room where I had lunch today. Cute, huh?

First, though, I went to Wishcraft. Nothing remarkable going on there; we're all just plugging away at our goals. Then we met the rest of the critique group at Chocolate Angel to celebrate Kay's birthday. She had more to celebrate than just a birthday, though; her new agent has made their first submission of her romantic suspense--to TEN publishers. TEN. Wow. Unfortunately she got some bad news also. Her son got poked in the eye at Boy Scout camp and scratched his cornea, so he had to come home. Poor kid, and poor Mom.

After a trip to the bank and the post office (hi, Chrissy, if you're out there I finally got your prize in the mail!). Came home just long enough to check e-mail and change my clothes, and I went to yoga. Cheryl, my teacher, knew just what to do to fix my sore back. It actually feels better tonight.

No progress at all on my book, but Thursdays are sometimes like that. But I did see a pretty scissor-tail flycatcher. He was fluttering and showing off very close to my car. He looked much like the one pictured above, but with more red under his wings.

The Read-Through

2007-06-13T20:18:00.000-06:00

I unfortunately only got through 127 pages of my first read-through. It's not horrible, just slow. Because this was a really, really rough draft, and I didn't stop for anything, there are lots of grizzly transitions, names that change halfway through, horrid inconsistencies, giant holes in my research, and stuff that just flat out doesn't work. Bad writing.

Fortunately, as Nora Roberts says, "I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank page." I'm just making margin notes right now. (I printed the whole thing out so I could read in my recliner because my back is sore, maybe from yoga but I'm not sure.)

For Date Night Rob and I went to Chile's. I had a hamburger, yum. (I only ate half of it--it was huge. After ::mumble mumble:: years, I have learned to not clean my plate. Then we went looking for red-winged blackbirds, which live in the ditch between Lowe's and the Interstate. There they were, lots of 'em. They are so pretty.

My own sweet little bird, DaVinci, is doing much better these days. He had developed some bare patches on his wings--he was yanking his own feathers out while he made this weird 'BIK BIK BIK' noise. I suspected it was some sort of stress thing or a nervous habit, or boredom, so I bought him some toys and things to keep him busy. But the thing that really did the trick was millet sprays. He LOVES eating millet off a stem, rather than in a seed cup. I guess it makes him feel like a wild bird. If I forget to give him his millet spray in the morning he makes this HUGE racket until I do. His feathers have grown back in and he is a little bit fatter, too.

Da Vinci is 20 years old so I worry about him.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

Wahoo! Finished!

2007-06-12T21:36:00.000-06:00

It's rough, and it's ugly, but it's done. 395 pages. Whew!

That is all I have to say! I've been resting on my laurels all day.

Thanks for joining me on this joyful occasion,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter:

395 / 395
(100.0%)

Thanks for making the effort

2007-06-11T20:53:00.000-06:00

I really appreciate those of you who visited those other blogs and made comments. Some really good comments, too. Romancing the Blog turned into an interesting discussion.

I am so close to the end of my book. The suspense stuff is all done, the bad guy dead, and now all I have left to do is conclude the romance. This book is going to have an ambiguous ending, because I want this to be a series. Think Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli. I might finish tomorrow, maybe Wednesday.

Not much else going on. My new herb garden survives. Lots of nice birds came to the yard today, including a baby blue jay and a chickadee and some little gray bird I probably will never identify. All I know is he wasn't one of my regulars.

Yoga tonight involved a lot of sitting. I've never worked so hard just sitting still in my life. It's amazing how many muscles you can engage just sitting straight.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter:

390 / 400
(97.5%)

I am a bloggin' fool

2007-06-10T20:59:00.002-06:00

I participate in two other blogs, the Harlequin American Authors Blog and the Romancing the Blog blog. By coincidence, my posting day for both of these blogs is tomorrow (or today) Monday, June 11. I hope you'll check out what I have to say. One one I talk about baby wood ducks. On the other I talk about "the next big thing."

I would love the comments and opinions of my regular blog readers!

Instead of Norma's for breakfast, Rob and I walked to El Jordan Cafe where we normally get oatmeal a la Mexicana (with milk, sugar and cinnamon). But I veered off course today and got pancakes. Big mistake. Norma's makes the best pancakes; El Jordan the best oatmeal. I really should remember that!

I planted my herb container garden today. (Still no pix--I'll try to remember tomorrow.) It's really very pretty, and I'm going to try to keep it alive. My last herb garden, started from seed, was something of a disaster. Everything died thanks partly to my cat, who enjoyed sleeping on it. This time I bought plants and its outdoors, where the cat can't get it.

I also fixed quesadillas for lunch on the George Foreman grill, and they were so good I fixed them again for dinner. Just cheese and a few onions, peppers, squash and mushrooms. They were as good as the ones I get in the restaurants.

We watched a bit of cycling, then I became a real couch potato and channel surfed the rest of the evening. Yuck. Guess I'm gearing up for the big sprint to the finish. My book should be finished this week!

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

I feel so stupid

2007-06-09T21:20:00.000-06:00

I never thought in a million years I could get conned. But this young girl (college age) came to my door saying she worked for GE, and they are the ones who manufacture and install the burglar alarm hardware for ADT (ADT being my security company). And she was offering a free upgrade of my system to the industry standard that ADT now requires. All of which was one hundred percent true.

But she did not work for ADT. She worked for a competing alarm company, and before I could blink I had agreed to change alarm companies, pay a $100 activation fee, and pay a higher monthly monitoring fee.

She never lied to me. She didn't do anything illegal. It's just the way she said things made them sound so sensible. By the time I realized what was happening, the tech had already arrived and was ripping out my old equipment.

Ah, well, live and learn. I keep looking back and thinking, How did I let that happen? You see how people get conned on TV and you think, "I would never be that dumb." But I was a complete idiot today.

In other, happier news, I watched the wood ducks (on the webcam) fledge today. Very cute. My blog on Harlequin American Authors Blog, which runs on Monday, talks about the ducks in more detail. I also went to the hardware store and bought more birdfeeder stuff and a large pot and some potted herbs for my first effort at container gardening. I'll take pictures when I'm done!

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

My first George Foreman meal

2007-06-08T22:07:00.000-06:00

I made my own turkey breakfast sausage (from a recipe that came with the grill), but I made them for dinner. They were really, truly delicious and Rob liked them too. My only complaint is that the grill is pretty small. It takes a while to get dinner on the table, especially if you want to grill vegetables to go with.

The rest of the day was typical. Writing, lunch, walk to library and post office. Not much bird action going on in the yard, but I saw a killdeer on my walk.

Have a great weekend,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter

379 / 400
(94.8%)

Another 10 pages pass muster

2007-06-07T21:28:00.000-06:00

Every two weeks, as I meet with my critique group, I hold my breath. Surely this is where the book falls apart. But my most recent offering (pages 30-40 in this draft) got a green light from my tough-as-nails critiquers.

We drove all the way to Patience's house in McKinney today. She has summer childcare issues. Then we ate lunch at Ruby Tuesday, my first time. I had a "salad" that was really more fattening than a burger would have been, even without dressing. Fried chicken bits, avocado, crumbled bacon, cheese, over a bed of greens, with a piece of garlic bread. Yum, but talk about calories! Yeesh, I was trying to be good.

I wrote only a couple of pages today, between when I got home from critique and when I had to go to yoga. After checking in on the owls, of course. The Texas owls are seldom seen these days, but the California owlets are hilarious to watch. They're just about ready to fly, and they practice pouncing on each other in the nest box. They are cuter than kittens.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter:

369 / 400
(92.3%)

Shopping Spree

2007-06-06T21:09:00.000-06:00

No, not for clothes or shoes, but kitchen stuff! I went to Tuesday Morning and bought a George Foreman Grill (it came with a free Crock-Pot type slow cooker) and some bakeware. I was tempted by the Calphalon pans but they were still pretty pricey even with the discount. Oh, also bought a kitchen rug--for in front of the sink.

Then it was on to Bed, Bath & Beyond, where I bought a MISTO, which is a thing that allows you to spray your own olive oil. (Instead of buying non-stick spray.) Also got an olive oil dispenser (for drizzling). What fun!

It was also Date Night, so Rob and I walked around the corner to ... I can't remember the name. It's a Mexican restaurant, fairly new. We tried it once before and thought it was just okay, but some neighbors have been raving about it, so we tried it again and I was much more impressed this time. I had something I can't pronounce, but it was much like a chicken fajita but with cheese melted on top, on corn tortillas. Terrific fresh food, yum.

Nothing else special, just writing, etc. But a very nice day.

Thanks for letting me share it with you,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter:

366 / 400
(91.5%)

Freaky sky from yesterday

2007-06-05T21:11:00.000-06:00

The photo doesn't do it justice. It was freaky weather.

Another quiet day today. Clearly I don't have enough going on in my life. So I've decided to rent a beach house for a month, next fall in the off-season. You can really pick up some bargains on the Texas Gulf Coast if you go during weird times.

Rob thinks I'm insane, but I'm doing it. I've always wanted a beach house, but with the hurricanes being so prevalent lately I don't want to own one. And I think one month a year would be a good compromise. If it's for a whole month I can bring my babies (furry and feathered) with me. Most beach houses are equipped with WiFi--I just have to bring a laptop and some clothes.

I'm doing it.

I did the usual today--yoga (with the girls on TV), wrote my pages, watched the birds, went for a walk. Miracle of miracles, it hasn't rained today. Of course it immediately got hot! Rob was gone all day teaching bridge and T'ai Kwon Do.

I am very close to finishing my book. I am working on the climactic scene now! What fun.

Thanks for reading,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter

352 / 400
(88.0%)

Storms and more storms

2007-06-04T21:27:00.000-06:00

When Rob and I went for our walk today, it started out sunny. But as we headed back from Kidd Springs Park (where I saw a yellow-crowned night heron, cool!) we could see these huge thunderheads building in the north, and the sky was black on the horizon. We walked fast.

We made it home in plenty of time so that we could sit on the front porch in our porch swing and watch it pass. Lots of lightning and thunder but only light rain and no wind, so it was relatively mild.

Then, as I'm leaving my yoga class around 8:15, we get another round and the sky was the most peculiar color I've ever seen. It was orangy red all over. I tried to take pictures of it (while driving in the rain) but they didn't come out too well.

I really love the rain but maybe a couple of days to dry off would be nice? Everything is so waterlogged--the yard, the deck, the flowers, everything. Ah, well, much better than drought.

I had a pretty good writing day--at least I got my pages done and I'm closing in on the end of my book. So happy, can't wait! Probably another week and I'll have it done.

Thanks for reading,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter:

342 / 400
(85.5%)

We have a winner!

2007-06-03T20:18:00.000-06:00

The winner of my Beach Bag contest is Chrissy Dionne of Cloverdale, Oregon. Congratulations, Chrissy, and thanks to everyone who entered. I'll have a new contest soon and I'll announce it right here first!

Today was another lazy day. I just don't know what's come over me! I was a total bum. I read, I ate, I walked (at least I did that) I worked on my mosaic while watching TV. I was watching this show about a clinic where they treat extremely obese people. I watched, like, four episodes of this show.

Why does this fascinate me so? Is it because I can look at these huge people and feel superior to them? ("Well, I might have fat thighs but at least I'm not THAT bad.") Or is it because I can root for the underdog? I have to admit I'm always very inspired when I read or watch a story where a person loses a lot of weight, I guess because I know how hard it was for me to lose 25 lbs.

I started my mosaic table for real. There are 15 feathers; tonight I did one. Maybe I can do one feather per day.

The owls are back but they are most irresponsible parents. If they ever succeed in hatching actual chicks I hope they do better.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

Didn't do the bike rally

2007-06-02T19:41:00.000-06:00

It was pouring down rain early this morning so we blew off the bike race we were planning to ride in. It probably would have been fine--rain was gone by 8 a.m., start of the race. But I'm not sure I would have gotten up for it anyway. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately--staying up too late, and getting woke up by storms and cats and such.

So what did I do today? Er, I tried a new recipe, a casserole with rice, cheese and bell peppers. It was just okay. I'm going to try it with some other vegetable--the peppers were a bit much. I took a walk. Oh, I finally took my new website live. Granted, it looks just like the old website. But it's in a new place. I checked in on the owls several times. It appears the nest has been abandoned--Mrs. Owl hasn't been seen or heard in two days, due to a lot of disturbance near the nest. We're hoping she'll decide to come back and try again. Probably the current clutch of three eggs is doomed, but she could lay more. I watched my own birds, too. We had quite a crowd in the back yard today.

Yeah, I guess I was pretty much a bum today. And it's not even nine o'clock, but I'm going to bed and try to finish my book. (The one I'm reading.) HEARTSTOPPER by Joy Fielding. Pretty good. I hope that tomorrow I will have more energy.

Hope you're having a great weekend,
Kara

Some Days ...

2007-06-01T21:24:00.000-06:00

I just don't know what to blog about. Today was such a normal day. I wrote (though I didn't make my writing goal), I watched the birds (nothing too exotic, though the brown-headed cowbird was a little unusual), I walked to the library, and I went out to dinner with Rob for Date Night at Grill 400.

I got started cutting tile for my mosaic table top. It takes a while to get the hang of it. This project is so huge--I can't wait to actually get started gluing the tile. I think it won't be so scary then.

I am supposed to do a bike rally tomorrow--40 miles. I can't imagine why I said I would, since I haven't been on my bike for weeks. Maybe it will rain!

Have a fabulous weekend,
Kara

MOB Page-O-Meter:

332 / 400
(83.0%)

Sad News

2007-05-31T20:51:00.000-06:00

My sister called this evening and said she thought her cat was dying. She had no idea what was wrong. He was fine yesterday, but when she got home from work he was really, really sick. I told her to bring him to my house and I would drive her to the emergency after-hours vet office. Unfortunately, by the time she got here, he was gone.

Poor little Tiger. We took him to the vet anyway and paid $54 to have his cremated and his ashes sprinkled at a pet cemetery. The scary thing is that my sister has another cat, and now she is afraid it might get sick, too--since she doesn't know what was wrong with Tiger. They were both indoor cats, so hard to say.

Sorry to be so depressing, but I just got home. Hard to think about anything else. I did do some other things today. Went to Wishcraft, went to lunch, and then tracked down the Monk Parakeet colony in Addison. It wasn't hard to find. Someone told me it was in a live oak tree in a certain parking lot. As soon as I reached the parking lot I could hear them shrieking. And there they were, four big, bright green shrieking parrots. They were bigger than I thought--much larger than the grackles with which they were sharing their tree.

When my friend Becky (with whom I had just eaten lunch) drove up and opened her car door so she could see them, they flew down from the nest and dive-bombed her, then flew off. She said birds don't like her--I guess she's right!

After that I got my hair cut. I took a picture in the mirror of myself and the stylist, who is someone I used to go to many, many years ago and just rediscovered. I think I like the cut. It's not as short as it was. I am posting a picture on my website (www.karalennox.com) as soon as I am done here.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

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Drama on the owl nest

2007-05-30T20:16:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'm obsessed with watching the barn owls. But something awful happened. Someone was running loud machinery very close to the nest box, along with banging and clanging and yelling. Mrs. Owl fled in terror and she stayed off the nest all day long. (Not good for the eggs!) I figured she might abandon it for good. Then after dinner I checked and she had somehow managed to lay a third egg. She is now sitting on the eggs and screeching for Mr. Owl to bring her some food.

I don't recommend watching nest box web cams. I am heartsick at the thought of those eggs never hatching, but chances don't look good.

I had a good writing day today. Gradually closing in on the end of the book--maybe 60 more pages to write. We had another humongo thunder storm today, lots more rain. But it cleared up enough after lunch that we could take a walk to the park. We saw a big brown hawk hanging out in the woods. Rob saw it perched in a tree, but I, of course, couldn't spot it until it flew. I'm sorry to say I did not see it in enough detail to identify it.

I received foreign copies in the mail today. UNDER DEEPEST COVER, paired with a Barbara Dunlop book, in a Mills & Boone package (that's in the UK). So if I have any readers in the UK, I'll bet the book will be released there in the next month or two! Let me know if you see it on the shelves.

Oh, oh, one last reminder: My contest deadline is MIDNIGHT, THURSDAY MAY 31. Go to my website, www.karalennox.com, and click on the contest button. You can win a beach bag, towel and flip flops, sunscreen, and two books.

For all you contest fans out there, you can also visit www.booksforabuck.com and enter two contests. For the first, click on the "Newsletter" link. You'll find the contest there. They're giving away a $10 gift certificate for Fictionwise.com, which is an e-book distributor. For the second contest, click on the banner at the bottom of the page. That prize is nice, too.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kara

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Quiet Day

2007-05-29T21:34:00.000-06:00

I was able to get a lot of writing done and go for a nice walk. I fixed rice florentine for dinner (that's my own invention, rice with spinach, cheese, and toasted nuts, yum).

It rained again today. I just love it. Here it is almost June and we have not had to run the air conditioner once in the past three weeks or so. Windows open and the temperature is perfect. (Okay, a little bit humid but we'll live.)

My psycho barn owls now have two eggs. The female is not the most devote mother-to-be--she leaves the eggs quite often, but I blame her mate, who is a haphazard provider. He is supposed to be feeding her steadily but she sometimes has to leave the nest and go roust him. It's highly entertaining and addictive to watch.

Thanks for visiting,
Kara

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Harlequin American Authors Blog

2007-05-29T08:22:00.000-06:00

Today my blog is on the HAR authors' blog. I talk about military heroes and heroines. Here is the link.

My Memorial Day was rainy. I stayed home and wrote. Sometimes I can be such a barrel of laughs, a real party girl!

Take care,
Kara

Moving my website

2007-05-27T19:34:00.000-06:00

I am moving my website to another host, one that has more storage space. It is a painstaking process of moving each page, subpage and image. I am also cleaning up and updating as I go.

I will go live with it in the next few days, but you probably won't be able to tell much difference. It will be the same URL (www.karalennox.com).

Other than a pleasant walk to Norma's for breakfast this morning, in the rain, I've not done much else today. I am tired of sitting at my computer. I did take off a couple of hours to watch the Giro D'Italia (bike race) on TV.

Hope you had a nice weekend,
Kara