Affirmations

Every morning & sometimes during the day, I try to impart some sort of positive affirmation into my mindset in order to offset a negative that’s sure to come about… Take Saturday as example. I was invited to go antique shopping with the girls, but, had to beg off because while they would be frolicking about dipping & dabbing into all sorts of ancient ‘finds’, I would be putting in long stressful hours, not to mention standing on my feet, working for the man!

But, all things considered, I didn’t let the negatives spoil my work day…nooo, I sucked it up and hit the floor running on saturday morning in order to clock in for duty at my nursing gig at 6:30 AM. Same for this morning, Sunday. believe me,I wasn’t feeling having to get up, yet again, to start all over again!

The thing that kept me going on Saturday/Sunday, was what always keep me going…Keeps my head up…positive affirmations. yep, writers need to be uplifted… My all time favorite? “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice & be glad in it.” those words, a 20 minute warm shower and a steaming cup of Java, gets me through the negatives most of the time…What works for you?

Anyhow…

I’m not distraught…I’m not exactly estastic either. I suppose I’m just trying to take the bitter with the sweet here folks. Today marked 2 days back on the job. Yes, the month of September went by in a whirlwind of queries, writing, submissions and networking with other folks in the business of writing. Admittedly, there were some stress-free days of visits with friends, family and being with myself …Oh, how I enjoyed the 4 weeks of blissful ‘living the way I wanna live it’

So, I’m back with co-workers, patients, and employers… the first day was grueling…Although welcomed back with open arms, I still feel disconnected… like I’ve hung up my nurses’ stethoscope… yet, one must do the job 100% when you’re in it… Today, after work, I managed to send a query to a relationship website…got prompt response…will get verdict on gig in a week or, so.

I also revisited myitthings where my article for fall fashion is among the top ten finalists in their monthly contest … I try hard to get excited, but, I’ve placed amongst the top ten for several competitions before…just maybe, fourth time’s the charm! Those babyboomer magazine articles I’d mentioned? One was recently published on the site… So is a  post I’d written about women over 50 for America’s Next Top Blogger over at AllWomen Stalk…I visit these sites practically everyday to remind myself of my recent accomplishments…

I’m constantly meeting/greeting other writer/bloggers whose friendly & welcoming nature keeps me encouraged! again, I’m not exactly thrilled right now, but, neither am I throwing myself a ‘pity party’

Not cool…

After the Debates last night, I couldn’t sleep. Stayed up late  watched late night segment Oprah Show…which I watch occasionally when the guests are authors/presidential nominees…anyhow, it appears that Oprah is having fridays as ‘friday views’ or something with three guest hosts. I won’t name them, that’s not the issue here.

Spike Lee was one of Oprah’s interview guests… you know director Spike/Malcolm X… anyhow, he’s done it again according to critics, with his new movie, Miracle At St. Anna…love that about you Spike. What I didn’t care for during the interview with Oprah/ and perhaps you wasn’t aware of, is the way you kept swiping under your nose with your fingers!

Spike Lee, that is not cool, man! Ok, say you have a nervous ‘tic’…say, no big deal, it’s just Spike being Spike…the nurse in me say…no way, no how, unacceptable! Your face carry germs. The nose area man, inclusive of nares, seepage, all the ‘yuck stuff’ that one wipe from a finger can impart onto others…germs man!… And then, to make matters worse, you hug/shake hands with Oprah!

Ok, maybe, I’m just being too sensitive…maybe I’ve been a nurse for, far too long…or, maybe because I was raised to know that ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’( ok, I’m a junkaholic, another one for webster! but my junk is clean junk)  Because I love& admire your creative talents, Spike…

I leave you with two words of advice for future interviews/personal habits…Hand Sanitzers!

Wishing…

I’m wishing it was me! Ok, let me clarify. I have friends in the freelance writing biz who have done the time and at this stage in their writing careers…reaping the glorious benefits… as in clients, monies, security in knowing that there won’t be another 9 to 5 in their lives anytime soon! 

I’m feeling the crunch of having to return to the workforce in a few days after being off for the last month in an attempt to try and get a handle on this freelance writers life… I’ve been busting my butt …people! therefore, lovely writers of the world who have put in the necessary time, energy, fortitude and preserverence…forgive me if I do a bit of wishing I was there already…fear not, I’m a bit ‘blue’ , but, not entirely down for the count.

I’m completing work on 2 articles for a regional magazine due by the end of Oct…finished a short story for major magazine’s short story competition and still awaiting articles response from online mag I spoke about earlier. I have an interview/profile piece I’d done with an established & gracious Author,  floating out there in cyberspace for 5 weeks now, as well as another short-short…I’ve met/connected with so many wonderful folks/writers via networking within the freelance writers/ marketing community…so all isn’t a total bust. I know, as an aspiring writer (whose been writing for decades, but, kept stuff packed away ) I have my work cut out for me and miles to go before I sleep…

Articles in a bottle…

If I could bottle my articles after selling them to the right market…at their highest bidder, I’d definitely place my latest article written in July called “Advice For Women In Their Search For Mr. Right”…let’s not get it twisted folks, I’m not claiming to be a relationship expert here, but, sometimes the need to express myself to other women, not so unlike myself comes along and I give it a go…

This particular piece, just 2 weeks ago had only 80 something visitors. As of this AM, this article somehow have folks flocking to read its message to the tune of 700 visitors! It must be Karma, or, just one of those things…or, perhaps, it’s a sign that I should tap into more of this writing…the end result as I’m feelin it: Women need helpful, informative/sometimes hilarious approach to finding their “Mr. Right.”  Me, I’m not asking for much, just a home willing to pay for this once-in-a-”aha”-gem of a moment in this writer’s work…

I’m Thrilled!

I’ve recently  finished  an assignment from a new client I’d pitched a query to a few weeks ago…this is one of the 2 responses I’d mentioned in a recent post. After being away from my computer for several days, I do a quick run through of emails/ another response, asking what articles I’d like to contribute to said magazine!!!

To refresh my memory for this response, I revisited the Babyboomer site I’d also sent a query…there are a few hurdles I ’ll probably have to overcome if given the gig, but, I didn’t hesitate in dashing off an acceptance letter! I’m keeping my fingers/toes crossed…

I answered an email from Sonya Carmichael Jones of MarketingBudda.com (she’s the expert in marketing I told folks about earlier, she also offers great/reasonable marketing classes for freelancers) if you haven’t visited her website/and you need help/tips on getting your work noticed, let me tell you, her tips work…

I visited my free article base and found that traffic to my articles had increased from 3,500 to 3,997 in a matter of just 7 seven days! visitors to my profile has increased at an amazing rate since starting clara54, so, of course, I’m thrilled!

I have since started a motivational site for women in transition based on a column I started writing online for women in midlife. So far, ‘Authentic Woman’, still in its early stages has gotten to a slow beginning…but because I’m so passionate that women on a journey of self-discovery in their 2nd phase of life might need to hear from someone who has  weathered the storm and can offer insights into midlife transitioning…Authentic Woman can be assessed at http://wisewoman2.wordpress.com 

It’s good to be home!

Censorship

today I encountered that word i’d only read about-Censorship! I hate politics… that whole election process. But, when I read/hear/see from perspectives of… some uncouth/bias rhethoric,then, I find myself compelled to confront such stuff, head on…an article I’d written was reviewed…published, then…promptly bandished…because accordingly, I had not complied with guidelines…as in, nooo truth seeking here.

To write from “quoted” materials inclusive of verbage of attacks upon one’s gender, political views, ethnicity… puts the bearer of truth( writers) in positions/ labeled catagories …not of their character/substance. What does a writer do to maintain truth in their work, yet risk the ire of publishers/editors who have the final say on your blood, sweat, tears…you get my meaning?

anyhow, I’m a bit dismayed, but, not at all disheartened, because in my mind, if one publisher somehow insists on fudging the edges by insisting upon , certain omissions in a piece, surely, there’s another who publishes it verbatim after welcomed scrutiny/fact-checking?

I won’t say I’ve learned my lesson…what I will say, however, is that truth will set you free and I’m staying away from having my say( in print) about politics…

creativity-unleashed

I was watching NIGHTLINE last nite where they focused on the brain& creativity. Apparently, the two men showcased had suffered brain injury, affecting the thinking/creative part of the brain, which in turn caused them to have this incessant/uncontrollable need to create…papers upon papers of rhymed poetry, room filled with drawings that exhibited split personalities, great works of art…paintings that would sell for thousands of dollars. In both situations, the men felt they would somehow go insane, causing their marriage to suffer…one fellow got divorced…

Letters written in desperation to the best in their medical field would bring answers for both men. a woman who somehow became afflicted with the same disorder, a neurologist…She helped to explain their burst of creativity that could not be denied…I was fascinated to see how slight rearranging of the brain’s functioning path could produce such results…The miracle of the human body cannot be denied!

The creativity for regular folks like many of us freelance writers who find it hard at times to navigate the gift we’re blessed with surely pales in comparison…I suppose AFTER watching this segment of Nightline, I’d better think again before I question whether this simple & controlled need to create should be something for this writer to complain about?

green thumb

I don’t have…but, I have Azalea…quite by accident. SHE (I naturally refer to all plants…flowers as she) was about to be sent to that plant final resting…the dump…by a determined neighbor who felt Azalea was no longer a thang of flowering beauty…ok, so her flowers were dried. the buds went, crunch, crackle & gone…but, I saw something, a bit of spark? AZALEA’s trunk spoke to me, “i’m alive” it said, save me.save me..

I rescue her…tear away the dead stems, dry leaves, once beautiful flower… hope to nurse her back to health, so this writer doees her research only to find, it’s going to take a miracle! Placing her out of direct sunlight every morning, making sure to keep her soil moist …introducing her to the blues. Although I’m not the one blessed with having a ‘green’ thumb…that honor went to my mother, somehow AZALEA ’s presence keep hope alive…

potential client response

Can you believe it!? over the weekend, I managed to squeeze in a few queries to a potential client lists and  lo and behold,this morning I find response to two of the five I’d sent out…both positive !  I’m feeling good about that. so good in fact, I’m going to reply to a colleague’s request and do a survey on romantic relationships!! of course, she’s to keep all imput incognito…

I’m also making a list of more blogs/websites I found about freelance writing, blogging, dating and issues I think other writers out there will find interesting reading. One such site that I’ve just became a member of is giftedhandsandwriting by Preethi Burkholder, who’s on a book tour for 2 months, but, has autoresponse, so she did respond to my email…this site I’d actually found a couple of weeks ago by reading another blog, Ellen Wilson’s words and pictures…now, this lady’s blog is worthy of a stroll over as well, her photos are breathtaking and she’s a good one for community networking.

Giftedhandsandwriting offers inventive & creative ways to assist them in their writing endeavors…whether you’re established or, a newbie, membership is free…I’m of the adage that good happens when we sow seeds…don’t you agree?