Calling All Women Writers!

2013 is a great time for women writers. It’s going to be a monumental year for us to step up, step out and shine our light for the world to wake up and take notice! What an intro:) Well, I’m just so excited to share this latest writing opportunity for women (sooo many avenues for creatives out there) The Mirror Monologues have a call out for women writers 16 and over to create Dramatic Monologues about the mirrors in their lives. Submit your story about what you really see when you look in the mirror. Sorry guys, this one’s for the ladies:)

These plays are the brainchild of four women Playwrights over 50 who met and began to brainstorm their playwright threatric abilities ( all have written & produced plays) and who have sent the call for women to take part in their latest Dramatic works. “man look at themselves in mirrors while women look ‘for’ themselves…feeling your creative juices yet?!

So, to participate in The Mirror Monologues, go to http://www.themirrormonologues.com/about-us/.. where you can also learn more about the women playwrights-the wheels are turning!

Well, I’m supposedly working on my book for 2013- not so much. I’ve been writing articles for magazines and other projects to sustain a retirement income. I know, excuses…but, someday, the work in progress will become reality for myself, my contributors and clara54’s wonderful readers. To stave off your disappoinment, I’m hoping you read my latest articles for Bronze Magazine and Women In Business 101 Magazine.

http://bronzemagonline.com/why-loving-yourself-makes-you-your-best-self/

http://www.tb101magazine.com/2013/01/women-in-business-2013-by-clara-freeman.html

When you find yourself stuck in one area of your work, move on to the next thing. I promise you, you’ll continue to hone your talents and people will take notice…and that project will breathe a silent air of ‘thanks.’ “I’ll be waiting writer woman when the time is right.”

What about you guys, will 2013 be your time to shine?

I Made The Cover-Nooo Not That Guy!

So, my article made the cover- not exactly misleading:) and I’m in the same magazine as Randy Gage. just sayin’

Starting Your Business In A Down Economy

Cover of Start Your Own Business

An incredible economic downslide not only threw the world of WallStreet into shock , but regular folks earning an honest paycheck in the workforce as well. After learning that their financial futures would become precarious at best,as their livelihood becomes threatened by financial setbacks which could lead to devastating loss of homes, mortgages,jobs, medical & life insurances the impact of this economic depression caused many distraught people to take their own lives and left many more wondering where their lives would go from here. Where once job security seemed certain,the downsizing and relocating of big corporations caused company closings and layoffs,leaving the hopeful, feeling “hopeless”.

Those still lucky enough to retain employment are doing so while working under a certain stress mentality as they go about their business with a truism that tomorrows are not promised at their ‘day’ job because in reality, there’s no job security. As one astute business person put it when speaking on job security “Employers can no longer be loyal to us,so we must be loyal to ourselves”. There are a few ways people can be loyal to themselves as they weigh their options while working for others. It’s a tough call to make when you’re having to be the employee for your survival, but it’s your choice to make and it’s doable when you’re looking to start your own business. Some savvy tips to employ when starting your business:

1.Define your strengths and passion

2.Research your competition

3.Tackle your survival /financial longevity– give yourself at least a years worth of available finances before branching out on a business startup.

4.Network with like minded people on blogs, forums,advertisements in local newspapers,newsletters, friends,word of mouth… launch your potential business before hanging up your “open for business.” As a precaution don’t inform employers about your startup just yet.

5. Don’t expect instant success…contnue to hone your skills, network, promote and build your brand with persistence, patience and plenty of tlc…See you at the top

FYI:  The latest unemployment rate has falllen to 8.9%…Let’s keep moving forward & living our dreams and aspirations!

What business venture have you embarked upon?

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Special Guest Post From Deborah Bailey

Image by joesflickr via Flickr

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I’ve learned a lot from this wonderful author & professional coach in the last year from how to “Think like an entrepreneur” to just putting aside your fears…Whether it’s a fear of a business failure or, success, Deborah breaks it down for all creatives on how to get over yourself & get on with it!

Enjoy!

How to Move Through Fear

by Deborah A Bailey

The other day I got an email from a gentleman named, Tim. He asked me for
advice about looking for a new job. He was unemployed and money was running
low, but he wanted to make a fresh start.

How much courage does it take to transform your life after it’s come undone?
Having been through this situation myself more than once, I’d say it takes
quite a lot. That’s the difference between those people who survive and
those who thrive. Survival is going from one crisis to the next, always
shocked and a little surprised that you made it. Thriving is a totally
different experience.

When you thrive you are not expecting doom at every turn. Your life isn’t
just an endless journey through anxiety and insecurity. Yes, things do
happen and life is not always a big bowl of cherries. I’m not saying you’ll
never be hurt or disappointed, but I am saying that how you react to those
things will determine your life experience. We can spend a lifetime blaming
this one or that one, being a victim of circumstances and believing that
someone else took our stuff. Lots of people do it everyday. If that appeals
to you, I certainly won’t discourage it. However, if you love your life no
matter what you are thriving. That’s something no one can ever take away
from you.

At the end of Tim’s email, he admitted to being uneasy about the changes he
was about to make. He acknowledged his fears, but then he said he wanted a
better life and was going to take the steps to get it. From the outside his
life may not look very attractive, but with that admission he’s already made
the move from surviving into thriving. I’m excited for him, and I’m looking
forward to hearing about his progress.

1. How about you? Are you ready to make the move? If so, here are some steps
you can take.

2. Get clear of negative people and negative influences. If someone is
always telling you what can’t be done or how awful everything is, you won’t
benefit from being in that energy.

3. Take some quiet time everyday. Whether you call it meditating or being
alone with your thoughts, take time for yourself.

4. Keep learning new things. Once you decide you know it all, you will never
grow beyond that point.

5. Write down your ideas and your goals. There’s something about writing
them down that makes them real.

6. Laugh. Not only is laughing healthy, but it’s much more attractive as
well. Who would you rather be with – someone who laughs or someone who’s
always grumpy?

7. Love yourself, a lot.

8. Embrace life. Don’t wait for some terrible event to occur before you
appreciate what you have.

I’ve been in survival mode and in thriving mode, and I can tell you that
thriving is much better. No, fear doesn’t completely go away, but it stops
being a way of life. We all have the power to go from surviving to thriving,
and in the end it’s up to us to make it happen.

Copyright © 2010 – 2011 Deborah A. Bailey
Excerpted from “Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and
Taking Charge of Your Life” available on Amazon.com.

“That Loving Feeling”

Image via CrunchBase

 Ok, so Clara54 is actually posting a bit earlier than usual:) It’s because I’ve got that “loving feeling” for you guys and for this whole creative vibe that’s going on, online and off. I mean I’m in a place where my spirit soars and I need to share some Good news! Good news!

First off, my poem SYLVIA was accepted in Poetry Rivals 2010 competition & scheduled for publication November 30th 2010. I’ve known about it for a while and thought what a perfect time to share the great news with my loyal readers! As you know from reading clara54, I spent the last weeks working on writing short stories of Fiction. At present, I’ve recycled one story from years ago. Fashioned another that I opted to send via snail mail for submission to Zoetrope-All Story Contest. This contest has a submission deadline for October 1st and a small fee. I also submitted an online essay to SimpleLife for their contest that states “I Never Thought I’d Become” and of course, I had plenty of ammunition to complete that one!  

Sylvia Browder, founder of National Association Women On The Rise has welcomed me into the fold of Women Entrepreneurs where I will be contributing to their expert page on Women Issues. Ms. Browder has also kindly retweeted my last post on facebook and other venues associated with NAWR, which have caused an onslaught of readers for clara54!

I returned to work today after spending some time off and I was literally welcomed back with open arms by co-workers and patients! This outpouring of love from the staff and my beautiful patients, made me humble and think that maybe I should take a respite more often:) As one nurse put it  “Wow, seems like everybody’s coming up & giving you hugs” …Ok, so there’s always going to be “haters” in the group:) Moving on…

Today, I got the best news from opening my emails. The editors over at The Printed Blog Network reviewed  both my blogs and liked what they read so much that they have asked me to join their network! Joshua karp, the founder also let me know that that this is the first Print publication as well as a paying publication. I wasted no time accepting this one.It’s a good thing when editors invite you to join their team and I’m feeling good because my blogs got some love from The Printed Blog Network. You can check these guys out (and very soon yours truly)  at www.theprintedblog.com on twitter at www.twitter.com/theprintedblog  and http://www. facebook.com/theprintedblog . 

Well, that’s my good news for today & clara54 is just going to bask in ‘That Loving Feeling” for a bit longer because not one day is like the next!

How about it?  Come on, share the good news and feel the love!