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Two Books Down So Far in 2018; Letters to Write
The other day, I blogged my post-Christmas letter, which really wasn’t too much of a Christmas letter at all, replete with all the “what our family has been up to;” in fact, it was more of a review and a what-I-got-out-of the book The Man Who Invented Christmas letter. That was the first book I completed in the New Year. I can now check another book off my 2018 READING LIST: Marisa de los Santos’s wonderfully cheeky and heartwarming first book, Love Walked In. The book was my choice for tonight’s book club meeting, as I’ve wanted to read it for years, ever since my mother stuffed it into my…
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What One Week Away From Facebook Taught Me
Last week, we went on vacation. Although it was shortened due to the unfortunate path of Hurricane Arthur, prior to leaving, I deactivated my Facebook account. I wanted to see what it felt like to be disconnected from that form of social media. I stayed on Instagram just to post pictures from vacation, but other than that, I let it all go. It’s not a bad thing to do. Disconnecting a little is healthy; it allows you to focus on the things that are truly important, such as your family and friends. I had become way too involved on Facebook, feeling the need to post constantly. I don’t feel the…
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Positioning Yourself & Your Work
In 1972, two guys name Al Ries and Jack Trout collaborated on a series of articles for Advertising Age. The articles were about positioning: positioning a company or a brand in advertising. Now, 41 years later, the term “positioning” still holds true and is a buzzword among media creatives. The question? How can we get a consumer to pay attention to us in this, as Ries and Trout call it, a highly “over-communicated society.” Their question is even more viable today as it was in 1972. We are inundated by messages all day long. Think about it: We see ads on Facebook, Twitter, on television and radio, billboards, bus signs,…
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The Importance of (Character) Names
* * * I’m still giggling this morning. Last night on Facebook, I asked my FB Friends for a little help in naming a character in my latest work—a new novel of fiction about a girl who works in baseball. Now, I know; this plot sounds like it could be autobiographical, but it’s not. Not really. The main character is going through some tough things in her life. I’ve spent the first 20,000 words building her character, and allowing you to get to know the pain she’s going through. Then enter a guy—an attractive, young sports reporter who is nameless right now. I’m having trouble writing him because I want…
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In Honor of the Royal Wedding
Today, a post went around on Facebook that said the following: In honor of the Royal Wedding on Friday, use your royal name. Start with either Lord or Lady. Your first name is one of your grandparents’ names. Your surname is the name of your first pet, double-barreled with the name of the street on which you grew up. Post yours here. Then cut/paste into your status. Four of my Facebook friends and I did it, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the names. They were as follows: Lord Clarence Henry of Devonshire (Scott) Lady Helen Lizzie of Old York (Currie) Lady Catherine Rebecca of Howard (Christin) Lady Gwendolyn…
