One, Two, Three, Four!

Have you noticed your hips spreading? Thunder thighs? Aches and pains? Sounds like a commercial, doesn't it?

Actually, writers who sit all day, need exercise. Not all of us can be slim jims who run, have gym memberships, or are fitness freaks. Some of us even have mobility problems. But that's not to say you can't work some fitness into your day.

Here's some easy exercises you can do in front of your computer.

• Hold your legs out straight. Slowly lower them to the floor. Do several times.
• Hold your legs out straight. Flex your ankles back and forth. 10x
• Hold your legs out straight. Rotate your ankles clockwise 10x then counterclockwise 10x.
• Tilt your head to the left. Hold 5 seconds. Return to center. Tilt head to the right. Hold 5 seconds. 3x
• Scrunch one shoulder up next to your ear, while forcing the opposite shoulder down. Reverse. 2x
• Wrap your arms around the back of your chair. Tilt your head back. Now stretch. 2x
• Clasp hands together. Raise over your head. Stretch. 2x
• Dangle your left arm over your chair arm (if you have one, you don't have to have one to do this exercise). Bending from your waist, stretch as far as you can to the side. Return to sitting position. Repeat on right side. 2x
• Not to forget your eyes! Looking straight ahead, raise your eyes (not your head!) up, then down, to the right, then the left. Return to center. Repeat. 2x
• Get up and walk around every 15-20 minutes. This is a great time for that cup of coffee or bathroom break.

See how easy it is to get some exercise into your day!

LESSONS LEARNED

ORACON 2012

Last Saturday was ORACON (Ozark Romance Authors Conference) in Springfield, MO. I hadn't planned on going this year, but the contest coordinator hounded me until I figured okay--it's only three hours away.

I've touted conferences before and I'm touting this one today. This one day conference hosted Jennifer Brown (YA), Leigh Michaels (Harlequin author) , and Steven Law (Yuma Gold western). Two agents Cori Deyoe and Lucienne Diver were present for pitches.  And look at this fabulous lunch buffet. As if that wasn't enough afternoon snacks were provided. And the raffle baskets are always fabulous.

So, what was learned? 1. Competition is getting worse. You are competing with eight million other books. 2.E-books are the way to go. But you also must promote, promote, promote. Or another way of saying that is sell, sell, sell.  3. QR's (those weird little code boxes that are popping up on everything) are needed. Even you yourself do not own a smartphone, you can still obtain a QR by Googling QR generators. For those who are still trying to figure out what I'm talking about, here's an example:
When you obtain a QR code with your website or product/book, the smartphone will scan the code and directly load the webpage. An easy way to link author to product to public.

Now I've got one more thing I'm going to have to save my pennies for and learn how to do. How about you? Is all this tech stuff going too fast to keep up?

BOOK BANNING NEXT?

In lieu of the recent move by New York's Governor banning super-sized  soda drinks, I have to wonder what next? Will books eventually see their demise? No joke. When I think of how our personal freedoms are being taken away little by little and we lean more and more toward socialism, what's to say that the day won't come when books will be banned? And if there is any print material it will be dictated to us what can be printed and what can be read. I can see it now. Publishers blacklisting anyone who infringes on the rules. Government policings. Burnings in the town square.

Stupid. Preposterous, you say. But look at the news. An American wants to fly the American flag and their homeowners association sues and says "no-no-no, or we'll evict you". What about the child who brings a Bible to school? What about how you must maintain your property? Or what about eminent domain? Just because it hasn't hit your neighborhood doesn't mean it can't and won't happen. I can see where book banning could fit in. It reminds me the movie Fahrenheit 451. Are you familiar with it?

G uy Montag is a fireman who burns books in a futuristic American city. In Montag’s world, firemen start fires rather than putting them out. The people in this society do not read books, enjoy nature, spend time by themselves, think independently, or have meaningful conversations. Instead, they drive very fast, watch excessive amounts of television on wall-size sets, and listen to the radio on “Seashell Radio” sets attached to their ears. (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/451/summary.html)

Hmm, maybe Bradbury was prophetic.

WILD VINES

What does wine have to do with writing? Nothing. And I don't advocate drinking to become a better writer. However, I do have to toot my horn. I just discovered Wild Vines Wines. These are light, sipping wines full of fruit flavor. The Blackberry Merlot is to die for. The Raspberry Zin is great too. There's two or three others I haven't tried yet. So, if you like a nice glass of wine with dinner or after dinner or just to relax with, I'm personally crusading for Wild Vines. Try it. I guarantee you'll like it.

Back soon

I'll be back soon. Between hubby having pneumonia and me some kind of summer crud and a few computer problems, just haven't been up to keeping the blog. Be back soon.

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL

The kids are screaming, your teen is hounding you about not being late for soccor practice, your husband calls telling you he's bringing a client home, the phone is ringing off the hook, someone stops in "just for a minute" that turns into an hour or more and other scenarios are often mainstream living for a writer.

But today, I want you to dream a little. What would be your perfect writing spot? On the beach? A cozy lodge like the one on the right? A primitive cabin? Do you want to be totally isolated? Do you want to meet with a group of like-minded individuals after x amount of being alone? Or does the stimulation of short sessions together only to be broken up with swim time, water sports--canoeing/kayaking, horseback trail rides and the like interest you? And your evenings, want them spent by a fireplace with others sipping wine? Bonfire parties? Tours of the town/interesting sites?

Actually, you can find just about any of these if you search the Web. One thing to keep in mind about a writer's retreat is you are expected to work, if not on your WIP, something else. Some retreats are set up like workshops with time for writing, time for read-arounds/critiques, and then socializing. Others let you be as isolated as you desire.

If you truly want to get away from it, leave your cell phone at home or at least leave it off with the exception of perhaps one hour. Remember, you're trying to get away from the distractions.


So, how do you find a writer's retreat? Just Google it. Or at www.shawguides.com you can find conferences, workshops and retreats (although the latter are few).

What's a retreat cost? I hate to interrupt your dream, but most of them are rather pricey. But wouldn't you put out some bucks for a mini-vacation? Think of them that way. There's retreats starting at $100/night up to and over $1000/night. Something for everyone.

So, where do you want to go?

STRUTTING YOUR STUFF

Are you a shy writer? Would you rather write than perform? Dread having to talk about yourself? Cringe if you have to give a talk or read your poems in front of a crowd? Many of us are. But here's some tips to help you:

1. People are receptive. Relax, you're not on trial. Banish those thoughts of I'm not good enough, what will they say, everyone is looking at me, or whatever you're telling yourself to make you nervous. So what if not everyone likes your work? That's why there are so many of us--different strokes for different folks. And face it, would you really rather they looked at the walls? Of course not! If you are faced with reading your work or reciting a poem or doing a presentation, RELAX and remember there are those in the audience who do not even have your expertise/knowledge. You ARE good enough.

2.  Be prepared. Go over your presentation several times ALOUD. Better yet, if you can record yourself, do so. It will help you discover where you are talking too fast, too slow, using those pesky "and uh"s (the sign of a poor public speaker) and where you should be taking a breath. If you mumble, slur words, etc. PRACTICE beforehand. Enunciate. While it may sound strange to you to speak so precise the clarity will  be appreciated by your audience and you will sound much more sophisticated.

3. Don't be a mouse. You must speak up so you can be heard.

4. Leave time for your words to sink in. This may only be a moment or two in poetry/book readings by several poets/authors or longer in the case of a presentation.

5. Be open for questioning. Who knows your work better than you do? And it is no sin to say "I don't know" or "I'm not familiar with that". In this fast paced world we live in, we cannot expect a person to know everything.

6. Relax. Relax. Relax.  If no one wanted to hear you, they wouldn't be there in the first place.