"Tough Love," by Meg Collins

Remember the days when your parents brought you up and, "Leave it to Beaver," was on the television which was black and white in the kitchen? Tough lessons and tough love is what I will be discussing with you today.
Many of us grew up with one parent and not two parents; it makes settling down with the right man or woman quite a challenge, especially in 2012. Higher standards and raising the bar time for many of us who are still single today. Why? I am going to help you solve that problem today and explain to you what I have learned after several years of dating and being single, and hence, why I remain single today. I grew up with a Mother who was both parents, and saw my Father once a year, if I was lucky. Hence, I lacked that Father figure role model that I needed in my life; I made poor choices in dating and marriage. I picked the emotionally unavailable men because that is all I knew and saw around my life. I remember waiting for a Christmas card from my Father the day before Christmas because he always sent the card by Fed Ex mail; he was always running behind, yet I loved the messages and letters he would write in those cards so much. It was not about the check that came with it at all. Well, for a little while when I was younger, it was I suppose, however, I got to a point in my life where I phoned my Dad and said, "Dad, rather than receive your checks, I would rather see you." It happened for a while and then went back and forth to once a year visits. 

When my Father was 76 years old, he came to me to apologize to me. He said, "I am so sorry. I have missed so many years with you. I regret it; all that time that I missed in your life." I told him,"Dad, I forgive you and we have today." For the next four years of his life, we were pen pals. I would ask him questions and he would respond to me in his letters, and if he was behind in writing me back, he called me to say, "I know, I know, Meg. I owe you a letter and it will be out to you this week." He finally understood what I meant that one day when I was a young girl; all I wanted was his time, not his money. My Father coded at 80 years old when I was at the foot of his bed. He waited for everyone to be okay and then, he passed onto heaven. I can also remember that I would send him religious books. I was not trying to be preachy, however he was getting older and I was not sure if he was saved or not at that point in his life. His response to my books was, "Well, Meg, if you think that by my reading these books that it will keep me out of hell, I will read them, okay?"

We had an interesting relationship as Daughter and Father, however, because he was rarely around and I spent so much of my life screaming inside, "See me, talk to me, visit me, hug me, hear me, listen to me, love me," I found myself in a spiral of not so healthy relationships. I am telling you this story so that if you are in the spiral of negative relationships that I was trapped in for several years, you will too, see the flags and work on trying to find a way back to what is healthy, what is Christian, and what to look for in a man of quality and love. I went back to my family of origin. I traced back all the relationships in my family, number of marriages, number of divorces, number of alcoholics, number of co-dependant's, and then I was beginning to have a few answers to work with in my archaeological dig of my own past time.

Then I was challenged. I had to list all my relationships up to 40 years old. I had to chart how they were, if they were healthy or unhealthy and why; this took me three months to complete and was quite a project for me to be given, right? I was able to figure out that a bulk of my relationships were unhealthy, so then I needed to make a list of the qualities I wanted in a partner. I listed ten and kept them in my wallet. I got to a point later in my life where I felt like I needed to have a questionnaire prior to a first date; I trashed that one to be honest with you. If you ask me today what I am looking for in a man it is: someone who goes to church, shows up at events, someone I can see once a week, a man who is close to his Mother, because how he treats his Mother is a direct reflection of how he will treat me, honesty, and a man that has a plan for what he wants out of his life.

Let us go back a bit to the last remark-a plan for what he wants for his life, not mine. You define what you want out of your own life and mesh your life with someone else's and lift one another up in the process of any adversity.This is important because no one in the world can make you happy; that is your job. If you are not happy with your own self, you probably do not belong in a relationship at all at this time. First, find out who you are, and then and only then, if you had an absent parent in your life, try what I did and see if it works. I cannot offer a money back guarantee for this one, folks, however I can tell you that I am choosing much healthier men in my life now.

I was blessed with the best Mother in the world, and my Father, he loved me as best as he knew how to in his life. My message is pretty clear this month to accept and forgive people for their faults, and move forward in finding out what you want for you in your life, and in your relationships with other people in your life. We all have a shelf life and our expiration date is unknown. Today my friends, make every day count, and celebrate the people in your life with their faults and all, as none of us are perfect; only God is perfect. Lower your expectations so that the Berlin wall that you may have up may be chipped away slowly; your heart deserves to be loved by another. Take a leap of faith with me and explore the very being of your soul this month. 

Be well and of good spirits, my friends!

Sincerely,

Meg Collins

Columnist, Radio Show Host, Editor, Ghostwriter, Poet, and Author
Contact Meg directly at beachermeg@gmail.com.

Unemployment rise in 2011

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/01/us-usa-economy-idUSTRE7AL14I20111201
rom Nancy Duci Denofio:

We are in the middle of a season known for "Joy, Peace, Love," while people continue to struggle with everyday life. It all began when men and women were taken away to fight a war we should never have started. We, as I mentioned in other posts, have the intelligence to find anyone within a very short period of time. The war was one of greed, and the Americans who fought, families who waited, and those who suffer from the changes in our society because of a war that killed, destroyed, and changed nothing but our lives, not for the good. Those who fought for us I do give credit, for it takes a strong man or woman to leave and face a world unknown. Nancy


My response: 


Hi Nancy Denofio :) How are you today? Great posting as always! Nancy, I must say that it is amazing that the unemployment rate has not gotten much better. There are some that are getting seasonal jobs, however after the holidays, they are out of work again. I tell everyone that I know that complains about a job that it IS a job and many do not have a job at all and to feel grateful for employment. From what I have been told, many are not receiving unemployment benefits and there is also a wait on getting healthcare through the state as well. It is a struggle in society today for the things our parents advised us that would BE of total security to us in our lives--going to college-getting a good company job--being able to retire at a decent age--buying a home-and government and county jobs would hold as the security for us, for many, do not exist any longer. Nyla Alisia was part of a movement that does help and has seen many changes in Oregon and speaks highly of the movement that she participated in recently. In Maryland, I do not seen a great change right now and 7-11's are being robbed in DC like mad now. Where is the security in walking down the road like we did as kids and knowing you will be safe because society has made better changes to help people, or is it that are next generation will suffer due to lack of recreational centers and libraries that are being shut down? I question many things at this time in 2011 and am hopeful that 2012 qill be more prosperous for all people,a s too many are poverty stricken at this time.

A Life Shared with a Twist of Dysfunction

Growing up in a single parent home must have been a struggle for my Mother. I always thought that she must have cried herself to sleep at night many times in her life. I can now say that her life was less of a struggle, in that she was around a supportive family of Brothers and Sisters. I feel that in ones mind we create and recreate situations, trying desperately to redefine and rediscover our own personal identities. Pulled down by others, in what feels, appears to be a dysfunctional family.What are the boundaries? Have we set and kept them and are those boundaries kept with the toxins in our lives; the toxic people that can knock us down at a moments notice with simple a few negative words? Do you today, even know who those toxic people are in your lives? Growing  up is hard enough, however to have to start all over at the ages of 20 and 30 makes it much more difficult in that we are, "Re-learning," and "Revisiting," who we truly are in life as individuals. Toxicity comes in many shapes, forms,and sizes in life and can tear a spirit and soul in half, if you are not truly careful in your lives.  No one is at fault or in the wrong in a dysfunctional family. Maybe I, just as yourselves possibly, was chosen so that I may share my thoughts and visions with you in my new book; this book I started a few days ago which will possibly be titled, "A Life Shared with a Twist of Dysfunction." I was recently compared to someone that had fallen in a dark hole yet my friend Nyla could see my eyes. She knew I was in a rut and would find my way out, (hence throwing me a rope as well so that I could climb out of the hole), which I always do in life, no matter what the struggle. I am a survivor, not a victim in my life. I am solution-oriented, not problem-oriented. There is a definite difference in the two of those--problem oriented OR solution oriented. I was working my way through something; most of my life has been spent working through or towards something in life. I seemed to be that girl that was working on being someone my parents would be truly proud of and I can remember my father's visits like they were yesterday. I wanted to scream,  "Hear me! See me! Tell me how great you think I am, Dad! Talk about me like you talk about total strangers at a bar." I felt like I did not measure up in his eyes all my life; to his expectations. I was truly blessed to have those last four years with him, when we spent ample time together, getting to know each other and bonding with him. He kinda knew me, however never as well a s my Mother.  Mother heard my illness in tones, even when I was on the telephone; she knew I was not taking my allergy medication merely by my voice. She, somehow knew everything about me. Now, I, as a Mother, a Single Mother know my own Mother's struggles. The one thing that she never wanted for me is for me to struggle as she did in her life. Well, here I am, Mom! At least I am not sleeping in a BART bathroom like Will Smith and his son in the famed movie, "The Pursuit of Happiness." It is truly amazing the grace that has refueled my life today, in simply regaining a sliver of my own Independence again in my life.I am not certain when my life truly began, when I was set free of the toxic bondage's in my life; it may be right now, with you, here today.

Today's writing tip from Meg Collins

No matter what the mood you may be in today, writer's block does not exist; we as writer's, always have something to say and it has been said that writer's are much healthier than non-writers in the world. 


Make it a point to write something every single day, for your words have an effect on many people's lives, including my life! Namaste*


Sincerely,


Meg Collins
beachermeg@gmail.com
megcollins9@twitter.com
Host on Page Turners with Red River Radio BTR
Author/Editor/Ghostwriter/Poet/Novelist
Interviews can be found on itunes and on Utube 
My books can be purchased on Amazon.com--
"Twinkle, Twinkle Starry Sky, " and, "My Magnum Opus." 
Partial proceeds of all books purchased go to cancer research.

The Train to Somewhere by Meg Collins

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2011/08/19/page-turners-with-hosts-meg-collins-and-nancy-duci-denofio

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2011/08/19/page-turners-with-hosts-meg-collins-and-nancy-duci-denofio

The Visitor in Purgatory

http://angiesdiary.com/lifestyle/spirituality/the-visitor-in-purgatory/

When I look back by Meg Collins

http://angiesdiary.com/poetry-and-lyrics/poetic-prose/when-i-look-back/

A Frog and a Toad--writer's block?

Today, before nap time, I was reading my daughter the classic story " Frog and Toad Are Friends."Frog was feeling sick and Toad was asked to read him a story or make up a story while he was resting. Toad was stuck with writers block! He banged his head against a wall, stood on his head paced back and forth on the porch and still, no story for Frog. Frog was like "Have you come up with a story yet?" The answer was no and Toad at that point was so exhausted he asked Frog to get out of bed a tell HIM a story and so he did; he told him the story of all the energy it took him to come up with a non story which then became a story. I feel that this, in fact, proves without a shadow of a doubt, that there is no such thing as writers block my friends!

Writers and artists always have something to say every single day and we are in fact known to be healthier than non-writers--did you know that is a fact? Expression of any form is a release, whatever art you are creating, you are releasing healthy energies out of your body, like you do when you are working out as well. The brain craves the stimulation and the release of everything you are holding onto, so you must have healthy outlets.


My tips for today for all artists and writers are the following: TAKE MY TEN DAY CHALLENGE!

1-If you are not creating your art, step outside of the location you are currently in and go outside under a tree, in take a camera into the forest, make a picnic, go on a nature hike or walk, observe a sunrise or a sunset.
My point--change your scenery location! If you write in the kitchen and it is not working, try something new today.

2-Network with other artists in your genre today.
Make it a point to meet someone new in your field every single day for inspiration and connect with them regularly.

3-Get involved in groups
If you are not in at least FIVE different networking groups, start today folks. Networking is key for any business. Choose your network and circle of friends wisely, because in the end, you are who you hang out with, correct?

4-Step outside your comfort zone today and have some fun with you art and/or writing.

5-Blog, twitter, google, facebook, branchout, groups, radio shows, chatrooms--these are mandatory for all artists. Get yourself a bit more involved today--I dare you to and come back and email me at beachermeg@gmail.com or post on my blog and let me know the results and your findings.

Have a productive day today!

Meg Collins
Author/Radio Host/Editor/Ghostwriter
beachermeg@gmail.com
megcollins9@twitter.com
Googleable

Blocks removed and restructured

Time is a journey, and each moment is different, as is each experience as well. I have been in different situations within the past month that have been challenging as a writer. I seized writing for a few days and felt like a broken see saw. I felt like I was told the word-HALT--nothing was moving and I was discouraged. I got past it and I got through it as well. I learned this: I must write everyday. It is imperative to my spirit and soul, no matter what I write, I am able to release what is inward and share it with the world. That is a defining moment for a writer; to be true to your talent and your capacity to share with others, that talent that you have within your soul.

Over twenty children's books written and on my third novel and a poet;I love writing, right? :) Rome was not build in a day and neither is getting published. All those books are sitting right now and I know that this is my year to share those books with the world and to donate to cancer research in a local hospital. I learned that I must be patient. Lastly, you must have faith in your capacity as an individual and faith in your talents as a human being, that is crucial. Faith is the root of everything in live, as is forgiveness and love. Believe in you, believe in the people that have lifted you up, no matter what, and brand yourself always. We need to be mindful of branding and re branding, posting new pictures, information, and paying it forward in the industry. What are you lacking today in your writing capacity and what are you challenged with this month? Let's talk and put it out on the table and help one another as writers :) Have a blessed evening! Namaste*

My UTube interview

http://networkedblogs.com/ejNxq

My interviews

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lyricaldivas/2011/04/06/lyrical-divas-presentsan-evening-with-meg-collins

"To err is human."

Everyone makes mistakes and no one person is perfect in this imperfect world, but one person. Take the mistakes you have made and learn and grow from them, as your trials CAN be your tribulations and your tribulations can also be your trials. You never know what life will bring you on any given day. The hard work, effort, persistence, branding, networking, social media marketing--all of it will pay off in time. Try to remember, "Rome was not built in a day." Neither were multi-millionaires.
**Be sure not to burn your bridges within the industry, remember those who have gone to bat for you, and if your ego comes off its dusty shelf and goes into full force with others, sit sown with your ego and take it to tea for a while.** 


The life of a writer is a life long journey. Do not waste time not being you and who you have been called to be within your life; a writer. Namaste*

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein

Welcome to Diary of a Starfish by Meg Collins

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein

Logic-What is logic in writing and publishing? Logic is using your gut and your intuition.

Be logical by making a daily list of things you need to do every single day:

Hi! How are you? I am back and I have been busy with so many projects and deadlines. My sincere apologies. I am working on 4 script specs, 2 novels, on my 30th children's book and I am a poet as well. I am a starfish in the writing seas of life and am always educating myself on the best ways to manage my time, as in being a writer, the laundry piles up, the sink gets filled, and then all of a sudden, there is a writing idea and you grab whatever you can, a plate, a napkin, or if you are really smart, a notebook is already in every corner of your home. I have fifty notebooks in my home and pens in every single drawer as well. I am always writing. I write every single day, no matter what and there is NO such thing as writers block; writers ALWAYS have something to say, and guess what? Writers are known to be healthier than non-writers so get busy and write today :)

TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR GREATER WRITING SUCCESS IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

Here is a list of time management ideas to re-structure your time, because YOUR time is valuable!!! With that being said, be logical about your time spent in every single day, prioritize YOUR schedule, turn off your phone, and focus on the tasks at hand in your day. Be logical and make a list :)




Here are some time management tips for you:


I received this list from a dear friend. Nancy went to a time management workshop and sent me this huge list on time management tips and I have put it to practice in my life daily.



To Do Lists:


 *Make a written To Do list daily. Have only one list. Update the list at the same time
   every day.

 *Put a 1,2 or 3 (or A,B,C) next to the three most important items on your daily To Do

   list.
 *Don’t fill up an entire day with activities. Leave uncommitted time for interruptions or
   unexpected work to be done.
 *Keep your To Do list in sight while you are working.
* Do your top priority work in your “Prime Times” Prime internal time is when you work
   your best. Prime external time is when you aren’t interrupted.
* Use “tired” time for tasks that require little thinking.
* Use “cracks” of time to start overwhelming jobs.
* Learn to say NO.
* Ask yourself, “What is the best use of my time right now.”

In Being someone else..Poetry Prompt #4

Where did I put my glasses?
I know there were with me earlier

Looking looking looking

Aha they are on my head! Silly me! Chugging my coffee

I will find them stirring to do and my mind, my minds…
minds stirring
butters burnt again! How did I do that I say outloud

WE DON’T KNOW!
that was myyyy last stick of butter
for the pancakes all the pancakes
that serve ten children, ten little children
in an orphanage, my orphanage
I do not have time for mistakes, NONE

Thinking to myself…when, when did people start giving up on children and when, did they think that hurting a child or leaving a child on a doorstep, all alone, covered in twigs, ticks and dirt was of value to ones soul? How do these humans sleep at night? I will never EVER understand….liscense to drive yet not liscense to give birth nor be a parent. No DWI stops for a parent asking goodevening maam…are you happy with your child today and what seems to be the problem in the abck seat today?…your child looks like he has not had a bath in 4 days and I see marks all over his face…and no car seat either..he sits in a lap of his grandmother lets stop the cars and not the parents…lets check the traffic lights you run not the children that are beaten every single day at home and go to school with burns, bruises, urine smelling…lets just do what we do, be robots of humanity, not of people, not of love, not of society-maybe you  but NOT ME, not ever…not me..

 When, WHEN did the people stop caring about the child, these children, all children…??

Johnny, please stop playing like that Johnnydear! No ball throwing at the table how about slacpjack or 21 questions? That would make me smile even brighter than I am already smiling today with you lovelies J

Mixing the pancake batter quickly….

Thinking…

Emily is quiet again today..hmmmm.I worry about Emily
she misses her Mother's bedtime fables

I will read her something readlly specila tonight

The story of Mother Teresa

Maybe just maybe she has not heard of her

Shes so smart

They all are so smart…sigh..sigh..
ahhh
I found another stick of butter Yes!!!!
this will do just fine
the ball still flying in the air
I laugh out loud
Johnny, I have told you several times little young man of mine
I will say it again today

My gosh my gosh put on your patience hats kids!
this is no ZOO, this is a teeny tiny orphanage!!
hahahahahahahaha

quaccck mooo goobble gobble said the kings
another oinking like a pig and a cat and a dog noise from Jimmy and Eliz
all on the floor now making animal noises
laughing I made a sound too
a tear fell with my sound cooo cooo cooo coooo
a peace dove today
one that could give the children a better home
with more hugs than they get every day here at my place
its called house of Meg
I have wanted it all my life
my dream to help the children
the children
the gifts of my life
Okay okay, breakfast is served...
still all on the floor I had pancakes juice, sausage, bacon and fruit cut up and ready to serve
I covered it and knelt down with the kids on the floor
starting to get on all fours like them 
prancing around the tables and the chairs
making animal noises with these amazing kids
the kids that have become like my best friends
a dove sound I cried out again
somehow it gave me peace
no one has come for visiting these children in many many weeks
I am their Mom, I am their dad
I am all they have got
so after breakfast we played bottoms down with the balloon and tape on the floor like it was volleyball
here comes Devin my helper and best friend
we opened Megs orphanage together 
we have always been close friends
gather round folks miss Devin is now here
I have a book to read to you...
let us get in a circle and sit
the book was on the star jewels...
a dove sound I beckoned again
One child looked at me
make no mistake
she knew the call
the call of my soul
for no more abandoned and neglected children
today I love them feed them and
be there in any way I can
I am their shelter under God
A seed planter I am...

The Beast of the Seas

Happy Holidays to all of you! I was watching the movie, "Beauty and the Beast today, " with my darling daughter and was reminded of many things.  Here were my thoughts on the movie in a few words:

Simplicity
Character
Kindness
Ego
Books
Libraries
Chances
Roots
Mars and Venus
Settling
Choosing wisely
AND Being who YOU were born to be in the writing seas...

Simplicity-be mindful of the people around you and what they bring to the table. Is it joy, laughter, knowledge, wisdom, and grace?

Character-in business, you should never alter your character, meaning who you truly are inside, to get ahead; that is when you run into the next problem, lacking kindness, because you forgot about simplicity, didn't you?

Ego-are you an egomaniac? If you are, good luck to you, as you will be a shark that bites, and I will hence steer clear of you, and that is the truth!

Books and Libraries-now this is interesting for you to hear and remember. Bell in the movie, " Beauty and the Beast," was characterized as, "Different, " and, "Peculiar, " and, "Strange." Why? Because she educated herself, put her head to the books and, look who she attracted-an EGOIST!
Now I ask you this, did she know? Go back and study it before I answer that one, my friends. Did Bell have humility? Watch the movie and find out for yourself :) I challenge you today.
Libraries-she loved books, someone noticed this, and did something beautiful for her. Did you notice who it was in the movie? The Beast. He saw her, and immediately recognized that she was not so strange; she had something to offer even him, a beast. And he knew it too! Now, tell me, how often do you see this in the corporate world? Where a beast, an egoist will really take what you have to say out loud to heart?
 Me-not very often. I hung up on a Hollywood Producer. His ego took over his life, and he could not offer me a thing, and yes, I told him that, jet, show, or not, he had not a morsel of decency in speech, humility, simplicity, knowledge-base, nor in being a multi-millionaire, did he offer anything on Thanksgiving to Brooklyn, NY, where he was stuck for hours. I suggested he pass out some Butterball Turkeys. His words to me, "I have done enough." Do I have contact with him? No way! Why? Because he has done enough to help others, and it was all about what he wants, what he didn't get, and who owes him. You got it, and CLICK! Hung up on him. Blocked him, and asked for no contact.

Libraries-they are SO very crucial. They are free. Many are closing. Help to save them. How? By donating your own books and getting lists. I have started to do that, with my Publisher, Don Odom, as I do not want my local libraries closed. FY 2011 has NO BUDGET for the libraries. So where is the money going is my question to the people. Where? Do your homework on that one and get back to me, okay?

Chances-well, my friends, they surround you today. Hence, I ask you this, are you afraid to take a leap of faith and put your writing out into the world. Why? Why have regrets? The worst thing someone can ever tell you in life is the word no, and when that happens, I know what to do and will help you out, okay?

Roots-go back to where you first began in the writing seas of your life. Who aided you? Where are you now? Where would you like to be right now? What are your goals? Are you writing every day? Remember this, your roots, and who aided you along the writing seas, and never forget that, and thank them if you have not done so in a while. Help someone out that is struggling-why? Because someone did it for you, and because it is the right thing to do in life. It is people helping people.

Mars and Venus-focus on your career before you get involved with someone, as if your insides do not match your outsides, truly, what can you offer? If you are not working on your own goals, who do you think you will attract in your life? Hmmm...think about that for a second will you, please. Why do you think I am single, my friends? I want to attract a good man, a library man, a book man, a man that can appreciate me for what I bring to the table. So, I wait for that man. He will find me one day. No rush. Don't settle, ladies and gentleman. Happiness starts within you! Are you happy enough to give yourself completely to another person? I am, however, he has not found me yet. Again, as they say, "Patience is a virtue."

Choosing Wisely--what is important to you in your career today? Do you prioritize your schedule? I have a planner that I am working on this week that I will be sticking to, as it is my New Year's Resolution. If you have no plan for your goals, how will you ever achieve them in life? Choose a plan, make a schedule, and stick to it.

I end with this today..

 Being who YOU were born to be in the writing seas...

Tell me, who were you born to be in life? Do you even know that today, my dear friends? Let us share the writing seas together, as they do get rocky at times. Be who YOU were born to be in the writing seas; a writer.

Your Starfish friend,

Meg Collins

My personal journey in the writing seas

Good Morning Everyone! How are you today? Thank you for your participation in my blog site. I feel that as a new member of the writing seas, having been a writer for the majority of my life, I come up against obstacles, choices, conversations that make me ask questions on if I am making the right decisions in certain situations. I have a wonderful group of artists in which I network with on a daily basis, hence today, I am blogging more because I have the worlds SMALLEST FONT on facebook-can you imagine? How can I get any work done on facebook today when my font is size 1? So here I am with you wonderful people? :)

My struggle some days is this-which book do I work on now and do I go back to my novel? I have written 26 children's books and 11 have been edited so far and awaiting publication and illustrations. So I continue to write, yet I am not able to draw more than a stick figure, so with that being said, I really cannot help my illustrator at all! If I did, I highly doubt any of my books would be published.

Journey of a Starfish #1---

Journey #1--AGENTS--If you need one, you should not be paying them a penny. Do you know why? Because you are talented and they have the money and the means, if they are legitimate, to get your published. Research your agent, check blogs, check who they have worked with, get their CV, make calls, and then, decide. I would recommend taking at least 6 months to make a decision on an agent. That is just my personal recommendation. Why? Because an agent steal  from me personally, found me on my space, and used the money I gave her to publish herself. True story. I will never release her name, because it simply doesn't matter anymore. Lesson learned? Definitely! Will I ever make that mistake again? No way! Should YOU pay an agent to do anything for you-NO WAY! I would have had 15 books published by then. How did I find out she was not legit? A website people created that she had stolen from appeared after a multitude of research and many non-returned phone calls from her on business. Did I try to get my money back? No. Why? Because it was energy that I put towards something more positive. Self Publishing and getting a Business Partner and a Creative Team together. That was my next journey.I went from guppy fish to fish at that point in the deep seas of writers.

Journey #2---I then went with self-publishing-spent thousands on self-publishing in which they could not even get my book title right when my book went live for purchase on a Nationwide site-talk about your embarrassment, right? It got fixed after several hula hoops that I jumped through, and then, my next book came out and guess what happened? Yes! The same thing-an entire page missing when the book arrived via Fed Ex to my front door. It took me ten calls to get it taken care of and it took weeks for me to get the real copy, meaning the copy that I could actually show people. So that was my journey in self-publishing. Did I learn from it? Yes-absolutely! Will I do it again? Never. Why you ask? It is simple. Because time is valuable and you should not have to pay anyone for a service, a fee, that is astronomical. And it was astronomical! I had to get published and I knew that. I had a radio show the next month that was Nationwide. So I paid for express payment. Take a guess at how much I paid and how much money I lost in the process? I will leave it at that, folks. Still a guppy fish.


Journey #3-Get business cards, no matter what, because you never know who you will meet.
I was at Staples. I was getting my very first business cards. It was exciting. I had a table being featured where I had been volunteering for a few weeks locally. It was Career Day Tomorrow. My first official table for poetry and writing prompts with 4th and 5th graders was May 28, 2010. May 27, 2010, changed my life. I was at Staples and all the systems behind the desk shut down for nearly 30 minutes, so it was like an MVA line. There were only three of us there. I was exhausted and had been working on my Career triWenger at Staples and now, I am Co-Writing and have been editing for Dr. Win Wenger, the 1% of the smartest people in the world of Mensa since May 2010. He is a dear friend of mine and quite humble. We will be Co-Writing a book on listening together in 2010.

Journey #4 and Journey #5 will be upcoming tomorrow....Thoughts? Comments? Feedback? Post away my friends! :) Today, enjoy your journey as a new fish in the deep blue seas...we will travel it together on this site! Beware of sharks-some do bite! :)

My live post on Angie's Diary this week

http://angiesdiary.com/poetry-and-lyrics/poem-stories/fast-writing-poetry/

Writing Prompt on GOT POETRY

Nancy Denofio

This prompt is for the poets here on Got Poetry who want to tackle something other than what you may be used to writing. This prompt is instructional, and tells you what to do and how to do it. Please follow the instructions. <s>

Imagine yourself being in a place the day after a disaster and you have no idea what happened the day before. So use ordinary people. For some odd reason you could walk into a place where you feel alone in a crowd? Perhaps, walking on a beach - and how will you learn about what happened? Remember this is poetry - and the tone and pace is important. Read it aloud, once you are finished, listen to the words, all the words should move as if in motion.

USE real people, no one famous. Pick somewhere, anywhere. You know nothing, and you are faced with a mystery, how will it end? Ordinary REAL life - something like this can happen.

This one should be interesting to write - and to read. Thanks Nancy

Meg Collins writing Prompt on Dec. 8, 2010

I was walking along the beach

the same beach I walked on yesterday

I think it was around 1pm

the beach was swarming with people

children playing

many bright colored buckets of sand and

water and sandcastles were being made

and children digging for sea crabs

remember those tiny little guys in the bottom of the sand?

children playing merrily

digging and digging for sand crabs

laughter and smiles and

the ocean waves crashing amongst the

many granules of sand on the oceans shore

the life guards were watching 

wearing their zinc oxide on their noses

I remember there were ten stands

20 people total in the stands

and a vendor selling food and drinks because

it was 90 degrees

many umbrellas

 mostly blue and yellow and green

I walk the beach today and

the sands are there

the seas are roaring

louder than I have ever heard before

people are scattered, buckets flying to and fro and

lifeguards running

the beach is empty now

it is me

and the ocean

and the sea of blue angry waves

roaring

growing bigger

and bigger

and bigger than I have ever seen before

i am alone

but am I?

I see buckets yet no people

 no sand crabs

stands

but no guards

I walk the beach of the roaring seas

no smiles

no laughter

no people

buckets

blankets

picnic baskets left behind

and a net up for volleyball

and the castles

the sand castles that I viewed before

in the contest

there were 15

they are all gone!

who am I by this sea?

do I matter?

and if I do matter..

why did all the people run

and where do I stand now

among a world of silence

and roaring seas

with no smiles to see today

only that of the angry and roaring seas

only the roars

where did you go?

and why,

why did you leave me here, all alone?

First Christmas without William....by Larry Humphries

First Christmas without William...

Is it William or Bill?

I don’t know William,

and, I suppose, neither do you.

William R. Foster, Jr, died on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Home going service will be at House of Day Funeral Service,

Tuesday, August 31, 2010.  Wake hour at 10 a.m. with

funeral hour at 11 a.m.

I noticed this on the obituary page

filled with life stories,

only because it’s one paragraph.

A lifetime in 36 words.

It’s not enough.

Perhaps it was written to catch my attention.

I see his mother holding him at birth.

Lovingly naming him for his proud father.

Does he have a wife?  Children?

Are his parents now heartbroken?

Who will attend the wake?

Will I?

Probably not.

Will I think of Bill on Tuesday at 10 a.m.?

Probably not.

But, we’re thinking about him now.

L. Humphries

© August 2010