A Crazy, Blessed Week!

WHAT A WEEK! 

 

This week has been hectic but wonderful.  It's official, my cup of blessings runneth over.   This past Monday, my historical romance, Melinda Heads West, finally debuted in e-format with Amazon, iTunes and other vendors. 

To mark the event, Monday morning I planned to have a very small group of women (4) to my home to share the moment as I downloaded my own copy.  Hurray!  Then we took turns reading through several of the short chapters.  I offered the ladies a delightful (catered) lunch on a rose-laden table with flowers fresh-picked from my garden -- and then forced them to listen a bit more as I read them the first five chapters of the novel I am currently working on.   To me, it was a heavenly way to spend a couple of hours!  I imagine my friends (DEAR friends) could have found something more productive to do.  But…that’s what good friends are for.  Right? 

The ‘celebration’ continued Monday night!

My eldest daughter planned a little ‘get-together’ with a few friends in honor of the book release and my birthday.  (It was a big one.  My 50^th birthday was on Wednesday, October 10^th).  The ‘theme’ was mixed and fun:  “Melinda Heads West and Robyn Heads Over the Hill!” 

The cake, as you can see in the picture, was amazing!  It looked EXACTLY like a book – my book!  As a matter of fact, one of my guests tried to open it and only found their mistake when they got a bit of icing on them! 

Once again – my dear friends (some of them were the same from the morning!  EEK!) allowed me to read them a few sample chapters from the book.  Am I blessed with good friends, or what? 

A local celebrity!   -  ME! -

On Wednesday, my birthday, an article appeared in our local newspaper featuring yours truly. (I’m afraid I’m going to be a sad case next week when no one is paying any attention to me! *smile*) It spoke about Melinda and the poetry book that’s due out in November,entitled, Pieces of Her Mind.  More information about it follows.  It was a great article. 

Whew!  What a week! 

A definite distraction …

On October 1^st, I started a new book project that I’m really excited about.  It’s features a young woman named Ama who ends up being a mail order bride.  Her story starts out in the gritty tenements of 1870’s New York City.  It’s not a pretty beginning.  It’s a tough story to put into words and I really want to tell it well.  I’ve entered a contest to write 50,000 of the words in 50 days!  That's an average of 1,000 words a day, and needless to say, this week has put me off my mark.  With all the hoopla and carryings-on – I’m 5,000 words behind schedule!  UGH.  That will mean several days of doubling up, but it can be done. 

Wish me luck, please!

 

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For more information on Melinda Heads West, my newly released e-book, please check out the following:

For “Look Inside”/Reviews/Ordering info:

http://www.amazon.com/Melinda-Heads-West-ebook/dp/B009979330/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350085930&sr=1-1&keywords=melinda+heads+west

For my Facebook Fan page about the book, where you can WIN a FREE BOOK or GREAT WESTERN JEWELRY:

http://www.facebook.com/MelindaHeadsWest?ref=hl

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For more information about Pieces of Her Mind, the poetry book dedicated to Japanese short-form poetry written with seventeen other women-poets, please check out the following:

 

http://www.facebook.com/PiecesofHerMind

 

http://www.missy-piecesofhermind.blogspot.com

 

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Thanks so much for tagging along today.  I appreciate you!  Please don't forget to leave your email address at the top of the page (beneath the magnolia blossom) to receive these posts on a regular basis, or sign up with the Google+ button. 

 

Please notice that I've added more 'idea' and prompt links, so we should never be without ideas for our writing! 

 

I know today is a long post, but if you'll indulge me, I felt that the following poem was appropriate for this 'colorful,' extraordinary week.  May God bless you as you follow your dreams! 

 

 

My Life in Color

 

 

It’s time to live my life in color!
No more washed out black and white ~
I long for bold and vivid brushstrokes...
That can’t fail to bring delight.

I want a grand and massive canvas -
I want to cover it with paint!
I’m tired of timid, pastel palettes,
And there’ll be no more restraint...

I’m tired of hiding in the shadows --
So I’m stepping in the light,
Where the blues and greens and yellows
Entertain, tease and excite ~

So I’ll do away with sepia -
Say goodbye to puce and rust!
It’s time to live my life in color!
 - My new life, full and robust -

--by robyn corum, 8/31/2012

 

(Leave a comment and tell me what your most immediate dream is right now!  I'm crossing my fingers for you!)  And don't forget to feed the fishes!  Make it a great day!   robyn

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CHALLENGES?

I know, you're thinking not now!  School just started back and I can't even begin to consider adding something new to my schedule.  But perhaps this is exactly when you should do it. 

While we're trying to adjust to routines and schedules and a clock demanding our attention again, it's easy to let our writing time get the worst end of the deal.  Allowing whatever hurried thoughts we scribble on paper napkins, the back of a cereal box or our child's forehead suffice as quality writing or journaling time in our scramble to fix lunches, help with homework and get everyone to their respective appointments.  Before you know it, that great idea is being washed off in a first period classroom, and you're left clueless.  (An extreme example, but is it so far from the truth?)  *smile*

I have a treat for you!  Join me in taking the

  27 Days Self-Discovery
Journaling Challenge

 

by Mari L McCarthy

 

 

We'll let someone else lead us by the hand through an amazing journey of discovery AND make sure we squeeze in time to write each day!  What could be better?  I've heard and seen rave reviews of this program, so I'm willing to give it a go.  And you know they say it just takes 27 days to make a habit, so...whaddya say?  Are you willing to try it with me?

 

While you're at Mari's website, (here:   http://www.createwritenow.com/)  be sure to check out the other FREE items she offers for new friends, like ebook chaps, Journaling Tips, Writing Prompts and Ideas - priceless!    September 3rd, here I come! 

 

Let me know if you plan to participate, so we can encourage each other!   BONUS:  I have a great inspirational file from Creative Writing Now that I'll pass along to anyone who contacts me and says they'll take the challenge.  It's called "Photo Prompts With Secrets," and is filled with delightfully mysterious, thought-provoking writing prompts.

 

Today's selection from my portfolio is one you can share with the kiddies.  I hope you enjoy!  Remember to make it a great day!!  (You're in charge!) 

 

 

Special Me!

 

I can't do what the bumblebee does
But I'm special just the same
I can't flutter or fly or softly buzz
But the Lord God knows my name

I'm not strong like the elephant
That roams in the tall, tall grass
But the Lord God thinks I'm relevant
And draws close each time I pass

I'm not as tall as a giraffe's brown nose
And I'm not so lovely to see
But the Lord God hears and always knows
I'm special because I'm me!    

And hey!  Don't forget to feed the fishies!  They get hungry down there.....   *smile*