That's the fastest I have ever written a book! I do have to admit most of it was already written. All I had to do was follow the bread crumbs I had already left behind. I have two friends to thank for the inspiration and they are a former Facebook friend, John T. Shivell, for telling me to check my archives and a current friend, Priscilla Alvik, for her never ending encouragement and belief in my writing talent.. Without the help of these two individuals, whom I believe to be members of my spiritual tribe, I would not have even began this project.
Although I envisioned this manuscript as an amazon e-book I see no reason it could not also be a self published hard copy so it could be signed. I need to check into that to explore the possibilities.
Wait for it!
Friday, July 27, 2018
Monday, July 23, 2018
Taking time to re-write
Some of you might think I have stopped writing, but you would be wrong! For the last week or so I have been writing a new e-book. It is called: What Now My Love? A writer's Journey.
The process of sifting through twenty-four years of writing, since I first became a published author, was exhausting, but at the same time fun and educational.
All that is left is to go through the finished manuscript and make sure all the punctuation is correct. I am quite happy with what I wrote. I also need to take a new photograph for the book cover. I have no clue at the moment what that will be but I am sure I will know when I see it in person.
When everything is completed I will once again ask for assistance from my son to help me offer it on amazon.com. as an e-book. When finances are limited I have found this is the best way to go.
Wait for it!
The process of sifting through twenty-four years of writing, since I first became a published author, was exhausting, but at the same time fun and educational.
All that is left is to go through the finished manuscript and make sure all the punctuation is correct. I am quite happy with what I wrote. I also need to take a new photograph for the book cover. I have no clue at the moment what that will be but I am sure I will know when I see it in person.
When everything is completed I will once again ask for assistance from my son to help me offer it on amazon.com. as an e-book. When finances are limited I have found this is the best way to go.
Wait for it!
Sunday, July 15, 2018
An unexpected gift
A question on Facebook this morning was: What would you do if you woke up tomorrow with one billion dollars? Never having had an abundance of money I found that to be a very interesting question.
The first thing that popped into my mind was to set up educational funds for my youngest grandson, still in high school, and my three great grandchildren.
Next was to move to a better house in town, keeping in mind that at some point I may need to be closer to stores and medical facilities than I have been for the last thirty eight years. I have no desire to move from Cibola County, New Mexico
I would then look for an honest financial advisor and invest a portion of the money so that I would never again have to worry about unexpected expenses.
I would find a publisher interested in the manuscripts I have written.
If anything is left I might try my hand at traveling. I have always wanted to explore a Scottish castle.
The question is a pipe dream and I doubt that it will ever happen but it is interesting to see what my priorities are.
The first thing that popped into my mind was to set up educational funds for my youngest grandson, still in high school, and my three great grandchildren.
Next was to move to a better house in town, keeping in mind that at some point I may need to be closer to stores and medical facilities than I have been for the last thirty eight years. I have no desire to move from Cibola County, New Mexico
I would then look for an honest financial advisor and invest a portion of the money so that I would never again have to worry about unexpected expenses.
I would find a publisher interested in the manuscripts I have written.
If anything is left I might try my hand at traveling. I have always wanted to explore a Scottish castle.
The question is a pipe dream and I doubt that it will ever happen but it is interesting to see what my priorities are.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Just take a breather
I have found that sometimes someone comes into my life and the relationship seems really strong. Then something happens and we drift apart only to find that as time passes we reconnect.
Perhaps we both just needed a breather to put into practice whatever lesson the other person had to offer. This has happened to me more than once and I shake my head in wonder.
As I have said many times before we are all students and we are all teachers. I believe that is why we are here. I also strongly believe in the idea of (spiritual) tribe members. They are those souls who have shared many lifetimes together in different roles to help one another evolve.
Of course some of those souls are no longer living a human life because they served their purpose and have gone back home, waiting for their next assignment.
I find it really sad when a soul is unable or unwilling to acknowledge this special relationship. It makes it very tough on the one who does and causes that person to hope something will happen to wake them up.
I am finding it very interesting to look around and count the members of my personal tribe. I have come to realize that sometimes we do need to take a breather to allow the other soul to grow.
Perhaps we both just needed a breather to put into practice whatever lesson the other person had to offer. This has happened to me more than once and I shake my head in wonder.
As I have said many times before we are all students and we are all teachers. I believe that is why we are here. I also strongly believe in the idea of (spiritual) tribe members. They are those souls who have shared many lifetimes together in different roles to help one another evolve.
Of course some of those souls are no longer living a human life because they served their purpose and have gone back home, waiting for their next assignment.
I find it really sad when a soul is unable or unwilling to acknowledge this special relationship. It makes it very tough on the one who does and causes that person to hope something will happen to wake them up.
I am finding it very interesting to look around and count the members of my personal tribe. I have come to realize that sometimes we do need to take a breather to allow the other soul to grow.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Roadblocks
What an interesting word roadblock is. It literally means a temporary barrier used to control. Most people would probably think of something in the road to hinder forward movement due to unseen danger.
Much stronger roadblocks are the ones we mentally set up, sometimes due to fear and sometimes because we listen to what others tell us. How often do we think, I can't do that because I am not smart enough or attractive enough or educated enough? Wrong wrong wrong!
When we set out with a preconceived negative mind set we are bound to fail. When we listen to other people instead of following our own intuition we are bound to fail. Moving on with perhaps a measurement of caution is a positive way to handle a roadblock.
Just for fun I checked on others who had advice on the subject of roadblocks. I have never found a subject yet that didn't produce a variety of opinions. So bring them on. Here are my finds.
"When you seek the presence of creative Spirit and are filled with passion about virtually everything you undertake, you'll successfully remove the roadblocks from your life and enjoy the active presence of Spirit."~Wayne Dyer
"In my life I don't have roadblocks and obstacles. I might have something you would call a challenge. I throw that out the window and call it a wonderful opportunity." ~Frances Hesselbein
"Every time a young girl comes in and asks me for advice, if you start your conversation with, "How hard is it for a black woman" or "How hard is it for a woman", I turn you around. Because I cannot- we cannot look at the roadblocks and see the road at the same time".~ Tamron Hall
"If you do not see the light at the end of the tunnel consider it an opportunity to create an opening yourself, wherever you want."~Ashok Kalarakkal
Much stronger roadblocks are the ones we mentally set up, sometimes due to fear and sometimes because we listen to what others tell us. How often do we think, I can't do that because I am not smart enough or attractive enough or educated enough? Wrong wrong wrong!
When we set out with a preconceived negative mind set we are bound to fail. When we listen to other people instead of following our own intuition we are bound to fail. Moving on with perhaps a measurement of caution is a positive way to handle a roadblock.
Just for fun I checked on others who had advice on the subject of roadblocks. I have never found a subject yet that didn't produce a variety of opinions. So bring them on. Here are my finds.
"When you seek the presence of creative Spirit and are filled with passion about virtually everything you undertake, you'll successfully remove the roadblocks from your life and enjoy the active presence of Spirit."~Wayne Dyer
"In my life I don't have roadblocks and obstacles. I might have something you would call a challenge. I throw that out the window and call it a wonderful opportunity." ~Frances Hesselbein
"Every time a young girl comes in and asks me for advice, if you start your conversation with, "How hard is it for a black woman" or "How hard is it for a woman", I turn you around. Because I cannot- we cannot look at the roadblocks and see the road at the same time".~ Tamron Hall
"If you do not see the light at the end of the tunnel consider it an opportunity to create an opening yourself, wherever you want."~Ashok Kalarakkal
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Struggles
I recently posted a quote on Facebook because I kept seeing it and decided it was a nudge to share it with others. The quote is: don't let your struggles define who you are.
The first response I got was from a friend who had been a nurse until a freak accident completely changed her life. She ended up with a serious injury to her foot when a piece of hospital equipment fell on it. She was forced to retire. She moved to another state, bought a house and became a very important part of a new community. In my opinion she is a go-getter. Her response to my quote was, "It is my mantra." Although she lives each day in pain she doesn't let that stop her from getting on with her life. Others might have given up, but not her.
The second response I got was from a friend who happens to be a male nurse. He said: "Your struggles should define who you are. They show your character and determination. They show that you are alive." Although I agreed to a point I had my own response.
When we focus on our struggles and not on what we are capable of accomplishing we limit ourselves. We then use our struggles as an excuse to not do our best. When I look at my medical records I am aware that I should be in a lot of pain. That's not to say I don't have pain I just try not to use it as a road block to what I want to do.When I look at others my age I am constantly amazed at the things I am still able to accomplish in comparison.
As I sometimes do I checked with Webster to see what his version of the word struggle meant. It was: to put forth great efforts, strive, contend.
I suppose there is a grain of truth in all the responses. It just depends on who you are and who you desire to be.
The first response I got was from a friend who had been a nurse until a freak accident completely changed her life. She ended up with a serious injury to her foot when a piece of hospital equipment fell on it. She was forced to retire. She moved to another state, bought a house and became a very important part of a new community. In my opinion she is a go-getter. Her response to my quote was, "It is my mantra." Although she lives each day in pain she doesn't let that stop her from getting on with her life. Others might have given up, but not her.
The second response I got was from a friend who happens to be a male nurse. He said: "Your struggles should define who you are. They show your character and determination. They show that you are alive." Although I agreed to a point I had my own response.
When we focus on our struggles and not on what we are capable of accomplishing we limit ourselves. We then use our struggles as an excuse to not do our best. When I look at my medical records I am aware that I should be in a lot of pain. That's not to say I don't have pain I just try not to use it as a road block to what I want to do.When I look at others my age I am constantly amazed at the things I am still able to accomplish in comparison.
As I sometimes do I checked with Webster to see what his version of the word struggle meant. It was: to put forth great efforts, strive, contend.
I suppose there is a grain of truth in all the responses. It just depends on who you are and who you desire to be.
Friday, July 6, 2018
Believe in yourself
For the last few weeks I have been toying with the idea of starting a writing group again. My previous experience was with adults and elementary students. My purpose for both groups was to inspire the participants to write. I didn't much care what they wrote as long as they wrote!
I feel sorry for my guide, Richard. I often refuse to see what he is trying to get me to see. Poor guy! I am not looking forward to the conversation we may have when I leave earth.
I put out a few flyers and didn't get a response, not one. What the hell is that about I wondered? I decided I probably needed to wait until school starts in the fall. People are busy in the summer months and really don't want to be tied down to anything they have to do on a regular basis. Alright, Richard, I got your message. I will hold off for a few weeks.
Further thought about a group was I do not desire to attract experienced writers. Hey they have their own things going for them. I want to attract people who have always wanted to write but were never encouraged to do so. I also want the participants to have fun while learning.
An idea popped into my brain to combine the fun things I did with the children's group with a group of adults. Why not? The brains are the same, just a little older!
Speaking of brains, I gave the idea a little more thought, which led me to redo the flyer I had created. This is the new version. It could of course, change before it is time to let the community know my plans. Only time will tell. As I read what it said I realized just how qualified I really am to take on such an adventure.
I think I heard Richard whispering in my ear, "Just how much experience do you need before you believe that you are a writer? By the way, you are a damn good one!"
I feel sorry for my guide, Richard. I often refuse to see what he is trying to get me to see. Poor guy! I am not looking forward to the conversation we may have when I leave earth.
I put out a few flyers and didn't get a response, not one. What the hell is that about I wondered? I decided I probably needed to wait until school starts in the fall. People are busy in the summer months and really don't want to be tied down to anything they have to do on a regular basis. Alright, Richard, I got your message. I will hold off for a few weeks.
Further thought about a group was I do not desire to attract experienced writers. Hey they have their own things going for them. I want to attract people who have always wanted to write but were never encouraged to do so. I also want the participants to have fun while learning.
An idea popped into my brain to combine the fun things I did with the children's group with a group of adults. Why not? The brains are the same, just a little older!
Speaking of brains, I gave the idea a little more thought, which led me to redo the flyer I had created. This is the new version. It could of course, change before it is time to let the community know my plans. Only time will tell. As I read what it said I realized just how qualified I really am to take on such an adventure.
I think I heard Richard whispering in my ear, "Just how much experience do you need before you believe that you are a writer? By the way, you are a damn good one!"
Creative Writing #101
Organizer: author Barbara Loure`
Gunn
Published
books: Wake Up! &
A Gathering of Spirit
Amazon
E-books: Journey of
an Enlightened Egotist & Spirits of Cibola County
Former
Cibola Beacon Columnist: Another Angle & Who We Are
Blog:
www.subconsciousmessages.blogspot.com
If interested in joining a fun writing
group please call Barbara Gunn 287-7278
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Freedom quotes
On this Independence Day in 2018 I decided to check out what a few famous Americans had to say about freedom. Because I can I am putting my personal favorite first.
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.~John F. Kennedy
America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and on unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.~Harry S. Truman
May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.~Peter Marshall
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.~John F. Kennedy
America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and on unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.~Harry S. Truman
May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.~Peter Marshall
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Feedback is a good thing
It's always helpful for writers to get positive feedback for their work. It offers encouragement and hope that others will like what they are offering too.
Out of curiosity I shared my magazine submission, I Killed My Best Friend, with a couple of real friends. The response I received was very helpful, even if my article is not accepted.
The first friend is also an author and her response (in part) was: "I liked your submission. It was engaging, held my attention and I was curious to keep reading to find out the ending. I applaud your journey. It is a good read."
I got feedback this morning from the other friend. I was kind of holding my breath because she had a problem with the title. I laughed and told her to forget the title and just read the article. She did and her response was :" It is awesome!"
I truly thank my friends for taking the time needed to read and respond. Now I just hope the magazine subscription editor accepts what I am offering.
Out of curiosity I shared my magazine submission, I Killed My Best Friend, with a couple of real friends. The response I received was very helpful, even if my article is not accepted.
The first friend is also an author and her response (in part) was: "I liked your submission. It was engaging, held my attention and I was curious to keep reading to find out the ending. I applaud your journey. It is a good read."
I got feedback this morning from the other friend. I was kind of holding my breath because she had a problem with the title. I laughed and told her to forget the title and just read the article. She did and her response was :" It is awesome!"
I truly thank my friends for taking the time needed to read and respond. Now I just hope the magazine subscription editor accepts what I am offering.
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