New Travel Blog and Pedals, Prayers & Perseverance

New Travel Blog:
During a recent, somewhat unexpected visit to Italy in May, 2011 with three friends, Laura, Sharon and Marianne, I realized that this could possibly be the trip of a lifetime for me. In keeping with the theme I share with everyone who will listen to me regarding preserving our special memories, I jotted down pertinent notes during the day and wrote extensively in my journal at night. If I hadn't been so diligent about this, I would have already forgotten approximately 3/4 of the details of our trip. Yes, we have tons of photos, but the pictures don't portray our thoughts, feelings, and some of the particularly humorous situations. Only words can convey these intangibles.
This experience drove me to create a special blog for reporting travel adventures, so please visit www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com to learn all about this unforgettable girl trip to Italy. A new segment will be posted each Monday until the entire story is told. Don't forget to sign up as a follower so you won't miss a post!

Pedals, Prayers & Perseverance:
Speaking of sharing life stories, I am thrilled to announce the release of an amazing book by my client, David E. Herlt, of Pawleys Island, SC. A fan of organized, long distance bicycle rides all over the world, Mr. Herlt turned his journal notes about these excursions into a fascinating, poignant book entitled Pedals, Prayers & Perseverance.

I could never have imagined that stories about riding bicycles would be so intriguing, but Dave's book encompasses tales of the sport, the joys and sorrows of participating in these events, and the mix of personalities he met along the way. Accompanied by Mary Koster Herlt, they toured the roads from the Iowa cornfields to New York City streets before participating in a coast to coast Cross Canada biking event in 2004. This all took place after Mary had suffered a series of complicated health issues and had miraculously recovered sufficiently enough to begin a walking, biking, and tennis regimen about which she maintained a daily log of statistics. This book can be purchased by contacting the author at 843-237-2119 or by ordering on-line at www.tbmbooks.com, where you can search for the book by title or by author name. This is a book that everyone can enjoy, whether or not you are a biking enthusiast!

Until next time, I hope you are capturing the events of your life!!!

Easter Sunrise over Surfside Beach

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011:
How amazing to have set the alarm on Easter Sunday morning, awakening in time to join an enthusiastic crowd of people who had gathered for the purpose of praise and worship to God as the sun gradually ascended over the ocean right before our eager, yet misty eyes! The location was Surfside Beach Pier, SC, and it was a radiant scene to behold. How blessed we are to be able to drive only a matter of minutes to the beach for this glorious occasion. The crowds began to swell, and some folks chose a higher vantage point, locating a good spot to observe the panoramic view directly from the pier. The praise music was joyful, the message inspiring, and the greatest bonus was witnessing a group of several people wading out into the ocean for a baptism following the regular sunrise service. It must be rather challenging to steady everyone involved as each individual patiently awaited his or her turn while the waves crashed around them. We felt privileged to have walked to the water's edge for such a spiritual occasion. You can see from the photo that the rays from the sun reached down to bathe them in light and celebration that Jesus is risen!
NEVER SAY PERFECT:
Interestingly, I'm not yet discouraged about finding a publisher in spite of the fact that I've received five different agent rejections. For the many people who have been so incredibly patient while I go through this process, I apologize that it seems to be taking such a long time. I realize that I could self-publish Never Say Perfect and have it directly into your hands, Nooks, Kindles and I-Pads in a flash, but I vowed to really try diligently to find a publisher this time around.

The May, 2011 issue of More Magazine featured an article by Kathryn Stockett, author of the best seller, The Help, in which she chronicles her path to the publication of this well-received book. She states that she received sixty---yes, that is 60----rejections before an agent accepted her submission. How much time did she devote to seeking an agent? Three and a half years. This doesn't include the writing time...this was time exerted in submitting queries and then opening rejection letter after rejection letter. Somehow she managed not to become so discouraged that she would entirely give up. She instinctively knew that there was an audience for her book, and she persisted until publication became a reality. I am keeping this article on my desk for future inspiration!

For those who are still eagerly awaiting publication of Never Say Perfect, hang in there. The wait will absolutely be worth it!!!

LITERARY AGENTS:
Speaking of literary agents, I no longer view them as emotionless control freaks who hold our publishing fates in their condescending hands. I have been devouring the blog of Rachelle Gardner, a literary agent who really wants to bridge the gap between agents and writers. Her blog posts are informative, entertaining, and provide special insight into how this mysterious process of publishing actually works. From reading her blog, I have a better understanding of the general likes and dislikes of agents, how limited the number of projects they can undertake actually are, the fact that some agents purposely steer away from first time authors because they represent a learning curve factor that equates to time drain, and the simple fact that even though an agent may contract with you and has fallen madly in love with your project, it doesn't guarantee that they will be able to ultimately sell it to a publisher. Many ducks must be in a row, stars perfectly aligned, and it truly be destined to happen for everything to miraculously fall into place to reach the final goal of traditional publication; however, it definitely won't happen without persistence and a unique and marketable project. So there we are! I'm not ready to give up and call my dear friends, the self-publishing company that I love, quite yet. As always, I will keep you posted on the progress of Never Say Perfect, and don't forget to read Rachelle's blog at www.rachellegardner.com. Writers will find a world of valuable information by perusing her blog post archives.

I will definitely be writing blog posts more frequently, as there are some very interesting upcoming events that I will be sharing in the near future. STAY TUNED!

Matthew 17:2 (NIV):
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.


No, this verse doesn't refer to Fred...but look at that brilliant sky!

LEGACY OF MEMORIES

Below is a poem I recently wrote when thinking about those who resist writing their stories. Hoping you enjoy it!

It seems I'm always apologizing for the delay in creating blog posts, but there are so many projects in the works, my days fly by in a flash.


LEGACY OF MEMORIES

I wish I had told my story
Like my children asked me to.
While I could still remember
What they wanted me to do.

They were seeking our family history,
Anything I'd be willing to share.
I always meant to get started on that project,
It wasn't that I didn't care.

I was just busy with so many other tasks,
I had far too much on my mind
To zero in on my memories
For the loved ones I'd leave behind.

I could have told some humorous tales,
Pertinent occurrences, things I had learned, and more.
I'd have clued them in on stories they'd never have known
If I hadn't provided the key to my special memories door.

I really should have explained about
Some interesting events from my past.
To pass along to future generations--
A legacy that would last.

But it's too late for me now.
My eyes are closed--there's nothing more I can do.
Except to tell others--don't take your stories to the grave!
Leave behind a remembrance of you.

NEVER SAY PERFECT
I wish I had some exciting news about Never Say Perfect, but this is the update. I queried one agent in November, 2010, finally received a negative response in January, and sent three additional query letters. One very friendly, upbeat agent responded that they didn't represent Christian fiction, although their listing in the Christian Writers' Market Guide indicated that they did. Of course, that could have changed since the time of printing. Everything is always subject to change. The two additional agents acknowledged receipt of the queries, but I've not heard a word since that time.

Yesterday, I queried yet another agent, and am certainly hopeful regarding this recent submission. In my prior post, I hope that I didn't sound as though I am agent-bashing. It is not my intention to come across as negative about agents. I do believe that their services are a lifeline to authors--particularly to fiction writers--as a bridge to the publishers. The other truth is that they are bombarded by submissions, and it is necessary for them to weed through a tremendous amount of material. I'm not sure if agents are actually able to read for pleasure during their off hours, as they spend so much time reading every day in their chosen profession.

Some people say, "Go ahead and just self-publish Never Say Perfect as you did with Eyelash. We can't wait to read it!" Trust me when I tell you that I can't wait to get it out there, but I'm hoping for that validation which comes with having a publisher say, "I really like this book. We're willing to take a chance and produce it for you." If that isn't meant to happen, then I definitely would go the self-publishing route once again in order for the folks, who have been patiently waiting for this book, to be able to read about the latest saga in the life of Laina Strickland. Continue to stay tuned. I'm not giving up on agents just yet!!!

SUNNY DOGS TRAINING COMPANY--WHERE CANINES SHINE!
If you have a treasured dog in your home, and it hasn't intuitively mastered best practices in behavior, you need to call Kristen Askey at Sunny Dogs Training Company at (843) 903-7825 or visit her web site at www.sunnydogstraining.com.

Kristen teaches in-home private lessons, as well as group classes in basic obedience and socialization. She also conducts the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy class to get your new little canine family member off to a positive behavioral beginning.

When the day arrives that I find I am totally and completely retired, I intend to be the owner of a sweet, tiny foo foo dog, and we will be going to visit Sunny Dogs Training before we have the opportunity to form any negative habits. Check out the web site, and don't forget to tell others with persnickity pooches about Kristen and her classes!

INSPIRATION:
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
It's interesting to note that when you are walking life's path with Him, some of the desires of your heart have a way of becoming very different from what you originally thought they would be........

Until next time, and I surely hope it won't be such a long stretch of time until I post again. I do have some exciting topics to cover soon.

Mary Anne

Making 2011 the Year for Memoir Preservation

STARTING THE NEW YEAR WITH A PROMISE:
Amidst the typical items on our New Year's resolution lists (usually related to getting more exercise, losing weight, toning those sagging muscles, pitching the donuts and making more nutritious choices for our meals and snacks, and vowing to stay in touch with friends and relatives) think about adding just one more. Why not make a commitment to creating blocks of time to work on preserving your life stories, as well as those of your parents, if possible? If it is too late to interview those family members who have passed on, write about your memories of them and then move on to your own stories. It is up to you to be certain that their history--and your own--live on. Resolve to take a life writing class, read a memoir writing book, or download a memoir preservation e-book, and allow yourself some quiet time to remember. Our stories are permanently lost if we don't make a conscious decision to capture them.

I was recently writing an article for the January, 2011 issue of Transitions, a monthly Grand Strand publication for seniors, and recalled that my dad's sister, Ruth, many years ago had used an old manual typewriter and had written about any pieces of information that she had been able to sketch together regarding our ancestors, as well as some family stories that were current at the time of her writing in January, 1983. I love reading what she entitled "Memory Excerpts of the Levi Greene Family", in which she announces that my great-grandfather was a shoemaker. It helps to be aware of these details, because now I understand why I have such an addiction to shoes!

My own mom recently told me that as a young woman, one of the jobs that she held involved working in the Shoe Department at Belk! Okay, that explains everything. I was doomed from the womb to be a collector of footwear. It's not my fault, honey.

My point is that if Aunt Ruth hadn't felt the urge to preserve family history, I wouldn't have a clue about these people. And the very same applies to you and your own loved ones. Write what you know, the stories you were told, and what you are able to find out from other relatives before your family history becomes extinct. Let 2011 be the year that you become pro-active and determined to leave a written legacy. You may just find that you actually enjoy the process!!

NEVER SAY PERFECT:
There seems to have been a bit of a holiday lull in the reading of the synopsis and first fifty pages of my manuscript by the agent to whom these items were sent. I have to be careful not to use this blog to vent my frustration related to the length of time that authors must wait to hear the news about whether they move on and try another agent or whether the one they have queried and sent the requested portion of their project to actually has any interest. I realize that they are totally inundated with queries and manuscripts, and they are entitled to enjoy the holidays just like everyone else. It's just unfortunate that our projects have to hang in limbo for such a long period of time.

At one point, I believed in seeking one agent at a time. Some state that they don't appreciate simultaneous submissions--they want to be the only one looking at your material at one time. I decided today that I'll search through the Writer's Market, a wonderful guide that supplies information on agents and publishers, and send my query to a few agents who do not object to simultaneous submissions and see if we can get some action going for Never Say Perfect! I consider myself to be a reasonably patient person, but these wheels turn so slowly. No wonder so many people jump straight to self-publishing in this age. We are told that most publishers don't want to see our work unless we have an agent. In reading the submission requirements on the websites of various agents, I'm seeing a trend now where several are becoming selective about who can even query them! Others are stating that they won't accept any queries for the next two or three months. It's an interesting ball game. But, even with that said, I don't intend to let this stop me. I just hope I'm not using a walker and unable to recognize my grandchildren by the time Never Say Perfect is in a book store.

"Oh, silly," you say. "Just put it out as an e-book on Kindle or Nook, etc. That's the present and future for reading." I know..I know. I own a Nook and LOVE it. But as long as there are still print books and physical book stores where people can walk in and admire an actual cover, I'd surely love to see Never Say Perfect residing there for a time. So I will continue to put forth the effort. Self-publishing Eyelash was an incredible educational experience for me, and really gratifying. But the difficulty is in marketing and distribution your own book. The experts say to use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Okay, I use Facebook occasionally, but not regularly because I don't have time to read what my friends are cooking for dinner. I haven't tried Twitter yet because I'm afraid that it will become an obsession, and I don't have time for that either. I am on LinkedIn and have joined some pertinent groups, but I'll have to see how that works out. I believe that marketing/promotion of a book can be a full time job if done properly. Not enough hours in my day! But I promise to keep you posted on how the publishing quest for Never Say Perfect progresses.

A book signing in 2009
INSPIRATION:
After all of that carrying on about the publishing process, I think it would only be appropriate for me to switch to the inspiration segment of my blog. A former resident of the Grand Strand, someone who attended my workshops-Writing Your Treasured Memories AND Writing Your Christian Spiritual Journey, as well as a friend and fellow writer, Donna Weaver, has started a new blog at www.peace2sparkle.blogspot.com. You'll enjoy following her blog for a dose of inspiration and uplifting joy. She and I share a penchant for having a million irons in the fire and yet desiring to be a servant of God at the same time. Check it out!

In my crazy schedule where I could easily be at this computer 24/7, Psalm 62:1-2 reminds me:
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

I'll be back.....

Special Memories at Holiday Time

SPECIAL MEMORIES:

During this interim period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we often straddle the banks of the river between reflection and frenzy to accomplish all items on the TO DO list. I'm feeling thankful that we spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with Mom here in SC and enjoyed some memorable times. She really enjoyed Sunday service at Beach Church and brunch afterwards at Wachesaw Plantation Club. We missed having her with us today when we repeated the same schedule!

One thought about this season of getting together with family members whom you might not see very often would be to take full advantage of the time and institute a new tradition. Allow each family member, from the youngest to the most mature in years, to share a special memory from the past--something that they will always remember as a life-altering moment, or simply something that is very meaningful to them. I'd take it one step further and make sure you have an audio recorder handy. I would say that you should video each individual as they speak, but sometimes video inhibits older folks and they might be intimidated, speaking less freely. It's fine to let them know that you are recording for posterity, but don't stick the recorder under their noses. Even the tiniest recorders on the market today are powerful, so placing it in a less obvious location can be helpful in allowing the memories to flow.

Let it be a tradition that is carried on and on. Have someone transcribe the notes from each gathering, and you'll have a great little book of memories some day!

GIRLFRIENDS VISIT:

Speaking of wonderful memories, four of my Cape May girlfriends, Candy, Dee Dee, Cheryl, and Mary Ann, were here in early November for a few days. Prior to their arrival, the weather was sunny and quite warm. The day after they drove into my driveway, it was rainy and dismal until....you guessed it.....the day they were leaving, when the clouds flew away out into the ocean and the sun was brilliantly shining. The same thing happened two years ago when they came to visit. Undaunted by dreary weather, we managed to shop and see some sights, just enjoying the company of one another.

I also planned a little get together--a Mary Kay party--so they could meet some of my other friends here in SC. I invited a special guest, and he was the hit of the Mary Kay party. The only problem was that he arrived the moment all of the women had removed their makeup for a skin care session! Hmmm....I should have considered sequence of timing just a little differently...But a huge thank you to Carol Austin of Mary Kay Cosmetics and her assistant, Jane, who navigated the session beautifully in spite of all of the distractions I provided!
Yes, Elvis was in the neighborhood and stopped by to say hello to the girls! Imagine their surprise when he walked through the front door at the moment not one of them was wearing a speck of makeup. And so many were under the impression that he was no longer living......Amazing!! A special thank you to Elvis for stopping by and creating an unrepeatable memory for all of us....





NEVER SAY PERFECT:
I promised to let everyone know about the progress of my second novel. The manuscript is finished, and a query letter, synopsis, and the first fifty pages have been sent to the number one agent on my list. I'll keep you posted as this publishing story unfolds. My intention is to make every attempt to attract an agent and publisher this time. If I exhaust all efforts without success, as I do realize that the publishing business has become tougher than ever, you may be certain that I'll publish it, as was done with Eyelash.

I believe that I learned a great deal from the experience of publishing Eyelash--sort of what to do and what not to do. The main obstacle with self-publishing is distribution. Yes, it can be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and it is easier than ever to publish an e-book for Kindle or Nook, but to have that book present in brick and mortar book stores across the country...naturally, that is the dream of most authors. With the growing popularity of Kindle and Nook, however, those dreams could begin to shift...making it easier and easier for authors to publish without a substantial monetary investment.

I have to admit that I LOVE my Nook. I never imagined that I would feel that way, but I remembered the titles of a couple of books that were on my wish list the other night and sat here in the comfort of my office, downloaded them in minutes, and voila! There they were for me to instantly begin to read. There are many positives about this technology. It may be the fact that it's such a time saver, and we all know about the desire for instant gratification.

Back to the dilemma of authors: There is still the issue of book marketing, whether the only source of availability of your book is on-line or you if have a garage that contains boxes of your treasured creation. One must still find logical, effective methods of getting the word out to the world so they are aware that your wonderful book exists. Fortunately, I write because I absolutely love writing, creating characters and situations, and I get to determine exactly what happens to these people. It's fun being in control of the outcome! Hopefully, someone will invent the magic formula for book marketing that will benefit all authors......Until then, I'll let you know what's happening with Never Say Perfect. Stay tuned!

INSPIRATION:

In today's sermon, the minister said something that really resonated with me: "When you choose to forgive someone, you are releasing yourself from responsibility of their choices." We can't make people do what we want them to do, and we can't stop people from doing what they are going to do. But if they happen to hurt us along the way, forgiving them will free us from the bondage of bitterness and anger. Let it go.....so you can have a peaceful soul. See you soon....

Catching Up...

ANNIVERSARY TRIP TO CALIFORNIA: In September, Fred and I took a little trip to Northern California and visited the Napa Valley wine country. This year marked the occasion of our thirtieth anniversary, and when Fred asked me where I wanted to go to celebrate this milestone, I said, "Italy." His response was that as long as he is still in the working world, which means he travels constantly, he wanted to postpone the trip to Italy until such time as he is retired so he could thoroughly enjoy it and not have to turn right around from an international trip and immediately hop on another plane for work. Being the agreeable soul that I am, I totally understood and chose the next best thing: The Napa Valley.
Our weather was fabulous, and we toured several vineyards including Mondavi, Staglin, Miner, Gargiulo, and Castello di Amorosa. Each vineyard was distinctive in some way, and I learned a great deal about the process of wine making. I now know why some wines are far more pricey than others, something I never quite understood before walking through the actual details of the process. Several people said that the Napa Valley reminds them of Tuscany, but I'll have to wait a little bit longer to decide that for myself. I was especially impressed with Staglin Vineyards and their charitable contributions to mental health via their Salus wine collection and extensive fund raising efforts.
We enjoyed three rounds of golf with friends at Eagle Vines, Wente, and Poppy Hills. At the first two, the fairways weave in and out of the vineyards, which is rather interesting. Wente is an intriguing layout with lovely grounds, and Poppy Hills is very close to Pebble Beach. We had to stop in to absorb the breathtaking views of Pebble Beach.
We ventured south to Monterey for a brief overnight stay and then moved onward along the Coast Highway (where there must have been 500 people participating in a bike event) to tour Hearst Castle in San Simeon before we stayed in Ventura Beach. Moving on the following day, our final destination was the Ritz Carlton at Laguna Niguel, which was beyond amazing. It was an anniversary trip to forever remember--good friends and great times in northern and southern CA.
BACK IN SOUTH CAROLINA AGAIN: The truth is, however, that wherever I go, I love coming back to our home in SC, where the beaches are beautiful, the climate is generally pleasant, and people are friendly, warm and happy to be here. I'm teaching workshops in November through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University-Litchfield location, and look forward to meeting the people who will attend. I hear the most fascinating stories, and LOVE helping people write their life stories to pass along to future generations. This truly is my passion. Details are on my web site at www.awriterspresence.com.
2011 MEMOIR PRESERVATION CRUISE: Don't forget to call Kate to choose your cabin for the Bermuda cruise to be held in October, 2011. Deposits are required by 12/7/10, so contact Kate at (843) 294-9904 to secure your spot. We'll have a fabulous time!!! You will learn how to get started on a memoir preservation project, or if you've already taken my workshops, we'll have a workshop for those who have the tools to complete the project, but seem to be stuck in the mud without a shovel. Visit www.awriterspresence.com for additional information.
INSPIRATION: I have to say that God continues to bring the most incredible people into my path. I don't believe for a moment that we coincidentally run across these people. I do believe that He orchestrates circumstances that bring us into contact with certain individuals for a particular reason. We can't fool Him, you know. Sometimes people do things for others, and on the surface it would appear that they are ultra-generous and helpful. On occasion, it turns out that they actually have selfish motives for what they do, but God knows our hearts. We can't hide our secret motives from Him, and my point is that when you do something for someone else, let it be for unselfish reasons. Let it be because they need a hand, or an emotional lift, or a meal, or a ride to a medical appointment, or just an ear to listen. Don't make a mental note that they now owe you something in return. .....Lord, you know everyone's heart. Acts 1:24 (NIV) ....A happy heart makes the face cheerful...Proverbs 15:13 (NIV) You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Until next time, put a smile on the face of someone just because you want to do something special for them....and it will bring a smile to your own face as well.

Just a Bunch of Stuff

ANOTHER GREAT LOCATION FOR A WALK:
As promised, I am featuring another favorite place for a nice, long walk. Today's selection is Market Common off Farrow Parkway in Myrtle Beach. This is a lovely, upscale area with many stores and unique shops. Some offices have now taken up residence here as well. It is a mixed use neighborhood with commercial and residential harmoniously coexisting, and it is extremely well maintained. The sidewalks are lined with palm trees, maple trees, seasonal flowers, and charming double head street lighting. Wooden tables, chairs, benches and rockers are plentiful just in case you need to rest those aching feet during your walk.
During my Sept. 10, 2010 walk, I noticed that it is particularly pleasant to navigate the sidewalks now that the family tourist season has shifted into the golf tourist season. This venue includes a small play area, where the little ones can climb and slide, as well as an area where chess aficionados can participate in a quick game with oversize chess pieces. Some of the restaurants offer outdoor dining, which can be a fascinating activity for avid people watchers on a beautiful, blue sky day.
Many people choose to walk their treasured pets at Market Common, and several of the stores welcome pet owners along with their pooches. Strolling along to the sound of outdoor music that is definitely from the baby boomer era, I listened to songs that I hadn't heard in years!
Market Common is a perfect place to take in a movie, purchase a new book, shop for gifts or clothing, and enjoy a pleasant dining experience.....or just take that long walk for daily exercise. Visit www.marketcommonmb.com for a list of fabulous shops and restaurants....but that's not all. During your walk, don't forget to continue on Howard Avenue and visit some stores that are not listed in the complex directory because they are just a little bit further down the street from the main area. One gem is Regan's Irish Cottage at 2834B Howard Avenue. You'll love all of the authentic Irish items from which to choose, and say hi to Theresa when you stop in. She will help you find the perfect Irish gift.

Ereaders:
Having made the decision to take the plunge and buy an Ereader, I just spent hours researching the differences between Amazon's Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook. I swore when we moved from New York to South Carolina that I was never going to accumulate the collection of books that I had to dispose of when we moved. Although I kept many favorites, including any books that were signed by authors whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, I was not going to turn this home into a library. We have lived here for three years, and I am shocked to see the number of new books I have collected.
I resisted purchasing an Ereader for a long time, waiting for the prices to slowly decline, the technology to be perfected, and the bugs to be squashed through trial and error. I also love to hold an actual book in my hand, turning the pages with anticipation; however, I believe that now is the time. I have no more bookshelf space, and when I travel I don't want to load my luggage with heavy books because of the airline weight restrictions and I can't possibly carry all of my reading material plus projects on which I'm working on board, so the obvious solution is a wireless reading device. Now for the big question!!! Kindle or Nook, both of which have a variety of wonderful features, as well as minor issues that could sway me either way. As of this moment, I can go to Barnes and Noble and immediately purchase a Nook, enjoying the benefit of conferring with a real person who will help me begin this journey. There are some advantages with Kindle, but the demand for the newest versions are so enormous, they are actually out of stock at Amazon. I also read some interesting information about battery replacement issues that have me leaning toward the Nook. I'll let you know what I finally decide, and I promise to take you along on this Ereader journey in future blog posts.

2011 Memoir Preservation Cruise to Bermuda:
This is going to be such an incredibly exciting time. Please join us, and tell friends and family all about it! Visit www.awriterspresence.com for details! Memoir writing workshops along with loads of fun, and the opportunity to benefit a worthy organization, CASA (Citizens Against Spouse Abuse). Join us for the time of your life!

Never Say Perfect:
In between speaking to groups, teaching workshops, working with clients, traveling, researching, marketing, and accounting, I am still finalizing the editing process for this novel. I don't want to rush any part of it, as I want it to be a page turner that you simply can't stop reading. I'll let you know when the manuscript is ready to go and I am seeking an agent. Stay tuned.

Inspiration:
What does prayer give you? It offers hope, peace, acknowledgment that the situation is beyond your control and in Higher Hands. We don't always understand why things happen, but we are comforted that we are not alone in handling whatever may arise.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. I John 5:14 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Until next time, don't forget to be working on your memoir writing! Don't take your stories to the grave!!!