HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy 2013! It's been a while since my last post, but what better time for a new one than with the coming of a new year! There is a quiet excitement for me over this new year, a soft gentle anticipation of wonderful things unfolding. But aside from all of the fantastic "BIG" things happening, there are glimpses and glimmers of even "BETTER" things. Things I find myself grateful for all over again. Snowfalls. Lattes. Cozy pj's. And best of all, the experience of watching a 12 year old girl fall in love with my novel. There is nothing quite like that feeling. She discovered a copy of it on a table at my parent's house during a family dinner. From the moment she picked it up, the book did not leave her hands all evening. From 3pm until 10pm she read, in between chatting, eating, hanging with the other kids, playing three rounds of bingo... through and between it all, she read, literally unable (or at least unwilling) to put the book down. Wow. Now that was exciting for me to see! She read 15 chapters and when it was time to leave you could see the agony in her eyes. Since the book has not yet been published, this was her only chance to finished. I think had my mother not agreed to lend her the copy, she might have camped out over night in order to finished the remaining 23 chapters!
It was a lovely sight to behold, watching before my eyes, the delight and fascination of someone so fully enthralled with something I had a part in creating. Watching her get excited at the parts I got excited over, and frustrated, upset and worried in all the right places, turning page after page, with a need to know what woudl happen next. How does it get any better than that?
She came over to me after a few hours and said with a note of seriousness and sincerity, "So far, I would rate this book as an 11 out of 10." Pretty impressive score if I do say so myself. She's anxious to finish and to read the second book and the third, which has yet to be created. But if ever I was in need of external motivation, I found it last night in the eyes of that young reader, who in the midst of a crowd of noise, laughter and merriment, hungrily flipped page after page to find out what would happened next!

 

Happy New Year!
May yours be shiny and bright, and filled with dreams fulfilled!

Blog-Hopping on a Sunday

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Nothing like having to prepare for visitors at the last minute!! Today, I got the message... people will be stopping by, get your blog updated. Sure. No problem, I thought. I just updated it.... uhm... when was the last time?  I was tagged me in a blog hop, and sent an email saying "hey there, I tagged you, people will be coming to visit". Ok, awesome. I mean it's an honor just to be chosen. New to-do list: Drop everything. Update blog!  Thank you Riley Darkes for that. ;)

What to blog about? Well one of two things. My writing or my sculpting. My passions. This month has been almost singularly devoted to writing, given it's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Sucker for punishment I can be, I signed up to write 2000 words a day every -day in the month of November, for Entangled Publishing's "Smack Down" event at Savvy Authors. Woosh what a wild ride it's been so far. I've impressed myself and on most days...writing even while over exhausted and bleary eyed. Even put in a day of 6500 words! Now I'm hoping to top that and reward myself with a viewing of Breaking Dawn. And some chocolate. Who am I kidding, I'm going to see it whether I write another word today or not. :) Same goes for the chocolate.

So for the guests who may do me the honor of swinging by, let me share with you a little info about my new WIP for this writing bookcamp extravaganza. 

Want more details about the awesomeness that is Savvy Authors.com, check it out here!

What is your working title of your book?

Acid Raine

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I spent the summer with a highschool friend following DuranDuran on tour. Ok, so we onky went to 3 concerts, but they took us from our cozy hamlet in Canada to exotic locals like NY New York, and Biloxi Mississippi! Anyway, the idea for this story sprang from those concerts and our eternal fixation with the band members. I mean John Taylor... Simon LeBon... need I say more. (Note to my hubby: you totally trump them all baby). 

What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I'm horrible with actor's names, so I'll have to do some research there. But in the meantime, here are some photos of what I imagine the main characters look like.

Heroine: Skylar Peyton
Age 22 -first year med student at Oxford University,
-plucky, impulsive, outspoken

 ____________________________________________________________

Hero: Raine Mauler (changed at 28 years old- actually over a century): Demon, Rock star, lead singer of smash group Acid Raine
-dark, soulful, brooding, sexy

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A 22 year old med student plans to lose her virginity to the lead singer of her favorite rock band, to honor a bucket-list promise to her deceased best friend. But after falling for sexy lead singer, she notices a string of paranormal events surrounding the band. She discovers they were involved with her friend’s death, and might be plotting hers.... Yes, I do realize this was actually 3 sentences.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Represented by an agency... or I should say my uber fabulous agent extraordinaire!!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It's still in progress... the plan is it will take 30 days... or however many days November has. How does that rhyme go again... 30 days hath September...

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Wow, that's a tough one becasue there are elements and aspects I see from a variety of other books. It's a paranormal love story with the classic angst of forbidden love

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Losing a good friend from high school very suddenly and way too young, prompted my summer of Duran Duran. Seeing them (and Prince) in concert had been on my bucket list forever. You have to make NOW the right time I've decided. Why wait. So I jumped into the story and the 30 day challenge of NaNo.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

This isn't your typical predictable paranormal love story... there are some unexpected twists planned for these characters which will change their lives in ways no one could have imagined. At least that's the plan so far!

Riley tagged me, and your job is to tag other authors so we can hop over to their site and visit them.

So, TAG - You're IT in The Next Big Thing!

Shelly Bell

Susannah Scott

Lacey Devlin

R.J. Garside

Tricia Skinner


 ***************

Wanna Play: 

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Rules for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop:

***Use this format for your post

***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (work in progress)

***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book?

Where did the idea come from for the book?

What genre does your book fall under?

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Manifesting Money!$!

Hello All of you lucky people, how are your manifesting (or rather actualizing) skills? I've been playing with honing mine. The month of August is a month of travel for me, with lots of amazing destinations I can't wait to get to. It seemed like a fun idea to me to manifest some additional cash to take along on these fab trips. So I'm playing the money manifestation game from The Lucky Bitch, Denise Duffield-Thomas. If you don't know her you should, if attracting luck and success means anything to you and you could use more of it in your life.

Here's the idea: Let's just see how much extra money I can generate using the wonderful rules of the law of attraction. I mean I love shopping. shopping loves me, so why couldn't I use a little more? People are often so hesitant about going after money, they use words like abundance and prosperity and such, as if money was a dirty word. Well, I supposed for many it is, otherwise expressions like "filthy rich" and "dirty money" would never have come into being. I love money and I enjoy the wonderful and great things one can do with it, and I believe there is plenty for all.

So, as part of a 10 day quickie manifestation series I've been playing with from Denise Duffield-Thomas, I'm on day 4 and making a public declaration of my intention to manifest an additional $6000.00 or more for my travels and fun this month. How does it get any better than that?What are the infinite possibilities of that showing up for me this month? I'm very excited to see what shows us. So far things have been expanding in ways I couldn't even have imagined, and its only day 4!! What else is possible?

Have fun creating magic in your world today and everyday! I'm always blown away by the genererosities of the universe when one has the faith to ask, beleive and receive. And I'll update on the progress of my money manifestation experiment!

Want help creating awesome things and experiences in your life? Sign up for FREE to our upcoming telesummits at www.PassionTelesummits.com where we interview life-changing speakers, teachers, facilitators, healers and success coaches from around the globe to assist YOU in achieving your dreams. How did you get so lucky?

Sculpting In Polymer Clay

For me summertime is sculpting time. Maybe its becasue the clay is so warm and malleable in the balmy summer heat, or maybe it's just the extra long hours of natural daylight... who know, but I just love to dive into my clay with reckless abandon in the summer. So becasue of this, I have a very special offer for you.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to sculpt a figure in polymer clay? Well, my Sculpting Santa book has just recently been listed on Amazon. And better still it's now available on eBay.com for a limited time at an even better price. Shhhh, not supposed to do that, but it will stay our little secret. Now this book has been written in step by step bite sized bits of information walking you through the entire process so you're assured of success right from the start. Ok, so a little practice never hurt anyone, but if you've ever wanted to try it and were afraid of not succeeding, here is a really great jumping off place.

Check it out and then if you buy and try it, I'd love to see what you create. This is the process for sculpting and creating the look of age in your piece.... where a Santa, a wizard, a fairy god-mother or whatever strikes your fancy, this book will help you get there. I'm always here for additional help, suggestions and inspiration. And if you just need a cheerleader, I can do that too! So why not go for it, and see what happens. And for those of you anxiously awaiting the fairy sculpting book, the miniature clay food book and the ball-jointed doll book, I promise you they're all coming. I'm just bouncing between my how-to writing and my fiction writing, plus my doll sculpting and telesummit interview series. So many projects in the works and so little time.... but OH so much fun to be had!!!

How To Create Your Own Damn Luck!

A fabulous post by the amazing Denise Duffield, a phenomenal coach who I've had the pleasure of both interviewing on Passion Telesummits.com and working with personally in one-on-one coaching sessions. Denise totally rocks the Law of Attraction, proving time and time again you can create anything you truly desire. She's a phenomenal catalyst on my route best selling author!

The Myth of the Complimentary Upgrade (+ How to Create Your Own Damn Luck)

Have you ever sat waaaaay at the back of the plane and wished desperately for the air-hostess to tap on your shoulder and say, "Ma'am, could you pick up your bags and come with me?"

And then you'd be whisked straight to the front of the plane, given a cold glass of champagne and enjoy all the pleasures of First Class.

Not sure about you, but if that ever happened to me, I'd be like "So long suckers". Hell, I'd even leave my husband back in Economy.

However, the complimentary upgrade is largely a myth, especially for someone who has paid for a basic economy ticket. The rare upgrade is reserved for the business class people, celebrities, the relative of a VIP, friends and family of the airline staff and frequent fliers.

It's fun to imagine the unexpected upgrade or the lottery win but there's a much better way to create your own First Class experience, virtually guaranteed.

One of the reasons why you rarely go from the cheapest seat straight to First Class is that if you always pay for economy, you're an energetic match to economy. That's why so many lottery winners lose their money. They aren't an energetic match to wealth.

In fact - Everything in your life is a direct reflection of your own self-imposed "cabin class"

You know that old proverb, You buy cheap, you buy twice?

I think it costs much more than that.

During our recent L.A trip, we decided to take a shuttle to the airport instead of a car. It was a difference of about $30. We got on the shuttle which dropped us at the wrong airport, so we had to get a taxi anyway, but still missed our flight (by one minute).

Instead of saving $30, that decision cost us hundreds plus we missed a day of our holiday. We also caused a lot of stress. We made a decision based on price rather than convenience and paid for it.

On the other hand - we paid double for our Universal Studios tickets to get an Express Pass. Right to the front of the line for every ride and worth every penny.

So, how do you create your First Class life from where you are now?


Introducing the Law of Incremental Upgrade

The Law of Incremental Upgrade (coined by moi) states that taking small but symbolic steps to upgrade your life yourself is always expotentially rewarded by the Universe.

Basically, you take a teeny tiny step towards upgrading just one part of your life at a time until it becomes your minimum standard.

The point of the incremental upgrade is that it's small but highly symbolic. It might still feel like a stretch because you're not used to spending money on yourself in that way, but trust me - as you upgrade your life you will attract more money to pay for it.

It's not about spending money you don't have or going crazy and putting a First Class seat or a gold plated car on your credit card. It's about showing the Universe you deserve a better life and you're willing to put some skin in the game.

The upgrade formula

Step one: Choose one thing in your life that's really economy - it could be your hair, your underwear, food you eat, shoes, etc.

Step two: What can you do to take it to the very next level (just to premium economy)?

Step three: Take the action and never go back again.

Step four: Repeat with something else

Such action always gets rewarded and your energy slowly gets used to a higher quality life. You'll get everything on your dream board by the incremental action you're willing to take - no lottery win necessary!

So - what are you upgrading today?

xx
Denise

P.S My upcoming Lucky Bitch Money Bootcamp goes really indepth into your upgrade plan - in fact, most participants said that lesson was "worth the tuition only". Make sure you sign up below and you'll be the first to hear when enrolment opens.

Denise Duffield-Thomas is a business coach for exceptional women and the author of Lucky Bitch. Get her popular free manifesting guide "The Lucky Bitch Secrets of Outrageous Success" at www.DeniseDuffieldThomas.com

Just Believe

Just Believe Movie: Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything in life.

Business Magic Telesummit

A series of free calls with experts guaranteed to help YOU become the master magician of your life! 

Sign up HERE!

July 10 – 17 – 19  2012

more EASE more JOY more FUN and more MONEY from your business

JESSI JORDAN

CEO/Entrepreneur, Wealth & Performance Coach

Tuesday, July 10th

4pmEDT (1pmPDT)

• What if you could create your life and your business purely by magic?
• What if there was no “right or wrong” in business (or anything else for that matter)… only a choice that works for you?
• What if you didn’t have to limit yourself to one business or income stream ever again?
• What if YOU could create, attract, manifest, generate, actualize and HAVE all the money you could ever want and NEVER WORK HARD AGAIN?

Remember when you were a child and you were completely convinced that EVERYTHING was created by magic? Did you give that up in favor of becoming a “grown up business person”? Is doing that and being that “idea” of what a serious business person is, working for you or your business?
What if there are other possibilities? And what if those possibilities could bring you a TON more money easily? Would you be willing to choose it?
Join Catherine & Michele as they talk with Jessi and explore what else is possible for you, your life and your business and release what’s been holding you back.

About Jessi

Jessi Jordan is the very definition of a Renaissance Woman (a woman who has broad intellectual interests and is accomplished in areas of both the arts and the sciences). She is a CEO and an Entrepreneur, a Billboard Credited Music Producer, a Singer/Songwriter (with 2 albums on iTunes), a Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science Alumna and a Wealth and Performance Coach living her dreams in Manhattan, New York.

As a Music Producer, she has produced records for Beyonce, Pink, 3LW, Amerie and Lil Flip… just to name a few.

As CEO and Creator of  The Coffee Toffee Company, she has been featured for creating unique and delectable toffees and treats – in The New York Times, on ABC TV and in a recent issue of “Cooking with Paula Deen” (a Celebrity Chef cooking magazine with over 9.5 million subscribers). 

As a Performance Coach, Jessi has facilitated hundreds of actors in clearing the blocks that have prevented their career success and was invited to speak and share her unique intuitive gifts at a special private event at the TV Academy of Arts and Sciences (the people that give out the Emmy’s) in Hollywood. 

As a Wealth Coach, she has assisted her clients in clearing subconscious mental and hidden blocks to financial success, joy and business growth, and the limitations and points of views that kept money and opportunities from flowing effortlessly into their lives for years. Jessi and her clients are literally accumulating tens of thousands of dollars in gold and silver and attracting new streams of income every single month with total ease.

You might be asking yourself “How in the world has she done all those things in one lifetime?” She’d tell you she did it and continues to do whatever she desires by ‘MAGIC’.

Jessi has a completely different approach to business. “I have never hired a PR person to get the word out about me or my businesses yet people and amazing opportunities always find me. The Universe is my PR person, my manager and my agent!” Jessi says. “And it can be YOUR’s too!”

Whether you’re an actor, a writer, an entrepreneur, a corporate business person, a stay at home mom, a student or anything else… No matter who you are or what your story is.. YOU are magic incarnate. YOU can have, do and be ANYTHING YOU DESIRE. 

Jessi has a truly inspiring intuitive gift for perceiving what your specific blocks are and will give YOU the keys to clear them and unlock the magic within you.

Visit Jessi’s Website

Jessi’s Business Magick Package

Denise Duffield-Thomas

Coach. Author. Lucky Bitch

Tuesday, July 17th

7pmEDT (4pmPDT)

• Exceptional women deserve outrageous success
• Luck isn’t a mystery k">Visit Denise’s Website

="text-align: reen observer of people and has developed an intuitive ability to see what makes each person unique and the potential greatness each of us has. Over many years of studying and training people to transform their lives, he discovered he can quickly see each person’s  unique gifts and what is sonths all expenses paid travel and shows you exactly how she did it behind the scenes. You’ll be inspired to create your own miracles once you hear how easy manifesting can be!

About Denise:

You know that woman who gets effin’ EVERYTHING she wants? From paid vacations at luxury resorts and lucrative bank errors to media spots to life-changing scholarships? You’re looking at her! Denise Duffield-Thomas is a biz coach and author of Lucky Bitch. She helps exceptional women create fun and fast manifestations around money and success.

Denise helps exceptional entrepreneurs create lives of outrageous success - and she’s seen her clients attract unbelievable treasures; dream business opportunities, life-changing travel adventures, and major media opportunities.

Visit Denise’s Website

Denise’s Business Magick Package

RICHARD ATKINSON

Entrepreneur Empowerment Coach

Thursday, July 19, 2012

5:30pmEDT (2:30pm PDT)

• Would you like to make effective & proactive business choices?
• Are you willing to honestly look at yourself & change what isn’t working for you?

Join Catherine & Michele as they talk to Richard about limiting points of view we have around business and take advantage of having Richard help you clear limiting beliefs so you can get to the heart of your strengths and talents and set them free to start working for you in your life and business. Using laser focused intuition and powerful transformational tools with practical business strategies and know how, Richard will empower you to get faster results while staying true to you.

About Richard:

Richard is a keen observer of people and has developed an intuitive ability to see what makes each person unique and the potential greatness each of us has. Over many years of studying and training people to transform their lives, he discovered he can quickly see each person’s  unique gifts and what is stopping them. Richard loves to facilitate people to discover and apply their talents and strengths to create a rewarding life of creative and financial freedom.
As an Entrepreneur Empowerment Coach Richard has worked with many types of small businesses, developing their business plans and marketing strategies. From their successes and failures, he’s seen first hand what it takes to succeed in business. Richard’s coaching can facilitate you to create your business so it fulfills and authentically expresses who you are while making more money.  You can have a successful business that doesn’t burn you out or make you feel empty inside.

Visit Richard’s Site

Richard’s Business Magick Package