You Tube video: cycle of life

Hello everyone!

You may have noticed that it’s been three weeks since I last posted here. For me to explain ‘why’ seems pointless, so I will just say that sometimes – for the sake of my own mental health – I just need to pull away from some things for awhile and do something else … or nothing. During this time I hope that you are finding information here – especially on my writers’ helps and workshops pages – when you need it.

Be sure to bookmark my blog and sign up to receive notice of when new posts have gone live; you won’t want to miss Sue Harrison’s writers workshop each month. We are not sure yet if she will have to take a break for summer, but keep checking in for updates. Next installment is soon.

Awhile ago I watched this You Tube video called cycle of life and thought you might find it interesting, moving, thought-provoking. Please let me know — what do you think of it? how did it affect you? can you relate to its message in some way?

I hope all is going well in your life. Sending hugs your way …

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

Feeling blue, & Emily Dickinson’s poem “I started early”

I lost last week.

Do you ever experience those segments of time when the hours seem to simply float on to nowhere leaving you behind, alone?

Do you ever feel that you cannot even get motivated enough to be progressive, or to even care whether you are or not?

Last week got away from me. I hate when that happens. Blue isn’t just a beautiful colour.

The up side is Spring is taking hold here now. The birds are singing and building nests, some already feeding their young. Buds are beginning to swell, although at my home on a higher landscape the snow is not completely gone. This week is expected to be rainy some days, so that will take the last of the snow away. Good, I say!

Now to the main topic of my post … Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (December 10, 1830 – May 15, 1886)

She was a melancholy person and became very reclusive. Are you familiar with any of Emily Dickinson’s poetry? I didn’t know much about her or her writing, but awhile ago I came across one of her poems and I liked it so much I thought perhaps you would enjoy it on You Tube. Please take your time and watch it/listen to it several times to take it all in. Check it out: Emily Dickinson’s I started early

Y0u can read about her life here. It’s a very interesting article.

I used to write a lot of poetry, but haven’t written much the last many years except in an online challenge. For me, poetry seems to tap into a part of my being that nothing else can reach, and releases from my inner thought processes what nothing else seems able to do.

How do you feel about poetry? Do you enjoy it?

Which do you prefer – reading it or writing it? or do you enjoy equally reading and writing poetry?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

How many people have your name?

I have been trying to prepare a couple of posts that just won’t ‘take’, and I don’t know why. As a result, I didn’t have a post ready for yesterday, so I am writing a quick one for now. I’m hoping this one works.

I have a fun question for you today …

How common is your name; have you ever wondered?

Have you ever met someone who shares your name, and then you wondered how many other people have it, too? I have often pondered this same thing. Well, now you can find out. At least, that is, you can find out – through an estimate based on the 2000 census – how many people have your name in the United States. On the website it says the 2010 census is not out yet, although the census is done every ten years. I have not found a site for the same thing in Canada.

Curious? Read on.

Recently, I came across an interesting website where you can type in your name and find out how many people in the United States answer to it, too. Click on How many of me to go to the website where I learned there are 103 people in the US with my name. There are other fun statistics there to check out if you want to take the time.

If you give it a try, have fun with it. I’d be very interested in knowing what you find out.

How many people in the US have your name?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

I’m a proud Canadian blogger

My computer is in the shop again! 😦 I am grabbing a few minutes at home to write this quick post before going back to Dad’s … and no computer.

I want to tell you about the lovely red maple leaf you see on my blog, the one that says “Proud Canadian blogger.” I got this pretty badge from Joanna Clark Dawyd who has a wonderful blog … to a PRETTY LIFE.

You can also find it through her main blog here where she has some interesting stuff. 🙂

Thanks, Joanna!

If you are a Canadian blogger, contact Joanna through her website and find out about using the maple leaf on your blog, too.

Do you do anything special on your blog to make it stand out, or to promote who you are?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

The Definition of a Bestseller (used by permission)

A while ago I was reading a post by Steve Vernon on his blog – which you can find here – and followed a link he had placed there in answer to someone’s comment. That person was asking about books making it to bestsellers fame. He directed her to an article, which I read with interest; then I thought you also might like to read it. My choice was to post the complete article so I wrote for permission to copy it here once for your enjoyment and information. 🙂

At the end you will find links to the author and to this article where she posted it. Please check them out. And remember, always ask for permission to copy what other people have written on their sites.

Have you ever asked the question “what makes a book a bestseller?” Here is the article that will help answer that question:

The Definition of a Bestseller – written by Samantha Francis

#1 – How many copies do I have to sell before I can call my book a bestseller?

Contrary to what some people believe, a book doesn’t become a bestseller by reaching a certain sales threshold. Bestseller status isn’t based on cumulative or lifetime sales, and there is no set amount a book has to sell to make it a bestseller. It’s more of a competition or race: whoever sells the most copies in a particular time period (usually a week), wins.

Depending on the week, it takes a different amount of sales to make it to the top. There are busy weeks and not-so-busy weeks — what can get you to the top in July, for example, may not be enough to rank you in the top 100 around Christmas, when sales are typically much higher.

We can’t reveal sales numbers, but to give you a very rough idea: when a book is in the “Top 10,” it’s usually sold several thousand copies across Canada in one week. Sales numbers of category bestsellers (lists restricted to a specific genre, like cooking or mystery) can be lower, though.

#2 – So as long as I know I’ve sold more books than other titles I can call my book a bestseller?

Well, no. Technically, a book can only be labelled a bestseller when it appears on a published bestseller list. If you’re not on an official bestseller list, then you haven’t been identified as a bestseller. Most major publications (newspapers and sometimes magazines or websites) that have bestseller lists ensure that their bestseller lists are based on comprehensive national (or regional) sales tracking and cite their sources (usually BNC’s SalesData). These sources are invested in publishing factually accurate information, which is why they’re respected by the industry and consumers.

Here are some ways appearing on lists can be used on covers. If a book appears on the Toronto Star list once, it can technically be called a bestseller or a “Toronto Star bestseller”. If it appears at the number-one spot on such a list, it could be called a “#1 bestseller”. If it appears in a nationally distributed paper like The Globe and Mail or The National Post, it could also be called a “national bestseller.”

#3 – Do all my book’s sales count toward the bestseller list ranking?

Almost. The catch here is that the sales have to be reported. SalesData is the service that provides bestseller information to most reputable lists. If the sales aren’t reported by booksellers, then there’s no way to know if the sales actually happened.

#4 – If a book is a bestseller, does that mean it sold more than any other book?

Not necessarily. Because most bestseller rankings are based on weekly sales, it’s possible for a book to sell really well one week, appear on a published bestseller list, and technically count as a bestseller even if it never sells another copy.

Another interesting thing to note is that there are books that sell consistently well, but never quite well enough to make it onto a weekly list. In that case, sometimes a book’s annual sales will earn it a spot on year-end bestseller lists, ahead of titles that ranked above it at some point during the year.

Also certain types of books are commonly excluded from appearing on bestseller lists, so they miss out on all the glory even if they’re big sellers. The most common example is dictionaries. Dictionaries sell very well around back-to-school, but reference titles are frequently excluded from bestseller lists. A given publication’s editorial guidelines ultimately determine what is included or cut from their bestseller lists.

#5 – If a book has “bestseller” on the cover, does it mean it was on the Globe and Mail bestseller list?

A bestseller claim on a book’s cover can mean it was on one of many different bestseller lists. If the cover refers to a “bestselling author,” it’s usually a previous book by that author that achieved bestseller status.

Keep in mind that the Canadian market imports books from just about every English-language market around the world. If the cover wasn’t designed in Canada, the bestseller status may refer to another territory.

#6 – Is being a bestseller the only way my book will be considered a success?

Hell, no! In a lot of ways, making it onto a bestseller list takes some luck. And one week’s sales performance doesn’t mean the book is considered more successful than others. First of all, other books may sell better over time. And sales aren’t always an indicator of profitability.

But there’s also so much more that defines what truly makes a book successful — most importantly, did the book’s intended audience read it and love it? Sales aren’t the be-all and end-all. Reviews, award nominations, educational objectives, and reader satisfaction are all part of what makes a book a success.
I hope this clears up a lot of your questions about bestseller lists and bestseller claims on books. The points mentioned above are just guidelines in the end; there may be examples of different interpretations, and there are no “bestseller police” enforcing strict rules.

This blog post was written by Samantha Francis (@pronunciate) and originally published on the BookNet Canada blog. Click here to view the original post. BookNet Canada is a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards and education to serve the Canadian book industry.

Has this information answered any of your questions?

Thanks for reading, and Creative Musings! 🙂

We have a winner of Donna Earnhardt’s book Being Frank!

Hello, Everyone! My apologies for taking longer to draw a name tonight than planned. We went to visit a family member who got out of hospital today.

Now to the exciting news …

WE HAVE A WINNER! My husband drew a name out of the basket for me, and we have a winner of Donna Earnhardt’s beautiful picture book “Being Frank“!

Drum Roll please …

and the winner is …

Michele! Congratulations, Michele! Look for my email request for your mailing information. The publisher, Flashlight Press, will be sending you your own copy of Being Frank. 🙂

Thank you to everyone for visiting and entering the draw. Keep tuned for more book reviews, interviews and book giveaways.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

Interview with Donna Earnhardt, and book giveaway!

Today I am happy to introduce Donna Earnhardt to my cozy interviewee chair. 🙂 Please read my March 12 review of her first picture book – Being Frank. Donna lives in North Carolina, USA, is happily married and has three daughters. She loves to sing, play guitar, write stories and songs.

Donna, I’m pleased to welcome you to my interview corner as a new picture book author. 🙂 Please sit back, relax and tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! I’m glad to be here! I am usually homeschooling my girls or trying to oust the Dust Bunny uprising from my house. The bunnies have become allies with the Dirty Clothes Regime , and thus, a true battle is constantly in the works. But today… I get to be in your corner of the world as a new author! A welcome respite! 🙂

And I’m glad you could make it. 🙂 When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspired you?

I have always loved to write. My mom still has a poem I wrote for her when I was 5 or 6. I had dreams here and there about being published, but they were just dreams. I didn’t do anything about them because I didn’t really see them as viable. But after my first daughter was born, I decided to pursue publication. My family stood behind me 100% with encouragement and prayers… and even gave me a new briefcase full of writing supplies. They then told me to get busy! I love them!

That is so wonderful! As a writer, do you do much reading? Who were/are your favourite authors or books?

I love to read and read all the time as a kid, all the way through college. But now, unfortunately, I do not make as much time for reading as I would like to. I have a lot going on in my life and sometimes reading falls into the “things I need to do but can’t do right now” abyss.

When I do read, however, I try to read some of my fave authors (C.S. Lewis’ works included) as well as newer authors. I have, in the past two years, really delved into picture books and will check out as many as 40 from the library at once. I enjoy reading them, but I also study them. I also like to read “how-to” books on the craft of writing. I’m learning a lot!

There is so much to learn. Have you ever felt like giving up?

Giving up? Yes. Many times. Especially in the times of waiting or when I’ve received an inbox full of rejections. And when those times come, I usually end up complaining to God about it all. And I can honestly say that He always sends encouragement right when I need it! Someone will write, call or send me a note to tell me how much they are enjoying something I’ve written, or are looking forward to seeing me at an upcoming writer’s conference. I then feel that surge of hope and get back to work!

Encouragement is so important, isn’t it? Do you have a motto or Bible verse or quote that you try to live by and that helps to keep you going?

Oooooh… that’s a good one! I do have a favorite verse that applies to the writing side of my life.

Psalm 45:1

My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

I want my tongue, my pen, my verse… all to be stirred and filled by the power of the Holy Spirit. I want my writing to bring honor to God’s kingdom. I want my writing to be an instrument of peace, joy and love – regardless of what I am writing. It might be a mystery, a romance or a children’s book – but I want it all to be good stuff. Not just words on a page. Ya know?

Yes, I do know what you mean. 🙂 What do you remember about your very first time to be published, how did that happen?

Honestly, I can’t remember if I sold a poem to WeeOnes Magazine first – or to Blue Mountain Arts (greeting card). I need to go back and read my journals and other interviews! EEP! Either way, I know this… I was thrilled. I was actually going to get a paycheck! Wait… I think it was Wee Ones! Yes, the poem, SPLASH! It was a free verse poem and WeeOnes didn’t pay very much (it was a small online mag), but it made me happy to be able to say I got a check for my work!

That would be encouragement to keep writing. What have you had published thus far? Of those, what do you most enjoy writing?

What I’ve had published so far: magazine articles, puzzles and poetry (adult and kid mags), a picture book (yay!), greeting card/novelty market stuffs.

I honestly don’t know that I have a favorite. I like them all. Diving in to all the different genres keeps me on my toes and doesn’t allow me to get bored with any of them!

You have a very busy mind! What process do you go through when writing and perfecting a book or article?

Ooooh… I don’t know that I have a certain process. I am not a very organized person. I tend to rewrite something as I’m writing it from scratch. Therefore, when I finally get to the end… I’ve already revised many times over! I do, however, almost always utilize one of the best resources in a writer’s back pocket… my critique partners!

What method do you use to keep track of your writing ideas?

If at all possible, I write them down as soon as they pop in my head. And if it is important enough to write down the idea, then I usually go ahead and try to get some of the story on paper. That’s pretty much it. I have been known to send myself a text or email with ideas that pop up during the day.

I’ve called myself and left a message; whatever works! 🙂 What inspired you to write Being Frank?

Several opportunities presented themselves right before Being Frank was born. I was participating in NaNoWriMo, but as a NaNoWriMo Rebel. And I was in the shower when the first lines of Being Frank popped in my head. I did a lot of praying in the shower that day! 🙂

How long did it take you to write Being Frank? What inspired you to write it? And how did you come up with that clever play on words for the title?

Let’s see… it only took a couple of days to get the first draft (with my revisions) finished. Then a few more days to revise based on feedback from my crit group. Then another year and half of revisions with my editor. Mostly little stuff, but some were major overhauls of characters’ names, settings and conflict.

As for the title: I was praying and that title popped in my head. My dad’s first name was Frank. He was on my mind when I was praying. He was killed in a car accident about 10 years ago. So it is nice to have this book bear his name!

I am definitely thankful for answered prayer about the book! And I am really glad the publisher liked the title, too. I was (and still am) attached to it!

I’m sorry about your dad, Donna. I’m sure he would be so very proud of his author daughter. 🙂 Now I have to ask, are you anything like Frank or any of the other characters?

Yes. And yes. 🙂 Actually, my hubby and kids… and most everyone I know… can find a little piece of themselves in Frank. It’s hard for me not to say everything I’m thinking. And that can get me in trouble! I am a lot like Carol, too. A bit on the sassy side! And my breath is probably much like Ms. Zaroma’s many days. I’m thankful for mints!

How did you go about finding a publisher? an editor? and do you have an agent?

A friend suggested I sub to Flashlight Press. The whole process was not as horrible as it could have been because Shari Greenspan is a FANTASTIC editor. Flashlight Press is a small press… but they believe in the books they choose to publish. And they support them with gusto!

No agent – yet. I’d love to have one, though! 🙂

Maybe for your next one. 🙂 We’ve already established your family has been very supportive of you. What kind of reaction did you get from them when you found out Being Frank had been accepted for publishing?

Lots of whooping and hollering… and I think we had Chinese for lunch! 😉

Yum! As a key person in Write2Ignite, what can you tell us about that and how it has helped you in your own writing goals?

Oh wow. Write2ignite has helped me re-evaluate how I see myself and the calling of God on my life as an author. I am only one of many on the staff of Write2Ignite. We work hard hours during the year and look forward to this conference every time it rolls around!

Maybe someday things will come together for me to participate in one. How do you find time to write when you are busy with life?

I catch an hour or two here and there… when I can! There is no rhyme or reason to it right now. But I want to move to more official “office hours” this year. I believe they will help me see how much time I am actually wasting that I could be writing!

What other interests do you have for a change from writing?

Fishing, hiking and going on adventures with my family. I also love to watch Doctor Who with my kiddos. Oooooh – and playing the pc Nancy Drew games and wii with my girls. Yeah, I’m an overgrown kid in many ways!

How do you consistently write? Do you have writing goals– daily? Weekly? Monthly? Long range?

Honestly, I wish I did have consistent writing goals. I try – but don’t reach my goal very often. There are days that I write 2,000 or more words… then days with 0 words. It’s hit and miss much of the time. I wish I could say it wasn’t that way, but I’d be lying if I did. I think we all have to write when we can – and do the best with the time we have. I hope to be more consistent and productive and am putting forth a better effort in that area. But I don’t beat myself up about not being an everyday writer. I am thankful for grace!

Do you have another project in the works? Any hints you can share with our readers about that?

I have 4 other picture books, two chapter books and some poetry for kids. I’m also working on a sweet, clean romance novel. I am really excited about that project! I also have a murder mystery that I’ve been working on for about 11 years now! I have my picture books in some agents’ email boxes. I hope one of them will love my work and take me on!

Wow! You are a prolific writer! I wish you much success. Finally, do you have any advice for hopefuls?

Don’t stop learning.

Don’t take every critique as a personal attack on your writing skills.
Don’t take every critique as the absolute, only direction for your manuscript.
Don’t forget to stop writing long enough to go out and enjoy LIFE.
Don’t whine too long after receiving a rejection.
Don’t be jealous of other writers’ successes. Your day will come.
Don’t belittle other writers. Build them up.
Don’t write a 4,000 word picture – like I did. And please don’t call the editors you want to send it to and ask if they want to see it. Seriously. They don’t seem to like that.
Don’t hide away your stories with your underwear and socks. It needs to be read. Not hidden away like some “prisoner of drawer”.
And to quote the band, Journey… “Don’t stop believing!”

Wow! What great advice. (prisoner of drawer? funny! 🙂 ) Thank you, Donna for a fun interview and a peak into your creative life.

Now for the giveaway! Do YOU want to try to win a copy of Donna Earnhardt’s gorgeous picture book, Being Frank? All you have to do for your chance to win is leave a comment about something she said in this interview. At 6 PM EST on Tuesday, March 19, one name will be pulled from the basket and I will contact the winner for his/her mailing address. Donna’s publisher, Flashlight Press,is waiting to send the winner a book! Be sure to check back. 🙂