Tag: #motivation

Marketing Plan of Action – how to start simple and build to great!

Marketing Plan of Action tips by K.M. Saint James

Tim Grahl, author of Your First 1000 Copies and founder of booklaunch.com believes that Marketing doesn’t need to be a ‘eew’ prospect. So, I’ve read over a few of his techniques and decided to break-it down into a Plan of Action. New Year . . . New Goals . . . and all that. More importantly, it’s about finding a way to market that doesn’t make the author in me cringe at the idea. READ ALONG & SEE IF YOU AGREE According to Tim, MARKETING is about creating long-lasting connections. I’d say this is sound business whether you’re selling books, artwork or cars off the used lot. None of us want just the ONE-AND-DONE customer. […]

Oxymoron 2.1 version

Oxymoron 2.1 version In updating my blog labels, I ran across this old blog. Folks – it’s worth revisiting. Truisms never go out of style. So, relive the truth from 2009. “We are a people who spend money we don’t have on things we don’t want to impress people we don’t like.” Okay, that is a seriously great line . . . especially with the ring of truism in it. I’d like to take credit, goodness knows, I like good writing. I’d even like to give credit where it’s due; however, this piece of wisdom belongs to the man who wrote, Why is God laughing?. Sorry, I didn’t catch the gentleman’s name during his Good […]

Lure The Muse

Creativity is simultaneously a writer’s best friend and most dreaded enemy. But why? Are we, as writers, challenged of casual creativity? Are we blind to the bare bones of original brilliance? Do we glue our eyes closed to simple genius? Finding a writer’s muse can often involve gritting teeth, severing of limbs (metaphorically, folks) or jumping off the proverbial cliff and hoping for wings of inspiration. But why must it be so difficult when often hidden wells of creativity lurk inside each of us? What is the secret? Lure the muse. How? I have discovered that most writers have a number of passions. Seldom does our creativity sequester itself in a solitary cell. Instead, creativity […]

Be brave, be bold, be yourself!

An important phone conversation today led me down a particular path of thought. Someone near and dear to me is changing jobs – not careers – but jobs. However, this individual’s professional world is highly stressful, intensely competitive, and filled with too many work hours for any given day. Bottom line: the right job selection is pretty darn important. At times when choices seem so critical, it’s easy to become handicapped, stifled, and fearful. Standing in place seems better than moving any direction. At least, feet are grounded and solid beneath, if you stand still, right? The problem: it’s impossible to get anywhere standing still. So, I sympathized, empathized, and was the total strong shoulder […]

Work-Outs For All Types

For the past 11 months, I’ve trained my body. To become something better than it’s been in a long time. Then it hit me. Why stop at that limit? Why not train to be better than I’ve ever been? So, I hit the NRH Centre gym three to four times a week. I started at thirty to forty-five minutes and, by the end of each session, my face beamed such a splendid cherry red that folks stop to stare at the tomato (that would be me) using the work-out equipment. Looking for actual muscles seemed to be an exercise in futility, but I kept going: three to four times a week. Week after week, I […]

Inspiration . . . what inspires you?

Do you need to fill up the well? Jolt that creative side of your muse? What are the things that make your soul sing with joy? What inspires you? Makes you smile when the world is dark and gloomy?For me . . . Family! My dad’s 80th birthday party — and my son getting a royal ribbing for being the red-haired grandson.My dad.Christmas is more fun in a cowboy hat. Vacations really inspire me.Dogs are family, too! Friends! Critique partners — The Flip-Flop Sisters Success! The first book cover.My daughter’s college ring. My son building his own super-sized, mega computer. Great Scenery! The Vitamin String Quartet. Great Music! What else? White chocolate, Macadamin Nut cookies. […]