Hitting the BIg Time!!

Well, this is it! I have hit the big time, sorta anyway. Sue LaPointe- who is definitely square into the big time- knows me by name and even let me review her new book, Working Writer Happy Writer, and today, I got a personal email from Peter Bowerman- the Well Fed Writer himself- woo hoo, can you believe it. I ordered a couple of Peter's books, (cuz they're the best) and he dropped me a note and commented that he liked the name of my business- which, of course, is Write About Everything! He actually liked it. I feel a little like Sally Field did at the Academy Awards that one year- "You like me, you really really like me!"

Anyway, business is going good- picking up new gigs all the time. I still pinch myself a couple times a day in order to make sure its really happening. I will be ready to drop down in hours at my "out of the house" job soon- although I may wait until after Christmas!
Hope all is well with all of you. Stop in at the Writer's Cafe this weekend- its the place to be. Scroll down a couple of posts and you'll find the link to the Writer's Cafe and to Sue's new book also. Here's Peter Bowerman's link: http://wellfedwriter.com/
Have a great weekend!
Teresa

Today is a new day!

Hi everyone,

Well, today is an exciting new day. I want to tell you about the release of a new book that I have had the awesome privlege to review and put into action. The book is titled "Working Writer, Happy Writer" by Sue LaPointe. Sue is a freelance writer who started her own business a little more than a year ago and since that time she has moved up to the # 5 ranked writer (out of hundreds) on Guru.com. She has written a book that details everything she did to start a writing business from nothing to making over $5,000 a month in six months time. I was fortunate enought to review this book for Sue and put it into action. My own writing business "Write About Everything" is taking off and becoming a reality. This has been a dream of mine that I honestly never thought would take shape and take off. Thanks to Sue and this amazing book, it has.

If you have ever thought of starting your own writing business, this is the first book you need to read. Read it, do it, and succeed. It really is that simple.

Here's the link to Sue's book: http://www.workingwriterhappywriter.com/publishing/Get_paid_to_write.html

Old friends, new lives

Do you know people that just seem to have so many friends they can't even keep 'em all straight? I have had the amazing good fortune throughout my life to be one of those people. I've been pretty social most of my life and I genuinely like people, so it all came real easy. Not just acquaintances either, but good friends who cared about me a lot.
It seems life always intervenes, though doesn't it? Times change, people come and go and friends wander in and out of our lives. I've always believed that certain people are only intended to be in our lives for a short while and when we have each given what was needed to the other, then we move on.
Recently, I had the amazing experience of running into an old friend that I hadn't seen for probably 15 or 20 years. Wow, was that a surprise! Years ago we were best friends, practically inseparable through high school. We had so much fun and got into SOOOO much trouble! It was everything that a friendship between a couple of kids should be. Unfortunately we really lost touch. I blame a lot of that on me. I've spent most of my life staying in my own space as much as I can. I venture into someone's life and when I think I need to, I venture back out. Now here I am at an age I can no longer deny is middle age. I have narrowed the number of my friends considerably. I have also improved the depth and quality of my friendships and I make a real effort to stay in touch now. I don't know if its age or what. I think I've learned that I get to choose who to share my life with and quality beats the heck out of quantity every time.
I reconnected with another old friend a couple years back. That has undoubtedly been one of the best decisions I have ever made. We picked up right where we left off and we are as close as two friends can be. I am hoping to reconnect with this old high school friend in that same way.

We have different lives now--new lives. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for old friends! What do you think??
Later,
Teresa

How's your higher self?

Have you ever noticed that when there is a message you really need to hear, it will continue to be repeated until you take some action? That always seems to be the case when I am being particularly stubborn or procrastinating to such a degree that it really should be some sort of yoga posture! And yet, there is something so forgiving in the universe that when you finally get the courage to step out and take action, wow! Things begin to fall into place.

I've had times, a lot of them to tell the truth, when I really began to wonder if my turns had just about run out. It seemed that something always got in my way, when really it was just me. When you have a dream, your true dream, and it hasn't worked out the way you hoped, eventually it seems easier to start letting go of the dream than to try again. You kind of move into a holding pattern. You can live in a holding pattern for only so long, though. It may seem that you stay on top of it for a very long time, and then, slowly it all begins to slip.

I think the magic is when you realize that clinging to that facade is a heck of a lot more work than just becoming who you really are after all. No more excuses, no more apologies, no more guilt.

Then, the door begins to open, and tomorrow comes after all.

Think about that for the night and we'll talk about it tomorrow.
Teresa

Busy Busy weekend

I wanted to stop in and say hi! How was your weekend? Mine was busy, but wonderful. Lots of family and lots of work. Not quite enough rest, but maybe tonight?
I found a wonder place to visit on the web. The Weekend Writer's Cafe from GROW YOUR WRITING BUSINESS blog. The Cafe board is open from Friday to Sunday at can be found here: http://www.growyourwritingbusiness.com/?p=325 The blog is always available at the same place. Check it out-- it really is a nice place to be.
Time for me to get back to work.
Teresa

Reflections on a legacy

What do you think of when you consider the word "legacy?" I hadn't thought much about that until yesterday. As we laid my sister-in-law to rest, her oldest son read a eulogy he wrote with the help of his siblings. She had been an incredible mother and as her children shared their memories of her, it was obvious that the things she taught them were the things we all teach our children. What made her so special was the fact that, well, it worked!
Her children speak of her with smiles and love and respect. Her children didn't wonder aloud what they might do without her, for they knew she had given them all they needed to face whatever life might throw at them with the same dignity and honor and grace that she did. Her life was an open book to her kids and this allowed them to be open with her. Her strength and her spirit taught all who knew her to be strong and brave. She didn't just leave memories with her husband and children. She left a legacy.
I have known and loved a lot of people. I have respected many. I have admired only a few. I admired my sister-in-law. That is a legacy.

Sometimes You're UP and Sometimes, well . . .

Hi Everyone!
I've been so busy this past couple of weeks, it has been difficult to get here. But, I made up my mind today was the day.
Great news! I got the book AND the job. The book is fabulous and as soon as it is released to the general public, you really need to get it. If you have ever thought you might be ready to start your own freelance writing business, I am here to tell you, Sue LaPointe is the real deal. What I love about the book is that the author allows the reader to feel incredibly optomistic about the reality of starting up a business, without pumping sunshine you know where! It is easy to read and SO easy to relate to. If I knew what Sue knows, this is the book I would have wanted to write. I will keep you updated. Here's the link to her site. Start with her newsletter and then snoop around a bit. She's got some good stuff! http://www.workingwriterhappywriter.com/
I also got a gig. I already wrote one article and I am waiting for more. I also answered several job board SEO postings, so hopefully I can pick up some regular ongoing work here. I am ready!

We've been faced with the idea and the reality of losing family members in my family this week. We had a big benefit dinner and silent auction for my brother-in-law who has cancer. To our deep sadness, the day before the benefit, we lost our sister-in-law. We leave today for the services. My heart breaks for my older brother who has lost his love and my little sister who has been losing hers for a year now.

So, we say our good-byes as we say our "don't go yet"s and through it all we get each other through it just like always. Thank God for families. They could never break our hearts so much if they didn't give us so much love and joy. We miss you Jan! We aren't letting go, David!
We will pray and we will eat scalloped potatoes and ham in the basement of a small town church that will be saying goodbye too soon to one of the most amazing women I have ever known.
Then we will return back here and tell ourselves that NOW things will be settled down and a little less chaotic.

Then I remember I am starting my own business and my three grandchildren are under 10 and underfoot. They live downstairs from my apartment. It is the most wonderful living arrangement I have ever had. I want it to last forever. Of course it won't. Perhaps it shouldn't. It will not be less chaotic. ever. really.

I will see you on the end of the week.
Teresa