The BIG 10 – A Writer’s List…

So here it is, Project # 1 – This particular project was taken from the September issue  of  Writer’s Digest  magazine (WritersDigest.com.) Now, I have put my own spin on the project and I encourage you to do the same with MY list. If you are a writer, use this list whole or tweak it to fit your life, if you are not a writer but say an artist, musician, gardener, Long-distance runner, etc you can make this list work for you as well. You will see what I mean as we go along.

Here it is, the”Writer’s Bucket list” (10 items)

1. PUBLISH A SHORT STORY

~I am calling this done for me personally as I have had several published – I continue to write and submit, but for the sake of this item I am complete √

2. GO TO A WRITING CONFERENCE

~This item, for me, was on my 40 after 40 list – I did attend a few classes/seminars but not a full-fledged conference but it is a short-term goal. A suggestion for you when thinking of attending any kind of conference is to investigate the group sponsoring it. Many time if you become a member of that group (your dues are good for a year) you can get advance notice of events and a big discount on the big conferences. It is worth your time to see if you’d like to be a member of their organization and support their programs before attending the conference. It will save you money and you may make some excellent network contacts as well

3. FREELANCE FOR MONEY

~ I investigated this and, even though I write in several different areas I found magazines were not necessarily my passion. I have many “article-type” stories but I don’t enjoy the querying of  many magazines to see if they are a fit. It is time-consuming for me however for those waiting for a novel or other manuscript to hit it’s worth the time investment to try to bring is some extra money while you wait on other publishers. The best advice is to do your homework on the magazine and make sure your query letter is stellar!

4. VISIT CITY LIGHTS (Bookstore in San Francisco) – This is the suggestion of Elizabeth Sims the author of the WD article.

~Now this is where I encourage you to veer off if you wish too. I honestly don’t see myself traveling to California or San Francisco in particular any time in the near future, as such this one doesn’t work for me, However, there are a few very large bookstores in New York City I have yet to visit and I love New York and hope to make much more frequent trips there in the future so that will be my “book store” goal for # 4. Where would you  like to visit? What’s the holy grail of bookstores for you?

5. WRITE + PUBLISH AN ESSAY

~Pretty straighforward, I have written several and only submitted two, again it’s like the magazines and taking the time to find a place they fit within the guidelines of that particular project. I do like to write these types of pieces, however and I encourage you to do the same they can be cathartic and funny and when you have a bunch you can package them together as a cohesive manuscript to try to submit.

6. TAKE A WRITING RETREAT

~This can be as simple as borrowing a friends empty beach house for a weekend in the off-season, or applying to one of the writer’s residences designed for this purpose. In New Hampshire there is the famous MacDowell Colony in Peterborough. Most of these retreats have an application process and offer no money but they do offer you a week to a month to stay and contemplate and create in beautiful surroundings. I have my eye on one in Ireland and one in Hawaii but they will take some grant money that I have not won yet but they are on the short list! What locales inspire you? Are there any quiet areas in your neighborhood you could “hide” for a day or two? Once you start looking you will see how many opportunities there are out there!

7. WRITE A NOVEL

~This, for most writer’s is IT. The “great-american” novel of old. It is why most people dive into writing in the first place as they feel they have some epic story inside they just need to get out. Well, do it. There is no right or wrong way to start. All authors have different styles and if you wish to start with the last chapter and handwrite it on a the back of envelopes than go ahead, whatever works for you. Now, when your done should you wish to submit you masterpiece it will need to be typed in Times New Roman in 12pt font, double-spaced, but for now just start writing it however and wherever you want!

8. GO TO BEA (Book Expo America)- this is the biggest publishing event for the U.S. typically held once a year in New York.

~So this one has been on my list for a long time, actually it was on my list when I was a Library Director but small towns have small budgets! But how cool to go as a spectator, an author or a presenter – this is the BIG event for all things in the writing World and well worth a look at their website to peak your curiosity  -http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/Show-Info/

9. READ SHAKESPEARE

~I was assigned only a smattering of Shakespeare by a disinterested English teacher that was too busy railing against the establishment while in the midst of a messy affair and divorce. He made it so tedious I never picked up another, however, as  poet I am interested in the format and language of the sonnets that I am willing to give it a go. I also like the ideas behind some of the movies I’ve seen and I would like to attempt to read several works and better grasp his style. I am planning on starting with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

10. FILL IN THE BLANK________________________

~What item is NOT on this list that you have set or would like to set as a personal writing-life goal? Here’s your chance. I of course have too many to list here as many of you regular followers already know, I always have several things going at once! So this one is up to you it can be a long or short-term goal. Could be tangible, like a completed manuscript or more abstract like a trip or maybe just vowing to do 1 hour of research a day – or how about attempting to read the books that accompany your favorite move – not the novelization that came after BUT the book that inspired it in the 1st place. there are millions, literally a few obvious, Harry Potter Series, The Godfather, Eat, Pray, Love, The Cat in the Hat! You get the idea.

We writer’s are powerful people as most people say they find reading boring and they don’t have time, BUT they all find time for movies, right? Love those movies and the premieres and midnight showings, well guess where most of them came from? Many movies these days are NOT original screenplays Spiderman which spawned several movie sequels was a comic book first. So don’t be discouraged if people don’t want to “read” what you write as eventually they will “see” it in the theaters and for you poets, they will “hear” on the local radio being sing by Faith Hill or Christina Aguilera!

So there you have it – a list to challenge and inspire you to branch out in your writing. Have fun with it and I encourage you to leave your comments on the post to let others know of your progress and success. And if you are not a writer you can make this list work too! If you are an artist, your ten goals could include visiting every gallery in your state, having an exhibit of your work in a local gallery or local Library, Imitate a famous painting with your own style etc…. and for you long-distance runners how about a list consisting of running a marathon in all 50 states, entering a triathlon, or an Ironman competition or running every road in your town at least once?

As you see this list can be adapted to whatever walk of life you are taking. Just find what you love and write down the numbers one to ten and get going. My suggestion is to make it fun and also challenging, get your friends to make lists also and encourage each other and check on their progress. Also make short and long-term goals. If they are all too far out and seem unattainable you will get frustrated, bored and quit. Most important just start, you never know where you will finish! Have fun.

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“Let’s get it started…”

It has been awhile since my last post. It is ironic that when one is a full-time writer that there is often no time to write on their blog! More to the point I like this forum to be entertaining and somewhat informative and as a platform, I don’t feel I need to post everyday with just random thoughts for the sake of making a post. And to post a quote and wax poetic about it – well that takes time from the writing I am supposed to be doing that pays the bills. So, in some instances I am choosing not to “waste” your time and mine. I told myself when I had a new project for either writing or life as that’s what this blog is about, that I would share it.

So, it is now August 2nd and August has always been a kick-start month for me. Many of my most important events and milestones have happened in August and many projects I started in August were met with great success. It may seem a quirky thing to you but it’s something I pay attention to. Life is often odd and random and when something gives you goosebumps or seems to be “calling” to you, PAY ATTENTION.

So, I have two new items that I will be “blogging” about.

1. is a writing item, not just for me but for the other writers (aspiring or otherwise) that follow this blog.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. is a “life” project that I am embarking on along with my Mom and my husband I have not broken the news to them yet BUT when they see what it is I am sure they will both jump on the bandwagon willingly.  However, that reveal is for another day but I am looking forward to starting it as it should be a ton of fun for us and everyone needs something fun to look forward too!

With that I will say, “stay tuned” as I’d like to put it in a separate post as easier reference for those of you who may choose to follow or embark on that journey as well!

Thanks for following along and I hope that these new projects will inspire you to either participate or start projects of your own and if you simply reading for entertainment, well then that’s fine too! I’m glad to have you.

As always I welcome your thoughts and comments and questions on the blog!

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

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“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.

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“What’s in a name?!…”

Over on my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Rossetti-Folini-Bee-Leaf-Works/123347344351416 I ran a contest during the past week. I had written a poem and decided to let my fans choose the title. The winner would be given credit for the poem here on this blog and anywhere the poem appears in print in the future. As a writer I feel that titles are the most important part of any piece of writing whether it be your Blog post, Novel, chapter headings, magazine article, or poem. Titles are also my  favorite part of writing. In some cases I come up with a title I love, then build a piece around it, this is similar to buying a pair of earrings then purchasing an outift that goes with them!

I received 15 really varied entries and the creativity of some of them was great. Some made me laugh out loud and others inspired me to want to write a poem that went with THAT title. This contest was a lot of fun and I enjoyed seeing how other people’s minds work through a creative challenge. So having said all that, the winning title and the poem that inspired it, are pasted below! Congratulations to………………….. Judi McCue!

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Inklings

Robins cling to budded branches that sway in Lions’ breeze,

watching a once winter-still brook that now flows by with ease.

Squirrels search on sodden bank for treasure among the reeds

then race across a field now scattered with white carpet remnants, once green.

If I had somehow missed these signs that winter was ready to go

I would still know that spring is near for a gentle lamb

told me so.

Title by: Judi McCue

Poem by: Melissa Rossetti Folini

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Now, I enjoyed all your entries so much that I actually created a poem as a gift to all of you from all of your entries! Thanks for the creative challenge!!! So Judi, Pam, Vaughn, Sharon, Heather, Mark, Mary, Lynn, Mary Beth, Suzanne, and “Cosmo” here is “your” poem! (the titles in Italicized throughout the piece.)

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“Spring Salutations”

 I can hear the murmur of Vernal Musings on The Happening of Deliquesce.

I feel Inklings of A New Beginning upon Earth Awakening as the March in Spring Unfolds

to pull the Wool Over Winter.

Everywhere I look The Menagerie of March Madness points the way to The Promise of Spring.

I sigh in recognition of the Soothing Inception of Winter’s Final Whisper and Spring’s Gentle Roar.

The Not so Silence of the Lambs decrees spring is here once more.

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Thank you all again and rest assured there will be more contests forthcoming. This was a great exercise for me and I loved having all your participation!

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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“Put a Little Love in Your Heart!”

Love it or Loathe it, Valentine’s Day is here to stay and I don’t feel that is a bad thing as sometimes we all need a little reminder to actually SHOW and TELL the ones we love how we feel. Going through our everyday lives sometimes on autopilot important things often get taken for granted and feelings that should be expressed go unspoken. So you don’t have to buy into all the overpriced Roses hoopla but it wouldn’t hurt to take February 14th as a day to make it your mission to let everyone that you love know them, let them stop guessing, take the mystery out of it, don’t wait until there’s a serious illness, tell them now. Tell them yesterday and tell them again tomorrow or show them with a nice meal or washing the salt off their car or doing the dishes. People need to feel loved 365 days of the year but if you can’t do that at least make it a point in February. Really, you have no excuse the heart, flowers, and cupids are everywhere to remind you!

Speaking of “love” thank you all for showing your love to this Blog as It has reached a milestone of 5,000 views! I am so excited about that and I thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to spend a few minutes with the thoughts, stories, and advice I have shared here. I hope it has helped you and at the very least made you chuckle.

One of the points of this Blog is to help you be happy. Sounds pretty simple and basic and honestly it is. Through my anecdotes and tips and examples, I’m hoping to give a base of a roadmap to help you “Live the Life you have imagined.” They say if your “do what you love, you will love what you do” and wouldn’t it be great if everyone was excited to wake up in the morning because their day was going to unfold exactly the way the envisioned it. How great it would be to book your vacations only now they are not “dream vacations” but reality trips and they happen frequently. Wouldn’t you like to NOT dread Monday because it’s your Monday, you’re excited to work because it’s what you have always wanted to do, or your living where you have always wanted, or working with whom you have always wanted.

The “impossible” dream is possible. Is it easy to attain? Nope. However, it can happen and wouldn’t you rather spend a day putting hard work into YOUR dream then hard work into someone elses for minimum wage? I can’t encourage you enough to think about what you LOVE. When was the last time you got chills that had nothing to do with the snow? If you’re watching something or reading about something and you get a feeling in your stomach and goosebumps on your arms that is your body’s way of saying, “Hey, Pay attention! We like this and we want to do more of it!” Write down what it was that made you feel the excitement and anticipation. Then and this is the step most people stop at….Figure out what is between you and that feeling or goal. Is it lack of talent, experience, knowledge, confidence??? All of those have solutions: Take singing lessons, take a class, read up on the subject, believe in yourself and celebrate the little victory’s along the way. It CAN be done. Find what gives you the chills and go after it! You deserve to wake up everyday with a smile. There are no do-overs in this game of life, know that, you deserve to do and be what you love!

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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The View From Here…

New England is famous for its ever-changing weather. The old saying goes, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.” This December we made it to a White Christmas by the skin of our teeth with a scant inch of snow on the ground which was gone within days. However, since then we’ve had a major snowstorm, followed by a blizzard, followed by another 8 inches, some nice sleet on top, 18 hours reprieve followed by another several very fluffy inches. When I woke up this morning the view out our large picture window was breath-taking, every tree branch had a coating and not a single bird or animal had made any tracks on the ground in the orchard area. It was pristine and undisturbed. It was a beautiful sight and it proved to be an inspirational one as well as I penned a poem shortly after I took a few photographs.

The irony of the gorgeous view I had out my back window is, when I turned to face the window that overlooked the main street that we live on, I saw a very different scene. The road was covered in that greasy, brown slush that cars love to spin and fish-tail in. Our stairs were covered in knee-length drifts, and our carefully shoveled path of the night before was gone again. The view out back showed undisturbed peace and calm and a relaxing vision. The view out front caused anxiety, frustration, and worry over dangerous road conditions, back-jarring shoveling, and icy walkways. It’s amazing how this one event from Mother Nature could cause such polar opposite reactions.

In reality, Mother Nature just does what she does best, she dropped some snow as  she always does. The juxtaposition of the reactions to it are all mine. This leads me to the discovery I wanted to share today, that life gives us a lot of situations and it gives those situations to everyone, the difference is in how you REACT to them. There is a choice here. You can choose to see the beauty of the snow or fixate on the difficulties in its removal. The point here is, if I never turned around I would have just kept enjoying the view and the sense of peace it brought.

So my advice to you is this: If you don’t like your view (your situation, your job, your life) simply adjust your view. If you look at problems or situations from a different angle you may have a different perspective and a different reaction. Again, it’s a choice and it’s a simple one. You can capture the serenity of the snow in a poem or curse the wet and cold intrusion, the choice is yours and I can tell you one is going to make you have a really bad day, and who needs that.

For me, I focused on the beauty and captured it with images and words and I have enjoyed the view from here all day long.

                  

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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Resolutions into Results!

If you look at the word ”resolutions” you will see all the ingredients necessary for “results”! Pretty neat huh? They’ve been there all along you maybe just didn’t see it. With the dawning of 2011 people around the World make wishes, goals, & resolutions as what better time then the start of a new year? Some people genuinely make these resolutions as they are looking for change and need a meaningful start date. Some people make drunken plans they won’t remember in 24 hours. Many people scoff at those who would use a calendar change to bring about a life change and that’s probably why in 2012 they will be exactly where they were in 2009, 2010, & 2011 – “if nothing changes, nothing changes.”

I think the reason resolutions have gotten a bad reputation is the fact that :

1. Most people are afraid of change and committment so they refuse to step out of their comfort zone and make one at all.

2. People make the wish without making a plan to make it so.

It is not the resolution that failed it was the person that made it! Period.

This has a simple solution though. That is……

Write the dang thing down!

If you keep it as a secret wish in your head and never formulate a plan or outline any steps it remains as a wish and will be gone by February and replaced with self-loathing and disgust at your lack of “will-power.” It’s not your lack of willpower it’s your lack of planning.

Give your dream/resolution life. Make it count by writing it down then, there it is, your intention is on paper and out into the World. Now that you’ve  launched it, give it direction. Write right underneath as many steps that come into your head on how to make it happen. Then start putting symbols or checks next to those you can do right away. Don’t forget to give yourself an end date –  something to shoot for, it need not be concrete but it will help you measure your progress and keep your confidence and focus. Starting on New Year’s day is only part of the battle.

Also, mark those items that may be perceived as challenges or obstacles or hinge on something or someone else before you can complete the step. Separate those out on another piece of paper and list WHY you “think” it’s an issue,  then brainstorm how you will get around it. Give yourself short-term goals and if you need to, short-term rewards as well.

This is about you, it is what you want and you can make it happen. You wouldn’t buy a car without doing research, defining a budget, etc. Goals are the same way decide which make and model you want then outline what you need to do to get it and most importantly ….Begin.

Don’t let your resolutions become a cliché, make them a reality. All you need is your wish and a pen and a piece of paper to begin. Fear is not welcome here.

As usual I have made a few resolutions/goals myself. I make them constantly but I admit to saving the big ones for birthdays and New Years. They’re very powerful days and bigger goals need all th extra oomph I can muster. I let them swim in my head for a while until I get a clear picture or vision then I can write down exactly what it is I’m hoping to accomplish then I set out figuring out how to get there. I have also helped several others with this technique as well. Voicing or writing down your intentions is a VERY important step, if you won’t take the time to do that then I can tell you, you won’t invest the time to make it come true either. It really is that simple and the control is all yours, don’t fool yourself with that one. Life is about choices, YOUR choices, you either make them or your don’t. This year why not try making the ones YOU want and then making your dream a reality. Life throws us enough obstacles without letting ourselves get in the way. Keep your vision clear and when things get hectic and sketchy call on that picture in your mind, read your goal list, and regain your focus.

2010 was a mixed year for me, I saw the publication of my book, and several poems, I grew my speaking business and help out my husband on the way to attaining some of his goals. However, we lost a family member suddenly and while it drives home the point of life being to short it also leaves you with trying to help those left behind get on with daily life and create a new “normal,” There is also a year of 1sts to go through without that person. I have been through it a number of times and you don’t get over it BUT you do get through it. There are times when others needs are more important than yours and as long as you hold on to your focus you can move forward and do the right thing by your family as well.

In November we also lost our entertaining, flatulent, ravenous, four-legged companion Max. Those of you familiar with the blog are very aware of his antics and penchant for eating EVERYTHING. But, when the hungriest dog in the World won’t eat you know he’s sick. I miss my buddy everyday as since I work from home he was a constant presence (& pain) and also muse. So we have had some loss but had some good also and we are all moving forward into this brand new year with hope, optimism, and determination and we will come out on the other side better than when we started..know that!

Happy 2011! Good luck with your resolutions and if ou need help getting “results,” Contact me for help. There is a list of what I can do for you under the “services” page.

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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“Knowing is half the Battle…”

So the month-long NaNoWriMo begins today! This is where myself as well as people around the country (World) will attempt to craft a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. As I have said before I have written a novella in 3-days so I am confident I can meet this challenge! Since October I have been mulling over exactly which novel, however, to work on this month. You all know how much I love to multi-task so I usually have several projects going at once so trying to pin myself down to just one “novel” idea for a month has been a challenge all by itself. I have jotted some preliminary notes for at least two different novels and have back-burner ideas for 3 others. Decisions, decisions.

This brings me to a point I’d like to make about writing and life in general. As a child when I spent hours a day visiting the library I dreamed of being a writer. As I got a bit older and begin working my way up the “Library Ladder” to Director, I again dreamed of being a full-time writer. In my head when I saw myself as a “Famous Author,” it was always novels. It is ironic then that my first published book was a non-fiction story time/cookbook manual stemming from my years of Library work and children’s programming. It is even more ironic that the next 3 things I published were poems. Between my signing my book contract and making the decision to retire from my Library life to pursue this dream full-time I also had 3 short stories published. Since retiring I have manuscripts for poetry, a collection of true, humorous New England stories, and a children’s picture book. no completely finished novels.

This makes me chuckle as I guess the stereotype of a writer and their “life” of tapping away at a keyboard for hours writing the “Great American Novel,”isnot necessarily reality. In my case I found, I just like to write. My poems often come to me quickly and completely with very little revision needed, this is a bonus and a wonderful gift. I also write screenplays, novels, and of course short stories. What I DID realize a couple of months ago was, even though I wrote a book column for the local paper for 3 years I actually do not like the journalism aspect of writing. I kept thinking I should be querying magazines and interviewing people for these fascinating articles and truth be told. I couldn’t make myself do it. I just plain don’t like it. I LOVED my book column as it was about books and I could put whatever spin on it I chose and I loved the deadline aspect. However, trying to create a fact-based article just really bored me and for a while I felt bad until I realized I didn’t HAVE to write a single magazine article if I didn’t want to. No one was forcing me and I don’t know why I felt obligated too in the first place. Every place I visit and every experience I have can be used in a poem, essay, screenplay, or novel it doesn’t have to be for Yankee, or NHtoDo or anyone. I felt so relieved when I gave myself  permission to NOT write articles and instead stick to what I love and what is most creative.

My point being, it is just as important in writing as well as life to know what you DO NOT want to do as it is to know what it is you like. Doing something you don’t like or want out of sheer obligation or whatever is a disservice to you and everyone else. So if you’re having trouble figuring out “where” to start. Why not try eliminating where you “DON’T” want to start and then evaluate the choices that are left!

Now, I am on to NaNoWriMo! (National Novel Writing Month). Good luck to my fellow NaNo participants and anyone else embarking on something new in November!

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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www.nanowrimo.org – for more information

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“Unobstructed View…”

Well the birthday came and went the celebrations lasted for a good week, you have to love that and with the rolling of the calendar days came the “completion” of my 40 after 40 quest. I have updated both ”The List” and the “Photo” page with the results. I have to say I am pretty proud of what I accomplished regarding my life’s “to-do” list. I had fun, saw some beautiful sights and made some great memories. I also saw the power of humanity in the willingness of friends and strangers to help you realize your dreams. I think the lesson there was perhaps not in ignoring people who tell you can’t do something but listening to and surrounding yourself with the people who tell you, you CAN and even offer help.

We spend most of our life listening to the wrong people. The people who tell you your dreams are dumb, unattainable, ridiculous, a waste of time, etc. When you hear that time and time again you start to believe THAT instead of what you know in your heart to be true. Most of the time those people were wrong and spoke out of jealousy, fear, and ignorance. To follow your heart is to be brave and to put yourself out on a limb. If you have ever studied a tree branch it is thickest closet to the trunk and the other branches. The further it gets from the trunk it not only gets thinner but starts to curve and twist in its own unique way. There is comfort in the protection of the familiar no matter how constricting it is. But does comfort equal happiness????? The thin part of the branch is the scariest BUT it is also where you get a clearer unobstructed view of what is really out there. It is worth the trip to let go of the trunk and shimmy your way out to the edge of the limb. Your belief and faith in yourself will sustain you. It’s when you look back at the trunk and the naysaying branches behind you that begin to become heavy and your limb starts to crack.

Ignore those that would limit you and your beliefs and surround yourself instead with the beautiful leaves perched at the end in view of your dreams. Know that first you CAN do this alone if you wish, this gives you the luxury of being choosy with whom you share your dreams with or who you ask for help from. If you believe you can do it alone you won’t feel pressured to fall back into the (Un)comfortable zone of those who say, “See, I told you it wouldn’t work.” Leave your fears and negative followers behind you, let them cling to the middle of the tree and watch you climb to the end for the best view. You owe it to yourself. If you’re scared, start small everything is accomplished ONE step at a time.

I still have some people in my life that are filled with jealousy and judgement but they are in the minority now. There are some people that for whatever reason will always be in your life and in these situations, since they aren’t changing or going away, you need to learn to make their voice a whisper in your head instead of a shout. As I have said before this is YOUR life YOU are the one living it and shouldn’t it be on your terms?

I have a few items on my list still and I WILL see them through mainly because I WANT to or they wouldn’t be on the list. I set a goal to cram four decades of missed experiences and opportunities into a year and I got about 85% done. I am pleased with the results and the desire and the list didn’t disintegrate on my birthday. I now have a partial road map of what I’d like to accomplish in the next year or two and rest assured I will be adding more things along the way so I don’t have to make a 50 after 50 list! Eventually I would like a list of 2 or 3 things. Not for lack of desire BUT, because I actually kept doing things, setting goals, and having experiences so that they don’t build up into a laundry list of “somedays.” My quest taught me to do it now or make a plan to do it as soon as possible after all no one here gets out alive, so use the good dishes and the guest towels. Enjoy your life and your things and be flexible and fearless you’ll be glad you did!

Stay tuned for my next blog project. My most immediate adventure will be immersing myself once again in November’s NaNoWriMo. This “National Novel Writing Month” where the goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I have participated previously and last year (It was on the list) the final editing for my contracted manuscript came due during November so that took priority but this year the ideas are swimming and I am eager to plunge into the 30-day deadline starting November 1st and see what I can create!

Thanks for following along on my journeys and I hope through my honesty and humor I have inspired you to take a look at the trials and errors of “living the life you have imagined” and touched a spark in your heart.

Stay tuned!

Also, if you feel you may need some more professional spiritual or inspirational help in achieving your dreams, a friend is running a sweepstakes for a conference in beautiful Sedona, AZ. see the info and link below!
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To empower people with the knowledge and tools to co-create the lives of their dreams through partnership with Spirit.
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To empower people with the knowledge and tools to co-create the lives of their dreams through partnership with Spirit.

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! 

I am also available to speak for your group, club, or function.

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“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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Ten days until “D” (B)-Day!….

So my quest for the 40 after 40 will come to a close in ten days. I am very proud of all that I have accomplished over the past year and a bit annoyed as well that I needed to make a list in my 4th decade to actually accomplish some very simple things. I have heard from readers that my list inspired them to make list of their own of all different lengths and goals and that is a very happy bonus! Losing a family member unexpectedly this summer just drove home the whole point behind the list. We only get the one time around and we should try to be as happy and fulfilled as we possibly can. Again, my list is/was filled with things I actually wanted to do and some I needed to do in order to make other goals happen and my only regret in the process is I waited so long. It was quite a challenge to fit 40 years of “wants” into a year and they won’t all get done by THIS birthday, but I plan on having many more so I will keep going. Just because the calendar announces the end of this quest is by no means an announcement that I will stop having fun, accomplishing goals, and fulfilling dreams. Some people work best on a deadline or under pressure. I am confident that everything on my list will come true mainly because I wish it too and I am going to keep working on it! I am very close to completing a few more items on the list and I will give the final total after next week. 

For now I urge you to set a deadline, make a list even if it’s only comprised of one or two things. Give yourself until your birthday or Christmas and do something for you that you have always wanted too. Enlist the help of others, step outside your comfort zone, when you have help and determination it’s not such a scary place after all and the rewards are well worth it! Make THIS the year you stop saying “someday” and start “living the life you have imagined!” 

Here’s a tip that works for me that may help you. When I am in need of a shot in the arm of inspiration I watch movies that make me say “I can do this!” It IS possible if you want it bad enough and work hard enough. One of them is “Rudy” he was an underdog if ever there was one. EVERYONE told him “no” from his teachers, to coaches, to his own family. He gave up everything and ended up having to spend a year at Holy Cross instead of his goal of Notre Dame. BUT he got a good education while never losing sight of his ultimate goal. He felt frustration and kept plugging away despite ALL odds. “Rudy,” Daniel Reuttiger is now a very successful motivational speaker and why not he has a great story to tell. That’s just one example but it’s a good one. One of my favorite quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt is, “You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” If you think you can and make a plan and don’t stop until you get it, it is the most empowering feeling in the World! here’s the kicker, once you get that done you realize that they are a few other things you thought were out of reach that begin to look attainable. Once you finish your “impossible” dream that dream becomes the first domino in a long line and they all just fall into place and give you the momentum need to move forward into the happy life you daydreamed about and deserve. 

Take the first step by simply making a list. get them out of your head and onto a piece of paper, that’s it for now. Just giving them life by writing them down will make them seem more real and not so daunting. There’s no time like the present. You will be glad you did! 

Stay tuned for the final dash to finish the “List!” As well as my next “project!!” 

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.  

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“Making a list..Checking it Twice…”

The weather has a distinct chill which after weeks of heat wave weather is just fine with me. It also means Fall is coming and that means I’m a little over a month away from my birthday. Here’s an update on the progress of my 40 after 40 year-long quest!

#1 &# 2 are in progress but will NOT be completed by this birthday but I am uber-confident by next birthday if not before

#4 & #5 are coming along nicely and I intend to wear the boots for/on my birthday..(that’s what Advil is for!)

#8 Will not happen in this timeframe but I will keep pursuing..

#10 Won’t happen before October but could happen in December!

#11 Hasn’t happened yet

#12 99% done! plan in place to finish!

#13 85% done but plan in place to finish

#14 Not yet but a group of Prowler owners are desperately trying to make it happen!

#15 soon

#18 Calling it done as I have written a TRUE one as opposed to the fictional..out at a pub. as we speak

#19 Max is star in the blog but has not gotten his own book just yet

#21 Well on the way – have a custom program and inches are flying away

#22 Will work on this winter..have chosen Ice skating..could have done in the summer but the rink is expensive per session.

#23 I learned two – Poker (thanks to the hubby and his sketchy rules) and meditation – working on this technique is quite a challenge to try to quiet my multitasking mind, but I like the results (Thanks Corinne!)

#25 14.70 miles to go!

#26 Picked the Rest. just have to go

#27 One could argue that just waking up on the morning is a scary thing, but that’s a cop-out but there are fears to be faced on a daily basis like fear of rejection, spiders, bridges, getting hurt, etc.. this will be a forever item but I’m calling it done for the purpose of this quest!

#28 several things in the works, but am at the mercy of other people for a few and I did start a new tradition which we will continue this December so..Done

#30/#30 This is nothing but a timing and money issue and will be completed by St. Patrick’s day 2011 at the very latest!

#32 Two surprise birthdays, a French day for the dog, and a pasta feast for the Powerlifters..- done

#33 will have to wait for the snow

#37 was in the works until we lost a family member unexpectedly..but she WILL get there.

So the count is..23 out of 40 so far..check back for more updates ..I have posted the list below if you want to see what exactly is left!!!!

The Master List of the 40 things to accomplish in my 4oth year. Beginning October 16, 2009 and hopefully completed by October 15th, 2010!

1. To put my real weight on my Driver’s License or-in progress
2. to weigh what my Driver’s License says I do!-in progress
3. Try a new/different Hair-style (eek!) – DONE x2
4. To not give in to the back pain by buying ugly sensible shoes. Fix my Back! so I can…
5. Buy the sexy  boots and wear them! (1/2 done)
6. Visit Robert Frost Farm in Derry  ( I know shameful- it’s 15 mins. away)- DONE
7. To go and see where “The Old Man…” was! - DONE
8. Get an article published in Yankee Magazine
9. Finish the screenplay adaptation of  “The S.F.” (cryptic for a reason) – Script Frenzy participant
10. Take a trip to NEW YORK CITY (for fun and research!)
11. Win a writing contest that will pay for a cruise vacation
12. Develop the “Folini Fitness” Brand – DONE
13. Develop the “Bee Leaf Works” Brand – DONE
14. Drive a purple Prowler
15. Learn to drive a stick shift (may have to come before #14)
16. Make Paella  – DONE
17. Start a new Christmas “tradition” akin to Halloween “Boo’ing” – DONE!
18. Write another “Roy” story – DONE
19. Make “Max” a literary star – DONE
20. Surprise someone! – Done 2 surprise Birthdays!PLUS
21. Look like someone who is married to a personal trainer (in other words get healthier) - in progress
22. Perfect an old skill
23. Learn a NEW skill! – DONE
24. Plant and grow pumpkins again – Planted! -Done!
25. Walk 40 miles – either 20 down and 20 back or for a “cause”, etc
26. Go to a Restaurant and JUST order the BIG dessert
27. Do something that scares me (lots of things to pick from here!) - DONE
28. Start “something” – a group, contest, competition, charity, etc. - DONE
29. Book 5 speaking engagements/book talks -DONE!
30. Visit all the Irish pubs in Manch-Vegas
31. Visit all the Sommer’s Irish pubs in Boston
32. Throw a theme party, reunion, etc (or 2) – DONE
33. Go on a Sleigh ride
34. Complete a novel in a month during NaNoWriMo – Started….Contract mss due..took priority
35. Send Children’s picture book to publishers – Mailed to NYC 1/27/10!! – DONEx2
36. Send poetry chapbook out to a publisher – Done!
37. Send(or go with) Mimi to Prince Edward Island – on hold
38. Watch Mike for the first time in a powerlifting competition - DONE
39. Spend a weekend in Boston (for fun and Research) - DONE
40. Attend a writing conference/convention – DONE

Watch this page often for updates and completions!

 

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How is your list coming??!!!!

This weekend marks the anniversary of my “Kindness Challenge” I hope you have taken this challenge to heart the past year and helped out your friends, neighbors, and community members in whatever way you could. Big or small makes no difference, it truly is the thought here that counts and making someones day whether it’s anonymous or not. We owe it to ourselves and our friends and family to be kind to one another and take care of each other. It’s a BIG World out there and the little things get lost in the shuffle, don’t let kindness and generosity be one of them!

How many people can you touch this weekend??!!! I’m going for 11! by Monday morning! Message me and let me know how you did. I bet you can do at least 4. That’s only 2 a day! So get out there and start holding doors open for people, let them cut you in line, or give a neighbor your extra tomatoes! You’ll be glad you did!

 

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“If you don’t ask, the answer is always no…”

As you know if you follow my blog, I love the purple Plymouth Prowler. I even have a small model of one that I purchased when they first came out. They are very hard to find nowadays but I have seen a few around this area sporadically over the past few years and as such, decided it really needed to be on my 40 after 40 list. They are such a cool car and how fun would it be to get to drive one even if I never get to own one! The Mr. has a similar love (obsession) for the Cobra. He explains that there were only so many made and they are a half a million dollars and up, BUT for the bargain price of $60,000, we could get a “kit” and he could build one. So it is on our master life “to do” list.

We attended a car show Saturday as a treat for him and as a quest for me to see if the Prowler owner would be there. Well they weren’t BUT, the owner of a genuine, original Cobra was and they offered the Mr. a chance to get in the driver’s seat! As you will see from the picture below, he was a very happy man, and very afraid to touch anything! It was nice to see him get to at least sit in the genuine article and I continued my quest for the elusive Prowler.

That was Saturday, on Sunday I received an email in response to my ad on Craigslist to see if there was a Prowler owner in the area that would let me sit-in or drive their prowler so I could check #14 off my list. This gentleman saw my ad and posted it on a Prowler Forum with a request to any members on the East Coast to see if they could help me out! I have had an offer from Texas and a few suggestions of other owners in states a bit closer than Texas that may be able to help out. This man does not know me and did not have to take the step by posting my ad. He could have just read it and thought “good luck,” but he took the extra step and thanks to him, my goal is one BIG step closer to coming to fruition.

I am touched by the kindness of a stranger and the owners listed on that forum that are desperately trying to make this happen, it really makes my heart feel full! As a result of those members following the link to my blog I reached a milestone yesterday of 4,000 blog hits!! This is a goal I was hoping to hit by October and as of yesterday I had 4,037 views In just over a year. That is very cool and gives me great motivation to continue in not only my 40 after 40 quest but all the other goals and plans in my life as well!

I encourage you also to get out there and start crossing some items of your “bucket list” even if you just do one, won’t it feel great?! After all, the items on these type of lists are things you actually WANT to do – so just imagine if you actually got to do one or twelve??!!!

It’s an oft-spoke phrase but that does not make it any less important, “Life is Short!” No one gets out alive so get out there and live your dreams and be kind to one another in the process, you just might make someone’s day!

A very happy Mr. in the driver's seat of HIS dream car!

 

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.

alphainventions.com

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“Begin, the rest is easy…”

August 6, 2010 was the one-year anniversary of the inception of my blog! It started as  a way to document my quest for discipline and a goal to fold 1,000 origami cranes before my October milestone birthday. I achieved that goal and capitalizing on that momentum when I reached said birthday I then embarked on a new quest and changed the direction of the blog a bit in pursuit of my “40 after 40.” This is the list of “things” I wanted to accomplish in my fortieth year. I would like to take a moment to thank  all of you for following along over the year and for keeping up with the crane count and participating in my “Kindness Challenge” (which is still ongoing!!) and for throwing out your support and suggestions for the items on my “life list.”

My birthday is just about 2 months away and I have made great progress on my list. One thing I have learned which I will pass along is not to get too locked into your “list” that you miss an opportunity because it isn’t EXACTLY the way you envisioned it. Be open to the experience and allow yourself room to be flexible. For those of you that also made “lists” it’s imperative that you don’t view it as a chore, remember these are things you have always WANTED to do and just didn’t make the time. There is no time like the present!

My list as you can see on the “list” page included some trips and some items that relied on either money or other people to complete and if they don’t get accomplished, well, I’m not planning to expire on my birthday so I will keep them in the forefront of my mind and make sure they get done and after October 15th whatever may not be completed will be moved to a very short list which gives them a greater chance in getting done.

Having said that, Item #39 is to spend a weekend in Boston for fun and research. With the Mr.’s work schedule and more pressing bills and the fact that Boston IS only an hour away. On one very rare complete day off I told the Mr. to head the car towards 93 south and to get off when I tell you the exit. So, we did! We spent a day in The By State and walked along Boston Harbor, we ate our favorite pizza, bought some Italian bread and pastries and spent a long time in the North End, a place that brings back fond memories for me of all the trips we made in there with family over the years and for holiday shopping. Boston is a tradition for my family and I aim to keep it that way! So we did not spend the night in an overpriced hotel, BUT we did use the bathroom in the Marriott next to the New England Aquarium so I had the Mr. take a picture of me IN the hotel IN Boston, so at least we went in one! I also did a ton of research in the North End by taking pictures, exploring parts I hadn’t ever been to or seen in years, and we soaked up the Italian culture I have been missing here in New Hampshire. I have plenty of details and information for several writing projects on my heritage and childhood “haunts” and it was a fantastic day. So am I upset we didn’t sleep over, absolutely not! We had a great day and even sat in the rain a bit looking out at the water and watching and listening the “World” go by. This is an example of being flexible with your goals/dreams. I wasn’t going to miss out on Boston simply because we couldn’t stay overnight. I would still like to but it didn’t dampen the day at all, even the rain shower didn’t dampen the day as it was a welcome relief from the humidity! So I am calling that item – DONE.

I also managed to complete (finally) item #16 “make paella.” This dish intrigued me for years but I just never made it and I had the hardest time settling on a day to make it, as you can see it took almost a year to get it done. It’s a BIG dish filled with a lot of meat and fish and I was waiting for sales on shrimp, torn between inviting people over, but when and who, and when would the Mr. be home, etc. Too many variables gave me a headache. Also complicating it was the fact that there is no ONE recipe for paella and it also requires a pretty large pan that I did not own. So on a day that I was turned down for a $5,000 grant I had been hoping for along with a rejection on 2 poems, the LAST thing I felt like doing was making this dang dish. It would require more energy that I had, BUT with the help of My Mom and the Mr. arriving home early from the gym I made it and it came out great! It wasn’t my favorite dish but to be honest I think it had more to do with my frame of mind and how long it took to prepare, but the time I sat down to eat it I was “over it.” However, it was good and now item #16 is DONE!

Tonight I will complete #40 – attend a writing conference/convention. Due to budget and scheduling conflicts an actual convention was not in the works, however a friend and fellow writer is giving a workshop on writing this evening and I will be attending. It will be good to see her, hear her methods, and it will aid in my professional development, so as of 9:00pm tonight #40 will be DONE.

This is all very exciting to be able to cross them off the list as 1. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment to see tangible proof of progress and 2. These are all things I WANTED to do, not chores, so it makes it that ,much more enjoyable. i am also making great strides towards #’s 1,2, 4, & 21 and my goal is to be wearing the “sexy” boots on my birthday!

So, if you haven’t made your list – go now stop reading about MY goals and go make and achieve your own AND don’t forget to be “kind” along the way. Open that door for someone with a stroller, give your neighbor that extra loaf of zucchini bread, buy the dog a treat, call your Mom or Dad on a day they’re not expecting it! Kindness begins at home and in your community, don’t wait until the calendar tells you to do something for someone, do it today!

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www.casazzawriting.com - Corinne Casazza author & speaker.

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Put my creativity to work for you! Visit my services page and let me help you design a vision board, goal prop, or a custom poem for a special occasion!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Story Times Good Enough to Eat! : Thematic programs with edible story crafts” by Melissa Rossetti Folini - Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO - Jan. 2010 – 3 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, also available from Barnes and Noble  or from the author.

alphainventions.com

blogsurfer.us