Written in the Margins

November 9, 2011 By 1 Comment

I break all the rules of what is considered “good” blogging. I don’t stick to one theme; my subjects are all over the place. I don’t incessantly “market” (polite word for “promote”) my own work. I don’t ask for opinions just to get people to interact with me, as suggested by marketers, (although I appreciate comments). So, in my continued rule-breaking, I’m going to post a review on a recent book I enjoyed, and it’s not even about horses.

Alma Margaret Permar’s Written in the Margins, Poems Touching the Essence of Life, (Wheatmark 2011) shares life experiences and emotions in a beautiful, well-displayed collection. In Permar’s own words, “There are the margins: the places where we’ve written notes to ourselves that reveal the essence of our journey.” Her poems range from just a few words to two pages in length in this 185-page volume, with most pages including one poem. Like much of reality, the writings cover happiness, grief, wonder, and hope. Permar’s choice of words and ability to capture the deepest of thoughts in soothing prose make for a wonderful read.

I began dog-earing pages for those poems that especially touched me and found that by the end of the book, I had dog-eared a good portion of the pages. I was struck by Permar’s talent to write so personally, but in a way that allowed the reader to feel those emotions as his/her own. The author also treated subjects as different as remembering a lost parent to reflections of nature with equal literary grace. I enjoyed thumbing through, reading the titles, and deciding which suited my mood at the time, knowing they would all be good. With the publisher’s permission, I’d like to provide a sample of Permar’s work:
Alma Margaret Permar's book Written in the Margins

“We, the Artists”

Every life is a work or art
Years painted onto the canvas of being
Events composed into a symphony of becoming
Moments written into the poetry of now
Life molded into the sculptures we are

All of us are the artists of our lives.

Permar broke her work into seven chapters, each with its own theme, for example, Letters Weave Words, Learning Creates Possibilities, etc. Beautiful, meaningful photographs accompany each chapter heading. The author’s husband, George R. Macpherson, and her daughter, Martha Rhoades-Spivey, both photographers, provided the chapter photos as well as the front and back cover photos. The art of the photography contribute immensely to the work and its pleasing layout. I truly enjoyed Written in the Margins, and would recommend it as a great book to add to any collection, and as a tremendous gift for those special in our lives.

And somewhere in the margins, I’m sure the author mentioned that sometimes it is okay to break the rules.

Filed Under: book reviews, books, goals, life lessons, motivation, photography, poems, work, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Book Arms College-Bound Women with “Strategic Success Plan”

June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In a sort of guest blog kind of way, I’m sharing the news of a book, to which I was a contributor.  I reflected on Navy experiences, life lessons, and reaching goals with my book,  Believing In Horses.  I wish Lauren Salamone the greatest success with her book, 5 Must-Know Secrets for Today’s College Girl.  Released today, it’s already reached #734 on Amazon!

 
 

5 Must-Know Secrets for Today's College Girl by Lauren Salamone

 

New York, NY – June 15, 2011 – It’s that time of year.  This month roughly 4.3 million students in the United States are donning caps and gowns and walking down the aisle to receive their high school diplomas.  Of those graduates, just over 3 million of them will head off to college in the fall.  In addition to helping them pack clothes, computers, first-aid supplies, and dorm-bed size sheets, supportive  parents will want to arm them with one more essential:  a strategic success plan.  Answering the call for the 1.8 million young women who will join the college-student ranks is the brand new book 5 Must-Know Secrets for Today’s College Girl “hot off the press” just in time. 

 Author Lauren Salamone, award-winning mentor to college women, has compiled her most powerful strategies into a success book exclusively for college girls. The timing couldn’t be better.  Studies reveal it’s now more important than ever for college women to succeed due to the increasing number of females becoming major bread-winners today.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women are on the verge of outnumbering men in the workforce for the first time.  But it’s also true that students are increasingly finding it challenging to achieve college success, especially in four years.  A report published recently by the Education Trust, an independent nonprofit organization, found that only 37% of first-time freshmen entering four-year bachelor’s-degree programs actually complete their degrees within four years.  The problem is – especially with the price of college tuition outpacing inflation annually – it can get very expensive when those four years turn into five or even six. 

According to the author, “My mission when mentoring college girls today is to give them the tools they need to EXCEL in college while still enjoying the FUN so crucial to the experience.  It’s definitely an achievable goal, but I’ve found students need to have a fundamental success plan in place in order to truly thrive.  And the sooner the better.”

The book came about organically.  A former high school English teacher, Ms. Salamone was called upon to mentor her own former students as they transitioned to college.  Her mentoring services quickly grew in response to high demand.  And finally she founded her mentoring company CollegeGuidanceGuru.com in order to make her sought-after expertise available to more college women.  For some time, students and parents have been requesting she make her guidance available in book-form.  Now she has done it, and to rave reviews.  One recent Lesley University grad, Ashley DePasquale, asserts that “5 Must-Know Secrets for Today’s College Girl bridges the gap between a mediocre college experience and a home run.”

 Says Ms. Salamone, “the secrets I share in this book show young women how to build a foundation for brilliant success in college…and for the rest of their lives.”  The book also features tips and advice from recent college grads as well as an Action Guide to help girls immediately apply the success strategies to their own lives at college.  Perfect timing for a college woman’s summer reading list!

#             #             #

Contact:

Lauren P. Salamone, Principal

CollegeGuidanceGuru.com

400 Second Avenue, Suite 27A

New York, NY  10010

Phone: #212-685-3426

Lauren@CollegeGuidanceGuru.com

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The Race Goes Not Always to the Swift, But to Those Who Keep Running*

June 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

Fortunately, while at my computer this morning, The Bowie Patch informed me it is National Running Day.  So, while I had thought I would squeeze a run in sometime today, instead I squeezed the run in before my other daily activities squeezed it out.  During my run, I decided to blog about running instead of what I originally thought I’d write about. 

Running Photo

My second marathon - way before Oprah ran hers. :)

But what does running have to do with writing, or horses, or the military, or any of the other things I normally blog about?  Well, running is a part of who I am.  I started running in college to try and unsuccessfully chase away the freshman pounds, but I didn’t become a dedicated runner until my first year in the Navy.  I found that besides the health benefits, running gave me time to think, a peace of mind, and that there really was something to that whole endorphin-high rumor.  I made many running friends, entered numerous fun events, explored new trails and sights, AND fit into my clothes better.  I loved the solitude of a long run and found that answers to questions came to me while running that I otherwise could not figure out.  I owe a lot in life to my running habit.

As the title suggests, I am not a fast runner, but I have kept going.  I’ve met people who have been discouraged by running, so since it is National Running Day, I thought I’d offer my personal advice for what has worked for me.  And all this for free!

  1.  Start slow.  Real slow.  Even if you walk a minute, then run a minute; some start is better than none.  This was probably the key to me continuing to run when I became dedicated.  I had always gone out too fast, became completely out of breath, and thought “this sucks.”  Start slow and build.  If you can breathe while you are running, you’re more likely to stick with it.
  2. Listen to music you like that will motivate you.  Bonus:  you also can’t listen to yourself breathing hard or hear the cat calls from your adoring fans.
  3. Buy good shoes; don’t skimp here.  If you don’t know what kind of shoes to buy, go to a good reputable running store with knowledgeable salespeople and ask.  Replace shoes every six months once you regularly use them.
  4. Find places you like to run – parks, running trails, bike trails, neighborhoods, gyms, your own treadmill – and break up the routine.  If you like where you run, you’re more likely to do it.
  5. Finally, set you OWN goals, not someone else’s.  Are your goals to improve your distance or time, or are they to ensure you are doing something good and healthy for yourself at least a few times a week?  Are your goals to run in every local park?  Do you want to complete a 10K?  Or are you motivated by ensuring you squeeze out at least a few hours a week just for you?  Whatever your goals; make them yours, adjust them accordingly, and keep a running log to see your patterns.

What better day for a new start than National Running Day?  If the President has time…and Oprah had time…don’t you?

*Author unknown, but in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11

Filed Under: Events, fans, goals, life lessons, military, motivation, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Measuring Success

April 19, 2011 By 3 Comments

How do you measure success as a writer?

Novel Publicity posed this as one of its author Facebook page questions last week.  I’ve considered this question regularly, and need to come back to it when I get off track.  I SHOULD develop a writing mantra along the lines of “Success equals creating something meaningful.”  Okay, need to work on the mantra, but I think you get my point.

Forces must have realized I needed to think about it, as I came across Charlotte Carter’s blog entry, Win Vs. Compete.  Her final question:  “Where do you fit on the competitiveness scale?” I’m very proud of my military background and heritage.  However, spending 25-years in competitive organizations among extremely competitive people drove a competitive edge into me that I don’t think was there by nature.  And now, as a writer, it’s time to focus on what I want as part of the process and in the end, not what someone else has defined for me as success.

The forces hit me on the head to help me with answers to the success question in the past few weeks.  The first example came in the form of a fan letter from a 9-year-old boy whose name I have, but whom I don’t know personally.  His heartfelt sentiment and the thought that he may now be inspired to be a writer meant far more to me than my current number one ranking on Amazon in the Military Families books category.

Fan Letter for Believing In Horses
Fan Letter for Believing In Horses

To continue helping me define success, the troop leader of Girl Scout Troop 1017 in Calvert County, Md., provided me an opportunity to present Believing In Horses to 18 terrific young women who spent the past year volunteering at Freedom Hill Horse Rescue.  They earned their Bronze Medal in several categories.  Their inspiring leader gave them each a copy of the book, featuring the rescue and horses they helped save, in recognition of their dedication and hard work.  Seeing the girls’ faces, commitment, and enthusiasm reinforced my thinking.  The success is about them, not me.

Now that I’ve figured out my definition of writing success…I’ll be working on finding the exact right words for that mantra…odd, for a writer.  Suggestions and thoughts gladly welcomed!

Filed Under: books, Events, fans, goals, horses, life lessons, Maryland, military, motivation, veterans, volunteers, work, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fun First Events

March 31, 2011 By 2 Comments

Since the official release of Believing In Horses on March 21st, I discovered that book events are fun.  My clever and talented brother developed a talk show format for presentations in schools, “Books Alive with Reed Moore,” which gets kids participating and interested in the subject.  Reed Moore (also known as the Believing In Horses EdUCator) made the kids laugh, think, and unable to wait to ask questions.  Even those who appeared disinterested at first couldn’t help but be motivated by Reed Moore’s energy!  Tremendous audiences at Harmony Hills Elementary School, Silver Spring, MD, and Tracey’s Elementary School, Tracy’s Landing, MD, read aloud, played along with the activities, and asked thoughtful questions.  Parents and teachers groaned at some of the campy jokes, but something in common happened across the rooms no matter the age:  sparks.

Eddy Ormond and Valerie Ormond at Books Alive with Reed Moore

Eddy Ormond (left) and Valerie Ormond speak to students at Tracey's Elementary School as part of the "Books Alive with Reed Moore" Tour.

Author Kathi Appelt, mentioned in my last blog, recommends writing like your fingers are “on fire.”  Author Valerie Sherwood encourages writing about what genuinely interests you so words “catch fire” with readers.  I’m sure if I searched, I’d find many other fiery writing quotes, but I think you get the point.  However, I discovered it is one thing to hear and read others’ advice, and quite another to see that sparkle in people’s eyes in person when a book comes alive. 

Not all events have been formal presentations, but all presented different forms of fun.  My first official book signing took place at Loftmar Stables, the backdrop of much of the story.  Some of the fun in this event included the overwhelming support of local barn friends, hugs from the age group for whom I wrote the book, and a small party.  Lucky, Billy, and Chance, three of the book’s equine stars, posed for pictures, to include photo opportunities with first-time visitors to the farm.  Fortunately, Lucky didn’t eat the buttons off of anyone’s shirt that day, probably thanks to 2 ½-year-old Braden entertaining him.  Thank you, Martins, for hosting this event at a place so dear to me.

 In case you can’t tell, I’m fired up from the fun.  Thank you to all who participated in lighting these “campfires,” and I look forward to a warm and bright future.

Photo courtesy of Diane Coelho, Tracey’s Elementary School.

FOR CALENDAR OF EVENTS, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Filed Under: books, characters, horses, life lessons, Maryland, motivation, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Just Add Magic

March 13, 2011 By 4 Comments

Just Add Magic

Abracadabra–it’s official:  I AM a writer.  I learned this, among other things, while attending my first all-day writing conference, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia Region Spring Conference.  Over 190 attendees included beginner and experienced writers, illustrators, editors, agents, and more.  Fortunately, I had the opportunity to make some new acquaintances, including Cindy Callaghan, author of Just Add Magic, which seemed an appropriate image for this blog, for reasons you’ll understand if you read to the end (not fair, I know!).

Since I don’t think anyone wants to hear my play-by-play description of the conference, I’m going to report a short takeaway from each speaker I saw.  (Due to breakout sessions, I could not see/hear all speakers).  My highlights may not be the same as someone else’s, but that’s part of the beauty of conferences – the ability to listen for the messages applicable to you.

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS
Marilyn Brigham, Editor, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books N.G.E.F. Y.  – Adapted from legendary editor Ursula Nordstrom, “Not Good Enough For You.”  When editing your work, apply this principle.  It can ALWAYS be better.
Kristen Nobles, Art Director, Candlewick Press After reading the text for a book, she usually jots down three verbs to help determine illustrator choices.  What three words would describe your story? 
Laura Bowers, Author (Young Adult) Passion makes you WANT to write the story.  Perseverence MAKES you write the story.
Kathi Appelt, Author (children, young adult, and adult); Faculty, Vermont College of Fine Arts Look for seeds that are planted within your own life stories.  Write to the hole in your heart.
Heather Alexander, Editor, Dial Books for Young Readers Respect the demands on editors’ time; present your submissions with this in mind.
Rosemary Stimola, Agent, Stimola Literary Studio Age is irrelevant in the writing business; recently considered representing a 14-year-old, and currently representing an 87-year-old.

 Now, back to the magic, mentioned in at least three presentations I heard.  Cindy Callaghan’s fun book Just Add Magic, features “secret recipes” discovered by 12-year-old girls in an attic.   While none of the speakers yesterday claimed to offer THE secret recipe for success, I interpreted their heartfelt presentations as “ingredients.”  Not everyone likes the same food; not everyone likes the same book.  But when writing, it may help to pick the ingredients that work for you; blend, stir, fold, bake, broil, or grill them as you’d like; but, please don’t forget to include the magic.

Filed Under: books, goals, life lessons, Maryland, motivation, work, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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