SimplySaidReadingAccessories

SimplySaidReadingAccessories

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Are you still excited about your book? If your not why should I be?

Are you still excited about your book? If your not why should I be?

Always Get 2

Authors don’t get lazy. The same thing you did to create the initial buzz about your book, you need to continue, to keep the fire burning.

If you’re burnt out don’t let your fans or future readers see it. I want you as happy as I am to see me as I am happy to see you.

It works like a marriage, are you willing to put in the effort that it takes to make it work? What if divorce or no more sales were not an option, just a consequence?
Reaction brings action.
Doubters

Surely you must realize that the effort you put in is what you’ll get back.

Step back and focus,
re-group, re-think and find the energy to keep it going.
Figure out what’s good about what your doing and what’s not working. It’s easier to maintain a buzz than to create one.

The hungry mouth gets fed, how hungry are you?
Learn how to fish you’ll eat for life.

Just my 2 cents,
Simply Said
www.simply-said.net
www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com

Monday, December 29, 2008

An Ode to a Bookmark

An ode to the bookmark
As ordinary and everyday as a bookmark can be, it also charts your progress through life.
By Julia Keller
December 29, 2008
Bookmarks are about as low-tech as you can get. They are superbly utilitarian. They are there to do a job, not to dazzle or otherwise draw attention to themselves. They hardly ever require a service call.

Bookmarks can be born that way -- that is, they can be items designed from the outset to slip between the pages so that you can close the book, go about your business and then return to your reading, secure in the knowledge that your place is preserved -- or they can be items designed for other tasks that, in a pinch, are commandeered to serve as bookmarks. In lieu of a purpose-built bookmark, I've used, among other things: a paper clip; a pencil; a nail; a key; a gum wrapper; a parking-garage receipt; a napkin; a business card; a shoelace; a postcard; a drinking straw; a pink ribbon; a snapshot; a tissue. (Clarification: an unused tissue. I do have standards.)

Bookmarks can be handmade or mass-produced. They can be precious or expendable. My friend Liz still has the bookmark given to her by her fifth-grade teacher. Yet my friend Carmel recently spotted a woman on the bus using a takeout menu as a bookmark. One's a keepsake; the other, just a fling away from the trash can.
Embrace 2

And yet as ordinary and everyday as a bookmark can be, there is also something thrillingly intimate about what it ultimately represents: the progress of your journey through a book, which equates to the progress of your thoughts. You can share many things with a spouse or partner, but even if you're reading the same book, you can't share a bookmark; one's specific place in a book is unique to the reader.
Dancing with God

I realize that the word "bookmark" has, like so many other words, been appropriated by computer technology. We refer to "bookmarking" a favorite website. But the old-fashioned, tangible bookmark continues to hang around. It's just happy to still have a job, to still be needed. There's no sadder spectacle than bookmarks with no books to belong to; they make the Island of Misfit Toys look like Club Med.


Even the most evil of people use bookmarks. Last month, a woman was arrested in the Seattle area and charged with trying to sell what was claimed to be Hitler's personal bookmark.
Nice once a Day

A bookmark is a limit: This is how far you've come. But a bookmark is also a horizon: I wonder what's coming next? A bookmark, then, is both anvil and kite. It saves your place, keeping you tethered right where you are, but at the same time, it keeps tugging at you too. It keeps urging you to rise up and keep going.

A bookmark, then, is like a sliver of hope. It's all about where you are right now, and where you might be tomorrow.

jikeller@tribune.com
Voices in my book
This SOOOOOOOOOO Describes how I feel about the quotes and messages I use on my work. I can't thank her enough for putting it into all the RIGHT words............ She GETS it, Do You?
Uncomfortable / Dance in the rain

Sunday, December 21, 2008

The Bests Reads of 2008


Debra’s Picks The Best reads of 2008
Fiction
Not listed in any particular order

The Day I Stopped Being Pretty
Rodney Lofton

Shadows of The Heart
Lord Williams

Sex and Lies, Seduction and Lies, Temptation, On The Line
Donna Hill

Hook Line and Single, Tempting The Mogul, First Crush, Meet Phoenix
Marcia King-Gamble

Taking After Mudear
Tina McElroy-Ansa

Somewhat Saved
Pat G’Orge-Walker

Sleeping With Strangers, Waking With Enemies, Pleasure
Eric Jerome Dickey

Hallelujah Love, Sex In The Sanctuary
Lutishia Lovely

Mismatched
Laura Major

Something On The Side
Carl Weber

Double Platinum
Shelia M. Goss

Unexpected Interruptions
Trice Hickman

Dusk To Dawn
Niambi Brown Davis

Gotta Keep On Tryin’
Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant

When I’m With You
LaConnie Taylor-Jones

Something He Can Feel
Marissa Monteilh

Erotica City
Pynk

Lies Lovers Tell
Zuri Day

Ulterior Motive
Roy Glenn

Just To Good To Be True
E. Lynn Harris

Seen it All and Done the Rest
Pearl Cleage

Orange Mint and Honey
Carleen Brice

Once Upon A Project
Bettye Griffin

The Blues For Annie Mae
D.J. Parhams



Non Fiction

Letters to a Young Sister
Hill Harper

Letters to My Daughter
Maya Angelou

Get Rich Get Real
Farrah Gray

The Vision Board
Joyce Schwartz

How To Get Out Of Debt
Harrine Freeman

Do You
Russell Simmons

Dreams of My Father
Barack Obama

Advance Your Swagger
Fonzworth Bentley

Words of Wisdom:
Daily Affirmations of Faith from Run's House to Yours

Rev Run

Take Back Your Family
Rev. Run, Justine Simmons, and Chris Morrow



Honorable Mention

A Man In Transition
K.L. Bivens

Consequences
Linda R. Herman

Strength Within
Roland V. Tyler

This Hurts
Shaun Mathis

On My “TO BE READ LIST”

Midnight
Sister Souljah

Dying For Revenge
Eric Jerome Dickey

In the Night of the Heat
Blair Underwood, Tananarive Due, and Steven Barnes

Reflections Of A Mississippi Magnolia
Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Any author listed here is more than welcome to stop by and chat, leave a comment, and their website/strong>>



Just A Note
These books were the one’s that I could think of off the top of my head. If I forgot got some, Don’t worry It’s My Blog ….. LOL, I can always add more !!!


www.simply-said.net
www.simplysaid.ning.com
www.myspace.com/odebsimplysaid
www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com
odebdeb@aol.com
Debra Owsley

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Marcia King-Gamble Interview

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Hello Marcia King-Gamble , how are you!

Tell us, what led you to write Tempting the Mogul?
I had recently moved to Seattle. My editor at the time thought the setting would be perfect for a romance book. Most books featuring African Americans are set in urban cities. She felt that my readers would enjoy and maybe learn something from a book set in the Pacific Northwest. I also wanted to introduce characters with careers that were different from the norm.

Are any of the characters you or someone you know?


No not really. I'd been reading a lot about life coaches lately and thought that would make a different career. I also find men who color outside of the lines very appealing and so I created Salim Washington. He doesn't fit the mold. Salim is a trust fund baby who prefers to use his money to help those less fortunate. He's sexy and daring and my kind of man.


What genre is Tempting the Mogul considered?

Tempting the Mogul is considered a contemporary Romance.

What is Tempting the Mogul about?

Kennedy Fitzpatrick, my heroine has returned from her job in Japan coaching executives to find her car repossessed, and her house close to foreclosure. Desperate she is forced to take a job whipping Salim Washington into shape. He needs to assume his ailing father's position as television studio head. One problem, Salim does not want to be whipped into shape. He is much happier traveling the world and helping AIDS victims.


What were the easiest and the hardest parts to write?

This wasn't a difficult story to write at all. I had much of it laid out in my head. I just had to keep remembering that I wasn't writing a mainstream story with many layers. It can be challenging for me to remember that.


Does Tempting the Mogul have a sequel coming?


Yes, actually the next book is completed. This time Kennedy Fitzgerald takes a back seat. My heroine this time is a free spirit (shopaholic) and my hero is a financial planner and a total tightwad. It makes for an interesting pairing.


Has writing Tempting the Mogul, given you any AHHH HAAA moments?

It made me pause and think about the type of men I go for; Bohemian but with ethics, humanity and a generosity of spirit. These qualities can be a challege to find in one package. The 'all about me' approach is a total turn off for me.

You had another book in November, First Crush, let’s chat about that.

First Crush was set in Washington State wine Country. It starts off with a couple breaking up and then finding their way back to each other. Sound familiar? We've all been there.

How has your writing journey been?

It's had its bumps and bruises but here I am ten years later. I am very grateful for readers who allow me to keep doing what I love. Without you there would be no books on the shelves.

How many books have you written?

Twenty six in print.

Not calling any of your babies ugly, but which was your favorite?
My favorite book is Jade which is considered mainstream. I loved the setting both Vietnam and New York and I got to explore a romance that happened during a senseless war.


As a writer, what has been your epiphany?


Realizing early on that this is a business and as such it's all about the bottom line. You can be the flavor of the month one month and then the next gone.

What was the killer line in any of your books for you?

I can't think of a line right off but I can think of a title: Hook, Line & Single- my January release.

Let’s talk about Marcia! What do you have brewing?

I am currently working on a mainstream book and that's all I can say right now. Marcia is a pretty happy individual and has always been. I'm blessed with one of those personalities that when handed a lime I make lemonade.

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When should we expect it?

There is no publishing date as yet.

Who do you like to read?
There are too many talented authors out there to mention. I do enjoy a good classic romance with characters that are full developed.


What did you do while writing? Music etc?

I'm a big multitasker. I can talk and write at the same time. The setting doesn't have to be perfect.

When you finished writing First Crush your November release and Tempting the Mogul ? How did you celebrate?

I slept a lot. I have had five releases this year which meant little or no social life and keeping some really odd hours. It felt good to sleep in,and to write when I want too now as opposed to having too.

What is you one guilty pleasure?

There is nothing I do that I am guilty about. I believe in pleasure for pleasure's sake. If it feels or tastes good, and doesn't hurt anyone, bring it on.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I'm not good at thinking that far ahead. Hopefully I will still be writing.


What do you want people to know about you?
That I'm down to earth and keep things real.

What is your Book and Contact information?

You can reach me at

mkinggambl@aol.com or
P.O. Box 25143, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33320
,
visit my website at
www.lovemarcia.com



Marcia is my first custom order bookmark client.


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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Vision Board The Secret To an Extraordinary Life

The Vision Board
The Secret To An Extraordinary Life
By Joyce Schwarz
www.ihaveavision.org


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• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Collins Design (November 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061579084
• ISBN-13: 978-0061579080
Forward by Bob Proctor,
Featured teacher in The Secret
Afterword by Jack Canfield
Co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series


This book is EXTRAORDINARY!!!
What a Gift!!!
The gift is not in receiving the book, but getting the message.


This book is truly gorgeous.
The Cover made me run my hand over it because it is just beautifully done, with a strip of vision boards wrapping around it.
As I opened the book I was extremely pleased at the quality of the paper and the awesome images were phenomenal.

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OK I Thought…. Is this all beauty and no substance????
That answer is a resounding NO!!!

Joyce has created a FANTASTIC piece of work. The book touches on everything about creating the life you want. She is teaching us how to “picture your outcome and goals”, visually.
She has done an outstanding job breaking all the reasons why and how to create the life you want.
She even has case studies, activity sections, which I call “mind-work”, and areas throughout the book where you fill in the blanks, to help you really visualize what you want. She even has pages in the back to write notes to yourself,
but I could never write in such a beautiful book…. I’ll do post it notes!!!

Joyce really bring the point on that you are responsible for creating your happiness.

I loved her realization system called GRABS
G is for Gratitude
R is for Release and Ask
A is for Acknowledge and Ask
B is for Be and Believe
S is for Share

She also uses different key phases such as
“Like Attracts Like”,
“What ever you’re thinking you’re a attracting”,
“Suspend disbelief


Pause and think about just those statements alone.
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The book is filled with wonderful affirmations and positive creative energy. I found myself day dreaming my “Outcomes”.

Creating your Vision Statements and Vision Board is a Gift to You.
You truly can TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE with VISIONING
.

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I am working on my Vision Board and I hope it makes her next book!!!
I’m adding a music button to mine!

I am very Grateful to Joyce for her kindness.

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Something else I saw in her book that I think is totally awesome is
Created by Jennifer Lee of www.artizancoaching.com
Make a Pocket-Sized Vision Board

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Your Unfolding Your Life Vision collage book will be a personal, portable work of art and a visual affirmation of your values, goals and dreams.
This is the coolest thing, visit her site to see the video

Joyce also references this book, I read it, I want the audio version
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

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This book is AWESOME as well !!!

CONTEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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OK BLOGGERS….

Joyce was gracious enough to send me 2 copies of this
FABULOUS BOOK
,
One for me and one for a lucky winner!
Answer This Question
The best and closest answer to the message in this book well be the WINNER!!!!



What is your VISION for your Life?


Contest ends December 18th 2008
So I can get it to you for Christmas

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My true wish to all that read this is…
That you have,
Joyce Schwarz’s The Vision Board
And create one
That you carry,
Jennifer Lee’s Pocket size Vision Board
And that
You read and understand,
Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret

It’s all about The Law of Attraction and Living Your BEST Life
“If your not Grateful for what you have, You’ll never have more


Simpy Said, Debra
www.simply-said.net
www.simplysaid.ning.com
www.myspace.com/odebsimplysaid
www.simplysaidreadingaccessoies.blogspot.com
odebdeb@aol.com
Debra Owsley

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