You get to choose what happens next

Do you remember those books? You started reading and then came to a point where you could:

1. Go up the ladder.
2. Climb down the hole.

Whichever choice you picked offered new choices, and so on and so forth. It was exciting because one physical book actually contained several stories. The number of possible stories was ultimately fixed, however - let’s say limited to 50 different variations that you could take.

But, that was the 80’s.

Today, I open up Firefox and I start reading my daily feeds. That first post contains about 5 links, and it all begins. I click on a link, read that article which contains other links. The machine is set in motion and there is no way of knowing where it will take me, what I’ll find. And, there is no fixed number of stories. I suppose some MIT scholar could give us some idea…but it’s a big number. Huge, incomprehensible to the likes of me.

It speaks to me of potential and opportunity as a writer, as a speaker, as a consultant, as a person. It reminds me that the possibilities are endless and that I can create whatever I want in my work and in my life. Exactly the sentiment I’m riding as I burst into this new year.

And…you?

Poor John Grogan: he had no blog

Warning: spoiler alert, though, come on, it’s obvious.

On Christmas afternoon, I went to see Marley & Me, the screen adaptation of John Grogan’s memoir about his insane yellow lab and his life as a journalist. I loved the book, loved the writing, loved his dog (because I love mine.)

But, as I watched, I got stuck on something non-doggish. Grogan, who started as a reporter, was soon pigeonholed as a columnist - because he was really good at it. And, it, in this case was humorously documenting his life, his dog, his family and his community on a ongoing, regular basis to a wide, growing and devoted audience.

At one point, he left his column to try to be a reporter, again. But, he couldn’t take himself out of his articles. He pitched a column again. At home, he had an album full of his columns, cut out from the paper and pasted in…

And all I could think about was that he was a born blogger.

Ninety-nine percent of my tears were because the dog died (that’s the spoiler, but not really, it’s obvious and was in the book). There were so many tears because I’ve lost a yellow lab and it was like losing an arm - and because I do my best crying during movies.

The remaining percent of the tears goes to the tragedy of  John Grogan not having a blog during the beginning of his journey as a writer. Let me repub this part:

Humorously documenting his life, his dog, his family and his community on a ongoing, regular basis to a wide, growing and devoted audience.

Thankfully, blogs were eventually created…thankfully, John Grogan has his own blog today. I came right home to find it, and I was correct: he’s really good at it.

The best darn poets…

What started as a gift to all of you, quickly became a gift to me…your incredible poems, your spreading the word, the kind things you said about me (even if they were inspired by your desire to win), the gifts and prizes that you offered…

I just can’t thank you all enough - readers, writers, prize givers, Twitterers, Facebookers…members of my very much loved community.

There were 50 entries! And 10 prizes (2 from me as the grand prize) offered…truly amazing.

You are all winners, and you all win my love and affection. Picking actual prize winners was VERY hard (it’s taken me 5 hours - yes, I have issues), but here they are, starting with the last prize offered and working up to the popcorn popper & Writing Roads Blog feature from me:

1. Best Blessing Counter: Ron Miller (because he knows what’s important…)

Prize: Cindy Hartman’s inventory consult!

2. Best MomForce poem: Deb on the Rocks (because she’s really feeling the MomForce!!!)

Prize: A spot in Jessica Smith’s Inner Circle!

3. Most photogenic poem: Sid Parham (because he wove in the most incredible Twitter snapshots)

Prize: Gorgeous Lanny McDowell print!

4. Most unrealized poem: Annette Fix (because she thinks she can’t, but I know she can…and she did show up!)

Prize: J.Sewell Perkins coaching consult!

5. Most foodalicious poem: Turtle (you had me at ‘dipped in heavy cream’)

Prize: Carol McManus’s Table Talk Cookbook!

6. Most spiritual poem: Dyana Valentine (because divining rods and social media inspiration are right up my alley - and I know what it feels like to wake up like that and rush to the computer!)

Prize: TarotByArwen reading!

7. Most busy, time-starved poem: Susan Gibbs (seriously, who only has time for that measly little poem? Sheesh!)

Prize: Virtual assisting by TraceyTarrant!

8. Most Feminist poem: Gwen Bell (Um, hello? Anything ‘Madonna’ had to win this category.)

Prize: Debra Snider’s novel, A Merger of Equals

9. Absolute BEST poem: Ann Davis (Sister, you win because that poem is a true journey from blah to WOW - that you followed your inspiration and found happiness thrills me to the bone. That writing was part of the trail lights me on fire. Not to mention your wish to spread love and goodness everywhere…)

Prize: The BEST popcorn popper EVER and a feature on this blog loaded with tons of social media love.

I will do my very best to get the winner’s names to the prize-givers, but there are links abound on this page - so feel free to nudge each other. Winners - you will receive your prize directly from the givers…not from me!

Thank YOU! Happy holidays and humongous blessings for a new year filled with abundance, peace, safety, laughter, kindness…and the written word.

Talking Roads

I am the little sister to two big brothers…who kind of tortured me (okay, in equal parts to how much I tortured them) while we were growing up. Teasing was their weapon of choice - and they preyed on my knack for verbalism, ie. talking a lot. Apparently, I was am loud, too. This was their favorite routine:

Jon: THIS IS JULIE YELLING!

Steve: THIS IS JULIE TALKING REALLY LOUD!

JON: THIS IS JULIE TALKING IN A NORMAL VOICE!

STEVE: This is Julie whispering!

jon: and this is julie not even talking at all!

Yes, sports fans, it’s a miracle that I grew up to be a communicator. But, I did. An educator and teacher, a writer and a public speaker, no less.

Ever the writer, in my past life, I was also a yoga teacher and workshop leader at Kripalu Center, the largest yoga retreat center in the world. I’ve presented independently to audiences as big as 2,000 at schools across the northeast. When I’m talking about my passions, I light up.

Those of you who know me do know that I’m not one to go heavy on the cheese, but when I speak to people about my passions, I tingle, I feel more alive than I knew I could feel. I am full to burst.

This is why I love to blog…it’s an extension of speaking for me. It virtually combines my devotion to writing and speaking.

And, it’s why I’ve taken this show on the road. I’m speaking (out-loud & off-blog) about writing, blogging and using social media to network and grow your business…authentically.

Why am I so passionate about writing, blogging and social media?

• Because learning these tools to grow my business has changed my life in ways that I never could have imagined. My mind, my skills, my personal and business connections, my aptitude for self-development & learning, my wallet, my quality of life, my happiness levels, my delight with life, my ability to be part of my family…they all grow every day as a result.
• Because to me, writing, blogging and social media breed, maximize and require authenticity. Without it, you will fail - social media is built that way. I help people find their authentic voice.

Why am I telling you this?

Because without sharing - the cycle, development, growth and joy deflate, stagnate, stop. By definition, this internet, and all it brings, thrives on the sharing of information.

How we can do it?

I am available to help, guide, inspire and catapult you through:

• Conferences
• Workshops
• Guest speaking
• Teleseminars
• Podcasts
• Blog/Article interviews
• Private consulting (individual, company, groups)

Let’s do it.

I look forward to hearing from you via email or 413.281.6013.

My holiday gift to you

Okay - I never usually do things like this on my blog, but I’m feeling very taken by the holiday spirit - and wildly grateful for all that YOU give me by reading this blog, commenting with your brilliant and strong thoughts, telling your friends & colleagues about Writing Roads and being part of my community.

So, I’d like to give you a gift, but only one of you (even though I appreciate you all equally). But, it wouldn’t be me if I made this really easy and un-fun. So here is your challenge and here are your steps to success:

1. Write a poem.
2. It has to rhyme (because I’m a huge fan of rhyming).
3. And it has to be at least 2 lines long.
4. It must be authentically YOU.
5. And it has to be nice (and you’re all nice, so this shouldn’t be an issue)
6. Flattery will probably get you everywhere.
7. Leave it in the comments below.
8. Get totally, blatantly judged by me and my posse (ie. Silas the Farting Dog who sits under my desk and loves me no matter what).
9. Hope and pray that you win (and feel free to bribe the judge with cash - me, not Silas).

I will pick the winner on December 23rd and get your prizes to you in nowhere near enough time for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice.

What? Oh…you want to know what you’ll win? Is that all you can think about?

• The grand prize is the best popcorn popper EVER in the ENTIRE world (because I love popcorn…does anyone see a theme here?)
• A feature on this here blog with your winning poem and a singing of your praises (we can play around with this one depending on who you are, what you do and how this part of the prize will best suit you…). And tons of social media love on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn…wherever you like.
• My love and affection.
• AND…I’d be more than happy to offer more prizes (for funniest, most flattering, most female, most male - you name it…) and I’m positive I can get some (let me know if you want to offer your product, book or services) and I’ll feature them below as we go…
• We have a new prize! The LOVELY Debra Snider has donated her novel, A Merger of Equals, for either the ‘Most Uppity’ or ‘Most Feminist’ poem. For more info on her book, go here.
• And another! @TarotByArwen has offered us A Muse of Inspiration Tarot reading. This one will have to go to the ‘Most Spiritual’ entry, like fer sure.
• My favorite cook in the world, Carol McManus, has donated another prize! Her extraordinary cookbook, Table Talk, features real food recipes, beautiful pics of Martha’s Vineyard and the inspiration to bring the family back to the table. (We cook from it alllll the time!) The poem that makes me the hungriest gets this prize…
• J.Sewell Perkins is offering one 1/2 hour of coaching as a prize - either life or business coaching. JS is awesome - can’t say enough good about this one. So, I guess this prize goes to the poem that makes me think the writer needs help (LOL, just kidding…)
• Take back an hour of your time! @TraceyTarrant is offering one hour of virtual assistant services.
• Lanny McDowell, the phenom avian photographer who took my Twitter avatar pic!, has offered up one of his stunning prints! This is a shot of a Red Phalarope driven onshore from its offshore northern migration route by persistent strong easterly winds.  Shot taken near Sengecontacket Pond, Martha’s Vineyard. Print image would measure 10″h X 15″w on fine art paper 13″ X 19″.
• Jessica Smith, of Jessica Knows, Wishpot, MomForce and a zillion other places, is offering up a free admission to her Inner Circle (4 1-hour small group sessions) for the best poem about MomForce!!! (value = priceless)
• This next prize is for the poem that does the best job of ‘counting blessings.’ Cindy Hartman’s company, Hartman Inventory, provides a service documenting personal property for businesses and residences, mainly for disaster preparedness (knowing what you own helps you maximize an insurance claim; without an inventory, most recover between 30%-50% of what they lost). Other reasons for an inventory are estate planning, estate settlement, divorce and pre-nup agreements, moving, storage, business disolution/sale/purchase.  She’s offering a consultation explaining why an inventory is needed (not enough people realize how important this info is until it’s too late), and then providing the know-how so they can compile their own inventory.
  

GOOD LUCK…I’m breathless with anticipation.

What’s green and doesn’t smell like Paris Hilton?

Lettuce? A crayon? Shrek? No - digital magazines.

Zinio a digital magazine company has created the Read Green Initiative to help us all make the transition to saving paper a little bit easier - one magazine at a time. The Read Green Initiative is currently offering a one year, one magazine subscription for free as they launch their efforts.

While we all know that the world of journalistic print is (cough, cough) suffering a bit, the internet is wide-open and growing -fast. So why not make this shift?

I questioned how the publishers of said magazines felt about this, and the buzz is that many of them are excited and jumping right on board. Many of them aren’t going to completely cut their printed counterparts because this would take them off the magazine stand and away from those (five) people that don’t have computers. Though PC Magazine is making this dramatic jump because they have the luxury of knowing that their readers all have PCs.

You know what I don’t like? Having a magazine subscription and receiving 30 mailings reminding me to resubscribe - I hate waste. You know what I could get into? Reading my magazine without those horrid perfume ads. The Zinio option presents the entire magazine - ads and all. But without the smell.

The green piece is right on for our times and a great marketing hook, take note.

Check it out…

Single Again? Just Cruise, Baby.

As I move through this ‘net-connected life, I meet the most fantastic people that do outstanding things. One of them is Joanie Winberg, the founder of The National Association of Divorce for Women and Children.

After going through her own divorce, Joanie has made it her life’s work to inspire, support and work with women going through divorce through coaching, speaking, writing, the Fresh Start After Divorce website with a packed professional panel, her own radio show…and very cool events.

The event du jour is a wellness, get-away cruise for women who find themselves single again in 2009.
This is a 3-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s “Monarch of the Seas” from Port Canaveral, Florida to beautiful Coco Cay and Nassau, Bahamas.  Besides regularly cruise-y activities and island trips, the trip features workshops designed to educate, uplift and motivate. Joanie will be joined by a dynamic team including: June Dillinger, Susan Epstein, Paula Harris and Betsy Barbieux.

Why am I talking about it here? On this blog? Well, because I believe in supporting and helping promote good people doing good things - and this is one of those times. Also, I’m not divorced, but if I was, I would turn to Joanie…what an incredible resource she’s created.

Click here for more details on the cruise and hurry if you’re interested…final payments are due on November 25th!

Travel Writing as a Freelancer…Your Own Guide to Getting Published, by Wendy VanHatten

Listen, I’m a cancer (the crab) - and I take my astrological sign literally. I come equipped with my own little home and I like to stay inside of it, ie. I’m NOT a good traveler. Just the hour and half to Boston messes with me and the packing thing…don’t like it. How do I know what I’m going to feel like wearing 3 days from now? Seriously.

But there is something I love about traveling - reading about it. Yes, I am an armchair traveler. One of my all-time favorite books? A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle.

I do realize, however, that many people LOVE to travel. So I’m thrilled to offer my freelance writer readers some insight into how you can make a career out of travel writing with the review of Wendy VanHatten’s Travel Writing as a Freelancer…Your Own Guide to Getting Published. And, In the process, I get to be part of a very cool thing for someone who hates to travel - a blog book tour.

Sidenote: A blog book tour is a smart marketing creation where several bloggers are lined up to review a book. Yesterday the blog tour began with Claudia at Ebook and Book Reviews and tomorrow it continues with Linda Dessau at You Talk- I Write. Follow those links to read more reviews of this book. Basically I’m on tour, but I don’t have to leave my office - I love it.

Wendy VanHatten’s book is fantastic. And, by that, I mean - she’s a wonderful writer, so it’s enjoyable, and even though I have no desire to travel anywhere to write anything, when I read this book I had the undeniable feeling that if I wanted to, I could be a freelance travel writer.

• The book worked for me because it is unforgivably honest (freelancing is hard work and this is not a get rich quick scheme) while it is equally supportive and incredibly helpful. She knows what she’s talking about and tells you how to make it happen.
• The book worked for me because once upon a time, a long time ago, I read a book about how to become a freelance marketing writer that told me honestly what to do…and here I sit today. Wendy’s book is that kind of book for the travel writer.

I’m going to leave you with Wendy’s final step in her list: How to Become a Freelance Travel Writer in 10 Not So Easy Steps. You’ll find this list among the first few pages, and it will compel you onward. Step 10 characterizes VanHatten’s no-nonsense style and the charming wit that makes you feel like someone’s got your back as you begin your process:

10. Hit the road.

Travel and write.  Repeat.

Now, GO! Go and travel and write about it so that I can stay right here. But, first? Download this ebook.

how’s your needless consumption?

This is my one and only post plugging something for the holidays…I think.

My daughter turned three last week, and there was a decision to be made: presents or no presents. Call me the grinch or any other name you come up with - but my kids have enough toys. Not only that, but they don’t even understand presents, or birthdays, yet.

Why would we teach them that birthdays and holidays are about getting crap they don’t need, when we could teach them that birthdays and holidays are a time to open their home to their friends, to celebrate with their families (and eat good food).

My solution was to ask people to bring presents that they had made or a book. Because I also think that the gift giving children should put a little muscle into this. And, of course, books are the perfect gift - they’re educational, they last forever, they can be used again and again.

In the case of the book I’m hawking to you right now - the profits even go to help a worthy cause.

If you are a looking for the perfect present this holiday season for any child (small or big), check out I’m Lucy: A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo. Not only is the story by Mathea Levine hysterical and heartwarming, but the photos by Marian Brickner are divine and the afterword by Jane Goodall is insightful and important.

Bonobos are great apes (like us) that live in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are known for their peaceful, loving behavior and matriarchal society. Currently, they are facing total extinction.

The book has its own (beautiful) website about bonobos and how we’re all connected by the environment and a fantastic blog about and for kids, the environment, daily tips and endangered species. The book comes with a secret password that lets you into the Can-Do Meter - an interactive web-activity where a child, family or classroom can track their green behavior.

Currently, the blog is running a contest where you can buy a book to give as a gift and then be entered to win a bonobo adoption in your name (or anyone’s name you choose)! The contest ends on December 15th.

Best part - all profits from the book go to the Bonobo Kids’ non-profit partners: Jane Goodall’s youth organization, Roots & Shoots, and the Bonobo Conservation Initiative. Important Note: The book must be bought HERE from the Bonobo Kids website for the profit donation and for entrance into the contest.

Now, go, go! Reduce needless consumption and buy your son, daughter, grandchild, nephew, niece, kid you babysit, kid’s preschool, 1st grade class, Sunday school group or anyone else, this fantastic, gift-worthy book!

Thanks!!!

my news, your news: as we get back to work post-election

This is tough, but here I go, diving away from the election news blogs. And, in an attempt at re-entry, here’s some news from my little slice of the world wide web.

1. A few weeks ago, I was approached by the make-my-life-better team at Personal Chef To Go. They wanted to advertise their Thanksgiving meals on this blog…and can you believe these people? They insisted on sending me 10 huge, succulent samples of their food. Seriously, I don’t know what gets into people - I’m a mom with a business to run, I don’t have time to eat all of this food!

I agreed to post the ad and to write about their company because, as they predicted, it’s a great fit for me and my busy life (and the lives of many of my colleagues/readers). The food ships with ice packs and insulation to your door - and you can freeze it or stick in the microwave (something I detest and don’t own) or oven. And it’s really good - the chefs are real, live Professional Chefs - the kind that have cheffed for the Emmy’s and the Tony’s.

Chef Gene Castelluccio and Chef Blair Grossman use all natural ingredients, make everything from scratch and add no preservatives. Personal Chef To Go also provides automatic delivery - so you don’t even have to think about this - your food just shows up. And, if I can come home to a good, already made meal, then I can spend more time with my family - and that is invaluable.

2. I’m the Working Mom of the Week on Confessions of a Diet Coke Addict today. While I do not condone the use of poisonous soft drinks, I do think that Laura Pink is fantastic, and I understand that Motherhood relentlessly asks us to dig deep for survival - so I’m not too hard on her about the addiction. It’s an honor to have been invited and to be featured on her blog. So head over there if you feel like hearing about my family and mom-ness.

3. Today at 2pm, I’ve been invited to speak at/on/in (?) a tele-seminar about using Twitter to promote your small business with Margie Zable Fisher of Zable Fisher Public Relations. Can’t wait and hope you’ll be there! And, I’ll probably recap it with an upcoming post, so stay tuned.

Okay, that’s my news…your turn. Anyone want to tell me what you’re up to now that we can breathe again? Just comment below…