Do’s and Don’ts (Part 2)

So, how’s your week going? So far, so good here.

This Week’s Do’s

~ add to Mike’s manuscript (I have hard copies of the devotionals he would like included.) (one so far; aiming for five)

~ submit queries/picture book manuscripts to five agents (three so far)

~ research potential market(s) (check)

~ fulfill the Scribblers Submitting Facebook challenge (one market researched / one piece written / one piece edited / one piece submitted weekly) (have yet to write a new piece)

~ visit five fellow ROWers (check)

~ read more in Writing Children’s Books, Editor-Proof Your Writing, Finding My Father, Worship Matters, a text for my certification, Gospel Centered Life, and my daily Bible reading (some)

~ post five conversation starters on The Word Guild Facebook page (on track)

~ go for a walk/cardio exercise five times (not gonna happen this week; headaches and rain are getting in the way)

~ do a resistance workout 3-4 times (one upper body and one full body workouts; plan to do a full body workout on Thursday and another on Saturday)

~ eat better (more meal planning and more time in the kitchen) (well . . .)

~ drink more water (Looking to lose a significant amount of weight in the next few months. This will help. It’s coming.)

~ putter some around the house (“some” is a step up from “hardly at all”) (hope to get back to Project Declutter next week)

~ maybe / perhaps / not likely help with the yard work (This is my hubby’s domain, but I may break down and actually help a little. He has time off. Our property should look much nicer by the end of the week.) (The yard looks much better – thanks to my dedicated, hardworking hubby.)

This Week’s Don’ts

~ don’t veg for endless hours in front of the TV (doin’ some better)

~ don’t play Tetris (which I have deleted from my phone again) (resisted temptation to reload it)

~ don’t allow my body and brain to get overtired (This means going to bed earlier and starting my day with physical activity.) (doin’ better here too; don’t know if it counts when one goes to bed super early she is not feeling well)

~ don’t sit around in my jammies until noon (getting dressed first thing every morning)

~ don’t isolate myself – unless I’m motoring along with a writing project or studying for my certification (easier when you have places to go, which is the case this week)

Don’t forget to stop by our Facebook group, ROWers.

If you’re so inclined, join us on ROW80 Fitness as well.

Focus

One little word . . . and it applies to all my eclectic interests. Here’s how?

Photography

This is fairly self-explanatory. Whatever the photographer wants to emphasize is what she makes sure is in focus. (I love my Canon. With nine points of focus, it’s easy to depress the shutter release at just the right moment.)

Writing

As I look ahead to the writers’ conference I will be attending mid-June, I get more and more excited about reconnecting with those I met at previous conferences and networking with writers, editors, publishers, and agents.

As an extrovert, these are the times that charge my batteries and make me want to dive into the projects I have on the go and brainstorm new ones.

Editing

What an honour it is to help other writers get their work ready for publication!

And then of course there are the edits I must make of my own work, only allowing myself to be satisfied when it’s the best I can make it before sending “my baby” out into the world.

I must minimize distractions so I can do the best job possible. Plus, I must devote time to increasing my knowledge base.

Submitting

This has long been on my Procrastination List, but shock of shocks, an agent or publisher is not going to walk up to my door and say, “Hey, I hear you write. Let me make you an offer.”

I must crack the spine of my market guides, make my list, and start submitting. I’ve joined a Facebook group that challenges members to write something new and submit weekly. Accountability is a very good things.

Childbirth

To develop my doula business , I have to focus on doing those things that require time and effort – as with anything that’s worth doing.

I must get my business cards – and myself – out there. I must also continue to read and learn from those who know more than I do.

I’m looking forward to the Birth and Beyond Conference in the fall. As is the case with any conference or gathering of like-minded people, I’m sure I will come home gung-ho to make a difference.

Fitness

Can I really offer others something I’m not willing to pursue myself, something I’m not willing to sacrifice for?

What do I have to sacrifice to pursue fitness? Laziness. Excuses. Rationalizing. Preoccupation. Lethargy. Well, if I must . . .

Reading

What happens when one loves books but is, by nature, incredibly lazy? One has several shelves of unread books – and continues to buy more.

What happens when this same individual leaves the TV off and curls up with a book instead of a remote? She learns new things. She gains a sense of satisfaction as well as entertainment. And she is motivated to sit down at the keyboard and write.

TV or books? Seems to me the answer should be as easy as choosing between vegging on the couch or picking up a dumbbell.

Volunteer Work

Believe it or not, this extrovert has to kick herself to go out into the world. (Remember that lazy thing I mentioned?)

However, the longer I spend time with people, the more I want to. (Think of that little icon on your cell phone that let’s you know it’s charging. That’s what happens when I’m around other like-minded people and those with whom I can have a respectful exchange even if we don’t see eye to eye.)

So, remembering that should motivate me to look forward to opportunities to spend time with others.

And when there are things I’ve agreed to do sitting on my Procrastination List, well . . . All I have to do is remind myself how amazing it feels to cross off even one of those items and it propels me forward.

Spiritual Life

As many of you know, I consider journalling “rambling until I stumble upon truth.” The same can be said of this blog post. As I wrote this it, I realized I can apply these insights to my spiritual life as well.

I need to bring into focus that which I want others to notice most clearly. If I say sharing my faith in Christ is of prime importance, I must do more to bring that area of my life into focus.

Spending time with other writers or birth pros sharpens my focus and again opens a world of possibilities. I am reminded that I am part of a vast network that spans the globe. It isn’t much of a leap to realize the same can happen when I spend time with other believers. Christianity isn’t a solitary endeavour.

I must take 1 Corinthians 12:12 to heart. ^“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (ESV).

While I love the fact that I have many interests, many things to focus on, I must keep my priorities in check. I must filter the pursuit of each one through the lens of my number one priority: making Jesus known.

To do this means doing the things I love to do, always keeping my motivation in check. But it also means doing those things, I keep putting off. I’m old enough to realize I don’t want to get to the end of my life with a long list of regrets, not because I ignore them but because I seek to bring the divine purpose of my life into ever sharper focus.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV).

How about you? How will focus help you achieve the things that are most important to you?

This Week’s Do’s and Don’ts

As a follow up on my last check-in . . . I’m still having trouble kicking myself in the backside to get things done. (I’m less flexible than I was when I was younger – tee hee.)

This Week’s Do’s

~ add to Mike’s manuscript (I have hard copies of the devotionals he would like included.)

~ submit queries/picture book manuscripts to five agents

~ research a potential market and share with the members of the new Facebook group, Scribblers Submitting

~ visit five fellow ROWers

~ read more in Writing Children’s Books, Editor-Proof Your Writing, Finding My Father, Worship Matters, a text for my certification, Gospel Centered Life, and my daily Bible reading

~ post five conversation starters on The Word Guild Facebook page

~ go for a walk/cardio exercise at least five times

~ do a resistance workout 3-4 times

~ eat better (more meal planning and more time in the kitchen)

~ drink more water

~ putter some around the house (“some” is a step up from “hardly at all”)

~ maybe/perhaps/not likely help with the yard work (This is my hubby’s domain, but I may break down and actually help a little. He has time off. Our property should look much nicer by the end of the week.)

This Week’s Don’ts

~ don’t veg for endless hours in front of the TV

~ don’t play Tetris (which I have deleted from my phone again)

~ don’t allow my body and brain to get overtired (This means going to bed earlier and starting my day with physical activity.)

~ don’t sit around in my jammies until noon

~ don’t isolate myself – unless I’m motoring along with a writing project or studying for my certification

Don’t forget to stop by our Facebook group, ROWers.

If you’re so inclined, join us on ROW80 Fitness as well.

May 12 ROW Check-In

Let’s begin with a few true confessions . . .

Since my job at the church ended, I found out some things about myself. Actually, “rediscovered” is a better word.

I’ve learned that I like staying up late and sleeping in. Now, that wouldn’t be a bad thing if I kept busy during my waking hours. However . . .

I’ve also rediscovered that I am, by nature – sigh! – lazy.

Did you know that playing Tetris and watching episode after episode of Numbers does not constitute great accomplishments?

One of the ladies at church suggested I take a holiday before knuckling down to my freelance work. OK, let’s call these two weeks my holidays. In that case, I haven’t done too badly. So, with that in mind, here’s my official check-in.

Editing

I’ve pretty much finished up with Client #1. I’m going to write the first draft of his cover copy today and then, I’ll probably be done until we work on his second book in the fall.

I’ve gone through Client #2′s manuscript a couple of times, made suggestions for improving it as well as copy editing it, and am waiting to hear back from him.

Writing/Submitting

I have prepped a number of picture book manuscripts for submission. I gave myself the goal of submitting three before my next writers’ group meeting the last Tuesday of the month. I just may make it.

I also began working on the first chapter of my long-neglected novel with the lesson from Don McNair’s book in mind. (See review below.)

Reading

I’ve been doing more reading, both fiction and non-fiction. I’d get a lot more done if I turned the TV off.

Business Endeavours

I have set up my website. (What was supposed to take 20 minutes took the best parts of the morning.) After checking a few things, I’ll let you know where you can find it.

ROW-Related

I’ve been doing more visiting to fellow ROWers’ sites. It’s good to be doing so again.

I’m touching base with my fellow ROW80 Fitness FB group a little more regularly.

Pregnancy Fitness Educator Certification Requirements

I’ve been studying the manual daily for a week now, a good start.

I have seven of the ten evaluations I need from clients. I’ll have to teach another class. Maybe we can do some walking and hand-weight upper body work outside now that the weather is getting more springlike.

Exercise

Though my eating still has a long way to go, I have been walking more and doing more resistance training.

Family Time

As you may have noticed, I wrote a poem in honour of my mom and changed my profile and cover pictures on Facebook with Mother’s Day in mind. Funny how one’s mom keeps teaching her things even after she’s gone.

I spent time with each family member this past weekend. ’twas nice.

Volunteer Responsibilities

I’m puttering along. That whole being lazy thing means I’ve allowed myself some downtime. However, I think I’m moving forward again . . . slowly.

All in all, I guess I’m doing OK, especially if I consider these two weeks holidays, in which case, I have one more day off. Woohoo! Maybe I’ll watch another episode of Numbers before I head out tonight.

A Mother’s Legacy

i sit here pondering

what i should write

what if . . .

what if we could have

one more conversation

what if i could tell you

what i’m just now

starting to realize

did you know

you were the first one on my mind

when i had news to share

whether my heart was overflowing with joy

excitement

happiness

or

sorrow

it didn’t matter

even after you were gone

there were so many times

i wanted to pick up the phone and call

when i examine myself

i see so much of you

we were different

but at the same time

not so much

i love the memories of our road trips

i’ve thought about them a lot lately

out-of-the-way galleries and boutiques

tapestry

jewelry

and more

without knowing it

you shared your love

of art

of creativity

with me

and books . . .

how many times you said

i just love books

there’s something about a new book

the pristine pages

the promise of worlds to discover

and truths to learn

i could go on and on

it turns out

we were much more alike

than i ever imagined

and the thing i’m most thankful for . . .

your faith

you pointed me to the Saviour

we shared much

but nothing

absolutely nothing

can compare to that

that is your most important legacy

i pray

it will be mine as well

Her children rise up and call her blessed . . . (Proverbs 31:28 ESV).

Editor-Proof Your Writing

I have just begun working through Don McNair’s book Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave.

Now, there are 21 steps I’m more than willing to take. In fact, it got me back to the novel I began writing in 2007. (Who knows? Maybe this time I’ll push through and finish it.)

Chapters include “Your manuscript is a Christmas Tree,” “Don’t discuss sows’ ears with silken words,” and “Watch for foggy phrases.”

McNair covers the expected topics: hooking your reader, point of view, and how to avoid being too wordy – among many others.

He also includes chapters on writing query letters and synopses.

I love that each chapter includes “Your Assignment.” Hammering out a solid first chapter will make it much easier to craft each subsequent chapter.

So far, I’ve found the book easy to understand yet rich in practical information. Editor-Proof . . . is a writing course in approximately 200 pages.

I, for one, don’t want a first reader at some publishing house to toss my manuscript in the reject pile because of something she sees in the first paragraph – or the last, for that matter.

McNair was approached by an unpublished author who was wondering why her manuscripts were being rejected time and again. “This lady was basically a good writer. Her blogs sparkled, she dreamed up creative plots, and her heart was certainly in her work.” If all that was true of this author, is there hope for us?

Apparently, “she’d made a major craft mistake in that chapter and, presumably, in all twelve of [her other manuscripts]. It was a mistake that almost guaranteed she’d never be published.” Eek!

Well, they discussed the problem, she got it, and has “now been published many times.”

If McNair’s advice can help this author, it may just help us as well. So, if you have at least one chapter of your novel written and are willing to do some serious editing, grab a copy of Editor-Proof Your Writing . . . and get to work.

What are some of your favourite books on the craft of writing?

Hidden in Plain Sight

funny

the world changes

when viewed through the lens

a ten-minute walk

turns into thirty

every step

reveals something formerly hidden

in plain sight

slow down

get close

adjust the focus

a brand new world

right under my nose

a perfect reflection

on the pond

the tiniest of leaves

bursting forth

the sun shining through

a stand of cedars

a bird scolding me

for getting too close

flowering trees

whose fragile beauty

lasts such a short time

even dried leaves

and diseased bark

entice

so

my camera

my friend

we will go for another walk

very soon

May 5 ROW Check-In

Last Week’s Victories

Editing

~ finished up with RL (until we begin working on his second book in the fall; how cool is that)

~ completed first edit of RS’s manuscript

~ reworked Chapter 1 of a novel I began working on in 2007

Writing

~ completed blog post “10 Questions to Ask Before Responding”

Reading

~ read from non-fiction books pertaining to personal training and writing

~ read from one of the novels I have on the go

As a Doula

~ attended a birth early Tuesday morning and was still able to make it for my last day in the church office (Loved it!)

As a Personal Trainer/Exerciser

~ moderate full-body workout

~ walked one hour with a friend Thursday night

~ walked a second hour with another friend/client Friday morning while doing arm exercises most of the way

This Week’s Opportunities

Editing

~ go over RS’s manuscript one again

~ add five or more transcribed newsletters to MBR’s manuscript

~ further rework Chapter 1 of my novel, using Don McNair’s Editor Proof Your Writing

Writing

~ five blog posts

~ piece for a paying market or writing contest

Submission

~ submit one children’s picture book manuscript and one piece to either a paying market or writing contest

Reading

~ Leviticus 9-15

~ Chapters 9 & 10 of Worship Matters

~ text for Personal Training CECs

~ at least part of one of the books from the required reading list for my CPFE certification

~ Don McNair’s book

~ at least five chapters of the novel Finding My Father

ROW-related

~ visit five fellow ROWers (Monday – Check)

As a Doula

~ take some business cards and/or postcards to local parenting centre and perhaps, some other locations

~ look into the possibility of setting up a self-hosted website (I began the process on Monday. The site will be for the promotion of several of my eclectic interests.)

As a Personal Trainer/Exerciser

~ walk for 30 minutes five times

~ resistance training three times

~ teach a class

And where will I find the time?

~ delete games from my phone (Sunday – Check)

~ limit my TV viewing

~ prep a daily schedule including approximate times for each activity

10 Questions to Ask Before Responding

If someone voices an opinion that seriously irks us, we’re tempted to vocalize our knee-jerk response. Before we do, it’s important to think things through.

Here are ten questions we can ask ourselves before responding:

1. Am I responding from my brain or my gut?

The Bible says we are to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (See James 1:19.) Of course, it’s easier said than done, but if we’re “slow to speak,” we’re more likely to have thought through our response.

2. Am I simply jumping on the bandwagon?

We may merely be allowing someone else’s thoughts and feelings to influence our own without stepping back and doing a little research. If we’re particularly passionate about an issue, it doesn’t take much to “set us off.”

3. Am I being myopic? Have I looked at the Big Picture?

Are there bigger, more important issues to be addressed? Sometimes it’s difficult to look beyond our own nose when we allow emotion to dictate our course of action.

4. Would a few minutes of research broaden my perspective?

Take, for example, boycotting a company because they don’t hold the same worldview as we do. We must be careful that the companies we have no intention of boycotting don’t hold the same view. (A basic knowledge of conducting a Google search can yield a wealth of information.) If we act too quickly, we’ll jeopardize our credibility with those who don’t think as we do and likely eliminate any opportunity to calmly discuss the issue.

5. Will my response benefit the hearer?

If we truly have the other person’s best interests at heart, we must be careful to “speak the truth in love.” (See Ephesians 4:15.) It doesn’t mean we compromise truth, but we can express it in a way that builds up rather than tears down. If it’s all about me, I’ll lash out. If it’s for the benefit of others, I will carefully consider how I respond.

6. Will my response affect others – as I’d want it to?

This goes back to how we respond. If we want to open a dialogue and encourage those who think differently to consider another perspective, it means we’ll have to be careful how we approach the subject. We don’t have to capitulate or even compromise those things we believe. But let’s face it, if we come on like gangbusters, “the opposition” will likely hunker down and become even more antagonistic.

7. Will my response cause others to view me as I hope?

And then there’s the matter of our reputation. Most of us want to be seen as reasonable, caring people. If we are too quick to respond, that won’t likely be the case.

8. Does my opinion reflect what I say I believe or am I being hypocritical?

At times, if we allow emotion to get the upper hand, we may come out against something we actually espouse deep down. Most of us have found ourselves in that position. Owning up to it and making apologies as needed will go a long way to rebuilding our reputation. However, if we think before we speak, we avoid having to make this a habit.

9. Am I prepared to devote my time and energy to this cause – whatever it might be?

It’s easy to have an opinion. (I’ve been known to have an opinion about everything – even things I know nothing about.) However, our willingness to devote our time and energy to something should be directly proportional to the level of our response to an opposing view.

10. Does my opinion line up with the Scriptures?

As a Christian, this shouldn’t be the last thing I ask myself. It should be the first.

For years, I didn’t keep a close reign on my tongue. More often than not, I vocalized my emotional state at any given moment. That made life in our house tense, to say the least. It is my prayer that I will think – and pray – before I speak – or post on Facebook.

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26 ESV).

A Tale of Two Workouts

As a personal trainer, I come across exercises that will push me and my clients to the limits, tent my fingers, and grin a sinister grin.

Not so when I’m planning a prenatal workout. There are several differences to take into consideration.

PT clients almost always want to go beyond where they are: get stronger, lose weight, increase cardio capacity . . .

An expectant exerciser, however, should look to maintain her level of fitness.

When a PT client says, “That hurts,” the question I ask is this: “Is it a good hurt or a bad hurt?” Muscles being pushed to the limit are going to object – though it is, of course, important to know your body well enough to know that you aren’t actually causing injury.

Relieving aches, pains, and stiffness is a key reason for pregnant moms to maintain a routine of regular exercise.

More reps; more weight; more cardio unless . . .

. . . there’s a baby on board. Then it’s time for walking, swimming, easing up a little.

With the nicer weather coming, it’s a great time to take up a new sport: baseball, soccer, running . . .

The sunshine also beckons expectant moms to head outside, but it’s best to avoid sports in which there is a risk of injury, including taking up running. The relaxin her body is producing loosens all the joints, and the risk of injury is greater.

Yes, there are differences, but some things are the same for all exercisers.

Get approval from a midwife or doctor before beginning an exercise program.

Try to find a physical activity you actually enjoy. You’ll be more likely to stick with it.

Find a workout buddy or join a class. Especially if you’re just beginning, accountability and companionship can make a huge difference.

Get sufficient sleep. Expectant mom, listen to your body. It’s working even harder than usual – even when you’re sleeping.

The importance of eating well can’t be overstated. There is a wide variety of thinking on exactly what that means, but it is our responsibility to do our research and be willing to make necessary changes – one or two at a time. Every step in the right direction is . . . well, it’s that: “a step in the right direction.”

Typically, those who exercise regularly have a more positive attitude, think more clearly, and work more efficiently. And these are only a few of the many benefits.

These are generalities. Everyone is unique. That is one of the main reasons it really is important to have clearance from a healthcare professional.