Pink Ink

New Digs

2014-04-16T10:41:00.005-06:00

I've moved to another blog, but thanks for stopping by!
You can find me here:

Precious beauty

2013-10-15T13:58:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: "Your precious beauty is unique. There's never been anyone like you and never will be again." - from "Shine" by Jade Ambroze

Do you recognize your precious beauty?

You'd think after giving a speech to National Honor Society inductees a couple of weeks ago where I told them to "Be original," I would be following my own advice.

Instead, this is what happened. My daughter was reading Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson. I flipped through a few pages and thought it was beautiful writing. I remembered how much I loved Regency romances when I had my first baby and was trying to adjust to being a stay-at-home mom. I started to think:

Maybe I should write this kind of stuff.

Why am I writing horror novels? What's wrong with me?

Maybe I should choose a different setting than the Philippines. England. Yes. England would be infinitely better.

And then my 15 year old son gave a Family Home Evening lesson last night about being yourself, and not trying to put on a mask. He said if you are happy with yourself, then you won't have a problem being yourself.

Thanks to my son, I got thinking, why do I like to compare myself to others when I have talent and gifts in my own unique way?

I love a little snippet of a song that I used in an Animoto video for my oldest daughter's 18th birthday. It said, "Your precious beauty is unique. There's never been anyone like you and never will be again."

***

In this vein, I've decided to take a 2- part workshop on writing ghost stories starting tomorrow night. I am super-excited. I've always loved writing scary stuff, and it'll be interesting to learn more about the genre.

I'm also putting on my metaphorical workboots and taking a 5-part workshop/support group in November so I can truly put my head into NaNoWriMo.

Don't know why all this fiction energy is rearing its head, especially when I am in the middle of cool client projects and a Treasured Stories ribbon-cutting on Thursday, but I'll take it!

She's back!

2013-10-11T09:08:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: "To have a great idea, have a lot of them." - Thomas A. Edison

from clipartpal.com

It's been an interesting last couple of weeks around here.

I've been working on revisions to a couple of novels, going back and forth, mainly just to finish them already. With so many deadlines on my work outside of fiction, it's been hard to feel the muse. (Although, in defense of my workload, I'm loving my business!) I wondered, will I ever have a creative idea again?

Well, the muse is back, alive, kicking and spunky as ever.

It happened when I least expected it. I was standing in my office with my oldest daughter and noticed someone drive past the front window. I speculated on the vehicle and said (as I usually do, being a fiction writer) "What if that vehicle was such-and-such...? (I am being deliberately vague here because I can't tell about it until after I write a first draft.)

My daughter reacted strongly and I knew I had hit on something with potential. The more I've thought about it, just daydreaming, the more the idea's grown, fleshing itself out. The more excited I have become.

I can't wait to write it down because not sharing the idea with others is killing me.

Yanno...NaNoWriMo is coming up. (NaNoWriMo is not a hybrid rhino. It's like November Madness for writers, where we get to work on a goal of 50,000 words towards a novel in November.) *evil grin*

To my fiction writing friends, do you keep new story ideas to yourself or do you share with others right away? Any of you doing NaNo this year?

Strange Passion

2013-09-27T13:48:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: "The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul." - Alfred Austin

I've developed a very strange passion lately...for compost. I'm this obsessed - yesterday, at my daughter's horse show, I couldn't wait to get home and start working on adding some organic material to my flower beds. In the rain. In 50 degree weather. Which I did today.

It all kind of started with this little container that I saw at the mall.

The saleslady told me it was a compost jar, the kind you can put your fruit and vegetable peels instead of throwing in the trash. It made me think of my sister when she lived in the Philippines. She composted her veggie scraps and I thought that was super-cool and responsible. Well, this little container was normally $40 but it was marked wrong for $6. Thus, I took it home and now sits on a prominent place on our counter.

The next thing I needed to do was to make a compost pile. There's plenty of room in our yard for one, but my husband and I still wanted to be strategic about the location. So we tucked it behind the horse's hay pile. Which works great because then we can add some old hay to ward off pests. Like racoons. (My husband laughs at me about my racoon-oittering. I've never seen one around our property, but if I were a racoon, I'd go for this kind of stuff.)

Honestly, if some animal really wanted the scraps, they can get to them, but this is the part where I'm so excited about this. This compost bin was made of free palettes we scored from the hardware store. Double-responsible!

Okay, it's not pretty, but it's a compost bin after all. In fact,
the nice thing about this set-up is, it's portable and can be dismantled for access at any time.

Look at all these egg shells, hay and veggie scraps, happily composting!

Then last week, I visited my parents and saw they had tree branches with leaves that someone had cleared and bagged for them. My dad couldn't understand why I was giddy to have said junk that he was just going to throw away. For anyone who is starting from scratch with a yard, leaves of any kind is like gold.

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I got steer manure from a neighbor, and finally incorporated it into our soil (our soil is hard clay, and hardens like concrete). I got buff arms from the tiller and got it all mixed in. Now it was time to add the leaves.

Um, what are you doing?

Oh! This is good stuff!

Our horses thought the leaves looked yummy. Which made me think I should add some of their own, um, fertilizer, to my flower beds. Some people think horse manure is bad for your beds. But a gardener friend of mine adds some to his soil, and he has a lush estate. Why not? It's free, and there's plenty.

Here's the finished product. All ready for my plants! Yay!

A Room of (My) Own

2013-07-10T09:23:00.001-06:00

Pink Think: “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” - Virginia Woolf

This is my creative space, where I can daydream and write on my laptop while looking out the window. I can also meet with clients here.

This is my "business" space, where I pay bills, plot my projects, and keep my business organized.

We've been in the new house now for a couple of months. Early on, I thought about posting pics of everything. And then, I thought, no, that's not necessary. I did want to post though, about my office, which is probably one of the most favorite things I like about the house.

In our former rental (which was lovely, by the way), I had no office to speak of, and the lack of space made me irritable (just ask my husband) and unproductive. My piles were ever-growing on the kitchen table, and the kids and I jostled for elbow room.

Now in the new house...the front room is my office. The pics above are in the same room. I feel like Virginia Woolf's quote applies not just to fiction, but to running my business.

I wanted a creative center where I could just sit happily writing (fiction, my clients' books, my op-ed and feature stories), but still be faced out to the world. The leather-like white chairs were a KSL find that I love, love, love...you can sit and sink in for hours.

I made the table from two shelves and some MDF board. The lamp was a splurge from IKEA (I guess technically it wasn't a splurge since it would have cost as much as something from Target, but the color was a splurge.)

The closet office took me a while to configure and to commit to, but when it was all said and done, it was perfect. The granite countertop was a beautiful addition. I can leave my notes and files and bills somewhere and forget about them until I'm ready.

I love this room.

***

Now for a Treasured Stories update...

A little over a year ago, I started a business called Treasured Stories, the impetus (ha, ha, I like that word) being that I applied for a super-cool job I thought was in the bag, but didn't get it.

I had been thinking and praying of a way to bring in extra income to the family while still keeping flexible hours. One day, as I sang to an audience in a rehab/care center, I had an epiphany: that I could help the elderly write their memoirs. And since I'd always wanted to run a business around one of my passions, this was a natural.

It's been a growing year for me. I've learned a lot as a businessperson, writer, editor, book designer, and as a mother and wife. There have been times when I just wanted to quit after a day of rejections. There were times when I was unsure of my abilities when taking on a project.

Slowly and surely, however, I made it through the first year. I owe a lot to my early clients, who trusted me with their projects, so I could eventually show to others that yes, I know what I'm talking about!

It's really helped to have a regular presence in the local paper with my op-ed column and feature articles. I also launched a poster campaign, which some of my current clients have mentioned when they've contacted me.

The biggest lesson for me in the past year has been to stay true to my initial purpose, which was to have a successful business while making time for my family. It's a balancing act, because it's so tempting to just keep working when you set your hours. But one fine day a couple of months ago, I realized that I had to pace myself or I would burn out. And the work that I was supposedly doing for my family's benefit was taking too much away of the fun.

So now I try to put in a day's work and avoid evenings (unless everyone in the family's gone in which case, I work if I want to). I take breaks. I tell my clients I will be on vacation so I give them a realistic timeline.

I've also learned to be calm and steady. Some people will probably never hire me, and that's fine. I can give them my information for when they are ready. And then some people are so grateful to have services like mine, they are super ready to jump right in and are a dream to work with. I have learned that I don't need to lower my fee; I give my clients the best work I can give, and make sure they get their money's worth.

It's been a fun past year, and I look forward to more. I'm glad I'm busy with Treasured Stories but not too busy I can't carve out some time for my other goals in life.

Farewell to a Friend

2013-04-28T01:01:00.001-06:00

Pink Think: "If you want a stable friendship, get a horse."

Wixie in her younger days, with Sabrina

In a few weeks, my family and I will be moving to a new home on six acres of horse property, ready to live our cowboy dream. It's been a long process in the making. About seven years, since my oldest daughter was nine and first got bitten by the horse bug.

That was the beginning for us of horse ownership, with a truculent and spirited, but inherently sweet, gray flea-bitten mare named Wixie.

But this progress is bittersweet. Because our dearest Wixie passed away last Friday.

***
When my daughter turned eight and horse-crazy (thanks to the movie Spirit), she asked to have a horseback-riding party, which led to her borrowing a horse for 4-H from the horse owner. But we soon discovered that borrowing a horse had its challenges, especially when it's shared by two kids competing in different events.

Still, it was great to learn about horse ownership and making sure our daughter was going to stick to this new hobby before getting a horse for our own. A year later, we decided we were ready to make the leap.

***
My husband was out of town when we looked at Wixie for the first time. It was the middle of the day and her seller was in her jammies, apologizing that she wasn't feeling good. So she sent us to the pen outside to look at the gray mare she'd advertised.

I didn't know what I was looking for, exactly. But I liked what the seller told me: Wixie was 19 and green-broke, had been in horse shows and parades. Bomb-proof, a perfect beginner's horse. She was a pretty dapple gray and seemed alert and healthy.

The next time I visited with my daughter, the husband was home. He put Wixie through a few maneuvers, convincing us that she would be a great horse. I put the girls on her back. She walked sedately like she was supposed to.

And then we took her home.

***
Oh, sure, she was a great horse. When she didn't buck, prance nervously, dance around while being tacked up, and generally act up like most mares (we belatedly learned) acted. One day, it got so bad I groused to my husband, "I sure hope Sierra doesn't get that free horse!" (Sierra had applied to "win" a free horse donated to the local 4-H Club.) "Guess what?" my husband said, smiling. (She did.)

But as we got to know more about being horsepeople, Wixie relaxed, too. It helped that our oldest daughter was a good fit for Wixie's fiery personality. When Wixie acted up, Sierra stayed calm. And sometimes Wixie shone like the mature horse she was. Wixie wasn't the best at halter or speed, but they managed to win a few ribbons.

Then our youngest inherited Wixie. By then, we had three horses, one for each kid.

***
They were not a good match. Sabrina did her best, and Wixie sometimes minded. But when the horse was bad, she was very bad. We got her another horse, which became her brother's so she could have his calmer horse. Along the way, we acquired another horse, too hot for Sabrina, so she ended up being my husband's.

By default, Wixie became my horse.

***
She began losing weight a couple of months ago. She usually did every winter, but this time she looked really bad. The vet said she might have cancer, and that we should prepare to say goodbye to her soon.

I hadn't ridden her in a while this winter - I'm a fair weather rider - and by the time she got really sick, I for sure couldn't then. All I could do was to feed her grain and keep her comfortable until the inevitable goodbye. Sometimes, I would lean in and inhale her scent, feeling her warmth against my cheek, and gaze into her soft brown eyes.

The afternoon my veterinarian husband was going to euthanize her, she lay down in the pen and never got up. Some friends of ours kindly helped take her to our new place to bury her towards the back of our lot.

As we stood there waiting for a few more scoops of dirt taken out of her grave, I looked around at the unobstructed view of mountains, the back of our new house, the acres and acres of land that would be home for us soon.

Sadness washed over me. I wished Wixie could have come with us, moved with us. Instead, here she was getting buried in the ground. And yet...

I couldn't help but be glad that we had those good years with her. That she schooled us when we needed a horse to teach us, during her best moments. And even during the bad.

I remembered the times she carried me on her back during trail rides. How she snuffled happily with her head down low. How I learned to gallop on her. How she liked taking treats from my hand and whinnied at my approach.

And now she was part of our new land, our new home. It couldn't have been a more fitting end, a better tribute, to a wonderful friend.

Slow down

2013-03-25T12:51:00.002-06:00

Pink Think: "Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -- you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." - Eddie Cantor

Image from seton.com

I am writing this post as penance. An epiphany. A second chance.

Life had been going good lately. No; more than good. Fabulous!

This March has been a terribly busy, but productive month. A community event I was doing advertising for was wrapping up, and I was happy to focus back on my business, which was picking up. In fact, this past Friday, I was on my way to meeting a potential client.

My freshman son was going to get to play on Varsity, and I'd found an Under Armor shirt for him on sale. I decided to squeeze time to drive home ten minutes away, deliver his shirt, then drive back ten minutes to Tooele, and meet with the client.

After getting my son his shirt, I put my foot on that gas pedal. I was going to make it to my meeting. So bent was I on speeding to my appointment, I didn't notice the police lights until I was already cruising down the highway.

I pulled over and waited, feeling chills rack my body.

Not a speeding ticket, please. Not another speeding ticket.

I held out my driver's license as the officer came to my window. "Hello," I told her, filled with relief. She looked like she was maybe a mom like me. Maybe she'd understand.

She told me how fast I was going by the school. "You were haulin'," she said with a concerned smile. "Are you in a hurry, or something?"

I admitted yes, I was. I began a litany of where I needed to be when, but my words sounded lame to my ears, because of what she said afterwards, as she started to write me up a citation: "I was worried because kids were out for lunch."

I began to cry. Not just because I was embarrassed to be pulled over along a highway very visible to my neighbors. Not just because of what this new ticket meant in terms of my wallet or my insurance. Not just because, in speeding to my appointment, I was going to be even more late.

I cried because I felt like it was a well-deserved wake up call. If someone had been speeding by my kid's school, and hit my kid because they were so hell-bent on making an appointment in an over-scheduled day...

The thought shook me up.

When I got home, I confessed to my kids (two of whom are teen drivers): "I got a speeding ticket and I'm not proud of it." I told them that I was not a good example. That nothing was worth speeding and breaking the law.

***
Speeding is a hard habit to break. Just 9 mph over. That used to be my mantra. I've been trying to be good on the road, since. I put my truck on cruise control and allow myself extra time to get places. I look around and pay attention.

I want to be like some people who take the day easy. They still work hard, but they're not running to the next appointment. They're not trying to glamourize busy-ness. They're not addicted to this sense that if they stop moving, the world will come crashing down. (Truth is, it won't.)

Slow down. Wise words to live by.

Guest Blog Post by bestselling author David Farland

2013-03-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

Pink Think: "Good writers don’t rely on inspiration. They don’t use 'talent' as a crutch. They don’t need luck. Instead, they develop skills."

I'm excited to host David Farland as our guest blogger! He is an award-winning, New York Times Bestselling Author with over 50 novels in print. He has won the Philip K. Dick Memorial Special Award for "Best Novel in the English Language" for his science fiction novel On My Way to Paradise, the Whitney Award for "Best Novel of the Year" for his historical novel In the Company of Angels, and the International Book Award for "Best Young Adult Novel of the Year" for his fantasy thriller Nightingale—among many others.

Recently Dave released a book geared toward writing titled Million Dollar Outlines. In it he discusses how to write a novel or screenplay that has a wide readership, giving it the potential to become a bestseller.

Some of his past writing students that have gone on to success include #1 New York Times Bestsellers such as Brandon Mull (Fablehaven), Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time), James Dashner (The Maze Runner) and Stephenie Meyer (Twilight).

Along with providing writers with outline and audience analysis methods, Dave also offers 28 “plotting tools” in Million Dollar Outlines. A plotting tool is basically a technique that can make your story more exciting, interesting, satisfying, or complete.

Today, Dave is going to share one with us:

Crucibles

When we talk about writing, there are three kinds of crucibles—crucibles of setting, relationship, or condition. We’ll talk about those in a moment, but first we need to define, “What is a crucible?”

In metal-smithing, a crucible is a container used to hold metal or liquid as it boils. For example, to melt gold, one takes a heavy bowl made from steel and sets it in a fire. The steel, which can withstand higher temperatures than gold, doesn’t melt. But the small container quickly becomes super-heated, so that the gold liquefies in moments.

In fiction, a crucible is any setting, condition, or relationship that keeps characters (such as a protagonist and an antagonist) from splitting apart.

By forcing these characters to remain together, we may sometimes create an almost intolerable atmosphere. It allows us to super-charge the relationships, raise the heat.

For example, imagine that John and Mary have been married for years, but have grown apart. They decide that they don’t love each other anymore. The logical thing for them to do would be to divorce and split up, right?

But there’s no story in that! The characters could easily resolve the situation by leaving—so as a writer you need them to stay together.

So imagine that John and Mary have grown apart, but both love their six-month-old daughter. Neither is willing to end the relationship so long as they risk losing the child. Now you have a crucible, a binding force that keeps the two together.

But there are different kinds of crucibles. Maybe it is a child. But maybe you could do the same by putting them both in a car and having them get stuck in a snowstorm. The car is a different kind of container from the relationship, but both work to keep the couple together.

So here are the three different types of crucibles.

Crucibles of Setting

A setting may act as a crucible. You’ve all seen comedies where several people are stuck in a cabin in a snowstorm, and each of them is at the other’s throat. You will also quickly remember the movie “Snakes on a Plane,” even if you’ve never seen it. A crucible of setting might be a story set in your characters’ workplace, on a ship, or in a small town. The important point is to keep the characters together as much as possible, and to let personalities rub against one another until their tempers boil.

Crucibles of Relationship

You can never escape your family. You might try, but often the family relationship is a crucible. A child wanting to leave home is in a crucible in the same way that a father who must pay child-support is in a crucible. Any two people who are married are in a crucible, as are any two people who happen to just be in love.

I recall a fine western when I was young about two heroic cowboys who are both in love with the same woman. They are forced to band together to rescue her from a kidnapper. The men hate each other, and as the audience gets to know each man better, they both come to vie for our affections.

Soldiers in a squadron will find themselves in a crucible. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, those who had joined the Fellowship were thrust into a crucible—a small band of men forced to band together for their own protection. It may be that your character finds himself fighting beside someone he detests—a murderer or a rapist—and yet he is unable to walk away from the conflict.

A crucible may also be your conflict with your culture. We’ve probably all known various folks—Catholics, Jews, Muslims, etc., who try to leave their religion behind but can never stop talking about it. But it doesn’t have to be your religious culture. My father ran away from the Blue Ridge Mountains to escape the hillbilly lifestyle. I had a girlfriend who left her fine home in Southern California because she despised her family’s wealth. In the movie My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, we have a girl whose main conflict comes about when she is embarrassed by her ethnic roots.

Crucibles of Condition

An intolerable condition may also be a crucible—such as an illness that two very different characters may join forces to beat. We see this type of crucible used every week as Doctor House tries to solve the latest medical mystery. But you can also set your characters up to fight an economic or political condition—the hunger in India, the tribalism of North Africa.

The condition might be something as mundane as crime in the streets. Policemen who despise one another are often found joining forces to fight drug lords, rapists, and other types of crime.

So as you form your story, consider how you might strengthen your conflicts by developing one or more crucibles.

To learn about the rest of Dave’s plotting tools, or how to write for a wide audience, you’ll have to check out his book HERE.

Some reviews it’s received so far:

“Mr Farland didn't write a book about outlines; at least not only outlines. This book shows you how to write a book, story, and screenplay from blank page to your first million. I can only imagine better instruction from Mr Farland in person, and plan to take one of his workshops based on the strength of this work alone.”

—Big Nate, Amazon

“Actually, I have a book on novel outlining which has like 5 stars ratings. It is way boring. I just couldn't get through it. So when I learned David had written a book on outlining, I knew he could do the topic justice...and make it interesting. . . . Since David wrote this, I KNEW he had something UNIQUE to teach, that is, his viewpoint, his experience and his SYSTEM. Plus, I knew his conversational, no fluff way of writing/teaching would drive me, compelling me to devour it. And it does.”

—C. Jack

Can you think of any more examples of crucibles? Can you see a way to strengthen your own story by adding a crucible? Leave a comment and let us know!

Valentine Chocolate Giveaway

2013-02-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

Pink Think: "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm doing a giveaway of Sibu Beauty chocolate truffles! *** Congratulations to our winner, Ally from her cutely-named blog A Pile of Penguins!

Our giveway sponsor is Sibu Beauty. It's a Utah-based company known for its skin care line, and who has just added chocolate truffles to their products. The Omega 7 oil found in its main ingredient, sea buckthorn berry oil, provides key building blocks for skin, nails, and hair. Be sure to check out Sibu Beauty's blog, Facebook page, on Twitter, and on Pinterest.

They sent me a sample of their dark mint and milk orange chocolate truffles, and I loved it from the very first bite! My fave was the milk orange kind...it's got a hint of citrus, with a rich, Belgian chocolate flavor.

So here's how you can enter. On this blog or on Facebook, answer this question by Valentine's Day:

What is your favorite love song?

(By answering, you'll be helping me figure out a playlist for our upcoming Valentine's Day Sweetheart Ball!)

Get an extra entry for following my blog. Must be a US/Canada resident. Winner cannot have won a previous Sibu giveaway. Good luck!

Disclosure: Thanks to Sibu Beauty for providing this giveaway and for letting me sample their delicious chocolate truffles!

Knock Knock

2013-01-26T01:03:00.001-07:00

Pink Think: "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." - Alexander Graham Bell

Ay caramba. I once said adios to fiction writing, but here it is, knocking at my door again. Too many things conspiring:

1. A feature on a self-published illustrator in our local paper.

2. Re-reading a novel I have on my hard drive and deciding, "Hey, not bad."

3. Running into a friend at the post office. I explained that I now help people write memoirs, and I'd written mine. He said, "If you ever have it for sale, let me know, we'd be interested." (So...that's not exactly related to my fiction work, but the fact that someone said they'd read something I've written just because they read me in the paper made me feel hopeful.)

4. Meeting a friend for lunch today, and her saying, it's okay for me to self-publish my novels.

Not that I'm asking anyone's permission, mind you.

I wish I could grow out of this phase forever, because this going back and forth is messing up my head. Meanwhile, I have "cover" writerly jobs that I can refer to instead of "novelist aspiring to be published" when people ask me what it is I do.

Turning the invisible into the visible

2013-01-11T13:00:00.001-07:00

Pink Think: "Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible."- Tony Robbins

I was visiting my dad yesterday and he asked me what were some of my personal goals for this year. Which was very timely and omen-ish because I was thinking that same thing the other day.

In the last year, I started a memoir writing business, Treasured Stories. I have a lot of to-dos associated with this venture, and some achieved goals (like get clients and produce a client book!), but I hadn't actually sat down to assess "What next?" And then since I pretty much have taken a hiatus (I love that word, it makes me think of hibiscus) from fiction writing, it seems that I don't have any epic projects of late.

Truth is, I don't exactly feel challenged. Every story is a fun project for me, don't get me wrong. But I'm not feeling stretched. Plus, when I don't have a goal list, I'm not sure what I can be doing next. This year, like my friend Alice Beesley, I have chosen the following goals:

1. Get 4 new quality Treasured Stories clients. This gives me a goal every season of ramping up my marketing and signing up a client. This means I can tweak my marketing campaign and keep it fresh. It's been an instructive period, learning the difference between an interested prospect, and a prospect who is likely to hire me. I want more of the latter.

2. Help my daughter put on another successful Sweetheart Ball. This isn't exactly my personal goal, because my 17 year old daughter is pretty much doing a lot of the work to make this Valentine's Day event successful. But I am mentoring her. And I hope she is learning a lot of skills that will help her in the future in other endeavors. We started this event last year to help my son earn money to go to Washington DC, and it was so fun, we decided to do it again. This time, my daughter is doing it as a fundraiser for a Fiji service trip. How do I define "successful"? Raise enough money to get her to Fiji ($3,000) and make sure that our guests have a fabulous time!

3. Update my blogs weekly. It's like writing in your journal. The longer you go not writing in it, the harder it is, the lamer the entries. On this blog, I will write about what I've learned from the past week on the following topics: journalism, fiction writing, small business or marketing. On my Treasured Stories blog, I will write about memoir writing tips and real-life experiences.

4. Go to Zumba weekly. I've been dying to do this for a while now. I love dancing and I need the exercise, so this is perfect for me. But I haven't gone yet. And then a friend of mine called me last week to invite me. I wasn't able to go, but it made me put it in my planner and the calendar. So now, no more excuses. I also read about Denise Austin in the Sunday insert. At 50, she looks fantastic, and she inspired me to exercise when I was trying to shed post-baby fat. By doing Zumba on Mondays, it will get my week off on a good start.

5. Read my scriptures daily. I want more divine inspiration to lead me through this year. I know I can't do it all on my own.

6. Visit my parents weekly and record my parents' stories. With my dad's ailing health, I feel an urgency to record his stories. My mom's, too.

7. Sing at more venues. I'm already singing at a care center once a month. So I decided I'll do it with regularity, too, at a Senior Center. And then in March, I will have the opportunity to sing at a local event. Singing is my fun, creative outlet, and if I can brighten other people's day while I'm at it, all the better. My repertoire is "Musical Memories" - songs from the 30s through the 60s. I don't know what I'm doing in the 21st century, because I love, love the songs that my dad sang to me while I was growing up.

8.Finish a novel. And then when I am done with it, I will have it edited and either self-publish, or query an agent.

9. Eat healthier. That means no seconds unless I'm really still hungry. No mindless snacking. And a minimum of the greasy stuff. My 17 year old, who is a healthy eater, is my inspiration.

I'm excited to s-t-r-e-t-c-h this year. I'm feeling more energized and have a sense of purpose. Thank you, Alice, for the motivation!

***

How about you, what will you be working on this year?

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

2012-12-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

Pink Think: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all men." - Luke 2:14

Guido Reni [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

There's no need to be afraid

2012-12-18T08:38:00.003-07:00

Pink Think: " "It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid." - from the 1984 song Do they know it's Christmas? by Band Aid

My son (who is now 15) when he was about a year old

I was just getting ready to take my youngest daughter to school when the song from my high school years, Do they know it's Christmas? came on the radio. I thought of the irony of its words, when, as a nation we are still stunned and reeling from the shootings in a Connecticut elementary school.

And then I realized that the words are true.

There's no need to be afraid so long as we put our trust in the Lord. Many things happen in life that are beyond our control, beyond our comprehension. I think of those sweet, innocent children and loving adults, and I feel like weeping, ready to give up. Yet we need to honor their memory by not allowing ourselves to be defeated by evil.

Evil exists in the world, but so does good. Like a beacon on a hill, good and light and love will always prevail.

At church this Sunday, I sat beside a friend who is mom to children ranging from young elementary to high school age. She and her husband adopted their youngest daughter.

I don't know the circumstances of that adoption. I only know that whenever I see them together, my admiration for my friend and their family - opening up their hearts and home to this sweet little girl who needed a good family - soars to the heavens. Especially when I see her little girl come up to her for a hug and a kiss.

I needed to see that, as reaffirmation that love is a gift that we can give to others, and we get back tenfold. That there are people who do care for children and want to do their best to raise them in today's world.

My heart is filled to bursting with gratitude that there are still pure things in the world. A child's guileless expression, a mother's love, a family's circle.

There's no need to be afraid.

Love shall overcome everything - hurricanes, crime, senseless shootings, anything that might come our way. Let us look for the good and spread it around, to all the corners of the world. In our own corner of the world.

May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

8 Design Tricks for Business Cards that Sell

2012-11-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Pink Think: "Rock stars get room keys, I get business cards." - Thomas Friedman

My original business card

My revamped business card

I just got back from a fabulous Utah Personal History Conference where I handed out dozens of business cards through my display as well as just talking to people. I also received several in return. So today I thought I would share things I've learned through the effect of my own business card (humble pie!) and looking at others'.

[A quick note about my business card. I learned the hard way that when I had it as the first version, the print is not as legible. And my info isn't as dynamic as it could be. So I revamped it to the 2nd one.]

1. DO get feedback before you send to print. The beauty of online services like Vista Print (highly recommended! That's where I get my cards from) is you control your own design and can save roughly half you'd pay at a brick and mortar store. The drawback, however, is it's so easy send off your design without feedback. Some questions to ask:

Is the design dynamic? Does it capture the spirit of your business? Does it sell your vision?

Avery Two-Side Printable Clean Edge Business Cards for Laser Printers (Google Affiliate Ad)

Is the text legible? Please don't do cursive. It's just not legible in that small of print. Even serif fonts like Georgia or Times New Roman are hard to read, if they aren't spaced correctly. It doesn't matter if your text is pretty. If the potential client can't read your URL, they won't be able to check out your business even if they wanted to.

2. DO use the back of your card to elaborate on the services you provide and your professional experience.

3. DO be professional. Early on, I used to have a business card with a floral border. Well, I outgrew that one pretty quickly. You can have a lovely business card that still conveys that you can handle serious business. Ask yourself, does this convey the image of someone capable of handling the business/service I'm selling?

4. DON'T try to cram in too many things. Highlight your best points and entice them to get more information on your website.

5. DO include a website address. Most potential clients want to check out your work online before calling. I know I do. You can design your website for free. My Treasured Stories website is simply a Blogger blog that is linked to a URL that I bought through GoDaddy. The advantage of this technique is, my website URL sounds more professional than a blogspot address. With blogging options, there's really no excuse not to have a website nowadays.

6. DO put your mug shot if you absolutely feel like you have to. Otherwise, I think it's space you can use for more important information.

7. DO include a QR code for your website URL if there's space. A QR code is an app iPhone users can scan that leads them directly to your website. You can get it HERE for free. Personally, I don't have an iPhone, but I know several people who scan things constantly.

8. DO have a catchy business name to begin with. Here's a Squidoo article that can help. Sometimes rambling and unfocused business names can take the punch out of even the best designs.

DO share YOUR ideas in the comments!

Meeting Deadlines

2012-10-27T15:38:00.003-06:00

Pink Think: "The ultimate inspiration is the deadline." - Noah Bushnell

I just finished edits on a nearly 200 page couples memoir for a client and passed it on to my graphic designer. I cannot wait to see the final product. What an amazing project this has been. It's gratifying to see my clients complete something they know to be very important, and actually get it done. Still on track for Christmas publication, which is exciting!

I've been taking careful notes along the way, which I hope will help me in future projects for Treasured Stories. Meanwhile, I've made inroads with some potential clients I met at the Women Entrepreneurs Conference.

***

A few minutes ago, I e-mailed in my op-ed explaining why I'm voting for Mitt Romney (go, Mitt, go!). Then I will be finishing up a magazine piece about cow cutting over the next couple weeks.

It's been busy, but it's all good!

Finding Balance

2012-10-22T09:38:00.001-06:00

Pink Think: "I think at the end of the day you have to find a balance with what's really important." - Julianne Hough

THE LAST THING I NEEDED was a whole day spent at a conference, however wonderful it sounded.

A few weeks ago, I heard an ad on the radio for a Women Entrepreneurs Conference in Kaysville, Utah. Intrigued, I looked up the website. Even though the registration seemed reasonable, I applied for a scholarship (because it would help the bottom line, and because I can never resist applying for scholarships).

As the date approached, I decided I didn't have time to spend a day away at a conference. I had two 1200-word feature stories, an op-ed, and client transcriptions for a Christmas memoir due all at the same time.

But then I got word that I got the scholarship. So now of course, I felt obligated to go. Reluctantly, I went to the conference.

Thankfully, I did, because that conference was just what the doctor ordered.

***

Being in a room full of hundreds of women entrepreneurs like me was an amazing feeling. The women I talked to at my table, at the exhibits, at the workshops, all knew what I was going through.

They knew of the fear I felt. Of approaching potential clients and giving that precise pitch, only to be rebuffed politely. The fear of following up because you don't want to be a nuisance. Of the misgiving: Can I really deliver what I promised? Of wanting work, but wondering how to keep up if one gets too successful.

They knew of the inner conflict I've been struggling with more so now that I was a small business owner. Of being a mother and wife while trying to juggle a busy schedule that is self-imposed by an even harder taskmaster: yourself. Of wanting to watch that movie and kick back on the weekend with the family but there is so much to do! Of not being available to the kids even though you are "home". Of nights when you're too exhausted to even cry.

***

Perhaps the greatest takeaway I got from the conference was to be kind to myself, because no one else will do that job for me. One of the presenters, Tiffany Peterson of The Lighthouse Principles, advised us to make a joy list and enjoy one item within the next 24 hours. (Within hours of my coming home, I bought myself a Twix and a relaxing CD, so yes, I did it!)

The conference made me recognize that having my own business exacerbates all my workaholic tendencies. I have to say my family - my husband and teenage kids - have all been fabulous from day one as I've been getting more clients. My kids take care of themselves, pitch in with chores and in general make it so I could focus on my work without worrying what they are up to.

Still, I needed to ask myself, What am I doing this for? If it's for the family, which it is, then why am I not enjoying the family now?

***

Soon after the conference, I read a book by Christine Hohlbaum called The Power of Slow which gave me my much needed perspective on balance. She says in the book that a lot of our stress is self-created, because we are addicted to the feeling of "averting disaster". If you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, with all the frantic views that affords, I recommend you read this book.

Thanks to the conference and the book, I am more determined to have balance in my life. I'm avoiding working through evenings because I know my brain will function better if I give it a bit of a rest. In reality, all-nighters probably could wait until morning. I am saying no to more extraneous things that take me away from my family. I am saying yes to more fun in my life.

***

Have YOU found balance in your life? What are your greatest challenges? Triumphs?

100-Postcard Giveaway

2012-09-27T12:46:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: "I would especially like to recourt the Muse of poetry, who ran off with the mailman four years ago, and drops me only a scribbled postcard from time to time." - John Updike

We have a winner! Congratulations to thatDESIGNgal (who has a really fun Etsy shop, btw). Thanks, everyone, for participating!!

***

Would you like quality, customized postcards for the holidays or your business? Then be sure to enter this PrintRunner giveaway. US Residents only, 18 or older. Giveaway ends midnight of Friday, October 12, 2012.

What you can win

100 5"x7" postcards of your uploaded design*

Printing and 14 PT. UV Coating on front only, 4/0 color

Rounded Corners

Proof: None

Ready to ship in: 4 Business Days
*extra if they design it for you

How to Enter

Answer this question in comments below (or on Facebook if you are blog-challenged):

If you could send a postcard from any country in the world (assuming you are vacationing in that country), what country would it be?

For an extra entry follow my blog (if you don't already) and mention you're a follower in your comment.

Disclosure: Thanks to PrintRunner for providing this giveaway! I will receive a set of postcards for hosting this.

Audacious observations

2012-09-11T08:44:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: "The first quality that is needed is audacity." - Winston Churchill

Good Omen: A rainbow over our haystack

Since we have lived with horses in our backyard for a couple of weeks now, I will audaciously share what I have learned so far. (It's the kind of quick-on-my-feet observation that my husband gently likes to point out doesn't necessarily amount to much. Love you, hon!) To sum up: it's better than I expected!

1. What's another five horses? Part of the deal in having the horses in our backyard was, I wasn't going to be the go-to person for feeding and mucking after them. Everyone has pitched in, no worries, there, though my son expressed what I think has been on everyone's mind: "We have way too many pets." But seriously, it's fun to feed the horses. You take two flakes of sweet-smelling hay and give a pile to each horse, you feel like their hero, and everyone's happy.

2. Haystacks are taller in person. One of my favorite landscapes to look at in rural Utah are hay bales waiting to be harvested on farmland. What I didn't count on is having them in the yard and feeling like I need to get "Do not cross" signs. After I stopped hyperventilating that the haystack is an accident waiting to happen, I can enjoy rainbows over it.

3. Mucking is fun. There, I said it. Though please don't quote me to my family or they will assume I want to muck for them. But the process of going around the pen, cleaning up after our horses is kind of relaxing. I have my rake, and my wheelbarrow with bullet-proof tires, so no goat-head in its right mind will take me on. And afterwards, when I see the results, I almost want to tackle the pile (of papers, not manure) on my desk. Almost.

4. Horses are pretty to look at. There's something relaxing about looking out the window at grazing horses. Horses waiting for you to feed them. Horses laying on the ground rolling. Horses playing. Horses flirting with the neighbor's horse.

5. Horses ARE for the faint-hearted. It takes courage to do something insane like boxing up your whole house and leaving behind your sunflowers so someone else can raze them all to the ground. Or moving a trampoline on a trailer and hoping you don't take out a line of cars behind you. Just so you can have your horses on your property. But it's good for you. It builds up your muscle for harder things like running your own business and not letting clients see that sometimes you are quaking inside but you push through the doubts anyway with your audacity.

Return on my investment

2012-09-04T09:50:00.004-06:00

Pink Think: "In any investment, you expect to have fun and make money." - Michael Jordan

Funny how we just moved a few miles away in the same small town, and yet it feels like a different world.

Last night, as we sat in our living room (we have a rug down, the boxes are cleared, and it looks respectable, yay!), I heard the hooting of an owl just outside the window.

I hear roosters crowing in the morning and it brings me back to my days in the Philippines, when you wake in the cool stillness of the early hour and the neighbor's rooster says, "Tik-ti-la-ok!" We have only carpet and hardwood on the floor of our rental - the wearing of slippers, sweeping with the broom, cool floor underfoot - and it makes me think of Philippine homes.

I'm kind of homesick all of a sudden. I almost want to pen a new story set in the Philippines, because that is how I can escape back to my childhod.

***
Note that I said "almost".

A heavy rain had seeped under our rental's walk-out basement door this past weekend. We hurried and moved boxes out of harm's way. The kids were so sweet when they came to a box labeled "Jewel's trunk novels". They offered to spread out the papers to dry, and it was all I can do to not chuck the stories into recycling or to set fire on them like kindling. It was a painful reminder of "what could have been".

Just years ago, I had this dream to be a published novelist. It was my constant quest. It consumed me. I've had to let go this past year. The return on investment just wasn't there.

If I were to take up novel-writing again, it would be as a business proposition. Yes, business. I cannot slave away for as long as I did, for what I sacrificed in time and energy just for papers to collect in a basement, to dry out after a flood.

I have no excuses, not with self-publishing. I am now my own gatekeeper, and being "published" is literally within reach.

So what am I waiting for? I suppose, a break in my schedule, so I am not running behind on projects that are bringing in an income. I know this art should not be all about money, but it's a real consideration.

For my friends and colleagues that have made it or are still trying to make it, my hat's off to you!

Horses in our backyard

2012-09-01T21:48:00.003-06:00

Pink Think: "The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire." - Sharon Ralls Lemon

Our horses eating their dinner in our backyard!

It was a crazy start to having horses in our backyard. Amidst a downpour, with Drew taking the horses home and having to stop occasionally because the rain was coming down so hard, our five horses - Wixie, Raffiki, Quincy, Lovey and Taia - finally joined us in our backyard.

We are renting a beautiful three year old house on an acre of land and hope to start building a house on horse property in a few weeks.

It's dark outside now and I see a horse moving around occasionally. I think they are huddled a little under a huge tree to get out of the brunt of the rain.

I like the thought that our horses are back there now. I want to remember this occasion because it's such a milestone for our family. Eight years from that fateful day when our oldest had a horse riding party for her birthday, and we now have horses in our backyard.

*Pinch*

I never pictured myself being so excited about this day. If you'd asked me eight years ago, I'd have said, "No way, Jose." Heck, not even two years ago. I've had a change of heart since, and when I have time, I will tell you how that came about in another post.

Before we took them home today, we went to a party for my husband's work, a horseback riding party. We loped down a stretch of cut-hay field, loping and just having fun on our horses.

And now they're home.

If I seem like a broken record, I think it's because I'm still dazed from the turn of events from the past few months.

***

We put our house up for sale at start of summer, really serious this time, because we wanted this to happen - be able to sell our house and make a down payment on six acres of property in the same city, with a house that is planned around pets and horses. So serious were we that I even painted our red breakfast nook a neutral color (it was a HUGE concession, believe me).

Two years ago, we tried selling, with no success. This time around felt different. We had a lot of people look at our house and got an offer after two months. That first offer fell through and our hopes were crushed, only to be buoyed again when another offer came through the next day.

I didn't really pack very seriously, not at first, because I didn't want to jinx the process. But eventually, we did, working 'round the clock, it seemed. Not to mention I was trying to juggle my clients at Treasured Stories.

I was still cleaning out the fridge the day of possession, but we made it! We got moved out. (No small thanks to all our wonderful wonderful friends and neighbors. You are awesome!!!) It's a lot like childbirth. Traumatic, but we got through it and maybe I'll even forget it the next time we move again to the "real" house.

Here we are. And here our horses are. It's the start of another adventure, and I'm grateful.

A steady paycheck? No thanks.

2012-08-02T20:31:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: "I think when you move past your fear and you go after your dreams wholeheartedly, you become free. Know what I'm saying? Move past the fear." - LL Cool J

I was at the store the other day when I ran into a local businessman. I told him I hadn't been to his business in a while and asked him how things were going.

He said, "I'm actually thinking of quitting that and getting a regular job. You know, 4 10s and benefits."

I was still thinking of that after I left a client's house today. As some of you know, in May I started a memoir writing business called Treasured Stories.

Frankly, I couldn't see why someone could go from running their own business to going back and working for someone else.

Granted, I write from my somewhat limited experience of being a fairly new small business owner, but I do have a more extensive experience as a freelance writer.

I've decided, self-employment rocks.

Over the years, as my kids have gotten older, I've thought many, many times of trading in the insecurity of freelancing with a steady paycheck. The closest I came to this was applying for a job that would have monthly responsibilities, but I would still have a flexible schedule.

But now, given the choice, I wouldn't do it. I love the freedom of working around my family's schedule. I love being able to pull an all-nighter so I can go on a week-long vacation without worrying if I can trade shifts with a co-worker. I even love the unpredictability of my schedule, because it keeps things interesting. I will do everything possible to be self-employed.

I recognize that most people cannot afford that unpredictability. I'm lucky because my family doesn't depend on my income to pay the bills.

Still, I also know there are people who are pulling in a large income self-employed. That's what I want to do, too.

I left my client's home today exhausted, I'll admit. Even though I've been a journalist all my life, helping others write their memoir is a different kind of experience. Sure, you're still interviewing, and you're using writing skills, but the randomness, the exploratory nature of writing memoirs keeps you on your mental toes. It's draining.

But I love it.

I feel like I'm in my element. I've always loved getting to know people's stories, and having a book-length format is liberating. I'm truly honored that they will let me into their world. It's like being first to read someone's book of life. As I've always enjoyed as a journalist, my world deepens with each encounter.

It probably helps that I love marketing my services to others. After initial rejections, my confidence is growing with each and every successful pitch. I love seeing others get passionate about sharing their real-life story.

Coupled with freedom, I wouldn't trade any of that for a steady paycheck.

Blessed Undertakings

2012-06-30T09:12:00.001-06:00

Pink Think: "Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the courage to ask the blessings of heaven." - Georg C. Lichtenberg

My newest Treasured Stories poster, hot off the press

So much good news to catch up on, where to even start?

1. Finished edits on my own memoir called "An Ocean Away" which is the true story of my moving an ocean away at age 15 from the Philippines to Utah State University, and rooming with my mom in the eighties. I will be taking it to Family Heritage Publishers, where I outsource my clients' books. Serves both as a sample for clients, and so I can take my own advice on the importance of writing your college story! (see above poster)

2. Things are going great with my Treasured Stories memoir writing business. I am working with a client and have several leads. Some things I have learned:

Let people see your human side, and you'll break the ice. I played the guitar and sang at the senior center recently, while introducing my business in between. One gentleman approached me about a project because he remembered me from that. Thing is, I genuinely enjoy performing older songs, so regardless of how the "selling" went, I have fun anyway. It sure beats just sitting at a table and hoping people take a candy and listen to my pitch.

Be brave. I wasn't sure if I wanted to attend a Chamber of Commerce after-hours, because I didn't know what to expect. But I am so glad I did. Those events are so supportive of small business owners. Great way to network, exchange cards, and practice your spiel on a supportive audience. Might even have a potential lead from a lady who needs a memoir coach for her love story manuscript.

Make the most of even the smallest audience. I had scheduled a memoir writing workshop but missed a catching a potential group at the senior center. They'd already left by the time I arrived. The pinochle group was too intent on their game to want to join us. But I went ahead with my two and a half (one had to get up and down to take her turn at pinochle) attendees, learned a lot from my students, genuinely enjoyed the interaction, and made a client.

Think positive. It's easy to cave in to rejection. But the rainbow is just around the corner. Stick it out and you'll be rewarded. Also, positive self-talk works!

Remember you are helping people fill a need. Many have come up to me saying how helpful my service will be to others. It's easier to share the idea when I remember I have a skill that can help people. I met with a client yesterday who said she could never get past a couple of sentences on her personal history until she attended my memoir writing workshop. Afterwards, she went home and, as "homework," wrote three pages. I am excited to help her forge through so she can share her story with her sons, like she's always wanted.

3. A couple of weeks ago, my editor emailed me that I won an award from the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists - first place for my opinion column, "Joke of immigration policy makes donkey of U.S." Nice accolade, especially since I hadn't submitted it myself; the paper did.

4. Yesterday, we accepted an offer on our house! When everything goes as planned, we could be moving to a rental in early August, and start building on horse property. One step closer to our dream of having our horses in our backyard!

The housing market has really picked up, and we have been blessed because of that. Ironically, because the house has been so much cleaner and because of the extra effort I've put into my flower beds, I have fallen in love with our house once again. It's weird to leave a house that has always been "yours" from the get go. And I will miss our neighborhood. But not so much that I wouldn't give all this up for our dream.

I am grateful to Heavenly Father for all these blessings. What is YOUR good news today?

Making it happen

2012-06-07T10:12:00.003-06:00

Pink Think: "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." - Michael Jordan

My nametag & ribbons at the conference

Just attended the amazing Tooele Business Conference yesterday. It was geared for the start-up company. I learned a lot and networked with others who I'm looking forward to staying in touch with.

They featured a keynote speaker from Outlaw Demolition whose comeback story was inspiring. Some of the the takeaways I got: prepare your business in case you become disabled or sick, you can rise up from your spectacular failures, you are your best cheerleader.

Throughout the day, I attended workshops. Two of my favorite speakers were Collette Gunnell, co-founder of Scentsy, and Carlos Linares, Small Business Development Director.

Collette said, "Believe in yourself, set high goals." If you don't know Scentsy's start-up story, read it HERE. It's pretty amazing. It's an example of how a great idea came about as a solution to a problem, and with dint of courage, tenacity and vision, their founders made it successful.

I attended both workshops by Carlos. He's a dynamic presentor who was a joy to be around. He shared the following tips:

1. Establish your Unique Selling Proposition
2. Put yourself in your customer's shoes
3. Determine your products features & benefits. Features tell...benefits sell!
4. Be consistent.
5. Focus on the customer - What does my customer want?

Also enjoyed Ryan Murray's workshop on "Tips to Grow your Business." He suggested the following reads:

Good to Great by Jim Collins
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

The American Dream is alive and kicking. I loved the power and energy at the conference among like-minded entrepreneurs!

Drop by Drop

2012-06-04T09:01:00.002-06:00

Pink Think: "A jug fills drop by drop." - Buddha

The first poster to launch my marketing campaign

It's been a whirl of a few days. Here's a recap on my new personal history writing business, Treasured Stories:

1. I launched a marketing campaign that involves taking photos of a grandparent and grandchild (the poster above). My 16-year-old took the photos. My models were amazing and I envision the series to be a lot of fun and attention-getting. HERE is the story behind my first poster.

2. Got my business cards from Vistaprint a lot sooner than I thought. The cards look great. I designed them (a bit obsessive-compulsive, and was glad to finally hit the send button). I am getting the hang of handing them out to people that I meet. In a couple of days I'll be attending a seminar, where they will come in handy.

3. Trying to come up with leads is by far the biggest challenge so far. I talked up my service at a family reunion, and tried to not be obnoxious about it. But when people are telling story after story around the campfire, I'm like, "You've got to get all that down on paper!" I also talked to a local senior center and they have me coming in to make a presentation to their regulars. One of the employees said, "You know, I've been thinking about doing this myself..." So the leads are coming.

I won't lie: it's a lot of work to start up and promote your own business. But it's a blast!

Introducing my new business: Treasured Stories

2012-05-07T23:30:00.000-06:00

Pink Think: “There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior, there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.” - Mark Twain

Click on pic to go to my website

Ladies and gentlemen, ahem! I would like to announce that I am the proud owner/operator of a brand spanking new business: Treasured Stories, a personal history writing service.

Wow, dontcha love the sound of that?

How this came about: I was singing with my ol’ guitar last Thursday for some nice folks at a senior care center, as I usually do every month. Before my performance, I asked my audience to tell me their names and something unique about them. Florence was a pianist, Clyde was a shepherd, Jeanine was a painter, Eleanor quilted, Shirley does genealogy…on and on, around the circle. Migosh, these were beautiful, vibrant people. I thought, I hope their family and other people know their life stories.

As I left the center that day, I had an a-ha moment. Why don’t I help folks like them capture their life stories?

Mmm, I thought. COULD I? Well, let’s see…I love being with older folks. I’m always fascinated by what they have to say. Really, what anyone has to say, but especially those that have lived long good lives. I’ve been a professional journalist for 20 years, I'm good with words, and I’m great at getting people to open up. I can finish by a deadline. I’ve finished three novels. I can make sense of a jumble of information. I can find a theme throughout interview notes. I love getting to know the real person behind that Mona Lisa smile. I can work from home around my family’s schedule. And I LOVE to market a business idea. So why the heck not?!

(In essence, thanks to my short stint with a rock band years ago, which led me to play guitar and perform on my own, I am now running a personal history writing service. Funny how things work out.)

Friday, I contacted a couple of ladies in the industry, ultimately feeling good after talking to them. So I rooted around the internet for a domain name. It’s tough to find real good ones that aren’t already taken, let me tell you! Felt like arriving at the party after the caterer’s gone, and there’s not even pans to lick. And it’s a little frustrating that a lot of domains are taken up by not very active if-at-all-operating websites. So there went: Memory Lane, Shoebox Memories, Treasured Memories. (I also crossed off Mummifying Memories and Story Sarcophagus, but NOT because they were already taken.)

To my amazement, TreasuredStories.net was available (if you go there, it’s still somewhat under construction, so pardon the dust and watch your head.) So I nabbed it, before I could chicken out, even though I was chiding myself, “Wow, you’re so optimistic Jewel, you already bought a domain before anything else.” But it feels great to have a good domain name that actually goes with my business. I can already see the slogans. And my giveaways at the local business fair. Yes, I’m a marketing geek that way.

So today, I worked on my website in my pajamas all day. I was so absorbed in it that I a) nearly forgot to make dinner for a lady in our church, her hubby and her 7 kids (plus baby, but baby doesn’t really require food) and b) forgot to take my son to a scheduled hair cut. The house is a mess (thank goodness we haven’t done any showings lately), I have to-dos piling up, and yet, I am so energized by this whole thing.

I made my own website. Used a blogger template, but essentially, I made the header, which is really cool, using Gimp. It’s got a treasure chest with my family’s photo in it, when I was growing up. But I will have a net address, and my blog will be redirected to it. Hooray for technology!

I am learning so much, on the run. For instance, that you should get a business license with your city, and also register with the state (There was a “Treasured Story Collection” operating out of Orem, but the registration expired, so hopefully, my business name “Treasured Stories” will be fine.) And the difference between sole proprietorship and LLC. And lots of fine print that got me all cross eyed and hoping I’m not breaking any laws.

I can’t wait to read Jennifer Campbell's book for advice on how to start and run a personal history business (ordered it Friday, too…seems like forever to wait for the book). This Friday, I'll be going to Taylorsville to learn at the feet of a personal historian lady who is so generously sharing her wealth of knowledge, with me, and two other women.

I can do this. I CAN do this!

Deep breath.

It’s like putting on the harness for a zip line and knowing that there’ll be some freefalling, but it’ll be a great sensation. I just know it!

I’ve always wanted to have my own business to promote, and now, here it is. My very own baby. My very own stamp on it. Just any way I want it. I don’t have to nag anyone else to produce. I am the producer. I am the marketer. I am the bathroom cleaner. I am *booming voice* The Colossal Coconut.

Squee! Check back often for my entre-venture updates. Click here to visit my Treasured Stories website.