Trick or Treat?

October 31, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

I awakened in the middle of the night, my cheeks wet with tears. I wiped away the tears and felt the crushing weight of grief. The grief was, however not mine but Nikki’s. Ah Nikki, so that’s her name! I had toyed with other names but last night she emphatically declared that Nikki would be her name.

All week I have pushed away my fears and anxieites about National Novel Writing Month. Yesterday, realizing that I was two days away, my characters fought to be given life. They are demaning that I get to know them so that I may tell their stories.

Nikki made me feel her loss at a time of day when I could not push her away and tend to other business. She tapped an old experience and forced my heart to feel her pain. My challenge is to tell her story so that you feel it too.

For years I have written for others. I have cloaked myself in their words and adopted their voices. I have written their words uncredited, a shadow in the background as they made the rounds as published author. I enjoyed birthing their vision.  When my part was done, I silently retreated ready for my next role and costume change.

I had my own stories but feared I had lost my own voice. I reasoned there was no time for the foolish dreams of writing a book. I had to earn a living. I had responsibilities.  There was always someone needing something from me. Where would I find the time?

For the month of November, I will selfishly carve out time every day to write my words and tell my story. I am both terrified and exhilarated. I am gripped with doubts daily – what if I run out of words, what if I really suck, what if the story is no good, what if the story is good and I can’t tell it.  Today, on the eve of my writing challenge I lay those doubts to rest. I am committed to this time of focusing on my voice and my words.  I am less concerned about the end result than I am with simply showing up for me everyday.

I may not have a best selling novel at the end of November but I am certain that I will have a better me. The draft of my story as a writer will have more words, more experiences and I’m sure growth.

Today, as much of the world dresses up in costume and engages in treats and trickery, I am chasing away the ghosts and gremlins that yell “Boo” in the night. My treat is not a sugary confection wrapped in pretty paper but the knowledge that I am taking on a challenge not because I have to but simply because I want to do it..just for me.

We all have those things that we want to do, right? The list of longed for goals that we tuck in a drawer rationalizing them away as silly fantasies or fun dreams that maybe, could, will happen someday. Today, give yourself a treat. Pull out that list and make time for one thing for yourself. They are only silly someday dreams when they are “out there” in the ether unattended to and undone. Chase away your own ghosts and goblins and take action on your behalf. Life does not have to be one long serious pursuit. Your desires and dreams are not silly, they are important because they are uniquely yours.

So, how about it, will you join me in treating yourself? Trick or treat? What’s your choice?

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Winner in Book Giveaway!

October 30, 2008

I was so excited about Lillie Ammann’s book giveaway that I came up with the bright idea of videotaping the drawing. So, two afternoons ago, I bravely taped the drawing and then went off to visit my Dad in the hospital.  I reviewed it the next day and immediately hated it! I cringed as I went “ugh, look at my hair, oh my god I look fat, yuck I sound like a smurf.”

Yet, this was not to be an award winning piece so I was going to go with it. Ha! I spent way too many hours trying to figure out how to fix the audio issue, to get rid of the Kung Fu Theater effect (anyone remember that?) which was fixed but I was unable to upload the fixed “movie” from the program to blip.tv.  What should have been a 20 minute process had consumed so much time, no way was I jumping ship now!

So, I downloaded another video editor which of course could not read my file. I had deadlines to meet and had to abandon it for the day. Today, I uploaded the bad video to YouTube.  Why? Well I am not perfect, and I’m learning to be okay with sharing that with the world. This is not a video to gain a million dollar investor or even market my business. It was meant to be a completely casual, comfortable moment between me and you.

I hate being photographed yet alone filmed but I know that in embracing my weakness, there is growth. The winner of the book will understand this and so will you soon, so watch and learn who won. 

Without further ado, the winner is….

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVWzXguPd2o]

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Keeping Your Head In a Mad, Mad World

October 28, 2008

Yesterday, as I took a break from work to gaze out the window the line of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If ran through my mind: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..” Lately, my thoughts often turn to words of the past. Unlike so much of our grab and go culture, the words of yesteryear continue to resonate with relevancy and timeless wisdom. If was written in 1865 but seems so appropriate for these times.

If you can keep your head...when stocks are falling and experts are predicting disaster

when all about you are losing theirs…as panic and fear displace reason and focused intent

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you…standing steadfast in your beliefs and uncompromising on your values…But make allowance for their doubting too…because listening to others is a virtue of great leadership. No man knows it all and the input of others provides perspective, a gut check to ensure the path you have chosen is the right decision.

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,…you can achieve your dreams and have a life of meaning, purpose and balance. IF…

Wishing you all the best today!

Karen

IF – Rudyard Kipling

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
‘ Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!

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Write a Novel in Six Months … or Thirty Days

October 27, 2008

Guest Post by Lillie Ammann

November is almost here, and many of you are gearing up to write a 50,000 word novel during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

I’ve never participated in NaNoWriMo, and I’ve never written a novel in thirty days. However, I wrote an 85,000 word romantic mystery novel in six months, writing only a few hours one day a week. If I had written every day instead of once a week, I would have finished the first draft of Dream or Destiny in less than thirty days.

Perhaps the method I used to write a novel in six months can help you write a novel in thirty days if you write more often than I did.

• Make a commitment. I committed to write a chapter each week so I would have something for a weekly critique group meeting. You can make a commitment to write 50,000 words in thirty days or 1500-2000 words a day or 12,000 words a week during the month of November.

• Ensure accountability. My critique partners held me accountable. I didn’t want to show up at the meeting without a chapter for them to read. You can report your word count on the NaNoWriMo Web site, share updates on your blog, or compare progress with writer friends who are also NaNoWriMo participants.

• Establish a schedule. I set aside three to four hours the afternoon before my critique group meeting to write each week. You will likely have to sacrifice some other activities for the month of November to create enough time to write 50,000 words, so decide on a schedule that works for you. Early in the morning, late at night, on your lunch hour, during the baby’s nap … plan time to write each day. How much time you need will depend on how fast you write. If you don’t know how many words you average in an hour, write a short story and calculate your output. Then schedule the amount of writing time you’ll need to draft your novel in November.

• Be willing to write pure green dreck. The goal of NaNoWriMo is not to produce a finished novel but to create a first draft. Resist the urge to edit—you can do that long past the end of November. Your job during NaNoWriMo is to produce a draft to polish later.

• Make it easy to get started the next day. I like to write a few sentences into the next chapter in each writing session. The next time I sit down to write, I find it easier to get started because I’m looking at the beginning of a scene rather than a blank page. It also helps to get back into the story by reading the last few paragraphs written the day before.

• Don’t let getting stuck slow you down. There’s no law that says you have write a novel from beginning to end. If you get stuck, don’t quit writing. Write something else—a scene later in the book, even the last chapter. Or make a note that you need to add a scene or a chapter and continue writing. Keep the momentum going throughout the month.

I hope these six tips help you become a NaNoWriMo winner.

Maybe you’re wondering what happened to that novel I wrote in six months. Dream or Destiny was published by GASLight Publishing, LLC this month. You can read reviews or a free excerpt on my Web site.

My visit here at Words for Hire is the first stop on my blog book tour, which will continue for the next three weeks. If you follow the tour, you’ll learn where I got the idea for the story and why it took ten years for the book to be published.  But now it’s time to focus on writing that novel in thirty days. Good luck!

I look forward to your comments, and I’ll check back during the day to answer questions.

I am so thrilled that Lillie included Words For Hire on her blog book tour! Lillie has graciously agreed to give away a copy of Dream or Destiny to one lucky Words For Hire reader. To enter, simply leave a question or comment on today’s post.  You may comment at any time during the day or evening. The contest will close at 8am EST Tuesday, October 28th. One reader will be randomly selected as the winner. I have started reading my copy of the book and I am hooked!

Lillie Ammann didn’t start writing until a devastating stroke convinced her it was time to pursue her lifelong dream. She sold her interior landscape business and started her new career as a freelance writer and editor. Dream or Destiny is her second novel. Lillie and her husband Jack live in San Antonio, Texas. She blogs at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye.

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Come on Big Head, Let’s Roll!

October 24, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

Earlier this week, I watched the TV Show, Private Practice. I was struck by one particular scene in which two characters, Dr. Cooper Freedman and Dr. Charlotte King were discussing a case. The two are dating and below is the transcribed excerpt (Please note that I am not a transcriber so I may not have captured every word perfectly).

Cooper (looking very mopey) :I have a kid with a big head and there’s nothing wrong with him except that he’s going to be ridiculed, mocked and looked down on for the rest of his life.

Charlotte: And that’s your fault?

Cooper:  No that’s just me I’m the one who doesn’t fit in, who’s going to be  the first out of the practice because they don’t want me on their team anymore. I have a big head.

Charlotte: Oh my god you’re pathetic. You are crazy and pathetic! Big head’s not a problem, it’s a virtue moron. You know who had a big head?  Lincoln, JFK, Elvis, Einstein, plenty of people had big heads and they don’t sit and mope that they have big heads so don’t you sit and mope that you’re a pediatrician. Do your job, do it well and screw everyone else. You’re the big head kid, more power to you!

Do you ever feel like you’re the big head kid? The kid who sticks out like a sore thumb because they don’t effortlessly blend in with the crowd. The kid who hangs his head to the ground when teams are being picked, so afraid he’ll be last because no one wants him. The kid who tries to affect an air of confidence while inside she’s quivering like a bowl of jello?

I know I do. There are times that I feel like I don’t fit in or am not as successful or talented as my peers.  I get insecure about my worth and accomplishments and like Cooper agonize and mope over my big ole head. it happens to the best of us. We all have moments of doubt, if we’re honest.   We wonder what others think of us, if they think we’re good enough to be on their team.  Are we as smart as our peers, colleagues, family members? Do we deserve to be on the team or are we the weak link, guaranteed to be kicked out to make room for someone more worthy?

Here’s the good news. You are different. We’re all different. We all have something, a big head, big ears, whatever.  If you’re in that place today, where you are not feeling your own press, embrace your big head and let’s roll! You’ve got a big head. It’s not a fault, it’s a virtue. It makes you unique and different. Your goal is not to fit in, to be just like everyone else.  You have got a big head. It’s your thing, leverage it.  As the character, Charlotte said, do your job and do it well.

YOU are the big head kid. More power to you! Now, let’s roll big head we’ve got worlds to conquer!

I hope you all have a great weekend and please mark your calendar for Monday, October 27th. I am proudly hosting Published Author and Editor, Lillie Ammann on her book blog tour.  Lillie will be sharing words of wisdom that are guaranteed to inspire anyone who has a dream. Lillie has also graciously agreed to give away a copy of her brand new book, Dream or Destiny to one lucky Words For Hire reader.  The winner will be randomly selected from commenters. So please drop in on Monday, and leave a comment for Lillie. And please share it with friends too! The post should be published by 8 am EST.

Be well,

Karen aka “Big Head”

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Influence and Responsibilty on the Web

October 23, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

I don’t know what it is but there is someting in the air. This week many of the issues which I have privately grappled with have found voice in the words of others.  I am not sure if is the election season, the world economy or simply the cycle of human nature but many seem to be examining this online world where we spend so much time – our place in it, our relationships with others and our duties at citizens of the net world.

The discussions have been thoughtful and eye-opening. Some have answered questions, others have given rise to additional ones. All, I believe are worthy of sharing with all of you.

Amy Derby wrote a post about online friendships that clearly struck a chord. In her usual forthright, no holds barred style. In her Netiquette Rant she examines the question of online “friendship.” The post and the comments made me understand why I adore Amy and many of the “posse” that offered their thoughts.

I am not a regular reader of Dooce but read two of her posts this week. She wrote a post addressing politics which drew more than 700 responses and a follow-up where comments were understandably closed. The posts and comments remind me of not only our influence on the internet but the ability to be misinterpreted and misunderstood. It is very easy to incite “a mob mentality” whether you are the author or a commenter.  Now more than ever, we must be certain that we are willing to stand by what we write even in the face of tremendous pressure.

A post on Daily Writing Tips honestly discussed the dangers of slacking on your writing standards in order to make money. It was a post that challenges us to be responsible with what we write, to adhere to our own standard of quality.

On the internet, everyone talks about numbers – subscriber counts, number of comments, number of followers or friends, number of awards, your rankings, etc.  Seth Godin challenges the notion of this hype in his post.

When I first started blogging, I had zero comments. I thought it meant no one was reading. I treated my blog like a fun little experiment.  I then started blogging “seriously”and began reading how to do it the right way. Every piece of advice I read emphasized comments. I love comments. I love getting to know readers and hearing their perspectives. Yet, I am also aware that everyone does not have time to read and comment everyday. I have personally felt the guilt when I cannot read and comment as though I’m letting my friends down.  I know how it feels to have no one talk to you and I don’t want that for any of the blogs I support. Yet, I am learning to let go of that guilt for myself and for my own readers.  Because of my own angst, Vered’s wonderful post about Blog Comments really rang my buzzer.

I had planned this post for the morning and got delayed with last minute client requests. I am very glad that I did because Joanna Young wrote one of her finest pieces that sums up this issue of influence and responsbility quite nicely. Save it for last, it is truly worthy of printing and reading again.

My own conclusion is that we have a responsibility on the web. Whether we are posting a status update or writing for the New York Times. Our influence and responsibility are not determined by the numbers but by that one person who may read our words. To focus on anything else, to chase after a false celebrity is the height of irresponsibility.

What are your thoughts? You can share them here if you like or mull it over on your own. If you want to talk, I’m listening. If you’re reading and don’t have time or a desire to comment, I don’t appreciate you any less.

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A Design for a New Day

October 22, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

How often have you questioned a process and heard “I don’t know, we’ve always done it this way” in response? Corporations are often like rusty old trains with an inability to stop on a dime, check out new scenery or even change directions. People and companies go along following processes and procedures just because they exist, most never questioning until a consultant comes in and replaces their round hole with a square peg.  The story below is a funny illustration, courtesy of a client, Jeremiah Josey.

A newly married couple were in the kitchen one Sunday. The wife was preparing a piece of lamb for roasting and the husband was preparing the vegetables. The husband observed as the wife placed the piece of lamb onto the chopping block and promptly chopped 4 inches from each end, discarded the pieces into the bin. She then placed the lamb into the center of the large baking tray, around which the husband began to place the vegetables.

The husband asks, “Why did you do that darling, that looked like perfectly good lamb you through away?”

“Oh, I never think of it”, she replied. “Mother always did it and that’s what she taught me. We can ask her when we visit her for roast dinner next Sunday.”

So, that next Sunday they visited Mother for her Sunday roast and were served roast lamb and vegetables. Looking at the roast they could both see clearly that the ends had been cut off.

The daughter asked, “Mother, why are then ends missing from the roast?”

“It’s because… I honestly don’t know”, replied Mother. “I’ve always done it that way, just like my mother taught me. She is visiting next week so come for dinner again and we can ask her”.

So, another week passed and they were all seated at the table for Sunday roast, this time Grand Mother is present. And, like last week, the roast with its ends removed appears from the kitchen.

“Grand Mother,” begins the husband, “I’ve seen both your daughter and your grand daughter cut both ends of a perfectly good roast before they cook it, and I was wondering why you taught them to do it that way.”

“That is a very good question Grand Son.” says Grand Mother. “For many years when my daughter was growing up, we lived in a small apartment in New York. In that apartment we had a very small oven with a very small door, and the only way for me to cook my Sunday roast was to cut the ends off so it would fit into the small baking tray I used to fit into the oven. I stopped doing that years ago, ever since I got a larger oven – after my daughter left home I recall. Why waste perfectly good meat?”

# # #

Jeremiah’s story illustrates the insanity of repeating a process without question. However, changing from a round hole to a square peg is also not always the right answer.  Rather, we must assess our processes and actions and create solutions that fit, sometimes that will be a round hole and at other times it may be a combination.  The innovation is not always in the solution but the approach – a willingness to try something that has never been done to look beyond your company and industry for ideas and solutions.

This integrated approach is called Design Thinking.  This video explains it in greater detail.

As we move forward it is clear that the “same old way” will get us the same old results. As you look at your own company or business,  are there things you do out of habit and routine? Do they still make sense? Simply asking the question can pave the way for innovation.

So what do you think of this integrated approach? Is this something you are already doing? Let’s learn from one another. Share your thoughts, and ideas in the comments.

Thanks to Society for Word of Mouth for the article and resources on Design Thinking that prompted this post!

References:

• US Treasury Secretary on Design Thinking
• New York Times Article on Design Thinking
• Wikipedia Overview of Design Thinking

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A Verse of Hope

October 21, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

I awakened this morning to darkness. Momentarily confused without the morning light to guide me, I got up and padded to the window. I peered out into the darkness silently willing the dawn to break. I gave thanks for the day as I carefully stepped through the darkened house to prepare for the day. I stopped for a moment to breathe in the peaceful stillness. I wanted to hold on to that feeling of calm serenity for as long as possible.

A few short hours later that peace was challenged as I read about the man who hung an effigy of US Presidential candidate, Barack Obama from his front yard lynching tree, the newscaster beaten in her home,  and the mother gunned down while walking her daughter to school.  My heart lurched and I clutched that peace close as I prayed for those with such hatred in their heart.  As I wondered about the state of our world and what I could do to make a difference, I stumbled across this poem.

O Me! O Life! –by Walt Whitman

“O Me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who  more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew’d;
Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined;
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here—that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.”

My heart regained hope as I clung to the answer – I am here and I can contribute a verse. In this world filled with negativity, I can write words that inspire and uplift. In my encounters with people today,  I can allow my smile and cheery greeting to be a love song.  I can listen to those forgotten, hug those in need of affection, speak up on behalf of injustice, offer water to the thirsty. I am here and I can contribute a verse.

How are you feeling today? What verse will you write?

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You’ve Got the Sizzle Baby but Where’s the Steak?

October 20, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

Last week we talked about improving your marketing by adding a little sizzle. The combination of sizzle and substance will satisfy your market and entice them back for seconds.  The market can be forgiving of a lack of sizzle when the company has substance and high visibility.  Consider Google, who from the inception has focused on technical savvy and functionality rather than visually pleasing aesthetics. Craigslist is a visual nightmare but that has not stood in the way of worldwide use of the site.  Sizzle combined with substance provides a competitive advantage. On the other hand, a lack of substance is a guaranteed way to leave your readers hungry and searching for fulfillment elsewhere.

Here are three tips to help you fill your customer’s plate:

Pay attention to your content. You may believe that in this day when everyone skims rather than reads that you can let your content slide. Wrong! I visited a site last week that was breathtaking in its design aesthetics. Wanting to learn more about the company, I made the mistake of reading the content. I had to force myself not to rip my eyes out of my head.  The grammatical errors made me cringe. Instead of articulate, easy to read sentences there were run on paragraphs of buzzwords. It was obvious the company had intended to appeal to their market with “inside” language but the words hung together like puzzle pieces that were not in their proper place.  Even the press releases were a disaster! Please realize that your website, brochure or one-sheet may be your potential customer’s introduction to you and your company. Take the time to ensure that it is well written because many wil take time to actually read it.

Consider your market, and not your personal preferences. I recently worked with a client on a re-branding effort. His previous marketing materials including his website reflected his own personal tastes. The problem, however is that the marketing messages and images were completely unaligned with his company’s brand. The messages did not appeal to his target audience and the images clashed with the content. The result was an ineffective mess.  Your marketing should reflect some personality but ensure that you do so in a way that is not out of line with your market or brand image.

Tell them what, why and how in simple language.  When your potential customers read your words, they are essentially having a conversation with your company.  As you write, think of what you would say to Joe The Plumber or Shawna the Soccer Mom if they asked “What does your company do?” Will you answer them with industry acronyms or search optimized phrases? Or will you give than an easy to understand  explanation of how you help your market?  If you sell Pizza don’t tell them that you take dough, shape it into a sphere and lovingly cover it with freshly pureed tomatoes. Tell them you make pizza!

Your marketing does not have to be perfect to be effective.  A reader may forgive a typo (it happens in spite of our best efforts) but is unlikely to forgive unintentional grammatical errors, or wordy sentences that say nothing.  Treat your market with respect by delivering substance.

Have you ever made a purchase based on sizzle and been disappointed with the results?  Did it change the way you evaluate purchases?  Feel free to share your experiences, insights, or questions in the comments.  If you have specific questions you would like to see answered in a future post, shoot me an email at karenswim [at] gmail [dot] com.

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How Santa Busted My Recession Blues

October 17, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

One evening last week, I sat on my couch debating whether to make the trek to gather the mail. After all, it had been a long day and it would simply sit untouched anyway. As I was debating, the news hummed in the background with an incessant procession of bad news. I rubbed my neck and decided the fresh air would be good.

I walked quickly inhaling the brisk fall air, enjoying the crisp breeze on my cheeks. I reached the bank of mailboxes and saw an unfamiliar face. “Hello,” I called out cheerily. The man looked up and returned with a warm and hearty “Good Evening!” He looked to be in his lte 60’s with nearly white hair. Although older, he had a physically imposing presence softened by ruddy cheeks and a twinkle in his eye reminiscent of Santa Claus.

“How are you this evening?” I asked. “I am wonderful and so blessed!” “My box was at the opposite end and we were now facing one another. I looked up with a wide grin, “I love hearing that!” “Oh yes, everyone asks me how I can be so happy with all of the bad things that are happening but I tell them none of that stuff matters.” We chatted as we gathered our and then walked toward one another meeting in the middle on the sidewalk.

“For most of my life I could not walk. I’m in my sixties now. The technology finally caught up and I had an operation a few months ago. I have a cane in the car but slowly but surely I need it less and less. I may move a little slow but I can walk. The economy, gas prices, none of this stuff matters, I can walk!” With tears in his eyes he warned me that he was going to hug me and grabbed me in a hug.

He then stepped back and with a tear in his eye declared “You’re a nice lady and I knew I just had to tell you that!”

We exchanged names and cheery good-byes. He walked to his car and I practically skipped off into the night air. He said his name was Paul, but it sure felt like a visit with Santa.

I have thought of Paul often and always with a smile.  Whenever I am feeling the strain of long days, or too much exposure to bad news, I hear the words “I can walk!” The memory of “Santa Paul” reminds me of what is truly important.

Do you have a special memory that never fails to lift your mood? Or perhaps it’s a favorite place, quote or joke? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

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