Beautiful, inspiring, (and I think it's safe to say) delicious. Artists truly are everywhere - in kitchens and libraries, at easels and keyboards. It is an awesome time to be a creator - wherever you are!
Everything is possible!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving
Here's an excuse to look around your world, and hunt out some happiness! Take some time over the next little while to send out as many good thoughts / energy / blessings / vibes as possible! Ooh, and eat some gravy! It makes you feel good, and it makes the world a happier place. Do it! Do it now!
Keep kicking ass!
Keep kicking ass!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Act II: The Guts
I’m heading into Act II of my latest project :)
As a reader, Act II is where things really amp up, and you find yourself totally absorbed in the story (think: up all night to finish the chapter). And as a writer? Act II is where you get to have fun!
Act II
The guts, the juicy meat, the middle – Act II kicks things up a notch (or twelve!) In the average YA fiction, it's around 100 pages.
In Act II, you start making life tricky for the character you set up in Act I. And by tricky? I mean, super-difficult (more conflict! More disasters! More adventure!) a series of obstacles getting bigger and bigger, until… Act II ends with a high stakes situation that forces Act III (the resolution) and the wrap up.
Okay, so that’s Act II, I’ll see you on the other side!
Keep kicking ass!
As a reader, Act II is where things really amp up, and you find yourself totally absorbed in the story (think: up all night to finish the chapter). And as a writer? Act II is where you get to have fun!
Act II
The guts, the juicy meat, the middle – Act II kicks things up a notch (or twelve!) In the average YA fiction, it's around 100 pages.
In Act II, you start making life tricky for the character you set up in Act I. And by tricky? I mean, super-difficult (more conflict! More disasters! More adventure!) a series of obstacles getting bigger and bigger, until… Act II ends with a high stakes situation that forces Act III (the resolution) and the wrap up.
Okay, so that’s Act II, I’ll see you on the other side!
Keep kicking ass!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Big Fat Why
Do you have a dream? A project? Kick it off with a big fat why! Because when you’re totally clear about why you want something, it gives you power and protection.
Power - to direct your focus, your energy, and your actions.
Protection - against criticism, fear, and doubt.
This is the first step I take on a writing project, it sets my head straight and keeps me motivated. But you can use it for anything! Start now - ask yourself: why do I want this [insert goal]? Write down your top five reasons. Figure out your big fat why – and make it positive! (You might want to leave school so you can “get away from your town”, but it’s way more exciting to leave school so you can “explore the world”!)
So, set your intention: know your big fat why. Get excited. Make a plan, set a goal, and get ready to make it so!
Keep kicking ass!
Power - to direct your focus, your energy, and your actions.
Protection - against criticism, fear, and doubt.
This is the first step I take on a writing project, it sets my head straight and keeps me motivated. But you can use it for anything! Start now - ask yourself: why do I want this [insert goal]? Write down your top five reasons. Figure out your big fat why – and make it positive! (You might want to leave school so you can “get away from your town”, but it’s way more exciting to leave school so you can “explore the world”!)
So, set your intention: know your big fat why. Get excited. Make a plan, set a goal, and get ready to make it so!
Keep kicking ass!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Everywhere you go...
Whether it’s positive thinking, or just plain old denial...
I so want this umbrella! I love it – take the weather with you :)
Sky Umbrella designed by Tibor Kalman.
Keep kicking ass!
I so want this umbrella! I love it – take the weather with you :)
Sky Umbrella designed by Tibor Kalman.
Keep kicking ass!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Make yourself sick!
Cookies, sauces, wafers, nuts, cream, sprinkles... and those are just the accessories! It's Ice Cream Day 2010 - so make the most of it... and when you're too sick to eat any more, that's probably about right :)
Keep kicking ass!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Passion
I am writing a brand spanking new first draft. This is the part where the plotting pays off and the abyss opens up. It’s exciting to feel so wrapped up in creation. And terrifying! But I know this is what feels best to me – to disappear into my Book Cave. To create, expand, and (sometimes) chuck it all out and start from scratch. And it’s all totally worth it.
The best and the most we can ask for – is to have the clarity of passion in our lives. To want something so totally and completely, that all action is clear, all problems dissolve, and all else is irrelevant.
Finding your passion can be as simple as following your heart, or as challenging as jumping into the unknown. It can be a lifelong pursuit, or a single moment. Either way, for the time that you feel it, it is so, so worth it.
Keep kicking ass!
The best and the most we can ask for – is to have the clarity of passion in our lives. To want something so totally and completely, that all action is clear, all problems dissolve, and all else is irrelevant.
Finding your passion can be as simple as following your heart, or as challenging as jumping into the unknown. It can be a lifelong pursuit, or a single moment. Either way, for the time that you feel it, it is so, so worth it.
Keep kicking ass!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Happy Jellybean Day! (April 22)
Did you know there's a jellybean that tastes like a toasted marshmallow? Like totally hard-out, crispy-burny-goodness, marshmallow? In a jellybean. And that’s just the beginning...
These are the 50 official Jelly Belly flavors. There’s Dr Pepper, bubblegum, cotton candy… Wait, not challenging enough for you? You can always go for the Beanboozled range with taste explosions like: toothpaste, pencil shaving flavor, and (oh yes) skunk spray.
It's official: we are living in Willy Wonka's factory.
Thought for the day- John Mayer nailed it when he said:
Everything is possible!
These are the 50 official Jelly Belly flavors. There’s Dr Pepper, bubblegum, cotton candy… Wait, not challenging enough for you? You can always go for the Beanboozled range with taste explosions like: toothpaste, pencil shaving flavor, and (oh yes) skunk spray.
It's official: we are living in Willy Wonka's factory.
Thought for the day- John Mayer nailed it when he said:
"Whenever they say it can't be done, remind them that they make a jellybean that tastes exactly like popcorn.”Totally.
Everything is possible!
Friday, April 9, 2010
World Domination
There is no real world – just the one you make. World dominators are everywhere. Children living dreams and artists building empires. Even me… a Kiwi writer with a New York literary agent – so why not? And, more importantly, what if? Now is the best time to do or be anything. Start now, figure out what you want, and make it happen. (And if you don’t know what you want? Make finding out, the first part of your plan!) Let your world domination begin!
And me? I’m writing a new book. Plotting and planning and scheming it out. This is the cool part where everything’s possible, and I really want to enjoy it, because I know how long the journey can be from here!
Keep kicking ass!
And me? I’m writing a new book. Plotting and planning and scheming it out. This is the cool part where everything’s possible, and I really want to enjoy it, because I know how long the journey can be from here!
Keep kicking ass!
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