Zip It & Zoom!

There comes a time when you just have to zip it and zoom!
 

Zip your "I wish I could"s and your "maybe someday"s and just do it:

Write that book.

Quit that job.

Save that money.

Book that trip.

Make that apology.

Do it.

Be it.

Have it.

Now!

Everything is possible. Stop talking about it. Start doing it.

Zip it

...and zoom!

Keep kicking ass!

Yorky = Cuddles or Coat?

Whether you cuddle them, play with them, or wear them as a coat - there’s no denying it:
Puppies make you feel good!

I don't have a Yorkshire terrier (I'm a squealer, so I need a dog with a good heart :)) But I still think they're probably the cutest tiny dog...

So let's get it all on the table:
are you a dog person?
Or a cat person?
Can you be both??

(No fighting!)

Keep kicking ass!

X-Men Family Tree

I recently found this handy-dandy X-Men family tree. Yeah. Probably not as handy as it is dandy... But I bet the writer knows it backwards :) http://www.joe-stone.co.uk/marvelfamilytree.html

I use poster paper and colored markers to map out my books. It's great to see the big picture (even if it is a mass of arrows and ink squiggles!)

How do you keep your characters and plots under control?

Everything is possible!

World Domination

I believe there's a perfect world for everyone. That we can define exactly what we want, and we can make it happen. Bring on world domination!

My perfect world includes:
A happy family
Love
Abundance (Writing for a living! Food! Fizzy drinks! Happiness!)
Travel
Charmkins

How about you? Do you have a dream you can share?
Do you feel confident you can create it?

Keep kicking ass!

Vader vs VW

As kids we know that everything is possible...



And as grown ups we can find out it's true :) Hang on to your childhood as long as you can... and help other kids hold on to theirs!

Keep kicking ass!

Uruti School

In Uruti, there's a little school with big dreams.

The eight-student-strong New Zealand school has created a ukulele song that is now close to winning them a big cash prize.

Imagine how long it would take this tiny school to fund raise $10,000!*

*That's a whole lot of cake stalls...

To help them win, vote by watching their youtube video before April 29.

Go now! (I'll wait here :))

Wait, where's Uruti?

Keep kicking ass!

Toastmasters

Are you looking for ways to build your platform? You're writing, blogging, twittering... have you thought about speaking?

Toastmasters International is an educational organisation that specialises in public speaking. Here are some reasons to check it out:

- Build your confidence.
- Boost your self esteem.
- Network.
- Develop leadership skills.
- Meet awesome people.
- Get qualifications.
- Practice public speaking*!

(*Just in time for your book signings!)

Face your fears or hone your skills in a friendly and supportive environment.
Keen? Find a club near you.

Would public speaking skills help you in your quest for world domination?












Keep kicking ass!

South Paw

Even though it comes with smudgy pen marks, useless scissors and an early death (statistically speaking :)) I love being left-handed!

Any lefties passing by? Anyone living with a lefty?

Keep kicking ass!

Robert Rodriguez

Film maker Robert Rodriguez writes, shoots, cuts, and scores. His movies are blunt-smart, kick ass, and have an undeniable rhythm.

"Rebel Without a Crew" is a must-read for anyone wanting to make a movie (or get motivated!)

Here's a guy who hasn't just taken over the world, he's helping others do it too. A total superhero!

When you need a kickstart, who inspires you?


Keep kicking ass!

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino spins (and borrows!) epic tales of love, violence, revenge and redemption. He throws in pop-culture gems, killer soundtracks and rapid-fire dialogue... And he writes his screenplays long hand. (Say what?!)

One of my favorite writers shares his ritual:

"I never use a computer. I just write it all by hand. It’s a ceremony. I go to a stationery store and buy a notebook. Then I buy a bunch of red felt pens and a bunch of black ones, and I’m like, “These are the pens I’m gonna write Kill Bill with.”

I love pen and paper, but I really love to work electronically. (Plus I'm addicted to cut and paste!) Do you write projects long hand? Do you have any special rituals?

Keep kicking ass!

Pooh

Coming up with titles for your book? Let Winnie be your guide! Here's what not to do:



There's also Pooh's Touch and Feel Visit: A Pooh Texture Book...

I know it's silly. But these make me LOL every time :) Do you own any books about Pooh? Have an unfortunate title to share?

Keep kicking ass!

Oscar

When you get an Oscar you've made it. Everything you've worked for, everything you've dreamed of, in one shiny golden moment!

What’s your biggest dream? How will you know when you’ve made it?

I love watching award shows: the speeches, the applause, the tears, the gratitude... but I wonder what happens the next day. Do the winners bask in the golden glow, or jump right back into setting new goals?

PS Whether your golden moment was yesterday or is on its way, wouldn't it be great to just be at peace with exactly where you are? Now there's a great goal!

Keep kicking ass!

Ninjabread Men

Bask in the awesomeness:

Do you enjoy your cookies people-shaped?!?

Keep kicking ass!

Maleficent

One of my favorite cinematic baddies.

Oh yes. And all because she missed out on an invite to Aurora's christening. (You'd think someone who loved babies that much would be a little less Mistress-of-All-Evil...)

Have you ever forgotten an invitation?
Turned someone evil?
Or have a favorite character that happens to be bad?

Here's hoping the 2013 Maleficent movie does her justice!

Keep kicking ass!

Lounge Against the Machine

Bringing extreme swankification and loungaliciousness to your favorite music? Lead singer Richard Cheese and cover band Lounge Against the Machine.

So now, for your clicking and listening pleasure... in the style of Richard Cheese, I present: Radiohead, Linkin Park, U2...and Lady Gaga:




Along with being the proud owner of all of RC's albums, we were lucky enough to get be at their sell-out 2009 concert in Vegas (Oh. My. God.)

Rumour has it that LATM will be playing the Royal wedding reception in April... what do you think, sound like the Queen's cup of tea?

Keep kicking ass!

K is for Kindle :)

Hundreds of books in your palm... what??!
You know, I'm still excited that I can nuke popcorn!

We live in a world of tiny little miracles - and great big ones :) And while I will always love the feeling of a book in my hands, for travel and convenience? I’m getting a Kindle! EEEEeeeeee!

Do you have a Kindle?
Do you love it?

Any advice?


(Can I handle the awesome?) 



Keep kicking ass!

Jumping Cow

When 15 year old Regina Mayer's parents wouldn't buy her a horse, she taught the family cow to jump.



Your dreams may not show up the way you expect - go with it!

Keep kicking ass!

Ice Cream

Ice cream = happiness :) 

I love cookies and cream! I love cherry-less sundaes, hot chocolate sauce, sprinkles, pink waffles...and a small spoon that makes it all last that much longer :) What's your favorite?

Keep kicking ass!

Honesty

I'm a fainter - and passing out in a movie theatre is something I'll only ever risk for Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez :) But if I do see this movie, the information on this honest poster would be helpful!

Imagine if all movie posters were like this! Have you ever been tricked by a movie poster? Or have an idea for an honest one?

Keep kicking ass!

Ginger

I've been blue, purple, green and black - but never ginger (I like the sound of "red-head" better). 

What about you?

What's the biggest change you've made hair-wise? Any red-heads in the blogosphere today?

Keep kicking ass!

Fear

I'm introverted by design. As a teenager, I joined Toastmasters to help overcome my shyness - and after years of public speaking (and a whole heap of hand-sweating, stomach swirling, and heart racing..!) I achieved their highest award - the Distinguished Toastmaster :)

Are you afraid of public speaking? Any Toastmasters passing through?

I'm also afraid of whales*... but I won't be facing that fear any time soon...
(*I know, it sounds weird, but look into their eyes! See them leap onto the land trying to hunt me down! Shudder.)

Do you have a weird fear? Are you facing it?

Keep kicking ass!

Elmore Leonard

Fly head first into rapid-fire dialogue, twisty plots, gritty guys and vivid girls. Crime fiction writer Elmore Leonard commands an action-packed world with both edge-of-your-seat and laugh-out-loud moments.

And Elmore Leonard's advice for writers?
"Try to leave out the parts that readers skip."

As a reader, what parts do you skip?

Check out the trailer for the '98 film version of Elmore Leonard's book Out of Sight :)

Got to love a strong female MC - Karen Sisco rocks!

Keep kicking ass!

Disney

I went to Disneyland as a (sort of) grown-up, and it really is the happiest place: the Disney Princesses sign autographs, everything is Mickey shaped, and the fireworks are beyond awesome!

"If you can dream it, you can do it." 

Walt Disney.

Going to Disneyland should be a birthright. Every kid (and ex-kid!) should get to see Walt Disney's dream come true. This is the world that's possible!

So... have you been? Do you want to?

Keep kicking ass!

Coca-Cola DIY

Coke: fizzy, delicious, and (when combined with a block of chocolate..!) a dissolver of writer's block... but would you make your own?

This blog has published a photograph of the handwritten recipe for Coca-Cola. They're also going to include details of where to buy the ingredients and how to make it yourself... but I'm sure it's never the same when you DIY... (maybe half of the deliciousness is in the secret?)

Close your eyes if you don't want to know, but in case you're curious...

Here are the ingredients:

Fluid extract of Coca, Citric acid 3 oz, Caffeine 1oz, Sugar 30 (quantity not known), Water 2.5 gal
Lime juice 2 pints 1 qrt, Vanilla 1oz, Caramel 1.5oz or more to colour, Merchandise 7X flavour (use 2oz of flavour to 5 gals syrup): Alcohol 8oz, Orange oil 20 drops, Lemon oil 30 drops, Nutmeg oil 10 drops, Coriander 5 drops, Neroli 10 drops, Cinnamon 10 drops

Has anyone tried this? Does anyone want to???

(Or maybe you've made your own Oreos? Or Big Mac sauce?)

Everything is possible!

Bacon

Creativity is everywhere!

<= Check out this graffiti found on a hand dryer.

People like to tell you what you can't do, and people like to tell you "how it is".

I say, the next time you're faced with hot air?
Think bacon!


Keep kicking ass!

Action!

How much have you written today?
One hundred words? One thousand? Ten?

Ten or ten thousand, every bit brings you closer!

Keep kicking ass :)