2012 Fireworks!

Thank you all for making 2012 such an amazing year :) 

Thank you to the beta-readers (Sian Young, Alyssa Young, and Jane Linsdell) for their support and enthusiasm (plus plus plus!), agent Jessica Regel for her persistence – and the emails that always give me goose bumps, Vladimir Nikulin and Vera Simon for gorgeousness inside and out (you’ll see their work more and more!)...

Photo by Vlad & Vera

...the magical Claudia McKinney from PhatPuppy for taking gorgeous to the next level, the tour hosts, sponsors, and management team for the launch of The Jelly Bean Crisis (particularly Charlotte Russell and Susie Barber for their incredible support)... 

A tour prize winner

...thank you to the reviewing teams at LitPick and Readers Favorite, the dedicated (and super scary!) Goodreads community, the organizers and participants of the Book Blast, the librarians, the tweeters, the Likers, the Frienders and the bloggers, and all of the readers and reviewers, who not only read my books, but also took the time to share their thoughts with the world (and sometimes just with me :)). Thank you all so, so much!


So, what’s next? It’s definitely the perfect time of year to start thinking big and going for those red jelly beans! And while my plan is to disappear into new drafts and edits for a while, there has already been a suspiciously exciting email that might change that…! My advice? Make the big, delicious plans – and then be completely open for even bigger ones to jump out! 

“The universe will give you so much more than anything you can dream of!” 
- Total Blueprint for World Domination

Art by Niobe Carter

Bring it on, 2013!

Everything is possible!

11 + 11 + 11 + 11 + 11

Okay guys, so I got tagged 5 times... That's 55 questions. The plan? 55 Pictures!

(Well, there were some questions where I got carried away, and some that doubled up, but you get the idea..!)

Thank you to my Taggers: Daisy, Gina, Chandara, Karina, Rossandra.

I give you (drum roll)..... 11 questions x 5 taggers x 1000 words* =Monster Answer Montage!

*Because apparently that's what a picture's worth..!


NOTE: The pics that have been removed will be replaced ASAP - thanks for your patience! 

I'm not going to tag anyone (!), but if something sparks for you, feel free to comment :) It's cool to see what we all have in common... Any fellow film fiends campaigning? Toastmasters? 80's kids? Griffon owners?

Everything is possible!

Along Came a Spider

I'm scared of whales. Their tiny eyes, their flappy tales. It's the size, the sound, the whole shabang. That's right: I'm scared, and completely certain they will fly up onto land and eat me. (Yeah, yeah, I know about their "tiny throats" but that is total whale propaganda! Next thing you'll tell me they're beaching themselves "by accident"!) 

There are lots of ways to deal with fear, and the way I'm working with this one is by building up my whale resistance bit by bit. I watch the Frozen Planet ads through splayed fingers, shudder at the Bluebird commercial, and grit my teeth through various other "surprise" whales. Yep, I reckon about 300 years from now, I will be at peace with their existence :)

"The greatest super power is knowing yourself, and
using your powers to create the world that you want."
- Total Blueprint for World Domination.

I understand that most people aren't scared of whales, I know that this is one of the things that makes me me, but I'm just so curious! The idea that my brain can translate an object or situation into a pounding heart and sweating palms? Pretty damn cool! 

I found a picture of a cool way to dilute a fear by making it part of your everyday life. 
Warning: If you're scared of spiders, prepare yourself before you click the link! http://www.frugal-cafe.com/public_html/frugal-blog/frugal-cafe-blogzone/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/spider-in-shoe.jpg

I'm going to assume that those guys are (humanely) stuffed or plastic... Because what an awesome way to make kicking fear's ass a part of your day! Stomp it out!*

Trying to get over a fear of whales? Spiders? Heights? Do you have a fear that other people can't understand? One that doesn't even make sense to you?

*You know, as soon as they make shoes with whales in them, I'm there ;)

Everything is possible!

Sign Me Up

This is it. 2012.
Start now. Kick off your dream world.
Make BIG plans (in 12 months you'll be glad you did).
Take care. Let go. Move forward.
Fall in love with little things.
Create. Change. Grow.
Do better. Be better. Be AMAZING. (You already are, you know :))

Live like you're hanging out the car window: fresh, joy-filled, NOW.



2012? Blink out those bugs and bring it on!!!!!

Everything is possible!

We do things everyday that people used to think were impossible. 
Today's crazy is tomorrow's normal. Be crazy - change the world!

Everything is possible!

Guest Posting

"Being a writer is a dream. It’s a top-of-the-bucket list, thing-to-do-before-I-die, can’t-believe-I-get-to-see-it-on-a-bookshelf dream. You are doing something that people aspire to. Even when the blank page is taunting you. Even when the twenty-third rejection rolls in. Even when you’re squishing rewrites in with a million other things. You are part of something amazing. Feel that with all your heart. Know that it’s true no matter what. You are a writer."

...That's me, guest posting over at My First Book. It's my first guest posting experience, and has been super cool (and a total privilege!) Check it out, and say hi to Misha!

Everything is possible!

Welcome

Hey Campaigners!

Rachael Harrie's platform building campaign is on again, you can find all the details here.

I’m Jolene :) I live in New Zealand, and I’m the author of Total Blueprint for World Domination.

To my regulars:
Thank you so much for your comments and messages.You make me feel like a rockstar blogger instead of a stumbling newbie!

To new followers:
If I’m not following you back yet, send me a message or leave a comment so I can :) 
I can’t wait to check out your blog!

My first nonfiction is a life planning book for teens – creating a step-by-step blueprint to achieve a dream world! I’m currently working on two new books, and exploring the blogosphere!

See you soon!
Jolene :)

PS If you’d like to review my YA nonfiction on your blog, get in touch!

Everything is possible!

Oh Why A-Z?

Looking for a way to kick-start your blogging? The A-Z challenge:

• Lights a fire. Nothing like a daily deadline to keep you moving!
• Lasers your focus. Suddenly the world starts filling with potential blog fodder ("Ooh, there's my X!" "Woohoo, W sorted!") 
• Helps you let go. Posts don't have to be perfect: just enthusiastic, spell-checked and you.

Thank you so much everyone for stopping by, commenting, and following :)
I posted more in April than I have posted... ever...! I love being a (more active) part of the blogosphere! You guys ROCK!

How was A-Z for me?

I've met some incredible people. Sweet, supportive, super smart :)
I've read some amazing blogs. Brave, honest, laugh-out-loud.
I've been inspired :)

Thank you to the organizers - I can't even imagine how much time you guys put in! Bring on A-Z 2012, it will come around quickly!

I'm especially stoked that I got such a great reaction to my posts World Domination and Zip It & Zoom. They are the closest to my book "Total Blueprint for World Domination". I love getting people excited about their world!


PS My most popular posts? Pooh and Ice Cream. Best we not think too hard about that :)


Keep kicking ass!

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!

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!

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!

Building an Army

Every plot for world domination needs an army! Whether it’s your agent, your readers, or friends and family – building an army is all about finding people who can support you. When you have people on your side (in your corner, at your back…) it means support if you stumble and celebrations when you win!

Life as a writer / blogger can be as isolating as it is awesome. But thanks to the Internet, the whole world is just a click (or three) away. This month, Rachael Harrie is kicking off another Crusade – connecting aspiring authors and bloggers. It's a way for us to join forces, make new friends, build our platforms and grow together. Smart, fun, effective... brilliant!

I love it! I’m in! :)

Keep kicking ass!

Giving the reader more...

Of course, your book is amazing. It’s AWESOME. It’s plotted to perfection, edited to oblivion and ready for readers. But is your book enough?

Competition for readers is fierce. Already, authors have to ask, “am I enough?” and build the ever-elusive platform. Now, adding value (for the people already cool enough to buy your book) is something else for authors to think about.

As part of my instructional design study, I’m translating Total Blueprint into a Moodle course. I love the idea of making the book an interactive (and ultimately, even more inspiring!) experience.

So, what else is there?

- Authors provide discussion forums, or background novellas.
- Authors promote their book with merchandising.
- Authors let readers get into their head with book playlists.
- Authors post or create teasers and trailers.

As a reader, what “extras” do you expect? Do you expect any at all?

As an author, are you giving your readers enough? Of your book, of your world, of you?

Keep kicking ass!

Go Lily!

This is it. Twenty one one. And January is almost over...

Need inspiration?

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post

This kick ass 9 year old has just written and recorded her first album! Not even in double-digits, and Lily is going out and making it happen. You know what that means? No excuses, no delays - it’s time to take control! If you’ve been holding back, dumbing down, or settling for anything less than what you deserve* don’t wait another minute to change your world.

The best time to plant a tree is one hundred years ago.
The second best time is today. -Chinese proverb

Heading off to plot :)

*which is, of course, world domination!

Keep kicking ass!

First things first, on the first of the first!

1/1/11  One. Uno. Tahi.

This is the perfect time to set some goals! And for motivation? Throw in some Big Fat Whys! The trick is to make your goals doable, and your Whys inspiring…

Here’s one of mine:
Goal: I am going to write a new YA book (60,000ish words).
Why? I want to feel the joy of creation and completion. I want to see my words come to life on the page. I want to send it out to readers (and make their day / decade!) I want to express myself. I want to change the world. I want to take over the world!

Make the next 12 months count!

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!