Lessons from the Scrapbook Page

Stay Focused & Keep Going

A month or so ago I received an email from a friend in my writing group. She described a Japanese term that served well to encourage our small band of creative writers. Given the comments I've received from others who seem to be going through seasons of change, I thought it might also serve to encourage and inspire you on this beautiful day. Here's to you!

There's a Japanese term: "Gam-ba-te!" (Pronounced: Gahm - bah - teh, accent on the first syllable) which kind of connotes several meanings all at once.  "Go for it!" "Have Courage!" "Endure the pain and suffering!"  "Tighten your belt!" "Look forward in the face of conflict!"  "Gird yourself!" "Be patient!" "Don't let the turkeys get you down!" "Stay focused!" 

It's kind of the battle cry when you know you have to do something you don't want to but you know you've got to, no matter the consequence. It is very well respected to take on the call.  Success is measured in one's willingness, not so much on the final outcome. However far one can make it along the course that one has chosen, amidst any and all known or unknown obstacles, is, depending on one's support group, acknowledged, accepted and is used as the starting point to encourage another try.

So, my friends and faithful readers, Gambate! You can do this.

Romance With A Kick Of Wasabi—Sushi For One?

Yesterday you got to meet Camy Tang, author of the Sushi Series. That's her picture below her book cover...isn't she gorgeous in her blue silk top! She's a pretty incredible friend and blog buddy, but after reading her first book, Sushi for One? in one day, I know she's also an incredible author. So let's dive right in.

Here's the low-down...

Four cousins commiserate their single status—Lex the Jock, Trish the Flirt, Venus the Cactus, and Jennifer the Oddball. The only Christians in their large extended family, they vow to fight the stigma of the infamous family title, Oldest Single Female Cousin. But they have very different ideas about not acting as desperate as they feel about their bleak love lives. Who knew God would have His own plans of true love for each of them?

Yesterday I started reading Camy's book. I have to admit that I was nervous. It's like the feeling you get when your friend asks you if their outfit makes them look fat. You don't even want to look because it just isn't a good question...unless of course they aren't fat and everything looks great on them. Well, I really wanted to read Camy's book, but I was really nervous because what if it wasn't great. Then what would I do? I'd have to be honest because that's important to me, but what an awkward situation.

Feeling that sense of nervousness, I dove into Sushi for One?

Featured Video: Interview with Angie Pedersen

Episode 18: Angie Pedersen—Author, Blogger, Friend

I FINALLY had the opportunity to meet my cyber-friend Angie Pedersen in person. After countless blog mentions and shared emails, we connected in Las Vegas during Memory Trends Expo for a one-on-one. I hope you enjoy our interview atop the shoe shine booth at the tradeshow.

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Let's Get Loud With Camy Tang

It's gonna get loud in here today because we have Camy Tang in the house. If you don't know Camy, she's the loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick lit (her description, not mine!). Camy and I met at a writing conference in the Santa Cruz mountains and have been friends ever since. With blogging and writing in common, what else would you expect?

So Camy is coming near the end of her month long blog tour for the release of her Sushi Series books and she's generously agreed to stop by and chat with us.

Welcome Camy! Are you ready for this? I've got some questions that will hopefully make you think and share your deepest darkest secrets with us...

Who introduced you to writing and how has it changed with time?

My mother, who was a high school English teacher. She's been my biggest supporter.

My writing style has definitely changed with the times, from the omniscient viewpoint that was popular a couple decades ago to the more commonly used deep third person point of view that I use today. These days, I try to keep up with the publishing market and understand writing trends.

Yay! Gotta love those English teachers. You've got three books coming out over the next year. What inspires you to create each story and character?

The characters always come to me first. I flesh them out as much as I can, and the plot ends up coming out of their fears and flaws. I often brainstorm with friends to get a general idea of the character, and then run from there.

Who is your favorite character from the Sushi Series?

I admit (this is like saying which of your children you like the best!) I like Venus best, possibly because she's so ballsy and I wish I could be like that.

Can't wait to meet her! This next question is for all those aspiring writers out there. Do you ever hit writing blocks and what do you do to overcome them?

Life Can Get Overwhelming

In case you forgot, life can sometimes creep up behind you and throw you for a major loop. That's how I've been feeling the last three weeks. So many new things have "cropped" up into my life and business that I find myself struggling to keep balance. You may think that odd since I literally wrote the book on balance for busy women, but it's true. We all go through seasons and for some reason this seems to be a season of change for us.

While I can't give you all the details, I can tell you that we're working things out, simplifying our lives, and making some "hard" choices and decisions about the next steps. We all have to do that at times...now is our time. So, stay tuned.

Here's what I know for sure:

• Real Women Scrap TV will keep coming to you every week. We have some amazing shows and interviews from Memorytrends, as well as some of the latest and greatest products and projects to share.
• Lessons from the Scrapbook Page (this blog) will continue...perhaps less frequent postings for a while as we work some kinks out, but it's not going anywhere! I always read your comments and love hearing from you.
• Real Women Scrap (the book) is still available and picking up speed. It's available in many local scrapbook and book stores, and online at Dare Dreamer Press and Amazon.
• Personal and Group Coaching Programs are getting ready to relaunch. Due to the high interest, we are revamping them to make them more user-friendly and accessible to everyone who wants to change their life with personal or group coaching. We expect to finalize details by mid-October. If you've requested information before, we'll send it out to you as soon as it's available.

As always, thanks so much for your patience and your cyber-love. Seriously, you (my blog readers) are what makes it all worthwhile!

Episode 17: Memory Trends Expo

Today is the last day of Memory Trends Expo so we'll be busy packing up and saying good-bye to all the new friends we made. I'll add more info and photos to this post later, but I at least wanted you to see all the exciting things we have in store for you over the next few weeks. Enjoy the episode!

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Pictage Partner Conference Recap

I can't believe how quickly the days and weeks pass when I'm traveling. There is so much to do, so many people to see, and not enough sleep to go around. The great thing is that we've been able to connect with some old friends, make some new friends, and learn a lot. I'm a big believer and huge fan of lifelong learning. In fact, we were listening to the 4-Hour Work Week on audio in the car on the long drive down. Spending two days being able to attend seminars taught by the most famous and celebrated photographers in the country is pretty darn cool!

Ironically, I had my cheap point and shoot camera with me and not my DSLR, so my pictures are not great. In fact, it was such a pain taking photos that I really only took a few. From the long shutter delay to waiting for the flash to charge, I realize how spoiled I am with my camera. If you haven't ever used a DSLR, you don't know what you're missing. The difference is really night and day.

Here are some fun shots. Hope you enjoy them. We've got our CSI (Cinematic Studios Inc) team there in full force, T-shirts and all. We also had our new 42" Plasma screen to display our videos. Very slick. Enjoy the photos and look for more recaps very soon.

Great Expectations Finale

We've got another great episode of Great Expectations for you. In this third and final installment of Dwayne and Natalie's visit to the counselor, Dwayne finally gets to share what's been bugging him about the relationship. Sometimes, it's the little things that lead to the biggest problems. In the end, we get some insight as to why they're in this predicament in the first place.

Sorry we're getting this up late. We've been on the road with limited web access. Today we're on our way to Memory Trends. Hope to see some of you there! Expect updates in the next few days. Until then, enjoy the final episode.

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Remember 911: Finding Purpose In Little Things

I remember. I know you do too. So today I'll let my words be few. Take time to slow down today. Spend some time in quiet reflection. Hold tight those you love. Consider these words...

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone .

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't  get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am  stuck in traffic,  miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone...all the little things that annoy me...I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be  at this very moment.

Next time your morning seems to be  going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed,  you can't seem to find the car keys,  you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; It may be just that God is at work watching over you. May God continue to bless you  with all those annoying little things  and may you remember their possible purpose.

Drumroll Please...We've Got Some Prizes Here

It's been an amazing month and End of Summer Blog-Abration. I feel prepared and ready to head into Fall and back to school. How about you? If you were here in person, I'd ask us all to applaud our generous sponsors and great participants...80 in all! What a great group.

Here are the details:

1. Winners were chosen by random drawing on Random.org.
2. Prizes were awarded in the order they were listed on the site. With so many prizes and entries, it's virtually impossible to ensure that every prize is an exact match to your liking. If the prize isn't a good fit, please feel free to "re-gift" or share with someone else who might enjoy it more.
3. Only one prize per person.
4. Winners are listed next to the title of their prize. You should receive a note from the person sponsoring your prize to arrange shipping. If you haven't heard from them in the next day or two, please feel free to contact them or me.

Now the reward for your time and participation...lots of prizes to hand out.
HERE ARE THE WINNERS....