Ever Wish Things Happened RIGHT NOW?
Charlie Bear here with a monthly newsletter from Mom Peep (I have to let her have her say once in a while…I guess). Anyway, even if you’re not a writer, you might get something out of it. Here it goes…
TAYLOR’S TIPS for a more productive you…
Dear Friend,
Do you ever wish you could have things done RIGHT NOW!? As in yesterday, last week, a month ago?
My new book P MS to a T: the winning formula for writing nonfiction short stories that sell is ALMOST ready. But the background color for the cover is still being decided upon so it’s not quite done.
The new domain name for my website (www.bjtaylor.com) and the refreshed website are under construction.
I know they’ll get done. The outcome will be terrific and all will be well, but right now, I’m eager and a little frustrated. Ever feel that way?
Okay, nothing I can do about it today, so I’m going to tell you something you can do right now. You can decide to invest in your writing career by attending a wonderful conference. I’ve said this before, but this is my Springtime Conference Push to help you to choose. If you can afford it at all (check out the websites for scholarship opportunities), pick one of these and be there. You owe it to yourself to invest in learning your craft to be more successful. And you can attend my classes and learn how to MAKE MONEY — sell one story to Chicken Soup for the Soul and you’ve paid yourself back for the conference fee!
Here are the two I highly recommend. One is in April, one is in May.
In April in Southern California you’ll find the Orange County Christian Writers Conference. www.occwf.org/conference Check out what’s being offered:
- Fiction and Nonfiction
- Magazine & Blog Writing
- Childrens & YA Writing
- Drama & Comedy
- Working with Agents
- Publishing & Marketing
- New Sessions, New Faculty
- Dine with Faculty
- One-on-one Consultations
All of that for one low fee? Unbelievable. The dates are Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25. I’m leading two workshops: Make $$$ Selling True, Inspirational Short Stories, and GPS for Writers: How to Get Where You Want to Go. Will I see you there? Shoot me an email to bj.taylor@verizon.net or reply on FB and let me know so we can hug and say “HELLO!”
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In May in Redmond, Washington (just outside of Seattle) you’ll find the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal. www.nwchristianwriters.org/renewal Check out what’s being offered:
- 21 Workshop Sessions
- 16 Workshop Presenters
- Appointments with Editors and Literary Agents
- 2 Keynote Addresses by Angela Hunt
- NEW this year: Personalized WriteCoach Labs
- Manuscript Critiques
- Reality Panel of Experts
- A Newly Expanded Vendor Avenue
- Dessert Reception with Angela Hunt
- Book-Signing Party for Authors in Attendance
- Valuable Prizes Awarded Throughout the Conference
All for one low fee? Again, unbelievable. The dates are Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16. I’m doing group editorial appointments for writers and leading two workshops: Writing for the Guideposts Contest, and Make $$$ Selling Personal Experience Short Stories. I hope to see you there. Shoot me an email bj.taylor@verizon.net so I can look for you and we can hug and say “I know you from online!”
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If you are not a writer, what are you passionate about? What would you like to achieve this spring that will springboard you into your own personal success?
Hugs and love, and blessings on your work.
Follow your dreams…
B.J.
What’s Going On:
P MS to a T: the winning formula for writing nonfiction short stories that sell We’re fixing a few quirky errors in the manuscript before we turn it loose on Amazon for print. My wonderfully talented team from www.GeniusBookServices.com is doing the revisions. This is the original cover I went with, but I’m considering a different background color. Any comments or suggestions?
What Writers Say About the Formula:
“This formula worked so well for me that I was able to use it to write a story that was accepted by Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope and Miracles.” – Judee
For Charlie Bear’s dog blog: www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com.
He’s also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/charliebearwigglesandwoofs
and on Twitter: @CharlieBearY2K.
B.J. Taylor
bj@bjtayloronline.com
www.bjtayloronline.com
www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com
Do you like to …
Charlie Bear here.
Do you like to smile? How about grin? Maybe get misty-eyed and even cry a little? Mom Peep loves all those things. And isn’t it fun sometimes to laugh? Mom Peep likes belly laughs, the kind where you almost snort what you drank out of your nose cause you’re laughing so hard. Dad Peep likes the kind that make you smile and grin and laugh lightheartedly.
This link is from a guest speaker at an actual Conference on Aging in California. (Fritz Coleman…maybe you know of him?) He’s a weatherman, but SHOULD be a stand up comic says Mom Peep. No matter what your age, if you want a really good guffaw, listen to the whole thing (14.59 minute, but worth it~!).
https://www.youtube.com/embed/LR2qZ0A8vic?rel=0
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Check out this link to 8 minutes of several Budweiser Clydesdale Commercials. Mom Peep loves those horses, and says the Super Bowl commercials are the best part! (sorry football). Enjoy! The last one is super funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g77TQx2ZvE0&feature=player_embedded
Wiggles and Woofs,
Charlie Bear
How do you decide?
Charlie Bear here. Decisions, decisions. There are all kinds of them each and every day. Like should I eat first or go outside and play? Should I jump up onto Mom Peep’s lap or go where I always go, right on top of Dad Peep? Should I pick one special toy I really like or try a new one?
Do you have that problem? Do you have so many things to choose from that it is hard to decide?
Mom Peep says life is full of choices. She has to choose what to write about, how to write it (nonfiction or fiction), where to submit her work, whether to take a chance on a new market, whether to invest her writing time in a full-length book idea or continue to write short stories that sell, how to juggle work with writing (she only works part-time, but it takes a hunk out of her day), and how to keep all her balls in the air.
Prioritizing is her key ingredient to a life with less stress. Every week, and then every day of that week, she takes her “to-do” list and writes down which projects need to be worked on first. Like when a deadline approached for submission of a Guideposts story, she worked on it nonstop for three days. Everything else took a backseat.
When that project was submitted, she turned her attention to the next priority on the list. And so on and so on.
How do you do it? How do you choose from all the goodies on your plate that God has heaped upon you? Do you find it overwhelming sometimes? I look at my toys spread out before me and wonder which one to put in my mouth that day, drag around the living room, and toss up in the air to catch and repeat. They don’t all get the same attention. I have to admit I like the green banana with the pink smiley face, the green turtle with the bulging eyes, and the little brown squirrel with the chewed off ear the best.
I bet you have favorite projects too. How do you prioritize or juggle your goodies? We’re all ears.
Wiggles and wags,
Charlie Bear
Do You Find it Hard to….
Charlie Bear here.
Change? The saying goes that change is the spice of life.
But I like routine. I get up, stretch my lean (kind of) body from tippy toes to tail, waggle to the back door, go outside, then I sit nice and quiet until Mom Peep feeds me. Then onto Dad Peep’s lap for some petting. They go to work and I lounge around the house, mostly sleeping, until they get home and we play a little. Mom Peep takes me for a long walk around the block and then inside for more Dad Peep time.
After dinner, I snuggle again and then off to bed at 8:00. The next morning I get up and do it all over again.
How about you? Do you like routine too, or is it time to change things up?
Maybe you could take a different route to work and see something new, or try a different grocery store and discover the prices are lower, or they have a larger variety of products like cranberry juice that you could drink instead of orange. Mom Peep has cut out bread. She misses her morning toast, but knows it helps her get back on track with her weight. And Dad Peep is taking his lunch to work and would like cookies or cake, but Mom says apples and fruit.
Maybe you always submit stories to the same place. You’re comfortable with that and let other markets slide by. Too hard to learn new rules of submitting? Too scary to break out of your comfort zone? What if it could be a fantastic new opportunity for you and you never even gave it a thought?
Mom Peep is opening her mind to revising and reshaping her three-book fiction series to become more marketable. People like it, but no one has made an offer. Her agent is trying, but nothing yet. Do you have a novel or nonfiction book you have been trying to sell for years? Is it time to throw the pages up in the air and see what settles as good, solid, sellable material?
As a dog who loves routine, I’m not saying give up everything that makes you feel comfortable, but how about tossing in an extra bone or two (or three or four) of different ways of doing things? That might make things interesting. And who knows, that could be just what you need to go down a different path that brings you to a shimmering, star-studded destination.
More power to change, I say! Share with us ways you have mixed up your routine.
Wiggles and Woofs,
Charlie Bear
What’s Prime Time?
Charlie Bear here with a Newsletter from Mom Peep B.J. Taylor. I hope you like it.
TAYLOR’S TIPS for a more productive you…
Dear Friend,
Christmas is more than two months behind us. Spring is about two months ahead. (Let’s hope it’s less, right Northeasterners?) Summer is right after that.
So what does that make NOW?
PRIME TIME to get things done. Do you have goals? Something in your brain that’s niggling at you? A writing opportunity / deadline that beckons? A story you want to write? A book you want to work on?
What’s stopping you?
The biggest stop sign is the one you place in front of yourself. The cure is to:
How about these strategies:
- Cram writing in between the tight spots, working on a project for half an hour when the house is quiet or getting up early to put in a little writing time.
- Grab fear by the tail and send it swinging, giving in to the knowledge that yes, there are lots of things that are frightening, but you’d rather be afraid of revising and making it better than not having started at all.
- Percolate on your project all the time: when you are washing dishes, making the bed, stuffing laundry into the machine, folding fresh clothes, driving to work (but be attentive—daydream only at stop lights), and even when with your spouse (you know you do it—as long as you give that person your undivided attention when it is required).
We writers never really turn it off, do we?
I think I’ve said it before: if you don’t know where you are going there is no way you will get there. Like an airplane flying without a destination, a writer without projects and goals will never accomplish anything. Agree?
So plan your strategy for the in-between time right now. Spring is coming…summer right after. What are YOU going to accomplish before that time? Let me know.
Hugs and love, and blessings on your work.
Follow your dreams…
B.J.
What’s Going On:
B.J. Taylor domain name: Maybe you’ve noticed that my website is longer than just my name? It’s www.bjtayloronline.com. That’s because the name B.J. Taylor alone had been taken. A man had it “parked” which meant he had the rights to it as long as he paid the yearly fee for renewal. At the end of last year I hired a wonderful woman named April Michelle Davis from Editorial Inspirations to upgrade/update my website. She reached the owner of www.bjtaylor.com and negotiated for me to buy it. I’ll admit it wasn’t cheap. But I think it’s worth it. Look for the shorter, quicker-to-type version of my website name soon. And don’t worry if you don’t remember to switch, the old website with “online” in the name will rollover to the new one. Isn’t technology wonderful?
P MS to a T: the winning formula for writing nonfiction short stories that sell The manuscript is now in the hands of my book services guy and his wonderfully talented team from www.GeniusBookServices.com. They will format the book for print through Amazon and as an e-book available through the regular channels (Amazon, B&N, etc.). Here’s a sneak peek at the cover. What do you think?
Orange County Christian Writers Conference I cannot wait to see you at the conference. It runs Friday, April 24 from 5:30 to 9:30, and Saturday, April 25 from 8:00 to 5:00. Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, California. It’s going to be filled with opportunities to learn more about your craft. www.occwf.org
Northwest Christian Writers Renewal I’ll be doing something different: group appointments. I will meet with six attendees at a time for 30-minutes. You get to do a three-minute elevator pitch and then receive feedback. Sounds like fun! I’ll also be teaching Writing for the Guideposts Contest and Making $$$ Selling Inspirational Short Stories. Did you register yet? www.nwchristianwriters.org/renewal May 15-16, 2015 in Redmond Washington (near Seattle).
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By Portland Book Review: www.portlandbookreview.com
By Galina Roizman
This review is from: Charlie Bear: What a Headstrong Rescue Dog Taught Me About Life, Love, and Second Chances (Paperback)
“Hon, do you think the day will come when we don’t have any pets?” B. J. Taylor asks her husband when they lose their second cat in a few months apart. His answer, “I don’t think so,” is probably common for all animal lovers and it isn’t surprising that soon they decided to add a small dog to the golden Lab, Rex, the only pet left at their home. What is surprising that while looking for a dog like a Yorkie they spot the photo of a young Shih Tzu/Terrier mix rescued from the street and both fell in love with his cute appearance and decided to give him a trial. Was this a right decision?
‘“I need a home and someone to love me.’ How could someone not love this dog?”
Charlie Bear is adorable, but has a lot of behavioral issues. B. J. and her husband are responsible pet owners concerned not only with animal rights but with proper animal behavior as well. Would B. J.’s place be a good home for Charlie Bear? Can he trust his new owners? Read the book to find it out. Short “Charlie’s monologues” are funny and provide an additional charming aspect to the story.”
For Charlie Bear’s dog blog: www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com.
He’s also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/charliebearwigglesandwoofs
and on Twitter: @CharlieBearY2K.
B.J. Taylor
bj@bjtayloronline.com
www.bjtayloronline.com
www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com
Do you do this…?
Charlie Bear here.
Mom Peep does something kinda cool. She flies to Wisconsin for a family reunion every year where she gets to see her Great-Granddaughter, Aubree:
and all the gang.
She comes back filled up with love and hugs and laughter and even sometimes tears. They have a close-knit family and they rely upon each other. Me? I’m a roamer and a rover and a free spirit. I was found running around the streets of Los Angeles.
I envy the love Mom Peep has with family. Oh, sure, as dogs you wouldn’t think we’d crave family ties, and since I never knew my “parents” I can’t really miss them. What I have now is good, really good. Dad Peep loves me. Mom Peep loves me. I have all I need right here. Maybe you’ve had to turn away from something not so good and now you’ve found something great?
I understand what Mom Peep goes after when she goes away. Do you? Do you have a place where you prepare meals together, sit around and chat, play card games or hide ‘n seek?
Share where you might be going this year, or whether those loved ones are right around the corner and you see them all the time.
Tell us what makes you happy deep down inside.
Wiggles and Woofs,
Charlie Bear
Have you heard the Scoop?
Charlie Bear here.
American Pet Magazine runs a column written by me (ahem…Mom Peep) and it starts out like this:
I was found roaming the streets in Los Angeles, fending for myself with no one to care for me. If I’d been taken to a shelter, I would have never made it out because I had a bunch of issues: I threw temper tantrums, guarded my food and toys, and was sensitive to touch. So my rescuer took me to a foster home and from there I was adopted and found my forever home.
My column is on page 19 and continues with this intro: Charlie Bear is a 5-year-old muttigree who believes he won the lottery. No way could life have been predicted to turn out this good. In fact, his Mom Peep, B.J. Taylor, wrote the story of Charlie Bear’s first year in their lives. It’s an emotional, heart-tugging story that includes the big dog, Rex (Mom Peep’s forever love): Charlie Bear: What a Headstrong Rescue Dog Taught Me about Life, Love, and Second Chances
To read this new issue for enlightening facts and stories, click here:
Enjoy!
Wiggles and Woofs,
Charlie Bear
If Dogs Were…
Charlie Bear here.
Guess what’s coming this weekend? Valentine’s Day! Human Peeps love to celebrate the holiday with chocolates, candy, flowers, dinners out.
Me, I have a few suggestions for you from my heart to your heart. Do you think they might apply to Peeps loving Peeps?
IF DOGS WERE YOUR TEACHERS (an internet pass-around from “Unknown”)
♥ When loved ones come home, always run to greet them like they’ve been gone for a year.
♥ Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride in the car.
♥ Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
♥ Take naps.
♥ Run, romp, and play daily.
♥ Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
♥ On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
♥ Delight in the simple joy of taking a long walk.
♥ Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
♥ When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them.
♥ When you’re happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.
If Peeps showed other Peeps this much love, the world would be a very happy place.
♥ HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Wiggles and Woofs,
Charlie Bear
Koko on the job…
Charlie Bear here with some help for you. Christmas is only ten months from now. I LOVE Christmas. Treats, big doggie bones, yummy tidbits of people food. Bring it on! It seems like a long time away, but we should get prepared.
There’s one job humans seem to love. That’s decorating their Christmas trees. Some people buy a tree and spend hours and hours decorating it with just the right ornaments and little white lights. Some like tinsel or garland. I don’t think there are two hand-decorated Christmas trees alike.
And you know how you have to undecorate the tree after Christmas, taking off all the ornaments, disentangling the lights?
Check out this guy. He can do all that for you.
His name is Koko. And he’s ready and willing to do the job.
He’s flattened out the top, now he’s working on the bottom.
Koko will take off all the ornaments by batting them to the carpet, rid the tree of lights by pulling each strand down until they hang in a big loop, and flatten the branches by climbing up and up to the tippy top and then back down again. When Koko is done, all you have to do is carry the stump of leftover greenery to the curb for the garbage truck.
Yup, Koko’s on the job. Helpful, isn’t he? He’s my kind of cat.
Do any of you have a cat like that?
Wiggles and woofs to you all,
Charlie Bear
Psssstttt….are you a romantic? Check this out: http://amzn.to/1vinAKT A great gift for a dog lover this Valentine’s Day, right? (There are even cats in it.)
God’s Serving Line…
Charlie Bear here.
Mom Peep read a quote this morning from Zig Ziglar. See what you think about it:
“As you go down the serving line of God’s Heavenly smorgasbord on planet earth,
God is going to reach out and take something off your tray
so there will be more room for Him to load your tray (your life)
with the good things He wants you to have.”
Okay, now. Let’s see. Does that mean less treats for me? Less toys? Less people food tidbits after Mom and Dad Peep finish their dinner?
Am I going to feel a lack? Will I be able to handle not getting all that I want (or think that I want)? What about the promise to make room for loading my tray with other goodies. I like that part, but I don’t want to lose what I already have.
Here’s where Mom Peep chimed in. She told me this: You can have anything you want in life, but you can’t have everything. Huh. I guess she’s kinda right. Cause what if I had ALL the kibble, treats, people food I wanted. I’d be 300 pounds!
She said that for her, she wants to see lots of people read her books and have them feel inspired and full of hope. She would like to eat cake and pies and cookies and especially hot fudge sundaes and not gain an ounce. ha ha Not likely, right? She wants to make money to live comfortably, but doesn’t want to work hard. She wants to travel and enjoy exotic places, but doesn’t want to spend a day on an airplane to get there or time away from me, her furry friend. (I like that part.)
So there you have it. Mom Peep and I both want everything, but we can’t have it. God sees to that. He censors our wants and gives us what we need. I always have enough kibble, even when I drain my bowl and lick the edges and look to Mom to give me more and she gives me that waggling finger that says, “Nope, you’ve had enough for now.”
And I always have enough love, that’s for sure. I am truly and abundantly gifted. Mom Peep feels the same.
So how does God’s Heavenly smorgasbord here on plant earth feel to you? Have you seen things taken off your own tray to make room for God to load your tray with special gifts?
Wiggles and woofs,
Charlie Bear
Taylor's Tips 