Tag Archives: Writing

You don’t know. . .

. . . what you don’t know.

I guess it is safe to say that I didn’t know a lot about what I was doing in life, so I learned as much as I could, now, six decades later I have learned a lot more about what I didn’t know.

Absolutely everyone you listen to will have their own ideas, their own perception on what it is they are teaching or sharing. Something else I have learned, and this is only my perception, is that when we hear the words “you have to” it puts us (me) in a defensive state, I would feel much better if I had the option; “you should” or “you could”, hearing this would make us (me) feel much more at ease.

So you want to write a book? Ok, here is the readers digest version of the steps, First; write the book (I have heard this is the easy part) then find THE editor for you (this step is important, your editor has to believe in you) then find THE most awesome designer (also important, your designer has to be able to create using your thoughts alone) then find a printer (yup, also important if you want good quality for your work) and there you have it, you have written your first book. The point here is one you may have missed, none of the people helping you with your book are “above you” they are on your level doing what they love to do WITH you, and if they do an excellent job you are going to share them with others, so, on that note, Thank you to my incredible team (Family) of book experts;

Rachel Small (Editor), Jessee Wise (Graphic Design/Illustrations) Fiona Raven (Designer), Friesens Printing (Printing), Beth Kallman Werner(Marketing), and a list of others too long to add in this post, but the most important are those that believed in me, and you all know who you are.

WI:)ND

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There are two places to get recognition. . .

. . .from the mirror and from your peers.

“Writers write” said Carrie Mumford during a conversation we were having at a local coffee shop, and those two words have been forefront in my thoughts ever since. I have never given myself the recognition I deserved for being a writer, until recently. I spent all day Sunday, writing, finishing the chapter pages for Volume X of Series Two of BawB’s Raven Feathers. This is something I have been taking for granted for the last five years, the fact that I can sit down every morning and put together a rhyming inspirational quote of my own, never repeating one that I’ve already written, avoiding gender, race, religion and politics, just putting on a smile and creating a word hug that I can share with the world, and then having to come up with a full page, speaking on a one word topic, in the third person, again without being specific while sharing my opinion and not judging, and doing it while a tear rolls down my cheek because it’s the last chapter of the last book I will write in this series titled “Happiness”, yes, yes I am a writer, and I write.

An excerpt from that chapter:

“It is in the dawn or the dusk, it is in the stars or the clouds that dance in the sky, it is in the hand we hold or in the moments alone, it is in our hearts and our souls. Happiness is a breath, or a kiss, a hug from a friend, it is in a memory or a moment when a new smile is shared. Happiness is colors and cookies, rain and rivers, it’s a feeling we get when a touch makes us quiver… Happiness is a way of thinking.”

 

When I am not writing I am fortunate to have found a way to continue to share happiness. I was led by the Universe to the desk of a wonderful kind soul, she introduced me to Nerium, and to the people that she worked with in her business, who in turn welcomed me and shared their energy and their smiles. I chose to pursue this adventure, and went about it with both eyes open, I needed to learn about it, use it, feel it and then believe in it. Six months have passed and I believe, I look and feel fantastic, I have met and shared with some wonderful people, who are carrying the smiles forward and I have been recognized for my achievements, not just by my peers but by the company, which to me, means the world.

I have also recognized that the founder of the company Jeff Olsen, is also a writer and an Author, he wrote a book called the Slight Edge, I have read this book three times and each time I do I smile. He writes of a way of thinking that will lead people to the happiness and success they desire, is it a coincidence that I write about inspiring people to find their inner smile which in turn will lead them to happiness. I want to meet Jeff Olsen one day and shake his hand, because I feel his energy by reading his words, yes, writers write, and then they share what they write with the world, for some the best recognition they will receive are the smiles they see on the faces of those that read what they have written.

Thank you to all the people that now share their smiles with me, I appreciate the recognition.

WI:)ND

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http://www.bawbsravenfeathers.net/

Seeing is a part of believing. . .

. . . and believing can help you to see.

I never would have believed had I not have seen with my own eyes the support from somewhere I have never been. Thousands of likes with each new post from so many wonderful people, most of which are in the Philippines, and most of which make my smile even bigger.

With each new post I move forward, it gives me a chance to share with the world where I am in my adventure, and as a writer, I need to believe in what I write, I need to know someone, somewhere will read it and smile, so believe me, when I see so much support from so many people I find new light and new hope for not just myself, but for other aspiring authors and writers. This has to be more than a dream, you need to take that step to make it a reality, commit to yourself, “see” yourself succeed at whatever it is you are doing, share your progress, your adventure with the world and know that out there somewhere there are others just like you, waiting for that little spark of inspiration.

As I write this, the effects of a recent visit with my Editor Rachel Small, has filled me with new found excitement and enthusiasm, her energy and her passion for what she does, along with her ability to polish my word hugs and make them just that much warmer, has given me that little bit of extra inspiration. I have increased my drive now to find a sponsor or an investor to help with my task of printing and releasing Series Two of BawB’s Raven Feathers to the world.

WI:)ND 🌻

Words are a gift and a tool. . .

. . . to be used for building and sharing.

It’s funny how a writer can go for a while without writing and they don’t lose their title of “writer”. I have raised quite a stir at times when I chat with my proof reader Carrie and my editor Rachel, as I have called myself a “wroter” which, of course, is a writer who “has written” a thing or two. Today I sit in my office with what to me seems like things worth sharing, highlights I suppose of this particular writers’ adventure.

Let’s start with a “Heart-warming” moment that occurred with my new big black equine friend Dracula. If you have read anything I have written, you will know I am a spiritual individual, I believe in energy, I believe we are all energy, sharing the same flow of life, and animals are on a level all their own. Animals communicate without judging, they speak every language, and for the most part, they tolerate humans unconditionally, because we choose to look after them they learn to communicate with us.

So, there I was, on a typical morning of chores feeding and hugging the herd of six including Drac, but this morning was a little different. I was greeted as usual by Paris, followed closely by Vienna mare and Katie, but Drac was not moving, he stayed in the lean-to with just his head showing, watching me sharing my hugs with the mares. Well, I have learned a little over this last while and one of the things I have learned is if there is a bond there is an attraction, instead of going to him, I turned my back and thought of him, before I could reach a count of ten I felt that wonderful soft nudge (soft for a thousand-pound friend) on my back, he came to me for his hug… it’s the little things in life that fill my heart with joy.

Now on to a book moment, my awesome editor Rachel and I have completed Vol VIII of series two and will be working shortly on Vol IX, and as always I take these opportunities to make sure she knows just how incredible she is for doing what she does so well, Thank you Rachel. I hope to have everything done for a November launch of series two along with a second edition (reprint) of Series One to get out to the world for Christmas. This of course is my way of letting the Universe know it’s going to happen and to help me find that sponsor or investor to help with publishing costs.

Things that happen have a reason you know

They give you a chance for a smile to show.

WI:)ND

BawB

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Traded my Harley for Horses. . .

 

 

. . . and I haven’t looked back (the horse didn’t come with a mirror).

 

If you were to have asked me five years ago if I could become an award winning author I would have thought about it for two seconds and replied “could happen, you never know” however if you were to have asked if I ever saw myself trading my Harley for a Horse I would respond by asking you if you had momentarily lost your mind.

 

Now, not surprisingly, here I am in a state of being between Harleys and I am still working with a large black 4-year-old Tennessee Walker named Dracula, for those that don’t know, the Tennessee Walking horse is like the touring class of equine breeds with a natural free flowing gait and, I am learning, a great deal of stubborn pride as well. The gait is incredible to watch, the stubborn pride is teaching me to look in the mirror.

 

I have learned a great deal in this lifetime, I have watched and listened, I have seen and understood, but I have yet to grasp the concept of change, it is something we are faced with almost every day of our lives, in society, in politics, in the weather and in plans made or goals desired, change is something we live with but have difficulty creating. Often we find ourselves desperately needing a change in our lives in order to grow or move forward, yet we are hesitant or reluctant to create changes because they may mean choosing a different path, a path we are not familiar with which in itself is directly related to the universal law of cause and effect.

 

So, all laws aside, I find myself now settled on a different path, in a different place, yet I am still writing with the same inspirational energy and still breathing, believing and being the BawB I have grown comfortable with, so is the change I experienced just a mind set or has my definition of a compatible reality altered just enough for me to allow and accept the flow of positive energy wherever I am standing in the moment?

 

Bob Dylan said it best in 1963 “the answer my friend is blowing in the wind” and I find myself listening to the wind more these days, as long as it is at my back be it Horse or Harley I am at peace.

 

Update on BawB’s Raven Feathers Series 2, my awesome editor Rachel Small has been locked in a small dark room for the last 6 months working feverishly on the next 5 volumes… Okay, I am embellishing a little, she is most often working in a sun lit room filled with light and creative energy working at a relaxed pace sorting through a huge amount of poetic inspiration and is, from what I am told, enjoying every minute of it.  🙂  Thank you Rachel, for doing what you do.

 

The moment you feel a change is needed that will help you just to grow

Is the very moment the wind will push you and a smile will start to show.

 

WI:)ND

bawbsravenfeathers.net

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How do you know if you’ve missed a beat. . .

. . .if you haven’t danced to your own drum?

 

It has been a while since I have had a look at my Blog site, the stats are showing that people still trickle by and read what I have written, but, I felt guilty for not contributing for such a long time. I have followed others as they embark on this writing adventure and I am so proud of them and their creative energy, it just seems to flow once you are in the zone. I find myself struggling of late to find that zone, I still post my morning inspiration each day, but the writing I do for my books is not coming to the surface, I feel it, I just can’t put it into words.

 

I am not worried however, my incredible Editor Rachel Small keeps nudging me while she works on the content of the remaining volumes. That, as I have mentioned before is so important, to have a flowing, comfortable and copacetic working arrangement with your editor, no pressure, just an honest understanding of what’s involved with what you are writing. One day I will wake up and there it will be, on the surface, ready to type.

 

Now this is not to say I am not busy, quite the contrary in fact as I am busier now than when I was working full time. I have moved south of the city to escape the pressures of big city living, the traffic, the drivers, the lack of motivation, my life was becoming ritualistic, patterned if you will. Okay fine, I was in a rut, plain and simple.

 

So here I am in a different, calmer, more laid back environment where I find the time to concentrate on doing what the Universe wanted me to do; help others to help themselves. Currently I am still Co-facilitating my Literacy and Parenting programs in the city for the Further Education Society, as well as Mentoring the up and coming authors at the Oilfields High School in Black Diamond AB. The wind also led me to the FCSS in Claresholm where I am now working with an amazing group of Ladies that excel in sharing their kind energy to those that need support.

 

And if that’s not enough I am now the proud Papa to a very handsome black stallion named Dracula’s Raven, (he came to me named Dracula, I added the Raven to share my spirit with him) together we are working to build a bond and to share what we both know about life. Eventually he will be under saddle, which I will call a graduation day for us both, and we will ride off into the sunset.

Until that day I will continue to write, and I am learning as I live;

With each new day you share yourself in the smile that you give.

 

WI:)ND

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On a path of adventure. . .

. . . the journey is always enjoyable.

 

Four years into this adventure of mine and I am still learning, and one of the greatest lessons so far is, I have learned how to share. I have learned how to take a compliment, I have learned how to wear the title of Writer, Author, and Publisher of 5 award winning books ( http://www.indiebookawards.com ) I have learned how to be patient and when to ask questions, I have learned that if I do something myself it becomes a much more appreciated task, and now with everything I have learned I become better at what I am doing, better at reading my work in from of others, better at sharing my opinions and thoughts and better at math (adding up the book sales) but still, with all of Beth’s effort   (http://www.authorconnections.com )  I am still not very good at marketing.

 

Try as I might I just can’t seem to get the knack of promoting myself, or “pushing” my books, I am still quite humble, I have never been pushy, more I think “to myself” which created my comfort box. Well, to all of the up and coming artists out there, when you have done what you enjoy doing and you share it with the world, your “box” whatever it may consist of, disappears.

 

So here I am today stripped of any boxes, enclosures, spheres or armor, here I am today practising the incredibly misunderstood and often unappreciated art of marketing.

 

Christmas is rapidly approaching and I can’t think of a better gift than that of inspiration, this year give a gift that will continue to be a gift for the next year to come. Put a set of BawB’s Raven Feathers under the tree of that special someone, or friend or family member, show them how to share a smile with the world and they will share it for a lifetime.

 

The paperback editions are available for order (or on the shelves of Calgary North locations) of Chapters, Indigo and Coles.

And Hardcover editions are available Individually or as a Boxed set at all the wonderful stores mentioned on my website( www.bawbsravenfeathers.com ) please stop into any one of these stores to do some of your Christmas shopping as they all carry those amazing little “must share” gifts.

Yes, it is still a little uncomfortable promoting myself and my work, but I am told every day that what I do needs to be shared with the world, and I truly believe that what you do as well needs to be shared, and if you are still in the learning stages then you are moving in the right direction, if you have any questions ask them, if I can help I most certainly will.

 

And one final note, I am seeking a distribution company, Canada and the US, my little books are doing really well in and around Calgary but they need to be shared everywhere else, if anyone has any tips or suggestions please share, and yes I do ask for directions. 🙂

 

Christmas is a time for giving, your heart, your soul, your smile,

Give the gift of inspiration and it will last a good long while.

 

WI:)ND

BawB

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If you continue to inspire the Universe. . .

. . . the Universe will continue to inspire you.

 

I woke this morning to begin a typical day, I let my little dog out, grabbed a coffee (I program the coffee maker for 5 AM so the coffee is ready for me) and I sat down in my office to write my morning inspiration, https://www.facebook.com/iambawb                                                                     the beginning of a typically wonderful day at BawB’s house.

 

My day was soon to change, for the better. I found myself needing to pursue with a bit more aggression the distribution of my little books, I am doing pretty well here in Calgary, but that is just not enough, I needed more visibility. So, off I go on my quest, first stop IBPA https://www.ibpa-online.org to click on the resources tab to find a list of distributors and wholesalers.

 

I made my selection, and then began writing an introductory/query letter to introduce my books and myself and begin a new adventure. While I was writing my letter I thought it might be a good Idea to include a review or two that I have received to help promote the sincerity I am trying to generate with these companies.

 

This brings me now to the Universe part of this new adventure that brought a tear to my eye, again. While I was searching for a review I found this most recent one I had not yet seen on Google:

 

http://www.yourmindschool.com/bawbs-raven-feathers-reflections-on-the-simple-things-in-life/

 

I added it to my letter and I wanted to share it with You because the Universe shared it with me.

 

I am so very proud of these little books, and so thankful for all the people involved in helping me create them… and of course for all of the readers that are enjoying them…my adventure continues.

 

Don’t ever give up my friends, keep writing, painting, drawing and creating, then share with the world what you have done, share your pride, share your tears and your laughter… and for the absolute joy of being you and doing what you do, share your smile in the wind.

 

Happiness is not just something you imagine you can be

It is found by letting yourself image that you are.

 

WI:)ND

 

BawB

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Imagine if you will. . .

. . . that we still have the will to imagine.

 

I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and no, that is not why I have been neglecting my writing. I have not been writing because I have had nothing to share. This is a Blog after all, it is an open forum to share our thoughts, the ones we think the universe would like to hear about, and although I have kept busy with things, the universe is a busy place, so I was being thoughtful.

 

I am engaged in a new program (Further Education Society of Alberta) at a local facility with my Mentor and Co-facilitator Lois, and in this program I am seeing things a little differently. The participants are an awesome group and enjoy the fact that we are there for them, but my outlook has changed. I am looking at life a little differently, or should I say a part of life, which I think we lose at a very early age. This part of life I am focusing on is our ability to use our imagination.

 

We lose our imagination when we start school, (in my opinion) we are placed at a desk among our peers and we are told to learn, and for the next 12 years straight our minds are filled with facts, figures, information and opinions, we lose our imagination completely. Oh I know we get caught day dreaming a lot, but that is not the same thing. Now, some fifty years later I am finally able to imagine again, to run through puddles like a grizzly chasing salmon, to see shapes in the clouds and imagine myself flying through them with outstretched ebony wings.

 

The “key” I think, to enjoying life and being happy is to simply imagine you are, but without the ability to imagine, we are doomed. I have the absolute privilege to have the opportunity to chat with some very wonderful people in my day-to-day adventures, and I am appreciating the fact that most everyone I talk to is thrilled to learn of my thoughts on our imagination. It seems as though all it takes is the simple turn of a tiny key to unlock a gift that each and every one of us is born with. Now if we can attach this tiny key to the smiles we share in the wind, the world will be that much happier.

 

On another note, my little books are now available (paperback editions) through Chapters/Indigo and Create Space (change the little grey box in the upper right from “site” to “store”)  and the Hard Cover Boxed Set of Series One is available at all the New Age, Spiritual, Mind and Body shops in Calgary and surrounding area. Please see my website for locations and stores. Plus I can share with the Universe that my little inspirational books have made it over to Japan, this is just the start of a wonderful adventure to come I imagine.

Stay tuned for information on Series Two.

 

If you want to find your happiness, just imagine that you are

Once you do it looks good on you, now its time to touch that star.

 

WI:)ND

BawB

http://www.bawbsravenfeathers.net

 

Use positive steps. . .

. . . and you will arrive at positive places.

It’s been a while since I have had the pleasure of sitting with the keyboard and sharing my thoughts. I still write every morning but only my short bursts of inspirational poetry, which come to me at 0500 with my first cup of coffee. I choose to abstain from writing if in fact I have nothing to write about because I don’t want to end up with nothing to read. 🙂

 

I have decided to move forward with Series Two of BawB’s Raven Feathers; my editor Rachel has plunged herself into the piles of print and papers I have sent to her, she is using her positive perception while perusing for some perfectly printed prose and poetry, and in this series there will be a particularly pleasing positive twist using pristine pictures… whew, that’s enough p’s for one paragraph.

 

I have also had the absolute pleasure of growing in my role as a facilitator with the Further Education Society of Alberta. So far I have co-facilitated two full programs at the Calgary Remand Center, and I have found working with those groups to be incredibly rewarding, but it gets better. I was offered an opportunity to run a writing circles program at the Calgary Catholic Immigrant Society and although I was nervous as heck to step up on my own, it too has been very rewarding.

 

The real ground breaking, earth shattering, life changing event for me, was being trusted with my co-facilitator Lois’ (I am actually Lois’ side kick, but we work so well together) group at the Alcove Addiction Center for Women. I have never in this lifetime met such a wonderful group of strong, dedicated, determined women. This group not only welcomed and trusted me but also made me feel accepted. Together over the last few weeks we have, in a two-hour session each week, achieved a level of balanced calm, while using our imaginations to escape for a moment to a place of much appreciated inner peace.

 

I have such tremendous respect for the men and women in these groups I have been asked to work with, as they possess the will and desire to achieve their own level of happiness after experiencing and learning from some of life’s hardest lessons. The positive energy they share with me in our two-hour sessions lasts me for the entire week and I look so forward to sit with them again.

 

I hope only to absorb some of their wonderful energy and have it mix with mine while I follow the path to becoming a seasoned and well-rounded facilitator, so far I am honoured to sit with and watch the masters while I learn from them and to share with these groups of amazing people my own peaceful, positive and inspirational energy.

 

Keep doing what you do if it works for you and each day you’ll find yourself growing

Share what you learn with others you meet and your smile will always be showing.

 

WI:)ND

BawB

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