It’s June. Already. Seems like last time I checked, it was Valentine’s Day. Wowza.

Summer is such a beautiful time. Everywhere we look, the life that was lush with promise only a few months ago is now buzzing and humming and hatching and growing and living. It pulls me, mesmerizes me, makes me yearn to be in it and of it. I want my life to be the one buzzing and humming along. Enjoying the great outdoors, spending time with family and friends, eating good food, trying new and different things–I want to be in the arms of all that.

Yet at the same time, a part of me longs to hide away and live deep within the creative realms of my mind, that sacred and magical place where I create stories and bring them to life.

And so lies the dilemma. Go out and be in the real moment, or stay in and immerse myself in a world of my own creation?

I want both! My life is a balancing act, a continual battle consisting of which I want more, and when I want it. So I get my work done, and then go out. Or I go out, and then come in and work. What I choose doesn’t matter–provided it comes guilt-free. (Guilt wreaks havoc on the most perfect of moments… but that’s a whole different topic.) The important thing is that I am the moment and truly experiencing whatever happens. Because then, whether I go out or stay in, the experience feeds my soul.

It’s a good way to live. I guess what I’m saying is, work hard, play hard, and whichever you choose in whatever moment, put your whole heart into it.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a fabulous day,

Ann

This saying really speaks to me. How about you?

Reaching a goal always feels good… It means that I did it! I accomplished what I set out to do. Ah…

But often, I forget to be proud as I complete the steps that will eventually take me to the end zone. And there are usually many, many of them, little tiny accomplishments that slowly and steadily add up. Why not celebrate those, too?

Remember those gold stars your teacher gave out for completing a task? Your parents probably used a similar goal chart, or maybe you use one with your kids. Each star is something to celebrate, and a full chart earns a a coveted trinket or treat .

To that end, I have created my own adult “gold star” box. Mine relates to writing, of course. At the beginning of each new project, I set a daily writing goal. Every day, I record the number of pages written, and I pay myself. Not much– $.25 per page written–but it adds up. The money goes into a box. As time goes on, I exchange the coinage for bills and the small bills for larger ones. When I finish the project and send it off, I get to spend the money on anything I want.

It’s fun and it works! Feel free to “steal” the idea and give it a try.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you pride in your accomplishments,

Ann

As my vacation draws to a close, I am ready to go home. To paraphrase my mom, “If you’re ready to go home, the vacation has worked its magic.” This one has! From the go-go of The Big Apple to the laid-back, lovely beach at Siesta Key, it’s been a terrific vacation.

Now, I’m looking forward to getting home. Yeah, that means opening the mail, paying bills, grocery shopping, doing laundry and all the other stuff that makes up my daily life. But I don’t mind. Most important of all, I’m eager to sit down in my office, fire up the desk top and write!

Okay, but on this last day in Paradise, I’m gonna play. In the Gulf. I’d best get to it.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a rejuvenating vacation in the near future,

Ann

I am vacationing on Siesta Key, FL, and so enjoying myself. As always, the weather in May is perfect! Wonderful for early morning beach walks. As the tide comes in or flows out, sandpipers run across the wet sand in search of breakfast. Sometimes they move in groups. Other times, they work alone. Which got me to thinking about  writing. More specifically, writers.

What’s she talking about? you’re probably wondering.

Writing is a solitary business. (But never lonely!) We writers spend long hours, sitting in our offices, breathing life into the stories in our heads. This is often a daunting task, but very rewarding. Especially when we hear from readers. 🙂

But sometimes, we need to get out, hang with our peeps and talk shop. It’s always great to share stuff about our own writing and the business of writing, a reminder that we are not alone, that there are others out there, doing what we do for similar reasons.

Time to get back to the ocean now.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you some serious fun with your peeps,

Ann

Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? This is not an easy question to answer, so take your time and really think about it. Don’t limit yourself–this is your dream and your life.

Once you know where and who you want to be, write it down. Then … check out this cool website, with step-by-step instructions for making your dream come true. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Dreams-Come-True

Have fun!

Until Wednesday, and wishing you big dreams,

Ann

For a sneak peak of my June release of A Rancher’s Honor, sign up for my newsletter today! You’ll get a yummy recipe, too. Go to www.annroth.net and click on subscribe to newsletter at the top of the page.

Until Wednesday,

Ann

What a great quote to kick off your Monday morning!

How many times have I resisted trying something new because of the possible objections I think I should overcome first? (Note the use of I think, which is different from I know.) Too many, I’m afraid. That’s why this quote is so powerful. None of us will achieve those dreams we hold dear unless we forge past those possible objections and just do it.

Care to join me?

To share your thoughts about this, click on leave a reply.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a can-do-week,

Ann

It’s Monday, and what a great to way to kick off the week!

This quote is brought to you by Albert Montapert. This guy wrote book that came out in 1970, called The Supreme Philosophy of Man: The Laws of Life. I haven’t read it, but I hear that it embraces basically the same philosophy of The Secret, and does it even better.

We all grapple with problems. I certainly encounter my share–every day, often multiple times. Some are small, like my current problem of the week: What colors should I paint the bedroom? (Trust me, figuring out an entirely new and different color scheme is a problem.) I’m narrowing that down now, but it’s taking way more time than I ever imagined. Other problems are bigger, such as, I have no idea what  kind of book project I should focus on next, or, I can’t get this stupid plot to come together! Then there are the truly ginormous problems, for example when a family member needs help and suddenly I need to be in two places at once, or someone I care about or want very much to please asks me to tackle some task that seems impossible.

That’s why this particular picture and motivational saying speaks to me. It puts problems in a can-do perspective, and reminds me that if I put my mind to it, I have the power to solve/conquer/see any problem in a different way than I might think, and that I can solve it, or at least cut it down to size, and thrive from the challenge.

What a terrific angle in which to look at and tackle life’s problems!

I’m ready to give this attitude adjustment a try. How about you? Join me in giving this “eat any problem for breakfast” attitude a try, and let’s kick some serious butt this week and boot some of those problems right out of our life.

To share your thoughts about this, click on leave a reply.

Until Wednesday,

Ann